The Science of Fear and Random Notes

I have just finished reading a very good book called The Science of Fear: Why We Fear Things We Shouldn’t –And Put Ourselves in Greater Danger. The author, Daniel Gardner, posits that we have been programmed by our DNA and history and collective conscience to have internally based irrational fears and that they can be easily overcome through analytics, rationale and training coupled with positive thinking. I thought this was a great book to read before we entered Round 2 of our playoffs. I recommend it highly.

Random notes:

Yesterday I received 8 emails from Philadelphia Flyer fans - can you believe that? – all pleading with us to beat the Penguins. I guess they believe “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”? I have also received many emails from Pens fans, most of them very articulate and nice and filled with knowledge of history and of hockey lore. Thanks for the back and forth. It is fun. Some of the Pens blogs are pretty funny and well done too. Thanks for the links.

I am unabashed though in saying I am pleased that our arena was mostly filled with Red-clad Capitals fans. I personally worked hard on this issue and don’t really understand why these actions would be criticized at all. It is what it is and I am what I am and I am proud of our fans for being loud, proud but classy. I spoke to several Pens fans after the game and they were straightforward, passionate and friendly and most lived in Reston and in Bethesda. I was even asked for my autograph by a Pens fan on Constitution Avenue while I drove home with my family. If you want to get a ticket, there are plenty of ways to do so. I just don’t like profiting on selling tickets to fans that aren’t Capitals fans. Thank you.

Google News now lists more than 1,500 articles around yesterday’s game. The most media I have ever seen at a Caps game was on Saturday. It was simply an amazing turnout of MSM and the blogosphere. Thank you. We are doing our best to build a big tent and to accommodate everyone.

Thanks for the great turnout at Kettler yesterday for practice and the lines in the Pro Shop were astounding. There sure was a lot of red based merchandise being sold, that is for sure. The “More Cowbell” t-shirts and the “Rock the Red” sweatshirts were flying off of the shelves.

Whatever we are charging Papa John’s for signage at Verizon Center isn’t enough, click here to see what I mean. Now that is a sign that will be seen time and time again with good vibes by people in the DC area! YouTube has shown the ”Save” now more than 50,000 times.

As I was leaving the Verizon Center after the game, Tomas Fleischmann sought me out and gave me a high five. You see, on Thursday I saw him in a hallway at Kettler. We made some small talk and I reminded him of how well he had played this year against the Penguins in the regular season and I said that I was positive he would score a goal on Saturday. And then – viola - he got the game winner! He appreciated my support and being so positive. See? It works.

I was exhausted just watching the Red Wings vs. Ducks Sunday overtime epic. I can’t imagine playing in a game like that one, more than 100 shots. Don’t you just know that we will be involved in one of those types of games in this playoff series? Can’t you just feel that will happen?

My prediction for tonight’s game? ”Whoever scores the most goals will win this game!”

I look forward to seeing you all tonight. Onward. Rock the Red! Send those positive vibes our way and Let’s Go Caps!

10 thoughts on “The Science of Fear and Random Notes”

Definitely going to read the book,even though I honestly don’t know when YOU have the time to read.
What a wonderful ride we are all on here in the DC/VA/MD area, thanks to you and you diligence, patience, knowledge and positive attitude. Ted, you truly are the best!

Hey, Ted, how about a thank you to the fan who took that amazing photo and decided to share it with everyone instead of turning it in to a plug for pizza?

Thank you for the book recommendation! I’m going to buy it! My family will be watching the game on TV tonight – holding our red towels from Saturday’s game! Thank you for building an amazing hocky community!

You got it, Ted! ++++

Ted,

Congrats to all in Cap Land. The 7 games series with NY was awesome I’m watching the Caps all the time now and wish you guys much continued success! (till you meet my Red Wings…)

I live in Toronto and , although I am not a die-hard Leafs fan, I am constantly surrounded by Leafs fans and Leafs hockey. Even during these playoffs, a Canadian national TV network aired a segment illustrating how the Leafs are connected to this year’s playoffs (apparently Boudreau played for the Leafs?). This sort of nonsense can get downright discouraging. It can make people lose sight of the quality of the sport and its own merits.

And that’s why I sought out your blog; I want to say thank you. Thank you Mr. Leonsis, thank you to all the Capitals players, thank you to the fans of the Capitals. You’ve got a great thing going, and you are capitalizing on it (no pun intended). The best part is that your whole organization is so charismatic. You might just be that team that everyone wishes was their local/home team, which is a predicament for non-local fans; we either have to throw parochial boundaries by the wayside, or dig in our heels and find silly things to criticize in an effort to diminsh the Capitals and prop up our own team.

I for one say good riddance to parochial boundaries and thank you Washington for the your incredibly enjoyable brand of hockey. It’s been a thrill to cheer you on in the playoffs so far, and I trust it will remain a thrill for several weeks. Even better, I expect to keep cheering your playoffs success for years to come.

Thanks again.

I’ll be there! rocking the red!!

I love when I can have an articulate, calm conversation about hockey with a non-Caps fan. I’d rather be considered a sportsmanlike fan than a fighter.

I won’t be at the game, but I will be sending my positive vibes through my tv set. LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!

I guess it’s “Smokin’” Al’s turn to call the GWG scorer tonight. lol

I love that your trying to keep tix for Cap fans only!!!
I remember bus loads of Flyer fans rolling into the old Cap Centre. Glad that’s over!

Now if we could only get the refs to call the game both ways….

See you 2nite.

(100 T 18)

capsgirl1 on May 5, 2009 at 11:05 AM said:

Definitely going to read the book,even though I honestly don’t know when YOU have the time to read.
What a wonderful ride we are all on here in the DC/VA/MD area, thanks to you and you diligence, patience, knowledge and positive attitude. Ted, you truly are the best!
Ben on May 4, 2009 at 11:40 PM said:

Hey, Ted, how about a thank you to the fan who took that amazing photo and decided to share it with everyone instead of turning it in to a plug for pizza?
Sharon on May 4, 2009 at 3:37 PM said:

Thank you for the book recommendation! I’m going to buy it! My family will be watching the game on TV tonight – holding our red towels from Saturday’s game! Thank you for building an amazing hocky community!
Jay S. on May 4, 2009 at 1:55 PM said:

You got it, Ted! ++++
Tim Carney on May 4, 2009 at 1:46 PM said:

Ted,

Congrats to all in Cap Land. The 7 games series with NY was awesome I’m watching the Caps all the time now and wish you guys much continued success! (till you meet my Red Wings…)
patty on May 4, 2009 at 1:17 PM said:

I live in Toronto and , although I am not a die-hard Leafs fan, I am constantly surrounded by Leafs fans and Leafs hockey. Even during these playoffs, a Canadian national TV network aired a segment illustrating how the Leafs are connected to this year’s playoffs (apparently Boudreau played for the Leafs?). This sort of nonsense can get downright discouraging. It can make people lose sight of the quality of the sport and its own merits.

And that’s why I sought out your blog; I want to say thank you. Thank you Mr. Leonsis, thank you to all the Capitals players, thank you to the fans of the Capitals. You’ve got a great thing going, and you are capitalizing on it (no pun intended). The best part is that your whole organization is so charismatic. You might just be that team that everyone wishes was their local/home team, which is a predicament for non-local fans; we either have to throw parochial boundaries by the wayside, or dig in our heels and find silly things to criticize in an effort to diminsh the Capitals and prop up our own team.

I for one say good riddance to parochial boundaries and thank you Washington for the your incredibly enjoyable brand of hockey. It’s been a thrill to cheer you on in the playoffs so far, and I trust it will remain a thrill for several weeks. Even better, I expect to keep cheering your playoffs success for years to come.

Thanks again.
Steven on May 4, 2009 at 1:15 PM said:

I’ll be there! rocking the red!!
April P on May 4, 2009 at 1:11 PM said:

I love when I can have an articulate, calm conversation about hockey with a non-Caps fan. I’d rather be considered a sportsmanlike fan than a fighter.
Roberta on May 4, 2009 at 12:43 PM said:

I won’t be at the game, but I will be sending my positive vibes through my tv set. LETS GO CAPS!!!!!!
Rick on May 4, 2009 at 12:25 PM said:

I guess it’s “Smokin’” Al’s turn to call the GWG scorer tonight. lol

I love that your trying to keep tix for Cap fans only!!!
I remember bus loads of Flyer fans rolling into the old Cap Centre. Glad that’s over!

Now if we could only get the refs to call the game both ways….

See you 2nite.

(100 T 18)