I feel like I am just about to surface. The first round of the hockey playoffs is just about over and I can breath again. I don't know why I get so obsessed or why I need a strategy. I do not watch western conference games during the first round. I need the sleep and I can't over do it watching 2 or three two and a half hour games a night. If the game gets too overwhelmingly exciting I go listen to it on radio - heard the Rangers win the Cup in 1994 that way as well as Lemiuex's goal against the Soviets in 1986 or '87. The last of the games will be over tonight and we get our first night off in 12 or so. I will be able to do my income taxes and call some people I need to call. I don't think it is polite to call during hockey games as you may be interrupting someone else's hockey obsesseion and, in any event, you never leave the TV so, if there is any sort of action during the call, you inevitably make a wincing sort of grunt that the person on the other end of the line will misunderstand.

For those of you in other countries, you need not dispair as it will all be over in two months. That is right. Canada needs two months or so to determine the North American hockey champion [Canada needs it, not the USA, as only 14 people in the USA follow hockey.] Thirty teams play for six months for the top 16 spots and home ice advantage so that, like Boston and Vancouver last night, they can have their hometown fans watch them lose and get the boot out of the playoffs after seven games against the same team.

Is there any more onerous championship in sports?