Hard knocks and hardwood all part of the US experience

I’M so late that the ticket seller at St Peter’s College in Jersey City offers to leave me in for free.

I’m here for the four-team “Holiday Classic” — an annual showcase for women’s college basketball — and parking has been a nightmare.

It’s the night before New Year’s Eve so, naturally, I’m making familiar, swear-laden resolutions for 2012: always make sure there’s enough time to allow for acts of god and resident permit parking.