tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87058205003349204632024-03-14T04:57:14.777-05:00Ms. ConductMs. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.comBlogger1055125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-65156629239313578052013-11-21T18:16:00.000-06:002013-11-21T18:16:09.042-06:00New blog!Say goodbye to the Ms. Conduct blog and hello to the Blind Squirrel Running blog!
It just didn't make sense to write about running on this blog, and I honestly haven't had more than 140 char to say about hockey at one time since the Aeros abandoned Texas.
As usual, my personal blog is a brain dump and I know most of you don't give a crap about running, and I'm not sure it's interesting Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-48243004691821871582013-08-05T08:13:00.002-05:002013-08-05T08:13:54.148-05:00Evolution & TransformationThere are so many fitness blogs, it feels like a total cliche to even bother with it, but I think one thing I'm definitely going to do as my focus shifts from writing about goaltending (honestly, nothing happens any more that I feel the need to write about) is do some race reports.
Whenever I'm looking for info on a race I'm considering signing up for, I LOVE reading people's reports. I like to Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-88267963298489139602013-08-04T16:08:00.000-05:002013-08-04T16:13:15.508-05:00Goalie retirement?So, I'm just gonna put this out there and hope for clarity to smack me in the face, because while I definitely know what direction I lean, I don't know if it's for the right reasons.
I'm thinking of retiring from playing hockey.
Part of it is that I just don't look forward to playing. I don't exactly dread it, but there is no part of me thinking, "Yay! I get to get hit by pucks and Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-75410628285210279032013-05-10T12:15:00.001-05:002013-05-10T12:15:50.181-05:00So, now what?Now that the hard core dust has settled from moving (though still no art on the walls and a mile-long list of to-dos remain), I don't have enough stress at home to distract me from the fact that
EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED.
Shit. I had my first, "Maybe this move was an awful idea and what if I never make any friends and am miserable in Dallas like I was in Kingwood" moment last night. Though I have Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-64495751382436065782012-09-27T18:18:00.003-05:002012-09-27T18:18:44.804-05:00This, that, and a hiatusI've tried twice now to write in this space and have deleted it both times. I don't really know why, other than maybe I'm over the phase of my life where I need a "diary," or maybe things have gotten so routine that there just isn't anything to hash out.
Playing goal is pretty regular (I still suck about 75% of the time, and get lucky the other 25%).
I'm still losing weight like a bandit and Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-77312440259465216182012-07-24T17:18:00.002-05:002012-07-24T17:18:47.946-05:00Mask sneak-peek and running from zombiesThe front of my mask is still getting painted but I called an audible Friday afternoon and asked Jason at Head Strong Grafx to add a tribute to Jessica on the back of my mask. Now, what I asked for was her initials in the spot where San Antonio is on the map of Texas that was already going on the back.
What I got (after he asked if I wanted something cooler than that), was this:
WHAT? I was Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-82380801513566222582012-07-20T17:03:00.002-05:002012-07-20T17:09:46.740-05:00It's everybody's loss"So sorry for your loss."
My dear friends, hockey and otherwise, have expressed this sentiment many times today as I've let loose my sorrow at the horrific death of my friend and fellow red-headed Texan hockey writer, Jessica Redfield, in the movie theater shootings in Colorado last night.
I very much appreciate the sentiment and support and hugs, but all I can think is, "It's all our losses. Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-33031825303382257582012-07-11T01:00:00.000-05:002012-07-11T01:00:20.537-05:00Drunken winWell, that was a fun night at the rink.
Started with meeting the opposing goalie at the bar before the game for a few drinks. Neither of us had ever played tipsy goal before and we figured if we BOTH were buzzed, it would be an even playing field. So, tonight was the night. We met an hour before we had to get dressed, each knocked back 3 frozen strawberry margaritas, and wobbled to our locker Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-12729905627652114602012-06-26T16:34:00.003-05:002012-06-26T16:34:36.253-05:00Goalie, help me jump this mental hurdle
Here's a thing I can't figure out: I've got this one player who gives me the serious yips when he shows up for my Monday drop-ins. It's happened enough now where I'll have such good games without him there, and such horrible games with him there, that the pattern is crystal clear to me. Dude is in my head.
The issue for me is that he's really tall and beefy, very good at hockey, basically Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-52643262604293356192012-06-07T12:29:00.001-05:002012-06-07T12:29:15.693-05:00Catching up: Tourney, League, Stuff1. Women's Tourney
Lots of fun and I saw WAY more shots than I normally do, which was a big challenge given the 4 games in 2 days situation. I worked my can off, and so did the rest of my team. Unfortunately, the divisions were kinda off (we were more novice, the other teams were more intermediate, even though it was a Novice/Intermediate "blended" division) so my team was unable to score. Ever.Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-70177465382809606682012-04-21T02:53:00.001-05:002012-04-21T02:53:21.936-05:00Stop this ride, I want to stay on
"'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all"
The last game of the season (at least the last one at home) is heart-wrenching. It doesn't really matter how the season ends on the ice, to be perfectly honest. I'm not particularly invested in the outcome of the season, the way coaches and players and hockey ops people, and I suppose fans, are.
I'm invested in the my Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-33784448130785521452012-04-17T01:01:00.000-05:002012-04-17T01:05:40.151-05:00The Saddest Drop-InI didn't want to play hockey tonight. Not at all. See, I found out today that a dear friend, about whom I've used the words, "Sister from another mother," is facing the final days of her life.
She has cancer. It started as colon cancer, she had surgery and they tried to get it all and she was doing well for a while. But it was pretty advanced when they found it and, like cancer tends to do, it Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-29854893529526808942012-03-27T09:09:00.002-05:002012-03-27T09:09:54.777-05:00Calamity in the crease and other catch-up crapWow, was last night's hockey ever craptacular. But I'm oddly okay with it. It was clearly one of those just "not meant to be" kinda nights, and the other goalie struggled in weird ways, too, so it wasn't even just me.
Starts off, I'm getting dressed and I tie my toe ties on and get my pads halfway strapped up before I realize I haven't put my jock or pants on. I was thinking I seemed pleasantly Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-22578175311326613922012-02-07T01:05:00.001-06:002012-02-07T01:05:42.576-06:00Goalie brain in overdriveI just have to say, after how stressful the home buying/selling stuff was all last year, I feel such warm fuzzies when I pull into my driveway now. After 8 years in a 3 story house, my little 60 year old rancher just feels like home. Totally worth all the grey hair.
Just had to get that gratitude out there into the universe.
So, check this one out: Tonight I had my usual Monday drop-in. Wasn't Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-6935164333635811652012-01-09T07:04:00.000-06:002012-01-09T07:04:06.050-06:00Up for air, finallyI drive home from hockey each night I play, thinking, "Oooh! I should write about this (or that) (or the other thing) in my blog!"
And then I realize, no, I don't have time. I have to get my Wednesday story at Hockey Wilderness done. I have to get my Sunday story at Backhand Shelf started. I have to get interview notes ready for my InGoal magazine pieces on Matt Hackett and Bob Mason.
And by Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-12223148218404719692011-11-27T14:45:00.001-06:002011-11-27T15:18:59.727-06:00Oh hey there...Played against Scott TFCG Monday night and he said he still reads the blog. If you're in his boat, sorry I've been so absentee. (Again.)
Things look to settle down pretty soon, so hopefully I'll be back here more.
Monday's game was kinda messed up though. My ankle has been hurting when I play, so that's been bugging me pretty much since I got back from vacation. It's making some of my movementsMs. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-80311618439766012282011-11-15T05:14:00.001-06:002011-11-15T06:21:41.345-06:00Check yourself, Ryan Miller
So I've watched Lucic's hit on Miller a few times now and, while I may be angering the goalie gods to say it, I think Miller has as much responsibility here as Lucic. Maybe more.
Looch has said he was barreling in, looked down at the puck, then looked up and Miller was just RIGHT THERE all of a sudden. His instinct was to put an arm up and protect himself. Watching the video, I Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-38634719178066623472011-10-12T13:39:00.000-05:002011-10-12T13:47:17.103-05:00750 words on why I'm speechlessI have lots of words in me, but sometimes I just don't feel like I can adequately express how grateful I am to get to play hockey. Or to just have hockey in my life at all, but playing it seems to create my most heartfelt moments.
But I can try...
I don't know anything in life that would make my heart feel as full as hockey does. There was a time, early in my goaltending career, where I went toMs. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-22984007940479567792011-10-09T11:09:00.001-05:002011-10-11T16:56:52.661-05:00Tea with Ms. ConductThis week felt like 3 weeks waiting on "my day" to post on Backhand Shelf, but it's finally here!
I wrote about how, just because I like to look at hockey players asses, that I'm not entirely unserious about hockey. And how there are lots of more gals in the same boat. So get off your damn judgmental high-horses about us, judgey people!
Anyway, here ya go. Please check it out and, hopefully, Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-86973790368322563792011-10-03T12:02:00.001-05:002011-10-03T12:02:48.435-05:00Backhand ShelfIt's here! It's here!
Super excited that the new blog has come to life over at theScore.ca and encourage you to go check it out and make it part of your regular hockey reading routine.
The fabulous Justin Bourne writes most of it, so you know it's going to have his characteristic wit and the experience of having "been there" as a pro player.
I'll be posting every other Sunday starting this Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-11824804313210928562011-09-28T02:16:00.000-05:002011-09-28T12:00:32.162-05:00Victory, Namaste, Backhand Shelf, DelightsI have a lot to say tonight and THANKFULLY I've got that dreaded curse of rec hockey: The adrenaline rush that won't. go. away.
There's nothing else like this, in my experience. You're just so ON while you're playing, that it takes hours to turn it OFF. No matter how tired your body and mind are, there's that second layer of energy pumping in your veins that always wins the insomnia game.
Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-15902427646296659182011-09-15T15:37:00.000-05:002011-09-15T15:37:24.042-05:00Bring it, Buffalo Socks....Back when I was just coming out of my funk, I was thinking I should create a Goalieometer – a visual reference akin to the Department of Homeland Security Terror Threat Alert, to indicate where my head is at in goal.
I didn’t have time until yesterday, while waiting around the new house for phone and internet to get installed. Behold….
I’ve spent the last 6 months or so in at the Sad Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-89159219591933782112011-09-07T16:51:00.001-05:002011-09-07T16:51:30.116-05:00TragedySo much tragedy has befallen the hockey community this summer, it's nearly impossible to believe. I know I haven't written about it here because so many other people have written more and better about these things than I can.
Especially when it's been individuals. I haven't known any of them personally, so while the losses are heartbreaking, what can I really say that hasn't been said? I cried Ms. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-24694586164878247702011-09-07T01:05:00.000-05:002011-09-07T01:05:57.525-05:00No drama, lots of shotsDecidedly less drama tonight at women's league, which I was grateful
for, to be honest. Though I do think the incident last week finally kind
of gelled the team, and gave us a solid "us against them" mentality that's scrappy and fun to be around.
It took me a while, but I adore this team. A great mix of personalities, but overall, everyone is lively and funny and fierce. It's all about tone atMs. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8705820500334920463.post-28251653675398997392011-08-31T01:41:00.000-05:002011-08-31T01:41:42.712-05:00STOP THE NEXT PUCKSo, I'm not gonna lie. I've been in the dumps about my game lately. Like, as way down in the dumps as I've ever been. I've dreaded coming to the rink. I've had to lie to myself that hockey is fun. I was to the point of wondering what's next for me and how much could I get for selling my pads.
Of course, every time I think about that, I eventually get to, "Well, you still have to get exercise, soMs. Conducthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06998363658537935772noreply@blogger.com5