No One Ever Expects A Marching Band

Another Monday afternoon. Another deposit that needs to go to the bank.

Outside, another tedious afternoon on Sacramento's J Street. The sky, kind of a murky gray-blue. The same listless cab drivers looking for fares. The same incompetent skateboarders testing the elasticity of bone on concrete.

Then, suddenly, walking past the windows of the Sheraton Grand Hotel, I heard the sound of - a marching band? Inside, I could see - dancing cheerleaders? Curious, I stepped inside the hotel lobby....

Inside, down the stairs and below street level, a loud and boisterous marching band played rousing team-spirited pop tunes. A mascot of some sort, looking like a tall plant but capped with a top hat, danced around to the music.

What kind of plant is that? I grew suspicious. The edges of the felt 'leaves' had a familiar serrated look. Can it be? I can't believe it! It's a dancing pot plant!

On the stairs, another fellow pumped a pole up-and-down while encouraging the band below. The pole seemed to be capped with a "$".

Did I stumble into a NORML convention? Or does this have something to do with recent efforts to make the ownership of small amounts of marijuana legal (and therefore taxable) in California. But it's premature for a celebration, isn't it? It's not even law yet!

Everything that happens in Sacramento is political. This is the most cringeworthy and embarrassing public spectacle I've ever seen! I bet this is Schwarzenegger's idea! Probably about burnishing his legacy in office with some sorry, hemp-based stunt to close the deficit. I just bet there is a banner around here somewhere with "Live Free, With THC" on it. I hope there's no taxpayer money involved!

Then, I did something uncharacteristic. I asked someone what was going on.

The man answered, "We expect the Stanford Women's Basketball team to come down shortly for an appearance. They are playing tonight at ARCO Arena in the 2010 NCAA Women's Basketball Championships.

So the "$" on that pole is actually an "S". And the Stanford mascot is a Sequoia Tree!

Oh.

Who knew?


[Update: Stanford defeated Xavier tonight.]

Cheerleaders, and Tree. Over the parapet and down the stairs, the marching band.



Left: Cameras help kick lines!

Below: Oh, no! Here comes that Sequoia again!



Left: Tubas momentarily take the field!

At one instant, the Tuba People faced off against the Trombone People within the narrow confines of an archway within the hotel lobby. I was trapped against the wall between the lines of battle like a helpless gecko.

The battle was reminiscent of the medieval Battle of Agincourt between the French and English. Chroniclers will record that, although the Battle of the Horns didn't last as long as the Battle of Agincourt, it was nevertheless much louder!