Last Weekend

If you can believe this (I know I can't), this is the final weekend of the regular season for hockey. How crazy is that? Next week the state tournament begins, which is basically a playoff for youth hockey, and it lasts a few weeks, and then it's all done. I have to say, it's been a grind of a season, and I view the end with mixed emotions. I love hockey, but the amount of time and angst involved in the whole process can wear a man down.

Of course, hockey doesn't have to end there. There is spring hockey, and if you want, hockey camps over the summer, but let's not rush into things. It's good to have a break and remind ourselves that there are other things in life. Then again, maybe not.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to clyde for the pic.

No Whiners, Please

I still struggle with being a coach amongst such giants of coaching, but I've decided to stay the course and finish what I've started, even though I don't want to. This has been an interesting lesson for me, and I view it with mixed emotions. On the one hand, it's not easy to be around a bunch of high octane, heavy-hitting hockey players who played at the Division I college level. That's serious stuff. I am constantly reminded of how limited my abilities are, and yet I'm trying to teach these kids the game of hockey. I feel like I make a fool of myself every practice since most of the players are better than me, though they are respectful and well behaved, so I'm fortunate on that count. I sort of just do what I'm told, and I guess I'm not that clueless. Having played sports my entire life, I can see that there are some parallels amongst every sport.

On the other hand, I am glad that I can be there to help my kids learn the game and feel comfortable in an pretty competitive environment. I also think it's good for them to see their dad trying to do something he's not that great at but is trying to learn. Finally, from my own perspective, it's good to operate outside my comfort zone now and then. Not only does it temper the male ego, which is in constant need of tempering, but I seem to grow from the process... I think. At some point in our lives, as we get to be old farts, we stop trying new things and challenging ourselves, sequestering ourselves in our the comfort of our routines. I do it all the time, but as a transplant in these parts, I can honestly say that every day is a new experience. Life in New England ain't Southern California, that's for sure.

I view this as a good thing, just like the change in seasons, traveling, and learning to play hockey. It keeps your brain fresh and bolsters your constitution while reminding you that life can be an adventure if you want it to be. The question is, how much adventure does a guy really need?

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to CosmicSoda for the pic.

Euro Breakfast

The search for the ideal breakfast continues, and in the spirit of reducing our sugar intake, I have once again taken matters into my own hands. I usually eat two breakfasts by the time I ever get out the door, and the reason for this is because I am an early riser. I am up around 5:00AM, so if I get out by 9:00AM, that 4 hours where I need to fuel up, and since I love to eat so much, I'm happy to indulge that need. To decrease my risk of adding to my spare tire, I eat small meals. Usually I'll eat half a bagel after my coffee, then a few hours later I'll eat a small bowl of cereal.

This is where the problems arise... actually, R would say the problem begins with eating that bagel, which is pure simple carbs. Bad stuff, but I love bagels, and training to be a real man is a great way to burn off those carbs. Either way, the cereal is packed with refined sugar. If you eat processed cereal, there is just no way of getting around either tons of added sugar, nasty preservatives, or high cost. I tried eating Grape Nuts and could barely choke down one bowl.

I decided to look to our good friends across the Atlantic for some inspiration, and came up with idea of making muesli, which I happen to like. If you go online you can find a countless number of recipes, so came up with a hybrid. Basically I take 5 minute multi-grain oats, add almonds, coconut, raisins, and dates, bake lightly with maple syrup, and voila, suddenly I'm transported to a villa in Tuscany, eating muesli with my goat cheese, olive oil, and tomatoes. You can't beat it.

Personally I think it tastes just like granola, without the added fat. Sure, there's maple syrup, but you can't live in New England without imbibing in a little maple syrup now and then. Plus, the kids like it, and for the most part, the stuff is pretty healthy, so we are golden. I love when that happens.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to the 10 cent designer for the pic.

What Am I Doing Here?

This is often a question I ask myself as I sit there in hockey practice, not to mention games. In fact, I seem to say it constantly because I'm at the arena pretty much every day of the week. I think things were much easier last year when the kids were younger and coaching hockey was not as intense and the kids were still small enough to where it was more fun. Now that they are older, the competition level is higher and dare I say, the stakes have risen. As a consequence, the coaching is more serious and there is less room for clueless coaches like myself.

Which begs the question, what exactly am I doing here? I have to confess, coaching is a bit more challenging this year, and just to plug that point home, I have to do it 4 out of 5 days during the week. I am happy to help out since I'm there anyway, but at some point you realize that you're just sort of in the way and the kids are heads and shoulders above me in ability. Plus, with the exception of myself, the coaches are exceptionally capable, and magnifying my lack of ability and knowledge.

I have no doubt that on some level the coaches appreciate my helping out, and now and then I'll throw out a nugget of wisdom that makes sense, but let's face it, for the most part, I'm way out of my league. I think every now and then there is a suggestion from the others that this is the case, but I also know that a lot of this is my own neurotic self-consciousness and lack of confidence. I feel as if I have no basis for teaching hockey since I don't know the game, though I guess I am learning.

I toyed with the idea of quitting because N's team has 3 other coaches who are amazing hockey players, unlike me. On the other hand, everyone is busy, and there are times when I have been helpful because it boils down to one or two of us on the ice. Whatever be the case, I will ride this season out. I don't want to send a message to the kids that it's good to quit when things are uncomfortable. Finish what you started, right?

Plus, the kids are having fun, and on some level they probably (hopefully) appreciate my presence on the ice. Then again, maybe not.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Leo Reynolds for the pic.

Constant Search

We are cruising along with our current gear for winter sports, but I am still in the hunt for a couple of new things for the kids. First off, I bought bargain basement skis for N and I have to say, they are not very attractive. Now I know that worrying how skis look is ridiculous, but you have to have empathy for teenagers, where image is an important part of daily life. This is readily apparent in the way they dress, especially in freezing cold weather. Whatever be the case, I am determined to find new skis for her. We'll get through this season but I'll keep my eyes out. To her credit, A has never complained and has even gone as far as to say that she's fine with her skis and doesn't need new ones, but she's also alluded to them being ugly and how she would be happy with cooler ones. Now I know I'm being ridiculous by putting undue emphasis on something trivial, but she is, in my opinion, deserving of such attention. Besides, it's not an urgent situation, and I can simply keep my eyes open for any whopping deals that come our way. I have a year to get it done. This past winter there were countless ski swaps and consignment sales but it seemed like every time they happened, we were busy with hockey or something else. Total bummer. Next time will be different, I'll make sure of that. I'm not planning on spending a lot of money, but I can't assume I'll find skis for $10-20, either. This is where the patience and legwork come in, and I have time. This season I was under the gun because by the time ski season had arrived, I still had not found her skis, and when I went to Hendersons, the pickings were slim. My bad.

The second thing I need to work on is a new bike for N, and this one will not be easy. Decent mountain bikes are hard to find used, so we may end up getting him a new one. It means a lot to him so I think it's worth it and something he'll use regularly and for years to come. Since we're talking about a decent investment, I'll have to confer with R, but I think if I save up diligently, but the time spring rolls around, I should have enough to make a dent in the cost. That's my goal, so let's see how it goes. Make it happen, right?

For now, we'll maintain the status quo and make the most of what we have, which is a lot. I'm not one to ever take anything for granted, but I do think every now and then you have to upgrade, especially when you're a kid who strives to be cool, and every kids wants to be cool. Somehow I think this is going to be a lifelong endeavor.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Felipe Lima for the pic. 

A Helping Hand

We've been hitting the ski hill at a pretty good clip, but it sure took some doing to get over that initial hump and just make it to the hill in the first place. A week or two back we were determined to make it to S6 to get their great mid-week deal, but we had many logistical hurdles that at first glance seemed insurmountable. First off, I had to do some work and A had to finish her editing on her video. Both A&N had hockey practice that evening, and of course R had to get to work. This meant that we had to come up with a plan, because N was ready to hit the slopes.

As it turned out, we found a helping hand in our good friend, AM. She was planning on skiing that day, as well, and she was happy to pick up N and get him to the slopes. Hallelujah. I made lunch for all of us and sent N off with his lunch and ski gear with AM. I then finished making supper (ratatouille) and packed lunch for A and I, then stuffed the car with hockey gear and ski equipment for all of us. I took A to the studio and then headed out to do some work. Afterward I got A, took her to the ski hill where we rendezvoused with N and skied for the rest of the day.

As the ski hill was closing, we got ourselves together and headed over the rink where we had hockey for the next two hours. Then it was back home where mom was waiting with a hot meal and warm fire. Needless to say, dad was quite exhausted and ready for a nap, but happy to have pulled off a fun day that was in theory a logistical nightmare. Thanks to AM for coming through for us. It wasn't the first time, and somehow I don't think it will be the last.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to englishme community for the pic. 

Life of Grind

Life has been firing on all cylinders lately, not that I'm complaining, but sometimes when I stop and take a long look at what's going on, it's pretty amazing. This year we have incorporated skiing into our repertoire, and it's doubled the amount of equipment that we need while seemingly tripling our level of activity. A testament to the versatility of our Honda Fit, I might add.

In years past hockey has dominated our lives, and for good reason. With the kids playing in a higher age bracket, they have practice 3X a week and games both weekend days. Since they play on different teams, we're pretty much on the ice 7 days a week. It's crazy, who has time for skiing? Actually, we as homeschoolers do. When we were neophytes we didn't think it wise to ski and get tired before the almighty hockey practice, but we've since come to our sense and realized that's not true. There are good mid-week deals to be had locally, and in combination with knowing the right people, we've been able to ski on the cheap on weekdays. In fact, I think N skied four times last week, including the world class ski hill at Killington.

This means, however, that my life is all the more complicated because I have to coordinate meals, shopping, part time work, getting the kids to and from the ski hill, and then to hockey. Here is what a typical day might look like for me. I wake up and if we have hockey and skiing, I need to make supper in the AM, as well as lunch for later that day. I will whip together some soup or stew and a veggie dish, maybe some pasta and bread, then sandwiches and snacks. If I'm going to work, I'll leave after that's done but not before loading all the skis and hockey gear into my car. R will oversee the kids' school work and then take them to their morning activity. I will get a few hours of work in and then meet up with the crew wherever they are at, at which point R will go into work and I will take over.

We've been doing late morning skiing over at S6, so I'll take them and meet up with friends, best case scenario before noon. That leaves us about 4 hours of skiing, which is fine with me. The kids will eat lunch in the car and by the time we're at the ski hill, we're ready to rock and roll. We'll ski until closing, and then head over to the rink for hockey practice into the evening. Then we'll come home and by that time, R is back from work and has heated up supper and built a fire, so we have a nice warm house to come back to.

How's that for living the good life? I'm glad we're getting lots of skiing in, it's a great sport and something the kids can continue to do long after hockey has left the picture. Plus, it has the cool factor, especially if you're a hot dog skier like some of us are. The kids are trying out snowboarding, as well, so we're definitely putting the load capacity of our Fit to the test. I'm sure it will pass with flying colors.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to skindleshanks for the pic.