Irony Strikes Twice

Before I go any further, let me say it was never my intent for this blog to take on a steady, sports-related theme. But when interesting games are a part of your life, it’s tough not to want to share them.

As such, I had a profound case of déjà vu over the weekend when during the Blackhawks Home Opener, the team beat Detroit in an overtime shoot-out at United Center – which is ironic as hell considering the last time I saw a Hawks game this spring (the season closer) the exact same thing happened.

But it was a terrific game, or at least it became so after I pried myself away from a TV lounge showing the Cubs playoff game (they got swept; more on this later). The evening (which began with a brief memorial to despised, late Hawks owner Bill Wirtz – guess how that was received?) was also attended by a goodly amount of Wings fans, who took a verbal drumming from their rivals via the age-old chant “De-troit sucks!” echoing through the UC’s halls after the Hawks’ victory.

But let’s not get too cocky, mates: it’s a long season, isn’t it?

And speaking of long seasons, to the obnoxious White Sox fans who cheered the Cubs’ post-season demise in the United Center’s TV lounge, tell me, geniuses: where did your team spend the majority of this past year?

Pardon? The basement, you say? Whereas the Cubs won a Division Championship, and never got lower than third place?

Okay, fair enough. Just wanted to clarify…

Dickheads…

Pennies From Heaven and Other Last-Day-Of-Work Musings

Got a pleasant send-off from my now-former co-workers in Oak Brook, including a plate of Chicago Cubs-themed cupcakes (are you hearing this, SG?) and a lovely gift card for B&N.

So with the knowledge that free money is best spent impulsively, I transferred my "Secret Porn Downloads" file from my work hard drive onto CD, said my final goodbyes, and motored to a local B&N store where I secured a concert DVD for “Gorillaz: Demon Days Live,” “Haunted Heritage” by Michael Norman and Beth Scott, and the following…

Oh, come on. Like the very title doesn’t leap out at you?

To quote Chris Sims’: “Batman is a Motherfucking Hardass” so who better to swat down the Lord of The Undead? Yes, yes…I remember Red Rain. I found it dull. This version of Batsy delivering post-mortem comeuppance will be so much better. I mean, it has to be…right? The film can’t be anywhere near as boring as “Superman: Doomsday,” which I turned off 2/3s of the way into the story.

Oh hell, we’ll see…

Finally, will be heading into the city tomorrow night for the Blackhawks’ 2007 Home Opener versus Detroit, which is always a great match-up. Today, the team announced that Rocky Wirtz—whom, unlike his late father, many Chicago hockey fans respect—has been named Chairman of The Board.

I sincerely wish Rocky the best of luck in raising an organization his dad worked so diligently to send to the bottom of the ocean. Raising that ship, if it happens at all, will be a very long-term project. But considering what an awful state the Hawks are in, I dare say it cannot possibly get any worse for players and fans alike.

An Early Resolution

For Halloween 2008, I am so here…for this year, however, I'll have to be content to order an HHN t-shirt over the net, and pretend I made it to Orlando as I sadly O.D. on candy corn in my basement.

I have such a love-hate relationship with clowns....
on one hand they're so scary I hate them,
but I love to think about punching them, because, y'know,
who hasn't fantasized about punching a clown?

Little Demons

Am spending my last two days at my current job killing time, which has involved me popping around the web reading articles including the following 2004 interview with Jack and Meg White.

In it, they discuss how Detroit—the town they grew up in—has gone to hell in a handcart, to which Meg offers an interesting theory why:

JW: I read old books about Detroit from the '20s and '30s, and it was such a beautiful city, but it's been destroyed. You think how wonderful it could've been if it had just stayed that way.

MW: I discovered the other day what the problem is.

JW: What?

MW: It's in this book I was reading. Apparently, there's a little red demon that haunts the city, and before every major bad thing that's happened, it's appeared to somebody. Last time, he appeared in a Cadillac.

----

Baby demons in Caddys, you say? Awesome...

By the bye, I would like to share with the congregation my belief that Meg White is just too damn cute.

Furthermore, I wanted to add that my one and only trip to downtown Detroit in 2003 (during a day trip to Windsor where I discovered the glories of five-pin bowling) was nothing short of surreal. To those who've never seen it, amidst what would otherwise be a bustling hub of downtown activity a la restaurants, bars, and department stores a la Chicago, Detroit's version resembled a post-apocalyptic ghost town complete with empty sidewalks and old papers blowing in the wind.

Or at least it seemed that way at the US/Canada border crossing station. Like I said, I don't live in Detroit--so my take on the town in limited--but that's how it struck me.

Okay, babbling over...

Career Moves

In light of the drama surrounding my Dad’s passing last week, did I mention that I was negotiating for a new job at the same time?

In the process, my brain blew a diode or two, but it’s all but set now. I’ll be doing pretty much the same thing I am now (e.g. medical tech writing), but for more money and in what I hope will be a less frenetic environment.

The only downside to the job change involves my revised commute—the tollway between my home and the job site is literally torn to pieces for reconstruction—which is a treat to be relished. However, after I grow familiar with the gig I’ll be pushing to work from home, saving about $250 in gas and tolls per month.

My first day is next Tuesday.

I hope they have a Pepsi machine, because dammit, I am useless in the morning without my Pepsi on crushed ice.

October Dreams - Part I

Now that my favorite month of the year has arrived, I have my eye on a hoodie which blends the greatest Halloween story of all time with what may be the coolest high school sports mascot of all time.

Just a side note: to anyone who adores me enough to score this item on my behalf, I wear 3XL – not because I weigh 400 pounds, but because I like my sweatshirts to wear like blankets: soft and roomy.

October Dreams - Part II

"Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants
us to be happy." -- Benjamin Franklin

Oh, Ben...is there anything you didn't know?

Mind you, I don't drink myself (nor am I a Phillies fan--Go Cubs) but the above photo of the Phils' Ryan Howard being showered in suds to celebrate the team's 2007 division championship is just too happy to be ignored.

Plus, we can all share in the joy of the Mets' utter collapse.

Nice try, boys. Enjoy your off-season.