Everyone moves away...
I am from New York originally. I got tired of Winter. In 1989 I jumped in my car and headed west. I ended up in sunny San Diego. I stayed in San Diego until 2004.
While in San Diego, I met several good people that have been my friends for many years. Sadly, once they move or you move, you keep in touch, but it is not ever like it used to be...
First, there was Tony. Let me tell you about Tony. I met him after I chased the guys stealing the stereo equipment from his car into an alley. I could not catch them, but I did get a good friend out of it. Tony and I went to the 2000 Stanley Cup banner raising in NJ. I miss him a lot.
Favorite Hockey Team : Toronto Maple Leafs
Next, Scott. Scott was new to the San Diego area when I first met him. He was auditioning for several of us captains for our hockey league. Scott was definitely a talented goaltender. He was technically sound and belonged on a high division team. Unfortunately, every scrub begged him to be on their team. I got to talk to him last and said "We are in the higest division, are you interested?" He agreed almost immediately.
UH OH...Did I ever tell you about the time...We were gearing up for a big game against the top team in the division and were in pre-game warm-ups. Scott use to wear a Dominik Hasek style goalie helmet in which a goalie mask is attached to a standard hockey helmet. Unfortunately the standard helmet does not cover as much as a regulation goalie mask and during the warm-up, one of our forwards by the name of Aaron Diem launched a shot into Scott's ear. It immediately ripped his earlobe almost 2/3rd's of the way through. We all gathered around to see the damage. Scott said, "How does it look?", we all replied..."It looks just fine Scott, lets play!" Truth was, it was horrible and he really needed to go to the hospital, but, there were no goaltenders available that were even half as good as he was so the game was on. I play defense and was around Scott all of the time. I watched the blood stain on his jersey get bigger as the game wore on. It took over his entire shoulder and down his back. Thing was, Scott was feeling woozy due to the impact of the shot and blood loss and was totally unaware. Only later, after his wife took him to the hospital and he received 9 stiches, did he realize what we did. It is amazing he is still our friend.
Anyway, Scott continued...Scott has remained my friend above and beyond hockey since the first day we met. Our wives are friends and even though we haven't played together for over a year, we still see each other and do things anytime I get into town. Of all of the people I was friends with in San Diego, Scott is the one I miss most. If I do score the new job soon, I will see him less and that would suck. Anyway, who knows, we may end up back in So. Cal and I will once again get to accidentally kick shots into out net past him. Scott, I will see you for MM.
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Next, Vinny. My musical soulmate. He was put on my alternate hockey team during our first season. We won the championship. During the second season, Vinny would constantly remain offside negating any chance of hitting him with a pass. I finally blew up at him after a loss to a team we shouldn't have lost to. Anyway, I was an asshole and apologized after a few minutes. Being cool as he is, he let it slide, but then, it happened...as he was packing his gear he started singing a Jellyfish tune. Another Jellyfan in the world?! and he played on my team?! I started to talk to him about music...found out he was a rock musician for most of his adult life and had recently retired to be with his family. Thing was, his musical taste was almost identical to mine. Power pop, Glam, and any mix of the two were the order of the day. I got to introduce him to The Posies and he got to introduce me to King's X. Vin and I have been friends since, and go to concerts whenever we get the chance. He is definitely one cool cat and one of my very best friends.
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Next, Aaron. A hockey teammate who became a close friend. Aaron too, has drifted away due to moving. First he went to Phoenix (where I joined him for 4 months) and now he has just moved to Denver. I will try to keep in touch, but as time moves on, I feel I will see him less and less. I have a list of stories about Aaron that I will talk about some other time...
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Last, Cesar. Cesar is an odd bird. He has a quirky personality and says what ever pops into his head. He also changes words to songs into ridiculous shit. This is why I like him...because he is a lot like me. I do the same stupid stuff. If there is one thing you can say about Cesar, it is he is a genuine person and would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He is someone you can depend on and is a good friend. Luckily I get to see him when I am in town...
Favorite Hockey Team : None
Anyhow...That is all I have tonight. Goodnight friends.
While in San Diego, I met several good people that have been my friends for many years. Sadly, once they move or you move, you keep in touch, but it is not ever like it used to be...
First, there was Tony. Let me tell you about Tony. I met him after I chased the guys stealing the stereo equipment from his car into an alley. I could not catch them, but I did get a good friend out of it. Tony and I went to the 2000 Stanley Cup banner raising in NJ. I miss him a lot.
Favorite Hockey Team : Toronto Maple Leafs
Next, Scott. Scott was new to the San Diego area when I first met him. He was auditioning for several of us captains for our hockey league. Scott was definitely a talented goaltender. He was technically sound and belonged on a high division team. Unfortunately, every scrub begged him to be on their team. I got to talk to him last and said "We are in the higest division, are you interested?" He agreed almost immediately.
UH OH...Did I ever tell you about the time...We were gearing up for a big game against the top team in the division and were in pre-game warm-ups. Scott use to wear a Dominik Hasek style goalie helmet in which a goalie mask is attached to a standard hockey helmet. Unfortunately the standard helmet does not cover as much as a regulation goalie mask and during the warm-up, one of our forwards by the name of Aaron Diem launched a shot into Scott's ear. It immediately ripped his earlobe almost 2/3rd's of the way through. We all gathered around to see the damage. Scott said, "How does it look?", we all replied..."It looks just fine Scott, lets play!" Truth was, it was horrible and he really needed to go to the hospital, but, there were no goaltenders available that were even half as good as he was so the game was on. I play defense and was around Scott all of the time. I watched the blood stain on his jersey get bigger as the game wore on. It took over his entire shoulder and down his back. Thing was, Scott was feeling woozy due to the impact of the shot and blood loss and was totally unaware. Only later, after his wife took him to the hospital and he received 9 stiches, did he realize what we did. It is amazing he is still our friend.
Anyway, Scott continued...Scott has remained my friend above and beyond hockey since the first day we met. Our wives are friends and even though we haven't played together for over a year, we still see each other and do things anytime I get into town. Of all of the people I was friends with in San Diego, Scott is the one I miss most. If I do score the new job soon, I will see him less and that would suck. Anyway, who knows, we may end up back in So. Cal and I will once again get to accidentally kick shots into out net past him. Scott, I will see you for MM.
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Next, Vinny. My musical soulmate. He was put on my alternate hockey team during our first season. We won the championship. During the second season, Vinny would constantly remain offside negating any chance of hitting him with a pass. I finally blew up at him after a loss to a team we shouldn't have lost to. Anyway, I was an asshole and apologized after a few minutes. Being cool as he is, he let it slide, but then, it happened...as he was packing his gear he started singing a Jellyfish tune. Another Jellyfan in the world?! and he played on my team?! I started to talk to him about music...found out he was a rock musician for most of his adult life and had recently retired to be with his family. Thing was, his musical taste was almost identical to mine. Power pop, Glam, and any mix of the two were the order of the day. I got to introduce him to The Posies and he got to introduce me to King's X. Vin and I have been friends since, and go to concerts whenever we get the chance. He is definitely one cool cat and one of my very best friends.
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Next, Aaron. A hockey teammate who became a close friend. Aaron too, has drifted away due to moving. First he went to Phoenix (where I joined him for 4 months) and now he has just moved to Denver. I will try to keep in touch, but as time moves on, I feel I will see him less and less. I have a list of stories about Aaron that I will talk about some other time...
Favorite Hockey Team : Los Angeles Kings
Last, Cesar. Cesar is an odd bird. He has a quirky personality and says what ever pops into his head. He also changes words to songs into ridiculous shit. This is why I like him...because he is a lot like me. I do the same stupid stuff. If there is one thing you can say about Cesar, it is he is a genuine person and would give you his last dollar if you needed it. He is someone you can depend on and is a good friend. Luckily I get to see him when I am in town...
Favorite Hockey Team : None
Anyhow...That is all I have tonight. Goodnight friends.
posted by AndyP (Seattle, WA) at 8:43 PM
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