I FEEL LIKE IT'S AUTUMN...

Maybe it's because school just started again...

Maybe it's because the sun 25 degrees all of a sudden after dreary, almost sub-zero temps make me feel like we're in the middle of an Indian Summer in October, prompting me to drive home from school with my car window partially open... (Hey, mine wa s only cracked. There were plenty of people on the road with the windows all. the. way. down. Yeah.)

Or, maybe it's because I haven't seen my Sabres in exactly a week, and honest to God, I feel like I'm about to go to the season/home opener right now.

I think it's all three, with a very, very large emphasis on the third. Yeah, that must be it.

But I also can't deny that I'm sure some of my excitement stems from tennis's Australian Open. Please excuse me while I only partially explain my love of this game. Okay, well, I'll spare you, and won't. But let me just tell you this: I have two favorite male players in Andy Roddick and Novak Djokovic. I kind of liken my love for them to my love for Tim Connolly and Derek Roy. I've loved Connolly (Roddick) since the moment I knew who he was. And it's fantastic because Connolly was doing so well (Roddick won the US Open in 2003). But then Timmy got hurt (and Roddick started sucking). And then Derek Roy (Novak Djokovic) came along and stole my heart by stepping up and trying so hard to begin filling a hole left by certain co-captains (Novak did things like this and won the Australian Open last year).

So you can imagine how distrought I was Sunday when I found out that my two tennis loves were to meet in the quarterfinals. I remember Kim asking me who I would cheer for. To tell you the truth, I hadn't a clue.

I figured Djokovic would win, because he's ranked higher, and he's just fantastic, but I was hoping that Roddick would win because I just want him to do well. I'll always have a soft spot for him, seeing as his slam-winning match was the first that I ever really watched.

And to my surprise, he did.

But anyways, is this a tennis blog or a Sabres blog??

Sheesh, Cari, what are you doing?

Really though, I just hope we can get through this roadtrip relatively unscathed. I'd love for 6 points, but I'm thinking 4 or 5 would suffice for me, especially with the looks of things on defense.

I suppose we'll see tonight...

Oh, and I have to add, isn't Tommy Vanek always Mr. Humble? I mean, I adore him for it, but at some point, take some credit for yourself, okay man??? Gees...

From Sabres.com: "It's awesome," Vanek said [of being selected to play in the All-Star Game]. "A few of the other guys probably deserved to go, but I was fortunate enough to be picked and represent my teammates and the Buffalo organization."

Too cute.

Go Sabres!!