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.”