Jeff O'Handley, Author

Jeff O'Handley

The Doubting Writer Finds His Voice

Lazy Blogger

Well, it’s official–I’m getting sloppy with the bloggy. I missed last Monday, though I’m happy to say the world didn’t come to a fiery end because of it. I was actually working with great diligence on a post that was going to be about the horrible events that took place in the Boston-Pittsburgh hockey game on Saturday, the 7th, but couldn’t organize my thoughts properly or coherently. Let’s just say that as a life-long hockey fan, it’s very hard to see things like that, and there’s no justifying it (which wasn’t what I was going to do). I do think that everything that happened in that game comes down to three things: stupidity; not believing you’re really going to hurt someone (see this post from last year in relations to this); and the truly bizarre sense of honor and the so-called ‘Code’ that exists in hockey. Anyway, when it came down to it, I couldn’t even find some music or anything to put together, and I wasn’t going to drag you over here for a “Sorry, no post today” type of non-post.

I figure I’ve got one more post in me, for Friday, if I can get myself together in time, and then maybe it’s time for a break for a couple of weeks. Of  course, having announced that, it’s likely I’ll have four or five great ideas–isn’t that how it often goes? The Magpie comes home today, the Catbird has two full weeks off from school for the holidays, and there is much to do. In addition, my ‘personal editor’ on the writers’ circle book project has been in touch with me–she just sent me my edits this morning, in fact–so I’ll have to do some work there. Oh, and I should be hearing from an editor soon from Elephant’s Bookshelf Press–I have a short story coming out in their next anthology, due early next year. Woohoo!

Wow, I’ve linked to myself three times in this post–this is getting like a cheesy holiday clip-show. I’m pretty sure something new is coming on Friday. Thanks for your comments on Friday’s post, I will respond! Meanwhile, let’s try this:

16 Responses

  1. I know the feeling – my blog hasn't been updated often lately either. Life has been a bit chaotic 🙂 That hockey game was nuts – hard to believe!

    Enjoy the time with your family all together again!

  2. That game wasn't telecast here, but my daughter was listening to it on her iPhone and had plenty to say about it on Facebook (she's not only very opinionated, but openly so!). Hockey and football are rough sports. The padding they wear seems to make it rougher!

    Hope your editor finds little wrong with your story! 🙂 For some reason, that always makes me feel good.

  3. Yes, and incidents like those perpetuate the stigma some people have against hockey. It wasn't a good day for the sport.

    Have fun with the kids over break! 🙂 Merry Christmas!

  4. One thing I have on my to-do list when I visit the U.S and/or Canada (I have relatives in the latter) is to watch a live hockey game, because I have never watched a hockey game at all before.

    Huge congrats on having a short story with Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their next anthology! 🙂

  5. Jeff – I know that Boston-Pittsburgh thing was tough, but you should know you won't get much sympathy from me… I have a much larger cross to bear: being a Leaf fan.

    The horror… The horror… (10 points if you can name the movie reference 🙂

  6. Sadly, the number of 'Shanaban' videos keeps growing. They insist players are learning, but it sure doesn't look like it.

    Merry Christmas to you, too!

  7. Thanks, Bonnee–I was even less certain I was going to make the cut this time than last–Matt's e-mail was a pleasant surprise indeed.

    Hockey season coincides nicely with Australian summer vacation–what are you waiting for?

  8. How much suffering can there be when one lives at the Center of the Hockey Universe, Col. Kurtz?

    What do I get with my 10 points?

  9. A Canadian who doesn't like hockey? Next, you're going to tell me you don't say 'eh'–Inconceivable!

    Just kidding–thanks for stopping by!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe for Updates

For announcements, alerts and special offers, subscribe to our emails.  Please note, you will have to confirm your subscription through an email to the address you provide.

Follow Jeff O'Handley

Jeff O'Handley ©2024 - All Rights Reserved.