I want to take you all back exactly one year today...
I had been chatting rather amiably with a nice girl that I met through Yahoo Personals for about 2 weeks. In "my day", that would have been a strange way to meet someone ("Why not just go to the club?"), but I'm a liberally minded, 21st-century guy, so there you have it.
Anyway, we made a date to meet each other for the first time in person on April 28th. I'll be the first to admit that the idea of a blind date had me quaking in my boots (okay, I don't wear boots, but you get the picture...). And, from what I have since learned, she wasn't much calmer about the proposition. Still, being two grown adults, we swallowed our fears and met on that fateful day.
We chose to go to a movie (always a safe bet for a first date) and, since there was a bookstore right next to the theatre, I suggested we meet there.
I made sure to arrive well ahead of time, so I could stake out a good spot. I wanted to see every person who came in so I'd be sure not to miss her. I had only seen a couple of pictures of her and I had no idea how old they were... How embarrassing if I didn't recognize my date! So, I grabbed a book and managed to find a chair that gave me a perfect view of the only door. If only I hadn't picked such a good book...
As I was becoming very engrossed in the fiction, I suddenly felt very much that I was being watched... I looked first to the door, hoping it was just my intuition alerting me to her entrance. Nothing. Then I turned turned to my left, and there she was.
The first thing I noticed is that she was trying very hard to blend into the bookcase she was hugging for dear life. Okay, well at least I wasn't alone in my nervousness... The next thing I noticed was that she was far prettier than the pictures I had been sent. Naturally, this pleased me very much... for a moment. Then I began to worry about what she thought of me! Well, no time like the present to find out, I thought...
I closed my book, stood up from my chair, and walked straight over to her. Then, in an uncharacteristic move, I hugged her, saying, "Hi there." And that was it. At that very instant, I felt like I had known this girl my whole life. In fact, I told her on a subsequent date, "I met you last Tuesday... a thousand years ago."
Today is funny, really, because she hasn't fully recovered from her eye surgery, so what started as a Blind Date has lead us to a Nearly-Blind Anniversary a year later! But, I have to say, it's been a year filled with a lot of fun, a lot of love, and a lot of happiness. So, I'd like to dedicate today's post to her, my little Dancer on the Sand, and to the many years I know we have ahead of us...
Here's to you and our future, honey...
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Scenes from the Forklift: An Old Face
A big "Welcome!" goes out to Calvin Klein, former member of the Old Crew, whose return for the summer promises to breathe some of the old life back into the place... CK was actually one of the first people to train yours truly back in the days before Mass Storage Area One even existed (in a place aptly referred to as "the old building"). Now, he's back to ride shotgun in the Department of Inbound Deliveries and, more importantly, to take the lead on Project X. More on that later...
Speaking of the Department of Inbound Deliveries... I returned after my 4-day foray into the world of home nursing to find a veritable mountain of computer cast-offs, all patiently awaiting my attention and assessment in cleverly laid-out, random piles. It was, quite literally, difficult to make heads or tails of the area. But, with a little hard work (those of you who know me personally, don't laugh) and some much appreciated help from the aforementioned CK, it's coming back together nicely after only 2 days. Do I rock, or what?
Speaking of the Department of Inbound Deliveries... I returned after my 4-day foray into the world of home nursing to find a veritable mountain of computer cast-offs, all patiently awaiting my attention and assessment in cleverly laid-out, random piles. It was, quite literally, difficult to make heads or tails of the area. But, with a little hard work (those of you who know me personally, don't laugh) and some much appreciated help from the aforementioned CK, it's coming back together nicely after only 2 days. Do I rock, or what?
Sunday, April 25, 2004
All I Can Think Of
I do believe that I have Writer's Block...
It's been a number of days since my last post and, despite my decision to make an entry every day, I can't come up with anything. I've been at the computer off and on a million times this weekend, checking email, playing a game or two, and reading blogs, but I haven't been able to do any writing.
Yep, it's Writer's Block...
My brain has been spinning, trying to come up with one good idea to write about. I thought about hockey, but since the Flames' lackluster performance against Detroit yesterday (they got pounded 5 - 2), I decided to leave that alone for a while. Then, I figured I could right about my girlfriend's recent Laser Eye Surgery, but I want to wait until the recovery is over before tackling that one. And writing about my Great Decaffeination isn't exciting as long as nothing new has happened. I've cast my penny into the Well of Inspiration and heard it clink! against the bottom...
So, now I'm wondering about this whole Writer's Block thing... It's kinda cool, really. Just think, you're a writer and you can't come up with anything worthwhile. Well, you just say, "I've got Writer's Block" and everyone suddenly becomes very understanding and supportive. "Don't worry, it'll come", they say... Or, "Hey, don't force it, just let it happen"... What other job allows for this easy way out? Can you imagine going to your job at McDonald's one day and telling your manager that you have Burger Block? "That's okay, Billy, you just go sit and read the paper until you feel like flipping those All Beef Patties again." Not likely. Or how about a lifeguard with Swimmer's Block? "Gee, I could have saved him, but I just can't bring myself to swim today..." It's pretty obvious how well that would go over. No, the tolerance for not being able to do your job consistently from one day to the next is pretty low... unless you're a writer.
Hmmm... Seems I've gotten pretty far into writing a post, despite my Writer's Block... The downside is, I can't think of a clever way to end it! Is there such thing as Finisher's Block...?
It's been a number of days since my last post and, despite my decision to make an entry every day, I can't come up with anything. I've been at the computer off and on a million times this weekend, checking email, playing a game or two, and reading blogs, but I haven't been able to do any writing.
Yep, it's Writer's Block...
My brain has been spinning, trying to come up with one good idea to write about. I thought about hockey, but since the Flames' lackluster performance against Detroit yesterday (they got pounded 5 - 2), I decided to leave that alone for a while. Then, I figured I could right about my girlfriend's recent Laser Eye Surgery, but I want to wait until the recovery is over before tackling that one. And writing about my Great Decaffeination isn't exciting as long as nothing new has happened. I've cast my penny into the Well of Inspiration and heard it clink! against the bottom...
So, now I'm wondering about this whole Writer's Block thing... It's kinda cool, really. Just think, you're a writer and you can't come up with anything worthwhile. Well, you just say, "I've got Writer's Block" and everyone suddenly becomes very understanding and supportive. "Don't worry, it'll come", they say... Or, "Hey, don't force it, just let it happen"... What other job allows for this easy way out? Can you imagine going to your job at McDonald's one day and telling your manager that you have Burger Block? "That's okay, Billy, you just go sit and read the paper until you feel like flipping those All Beef Patties again." Not likely. Or how about a lifeguard with Swimmer's Block? "Gee, I could have saved him, but I just can't bring myself to swim today..." It's pretty obvious how well that would go over. No, the tolerance for not being able to do your job consistently from one day to the next is pretty low... unless you're a writer.
Hmmm... Seems I've gotten pretty far into writing a post, despite my Writer's Block... The downside is, I can't think of a clever way to end it! Is there such thing as Finisher's Block...?
Thursday, April 22, 2004
High Speed Update
Hockeytown Meets Cowtown
The Calgary Flames have managed to steal Game One from the Detroit Red Wings in yet another overtime match-up. While so far lacking the intensity of the Flames-Canucks series, this one has potential...
"Calling Nurse Cuppojoe..."
Well gang, I'll be spending the rest of this week, along with the weekend, taking care of the bravest girlfriend a guy could ask for. She's just had Laser Eye Surgery to finally rid herself of the glasses she's been burdened with since childhood. Yep, the ol' rims got to be too much of a pain, so she traded 'em in for having a guy tape her eyelids to her eyebrows, cut and peel back her corneas, and fire a laser into her eyes. Best quote from the doctor? "Don't worry if you smell burning flesh... That's normal." Okay...
Move Over, Not-So-Hotmail
I, too, have just joined the ranks of GMail Beta users and I have one word: Awesome. It's just like those first days of email, when we were all still amazed we could send messages around the world in the blink of an eye. With all the emails I handle at work and at home now, I thought those days of wonderment were gone for good. I should have known Google would find a way to knock my socks off again!
3 Weeks and Counting
If any of you are still keeping track (and I doubt you are), then you're aware that I've now gone without my beloved coffee for a full 21 days. That's right... My resolve is still strong. In fact, I can almost get through a day without thinking about it now. I'm noticing that I have much higher energy levels and they are more evened out, instead of spiking and dipping all the time. I figure I'll keep this up 'til I no longer see any more improvements, then I'll re-acquaint myself with the Greatest Drink on Earth.
From the Workplace
Rockstar, a long-time member of our company's Purchase Coercion Unit has acquired a lovely new debt for himself, which he had fashioned in the shape of a wristwatch. This should help him stand out better at the Supermarket while perusing the variety of fine Macaroni and Cheese dinners now available under his revised Personal Budget Plan for 2004...
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Wheels Stay on the Band Wagon
Unbelievable! The 15-year drought is finally over! The Calgary Flames have awakened true Hockey Fever in the Stampede City once again...
It was an intense ending to an intense series. The six games leading up to last night were all about gritty, physical play and Game 7 was no different. It was a tale of two teams... Vancouver, looking to regain the spark from earlier in the season... Calgary, desperately needing to get the monkey off their back by finally winning a playoff series... The Canucks, showing their composure under pressure as only the "Cardiac Kids" can... The Flames, refusing to give in to the odds-makers and settle for an early golf season...
Both teams played equally well throughout the course of the game, but Calgary managed to secure a one-goal lead coming into the final minutes of regulation time. Then, an undisciplined penalty in front of the Calgary net put Vancouver Canuck Ed Jovanovski into the penalty box... Vancouver pulled their goalie in favor of the extra attacker... Calgary's tight defense caused a turn-over at the Calgary blue line... With 20 seconds left in the game, Jarome Iginla raced for the empty net, checked by the Vancouver defense... A weak shot that grazed the outside of the post... No worries, the clock was ticking down and Calgary could feel the victory coming. I was literally on the edge of my seat. And then the world turned upside down.
Vancouver regained possession of the puck and made a dash for Calgary territory. Iginla, back checking, had his stick knocked from his hands and, in very uncharacteristic fashion, tripped over it and fell. The Canucks charged into the zone and, with only 5.7 seconds remaining, managed to slide the equalizer past Miika Kiprusoff.
Heartbreak... Anger... Disappointment... Betrayal...
I went through the entire range of emotions as I watched that puck cross the line. In fact, I vowed that I would never again cheer for the Calgary Flames if they lost that game. I know, that makes me a fairweather fan, but let's face it, 15 years of letdown is hard to overcome!
Amazingly, Calgary began the overtime period with lots of jump and made good use of the remaining penalty minutes given to Jovanovski. This city erupted in celebration as Martin Gelinas put away the game winner in only 1 minute and 25 seconds.
So, the Flames advance to meet the mighty Detroit Red Wings and it's the Canucks who will be swinging their golf clubs in frustration... The Band wagon rolls on...
It was an intense ending to an intense series. The six games leading up to last night were all about gritty, physical play and Game 7 was no different. It was a tale of two teams... Vancouver, looking to regain the spark from earlier in the season... Calgary, desperately needing to get the monkey off their back by finally winning a playoff series... The Canucks, showing their composure under pressure as only the "Cardiac Kids" can... The Flames, refusing to give in to the odds-makers and settle for an early golf season...
Both teams played equally well throughout the course of the game, but Calgary managed to secure a one-goal lead coming into the final minutes of regulation time. Then, an undisciplined penalty in front of the Calgary net put Vancouver Canuck Ed Jovanovski into the penalty box... Vancouver pulled their goalie in favor of the extra attacker... Calgary's tight defense caused a turn-over at the Calgary blue line... With 20 seconds left in the game, Jarome Iginla raced for the empty net, checked by the Vancouver defense... A weak shot that grazed the outside of the post... No worries, the clock was ticking down and Calgary could feel the victory coming. I was literally on the edge of my seat. And then the world turned upside down.
Vancouver regained possession of the puck and made a dash for Calgary territory. Iginla, back checking, had his stick knocked from his hands and, in very uncharacteristic fashion, tripped over it and fell. The Canucks charged into the zone and, with only 5.7 seconds remaining, managed to slide the equalizer past Miika Kiprusoff.
Heartbreak... Anger... Disappointment... Betrayal...
I went through the entire range of emotions as I watched that puck cross the line. In fact, I vowed that I would never again cheer for the Calgary Flames if they lost that game. I know, that makes me a fairweather fan, but let's face it, 15 years of letdown is hard to overcome!
Amazingly, Calgary began the overtime period with lots of jump and made good use of the remaining penalty minutes given to Jovanovski. This city erupted in celebration as Martin Gelinas put away the game winner in only 1 minute and 25 seconds.
So, the Flames advance to meet the mighty Detroit Red Wings and it's the Canucks who will be swinging their golf clubs in frustration... The Band wagon rolls on...
Sunday, April 18, 2004
A Look at the Inside
Borrowing a page from the infamous "Call Centre Confidential", I have decided to use this space to occasionally recount the adventures I endure day-in and day-out at a computer remanufacturing centre. So, without further ado:
Chapter One: Enter the Newlings
As the weekend draws to a close, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring... The Powers That Be have finally decided that the manpower shortage in Mass Storage Area One has gone on long enough, what with one man (yours truly) handling Incoming, another tending to Outgoing, and 2 incapacitated Labourers (there's another story there, I assure you).
So, for the first time in many months, the company coffers are being pried open and we're going to be seeing fresh blood in the ranks. Yes sir, they've gone over the resumes, held the interviews, and made the callbacks. What we have now are qualified individuals, highly experienced in their fields, and ready to help the team. All that remains is to make them forget everything they know and show them how to do it all our way...
Tomorrow will be interesting, indeed.
Borrowing a page from the infamous "Call Centre Confidential", I have decided to use this space to occasionally recount the adventures I endure day-in and day-out at a computer remanufacturing centre. So, without further ado:
Chapter One: Enter the Newlings
As the weekend draws to a close, I can't help but wonder what tomorrow will bring... The Powers That Be have finally decided that the manpower shortage in Mass Storage Area One has gone on long enough, what with one man (yours truly) handling Incoming, another tending to Outgoing, and 2 incapacitated Labourers (there's another story there, I assure you).
So, for the first time in many months, the company coffers are being pried open and we're going to be seeing fresh blood in the ranks. Yes sir, they've gone over the resumes, held the interviews, and made the callbacks. What we have now are qualified individuals, highly experienced in their fields, and ready to help the team. All that remains is to make them forget everything they know and show them how to do it all our way...
Tomorrow will be interesting, indeed.
Disappointment... For now.
Well, it certainly was a nail-biter... Vancouver came on so strong that I thought maybe the Flames forgot to show up for the game. By the middle of the second period, the Canucks had Calgary on the ropes with a 4-0 lead. I couldn't believe it. All the old feelings of frustration watching the Flames miss the playoffs came back like evil deja vu. During a commercial, I went to tell my girlfriend that the Flames of old had returned. I was sure there was no way for Calgary to come back.
Yet, comeback they did... with a vengeance. Coach Darryl Sutter called a timeout after the fourth unanswered goal to get his guys settled down. After that, Calgary went on a tear. Four unanswered goals of their own later, we went into overtime. And, at long last, the refs decided to put away their whistles and really let them grind it out. Back and forth, chance after chance, one a amazing stop after another. I was literally vibrating from the stress!
Then, the other shoe fell... It took a little over 2 overtime periods for it to happen, but Vancouver scored. Calgary lost a battle for the puck down low that let Canuck Brendan Morrison walk out in front and slide the puck past Flame goalie Miika Kiprusoff. A game that started at 8:00pm with the Flames looking to eliminate the Canucks finally ended at 12:35am with Calgary and Vancouver looking forward to Game 7 on Monday night.
I'm exhausted... That game really took a round out of me. I'm off to bed now, but you can be sure there will be more overtime periods in Dreamland.
Well, it certainly was a nail-biter... Vancouver came on so strong that I thought maybe the Flames forgot to show up for the game. By the middle of the second period, the Canucks had Calgary on the ropes with a 4-0 lead. I couldn't believe it. All the old feelings of frustration watching the Flames miss the playoffs came back like evil deja vu. During a commercial, I went to tell my girlfriend that the Flames of old had returned. I was sure there was no way for Calgary to come back.
Yet, comeback they did... with a vengeance. Coach Darryl Sutter called a timeout after the fourth unanswered goal to get his guys settled down. After that, Calgary went on a tear. Four unanswered goals of their own later, we went into overtime. And, at long last, the refs decided to put away their whistles and really let them grind it out. Back and forth, chance after chance, one a amazing stop after another. I was literally vibrating from the stress!
Then, the other shoe fell... It took a little over 2 overtime periods for it to happen, but Vancouver scored. Calgary lost a battle for the puck down low that let Canuck Brendan Morrison walk out in front and slide the puck past Flame goalie Miika Kiprusoff. A game that started at 8:00pm with the Flames looking to eliminate the Canucks finally ended at 12:35am with Calgary and Vancouver looking forward to Game 7 on Monday night.
I'm exhausted... That game really took a round out of me. I'm off to bed now, but you can be sure there will be more overtime periods in Dreamland.
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Holding my breath...
There is only an hour left until Game Time, and this whole city is on edge... The Calgary Flames are heading into Game 6 with a 3-2 lead over Vancouver and could very well win their first playoff series since they won the Stanley Cup 15 years ago. Get ready for a night filled with face-paced, hard-checking hockey, and all the beer and herbicide commercials that go along with it.
I can already feel the adrenaline starting to surge through my veins. Who needs coffee at a time like this?
I apologize to those of you out there who don't follow hockey... As long as the Flames run for the Cup stays alive, I'm going to be spending my nights watching the games and my days talking about them. Like I've said before, I love this sport... I can watch any two teams go at it, just for the sake of seeing the game played. But now, with the added excitement of having my hometown team in the thick of it, well... I'm practically a man obsessed. So, forgive me if this blog becomes nothing more than a wordy "Go Flames Go!" from time to time... But it's been such a long time and I don't know when we'll see it again!
That's it for now, folks... I have to track down some beers, maybe a bowl of chips and get ready for what I hope will be the noisiest night Calgary has seen since 1989.
There is only an hour left until Game Time, and this whole city is on edge... The Calgary Flames are heading into Game 6 with a 3-2 lead over Vancouver and could very well win their first playoff series since they won the Stanley Cup 15 years ago. Get ready for a night filled with face-paced, hard-checking hockey, and all the beer and herbicide commercials that go along with it.
I can already feel the adrenaline starting to surge through my veins. Who needs coffee at a time like this?
I apologize to those of you out there who don't follow hockey... As long as the Flames run for the Cup stays alive, I'm going to be spending my nights watching the games and my days talking about them. Like I've said before, I love this sport... I can watch any two teams go at it, just for the sake of seeing the game played. But now, with the added excitement of having my hometown team in the thick of it, well... I'm practically a man obsessed. So, forgive me if this blog becomes nothing more than a wordy "Go Flames Go!" from time to time... But it's been such a long time and I don't know when we'll see it again!
That's it for now, folks... I have to track down some beers, maybe a bowl of chips and get ready for what I hope will be the noisiest night Calgary has seen since 1989.
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Way Back When...
I caught myself doing it again... Here I am, listening to music at work (ah, the luxuries, eh?) and suddenly "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats comes on. Instantly, I'm catapulted back 21 years into the past...
It was a time of Rugby Pants and T-Shirts with glittery iron-on decals. A time when I could get out of bed, smooth down the parts of my hair that were standing at attention, and go off to school. A time when said school was still in the same neighborhood as my house, so Mom could force me to walk there, regardless of the blizzard raging outside.
And, it was Grade 6... That final year of Elementary when you are the kings and queens of the school, the fear of going to Junior High and being nothing but a peon again still distant enough to ignore. The Commodore VIC 20 was enjoying the distinction of being one of the most popular Home Computers (with color! Eat your heart out Apple...) and we never missed an episode of The Dukes of Hazzard.
I can still picture the inside of the library at Terrace Road Elementary the day of my Grade 6 "graduation"... 20 boys and girls bragging about where they would be going for summer vacation and showing off their photocopied certificates of achievement... Big Tupperware bowls filled with chips and cheezies... Styrofoam cups and 1 litre glass bottles of Coke and 7-Up... A stack of LP's (that's right, good old vinyl records) to dance to... Where was I going with this? Oh yeah! Stray Cats...
So, it turned out that "Rock This Town" was one of the most popular songs played that day, along with "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (who wasn't nearly so white back then). And who was the cool kid who brought the Stray Cats to the dance? Well, that would be yours truly. Unfortunately, that's all there is to this little trip down memory lane. Nothing really exciting happened... It wasn't a defining moment in my social development... No, it's just the image that pops into my head when I hear those rock-a-billy sounds.
I tried to share this experience with my co-worker, the guy I share an office with. He just turned around in his chair and said, "Yeah, I think I was born then..." Well, now that I know he thinks I'm old, I guess I won't bother telling him that today is my birthday... Nah, I'll just smile and go back to listening to my tunes. Hey! "She Blinded Me With Science"! Cool!
P.S. My humblest apologies for the shameless way I slipped my birthday into the blog. I promise not to let it happen again for at least a year...
I caught myself doing it again... Here I am, listening to music at work (ah, the luxuries, eh?) and suddenly "Rock This Town" by the Stray Cats comes on. Instantly, I'm catapulted back 21 years into the past...
It was a time of Rugby Pants and T-Shirts with glittery iron-on decals. A time when I could get out of bed, smooth down the parts of my hair that were standing at attention, and go off to school. A time when said school was still in the same neighborhood as my house, so Mom could force me to walk there, regardless of the blizzard raging outside.
And, it was Grade 6... That final year of Elementary when you are the kings and queens of the school, the fear of going to Junior High and being nothing but a peon again still distant enough to ignore. The Commodore VIC 20 was enjoying the distinction of being one of the most popular Home Computers (with color! Eat your heart out Apple...) and we never missed an episode of The Dukes of Hazzard.
I can still picture the inside of the library at Terrace Road Elementary the day of my Grade 6 "graduation"... 20 boys and girls bragging about where they would be going for summer vacation and showing off their photocopied certificates of achievement... Big Tupperware bowls filled with chips and cheezies... Styrofoam cups and 1 litre glass bottles of Coke and 7-Up... A stack of LP's (that's right, good old vinyl records) to dance to... Where was I going with this? Oh yeah! Stray Cats...
So, it turned out that "Rock This Town" was one of the most popular songs played that day, along with "Thriller" by Michael Jackson (who wasn't nearly so white back then). And who was the cool kid who brought the Stray Cats to the dance? Well, that would be yours truly. Unfortunately, that's all there is to this little trip down memory lane. Nothing really exciting happened... It wasn't a defining moment in my social development... No, it's just the image that pops into my head when I hear those rock-a-billy sounds.
I tried to share this experience with my co-worker, the guy I share an office with. He just turned around in his chair and said, "Yeah, I think I was born then..." Well, now that I know he thinks I'm old, I guess I won't bother telling him that today is my birthday... Nah, I'll just smile and go back to listening to my tunes. Hey! "She Blinded Me With Science"! Cool!
P.S. My humblest apologies for the shameless way I slipped my birthday into the blog. I promise not to let it happen again for at least a year...
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Two Minute Penalty for Boring the Fans
Today's blog will have to be a rant, but I promise to keep it short for you...
At this very moment, the Flames and Canucks have just retired to their dressing rooms for the first intermission of Game 4. The Canucks (as I pointed out yesterday) are leading the series 2 games to 1, but the score for this game is still tied at zero. Lots of great skating, awesome passes, and amazing goaltending... But here's the problem: The NHL Officials.
Ever since the playoffs began, all we've heard from the color commentators is how the referees have been instructed by their organization to crack down on "obstructions" in the game. These are instances where a player does something (tripping, hooking, interference) to illegally interfere with an opposing player's progress. So, what we have now are a bunch of guys in striped shirts who are too paranoid to miss a call (one can only imagine what punishment they've been threatened with) so they call anything that even resembles an obstruction. It's getting right out of hand! I'm not sure about the rest of the fans out there, but I know that I tuned into watch the finest that the NHL has to offer, not the Best and the Brightest of the Whistle Blowers. You wanna talk about obstructions? How about stopping the game every 2 minutes for pointless penalties?
In my opinon, these playoffs would be a lot more entertaining if we could just get back to some good old 5-on-5...
Today's blog will have to be a rant, but I promise to keep it short for you...
At this very moment, the Flames and Canucks have just retired to their dressing rooms for the first intermission of Game 4. The Canucks (as I pointed out yesterday) are leading the series 2 games to 1, but the score for this game is still tied at zero. Lots of great skating, awesome passes, and amazing goaltending... But here's the problem: The NHL Officials.
Ever since the playoffs began, all we've heard from the color commentators is how the referees have been instructed by their organization to crack down on "obstructions" in the game. These are instances where a player does something (tripping, hooking, interference) to illegally interfere with an opposing player's progress. So, what we have now are a bunch of guys in striped shirts who are too paranoid to miss a call (one can only imagine what punishment they've been threatened with) so they call anything that even resembles an obstruction. It's getting right out of hand! I'm not sure about the rest of the fans out there, but I know that I tuned into watch the finest that the NHL has to offer, not the Best and the Brightest of the Whistle Blowers. You wanna talk about obstructions? How about stopping the game every 2 minutes for pointless penalties?
In my opinon, these playoffs would be a lot more entertaining if we could just get back to some good old 5-on-5...
Monday, April 12, 2004
This Just In...
Okay, just a quick update today... I've got a million things on my mind, but not an ounce of desire to put them into fancy prose. So, hold onto your hats because here we go!
First of all, for those of you wondering how my Great Decaffeination went, I am happy to report that I not only made it through the seven days, but today marks my 11th day without coffee. Actually, I haven't had tea or cola either... I thought those might be considered cheating. Anyway, it looks as if I'm going to try for a full two-weeks with this little java-free gig. Kinda makes the name of this blog a little inappropriate...
And there is great rejoicing in the land! The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing! The hiss of sharpened blades on white ice... The crack of wood meeting frozen rubber... The lights... The horns... This is the time of year that every Canadian lives for! I'm once again glued to the TV every night as teams battle for hockey's ultimate prize. And this year is a little sweeter still... For the first time in 8 years, the Calgary Flames (my home team) have made it to the post-season! Now, all of us fair-weather fans who have been avoiding them for the better part of a disappointing decade are back on the band wagon, baby! Windows are filled with "Go Flames Go!" signs, Flaming C flags are flying from the tops of cars, and the Saddledome (our appropriately named arena) is packed to the rafters.
However, I am a little worried... The Flames are trailing the Vancouver Canucks 2 games to 1 in this opening 7 game series so far. Usually not much to worry about with a team as hot as the Flames have been of late, but a couple strange things happened on the weekend that have me doubting... First, I was watching the sports highlights and they were talking about the Flames. All of a sudden, the picture changed to a shot of a couple guys competing in the Master's at Augusta (golf). It lasted all of a second, most likely someone setting up the tape for the next story, but I saw it. Now, for those of you who don't know, it is often said when a hockey team is eliminated from the playoffs that they are "gone golfing". Eerie... Later, I was watching a documentary about the explosion of the Mont Blanc in Halifax Harbour in 1917. The narrator was telling about the families out for a stroll that day that never knew what hit them, and they showed a stock-clip of some families out for a walk. Now, for some reason, this particular clip was modern, not set in the period as every other one was. Again, it was only on the screen briefly, but a little boy walking at the front of the soon-to-be-dead oblivious people was wearing a Calgary Flames sweatshirt! Spooky... You know what they say: If it sounds like an omen and feels like an omen...
In other news... I have been checking out my regularly read blogs, well, regularly, and I've noticed a drop in the frequency of posts on most of them (though there are a few exceptions). It got me to thinking that I don't sit down at the old Blogger nearly often enough, so... Even though I am a firm believer that one should stay silent when one has nothing good to say, I'm going to make an attempt to get on here once a day for the next little while. I may not have anything of great entertainment to share, but I figure I can at least come up with a two- or three-sentence thought for the day, right? Well, we'll see how it goes.
Well, I'm off for now... Gonna go grab a beer and settle in for some hockey.
Okay, just a quick update today... I've got a million things on my mind, but not an ounce of desire to put them into fancy prose. So, hold onto your hats because here we go!
First of all, for those of you wondering how my Great Decaffeination went, I am happy to report that I not only made it through the seven days, but today marks my 11th day without coffee. Actually, I haven't had tea or cola either... I thought those might be considered cheating. Anyway, it looks as if I'm going to try for a full two-weeks with this little java-free gig. Kinda makes the name of this blog a little inappropriate...
And there is great rejoicing in the land! The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs are in full swing! The hiss of sharpened blades on white ice... The crack of wood meeting frozen rubber... The lights... The horns... This is the time of year that every Canadian lives for! I'm once again glued to the TV every night as teams battle for hockey's ultimate prize. And this year is a little sweeter still... For the first time in 8 years, the Calgary Flames (my home team) have made it to the post-season! Now, all of us fair-weather fans who have been avoiding them for the better part of a disappointing decade are back on the band wagon, baby! Windows are filled with "Go Flames Go!" signs, Flaming C flags are flying from the tops of cars, and the Saddledome (our appropriately named arena) is packed to the rafters.
However, I am a little worried... The Flames are trailing the Vancouver Canucks 2 games to 1 in this opening 7 game series so far. Usually not much to worry about with a team as hot as the Flames have been of late, but a couple strange things happened on the weekend that have me doubting... First, I was watching the sports highlights and they were talking about the Flames. All of a sudden, the picture changed to a shot of a couple guys competing in the Master's at Augusta (golf). It lasted all of a second, most likely someone setting up the tape for the next story, but I saw it. Now, for those of you who don't know, it is often said when a hockey team is eliminated from the playoffs that they are "gone golfing". Eerie... Later, I was watching a documentary about the explosion of the Mont Blanc in Halifax Harbour in 1917. The narrator was telling about the families out for a stroll that day that never knew what hit them, and they showed a stock-clip of some families out for a walk. Now, for some reason, this particular clip was modern, not set in the period as every other one was. Again, it was only on the screen briefly, but a little boy walking at the front of the soon-to-be-dead oblivious people was wearing a Calgary Flames sweatshirt! Spooky... You know what they say: If it sounds like an omen and feels like an omen...
In other news... I have been checking out my regularly read blogs, well, regularly, and I've noticed a drop in the frequency of posts on most of them (though there are a few exceptions). It got me to thinking that I don't sit down at the old Blogger nearly often enough, so... Even though I am a firm believer that one should stay silent when one has nothing good to say, I'm going to make an attempt to get on here once a day for the next little while. I may not have anything of great entertainment to share, but I figure I can at least come up with a two- or three-sentence thought for the day, right? Well, we'll see how it goes.
Well, I'm off for now... Gonna go grab a beer and settle in for some hockey.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Day Four
Today is Day Four. It has been four days since I made a life-altering decision. This is the fourth day that I have gone without coffee. This is the first day that I've been able to talk about it...
It began last Thursday.
My girlfriend came by to pick me up from work, as usual. I was exhausted from a long day of trying to look busy, as usual. Untold milligrams of caffeine from uncounted cups of coffee were coursing through my veins, as usual. We kissed and then proceeded on our way, my knee bouncing triple-time to whatever song was on the radio, as usual.
After the typical, "How was your day?", "Good. And yours?", "Fine.", she got to telling me that she had been talking to her Mom. Now, that conversation opener never ceases to send a shiver down my spine. As a man, you have to perk up, pay attention, and be ready to defend yourself, or defend your mate, depending where the damage has been inflicted. So, steeling myself for the worst, I put on my most casual smile (knee now bouncing wildly out of control) and said, "Really? What's up?" She took my hand the way you would if you had to tell someone that their dog has died and said, "She thinks you're addicted to coffee."
Well blow me down! What a revelation! I almost burst out laughing... What was the first clue? The 7 or 8 trips to the coffee maker a day? The pile of empty Tim Horton's cups on my desk? My constant state of vibration? Or maybe that "I haven't slept in 3 days" look in my eyes? Of course I'm addicted to coffee! Everybody knows that! I've been going hardcore with the ol' java juice since I was 16... Drinking it black since I was 21... That's 17 years of serious Joe Time!
Okay, in all fairness, she's a sweet lady and she's only just gotten to know me in the last few months, so I shouldn't be too sarcastic. In fact, it turns out that it was the "I haven't slept in 3 days" look in my eyes that tipped her off. Apparently, she was a big coffee-addict in her day, so she knows the signs, and she had to give it up under doctor's orders. I knew there was a reason I don't like doctors...
Well, I've been told many a time before that I should drink less coffee, but I never listened. Why should I? It wakes me up in the morning, it gets me through my tedious workday, it's the perfect social drink, and it keeps my point of view just enough off-center to keep me amused. It's a vice, but one I've accepted with open arms. Still, I got to thinking... If someone who doesn't really know me can tell by looking at me that I'm a coffee junkie, maybe it's time to cut back a little... or a lot.
So, I've decided to do a little de-tox routine. I decided to give coffee up completely for one week. Seven days without my crutch. Drink lots of water, flush out the system, and start fresh. This is Day Four... Here's what you've missed:
Day One: Woke up fine, as usual, and went to work where I promptly began falling asleep. I yawned more times that day than I think I ever have in an 8 hour period. My brain felt foggy, the day seemed to last an eternity, and the headaches began. My favorite part? That would have to be my encouraging co-workers. The ones who laughed and kept offering to get me a coffee. Ah, my support group.
Day Two: If you've been keeping track, you'll know this was Saturday. The headaches came on with a vengeance, as did my bitchiness. I think I have been given a glimpse into the world of PMS and Nic Fits (my apologies to all my smoker friends who I've teased over the years as they've tried to quit). Everything annoyed me. Sound annoyed me. Silence annoyed me. Newton's Third Law of Physics pissed me off (and I've always been rather fond of that one). Even being annoyed at everything was getting on my nerves. My family began referring to me as He Who Should Be Avoided.
Day Three: Awoke after a restless night of back aches and leg cramps. It was a day spent alternating between vegging out to movies, arguing with my girlfriend over nothing, and soaking in hot baths. The pain settled somewhere in my hips (man, I sound like a woman) and didn't go away until I took a heavy dose of Motrin and Tylenol. By this point, even my loving girlfriend was urging me to have a cup...
And today is Day Four. Surprisingly, the headaches have become little more than mild sinus pressure (child's play), and my mood is greatly improved. Of course, being a Monday, I was back at work and surrounded by people carrying all forms of take-out cups, travel mugs, and coffee cups. Each time I was forced to walk past the coffee maker was a true test of my will. But, with many trips to the water fountain and keeping myself occupied with work (it's amazing how fast the day passes when you actually do something...), I was able to stick to my resolve.
I'll try to keep you updated on my progress. Of course, if I never write another word on this topic again, I think you'll all understand and never mention it, right?
Today is Day Four. It has been four days since I made a life-altering decision. This is the fourth day that I have gone without coffee. This is the first day that I've been able to talk about it...
It began last Thursday.
My girlfriend came by to pick me up from work, as usual. I was exhausted from a long day of trying to look busy, as usual. Untold milligrams of caffeine from uncounted cups of coffee were coursing through my veins, as usual. We kissed and then proceeded on our way, my knee bouncing triple-time to whatever song was on the radio, as usual.
After the typical, "How was your day?", "Good. And yours?", "Fine.", she got to telling me that she had been talking to her Mom. Now, that conversation opener never ceases to send a shiver down my spine. As a man, you have to perk up, pay attention, and be ready to defend yourself, or defend your mate, depending where the damage has been inflicted. So, steeling myself for the worst, I put on my most casual smile (knee now bouncing wildly out of control) and said, "Really? What's up?" She took my hand the way you would if you had to tell someone that their dog has died and said, "She thinks you're addicted to coffee."
Well blow me down! What a revelation! I almost burst out laughing... What was the first clue? The 7 or 8 trips to the coffee maker a day? The pile of empty Tim Horton's cups on my desk? My constant state of vibration? Or maybe that "I haven't slept in 3 days" look in my eyes? Of course I'm addicted to coffee! Everybody knows that! I've been going hardcore with the ol' java juice since I was 16... Drinking it black since I was 21... That's 17 years of serious Joe Time!
Okay, in all fairness, she's a sweet lady and she's only just gotten to know me in the last few months, so I shouldn't be too sarcastic. In fact, it turns out that it was the "I haven't slept in 3 days" look in my eyes that tipped her off. Apparently, she was a big coffee-addict in her day, so she knows the signs, and she had to give it up under doctor's orders. I knew there was a reason I don't like doctors...
Well, I've been told many a time before that I should drink less coffee, but I never listened. Why should I? It wakes me up in the morning, it gets me through my tedious workday, it's the perfect social drink, and it keeps my point of view just enough off-center to keep me amused. It's a vice, but one I've accepted with open arms. Still, I got to thinking... If someone who doesn't really know me can tell by looking at me that I'm a coffee junkie, maybe it's time to cut back a little... or a lot.
So, I've decided to do a little de-tox routine. I decided to give coffee up completely for one week. Seven days without my crutch. Drink lots of water, flush out the system, and start fresh. This is Day Four... Here's what you've missed:
Day One: Woke up fine, as usual, and went to work where I promptly began falling asleep. I yawned more times that day than I think I ever have in an 8 hour period. My brain felt foggy, the day seemed to last an eternity, and the headaches began. My favorite part? That would have to be my encouraging co-workers. The ones who laughed and kept offering to get me a coffee. Ah, my support group.
Day Two: If you've been keeping track, you'll know this was Saturday. The headaches came on with a vengeance, as did my bitchiness. I think I have been given a glimpse into the world of PMS and Nic Fits (my apologies to all my smoker friends who I've teased over the years as they've tried to quit). Everything annoyed me. Sound annoyed me. Silence annoyed me. Newton's Third Law of Physics pissed me off (and I've always been rather fond of that one). Even being annoyed at everything was getting on my nerves. My family began referring to me as He Who Should Be Avoided.
Day Three: Awoke after a restless night of back aches and leg cramps. It was a day spent alternating between vegging out to movies, arguing with my girlfriend over nothing, and soaking in hot baths. The pain settled somewhere in my hips (man, I sound like a woman) and didn't go away until I took a heavy dose of Motrin and Tylenol. By this point, even my loving girlfriend was urging me to have a cup...
And today is Day Four. Surprisingly, the headaches have become little more than mild sinus pressure (child's play), and my mood is greatly improved. Of course, being a Monday, I was back at work and surrounded by people carrying all forms of take-out cups, travel mugs, and coffee cups. Each time I was forced to walk past the coffee maker was a true test of my will. But, with many trips to the water fountain and keeping myself occupied with work (it's amazing how fast the day passes when you actually do something...), I was able to stick to my resolve.
I'll try to keep you updated on my progress. Of course, if I never write another word on this topic again, I think you'll all understand and never mention it, right?
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