Hockey, Knitting, Sunset, Strawberries

One of the Bruins/hockey blogs I read said recently, "Fill in the blank time! I miss hockey more than _______." And I have to admit, nothing sprang to mind. I mean, it isn't even three weeks since the playoffs ended! There's been so much going on, hockey-wise (not that I'm complaining, mind you). Talk to me in a month and I'll probably be counting the days until training camp, but right now? There's hardly an off-day from hockey news and developments.

Speaking of which, I went up to the Bruins development camp this morning to watch the future Bruins practicing. Having been in Ristuccia many times before (such as in 2006, 2007, 2012) I brought a sweatshirt and a jacket to wear, and thus was able to stay the whole hour and leave with only cold legs--through jeans, mind you, I don't know how people in shorts did it. And sandals! Brr. But it was fun to watch the boys playing, to see them and hear them.

And the unfamiliar names, on familiar jerseys, that's always weird. I'm not a fan of the practice jersey design, by the way, particularly the white ones.

The black around the underarm sections makes it hard to read the numbers from the side, or in motion. Anyway, for whatever reason, the black jerseys were nearer to me most of the time, so it was mostly them I got pictures of.

There are a couple that are almost elbow-to-elbow names there! I couldn't get a picture of him, but one of them is named Grzelcyk, which looks to my eyes like it needs a few more vowels in there.

I always wonder how many of them will end up with the big club; some won't make it professionally, some will be traded ... you just don't know. The consensus seems to be that goalie Malcolm Subban will be in Providence this year, as a backup. I didn't get a really good picture of him, since at any distance the rink's safety netting throws the camera off, but for what it's worth:

I noticed Ryan Fitzgerald a few times, in a good way, so maybe one day he'll be there. It's always nice to see a legacy make it, isn't it?

Anyway, it's summer (not that the weather is all that summery today, mid-70s and cloudy, and where the hell has my sunshine gone), and there are other things to talk of. Like the bike, which I did in fact ride last night, thank you--keep asking! And like the latest purse sock, which is coming nicely:

Not bad for three weeks of around-and-about time. And there are so many odds and ends of things I've meant to post about, in the last month or two, and somehow haven't. For today, here are some lovely sunset photos from my friend's wedding. The reception location has a lovely view over the water. See Boston's skyline in the distance?

The bump on the hill to the right of the sunset in the photo above, is the tower in the photo below. And to the right and up of the tower, see the plane coming in to Logan?

Wasn't that pretty? The whole wedding was so nice. Did I show you the chocolate-covered strawberries?

How cute is that? They were delicious, too!

A Little Grinching, A Little Gladness

You know what's annoying? When you do things right and it still doesn't work. And yes, I do have an example! Two, in fact.

One is just the stupid Globe delivery thing. After I changed my service, they correctly stopped delivering the weekday papers last week, but they have now delivered all five days this week. I called on Tuesday, and they assured me they would contact the local delivery people and stop it, but no, every single day. Who wants to bet it will come again on Monday? Or alternately, NOT come tomorrow or Sunday?

The other is related to the stupid health insurance, and isn't even the biggest snafu related to our new-in-April coverage. I need to get blood tested, and had a heads-up from a coworker that our insurance does not cover it everywhere, it has to be one of their chosen labs. So, OK, from the website, I found (not easily, the website sucks) a lab that would do it--after sorting through prenatal testing labs and drug testing labs and sleep labs, a filter would be nice, guys--and I called them yesterday to confirm that they really do do this kind of testing. The woman told me yes, and even went off to confirm that someone would be there to do it at 8 this morning--it's a fasting test, so I am not mucking about, I'm not good at fasting. I get cranky, and head-achy, in short order. First thing in the morning it is; I'll be there when the doors open.

So, this morning I didn't have my usual coffee, didn't take my vitamins, didn't drink the extra bit of smoothie when I made it, didn't even lick the peanut butter off the knife when I was making a sandwich for lunch. I packed it all in the car and went up there (the lab isn't far from work, which is why I chose that one). I arrived shortly before 8, and sat in the lobby knitting for a few minutes. At 8, the lights came on inside and a woman unlocked the door and came out, and I greeted her and asked if they were opening up? And she said hesitantly that yes, but was I there for a blood test? (I guess they don't get a lot of walk-in traffic...?) Because there wasn't anyone there yet who could draw blood. Should be within the hour, though!

Well, even if I didn't have to get to work, I'm not starving for another hour, especially based on a maybe. We discussed it, and she allowed as how Monday through Thursday were better than Friday, and they actually open at 7, if the door's locked just call and they'll let me in. Un-huh. Excellent. So basically nothing I was told on the phone is right.

I mean, she was nice, and apologetic and all, and it's not like it's her fault, really, but asking me to deal with that kind of irritation on an empty stomach is pushing it, frankly. I'll try again next week, and what I think I'll do is call them at 7 and make sure someone is going to be there before I go through all that again. Because the location is convenient, and going to a lab that the insurance pays for is important, but honestly, people, if you mess with my food intake, it won't be pretty.

In happier news, the Bruins announced today that they signed Bergeron to a contract extension, so that he can in fact retire as a Bruin (not now! maybe in nine years). Whew! I feel kind of like this about it:

I love this guy, and it would have killed some part of the Bruins fan in me if he ever got traded. Which is not technically impossible now, but it's really really unlikely, and that makes me a happy Bruins fan.

Speaking of hockey, I don't know if you're aware of the whole Sharknado thing, but I absolutely loved this Twitter exchange related to it, as seen on Puck Daddy:

Oh, snap!

Now, I haven't ridden the bike yet this evening--yet, yet--but I will. I've been doing laundry (third load in the dryer) and cooking an actual dinner, which means I have some actual dishes to take care of. Then I will bike. Ask me tomorrow!

Yup, I Biked!

I don't complain about the weather as much in summer as I do in winter (do I?); I take after my mother, who was asked after moving to Florida, "Doesn't it get hot there?" and replied simply, "Yes." I like the warmth, and want to spend time outside in the sun while it's there. (Not that I don't love air conditioning, I do, but I love to need it, too.) This is a roundabout way of saying that I was hoping to eat my lunch outside today; I need some basking, and we've had way too much of the cloudy, rainy weather lately (sometimes 75 degrees, sometimes 95, but Not Enough Sun anyway). I checked the weather forecast this morning before work and it said that although there would be afternoon showers, there was a 0% chance before 1 PM.

So naturally, when I got out of a meeting at 10:30, it was raining.

And no, it wasn't raining at 1. Or 2. Or 3. Or since.

I'm just saying.

Anyway, many thanks to those who asked me about biking! I did bike a few minutes after I wrote last night; not a lot, but more than the "none" that I felt like doing. Baby steps. And since I was motivated by the questions (keep asking, do!), I waited to blog until after I biked tonight. Another ten minutes, I'm all sweaty (ugh), and the heel flap is close to being done. Baby steps indeed, but enough of them and eventually you get somewhere.

Incidentally, I don't know why, as a knitter, I'm not more comfortable with that idea, why it's such a fight. The whole concept of knitting is that it's tiny movements that only together create something. Why does that seem so different to me?

So I knit on the purse sock in the meeting this morning, I knit on the bike, and now I think I'll go off and knit for a few minutes before bed. Thank heavens it's almost the weekend!

*****
Conversation with Carlos:
Meow.
You have food, bud. I just looked.
Meow.
You do. You have food.
Meow.
It may not be the new exciting food that you want [ed note: all of an hour old], but it is food, and it's all you get right now.

...? Does ... not ... compute ...

Talk of Other Things

I'm so tired of being a grown-up. The paper Globe was delivered again this morning, my new health insurance continues to be difficult to deal with in myriad ways requiring phone call after phone call, someone I like at work is leaving at the end of the week ... it's just tiresome.

So let's talk about something else. Like hockey! The Bruins development camp started today; I'm looking forward to going to Wilmington this weekend and watching the future Bruins. Also today, the Bruins announced they'd signed Tuukka Rask to a nice long contract, so I don't have to worry about him, or the team's goaltending, for a while (it's an 8-year contract, so I figure that gives me at least a few worry-free years). If they would just extend Bergernon's contract, I could really relax.

Let me add this great quote from Jack Edwards, in a recent live chat:

I would love to see the league make in-conference games far more common [than] out-of-conference games, as familiarity breeds contempt and contempt in hockey is a beautiful thing.

Ah, Jack, October will be here before we know it. (It will, too; how scary is that?)

*****
Random question, but is anyone familiar with a restaurant chain called Seasons 52? They're new to me, but it does sound interesting. Anyone? Bueller?

*****
Would you do me a favor, and help me get back on the bike? Ask me about it, encourage me? I got waaaaaay out of the habit, and am trying to get back in; after all, one and a half socks aren't doing me any good, I know, but I am not in the groove lately.

I'm just a little farther than this. Help me get to the end!

There are plenty of pictures that I haven't been blogging lately, what with one thing and another. Like this guy calming putting up a traffic light.

Who would have guessed that Lestat drove a Ford Fiesta? Not me!

When I see something strung between two trees, my automatic first thought is hammock, but that's not what this is. What is it?

I may have to drive by again and get a better look.

I made a few more catnip mice for a friend of my mother's, since she paid my knitting the ultimate compliment of appreciating it (apparently mine is the only toy the cat will play with by herself. How about that?).

It's a cute little pattern, and a quick knit.

Someone, however, was not impressed.

Do you see how I am ignoring you?

Do you? I want that!

Apparently his lordship's catnip is not good enough, once he could smell this.

Super duper extra strength!

I don't understand ... how can you resist me? The cute face, the post-dental-work sneer...

Three Reasons to Keep it Brief Tonight

1. Carlos needs me.
2. The kitchen needs cleaning up.
3. I started a new book, and want to keep reading.

So, just a brief tale.

Last Monday was the first day when I didn't get the Globe delivered, having switched to e-reading the Globe during the week, and when I left for work that day I found myself looking around, sure that he would have brought one anyway. But no; all week, no paper, I read it on the iPad and was very happy with the new situation.

Yesterday, Monday, there was a paper newspaper outside the door. Hmmm. I don't suppose my new neighbor coincidentally signed up for delivery just now? No. When there was one again this morning, I called them to be sure they weren't charging me for this error. The man assured me that no, the account showed the change, they would contact the local delivery people, and thanks for letting them know.

We'll see what happens next. Any bets? For that matter, any bets on what I'll end up doing when the computer is turned off: door number one, two, or three?

Improvement is Good

I do feel so cheated when I lose so much of a weekend to a headache. This morning I felt, not 100%, but better, enough to go to work (cautiously)*, and I am honestly pleased that the pain is mostly gone. But still, why couldn't it have been gone Sunday morning, instead of Monday? I lost Saturday night and all of Sunday, including dinner plans with friends, to this blight. As I said to a friend on the topic, "Life with migraines--every plan has an asterisk after it."
*And the day went all right, though I would have liked to leave an hour early. You know you're ready to go when you don't find it funny that the writer used "butter" where he meant "buffer".

In looking back over the past few months, though, I am encouraged to see that I have had fewer headaches, and far fewer of the worst ones. Of the last six weeks, three have been completely headache-free, which is not something I could say since, well, last summer. Seriously. Maybe it's the chiropractor and maybe it isn't, but I'll keep going just the same.

I joke about being sensitive, say that "I'm a delicate flower," but honestly there are times when I feel that I'm much too sensitive to things like ambient noise. I shouldn't be ready to scream at work* because someone is printing (apparently) War and Peace on a printer that goes "ah-whoomp" with every page, while at the same time someone is washing dishes in the sink that doesn't have a real drain, so for every set amount of water, the pump goes "grrrrrrrrrrnnnkk".
*And this wasn't even today, it was last week, with no headache.

And yet. Deep breaths.

It didn't help that at various periods on the same day, someone's car alarm kept going off. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP-BEEP! Is there anything more well-meaning and useless than a car alarm? No one ever hears one and thinks, "That car is being stolen, I must do something!" The things may work passively as a deterrent, guiding a would-be-thief to an un-alarmed car, but otherwise all they do is cause grinding of teeth. Agree? Disagree?

All right, if you made it this far, here's an excellent picture from the Itty Bitty Kitty Committee. Enjoy!

HEADACHE

Hurts
Endlessly
And
Damn
And
Curses
Hurts
Ee-ow.