An open letter to the @VanCanucks

“HOCKEY DO YOU PLAY IT.”
                                   -Wil Wheaton

 

Let me start this off by saying that I love the Vancouver Canucks. They’re the closest that I have to a “local” NHL team – living about a six or seven hour drive from Vancouver (B.C., not Vancouver, Washington) – and they’ve got a great team, and one hell of a season going. Best in franchise history, and I’m happy to call myself a Canucks fan.

 

But WHAT THE HELL was that last game with the Blackhawks? How do you come off of the best season you’ve ever had, spend three games kicking some serious Chicago ass, and then LOSE THAT BADLY? 7-2? Really? To quote @EKankowski, that’s Maple Leafs kind of bad.

 

The above quote was in reference to the Kings’ game against the Sharks, but I feel that the sentiment applies as well. How can you go from playing SO GOOD to playing THAT BAD?

 

I’m really hopeful for a Vancouver-won Stanley Cup this year, so… don’t let me down. Pretty please? :D

A WILD @NON_SENSEI APPEARS!

 

Hey, blogosphere. It’s been a few days since SeaTac and my JOURNEY TO THE EASTERN SKIES. First things first, I don’t care if it saves money, if you are a big and/or tall person like me, I have one piece of travel advice for you:

 

Don’t fly to an airport that fucking nobody has heard of.

 

My final destination (for the flight part of things) was Lehigh Valley International, in the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton area of Pennsylvania. The friends of mine from New Jersey that were picking me up there had no idea where it was, which should have been a sign for me. The SeaTac-to-O’Hare part of things? That was nice and easy, and almost comfortable, despite the length of the flight.

 

Then, I had to walk across almost the entirety of O’Hare to get from the United gate that I came in from Seattle on, to the United Express gate that would take me to my final destination. Seriously, it was a 20 minute trek through O’Hare, and they have no smoking area. As in you cannot go outside of the airport to smoke, unless you completely leave the airport premises – in which case, you’re not getting back in time for your flight.

 

The only word that I can describe my flight from O’Hare to Lehigh Valley is this:  puddle-jumper. The plane was so small that I had to duck down at least a couple inches to get into the door, and I had to tilt my head to the side to walk around in the plane, because I couldn’t stand upright. So, for all you big/tall types, spend a few dollars extra on the full flight to New York, or Philly, or hell, even Newark.

 

Other than that, the trip has been good so far. I’ve had a blast hanging out with Matt (@non_sensei), and he’s got a very cool and comfortable apartment. Also, after the concert we went to last night (Lazarus A.D.), we hung out with @wAonLdeIrlCanEd and @sohailali, with conversation topics ranging from Heroes to bestiality.

 

I still have plans to go into New York a few times, and Philly at least once. Matt’s been super-hospitable, and routinely making sure that I’m enjoying myself on this trip. I’m mostly over whatever brief illness I’ve been dealing with (sinus congestion and horrible, awful coughing) since the 12th, which is good. All in all, I’ve had a great time so far, and look forward to having an even better time as the trip goes on.

 

Also, fucking SYMPHONY X ON FRIDAY!

And DOCTOR WHO’s new season on SATURDAY!

FUCK. YES.

Where am I now?

 

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, AKA Sea-Tac!

 

Today is the day that I fly to Lehigh Valley International, to go on my east coast trip! It’s extremely exciting, although I know I’ll be super-tired when I get there around midnight (EST). Sure, that’s only 9pm here, but I had to get up at freaking FOUR A.M. to be ready for the string of buses that got me here.

 

It’s definitely more cost-effective to bus, even if it’s not convenient. From Hoquiam station to Olympia Transit Center (50-60 miles) cost me $3, and from there to SeaTac (another 40-ish miles) cost a total $5.50 between two buses. Unless you’ve got super-generous friends that are willing to cover most of the gas costs – or whose cars get GREAT mileage – then you’re not going to be able to get a ride to SeaTac for that kind of price.

 

There is going to be a lot of awesome on this trip. I’ll be meeting up with two awesome people – @Fizzgig168 and @XTheForce – when I get in to the airport, and crashing with @non_sensei. Concerts and explorations are in the works, and I’m going to touch a dinosaur fossil whether the Museum of Natural History wants me to or not. (I’ve always been a dinosaur enthusiast – see this rant.)

 

Hopefully, I’ll be feeling better and will be able to put up some awesome travel videos. I’ve been kinda sick since the day before yesterday, but I’m getting better quick.

8 days left!

Only eight more days until I’m on the east coast, hopefully having a damn good time.

 

So, it’s been a little while since I blogged last. I’ve started my job at 7-11, and I’m pretty sure things are over with the Ramada – I just haven’t gotten the official word that they are. I like 7-11 a lot, though, and it’s cool to have a job that I enjoy. I’m more active, I see a lot of customers, and there’s always something to do.

 

Last night was D&D night with S. and a few friends, and as far as I’m concerned, it was a lot of fun. Part of it is that I’m getting out of the house and hanging out with people rather than just my dog, and part of it is that D&D can be pretty fun with the right group.

 

Right now, I’m leeching some wifi at my grandma’s house to blog, and heading home soon to watch the season finale of No Ordinary Family. I’m going to head off, but with my trip starting next week, I hope to blog more. If nothing else, I’ve set up this blog for email posting, so I can post that way.