badger_14

I happened to have Wednesday off (was supposed to have a work training, but it was cancelled) and went over to a local rink for a pickup hour that I hadn't been to since I was still a skater. I should have remembered how fast a skate it is. It's more of a B than my Russian Embassy guys, which averages out to a good C. I didn't play so well, not as well as I wanted. I had one person telling me I needed to stay standing up (this usually comes from older guys, in their late 50s and 60s, and in fairness I do probably drop too much and too quickly). But it was a good challenge and a good workout. It turns out that when you wear a Russian jersey to pickup, it attracts the notice of Russians who might be playing, and they engage you in conversation (in Russian) and that is how I ended up with a couple more skaters for the Saturday pickup. Also, it gives me more opportunity to practice my Russian. Today was another good challenge - we played about two hours, and I made some good saves. No additional bruises. The rink is still warm and I think my gear ended up weighing about 15lbs more with sweat.

I'll put those on the list... I looked at the G2 last time I was in a store, but they didn't have anything smaller than a senior large which was just too much. There was also a Bauer that fit me nearly perfectly except the arm length. If worst comes to worst, I know a couple of shops that could modify any C/A.

Donked the ambulance (box-style - usually I drive vanbulances) on a low branch and because it's my second accident I get an involuntary vacation (8 hours). Ugh. I feel so ashamed.

My friend from medic school and I are trying to arrange our schedules to be able to play goal together - on opposite teams, of course. But she works the night shift (so no morning hockey with me and the Russian Embassy) and of course, we're in class two nights of the week, and I'm working one of those nights... at least we're having a good time commiserating about our on-ice lives. We're talking about playing in a tournament, but the only issue there is that she's far, far better than I am, and one of us has to lose! We might have to settle for going gear-shopping/ogling, because I am pretty sure I need to upgrade my chest protector. It's got to be an in-person thing, because I need a C/A that fits my dimensions (comparatively round in the torso, comparatively short arms) or it'll need to be modified after purchase. And maybe a step up or two in protection. The past two weeks have been an exercise in bruising - upper arms, belly stingers (why must they shoot exactly in the spot where I do my med injections, why?), and today due to both poor positioning and poor rib coverage I've ended up with a massive bruise on my lats. (last week I got a huge one through two layers of padding on my thigh, which literally cramped my style). So, maybe it's time for a shopping trip. I really can't afford it, but I also like not being in pain, so? This week was less good as far as stopping pucks went, but last week I think I stopped everything out of sheer, unadulterated rage, which isn't healthy or sustainable. This week we played in the Incomprehensibly Hot Arena (Why Is It So Warm In Here This Is An Ice Rink) for about two+ hours and I might have been dying by like an hour and fifty. I didn't stop as many pucks, but I felt so much better and enjoyed myself and may have spoken more than 4 or 5 words, it is rumored I spoke an entire sentence to someone. I feel like going back and having another lesson with the folks down the street would be good, maybe two, to re-up on positioning and basics. I was thinking I might try a cat-eye cage, or at least try one on in the store. I have extremely poor vision in my right eye, and I wonder if a cat-eye style might make things feel a bit more balanced and maybe help the peripheral vision a little.

I was asked to work the marathon this year instead of my usual shift! :D They're pretty particular about which crews they station on the route, so I feel pleased to be asked.

I played well enough today, but I'm in a mode of bleak despair where anyone who speaks to me on the ice will get shoved, cursed out or cracked in the legs, so it balances out.

Positioning and movement will come in time, but it helps very much to have gear that fits. In fact, that's enough of a size difference that the gifted gear might not be safe for you to play in. I'd recommend seeing what fits and what doesn't, and see if you can trade in (like at Play It Again Sports, don't know where you live though) the stuff that doesn't. Moving as a goalie is so much different than as a player, it's lumpy and awkward. First, make sure you have gear that fits properly. Second, if there's a goalie clinic near you, take in a session or two. You'll get feedback from a live coach and advice on positioning and movement. If you're allowed (some rinks frown on this), put on the lower half (pants, pads) and go out to a public skate just to get the feel of it. Put some padding down and practice moving and dropping on dry-land, like while watching TV. Before my games I try to play bouncing a ball off the wall and catching it (toss it underhand, catch the rebound) and that seems to help focus my hand-eye coordination and make it easier to track the play. YMMV.

As of Tuesday evening, my mom is back in the hospital. She apparently sort of crumpled when they got back from her chemo appointment, and then the home nurse showed up and called the ambulance. They're definitely sending her to rehab this time, just looking for a bed. It's a relief to me and my dad. I am inching closer to giving my classroom squadmate a come-to-Jesus. I don't know what he's like in the field, but he's awful at patient assessment, the sort of person who can't see the forest for the trees , and on top of that gets super condescending toward anyone who tries to get a word in edgewise. (One of our instructors knows him because they work at the same company; I don't think she'd be too too unhappy if I duct-taped his mouth shut for the duration of lab...)

Stupid hospital released my mom. You'd think this would be good, but she very much should be going to rehab. Alas, she convinced them she can handle stairs so they are sending her home.

I was all set to go back to therapy today (I've been off for many weeks due to needing the time block for other things like errands and doctor's appointments and just having five minutes to rest), things have been tough with some hard patients but I'm holding on alright but - this morning my mom was sick and we had to call the ambulance today, so my dad was freaking out (he gets mad about dumb things when he's worried, which means my mom thinks he's mad at her, and I have to run interference getting things ready and talking to the paramedics) and then instead of going to therapy I had to pick him up from the hospital after work (Which I was late to because of running interference). So here we go again.

That's awful, I'm sorry to hear that. :(

Sometimes folks use a gym as a cruising spot hoping somebody is "up" for a good time (so to speak), or have a prior agreement (via say, craigslist or grindr or tinder) to meet someone for illicit sex. I've heard of opposite-sex couples happening before, but just not as often as same-sex. Regardless of the equipment involved, it is a vastly inappropriate use of the facilities.

It happens occasionally, so it doesn't surprise me, but it's just so maddening because it's always a third party reporting it, and the dude or dudes are always gone before you can catch them. If we did catch them, they'd have their membership cancelled and we'd have grounds to call the cops. I suppose in some places there's a tacit agreement that the bath house is a place for illicit sexual acts, but like, why gotta do this to an ordinary, run of the mill fitness club? Take your pervy self and go find a rest area or some bushes or something. Or go home.

Reports of folks masturbating in the sauna at work are popping up. People are disgusting. Worse, unless we catch someone in the act, there's not a lot we can do to put a stop to it.

Playing full ice when it's so cold (10F) sucks. The action is slower than small ice and all your sweat goes cold, even with wicking gear, just cold and clammy. Neither of us goalies was doing too well, honestly. We had the ice for two hours, so eventually things got moving. Eventually. I got some Target-brand C9 undergear that I've been digging. Naturally, most of the Targets are now all sold out of it by now.

I've got one paramedic classmate who straight up needs to be thrown out a window. Dude, how many times do you need to be told "treat the patient not the numbers"? Just because we have an expanded drug box doesn't mean we need to use EVERYTHING IN IT.

At the Russian Embassy, this one guy had like 6 breakaways. I was ... less than amused. Particularly also when he nailed me in the forehead, and then another time (not a breakaway) when he hit my favorite defenceman with a shot in the ankle that had said defenceman limping to the bench and sitting out a few shifts. (I was concerned. Dude once broke my skate, an ankle would not be out of the question). Dude is a getting a touch over-aggressive, I think. I mean he's a pretty - ah- enthusiastic - player anyway (he shouts a lot. Lord give me strength, I do not like the screamers.) but I'm about ready to pull a Hasek on him. Otherwise, I actually had a pretty solid game. My cranky knee felt really good (odd, since I didn't work out or stretch AT ALL yesterday, like I usually do), and I was tracking the puck really well. Other than getting whaled on by Dude, I made a lot of good stops and felt happy with my play. I've been thinking about upgrading my chest protector, which is probably going to involve a somewhat protracted effort to find something that fits me. Fortunately, my paramedic classmate who is also a goalie is always up for gear-browsing so perhaps we'll go together. (goaltending: better with a friend.)

It's on a curve? Well crap no wonder my brother's classmates hated him. Seriously, congratulations, enjoy the depth and breadth of the subject, and go forth and screw up the curve like a boss.

My dad is still recovering from knee replacement, and now my mom is in the hospital with pneumonia for an undetermined number of days (she also has cancer, which she is on chemo for). Oh, and my dad is getting his other knee done in about a week, and then he'll be in the hospital for 3-4 days. At least there's no snow forecast over the next week.

One of my medic classmates is a queer lady goalie and we're becoming fast friends over hockey, goaltending, queerness and EMS. It's great times.

x

x

Ah! You played against this guy:

Got through week 1 of medic school. On to week 2! Just gonna take it week by week.

Don't listen to kids freaking out over GPAs. It's just drama. A GPA is just a factor, not the end of the world (for you or them). I had basically the same problem with homework - I would forget to do it, then realize I was behind, panic, and give up in despair. There's a bit of perfectionism behind that for a lot of people- if you aren't going to be perfect every time, why bother at all? Tests were easier- straightforward, one block of time. I mean - I'm 30 years old, and I've only recently begun to figure out strategies to improve executive function and also not feel like I am a failure for asking for help. High school is a nightmare - don't feel bad that it's your vent. It's important to you and you spend 40 hours a week there. Eventually, you will emerge (if not victorious per se). (For practical purposes, I have found that setting aside specific blocks for homework, and rewarding myself- I like stickers personally- when I meet my goals.)