stripethree

Friday night was awesome.

First time in probably four or five years I’ve been to a hockey game, way too long, and it was fantastic. The only other sporting event(s) that I have been to that are in the ballpark as far as atmosphere and how much the fans are into the game are Maryland basketball games. Only at a hockey game can you see a middle aged man dressed in suit and tie get up and bang on plexiglass like he wants a shot at someone on the ice (believe me he doesn’t). Just like only at a Maryland game can you hear scores of college students sing Rock and Roll Part 2 with ‘Hey, you suck!’ without any help from the band. It was so much fun, and it’s crazy that for the same price at a Wizards game we would have been in the nosebleed seats. Not like I was there to root for the Captials anyway, sorry, but ever since they traded one of my favorite players, Dino Ciccarelli, to Detriot in 1992, I’ve been a Wing’s fan. Even when we lost to the Sharks in the first round in ’95. Even when Ciccarelli moved on, the Russian 5 was dismantled, and when Chris Osgood almost single-handedly ruined playoff series after playoff series. He also let in a weak goal as time expired in the 3rd on Friday, by the way. Anyway, it was also great to see Steve Yzerman play, probably for the last time. If you watch hockey and you don’t know who he is, then really, you don’t watch hockey.

Saturday was my first venture into holiday shopping (minus some online activity) and I took care of my major purchases. I need to get my ass in gear and finish the rest though. When did it get to be December 13th already? Good grief. Your guess is as good as mine when I can get to a mall again. This holiday season has not been one I’ve been able to slow down and enjoy as much as I’d like, which has made me grumpy at time (no, I’m NOT a Grinch, stop saying that). Holiday shopping was slightly stressful for the first time I can remember, but such is life. Oh well, the next couple of weekends will be fun. After the holiday shopping came home, hung out, watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith. See this movie. Besides that fact that Angelina Jolie is just hot, there’s no other word. Hot. She can kick me to the ground with the ‘Who’s your Daddy now?’ line anytime, anyplace. The movie was very cool, good action, lots of subtle humor, and some great one-liners. It’s a little predictable, but who cares, still worth a watch. Then yesterday after work I went and got the car chipped. So no more ‘when are you gonna get chipped’ questions, it’s done. Forced induction may, unfortunately, be further off than I’d like, and I just could not pass up the deal Induktion was running on GIAC for the holidays. Car feels like it has another extra kick in the ass now, similar to the change when I added the intake, then later, the exhaust. I’d take and post some pictures of the ride, but right now she’s a very dirty girl.