Baseless Optimism.

This is my season motto.

It was last season's motto too, to be honest. With it comes several self imposed ruled; things I no longer allow myself to do.

I don't count my playoff chickens before they hatch. I don't let a few bad games dictate the future of the season. I don't leave games mad.While I may complain about the performance of certain players or the overall team, I still understand that a loss is a team loss and not all on one guy. (The "don't throw one dude under the bus rule" Unless, you know, he really deserves it. If you happen to score all the goals for the opposing team, for example, you might be due for some time under said bus.)

Aw...frak me...

So Mina and I have this habit of watching major political speeches and IMing comments back and forth. Sometimes they're witty, or they spark a short discussion on a point the speaker raised, but most of the time we're sitting there making fun of the audience and filling in the invisible speech bubbles above the heads of whoever happens to behind the President/ on screen at the moment. It doesn't matter what party, what event, this is what we do. Why? Because Sharks hockey isn't on.

It's true. Faced with staring at a vast expanse of nothingness (blank screen) or major political addresses, we'll take the major political address. It has nothing to do with us being nerds. No. Nothing at all. I mean, we couldn't be any less nerdy! We have a blog...crap.

Well, it's a sports blog, so that has to subtract some nerd points. Right?

What does all this have to do with the Sharks playing the Blackhawks?Well...uhm...you know, I'm not really sure.

Honestly, I'm terrified of these guys. They've beaten the Sharks like a well used punching bag. We do not speak of the three short handed goals against. We pretend that never happened. It was hugely embarrassing. I don't even think I watched all of that game. I don't remember. It was so bad I blacked it out. In fact, I've managed to forget every game against the Blackhawks this season. I have to. For my sanity. I mean, wtf do I write?!

*deep breath*

Ok. It's not all bad. The Sharks have won one game against the Blackhawks this season, albeit by the skin of their collective teeth. And the Sharks did do well against the Sabres, a fast and talented team. Not as fast as Chicago, but pretty fast. (although, was it just me, or was anyone else missing how that last game was the fastest of the season. I didn't feel that it was.) And the Sabres DO have CFR and Grier, formidable foes to be sure. They all seem to be able to keep their shirts on, unlike the Blackhawks. This may or may not be an important factor. Shirtless Joe's power of shirtlessness should be enough to nullify Kane's obvious lack of shirtless power, but whether or not that can nullify the Blackhawks scoring chances remains to be seen.

Dan Boyle may or may not be in. He got hurt, then he got the flu. What a combo.

On a more serious note, tonight is Haiti Relief Night at the Tank.I know a lot of us (myself included) have already donated what we could, but these people are in some seriously bad shape, and they need help. So, if you have is an extra buck or a handfull of change, and it won't break the bank, think about donating it. Donations will benefit UNICEF. (details about their programs and how much of your donations is going to Haitian relief.)

I got a request to do an Anze Kopitar inspired raccoon for the Kings. I believe Rudy Kelly over at BoC popularized this idea awhile back. (actually a lot further back than that, I just couldn't find the article I was looking for) It's so good, I have no idea why I didn't run with it. So, even though we don't face the Kings again this (regular) season, here it is.

Speaking of the Kings, I wish I could have watched them dismantle the Leafs last night, 5-3. Alas, I only have CSN and Versus, so I watched the Yotes and RedWings instead. For awhile, I didn't like the game that much. *yawn* oh look at that, the Wings are going to win. Sucks for Doan, those mistakes cost him..wait WHAT?! They TIED! They tied with 22 seconds left?! Awesome. You have won me over game, I will gladly watch your OT period. The on the ice reporter for Versus remarked that Doan may need a police escort to leave the arena safely after the thrilling 5-4 win. I'll just assume the only thing raining down on the ice during his interview were boos.

We have a few days to kill, so I figured I'd troll teh interwebs looking for some cool, random, and mostly non hockey related stuff. Most of these things were found on digg. Remember, I said I was trolling. I didn't say I was doing intensive research.

Enjoy!

MAI EYES! The goggles, they do nothing to prevent these optical illusions from happening!
(last pic may be slightly NSFW)

Ski in style. Robbing banks is not advised. No promises that wearing thing will get you first in line to be eaten.

I wish they taught grammar like this when I was in school.

The most epicly over the top hockey intro video ever in the history of ever.

Awesome snowmen, Calvin and Hobbes style (h/t to Nael M over at FTF for this one)

Oh, hey, what's that on Ham Cam#2? It looks suspiciously like that cold, fluffy white stuff people like to say never falls here. Hmm.

Shaun White be crazy. Crazy good!

This kid is super good. I was happy just to hop a curb back when I skated.  (The responsible adult in me would like to point out that he really should be wearing a helmet.)

Tonight @ 7:30pm

CSN-CA and KFOX

There is some weird juju going on.

For whatever reason the Fates seem to not want me to watch the harks play the Ducks this season. I missed the first game because of a friend's birthday party, the second because of an early (but extremely delicious) Thanksgiving. The third I only missed about five minutes of, but it was looking like I might have to listen tot he radio for all of that one. Instead I was able to listen to the first and watch the second and third. And then I was out of state for the fourth game. Not only that, I was in a different time zone with a less than reliable internet connection which made watching the game (or even listening to it) impossible.Now we finally reach a point in the season where I am home, have no conflicting plans, and I have tickets to watch the Sharks play the Ducks, and I'm sick. WTF Universe?!

On the plus side, assuming the power stays on and we don't get more tornado warnings (you do realize this is California, right guys? Guys? Somebody get Indra on the phone...) I will be able to watch, or at the very least listen, to the game at home from the relative comfort of my couch. But seriously, this is starting to become ridiculous.

It's because I rooted for the Ducks after they beat the Sharks last year, isn't it? Well, I didn't root FOR them so much as I rooted for a Detroit loss. I was willing to see the Blackhawks take the Ducks in the WCF if it meant the Wings went our in round 2. In a match up like that, I had the choice of rooting against Detroit, or hoping for a meteor. I figured against Detroit was better for humanity. A meteor got the dinosaurs, you know.

Just saying.

Sidenote: Dan Boyle, possible front runner for most awesome dude in the hockey universe, is listed as day to day and will NOT play tonight against the Ducks. That stinks. Demers has been called up to take his place. Go kid, go!