On, Wisconsin!

So aside from sulking in the hotel room watching the pitiful excuse for a hockey game last night, we did a bit of shopping and walking around Madison this weekend. I think we drove around in circles for twenty minutes trying to relocate the Sunkist ghost sign I saw while driving into downtown Madison. And then we went to two Octopus Car Washes so I could get pictures of the Octopi - one of my favorite signs I hadn't grabbed a picture of yet. Below is one of my favorites. At the second location we had to make a quick exit because they were trying to get us to come in and get a car wash - oops, sorry. I'll have more pictures of various things in Madison up on Flickr probably tomorrow.

One of our favorite activities while in Madison, is to shop the bookstores. Because if you've ever seen our apartment, you would know we don't have enough books . We ended up at Avol's and I scored two cool books, both for under $20. The first was a Marcel Duchamp art biography - a first edition from 1959. It has a lot of good pictures of his works. The second caught my eye as I walked by:


Something about the design of the cover I just love. I'm curious to read the travel tips pre German unification. The book includes pictures - below are my two favorites:


How great are those? This book is better than the German Phrase book I bought that included how to say "Help, I have the runs," to a pharmacist.

Today we first went to a postcard show with Amy's parents. They're huge collectors - my ADD only allows about 30 minutes of viewing before I get cranky. Amy bought me a cool vintage CTA subway postcard. One of these days I'll put pictures on here of all the cool Chicago postcards and other vintage souvenir type things I have. The nice thing about Amy's parents going to so many flea markets and antique malls is whenever they see cool Chicago stuff cheap (which it usually is outside of Illinois) they'll pick some up for us. We got a 1933 Century of Progress walking cane for Xmas! After the postcard show, we went to the largest antique mall in Wisconsin in Columbus. They weren't kidding - apparently it was once a canning factory (complete with working freight elevator) and they had stuff on 3 levels. We spent 3 hours there and didn't even see it all. I exercised restraint and only bought the original Star Wars double LP. I'll definitely have to go back some time - I also got some cool pictures of the water and light plant which was next door.

And of course, no trip to Wisconsin would be complete without a stop here on the way home:


String cheese, cheddar cheese spread and Sprecher's Orange Dream Soda. Yum.

Game 55: 'Canes 4, Hawks 2: Mel thinks this is all Admiral Ackbar's fault

I honestly don't have much to say about this game because a) I didn't see all of it b) it sucked and c) I'm tired.

I missed the entire first period while at dinner with Amy's parents, and had to catch the rest of the game watching the Hurricane's feed on the laptop at the hotel. The Canes' announcers aren't the worst I've heard, but I'd forgotten how annoying it can be hearing the opponent's play by play guy ecstatic that you lost. But hey, at least it wasn't Pierre McGuire!

So another game where the Hawks outshoot their opponent a billion to one (seemingly) and the end score wasn't even that close. Props to Cam Ward for basically winning this game for his team. And hey, I quite like the Hurricanes' third jersey. And let's just say that 6-4 advantage to end the game was so horrible it made Baby Jesus cry.

Can someone please tell the Huet bashers and the "our goalies suck" folks that every time they complain, a cute little kitten dies. Please, shut up already - I don't want to hear it anymore.

So, warm up the limo boys. It's time to come home.

I, on the other hand will be going to bed soon. I still haven't recovered from staying up to watch the Sharks game - dammit, I really am getting old. We're going to a huge antique mall tomorrow before coming home, and I'll be sure to post any finds here in addition to the couple of cool books I got at a used bookstore in Madison.

Game 54: Hawks 4, Sharks 3 (OT) - Mel remembers what it is like to stay up past 11 on a school night.

I honestly don't know how I managed to stay up to watch the game last night. In retrospect, I should have gone to bed after the first period up 3-1 - although I probably would have woken up this morning wondering how the hell the game went to overtime. It was almost like getting a big bucket of popcorn - about halfway down you're full, but you keep eating because, what the hell, it's there.

I am really glad the Hawks came back and won - I was already worse for wear at work, and if we had blown a three goal lead and lost I totally would have been a bitch from hell. And I am a nice person. Really.

Anyhoo - the game started out so well. I was really thinking it was going to be a repeat of the 7-2 thumping we gave the Sharks at the Tank pre-Thanksgiving. But whether it was Disney on Ice fatigue or a lame attempt at sitting on the lead (which never seems to work) lo and behold the Sharks came back to tie mid-third. I noted Toews looked extremely pissed on the ensuing faceoff post-goal - and damn if the Hawks didn't start playing like they were aware there was a hockey game going on. I don't why the switch suddenly turned back on (perhaps a promise of limo rides to Carolina?), but over a minute into OT, Brouwer buried the winner and Mel went to bed happy.

Game Notes:

- Huet really saved our ass in the second and third periods - it easily could have gotten ugly quick. And yes, 3 goals against isn't great but honestly those goals are more on the D having brain farts in front of him. But of course, according to Ross McKeon at Yahoo Sports we're not going to win jack because we don't have a #1. Last I checked, the team that scored the most goals wins. So shut up and fuck off.
- As great as a game Hossa played versus the Oilers, he looked off last night. Hopefully it was just fatigue and not much else. We really need him to show up come playoff time.
- It was nice to see Brett Sopel back in all his shit in his pants, shot blocking glory. Until his errant pass led to the third goal. Yeech. Funny story - Amy got her first good look at his face when he was grimacing on the bench during the Vancouver game. You may have heard her scream at the Whirlaway.
- We win and only one Hawk gets a star? And it's Brouwer and he's only #2? Hello, he won the game with his second goal of the night! I don't even want to know who makes those decisions.

Speaking of Brouwer:


For some reason this picture reminds me of the Judas Priest concert I went to back in '91. All joking aside though, I feel bad for whatever happened to his face.

One more game vs. Carolina and it's home sweet home. I'm not sure if I'll be able to see it - we're going to Madison tomorrow to meet up with Amy's folks and I have a feeling we'll be going out to dinner around puck drop. Family first I guess - at least until the playoffs!

Attention Neighbors:

In case you haven't noticed, Monday is the first of February. This is the second month of the year. So why the hell are your Christmas lights still lit night after night?

I get it. The holidays are a wonderful time. I put up a tree every year and lights on my front windows (most of which are still boxed up in my living room because I've been too lazy to put them in the basement). But if you're buying those horrible chalky Valentines hearts at the store, it's time to turn them off already!

I understand it's cold and perhaps you don't feel much like taking the lights down at this time. But for God's sake don't turn them on. Hell, some people leave them up all year for convenience - I think it's a tad tacky to have icicle lights hanging off your awning whilst BBQing for the 4th of July though. And there is no excuse to still have your damn tree up. For the love of Jebus I hope it's not real, or I expect to be awaken at 3am by the CFD at some point in the near future.

So, please dear neighbors. Santa is gone. Jesus is born. Put the damn decorations away, and get ready for Easter already.

We now return to your regularly scheduled stupidness.

*yawn*

I've already nodded off in my recliner watching NHL on the Fly. Geez, when did I turn into my dad?

So, things don't look promising for me to actually be conscious for the entire Hawks vs. Sharks game.

Hey, one of the commentators of NHL on the Fly picked the Hawks to win. Which surely means they'll shit the bed.

In unrelated news, I'll be going up to Madison this weekend. I'll have to figure out something fun to do without freezing my arse completely off. Fuck, I hate winter!

Dear Apple,

I have been a fan of yours for a long time. My first computer was a Performa 6290. I played Oregon Trail and learned about dysentery and cholera on an Apple IIe. I'm on my third Mac, have owned 2 iPods and may finally become a sheeple and get an iPhone.

But *iPad*? Really. REALLY?

Obviously Steve and his boys came up with this name, as any woman with half a brain could tell you what a horrible name this is. You do realize you will now be the butt of a million and one bad monthly visitor jokes for the foreseeable future?

In any case, as with any Apple product, I will wait for the hysteria to die down to actually look at one, and it will realistically take at least two years before I can afford one.

Carry on my dear friends!

Love,
Mel

Game 53: Hawks 4, Oilers 2 - Mel is finally awake enough to post this.

Well that was better. Mostly.

I think it's safe to say that was a game we were expected to win - and I'm glad we did or the Johnny-Come-Lately Fans/Media would have been heading for the Fallout Shelter. Nice to see us jump out to the lead within the first minute, and a dominating second period. I think I recall hearing recently that the second period has by far been the best one for the Hawks this year, but not being a stat-monkey, I have nothing to back that up. The third period could have been better - it appeared the Hawks might have been thinking ahead to the Sharks game and took a bit of a breather. I guess against a team as horrid as the Oil you are allowed that luxury. But one more goal and I would have delved into Minnesota collapse convulsions.

A few notes:

- I couldn't get over how quiet Rexall Place was. You could hear a pin drop at times. I feel for the Oilers' fans - their team is nothing short of putrid this year, and I bear no ill feelings toward the organization (which is more than I can say to several other Canadian teams). I think the UC was still much louder when it was half empty during the last decade. I dunno, maybe Hawks fans just drink more which lends itself to louder fan outbursts.
- Hossa was everywhere last night - more so than his lone goal indicates. He easily could have had 3 to 4 points with a little more luck. I keep trying to tell Amy how much of a greater impact he has had for us than Havlat, but she still pines for Marty. Perhaps I should be jealous.
- Awful turnover by TOFTBO that led to the second goal. Must have been longing for meatballs.
- Every once in awhile someone does something to surprise you. Like this:




Now if Huet could make a save like that per game I think a lot of the "Hawks can't win without a #1 goalie" folks would go away.

A lot is being made of tomorrow night's game vs. the Sharks as a test of who is the best in the West. Um, it is only January. I think it is more important for the Hawks at this point in the road trip to put forth a solid effort and hopefully get a point - two if they're greedy. I probably won't last much past the first period as I have to get up so damn early for work. Normally I wouldn't give a shit, but Friday is the final day of the government audit I have been dealing with most of this month, and I don't want to look like I went on an all night bender. Whee.

Boys, Boys, Please Keep Your Shirts On!

THIS.

Lord Jesus, I haven't seen chests like that since I went to the swimming pool during day camp when I was 12. Even Amy mentioned that they don't look particularly athletic sans shirts. Keep 'em on boys!

Far be it to judge what the guys do off the ice - hell after Saturday's game I wouldn't have minded getting plastered in a limo. But if they pose for cell phone photos and actually don't think they are going to make it on the internets, I think they've all been concussed too many times.

P.S. Dear Versteeg: Please don't wear your sunglasses at night. You look like a douche. Thank you, The Management

Not To Bring This Blog Down...

My grandfather died yesterday morning.

It was somewhat expected - he had not been well for over a year - but no matter how much you think you mentally prepare yourself for it, when it happens your emotions go through a blender.

He had something many people don't get to experience - over 30 years of enjoyable retirement. He retired from the Chicago Fire Department when he was in his mid 50s and had good health up until the last couple of years. He had a lot of difficulty adapting to the fact that he wasn't physically capable of doing the things he did for so long. And honestly after his latest hospital scare in December and putting him in long term care afterward, I think he realized it was his time and went to a better place.

I'll always have these memories of him:

• His love of crossword puzzles, macadamia nuts, Beefeater gin and the Cubs.
• His garden - when my grandparents still lived in the city he had a huge garden for a fairly small backyard - he even grew corn! When they moved out to the retirement community he still had a plot in the communal garden for many years. He was the first person to feed me zucchini.
• He used to smoke cigars but my grandmother wouldn't let him smoke in the house. When I was little he would say, "Come on Melissa, let's go for a walk." I didn't realize until I was older that when he said that he wanted to have company as he smoked. He probably hadn't smoked them in 15 years but when I smell cigar smoke I still think of him.
• He made the best homemade lasagna. He used to cook for his fellow firemen, and I always looked forward to Sunday spaghetti dinners.
• His laugh and enjoyment of life. I only hope I can get as much out of life as he did.

I am not a religious person by any means, but I hope wherever he is he knows that he is loved, and that he will missed.

Game 52: Cannuckleheads 5, Blackhawks 1 - Mel is thankful for the alcohol.

Well that sucked.

Losing is always unpleasant, but losing to a team that is despised is oh so much more painful. The Cannucks haven't reached the level of Red Wings hate, but I'd say they're probably tied for second with the Blues in my book.

I guess you can't fault the Hawks for trying. 99 out of a 100 times if you get 40+ shots on goal as the they did you will be on the winning side. It just burns more that Luongo was on top of his game tonight. Go ahead Bobby Lou, bask in the glory tonight. We'll make you cry again in the playoffs.

Tonight's game also did nothing to quell the goalie "controversy." You can't totally blame Niemi for the first period as the defense shit themselves in front of him. But you have to start making some of those saves. It makes me nervous come playoff time because if we face a team whose goalie is on fire, I am not confident that we can match that. But it's a long way off...I'm not putting on the tin foil hat...yet.

I don't have much more insightful comments as I ended up watching the game with some of the folks from Second City Hockey. As I am somewhat socially inept in a large crowd I didn't mingle too much but I did enjoy speaking to the people that I did. I guess watching the game with a group of like minded fans made the evening a little easier to deal with. Had I been at home it's most likely various objects would have been thrown in the general direction of the TV.

On a personal note, this game was the perfect ending to what has been an incredibly difficult day for myself and my family. But I'll get into that tomorrow perhaps after a good night's sleep and some more introspection.

*dies*

One last film related note tonight:

Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" Will Finally Be Complete

I won't bore you with two long winded film related posts in one evening on why this is my favorite film ever. But needless to say this is a day I thought would never come.

Yeah, I know. NERD.

Flickr: On Art and Film

We had Monday off, and Amy had a $5 off admission coupon, so we headed to the Art Institute. I hadn't been there in years (at least six because I went before I knew Amy), so I was stoked to finally see the modern wing. I enjoyed it - it's not as deep as say MoMA, or as experimental as the MCA, but they had a good variety, and the building is quite incredible. I will complain the wood floors can be quite loud for anyone not wearing sneakers. They had several pieces by a couple of my favorite artists.

As a painter, Fernand Leger is usually thrown into the Cubist movement - pretty evident as you can see by his paining The Railway Crossing (1919) on the right. I am hot and cold on cubism - depending on the artist I can take it or leave it. But my real love for Leger can be summed up in two words: Ballet Mechanique. Anyone who has taken a history of film class has probably seen it. Made in 1924, it is a silent experimental short of well - a mechanical ballet. Besides who couldn't love a film that includes Kiki de Montparnasse.



They also had Marcel Duchamp's Hat Rack (left). I know some people have issues with the concept of readymades, but I think they're genius. Several friends and I traveled to Cincinnati last spring the see the only American gallery showing of "Surrealism and Beyond." They had a lot of great pieces there including Duchamp's Fountain and L.H.O.O.Q - I can now die happy. They understandably didn't allow photos in the exhibit, but my friend did sneak a blurry picture of Fountain. My other favorite work of Duchamp is his film Anemic Cinema (1926). It includes one of my favorite quotes of all time - "Parmi nos articles de quinquillerie par essence, nous recommandans le robinet qui s'arrête de couloir quand on ne l'ecoute pas" (Among our articles of lazy hardware, we recommend a faucet which stops dripping when nobody is listening to it).




Lastly, I must explain the meaning of the photo to the left. That's me with Van Gogh's Bedroom In Arles. Being a film major, I was required to take four semesters of art history. I didn't mind as I actually enjoy art - except for impressionists - how many fucking haystacks can you paint Monet? I will date myself and say that most classes consisted of the lights being turned off and viewing the artworks via slides. It doesn't take much for me to fall asleep - honestly I fell asleep several times in band in high school and I was in the percussion section. So most classes were a struggle to stay awake even though I was interested in the subject matter. One particular class we were discussing Van Gogh and this painting. Being half asleep, I scribbled in my notes the painting's title as "Bedroom at Oral." Logic dictates that this is wrong, but for some reason, I thought that was the name of the painting. Several weeks later I was discussing the possible paintings that may be on the final exam with my friend via phone. The conversation went something like this:

"Well how about Van Gogh? Do you think Bedroom at Oral will be on the exam"

"What?"

"Bedroom at Oral - you know, the Van Gogh painting?"

*silence*

"That's Bedroom at Arles you idiot!"

Yeah, it's been over ten years and I still haven't lived that down.

Game 51: Blackhawks 3, Flames 1: Mel has to wake up in 6 hours

• If not for Kiprusoff, there could have been another 7 -1 spanking in the works.
• Eager with the toe pick!
• Kane's penalty shot brings back fond memories - as a kid whenever there was a penalty shot during a game on tv, my mom would shout "Penalty Shot!" and make everyone come in and watch it. "It doesn't happen often," she would say. Thanks NHL, for making a once exciting play into the mundane due to the shootout.
• I sense the Niemi vs Huet shitstorm will not be dying down anytime soon.
• Finally an empty netter! While we're the last in the league to get one, I guess that is a good sign that usually we're ahead enough in the last minute of a game that pulling the goalie is pointless.
• When Mel is tired, she writes in bullet points.

Happy almost Friday!

Oy Vey.

I hate west coast games on weeknights. Tonight's game vs Flamers...err Flames is a 8.30 start. Lord Jesus, please don't let them play one of those marathon shootout games.

On the bright side, I was able to go grocery shopping and eat dinner before the game. AAAAAAnd that is the end of my productivity tonight.

Saturday's game vs. the Cannucks is a 9pm start but it is a weekend, and I will be watching along side other admitted hockey internets nerds so I would guess by the second period I will be feeling no pain.

That was a long sentence.

Come playoff time, I will have to start considering getting the 24 hour flu if we ever go to a 2+ overtime game on a weeknight.

Exciting News!

This was the subject of an email Amy sent me at work last week. A thousand thoughts ran through my head in the time it took me to open the email. "We won the lottery." "Amy got a great new job." "The government will mandate afternoon siestas in all workplaces." "There will be new Star Wars movies neither written or directed by George Lucas." "Daley has decided not to run for re-election."

Nope.

"McRib is back!"

Ok, so I must make a confession - I do love McRibs in all of its limited time only goodness. Trust me when I say I don't often eat fast food, which is remarkable considering I live across the street from a McDonalds and can smell their fries walking to and from my car. I haven't eaten red meat in over six years - this in spite of the fact my mother can't understand why I can't have one meatball with dinner. Bless her heart she tries - she actually made a corner of her lasagna on Christmas sans meat just for me. Amy is a vegetarian so we don't eat meat at home. Really the only time I eat meat is when I go out for dinner, and it's usually just a back up plan in case they don't have anything vegetarian I want (you can only eat so many salads and portobello burgers). If I really tried I could become a full fledged vegetarian without much fuss (never a vegan though - I covet cheese way too much).

But I love McRibs. I rationalize they only come once a year or so, and honestly how much of that oddly shaped patty is really pork? I'd venture a guess at least half of it is soy or TVP. But I never understood why they put pickles on it. Yuck.

Now, when do they start selling Shamrock Shakes?!

Blast From the Past: Blades of Steel

In order to go to bed with happier thoughts:



My brother and I played the crap out of this game back in the day. That and Tecmo Bowl. I have Tecmo Bowl on my Wii Virtual Console - it's not the same though as they took off all of the players' names during the game - I'm sure at the NFL's request. Maybe I'll download BoS for the Console this week.

I wonder if the fools who unceasingly whistle during games got it from this. Sure sounds like it.

Game 50: Ottawa 4, Blackhawks 1 - Mel needs to wash her eyes out with bleach

Well that was fun. To think I could have stayed at work another 3 hours and spent quality time with Excel and Navision and probably had a more enjoyable evening. No I lied - at least I got to eat delivered chow fun & chinese broccoli at home.

You can't win them all I suppose. I guess I'm more bothered by the crap defense, mediocre goaltending (honestly, how many times has Huet gotten his skates caught that resulted in a goal? I played broomball with sneakers and fell on my ass less), and general lethargy of the team tonight.

Oh, and THIS:



Christ on a cracker! I guess it isn't your night when that happens. Poor Sad Panda.

Here's hoping the boys shake this one off, because you know Calgary & Vancouver are chomping at the bit to smack us around in their house.

I'm guessing the Calgary game is a late local start? Great, I'll just staple gun my eyelids open when I roll into work Friday morning at 7.

MLK

It's always nice to have a day off, but let's not forget the reason for it:



The "I have a dream" speech is legend - but this one kills me every time. It's almost as if he knew his life would be taken from him and is such at peace with it.

A lot of folks said we'd reached The Promised Land when Obama was elected. Sadly, one only needs to read this report to see we're really not there yet. Trust me, I witness the segregation every day at work. Here's hoping that every year on MLK day we're all a little closer to the cause that he died for.

Flickr: Summer in Chicago (11 Photos)

Took these last August when Amy had family in town. I thought it would be nice to put some summer photos up - it's an excellent reminder that eventually the sun will be out and I can wear sandals again. Unfortunately not soon enough. I swear, the older I get, the more I can understand moving south for the winter.

I still have lots of photos to upload. I have half of the pictures from Germany last summer (including all of Hamburg & Flensburg), the trip to the Sign Museum in Cincinnati last spring and all kinds of odds and ends. I could just upload them in a bunch, but since I'm so anal rententive on tagging and researching certain things, it takes me forever, and honestly I just have to be in the right mood to do it. I just ordered more memory for my computer because it doesn't help it is slower than molasses when I try to multitask like use the internet, itunes and fool around with my photos. If that doesn't help I'll have to start considering a new computer in the near future. I think my current one is about three, which is good, but really that's almost ancient. If I upgrade I'll think I'll make the jump to a laptop - probably a Mac Book Pro.

I really should sleep now.

Game 49: Blackhawks 4, Dead Wings 3 (SO) - Mel grabs the Excedrin

Cubs vs. Cardinals. Bears vs. Packers. Bulls vs. umm... (Pistons? Celtics? I don't care for basketball and really stopped what little watching I did when Jordan retired for the 437th time). Blackhawks vs. Red Wings. These are those classic rivalries that fans crave - where a win makes you insufferable to fans of the other team, and a loss makes you want to kick small children for the remainder of the day. I actually avoid attending these rivalry games in person because the intensity is overwhelming to me. I think I had an adrenaline rush for three days after Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals last year and nearly needed to start popping my happy medicine from the second period on. And the last time I went to a Cubs vs. Sox game I had to escort my brother quickly out of the Cell before he got arrested for fighting with Sox fans.

Onto the actual game - somewhat annoying having back to back early games especially considering I am not a morning person and since I wake up @ 5:30am on weekdays I like to sleep in (read: after noon). But I guess it does give one the opportunity to do fun things the rest of the day. Or in my case, laundry. The Hawks came out to a 2-0 lead in the first but of course things are never that easy playing the Red Wings. They came back to tie it in the second, but Sharpie put one in to take a 3-2 lead going into the third. The Wings scored one midway through the third - this is where I think the migraine started. The rest of the third and OT was very back and forth with both teams having prime chances and both goalies making some stellar saves. The Hawks ended up winning it in the fourth round of the shootout with Sharpie making the difference. The shootout was tied 2-2 at the time with both of the Scum's tallies coming on a couple of ridiculous trick shots (one by Bertuzzi - really?). But when all is said and done, two points are even sweeter when playing your division rival on their home turf. An excellent start to the road trip - let's hope there's not a mental letdown against an average Ottawa team on Tuesday.

Two quick thoughts - here's hoping the Hawks won't be on too many NBC Game of the Weeks (aka the Crosby-Ovechkin-Red Wings show) this season. Their coverage sucks - Pierre McGuire is brutal and completely missing the third Red Wings goal live is inexcusable. I can hardly wait for their hockey coverage at the Olympics *barf*. Second - great game by Niemi. I hope Coach Q perhaps splits the eight games on the road between him and Huet. I think it would be good to give Niemi some more work and give Huet a rest. We're going to need him in April and beyond and there's no point in working him to death in the midst of this adventure on the road.

Au moins je n'ai pas l'envie de regarder un film de Jerry Lewis.

Just watched the documentary Man On Wire. I recommend it - I quite enjoyed it. Unfortunately I am now thinking things in a french accent. Oh merde.

Game 48: Blackhawks 6, Columbus 5 - Mel needs a bag to hyperventilate in

So it's about 2/3 of the way through the first period, the Hawks are leading 3-1 and the biggest concern I have at the moment is forgetting to bench Steve Mason on my fantasy team. Then Columbus scores at the end of the period and gets two in the second to make it 4-3 going into the third and I'm cursing the hockey scheduling gods that made the game at 1pm because now I'm going to be miserable the rest of the day.

But wait, this isn't the Cubs - Toews scores two, sandwiching a goal by Eager, and despite a late goal in the game by the BJs (heh) the Hawks manage to pull one out. Good thing too considering this is the first of the eight game ice capades road trip (an aside - does anyone actually go to the ice capades? I thought they went out with Sonja Henie) and it would have been really sour to start it off with the second multi-goal lead collapse in a week.

A thought on Huet, as I'm sure there will be calls for his head again after putting up a five spot: while I'll be the first to admit this wasn't one of his finest games, it was nowhere near the shitstorm of the beginning of the great Calgary comeback or the two Dallas losses. He's more than an adequate goalie for a team with the scoring and defensive skills that the Blackhawks possess. So, I'm ok with him as the starting goaltender - although I deserve the right to change my mind come April. It would be nice to see him stand on his head during a game at some point. Really the only time I can remember a game in the recent past where our goalie stole a game was the Pittsburgh game in December and that was Niemi (or as I like to call him, "Happy Feet").

So onto the scum tomorrow and hopefully we spank them on NBC. That coupled with a Vikings defeat would culminate in the best sports Sunday I've had since before the Bears season started.

Haven't I Been Here Before...

So here I am again, attempting a blog. I really haven't had too much luck keeping these updated over the years. Hell, I tried to keep a diary in 8th grade - I was really good for about a month and the next time I updated it, I was in high school. Bah. So I'm hoping I'm a little better with this one, as it won't be about me as much as it is about my thoughts about happenings. And silly crap I find on the 'net. We'll see as my dad would say. My hope is to have an outlet for all of the snark and pointless babble that runs through my head in addition to entertaining those who choose to read this. And perhaps through this blog I'll meet some like minded folks since the older I get the less I tend to socialize with people outside my admittedly small social circle. And maybe this blog will bring me a puppy, a kitty and a Cubs championship. Ok, I realize that's unrealistic but if you're reading this, amuse me and follow the blog. It will help inflate my ever fluctuating ego.