Lazing on a Sunday Afternoon...

The weekend is almost over, but what a weekend it's been! First, the Columbus Blue Jackets training camp officially opened on the ice yesterday. It was good to see all of the returning players as well as the new guys we signed this summer. Here's a shot of the top line of Nash~Brassard~Huselius during practice...



I really believe we have a shot of making the Playoffs this year. Not going all the way to The Cup, mind you, but giving a good showing of ourselves. Go Jackets!!!


Next, we received from a friend of a friend a FREE 54" big screen TV! Don't worry...I found the room to put it in my living room!


And finally, this morning, Chelsea FC played Manchester Utd. to a draw @ 1-1. That still keeps Chelsea in 2nd in the league and still ahead of our dreaded rivals Man U.!!! Go Blues!!!


Ciao, for now...

Runnin' Down A Week(end)

The picture at right will give you some idea of the wind damage we experienced yesterday evening throughout central Ohio. Remnants of hurricane Ike. We had sustained wind speeds of 40+ mph. It went on like this for approximatley 6-7 hours. Not Fun! Amazingly enough, there wasn't any rain to go along with the wind.

Go Blues!!! Chelsea FC won again this weekend! We will get some silver this year.

CBJ training camp starts Saturday @ the Dispatch Ice Haus (attached to Nationwide Arena). Of course, I'll be there. Word is that R.J. Umberger is a BEAST! First home game October 17th against our nemesis...The Preds! They (Preds) have a new slogan this year "Stays With You". I prefer the slogan "Stays With You...Like A Bad Case Of Jock-Itch!!!" Somehow, I don't think it'll fly in Nashville though.

As most of you know, I'm not going to Iraq. For the time being, I'll be here in Central Ohio. Ciao!

Remember

New York City

Washington, DC

Shanksville, PA

"Jesus died for somebody's sins..."

"...But not mine." So says Patti Smith. Poet. Punk. All-around bad-ass! There is some truth to her words Give her a listen some time. Enlightenment comes in many different forms and layers.


The season is almost upon us...CBJ hockey! Let's Go Jackets!!! We're going to try and make it to opening night. I anticipate a packed house!


I made a new mix today. The Greatest 50 Punk Rock songs. Here's the list:

1. Blitzkrieg Bop - Ramones 2. Anarchy in the UK - Sex Pistols 3. Complete Control - The Clash 4. Kick Out the Jams - MC5 5. Holiday in Cambodia - Dead Kennedys 6. Waiting Room - Fugazi 7. London Calling - The Clash 8. Search and Destroy - The Stooges 9. God Save the Queen - Sex Pistols10. Where Eagles Dare - The Misfits11. I Wanna Be Sedated - Ramones12. In the City - The Jam13. Straight Edge - Minor Threat14. Johnny Hit and Run Pauline - X15. Celebrated Summer - Husker Du16. White Man (in Hammersmith Palais) - The Clash17. California Uber Alles - Dead Kennedys18. See No Evil - Television19. Bastards of Young - The Replacements20. Gloria - Patti Smith21. Radio Radio - Elvis Costello22. Ever Fallen in Love - The Buzzcocks23. Sonic Reducer - Dead Boys24. Rise Above - Black Flag25. Psycho Killer - Talking Heads26. Viet Nam - Minutemen27. 12XU - Wire28. Live Fast Die Young - Circle Jerks29. I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges30. Roadrunner - The Modern Lovers31. Orgasm Addict - The Buzzcocks32. Last Caress - The Misfits33. Smash it Up - The Damned34. White Riot - The Clash35. Pink Turns to Blue - Husker Du36. Oh Bondage Up Yours - X-Ray Spex37. Free Money - Patti Smith38. Suggestion - Fugazi39. Favorite Thing - The Replacements40. Personality Crisis - New York Dolls41. Blank Generation - Richard Hell and the Voidoids42. X Offender - Blondie43. Death or Glory - The Clash44. In My Eyes - Minor Threat45. Pay To Cum - Bad Brains46. Nazi Punks Fuck Off - Dead Kennedys47. Venus - Television48. Motor City is Burning - MC549. Hybrid Moments - The Misfits50. Banned in D.C. - Bad Brains.


Making a new mix is always a blast. This one especially so. Punk has always been in my blood, coursing through my veins. If you would like a copy, let me know.


Ciao!

Hey man, nice shot!

"There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come."

~Victor Hugo

Obviously, at least to me...now...at this time in my brief history on this spinning blue orb we call our home; the dream is DEAD. Stick a fork in it, trampled underfoot, left rotting on the side of the road...DEAD. The dream (or idea, depends on your point of view) of going overseas and getting ahead in life versus just marking time...It's DEAD! The biggest plus (to put a positive spin on it) is that I won't die or get injured in some far away country. But, really, that's the only plus. It's not that I had some freaked-out death wish (which some of you thought); no, I was reaching for my own personal slice of the American Dream. Somehow, the ladder to that dream turned out to be a few rungs short. Maybe it was a step ladder. I reached the top step, reached out for it, and lo & behold, face-plant back to earth before you can start cheering. The time has NOT come for that idea; not now, nor, I fear ever.

When life hands you lemons...throw them in the trash. I really don't like lemons. They don't have much use in my book. Come to think of it, they're alot like life; rather bitter.

I'm not really sure where this leaves me at this point in time. Wondering... guessing... in debt... WAIT a minute! I've got IT! I'm already living the American Dream!!! I've got to figure, if GOD's testing me... it must be one hell of a LOOOOOOOONG test! Pass, fail or break even; I'm ready for it to be done.

Please, don't get me wrong, or misunderstand what I'm saying. I'm thankful, beyond belief, for my children and my very loving wife. Without them, what's the point of it? I just want to be able to provide more than "just living" for them.

There are so many things I want to do. Come hell or high water, I'll do them. Ciao.

Labor (-ious) Day

Pay Attention...no, seriously, pay attention...

"It's brutal out there - people tryin' to knock you down, shake you up, make you quit. It's called hockey. Sound familiar? It's a lot like life. You want to succeed? You gotta be tough, stand up for yourself. Sometimes you dish it out. Other times? You gotta take it. But you keep... Getting... Up. No matter how much it hurts. Give up? Give in? Wha? Pft, yeah, right. Never! Rough stuff? Hey, you gotta defend yourself and your friends. That's what it's all about. That's... What friends... Do. Yeah it's aggressive, and I like it. Why? Because... I... Get it."

-- Dennis Leary

Have a _____ day. Your choice, fill-in the blank. Ciao.

P.S. Random thought for the day... "Because PUCK is a funny word". (This might not be funny if you're not into hockey...Your loss, not mine.)