tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146268162024-03-08T08:07:54.271-05:00Bainwen's SongThe musings of a woman who never could quite give up believing in the tales of faerie.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.comBlogger218125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-2442528120188523772010-05-09T11:16:00.004-04:002010-05-09T12:04:53.037-04:00Not much to LOL about...<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid=2010050818">Game 5: Sharks 2, Red Wings 1.</a><br /><br />This is why I didn't create LOLs for Game 4, in spite of the fact that it was a delightful 7-1 blowout. It was such a slender hope. If you read sports blogs at all and Red Wing blogs in particular, you've probably seen a lot of contradictory statements over the last little while. We've all been a bit torn between hope and odds the last few days. <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100507/SPORTS05/100507049/1053/SPORTS05/Best-not-to-get-too-excited-about-Wings-Game-4-win">Jamie Samuelsen of the Detroit Free Press had a representative sample on Friday:</a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Everyone knows that only two teams in NHL history have come back from 3-0 deficits. That doesn’t mean that the losing teams haven’t won a game or two or three along the way. That means that it’s nearly impossible to win four.<br /><br />But give the Wings credit. It’s human nature to calculate the odds and respond accordingly. It’s not quitting. It’s simply realizing -- perhaps subconsciously -- that you’re just not going to come back. The Wings didn’t succumb to that in Game 4, and now things are a little more interesting. If they can somehow win Game 5, and doubt starts creeping into the Sharks' dressing room, things will get awfully interesting. </span><br /><br />The talk at work-- with the few other hockey fans I've managed to find in my Toledo exile-- was much the same. "It's going to be so hard... but <span style="font-style:italic;">maybe</span>..."<br /><br />In the end, the hope was just a lovely dream we all shared for a few days. The San Jose Sharks are not the choky team we've seen in the past. They may not have completely made the transition from regular season success to postseason success, but they're well on their way. (Long-term followers of hockey might be reminded of the Red Wings circa 1995 or so.) <br /><br />So, not much to LOL about in Hockeytown this morning. <br /><br />That said, I do see a lot to be hopeful about going into next season. <br /><br />Aside from having experienced elite players like <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2680">Pavel Datsyuk</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2503">Henrik Zetterberg</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3759">Valtteri Filppula</a>, and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3722">Johan Franzen</a>, and aside from <a href="http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/04/30/sports/doc4bdb6af109c69367532753.txt">Jiri Hudler coming back from the Russian KHL</a> with his ability to score timely goals, the Red Wings have acquired a small cluster of gritty young checking forwards who stepped up to help cover for the season-long injury bug and keep Detroit in the playoff hunt. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4065">Darren Helm</a>, <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3366">Patrick Eaves</a>, and <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3883">Drew Miller</a> will be all the stronger for the experience they got this year. Over the course of the season, their penalty-killing became visibly better. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/4396">Justin Abdelkader</a> is the sort of guy who provides instant energy whenever he's on the ice, and I look for him to prove himself invaluable next season. <br /><br />And then there's <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3771">Jimmy Howard</a>. I can't say enough about how <span style="font-style:italic;">wrong</span> I was about the guy at the beginning of the season. I thought there was no way he was ready for the NHL, and ranted about how we needed to trade him immediately if not sooner, and then he goes and proves me wrong with a Calder-quality season and a not-bad showing in his first playoff run. <br /><br />There are still some lingering questions for the team, the biggest one being <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100509/SPORTS05/100509006/1053/SPORTS05/Biggest-question-Will-Nicklas-Lidstrom-return-to-Wings?">whether or not Nick Lidstrom will retire</a>. His contract is up, and he's said he wants to take a few weeks to make his decision. His teammates are planning to work on keeping him around for another year. "I’m going to work him tonight, talk some sense into him," said Johan Franzen. And who can out-stubborn The Mule? <br /><br />My gut feeling is that Lidstrom won't retire this year. I think he would have for sure if they had won the Cup, but since they didn't I can't imagine he wouldn't want one more go at it, with a healthy team and the rookies settled into their roles. Besides which, the way he's played, particularly in the Sharks series, shows he still has a fire and still has the ability to play at a high level. Maybe this is actually wishful thinking on my part, but I think Nick will know when it is time to hang up the skates, and this is not his time. <br /><br />One question about next year has been answered already. <a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20100506/SPORTS05/100506041/1053/SPORTS05/Owner-Mike-Ilitch-Red-Wings-will-play-next-season-at-Joe-Louis-Arena">Team owner Mike Illitch has said that they are in negotiations with the city of Detroit to lease Joe Louis Arena for one more season.</a> I'm really glad about this. The location is ideally centered for the greatest number of fans, it's easy to get to from all the freeways, and it's so nice by the river on a mild day. I know it's a hole and it's crumbling and the floors are permanently sticky and the bathrooms are permanently kind of gross, but it's <span style="font-style:italic;">our</span> hole! <br /><br />So, like I said, not much to LOL about today, but plenty of hope for the future. <br /><br />October, after all, is not that far away.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-41316867523207921782010-04-28T22:49:00.002-04:002010-04-28T22:54:32.237-04:00Western Conference Quarterfinals, Games 5 & 7Sometimes, the schedule is just too tight for each game to have its own entry. This is one of those times. But look how nicely games 5 and 7 blend together! <br /><br />Photos courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/helm.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/kronwall.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/conga.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/staring.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/open.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/leaving.jpg"><br /><br><br />Now... onto the semifinals! Bring on the Sharks!Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-72291602910258698632010-04-22T22:20:00.003-04:002010-04-22T22:27:44.245-04:00Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game 4Because the less said about Game 3, the better.<br /><br />So let's have some Game 4 LOLs! Not many this time, but I have to pace myself, after all. As the announcers remind us, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Photos courtesy of the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/gravity.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/sneaky.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/nohelmet.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/mule.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/up.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-43651815341241762402010-04-17T23:08:00.003-04:002010-04-17T23:22:59.449-04:00NHLOL: The Return!Western Conference Quarterfinals, Game 2: Detroit 7, Phoenix 4.<br /><br />I love this time of year SO MUCH. <br /><br />Photos courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News. Special thanks to Shane Doan for having possibly the funniest-looking post-goal face I have ever seen, and apologies to Edward Munch. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/laxative.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/hit.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/refpie.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/censorship.jpg"><br /><br><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202010/doanscream.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-3453859651449528752010-04-09T15:56:00.002-04:002010-04-09T16:03:29.881-04:00The Five People You'll Meet At Hockey GamesAs of this writing, the Red Wings have locked up a playoff spot. They could finish anywhere from 5th to 8th place-- and none of these are really to be preferred to the others in the first round, since none of their potential opponents are more or less threatening than the others. They've all got dangers and advantages that work out pretty evenly. The Western Conference is even tighter than usual this year. Battle is imminent. <br /><br />The Wings have two regular season games remaining-- Columbus tonight and Chicago on Sunday. Columbus is not a playoff team this year and have nothing to play for tonight except pride and giving their fans a good send-off for the summer. (Neither of which should be underestimated, but I don't expect a compelling game out of it.) Chicago is a playoff team and could in fact be Detroit's first round opponent. That would mean as many as eight straight games against the Blackhawks-- groan. Nothing against the 'Hawks in particular, but that's an awful lot of games against the same guys right in a row. I expect they'll go somewhat easy on each other on Sunday. Everyone's going to be trying to avoid injury, plus they may well be trying to maneuver their spots in the standings so as NOT to play each other in Round One.<br /><br />So what's a fan to do while counting down the days until the playoffs, aka The Real Season, when I can bring you a new collection of LOLHockeys? Let's poke gentle fun at the fans instead! I bring you, "The Five People You'll Meet At Hockey Games." (With no apologies to Mitch Albom for ripping off his title, because it falls under free use/parody/satire. Neener.) <br /><br />1. Captain Obvious: This is a subset of the Armchair Coach. A regular Armchair Coach will sit at home or up in the stands and tell the team what they should do (or alternatively, tell their buddies later what the team should have done). Captain Obvious isn't quite so smart. Rather than saying something the team could have done which might have made an actual difference, such as, "If they wanted to score quickly they should have put Datsyuk and Zetterberg on the same line," as Armchair Coaches might, Captain Obvious will say something more, well, obvious. Things like, "Shoot it!" to a guy who is already in the act of shooting the puck. <br /><br />Real life example: "Man, they're down by one and there's only a minute left! They gotta score fast if they want to go to overtime!" Srsly? Thank you for that insightful commentary. Without it I might never have known that you have to tie the game before the end of regulation in order to go to overtime. <br /><br />2. Captain Oblivious: This, like Captain Obvious, is a subset of the Armchair Coach. Captain Oblivious, however, will tell the players to do something which is impossible according to the laws of physics, such as saying, "Shoot it!" to a guy who is deep in his own zone, protecting the puck from three opponents as he helps kill off a 5-on-3 penalty. It kind of makes you wonder what game this person is actually watching, because their verbal diarrhea has nothing whatsoever to do with what's happening on the ice. I totally understand if they haven't caught on to the nuances of the game yet-- we were all there at one point-- but couldn't they at least pay attention to the physical properties of what they're seeing? <br /><br />Real life example: "Hey, what happened?" Um, they just scored. That's why the red light is on, the goal horn is blowing, and everyone is standing up cheering. <br />I have a football example, too. There's this elderly woman who attends University of Toledo football games. She yells loudly and obnoxiously on every play--things like, "We need a sack!" and "Defense! Where are you?!?" when Toledo has the ball. She wears Toledo colors, but she so consistently yells against what the Rockets are trying to do that I think she may secretly be a Bowling Green Falcons fan. Anyway, suffice it to say that Captain Oblivious is not solely a hockey phenomenon.<br /><br />3. The Drunk: Joe Louis Arena has a wide selection of alcoholic beverages available for purchase. Beer, mixed drinks, wine-- if you can drink it, you can buy it, pretty much. However, it's not exactly cheap! A beer costs $8.00 (or was it $7.50? Not a beer drinker here.), and mixed drinks cost more. Typically, someone will buy one or maybe two drinks for the game. However, there's always some people who manage to get completely shit-faced. Are they bringing in hidden flasks? Are they total lightweights? Or are they really paying that much to get that drunk? And how do they get back down the (steep, uneven) arena stairs after the game? It boggles, it does.<br /><br />Real life example: It was apparently a group of guys celebrating their buddy's 21st birthday party. What none of them knew was that large amounts of beer would give the birthday boy gas. Really nasty gas. The guy next to me said he was surprised the stench didn't crack the ice, and I don't envy the drunk dude's friends who had to try to get his stinky self back down to ground level without falling down the stairs.<br /><br />4. The Old-Timer: This is the guy (I have yet to encounter a female specimen, though they probably do exist) who complains that today's players are wusses, visors and helmets have ruined the game, and European players are all figure skaters. I could list example after example of European players demonstrating toughness, but I won't. I WILL, however, point out that the guys complaining are AT THE GAME. They PAID MONEY to get in. Why bother if they hate the modern game so much? They're like Statler and Waldorf, with none of the awesome. <br /><em>"Why do we always come here? <br />I guess we'll never know. <br />It's like a kind of torture <br />To have to watch the show." </em><br /><br />Real life example: Don Cherry. Enough said. (In fairness, even he seems to be backing off on the anti-European stuff, and he did push very vocally for the NHL to enact its new ban on deliberate hits to the head.)<br /><br />5. The Business Opportunist: Some companies own season tickets in the lower bowl or rent out suites for occasional games. Sometimes the tickets are given as rewards to employees (and these are usually indistinguishable from regular game-goers), but other times they're used to impress potential clients or partners. Hey, they paid for the tickets, so they can bring whomever they want to the game, but it seems odd to see people in suits trying to maintain their dignity when they're surrounded by the sea of screaming fans in red and white. And who can conduct business in such a loud place anyway? <br /><br />Real life example: The company my ex-husband was working for, way back in 2003, was being wooed by some vendor who bought a suite for a game. Employees and spouses/significant others were invited along. Blatant but legal bribery? Yep. Were we going to turn down the chance to see the game from a luxury suite? Hell, no. Plus, while the executive types were schmoozing, the rest of us got to witness Brett Hull score his 700th career goal. It was a classic Brett Hull one-timer off a perfect set up pass from Pavel Datsyuk, and Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks never had a chance to stop it. And IT WAS AWESOME.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-34062805916689187352009-09-08T20:53:00.002-04:002009-09-08T21:53:03.304-04:00The Epic Saga of TiVo WoeWhen my ex and I divorced, he got custody of the TiVo. This was right and proper, as it had been his idea to get it and he had paid for it. I missed having one, but not enough to get one of my own... until recently. <br /><br />So began my so-far futile attempts at TiVo ownership. <br /><br />The best way to get a TiVo, in my opinion, is to get a slightly used one with a lifetime subscription attached. The membership stays with the TiVo unit, not the purchaser, so if someone has recently decided to upgrade to a newer version, a buyer can catch a good deal. If you get one without a subscription, you have to either pay a recurring subscription fee or buy your own lifetime subscription. Thus to eBay did I go. I found what I thought was a good deal-- a series 2 TiVo with lifetime subscription. So a little old, but fine for my purposes. It arrived quickly and safely, and I discovered that... I needed a cable. <br /><br />Once I got the cable, I discovered that... I needed a wireless USB adaptor. <br /><br />Once I got the wireless USB adaptor, I discovered that... the TiVo actually did NOT have a lifetime subscription. <br /><br />NOOOOOOOO! <br /><br />I contacted the seller and requested to return the TiVo for a refund, in spite of the stated no-returns policy. After all, he hadn't described the item accurately. He was outraged (at TiVo, not me), because he had paid for a lifetime subscription. I sent it back post-haste (he paid return shipping), and waited. <br /><br />And waited. <br /><br />And waited some more. <br /><br />Finally, after several emails of the "Hey, where's my replacement and/or refund" variety, the guy plopped my money back into my Paypal account. <br /><br />So I found another auction. This one was for a series 1, but it had a much larger hard drive and supposedly a lifetime membership. I bought it. <br /><br />I learned something new when it arrived. <br /><br />See, Series 1 TiVos don't have USB. They only have phone modems. <br /><br />We don't have a landline phone. We use our cell phones for everything. <br /><br />And TiVo modems, it seems, do not cooperate with Magic Jack. <br /><br />NOOOOOOOOO! <br /><br />So now I'm stuck with this TiVo which is utterly useless to me. After stubbing my toes on it a few times while it sat on my living room floor mocking me with its uselessness, I decided to try to resell it. Undoubtedly it would be at a loss, because I can't confirm whether or not it has a lifetime subscription, but at least I could make something back, right? <br /><br />I placed an ad on Craigslist. <br /><br />I received four responses. <br /><br />Two of them asked if it was still available, and then never responded again when I emailed back to tell them it was. <br /><br />One of them asked if it was still available, and then had the audacity to place my email address on a spam list when I emailed back to tell him it was still available. <br /><br />The fourth one was a scammer-- that sort of scammer who uses a phony bank check or money order to pay--never mind that I had specified cash-only from the beginning. Here's his email:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Hello,<br />I really appreciate your response to my email.I want you to consider it sold, pls do withdraw the advert from craigslist to avoid disturbance.I want you to know that i will be paying via bank certified check or money order .I will like you to provide me with the following,information to facilitate the mailing of the payment to you ...Full name to write on the payment instrument 2.....Full Physical address to post the payment 3.....City, State and Zip Code. 4..... Cell Phone to contact you<br /><br />*** Note that the payment will be shiped to your address via Courier NEXT DAY SERVICE and I will like you to know that you will not be responsible for shipping i will have my mover come over as soon as you have cashed the payment**</span><br /><br />Yeah, sure, dude. I'm a <span style="font-style:italic;">snopester</span>, dammit! I know all about people like you! <br /><br />I did take Mr. Scammer's advice (granted, "he" may really be a "she," but the undoubtedly false name the person used was John Wortford) to pull the ad down from Craigslist, however. I've got it up on eBay now. At least over there I have Paypal to protect me from scammers! I figure that if I specify that I wasn't able to verify whether or not it has a lifetime subscription, I'm an honest seller and therefore protected. <br /><br />Besides which, putting "Probable Lifetime Subscription" in the title might attract some curiosity, which will lead to more views, and thus more potential buyers! Because let's face it, it's probably not too common for a reseller of TiVos to actually <span style="font-style:italic;">admit</span> that they don't know whether the unit has a subscription or not. <br /><br />As for my own TiVo needs, I have another series 2 unit on its way--one that was cheap because it specifically does not have a subscription attached. This time I'm buying the subscription myself. I'm taking my TiVo destiny into my own hands and pulling myself up by my own TiVo bootstraps!Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-91587291164943382942009-06-07T14:31:00.002-04:002009-06-07T14:48:26.996-04:00Stanley Cup Finals, Game 5And here we go with Game 5. Best game yet! <br /><br />Photos from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, captioning technology via the ICHC LOLbuilder. The LOL regarding Evgeni Malkin's ongoing quest for pie was made by special guest LOLer Casey! <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/pavelreturns.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/freeze.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/appendix.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/whine.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/realpie.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/laugh.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/chicken.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-22128189629488228602009-06-07T14:23:00.002-04:002009-06-07T14:29:38.188-04:00Stanley Cup Finals, Game 2Ohai! Sorry it's taken so long to post these ones. I was still too excited the day after the game (because I WAS THERE!!!!!) and then Games 3 and 4 happened, and, well, you know. But now we can all haz LOLs.<br /><br />Photos courtesy of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, with a nice shoutout to ICHC. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/dirt.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/kickdance.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/snoflakefail.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/spleen.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/dropkick.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-66104229399718201132009-05-31T11:52:00.003-04:002009-05-31T11:59:28.818-04:00Stanley Cup Finals, Game 1Yay! <br /><br />Photos from the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News. Technical assist from ICHC.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/beans.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/glove.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/coach.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/gator.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/conundrum.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/newfiedouble.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-3320902387127971552009-05-30T20:06:00.002-04:002009-05-30T20:16:05.777-04:00Western Conference Speed Finals!Ohai! Gary Bettman's harebrained idea to start the Cup Finals almost on the heels of the Conference Finals has left me almost no time to make LOLs for Round 3. So here, moments before puck drop of Game 1 vs. Pittsburgh, I give you The Western Conference Finals in Twelve LOLs or Less! Photos from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press. <br /><br />Game 1:<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/sumogoalie.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/leg.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/goaliepile.jpg"><br /><br />Game 2:<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/toewshorror.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/strong.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/OTWin.jpg"><br /><br />Game 4:<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/homertwist.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/hossa_no.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/lolie.jpg"><br /><br />Game 5:<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/clearydoor.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/smell.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/win.jpg"><br /><br />There, done with time to spare! And for the first time, I'm grateful for the long playoff pre-games!Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-56259962437727098522009-05-17T00:02:00.002-04:002009-05-17T00:19:15.524-04:00Round 2 Game 7Ohai! Iz almost time 4 confrens finalz, so ai sho u how we got heer! <br /><br />Photos from the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, captions from the ICHC Lolbuilder and me. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/whale.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/breakdance.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/hudlerisbig.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/helm-1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/getzlaf.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/prostate.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/rolypoly.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/cleary.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/party.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-26737299026911264462009-05-10T21:01:00.003-04:002009-05-10T21:14:04.315-04:00Round 2 Game 5Commanding lead, WOOT! <br /><br />Photos from the Detroit News, captions from me and the ICHC Lol Builder. <br /><br />First, one that is too funny for a caption: <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/lidstrom.jpg"><br /><br />Poor Lidstrom! You won't see him looking that undignified very often, that's for sure. And take a look at the angry eye on the blonde girl who's mostly covered by Rob Niedermeyer-- I'm pretty sure Rob does NOT want to meet her in a dark alley! <br /><br />Now the real LOLs.<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/oof.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/rarhudler.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/dance-1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/helm.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-67602883918119625022009-05-08T23:33:00.002-04:002009-05-08T23:42:23.396-04:00Round 2, Games 1 and 4Like last year, I'm only doing LOLs for wins! Which has made things a bit odd this round. But here you go. Photos from the Freep, captioning provided by ICanHasCheezburger. <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/chiro.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/strongmule.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/emopronger.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/dance.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/goalieswap.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-40775005131121363542009-04-26T01:58:00.002-04:002009-04-26T02:08:32.933-04:00Round 1 Games 3 & 4Ohai! Here I am again. These lols r not so grate ackshually. I promise I'll do better next round! <br /><br />(Photos courtesy of the Detroit News, except for the one of Niklas Kronwall defying gravity, which is from the Detroit Free Press.) <br /><br />First, one that's so funny on its own that a caption might ruin it: <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/faces.jpg"><br /><br />Now some captioned lols:<br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/kronwallplane.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/hover.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/bench.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/commodore.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/toomanymen.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/grope.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-20418440410345683362009-04-20T22:02:00.004-04:002009-04-20T22:14:03.973-04:00The Return of NHLOL! Round 1 Game 2I'm BACK! And I've got LOLHOCKEY! <br /><br />(Photos courtesy of the Detroit News, captions courtesy of me, captioning capabilities thanks to the good folks over at icanhascheezburger.com--their LOL Builder works a little better than Photoshop for these purposes unless I'm including a special effect.) <br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/HomerRoar.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/mule.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/cheese.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/headlesspavel.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/big.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/burger.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL%202009/wizard.jpg">Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-13265859229919295582009-01-23T13:50:00.004-05:002009-01-23T14:06:17.013-05:00Hatred Arising: The Resurgence of Right Wing Extremism<span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >This is a paper I wrote for one of my classes last semester. I thought it would be appropriate to post now. I did not realize how afraid I was for President Obama until after the inauguration went off successfully and I discovered how relieved I actually was. (Paper written in late November 2008.)<br /><br /><br /> </span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" > Far right terror groups, or hate groups, which seemed not so long ago to be confined to the fringes of American society, have taken advantage of recent societal and economic developments to make their voices heard by the mainstream once again. Since they seem likely to play a role in events over the next several years, it is worth examining some of the types of right wing extremist groups, their motivations and concerns, and ways in which government and law enforcement can keep them from criminal activity.<br /><br /> Right wing extremist groups have diverse goals and means. They seem to fall into three main categories: patriot groups (militias), non-revolutionary racist groups, and revolutionary racist groups. While it is important not to overgeneralize about the far right, there is a great deal of crossover and similarity between the prongs of the movement, and they may cooperate with each other to accomplish a given goal. The groups tend to share a hatred or distrust of the federal government and fear the increasing diversity of the United States (Lyman & Potter, 2007; Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> The militia movement's identity comes from the Second Amendment to the US Constitution: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." They believe that the government is conspiring to take their weapons and that any environmental protection law is an infringement on their rights (Levitas, 2002). They tend to be located in rural areas and have a populist appeal. Posse Comitatus groups, for example, claim that no one should have to recognize any legal authority beyond the county level (Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> The seeds of the militia movement were planted during the farm crisis and environmental protection regulation of the 1980s, but the movement began to truly take hold in the 1990s. Groups were catalyzed into action and growth by gun control laws, such as the 1994 passage of the Brady Bill, which regulated firearms sales. They also garnered sympathy and recruits because of two botched federal raids, the first being the 1992 standoff between federal agents and white supremacist Randy Weaver in Ruby Ridge, Idaho. Weaver's unarmed wife and teenage son were killed, and the deaths made them martyrs in the eyes of the militia movement. The second was the 1993 siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas, which resulted in the deaths of seventy-eight people (Lyman & Potter, 2007; Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> The militia movement reached its zenith in 1995, when Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. McVeigh and Nichols had ties to the militia movement, particularly the Michigan Militia, but the Michigan Militia steadfastly denies that the two were ever members of the group (Levitas, 2002; Michael, 2003). Militia activity died down after the Oklahoma City bombing, but made a resurgence in 1999 due to fears over a potential Y2K disaster. When no Y2K apocalypse occurred, the militia movement dwindled and fell out of the public eye (Hamm, 2004; Levitas, 2002).<br /><br /> The non-revolutionary racist right seeks to educate the public about racial issues, sway whites to their views (a process colloqiually known as "awakening"), and gather like-minded individuals together. They attempt to maintain White control of society through legal and political means, although they are prepared for at least the abstract possibility of violent confrontations in the future. These are, for the most part, law-abiding organizations, although their ideas and values provide impetus for race-related crime. The non-revolutionary right includes groups such as the Council of Conservative Citizens, American Renaissance, and some neo-Confederate secessionist groups (Michael, 2003). Researcher George Michael (2003) also includes the Ku Klux Klan as a non-revolutionary group, in spite of their criminal and terrorist activity. "For much of its history it has been the defender of a racial status quo and has not sought to really overthrow or change the government" (p. 63). "The Klan persists more as an idea. And some of those inspired by this idea have harrassed and terrorized people by way of assault, murder, vandalism, and cross-burnings" (p.62).<br /><br /> Far more immediately dangerous is the revolutionary racist right. These are groups which believe a "race war" is both inevitable and necessary. Some favor the creation of a minority-free White homeland in the Pacific Northwest or the South. Others wish to deport all minorities from the United States. Many of the groups believe that a secret cabal of Jews controls the federal government, which they refer to as "ZOG," for Zionist Occupation Government (Lyman & Potter, 2007; Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> A large number of revolutionary groups use religion either as a unifying system or as a justification for their inherent racism. Christian Identity groups, for example, believe that only Aryans are the descendants of Adam and Eve. Minorities, whom the Identity groups often refer to as "mud people," are actually descendants of Eve and the Serpent, or Satan. Other racist groups reject Christianity altogether because of its Jewish origin. Some of these are followers of Odinism, a neo-pagan movement based on Norse mythology, while others follow the Creativity Movement, also known as the World Church of the Creator. This is not a religion per se, in that it does not specify a particular deity to worship. Instead, Creativity asserts that the laws of nature prove the superiority of Whites and prohibit racial mixing (Dobratz, 2001).<br /><br /> Because revolutionary racist groups see themselves as soldiers in the race war, they can be particularly prone to terrorist acts. A group known as The Order went on a violent spree of crime during the 1980s. They hoped that their example would start the White revolution which would overthrow the ZOG. Instead, the group members were arrested or killed during confrontations with law enforcement (Lyman & Potter, 2007; Michael, 2003). Other groups are nearly indistinguishable from militia organizations. The best known of these is The Covenant, the Sword, and the Arm of the Lord. The group stockpiles weapons and survival supplies and thoroughly drills members in survivalist and paramilitary tactics (Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> After the excitement surrounding the high-profile catalyzing events of the 1990s, right wing extremists and racialist groups had fallen into disarray. The Ku Klux Klan and other factions attempted to use distrust of Arabs and Hispanics based on the 9/11 attacks and immigration issues, but throughout the better part of the decade, they were unable to rally (Jonsson, 2008; Levitas, 2002).<br /><br /> Unfortunately, the faltering economy and the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States seem to be contributing to a rise in right wing extremist activity. The Southern Poverty Law Center and law enforcement agencies report that since the general election on November 4, 2008, more than 200 hate-related incidents, including cross burnings, hanging effigies, and betting pools hoping for the assassination of President-elect Obama, have occurred in the United States. Owners of racist and extremist websites have bragged that since the election, their sites and message boards have received enough increased traffic to crash their web servers (Jonsson, 2008; Witt, 2008). David Holthouse (2008) reported on the Southern Poverty Law Center's Hatewatch blog that many voices on the far right are calling for the rebirth of the militia movement. Gun sales and applications for firearms licenses have increased dramatically since the election (Holthouse, 2008; Johnson, 2008). Even before the election, two men with ties to a Kentucky Klan chapter were arrested and charged in a conspiracy to assassinate Obama (Witt, 2008).<br /><br /> The uncertainty and anger caused by the combination of the economic crisis, demographic trends indicating that whites will no longer comprise a majority of the US population after one more generation, and the election of the nation's first non-white president provide conditions which are conducive to the growth of right wing extremist groups. "I think we're in a worrying situation right now, a perfect storm of conditions coming together that could easily favor the continued growth of these groups," said Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center (Witt, 2008). <br /><br /> There are a number of difficulties related to control of far right extremist groups. First and foremost, it is often a challenge to determine to a court's satisfaction whether or not the perpetrator of a hate crime acted alone or on the orders of a larger group. Since the failure of The Order to spark revolution, many right wing terror groups have loosened their organizational structures. They work under a system called leaderless resistance. In short, the members of the organizations know the principles of the organizations and the types of terrorism and criminal activity which would best further the group's goals, and they are to act on those goals as the opportunity strikes. The arrest or death of one member of the group does little to deter the group as a whole (Levitas, 2002; Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> First Amendment rights are also a concern when dealing with hate groups. "Anytime you start seeing [extremist propaganda] floating around, you have to be concerned," explained Lt. Gary Thornberry of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, a member of the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force. "As far as it being an alarmist situation, I don't see that yet. From a law enforcement point of view, you have to be careful, because it's not illegal to have an ideology" (Jonsson, 2008, para. 6). The FBI ran into difficulty avoiding First Amendment violations when they were struggling with the Ku Klux Klan during the 1960s. Their program, called COINTELPRO-WHITE HATE, was a massive campaign to infiltrate Klan groups, discredit Klan leadership, and turn Klansmen against each other. The FBI program was successful in neutralizing the KKK as an effective force, but many of their methods were called into question. In particular, they were criticized for setting up some of the situations which led to Klan arrests and for their surveillance and infiltration techniques (Drabble, 2004; Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> In order to be successful in combatting right wing terror groups, law enforcement must work closely with watchdog organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Not only do these organizations do a thorough job of tracking and categorizing hate-related activity, they can also be powerful forces in directly attacking the extremist groups by filing civil suits which, if successful, could financially bankrupt the public sides of the extremist groups (Michael, 2003).<br /><br /> Law enforcement should also give a high priority to monitoring internet communication. The far right groups have had a presence on the internet since its beginning, and they have become adept at using electronic communication to publicize their ideas and recruit new membership (Gerstenfeld, Grant, & Chiang, 2003). While the extremist groups may not directly post plans for attacks online, law enforcement would be able to monitor trends and increases in traffic to right wing websites which would alert them to the possibility of impending terror acts.<br /><br /> Law enforcement agencies also need to make full use of the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. These reforms, passed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, greatly increase the government's power for surveillance and detection of terrorist activity, and this certainly includes domestic terrorists as well as the Middle Eastern terrorists who inspired the law (Levitas, 2002).<br /><br /> Finally, and perhaps most importantly, law enforcement officials need to make a greater effort to understand the motivations of the far right groups. One of the reasons Waco was such a disaster for the government was that they made no attempt to understand the Branch Davidians' religious background; they treated the group as political in nature and were thus unprepared for the group's willingness to die (Michael, 2003). Understanding as many aspects of a group's purpose as possible makes it far more likely that any standoff will end through negotiations rather than violence. One way to do this may be to infiltrate the groups not just to learn potential plans, but also to learn and understand the groups' philosophies.<br /><br /> Given the great diversity of ideas and the bountiful network of communication available within the United States, it may not be possible to completely squelch the ideas of right wing terror groups. However, vigilant law enforcement and a well-educated population should help to minimize or even negate the damage such hate groups may wish to cause.<br /><br />Works Cited<br /><br />Dobratz, B. (2001). The role of religion in the collective identity of the white<br /> racialist movement. <span style="font-style: italic;">Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion</span> 40(2), 287-301.<br /><br />Drabble, J. (2004). To ensure domestic tranquility: The FBI, COINTELPRO-WHITE<br /> HATE and political discourse, 1964–1971. <span style="font-style: italic;">Journal of American Studies</span>, 38(2), 297-328.<br /><br />Gerstenfeld, P., Grant, D., & Chiang, C. (2003). Hate online: A content analysis of<br /> extremist internet sites. <span style="font-style: italic;">Analysis of Social Issues and Public Policy</span>, 3(1), 29-44.<br /><br />Hamm, M. (2004). Apocalyptic violence: The seduction of terrorist subcultures.<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Theoretical Criminology</span>, 8(3), 323-339.<br /><br />Holthouse, D. (2008, November 19). Ideologues call for post-election militia revival.<br /> Message posted to http://www.splcenter.org/blog/<br /><br />Johnson, K. (2008, November 6). On concerns over gun control, gun sales are up. <span style="font-style: italic;">The </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> New York Times</span>. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/07/us/07guns.html<br /><br />Jonsson, P. (2008, November 17). After Obama's win, white backlash festers in US.<br /> <span style="font-style: italic;">Christian Science Monitor</span>. Retrieved from http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/1117/p03s01-uspo.html<br /><br />Levitas, D. (2002). <span style="font-style: italic;">The terrorist next door</span>. New York: St. Martin's Press.<br /><br />Lyman, M., & Potter, G. (2007). <span style="font-style: italic;">Organized crime</span> (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ:<br /> Pearson Education Inc.<br /><br />Michael, G. (2003). <span style="font-style: italic;">Confronting right-wing extremism and terrorism in the USA</span>. New<br /> York: Routledge.<br /><br />Witt, H. (2008, November 23). White extremists lash out over election of first black<br /> president. <span style="font-style: italic;">Los Angeles Times</span>. Retrieved from http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-klan23-2008nov23,0,7570102.story?page=1</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span>Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-34356665941153354672009-01-03T23:55:00.003-05:002009-01-04T00:08:54.115-05:00Happy Painful New YearSo far in 2009, I have managed to be sick. That's pretty much it.<br /><br />It all started on Tuesday, 12/30. I've been feeling tired and cold all the time, and really, when I think about it, it has been getting steadily worse over the last couple of years or so, so I thought maybe it would be a good idea to have my thyroid checked. I called and made an appointment for Friday afternoon. Well, apparently a number of germs took this as an invitation, because by the time Friday afternoon came around, I had come down with:<br /><br /><ul><li>tonsilitis</li><li>a urinary tract infection</li><li>my period (not that the period is caused by germs, of course, but it certainly doesn't help me feel any better)</li></ul>I was kind of disappointed with the doctor's response to my hypothyroid concerns. I made this long involved list of symptoms, and she just sort of rolled her eyes and asked if I got it off the internet. Well, excuuuuuuse me for trying to be an informed patient. The problem is that with the insurance I have, I have to use the clinic at the University, so I don't have a doctor that's really MY doctor-- I'm just assigned to whomever is available. I had hoped to see Dr. H or Dr. M, who have done right by me before, but instead I got Dr. P, with whom this was my first visit. I was not impressed.<br /><br />Anyway, she did order the bloodwork for hypothyroid tests, along with a blood count and a metabolic panel. She is thorough, I'll give her that.<br /><br />She also gave me a prescription for Bactrim to knock out the tonsilitis and the UTI. When I got my pills home and got ready to take one, I almost fainted. They are <span style="font-style: italic;">this big!!!!</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/pill.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 192px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/pill.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />(Sorry it's such a bad picture, but the pill is next to a dime for scale.) Why would anyone give a pill that size to someone with a sore throat?!? I had to cut it in half to take it. I've managed to choke down two days worth now (three days to go), and I'm feeling somewhat better. I did sleep all day today, though. I plan on doing much the same tomorrow. I'm sick, I get to do that. Illness has its privileges.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-57301827596170525692008-11-29T10:34:00.003-05:002008-11-29T10:49:44.974-05:00NHL + Thanksgiving + DeliriumLast night, I was taking a break from writing a horrible, hateful, won't-come-together, can't-motivate-myself paper (which is due Monday!) to sprawl on the couch and watch the Red Wings play the Columbus Blue Jackets.<br /><br />Apparently writer's block can manifest itself in horrible puns.<br /><br />"Hey," I said to Casey, "do you know what the Blue Jackets had for Thanksgiving dinner?"<br /><br />He looked over at me.<br /><br />"<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/3153"><span style="font-style: italic;">Nash</span></a>ed potatoes!" I exclaimed.<br /><br />Casey sighed.<br /><br />A few minutes later, I said, "Do you know what the Dallas Stars had for Thanksgiving dinner?"<br /><br />"What?"<br /><br />"Roast <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/1894"><span style="font-style: italic;">Turco</span></a>!"<br /><br />He sighed again.<br /><br />I thought about that one, and then said, "Actually, since it's Texas, they may have had deep-fried Turco, or maybe barbeque Turco."<br /><br />"Maybe," said Casey.<br /><br />A few minutes later, I asked, "So, do you know what the Nashville Predators had for Thanksgiving dinner?"<br /><br />Casey pretended not to hear me.<br /><br />"Baked <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/2848"><span style="font-style: italic;">Ham</span>huis</a>!" I answered myself happily.<br /><br />"Shouldn't you be writing your paper?" Casey asked.<br /><br />"And you know what the Red Wings had for Thanksgiving <span style="font-style: italic;">dessert</span>?" I continued. "Chocolate <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/players/627"><span style="font-style: italic;">Malt</span>by</a>!"<br /><br />At that point, Casey pretended like he was going to eat my nose so I would be quiet, so I stopped.<br /><br />Besides, I couldn't think of any more NHL players whose names related to food.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-69874134996036600892008-11-13T15:52:00.000-05:002008-11-13T15:54:50.704-05:00My personalized Dewey Decimal Number<!--Start Dewey Decimal Quiz Results--><br /> <div style="padding:3px; text-align:center; width:350px; color: #a0b0c0; background-color: #202f7e; border: 1px solid #207e6f"><br /> <div style="margin:3px; padding:3px; color: #99CCE6; background-color: #206080; border: 1px solid #207e6f"><br /> <span style="font-size:90%">Jenny Darrah's Dewey Decimal Section: </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size:120%"> 714 Water features </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size:80%">Jenny Darrah = 05445418818 = 054+454+188+18 = 714</span><br /><br /> <br /><b>Class:</b><br /> 700 Arts & Recreation <br /><br /><br /> <b>Contains:</b><br /> Architecture, drawing, painting, music, sports.<br /> <br /><br /><br /> <b>What it says about you:</b><br /> You're creative and fun, and you're good at motivating the people around you. You're attracted to things that are visually interesting. Other people might not always understand your taste or style, but it's yours.<br /> </div><br /> <a href="http://www.spacefem.com/quizzes/dewey" style="color: #47a3d1">Find your Dewey Decimal Section at Spacefem.com</a><br /> </div><br /><!--End Dewey Decimal Quiz Results-->Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-72070751500845990842008-10-17T22:25:00.002-04:002008-10-17T22:33:04.654-04:00Spork You, Man!Once upon a time, in the far away city of Anchorage, Alaska, there was a very drunk man.<br /><br />This very drunk man gorged himself on KFC and went out to wander the streets. He happened to see another man with an awesome watch.<br /><br />"Give me that watch!" demanded Very Drunk Man.<br /><br />"Never!" said Other Man.<br /><br />Very Drunk Man tried to rip the watch away from Other Man's wrist, but the watch held firm.<br /><br />So Very Drunk Man stabbed Other Man with a plastic spork and ran away.<br /><br />Very Drunk Man is now serving a year-long prison sentence for felony assault with a deadly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/meepsy5/spork.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g304/meepsy5/spork.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> weapon. It was a plea deal. (Word has it that the judge begged the attorneys to work out a plea deal because he or she would be unable to try the case without laughing his or her be-robed ass right off the bench.)<br /><br />And just so that you don't think I made this whole thing up, <a href="http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/558820.html">here's the news report from the Anchorage Daily News! </a>Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-14694953586972889482008-09-25T14:22:00.004-04:002008-09-25T14:41:34.986-04:00Ban Dan Brown!Dan Brown novels are a menace to society! He should be banned at once.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080924/od_nm/us_stabbing_davinci_1">Yahoo! News reports</a> that a 25 year old man who stabbed a priest in a church in Rome did so because Dan Brown's <span style="font-style: italic;">The DaVinci Code</span> led him to believe that he was the Antichrist.<br /><br />So, since every time an act of violence is perpetrated by a young person, organizations such as the <a href="http://www.afa.net/">American Family Association</a> and <a href="http://www.chick.com/default.asp">Jack Chick Ministries</a> call for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_controversy">bans on violent video games</a>, why are they not now calling for a ban on Dan Brown's novels?<br /><br />Oh, right. They think the <a href="http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0071/0071_01.asp">Catholic Church is the Antichrist</a>, and Catholics aren't true Christians. Why, they probably think this delusional man in Rome did them a favor by removing one of "the Devil's servants" from the world!<br /><br />Now, I've read both <span style="font-style: italic;">The DaVinci Code</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Angels and Demons</span>, and I must say, the violent video games are usually of far higher quality.<br /><br />Dan Brown represents a danger to our culture and values! (Or at least, the culture and values of those who advocate quality storytelling!) Wake up, America! Won't someone think of the children? Where is the outrage?<br /><br />But I'm not about to call for a ban on books of any form, certainly not just a few days before the <a href="http://ala8.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm">ALA's Banned Books Week</a>!<br /><br />No, I just think we should ban Dan Brown himself. Someone keep that man away from the computer!Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-12155172991373747262008-09-22T14:05:00.003-04:002008-09-22T14:42:23.216-04:00Best. Counter-Protest. EVER.<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Church">Westboro Baptist Church</a>, run by the "Reverend" Fred Phelps, is quite possibly the most insanely hateful group of bigots hiding behind Bibles I have ever heard of in my life. These are the ones who run the website "godhatesfags.com." These are the ones who <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/apr/18/usa.gayrights">show up at soldiers' funerals to protest</a>, because of course the US is such an ungodly nation for not stamping out TEH GAY that these soldiers deserved to die.<br /><br />It seems that the Phelps gang got more than they could handle when they decided to protest in Little Rock, Arkansas on Friday, September 19th.<br /><br />September 19th, you see, is <a href="http://www.talklikeapirate.com/">International Talk Like A Pirate Day</a>.<br /><br />Thusly, the <a href="http://www.myspace.com/centralarkansaspastafarians">Central Arkansas Pastafarians</a> organized the best WBC counter-protest of all time.<br /><br />They dressed up like pirates and headed downtown, where they stood across the street from the Phelps gang and promptly proceeded to steal all the attention!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/piratesvsphelps.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/piratesvsphelps.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Note how their signs point out the other things God supposedly hates, according to the Book of Leviticus: "God hates shrimp!" "God hates cotton-polyester blends!"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.arktimes.com/blogs/arkansasblog/2008/09/way_to_go_matie.aspx">According to Leslie Newell Peacock of the Arkansas Blog</a> (which is part of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Arkansas Times</span>), the Westboro fools couldn't handle not being the center of attention. "With cars honking and waving at the pirates and a TV crew giving them all the attention, the Phelps group -- with a child in tow, sadly -- picked up their 'fag' epithets and went away. Pitiful."<br /><br />This is the way to handle the hate groups, at least these ones who are no more than mouth-running attention whores. Don't try to take their free speech away, just use your free speech more loudly! (The hate groups who actually use violence, well THOSE ones you have my blessing to handle in whatever creative ways you see fit.)<br /><br />Check out the guy in the back of the Pirate Pastafarians, by the way. It's Gandalf! If Gandalf himself shows up to join in your counter-protest, you're OBVIOUSLY doing something right. (I know, it's probably supposed to be <a href="http://www.success.co.il/knowledge/images/Pillar2-Supernatural-GodCreates-Man-Sistine-Chapel.jpg">God as portrayed in Renaissance artwork</a>, but it looks more like Gandalf to me.)<br /><br />I think if Phelps and his phools ever come around here, I will try to gather up a gang to counter-protest while wearing funky awesome costumes.Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-69193646612481204412008-07-02T07:01:00.003-04:002008-07-02T07:05:40.313-04:00Hair Length WoesMy hair has gotten to be shoulder length after several years of keeping it shorter. This is the phase when I usually start getting irritated with it and chop it off again.<br /><br />You see, the problem is, it wraps around my neck when I roll over in my sleep and wakes me up! I can't stand having anything snug around my neck. Including, apparently, my own hair. I've tried putting it in a braid at night, but the braid is lumpy!<br /><br />This is just not good. Help!Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-54290692455665687072008-06-08T10:37:00.005-04:002008-06-08T12:10:47.936-04:00And the parade!Because what fun is winning the Stanley Cup without a great big party?<br /><br />But first, a shot from the party Mike Illitch threw for the players and their families and friends when they arrived at Detroit Metro Airport early Thursday morning. Could it possibly be any more random? Aaron Downey and an unknown woman, presumably a friend of his, are doing the hustle, while a REALLY PISSED-OFF-LOOKING chef walks by in the background. I don't think this one needs any LOL help from me!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/downeyhustle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/downeyhustle.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />The rest of the photos are courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, of course. Thanks, Freep!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/callingcrosbaby.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/callingcrosbaby.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/hat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/hat.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/hudlerpuppy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/hudlerpuppy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/ninja.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/ninja.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/goodjoke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/goodjoke.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/reversal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/reversal.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/redvings.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/redvings.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/epicwin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/epicwin.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14626816.post-33926082367838546362008-06-08T10:09:00.004-04:002008-06-08T12:04:53.174-04:00Epic Win: Stanley Cup Finals, Game 6Detroit 3, Pittsburgh 2. That's all the commentary it needs. :-)<br /><br />(Most photos courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, except the triple shot of Marc-Andre Fleury, which originally came from NBC and was stop-motioned by my mom.)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/allfalldown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/allfalldown.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/goal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/goal.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/jumpingjacks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/jumpingjacks.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/wrath.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/wrath.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/01pucktootFleury.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/01pucktootFleury.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/discogoalie2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/discogoalie2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/win.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/win.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/win2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a234/wanderingminstrel/NHLOL/win2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Bainwen Gilranahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10543794290905168511noreply@blogger.com0