I partially fulfilled a bucket list item: I got to ride The Zamboni.
My bucket list item to drive The Zamboni, but without a Commercial Driver’s License and a Canadian accent, I couldn’t qualify.
Part of our night of Charlotte Checkers hockey, the NHL’s Florida Panthers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.
Attending while in Charlotte watching our grandchildren, their parents heading to Vegas to celebrate a cousin’s 40th birthday.
Having been to Vegas and having watched our grandchildren, I’d say we got the better end of the hockey stick; now busily upending years of parental training and discipline.
“Sure kids, Coca-Cola and Krispy Kreme donuts for breakfast are fine – but only 3 of each. Everything in moderation!”
Demonstrating my parenting discipline point: We had to bring the Coke.
No Coke? No donuts? What’s wrong with today’s parents? (Shakes fist angrily! but only after ensuring the kids aren’t in the room. Don’t want to be a bad/worse influence).
The day we arrived, we were treated to an evening of minor-league playoff hockey: Charlotte vs. Springfield.
Much like the Simpsons, I’m still not sure which Springfield; the promotions person thought it could be Idaho or Iowa. She also wasn’t sure of their nickname, the Thunderbirds supplanting her guess of the Atoms.
No matter, I hate Springfield … so much…
Where was I?
Our retina surgeon son-in-law won the firm’s tickets, which included the ‘Puck Drop’ and the chance to ‘Zamboni ride for 2’.
Our oldest grandson picked me to join the Zamboni Ride (ZR), the rest of the family doing the Puck Drop. The Coke a powerful alliance builder…
The 2 younger boys (aka The Sweeties) did the drop, and each got a puck. The drop was perfect – gravity our friend at times – a player from each team performing the ‘faux faceoff’.
The ZR came after the first period, James and I each riding a Zamboni.
The ride great, complete with peanuts and draft beer. They had a tough time getting me off the thing…
My driver, who’d been Zamboni-ing for 33 years, did a fine job. I convinced him to ‘crank it up’, briefly hitting 3 mph!
Wheeeee!
Smoking James’ Zamboni on the 3rd turn – check the Instagram!
I did the royal wave – Canada still reports to the Queen – and had a blast.
Soon the 5-minute ride complete, I was a common citizen again.
The game held at the Bojangles arena; after a Checker (the promotions person actually knew their name) scored a ‘hat trick’, he was showered with chicken tenders!
Biscuit both the name of the arena, as well as the man dressed as their loveable dog mascot. He gave James a fist bump, so there’s that.
The game a blow out, Charlotte posting an 8-1 win. We left when it was 7-0; I hadn’t seen a hockey game for a while, the night reminding me that was OK.
The evening highlight: The Teeth cannon shooting the game’s lost teeth to the crowd.
The lowlight: No fights before our departure – – which appeared to be the crowd’s main interest. The ‘dropping of the gloves’ not enough, without actual punches being thrown.
So, I punched an usher on the way out, leading to shouts of ‘Zamboni guy!’
The weekend progressed nicely/routinely after the parents’ departure.
The highlight: Our Krispy Kreme run, John stumping me with “Is there a cold light?”
Including: School drop off/pick ups, Queenie meals, PA baths and book readings, Saturday soccer games, pizza/movie night.
Like being parents all over again…
But reminding, if I’d known being a PA was this much fun, we would have never had children.
ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THIS POST, PAIR WITH THE FOLLOWING ‘AGING HIPSTER READING’:
‘Love Is Not Enough’ available on Amazon. Buy it today – leave a review.
Those who have read have responded favorably, a few “re-reading the final 20 pages”. I think Dan would be happy with the outcome … the ultimate litmus test.