There’s something romantic, even poetic, that I find appealing about the salty but yet sweet smell of popcorn which comes waffling uncontrollably from any community hockey rink. If you happen to be on a date — God bless you if you are — perhaps my culinary calculations fit.
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If, however, you are someone enjoying a minor hockey game, especially the last week in Edmonton, the smell of popcorn could be associated with a play which has graced the game you’re watching.
A goal.
A glove grab.
A pass tape-to-tape pass from an impossible situation.
And, get ready for this, parents: a razor sharp linesmen’s call at the sacred blue line, blowing down or waving off an offside.
Popcorn: fun.
Think about it as you enjoy your Sunday cup of coffee or tea.
We don’t enjoy popcorn at life’s more serious events, such as court proceedings, medical appointments or … well, you fill in the blanks.
As Quikcard Edmonton Minor Hockey Week closes its 60th tournament this weekend, specifically Sunday afternoon at the majestic Terwillegar Recreation Centre over there in the south west part of the city, I sincerely hope the grassroots fundamental pillar of the tournament when it was first started will be carried throughout by its players, coaches, trainers, referees and everyone else.
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Just have fun, folks.
Is that so hard?
A Google search perhaps has not been easier.
Anhedonia.
Ever hear about it — let alone decipher what it means?
Here. Have another look.
Anhedonia.
Now, let’s head over to clevelandclinic.org for a deeper dive.
The website — very easy to read, by the way — says the lack of interest in the enjoyment of life’s experiences causes our new word of the week: anhedonia.
Not surprisingly, it is a common symptom for friends living with mental health conditions.
It’s social, and physical.
A feeling of emptiness may lurk, along with numbness. Boredom. Apathy, and negativity.
The cause? Research points to lack of brain activity, specifically, the ventral striatum … right behind the ears.
Treatment? There isn’t one specific.
But cognitive behavioural therapy, medications, and simple stuff like exercising, going for a walk, and doing yoga can help.
The Cleveland Clinic adds its own note, saying you could very easily lose the things you enjoy doing.
Eating your favourite food or — and this is a big one, I think — not wanting to give someone you love a hug.
Wow!
Now, that isn’t to say everyone has anhedonia.
But the existence of anhedonia cannot be ignored.
My own point of view is perhaps we live in such a crowded world, the level of competitiveness is astronomic. We are always trying to be one step ahead of the next person, and being better than.
But where’s the fun in that?
Edmonton Quikcard Minor Hockey Week provides many lessons.
If they are 95 kernels in a bag of popcorn and, as online experts say, anywhere from 500 to 1,200 to an ear of corn, let’s try to make the popcorn industry one of the biggest pleasure foods there are.
Because, just like minor hockey week, all of us need to have more fun, and splurge with a bag of popcorn.
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