You know it’s cold outside when an ice arena feels warm.

Four years ago, this site took on its current form: a blog. Including comments, there are nearly 90,000 words that would require over 250 pages to print out. Therefore, in celebration, let us look back to my favorite five posts. It should come as little surprise that most of my favorite posts are written as stories.

(In reverse order of preference)

• 5 – The tale of car repair
• 4 – The succinct story of the bull run (as opposed to the more detailed account)
• 3 – The narrative of my triathlon experience
• 2 – The story of Bid Tuesday
• 1 – The Porsche

Two more posts that almost made the list are my commentary on Duck Duck Gray Duck and my first homecoming as an alumnus.

For the curious, here is my longest entry and my shortest post.



Here’s to many more years of writing!

One year ago, I first stepped onto the ice as a goalie. I’ve loved every moment since then.

As I’ve mentioned in the past, I never played team sports growing up (save for two brief stints when I was very young that I hardly remember). I wish I would have started playing organized hockey when I was younger, but I am glad that I did finally start playing competitively last year. All it took was the will to get off my duff, the humility to admit that I needed lessons, and, frankly, the financial wherewithal to fund the endeavor (not exactly cheap, hockey).

I ran into a guy the other week at a game of shinny who was in his 70s. In spite of my late start, if my body holds out until I too am a septuagenarian, I could play for half a century. I like that thought. I wonder how the game will change by 2055? (For comparison, in 1955, ice hockey goalies were not yet wearing masks)

I must admit that my current team is a bit deficient in the offense department. Well, the defense could stand to improve, too. In other words, we’re not very good. By way of example: In our five games so far this season, we have been out-shot every time, between 10 and 30 shots per game. At 40-45 total shots per games, at least I’m getting plenty of experience. I just wish that I had more of a chance with some of those shots.

I believe that every shot is stoppable. With hindsight, I can figure out exactly how I could have saved every shot that ended up getting past me. I screw up my fair share, and I’ve let in plenty of “easy” goals, but I’m getting better.

Of course, some situations are nearly impossible, particularly 2-on-0 breakaways and one-timers off back-door passes. In fact, either of those plays, if executed properly, should result in a goal. I find myself facing such scenarios quite often, and it’s frustrating. Want to know the best way to look like a better goaltender? Get better defensemen.



Ragged defense or no, I enjoy playing goal. There are few thrills like coming up with a clutch glove save on a breakaway. I love learning a new save. I love getting better, stronger, quicker, and smarter. I love learning from past errors and twisting a player’s predictable shooting habits into stellar saves. It’s hard work — MUCH harder than it looks — but I love it.

Drop the puck!