Frantic Friday: The Mastodonian Edition ....(NSFW)

Believe it or not, not ALL Frantic Fridays are about my quest to find the


Somehow they just kind of manage to wind their way back to that topic and today, well today could just be more of the same. We'll just have to wait and see.

The title today is because I figure that even the famed G-Vegas could use a little freshen up once in awhile and with the Winter Olympics coming to a close and Mastodon Weekend just one short week away, why not Mastodonia?

In my current "semi-retired" (some would offer retarded) state of flux, very little is winding this kid too far up these days. But the upcoming Mastodon Weekend in south cackalacky, well it seems to be doing just the trick.


~photo totally ripped off of AlCantHang

I'll make it to up to you Al! Perhaps as we share a shot of SoCo and continue our heated debate on,


Sure it's not a Winter Gathering, or Summer week in Vegas. The crowd will not be a hundred strong and most definitely, there will be no storming of the Castle involved.(unless of course there is and then... well)

Don't get me wrong, I love the times we throw a hundred something of us at any given time into any given situation. Some of my fondest memories and a few of the craziest things I've ever seen or done, have all come from such occasions to be certain. But I've said it before and I'll swear by it today. The recurring theme that drives me to want to be part of our incredible little community of invisible friends is, the smaller and much more intimate gatherings that occur here and there. The Bash, EH-Vegas and Mastodon Weekend all hold that special edge for me and can best be described as, times frequently flitting on that fine, fine line, of normalcy and insanity.

We had six short hours of hilarity and good times down there last year, as Peb's and I could only manage to make an appearance at the bar for the Saturday night festivities that time around. This time however we're in for at least the Friday and Saturday and one thing is for certain, we can't wait to see everyone and spread a few of our chips and cheers around, while surrounded by a several of our very favourite folks.

So bring on the drinks, discussions and debauchery!

I've got some serious stuff to rant about, with a few of the attendees this year. Just so they are fair discussions, here's the advance notice on each of them.

Items will include but are not limited to,

Pauly: I want to discuss why The TAO of Poker would choose a Danish or two,


over some fresh dericious


SUSHI?

Al: I think Tanith Belbin provides a pretty good argument here,


for getting behind Figure Skating in the US don't you? Perhaps we should discuss.

Badblood: I say Aerial Skiing IS a sport and those athletes like Lacy here,


seem to be in rather Athletic condition.

Possibly even a Badblood butt bonus candidate for


of the year?

STB: I really want to discuss those stupid jean looking things that the US snowboarders were wearing. I'm afraid I'm going to have to stick with the lovely American Linn Haug on this one and say,


there just wasn't any place for them at the Olympics.

Oh and that Dallas Cowboy thing you've got going on, that's ridonkulous too! Why the hell would you cheer for them, when everyone knows Canadian Cowgirls


are what you should really be getting behind!

Let's see, what else?

Oh yeah, The Doc!

Uh Doc a Ferrari? Really? I mean yes, it's red and it's fast but what else? I'd like to see you get a little more out of something that you're going to put all of that time and effort into, so here's something red and fast that I personally think


you'd get a hell of a lot more mileage and enjoyment out of!

I know how passionate you are about it though and I'm sure you'll


despite my little message here. I'd still like to talk about OK?

Alright, exactly one week to go from right...... NOW!

Pitter patter little calendar thingy, let's get att'er!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Canadian girls rule....

That's why Canadian boys drool!

Four more medals, seven personal bests and three broken records yesterday alone. Our girls are RAWKIN' the podium, screw owning it!

Oh and some Hockey guys beat Russia.

And that is your Olympic update for today.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Something special just for you....

So there's this real writer type guy I know and he's put a little sumpin-sumpin' together, purely for our enjoyment. I like folks like that, don't you?

Well you should!

There's a new link to it down on the bottom right there, so you'll always be able to find it. But for the extremely lazy, here's the instant way to get over to
Red Dirt Review.

There's a PDF link there with some of the best directions on use, I think I've ever seen.

The link goes directly to Volume 1 and as far as I can see, there's only one minor issue with the whole thing. The Editor over there let *some donk participate and as always, that muddies up the credibility of such things right off. But believe me, it's totally worth checking out the real writers that entered their work.
(even the Jew. Shhhhh)

:)

I hope you enjoy it, every bit as much as I have.

*Disclaimer ~ Any resemblance between "some donk" and the Editor in chief around these parts is completely coincidental. Legal has been informed accordingly.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

It's all about heart....

US Coach Ron Wilson on the game;
"In fairness, Canada out-chanced us two-to-one for most of the game and our goalie played excellent," said Wilson.

Ya think!

I'm a Devils fan through and through and Marty B., well he's just the best that's ever played the position IMHO. However, I have no idea who the hell that was in net for either team last night.

Miller stood on his head, stopping 42 of the 45 shots taken by the Canadians. While Brodeur looked out of sorts, confused and quite often, he looked a little too disinterested in the actual play on the ice. What the hell was with that Baseball swing he was trying to make, when all he had to do was simply place the puck behind the net? So not a Marty mistake!

Cindy Crosby may have gotten a goal but when Rick Nash is the team leader out on the ice in any game the Canadians play, the opposition has the ugly game that they want. That IMO, will almost always lead to a loss for Canada. I think Miss. Crosby could've learned a thing or two from the Russia/Czech Republic game. Nothing like having your "star" player in Ovechkin, lay out the other teams "star" player in Jagr, with a beautiful open ice hit. As I've said here before I'm not a huge fan of either Ovechkin or Crosby to be honest, but there's no denying their stats. I'm just saying that in yesterday's games that meant so very much to the teams that were playing, there can be no doubt that Ovechkin showed up when it counted and Cindy, not so much from what I saw.

Unless they can pull some semblance of team play and atmosphere together soon, I see no reason to call that group of Hockey phenoms "Team" Canada at all and that, well that just breaks my heart.

Coach Mike Babcock's job was to pull these stars together and put the best team he could out on the ice and now more than ever, he needs to do his job well. Now it's not all on his shoulders since the players obviously need to show up, but that is his job.

So last night we got beat between the pipes, as Miller was far superior to Marty in almost every single way. Then we got beat between the bluelines as former Devils Rafalski and Langenbrunner with the Canucks Ryan Kesler, all showed up for the big game and were dominant players for the American side. All we brought to the party was the outstanding grit, heart and determination of one Rick Nash. So we also got beat between the rib cages I believe, as I think the American team out-hearted us when it mattered the most. Add to that what Wilson got out of his talent vs. Mike Babcock and I'd have to say, we got beat between the ears as well.

All that's left to see now is, if the real Team Canada players will show up for the remainder of this event. They most certainly have the talent and at times last night, they were more than a handful of difficulty when they showed it. But unless they can bring that attitude and heart for a full 60 minutes every time, I see a very disappointed nation in our near future. BUT ! Lord help anyone in their way, if these guys do manage to put it all together!

In other Olympic news;

Petra Majdic of Slovenia, WHAT A STORY!

Did anyone else watch the Womens Cross Country Classic Sprint?

During a training run right before the big race Petra tumbled off the course, falling about 10 feet and onto some rocks. Badly bruised and confused, Petra worked her way over to the starting line a bit later.

Turns out, Petra Majdic was more than just bruised when she won bronze in the individual classical sprint on Wednesday. The Slovenian cross-country star was found to have broken four ribs and suffered a collapsed lung from the earlier fall.

HOLY SHIT!

If I were Mike Babcock I'd have THAT story plastered all over the dressing room walls, as a reminder of just how important it is to bring a lot of heart to every single moment of these Olympic games!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Defining Canadian....

You just won an Olympic Gold Medal in Skeleton Jon,


what's next for a used car salesman and auctioneer with a maple leaf tattooed over his heart?

“Well I’ve got doping, then I hope a beer"


Fuckin' EH !

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday : The New Wheels Edition....(NSFW)

Normally with the big news conference coming up with Tiger, I'd stay in and laugh at whatever he could possibly have to say. I can't wait to hear how he thinks this little speech is going to dig him out of the giant


he's dug for himself!

I mean let's face it, the dudes got some serious


But once they announced that he was too chicken shit to face all of the tough questions that the media would want to ask him, I just didn't care about it at all anymore. So Tiger gets caught playing


nine at a couple or more new courses, who cares if he isn't man enough to face up to it and face the media when it's going to be hard on him? Not me!

I'm going to spend the day doing something useful. I'm off to see my buddy the


to see if I can find a new set of wheels.

Well not NEW exactly, but new to me.

My bud told me that there's a gently


little beauty on the lot right now.

Said it's got almost everything I'm looking for too! It's painted in


one of my all time favourite colours!

Also said it had some kind of funky interior that I'm going to love.

I just hope "funky" doesn't mean some crazy


crap or anything weird like that.

There are a couple of things that worry me about the vehicle though, considering it's age.

I'm a huge believer in


and hopefully, this baby's got'em.

Based on our law up here, I also have to worry about


and what it'll be worth to make that happen for this classic.

I imagine some of you out there not from around these parts, are wondering why the hell is he worried about the damn


Well you see, it's the law that all new vehicles produced for this country come with automatic


as a safety feature.

I guess someone, somewhere in the think tank that always costs me money, has decided to put forth a bill to government that will make it retroactive to the classics.

Personally I see no reason to do it at all, but I don't write the laws. It's never been proven that having your lights on in the daytime, in any way helps stop accidents from happening.

They might as well introduce a bill mandating that you wear


when you drive. It's just as ludicrous in my mind!

So the damn things might be required, although they are not exactly


for stopping accidents or anything. That means they will cost a lot of people a whack of cash, just to figure out how to install them.

Well I'm off to see this beast, wish me luck.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

2010 Winter Olympics; The review....

I have dozens of reasons why I'm proud to call my man RIGGS Brudder. The main one however is his ability to see through a lot of the crap out there, and then give an honest and fact based review of most any situation. So here in my little corner of all things intertuble, I thought I'd really try and do the same.

The 2010 Winter Olympics are well underway and one thing is for absolute certain, there is NO shortage of opinions or perspectives on everything that's gone on to date. That of course is always going to happen, when one country puts itself out there for the rest to judge. Fortunately or unfortunately, that's just human nature. Typically that's what gives us all some shit to talk about around the water cooler the next day. So I think I'll start at the beginning, and then I'll try to pick a few highlights as I go along my way through to today.

The opening ceremonies -

Someone else said it better than I could have ever dreamed of doing!

I will add this one thought though. Watching 60,000 people rise as one to salute the team from Georgia for continuing on in the Olympic spirit despite the loss of a friend and fellow competitor, was pretty damn tough. It hit a spot deep in my heart that until that exact moment, I'd been unaware of it's presence within me.

Death at The Luge -

I guess this was what the World will remember as the real beginning of the 2010 games isn't it. In a way that's a little sad as it reflects on the glory of the games themselves but honestly, it should be that way. Let it serve as a stark reminder to each of us, just how short our time on this planet truly could be. I know some will have an issue with my perspective on his passing but if you want to really know what I think, here it is....

Nodar Kumaritashvili was living his ultimate dream, right up until his death. I think his passing was tragic because of his FAR too young age of 21 but in reality, how many times have you told someone you know, "When I go, I hope it's doing something I truly love."

I'd also like to remind those that want to pick on the Canadian track officials for making it unsafe, or those that think the International Luge Federation did something wrong, ATHLETES DIE IN SPORTS! Give your heads a shake right now and please, remember that one simple fact. For those of you with tunnel vision or incredibly shortened memories due to the tragedy of this event, I offer you a little study material as a quick reminder that ALL sports are dangerous.

Here's the current list of Athletes that have died in their careers. Now of course there are dozens of "car crash" and "drug overdose" deaths in there but as you review it, I think you'll be surprised to remember how many of those deaths were related to the sport itself.

Nodar became the sixth athlete killed during an Olympic event, all of them while performing in the sport they truly loved. I hate it for each of them, I really do. BUT.... I feel way worse for the innocent Austrian Team Doctor killed in a freak Ski accident back in 1988 during the games. I would also ask you to honestly reflect on this. How can we compare the death of an athlete choosing to fly down a hill of ice at 144 KPH on what amount to two razor blades, to those killed in the Munich Massacre in 1972?

A death in the Olympics is a terrible accident but precluded very clearly, by the last line in The Olympic Athletes Oath. "For the glory of sport and the honor of our teams."


R.I.P. Nodar

Our first Gold medal on home soil -

I can't begin to imagine what it would have felt like, to be sitting there live while it happened. I nearly offed myself with a celebration here in the basement of the cave. Then the real story started to evolve. No grandstanding, 'look at me, I'm the greatest' or 'wow, I'm going to be filthy rich now that I've done it' attitude. There wasn't even a smug look that told the world, 'I knew I was going to win this thing.' No, not this time. This time you see, a Canadian won the Gold.

Young Alexandre Bilodeau added to the definition of what it truly is to be Canadian. It's said that you can always tell the Canadian in any crowd. They'll be the one standing perfectly still in a busy spot, as they get bumped into buy a stranger in a rush to get somewhere else at the time. The Canadian will be the one apologizing for the contact!

When asked about what it meant for him to be the first ever Canadian to win on home soil, Master Bilodeau spoke with National pride about his teams chances to open the floodgate for the rest of the games. He told the world how proud he was of the strength of his team and how his teammates, had made the experience complete for him during these games.

"It's just the beginning, I think," Bilodeau said. "There are so many Canadians coming up in the other sports. … I'll be in the stands cheering for them."


When it came time for the second Gold medal, it was done right once again. Maelle Ricker became the first woman to win Gold on home soil and just as young Alexandre did, Maelle did our nation proud. When given the opportunity by a reporter to take a shot at fellow competitor Lindsey Jacobellis for her poor result in the Olympics again, her quote of

"It was really, really hard today to get a clean run all the way down the course, but I just held on and did my best."

made my heart swell with pride.


Well done to each of them, for getting the ball on the roll.

Despite getting those two Gold medals into this review, I am not ALL about the medals when it comes to events like the Olympics. Yes they are great and I for one will not be afraid to celebrate them with our athletes. But in all honesty I cheer just as loud for a Canadian that finishes 36 in the Biathlon, with a new personal best time or score. To me, that is what these games represent. Doing the best you can when the moment comes to do so. But you don't have to be Canadian for this household to get behind you. To me that is the Olympic spirit and if I get the opportunity to scream at the top of my lungs for Dachhiri Sherpa from Nepal during his Cross Country event, be damned sure I'll be doing it. The athletes, the Olympics and more importantly, the true meaning behind the Olympic spirit, fully deserve at least that much respect to me.

Speaking of respect, there is one last thing I'd like to mention.

This in my opinion,


was a great way to have fun with the whole team spirit image, that every nation tries to exemplify during the games.

This on the other hand,


looks like a kid at the local bunny hill, thinking about doing his first air to fakie.

Thousands upon thousands of dollars go into each Olympic Teams every single move and the best the Americans could come with is, "Let's make them look like jeans?"

So there you have it for now kids, that's my $0.02 worth.
Have at it!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Bammer ad infinitum....

ad infinitum -

–adverb
to infinity; endlessly; without limit.

All I need to remember now is.....

Was it the 3s - 9c,


or was it the 3c - 9s?


No no, I'm pretty sure it was the 3s - 9c!


But you're right! It might have been the 3c - 9s


Maybe I just remember it being the 3s - 9c?


Ya see, I was right!

Maybe you were confused with the 3d - 9c hand?


No silly, not THAT one! This one.


Listen, I know it can get a bit confusing and all, but try to pay attention would you? That's the second time you got the hands all mixed up.

What? You don't remember the last time?

I do! You confused the 3c - 9h


for the 9h - 3c!


Thankfully though, that wasn't quite as bad as that time you 'effed up those other two starting hands remember?

Ah yes it seems like only yesterday to me, when you were sure you were seeing the 9h - 3d


and all the while, you really held the 9d - 3h!


Like you, I think it's way easier to remember it when they come in two colours. When that I happens I always remember them. Like this little beauty the 9s - 3h


or also known as one of my all time faves in the game, the Bammer beauty!


Just look at the curves on that babe!

Honestly, we all know I wouldn't know what to do with a half decent hand anyways right? Take this all-in on the flop Donkey move I made for example.


( Your $1 is uuuuhhhhh...... in the mail. Ya, that's it )

I'm going to go back into training, in order to get better at this game. Training for me though, is seeing exactly how Peb's is holding the mouse when she gets crap like this to happen all the time.


There has to be a secret that I'm missing out on, when you can get two pair to make a call of $1200 on the river of THAT board!

But until I learn what it is, I guess I'll just *sigh ad infinitum.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Spring cleaning....

Ya I know.......

It's not exactly looking anything like Spring around these parts either! But this little corner of the intertubles could use a little sprucing up just the same.

I know I've ignored the place a touch lately, (nothing like some who shall go nearly nameless) and it's certainly not for lack of material. In fact I think since my semi-retirement went into effect, I've actually been busier than I was while sitting around generating taxes for this great nation of ours!

No, I think the shortage of posts around here is more in empathy for the general lackluster status of blogging right now. Some continue to create and jot those thoughts down for all to share of course but is it just me, or has has anyone else noticed a really serious trend around our circle of friends, to let the spaces we normally visit everyday sit stagnant for weeks at a time? I'm really not trying to call anyone out here, it's just an observation on my part.

Could it be the Winter blahs? Who knows?

Well I'm going to do a little Spring clean up around here just in case. So over the next couple of days the list of links just to the right there, will be modified accordingly. Please take no offence if I make the cull and your place was part of it because truly, none is meant. I just feel the need to freshen things up around here a bit and honestly, the link wouldn't have been there in the first place, if I didn't like dropping by to see what you had to say. But when there is nothing being said, dropping by becomes harder and harder all the time. So again I mean no disrespect at all, I just want to freshen up a little so I feel a little bit better going forward. After all.......... IT IS all about me right!

For those not linked up that drop in here and want me to know about it, this would be as good a time as any to do something about that. Like I don't know, UH... maybe go ahead and let me know!

I promise that I'm going to try really, REALLY hard not to turn this spot into an Olympics Blog over the next couple of weeks but be warned, I'm not just a certified card carrying and fully chartered member of Winterolympicahaulics Unanimous.

I'm the effin' President!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

The Haircut....

Did you ever have one of those mornings where you're totally focused on just one thing? I'm having one right now and for me today.... it's all about the Haircut.

So may I present to you....

The Haircut of the day.



It also came with a bonus trim.



Don't know why exactly, but I feel better now.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....

Frantic Friday: The Superbowl Edition...(NSFW)

Well, the Superbowl weekend is finally here! It's time for the big game where one of the most common phrases across America is clearly going to be,


could I ask you to


Yes Americans all across the country will be getting jammed up from the second they wake up


until the game finally comes to an end.

I don't really get all that fired up for Superbowl Sunday, unless of course my Packers are playing. For those of you that didn't know, I'm a huge


But alas, my Pack didn't make the big game again this year. Leaving me less enthused about


this weekend, than I probably should be.

OH right! I should let the readers across the pond know that this is American


we're talking about here.

Not the game of Footy


you're more accustomed to watching.

Of course there are kickers in the


just not of the same quality or style as the better players in "proper" Football,


that you may be used to.

There's also a lot more officials on the playing field than in Footy, in an effort to get the plays called correctly. I think the Americans call them


Zebras, because of the black and white striped uniforms they wear.

Like you Footy fans, I don't care what the hell they're called. As long as they don't get in the way of the game, and make the right call each and every single time. To me, nothing can ruin any special sporting event like



Now before you Footy fans turn up your noses at American Football, there are a few things I think will help you appreciate the game a little more, once you learn a bit more about it.

For instance, what's not to like about a


Tight End?

Of course there's also


Wide Receivers that often keep the game interesting.

Now I know what you're thinking, most of the Quarterbacks in the NFL are pansies that are media whores and for the most part, I tend to agree with you there.

I mean, what does it really take to stand behind a


tough bunch of dudes called


The Front Line and follow the coaches


after all, right?

Well I'll tell you what, I don't think this Sunday's Superbowl is going to come down to the two Quarterback's that are playing in the game. They'll of course be a part of the game as always, but I think the real key to winning this Superbowl game will be at a very key position that isn't the Quarterback.

I think it's going to come down to which team has the best


Nose Tackle on the field for the entire game.

That's a critical position in big games in my humble opinion and therefore, I give the edge to the Colts this Sunday.

There you have it. That's my pick for Superbowl Sunday now if you'll excuse me, Coach tells me that I need to hit


the showers.

Enjoy the game everyone and on this Frantic Friday going into Superbowl Sunday, ask yourself this


for some Football!

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....