Last week we were @ the Devonshire pool in Skokie. We went after work so there was really only a couple of hours to swim and most people were packing up to leave when we got there. I noticed a family next to us with one of their 6 year old boys wearing a Naked Raygun t-shirt. I, of course, felt compelled to comment on it:
Me: That’s a cool shirt you have on! You know who Naked Raygun is right?
Kid: It’s my dad’s band.
Me: Wait, your dad likes the band or your dad is in the band?
Kid: He’s in the band!
Me: What’s your dad’s name?
Kid’s Sisters: Pierre!!!!!!!
And just like that I realize that one of my punk idols families goes to the same pool I go to.
I’m bad @ this blogging thing. Actually, I was once good but I think Twitter has robbed me of long form posts which is stupid but whatever. I’ll try and get better. So what’s new?
Home
We have a rotting deck, a leaking skylight and my lawn is full of crabgrass. What a pain in the ass owning a house is.
Mr. I
Bounced back from his adenoid removal quite well. There was a stretch post-op where he wasn’t eating or drinking anything that had L. and I worried, but eventually he returned to his old grouchy, picky eating self.
He’s been working hard in swimming lessons @ the YMCA. Getting him into the pool is no longer a major trial and he’s a great listener. If anything, I think he’s forced to work way harder in these lessons than he had too in past lessons. L. and I are convinced he’s going to have to repeat this class, but that’s OK with us. He’s also decided that the Devonshire pool trumps Lee Street beach.
Work
Don’t even ask. Next question.
Reading
I started Game of Thrones awhile back. I then read Clash of Kings and Storm of Swords basically back to back. I’ve logged over 2400+ pages of Mr. Martin’s series and I’m liking it. I started Feast for Crows, but I’m mildly burnt out on reading to be honest.
Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a pain in my ass. Fun, but a pain in my ass.
Music
Listening to a whole host of stuff. Band of Horses, Male Bonding, Black Keys, Broken Social Scene, Tallest Man on Earth, Frightened Rabbit + some old Chicago punk.
1. Really liked the pressure the ‘Hawks brought right out of the gate. They controlled the first two periods, quite well.
2. Credit this Philly team. Man, I think Daniel Briere is incredible. And Scott Hartnell, what a tough guy. Mike Richards, incredible. Michael Leighton, solid. Simone Gagne, solid. Ville Leino, great talent. Philly’s gonna be good for awhile.
3. Happy that Toews pulled in the Conn Smythe trophy.
4. Roenick got me all choked up when he said:
“For that kid that was there in 1992, who was crying when I was came off of the ice after we lost Game 4 in Chicago Stadium, you waited 18 years - I hope you have a big smile on your face.
Pretty unbeliveable when it’s all said and done. In 1985, I was 11 years old and was able to witness the Chicago Bears win a Super Bowl. In the 1990s, I was spoiled by an overpowering Chicago Bulls team that won multiple championships. In 2005, the Chicago White Sox won the World Series. And now in 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks are Stanley Cup Champions. It’s an amazing, amazing feeling.*
*Note: The Chicago Cubs are conspicuously absent because I hate them.
OK, ‘Hawks are up 3-2 with the next game in Philly.
Things I Liked
1. Line Changes - I was a bit shocked when I saw Hossa/Kopecky/Toews on the first line and then even more shocked to see the rest of the line changes, but they worked. I appreciate the overall team chemistry that the ‘Hawks have.
2. Even Penalty Calling - The first 4 games we’ve been totally hosed on the calls. Even the crappy makeup calls at the end of game 4 were infuriating since the ‘Hawks haven’t had any real chances until last night. It was very nice to see Hartnell get tagged for elbowing and Pronger nailed for cross-checking.
3. Neutral Zone Passing - Coming out of their own end and through the neutral zone, the ‘Hawks have looked sluggish and appeared to be relying on long passes through the neutral zone from board to board. Last night it looked like the shortened it up a little with better skating and shorter passing when bringing it into the Philly end.
4. Special Teams - John Madden on the penalty kill was huge and the last power play goal - when Pronger was in the box - was as pretty a play as I’ve seen in some time.
Things I Didn’t Like
1. Pronger/Timonen Getting Away With Murder - I still feel like we’re not getting the calls on these guys.
2. Versteeg - A couple of times he looked like we was being too cute with the puck. If anything, I wish he’d put it on net more and not try to make the pretty passes.
3. These New Sticks - Duncan Keith didn’t have a chance on the last goal when his stick broke.
4. The No Call on Hartnell - Clearly interfering with Niemi when sprawled on the ice.