Day 4 White - 332 Red - 209

Quote of the day "I'm sure everyone is really nice, but I'm too tired to make friends."

The first step onto the ice is literally the hardest. I think it is that little jar that you get as you drop the four inches, or the cold hard reality that you are back on the ice. I think my back is taking the brunt of it. I blame it a little bit on the numerous face offs I am taking. It started with a 10 year old kids level of enthusiasm for taking face offs where I was trying to get as many as I can. That set precedent though, as centre is a position that no one really wants. My right tricep is going to be huge.


So the massage people have started to arrive, and I'm taking advantage as much as I can. I am also using the A535 that was sent to me in my care package from Chris and Caro! (and kindly delivered by Mike and Sarah) Rest helps a lot. A horizontal position does wonders.

People are starting to settle into a level of hockey that is sustainable for the 10 days. So no, the camera isn't in slow motion, we are. Passing has started to become priority, icing is celebrated more than a goal, and a leading pass and open ice is losing it's appeal.

The red team is down a woman for good, she is doing ok, but the headache is still there, and even short walks make it worse. They temporarily lost a second body for about 24 hours and they are having to do a lot of 4 on 4 off 4 on 8 off 4 on 4 off where as the white team has mostly 8 offs. We feel bad but there isn't much we can do as we aren't allowed to switch teams. I did my 4 off "today" (I'm writing this late) which is why I didn't have time to write. I figure between the sleeping, eating, changing, showering and playing I have about 3 hours off. So be grateful that I am spending them with you:)

Off to the RM...

Day 3. White 259 - Red 160

Quote of the day
"My lips are chapped"
"Oh it's because you're dehydrated"
"Really? I thought it was because I was licking them and skating so fast?"



So you might be wondering why white is killing it on the scoreboard? Well red is shy a couple of 'real' goalies. White has three solid full time goalies and I think red has one experienced one, and one very keen and rapidly improving one, and one rotating never been in gear player one. So it's not their fault really. Plus we have this one girl who is racking up the points like they're going out of style. I am playing with her currently, and it is fun when you can just skate towards the net and the puck ends up on your stick everytime.


But the score isn't really the point, however try to tell me that and I have a hard time adjusting my level of competitiveness.

Staying healthy is one of the main goals for everyone, so I try to stretch, rest, ice and eat. Got my first massage today which was nice, but really not long enough, or often enough if you ask everyone around here. The main source of pain for most people seems to be lower back and skate bite. I just learned the term skate bite. It's for the front of your ankle/calf where you are putting forward pressure on your skate all the time, it is red and raw for many people. Latest attempt at relief is a piece of yoga mat cut to shape.

Trust Vancouverites to find another use for a yoga mat. Starbucks is the coffee of choice in RV land and those little via packets are like crack for some.

But on a more serious note, I think we lost our first player today, rumour is a concussion will force her to sit the rest of the game out. She has a history of them, and went to get checked out today I think.

With the fatigue and the ice conditions (which only gets Zamboni'd every one or two hours, not 20 min like the pros) it is easy enough to lose your footing and fall backwards. Plus the lazy poke checks and sticks between the legs have increased for us all.

I have asked about the quality of the live stream and the orientation of the camera. They said that they are storing the entire game on to one external drive so couldn't bump up the quality, and that the orientation is to keep the time clock in (for the Guinness copy) and the poster in the corner. Too bad you can't see how many goals I'm scoring! I got another hat trick today whoop whoop!


We have determined that we may becoming slightly delusional as our sense of humour has lowered to the point where everything is funny, only when you laugh your stomach muscles hurt and that isn't funny.


Some shots of the AV area where the camera is that you all see, the massage lady table;) the volunteer table that is manned all day, some players mending their gear, icing knees and drinking ceasars.

Day 2. White 120 - Red 77

Got a reasonable sleep last night after my second shift 8 pm to Midnight. Thought I didn't need to eat afterward, so just brought my pj's to the rink and went straight to bed after but the grumbling stomach last night said otherwise. I've got an extra half a quesidilla stashed away from lunch this time;)


Had a burst of energy in the last hour of my shift and got my first hat-trick! I count each four hour shift as a 'game'. Whoop whoop! Unknowingly witnessed by Yuben and Richard some Stantec folks who were watching after their game! I was also visited by Sarah, Mike and Owen during the daytime which was great. Owen took his turn clearing the ice with the zamboni. I really appreciate all the nice texts, facebook posts and email messages! My phone isn't usually turned on as I'm either on the ice or sleeping most of the day;)

So far everyone is healthy, but we've had a couple of good hits on the head and some bad cramps. In that case someone who is supposed to be resting suits up and takes their place. My friend Tamaki who is apparently insane did that today, then stayed for another hour or so into the next shift just to play?! It wasn't even her shift.

We had some folks come by to visit us today, a family where all three kids have CF, twin girls and an older brother. Talk about tough luck, those people should buy lottery tickets. They made one player Frankie cry, but that isn't very hard to do. She just had to look at them. We asked them to make us signs for encouragement and they promised to bring them next time they visit.

Day 1.

So the puck has dropped.


My first shift was from 8 am until 12 noon today, lucky for me the first hour was a full bench affair for the cameras and the hoopla. We had CBC, CTV, Global and City TV out filming and interviewing. I did a number of interviews with my mouth full.



The real fun started last night though. I came to the rink around 7 pm and with the help of my friends Iris and Sjoerd we got the tents up that my Dad brought over from Black and White. Then my Dad took us to the Keg for a pre-game protein fill! Then I moved into the RV, more on the RV later though;)



We had a little opening ceremonies this morning with a couple small speeches and ceremonial puck drop. Then GAME ON! Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to do the photos before the first hour, so I am a little sweaty in the team photos but we look like we just won the game! I am white 24 for reference, in case you are watching online at www.longestgame4cf.com That's right!!

We're streaming online so you can watch me score from the comfort of home.



So far I have two goals, three if you count the one the ref missed. But on the official score card I only have two:( White team is in the lead though I think! Sorry if this is a little jumbled and all over the place I think I'm hungry! Feet are good though, knees are still intact and spirits are high. The first four hours went by quickly, we play 50 min then usually get 10 off for a quick zamboni and some snacks. The start stop times are pretty regimented though.






One cool thing going on is the art sale and silent auction where this woman created an art piece displaying all the medication that her son Beckett took in a year. He was 14 months when the year started, and he came out to watch the puck drop this morning:) So many needles, so many pills. So when your kid is refusing to eat his dinner, think, it could be worse, it could be medicine.