So, you hear “BC Northeastern hockey,” and yeah, you immediately think about the intensity, right? Especially when the Beanpot’s rolling around. Man, those games get heated. I remember one year, specifically, everyone was talking about the matchup. Felt like the whole city was buzzing.
I had circled that date. Really wanted to go. Got a couple buddies lined up, figured we’d make a whole night of it. You know how it is, grab some food beforehand, soak in the atmosphere. It felt important, like one of those Boston traditions you just gotta do.
Then, work happened. Out of nowhere, this massive project landed on my desk. The deadline? Basically impossible. Suddenly, my evenings and weekends just vanished. Poof. Gone. I tried, believe me, I tried to juggle things, thinking maybe I could still sneak out for the game. But it became pretty clear, pretty fast, that wasn’t happening.
I had to make that call to my friends. “Guys, I’m out. Buried.” They understood, sort of, but you could hear the disappointment. And honestly? I was more than disappointed. I was seriously ticked off. Missing out on something I’d looked forward to for weeks because of… what? A report that probably nobody would read closely anyway?
That was kind of a turning point, looking back.
It wasn’t just about missing a hockey game. It was about realizing how much control this job had. It felt like I was constantly sacrificing the good stuff, the fun stuff, for work that just kept demanding more and more. There was always another fire drill, another late night.
- No flexibility.
- Zero work-life balance.
- Just constant pressure.
Seeing my buddies’ pictures from the game later… yeah, that stung. But it also solidified something in my mind. This wasn’t sustainable. I started thinking, seriously thinking, about what I actually wanted. Did I want to keep grinding like this, missing out on life, or find something different?
Took a while, but I eventually made a move. Found a different gig. It’s funny, the new place? Totally different vibe. People actually leave on time. They take vacations. It’s not perfect, nothing is, but it’s way more balanced. I actually have evenings and weekends back.
So yeah, BC Northeastern hockey. That specific game I missed? It ended up being more than just a game on the schedule. It was the push I needed to make a change. Weird how things work out sometimes. Haven’t missed a Beanpot since, if I can help it.
