| What a great ending to a grumpy day! |
[Mar. 5th, 2008|01:57 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  giddy | ] |
I am still too pumped and happy to sleep!
Today was a grumpy day. I was going to post earlier today a half-rant about various crap at work. Then I decided you don't care - another sysadmin with crap from users. BFD.
Tonight was the first playoff game for my intramural hockey team (the "Slow Moving Vehicles"). We had a short bench -- only 8 skaters, so we played 5 forwards and 3 defense. In case you don't know, I play defense. We were missing one of our really fast players (he thinks he has mono), but we've been playing really well as a team, and 8 is not as bad as 6, or 5 ...
The first two periods were scoreless. We had a slight edge, keeping the puck in their end more than they had it in our end, and we only had a few crazy moments where they really pressured us, but we weren't getting a lot of good shots on them either. Both goalies had to make some big saves, but nothing really dramatic. The game was moderately clean, but the refs let too much crap go that they said they were going to call, and have been calling this season (the USA Hockey "new standard of play").
In the middle of the third period, they put the pressure on, we had a defensive breakdown, and they scored. We didn't give up, and scored a goal to tie the game at 1-1 with about 2:30 left. We then called a time out to catch our breath and make sure we were prepared to hold them off because we figured they would make a big push to try and get a quick goal.
We held them off, and had a few good scoring chances, but regulation time ended with the score 1-1. Overtime! We had some good chances, they got a faceoff in our zone with 1:28 left and called a timeout. We held them off, got some more chances, and overtime ended still 1-1.
Now the part I really hate: the "shoot-out". Hockey is a team game, and team play was how the game got to be tied, why do we all of a sudden switch to "which team has the better shooters?" Of course I'm biased a bit, being a defenseman, and having played on a lot of teams that did not have a lot of skilled goal scorers but good team play...
We were the home team, and had our choice, so we made them shoot first. The way the shootout works, we picked 5 shooters, they picked 5 shooters, and we alternate taking penalty shots on the goalies -- pick up the puck at center ice, skate in alll alone on the goalie, one shot.
After 5 shooters, it was still tied -- we had each scored two shots.
Now comes the "sudden death" shootout. If one team makes their shot, and the other doesn't, they win.
Oh -- a new wrinkle. Unlike what I expected, the 5 shooters don't shoot the sudden death until everyone else has had a chance. We have the shorter bench, so if we get that far, we have a slight advantage in that our best shooter will shoot again before their best shooter gets a second shot.. but we have 3 more shots to go (if no one wins) before that happens.
They shoot and miss. We shoot and miss. They shoot and miss. Now it is my turn. I am the captain, but I am not a goal scorer. Not by a long shot. And the goalies I play against regularly know exactly where my shot always goes -- about a foot off the ice, usually to my right (their glove side). An easy save.
One of the players tells me to try and shoot to the left -- the goalie's stick side. But I'm right handed. I'll try.
First, I have to put my helmet on, and find my gloves. Everyone laughs and says "he's getting dressed". I hop out on the ice, and don't stop as I skate to center ice to get the puck. The ref blows the whistle before i get there, so I can just grab the puck and go. I skate it strong, and try and angle a bit to the left, maybe. Not a fancy move, just a little left of center. I watch the goalie, keep my eyes on him. not too close. I rip off a hard low shot, on the ice, to my right (not the left), with very little backswing -- no telegraphing. GOAL! WE WIN!!!
I never would have predicted winning on *my* shoot-out shot. Wow!
What a great way to end a grumpy day!
(We play again next tuesday, and then the championship game is next thursday.) |
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| I can still fly! |
[Feb. 16th, 2008|04:45 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
I went flying today -- for the first time since December 24. Between the awful weather and being busy the few times the weather was ok, it has been a long time since I've been able to fly.
I just practiced a bit, and had fun. I didn't go anywhere in particular, and it wasn't a very long flight. But it was good. Hopefully the weather and my schedule will cooperate and I can fly more often again...
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| 06:40: chiller failure |
[Feb. 14th, 2008|08:18 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  grungy | ] |
the NOC called me at 6:40 (AM): the chillers are down.
crawl out of bed, go to work. yup, it is HOT in the server room (109 in the hot spot).
turn off air handlers, turn on barn fans in the doorways, open door to stairwell (noticed that the outside door to the stairwell was already propped open, probably by the NOC staff for DoIT's data center in the basement).
30 minutes later, chillers are on, but it isn't chilling yet. wait a while. turn on air handlers. wait a while. close doors, turn off barn fans. wait a while. ok, getting better.
I really want to go back to sleep. I will go home and shower, probably not back to sleep. And breakfast sounds like a good idea. |
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| a very cold monday |
[Feb. 11th, 2008|03:05 pm] |
In case you care, we lost other two Badger State games: game #2 they stopped counting goals somewhere around 16-0, and game three was 8-0. We played a lot better as we pushed ourselves to do what Coach Tammy told us to do (which doesn't explain the 8-0 score -- that team would have been last, except for us).
Then I had to play for the MGHA on Sunday night, the last game of the regular season. We won, 4-3, in a fun game. We had to work hard to do it, but that makes it even better.
The rest of the week was filled with awful weather and unnecessary drama in the hockey league. As far as I can tell, the drama has been sorted out, at least for a while. Why do some people just insist on stirring the pot and making trouble where there isn't any? It is getting old pretty fast.
Last night was the first round of the MGHA tournament. We won, 3-2, on a great goal with 14 seconds left. Our team played such a great game, and such a team game -- 3 different goal scorers, lots of assists, and lots and lots of good team play that made the goals possible, and kept the other team from scoring more. It is a very good feeling to win like that.
Today it is really really really cold. it was 58* in the lab, so we had to turn on the huge air handler to try and get some heat (and put up with the noise for a couple of hours).
Someday it will be warm enough and not cloudy enough that I can fly again. |
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| well, that was fun |
[Feb. 2nd, 2008|01:23 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
Actually, it was. Now you might want to know what I'm talking about. The MGHA put together a "competitive" team of 15 of the top players from all 6 teams, to play in the Badger State Games. The Badger State Games are like Wisconsin's olympics. Our team has never played or practiced together as a team, but 2 or 2 are from each team, and we've played against each other all season.
I had heard that we were going to get our asses kicked. We did. Since we have players of all ages, we have to play in the "open" division, which is for anyone 21 years old or older (the other divisions are for over 30, over 40 and over 50 (but can have a goalie as young as 40). So, we lost 17-0 in the first game, and expect to do about as well tommorrow in game #2. Hopefully in the final game, which will almost certainky be a matchup of the 6th and 7th place teams (it is highly unlike we'll be anything except 7th), we'll be more competitive with the other team.
Most of the players on the other team seemed ok, but as a team they were kinda jerks. When you are leading 8-0 and clearly dominating, why complain about a goal that the refs rules shouldn't count?
But we had fun. We made them work for their goals. And we'll be better players for having pushed ourselves against must better competition. But I wouldn't want to do this every week.
The games are in Milwaukee, so we are all staying over at a couple of the players friends or relatives places. After the game, we went out to a local bar and grill for dinner and drinks. Our goalie, having faced so many shots (and making some great saves) had a few more shots....
Oh well, now you know what I did tonight... |
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| might as well |
[Jan. 30th, 2008|11:14 am] |
I've had this LJ account since sometime last year when Amy made me do it. I've ignored it since then. I suppose I should use it a bit.
I guess I'd be expected to post something interesting, provocative, or introspective. I dunno. I think this will be boring.
Today is my birthday. Unlike some people, I don't take my birthday off from work, so I'm at work (but posting to LJ). I got several birthday greetings from friends, which is always nice. hi! everyone, and thanks!
I've been busy. I haven't been able to fly in a month, and then only once that month... the weather is just not nice this year. Either it is bitterly cold, overcast, or snowing.
I have been playing a lot of hockey. My team (the Killer Bees) in the Madison Gay Hockey Association is in second place, and having a blast. Our beginners have really picked up the game, and our more experienced players are enjoying the competition and making plays with our newer players.
My intramural hockey team had our first game last night. We tied, 1-1. I think the other team was kinda shocked, because they had better players, and much younger, but we played as a team and actually played defense... our goalie had a bunch of great saves too.
I am hungry. and cold (it is COLD at work today)
Ok. That is my current status report. |
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