Always front and center in group pictures

I am four feet, ten inches tall. At that height, it's almost pointless to wear heels. Anyway, I just saw this video and LOVED it because it encapsulates so many truths about being a short woman.

The Other Guys - Eric Nystrom of the Nashville Predators

After a four day break, the Kings are playing again in less than four hours. Thank goodness. I was starting to get jittery. They go up against the Predators, of which Eric Nystrom is one.

Nystrom is an American. Woot. He's thirty years old, a veteran player. He is also the son of NHL player Bob Nystrom.

Here he is rocking the bald look. Personally, I find myself bypassing the shiny pate completely because, man, he has amazing eyes.

Here's another photo of him sporting a Movember 'Stache. He kind of looks like he might be an extra in a movie set during the turn of the century.

Finally, I apologize for the graphics marring the photo, but he looked really delicious here in an interview with his dad, who had a huge 4-Stanley-Cup career in the NHL. And you know what? Dad's pretty handsome too!

The Other Guys - Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars

Welcome to The Other Guys - a regular feature on my blog where I share yummy players from the opposing team with you.

Today we're taking a look at Tyler Seguin (SAY-ginn). The kid's only 21 and he has a Stanley Cup ring (from his time on the Boston Bruins.)

He left under a bit of a bad press cloud with the media suggesting he was a bad boy off the ice and perhaps wasn't being as professional as he should have been, but the media isn't always a reputable source for the truth.

I was impressed when I saw this video. Apparently at every home game, he invites disabled people to watch the game from a suite at the American Airlines Center. When the game is over, he goes up to visit with them.




This is a sizable and admirable commitment. I applaud him. It's relatively easy for a  player to donate money. I don't want to demean monetary gifts. Obviously, money is a terrific way to "give back" to the community. But to give up time and to make that personal connection with people is something special.

And here he is with his dog. Super cute.

Oh, and some eye candy, just because.

Photos: What's Up, Ya Sieve?, Boston's Bettah, Broadstreet Diva

The Other Guys - Semyon Varlamov of the Colorado Avalanche

The hockey season is packed this year because of the Olympics. It seems as if there's a game every other night. Now, I'm not complaining. I love watching my Los Angeles Kings win. Heh heh. They're doing quite well right now. We're fourth in the league as of the posting of this blog.

The frequency of the games means I have to keep looking at/for sexy hockey players from the opposing teams for my new The Other Guys feature.

Today's guy is the goal tender, Semyon Varlamov. Too bad the Kings beat the Avs yesterday in a shoot-out, so he wasn't quite as good a goalie as our guy, Martin Jones who is the THIRD STRING goalie for the team. 

Yeah.

Anze Kopitar scored on Varlamov, to win the game.

Anyway, here's  photo of Varlamov, complete with boutonniere. 

Photo from: Chris Gordon

Secret Santa via Travel-Babbles

Recently I found a real honest-to-goodness hockey wife who blogs regularly and shows no sign of stopping. I really love her blog. She has a great sense of style, is so full of life and enthusiasm and more than once she's moved me to tears.

When she proposed a Secret Santa gift exchange, I decided to participate. It was fun shopping for my person, who happened to be an avid Sharks fan. I followed my Santa-ee on Twitter and Instagram and after trading tweets and pix, I feel like I've made a new friend, even though our teams are rivals duking it out for the 2013 Western Conference title. (Um, we beat them last night by the way, 4-1. I'm just saying… ;) We are proof that a Sharks fan and a Kings fan can peacefully coexist.

Anyway, I received my gifts a couple of weeks ago. I figured it was from my Secret Santa, but I wasn't completely sure until I opened it. I really couldn't remember what I'd put down for my interests. But hello! I got Los Angeles Kings stuff to add to my (slightly embarrassing) collection.

First there is this can cooler. Awesome. Pay no attention to my horrid looking hair which sat under a Santa hat all day at work.

My other present was a reversible LA Kings hat, which I promptly wore to the game on December 7 against the New York Islanders. We won, so it must be a lucky hat! I made my hubby take a pic of me after the game with the Staples Center sign behind me, but being a man he didn't pay any attention to the gigantic alien fat blob masquerading as a chin. Thanks, dude.

The hat kept me nice and toasty warm and I love it! I love both my gifts. Thanks, Santa! And thanks, Kym, for organizing it all.

The Other Guys - Patrick Marleau of the San Jose Sharks

Welcome to another edition of The Other Guys, where I feature a cute player from the opposing team.

Patrick Marleau is 6'2". He plays left wing and is the alternate captain, although he was captain previously. He's a handsome dude clean-shaven, but with that five o'clock shadow, he's upgraded to absolutely yummy.

In the picture below, I can imagine him saying, "Kate Willoughby? Yes, as a matter of fact, I have read her books. Love 'em. I hope she uses me for inspiration for one of her heroes someday."

And then, who doesn't love a man in argyle? Rockin it, Patrick. Although I really think they should have taped the stick. It just looks weird without tape.

The game is over. We won 4-1. Shark sushi for the Kings!

Photo credit: NHLPA, CSNbayarea.com, puckbuddys.com

The Other Guys - Taylor Hall of the Edmonton Oilers

The Kings beat Edmonton, 3-0, in another shut-out. I am smiling smugly. I was never actually worried, not like I was when we played Chicago the other night.

Anyway, back to the topic. I remember when I first subscribed to The Hockey News a couple of years ago, they did a feature on Taylor Hall. What a good looking kid.

Every time they zoomed in on his face during the game, I found myself admiring his very nice teeth.

But he also has some very nice arms. This is a photo of him performing a "grip test." I have no idea what that is, but damn, he looks good doing it.

First Line This Morning - Alex's Story (IN THE ZONE 3)

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl

I've officially begun writing IN THE ZONE book three, Alex Sullivan and Claire's story. (Hm. I just realized I don't have a last name for her. Her sister's maiden name was Collier, but Claire was married and divorced and I never gave her a married name. LOL)

I spent over an hour this morning skimming through both of the first two books and jotting down any character traits I mentioned and actual things they did in those stories. Alex appeared a lot, often as comic relief. 

Right after I woke up today--spontaneously at 3:55 a.m.--I thought of the first line of the book. Who knows if it'll stay? Usually my first first lines don't, but you never know.

Alex Sullivan was totally fucked up. And not in that “I just drank eight gallons of champagne because my team won the NHL Northwest Division title” way.

The Other Guys - Joffrey Lupul - Toronto Maple Leafs

I was inspired to do a feature on the blog about the yummiest guys on the opposing team the Kings are playing at the time.

Tonight, they're playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. It's the first intermission and the Kings are ahead, 1-0! Our goaltender, Martin Jones, a rookie, playing in only his fourth NHL game, is doing a tremendous job.

But, I'm not here to talk about the Kings. I'm here to show you a damned good looking guy on the other team. Joffrey Lupul. I searched for pictures, thinking I'd just post an nice head shot.

But look what I found!

Holy crap. Thank you, ESPN!

Last Line Last Night #3

Photo by The Royal Half

“I did not steal your damned lucky socks.” Dev continued basting the ribs. “I would never in a million years take anyone’s socks. Least of all yours.”

Alex scoffed. “All I know is, one minute they’re there and the next, after I give a one-minute interview, they’re gone.”

“Those were my socks. Yours were on the floor. Like all your other gear.”

“Oh yeah? Then why’d we lose the game?” Alex shot back. “Answer me that.”

Following Orders

My muse decided I needed to be writing. She gave me an idea for a hockey romance shortie I hope to whip out before the end of the calendar year. Ideally, I'd like to self-pub this in the summer.

Hero: Dustin DeVries - defenseman.

He's a bit of a blank canvas. On my Evernote about him it says, "Defenseman. 4 years in NHL." I know he likes dogs. I'll find out more about him as I go.

Heroine: Maggie Hudson. Her Evernote says, "graduated high school 2007, 25 years old." She likes dogs too, because I wanted a lost dog to bring them together. She works at the San Diego Zoo managing their largest gift shop. That's all I know about her so far.

My best friend, Dee J. Adams (also a writer), helped me flesh out the conflict for these two. I was thinking about something meaty. I toyed with the idea of her having a boyfriend who was a pro baseball player or a failed hockey player. But Dee helped me to see that because this story will be short, I can't have someone get over some large emotional issue. So, I'm actively applying the tenet Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS.) I am really happiest when I have a story in the works.

Photo by jmcmichael (cc)

Happy Thanksgiving

I feel pretty in control, considering I'll have fourteen at my house for dinner tomorrow. I did a lot of the work today. I made an apple pecan cheesecake, some cranberry shortbread cookies, and the candied yams. Tomorrow it'll be the turkey, gravy and getting the house ready. It's still in a shambles from the carpet cleaning.

In other news, the Kings lost in OT to the Sharks in an eight-round shoot-out. I'm a nervous wreck.

Only a Week and A Day Late

I turned in the second draft of Book 2 in the IN THE ZONE series. My editor has it and I eagerly await her edits. Until then, I should work on the family newsletter and enjoy my birthday today. But I find myself really wanting to start Book 3.

At last!

I finished the first draft of the second book in the IN THE ZONE series.

Hallelujah.

One Fan and Three Players

On Sunday November 7, the Los Angeles Kings fanned out to six different ice rinks to sign autographs and conduct on-ice hockey clinics for kids.

At first, I was pissed disappointed at the players who had been assigned to the Valencia Ice Station--Kyle Clifford, Jordan Nolan, Jake Muzzin, and Dwight King. They aren't the most popular players on the team. I went back and forth all morning about whether I wanted to go or not. I've never gone to a signing event and my jersey had no signatures.

My husband, who shall heretofore be known as Mr. Sir and younger son, Vibrato, convinced me to go. After work at around 11:30, Vibrato cruised by the ice rink to scope out the line. There were only about 20 people. Not bad! I could deal with that. If it had been a zoo, I wouldn't have bothered. But 20 was manageable. After I put on a little makeup--damned if I'm going to meet some hockey players and not look halfway decent--Mr. Sir and I got into the car. On my lap I had three vital things: my laptop, so I could continue plugging away on IN THE ZONE Book #2, my Dustin Brown jersey, and my LA Kings advent calendar.

We got there and there were only about 30 people in line. It was fun. I wrote about 200 words, talked with other fans, watched some wannabe figure skaters and a couple of guys in Blackhawk jerseys. (Boooo!) We also heard that Clifford would not be coming because he'd been injured in the game the previous night.

The players were very nice and they looked so young and fresh and much smaller without all their gear on. We were only allowed one item per fan, so I carried the advent calendar and my husband took the Dustin Brown jersey. The staff member managing the line loved my calendar and offered to take our picture with the players in the background. Poor choice on her part, the photo was horribly backlit.

By the time we were done with posing, they were ready for us. I had planned to thank them for coming out to the Santa Clarita Valley when clearly everyone else didn't want to. I had meant to congratulate King and Nolan on a fantastic game just the night before or even to ask how Nolan's hand was, since he'd injured it in a fight.

But no.

I basically said, "Hi," handed each player the calendar to sign, then muttered "Thanks" before moving to the next player.  Obviously, I'm a great conversationalist.

Mr. Sir was slightly more poised than I was. He apologized to each guy, "Sorry it says Brown" "Sorry it says Brown." When we got to the final player, Jake Muzzin, he ad libbed a little, "Sorry it says Brown. I couldn't find one that said Muzzin."

Muzzin who looked so so very young in person in just a T-shirt, jeans and a hat, paused thoughtfully and responded, "I don't think they even make a Muzzin one."

I thought that was hilarious. He wasn't upset at all; he was just stating a fact. It just reinforced my impression that hockey players are incredibly humble. The nature of the game is so team oriented that they can't take themselves too seriously. Every man does his part to the best of his ability, always thinking of the team and his teammates before himself.

Terms of Endearment #14

The room - (n.) The locker/dressing room.

Players often talk about the room.

"It's good to have veteran guys like that in the room."

"He's a big presence in the room."

"We don't really talk about that stuff in the room."

The room is referenced a lot in interviews. The room is obviously an important place. It's the inner sanctum for the players. A lot of stuff gets said in there, the real stuff, the gritty stuff, the stuff that's not camera-ready or politically correct.

I really hope I can bring my readers into the room with my players, the San Diego Barracudas. One my goals with the IN THE ZONE series is to zero in on a side of hockey that the fans don't normally see. Sure, it's fiction and I'm taking liberties and probably getting a lot of stuff wrong, but one day I may actually get a look at the Kings' locker room, and at least soak in the non-human details.

Personally, I love when the TV cameras go in "the room." I often ignore the players completely and focus on what's behind him. I'm studying the pads, where the hooks are, all the details.

One time, I saw Anze Kopitar nonchalantly hang his cup up on a hook behind him while a reporter was asking a question. Being a woman, I was like, "Wow, that's what a cup looks like." Being an LA Kings fan, I was like, "OMG. THAT'S ANZE KOPITAR'S CUP!" Being a smutty romance writer, I was like, "Since they're only filming him from the chest up, does that mean he hasn't got pants on?"

Home Stretch

I officially broke 90,000 words on IN THE ZONE Book 2!

I thought my hero and his brother were going to break down in manly tears with each other and was worried about it. I emailed my glorious, all-knowing editor, to ask for her opinion, and she thought it would be fine.

So, armed with "permission," went ahead with the scene, and now the two men don't seem to be going in that direction after all.

Jerks. LOL


Photo by MissMessie

Revisiting the Glory

Yeah. The book I ordered arrived.

It was a dream run.

They can do it again this year.

Stay healthy, boys. Stay strong.

On a side note, my thumb looks young there. Not wrinkly like usual. LOL

Title Finalized

The Powers that Be at Carina Press have decided that the title of my hockey romance will remain ON THE SURFACE. They were afraid that with the word "sniper" in the title, the book might be mistaken for a military romance.

I sort of laughed about that because I assume there will be some sort of imagery on the cover that will indicate to readers that there's hockey lovin' inside. I actually pray that there will be hockey imagery on the cover.

There are women who love hockey out there. I want them to find my book.

Title in Flux and Term of Endearment #13

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez

Sniper (n.) - A player with a powerful, accurate shot skilled at finishing plays. Snipers frequently score more goals than assists. Snipers can be either forwards or defensemen. (Definition lifted from Wikipedia)

This is a photo of Tyler Toffoli, a young King who got some fantastic experience in the 2013 post season. He's only 21, but has a reputation for finishing plays and scoring. A sniper is the guy you want to give the puck to because he's the one who will put it in the net.

The other day I realized that Tim, the hero of my first hockey romance, could be considered a sniper. Now, sniper is a sexy word. I thought it might make a good word in a title. So, I emailed my editor something along the lines of, "It might be too late, but Tim is a sniper, which isn't an official hockey position but maybe we could suggest a new title, if the team still wants a title with a hockey position in it."

To my surprise, she said it wasn't too late and the idea had merit. She encouraged me to think of some titles following these conventions:  Sniper's ____ or ______ the Sniper.

Here's what I came up with.

• The Lovesick Sniper
• The Superstitious Sniper
• Tempting the Sniper
• Resisting the Sniper
• Caring For the Sniper
• Crazy for the Sniper
• In Love with the Sniper
• Snaring the Sniper
• Winning over the Sniper
• Saving the Sniper
• Sniper’s Score
• Sniper’s Salvation
• Sniper’s Superstition
• Sniper’s Comeback
• Sniper’s Return
• Sniper’s Struggle
• Sniper’s Heartbreak
• Sniper’s Heartache
• Sniper’s Destiny
• Sniper’s Choice
• Sniper’s Remedy
• Sniper’s Rebound
• Sniper’s Lucky Kiss

The bold ones are my favorites. Feel free to chime in on which one you like.

LAKings.com and Me

Something cool has been in the works during the past couple of days. It started with a tweet from @LAKings. It was a link. I went there and what I read was very entertaining.

Then as I lay in bed that night, I got an idea. Actually, several ideas. I sent those ideas to @by_DeborahLew.

And now, a few emails later, those ideas may bear fruit, "may" being the operative word.

So, stay tuned!

Terms of Endearment #12

Stick tap - (n.) the hockey equivalent to applause.

The most recent stick-tap I can remember was in Saturday's game where someone got into a fight and the players on the bench tapped their sticks when the refs broke it up. They tapped, not because the fight was over, but because their teammate had stood up for himself and for his teammate, who had suffered what the fighter perceived as a not cool body check.

In a way, fighting could be considered hockey chivalry. You defend the honor of your comrade. It's the code. It's part of why I love hockey. The video is not of a stick tap, but more of the retaliatory fight. Sorry. I couldn't find a video of a stick tap.

KINGS WIN.

Amazing job by my boys.

Carter with a tying goal to get the game into overtime.
A nail-biting overtime.
Then Quick with an AMAZING poke check during the shoot-out.
Carter and Kopi both scoring to win the shoot-out.

 We win the season opener at Minnesota. Go, Kings, Go!

 

Video courtesy of Kings Vision