You Have To Be Kidding

So, for the few of you who watched the first period of the Penguins v Flyers game tonight, you understand that the title of this post refers to what must be the worst period of hockey refereeing in the history of the NHL. Every penalty call in the first period wasn’t just a joke, but an absolute travesty. Just 24 hours after the league decides to not allow Detroit within 3ft of the goalie crease, it then allows Briere to crash into Fleury before putting the puck past him. This after Gonchar puts his arm out and makes contact with a Flyer - yep, that only happened another 25 times in the game without a call.

Anyway, it’s obvious after the two game 4’s that the league have a pretty strong agreement with NBC to show games this weekend, and as much as I love watching lots of hockey, they could have been a little more subtle about it. But then, that is the corruption and ineptitude otherwise known as Gary Bettman. And for that, he finally makes his way to my ‘Sidebar Of Hate’. Oh, and the SOH has now been updated to include photos. If anyone has an embarrassing photo of the French soccer team, please feel free to forward it along to me.

The loss did come at a time when the Pens had very little blog-power, with a number of new fans at the Eddie Izzard show, and it pretty much just left Namby to send the team to victory. Mmmhmmm. Well, game 5 is Sunday, and I’m sure that the Chicago contingency will forgo their graduation to cheer on the mighty ‘Guins. RIght?

Chicago - The Return

As mentioned in my last post, HASWOE and I took a mini-vacation to Chicago to hang out with A’Hottie, Daisy, Namby, Enabler, Grace, Artful et al, as well as to make a little headway into a potential move to this wonderful city.

From the Thursday night when we gleefully arrived, until Tuesday afternoon when we sadly departed, we had nothing but an absolute blast with the most wonderful group of people you could ever wish to spend time with. Hockey was a central theme to the trip, with the Penguins winning both games while we were there, and it was the most fun I’ve had watching hockey with a group of friends; beers, food, fight songs, super-heroes, free shots and champagne from one of the best. bars. ever. and much photographic evidence of the great times. Outside of the hockey, lots of dining, drinking, brunching, movie-watching, apartment hunting, and dog walking. Oh, and a fair amount of sleeping on the part of HASWOE and A’Hottie.

Something else we seemed to do a ridiculous amount of, other than drink, was laugh - what a hilarious group of people, and none of whom are afraid to laugh at themselves:

Enabler not only has hilarious stories at every turn of the conversation, but is also a huge hockey fan, and a knowledgeable one at that. Obviously we will hate each other for a couple of weeks soon, when (all going well) the Red Wings will take on the Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final, but there is also such a level of maturity and intelligence with him, that when the Penguins win, he will appreciate the performance and offer congratulations. Or something like that . . .

Namby takes more shit from me than anyone, well maybe A’Hottie is up there too, but he is just the epitome of a good sport. Another example of making you belly-laugh at everything he says (or wears), we just adore everything about him. Not afraid to drop his pants in the middle of a bar for no reason at all, and always prepared to jinx your hockey team with such skill, you almost have to admire him for it.

I finally got to meet Grace for the first time, and what a first time it was. I will admit that I wasn’t really sure what Grace thought of this Eddie person who posts a few comments on her blog and on the blogs she reads, and I actually thought that she wasn’t a big Eddie fan. From the first second that I met her, the hug and the kiss, and then taking me by the hand to go and hunt for a bigger table, I was put at ease; now that might have been the alcohol acting, but I’d like to think otherwise. My only sadness about meeting Grace was that it was limited to the one evening, and it was an evening without HASWOE - I’m certainly looking forward to spending more time with her once we get out there on a more permanent basis. Oh, and best stalker story ever!

I didn’t get to spend much time with Artful, but he did manage to punish me with an IMAX screening of “Speed Racer” - I knew it would be a tough movie for me, not really having any knowledge of the original animated series, and it certainly didn’t help that we managed to get tickets in the middle of a row of 60 of the most annoying school children on the planet, but at the end of the day, it was a poorly executed movie, and just a little painful. Despite that though, it’s always great to hang out with Artful, so the sacrifice was worth it.

And onto two of my favourite people in the world:

Despite Daisy having a weekend of bad news, it didn’t stop her coming out and just having fun every night we were there, and always with a smile on her face - there are so many amazing things that I could say about her, and many of them I have already said in previous posts, but none of them even come close to describing who Daisy really is. For those of you lucky enough to know her, or are even luckier that you get to hang out with her on a regular basis, you know what I’m talking about. All I can say is that I’m looking forward to being one of those very lucky people. You are one of the most adorable and genuine people I know, Daisy, and I utterly love you for that, and you are a huge reason that made leaving on Tuesday an incredibly difficult thing for me.

And of course, A’Hottie, our wonderful host who allowed us to take over her apartment, taxi us around the city, and generally just be the awesome person that she is. It’s no secret that I hold AH as one of my most admired friends; her honesty, her passion for everything she believes in, and the fact that she has always just ‘been there’ for me. But more than this - she’s hilarious, she’s prepared to be the target of anyone poking fun at her, and is just one of the greatest people to hang out with, day or night. And what an adorable puppy her Murphy is too - so sweet, so well behaved, just a perfect example of everything a puppy should be, and testament to what a great puppy-mom AH is. You know how much I miss you, AH, and you know what a great friend you are to me, so I needn’t say any more than that. Other than to thank you again for allowing us to destroy your apartment for 5 days!

There were other great people we met too, some of who read this blog but don’t post comments, so they don’t have a blog-name, so I’m not going to say how cool they are. So there.

But you can see that we adore this wonderful group of people, a group who has been nothing but amazingly sweet to us since the first day we met them. And they all live in the wonderful city that is Chicago. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they all play a huge part in why HASWOE and I are looking to move to Chicago in the near future. While we were there this weekend, HASWOE had two interviews, both of which went incredibly well, due to her awesomeness, so right now it’s just a case of “watch this space”. But things could start moving very quickly.

Well, that’s enough blowing sunshine up asses for one post, time for a glass of wine before I start the waterworks again over how much I miss this bunch of goobers.

Resuming Normal Service

You see what happens when I get serious? All hell breaks loose - and from all accounts, it breaks loose in a hand-basket. Who’d have thunk it?

Anyway, HASWOE and I are heading off this evening to Chicago for a long weekend of fun with A’Hottie, Daisy, Enabler, Namby, Grace, and a cast of thousands. There will be much drinking, much hockey watching, much eating, and even a little business to attend to, checking out apartments and some job schmoozing on the part of HASWOE, but more about that on our return. I’ve mentioned a gazillion times how cool I think it is that a small population of Chicago are now Penguins fans, but now I actually get to share in that fun too. The fight songs, the attempting to silence Namby, and the much drinking of the beer.

But, I haven’t packed, I just had a haircut that was waaaay shorter than I asked for, but it’s summer, and as AH said, it will grow. But back to not having packed - I haven’t, and I really should, as we’re leaving for the airport in about 3 hours or so, and I still need to pick HASWOE up from work, and still have a couple of errands to run as soon as I pick her up. So I probably shouldn’t be writing this post, but then how would you have knownnnn??? You see my dilemma?

OK, off to pack and wait for the HASWOE pick-up call. Does anyone need me to bring anything?

This Common Secret

OK, time for a serious post - I know that nobody really likes the serious post, but this one’s important, so quit moaning and read on.

Last week, A’Hottie wrote a post in response to an anti-choice message she received on her blog. In the post she mentioned, and quoted from, a book that she had just read, “This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor” by Susan Wicklund. Aside from being an amazing post from AH, it came at a time when I had just finished a book that I had struggled through, and a book that was my umpteenth piece of fiction I had read in a row. I was in need of some non-fiction, and so I jumped on Amazon to order “This Common Secret”.

The book arrived just as I was starting a week of work in DC - a week where I would be taking the train to and from the nation’s capital each day - the perfect set-up to dive into a new book. Now, I knew ’something’ about the politics of abortion and women’s reproductive rights before I met AH, and I knew a LOT more about it after being lucky enough to call her a friend in those first few months. She is very passionate about this field, but I think she does worry that it can consume too much of her conversation with friends, and she doesn’t want to force it on people 24/7. When we have discussed the subject, I’ve aways had the feeling that she was holding something back, and despite the frustration that was obvious as she talked, there was always ’something else’. A hidden something that I didn’t understand.

The hidden something that I didn’t understand, corresponds to the politics of reproductive rights, and the depth and anger of the anti-choice movement that I hadn’t quite grasped actually existed. Reading Susan Wicklund’s accounts of her life as an abortion doctor, and as a true figure-head in protecting a woman’s right to choose, opened my eyes in a way no book has ever done. Half of the book had me in tears - I’d like to say that I was unashamedly crying on the train, but that would be a lie. I struggled with an immense feeling of guilt, not only that I didn’t realize the extent of what was happening to women in this country, this supposed ‘advanced’ country of ours, to women who just want to exercise their right to choice, their right to choose the path their life will take, their legal right to all of this; not only that, but I also felt an overwhelming feeling of guilt about my own life - a life where I sit comfortably on a train or plane or in a car, heading to work as I have done since I was out of school. I don’t run the risk of being shot by someone who doesn’t think I should be doing my job. I don’t have to wear a disguise just to get to work. My family isn’t under constant threat because of my job. But those who are working to protect this basic, legal right of all women face these threats on a daily basis. They lose any sort of a normal lifestyle, constantly worrying about their safety, the safety of their families, the safety of the women who they are working to protect.

Susan Wicklund’s story on one hand makes me respect her, and people like her so much - and not just respect, but an admiration that simply leaves me breathless. But on the other hand, it makes me sick to my stomach that there should even be a need for such a harrowing story. It makes me appalled by this “human” race, and the people who hide behind God or their own ignorance to cast such hatred over their fellow neighbors, trying to force their own beliefs on every other person, and when their ignorance won’t change an opinion, using sickening methods to get their point across, even to the extreme of murder. It is a disgraceful state of this country, and even more disgraceful that the majority of this is swept under the carpet by most of the media.

And finally, it made me feel guilty that I didn’t fully appreciate everything about AH that I really should. Now, I’ve always admired her for her beliefs, and her passion to educate other people about women’s reproductive rights, but unless you fully understand the nature of what is going on in this world, you don’t fully understand everything that AH is doing, and everything that she wants to do with the rest of her life. I have always told her that she will make a difference in this field, and I push her very hard when it comes to talking about career paths and decisions, but after reading this book, it makes me want to ease off a little. I don’t want her to have a life like this - a life where she will be hated, threatened, and abused just for wanting to educate women, and show them that they have a choice about their future - that they have rights. But then that’s AH - she is passionate and unwavering about her core beliefs, and that is the very reason why she will make a difference. And now I understand a little more about that ‘hidden something’ that I always feel she holds back, and you know what, I understand why; this stuff will make you cry, without a doubt, and I can see that isn’t something you want to be doing to your friends on a weekly basis. Thanks for opening my eyes to this, AH.

I implore you all to read Susan Wicklund’s book - you will not regret it, and it will open your eyes as to the state of the country that we live in. I also implore you to show AH the support she deserves on her blog. And finally, I implore you to do whatever you can to help women who have to fight through these horrors just to exercise their legal rights.

Buy Susan’s book at Amazon here

Educate yourself:

www.prochoiceamerica.org

www.guttmacher.org

Offer help:

www.prochoiceresources.org

www.nnaf.org

Blog Power . . . Go Pens!

Penguins 3 v 2 Rangers (OT)

The Penguins progressed to the Eastern Conference Finals today thanks to a Marian Hossa over-time goal, giving them a 3-2 victory against the New York Rangers. They took the series 4-1, and now advance to play the Philadelphia Flyers, in what promises to be a physical and grueling series.

The Pens have lost just once in the first two rounds of the playoffs (8-1 record), and there have been key contributions from every line, and some stellar work between the pipes from Marc Andre Fleury. There has also been some amazing blog support, especially from the Chicago contingency, who have hit local bars for almost every game, and have cheered a team on that, until a few weeks ago, they knew very little about, and playing a sport they had hardly ever watched before. But still, they have been down to their local, forced the bar to find this strange “Versus” channel, and have followed the Pens run to the conference finals, while along the way, creating Penguins fight songs, understanding the “jinx of Namby-speech*”, and screaming for a team that I hope they are starting to feel a fondness for.

So thanks to A’Hottie for leading the Chicago brigade, and Namby, Daisy, Artful, and many others for their support of a team that they had very few attachments to a few weeks back. Thanks also to Enabler and Commodore for showing such support for a team other than their own beloved Red Wings. What a great group of friends to have, that would do such a thing - looking forward to joining in the bar support next weekend when we’re in Chicago, and the conference finals begin.

And of course, thanks to my very own HASWOE, who has been by my side watching each game, screaming vociferously at every goal, and throwing the dogs in the air on a couple of occasions. And feel bad for IGSOH, who has supported whenever she can, but has been consumed with studying and dating, so couldn’t share in the joy of all the games!

Bring on the Flyers!

* ‘Jinx of Namby-speech’ - refers to Namby being responsible for the Pens Game 4 loss for opening his mouth. To his great credit, he took full responsibility for his own jinx, and removed himself to the corner of the bar to feel much remorse.

We Stripped, Then I Wet Myself Laughing

Well, I guess the title might grab your attention a little. So, last night, HASWOE and I (and other friends without fun names) went to see Eddie Izzard’s “Stripped” show at the DAR Constitution Hall in DC. As much as I’d like to tell you all about the show, and quote his hilarity, I am going to be a good boy and wait.

Why? Well, I know that a number of my regulars are going to see him in a couple of weeks in Chicago, and I would hate to ruin any of the experience for them. Suffice to say though, I have not laughed as hard at any show since I first saw Eddie on video, which was a cadrillion years ago. I’m also going to stick my neck out and say that it might be the funniest show he has done - I do have his jokes running through my mind right now, and they’re still making me laugh out loud (that’s ‘LOL’ for you kids out there). I have a feeling that there may be some peeing of pants in the Chicago show . . . no I didn’t literally wet myself. Um, it was hot and I was sweaty. Yep, that’s it. And I’m sore from the laughter today, and that’s always the sign of a great show.

So, Chicago, enjoy the show on whichever day you go, wait for those seeing the later shows before quoting like a crazy person, and once we’ve all seen the show, let’s talk some more Eddie. And for those of you living in cities where Eddie may be visiting soon, do whatever it takes to see the show - if it’s sold out, consider trading your first-born for a ticket - it will be the best deal you’ve ever made. And you’ll have one less kid to worry about!

Yaaaaaay Eddie!!!!

Even More ‘Guins

It only seems like it was yesterday morning that we were celebrating the Pens winning Game 3. Because it was! And now Game 4 is upon us, so it’s time to cheer on the boys with a little black and white animal on their chest to another victory.

So as always, talk, live, breathe, and dance penguins, watch the game tonight on Versus, the channel you might now have figured out where it lives, or at least where it lives at your favourite watering hole. And I will not be watching tape-delay tonight, so I can ‘join in’ the bar fun with A’Hottie and her army.

As a side-note, as Daisy pointed out in her comment on my last post, Sean Avery of the Rangers was taken to hospital after game 3 with a lacerated spleen. Aside from the fact that I have no idea how someone lacerates a spleen, I’ve mentioned my dislike of Avery in a previous post, but at the end of the day, he’s doing the job he’s paid to do in a hockey rink every game, and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.

Short post as I’m sneaking on a PC at my customer site, when I probably shouldn’t be - they’re making me work all day. It shouldn’t be allowed.

Go Pens!!!

The Power Of The Blog Continues

Penguins 5 v 3 Rangers

And the Pens take a 3-0 series lead in the conference semifinal. Outshot 39-17, the Penguins pulled out a great victory on the back of some solid net-minding from Fleury, and a gutsy performance from every line on the ice, capped (in my mind) by Georges Laraque’s goal, who was obviously spurred on by his mention and photo in my last blog post. And of course, the power of PenguinBlog. A’Hottie was out there again, singing fight songs, and her little army increased in size for this game. I think I also saw some news article about penguin-dancing somewhere out west, but the reports have yet to be confirmed. Regardless, we’re one more win away from the conference finals, so keep Thursday night clear for what promises to be another great game.

GO PENS!!!

A New York State Of Mind

No, this isn’t becoming a sports blog, but I feel as though I should continue to gather blog support for the Pens, and get some of you who might not be into hockey actually watching a few games. I think I’ve managed to pull A’Hottie and Namby across, but more of you need to feel the power of all things Stanley Cup.

So the Penguins-Rangers series moves to New York for games 3 and 4, with the Pens leading 2-0 thanks to blog-power, fight songs, a smiling puppy, and a boy called Sidney (as well as the other players, obvs). The Pens haven’t won at Madison Square Garden this season, so I’m a little nervous, but if they carry on the way they’ve been playing, we can come back home with a win under our belts, or maybe even two wins to give us another sweep. Or is that just being greedy? Probably - Rangers have a good team this year, and are backed up by a great goalie, and I’d be shocked if they didn’t take a game or two. As long as the Pens win 4, I’ll be happy.

So cheer on the Pens tonight, again it’s on Versus, the impossible channel to find, and face-off is 7pm ET. Talk, sleep, drink, dance penguins, and world will be a better place. Don’t literally sleep with penguins, that might get you into trouble.

I’m going leave you with a great story about Georges Laraques, who has the ‘enforcer’ role in the Pens lineup. I’ve always thought that he seems to have some sort of ‘at one with the world’ look to him when he sits on the bench during games, and this article may go some way to explaining why. It’s great to read such stories, and it’s a shame the American press doesn’t pick up on this more. Thanks to The Enabler for forwarding this article to me:

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=478020

Go Pens!!!

WOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!

Penguins 5 v 4 Rangers

. . . and a victory for the power of the blog! My beloved Pens came back from a 3-0 deficit to pull of an amazing 5-4 victory. Led by stories of bloggers randomly talking about penguins, A’Hottie wearing her black and gold to a bar in Chicago to watch the game, convincing Namby Pamby to join her in the blog power, and even leading the bar into her newly arranged Penguins Fight Song, which from all accounts was the CU Fight song altered for the word “Penguins”.

An incredible result, HAWSOE and I were screaming our cotton socks off here in Baltimore, the dogs were going crazy, and even Sir Crosserston himself was grinning from ear-to-ear when his namesake set up the winning goal with less than 2 minutes left in regulation:

Just to demonstrate what blog-power managed to accomplish here, coming into this game, when the Rangers have led a playoff game by 3 goals, they have a W-L record of 93-1. Thanks to the power of the blog, that’s now 93-2. For those of you smart enough to follow my advice and watch the game, I’m sure you’ll agree that it was a thriller - nothing beats playoff hockey. Now let’s hope for a similar result on Sunday when we head to Pittsburgh to watch the game in person.

Oh, and if you wouldn’t mind continuing the penguin talk and dancing until early June, I’d be most appreciative.

GO PENS!!!