A Predicament I Never Thought I’d Face

I have been on this earth for 28 years and I never saw myself facing such a tough decision. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place with this one. The first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs officially starts tomorrow, August 11th. Yes, hockey in August, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around that, too. It’s also the most wonderful week of the year. That’s right, it’s Shark Week on Discovery channel. Every night from 8-11 pm EST I emerge deep into the ocean, via television, and learn more about sharks.

Right after the conclusion of the Qualifying Round, the NHL announced the schedule for the first 4 games of every series. The Bruins start August 11th at 8 pm EST. Sound like a familiar time? That’s when I should be watching to see if some species are extinct, then Will Smith on Shark Week! Now I’m faced with a tough decision, Shark Week or Stanley Cup Playoffs? Summertime hockey is a dream come true, summertime Shark Week is a yearly given.

My first thought when I saw the schedule released looked exactly like a scene from Step Brothers. My next thought was wondering if the NHL thought about Shark Week Superfans before creating this madness. Who in their right mind can make this decision without the ability for picture-in-picture? (Seriously, why did my cable company get rid of that?)

The Moment You’ve All Been Waiting For

Which will I choose?

I asked a friend what to do. They said that the choice should be clear, the Bruins, otherwise I’d be a fake fan. I had an epiphany, I might be a fake fan of the Boston Bruins. I have a blacktip reef shark tattoo but I don’t have a Bruins one…yet. (Sorry, mom)

Of course, I’ll be watching the Bruins play live. Thankfully for my sanity, intermissions are nearly 20 minutes so I can peek in on Shark Week here and there. I’ll set my DVR to be filled with shark shows to binge, commercial-free at that, at the conclusion of the games. I feel bad not giving Shark Week attention on two nights this year, but it’s not every year you have Stanley Cup Playoffs in the summer!

Don’t forget to save our oceans, sharks are an important part of the oceanic ecosystem. They’re not as scary as they may seem. Look into organizations like 4Ocean and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy.

-Jess Donahue (@jldx392)