Where Have You Been?

That was one long weekend getaway.

In 2012, I went to North Carolina's Outer Banks around the start of NHL training camps. I came back on time, but the league decided to lock the players out until late January. And the time did not fly by.

In mid-September 2013, I left to enjoy a cool few weeks in Maine (above)and Atlantic Canada. I came back round, which is the new lean in my book, an attractive specimen of a man who enjoys his seafood. But I kept the Lounge closed for the rest of the year. Sometimes you need to push away from the table to have a few relevant things to add to the conversation later, when it counts.

In short, rather than bomb you with endless junior, college and minor league (KHL, AHL, ECHL) scoreboards, I kept the locks on the doors.

Now the doors are open, and even if my experience is like that of the retired priest giving a sermon to an empty room at the midweek 6 a.m. Mass, I will give it my best shot for the rest of the season, audience or no.

Grab a stool. It should get interesting.