Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Bruins On-the-Glass Report (Quick, before the playoffs start)

The playoffs actually start tonight for some teams, but the Bruins have until tomorrow night, so technically I'm getting this in under the wire. My allergies are hitting me hard, so please forgive any incoherence. This will be a picture-driven post.

Starting with our parking lot at the T stop.
For non-locals, 617 is Boston's area code. Good omen, right?

The trip into town was uneventful, but we arrived at the Garden amid a sea of green. The Celtics matinee had gone into overtime, and was just letting out. Who knew there were so many Celtics fans around? I don't know anyone who professes love of basketball, but clearly there are thousands of them. We found a place to stand and watch the majority flow past before trying to make our way inside. The Pro Shop was so crowded that we didn't stay long, but we did see a few things of interest.

Like ... Goldfinger!
I saw the Celtics one first, and it looks like you're channeling the Jolly Green Giant (which, if that's your thing, I'm not judging). But this? Really?

Of course, there was also the snuggie-knock-off:
It's a blanket with sleeves! Because of course it is.

Somehow we were able to restrain ourselves, and left without buying. There was a bit of a wait before they opened the doors, which was hard the more excited I got. I mean, they opened the sliding-glass panels, turned on the escalators ... and then it was half an hour before they let us go up. Honestly, don't tease!

A guy near us had the right sneakers for the occasion:
Practically everyone had Bruins-wear on, of course. It was a friendly feeling.

Watched over by Milan Lucic on the nearest pillar.
Finally, finally they let us in. Got a program, and they also were handing out free gifts, to the first so many people, I guess, since on the way home some people were asking others what was in the box. And what was in the box?

A helmet-shaped bank, which considering that the Garden is officially the TD Garden, after TD Bank, makes sense.
 Cute, right?
Once we were in, my friend went to use the ladies room, and thus had the possibly unique experience of being the only person in an arena ladies room, while I stopped to get a pretzel and Coke. The woman who rang me up had the same name as mine! That's not a usual experience, either.

Fortified, we made our way to the area of the rink nearest our seats. The nice man told us to go straight ahead, all the way down to the glass, and as my friend said, I could get used to hearing that!

I mentioned that the basketball game went into OT. Pity the poor bull gang, having to make the parquet-to-ice switch-over so quickly. (The process looks like this, if you're curious.) We got to our seats to find that the process was almost complete ... almost.
Across the ice, preparations were made for the teams to come out for warm-ups. You know, a security guard here, a puck pyramid there.
And here they ... wait.
"Congratulations, you're a famous NHL player, making a ton of money to play the game you love, and about to take the ice to the cheers of thousands. Now wait for the Zamboni."
How much fun do you think the Zamboni driver had with that?

Chara talks to Naoko from NESN.
I didn't notice yesterday but they're in the background of the Alfredsson-headband photo, too.

Now, can anyone tell me what this costume is meant to be?
It isn't hockey-related, I'm sure of that. Some sort of cartoon?

Fun fact: A few seconds after I took this photo, one of the Ottawa players banged his stick on the glass right by the kid. I'm sure it was a coincidence, right?

Before the game, they gave out some awards, and my boy Patrice won two of them. Ahhh, respect for a great player, makes me so happy.

More photos:
Adam McQuaid without a mullet:
Marchand mouthing off to the Senators bench:
Chara, being so tall he needs to toe-in to stay balanced:
Lucic fights, across the ice, my focus not so good--my camera's focus, I mean:

Marchand being escorted away from trouble:
Between periods, we got to see kids playing!
Tuukka:
Chara is not actually two feet taller than the referee, aka, perspective is funny:
Though he does have to bend over to talk to Peverley
Loooooch:
Bergeron, working so quickly that he is rarely in focus:
Chara and Seidenberg, synchronized skating NHL-style:
Seids lined up right by us for many faceoffs. These were particularly good seats if your favorite player happened to play defense. (Bergeron's a forward. Distance is my excuse for poor focus!)


And I hope that I will still be going to games at 101:
Here, Marchy looks like he's mouthing off (again), but instead it's that perspective thing (again):
The Senator was skating by, not at him.

Finally, two puzzlers. Sign in the stands:
35 lbs. and the Bruins logo? Anyone?

And, bad photo, but these pants? Really?
Not the white-tights legs, though those are ... also interesting, but the black and gold plaid? Really?

Monday, April 29, 2013

A Taste of the Bruins

As predicted, I am too tired to do the whole Bruins Experience story tonight. But here's a taste, like the classic "I'm a dork but I will show you that I am in the front row by touching the glass" photo:
(Though it kind of looks like I'm miming it, doesn't it? Oh well.)
And the "They may have lost the game, but it had its moments" photo:
And finally, in the Learn Something New Every Day category, here is what I learned yesterday about Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson: When you've been around that long, and are that good, you can totally wear a headband during warm-ups and no one gives you shit about it.
Or if they do, you don't care.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Just a Drive-By Post

I will be home late tonight--you know, from the (rescheduled) Bruins game where I will be in the front row--and I may not have sufficient energy on Monday night to write All About the Experience, so, you know, you've been warned. Meanwhile, how about some generally, pictorial blogging about non-hockey, non-feline-recovery things? What has my camera captured lately?

Aaaaaand, that was the plan, and then Blogger said O RLY? and won't load pictures. Fascinating. Sigh. I hope this is because the universe is busy putting all its powers for good toward tonight's game. Considering how the Bruins blew it last night, they need the help. Please let it be a good game, please please please. (And thank heavens they're in the playoffs anyway--can you imagine me if that was in question? Ulcer!)

And unless you want to hear about how many of my dreams last night involved going to the game ... that's all I've got.

Friday, April 26, 2013

Carlos Checks In

Mama's still acting kind of funny. She pets me a lot and cuddles and hangs out with me more, and I like it of course but why is she? I didn't think she could kiss me more but she is. Also, what does "chipmunk cheek" mean?

I got a divot in my front leg and another on the bottom of my back paw. They feel weird, like cold sort of, but it's okay. Mama says so.
Other Cat has been mostly avoiding me, which is fine because when she does get near me she hisses and growls and I don't know why, I didn't do anything, and usually she's too close but now it's all different and I don't understand why she's hissy.
Mama sounds really mad when she does it, but not at me. She looks at me with the worry-eyes a lot, and especially leaving in the morning. I don't like her to leave and if she doesn't like it either, then why does she? She said, "We can sleep in tomorrow, buddy," and I don't know exactly what that means but she sounded really happy.

I'm fine, and I hope she doesn't spray that weird stuff in my mouth any more because it's yucky and I don't like it.

Good news for him, the pain meds are over! He didn't like it sprayed in his mouth one little bit. As long as I don't have to take him back in... And I could kill Miri with the hissing at him, really I could. What is her PROBLEM?

So when I got home Thursday night, Carlos had one cheek looking a little puffy. It certainly didn't bother him! He ate normally, and not only let me touch it, but pushed aggressively against me for scritches, so it can't be hurting him. After talking it over with the vet tech, I decided not to take him in, since he was otherwise fine, and I hate to stress him unnecessarily with carrier-car-vet's office. I'm tired of worrying about him, though! I wish I'd scheduled the procedure for a Friday, so I could have been home and watching him instead of worrying from afar (does ten miles count as "afar"?).

It still looks puffy tonight, and if it isn't better in the morning I may bring him in anyway. Sigh. I'm going to watch a movie and go to bed. What a week.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

The ... Traveling Jagrs?

Carlos and I are having a quiet night tonight (something I don't think the coworkers who asked if I was coming to trivia tonight understood, though they were perfectly nice about it): he has a little swelling, and is even less bouncy than usual, while I have a slight worry headache, mostly for him and a little for the Bruins, who have a whole period in which to squander a 2-0 lead.

So instead of any real substance of my own, I will give you this: The Traveling Jagrs induct Bruins Jagr into their group.

Words fail me. In a good way.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Carlos and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day

When I woke up this morning, there was no food, and instead of getting me some, Mama just kept saying, "I know, bud, I'm sorry," whatever that means. I stared and stared at her, and then I pawed at her leg, and then I stared some more, and she hugged me but still she didn't put down food.

Then I got to chase a ribbon and I caught it and that was fun, but still there was no food and that was really weird. Finally I went to sit on the bed, and after a while Mama came in and sat next to me, and then she said something about "it's time" and she picked me up but she didn't bring me to food, she put me in the carrier and shut it, and then while I was stuck in there she put down food for Other Cat! And I couldn't get out! That was bad.

Then she put on her coat and picked up stuff and the carrier and she took me outside! I told her I didn't want to, but she put me in the scary car anyway, and I told her and told her and
told her that I didn't want to, but she made it be loud anyway and just kept not taking me home. I kept telling her how unhappy I was, and she sounded like she understood but she still didn't take me home, she took me into the place with all the weird smells, and no matter how nice the voices were, they were strangers and it smelled scary and I kept saying that I didn't want to be there. Then Mama took me into a room and she and the lady talked but they didn't take me out of the carrier, and then Mama left me with the lady and she went away and that was just wrong.

I don't remember everything after that, but I feel all funny now, and my mouth feels weird, and I can't walk quite right, and why did I have to have this awful day? Was it something I did wrong? I don't understand why. Mama doesn't understand why I won't stay still, but it isn't right and I have to keep looking for where I'll feel better.


Mama keeps calling me toothless and I don't know why. I have teeth. 

Also I want food and she keeps saying Not yet and I don't know why. So I found where she put the bowl up on the table and helped myself. Why did she make me get down? At least she brought the food down, too. She said, "I give up," but I don't know why. And why does my jumping worry her, I jump all the time and it never worried her before. She seemed really happy when I purred, anyway, not that I don't do that all the time, too. People are funny.


Between worrying about Carlos and anesthesia, and thinking about how it's four years this week since my dad died, well, you can imagine the kind of day I've had. No wonder I've had a bit of a headache. Carlos had six teeth out, the poor bunny. He's wandering around like a drunk who forgot where he parked; we've been home about two hours, and he hasn't stayed in one spot for more than a minute or two, looking for the place where he'll feel like himself again. He doesn't understand that it isn't a place, it's a time. A time that can't come soon enough for both of us.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Oh Look a Chicken

It's time for another fun episode of "It's Late, Here, Look at the Pictures!" With a little bonus weather whining!

Oh, but the weather. Just like yesterday, it was about 40 degrees when I left for work today. Unlike yesterday, it never got much warmer. Unlike yesterday, today it was rainy all day.

The best thing I can say about today's weather is that 40 and raining beats 30 and snowing.

It isn't much.

Also, the Bruins are down 3-1 after two periods. Kate is happy, I am not. (There's no pleasing both of us when Boston plays the Flyers.)
I do, but it isn't helping much right now.

On the bright side, though?

Well, the LOLcat people are doing a Restoring Faith in Humanity week. I like the dog on his first day of training. I want to see him grow into that vest!
Then, there are Marines visiting the Marathon bombing victims, to encourage those who have lost legs. I love this picture.
How awesome are these guys?

Want a little more snark? Well, a lot of companies ran ads of support for Boston in the Globe last week. A few:
But here's the one I liked best:
Amen, brother.
There's also this, just because:
Some days, man.

Off for the third period. Then bed!

Tomorrow is Carlos-to-the-vet day. Fingers crossed, people!

Monday, April 22, 2013

Not Warm Enough


I didn't get enough sleep last night*, and it's making me grouchy. My grump today is focusing on the weather, which is, in my opinion, Not Warm Enough. As I said to friends yesterday, the weather was lovely for a day in early March, but since it's late April, it was just Not Nice Enough.
*I try to get eight hours a night, which for me is just barely functioning level. Six is simply Not Enough.

When I left the house this morning, it was about 40 degrees. Not Warm Enough! It got "up to" (if you can call it that) about 50, and tomorrow will not be as "warm".
I leave for Florida 31 days from tomorrow morning. Just saying.

Going to bed now. You will be glad to hear.