Snowstorms, Gretzky's Wife, Emergency Rooms, And An Emotionally Co-Dependent Cat Named Bob

Pardon the lack of posting these last few weeks, folks. A combination of ill health and mental exhaustion due to overwork had rendered me bereft any thoughts on anything, save sleeping, eating, taking codein-based cough suppressant (which, by the way, gives a pretty decent buzz), and a nasal steriod. I'm appreciably better now, but it was tough going for a few days there, as I tried to work through my sickness and wound up checking into NYU Downtown Medical after resultant bronchial difficulties at work. I've noticed a tendency in my outlook when I'm sick, which is that I can't remember what it was like to be healthy. Conversely, I've also noticed that when I'm healthy I forget what it is like to be sick, and thus fail to take care of myself enough to avoid getting sick. Strange.

So here we are, in mid-February, with one humdinger of a snowstorm on our hands. Winter has been pretty mild in these parts, but in my bones I knew it was too good to last for the whole season. I used to love winter, but I find my dislike for it growing with every passing year. I won't be leaving New York any time soon, but I am looking forward to the spring.

As for the burgeoning gambling scandal in hockey, I'm still monitoring it closely. I've always loved hockey, not just because of the sport itself, but also for the way in which those in the game have conducted themselves. Unlike the other three major (and more popular) sports, pro hockey players typically don't get in trouble with the law, and eschew the brash, arrogant behavior that one sees in other sports, particularly in football and basketball. I still think this is by-and-large true, but this gambling scandal has certainly tarnished the game. That Wayne Gretzky's wife was implicated in this cannot be construed as a non-issue, as some have said. It is reported that Gretzky has been caught on tape conspiring to protect his wife from the public relations fallout that he knew would inevitably ensue. Understandable though his sentiments are, Gretzky lied to the press a day before, saying he knew nothing of his wife's gambling. The day after his denials, the news broke that he knew about his wife's gambling vis-a-vis the wiretaps, as he was caught talking to asst. coach Rick Tocchet about the situation.

I can't think of anyone who has carried themselves with more poise during their playing careers than Wayne Gretzky. In the entire 20 year professional career that he had, I can recall Gretzky saying only one controversial thing. (He said in '82 that the New Jersey Devils were a "Mickey Mouse franchise", which, needless to say, blew up in his face.) For a man who carried himself with such grace and class for so long to get busted lying to the press, it certainly doesn't look good for Gretzky, his wife, or The Game.

As I write this blog-entry, I'm being harrassed by my cat (Bob), who absolutely refuses to not be the center and object of my attention. Just figured I'd let you all know of his existence. Little bastard.