Happy Birthday, IPB!

March 23, 2008 by Pookie

One year and one day ago we embarked on a fantastic blogging journey we call Interchangeable Parts. We honestly never thought we’d write more than five posts, but here we are writing our 479th (okay, a handful of those were actually written by you, Gentle Reader). Pardon us while we get a bit statbitty here. In the last year we’ve written over 82 game diaries, 95 theses, and 118 reasons we love hockey. As of rightnow those 478 posts have generated 563,432 views (we’re pretty sure if we take out every time an IPB Irregular has hit F5, that number goes down to… 8) with Monday, July 2 bringing in a record 5,008 hits. You, Gentle Reader, have left 89,656 comments of the highest level of wit, intelligence and sarcasm. We’ve gotten 2,349 searches for “interchangeable parts” (compared to 2,635 searches for “Grady Sizemore “). But most of all, we’ve had 365 days of fun. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you, Gentle Reader, for making this all possible!

To celebrate our blog birthday, we’re giving you the chance to become, in addition to a Gentle Reader, a Gentle Listener! That’s right, we are proud to introduce the first of maybe a few, possibly many, Fireside Chats with Pookie and Schnookie: The IPB Hour (Contents Of Which Will Be Less Than An Hour). This is our first podcast ever for anything. You’d think a lifetime (read: 13 years) of talking about nothing but hockey would have prepared us to talk about it into a microphone for 20+ minutes, but you’d be wrong! In all seriousness, we dedicated the first episode of The IPB Hour to the state of the Devils since this time last year, that time when we said, all pie-in-the-sky, “let’s start a blog!” Please, enjoy the podcast! We welcome any comments, suggestions or even questions or topics you’d like to hear covered in future episodes. You can reach us at interchangeablepartsblog [at] gmail [dot] com.

(Before you listen, please note that we fully put forth this is the worst podcast in the history of podcasting. But it is better than the first one we recorded. Or rather “recorded”. Turns out the first step toward a good podcast? Turn your mic on. Heh.)

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Posted in Podcast, Pommerdoodling!, Self-Indulgence | 380 Comments

380 Responses

on March 23, 2008 at 5:47 pm Steve Lepore

That’s it, we’re setting up a podcast. Like, within this week.
on March 23, 2008 at 5:47 pm Adel

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
on March 23, 2008 at 5:54 pm Pookie

I take that comment to mean you have not listened to it yet, Steve! :)

Thanks, Adel!
on March 23, 2008 at 5:57 pm Katebits

Happy Birthday, IPB!
on March 23, 2008 at 5:59 pm Schnookie

Thanks, everyone! It’s like a happy birthday for the Irregulars, too!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:22 pm Mags

This. Is. So. Awesome :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IPB!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:24 pm Schnookie

Thanks, Mags! :D
on March 23, 2008 at 6:26 pm Dayna

Happy Birthday! Just for you I can slightly, possibly, maybe hope that the Devils play well on Tuesday… I can’t commit to too much though, I do love my Pens.

http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/story.php?left_nav=0405&article=zachAttack&right_nav=normal

There’s a Zach to be unwrapped though.
on March 23, 2008 at 6:27 pm Mags

I got home from hockey this afternoon and was HEARTBROKEN over what the Devils did to all of y’all in my 2 (3?) day absence (I may have yelled and ranted over the terrible birthday present they gave you), but I feel much better now. So thank YOU, -ookies.
on March 23, 2008 at 6:27 pm Katebits

Brava! Brava! It’s delightful!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:28 pm Schnookie

Thanks, Dayna! I appreciate the Devils support. :D

I love that picture of Zach because it’s so dorky. Whenever Pookie is getting too merciless in her mocking of my favorite players, I just pull that up and it shuts her up immediately. :P
on March 23, 2008 at 6:28 pm Pookie

Thanks, Dayna! Maybe hoping the Devils will play is all we can ask from a Pens fan! Last night’s game… We shall never speak of it again. And thanks for the link to USA Hockey Magazine. Thanks a lot! Now Schnookie’s going to mock it all night! :)
on March 23, 2008 at 6:29 pm Mags

I have a question! What did you two record this on? (because I am TOTALLY going to copy you)
on March 23, 2008 at 6:31 pm Schnookie

Aw, Mags, thanks so much! *Blushes* And really, the Pens game ultimately became comical enough that it kind of went beyond being crushing, you know? When a decent team (which I think, no matter how much I knock the Devils, is a fair enough description of them… :D) loses THAT badly, and looks THAT crappy, you kind of just have to laugh and toss it out. Stupid fuckers. :P

Katebits, thanks!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:34 pm Pookie

Glad to hear your feeling better, Mags! Last night’s game was so bad it’s one of those ones that you can’t let get you down.

As for the podcast, we recorded it using Audacity. It’s a free audio editor that lets you export files as MP3s.

Thanks, Katebits!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:35 pm Mags

Awwww, I luff Whitey too. He’s going to suck now that we’ve said that though.

The Pens game is totally laughable. I couldn’t find it in myself to be mad about the game itself, just the fact the timing.
on March 23, 2008 at 6:36 pm Mags

Audacity, thought so. Thanks Pookie :)
on March 23, 2008 at 6:38 pm Tricia

Happy Birthday! Great job with the podcast!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:38 pm Schnookie

I appreciated that the Devils chose last night, when we weren’t diarizing, to suck. I was puttering around making dinner, and frosting the cake, and enjoying not being stuck under my laptop. I guess if they’re going to crap the bed, I should be happy they chose to do so on a night I wasn’t paying very close attention to start out with. :D (Although it does end up looking like we chose not to write about the game after the fact…)

I am gobsmacked by this “I love Colin White” development. I never saw it coming!
on March 23, 2008 at 6:41 pm Schnookie

Thanks, Tricia!
on March 23, 2008 at 7:05 pm Patty (in Dallas)

That was so great! It really sounded great!

I applaud you for doing a podcast.

clapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclapclap
on March 23, 2008 at 7:06 pm Schnookie

Aw, thanks Patty! When are you going to do yours? :P
on March 23, 2008 at 7:08 pm alix

YAY! It sounded great! Well done! I would be scared to do a podcast.
on March 23, 2008 at 7:12 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I don’t have anybody to talk to about the Stars! I could get a friend or one of my sisters over, but you’ll just hear them in the background making themselves a sandwich or something because they lost interest in the topic in the first minute. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 7:13 pm Pookie

Thanks, Patty and alix! I was very scared to do the podcast but in the end it was a ton of fun. One of my tech-savvy coworkers has been bugging us to do this since October — it’s taken that long to get our confidence up enough to try it!
on March 23, 2008 at 7:14 pm Pookie

Hm, Patty, you’re right, it does help to have someone else to talk to. Lucky for me I have a certified “hockey blowhard” in the house!
on March 23, 2008 at 7:19 pm Schnookie

Being a certified hockey blowhard does make podcasting easier. (And it should be noted, this particular podcast was not very heavy on the “blowhard”ness…)
on March 23, 2008 at 7:23 pm Patty (in Dallas)

And just in time for your podcast, my mp3 player has conked out. GRR!
on March 23, 2008 at 7:27 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Y’all hardly have any accent, either. In comparison, I’m going to sound like a cartoon Texan!
on March 23, 2008 at 7:32 pm Schnookie

Yeah, I’m going to listen to you, Patty, and be like, “Was this what James Van Der Beek was trying to get at in ‘Varsity Blues’?” Ah don’t want yer lahfe! (I love that, if asked about my accent’s origin, I’d have to be like, “Well, I’ve lived on Long Island and in New Jersey… No, that’s not what I sound like at all!”)
on March 23, 2008 at 7:34 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Agh! I hope it’s not like that! I’m not a Hollywood actor trying to sound like a cartoon Texan, I’m an actual cartoon Texan. :P

I’ll probably sound more like the oil man that Bugs Bunny fights with.
on March 23, 2008 at 7:36 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I thought you sounded like you got into it more and more as it went on. It was really fun.
on March 23, 2008 at 7:37 pm Amy

Awesome podcast! I’m still trying to figure out how a cinderblock would accidentally get dropped on someone’s head, like you wanted to do to poor Oduya.

In comparison, I’m going to sound like a cartoon Texan!

I’d be afraid to do one. My Buffalo accent is really, really thick.
on March 23, 2008 at 7:41 pm Pookie

Amy, having met you I think your accent ROCKS! And Patty, I’m going to hear gunshots going off when you talk, like you’re an oil guy shooting into the air dancing around your field of derricks!

As for the cinder block… Oh, you know… Oduya walks out to the ice and we maybe have seats over the tunnel area… (Just kidding! We should put a disclaimer on the podcast: “No Devils Were Harmed in Spirit In the Making of this Podcast”.)
on March 23, 2008 at 7:49 pm Schnookie

Just kidding! We should put a disclaimer on the podcast: “No Devils Were Harmed in Spirit In the Making of this Podcast”.

Please. Like anyone would believe us.

Amy, I love your accent! And Patty, I bet yours sounds like nails on a chalkboard. :P (Do you pepper your cartoon Texas speech with lots of “Yee haw!”s?)
on March 23, 2008 at 7:51 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Do you pepper your cartoon Texas speech with lots of “Yee haw!”s?

Now that’s just silly! But I do drive a giant 70′s Cadillac convertible with longhorns bolted to the hood.
on March 23, 2008 at 7:54 pm Schnookie

But I do drive a giant 70’s Cadillac convertible with longhorns bolted to the hood.

Well, naturally. When we drove through Texas they had us check my Prius at the state line, gave us a 70′s Caddy with longhorns on the hood, then gave us the Prius back when we got across the state. (I won’t lie, though — I was very excited when we drove past ACTUAL longhorns. They were pretty cool to see.)
on March 23, 2008 at 7:56 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Longhorns are cool. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 7:57 pm Patty (in Dallas)

When we drove through Texas they had us check my Prius at the state line, gave us a 70’s Caddy with longhorns on the hood, then gave us the Prius back when we got across the state.

You didn’t just put the Prius in the trunk?
on March 23, 2008 at 7:57 pm Pookie

But I do drive a giant 70’s Cadillac convertible with longhorns bolted to the hood.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Those longhorns make it easier to make it across four lanes of busy highway to get to the right offramp in Dallas.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:09 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Those longhorns make it easier to make it across four lanes of busy highway to get to the right offramp in Dallas.

Every little bit helps.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:09 pm Schnookie

You didn’t just put the Prius in the trunk?

The trunk was full of belt buckles.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:14 pm Patty (in Dallas)

The trunk was full of belt buckles.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 23, 2008 at 8:14 pm Amy

The trunk was full of belt buckles.

Did you de-belt buckle an entire trail ride of cowboys?
on March 23, 2008 at 8:19 pm Schnookie

Did you de-belt buckle an entire trail ride of cowboys?

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

I think the previous users of the car did. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 8:41 pm Steve Lepore

I’m still doing a podcast with you 2, but you have to say every single word at the same time.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:44 pm Pookie

Steve, I think we can do that. (We said we’re tying to cut back on the dorkiness! :P)
on March 23, 2008 at 8:44 pm Schnookie

Steve, I think we can do that. (We said we’re trying to cut back on the dorkiness! :P)
on March 23, 2008 at 8:45 pm Steve Lepore

That was amazing.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:46 pm Heather B.

I’m very jealous of your podcast!
on March 23, 2008 at 8:46 pm Pookie

Amazingly dorky! :)
on March 23, 2008 at 8:46 pm Schnookie

Pookie’s sitting here saying she’ll study the lineup before doing any kind of fancy podcast, just so we’re not sitting there going, “And who’s that other guy?” I actually promise to forget EVEN MORE players’ names next time. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 8:47 pm Schnookie

Heather, you SHOULD be jealous! (Like how I’ve gone, in the span of a few hours, from being all, “Okay, that sucked” to “I’M SO AMAZING!!!”? Heh.)
on March 23, 2008 at 8:48 pm Heather B.

(Like how I’ve gone, in the span of a few hours, from being all, “Okay, that sucked” to “I’M SO AMAZING!!!”? Heh.)

Schnookie, you’re the blowhard. I’m not surprised at all :-D
on March 23, 2008 at 8:51 pm Schnookie

You know me so well, Heather. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 8:51 pm Pookie

But you are surprised that she toned down the blowhard, aren’t you? I know I am!
on March 23, 2008 at 8:53 pm Steve Lepore

I’m really mad that it lasted 23 minutes, cuz then I could’ve said that “This Hour is 22 Minutes”.
on March 23, 2008 at 8:55 pm Heather B.

Pookie, she was pretty non-blowhard. Crazy! Maybe as she gets more comfortable. You guys should record live and take calls. I could probably set her off.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:00 pm Steve Lepore

By the way, MEDIA SCOOP THAT I CAN’T POST ON KK RIGHT NOW BECAUSE PAUL’S BUSY:

John Buccigross, Barry Melrose and EJ Hradek will work the Worcester Regional of the NCAA Hockey Tournament. Mmmm, Buccigross + Mullet + Hradek.

Gary Thorne and Ray Ferraro will call another. Less excited. But, folks, this is what ESPN’s NHL coverage will likely look like if the league is back on ESPN2 next year.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:04 pm Heather B.

But, folks, this is what ESPN’s NHL coverage will likely look like if the league is back on ESPN2 next year.

Yay?

I don’t hate Melrose I like Hradek and and I loooooooove Ferraro. I could take or leave all the other guys.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:05 pm Steve Lepore

I like Bucci, and the fact that doing play-by-play is his dream is awesome to me.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:05 pm Amy

Mmmm, Buccigross + Mullet + Hradek.

How many times will Bucci mention an obscure band, potential names for children or the “Jonesy” book?
on March 23, 2008 at 9:08 pm Heather B.

I like Bucci in very, very small doses. I do not think I could handle him over the course of an entire game. (NAME YOUR OWN BABIES, LOSERS!)
on March 23, 2008 at 9:10 pm Steve Lepore

Anyway, back to that killer podcast. You guys are absolutely right about the forwards. I didn’t know how to explain it till you guys did.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:18 pm Schnookie

But, folks, this is what ESPN’s NHL coverage will likely look like if the league is back on ESPN2 next year.

Someone kill me now. I can’t stand ANY of those guys. And Bucci? Is my least favorite person in the hockey media. Bar none. I think I dislike him even more than I dislike Don Cherry.

You guys are absolutely right about the forwards. I didn’t know how to explain it till you guys did.

Well, after diarizing as many games as we have this season, we’ve gotten a pretty good handle on describing the unique brand of underachievement the Devils forwards have perfected this year. :P
on March 23, 2008 at 9:21 pm Steve Lepore

I like Bucci, I think he’s a refreshingly different voice in what is a pretty boring hockey media.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:25 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I’m not a big fan of any of those guys, either. I might still watch them, but it doesn’t really make me wish for ESPN again. I’m kind of liking not having to watch ESPN.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:26 pm Pookie

I cannot stand Bucci. His columns never contain any real hockey content. It bothers me immensely that he gets paid to “write” columns where he responds to reader mail by cutting and pasting song lyrics without adding any analysis. It’s a travesty.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:26 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I was surprised to learn a while back that Hradek is from around here. (Well, he got his MSM start here. I assume he’s from a cold state.)
on March 23, 2008 at 9:26 pm Pookie

I’m kind of liking not having to watch ESPN.

I agree! I love being free of the shackles of ESPN. Love it!
on March 23, 2008 at 9:27 pm Schnookie

I’m kind of liking not having to watch ESPN.

Yeah, me too. I recognize why everyone thinks the NHL needs to get back on ESPN, but I kind of wish it wouldn’t.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:28 pm Seth Rorabaugh

Happy bday ladies. Keep up the good work.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:29 pm Schnookie

Thanks so much, Seth!
on March 23, 2008 at 9:30 pm Pookie

Thanks, Seth! And thanks for going light on the Devils in your live-blog. We appreciate it. Sigh.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:31 pm alix

Ugh! Bucci is an ass clown! I do like Ferraro though. And why I am complaining? I live in the land of hockey. TSN is lovely even with Pierre McGuire.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:34 pm Heather B.

I love Ray Ferraro. I love him. I think he’s adorable.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:36 pm alix

I agree, Heather!
on March 23, 2008 at 9:39 pm Pookie

I do like Ray Ferraro. I can’t vouch for EJ Hradek. I haven’t been terribly impressed with him on the radio show he does, but I think I like his writing? I can’t bring to mind anything he’s said that’s gotten my attention one way or the other. I’ll withhold judgment on him. As for Barry Melrose, I can take or leave him, as long as he’s not being encouraged to play up being a Shouty McControversialyStupidson.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:41 pm Steve Lepore

Here are the official teams:

Northeast Regional (Miami [OH] vs. Air Force, Boston College vs. Minnesota) in Worcester, MA will feature John Buccigross (Play-by-Play), Barry Melrose (Analyst) and EJ Hradek (Reporter).

East Regional (St. Cloud State vs. Clarkson, Michigan vs. Niagra) in Albany, NY will feature Dan Parkhurst, Ken Hodge and Cap Reader.

Midwest Regional (North Dakota vs. Princeton, Denver vs. Wisconsin) in Madison, WI will feature Ben Holden, Sean Ritchlin and Fred Pletsch.

West Regional (New Hampshire vs. Notre Dame, Colorado College vs. Michigan St.) in Colorado Springs, CO will feature Damien DiGiulian and Jim Paradise.

The Frozen Four (Regional Winners) will feature Gary Thorne, Ray Ferraro, Clay Matvick and Bob Norton.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:47 pm alix

So kind of off topic, but does Center Ice give y’all playoff games? I have Center Ice on my lap top but I actualy have no idea if I get playoff games. I would kind of be a sad panda if I missed the first round. And some of the second (Hockey Gods willing)…
on March 23, 2008 at 9:48 pm Steve Lepore

You get playoff games that Versus and NBC don’t take.

I don’t know about this year, I’ve been told that NHL Network in the US may pick up games. Not official yet.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:49 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Usually the first round has a lot of games. I can’t vouch for the second. (grumble)
on March 23, 2008 at 9:53 pm alix

Hmm…I never get Versus since I’m Canadian eh. Hopefully CBC and TSN will be streaming the ones I don`t get…But I expect the Canucks to totally miss the playoffs! Don`t smite my team hockey gods.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:54 pm Pookie

Patty, that’s the saddest answer to a question ever.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:58 pm Patty (in Dallas)

It’s been a bad week, Pookie.
on March 23, 2008 at 9:59 pm Schnookie

Patty, I would have said it’s been a bad month. :P
on March 23, 2008 at 9:59 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I think they’re trying to manage our expecations by threatening to miss the playoffs altogether. So we’ll be so thrilled they’re in the first, we’ll forget to be mad if they don’t move to the second.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:00 pm Patty (in Dallas)

You’re right, Schnookie. I should have said month. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 10:00 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I picked a bad month to quit sniffing glue.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:02 pm Schnookie

I picked a bad month to quit sniffing glue.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

And I think you’re right — all of our teams are, right now, just setting us up to be happy with a first-round exit.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:03 pm Heather B.

Patty, I think the Sabres are setting us up for low expectations next year by totally missing the playoffs this year. They’re thinking more long-term.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:04 pm alix

Awww, Patty! I remember when the Canucks lost to Vinny and the Panthers and the Kings all in one week it seemed. And they bounced back from that. I’m sure the Stars will start rolling again any day now.

And now I’m terrified because I just looked at the standings and we’re supposed to play the Sharks in the first round. We haven’t beaten the Sharks all year! Geez. We better move up to 6th fast.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:10 pm Patty (in Dallas)

All our teams are starting to run out of runway. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 10:12 pm Pookie

All our teams are firing up their radios to say, “Over, Over” on their seasons.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:18 pm Schnookie

All our teams are starting to run out of runway.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

This is where our teams developed their drinking problems.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:20 pm alix

Actually the Canucks are finally starting to play really well after having pretty much a whole season of crap…I`ll just show myself out… :p
on March 23, 2008 at 10:22 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams are asking people if they’ve seen a grown man naked.

I’m encouraged by the Canucks, alix. I’m hoping we can do the same thing.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:22 pm Schnookie

Actually the Canucks are finally starting to play really well after having pretty much a whole season of crap…I`ll just show myself out… :p

Yeah, alix, you know where the door is. *Grumble, grumble…*
on March 23, 2008 at 10:23 pm Patty (in Dallas)

All our teams are firing up their radios to say, “Over, Over” on their seasons.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;

(Funnier on my second reading.)
on March 23, 2008 at 10:23 pm Schnookie

Our teams are asking people if they’ve seen a grown man naked.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Our teams can make a hat… or a brooch… or a pterodactyl…
on March 23, 2008 at 10:24 pm alix

Of course you can, Patty!
on March 23, 2008 at 10:26 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams have a call from the Mayo Clinic on the white courtesy phone.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:27 pm Pookie

Our teams had the chicken and the fish.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm Pookie

Our teams are using the red zone for loading and unloading only.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm Pookie

Our teams have a call from the Mayo Clinic on the white courtesy phone.

The Devils’ll take Ham on white, and hold the Mayo.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm alix

Crap! I`m getting a little too positive here…this can only end badly. I`m sure we`re going to lose in the first round to the Ducks (again! but in the first this time) and Pronger and Rob Neidermayer will score every single goal. Phew. That`s better.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:28 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams can make a hat… or a brooch… or a pterodactyl…

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

A reporter asked our teams to start from the beginning and they all said, “First the Earth cooled. Then the dinosaurs came.”
on March 23, 2008 at 10:30 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams don’ want da he’p, our teams don’ get da he’p.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:30 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Yeah, alix, be careful there!
on March 23, 2008 at 10:31 pm Pookie

Yeah alix, cool it with the positive thinking! :)

Patty — :^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 23, 2008 at 10:31 pm Pookie

Our teams have been hari krishnas handing our flowers at the airport.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:47 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams have lipstick all over their faces.
on March 23, 2008 at 10:49 pm Schnookie

Our teams never have a second cup of coffee at home.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:02 pm Heather B.

Okay, I just read the last 15 or so messages in a row. Bad idea. You guys are KILLING me :-D
on March 23, 2008 at 11:08 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Our teams have been trying to re-inflate the autopilot.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:09 pm Pookie

Our teams have been reading “Nun’s Life”.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:11 pm Schnookie

Our teams have been trying to re-inflate the autopilot.

Holy shit. I don’t think I can top that!
on March 23, 2008 at 11:14 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I don’t know, reading “Nun’s Life” might already have.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:22 pm Meg

Happy Birthday, IPB! I loved the podcast.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:25 pm Caitlin

Happy Birthday Plus One Day, IPB! I f’LOVE this podcast.

please note that we fully put forth this is the worst podcast in the history of podcasting.

You never heard any of Cat & I’s movie podcasts, did you, when I ran OTHER movie blog? Cat was good. Me? …Not so much. You’ve outdone me, -Ookies!
on March 23, 2008 at 11:27 pm Pookie

Thanks Meg and Caitlin for the birthday wishes and for the kind words about the podcast! We’re looking forward to doing another even though we have no idea what to say. Caitlin, I’m sure you were awesome on your movie podcast! Did you, like Patty, sound like a Simpsons oil baron?
on March 23, 2008 at 11:34 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Did you, like Patty, sound like a Simpsons oil baron?

Not Simpsons! Bugs Bunny! Sheesh.
on March 23, 2008 at 11:35 pm Caitlin

Caitlin, I’m sure you were awesome on your movie podcast! Did you, like Patty, sound like a Simpsons oil baron?

OF COURSE I SOUNDED LIKE THAT.

Nothing beats sounding like a Simpsons oil baron whilst giving Star Trek movie updates and talking about old horror movies, let me tell you.

We’re looking forward to doing another even though we have no idea what to say.

Oh, trust me, you’ll figure something out. The day Cat & I stuck to show notes and came in on time (for once) was a day of celebration. :D
on March 23, 2008 at 11:51 pm Schnookie

Aw, thanks Meg and Caitlin, for the kind words! :D

Oh, trust me, you’ll figure something out.

Hee! I love Pookie saying we have no idea what we’ll talk about. We have a friend who recently remarked that she had no idea how Pookie and I manage to IM all day at work, then come home and talk all night at home. She was like, “My husband and I run out of stuff to talk about all the time, so we turn on the TV instead of talking.” I can’t even imagine running out of stuff to say.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:09 am Caitlin

I can’t even imagine running out of stuff to say.

Neither can I. It’s probably why Jen, Cat & I all started blogs. We’re so wordy!

Don’t even get me started on the movies. It’s pretty telling that Jen & Cat were watching Oprah’s Favorite Things episode, and she was talking about some movie gift set that retailed for $1,000 and had all of the movies one studio had ever done in one package. (I want to say it was either Universal or MGM.)

Jen and Cat later told me they both looked over at each other and said, “That’s Caitlin’s dream present”, or something to that effect, right then and there. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 12:44 am Steve (In Fairfax)

Wow. That podcast was almost like sitting in your living room after dinner…

Good commentary.

Happy Birthday. Many happy returns.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:00 am Schnookie

Thanks Steve! And maybe we should do some podcasts where we just sit around and tease Kate (the Great) so it seems even more like good old days! :P
on March 24, 2008 at 10:45 am danielleia

Happy Birthday! heh. I thought it was appropriate seeing this is a blog. Those people make some smart cakes!
on March 24, 2008 at 11:43 am Schnookie

So I can’t access the AmazingLeague here at work, but I think I should be wearing a black armband today for the Marauders, who valiantly put a scare into the Horcoffs, but couldn’t quite pull out the win. If my math was right, it all came down to a third-period minor penalty picked up by Mike Richards last night. Of course, my math isn’t often right, so there’s a good chance I’m being overly dramatic, and it was never a close contest at all. Poor Marauders. I’ll probably still let them use the solid gold champagne sprinkler system in the dressing room, but maybe we’ll just put some domestic sparkling wine in there, instead of the real stuff. Getzi probably can’t tell the difference anyway.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:46 am Katebits

The F-Bits were killed off as well, in humiliating fashion (8-1) by GAMBLER and her evil Teamsters. Siiigh.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:48 am Pookie

I can access the AmazingLeague and thus can confirm that indeed, the Marauders the lost. As did the valiant PanBoxers. While I’m fairly convinced the Marauders management will respond by buying every high-priced free agent on the market this summer, the PanBoxers believe we have a solid core of players and that next season we will be able to build on this educational loss. Also, next year we’ll realize that there’s only one IR spot. That whole Zubov/Stasny double-header was a bad, bad scene.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:50 am Schnookie

Wow, even our fantasy teams hate us.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:53 am Katebits

Wow, even our fantasy teams hate us.

It’s true. Marty, who has been a loyal and true goalie for the Bits all season, completely ruined us this week with his outing against the Penguins. I think he might have one it on purpose as a mercy killing, which frankly, I appreciate.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:57 am Amy

Wow, even our fantasy teams hate us.

I think hockey just hates us.
on March 24, 2008 at 11:58 am Schnookie

I think he might have one it on purpose as a mercy killing, which frankly, I appreciate.

That’s so thoughtful of him! I, uh, wish he could have mercy-killed the F-Bits in, perhaps, a less significant game for the Devils, but I guess I should be happy with any silver lining…
on March 24, 2008 at 12:01 pm Katebits

I, uh, wish he could have mercy-killed the F-Bits in, perhaps, a less significant game for the Devils, but I guess I should be happy with any silver lining…

Yeah, sorry. I hope I didn’t sound like I was bitching about my fantasy goalie/your real life goalie. I hate that. Just be thankful the F-Bits are dead. The F-Bits were just wrong.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:03 pm Caitlin

I think hockey just hates us.

Concurred. I have Malkin and Ovechkin on the same fantasy team and yet I’m currently standing in 5th in my division. And my real life team just…gave up.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:05 pm Schnookie

I hope I didn’t sound like I was bitching about my fantasy goalie/your real life goalie. I hate that.

I would never think that! I know you’re not that type of fantasy manager. (And yes — the F-Bits were just wrong. Maybe next year they’ll be better. The F-Bits are dead! Long live the F-Bits!)
on March 24, 2008 at 12:14 pm andrew

Schnookie, it was a valiant fight and it actually did come down to that final penalty last night. Duncan Keith took 2 minutes at 13:11 of the 3rd. That put you on top by one minute. Richards’ call at 18:05 put me back up, by one minute. Had he not taken that penalty, you would have won 5-4.

What a crazy finish. That was so close!

Happy Monday everyone!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:16 pm Mags

I think hockey just hates us.

So true.

That and I was an IDIOT and forgot to set my line up before I went to a place with no internets. I so smrt!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:25 pm Schnookie

What a crazy finish. That was so close!

Considering what a so-called “powerhouse” the Horcoffs were, I take it as a moral victory. Just think — if I hadn’t assumed I wasn’t going to beat the PanBoxers, I might have thought to set my lineup for last Monday, and wouldn’t have had PIM on the bench! Dammit!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:30 pm andrew

“Considering what a so-called “powerhouse” the Horcoffs were, I take it as a moral victory.”

Hee. Powerhouse? I dunno, they killed it during their bye week, but other than that, they limped into the playoffs. Either way, it was a battle to the finish. Well played.

I think the real feel-good story of the season is Steph. Can you believe that the Toasters were floating around the bottom half of the league for most of the season, then they just barely snuck into the playoffs? Now they’re in the finals. That’s awesome.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:32 pm Schnookie

I think the real feel-good story of the season is Steph.

After the way she whined so much about how much she hates the EC, I think she owes us EC fans an apology! It seems the East, for all the disdain she heaps on it, has treated her very well. :P
on March 24, 2008 at 12:32 pm Pookie

For want of a nail, Schnookie, for want of a nail.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:34 pm Schnookie

For want of a nail, Schnookie, for want of a nail.

Whatever, Pookie. Whatever.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:37 pm andrew

“It seems the East, for all the disdain she heaps on it, has treated her very well.”

Yeah, you’ve got a point. But then again, I think almost everyone complained about their non-conference at least once or twice!

“For want of a nail, Schnookie, for want of a nail.”

No, no. She didn’t need nails, Pookie….she needed PIMs. Big difference.

(Just kidding…I got nuthin’)
on March 24, 2008 at 12:40 pm Schnookie

But then again, I think almost everyone complained about their non-conference at least once or twice!

I know, I know. I’m just giving Steph a hard time, even though she’s in absentia and probably won’t ever read it. :P

So, did everyone have a good weekend?
on March 24, 2008 at 12:41 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Hey, I thought I was playing the Toasters in the consolation round. And I thought I was about to move on. I guess I better go check that.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:42 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Oh, right. That was the Keyboes. Never mind! Just ignore me!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:43 pm Mags

I’m just giving Steph a hard time, even though she’s in absentia and probably won’t ever read it. :P

You could email her and let her know anyway :P

I’m resigned to fantasy hockey and general hockey suck. The Martys REALLY let me down this week on both fronts. Bastards.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:43 pm Elly

Happy Birthday!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:43 pm Pookie

Patty, who are you again?
on March 24, 2008 at 12:46 pm Morgan

Happy Birthday! I can not listen to podcasts at work, but I will when I get home. Promise!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:46 pm andrew

“So, did everyone have a good weekend?”

I did! Wasted a perfectly good Saturday by sitting inside drinking beers and watching movies with a buddy. Made up for it in spades yesterday, I worked in the yard/garage from 10:00 till about 4:00 and now I’m all sore and sunburned to hell.

How about you?
on March 24, 2008 at 12:46 pm Schnookie

Thanks, Elly!

Patty, around here Keyboes and Toasters are kind of interchangeable appliances. So your confusion is totally understandable.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:46 pm Elly

P.S. Speaking as someone who gets Steph’s Eastern bias on a regular basis, I agree that she needs to send them a thank you card. Preferably something with a spring theme.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:47 pm andrew

And hell! I was so excited about the AmazingLeague, I almost forgot….HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Woot! Go IPB!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:49 pm Schnookie

Thanks, Morgan! And I’m fairly confident that if you listen to the podcast, you’ll be like, “Oh! Now I remember why I don’t miss having season tickets with them!” :P

andrew, the first half of your weekend sounds delightful, but I’ll pass on the second half of it. (Although I suppose I’m not too far from getting to enjoy the whole “being sore and sunburned to hell” thing myself…) And other than the fact that all the hockey I watched sucked, my weekend was a delightful whirl of drinking too much, puttering with our seedlings (our tomatoes are vying to be classified as actual “plants” instead of seedlings at this point), listening to myself talk (literally), and napping. In other words, time well spent.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:49 pm Amy

I think almost everyone complained about their non-conference at least once or twice!

I think we all did. Didn’t most of us have at least one week where almost none of our respective conferences played?
on March 24, 2008 at 12:50 pm Schnookie

P.S. Speaking as someone who gets Steph’s Eastern bias on a regular basis, I agree that she needs to send them a thank you card. Preferably something with a spring theme.

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Seriously! I mean, we all complained, to be sure, but she took it to another level! :P
on March 24, 2008 at 12:52 pm Meg

And hell! I was so excited about the AmazingLeague

And you haven’t even mentioned being in the finals for the SuperLeague…
on March 24, 2008 at 12:53 pm Schnookie

And you haven’t even mentioned being in the finals for the SuperLeague…

Hmm… I am HIGHLY suspicious of our commissioner being in the finals in BOTH leagues. Is this because he’s actually GOOD at fantasy hockey, and the rest of us suck? Or is it something more nefarious?
on March 24, 2008 at 12:53 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Patty, who are you again?

I should have been more specific. Just ignore that one little part. Not me in general. :P

I got knocked down to 10th in my non-IPB league because my goalies didn’t make the minimum. Turco, who’s losing anyway, only played 2 games and the other guy hasn’t played any. I think he’s a backup or something. Never heard of him.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:54 pm andrew

“And other than the fact that all the hockey I watched sucked, my weekend was a delightful whirl of drinking too much, puttering with our seedlings…”

The hockey sounds terrible, everything else sounds very nice. I’m very excited for your tomato seedlings. Are they heirlooms?

I was very low on hockey games this weekend. You’ll remember my giddy anticipation of the Sabres and Sharks games on Friday. Well, obviously the Sabres punched me in the balls, but the Sharks game was incredible (held the Ducks to 0 shots in the 3rd!). After that there was none! Neither team plays until tomorrow!
on March 24, 2008 at 12:55 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I vote nefarious. Fantasy hockey is a crapshoot! It’s supposed to random, right? No? Hmm. I may have made a mistake in my approach, then.

Maybe keeping both Zubov and Bouche on my team even though they’re on IR most of the season, wasn’t a good idea.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:56 pm Mags

So, did everyone have a good weekend?

Pretty much. We won what was played of our Easter tourney and got loads of chocolate and a shiny medal to show for it. Sadly, not the whole thing was played because it was an outdoor event and the weather decided to dump 4 inches of snow on us on Sunday morning. Still, totally worth it. And I ran out of batteries on my phone early on, so I had no idea the Devils and the Stars were sucking. Ignorance is bliss.

I’m glad all your weekends were good too (sucky hockey excluded)
on March 24, 2008 at 12:56 pm Patty (in Dallas)

…the Sharks game was incredible (held the Ducks to 0 shots in the 3rd!).

Isn’t that fun? We did that to the Avs once (in the first period). A looooong time ago.
on March 24, 2008 at 12:57 pm andrew

“And you haven’t even mentioned being in the finals for the SuperLeague…”

Meg, are the Chinchillas feeling any better after getting railroaded in the 1st round? HAHA!!!

“Is this because he’s actually GOOD at fantasy hockey, and the rest of us suck? Or is it something more nefarious?”

It’s far more nefarious than anything you could ever imagine!!!MUWHAHAHA!!!!!

Okay, not really. I was fully expecting the Horcoffs to choke, and I thought the Avengers could take 3rd or 4th, but I’m just getting lucky.

I’m holding down 1st in my non-IPB league too (which I am not commissioning, btw). I think I’m just having a lucky year.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:02 pm Morgan

“So, did everyone have a good weekend?”

I had a pretty great Friday night. My lovely wife Liz procured two club level seats to the Devils/Isles game on Friday as an early birthday present, and despite:

A. The Devils just killed me.

and

B. We forgot to take a picture from 7 rows behind the Isles bench (sorry ’bout that)

Liz and I had a great time. Our seats gave us entry to the “Ice Lounge”, which is located directly behind sections 7, 8, & 9. The buffet style food served in the lounge was pretty good. Liz and I sampled (OK gorged on), Lamb, pasta, salad, sushi, pizza and desserts, all free (with the minimal purchase of a club seat of course :p). The seats were wider than the rest of the arena, and had a dear little cup holder. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

I forgot how fast the game goes when you have such great seats. We could also see the players faces and:

Rupp chews his mouthgaurd while playing, instead of, well, protecting his teeth.

Johnny Oduya just has this shit eating grin when he plays now. Its kinda cute.

You should have seen Marty’s face when Sutter called time out to get the team ready for the empty net goal, I mean discuss strategy…

All things considered, the tough loss, just a bizzaro second period, winning all the fights etc. I have to say I enjoyed myself. When we left, Liz asked if I wanted to go to “all those games” next year, or maybe just one or two from the club seats. Yep, its that swanky.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:03 pm Schnookie

but the Sharks game was incredible (held the Ducks to 0 shots in the 3rd!).

That game was awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and even more than the 0 shots in the third, I loved that the Sharks outshot the Ducks by 30. (You kind of hope for a wider margin of victory in that case, but still… it was nice to see. :D) It takes me back to my all-time favorite non-Cup-winning Devils game: the time they held Toronto to six shots in a second-round elimination game. It will NEVER get better than that.

Our tomatoes are two varieties of sauce tomatoes. Just plain old San Marzano, and an heirloom variety called Black Plum. I hadn’t considered trying to grow our own big-assed heirloom tomatoes, since we get so many from our farm share, but now that I’m thinking about it, that might be a fun thing to allot some space for in the garden next summer. Are you planting any heirlooms in your garden, andrew? (We had an heirloom variety of pear tomato two years ago that a coworker of Pookie’s gave us. We plunked them into some open space on a whim, and those things were a BEAST. We got ZILLIONS of tomatoes the first year, and then they seeded themselves, and we got volunteer tomatoes practically all over the front yard last year.)
on March 24, 2008 at 1:09 pm Schnookie

Holy crap, Morgan, that sounds AWESOME! I had really been looking forward to taking in a game in the swanky seats before hearing that, but now I’m positively antsy for it! That’s hilarious that Liz was willing to pass up on the partial plan in favor of just a couple of games away from the hoi polloi.

Johnny Oduya just has this shit eating grin when he plays now. Its kinda cute.

Hee! I suppose he’s earned it — I mean, if the NHL had an award for the guy who best manages to turn around his season from “player whose head Pookie and Schnookie most want to drop a cinder block on” to “best +/- on the Devils (in an actual impressive way, not in some dopey Rafalski way)”, he’d be running away with it.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:15 pm andrew

“…the time they held Toronto to six shots in a second-round elimination game. It will NEVER get better than that.”

It certainly won’t, as that is the greatest thing I have ever heard. And yes, the Sharks game was pretty sweet. I love that they’re just shooting the hell out of the puck right now. That was a real problem earlier in the year, they were far too unwilling to shoot. Glad to see it’s been corrected.

“I hadn’t considered trying to grow our own big-assed heirloom tomatoes, since we get so many from our farm share,”

That would be a lot of tomatos! From the sounds of it, your farmshare brings in quite a hefty load. I’m planning on planting some Brandywines. I think I can eat my bodyweight in Brandywine tomatoes. Love. Them.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:15 pm Meg

Meg, are the Chinchillas feeling any better after getting railroaded in the 1st round? HAHA!!!

I think they recovered some scraps of their dignity by winning 5th (although I’m not sure what the tiebreaker was since it was 5 and 5). I got a kick out of the fact that Khabibulin had pretty much his best week of the season and yet I still lost the goaltending categories. Legace is such a playoff flop.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:16 pm Pookie

Morgan, that Club Level Seat Experience sounds wonderful! I’m thinking our one game next year should be from club level seats, without a doubt! Not that your season tickets seats aren’t lovely and all… :)
on March 24, 2008 at 1:17 pm Morgan

“drop a cinder block on” to “best +/- on the Devils”

We feel the same way about Johnny O. I feel the “Cinder Block of Damocles” is directly over Brookbank’s head.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:20 pm andrew

“(although I’m not sure what the tiebreaker was since it was 5 and 5).”

I posted Yahoo’s tiebreaker rules somewhere around here last week. I know off the top of my head that goals are tiebreaker #1, so that’s probably what did it.

“I got a kick out of the fact that Khabibulin had pretty much his best week of the season and yet I still lost the goaltending categories.”

Ha, yeah same here. Huet was trying to help me out but I got absolutely smoked by Morgan and Schnookie in every single goaltending category last week.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:20 pm Morgan

Oh I forgot the celebrity sighting in the Ice Lounge. ESPN’s own E.J. Hradek. I figured he lost a bet to get assigned the Devs/Ilses and not the Rangers/Flyers.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:21 pm Schnookie

I’m planning on planting some Brandywines. I think I can eat my bodyweight in Brandywine tomatoes. Love. Them.

You can never have too many Brandywines. Never.

I feel the “Cinder Block of Damocles” is directly over Brookbank’s head.

For now. It tends to migrate from guy to guy; Brookbank definitely has it at this minute, but not too long ago it had “Greene” written all over it.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:23 pm Schnookie

Huet was trying to help me out but I got absolutely smoked by Morgan and Schnookie in every single goaltending category last week.

It is not an easy thing to do, getting absolutely smoked by Backstrom and Kiprusoff. Seriously, this week was BY FAR the most dominant my goaltending’s been all season. Basically, the Marauders were doing their impersonation of the Stars in last year’s playoffs.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:27 pm andrew

“Basically, the Marauders were doing their impersonation of the Stars in last year’s playoffs.”

Play completely out of your mind, and yet still somehow lose the series?

Yep, your goalies were playing insanely well. I’ll admit it…the Achilles’ heel of both my teams is my goaltending.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:29 pm Amy

I figured he lost a bet to get assigned the Devs/Ilses and not the Rangers/Flyers.

So Burnside must’ve been covering the Rags / Flyers, if his Briere / Drury column is any indication. And after reading that article, if I were Mrs. Briere, I’d be borrowing the Ookies cinderblock to accidentally drop it on Danny’s head. (He’s trying to work on not being a perfectionist about how the house looks, especially while he’s on the road and she’s home alone with three kids under the age of 10.)
on March 24, 2008 at 1:32 pm Pookie

I feel the “Cinder Block of Damocles” is directly over Brookbank’s head.

For now. It tends to migrate from guy to guy; Brookbank definitely has it at this minute, but not too long ago it had “Greene” written all over it.

I’m just going to get a giant cinder block that says “Greene Rachunek Vish-dog Brookbank” on it and drop it on all of them!
on March 24, 2008 at 1:32 pm Schnookie

(He’s trying to work on not being a perfectionist about how the house looks, especially while he’s on the road and she’s home alone with three kids under the age of 10.)

Wow! What a catch! I’d be sitting there right now if I was Mrs. Briere and thinking, “What’s half of that huge contract he signed last summer?” :P
on March 24, 2008 at 1:36 pm Heather B.

(He’s trying to work on not being a perfectionist about how the house looks, especially while he’s on the road and she’s home alone with three kids under the age of 10.)

How very gracious of him!
on March 24, 2008 at 1:36 pm zot

A quick Happy Belated Birthday to IPB! Man, that Sharks-Ducks game on Friday was painful to watch, except for Hiller.

Andrew, it’s on in the SuperLeague! Is it crazy that I’ve tied both weeks in the playoffs and managed to advance because of those tiebreakers?
on March 24, 2008 at 1:37 pm Caitlin

I’d be sitting there right now if I was Mrs. Briere and thinking, “What’s half of that huge contract he signed last summer?”

Time to lawyer up, Mrs. Briere! I hope Pennsylvania has some excellent child support/alimony laws on the books!

I love that they’re just shooting the hell out of the puck right now. That was a real problem earlier in the year, they were far too unwilling to shoot. Glad to see it’s been corrected.

This makes me depressed. Andrew, you’ll be pleased to know at this point, we’ll be lucky to make a playoff spot. What the hell, Stars. WHAT THE HELL.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:38 pm Meg

(He’s trying to work on not being a perfectionist about how the house looks, especially while he’s on the road and she’s home alone with three kids under the age of 10.)

Well, if it’s really an issue for him he makes more than enough money to hire a full-time maid so his wife doesn’t have to run around like a madwoman. Just saying.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:39 pm Heather B.

The Sabres managed six shots on goal in almost 11 minutes of PP time. They’re trying to kill me.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:39 pm andrew

“Andrew, it’s on in the SuperLeague! Is it crazy that I’ve tied both weeks in the playoffs and managed to advance because of those tiebreakers?”

Oh, it’s SO on! I’m sorry to have to do this to you zot…but you’re going down!
on March 24, 2008 at 1:42 pm andrew

“This makes me depressed. Andrew, you’ll be pleased to know at this point, we’ll be lucky to make a playoff spot.”

So sorry Caitlin.

Honestly though, your boys need to get back in it. I NEED the Stars to take out the Ducks in the first round. It is vitally important that the Stars lock up that 5th spot.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:42 pm Amy

The Sabres managed six shots on goal in almost 11 minutes of PP time.

And wasn’t almost 4 minutes of that a 5-on-3?

if it’s really an issue for him he makes more than enough money to hire a full-time maid so his wife doesn’t have to run around like a madwoman. Just saying.

Seriously. And even the kids should have little chores to do. I know I had small stuff to do when I was their ages.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:43 pm Schnookie

Thanks for the birthday wishes, zot!
on March 24, 2008 at 1:43 pm HoOn

Better late than Never but Happy Birthday! I just recently stumbled upon your site and I love it! Thank you! Thank you! Here’s to the future of IPB! :)
on March 24, 2008 at 1:44 pm Caitlin

Honestly though, your boys need to get back in it. I NEED the Stars to take out the Ducks in the first round. It is vitally important that the Stars lock up that 5th spot.

Well, at least we’re sorta on the same page.

You’ll also be glad to know that Russian is not returning after all on my birthday, something for which I am eternally glad. I think I will spend that night watching Clint Eastwood movies instead. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 1:45 pm Heather B.

And wasn’t almost 4 minutes of that a 5-on-3?

Yes. Yes, it was.

I was coming around on Kotalik a little, tiny bit but now I would be more than happy to watch him bounce shots off of d-men in some other team’s jersey.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:49 pm Schnookie

Thanks so much, HoOn!

I was coming around on Kotalik a little, tiny bit but now I would be more than happy to watch him bounce shots off of d-men in some other team’s jersey.

We don’t want him! We have plenty of guys already who can do that! :P
on March 24, 2008 at 1:50 pm Sherry

Aww, you guys that was a great podcast! I’m hoping we can expect more in the future. It certainly helps with my Devils education!

We don’t want him! We have plenty of guys already who can do that! :P

Sadly, so do we.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:50 pm Amy

We don’t want him! We have plenty of guys already who can do that!

That’s true. Jason Smith is supposed to be the Devils big UFA signing this summer. At least according to Fanhouse and ESPN.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:50 pm Heather B.

Schnookie, I’ll let you pass on Al. I mean, you guys are signing Soupy in the off-season, right?
on March 24, 2008 at 1:51 pm andrew

“I was coming around on Kotalik a little, tiny bit but now I would be more than happy to watch him bounce shots off of d-men in some other team’s jersey.”

I think Al needs to be surrounded by good players in order to do well. When he gets any defensive attention he just shoots at random. He really just needs guys like Briere to draw D-men away from him.

“You’ll also be glad to know that Russian is not returning after all on my birthday, something for which I am eternally glad.”

Really? Thought you’d be ecstatic. Isn’t he going to triumphantly return and lead the team to greatness?
on March 24, 2008 at 1:51 pm alix

Hey Andrew, guess who would be playing the Sharks if the playoffs started today? I’m terrified. The Canucks must move out of seventh! Hopefully it’s possible.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:55 pm Caitlin

Really? Thought you’d be ecstatic. Isn’t he going to triumphantly return and lead the team to greatness?

I have birthday plans that conflict with game-watchage, and the TiVo is so close but not quite here yet. So, there you go.

As far as triumphantly leading the team to greatness, there is only so much one majestic Russian can do, andrew. I don’t know.

Side note: For my birthday from Jen, I got a Mittens jersey! It says MITTENS on the nameplate and everything. And from Cat, I got a real-life Iskristiy! Okay, so it’s not actually a real alligator, it’s a toy, but apparently there are accessories or something coming for Iskristiy. He’s not complete yet. So far, it’s been a very good birthday!
on March 24, 2008 at 1:55 pm Schnookie

Thanks so much, Sherry! I fully expect the podcast to become a regular feature, because last night Pookie made up an hilarious “album cover” for our podcasts using a picture of us as little kids. I just want to be able to put that picture on IPB all the time. :D

I find these stories of the Devils “definitely” signing Jason Smith both bizarre (I mean, just in general. What the hell? How is this supposedly a done deal already?) and kind of encouraging. Jason Smith is the traded-away Devil I have most regretted the team losing. I’d love to have him back.

And Heather, no. No we’re not signing Soupy. BECAUSE WE’RE SIGNING JASON SMITH.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:56 pm Pookie

Thanks, HoOn!

Amy, I’d be all over Jason Smith coming back to the Devils, but I don’t think it’ll happen. Sadly.
on March 24, 2008 at 1:59 pm HoOn

I just listened to your podcast during work and I think it’s awesome! You guys made me feel like I was there just talking to fellow Devils fans. :) You guys are Great! Keep it up! I can’t wait for the next one! ;) Go Devils!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:00 pm alix

I heart Jason Smith. Ryan Smyth I totally don’t understand but Jason Smith is awesome. But we have defencemen coming out the ying yang.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:00 pm Mags

Not that we’re going to sign Smith, but what if we do and he starts to suck? That is the one thing I am afraid of when teams re-sign former players. Suckage.

HoOn, you made it here too! Hiya!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:02 pm andrew

“Hey Andrew, guess who would be playing the Sharks if the playoffs started today? I’m terrified. The Canucks must move out of seventh!”

Woo! That would be a crazy series alix. But looking at the standings I just realized that the Sharks only trail the Wings by 5 points now. I dunno, but a first place finish seems possible. So if the Nucks move out of seventh, just make sure it’s up!

“I have birthday plans that conflict with game-watchage, and the TiVo is so close but not quite here yet. So, there you go.”

That makes sense. And don’t doubt the Power Of Russian…look at how the Wings do when Lidstrom is in/out of their lineup. One guy can make a difference!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:02 pm Amy

No we’re not signing Soupy. BECAUSE WE’RE SIGNING JASON SMITH.

Whom y’all need like a hole in the head. Can the Devils please stop hogging all the defensemen please?

I read a spumor (spec + rumor) that the Sabres were going to try to sign Lilles out of Colorado. Apparently, he was Crunchy’s college roomie and BFF.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:05 pm Heather B.

Amy, I read that rumor about Liles but I didn’t realize he and Crunchy were BFF. Interesting.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:06 pm andrew

Sorry, it’s actually seven points between the Wings and Sharks. I’m still half asleep.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:07 pm Schnookie

But we have defencemen coming out the ying yang.

So do we, but that doesn’t mean any of them are any good. :P

Can the Devils please stop hogging all the defensemen please?

Again, we might have nine of them, but only 3 1/2 of them can actually play. Seriously, you’re welcome to Brookbank/Vishnevski/Rachunek/Salvador/Greene. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 2:08 pm Mags

don’t doubt the Power Of Russian

Look at him, all Stars supporter-y!

Caitlin, don’t worry about Russian. As long as he doesn’t re-injure himself I don’t see how his re-entry could be a real detriment to the team *knocks on wood*
on March 24, 2008 at 2:08 pm Mags

Can the Devils please stop hogging all the defensemen please?

Again, we might have nine of them, but only 3 1/2 of them can actually play.

What she said.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:09 pm alix

“But looking at the standings I just realized that the Sharks only trail the Wings by 5 points now.”

Wow! I didn’t realize it was just 5 points. Go Sharkies! I’m pretty comfortable with anyone except the Sharks and Ducks in the first round. California scares me.

Geez! There’s a massive snow flurry going on outside! What happened to spring?
on March 24, 2008 at 2:12 pm andrew

“Look at him, all Stars supporter-y!”

No way dude! I’m just offering up kind words because 1) they’re safely behind the Sharks in the standings and 2) Eff the Ducks.

“Again, we might have nine of them, but only 3 1/2 of them can actually play.”

Ha. Sounds familiar. Sharks actually have 10 defensemen (one has been on IR all season though, so we won’t count him), I’d keep 4 of them.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:12 pm alix

“So do we, but that doesn’t mean any of them are any good. :P”

Hee! Ours are generally…

*SOB* I miss Matty!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:14 pm Mags

Eff the Ducks.

I’ll drink to that. I can’t believe I had their Yahoo pictures RSS feed on my bloglines at the beginning of the season. Pronger made me do it.

*SOB* I miss Matty!

*hugs*
on March 24, 2008 at 2:16 pm alix

“Eff the Ducks.”

Word.

*hugs*

Thanks, Mags!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:18 pm Caitlin

Caitlin, don’t worry about Russian. As long as he doesn’t re-injure himself I don’t see how his re-entry could be a real detriment to the team *knocks on wood*

I don’t think he’s going to be a detriment, but not a savior either. One man can only do so much! :D
on March 24, 2008 at 2:18 pm Meg

For anyone who is interested and around, Hamilton’s interview with WGR550 goes into some detail on Numminen and why the Sabres can’t pay him starting now. Interesting, I thought.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:19 pm Schnookie

*SOB* I miss Matty!

Awww… Poor alix!

Sharks actually have 10 defensemen (one has been on IR all season though, so we won’t count him), I’d keep 4 of them.

Heh. I’m kind of hopeful that in the long run, we’re going to do well by our excess, terrible d-men. I figure there are still enough stupid GMs out there who see “Devils” on a defenseman’s CV and start salivating, so I can only presume Lou is planning on packaging several of our dreadful spare parts for, say, Vinny Lecavalier.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:22 pm Mags

Hamilton’s interview with WGR550 goes into some detail on Numminen and why the Sabres can’t pay him starting now.

Is it on now or should I dig through the website?
on March 24, 2008 at 2:24 pm Meg

It’s from this morning, Mags. The most recent Hamilton interview in the audio vault. He talks about Friday’s game first but then he talks about Numminen (his contract, insurance on the contract, and the current suspension).
on March 24, 2008 at 2:25 pm Mags

Thanks Meg :)
on March 24, 2008 at 2:35 pm andrew

“I’m kind of hopeful that in the long run, we’re going to do well by our excess, terrible d-men.”

Ditto. After suffering through the Sabres ECF loss 2 years ago, I’m looking at the Sharks roster like, “Hmm, only 9 active defensemen? Better grab another.”
on March 24, 2008 at 2:36 pm Pookie

I can only presume Lou is planning on packaging several of our dreadful spare parts for, say, Vinny Lecavalier.

We can trade the Iron Boar for the Iron Build-a-Bear!
on March 24, 2008 at 2:37 pm Heather B.

For anyone who is interested and around, Hamilton’s interview with WGR550 goes into some detail on Numminen and why the Sabres can’t pay him starting now. Interesting, I thought.

Oh, good! I wondered if there was a reason they couldn’t just pay him now because I couldn’t figure out why they’d fight paying him for two weeks. I’ll give it a listen as soon as I get back from the grocery store.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:38 pm Schnookie

We can trade the Iron Boar for the Iron Build-a-Bear!

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

After suffering through the Sabres ECF loss 2 years ago, I’m looking at the Sharks roster like, “Hmm, only 9 active defensemen? Better grab another.”

Yeah, see, I don’t look at our roster of d-men and think, “Oooh! Depth!” I look at it and think, “If Whitey or Paulie go down, we’re screwed.” They’re very much like Kevin Weekes in that regard.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:40 pm Meg

After suffering through the Sabres ECF loss 2 years ago, I’m looking at the Sharks roster like, “Hmm, only 9 active defensemen? Better grab another.”

Yeah, durable isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind when you think of Sabre defensemen.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:45 pm Dayna

“Sharks actually have 10 defensemen (one has been on IR all season though, so we won’t count him), I’d keep 4 of them.”

The Pens currently have Ryan Whitney, so you can send some of them our way.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:45 pm andrew

“Yeah, durable isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind when you think of Sabre defensemen.”

It certainly isn’t, Meg. Not even a little bit.

“I look at it and think, “If Whitey or Paulie go down, we’re screwed.” They’re very much like Kevin Weekes in that regard.”

That’s no bueno! I guess when I look at the Sharks roster, there’s no one D-man that I look at and think, “Holy crap, don’t let that guy on the ice.” Except Semenov, he can stay in the press box.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm Pookie

I guess when I look at the Sharks roster, there’s no one D-man that I look at and think, “Holy crap, don’t let that guy on the ice.”

After so many years of being spoiled by Stevens and Neidermayer, I guess we’re due to have zero faith in over 1/2 our blueline.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:51 pm andrew

“The Pens currently have Ryan Whitney, so you can send some of them our way.”

You can totally have Semenov! He’s something like 7’10″ 342 lbs. His only downside is that he doesn’t know how to play defense.
on March 24, 2008 at 2:55 pm Dayna

Ryan Whitney will only cost you about twenty million for the next five years… He’s great at creating turnovers (unfortunately they aren’t of the delicious pasty type) and giving away scoring chances.

I used to love Ryan Whitney. *sigh*
on March 24, 2008 at 2:58 pm Schnookie

I used to love Ryan Whitney. *sigh*

Yeah, really — what happened to him? He didn’t used to be Pens fans’ cross to bear! Isn’t that worst, though, when a guy does that?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:07 pm Heather B.

If a guy is on IR his salary doesn’t count agains the cap, right?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:09 pm Schnookie

If a guy is on IR his salary doesn’t count agains the cap, right?

As far as I know, that’s right.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:11 pm Mags

If a guy is on IR his salary doesn’t count agains the cap, right?

Yup.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:12 pm Heather B.

Thanks! I love it when you guys help me write my blog :-D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:12 pm andrew

“If a guy is on IR his salary doesn’t count agains the cap, right?”

Yes. And if a guy’s on long term IR, then you can do whatever the hell you want. Right Ookies?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:14 pm Schnookie

And if a guy’s on long term IR, then you can do whatever the hell you want. Right Ookies?

You bet! Just like Timmy last year. :P
on March 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm andrew

“You bet! Just like Timmy last year. :P”

Yes! (Although I was thinking of Mogilny, but hey, whatever works huh!)
on March 24, 2008 at 3:15 pm Meg

If a guy is on IR his salary doesn’t count agains the cap, right?

I thought IR counted and only LTIR didn’t?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm Pookie

And if a guy’s on long term IR, then you can do whatever the hell you want. Right Ookies?

Damn straight! Hey, at least it seems more honestly dishonest than letting a guy or two “semi-retire”.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:16 pm Schnookie

(Although I was thinking of Mogilny, but hey, whatever works huh!)

It was Matvichuk; Mogilny was forcibly “retired” if I recall correctly. Heh. (But really, I love Sabres fans who make snide remarks about Lou circumventing the cap via LTIR, when Darcy was doing exactly the same thing. Pot? Kettle.)
on March 24, 2008 at 3:17 pm Schnookie

I thought IR counted and only LTIR didn’t?

Ooooh! Look at Meg actually understanding elements of the CBA! :D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm Heather B.

I thought IR counted and only LTIR didn’t?

That’s what I couldn’t remember. It ended up not really mattering for blogging purposes but that was my confusion.

(But really, I love Sabres fans who make snide remarks about Lou circumventing the cap via LTIR, when Darcy was doing exactly the same thing. Pot? Kettle.)

Wasn’t me! I don’t understand it enough to complain about it.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm Meg

Ooooh! Look at Meg actually understanding elements of the CBA! :D

I don’t know if I understand! I could be totally wrong. I don’t remember.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:19 pm Amy

I love Sabres fans who make snide remarks about Lou circumventing the cap via LTIR, when Darcy was doing exactly the same thing. Pot? Kettle.

Pot and kettle meet a lot in Sabres land.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:21 pm andrew

” Mogliny was forcibly “retired” if I recall correctly.”

I’m pretty sure Mogilny was placed on LTIR for his hip, then traded to the Sharks to free up cap space. (Which I thought was a shrewd but brilliant move for both teams.)

“I love Sabres fans who make snide remarks about Lou circumventing the cap via LTIR, when Darcy was doing exactly the same thing.”

You won’t hear that from me. I actually enjoy seeing GMs figure out a way to buck the system. It’s like they’re channeling my inner-lawyer.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:22 pm Mags

I don’t know if I understand! I could be totally wrong. I don’t remember.

I’ll go look it up, because I’m confused now too.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:23 pm alix

I think Meg’s right, I remember reading that somewhere. And that’s my story.

My team’s schedule is so messed up right now. They haven’t played since Friday, and then they don’t play until Tuesday and have a back to back. And Friday was the second half of another back to back. I’m not complaining, just wanted to share the slight craziness.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:24 pm Schnookie

I’m pretty sure Mogilny was placed on LTIR for his hip, then traded to the Sharks to free up cap space. (Which I thought was a shrewd but brilliant move for both teams.)

Oh no, I think that was Malakhov. Mogilny was IR’ed (I think), then shunted to the A, then was disappeared (to use our older sister’s favorite transitive verb). We had a lot of guys with “M” names who Lou jerked around in the name of salary-cap circumvention last year. You will all be quizzed on this later. :P

Pot and kettle meet a lot in Sabres land.

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm Mags

Except in the case of bona fide long-term injury (injuries that sideline a player for a minimum of 24 days and 10 games) to one or more of a club’s players, Club payrolls will never be permitted to be below the minimum or in excess of the maximum.

Well, there you have it. That’s what is in the CBA. IR doesn’t count, but LTIR does.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm Pookie

Pot and kettle meet a lot in Sabres land.

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm Schnookie

I think Meg’s right, I remember reading that somewhere. And that’s my story.

alix, that was a beautiful story! :D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:26 pm Heather B.

alix, I think the schedule makers were high when working this season. Nothing about the schedule all year has made sense to me.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:27 pm Mags

My team’s schedule is so messed up right now.

Gah, I’ve been ranting to my mother about this and she won’t listen to me. Possibly because I have been talking since I got home yesterday afternoon and she has succeeded in tuning me out. Either way I’m glad you agree :D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:29 pm andrew

“We had a lot of guys with “M” names who Lou jerked around in the name of salary-cap circumvention last year.”

Just another year in the Devils’ system! Kidding! I got no beef with Lou. I mean hey…the Sharks got rid of Korky and picked up a 1st rounder in that trade, all for a couple million or so in cap space. It doesn’t get much better than that.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:30 pm Meg

Well, there you have it. That’s what is in the CBA. IR doesn’t count, but LTIR does.

I am a CBA genius! (Just don’t expect me to know anything else about the CBA. Because I don’t. :D)
on March 24, 2008 at 3:32 pm Schnookie

Just another year in the Devils’ system!

No kidding! And poor Matvichuk was the good soldier, faking a limp all year to stay on LTIR, then what happens this year? BAM! Right down to Lowell. Heh.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:32 pm Heather B.

I am a CBA genius!

Yeah, no offense to Schnookie, Mags, or andrew but I was actually hoping you were around to answer the question when I asked it :-D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:33 pm Schnookie

I am a CBA genius!

You are! Can we put you on our sidebar as a CBA Expert?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:35 pm Schnookie

Yeah, no offense to Schnookie, Mags, or andrew but I was actually hoping you were around to answer the question when I asked it :-D

Yeah, well, offense taken! You BEE-YOTCH! (Or, as Boomer said it the other night, BEE-YATCH!)
on March 24, 2008 at 3:36 pm andrew

“Yeah, no offense to Schnookie, Mags, or andrew but I was actually hoping you were around to answer the question when I asked it :-D”

Ohh, cold blooded. You’re lucky your team’s already been bounced from the Amazingleague playoffs! Otherwise I’d figure out how to use the commissioners tools…and…and…do something to the Tally-Hos!
on March 24, 2008 at 3:38 pm Mags

Yeah, no offense to Schnookie, Mags, or andrew but I was actually hoping you were around to answer the question when I asked it :-D

Eff off, I totally found the answer for you in the end, didn’t I :P
on March 24, 2008 at 3:38 pm Heather B.

Oh, you guys are such babies. I’ve just had good luck with making Meg do all the research in the past. Wait, I mean I’ve had good luck with asking her if she knows certain information and then using it in my blog. Wait… Oh, never mind :-D
on March 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm andrew

You guys like that? I learned how to italicize last week. Except that turning it off doesn’t work, so expect a lot of italicization on the last words of sentences from this guy.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:39 pm Heather B.

And I said “no offense.” Isn’t there some kind of rule that you can’t take offense in that case? I mean, if I said, “No offense but Marty Brodeur is overrated,” would you still take offense?
on March 24, 2008 at 3:42 pm Schnookie

Except that turning it off doesn’t work, so expect a lot of italicization on the last words of sentences from this guy.

I can’t wait! That’s awesome news, andrew! :D

Isn’t there some kind of rule that you can’t take offense in that case?

No. BEE-YATCH.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:42 pm Amy

“No offense but Marty Brodeur is overrated,”

I think those are fighting words around here.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:44 pm andrew

“And I said “no offense.” Isn’t there some kind of rule that you can’t take offense in that case?”

Like in Taladega Nights?

“Just because you said ‘no offense’ doesn’t mean you get to say whatever you want.”

“It sure as heck does!”
on March 24, 2008 at 3:44 pm Meg

You are! Can we put you on our sidebar as a CBA Expert?

As long as you’re OK with me just making stuff up on the frequent occasions when I don’t know the answer.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:45 pm Heather B.

I’ve never seen Talladega Nights but yes, that’s exactly what I mean :P
on March 24, 2008 at 3:46 pm Pookie

andrew, congratulations on moving on up to italics!

Heather, watch it, missy! You’re on thin ice!
on March 24, 2008 at 3:47 pm Mags

I mean, if I said, “No offense but Marty Brodeur is overrated,” would you still take offense?

Yeah, but I wouldn’t come and fight you over it. Because I NOE UR LYIN’.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:49 pm Heather B.

Heather, watch it, missy! You’re on thin ice!

Gosh, it was just an example :PP
on March 24, 2008 at 3:49 pm Sherry

I am a CBA genius! (Just don’t expect me to know anything else about the CBA. Because I don’t. :D)

We studied the CBA in Sports Economics class and our professor said himself that he wasn’t sure the people who wrote the CBA knows anything about the CBA.
on March 24, 2008 at 3:51 pm andrew

“I’ve never seen Talladega Nights but yes, that’s exactly what I mean.”

I learned everything I know about NASCAR from that movie. Literally.

“andrew, congratulations on moving on up to italics!”

Oh don’t worry, I don’t plan on using them. I just like having the ability.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:05 pm Pookie

I just like having the ability.

Hee!

“Talladega Nights” was surprisingly funny. The bit about not knowing what to do with his hands in his first televised interview is a bit that’s used a lot at stately IPB Manor. I also got quite a kick out of my non-sports fans friends complaining that there was too much product placement. In a movie about NASCAR.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:08 pm Schnookie

I also got quite a kick out of my non-sports fans friends complaining that there was too much product placement. In a movie about NASCAR.

I honestly had no idea how to respond to that criticism.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:10 pm andrew

“I also got quite a kick out of my non-sports fans friends complaining that there was too much product placement. In a movie about NASCAR.”

Y’know, this windshield sticker is both dangerous and irresponsible, but I do love Fig Newtons.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:15 pm Sherry

“Talladega Nights” was surprisingly funny.

I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. I love the part where the guy says he has two first names because I do that all the time (and that gets said to me a lot too, heh). Clearly, if Will Ferrell did a NHL movie, it would solve all of the league’s problems.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:19 pm Mags

“Talladega Nights” was surprisingly funny.

I know! I went into it convinced I as going to HATE it, but I laughed a lot. It was just so out there, and at the same time I could see some of it happening at some point in time.

Clearly, if Will Ferrell did a NHL movie, it would solve all of the league’s problems.

I’m not sure about that, but it would definitely help.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:19 pm HoOn

Wow! I leave to do a little work and all these posts! lol You guys should do a chat session sometime. :)

Hey There Mags! :)
on March 24, 2008 at 4:21 pm HoOn

Will Ferrel in a Hockey Movie?? lol Interesting…
on March 24, 2008 at 4:27 pm Pookie

Clearly, if Will Ferrell did a NHL movie, it would solve all of the league’s problems.

I dunno… Did you read Bill Simmons’s review of “Semi-Pro”?

LINK TO SPORTS GUY
on March 24, 2008 at 4:33 pm Sherry

I haven’t, but I will right now!

I don’t know, I just feel like we need another great hockey movie and somehow I don’t know if ‘The Love Guru’ qualifies.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:37 pm andrew

“I dunno… Did you read Bill Simmons’s review of “Semi-Pro”?”

I I’ll wait to see Semi-Pro when it comes out on DVD, as I do with most movies.

So, I may be the only one, but I thought that review was doo-doo. He trashes Semi-Pro, which is fine, as it might be a bad movie, and a positive comedy review is a rarity these days anyway. But then he goes on to say the best sports movies of the decade include one about poker (admittedly a fantastic movie, but a sports film? Eh, that’s really pushing it.) and another which is a 2 hour football soap opera. Huh.

I clearly don’t see eye-to-eye with Bill on movies.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:38 pm SueNJ97

I also got quite a kick out of my non-sports fans friends complaining that there was too much product placement. In a movie about NASCAR.

You mean those people who go to a day of product promotion and a bunch of cars happen to go around the track 200-500 times, and occasionally crash into each other and everyone cheers?
on March 24, 2008 at 4:40 pm Pookie

I know for a fact, before it’s even released, that “The Love Guru” doesn’t qualify. It’s got Stephen Colbert playing an announcer! I love Colbert as much as the next girl, but have you ever seen him try to address sports on his show? He made some crack about Bret Favre’s retirement that fell so flat I swear every single person in the audience, even those who aren’t fans, sat stony faced until he moved onto another topic. And there was the time he got the Saginaw Spirit’s head coach on the phone and kept saying over and over “you need to forecheck in the neutral zone” because he thought those words sounded funny. He condescends to sports fans! I don’t care how small his role is!

Although, seriously, at this point, Mike Meyers is enough to make me swear off a movie no matter the subject matter.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:41 pm alix

“alix, that was a beautiful story! :D”

I’m SO glad you liked it! It took a really long time to type. :D

“alix, I think the schedule makers were high when working this season. Nothing about the schedule all year has made sense to me.”

I totally agree with this assesment. So many times this year I’ve been all “What the deuce?” “Youse NOT attractive schedule, youse not attractive at all.”

“Possibly because I have been talking since I got home yesterday afternoon and she has succeeded in tuning me out. Either way I’m glad you agree :D”

Hee! My daddy’s all “Oh god not again!” when I bring it up. He doesn’t say that, but I can tell :D
on March 24, 2008 at 4:45 pm SueNJ97

The Stephen Colbert comment reminds me of something I saw this weekend…I was home for Easter and my parents love to watch The Food Network. TFN are advertising the new line-up of shows, which include more “competitive cooking” shows (like The Iron Chef only more of them). My Dad and I turned to each other and said, “If we want to watch sports, we’ll watch real sports, not cooking shows disguised as sports”.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:45 pm Sherry

I agree with Bill on some points in that I find sports movies way too formulaic these days. I typically don’t like watching sports movies at all because of how predictable they are. Pacino’s speech in “Any Given Sunday” was probably the best part of that movie.

As horrible as ‘The Love Guru’ looks, I laughed really hard at Justin Timberlake’s faux Quebecois accent though.

And there was the time he got the Saginaw Spirit’s head coach on the phone and kept saying over and over “you need to forecheck in the neutral zone” because he thought those words sounded funny. He condescends to sports fans! I don’t care how small his role is!

I saw that interview and I just chocked it up to his lack of knowledge about hockey but I agree. When he talks sports on his show it really does fall flat.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:47 pm Mags

I leave to do a little work and all these posts!

Get used to it, we do this every day :P

“Youse NOT attractive schedule, youse not attractive at all.”

And clearly looks are the MOST important thing!
on March 24, 2008 at 4:49 pm Pookie

I saw that interview and I just chocked it up to his lack of knowledge about hockey but I agree. When he talks sports on his show it really does fall flat.

I think the problem is that he can pull off being an ersatz blowhard about stuff that he knows about, but when he and his writers go after sports, they’re starting out with zero knowledge so they end up making stupid jokes instead of smart ones. And more often than not they seem to be clearly in the camp of “sports are stuipd! Am I right or am I right?”

andrew, I also thought calling “Rounders” a sports movie was a bit of a stretch and haven’t seen “Friday Night Lights”. Of course, my favorite sports movies are “Varsity Blues”, “Cutting Edge” and “Drumline” so who am I to talk?
on March 24, 2008 at 4:50 pm alix

Ahhhh! The baby Lui is due the first week of April. That kind of scares me. I wish he had planned his little greasy bundle of joy better :p
on March 24, 2008 at 4:51 pm andrew

“I agree with Bill on some points in that I find sports movies way too formulaic these days. I typically don’t like watching sports movies at all because of how predictable they are.”

So true. I think though, one could argue that every genre of film has become formulaic. Of course every once in a while a film will come around and throw a monkey wrench into the system, but that’s the exception and certainly not the rule.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:53 pm alix

“And clearly looks are the MOST important thing!”

Of course! I told schedule he would get more invitations from nice looking girl schedules if he just worked on his division match ups.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:54 pm SueNJ97

Alix, don’t worry. The first mini-Brodeur was born during the 1995 ECF, I believe. Didn’t derail the march to the first Cup for NJ.

Then again, while the Brodeurs were in the middle of separation hell and Mel was calling Marty on his cell before every playoff game to tell him exactly what she thought of him, well, NJ was marching to its last Cup in 1993. So, personal situations are funny things.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:55 pm Amy

my favorite sports movies are “Varsity Blues”, “Cutting Edge” and “Drumline” so who am I to talk?

I like “Bring It On” and “Major League” which doesn’t give me much room to talk, either.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:56 pm andrew

“Of course, my favorite sports movies are “Varsity Blues”, “Cutting Edge” and “Drumline” so who am I to talk?”

Hey dude, I’m right there with you! I claim “Necessary Roughness” and “Major League” as a couple of my favorites. They certainly aren’t above reproach, but at least they’re movies about sports.

Then again, should I be surprised that an ESPN talking head names a poker movie to be among the best sports movies of the past 10 years? Stupid ESPN and their oddball broadcasting. Frankly, I’m surprised he didn’t throw “Bring It On” in there as well.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:56 pm Sherry

And more often than not they seem to be clearly in the camp of “sports are stuipd! Am I right or am I right?”

So true. If you don’t know anything about it, then it’s best to leave it alone! Or Colbert should stick to basketball because I think he’s a basketball fan.

Of course every once in a while a film will come around and throw a monkey wrench into the system, but that’s the exception and certainly not the rule.

That’s true…which is why I don’t watch movies in general, heh. But I think one of the things that made “Jerry Maguire” successful was the fact that it wasn’t so much a sports movie per say. The sports aspects of it served more as a backdrop and wasn’t so much the focus and therefore harder to screw up. I’ve never seen “Friday Night Lights” (the show) so I don’t know what makes it so fabulous but I know a lot of people who love it.

My favourite sports movies are probably the Mighty Ducks trilogy though. Sad, but true.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:57 pm Amy

Ahhhh! The baby Lui is due the first week of April. That kind of scares me. I wish he had planned his little greasy bundle of joy better :p

When he played for the Sabres, Michael Peca’s wedding would have been the same day as Game 7 of the SCF if the Sabres would have made it that far. The media was all over him about it.
on March 24, 2008 at 4:58 pm Caitlin

Hey dude, I’m right there with you! I claim “Necessary Roughness” and “Major League” as a couple of my favorites.

Hee! I love both, and Necessary Roughness was filmed at my university! I used to vaguely know the guy who played the armadillo as well. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 4:59 pm andrew

“I wish he had planned his little greasy bundle of joy better”

Ha! Greasy bundle of joy!
on March 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm SueNJ97

I’m partial to Major League, Bang the Drum Slowly and, of course, Slap Shot.

Then, of course, there is the awful Rob Lowe movie, no, not Youngblood, Oxford Blues, which is about an American rower at Oxford. I spent a year rowing at Oxford so I have a soft spot for it, except I knew the guys on the Oriel first crew and I knew their coxswain and he looked nothing like Ally Sheedy.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:00 pm Pookie

Then again, should I be surprised that an ESPN talking head

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Bill Simmons is most decidedly not an ESPN talking head! He’s the one good thing about ESPN! And he’s as critical of the network/empire as anyone, I think.

Woo-hoo, quitting time! Adios, everyone!
on March 24, 2008 at 5:01 pm alix

“Alix, don’t worry. The first mini-Brodeur was born during the 1995 ECF, I believe. Didn’t derail the march to the first Cup for NJ.”

Thanks, Sue! The tricky thing with the mini-Lui is that his wife’s in Florida, so he will most likely be missing a game or two. And Sanford’s been both good and bad, so it’s rather frightening. But I’m happy for Lui, really!
on March 24, 2008 at 5:02 pm andrew

“I like “Bring It On” and “Major League” which doesn’t give me much room to talk, either.”

Amy, I’ve never seen “Bring It On”, I was just making fun of ESPN and their programming choices. But “Major League” is definitely awesome.

“I love both, and Necessary Roughness was filmed at my university!”

Scott Bakula! How can you go wrong?! (and that’s pretty cool. I don’t know if any films have been made at my old school)
on March 24, 2008 at 5:04 pm alix

See ya, Pookie!
on March 24, 2008 at 5:07 pm alix

Slap Shot is amazing. I could watch that one over and over. And I love Remember the Titans, but not really because it’s a sports movie. The music is awesome and I like all the actors.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:07 pm andrew

“Woo-hoo, quitting time! Adios, everyone!”

I chased Pookie away with the anti-ESPN ranting. Sorry Pookie!

I guess I don’t read enough of Simmons’ work. I avoid ESPN as much as I can.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:07 pm Sherry

Bye Pookie!

I’ve seen “Bring it On” and I thought it was horrible but it was actually funny. For a teen movie, it actually didn’t fit into the cliche teen flick at all.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:14 pm Caitlin

Scott Bakula! How can you go wrong?! (and that’s pretty cool. I don’t know if any films have been made at my old school)

Woo, I know! And Hector Elizondo! They wanted to call the school “Texas State University” which didn’t exist at the time. When the movie was filmed, my school was called North Texas State University, so the filmmakers could just run around and cover up the “North” on all the buildings, etc.

I love Slap Shot. If you’re going outside of hockey, Hoosiers is another good sports movie. And I love the Mighty Ducks and Little Giants, as far as “little kids” sports movies go.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:16 pm Mags

Bye Pookie, see you later!

Slap Shot is amazing. I could watch that one over and over.

Slapshot is my all time favourite movie :D Even though I totally cringe whenever I watch it. Bring it On comes in close second because my cousin used to cheerlead and there isn’t much that is more fun than sitting in a theater making fun of everything they do on screen and discussing whether or not something was actually a sequence they’d be allowed to use in competition. We walked out of there with her doing a routine and everyone staring at her. And that’s my story.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:21 pm andrew

“…there isn’t much that is more fun than sitting in a theater making fun of everything they do on screen and discussing whether or not something was actually a sequence they’d be allowed to use in competition.”

My best friend was an Army Ranger, so I do that all the time when we’re watching war movies. “Is that real? Is that real? Is that real?” Invariably, he repsonds, “How the hell should I know, those are Marines.”
on March 24, 2008 at 5:28 pm andrew

“Woo, I know! And Hector Elizondo!”

And let’s not forget Sinbad.

Another great sports movie that’s a favorite around our house: “The Best of Times” with Kurt Russell and Robin Williams. So damn funny.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:29 pm Sherry

Actually, I should probably also add that “Space Jam” was a definite favourite sports movie of mine. I must have watched it at least 20 times.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:33 pm Mags

“Is that real? Is that real? Is that real?” Invariably, he repsonds, “How the hell should I know, those are Marines.”

:^:::::::::::::::::

I met a Marine when I worked with at hockey camp but I don’t think I’d ask him. He scares the crap out of me.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:35 pm Caitlin

My best friend was an Army Ranger, so I do that all the time when we’re watching war movies. “Is that real? Is that real? Is that real?” Invariably, he repsonds, “How the hell should I know, those are Marines.”

Watch Basic with him. It’s about Army Rangers. :D
Most of my family are Marines, but I hardly ever hear comments from them on war movies.

I think the only thing I’ve ever quibbled with in movies is depictions of guns/hunting and/or historical inaccuracies. Just really…stupid stuff.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:45 pm Heather B.

I hate Slap Shot. Yeah, I said it!

Friday Night Lights is a fabulous, fabulous TV show. It’s beautiful and smart and funny and all that good stuff. But I don’t know if I’d really call it a sports show. It’s about a coach and his players but it’s not really about football per se.

Favorite sports movies: Field of Dreams, Major League, The Rookie, and Breaking Away.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:47 pm andrew

“Watch Basic with him. It’s about Army Rangers.”

He’d probably make fun of it. We do that a lot. We watched Shooter this weekend, y’know…the one with Marky Mark. We had a good laugh.

He has told me that the most realistic/impressive war movie he’s seen is Band of Brothers. Which isn’t actually a movie, but whatever.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:47 pm Mags

I hate Slap Shot. Yeah, I said it!

Good for you.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:51 pm Sherry

I’ve never seen ‘Slap Shot’ so I’m reserving judgment until I do. I have to watch it if not for the strip scene alone. When my housemates and I watched Nystrom’s reenactment we couldn’t stop laughing. And some of them don’t even like hockey!

I just also have to say that I really hate war movies. I find them dreadfully boring.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:52 pm Mags

Y’all have fun discussing whatever this thread is going to mutate into, I’m going to bed. I am NOT looking forward to going back to school after 4 days of vegging around and playing hockey in the snow. /whine.
on March 24, 2008 at 5:59 pm andrew

See ya Mags.

Sherry, Slap Shot is pretty funny. I love it, but it is very vulgar…so anyone with sensitive ears need not apply.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:00 pm alix

Night Mags!
on March 24, 2008 at 6:02 pm Patty (in Dallas)

My best friend was an Army Ranger, so I do that all the time when we’re watching war movies. “Is that real? Is that real? Is that real?” Invariably, he repsonds, “How the hell should I know, those are Marines.”

:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

My favorite sports movies, that I can think of off the top of my head, are Major League, The Rookie, The Sandlot, and Miracle on Ice. That’s all I can come up with. There are probably more. I liked Cutting Edge, too.

I can’t really sit through a movie about football, although I liked Necessary Roughness when it came out. But that was more a function of Scott Bakula.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:05 pm Heather B.

Oh, The Sandlot! I can’t believe I forgot that movie! I looooove it!
on March 24, 2008 at 6:07 pm Caitlin

He’d probably make fun of it. We do that a lot. We watched Shooter this weekend, y’know…the one with Marky Mark. We had a good laugh.

Basic is laughable at best, but I figured your Army Ranger buddy would get a kick out of it. I don’t think that’s anything like Ranger training, and Travolta is laughable as a Ranger, but you do get awesometastic Samuel L. Jackson as a Ranger instructor.

And word to laughing my butt off at Marky Mark in Shooter. As a mindless fluff piece it’s nice. If you actually are into sniper rifle-y sorts of things…it just…no. That bit with the firing pins? WTF? He changed out all the firing pins in every single one of his rifles?

(I also like how Marky Mark’s name is “Joe Bob” or something like that in the movie.)
on March 24, 2008 at 6:12 pm andrew

“I can’t really sit through a movie about football, although I liked Necessary Roughness when it came out.”

You can’t be from Texas and not like Necessary Roughness!

“Oh, The Sandlot! I can’t believe I forgot that movie! I looooove it!”

Word. The Sandlot is a terrific movie.

“As a mindless fluff piece it’s nice. If you actually are into sniper rifle-y sorts of things…it just…no.”

Yeah, it was fine for exactly that, a mindless flick. But I am no gun nut, by any stretch, so I wasn’t analyzing the facts or anything like that. And it was pretty funny, his name was Bob Lee Swagger. Is that really the best they could come up with?
on March 24, 2008 at 6:17 pm Schnookie

Heather, I’m with you — I hate Slap Shot too. There, I also said it.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:19 pm Caitlin

But I am no gun nut, by any stretch, so I wasn’t analyzing the facts or anything like that.

Between studying military history in college and growing up around military family members and hunters, I know enough about guns to be like, “Are you freakin’ kidding me?”

Bob Lee Swagger is one of the worst movie names ever.

The guys who did the mini-series for Band of Brothers worked and worked and worked to get that stuff right. They’re actually doing a new mini-series called “The Pacific”. Guess what it’s about?
on March 24, 2008 at 6:21 pm andrew

“Bob Lee Swagger is one of the worst movie names ever.”

Or possibly one of the best. I can’t decide.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:26 pm Caitlin

I hate Slap Shot too. There, I also said it.

I can see how someone would hate Slap Shot. My love of Paul Newman, however, knows no bounds. Plus, I just really like the movie. Paul’s more of an added bonus.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:31 pm Pookie

I hate Slap Shot too. There, I also said it.

I also hate Slap Shot. There, I also said it. It just didn’t grab me at all. I think it might be a guy thing. I dunno. Alls I know is I wanted to love it and in the end I just went, “meh”.

They’re actually doing a new mini-series called “The Pacific”. Guess what it’s about?

Lifeboats?*

*When Schnookie and I were working at this awful call center with lots of not-too-bright people, she read a book called “The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes”. A particularly unctuous coworker sidled up to her during a break and read the cover aloud, slowly and deliberately. “The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes. Huh. What’s it about?” Schnookie looked him in the eye and said, “It’s about the man who broke Napoleon’s codes.” Anyway, that line got a lot of play around here until the day Boomer reported to Schnookie that she had bought me a book called “Lifeboats”. Schnookie, without thinking, said, “Oh, what’s that about?” Boomer: “Uh… Lifeboats.” Schnookie: “Oh. What, not the lifeboat that broke Napoleon’s codes?”
on March 24, 2008 at 6:34 pm Schnookie

First of all, I want to say of the “The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes” incident that I fully believe that life only gives you that kind of softball once or twice in your entire time on Earth. Really, to have the chance to have this skeevy guy who was my superior at this crappy job just walk into that was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Second of all, I want to say that the lifeboat book was not called “Lifeboats“. It was just “Lifeboat”, which could have been, like, some kind of fiction or something. Just, in my defense.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:40 pm alix

The Sandlot is amazing! It gets endlessly quoted by my family when I’m at home.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:41 pm andrew

“It was just “Lifeboat”, which could have been, like, some kind of fiction or something. Just, in my defense.”

Uh huh. Suuure Schnookie!

Just kidding. But seriously, I had a weird one the other day. I have recently picked up The Jungle, I’ve been wanting to re-read it for a while since I haven’t picked it up since high school. Well, anyway, I’m on a plane down to Burbank a couple of weeks ago and the lady sitting next to me is not only reading it, but the exact same edition. AND THEN it turns out the lady next to her was also reading it….different pressing though. I know it’s a pretty common book, but still, it was pretty funny and strange.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:43 pm Schnookie

andrew, that story about The Jungle is crazy! What are the chances of that?
on March 24, 2008 at 6:46 pm Pookie

That’s insane, andrew! So many people reading “The Jungle”!

Boomer has A LOT of books. She buys them by the truck load. She has a weakness for mystery novels. A few moves ago we were helping her pack up her books and I discovered that she had a book called “An Owl Too Many” at the end of one bookshelf, and then next to it on the next shelf over was… “An Owl Too Many”. She had two copies of the same book shelved next to each other! I told a nerdy librarian friend of mine and he said, “HA! She had ‘An Owl Too Many’ too many!”
on March 24, 2008 at 6:47 pm andrew

“andrew, that story about The Jungle is crazy! What are the chances of that?”

1 in 3? No wait, I fucked it up. Let’s see…100 people on the plane, 3 reading the book….carry the 2….hmm…Is the answer “D”?

No, I’m just messin’, but seriously what are the odds? I thought it was pretty kooky.
on March 24, 2008 at 6:48 pm Schnookie

1 in 3? No wait, I fucked it up. Let’s see…100 people on the plane, 3 reading the book….carry the 2….hmm…Is the answer “D”?

:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
on March 24, 2008 at 6:53 pm Margee

I’m so late to the party, but I want to wish you canines a happy birthday! Thank you for bringing IPB into all of our lives and building bridges among hockey fans. You guys are the best!

And can we get a number on how many keyboards and computer screens that have been sacrificed to beverages consumed while reading IPB?
on March 24, 2008 at 7:03 pm Pookie

Thanks, Margee! Have we told you that SportSquee was one of our biggest inspirations to start blogging? Because it was! So really, thank you!
on March 24, 2008 at 7:03 pm Meg

Heather, I’m with you — I hate Slap Shot too. There, I also said it.

The only part of slapshot I like is the penalties bit. Everything else I hate.
on March 24, 2008 at 7:04 pm Schnookie

*Blushes* Awww, thanks so much Margee! That means an awful lot coming from you! :D
on March 24, 2008 at 7:07 pm Pookie

Meg, the penalties bit is funny, I’ll grant you that! You know what isn’t helping me like Slap Shot any more? Hearing that Bruce Boudreau was in it. That’s like the regular season “Chris Neil invented having babies” from last playoffs.
on March 24, 2008 at 7:26 pm Amy

Hearing that Bruce Boudreau was in it.

I didn’t know that! That’s kind of cool.
on March 24, 2008 at 7:29 pm Pookie

It was cool the first time I heard it. It was less cool the second. And really less cool the 1,000th.
on March 24, 2008 at 7:37 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Is The Jungle an Oprah Book Club choice or something?

Did anybody ask you what it’s about? Because in that case, it wouldn’t be a stupid question. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 7:43 pm Caitlin

A particularly unctuous coworker sidled up to her during a break and read the cover aloud, slowly and deliberately. “The Man Who Broke Napoleon’s Codes. Huh. What’s it about?”

This man was probably one of the Blockbuster customers that plagued me with lines like, “So…what’s The Zodiac Killer about?” or “Wait, so this movie with a title in Spanish is actually in Spanish? Huh.”
on March 24, 2008 at 7:50 pm Schnookie

I don’t even want to THINK about how idiotic people must be about movies. Wow. It must take a special kind of patience to work at a video store.
on March 24, 2008 at 8:06 pm Pookie

Every now and then I get to deal with people being idiots about movies/tv because we lend out DVDs. The other day I listened to a young teenager telling his friend that they should rent “Oz” (they pronounced it “O.Z.”) because it would be like “Prison Break”.
on March 24, 2008 at 8:25 pm Caitlin

It must take a special kind of patience to work at a video store.

No more than any other retail situation, I don’t think. The only thing I could never get past was when people would freak out because a movie was subtitled. If it was dubbed, that was okay but subtitles are apparently bad and wrong to most people!

As someone who is horrifically distracted by dubbing, I never got it.
on March 24, 2008 at 8:29 pm Schnookie

I don’t understand the fear of/aversion to subtitles at all. I’m also unable to deal with dubbed movies, so that drives me absolutely batty. (The other thing I hate is people who refuse letterboxing. I overhead someone once complaining that they hated “those black bars” because they “cut people’s heads off at the top of the picture.” I really wished, in that moment, that there was some way to enforce the idea of “too stupid to live”.)
on March 24, 2008 at 8:37 pm Caitlin

I overhead someone once complaining that they hated “those black bars” because they “cut people’s heads off at the top of the picture.” I really wished, in that moment, that there was some way to enforce the idea of “too stupid to live”.)

Congratulations, you could NEVER be a Blockbuster employee. (I don’t think you’d want to be in the first place, but you never know.)

I worked at Blockbuster when the company went through a massive overhaul, right when they got rid of late fees. Blockbuster switched over to ALL widescreen (letterboxed) and kept old fullscreen movies, but refused to purchase anymore fullscreen new releases.

I have never seen so many people so righteously indignant for something that was BETTER than what they were buying. No matter how many times I tried to explain that although I could understand how people loved fullscreen, widescreen is better — people had hissy fits all over the place.

I don’t understand the fear of/aversion to subtitles at all.

I used to have customers tell me, “If I wanted to read while watching a movie, I wouldn’t be watching a movie, I’d be READING.” It got to the point where if I knew a movie was subtitled, I would tell the person before checkout because 95% of the time, they would come back in demanding money back or a credit because real movies are in English! Duh!
on March 24, 2008 at 8:46 pm Schnookie

I have never seen so many people so righteously indignant for something that was BETTER than what they were buying.

SERIOUSLY! Why are people so STUPID?

That’s hilarious that you had to warn people about subtitles. We keep making fun of Katebits because when we visited her in Buffalo in October, we went to this sandwich place. She proceeded to stand back and let us order what we wanted, then cautioned us about our orders. Like, “You know that ham and cheese with olive tapenade sandwich? Be careful — it has olive tapenade on it.” And, “Just a heads up — that turkey with cranberry mayonnaise sandwich? It has cranberry mayonnaise on it.” We’ve teased her mercilessly for this ever since, but you were totally giving a useful “Thanks, MOM” service by advising people that their foreign-language movies weren’t in English. :P
on March 24, 2008 at 9:04 pm Caitlin

We’ve teased her mercilessly for this ever since, but you were totally giving a useful “Thanks, MOM” service by advising people that their foreign-language movies weren’t in English. :P

After I had to duck a DVD thrown at my head for not informing a customer that a movie had subtitles, I decided to circumvent that ever happening again by irritating the hell out of all the rest of my customers. :D
on March 24, 2008 at 9:08 pm don

i know i’m several hours late with this, but i think the devis should sign jason smith and get rid of some of their extra forwards…go with two lines of regular forwards and have two pairing of defensemen and have two other forward lines comprised of six of their ten defensemen…it’d be a ‘defense first’ team that lou would really enjoy, don’t you think?…lol
on March 24, 2008 at 9:11 pm Heather B.

My proudest moment as a BB employee was the customer who came back with his Fellowship of the Ring fullscreen and said, “You’re right, this is AWFUL! Can I exchange this for the widescreen?” That was pretty much my own real accomplishment at BB actually.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:15 pm Caitlin

That was pretty much my own real accomplishment at BB actually.

Heather, can I tell you something?

You accomplished something for EVERY Blockbuster employee.

I have never heard of that happening…ever. You, ma’am, should be commended. Seriously, that amazes me.

My big accomplishment was getting customers to learn my name instead of calling me “Movie Lady” or “Movie Girl”. I did have one customer that insisted on calling me “Movie Queen”, which wasn’t as bad, I guess. Once people could actually learn my name, a month before I quit, I was SO happy.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:17 pm Heather B.

Caitlin, I was very proud. This guy was a regular and we’d had MANY discussions about widescreen vs. fullscreen including more than a few hand-drawn diagrams.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:18 pm Schnookie

it’d be a ‘defense first’ team that lou would really enjoy, don’t you think?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Brilliant, don! Just brilliant!!!
on March 24, 2008 at 9:21 pm Pookie

Don, I think you’re really onto something there! Larry Robinson is probably foaming at the mouth just thinking about it!
on March 24, 2008 at 9:41 pm Morgan

Just heard the podcast. Great work Ookies! I sooooo want to guest!
on March 24, 2008 at 9:42 pm Morgan

Oh yeah. Slap Shot? Best. Sports Movie. Ever.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:42 pm Schnookie

Oh my god, Morgan, you TOTALLY have to do a guest appearance on the IPB Hour! Ooooh! We have to figure out how and when to do that!
on March 24, 2008 at 9:45 pm Pookie

Morgan, you have to do a guest appearance! I wonder if we could break into Continental Air and record from our old seats… barring that, how about Around The Clock? I don’t know how to edit out background noise, so our listeners would just have to listen to some busy restaurant bustle! (Seriously, though, we need to do a podcast — the old 227 magic needs to be saved for posterity.)
on March 24, 2008 at 9:47 pm Morgan

“We have to figure out how and when to do that!”

Have your people call my people. Oh wait… I am my people. Shoot me an email and we’ll work it out.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:48 pm Pookie

Sounds good, Morgan!
on March 24, 2008 at 9:50 pm Morgan

227… I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

Good night all, gonna spend spend some QT with my sweetie.
on March 24, 2008 at 9:53 pm Patty (in Dallas)

Background noise is good! It’ll be like the “remotes” the radio station does. You’ll be just like the big guys.
on March 24, 2008 at 10:08 pm Pookie

227… I get teary-eyed just thinking about it.

I get teary-eyed too… thinking about the altitude of those seats! ZING!

Patty, are you suggesting we’re not currently like the big guys?!
on March 24, 2008 at 10:26 pm Patty (in Dallas)

I would never suggest such a thing!

You’re currently like the big guys in studio. Next, you’ll be like the big guys on a remote.
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