Supporting a Dream

A while ago, my roommate Rhonda told me about her co-worker Matt's recent decision to take up hockey. Now before I continue, there are two facts that you should know. First, Matt and Rhonda are very good friends who work together at a school in the Sault. Second, they also like to bug and play jokes on each other constantly. So when Rhonda learned of this new found interest, she decided to go, watch and enjoy this new hockey ability at Matt's first ever hockey game. Rhonda returned from the game with all kinds of pictures, stories of Matt's vast hockey skills and the final score, 9-3 for the other team.

So later on that week, Rhonda was razzing Matt about his hockey ability in the staff room and they got into some sort of debate. Please note, the following text is a recreation of the conversation in question, it was completely fabricated, but probably still sounded like this:

Rhonda: Hey, nice Skills last night Matt. I'm going to bring friends to watch you at your next game. We will support you and cheer along (dripping with heavy (yet most likely upbeat) sarcasm).

Matt: You will not, you don't have any friends.

Rhonda: I do so have friends! I am going to bring tonnes of people and we are going to make signs and cheer every time you trip over the blue line!

It continued like that back and forth all day.

When Rhonda came home and told me about the game on Sunday and the conversation that she had with him, I casually suggested that she set up an event for the game on facebook and invite all her friends to attend. What happened next was pure joy. I saw a happy, yet devious look glaze over her eyes. Rhonda then jumped up and grabbed her camera and set to work. While she was making it, I helped her bounce around ideas and observed and helped her debate and create the proper wording. She choose pictures of Matt training and had captions and then invited everyone she knew to support Matt's Hockey Dream. It was very nicely done. I have copied and pasted the following invite that she sent out for everyone to enjoy:

"Come one, come all to witness a spectacular event. Once upon a time, there was a boy named Matt who had a dream. His dream was to dazzle Sault Ste. Marie with his hockey talents. He now has the opportunity to live his dream on the ice at the J R Arena. Please join us in supporting this once in a lifetime opportunity. Guaranteed to be laughter, beer, talent, beer, hockey, beer, and good times. With your support, we can surely make this a night to remember. THIS IS FOR REAL!"

Within minutes, a few had responded that they would definitely be attending. Within minutes, Matt responded.

Matt D (Sudbury, ON) wrote at 5:58pm on April 12th, 2007
Rhonda has Herpes, I saw her eat cow pooh, She has long curly armpit hair, mold growing from her feet, she was a boy when she was 7 and then had a sex change and she eats dog food...

Alas, no matter what Matt put on the board more people signed up!

Matt (Sudbury, ON) wrote at 10:36pm on April 12th, 2007 Let us stop humouring Rhonda. We know that we are not going to the game!!! Who wants to watch the lowest level of hockey played?? Exactly.

Matt (Sudbury, ON) wrote at 10:52pm on April 12th, 2007 Plus you would have to sit by Rhonda and she has puss coming out of her eyeballs, her feet are all ripped, she has mold in her ears, and very bad flatulence!

I responded in defence...

Jen wrote at 11:04pm on April 12th, 2007 Rhonda's flatulence may be bad, but it's not enough to keep me from the game!

Rhonda (Sudbury, ON) wrote at 11:14pm on April 12th, 2007
I sense some frustration here Matt! Are you feeling a sense of insecurity with all of these people actually confirming that they are coming? You didn't think I could pull it off eh? Ha ha! The joke is on you for once! I am loving every minute of it! Keep trying to pull out your comments to get people not to come, but it's not going to work! We can't wait to come with our noise makers and signs. Every time your feet hit that ice, we are going to cheer! It's going to be great!

The people kept on responding! First 10, then 15, 20, there were over 25 enthusiastic responses on facebook alone and Rhonda put up signs in her staff room inviting everyone to come out and support Matt.

Finally came the big day. By this time, Matt had shown signs of acceptance but also claimed that he had something planned to counter strike the main event! Most people arrived early and had dinner. One of Rhonda's co-workers brought a giant bag of noise makers and passed them out to the participants... They put up numerous signs around the rink and we began to fill the stands.

When team Murph (Matt's team) arrived they walked on to a thunderous cheer. They warmed up and the other team took the ice. Meanwhile, we were all wondering what Matt had up his sleeve. When the whistle blew and the teams lined up we all started cheering. It was then that the ref grabbed Matt and threw him out of the game. He claimed it was player misconduct. We all started booing and Matt walked off the ice and to the dressing room. We remained booing until Matt returned to take the ice for the start of the game. We triumphantly cheered his return and stayed to watch the game.

When it was all said and done, it was a great time. Over forty people were in attendance to see Matt's second game. We cheered loudly every time he took the ice. We booed and heckled the coach when Matt would leave the ice. We cheered when they got all five goals and were very happy when they won. In the end, everyone had a great time and Matt's team was thrilled with their first win. They even asked if they could keep the sign that said 'Team Murph'.

T'was fun. Other than that, I haven't been up to much. Just teachin. Hope every one's doing well. And I am posting pics of the event in question. Enjoy. Please note. Our side had forty fans. Their side had 3...