Billy Bitz and the Hazeltones

One of wildest and weirdest yeP! shows ever had to be the quasi-rock-opera "The Shot: Billy Bitz and the Hazeltones vs. Big Faddy" which was performed as the 2nd Set of the 10/30/96 Iron Horse show in Northampton, MA.





This show has been recently seeded on etree's bit torrent site. Click here to get it. If you need the bit torrent client (or info), see the Bit Torrent FAQ.

Enjoy,

-jg

Hockey is back!

The lockout is finally over and I couldn't be happier. It's interesting to see that things we knew had to happen like a salary cap (with a corresponding salary cut across the board) actually did happen. Too bad it took a year.

People will probably bitch and complain about all the new rule changes, etc. but as I much as I hated the year off, if that's what it took to get the game fixed, so be it.

The biggest rules changes are:

1. Shootouts after OT - no more ties: This is awesome. Who the hell wants ties in sports, anyway? A regulation tie will still earn a point to the eventual loser.
   
2. Offsides changes: No more red line (wrt the two-line pass) and tag-up: Time will tell on this one. It seems like it will be great since it will pretty much kill the neutral zone trap which not only made hockey boring, but it also brought the Stanley Cup to the hated Devils -- well, Marty Brodeur helped there too. I always liked "tagging the blue line" to keep a play onside, so I welcome back this rule. The big question will be: will it be possible for coaches to figure out ways of exploiting these rules to eff up the game (like the Devils did with the trap).
   
3. Goalie Trap Zone: This will prevent good puck handling goalies to act as a 3rd defenseman. I'm not sure I like this rule, but it's definitely consistent with all these offensive-minded changes.
   
4. Schedule Changes: Looks like teams will play their divisional opponents a lot more. This is a great change. While my Flyers won't be coming to San Jose as much, they'll be playing the Devils, Rangers, Pens, and Ice-landers 8 times each. Rivalries will be renewed all over the league (think DET/COL) and travel will be cut down for the Western Conference teams.
   

Now let's talk about Sidney Crosby. Who? Yeah, that's right, there's a new star ready to emerge in the NHL. Will he be as good as Mario or Wayne? Too early to tell, but this kid is the real deal. The NBA got LeBron, now the NHL will get Crosby. Too bad he's going to the Penguins.

Onto the Flyers... looks like they're in great shape. They are buying out LeClair and Amonte's contracts which should give them room to make qualifying offers to their eight restricted free agents and begin negotiations with their unsigned rookies, most notably Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.

Hockey has always been my favorite sport. Football has taken the spotlight since my Eagles have been so good recently, but come April and May, my life has always been hockey hockey hockey. Here's to a good 2005-2006.

GO FLYERS!

Biking biking biking

I've gotten a lot more into biking over the last couple weeks. I suppose you could say I'm quasi-officially training for the 9 day bike trip I'm going on in late August. Some of the days are 80+ miles of biking, so I better get in shape.

In the last week, I've done this Marin loop 3 times. I bike from my apartment through the presidio over the bridge and then the loop as shown below.


Click here for a bigger satellite image of the route. By mid-August I need to be doing this 5 days a week.

I even got myself a pair of those dippy biking shorts with the padding for your crotch. Clearly a case of function over fashion.

On Saturday, I rode halfway up Mt. Diablo with w/ Beatty, Scott and Paul. This ride completely kicked my ass. A 2000+ ft climb with temps hitting the 90s by the time we got there. I can't imagine ever being in shape enough to ride to the top, but who knows. There are some definitely insane bikers out there -- gives me a whole new appreciation for the Tour.

The ride down the other side was amazing. You are basically coasting (and braking) for about 10 minutes. Awesome.

The best part of time off: YOGA

I'm not the most flexible guy in the world. In fact, when I first started practicing yoga (almost two years ago) I couldn't even come close to touching my toes. Until I really loosen up, I can barely do it now.

In the past, it's gone in waves (sometimes twice a week, sometimes twice a month.) But now that I have some time off, my Anusara practice with Stacey at yoga tree is really picking up. I went three times this past week and plan on doing the same next week.

If all goes well, I'll get up to 4 times a week by the end of the month -- maybe more!

Yoga has been great for me: for both body and mind. Heather got me into it because of my back, posture, and inflexibility, but now I'm into it for so many more reasons. I highly recommend it to just about anyone.

Namaste.

Me, Zeke, and Elvis

I never had pets growing up, but now I can't imagine living without cats. It is truly unbelievable how much I love these little furballs.

Mishagas

I have to post something to kick off this blog, so I'll write about my favorite Yiddish word: mishagas

According to the bergen.org common yiddish words site mishagas means "craziness." But it's really much more than that.

It's like craziness, absurdity, insanity, stupidity and bedlam all rolled into one. And you can use it for just about everything.

e.g.
Q: Did you go to the Haight St. fair?
A: No way, I can't deal with that mishagas.

There are other great common yiddish words, but none quite as useful as mishagas.