FUCK! What should I write about?

Hey. I don't know how many people know this about me, but I really love hockey (THAT WAS SARCASM). It's been a lifelong obsession that began before I can even remember, but I'm going to try. I can't think of any better topic for my first post on YPOIW, because I'm really not sure there's another thing that exists that I care as deeply for. Leave it to me to have the first non-music related post on this blog, get used to them... because I'm probably talking about music less than anyone else on this blog. 

Warning: this post is probably going to contain half truths and vague memories of my childhood, I'm sorry about this and future posts will be more coherent. 

I know I began this post saying that I love hockey, but more accurately I love the Buffalo Sabres. It's hard to say exactly when I became a fan, but it was certainly early in life because I can remember going to games at the Aud. The Aud was torn down a few years ago and it is now nothing more than a vacant lot. The memories of that place are vague, but I remember a lot of long and narrow hallways to get to the Oranges (the top section, the nosebleeds if you will). I also remember being completely terrified by the incline of the seats, as a little kid I felt like with one push I would fall straight down to the ice surface. I remember bright concession signs and concrete, lots and lots of concrete. I remember the grand feeling I had walking up the steps to the entrance, it was a weird place... it almost looked like a courthouse. Even given my age that building had a long life-lasting impression on me. The Sabres moved into nearby Marine Midland Arena (now First Niagara Center) in time for the 1996 season, I was only 8 years old. I don't even think I have an earlier memory, my first memories are from the barn that the Sabres played in.

My favorite player was and always will be Pat LaFontaine, and part of that is probably Rick Jeanneret's classic LalalalalalalalaLAFONTAINE goal calls, which is a tradition that stayed with RJ for the entire duration of Lafontaine's career. It wasn't just the goal calls though, LaFontaine was a tough player with all the skill in the world... if it wasn't for injuries he likely would be widely considered the greatest American to ever play the sport. I'm pretty sure that just about every kid that grew up in the 90s in Buffalo that watched the Sabres growing up feels the same way about him. More importantly, Pat is just a great man. His companions in courage foundation has the goal of building interactive game rooms for hospitalized children and giving them the opportunity to connect with their family, friends, and heroes. Recently he embarked on a tandem bike ride from Toronto to New York City (550 miles) in 48 hours to raise money for his foundation, he's certainly not making himself a hard guy to root for post retirement like a lot of players do. (I'm really sorry for kids that grew up in the 70s rooting for the Bills, that must have been hard.)

Anyway, so now that I've gone off on 2 different tangents... where did my obsession with the Sabres begin? I'm honestly not sure. I can't remember a time when being a fan of that team wasn't the most important thing in my life to me. It almost seems like it's been since birth, but I definitely wasn't indoctrinated or anything. I just loved hockey, I loved watching hockey, I loved playing hockey. 

As for Terry Pegula, I believe you when you say you're going to deliver this city a Stanley Cup... and I love you for even having the dream. Go Sabres.