Okay, I know the players need a break and need to rest and heal but this seems to be a particularly long off-season to me.  Maybe it’s because summer television is so bad or because I’ve lost interest in baseball, but I’m just so bored without hockey!  I made a conscious decision to not watch TV and to spend more time reading, writing, and listening to music this summer.  But I’ve now read the entire Harry Potter series (I’m a little behind on that fad), several sports books and some novels.  I’ve written several articles and listened to Paul McCartney’s new CD as well as many others.  And still no hockey!

I’ve pulled out some old tapes and watched Stanley Cup games from 1991 and 1992, watched a special DVD about the Penguins, and I’ve even pondered the lockout year – the dreaded “year without hockey” and wondered how I got through that!  And training camp is still a month away. 

For a while, tennis can hold my interest and the U.S. Open is coming up with fun night matches, so that will fill a couple of weeks.  And of course, football is back, but just exhibition games so far.  Last week I was so desperate, I watched David Beckham play soccer!  Now I know I’m officially bored.  Although in this game, nine goals were scored, which I thought never happened since every score I see is either 0-0 or 1-0 it seems.

I’ve cleaned out closets, written some real “paper” letters, organized photos, and still no hockey! 

I’ve taken a weekend trip, gone to some rock concerts and movies but nothing is doing it for me.  I read hockey websites, The Hockey News, and other sports magazines but without some real games soon, I think I will lose my mind!

We miss you boys, hurry back.