Muse back!
August 30, 2008 / Saturday
I Just Spent How Much?
We took advantage of the fact that we were near a couple big hockey stores and went shopping this afternoon. I've been looking to get a second stick to match the Synergy Elite I picked up in April, especially since I destroyed my backup stick by shortening it in June. Sure, I could use my old Vapor XX, but it feels heavy compared to what I'm used to now. Gosh, I'm spoiled.
I also wanted a new helmet, as my current one (1) stinks and (2) rocks a bit from front-to-back, I think because the pads have compressed and hardened. I dunked it in a bleach and detergent solution for a good two hours last week, but when everything dried I still couldn't stand having it on my head. And yesterday, whenever I went flying (there were some big girls on the other team) my helmet would shift forward and top half of my world would go dark.
Hockey Giant didn't have what I needed, but Hockey Monkey (now Monkey Sports) did. After trying a bazillion helmets and settings, I managed to get a good fit out of the Reebok 8K, size medium. (Makes sense, since it's replacing a CCM.) I paired it with a silver Itech RBE III cage; I'm hoping it'll be less distracting than the black cage I had before.
When I got back to the hotel, I set about removing all the stickers on the helmet and cage. I counted (of course I counted) 12 helmet stickers and 4 cage stickers. Ridiculous!
I also found the stick I was looking for. I've never had a matching backup before. In the past, I've always rotated sticks into backup duty by purchasing a new model. Not sure how I'm going to choose which stick to use now.
Shortening my first line backup was a really dumb experiment. What was I thinking?
Maybe I was subconsciously thinking, "If this doesn't work, I get to buy another stick!"
Oh, and to answer this post's title, I shelled out just over $360 at the register. Yes, I blinked.
But it's for two good causes: protecting my head and scoring goals! :-D
Comments
Reasons you absolutely HAD to have the new gear:
1) It's an investment in safety. Can't be unsafe, now can we?
2) You're passionate about your sport. Shiny things make you look more passionate. This is why Italians make Ferraris.
3) What is money when compared to making the perfect play or that great shot on goal? Then realizing you looked good doing it.
4) Money is fleeting, game stories are forever.
5) You have a commitment to your team, and want to be at your best. This requires cool things.
6) You're good enough, you're smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like you.
7) Do you really need to justify new gear? I didn't think so.
8) Hey, protect your head and carry a big (shiny, new) stick. That one president guy said so (or something close), so it's gotta be a law or something, right?
9) Helmets are cool.
10) You get to show your creative side when you decorate the helmet. It's like a Maori warrior getting tattooed. Yeah. Now you have to do the Haka ! You think anybody said anything when he bought his stick? Doubt it.
11) Remember that old Bugs Bunny cartoon What's Opera Doc? ? Just remember "Stick and magic helmet!" and "Kill the puuuu-uck, kill the puuuu-uck!"
Posted by: Mike at August 31, 2008 04:55 AM
Looking forward to an on-ice review of the Reebok helmet.
I was tempted to get one a few weeks ago, but I don't have a good reason yet to shelve my current helmet. ;)
Posted by: carolyn at August 31, 2008 10:06 AM