HERE I AM TOO NERVOUS TO SIT AGAIN!

Here we go again - Game 6 Rangers v. Canadiens, 1-0 at the end of the 2nd period.  Same game plan - Rangers will try to eliminate Canadiens and the Habs will "pull the rabbit out of the hat" to win tonight and force Game 7.
It is now half way thru the 3rd period, still 1-0 Rangers.
Question - will it hurt more if Habs lost in Game 7? 
It is a beautiful day today and no rain as predicted.  There is a Farmers' Market every Thursday and it is around the corner of my office building - how convenient!  I went last week so I decided just go straight home today.
We will have a Retirement Party for a secretary tomorrow.  She has been with the Firm for 14 years and have been in the workforce for 51 years.  When someone asked her today what would her advice be about working, she said, "Don't work too long, make sure you enjoy your life and not wait until you retire."  That is what I have been doing - our annual road trips, see the world and live life to the fullest.  How do plan to enjoy your life?

I AM TOO NERVOUS TO SIT DOWN

You probably wonder why I am blogging instead of watching Game 5 of the New York Rangers v. the Montreal Canadiens.  The Rangers is looking to eliminate the Habs while the Habs is fighting to force a Game 6.  Perhaps you won’t see this post until much later because it is not like you are anxiously waiting for my witty comments and cheesy photos!

I am just nervous to be just watching the game.  It has been a crazy game indeed.  The score was 2-1 Habs in the 1^st period, then within 10 minutes into the 2^nd period, it was 4-2 Habs.  Rangers came back tied at 4-4 but Habs fought back – 5-4 at the end of the 2^nd period.

Bourque got his hat-trick in the 3^rd period and now Habs is leading 6-4.  But I am just too nervous to watch, especially when Rangers got on the power play.

Less than 4 minutes left in the 3^rd period – Habs is up 7-4 over the Rangers.  There will be Game 6 – I am so torn between the Rangers my American hometown team and wanting the Cup to go back to Canada, at least this year since my Beloved Red Wings are already eliminated!      

BENJAMIN AND BENJAMIN

Benjamin found his long-lost twin when we were at an estate sale last Sunday.  It was so comical when my husband and I both yelled out, "Look!  Benjamin's long-lost twin" - (not really loud but enough for those around us to hear).  So we had to explain our (strange) excitement upon seeing a smiling yellow beanie baby.
Even though they are identical twin, we could tell which one is Benjamin NYC and which is Benjamin STL.  NYC has longer "hair" and leans backward, unable to sit up due to "an accident" (being dropped while TOTA was walking across a five-lane road - at Manchester and Ries).
STL has shorter hair and still has the same pose for when he used to play hockey for the Boston Bruins.
Talk about the Bruins - I am still stunned that the Bruins lost game 6 last night.  I did not really care whether the Hawks or the Bruins won the Cup.  As a hockey fanatic, I could not believe that the Bruins, leading the entire game, yet could not hold on - how long is 1 minute and 26 seconds?  It is less than a minor (2-minute) penalty.  The Hawks scored 2 goals within 17 seconds in the 3rd period and won the Cup because the Bruins fell apart!
My husband suggested that we get a cake to celebrate both Benjamin NYC and STL "unofficial" birthday and also the Hawks winning the Stanley Cup.  I think Ralphie just wanted to eat cake!

HOW DO YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART?

I woke up this morning, got out of bed, even though every ounce of what little energy I had in my body told me to just hide under the cover and stay there until the start of next hockey season!  My beloved Red Wings was eliminated last night in overtime of Game 7 against the Blackhawks.  My husband tried to comfort me saying that the Wings put up a good fight.  Well, that did not make my broken heart feel any better.

I bought flowers and a bag of potting soil yesterday.  I spent the morning planting flowers.  I washed the patio furniture.  I dusted and vacuumed the house, washed and put away two loads of clothes, as I tried to keep busy, but the tears would not stop flowing!!! 

 After the Wings eliminated the Ducks and advanced to Round 2 facing the Blackhawks, I thought the Wings might be swept since the Hawks is the #1 seed (and the Hawks also won all the games during regular season).  The Hawks won the 1st game but the Wings came back and won the next three games.  All the sudden, instead of the nightmare of the Wings being swept, I dreamed of watching "Da Captain" Zetterberg raised the cup, paraded around the ice as the 2013 Stanley Cup champion.    

Well, I never learned my lesson for putting too much hope into something as unpredictable as winning three hockey games in the best of 7 playoffs series.  The Hawks came back, forced Game 7 and eliminated the Wings, once and for all, shattered my short-lived dream.  It was a sunny, comfortable and beautiful day in St. Louis, but how do you mend a broken heart of this Red Wings fan?

STILL UPSIDE DOWN (HOW DO YOU STOP THE FEELINGS?)

Regular readers (I don't know if I still have any faithful readers and forget about adoring fans - haa haa) know the main reason I have not been posting regularly because I am occupied with watching NHL playoffs games.  Playing Scrabbles is another reason.  My highest score is 468 points and my best word is "waxy" (I don't even know what it means!).    

In previous post, I was not clear with my comments about the new look of my silly blog.  I should have written that the new admin console caused much confusion when I first login.  I have gotten used to it but I still prefer the old format.  Blogger should know that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!  Ok, let's get back to hockey.  My world is still upside down because the Rangers are the only Original Six team still standing.  Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs never made it to the Playoffs.  My beloved Red Wings were eliminated (it's still painful writing about this) and both the Bruins and the Blackhawks did not make it to Round 2.

It has been a very strange 1st Series.  No one expected teams such as the Penguins and the #1 seed Canucks performed (uncharacteriscally) poorly.  I saw the above vanity plate at the Blues parking lot, how appropriate!  Too bad, the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie could not do exactly what he needed to do, "STOPUCKS"!     

HERE WE GO! (IT IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!)

According to my book, this is the most wonderful time of the year - the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs started on Wednesday, April 11th. There are many great match-ups such as the Blues v. Sharks or the Caps v. Bruins. No home ice advantage for my beloved Red Wings being #5 seed, currently tied the series at 1-1 against the Predators #4. (It still does not sound right for Nashville to have a strong hockey team. Isn't the town supposed to be only about country music?) Already there are surprises with the Kings #8 leading the series 2-0 against the Canucks being #1 while the Flyers #5 won the first two games against the Pens #4 - that just goes to show that sometimes home ice does not guarantee winning.

These photos were taken at the April 4th game. Traffic was not too bad so we got to the arena early enough for me to take a few photos during warm-up. The last time the Wings were in town was at the November 2011 game. It was good seeing the "boys" again. Everyone is healthy, ready for the playoffs. The Wings played at the level expected but they still weak on power plays. No scoring the first 2 periods. In the third period, the Wings got a 2-man advantage but were sloppy and allowed a short-handed goal. I love short-handed goals but not when against my beloved Red Wings. When the Blues scored the 2nd goal three minutes later, I was furious and we walked out of the arena.

Well, three minutes after we left, Franzen scored, then tied the game with his 2nd goal of the night. Bertuzzi scored the winning goal at shootout. (My sincere apology to the "boys" for walking out on them and for not having faith that they would come back and win the game. My husband kept saying to me, "Oh ye lil faith!". We thought the Blues would win the President's Trophy for having the most points in the league. I even tried to get tickets for the last home game since it is Fans Appreciation Day and there would be many giveaways that included round trip airline tickets and iPad. We did not get the tickets because the game was scheduled on April 6th - Good Friday. When it comes to faith v. hockey, I know my priority!

THE DAY AFTER GAME 7

Congratulations to the Boston Bruins on capturing the 2011 Stanley Cup championships. The Bruins played well and really dominated the series. I did not make any predictions or sharing which team I cheered for because I did not want to jinx the Canucks. Well, that did not make any difference. Not being Canadian, yet I was greatly disappointed that the Canucks could not bring Lord Stanley home. I love the Original Six but I would prefer the Canucks winning the finals over the Bruins.

It was painful to watch Game 7 last night (Wednesday, June 15th). Actually I had to be at the Board of Adjustment meeting starting at 7:00 p.m. (that was when the game started). I told the chairwoman that knowing that we needed five commissioners for voting, I gave up watching the 1st period of the game. I was promised a medal for commitment to civic duty! As soon as the voting was done, I said, "I had to be rude and get out of here. See you all next time." Usually we would hang around talking after the meeting but not when it was Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.

I lost all hope when the Canucks allowed the shorthanded goal late in the 2nd period. I watched the traditional handshakes (one more reason why I love hockey - whether the players are forced to shakehand, it is still a great symbol of sportmanship) and the MVP and Stanley Cup presentation. I am still asking the questions most of hockey fans are trying to find the answers, "What happened to the Canucks? How could #22 and #33 and Luongo and the Canucks fell apart so badly?" I will tell Henrik Sedin, next time, go ahead and touch the President's Trophy already! Well, only 100+ more days before the next hockey season starts. I guest I could spend my spare time learning how to cook and improve on my house-keeping skills - NOT!!!!!!

OH CANADA (THERE IS ONLY ONE STILL STANDING ON GUARD)

It rained all day on Monday following Easter. The rain continued on and off the next few days. Floodwater from the Meramec River has crept onto the roads. Major flooding is expected as forecast of more heavy raining. We don't live in the flood plain but my husband might have to take a different (longer and more traffic) route to get to work.
The 1st round of the Stanley Cup playoffs was completed with two nail-biting Game 7s between Vancouver Canucks v. Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers v. Buffalo Sabres. I was relieved and happy that the Canucks advanced to semifinals. I was disappointed that the Sabres were eliminated because I don't care for the Flyers!

These photos were taken in 2009, the last time the St. Louis Blues got into the playoffs. The Blues were swept by the Canucks.

Since Boston Bruins eliminated Montreal Canadiens, the Canucks are the only Canada team still fighting for a chance to bring Lord Stanley back to Canada.

Here are my after-thoughts about Round 1 - Of course, I am happy that my Red Wings had an easy series (but too much resting could be a bad thing). I am also pleased that Vancouver Canucks and Nashville Predators advanced to the next round.
I don't care for either San Jose Sharks nor Los Angeles Kings, but I would have prefered that the Red Wings play against the Kings. I was deeply disappointed that my American hometown team New York Rangers were eliminated by the Washington Capitals. I was surprised watching Tampa Bay Lightning won 1-0 in game 7 sending Pittsburgh Penguins packing with the only goal scored of the game.

Round 2 will begin on Thursday, April 28th. I won't be making any predictions but regular readers (or read my comments above) know which teams I will be cheering for.

LIFE IS GOOD - WINGS SWEPT COYOTES

Have you heard? My beloved Detroit Red Wings swept the Phoenix Coyotes (Wednesday, April 20th) in the 1st series of the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs. {For the benefits of Qaptain Qwerty and those hockey challenge readers - a sweep is when the better team (my Red Wings) won the first 4 games in the best of 7 series.}
I promised not to make any predictions but I am really worry about the Canucks (#1 seed in the Western Conference) because they are falling apart playing against the Blackhawks. In trouble are also my American hometown team, the New York Rangers losing to the Washington Capitals and my Canadian Cousin the Montreal Canadiens not doing so well against the Boston Bruins.

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL - NHL 2011 PLAYOFFS

The 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs began on Wednesday, April 13th. Those who are regular readers and of course, my faithful followers, know that I might be "awol" for awhile. How long will I be absent from blogging will depend on how far my beloved Detroit Red Wings advance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I will try to post regularly but probably with lot of cheesy photos and very few worthy notes! I won't make any predictions because I don't want anyone to blame me for jinxing their teams. However, I will share my thoughts after the series ended. Let the good times roll! I plan to enjoy every second of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Life is good :)

FRIDAY SKY - TORONTO, CANADA

I don't know what is more beautiful, the stained glass dome at the Hockey Hall of Fame (or the Stanley Cup and all the trophies) or the CN Tower soaring high to the blue sky above.

The decoration (photo below) was part of the upcoming Annual Chinese Lantern Festival. The annual Festival is a showcase of over forty life-size illuminated lanterns, with nightly entertainment of dance, music and acrobats from China, food and crafts market and other Chinese traditional ceremonies such as Tea Ceremony and martial arts demonstrations. For more information, please visit http://www.chineselanternfestival.ca/ or call 1-866-666-8996.

2010 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION - THE CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks as the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion. (I don't have any good photos of the Hawks so this Original Six puck will have to do.) It was a very good playoffs match-up this year, many great series and the Hawks put up a strong defense against the physical players of the Philadephia Flyers. I was a little concern when the Flyers came back and tied the game at 3-3 with less than a few minutes left in the third period. I am glad the Hawks won the Stanley Cup, otherwise Marian Hossa might sign with the Flyers for a 4th chance of getting his name engraved on the Holly Grail!

TUESDAY TWO - STANLEY CUP FINALS

Here we go - the most exciting time of the year, Stanley Cup Finals started on Saturday, May 29th. "But TOTA, what does it got to do with Tuesday Two theme?" my faithful readers probably wonder. Well, there are only two teams left standing, the Chicago Blackhawks v. the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hawks are leading the series, winning 6-5 Game 1 on Saturday and played a strong Game 2 Monday night again winning 2-1. I really look forward to game 3 & 4 since the Flyers must play more physical and win at least one game in front of their fans on home ice.

The top photo of the Red Wings v. the Blackhawks was taken in April 2008, when we attended the Wings' last home game, a surprised birthday present from my husband. CP planned the whole trip without giving away any details until the day before. We flew to Detroit on Saturday morning, picked up the rental car, saw a great Original Six match-up game, went to lunch at Chellio's restaurant and flew back to St. Louis later that evening.

I chose the above photo because it shows the Flyers player, Knuble wearing #22 next to a Blues player, Steen #20. There you have it, I am keeping up with the Tuesday Two theme. So my adoring fans, it is not always about hockey in this silly blog :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DA CAPTAIN - GO WINGS!

I am so proud of my beloved Red Wings for a text-book hockey victory 6-1 over the Phoenix Coyotes. Keep up the good work guys! Here we go onto Round 2 - Let's take a big bite out of the Sharks :0 *** Happy 40th Birthday to Da Captain #5 Nicklas Lidstrom - Enjoy Your Special Day :)

TOTA, WE ARE STILL IN ST. LOUIS

I am sure my adoring fans were concerned for my well-being upon hearing of the bad weather passing thru St. Louis area last weekend. A large funnel cloud was spotted directly over West County Mall (I-270 and Manchester Road). We live about 12 miles west of the mall. These photos were the dark sky before the storm and clear blue sky after it passed thru. The sun came out but the ground was soaking wet. Des Peres Road was down to one lane due to large tree branches and electrical lines down. Luckily, we did not lose power nor had any major damage in our neighborhood.

On Saturday, at around 4:00 p.m. as I was in the main bedroom getting out summer clothes and putting away winter stuff when the siren of possible tornado warning went off. I went looking for my husband and found him in the backyard working away at re-building the new patio. I said to CP that we should go down the basement. Of course, CP and his typical response, "Not to worry. The siren is only a warning. I would have come and get you if it looked like a tornado was coming." I said, "Then it would be too late. You could stay up here but I am going down the basement. Just like last time when you slept thru all the ambulance blasting, fire trucks and police cars in front of the house!". Good thing I did not depend on my husband for emergency situations! After the storm passed thru, CP proudly announced that he was right about there was no tornado and we are still safe in St. Louis.

This past week went by quickly (Has time ever slow down or we will forever try catching up?) and I could not recall what I did except going to work and watching NHL playoffs in the evenings. We are still on the "salad for dinner" plan that was started earlier this year. We fell off the wagon a few times when instead of the salad we thought we deserved a big filet mignon (just kidding) after a hard day at work. Last night, CP made chicken curry and I cooked the rice using the rice-cooker my brother TL gave us in 1989 for my bridal shower. It still works beautifully, mind you, it was not because I don't use it often - haa haa.

HAT OFF TO ZETTY

From www.detroitredwings.com, "Henrik Zetterberg collected his first playoff hat trick, including the game-winner with 6:06 left, and linemate Valtteri Filppula added two goals and an assist as the Red Wings lit up Phoenix goalie Ilya Bryzgalov for six goals and evened their Western Conference quarterfinals series with a 7-4 win over the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday night."
I stayed up late to watch an exciting but frustrating 2nd game between my beloved Red Wings v. Phoenix Coyotes. It was 1-0 Phoenix in the 1st period, then 2nd period it was back and forth with the Wings scored and 38 seconds later the Coyotes answered, game tied at 1-1. I got so mad when the Wings scored again but allowed Phoenix to regain the lead, 2-1, in a mere 49 seconds later. Wings 3-2 at the end of the 2nd period. I was glad that I stayed up to watch Zetty scored his first playoffs hat trick. Actually, it was the first hat trick of 2010 playoffs, take that Crosby and Ovechkin!
Congratulations and hat off to #40 Zetty!

LET'S THE FUN BEGIN - 2010 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

The Stanley Cup Playoffs begin today. I am very happy that my beloved Red Wings not only made it but managed to get into the 5th seed in the Western Conference. The Wings will play against Phoenix Coyotes in the 1st Round but no home ice advantage. Sadly, only four of the Original Six teams, got into the Playoffs. My American hometown team New York Rangers was close but left out in the cold while the Toronto Maple Leafs struggled being the worst team in the Eastern Conference. I hope my adoring fans will be understanding if I don't post regularly in the next few weeks. Let's the fun begin and may the better teams advance to the next round quickly! Life is good :)

Congratulations to #8 Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals for winning the President's Trophy.

YOU WOULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I DID AT THE HOCKEY GAME

To ensure that all Saturday home games would be sold-out, the St. Louis Blues made great offers (that hockey fanatics like me could not refuse) such as the Meet and Greet packages which include Club Seats, autographed hockey sticks and a chance to meet Blues players after the game. The Club Seats are located just below the Club Suites, between the goal lines with all-inclusive food (chicken strips, brats, hot dogs, pretzels, popcorn, peanuts, and ice cream) and beverage (soda, water and beer). I purchased tickets for November 28th and February 13th games. I thought since we were going to see my beloved Red Wings on November 28th, we might well receive other incentives such as all-inclusive food and an autographed hockey stick. Big mistake! You decide which version you wish to believe that actually happened on Nov. 28th. Version #1 - After the game, we stood in line for about 30 minutes waiting for the players, Brad Boyes & Carlo Colaiacovo, to come out from the lockers room. When it was my turn, Boyes looked up and saw that I was wearing the Red Wings jersey, he refused to sign my stick. He said I should take off the jersey. I responded, "You are a sore loser. I don't need your stinky autograph anyway." I picked up the stick, started to walk away, Colaiacovo leaned toward to say something but the stick hit him in the nose and it started bleeding. He fell backward and yelled, "I am hit!". Boyes threw a punch toward me but he missed and hit the security guard instead. I decided that it was best that I should start running, with my husband following behind, down the escalator, out of the building and to our truck. We could not stop laughing all the way home!

Version #2 (or the real version of what really happened) - When we got to the game, CP "advised" me to purchase a 50% off Manny Legace jersey (I agreed if I was going to buy a Blues jersey, it might well be Legace). He said I should take off my Pavel Datsyuk jersey and put the Blues jersey on. During the game, I felt as if I had committed adultery by wearing a Blues jersey while my beloved Red Wings playing against the Blues. It was unnatural, it was painful and it tore my heart into a million pieces! I could not believe that I wore a Blues jersey and of all the games, it had to be when my beloved Red Wings were playing. The game went overtime and then shootout with the Wings won 4-3. After the game, we waited patiently, almost 45 minutes, for Brad Boyes and Carlo Calaiacovo, to be at the signing table. It was a long night and I made a promise to think twice before jumping at any offers, no matter how good they might appear to be, definitely not when it is against my beloved Red Wings!

TOTA'S WISH LIST

Lately I have been entertaining an extreme, drastic life changing thought. Whether because I will be turning 49 years old in a few months or just a typical stage when like some "geezers" approaching the final threshold of life, I began to seriously question how I should truly live my life so when I stand before the gate of heaven (or the escalator to hell) there would be no regrets.
Here is my wish list. Please, no fighting among my adoring fans to decide who should buy which items. I would love to leave my job at the circus and let my hair flow in the wind riding the above motorcycle from New York to California and along Route 66, then to Canada to see the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens home games. On my flat chest, the Red Wings logo tattooed across ** OUCH! ** - New England Patriots logo on my right sagging upper arm and on the left, the Stanley Cup with the words "Hockey Mama" underneath.
Or I could shake off the dust of this town like George Bailey always dreamed of doing and travel the world, using these brand new luggages that a generous follower donated to me. Or I could take a slow train to Montana, find a little cabin in the wood, growing my own food, hunting, fishing and really living a simple life. Anyone cares to join me?