What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

New Year's Eve has never been my favorite holiday.  It just has too much responsibility.  When you are young, there is this big built up expectation to go out and get crazy.  More often than not, that didn't really work out.  Don't get me wrong -- I have had some great ones -- but I also had many that involved arguments and misunderstandings and tears.  Not the best way to wipe the slate clean and start over.

 

Then there's the whole kissing thing.  If you have someone to kiss at midnight it can be a sweet, romantic moment.  If you don't, it can be heartbreakingly lonely.  You can be surrounded by people you love (or maybe just people you really like) and if there isn't one there just for you...well, sometimes it requires a "buck up camper" moment or two.

 

This year, as I have in several years past, I'll be heading out to the RBC Center to watch a hockey game.  I love this developing tradition (this is my 4th year) because even though it's just another game, the atmosphere is more potent and you are "doing something" on New Year's. 

 

Being the nostalgic person that I am, there will be thoughts of nights spent at the Golden Horseshoe (is it still open?) or in an apartment high over Central Park.  A night in Kelly Henderson's living room and a hotel room watching the sun rise in Virginia Beach.  I welcomed in the new millennium with 18 thousand others...and James Taylor.

 

Lots of memories made and many more in the new year.  I hope wherever you are or whatever you are doing tonight that you are going to have a good time.  And I hope you have someone to kiss at midnight.

Boogie Shoes

So, I know at least 3 other people who are loving Studio 60 on NBC.  I am definitely one of them, but I had to get past an initial uneasiness about a plot that is so similar to that of my beloved Sports Night.  I thought maybe Aaron Sorkin was suddenly on the hook for the next big thing and simply recycled his last, best idea before The West Wing.  After a few weeks I decided to get over it.  However, linking the similarities of those two shows and all the connections to another media darling, Desperate Housewives, could turn into a fun parlor game.

 

* The first guest on the first minute of Studio 60 was Felicity Huffman.

 

* Two of the housewives (albeit one of them is dead) are former enemies on Sports Night -- Dana and Sally moved to Wisteria Lane and became friends.

 

* Jeremy is, was, and will always be Jeremy.  I still don't remember his character's name on The West Wing.  It's just Jeremy.

 

* On Sports Night, Dana goes a little nuts whenever they play the KC & the Sunshine Band hit -- a few years later Lynette did the same trying to ditch her needy boss.

 

* Why do all three of Aaron Sorkin's shows have a prominent character named Danny?  (ok, he was Dan on Sports Night)

 

* The production company for Studio 60 is Shoe Money.  Either you know this one or I've lost you entirely. 

 

[If you go on Wikipedia and look up Sports Night there is an extensive list of these things with The West Wing.]

Girl Can't Help It

Zoey seems to be taking my "job" as neighborhood watch block captain quite seriously. I moved the guest bed last weekend and this has become her permanent post. I'm sure she'll let me know if she sees anything unusual out there.

Things Have Changed

[This was originally submitted on Election Night, but I guess the blogosphere was too busy for me.]

In 1992 I was a sophomore in college and I was studying psychology.  I thought I might like to someday work as a therapist.  That semester I took abnormal psychology and it horrified me.  I was convinced that I had every condition that we studied -- paranoia, split personalities, depression -- and apparently everyone else in the class felt the same way.  I decided that a life listening to other people's problems might not be the best road for me.  But what else was there?  It just so happened that semester I was fulfilling my political science requirement, taking a class with 300 other people at CSUF.  The professor's name was Michael Brown.  I had taken a required class in high school, but that teacher was a man counting days until retirement, who spent class time out walking the halls collecting soda cans for recycling, while we researched that day's three questions in our textbooks.  Not the best introduction!  Anyway, Professor Brown took this subject that I was not at all interested in and made it about me.  It was about the city council and the school board and health care and a broken street light.  It was about AIDS policies and free speech and the right to vote and (inside joke) the freedom of assembly.  It was the fall of 1992 and the Democrats took the White House, helped by my first ever vote.

 

I'm not sure what career path I thought I was putting myself on.  (It certainly wasn't a clear path to becoming the IT Manager.)  At times I thought I'd go to law school or be a congressional staffer or run a non-profit or work in opinion polling.  None of those things worked out for me, but I learned some amazing things along the way.  Dr Madison taught me about the three kinds of leaders there are in the world and that even though Burundi is just a dot on the map, it's sovereignty isn't any less valuable than that of the United States.  Dr McNamara showed me how important the "third world" was and how much impact it could someday have on the world.  He also nurtured my senior thesis on a topic that seemed so clear cut to me and yet is on the ballot in several states today, ten years later.  Dr Nelson let me take my love for the words of Dr King and somehow incorporate them into papers for a women's politics class.  Dr Merrifield taught me everything else.  I think I had him for six or seven classes by the time I was done and he was my favorite.

 

Once upon a time in this country, it was safe to trust the government.  That was the world my grandfather grew up in and he still has that faith, no matter how different the world is today.  I was born the year after the Watergate break-in; my government has never been trustworthy.  I hope, if anything, my education has given me a broader view of the political system and how it works.   I know that there are people of great faith who think their way is the only way; their way does not include everyone and I can't believe that is what any God would want.  There are people who are consumed with protection -- their wealth, oil, borders and others who have different goals -- health care, freedom from war.  I understand the party that thinks people should be self starters and that people should pull themselves up by their boot straps.  I identify stronger with the party who worries about those with no shoes.

 

I'm not saying any side is right or wrong -- it's all a measure of priorities and degrees.  It is what makes this a great nation and today a great day.  My personal hope is that significant change is in the air.  We won't really know tonight.  The kind of change I want to see -- for this government to be worth of my grandfather's trust, would take decades.  I hope I'm around to see it.

I Hate Mondays

OK, just the ones when I'm home sick and I've already been sick for 2 days and I'm bored out of my mind. It's barely after 10 and I've already called work twice. Argh!

I just found this little quiz that lets you determine what kind of accent you have. Apparently mine is from the West Coast -- go figure. I've lived here long enough to pick up some regional phrases but for the most part, the differences still stand out. I like them.

Happy birthday Zoey Belle!

Lucky Ball and Chain

My friend Warren is getting married today.  I know he reads this once in a while so I don't want to say anything too goofy, but I'm really very happy for him.  It is supposed to be on a boat in CA and some of my old friends will be there, who I have not seen in eight and a half years.  I can't believe so much time has passed.  Isn't it funny how people can be like your family and then one day they aren't anymore?  I've encountered that more than once in my life and it always surprises me.  Maybe that's why it is so much harder to meet people as you get older? 

 

I spent today at a football game.  Duke lost in spectacular fashion to Navy.  Maybe it's because it was so, so cold.  I woke up sick this morning -- just a bad cold I think, but I cancelled everything I had planned after the football game.  I'm home now, curled up on my couch, waiting for a hockey game to start and hoping I'll be able to stay awake for the whole thing.  Not looking so good right about now.

 

So, before I lose the rest of today to a cold-infused haze, I wanted to wish Warren and his bride the very best. 

Two Shots of Happy, One Shot of Sad

The A's and Cards have advanced and the Dodgers are done. (Sorry Warren!)

 

The first major sport I loved was baseball.  It was one boy's fault, and then a whole bunch of others.  I loved go to games and hang out with my friends, and somehow my brain can retain stats and scores and batting averages.  We used to play a game where Warren or his dad would name a state and I would name all the pro teams in all the major sports. For example, the Dodgers, Padres, Angels, As, Giants, Raiders, 49ers, Chargers, Warriors, Clippers, Lakers, Sharks, Kings and the no longer "Mighty" Ducks.  Or how about the Thrashers, Hawks, Falcons and Braves?  The Caps, Redskins, Wizards and Nationals.  I could do this all night long.  These little games got me into the bigger one.

 

So, years go by and I moved away from the ballparks.  Years go by and I am lucky to get to one baseball game a year (this year it wasn't even a whole game).  Years go by and my head has been turned by hockey and a hundred other things have my heart.  It's easy to love a game that involves a large, empty sheet of ice.  It's easy to love a game that requires every single player to get their turn, to have a chance, to take a shot.  It's easy to love a game where people fight actually for each other.  The superstar egos have no place (not on my team, anyway).  It's easy to love a game that, on any given night, anyone can be the hero. 

 

Plus, hockey players are tough, strong men.  How many baseball players are scratched because they have blisters and can't pitch? 

 

Even at that, each October, just as the year before, I come back to where I started.  I'm hoping to see the A's and the Card's get to the World Series.  I'll never tell who I want to win from there -- I'll be disowned either way.

Wait Until Tomorrow

Tomorrow night is going to be CRAZY.  June 19th seems like such a long time ago now, but already a whole season has passed since the Canes won the Cup.  Tomorrow night, we're raising the banner.  Not even all of the season ticket holders were able to get tickets, but we are going to be among the privileged 18-thousand or so in the building.

 

I've actually been trying to ignore all of the training camp and preseason noise -- none of it really matters anyway.  Already I've heard that people are a little concerned because they were 1-4 in their pre-season schedule; last year I think they were 2-6 and you can see how that turned out.  After the "magical" run in 2002 that ended once we hit the brick wall that was the Detroit Red Wings, we came back the next year and placed 29th in the 30 team league.  Lesson learned.

 

I was cleaning out my office the other day and found the Sports Illustrated NHL preview issue from last year.  They had the Canes pegged to finish 28th or 29th and basically said our GM was delusional for thinking we'd win it all.  Maybe a lesson learned there too.  (This year they have them 4th in the East.)

 

I've got my game bag packed and a plan to meet mom & Wayne in our normal spot so we can pick up our customary tailgating food (Chinese takeout).  Their flagship station replayed Game 7 tonight and I was just reminded of what that night was like, despite all my attempts to keep the excitement at bay.  I'm so excited now I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.  I hope I sleep tonight.  I hope THEY sleep tonight.

 

Bring on Buffalo. Game on.

 

 

To see how the boys spent their summer vacations, click here.

Wasted Years

I've lived in my own house for one year.  It's been a good year, with lots of changes and lots of firsts.  But every now and then I am reminded that I live alone in this space.  Sure, Zoey (my dog) is here, but at the end of the day I'm here all alone.  I have my family and I have my friends and I am very happy to have both.   I really like my job and have plenty of things that keep me busy and make me happy. 

 

Sometimes I just wonder if this is how it's going to be, like, always.

 

When I moved to North Carolina I felt like I was running away from home.  Sure, my parents were here by then, but I just picked up and left my whole life in California.  People who loved me.  Friends I still miss (especially on New Year's Eve).  I used to think that being alone was my punishment for doing something so reckless.  Have I just imagined that? 

 

I think at some point there was a choice to be made and I was so astonished at the repercussions of one, I forgot to make any others.  Instead I stood still, waiting for the next choice, waiting for things to happen to me instead of making things happen.  After a few years, I changed my mind.  I chose to buy my house.  So, with all the growing pains of this past year and nothing but the future ahead of me, I'm hoping for no more wasted years. 

It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds and snakes,
an aeroplane - Lenny Bruce is not afraid.
Eye of a hurricane, listen to yourself churn..."


Growing up in Southern California, I could always be sure of two things. Wearing shorts on New Year's Day and REM being playing IMMEDIATELY after an earthquake on KROQ. I remember running to turn on the radio while my building was still shaking, at 4 in the morning, after the Northridge quake in 1994. It's almost how we knew the world really was shaking around us and that it wasn't all a weird dream.

I heard it tonight on my way home from work and finally really heard the third line. Hmm. Ernesto is on the way to NC right now and it's pouring outside. Who know it would work for both coasts?

Beautiful Day

What a wonderful weekend! Our traveling party was made up of my step-grandmother, Lola, our family friend, Nelda, my mother and myself. We arrived in Providence on Thursday and crashed at an airport hotel then drove out to Sandwich (Mass) on Friday morning. We caught up with the family at lunch and had the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner (lobster, anyone?). At the rehearsal we all got to see the proposal slideshow Seth made for Beverly -- it was about 45 minutes long, terribly romantic, and after watching it I really got to know them both a lot better.

Saturday, we woke up to a perfect day. The ladies and I decided to take a short trip up to Plymouth to do a little sight-seeing. As soon as we got there, we got a call that we had moved up the gathering time for family pictures before the ceremony. We had a quick lunch (more lobster) and hustled back to Sandwich. Oh yes, and we saw the actual Plymouth Rock. Did you know it is actually just a rock in a hole in the ground with spotlights?

The ceremony was held at a large garden in front of an enormous windmill. I have never really wanted to get married outside myself, but if I did, it would be there. It was just so pretty. My part (the reading) was right after their vows -- so I had the extra benefit of being a bit choked up before I ever tried to speak. I made it through ok and a lot of people after said they could tell "that was hard for me." I read a letter written by my grandfather who wasn't able to travel and he has been the guiding light in my life. Hard doesn't even begin to describe it.

Seth and Beverly are currently on their first trip overseas, driving around Ireland and I'm sure, taking thousands of pictures. I'm so jealous -- I offered to go with and be their personal driver -- oddly enough, they didn't take me up on it.

This is my Uncle Don and Aunt Gail, Beverly and Seth, and my younger cousin, Aaron.

Weekend in New England

I'm just about ready to leave for my cousin's wedding in Massachusetts this weekend.  I've never been to Cape Cod before and I'm really looking forward to going someplace new and seeing that side of my family.  I've always felt like there was a city mouse/country mouse aspect to our relationship while we were growing up.  We grew up on opposite sides of the country; he in a big suburban area and I spent my childhood on a farm out in the boonies; he's a boy, I'm a girl -- the list goes on and on.  We didn't see each other much and I think that we both appreciate each other more now that we are older.  The groom has a younger brother named Aaron -- he is 13 years younger than me and reminds me a lot of myself.  I have only met the bride once, but she has been a part of our family for a few years now and it's time to make it all legal.  It should be a fun weekend.  Did I mention I have to read in public?  Seth and Beverly asked me to read something during the ceremony and we settled on a letter written by my grandfather, who can't make the trip.  It should be a special moment.

Ever the Same

A few things have been keeping me busy lately. I went out of town for several days. Work has been nuts. The new girl quit (not without a lot of drama) and we've been hustling to keep things going. So much going on and so little to tell about it.

It's been hot, hot, hot. It put a bit of a damper on my trip -- it was too hot to go outside!

A week from tomorrow I'm flying to Cape Cod for my cousin Seth's wedding. Most of our little family will be there and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. My family is very spread out and we don't see each other often so weekend's like this one are precious. A few weeks after that I'll be heading to Vegas to see Kim and then on to So Cal to see her family.

By the way, the new dark chocolate M&M's are awesome.

It's Not Easy Being Green

So, I've not been writing much lately, but it's not because I don't have anything to say. Work has been extra-challenging for the last month, I was dealing with some minor medical stuff, and I've spent the last several days away from home. I've noticed most of my other friends with blogs haven't written much lately either, so I'm not alone!

I found this cute test -- it seems to be true, about me anyway. I'll write much more soon -- hope y'all are staying cool.

You Are Scooter

Brainy and knowledgable, you are the perfect sidekick.You're always willing to lend a helping hand.In any big event or party, you're the one who keeps things going."15 seconds to showtime!"

The Muppet Personality Test

No One Said it Would Be Easy

But no one said it would be this hard.  Sing it Sheryl!

 

I had a date Sunday.  It wasn't bad.  It was just lunch.  I didn't get kidnapped, drugged or get food poisoning. I ate blue cheese and avocado in my salad (on purpose).  It was even a little fun. 

 

I am just loving the World Series of Pop Culture on VH1.  I know so many useless things -- I think I have found a practical application for it all.  What ever happened to Rock & Roll Jeopardy on Sunday mornings?  I totally loved that show. 

 

 

Rock You Like A Hurricane

This season I went to 20 regular season Carolina Hurricanes games and 5 playoff games.  In my life I have been to about 100 games -- let's just say I am not what you would call a casual fan.  I have never been so proud of a team as I am of the Canes tonight.  It's not just about winning -- I would have posted the same sentiments whether they won or lost.  From the beginning of the season to the end these guys played together with a calm intensity that just had to be rewarded.  They carried themselves with class, didn't play dirty (I think they went 2 months without a fight), embraced this community -- and often gave more then they had to give.  The Canes took us on a road trip to Lowell to see the kids play during the lockout and who knew then what those boys could become?  The team took their dads on a road trip -- this team has always been about caring about those around you more than you care about yourself.   I have met at least 5 of them randomly (at work, in various coffee shops) and they have always been gracious and that's not something you can say about a lot of professional athletes.  They are people with tremendous talent, not a bunch of out-of-reach superstars.  They are a part of us.

 

Looking back to the first home game when Cam shuts down Mario Lemeiux, Ziggy Palfy and Sidney Crosby in the shootout, I felt only good things would come.  To Rod, Glen, Cory, Kevyn, Erik, Eric, Craig, Aaron, Bret, Matt, Justin, Ray, Doug, Big Joe, Chad, Mike, Mark, Andrew, Anton, Oleg, Frank, Nicky, Marty, and of course, Cam, congratulations from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for a fabulous season. 

Painted Desert Serenade

I woke up this morning in a hotel room thousands of miles from home. I saw a little of the sunrise over the cactus, tumbleweeds, and the golf course outside my balcony. It was pretty to see, but it really just made me want to go home. Knowing that I was waking up to get in a car, to get in a plane, and then another, and then MY car to go to MY house to put my head on MY pillow...it could be a wasted day if it wasn't for what was waiting at the other end. If I am really, really lucky, I might even get to see the 3rd period of the game tonight.

I sat in my hotel room Monday night with my friend Elizabeth, watching Carolina win game 4 of the Final. As we sat there we talked about all the things we love about living in North Carolina...

People care about their sports -- and aren't afraid to paint their faces, wear team jerseys/t-shirts/hats/etc on a daily basis -- not just to games. Car flags are pretty much part of the deal too.

High school sports scores make the news.

It takes 15 minutes to get just about anywhere. 20 minutes if there is traffic.

It snows just once or twice a year -- enough to see the magic of a snowflake but not so much that it is too much work.

It's a big deal when someone gets murdered.

Seasons -- all 5 of them -- winter, spring, summer, hurricane, fall.

The airport is big enough that you can go anywhere in 2 jumps, but when you get home it only takes 10 minutes to get your bags.

It was nice seeing you Arizona, but I can't wait to get home.

Oh Canada

Sport is a glorious thing.  The World Series.  March Madness.  The World Cup.  The Stanley Cup Final.  (I left out the Super Bowl on purpose -- it's a joke).

 

No great tournament is without great storylines.  Ray Whitney's dad works in the Oilers organization and when he was a kid, Ray was the stick boy for the Oilers.  Our baby-faced 22-year-old rookie goalie Cam Ward is an Edmonton native -- he'll be getting married there in a few weeks (just don't ask him when, he's not sure) and this will be his first game EVER in the rink where he had season tickets with his dad.  You can't make this stuff up.

 

I was very privileged to attend Games 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final.  Game 1 was breathtaking -- I had adrenaline running for at least 24 hours after it was over.  Within the first half of the game we were down by 3, and as Wayne always says, we had them right where we wanted them.  The long climb began: 3-0 Edmonton, 3-1 Edmonton, 3-2 Edmonton, 3-3 all, 4-3 Carolina, 4-4 all, 5-4 Carolina...with less than a minute to go.  Just glorious.  Two days later a ticket from heaven fell into my lap and I got to see the 5-0 rout by Carolina in game 2.  Anyone who has paid attention during any playoff series of any sport knows a 2 game lead is not a sure thing, but man is it a good place to be tonight, heading into Game 3. 

 

The juxtaposition of my day and that of the Canes is just nuts.  I am in Arizona, where it was 115 degrees today.  I came in from the pool to watch the game -- sitting in my hotel room wearing my swimming suit and a towel.  Once the game is over I'm going to go back to the pool.  The boys are about 1000 miles north of me, in the Great White North.  On ice.  Ridiculous.

 

Before the game begins there is the traditional singing of the anthems.  During Edmonton's great dynasty in the late 80's they apparently had an opera singer in their barn frequently; they brought him back tonight for their first Final game in 16 years.  He sang the Star Spangled Banner first and just like we did for them in Carolina, the Edmonton fans sang along.  Then it was their turn.  The opera singer started them off and sang about the first half (I was singing along here in Arizona) then he lifted his microphone to encourage the crowd to take over.  Goose bumps.  More than 16,000 fans, players, coaches singing at the top of their lungs.

 

I just love this time of year.

Better Off

Every time I go on vacation, I try to make myself a better person.  Sometimes by learning languages (Russian - CA road trip '99, French in Montreal '04), sometimes it's self help books (Dr Phil, another CA trip), sometimes I go places where I can learn things.  It's always something.

 

I am currently in Arizona where I will be attending a conference for work.  Until that starts, I refuse to do anything to better myself.  I slept in.  Bought two coffees (got one to drink then and bought an extra to keep in the fridge in my room -- it was really hard to find!).  Went to the pool for 2 hours.  Went shopping and bought presents for my dogs and got take out from The Cheesecake Factory for dinner (as in, I'm having cheesecake for dinner).  Went swimming again.  Now I'm watching hockey and then I'll go swimming again.

 

I'm in paradise and I know I'm being self-indulgent and lazy -- but do we really have to strive to be better every day?

 

[By the way, Better Off is by Theory of a Deadman, a Canadian band I discovered watching, of course, hockey]

Hurricane (Bush version - the band, not the president)

IT'S HURRICANE SEASON: CANES WILL PLAY FOR STANLEY CUP

I'm not excited or anything.  I probably won't sleep for hours.  This entire season came down to the last 18 minutes of game 7 of the third round.  It was the 100th game for both teams.

 

From TSN.ca:    "You couldn't hear yourself think as 18,730 fans at RBC Center went nuts. Yet they found another decibel level when Williams capped things off with 51.7 seconds to go, flipping in a rebound over Miller to end the drama."  ...loudest house in the NHL.  Oh just you wait!  Monday is going to be INSANE.  Just hope I get to be there.

 

In 2002, a lot of people made fun of Carolina hockey -- lot's of references to the Andy Griffith Show and media people talking about how no one here even knew what they were watching.  Four years later, and after 10 years in North Carolina, I think "redneck" hockey has taken hold.  Is it a coincidence that today is Andy Griffith's 80th birthday?

 

Is it just another coincidence that today is the first day of Hurricane Season?  I think it started last October, we just didn't have the last bit of proof until tonight.

 

Whatever you do boys, just don't touch the Prince Wales trophy.  Wait for the real thing. 

Live and Let Die

Between my recent vacation, illness and obsession with the Carolina Hurricanes, I have not had much to write about.  Bronchitis isn't fun or interesting and spending your vacation with bronchitis isn't fun or interesting either.  I find the Canes, on the cusp of the last step in the quest for the Cup to be fascinating, but I know most of my friends do not.  I spent my entire yoga class tonight trying to decide how I was going to try to get 2 or 3 computers set up to try to buy tickets when Stanley Cup Finals tickets (eventually) go on sale and how I can refinance my car to pay for them (just kidding).  As I type the Canes are going into overtime in game 6 -- if the Canes win, they advance to the Finals for the second time in 5 years.  I couldn't get tickets in 2002 and am determined that I will be there this time around.  If the Sabres win (ps-by-the-way Buffalo fans are obnoxious -- I saw several hundred up close at game 1 and it wasn't pretty) then we have to suffer through to game 7 and it's anyone's game.  Pray for the Canes!

Vacation

So, I've been on vacation for the last week.  My destination?  My house.  More specifically, my bedroom.  First, I spent 2 days painting it a nice warm Wendy's Frosty color.  Then, I got sick.  I thought it was just a cold and tried to tough it out -- but I broke down today and saw a doctor.  I'm not sure if I feel better or worse that my play days were wiped out by bronchitis -- but I do wish I could have a do-over of my last 5 days.  I hope to God that the guy I sat next to at the Hurricanes game yesterday doesn't get sick too.  It's bad enough that they lost -- it would just suck to get sick on top of that. 

 

Going back to work tomorrow is going to be so hard!

All Kinds of Time

I was at game 1 of round 2 against (a-gaynst, not a-genst) the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.  Most reading this know we won (big).  Even at that, it was an amazing game.  We went early and did our California tailgating thing (Chinese take out on lawn chairs in the parking lot with about 18,000 other people -- but they all BBQ'd).  The Hurricanes did a SUPERB job wit their pregame festivities.  They did a slide show on the ice with pictures of the team set to The Rising by Bruce Springsteen -- I get goosebumps just thinking about it.  I am so proud of them for putting on a sophisticated show and not just Stormy chasing a guy dressed up as a devil around the ice.  You just shouldn't do that on national tv.

 

John Buccigross at ESPN writes a wonderful hockey column and reading him got me into Fountains of Wayne, a band who should be known for much more than the one-hit Stacy's Mom.  If possible to imagine, they do a great cover if Baby, One More Time by Britney Spears.  Yes, that Britney Spears.  I have a few favorites -- today's title track is about a football player watching the play develop in from of him in slow motion.  Hockey can be like that -- an arena holding it's breath as the young star pulls back his stick and shoots....

 

Time and space

 

Whatever it takes

 

Canes in 6 (we always win in 6)

Oh L'amour

Celui qu'il prenne!  Seven long days later, the Canes have won four games in a row to battle back and eliminate the Canadiens.  It was a great series and every game was a nail biter.  Cam Ward was Brilliant.  There is still a long road ahead -- New Jersey is next and I don't expect this one to be easy.  Congrats boys.  Au revior les Habitants! 

The Kids Are Alright

Whooooooo!  Whoooo hoooo! 

 

The Canes really had me scared.  It was easy to talk them up to everyone who asked me about them for the last two days, but I woke up today preparing myself for them to go down 0-3 in their series against Montreal.  Just going to overtime doesn't matter anymore -- it only matters if you win.  When the Canes went into overtime tonight in game 3, I started thinking about their year and how it all came down to the minutes ahead.  Win, and we have a series and a chance to play on.  Lose, and they'll be forgotten as the team that was built for the season but not for the playoffs. I had already written my post for tonight if they lost -- I guess I jinxed them into winning.  I'll have to try that again...and press the delete key on that ill-fated post.

 

This game was won by a team, but the stand outs were the two famed kids -- Eric Stall who scored the winning goal in overtime (also the first playoff goal of is career) and Cam Ward, the baby-faced goalie who won in Montreal, in overtime, in his first playoff start ever.  Actually, Eric's got quite a baby face too -- although I'm happy to say I think his playoff beard is growing in nicely.  So is Erik Cole's -- he's traveling with the team, neck collar and all.  I'll bet he's not given up his pre-game DJ job.  Play on, Erik.  We miss you.

 

Harder to Breathe

The Canes are down 2-0 to the Habs.  After a magical season, this may be our last week and Saturday may have been my last game.  There is a reason they play 7 games -- 2 isn't enough to determine a champion and I don't believe they are done yet.  The year they ran to the Finals they won each of the first three rounds in 6 games so there is still PLENTY of time.  Tonight's game lasted 3 hours and 47 minutes -- ran into it's second overtime before Michael freaking Ryder scored.  They started off fighting, never gave up, came back from being down 3 goals to tie, lead, tie, go behind and tie again...(gulp) then fought through the first full overtime and on into the second.  Keep fighting boys!

 

Michael Ryder note: When I went to the Devils/Habs game in Montreal a few years ago I sat in the Michael Ryder rookie section.  In Montreal certain sections are named for rookies and the people sitting there win stuff if their rookie scores a goal.  The entire game was announced en Francais and I was able to catch enough to know what was going on, with the exception of the contests.  If I had known I may have rooted the kid on -- back then. 

Come On, Come On, Come On, Let's Go

Leaving in mere minutes for Game 1, Round 1 of the Hurricanes first playoff series. We're tailgating for a little while before the game, sort of...we're picking up Chinese take-out on the way there and then eating in the parking lot. We haven't been here long enough to acquire all the accessories needed to do it right.

To all local fans, we'll be on FSN 50 at 7pm. Anyone else out in the world -- check OLN -- we'll be one of 2 games they are showing tonight.

Let's Go Canes! Beat les Habitants!

Neon

Neon is one of my favorite songs, ever.  John Mayer is such a smart songwriter.  It always makes me want to dance in a lose yourself kind of way, with a drink in one hand, twinkle lights and a bunch of people to sing and dance with.  Kind of like the night in New Orleans but with people I know and I'm skinnier.

 

I think maybe I feel like the girl in the song -- "She's always buzzing just like neon..who knows how long she can go before she burns away." 

 

Sometimes there is just so much to juggle and handle and be responsible for and my mind just buzzes all day trying to keep up.  Today was one of these days and tomorrow will be even more so.  That's not even about the song...just how I feel tonight. 

 

I think the girl in the song is adored by someone, even though he knows she's not good for him.  It's been a looooooooong time since I've been that girl.

Head Over Heels

Another good Go-Go's song gone bad. I think this one was shampoo. When I was much, much younger I used to play air piano when listening to this Go-Go's album on my record player. I think I had to be less than 10 years old. How did things go so wrong?

Red, Red Wine

Here in my new home, I am most reminded of where I came from in the oddest of places -- like the wine aisle at the grocery store.  I was grocery shopping tonight and I cut through the wine aisle to get to the front of the store.  It took me 15 minutes to get from one end to the other.  I just crept along, reading the names.  To everyone else they are brands of wine -- to me they are places...Mondavi, Valley of the Moon, Kenwood, Domaine Carneros, Kendall-Jackson, even Rosemont Estate -- which I think is Australian, but my hated ex-roommate Denise worked there.  I was trying to describe the castle near Kenwood to someone recently and found it on Google.  (Imagine my surprise to learn the old gothic mansion was built the year before I moved there!)  In all my years there I never knew it's name, but I would hold my breath when I got to that part of Highway 12 and try not to crash while I stared at it out the window.  www.ledson.com

 

Lately a lot of people have been asking me if I miss California.  My answer is always the same -- I miss my friends, but not really the places.  In my heart I know that isn't really true.  Every day the Bay Area is on the news with more tales of rain.  I feel like I'm still one of them, even though I am so far away and I was there so long ago.  I guess that's what it means to be a native of someplace -- it will always be a part of you.

You Don't Know Me

I'm a sucker for personality tests. I don't know why I need someone else to validate me when I already know who I am. This one was 1 question and I'm sure every answer would match a different facet of me, but the one I picked first I found particularly interesting.

Your Personality Profile

You are elegant, withdrawn, and brilliant.Your mind is a weapon, able to solve any puzzle.You are also great at poking holes in arguments and common beliefs. For you, comfort and calm are very important.You tend to thrive on your own and shrug off most affection.You prefer to protect your emotions and stay strong.

The World's Shortest Personality Test

Such Great Heights

I'm writing my first blog entry from an airplane.  It won't get posted until I get home, but when I get home I don't think I'll have time to write.  Leaving Missouri is always hard, it's not home by any means, but one of the people I adore most lives there and it's hard to leave him.  On the other end of my journey is home and all the things I love best.  I've decided to list them (in no particular order, except coffee may truly by #1):

 

1.  Starbucks.  They have a Starbucks at the STL airport and I have to admit I had 2 before I got on the plane.  I haven't had my kind of coffee in 7 days.  The kind of coffee that I'm willing to be late to work for each day.  Yum.

2.  Trees, hills, foliage, substance.  Missouri is pretty flat and full of prairies -- sort of like central California.  One of the things I love most about NC is it's version of nature.  We all know I'm not an "outside" person but that's mostly because I have allergies and it messes up my hair.  I do love to look at it.

3.  Music.  St Louis radio stations are full of hip hop and rap -- not exactly my cup of tea.  At home I have 10 radio stations I love, hockey games on tv and my cd collection.  I do need to get the Green Day cd out of my car -- it's been in there for more than 2 months.

4.  My friends.  I know I bothered them at work all week calling when they were busy -- probably busier because I wasn't there -- but when your alone in a house with someone who sleeps a lot, and you are used to the busyness in an office, and you work with some of your favorite people, it's hard not to call and be annoying.

5.  My dog.  My family.  My house.  I need to get back to my dog so she can stop taking Prozac.  Not kidding.

 

PS -- I'm not sure if I like this song more from Garden State or Gray's Anatomy. 

Enjoy the Silence

My week here in Missouri is just about over.  It's been a long trip, but it has passed quickly.  At the beginning the days seemed to stretch out in front of me, now is a few short hours until I head for home and it seems like there wasn't enough time. 

 

It has been a very quiet week -- days spent working on my laptop, running errands to the grocery store or to get lottery tickets (the prize is huge this week, you just have to try), making dinners for two.  My grandfather has been in very good spirits this week; we've given each other a lot of space but also opened up to each other a lot.  I know someday I will look back and cherish these days.

 

I joked at dinner that I might have a rough reentry back to my noisy life.  I miss my dog and my house and my friends.  I've enjoyed the silence here, but it's time to go back to my place in the world.

Lightning Crashes

Does it ever!  It is so quiet out here in the country, on more than one occasion I have been jolted from sleep by a burst of noise.  I love a good light show, but it's very disorienting when you aren't in your own bed.

 

[I must preface this story by saying that we emerged unscathed from yesterday's storm, though my grandfather told every person who called that we were trapped under rubble and needed help.]

 

The really dangerous storms roared through Missouri late yesterday.  It was a pretty typical spring storm, only this one was more deadly than most.  Here in Farmington they have tornado sirens.  They sound a bit like the aliens in War of the Worlds.  We heard the alarms but it wasn't "bad" yet, so my thrill seeking grandfather and I stayed upstairs to watch the show.  I don't either one of us really wanted to miss out on anything.  We even had the back door open, enjoying the wind.  The temperature dropped about 30 degrees in one hour (from 83 to 52!).  We sat, talking about how the storm must be someplace else, selectively ignoring the weather man on TV and the sirens all urging us to go downstairs.  The TV guy said the storm was traveling at 55 mph with wind in the 80 mph range with large hail and it would arrive suddenly at that speed.  He was not kidding.  With a large clang and a tremendous gust of wind the storm was here and we went scurrying for the stairs down to the basement.  I grabbed the laptop, our various medicines and my wallet.  Papaw ushered down the dog.  We both talked about bringing the lasagna I had just made, but thought better of it.  Who hides with lasagna?  Of course, once we were downstairs rather than hiding deep in the back room, we hung out by the French doors and watched the storm through the window.  Some people never learn.

Another Suitcase in Another Hall

I'm spending this week with my grandfather in Missouri.  I'm planning to work a bit from here, if I'm able to get a wireless connection.  It appears this house doesn't have a wireless router but last time I was here it seemed like one of the neighbors did.   Cross your fingers that my aura (what I call my ability to fix weird computer problems just by looking at them) fit in my carry-on bag.

The Devil(s) Went Down to (Atlanta) Georgia

And they LOST.  This is the fun part of running our office pool -- half of the players were just knocked out (sorry guys!).  Not having grown up in North Carolina, I don't think I have the same ACC bias that my friends do.  Don't misunderstand me, I picked ACC newcomer Boston College to be the last team standing, but I have no real logic behind that other than that I have a friend who lives in Boston, I have a Boston Terrier and I like the Red Sox.  Isn't that how you are supposed to pick the winner?  At least until tomorrow night, I'm still in it. 

 

I have to admit I also committed the cardinal sin of choosing a team to advance because a parent went there -- go UCLA!  Maybe I have a Pac 10 bias?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Anyone who knows me well knows I am a big old geek about figure skating.  I can admit it -- I know far too much about who the coaches are, where everyone trains, and old school Russian grudges that go back for decades.  I know the difference between a toe loop, an axel and a salchow (hell, I know how to spell salchow).  It's just something I've always loved.

 

Last week I went to see Stars on Ice -- it's my favorite day of the year.  This was my 10th show -- it has changed so much over the years but never disappoints.  There is a moment in every show that something so beautiful happens that no matter how my life is, I am so glad to be there in that moment.

 

The Olympic year is a special one.  You have your favorites and you watch them succeed or live to compete another day.  Today is that day.  The World Championships are this week and I'm spending a perfect night watching some spectacular programs (Evan Lysacek) and some devastating tumbles (Johnny Weir), while also watching the NCAA tournament (Duke just lost, Memphis just won).  I'm wearing my fuzzy slippers and my flannel pjs with a fire going in the fireplace and a stack of magazines to catch up my reading.

 

As much as I know about skating, I just do not understand Stephane Lambiel's costume.  Surely it's got to mean something -- surely the Swiss can't be that fashion challenged.

When I'm Sixty-Four

According to the 401k guy, I need to accumulate a scary amount of money by the time I'm ready to retire.  It amazes me how that is so easy for some people and so hard for others.  I guess it's a little naive to think that we all start out the same and have to make the most of our opportunities from there.  There are so many choices along the way -- how come some people luck out and have things so much easier than those who have to try so much harder?

 

Maybe, just maybe, I'll win all three of my tourney pools and make enough money to make my day.  Lord knows it won't be enough to retire on!

We Got the Beat

Can I just say how disturbing it is that advertising executives have hijacked a ton of the songs I grew up with and use them in commercials? Some of them are just so bizarre. I just saw a Papa John's commercial that changed the words to an 80's classic to "We Got the Meat." That's just bad. Not too long ago HP used a Cure song, to my continued disbelief. I'd love to know how that pitch went. "We know you are one of the touchstones of a generation but we think "Pictures of You" would really help us sell printers. You in?"

Devil In A Blue Dress

The madness has begun and I have to say I get pulled in a little more every year.  Before I moved to a place that considers itself the center of the college basketball universe, I had only a peripheral knowledge of what this time of year was about.  Now, when I hear a band playing Devil in a Blue Dress, I know Duke must be playing well.  Sweet Caroline does the same for Carolina -- hey Beth, is there a song for State?  A note for my Pac10 area friends:  Duke is a evil as USC, Carolina (UNC Chapel Hill) is like UCLA and NC State is like maybe, any Cal State school, but all of them are within about 30 miles of each other and there are rivalries that pre-date the mouse setting up shop in an orange grove.  Here, generations of people have deep-seeded, inherited hatred, at least a couple of days a year.  None of them are more pronounced than the days of the Duke-Carolina games or the ACC tournament.  My friend Beth even takes the Friday of the ACC tournament off every year to celebrate the games like her own personal Super Bowl.  It's infectious and it's fun and for me, it's a good warm up for what is yet to come when my Canes start the playoffs in April.

 

The brackets will be announced later today and I'll spend the next 3 days tearing my hair out, trying to figure out how far Gonzaga might go and how to pick the games where both teams are unknown to me.  I know that the prevailing opinion is that you shouldn't pick a school because you went there, or your parents went there, or your best friends second cousin went there, but when those choices include Maryland and UCLA, how can I cross them out?  The first round is a crap shoot -- once I've picked all my obvious choices (ACC and Pac 10 schools, NC schools, California schools, all the remaining #1s, #2s, #3s & #4s) I start with the weird tie-breakers -- directional schools, those that start with vowels, or which mascot would win in a brawl.  Wish me luck!

Forever Young

First, I have to admit I watch The OC. I think I'm about 15 years out of their demographic and looks nothing like my high school, which actually was in Orange County, but I can't help it. I think I may be one of the only people who gets the title. No one there calls it The OC, it's just Orange County, OC, South County, whatever dude. [Here's where you've got to stick with me] In Southern Cal, freeways all start with "the" -- to get from my house to CSUF I took the 91 to the 57. Notice the the's? Anywhere else in America, freeways just have numbers. I take 540 to get to work everyday and take 540 to 40 to get to hockey games. If I said the 540, people would think I was weird. But I can't image taking 91 to 57 -- they require the's. So, if you ever lived this (and left it), The OC is a hilarious joke. But I digress...

At the end of tonight's episode, there was a song playing called Forever Young. I'm not sure who it is, but the original was by Alphaville. That song once meant so much to me. I had a friend my freshman year named Kathy, who was killed right after she graduated. She was so much of that year for me -- she was such a good friend that she got out of line at her graduation to sit and hold my hand while I cried about someone else I wasn't talking to at the time and thought I never would again (you know who you are -- I'm forever grateful you needed Bullfrog for your graduation trip). I recall her saying one day she needed to stop drinking and having sex. I was 14 and completely shocked -- I didn't really think people in high school did those things (then I moved to The OC...). Anyway, she loved that song and then she died. "Youth like diamonds in the sun and diamonds are forever."

Take Me As I Am

Review time at the old job today.  It's really a weird experience.  Our office is pretty good about talking about what's going well and what's going wrong all the time, but it's still daunting when it's time to sit down and talk about yourself.  My whole life I have heard the same criticisms -- I can trace them all the way back to high school.  I won an award once for being "most dependable" -- not Miss Congeniality.  I'll always try to be a better person and be as good as I can be at my job.  But really, at the end of the day, I'll still be me.

 

Breathe

In trying to improve certain areas of my life -- my stress level, my aching back, my age creeping up on me...I have been playing with the idea of taking up yoga. I took my first class tonight and survived! My aching back is well, back and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to get out of bed tomorrow morning.

One of the things the teacher said at the end, when we were all trying to relax and get, er, centered, really got to me. It doesn't have to be pretty or perfect, you just have to keep breathing. That applies to life just as much as yoga, don't you think?

Have a Nice Day

The rules for attending any type of game or sporting event are easy and should just be known. ( I swear I'm not making them up -- true fans know them.)

1. DO NOT make people stand up to let you pass to get to your seat while the game is in play. You wait until there is a whistle or a buzzer or a time out. You do not return from the concession stand and expect 10 people to stand up, blocking the view of everyone behind them, while the game is in progress. I promise if you wait one minute, maybe two, there will be a break and you can get to your seat and no one will mind. Really, it's just the polite thing to do.

2. If you don't know where your seat is, ask someone. Fans are friendly and will always help. The last three hockey games I have been to have been a comedy of errors as the untrained masses spent whole periods moving from one wrong seat to another -- while the game was in progress -- generally making everyone there to see the game miserable.

3. If you happen to be sitting in the upper reaches of your venue, don't complain about how high your seats are. You are the one who didn't want to spend the money to sit closer. You got what you paid for and others would be thrilled to be where you are. Zip it.

Have fun. Tell your friends. Go Canes.

She Thinks His Name Was John

One of my favorite agents called me today and we had the following exchange:

ME: Good morning, this is Heather.
HIM: What's so damn good about it?
ME: The sun is out, the birds are singing, the sky is blue with nary a cloud in the sky.
HIM: Bah humbug, b****.

I love my job. These people make me laugh.

Kryptonite

If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman? 

 

I think I must have caught a piece of the 3 Doors Down song on my way home and now I can't get it out of my head.  I'm still in the midst of my furniture building projects.  My living room is full of pieces of wood, a dozen paint cans, power tools...the messes I get into because I think I can do anything.  I made a little headway tonight, humming the Superman song while I worked.  My coffee table now has 5 sides.  Maybe on Saturday it'll get a lid and some legs. 

 

Here's what I don't get -- did they think Superman was sane before he went nuts?

How Much is That Doggy in the Window?

This is not going to be a blog about my dog. I swear. But on occasion there will be stories. Sometimes she does something that is so darn cute that I can't help wanting to talk about her. I have a guest bedroom upstairs in my townhouse and it faces the street where I park my car. I know she sits up there most of the day, looking out the window and probably seeing nothing (because dogs are supposed to have really, really bad vision) but she seems very happy there. She has 3 other beds of her own, 2 couches, a doghouse...but she spends all her time on that bed, looking out the window. That is, until I get home. I put my key in the door when I get home from work each day and ba-dump ba-dump ba-dump -- she races down the stairs to see me, doing her happy dance and wagging her body because she has no tail. She basically tap dances across the kitchen. It is the best feeling in the world -- knowing she is that happy to see me. I know she would do the same thing for a burglar too, but I don't care. Today's happy dance is for me and I'm just as happy to be home to hang out with her.

A Long December

It's "the winter that wasn't" in NC this year. I keep waiting for cold, waiting for ice, waiting for snow. I escaped the numbing, endless sunshine of California (which is a myth anyway) for real seasons. I want a refund. I know I should feel blessed that we escaped the hurricanes and any bad winter weather, but does that mean that Mother Nature has something special waiting for us? I guess I should just enjoy the sun and stop waiting for winter to begin.

Brown Eyed Girl

It's Fat Tuesday. Three years ago I was in New Orleans in the fall, with one good friend and a bunch of people I barely knew. I wore a sweater that was much too hot for such a steamy place -- absolutely inappropriate for dancing with a Hurricane in my hand. Every bar was playing Brown Eyed Girl. For years I associated that song with the Fourth of July, but now it will remain my New Orleans song.

When I was getting ready for work this morning I couldn't find my Mardi Gras beads -- the good ones from when I visited that city last winter. So many people have lost so much -- and I'm bummed that I can't find my plastic beads. Selfish girl.