For this year's birthday celebrations on To Hockey With Love, we let the birthday girl do a brain dump on topics they probably will never cover in length but that they are interested in (non-necessary hockey related).
However, before giving the floor to Ms. Ugarte and her thoughts, I wanted to take some time to celebrate her properly myself.
Most people know I'm not the best at expressing my feelings online. But since it's her birthday, I wanted to write a little something because she deserves the most extraordinary things in life. Gaby is a beautiful soul who will think of others before herself. She isn't the type of person who offers silent support. She will always have her people's back. Her selflessness inspires me to become a better person daily. Plus, there is never a dull moment with her. God knows the number of texts I received with the newest endeavour she wants to undertake with this little project of ours or simply with her most cursed thoughts. We have made many memories and projects together, and I hope to make more. After all, we still have much left to do on our bucket list. #Heritage2023 #AllStars2024
To Gaby, thank you for blessing the world with your light.
Happiest of birthdays, and wishing you the best for the big 3-0. Much love, my delulu friend x
Non-Hockey Things
Shit From My 20s That I’m Grateful For
Birthdays are always a reset point for me. I like to look at the things that went well and points where I could improve on, so even if the number may scare me a little bit, it always feels like a brand new slate. Twenty-nine was filled with personal successes and a deep and abiding appreciation for my friends and loved ones.
Given that I spent a large chunk of my twenties depressed, anxious, and dealing with various eating disorders, I don’t think I’m the appropriate person to give particularly good advice, so here’s a short list of things I’m very grateful for:
An unexpected life path: For a long time, I felt like a failure because I hadn’t had the traditional school and life path most of my friends had. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate that because I’ve honestly gotten to do A Lot of Cool Shit. Some highlights:
Managing a hostel in a very cool neighborhood in Seoul.
Hanging out with the Stanley Cup and the Keeper of the Cup.
Hiking in Patagonia.
Learning to be patient with myself: The habits and changes that I want in my life have and will come. I just had to learn how to use my ADHD to my advantage and adjust accordingly.
Therapy: My momma saved my life when she told me I could either go to the therapy appointment she booked or straight to the hospital.
Giving Less Shits: Every day, I wake up and feel a little bit more me. I think I’m finally starting to understand what being “comfortable in your skin” means. Things that used to stress me out are just kind of like *shrug emoji* now.
Things I’m looking forward to:
Being the Bougie Auntie: My four-month-old niece smiled at me for the first time this week, and I started planning what trips we’ll be taking as soon as she’s old enough. Private school? Tennis? A horse girl niece? Yeah, whatever she wants.
Working on more cool projects: Will we stay in hockey? Who knows, but I'll continue my commitment to working on cool shit.
Cultivating a life that allows me to be a sleepy girl. I like naps, and I should be allowed to take them.
Getting even weirder about sports and cults.
Hockey Things
The NHL and Culture Wars
A few weeks ago, Gary Bettman said that he would be looking at the Pride jersey issue over the summer. I don’t think it’s going to go over well, to be honest, and I fully expect a regression in hockey culture over the next couple of seasons. Hockey is white, conservative, and very straight, so it’s a prime breeding ground to spread the extreme right-wing populist narratives we’re seeing - particularly around the LGTBQ+ community. Even though corporate pride is not particularly useful, Bettman should be proactive in nipping these simmering sentiments in the bud by either enforcing the use of the jerseys or by eliminating wearing any warmup jerseys. If nothing is done, it won’t be long before he has to start answering questions about why some of his players are going around pushing anti-gay groomer narratives in public. There are many things hockey players have, and sense is often not one of them.
“Experience” means nothing to me in hockey
Before naming a new GM, Brendan Shanahan said that one of the qualities he wanted from his new candidates was experience. This is not a knock on Treliving, but what exactly have those with lots of experience brought to the table? The sport continues to shrink in relevancy and popularity. Those with experience will maybe bring success to your team, but they also bring nothing to the culture. The sport is still chock full of racism, homophobia, sexual violence, bullying, etc. Just take your pick. Rehiring people like Quenneville and Babcock sustains the idea that hockey is a hostile place where bad people get away with bad things all the time. I don’t think people want to come into a sport and immediately be burdened by scandal after scandal. Who wants to invest time in that? The pros do not outweigh the cons in my book.
A Series of Unfortunate Thoughts
I could never be a spy because all you’d have to do is force me to watch hockey intermission shows for like an hour, and I’d start spilling state secrets.
Is Matthew Tkachuk going through a second Hot White Man Phase? THWL investigates.
What exactly is a Special Advisor to the General Manager? Sounds like consulting, something that is also not real.
The draft was rigged, just like in 2005. I’ll figure it out one day, and you’ll see. You’ll ALL see. (EN: For legal reasons, this is a joke)
Thank you all for the birthday wishes!!!
With Love,
Gaby (& Perrye!!)
P.S. If you want to buy me a coffee for my birthday or to support THWL - Venmo or PayPal me @hockeynuisance!
This was such a delight to read <3