The house is sold. I've about a month to find a place. Shouldn't be too much of a problem, I've looked around and seen some good places within my budget. It'll be a lot of changes, but my first goal is to get the internet reconnected as soon as possible, hehe. Anyhow, still have a month to work out all the details. So it's going to be an interesting summer.

Top 5 Songs I've been listening to the last couple weeks:

1. Slave to the System - Leaves
2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Turn It Again
3. Hawksley Workman - We Will Still Need A Song
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Make You Feel Better
5. Hawksley Workman - Jealous of Your Cigarette

Eating My Words

At the time it seemed logical - New Jersey and San Jose seemed to have peaked - both finished the season playing their best hockey of the year, and continued to do so through the first round. Buffalo and Anaheim I'm not surprised about, both have worked hard and deserve to be where they are. Every team in the final four does. It just goes to show that its important to peak at the right time. New Jersey had been undefeated for so long, I think they were surprised by the brick wall that was the Carolina Hurricanes. Who despite ending the season pretty rough - finally got their feet under them, and quite frankly spanked the Devils. Kudos to Edmonton as well for stopping the Sharks cold in their run for the Cup.

There's no saying who's going to win right now, all the teams are young, fast, and gritty. And look at the goaltenders - 3 rookies! Will Roloson's experience make the difference this post-season for Edmonton? The 36-year old native of Simcoe, Ontario has been standing tall thus far. Its been a while since the Oil was so comfortable at the back.

And how about the Edmonton fans? A group of folk in San Jose decided to prove their ignorance by booing the Canadian National Anthem at the start of the game - showing no regard for the 11 Canadians playing for the San Jose Sharks - including Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, and Jonathan Cheechoo - their top players this year. How did Edmonton respond? The next game when the American Anthem came on they cheered...and cheered, and cheered. That's the kind of character I like to see.



i don't need a reason

Proud to be Canadian

Canadian Musicians have taken a stand against greedy record labels that punish consumers and engage in restrictive (and in Sony BMG's recent case - illegal) practices to protect their so called "rights".

The Canadian Music Creators Coalition (CMCC) stands for the following three principles in relation to copyright reform:
1. Suing Our Fans is Destructive and Hypocritical
2. Digital Locks are Risky and Counterproductive
3. Cultural Policy Should Support Actual Canadian Artists

Read more about the CMCC at their website.



a greed that we just can't resist

It's been a busy few weeks - the business at work has really picked up, and overtime is becoming the norm now. Even Shawn has come back to work during his two weeks off from school to train a n00b on the contour cutter. I've been somewhat of a do-everything lately, running Lines 1, 2, 3, the 4x4, and Treffner when needed, or gluing, doing taper-tops, even driving the towmotor loading trailers and organizing material. So I can't say I've been bored, in general. Though I admit last night was one of those days where you want to kill yourself to be freed from the boredom.

The NHL playoffs so far haven't held any particular surprises. Edmonton pulled out an upset against top-seeded Detroit. But it's not altogether surprising considering Detroit has somehow become the goat for other teams the last few years. 2006 marks the 3th straight postseason the Wings have bowed out to a 'lesser' team. In the West, I'd give the nod to San Jose thus far - no one in the conference has been stronger down the stretch, and downing Nashville in 5 games promises a nice period of rest and recovery for the next round.

As far as the East goes, it almost seems a foregone conclusion already. No one in the league has been playing as well as New Jersey over the past month - the Devils have won 15 straight games - including a handy elimination of Jagr and the Rangers in 4-straight. Ottawa struggled near the end of the season, but seemed to find some rhythm as they ousted the defending Stanley Cup Champion Lightning in a mere 5 games. So while New Jersey and Ottawa are resting and getting ready for the second round, their potential opponents remain mired in tough battles - to their detriment (in theory).

The final seeding for the second round depends on the outcome of the games currently remaining in the first round, so take my predictions here with a grain of salt - because they may happen in the second round as opposed to the third round - nevertheless - My prediction right now are conference finals between New Jersey and Ottawa, with New Jersey coming out on top, and San Jose vs Colorado, with Joe Thornton powering the Sharks to another trip to the final. In vain, because the Cup is headed to Jersey this year.



beady eyes and a crooked smile