One of the things that really makes or breaks music for me is lyrics. The coolest chord progression or rhythm/beat or what-have-you can be utterly destroyed by lame lyrics. That's one of the reasons that 'pop' music bothers me so much some times- the lyrics are so cookie-cutter, blah-blah-blah, with no substance. I want music that makes me think and feel. Project 86 does this better than most bands that I've encountered. Except maybe Baby Cannon (this message has been brought to you by Baby Cannon. A band that isn't famous but is awesome).
I'll limit this to a top-15 (I couldn't narrow it down to just 10), since they have a bevy of songs. Also, I'll limit it to a line or two, or a few- that is, I'm not ranking songs according to their overall lyrical content, I'm just rating sections of lyrics that I have found to be particularly inspiring, intellectual, or just plain B.A.
Now that I have laid the ground rules, I present without further adieu...my top fifteen Project 86 lyrics!
15)Shadow On Me, Songs To Burn Your Bridges By
Take me in these fleeting moments of solitude in you
Remove this fascination with shadow and remove
This shattered self of preservation, this commitment to undo
All that you forgave and give, and all you promised to...
14)Sad Machines, Drawing Black Lines
Now so many wonder why it is so much has gone awry in all of this
And being makes you sigh that you exist but you can't escape this
Seemingly undeserved is your lot but generations past and you forgot
We chose to eat our fill and tell it not
This pain is here reminding us to turn and leave to come back home
This lyric is followed by the most amazing musical scream I have ever heard
13)A Toast To My Former Self, Drawing Black Lines
Kill the day and fill me, break my past renew me
Lift up my head, I'm weary, strip my thoughts and I'll kill this day, now fill me
12)Know What It Means, Truthless Heroes
Remember what its like to be you?
Remember what its like to be me?
All that I see these eyes in my dreams
These thought police coming for me
11)Another Boredom Movement, Truthless Heroes
The grins of your puppeteers are beaming because the quotas will be made
Or your time in the spotlight will fade at the hands of the same pigs that made you
10)PS, Drawing Black Lines
It is a basis for your heartfelt hunger so gaze
At the page, at the page, at the faces of nameless...
You're alone again and this distortion is an apt replacement for
An unquenchable desire for more
More pages strewn across this sickening floor
I can't look at this, I can't look at you, I can't look at me, I can't
9)Little green men, Truthless Heroes
History's a stage for re-runs for 3 A.M. insomniacs who quote the episodes
If tricycles came with guns we'd all be safe
8)Bottom Feeder, Truthless Heroes
So little of what seems to be is ever really there, so much of what's here I resent
7)Sincerely, Ichabod, ...And The Rest Will Follow
I know who I am in the depths of spirit and truth
I've seen the face of redemption and He isn't you
I'm through indulging the tastes of my cruelest nature
So I think this blade better suits you
6)Safe Haven, Songs To Burn Your Bridges By
I'm just a stranger here, despite your everything
I'm not attached to your world of disease
Like father always said, and I can only agree
'Son they will hate you because they always hated me'
And even though I feel alone
I know that I could never be
5)Spy Hunter, Songs To Burn Your Bridges By
Pawns standing in awe of the game, of the stage
You've worked so hard at building an empire of secret rooms to display yourself
And add to your wealth
4)Soma, Truthless Heroes
If you can amputate my heart then I will learn to smile and then
You can replace me with yourself and I'll become the model citizen
And I will tell them all that I had this breakthrough surgery
They give you a pill, then remove your heart and replace it with a battery
3)Breakdown in 3/4, Songs To Burn Your Bridges By
When you're just a memory I'll be there to remind you of what you said
As ash to ash so you will return... "You once made such noise, but now so obsolete."
2)Hollow Again, Truthless Heroes
And all along here I was told by fallen men in their charade
That we could find a hope inside the safety of this empty place
1)Kane Mutiny, Rival Factions
So far you've been able to have your way without a fight
Oh, it's long been overdue you will not survive the night
You're not gonna stop us tonight
No one's gonna take us alive
Well, I hope you've enjoyed this weeks edition of 'Project 86 Monday'. If you have a particularly favorite lyric that I didn't name, let me know! I hope you were inspired, insmartened, or B.A.ed reading these sweet lyrics. Tune in next Monday to find out my favorite Project 86 songs of all time!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Project 86 Monday! Project 86 Monday! Project 86 Monday!
Mark your calenders- July 14th, the best band in the history of ever (Project 86) releases their newest LP, Picket Fence Cartel. In honor of this very cool epic event, I will devote the next three Mondays to putting out high quality blog posts in honor of this amazing, hard rocking band. If you have even the slightest affinity for heavy rock or deep lyrics, then I highly recommend these guys.
Why do I love this band? Well, this was the first band I attached to as a young Christian. They were the first band that showed me my musical future would involve much more than just hymns and Point of Grace. Alex Albert, the drummer (through most of their albums) doesn't do anything that is too crazy amazing (which actually inspires me) but is extremely tight. Andrew Schwab, the frontman, writes amazing lyrics, and when we went and saw them in concert for the first time, looked right into my soul. He's so frickin intense! Steve Dail (bass) and Randy (guitar) round out the band, and they are both really good as well.
This band writes really phenomenal bridges. So yeah...
I once rode 7 hours (from Marquette to St. Paul, MN) to watch this band- me and the bro-in-lawski went there on a Tuesday, watched Project (and some other bands), camped one night, and then drove back the next day in time to get to work. Wow! I'm so hardcore it is not even funny!
Anyways, I'm just wasting time right now. I have to work on my first Project 86 Monday! post- my favorite Project 86 lyrics. Enjoy!
PIC
Logo- www.myspace.com/project86
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Do we really need the letter 'E'?
I love words. I love playing around the phonetics, pronouncing words on incorrect syllables. I love screwing around with grammar. The origin of words fascinates me. I mean, to think that we define so much of our existence by the way that the tangible things we experience are defined for us...it's really quite amazing to think about. Definitions have power. Words have power.
(I feel like I should point out here that I am not taking this post in a serious direction...although I think this intro paragraph is very good, and would fit very well in a blog post I was thinking about doing about the very power of words and definitions, I will save that for another day)
The letter 'E'. The mother of all letters, the most popular letter in the English language...shoot, 'English' starts with an 'E'! We've all played Hangman, and 'E' is one of those sacred fish-in-a-barrel letters that you guess first...after all, lots of words have an 'E'! Why mess around and risk getting hanged, right? What letter is most prominent in Scrabble? You guessed it- 'E'.
But I have a problem with the letter 'E'- I think it is overrated. Not only that, I find it to be the parasite of the alphabet, latching on to any word it can sink its bloody claws into. I find it no coincidence that the word 'evil' begins with the letter 'E'. Also, 'Ebola', enemy' , and 'enema'. All start with 'E'. Oh, and 'Ewok'. 'Ewok' starts with 'E'.
The letter 'E' will eat you easily every chance it gets. 'E' is everywhere. The end.
We are enablers. By allowing the letter 'E' to attach itself to the end of words that have no need of a letter 'E' (cape, rune, made, bite, slime, hate, shame, use, sludge, dude), we have basically surrendered our Constitutional-given right to bear arms! I mean, to vote! I mean...well maybe I'm thinking of the Declaration of Independence. Life? Liberty? Pursuit of Happiness? Ever heard of 'em? While we were busy enjoying elephants and egg nog, the letter 'E' infiltrated our language, brainwashed our teachers, and left us for dead on the doorstep. How's that for independence?
If we are not careful, the letter E will soon be in position to take over. As in, everything. Our economy is in peril. Employment is falling. People don't have enough to eat. Educational systems have failed us, and even our entertainment industry is falling apart. I don't have time to go into details here, but suffice it to say that I have known of this sinister plot by the letter 'E' for quite some time. And I know how to stop it.
No no no, it's not the Wi. It's the Wii. Notice the difference the second 'I' makes.
Thanks to our friends in Japan, we have our weapon against 'E'. Or should I say, wii have our anti-E weapon. The letter E has bullied us and forced us to believe the lie that our language will fall apart without its' existence. Friends, nothing can be further from the truth. Our language not only can survive, but it can thrive. Wii do not need the letter 'E'...the letter 'E' needs us. Shoot, even Wikipedia, the bastion of truth, declares that silent E has not always been around. If Wikipedia says something, you know you can take it to the bank.
Join with me, brothers. There is a war coming. The letter 'E' sweeps over the land, the silent killer, the black plague. It taunts us every time we hit the spellcheck button. Damn. Forgot the 'E' at the end of 'plague'. But hidden deep inside of our alphabet is buried the foil for this tyrant- the letter 'Y'. Well, and the letter 'I', also. Technically the letter 'A' too, I guess. These letters have the intestinal fortitude to not only conquer the letter 'E', but to make sure that it never returns.
We can win this war. There will be casualties- maybe your favorite word or name will have to be killed. But when it rises, it will be clean, free from the stain of the illegitimate letter that has contaminated our whole language system. Imagine, if you will, a 25 letter alphabet working together in unison and harmony, with no letters fighting for dominance, no posturing amongst them- 25 letters, working as 1 letter. John Lennon sang the song 'Imagine', but I submit that his vision of world peace was perhaps a bit shortsighted. For see John, you cannot have peace and the letter 'E' in the same sentence. Sing with me: Imagine there's no 'E's...I wonder if you can...
(I will end with this phrase, meant to be chanted repeatedly until a state of frothing frenzy is achieved, at which point I am not responsible for what may or may not happen) Down with 'E'!
PICS-
Letter E- http://www.learningtreasures.com/suite101/Letter_E.jpg
Wii- http://www.techdigest.tv/wii.jpg
(I feel like I should point out here that I am not taking this post in a serious direction...although I think this intro paragraph is very good, and would fit very well in a blog post I was thinking about doing about the very power of words and definitions, I will save that for another day)
The letter 'E'. The mother of all letters, the most popular letter in the English language...shoot, 'English' starts with an 'E'! We've all played Hangman, and 'E' is one of those sacred fish-in-a-barrel letters that you guess first...after all, lots of words have an 'E'! Why mess around and risk getting hanged, right? What letter is most prominent in Scrabble? You guessed it- 'E'.
But I have a problem with the letter 'E'- I think it is overrated. Not only that, I find it to be the parasite of the alphabet, latching on to any word it can sink its bloody claws into. I find it no coincidence that the word 'evil' begins with the letter 'E'. Also, 'Ebola', enemy' , and 'enema'. All start with 'E'. Oh, and 'Ewok'. 'Ewok' starts with 'E'.
The letter 'E' will eat you easily every chance it gets. 'E' is everywhere. The end.
We are enablers. By allowing the letter 'E' to attach itself to the end of words that have no need of a letter 'E' (cape, rune, made, bite, slime, hate, shame, use, sludge, dude), we have basically surrendered our Constitutional-given right to bear arms! I mean, to vote! I mean...well maybe I'm thinking of the Declaration of Independence. Life? Liberty? Pursuit of Happiness? Ever heard of 'em? While we were busy enjoying elephants and egg nog, the letter 'E' infiltrated our language, brainwashed our teachers, and left us for dead on the doorstep. How's that for independence?
If we are not careful, the letter E will soon be in position to take over. As in, everything. Our economy is in peril. Employment is falling. People don't have enough to eat. Educational systems have failed us, and even our entertainment industry is falling apart. I don't have time to go into details here, but suffice it to say that I have known of this sinister plot by the letter 'E' for quite some time. And I know how to stop it.
No no no, it's not the Wi. It's the Wii. Notice the difference the second 'I' makes.
Thanks to our friends in Japan, we have our weapon against 'E'. Or should I say, wii have our anti-E weapon. The letter E has bullied us and forced us to believe the lie that our language will fall apart without its' existence. Friends, nothing can be further from the truth. Our language not only can survive, but it can thrive. Wii do not need the letter 'E'...the letter 'E' needs us. Shoot, even Wikipedia, the bastion of truth, declares that silent E has not always been around. If Wikipedia says something, you know you can take it to the bank.
Join with me, brothers. There is a war coming. The letter 'E' sweeps over the land, the silent killer, the black plague. It taunts us every time we hit the spellcheck button. Damn. Forgot the 'E' at the end of 'plague'. But hidden deep inside of our alphabet is buried the foil for this tyrant- the letter 'Y'. Well, and the letter 'I', also. Technically the letter 'A' too, I guess. These letters have the intestinal fortitude to not only conquer the letter 'E', but to make sure that it never returns.
We can win this war. There will be casualties- maybe your favorite word or name will have to be killed. But when it rises, it will be clean, free from the stain of the illegitimate letter that has contaminated our whole language system. Imagine, if you will, a 25 letter alphabet working together in unison and harmony, with no letters fighting for dominance, no posturing amongst them- 25 letters, working as 1 letter. John Lennon sang the song 'Imagine', but I submit that his vision of world peace was perhaps a bit shortsighted. For see John, you cannot have peace and the letter 'E' in the same sentence. Sing with me: Imagine there's no 'E's...I wonder if you can...
(I will end with this phrase, meant to be chanted repeatedly until a state of frothing frenzy is achieved, at which point I am not responsible for what may or may not happen) Down with 'E'!
PICS-
Letter E- http://www.learningtreasures.com/suite101/Letter_E.jpg
Wii- http://www.techdigest.tv/wii.jpg
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Sequel
I'm starting to see a pattern here- movies today have an unbalanced ratio between hype and substance. Okay, so maybe this revelation isn't such a big deal...but the last two 'Blockbuster' movies that I have seen, Wolverine: Origins and Transformers 2 have both been sub par compared to my expectations for them.
Now this isn't the first time this has happened. I've been initially disappointed in sequels before. 'Two Towers', for instance, was very disappointing to me the first time I saw it- mostly because I had hyped up this movie in my mind to levels that it could not possibly attain. When I saw it again, I realized that it was, in fact, a great move. And I haven't had a chance to do is get a second viewing of these movies, so maybe I'll be wrong. Unfortunately, I don't think a second viewing is going to help.
I'll focus mostly on Transformers 2, because a) I saw that movie last night, so it is still fresh, and b) it has the best chance to actually rank as a good movie in my eyes.
Thinking back on it, Transformers 2 reminds me of a 1980's sequel. You remember those, right?
Only the 80's would have taken a movie revolving around two guys pretending their dead boss was still alive...and then made it into a sequel. Really? No one realized he was dead? In the second movie? Wow. Can we just retcon the 80's from existence?
PICS:
Weekend @ Bernies 2- http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/16/A70-8099
Bobblehead- http://terminallaughter.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/office_space_bobbleheads.jpg
Now this isn't the first time this has happened. I've been initially disappointed in sequels before. 'Two Towers', for instance, was very disappointing to me the first time I saw it- mostly because I had hyped up this movie in my mind to levels that it could not possibly attain. When I saw it again, I realized that it was, in fact, a great move. And I haven't had a chance to do is get a second viewing of these movies, so maybe I'll be wrong. Unfortunately, I don't think a second viewing is going to help.
I'll focus mostly on Transformers 2, because a) I saw that movie last night, so it is still fresh, and b) it has the best chance to actually rank as a good movie in my eyes.
Thinking back on it, Transformers 2 reminds me of a 1980's sequel. You remember those, right?
Only the 80's would have taken a movie revolving around two guys pretending their dead boss was still alive...and then made it into a sequel. Really? No one realized he was dead? In the second movie? Wow. Can we just retcon the 80's from existence?
80's sequels sucked- basically all they did was rehash the same jokes from the first movie, maybe change the wording a little bit- it was the Decade of the Disney sequel- straight-to-video quality stuff. This was why I hated Waynes World 2 (although technically I guess that was a 90's movie) initially- it ruined the magic of the first movie. I realize how hard it is to write a script for a great movie, but I'd rather they try to be original and fail than to copy and fail.
This was the format of Transformers 2. It's like they took everything that was great from the first movie and tried to make it bigger and still the same.
Funny parents, sexy Megan Fox, tiny appliance/transformers, jive-talking transformer, John Turturro in underwear, Linkin Park song at the end- all of these things were done in the right amount in the first movie and served to enhance the greatness of both the story and the special effects. Everything was in balance, nothing was out of place. It was a great movie.
The second movie tried to take these things and making them ginormously bigger than they were before- imagining going in for some minor cosmetic surgery and then coming out with a Bobblehead:
SPOILERS START HERE
Funny parents of first one leads to mom scoring a marijuana brownie at the college amongst other ridiculosities. Sexy Megan Fox leads to extremely gratuitous shot of her (basically)humping a motorcycle in her first scene. Really? Was that necessary? Jive-talking transformer is now two jive-talking transformers- twins to boot! John Turturro in underwear is now John Turturro in a jock strap (and yes, they went there). The Linkin Park song at the end? Not nearly as epic as 'What I've Done'.
This movie suffered from a serious case of identity crisis. It couldn't tell whether it wanted to be a comedy or an action or a drama. Maybe it wanted to be a coctioma. Or a dromedtion. Or something else entirely.
I counted no less than eight (8!) characters/units whose sole or primary purpose was to elicit guffaws, or 'laughs'. Let's see, there was: The parents, John Turturro, the Transformer twins, the butt-humping dogs, the hacker-roommate, the president's assistant, the little Decepticon, the old robot. That's a lot of laught eliciters. And it wasn't that they weren't funny- for the most part they were funny. That was the problem- they really disrupted the flow of the story at times.
Ah, the story. I won't go too much into detail (I have a sucky memory and I don't want to spoil too much anyway), but suffice it to say that I thought the story was somewhat weak and that perhaps all these laughs and special effects were in place to cover up that fact. I'll definitely have to give it another viewing (unlike Wolverine, which cannot possibly experience storyline redemption). The special effects were amazing, but I was hoping that Hollywood would have learned from Lord of the Rings or the first Transformer movie that you could indeed have a good story AND good effects in the same movie. Alas, maybe G.I. Joe will prove different. Probably not though.
By the way, Peter Cullen, who does the voice of Optimus Prime, is also the voice of Eeyore. So....take that for what it is worth...
This was the format of Transformers 2. It's like they took everything that was great from the first movie and tried to make it bigger and still the same.
Funny parents, sexy Megan Fox, tiny appliance/transformers, jive-talking transformer, John Turturro in underwear, Linkin Park song at the end- all of these things were done in the right amount in the first movie and served to enhance the greatness of both the story and the special effects. Everything was in balance, nothing was out of place. It was a great movie.
The second movie tried to take these things and making them ginormously bigger than they were before- imagining going in for some minor cosmetic surgery and then coming out with a Bobblehead:
SPOILERS START HERE
Funny parents of first one leads to mom scoring a marijuana brownie at the college amongst other ridiculosities. Sexy Megan Fox leads to extremely gratuitous shot of her (basically)humping a motorcycle in her first scene. Really? Was that necessary? Jive-talking transformer is now two jive-talking transformers- twins to boot! John Turturro in underwear is now John Turturro in a jock strap (and yes, they went there). The Linkin Park song at the end? Not nearly as epic as 'What I've Done'.
This movie suffered from a serious case of identity crisis. It couldn't tell whether it wanted to be a comedy or an action or a drama. Maybe it wanted to be a coctioma. Or a dromedtion. Or something else entirely.
I counted no less than eight (8!) characters/units whose sole or primary purpose was to elicit guffaws, or 'laughs'. Let's see, there was: The parents, John Turturro, the Transformer twins, the butt-humping dogs, the hacker-roommate, the president's assistant, the little Decepticon, the old robot. That's a lot of laught eliciters. And it wasn't that they weren't funny- for the most part they were funny. That was the problem- they really disrupted the flow of the story at times.
Ah, the story. I won't go too much into detail (I have a sucky memory and I don't want to spoil too much anyway), but suffice it to say that I thought the story was somewhat weak and that perhaps all these laughs and special effects were in place to cover up that fact. I'll definitely have to give it another viewing (unlike Wolverine, which cannot possibly experience storyline redemption). The special effects were amazing, but I was hoping that Hollywood would have learned from Lord of the Rings or the first Transformer movie that you could indeed have a good story AND good effects in the same movie. Alas, maybe G.I. Joe will prove different. Probably not though.
By the way, Peter Cullen, who does the voice of Optimus Prime, is also the voice of Eeyore. So....take that for what it is worth...
PICS:
Weekend @ Bernies 2- http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/16/A70-8099
Bobblehead- http://terminallaughter.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/office_space_bobbleheads.jpg
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Heart of a champion part 2
Well, it's over. Congrats to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They came into Joe Louis Arena and beat the Red Wings in a do-or-die game 7 to win the Stanley Cup. I was 50% on my predictors for a Pens win...I believe Malkin had 1 assist, Crosby missed most of the game, but Fleury did play out of his mind. That last save was the stuff of legend.
As I alluded to before, this was a very bitter defeat for me. I actually forced myself to watch this series the way I never really had before. I think it taught me a lot.
In some ways it is silly to get wrapped up so much in a game. I mean, I'm not even the one playing, or doing any of the work, how can I think that watching these 7 games was in any way going to allow me to partake in any sort of victory? That's what sports is about though. It's a way for us to get involved in some much bigger concepts than merely statistics and scores. It's about sacrifice, it's about discipline, it's about teamwork. It's about groups of people working together for a common goal.
Hockey is the embodiment of this. I actually might chew on shaving some sports out of my watching docket. Basketball is too individual. Football? I'm sure once training camps start, I'll be hooked back in. Baseball has always been a seasonal pastime for me, filling in the gaps between sports that I like to watch. But I've realized that it's the camaraderie in hockey that makes it so appealing. It's the idea that someone would willingly throw themselves into a dense piece of rubber traveling at speeds of up to 100 mph in order to achieve victory. It is the defense of the goalie. It's the way that the team celebrates goals. Even the whole two assist thing. Maybe this is why Americans don't like hockey. The NHL might try to market glitz and glam players and plays, but at its core, hockey is more communist than capitalist. It's about sacrificing self for the greater good.
That's why, as I write this the day after, I am starting to feel a sense of peace and calm about the whole thing. This was much more than a sporting event for me.
I was able to put myself out there, to become vulnerable. Did it pay off? Well...in a sense, it didn't. I was obviously hoping to be able to release unbridled excitement by being able to watch the Wings win another Stanley Cup (one that I actively participated in as much as I could). But I think some day, I'll be able to look back at this Cup final and probably point to it as one of my favorites.
I still believe that the Wings have the heart of a Champion. Some might say that they blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2. Maybe they were just able to stretch the Penguins to 7 games. That might sound defeatist, as though I am trying to take something away from the Penguins. And I'll be honest- in some ways, I don't feel like they deserve the Cup. I still think their stars are too immature to be considered champions (thinking back to Crosby and his slash of Zetterberg in game 5). I would have liked to have heard more Penguins tipping their hats to the Red Wings. Maybe I didn't pay attention to that stuff last year, but I know the Wings are a classy team. I expect champions to have some class...I didn't see enough of that coming out of the Penguins.
Gamewise, if Rob Scuderi (Pens defensemen) doesn't make a couple killer plays in game 6, then we're having a party in Pittsburgh again. Game 7, Osgood baits Talbot a little too much, gives up the dagger 2nd goal. Kronwall hits a crossbar late in the 3rd.
Yes, Pittsburgh had some bad bounces the first two games, so that is why I don't put too much stock in the close calls department. Those things tend to balance themselves out.
Anyways, back to my point. We started the series without Pavel Datsyuk. Jonathan Erickson had his appendix taken out at the end of the Chicago series. We had a couple days off before having to play back to back games to start the Finals. I'm not trying to make excuses here- those are all things that happened. What I am saying is that the Wings showed tremendous resolve to take those first two games, and to battle back and take game 5, and they gave it their all for games 6 and 7. We came up short, but I'm extremely proud of the way they battled.
Congrats again to the Penguins. And congrats to the Red Wings. They may not be the official 'champion', but to me, they have proven that they are indeed, champs.
As I alluded to before, this was a very bitter defeat for me. I actually forced myself to watch this series the way I never really had before. I think it taught me a lot.
In some ways it is silly to get wrapped up so much in a game. I mean, I'm not even the one playing, or doing any of the work, how can I think that watching these 7 games was in any way going to allow me to partake in any sort of victory? That's what sports is about though. It's a way for us to get involved in some much bigger concepts than merely statistics and scores. It's about sacrifice, it's about discipline, it's about teamwork. It's about groups of people working together for a common goal.
Hockey is the embodiment of this. I actually might chew on shaving some sports out of my watching docket. Basketball is too individual. Football? I'm sure once training camps start, I'll be hooked back in. Baseball has always been a seasonal pastime for me, filling in the gaps between sports that I like to watch. But I've realized that it's the camaraderie in hockey that makes it so appealing. It's the idea that someone would willingly throw themselves into a dense piece of rubber traveling at speeds of up to 100 mph in order to achieve victory. It is the defense of the goalie. It's the way that the team celebrates goals. Even the whole two assist thing. Maybe this is why Americans don't like hockey. The NHL might try to market glitz and glam players and plays, but at its core, hockey is more communist than capitalist. It's about sacrificing self for the greater good.
That's why, as I write this the day after, I am starting to feel a sense of peace and calm about the whole thing. This was much more than a sporting event for me.
I was able to put myself out there, to become vulnerable. Did it pay off? Well...in a sense, it didn't. I was obviously hoping to be able to release unbridled excitement by being able to watch the Wings win another Stanley Cup (one that I actively participated in as much as I could). But I think some day, I'll be able to look back at this Cup final and probably point to it as one of my favorites.
I still believe that the Wings have the heart of a Champion. Some might say that they blew leads of 2-0 and 3-2. Maybe they were just able to stretch the Penguins to 7 games. That might sound defeatist, as though I am trying to take something away from the Penguins. And I'll be honest- in some ways, I don't feel like they deserve the Cup. I still think their stars are too immature to be considered champions (thinking back to Crosby and his slash of Zetterberg in game 5). I would have liked to have heard more Penguins tipping their hats to the Red Wings. Maybe I didn't pay attention to that stuff last year, but I know the Wings are a classy team. I expect champions to have some class...I didn't see enough of that coming out of the Penguins.
Gamewise, if Rob Scuderi (Pens defensemen) doesn't make a couple killer plays in game 6, then we're having a party in Pittsburgh again. Game 7, Osgood baits Talbot a little too much, gives up the dagger 2nd goal. Kronwall hits a crossbar late in the 3rd.
Yes, Pittsburgh had some bad bounces the first two games, so that is why I don't put too much stock in the close calls department. Those things tend to balance themselves out.
Anyways, back to my point. We started the series without Pavel Datsyuk. Jonathan Erickson had his appendix taken out at the end of the Chicago series. We had a couple days off before having to play back to back games to start the Finals. I'm not trying to make excuses here- those are all things that happened. What I am saying is that the Wings showed tremendous resolve to take those first two games, and to battle back and take game 5, and they gave it their all for games 6 and 7. We came up short, but I'm extremely proud of the way they battled.
Congrats again to the Penguins. And congrats to the Red Wings. They may not be the official 'champion', but to me, they have proven that they are indeed, champs.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Game 7 here we come!
Wow, what a cup finals its been! And I know this because I've actually watched most of the games...for those of you who don't know me this is actually quite a big deal (ask my friends about my emo stint after the Wings got clobbered in game 4)- I tend to not do so well when we lose. It's why I followed most of last seasons finals via the Internet the day after- I actually only watched the third period and overtimes of game 5 and (part of, I believe) game 6.
This year I have forced myself to watch...I guess I feel like it's the only way I can really share in the excitement of victory, by exposing myself to the agony of defeat. And it's led to this moment...game 7, winner take all. Of course, the loser takes none, and this is why I'm a little nervous.
I shouldn't be, because it's the Wings, in game 7, at home...we have Datsyuk back, and we played SO good in game 6...a couple bounces here or there and we are marching down the streets of Detroit with the Stanley Cup en tow. I wrote a couple days ago about the heart of a champion, and how Pittsburgh doesn't really have it yet.
I'm still not convinced that they do- but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that they still have a chance to win the Cup, and it's come down to one game for both teams. All it takes is some fluke bounces, crossbars, what have you, for Sid the kid to lift the cup for the first time.
Actually, scratch that...if Pittsburgh can come into Detroit and win game 7 on the road against the Wings, then I think that would qualify as the next step for them. I believe this for a couple reasons:
1) Crosby and Malkin are going to have to produce. We've held them pointless the last couple games, and I'm nervous about our ability to contain them yet again. If we can, then I think we'll win the Cup. If not, there is a good chance that Pittsburgh will be champs. This is not set in stone though, because...
2) Fleury in goal needs to play the game of his life. He has been brilliant in Pittsburgh, and very pedestrian in Detroit. Obviously I hope this pattern holds serve. If Fleury stands on his head though, then again I think that Pittsburgh deserves the Cup.
I think that if one of these two scenarios comes to fruition (Crosby/Malkin step up, Fleury stops everything), then Pittsburgh can win. If neither of the two happens, I think we got it in the bag. Arrgghh! Two more days!
Adding to my aggrivation is that we'll be in Republic on Friday night, playing music for a special service up there...so I will completely miss the game. Don't get me wrong- I'm very excited for the opportunity, any chance I get to worship God through music, I'm all about it- it'll just be a little nerve wracking not being able to see the game. Especially since I've invested so much of myself in these Cup finals, to not be able to see the clincher is going to be a little...strange.
Regardless of how this series plays out, I see it as a changing of the guard of sorts. I think Pittsburgh is definiteily positioning themselves to be a great team and championship contender for years to come. While I wouldn't count Detroit out by any stretch of the imagination (they've made 2 Stanley Cup trips and a conference championship appearance in the salary cap era), there is definitely a feeling that this current core is reaching the end. Maltby, Draper, Lidstrom, Osgood, Chelios- it's been quite a run, but it's nearing the end. Certainly we have the horses to keep things going- Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk (who is quickly emerging as my favorite player), Erickson- but nothing is guaranteed.
So what is my reason for this post? I'm not sure...just some random thoughts about the Cup, and I think part of me is just trying to sort my thoughts out...I'm really just trying to keep from thinking about game 7, so maybe by writing all these thoughts out, I'll hopefully not be thinking about all this stuff.
I still think the Wings are going to win, but I'm going through hundreds of scenarios in my head. Will Hossa come through big? Can Crosby break out of his slump? Which goalie will show up....for both teams? Is the presence of Datsyuk enough to take us over the top?
I do think that if we had Datsyuk for the first four games, this series would be over. Last night we looked like a completely different team than we did during game 4. You can never play what if in sports (because literally every play has a what if scenario)...but if we lose this game I guarantee that I will keep coming back to this very thought.
In conclusion, it's been a hard fought series. Perhaps the most rewarding part about it is that I've learned a lot about myself in the process. I think for too long, I've been a 'headline' follower, instead of a participant. I think that you can draw satisfaction as a headline follower, but nowhere near what you can as a participant. There is more risk, to be sure...but the possible reward is priceless. And weighs 35 pounds. Unless you are lifting it, in which case it has an undetermined weight.
This year I have forced myself to watch...I guess I feel like it's the only way I can really share in the excitement of victory, by exposing myself to the agony of defeat. And it's led to this moment...game 7, winner take all. Of course, the loser takes none, and this is why I'm a little nervous.
I shouldn't be, because it's the Wings, in game 7, at home...we have Datsyuk back, and we played SO good in game 6...a couple bounces here or there and we are marching down the streets of Detroit with the Stanley Cup en tow. I wrote a couple days ago about the heart of a champion, and how Pittsburgh doesn't really have it yet.
I'm still not convinced that they do- but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that they still have a chance to win the Cup, and it's come down to one game for both teams. All it takes is some fluke bounces, crossbars, what have you, for Sid the kid to lift the cup for the first time.
Actually, scratch that...if Pittsburgh can come into Detroit and win game 7 on the road against the Wings, then I think that would qualify as the next step for them. I believe this for a couple reasons:
1) Crosby and Malkin are going to have to produce. We've held them pointless the last couple games, and I'm nervous about our ability to contain them yet again. If we can, then I think we'll win the Cup. If not, there is a good chance that Pittsburgh will be champs. This is not set in stone though, because...
2) Fleury in goal needs to play the game of his life. He has been brilliant in Pittsburgh, and very pedestrian in Detroit. Obviously I hope this pattern holds serve. If Fleury stands on his head though, then again I think that Pittsburgh deserves the Cup.
I think that if one of these two scenarios comes to fruition (Crosby/Malkin step up, Fleury stops everything), then Pittsburgh can win. If neither of the two happens, I think we got it in the bag. Arrgghh! Two more days!
Adding to my aggrivation is that we'll be in Republic on Friday night, playing music for a special service up there...so I will completely miss the game. Don't get me wrong- I'm very excited for the opportunity, any chance I get to worship God through music, I'm all about it- it'll just be a little nerve wracking not being able to see the game. Especially since I've invested so much of myself in these Cup finals, to not be able to see the clincher is going to be a little...strange.
Regardless of how this series plays out, I see it as a changing of the guard of sorts. I think Pittsburgh is definiteily positioning themselves to be a great team and championship contender for years to come. While I wouldn't count Detroit out by any stretch of the imagination (they've made 2 Stanley Cup trips and a conference championship appearance in the salary cap era), there is definitely a feeling that this current core is reaching the end. Maltby, Draper, Lidstrom, Osgood, Chelios- it's been quite a run, but it's nearing the end. Certainly we have the horses to keep things going- Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk (who is quickly emerging as my favorite player), Erickson- but nothing is guaranteed.
So what is my reason for this post? I'm not sure...just some random thoughts about the Cup, and I think part of me is just trying to sort my thoughts out...I'm really just trying to keep from thinking about game 7, so maybe by writing all these thoughts out, I'll hopefully not be thinking about all this stuff.
I still think the Wings are going to win, but I'm going through hundreds of scenarios in my head. Will Hossa come through big? Can Crosby break out of his slump? Which goalie will show up....for both teams? Is the presence of Datsyuk enough to take us over the top?
I do think that if we had Datsyuk for the first four games, this series would be over. Last night we looked like a completely different team than we did during game 4. You can never play what if in sports (because literally every play has a what if scenario)...but if we lose this game I guarantee that I will keep coming back to this very thought.
In conclusion, it's been a hard fought series. Perhaps the most rewarding part about it is that I've learned a lot about myself in the process. I think for too long, I've been a 'headline' follower, instead of a participant. I think that you can draw satisfaction as a headline follower, but nowhere near what you can as a participant. There is more risk, to be sure...but the possible reward is priceless. And weighs 35 pounds. Unless you are lifting it, in which case it has an undetermined weight.
Monday, June 1, 2009
The heart of a champion
I'm just going to be honest and say that this post has potential to go many different places. I want to focus on the Stanley Cup finals, but I'll probably get around to talking about LeBron James also. Grrrrrrr....
First of all, let me preface this by stating that I have probably watched more playoff hockey this year than I can remember (which isn't saying much because A-I haven't watched that much and B-I have a bad memory). I've always been content to just kind of follow along passively. It's not because I'm not a huge Red Wings fan- I am. I just have a hard time sitting through the agonizing moments of sporting events that I am involved in. Objectively? I love watching sports. It's when the subjective aspect is involved that I really struggle.
Watching this year, I've had a chance to see the Detroit Red Wings in all their glory. Everything about them that makes them great- 4 lines, gritty play, timely goaltending. But the fact that their lesser known players have stepped up when the big names (Datsyuk and Lidstrom) have gone down has been particularly joyful to me. It's kind of a vindication of the Red Wing Way. I said to my friend Matt last night that a Wings Cup win this year would be the crown jewel, the epitome of that way. He said he felt like I say that every year. I thought about this, and deemed it Not So...
1997- I was just happy to win the cup and break the drought
1998- We needed to win that one for Vladdy
2002- Basically we bought the Stanley Cup
2008- Probably the closest that Matt could come to making the argument that I say the same thing every year, but last year was more about coming back from a disappointing loss to the Anaheim (previously mighty) Ducks the year before in the conference finals.
I admit that I kind of bought into the hype before the series- '2 games in 2 nights? What will we do?', 'Crosby-Malkin 28 points each in the playoffs, what will we do?', 'Marian Hossa is a traitor, what will we do?'. I actually said that I would be happy if we just took one of the first three games, giving us some time to rest and position ourselves for a push at the end of the series.
I'm sorry Red Wings. I sorely underestimated your heart and your determination. I am ashamed to admit that I doubted their resolve, their ability to overcome adversity. And that reason (their resolve, not my shame) is why they are the defending Cup champs- they have the heart of a champion.
I'm not a hockey 'expert' (of course, most of the people on both sides of the fence who spout their mouths off on message boards aren't either), but there are a few things that I know:
1) No fan on either side can objectively comment on this series. We're too invested in it emotionally, especially after the same two teams met last season. So just stop it!
2) The Penguins have played very well overall, and are a couple bounces here or there away from the series being 1-1 or even 2-0 Penguins. By no means is this over yet. However...
3) The Red Wings are going to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Now, that third item may just be juvenile posturing on my part, and maybe I'm trying to overcome some sort of insecurity by feigning bravado. I think that the Penguins have the guys to be a major player for a long time in this league. But they will not win this year.
Here's the deal- we all thought going into the finals that the Penguins had learned their lessons. We thought that the back-to-back game nights would be a serious hindrance to the older, ailing Wings team. We thought that Crosby-Malkin were unstoppable. But we forgot that the champion Red Wings have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to pay whatever price is needed in order to achieve victory.
I do think that the Penguins have learned some lessons, and if they learn to apply those every playoff night then they will be great. They were down 2-0 against the Capitals. Okay, so Pens fans are rallying all over that one.
But it's the WASHINGTON CAPITALS. In the SECOND ROUND. If that is your body of work to describe how you are able to pull this one out, because of confidence obtained in the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals...well, then you need to be taught more lessons. The Red Wings remind of Edmund Dantez in 'Count of Monte' Cristo', when he's talking to the trader-smuggler buddy after they ported in his old home town. 'In life we're all either kings or pawns'- My point is that Dantez had a very large body of work from which to draw his life experiences. It's not enough to say it- you have to be willing to pay that price. I don't really see that from the Pens squad.
I think back to the '97 playoffs, when everyone was going goo-goo for Eric Lindros. There was this big brouhaha about how Mario Lemeiux and Mark Messier had passed the torch to Lindros, and that the Red Wings were just the next obstacle in his path to greatness. We all remember how that turned out, right? My point is that I feel like there has been this same sort of thing happening with Sidney Crosby and Icantspellhisfirstnamefrommemory Malkin- it's like everyone is so quick to jump on this torch passing bandwagon...I believe that they will learn how to take the next step and be able to hoist the Stanley Cup...but don't just anoint them.
Ahh, I was wondering when I'd get around to LeBron. See, I have a lot of problems with LeBron James, and his behavior after the Cavs were eliminated the other night confirms those. Here is a James quote (taken after he went AWOL after the game instead of manning up and accepting defeat. Way to make your teammates take the fall buddy):
'It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them," he said. "I'm a winner. It's not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them. That doesn't make sense to me. I'm a competitor. That's what I do. It doesn't make sense for me to go over and shake somebody's hand'
Really? I'm sorry, but that is a pretty lame excuse. I can think of numerous other 'competitors' who are able to swallow their pride and admit defeat. That's what makes them men, that's what enables them to take the next step towards greatness. Shoot, in hockey, you have to line up and shake hands with every single opposing 'competitor'. Just one of the reasons I enjoy watching hockey rather than basketball.
I guess the root of my issue with LeBron is pride. LeBron James spends the whole season puffing up his 'image' (the Talcum powder throws, the angry scowl when he makes a great play)- so when things don't go his way, he pouts and sulks. It's not all his problem- how many countless millions help puff up and stroke his ego, heaping praise on him, scorning his teammates and refusing to hold him accountable. LeBron James isn't going to win anything until he stops believing in his greatness and learns a little humility...maybe LeBron, instead of hitting the golf course (I don't know if he actually golfs, it's just sort of the cliche' of athlete's that end their season before the championship) should watch the Stanley Cup finals, and learn what it means to sacrifice self for the sake of the team.
LeBron Angry!!!!! LeBron no win!!!!
Pics:
LeBron- http://www.playoffbeard.com/2006/05/
First of all, let me preface this by stating that I have probably watched more playoff hockey this year than I can remember (which isn't saying much because A-I haven't watched that much and B-I have a bad memory). I've always been content to just kind of follow along passively. It's not because I'm not a huge Red Wings fan- I am. I just have a hard time sitting through the agonizing moments of sporting events that I am involved in. Objectively? I love watching sports. It's when the subjective aspect is involved that I really struggle.
Watching this year, I've had a chance to see the Detroit Red Wings in all their glory. Everything about them that makes them great- 4 lines, gritty play, timely goaltending. But the fact that their lesser known players have stepped up when the big names (Datsyuk and Lidstrom) have gone down has been particularly joyful to me. It's kind of a vindication of the Red Wing Way. I said to my friend Matt last night that a Wings Cup win this year would be the crown jewel, the epitome of that way. He said he felt like I say that every year. I thought about this, and deemed it Not So...
1997- I was just happy to win the cup and break the drought
1998- We needed to win that one for Vladdy
2002- Basically we bought the Stanley Cup
2008- Probably the closest that Matt could come to making the argument that I say the same thing every year, but last year was more about coming back from a disappointing loss to the Anaheim (previously mighty) Ducks the year before in the conference finals.
I admit that I kind of bought into the hype before the series- '2 games in 2 nights? What will we do?', 'Crosby-Malkin 28 points each in the playoffs, what will we do?', 'Marian Hossa is a traitor, what will we do?'. I actually said that I would be happy if we just took one of the first three games, giving us some time to rest and position ourselves for a push at the end of the series.
I'm sorry Red Wings. I sorely underestimated your heart and your determination. I am ashamed to admit that I doubted their resolve, their ability to overcome adversity. And that reason (their resolve, not my shame) is why they are the defending Cup champs- they have the heart of a champion.
I'm not a hockey 'expert' (of course, most of the people on both sides of the fence who spout their mouths off on message boards aren't either), but there are a few things that I know:
1) No fan on either side can objectively comment on this series. We're too invested in it emotionally, especially after the same two teams met last season. So just stop it!
2) The Penguins have played very well overall, and are a couple bounces here or there away from the series being 1-1 or even 2-0 Penguins. By no means is this over yet. However...
3) The Red Wings are going to win the Stanley Cup this year.
Now, that third item may just be juvenile posturing on my part, and maybe I'm trying to overcome some sort of insecurity by feigning bravado. I think that the Penguins have the guys to be a major player for a long time in this league. But they will not win this year.
Here's the deal- we all thought going into the finals that the Penguins had learned their lessons. We thought that the back-to-back game nights would be a serious hindrance to the older, ailing Wings team. We thought that Crosby-Malkin were unstoppable. But we forgot that the champion Red Wings have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to pay whatever price is needed in order to achieve victory.
I do think that the Penguins have learned some lessons, and if they learn to apply those every playoff night then they will be great. They were down 2-0 against the Capitals. Okay, so Pens fans are rallying all over that one.
But it's the WASHINGTON CAPITALS. In the SECOND ROUND. If that is your body of work to describe how you are able to pull this one out, because of confidence obtained in the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals...well, then you need to be taught more lessons. The Red Wings remind of Edmund Dantez in 'Count of Monte' Cristo', when he's talking to the trader-smuggler buddy after they ported in his old home town. 'In life we're all either kings or pawns'- My point is that Dantez had a very large body of work from which to draw his life experiences. It's not enough to say it- you have to be willing to pay that price. I don't really see that from the Pens squad.
I think back to the '97 playoffs, when everyone was going goo-goo for Eric Lindros. There was this big brouhaha about how Mario Lemeiux and Mark Messier had passed the torch to Lindros, and that the Red Wings were just the next obstacle in his path to greatness. We all remember how that turned out, right? My point is that I feel like there has been this same sort of thing happening with Sidney Crosby and Icantspellhisfirstnamefrommemory Malkin- it's like everyone is so quick to jump on this torch passing bandwagon...I believe that they will learn how to take the next step and be able to hoist the Stanley Cup...but don't just anoint them.
And that brings me to LeBron James.
Ahh, I was wondering when I'd get around to LeBron. See, I have a lot of problems with LeBron James, and his behavior after the Cavs were eliminated the other night confirms those. Here is a James quote (taken after he went AWOL after the game instead of manning up and accepting defeat. Way to make your teammates take the fall buddy):
'It's hard for me to congratulate somebody after you just lose to them," he said. "I'm a winner. It's not being a poor sport or anything like that. If somebody beats you up, you're not going to congratulate them. That doesn't make sense to me. I'm a competitor. That's what I do. It doesn't make sense for me to go over and shake somebody's hand'
Really? I'm sorry, but that is a pretty lame excuse. I can think of numerous other 'competitors' who are able to swallow their pride and admit defeat. That's what makes them men, that's what enables them to take the next step towards greatness. Shoot, in hockey, you have to line up and shake hands with every single opposing 'competitor'. Just one of the reasons I enjoy watching hockey rather than basketball.
I guess the root of my issue with LeBron is pride. LeBron James spends the whole season puffing up his 'image' (the Talcum powder throws, the angry scowl when he makes a great play)- so when things don't go his way, he pouts and sulks. It's not all his problem- how many countless millions help puff up and stroke his ego, heaping praise on him, scorning his teammates and refusing to hold him accountable. LeBron James isn't going to win anything until he stops believing in his greatness and learns a little humility...maybe LeBron, instead of hitting the golf course (I don't know if he actually golfs, it's just sort of the cliche' of athlete's that end their season before the championship) should watch the Stanley Cup finals, and learn what it means to sacrifice self for the sake of the team.
LeBron Angry!!!!! LeBron no win!!!!
Pics:
LeBron- http://www.playoffbeard.com/2006/05/
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