Word Porn

I just finished watching the National Spelling Bee on television and felt both thrilled for the high finish and yet disappointed when Finola Hackett took second place in the competition.

The fact that she made it to Round 19 was an unbelievable accomplishment--the only Canadian to ever have made it that far in the National Spelling Bee.

I think that it is at least partially the idea of competition that makes things like televised spelling bees, secret ingredient cook-offs and play off hockey such a thrill to engage in.

There have been bad press surrounding the response of some so-called hockey fans who showed their true colours after Edmonton defeated the Mighty Ducks to make it to the Stanley Cup finals. And rightfully so. There is no excuse for the hooliganism that tipped the scale of celebration into near riot. But. Sitting in my living room, heart thumping as the Canadian defender spelled her final word. And failing. By one letter. I could see how emotions could rise up, could choke you. And I was watching SPELLING!

In any case, satiated with my current fix of word porn, I pat down the clamouring emotion and head off to sleep.