Mr. Fab, you get used to it. I’m padded up pretty well, too, so I’d only get hurt if the puck happened to hit me in one of the very few spots where there isn’t much padding–like on my butt. Anyway, most women, at least the ones we’ve played, can’t shoot that hard.

I did take a slapshot from a guy while playing rat (pick-up) hockey (which is all men except for me) recently, and that left a nice bruise on my arm. I’ve been hurt worse, though, simply falling on the ice during a public skate session where I was just wearing clothes like everyone else. But hey–I pwnd that dude’s shot and impressed the guys!

Dawgg, I do, I do, I know! The bodies would especially be stacking up if I replaced my stick with a lightsaber! :d Or, I could just play like Ron Hextall and beat people up with my stick, instead.

But how cool would it be if I could stop a puck with the palm of my hand? That would mean that at least one of my defense(wo)men would have to have her helmet painted like Boba Fett’s. For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, watch (or re-watch) ESB. (~)

dan, yes, it is really working out for me. With the exception of rat hockey since there’s no commitment there, it’s the only thing I can force myself out of the house to do, even when I damn well don’t feel like it, like this past weekend. When I’m on the ice, for some reason, I can block everything else out of my mind and just concentrate on watching the puck and placing my body in front of it when I have to. I always end up having fun, even when we lose. Well, of course it’d be more fun if we won. (*)

Going to the gym usually elevates my mood, too, but lately, because of all the crap that’s been going on, my mood plunges almost as soon as I walk out of the health club. After hockey practice or a game, I manage to hold on to the endorphin high a little longer. In general, though, the physical activity I’ve been involved in since September has helped to beat down the depression. Lately, it’s been harder to push myself to work out, but since Brian and I usually go together, we try to encourage one another.

April, actually, we tied them last time. This time we lost by one frickin’ goal… ;(

Question… does the exercise and physicality make you feel any better?