It's Game 7 of, um, some playoff leading up to NHL's Stanley Cup. There are 41 seconds left in regulation, the 'Canes are tied 2-2 with the Boston Bruins. I think probably this is supposed to be exciting, but I am bored to tears.
I thought I'd have a pretty easy time adjusting to life in North Carolina, seeing as how I was raised in Georgia and spent many early adult years in South Carolina. I know that all I have to do to order sweet iced tea in any restaurant is say "tea." I know that Krispy Kreme is the superior doughnut. I know that it's fully appropriate for a man or woman of a certain age to call me "darlin' " or "hon" or possibly both.
I've got the hang of it all -- except the sporting scene here. I hate basketball, and I find hockey boring. They say you are never really alone in how you feel. But here, I am alone (well, OK, Geoffrey and I are alone). It's not sports in general that turns me off. I love me some college football, particularly SEC. Because THAT is a sport, with action and scoring and backstory and crazy plays and fans who have a reason to root for who they are rooting for.
Clearly, there's substance to hockey, because a lot of smart people whom I respect like it a lot. Like, a really lot. But I just don't get it. I wonder if I ever will?
That's why I'm forcing myself to watch this game tonight, to try to get it. So I can follow the conversation tomorrow at work (or at the grocery store, or on the news, or ... or ... or ...) and maybe become slightly more of a Carolinian.
But I don't think it's working. I'm pretty sure I'm going to give up right now -- just as sudden-death overtime is starting -- and go listen to some music or something.
I gotta be me.
(And thank God I don't gotta be me in Charlotte -- I can't even imagine trying to force myself to like NASCAR. Shudder.)
