The Circle of Life... With pucks.

I took my kids to their first WHL hockey game on Friday. My daughter got put up on the big screen and my son entertained the whole section with his dancing and headbanging when the music played. It was a full circle type occasion that filled me with memories of going to my first game with my Dad. All in all, it was a really nice night.

The days of fists flying every few minutes are on their way out now, the pucks don’t sail out into the stands anymore, and the speed has increased considerably. But the excitement of youth is still palpable - and contagious. I found myself wanting to play! Yes… Underneath a layer of nacho chip crumbs, spilled beer and a mustard stained spare tire of a belly was a kid wanting to be part of the game again.

It really was a bit of a ‘Glory Days’ moment for me. Fondly remembering 28 inch jeans, best friends on your line backing you up, breakaways, and even a cheering girlfriend in the stands…

I may take up the sport again on a more ‘beer league’ level… Though the years have transformed me from ‘power forward’ to something more along the lines of ‘bowling pin.’ But the love of the game is still there and I‘ve never been much good at just watching a sport… I‘ve always preferred playing.

Life goes on… and I have a feeling my old NHL pipe dreams will eventually be passed along to my son. He’s already taken an interest and shown an aptitude. I’ll do my best not to be the old guy living vicariously - but rather support him towards making both the friends and fond memories that will last him a lifetime.


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Work continues to feel like it’s moving slowly… I am finally getting designs to people and closing in on when they will actually materialize into paintings. But it’s still a little like walking through mud at times. I’ve got a little more time in on my E-Tac panel for SEMA and will hopefully have that done and shipped in time. It has been fun but also challenging not to bring urethanes into the mix.

There are days that depression rears it’s unproductive head and I cater to it a lot more than I should. I have another show on the horizon to prepare for now, though, and that is usually all it takes to get motivated. I just need to dust the ego off and forget about the humbling summer season I had, pick up my chin and start moving forward again.

As always - thanks for reading! I hope you’ve had a good week.

Rod