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Intentions were good - write a semi-weekly blog musing about sports (mainly Blues hockey), observations on pop culture & politics, and include some random dating stories. So far - fail. I haven't posted since January. Renewing the commitment. Just saw The Social Network for the second time the other day and among other inspirations I took from the movie, I want to write regularly as an outlet and a development opportunity. I will keep notes going throughout the week and get something out every couple of weeks through at least hockey season. And if, God forebid, the Blues win the Stanley Cup, I guarantee this will be the most entertaining corner of the blogosphere as I document the party that will ensue. Cool? Cool.

Dallas - Who Shot the Blues?

Mainstream 80's references not withstanding, the Blues, after a successful preceding weekend beating a couple of Eastern Conference foes in Ottawa (W 5-2) and New Jersey (W 3-2) and a mid-week shootout win over Nashville (W 2-1), fell in a (now rare) home and home to Dallas (L 2-3, L 1-2). Sounding like a broken record (updated reference would be a corrupted MP3 file) - we need more scoring. Boyes has seen a partial resurgence and Backes recently got off the schnide, but we still lack a sniper/scorer. The offensive punch that is lost to having both TJ Oshie and David Perron on the shelf due to injuries (broken ankle, concussion respectively) is tough to address with current personnel. Halak can stand on his head every night, or in what looks like a consistent pattern about 3 out of every 4 nights, and we still will need to find a way to put the biscuit in the basket. Positioned well for a playoff appearance, but perhaps and early exit. Prognosis: plateau - probably no better or no worse that current performances would indicate.

No More Mid-30's

I will turn 38 in 2011. Last serious relationship was two years out of college, after which it was clear to me that it was more fun (read less hassle) to not put effort into finding a lifelong commitment. I'm not closed to it, just not actively pursuing it. I rebel against the philosophy that a relationship is work. I agree there may be occupation-like trials that need to be overcome, assuming the two parties are bought in. But a relationship should be easy, comprimising, reaffirming, balanced, and fulfilling. With rare exception, all my married friends bemoan the lack of almost all these qualities in their relationships. And in classic, you only want what you can't have fashion, the women I'm most attracted to are uncomprimising, type-A drivers that are used to getting what they want when they want it. Go figure. I'm chasing the high performing, win at all costs, careerists when I should be perusing the elementary schools for a cute 5th grade teacher. Yet, I'm pretty comfortable by myself. I'm enjoying my Nash equilibrium on the dating gameboard. For all you non-Econ majors that that reference is lost on, see the movie "A Beautiful Mind" (with one of my favs of all-time Jennifer Connelly ).

Dating tactic of the week: Approach attractive women of similar age and ask, "Just curious, why are you not hitting on me?" Advantages: makes the first move while faux-challenging the social norm of men being the aggressor; could be parlayed into fun convo about female pick up lines; might actually get valuable feedback about approach. Disadvantages: Sounds like cheese; puts the focus on the wrong party. I'll let you know how it goes as I have a couple of happy hour opps this week.

Thankful

It's T-giving weekend, so just a few things I'm thankful for:

• Twitter & Facebook - outlets for expression and a great way (although impersonal) to stay social and network with others
• Family - everyone is happy and healthy, gainfully employed, etc.
• DVR technology
• MIDI mapped DJ controllers
• The Karate Kid, Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fletch, Swingers, and Kevin Smith's New Jersey Trilogy - the movies playing on a constant loop in my subconcious
• Intelligent all-wheel drive - I love my Inifiniti
• St. Louis Cardinals baseball and St. Louis Blues hockey

1/25/10 @ Calgary - It's been awhile

So, I've been slacking on the blog updates due to a heightened pace of things at work plus just now getting caught up from the holidays. I will have to say after reading my last post again about the Tiger crap that went down at T-giving that I was right on with affairs and hookers.

Quite a lot's happened since I last wrote some musings . . . Coach Andy Murray was fired, the Saints & Colts are going to the Super Bowl, and, well, it's 2010! Oh yeah, and I attended the 1/16/10 victory over the NY Rangers (4-1) - a rare home win. The boys are in 13th place in the West coming into tonight's game with 52 points. The Flames are sitting in 8th with 58 points. We need this win. Deny them any points, get us two.

Random (Hockey-related) Notes

• Janssen doesn't need to be fighting guys that are 6'4" (Like CGY's McGratton) WTF! He certainly doesn't need to be fighting twice a night. It makes me wonder how many times Twister or Chaser fought twice in the same game? I'll put that on the list of things to look up when I'm not being lazy.


• With Backes getting banged up and not playing, TJ Oshie has been playing some Center and looking real good doing it.


• Do we really need Crombeen & Winchester? They're kind of the same guy right? Kind of like McDonald and Kariya, no? Could I ask a few more questions as part of this note?


• I really like Conklin as a capable backup.


• How about the Winter Classic at Soldier Field featuring the Blues & Hawks? Close second? Even though most of the U.S. would not turn it on I would love to see Toronto and Montral. Does that make me part Canadian? I don't feel funnier.


• EA NHL10 loves Alex Pietrangelo. And he was voted most outstanding defenseman at the World Juniors tournament. Something to look forward to.

Trade Rumors (Rumours for you Canadians)

• Bring Ilya Kovalchuk to the Blues please! Hey Atlanta - I will give you Perron and Berglund and a draft pick - if we can sign him. Please don't let Chicago get him, although according to various reports and opinions, the Blackhawks are only interested in a rental because of their cap situation. Apparently the B-hawks think this is the year they can make a deep run, to which I say your Kane-Toews is no Crosby-Malkin. And Huet is no M. Brodeur.


• Dion Phanueuf is available? Apparently had a locker room riff w/ coach Brent Sutter after recent loss to division leading Colorado. Really, dude is 23 years old, he would look good next to EJ. But, we need a sniper. We need the guy that Brad Boyes was 2 years ago. A legitimate 50 goal guy that can anchor a scoring line for a few years. Kovalchuk is that guy.
  
• How bad is it in Toronto to be out of a playoff spot? If this was baseball and the Yankees were out of the race by mid-season there would be unrelenting fan upheaval. BBurke needs to work some magic or start dumping some guys for a wholesale franchise reset.
  
• Turco to Capitals? Tail end of a solid career, he could bolster any number of Cup hopefuls that need a netminding upgrade. Washington could be a good fit. Split some time w/ retread Theodore.
  

Chicks

Just threw out the 2009 Maxim calendar with Elisha Cuthbert as the December pic. I continue to be amazed by her beauty, however every time a see Redline with Nadia Bjorlin (@RealNadiaB on Twitter) I swear she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I might have to re-jigger my top 5 hottest females list for 2010.