As you’ve probably heard already, Gentle Reader, the Devils opened their new arena on Saturday night. Being the hard-nosed journalist-types we are, we opted to stay home and watch it from the comfort of our couch, but we can imagine what sorts of fancy bells and whistles The Rock is sporting. Sure, everyone’s been reporting on the things like the various swanky lounges, the 732 flat-screen TVs, the cinderblock pillar-free home dressing room and the easily accessed public transportation, but what IPB is here to help you discover is the things no one is talking about. Here’s a look at some of the less publicized amenities the Devils and staffers will enjoy in their new home:
1. A 20-man hot tub; The Ralph Engelstad Arena no longer holds standard for multi-man hot tubs with its 12-man tub. This new one in The Rock blew Zach Parise’s mind.
2. A foeces-free all-you-can-eat oyster bar that finally lets Patrik Elias indulge his greatest passion in a food-safe and Hepatitis-free environment. On paper this seems like it should be a marked improvement over the foeces-ridden oyster bar at Continental Airlines Arena that was catered by Crazy Ivan’s Sheremetyevo Airport Foecal Oyster Shack, but in practice, Elias has been demonstrably petulant about the change.
3. 732 whiteboards, all with titillating behind-the-scenes information on them such as “Bus is at 5:15″. The whiteboards are strategically placed so that there isn’t a single spot in the arena where a person can stand without being able to clearly read at least one.
4. Sprite machines in the Devils dressing room, training room and players’ lounge, all featuring graphics of scary, anthropomorphized Sprite bottles and cans. There are also Sprite machines installed in several electrical rooms and janitor’s closets just in case Marty Brodeur gets lost on his way to the dressing room and feels the need to quench his thirst.
5. A hologram machine at the practice rink that generates a perfect facsimile of the head coach so the players can harmlessly shoot pucks at him during practice.
6. A man-sized humidor in the broadcast booth for Chuck The Duck’s cigars.
7. An underground parking lot for the players that has cleverly been designed with low enough clearance that gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks can’t get in. This is part of the new arena’s sneaky “greening” of hockey in North Jersey, the first step of which was to make it nearly impossible to get to and from the place without taking public transportation.
8. A extremely low-speed treadmill in turtle size in the weight room to allow Boxworthy to maintain his fitness regimen without having to request time off from his employer to visit a gym.
9. A huge bin of bells and whistles at the entrance of the Devils players lounge, for all the players’ bell-and-whistle needs. Several players are already so excited about this amenity that Travis Zajac, perhaps still smarting over his failure to crack the lineup of the Greater Winnipeg Metro Area Panpipe Corps, has posted a sign-up sheet above the bin for auditions for the Greater Devils Players Lounge Area Bell Choir And Whistle Corps.
10. A dressing room devoid of any memories of Scott Gomez.
Bravo! This is hilarious. I especially liked the extra slow tiny turtle treadmill.
You know who else likes the turtle treadmill? Zach. He no longer has to wait for Boxworthy to finish up at the gym when he has last-minute revenge schemes that just need to be put into place right now.
Mr. Parise is not known for his patience with revenge schemes.
10. A dressing room devoid of any memories of Scott Gomez.
That’s some serious slag-faced-whorishness that forces a team to build an entirely new arena, just to wash their hands of you.
Oysters and a 20-man hot tub? Did they build an arena or a brothel? ;)
Is it possible to perhaps build a league devoid of any memories of Scott Gomez?
Why didn’t you go to the game? I thought you had season tickets.
sorry, I meant, I thought you have season tickets.
Can no one ever go a game without mentioning how old Chelios is? Man it’s annoying.
Can no one ever go a game without mentioning how old Chelios is? Man it’s annoying.
Almost as annoying as Cheli himself.
Kidding! (Sorta)
Can no one ever go a game without mentioning how old Chelios is? Man it’s annoying.
Try being a Red Wings fan. Once a period at the very minimum, Chelios is 45 and, hey, did you know that also Dominik Hasek is 43? Because he is. 43. And Chelios is 45. And still playing. At 45. Just so we’re clear.
A extremely low-speed treadmill in turtle size in the weight room to allow Boxworthy to maintain his fitness regimen without having to request time off from his employer to visit a gym.
This is SO FUCKING funny! (I had no idea Boxworthy is such a fitness buff.)
A dressing room devoid of any memories of Scott Gomez.
I never thought of this. They must feel so free.
Just so we’re clear.
Haha!
Hi, Kate! Your blog has been very lonely and un-updated this weekend even though you actually had TWO WINS to write about. I think we’ve finally kicked the whole losing thing. 77-5, baby!
I know, Heather, I’ve been a bad blogger this weekend. I have actually been working hard lately.
77-5! Whooooo0oooo!
Stupid redwings! Screwed by refs in two games. Grumble Grumble.
Why does the idea of a 20-man hot tub creep me out?
A dressing room devoid of any memories of Scott Gomez.
Somewhere in MSG, Gomez is crying that the new arena did not contain the Scott Gomez Memorial Locker Stall.
sorry, I meant, I thought you have season tickets.
Nah, we had to drop our tickets the year after the lockout. My job is too far South to be able to get to the games after work. We felt so bad that we cancelled our tickets directly after the lock-out, even though it had nothing to do with the work stoppage. We even sent a letter to the Devils explaining that, but I suppose they didn’t really care. It made me feel better though!
Why does the idea of a 20-man hot tub creep me out?
It totally creeps me out, too! But apparently one of the big selling points for the UND arena is that it has a 12-man hot tub, so it only goes to follow that the Devils would have to top that in order to keep Zach’s and Travis’ interest. :P
Somewhere in MSG, Gomez is crying that the new arena did not contain the Scott Gomez Memorial Locker Stall.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Oh, and with regards to our season tickets, we sent this huge long letter explaining, repeatedly, that our decision had nothing to do with the lockout, and the Devils still sent us the desperate “Don’t leave us now! Please! Come back! We promise to never have a lockout again!” letter they sent to all the non-renewing season-ticket holders. We were so offended — we really didn’t want to be thought of as the types of people who don’t come back after something as alienating and stupid as the lockout.
I went. My seats suck, and the game sucked. Only 40 more times must I endure section 231. And I have to walk a mile to get from the parking lot to the arena. But hey, they sent my two Tiffany crystal tumblers with a devils logo and a prudential center logo on them that say “season ticket holder”, so it was worth it, right?
Aw, Pam/Shorty, I’m so sorry! What’s wrong with your seats? So far the only negative I’ve heard is that some of the seats in the upper deck are really narrow and have no leg room. Oh. I guess that would make for pretty sucky seats… And the game, well… Did you see Mirtle put up his projected final points and the Devils are on pace for 57 points? Sigh.
Pookie, I ignore all things Mirtle. Not necessarily out of dislike, but rather, I just never bother to check it out.
My seats are tight with no leg room, AND, this stupid railing thing by the stairs blocks my view of the ice. At least it’s clear glass, but I still see a steel railing pipe when I look at the ice. Maybe one day when I’m rich (which is never going to happen) I’ll laugh about the days I had to sit up there.
Oh, and my sis was like: “maybe we can still hope for the 8 seed.” And I was like: “8 seed? I want the #1 pick in the draft!”
Aw, man that sucks, Pam! I wonder if you can call the Season Ticket people and ask if you can switch your seats? The ticket relations folks always seemed very accommodating to me.
Pam, that totally blows about your seats! I’m so sorry to hear that!
And I was like: “8 seed? I want the #1 pick in the draft!”
I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve been thinking exactly the same thing. Because I’m such an optimist all the time.
Maybe I will. I don’t know if there’s anything they can do, but they should at least know that I’m unhappy with my investment. I wish I could just move up a few rows, so that stupid railing is out of my sightline.
And I’m sitting by Baumann now!
What’s interesting is that I got season tickets immediately following the lockout!
I don’t know if there’s anything they can do, but they should at least know that I’m unhappy with my investment.
They definitely should. With all the glowing reviews coming in, it would be a really good thing to be able to include in the feedback that there are some fans who are unhappy.
Awww… Baumann! I’m glad to hear he made the trip. (Surely he’s not a reason you dislike your seats? Oh, unless you’re sitting in front of him. That could get loud.)
What’s interesting is that I got season tickets immediately following the lockout!
I shall henceforth think not that we gave up our season tickets, but that we spiritually bequeathed them to you, Pam. :D
Maybe I will. I don’t know if there’s anything they can do, but they should at least know that I’m unhappy with my investment. I wish I could just move up a few rows, so that stupid railing is out of my sightline.
I think you should bring it up. Typically a venue will provide advance notice of sightline issues, and if that didn’t happen then you weren’t provided with all the information on the seats you chose. I’m sure the organization recognizes that season tickets are an investment and would work to make you happy. I would especially expect this from an organization that doesn’t have as big a fanbase as it would like (not a dig, just a reality). I had the same railing problem at the Pens-Caps game in DC last week, but for only one game you kind of just deal.
Does make me wonder if the venues only checked for obstructions vis-a-vis the typical male, though. Wouldn’t surprise me if they overlooked our perspective!
I don’t mind Baumann…well most of time, anyway.
Pensgirl, you’re right. They should know that I think my seats blow. Might as well keep happy the few fans you have, right?
Does make me wonder if the venues only checked for obstructions vis-a-vis the typical male, though. Wouldn’t surprise me if they overlooked our perspective!
That’s an interesting thought — like, some consultant goes from seat to seat thinking, “Can a 5’10″ dude see from this seat? He sure can! No problem then! Moving on…” I also wonder whose derriere they’re thinking of when they put those narrow, squishy little seats in, especially on the corners. I realize I’m asking a lot for the entire world to accomodate my copious caboose, but still. Pookie, Heather, Katebits and I had a very cozy, sardine-esque experience at the Sabres-Blue Jackets game because we were on a corner, and actually in the super-expensive “nice” seats, to boot! They were still too narrow, and with too little leg room.
I don’t mind Baumann…well most of time, anyway.
The closest I’ve ever sat to him was a section over, so I kind of just know him as the guy with the cast-iron lungs who leads the “Gimme a D! Gimme an E!” cheer. But you know what drives me nuts about him? When he does the cheer before the Devils score. Hasn’t he realized yet that the other team always scores if he’s leading a “Gimme a D!” cheer for any reason other than a Devils goal?
Maybe if I were taller than 5’2″ that thing wouldn’t be in view…but then my legs wouldn’t fit. It’s a catch 22, I suppose.
Re: Baumann,
So true Schnookie, so true.
Each corner has it’s own crazy people with whom you must share the experience should you sit there.
That’s an interesting thought — like, some consultant goes from seat to seat thinking, “Can a 5′10″ dude see from this seat? He sure can! No problem then! Moving on…”
Yup, that’s exactly what I was thinking. Sporting equipment manufacturers have finally caught on to the fact that the average woman has different dimensions than the average man. Car manufacturers too. But I betcha the arena people weren’t thinking about us when they checked the obstructions.
I also wonder whose derriere they’re thinking of when they put those narrow, squishy little seats in, especially on the corners. I realize I’m asking a lot for the entire world to accomodate my copious caboose, but still. Pookie, Heather, Katebits and I had a very cozy, sardine-esque experience at the Sabres-Blue Jackets game because we were on a corner, and actually in the super-expensive “nice” seats, to boot! They were still too narrow, and with too little leg room.
This is what doesn’t go with my theory…if they were only considering tallish males, how’d they end up with legroom and seats that are too cramped for women?
When I’m getting game pics I like to scootch to the edge of my seat and lean my elbows on my knees to steady my camera. At the Verizon Center, I didn’t have enough legroom to do that…I couldn’t keep my knees at 90 degrees when I moved up. Furthermore, even sitting back in the seat my legs felt cramped. Thankfully, I was in the last row of the arena so I was able to either stand or just let my seat fold up and sit on the edge. That mostly got rid of the railing issue and gave me more leg room, but how crazy is that?
I wonder if there’s some race of extremely short-legged, long-torsoed beings running around somewhere.
Did the Devils take fan surveys about things like this? I completed a parking survey on the Pens’ site and they said they’re going to do more. I’m wondering what the likelihood is they’ll ask about things like this, and if so whether they’re actually going to use what we tell them. It’d be nice to know what other orgs have done.
There was no survey. They just assume that if we can’t spend more than $25 a ticket (for 41 games), then we dont matter. Last sunday when they first opened the doors to the place, I went around and sat in the more expensive seats. They are so much better.
I realize I’m asking a lot for the entire world to accomodate my copious caboose, but still.
You’d think, with the high population of copious cabooses in the actual NHL, they’d be a little more respectful of ours!
By the way, I just bought tickets to tonight’s game and Wednesday’s game. I probably should have read Schnookie’s comment about being in a corner first. I tried to get the online thing to move me around to the end, but I liked the fact that I was on row A. I’ll probably get there and find out they go backwards or something.
The seats for Wendesday are the row right behind that one. I hope they know I’m keeping notes for future season tickets, and they had better keep that in mind.
Ooh, have fun at the games, Patty! Who are they playing tonight? I could look it up, but what am I, a librarian? Wait, don’t answer that…
Ooh, the Sharks! Fun, fun! Maybe you’ll see JR’s 500th!
Maybe you’ll see JR’s 500th!
That is not cool, Pookie!!!
I’m hoping to see Modano tie and break Phil Housley’s record. And I hope that JR is benched, right in front of everybody.
Well, I keep my fingers crossed for you, Patty, that your wishes come true!
Thanks, Pookie! I knew you didn’t really mean that about dumb ol’ JR. :D
And I hope that JR is benched, right in front of everybody.
You don’t want to see the puck go in off his hair as he looks for a camera?
I bet JR could hand you guys the game by standing there in googly-eyed amazement at Sidney Crosby’s talent even though Sid won’t, y’know, actually be playing, or anywhere near Dallas.
Or maybe you could show him your Modano nesting doll and he could stand there for hours in wonderment that OMG, each one actually fits inside another one!
Ah, making fun of JR is good food.
Have fun!
You’d think, with the high population of copious cabooses in the actual NHL, they’d be a little more respectful of ours!
You’d think they’d design the seats so the average NHL’ers copious caboose could fit into a seat. Sid could be a fit model.
When I’m sitting in the cheap seats, I’m always afraid that I’m going to knee the person sitting in front of me in the head.
Blergh, I’m so sick of the Red Wings. Oh well, at least we got more shots on goal this time. That’s something. Stupid non goal. That would be so cook if you were then when Modano broke the record, Patty! Maybe he would sign your nesting dolls.
Ah, making fun of JR is good food.
It really is! It’s almost as good food as the stuff they serve in the restaurant across the street from Vancouver’s arena — you know, the one JR just can’t resist.
Patty, I’m fairly confident you won’t see JR’s 500th goal. I mean, that would be too loathesome! It would also mean that JR actually managed to get to 500, which is something I seriously doubt will happen. (Although it would be pretty funny to see if the Stars management would post any kind of tribute or announcement for him…)
(Although it would be pretty funny to see if the Stars management would post any kind of tribute or announcement for him…)
Too soon?
(Although it would be pretty funny to see if the Stars management would post any kind of tribute or announcement for him…)
I would expect them to, since they did it for Recchi. Give the Stars this . . . they weren’t being hypocrites.
And Alix, I’m sorry the Red Wings are so pesky for the Canucks. My fantasy team totally needed three assists from my Red Wing players, and now I feel a little guilty!
I would expect them to, since they did it for Recchi.
It’s hard to say, though, because Recchi never actually tried to kill Modano.
(I get all misty about Recchi’s goal in Dallas, not because the Stars were classy and gave him a tribute and he got a really nice ovation, but because he seemed so surprised and touched by it.)
You don’t want to see the puck go in off his hair as he looks for a camera?
If that happened, I’d be okay with it. But I’d be pissed that I never placed that bet.
It’s hard to say, though, because Recchi never actually tried to kill Modano.
That is a good point. Still, if they’re going to make a big fuss about needing to recognize the accomplishments of American players, you would think that they’d make at least a half-baked effort to recognize the accomplishments of an American player, even if he is an annoying louse.
It’s hard to say, though, because Recchi never actually tried to kill Modano.
Well, he did help deny Modano a Cup back in MN. I guess MM probably got over that when he finally got his, though.
he seemed so surprised and touched by it
We (Pensburgh) all were. Won’t forget it, either.
I’d be curious to see what would happen if JR got it in Nashville…I don’t know if that’s a possibility, but it’d be interesting.
you would think that they’d make at least a half-baked effort to recognize the accomplishments of an American player, even if he is an annoying louse.
I’m sure they will. They tend to, even before the whole Nashville thing.
We (Pensburgh) all were. Won’t forget it, either.
Really? That’s very sweet.
To be honest I hardly know Recchi, but after that, I kind of started keeping an eye on him. Seems like a real cool guy.
You know, the Stars gave the Devils an ovation when they won the Cup on our ice in 2000. After a little stunned silence, of course. I thought that was nice.
I’m sure they will. They tend to, even before the whole Nashville thing.
I figured they would. I really like the Stars organization…I think they do things right, both publicity-wise and in terms of showing respect for the game as a whole.
the Stars gave the Devils an ovation
I meant the Stars fans there.
Aw, that was sweet, the Stars fans cheering for the Devils. We appreciate it!
the Stars gave the Devils an ovation
I meant the Stars fans there.
Well, that shoots a hole through my argument, “Did Stars fans cheer the Devils in 2000?” that I use when people decry the classlessness of Devils fans for the way we booed when Giggy got the Conn Smythe. (Of course, it should be pointed out we were NOT booing Giggy. We were booing the decision to give him the trophy.)
On an unrelated aside, my eyeballs are totally dried out today. I can barely look at my computer screen. I have no idea why this is such a huge problem for me today — I wonder if the Rangers are doing something foul right now and my eyes are trying to combust, just from the vibes they’re picking up? My flaming eyeballs are very finely attuned to the psychic energies of the NHL.
Really? That’s very sweet.
Yup, really.
Seems like a real cool guy.
I love Recchi. He’s getting too much ice time right now, and some of the faithful are acting like he’s solely responsible for all our troubles, but they’re just being hysterical. He’s an easy guy to root for…’course I have a special place in my heart for the little guys. They have to work harder just to be there.
I also love his choppy running-man-ish skating style. They could put all the players in the same outfit with the same number and even alter it so they all looked like the same height and body type, and it would still only take me two of his strides to recognize him. I could probably pick him out just by listening to his skating.
Aw, that was sweet, the Stars fans cheering for the Devils.
The organization must have gotten a complete upgrade in fans when it moved. North Stars fans were pricks in our Final!
“Ooh, the Sharks! Fun, fun! Maybe you’ll see JR’s 500th!”
HAHA! It’s totally happening, get ready for it Patty.
Hey everyone! Hope you all had a great week. And I can’t believe I missed a Sharks game diary! And on a game they actually won! Crap!
And I can’t believe I missed a Sharks game diary! And on a game they actually won! Crap!
SERIOUSLY. We did that diary just for you, and it was BRUTAL. I think writing it took ten years off my life, and were you even around to enjoy it? Of course not. The life of a blogger is not an easy one, believe you me!
(Oh, and welcome back! I hope you had a fun week!)
The organization must have gotten a complete upgrade in fans when it moved.
Not to sound all homer-ish, but I think that’s just what happened. We Texans can sometimes even be over-nice.
I was leaving the Boston game earlier this month and there was walking behind a big guy wearing a Bruins sweater and he was loudly wondering why everybody was just getting in their car and leaving and not trying to cause riots. :D I thought that was funny.
HAHA! It’s totally happening, get ready for it Patty.
Oh, sure! NOW you come back!
And I can’t believe I missed a Sharks game diary! And on a game they actually won! Crap!
And it’s going to be at least one more game before they win again! That’s right. I said it.
We Texans can sometimes even be over-nice.
I was about to say that the whole stereotype about Texans being nice had seemed pretty true to me when I was there (a relief, after it turned out that Southerners were not so polite), but then I remembered that Minnesotans also tend to be awfully nice. So who knows.
he was loudly wondering why everybody was just getting in their car and leaving and not trying to cause riots.
Hee! That’s hilarious! (We went to a Devils game in Boston once. The Bruins won, something like 75-1. Marty Lapointe got 4 goals. It was dreadful. And then on the way out, we were shuffling down a stairwell with a throng of Bruins fans, and they were all eerily quiet but for this odd call-and-response thing they did where one fan would emit a high-pitched, short-burst, “Woo!” and then another would answer, and then another, and so on. It was like they were aliens or something; it was by far the weirdest “crowd celebrating a big win at a sporting event” situation I’ve ever witnessed.)
The organization must have gotten a complete upgrade in fans when it moved. North Stars fans were pricks in our Final!
There is NO WAY the Texans can out overly nice Minnesotans. Those prickish North Star fans must have been North Dakotans or something.
“SERIOUSLY. We did that diary just for you, and it was BRUTAL. I think writing it took ten years off my life, and were you even around to enjoy it? Of course not.”
Ah, c’mon! It was a fun game, admit it. I have to say, I’m a little surprised that you diarized the only Sharks game of the year (to that point) that didn’t feature Drew Remenda.
“(Oh, and welcome back! I hope you had a fun week!)”
Thanks! also, yes and no…week was fine but a lot of my time away was for work related sutff. Never fun…
There is NO WAY the Texans can out overly nice Minnesotans.
Hee, Katebits sticking up for the niceness of her state. :)
There are lots and lots of states that can out overly nice New York. Although in our defense, New Yorkers are a lot politer than their given credit for . . . just a bit prickly.
I could be some unifying nicety of Texans and Minnesotan about sharing I-35.
Hee, Katebits sticking up for the niceness of her state.
Heh. You cn say what you want about Minnesotans, but ain’t nobody does “creepily nice” better than us! “Fargo” was for real, yo.
I-35 goes all the way down there? Aww, maybe we do share a vein of nice, Patty!
I-35 goes all the way down there? Aww, maybe we do share a vein of nice, Patty!
Not only that, but it splits to go through Dallas and Ft. Worth. We have an I-35E and I-35W, too.
I saw that symbol on the Wild’s goalie’s helmet and it took me a minute to understand it. Such a tragedy.
We’re probably not nicer than Minnesotans, but we’re right up there. Not sure about the North Stars fans, maybe there was something else on their mind.
then I remembered that Minnesotans also tend to be awfully nice
That trait was not visible in 1991. But the hockey gods did smote them, not just by our winning the Cup but by the team moving. From what I can tell, the Wild have a loyal and non-obnoxious following, so hopefully they’ve learned their lesson!
it was by far the weirdest “crowd celebrating a big win at a sporting event” situation I’ve ever witnessed
1992 Peach Bowl, Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. UNC Tarheels. Pensgirl is a halftime participant, and has spent five sleepless days preparing. Arriving before gametime, Pensgirl is EXTREMELY DISMAYED to find MSU roots on its team via the nonstop ringing of cowbells. This development instantly transforms Pensgirl – and her classmates – into a Tarheels fan. Thank God UNC won – I would hate to know what an MSU celebration would have been like!
Not sure about the North Stars fans, maybe there was something else on their mind.
Maybe they weren’t still basking in the glow of the previous year’s Cup.
I was completely oblivious to the North Stars when I was growing up, so in all fairness, it’s possible that the North Star fans were some alternate breed of bullish Minnesotan. :P
One thing I enjoyed about the PrudCtr (maybe THE one thing) was the opportunity that they provide children to be so close to the end of game broadcast. Nothing like creating goodwill and enriching the at-home fanbase than twenty minutes of NJ youth texting, answering cellphones jabbering unintelligbly and jamming their fingers up to the second knuckle in their noses while Dano breaks down the Devils.
Oh, and seeing where Doc and Chico get to watch the game was neat- and curiously “out in the open”.
Also, I didn’t think Minn had NorthStar fans.
I thought they were all Gopher fans.
Also, I didn’t think Minn had NorthStar fans.
I thought they were all Gopher fans.
Yeah, I think that’s part of why they are the Dallas Stars now.
Also, I didn’t think Minn had NorthStar fans.
I thought they were all Gopher fans.
Yeah, I think that’s part of why they are the Dallas Stars now.
That seems to be the other major lesson Minnesota NHL fans have learned since the NorthStar days — if you want to keep your team, you kind of have to not take them for granted.
Stalky, you should have heard Boomer getting apoplectic about the dumb kids behind Steve and Dano during the postgame. She was completely losing her mind with fury. Which was kind of funny considering how delighted she was to see us on the TV during the game we saw in Pittsburgh…
it’s possible that the North Star fans were some alternate breed of bullish Minnesotan
Must be. It was baffling…they acted like they had the Cup in the bag. Against MARIO. We weren’t convinced we’d win it and we HAD him!
I don’t know what to say about Pennsylvanians…the sections of the commonwealth are so different that we think of ourselves in purely local terms.
Pittsburghers are a weird breed…we’re nice enough that East Coasters misplace us as “Midwestern” (yeah right, I mean hello, look at a damn MAP) but we’ve got an edge that makes Midwesterners misplace us as East Coasters (ditto). I guess we’re a good reflection of our mid-Atlanticness.
I don’t know what to say about Pennsylvanians…the sections of the commonwealth are so different that we think of ourselves in purely local terms.
Pennsylvania is really an odd duck in that regard, isn’t it? I was totally weirded out the entire time we were out in the western reaches that this was still the same state as the Pennsylvania near us (which is its own strange blend of local types, come to think of it).
I dunno how Dano didn’t either smack the kid picking his nose or at least give them a stink eye.
It was amusing for a few seconds, and then became sad, sad, sad…
I can’t wait for the encore Wed.
It was amusing for a few seconds, and then became sad, sad, sad…
Yes, “sad, sad, sad” is definitely the best description for it, although maybe it was just my post-loss depression shading my perspective. :D
It’s going to be interesting to see if they let people stand that close again on Wednesday. I hope not — if just so Boomer’s head doesn’t explode.
Yeah, I think that’s part of why they are the Dallas Stars now.
Weird, I heard at the time that they had plenty of fans and good attendance but the owners moved anyway…kinda like the Cleveland Browns (off-topic: you want to piss off Pittsburgh? Move its football rival…yeesh). Oh well, maybe that was wrong.
You cn say what you want about Minnesotans, but ain’t nobody does “creepily nice” better than us! “Fargo” was for real, yo.
I’ve never been to Texas, but I’ll back you up here, Katebits. Minnesotans are some crazy kind of nice! Maybe sporting events just bring out the worst in them.
(By the way, as a native Buffalonian, I find this whole notion of cheering and giving ovations for the team who just won the Cup on your ice so completely foreign. In ’99 I’m pretty sure the only reason people stood up after the No Goal was to hurl themselves over the balcony to their deaths. But good on the Stars fans for being classier than us. God knows we don’t make it hard.)
but we’ve got an edge that makes Midwesterners misplace us as East Coasters (ditto)
Man, people out here try to tell me all the time that I’m an East Coaster, and I’m like “And which coast would that be again? The coast of Lake Erie?” Although no one seems to have any idea where Buffalo really is. I just tell people it’s basically Canada.
maybe it was just my post-loss depression
Is there a sport anywhere that creates bipolarism the way hockey does? Honestly I think part of the reason I love it so much is that it gives me an outlet for a good bit of my naturally-occurring crazy.
Although no one seems to have any idea where Buffalo really is.
That is so true. I deal with sales reps all the time who are trying to schedule time to come in and meet with me. I’ve lost track of times that they’ve said “I’ll be in the city visiting some of the guys on Madison Avenue and want to meet up with you. How far away are you from there?”
My answer is usually somewhere around “give-or-take 6 hours,” and then there’s dead silence on the other end of the phone. Meanwhile, I’m ready to beat my head against my desk. Look at a map before you call me!
Weird, I heard at the time that they had plenty of fans and good attendance but the owners moved anyway…kinda like the Cleveland Browns
Pengirl, I don’t really know what was going on when the North Stars moved, but I’m pretty sure there was some form of “owner purposefully driving the team into the ground” which resulted in an attendance problem. I think. Again, that’s just the impression I’ve always had. I don’t really know what I’m talking about here!
By the way, as a native Buffalonian, I find this whole notion of cheering and giving ovations for the team who just won the Cup on your ice so completely foreign.
This does seem a little much, even to me.
Is there a sport anywhere that creates bipolarism the way hockey does?
This is one reason I’m not sure game diaries are really the way to be laying bare my psyche on the interwebs for all to see. I mean, they all either start with, “Woo-hooo! I’m so excited! This game is going to rock,” and end with, “Excuse me while I go hang myself with some piano wire,” or they’re, “God, I wish there was anything I could be doing right now other than be sitting down for this game,” and end with, “THAT WAS THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!!!”
I deal with sales reps all the time who are trying to schedule time to come in and meet with me. I’ve lost track of times that they’ve said “I’ll be in the city visiting some of the guys on Madison Avenue and want to meet up with you. How far away are you from there?”
I’ve now driven from Princeton to Buffalo twice, and while I have a good idea of how far away it is, I still probably couldn’t locate it on a map. I’d be that guy in that FedEx (is it Fed Ex?) commercial, all, “You don’t know where China is, do you?”
And seriously, if “cheering for the other team beating yours for the championship” is what makes a person classy, I’m proud to be classless.
I just tell people it’s basically Canada
Sounds good enough! Canada has its own crazy brand of nice. Of course I experienced that in Halifax when I made five new friends on my first day there (ha!), but my roommate got a reminder this weekend. While in DC, she was stopped by a bunch of young, drunk Canadians who asked if she was American, and when she responded in the affirmative they said “WOOHOO!! AMERICANS ROCK!!!”
I didn’t know there was anybody left who felt that way about us!
“And which coast would that be again? The coast of Lake Erie?”
It’s the East Coasters who drive me craziest with their Midwest allegations…I mean, we’re in an Original Thirteen Colony! The only thing we’re west of is New Jersey!
I’ve lost track of times that they’ve said “I’ll be in the city visiting some of the guys on Madison Avenue and want to meet up with you. How far away are you from there?”
That’s me over the summer when all my friends from college are like “Hey I’m in the city! You should come hang out with me!” I usually say, “Um, maybe if you were in Toronto.”
I think my favorite, though, was when my friend from Long Island drew a map of New York State, putting Buffalo near Utica and Niagara Falls way up near Lake Champlain. I mean come on! At least pretend like you care about the rest of your state!
And seriously, if “cheering for the other team beating yours for the championship” is what makes a person classy, I’m proud to be classless.
Me too! One of the interesting things I’ve discovered during my new hockey fandom is my taste for booing. I love booing! It’s like when at age twenty-nine I finally realized that there was a horn on my car, and it was really satisfying to honk it. :D
I have to admit, Pittsburgh is definitely one of those places that I don’t understand where it is…..like Nebraska. I don’t get Nebraska. I feel very strongly that it should be over by Montana.
I don’t get Nebraska. I feel very strongly that it should be over by Montana.
Nebraska isn’t by Montana? (Just kidding. Sort of. I don’t know where any of those squareish-shaped states are.) (Of course, I don’t really know where anything that isn’t NJ, NY or PA is.)
It’s like when at age twenty-nine I finally realized that there was a horn on my car, and it was really satisfying to honk it.
Our father believed they should install horns on cars that only the driver can hear. So it honks inside the car, and the driver can be satisfied they honked and said their bit, but on the outside no one has to hear it. There would, of course, be an external horn for emergency situations, but for “I’m being a jerk and making unnecessary noise” situations, it would be all about the silent honk. He was such a good Quaker, Dad was.
Thanks, Meg. I’m just kind of pissed still that goalie interference wasn’t called for us on that goal in Detroit, but it got called for Osgood in last night’s game. When we had tied the game up. So it’s ok if Louie gets pitchforked out of the way, but if we tap Osgood it’s no good? Boooo. Stupid refs. And yes, I’m handily ignoring the face that Detroit was the better team. Let me live in my little bubble :p Welcome back, Andrew!
I’ve now driven from Princeton to Buffalo twice, and while I have a good idea of how far away it is, I still probably couldn’t locate it on a map. I’d be that guy in that FedEx (is it Fed Ex?) commercial, all, “You don’t know where China is, do you?”
I think its FedEx. And that’s a great commercial, too.
It’s like when at age twenty-nine I finally realized that there was a horn on my car, and it was really satisfying to honk it.
If you haven’t done it yet, wait till you’re leaving a Sabres game and the entire line of traffic is honking Honk! Honk! Honkhonkhonk! Its pretty great.
Oh, and Katebits, I should mention that I don’t think you’re doing any jerk-assed honking. Dad came up with this idea based on years of being in NYC.
Apparantly Canadians are so nice that we apologize for getting in the way when someone steps on our foot :p
If you haven’t done it yet, wait till you’re leaving a Sabres game and the entire line of traffic is honking Honk! Honk! Honkhonkhonk! Its pretty great.
Katebits “Honk! Honk! Honkhonkhonk!”ed like a pro when we were there. There seemed to be a great deal of delight at this practice.
“I didn’t know there was anybody left who felt that way about us!”
I know what you mean! We were in Dublin a few years back, hanging out in random pub one night when a group of ass-drunk teenagers walked in. As soon as we started talking to them and they realized we were Americans they were all excited.
We were all buying rounds and they kept bringing Budweisers over for us. I was trying to explain the vast superiority of Guinness over Bud to them, but was getting nowhere. It was odd, but funny.
I think my favorite, though, was when my friend from Long Island drew a map of New York State, putting Buffalo near Utica and Niagara Falls way up near Lake Champlain. I mean come on! At least pretend like you care about the rest of your state!
That’s really pathetic. I don’t necessarily CARE about the rest of my state, but I can at least give you a generic rundown of where everything is. In fact, I can do that with all 3 states I’ve lived in and a few I’ve just passed through. Why is that hard?
I mean, they all either start with, “Woo-hooo! I’m so excited! This game is going to rock,” and end with, “Excuse me while I go hang myself with some piano wire,” or they’re, “God, I wish there was anything I could be doing right now other than be sitting down for this game,” and end with, “THAT WAS THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE!!!”
:^:::::::::::::::::::
I think I’m sort of that way anyway, so having it be about hockey at least makes it look like there’s a reason.
You should have seen my brother and me pitching a MAJOR freak-out during the warmups the other night when we could not locate Mark Eaton. Turns out he’d just left early or something. From our reaction you’d think we just found out our parents died. Then when we saw him hit the ice it was like we just saw Jesus. Over a stay-at-home defenseman (a damn good one, but still)!
Thanks alix! Good to be back!!
Oh I am all ABOUT Honk! Honk! HonkHonkHonk! I LOVE it! During the playoffs last year I did it all over town, regardless of the situation. The ridiculous thing is that there is always some other like minded fool who is willing to engage in a Honk! Honk! HonkHonkHonk! off.
Hi andrew! The Statbitty Avengers are going down. Just so you know.
From our reaction you’d think we just found out our parents died. Then when we saw him hit the ice it was like we just saw Jesus.
That’s such an apt description! I have spent many a skatearound doing exactly that, over just as (relatively) irrelevant a player. :D
I don’t necessarily CARE about the rest of my state, but I can at least give you a generic rundown of where everything is.
Heh heh… I can’t. And New Jersey isn’t even all that big. I’ve barely even been anywhere in this state, either. North and South Jersey are complete mysteries to me. The only thing I have any clue about is my little pocket of Central Jersey, and I-95. Actually, I’m more than a little bit afraid of North and South Jersey — they’re like different countries!
I have to admit, Pittsburgh is definitely one of those places that I don’t understand where it is…..like Nebraska. I don’t get Nebraska. I feel very strongly that it should be over by Montana.
Straight line south from Buffalo!
Nebraska. Talk about NOT nice! When my alma mater played them in a bowl game they were the rudest people I’ve ever run across. Let me explain it this way for anyone who follows college FB: Florida State fans are way, way nicer than Nebraska fans.
I think my favorite, though, was when my friend from Long Island drew a map of New York State, putting Buffalo near Utica and Niagara Falls way up near Lake Champlain. I mean come on! At least pretend like you care about the rest of your state!
It could be worse. My father is a real estate attorney, and he once had a realtor from Long Island refuse to fax documents because he was coming to the closing. Now I only heard one end of the conversation but it went something like this:
“You do realize that the closing is in 2 1/2 hours?”
—
“Then exactly when were you planning on leaving?”
—
“And how long do you think it will take you to get here?”
—
“Try adding another 6 hours to that.”
—
“Yes, we would appreciate it if you faxed those docs as soon as possible.”
I mean, shouldn’t someone working in real estate in New York at least realize that Buffalo is not about an hour to an hour-and-a-half away?
“The Statbitty Avengers are going down. Just so you know.”
Hi Katebits!
And, um…yeah right. I don’t know if you’ve been watching the standings, but my crushing defeat of the Rumble Frog Robots has catapulted the Avengers from 10th to 6th place. I am now starting my march to the top of the rankings, where I will remain henceforth.
The ridiculous thing is that there is always some other like minded fool who is willing to engage in a Honk! Honk! HonkHonkHonk! off.
And to that I say God Bless America. :o)
Straight line south from Buffalo!
That was supposed to say southwest. About 7 o’clockish.
“The only thing I have any clue about is my little pocket of Central Jersey, and I-95. Actually, I’m more than a little bit afraid of North and South Jersey — they’re like different countries!”
That’s hilarious! (Having never been to Jersey) I have always thought of it as being so small. And urban. If TV and movies have taught me anything, it’s that New Jersey is just one big industrial center. That’s totally how it is, right?
I mean, shouldn’t someone working in real estate in New York at least realize that Buffalo is not about an hour to an hour-and-a-half away?
I don’t think NYCers think there is anything beyond 1-1 1/2 hrs away.
If TV and movies have taught me anything, it’s that New Jersey is just one big industrial center. That’s totally how it is, right?
As far as I know, yes. With the exception of that big swamp thing the Devils used to play in. :D
I don’t think NYCers think there is anything beyond 1-1 1/2 hrs away.
Heh . . . this is true. And Long Islanders are actually far worse because they have this bizarre idea that they are NYCers and therefore it is their god-given right to be ignorant of anything north of New York City. People in Manhattan tend to be aware that there are places farther away, they just don’t think that such places are worth visiting.
Oh, and South Jersey? Is, as far as I know, just like “Deliverance.”
And Long Islanders are actually far worse because they have this bizarre idea that they are NYCers and therefore it is their god-given right to be ignorant of anything north of New York City.
Having spent many of my formative years on Long Island, I am enormously proud that God gave me that right! :P
We’re not really a honking people here. We do get some honking every once in a while, but we figure it’s some East Coaster. :D
About the only time I’ve ever honked was when I was behind someone at a light and they obviously were doing something else and after I gave them a good 30 seconds to realize the light was green, and then I just barely tapped the horn. And felt guilty afterwards. I wanted to tell them, I’m not mad! Happens to me too! Just tryna help!
“Oh, and South Jersey? Is, as far as I know, just like “Deliverance.””
Which is lovely. Yeah, we’ve got quite a few spots around CA that evoke that “Let’s hear ya squeal” feeling that makes you want to drive right through to the next town.
“And Long Islanders are actually far worse because they have this bizarre idea that they are NYCers and therefore it is their god-given right to be ignorant of anything north of New York City.”
Long Islanders are, by and large, retarded. I used to deal with that region of NY a lot (for work)…they’re terrible!
after I gave them a good 30 seconds to realize the light was green, and then I just barely tapped the horn
In Baltimore you’d have been shot at for not honking IMMEDIATELY. ;)
Living here has made me horn-happy. I used it before, but not all the time. Now it’s like I have my morning coffee and honkfest on the way to work.
I wanted to tell them, I’m not mad! Happens to me too! Just tryna help!
Hee hee!
The one time I ever tried to honk I failed miserably. I was trying to get into a parking lot, turned in to the alley entrance, and found the way blocked by a delivery truck. I was promptly blocked in by another car, and the delivery truck, not seeing me, decided to start backing up. So I tried to honk and couldn’t find the horn, instead settling for uselessly slapping my steering wheel until the truck hit me. (Fortunately it was going about 6 inches per hour, so it didn’t do any damage. Boxworthy was driving it!) I am, clearly, my father’s daughter.
The Honk! Honk! HonkHonkHonk! syndrome is really pretty cool.
The first time I remember actually feeling it and understanding it was in the Fall of 95 living in Seattle. THe Mariners were about to go to the League Championship Series. The entire King County was just giddy about the whole thing. The supermarkets played the radio broadcast of games over the speakers so no one missed a thng while they shopped. Everyone shared their excitement in the checkout line.
It reminded me of the scene in Big Trouble in Little China, when Egg gives Jack and the rest the magic potion. Soon the whole elevator car is nodding excitedly, swapping the hand gestures and feeling “pretty invincible”. However, just like the film, the checkout line camraderie usually ended in the same awkward pause. “Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?”
Wow, I leave for an hour and IPB starts hopping!
NJ is HUGE and comprised of really crazily different regions. After spending most of my life in cozy Central Jersey, I got a job in the northernmost part of South Jersey. It’s like a whole different universe. And people get a little testy about it to. Like, they’ll ask about Lucy the Margate Elephant and I’ll say, “I’m sorry, I’m from Mercer County,” and they’ll narrow their eyes, start mumbling incoherently and then wander off in disgust. My first day working here, my coworkers wrote a list of local town names and spent a good 30 minutes laughing hysterically as I mispronounced stuff like “Forked River” (Fork-ED River) and Manalapan (ma-NAL-a-pan). Apparently, I was quite the little non-South-Jersey freak for not knowing this stuff.
As for geography, don’t get me started. For the longest time I thought Milwaukee was sort of it’s own state somewhere between Oklahoma and Nebraska.
Having spent many of my formative years on Long Island, I am enormously proud that God gave me that right! :P
Hee! You take full advantage of that right, Schnookie!
And for the record, let me just say that I mean my Long Island insults with something approximating love. I actually live with the world’s least typical former Long Islander so I know that not everyone on the Island conforms to the stereotype. Just, y’know, 95% of them.
Long Islanders are, by and large, retarded. I used to deal with that region of NY a lot (for work)…they’re terrible!
My Constitutional Law prof was from there, and his accent was so heavy that even a brand-new immigrant could identify him as an LI-er! He also talked reeeeeeeeally slooooooowly, which made it no surprise that he’d lost whenever he’d been before the Supreme Court…even if the Justices could understand him, he probably ran out of time!
So I tried to honk and couldn’t find the horn, instead settling for uselessly slapping my steering wheel until the truck hit me.
Oh my gosh! This happened to me! Except the truck didn’t hit me because I quickly improvised and yelled HEY! out the window.
(Not exactly the whole scenario, of course, but the person that didn’t see me backing up part.)
I’m excellent at honking car horns. Accidentally. Intentionally not so much.
It’s like a whole different universe.
I had a job for awhile in Greenville, TX, which is about an hour east of here and when I first started working there, I couldn’t understand a thing they said.
My accent isn’t too bad, compared to Texans, but it’s based on life in relatively big cities. But even if I had grown up in Victoria, I probably wouldn’t understand the accents of people who grew up in Greenville. And vice versa.
I do love the honking in a crowd of game-goers. That’s good honking. And not a bit rude. :D
So I tried to honk and couldn’t find the horn, instead settling for uselessly slapping my steering wheel until the truck hit me.
If it makes you feel better, honking then may not have helped. I was with my mom a few years ago waiting to leave a parking lot, and the person in front of us was arguing with the attendant. The line grew longer so the attendant told him to pull to the side, so he threw his car into reverse without even looking. My mom was laying on her horn and we were yelling. And WE couldn’t back up because of the guy behind us. BOOM.
Obviously the guy was A Complete And Utter Moron if he couldn’t figure out that his holding up a line meant that, by definition, someone was behind him. And CAUMs do not, apparently, understand honking and yelling.
And for the record, let me just say that I mean my Long Island insults with something approximating love.
Oh, no need to backtrack or qualify anything you say about Long Island! I completely agree with andrew’s assessment, for everyone from the Island except us and Margee.
Except the truck didn’t hit me because I quickly improvised and yelled HEY! out the window.
Hm… Yelling out the window, you say? You’re so much smrter than I am, Patty!
“It reminded me of the scene in Big Trouble in Little China, when Egg gives Jack and the rest the magic potion. Soon the whole elevator car is nodding excitedly, swapping the hand gestures and feeling “pretty invincible”. However, just like the film, the checkout line camraderie usually ended in the same awkward pause. “Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?””
Stalky, that’s hilarious. I can totally see that happening too.
Hey, what more can a guy ask for?
Oh, a six-demon bag!
Terrific, a six-demon bag. Sensational. What’s in it, Egg?
Wind, fire, all that kind of thing!
I’m excellent at honking car horns. Accidentally
I do that all the time. My car’s horn has a sweet spot for a really extra-loud honk and I can only find it when I’m getting out and my purse hits it.
And CAUMs do not, apparently, understand honking and yelling.
Perhaps that person was from Long Island? Via South Jersey?
My car’s horn has a sweet spot for a really extra-loud honk and I can only find it when I’m getting out and my purse hits it.
Oh yeah, mine does that all the time, too. Well, all the time when, like, my boss is going to his car at the same time. When I’m alone in the parking lot, not so much. My car is selectively mute.
Fortunately we don’t have accent issues here in Jersey. There are, obviously, accents, but we can all understand each other at least. Where we live there’s a distinct “Trenton Accent” that drops the second of successive Ts. So “mit-ten” become “mit’ en”. Sometimes the first T is dropped too, making “mi’uhn”. I remember watching “ER” and wondering why the actors were over-enunciating every time they said “Dr. Bent-ton”s name. I was like, “Hello, it’s ‘Dr. Ben-uhn’! No need to be all fancy-like!”
Perhaps that person was from Long Island? Via South Jersey?
Nope, he was a special breed known as a Tidewater Virginian. There is no explaining a Tidewater Virginian, you just have to go there and experience it.
Let me state for the record that I have ancestry from that area, and that my love for it is undying. But the people can make you want to tear your hair out. Or theirs.
there’s a distinct “Trenton Accent” that drops the second of successive Ts.
There’s a variant of that in Pittsburghese. Or, as you’d say in-dialect, “Pixburghese.”
Sometimes the first T is dropped too, making “mi’uhn”.
My Trenton-area accent got SO STRONG the instant I moved out of state. I really hoped it would recede a bit when we moved back, but no such luck. I am a “mi’uhn” girl now, through and through.
I completely agree with andrew’s assessment, for everyone from the Island except us and Margee.
Ok, phew…I hate to insult people based on geographic location, but with Long Islanders it’s really difficult not to.
On accents…there’s definitely a Buffalo accent but it’s usually not that strong. In my freshman year Latin class, however, there was another Meghan from Buffalo who had the strongest Buffalo accent I had ever heard. So she introduced herself as Meghan from Buffalo and apologized for the fact that her Buffalo accent was going to make her Latin pronunciation terrible. And two people later I had to introduce myself as Meghan, also from Buffalo, but not so much with the accent.
We would say “mit’n”. But I know that we’re hard to understand with certain words where we way soften our consonants. Like, ECers say “prinTer” with a LOT of emphasis on the T, and we say “prinner.”
My Trenton-area accent got SO STRONG the instant I moved out of state. I really hoped it would recede a bit when we moved back, but no such luck. I am a “mi’uhn” girl now, through and through.
I never had the Pittsburghese accent but I find I might subconsciously put it on when I’m homesick. My roommate’ll tell me I’m saying “aht” instead of “out.”
But overall I’m an accent whore…I pick up the dialect of wherever I am right now. I was in Canada for less than a whole morning when I started saying “south” and “out” the way Canadians do. The funny part was that I hadn’t at that point really talked to any Canadians at length. My vocal chords are apparently affected by the molecular makeup of the air I’m breathing.
I know what you mean! We were in Dublin a few years back…
andrew, that story reminds me of my favorite encounter as an American in a foreign city: I was in Edinburgh, walking down the street with some of my friends when this Scottish guy came up to us and asked if we were American. We said we were and he asked from which state, as people so often do. We answered “Buffalo, NY,” since answering just plain “New York” inevitably leads to disaster, thinking that he would have no idea what we were talking about (previously on this trip I’d told another Scott I was from Buffalo, and he’d seriously answered. “But that’s an animal, not a city.”). But instead he was like “Oh, Buffalo! The Bills!” We were all completely dumbstruck by this response. I mean Americans hardly remember the Bills exist (hell, sometimes even Buffalonians [would rather] forget). None of us were football fans, so the conversation pretty much ended right there, but it was still pretty hilarious.
My Trenton-area accent got SO STRONG the instant I moved out of state.
That happens sometimes. Flutter’s aboot’s (aboat’s? I can’t tell with her anymore) and dropping of t’s and h’s got much worse when we moved to NYC from ‘fax. Me, not so much. But I am apparently recognizably Canadian. Who knew?
(Also, hey I’m back from America! Did y’all have a good week?)
On accents…there’s definitely a Buffalo accent but it’s usually not that strong.
I’ve found Clevelanders have a similar accent, though they never get called on it.
My friend Kate (from Philly) has the hardest time living down her Philly accent, especially on the word water (pronounced wooder).
Since we’re on the subject, I find accents absolutely fascinating. The fact that you guys can all drive to the next county over and have a different dialect blows my mind. Stupid California, everyone talks the same here, except rednecks. In fact, you can pretty much drive from San Diego to Seattle and not hear any difference in the way the locals talk. Boring!
Hey, Mags! Did you have a good trip?
Oh, and andrew, how I could forget to mention that you may be able to stave off the Fancy Bits in the SuperLeague, but you’re going down in the AmazingLeague! The PanBoxers are on fire now that they’re not skating short-handed anymore. Somebody — Sherry, ahem — tried to poach the player I picked up despite the fact that he’s in the wrong conference and then someboday — uh, me — didn’t realize I had free roster spots as a result. Oops! Fantasy hockey is hard!
Here andrew, maybe you too can be among the accented!
I’ve found Clevelanders have a similar accent, though they never get called on it.
Yeah, what’s with that.
Funnily enough, because I lived in the Hudson River Valley area until I was 9 and my parents of from Queens, I never picked up all that much of the Buffalo accent. So people in Buffalo have always thought I’m a downstater. A few years ago I was home for the summer and took the wrong exit off the 190 and had to get directions back to the highway (because it’s tricky there). I spent a couple minutes convincing the guy that no, I was not a tourist and yes, I really did live in Williamsville.
Conversely, people in New York totally thought I was from the midwest or something (although not so much anymore).
Stupid California, everyone talks the same here, except rednecks. In fact, you can pretty much drive from San Diego to Seattle and not hear any difference in the way the locals talk.
But there’s definitely a California accent when you’re from outside that state.
I LOVE accent talk. :D
I can tell if someone is from the upper midwest. One thing I notice is that they say GRAMpuh. And we say GrayandPawww.
And two people later I had to introduce myself as Meghan, also from Buffalo, but not so much with the accent.
What’s with all the Meghans from Buffalo? My sister is a Meghan from Buffalo!
I think a good (bad) Buffalo accent is pretty great (I don’t really have one, but I think I can do a pretty good impression), but a strong Minnesotan accent is really hilarious. There’s a dance instructor here who constantly tells people to “scoot,” and her accent makes it sound like there’s about fifteen extra Os. It’s adorable!
you can pretty much drive from San Diego to Seattle and not hear any difference in the way the locals talk. Boring!
I dunno, there were definitely differences. I can’t pinpoint them though…
Hey, Mags! Did you have a good trip?
Thanks for asking, yes I did.
I don’t really have one, but I think I can do a pretty good impression
I wish I could do an impression of one, but I totally can’t. I figure there are a lot of Meghan’s in Buffalo because of all the Irish. But then again, I’m not so much of Irish descent myself, so I could be making that up.
Our older sister lived in the Boston area for a few years, and said she only once had a crippling encounter with a Boston accent — she was at a mall and someone asked her for what she thought was a fish market. So she gave them directions to a grocery store down the street, and later realized they were asking for a “card shop”, not a “cod shop”.
But overall I’m an accent whore…I pick up the dialect of wherever I am right now.
Other than clinging to my Trenton-area dropped internal T’s, I am exactly the same way. If I ever moved to England, I’d so be that annoying American with the bad affected accent.
“how I could forget to mention that you may be able to stave off the Fancy Bits in the SuperLeague, but you’re going down in the AmazingLeague!”
Pshaw! Bring it on!!! I never thought I would say this, but thank god for Rod Brind’amour. He absolutely effing killed it last week.
“Here andrew, maybe you too can be among the accented!”
I took the quiz, it said I don’t have an accent! My region of prominence (obviously) was “The West”…by 90% or so. Thanks anyway, Pensgirl.
“But there’s definitely a California accent when you’re from outside that state.”
That’s what I’ve heard, but I dunno. I watch national news and sports broadcasts and I think they all sound just like the people around me. (Except for the color guy on NESN, he’s hilarious). Am I just crazy?
And hi Mags! Hope you had a good week!
Where were you again, Mags?
she was at a mall and someone asked her for what she thought was a fish market. So she gave them directions to a grocery store down the street, and later realized they were asking for a “card shop”, not a “cod shop”.
:^::::::::::::::::::::
Poor Kate.
Meg, I went to see my friend Muur in San Jose and then flew up to visit A.Oil, PP and the rest of the gang in Everett.
Am I just crazy?
Yup! No, just kidding, but Californians definitely do have an accent. It’s particularly noticeable on words like “egg.”
My roommate freshman and sophmore year was delighted to realize that my name rhymed with “pagan” and totally baffled when the rest of my suitemates and I were confused by that. She couldn’t hear the difference between how we pronounced my name and how she pronounced it at all, but it was very obvious to us.
Sounds like a good time, Mags! Glad you had fun.
(Except for the color guy on NESN, he’s hilarious)
Boston accents have to be, bar none, the funniest accents in all the world. I mean, there’s just no debate!
but a strong Minnesotan accent is really hilarious.
I heard Staffy’s Minnesota accent during an interview last week, and holy cow, is it strong.
‘Yup! No, just kidding, but Californians definitely do have an accent. It’s particularly noticeable on words like “egg.””
Hmmm…color me intrigued. So, with a word like “egg”, what makes it sound California-ey?
“I went to see my friend Muur in San Jose and then flew up to visit A.Oil, PP and the rest of the gang in Everett.”
Did you make it to a Sharks game, Mags?
a strong Minnesotan accent is really hilarious
I loved when Fargo came out and they were all, “We don’t sound like that!” Um, yah ya do!
I heard Staffy’s Minnesota accent during an interview last week, and holy cow, is it strong
Staffy’s accent seems to be the strangest amalgam of midwest, Canada and Minnesota. I adore it! Zach Parise has such a strong Minnesota accent you can hear it just seeing his lips move. Like when the camera catches him talking to teammates on the bench, you can just see his round o’s just floating off into space while he talks.
Boston accents have to be, bar none, the funniest accents in all the world. I mean, there’s just no debate!
I dunno, it’s the Deep South that usually gets me. They manage to put about four syllables in my one-syllable name.
“Boston accents have to be, bar none, the funniest accents in all the world. I mean, there’s just no debate!”
They do rule. I also get a kick out of the cockney rural English accent. Kills me everytime. In fact, I think that’s the only reason I have bands like The Cockney Rejects and Peter & The Test Tube Babies in my music collection. That accent just puts a smile on my face for some reason.
So, with a word like “egg”, what makes it sound California-ey?
It’s a bit hard to describe. Normally when a Californian says “egg” (and this has always been Southern Californians so maybe it’s different up where you are) it sounds to me as though there’s a bit of a “y” sound. Almost as though it it were, “ayg” (with a long “a” sound).
Or another example would be my name. Most of the Californians I’ve met do pronounce it, like my roommate does, in a way where it rhymes with “pagan.” Whereas when someone from the northeast says it, it doesn’t rhyme.
It ties into the whole “merry/marry/Mary” question. They sound distinctly different to me, whereas they don’t to most of the Californians I know.
Boston accents have to be, bar none, the funniest accents in all the world.
Hell yes.
Did you make it to a Sharks game, Mags?
I wanted to, but in the end we didn’t because those bastards decided they weren’t playing any home games for the duration of my stay. T____T I did get to see 2 Silvertips games when I was in Everett though, which really isn’t the same as going to see the Sharks, but good enough. (Besides… I got to meet Reekie)
Conversely, people in New York totally thought I was from the midwest or something (although not so much anymore).
People have told me I sound Canadian before. My dad has somehow worked some Canadian pronunciation of words like “borrow” and “sorry” (bore-owe and sore-y) into his speech, despite the fact that he doesn’t have an over-arching accent, and he’s never lived in Canada. Weirdo.
I figure there are a lot of Meghan’s in Buffalo because of all the Irish. But then again, I’m not so much of Irish descent myself, so I could be making that up.
That could be it. I do have an Irish last name, though I don’t really have any Irish blood to speak of.
Boston accents have to be, bar none, the funniest accents in all the world. I mean, there’s just no debate!
Agreed! My friends and I do this ALL THE TIME!
I heard Staffy’s Minnesota accent during an interview last week, and holy cow, is it strong.
Man, I’ll have to check that out!
I got to meet Reekie
I always wanted Reekie, Ricci, and Recchi to play together.
My friends and I do this ALL THE TIME!
Whoa, sorry, that video goes on a Clone High acid trip at the end. I just meant the “For Supper…” part.
Hey Mags! Yowza. I’m hoping Martle is dumb(even though he’s really not), I don’t want the Canucks to end up with 68 pts. Awwww, I love Staffy but I`ve never heard him talk. I love listening to all the Swedes on the Nucks. Cutest accents ever. They all drop their ts or something.
I watch national news and sports broadcasts and I think they all sound just like the people around me.
Same here.
I was actually in Sacramento for a couple of weeks a couple of years ago, working inside a bank’s back office setup and all the girls that were working there had very pronounced accents. We actually had a discussion about it, because they were noting mine and I tried to say some things like they did and managed a little bit of it. It was a fun conversation.
I think that the Valley Girl accent is an extreme version of the regular California accent. When I hear a native Californian I hear a hint of it.
I always wanted Reekie, Ricci, and Recchi to play together.
I would be willing to hand over a large amount of money, and probably some parts of my soul to see that happen.
Agreed! My friends and I do this ALL THE TIME!
*snigger* PP talks like that. Nevermind that she’s never been anywhere near Boston, she drops her r’s like she belongs.
“Or another example would be my name. Most of the Californians I’ve met do pronounce it, like my roommate does, in a way where it rhymes with “pagan.” Whereas when someone from the northeast says it, it doesn’t rhyme.”
Hmm, so it seems to be subtle. I get ya. I’ll try to make sure to call you Meg. Not May-g!
“I did get to see 2 Silvertips games when I was in Everett though, which really isn’t the same as going to see the Sharks, but good enough.”
That’s cool. Sounds like a good time. Funny that you were in SJ last week, I was in Monterey for 3 days (like 40 minutes away!)
I’m hoping Martle is dumb(even though he’s really not), I don’t want the Canucks to end up with 68 pts.
Don’t worry, Alix, 10 games at the beginning of the season is definitely an insufficient sample size. I doubt those numbers wind up being all that meaningful.
I love listening to all the Swedes on the Nucks.
My favorite is when a player has been on the same team for a few years and his natural accent starts to blend with the local accent. Mario has this wonderful blend of light Quebecois and even lighter Yinzer (Pittsburghese). He sounds more Quebecois when he’s pissed, though.
I’ll try to make sure to call you Meg. Not May-g!
Heh . . . I’m actually completely indifferent so no worries there.
Hey Mags! Nice to have you back in town!
My favorite is when a player has been on the same team for a few years and his natural accent starts to blend with the local accent. Mario has this wonderful blend of light Quebecois and even lighter Yinzer (Pittsburghese).
Brodeur’s Quebecois by way of Jersey accent never ceases to amuse me.
“I was actually in Sacramento for a couple of weeks a couple of years ago, working inside a bank’s back office setup and all the girls that were working there had very pronounced accents.”
Crazy…I guess I just have an accent-handicap when it comes to hearing my own! (I have heard the valley girl comparison before, I always thought of that as more of a “sounding dumb on purpose” thing, rather than an actual accent.)
I would be willing to hand over a large amount of money, and probably some parts of my soul to see that happen.
I’m glad I’m not alone! I have this thing for names. I always wanted the Historic Russian -Ovs to play together too…Federov, Fetisov, Kasatonov…you get the idea. And the best, the absolute hands-down winner of the Awesome Name Game has to be the Finns. Niinimaa, Nieminen, Numminen, Nurminen, Nummelin. I could so be the announcer for that team!
I doubt those numbers wind up being all that meaningful.
*nodnod* I mean, what are the odds of anyone ending up with as many points as the Sens and their ilk have been projected with. That’s madness!
Brodeur’s Quebecois by way of Jersey accent never ceases to amuse me.
I know. I might have an indecent amount of love for the way he speaks.
Niinimaa, Nieminen, Numminen, Nurminen, Nummelin. I could so be the announcer for that team!
Hell yes.
My sister and I hung around with a couple of guys from Philly when we lived in Tulsa. When they got mad, we could barely understand them.
We had another friend named Karen, and we made fun of them for pronouncing it “Kah-ren” instead of “Keerin”, which we thought was much more correct.
When I was six, my mom pointed out that “can’t” is pronounced “can’t” and not “cayn’t.” I actually remember that day.
Niinimaa, Nieminen, Numminen, Nurminen, Nummelin. I could so be the announcer for that team!
There was one announcer who said that the Dallas-Nashville games were the hardest to announce when Numminen was in Dallas and Timonen was in Nashville, because they all sounded so alike that he’d get tongue-tied.
what are the odds of anyone ending up with as many points as the Sens and their ilk have been projected with. That’s madness!
On the other hand, regular seasons of that nature tend to tucker a team out for the playoffs…maybe it’s worth hoping for (as long as we ECers can still get our teams in the playoffs to knock them out!).
Thanks for the reassurance, Meg. And they have been playing better lately. Psyie`s actually playing like a power forward. Good little Pysie. I don`t really get the whole Canadians say aboot thing for the word about. I don`t think I`ve ever said aboot. But maybe I just don`t think that I do.
There was one announcer who said that the Dallas-Nashville games were the hardest to announce when Numminen was in Dallas and Timonen was in Nashville, because they all sounded so alike that he’d get tongue-tied.
I am AWESOME at it! In choir we used to have to warm up with a scale of “Aluminum linoleum aluminum linoleum aluminum linoleum aluminum linoleum…,” and I’ve been able to translate it to “Niinimaa and Nieminen and Numminen and Nummelin….” Yes, I’m just that big a Finn geek.
I don`t think I`ve ever said aboot. But maybe I just don`t think that I do.
Eastern Canadian thing maybe? You might not say it? But then if you don’t hear it while going to school in Eastern Canada it might just be a not-hearing-your-own-accent thing.
For the record, I don’t hear mine. I think I sound just like those announcers on tv, even though I’m sure it’s not true.
Niinimaa, Nieminen, Numminen, Nurminen, Nummelin. I could so be the announcer for that team!
The Stars have been close! We had all -inens for a while: Lehtinen, Kapanen, Numminen, Miettinen (plus Hagman).
(I feel like I’m forgetting somebody.)
One of the entries for the billboard contest is “Nobody crosses our Finnish Line”.
On the other hand, regular seasons of that nature tend to tucker a team out for the playoffs…maybe it’s worth hoping for
Valid point. Still, them getting that many points would make me sad/mad (depends on the time of day).
I don`t really get the whole Canadians say aboot thing for the word about.
I guess it depends where you come from really. And for some people it’s more subtle than others. I don’t notice I say it, but apparently I do.
I guess it depends where you come from really. And for some people it’s more subtle than others. I don’t notice I say it, but apparently I do.
In my experience it’s not really literally “aboot,” but that’s the closest way to write it. I was trying earlier to write how I was saying “south” while in NB & NS, and I deleted “sooth” because it wasn’t quite right but I couldn’t think of anything else. Re-considering it, the “o” is more like in the word “so.” So-th? Soeth? How would one write that?
The same, I think, is true for about…it’s more “a-boat” than “a-boot.”
I mean, what are the odds of anyone ending up with as many points as the Sens and their ilk have been projected with.
The President’s Trophy was won last year with 113 points. Mirtle’s predicting the Senators will top that by 25%. That’s highly unlikely, especially with how competitive the EC can be.
One of the entries for the billboard contest is “Nobody crosses our Finnish Line”.
That’s pretty brilliant.
One of the entries for the billboard contest is “Nobody crosses our Finnish Line”.
I think I just died a little from all the happy that gives me.
I don`t really get the whole Canadians say aboot thing for the word about.
I’ve always heard it more as “aboat”, as in, “What should I use to get across this river? I know! A boat!”
And on that note, it’s time for me to get oat and aboat myself. See you all later!
“Nobody crosses our Finnish Line”
That’s actually really really clever. Good job whoever submitted that!
Finnish line! That is fantastic.
One of the entries for the billboard contest is “Nobody crosses our Finnish Line”.
Love it. Total winner right there.
Gambler, I’m a little annoyed at how you suckered me into reading Bucky Gleason. But I did get a post out of it atleast :-)
Bye Schnookie!
Bye, Schnookie!
See ya Schnookie!
What did Mirtle say aboat the Stars?
Crazy…I guess I just have an accent-handicap when it comes to hearing my own!
Andrew, I think most people who don’t hear any but the most pronounced accents wouldn’t hear it. And I don’t hear accents that are close to mine.
A lot of people think Texans have a Southern accent, but it’s very different. Plus it varies widely inside the state.
Remember that movie, Silkwood, with Meryl Streep? She did an excellent Oklahoma accent. Most actors just do a random southern/Texas accent and that’s way off.
aboat the Stars?
Gettin’ your Canadian on…nice!
19th overall with 8.6 fewer points than last season.
Bye Schnookie!
A lot of people think Texans have a Southern accent, but it’s very different. Plus it varies widely inside the state.
I never understood that either, Patty. I don’t really buy into the whole “Southern” thing to begin with…other than a general twang and saying y’all the different southern states all sound remarkably different. Just because you can understand a North Carolinian does NOT mean you can understand a Georgian!
19th overall with 8.6 fewer points than last season.
Aahh pfft! He’s full of it! :D We’re gonna ROCK!
Oh, totally…he has the Pens at 21st!
Remember that movie, Silkwood, with Meryl Streep? She did an excellent Oklahoma accent.
Meryl Streep is just an all around class act IMHO.
I should have qualified that, though, Patty…the rankings are based on the “swing” from last year…he actually has Dallas 3rd in the West (but the Pens in 8th in the East, so he’s still full of it).
Ahhh! They scheduled two PPV Canucks games in a row. How obnoxious. We do have two of the best radio guys ever but still. Do they think I’m made of money?
I really like Meryl Streep. She acts the hell out of stuff.
Do they think I’m made of money?
Well they are, so yes they think you are too.
Or so it seems, right?
This is depressing…yesterday I found a ticket from a Pens game in 1993…it was for section B in the Civic Arena (200 level to other places), and it was $32. Then my mom tells me our playoff tickets in ’92, seats that were six rows from the ice, were $55 a pop.
Inflation blows.
but the Pens in 8th in the East, so he’s still full of it
And to think everyone had them picked to steamroll the opposition this season.
Do they think I’m made of money?
I don’t know. Apparently. Do the AirFrance cabin staff think I’m made of time and it is therefore ok to go on strike and bring about the cancellation of my flight home? Apparently.
Gambler, I’m a little annoyed at how you suckered me into reading Bucky Gleason.
I just finished apologizing for this over in my comments! I’m sorry for springing Bucky on all my unsuspecting, Bucky-avoiding readers and making heads explode, but after spending seven hours in rehearsal yesterday keeping my mouth shut about how much I hate the play and the director and the experience and my life, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let Bucky know just how much I hate his column. One person can store only so much hate, you know. Sorry that you got caught in the crossfire!
She can do any accent. When she does the German accent in Sophie’s Choice (or was it Polish?), I believe that it’s accurate because she’s the only that ever got the Oklahoma accent right.
And to think everyone had them picked to steamroll the opposition this season.
But we’re SO GOOD on paper, dontchaknow? And we all know accurate THAT is!!!
Seriously, why anyone would make a projection of anything right now is beyond me. Call me in January!
Oh, I can definitely hear the differences in southern accents. I think they’re very pronounced.
And seriously, alix, PPV is sooooo not cool. You should write a letter to the editor or some shit. That ain’t right.
Do the AirFrance cabin staff think I’m made of time and it is therefore ok to go on strike and bring about the cancellation of my flight home?
Yikes!
Did you tell them you can get your own coffee, let’s just get going?
But we’re SO GOOD on paper, dontchaknow? And we all know accurate THAT is!!!
If hockey was an exact science, being good on paper would be all you’d need. But it isn’t, which is why these prediction type things really bother me.
Seriously andrew, please don’t let JR stomp all over Modano’s big moment! I’m begging!
But we’re SO GOOD on paper, dontchaknow? And we all know accurate THAT is!!!
Yeah! Why are we going through the torture of playing the actual games??
Let’s ask the Rangers if the so-called paper is helping them much. Bwah-hahahaha!
Yikes!
Did you tell them you can get your own coffee, let’s just get going?
I didn’t. I cried on the phone to my travel agent (emotional teenager, activate!) and she made AirFrance book me on a British Airways flight. All was well in the end.
If hockey was an exact science, being good on paper would be all you’d need.
And that would be the most boring thing ever.
these prediction type things really bother me
I laugh at ‘em, mostly. Hockey, especially, is fraught with streakiness, and who can predict when a player or team is going to get hot (or go stone cold)?
Let’s ask the Rangers if the so-called paper is helping them much. Bwah-hahahaha!
Basking in the schadenfreude. Love it! :)
“Seriously andrew, please don’t let JR stomp all over Modano’s big moment! I’m begging!”
Can’t help you there…I take no responsibility for Roenick’s actions. (Although, the new Roenick [putting up points, not being a mouthy jerk] is so much better than the old Roenick!)
Did I miss something? What’s going on with Modano?
(emotional teenager, activate!)
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Stupid airport people! I SHOULD write a letter, Andrew. “I demand to see my humming giraffe without having to pay for your shitty service” Although, the Nuckies keep losing on PPV so maybe I should just deal with it.
Do the AirFrance cabin staff think I’m made of time and it is therefore ok to go on strike and bring about the cancellation of my flight home? Apparently.
Apparently labor strikes in France are as to rain in Seattle.
Did I miss something? What’s going on with Modano?
Bite me, andrew.
I can’t believe you’re already falling for Roenick’s non-attention-whore pretense.
Basking in the schadenfreude. Love it! :)
Ah yes, basking in schadenfreude is a good place to be.
Apparently labor strikes in France are as to rain in Seattle.
Interestingly, we only had 1 day or rain when I was there. (but yes, I see your point re:labor strikes. The French are very good at them)
Bite me, andrew.
Perhaps asking a SHARKS fan to do this isn’t the greatest of moves…
“Did I miss something? What’s going on with Modano?”
“Bite me, andrew.”
Ummmm….I wasn’t being sarcastic, I’ve been away from the internet and TV for, like, 3 days (not to mention the Stars and Sharks haven’t played each other yet this year).
“I can’t believe you’re already falling for Roenick’s non-attention-whore pretense.”
Oh no, I am definitely not falling for it. He’s still a moran….I’ll just take the points.
Perhaps asking a SHARKS fan to do this isn’t the greatest of moves…
Wait, if we are what we root for then I better go get a tux…and some herring.
At least, I guess, that means if I ever have kids I can dump ‘em on the father for two months!
One person can store only so much hate, you know. Sorry that you got caught in the crossfire!
Gambler, I tease because I love! But I’d forgotten how much Bucky can get under my skin. I missed part of my nap because I had to get the annoyance off my chest :-)
“Wait, if we are what we root for then I better go get a tux…and some herring.”
Ha! I like it!
Ummmm….I wasn’t being sarcastic, I’ve been away from the internet and TV for, like, 3 days (not to mention the Stars and Sharks haven’t played each other yet this year).
Oh, sorry. I was just kidding about biting me. :D
Yeah, Modano’s only 3 points from passing Phil Housley for American-born points scoring. He’s been struggling, but he got 2 points in the last game, so I’m hoping he gets three more over the next two games because I’ll be there. And I just hope against hope that Roenick doesn’t get his grubby mitts all over it. He’s been all, ooh, I’m such a big fan of Modano. He’s such a class guy and I’m so happy for him… blah blah blah. Erg.
Oh Bucky. The Sabres aren’t even my team and that pissed me right off. Fat, ugly ass clown. But I’m very anti media right now anyways.
Hee. I was just reading the stuff about accents on Wikipedia (scroll to the bottom)today, and the subject always entertains me, even though I can’t read linguistics and despite living my entire life in Pittsburgh while being technically Canadian can do neither accent!
So do people in Buffalo sound different than people in Rochester? :)
blah blah blah. Erg.
Funny, that’s what I hear when JR talks, too. Including the “erg.”
Wait, if we are what we root for then I better go get a tux…and some herring.
At least, I guess, that means if I ever have kids I can dump ‘em on the father for two months!
*gigglesnort*
I’d have to go buy some horn and a tail and whatnot. Might be fun for Halloween actually…
despite living my entire life in Pittsburgh while being technically Canadian can do neither accent!
Really? I’ll have to teach you sometime! I love going all Yinzer when the mood strikes me (“Hir we gew, Stiwwers, hir we gew!”).
I love accents…the only one I can’t do well is that Kate Hepburn Connecticut thing…I can quote her movie lines but can’t just put on the accent. Probably my favorite to “do” is Russian.
Wait, if we are what we root for then I better go get a tux…and some herring.
I can just keep being myself!
Hee hee.
Fat, ugly ass clown
That made me sound size-ist. Sorry. I`ll leave the ugly though.
That made me sound size-ist.
Haha!
And a little look-ist.
I have no idea what I would be…oh nevermind! I would be this manly Canadian lumberjack. Heh. Doesn`t quite fit.
“Yeah, Modano’s only 3 points from passing Phil Housley for American-born points scoring. He’s been struggling, but he got 2 points in the last game, so I’m hoping he gets three more over the next two games because I’ll be there.”
I see….
Yeah, Roenick’s going to shit all over that and score two goals tonight.
Just kidding! I honestly don’t see it happening. He’s old! Not to mention, he’s going to be pulling 4th line duty…Clowe and Davison are out with injuries. Kaspar and Setoguchi are dressing for the game tonight. Roenick’s slow ass is going to be taking a back seat.
Might be fun for Halloween actually…
That’s the spirit!
Oh, but then that means the -Ookies have to actually become devils. Can they do that? Is there more than one? Won’t the Head Devil get mad?
Elsewhere…what, exactly, is a ranger? Do Calgary fans have to set themselves on fire? What about Tampa? And does everyone in St. Louis have to become depressed?
My head hurts!
We need Hatcher to stand around giving him dirty looks. :D
He might be a tree, but he’s a scary tree.
Oh Bucky. The Sabres aren’t even my team and that pissed me right off. Fat, ugly ass clown. But I’m very anti media right now anyways.
alix, at this point I should really know better than to let anything Bucky writes penetrate my brain, but occasionally I do it anyway. What’s your media beef besides the fact that they suck?
I always picture Yogi the Bear when I think of the Rangers. What exactly is a Bruin?
That’s hilarious Pensgirl! A Ranger, by the way, is a Texas state lawman. Used to ride horses. Kind of like a cross between the FBI and the Highway Patrol and an old-fashioned cowboy.
And that’s what the NY Rangers are actually named after. A Texan owned them first, from what I understand.
“alix, at this point I should really know better than to let anything Bucky writes penetrate my brain, but occasionally I do it anyway. What’s your media beef besides the fact that they suck?”
Bucky is waaaay off my radar….I’ve avoided that moran like the Black Frickin Death for about 3 years or so, and I’ve never looked back.
alix has to PAY to watch the Nucks! I’d be pissed at the media too!!!
I always picture Yogi the Bear when I think of the Rangers.
Haha!
Well, I’m off to the game. Wish Mo luck and JR failure. That way you don’t have to choose which team should win. *cough*Stars*cough*
“He wanted to name them the Giants but everyone kept referring to them as ‘Tex’s Rangers’.”
Still doesn’t explain why they can’t get a more entertaining logo. :P
All this representation talk is starting to remind me of Earl’s mascot cartoons.
“Well, I’m off to the game. Wish Mo luck and JR failure. That way you don’t have to choose which team should win. *cough*Stars*cough*”
mm hmm.
Have a good time at the game Patty!
Go Sharks!!
Have fun at the game Patty!
Oh, but then that means the -Ookies have to actually become devils. Can they do that? Is there more than one? Won’t the Head Devil get mad?
I think there might be more devils and only one Devil. Methinks so anyway.
Here’s the thing though, I’d have to be a devil, a penguin, a saint and a silvertip. Those are the teams I fangirl depending on the time of the week. About 75% of the time would go to being a devil, and the rest would share the 25% between them. Which would be freaking hard work!
My beef, Heather? Recently Nazzy said after our loss in Columbus he was frustrated about the loss and wanted the team to have the puck more. Then this reporter totally took them out of context and wrote this `factual`article about how Nazzy and coach V hate eachother and Nazzy doesn`t like the system they play. Vancouver being so melodramatic, it turned into this big thing, and all the radio guys were calling Nazzy and whiner and shit and it even got mentioned by the talking heads on TSN. It just really pissed me off. These guys have NO idea what is really going on with the team, but they talk like they know everything. And then the majority of the fans just eat it up and think it`s true. Wow, bit of a rant hehe.
Bye Patty, have fun!
Poor Nazzy. He’s so put upon. When he doesn’t talk he’s too quiet and passionless to be a good captain and when he does talk he’s a whiner.
alix, understood. I’m convinced a few our hockey writers don’t actually watch hockey.
No kidding, Meg. Poor guy. I think that’s true for Vancouver too, Heather.
What exactly is a Bruin?
A bear.
A Ranger, by the way, is a Texas state lawman. Used to ride horses. Kind of like a cross between the FBI and the Highway Patrol and an old-fashioned cowboy.
And that’s what the NY Rangers are actually named after. A Texan owned them first, from what I understand.
Hmm, I knew what a Texas ranger was but didn’t think NYR was related. Okie-doke!
Here’s the thing though, I’d have to be a devil, a penguin, a saint and a silvertip. Those are the teams I fangirl depending on the time of the week.
If we carried it to other sports I’d have to be a hokie, and there’s actually no such thing!
When he doesn’t talk he’s too quiet and passionless to be a good captain and when he does talk he’s a whiner.
I hate the “he’s too quiet to be a captain!” argument. Especially after the years of “Drury is a great strong, silent, lead by example captain!” Which way is it, fellas?
I’m convinced a few our hockey writers don’t actually watch hockey.
Empty Netters linked to an article about Sid today, and its writer said Therrien replaced Recchi with Ryan Whitney on the top line.
OK, fine, so the real replacement – Ryan Malone – has the same first name.
But Whit’s a defenseman!
So yeah, Heather, I can buy that.
I wouldn’t be just any devil, I’d be the Jersey Devil. Which means I could be really anything, if you believe the stories. (I’d rather not be the bear horribly disfigured by the forest fire in the Pine Barrens.)
Oh a bear! That makes sense. Thanks Pensgirl. IPB is so educational. Hmmm, if you added all my teams together, I would be part lumberjack/orca, part huskie, part giant, and part roughrider(whatever that actually is)
I wouldn’t be just any devil, I’d be the Jersey Devil. Which means I could be really anything, if you believe the stories. (I’d rather not be the bear horribly disfigured by the forest fire in the Pine Barrens.)
So, you could just stay you, and say you are what a Jersey Devil is.
Which means I could solve my Hokie problem the same way.
Works for me!
I would be part lumberjack/orca, part huskie, part giant, and part roughrider(whatever that actually is)
Roughriders (Canadian version): originates with the North-West Mounted Police (based in Regina), who were called Roughriders because they rode wild broncos while on duty.
A ginormous lumberjack whaledog on a wild bronco?
That’s really scary!
Yup. I’ve hated that argument ever since I’ve been a Canucks fan. There is other examples of captains besides the Joe Sakic/Iginla ra ra type. I still adore Burnaby Joe, obviously, there’s just more than one way to do the captain thing.
there’s just more than one way to do the captain thing
Now that’s just crazy talk.
Alix, have you seen the “whale-in-rink” Vancouver logo? (You don’t support the Lions?)
That makes sense since the team lives in Regina. Hee, that does sound quite grotesque.
Hee, that does sound quite grotesque.
I’d be a steelmaking flightless bird fantasy-creature…and that doesn’t factor in any of my secondary teams. I don’t even wanna think about those!
that doesn’t factor in any of my secondary teams. I don’t even wanna think about those!
It’s making my brain hurt.
On that note, I’m calling it a day. You lot have a good one!
I have DS, that was hilarious! I really wanted them to have that on their jerseys just once. No I don’t support the Lions. Shocking and traitorous I know. I wasn’t into football at all before I came out the prairies for school. And now that I dig it a little, my uni team and the Roughriders have stolen my football heart. Football is such a big deal in Saskatchewan so you’re politely nudged into liking it.
So, you could just stay you, and say you are what a Jersey Devil is.
Just think of all those scary stories told by campers in the Pine Barrens. “And then… creeping into the camp site came the horrible, frightening Jersey Devil! She lurched along like the lazy couch potato she was… Her librarian’s bun silhouetted against the moon in the eerie fire light… Her Paulie Martin sweater billowing in the gusting winds…”
C ya Mags!
“and that doesn’t factor in any of my secondary teams. I don’t even wanna think about those!”
Shark with three gills and a mother-effing sword. Simple, yet effective.
Hee, that’s awesome Pookie. Schnookie should really finish Shattuck Boys, and you should write Jersey Devil horror stories.
Heh, thanks alix! I do agree with you on the “finishing Shattuck Boys” front. Schnookie needs to, I dunno, quit her job or something.
“And then… creeping into the camp site came the horrible, frightening Jersey Devil! She lurched along like the lazy couch potato she was… Her librarian’s bun silhouetted against the moon in the eerie fire light… Her Paulie Martin sweater billowing in the gusting winds…”
:^::::::::::::::::
Well, I guess it’s dinner time. Have a good night everybody! Good luck any hockey watchers.
Good night, alix!
Gracious, Patty’s getting quite a show…
Oh, we’ve been flipping back and forth between the Rangers and the Caps. What’ve we missed?
Morrow was in a (brief) fight with Bernier!
I tuned into the Rangers game for about 20 seconds and was bored to tears.
Yeah, the Caps game wasn’t much better. I mean, they were scoring a ton, but… The one highlight was Ovie celebrating the 6th goal like it was a Stanley Cup winner. Normally I’d find that a little bit too much in a blow-out, but in Toronto? Cheer, Ovie, cheer like you’ve never cheered before!