Monika-Toronto

I've had requests from a few people to write about my
feelings/opinions on this blasted NHL lockout, and believe me, I've
tried so many times. I can be very controlled and objective when I
write, but no matter how I start, anything I compose about the NHL
right now just turns into the verbal equivalent of an automatic 21
gun lone finger salute. I love the game, I love the players who dazzle
and disappoint, often in the same play, and I also love the owners who
coughed up the cash for good teams. Who's side am I on? Ironically
enough, even though I operate a business, I lean to the players side;
they weren't the ones controlling the purse strings and selling
franchises to non-viable markets. However, the owners do have some
points I can agree with.

God how I miss NHL hockey, but what I miss the most isn't the actual
NHL hockey games; it's the emotional involvement of being part of that
magnificent roller coaster known as the Toronto Maple Leafs. I'm
thinking, it's the end of January and we should be freaking out over
the "looming" trade deadline - only a few weeks away! We should be
discussing the impending Belak and an 89th round pick for Pronger
trade. We should be posting about Captain Clutch's heroics yet again.
We should be making up our own rumours, not posting Eklund's.

I miss the power, the passion, the unpredictability of hockey. Yes, I
know I can watch OHL, CHL, ECHL and many other leagues; I've tried,
but no matter how good the games, I just can't watch them. Why the
hell not? Simple - it reminds me too much of the games I didn't get to
watch this season. I've had more time with my family and friends,
seeing how I don't have to freak out at not being by a TV or radio for
game time, and that's great. I've had time to knit all sorts of
useless things, like Christmas doilies knitted from sparkly green,
red, or white yarn. YIKES! I'm only 34, far too young to spend my
nights knitting special occasion doilies. Good Lord, this lockout has
really gone too far now! Even my nearest and dearest have all
mentioned I lack some of my usual energy and zippiness. Hmm,
coincidence? Definitely not! Gearing up for the games has been a
significant and meaningful part of my life, more so since I discovered
online hockey buddies; meeting up with them made even a crappy game a
great experience. I've just missed out on 5 months of that.

And please, don't tell me to get a life and get over it. I have a
life, and despite the occasional aggravations that spouse, child,
work, relatives create, it's a pretty damn good one, thank you very
much. I have a life, but without my beloved Leafs games it's just
nowhere near the grand ride it was. In the slightest chance that
anyone involved in the negotiations actually reads this, please, ask
yourselves, is it more important to save face, or the season?