The Big bad Flood.... Redux

As many of you know, I was born bred Grand Forks... North Dakota style.

Since I live in the Lou, many whom know me around these parts keep asking how's my hometown doing? How's my mother, father, and family doin? To most of their questions I can only say, "Well they say they're doing ok, and that they're going to trust the National Weather Service, whom couldn't tell you the right thing if it hit them in the face.. Much less predict when a god damn river that flows north will crest! But, I guess I'll regress and have to take their word for it, and say they're doing fine.."
So finally I decided you know what I'll just go ahead and tap into that flood cam that they put up on the Grand Forks Herald web site... Just to put me at ease.. Afterall my dad's house is literally a drunk stumble into that damn flood wall..(It hurts, trust me, you don't want to try and bounce off it)

So yesterday I peaked in, and now today, I'm firewalled since I'm at work... So I decided to google up some pictures, and wouldn't you know it, I cyber stalked some rando's pictures of the events right now... Oh and did you know President Barak Obama declared North Dakota a State of Federal Disaster, or something like that?? I think what he was trying to say was that he wishes the UND Hockey team makes it to the D.C., and then to the White House, as he had a lot of fun in the Alerus last year.. Without further ado, since you probably don't want to hear any sappy story, about what my friends and I went through in 1997.. Let's all stay positive, I mean afterall the Blues are on a winning streak, my NCAA BBall bracket isn't all but a bust quite yet (it will once UNC decides to lose), and I'm sure if you didn't already know Obama doesn't think the fighting sioux nickname is hostile or abusive..

This picture below was taken on March 25, 2009:Onto Sand Bag Central shall we:
This brings me back to when I was 13, at Sand Bag Central, unfortunately and shockingly this picture was taken around 4am on March 26th, 2009.. Wowza
That's some good team work there.Here is a picture of Minnesota Welcoming their visitors with a HUGE WALL! lol, it always cracks me up:By the time this blog went to press, this was the latest picture, and YES the Sorlie Bridge pictured above is UNDER WATER...
Here's the link to the guy's flickr site. From what I can deduce, he's a college student at UND, and a bartender, that is a foreigner maybe? Who fly's a lot, prolly a prophead.. Anyway 4am sandbagging is pretty impressive.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrottler/3387292054/


GOOD LUCK GRAND FORKS, I WISH ALL NORTH DAKOTANS WELL.

March Madness..... Baby Bragadocious!! Baby!!

Basketball Thoughts:
I entered into a pool of about 25, whom are probably the most knowledgeable college bball fans I know, and still as of the other day I was in 3rd place.. Having never watched a single game this year, I probably can only name 3 players in college right now, err check that, probably could name four.. Every year I just google NCAA Bracket Stats, and break it down by the numbers. But 1st is always first go with the gut feeling. Like I had the KU would demolish NDSU.. Then I figured we owe my bro for his services in the War in Iraq. So I picked the cliche' team of UNC, winning it all, and Tyler Hansboruough (I know 4 players, but I didn't say I knew how to spell their names) would raise the cup, errrr I mean cut the "net" (I think that's what they do when they win a title..)

Needless to say, Psycho T, and his weirdness, will climb on the ladder??(That's even more weird when they do that, and the crowd is on the bball floor, and here is this ladder all these people are climbing up and down to "cut the net") Needless to say, it's why I don't watch it all..

Back on topic, I broke my bracket up 1st by going by my gut, then I went with some statistical things that always happen, like the 5v12 "upsets", that happen a lot.. Then some other stuff, mix it all up, and you got yourself a bracket that could SUCK, like my brothers ha ha ha, or ROCK, like mine.. Happy Trails (ps Shame on my bromo for not even picking his KU to repeat! You fair weather fan!! Rock Chalk biyatch)

NHL MARCH MADNESS:
So the Western Conference is the tightest it's ever been, well tighter then anyone can remember.. I'm talking so tight, it's borderline teenager barely legal amateur porn tight.. (Ya you know what I'm talking about you sick pervert!)

Here are the standings with 10 games to go:
6 COLUMBUS 72 Games/ 38-28-6/ 82 points
7 EDMONTON 72 Games/ 35-28-9/ 79 points
8 NASHVILLE 72 Games/ 35-30-7/ 77 points

9 ANAHEIM 72 Games/ 35-31-6/ 76 points
10 MINNESOTA 72 Games/ 34-30-8/ 76 points
11 ST LOUIS 72 Games/ 33-30-9/ 75 points
12 DALLAS 72 Games/ 33-31-8/ 74 points

The Blues have no games remaining against the four competitors now immediately ahead of them in the standings (Edmonton, Nashville, Anaheim and Minnesota). When you look at the remaining schedules for the Western Conference teams fighting for playoff spots, it seems like the Blues have a chance at dragging Columbus back to the pack, since Columbus has 3 games remaining with the Blues (2 of them in St. Louis).

The TARGET according to previous years means you need to get to 90 points to make the playoffs. Assuming the Blues pick up those 15 points, let’s forecast where they’ll come from:
Tonight vs. Los Angeles: 2 points
Thursday vs. Vancouver: 2 point
Saturday vs. Columbus: 2 points
Sunday AT Columbus: 0 point
April 1 AT Chicago: 0 point
April 2 AT Detroit: 1 points
April 4 AT Dallas: 2 points
April 7 AT Phoenix: 2 points
April 10 vs. Columbus: 2 points
April 12 AT Colorado: 2 points

There is my prediction of their 90 points a TALL TALL Task..

Edmonton has two games against Anaheim, two against Calgary to close out the season, plus one game each against Detroit, Minnesota, Phoenix, the Kings, Vancouver and San Jose. Only 3 of the Oilers last 10 games are on the road (Phoenix, Anaheim & Calgary). My prediction they stay in the playoffs.

Dallas has 2 games against the Kings, and one each against Florida, Vancouver, Phoenix, Calgary, St. Louis, Minnesota, Anaheim, and Colorado. They'll stay out of contention.

Nashville plays two each against Detroit, Chicago, and Columbus, with single games against Anaheim, San Jose, Los Angeles, and Minnesota. This team loses to Detroit, Chicago, San Jose, and Columbus. Wayyy too tough of a task for them to stay in contention..

Anaheim has 2 each against San Jose, Edmonton and Colorado, and one each against Nashville (R), Vancouver, Dallas and Phoenix (R). Losing to San Jose, Edmonton, and hopefully Vancouver. Meaning their win against Nashville, Dallas, Phoenix, and Colorado puts them short.

Minnesota has 2 games against the Flames, with single road games versus Rangers, Islanders, Oliers, Red Wings and Columbus, with single home games against Dallas, Nashville and Vancouver. The Wild just lost their leading scorer, and even if the "weak one" Mary Anne Gaborik comes back, this team won't make the playoffs. Causing some heads to hopefully roll for all my friends up in the North Country..

So the Western how I'd like to see it play out:
1. San Jose
2. Detroit
3. Calgary
4. Chicago
5. Vancouver
6. Columbus
7. Edmonton
8. St Louis

With a game 7 in 1st round b/w San Jose and St Louis..

Happy Week everyone..

An email I get...

Nice article on ESPN online!!!! Be sure to read that last line, in bold and green.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=3992254&sportCat=ncb

**click on the Midwest tab**, but here’s the article:


North Dakota State (14)

Best Case: After hordes (well, some) Bison fans pour across the Red River and descend upon Minneapolis for a semi-home game, they're treated to an epic upset of Kansas on a 25-foot 3-pointer by Ben Woodside. Gov. John Hoeven hails this as the greatest sporting moment in state history, non-ice hockey division. With a 1-0 all-time NCAA tournament record, team doesn't even bother with second-round game against West Virginia. Goes shopping at Mall of America instead.

Worst Case: Kansas shows the Bison exactly how vast the difference is between the Big 12 and the Summit, rolling to a 20-4 lead. NDSU squad that went 0-3 against teams in the field of 65 turns the ball over repeatedly, gets in foul trouble, cannot get open looks for Woodside and loses by 30. Meanwhile, North Dakota goes on a run to win national hockey championship.

Let's rid the Bison, in a way my ancestors did....

Let me 1st say, Welcome to March Madness!!!! BABY!!!!!!! (Enter Hooter's tv commercial featuring Dicky boy Vitale and his "new" friends at every one's favorite Restaurant)

I've heard a lot of debates going on the radio the past few weeks, about the "mid-major" teams not getting their fair shake to get into the Men's NCAA Basketball tourney..

I say who gives a sh-t. I mean really if you're one of those teams battling for that 65th spot, do you really think you're worthy of even making it? Much less make a run??

I mean go join a crappy conference like NDSU did, and win that tourney to get an auto-bid...


Ahhh, moving to my next point.. NCAA is awesome about getting crappy teams in over good teams due to their auto-bid selection.. I don't care if you're talking Hockey, or Basketball. Crappy Conferences produce Champions who automatically get in to the tourney, but in a way it all evens out, I mean the top teams need to get their practices in on someone..

But on occasion you just might witness an upset, a la #1 Minnesota vs #16 Holy Cross upset or what I call the Miracle at the Ralph in 2007. Let's hope something of that nature happens again in either the Basketball or Hockey Tourney..

I've also heard on the radio shows these media guys crying about how they only fill out 1 bracket for each sport, and that's it. Meanwhile other people who aren't the "experts" fill out numerous brackets, and then one of their 100 different brackets is almost perfect and then they brag about it..

I laughed at this because I thought it was funny they would bring something like this up on air, but since they did I laughed even more, because you know every year they probably get like a bazillion emails from guys who made more then one bracket and are rubbing it in at how great they are!

Last year, I participated in the Slice's NCAA basketball bracket challenge. The brackets were hosted on CBS, and I thought it was very entertaining to watch me climb the charts with my bracket.. The only thing I was looking to do was hold my own, and beat my bro's, at a sport I can't play, and barely watch.

Leading to my next point...

The only NCAA Basketball game I'll watch from start to finish will be.....

NDSU vs Kansas

Why: BECAUSE NDSU needs to get CRUSHED!

Why the hatred: I'm actually more pissed that these no talent ass clown reporters in Fargo, ND are trying to say that this teams entrance into the NCAA tourney is one of, if not the GREATEST sports story to come out of North Dakota!

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA

Wow!! I'm not going to get into this debate, but let me just say a few things:

When you ask people about North Dakota Sports, they'll probably mention our Hockey Palace, or maybe our Numerous amounts of National Championships in Hockey, maybe even Phil Jackson..

What they won't say is:
"OH YA, they were the state that had that NDSU Bison team that played in the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament in 2009"


"but then got crushed by the defending Champ Jayhawks! By a score of 150-10 making them the biggest losers to ever play in the NCAA tournament!"

Well maybe they might say that..

80 degrees and I tell that ditch please..

So this morning I woke up and realized it's going to be a heck of a great day! Don't you just love waking up, and hearing the birds chirping almost like they are sitting in your window sill? (I have birds that have made a nest above my window at my apartment, which just so happens to be 3 stories up, so its next to impossible to get them to leave, quite annoying they can be)

Anyways, moving on I woke up this morning, and heard yesterday that today was going to be in the 70's with a tad bit of wind. So I googled the closest golf course and driving range. ZING! I'm hitting driving range balls at around 9am.. I found a brand new range facility that's about a mile from my apartment...(last summer I was traveling pretty far to a crappy facility to get some practice in..) So I get to this nice place and they're rocking laser guided distances. So you can track which pin is what yardage, and which ditch(sand less bunker) was at what yardage.. It was actually pretty cool. I've played golf for numerous years, and never once have I been to such a tech'd out driving range.. Even the ball dispenser was technologied up... You have to go inside the pro shop, and pay for whatever amount you want, then you go out to the machine type in the code, and the balls go into your bucket that's hanging on a hook.. It was pretty cool. I also wanted to know what this little clubhouse was all about that was perched about 100 yards in the air on the other side of the fencing?? The owner said he pays kids to sit up there and lookout for other kids that try to hit balls over the fence, and into traffic or the nearby ditch.. I laughed, and told him numerous stories of my rangering days at Ray Richards.. I think I'm a fortunate kid who was able to grow up playing golf at one course looking up to all the college athletes that worked their as a "Ranger". (aka A person who slept in a golf cart most days on the golf course nestled behind some trees nursing a hangover that they got at some huge house party on campus the night before..)

I only know of 1 guy who actually was fired from Ray Richards in all of my years of being there everyday from ages 8-14... That man was Chad B. (to disclose his identity) I don't remember his story but all I remember were the days he'd ask me to drive him out to the trees behind #2's tee so he could sleep, while I was able to go and look for golf balls along the trees.. Needless to say he would show up late a lot, and one day or two he missed his whole shift, and then good 'ol Nancy had to give him the axe.

Through the numerous years of growing up there eating Subway daily (it used to be the clubhouse's only food next to the pro shops delicious Pugsley's sandwich's) we became basically free workers for the staff doing almost anything for something free like soda, range balls, golf, old rental clubs, or free clubs out of the "$3,$5,$10" bins that were actually lost clubs that have been lost for more then a few weeks so in turn they sell them!! (What a great racket that's got to be)

Moving on, I remember the numerous amounts of putting tournaments with all of us kids gambling, and then the winner would take on the ranger on duty at the time, and the stakes could be very high, for an example: If the kid lost, he had to pick the driving range fence alongside #1, BUT if the kid won he could be entitled to a bucket of range balls, or free use of the chipping range ball pickers, or maybe a golf club from the aforementioned bins? One never knew what was on the line.. But every put was a PRESSURE COOKER..

Ahhhhh yessss, this morning up until about noon I sat on the driving range stroking balls out into the range remembering many things in the past like the great child rivalries we had to the stupid things we did as kids at the course (hitting balls at rail cars, to dumping rocks into the stream) every memory in the past, but smiling all day today I couldn't help but think about the past and the future.

TONIGHT's Sports Docket:
Sioux vs Badgers:
My friends piled into a bus this morning at 6am to make the trek east to the Cheesehead state. Visiting the Kohl center is a must on anyone's list. Tonight's game will have more people in the stands watching then the Blues game in Tampa Bay, not because it's the Blues fault see below..
The Sioux will win at least one game this weekend to win the Cup, whether they do it today or tomorrow doesn't bother me..

Blues vs Lightning:
The Blues have sold out 22 times at 19,806 people in the Scottrade, BUT because it's Hockey in Florida tonight's attendance might be 12,000!! LOL, look at what's in Florida right now, the MLB, radio shows in Orlando, and all that stuff, way too many distractions.. Only the die-hard Lightning fans are going to be in attendance to watch the surging Blues take on the bottom dwellar Lightning.. My thoughts are the Blues handily beat the bolts, and hopefully solidify there run towards making the playoffs.. Only 2 points out with a win tonight!

Trade Deadline... Blues Style

I'm so sick of the rumors about Chris Pronger, all year I hear this blow-hard "Blues" fans yell and scream at "ka-choke" and "Boo-er" (Keith Tkachuck and Eric Brewer).. It's been very disturbing to say the least..

A little background Eric Brewer and Jeff Woywitka plus a draft pick were acquired by the Blues and sent Chris Pronger away. And some still have a bad taste in their mouth's about it.. I wasn't here when it went down, but at the time the Blues weren't playoff contenders, and were wanting to lower their salary cap, so they sent their highest paid player away. (Makes sense to me)

Now the Blues have a stock pile of young talent available in return as I think they may become buyers before the deadline. The Blues need help on defense especially in the scoring column. (With Erik Johnson and Eric Brewer out their #1, and #3 defenseman respectively out for the year, but have contracts on the books for next year.)

Enter Anaheim because the Ducks appear to have a choice between trading Pronger or trading Scott Niedermayer. Anaheim has tons of questions as to what their team will look like next season because they have a flood of players are free agency bound.

I think the Blues are looking to add an impact player, whether it's a defenseman or a forward. They also are looking for a No. 2 or, more likely, a No. 1A goaltender. Manny Legace will get claimed off re-entry waivers by Ottawa or another team, so the Blues know they either have Holt, Bishop, or make a splash and pluck someone like Craig Anderson of the Florida Panthers? Maybe Curtis Sanford, who's in the Canucks' minor-league system, would be a good fit in a Blues sweater once again. (But again I'm opposed to dealing off players, and then keep bringing them back, if they were great for the team they wouldn't of been dealt..right?..)

If Ducks GM Bob Murray has an eye on the future, he could swap Pronger, an aging veteran with a high salary, for a similar defenseman with a lower salary. Word from Anaheim says Niedermayer likely will stick around, so Pronger is the odd man out. The first trade chip St. Louis could use to get Pronger is Alex Pietrangelo, the No. 4 overall pick last June. It would seem outrageous for the Blues to move Pietrangelo, who is expected to be a first-pair defenseman when he's ready for full-time NHL duties. But with the Blues needing to make the playoffs, and with other defense prospects believed to be closer to NHL duty.

They also could move David Perron, since the Coaches seem to keep him in the dog house almost like a colt they are trying to break. (For you fellow Equine enthusiasts out there.) Perron looks good at times but takes undisciplined penalties at others. Perron is totally out of place as a fourth-line player. He is best when playing with the Blues' top two young forwards Berglund and T.J. Oshie. That line made major contributions in Thursday's game, scoring on consecutive shifts and nearly scoring on their next shift. And on Saturday, Perron scored a great goal to help beat the Coyotes.

The Blues appear to believe collegian Aaron Palushaj rivals Perron, and Palushaj could jump from college hockey at Michigan to St. Louis. He's the Blues' best college forward prospect. They also have Brett Sonne of WHL Calgary, who had 41 goals and 43 assists in 52 games and is capable of replacing Perron's scoring. As for young defensemen, there's Ian Cole at Notre Dame, Cade Fairchild at Minnesota, Jonas Junland at AHL Peoria and Russian prospect Nikita Nikitin, who turns 23 this summer and is ready to make the NHL jump.

Also, Roman Polak is a lock to stay on the roster. Don't forget, the Blues also have Erik Johnson, who is making excellent progress from knee surgery. Pronger has a season left on his contract. Brewer will be back next season with time left on his contract. There's your top two. Johnson and Barret Jackman would be the No. 2 pair. So as good as Pietrangelo figures to be, he could be in play for Pronger.

Or could he be in play for, say, the Montreal Canadiens? The Blues could use a scoring left winger and might pitch a deal for Christopher Higgins, whom the Canadiens are shopping. We see Perron as the more logical fit.

The only way Walt (Tkachuck) leaves St Louis, is if some team goes Vito Corleone style on JD "an offer you can't refuse" which could be the Canadiens. It also could be the Pittsburgh Penguins. Here's a sure sign of interest by the Penguins: They've had a scout at seven of the Blues' past eight home games.

My Analysis:
I like the idea of adding a scoring Defenseman, but not Chris Pronger, I'm think Jay Bo. Also I don't think Higgins is a good fit for St Louis. Walt stays here, or IF the Bruins come calling I say he goes back to his collegiate turf. A goalie to help Mason would be great, how about Clemenson who just got sent down now that the big bad Marty is healthy in Jersey?

Whatever the moves, the Blues are a team on the rise. (Have you checked their stats since January?) They might not make deals at the deadline, but as desperate as they are to make the playoffs, I can see at least one big trade by them happening before Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.

McDonald's where art thou...

McDonald's what are you doing with yourself!? Are you trying to lose my future business?!?!?

1st off, I love McD's, but only once a week at most.. If more then that, it starts to get to me..

On Saturday I found it was one of my coworkers bday on sunday, so we all planned to pitch in, and buy him a cake and a gift... So this morning I roll in with all the goods, and as I'm going around to everyone to have them sign it, I go to our intern in the service department, and he asks when is Pete's bday? I say oh, it was yesterday, but were having cake, and we got him a name plate for his desk. He then says, sweet! His Bday is on the same day as me!

I replied, "oh really? Are you serious??" He goes on to say ya, and then walks away after scribbling on the card.. Just pissed.. (The kids 20, and spent it alone, I mean what am I going to do about it now?)

So moving on, I feel bad later on, as I bought candles, a cake, a card, and a gift for one person, and not the intern in back..

It hits me! I'LL BUY THE YOUNG LAD A MCD's BDAY CAKE!!
How great is McD's Chocolate Bday cake?!?!? It's to die for! I tell you what, I bought a marble shitty neutral bday cake for all of us today, and paid $20! It sucked, compared to what the sugary sweetness of McDonald's Bday cake... Mmmmm Mmmmm

Every little bite brings me back to the old days of the jungle gyms, and the ball pits that we used to hide in, so our parents couldn't see us, because we didn't want to leave!!

So about 20 minutes ago, I decide I better call the local McD's to make sure they can have one ready for me for tomorrow.. (2 Bday cakes in 1 day is a bit much.. 2 Bday cakes in 2 days on the other hand is just right)

In my dismay, this tween-ager tells me uhhhhhh, we don't have the Birthday cakes anymore.... and our store in Red Bud, and Columbia won't either because were owned by the same peeeeople...

I reply back to this kid who probably makes $5.15/hr ... "Are you kidding me?? What don't you have birthday parties anymore?? Is this the same McDonald's that was geared toward kids, and fun while eating??"

He replies back, "uhhh I don't know let meeee ask myyyy manager.."

I then say, "Dude, forget about it, McDonald's has gone corporate, hell they're going after all these yuppies who'd rather drink some mocha choca coffee all damn day then eat.."

He then says in his best stoner version, "Dude!! Riiiighhhtt on mannn, you'rrrree awesommme."

I then say, "No man you're awesome."

The last thing I heard before I hung up was, "ha haa Rigghhhht onnnn man.." CLICK

After hanging up with the tweedager, I decide to go to McD's locator, and call all the McD's on my route to work tomorrow.. In all I pass a total of 5, I repeat 5 McDonald's... How many McD's?.. 5, yep not a single one carries the ever so delicious chocolate bday cake..


Ronald McDonald is rolling over in his grave right now.. How am I suppose to show my kids what life was like when I was a kid, if they don't have a McD's bday cake!!!!???!?!?!?!!?!??!?!!?!?

What a terrible start to my month, knowing that when my bday comes along, there will be no way of having a little slice of Chocolate McD's heaven...