The 'Hamster' goes to st. Louis

I attended my first NHL game (hell yeah) at the Savvis Center on April 15, 2006 (don't ask why I picked tax day). The St. Louis Blues played the Detroit Red Wings. I went with Donald, Sheila, and Crystal (hooray). We were walking to our seats and I stepped inside the arena for a quick pic of warm-ups.




Opening face-off. I think I aged 10 years waiting for this idiot to drop the puck.



It was hard to get a good shot of shift change, so I settled for a timeout instead.



Six Blues, three officials, two Wings, and a very satisfied fan (not in a pear tree -- HA).




Poor guy -- on his way to the sin bin -- you should've stayed in bed pal!

More from St. Louis...

Children, please don't try this at home...remember this is a trained professional...gee, his mama must be proud.









With nine seconds left in regulation, #40 Henrik Zetterberg scores the game winning goal for the Red Wings. I was yelling and screaming because my team won, but then I started moaning and groaning because my first NHL game didn't go into overtime.

When boredom sets in...

Lights at the Ford Center --- these have shone on Metallica, Godsmack, many French-Canadians, and who could forget Sir Paul!!!

Arena football in OKC

Keeping in mind how close I am to a certain football driven town (suck the fooners -- haha) deep rooted hatred for the sport comes naturally to me --- BUT --- this AF2 stuff is addictive (plus it gives me more chances to see beer guy).

The last pics of the CHL 05-06 season

The Blazers made it to the playoffs and their first round opponent was the Colorado Eagles. My seat neighbor Diane made this sign (incidently her last name is Berger...get it? Ham --- Berger! So sue me for being easily amused!)



Another infamous face-off photo featuring the equally infamous #8 Marty Standish and #82 Jared Dumba.



The celebration after forcing game seven. The Eagles ended up taking the series, but were defeated in round two by the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs (I've been told that a mudbug is like a crawfish and NOT a crawdad, which are both some type of giant shrimp -- how's that for an oxymoron?!?)

The 'Hamster' is online again!

Hello all! I've downloaded Netscape and I have to admit...I like it a lot better than AOL. I'll be posting alot of pics this weekend so check in and be amazed! Now, I'm off to find a walkthrough for the Legend of Zelda.

Ramblings and other miseries

Well, it appears that I have un-officially made the mother angry again. This time all I did was tell her that Brokeback Mountain was a boring movie. She started muttering something about not watching because of principles...blah, blah, blah. I got the movie from the library, so I didn't lose any money paying rental fees. Anywho Brokeback was extremely boring, moved too slow, soundtrack sucked (and the damn thing won the Oscar for musical score...I think...what a fucking outrage...John Williams gets two nominations and the award goes to this crap?!?!?) I can't wait to hear what the mother says about me going to see DaVinci Code.

In other news, I've had three different people come up to me this week and tell me that I need to get screwed and soon...oh yeah, like that's really going to solve my problems.

My team is out of the Stanley Cup playoffs...at least there is still a Canadian team playing...so I'll be cheering for Edmonton.

My car is officially demon possessed. The check engine light is on and my windshield wipers will start going off for no apparent reason.

I think my friend in Arizona has officially committed a 'Thelma & Louise.' I haven't heard from him since Thanksgiving. I've sent him e-cards for Valentine's, St Patty's, and Easter. I always ask for a confirmation e-mail, but haven't received anything yet.

Get ready to feel the earth tremble...I miss AOL...It's nice that the library staff all know me by my first name now, but having to come down here for only 30 minutes at a time is driving me nucking futs!

That's all for now. There's a line for this computer.

For everyone still searching for closure over the last 11 years...

i turned
my back
on this tragedy
this empty hole
in the ground
yet do not
turn away
for in doing so
you forsake me
i face
the wailing wall
to honor
those fallen
i beg you
do the same
for in doing so
you honor me
and also
remember
those who have
survived
their lives
are to be
honored
i was there
at 9:02
i felt
your pain
i smelled
the smoke
debris
crushed
my flesh, too
i was
with you
through it all
i held you
i listened
i am here now
your continuing comfort
gaze no longer
upon this
empty place
look to heaven
and your father
do not forget
the past
it brought
you together
and closer
to me
but do
not linger
for i know
your future
i know what good
will befall you
i am in
constant prayer
for you
i grant you peace
safety
and understanding
i am here
in this marble facade
but do not
place your trust here
do not
give yourself
to the abyss
fall
to your knees
and you
will rise
as i lift you
with my prayers
i watch
as you stand
before me now
eyes red
and overflowing
weep
no more
for you do so
in vain
my tears
have cleansed
and freed you
do not
give in
to despair
for i remain
with you
i leave
with you
my spirit
a spirit
of truth
of peace
a spirit
of hope
you will
be able
to face
your future
the road ahead
is rough
and i
will carry you
as i
always have
i will shoulder
your burden
endure
your loss
your faith
in me
in the truth
shall set
you free
free
from the past
free from
your pain
free
to live
and remember
those fallen
i will
heal
your wounds
i will
ease
your pain
i will
hear
your cries
i will
dry
your tears
you will
be comforted
your prayers
will
be answered
the spirit
i have promised
will lead you
as you pray
i must go
i must continue
with my work
your place
must be prepared
i shall return
and give eternity to you
you've heard it said
that "Jesus wept"
i assure
this is true
for I am
the Son of God
I was there
and wept
with you

jdh 3/27/99; 4/21/99

3:30 in the morning...

...not a soul in sight. The city's looking like a ghost town on a moonless summer night...

Wow! I can remember the words to a Garth Brooks song! At one point my nephew Chase and I were going to be storm chasers for one of the local news stations. BTW: this pic was taken at 5:00 p.m.

#15 Ryan Johnston

I was playing with the "antique color" option at the Wal-Mart machine. Sometimes I think I should just pack it all in and dwell in photography.

Better than leaving a trail of bread crumbs...

I had to change camera batteries just as the gloves came off and the fists started flying (damn) but still a good pic.

Here's Esther!

She's a keeper!

Mr. Grumpy Pants...

...but we love him anyway.

BTW -- you're looking at my grand-nephew Corbin and part of my Mom.

As promised...

"Hi Michelle. I've scored alot of goals for you this season."

I tried to upload a video that I shot with my camera, but the blankety computer kept telling me no.

This one's for Sammy...

#8 Marty Standish -- and no, this is not his good side!

#23 Kelly Paddon

Alright everybody! A-one...a-two...take me out to the Ford Center, to section 117, put up some plexiglass and make a fist, if the Blazers don't make it to the finals I will get pissed.

HAHAHA!

#22 Tim Earl -- ain't he a cutie?!?

3 generations -- 1 fridge

AAARRRGGGHHH!!!

Will Saturday ever bloody get here?!? I'm ready for another hockey game damnit! If my withdrawals are this bad after only 2 weeks, I hate to imagine what the off-season will be like (insert cringe here).

Sorry about that...I had to get it out of my system. Anywho, my friend Diane G. needs some cheering up, so I've posted a few pics on her behalf. Starting with this one...what a fine lookin' woman!!!

These are for you Diane!

There's a certain 'member' of the team I'm dying to introduce you to. Tee-hee.


This is my friend Terry -- also known as Beer-Guy -- sorry for the picture turning out so dark.

Do you remember the horrendous 'Freebird' story I told in an earlier post? Well this is it -- #35 goaltender Sean Connors

"Do you realize how big your nose is? You are some kind of ugly, ya know that?"

#26 Joe Dustin defenseman for the Blazers

#82 Jared Dumba -- taken during a jersey auction -- OMG the things looked awful, and not just because they had OU plastered on the shoulders. How 'bout them eyebrows?

WTF!!!

I'm listening to the Blazers game on the radio (they're in Bossier-Shreveport tonight). There had been a 30 minute rink delay prior to dropping the puck due to a problem with the plexiglass. The maintenance guys are true rednecks (as opposed to the fake kind) because they're fixing it with duct tape!

So the next time you're ever in Shreveport, Louisiana at the Century-Tel Center, be sure you pack a few extra rolls of the handyman's secret weapon. (How'd you like that reference to Red Green).

Graham Dearle of the OKC Blazers vs. Curtis Voth formerly of the Tulsa Oilers. This pic was taken at the Tulsa Convention Center -- home of the worst glass in the league. Voth got suspended for going after an official. When the suspension was lifted, he got put on a bus and sent home. (insert evil laugh here)

There's just not anything 'safe' that I can say about this one...

Things I've learned since moving to downtown OKC

1. Driving the I-40 cross-town when the wind comes sweeping down the plain ain't a good thing -- especially if you drive a Ford Explorer.

2. Getting up early just to make it to work on time is a good thing -- especially when you get to see the firemen out for their morning jog -- yummy!

3. Living 10 blocks from the library does not give you leniency with regard to late fees -- damn!

4. Deciding to have the paper delivered ain't a good thing -- especially when your neighbors are vicious pathetic little pig bastard thieves.

5. Even though the dude next door with the obnoxious ball of fluff has moved out, you should still seriously consider buying that 15' python -- and go ahead and give it the most obvious of names, even though it's against your better judgment.

Profile of #35 Sean Connors, goaltender for the Blazers

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you 'crazy-dancin-gay-white-guy.' He enjoys doing the YMCA and having people stuff his drawers with dollar bills. And thank God he doesn't show up to every game.

***NEWSFLASH***

HEY PEOPLE --- I AM NOT FUCKING INVISIBLE --- JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW, IN CASE YOU HAD FORGOTTEN

Don't adjust your TV; I did this on purpose...

If you thought that was nice...

Holy hell...I don't even know where to begin with this one...I tried ten times to rotate this damn picture, but to no avail. I had also left the flash on my camera, which is apparently a big no-no with regard to player safety...not to mention the brief blinding sensation you suffer from momentarily.

Julia's Random Movie Quote: 'I find your lack of faith disturbing.' - Darth Vader, Star Wars Take'>http://www.quizgalaxy.com/quiz.php?id=60">Take this quiz at

My definition

Julia -- [adjective]: Smells like teen spirit 'How" will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

It was a good week...

...in the central hockey league. The Blazers played three games and won all of them (HOORAY). The game last Tuesday was the 2nd annual kids' day game. I got to take the day off and was in absolute hockey glory. But the highlight of the week, without a doubt, was last night when the Blazers played the Wichita Thunder (I think I used my favorite word no less than 60 times...I'm not sure...I lost count after 20). The two most notable names for Wichita are Travis Clayton and Jason Duda...both first class assholes (if anyone from Wichita happens to be reading this, I can legally get away with saying that because I've been UNfortunate to have met the pair). Anywho, everybody and their dog had signs last night. The best one was over in section 105 and said "Clayton and Duda starring in Brokeback Thunder." It was a beautiful thing. The second best sign goes to section 120...someone had drawn a picture of a ref with his head stuck up his butt...another thing of beauty. I got to see beer guy for the first time in 2 1/2 weeks. If only crazy dancing gay white guy had been there...

The Blair Julie Project

What else could I do?!? The fight was over and the guys were in the penalty boxes.

The human body was NOT made to bend this way...

#82, forward Jared Dumba, doing some bizarre warm-up-pregame-skate-stretching ritual.

Money definitely well spent...

This was taken during the Military Appreciation Day game. The guys wore these great camouflage jerseys which were auctioned off after the game. Extras were made and sold at the souvenir tables. They were sold out before the first period ended. The visible faces are #26 defenseman Joe Dustin (one of the few true Americans on the team), and #39 goaltender Sebastian Centomo (recalled up to Manitoba, but will return during the Olympic break).

Guess who's coming for dinner...

One of the perks of being a booster club member. At the Christmas dinner we sat with #5, defenseman Shawn Germain. Booster members could 'adopt' players and buy them sensible gifts...although I have yet to figure out what makes a John Deere hat sensible.

Proof that my camera works outside the Ford Center...

This was taken at Myriad Gardens. I could use an entire memory card at this place.

"Hey! Let's play king of the mountain!"

...or...

"Three little turtles climbing on a rock. One fell off and tore his sock."

...or...

"Stupid humans; wasting all that turtle wax on their stupid cars."

More leaves...

I gaze intently at my prey

gathered peacefully and unknowing

at the water's edge.

I am patient and still.

I am as silent

as the impending death.

I am swift.

I am unseen.

I am the lioness.

You'll wish I hadn't posted this one...

Does anyone remember an old laxative commercial for Doxidan (sp)? I think it said, "as sure as the sun rises." Or in this case as the sun sets. I tried to warn you folks.

Right place at the right time...

...rather an appropriate title, don't you think? I helped a friend with the Indian taco booth at the arts festival last summer. During a break I was walking around taking pictures, and was fortunate enough to find this guy standing on a fence post shaking his groove thing. His mother must be proud.

Back-up goal tender Corey Wogtech.....former model for Abercrombie & Fitch.....what do you think of this Sammy?!?





#28 Garrett Prosofsky.....assistant captain...fence straddlers, don't ya love 'em?





I sneezed.....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

And the earth did tremble...

Ladies, gentlemen, and whatever else, I have officially crossed the line from hick to redneck...possibly even to dare I say it white trash.

It all went down last Saturday. The night started with another great hockey game (my blood pressure is still elevated...my boys had me worried during the first two periods). Me and my group of yahoo-ligans went to the after party in Bricktown. Things were going great until #8 Marty Standish announced to the world "no autographs until I pee." Gee, thanks alot Marty...hope everything came out okay.

Anywho, the evening went down the crapper as we were leaving the restaurant. It must be one of Murphy's Laws that the sober person will be the one to make a complete jackass out of herself...and I did...as I went stumbling down the front steps of the Halftime Sports Grill. My face and ass are fortunately bruise and scrape free. Needless to say, however, that I have no more self esteem...especially since the entire Blazers roster were at the top of the steps saying "nice landing."

The team went to one of the clubs and I proceeded on to my car. At the corner near the club was a street musician. #35 Sean Connors asked the guy if he could play, and the guy let him. Oh my God! I wish I could turn back time...I wish I could learn to think before I speak...I started shouting "Freebird! Freebird!"

And that, ladies and gentlemen, was when time ceased and the earth began to tremble. Am I being terribly "un-Southern" by hating that damn song?!?

I've got 10 million stories to tell about the last blog-less days. But where to begin? Aye, there's the rub. Let's say that men are involved....French Canadian men to be exact....oh and beer guy is involved, too (nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more).

On the home front I've finally got new neighbors....that I'm already sick of. They were hanging pictures the other day.....at 2:00 in the flipping morning. When they quit banging (ooh, bad picture there, sorry) I loaded the washing machine and set it for the lllllooooonnnnnggggg cycle. You could hear them bitching through the walls. They've relatively quiet for the past few nights. They must have realized that I am a force to be reckoned with.

Almost time to log off. Stories to come soon.....maybe.....