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Re:
That's okay, lustor. Not everyone can like all of the same things as everyone else. I was just more or less paying tribute to these athletes who possess a skill I will never have. But I can understand not being a fan. Hey, many people love those programs like Dancing With The Stars and America's Got Talent, and I wouldn't watch any of those shows if you put a gun to my head! To each his own . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 11, 2013 at 5:10 AM
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I am not a fan of any sport sorry
posted by
Lanetay
on January 10, 2013 at 9:40 AM
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Re:
Yeah, I guess I can sympathize, TAPS. But I think the comparisons may be the same. If you don't cook at all ( which some people don't ) but still like to eat, watching someone prepare an amazing meal on TV can be just as exciting. That's all I was really getting at . . . being awestruck by watching someone do something I can't do!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:35 AM
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Re:
So I guess, Utah, we are both pretty much in the same boat. We've never actually played one of the sports we love to watch. I actually got hooked on hockey back in 1980, after watching the US olympic team skate to the gold in Lake Placid. I also still love football and baseball, but there's just something about the flow and energy of a hockey game that makes it like no other sporting event. And, it's the only team sport where you can substitute players without waiting for a stoppage in the action! And it's better than most sports, in my opinion, because it's so difficult to score! I've seen some unbelievably exciting 1-0 or 2-1 hockey games in my life! Blink, and you might miss something!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:31 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Thanks, Wiley. Yeah, believe it or not, even though I am a "sports" fan in general, I do agree with you completely about the lopsided salaries of pro athletes as compared to other professions. They aren't teaching anybody anything, they aren't saving lives, they aren't protecting their countries, they aren't actually benefiting society in any way, other than as entertainers, a visual escape for those who actually have to "work" for a living. I still like to watch on TV, but I too have pretty much stopped paying the outlandish prices for tickets to sporting events, which also includes traveling expenses, parking, concession stands, etc., etc,. etc . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:22 AM
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Re:
That's how I feel too, adnohr. I'm sure they didn't learn their skating skills overnight, that it took months and even years of extensive training and practice to achieve the level you must have to compete in the NHL. And yes, I even envy you too! At least you laced up some skates and played! If I was still in my twenties, I might actually bite the bullet and take a stab at it. But once you hit 50 . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:14 AM
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Re: I adore the Ice hockey, never knew anything about it in Australia where it
I understand, Kabu. There's a part of me that is also upset about how the "money factor" once again gets in the way of the enjoyment by the fans. But we must remember that, although it's still just a sport, it is also a business as well. It's just a shame that these things can't be resolved without deleting or destroying part of the season itself! But us loyal fans are quick forgivers, and I'm still looking forward to having at least a partial season!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:09 AM
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Re:
As it has to be, Sinome. It's really one of the things I love about the sport the most . . . the fact that these guys can play a "game" on ice! Like I wrote, I've played floor hockey, using similar sticks and pucks and goals, and of course the rules were the same too. But to do that on a sheet of ice takes an exceptional athlete, and I give them full kudos for that!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:05 AM
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It does indeed, sam. And like I wrote, I've never laced up a pair of skates in my life, just admired those who can skate from afar. Yes, Datsyuk is an exceptional skater, like many other NHLers, but I was always in awe of Alexei Kovalev, especially when he was with the Rangers. However, he was traded ( twice ) simply because all he did was skate! Not enough shooting equals not enough goal scoring! Still amazing to watch play though.
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 7:00 AM
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Re: Fen skating
Really, slam? I'm not familiar with fens or fen skating, but it's hard to imagine it not getting cold enough in merry old England for at least some ice to form somewhere! But then again, perhaps that's a good thing. I don't suppose any footballers would want to be charging about on an ice-covered pitch!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 6:53 AM
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Re: Jimmy
I know what you mean, Naut. At least some pain accompanies almost every sport, but constantly falling on ice must be brutal! And if I went out there right now, that's what I would be doing . . . constantly falling! At least in baseball you have grass and soft dirt to slide on, unless some miscreant puts down artificial turf! So, I guess it's safe to assume that you're more of a "summer sports" kind of guy, huh? 
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 6:50 AM
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Re:
It really is, FSI. I have no doubt that if I put on a pair of skates and went out onto the ice right now, I would probably break both ankles just trying to stand up! How they make it look so effortless amazes me!
posted by
JimmyA
on January 10, 2013 at 6:43 AM
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I'm afraid I just kind of skimmed this post as I'm not much into hockey. LOL.
Kansas City doesn't have that, and the Chiefs and Royals did really bad this year. I think I'll just watch "Ellen" or the cooking channel.
posted by
TAPS.
on January 9, 2013 at 11:51 PM
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I have never ice skated, but I love Hocky...Even had season tickets to our farm team.
posted by
UtahJay
on January 9, 2013 at 11:31 PM
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JimmyA
I laced on skates many times, played a little hockey on open rinks back then. Now it's all about money and neither the players or the owners care about the fans, I'm happy to say I'll never pay to see a game again.
We live in sick societies in North America, paying spoiled l'il crybabies to earn (sic) more money than we pay neuro-surgeons, lawyers, doctors, teachers, nurses, and all parts of society, that deserve to earn more than hockey players and drug dealers. Great post JimmyA
posted by
WileyJohn
on January 9, 2013 at 9:10 PM
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Like achievement in anything else, it's some skill and practise, practise, practise some more. I played hockey for 15 years, and loved it. Still love it! I'm in awe of those players too; when I watch their manoeuvres I can picture the hours of time and effort they worked to make it look so easy.
posted by
adnohr
on January 9, 2013 at 6:32 PM
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I adore the Ice hockey, never knew anything about it in Australia where it
is all field hockey..son and 2 Grandsons live field hockey all winter...I am upset though by the greed here and may not be watching much
posted by
Kabu
on January 9, 2013 at 5:58 PM
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I can understand your amazement because I share it... These are big tough guys and they look so graceful on those skates... As you said its second nature to them. xoxoxo
posted by
Sinome
on January 9, 2013 at 4:28 PM
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I have skated since a young child, and they still amaze me what they can do! I am in awe as well! A master on the ice is Pavel Datsyuk! His skating and stick handling leaves me in awe most of the time! sam 
posted by
sam444
on January 9, 2013 at 2:31 PM
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Fen skating
In this part of the Uk they used to skate on the dykes they call the fens, but it never gets cols enough now.
posted by
slam
on January 9, 2013 at 12:27 PM
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Jimmy
I have tried skating on a few occasions, with very unsatisfactory and sometimes painful results, LOL. I don't like winter sports of any kind, although I've done a bit of cross-country skiing, and may even do so again, if weather and everything else falls into place.
Of course, like you, I'm amazed at their skating skills; though even that has not made me more than a rather lukewarm spectator of the sport. But baseball - now we're talking, LOL. And of course sailing...
posted by
Nautikos
on January 9, 2013 at 10:32 AM
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That is how I feel when I watch hockey as well. It is amazing the level of skill hockey players have.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on January 9, 2013 at 9:52 AM
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