Game Four, Bowling and Carrie Prejean....Can You Keep Up?

Ok, this is probably going to be the most off the wall post, to date, but I have a LOT of ground to cover from the last 2 days, so I am gonna tackle it ALL in this edition. For those that know me, I am certain none will be offended...for those who do not...I'll warn you that I am not a liberal, by ANY means, so you are likely to come away offended at some point. Fair enough? Good.

I want to begin by Congratulating the 2008 Defending Stanley Cup Champs, da Red Wings, for closing out their series against Columbus Thursday night. Our boys played tough and make no mistake, the Blue Jackets knew what was on the line and they came to play, as well. In fact, after suffering a decimating 12-2 score (through the first three games), Columbus simply had to figure out Chris Osgood and Ozzie was clearly not in his best form Thursday, appearing to me to be hurting. It was a recipe for one whale of a game!

Detroit opened up an early lead, but Columbus answered back....then it was Detroit again, adding two to their tally and the Blue Jackets were on the ropes as the first period came to a close. It wasn't until the second period began that we got a good look at Chris Osgood, because the Wings dominated so fully in the first....but once the puck started flying toward our veteran net-minder, it was clear that something was wrong.

Columbus peppered Ozzie with a flurry of shots in the opening minutes of the 2nd period, scoring twice within two minutes and ultimately scoring four goals, letting the Red Wings know they were here to play. But Osgood was clearly having trouble moving left to right and word has it, he was dealing with some knee issues.

The outcome, at least for us Wings' Fans, was good. Detroit closed out the series with a 6-5 win, eliminating Columbus from the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-0 sweep. The boys will have some well-earned time off, to prepare for Round Two and either Vancouver, or The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Both present challenges for Detroit, but let's hope Ozzie can overcome his pain issues and be ready to help defend.

Saturday presented a couple firsts for this new year in my hometown. Fellow Ham Radio Operators and I got our first look at SKYWARN Nets for 2009, as a series of storms blew through the area. We had several outtages in the first batch, as well as some downed wires and trees early in the afternoon. I didn't have to go out in the field to spot, but we did see the power flicker a few times....never a good thing!

The second round of storms seemed a bit stronger and pushed into the Lansing Area about 5pm, shortly after my daughters and I arrived for Daddy/Daughter bowling in Mason. Lots of wind, heavy rain and frequent lightning accompanied this line and about half way through our bowling event, the power went out, putting an abrupt end to the festivities.

As we prepared to leave the bowling center, the owner announced that when we get our photos of the event, tickets for two free games of bowling would accompany them. The crowd on hand erupted into cheers and it was nice to learn that this was a good guy, because he clearly did not have to do this....he did it out of kindness. Hat's off to the Mason Bowling Center!

Finally this morning, have you followed the catfight between Miss California, Carrie Prejean and Perez Hilton? It seems that Prejean, a woman of obvious Christian roots, gave the 'wrong answer', when asked about her stance on marriage. Prejean said that, 'marriage should be between a man and a woman' at the Miss USA pagaent last Sunday....apparently blowing Hilton's wig back and causing a stir in the Hollywood elite. So much so that Miss California State Director, Shanna Moakler, has ditched Prejean. Something smells funny here, doesn't it?

FROM FOXNEWS.COM's Pop Tarts...

Meanwhile the Miss California State Director, Shanna Moakler (who has come under fire this week for reportedly ditching Prejean over her controversial answer) wants the 21-year-old to stop talking to the media and talk to Perez’s people instead.

"I know Carrie is very religious and God is a huge part of her life, but I was just surprised she went down that road and answered the question the way she did. I think it’s very necessary at this point (that she talk to Hilton or the Equality group) as we have a lot of openly gay sponsors who supported her and were not aware of her opinions on their lives and are now deeply hurt," Moakler said. "Carrie is going to have to stop doing the press circuit about how great it is she used the First Amendment and her First Right, and really sit down with these people that she’s hurt."

Since when does anyone have to answer to anyone else, let alone a group of people, for his or her BELIEFS? I hope that Carrie tells these one-sided biggots to take a flyin' leap and then to take their liberal pagaent and shove em both right up their noses!

I'll leave you with this and please forgive me for straying from my Family and Friends theme in this posting....but the time has come to STOP the double standard! One set of rules for me and another for you. NO, I am not gonna stand for it any longer. The far left wing has cried foul far too long. The homosexual community wants freedom to speak and equal treatment and yet they won't allow the same anyone who holds a view different from theirs.

Hey, Perez, go whine somewhere else and GET OVER YOURSELF! If Carrie Prejean folds up now and gives them what they want, we ALL lose. Hilton is little more than a punch line to a really bad joke and I hope Carrie holds the line.

It's ALL About the Cup....Game Three

The Detroit Red Wings, led by goalie, Chris Osgood were stellar once again on Tuesday night, shutting Nash and Company down for a third straight game-and winning game three by a 4-1 score. Ozzie looked great as his shutout time reached over 143 minutes, before someone from Columbus finally found the way past Osgood and to the back of the net.

Let's be clear; the Columbus Blue Jackets are a mismatch for the Wings. They have little if any experience in playoff hockey, individually and they simply can't keep up with European Puck Possession-style teams! No, I'm not being cocky, but the boys from Detroit and points east are battle-tested and proven. That's a tall order for anyone facing them, least of all the Columbus Blue Jackets.

For now, the Detroit Red Wings and Chris Osgood are the talk of Hockeytown. Their play is solid and they really do look impressive against the Bluejackets. But with the Pistons on the verge of their playoff exit, and the Lions planning for yet another loss-filled season.....not to mention the Tigers, who are playing just above .500 right now (give them time, they will fall apart!) the Wings are about the only thing going in the Motor City these days. Don't even get me started on GM!

I don't know about you, but this Family is enjoying the playoffs. It's something we have done together for the past couple years and Josh even got his picture taken with Lord Stanley's Cup last summer.

GO WINGS!!!

The Ozzman Rules in Game 2 of the WC Playoffs

Veteran Red Wing Netminder, (30) Chris Osgood made a statement this evening, as the Defending Stanley Cup Champions defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0. It was Osgood's 61st playoff victory and his 14th playoff shutout, which ties him for fourth on the NHL's career postseason shutout list, along with teammate Dominik Hasek, Ed Belfour and Jacques Plante. The Detroit Red Wings now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the first-round Western Conference series as the teams head south, to Columbus, Ohio for a Tuesday meeting.

I have to be honest, it wasn't always this positive in Hockeytown-or even in my own home. Osgood has had the worst season of his 15 years in the NHL and his Goals Against Avg. and Save Percentage were considered mediocre, at best. But through it all...Ozzie has maintained that we, "Wait until the playoffs." I've never been a bandwagon fan of Chris Osgood, that is to say I have always been a fan of this man....at his best, as well as his worst.

At the conclusion of last season's Stanley Cup Championship battle, Osgood should have silenced his detractors, but that has never been the case. For as long as Ozzie has been in goal, he has had an uphill battle to prove himself worthy....to be named among the sport's best....and somehow, it has eluded him. Truth be told, however, he did not help himself with lackluster performances throughout the 08-09 Season.

As we head into Game 3 of the first round, you can bet I'll be watching, along with my entire Hockeytown-Crazy Family members....Wife and Kids included. GO WINGS!!!

Stanley Cup Playoffs Return to Detroit

At long last the Stanley Cup Playoffs are under way. It was a long, hard road to get to this point and everyone (including myself) wondered if Chris Osgood (aka Ozzie) would be able to do the job for our beloved Winged Wheelers....well, he looked GREAT last night in a 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. In fact, the entire team looked like they are hungry for another Cup...and that was my concern as the season came to a close.

Now, since I am NOT affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings (but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night), The NHL needs to take a serious look at its stance on the Wing's Al Sobotka and his 'swingin of the octopie'. The League has said it will not tolerate Al's past practice of swinging the octo over his head, as he leaves the ice. It ALWAYS brings the fans to their feet and everyone loves the show. Well, everyone but the NHL and peta.

Think of it this way....would the League feel the same way if Al swung a pork chop over his head? How about a steak? A hot dog? Sounds ridiculous, but it is no more ridiculous than the League having issues with Al's antics with the octopie! IT'S FOOD, PEOPLE!!! And so, from all of us in Hockeytown....GET A LIFE NHL! Stop bowing to peta and other nuts, who whine and then ruin it for the rest of us.

And yes, I DID search for this photo on the Internet, just to salute Al Sobotka for all of his great years of Octo-Swingin! GO WINGS!

Easter Sunday at Home

See the pics from Easter Sunday here.

It's already Easter Sunday and warmer weather has returned to Mid-Michigan. After last week's nasty little 'joke', we're glad to see a warmer weather pattern return to the area and we are now looking for that 70 degree stuff!

The kids had a blast this morning, searching for hidden Easter Eggs in the house. One year, I would like to see it be nice enough to have the "Easter Bunny" hide the eggs outside, so the kids could really have fun hunting for them!

We enjoyed a semi-traditional meal of Ham, with mashed potatoes and corn, plus some really good, soft dinner rolls. Mmmmmm. But with my Mom in California this year, we missed the creamed peas, french onion green beans and that awesome fruit salad she always made in the past. Well, that's the price we pay for not having Mom at home with us. I guess I am greedy that way....LOL

I'm going to enjoy one more week at home, then it's back to the grind on next Monday. With all the questions, drama and rumors, I don't know that I look forward to going anymore, I just appreciate the fact that I have a job and can pay my bills. There are hundreds of my fellow drivers who are not so lucky...for them it's a far tougher battle.

As April draws into the final two weeks, what happens with my Company and its drivers is anybody's guess, but as I said, at least we are working. Until something else happens, we head to our job in the morning and do what we need to do to meet the needs of our Company. And, with warm weather just around the corner, perhaps a little more time home isn't so bad after all. ;-)

Easter Season and Spring

Well, after a nasty surprise last Sunday and Monday, the snow has gone (for the most part) and Spring-like weather is once again with us. Temps have been in the low 50's for a few days now, which is a good sign and I'm fairly certain that the last of Ol' Man Winter has been seen until next Fall/Winter. I might upload a few photos later on of the scene outside our window from last week, but the snow flocked trees were anything but a pleasant surprise, I can assure you.

We want warm weather, doggone it!

Blowin' Off Some Steam At the Range

It's springtime here in Michigan and that usually means rain...and lots of it in April and early May. So when the sun shines and it's a semi-warm day, you get outta the house and do whatever you want to do...quickly. Why? Well, because in Michigan, we don't get seasons, we get samples!

My Yahoo IM activated this afternoon and it was my friend and fellow Ham Radio Op, Ben (WX8BEN), asking if I wanted to go shooting with him. "Why not?" I replied and we met up for a bit of fun at the local shooting range. Ben's weapon of choice is an impressive .40 cal. (Springfield XD40) and I have to say, he's doggone good at hitting the 25yd. target. I don't think I would choose to visit his home, if I had ill plans!

And so, we blew off a couple hundred rounds (rounds, by the way, which are abnormally hard to come by these days), shot some video for You Tube, took some digis of the event and headed for home, satisfied that we had laid that plywood backstop to waste! Yeah.....we're men and we can blow things up! Or at least put lots of holes in it.

To see pics of our shoot em' up, Click Here