Smells Like Team Spirit*

So hockey playoffs have started and I'm loving it. LOVING IT.

The reason I'm loving it, however, may not be as obvious as you'd think. Sure, I love cheering on my team, but it's more than that. (Especially since my jinx this season appears to be thus: They lose every single game I watch. I can't even listen on the radio. *sob*)

See, I don't know what it's like where you live, but right now, cars all over town are starting to sport Canucks flags. It's awesome. There are usually one or two throughout the season, but come playoffs? They start springing up all over the place. It always feels kind of miraculous when it happens. (Same as all the red and white that comes out on Canada Day.) When I was in Vancouver, I even saw a truck with a massive flag attached in its bed. Huge!

When I was younger, I used to love riding the bus and seeing the bus drivers wave at each other. I thought it was so cool. Like, they're saying hi to each other just because they have something in common. When I first saw motorbike riders doing the same wave I thought it was equally cool. I like people finding common ground in something. It's one of the reasons I love going to concerts. All those people enjoying something. Together. We love to love something. We love to support something. And me? I love loving something and looking around and seeing everyone else joining right in.

So now, as I drive around town I feel like I'm in this big huge club. And we're all in it together. I get honks and waves. Kids cheer at my car and yell "GO CANUCKS" when I pass them. Today, on my way home from work, a guy gave me the bus driver wave. Like, "Hi fellow fan. Isn't supporting our team awesome?"

For me it's not about the debates or the stats. It's not about arguing over whose team is better or why my team should win. I've always been a Canucks girl. Had I been born in another province, I'd probably be a fan of that team, but that's not the point. The point is how cool it is to be driving around right now and seeing people supporting something. Taking pride in their support of something. It's like we all want to be a part of it. Almost as if we could WILL them to take the cup if we all cheer hard enough.

I think human beings need this these days. A reason to talk to a stranger. An excuse to make eye contact or start up a conversation. A reason to smile at someone instead of just passing them by. We love to have something in common and it's harder and harder to do that these days. For that reason alone, I love flying a Canucks flag on my car.

Plus, it makes finding where I parked a whole lot easier.

If you're supporting a team in the NHL playoffs, I hope they do well, I really do. They're just not going to do as well as my lovely, adorable, cute, wonderful, Canuckleheads.

So, Go Canucks Go; you're giving us a wonderful excuse to smile at strangers and feel like part of something. You're letting us be a team too. Thank you.

Bring it home, eh?


PS I know that's not a hockey jersey in the photo, but you get the point right? Team spirit and all that? Of course you do, y'all are the cleverest peoples ever. I didn't even really have to tell you, did I?

PPS I supported Liverpool just as heartily when I was in England, by the way. My brother did, ergo so did I.

*I originally titled this post "It Was A Very Good Cheer" because we were heading into game 7 and I didn't want to jinx them by assuming they'd win. Or lose. I'm all about the superstitions.