Valkommen to Alfheim!

Whichever of the candidates that you vote for this upcoming election day is expressly your business. I do hope that voters think about important issues in-depth, rather than just doing the partisan thing without using their minds.
Personally speaking, I try very hard not to be strictly partisan. That being said, I will also openly admit that I do not tend to vote Republican. Ever since the GOP crawled into bed with the televangelist-run "Moral Majority" back at the dawning of the Reagan era, the Republicans have often turned me off.
A fundamentalist theocracy with back-arseward views (and no progress socially, scientifically, or in any other way) is not what the United States should ever be, and that is that.
*ahem*
Anyway...
Sadly, it seems that there are many more potential voters that simply "can't be arsed" to use their minds for much of anything.
Example: The woman who was at a recent rally for John McCain who expressed herself rather bluntly by calling Barack Obama an "Arab."
The Republicans should have used this show of colossal ignorance (from a supporter, no less!) as a rallying point. McCain tried to explain to this sorry creature who apparently could not (a) distinguish her ethnic groups, and (b) mistook a hard-line set of beliefs (Wahhabism) for ethnicity (she said 'Arab') that no, Obama was not an Arab.
Instead of trying to explain anything to this sorry creature that spoke so ignorantly, McCain should have said something like this to the rest of the audience:
"You see, folks? This is why we need to invest so much more in improving the public education system in the United States!"

In the words of good ol' Alice Cooper: "School's Out!"

The rush to get to work this morning was nutters to begin with (and a story, no matter how pointless, has to have a starting point). One massive traffic snarl blocked a major part of West Broad, backing up vehicles. I prepared my "late to work 'cos of nasty traffic" speech and re-routed as quickly as possible. Which was not that quick, really.
At the office, a whole lot of people were schlepping around the downstairs lobby--some of whom were co-workers. Almost all of them gave the same dire warning:
"It's HOT up there."
Okay...how bad can something like a broken down HVAC unit be?
I decided to find out. Floor two, please.
FWOOSH!
Welcome to Sauna-World (tm).
Everyone present put in some effort to get some stuff done; after all, there'd been word that the HVAC repair folks have been called.
Nothing doing.
By the end of it all, most people were either standing in front of their appointed prison cels---erm, 'Workstations,'--waving handheld fans around or fiddling with plastic electronic mini-fans (which just blow the hot air around).
Like kids in public schools, we all got dismissed from work for the rest of the day, as the HVAC would likely be down until afternoon hours.
Who says you can't have a happy ending on a monday?

Pardon the rather crap-tacular photos-- it's the photo booth application on my trusty 'mac... but here they are, the most sugary little pepper-pots of Dooooooom!!!!

http://www.flixter.com/poll/which-doctor-who-character-are-you


--'Cos I gotta know these things. ;)

I was suitably impressed with Rosie Connolly's pub on Saturday night. Of course, what made it particularly nice was the room full of Ba-Heads from past and present-- and where there are Ba-Heads, there's Uisce Beatha (as the old precautionary statement goes).
Marian outdid herself in organizing the whole thing, and it turned out pretty damn spiffy.
The night started out kind of wibbly-wobbly, though, with the cab driver from Hell (tm). The guy arrived, alright-- and then promptly took off, sans passengers. Apparently he was none too pleasant to another one of the scheduled riders, and the whole thing was aggrivating to say the least.
Grantham was the person who bailed us all, and he deserved a well-earnt pint or two for the effort and the kindness.
As I have not gone to Rare Olde Times on Thursdays for quite a while, it was a great thing to see a lot of familiar faces all under one roof.

Lord Stanley's Cup is in the right hands and going to the right place: Hockeytown (Detroit)!

The Red Wings came back with a vengeance on their road trip in Pittsburgh. After one loss, the Wings took game three in Mellon Arena--putting the kiddie-kids in their place. Next stop is home (Joe Louis Arena)-- and maybe a good wrap-up.
Lord Stanley's cup is ready to be placed in the right team's hands.

All kids get off of the ice!
The much-anticipated game one of the Stanley Cup Finals became a 4-0 victory for the Detroit Red Wings. Pittsburgh played hard (and had many a chance)--but the senior statesmen of the NHL showed the kids how it is done. The game was played in Detroit's Joe Louis Arena, but fans in Pittsburgh got to attend a broadcast of the game inside the Mellon Arena.
Retired Captains Mario Lemieux (team owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins) and Steve Yzerman (all round greatest Red Wings captain ever and still on the board behind the scenes) made an appearance, too. They participated in a ceremonial dropping of the puck to get things rolling. This in itself was a real gem to see, as was Al Sobotka, the most celebrated Octopus twirler of all time...
Let's hope the 'Wings can keep up the pace and claim Lord Stanley's hardware!

The Detroit Red Wings just sent the Dallas Stars down the elevator shaft--not but short while ago.
The Stanley Cup final round will see Detroit pitted against the Huggies Diaper Pee-Wee Youth Hockey Allstars...erm, I mean, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In all seriousness, Pittsburgh's "kid factor" is a plus for them. They have some seriously hot talents such as their captain, Sidney Crosby, as well as his playground playmates...er, team-mates, Evgeni Malkin and Marian Hossa.
Their parents have set a play date, to be sure.
On the other side, Detroit has the finest D in the league as their leader (Nicklas Lidstrom), and a team that is a blend of wise, wily older vets and young guys (though not as young as the Pens) who are equally stellar. Goalie Chris Osgood has been superb.
The last stage of the playoffs begins this Saturday on Versus network.
Get your red on and go throw an octopus on the ice.

Yes, I finally got a demo ride in the TARDIS (*ahem*. A Mini-Cooper). All I have to say is--
HOLY S***!!!
Okay, let me also add a resounding--
w00t!
Sadly, the vehicle did NOT come with an adorable David Tennant lookalike scrunched up in the back seat, but that's a relatively minor thing to overlook, in'nit? ;)
Oh, did I already say w00t ?
You really ought to check one out if you've never seen the innards of a Mini before. While the standard is amazingly roomy, if you are a driver that needs to install a child restraint seat you might be out of luck. On the other hand, if you don't have to think about such, then the car is absolutely perfect. It sounds bloody brilliant, has one hell of an acceleration, and it clings to curves in the road like Captain Jack Harkness clutching to the TARDIS for dear life.
I'm won over-- that's for damn certain.

In case you missed it (or in case you're sick of my Stanley Cup Playoffs jibberish): The Detroit Red Wings mowed down the Colorado Avalanche in a killer four-game sweep. The Avs played plenty hard-- but the 'Wings simply outclassed them (not too hard a thing, right?). The last game was a monster win with the final score being a mind-boggling 8-2.
The most incredible thing to watch (aside from the cool demeanor and superb play of captain Nicklas Lidstrom) has been his fellow Swedish countryman, Johan Franzen. He's been nothing short of excellent, and he has really helped propel the red-and-white machine forward. Heck, the entire Swedish Seven has been a joy to watch throughout the season.
One more great thing for the 'Wings is the return of Darren McCarty--a tough-as-nails character guy who is absolutely worth cheering for. Seeing him take on the Avs one more time makes all 'Wings fans sentimental, too.

Speaking of all things 'Wings, "The Professor" himself, Igor Larionov, will be inducted into the IIHF Hockey Hall of Fame this month. Larionov was never the biggest of hockey players (5'9" and about 175 or less), nor was he a nasty thug. He is a brilliant, literate, and well-spoken gentleman, a product of the old Soviet hockey system under the harsh control of famed and feared coach Viktor Tikhonov. Larionov spoke out for the rights of Russian athletes, and he (along with fellow legend "Papa Bear" Viyacheslav Fetisov) won in the end. Both the Professor and Papa Bear played in the NHL for the remainder of their careers, and are beloved of fans worldwide.
Larionov retired in 2004, but his influence --on the Red Wings in particular--is felt to this day.
I suspect the rest of the guys are still afraid to take him on in a game of chess, too. ;)


Latest standing: The Red Wings will be facing either the Dallas Stars or San Jose Sharks (so far the Stars lead in their series 3-2). The Eastern Conference is still an unknown, even though the Pittsburgh Penguins lead in their series against the New York Rangers 3-1. Also, the Philadelphia Flyers have won their series versus the Montreal Canadiens 4-1.

The Detroit Red Wings were expected to encounter difficulty with their modern-era nemesis, the Colorado Avalanche. So far in the first two games, there seems to be no problem at all (unless you are a Colorado fan. If you are, this LJ is the wrong place to be. I've got no love for the Avs). Colorado's primary goaltender, Jose Theodore, has been very poor in his starts, and has been replaced part-way in both games by Peter Budaj, who is a bit more solid in net.
Detroit's own Chris Osgood has been fantastic in the net, ever since replacing old-timer (and legend) Dominik Hasek. While Hasek is an amazing guy, he did display a bit of shakiness in round one (vs. the Nashville Predators).

As confident as I am that the Red Wings will move on to the next round, this current series is not going to be a five-game sweep. The Avs are not a team to be underestimated, after all. My prediction is perhaps a five or six game affair. We'll see.

Sadly, the Washington Capitals went down the elevator last night after a massive game 7 which went into overtime. The Philadelphia Flyers move on to round 2 whilst Ovie and the gang take the long breather. Joining the Caps on the golf course are: the Nashville Predators, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, and the New Jersey Devils.

Here's what the slate looks like for round 2:

EAST:
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Montreal Canadiens
New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

WEST:
Colorado Avalanche vs. DETROIT RED WINGS (begins on Thursday, believers!)
Dallas Stars vs. San Jose Sharks

The Detroit Red Wings have sent the Nashville Predators back to rhinestone cowboy hell. Round two in the playoffs is coming up, and you know I'll be watching.
The Washington Capitals are in a do-or-die match tonight: they must win against the Philadelphia Flyers in order to tie their series at 3-3. If they can pull through, game seven will be the next do-or-die. You get the picture.
On the side note: The New York Rangers managed to get by the New Jersey Devils! Dig that!

The "Torchwood" season finale, "Exit Wounds" (how aptly titled) was both very good-- and a little bittersweet in the end. I will give no spoilers here--that's for those "Aint It Cool News" types to do--, only encourage folks to discover this program. One good thing: James Marsters returned. ((*season 3! season 3! WANT!*))

Thursday night was Game One for the Best God-Damn Hockey Team In the Universe. That would be the Detroit Red Wings, of course. They played a tight game against the Nashville Predators, and came out with a 3-1 victory.
Two members of the "Swedish Seven" were responsible for the 'Wings goals: Johan Franzen and Henrik Zetterberg (2 goals for Z!). Game two will be played (in Detroit) on Saturday afternoon on NBC. And if you're paying attention, you might even see that strange (but enthusiastic) "Mo Cheez" guy dancing in the stands. And an octopus or two tossed out onto the --erm--"ice bar."


Friday night (Game One) was a major battle for the Washington Capitals, who are up against the Philadelphia Flyers for their first series in the long march through the Stanley Cup playoffs. The 'Caps won, but not without busting their bums to get it. Washington's goal-getters for the night were Donald Brashear (who DIDN'T have to hurt anyone to get it), Dave Steckel, Mike Green (2 goals), and after a big "wait ---for---it!" couple of periods , Alexander Ovechkin drove it home with the game-winning last goal.
The Capitals face the Flyers on Sunday afternoon for game 2.

Don't forget that Torchwood's second season is winding down to it's finale (tonight is the second-to-last!). Yah, it makes me wanna cry and beg for new episodes RIGHT DAMN NOW!, but the BBC doesn't capitulate to whinging fans.
Also, Doctor Who season 4 begins with a very belated Christmas special episode, "Voyage of the Damned", this Friday night on SciFi (wot! Not BBC-America!?). I've heard a mixed bag review of it, some folks claiming it was fun, and others saying it was so-so. Yours truly has avoided spoilers in order to judge it fairly.

To date:
Colorado Avalanche vs Minnesota Wild : Avs (1)
Calgary Flames vs San Jose Sharks: Flames (1)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs Ottawa Senators: Pens (1)
New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils: NYR (1)

Tonight will see game one for:

DETROIT REDWINGS vs Nashville Predators, 7pm
Anaheim Ducks vs Dallas Stars, 10pm
Montreal Canadiens vs Boston Bruins, 7pm

Friday will see game one for:

Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers, 7pm

Trust me, there's more to come...
Also: check the Wydget/Gydget/Thingamajig.

XXXXXXV!
65!
Sixty Five!
Alexander the Eight has done it again!

In other, unrelated news: I recently picked up the audiobook of John Barrowman's "intermission" memoirs, "Anything Goes." What a delight! This man is not only superbly talented, but he can spin one hell of an entertaining yarn about a life (so far). Some of the anecdotes are interesting and even downright touching (a rarity for an entertainer) and others are uproariously funny. The actor himself narrates the written material with an animated, colorful delivery. This guy may not be a household name in the 'States (Yet!), but he's clearly worked his ass off for--and passionately loves--his career. In an age of unlikeable and overexposed celebutantes and spoilt-rotten and egotistical Hollywood morons, Barrowman is like a breath of fresh air. He's one of the very few worth cheering for.

If you're tired of (a) Hockey Updates, (b) My Red Wings loyalty, or (c) Alexander Ovechkin Updates, you can bounce right on out of here to (a) Anything on my links list (but the sites that deal with the above), (b) take a coffee break, or (c) go do something more constructive with your life.

On with the update.
Alexander Ovechkin got goal #63 tonight as he and the Washington Capitals took out the Carolina Hurricanes.
His fellow Russian countrymen and team-mates Alexander Semin, Viktor Kozlov, and Sergei Fedorov were also on top of their game. Fedorov gave a short interview during one of the intermissions.

As far as the Red Wings go, they're still tops in the entire NHL, and of course they lead the Western Conference. Do I need to say more? :)

The Irish Festival was a good destination in so many ways. It is one of the most enjoyable outdoor events in town, and the cover charge is about as minimal as it can get ($2!). Granted, one will easily make up for that by putting a fair shake of moolah into the drinks (Guinness (yum!), Harp, or the usual American pilsner varieties--you know, the ones with the Czech or German name brands). Still, it's way cheaper than a lot of other venues overall. The best part about yesterday's outing was running in to friends that I have not seen in a while--all of whom have worn the big ol' badge of "Ba-Heads" for a long time.
If you don't know what that is, let me try to 'splain it in a somewhat condensed fashion: Anyone who's a "Ba-Head" is a person who seriously loves a local Irish-American pub band by the name of Uisce Beatha. You can find a Ba-Head (or many of 'em) at the only little Irish pub of worth in central VA: Rare Olde Times, on most Thursday nights. You should visit there and become one.
Some of us have been friends for years (since school days), and some of us became friends via others--which is the way stuff generally works out. Anyhow, life tends to get in the way of life (jobs, moving, marriages, money woes, or simply just the woes), and some of us have since stopped being regulars at the pub. For yours truly, it's the job bit that ate away whatever free time existed.
So, there most of us were at the Irish Festival on Saturday afternoon, enjoying stout ale (albeit not full pints, but hey--who's counting?) and good company. Oh--and let's not forget a particularly crackin' good show put on by who else but Uisce Beatha. It was like being back at the pub on a Thursday, except with a chilly snap in the air (and less cigarette smoke! whew!). Nice. :)

http://www.uiscebeatha.com

My Red Wings will be storming into the playoffs-- but is that really any surprise? Get your red on and throw an octopus on the ice--it's almost time!
The Red Wing of all Red Wings, the great #9--Gordie Howe, turns 80 on Monday. Wander over to either the Red Wings.com or NHL.com links to find articles, interviews and anecdotes about the amazing guy that all 'Wings fans who are worth anything respect to this day.

Speaking of amazing, since my last little blurb, Alexander Ovechkin (alas, not a Red Wing) has a solid 61 goals for the season! Congratulations, Ovie!