For the Turnstiles

Jeremy Roenick is one of my favourite NHLers, has been since my childhood infatuation with the Chicago Blackhawks. I think he's one of the players the league needs to have out there to market themselves, because he's got personality to spare. Now, for those that haven't seen the updates, he was cranked with a legal check against the boards by Denis Gauthier that has resulted in a concussion. A check, as noted, and by Roenick's own admission, that was completely legal. That hasn't stopped Roenick and some others from using the public airwaves to proclaim how physical hockey has no place in the pre-season.

Bull. New or old NHL there are different skill sets from different players, all of whom want to make a living playing in the bigs. Roenick's role is to score points and lead in the dressing room, and he does it well. He's got a spot on the Kings lineup no matter how he plays this pre-season. Denis Gauthier is not so lucky, as he's not an offensively gifted player. He's a grinder, a hitter, and someone who's value comes when you need that player taken off the puck. I could care less what part of the season the game is in, the hitters hit and the scorers score. If you came up the ice with your head down because you thought your opponents were busy laying out the red carpet that's your problem - play smarter next time and you might save yourself.

Oh, and after I got over inappropriately laughing at the constant references to "The Black Family" on 'The Amazing Race' last night I found some time to get angry there too. You're telling me ONLY ONE GUY recognized Kevin and Drew? FFS.

Today's Random Links
Remember Spank the Monkey? Similar game...
Clips from the new 'Family Guy' movie
A 'Lost' fan with WAY too much time

After the Gold Rush

I decided to take the plunge tonight and join the PVR revolution, and it went surprisingly easy. Mary picked it up on the way home from work, I swapped it out, fired it up and it worked. So, for those not in the know, I now have the ability to "tape" shows to a hard drive in my set-top box, or pause/rewind live television. You can tape up to two shows and watch a third, so it's hard to not catch the things you want to see. So far so good - works like a charm and fun as any new toy should be.

This weekend is Network Wars X, the tenth network gaming weekend amongst me and my geeky little friends. Odd, however, that there is a bit of a rift occurring as we speak. A few of us have begun to leave the gaming world behind in favour of music, so it'll be interesting to see how the weekend turns out. I know Sunday a few of us will be heading downtown where the plan is for me to buy a new Washburn D10S in a black finish and head over to busk with it for a short while on Neil Young's star. It's good to have goals.

Today's Random Links Guitars Rick Wants
Washburn D46SCE12 Southwestern Series 12-String Acoustic
Gibson Eric Clapton Crossroads ES-335 Electric
Rickenbacker 370/12 Electric Twelve String
Washburn N6 Signature Series Electric
Gretsch G6120BK Nashville Electric

Washburn M1SDL Mandolin (black)
Washburn B14 Banjo

Come On Baby Let's Go Downtown

I was shocked that 'Rock Star: INXS' got so popular as it got near the end, to the point where a show that saw 1/3 of its episodes moved off-network will now almost certainly get a second run next summer. So, of course, the band names are now being thrown about. The most obvious ones are Van Halen and Queen, although I'm almost certain Queen recently hired a new singer. I was thinking Blind Melon, and someone on a message board has pitched Alice in Chains - both good picks. Any thoughts from y'all?

Spent the weekend in Peterborough celebrating the fifth anniversary. Some people owe us money, we weren't supposed to last this long. But, alas, we have, mostly by failing to see each other for extended periods of time. Let me state in public that the one mistake I made back then was not insisting to my wife that I include a 6th groomsman, instead choosing to sissy out and simply select those who had selected me. You deserved better, my man.

Finally, allow me a moment to vent about the sudden influx of "grilled to perfection" as a sentence to be used to sell any food item by any restaurant of any level of varying quality. I hate the sound of that phrase in the first place, but now we have the likes of Harvey's and Jack Astor's using it in their radio ads. The only way either of those two are grilling something to perfection is by a one-time stroke of luck measuring magnificent proportions. Jack Astor's can't even make an %$#@ing salad without scraping the lettuce with a salt lick, but let's all trust them with a $25 steak.

Oh, and Mexicali Rosa's in Peteborough makes me realize that I already have the skill set to open a Mexican restaurant. How very disappointing to finally find a restaurant in Canada that sells tamales and for them to end up tasting like that. Blech.

Today's Random Links
Read this before you get the iPod Nano
Neil Young fans will love this thread
Make Stewie do your bidding

Stoled From Shaz

1. Name someone with the same birthday as you: Roberto Alomar - CATCH THE TASTE!
2. Where was your first kiss: 1990
3. Have you ever seriously vandalized someone else's property: Nope
4. Have you ever hit someone of the opposite sex: Only when she gets out of line. That's a joke. No.
5. Have you ever sang in front of a large number of people: Yes
6. Whats the first thing you notice about the opposite/same sex: That depends on the person, but usually clothes or hair
7. What really turns you on: Wow.. family read this site.. no dice.
8. What do you usually order from Starbucks: Grande Cafe Latte with skim milk
9. What is your biggest mistake: Not peeing in the glass bathroom on the 64th floor of Mandalay Bay
10. Have you ever hurt yourself on purpose? Yes
11. Say something totally random about you: "There's a fortune inside your head, all you touch turns to lead."
12. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celebrity: Nobody sober, but I *do* look like Dean Malenko
13. Do you still watch kiddy movies or tv shows: Yes
14. Did you have braces: No
15. Are you comfortable with your height: No
16. What is the most thoughtful thing someone of the opposite sex has done for you: Claimed me for their own
17. When do you know it's love: Chest pains. The good kind.
18. Do you speak any other languages: Not well
19. Have you ever been to a tanning salon: No
20. What magazines do you read: Men's Health
21. Have you ever ridden in a limo: Yes
22. Has anyone you were really close with passed away: *REALLY* close.. probably not.
23. Do you watch MTV: Nope
24. What's something that really annoys you: The Liberal Party of Canada
25. What's something you really like: Waterloo Dark on draught
26. Do you like Michael Jackson: Not a lot, but I'm more tolerant of him than most
27. Can you dance: Who knows?
28. What's the latest you have ever stayed up: 5PM Saturday - I'd woken up around 8AM Friday. Slept 16 hours in 7 days that week.
29. Have you ever thought that you were honestly going to die: Sorry, Kim, has to be said. No. No, I haven't. And I never will.
30. Have you ever been rushed by an ambulance into the emergency room: No.

Skunks, Cows, & Pigs

Shot by overanything.

Found this sign in the window of a costume shop in Peterborough, but it's funnier if you don't know that.

Long May You Run

Sorry, no real entry today - it's the fifth wedding anniversary and my attentions are required elsewhere. See everyone Monday.

Cheers!

Out On The Weekend

I'm addicted to classic rock all of a sudden. Since I started taking up the guitar again with my cousins I've had this rejuvenated interest in music in general, and a new interest in all things 60s/70s. Well, not all things. But many things, most notably Neil Young. So with this infatuation has come Q107 as my station of choice, and thus tonight I have submitted my first Classic Rock Superset in hopes of being played live on air. It is as follows:

Oh, and now I owe Cliff a Golden Griddle story. Back in the days of BBSing Rob and I frequented T.E.A.M., a great Toronto area board specializing in generally being accepted for being strange. A good fit, no doubt. Anyways, we all headed out one night for dinner, and as I recall finally agreed upon the Golden Griddle across from Maple Leaf Gardens during a bout of hunger initiated by a long time for looking for a place to eat that pleased all of us. Once inside we ordered drinks, and sysop Dan ordered a beer. They asked for ID, he'd left it at home (he *was* of age), and they thus refused to serve him. A brief back'n'forth ensued, and was quickly ended when Dan jumped up on his seat and yelled "THERE ARE A MILLION GAY BARS IN THIS CITY THAT WILL SERVE ME!" We were quickly asked to leave by the manager and found ourselves outside, still hungry, and mad at Dan.

And that was the day Rob and I were kicked out/banned from the Golden Griddle.

Today's Random Links
Enquiring minds want to know about Bush's sauce habits
Jeff Tweedy's going on a solo tour

When You Dance I Can Really Love

The right man won the job on 'Rock Star: INXS' last night. All you Marty fans can suck lemons, you've been groomed by years of force-fed Nickelback-esque radio crap to enjoy people like him. He could no sooner front INXS than I could. JD Fortune was the best man for the job as lead singer of INXS and I'm glad he won - I only hope he keeps his sexual recreation to the non-lethal type involving the backs of hotel room doors. I also hope that the ratings surge CBS got on that show as it got to the end means we'll see a second one next summer. I'm thinking 'Rock Star: Blind Melon', perhaps?

I thought 'How I Met Your Mother' was hilarious and it was my third time watching the pilot. 'Kitchen Confidential' is also good, but that's about ended my love of the new season so far. Tonight is 'Invasion', which I feel will be good, and it stars the girl from 'Power Play'. Anyone else remember 'Power Play'? I loved that show.

Finally - tonight is the premiere of 'Lost'. Whatever else you were planning on doing, cancel it.

Cheers!

np FAN590

Today's Random Links
The trailer for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Nice headline here
Canyon Glider
Homerun Durby!

The Losing End (When You're On)

I'm fresh off an attempt to recreate those tacos I had at Mesa Grill, and I actually did pretty good. Bobby Flay is excellent at sharing his recipes, and just about anything he makes on TV or in his restaurants I've been able to find a recipe for online. AND he answers his own e-mail at www.bobbyflay.com. Attitude case, I think not.

I should have images from Vegas up shortly, I'm just in the process of getting them in coherent order now. I took most of today to finally relax a bit and work very little, as it's been non-stop for months. Hopefully I can get back to updates here and the Entertainment section now that Midnight Madness is over. And - I hope y'all can keep a secret - but I'm about to quit all my volunteer commitments. Time to start thinking of me and my future a little bit.

And finally - Neil Young is the best artist of all time.

That is all.. oh, except this from Shaz's site:

np Neil Young, "Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere"

Today's Random Links
The Biggest Loser "Where Are They Now?"
Superman has a small todger
Kip's finally online!
Planet X

... ah crap .. posted this last night but left it in draft mode.. oops..

Slap the Arab (?)

I'm back, and not well. I'm inclined to blame Diego's in MGM Grand where I had dinner last night - a dinner that has not seemed to agree with me. Coupled with my massively red eyes due to allergies and the fact I really haven't slept in a long time, well, I ain't doing well right now. But I'm home, and those who know me know that's where I like to be best.

I spent my last day in Vegas roaming the convention floor during the morning until the early afternoon, then headed by Monorail to Caesar's Palace for lunch at Mesa Grill, the restaurant run by my favourite chef, Bobby Flay. I have to say this was the best meal I've had in Vegas ever, and one of the top ones for me all time. A roasted garlic and sweet corn tamale for an appetizer and chicken tacos for a main. The tacos were cool - you assembled them yourself. They came with a spicy peanut sauce, cilantro and mint leaves, caramelized vidalia onions, and sixteen-spiced chicken skewers. Absolutely amazing. Wish Diego's could have lived up to it for dinner, but alas it did not. Stick with appetizers and drinks if you're there - the drinks are awesome. And at risk of sounding politically incorrect (trust me, this isn't near as mean-spirited as it sounds, as my bud Hani will tell you) be sure to ask Orlando at the bar to mix you up a "Slap the Arab" if you're there. Long story...

Vegas is a great city, no doubt about it. It's a walking city, too, so be sure to bring good shoes should you make it that way. It's truly the land of excess, though. Rather than get in more detail here I'll get my slideshow ready and tell the story there.

Off to watch Survivor - and yes, the picks are up.

Keep It Simple, Stupid

This comes from you as I man the booth on the show floor of G2E. I wasn't actually supposed to have booth duty but some others wanted out early so I volunteered. Most of my day has been running errands for things missing from the booth, and then checking out the giant show floor of this event. This particular one concentrates on all gaming, not just internet, and is thus rather big. Free booze abounds, and I actually took one group up on their offer to try Coors. No,not Coors Light. Coors. In the gold label. Still crap, but so much better than the silver bullet.

The picture below this entry is of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS, who I have since met and had my picture taken with. It was a Polaroid so you won't be seeing it unless I try scanning it - not sure if scanners damage these or not.

Last night was a margarita and some ceviche at Diego's in the MGM Grand, followed by a party at the ESPN Sportszone, and then the fountain show at the Bellagio. Tonight - apparently David Copperfield live, but that's not confirmed yet. I'll let you know.

Cheers!

KISS in Vegas

KISS in Vegas, shot by overanything.

In the Mix

My colleagues are off for a smoke so it's a good time to steal the laptop and write y'all a note. Vegas is.. Vegas. About the same every year, although I haven't had much time to see much yet. Staying at the MGM Grand, which looks like any other hotel when you're in the room, but is a great place otherwise. It's about as big as my entire home town. Dinner last night at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, which was nice. I do have to note that the beer selection in the States is horrid, though. Even a place like that I expected something from could muster up little more than Coors and Sam Adams. There's got to be a market for imported good Canadian microbrewery beer.

Spent last night, only about 30 minutes, at The Mix on the 64th floor of Mandalay. What an amazing view, I hope to have some pictures to share when I get back. Tonight, the Bahama Breeze party, apparently. I'd like to skip it, but that may not be an option.

Cheers!

They Call Me Free (But I Call Me A Fool)

Alas, it is finished. Midnight Madness hit last night, and while the crowds were smaller as expected, the general consensus seems to be that everyone had a great time. Only one very minor oversight saw the event go almost flawless, which is awesome. Mind you, I had two times to try it out. ;)

Rob came by and helped out along with Junior, going above the call of duty once again. He also snapped pictures throughout the night and is taking some time to edit them appropriately, but we'll have them up online shortly.

So, now I leave for Vegas in a few hours and will return Thursday, at which point my life is mine again. For good or bad you can expect more updates again, and another new project on the way that's sure to make at least a few of you quite happy. When I was a small kid I really wanted two things in life, outside of the regular "be rich, healthy, etc.." I wanted to own my own restaurant, and I wanted to run Midnight Madness. So that should be a good hint on where my life plan should be taking me next...

Time to do some investigative research at Bobby Flay and Emeril's restaurants..

Cheers!

Canadian Flags Flying Everywhere

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept 7 (Reuters) - A Canadian search-and-rescue team reached a flooded New Orleans suburb to help save trapped residents five days before the U.S. military, a Louisiana state senator said on Wednesday.

The stricken parish of 68,000 people was largely ignored by U.S. authorities who scrambled to get aid to New Orleans, a few miles (km) away. Boasso said residents of the outlying parishes had to mount their own rescue and relief efforts when Hurricane Katrina roared ashore on Aug. 29.