Ramblings and Reflections

Please Accept My Apologies

I know that I have been tardy with my review of Hotbed Hotel but I was called out of town on short notice*. I just got back this evening and as soon as I get the sand out of my shoes** I'll be back in the office and will begin to work on my review.

At least I didn't end up upside down this time Uncle Keith.

* long time readers and friends know this happens from time to time and I think have come to understand that if they don't hear from me in a while there's a real good reason for it.

** Not just my shoes, this shit is everywhere.

Hotbed Hotel - An Unauthorized (and uncompensated) Review

....Coming Soon!

Bar Talk

Things overheard in a hotel bar in Southern Maryland while doing grand mariner shots and watching the Capitals drop Game 5 to the Flyers in double overtime:

1. Ummm dude, what the fuck is your name again?

2. My nipples hurt.

3. Tequila makes her clothes fall off.

4. He's my brother but I'd still blow him.

Gawd it's great to be back home again!

Song Lyric Thursday

This is the last in a two-part series of sports-related Song Lyric Thursday's. This week, in tribute to the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs we will focus on the wonderful fast-paced game of hockey.

I have been witness to the traditional skating of the Cup at the conclusion of the finals twice. The first time was bittersweet - living outside of Washington, DC and being a Capitals fan, I was depressed to stand in the crowd at the then MCI Arena after the Caps had just been swept in 4 games and watch the Detroit Red Wings celebrate in 1998 but was happy to be in attendance to witness the event. Two years ago, under different circumstances I was elated to be in attendance to watch my adopted "local" team, the Carolina Hurricanes lift the Cup after dispatching the Edmonton Oilers in an exciting game 7.

During a tour of the Cup through the minor leagues I was fortunate to actually lay my hands on the Cup and have my picture taken with it. Superstition says you only touch the Cup after you've won it and if you touch it prior to that you will curse yourself to never winning it. Seeing that my chances of catching on with a viable Cup contending NHL team had probably passed me by, I grabbed a hold with gusto. My aspiring 11 year old goalie on the other hand decided to not tempt fate and while he did allow himself to be photographed next to it, refused to place his hands on even the table the Cup was sitting on.

So here's a little hockey diddy - I hope you enjoy it.

GOOD OLD HOCKEY GAME
Stompin' Tom Connors


Hello out there, were on the air
it's hockey night tonight!
The tension grows,
the whistle blows,
and the puck goes down the ice.
The goalie jumps,
and and the players bump,
and the fans all go insane.
Someone roars:
"Bobby Scores!"
At the good old hockey game!

(chorus)
Oh!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Second Period.
Where players dash,
with skates a-flash,
the home team trails behind.
But they grab the puck,
and go bursting up,
and they're down across the line.
They storm the crease,
like bumblebees,
and they travel like a burning flame.
We see them slide the puck inside,
its a one one hockey game!

(chorus)
Oh!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Third Period.
Last game in the play-offs too.
Oh take me where, the hockey players,
face off down the rink,
And the Stanley Cup,
is all filled up,
for the champs who win the drink!
Now the final flick,
of a hockey stick,
and a one gigantic scream:
"THE PUCK IS IN! THE HOME TEAM WINS!"
At the good ol hockey game

(chorus repeat 3 times)
OH!
The good old hockey game!
Its the best game you can name!
And the best game you can name,
is the good old hockey game!

Southern Maryland - Here I Come.....

Keith, Sweetie, Terry, Richard, Jackie, et.al.,

I'm heading up that way for corporate training next week - I'll be in Solomons from Wednesday evening through Friday and then over at the parental ranch through Sunday.

I'll be attending a "Motivational Leadership" training course - this will be fun since, as you know, I am usually less than motivated and really don't like leading. The motto still stands "start slow and then taper off".

Keith, I need a ticket for either Friday or Saturday night - I'll be looking for a date for the night ladies so who's interested?

C'ya next week!

Get ready ... get set ... Stanley!

I love this time of year! Especially when my four fav teams make the playoffs!

Song Lyric Thursday

I'm a casual baseball fan. I'm not fanatical nor will I tell you how stupid you are for pulling for one team over the other. I will not be found referring to a team as the greatest team of all time, etc. However there are two words that currently exist that are going to be the reason I will detest baseball this season.

Yankee Stadium

Everything, and I mean everything that will occur this year at the "house that Ruth built" will be met with the fact that it's the last time it will occur there (last opening day, last lead off homer in Game 34 in the season, last time Rivera will scratch his balls in the top of the 9th in Game #58, yada, fucking yada, yada).

I find this moniker "the house that Ruth built" interesting although the Babe* was 28 when the stadium opened so I suppose he could have had a hand in the actual construction of it. You don't have to look it up, I did it for you. I actually do research on the shit I post here.

I look forward to the comment that my buddy Richard will leave here tell me how stupid I am (see reference above) or tell me how the Yankees are the greatest rock and roll band of all time. Wait that's the Rolling Stones, one of Richard's other passions.

Crap here I've gone off on a tangent; this post was suppose to be about Song Lyric Thursday so let me get back on track. In honor of the opening of yet another season of the American pastime, I give you a little John Fogerty less the rest of CCR. And remember sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes it rains**.

Well, beat the drum and hold the phone - the sun came out today!
We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.
A-roundin’ third, and headed for home, it’s a brown-eyed handsome man;
Anyone can understand the way I feel.

Chorus:
Oh, put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today;
Put me in, coach - I’m ready to play today;
Look at me, I can be centerfield.

Well, I spent some time in the mudville nine, watchin’ it from the bench;
You know I took some lumps when the mighty casey struck out.
So say hey willie, tell ty cobb and joe dimaggio;
Don’t say "it ain’t so", you know the time is now.

Chorus

Yeah! I got it, I got it!

Got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and brand-new pair of shoes;
You know I think it’s time to give this game a ride.
Just to hit the ball and touch ’em all - a moment in the sun;
(pop) it’s gone and you can tell that one goodbye!

* - George Herman (Babe) Ruth, 1895-1948

** - Bull Durham, 1988, written by Ron Shelton. All rights reserved.