P.O.S.'s Before Hockey Contracts, Kaboom Car Stories, and Small Ways to Improve Myself

While I was talking on the phone to Chi Chi for 4 hours last night cuddled up with massive amounts of blankets and comforters to ward off the cold WNY January weather, I was browsing through the Sabres 2008 - 2009 Yearbook (thanks to Cari from SabreChaser) and some of the guys off the ice answers made me chuckle. I especially like the fact that Gaustad's first car was a 1979 VW Rabbit. Classic. If you try to imagine him driving a vehicle like that it seems hilarious for the mere fact that he's such a tall guy and well, that's a little car. It's almost like a clown car, but I love the fact that even the Sabres first cars were P.O.S.'s, well they guys that got their first cars before their hockey contracts were signed. Pommer's first car was a BMW, I'm thinking he bought that after signing his hockey contract. Beamer doesn't equal P.O.S. I also admire that Matt Ellis' first car was a 1988 Ford Tempo, because my first car aka kaboom car was also a Ford Tempo except it was a 1994 and yes it was a P.O.S. I think the gas leak when I first got it or the time I literally had to drive down the road holding the driver's side door close, because for some odd reason it wouldn't close and Chi Chi was yelling at me. That was a sight we were on our way to a Ballet Magnificat! Concert all dressed up in our heels and skirts in 15 degree weather and I have one hand holding the car door close and the other on the steering wheel trying to drive on unplowed roads, speeding because we were late and then of course to top it off we got lost. Good Times. The only reasons I walked away happy from that evening was A) the concert was AMAZING! and B) I got Keith Thibodeaux's aka Little Ricky from I Love Lucy, autograph because his wife, Kathy, is the director of Ballet Magnificat! and I'm a huge Lucille Ball and I Love Lucy fan, so that completely made my night, actually week. On the drive home, the door decided it would shut then and we were on our merry way. I wouldn't trade those experiences with kaboom car for the world, but I am much happier now that I have a more reliable means of transportation, I just wonder if the Sabres have any P.O.S. stories before they're hockey contracts.

Apparently similar to Goose's first car!

Similar to my first car aka kaboom car, except the color, I had a grey tempo!

Every year I want to make a New Year's Resolution, but I know I'll be a lazy butt and not go through with it. I found this article online on small ways to improve yourself and succeed. I think I'm going to try, what do I have to lose?

Sorry for Being a Klutz, Please Resend; Miller is spelled H-O-T; and Don't Worry You're Not Missing a Thing!

Real quick, someone sent me an e-mail about this blog to my e-mail account and I accidentally deleted it before I could answer it. I apologize to whomever sent it and if you would take the time to resend, I promise I won't be such a klutz this time and I will answer you. Sorry, but we all make mistakes in life, the best thing to do is learn from them.

I was unable to watch the game tonight, but I read the highlights on sabres.com. If Miller was any hotter,he'd be the friggin' sun, geesh! 45 saves in one game! The reason the Sabres lost had nothing to do with Miller. On paper Miller looks impressive (I didn't watch, so I can't speak as if I watched the game) and he was incredible in last nights game. During the shootout, I was literally gripping Harley's arm the entire time. When Miller made the save against Drury last night, the pub was screaming and yelling! It was fabulous! I think the Sabres need to pick up their game a bit, but Miller just needs to play to way he has been.

I'm glad the Sabres won last night A) because I wanted them to beat Drury's team and B) because right before I left work to watch the game, I told another co-worker who was a Ranger's fan and upset he couldn't watch the game that he shouldn't be upset about missing it, the Sabres are going to beat his Rangers anyway and thankfully they did.

Now Do You Believe? The Campaign Continues!, May Day!, and When 32 Cents Makes All the Difference!

While I was at work today, my boss (who is a huge Sabres fan) and I were talking about the game last night and the Sabres in general and she mentioned at one of the last games they were looking at Gaustad and Miller as prospects for the 2010 Olympics! What?!? This is awesome! Of course I needed to find out more, so I googled it and this is the info that I found.

On the Sabres broadcast of Buffalo-Toronto tonight, they said that Brian Burke, GM of the US Olympic hockey team, said that they were looking hard at Paul Gaustad for the team in 2010.

YES!!! This is awesome! So, Goose may not have gotten voted in for the 2009 NHL All*Star Game (trust me it was not for lack of trying on me and Harley's part, we made t-shirts, Dang It!), but..... he's being looked at for the 2010 Olympics! Awesome! Now 5 days after the "Honk the Vote! Gaustad in '09!" campaign has ended, I now have a new campaign..... *clears throat*..... "Now Do You Believe? Gaustad is Good! Scary Good! Gaustad in Vancouver in 2010"! It's not as catchy as "Honk the Vote", but you can't vote for players to go to the Olympics, so I thought I would steal a classic RJ quote. I think Goose is greatly unappreciated, but if Brian Burke is scouting him for 2010 Olympics obviously people outside of Buffalo are realizing (or believing) he is good. It's kind of growing on me, so I think I'll keep it, unless anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears.

While I was googling about Goose being a prospect for the 2010 Olympics, I came across Brian Burke's name and I'm going to be honest, I didn't know who he was, so I googled him and found out that he was the president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs (all right, I probably should have known that). Then I came across this article. Speaking of RJ quotes, this man was the reason for the famous "May Day! May Day!" call and now he's playing for Toronto? It's kind of depressing since he's now playing for the Leafs and they are one of our arch rivals and all, but he started his career in Buffalo. I don't want to see him playing for the Leafs! ICK! Grant it, he has become a suitcase in the NHL and now playing for Toronto, this is his 7th NHL team, but Toronto!?! I didn't mind him playing for the Ducks, because after the Sabres the Ducks are my favorite NHL team. The only reason they are is because I loved the Mighty Ducks Movies as a kid and had a huge crush (well, still do) on Joshua Jackson and the kid who played Adam Banks (He was really good, but really quiet and never threw it in the rest of the team's face that he was really good, but I hated the fact that he had a thing for Connie, the girl goalie. Hey, I was 11 at the time.) Thanks to those movies I started at a young age having a crush on hockey players and the Ducks being my 2nd favorite hockey team, the Sabres have always been my first. So, while Brad May was in Anaheim, I didn't mind him playing there, but now Toronto, it just makes him seem like a traitor. I know hockey players don't have a lot of say in where they are being traded, but I just wanted to vent that this saddens me a wee bit.

I'm sure that everyone is aware of the Jarkko Ruutu biting Andrew Peters. I was teaching last night and unable to watch the game, but Harley texted me to tell me that Peters was bit by Ruutu. I really couldn't believe it, but what I couldn't believe more was the fact that he didn't get a penalty and Peters had to serve a 2-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty! Really?!? Ruutu can bite someone, but if you make a big deal about being bite, you are in the wrong. I really don't see the logic in that one, probably why I'm not a hockey referee. If I was Peters once I found out that I was serving a penalty anyway, I would have skated over and punched Ruutu in the face why he was putting in his eye drops. If you're getting in trouble anyway, you might as well do something worth getting in trouble for. Go Big or Go Home! Since I was unable to watch the game, I found a clip of it on youtube....

I must say I'm very impressed by the way Peters handled himself when being interviewed about the incident, saying it's up to the NHL on what to do about it. Well, the NHL is suspending him for two games and fining him $31,707.32 because he is unable to play in those games. You think they could have rounded it up to a nice even number, like $32,000.00. I mean at this point does the 32 cents matter? Anyway, I'm glad to see he's being punished that's really unacceptable behavior and I like how Petey said that these guys are suppose to be role models for kids and doing something like this hurts the reputation of the NHL and the game, more than his thumb. Well put, again I was very impressed with Peters and how professional his interviews were.

Lindy's interview on the situation reminds me why the Ruffinator is one of my favorite people in this world.

I love how he admits he find the situation a bit humorous and goes on to talk about seeing someone get in the back. I'm really not sure why he kept referring to witnessing that, but apparently the Ruffinator found it relevant and that's good enough for me. He also goes on to talk about how well Chris Butler has played and Toni Lydman's return to the line up. He seems like he doesn't want to send Butler back, but he doesn't give us any inkling about what the Sabres organization is going to do with so many defensemen. Only time will tell. He also talks about Tim Connolly returning and how Tim never plays like a player coming off an injuring and never plays soft. He speaks very highly of Timmy (as he always have) and says that his gift is to draw players toward him and open people up even if it does put him in harm's way. And Tim has been in harm's way most of the time, missing the last 249 games out of 358 due to injury, that's over 67%, but apparently that's the sacrifice that comes with such a great gift.

Do You Know the Meaning of Personal?, Dancers and Athletes = Tomato / Tomatoe, and Jockstraps, They're Still Funny at Any Age!

As I was flipping through the channels last night after crashing on the couch from a tiring night of teaching dance, I came across that show "Momma's Boys" and only watched it for about 30 seconds, when one of the men or boys yelled at his momma to stay out of it, because it was a personal moment and none of her business. Ok, wait a second back up the trolley.... you went on a reality show where you went on dates and your mom could observe the dates and pick the girl she wants for you. (I think that's the premise of the show, I haven't watched it long enough to know otherwise) So, actually it is her business because she's probably under the shows contract to due so and you knew she was going to be watching. Second, you signed up to be a reality show that watches your dating life, guess what it's no longer personal when millions of people are watching. That ship has sailed a long time ago. Also, did you think your image would improve when you were declaring to the world that you are a momma's boy and you want her to have input on your dating life. Seriously? Why in the world did that seem like a good idea. Let me tell you this contests of that show, no female is ever, I repeat ever, attracted to a momma's boy. Reason #1: It makes you seem like a pansy ass and well in reality you probably are. Running to your mom with your problems and not being able to stand up to your mother when she's butting her nose in where it doesn't belong. Just grow a set and deal with your own problems in your life without the help of your mother. Reason #2: No woman wants to be second place in your life, especially to another woman, even if that woman is your mother. I'm not saying you can't love your mom and treat her very well and think very highly of her, but when you need to turn to her when we're having a fight to see if you are wrong or right, guess what? You're girlfriend is just going to be pissed to high heaven about it. Just think of Ray Barone in "Everyone Loves Raymond" and how he was a momma's boy and Debra was not liking that one teeny weeny bit. So, it bewilders me why any man with the teeniest amount of sanity would want to proclaim to the world that he is a momma's boy and he's proud of it. Clearly none of these boys are sane and clearly I need to change the channel quicker than 30 seconds when this show is on the air.

Speaking of shows, "Superstars of Dance" premiered the other night! This competition really excites me because it really allows people around the world to experience various genres of dance from countries all over the world. For anyone that knows me, you know I am a strong advocate for diversity and people expressing their own artistic voice. I respect people being unique individuals and just well, being themselves. This show is great in showing that dance isn't one-dimensional, but is a very diverse art form and each genre is demanding and takes much discipline to master. What was really exciting for me personally is that I have taken a class in almost every style displayed on the show, I have several years of Irish Dance training and currently teach it, I have a BA in modern / contemporary dance, I also have many years of tap, jazz, hip hop, and ballet training and currently teach it as well and I've had an opportunity to take classes in Bhrata Natyem (Classical Indian Dancing), Chinese Fan Dancing, African Dancing, Troika (A Traditional Russian Dance), and the Argentine Tango. It's just nice to see people outside the dance world have an opportunity to experience dance and it's many layers. I know when I tell people I'm a dancer they automatically think I can dance every style with perfection, but that's not true, I have my strong points, modern, jazz and broadway, but I could never be a prima ballerina. It's like when someone says a they are a professional athlete, doesn't mean they can play every sport at the professional level. If they were a professional hockey player, you wouldn't have them playing quarterback for an NFL team. Take Michael Jordan for example, tremendous basketball player, horrific professional baseball player. Why is this so, because every sport demands a lot of discipline, time and training for athletes to be able to perform at a professional level. Most of the time athletes also train to play in one position, take Ryan Miller, tremendous hockey goalie, but I don't think Lindy would be putting him on any of the lines as a forward anytime soon. Dance is the same, to perform at the professional level it take a lot of time, discipline, and sacrifice to master your craft and you usually concentrate on several styles, but not all. That's why this show is great to show even if a dancer can't be a prima ballerina, doesn't mean they are not a great dancer, they just might be a fabulous dancer at their own genre, like a great Tango Dancer or a great Tap Dancer and so on and so forth....

While I was teaching yesterday, I got a text message from Harley that said, "If u watch royzies interview from today u can see connolly jock strap in the background. Haha". That is exactly what I received. Of course I had to chuckle and then I realized that me and my friends are about as mature as 12 year old boys, oh but I wouldn't trade them for the world. Of course I had to check out the video when I got the chance and I also noticed that Roy's jockstrap in visible in his locker, not quick as good as Connolly's but still. Oh Sabres, don't you know it's not good to air your dirty laundry, my bras and panties aren't hanging out of my dance bag, why? because personal items should remain hidden in a bag not visible to the public, but I must say thanks for the chuckle.

Speaking of Connolly apparently he will be back on the ice soon, which is a good thing, and so is Rivet, which is another good thing. I have a feeling that 2009 is going to be a better hockey year for Buffalo than 2008. Here's to staying undefeated in 2009 and kicking some Ottawa booty!

A Step Above Death, Lindy Knows Best, and Looking Forward to the Future with the "Honk the Vote" Campaign!

I feel like death.... I take that back.... a step above death.... I have yet another terrible cold this season making this number 3 in a little less than 4 months. That's what I get for working around kids all the time, oh but I do love those little germ infested twinkle toes, I just wish they kept their germs to themselves! I currently look like Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer with slits for eyes because I'm so exhausted I can barely keep them open and smell like menthol thanks to the number of halls I sucked on. I know, Move Over JT, I'm bringing Sexy Back!

On a good note, the Sabres won last night! :-) 4 to 1 against Toronto! Apparently the Ruffinator's locker room switch up worked, there's no evidence to prove that it didn't. Pominville seems to like the change or Lindy has put the fear of God in him and he's too scared to not agree with Lindy for fear of a major butt whooping. I'm thinking the latter. It seems to have worked seeing that Pominville and Roy both had two goals in the game last night and Roy an assist. (Somebody reacted to being publicly called out by their coach).  Lindy's actions have also seemed to light a fire under Stafford's and Vanek's booties as well, both recording two assists a piece last night.

Two gentlemen that got the Ruffinator's message that he was unhappy with their performance on the ice.

Lindy also thinks that Gerbe is no longer needed in Buffalo at the current time, so back to Portland he goes. I like Gerbe, but like I say "In Ruff I Trust!". Sorry to see you go Gerbe, but if Lindy's decisions lead to games like last night, then whatever Ruff says goes, that even applies to you.

You never argue with this man. He knows best!

I'm not sure if today is the last day or not to vote for the NHL All* Star Game, but it is at 7:31pm EST, Goose has tallied... *drum roll please*..... 449 votes! So, he's not gonna make it to the All*Star game this year, but not shabby for a write in, but if you can still vote, "Honk the Vote!" and vote PAUL GAUSTAD!

WNY's Super Hero! Goose is making sure that trees are being planted through out WNY, so it becomes beautified!

I've also come to the conclusion that Goose really deserves to play in an All*Star game, so I'm going to start the "Honk the Vote! Gaustad in '10!" campaign about 10 months early. No time like the present, eh?