My birthday is on June 15th and this year for it, I'd like to help reach the VFW's goal. My personal goal is $2,012. This is a cause near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons.
Please join me in helping my fellow Veterans.
United For Veterans Campaign
The VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), which I am a member of, is running a fundraiser for Veterans to raise $50,000 between Memorial Day and Independence Day of this year. This campaign will help Veterans fight for the VA benefits that they've earned, have a voice on Capitol Hill, and apply for emergency financial grants to cover groceries, medicine, and mortgages. Donations are already being collected and so far, $10,146 of the goal has been collected.
My birthday is on June 15th and this year for it, I'd like to help reach the VFW's goal. My personal goal is $2,012. This is a cause near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons.
Please join me in helping my fellow Veterans.
My birthday is on June 15th and this year for it, I'd like to help reach the VFW's goal. My personal goal is $2,012. This is a cause near and dear to my heart for obvious reasons.
Please join me in helping my fellow Veterans.
Numbers Don't Lie
"If the shuttle can sit on a plane, I'm calling bullshit on overweight luggage. #discovery #spottheshuttle" was tweeted out by Alison McQuade, @akmcquade on Twitter, during the day of April 17th, 2012. This was the day that Discovery was flying from it's old home at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to it's new home at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C onboard NASA's Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA).
I just caught wind of this epic tweet last night. Although it may be a joke and I am more than likely taking it way too seriously, it does not reflect the reality at all. I am finding a lot of people who actually believe this is true and I want to debunk it, Snopes style. Since this was all fueled by the transport of Discovery, I will stick with her numbers. Let me drop some science on ya....
At rollout, Discovery weighed 151,419 lbs (which was 6,870 pounds less than Columbia). When her main engines were installed, she weighed an even 171,000 lbs.
The SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) that Discovery flew on is a Boeing 747-100. It's callsign being NASA 905. In order to bear the weight of the Space Shuttles, NASA 905 and NASA 911 (the other SCA) have had all furnishings and equipment aft of the forward No. 1 doors removed. Completely empty, NASA 905 weighs 318,053 lbs and has a maximum gross taxi weight of 713,000 lbs.
The same exact plane, the Boeing 747-100, carrying passengers and luggage has a maximum take off weight of 735,000 lbs. Completely empty, it weighs 358,000 lbs. The 747-200B and 747-300 are also all the same size as our 747-100. The 747-200B weighs 383,000 lbs empty and the 747-300 weighs 392,000 lbs empty. Both weigh 833,000 lbs completely loaded.
So my point that a 747 carrying a Space Shuttle is still lighter than a plane loaded with passengers and luggage is correct.
Credits to:
Dryden Flight Research Center - Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Fact Sheet
Boeing's Space Shuttle Facts & Figures
Discovery OV-103 on Kennedy Space Center's Official Site
World's Great Piggyback Ride - NASA.gov
I just caught wind of this epic tweet last night. Although it may be a joke and I am more than likely taking it way too seriously, it does not reflect the reality at all. I am finding a lot of people who actually believe this is true and I want to debunk it, Snopes style. Since this was all fueled by the transport of Discovery, I will stick with her numbers. Let me drop some science on ya....
At rollout, Discovery weighed 151,419 lbs (which was 6,870 pounds less than Columbia). When her main engines were installed, she weighed an even 171,000 lbs.
The SCA (Shuttle Carrier Aircraft) that Discovery flew on is a Boeing 747-100. It's callsign being NASA 905. In order to bear the weight of the Space Shuttles, NASA 905 and NASA 911 (the other SCA) have had all furnishings and equipment aft of the forward No. 1 doors removed. Completely empty, NASA 905 weighs 318,053 lbs and has a maximum gross taxi weight of 713,000 lbs.
The same exact plane, the Boeing 747-100, carrying passengers and luggage has a maximum take off weight of 735,000 lbs. Completely empty, it weighs 358,000 lbs. The 747-200B and 747-300 are also all the same size as our 747-100. The 747-200B weighs 383,000 lbs empty and the 747-300 weighs 392,000 lbs empty. Both weigh 833,000 lbs completely loaded.
So my point that a 747 carrying a Space Shuttle is still lighter than a plane loaded with passengers and luggage is correct.
Credits to:
Dryden Flight Research Center - Shuttle Carrier Aircraft Fact Sheet
Boeing's Space Shuttle Facts & Figures
Discovery OV-103 on Kennedy Space Center's Official Site
World's Great Piggyback Ride - NASA.gov
Parks and Hiking
I have set a bit of a goal for myself, Bear, and Nala. Bear recently went to the vet for his yearly check up and we found out that he has gained about 6 lbs since his last visit. Bear has stayed at a steady 60 lbs since I adopted him, so I figure that he's been delving into Nala's puppy food when we aren't looking. On top of that, I have started losing weight, eating better, and trying my best not to drink my beloved Pepsi. After hitting the highest weight that I've ever been last year, it is time to make a turn-around and I'm already down 12 lbs.
Going along with that, I want to get around to as many parks (mainly hiking trails) as possible in Florida and Georgia. Bear and I have already conquered all but one trail at Tillie Fowler Park on Route 17, and we conquered Camp Milton Historic Preserve today. There are still more on the to-do list though and more are being added as I think of them or find them.
If all this weren't enough, I do track every hike or bike ride that I do on a pretty awesome site that my friend, Paul, turned me onto called Endomondo. I know other people prefer Runkeeper or other sites/applications, but I really dig Endomondo.
The park that I am most excited about is Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. I may leave the dogs at home when I head to this place. This place just looks so heavenly and I want to experience it without having the tug of a leash or two.
Going along with that, I want to get around to as many parks (mainly hiking trails) as possible in Florida and Georgia. Bear and I have already conquered all but one trail at Tillie Fowler Park on Route 17, and we conquered Camp Milton Historic Preserve today. There are still more on the to-do list though and more are being added as I think of them or find them.
If all this weren't enough, I do track every hike or bike ride that I do on a pretty awesome site that my friend, Paul, turned me onto called Endomondo. I know other people prefer Runkeeper or other sites/applications, but I really dig Endomondo.
The park that I am most excited about is Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park. I may leave the dogs at home when I head to this place. This place just looks so heavenly and I want to experience it without having the tug of a leash or two.
Writing
I've been doing a bit of writing lately. Obviously, not here on my blog, but at a site called SFX-360. I have been on a trial basis writing since November and now am finally a full member of the staff. It's exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. I still get really nervous when I post up something that I think is a big deal. Today, I wrote my first ever opinionated piece about Activision's disregard of female gamers. You should go give it a read, Pressing My Buttons CoD Style - An Open Letter to Activision .
I've also been trying to get my head back into the poetry writing mood. I seemed to have lost the taste for it over the past few years. You would think being in a beautiful place like Sicily that poems would be in abundance. Unfortunately, they weren't. I met up with a dear friend when I got back to Jacksonville and that person has seemed to give me the kick in the ass that I have needed. This person also gave me the greatest gift that I have ever received and turned one of my poems into a song. That has also seemed to give me the motivation to get back into that particular arena.
I know without a college degree to my name that most wouldn't give me a shot. At this point, though, I think it's good that I can build a portfolio along with writing about things that interest me.
I've also been trying to get my head back into the poetry writing mood. I seemed to have lost the taste for it over the past few years. You would think being in a beautiful place like Sicily that poems would be in abundance. Unfortunately, they weren't. I met up with a dear friend when I got back to Jacksonville and that person has seemed to give me the kick in the ass that I have needed. This person also gave me the greatest gift that I have ever received and turned one of my poems into a song. That has also seemed to give me the motivation to get back into that particular arena.
I know without a college degree to my name that most wouldn't give me a shot. At this point, though, I think it's good that I can build a portfolio along with writing about things that interest me.
A Selection of Some of My Poems
It's been quite awhile since I blogged. I have to have some motivation behind it. So in the mean time, I thought I'd share another form of my writing, my poetry. I have been writing since I was 14, with breaks here and there. Without further ado, here's a few of my favorites from over the past 12 years.
The Meaning of an Asterisk
A string of curse words
Pouring from your mouth
How can something so dirty, be so sultry?
Say them again
Speak your poems of filth
Fill my ears with your nasty sonancy
I yearn for your treacherous soliloquies
Kiss my lips
I want your disease
The Gist of My Epiphany
Twinkling stars of broken glass
Every sunbeam was a razor
Every moonbeam, a bomb
Caught in the earthquake
Oxygen is not enough as I feel my chest get tight
I had a book about hope
But I rejected the notion
At the Edge of Tomorrow
Chromatic summer daisies stretch toward the paling tangerine sun
Their tilted stems sway away from phantom shadows
Whilst spectres dance in the ever-increasing beclouded twilight
Luminescence hovers betwixt misty petals
Blossoms grasp for final moments of radiance
Trying desperately to create a vestige of day to get through the night
Places I Might Have Turned
I still think about him sitting there
Amongst twinkling stars of broken glass
Cigarette burns on his wrist and maple wood guitar in his hands
His warped songs enrapturing my soul in the backseat of a jalopy
When we left fresh tracks in the mud in the middle of the night
Teeming with steam, sweat and wild eyes
Always wanting this to last forever and a minute more
You just really had to be there
In A Different Light
You gave another look when the glass hit the floor,
How your eyes fluttered then.
(You always were the cynic)
Mark that on your calendar; ground within the mortar.
I’'m a woman with other wishes.
She read it in the tea leaves.
Visions of Gammas and Neutrons Danced in Their Heads
In her theory of the solar system
The world is spinning and twirling
And like the best day, it's all hazy
Covered in violets
Me, in reverie
Riding the Next Starshine
Trancing through the sky on worldly wings
Passion gushes moondust
Images of wild blossoms fashion an hypnotic encounter
With a belief in the sanctuary of incredible efflorescence
Thoughts, Beliefs, Hypocrisy
I've been tossing about thoughts in my head for a few weeks now, and I figured it was time to draw up a conclusive post about them.
Firstly, the one thing that I absolutely hate is being taken out of context. It is something I sincerely loathe about our technological age. You cannot tell some one's tone through text. I know that I'm not the only one who is guilty of taking some one's typed words more (or less) serious than they mean them. That being said, I also cannot stand having a semi-serious conversation via social media. A simple disagreement can be taken to even higher levels because when you may think you are coming across as calm and attentive, that person is probably taking it as you yelling or disrespecting them. I have been guilty of this and you know that you have too. It's happened to me more than once and has happened recently, which brings me to what I'm writing about.
I have very distinct views of things and I don't hide them. I believe in equal rights for all, no American (nor anyone else in the world) should be made to feel like a second class citizen. I believe that the GLBT community should have the same rights as everyone else.
I tell myself that I am pro-choice, but I realize that I am more pro-life than pro-choice. I wouldn't tell another woman what she can or can't do with her body, to include abortion, but on the other side, if I was pregnant (no matter the situation), I would not be able to have an abortion. Do I wish that women would choose not to abort? I do. I wish they would go the way of adoption before ever having an abortion. In the end, though, it is ultimately their decision and they have to live with that decision.
I believe in Occupy Wall Street and what they stand for, and on top of that, I believe in supporting and defending the Constitution.. For some reason, this causes a lot of people to scratch their heads. How can I (as a military Veteran) support someone using their First Amendment rights? Do you sense the sarcasm in that question? I don't see how it's ridiculous of me to do so. I also don't understand how anyone who has served or is currently serving can be okay with what's going on. The first thing that I abided to do when I recited my Oath of Enlistment is to SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
Take a look at the Navy's Oath of Enlistment:
"I,____________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. I swear (or affirm) that I am fully aware and fully understand the conditions under which I am enlisting."
In the past 2 months during the Occupations around the country (and the world), so many people's rights have been trampled upon and violated. The Constitution is getting thrown out the window left and right. It sincerely disturbs me. I do not serve and protect the Constitution for it to be disregarded so rampantly.
The best example of this is all of these evictions of the Occupy protesters. The First Amendment states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Police (and the politicians who command them to commit their acts) have been guilty of prohibiting the free exercise of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble. The rights of Americans are being trampled by other Americans. The biggest example of this is the violence being taken against peaceful protesters. The pepper spray incident at UC Davis is one that sticks out in my mind. A police officer strolled up to a group of protesters sitting on the ground with linked arms. He walked around them with his can of pepper spray like he was showing off a new toy and then proceeded to use the pepper spray. He sprayed these people full on in the face without the ladder of force being met.
I spent my last 3 years of Active Duty serving in Sicily with a Navy Security Department. Even though by rate, I am not a Master-at-Arms, I still went through the classes to learn the basics of being a military police officer. This included learning the Ladder of Force and when to use deadly force. Deadly force is the force which a person uses, causing—or that a person knows, or should know, would create a substantial risk of causing—death or serious bodily harm.
Now this is where I have been called a hypocrite. I do understand when force is needed, but I also understand that throughout the majority of these incidents at Occupy camps across the country, the force has NOT been warranted.
Another thing that has been bothering me is the number of pictures popping up of Active Duty military overseas with sayings like "I don't have time to Occupy because I'm too busy defending our country". I am ashamed by those military members and family of military members that even share these types of posts because it goes against everything that we stand for. One of the main things we do is to ensure the freedoms of our fellow Americans. When you state or support statements like that, you are doing the exact opposite. You are making your fellow Americans (that you swore to protect) feel as though their own military doesn't care. I also get that a good chunk of our country is unappreciative of our military, but you should be glad that these people get to have their say and that we don't live in a land where this freedom isn't a right.
The other screwed up thing about a lot of the military folk that I know NOT supporting OWS is how many people are on their way out of the military because of the economy. Between Perform-to-Serve and Enlisted Review Boards in the Navy, a lot of good Sailors are on their way out because the Navy is downsizing. What is going on in this country affects every single person. Just because you were that lucky person who made the PTS cut this time around, doesn't mean you will next time.
So where is the balance? When will I not be considered a hypocrite for standing up for my fellow Americans and the rights that are given to them via the Constitution? When will I not be considered a hypocrite for serving my country and doing so proudly and faithfully? It's a double-edged sword, I guess.
Firstly, the one thing that I absolutely hate is being taken out of context. It is something I sincerely loathe about our technological age. You cannot tell some one's tone through text. I know that I'm not the only one who is guilty of taking some one's typed words more (or less) serious than they mean them. That being said, I also cannot stand having a semi-serious conversation via social media. A simple disagreement can be taken to even higher levels because when you may think you are coming across as calm and attentive, that person is probably taking it as you yelling or disrespecting them. I have been guilty of this and you know that you have too. It's happened to me more than once and has happened recently, which brings me to what I'm writing about.
I have very distinct views of things and I don't hide them. I believe in equal rights for all, no American (nor anyone else in the world) should be made to feel like a second class citizen. I believe that the GLBT community should have the same rights as everyone else.
I tell myself that I am pro-choice, but I realize that I am more pro-life than pro-choice. I wouldn't tell another woman what she can or can't do with her body, to include abortion, but on the other side, if I was pregnant (no matter the situation), I would not be able to have an abortion. Do I wish that women would choose not to abort? I do. I wish they would go the way of adoption before ever having an abortion. In the end, though, it is ultimately their decision and they have to live with that decision.
I believe in Occupy Wall Street and what they stand for, and on top of that, I believe in supporting and defending the Constitution.. For some reason, this causes a lot of people to scratch their heads. How can I (as a military Veteran) support someone using their First Amendment rights? Do you sense the sarcasm in that question? I don't see how it's ridiculous of me to do so. I also don't understand how anyone who has served or is currently serving can be okay with what's going on. The first thing that I abided to do when I recited my Oath of Enlistment is to SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.
Take a look at the Navy's Oath of Enlistment:
"I,____________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God. I swear (or affirm) that I am fully aware and fully understand the conditions under which I am enlisting."
In the past 2 months during the Occupations around the country (and the world), so many people's rights have been trampled upon and violated. The Constitution is getting thrown out the window left and right. It sincerely disturbs me. I do not serve and protect the Constitution for it to be disregarded so rampantly.
The best example of this is all of these evictions of the Occupy protesters. The First Amendment states:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
Police (and the politicians who command them to commit their acts) have been guilty of prohibiting the free exercise of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble. The rights of Americans are being trampled by other Americans. The biggest example of this is the violence being taken against peaceful protesters. The pepper spray incident at UC Davis is one that sticks out in my mind. A police officer strolled up to a group of protesters sitting on the ground with linked arms. He walked around them with his can of pepper spray like he was showing off a new toy and then proceeded to use the pepper spray. He sprayed these people full on in the face without the ladder of force being met.
I spent my last 3 years of Active Duty serving in Sicily with a Navy Security Department. Even though by rate, I am not a Master-at-Arms, I still went through the classes to learn the basics of being a military police officer. This included learning the Ladder of Force and when to use deadly force. Deadly force is the force which a person uses, causing—or that a person knows, or should know, would create a substantial risk of causing—death or serious bodily harm.
Now this is where I have been called a hypocrite. I do understand when force is needed, but I also understand that throughout the majority of these incidents at Occupy camps across the country, the force has NOT been warranted.
Another thing that has been bothering me is the number of pictures popping up of Active Duty military overseas with sayings like "I don't have time to Occupy because I'm too busy defending our country". I am ashamed by those military members and family of military members that even share these types of posts because it goes against everything that we stand for. One of the main things we do is to ensure the freedoms of our fellow Americans. When you state or support statements like that, you are doing the exact opposite. You are making your fellow Americans (that you swore to protect) feel as though their own military doesn't care. I also get that a good chunk of our country is unappreciative of our military, but you should be glad that these people get to have their say and that we don't live in a land where this freedom isn't a right.
The other screwed up thing about a lot of the military folk that I know NOT supporting OWS is how many people are on their way out of the military because of the economy. Between Perform-to-Serve and Enlisted Review Boards in the Navy, a lot of good Sailors are on their way out because the Navy is downsizing. What is going on in this country affects every single person. Just because you were that lucky person who made the PTS cut this time around, doesn't mean you will next time.
So where is the balance? When will I not be considered a hypocrite for standing up for my fellow Americans and the rights that are given to them via the Constitution? When will I not be considered a hypocrite for serving my country and doing so proudly and faithfully? It's a double-edged sword, I guess.
Mandie’s Crack–Street Hockey
This weekend, I attended my first View Askew Street Hockey League (here fore known as VASHL) event in New Jersey. A little background, the VASHL began when Kevin Smith decided to attend the Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament in Brantford, Ontario, Canada back in 2009. A bunch of people from the board created teams and went to compete and have returned every year since.
Being that I was stationed in Italy, I wasn’t able to attend any of the Brantford tournaments. Close to a year before this event, I was (unknowingly) drafted to be a part of the View Askew Girls (or more lovingly known as the VAG). On the VA board, we do a gift exchange every year for the holidays and my Santa last year (Talos) got my VAG jersey for me. On the morning before it showed up, I received a Private Message from Katie, Captain of the VAG, asking me if I wanted to be a part of the team. Best Present Ever.
Fast forward to about a year later, everyone else went to Brantford during the first weekend of June and it was decided that waiting another year for hockey was just a ridiculous idea. So our VASHL Commissioner, Darryl, started getting together a charity tournament to support both The Wayne Foundation and RAINN.
After my wonderful experience back in July and my wanting to get to hockey for a long time, coming up for this tournament was a given. The only drawback for me was never playing hockey before and really not having any idea what to expect on the rink.
I’m on vacation for 2 weeks. While I am travelling around, my sister in law and nieces are visiting their family in Pennsylvania. So I drove with them as far as Maryland and rode to New Jersey with Gavin and Nikki. We got there and I met up with my roommates, and we all headed out for dinner since there were so few of us in town.
Friday was pretty awesome. We went to eat brunch at Broadway Diner then headed to the Jay and Silent Bob Secret Stash. I got a really awesome deal on the full run of Ultimate X-men in Trade Paperback and X-men: Age of Apocalypse from Mike before heading for the Quick Stop.
Most of everyone else had arrived during the day while we were out. Everyone just grabbed whatever for dinner and we headed out for karaoke. The place ended up being the worst dive bar that most of us have ever seen, but we had a good time doing some karaoke. Yours truly sang “18 and Life” by Skid Row.
Saturday was Day 1 of hockey, and this first time that I would ever step on the rink. Needless to say, I was nervous. The team that I was on was going up against pretty much the entirety of the View Askew Vulgarians (Paul, Darryl, moTT, ArtistJim, Mike M, Keith and a few others) for the first game.
For most of the first day, I just played defense so I could get a feel for it all. The first two games were played via the rosters that Darryl had made prior to us getting there, then on the third one we all put our sticks in the middle and did teams that way. I basically ended up with the Vulgarians, which was awesome. ArtistJim was in the goal and was coaching me for pretty much the duration of both days (even when he was on the opposite team).
It was a blast. We wrapped up around 5 on Saturday so that everyone could go back to the hotel to shower and get ready for Tell Em Steve-Dave! and Jay & Silent Bob Get Old live at the Count Basie. This was the first time that I saw Kevin and Jay in person and was my first ever live show for anything SModCo wise. So besides popping my hockey cherry, I got to pop that one too.
The show was great. TESD was fantastic as always. They had puppets that were made of each of them and it was just a good time. Kevin and Jay were also excellent, and at the end they do a feature called “Let Us Act!” to which they brought Gavin onstage because it was his birthday.
After the show, we all headed to the Dublin House for drinks and food. It was a good time. Got to chat with everyone and catch up with Brian Quinn of Tell Em Steve-Dave!
We all headed back for our hotel after a bit because we had another day of hockey to go. I woke up on Sunday and had to do the Robot to get out of bed. I was so sore that I could hardly move. Took some Motrin and a hot shower just to get mobile, but was good to go once we got to the rink and I was able to stretch out.
We first did a game of the Vulgarians vs. everyone else. Then we played USA vs. Canada, and USA won! After that, we played 37 & older vs. everyone else. I played in all 3 games and mostly played offense. It was fantastic.
I surprised the hell out of myself. I figured I was going to go out on the rink and just be terrible at hockey, but I got the hang of it pretty quick. Quite a number of people told me that I did a great job, but I think the best compliment came from Ming who said that I had impressed a lot of people over the weekend when I put my heart into the game and didn’t stop for one minute.
The greatest thing about VASHL is just the kindred feeling and everyone being so encouraging. I walked in there not knowing exactly what to expect. I walked out with a couple more friends and head over heels for street hockey. So when’s the next tourney? I am so ready.
Being that I was stationed in Italy, I wasn’t able to attend any of the Brantford tournaments. Close to a year before this event, I was (unknowingly) drafted to be a part of the View Askew Girls (or more lovingly known as the VAG). On the VA board, we do a gift exchange every year for the holidays and my Santa last year (Talos) got my VAG jersey for me. On the morning before it showed up, I received a Private Message from Katie, Captain of the VAG, asking me if I wanted to be a part of the team. Best Present Ever.
Fast forward to about a year later, everyone else went to Brantford during the first weekend of June and it was decided that waiting another year for hockey was just a ridiculous idea. So our VASHL Commissioner, Darryl, started getting together a charity tournament to support both The Wayne Foundation and RAINN.
After my wonderful experience back in July and my wanting to get to hockey for a long time, coming up for this tournament was a given. The only drawback for me was never playing hockey before and really not having any idea what to expect on the rink.
I’m on vacation for 2 weeks. While I am travelling around, my sister in law and nieces are visiting their family in Pennsylvania. So I drove with them as far as Maryland and rode to New Jersey with Gavin and Nikki. We got there and I met up with my roommates, and we all headed out for dinner since there were so few of us in town.
Friday was pretty awesome. We went to eat brunch at Broadway Diner then headed to the Jay and Silent Bob Secret Stash. I got a really awesome deal on the full run of Ultimate X-men in Trade Paperback and X-men: Age of Apocalypse from Mike before heading for the Quick Stop.
Most of everyone else had arrived during the day while we were out. Everyone just grabbed whatever for dinner and we headed out for karaoke. The place ended up being the worst dive bar that most of us have ever seen, but we had a good time doing some karaoke. Yours truly sang “18 and Life” by Skid Row.
Saturday was Day 1 of hockey, and this first time that I would ever step on the rink. Needless to say, I was nervous. The team that I was on was going up against pretty much the entirety of the View Askew Vulgarians (Paul, Darryl, moTT, ArtistJim, Mike M, Keith and a few others) for the first game.
For most of the first day, I just played defense so I could get a feel for it all. The first two games were played via the rosters that Darryl had made prior to us getting there, then on the third one we all put our sticks in the middle and did teams that way. I basically ended up with the Vulgarians, which was awesome. ArtistJim was in the goal and was coaching me for pretty much the duration of both days (even when he was on the opposite team).
It was a blast. We wrapped up around 5 on Saturday so that everyone could go back to the hotel to shower and get ready for Tell Em Steve-Dave! and Jay & Silent Bob Get Old live at the Count Basie. This was the first time that I saw Kevin and Jay in person and was my first ever live show for anything SModCo wise. So besides popping my hockey cherry, I got to pop that one too.
The show was great. TESD was fantastic as always. They had puppets that were made of each of them and it was just a good time. Kevin and Jay were also excellent, and at the end they do a feature called “Let Us Act!” to which they brought Gavin onstage because it was his birthday.
After the show, we all headed to the Dublin House for drinks and food. It was a good time. Got to chat with everyone and catch up with Brian Quinn of Tell Em Steve-Dave!
We all headed back for our hotel after a bit because we had another day of hockey to go. I woke up on Sunday and had to do the Robot to get out of bed. I was so sore that I could hardly move. Took some Motrin and a hot shower just to get mobile, but was good to go once we got to the rink and I was able to stretch out.
We first did a game of the Vulgarians vs. everyone else. Then we played USA vs. Canada, and USA won! After that, we played 37 & older vs. everyone else. I played in all 3 games and mostly played offense. It was fantastic.
I surprised the hell out of myself. I figured I was going to go out on the rink and just be terrible at hockey, but I got the hang of it pretty quick. Quite a number of people told me that I did a great job, but I think the best compliment came from Ming who said that I had impressed a lot of people over the weekend when I put my heart into the game and didn’t stop for one minute.
The greatest thing about VASHL is just the kindred feeling and everyone being so encouraging. I walked in there not knowing exactly what to expect. I walked out with a couple more friends and head over heels for street hockey. So when’s the next tourney? I am so ready.
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