Delicious blog post; I must eat it.
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Long night last night. Hectic morning this morning. No pre-game. Instead, I want to spend five minutes glorifying and advertising my newest addiction from The FSN Ohio Blueline: CHOCOLATE PUCKS!
Tired of your average chocolate? Hershey bars, Reeses Cups, and Nestle Crunch starting to seem dull? Bland? Maybe even making you feel sick? Then take a puck to the teeth! A chocolate puck, brought to you by the Columbus Blue Jackets!
Delicious, delectable, and downright divine in their taste, it'll be the one puck that you want to hit you square in the teeth. But instead of knocking out those incisors, it'll simply be knocking your taste buds to the floor in awe.
Made right in Columbus itself, with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, and with a crispy crunch thanks to the crisped rice on the inside, these babies -- nearly the size of an actual puck -- can be yours for $2 a pop down at Nationwide Arena. So, go! Go and lose yourself in chocolate euphoria!
Now I'm about to lose myself in apartment-cleaning misery and woe, before I go to watch this early evening's game.
Tired of your average chocolate? Hershey bars, Reeses Cups, and Nestle Crunch starting to seem dull? Bland? Maybe even making you feel sick? Then take a puck to the teeth! A chocolate puck, brought to you by the Columbus Blue Jackets!
Delicious, delectable, and downright divine in their taste, it'll be the one puck that you want to hit you square in the teeth. But instead of knocking out those incisors, it'll simply be knocking your taste buds to the floor in awe.
Made right in Columbus itself, with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, and with a crispy crunch thanks to the crisped rice on the inside, these babies -- nearly the size of an actual puck -- can be yours for $2 a pop down at Nationwide Arena. So, go! Go and lose yourself in chocolate euphoria!
Now I'm about to lose myself in apartment-cleaning misery and woe, before I go to watch this early evening's game.
Labels: insanity, slice-of-life
It's become as cliche as going to Disney World ...
Saturday, September 08, 2007
"Alright, gentleman, let's pray. Heavenly Father, thanks first and foremost [...]"
And so begins the ESPN video article on Division I-A football's newest member, Western Kentucky.
Before I begin my entry, I want to precede it by disclosing here and now that I was born and raised Roman Catholic. At the same time, however, my upbringing was highly liberal and open to a variety of lifestyles, in large part because of my own family, as well as how much I traveled as a teenager.
With that out of the way, I think most of you can assume that this entry isn't going to be related to hockey, per se. It's also not going to be directly related to any other specific sport either, though. The focus of this entry is religion in sports, and how much I, personally, wish it would take a hike.
Playing sports from elementary school to high school, I can definitely say I consider myself fortunate that none of the coaches I ever had tried to impose upon me the need to pray before, during, or after games. No holding hands in a circle, shutting our eyes, and quietly "thinking" (see: praying), either. The focus of the team was on, pure and simple, the game. Not on asking God, Vishnu, Loki, Zeus, or whatever deity you believe in to help me "find the strength to win."
To me, forcing a team to pray together is tantamount to forcing a certain belief on them. The moment the team's coach, or even a lead player on that team, make any sort of reference to some sort of heavenly being, you are tempting the possibility that not every one you play alongside, or coach, has the same beliefs as you. Yet you leave them in an awkward position; one where if they try to say something, they could very well be frowned upon by the rest of the team or subjected to unfair judgment. And considering that most people in an American locker room setting will believe in some form of Christianity, it's a reasonable thing to consider happening.
Now, before any one makes any presumptions, I have no qualm with players or coaches praying, or doing whatever they want, in the confines of their own personal space, be it an office, a locker room stall, or whatever. And if other players want to join that person in prayer, then they can as well.
But I don't know. Perhaps I'm simply jaded to the use of "God" in sports. We've all seen how in pretty much every sport's championship -- though I admit, I've seen it less in the NHL -- the moment that a team has won and the exuberant star of a team is being interviewed, they like to take a moment to thank God for their success. For their win. For being able to outplay the players on another team who -- ironically -- were probably also considering praying to God, and could have very well done so just before the game.
Ultimately, it feels like such a thing has become cliche. It's become about as common as saying that one is going to Disney World after they've won the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or whatever other sports trophy in North America you can think of. The sincerity behind saying such a thing seems to have been all but entirely lost, which to me just proves that there is no longer any need for such a thing in sports.
In any event, I had been considering bringing this topic up, after a similar topic was brought up in my History of Sports in America class, when every student had to write an autobiography, and was asked if sports had any religious impact on them, among other impacts (financially, socially, etc.). It wasn't until I saw this clip of Western Kentucky's introduction in to Division 1-A football that I suddenly felt enough of a pull to write about this topic.
All in all, I'm sure this may offend a few people, as I know at least a few fellow bloggers -- some who I do consider friends -- who seem to strongly associate themselves with Christianity. But that happens sometimes when you speak your mind. And honestly, my desire for secularism within the confines of the locker room and the sports field is something I feel very strongly about.
Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to brave the thunderstorm outside, and get a Nintendo Wii.
And so begins the ESPN video article on Division I-A football's newest member, Western Kentucky.
Before I begin my entry, I want to precede it by disclosing here and now that I was born and raised Roman Catholic. At the same time, however, my upbringing was highly liberal and open to a variety of lifestyles, in large part because of my own family, as well as how much I traveled as a teenager.
With that out of the way, I think most of you can assume that this entry isn't going to be related to hockey, per se. It's also not going to be directly related to any other specific sport either, though. The focus of this entry is religion in sports, and how much I, personally, wish it would take a hike.
Playing sports from elementary school to high school, I can definitely say I consider myself fortunate that none of the coaches I ever had tried to impose upon me the need to pray before, during, or after games. No holding hands in a circle, shutting our eyes, and quietly "thinking" (see: praying), either. The focus of the team was on, pure and simple, the game. Not on asking God, Vishnu, Loki, Zeus, or whatever deity you believe in to help me "find the strength to win."
To me, forcing a team to pray together is tantamount to forcing a certain belief on them. The moment the team's coach, or even a lead player on that team, make any sort of reference to some sort of heavenly being, you are tempting the possibility that not every one you play alongside, or coach, has the same beliefs as you. Yet you leave them in an awkward position; one where if they try to say something, they could very well be frowned upon by the rest of the team or subjected to unfair judgment. And considering that most people in an American locker room setting will believe in some form of Christianity, it's a reasonable thing to consider happening.
Now, before any one makes any presumptions, I have no qualm with players or coaches praying, or doing whatever they want, in the confines of their own personal space, be it an office, a locker room stall, or whatever. And if other players want to join that person in prayer, then they can as well.
But I don't know. Perhaps I'm simply jaded to the use of "God" in sports. We've all seen how in pretty much every sport's championship -- though I admit, I've seen it less in the NHL -- the moment that a team has won and the exuberant star of a team is being interviewed, they like to take a moment to thank God for their success. For their win. For being able to outplay the players on another team who -- ironically -- were probably also considering praying to God, and could have very well done so just before the game.
Ultimately, it feels like such a thing has become cliche. It's become about as common as saying that one is going to Disney World after they've won the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or whatever other sports trophy in North America you can think of. The sincerity behind saying such a thing seems to have been all but entirely lost, which to me just proves that there is no longer any need for such a thing in sports.
In any event, I had been considering bringing this topic up, after a similar topic was brought up in my History of Sports in America class, when every student had to write an autobiography, and was asked if sports had any religious impact on them, among other impacts (financially, socially, etc.). It wasn't until I saw this clip of Western Kentucky's introduction in to Division 1-A football that I suddenly felt enough of a pull to write about this topic.
All in all, I'm sure this may offend a few people, as I know at least a few fellow bloggers -- some who I do consider friends -- who seem to strongly associate themselves with Christianity. But that happens sometimes when you speak your mind. And honestly, my desire for secularism within the confines of the locker room and the sports field is something I feel very strongly about.
Now if you'll excuse me, I am off to brave the thunderstorm outside, and get a Nintendo Wii.
Labels: slice-of-life
To all the ladies out there in the hockeylogosophere!
Thursday, September 06, 2007
This goes out to all you dandy ladies, who just love pink.
I forgot to mention that during my recent excursion to The Blueline during the locker room sale, I came across these magnificent things of beauty. Made with the most prettiest of girly pink, I said to myself as I gazed, wide-eyed at this newest creation by the wonderful folks at RBK and the NHL, "Wow! I know so many people who would just die for these with their team's logo on them!"
Just marvelous! Isn't it awesome how not only is RBK catering to our wonderful female fanbase, but also took the time out of their busy schedule to make sure that those beautiful, fashionable pink jerseys would also be made in a similar manner as the EDGE jerseys? I'm telling you, I need to use my overage funds from college to get one for Sherry, and Jordi, and Caps Chick, and the residents of IPB Manor, and the ladies at Hot Oil, and especially every single lady at Hockey Ladies of Greatness. And probably many others who I've simply forgotten to mention! :D
See!? They're even adding that gorgeous cursive of each team's name to the sleeves! Chicks dig that cursive, glittery writing!
(By the way, before one of the many females who I've slighted tonight kills me in my sleep, I leave all of my blogging belongings to Drew in my will. It's been a good life!)
I forgot to mention that during my recent excursion to The Blueline during the locker room sale, I came across these magnificent things of beauty. Made with the most prettiest of girly pink, I said to myself as I gazed, wide-eyed at this newest creation by the wonderful folks at RBK and the NHL, "Wow! I know so many people who would just die for these with their team's logo on them!"
Just marvelous! Isn't it awesome how not only is RBK catering to our wonderful female fanbase, but also took the time out of their busy schedule to make sure that those beautiful, fashionable pink jerseys would also be made in a similar manner as the EDGE jerseys? I'm telling you, I need to use my overage funds from college to get one for Sherry, and Jordi, and Caps Chick, and the residents of IPB Manor, and the ladies at Hot Oil, and especially every single lady at Hockey Ladies of Greatness. And probably many others who I've simply forgotten to mention! :D
See!? They're even adding that gorgeous cursive of each team's name to the sleeves! Chicks dig that cursive, glittery writing!
(By the way, before one of the many females who I've slighted tonight kills me in my sleep, I leave all of my blogging belongings to Drew in my will. It's been a good life!)
Labels: insanity, jerseys, slice-of-life
"Triumverate"? More like crap-umverate! Haha!
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
... okay, kidding. But as anyone who has End of the Bench, Bethany's Hockey Rants, or The Neutral Zone Trap on their feeds has seen in the past day, these three Blue Jackets' bloggers will be doing their own previews of the team and the Central Division as a whole in the near future. Drew/Truth, Beth, and Sarah are more than capable in doing such a thing, and I wish them the best when they're coming up with witty and/or thoughtful things to say when it gets to be their turn.
Sadly, although I'd received an e-mail from Dave at Gorilla Crouch asking if I wanted to take part, I never got back to him in time to take part. Ultimately, it's probably for the best, as I just have so much on my hands at the moment as it pertains to classes, classwork, and real work. But that's just how it goes sometimes, right?
A few things before I partake in my article critique of something in my SPM book, though.
1) As was first noted by someone over at the HFBoards, the TV schedule for the Blue Jackets is now official. 75 games will be aired on FSN Ohio, along with one game against the Dallas Stars on Versus. Although I know I'd seen somewhere else that the Jackets were supposed to play one game on NBC against the Red Wings, NHL.com's team schedules has yet to make mention of it. So for now, just assume 76 games will be aired on TV in some form or another.
Compared to last season, this is down by 4 games. There's two less games on Versus, and one less game on NBC, while FSN Ohio has stuck with 75. It's unfortunate, but the reality is that Columbus is probably a pretty horrible draw on national television. It's sad, because two of the most amazing games last season on Versus actually came from the Jackets: that early season and hard-fought win over Detroit, and then that amazing comeback win over the Boston Bruins in December.
2) Last week, I decided to head down for the Blue Jackets' locker room sale. Given, I don't exactly have the cash to go buying game-used hockey sticks or some of Pascal Leclaire's goalie pads, but the fact that I was able to actually go inside of the locker room and see what it was like was reward enough for heading down to the Arena District. The two biggest things that stood out to me were some of the things I saw in the locker room, and then something out of the locker room.
First, I was able to catch a glimpse of the fully finished ice at Nationwide. And let me tell you, it's beautiful. That star/Ohio flag logo right at center ice is made of awesome and pride-inducing emotions. Additionally, the center ice line has stars on it instead of just white dashes, something which a friend had told me was originally tossed out as an idea as far back as one or two seasons ago, but until now was soundly rejected by whoever controls that thing.
Secondly, the locker room itself was just cool to be in. The TV in there is giant, and the stereo system they have in there is quite nice. Something else I noticed was how other people who were going in there were quite ... well, quiet. It was almost like you were walking in to a church. And honestly, I liked that. Try going in to an NBA or an NFL locker room, and you'd probably get nothing like that. It isn't so much that I shun people who are loud and raucous in places like that, as much as I think the reverence of being in an NHL hockey locker room just seems to come over NHL fans more than most people who are fans of the other sports.
And third ... On my way out, I happened to bump in to quite a few different people. Let's see ... first up, Dan Fritsche happened to stop by the locker room, and gave some teen one of his sticks, free of charge. Pretty cool of him to do. Then there was Jeff Rimer, who was definitely friendly enough. I got to admit, he did look a little bored whenever he wasn't talking to anyone and just lounging on one of the benches, however the fact that he was probably going there to mingle of his own voalition means that shouldn't be held against him.
The meeting of the day, though, was seeing Scott Howson. Although I didn't say much outside of "Hello, Mr. Howson" as me and several other fans shared the elevator back to The Blueline, it was just being around him that struck me with a bit of awe. It was a little embarassing when, after exiting the elevator, one of the fans who was asking for his autograph said how much he was looking forward to him "saving the team" or something similar. I am sure that Ken Hitchcock probably felt a little sheepish when El Owner John McConnell said something like that when introducing Hitch last season, too.
On one final note, I was speaking with some of the people at The Blueline who were working that day to help run the sale, after they spotted me looking at the new Blue Jackets' jerseys. Considering where I am, I just asked on a whim if they'd be sold at a Dicks' or some other sporting store once they're released, since that is closer to me than the store itself, or even the Chiller Easton, which is still somewhat close to me now.
They told me that if I wanted to get a jersey right away, my best bet was to go to The Blueline on September 14th, or to one of the Chillers. Apparently they'll be the first to sell the jerseys in-person for a full week, before anywhere else is able to sell them. Besides, that's probably for the best, as getting personalizations through them is a lot more efficient than dealing with some other groups out there (shop.nhl.com, I'm looking at you).
And that's about i-- ... no, wait. Actually, now that I think about it, there is one more thing I should mention, only because there's been such a clamor about this both on the HFBoards as well as other places for a while now.
While at the locker room sale, being escorted on down to the locker room itself, it's worth mentioning that there was something coming from the seating and ice area that caught my eye. Loud, loud booms.
A cannon, as most Blue Jackets' fans know, is something that there's been quite the fervor for, for at least a year or so now. Now, given, it could have very well just been someone playing around with some sounds in the SFX booth, to see how a cannon-like sound would ... well, sound like, when played during a goal.
But it's worth noting that I also took note of a yellow flash coming from behind some of the pulled back drapes which led in to the lower aisles. I don't know of many sounds that also come with visuals, people.
And that's what I got. Take that as you will, as I have to now get to my studies.
Labels: CBJ Front Office, CBJ Players, dan fritsche, scott howson, slice-of-life, television
Lifestyles of the modestly well-off and vaguely notable.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
The move is officially over!
Your favorite Blue Jackets' blogger is now comfortably and happily settled in to his new stately residence, known as Chateau de Lune. Here, at this 3 1/2 star apartment at the magnificent Bradford at Easton, you'll find him wining and dining on the finest orange juice and chicken nuggets known to man, while reclining on his concrete patio (OH MY GOD I HAVE A PATIO!!).
First, let us take a stroll through the bedroom, where our swanky bachelor has made extra sure that his place of nighttime leisure is as comfortable as can be!
Your favorite Blue Jackets' blogger is now comfortably and happily settled in to his new stately residence, known as Chateau de Lune. Here, at this 3 1/2 star apartment at the magnificent Bradford at Easton, you'll find him wining and dining on the finest orange juice and chicken nuggets known to man, while reclining on his concrete patio (OH MY GOD I HAVE A PATIO!!).
First, let us take a stroll through the bedroom, where our swanky bachelor has made extra sure that his place of nighttime leisure is as comfortable as can be!
Nothing like a queen-sized bed to greet you as you walk in from Chateau de Lune's one hallway, complimented with a lavish nightstand, self-hung drapes, and miniature hockey sticks.
Our blogger, a bit of a pack rat, loves to keep memorabilia from his life, as can be seen by the numerous trinkets placed upon his book shelf, coupled with plaques, postcards, posters, and other things that also start with the letter 'p'!
What's this? Double allegience?! What a shocking discovery in the halls of Chateau de Lune! Nonetheless, Mr. Turner will never be able to give up the fact that the Devils own his soul after living much of his life in New Jersey, even if the Blue Jackets own his heart!
Ah yes, Chateau de Lune's base of operations, where Mr. Turner takes care of his daily classwork responsibilities, as well as surfs the Internet (also known as a "Series of Tubes") whenever he has free time. His family, lovers of the island of Nantucket off of the Massachusetts's mainland, made sure that even he had a piece of Nantucket memorabilia in his home that suited his love for hockey.
Besides the bedroom, how does Michael live in the lap of semi-luxury while in his living room? Let's take a look!
Nothing screams luxury quite like a beautiful (p)leather couch, filled to capacity with several pillows for maximum comfort. Side tables at either side ... and is that a plastic jar of animal crackers we see on the right? Looks like someone has a dirty secret even while he's been losing weight!
Here at Chateau de Lune, a flat-screen TV with PS2, X-Box, and a surround sound stereo system are what make this fine establishment all the rage for parties! Alas, without HDTV, Mr. Turner's hockey offerings are just not up to snuff.
This is where our courteous host of Chateau de Lune makes his various delicacies, ranging from spaghetti with meatballs to chocolate chip cookies, and even the occasional chicken parmesan! Unlike his previous living arrangements, this fine kitchen also has the added benefit of automatic dining ware and cutlery cleaning (a dishwasher!), meaning you won't be finding any spots on this man's plates or spoons!
And what Chateau would be complete without a beautiful dining room? With a trio of Target-bought chairs, bamboo and rubber plants for atmosphere, and hockey-related books alongside a few of the owner's own hockey sticks for a taste of Mr. Turner's personal passion, you'll be quite comfortable whenever you sit down to chow down!
-----------
Now that my horrendous mockery of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, as well as playful ribbing of IPB Manor is out of the way, you now see what I've been busy with for much of July, getting ready for my move and taking care of a variety of other things. I only got settled in just this weekend, and Mr. Turner Sr. is currently here, so I won't be making any new updates until at least Wednesday, when he heads home and I have the rest of the week to myself before my classes start at Ohio Dominican next Monday.
If anyone has sent me an e-mail over the past couple of weeks inquiring as to link exchanges or asking for my opinion on this Blue Jackets' situation or that Blue Jackets' scenario (and I know I've seen them floating around my totally overpacked e-mail box), send again or just comment here. I'm awful at responding to such things whenever I'm in the middle of something as big as all of this.
Oh, and for a few more Chateau de Lune pictures, click here! The 'Lune' part is a reference to my online handle, by the way ... Chateau de Ohio just didn't sound right, and Chateau de Army sounded even worse.
Labels: non-hockey related, slice-of-life
