Since I've spent the past few days closing my eyes and reminding myself, "I do love hockey! I do love hockey!" I figured it was time for the next Why I Love Hockey. But before I get to that, a few random thoughts.
First of all, a quick non-hockey note. Cry me a river, Roger Clemens. I'm not going to say you're a steroid user though I wasn't particularly impressed by your Mike Wallace interview, but have you been paying attention for the last few years? Fans have been throwing needles at Barry Bonds and people have been talking about putting asterisks on every record he owns. During that time, any mention of you in conjunction with steroids was shot down pretty quickly. That? Was you getting the benefit of the doubt.
Second of all, if you haven't read the comment thread on the previous post, you really should do so (if I do say so myself). I think there's some interesting stuff there, some varying opinions, and hey, everything managed to stay all polite and civil! Don't you guys know that's not what the internet is for? Thanks to everyone who participated. In addition to making for some interesting reading, it killed off an entire day for me.
One of the topics that came up on the outskirts of the conversation was Lindy Ruff and I've been thinking about Lindy a lot over the past couple of weeks. I kind of hate the idea of changing a coach just to make a change when the only people that can be blamed for piss-poor effort are the ones on the ice, but I do get that not every coach is a good fit for every team and it's much easier to fire a coach than a bunch of players. I will also state for the record that I'm in no way endorsing firing Lindy - I adore him and quite frankly I might prefer firing all the players - but I am a little bit surprised that he isn't getting more out of the team since in the past he's always seemed to be very good with young players and shown the ability to get hard work out of players. I'd be curious to know how he's handling the team behind closed doors. Calm and encouraging? Screaming and flipping furniture? A little of both?
As much as I love Lindy, my mind does wander back to the beginning of the season and his first comments on this year's team which were not very positive. I really think that was a mistake. Even if that was how he felt, the players who were still here didn't need to hear that, especially since he'd been silent on all the off-season stuff until then. Even if he didn't believe it yet, they needed to hear, "Screw those guys and screw you for considering the season lost before it's even started. We still have plenty of talent here and we'll be fine." He seemed to come around within a few weeks and again, I'd like to think professional athletes would be capable of playing for themselves no matter what anyone else says, but I do find myself wondering if maybe Lindy's losing or lost the room. I hope not. Just something I've been thinking about.
Okay, moving on!
Why I Love Hockey #34 - Ringing Family
When I fell in love with Mark, I was pretty lucky to fall in love with his family too. There are a lot of them (he's the baby of seven) and they are a friendly, funny, slightly crazy, loving bunch. One of my favorite things about them is the tradition of ringing each other during Sabres games.
We were sitting in Mark's apartment back in Birmingham the first time I experienced it. The phone rang once and then stopped. Mark jumped up off the couch and ran to the computer.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"I think the Sabres scored!" He pulled up the game recap on NHL.com or whatever site updated scores back then and pumped a fist. "Yes!"
"How'd you know that?"
"Because my mom just rang me. That's what we do."
And it is what they do. When the Sabres score, everybody calls everybody else, lets the phone ring once, and then hangs up. It's like a long-distance high five and to me, it's totally adorable. As Mark remembers it, one of his brothers spontaneously decided to ring one of the other boys every time the Sabres scored just to mess with him and it spiraled from there. It doesn't happen during Bills games even though we all watch them too. It's strictly a hockey thing. I turned the TV off on Sunday after the score of the Atlanta game was 3-1 and despite that, I knew when the Sabres scored their second goal because Mark rang me from his mom's house. (I did not know however that the Thrashers had scored a fourth goal so that took the wind right out of my sails and the TV went right back off.) The one ring is ingrained now and any time it happens - on TV, in a movie, at home but not during a game - one of us will say, "Sabres scored."
There have been a few people that have made me consider taking the tradition outside of the family. I've thought about ringing them to see if they figure out what's going on. But I don't know, I never have. I'll be honest, it's partly because of caller I.D. I don't know want any of my friends thinking I'm stalking or pranking them. But it's also because I enjoy the B. family having this kinda dumb but entertaining tradition. Hopefully in 50 years our kids and grandkids will be ringing me and Mark when the Sabres scores.
Showing posts with label marky mark. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marky mark. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down
I would like to give out an official Top Shelf thumbs up to Steve, hands down the best CSM at the grocery store where I work, for piping the radio in the manager's office through the speaker of the phone at my register last night so I could listen to the game. It was probably technically not allowed, but Steve is cool like that. Steve, this is why you're my favorite. (Note to other CSMs: Yes, it really is as simple as letting me listen to the Sabres at work.)
I would also like to give a Top Shelf thumbs down to Brett, the cashier who came back from his break, and without asking me or even informing me, switched the radio to the phone at his register because god forbid someone else listen to the game, especially a girl. Okay, he didn't say anything about me being a girl but he did try to be all cute and funny about it. So for the record, Brett, not cute. Not cute at all. What really annoyed me though is this: I went out to my car to listen to the end of the game while on my break and got there just in time to hear Daniel Paille score his shortie. I'm all excited because I'm thinking we finally tied the game up and then I learn the score is 4-2! So not only did Brett commandeer the game broadcast, he failed to let me know that we tied the game and then took the lead even though, hello! I WAS LISTENING TO THE GAME. Most people would take that as a sign that I might be interested in what's happening. Boys are so dumb sometimes.
Anyway... I heard the second intermission and a couple of minutes at the beginning and end of the third period. I don't really know how the game was so we'll just say that it was great. We won. That's good, right?
The last couple of years Mark and I have taken his mom to a Sabres game for her birthday and we realized today that we accidentally bought tickets to a game that I already had tickets to with my buddies from work. (I don't want to point any fingers but it was totally not my fault.) Mark is currently on the phone with his mom trying to decide who they should give my ticket to and he just said, "Yeah, she's going to go with her friends because she likes them more than us." Husbands.
I would definitely miss not being able to see games on TV if I were in that situation, but I love listening to the game on the radio during my breaks. I lean the driver's seat way back, close my eyes, and block out everything but Rick Jeanneret. The word "soothing" doesn't really seem to fit RJ's boisterous, excitable style, but that's what it is.
I would also like to give a Top Shelf thumbs down to Brett, the cashier who came back from his break, and without asking me or even informing me, switched the radio to the phone at his register because god forbid someone else listen to the game, especially a girl. Okay, he didn't say anything about me being a girl but he did try to be all cute and funny about it. So for the record, Brett, not cute. Not cute at all. What really annoyed me though is this: I went out to my car to listen to the end of the game while on my break and got there just in time to hear Daniel Paille score his shortie. I'm all excited because I'm thinking we finally tied the game up and then I learn the score is 4-2! So not only did Brett commandeer the game broadcast, he failed to let me know that we tied the game and then took the lead even though, hello! I WAS LISTENING TO THE GAME. Most people would take that as a sign that I might be interested in what's happening. Boys are so dumb sometimes.
Anyway... I heard the second intermission and a couple of minutes at the beginning and end of the third period. I don't really know how the game was so we'll just say that it was great. We won. That's good, right?
The last couple of years Mark and I have taken his mom to a Sabres game for her birthday and we realized today that we accidentally bought tickets to a game that I already had tickets to with my buddies from work. (I don't want to point any fingers but it was totally not my fault.) Mark is currently on the phone with his mom trying to decide who they should give my ticket to and he just said, "Yeah, she's going to go with her friends because she likes them more than us." Husbands.
I would definitely miss not being able to see games on TV if I were in that situation, but I love listening to the game on the radio during my breaks. I lean the driver's seat way back, close my eyes, and block out everything but Rick Jeanneret. The word "soothing" doesn't really seem to fit RJ's boisterous, excitable style, but that's what it is.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Happy Anniversary!
If I could take a moment to share a personal, mostly non-hockey related note... I would just like to wish my husband Marky Mark a happy anniversary. That's right, eight years ago today we were united in holy matrimony. I wrote a little bit about our relationship and how hockey has played a part in it in the entry Love and Marriage: Hockey Style! so I won't repeat myself now.
But here's a little bit about Mark. I decided it would be really cool to take a picture of us in our styling jerseys (me: vintage Tallinder, him: slugified Stafford) to post along with this entry. But I got this idea around 11:00 last night when he was trying desperately to go to bed. Instead of complaining or insisting that it wait until morning, he dutifully pulled his jersey on and then stood around while I tried to figure out where I could place the camera so that it would capture the photo.
Sit in this chair. That's not gonna work, all I can see is the top of your head.
Try standing up. Nope, all I can see is the slug.
Ooh, maybe if I put the camera here, it'll work. Nope, still a little too low. Hey, do you know of a book about this thick? Then it would be perfect.
Wait, that one's too thick.
And even when I found the right height (for the curious: the spice rack, DC Comics Encyclopedia, and two of the big Harry Potter books), the dance continued.
Crap, I forgot my glasses. I look stupid without them.
No, that one was really blurry. I think I moved the spice rack when I hit the timer button.
Ugh. Terrible.
Through it all, Mark remained calm, collected, and extremely patient.
Okay, so everyone has his breaking point.
Happy anniversary, buddy!
But here's a little bit about Mark. I decided it would be really cool to take a picture of us in our styling jerseys (me: vintage Tallinder, him: slugified Stafford) to post along with this entry. But I got this idea around 11:00 last night when he was trying desperately to go to bed. Instead of complaining or insisting that it wait until morning, he dutifully pulled his jersey on and then stood around while I tried to figure out where I could place the camera so that it would capture the photo.
Sit in this chair. That's not gonna work, all I can see is the top of your head.
Try standing up. Nope, all I can see is the slug.
Ooh, maybe if I put the camera here, it'll work. Nope, still a little too low. Hey, do you know of a book about this thick? Then it would be perfect.
Wait, that one's too thick.
And even when I found the right height (for the curious: the spice rack, DC Comics Encyclopedia, and two of the big Harry Potter books), the dance continued.
Crap, I forgot my glasses. I look stupid without them.
No, that one was really blurry. I think I moved the spice rack when I hit the timer button.
Ugh. Terrible.
Through it all, Mark remained calm, collected, and extremely patient.
Okay, so everyone has his breaking point.
Happy anniversary, buddy!
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Love and Marriage: Hockey Style!
A few random things:
Congratulations to Thurman Thomas on his Hall of Fame induction. I wasn't in Buffalo during the Bills' heyday and I can't remember ever watching him play, but Buffalo has gotten to me so much (in all its crazy, woe is me, inferiority complex ways) that I couldn't help but get teary-eyed when he talked about how great the fans in Buffalo are and how much he loved playing here. Take note current Bills and Sabres! This is what happens when you decide to love us the way we love you. We never forget you, we'll defend your honor to the death, and then we'll arrive by the busload at your Hall of Fame ceremony and make sure that everyone knows we're there and that we're there for you.
Michael Peca, I'm begging you to sign somewhere as soon as possible because I really can't take reading another word about why we should/shouldn't bring you back to Buffalo. Please. I really need you to do this for me. Note to Buffalo fans: If Darcy Regier decides not to sign Peca it might not have anything to do with personal feelings - though let's keep in mind that Peca was a total punk his last season in Buffalo and has allegedly taken every opportunity to badmouth the organization to other players since his departure. It's possible that Regier simply feels that Peca doesn't make the team that much better than it already is. Crazy, I know, but see if you can wrap your brain around that theory.
In a fit of jealousy and rage, my husband Marky Mark has started his own blog. (I'm kidding about the jealousy and rage thing. It was more along the lines of, "Hey, that seems like fun.") That's right, the B's are taking over the internet. His blog is called Sabres Dance and it promises "unbridled optimism" so those of you worn down by Buffalo cynicism and gloom and doom should check it out.
Speaking of Mark...
Why I Love Hockey #18 - Marriage Therapy
I'm convinced that becoming a hockey fan is one of the best things I've ever done for my marriage. Don't get me wrong - Mark and I had a very good relationship already. We have a fair amount of common interests and we're similar personalities in a lot of ways, the most important being that we both prefer to stay at home in peace and quiet than go out and interact with other people. But there was a time when I'd complain through much of hockey season. "Are they on again? Geez, how many games do these people play?" Eventually I fell in love with the Sabres and those complaints switched to "There's no game again? Geez, how many nights off do these guys think they deserve?"
Watching games together - Mark on the couch and me in the recliner unless the Sabres need a bit of a shake-up - is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world. Mark's lifelong status as a hockey fan sometimes combines with my relatively new fandom to create some interesting conversations, my personal favorite being WHY DOESN"T THE GOALIE HAVE TO SIT IN THE PENALTY BOX? It goes a little something like this:
Me: Wait, who was that penalty on?
Mark: Marty.
Me: He doesn't have to go to the box?
Mark: (laughing hysterically) No, of course not.
Me: Why not?
Mark: Because he's the goalie.
Me: So?
Mark: So who's going to play goalie if Marty's in the box?
Me: Well, who plays left wing if the left wing is in the box?
Mark: Nobody really. Everyone sort of adjusts because then they're short-handed.
Me: So why can't they adjust to cover for the goalie?
Mark: (losing all semblance of patience) Because it woud be too easy for the other team to score if there was no goalie!
Me: So maybe the goalie shouldn't be taking stupid penalties like that. Ha! I win!
Mark: (long pause...) I might've liked it better when you didn't watch hockey.
Other great conversations in the annals of Stately B. Manor include WHY DO SOME COINCEDENTAL PENALTIES CREATE A 4-ON-4 SITUATION WHILE OTHER COINCEDENTALS CANCEL OUT AND WE STAY 5-ON-5, HOW CAN SOMETHING BE A PENALTY AND A DIVE, and of course, SERIOUSLY, HOW UGLY ARE THOSE UNIFORMS? (Me: Seriously, how ugly are those stupid slugs? Mark: (wearing blue slug jersey) Don't call it that! Me: Oh, I'm sorry. Slug. Slug! Slugslugslugslugslug!)
This past year was a pretty darn crappy one all the way around for the B. family. I won't go into details because I'm sure it's not very interesting for anyone who isn't us, but whether we were watching at home or at HSBC, for a few hours the Sabres helped us forget about all the real world stuff and enjoy a little frivolous fun together. There's nowhere better to be than at HSBC watching the Flyers getting pulverized side-by-side with my Marky Mark.
Something About Me
I met Mark on the internet. DC Comics used to have a huge section on AOL and we "met" on one of the messageboards in the Batman section. We started emailing and IMing regularly, occasionally even speaking on the phone. After six or seven months, we decided to meet in person. Evidently it went well because Mark, who had never lived anywhere but Buffalo, moved to Birmingham, AL where I was living and attending school at the time. He was there for a couple of years, we got engaged then married, and moved back to Buffalo. We'll celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary in October. The celebration will probably consist of ordering in pizza and watching the Sabres.
Something Else About Me
I still think it would be kind of awesome if goalies had to serve their two minutes in the penalty box.
Congratulations to Thurman Thomas on his Hall of Fame induction. I wasn't in Buffalo during the Bills' heyday and I can't remember ever watching him play, but Buffalo has gotten to me so much (in all its crazy, woe is me, inferiority complex ways) that I couldn't help but get teary-eyed when he talked about how great the fans in Buffalo are and how much he loved playing here. Take note current Bills and Sabres! This is what happens when you decide to love us the way we love you. We never forget you, we'll defend your honor to the death, and then we'll arrive by the busload at your Hall of Fame ceremony and make sure that everyone knows we're there and that we're there for you.
Michael Peca, I'm begging you to sign somewhere as soon as possible because I really can't take reading another word about why we should/shouldn't bring you back to Buffalo. Please. I really need you to do this for me. Note to Buffalo fans: If Darcy Regier decides not to sign Peca it might not have anything to do with personal feelings - though let's keep in mind that Peca was a total punk his last season in Buffalo and has allegedly taken every opportunity to badmouth the organization to other players since his departure. It's possible that Regier simply feels that Peca doesn't make the team that much better than it already is. Crazy, I know, but see if you can wrap your brain around that theory.
In a fit of jealousy and rage, my husband Marky Mark has started his own blog. (I'm kidding about the jealousy and rage thing. It was more along the lines of, "Hey, that seems like fun.") That's right, the B's are taking over the internet. His blog is called Sabres Dance and it promises "unbridled optimism" so those of you worn down by Buffalo cynicism and gloom and doom should check it out.
Speaking of Mark...
Why I Love Hockey #18 - Marriage Therapy
I'm convinced that becoming a hockey fan is one of the best things I've ever done for my marriage. Don't get me wrong - Mark and I had a very good relationship already. We have a fair amount of common interests and we're similar personalities in a lot of ways, the most important being that we both prefer to stay at home in peace and quiet than go out and interact with other people. But there was a time when I'd complain through much of hockey season. "Are they on again? Geez, how many games do these people play?" Eventually I fell in love with the Sabres and those complaints switched to "There's no game again? Geez, how many nights off do these guys think they deserve?"
Watching games together - Mark on the couch and me in the recliner unless the Sabres need a bit of a shake-up - is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide world. Mark's lifelong status as a hockey fan sometimes combines with my relatively new fandom to create some interesting conversations, my personal favorite being WHY DOESN"T THE GOALIE HAVE TO SIT IN THE PENALTY BOX? It goes a little something like this:
Me: Wait, who was that penalty on?
Mark: Marty.
Me: He doesn't have to go to the box?
Mark: (laughing hysterically) No, of course not.
Me: Why not?
Mark: Because he's the goalie.
Me: So?
Mark: So who's going to play goalie if Marty's in the box?
Me: Well, who plays left wing if the left wing is in the box?
Mark: Nobody really. Everyone sort of adjusts because then they're short-handed.
Me: So why can't they adjust to cover for the goalie?
Mark: (losing all semblance of patience) Because it woud be too easy for the other team to score if there was no goalie!
Me: So maybe the goalie shouldn't be taking stupid penalties like that. Ha! I win!
Mark: (long pause...) I might've liked it better when you didn't watch hockey.
Other great conversations in the annals of Stately B. Manor include WHY DO SOME COINCEDENTAL PENALTIES CREATE A 4-ON-4 SITUATION WHILE OTHER COINCEDENTALS CANCEL OUT AND WE STAY 5-ON-5, HOW CAN SOMETHING BE A PENALTY AND A DIVE, and of course, SERIOUSLY, HOW UGLY ARE THOSE UNIFORMS? (Me: Seriously, how ugly are those stupid slugs? Mark: (wearing blue slug jersey) Don't call it that! Me: Oh, I'm sorry. Slug. Slug! Slugslugslugslugslug!)
This past year was a pretty darn crappy one all the way around for the B. family. I won't go into details because I'm sure it's not very interesting for anyone who isn't us, but whether we were watching at home or at HSBC, for a few hours the Sabres helped us forget about all the real world stuff and enjoy a little frivolous fun together. There's nowhere better to be than at HSBC watching the Flyers getting pulverized side-by-side with my Marky Mark.
Something About Me
I met Mark on the internet. DC Comics used to have a huge section on AOL and we "met" on one of the messageboards in the Batman section. We started emailing and IMing regularly, occasionally even speaking on the phone. After six or seven months, we decided to meet in person. Evidently it went well because Mark, who had never lived anywhere but Buffalo, moved to Birmingham, AL where I was living and attending school at the time. He was there for a couple of years, we got engaged then married, and moved back to Buffalo. We'll celebrate our 8th wedding anniversary in October. The celebration will probably consist of ordering in pizza and watching the Sabres.
Something Else About Me
I still think it would be kind of awesome if goalies had to serve their two minutes in the penalty box.
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