Confessions Of A Splenda Stealer

From the June 18th addition of Hoboken Progress…

Here’s a fact that is probably surprising to no one: I was never an athlete. I was always of the art class and dance persuasion. Simply put, when a ball comes at me, I prefer to run away.

As far as sports goes, I suppose you would call me easily impressionable. While I am tied to NYC teams, watching sports has always been more of a social event for me. Sunday football is a great excuse to have a few beers and greasy food and pretend that it’s still Saturday with friends.

So, how is it that for the past nine months, I’ve betrayed my NYC roots to root for a Philadelphia team? Bait, my friends, bait of the big blue-eyed, 6’4’’ tall kind. Simply put, the boyfriend is a Flyers fan.

I feel as though I may come off as a sort of “fair-weather” sports fan—but it’s not about just following who’s winning, or me just being a follower. I don’t see this as the case. There are million reasons how teams hook fans. For me, it was an incredibly cute guy who switched on the hockey games in my living room.

Empire State? Marco? Polo??

I will admit, that in my past dating lives, I’ve shown an improved interest in the Mets or the Giants. But, those were easy. Those were New York. I’ve never crossed over the Delaware River before, or have left the turf for a rink.

Something is different here. Whether it’s the game itself that’s a novelty to me, or that it feels secretly rebellious to root against New York, after a while I found that I wasn’t just watching to be supportive of the “real” fan—I got into it. After an episode of silently willing at the television screen for the Flyers to win, I realized that I actually cared if the Flyers won or lost. Now, at the end of my first official season as a hockey spectator, I can name at least 10 Flyers players, am tagged on Facebook wearing a Flyers jersey, and I am now able to throw around terms like “Power Play” and “Shoot from the point!”

When the Flyers were down by two games in the final series against the Chicago Blackhawks, my dad, aware of my newfound hobby, commented that the Flyers better not go 0-3. In my response email, I explained how hopeful I was, using the term “home team advantage” and further illustrating my belief of a win by explaining how the team was once down by two games in another series and still pulled ahead. “I can’t believe you know that” he emailed back. Neither did I.

I don’t think Hoboken will ever forgive me for this one—but if there are a few bars in the “mile square” that allow Eagles fans to wear their team colors, surely I will be able to find a local Flyers outlet. If not, sitting in my living room with the boyfriend is fine for me.

From the May 14th Edition of Hoboken’s Progress:

I know it’s not the best idea to self-diagnose yourself, but I can’t help it. With so many WebMd type of websites out there, even answer sites like Yahoo! Answers seems like they have responses for every question imaginable. Type in a question like, “why does my foot hurt,” and you will arrive at a plethora of conditions just waiting to be discovered.

I believe that I suffer from an overactive fascination with exploring all things in this area. I believe it’s seasonal, as this condition affects my attention, especially during the warmer months.

Signs of the warmer months to come in Hobo...

Symptoms include: dog-earring every Time Out New York and New York Magazine that I read, bookmarking New York and Hoboken blogs on my computer, and leaving about 15 tabs and windows open on my computer, loading with interesting activities I’ve found to do, from museum exhibits to movies in the park. All this is happening, usually while at work. If I get one second that isn’t weighed down with a deadline, I compulsively Google for things to do outside in the sunshine, then match my desired agenda with my calendar.

You have no idea how many times I’ve refreshed links that will eventually reveal the “Movies Under the Stars” schedule for the summer on Pier A in Hoboken, or the HBO film series they play in Bryant Park.

Another side effect of this condition is an incredible lack of patience, due to acute excitement.

I’ve become so spoiled. There is so much to do in this area, I get overwhelmed picking and choosing what I want to do on days that I happen to find myself with a free afternoon.

Last Sunday I was lucky—my free Sunday filled quickly with the Hoboken Arts and Music Festival. It was perfect timing for a day to explore locally with friends.

Other times, I’m not so lucky. As of right now, I find myself faced with gorgeous weather, matched with a late dinner reservation in the city. My mind is now swimming with ideas for how to fill up my time until dinner.

Another side effect is indecisiveness.

Perhaps the boyfriend and I could check out Gallery Week, which runs from neighborhood to neighborhood from Chelsea to the Lower East Side, or maybe we could explore the new Limelight Marketplace, an old Episcopal church, now filled with 60 retail shops, including a Grimaldi’s outpost, on 20^th St. and 6^th Avenue.

Or, maybe we could hop back over the Hudson and enjoy the Riverwalk in Hoboken, and get a drink and sit outside, since the outside dining offerings we have here are infinitely cozier and intimate than the city’s, since it’s much quieter out here.

Though my attention may be limited and imagination heightened due to the sheer amount of opportunity for fun things to do, I would not have it anyway, since another side effect of my condition is happiness that there is never a dull moment.