Featuring my photo gallery and a blog with endless banter!

After a decent week last week, despite missing my Wednesday game due to work, this week has been very low key because of the holiday. I didn’t get a chance to play on Monday because I was leaving town on Tuesday. So it will have been a week and a half since I last played the next time I play on Sunday.

Still, its been a very welcome break. I had some knee stiffness and soreness the last few days, and I hadn’t played in a while so I know it wasn’t anything hockey related. It worried me, but today its much better. I just hope I am 100% by Sunday.

In about an hour, I will be eating a ton of food and then slipping into a food coma. Tomorrow will be spent resting and digesting. Saturday will be spent traveling. Sunday, a little hockey and a lot of relaxation.

{ 0 comments }

I have been making alot of behind the scenes changes to my website. Most of them have not taken a lot of time to make, but they all make my site different than it was before. I changed the PHP level of my website so all my applications launch using php version 5.2 instead of 4.6. This means that I can run a couple applications that require version 5. Seems that my gallery and my Wordpress site both work fine after that change. Well, at least I haven’t seen any difference. Wordbook on my facebook page now works great after this change which I am very happy about.

I also took the time to update my theme on Wordpress here to the latest 1.3.2 version of Thesis which doesn’t change its looks as much as it adds new features. I am going through those features now just trying to get a grasp on them.

{ 0 comments }

If there is one thing I have learned in the last month, its that MBA classes are not easy. I am taking Finance 510 and after not cracking a textbook for 11 years, its a huge adjustment. I am doing well in the class, but the homework isn’t easy and papers I have to write aren’t easy either. As I said before, its all about making headway to getting my MBA and working towards getting into Management and teaching later in life. I will get there, it will just take time.

{ 0 comments }

Since I got back from Texas a week and a half ago, a lot has happened. I have fought another illness, played some solid hockey, and my MBA class is in full swing and I am doing quite well. My health the last 3 days has not been good. Just today I started to get better, and I still have this nagging cough and congestion that just won’t go away. I am looking forward to a nice weekend of rest.

My hockey teams are doing well for the most part. My Monday team I skated out for and we won 4-0. It was the first time I skated out since last season and I enjoyed it. I just don’t have the stamina to do that in long periods, but in short shifts I am just fine. Malys is now 2-0 on the season and looking very strong.

My Kodiaks ice hockey team did well last week and I don’t know how they did this week since I was at home recovering from this nasty flu or cold or whatever you want to call it. Still, we are playing pretty well and I anticipate playing better as the season goes on.

Lastly, I come to the tale of two teams. Two teams that made the playoffs last season and are going in separate directions. Marketlab (aka Who Cares) is 2-0 and playing pretty well. Structural Standards is 0-2 and struggling a bit. My main goal on Marketlab is to play the best game I can and just listen to what my team has to say.

Structural looks to me to say the right things and think positive. It was my job last season to get them to the playoffs and I did that. This season, its my job to keep them thinking positive and keep working hard. These guys will not quit and I will not quit playing for them thats for sure. They remind me of the first team I ever played hockey for. They want to play, have fun, and win. I will help them in any way I can.

Soon, it will be Friday, and I will be at home from work resting for the weekend. I can’t wait.

{ 0 comments }

On Saturday 10/25, I flew down to Dallas to spend some time with my cousin and just relax. It was a very nice trip. We watched a TCU football game, the Dallas Stars, and the Dallas Mavericks. All really fun games to go to. It was a good break, but when I was flying back, all I could think of was getting back to my routine.

My routine that has been changed around as of late. I have an MBA class that started that is taking up my time now. I also have hockey starting back up this week. I am playing for both teams that won championships last season and I hope for a repeat in both divisions. Lastly, my ice hockey team plays this week and after giving up 16 goals in 2 games, I have a lot to prove and play for.

I am still a little tired from my trip, but the break is something I really needed. I needed to get away from things around here for a bit and recharge my batteries. I needed to regain my hockey focus. After not playing for a week and a half, I feel I have done that. I also needed to get myself mentally prepared for my first MBA class. My first college course I have taken in over 11 years.

I have achieved all those goals. Lets see how tonight goes.

{ 0 comments }

On Wednesday my Kodiaks Ice Hockey team had an average game. I struggled early on, but then rebounded near the end with some good saves to secure a 10-9 win.

Yes, I typed that correctly, a 10-9 win. I let in 9 goals in that game as there were a lot of defensive breakdowns and odd man rushes. I really didn’t come up with a huge stop until the 2nd period, and I let in a couple bad angle goals. Still, a win is a win I suppose. I just wish I played better.

The last two weeks, I have been average in ice hockey. I just haven’t been playing very well, and I am glad I am going on vacation next week. The break may be just what I need to recharge and be ready for hockey when I return.

{ 0 comments }

Before I head off to bed, I thought about some interesting things that had to do with the playoffs I played on Saturday.

It was the first forfeit I have ever been a part of in my hockey playing days. I love to play, but I am glad I didn’t play that last game for Who Cares Brass. I had two other title games to play for, and the thought of getting shelled and mercied since we only had 4 guys was not very appealing to me. It wouldn’t have been fair to my other teams that worked so hard to make it to the finals in their respective divisions. I am not using that as a convenient excuse though. Its just too bad that things worked out the way they did and I still feel badly over that.

There are very few players that truly intimidate me or that I feel a slight fear that I can’t beat. Yesterday, I played against a couple of them. I still am human and still do have feelings of inadequacy at times. I am glad to say that I didn’t lose to either of these players. In the end though, I am always going to be battling that in some way, shape, or form. The key is to channel that into a drive and determination to win.

The 2 week break from rollerhockey is going to be a long one. I am already eager to start back up playing again. My next concern will be the scheduling and how the teams I am playing for are all going to work out next season. This season was a dream season for me. Its been a long time since I won championships in 2 different divisions in the same session. My teams were all competitive. I won over 75% of my games and that isn’t anything to be disappionted about.

Then, there is the long term health of hockey in MI. The amount of teams in this area are dropping slowly. Rivertown once boasted 60 teams, and is now down to less than half that. The other main rollerhockey rink has seen their teams decline as well. Then, ice hockey in this area is also seeing teams not coming back. Players who once played are not doing it anymore since the economy is in doubt and money may be tighter now than in the past. Its a sad story and its my hope that these rinks can weather the storm until things pick back up. Its going to take a while for this to happen. At least that is what I fear.

{ 0 comments }

I played very solid today. My total record was 5-0 and I won 2 championships.  It was my 22nd and 23rd respectively.  However, I was left with mixed emotions on the day for various reasons.

Game #1 - Who Cares Brass was the first game I played on the day. My team fought hard against a hungry Pfiffer Infinity team. We led 3-1 at one point in the game. Pfiffer tied it up in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period. We finally scored off of a deflection in the first OT. I didn’t let in any weak goals which was a good thing. I just wanted to prove to myself that I could beat the #1 team. The finals would never come for this team though as they only had 4 guys that could make the final game. Since I had other championship games, I made the decision to play if my team wanted to but I might get some help in net. Who Cares made the decision to forfeit their last game due to not having enough guys.

Game #2 - Malys road to the championship went through a very tough Main Street Pub team by a final of 3-2. I played a solid game once again keeping my team in the lead. Eli scored all 3 of our goals to help our team to victory.

Game #3 - Who Cares Aluminum finished the season 10-0 and if there was anything I wanted, it was to win with them. I have been fortunate to have an undefeated season 2 previous times. The first time my Bulldogs team faltered in the playoffs. The second time Dekleine Builders took the trophy. I didn’t want Who Cares Aluminum to falter this far in. The Rink Rats were undefeated last season and I was fortunate enough to beat them in the first round of the playoffs. I remember how pumped I was to play that game and upset them. I didn’t want any teams feeling that same high today.

Who Cares Aluminum won their first game by a 8-4 score, but it was an ominous beginning. The Lightning scored the first 3 goals of the game in the first period. One of them off a nice 2 on 1 chance. The second one was a weak goal from the side of the net. I didn’t go down fast enough and it slipped under my pad. I was the most pissed off about this goal more than any that had been scored on me so far today. It was one I should have had. Who Cares started to apply pressure and get goals in the 2nd and 3rd periods. At one point it was tied up 4-4, but Who Cares started to pull away. When the Lightning’s best player got kicked out for 3 penalties, we salted the game away. Overall, a strong effort after a weak first period by myself and the rest of the team.

Game #4 - Malys championship game was against the Hurricane. A team that beat us in the regular season 5-4 and 2-1 in the regular season. This game would have a much better ending. Malys would leap out to a dominating 3-0 lead at the end of the first period. One player from the Hurricane who was just insanely good for the beginner division torched me for the only two goals. Both of them excellent shots. The final 30 seconds was hectic. The game ended with two of my defensemen in the crease stopping shots with their bodies. Final of 3-2. It was back to back championships for Malys and my first with the team.

Game #5 - Who Cares played the Rink Rats for the championship, and it was a dominating performance for Who Cares. The defense was superb through the whole game. Their passing was tape to tape the whole game. The final was 5-0. It was my first playoff shutout in over 2 years.

This playoff day was not without its disappointments. The first is Structural Standards. I wanted to play for them so badly, but with me having to play a game right afterwards, and with Who Cares in the playoffs in the same division, I wanted them to have their own goalie. My brother played for them and lost 3-2. It was sad to see them play hard and lose, but they will get another chance down the road. It was still sad though.

The second disappointment was watching my brother play so hard in 2 games and lose them both. He played a great first game with Structural Standards, and a superb game with the Rabid Wombats in a 2-1 loss. He made diving saves and toe saves. He made probably 3 saves that were just incredible and game saving stops. Its just sad that he didn’t get enough goal support.

Lastly, Who Cares Brass forfeiting their game due to lack of players. It was sad to see them do that, but I totally understand it. I have to wonder what would have happened if a full strength Who Cares team got to play the final game with the Empty Netters. I guess we won’t know the answer to that question though.

{ 0 comments }

As I sit here ready to embark on another playoff Saturday in hockey, my mind starts reflecting upon what has happened. Overall, it has been a good season. Structural Standards got into the playoffs for the first time. Who Cares Aluminum is in the #1 spot and undefeated. Malys is in a position to compete for a championship. Who Cares brass slipped into the playoffs and has the opportunity to make some noise.

I did pretty well in net overall. However, I was streaky at times as well. There were some games I just couldn’t get into the flow of making saves. Others were just poor decisions on how to come out and cut the angles off. Still, I persevered.

Now, with the playoff schedule created, I am once again eagerly anticipating playing again. It has been two seasons since I lifted a trophy. This season I am in prime position to break that streak.

In Spring 2008, my 9-1 Fury team got beat in the finals by a score of 3-1. I played an excellent game, but my team just could not crack Andres and Bluevortex.net. In Summer of 2008, my Dragons team made it to the finals after a thrilling 2-1 victory over the 9-0-1 Rink Rats team but just couldn’t muster enough to beat Lighthouse Plumbing.

I have had my chances, and this season is no exception. Especially Who Cares Aluminum. A team that went undefeated in the regular season but had a lot of close games. If we lose in the 3rd overtime of the finals, it won’t be successful. We have to close it out and do it the right way. Same with Malys. I feel we have the best team. Now I just need to play my best to help lead them to a championship.

Its not going to be easy. It rarely is. However, I feel it is my time tomorrow. Its my time to win. Its my time to lift a trophy (or trophies) high above my head. All I have to do is sieze my opportunity and get it done. Forget about what has happened in the past and react what does happen.

{ 0 comments }