Disappointing Start

Today was the Season Opener for hockey. The Los Angeles Kings are the reigning (ha!!!) champs. I loved watching the raising of the banner and the championship ring distribution before the game. You could tell some of the players were all like, "Let's get this over with so we can PLAY!"

I wish they'd let someone else sing the National Anthem. It's always the same chick, Pia Someone.

Unfortunately, the Kings lost to the Blackhawks, 5-2. Alas, Quickie (our goaltender) wasn't quite quick enough today. I DID get the replica banner, though. My husband went to the game and gave it to me. :D Yay!

And Lo, Kate Morphs Into a Fan Girl

Drew Doughty at the Staples Center

Success! I was able to score some great tickets to the free practice session at the Staples Center on Monday night. We were Row 8! It was so exciting to be so close to the players. There was an announcer trying to describe what they were doing, but it was difficult to understand him. It didn't seem like a real practice, and I was right. (More below.) Still, a really fun time. 

They lofted some of the pucks over the glass afterward, but we were seated behind an area where a high net was above the glass. Darn. One coach eyed the top of the net, bit his lip, and hurled a puck. It made it over, but too far for my husband to get to it in time. Double darn.

Dustin Penner at the Staples Center

 Wednesday, my eldest son--the one with the pricey camera--accompanied me to one of their regular practices at the Toyota Sports Center (TSC) in El Segundo. We just walked right in and it seemed very much like our local Ice Station Valencia in layout. We found our way in to the NHL rink where the practice was already in session. This was a real practice. They did many drills. They gathered on the sidelines to listen to the coaches. It was very exhilarating. If not for the glass, I could have reached out and tapped players on the shoulders.

Matt Greene at the TSC

I took a lot of notes on the sounds (lots of noise!!) and sights and what they did. My son took about 300 pictures. Below are some I took with my phone. My only difficulty was their jerseys didn't have their names on them, so if I didn't recognize their faces, I had to refer to the numbers on their helmets. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with them to know each player by number, so I had the team roster on my phone ready to glance at.

I can't wait for the Season Opener on Saturday. Hockey at last!!

Matt Greene even closer! Nice schnoz.

HOCKEY TIME!

Mike Richards, Drew Doughty, Dustin Penner, Jeff Carter

For those of you who aren't hockey fans, the 2012/13 NHL season was postponed because of an owner lockout. After months of nail-biting exasperation on my part, I was THRILLED to find out they finally came to an agreement.

We've got a (short) season!

I am trying to go to one of their practice sessions in El Segundo, which are open to the fans. I want to see, hear and breathe hockey atmosphere. For the book. It's all for the book, of course.

There are a whole bunch of practices scheduled but I need a buddy to go with me. I'm not brave enough to do that kind of adventure alone. Wish me luck!

Photo by JulieandSteve (cc)

Entertaining Kate #5

Jack Reacher is a movie taken from a book series written by Lee Child. I really enjoyed it, even if I saw the twist coming. Regardless of Tom Cruise's personal life or beliefs, I think he is a good actor. There was only one line that my son and I thought was stupid. Reacher has proven himself to be a lethal fighter, and a young woman, awed, attracted to and a little scared of him, says something like, "Really, mister, who are you?"

Otherwise, I liked the action, the plot, the cast. The scary dude was really scary, and I might compare it with Taken, in that it also features a man on a mission who doesn't play by all the rules, but who thankfully has a set of morals to balance his skills.

Salted Toffee-Chocolate Squares

• This is a FANTASTIC recipe. It's super easy and fast, too. I make these at holiday time for the neighbors, who rave about them. The recipe is from Martha Stewart Everyday Food magazine, but I  reduced the amount of nuts because these cookies are a bit pricy to make. 

Go here to see a video of them being made.

• 
  
• Salted Toffee-Chocolate Squares 

INGREDIENTS

• 14 graham crackers
• 1 bag (8 ounces) toffee bits
• 1 cup coarsely chopped toasted natural almonds
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup (4 ounces) bittersweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 
  

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place graham crackers in a single layer on sheet, edges touching. Sprinkle toffee bits, almonds, and chocolate chips over graham crackers.
2. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and butter to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is syrupy, 2 minutes. Immediately pour over graham crackers. Bake until sugar topping is bubbling, 12 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle salt over graham crackers. While still hot, cut into 2-inch squares with a sharp knife or pizza cutter. Let cool completely on sheet on a wire rack. (Store in an airtight container, up to 1 week.)
   
   
   (Photo from the Martha Stewart website)