One of the reasons I enjoy my part-time job selling merchandise at the US Airways Center during Phoenix Suns games is the sheer volume of people who come into our store and walk by in the concourse. I enjoy observing people. Any event that brings nearly 20,000 people to your door means there will be plenty to […]

He was sorting through a wall rack of Phoenix Suns T-shirts, obviously not finding the size he was looking for. He had his back to me when I asked, “Can I help you?” Still focused on the shirts he answered, “Do you have this in a Small?” That voice. I’ve heard it before. But not […]

  It’s dry in the desert. That’s why they call it a desert. On a good year, the Phoenix valley receives only 7″ of rain. This hasn’t been a good year. Until God turned on the faucet last Saturday, it had been 143 days in a row with no rain. The last time water fell […]

In my part-time job at America West Arena (recently renamed US Airways Center after yet another corporate merger) I’ve had opportunity to observe the myriad of pre-event preparations in the building. Included in the flurry of activity is the rehearsal of the national anthem. The group or individual singing or playing gets one shot to […]

Have your prejudices been challenged lately? In my part-time job I sell merchandise at America West Arena. Home to the NBA Phoenix Suns, Arizona Rattlers Arena Football team, and the Phoenix Roadrunners Hockey Club. For these events, our walk in store is open like any in a mall. For concerts, the set up is different. […]

12 seconds left in the game. The Phoenix Suns have the ball. They’re down by a point. Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Amare Stoudemire have been a three-headed scoring monster in the second half, breathing 3-point fire from the perimeter and pounding down earthshaking slam dunks underneath. The clock ticks toward double zeros. Marion, aka […]

While walking across the open first level of the Luhr’s Parking garage in downtown Phoenix, I spotted him across the street. A bedraggled, scruffy, gray bearded guy in a dirty blue jacket pushing himself backward down the sidewalk in a wheelchair. Panhandlers are fairly common around America West Arena, especially late at night after events. […]

For the past few years I’ve worked a part-time job at the Team Shop in America West Arena. It’s where the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play. Like airports, it’s a venue that allows one to observe all sorts of human behavior and interaction. Anytime there are 10,000 plus people […]

Last February I took my Dad to a Phoenix Suns game. We had a great time even though the Chicago Bulls weren’t the toughest opponent. When you go to a game with your Dad, it doesn’t really matter who’s playing. Early in the 2nd quarter, a young family showed up to occupy the empty seats […]

“Are you finding everything ok?” The 20-something brother and sister were looking through a stack of Phoenix Suns shirts. “Who knows? We’re buying for our mother. She’s really picky.” “Don’t you have the “it’s from my daughter, I’m sure whatever it is I’ll love it” thing going for you?” “You don’t know our mother.” “So […]