The Element of Chemistry

Was reading Bill Simmons article in today's ESPN The Magazine. In it, he writes about his experience of getting the chance to be a "color guy" on a few college basketball broadcasts. He maintains one of the biggest factors in being good as a color commentator is how you mesh - the chemistry you have - with the play by play announcer.

The only thing I got out of chemistry class in college was the chance to study with a girl named Whitney. However, the other kind of chemistry plays an important part of our everyday life.

("hexagonal crystal structure of ice", courtesy of Jerry Manning)

F3H1
Chemistry can be such a huge factor in hockey. I've played in tournaments where we assemble a bunch of really good players from different teams, go into it thinking we are going to clean up, and we never seem to play well. Why? The main reason is lack of chemistry. I'll take one line that plays together over 3 guys who just want to score. I play hockey in a men's league and skate on a line with two of my friends. Andy's the center (known him since I was 12); Jack is the right wing (skating together about 4 or 5 years); and I play left wing (known myself all my life). Each of us brings something different to the game, but we play together. We "click".

L2M1
Relationships. (I'm not going here for very long. Don't worry.) I've often said that if Deb ever wanted to leave me, all she would have to do is bring me into the mall through a side department store entrance, walk me to the food court in the center, and leave. I'd never find my way out. In life, she knows where she is going, and I usually can't see much further than what's in front of me. Not that it's a bad thing. If she were married to someone like herself the results might be nuclear. If I were married to someone like myself...we might be living in my parent's basement. It's more complicated than "opposites attract." They very well may - but I think the strength of the bond is determined by what we have in common and by what makes us different. Debbie and I, almost always, "click".

That's it. That's as sermony as I will get today. Hey, how many times can I write what temperature it is. Danny has a tournament - 3 games this weekend, Caroline has volleyball practice, and February vacation begins on Monday!

***************************** Updated, Saturday 11:30

Just got off the ice w/ Danny. The sun is beating down on it and it was getting soft. I want to mention that John Doherty dropped off 3 black, plastic pallets. I have put them alongside the rink where they serve as a perfect platform as a net holder. That way it sits up off the snow and is easy to put on and off the ice surface. THANKS John!