Welcome to home of misson:UTAH. Here you can find all you need to follow us on our journey. Check periodically for musings, pictures, videos and other special treats.
Our Journey
May 9th, 2008 11:16PM
That was eerie.
Unnerving.
I do not know quite how to describe the crowd at the Energy Solutions Arena in downtown Salt Lake City.
Frenetic zombies, is the best way to sum them up. Like the ones from 28 Days Later not sullen leg-draggers from Night of the Living Dead
It was as if someone handed out a leaflet titled “Fanhood for Dummies”, and the 19,000-plus voraciously regurgitated its every advisement.
Suffice it to say, the supporters of the Utah Jazz are loud, obnoxious and…boring.
“But, how?” you ask, can the building that produced a 37-4 regular season record for the Jazz be so strangely lifeless yet filled with such cacophonous babble at the same time?
Simple. Having witnessed it first hand, the Jazz faithful do not understand the idiosyncrasies of the game. From tip to final buzzer, if the Jazz is performing up to snuff, the building is at a fever pitch. No middle. Just two settings: on and off.
With all this new information I have gleaned from mission:UTAH, I have come to realize something very important. I realized how much I love Staples Center and how much I love all of its inhabitants.
Taciturn and tardy you may be, but at least you have a range of emotion.
At least there are some championship banners hanging in the rafters.
At least the public address system at Staples WORKS! (I’m pretty sure the PA at the Energy Solush was transplanted from a closed down Del Taco)
Individually, the Jazz fan is a wonderful individual full of pride and hope, but as a group, they are just a sea of powder blue noise.
I would like to offer a small postscript and conceit to my point. In section 125 we were lucky enough to have met some wonderful BYU students who between our conversations about Grey’s Anatomy and discussions about what constitutes a positive lifestyle, truly made the game and the crowd much more bearable. I love you, kids.
May 9th, 2008 9:15AM
First night on the road.
well, it is 5:11 am, and we are sitting in room 2346 of the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino. What on earth are we doing here?
I am sleep deprived and I still haven’t watched LOST.
The drive has been quite brisk so far. Nothing crazy to report.
I just wish there was a way to videotape us in the car. I think everyone should have the opportunity to see us belt out The Decemberists at the top of our lungs at 2:30 AM as we drive down the Las Vegas Strip. I know I enjoyed it.
As the sun rises over the City of Sin, we look forward to finding out what lay ahed for our friends on the Island as well as our fortune as we embark back on Interstate 15 at 9:00 AM heading for a much more chaste land.
Stay tuned. Same bat-time, same bat-channel
Favorite Three Songs:
Ben Kweller- On My Way
David Bowie- Rock and Roll Suicide
The Decemberists- We Both Go Down Together
Videos
Episode 5: The Morning After -
Older Episodes -
- Episode 4: SNOW!
- Episode 3: The Worlds Largest Thermometer
- Episode 2: Dave & Terry aka Youngster
- Episode 1: The T-Shirt
Pictures
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- We Haz Them!
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- Marching to Utah
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- Thanks, Barry's Ticket
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- The Cruise
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- Thumbs up, Ryan!
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- WTF License Plates
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- World Famous Gift Shop?
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- Yep...
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- Yeah, it's that hot
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- Where are we?
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- Okay, were officially LOST!
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- WE MADE IT!
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- Vegas...
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- and more Vegas...
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- and that's it.
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- SURF'S UP!
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- Testing the bouncy
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- Well, hello...
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- This is where the magic happens
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- BEER!
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- The Matrix
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- WE MADE IT!
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- Them folks are from Californeeway!
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- Enemy Territory
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- So that happened
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- TLN Wood
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- Hold it.
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- Stockbutt
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- What'cha lookin' at?
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- Ryan Representin'
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- Larry Miller?
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Woah! I thought it was Sasha and Luke…
Take Care Guys!!!
GOODLUCK LAKERS!!!
BEAT UTAH!!!
have fun!! dont forget to chant for our MVP!!!
“Sasha and Luke”
lol.
My bad..They are “Sasha and Luke”, when they were in grade school..
good luck finding a drink
um ya…i dont drink.
This is awesome. Good Luck. GOOOOO LAKERS 2008 CHAMPS!
Good luck you guys!! I am from Utah, the fans are pretty ingnorant and hostile at the Energy Solutions Arena. Give em’ Hell! I went to the last game Lakers played there and it was a very sweet victory. Me, my brother, and my dad all have tickets for game four here, so we will be sure to represent the LAKER NATION! GO LAKERS!!!
What? Even Ladies’ drinks?
Do it B.I.G like i did in Denver chk me out holding the MVP sign on the road during Kobes Interview!!
Wow, this is awesome. I can’t wait to see pictures from the game!
If you guys need any help editing. E-mail me: ld2k@ld2k.com
I’ll help cut any footage you bring back
What a great idea.
Bring a kevlar!
Good luck guys
have fun guys! stay safe
Represent the Laker Nation with dignity and passion: BOO EVERY TIME BOOZER MAKES A SHOT!
the lakers nation has now been at the worlds largest themometer….hahhh
Yeah..Coz jazz fans might shoot you with Ak47’s..
Haha. You see what he did there?
yea Ak47= Andre Krilenko 47 i think thats how you spell his name
Godspeed gentlemen!
May you inspire our Purple and Gold to greatness on the road!
Had I the funds, the time, and the geographical proximity (I’m an LA transplant in New York City) I’d be there with you.
Also: GREAT music choices, fellas. Decemberists is excellent driving music.
LAKERSLAKERSLAKERSLAKERSLAKERS!
Hey dude, it’s Eric Dane just reminding you to stay out of trouble and bring back a couple W’s… I’m keeping your father aware of all the temptation available to you in Salt Lake!!!
Peace out, junior
Nice pictures
Good luck guys have fun the Lakers should come back and win game four.
“So now officially, the Lakersnation has been to snow.”
Haha. Thats hilarious.