1. It is worthwhile to explore Alexisonfire's older releases.
I just picked up the band's latest release, Old Crows/Young Cardinals. After I listened to the whole album once through I was not disappointed in the least bit. As a result, I dug up some older tracks to listen to.
I was surprisingly expressed. Most of them were as raw as I expected, and George Petit's screams were more prevalent than Dallas Green's soothing melodies. Regardless, they were still phenomenal and catchy. The singing trifecta of Petit, Green, and Wade
Enough. I don't really know anything about music, so I'll stop acting like it. Here's "Accidents". Give it a full listen through.
2. I need a new phone.
A piece covering the hinge on my current one cracked and fell off. As a result, I can pull the hinge out, and I have to push it back in a certain way every time I close it. A new phone is in order, though it will still have to be a flip phone. The texting phones are more than I need, and the touchscreen ones feel too flashy.
3. I should write a book.
I don't know what it should be about. I love writing. I'm not sure if I should write a book or a screenplay, and I don't know what it should be about. Furthermore, I hate everything I write. Rough way to write.
4. People shouldn't overreact as much.
Sometimes people are either too tightly wound or too ready to fight. So this is for everybody: just relax. Don't assume you're always being attacked, and understand that people are going to joke around with you. If they take it too far, then they've taken it too far. But if you're among friends, it's unlikely they'll take it too far, so just remind yourself to calm down.
5. Music is often better when blasted.
Not through headphones. Never through headphones. Speakers. Speakers. Speakers.
Go. Right now. Sit in your room. Put on fun music, and turn up the volume. Either sit back and enjoy, or walk around and dance.
"Shut up, grow up, turn it up."
6. Graduations are sad.
I was at a high school graduation the other day.
On one hand, they're happy. Everybody is graduating, moving onto bigger and better things. The future shines brighter than the past, or something like that.
But the past is sad. Everybody is graduating, symbolizing their release from high school and all of its memories. Sure, they'll never forget their years in high school. But everyone in the grade will never be together again, never be the same age again. You may never see some of the people in your grade ever again. 30 years down the road, you may not even be able to picture their face, or conjure their voice inside your head. Names will slowly drift away.
Don't know about you, but that makes me sad.
7. The Flyers overpaid for Chris Pronger.
The trade: RW Joffrey Lupul, D Luca Sbisa, 2009 first round pick, 2010 first round pick, and a conditional 2010 third round pick to the Anaheim Ducks for...D Chris Pronger, F Ryan Dingle.
Pronger is a top-pairing defenseman nearing the end of his career, but he's not done yet, and he may even have a few good years left in him. His physical style of play fits the Philadelphia mold for hockey players, and he is still a contributor offensively. He also brings leadership and a Stanley Cup ring to the locker room. Ryan Dingle's worth is questionable.
With that being said, let's analyze what the Ducks received.
Lupul: A solid forward, probably best suited as a second line winger. Not a superstar, but he'll give you 50 or so points with a relatively even split between goals and assists. Interestingly, enough, this is the second time he has been traded for Pronger. It should be noted that next season his contract extension would kick in, giving him a cap hit of about 4 million dollars a year. Too much.
Sbisa: Still young (a first round pick from the '08 draft), but loaded with potential nonetheless, which he showcased in an early season call-up to the Flyers. I'd rather lose him than one of the Flyers' other great forward prospects (Claude Giroux, James van Riemsdyk).
Picks: This is where I hate it. No, the two picks are not guaranteed NHL stars. But they're important for building the franchise, and should Pronger not resign and the Flyers not win the cup next season, the team's infusion of young talent may feature a few bumpy spots.
That being said, I hope the Flyers trade away Daniel Briere and his massive contract in order to free up cap space. This will lead to:
1. More cap room, which in turn, gives you...
2. The resigning of Mike Knuble.
3. Hopefully, a first round pick, or at least a decent defenseman.
8. The Rangers' cap situation has made it impossible for them to become contenders.
Over half of their cap room (32.782 million) is invested in Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Michal Rozsival, Wade Redden, and Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist is the only one earning that much money right now, and this is by no means an indictment of Chris Drury.
Eternal optimists will point out that the team has around 17-18 million dollars worth of cap space.
Pessimists will remind you that team only has 4 forwards and 4 defenseman currently under contract. Rozsival's and Drury's contracts expire after 2011-12, while Gomez's and Redden's expire after 2014-15.
This penchant for overpaying veterans, coupled with the team's inability to draft well, will cause trouble in the future. My favorite example is the 2003 draft: the only player taken in the 1st round that has yet to play an NHL game is RW Hugh Jessiman, taken 12th overall by the Rangers. Jessiman was traded to the Nashville Predators this past season
Good luck building a (winning) team.
9. Old Zelda games are absurdly fun.
Remember Ocarina of Time? And Wind Waker?
Great stuff. I highly suggest you replay them. I already beat Wind Waker, and am nearing the end of Ocarina of Time. Next up is Majora's Mask, or, if I decide to go a little more modern, Twilight Princess.
Few games have ever reached the same level as the Zelda games. If you find yourself bored over the summer, go pick up a used copy of one. It'll be well worth your time and money.
10. James Bond rankings.
10.1 Sean Connery - the original. No questions here.
10.2 Roger Moore - still smooth, still dangerous. His performances didn't measure up to Connery's, but he was the next best imitation of Connery's Bond.
10.3 Daniel Craig - Craig's newer, grittier Bond has been a revelation, and he's made the character his own without changing the role too much. Just look at the pictures. Connery and Moore are simply pointing the gun upwards, while Craig is letting you know he means business.
10.4 Pierce Brosnan - too smooth, too pretty, too many fancy gadgets that seemed to fit his every need perfectly. GoldenEye was good, but it went downhill afterwards. Nothing against Pierce, though; had I seen The Matador, I probably would've liked it.
10.5 George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton - because there's no way I can convince you either of them were any good as Bond.
11. Barbecues rule.
Nothing like some burgers, hot dogs, chips, and a cold beverage. Some frisbee, wiffle ball, basketball afterwards, or maybe croquet if you want to take it especially easy. Best of all, though, is to just sit out back, relax, and talk.
And now, for The Sounds' "No One Sleeps When I'm Awake":
-brett
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