With training camp starting this week, it seems as good a time as any to take a look at how the team shapes up heading into this season. Instead of doing an all-around season preview, we’ve decided to take the hard-hitting magnifying glass of IPB’s investigative team to each individual player listed on the Devils current roster (excluding salary dump KHL defector Vish-dog) to determine which players are trending up from last season, and which are trending down.
Forwards
David Clarkson: Trending… Up, But Like A Rollercoaster. Okay, we’re kind of troubled by Clarkson, because we’re not quite sure what year he’s in, so we’re not positive he’s staring down the barrel of a sophomore slump. And after looking at the recent history of Devils rookies (it’s a brief history), it seems the guys who get a few games in during the season before their official rookie years have half-year slumps. See: Oduya, Johnny. So our mad trendspotting skillz have us calling a spectacularly crappy first half, and then a reaffirmation of the Devils-fanbase-wide crush on Clarkson when he comes back with a vengeance, on an unholy tear not unlike Oduya’s last year. It’ll be kickstarted by a coast-to-coast wraparound goal against the Hurricanes. Mark our words. (Seriously, the Devils play the Canes on January 6. You can mark it on your calendar in pen: Clarkson will get the goal of the year in that game.)
Patrik Elias: Trending… Down. We’re kind of torn on this. One of us thinks Patty’s going to have a bounce-back year, “now that Sutter isn’t fucking with him.” The other of us says, “Sutter wasn’t fucking with him.” “What about the captain thing?” the first one asks. “That was long over while Patty was still sucking,” says the other. An uneasy silence ensues. We’re not in agreement until the one arguing that he’s trending down points out, “He was godawful all last year and we spent the whole season hating on Oduya and then Gio, totally ignoring Patty. He’s going to test to see how long that can last.” Yeah, he’s trending down.
Brian Gionta: Trending… Up. Two words: contract year. Two more words: we’ve spent the last year begging for him to be traded and there’s nothing the Devils love more than making us look like idiots. Hey! That was more than two words! See, Devils? We’re perfectly capable of making ourselves look like idiots, thank you very much. Gio, this means you don’t have to go back to your habit of making us all do spit-takes when we’re reminded that you once scored forty-eight goals in a single season. A single contract year season. We rest our case.
Bobby Holik: Trending… To Lowell, if we’re lucky. We considered issuing a ban on all things Blobby Holik, but then we realized that the ONLY silver lining to this dog of a free agent signing is that it will give us a worthy subject for our relentless negativity. We’re kind of a match made in heaven, Blobby Holik and us, considering he openly hates Devils fans as much as we hate him. It should be fun. (And while we understand the idea that having a guy on the team who can win a faceoff is a good thing, there’s a serious flaw in the logic when that guy is Holik. Because how does it help the Devils if they’re in a “must win the faceoff” situation, and after winning the faceoff, they find themselves with Bobby Holik on the ice?) Pookie declared at one point this summer that if Holik gets more than eight minutes a night she’ll call for Sutter’s head on a plate; we’re going to go out on a limb and start firing up our “Calling For Sutter’s Head On A Plate” tag now, just to save ourselves the time.
Jamie Langenbrunner: Trending… Wherever Travis Can Take Him. We stand by our belief that Langer’s career goal-scoring year two seasons ago was fueled entirely by skating with Travis before Travis forgot how to play hockey. Not that we want them to skate together again, necessarily, but it’s likely a totally spiritual thing. Oh, and really, we can’t expect much from Langer until he gets out from under the weight of the C — we’d call for it to be given to Madden this season (because what’s a post-Stevens Devils season without wonky captaincy issues?), but frankly, we’re wondering if maybe Niedermayer didn’t curse it. Or, more likely, Rafalski, during those random preseason games when he got to wear it.
John Madden: Trending… The Sky’s The Limit. We all saw what a man possessed Madden was during his “Let me prove to the new coach what a complete moron he is for breaking me and Pando up, for suggesting we’re not the heart and soul of our PK, and for not giving me the C” season. Yeah, and now he’s in a contract year. One of our favorite things to laugh at Madden about is his prediction many years ago that he’d be a 40-goal scorer. You know what? We’re penciling him in for that now. (But in invisible pencil. Like those white ones that come with a big set of colored pencils, the ones you wonder what the point is, because we never write with them on dark colored paper.)
Jay Pandolfo: Trending… We Daren’t Say It. We put a lot of stock in the power of contract years. Even with Pando. So we’re not expecting the kind of production he was putting up before his season-derailing shifted-bits injury. Even if his bits have shifted back into a contented, healthy place, we see him going back to being normal old Pando. And that’s more than good enough for us, considering he was our emperor-god when he wasn’t a goal-scoring machine, but still. It is, technically speaking, a downward trend. A lovable, Pando-riffic downward trend, though.
Zach Parise: Trending… Up-ish. Every year Zach has exceeded his prior year’s points total: 32 points, 62 points, 65 points. So look for Zach to get 66 points (33 goals and 33 assists, you heard it here first) and then stop short. Yeah, that’s right, we’re going against the grain here and saying Zach is not going to get 100 points. Sad, but true. Still, with the linemate upgrade from Travis to Rolston, Zach is going to have a serious opportunity to counteract some of our relentless negativity as he transitions from “future of the team” to “present of the team”. Of course, we already know how Zach handles the present, and it ain’t pretty. *Clank!*
Egg Pelley: Trending… Her?
Brian Rolston: Trending… We Don’t Care. We don’t care because he was a big-name UFA who chose to return to NJ. That’s all we need to love the guy. Also, he didn’t have any statbits as a Devil last year; how can he do worse? As for that whole, “he’ll score 30 goals” thing, meh. He’s a Devil. We’ll pencil him in for a more sensible 12-15. 12-15 goals other teams can’t have because he wanted to return to Jersey.
Mike Rupp: Trending… Down. There’s quite a bit of competition for the fourth line spots and we’re afraid the lovable, scampish folk-hero inventor of the Rupp-around is going to be one of the victims of Project: Overstock On Fourth Liners. This makes us endlessly sad because Rupp’s suggestion box was one of the highlights of last season for us. Who else on the team would do that? Zubrus? He’s too unassuming. Pelley? He’s too short; the suggestion box is a giant’s job! Holik? He’s more likely to put boxes in everyone else’s stalls to stuff with suggestions on how to improve.
Travis Zajac: Trending… Up. Travis can’t possibly trend down after last season. His statistical season went beyond a cute-sounding Sophomore Slump — it was like a Post-Rookie-Year Post-Apocalyptic-Wasteland. His spiritual season was even worse, though. Think about it. The highlight of his season was getting bit by Darien Hatcher. There is literally nowhere to go but up. Unless he’s going to get bit by someone worse. Someone like… Bobby Holik. Oh man. Let’s move on before we consider the possibilities of how much worse Travis can be.
Dainius Zubrus: Trending… Up. Now that he’s unburdened of the mark of shame he had last season (namely, Bobby Holik’s number), and now that the original Sergei Brylin is gone (but never forgotten, unlike when he was actually on the roster), it’s time for our 6’5″ Brylin to become the all-purpose tool we know he can be. Considering he had a pretty underwhelming season last year but still came out of it looking like one of the few functional forwards on the team, we can only assume things are going to get better for him. Or at least he’ll be more comfortable with the notion that Sutter is never going to ask him to do the same thing twice.
Defensemen
Sheldon Brookbank: Trending… Up. Brookbank’s future looks bright only by virtue of there no longer being nine “NHL caliber” (a questionable title last season) d-men on the team. This means he’s mathematically less likely to be the odd-man out on any given night. Right? Right? Of course, given his proclivity for hitting Patty Elias injuriously with his point shots, he’s probably Sutter’s favorite blueliner, and is thus likely to get top-pairing ice time this season.
Andy Green: Trending… It’s a Mystery Wrapped in an Enigma Wrapped in a Puzzle. Andy Greene’s season made Travis’s Sophomore Slump look like Gretzky in his prime. The words “wet”, “hot”, and “mess” come to mind. Maybe having another season defending against NHL-calibre players under his belt will help. Maybe having Tommy Albelin on the bench coaching the d-corps instead of Larry Robinson will be a shot in the arm for him. Maybe not being one of nine d-men will take some pressure off and allow him to be the cheap Rafalski replacement we were all hoping for last July. Or maybe he’ll continue being too small to go to the Super Bowl. Only time will tell.
Paul Martin: Trending… Comfortably But Not Spectacularly Up. Paulie was predicted when he was drafted to be another Niedermayer, and last season he proved the one way that was actually true: he very quietly, with absolutely zero fanfare, rounded into a form that is not at all what anyone really had in mind originally. Now he has to wait for everyone else’s expectations to be reshaped as we all come to terms with what he is, just the way things did with Nieder back in the day. Of course, Nieder then won a few Norrises. Paulie? Is probably not going to match that, as much as PaulieMartinNation thinks he should. No, the best Paulie can probably hope for is Devils fans someday not cringing when they think about the fact that he’s their top defenseman.
Mike Mottau: Trending… Wicked Up. After years of career-minor-league-titude, Applemotherfuckingsauce is starting this season as an established NHL defenseman. That and he’s wicked hot. But more on that in our next post.
Johnny Oduya: Trending… Down. He spent the first half of last season being constitutionally incapable of hanging onto his stick whenever he was faced with a defensive situation, and somehow still finished the season as a +27. There is no way he’s not falling back to earth a little bit next year. He just flew too close to the sun for our liking. But at least he’s not a full-on laughingstock or anything. Anymore.
Bryce Salvador: Trending… Down. Our prediction for Rolston should suggest that we’ll be happy with Bryce “The Iron Boar” Salvador thanks to his decision to re-sign with NJ but… We recognize every team needs a serviceable d-man, but we already have Colin White. Despite his kick-ass nickname (which the Devils players and media are more than welcome to run with), The Iron Boar doesn’t really blow our skirts up. As it were.
Colin White: Trending… Ever Increasingly Invisible. Now that Brylin is gone as the team’s resident Devilishly invisible player, doesn’t Colin White strike you as the newest Devil You Most Quickly Forget?
Goaltenders
Marty Brodeur: Trending… He’s Chasing Records And We All Know What That Means. Considering how Marty’s always struggled as he’s approached milestone wins, we suspect this is going to be a long, painful season. And that’s all we’ll say. Move along, Hockey Gods. There’s nothing to see here.
Kevin Weekes: Trending… Up. If Marty’s tying himself in knots chasing the all-time wins record, Weekes is likely to see more minutes. HAHAHAHAHAHA! Just kidding.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! A hilarious hockey post! Hockey really IS almost here! WOOOOOOOOO!!! (I am very jealous of this idea. Trending up or down is a GREAT season preview post!)
We figured we had to do something different from last year’s Gods and Monsters previews since… well, last season was pretty monstrous.
Thanks, Katebits! And people better not start thinking about things trending up and down anywhere else, because we called dibs on the idea, and therefore have totally copyrighted it.)
::slow clap::
Val suggested this before: If mini-Zach can win a silver in the Olympics on the high bar this past summer, then regular Zach can win the silver this June, right?
Pam, it remains to be see exactly how regular Zach rolls.
(And no, I will never stop laughing at “that’s just how we roll”. Thanks, US Men’s Gymnastics team!)
Oooooh… Val’s so good at seeing omens and portents! I like that one!
I’m certain that if the Devils won the cup, they would definitely go swimming in the river, yo.
pam, :^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I’m certain that if the Devils won the cup, they would definitely go swimming in the river, yo.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: No question! (They’d also wear stirrup pants and leotards while they do it. I hope.)
Well goodnight…I’ll probably be back when I’m bored at work tomorrow!
Goodnight, pam!
Good Morning All! Great post. I and bemused/horrified that I argee with pretty much every trend, except Holik. I have faint faint hopes that Booby will become our Sean Avery and just piss off two thirds of Northy America. I hope he rams Gomez into the boards and breaks Gomer’s wrist. He’s done it before. OK fine, they were teammates at the time! Moving on…
What I want to see in camp is who gets the dreaded number “2″. A number that has been very unkind to D-men in Jersey. Also, and please don’t laugh at this, I want to see if Fedor Fedorov can be the poor man’s Jason Arnott.
Oh all right you can laugh, I can see your eyes bulging trying to hold it in.
I hope he rams Gomez into the boards and breaks Gomer’s wrist. He’s done it before. OK fine, they were teammates at the time!
hahaha I totally forgot about that!
Also, #22 is hideously unkind to any Devils forward who dares to wear it since Claude.
:claps:
Invisible pencils for the WIN!
And poor Kevin Weekes.
Morning, IPB!
To further my point on #22: Arron Asham, Viktor Kozlov, Mike Jefferson…err…Danton, Valeri Kamensky, Pierre Dagenais, and so on
Good morning, everyone!
I want to see if Fedor Fedorov can be the poor man’s Jason Arnott.
I gotta go to the Bill Simmons well on this one, and say that Fedor Fedorov, at best, will be the homeless man’s Jason Arnott. :P
You guys are chillingly right about numbers 2 and 22. The guys who don’t have numbers yet probably have sweat pouring down their brows like in “Airplane!” as they worry they’re going to get the cursed numbers.
I hope he rams Gomez into the boards and breaks Gomer’s wrist. He’s done it before. OK fine, they were teammates at the time!
If he does that again, I might let up just the tiniest bit. But only for a day. (And seriously, considering how ineffectual a player he was in Atlanta, can we really honestly expect him to be a Sean Avery agitator type? That would require that he be skating against players who matter, for starters, which I hope to high heaven he’s not. And that would also require him to go against type and show up for more than just the odd “big” game, something he rather famously got called out for last year.)
For completeness, here’s some of the garbage that wore #2 recently: Vitaly Vishnevski, David Hale, Vladimir Malakhov, Sean Brown, Mike Commodore
I’d totally forgotten about Holik breaking Gomer’s wrist! HAHAHAHA! That said, if he goes within ten feet of Zach, I’m going to kill him.
Weekes must have the cushiest back up job in hockey. Sip some Sprite, catch an errant puck or two that fly into the bench and get paid for it. Nice work if you can get it.
Speaking of Martys and their backup goalies, Philly Marty just lost his for 4-6 weeks due to hip surgery.
Heeeeey! Are you calling Mike Commodore “garbage”, Pam? :P
That said, if he goes within ten feet of Zach, I’m going to kill him.
OH NO! I’m going to be freaking out about this now until Holik’s off the team. I can’t even cope. This is terrible!
Amy, I saw that last night about Niittymaki. I… can’t say I think that’s a terrible blow to Philly’s fortunes.
Are you calling Mike Commodore “garbage”, Pam?
That’s the fifth monocle I’ve broke this week!
Fun hairdo and personality aside, I think Commodore sucks. He never really got a chance in NJ, but after he was traded and started to become a regular NHLer, I wasn’t sorry he was gone.
::ducks flying objects::
but after he was traded and started to become a regular NHLer, I wasn’t sorry he was gone.
*Clutches pearls*
(Just kidding. I love him dearly, and I’m glad to see he’s rounded into a decent NHLer, thereby making me feel like less of an idiot for loving him, but yeah, I hardly sit there thinking of him as “the one that got away” [like I did about Jason Smith in his prime].)
I think Commodore really ins’t that much worse than Salvador or Vish-dog or Matvichuk or any of the crappy d-men we’ve had over the last few years. I think if he’d been given a chance (or had he not partied too much), Larry could have molded him into a decent second pairing guy. And we’d have a good interview on the team! That’d be awesome!
And we’d have a good interview on the team! That’d be awesome!
Instead, we’ve had “good interviews” Gomez and Holik. *Makes sound not unlike a cat hocking up a hairball*
Commodore really ins’t that much worse than Salvador or Vish-dog or Matvichuk or any of the crappy d-men we’ve had over the last few years
That’s true. I never thought he was worse than those guys, they all suck too!
Vishnevski, and Val has so eloquently put it, was the “defensive Viktor Kozlov.” The raw talent is there, and you can almost see it, but he constantly plays with his head in his ass. It’s like your waiting forever for a star to emerge, but he’s not coming anytime soon, if ever. What a shame.
the “defensive Viktor Kozlov.”
He really was! Although, to be fair, I never really paid all that close attention to him. He was one of our interchangeable parts of crappy defensemen last year as far as I was concerned. It always cracked me up to see the comments on Fire & Ice after TG would say which d-men were starting before a game, and people would have these vehement reactions. I was like, “They’re all the same!”
That’s true, they’re all mediocre. Yes, I think Paul is the best, and I’m not cringing too badly!
BTW that Fire&Ice blog makes my eyes hurt. Especially when going from Fire&Ice to IPB.
I have a hard time reading TG’s blog, too, but the content is so awesome. I wish he’d let me spruce up the formatting for him. Or rather, that he’d let my IT department (read: “Pookie”) do it. :P
I don’t understand the notion in certain circles of Devils fans that Paulie is terrible. I mean, not just from a PaulieMartinNation angle. Honestly, objectively, I just don’t get it!
Operation: Overstock on Fourth Liners should be the logo on the Devils future alternate jersey.
There better not be an alternate jersey in the Devils’ future.
There better not be an alternate jersey in the Devils’ future.
Word.
Oh and seriously, Holik broke Gomer’s wrist once? How did miss this! Unless it happened before my time… Hmmmmm.
Let the Airplane-like flop sweat commence for:
*drum roll*
Peter Vrana, for he has been given the number 22 as reported on Fire & Ice. Also, Sarge’s #18 has been assigned to Bergfors. Her? Really?
HA! I love that Vrana Vrana Vrana got 22! HAHAHAHA! I hope TG asked Lou to give it to him, knowing that it would lead to Vrana’s inevitable failure (and thus proving TG’s constant chorus of “Vrana is not that good, people!”).
I second the motion to spruce up Fire & Ice. But I’ll take what I can get — I love the content so much!
AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHA! Vrana, Vrana, Vrana! Heh. I guess he’s going to be as big a bust as TG’s been insisting all along! :P
And what you’re saying here, Morgan, is that no one’s going to be wearing 18 for the big-team Devils this season? Heh.
Mags, I don’t remember when the Holik-hitting-Gomez-into-the-boards thing happened. 2002? 2001? Earlier? It’s all a blur.
I thought it was 2001 and that’s why Gomer wasn’t contributing in the 2001 Playoff run. But I’m notoriously bad at remembering when shit happened, so don’t listen to me.
I thought it was McKay who had the broken wrist in 2001. Were he AND Gomer BOTH out?
HAHAHAHA!!! I LOVE this post!
I think Gillis might have slept with Garrioch’s wife. In his season preview he said the Canucks were the 29th worst team in the league. Seriously?!?! I mean, yeah we suck. But 29th place suck? I’m don’t think we’re thaaaat bad.
Thanks, alix!
Seriously?!?! I mean, yeah we suck. But 29th place suck? I’m don’t think we’re thaaaat bad.
I dunno… Garrioch probably thinks the Canucks are the kind of suck that can only be made better by Mars. Heh.
isn’t being the “29th worst team” actually the 2nd best team?
Morning everyone!
Awesome post Ookies. I feel like every year I get to know the Devils better and better. I think (hope) Clarkson is going to have a monster year. I like that kid…reminds me of Milan Lucic.
Youse guys pumped for the Draft this weekend?
Thanks, andrew! I’m proud to be your exclusive source of Devils news and predictions, because no one has EVER been righter about this team than we are. :P
I am SO pumped for the Draft! I’m getting ALL the best players, I can just feel it! (Who are the best players, again?)
I’m proud to be your exclusive source of Devils news and predictions, because no one has EVER been righter about this team than we are. :P
Well, when you’re making predicitions like this:
(Seriously, the Devils play the Canes on January 6. You can mark it on your calendar in pen: Clarkson will get the goal of the year in that game.)
It’s good to be confident! (killer prediction by the way)
I’m getting ALL the best players, I can just feel it!
We just finished our draft in my keeper league, it was rough. I think I like autopicking. That way I can blame Yahoo when my team sucks.
I’m getting ALL the best players, I can just feel it! (Who are the best players, again?)
Um…I’m getting some dudes, I guess. That’s my team. Full of “Some Dudes”. Yup.
(Who are the best players, again?)
Wait until my team is drafted and then I can tell you.
Um…I’m getting some dudes, I guess. That’s my team. Full of “Some Dudes”. Yup.
That’s funny Caitlin, you sound just like everyone here last year before the start of the season. Then by the end of the year everyone was up on their shit. The Ookies were all like, “Brent Burns this and Evgeni Nabokov that.” It was a good learning experience for all.
It was a good learning experience for all.
It sure was! You should have heard us discussing with Blackhawks d-men we’re both hoping to get! I know the names of several Blackhawks! That’s INSANE!
I know the names of several Blackhawks! That’s INSANE!
Hee! Well, I knew if I obsessively ranked and re-ranked, I’d end up just saying “fuck this shit” and leaving it back to the original settings, so I saved myself the neurotic energy so I could focus it on rearranging pencils or something.
Man, it feels like a slow day today for some reason, doesn’t it?
So, we only have one hold out left.
MikeP hasn’t signed his team up, but I e-mailed him and he said he’s still down.
It’s good to be confident! (killer prediction by the way)
Hee! Thanks! You like how we follow up that kind of bravado with the whole invisible pencil thing while predicting Madden’s goal totals? We’re big into consistency and believing in ourselves. :P
That way I can blame Yahoo when my team sucks.
Exactly! It’s so nice to have so little pressure.
Um…I’m getting some dudes, I guess. That’s my team. Full of “Some Dudes”. Yup.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: It’s so true, but andrew’s right — before long, you’ll still think of them as “Some Dudes”, but you’ll know what stats they have! (All the players I learned about last year were getting their stats in a vacuum. If I ever saw them in games, I’d be like, “THAT’S [Some Dude]????”)
Dude, MikeP, time to get on the ball!!
Man, it feels like a slow day today for some reason, doesn’t it?
I wish! I have been crazy busy the last two weeks. I’ve got another boss quitting (that’s 8 in under 5 years), and a huge project I’m working on, and for the first time since I took this job, I’m like, “EEK! WORK! EVERYWHERE I LOOK!” It makes my days fly by, but I’m not sure I like it.
It makes my days fly by, but I’m not sure I like it.
Yeah, I’ve been moderately busy, but not CRAZY BUSY. So I’m sorry, Schnookie! (Eight bosses in FIVE years? Y’all really grind ‘em out, huh?)
I think I only feel like today is slow is because I do not have a stack of movies higher than me to watch when I get home.
All the players I learned about last year were getting their stats in a vacuum. If I ever saw them in games, I’d be like, “THAT’S [Some Dude]????”
That’s awesome. And I bet they never look like what you’d expect.
I think I only feel like today is slow is because I do not have a stack of movies higher than me to watch when I get home.
Better get your movie watching in before the season starts! I have officially ended my weekly movie tivo-ings, in order to catch up on my backlog before the 9th! Gotta have space for those early east coast start times.
Eight bosses in FIVE years? Y’all really grind ‘em out, huh?
Heh. Katebits called me a Black Widow. I’m proud of that, to be honest. :P (I have three or four “bosses” at a time, so it’s not like there’s been one position with that kind of turnover in it. To be fair.)
No Caitlin-high stack of movies? That’s terrible! Good thing “House” is starting again tonight, so you have something to watch. :D
I’m so excited about Fall that we’re going to spend some time this evening taking out the San Marzano plants in the garden. They’re still producing tomatoes, but for every one good one, there are at least five stunted little ones with blossom end rot. I’m so excited to see some seasonal change in the garden! We’re going to plant some cold-weather greens, a “braising mix” put together by Seeds of Change.
And I bet they never look like what you’d expect.
No they don’t! I expect them all to be foxy golden gods, and for the most part, they’re all ugly. Hrmph. I think Yahoo should have a way to warn a girl about stuff like that.
That’s so exciting that you’re girding your tivo for the season starting!! I can’t BELIEVE how close it is. We’re going to be in Buffalo for the European games, and I was assessing how many more work days there are until my vacation time kicks in for that trip, and I’m like, “Wait, that’s in TWO WEEKS!!!” EEEEEEEEE!!!!
I think Yahoo should have a way to warn a girl about stuff like that.
So sad. Yahoo is woefully underperforming in the “warning girls about the non-foxiness of out-of-conference players” department.
That’s so exciting that you’re girding your tivo for the season starting!! I can’t BELIEVE how close it is.
I know! I’ve got, like, 40 movies to watch. In less than three weeks! Holy crap.
Yahoo is woefully underperforming in the “warning girls about the non-foxiness of out-of-conference players” department.
It should NOT be difficult for them to implement a system.
I’ve got, like, 40 movies to watch. In less than three weeks! Holy crap.
You and Caitlin should have a race to see who can watch more movies in the next 3 weeks.
You and Caitlin should have a race to see who can watch more movies in the next 3 weeks.
Oohh, a challenge (sort of)! Truthfully, I don’t know how I’m going to get through them. I’ll probably have at least 15 left on there by opening night.
I watched The Player last night. Decent flick. Can’t believe I’d never seen it. Crazy.
I watched The Player last night
One of us… One of us… One of us…
It’s zany — I’m just as excited to take the tomatoes out as I was to put seeds in in the Spring. I’m just so eager for Fall!
I can’t BELIEVE how close it is.
Neither can I. The first pre-season game is Monday! And camp starts only two days before that!
Better get your movie watching in before the season starts!
Yeah, I really don’t know how I’m going to juggle hockey and movies. Something may have to give a little, because that’s too much for one person.
They’re still producing tomatoes, but for every one good one, there are at least five stunted little ones with blossom end rot.
Yay! Sucks to not have more tomatoes. Are San Marzanos good sauce tomatoes, then? I think next year I want to put up my own tomato sauce.
One cucumber plant has flowers now and I just planted the Scarlet Nantes carrots. Woo!
I’m so excited to see some seasonal change in the garden! We’re going to plant some cold-weather greens, a “braising mix” put together by Seeds of Change.
Ooh, I’m so excited for you! I think I shall have to get some containers and get some pots going for greens, because I long to have some.
I watched The Player last night. Decent flick. Can’t believe I’d never seen it. Crazy.
I’ve never seen it. It’s a Robert Altman film, right?
…That would be why.
I’ve never seen it. It’s a Robert Altman film, right?
…That would be why.
Ouch! Cold blooded. M.A.S.H. is a damn funny movie! A classic!
M.A.S.H. is a damn funny movie! A classic!
Conversely, Dr. T & The Women is NOT.
Are San Marzanos good sauce tomatoes, then?
They’re supposedly the king of sauce tomatoes, but I was underwhelmed. Our growing conditions were obviously not ideal for them, since they were all blossom-end rot-y, but they seemed like they’d have a heavy yield if you could get the fruits to be happier. That said, the Black Plums we planted were hugely prolific, perfect for whatever our conditions are, and had a tastier tomato. They were less watery, had a more concentrated flavor, and make a really unique-looking sauce because they’re so dark. Our farm has grown Plum Dandy and Amish Paste in the past (I think they’ve added some more types this year), and they are AWESOME for sauce. So I wouldn’t recommend San Marzanos above those other types.
I’m so excited for your cucumber flower and your carrots!!! WOOOO!
Conversely, Dr. T & The Women is NOT.
Dude, you’re judging Robert Altman on “Dr. T and the Women”?
Conversely, Dr. T & The Women is NOT.
Well, yeah. But putting Richard Gere in ANY movie is going to do that.
So, I bit the bullet yesterday. We had two empty roster spaces we could fill with free agents. I took a chance…and picked up Timmy. He’d better not screw me.
Dude, you’re judging Robert Altman on “Dr. T and the Women”?
Well, I think MASH is about as good as it got for him. Gosford Park made me want to take a knitting needle to the eye, made it through about twenty minutes of Come Back to the Five and Dime… before nearly screaming at my TV in rage and I can only moderately tolerate MASH (for reasons other than Altman).
Dr. T & The Women is representative of how bad he can be, and I avoid Altman’s movies in general.
We had two empty roster spaces we could fill with free agents. I took a chance…and picked up Timmy.
You’re INSANE.
And Caitlin, I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on your dislike of Altman. I can’t say he’s my cup of tea either. I was just like, “Dr. T & The Women? Her?” :P
And Caitlin, I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on your dislike of Altman. I can’t say he’s my cup of tea either. I was just like, “Dr. T & The Women? Her?” :P
Heh – I didn’t assume you were, but that movie really is the first thing I think of when I think of Robert Altman.
Then again, I’m looking forward to watching Die Hard for the 4,678th time, so take what I say with a grain of salt. :D
Er, andrew, I hope that Timmy thing works out for you…I guess. Eek.
Wow, Timmy. Uh… That’s great, andrew! (*psst* Guys! I think andrew went off the deep end!)
You’re INSANE.
Er, andrew, I hope that Timmy thing works out for you…I guess. Eek.
Well, considering what was available, I’d say I did alright. The best player I could find for the second spot? David Perron. Yeah, slim pickens.
And Caitlin, I didn’t mean to cast aspersions on your dislike of Altman. I can’t say he’s my cup of tea either. I was just like, “Dr. T & The Women? Her?” :P
Man! I set off a firestorm in here! Sorry gang.
The Player was definitely worth watching. Check into it Caitlin, it might make you ease up on Altman just a bit. Of course I could be biased, any movie with Vincent D’Onofrio in it is A-okay in my book.
Check into it Caitlin, it might make you ease up on Altman just a bit.
I doubt it, but I’ll check it out. And if I hate it? ALL YOUR FAULT.
David Perron. Yeah, slim pickens.
I don’t know who that is even, but that sounds awful.
I doubt it, but I’ll check it out. And if I hate it? ALL YOUR FAULT.
I’m prepared to live with that.
Wait…are you a Tim Robbins hater? ‘Cause if so, I’d avoid it.
I don’t know who that is even, but that sounds awful.
He’s a 2nd year forward with St. Louis. 13 goals 14 assists in his rookie campaign last year….I think he’s got potential. Maybe
I took a chance…and picked up Timmy. He’d better not screw me.
Its all fun and games till that freak toenail clipper accident.
Vincent D’Onofrio
Does he scenery chew in the movies as bad as he does on Law & Order: CI?
The best player I could find for the second spot? David Perron. Yeah, slim pickens.
Oh, well, in that case, I guess Timmy was a good pickup. Heh.
Does he scenery chew in the movies as bad as he does on Law & Order: CI?
Yes he does, and I love every second of it. I own so many movies that I could care less about….only because he’s in them.
Its all fun and games till that freak toenail clipper accident.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: So true!
Wait…are you a Tim Robbins hater? ‘Cause if so, I’d avoid it.
I like him in the right things, I’ll put it that way. So I should be okay.
Tim Robbins wore a “Hockey Dads For Obama” t-shirt, which is pretty bitchin if you ask me. That’s about all I know about Tim Robbins.
Yahoo is woefully underperforming in the “warning girls about the non-foxiness of out-of-conference players” department.
It should NOT be difficult for them to implement a system.
No kidding! They should have like a little red pepper icon next to their names if they’re foxy. And like a little face puking if they’re puketastic. And they should include more pictures than just their dorky mug shot. Like game day suits, profile shots, all star throne pictures…
Gah! Stupid tags!
Oh, well, in that case, I guess Timmy was a good pickup. Heh.
I’m tellin’ ya. You just know when Kotalik, Bertuzzi, and Kozlov are all taken, times are tough.
They should have like a little red pepper icon next to their names if they’re foxy. And like a little face puking if they’re puketastic. And they should include more pictures than just their dorky mug shot. Like game day suits, profile shots, all star throne pictures…
alix, you are a GENIUS!!! I love it!
alix, you need to be hired by Yahoo to design this service! It’s brilliant!
It would be a fun job. Heh.
Small comment since I only read half the post anyway =)
Bobby Holik: Trending… To Lowell, if we’re lucky.
I thought for sure I was the only one that saw him coming back and went for the pitchforks and torches. I’ll keep them stocked up by the front door, ladies. Swing by on your way to the arena and pick them up!
And never call Greener too small to play in the big time. Haven’t you ever seen Youngblood? Greener has… it’s his favorite movie of all time.
Matt, I’m so glad to know you’ll be outfitting the angry mob for us. We have a pretty small stockpile of pitchforks and torches here at stately IPB Manor, so it’s good to know where we can gear up!
Morning, IPB! How is everyone today?
Good morning, everyone!
I just called to cancel the cable television here, and the person informed me that my cable internet bill will go up as a result. No surprise there. The new bill is going to be like $17 higher or something. So the person says, “Now wait, if you’d like, I can do you a HUGE favor and get you a discount. If you purchase the antenna service — you’ll get all of the channels between 2 and 23! — now, I know you have the satellite and all, but you could watch this antenna in other rooms — it sounds great, right? Well, you could get that for only $11 a month.” There was this long pause before I finally said, “Yeah… That won’t really make that much of a difference, thanks.” Sheesh. Who would go for that “deal”?
Good morning, all!
I’m GREAT today! I walked to work, and it was cool and delightful (other than how dewy the grass was. I have to trudge about half my walk on grass, and by the time the bike path mercifully started, my jeans were soaked up to the knee, my socks felt like I might as well have been walking in a stream, and my shoes were kicking up giant sprays of water), and then I had my ergonomic evaluation and don’t have to get a keyboard tray. Life is GRAND!
How’s your morning going, Caitlin?
Good morning everyone! Pookie, that sales person is SILLY. Schnookie, I’m glad you don’t have to get an assy keyboard tray. Caitlin, hello thar!
My day has been excellent so far! I have got almost nothing done, but that’s ok, because I have no assignments to hand in until Monday! (contrary to the usual 2 papers on Friday dealio) Wooooooo!
I am having a very weird morning! I have the worst case of writer’s block ever (I don’t know how you ladies do it all season long!). I have a sudden urge to move to the UK, I’m having a completely “Twilight Zone” kind of work morning, and I’m drinking the most delicious tea right now – which I thought would suck – which has moved into my “favorite” category.
So you can see how it’s been an odd morning.
Pookie – if there’s one thing I hate, it’s dealing with your TV provider. I’m so sorry! Believe it or not, there are people who will take the $11 discount. After reading some finance blogs out there, it astonishes me what people do to save money.
Schnookie, I’m so glad your walk to work was so nice! And hooray for no keyboard tray – I am convinced the Devil invented them.
Life is GRAND!
Yay! I’m so glad! It would really suck if life wasn’t grand at the moment for you… :)
I have the worst case of writer’s block ever (I don’t know how you ladies do it all season long!).
Funny you should say that. Heh. We have a post planned, and it has been loooong in the works. We intended to have it ready for today, but we sat down last night, opened up a google doc, and then we sat there for a few minutes listening to the crickets chirping and agreed that we weren’t feeling it at all. So… no new post today. There was a time when we would have powered through, but you know what? It feels FANTASTIC not to have bothered. :D
Mags, that’s awesome that you’ve got a few stolen days of no assignments!
Caitlin, what’s driving you to want to live in the UK? And what kind of tea are you drinking that’s so wildly delicious?
I have the worst case of writer’s block ever (I don’t know how you ladies do it all season long!)
Fuuuunny story… We had grand plans for a post last night but then we were both got Google Docs open and ready to go, we were like, “Yeah… I’m not feeling it tonight. Sorry.” Heh. It’s a lot easier when there’s actually hockey going on.
I would love to move to the UK only they don’t have hockey. Or rather, don’t have NHL hockey. That’s a bit of a knock against the whole “moving there” plan.
I have the worst case of writer’s block ever (I don’t know how you ladies do it all season long!).
Funny you should say that. Heh.
It is clearly time for a party, because the same thing is happening to me. And I have a whole WORLD of stuff to write about, not just hockey. As it stands, nothing feels interesting, and most of the things are making me a little sad (like I thought I hadn’t spoken to my former best friend in a while. Turns out it’s been like, 6 months. Oops)
And tea? Tell me of your tea. I’m drinking plain ole Earl Grey out of my Senseo machine, mostly because it was the only kind I had on hand.
Pookie and Schnookie, once again proving their brain-twin-ness :D
It feels FANTASTIC not to have bothered. :D
I know that feeling! I stared off and on at a blank WordPress draft page for about two hours last night before just finally giving up and saying uncle.
Caitlin, what’s driving you to want to live in the UK? And what kind of tea are you drinking that’s so wildly delicious?
I have no idea what’s driving me. It’s like I woke up this morning and said, “I think England might be a nice place to live. Or Scotland. I should go there!”
I’m weird.
The tea I’m drinking is Twining’s Irish Breakfast Tea. My main complaint with tea is that it always feels a little too weak. This stuff is good and strong but not bitter. Very good stuff.
Pookie and Schnookie, once again proving their brain-twin-ness
Well, not writing that post was kind of the most interesting thing that happened to us yesterday, so that would explain why we both have it on our minds. :D
I thought I hadn’t spoken to my former best friend in a while. Turns out it’s been like, 6 months.
That’s the story of my life!
Pookie and Schnookie, once again proving their brain-twin-ness
Seriously, your Wonder-Ookie powers are quite impressive.
Morning, all!
Oooh, Irish Breakfast is one of my favorite blends! I had a boss when I first started here who sniffed that Americans don’t know anything about Irish Breakfast tea (he was British, and his wife was Irish), but I get my tea from a pretty hardcore tea merchant, so I was like, “The hell? I’ll show you!” Anyway, the long and short of it is that he insisted that you can’t get Irish Breakfast in the US that’s TRULY Irish Breakfasty, because it’s supposed to be strong enough to put hair on your chest. I let him sample my tea guy’s blend, and he never taunted me again about my tea being inauthentic and wimpy. It stands as one of my great victories in life. :D
Seriously, your Wonder-Ookie powers are quite impressive.
Or embarrassing. Heh. Sorry, guys!
Caitlin, you should try some Lapsang tea. It’s super-strong. I think it’s supposed to be a good tea for coffee drinkers. It’s crazy smokey, so it’s very wintry.
Another good tea for coffee drinkers is German Breakfast.
Seriously, your Wonder-Ookie powers are quite impressive.
Hear, hear! That’s so cool. :D
but I get my tea from a pretty hardcore tea merchant,
Ooh! You have intrigued me!
I let him sample my tea guy’s blend, and he never taunted me again about my tea being inauthentic and wimpy. It stands as one of my great victories in life. :D
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
And your old boss was like, “Nothing to see here, move along…” Heh.
I grew up next door to an English family who, if I recall correctly, used to give us tea, but I grew up drinking Luzianne and the like forever. Not that I don’t like good, nicely done iced tea, but I tend to like my tea hot and well…flavorful, nowadays. :D
I let him sample my tea guy’s blend, and he never taunted me again about my tea being inauthentic and wimpy. It stands as one of my great victories in life. :D
Y’all are just a fount of awesome, life-bettering information! Thank you, I most certainly will pick some up. :)
It stands as one of my great victories in life. :D
Good for you!
I’m totally a tea-wuss. I think it might be because, in my mind, strong tea goes with cream and I really don’t like cream, so I just drink (comparatively) weaker tea. Then again the tea I get at the coffee stand at uni is pretty pathetic. Seriously, the tea leaves can’t have even touched the water there. They just flew over. Drive by tea, if you will.
Drive by tea, if you will.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I let him sample my tea guy’s blend, and he never taunted me again about my tea being inauthentic and wimpy. It stands as one of my great victories in life.
Schnookie: 1, Boss: 0.
My aunt’s mother-in-law is English and she goes to Canada to pick up tea. I guess the tea sold at the supermarkets here is of much lesser quality than the tea sold in Canada.
Drive by tea, if you will.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I’m also not a milk/cream-in-tea person, so I’m not the hugest fan of really robust teas, but there are some days when it’s really what I’m looking for. In the play “Lettice and Lovage”, which is a favorite in our household, one character describes liking her tea “strong enough to trot a mouse”. That’s how Boomer drinks hers, and after a few run-ins with her really, really tannic teas, I’ve been able to admit that I like mine much milder. :D
Caitlin, we get all our tea from Todd & Holland. They’re in Chicago, and used to have a little storefront in River Forest, just a block from our grandmother’s house. We would drive past it when we visted and we all agreed it looked really shady, but one day we were so bored we decided to kill time by dropping in. Turns out it’s AWESOME. We used to have to bring empty suitcases with us when we’d visit, just for stocking up on teas. Our grandmother was so amazed when we reported back, and told us she’d thought all that time that they were a front for a bookie. Anyway, they do a GREAT job as a mail-order resource, and take really good care of their customers.
I guess the tea sold at the supermarkets here is of much lesser quality than the tea sold in Canada.
Did you know that there are over 300 different types of tea in the standard Lipton bags? It’s the hot dog of teas!
nicely done iced tea
Hmmm iced tea. I haven’t had that in aaaaaaaages.
I guess the tea sold at the supermarkets here is of much lesser quality than the tea sold in Canada.
What did you expect. CoN country vs not CoN country. CoN country clearly wins :P (at tea. Some other things, not so much)
Did you know that there are over 300 different types of tea in the standard Lipton bags? It’s the hot dog of teas!
For real? The things you learn.
There are 17 cheese sandwiches in a 200g back of chips. I’m not sure if that’s true, but that’s what my dietitian told me.
BAG not back. Jeez.
There are WAY more cheese sandwiches in a back of chips! :D
What did you expect. CoN country vs not CoN country. CoN country clearly wins
I know. She made a pitcher of iced tea with the Canadian tea bags and it was fantastic.
There are 17 cheese sandwiches in a 200g back of chips.
Mmmm. Cheese. I could go for some right now.
Mmmm. Cheese. I could go for some right now.
Seriously. :D We had lunch at Artisanal in NYC on Saturday with Kristin, and had grilled cheese sandwiches to go with our cheese and wine/beer flights, and then we got our cheese of the month delivery from them as well, so we had an all-cheese dinner on Monday. I don’t think I’ve had entirely enough cheese lately!
she’d thought all that time that they were a front for a bookie. Anyway, they do a GREAT job as a mail-order resource, and take really good care of their customers.
Why in the world did I never think of checking out a tea shop? Goodness me, I am brain-dead. And :^:::::::::::::::::::::::: at your grandmother thinking they were a front for a bookie. How hilarious. :D
Todd & Holland looks seventy kinds of delicious.
Did you know that there are over 300 different types of tea in the standard Lipton bags? It’s the hot dog of teas!
Ewww! Gross!!
I don’t think I’ve had entirely enough cheese lately!
Obviously, if you’re the standard, then I really HAVE NOT had enough cheese lately. And now I’m craving cheese. Hmmm.
I just had a salt bagel. A heavily-salted salt bagel. I’m craving water and lots of it. Gah!
And now I’m craving cheese. Hmmm.
Hmmmm, cheeeeeese.
Ugh, you guys and your food. Dinner isn’t going to happen until aaaages from now (30 minutes. heh) and now I’m famished. Thanks so much :P
Obviously, if you’re the standard, then I really HAVE NOT had enough cheese lately.
Well, I’d never claim that I’m a healthy standard… :P
(So now I’m neck deep in the Todd & Holland website. I don’t do a lot of browsing there, because I tend to buy several pounds of tea all at once and then spend about two years drinking it. But now I’m puttering around on there, and dude, this Strawberry Surprise — cream flavored strawberry black tea with a hint of pepper? I. Must. Have. This. Tea.)
dude, this Strawberry Surprise — cream flavored strawberry black tea with a hint of pepper? I. Must. Have. This. Tea.)
Oh my god that sounds DELICIOUS.
Have you seen the truffle tea as well? Tea with white chocolate? That looks to die for as well.
That truffle tea sounds so wild! I had chocolate tea ages ago last time I was at T Salon, and it’s a lovely, lovely thing.
Tea: Strong with milk/cream or honey & lemon. I was recently intrigued by a Revolution Teas five tea sampler. All five were solid, and the English Breakfast was very good.
Chesse: Yes please.
When we were younger, we used to sit around the table after our family dinners, enjoying mugs of tea. (Yes, my family was supremely dorky.) I loved having honey in my tea back then, but seem to have drifted away from the practice over the years. I should try it again! (In Russia we always had super-thin lemon slices in the bottoms of our tea cups. Man, it was always so good to eat the slice, rind and all, after finishing off the tea.)
When we were younger, we used to sit around the table after our family dinners, enjoying mugs of tea. (Yes, my family was supremely dorky.)
A close family friend of ours from school wrote one of my college application recommendations. I had forgotten about that when I went up to SUNY-Purchase for my first college interview. I walked into the technical director’s office, nervous as all get-out. He looked up from my application and said, before even saying hello, “Is it true that your family used to sit around drinking tea and talking every night after dinner?! That’s incredible!” I was like, “Oh, so I don’t have to be nervous, right? I’m totally accepted already, right?” Heh.
“Is it true that your family used to sit around drinking tea and talking every night after dinner?! That’s incredible!” I was like, “Oh, so I don’t have to be nervous, right? I’m totally accepted already, right?” Heh.
Hee! We didn’t drink tea, but Mom and Dad insisted that we eat dinner together EVERY night, no exceptions unless we had a lock-in or something, and we used to play “Stump the Dad” at the dinner table. (Seriously, my dad knows so much stuff, it’s insane).
We quickly learned to stop asking the guy with a master’s in Dickensian literature about Charles Dickens/Victorian literature.
We quickly learned to stop asking the guy with a master’s in Dickensian literature about Charles Dickens/Victorian literature.
HA! That’s so cute that you guys played “Stump The Dad”! And as for dinner together every night, I can’t even imagine a situation when we wouldn’t have all eaten together. Sometimes Dad wouldn’t be home because he was working late or on business trips, but the four kids and at least one parent were sitting down together at the table for dinner every night. No ifs, ands or buts.
the four kids and at least one parent were sitting down together at the table for dinner every night. No ifs, ands or buts.
I didn’t realize families didn’t eat together when I spent the night at friends’ houses. That was a big shock.
We griped and moaned about it as kids, but it was a really great thing they did for us.
That’s so cute that you guys played “Stump The Dad”!
Oh, and it took us probably five or six years to actually stump my dad, and even then, I’m certainly convinced he threw it to make us feel better.
I didn’t realize families didn’t eat together when I spent the night at friends’ houses. That was a big shock.
I know! I was also really shocked when I had a friend over in 7th grade and she didn’t want to hang out with my family after dinner on a Saturday night. Is it any wonder that I didn’t have a lot of friends in high school? :D
“Stump the Dad” sounds awesome!
I didn’t realize families didn’t eat together when I spent the night at friends’ houses. That was a big shock.
We griped and moaned about it as kids, but it was a really great thing they did for us.
Word and word! It boggled my mind as a kid to think that it wasn’t necessarily the norm for families to eat dinner together all the time. I’m actually so programmed now that Boomer, Pookie and I always eat together all the time, too. Even on Pookie’s late nights — we’ll just hold dinner until 10 when she gets home.
And yeah, we groused plenty when Dad would go around the table asking us what we did that day, and then insisting on an answer, even if we hadn’t done anything of note, but I’m so glad now that he did it. (And really, we were a dorky family. :D)
You guys, is it time to go home yet???
You guys, is it time to go home yet???
I WISH. This week has been so odd. And tiring. Blech.
I wonder if it’s just time slowing down as training camp creeps ever closer? (Not that I’m going to any training camp sessions, although I think a couple of Devils preseason games are going to be televised…)
I WISH. This week has been so odd. And tiring. Blech.
I agree. I have a cold, my kleenex box is empty and there’s no fresh ones in the building. My nose is heading towards Rudolph stage. And that’s my story.
Amy, that’s TERRIBLE! I’m so sorry!
I wonder if it’s just time slowing down as training camp creeps ever closer?
I have no clue, but it is SO not cook.
Training camp for the Stars started today, I believe. Ah, oh well – I won’t get to go. Boo.
Amy, you poor dear! I’m so, so sorry that you’re sick. That is awful. There’s no good substitute for Kleenex, I think. Are you at least in the end stages of the cold?
Devils are erractically, annoyingly, in-and-out releasing the local TV schedule on their website. I would link, but I don’t want to cause any annoyance for someone who will look and see about half the schedule un-televised upon 1 look, and all of it on another.
Basic Gist:
55 or so Games on Plus
10 or so on Plus 2
10 or so on MSG
5 on VERSUS
2 Games could be Flexed for NBC
Are you at least in the end stages of the cold?
Not quite yet. I really want the day to be over so I can fall into bed / onto the couch.
I’m really hoping to be over it by Saturday, since I really want to go to Puck Drop.
Not quite yet. I really want the day to be over so I can fall into bed / onto the couch.
I’m sorry! I hope you feel better soon and that you can make Puck Drop. :(
I hope you feel better soon and that you can make Puck Drop
Thanks. But even if I can’t make it, at least the jersey reveal portion of Puck Drop is supposed to be streamed over the internet. So I could at least be there virtually.
2 Games could be Flexed for NBC
IMO, NBC’s flexed schedling options are wackadoodle. I know Sid is Hockey Jesus, but do the Pens really need a potential seven broadcasts on NBC? Nine teams are not on the flex schedule list, including any of the Canadian teams.
So we have a new employee starting here tomorrow who’s moving to NJ from across the country. Because my boss is on vacation, it’s kind of falling to me to think of some kind of welcome to NJ gift from the Reference Departmet. Literally all I can think of is corn (and corn recipes). But it would be a good way to show that we think outside the box, right? It shows we’re a creative department, or something. I mean, rather than giving her a mug like one of the other departements is doing, right? (I only found out about this now, so the gift has to be something easy to procure.) Man, this is hard! I wish my boss weren’t on vacation. Maybe I should just give her an IPB Moo card and say, “Welcome to Jersey! Now you can read about ‘Jersey’s Team’ TM NJ Devils!”
Yeah, I don’t think NBC believes Canada actually exists. I would be offended, but I never watch hockey on NBC anyways. I’ll stick to TSN or CBC, thanks.
I also love how they seem to think Detroit is as far west as the US goes.
Literally all I can think of is corn (and corn recipes). But it would be a good way to show that we think outside the box, right? It shows we’re a creative department, or something.
I like this! Or maybe y’all could get a gift certificate to that ice cream shop you and Schnookie love that you highlighted on IPB Eats as sort of a Welcome to NJ thing?
You could buy her a mini garden diorama, Pookie? Cause you’re the “Garden State” *badum chee*
But yeah, I like the corn recipe idea. Or what about that awesome ice cream place you and Schnookie write about on IPB Eats? *Drools*
Or what about that awesome ice cream place you and Schnookie write about on IPB Eats? *Drools*
Ack! Same brain, same brain! :D
The corn thing is fabulous though. I never would’ve thought of it!
Ack! Same brain, same brain! :D
HEE HEE!! We pulled an Ookie brain thing.
Good luck Pookie, sounds like a tough one. I think the ice cream idea sounds good.
You guys see that Justin Williams tore his achilles tendon? Ouch. He’s gonna be out 4-6 months.
HEE HEE!! We pulled an Ookie brain thing.
ARE YOU MY SISTER??
You guys see that Justin Williams tore his achilles tendon? Ouch. He’s gonna be out 4-6 months.
Owwwwwwwww. Yo, andrew, what up?
Hey all, if anyone is still around. The only thing I don’t like about my new schedule is that it seems opposite of most Irregulars. :(
Stars training camp starts Friday, but skating doesn’t start until Saturday. Hub and I are going to head that way to get his Robi jersey signed.
Oh andrew! I got my Ott jersey signed by my favorite little ice troll. I know you are jealous!!!! :P
For my two cents worth, I like the ice cream idea.
Owwwwwwwww.
Indeed. I injured one of mine, lightly, 13 years ago and it still occasionally “pops” when I’m walking up the stairs. Those things are no joke.
What up Caitlin. How are ya?
Oh andrew! I got my Ott jersey signed by my favorite little ice troll. I know you are jealous!!!! :P
Did he sign it “Steve Ott” or his superhero alter ego “The Turtler”?
Oh noes! I said it!
Just kidding, of course. That’s killer, Myra. I have yet, to this day, to approach/meet/talk to/get an in-person autograph from any NHL player. So, I think you’re kicking some ass!
alix and Caitlin, you’re too cute with your twinsie brains and all!
andrew, I was just thinking earlier that I hope Justin Williams has a injury-free season after last year. Sucks to be him! (This is the Justin Williams in CAR, right? I feel like there’s a guy in Chicago with a similar name and I always confuse the two.)
The ice cream idea is a great one — unfortunately, the ice cream shop is like an hour and a half from here. Most folks in this neck of the woods don’t go there because it’s too far. That’s part of the problem — I’m supposed to be finding something to go with the Jersey Shore. Which I haven’t been to. Because it’s too far.
This is the Justin Williams in CAR, right? I feel like there’s a guy in Chicago with a similar name and I always confuse the two.
Yeah, the one on the Canes. I think he started out in Philly.
So there’s this guy, Justin Williams, and then there’s Jason Williams, who was the guy on the Hawks. I think he got traded to Atlanta though.
I’ll ignore the Turtler remark.
I did get into an argument with him. Imagine that. I had a special Sharpie “laundry” pen that I wanted to use because they are even better than the regular Sharpies. He tried to argue that they were the same, then decided to humor the lady. I wish I would have said “Hey, I’m old enough to be your mom, just do what I say.”
ARE YOU MY SISTER??
Hehehe!! Your sister from another mother?
Dang. I think Justin Williams was that guy I was convinced was going to have a killer season and I wanted him for fantasy. Poor button.
Achilles tendons suck. I had to have mine stretched when I was little, and it still hurts quite often.
I’ve always(well always meaning the one year he’s been my favourite. Heh) wanted to get my Matty jersey signed, but I’ll probably just end up drooling on the table and not actually asking him if he could sign it.
I did get into an argument with him. Imagine that.
That.is.hilarious.
Nice work Myra! You should have punched him and then been hauled off while he smiled at you. It would have been just like a regular day at work for him.
You should have punched him and then been hauled off while he smiled at you.
There is always next time. :P
I’m supposed to be finding something to go with the Jersey Shore.
How about salt-water taffy?
There is always next time. :P
I’m counting on you, Myra. Don’t let me down!
theunstableblogger, who posts over on Jen’s The Shootout, said she brought a picture of Ott and Avery fighting from when Avery was with LA for Ott to sign. I wish I had thought of that!
Amy, salt-water taffy is a great idea! Unfortunately, it’s a little harder to procure on one day’s notice. I was definitely hoping someone who lives closer to the Shore would volunteer for buying some, but no dice.
Poor Justin Williams! I wanted him on my fantasy league, too. Stupid WC/EC thing let alone stupid Achilles.
Hehehe!! Your sister from another mother?
Exactly! Heh.
Pookie, man, they’ve just turned this into an ordeal for you, haven’t they?!
Pookie, man, they’ve just turned this into an ordeal for you, haven’t they?!
I know! Normally my boss would take care of it but she’s on vacation. There’s talk that I’m sort of my boss’s natural replacement when she retires in a few years. I’m like, “If it means trying to get someone to buy some fucking salt-water taffy on a Thursday morning, fuck that shit.”
“If it means trying to get someone to buy some fucking salt-water taffy on a Thursday morning, fuck that shit.”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Poor Pookie!
Maybe y’all could totally give her a BOOK about New Jersey! From the library! :D (Kidding…I’m sorry, Pookie! I have been there, done that. I go through similar things with office related Christmas presents, myself.)
Maybe y’all could totally give her a BOOK about New Jersey! From the library!
That’s a great idea! I’ll pull off one of the books and scratch out the barcode! No one will ever know the difference! :D
(Actually, I did steal a map from our “collection” for her. I think no one knows those maps are there, so no one will notice it’s missing.)