Everyday Gets a Little Easier

While my Dad's passing will always stay with me and Ill always miss not having him around, I will say that each day gets a little easier. Ill miss talking to him about Hockey the most.. and how excited he got every time I called and updated him on the Ranger gossip (the man swore off computers so he never knows the latest rumors). The out pouring of support from the community my parents live it has just been outstanding. Really great group down there. I feel worst for my mom, who now is dealing with an empty house and a bunch of stuff to sort thru and figure out. But thats what life is all about I guess... you can be thrown a curve ball when you least expect it and its about how we deal with life's fast and every changing bullshit that defines us.

Well I guess I could go on and on about this, and how much Ill miss all these different things about him, but that might just end up making me more sad. So Ill refrain. But Just know that i miss ya Papa Noe. You're the best man Ill ever know.

One Day at a Time

The saga continues with my dad, who has been thru hell the past few weeks. Its sad to know that the time I spent with him before the operation could very well become the last time we hang out as father and son. Its awful hearing how he is deteriorating day after day and how his body is shutting down on him, while his heart remains strong. His heart was the whole worry, the whole scare in it all and as it turns out, now that has been the least of the worries. Its difficult to run thru the emotions I have the past few weeks. Its mostly a case of being numb and just trying to accept the hand that life has given us in this case. Ive done the depressed part.. and continue to, Ive done the crying and Ive done the "be strong". Whats left? I sit and wait for the news...whatever that news might be? I pray and hope that things make a turn around? I prepare for the worse? Or I drown myself in booze?

Work is tough, people I have a hard time lying to people when they ask "How are you doing?". I will naturally tell them the truth... which then makes them feel bad which is shortly followed by a very awkward ending to the conversation usually started by me saying "Let me let you go", which is code for "I acknowledge this is awkward and here is your way out". All in all, work keeps my mind off it... so I like being here.

I will say that its amazing to see who sticks by you thru these times of hardship. Its amazing what a simple text message, IM or phone call can mean or do to a persons spirits. Its also disheartening to see who backs off to give you "space" which is just a cop-out for not knowing what to say or do. Friends who had contact literally every day via phone call have fallen off the map, while others who hardly had any contact over the last few months, call 2-3 times a week.

All in all.... peoples prayers have helped and made my family and I thankful for the company we keep. All we can do now is wait, hope and pray. I heard a quote once that when "life gives you lemons, make lemonade". That doesn't apply here, so if you know one that does to make me feel better, please share.

A Classic Idea

Well, New Years Day brought about the return of the outdoor hockey game, know as the Winter Classic. The last one, which was held in Canada a few years back; billed as the Heritage Classic, was a success and was received fairly well by hockey fans. So this year, they decided to convert Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo into an outdoor hockey rink so that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabers could do battle in front of 71,000 thousand people.

The Positive
The game came and went and in my option, it was a fantastic showing. The success, and what I believe to be the key success, is the fact that having an game like this is a great thing for the sport of hockey, especially in the United States. People both in the arena and on TV, were exposed to hockey like never before. This can only be a plus for a game who's viewer ship is among the lowest of the big sports (IE- Football, Basketball and Baseball). And to have Sidney Crosby, the new face of the NHL, in the game AND score the game winner in a shoot out, was a plus as well. It challenges college football bowl games, sure, but competition is good right? The atmosphere was truly incredible yesterday. Hearing 71,000+ on their feet cheering, braving the weather and elements to watch hockey, was amazing. People tuning in can hear that and see that, and to some extent, feel it. Hell, I don't particularly like either of these teams enough to root for them and I watched the whole game and was genuinely excited when Crosby scored and the Pens won. It did gain the highest ratings on any hockey game since 1996, which is pretty damn impressive for an experiment.

The Negative
The conditions on the ice were less than favorable. Pucks would not move nearly as fast on the ice surface that was getting covered by snow during the game. And we are talking serious Buffalo snow too. Passes were intercepted, if they made it at all and shots didn't have any mustard behind them. Even Crosby's game winner looked like it disappeared into the snow before it reappeared in the net. Also, one of the key things about hockey and why it draws many fans, is its speed. That was lost yesterday when not only the above mention was happening, but also they had to stop often to resurface the ice halfway thru the periods (something not normally done in hockey) and also to re-patch holes in the ice. This disrupted the flow of the game, and the players mentality to really get into the game. The intermission announcers; Costas and Milbury were awful and I dreaded every time they came on.

The Verdict
The game of hockey needs a game like this once a year, if for nothing else than a marketing and new fan interest standpoint. The passion, the excitement, the speed, the thrill of the game.. it all gets presented live to millions, some of whom would otherwise not watch hockey. If yesterday afternoon gain a handful of fans, it was worth it. Yeah, there are the counterpoints of the possibility of injury due to weather and ice conditions. But hell, this is a sport where fighting is encouraged. There is the counterpoint of the weather itself and what if it got so bad they couldn't play. Or shoudl this game even count in the standings seeing as its so different from a regular game. But when the Buffalo coach, who lost mind you, says "The hell with the cynics" after the game, that shows you that passion and excitement win and in the end even the players don't really mind. One ESPN writer brought up the notion of replacing the All Star Game with the Winter Classic. Also a good option to consider and something they may be able to tack on to all star weekend. But either way, I hope they bring this game back year after year on New Years Day. It can only be positive press and coverage for the NHL and expand the fan base and popularity in the United States.

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