Yesterday was my first day back. In high school, I would swing by Loaves and Fishes when I had a snow day. The weather would leave them short-staffed and welcoming extra help. As it happened, yesterday held up that tradition. There wasn't a ton of snow, but there was enough to make navigating the roads dicey.
The nasty weather meant that there weren't as many people coming by for lunch. When it's sunny and clear, there are up to 108 people, but yesterday, I think there were 70 or 80. It was a very sociable group; we joked around and had a pretty good time. The lunch was extremely unhealthy; sloppy joes (and when we ran out of that, corned beef hash), fries (and when we ran out, various kinds of chips), grab bags of candy, a cake or cookie or something for dessert. It's really for the best that there weren't many people eating such an unhealthy lunch. At least they got a hot meal and some coffee.
I like to feed people. I keep meaning to do more work with Manna in Northampton, but I went there only once, when the power went out in October. Manna serves far fewer people (as far as I could tell; it was a snowy day, so they probably have more most of the time), and as far as I could tell, Loaves and Fishes' guests are far more charming. There was a guy who told all of us really cheesy jokes, they all thank the volunteers, and some of them help clean up. The patrons are overwhelmingly male, of approximately the same age, but a wide spectrum of race and cultural backgrounds. Loaves and Fishes makes a point of serving everyone of every race, creed, sexual orientation, you name it, which is really commendable. That's why my cause is feeding people: people have varying opinions about a lot of issues, but everyone knows that everyone must eat.
Later that day, my dad and I went to a Sabres game. It was Buffalo versus Toronto, so the stadium was completely packed, and we were right in the middle of a whole bunch of Leafs fans. There was a Sabres fan from Lockport sitting right behind my dad who was very vocal, and he and I took it upon ourselves to drown out the Canadians. I haven't screamed that much since Convocation. Honestly, I'm surprised I wasn't hoarse this morning.
It was a great game. The Sabres scored twice in the first period, and just as we all thought it would be an easy win, the Leafs scored twice as well. (One was a fluke, though. Easily could have been prevented.) Also in the first period, a rogue puck hit two spectators in the head. I felt terrible for them (even though they were Leafs fans) as I saw them leave the arena, clutching towels to their profusely bleeding faces. Spend a hundred bucks on ringside tickets and get taken out first period? That really sucks.
The rogue puck made up the requisite violence for the game, I guess. I was disappointed that the gloves didn't drop, but that aside, the game was fantastic. Sabres won, 3 to 2, and on the sardine tin that was the Buffalo train back home, spirits were very high. The Sabres fans were being pretty obnoxious (they were drunk, but they probs would have been the same way sober) on the train, doing things like refusing Leafs fans entry and chanting a few off-color remarks in regards to the losing team. It was awesome, and I'm glad I got to share that experience with my dad.
If only Smith had a hockey team...
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