Planet Leia

Take what you might from the title, but right now things are going ok. I'm a lot calmer than I was prior to Christmas, and almost realistic. I think I'm slowly but surely finding a plateau to which I'll survive on for the rest of my days. I'm not sure where I found it, or if it is the promised land, but it's enjoyable right now.

I had supervision at work yesterday and after the huge dressing down that I took last time, this time was far more positive. For a change I didn't belittle myself and felt confident enough to offer an insight into myself for my manager. When I'm able to offer up such information then I know I'm confident and feeling secure with them. That's something that I think all staff members should be able to feel, in all jobs. No matter what.

Talking of work, I'm off down to Bristol on Friday for a national committee meeting. I'm really looking forward to that, as it's a direct follow on from the conference in Belfast. This may be more formal and to a point more important than the conference, but it's still something I'm happy to be involved with, and it gives me something to add to my CV when I next need to write one.

You know something it's been a while since I mentioned hockey, mainly as I've taken it for granted over the past few weeks, and football has taken centre stage, but over the past week hockey has jumped up a few notches again. I think it started last Thursday, when I watched the Mark Messier shirt retirement. That was the first NHL shirt retirement I've seen in full, and though it went on and on and on, it wasn't too bad. Maybe as it was all about New York and Mess, but I didn't find it anyway emotional. I sort of expected to be a little emotional as this is Messier, one of the hockey gods. Then while watching the game afterwards, I remembered just how much I love the game, and I can't wait for Manchester to return as a hockey force next September.

In the mean time I'm going to have to pour my passion and soul into the Oilers, with the hope of a run at the cup or at least past round 1 of the play-off's. With our record in round 1 of late, reaching round 2 would be almost as good as winning the cup itself.

While talking hockey and the Oilers, may I say that I wish I could afford to go out to Canada on holiday. I've been looking into it, but it's the cost and everything else. I would love to go out in early March, late Feb. I'd like to be in and around the town for the Heckle... It's the 4th year the game has gone on, and this time I'm sure that Oilfans will beat Calgary Puck...... They've never done it before, but this time they've got a secret weapon. A weapon so powerful and so strong that they can not fail to lose with it. Ok, so the weapon isn't a pro hockey player, but someone to whom I admire a great deal.

Over at Oilfans I've found plenty of like minded people to myself. All Oiler whores, all dedicated to the religon that is Oiler hockey. Some of those I've found to be really nice people, although I've never physically met any of them, the emails and general chit chat is enough for me to make valid impressions of them. I'm sure I've mentioned Peter on here and I certainly know that Janet has been mentioned. This time though, the weapon that is going to be the difference between winning and losing for Oilfans is Erin, or Loxy. She alone will destroy the Calgary Puck team, I'm not sure how, but she will.

Now if I could get out to Edmonton, I'd go along and play. I may not be able to skate, but I'd kick some backside for Oilfans, not sure how, but I would. I've done it in other sports I've played, so I see no reason why I shouldn't be able to in a game o hockey. In fact I'm convinced that hockey is a game that I failed to involve myself in, with regards playing. I should have sought that a bit more, but of course other sports were easier and cheaper.

So my message to LOXY, is go kick some Calgary ass, and then enjoy yourself. You are one of the good ones on this planet.....