Like most teams, the San Jose Sharks have scheduled their minor league to come into town and has given away tickets to season ticket holders as a way to apologize for the lack of a season, and give us all a bit of a hockey fix. I know some folks are in a “the hell with everyone” mood, but Laurie and I will be there.

I’m not boycotting hockey by any means (looking forward to seeing the Salsa in a few weeks, too) — but I’ve put hockey in the background, and I refuse to plan the spinster maiden waiting for the call that never comes. Once they settle, then I’ll pay attention. until then, I intend to have a life and not waste it on the NHL. It won’t do any good, it won’t speed up the process, and it sends the wrong message. I want them worrying we won’t come back, maybe it’ll hurry things up a bit.

but probably not. Until then, I’m enjoying life ) and spending money we probably would have spent on hockey on other things ). I find I kinda like having my evenings right now, both not having to worry about getting to the arena for a game, and not always having a game on the TV — Laurie and I are catching up on lots of delayed movie watching, thanks to Netflix, and generally not missing the NHL much at all right now.

I highly recommend doing that, too. it’s a lot more fun, and it should scare the crap out of both sides knowing the people who pay their salaries are getting used to not having them around… I don’t really understand the folks who get worked up about this as if they’re a junkie and the NHL is their dealer — all that does is encourage them to think you can’t live without them. Really want this solved? convince them you can.

But with fans, it’ll never happen. And they know it. That’s why fans are ultimately powerless and ignored here.