One win short. Just one.

I think there’s only one you reading this anyway, and as that person (and now you, should you find yourself here now) already knows, I’ve avoided hitting up any message board I usually frequent the last few days to a.) avoid getting pissed off at any moron actually rooting for the Penguins/anyone just looking to poke fun at the Wings’ loss, and 2.) avoid seeing anything that would influence what I thought happened in this series. Seeing your favorite team lose a Game 7 in their own damn building hurts quite a bit, and not just something you can forget about straight away. I’ve thought about this for the last few days, and I’m pretty sure my mourning period has passed. So here it is…

The Wings let this series get away from them, it’s as simple as that. There’s no way anyone can tell me that the Penguins were the better team–they aren’t. What I saw in the last two games of the Cup Finals was what I grew familiar with the Pistons from 2005-2008: the Red Wings didn’t play a full game like everyone had grown accustomed to seeing (and no, I don’t think this team was simply gassed). Had the Wings done what they usually do from Game 1 of these finals, this series is over in 5 games tops. But all too often they sat back (something they also did with alarming regularity throughout the regular season and the earlier rounds of the playoffs, as well). Instead of shooting the puck continuously against rebound machine Marc-Andre Fleury (kid is overrated), they tried to wait for the perfect shot and that allowed the Pens to either block the shot or Fleury to get into position. Things didn’t start happening for the Wings until the last period of games 6 & 7, and you could tell the difference. Yeah, I know this sounds exactly like I’m saying the Pens didn’t win it, the Wings lost it–and that’s exactly what I mean it to say. There’s no way that team is better than the Red Wings.

As for Brad Stuart, yes, he had a horrible Game 7–but up to that point in the playoffs he’d been absolutely stellar for the Wings, and I really can’t find fault with him overall. Marian Hossa, OTOH–maybe he was pressing too much and he drew a shit draw having to face his former team in the Finals, but the bottom line is he was rather pedestrian throughout the playoffs anyhow. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back in a Red Wings uniform again, but while a couple of months ago I’d say the Wings should do whatever they can to make that happen now I think he can come back for the right price. As for Chris Osgood–wow is pretty much all I can say about his playoff performance. I’m one of Ozzie’s biggest fans but what I saw this postseason was above and beyond anything I could’ve hoped for. The guy was the MVP for the Wings in the playoffs this year.

The future? Still bright in Detroit. A lot of young guys stepped up, and the Wings have a great core. Hopefully this loss reminds them that games are 60 minutes and not 20, and I think they got the message. This is going to be one pissed off Red Wings team next season, and I have no doubt in my mind that this team will get what should’ve been theirs this year: a 12th Stanley Cup Trophy.

Okay, other stuff: I’m now living in Chicago, but for the next two weeks will be working 4-5 day stretches at my old employer back in Detroit (I must’ve been either very understanding of the situation or totally lost my mind when I agreed to this). Crazy I know, but it at least allows me to bank some extra $ on the side–and for some reason I felt I owed them that much even if this situation is largely of their doing. I don’t like leaving any place in a lurch.

I absolutely love it here in this town; I’ve always wanted to get a feel for what it’s like to live in a big city with a pulse. But it would be nice to get a little cooperation from Mother Nature–it seems like every day I’ve been here it’s been overcast and/or rainy. It’s a great, great town (even if their sports teams suck and their fans–minus Cubbie fans, with whom I feel a kindred spirit since I am a Detroit Lions fans–are blathering idiots). There’s so much to do and see here, and even after all this time visiting my brother and sister over the last three years I know I’ve only scratched the surface. This won’t be a long-term move, but it’s definitely a good stepping stone.

Until next time…

…attracts me like no other lover 
Something in the way she woos me 
I don’t want to leave her now 
You know I believe and how… –”Something” by The Beatles

One of my favorite songs by the Beatles; Lennon and McCartney usually take most of the credit for the songs written (and they deserve it) but this one was written by George Harrison. 

I’m trying really hard to stick to my new rule of not overanalyzing things, but in some cases it’s unbelievably tough to do so. All I can do for now though is just tackle it as it comes, and see where it goes from there.

This is really disjointed but it is almost two a.m. and I’m tired.

Guess all I can do is take that chance, got nothing to lose anyway…why am I nervous? Stop thinking, just act.

Screw it, she’s worth it.

Impeccable timing, as usual–right before a move.

Well after the original apartment I had planned on signing for fell through (for the record, I nixed it because the place didn’t supply A/C and you had to supply your own window unit; you don’t really notice to look for those things in the middle of March when it’s cold), I (once again) had to put off my move for just a few weeks. This time I took a bit more time and found the one I wanted–the studio is a bit smaller than the one I would’ve taken, but it’s got A/C plus a rooftop pool with a sundeck and a heated indoor pool as well–and I’m paying $100 less per month than the other place. Gotta love patience. So as of June 1st, I’ll be in Chicago–finally. It’s been a long time coming.

What else? Leaving early Saturday morning to get to O’Hare by a little after noon, and then complete a drive to Madison, WI for the day. I know the one person that will read this is already stoked about it, and I’m looking forward to it too. Should be a fun time.

The Wings/Ducks series is turning into everything I was afraid it would–I didn’t want any part of the Ducks at all in these playoffs. A lot of the bitching lately comes due to that horrid call near the end of regulation, and no doubt it was a bad call. No doubt I was pissed. But the Wings ultimately have to look in the mirror simply because they didn’t show up to play until about 35 minutes had passed in Game 3 and they were down 2-0. This is simply inexcusable; if they don’t pick it up soon they’ll be golfing, plain and simple. Knowing the type of players on this team I fully expect them to come out like everyone knows they can. They better.

Nothing’s happening with the lady, although there’s this new hire…yes, my timing is horrible.

That’s about it for now–I need to go to bed.

Uh-oh–twice in 24 hours. This could be a trend.

I’m currently in Chicago with the Canucks/Blues game playing in the background, and just chilling out for the moment. Thought I’d throw this out there, since I saw this topic posted at another website I frequent this past week: What songs get stuck in your head once you hear ‘em? Here’s a short list:

A Little Respect by Erasure: You know damn well you know the song, and if not, here’s a clip from Scrubs (one of my favorite shows, although it’s not as funny as it used to be now; this is from the great first season) to remind you…this song really is like a virus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA2FmwF78QU

Hip to Be Square by Huey Lewis & the News: Patrick Bateman from the movie American Psycho says it best: “…a song so catchy, most people probably don’t listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it’s not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it’s also a personal statement about the band itself. Hey Paul!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POl3eD6IJ7A

Bad Day by Daniel Powter: They overplayed the piss out of this song a couple of years ago, and even then it still gets stuck once I hear the first few bars of this song played. I used to love this song, too.

That McDonald’s commercial with the filet-o-fish…hilarious but once I hear it’s there all day… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJOIqVAD-s

April in the D by the Good Luck Joe’s: It’s a local commercial here on FSN-Detroit, and it’s this ad campaign they started last year. It sucks. I thought the song they had last year was awful with this fake Nikki Sixx lookin’ dude trying to sing April in the D all hardcore, but nope–they had to prove me wrong and find a group of douchebags that sound even worse than last year. I’m not posting a link because I don’t want to subject any of you to it, and to be honest I don’t even want to look ‘em up on youtube. I’d rather staple my dick to a corkboard and light it on fire instead of subjecting myself to hearing that crap again. At least April’s almost over…

Your turn!

Maybe, just maybe, now I’ll get my good friend Joe off my back about not updating this. For starters, updated the blogroll to finally add some links that I’ve been meaning to add in forever.

What’s been new with me? Not much–just moving (again, finally!!) to Chicago on May 2nd, and it’s long overdue. Some of the naysayers at my current place of employment still don’t think I’m actually leaving, and I’ve even heard some comments made behind my back saying that (here’s a hint: even if you don’t like me and haven’t for awhile, chances are most of the medical residents do–and they do tell me what you say, hee-hee). Another thing I hear when some find out I’m moving to Chicago is ’so, you going to become a fan of the Bears/Blackhawks/White Sox/Bulls now?’ IMO it’s annoying and a bit insulting; I’m not some bandwagon fan–I’m D ’til I die, and yeah, that even includes the Lions (ugh, gag). Sure I like the Cubbies, but that’s okay–it’s the Cubbies. They aren’t rivals with any of my teams, and they’ve got Wrigley. I’m going to be that annoying fan that goes to Black Hawks games…wearing the colors of the opposing team.

The lovely lady I mentioned in my previous blog? Still a part of my life, and I think the next couple of weeks could determine just exactly in what capacity she will be a part of my life (as usual, my timing in regards to matters with the opposite sex is way off).

Still playing my bass, although lately not as much as I’d like to be–I guess that’s all on me though. I think I’ve tackled a bunch of new songs but haven’t really mastered them of late.

I’m on facebook, as most know and are already a part of as well. Also on twitter (@TheNorm41) but I honestly don’t get the fascination with it. I guess you could say I’m fairly content…so I’ll just move this to talking about the Red Wings.

I had real concerns about this team heading into the playoffs; defensively they’ve had huge lapses all throughout the season, goaltender Chris Osgood (who I am a huge fan of) has been less than stellar all year long as well save for the last two-three weeks prior to the playoffs. I even picked the Wings to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, but in 7 games…and I thought they were toast come round two.

Now all this could still very well happen, but from what I’ve seen of the first two games of this playoff series I’m beginning to think the Wings might’ve been playing possum this year–and that definitely isn’t a good sign for the Blue Jackets, and could be trouble for whomever else they play too. Most of the issues that plagued this team during the regular season have disappeared, and the BJ’s look like they have no clue what to do. Osgood has been absolutely stellar and so far looks like the goaltender that backstopped the Wings to Cup #11 last season–playing with a huge chip on his shoulder. I love it.

There’s your update.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around this, so bear with me–read along if you want to…and if I’m posting it here I’m pretty much just asking you to read it anyway.

First, some background info–I stopped going to normal barber shops around 3 years ago. You see, I’m a fairly loyal customer and from about 2000 all the way to the early part of 2005 I’d drive about 70 minutes each way to go to one barber for a haircut–it was easy to rationalize for me because East Lansing was only about 15 minutes away from the barber shop, and with my sister and then my brother both going to Michigan State, I just made a day out of it. Over time that just wasn’t feasible anymore, since both siblings graduated (my brother in 2004). So I decided to go to one of those newer type places where they call it ‘haircuts for men’, where they’ve got big-screen tv’s and (more importantly, I might add) beautiful women to work on the stuff barbers usually do. Since I haven’t had any issues with my haircut, I’ve stayed there.

Late 2006 the first stylist I had left, so I got switched to the one who I still go to now. We get along great, always have. She makes me laugh, she digs that I actually can hold a conversation and that I can also let her vent without (for the most part, anyway) offering up any advice.

Let me get this out of the way too, since I’m sure this thought will cross someone’s mind. I’ve always been a big tipper when it comes to this type of stuff (I forgot to tip a waitress once in high school while I was on a date with a waitress, I’ve been traumatized since), so this isn’t just someone working me for a bigger tip. Everyone in that shop knows I tip big (maybe even too much), but none of them feel I’m objectifying them. So there…just the way I roll.

As most of you already know, I’ve been gunning to move out of state for the better part of 18 months now. Naturally, this has also come up in conversation more than once. A few months ago she tells me, “You can’t leave me,” jokingly anyway (or so I thought). We end up exchanging phone numbers, myspace pages, so on and so forth but I don’t do anything with it.

3-6 weeks later, same thing–mentions the whole ‘you can’t leave’, then adds the little caveat ‘let’s just get a condo and move in together’ bit as well. I’m laughing because I’m sure she’s joking.

Lather, rinse, repeat a few weeks later (not referring to the shampoo I usually get there too, but…ah, you get the picture). Now I’m thinking maybe just a little bit that there’s something here that wasn’t there before (yeah, I can be clueless picking up these signals). She even sends me a text a few nights later mentioning a group going to the bar for her birthday, but since I was already at another party for Game 4 of the Wings/Pens, I turned her down.

July, when the topic of Chicago comes up I mention I’m sticking around through the end of the year. She’s happy, then once again mentions the condo bit. We talk about getting together for birthdays, but don’t. Meantime I’m thinking to myself ‘hey, maybe I should ask her out‘. Naturally, I talk myself out of doing that.

August rolls around and I go back again a few days ago. As per our recent tradition we go outside to smoke (around her is the only time I smoke, oddly enough–anything to spend just a little more time with her), and this conversation happens:

Her: “What are you doing this weekend? Let’s go out.”
Me: “I’ll be in Chicago this weekend, helping my sister move there.”
Her: “You never hang out, you’re always busy!”

Okay, remember that part I said about hating games? While I do hate it, I still slip into playing them without even a second thought–I honestly didn’t have a damn thing going on Saturday night (at the time), and wasn’t helping sis move to Chicago until Monday (she’s moved in just fine, thankyouverymuch). I’m such a hypocrite, I know.

Of course, she mentions the condo thing too, this time I reply “Honestly, I gotta know–why me? I know I’ve been working with you for years but we barely know each other. Why would you want to move in with me? I could turn out to be an asshole for all you know.” Yes, I said those words–clearly I wasn’t thinking straight.

Her: “Because you seem like a cool guy, and I have faith in that…although you never hang out.”

Okay, fair enough–we talk a little bit more about different things, finally go back inside to proceed with haircut, and as usual she asks me about my love life–which at the present time is fairly nonexistent. Quid pro quo, I ask her the same thing just looking for an opening to say ‘hey, let’s hang out’.

Her: “Well, a lot lately…I kinda just started seeing this guy…”
Me: What???? I was thinking that, anyway…didn’t say it, but I wanted to.

She continues on about how this guy after two dates has already told her he loves her, and other stuff, but that she’s not too sure about him yet. She asks me what I’m thinking, and since I was still a little knocked back by what she mentioned a few minutes before (I love that she talks a lot to carry the conversation), all I could muster up was this well thought out quote:

“You know, we can’t hang out.” That looks a lot worse on screen than it sounded coming out of my mouth.
Her: “What? Why not?”
Me: “Because I don’t want to get involved in other people’s business. Been down that road before, and I don’t want to be seen as a third party trying to…”
Her: “Trying to what?”
Me: “Interfere.” Even though you all know I absolutely want to.
Her: “That doesn’t mean we can’t go out, we’ll have fun!” Huh?

Once again, I eventually cave and tell her fine, we’ll hang out sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Haven’t called her since…and I’m not totally sure I will. She wants to go to some bar in Mt. Clemens this weekend, and if she calls or fires a text message my way I’m not exactly sure I’ll answer. I’m stuck…really.

Alright, that’s my bit…let’s send it to the people.

A bass with no name...for now

A few posts back I mentioned my bass, many months ago. I bought her back in February, and we get along great…but I still haven’t named her yet–although I’m getting very close to settling on a name. It’s down to Izzy or Stitch. Izzy because…well, there’s a reason for that but I’m not willing to divulge that information yet–and no, it’s no relation to the former GNR bassist (just a coincidence there). Stitch because it’d be named after one of my all-time favorite characters from the movie Lilo & Stitch. Not sure which way I’m leaning right now, and I really don’t know why I’m even infatuated with naming an instrument anyway. Personally I just think it’s a cool thing to do…even if the thought hadn’t even occurred to me until a couple of days ago. My bass is cool, therefore it deserves a name.

I also love how much I’ve learned in regards to playing it the last few months; terms like arpeggio and walking bass lines that were foreign to me months ago are secondhand to me now. Learned quite a few songs as well, and have even started to improvise grooves occasionally. Good times. Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say for now.

This is something I actually started over at http://blindsideblitz.com in my blog there a few weeks ago, and I just have a feeling that all two (or less) of you that read this might enjoy it too…anyway, read on.

After watching the movie “High Fidelity” again a few nights ago, I decided to reread the book…and still love it. Since I know everyone in some form or another still does them, I’m throwing out my own for discussion. Agree, disagree, fine by me. Here are some of the lists I’ve come up with so far…

If a movie were made about me, these are the Top Five Songs I’d want the movie to open with:

1. Average White Band – Pick Up the Pieces: It really doesn’t get much better than this. Opening credits with this song rolling in the background? Too damn cool.

2. Foo Fighters – Cold Day in the Sun: This would just be fitting.

3. Fatboy Slim – Right Here, Right Now: For a song like this, the movie would have to be a little bit more action packed…maybe more of an ER in the early years kind of thing.

4. KT Tunstall – Hopeless: Upbeat, but also fitting…maybe.

5. John Mayer – My Stupid Mouth: The movie could play out like one of those Hugh Grant romantic comedies with this one.

up next, here’s a list that I was sure that phenom would jump all over…WAS sure.

Top 5 songs I’d want played if I were an MLB player coming up to bat list.

1. Dave Matthews Band – The Best of What’s Around: Because the pitcher, fans, and everyone else need to know that I’m parking the ball in the rightfield seats when I step up to the plate.

2. Tomoyasu Hotei – Battle Without Honor and Humanity: Because I think any player of Asian descent has to have this song played at least once.

3. Chevelle – An Evening With El Diablo: Song is awesome.

4. Notorious B.I.G. – Hypnotize: Great beat.

5. Tool – Jambi: Just because it’d be cool to hear Tool at a ballpark just once.

More lists to come…as I come up with them. The only problem is I’ll think of a topic, fire off a top 5…and then never write it down and forget about it all together. I need to work on that.

…because I really don’t feel like spending too much time writing–oh well.

–First off, it looks like I’m sticking around here for a few more months–until August 9th, to be exact. They made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I accepted…with the caveat that I’m leaving at the end of that schedule regardless. Gives me a little extra time to square up on some business here, and to also decide where I truly want to go, be it Chicago or…elsewhere.

 –I love my bass guitar, absolutely love playing it. Was playing and practicing with it an hour a day until I got my PS3. Now it’s more like every other day, but either way the wait doesn’t last long. I’ll have to post pics once I figure out how to do that here.

–Just realized I’ve traveled somewhere each month for the last few months. In September it was Chicago for a Tigers game and a Michigan/Northwestern game; November to Chicago and Wisconsin for a Michigan game there; December/January to Orlando for Michigan’s Bowl game, and then mid-January to Chicago for a friend’s wedding; February to Alabama to help two of my closest friends move (and when I truly realized how sick I am of this cold weather; and then March to Chicago (again!) just for St. Patty’s weekend and to hang with the brother for a bit. In April, I got talked into going to Alabama for a long weekend–apparently they (family of my friends now down there) want to take me to Talladega for the race. Not a NASCAR fan by any stretch of the imagination, but they say it’s an experience…and we’ll be in a suite. Can’t turn that down.

 –I’m a much better person than I was a year ago personally, I really am. That being said, I’m still not close to opening up any lines of communication with certain people. Maybe that’ll change someday, but not anytime soon.

–I can’t wait for Opening Day. I don’t have tickets, but that sure as hell won’t stop me from heading downtown Monday morning to try and find one…and if I don’t, then I guess that’s just more $$$$ to spend on alcohol and watch the game at a watering hole there.

January 29, 2008 @ 4:15pm ET. Date and time of my last cigarette.

It’s been a little bit coming, really–got a flu bug/respiratory bug that pretty much kicked my ass late last week, and am recovering from that. In the middle of that last cigarette, I just decided that I didn’t want to smoke ‘em anymore. Tired of filling up my Zippo, tired of paying $5. a pack. Tired of going outside in the freezing cold to ‘enjoy’ a Nicotine fix–the last weekend in Chicago it was a balmy 5 below outside without the windchill and I still went outside every couple of hours to fire one up (probably one of the contributing factors to why I got nailed with the bug late last week).

I knew the time was coming…I smoked a bunch in Orlando, damn well near the dreaded pack a day I didn’t want to get close to. Smoked a bunch the weekend of the Wisconsin game too (Joe was witness to that), but that was a particularly rough week. But I knew this would be the last big change I needed to make in regards to me.

I know it’s gonna be a downright bitch to quit–done it before…last time I made it about six weeks. But now I’ve got the same feeling I had then when I quit–I just don’t want another one.

So if anyone’s got words of encouragement or advice they want to fire my way (again), go for it. It’s gonna be a battle.