Family Pictures 2006

It's been a little while ... especially since I've posted some pictures on the blog. We had our family pictures done a few weeks ago. One of our pastor's at church has a part-time photography business on the side and did a great job with our pictures. So, enjoy.

(I'm the bald one on the left ... just in case you're wondering ...)

More to come later.

One Day in May ...

I had a conversation in mid-May with a couple of friends who will remain nameless. Shane and Steve, you might remember that it went something like this:

“Yeah, the Tigers won’t last; they won’t make it to the playoffs. They don’t have the pitching to make it that far.”

I didn’t say a whole lot in that conversation because, well, I thought there was probably some truth in that statement. I mean, when you pin all your hopes on “The Gambler” and pray for the rest of a vastly inexperienced staff to pick up the pieces after that, you’re asking quite a bit.

The rest of the conversation went something like, “Yeah, if the Jays staff can stay healthy, especially Halladay and Burnett, then we’ve got a good shot.” But alas, healthy they were not. Again.

So, contrary to the early season prognastications – yes, I said prognastications – one pitching staff, along with a young and determined team that has sucked dirty canal water for the past 20 years, has stepped up to the plate (literally and figuratively) and has shown what they’re made of. The other team, as we know, has not.

I feel pretty justified in my new-found exuberance – yes, I said exuberance – since all Tiger fans across the globe, or at least across Michigan and southern Ontario, have waited a long time for anything to cheer about.

Yes, we blew a 10 game lead in the last half of the season and blew chunks on winning our division. And yes, we’ll probably get swept in the first round by the Yankees. But the reality is … wait for it … here it comes … WE’RE GOIN’ TO THE PLAYOFFS!

So, while we’re still playing in October, we wish John Gibbons and Ted Lilly all the best in their extended kiss-and-make-up session, which would probably be enhanced by some consultation from Shea Hillenbrand. And maybe someone could get an oversized Kleenex for JP Riccardi to wipe that giant nose of his. It’s a good thing he didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, eh?

I’ve never been a big fan of “The Gambler,” but this season, he’s given me every reason to cheer. So cheer, I will. After all, there’ll be time enough for counting when the dealin’s done.

GO TIGERS!

Pictures of Kaitlyn

Here are some more pictures of Kaitlyn. The first one is from our first annual "Elton John Look-a-Like Contest." As you can see, Kaitlyn is the clear winner. Stacey came in a close second.

The second one is from Kaitlyn's recent dedication. We had some close friends come to the front with us to share the experience.

Round 3 Summary; Stanley Cup Final Predictions

The semi-final round is now over and HALLELUJAH! --- somebody beat Buffalo!

This round, unlike the first two, allowed my prophetic gifting to come shining through. My overall record now stands at a stellar 7-7. It comes down the final showdown, the deciding series to determine whether I'll go 8-7 or 7-8, to determine whether I'm a winner or a loser, a champ or a chump, a winner or a weenie.

Not only did I pick an Edmonton - Carolina final, I also picked Edmonton to beat Anaheim in 5, and Carolina to beat Buffalo in 7. Rare, indeed. But still a far cry from the Calgary - Ottawa final I originally picked. The boogers over at TSN all picked a Buffalo - Anaheim final. How exciting would that have been? (Note the sarcasm.) Only Maggie the Monkey picked a Carolina - Edmonton final. Me and the monkey, we're tight. She has also proven herself smarter than most hockey "experts" including Bob "Don't call me Bobby" McKenzie and Pierre "The only reason I still have a job is because I can talk faster than anyone else in both English and French" McGuire.

Here's how the Cup Final will shake down:

(8) Edmonton vs (2) Carolina --- (2) Carolina (4-2)

I think it'll be fast-paced hockey with some good goaltending, but Carolina has a little more depth, just enough to get them to the finish line before Edmonton.

Even still, Go Oil!

Round 2 Summary; Round 3 Predictions

OK, I absolutely honk at this. I went a mildly respectable 4-4 in the first round, but the second round was not nearly as friendly: 1-3. That's a grand total of 5-7. Mediocrity at it's finest.

Here's how it all turned out:

Eastern Conference (Second Round)
(1) Ottawa (4-3) --- (4) Buffalo (4-1)
(3) New Jersey (4-2) --- (2) Carolina (4-1)

Western Conference (Second Round)
(8) Edmonton (4-3) --- (8) Edmonton (4-2)
(7) Colorado (4-2) --- (6) Anaheim (4-0)

Who would've thought these teams would make this year's final four? Some are saying that's the parity of "The New NHL." Frankly, I'm not convinced of that yet. I'm not even close to being convinced, really. When you think about it, the four teams who have made it this far are here because they have simply outplayed their opponents.

Sure, you have teams like Edmonton who were able to pick up Chris Pronger because of "The New NHL," or Anaheim doing the same with Scott Neidermeyer. But the so-called "parity" - the new fancy-schmancy word that everyone seems to be throwing around to make us all sound smarter - won't prove itself until at least next year, probably the year after.

Let's wait to see if Carolina has another three-year gap before they even make the playoffs again. Let's wait to see who Anaheim's new goalie will be that can carry them deep in the quest for the Holy Grail. Let's wait to see if Edmonton, with all the hype and momentum they've gained this year, will pull a Calgary next year. (Let's wait and see how many people will pick them to win it all next year!) Let's wait and watch Lindy Ruff coach another 15 years in Buffalo before they make the playoffs again because nobody else wants that job.

In my estimation, "The New NHL" should be more about consistency than about parity. More about dynasties than about one-year wonder's. But hey, what do I know? I honk at this.

Here's my third round predictions:

Eastern Conference (Third Round)
(4) Buffalo vs (2) Carolina --- (2) Carolina (4-3) ... for the love of God, who somebody please beat Buffalo?!?

Western Conference (Third Round)
(8) Edmonton vs (6) Anaheim --- (8) Edmonton (4-1)

More to follow later. GO OIL!

Everything Is Going to be OK

I must admit, I was a little worried when the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved coach Pat Quinn of his duties. But now, I'm relieved. I'm relieved that, like an old but wise cat, he's landed on his feet again.

I think you can find him at a downtown Vancouver location. It's the one where all the employees are now wearing helmets (visors are optional) and only serve double-double's while wearing hockey gloves. Everyone who works there is older and slower than the workers at all the other Tim Hortons except the manager; he's close to half Quinn's age, but apparently they get along just fine.

He'll answer to, "Oh, Fritter-boy?"

IMPORTANT MEDICAL ALERT!

Recently, the Canadian Medical Association announced the new national symbol for choking. I post this for your own safety and well-being.

Old Symbol:



New symbol: