the champ

After hearing seeing all the different injuries I have as a dancer, I can only imagine what can happen on the skates playing hockey.  Yes I know the different things that happened to Brooks when we dated.  Just don’t let it go to your head too much, buddy.  I will be nice to everyone whom was always nice to me.  Nothing really.  I had an audition here in New York yesterday.  I am boring lately.

Yes ma’am, I’m definitely trying my best. When I first had the surgery, I had some dark days of frustration, and definitely frustration when I started rehab. I yelled at my trainers on multiple occasions but thank God they put up with me and kept reassuring me. You’ve always been one of the nicest people to talk to and I always appreciate that. Jules, the modern day Saint haha. Oooh, I highly doubt you’re any kind of boring. An audition yeah? I’m sure you knocked it out of the park.

It’s the greatest thing to get back to what you love to do after something’s set you back. Even if you can’t do all of it right away, you’re getting there. You enjoy that!

That’s for damn sure! With every step closer to fully being back, I get so excited. When the doctors told me I don’t need the sling any more full time I nearly hollered at the top of my lungs and jumped around the room. Where I’m at right now really makes me excited for this coming season. Just gotta take everything in moderation and trust in the doctors and professionals, I’m in their hands.

You lose your mind, especially when you can’t train. I never messed up my shoulder, but I did fracture my wrist one season. I saw you guys got Duclair, that’s a good grab there. I mean you’re still Wolverine, you can just buy some claws if you need to. Complete the idea, or Ooo, a great Halloween costume for you this year.

One of the hardest parts for me was definitely having to realize that I can’t just zoom past recovery. Like, there’s no short cut through this shit. But I came to reality pretty quick and realized that there’s no way that can happen. Yeah, Duclair seems like a really great guy from the conversations I’ve had with him so far, so I’m eager to see what he can bring to the team. We finally have the ice back down in Columbus so we’re all getting pretty giddy to be back out there. Ooohhh fuuuuck Chucky I think you might’ve just did something! Totally thinking about being Wolverine for Halloween now. It would be perfect. Wolverines are like, my spirit animal in more ways than one. 

Wenny: You hear everything, Z. Like no matter what, you're always in the loop haha. But I appreciate the concern dude, I'm actually feeling pretty great so I should be heading back pretty soon so you can get in all the Wenny time you've been missing out on.

Wenny: Uhhhhh yea, I think I remember you talking about her why?

Z: Oooohhh gooddddy. Make sure to bring that little lady lexie of yours too so she can meet her uncle Z.

Z: Okay good, so I've gotten to know Dove a good bit now and she's a lovely, outgoing, fun beautiful woman who's also single. And I told her I know a guy who's just as beautiful and fun as she is, which is where you come in.

ZACH!  I am glad to hear that.  I have been thinking about you since I heard you were getting your surgery.  It’s definitely a slow process to be back at it fully.  Keep it up.

Awww, been thinking of me? Doesn’t that make me feel special to have miss Jules herself thinking of me. You’re damn right it’s a slow process, and i think that’s what’s driving me the most crazy about all this. But I’m happy to hear from my doctors and everyone that I’m doing so much better than they would have expected at this point. The hardest part is behind me now! But what have you been up to lately, anything exciting?

Wenny: Yes hello I am in fact alive, just had to fall off the face of the earth for a little bit y'know

Wenny: things haven't been that great over here, so I needed some time man that's all

Wenny: But I assume you have something important to tell me since I had like 30 texts from you when I finally checked my phone

Z: I heard some things through the Swedish grapevine man, so i just had to check on my boy. I hope that time with your family has helped get you on your feet again, we all miss you here in good ol' Ohio

Z: Yes, correct. Did you even read any of those messages though? Ah, it doesn't matter.

Z: Wennnnyyyyy!

Z: Dude please tell me you have your phone on now.

Z: Been trying to get ahold of you for days now bro

The feeling of being out on the ice, even if it’s no contact, feels so good. Like it’s all some of us knew, so skating again is awesome. I personally can’t wait until training camp starts here, namely so I can skate with all my new teammates. Hope everything goes great, and you heal so fast that maybe you can make day one… but don’t rush it.

You’re so right man, the few months I had without being on the ice or really doing anything - I felt like I was kind of losing my mind. And even more so when I was watching all my teammates doin’ shit and I could only sit and watch. But I’m happy most of the hard shit is out of the way now, as far as rehab goes. New faces are always really exciting, I’m pretty hyped to get to know some of the new guys on our team too. It’s nice to have a refreshing perspective of the team from someone else’s point of view who hasn’t been here for too long. Hey, thanks man! I kind of feel like Wolverine in a way with how fast this shoulder has healed up. Just, y’know, without the claws ‘n all that shit. 

I love performing, that’s not the problem. I don’t particularly feel like I’ve been doing the best personally or career wise for awhile and sometimes the stress gets too much.

I can understand that too, sometimes we all can get a little in our head at some point or another. I think that’s why it’s important to have friends, family and people that love you, to reassure you that everything is fine, and everything will be fine. I don’t think I would have got through this past season without all my friends and family when I thought I wasn’t playing at 100%.

I moved to New York with my ex, he has a farm there. That was an adjustment for me but after awhile I got used to it. Now being back in LA it’s almost strange to look out my kitchen window and not see a goat or something.

I imagine it’s pretty relaxing living on the farm then, yeah? It sounds pretty relaxing. No big city sounds, just the wind, sounds of the birds chirping, and the open space. Maybe you could get your own little goat to keep outside in your yard to keep it feeling a little more like home then, haha.

Dude. I didn’t know there were all kinds of recipes on Buzzfeed. Clearly I don’t spend enough time on there. Maybe you should try making the recipes though. Cooking can be a whole lot of fun.

Dude, it’s kind of insane how many recipes they have, and they’re still cranking out more. I have a few that I’ve seen that look pretty simple that I’d like to try to make, but part of me just knows I’m going to ruin it. I’ve always loved watching my parents cook, so it’s just about gathering up enough courage for me to actually give it a shot. And hey, even if I royally fuck it up - at least I tried.

Cooking videos are the best even if you never ever get to make them. Except when you’re hungry cause then all this food just makes me eeeeven more hungry. But yeah BuzzFeed can do just about anything, even making their employees run away not literally but you get the point, hah. Do you cook at all or are you someone who lets other people cook for them?

Right! They’re just so satisfying to watch, especially when you’re watching them make something you eat pretty often, but have never made. I’m just like watching in amazement like, “Wow, so that’s how they make that.” As if I’m ever going to try for myself. I’m hearing about all this BuzzFeed stuff about their employees but I’m like so lost in all of it, I’m clearly too wrapped up in their Tasty videos. I cook mindless things like Ramen, pasta, rice, grilled cheese, sometimes I’ll fry myself up some fish but that’s usually during the hockey season. Other than that, I’m sadly a lost cause. I’d like to start learning though at some point, so I can feel super chef-like cooking up these nice meals.