Yes...it's been a while. Although I continue to suffer from the after effects of the nasty flu virus (loud, hacking cough, tired-listless), I am beginning to feel as though I am on the other side of this thing. Which brings me to three things that I must carry on in my life...hockey, blogging and the treadmill!
As for hockey...who would have thunk it? The Oilers return to the cup finals. A terrific game/series in which both teams turned it up a notch and really went at each other. I still like the two teams out East...and now with that series going down to a game 7. I definitely like the feel good aspect of the number 8 seed, a team from Canada, making it to the Cup final. It won't pain me to watch the Oilers win the Cup...as much as it pained me to watch them steal that no. 8 spot from the Canucks.
Back here in Chiner...things are just going swimmingly, literally. The weather here in GZ has been awful...rain everyday. It's those sort of days where you just feel as though you are walking and living inside someone's mouth...ew. There are few things you can do to escape. Either you just live with it and find a cool bar somewhere to hang out...or, you grab a stack of money, hop on the bus and try and buy your way to prosperity. Just be careful what you might be purchasing.
My favorite hockey blog is trying to fill the time not talking about the Canucks, so they have posted this great guide to blogging. It's a must read...and is very similar to Hugh Hewitt's take in his book Blog.
Michael Totten offers his final glimpse into the Middle East...required reading.
Sometimes you read a story about something that happens back home and you think, 'that could be me.' This story brings just that shiver down my spine...as I know the exact location and layout of this area..
Finally, I leave you with this...remember those who fought for your freedom on this Memorial Day weekend...
The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers--the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machine guns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After two days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms.
Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.
Thank you for the link and the nice words, expat. Sounds like you're coping with our absent Canucks okay - it's a rough road, I know. I hope you've been able to watch some of the playoff games over there via tv or internet.
Posted by: alanah | May 31, 2006 at 05:09 AM
Coping quite well, thanks to torrent files! I've been able to download most games and watch them...albeit a couple days late. But, at least I am keeping up on the play. And yes...i spent days and days downloading all of the Canucks games at the end of the year, only to watch loss after loss. ughghg.
Posted by: GZ Expat | June 01, 2006 at 10:20 PM