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I need to blog about something other then sports again. I feel dry, boring and otherwise irrelevant. For good measure too, I haven't written a post on something meaty in a long time. This is also for good measure as I have needed time to review and collect myself and my thoughts.

During this period much change has occurred, both mentally and spiritually. Physically I have probably just gotten fatter, so we will leave that out. Mentally and spiritually, I believe, I have grown. Since my ordeal some months ago, I have been in a state of process, a state of revival and renewal. It has been quite interesting. I was engaging in some dialogue with a guy last week. He said it was crazy how someone my age could have found his own identity. This got me thinking, what is my identity. I didn't truly believe what he said was correct. But after much thinking I figured he was right, as I found out he was through my thoughts.

Since poop hit the fan way back when, I have had a crazy time trying to figure out my place. I have taken much advice from a couple people that I look up to greatly. These people have helped my understand and identify myself in life, and in God.

In life, I'm 21, my life is pretty simple apart from the fact I'm engaged and own a house. Other then that, simple. In God, it's a different story. For a while I had become, more or less, derailed from God's wild ride. It wasn't that I didn't believe, not at all, but I was tired of living without question, without thought, without learning. Frankly, I still am, and will always be. But the problem was my questioning was ill-advised. It lacked the 3 T's, tact, taste, and timing, all to some degree (Thank you Mrs Plett) To much thought went into how to argue, how to go against the norm, how to stir the pot and create chaos. Too little thought went into trying to understand ones side, ones experiences. I much rather say my point, and then defend it with all I had, anything that I could put together, believing it or not. I won't lie, arguing for the sake of just that can be pretty fun, but it gets you nowhere.

I think God starting working in me at this point. I started to try and think about others. I developed a sense of wanting to help others out, rather then put them down. I can attribute these things to 1. a book I was reading and 2. talking to people. God shows himself through others, he speaks through others, I have known this for years, but rarely did I see. But this time it was clear as day.

Things to live by: Stay positive. Help out regularly. Be a servant to others. Not bad I would say, coming from a 21 year old. These things sound so cliche, so phony. But it works. Being a natural skeptic, I found being positive helps stupendously. Helping out, and more specifically, being a servant to others also pays dividends.

Serving others will allow yourself to be served. A sense of joy comes from serving others. And serving others is what God asks us to do. Being Jesus to other people is best served....ok no puns, but being Jesus is service, it's being selfless instead of selfish.(Another word that has much significance)

My newfound identity of myself and myself in God I hear is rare at my age. It's nothing to gloat about, I've been through a lot to get to where I am. It hasn't been easy, and I'm sure the hardest parts are still on the horizon. But my understanding of what God wants me to be, a Man of God, a Man after His own heart, is a testament to how a bad period can be truly beneficial.

I've never liked getting my ass handed to me, but sometimes it's more necessary then anything else possible.

This Week's Musings

-- LOL @ Stephane Dion, It sucks when even the French dont have confidence in you.

-- Why do people get so upset over rappers and what they do? A lot of rappers tend to give their "hood" friends jobs and help them get out of the life of selling drugs and killing people. And though some mess up still, the majority actually doing something good, and make a good, legit life for themselves.

-- Dispatching is a fun job, running 25 peoples lives daily is a good time!

-- Fantasy baseball was good to me, now Fantasy Football is following suit.

-- Britney Spears career is over. You want to know why? A. K-Fed is now cool.

-- Did i mention how much i owned in Fantasy Football? Ahh yes i did, well stroking the ego more never hurt anyone.

-- Liverpool have a good chance of having a good year, i refuse to say they will win the title yet though.

-- O.J. Did it

-- Free Vick

Fantasy Hockey Roster Update

A deal of epic proportions......Well, maybe not, but regardless, it went down.

Trade:

Peter Schaffer and Michel Ouellet (The Vick Rape Stands) - my team

FOR

Steve Brenier (young talent) and Wojtek Wolski (Almost as good as Statsny, and bigger)

All in all i liked the trade from the get go. I had Wolski in my sites in the draft only to have him snatched away two 3 picks before mine. Brenier is decent, and with 82 games played, should get 20 goals and 30 assists. Wolski is up and coming in Colorado, he's slightly overshadowed by Statsny. But thats a good position to be in. Im expecting 30 goals and 45 assists. A solid left winger.

Fantasy Hockey Draft Results

Last nights draft was held at TreHernes House. It was a good time, met some new people ate some good food. Draft was long and after a long weekend of baseball i was tired but excited. Here's the breakdown of my pickings:

Centres:

Eric Stall: Stud, love the guy, young still, has good point potential and some talent around him.

Derek Roy: Will be a bit more of a feature in Buffalo, got him in a high round, has good potential.


Nikolas Backstrom: Rookie, Stud, Washington, Ovechkin, Semin. Whats not to like about this guy?

Michael Lombardi: Took him in the 21st round i believe. Solid and safe pick if my top 3 get injured, decent UTL spot.

Tuommo Ruutu: Took him in the 22nd round like his potential.

Right Wings:

Marian Hossa: My first selection in the Draft. Had him pegged at 7, took him at 11, a good day.

Jason Pominville: Buffalo, good pick i think, i like him.

Chris Neil: Did some one say PIM's?

Michelle Oullet: Could be decent, a nice backup and young to boot.

Left Wings:

Rick Nash: Still super young, still really good. I like him.

Jason Blake: A lot of upside, can he live up to the Hype? I hope so...

Ryan Malone: Could be apart of the Crosby, Malkin Line, if so, hes a stud.

Peter Schaffer: Was alright in Ottawa, i like him in Boston, will get more scoring chances.

Defensemen:

Dan Boyle: STUD, second in defensemen Goals, powerplay leader

Kimmo Timmonen: Getting old, but still a solid pick for now.

Paul Mara: Like him, scores and gets PIM's too

Jordan Leopold: Late pick up, has some upside

Cam Barker: Waiting for this one to explode. Winnipeg Kid!!!!

Christian Ehrhoff: Like him in San Jose, can score.

Goalies:

J.S. Giguere: PUMPED, the next big thing in the league, right behind Luongo for long term in my books.

Vesa Toskala: Will start in Toronto, will win 40 Games in Toronto, what more can i ask for?

Manny Legace: 30 game winner, decent backup for me.

Johan Holmqvist: Could start sooner or later, could be decent.

Thats the draft in a nutshell. I like my team, though ill see how well i will fair, i have youth to carry me a long time.

Prospects to note: Angelo Esposito - SUPER PUMPED, i love this kid in Pittsburgh.
Dustin Boyd - Like the guy, could be solid in Calgary.
Milan Lucic - My prospect sleeper, i like his potential

Thanks again to Brad for a wonderful time!

Questionable Lyrics

"Blinded by the light
Wrapped up like a deuce
Another runner in the night"

This could allude to many things, but as i pondered on it today, i came up with explosive diarrhea and a migraine. Thoughts?

A week of musings

-- Steven Gerrard, arguably the best midfielder in the world, should be rested with his broken toe. England loves to risk all their players. Gerrard is rated so high that England wants him in, even if he has to get a injection for the pain. If hes the best player, let him rest, its only Israel. What gives?

-- Beckham is coming back to England, its only a matter of time. And at that point the MLS will shut down proceedings and concede to Billeck, the all wise one, and bow before him in amazement of his predictions that the MLS would implode because of the CRAP is puts out on to peoples televisions.

-- Mike from the NFL Network is a Nub. Not only does he looked like a washed up actor, he just plain sucks at announcing.

-- Tiki Barber is also a nub for not reaming out Manning at half time. If he has a set as big as his smile, he might have been able to pull that off.

-- That other dude on there who talked about the worst person in the NFL fails at life. He named himself as the worst person for some comment about Vick. I like Vick, not matter what hes done, hes a great football player.

-- Is Dog Fighting really that bad, or are we all just a little hungry? (points to snicker machine)

-- John Madden is an idiot.

-- Guns don't kill people, but they sure help.

-- Too many good video games are coming out this month.

-- Fantasy hockey has taken over my life. I'm starting to like my position in the draft. Picks 11 and 14. I can still get two players good enough to compete with Crosby and Richards/Sedin/some other not-so-elite player. I Love the NHL.

It has begun...Can't say I saw this coming....

Beckham back to England

Don't call it the Summit Series

Though I was not born, nor did I fully understand the bitterness and hate, I still knew exactly what was going on. Canada and Russia, bitter hockey rivals, in the thick of the Cold War. Political tensions so tight that a linoleum knife could deal a killer blow. An intense hatred that could only be explained in later years as comparable to Nickleback. The 1972 Summit series was the arguably the greatest hockey tournament ever, and I mean EVER.

In 1972, the Cold War was reaching its greatest heights. It turned into two countries playing for two different types or lifestyles, two different types of governments. Canada represented the USA's struggle for democracy, and its alliance against the Soviets in the Cold War. The Soviets on the other hand were fighting for communism. The Soviets had a point to prove, its strange how hockey was the tipping point.

Nevertheless this was the first tournament were NHL players took part. In that time, in the Olympics, NHL players did not participate. The Soviets had much Olympic experience because they played in Russia and did not have to abide by the rules of the NHL. Amateurs by definition, but far from it in on the ice. Canada had it all to do.

Canada was comprised of top names, Esposito, Both Mahovlich's, Bobby Clarke, Gilbert Perreault, and Yvan Cournoyer. Serge Savard and Guy Lapointe commanded the Canada's rearguard and Tony Esposito and Ken Dryden managed between the pipes. A lengendary lineup.

The tournament ensued. Marred by referee corruption, cheap shots, and even holding out on playing, The Summit series was intense. Fierce hatred started from game 1. Players and fans alike, loathing one another.

The games were so tight, so close. The games meant so much, Canada on the edge of its seat watching, waiting. Moments that will live in history were etched from that cold landscape. Bobby Clarke's infamous Slash, Parise's swing at the referee, and Sinden throwing a chair across the ice. And perhaps the most memorable, Paul Henderson's goal. A relative no one-turned Canadian Hero and legend overnight.

I've watched the Summit Series, and even though I couldn't understand a lot of it, I found myself hating the Russians, and on the edge of my seat roaring Canada on. An incredible feeling.

Fast-forward 35 years. 2007, the new Summit Series, the 8 game extravaganza that is the Super Series. This time played by two world junior teams. This time no one cares. And the worst part is they tried to play it up like it had some meaning. Well I'm going to break your bubble, IT DOESN'T.

There is no politically charged reasons, there are no big name NHLers, there isn't the same type of Rivalry. No matter how much Paul Macguire and his other retarded commentator want to compare it, it just doesn't. Has Canada forgot? Have they lost the feeling that once was the Summit Series? It doesn't compare in the slightest. It is so far from 1972. Even wearing those jerseys doesn't help.

People need to get a grip here. The Super Series is so lopsided its stupid. Yes I'm glad Canada is whipping some Russian Ass. But I am not happy about the comparisons. For me it doesn't do the legends of hockey justice. To me it is unfair.

We need to call this tournament for what it is. It's a lousy attempt to re-create something that is so legendary, that it is utterly impossible to do. Yet imbeciles truly believe they can recapture that magic. HAHA. Right....

I prefer to think of '72 like it is meant to be. I terrific memory, a sense of Canadian Pride, and recollection of one of the biggest moments in hockey history. I prefer to look at the Super Series at a awful attempt to relive something that is unattainable in todays culture.