Happy Birthday ... and Time Marches On

Happy Birthday to me (yesterday)!  It was a wonderful day.  Actually, it was a wonderful weekend.


Since it was my birthday weekend I asked my daughters to see the movie "Pawn Sacrifice" with me, which we did.
http://www.bleeckerstreetmedia.com/#!pawn-sacrifice/c11le
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596345/reviews?ref_=tt_urv

I confess, it probably wasn't something the girls liked as much as I did, but I appreciated their attention.  Good for them to learn something about a unique individual, Bobby Fischer, good and bad.  Fischer was brilliant, and he was insane, and he produced some masterpieces that we will always be able to study and cherish.

The movie wasn't action packed, by any means.  It explored the mind of Bobby Fischer, the tension in his life and in his games.  And it brought out several key questions, I think.

• What does it take to be the very, very best, perhaps the best in history, at something?  Is it worth it?  Is it worth sacrificing literally every other part of your life?
• Is it okay to tolerate madness in order to see the brilliance that is the flip side of that same coin?  Is it okay to let someone descend into madness so the world can reap the benefits, see the beauty?  Should people have catered to Fischer's whims so much, or should they have stood up to him more?
• Is it paranoia if they really are out to get you???

If you really want to learn more about Fischer, try watching this YouTube documentary.  It is a complicated, self-contradictory, and sad story.
Bobby Fischer - Anything to Win (Biography) FULL


Then we were hungry so I Googled up barbecue joints and we found this hole in the wall, Wyatt's Barbecue, in an interesting part of town.  I think the pictures speak for themselves.  :)

You know it's going to be good when you see a place like this.

My girls saw this immediately and were fascinated reading it!

 

My foot was looking good that day, but it was NOT on the menu!


Finally, we caught some free performances in support of the new Atlanta Beltline project.

http://beltline.org/event/art-on-the-atlanta-beltline-performances-7/

September 19 at the Reynoldstown Stage

    6 pm: Staibdance – Zoroaster and Tumbleweed [Dance]

Zoroaster and Tumbleweed is an original piece developed exclusively for the Atlanta Beltline, with its roots in Staib’s most recent evening-length work, “attic.” This work is an examination of the Persian New Year Celebration of Nowruz –  the piece belongs outside, in nature, as it is devoted to the sun and the equinox.

    6:30 pm: Gateway Performance Productions

To connect the public and landscape to the importance of food in our community through a new outdoor temporary site sculpture, free writing workshops, a community food drive for the hungry and an original outdoor performance piece that includes: original music, spoken word, and dance/choreography performed by a L5-member, culturally-diverse, performing ensemble.

    7:30 pm: Dad’s Garage – Improv Show

The performance will feature five improvisers playing a variety of short-form improv games; this will be similar to what you might see on “Who’s Line is it Anyway.” We will take suggestions from the audience as well as call up audience members for interactive scenes. The content of this show will be family-friendly and accessible to a wide audience.

    8:15 pm: Saira Raza – Psychedelic Bollywood [Dance/Performance]

Saira Raza along with 10th Letter, Sanam Studio Dancers, and Becky Katz, will present an experimental cinematic and musical experience, inspired by Bollywood, folk music, and science fiction.

    9:00 pm: Ghosts Project – Silent film screening

Two evenings of live musical performance by The Ghosts Project followed by a silent film screening with live accompaniment.

We caught a bit of the 6:30 and 8:15p performances, but really were there for the Dad's Garage Improv.  During the 6:30 stuff my girls were asking how long we were going to stay.  But once the improv started they enjoyed it immensely.  I explained to them that A) sometimes you don't know how good something will be, you just have to give it a try; and B) it was free.   :)

Best part of the improv was when they brought a dog up to the stage to take part in a skit.  They had pre-arranged this; we saw them ask the owner.  We knew it was going to be good because we had played with the dog, a beautiful 3-year old female retriever named Scully earlier.  Almost reddish fur.  The girl who owned her said that she named her Scully because her hair matched Scully's hair exactly, from X-Files!  How cool is that???  My girls and I had introduced ourselves and played with Scully extensively before her big performance on-stage.  So seeing her kick ass was great!  The Dad's Garage guys said that they can't do the "dog on stage" routine much, only when performing on outdoor stages.  Very cool.

I also found out that Google is a Gold Sponsor of all this "Art on the Beltline" stuff.  Except it's the new, shitty-logo Google.   :)
http://art.beltline.org/

Wait a minute.  On the website they have the good old Google logo.  But on the physical literature they passed out it was the shitty new Google logo.  Hmm....

Anyway, here's a picture of Scully on stage, stealing the show!

So then on Sunday, my actual birthday, my daughters and I went on a 2.5 hour Segway tour of the East Side of Atlanta.  We learned a few things, but really we just wanted to have fun riding Segways!  They were a blast.  Don't be intimidated, give it a shot!  It was awkward at first, but before long we had no problems at all.  So much fun to watch my daughters whiz around and have fun.  So much fun, also, to expose them to new things and watch them learn.
http://www.atlcruzers.com/

We then watched an episode of Doctor Who back at home, after watching other episodes earlier in the week.  I love that my girls love this show.


Then I had to rush to a hockey game.  Not just any hockey game, mind you, but the championship game in the open league in which I play, where I skate with the 20-somethings.

Let me set the stage.  We play in the Middle AAA division, one level below the highest level of Amateur hockey in the city, Upper AAA.  Over the seasons we've picked up some great young players.  We came close to winning the championship in our league last year, and felt like we would have a strong chance this year. Sure enough, we finished with a solid record, tied for first in the league with a team that had dropped down from Upper AAA.  We split a pair of games with them in the regular season.  They smoked us 11-5 early in the year.  Then we returned the favor later in the season, 11-7, when they were missing some of their better players.

Playoff setup is top four teams, double elimination.  We both won our first games against other teams in the first round (we won 5-3 against the team that we had lost to in the championship game last season).  We then faced each other in the second round.  It was a very fast, high-scoring game, fun to play, and we ultimately prevailed 10-8, after being down 3-0 and 5-2 early.  Great comeback.  We advanced directly to the finals and they went to the loser's bracket to play an extra game, which they won, before they, too, advanced to the finals.

No surprise, we had to play them again.  This time we got the early edge, holding a 6-3 lead at one point.  Then it all fell apart.  I think we relaxed too early, or got nervous.  But they didn't.  We gave up one goal early in the third (I was on the ice for that one).  Then two goals on one shift later in the period.  All tied up.  Went to overtime, where we play four-on-four.  One of our guys had a great chance early in OT to win it, but didn't quite finish.  Late in overtime they got a 2-on-1 break and scored.  Tough way to lose.

Since that was our first loss (double elimination, remember?) that just set up one more game, yesterday's showdown.  Close game, very fast and well-played.  We went ahead 1-0, then they tied it after I blocked a shot with my skate, but it ricocheted directly to one of their players who buried the shot from a tough angle.  Bad bounce, tied 1-1.  We gradually pulled ahead, little by little.  Before long we were up 5-3 in the third.

Sitting on our bench we could all feel the tension.  We were all thinking we blew a lead like this last game.  And they were flying, really pressing us hard.  I had to do something so .... I said, hey, haven't we been here before (holding a lead nervously as the other team was feverishly clawing their way back)?!

Spratty gave me some shit in the locker room after the game for that, saying that you can't jinx us like that!  But I felt we were tense on the bench, too nervous.  I wanted--needed--to break the tension.  Face the elephant in the room head on.  In my defense, I think I had the right attitude and it did release some tension, got a few chuckles.

And, hey, in all seriousness, where else would we rather be?  Great hockey game, battling for the championship?  I asked that out loud, too, smiling as I said it: "Where else would you rather be?"  Dustin, to my right, answered immediately: "Whistler" (skiing) he said.  Smartass!   :)

Long story short, we held on for a 5-4 win as they attacked like crazy at the end.  All three games we played against that team in the playoffs were fast and close, just great hockey.  Two very evenly matched teams.  We just happened to get the better of it yesterday, but it could easily have gone the other way.

After celebrating in the parking lot with a few beers I had to get back to real life.  Got a tire with a nail in it fixed (plugged), so got a chore done there (with the help of a friend who did all the work because I've never plugged a tire myself).  Little thing, but nice to get stuff like that fixed and done with--until the next thing breaks.


Finally, the Green Bay Packers got some tiny amount of revenge last night for last season's NFC Championship Game loss against the Seattle Seahawks.
Packers flip script, stifle Seahawks in fourth quarter

It was a very full day, a full weekend, actually.


And then back to reality.  Today I am sad.

Team captain gave me a call.  I was asked to step down from the team.  Because of our great season we got moved up to the next division, Upper AAA, whether we wanted to or not.  Stiff competition, and the team wants to go younger and faster ... without me.

I have mixed feelings.  This was not unexpected, it was going to happen at some point even if our team didn't get moved up.  But you always think "one more season" so this was maybe a bit sooner than I had thought or hoped.  I honestly don't blame the captain or the other guys, they're a great group and I'll miss playing with them terribly.  The next division up is tough.  They are right.  So I'm going to let it go, and be happy that I went out on top with this team.  Go Bears!

I have other options, buddies on my Over 35 team that have moved down as they have gotten older.  They've asked me to play with them before, so I can do that.  Or maybe I'll take a season off.

Either way, time marches on.  Always.

Ref's Eye View of a Hockey Game

Here's a cool video from the Charlotte Checkers, capturing the sites and sounds of a minor league hockey game from the referee's point of view!

From the YouTube channel of the Charlotte Checkers, a minor league hockey team:

"AHL referee wears helmet cam"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEBoOr12BrI

How To Be A Hockey Player

I play hockey.  It's one of my favorite sports.  Want to join me?  Here's how!

"How To Be A Hockey Player"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KoaMBvw9q8

Song of the Day: Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble

My daughters like this song.  As do I.  Yet another song we agree on.  Now if I could only get then to like independent music...

Taylor Swift - I Knew You Were Trouble
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNoKguSdy4Y

This song spawned a little discussion with my daughters.  Let's take a look at the lyrics first.  From AZLyricscom:
http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/taylorswift/iknewyouweretrouble.html

TAYLOR SWIFT LYRICS
"I Knew You Were Trouble"

[Music video spoken part:]
I think--I think when it's all over,
It just comes back in flashes, you know?
It's like a kaleidoscope of memories.
It just all comes back. But he never does.
I think part of me knew the second I saw him that this would happen.
It's not really anything he said or anything he did,
It was the feeling that came along with it.
And the crazy thing is I don't know if I'm ever gonna feel that way again.
But I don't know if I should.
I knew his world moved too fast and burned too bright.
But I just thought, how can the devil be pulling you toward someone who looks so much like an angel when he smiles at you?
Maybe he knew that when he saw me.
I guess I just lost my balance.
I think that the worst part of it all wasn't losing him.
It was losing me.

Once upon a time a few mistakes ago
I was in your sights, you got me alone
You found me, you found me, you found me
I guess you didn't care, and I guess I liked that
And when I fell hard you took a step back
Without me, without me, without me

And he's long gone when he's next to me
And I realize the blame is on me

'Cause I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
'Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble

No apologies, he'll never see you cry
Pretend he doesn't know that he's the reason why
You're drowning, you're drowning, you're drowning
Now I heard you moved on from whispers on the street
A new notch in your belt is all I'll ever be
And now I see, now I see, now I see

He was long gone when he met me
And I realize the joke is on me, yeah!

I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
'Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble

And the saddest fear comes creeping in
That you never loved me or her, or anyone, or anything, yeah

I knew you were trouble when you walked in
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
'Til you put me down, oh
I knew you were trouble when you walked in (you were right there, you were right there)
So shame on me now
Flew me to places I'd never been
Now I'm lying on the cold hard ground
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh, trouble, trouble, trouble

I knew you were trouble when you walked in
Trouble, trouble, trouble
I knew you were trouble when you walked in
Trouble, trouble, trouble

[Music video spoken part:]
I don't know if you know who you are until you lose who you are.

One of my daughters said two things.  She said, why can't she (Swift) keep a boyfriend, why can't she stay in a relationship?  "All those songs about breaking up and stuff..." in her words.  Wow, kids are perceptive!  Anyway, she wondered why life seems so hard for her when she has everything, plenty of money would seem to take a lot of life's pressures off of a person.

Then, referencing this song in particular, in response to the "Flew me to places I'd never been" line, she asked how someone could possibly take Swift to places she's never been, after all Taylor Swift is rich and can go wherever she wants to!

So I told her, "Imma let you finish, but..."  :)   Then I told her that I disagreed with her on both counts.  First of all, regardless of how much money you have, relationships are tough.  Money does NOT help with that.  Either you believe me or you don't, not sure how I'd prove that case other than to show that the rich seem to have just as many break-ups as anyone else.

More importantly, I tried to explain the "Flew me to places I'd never been" line, as I understand it.  First of all, life is about EXPERIENCES, not about THINGS.  You can have all the things money can buy, the ability to go wherever you want, but you need other people to have experiences.  Doesn't help going to a new city and just wandering around.  You need to dig in and have experiences.  Check out a great singer at a local club.  Get on a motorcycle and have an adventure in a new land.  Climb to the top of a mountain in a rain forest with your kids.  Just to name a few things that have touched me deeply.

Having another person to show you those things or to share them with makes a huge differences.  So this explains, to me at least, how, even though Swift has many resources at her disposal, someone else could easily "fly her to places she's never been," to paraphrase.

On a broader note, I tried to point out that our world is one of abundance, not one of scarcity.  Money is not the most important variable.  Yes, I'll admit that there are people stuck in tough situations where they are barely getting by; I get that.  But I would still argue that we are far more limited by our time and our imagination than by money and other resources.  Save up enough money and you can fly across the ocean or take some exotic vacation that even kings couldn't take a couple hundred years ago.  Buy a car that performs better than any in the world mere decades ago.

But you know what?  I've found precious little that compares to some of the experiences that I've found close to home, for much less money.  The satisfaction that comes from crossing the finish line after a 100-mile skate.  The tightness of a group of guys in a locker room after we've battled together and won a championship.  The feeling of being "in the zone" or "in the Now" when I'm utterly focused on bending one of my motorcycles through a tricky series of bends when riding in the mountains, and getting it just right (by my standards, anyway!).  The feeling of pride in my daughters when they learn some new concept I've been trying to teach them.  Know what I mean?  I sure hope so, because a life without such experiences doesn't quite seem fully-lived.


And then, to knock me down a peg, that same daughter, after my long-winded comments, told me, "Now I know where I get my tendency to lecture from."  To which I replied, "What, is your mother lecturing you again?"  :)   I think I'm raising some crazy dangerous smart kids.  Seriously.

The best Google Doodle ever: Zamboni

Okay, I was traveling when this came out.  Apologies for not getting this out sooner.

I love hockey, I love skating.  Therefore, I'm a big fan of Zambonis.  So this Google Doodle absolutely floored me.  I think I wasted more time on this one than an all previous Google Doodles combined (Pac-man, Moog synthesizer, Jules Verne submarine, etc.).  Give it a try--it's not easy.

http://www.google.com/doodles/zamboni

I remember exactly where I was when I first saw this.  I was sitting in a conference room on the second floor of an electrical switchgear manufacturer somewhere in Taiwan.  I only went to the Google home page that day to see if I was successfully able to link to the WiFi in the plant.  I'm not sure that others in the room knew why I was so excited and distracted--apparently hockey is not big in Taiwan!  :)

10 Most Creative Shootout Moves

Just for fun, here are some great hockey shootout moves.

"Top 10 : Most Creative Moves During Hockey Shootout"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GC34H2GDY8&feature=youtube_gdata_player


I happen to favor some of Datsyuk's moves. Amazing player. Just for fun, here is a video featuring Datsyuk playing keepaway from a reporter (who looks like he can skate!). Love how he toys with him.

"Datsyuk playing Keep Away"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj3E0ve6rl0

My new favorite goalie, Tim Thomas!

I'm not really great at posting up-to-the-minute news, but I wanted to get this on my blog only a few days late. Turns out I have a new favorite goalie! Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins. Incidentally, I saw Thomas play in college in the '93-94 season, when he was a Vermont Catamount playing against against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (where I went to grad school). I have no recollection of the game but I had season tickets and I was there! :)

Back to the story. From CBS Boston:
"Tim Thomas Skips White House Ceremony"
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/01/23/tim-thomas-skips-white-house-ceremony-for-political-reasons/

Thomas's statement from his Facebook page, says it all:

I believe the Federal government has grown out of control, threatening the Rights, Liberties, and Property of the People.
This is being done at the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial level. This is in direct opposition to the Constitution and the Founding Fathers vision for the Federal government.
Because I believe this, today I exercised my right as a Free Citizen, and did not visit the White House. This was not about politics or party, as in my opinion both parties are responsible for the situation we are in as a country. This was about a choice I had to make as an INDIVIDUAL.
This is the only public statement I will be making on this topic. TT

Well said, Tim. I agree completely. Glad to hear about one of the good guys in sports for a change.

How Badly Do You Want to Play in the NHL?

How badly would I want to play in the NHL? Not this bad.

From the New York Times:
"Derek Boogaard: A Boy Learns to Brawl" by John Branch
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/04/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-boy-learns-to-brawl.html

CHAMPIONS! Inside Edge, 2011!

Oops, we did it again! Just like the last time we won (Champions! Hockey Time, 2010!, September 28, 2010), we beat WTF for the championship in our Over-35 league.

First, let me note a couple things.

Our team has a new name. Our former sponsor, Hockey Time, closed its doors and we picked up a new sponsor, a great new hockey shop in the Atlanta area called Inside Edge. We were very happy to win the championship in this, our first session with Inside Edge as a sponsor. Thank you, Inside Edge! (Sorry, had to throw a few links in there.)

Based on my posts it looks like we're winning this thing every year. Not true. In the Over-35 League they set it up so that we have short 12-game seasons, then playoffs. So we get multiple seasons in a calendar year. We won in September 2010. Then in the winter season we didn't even make the playoffs (and 4 of the 6 teams make the playoffs). And now we're back on top. The league is very evenly balanced, very competitive. Any team can win on any given night. This season it was us. Of course I'm not going to post when we finish 5th!


This was an interesting season. Team Choad was the class of the league, finishing with an 11-1 record (and an 11-game winning streak after dropping the first game). They dominated us in our head-to-head games during the season, beating us 8-2 and 5-2. WTF finished second, with a 6-6 record including one overtime lose, which counts for a point. The Predators finished third, also with a 6-6 record including an over time loss. And we finished fourth, also with a 6-6 record, but not tied with WTF or the Predators because none of our losses came in overtime.

We had to work to get into the playoffs, winning our final two games and three of our last four. And then, as the #4 seed, we had to play Team Choad, 11-1 and winner of 11 straight. Not sure what happened when we played them in the semifinal game but we played the best game we have played in a long time, utterly dominating them 7-1. It was a complete blowout. One of their guys later told one of our guys that they picked a bad time to play their worst game of the year. But I like to think our play had something to do with their bad play. I've been on both sides, sometimes you just "on" and sometimes you're not. Well, our whole team was in top gear that night. It was a special game to be a part of.

In the other semifinal, WTF beat the Predators 3-1. So it was a rematch of two seasons ago for the championship. Like us, WTF missed the playoffs last session. Once again, despite great skating on the part of both teams, it ended up being a very close defensive game, very few mistakes by either team. We got a goal in the first period to make it 1-0, and it stayed that way for a long time. There were times when we felt like we were close to taking control of the game but they never let us do that. One mistake and they could tie the score. It wasn't until the third period that we added a second goal, and we held onto that lead.

As for me, I tried to play a conservative, solid, defensive game. No major mistakes, just solid defense. And when they did get a good shot, I helped my goaltender (who played a great game, obviously) by clearing the rebounds. Nothing special, just solid fundamentals.

I'm proud of the guys I play with. We all commented how we were able to raise our game in the playoffs. Hard to get "up" for games every Monday night. I mean, it's always fun to play but with the pressures of work and family you're not always in a position to play your best. We did well enough in the regular season to get into the playoffs. And then I like to think we showed our true heart as we marched to the championship.

 

Stay tuned, my friends (the most interesting analyst in the world)

I saw these advertisements on ESPN and I laughed out loud. First of all, I love the Dos Equis commercials, with "the most interesting man in the world." And for a hockey fan, like myself, these ESPN spoofs of those ads are pure magic. Watch for yourself and enjoy. From YouTube:

"Barry Melrose Sportscenter commercial - Dos Equis"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t__P33yi6zc

"The World's Most Interesting Analyst - Barry Melrose"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-AXZlWfXWw

And, to top it all off, the most interesting analyst in the world runs into the most interesting man in the world:
"Barry Melrose | Most interesting Analyst In The World | XX Beer Parody"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgj64V76o8g

Breaking news: Tom scores 2 goals!

Sorry, I couldn't help it. Actually this is not big news and it's not even hot off the presses. But as a slow, stay-at-home defenseman, it is rare that I score goals. So I wanted to trumpet the fact that I do sometimes score. And this time I have video proof!

While traveling for business in Charleston I found a local ice rink that has a pick-up game on Thursday nights. It is a group with widely varying skill levels, and they call it a Developmental Game. Some of the guys (and girls) play in leagues but I don't think everyone does. It's a mixed group so it wouldn't be right for me to try to dominate the game, so I admit that I took it easy a little bit. Nevertheless, I was surprised how slow we looked on film. Like many other things, it seems faster when you're doing it!

Videos of the Thursday, April 14, 2011 Development Game in North Charleston, SC, posted by primarischaos are linked below. I've added some commentary along the way. Period 3 was not yet available at the time I did this blog post.


DGN 4-14-11 Period 1, Part 1
First some background. The organizer remembered me and set the teams accordingly (put me on the weaker team). He said that he needed me to score some goals. I said I'm more of a passer and defender. He said don't worry about that, just score.

So I go out there to start the game. Puck bounces back and forth a bit. I step up to grab a loose puck. Cross the blue line, skate laterally to avoid the defensemen. They get tangled and I get around them. Fake out the goalie and score, nice move going to my right and shoot on my backhand. 30 seconds into the game. So much for not being a scorer. :)

Seriously, though, my game is about playing defense and making nice breakout passes, like at 6:55 and at 13:10.

I did have a nice rush at 12:20 of this segment, too. Not a great result but notice that I again tried to cross in front of the net, left to right, on my backhand. This will be important later.


DGN 4-14-11 Period 1 - Part 2

Not much to comment on in this segment.


DGN 4-14-11 Period 2 - Part 1

Got my second goal in this segment, starting around 2:20. Usually I try to fake out the goalie, string him out, go wide, then shoot late. In this case I came in almost directly from the side of the net, horrible angle. I went to skate directly across the front of the net. Goalie saw that that was my plan (I had already done that twice in the game so he must have remembered that). At the last minute I saw that he was cheating towards the middle. So I cut back and put the puck in the short side, where I should have had no chance. Always pays to keep your eyes open!

I created a little chance around 7:25 of this segment. Nice breakout pass around 7:45.

The play at 9:10 is one of my favorites, though. Nothing special, but I read the play very well, snuck well into the offensive zone, grabbed the loose puck, and almost got a cheap back-door goal. No athletic skill involved, but it helps to be in the right place at the right time--and to be smart enough to know when and where that is!


DGN 4-14-11 Period 2 - Part 2

Not sure what happened at 3:40 of this video. I defended against one of their better players, and he fell awkwardly. I have no idea how. I watched the video a number of times and it looked like he's grabbing his arm or wrist. I didn't get my stick up so I'm not sure why it looks like he's hurt there, nor do I understand how he fell because we didn't get tangled up in any way. I wonder if I tried to lift his stick and hit his arm instead.

I think the pass I made at 9:00 of this segment was one of my favorite plays of the game. I like making passes in tight quarters (between the defender's stick and skate in this case) and setting up teammates. Unfortunately in this case my teammate was not ready for the pass, he was surprised I was able to get the puck to him like that.


DGN 4-14-11 Period 2 - Part 3

Not much to comment on in this short segment.


Near the end of the game I shot a puck wide, intended as a pass to a teammate near the back corner of the net. Not sure what happened, but the puck bounced off of someone and went in. Maybe a 3rd goal for me if it bounced off of a defensive player, maybe it would have been credited to someone else if it bounced off of a teammate. Doesn't matter, it was the winning goal, as we (the team I was on) won 7-6.

Life in the Beer League

Here is a very funny (and all too true) look at a hockey player's life in the beer league.

Life in the Beer League
http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7192553/

Some of this is disturbingly accurate, I have to admit. But don't feel sorry for me! If you're reading this at the time it is first posted, I'll be on my way to the Thrashers game tipping one back in a private suite with my Beer League buddies as we celebrate our recent championship ("Champions! Hockey Time, 2010!").

Champions! Hockey Time, 2010!

Last night we played the championship game in the Over-35 League that I play in. We (Hockey Time) were fortunate enough to get the win, 3-2, over WTF. Great game. I'm so proud to play with these guys (Steve was missing from the picture).

The game was very even, with a very fast pace for our Over-35 League. Both teams wanted to win and we both came out skating hard. Even so, we were scoreless for quite a while. We were very evenly matched.

WTF had beaten us twice during our two meetings in the regular season, 2-0 and 2-1. They just had our number. They usually came out fast and grabbed the lead early, and even if we turned the tide it was too little too late. Interestingly, we beat the other top team in the league, Team Choad (eliminated by WTF in the playoffs), three times. But none of that matters once you get to the playoffs.

We got the first goal, on a beautiful tip by Eddie, who, as a converted defenseman moved up to forward, led our team in scoring this year. He had the magic stick. The rest of us defenseman joked that we could have moved any of us up and whoever moved up would have led the team in scoring! Which is not true, of course, but it's fun for us to say.

Anyway, Eddie got two goals for us today, which was huge. He had the touch. He could have had three. At one point we sprung Eddie for a breakaway with a nice pass. He went in all alone on the goalie and ... shot the puck right into his right pad. Eddie came back to the bench we were all saying stuff like "nice try" and "you'll get the next one." I thought it was a little too much so, to lighten up the mood, I said, "Fuck you, Ed! You should have scored!" Ed laughed out loud. Hey, it's just the way guys talk.

Ed added a blind back-handed shot later, and Steve came off the bench, grabbed a loose puck, and fired it home (much like Mike Eruzione did against the Soviets in 1980) to put us up 3-0. Still, that was deceiving. We were playing well, but not 3 goals better. They kept playing hard.

WTF cut the score to 3-2, with both goals coming on face-offs to the left of our goalie in our zone. They were very good on those face-offs. On one play they got the puck to their defenseman who fired a shot. I deflected it, but it went right to one of their guys. When he shot it, Buco almost blocked it and then it barely got past Mike, our goalie. We had so many chances to stop it, but didn't.

On their second goal, I (as the right defenseman) sealed off their left wing (who likes to go hard to the net) and kept an eye on their center, but their right wing came all the way across the rink, screened by the traffic in front, and sprung free to get a shot and scored. WTF really did a nice job on those face-offs all night, I have to admit, and it paid off for them twice.

I feel bad about being on the ice when we gave up both of our goals. But that's the way it goes sometimes.

This win was particularly sweet for our goalie, Mike. In this league they re-draft every session to keep the teams as evenly matched as possible. Mike was on WTF for many seasons but it worked out that we got him this year. He really wanted to beat his old team and we could tell it bugged him that we lost to them twice in the regular season. Revenge is sweet, however, and this win came at a great time.


Playing a night game like this (9:15p) is tough because often we eat dinner then go to the game. But that means you're playing on a full stomach. So before a game like this I usually skip dinner. My job sometimes makes this difficult, however, because they serve dinner at our site. This is the dinner I skipped to stay lean and mean for the game:

DAILY SOUPS

​Sweet Potato Andouille Soup 

onion, celery, garlic, jalapeno, andouille sausage, sweet potato, chicken stock, thyme, brown sugar, molasses, cream

TODAY'S DINNER ENTREES

​Baked Lobster Tails 

lobster, butter, white wine

​Beef Tenderloin Grilled with Red Wine Demi 

garlic, evoo

​**Moroccan Style Vegetable Stew with Harissa Yogurt Sauce 

greek yogurt, red chili paste, olive oil, garlic, carrot, turnip, scallions, parsley, mint, paprika, cumin, coriander, white wine, chick peas, spinach, lemon juice

DINNER SIDES

​**Roasted Spaghetti Squash

olive oil, spaghetti squash

​*Corn Pudding 

corn, cheddar cheese, cream, flour

​Snow Peas, Sugar Snaps, Green Bean Medley

snow peas, sugar snap peas, green beans, red peppers, evoo

I don't feel bad for skipping this dinner, however. As Wayne said, "the taste of cold beer and hot wings coupled with a victory,,, is waaaay better."


Finally, a picture with the cup and me (and my daughter, Crably, sneaking into the picture).

Gotta love hockey

I love hockey. Playing it, watching it, talking about it--I love it. As with any sport it has its highs and lows.

One of the recent highs was a game late on Wednesday, September 1st. 10p at The Ice, the new rink in Cumming, Georgia. That's a long haul from the west side of Atlanta!

It's always interesting to see what kind of turnout we will get for late weeknight games. We play for the love of the game and we all have day jobs. The game itself will take about an hour and a half (three 25-minute running time periods, if you're curious). I might not leave the rink until 11:45p or midnight. Get back home at 12:30a. Then I won't be able to fall asleep until 1:30a or 2a--it's hard to fall asleep when you're still revved up from playing the game.

So it wasn't surprising that we had a light turnout, but we were pretty depressed when we saw that we only had 6 skaters and a goalie. Remember, a hockey team has 5 skaters and a goalie on the ice at a time. We would have to play almost the whole game, all of us. The other team would surely skate circles around us.

The other team (Eagles) had 9 skaters plus their goalie, so they were a little light themselves but they still had a big advantage. And we did pick up a 7th skater when one of our guys arrived halfway through the first period.

So it was a long night ... but WE WON! Score was 4-2 (really 3-2 + ENG). We were EXHAUSTED but it was a very satisfying feeling to win in that situation.

In addition to James (goalie) we had: Steve, Ville, Stevie, Andy, Rick, Ian, and me.

Steve was amazing, as usual. His legs were bothering him (charley horse) but he picked his spots and kicked ass. We played solid defense. One of the most satisfying wins I've ever been a part of, because it was so bleak to start.

James was very good in net. Rick, Ian, and I mostly played defense. Sometimes Rick stepped up to forward and at times Andy was back. Steve and Ville really played great. Both really possess the puck well; people can take chances when they have the puck because they're not going to cough it up.


It is a tough sport, though. Here are two bruises which continue to bother me. These pictures were taken on September 7th.

One was from the game mentioned above, when I blocked a slapshot that hit me on the inside of me left knee. It was just above my shin pad and just to the side of my thigh pad. This will bruise go through all the colors of the rainbow before it's gone.

The other bruise is more serious. It occurred when I was "helped" to the ice by an opposing player in a game on August 29th. For what it's worth, the other player picked up a penalty on the play. I was skating backwards and pivoting away from him, and he unexpectedly caught me completely off balance with an illegal hit (the puck was nowhere near us at the time). The hit wasn't hard but I fell awkwardly on the ice with all my weight squarely on my left hip.

Weeks later, the muscles in my hip still bother me. This is a DEEP bruise. Once I warm up the pain goes away a little. But it is still difficult to walk. And it probably slowed me down (not much, but maybe a little) at the recent U.S. 10k (If it's Labor Day ... I'm at the U.S. 10k, September 10, 2010).

Blackhawks Win, Philly Fans Lose

Congratulations to the Blackhawks for a nice win last night. Tough goal for Leighton to give up, though. An NHL goaltender should not let that in.

Hartnell had a great game, with a couple goals and a nifty interference play on Duncan Keith that could have (should have?) been called a penalty but instead led to another goal.

And what happened to Pronger? He was the best player on the ice in Games 1-4 but disappeared in Games 5 and 6. He had a miserable Game 5. Then in Game 6 he's sitting in the penalty box while the Blackhawks take the lead. Later he chose to let Andrew Ladd skate in completely alone (although Ladd didn't score on that occasion). Watching the game on TV I even asked myself, "Where is Pronger?" Normally you see and feel his presence constantly. Not last night. The box score shows that he was out there, but it didn't look like it.

As for the Philadelphia fans, what a bunch of losers. Sticking around just to boo. Pathetic. I mean, it's perfectly acceptable (and expected, even) to boo Gary Bettman--he deserves it, in every NHL arena. But show a little class and at least throw a golf clap to the winning team.


And a blast from the past.  Here is a picture from when my Blackhawks won the championship!  Yes, I wore this jersey to work today.

Searching for the 2010 Stanley Cup

I love stuff like this. I wonder what Google search trends show in the cities whose teams are competing for the Stanley Cup. Well, a fellow Googler in Chicago took a look. Enjoy:

http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/searching-for-2010-stanley-cup.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FMKuf+%28Official+Google+Blog%29

A True Hockey Fan

Stanley Cup Finals start tonight (May 29)--but you already knew that. Right? (If not, click here.) So here is a joke for the occasion:


A True Hockey Fan -

It's Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, and a younger man makes his way to his seat in the lower bowl near center ice. He sits down, immediately noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He leans over and asks an older gentleman on the other side of the empty seat if he knows if someone will be sitting there.

'No,' says the older man. 'The seat will be empty.'

'This is incredible', said the younger man. 'Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs and not use it?'

The older gentleman says, 'Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away recently. This will be the first Stanley Cup game that we haven't gone together since we got married in 1967.'

'Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or a relative, or even a neighbour to take the seat?'

The man shakes his head. 'No. they all had to go to the funeral.'

Song of the Day: Darude - My Game

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI7Jjy0sE1c&feature=channel

This is not normally my type of music. But how can I resist a music video that is a spoof of the movie Slapshot? This is hilarious AND I happen to agree with the lyrics, which speak to me. Anyway, I don't have to make excuses. I really like this song.

And yes, Ville ("The Team's #1 Player"), is a very good hockey player. He was on my team in Atlanta for one season before he got too busy again with work.

You just never know

Regarding Justin Bieber...

I have literally never heard a song from this kid. (Actually, I lied, I just checked out a few songs while doing this post--not my kind of music at all.)

Anyway, I figured that he was just another packaged pop star (and maybe he is). However, there is more to the story. Check out this link.
http://www.atlantaknights.com/news2.php?news_id=262350

Turns out the kid is a hockey player, apparently a good one. You just never know someone's full story, I guess. People have many dimensions. I take back anything bad I may have said about him. ;)

P.S. Out of respect for your ears I will refrain from posting a song link.

It's Stanley Cup Playoff time!

So, to kick off the playoffs, here is a fun story about the greatest trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup.
http://nymag.com/daily/sports/2010/04/keeper_of_the_stanley_cup_mike.html

John Cusack: "I just love the Cup. It's such a deterrent. Earlier in the day Eddie Vedder and I were walking along the concourse at Wrigley Field, and the Cup's ten feet in front of us, and no one even recognizes us. I'm in a house with a bunch of people, and no one notices me for twenty minutes. It was great. The Stanley Cup draws everybody's attention."