It Is Christmas In July!

Well, for admirers of the one, the only Ronnie Francis...like yours truly, anyway. ;P

Today, Mr. Franchise had a press conference about his being elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame two weeks ago at the RBC Center...video here (courtesy of WRAL-TV 5), text there (courtesy of the Canes' official site).

Also taking a gander at Ron's Hall of Fame induction are ESPN and Luke DeCock/the Raleigh News and Observer.

As if this month could not get any better for this Francis nut...first, I won what is quite possibly the new crown jewel of my collection (and therefore won't be revealed until it actually arrives...all I will say is that it'll knock the current crown jewel, my 2001 Canes season ticket holder lithograph, out of its position), AND NOW all of this!! *happily sighs*

Current Music: "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police

BOO!

I happened upon this tonight while keeping an eye on my DVD files' processing*...and if you ask me, Red Stripe** is *really* missing the boat on how they could have AND should have marketed that site: An instant sporting event sign generator.

Seriously, what ever-lovin' sports fan could say no to a sign that boos their least favorite team, certain personnel within the team and/or league, certain sports networks, etcetera; AND says hooray to the nectar of the sports gods? Not to mention that such a sign would beat the all-too typical "Go Team!" or "______ is HOT!!" signs.

Current Music: "A Message To Rudy" by The Specials

* - Yes, I am STILL working on that DVD trade project...but I think I am FINALLY close to having a desirable product. The trick is getting the setup on my computer *just right*, and that includes finding (and possibly buying) the right software and all, so kinks of all sorts can be worked out. So to anyone waiting on a copy AND reading this...don't worry, I certainly have not forgotten about you.

** - If Red Stripe sounds familiar, they are the fine beer outfit behind such ads like this and that (my personal faves...you can find a TON more on YouTube).

BTW, a question to any beerheads reading this place: Is Red Stripe any good? I cannot help but ask because I have read quite a few comments at various places saying that it is a pretty decent brew. But, I would love to hear from at least one or two who have actually had at least a sip or two of the stuff before I go out and grab a six pack...if I can find one around here, that is.

Happy (American) Independence Day!

Whether you're at the beach or elsewhere, may your BBQs be fun and delicious AND your skies free of these.

Obviously, I'm not dead...just been very, VERY BUSY lately. While I'm still having fun with my commercial-less game DVD project, I am very, VERY close to something that will revolutionize this blog...thanks to something I won from here and which arrived yesterday. Just have a couple of things I need to play around with and work out. But hopefully, my big plan will make its debut either this weekend or next week. Again, stay tuned...

Current Music: "Oye Como Va" by Eliane Elias

2007 Hockey Hall of Fame Nominees Announced

I sincerely apologize for the lack of posts over the last week...I have been *very busy* juggling back and forth between working on something that will hopefully revolutionize my Ron Francis trading/collecting hobby AND earning my way towards a little something that will hopefully revolutionize this here blog. Stay tuned...

It's funny that I mention ol' Ronnie, because he is the reason behind my posting this news: Today, the HHOF ballot for 2007 was introduced...among the names were you-know-who, Mark Messier, Al MacInnis, and Scott Stevens.

Very, VERY needless to say, the four aforementioned names should get in, no ifs, ands, or buts.

Ironically enough, after saying that sentence; BUT, if Ronnie somehow gets snubbed by HHOF, I will not be surprised at all, unfortunately. It would be disgusting, yet fitting since the song and dance of the man's NHL playing years has been his being the most underrated AND underappreciated hockey player under the sun.

Current Music: "Connection" by Elastica

Happy Mama's Day!

A Happy Mother's Day to all moms, moms-to-be, grandmothers, and grandmothers-to-be in the Caniac Nation and beyond!

And who better to celebrate Mother's Day with than the mother of mamas herself...Mama!







Current Music: "There's No Other Way" by Blur

P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts the last couple of days...my computer has died. *sighs* In the process of getting a new one...but in the meantime, I'm using my laptop PC, normally used for trips and such.

No, I'm Not Dead...

But I've been quite busy lately...

Thursday and Friday: Got my hair done at the salon and did a special Clinique spa and makeover at the nearby mall, respectively.

Saturday: Had a Subway lunch that could not be beat and did some hiking over at Pipestem State Park.

Sunday: Did some cleaning tasks that were much needed to be done.

Tuesday: Took my dog and cat to the vet and then did my weightbearing exercise for the week, thanks to Mountaineer Lanes' 99 cent rate every Tuesday. Also installed my new stereo...more on that when I get a chance to write about more.

Today: Helped my mom out with Curves' Bring A Friend day, and got to take in the Curves experience. I actually enjoyed it...but at thirty dollars a month (not including the sign-up fee!!), I think my stationary bike, walking/hiking, and bowling are sufficient enough. Also did some grocery shopping.

This weekend: Got company coming, and have to get ready for them...also get to look forward to playing bartender.

On the Canes fandom front...I got to see a little bit of Coach Laviolette trying his mouth at being an analyst in the VS. studio tonight. I was lucky enough to view the time of the night when he was feeling more comfortable and confident...according to some Score Boarders, he started out being a bit nervous. Overall, he was doing a great job for his first time...though, it was a little odd seeing Lavs singing the praises of the Sluggies... o_O Of course, guess it's kind of hard to not do that, considering how they wiped the Rangers tonight...

Current Music: "My Favorite Things" by John Coltrane

A Long Overdue Miscellany Post

I hate when I go through a phrase of not feeling like writing much...especially when I've been in a good mood for the most part lately. Oh well...maybe this will get my fingers a'tappin' on the keys again...

- I got to eat at THE MOST AWESOME PLACE this past Saturday...The Log House in Wytheville, VA. It reminded me a lot of a restaurant outside of Chapel Hill, NC called The Farmhouse. BUT, I think The Log House is better. As much as I liked The Farmhouse and their steak and cheese spread and crackers, The Log House MURDERS them on the variety/menu front. In addition to the usual steak, seafood, salads, and desserts, The Log House menu features sandwiches, Italian, and Southwestern dishes. As a matter of fact, I had the Black Bean Quesadillas for lunch...and they were FANTASTIC. The quesadillas were as tightly wrapped as could be in the tortillas, with a nice amount of hot and spicy in the flavor. And not to mention how I had the best damn Kentucky Derby Pie that I've ever had for dessert, along with a great cup of coffee.

Another way that The Log House KILLS The Farmhouse is that TLH has a really nifty gift shop, which is located in the back of the building, where there is a garden. There, I found and got three neat Greco-Roman column decorations...which go nicely with a Tuscan wine bottle nightlight I got from a friend of my mom's not too long ago.

- Speaking of eateries...someone or something has finally answered my silent cries of "A Japanese Restaurant...MY KINGDOM FOR A JAPANESE RESTAURANT!!". Not too long ago, such an establishment called "Kimono" opened up in nearby Princeton, WV. And much to my further delight, Kimono is a hibachi restaurant JUST LIKE KANKI (in Raleigh, for you non-NCers)!! I'll so need to try Kimono ASAP...most likely on a weeknight, since I heard that the waits during the weekends can be up to four hours long!! O_O

If Kimono somehow ends up not being good, something I highly doubt with those four hour waits, there's another option in Fujiyama in Beckley, about thirty to forty-five minutes away.

- Between Wild Hogs somehow doing so well at the movies to the concept of Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? actually being allowed on television, I highly fear for the state of good taste in this world.

While I'm at it...the marketing geek in moi cannot help but also bring up...

The Burger King "Spongebob No-Pants" Ad - Who the HELL greenlighted this idea?! I honestly don't know what kills me more...the highly squicksome ad itself, or the fact that it's actually being shown during children's shows and such!! That said, believe it or not, I am not a prude...but at the same time, I just don't think a man's bubbly neither regions would make anyone crave chicken tenders. Then again, what do I know since I am not one of Madison Avenue's finest...

The Checkers/Rallys "Rap Cat" - OK...I'll admit that I chuckled at this the first time I ever saw it during the Canes @ Tampa Bay game on TV not long ago. But after further delving, I can understand why one or two posters at Television Without Pity are ripping on the Cat. Bags for your cat to wear* AND the stuffed karaoke performer getting ITS OWN MUSIC VIDEO (AND POSSIBLY ALBUM TOO)?! And I thought the BK King getting his own X-Box 360 video games was going a bit far... o_O

- Last, but certainly not least...I've gotten an IMVU account. This will be the closest I'll ever come to having something similar to MySpace. What drew me to IMVU is the fact that the chat software acts a lot like a RPG video game...right down to creating your own characters and giving them their own weapons and powers AND their own lair of sorts.

Here's my character/avatar's page...feel free to add me back as a Buddy if you have an IMVU account or decide you want one.

Current Music: "Somebody's Out There" by Triumph

* - For that video's commentors' information...it's not about people not having a sense of humor about "Rap Cat", it's the fact that dressing cats in fast food doggy bags to look like a pathetic gimmick *is* a stupid idea. Get over yourselves.

How 'Bout Them Heels?

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...YOUR ACC TOURNAMENT CHAMPS ARE...

THE NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS!!!

UNC - 89
NC STATE - 80

GO!!! HEELS!!!

Realistically, I don't think my boys will get a numero uno seed in the NCAA selection. But, if they do, I will be quite happy. :D

At least one of my favorite teams got the job done today.

And quite obviously, no, I'm not dead. Just have been a little busy here and there lately...more on that later.

Current Music: "Because We Can" by Fatboy Slim

*does her best Eugene from Hey Arnold* "I'm OK..."

No updates in the past couple of days 'cause of my having fallen victim to a little touch of the flu. And I will say that if primarily feeling lethargic (and thus spending most of the two days napping in bed) is the worst thing I put up with this flu season, then I got pretty danged lucky.

No Random Musings and Observations for the Lightning game due to my being overdue for a "break game"...and what better time to take that than the game before the All-Star Break?

No Week In Review either...figure I can take care of this previous week when I do the WIR for this week this upcoming Sunday.

Even if this is one of the weakest flus I've ever had, I would not wish it upon anyone...here's to hoping that all of you, in the Caniac Nation and beyond, stay as flu/cold-free as possible.

Current Music: "Back In the U.S.S.R." by The Beatles