Tomorrow morning is Locker Clean Out Day for the 2007-2008 New Jersey Devils, which means there will be much exchanging of memorabilia, plenty of signing of team pictures, and many teary “we’ll be BFFs forever!” goodbyes. In short, it will be like the last day of sleep-away summer camp. (We think. We’ve never actually been to Locker Clean Out Day. Or sleep-away summer camp.) And so tonight is the last night at Camp Firewood, so to speak, so there is supposed to be a gala talent show. Unfortunately, over the last couple of weeks we’ve noticed a distinct lack of talent among our little Devils sleep-away campers, so they’ve lost their talent show privileges. So in lieu of fun and laughs, we are going to take the stage as camp directors and hand out a bunch of merit badges. It’ll be as much fun for them as the last month of watching them play hockey was for us.
Merit Badge For Exceeding Impossibly High Expectations
Marty Brodeur already has a sash groaning under the weight of about 10 of these badges, but this year we’re giving it to Paulie. Oh, sure, no one else probably had impossibly high expectations of him, but PaulieMartinNation sure did. And after spending a frighteningly long portion of last year playing under his superhero alter ego “Putrid Paulie”, there was a very good chance he wouldn’t be the #1 guy we were counting on him being. But in the end, he surprised even those of us who thought the world of him. Sure, he’s comically got no finish, but the fact is that somewhere along the way this year, the d-corps stopped being led by Colin White and instead started answering to Paulie. He turned Johnny Oduya into a stalwart (in as much as any Devils defenseman could be considered one), he became the go-to puck-carrier with mad defender-eluding skills, and he thrilled us shift after shift with his death-defying Houdini escape-artist act. And above all else, he didn’t embarrass us for proclaiming so publicly and so often that he was our favorite.
Merit Badge for Breakout Season
Johnny Oduya surprised us more than anyone else in terms of having a good season (one Travis Zajac surprised us more, but not in a good way; more on that later). After last year’s depressing showing in the post-season we weren’t thrilled to see him make the cut to stay on the big team this year. However, as soon as he got paired with Paulie, he took off and never looked back, as if the second half of the season was just, oh say, the entire Carolina Hurricanes line-up standing listlessly in front of their goal.
Merit Badge for Falling so Far so Fast
Dude, what happened to Travis this season? And more than that, what happened to Langer? Trying to figure out which guy contributed more to the other’s great season last year, and whose consequent collapse precipitated the other’s failure, is a total chicken-and-the-egg thing. Just when we’re about to blame Travis for falling off the face of the planet, we remember that he was producing hugely on the Poppers line last year with a functional Langer, so maybe it’s not all his fault? Of course, then we think that Langer’s career-best goal total from last year was maybe prompted by playing with a functional Travis, so his pathetic showing this year maybe wasn’t entirely within his control? We don’t know. In the end, all that matters is that both guys sucked by comparison to what they accomplished a year ago, so they both earned this badge.
Wicked Awesome Badge
Jay Pandolfo is used to studiously sewing this one to his badge sash at the end of every season, but this year we’re handing it to Mike “Applemotherfuckingsauce” Mottau. As Chief Priestess of PandoNation, Schnookie refused for a large portion of the season to admit that Mottau could out “pahk the cahr in Boston yahd” Pando with one vocal cord tied behind his back, but finally the truth had to be acknowledged. There’s a new sheriff in town, boys and girls!
Merit Badge for Half a Good Season, First Half
For the first three months of the season we kept finding ourselves spontaneously offering to have David Clarkson’s babies. Well thank God he didn’t take us up on the offer, because the last three months of the season were a bit of a disaster for him. He went from being a scrappy underdog with surprisingly good offensive instincts who was also unafraid to challenge guys twice his size to being a tired-looking, ineffectual, easily-knocked-off-the-puck nobody. But let’s not dwell on the negative, shall we? This is a merit badge to celebrate the good times!
Merit Badge for Half a Good Season, Second Half
It’s hard to say whether the last 10-15 games of the season qualifies as a “Half a Good Season”, but in Mike Rupp’s case those 10-15 games were surprising enough that we’ll give it to him. He spent a goodly portion of the first half on the outside looking in, but he won us over there in the stretch run when every other guy was sucking. Thanks, Rupper.
Merit Badge For Single-Handedly Dragging His Team Into The Playoffs
Marty Brodeur, come get your badge! Without Marty backstopping this team, those tickets we bought in October for the Good Ship Lottery Pick would still be redeemable.
Anyone who says he’s just a product of the “System” should watch a few games of this season to see how his superior abilities overcame a complete and utter lack of scoring and a nine-man defensive corps that boasted just 3 1/2 NHL-caliber players.
Easy Target Badge
Gentle Reader, you know we like to amuse ourselves with spinning tall tales and zany mythologies about our players, and there is no better inspiration for that impulse than Mr. Zachary Parise. He just walks right into the character of the spoiled, richie-rich coach’s pet who employs a turtle-of-affairs. And when the season drones on, and the team look less and less like one that’s capable of winning the Stanley Cup, a little humorous distraction like discussing what kind of health benefits a turtle-of-affairs might get is just what we need to keep going.
Badge for Outstanding Achievement in Failing to Grasp the Basic Tenet of Hockey That the Team with the Most Goals Wins
We’re not entirely sure whom to give this badge to, because we think the fact that the Devils were so thoroughly and consistently unprepared for play in the offensive zone, night in and night out (it was, in fact, the only consistent trait this team showed all year), should probably be the responsibility of one of the coaches. Now, we’re big into drinking the Kool Aid (or, to keep with the summer camp theme, Bug Juice), so we can’t pin this on Sutter. We’re pretty sure it wasn’t Jacques Caron’s fault. We don’t think Tommy Albelin does anything with the team other than be smoking hot. And Larry’s the defensive coach, and had to spend all his time trying to figure out how to drownproof Greene, Oduya (first-half), Vish-Dog, Rachunek, Brookbank, Salvador, et al. So we’re giving this bad boy to John MacLean. We think we’re beginning to understand why Lou keeps passing him over for the head coaching gig.
Merit Badge for Attention-Deficit Disorder
It’s the “everyone gets a badge” merit badge! All the Devils, from Lou all the way down, get this one, because it was an organization-wide problem this year that the team couldn’t play 60 minutes a night, and the team wasn’t able to show up for 82 games.
Merit Badge for Outstanding Achievement for Making the Season Bearable — 2nd Runner-Up
The masterminds behind “Chico Eats”. Thanks to Chico being willing to shovel all manner of arena food into his face while mugging for the camera, the start of the 3rd period became destination viewing. “Chico Eats” will be what we all remember from the inaugural season of the Prudential Center, be it Chico treating a 12-year-old’s birthday party to cookies, or walking to Newark Penn Station to get popcorn with Doc, or the classic dancing with Grace Sutter. (This is not to say that “Chico Eats”, in all its glitzy new-arena showiness could possibly overshadow the real star of FSNY (or MSG+ [aggrieved sigh]) — Chuck the Duck.)
Merit Badge for Outstanding Achievement for Making the Season Bearable — 1st Runner-Up
Lou Lamoriello for ensuring that the “new look” sweaters look as much like the “old look” sweaters as humanly possible. Coming into the 07-08 season the thing we worried about the most (other than the Rangers winning the Cup — thanks a lot, boys) was the reign of terror that the league-wide completely-redesigned slim-fit jerseys were sure to impose on the NHL. But aside from a few small glitches (the weird way Paulie pushes his sleeves up over his arm pads, the distracted constant tugging Langer does to his collar, and the lack of flowing drapery on Patty) we’re pleased as punch that for the most part, the Devils sweaters don’t contain new patches, color-blocks, or piping.
Merit Badge for Outstanding Achievement for Making the Season Bearable Awesome
You, Gentle Reader. This was our first full season blogging the Devils, and we cannot thank you enough for making Interchangeable Parts so much fun to write and participate in.
Awwwww! You guys are the ones that made the season awesome!
What happened with Langer? Y’all loved him in the first half. Poor guy. Is the “C” too heavy? Maybe it just made him stumble a little, and next season he’ll know better how to carry it.
If not, we’ll take him. :D
You guys are the ones that made the season awesome!
No, you are!
Y’all loved him in the first half.
Yeah. We did. Then he started sucking. Big style. Gah! I, personally, would like to see the team go with 3 A’s next season.
walking to Newark Penn Station to get popcorn with Doc
HOLY CRAP WHEN WAS THAT?!?!
I can’t believe I COMPLETELY missed that one. I love the smell of popcorn at Newark Penn when I first get there…sigh…
No, you are!
No, YOU are!
In the Stars pre-game, they said that Joel Lundqvist and his wife had a baby daughter earlier today. Isn’t that sweet? And it looks like he’s still going to be in the lineup!
Mazel tov, Joel and wife!
Maybe having a new niece with throw Henrik off his game. :D
Too little, too late on the Henrik front. Stupid baby. She should have been born two weeks ago! What was she thinking!
Maybe Henrik will be so occupied with this he’ll forget to strap the refridgerator doors to his legs in round 2?
HOLY CRAP WHEN WAS THAT?!?!
It was the penultimate Chico Eats! of the season!
Whatever are you suggesting, Josh? :P
Dang, P(iD) and then Pookie beat me to it.
I’m sloooooowlike.
Robidas’ nose is all swollen and it looks BETTER.
Henrik will realize he’s the less accomplished brother in LIFE. If not hockey. :P
Good evening, all!
I’m going old school tonight and will only be listening to the game. Bummer. Any visual aides will be welcome.
It was the penultimate Chico Eats! of the season!
The Boston game? Dammit. I even got there reeeeeeeal earlylike, so I shoulda seen them at Penn. Lame.
I think they need to release a deluxe Chico Eats DVD Collectors Box Set.
I did get a Chico Eats tee shirt at the game the other day. 20 bucks for a white tee shirt, but it said Chico Eats!, so how could I not?
Robidas’ nose is all swollen and it looks BETTER.
Poor guy! The paper said he couldn’t even remember how many times he had broken his nose. I can’t believe it hit his shield and did that much damage. Yikes!
You’re on the radio, Myra? Bummer!
I’m watching, but I have to save my comments here for the commercials and the intermissions. I am too scared.
I agree with Patty: you guys made the season awesome. I’m so glad that while the Sabres were losing . . . and losing . . . and losing I had IPB to read. :)
I think they need to release a deluxe Chico Eats DVD Collectors Box Set.
DEFINITELY! (I would have a hard time saying no to a Chico Eats! t-shirt, too, Josh. :D)
Awww, Meg and Patty — you guys are so sweet! :D
I am too scared.
I know what you mean.
Ookies–
My clan agrees with Patty & Meg. You guys made the season so awesome. It has been so cool to learn “almost” first hand about so many different teams and to be able to interact with hockey fans from literally across the nation during our first season. I think it helped us get ahead of the learning curve in so many ways.
Thanks ya’ll for your wit and your wonderful ability to keep a great balance here!
Myra, the Hubbie & the Kid!
Awww! Youse awesome, everyone!
Hey, IPB. Your gardening/cooking/barbecuing blog is entertaining, too. We guess good writers well about everything.
So, IPB, will Sergei stay, or was this it?
Aw, thanks, Douglas! I actually just discovered that our most common tag over at IPB Living is the one we have for drinks, so I guess that’s really just IPB’s Official Booze Blog. :P
I honestly don’t know what to think about Sarge. On the one hand, I can’t imagine the team without him, nor can I imagine Lou not moving heaven and earth to make sure he finishes his career a Devil (and I can’t see him retiring). On the other hand, I really can’t argue with the idea that it wouldn’t hurt the Devils to be looking for more offensively-minded forwards. There is such a glut of aging checking forwards on the team now, and it’s hard to imagine that it wouldn’t make the Devils better to maybe consider not having so many. As a Pando fan, though, I hate that. Maybe we can get rid of John MacLean and find an offensive coordinator who can get those guys to contribute more?
Aw, thanks so much, Douglas!
I’ve officially entered that phase of the off-season (yes, I know, it’s not even been 48 hours since the Devils lost) where I’m like, “I just want to know how it’s all going to end up.” I Just want to know who’s going to be resigned, who’s going to be traded, etc.
I hope Sergei stays. He’s lost a step, we are afraid (those knee operations may have taken a toll.) But he spent most of the season playing with Rupp and Asham, who can’t finish to save themselves. And only Asham can pass (sometimes). So, no wonder Sergei’s numbers were down. He got virtually no time on the PP, either and he can tip shots. The Devils need scoring; it’s their biggest need. Keep up the great work, IPB. We appreciate your tremendous skills.
But he spent most of the season playing with Rupp and Asham, who can’t finish to save themselves.
That’s a really good point. And he definitely can still contribute on the PP. Furthermore, for all that many of us are thinking, “Woo hoo! Lou’s going to HAVE to make some changes this summer!”, what are we hoping to see happen? What’s available? The free agent crop is thin, and there’s not a whole hell of a lot of tradeable commodities in the Devils system. It would be a shame to see Sarge go.
What are they saying about the Stars on the national broadcast?
They kind of aren’t, Patty. It’s sort of just been play-by-play. Although Chris Simpson just talked to Ribs like he’s an imbecile. I was hoping he’d smack her in the face with his stick.
Haha! Poor Ribs. Not allowed to just wander off and stop talking to her.
Some Ducks reporter was interviewing Daley in the little video clips and said something about being tired. And Daley just leveled his gaze at her and said, “We ain’t tired.”
Kinda cool.
I thought so far that they’re looking pretty good. And that Fistric is pretty impressive. He blocked about 3 passes/shots in a row and I thought it was awesome.
Okay, I’ve had enough of this whole “scoreless” thing. Let’s go, Stars!
That was NOT what I meant. Fuck you, Corey Perry!
Um. What were you saying about scoring, Schnookie? Apparently the wrong team heard you. Bummer.
I KNOW! What is UO with that? Poop.
And that Fistric is pretty impressive. He blocked about 3 passes/shots in a row and I thought it was awesome.
I think Ralph has said Fistric’s name about 50 million times already. You gotta love Fisty’s enthusiasm.
That was a great post. :p
But are you honestly telling me all the Zach stories are just jokes? *Gasp*
^^Totally kidding about the Zach stories.
Evening everone! Great post guys! I can actually picture all the Devils excitedly picking up their badges (and totally missing the point of the not so good awards) You guys definately make these games more enjoyable :)
But are you honestly telling me all the Zach stories are just jokes? *Gasp*
We should totally have let you down easier than that, shouldn’t we? :P
Thanks, mcguffers! And yeah, I bet the Devils don’t care what the merit badges are for, as long as they have lots of them to fill up their Camp -Ookies sashes with.
No, no, KG! Everything we say about Zach is the utter truth!
I can actually picture all the Devils excitedly picking up their badges
Yup! Just look at the photos that come out of Locker Clear Out Day tomorrow — you’ll see the guys clutching their beloved badges and grinning like idiots at the thought of brining them home to their moms so that they can sew the badges onto their sashes.
But are you honestly telling me all the Zach stories are just jokes? *Gasp*
I luff all the Zach stories. Boxworthy is the best turtle-of-affairs ever!
I was never a big fan of “Sleep-away” camp. Maybe that was part of the Devils’ problem. Those bunkbeds aren’t very comfortable and the bugs are always such a nuisance.
I bet the Devils don’t care what the merit badges are for, as long as they have lots of them to fill up their Camp -Ookies sashes with.
I can see Zack showing them off to Staffy in a “my team gave me a badge, what did your team ever do for you?” kind of way.
Oh, and I know this is standing out more after reading Margee’s fly on the walls, but why do the announcers have to say Corey Perry? why can’t they just say Perry? is it because of all the Perrys that are playing tonight?
“We should totally have let you down easier than that, shouldn’t we? :P”
Yes I’m totally hyperventilating in the corner at the thought of Zach not really having a turtle-of-affairs. Wait Travis still hates him right though? Right? :p
Those bunkbeds aren’t very comfortable and the bugs are always such a nuisance.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
why do the announcers have to say Corey Perry? why can’t they just say Perry?
I don’t know! I actually hadn’t really noticed, but now I bet it’s all I can hear! Thanks a lot, mcguffers!
Wait Travis still hates him right though? Right? :p
Absolutely. We couldn’t make something like that up. :P
Oh, and I know this is standing out more after reading Margee’s fly on the walls, but why do the announcers have to say Corey Perry?
Oh my god, SERIOUSLY! I doubt I noticed it before Margee brought it up, but now it drives me completely bonkers!
Staffy HATES dealing with Zach after merit badge night. Zach’s so insufferable, and Staffy never won a badge for anything. :P
I was never a big fan of “Sleep-away” camp. Maybe that was part of the Devils’ problem. Those bunkbeds aren’t very comfortable and the bugs are always such a nuisance.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: They were probably like me, and never wanted to go to sleepaway camp because they were afraid of the food.
I don’t know! I actually hadn’t really noticed, but now I bet it’s all I can hear! Thanks a lot, mcguffers!
I can’t suffer alone! :P
Staffy HATES dealing with Zach after merit badge night. Zach’s so insufferable, and Staffy never won a badge for anything. :P
I heard Roy made him a friendship bracelet after Soupy left. Kind of like adopting him in the alleged man whore club with Timmy C.
I heard Roy made him a friendship bracelet after Soupy left. Kind of like adopting him in the alleged man whore club with Timmy C.
Oh noes! Staffy, RESIST!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I heard Roy made him a friendship bracelet after Soupy left.
I heard Staffy proceeded to eat that friendship bracelet and then puked it on Roy-Z’s shoes saying, “Man Whore Club that! Staffy answers to NO MAN (Whore Club)!”
WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! GO STARS!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeahhhhhh!!!! Thank you Dallas for healing my broken Habs’ heart!! Now just don’t f- it up!
OMG!
ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOBBBBIIIIIIIIIII
STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
OMG, the crowd is actually singing! I haven’t heard that all year!
Do you think Patty is still breathing?!
I think we’ve lost Patty. I think she’s passed out. :P
Damnit! I just woke up from an especially vicious migraine and I’ve missed most of the game and Robi’s goal!
Damnit!
Caitlin, that’s TERRIBLE!!! Are you feeling better now? (Is the score making you feel better? :P) (And maybe it was a LUCKY migraine?)
Caitlin, that’s TERRIBLE!!! Are you feeling better now?
Schnookie, I get migraines from stress, among other things, and I’ve been dealing with an unusual amount of stress from work. I thought I had worked it all out yesterday prepping the vegetable bed, but I guess not. :p
I feel better though, now. Amazing what some meds and some sleep will do!
Let’s hope it was a lucky, lucky migraine!
Oh no! Feel better, Caitlin!
That was an amazing post ladies! I have a great image of Zach leading everyone in a round of Kumbaya around the campfire while Boxworthy takes the names of anyone not fully committing to the actions for “future reference.”
Oh no! Feel better, Caitlin!
Thanks, Pookie! I do!
And you guys, that post was so awesome. Thanks for enriching my hockey season — it’s been so much better with IPB! Between this and IPB Living, y’all should write a book. Or something.
I have a great image of Zach leading everyone in a round of Kumbaya around the campfire while Boxworthy takes the names of anyone not fully committing to the actions for “future reference.”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: So true! You opt not to participate in Kumbaya with Zach at your own peril!
Between this and IPB Living, y’all should write a book. Or something.
This is SO TRUE, publishing industry! Seriously. A book with a sizable advance.
…and I’ve missed most of the game and Robi’s goal!
Let’s hope it was a lucky, lucky migraine!
Caitlin, I think your timing is very lucky. You didn’t miss just a whole lot up until Robi’s goal. Hope you are feeling better. I had my own battles with one last week. No fun.
Patty, let us know if we need to call 911!
Caitlin, I think your timing is very lucky. You didn’t miss just a whole lot up until Robi’s goal.
This is a very good point. :D
I really do hope this series doesn’t go to another game because these black/white jersey’s have been confusing me so badly.
Also, it’s the Ducks.
Thank you LOUIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOOOOOOOOO!
Eriksson is so happy!
I know it probably gets old, but listening to the crowd boo Chris Pronger will never be old for me.
I really do hope this series doesn’t go to another game because these black/white jersey’s have been confusing me so badly.
I know! It’s been so difficult!
Also, it’s the Ducks.
Word.
(Did anyone else here chuckle with delight when the VS guys pointed out that the Ducks had only 11 shots, “and the one goal they got was on a stoppable shot”? HAHAHAHA!!!)
HA. HA. PRONGER!!
Idiot.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a great place for the team leader to end the game — in the box for taking a stupid penalty.
I really do hope this series doesn’t go to another game because these black/white jersey’s have been confusing me so badly.
I was thinking the exact same thing, Dayna! I’ve been watching the whole game and still everytime Dallas scores I have to stop and figure out which black and white is which. Plus, I’m not smart.
How fitting Pronger ends the series in the Penalty box. They should just call it the Pronger Box.
I LOVE how the VS guys are just ranking on the Ducks right now, saying how they’re going to have all summer to think about how they thought it would be easy in the first two games, and played like jackasses. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
What a great place for the team leader to end the game — in the box for taking a stupid penalty.
Come on, now. That’s just Pronger being Pronger. :P
Patty! you’re back!
They should just call it the Pronger Box.
Or, also, “The Center For Hockey Players Who Can’t Think Good (But Want to Learn How To Be Douches Really Good Too)”.
Patty, are you okay over there?
Just think….this handshake line? Is going to be FANTASTIC!
What a great place for the team leader to end the game — in the box for taking a stupid penalty.
Very considerate of him to wrap up the game for the Stars, non? He’s a giver — obviously.
Suck it, Ducks!
HAHAHA Caitlin that just rolls off the tongue
Well said, Meg!
I guess the Ducks just couldn’t F.O.C.U.S. hard enough! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
DUCKS ARE LOSERS!!!!
(Ooh, the rally towels have the game, round, and date on them.)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! Suck it, Ducks, indeed! Way to put it so eloquently, Meg! :D
And GO STARS!!!!
(Good to see you’re okay, Patty!)
Or, also, “The Center For Hockey Players Who Can’t Think Good (But Want to Learn How To Be Douches Really Good Too)”.
AND
Very considerate of him to wrap up the game for the Stars, non? He’s a giver — obviously.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Myra and Caitlin!!! THEY FUCKING DID IT!!!
HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE HAPPY DANCE!!!!
I LOVE HOCKEY I LOVE HOCKEY I LOVE HOCKEY I LOVE HOCKEY!!!!!
MAN I WISH I WAS THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caitlin that just rolls off the tongue
Heh! Well, if it was good enough for Derek Zoolander, I figure it’s good enough for The Pronger Box.
Myra and Caitlin!!! THEY FUCKING DID IT!!!
I am so proud of each and everyone of them. Even Russian, down on his little exercise bike, is shedding tears, I’m sure.
I’m so happy for them. Seriously. Each one of them earned it this season.
HOORAY! When I left the TV lounge Robi had just scored. WOW! YAY STARS!! And the Ducks are gone. Those bitches. HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Pronger tops himself every day.
What a FANTASTIC GAME!! I don’t know what else to say! I can’t believe it!
(Just a reminder for the new Stars fans around here, um, we haven’t been out of the first round since 2003.)
We don’t have to listen to “Corey Perry” anymore!!!!
YES THEY CERTAINLY DID, PATTY!!!!!!!!!!!
(Ooh, the rally towels have the game, round, and date on them.)
Oh man, again, I wish I had been there.
This was an AMAZING game! It’s a DELICIOUS triumph not just for Stars fans, but for all of us — hockey was saved tonight! :D
We don’t have to listen to “Corey Perry” anymore!!!!
I’m going to go make an offer of thanks on the altar to the Hockey Gods.
(Just a reminder for the new Stars fans around here, um, we haven’t been out of the first round since 2003.)
Yay! This is extra sweet too, because not only are they going on, they get to be the hero of the playoffs for getting rid of the Ducks.
Ok, Goodnight all.
I don’t think I like Chris Simpson. “This is the face of a hockey player” I want Robidas to respond with “You callin me ugly bitch?!”
I’ve officially entered that phase of the off-season (yes, I know, it’s not even been 48 hours since the Devils lost) where I’m like, “I just want to know how it’s all going to end up.”
Word! I just want to know who the new GM is so I can start getting excited or terrified. I’m dying to know what happens to my whole team. It’s forced me to start posting monkey pictures on my blog to pass the time.
Night, Dayna!
alix, posting pictures of monkeys is a perfectly cromulent way to pass the time! :P
Night Dayna!
It’s alright Patty, you guys beat the Ducks. You’ve redemed yourselves from the incident that shall not be named (though it has something to do with a skate in a crease)…. Well, almost. If you play San Jose next and beat them, we’ll call it even.
(Just a reminder for the new Stars fans around here, um, we haven’t been out of the first round since 2003.)
I know! Plus those baby d-men did great, Turco didn’t come anywhere near to choking and “the best defense in the history of hockey” just lost!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All the sports writers in the world are having crow for a late night snack!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is extra sweet too, because not only are they going on, they get to be the hero of the playoffs for getting rid of the Ducks.
So true! The Stars are the feel-good story of the playoffs!
alix, posting pictures of monkeys is a perfectly cromulent way to pass the time! :P
I’m so glad you think so :D
That’s true, Myra! Pronger, Niedermayer, Schneider… against 3 rookies! I guess our d-men just didn’t know any better. They missed the class where they were supposed to learn to defer to the Ducks blue-line.
I want Robidas to respond with “You callin me ugly bitch?!”
How dare she pick on my Robi! The audacity!
Sure, he’s a little flat-faced! But…it just gives him character!
All the sports writers in the world are having crow for a late night snack!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A-men! Most everyone picked Anaheim in 7. It feels good to get past the first round! Vindication for Marty! And we didn’t have Russian or Boo-Boo, either.
Which, can I say? I’m so excited that Russian is skating in full gear again! Woo!
Oh by the way, I’m so happy I finally figured out how to do the fancy smancy italics. The whole time I wasn’t using a slash in the second tag. Could never figure out why it didn’t work. Heh. IPB has taught me so much *tear*.
wait!! The Flames won too???? Schnikies!! More animal sacrifices to the hockey gods. Get over here corey perry!
More animal sacrifices to the hockey gods. Get over here corey perry!
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CONGRATULATIONS STARS FANS! Woooooooooo!!!!!!
More animal sacrifices to the hockey gods. Get over here corey perry!
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Morrow is on channel 5 nbc right now. Awww.
More animal sacrifices to the hockey gods. Get over here corey perry!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Which, can I say? I’m so excited that Russian is skating in full gear again! Woo!
That is awesome. I hadn’t heard that–Yeah. Russian is coming! Russian is coming!
Robi has the most adorable accent.
And congrats on the italics, alix!! You’ll be doing bold and strike in no time!
Russian is coming! Russian is coming!
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I love that movie! Can I have dibs on that when I post when he comes back? :D
Russian is coming! Russian is coming!
I feel like there should be some sort of build-up behind it, like the Ivan Drago first fight in Rocky, replete with waving flags and cheering Russians.
Russian is coming! Russian is coming!
Robi just said he was happy that the fans could see a second round, because he knew they wanted it and it would make them happy, so he essentially said he was really happy for the fans.
Bless your heart, Robi!
Robi has the most adorable accent.
You said it.
Man, I missed the handshake. :(
And congrats on the italics, alix!! You’ll be doing bold and strike in no time!
The sky’s the limit!
Awww Robi. I kind of totally fell in love with him instantaneously when he scored that first goal. So adorable even in his cage.
Can I have dibs on that when I post when he comes back?
Definitely!
It flows a lot better than the Lovely Mr. Boucher is coming! But I sure will be glad to type that out as well!
Wow. Tippett’s gonna make me cry!
And then they just cut him off!
Caitlin, you can use it if you want.. :D It’s the title of a movie from the 60s, I believe — The Russians are Coming, the Russians are Coming
It was a fave of my parents’ along with that one with the giant W, which name suddenly escapes me.
It was a fave of my parents’ along with that one with the giant W, which name suddenly escapes me.
“It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”! (I think I have enough “Mad”s in there…) That and “The Russians Are Coming…” were faves of our Dad’s, too. We watched them both when we were kids.
That’s the one! I knew it had a bunch of M’s in it!
Wow. Tippett’s gonna make me cry!
I just heard Tipp’s post game interview. He said he was behind Robi in the handshake line and could hear the Anaheim players comments to Robi which were apparently pretty awesome. Robi is finally getting his due recognition.
I loved when the Simpsons did a “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” episode and the treasure was hidden under a big “T”. The palm tree was so funny.
Thanks for another great night of hockey, Ookies!
Good night all!
GO STARS GO STARS GO STARS GO STARS GO STARS GO STARS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just heard Tipp’s post game interview.
They cut it off before that part. I’ll have to check it on the site later.
Somebody asked if he was elated or relieved and he said he was elated, because he could see how all the players were elated and he thought they deserved it because they played so hard and gave it their all. You know, words to that effect.
Night, Myra! And thanks to the Stars for the great night of hockey!
Good night, Myra!
Patty, I have to say I adore Tippett now that I’ve seen that video feature on him. See, NHL? More fun video features, please!
And on that note, I’m outta here. Sweet dreams of the Stars, everyone!
We’ve never actually been to Locker Clean Out Day. Or sleep-away summer camp
You hit the sleepaway summer camp thing pretty much on the head. Only there were a lot less tears involved in your version of the last night of camp than there were in real life.
Merit Badge for Outstanding Achievement for Making the Season Bearable Awesome
You both should get this one too!
Only there were a lot less tears involved in your version of the last night of camp than there were in real life.
Hee! I suppose that’s one more reason I should be glad I was never allowed to go to sleepaway camp! (Okay, I make that sound like I really wanted to go. I didn’t. But if I had, Boomer wouldn’t have let us because she hated going to it when she was a kid.)
You both should get this one too!
*Blushes* Thanks! :D
Oh, and good morning, everyone! I just have to share that I am in such terrible shape that after just three hours of puttering in our yard yesterday — not, like, doing any heavy lifting, or mowing, or digging, or chopping, or whatever. Just puttering — I am nearly immobile today. I should be able to go home sick. :P
Good morning IPB! How are ya’ll this morning! I’m still a bit dazed.
Boomer wouldn’t have let us because she hated going to it when she was a kid.
Just one more reason why I think Boomer and I should hang out sometime! I hated camp. The Kid is going for the first time this summer and I am having a hard time being positive about it. (She is a lot like me so I don’t have high hopes for success.) But she really wants to try it and it’s only for 2 nights–Kids’ Camp through our church. So we will see.
On a more exciting note, I have been doing some work for a friend (heading over there later this morning) and I plan on using the money to buy Play-off tickets!!! Woooooo!!!!
I suppose that’s one more reason I should be glad I was never allowed to go to sleepaway camp!
I went to Girl Scout camp for six summers, but I never managed to keep in touch with anyone that I went to camp with. Hopefully, the same thing doesn’t happen with the Devils.
Morning, Myra! I think being a bit dazed still is a good thing! I would be too, if I were in your shoes! :D And how TOTALLY exciting about getting playoff tickets!!! WOOOOO!!!! That’s awesome!
I think that’s hilarious that you’re concerned the Kid isn’t going to like a two-night sleepaway camp. I think even I would have been able to handle that. :P
I think that’s hilarious that you’re concerned the Kid isn’t going to like a two-night sleepaway camp. I think even I would have been able to handle that.
That just goes to show you how much I hated camp! :P
I went to Girl Scout camp for six summers, but I never managed to keep in touch with anyone that I went to camp with. Hopefully, the same thing doesn’t happen with the Devils.
Hee! I would have been the same way. I went to the same day camp for five years, and never was friends enough with any of the other regulars there that I would go to their houses to play or anything. I would have been even worse corresponding with sleepaway camp friends! (I haven’t even kept in touch with friends from college.) As for the Devils, considering how they played this year, maybe losing touch with one another would be a good thing? :P
That just goes to show you how much I hated camp!
HAHA! I hear that!
Good morning, everyone!
Myra, I’m so excited for you that you’re getting playoff tickets! There is nothing on Earth like the feeling at the arena just before a playoff game! Also, I’m sure the Kid will do great at 2-day sleep-away camp! I think the last time I did a sleep-away thing was a field trip to a nature preserve/camp site in 5th grade. It was only for one night but I can still remember exactly how gross the cabin was and how uncomfortable the beds were. I was supposed to go on a similar trip in 9th grade but I found a stupid way to beg off it. Heh. Best decision I ever made!
Amy, I hope all the guys completely forget about Gio this season. I hope they come back to training camp, look at their signed team photo and go, “Gionta? Who the fuck was that?”
Wooo! I’m off to earn money! Whewwww!
Yay, Myra! I’m so jealous of playoff tickets! I think I might even be able to handle seeing a playoff game in the second round. I’m just elated today, I can’t picture ever being unhappy about the Stars. :D
Um, I meant to say I’m SO elated.
I am in such terrible shape that after just three hours of puttering in our yard yesterday — not, like, doing any heavy lifting, or mowing, or digging, or chopping, or whatever. Just puttering — I am nearly immobile today
Aw, it’s just a shock to the system. Once you get through this it’ll be much better. :)
I didn’t like sleepaway all that much camp because it seems to bring out the worst kind of cliqueishness and I was never cool enough. Also this bizarre kind of “we’ll be best friends forever” intensity to the relationships which of course immediately fall by the wayside after leaving camp. The uncomfortable beds and dirty cabins didn’t bother me at all though. I’ve been go camping–or at least sleeping in tents–for as long as I can remember though so that’s probably why that aspect didn’t phase me.
*shudder* Sleeping in tents! *shudder*
Meg, I was also always terrified of the cliqueishness of sleepaway camp. I figured on top of not wanting to eat any of the food, hating sharing cabins with other people, finding the bed terribly uncomfortable, having to shower with other kids, having to be outdoors, and so on, I’d also not have any friends, as was pretty much the case at school and at day camp. Sleepaway camp was for cool kids!
The uncomfortable beds and dirty cabins didn’t bother me at all though.
Same here. The lack of flushable toilets, however, did.
If you think about it, kids today have it rougher than we did at camp. Kids today are so wired and have so many electronic devices, that any tent/cabin without electricity to plug in the Ipod would probably cause them to go into shock. When I went to camp, all you had to do was make sure you had extra batteries for the walkman and you were all set for a week.
The lack of flushable toilets, however, did.
Wait, WHAT????? That’s TERRIBLE! I can’t believe there were kids who looked forward to summer camp! *Shudder*
When I went to camp, all you had to do was make sure you had extra batteries for the walkman and you were all set for a week.
That’s a really good point. Summer camp now seems even MORE cruel and unusual!
Good morning everyone!
Hope you all had good weekends (aside from the Devils loss, bummer for sure).
And holy jeez, if the Sharks come out tomorrow night and play like they did last night, I’ll be right there with you guys. What a bunch of turds.
Hey andrew! I had a delightful weekend of going absolutely bonkers over all the things I want to plant in the garden next year. We don’t even have stuff planted in all the beds this year and I’m like, “Oooh! Beans! Sunberries! Strawberries!” I’m a wreck!
Sorry about the Sharks, though. They just, uh, want to give you more bang for your buck by going to 7? Sigh. Sorry.
Ooh, it’s lunchtime! I’m off for a pizza luncheon with Schnookie! Catch you all later!
Wait, WHAT????? That’s TERRIBLE!
Let’s just say that if you went to camp at the beginning of the summer it was infinitely more tolerable than if you went to camp at the end of the summer.
And Marty was nominated for the Vezina this year, along with Nabokov and Lundqvist.
Sorry about the Sharks, though. They just, uh, want to give you more bang for your buck by going to 7? Sigh. Sorry.
They just want to give my liver the most bang for it’s buck.
I would like to think it’ll be a great game, but after the way they played in game 6, I think this one’s in the books.
Have a nice lunch!
andrew, I’m so sorry about the Sharks being turdish! And thanks for the Devils sympathy. That really just had the same sadness of putting our cat to sleep after a long illness. It’s sad, to be sure, but it’s also a relief that it’s not pooping all over the inside of our house anymore.
I’m actually heading out the door now to have lunch with Pookie! See you all a bit later!
I had a delightful weekend of going absolutely bonkers over all the things I want to plant in the garden next year.
And that? That’s awesome. I’m doing the same thing.
I was all fired up because we went to the nursery yesterday and bought a ton of stuff to replace the plants that didn’t quite make it through the winter. The weather was so incredibly nice yesterday, we spent almost the entire day outside transplanting bushes and trees.
And Marty was nominated for the Vezina this year, along with Nabokov and Lundqvist.
Who do like to run away with it this year, Amy?
It’s sad, to be sure, but it’s also a relief that it’s not pooping all over the inside of our house anymore.
The poor Devils, they just can’t control their bowels anymore!
Have a great lunch!
I would like to think it’ll be a great game, but after the way they played in game 6, I think this one’s in the books.
Do you really think so? You don’t think they’ll adjust? I haven’t watched the series as closely as I wanted to, but I wouldn’t have guessed it was that bad. Maybe now that it’ll be back in SJ, they’ll take over and win.
Do you really think so? You don’t think they’ll adjust?
I think they could adjust, but I am 100% positive that Ron Wilson is in total freakout mode and will “shake things up” by doing something monumentally stupid, like scratching Marleau and Clowe while dressing six scrubs from Worchester.
Maybe now that it’ll be back in SJ, they’ll take over and win.
First ever game 7 on home ice for the Sharks. While that is pretty cool, I just can’t see them outworking the Flames at this point. Who knows, maybe it will happen? We’ll see.
Same here. The lack of flushable toilets, however, did.
Ah, my camp had those. We also had access to showers whenever we liked.
While that is pretty cool, I just can’t see them outworking the Flames at this point.
Well they’ve won before without outworking the Flames. It could happen!
And on the Vezina: Lundqvist, again? Seriously? I am imagining things or was he atrocious at the beginning of the year again?
Seriously? I am imagining things or was he atrocious at the beginning of the year again?
I think he was. But he rebounded to lead the league in shut outs and was high up in other categories, too.
I’m thinking Marty and Lundqvist will split the vote, allowing Nabokov to win.
I am imagining things or was he atrocious at the beginning of the year again?
No, this year he was atrocious (and lost his job to Valiquette) during the middle of the year.
I think they could adjust, but I am 100% positive that Ron Wilson is in total freakout mode and will “shake things up” by doing something monumentally stupid
He really wouldn’t be Ron Wilson without the monumentally stupid freaking out, would he? I’m hopeful that the talent in the Sharks lineup (less Soupy, of course) will be enough this year to overcome Wilson’s bumbling.
The weather was so incredibly nice yesterday, we spent almost the entire day outside transplanting bushes and trees.
That sounds so delightful! How are the hops? Are they a foot taller now than last week?
He really wouldn’t be Ron Wilson without the monumentally stupid freaking out, would he?
God, no kidding. I can’t help but wonder how he comes up with some of his line combos. Has to be a dart board. For sure.
That sounds so delightful! How are the hops? Are they a foot taller now than last week?
Haha, no…they haven’t sprouted yet. Still lurking just under the soil, ready to strike!
I can’t help but wonder how he comes up with some of his line combos. Has to be a dart board. For sure.
I was about to say that the dart board approach worked for Sutter… but considering the Devils are done now, I guess it didn’t really work at all.
Still lurking just under the soil, ready to strike!
Like Wallace? :D
Not wanting to interrupt the flow here or anything, but just a quick “thank you” to you, Ookies, for writing this blog – I can’t imagine a more entertaining way of following hockey, and my beloved (if somewhat rubbish) Devils.
Here’s to the future!
Here’s to the future, indeed, Iain!
beloved (if somewhat rubbish) Devils.
I don’t think anyone could describe these Devils better!
I haven’t had time to get caught up on the thread yet but wanted to put NEWS FLASH out to Patty & Caitlin that Robi is going to be on The Ticket at 2:30! Just FYI!
I can’t help but wonder how he comes up with some of his line combos. Has to be a dart board. For sure.
Maybe Rock/Paper/Scissors tournaments? The longer a player stays involved, the better their line assignment is?
I can’t help but wonder how he comes up with some of his line combos. Has to be a dart board. For sure.
Maybe Rock/Paper/Scissors tournaments? The longer a player stays involved, the better their line assignment is?
Thanks, Myra! I was just wandering around the office. I’m glad you pointed that out so I can get my headphones back on. (I always lose interest when they talk Cowboys. Let alone the Cowboys draft.) :D
Hey Andrew,
Sorry about the Sharks but all is not lost! I knew all along that the Stars could win but to be honest, after some of those games, I didn’t really believe they would! (Don’t tell Patty & Caitlin!)
Saw your pictures of your yard the other day. I am very jealous! I definitely covet those raised beds. I plan on showing them to the Hubbie. We need to redo our side yard and I had been thinking about doing a container garden.
Awwww, Robi. So adorable!
(I always lose interest when they talk Cowboys. Let alone the Cowboys draft.)
I know what you mean. I was doing dishes and couldn’t change the station (wet hands)! We always watch the sports specials on Sunday nights after the news–last night they spent like 15 seconds on the Stars and then the rest was all about the draft or the Mavericks. Ugh! The Stars win a freaking series and still get no press. I just get so sick of football. I guess I should be glad we aren’t inundated by Sid the Kid or Ovie but, man, you’d think advancing past the first round would get you some love. None of our other pro teams have done that in a while.
Ok, wow, where did that rant come from? But I do feel better! :P
Saw your pictures of your yard the other day. I am very jealous! I definitely covet those raised beds. I plan on showing them to the Hubbie. We need to redo our side yard and I had been thinking about doing a container garden.
Thanks Myra! We’ve worked really, really hard on all that stuff, it’s nice to finally have it almost done. So if you guys decide to do raised beds, you have so much help available through IPB!! (BTW, I did a ton of research for these things, so if you need any construction advice, I’ll be happy to offer up what I know.)
And thanks for the words of hope, but if the Sharks are going to pull this thing off….well, I’ll believe it when I see it!
We’ve worked really, really hard…
This is why I probably won’t be doing that. :P And why I’m so impressed.
We’ve worked really, really hard on all that stuff…
I think that is an understatement!
The soil here is terrible–gray clay. (I believe ya’ll have a similar problem.) The first time I went to plant anything, Hubbie asked me if I wanted him to dig the holes for me. I grew up gardening, he didn’t, so I was all “I can handle this!” Then I tried digging. It was awful! He ended up digging the holes. No lovely black soil like where I grew up! Since I don’t want to dig out all of the beds, I think containers or raised beds are the only way I will ever get any veggies to grow here.
Raised beds are the best for veggies, too! Or so says Pookie, who, as the resident librarian at IPB Manor, was in charge of doing all our research. The thing that I love best about raised bed gardening is that it seems really impressive, because you do all the construction and dirt hauling and laying infrastructure, but the tradeoff is that the gardening proper is a thousand times easier than gardening in the actual ground. It’s like gardening for the supremely lazy, but the supremely lazy who are willing to put forth a huge effort on the front end.
I realized this weekend that I have finally succumbed. I used to be a mere gardening enthusiast; on Friday night I went to bed a normal person. But on Saturday morning I woke up a full-fledged vegetable-garden obsessive freak. I am going to mark my calendar and celebrate the anniversary every year.
This is why I probably won’t be doing that.
Aww, c’mon Patty! It’s fun! Builds character, sense of accomplishment….all that good stuff. Actually I’m lucky that my brother and my two closest friends are weirdos and love getting outside for manual labor. Seems like we’re always hauling shit around my backyard. Made it a lot easier on me.
Hubbie asked me if I wanted him to dig the holes for me. I grew up gardening, he didn’t, so I was all “I can handle this!” Then I tried digging. It was awful!
HAHAHA!! I know exactly what you mean. We have really bad red clay. It’s horrible. In fact, on three separate occasions, I’ve had to rent a 2-man auger from Home Depot in order to dig holes back there. After my first try I decided that 1 hour to dig a two foot hole wasn’t going to cut it.
But on Saturday morning I woke up a full-fledged vegetable-garden obsessive freak.
Apparently, it is quite addicting. My sister inheritted the green thumb in our family. I was just talking to her and she said yesterday she spent $300 on flowers for her flower beds. She has a large corner lot lined with beds that she has had the soil dug out and replaced. She just goes crazy this time of year.
I was just talking to her and she said yesterday she spent $300 on flowers for her flower beds.
Yeah, it is crazy expensive. In my experience really the only good hobbies that aren’t expensive are reading (if you don’t count the cost of gas to drive to the library) and talking. Talking, I hear, is cheap! The other great thing about raised bed is that they are WICKED expensive the first year because you have to buy lumber and tons of dirt/compost in addition to the seeds. Now, because I’m buying half as much dirt and no lumber I’m like, “It’s free!” I mean, those seed packets are small! Surely buying a zillion of them doesn’t add up, right? Right?
The other great thing about raised bed is that they are WICKED expensive the first year because you have to buy lumber and tons of dirt/compost in addition to the seeds.
No freaking kidding! The lumber, stainless steel, fence, dirt, and irrigation cost me close to $1,000 before all was said and done. Of course the fence was a very large part of that expense, so it’s optional….but I didn’t have much of a choice with the dogs.
After my first try I decided that 1 hour to dig a two foot hole wasn’t going to cut it.
I hear ya!
It looks like Neider the elder has been fined $500K by the league. To wit:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=235387&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main
Hey I can comment from work again!
Yay!
Now about those Devils…
Yay, Morgan! Thanks, Morgan’s work, for figuring this commenting thing out!
I love that Neider got fined! At first I went into stock sports fan response, “Meh, it’s not that much for a guy like him.” Fortunately Katebits, Schnookie, Heather, and Patty were there to remind me that $500,000 is a lot of money, even for a guy like Nieder. Sweet! Take that, Semi-Retirement Man! HA-ha!
Now about those Devils…
Who?
Just kidding.
Good afternoon, IPB. It is…afternoon, right?
Ugh, the hits just keep on coming! I have to go to the dentist this afternoon and as a result from teeth-issues, I’m home today. Blech.
Then I tried digging. It was awful!
It IS awful. We don’t have raised beds. Saturday I cleaned out a bed that had been overtaken by Wandering Jew (it’s in cahoots with the mint, I’m convinced), dug up the bed, turned the bed with compost and manure, and planted some vegetables. It didn’t take me long…but it was hard work, that’s for sure.
I will say this, for everything we needed, the total cost was $50. Not bad for a first gardening try!
The dentist? That sucks! (My dentist stopped taking my insurance so now I’m dragging my feet trying to find a new one. My teeth are probably rotting out of my head in the meantime…)
$50? Not bad at all! It was hard work but satisfying work, right? And now you can sit back and dream of onions and tomatoes!
We have really bad red clay.
A while back you mentioned that it looks like the surface of Mars… it reminded me of the year I lived in Oklahoma City. They were doing all kinds of road construction up north of the city, building a highway loop for the ‘burbs. And it was like the surface of Mars, too. As if the Martians were building an interchange. I flew into OKC once at sunset and looked down to see hundreds of pink farm ponds dotting the landscape.
And once, I was visiting my cousins in rural SW Oklahoma and a dust storm came in across the fields and when it started to rain, the drops were pink mud hitting the cars.
And that’s my story.
Caitlin, sorry about the toothies, that is no fun at all and a hit to the pocket book. Getting out for under $100 on any home improvement/gardening project is a big win in my book. We’ve been pricing gravel, edging and the like for our side yard and it is not pretty. Yikes!
And that’s my story.
I can see the headlines now. Martians Invade Oklahoma! Takeover Interstate System!
Sounds like a good story to me. :)
Martians Invade Oklahoma! Takeover Interstate System!
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::
Doozer Martians!
I so realized today that there is a little patch of brightness to the fact that the Wings won, Zach should be happy which means we hopefully won’t have to worry about him crying himself to sleep every night for the rest of the summer.
“Zach Parise and Paul Martin said they would play for the U.S. team. Patrik Elias is committed to play for the Czech Republic and defenseman Karel Rachunek was also invited to play for the Czech team, but hadn’t decided yet whether he would go. Johnny Oduya was invited to play for Sweden. Sergei Brylin said he was being considered for the Russian team, but management was waiting to see what other Russian players would be available after the first round of the playoffs is over.” -Tom Gulitti.
And we get to see Zach and Paulie play some more.
Yay Zach and Paulie! It’s good to know that someone came through to drag Zach out of his terrible funkl
Zach and Staffy back together again! It almost brings a tear to the eye….almost.
Yay Zach and Paulie! It’s good to know that someone came through to drag Zach out of his terrible funk!
Good for them!
I’m still sad that my little Goose isn’t playing due to his sports hernia. According to the radio today, he played most of the latter portion of the season with it. Talk about manning up and playing through the pain.
Did you guys see that Miller and Campbell were both named to the Competition Committee? That should make for some fun meetings.
Did you guys see that Miller and Campbell were both named to the Competition Committee? That should make for some fun meetings.
I predict many “Do I have to separate you two?” moments.
I want Miller and Campbell to have a “conversation” about Campbell’s quote about San Jose being the first locker room he’s been in with accountability.
Man, those sports hernias are an epidemic!
I get the whole “Crunchy being named to the competition committee” thing, but Soupy? Really? Her?
$50? Not bad at all! It was hard work but satisfying work, right? And now you can sit back and dream of onions and tomatoes!
Oh, totally! We’ve got cherry tomatoes, onions, bell peppers and jalapenos growing, and we’ll probably do some potatoes using the old tire method soon.
Caitlin, sorry about the toothies, that is no fun at all and a hit to the pocket book.
I had no insurance for about 3 years, health-wise, so when I went back to the dentist, it was a major shock to find out how much work I had to have done. Thousands of dollars.
I had to have my wisdom teeth extracted about a year ago, and now I’ve got a root or a bone shard coming up that must be striking a nerve, because it makes my entire face hurt. At this point, I think my dentist has my credit card number memorized…so, I’m sure he’s happy!
…and now I’ve got a root or a bone shard coming up that must be striking a nerve, because it makes my entire face hurt.
That is terrible. Gah. Sorry to hear it.
I tell you what, I’ve never been one to cry about pain. Tattoos, broken bones, migraines, whatever. But I swear to god I am terrified of any sort of dental pain. I’d never make it in the NHL.
I had to have my wisdom teeth extracted about a year ago, and now I’ve got a root or a bone shard coming up that must be striking a nerve, because it makes my entire face hurt.
Oh sweet merciful heavens — that sounds AWFUL! I’m so sorry! I would not be able to deal with that at all.
But on the bright side, your crop choices sound great! I can’t wait to hear how the old tire potato method works, too. We’re thinking of doing that next year to free up more space in our garden beds.
But I swear to god I am terrified of any sort of dental pain.
I used to be; then I had $4,000 worth of dental work and I got over it.
I had all four wisdom teeth extracted at once under local anaesthetic, because it was $1,500 more to be put to sleep and have an oral surgeon do it.
I seriously cried about that $1,500. I made it through that extraction perfectly fine and wide awake (with the help of nitrous oxide), and in the end I think I did better awake than asleep (I have bad reactions usually to anasthesia).
Here’s hoping you don’t have a similar experience, andrew!
…now I’ve got a root or a bone shard coming up that must be striking a nerve, because it makes my entire face hurt.
That sounds awful. Be careful with dentists these days. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable about what they want you to do. Ok, that’s your lecture from Mother Myra for today! :)
Zach Parise and Paul Martin said they would play for the U.S. team.
I can’t wait to see what Zach and Boxworthy have planned for the US Team!
I made it through that extraction perfectly fine and wide awake (with the help of nitrous oxide), and in the end I think I did better awake than asleep (I have bad reactions usually to anasthesia).
That’s how I did mine! I loved every minute of! KtG had to have a general anesthetic when she had her wisdom teeth out, and the whole experience was a zillion times worse than mine was. So I think you chose wisely! :P
Be careful with dentists these days. Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion if you feel uncomfortable about what they want you to do.
Oh my god, that is SO TRUE. I’ve been very expensively and painfully ripped off by my fair share of dentists, and I have lingering tooth sensitivity problems to this day thanks to an especially unscrupulous one.
Someone on HNiC just called Pat Kaleta “Pat Katela” and then corrected himself and said “Pat Katel”. Gosh
Anne, did he then correct himself and say, “Pete Kane”?
Anne, did he then correct himself and say, “Pete Kane”?
Yes, then he realized he actually meant Andrew Peters. Anyone else remember when someone on NBC called Goose “Mark Gaustad”? Haha.
Ha! He just brought up Kaleta again. Probably just to prove he could say his name right.