Bury Me In The Blue Zone

a study in balance

The photo above…

Just a few Saturdays ago. Buffalo, New York. Swords v. Bruins. A crisp 22 outside with a windchill of 15 (but a Labatt Blue humidity of 35). I’d flown into town on Southwest Airlines mere days before their assigned seats castration took hold. Just as Subway restaurants bent the knee to the ruthless pressure of capitalism years prior, eliminating the 5 dollar footlong, Southwest would soon follow suit. Bags no longer fly free in tomorrow’s brave new world. Seats no longer open.

But luckily that night in Buffalo, I still found my way to the Blue Zone.

I was in town on the invitation of dear friend of the newslett and Western New York Native, Willbon. The good man who convinced me 7 years prior to buy low on the worst team in hockey. Finally, here I was on home ice. And by the grace of God and Lord Stanley himself, the Buffalo Sabres were on a 7 game heater. Good riddance, I say.

We entered the the Key Bank Center just before puck drop. A modest arena in a town known for chill over thrill. You may remember I wrote about Severance Arena (Intuit Dome) around this time last year. A dystopian data harboring center masquerading as a home court for The Los Angeles Aspirations. A Windows Vista hellscape built on the promise never needing to leave your seat but delivering only on the abject failure of refinement culture. The Key Bank Center was none of such. A blue collar field house with the essentials and nothing more…A friendly face to scan a ticket. Ample urinals. A score board. Your fucking seat. And an American Indian casino across the street. But lest not forget…The Blue Zone.

It’s what you see behind me. The best bar in town. A second deck watering hole where Willbon, hometown Matt, Becs, and I spent some time in the second period. And then a few more minutes in the third. There was the tenured barkeep who kept the stiffys flowing. Some TVs incase we missed the action (we did in fact miss a critical Ryan McLeod equalizer). And some high tops to cross our own swords with good conversation. I found exactly what I needed. Nothing more. Nothing less. Not pushing on the fast break for luxury or backing up on my heels, fearing whatever comes my way. Instead, a glacial Labatt hit the lips and I thought I was gonna live in the void between vibe and space forever. I found my blue zone in The Blue Zone.

Let’s rewind. Athens, Greece. My dawg E, my sister Mollie, and I hit some Olympic Qualifying hoops at The Peace and Friendship. Greece vs Macedonia. A 12 round, tables, ladders, and chairs match between Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Vučević. And I’ll ya, European hoops are a different animal. This arena was barely lit. Graffiti sprawled across the plexiglass guarding the hometown hooligan section from away fans looking for some off court action. We bought warm beer from an outdoor cat on the stairwell, filling us up from a keg in between his smoke breaks. Far more bare bones than the Key Bank? Yes. But exactly what we never knew was RIGHT? I think you know the answer. I was in the Blue Zone even before I knew The Blue Zone existed.

You might be guessing what I’ll tell you next. Time to find yours. But that’d be a fools errand. Don’t try and chase it. Don’t even fear what it’s not. Sit back and let vinyasa come your way. Just make sure it’s a domain surrounded by those you’d surely go to battle with, if you weren’t exactly where you needed to be.

Tonight, I’ll be at Casablanca on Lincoln. Another round of margaritas and wet burritos with my Group Dinner vets. Will it be a return to form with the company I keep? Who’s to say.

Only one way to find out. Your turn too.

So keep rubbing elbows and dippin your toe in the Labatt when it’s cold. Exist between thought and execution. Toe the line of luxury between Groupon and ClassPass But most importantly, stay in the mix this weekend with those you love. I’m pretty sure it’s how those ladies in Okinawa live till 107.

Don’t find your beach. Discover your friggin Blue Zone.

Recs for the weekend

Between Thought And Expression (BLOG PIECE) - Inspiration to not only this piece but The Pioneer as a whole. Read here. (Did I rec this before??)

Getdown Services (BAND) - Check out this live piece possibly while you’re experimenting with fits tomorrow evening.

Elevator Pitch (MY POD) - We pitched fake award shows this week. It was real flavorful podcasting.

Fit for the weekend

With all due apologies to those out East…It’s flops and longs weather here in LA.