A Song For You

A Brief Lesson In Hockey

No penalty. No suspension. $1000 fine.



No penalty. No suspension. No fine.



Five minute boarding and game misconduct. Two game suspension. $232,645.40 fine.



Are we all clear?

So You Want To Be A Capitals Fan

I've noticed a trend now that the 2010 Winter Olympics are over and we have a few games under our belt. I'm guessing that the hockey games during The Games has turned a bunch of people on to the sport that probably had never given it a first thought before. And that's fine. Hockey is an exciting game and one of the most accessible. The more the merrier.

However.

If you are going to attend a game (which you should ... hockey is best witnessed live), there are some things you need to know.

The General Must-Follows

These rules are universal. They are the most basic of the basics and are followed in every hockey rink all over the world. If you walk away with learning only five things from this post, learn these five!

1. You don't have to know the rules to have a good time.
   
   It's true. There will be enough hard-core fans sitting immediately around you. Don't be afraid to ask what's going on. Trust me, we love to talk about the game and help new fans get acclimated.


2. Practice the "Puck In Play" rule.
   
   The "Puck In Play" rule is simple ... when the game is on, you stay put. It doesn't matter where you are or what you need to do. You can wait until a break in the action. See, hockey is a fast-paced game and, very literally, you can blink and miss an important play (like a goal). So every second that the puck is in play is important to hockey fans. We do not take kindly to the asshole who made us miss our favorite player score on our most hated team. You don't want to be that asshole so don't be.


3. Sit back in your seat!
   
   This goes in hand with the "Puck In Play" rule. When you lean forward in your seat, you take away a large amount of visual real estate. Sit back in your seat so the people behind you can see the whole ice as well.
   
   But, Diarist, the people in front of me are leaning forward.
   
   The tap them politely on the shoulder and ask them to sit back. If they hit you with the same lame excuse, tell them to tell the people in front of them to sit back. And so on. We all want to see the game so please let us.


4. Keep the chatter to a minimum.
   
   You are permitted to cheer as much and as enthusiastically as you wish. You are permitted to discuss the rules of the game or the strategies being used. But blathering on and on about work or personal life is irritating and prevents those around you from enjoying the game. If you wish to catch up with your buddies and discuss how that chick (or guy) the other week gave you crabs, please don't come to the game. No one wants to hear that.


5. Know your limit.
   
   Alcohol is served at the game during the first two periods. You are more than welcome to have some beers or cocktails. But know when to say when.
   

The Capitals Optionals

The next set of rules are specific to the Washington Capitals experience at Verizon Center.

1. Properly enjoy The National Anthem.
   
   It happens at the start of every game. Sometimes the Canadian National Anthem is performed as well. When the anthem(s) start, stand up. You are encouraged to sing, though it's not mandatory. Many people in the crowd will shout RED at "And the rockets RED glare ...". It is okay to do that. Some people will shout O at "Oh say does that ...". It is not okay to do that. The O is a Baltimore tradition that was begun at (and for) Oriole games. We are not Baltimore. We are not the Orioles.


2. DO NOT encourage this guy!
   
   
   I have my reasons.


3. Participate in the group stuff.
   
   Several videos are played during the commercial breaks. Know them and be prepared.
   
   * Unleash The Fury!
   * Victory!
   * "The Hockey Song"
   
   Several chants are done during the course of the game.
   
   * "Ref, you suck!"
   When the refs make a highly questionable call against our team.
   
   * "1 ... (2) ... (etc.) ... It's all your fault!"
   After the Capitals score, immediately following the second announcement of the goal.
   
   * "Who cares?!"
   After the Capitals are scored against, immediately following the second announcement of the goal.
   
   * "Let's go, Caps!"
   Throughout the game, but especially after Horn Guy or Goat leads the cheer. (See my rant against the Capstronaut.)
   

Of course there will be a great many other rules and traditions that will come and go. But these will get you started (and keep you from pissing off the fans who have been going for ever). Follow these rules. And enjoy the game.

Let's go, Caps!

Building A Better Bridge (System)

In case you weren't aware, The District highway system is missing a key element -- a direct connection between I-295 and I-395. This lapse in planning has caused many years of traffic-clogged pain to the residents of Wards 6 and 8 as Maryland and Virginia commuters spill over into the neighborhoods in a bid to maneuver around the congestion to get from home to work to home again. Well, my faithful readers, all of that is about to change. DDOT has begun work to build a new 11th Street Bridge system that will right many of the previous wrongs. Jacqueline Dupree of JDLand has more information here on the new bridges being built. I also ran across the following informational video on Barry Farm (Re)mixed) (via DC Metrocentric).



But, Diarist, this is your back yard, this project has been on the books for a while, and work started a couple months ago. Yet you're just now talking about it. What gives?

I feel a bit mixed about this project, to be honest.

Now don't get me wrong ... the current bridge system is a major disservice to the good people of Anacostia. It cuts our direct access to I-295. It separates the foot traffic from our neighborhood to the city west of the river. And, as I stated above, it floods our neighborhoods with commuter traffic. The new bridge system will rectify those shortcomings, in addition to providing for the new streetcar system that The District is also currently work on.

But the new bridge system will take away the direct access to I-395 which we now enjoy. I know this is a minor quibble, but it is an important one, especially for those of us in Anacostia and her sister neighborhoods who work in The Commonwealth. Instead, we will have to do a little neighborhood congesting of our own. And while my logical side agrees that this is a far better solution to the problem, my emotional side is all in a tizzy that I will be inconvenienced a few extra minutes every commute to Virginia.

All that said, I'm glad to see this project finally started. Git 'er dun!

Snowpocalypse, Snowmageddon, Snowverkill, Snowverit ...

... whatever you want to call it, I think we've reached our limit here in the District of Columbia and surrounding regions. Since I have been basically snowed out of work and am running out of work things to work on (along with the majority of the peeps here), I thought I'd pass some time with some comical (at least in my opinion) takes on our winter weather this year.

Yes, Carol Anne, that is snow in your television set! Bum bum BU-U-U-U-U-UM!

Who's your Winter 2010 Daddy? That's right.

When do you know it's simply too much snow? This is how.

Politicians And Numbers

In an unprecedented moment of honesty, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tells reporters how many votes in the House she has in support of the Obamacare bill and says that the Senate needs to fix it.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was reported as replying, "I have a vote for Speaker Pelosi right here." Regrettably, the accompanying picture could not be published.

(Picture taken from this news story.)

What Is A "Superfan"?

This guy is a Superfan. This guy is a Superfan. This gal is a Superfan.

But this guy is not.

I'm not alone in this belief. Many people think that Spaceman (because I refuse to assign him any name that refers to the team) is nothing more than an attention-grubbing idiot. Some people disagree. And I suppose it is their right to do so.

But they're wrong.

What sets Spaceman apart from Horn Guy, Goat, and Screaming Mimi is that his shtick has absolutely nothing to do with the Washington Capitals. In fact, until The Washington Post did that little blurb on him, there was nothing Caps related to him. Now his Post-appointed name adorns the back of his space suit. Thanks, Steinberg. Additionally, the Superfans are Superfans because they are in the forefront of audience participation during the games. They scream louder. They lead chants. They rile the crowd up.

Spaceman? He stands and pantomimes life in space.

Exciting, huh?

Don't get me wrong. I like that the Verizon Center is full during Caps games. I love that people are so excited about this team that they can't contain it. I think it's fantastic to see this once-sleepy-non-hockey town turn into a place where no one wants to come play. Verizon Center rocks at home Caps games the way that RFK Stadium used to rock at home Redskins games. Yes, faithful readers, it's like that now.

But I don't see the point in putting on a Halloween costume that has nothing to do with the team and suddenly declare yourself a Superfan. You want to play dress up? Fine. Get yourself one of these, one of these, one of these, and/or one of these and alter it to fit the associated player. Until then, sit down and take that stupid helmet off.

In Today's News

The United States has a new nation's capital ... of capitalism: David Frum opines on how the financial power of the world's greatest country has shifted from New York to the District.

But as Washington gains, the country loses. It loses something more than its ideals of free enterprise and private ownership. It loses the very American idea of a capital as a specialized locale to which specific tasks are delegated -- not an American Versailles where favors are distributed and attendance is mandatory.

While I agree that the federal government should never be in the business of business, Mr. Frum is a fool to imply that, at least over the past century, it hasn't been the ultimate decision-maker of financial dealings in this country. That the rest of the free-market movers and shakers have finally discovered this was bound to happen.

District metered parking will cost you $2 an hour ... or not: The city is looking at implementing a performance-based parking system.

The District is raising rates at most of the city's 17,000 meters to $2 an hour, expanding enforcement until 10 p.m. in eight "premium demand zones" and enforcing meter parking on Saturdays. The changes are expected to generate up to $7 million a year in additional revenue for the cash-strapped city.

The DDOT may succeed in changing people's commuting behavior. It just might not be the change for which they were hoping. I suspect that we'll start seeing this practiced more.

Washington Capitals to the rest of the Southeast Division - "Who's your daddy?": My Caps are 9-1 against its Southeast rivals, holding a 16 point lead over the second-place Tampa Bay Lightning (who they've defeated 12 straight times). Additionally, they're only 3 points off the lead in the Eastern Conference and 6 points off the lead in the league. With 38 games remaining in the season and with the return of several key members from injured reserve, expect to see them climb the leader board as the season progresses. A run for the Stanley Cup isn't out of the question, so long as the solid defense they've been playing lately doesn't waver.

Paper Or Plastic?

As you may, or may not, know, the new year has seen a new tax levied on the people of Washington, D.C. The purpose of this new tax is noble enough (to clean up the Anacostia River) but it is completely misguided and in all likelihood, like all other monies raised by government, will not be used for its intended purpose.

First, let's clear some things up. As stated in the legislation, this new tax was imposed

[t]o protect the aquatic and environmental assets of the District of Columbia; to ban the use of disposable non-recyclable plastic carryout bags; to establish a fee on all other disposable carryout bags provided by grocery stores, drug stores, liquor stores, restaurants, and food vendors; to give the Mayor the authority to implement rules and procedures to collect the fee; to establish a non-lapsing recurring Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund.

Got that? Non-recyclable plastic bags are now banned in the District. A new tax is levied on consumers. The mayor (and apparently, the mayor alone) enforces the rules on tax collection. And a "fund" is created to capture the monies raised by this new tax.

Second, this new tax will be carried out at retail establishments. What exactly is meant by "retail establishments", you ask? Well ...

"Retail Establishment" means any licensee under a Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Basic Business License category Public Health: Food Establishment Retail (D.C. Official Code Sec. § 47-2851.03(10)(J)) license or under an Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration off-premises retailer’s license, class A or B.

In other words, you will be taxed at any place that sells food or alcohol. Grocery stores? Check. Liquor stores? Check. Big-box stores? Check. Movie rental stores? Check. Take-outs? Check. Convenience stores? Check. Even restaurants doggie bags are taxed. Do you see the enormity of this new tax?

And let's not forget that you're already being charged for these bags by the stores in the first place. So you're paying for these bags twice. And you get no refunds or price breaks for bringing your own bags.

Big whoop, Diarist. I'll just go to Maryland or Virginia for my shopping needs.

Not so fast there, bub.

Maryland and Virginia lawmakers say they will push for 5-cent fees on disposable paper and plastic bags at stores, after the District this month became the first major city in the nation to impose such a fee.

The reasoning behind this, like the District, is for purely environmental reasons. Maryland and Virginia, like the District, want to do better by Mother Earth and need the money to do so. All good and fine.

Except history has shown us that lawmakers rarely spend money for what it was originally set aside (see Medicare/Medicaid, road tolls, gas taxes, et cetera). And in this present economy I understand that governments are financially hurting, but the people are hurting more. Five cents (per bag) might not be a big deal to our council members yet it is a big deal to the residents in our poorer neighborhoods.

And, let's be totally candid about this. This will do nothing to improve the well-being of the Anacostia River. I suppose that it is within the realm of reason that the District will actually spend all of the money raised by this new tax on cleaning up the Eastern Branch. But the Anacostia doesn't reside solely in the District ... its origins are in Montgomery and Price Georges Counties, Maryland. Good luck trying to get all of those various jurisdictions to play nice. Even if D.C. gets its act together and does its part, it will still have to continually clean up Maryland's mess as it floats downstream. Not to mention all of the creeks, wetlands, parks, sewer drains, and so forth that feed and support the Anacostia

Make no mistake. This is an impossible fight on which the city is embarking. It will take more than just money to fix ... it will take a total attitude adjustment of the people. And a new tax ain't the solution to that problem.

Sports Happenings

I know I'm a bit behind on the chatter here but I wanted to share my thoughts on these stories.

1. Washington Redskins - Some might think that the story is this, this, or maybe even this. Those people would be wrong. The real story is behind the scenes.
   
   Here's my take. Clinton Portis needs to go. Yes, there were seasons when he almost literally carried this team on his back. But past performance doesn't give anyone a license to skate by, especially in the NFL. It certainly doesn't give you license to shoot your mouth off on a radio program. You have a problem with your coach? Talk to your coach about it behind closed doors. You have a problem with your teammates? Talk to your teammates in the locker room. Don't do it publicly. He has become a canker in the locker room and has lost the respect of many of the veteran players. He doesn't produce on the field. He doesn't inspire on the sideline. He doesn't lead in practice. Hell, he doesn't even show up to practice! Sorry, dude, but I think you're done. I'm hoping that one of Coach Shanahan's first moves is to trade Portis.
   
   
2. Washington Wizards - If there are two things I know about the next owner of this franchise, they are the following: he knows how to build a long-term winning team and he won't allow his players to embarrass his team. Odds are that this NBA off-season will see the Wizards go through a change like the Capitals did during the 2004 NHL season lockout ... he will make sure he has front office people who know basketball and they will blow this team up and start building toward a team that will be perennial playoff contenders. Quite frankly, for as much pain as that will bring in the immediate future, it will be the best thing to happen to Wizard fans since they last won the NBA title. Trust me on this, because it leads me to ...
   
   
3. Washington Capitals - I love my Caps. And I love Ted Leonsis. This is an owner who gets it. He respects his fans. He respects the tradition of hockey. And he respects his players. He is every bit as passionate about bringing the championship title to DC as a certain other major league team owner; but, unlike said other owner, he knows what is necessary and required of him to accomplish that. But that's not what I wanted to say about my Caps. What I wanted to say was that, seven days after trading their team captain to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team finally decided on a new captain. I was too in shock last night to appreciate the choice. But after having some time to sleep on it, I think it was the right one. Firstly, Ovechkin is going to be here for a very long time, quite possibly for his entire career. Secondly, he has been a leader and always gives his all on the ice. Thirdly, well, there's this ...
   

   "I had talked to a lot of [players] the last couple of days and they said Alex is the only choice," [Coach Bruce] Boudreau said. "He's our leader, he's our guy. What shows he was ready was when I talked to him two or three days ago, he said he would accept the responsibility but 'only if my teammates want it.' He was already thinking about the team instead of himself, which is what captains do."

   Congratulations, Ovie, on the captaincy. And congratulations, Caps, for getting a quality captain.

A New Year - A New Start

Looking over my posts from the previous year, I've noticed that I didn't post a lot of much substance. So one of my resolutions for this year is to get back to that - being more active on my blog and making substantive posts about what's going on, both in this fair city of ours and in my own personal life. You'll see me rant more about our city government. You'll see me talk about our professional sports teams. You'll see me review television shows and movies I've seen. You'll see me ... well, I think you get the idea.

But I'd like a resolution from you, my faithful (and also perhaps new) readers, as well. I'd like you to resolve to make this blog more of a conversation. I am just as interested in what you have to say as you are in what I have to say. Don't be afraid to comment. We can have a back and forth on things, you and I and even amongst yourselves. One of the things I've always wanted for this site was for it to be like a cyber-water cooler.

So what do you say? Wanna haffa go at it?

New Years Is Coming ...

... so chill out, man. Bring on 2010!

Merry Christmas!

Today is Christmas Eve, which means tomorrow is Christmas Day. I want to focus more on the message of the day than on the day itself because I know that not all of my readers (and most definitely not all of my non-readers) are Christian and not all celebrate Christmas.

So in that light, I wish you all peace and joy and love. Enjoy this time of year and remember to share the love with friends, family, and even strangers.

My final gift to you is a song that I loved as a child. It brings back memories of everything that is right with Christmas.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

A Christmas Shout Out To My "Old Line State" Peeps

I was born in our nation's capital but I was raised in Southern Maryland. In case you didn't know, Maryland is famous for its blue crabs. And what's the first thing you think of when you think of Maryland blue crabs? That's right ... CHRISTMAS!!!

No, seriously.

Penned and recorded by David DeBoy in the summer of 1981, "Crabs For Christmas" is the story of a department store Santa in Houston, TX who is accosted by a Baltimore man. Now this poor man is so very far away from home and wants nothing more than a pile of steamed crabs and a beer for Christmas.

Touching story, no?

Alright, so it's not the Nativity Story. But it's a funny, catchy tune and probably the only Maryland-themed Christmas song out there. And as someone who grew up where the blue crab is king, this song brings a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart. I hope you enjoy it every bit as much as I do and that it finds its way into your regular Christmas music rotation.

Oh! And if you'd like to purchase your very own copy, you can find the CD on David DeBoy's website. (Sorry, folks. There isn't a purchasable digital download of the song.)

More Christmas Music Recommendations

A couple years ago, I listed a countdown of my most and least favorite Christmas tunes. You can find a roundup of my Top Five lists here. With Christmas soon upon us, I've decided that I should offer you some more holiday music to enjoy.

• I'm a big fan of Harry Connick, Jr. He's released a few Christmas albums during his career. My favorite of these is When My Heart Finds Christmas. The album recalls some of the great Christmas songs that were recorded during the 1940's and early 1950's by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. While it was difficult to single one song out, I have been able to do so. His rendition of "The Blessed Dawn Of Christmas Day" is one of the most emotionally delivered songs I've heard.
  
  
  
  
• Bob Dylan is not a singer. What he is is one of the greatest songwriters to have ever lived. He has penned some of the most iconic American music you'll hear. But he is not a singer. That is what makes his album Christmas In The Heart such a disappointment. The album is too richly produced for his weatherd, ragged voice to stand up to. It sounds like a Traveling Wilburys album without the benefit of having the other Wilburys present to record, which wouldn't be completely possible anyway. Still, there is a pearl amongst these swine, the playful romp "Must Be Santa". Writen in the style of "The International Friendship Song", this tune takes off in pure polka style and doesn't stop until the end (as all songs should, I suppose). I defy you to listen to this without wanting to sing along.
  
  
  
  
• Originally released exclusively at Hallmark stores as A Christmas Album and re-released as James Taylor At Christmas, this is yet another album that should be in your Christmas music collection. Like the Harry Connick, Jr. album, it was difficult to pick one song out of so many. But I've settled on "Baby It’s Cold Outside", a duet that pairs James with Natalie Cole. The samba shuffle gives a cozy feel that enhances the playful back-and-forth between James and Natalie. The chemistry between the two singers feels real … you can tell these two had a blast working on this song together.
  
  

A Continuation Of The Discussion

This past Tuesday, the D.C. City Council passed the bill to legalize same-sex marriage in the District. It is the first of three final hurtles to jump before homosexuals can marry in the Nation's Capital. Today, The Washington Post posted an article that explains how some black residents, especially those who lived through and fought during the Civil Right Movement of the 1960's, are none too happy that this struggle is being compared to that struggle. It's something I've heard many times before, from blacks and whites alike. But in this article, one piece jumped out at me like a neon green dot on a grey wall.

"You can choose to be gay or not," Marshall Brown said. "You can never choose to be black or not."

Not so, his son said. "People are born that way," Kwame Brown said. "That could be a generational difference between the way he thinks and the way I think."

"That's a fair argument," the father said when told of his son's view about sexual orientation. But the elder Brown wasn't about to equate gay rights with the civil rights movement.

I'm glad that the Elder Brown can see the merits of the "people are born that way" argument. It was his next statement that gave me pause.

Homosexuals, he said, "can hide it so easily, but we can't hide that we're black."

So here are the big questions that beg to be asked:

• If blacks could have hidden easily their blackness ... that is, if they could have used a cream or other such ways to hide the color of their skin ... would they have settled with the laws of the days before the Civil Rights Movement?
• Would the lighter-skinned among them have sold out those of their brethren who were to the extremes of the color human spectrum in order to just fit in and work with the system that existed at that time?
• Would they have simply accepted their situation or would they have still fought to make things better, equal, and more perfect?

I think I already know the answer. Which makes their arguments all the more ridiculous.

To Appease The Masses (And Just To Post Something)

I know. My last post was almost a month ago. I haven't had anything to say. So, in the spirit of keeping this blog alive and because I laugh every time I see it, here is my favorite commercial of the year. Enjoy!

It's Halloween, People!

I saw a news segment on CNN on Saturday that made my brain hurt. It seems that there are some people out there who are none too happy with a certain Halloween costume.

Immigrant rights activists are calling on U.S. retailers to stop selling two controversial "Illegal Alien" costumes that have surfaced for Halloween, saying the outfits are a broadside attack on illegal immigrants.

The "Illegal Alien Adult Costume," manufactured by Forum novelties, includes an orange jumpsuit, similar to prison garb, with "Illegal Alien" stamped in black across the chest; a space alien mask; and a fake Green Card. The "Illegal Alien Mask with Hat" also includes a space alien mask, this time with a dark handlebar mustache and a baseball cap.

Now, I happen to slightly agree with their position on the mask with the mustache. That one is pretty blatant and I can understand the outrage. But an alien in a jumpsuit and a fake green card? Come on, people! Lighten up! That's funny stuff! Have people forgotten about a certain movie and its sequel that deal with aliens that illegally reside here? That was the first thing I thought of when I saw that costume. That the first place some people go is instantly insulted is simply sad.

This outrage has caused some of our retailers to pull the costume from their stores. And I think that's a shame. So I'm supplying you with links on where you can purchase your very own illegal alien Halloween costume.

And, because this has stuck in my craw so deeply, I'm giving you an added bonus today ... a music video!

Bad Blogger! Bad, Bad Blogger!

Yes, I know. I've let this site sit stagnant and cobwebby for roughly a month. I wish I had a good excuse, but I don't ... I've been a victim of the daily grind of life. In my absence, I have missed posting about a great many happenings in the world, a couple of which I want to comment on quickly.

First is the recent death of wrestling icon and music video regular Captain Lou Albano. World Wrestling Federation (WWF) (later to become World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) due to a lawsuit from the World Wildlife Fund) was just coming into its own in the late 70's to mid 80's. They were on TV every weekend. They were appearing in music videos. Why, the wrestling stars of that day even had their own Saturday morning cartoon. And Captain Lou was right in the middle of it all. It's trendy to mock or even criticize wrestling today for its over-the-top antics and its violence. But while the current level of "realism" didn't exist back then, the over-the-top antics and personalities most certainly did. And back then, it was good clean fun. Captain Lou, along with all of the other wrestling stars of those days, will always be a part of me because he was a fairly big part of my childhood.

The other thing I'd like to comment on, and would have done on Random Music Tuesday if I had had the time, is the 30th anniversary of the Fleetwood Mac album Tusk. The album had been compared to The Beatles (a.k.a., The White Album) due to the experimentation of the band and that it was a double album. I suppose it's up to us, the listeners, to decide if it is a good album or not but one cannot deny the power of the title track. How many other Top 10 hits can you name that makes use of a college marching band?

And with that, I would be remiss if I didn't give you something from the album to listen to. So, without further ado, here is "Tusk".

Fleetwood Mac - Tusk
by jpdc11

Home Movies

This is by far one of my most favorite commercials of all time. Wouldn't you agree, Tuffie?