Next Question with AznSitch

The third edition of Next Question focuses on last year's third-best piece of meat, AznSitch. My pudgy body can barely keep up with this man; he's always up to something, whether it's pumping iron or ironing shirts. Fortunately, I was able to work out (no pun intended) a time with him on one of his off-days.

Salutations, AznSitch.

Hazzz! Commissioner Randy!

Hazzz!

Indoor voice, Sitch. Indoor voice.

Oh, right! Sorry!

Thank you. How have you been?

I'm doing very well, Commissioner Randy. As you can see, I'm atop the rankings in PoV, and I think there's a good shot I'll be challenging for top spot by season's end. Safari is giving me a good run for my money, but I think with hard work and dedication I can prevail.

Your vocabulary seems to be much better than in prior years. What gives?

Oh, has it?! Hazzz! Thanks Commissioner. I owe it to my body plan - or should I say, brain plan. I've been hard at work on my torso for the better part of two decades now, so in the last couple years I've decided to include brain plans.

What does that entail?

Reading, mostly. I try to read one or two books a month; it's not earth-shattering by any means, but I think the goal of reading a few books a month can help open up my mind and also give me some vocab. Hell's yeah!

What have you been reading?

Burgundy gave me a book to read a while back around Christmas (the Undoing Project). I've worked my way through that, and now I'm onto a few fiction novels. I always try to blend fiction and non-fiction into my reading though; it's good to have both flavors.

Does this help with your abilities as a select-GM?

I think so. I mean, it depends on what I read, but I've come across some books that talk about mindset, statistics and psychology, and they all have the same rhetoric: data > emotion. People can get caught up in stories, hypes, etc. but data is what really matters at the end.

So you use data over emotion when it comes to the PoV?

I try to. I mean, yes, sometimes I lose out on picking up a hot player because I just don't believe he can sustain his productivity, but that also means that I safeguard myself against dropping players that are just in a short-term rough patch.

Any examples?

Voracek comes to mind. He had a 'bad' year last year, after having great success the previous three seasons. I look at that and say, "Hey, that guy's alright. He's still squatting, carbo-loading and young. He'll be fine."

He has done significantly better than last year.

It's all in the data. It might not always work out (P.S. I love working out), but more often than not you will be rewarded for doing your homework.

I can't argue with that. Now, how are things outside of hockey? GoodLyfe still treating you well?

Absolutely. Changing the world one lift at a time. Business is good. But I must say that I personally haven't felt as good physically lately.

How so?

I don't know if it's that I'm getting older, or if life is just getting more chaotic, but I'm finding it harder and harder to dedicate time to the iron paradise. I still go frequently, but my mind's always thinking of other things while I'm there, so it's harder to focus.

Focus on what?

Werkin' out, Commissioner Randy! I still man up and do it, but there are times where I'm pumpin' and I just don't get that same adrenaline rush. Or, I'm not pumping the same weight I used to. I used to think MaxPump (i.e. pump to your limits), but now I'm leaning towards LongPump (i.e. pump for your longevity).

Are you seeing different results?

Not really. Psychologically I just feel like I "could do better", that's all. Sitch hates to settle, and sometimes he feels like he is!

Well, aside from fitness business, you've also ventured out into apparel I hear.

Yes, I've ventured out into apparel. It kind of just came out of nowhere, you know. With my sculpted bod, it was difficult finding clothes that fit, so I started looking for solutions. Then once I found some solutions, others wanted in on it too.

And it's a viable business?

It's like anything else I put my mind to, Commissioner Randy. Start slow, grow slow. 

Things going well?

Like Dick said about his production company, it's exhilarating because you call your own shots; you're responsible for the outcomes of your decisions.

Challenging?

Yes, of course. You know, it's very different to understand what 'comfort' means to people. Like, how do you explain to someone why a piece of clothing feels comfortable? We all know that the most 'comfortable' clothes probably aren't the best looking, right? Well, the challenge then becomes comfort vs look. People want to look good, but how much comfort are they willing to sacrifice for it?

It is somewhat of a mind-fuck. Speaking of mind-fucks, anyone giving you a scare in the PoV?

Of course. The Silver Lion and Bodacious Burgundy are both catching up to my finely chiseled ass, threatening to take away my victory. But, I think I'll have the inside edge in the fourth quarter.

Why's that?

Let's not forget that my Stamkos has been out since mid-November and is projected to return mid/late March. I've been able to keep this pace so far without my bona fide sniper; assuming he returns and is playing the way he should, I'll be in good shape. It'll be like acquiring a game-breaker at trade deadline, without having to make a trade.

You're assuming that you will maintain your current productivity, though.

Jeah, so?

There are risks in making assumptions.

Don't jinx me, Commissioner.

... No comment.

WTF are you doing to me, Commissioner?!