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.