And I don’t just mean the tollways. I admit that I didn’t want to go on the trip in the first place because I can’t stand weddings, probably because all we had was a Civil Ceremony, as most of you know.
The six-hour trip to Ames, Iowa, was bad enough, and I don’t think my father-in-law was too happy about us being late for the rehearsal dinner. In fact, Brian missed the rehearsal entirely, and at that point, I began to think that maybe not having a wedding was a good idea, after all. But witnessing all of the decorations, declarations, and so on was too much. The judge never said anything about “these two people” or about love or anything, and neither did my sister or brother-in-law, because who would they be addressing? The waitress at the restaurant my mother took us to afterwards? Also, because Brian was a groomsman, I had to be at the church three hours early, as well, to be part of the family pictures of which I was in all of . . . maybe four?
We didn’t even get to sit together at the reception because he was seated at the head table. Thank God he didn’t have to dance with his ’ho partner or sit next to her. I didn’t leave my chair the entire time nor did I make eye contact with him until towards the end. Fortunately, I was sitting with my in-laws, so that was good.
Near the end of the reception, I began to feel nauseous and yawn uncontrollably. Most people were leaving, anyway, so Brian and I decided to leave (I was talking to him again by then), and I had to run to the restroom because I thought I would throw up. I tried to make myself, because once it actually happens, people usually feel better, but I couldn’t get anything out. The weird thing was that I didn’t feel anxious.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m very happy for my brother-in-law and his new wife. But yes, I was — am — jealous. Still, I soldiered through the day as best as I could, but when we returned to the hotel room, a ton of BPD symptoms burst out of me and I ended up cutting.
I felt suicidal. I felt that nothing in my life has gone the way I had pictured it as a little girl — the mood disorders, disability, ECT, no career. I’d always thought I’d have a wedding ceremony. Even my first husband and I eloped because I wasn’t getting along with my parents at the time. (I get along well with my dad now, but my mom has yet to acknowledge my recent birthday, but that’s another story. Oh, yeah — they’re divorced. That’s why my dad is so much cooler and relaxed now.)
Brian was right, of course — I’d feel better the next day. I did, but the drive back was still stressful. We stopped at an outlet mall and spent way too much, and now we’re paying for it. And I’m literally paying, emotionally, for the entire weekend. But I missed my brother-in-law’s graduation in May, and manipulated Brian into missing it, too. Ain’t BPD grand? I felt that I really owed this weekend to Brian; he has more of a connection to his immediate family than I do to mine.
As soon as we hit the road early Friday afternoon, the high I felt from winning my game Thursday night, that exhilaration and excitement that I’d been holding onto since the 3rd period buzzer rang and that I was hoping would get me through the weekend . . . vanished.
Nope, My Knees Weren’t Shaking (click to enlarge)
(click here to view the game pics)
This was my first game since I hurt my knee. The last time I’d been on the ice was just over a week prior, for rat hockey, which is pretty different. It has its own type of pressure (when you’re the only goalie), but not the same type of pressure as in a game situation, such as keeping track of the score.
I was subbing for the Blue team, and since we were “away,” I figured that the black jersey already packed in my bag that I didn’t use because I didn’t end up going to my most recent Instructional League session would be fine. Plus, I was too lazy to drag out my one blue jersey. Little did I know that the Purple team actually wears black.
The Blue team only managed to score 1 goal, and in the last period. They’re normally much better than that — I should know — we lost to them in the very first game of the season (Week 1: The Turtles vs. Blue). Also, a few of them played together on the Powder Blue team in the Spring Mixer. Guess it was just an off night.
As for me, I’m trying not to blame myself for losing the game. Everyone on the Blue team said I did just fine and made some great saves, though I barely remember any, except for a kick save on which #04 Allison (who was a goalie in the Spring; forward currently) complimented me; and a glove save — the puck bounced right back out, but fell right in front of me and I was able to cover it right away. I really do need to strengthen my forearms so I can close my glove. Or maybe I just need a bigger one, but the problem with that is it may be too wide for my hand span.
In retrospect I think I was just rusty from not having played, because I seemed to get my groove back in the third period. Also, Brian’s stats are probably more accurate than the scorekeeper’s. Brian has a zoom lens after all.
Brian’s Goalie Summary
First Period: Pretty much right after the face-off, I got scored on from about the right-hand circle, stick side. Purple’s second goal was shot point blank, with the puck being lifted high over my stick side.
First period score: Purple 2, Blue 0.
Second Period: Third goal was on a breakaway. I went down, but didn’t cover enough of the net so the puck went in on my stick side. The fourth goal was scored by someone planted in front of the net, on the opposite corner from which the puck was that I had just blocked but remained in our zone. I was hugging the post on my right side, but the player with the puck fed it across the crease to her teammate, who was completely open, no one covering her, and I was unable to move to the other post quickly enough.
Second period score: Purple 4, Blue 0.
Third Period: Fifth goal was like the fourth one that Purple scored, except I got a piece of the puck. Apparently, not enough of a piece, though.
I never wrote a review of the first movie, but I loved it, certainly compared to the second one (see review here). Though I do like Christopher Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón took the Hogwarts series in a different direction.
Yes, I’m still re-reading the book, but what I loved about Azkaban is the fact that most of the story was told through the amazing cinematography; imagery. Notice all of the clockworks, clocks, the pendulum in front of the huge oak doors that lead out of the castle, none of which were in the other movies, or if they were, none of which were emphasized. Cuarón skillfully uses falling leaves and flight (of birds and/or the hippogriff) to smoothly change from one scene or season to another, a unique way to signify time changes within the movie.
Angelo is so proper, that he only lets his tail and not his boy parts (empty as they are) show. He even covers his feet with socks! What a good boy he is (sometimes)!
Angelo says: More pet pics are available for your viewing pleasure at this week’s Friday Ark. If you post your own pets’ photos, leave them a trackback or comment and you’ll be listed there, too. And remember — they don’t limit pictures just to cats!
This past Saturday I got up the courage to play rat hockey with guys. Brian came with me to watch and help me carry my bag, so that helped. Fortunately, I knew a few of the guys there because I played rat with them over the winter. Unfortunately, I was the only goalie, which is tough and confusing! The teams were divided between those wearing black and/or red jerseys, and white jerseys, including a dude in a dark green jersey.
After one team hits the post on the empty net on the other end of the rink, then they become my team and defend me. Or something like that. Even though there weren’t that many players, the game just goes so much faster than a women’s game — no offense against women, certainly. These guys can also shoot the puck a lot harder than most women. Jesus, they had me tired out after warming me up!
Although rat lasts for 1-1/2 hours, I only lasted 45 minutes, partially because my knee was kind of burning and I’m not sure if it’s because of my new knee brace or not. And the fact that I was the only goalie, there are no periods, so I didn’t get a chance to rest at all! But I did it! I went out there in spite of my anxiety the night before (for some reason I didn’t feel so anxious Saturday morning), and played.
Here’s a little sample. I’m wearing a pink jersey, surprise, surprise! I made the save from the guy in the black jersey on the left side of the screen, and #8 in the green jersey who skates away with it, as I said, is actually on the white team, which I was on during this particular play. Told you it was confusing! To replay the video, click on the bottom right where it says “menu” then hit “replay.” Otherwise it’ll play it on an even tinier screen. Enjoy!
“That’s Using Your Noggin!” — the Ref
It took me a moment to realize what he meant, but this time, I didn’t deflect the puck with my helmet on purpose — it bounced off my cage, but I made the save! (click to enlarge)
(click here to view the game pics)
This was the very first game of the Summer Mixer, which actually took place on June 25. This was also the game in which I hurt my knee. Even though I did my off-ice stretches beforehand, our team didn’t have a chance to warm up at all before the first period, so I didn’t get to skate a little to raise my body temperature, I didn’t get to do any on-ice stretching (’til between periods), and I certainly didn’t get a chance to have my teammates warm me up by shooting pucks at me. I think I hurt myself in the first period, which I played rather clumsily, in my opinion, but I seemed to get my groove after that, even though we still lost 4 - 1. That’s about all I can remember, really.
Brian’s Goalie Summary
First Period: I blocked a point blank shot with my stick, but it trickled in when I went to cover the puck. We ended the period tied 1 - 1.
Second Period: Someone shot the puck from my glove side-circle, and though I went to block it, I may have deflected it into the net. Nice. The third goal was on a breakaway by #15 (56), who’s really, really good and against whom I’ve played in the Spring Mixer. I went down too early (57), and she easily skated around me (58). I stretched out to try to block the puck (59), but she scored anyway (60).
Second period score was 1 - 3.
Third Period: One of the Blue players was camped in front of our crease, but unfortunately, our defense didn’t move her. I made the first save, but they scored their fourth goal on the rebound.
(click to enlarge; click here to see all the pics)
Well, while backing up my computer, which took for-fucking-ever, I finally finished building my LEGO A-Wing (in between reading HP2). Now it’s stored in a Ziploc baggie ’til we can find a decent glass display case for my Star Wars LEGO collection.
We learned the hard way at our old apartment that keeping them on bookshelves and stuff does not keep them safe from cats or even worse (I think), dust!
I think I’ll start a SW LEGO album on my Flickr, just don’t know when yet. This is the only picture so far that uploaded from Brian’s phone since we have such God-awful reception at home.
Meh. Just didn’t seem that great this time around for some reason. The beginning especially ddddrrrrraaagggggeeeeeddddd. It could have used more Quidditch matches. Maybe that’s it.
It also reminded me of our leaky kitchen and bathroom faucets that the maintenance man was supposed to have fixed months ago and are now leaking — again. Maybe it’s the Basil-isk’s fault.
That’s Hopper relaxing on the terrace of the cats’ new modular home. Basil’s in the “backyard futon.”
Angelo says: More pet pics are available for your viewing pleasure at this week’s Friday Ark. If you post your own pets’ photos, leave them a trackback or comment and you’ll be listed there, too. And remember — they don’t limit pictures just to cats!
Fortunately, I knew a few of the guys there because I played rat with them over the winter. Unfortunately, I was the only goalie, which is tough and confusing! The teams were divided between those wearing black and/or red jerseys, and white jerseys, including a dude in a dark green jersey.
I made the save from the guy in the black jersey on the left side of the screen, and #8 in the green jersey who skates away with it, as I said, is actually on the white team, which I was on during this particular play. Told you it was confusing! To replay the video, click on the bottom right where it says “menu” then hit “replay.” Otherwise it’ll play it on an even tinier screen. Enjoy!
