Oh, Why the Hell Not...

The tune they play every time the Hawks score a goal (and in Amstel beer ads)...'Chelsea Dagger' from The Fratellis.

Best use of a U.K. rock song at an American sporting event since Gary Glitter's 'Rock 'N' Roll Part II'.

HOLY CRAP...GO HAWKS!

The youngsters on the Chicago Blackhawks, are advancing to the NHL Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995 after beating the Canucks 7-5 in one crazy-ass third period of hockey!

Who'da thunk it'd be hockey i'd be getting excited about this Summer? GO HAWKS!

...OH MY!

Amazingly, I almost forgot to post up w/ major props for 'da Bulls, Cubs and Hawks...what a GREAT weekend that was for Chicago sports fans, eh?

And Speaking of the Cubbies...

...i'm about due for a new ball cap. Thinking I may go w/ the 1968 Cooperstown 'Franchise' cap from Twin Enterprises, as they fit great and can take a helluva beating.

So Does 'Chinese Democracy' but...

...today, I couldn't agree more w/ Axl's t-shirt. GO CUBS!

Best. Photo. EVER!

...and why i'm STILL interested in getting a team together and joining a league. Maybe I can get the 'Stoned Rollers' back together for one last gig? Pic courtesy of the amazing Monkeys For Helping.

SWEET HOME (OPENER), CHICAGO!

Hope the weather holds out, Cubbies home opener against the Rockies today! They've been doing pretty well so far on the road, hopefully, they can recapture last season's good mojo at home. GO CUBS!

Almost Forgot...

1-0...WE'RE GOING TO THE SERIES! BWAHHHHH!

ANNNNDDDDDD NOW...

A lot to do today and going to take in some NBA action tonight (THANKS, B.K.!). I haven't been to the United Center for a Bulls game since Jordy was still w/ the team. Do they still throw down to the Alan Parson Project?

You Couldn't Tell by the Weather Here...

...but the MLB season is officially underway and the Cubs season opener is tonight! They're playing the Stros in Houston and the Sox home opener was postponed on a count of snow. HA!

I'm not going to let myself get too excited after last year's post-season nosedive, but i'm hopeful for some good baseball and, better yet, this means Summer is just right around the corner. Play. Ball.

Best. House Party. EVER.

'The Invite'

'The Party'

Okay. How ill would it be if this wasn't just a sweet ad campaign celebrating 60 years of Adidas Originals making your feet look as fresh as can be?! David Beckham, Russel Simmons, DMC, Katy Perry, Meth & Red, Kevin Garnett, Missy Elliott and Mark Gonzales...DAMN!

Seriously, where else you going to see something as funny as this...

The Sport of Kings...

That's right....Bowling. I can't recall if I said this before, but i'd really like to put together a team and join a league. Seriously.

The shirts...shoes...BEERS...and everything else. Who's with me?!

R.I.P. Red and Norm...

'Stormin' Norman' Van Lier

1947-2009

Johnny 'Red' Kerr

1932-2009

Wow. I can't believe that these two Chicago Bulls players/broadcasting legends passed on the same day. Like anybody else who experienced those golden years of Chicago basketball between 1991-1998, both Johnny and Norm were key broadcasting voices throughout it all.

I don't know how many times over those seven years I chuckled at Jordy's pre-game ritual of heading to the broadcasting booth to clap talcum powder in front of Kerr and Norm's colorful pre-game and post-game analysis...but I do know, that they'll both be missed.

One Last Jab...

...before 'next year' is now. Too funny and yet, too sad.

(Wait 'til) Next Year is NOW!

Grieving fans left candles, flowers, cans of Old Style and some nasty notes to the Cubbies at a makeshift memorial to the 2008 season outside Wrigley Field. The shrine, at Waveland and Sheffield, was started by Murphy's Bleachers workers upset at getting drummed out of the playoffs. One letter, short and to the point, stood out: 'Dear Cubs,' it began...'Thanks for nothing.'

Me? Really, i'm only upset at myself. I allowed myself to get legitimately excited before they made it out of the first round. I should have known better. Ah well, everybody is upset now...but come next Spring, 101 years ain't nothing but a number. Please God, just don't let the flipping White Sox go all the way...salt, wound, you get what i'm saying. GO BEARS!

After Last Night, I'm UNDECIDED...

I can't decide which made me want to puke more, the Cubs defensive meltdown in Game 2 (i'm still pulling for them, but has anybody told them they're in the playoffs?) OR Sarah Palin's faux 'sixpackiness' during last night's VP debate. Am I a little pissed? You betcha!

Seriously though, Palin gave a performance geared at garnering popularity via personality. Unfortunately, for me, that equates to bringing a 'running for grade school class president' approach to a fucking US Vice Presidential debate. O'Biden knew McCain's record and platform better than Johnny's own running mate...but she remembered to give a 'shout-out' to some third graders! Again, Sarah, US Vice Presidential debate...not TRL.

She can basically be lauded by the Press for not fucking up, gleefully spouting off scripted jabs/talking points w/ as much substance as a deep-fried Twinkie and coming of sounding like Grandpa Howard during the Long Duk Dong dinner scene in 'Sixteen Candles'...

I mean, who actually talks like that?! It's pandering and insulting. I have a lot more faith in the intelligence of the American collective than some and this visible attempt at 'dumbing down' the election under thinly-veiled 'straight talk' to 'main street' makes me ill. Conversely, Joe Biden stood tall and came off both real and real intelligent about the task at hand.

Sigh. That said, i'd still do her. Under protest, while listening to 'Ride the Lightning' on my iPod and I wouldn't buy her dinner...but you betcha. Anyhow, have to run to a work thing, so that's it for today kids. Have a great weekend! (PLEASE) GO CUBS!

Damn. Shake it Off Boys!

That grand slam last night took the piss right out of Wrigley for the rest of the game. Hopefully, in a weird way, it actually take some of the pressure off versus applying more...get a loss out of our system now rather than later. Eh, it's a 5 game series, so there'll be plenty of opportunities for further hopeful fanboy rationalization.

GO CUBS AND GO BIDEN!

Wow, Sports Fans...

...it's officially time for October Baseball. This year, not only does that mean rooting for the almighty Wrigley Field sign to light up in the manner above clear through the World Series, but the freaking Sox eeked out their division title last night as well. I kind of hoped they would choke and lose it in a gut-wrenching heartbreaker, but for now i'll say congrats to all my Southside pals.

God help us if both teams make it to the end. GO CUBS GO!

BEND IT!

Spent a couple of minutes meeting David Beckham prior to a presentation he made here at work (he's one of our 'brand ambassadors'). Very nice guy and a lot smaller than I expected. He's always been in my peripheral since his early days at Man U and I kind of lost sight on just how big of an icon he's become within and outside of the sport. Way cool to meet such a huge star, photo to follow as soon as I get it.

Whoops. Almost Forgot...

I know I shouldn't be enjoying the series in Minnesota...but I totally am.