The Lake it is said never gives up their dead when the skies of November turn gloomy

We are 4 bottles into the Edmund Fitzgerald sixer and the Badgers somehow did not freaking blow their game against the sharpshooters from Virginia Tech to get the Big 10 up 1-0 in this year's version of the challenge.

In addition, we have salmon in the oven and some brown rice ready to go on.

Oh, and MLR just got home. So with that, thank you all (none of you) for attending and have a great evening



And later that night when his lights went out of sight came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald...

I like the little things

God Bless John Spencer and Leo McGarry:

Good scotch sits in a charcoal barrel for 12 years, very good scotch gets smoked for 29 years, Johnnie Walker Blue is 60 year old scotch.



There are firsts in life that forever are tattooed in your memory- your first kiss, your first ballgame, your first job offer, the feeling of your car being hit in your first accident, the freezing cold temperature of the water on your feet the first time you waded into the Pacific, and for me on Thanksgiving there was another first- my first glass of Johnnie Walker Blue.

It happened innocently enough. A chat with my uncle about scotch, a casual remark about a recent whiskey tasting I attended, and then the remark from him

"What was the scotch Jed Had in West Wing?"
"Jed? You mean Josh?"
"The Chief of staff"
"Oh, Leo- um, Johnnie Walker Blue"
"Yeah, you want some?"
"YOU HAVE JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE?????"

Indeed he did, but it took a few minutes to get it as he could not find it. Yeah, a MISSING bottle of Blue. A cruise purchase from Mexico from "6-8 years ago" but it was found.

Until this moment I was pounding merlot, the bottle was presented to me- just like I remember from gazes at liquor stores and the finer bars out there- only this time it was there in front of me. He looked to pour me a glass in my wine glass- the one that most recently held a glass of wine from an $11 bottle of merlot. I was aghast.
"I need a better glass than this"
My cousin found a waterford brandy glass- worked for me.

I was given a sip- just to see if I liked it. I took a whiff- it smelled good. Like every good brown smell combined: oak, rye, vanilla bean, ale, catchers mitt, hardwood floor, leather, espresso. I would have detailed my car with that smell- I would relish my ride to work. Instead, I sat and sucked in that moment- tried to sober up the best I could to take it all in. I swirled, sniffed, gazed, pondered, raised my glass, sniffed again, closed my eyes, raised it some more, found my lips and took it in- Johnnie Walker Blue..

It was smooth, it was deep, it was sophisticated, it was different. Scotch, bourbon, whiskey usually stings the back of your throat, usually brings some pain with the pleasure- it makes you work for it. Blue did none of that. Blue seduced you with a wink of its eye. It realized you worked hard to obtain blue- why trouble you more than needed? Afterall, you were drinking blue to relax- so lets relax.

Johnnie Walker Blue is 60 year old scotch.

I put the glass back down and was given another pour, a larger one. My first glass of Blue.


That's what I remember...

OH! Sweet England how we love ya!

Very excited at the news of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers "hosting" the Patriots in London at Wembley next year.
From a 2009 season perspective, this might not be the most strategic decision, but this is going to be great exposure for the Bucs, a great experience for the players, and with the Bucs playing Tom Brady and the Pats this will be a big game.

The only thing I wished would have happened instead is that the game would have been played in Manchester at Old Trafford- home of Manchester United, which is ownded by Glazer family who also owns the Bucs.


With that and with the NHL email I figured now was a good time to list the 20 Premiership teams in the order of hate to love. Lets roll!

20. Sunderland: Fuck Sunderland, Fuck Roy Keane, Fuck their fans, Fuck the Stadium of Light

19. Tottenham: During my first season of being a Newcastle supporter Sunderland was not in the EPL, so the team I chose to hate was Totty. I still hate them. GFY, Spurs fans!

18. Liverpool: Sure, I'll pull for them in the CL, but I hate the Scouse

17. Stoke: I just don't respect them

16. West Ham: Cheaters, and they have Craig Bellamy

15. Man City: Ooooh, you are owned by Sheiks who like to spend money. Might as well just call yourself the "Parisian Whores"

14. Bolton: This team does not belong in the EPL.

13. West Brom: Sure, West Brom has done nothing to me, but they are going to be down again next season- why even bother caring

12: Wigan: See above, but they'll be back next year.

11. ManU: Could be higher, could be lower. The bottom line is I respect them but I do not like them

10. Middlesborough: Sure I guess they are a NUFC rival, but Garreth Southgate's uncanny resemblance to Joel Osteen makes me wish they succeed so I can make cracks that only I get every weekend

9. Chelsea: Had I gotten into the EPL 2 years earlier Chelsea would have been my team. Higher now that Jose is gone

8. Portsmouth: Pompey could be higher after I read Bloody Confused, but for now, this is about right

7. Blackburn: I want them to stay up, just not at the expense of the Magpies: Come on You Rovers!

6. Everton: Should have have picked teams again, Everton would have made the final 4.
Yes, they are Scousers, but they are not Scousers.

5. Hull: It's just a great story, hope they can continue to be competitive going into the cruelest month

4. Fulham: The Americans, the cottage, Dodi, "Trendy Fulham" Yes, they are up there

3. Aston Villa: Ok, had I done this thing over again, Villa might have won- American owners, just abover mediocre tradition, I like Villa.

2, Arsenal: The Gooners are my Big 4 team, certainly helps that BG is a big fan and drags my ass to the Globe to see Arse play once a month. I also have a shirt.

1. Newcastle: What, like I'd change after 2 subpar seasons? I'm a Cubs fan! I was a fan of the Tampa Bay Bucs for 8 10+ loss seasons. I do not jump ship. COME ON NEWCASTLE!

That's Debatable....

Remember my Youppi! post from a few days ago? (scroll down)

Well, this is the copy of an email I wrote in early October when I was not publishing here. This would have been a perfect addition- but better late than never:

Friends:





With the NHL season upon us it is once again time for me to choose my team for the 08-09 season.


As many of you will recall, last season the decision was based upon the most Finnish players per team. The Minnesota Wild were deemed the winner of my affections and then really did not do anything to earn it, so it is time to move on.



This year the decision was made on several factors:





-Tradition, but also giving credence to new teams with new energy


-Finnish Players


-Ex-Badgers


-Places I want to visit to maybe see a game


-Uniforms/logos


-Preference given to Canadian/Northern teams


-Stadium name


-Prejudice against cities I hate.





With that in mind I ranked the 30 teams with my choice being listed at the bottom.





Enjoy...





Absolutely Not:





30. Detroit Redwings: For someone who is mostly indifferent to hockey, it is strange that out of all the professional leagues in North America, the team I hate the most is the Detroit Redwings. I will never root for them.





Never even considered:





29. Columbus Blue Jackets: I cannot root for anything from Cbus, nor can I condone a team that allows for a girl to die while at her birthday party.





28. St. Louis Blues: Still bitter over the Blackhawks first round loss from like 1993.





27. Philadelphia Flyers: If I did not pick them last year based on the most Finns, I am certainly not picking them this year based on no real standard.





26. New York Rangers: Yes, I wanted to go tradition, but then I saw Linda "Horse Face" Cohn picked them to win it all. NEXT!





25. Los Angeles Kings: I could not come up with one reason to pick them other than "I would like to go to an event at the Staples Center" However, I would much rather see the Clips or Lakers than the Kings





24. Minnesota Wild: Last year's pick kept me excited for all of about 48 hours, even the puck gum got ruined. That's a bad omen right there





23. Pittsburgh Penguins: With my dad now switching his baseball allegiance to the Pirates, I just cannot support another Pittsburgh team.





22. Edmonton Oilers: So far away. I would have 0 connection with this team.





21. Calgary Flames: See above, but at least they have some daylight in Calgary over the winter





20. San Jose Sharks: If I am going west coast there are other teams I would consider first. Plus, I cannot think of one reason I would ever end up in San Jose. Not one.





There's always next year:





19. Dallas Stars: I've never been to Dallas and I cannot think of a better excuse to go. But, again, I tend to hate the other teams in the Hawks division and I cannot support a team that moves from a hockey hotbed like Minnesota for Dallas.





18. Washington Capitals: The Caps were my team circa 1996, but that fizzled away. Plus, when I lived in DC I never made it to a game (of course that was the season they were on strike) if I didn't go then, why would I care now?





17. Carolina Hurricanes: Unlike the Stars leaving Minn, I kind of think it was funny when the Whalers left Connecticut. What was not funny was when Carolina, with fans who probably did not even know what a blue line was, won the Stanley Cup. I cannot condone that.





16. Anaheim Ducks: Once again, another former TR one year wonder. I still have at least one Mighty Ducks hat, but since they dropped the "Mighty" they dropped any chance of me rejoining the flock.





15. Boston Bruins: Another traditional team, but if I have one rule when picking a sports team it is, Never ever take a team from Boston. Done.





One Major Issue from Greatness:





14. New York Islanders


I like the uniforms and there is no major reason keeping me from picking them, but really, what is the reason TO pick them? I can't come up with one





13. Florida Panthers


Maybe its hard to believe that the Panthers made it this far, but please keep in mind a)Miami b)new team and c)using such a rare local animal as a mascot is kinda cool.





12. Buffalo Sabres


I wanted to put them higher but they are immediately disqualified for 2 reasons. 1. I am already on the Buffalo/Toronto Bills bandwagon and that is all I can handle from Buffalo and 2.Their involvement in Bruce Almighty; I cannot support them.





11. Phoenix Coyotes


"New" team, Phoenix (place I want to go) and some potential for greatness. Then I remembered the Wayne Gretzky factor...NEXT!








Sorry, but I did not choose you





10. Colorado Avalanche


Good team, good energy from their fans and a unique color scheme. But "The Lanche" pretty much means I can never root from them


Bottom Line: They would be a lot higher if they still had Steve Reinprecht





9. NJ Devils


The Devils were fun to root for back in the mid 90s and Martin Brodeur deserves mad respect no matter where your allegiance lies. Also, they have a cool logo.


Bottom Line: The Putty thing from Seinfeld was like 15 years ago. The Devils are no longer as much fun to root for.





8. Nashville Predators


Nashville was my 06-07 selection and they did not disappoint by making the playoffs. I once met the original owner of the Preds, love the jerseys, and they are fun. But they no longer have a copious amount of Finns and "The Sommet Center" is a dumb name for an arena


Bottom Line: Their window has passed, it is time to move on.





7. Toronto Maple Leafs


You cant get much more traditional or hockey hotbededness than Toronto and the Leafs and while I really wanted the Leafs to be higher I kept struggling for a reason to pick them.


Bottom Line: If they were still skating at Maple Leaf Gardens, this could be different, but they are not.





6. Vancouver Canucks


I spent a grand total of 1 hr in Vancouver this summer, which means the rule that places I go have good seasons could apply. Plus, I figure the fact that we saw Killer Whales while sailing towards Vancouver might make me more inclined to buy the jersey. Oh, and going to a game was featured on 10,000 things to do before you die.


Bottom Line: General Motors Place. Really? Am I really expected to support bad business decisions? It just rubs me the wrong way. Plus, I was just there, why would I go back?





THE THREE RUNNERS UP





5. Atlanta Thrashers


Positives: Kari Lehtonen gives them a Finnish tinge, Atlanta is certainly a potential destination. The have that new energy, plus they were good last year. Also, Scott Ferrall was their first play by play man.


Negatives: No Badgers, the ATL is not a hockey town (nor any sport for that matter) Philips Arena: I compete against them, plus they once had Scott Ferrall as their play by play man


Bottom Line: Even L'il John and his Crunk Cup can't get me to root for Atlanta ever getting a Stanley Cup





4. Ottawa Senators


Positives: Ottawa rocks as a city, I would love to go back, but just maybe not during the winter. They have a Finnish contingent as well as one of the greatest Badgers- Danny Heatley. Also, from what I hear the fans are infreakingsane up there- I can do that.


Negatives, this team consistently underachieves, and their uniforms are just ok.


Bottom Line: If I got to Ottawa it won't be during the regular season, also I have enough underachieving from my baseball team.





3. Tampa Bay Lightning


Positives: The fact that I was once a Lightning fan means I have a hat. High potential for a visit and some new energy with some young studs and Barry Melrose as a coach.


Negatives: Barry Melrose is their head coach. St. Pete Times Forum- I prefer the Tampa Trib. Also, I was a fan when TB took the Cup, it would just be downhill from there.


Bottom Line: Even though Chicago is Tampa Bay's B*tch, I am staying away from the Lightning, at least for this season. I'll be back.





THE FINAL 2











2. Chicago Blackhawks


Positives:


Tradition: check, but you also get some new energy because of a new focus on this team, a new owner, and some incredible young talent


Badgers: Yes, in Jack Skille and Adam Boom Boom Burish


Finns: YES, a decent Finnish contingent including goaltender Annti Niemi.


Uniforms: Top notch


Intangibles: Friend has season tickets, Winter Classic to be held in Wrigley Field, Hawks fans are stoked for this season, Commit to the Indian slogan is top notch.





Negatives:


Fans are too stoked, like Bulls fans last year. Chance for a massive meltdown that I want nothing to do with


Arena: United Center: eh, at least it has been that way since it opened


Not really a destination team, I mean, I like 20 mins away from the arena (I guess that could be a positive)





Bottom Line: If I am not going to Commit to the Indian this year either a)It's never going to happen or b)I risk becoming a fair weather fan. Still, not sure if I am feeling it. Still, Go Hawks.








1. Montreal Canadiens:


Positives:





Tradition: The Canadiens are celebrating their 100th season this year-the NHL is only 91 years old, yeah they have tradition. In fact, they have a whole page dedicated to their centennial season


Finns: Only one, but it's Saku Koivu and he wears the letter "C" so that is kind of important.


Destination: Could not be higher, I check airfare to Montreal on almost a weekly basis. IwannagoIwannagoIwannago.


Energy: You might be able to find a more hockey crazed town than Montreal, but it wont be easy. In fact a few years ago their fans got so upset that the goal song was changed to U2's Vertigo, that they petitioned to have it changed back


Jerseys: I like em: red, easy to identify


Intangibles: A ton: the 100 year thing is calling me. I can work on my francais since the website is in both English and French. The nickname of "Habs" I still don't really get it, but its cool. ESPN has picked them to do well and the fact that they are in the east SHOULD NOT upset Hawks fans too much.





NEGATIVES:


No Badgers


I just got out of one dreadful centennial relationship, do I want to enter into another?


I was expected to give them a huge boost because they play in the Molson Centre, alas it is now Centre Bell: WTF does that mean?


Fans might not be accepting, I fear that hard core Habs will snuff out my bandwagonness and throw me overboard and then chuck bottles of Molson at me.


Also, their fans have been known to boo the US National anthem at games. Normally this would be enough to rank them somewhere in the 20s, but then back when Quebec was trying to secede from Canada they booed the Canadian national anthem, I won't take it too personally then, friends.


Bottom Line: This team is just calling to me. I'm sorry guys, I want the Hawks to win the west and pummel the Dead Things. But, Je me Souviens. I want to sing to goal song! I want to be a Hab! Montreal, you are my team! LETS GO HABS!

Speaking of thanking technology

Dear Direct TV


Thank you very much for bringing back the Beyonce "upgrade" ad.

Sincerely,
Dudes everywhere

We got lights, we got cameras- bitching technology!

For almost 2 years now I have been an unabased defender of Sirius Satellite radio. Having Sirius has changed my life- and made my commute to and from NB much more enjoyable. But over the last few months we have had issues- my radio has deteriorated, I am not a fan of the Sirius/XM music channels, Sirius seems to be hemmoraging college athletic events to XM and the NBA is gone. Over the last few weeks my radio would freeze up after 15-20 minutes and then today it stuck on channel 130- which in an almost perfect world would have at least been NFL radio or Sirius Vinyl but is, instead, Bloomberg radio. Yeah, great.

So I called Sirius today to complain/threaten to cancel and I was pleased to hear my guy Adam listen to my complaints and almost immediately offer me a free radio and 2 months free.

Thanks Sirius- now please put a rush on that radio- I don't know how much more of Mike&Mike I can take.

BLOGSPLOSION

I have a sixer of Edmund Fitzgerald, we have snow outside, the Big 10/ACC challenge on the tv- yup time to get at least one Blogsplosion in before the end of 2008.

GO BADGERS!