My Pick for the Stanly Cup and the latest member of the Entourage...

Yes that is correct, it is time to pick who I think will win the Stanley Cup Playoffs. I was 50% last round. Not great by my standards. In fact I have not been that great at all this year. I was 50% in every round. Not good at all. I need to get back to work on my statistical ANALysis of the NHL and how much I know. No, really I just need to stop picking who I want to win and start picking who WILL win. I picked too much with my heart this year.



Anyway, for the finals I will let you know that I am again going to pick with my heart. In fact as I sit here I am listening to one of my Favorite bands of all time, Nobody's Children, and they are inspiring me to pick not with who probably has the momentum, but to pick with the team that I think deserves it and needs it more.

Anyway, on a related note, the Children are getting back together for a gig in Minot next summer and I am stoked. I can't wait to see if Todd Holdman can still kill the bass, if Micah Scott can still shred, oh and if Adam G can still pound the skins. Check this link to find out more. Oh and here is the music video I did for them back in the day...

Stare - Nobody's Children from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.

Okay back to the task at hand. I cannot wait for Lord Stanley's cup to be handed out and Gary Bettmann gets booed at centre ice. I love that...

STANLEY CUP FINAL

Chicago Blackhawks (2) vs Philadelphia Flyers (6)

I know that Donnie Granato said that the Hawks just did not have the depth in goalie to take it all, and I have been picking against that all the way to where we are now. So I have put in a call to Don to see if he would revise his stance or if he is now on the Hawks and picking them to win. Please wait here while I give him a call.

I just got off the phone with Don and he told me that the two things he was worried about for the Hawks in the post season was Goaltending and the playoff grit. They have answered the bell on both accounts. He said that grit is where the Hawks have had the edge in all series so far but in this round it is gonna be the key because both teams have some much grit right now the ice will be leveled on this count.

He also says that the match up between Byfuglien and Pronger is gonna be the key in this series because if Dustin can get to Pronger it will go towards the Hawks. If Pronger can keep up with the kid the Flyers will be okay but if Dustin can get Chris into the red zone advantage Hawks. He says that Niemi has answered the bell as far as his goaltending goes so he does not even question that. Donnie also said that the city of Chicago is buzzing and he will be at the games this weekend and can't wait to see how this will turn out. He thinks this is a series that is gonna be great because of the grit involved. I agree.

My observation is that Niemi looked a bit rough in the first rounds but he has looked awesome of late and the goal scorers on the Hawks have picked their game up. Guys like Kane, Seabrook, and Sharp were a bit slow coming out of the gate but have gotten better as the playoffs have gone along. J Toews is a beast. Leading the playoffs in scoring and leading his team to the promised land. Might I add he is a former UND Fighting Sioux. Oh and as far as I am concerned they will always be the Fighting Sioux in my book. They can try to change the name but it will never change in the minds of the fans. Byfuglien is a guy who plays the way I would play, well, if I could actually skate worth a damn. He hits everything that moves, scores, and looks like he is having fun while doing it.

As for Philly, as I said earlier, they are team with huge grit. The Hawks could get under the skin of the Sedin sisters and Joe Thornton easy. Those guys need to add grit to their game. The Flyers have Richards, Briere, and my boy Ian Laperriere. As for their goaltending, again as I said in the last round, I keep waiting for him to crash to earth, but he hasn't. Donnie thinks he won't. He also said that the Hawks had Leighton in their system for a while and when he was in the AHL he owned it and knew that it would be that way when he got the chance in the NHL. This is gonna be a great series.

My prediction is that Dustin is gonna make Pronger very angry and Pronger will take a bad penalty that will cost him a game and the Flyers the series. I am taking the Blackhawks in 6. Read it and weep. One bonus to the Hawks winning the cup is a former Gambler will finally get his name on the cup. Adam Burish used to play for the finest team in the USHL the Green Bay Gamblers. Get on it.


There you have it. Call your bookies.



NEXT:


Our next member of the TundraTalk Entourage is none other than the man himself, Cory Blashill. Cory has been in the NHL trenches now for the past few months slogging from airport to airport bringing you all your inside look at what the players are thinking from game to game for Rogers Sportsnet. Thank you Cory for bringing this service to us every year. Oh, also did I mention he also does a helluva lot of drinking as well? Well he does. He is a pro at both of his spring endeavors, drinking and following the Stanley Cup to its final resting place for the year.

As far as I am concerned this guy could have his own Entourage if he wanted to, but he doesn't and that is why he made mine. Cory is also the first Canadian picked to be in this illustrious Entourage. He is a fixer as you would say in the biz. You have a problem, he fixes it. Whether it be you need a bottle for some mixer or you need the hookup to get tickets to the game. Cory knows everyone and everyone knows Cory. Cory is extremely loyal and is one of those guys you want on your side when the going gets tough. I am extremely proud to have him in my posse.

Cory is also a bit of a rebel. A guy who is not afraid to call it like he sees it. I cannot tell you how many times he has called me a jackass. Wait, everyone calls me a jackass. Cory calls me a Jagoff. Cory is also the guy who took the picture of the Ugly Jacket. He took huge heat for that moment in TundraTalk history. Huge heat. He was kicked off the Oilers team charter. His boss was called, as was mine, and he stood tall thru it all. He will not be intimidated. Not at all.

Cory is also the guy who did the great video for me when I got my citizenship to Canada. That was an awesome thing to do. I was really proud that day to have him in attendance at that ceremony. He took time out of his schedule to put that together for me. Killer Job. Here is a link to the video of you want to watch it.

Cory took some time last week out of his busy schedule covering the Stanley Cup to share his feelings on being selected to this posse. I guess you could say he won his own Stanley Cup by being selected to this posse...

As I received at my hotel my letter of acceptance I had to sit down and take a big breath. You might be thinking that I was so to touched by the honor. But I actually had to stop myself from punching Nick Kypreos in the chicklets due to the fact Hauser was picked first, then Nordic Man was 2, with Weiser being selected 3rd. How does a guy with my resume get picked after those guys? That is so weak.

I am now going to play the nationality card. You always draft a Canadian first. We take care off business. When it comes to the Entourage you need a good cop and a bad cop. Guess what I was selected for. Do the math donkey. Don't worry crew I got ya back.

Canadians always come in to clean up the mess!!! I am a one man wolf pack that now has 5 new wolves in my pack. Run free a wild my friends and stay thirsty.

I'm out

C

Cory, well done my friend. I will tell you why you were picked later in the draft. Drama. Pick Cory first, NO DRAMA, pick Cory middle DRAMA. Just remember Cory you and Marty are THE foundation of this Entourage and will be the mainstays. Well, we have two more guys to pick. One for the main crew and one more alternate. Who will it be? Stay tuned for the next 30 or so years and you may find out.

NOW HAVE A GREAT LONG WEEKEND AND GET BACK TO WORK!!!

Happy Birthday Marty Frey and my Stanley Cup Picks for the Conference Finals...

Okay, first off today I need to give a shout out to my main man Marty Frey. Marty's birthday is today and you all should drop him a line at marty.frey@nbc.com. He would love that. Marty is a member of the Entourage that will never be announced and is the hook up for everything hollywood. Green Bay Born, Hollywood living, kick your ass in a heart beat for badmouthing the Pack Marty Frey.

He told me he will be tipping a few of his new favorite beers tonight. He also told me that today is the first time in 10 years of living in hollyweird, wow, has it been 10 years? Anyway, the first time he has EVER seen clouds or rain in May. Well just consider that a gift from all of us who actually see snow in the winter up north. Cool. Happy Birthday homie. Have a great day.

NEXT: Now, I know the third round started yesterday and Chicago and Philly are both up a game in their series. Who cares, still does not change my picks. As long as I am giving out shout outs, I would be remiss not to mention the man, the myth the legend, Cory Blashill who has been trekking all across this country following the road to the Stanley Cup. He is currently in Philly for the East Final and if you want to send him your love. Drop him a note and tell him he is doing a hell of a job at blashill@rogers.blackberry.net. Fill his blackberry up. Give him something to read on those lonely nights at the bars after the games. He would love that. Keep it up Cory. I loved the video of the Wings fan giving Gene Principe shit for bringing out the broom. That was awesome.

Here are my picks..

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (6) vs MONTREAL CANADIENS (8)

Now, I have been picking against the Canadiens for three rounds now. You would think I have learned my lesson. Kinda. I think they are not good enough to beat either team out west and I think that they are not the world beaters that every rioting Canadien fan thinks that they are. In fact I loved the Philly fans giving them the business singing their song in the rink on Sunday. That was AWESOME. But, Philly has a BACKUP FREAKING GOALTENDER. One of these days he is going to fall to earth and I think it will be soon. I hate Montreal but I am taking them in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

SAN JOSE SHARKS (1) vs CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (2)

Back to my 'NEVER ROOT FOR A SOUTHERN TEAM' rule. Screw the Sharks and their stupid Shark Tank. I know that Donnie Granato said that he did not think that they could go deep into the playoffs because of their goaltending but I am going to disagree with Don this time and take the Blackhawks in 7. San Jose cannot go to the final because whoever does from the west will win the Cup. I do not want some other lily livered, stupid ass team from the south winning the Cup. Give it to Kane, Toews, and the Hawks. Love it.

NEXT: I found this video in my personal archive and I thought I would share it. It is a line brawl from the Gamblers versus Suck City Mousketeers back in around 1997. I think. I did not shoot this video but I sure as hell kept the tape. Classic Gambler Line brawl. I want you all to notice that Chad Stauffacher, the Captain (21), started this fight on the bench. He sure as hell did not end the brawl there. Loved to watch Chad stir the shit.

Enjoy...

Gamblers Line Brawl from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.

Now have a great work week and

GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

Favre and the queens suck...

The big match up on Monday against the queens has elicited some good comments. I want you first to read this article in the Milwaukee JS. Kinda sums it up, Packers want to kick Favre's ass, and Favre is a big fat liar.

Marty Frey pipes in on the whole mess that this game has become...

So many emotions... I said the first day that Ted Thompson took over that there was something wrong with him.. Plain old just didn't like him and what he stood for. And time has bore that out. But Brett should never have gone to play for the viqueens - that is unforgiveable.

The Pack isn't ready for this game - The viqueens only have to hand it off to Peterson enough times and then throw a couple passes and game over. I'm just sick about this and how those godless queen fans will claim that they are unstoppable. The only good that can come of this is for Ted Thompson to be fired as GM.

Marty

Marty, my man, I know this is a tough time. I am right there with you. It seems that everyone I know wants to talk to me about the whole Favre thing. Even the freaking Premier of this province wants to rub it in a bit. Yeah, how do you tell the Premier to "F-off. I don't want to talk about it."? You don't you just smile and say that the queens are still the same queens and will NEVER win the super bowl. NEVER. By the way, that is usually what I say when I see the evil grin in someone's eye in the news room. I don't want to talk about it. I will get over it on MUST WIN MONDAY NIGHT. That is what it is called now. MUST WIN.

Jay Carton, of the Billsfan Edmonton Carton's, drops me a line and calls me out a bit. Read it first then I will explain...

Hey Chris,

As always, TT is just plain good reading. I've been waiting all week for a Pack/Vikings rant. Got to say, I was a bit perplexed. The letter to Ted Thompson (wouldn't it be awesome if his middle name was Ian? He seems like a giant mammary) seemed like you were hedging your bets.

You make a decisive prediction, complete with an injury with massive consequences, yet you wrote the letter just in case. Huh?

On a separate note, we're going to be in the big R this weekend, but I'm not sure how much free time we'll have. Be great if we could meet up for a bit (and beer).

Jay

You know what Jay, I am big enough to admit it. I was wrong in my intent of that letter. You were right. Ted, that letter was for you no matter what happens this weekend. You are a jackass wether the Pack win or lose. You suck. I have an idea for you though Ted. Maybe you could put Harrell in as an offensive lineman, he sure as hell can't play defense. Give it a go, it can't any stupider of a move than picking him in the first round. Oh, and Jay, you are always welcome in my house and are welcome to drink my beer.

Next, Gene Principe, of the Sportsnet pain in Cory Blashill's ass, Principe's, accepts the bet on the game for monday. On a related note, the bet on the game with Scott Dahl, of the Minneapple Dahl's, is for a 12'r of beer AND he will stop deleting my comments on FaceBook about the queens. I will not lose, but, if they do, but they won't, I will owe him a 12' of beer and I will not post any more smart ass remarks on his comments about the queens. Gene, what dumb ass thing do you have to say?

I actually like Favre now..after his last second TD toss....you're on big boy

Gene

Yup, dumb ass.

An evening that will remain in infamy...

Why may you ask am I smoking that Cuban cigar? Well, I have always wanted to try smoking a cigar I just was too chicken to try it because I figured I would do it wrong and puke. In fact when the boys would get together in Green Bay and play a friendly game of poker in my garage, cigars were always present. As you can see in the pic to the right the Nordic Man has one blazing. I wanted to try so bad but never pulled the trigger. Well, that ended Saturday when after the Ric Flair evening, I decided to give it a go as in celebration of the big moment. Yup, it lived up to the hype. Big time.

Let's go back to the start of my trip. I got on a plane in Regina around 9am on Friday. I was supposed to get on at 8:20 but the fog in Edmonton was holding us up. Once we got in the air and close to Edmonton the fog was still there. So I ended up flying in circles around E town for about an hour. Stupid Edmonton.

So I got in around 10 when I was supposed to be there by 8:30. I called up my boy, Blashill, and we got around 48 wings at Kelseys and went to work. It was like I never moved. We got all the gossip out and about just like old times. After that we went out to Rexall to get his new camera so I could be jealous. Then we stopped by the Eskimos locker room for a visit with Dwayne Mandrusiak, of the equipment managers for the Evil Empire Mandrusiaks. Dwayne is the dude who got me the Brett Faver auto'd football. He showed us the design for the new locker room, we told some stories, drank some beer, and called each other names. He could not believe that I came all the way to Edmonton for Ric Flair. He said, and I quote, "You are a bigger loser than I thought you were." Thank you Dwayne, I appreciate that.

I had a great first day in Edmonton, well almost. After living in Regina for over a year I can honestly say that Edmonton traffic sucks balls. When I lived there I hated traffic, but just because traffic sucks. BUT when you come back and are forced to sit in it after going anywhere in Regina only takes 15 minutes it REALLY SUCKS. Of course Blair called me a pussy and soft, as well he should have.

At this point I was still working out what I was going to say and wear to the big day. It truly was a big deal. I had decided that I was going to go with my Tragically Hip concert sweater from the In Between Evolution tour. Which I Marty later said it had wicked irony and not that irony that Alanis Morisette sings about. Cool. I was for sure going to do the four fingers up for the pic with Flair. Blair came up with the idea of pointing at the camera. He noticed that in a picture, his book, and on the DVD he is pointing at the camera. Nice job Blair, way to do your homework. I wish I would have thought of that. Truly original. No one else did that pose.

As for the question, still a bit up in the air. I really liked the question that McCoy gave me. Thoughtful, interesting, and pretty original. I also was thinking about asking him about the Horsemen. What was his favorite line up. Or maybe what is his all star line up? I also was thinking I might ask him to run a promo on me. Tell me how much he was going to beat my ass. That would be awesome. Just depends on how much time we have with him.

So Blair and I had a great big breakfast at Humpty's so as to not be hungry on the big day. We also tried not to eat anything to gaseous so as not to have the Flair goofy look photo that Marty described so well. Of course Carey, Blair's wife gave us crap all morning for talking too much about it. She will pay.

We headed over to the Myer Horowitz theater on the campus of the University of Alberta around 1:30 pm. The show was scheduled to start at 4 pm (doors at 3). At this point there was a meet and greet already going on in the theater for people who wanted only to meet the man. We bumped over to My Mac Dealer and picked up a few things then came back to hang out.

Now, I am going to say this as lightly as I can. Because of course, I was attending the same event as these guys. Wrestling fan is weird. There was some strange ones in attendance at this event. If you want to see the whole group of meet and greet photos CLICK HERE. I will just say, there are some 'interesting' cats. The best ones are on the last two pages of pictures. The guys in the rock show t shirts are crazy.

Of course 'That Guy' was there. You know the one, the guy who wears the championship belt like he won it. I know, I have one too, I just don't wear it. There was also this guy who came up to me when he noticed that I had a VIP badge. He wasn't all there. He wanted to know if I would get his DVD signed for him. Me being the nice guy that I am, said okay. I immediately knew this was a mistake. I have been planning for weeks what I was going to say and do at this moment of glory and just before go time I let this a-hole throw me off my game. Way to go stupid. He was of course on of these guys who will not go away AND a close talker. Great, this is just getting better. Eventually I convinced him to get it himself by waiting by Ric's limo. Did I mention that we saw Ric arrive in his limo? Check the limo out... Needless to say I dodged a bullet there. I did not need this guys DVD throwing me off my game.

In what seemed like three hours later they opened the doors and we wandered into the theater to sit in our row two seats. It is almost show time and I am sooo geeked you can't even understand. I got my micro recorder ready to record the whole thing and I got a camera all ready to take some great pics. I went to London Drugs on Thursday and bought one of those new Nikon cameras that Ashton Kutcher is shilling. Oh did I mention that I am taking it back on Monday. Yup, use it for the weekend then take it back. I feel so dirty, like the dirtiest player in the game RIC FLAIR!!!


Flair Entrance in Edmonton from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



It is show time and the Nature Boy enters to the greatest theme music in all of wrestling and the crowd goes wild. You can see his entrance above along with some of his opening remarks. Blair recorded some of it on his camera. Oh, and if you want a CD of the show just drop me a line and I will burn you a copy. I will of course have a podcast of the weekend up soon.

Flair came out and spoke for a bit on several things then opened up the floor to questions for the rest of the show. Which I thought would be cool to ask a question but they made everyone wait in line along the back of the theater to ask your question. I paid for row two tickets so I did not feel like standing in the back of the theater for the show so I decided to wait and ask him in the meet and greet.


Drunk PJ at Ric Flair from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



I do have a great story about the questions and answer time. PJ Stasko, of the camrose Staskos, was there. I did not see him before the show so I had no idea if he made it or not, until, I hear someone on the mic say in an extremely drunk slurring voice, "I would like to firssst give a shoutttd out to a good frrrriend of mine who is the biggessssst wrasslinnnnn' fan I know, Chris Peterssssson." I look over and it is PJ. Oh man, he is hammered. At this point there is an uncomfortable feeling settling over the theater. Flair was nice to this drunk man who then asked about "kisssssingggg girlzzzssss". Hilarious. PJ came over to our seats and gave me a cool Pilsner Beer stein that I proceeded to get autographed by Ric Flair. Sweeet. Nice job PJ. You drunk bastard.

Flair told some great stories about life on the road with the WWF and WCW and getting drunk with the boys. There was of course the times when some dude would ask flair a Chris Farley type question like, "Remember that time you beat up Dusty Rhodes? That was cool." and to Flair's credit he was respectful to everyone in the crowd.

At one point in the proceedings he was telling a story about Rowdy Roddy Piper and decided to call him up. So he then did. He put Roddy on the speaker phone and we all said hi to Roddy. Really cool the guy has the Rowdy Roddy on speed dial.

If you listen to the audio of the event you hear me laughing a lot. It was a really good time and well worth all the time I obsessed over it. But, it is not over yet. The meet and greet is right after the show and that is when the pressure really hits. I decide that Blair and I will wait an go at the end of the line so as to avoid the guy yelling because I am taking too long. Just before we go in for the meet and greet we see PJ again. He is out of his mind staggering drunk and just happy as all get out. He came over and gushed and gooned us again. Hilarious. After we left one of the people who was working the show told us that 'our friend just fell down the stairs on his way out'. Nice PJ, way to make an exit. He apparently walked it off. PJ rules.

We were instructed that we would only get 60 seconds with the Nature Boy and only can get two things signed. Whoa, that completely throws me for a loop. So Blair and I start our scheming on how to get around it. All the while I am getting nervous about the big event. Now I don't usually get nervous about things like this. After all I am the king of the Brush With Greatness photo. Actually Blashill is the king, I am just a knight. Anyway, I am getting nervous and this whole 60 seconds thing throws me off.

I decide to go ahead anyway. We get up there an Blair goes first. He had around 4 things to get signed and got them all signed. No problem. So much for the 'only two things' rule. Whew, I am next. I have been waiting to meet this guy for around 30 years and it is finally going to happen. Whew, sweating my ass off. Hope I don't smell too bad.


Flair Autograph from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



Here goes. I walk up to the table, plop down the belt and he grabs the poster to sign. I set down the recorder and he asks me what is that? I tell him it is a recorder so I can record this great moment for ever. He tells me he does not like those and turn it off. I apologize and then realize that he has just spent two hours talking, another three signing autographs so he is tired. I then opt out of the questions and just tell him that it is an honor to meet him and that I have been a huge fan for 30 years. He thanks me and tells me it is his honor to meet me and what is my name. I was at this point a bit in a daze so I did not answer him. He looks at me and says it again, 'what's your name man?'. Oh snap, wake up. I tell him and he signs the poster to Chris. He then signs the mug and the belt and we go for the pic.

I had given my (temporarily) camera to one dude and he proceeds to take a completely crappy out of focus picture. Blairs pic was shitty also. Luckily for them, they paid a dude to take pics for all of us. That one (below) turned out great. This is exactly the situation that I was afraid of getting into. Coming all this distance and coming away with a picture that sucks. I was sooo happy that they paid a guy to take pics. I went as you can see with the four fingers up and I beleive that it does live up to the hype. I can frame this one and hang it with pride in my man cave. Plus I got that Pilsner mug plus a great story to go along with it. I am in the process of getting the belt hung on the wall also. Thank you PJ. Thank you Blair. Thank you Ric for a great evening.



I had my meet, it lived up to the hype, and we went out to celebrate with beers at BP's. Jordi Weidman, of the Stony Plain Weidmans, and Greg Donnelly of the Edmonton Donnelly's, came out also and we sat around and told stories, rousted drunks, and called each other names for a couple of hours. Great time had by all.

Thank you again TundraTalk Nation for helping me get through this with your advice. Really came up huge in my time of need. I will be putting the podcast together in the next few days so make sure you check back for that occasionally.

Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Just a few things on a Friday...

First thing I want to share with you is this. No we are not moving again and this isn't our new house. I wish. I know one guy who will recognize this house. Hauser, of the Green Bay Hauser's, spent a few days at the end of this house's driveway this summer. This is Number 4's house in Green Bay. Apparently it is for sale. In the article the author calls this house "simple". Uh yeah. Simple. My ass.

This house is amazing. I would love to live in this house. The house we sold in Edmonton was simple, this one is not. 4890 square feet of simpleton in the greatest city in the USA, Green Bay Wisconsin. Oh and did I mention that it used to house the family of the greatest QB ever to play in the NFL? The house that we had in Edmonton was around 1200 square feet. It did not have a formal dining room, had a modest kitchen, three bedrooms, and only one bathroom. That is simple. The only thing that is simple, and I guess it is because of all the economic problems that W has caused over the last 4 years, is the price, $475,000.

Now some of you are now screaming at your screen "Are you out of your beer and bratwurst filled mind?" "Hey Chris, how the hell are you considering that 475 g's simple?" I know it sounds crazy, but let me finish my thought. AND do the math. How do I base this? Well the house we had in Edmonton which I have brought up here a couple of times we bought it in 2001 for what I thought was way too much. Still nowhere near 475.

Now fast forward to 2007 when we decide to move to Saskatchewan. We managed to sell the house at more than what we paid for it, which is good investing right? What we got I will not get into because I do not want to seem to be bragging here on TundraTalk (which I never do). I will say it was more than what Favre is asking for his house. I of course would like to say that it was my shrewd investing sense that led us to purchase that home and that I knew that I would make serious coin on it and that if you want my financial advice to just give me a call and I can help you out. Oh and soon you will see my infomercial on late night TV shilling a CD on how to become wealthy overnight. But the real truth is that I could not balance a check book if you asked me to and we almost felt embarassed asking the price that we did. The market for houses in the area dictated the price of our home and we got what we wanted.

What I wish would have happened is that Favre would have called me and we could have come to some sort of deal for his house shortly after we sold ours. That would have been awesome. Move back to the holy land AND live in Number 4's house. Now Donna of course told me that neither one of us would have work in Green Bay. Details, details. I told her we could give tours of the house and charge 20 bucks a pop. Who would't want a tour of the house that Brett Favre lived in for 6 months out of the year? That's right No One. They would be lined up around the block.

Here is how it would go..."Okay, please do not touch my bobble head collection or my game ball signed by Brett. Thank you. Over there you will see an area of the house where Brett used to watch TV. Here is where Brett ate his TV dinner. Oh and out there in the living room, is where Brett slept when he came home drunk out of his mind." The tour group goes..."Ohhhhhhhhh."

Yup, it could have been great. You know what. I am going to buy this house. Right after I make my millions and put my Entourage together. This will be the house we stay in on game weekends in Green Bay. How great would that be? "Hey Chris you going to the game this weekend?" "Yup, flying out this friday, staying in Brett's house." I can see it now. Just gotta get that screenplay done.

NEXT: I would be remiss to not mention the passing of a legend. A guy who was the subject of one of the first "Just a little love on a Friday" emails. Way back in the early 2000's. Reg Dunlop, or Paul Newman, of Slapshot. Slapshot is the greatest sports movie of all times and Reg Dunlop was huge in it. Paul died on September 26th of lung cancer. I can not tell you how many times I have seen this movie. I do know that every hockey team I have know has ALWAYS had a copy of this movie on their bus, plane, or computer. It is mandatory. In fact I think I am going to break that one out this weekend, just for Paul.

Now I never got to meet the man, but it was not for lack of trying. I did once participate in a scrum interview with him at the Grand Prix of Edmonton. He was an onwer of a team so he was there every year. Of course you know me, the autograph hound that I am, I spent many an hour just haning out with a photo waiting for him to come by areas that I knew he should be near. I was seconds away from it once. Cory Blashill, of the Edmonton Blashill's, came by the paddock once whilst I was waiting and told me he was right around the corner. Well, he never came around the corner and I waited forever and did not get the auto. Too bad. I would have been a centerpiece of my collection. I had the picture of him on the bench, the one up above.

So here's to you Reg. I am foiling up in your honor. The next time I step on the ice I will play old time hockey. Oh, and the next time I hear the national anthem I will yell at someone that I am trying to listen to the song. Reg, you will be missed.



NEXT: I will leave you with this video of a fight at the Rider Stamp game last week in Calgary. Seems that someone has not learned that you do not mess with a cop, ever. Enjoy.

Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!!

Finally I weigh in on the Number 4 situation...

First thing, PackerPalace dot com, provided most of the pictures on this post.

Okay, so all of you, if you have not been under a rock, have heard all this drama around the Packers and Number 4. I have chosen to not jump in right away for a few reasons. Number one, it is really just driving me crazy. When I heard on Friday that Favre had asked for a release I literally felt sick. I could not concentrate on work, I was angry, and really just wanted to sit up in bed and wake myself from the stupid dream. Oops, not a dream. Secondly, I was hoping it would just work itself out before I had a chance to weigh in. Nope.

I called Marty on Friday hoping he would talk me down from the edge. No, that did not happen, I think I just pushed him closer to the edge. Marty, of the tinseltown Frey's, wants Favre to just cool out until Mr. 'I get hurt in practice' Rodgers to get hurt then Number 4 can ride in and save the day and me and Marty can go to a Super Bowl this January. How sweet would that be?

Ryan Popkey, of the Green Bay Popkey's, got a frantic call from yours truly on Friday. He just happened to be doing live shots from Lambeau Field when I called. I wonder what was going on? It is not like the local media EVER goes live from the field. Really it is odd when they don't.

What really pushed ME back a bit from the edge was an email I recieved today. It was composed by a Bengal fan no less. Greg Donnelly, of the Edmonton Donnelly's, dropped this little diddy on me today that just snapped me out of my haze. Yes I have been in a bit of a haze the past few days.

So this guy I know has his own blog where he rips on the most mundane of subjects or opines on everything under the sun never shunting from controversy. He's also a Packers fan and yet the biggest, most divisive topic to hit Green Bay since the invention of injecting cheese into smokies comes along and all I see is a photoshopped pic????

Real fans want to know does GB say screw you to the franchise's future and cowtow to a primadonna's weekly whims? Or do they say screw you Hall of Famer who brought Packer Nation back from oblivion and is (was) as revered as the sandaled Jew who started a popular religion 2000 years ago?

What's the verdict, Chris?

Greg

Well Greg, you bring up a few good points. And one really bad one. First off I want to know who this guy you know who has a blog is and where I can read it because it sounds real cool.

Second, I am a real fan and I can honestly say I have the RIGHT opinion on this issue.

Thirdly, I am fine with injecting cheese into a fine meat product as long as it compliments the meat, and does not over shadow the meat. Cheese is a fine thing to add to anything. Especially Wisconsin cheese.

Fourth, dude, Favre is far from a Primadonna. I hope you do not suffer any 'accidents' in the next few days in response to this uncalled for remark.

Okay, lets address this question first. Am I loyal to the Packers first or Favre First. This is a tough question that I have been asked many times over this weekend that felt more like a month. This answer is multi-layered. Bottom line, I am a Packer Fan first. But having said that I beleive that you cannot separate Farve from the Green Bay Packers. Farve IS the Green Bay Packers. He has been the face of this franchise for 17 years and has won tons of games (some that they had no business winning), a Super Bowl (queens still don't have one), and made them a TON of money. I love every part of the Green Bay Packers (well except maybe Ted Thompson right now). Lambeau field, the tailgating that is second to none, the players, the logo, the frozen tundra, all the Packers songs. I love it all right down to the jerseys. There is no experience like seeing the Packers at Lambeau Field. My license plate on my truck is GO -PACK. There is not a day that goes by that I do not wear a shirt, hat, jacket, or touque that does not have a big fat G on it. My whole wardrobe is Green and Gold.

Now Favre. I have for the past three or so months have been trying to wrap my head around the fact that when I turn on the tube next year I will not see Number 4 on the field. It has been tough. I was at his final game(as of right now). I think I was just starting to get over it and then whammo. He wants back. He is the source of a huge amount of memories I have of this team. The list is too long to get into here but my favorite Favre memory is that rainy Monday night that he lobbed that long bomb in OT to Freeman and he caught it off his legs to beat the queens. That my friend is sweet. Go home Moss, you suck.

I am a huge fan of Number 4. I once tried to count (at Cory's request I think) how many items I have in my basement that have his image on it. I lost count at around 30. I have a Brett Favre ornament that I keep hanging from my rearview. I haven't driven anywhere with out that for around 5 years. In fact I am going to rename my boat NUMBER 4. No lie. I am a HUGE Brett fan. So, how do you think I feel about him coming back. To answer the question about Packers or Favre I don't think there is an answer because they are one and the same.

On the same note, I want the Pack to win a fourth Super Bowl (queens have none). Who gives them the best chance to win now? The three time MVP, Number 4. It sure as hell ain't crystal ankles Rogers. I know that Rodgers wants his shot, but dude, if Number 4 wants to play, let him play and you, Mr. Rodgers, may have a ring to wear on your finger. Deal with that.

So lets address this 'retirement'. My theory, which will prove to be reality, is this... Have a look at the picture to the left. That is Deanna, TT, and Head coach Mike MacBlowMe. Look at the body language and the looks on their faces. First it looks like Deanna wants nothing to do with either of them. Second, the look on TT and MM faces tells the whole story. They look like they are nervous as hell that Brett might tell the whole world that they did not want the greatest QB to play the game to come back and that they forced Brett to shut it down so they could 'move on' as they have said repeatedly in the media.

Now, here is another scenario that may or may not have been addressed. I think MM and TT last year after the NFC Championship sat Number 4 down and said "Listen Brett, we like ya, we just don't love ya. It is time to let A-Rod take the reigns. You can either back him up, or back yourself out."

Let me tell you a story about a job I once had. I worked with a guy who was great at his job. He did it very well. He was hired by Boss 1. Boss 1 left the company. Boss 2 gets hired, he wants to come in and put his 'stamp' on the company and since Boss 2 did not hire this guy who did his job very well, who I will call Gord, he decides to run him out and put in an incompetent person that HE hired. This is what I think TT is trying to do. He has been living in the shadow of Brett and Ron Wolf (who has been praised as a genious because he traded for him) so he decides to get rid of Brett so people can think he (TT) is a just as smart for drafting Rodgers.

Brett plays the good soldier shuts it down on TV, sheds some man tears, and regrets it immediately. But lives with it for a few months. Gets restless and makes some inquiries about coming back. This is where I do not trust TT. They say that they said they would welcome him back and hold a presser to announce it. Nope don't buy it. I think that talk is just to try and save face. Every company does this to make themselves as the good guys. Spin that is what that is.

Now the Packers (TT) say they will not release him and he can come back as a back up. Hey, TT, did you go over and kick his dog while you are at it? Maybe egg his house? Let me see, on one hand you have a guy who has not started one game in his career, got hurt on his first regular season play, got hurt once in practice, and has not proven anything as far as I am concerned. On the other hand you have a Super Bowl Champ (queens have still, as I write this, have not won one), a three time MVP, the iron man of the NFL with 253 starts , TD leader among ALL the other records, and the guy who plays everygame like it is his last. Hmmmmmmmmm, tough choice. It is like making a movie and choosing between Al Pacino and Steven Segal. Now he realizes that he did not want to retire so he decides to shove it back in TT's face?

He should just say okay to that, come back sit out the first few games, and then when tiddlywinks Rodgers gets hurt come in and be the hero.

Okay, so if TT decides to pull the trigger on a trade I think I will go into convulsions and break out into cold sweats, AGAIN. The teams rumoured to be interested are EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE, well except you TT. The name that keeps popping up is the godless viqueens. For the love of God this cannot happen.

DO NOT LET NUMBER FOUR WEAR ANY OTHER COLORS THAN GREEN AND GOLD. TT, that last comment was aimed at you. If you do decide to fu#k with me and Packer Nation, I will be standing outside Lambeau with my torch, a machete, and maybe a sawed off. If Number 4 wants to play, let him freaking play!!! CLICK HERE to go to a site that is dedicated to getting Favre back. You can sign the petition and everything.

I want him to play, the whole Packer Nation wants him to play, it looks as if the media want him to play, we know Madden wants him to play, EA sports wants him to play, his teammates (if they want to win) want him to play, but TT and MM don't. Who is going to win? It ain't gonna be TT if he deals him to another team. It will be TT's job if Favre goes to another team and leads them to the playoffs and Rodgers leads the Pack to the cellar of the NFC North.

On the EA sports note. What the hell was EA thinking putting a retired player on the cover? Were they actually going to have him on the game? Or was A Rod going to have the starting spot? How would A Rod feel if in Madden '09 Favre started while Favre was nowhere actually on the real field of play? Why would I buy a game with Number 4 on the cover if he wasn't even in the game? (because I am a Packer Fan) If he does play, does the fact that he was retired at one point negate the EA Curse? I sure the hell hope so. Just a few things that I ponder.

Now, Mr. Donnelly, did I answer your question enough. Or did you stop reading six paragraphs ago? I thought so. If you think the leader of the TundraTalk nation was not going to wade in you were sadly mistaken my friend. Sadly mistaken.

I just hope that it ends to my liking. I can't afford to lose any more sleep.

Oh by the way, Tony will be on TundraTalk the Podcast hopefully this week.

Have a great day, and GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

"There is no I in Posse." Derek Venckus on TundraTalk...

Allright!!! Derek Venckus, of the Tennessee Venckus', hit TundraTalk last night. To use one of his sports guys phrases, his back was against the wall and he just took it shift by shift and put it in the back of the net, top shelf, back where gramma keeps the cookies. That is Derek in the picture with Craig Newsome of the Green Bay Packers. Lambeau Field is the place he used to spend a lot of time. I worked with Derek in Green Bay, hell who am I kidding, we collected a check in Green Bay. Derek was the weekend sports geek. We both love sports and hate Joel Bernell. Joel Bernell was the ND at WGBA. Major dick.

Derek made his play to be in the posse on TT. If you want to listen to said podcast CLICK HERE or just use the link to the right. On TT we spoke on many things. Soccer reared its ugly and boring head again. There are lots of good sports stories and work stories on this one. Derek was a bubble guy to get in the posse and I think he may have just put himself over the edge on this one. This one is a great listen, but it is a bit long, so plan accordingly.

Derek is also the dude that coined my nickname in GB "Sign Boy". He used to show highlights from the Gamblers games on the weekends and would always show a different sign of mine during the highlights. Therein lies the birth of a legend. From then on I was known as Sign Boy and Donna was Dubbed, Sign Boys Wife. Wow, it almost brings a tear to my eye thinking back to that magical time. Derek was a great TV sports jockey and is now employed in the real world.

I have some video of Derek doing his thing rapping on the news talking about Sign Boy. This clip was late in Sign Boy's career, just before I moved to Canada. Chris Riva is also in this clip. They are hyping up Sign Boy night at the Brown County Arena. Have a look. My favorite part is when Derek almost cracks up on the air when he sees a shot of me in the stands acting crazy. Classic.


Sign Boy in the News from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.


So there you have it. Derek Venckus on TundraTalk. Will Derek get the TT bump? Only time will tell.

Next up on the podcast the schedule calls for Cory to jump in. He told me that he may want to defer since he already did one. That would lead us to drop in Tony Mutzenberger. That is if he wants to lower himself to our level. I will let you know if he decides to give it a go. Things are getting interesting so pay attention.

Have a great day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!

Here is the order for the Entourage Podcasts...

Here is what Sonja Heitsusan, of the Dead Moines Heitsusans, said about my truck getting broken into. Welcome to the dialogue Sonja. It is about time....

Chris –

Long time no talk to. I was reading about the truck break-in. At least the A-hole didn’t steal the entire truck. My car got stolen a year ago. The dude slit the rag-top, stole everything inside (I mean everything, shoes, books, gloves, etc) and told police he picked up a prostitute and had SEX in the car!!! Needless to say, I wished he would have totaled the car, but the police caught him going about 100 MPH down I-235.

So, the moral of this story, it can always be worse. At least you don’t have to power wash the INSIDE of your truck J

Hope all is well -

Sonya Heitshusen

Yup Sonja, I am glad he did not steal the truck. That would have sucked to 8 hours away and not have wheels. As for the cops arresting him for going 100 on I 235, I thought that WAS the speed limit.

Reggie chimed in on the Entourage Podcasts...

I didn’t see Tony Mutz on the list. Considering the situation he is in, it is imperative that a fair man like yourself would put in a placeholder for the time being. Don’t be a dick like Tupac, look where that got him. Dead! Yeah that is right, Ray Lewis didn’t shoot him either.

Also, you visit a friend and subsequently get your “truck” (hauling grain now?) broke into. Sounds pretty suspicious to me, how well do you know Mr. Blashill?

Thanks for allowing me to make the short list, but give up on the I hate the Vikings shit. To you it may be a religious experience, but to me it is an opportunity to get a good nap on Sunday’s during the fall. Yes they are overpaid representatives of our loyalty to the team, but I will be able to walk when I am sixty and they will be zealots of our past entertainment.

I look forward to your litany of questions, however I am concerned with the tone of “smack down” references. If you recall, my role is one of practicality. I don’t smack down anyone for sport.

Finally, because you knew me before I was 18 it is permissible to call me Reggie. All others will refer to me as Reg or Mr. Rudolph. Also, your entourage should have cool nicknames. Like Nordic Man-that is a bad ass nick name, just hope he lives up to it.

Reginal Rudolph, General Manager
McLean Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Thanks Reg, errr Reggie, I hope you get yours during the podcast. You might want to start with the smak because it will help. The bit about Cory sounded suspiciously like smak to me. No I do not haul grain, but I do haul ass. Whoooooooo!!!!! As for Tony, like I said, not sure how to get a hold of him in Iraq. I don't even have his email let alone his digits. I am sure he would hold his own if he was able to participate.

So here it is!!! As chosen by my 5 year old out of my Packer hat given to me by Dwayne Mandrusiak, who got it from Red Beatty the Packers equipment guy. McKenna cannot read much, let alone your names so there was no bias involved in the order that she chose.

So start studyin' your Bon Jovi and your man laws because you are gonna need all your wits about you for this one. Oh, and a bit of Jager might help.

Here it goes...

1. Min Dhariwal
2. Mike Chaussee
3. Nordic Man
4. Trev Doroshenko
5. Reg Rudolph
6. Derek Venckus
7. Cory Blashill
8. Robby DuPuis
9. Mitch Davis
10. Marty Frey
11. Chad Weiser
12. Shawn Hauser

Trip to E-Town, Cory lays it on the line, and the Finalists are announced...

Okay, short but sweet. We went to Edmonton over Easter weekend to visit friends and for me to see the Avs play against the Oilers. Good weekend until the last day when some A-HOLE decided he needed to get into the my truck in the middle of the night. That's right some jerkoff thought he needed some of my stuff more than me. He got away with a set of keys, a garage door opener, a zip drive, my keys to the CBC here in Regina, and my sat radio. I only paid 25 bucks for the radio so no big deal. The keys were what pissed me off. Oh well, change a few locks and move on. He will be in jail soon making friends with bubba so he will get his.

Whilst I was at the Avalanche game Cory Blashill, of the Edmonton Blashill's, sat down to discuss the Entoruage and he wanted to get a few things off his chest. Now, some may take Cory's rant as him just calling names, but it is not. Men sharpen Men. Like Iron sharpens Iron. Darius Holland said that once after a fight broke out at Packers Training Camp. Of course Darus Holland lasted one year in the league but his words will resonate forever. As if he was the first one to say it. Cory is just sharpening us up.

CLICK HERE to listen to Cory on TundraTalk. Or just click the link at the top of the page. After Cory did his thing, I decided to put together a bit of a Podcast Entourage Series. I will put together a list of finalists. Which is down below. I will then call each of the finalists and put them through the TundraTalk ringer. You will have to answer the questions correctly to get to make this squad. You will get your own Bon Jovi lyric to interpet, oh, and the rapid fire section is also going to be there.

PLUS you will get your own time to rant. Kinda like the smak off on Jim Rome. TundraTalk's own little smak off. Call the other guys out, call me out, call your momma out, whatever, just get it done. Cool? Cool.

OKAY HERE ARE THE FINALISTS!!!! In no particular order. Get ready for your close up...

Shawn Hauser - Definite front runner
Derek Venckus - Front runner, but could be knocked off with a bad podcast
Nordic Man - Front runner but again the whole wife nomination thing is holding him back
Marty Frey - His spot to lose
Mitch Davis - Nepotisim, nuff said
Cory Blashill - His spot to lose
Min Dhariwahl - Needs to step up but a dark horse
Trevor Doroshenko - Also needs to step up
Chad Weiser - Moved to the front of the pack with his nomination rant
Robby DuPuis - Sleeper who will need to rock the mic
Reggie Rudolph - viqueen fan
Mike Chaussee - Definite long shot but could step up with a big podcast

Okay boys, I will be in contact in the next week to get a time to do the podcast. Now we probably should talk about order that the podcasts are done. Because the first guy is at a definite diadvantage because the rest of the guys can feast on their words. Which is all legal. I guess I will have to do a seeding by drawing names out of the hat. If any one of you wish to drop out let me know now, and be ready for the rest of the boys to damage you quickly. Get ready this is gonna be messy.


Now I have things to do, GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!

The Entourage Competition is back after a brief hiatus...

Okay, I have taken the appropriate time to mourn the loss of Number 4 so it is time to get back to the business at hand. Discussing the important things, the things that really matter in the world. The things that all of you, TundraTalk Nation, are talking about around the water cooler, or keg, whichever type of place you work at. That's right Me picking an Entourage.

Over the past few days the entries have come fast and furious, after a gentle prod. There are a few of you who are dragging your feet, or just waiting to get the last word. Which I might add is not a bad strategy. So either you are lazy or smart, however you choose to look at it. Robby DuPuis, Shane T Keller, Trevor D, and Min, we want to hear from you.

First up this week is Mike Chaussee, Bismarck ND Chaussee's. I worked with Mike at KXMB. My first real TV job. If you can call it that. I still to this day remember Mike standing over the news wire, back when it still was a separate printer that spit out news independantly, and completely going apeshit when the news of Reggie White going to Green Bay came accross. I made fun of him that day. Come to think of it I made fun of him a lot. Like shooting fish in the barrel. Anyway, that was a monumental day, and like some people who can tell you where they were when JFK was shot, or the day of the moon landing, I can tell you that I was in the KXMB news room making fun of Mike Chaussee on the day Reggie White went to Green Bay to lead the greatest team ever to a Super Bowl. Nice. Mike take it away...

Of course I want in.

Here's the deal... first of all I was the one who showed you the way to Green Bay (at least in the NFL spirit kind of way). I'm a Packer fan, and was before you found the light.

Secondly, I'm the original DINGLESCHPUTZ!! That has to count for something. I said 'yes' to Romine. Together we made fun of the entire Reiten family. I listened to you sing that insane Beaver song. We went on stories together in a freakin' drug van (you drove, does that put you in my entourage?). I have now seen the Barenaked Ladies in concert.

And finally, I knew you when you were just a cocky know-it-all with no real experience, and I let you think you knew something anyway. Oh, and I helped end your little crush on Marci Narum (hehe)!!

Mike

Okay, you were doing fine until you mentioned Marci Narum. Wow, there is a blast from the past. We used to make fun of Marci pretty regular. No crush for me. Ughhhhhh, I get bad shivers just thinking about her. Come to think of it we made fun of a lot of people back then. Mike Kopp? He was easy to mess with. How about little Timmy Reiten. Love that guy. Now he is in charge at KX. Big man on campus. No longer the morning cut in guy. That dude is funny. Not sure what the Beaver song was or is. Man I am soooo losing my memory. For the record, yes I was a know it all rookie, but I was a likeable know it all rookie. Just being a Packer fan puts you in the running. Good work, well except the hehe thing. I believe nowadays the kids are using LOL. Come on, get with the times.

Nick Chase, of the US ass kicking attorneys office Chase's, drops some wisdom on me...

Ding, ding, ding

Burgess Meredith: What are we waitin' for?

Nick Chase

Nice Nick, quoting Rocky. I can understand what you are saying. So, Nick, back at ya. How about this one..

"I wake up every morning and piss excellence..." Ricky Bobby

Yup, I love that movie. Lots of things you can learn from Talladega Nights. In fact I think that that will be one of the first movies I put in our super cool SUV limo DVD player for us to watch as we cruise from one happenin' party to the next. That and Red Dawn. NEXT!!!

Next up is old school. In fact most literally, High School Old School. Chad Weiser, of the Microsoft loving Bellevue Washington Weiser's. Chad represents the previous entourage that I had and makes a strong case saying that he was in the original and therefore has really never left. Good point Chad, good point. Take it away...

Well Mr. Peterson,

I am here to be the first to call you an idiot in every paragraph to follow, since that seems to be the most important qualification for your Entourage.

You are clearly the Man and have always been the Man! Idiot! I shudder to think that we took a future war hero through the car wash in my El Camaro, but I guess we were just toughening him up for his future decorated career.

To bolster my candidacy, I want you to remember who had your back way back in the day when your goal in life was to piss off the principal of our High School for personal entertainment. Remember when you wore a zebra outfit head to toe along with American flag shorts over your sweats so everyone at the high school girls basketball tournament knew who was the head referee in the house. Idiot! Questions of your patriotism for wearing a flag on your ass flew around town. Who had your back? That's right, your Homey C-Dub.

I led your Entourage before you knew you had an entourage. Who was writing lyrics by your side for North Dakota's first white boy rap group? Who was writing screenplays and playing best supporting actor in some of your Oscar-winning directorial masterpieces? Idoit! Remember Bonanza, Star Trek Wars, Crossfire, Dance Party. Who sent you love letters when you were away fighting fires? That's right, me and my future wife. We all loved you and still do.

Bottomline is I know this job. I know how to run with the Man, play the game, drink beer, eat Brats, pretend I like the Packers, live with 3 females (not including the cat), and still kick ass. Friendships run deep. You know I got your back and will play my role.

I'm your utility infielder, I can do a little of everything. I'm definitely down with some other Homeys covering the side and back exits though. You always need 5 dudes for any of those potential street fights as well as to control the uncontrollable papparazzi.

If it helps my candidacy, I'll pick up and move from the Emerald City (future former home of the Sonics and current home of your favorite Seattle Seahawks) to the home of our lovely neighbors to the North and next Super Power based on the current trend in exchange rates. Plus, my wife says I need a different job anyway. I will wait for your phone call!

Bud Weiser

Check out that name. Bud Weiser. Yup, being named after a beer, no matter how bad a beer it is, has GOT to give you a leg up. Chad, good work. Being willing to pick up and move also really bolsters your candadacy. Also, if I remember correctly you were there at the time of my LAST fight. That's right, it is all coming back to me now. Main street Hazen. Some a-hole had been calling me out for about a month and I finally decided to take him up on his offer so I stopped got out and picked him up by the shirt, threw him against his car, and was about to pop him in the grill when his buddy hit me in the back of the head, then ran. All the while, you sat in the Escorche watching and getting my back!!! You were on probation from that sordid little incident at Target in Fargo so you could not get in any trouble. IDIOT!!! Yeah, Chad, this is bringing back lots of memories. It is true you were the leader of the original Entourage which included Bryan Powell, Shannon Just, Reggie Rudolph, and sometimes Steve Schoenrock. Yup, you were a natural leading that crew. Plus, you got us tickets to Wrestlemania 19 at Safeco Field. That was huge. Nice job Chad.

Speaking of Wrestlemania, next up is Ivy, of the Moorhead Minnesota Ivy's, who also attended the big show at Safeco...

You know I'd always have your back whether you bought me a sweet ride and let me drive you around Regina as an official Entourage member or not. You've assembled a pretty fomidable assemblage. And of course I would tell you when you are cracked when necessary.

I'm sitting here at my eldest's hockey practice. Still don't and likely never will appreciate this game but he loves it and has some nice skill for his first year. He just slid a forehander in.

You are having a mid life crisis or something. Did you ever find what you were looking for in the first place?

Hope all is well on your end!

Ivy

Okay, glad you took time from your kids hockey practice to respond. That is dedication. BUT, ME, MIDLIFE CRISIS? I think a person first has to be at MIDLIFE before he can do that. I am only, uh, errr, 40. Okay, got me on that one, BUT I am not out buying a Vette. The cool car I want is an 71 El Camino. That does not say Midlife Crisis, it says "I am serious, but I like to party."

Ivy seems to be intimidated a bit by the other competitors so maybe he can be an alternate. Still not sure that saying that I am having a crisis is gonna get you points. Calling me an idiot, yes, crisis no.

We still have a few more people to hear from so this may take a bit more time. PLUS Blashill has indicated that he is working on a prize of sorts for the final list. Something that I do not want to say because I may jinx it. It sounded huge.

So If you have not made your case, get R done, and if you have already made your plea and want to add to it, go right ahead. I think that if someone broke off a video explanation that might be huge. YouTube is where it is at right now. Let me see it.

Now, GET BACK TO WORK!!!!