Going into last night’s gamne I was nervous.  Because if the Caps made it out of the 2nd round I knew I was forever going to have to listen to variations of “See… Semin was THE problem”. Half-way through the 1st period it appeared both teams came to play… but then [...]]]>

Going into last night’s gamne I was nervous.  Because if the Caps made it out of the 2nd round I knew I was forever going to have to listen to variations of “See… Semin was THE problem”. Half-way through the 1st period it appeared both teams came to play… but then Arron Asham managed to score.  Exhale.  2nd period — Taylor Pyatt and Michael Del Zotto each potted a goal (one of them off of Troy Brouwer’s skate – Yay!  Good to see Brouwer’s skate show up on the scoreboard!  (Actual person Brouwer only managed to show up in the Penalty box). End of 2 — Rangers up 3-0.  I’m letting the smile creep onto my face… especially when the Rangers open the 3rd periord by scoring goal #4 13 seconds in!

But hold on — look at the out of town scoreboard — Bruins were down 1-4 halfway through the 3rd period…. its now 3-4…… and then the Bruins tied it to force overtime… and they were eventually victorious.  (Which brings me to another point — the Bruins/Leafs also played Sunday night…. and the Bruins had plane trouble  — so they were stuck in Toronto overnight and didn’t fly back to Boston until 9am… which means I never… ever … want to hear the Caps use travel or game start time as an excuse).

Back to Verizon.  Rangers pot one more to go up 5-0… and hold on to win!  Hooray!

I’m still not exactly sure what Brouwer’s problem with Semin is… but he probably needs to look at himself before he goes around criticizing others.

Hopefully now that the 2013 season is behind us…. everyone can move on.

Is it October Yet?

With my parents newly moved to Florida and the NHL in the midst of a lockout, I decided back in December to plan a trip to Florida for late March, in order to catch some Spring Training action.

I had never been to a Spring Training game before, so I had no [...]]]>

With my parents newly moved to Florida and the NHL in the midst of a lockout, I decided back in December to plan a trip to Florida for late March, in order to catch some Spring Training action.

I had never been to a Spring Training game before, so I had no idea what to expect.  My parents live on the Gulf side, and the closest team is the Boston Red Sox.  So we had a free Saturday, so we decided to look and see if we could catch an afternoon game.  Hahaha.  OMG.  Sold out!  and Tix on StubHub were crazy.  So we didn’t end up going….

As a Nats Season Ticket Holder, I get up to 4 free tickets to one Spring Training game… which I claimed, but only really needed 3… so once I saw what the Red Sox tickets were selling for I listed my extra on StubHub and it sold in like 45 minutes…. Beer money!

Sunday morning my parents and I set off on the 4 hour cross state drive to Viera, where the Nats have Spring Training. The drive wasn’t too terrible, but 4 hours both ways in one day is a lot… so I hope the Nats move to the gulf side ASAP.

It was crazy packed and my seats were awesome.  The Nats won, though the game came to an abrupt stop when a storm blew in.

The one down-side… was the concession stands were sloooooooow.  (Slower than Nats Park… and I didn’t think that was possible).  So my tip…. bring cash… and buy from the vendors in the stands.

And if you are a Nats STH, claim your spring training tickets sell them on StubHub

After last years Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, I briefly considered adding a Half-marathon to my runing goal list… but then pushed it to the bakc of my mind…. due to the arrival of Summer! (aka… where I watch baseball, not run in crazy humid weather).

As Summer turned into Fall, and the [...]]]>

After last years Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, I briefly considered adding a Half-marathon to my runing goal list… but then pushed it to the bakc of my mind…. due to the arrival of Summer! (aka… where I watch baseball, not run in crazy humid weather).

As Summer turned into Fall, and the Nats fell out of the postseason play, and the NHL was locked out… I came across the Rock N Roll Marathon in DC slated for March 16.  The info stated that you had to complete the Half in 4 hours…. and since I completed the 10 Miler in 2 hours 16 minutes I figured that even if disaster struck and I had to walk, I would be able to finish….. so I signed up.

Training overall went much better than the 10 Miler… and I was able to get most of my long weekend traing runs completed while watching old movies… on VHS…. hahaha.

So the big day arrived 11 days ago…. and after some freaking out about how to dress for the weather I was ready to go.

The worst part… waiting to start…. but at last I was off………. things started off well… until right after the Mile 6 marker… where there was a hill that went straight up.  Yikes.  Had to walk it.  Then it was Mile 9.. Mile 10… Mile 11… and there goes my knee acting up… tried walking… it almost hurt more… back to running….so for the last 2 miles I did an odd walk-run combo… but I finished!  3 hours 7 minutes — Not great… but not last.

Then my phone died.  Somehow made it to metro… and home…..and stayed on the couch for the rest of the day.

So what’s next?  Full marathon?  I don’t think so.  I don’t think my knee could handle it.  And those training runs would be a nightmare…..So I will stick to 5 milers and 8/10Ks for the near future.  (Though another 10 Miler or Half… could be on the itinerary).

Major Thanks to:

Robin and Alyssa — for signing up for the FBI/Police 5k in Baltimore all those years ago — who new it would turn into this?? Certainly not me!

Sherry – Your Nike updates (especially near the last month) kicked my butt into gear on saturday mornings to put my running shoes on and get it done.

Megan – Thanks for driving us to the start area when Metro decided to be a butt.

Keanu Reeves – Watched Speed and Point Break during 2 of my long runs…. your acting is much improved!

Carolina Hurricanes – Thank you for picking up Semin and motivating me to get some of my weeknight runs done before 7pm!

Pearl Jam — Of course. Live PJ always picks me up

Gatorade Energy Chews — Thanks for not being gross …. and helping me to not almost pass out around Mile 8/9.

Finally — Anyone and everyone who encouraged me via Twitter and Facebook… it really does help.

This year I met a friend for lunch at Lincoln – located a few blocks from the McPherson Square Metro stop. There was a good crowd around 12:30.  The [...]]]>

I’ve said it before, but it can’t be said enough…. one benefit of working downtown is having the ability to take advantage of Restaurant Week Lunch deals…

This year I met a friend for lunch at Lincoln – located a few blocks from the McPherson Square Metro stop. There was a good crowd around 12:30.  The dining room is pretty large and there is also a small bar area.

I started with Irwin Mushroom Beignets – thyme mornay, pickled celery stalks.  Pretty good.

Next up, Cedar King Salmon – white bean puree, chicory saute’, candied lemon powder.  The salmon was awesome

Dessert was Pear and Almond Tart – pomegranate creme anglaise, fresh cream ice cream. Loved it!!

They are also supposed to have brunch on weekends.  I would totally go back and try that.

Many of the local sports venues in the DC area are (if they have not already) moving towards a ticketless system for Season Ticket Holders (STH). Your tickets are stored on a card that you scan and in you go. Verizon Center does this now for the Capitals, Wizards, and [...]]]>

Many of the local sports venues in the DC area are (if they have not already) moving towards a ticketless system for Season Ticket Holders (STH). Your tickets are stored on a card that you scan and in you go. Verizon Center does this now for the Capitals, Wizards, and Georgetown Basketball. Nats Park will do this this upcoming season for the Nats (and they actually tested it last season with a small group of STH).

So next step in moving forward technologically…. is brought to us by StubHub. Certain teams/venues are now allowing people to purchase tickets and then store your digital ticket on your Android or iPhone, and then scan your phone and enter.

This is especially advantageous if you are out and about… and realize … Hey! Team X is playing tonight… let me see if there are any tix available… so buy, download and walk-in!!

And its especially awesome if you want to game the market and see how much below face value you can score tickets for.

When teams are hot, people re-selling tickets can mark-up the price, and make some $$ to off-set their costs. The flip side is when those teams aren’t doing so hot…. people re-selling start listing tickets below face value and the closer to the start time the more the price of those tickets will drop.

Last week, for the Caps home opener a friend was txting me re: how low prices were dropping with an hour to go before game time. And then she asked me if you can buy tickets from StubHub via your phone and then use your phone as your ticket? I said I wasn’t sure but would research it. And the answer is… Yes!* *For select teams.

The good news… the Nats and the Terps are part of *select teams. The Caps, Wiz, and Georgetown Basketball (all play at Verizon Center) are not part of *select teams. I find it odd that the venue that installed weird motion sensors for a lame in-game crowd gimmick is not. Oh well, the Flyers have the technology available… so if I’m ever in Philly and the Flyers are randomly playing (as they were back in 2009 when I went up to see Pearl Jam close The Spectrum) I can get a ticket at the last minute if I decide I want to see Claude Giroux.

Bought a groupon deal here because I’ve been in the mood for a good steak for over a year (Haha…. the ones I get from the local grocery are nowhere near as awesome as paying someone else to make it).

It expired next week so…. reservation made (And finally only 100 points away from [...]]]>

Bought a groupon deal here because I’ve been in the mood for a good steak for over a year (Haha…. the ones I get from the local grocery are nowhere near as awesome as paying someone else to make it).

It expired next week so…. reservation made (And finally only 100 points away from a gift certificate from Open Table).

If there is red meat on the menu…. I’m starting with a red wine…Merlot to be exact.

Next up… the main event… Petite Filet… medium rare. It was cooked perfectly, tasted awesome, and was so not petite… it was huge! I went with a baked potato for my side… and that was awesome as well. (But really how can you screw up a baked potato).

Somehow I had room for dessert (thank you training for a Half-marathon)… and went with chocolate mousse, served in a little cup made of chocolate, topped with some pineapple sauce and s strawberry. I am not one that is big on chocolate, but this was great… the perfect meal ender.

Born: 1992/03/20      Age: 20

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Place of birth: South St. Paul, MN

#27 – Defenseman

He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2nd round (37th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Faulk spent the 2010–11 season playing for the [...]]]>

Born: 1992/03/20      Age: 20

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Place of birth: South St. Paul, MN

#27 – Defenseman

He was selected by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2nd round (37th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

Faulk spent the 2010–11 season playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth, helping them capture the national championship. On April 15, 2011, Faulk was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes to a three-year entry-level contract.

Last season wore #28… but gave it up to Alex Semin.

Born (1982-03-27)          (age 30) Fraser, MI, USA Height    5 ft 10 in Weight    173 lb #59  Right Wing

LaRose was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent in 2003. After winning his first Stanley Cup, Chad signed a 2 year contract to stay a Carolina Hurricane. As a pure goal scorer in Junior hockey, Chad adapted to [...]]]>

Born (1982-03-27)          (age 30)
Fraser, MI, USA
Height    5 ft 10 in
Weight    173 lb
#59  Right Wing

LaRose was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent in 2003. After winning his first Stanley Cup, Chad signed a 2 year contract to stay a Carolina Hurricane. As a pure goal scorer in Junior hockey, Chad adapted to an aggressive forechecker in the NHL.

5’10”?  He’s teeny!!

Born (1988-03-16)  age: 24 Slaný, Czechoslovakia Height 6 ft 0 in         Weight 209 lb #19 Left Wing

He was a first round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.  On December 3, 2009, Tlustý was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Philippe Paradis.  Tlusty set career highs of 17 goals [...]]]>

Born (1988-03-16)  age: 24
Slaný, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 0 in         Weight 209 lb
#19 Left Wing

He was a first round draft pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.  On December 3, 2009, Tlustý was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Philippe Paradis.  Tlusty set career highs of 17 goals and 36 points during the 2011-2012 season and was re-signed by the Hurricanes to a two-year contract worth $3.2 million.

Born: 1984/02/29        Age: 28

Height: 6-1            Weight: 185

Place of birth: Saskatoon, Sask, Canada

#30 – Goalie

Cam Ward was selected 25th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.  He became the first starting goaltender to win the NHL championship as a rookie since [...]]]>

Born: 1984/02/29        Age: 28

Height: 6-1            Weight: 185

Place of birth: Saskatoon, Sask, Canada

#30 – Goalie

Cam Ward was selected 25th overall by the Hurricanes in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.  He became the first starting goaltender to win the NHL championship as a rookie since Patrick Roy in 1986.

He was credited with an empty-net goal against the New Jersey Devils on December 26, 2011 when a misplaced pass from Ilya Kovalchuk found its way into the empty goal after a rebound from Ward. He is the tenth goalie in NHL history to do this.