Tis’ a Good Morning.

Very few things can make me this happy before noon, but a little taste of hockey season this morning changes such.

I finally met Shelby, not that we didn’t know each other, but it was our first conversation without a computer or cell phone in front of us. She’s a lovely girl and, just in case there was concern, not a crazy killer with a knife or something.

Anywho, we received a tip that former and current Sabres, along with some random guys, practice at the Pepsi Center in the early am, so we ventured out to see them.

Sure enough, Adam Mair was there, because he doesn’t leave the city ever. Patrick Kaleta showed up, which was apparently his first time showing up. Petey was also there probably because he doesn’t know where else to go for the time being. Captain Rivet was also there, but he didn’t stay long, I’m sure his intense maturity level couldn’t handle it.

Oh! And Connolly! How did I forget him? Maybe because I’m not use to seeing him skate…

As for the FORMER Sabres, and we will ignore Michael Peca so it doesn’t damper on my excitement, there was this guy…

who I only recognized in the Team Canada jersey when he walked by me because of those beautiful eyes (and the goalie gear, but ya know). I was soooo excited, but I didn’t say anything to him inside the actual rink…aside from laughing when he tried to yell early, and Petey was pestering him saying ‘ ten more minutes!’ (Mr. Biron had a meeting at 11).

And there was also some Jay McKee guy who was not going to get much attention until he was OUT of that Penguins jersey. Honest to God, when he signed my puck, I was literally on edge of going ‘ why the Penguins?!’ But, I wasn’t sure he could take it in a joking way, because I adore Jay and I’m sure he made what he thought was the smartest move. Still…

I do hope that Marty was secretly happy that I had an Islanders puck (that I bought yesterday).

Just as Patty 2 must have been when I kindly filled up the water bottle that he threw over the glass to me.

And the excitement did last until the last minute because Marty had actually parked next to me in the parking lot.

We didn’t get out there with enough time to get a picture of such, but that did not stop me from getting one of the empty parking space.

HA!

Shelby and I do plan to venture out to the center in the next few days to see what other kind of trouble we can get into. Like free hugs…

These Are Made Times We Live In.

I haven’t posted in a few days because my brother got married this weekend, which was so great after all the prelude.

Anyways, the afternoon before the wedding, all the bridesmaids (which I was one of) went to the spa to get our hair and make up done. After we were done, I spent about an hour trying to figure out the tip, and had a huge guilt thing going because I was afraid I’d do too little.

But you know what…

I didn’t punch anyone!

I only just heard about this incident this evening (I’m sure every blog has it, and Facebook is crowded with it) and it makes me so mad, though I shouldn’t care. Yes, athletes are stupid, but in Buffalo we have to hold on tight to our born-in-Blo athletes. And I never minded him! He was alright! And then he freaks out over 20 cents or something like that.

What trash! Do the Blackhawks not pay enough, Patrick?

I think my exhaustion is making me most mad, but still.

Ugh.

At least we still have someone to hold on to for hope…

Make us proud, good Patty.

You’re This Close to Being My Favorite Patty.

Just as well, the Sabres signing Patty K makes me feel like this.

And it’s about time, didn’t they get their qualifying offers before free agency. Maybe the offer was under the family mail and his moms Good Housekeeping magazine on the kitchen table, and he just noticed it today when getting another bowl of Fruity Pebbles (don’t feel bad, Patty K, there’s a bowl of them on my desk right now).

Either way, he’s ours. And that little smirk of his can continue to throw off other NHL bad asses.

Maybe now he’ll text (Facebook?) Drew and be like ‘ hey, I think the Sabres want us. Look under your mail pile, dude!’

Or Girl Scout cookies. Whichever.

Toni!

Not really.

I’m under instruction to make a list of the top 5 (hence Toni) things that made me laugh while working with the sabres.

So far, I only have three.

1.) Larry Quinn and the pizza*
2.) Making Thomas Vanek laugh. Really hard.
3.) Drew Stafford and the light bulbs **

* When I worked at the Puck Drop, I was often left standing alone in places, cold and confused (not to mention, sick). At one point, Larry Quinn was eating some of the pizza that had been brought. He was told, very firmly, that they were going to Chefs. He said ‘ okay’ with a mouth full of pizza and continued eating. I found it amusing. Maybe you just had to be there?

** Another time I was in the locker room with my boss. There was a worker guy there fixing some of the lights in the room. Anyways, Drew was standing under a light, fiddling with something, not paying attention. And Lindy pointed to the light above him (to tell which one needed to be fixed) and said ” that’s the one that’s not too bright.” …Drew thought Lindy was referring to him.

And making Vanek laugh is something the Nobel Peace Prizes should be awarded for. Though I can’t really remember what I did.

In other non-lame news, while swimming today, I spent a lot of time sitting on the step next to a hot water jet. I figured myself to be boring and useless until I realized that, at July 3rd, I was doing more than Darcy Reiger. Much more.

Seriously, the Habs are going to get everyone (since they kind of have). They’re going to take Drew…and Kaleta…and Ellis. They already took Jaro! Hell, they can take Vanek or Miller without us noticing. Or Pominville…not like I’d go fighting for him back.

I suppose with so many free agents, they can do this. What’s it called…cap space? Ohhh it’s been too long.

In a random closing note, it was just brought to my attention that Toni’s arena portrait…that I have photographic evidence of, and love (it’s the hair, he should reconsider that), and have seen NUMEROUS times because I am cheap…

HAS HIS NAME SPELLED WRONG!

son of a bitch!

He probably thinks its funny…

It is.