About thirty years ago, I was standing on wooden stands set next to an outdoor hockey rink, watching my father in a game. He was wearing an orange sweater, and if my memory serves me correctly, he was the fastest player on the ice.

Then, out of pure pride, and excitement of the game, I yelled at the top of my lungs, “Go, Dad!”

Everybody around me laughed.

It took me – literally – years to figure out why they laughed. And then I realized (and this still just my theory) that they thought it was a) cute and b) a little dumb to yell just “Dad” and not use his name. There were probably a lot of Dads out there.

But I know my Dad heard it, and felt good, and skated even faster.

What’s the best method of bumping into people you know at a hockey game?

Is it best to stay put and watch the people walking by, letting them do all the work, or is it better to walk around the arena so you can see the ones staying put, and the ones walking around the other way? That way, you’d miss the ones who walk just in front of you or just behind you.

I always walk around the arena. I’ve done it since I was a kid. So, in case you’re looking for me, stay put. I’ll find you.

Working on a story about how to talk on the phone – this is how far down we have become – I realized that my phone habits are probably quite different from the average. Because I never call anybody that I can email.

Also, I’ve never worked in an office where this has been an issue. I thought offices were quiet these days.