Goose in the 802...Life in Maple Syrup Land

So last week I spent 8 days on the east coast. The family had decided on a trip to Vermont. Specifically Lake Champlain. 2 miles south of the Canadian Border.

Headed out to the airport. My 1st vacation in almost 2 years. Long summer with 4 weeks of work hell leading up to vacation. I leave my phone and my blackberry on the kitchen counter. Subconsciously I think I intended to do this. Football Season on the horizon, I think I really needed the break.

We landed in Newark where I consumed 2 hot dogs at Nathans at the airport. My instinct was to chow them down and check my watch to see how long it would take me to eat them. I decided that probably would repulse the family and the others at Newark international and I now regret not timing the event to see how many dogs goose could consume in the 12 minute window. This may be a Lodge contest of the future (maybe instead of a poker game).

Odds to win the Lodge 1st annual Hot Dog Eating contest (if it ever happens):
Over/Under on dogs 6
Goose 3-1
Duke 5-1
Train 5-1
Dude 7-1
Seatown 6-1
Jimbo 3-1
2.0 10-1
MCP 3-1

Spent the 1st day in Burlington Vermont getting ready to go to Highgate springs. A couple of Observations:

Dunkin Donuts is HUGE!! in New England, Much like Starbucks, there is a Dunkin' Donuts on every corner. "Time to make the Donuts" became my driving catch phrase.

Vermont has an ABA Franchise, The Vermont Frost Heaves and they are having open tryouts this week. I wonder if they need a guaranteed 6 foul a night guy like me. What the hell is a Frost Heave and why is their slogan "we are going to be the bump in their road?"

The Vermont Expos were the single A affiliate that now belongs to the Nationals. They got the name from a local legend of a Sea Monster that lives in Lake Champlain called Champ. This vacation is like the beginning of an X-Files episode.

We arrived at our Lake resort. Basically it is an all inclusive resort on a lake with 30-40 Cottages and a large center house called "The Inn" that has the dining area and the bar.

So the gosslings headed off to their activities, while goose hit the signup sheets to see what he wanted to do.

So I was going to learn how to sail, however the 88 degree temps and lack of wind canceled most of the sailing excursions.

Goose and Fly Fishing (A River Runs Through it...and so does Goose)
So I went with a few others out to the local pond to learn the art of fly fishing.

There are several types of casts in fly fishing, which are used according to a given fishing situation. The most common cast is the forward cast, where the angler whisks the fly into the air, back over the shoulder until the line is nearly straight, then forward, using primarily the forearm. The objective of this motion is to "load" (bend) the rod tip with stored energy, then transmit that energy to the fly line, resulting in the fly line (and the attached fly) being cast for an appreciable distance.

Other casts are the roll cast, the single and double haul cast, the tuck cast, and the side, or curve cast. Goose learned the Roll and the forward, however the fish were not biting. One thing I did Catch (Or nearly caught) was a frickin' Snapping Turtle that took a liking to my fly (And no Train not my zipper).
All and all it was a fine time.

Goose and his Inner Hunter
(yes that is actually Goose in the pic)

So my second activity was Archery. Flashes of Rambo 2 and explosive arrow tips flashed through my mind as I arrived for my archery lesson. 2 types of Bows would be used. Recurve and Compound (Compound having the Pulley for added power)
So after my initial lessons it was time to step up with the Recurve.....
Sometime later in life you do something you have never done before and you find out you are good at. Goose discovered he is amazing skilled with a bow. My 1st round hit 10 for 10 in the inner circles with 5 bullseyes. Not bad with a Recurve Bow. I joking say in a previous life I robbed from the rich and gave to the Poor Now it was time for the Composite. The instructor asks mew if I think I can handle a 40 pound Bow (The tightness of the string). Most of the others were using 30 or 25. Sure...why not. So I take my 40# composite bow, picture the head of the Viet Cong on the target, and shoot my 10 arrows. 10/10, 6 Bullseye's. I am loving this and begin flashing to a future Lodge Bow Hunting/Camping trip

Some of the Goose Excursions
Certain sacrifices need to be made when you have kids. I did go to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory (Where yes they make Teddy Bears) and the Ben and Jerry's plant (although free ice cream rocks).

Actually got to walk at the 45th parallel (The halfway point between the Equator and the north Pole)

Saw a sign but unfortunately didn't have the time. Bristol Conn. 25 miles East. I was 25 miles away from ESPN and SportCenter Headquarters. Must kill Stuart Scott... must kill BooYah. We are going back next year and a tour of ESPN will happen, regardless of Steven A. Smith's or Skip Bayless's restraining order on any Lodge member.

Not to get to sappy but Vermont and Lake Champlain has some of the most amazing Sunsets (this was a picture I took with my digital).

Some other activities was a Lake Kayak Trip with my older son. Since there were no TV's I depended on my Video iPod for entertainment and began watching Heroes. I must say....WOW. What an amazing TV Show. I'm totally hooked (I'm 3 episodes from the finale, so I am not ready to discuss yet).

My last point is a well known item called "East coast Bias." You may have heard of it. Let me tell you something. Spending 8 day in Vermont, smack dab between NY and Boston I will tell you that east coast bias is alive ands kicking. All I heard was Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Giants, Jets, (although there was some good Redskin talk). They are completely oblivious to anything that happens on the West Coast, sans Bonds or Vlad.

So that was about it. I do recommend visiting New England. Its an amazing place, once you get past the accents (view from a Pontoon on Lake Champlain...I'm not that good a photographer, but some of our pictures really turned out well).

The Train of Death, Goose Edition.

So the train of death has taken a man that I respect and admire. Coach Bill Walsh.

You can read alot about history and his coaching record, you can read about him being an innovator and the creator of the West coast offense. Most of all Bill Walsh was the master motivator. The thinking mans coach. He was shrewd at seeing talent when others did not. He was a motivator, who related the individual battles of football to Boxing.

Walsh also is widely credited with inventing or popularizing many of the modern basics of coaching, from the laminated sheets of plays held by coaches on almost every sideline, to the practice of scripting the first 15 offensive plays of a game

As the head coach of Stanford and the 49ers, he became the creator of the Bill Walsh Coaching tree. This tree shows the legend that he is, the fact that so many coaches learned from him and were able to be successful. It shows that the coach was also a teacher, and taught not just the players, but coaches as well. He changed the game of Football.

To Bill Walsh, Your coaching Excellence is where every coach should strive to be.

Seattle Sounders

Who's busy on August 7th at 7.00pm? It's Tuesday night and you ain't got sh!t to do.

The Seattle Sounders face off against the Colorado Rapids of the MLS. In the quarterfinals of the US open Cup(our version of the FA Cup). Tickets start out at $15.00. So cheap even I can afford it. It's about time the lodge started to support our only local professional futbol team. Forget about your allegiance's from across the pond for one night. Root for good old fashioned American soccer that's played in front of 1,500 fans on AstroTurf!


THE LODGE PREMIER LEAGUE FANTASY FOOTBALL

Most of the Lodge should have received an invite to the first annual premier league fantasy football. Those who didn't get an email. Well, you're all known football haters.
It's easy to set up your team. The game works much like a salary cap. Pick your starting eleven and prove your worth.


SUMMER TRANSFER NEWS

Freddy Adu looks like he might just be headed to Portugal. The MLS and Benfica a perennial Portuguese powerhouse have already agreed on a transfer fee. Freddy and the team look to discuss a contract. In my opinion this is a huge step forward for Freddy. The most visible player in MLS since his signing with DC united at the age of 14. Has the chance to become one of the best American players of all time. I hope he takes the chance to go overseas. He'll get Champions League experience and hone his skills with the best in the world.

US international Eddie Johnson has turned down a chance to play in the Premier League. Johnson was offered a contract to play for Derby. Johnson recently became the first player in MLS history to score back to back hat tricks. Obviously he has major talent. Though he still lacks in places. You might have seen his PK easily blocked by Celtic keeper Artur Boruc in this years MLS all star game. He also missed several chances on goal in that game.

"He is young, has great pace and also a point to prove because he has never played in England before," Derby manager Billy Davies was quoted as saying in the July 19 editions of the Derby Evening Telegraph. "He scores goals for fun and has started the American season like a house on fire. He is the most valued player in the MLS. Very few American players have come to this country and failed. They have a lot to offer, they are fit and they are very good professionals."

Why not make that leap when you have a manager jonesin' like that for you? Go to England. Hone your skills and come back to MLS if you want to grow the sport in the states. But get the experience that you never going to get in the MLS.

Draft Time

Not to tear everyone away from eagerly awaiting the next "Who's Now" vote, but the NFL Pre Season is right around the corner. So we'll need to decide on a live draft time. Shawn and Dude still need to join the league (we'll have to see if Lloyd can make the draft via IM & get a 10th player who would enjoy the witty banter The Black Lodge 2.0 FFL would provide to even out the numbers), but after they finally get in we'll need to meet to draft.

In August, Friday the 17th of doesn't work for Dude, because he's apparently been regulated to Kennish's b!tch (and in danger of being regulated in the Lodge). And Saturday the 18th is Shawn's wedding anniversary. So I propose Thursday, August 23rd @ 8PM PST (or whenever Goose gets there). It'll have to be after 8PM due to Goose's Training Camp, and a weekday night since everyone apparently doesn't think a weekend day will work (although I think Friday, August 24th would be ideal if everybody could find time on their calendars).



So basically we need some participation here from the Lodge on when we're doing this & who's going to be involved. Oh, and in searching for the infamous "Jewel Breast Fan Site" (some of you might remember from our ELNK days), I found this well done list highlighting the best the female gender has to offer. Enjoy. Championship!

Football vs. Insurgency

Iraq beat Korea to the Asia Cup Finals. What?

Iraq's Jasim Al Hamd (2) celebrates with his teammate after the penalty shootout against South Korea during the 2007 AFC Asian Cup semifinal soccer match in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Iraq advanced to its first Asian Cup final by winning a penalty shootout 4-3 over South Korea on Wednesday.

If any country needs a national pride morale boost, it has to be Iraq. From the reporting which I surprisingly heard this morning, it seems soccer has done what the government could not in unifying the people. Unfortunately, some extremists still didn't like chanting and dancing for joy in the streets.

South Korea is further insulted in the Middle East by the Taliban. (Also, middle-age mini skirt sales in SK are off the charts.)

The NPH could never rock this hard

Bringing back the memories...

Kwik E Mart - Seattle

DSC05706
Originally uploaded by duke it up

I went to the Bite of Seattle, but that wasn't the cool thing this weekend. Across the street from the Space Needle the local 7-11 was converted into a Kwik-E-Mart in promotion for the Simpsons movie. Its only one of 12 across the country to have been converted into a Kwik-E-Mart.

I bought some Buzz cola, but where's the Duff??? Also, why did the employees have to be Indian? The Squishee flavors also seemed to be asking for more.

The experience was fun and hopefully my attempt at the Springfield Lotto will bring the local comptroller to my door.

He wasn't happy with my exploiting him during his break. He wouldn't even let me bum a smoke!?

Maybe Aquaman can love a woman without gills?

Extreme Park

For your viewing displeasure...
CUT - by Park Chan Wook, is a short film in the 3 Extremes movie project.

The Oldboy hero is back. As always, Park delivers a wonderfully short and philosophically extreme story. He even throws in a couple twists which are wholly acceptable. I caught it last night on the following links and found myself again captivated. It starts at the 50 second mark on the following tube clip.

Part 1

In sum, CUT is about a movie director who is faced with the ultimatum to watch his wife be tortured or kill a child to save her.

(The Takashi Miike story was just so abstractly useless it should have been cut out; this attitude is echoed with the review "Three Extremes would be better if it were Two Extremes." I will continue and pretend it was only two films. I hate him.)

I do not post up links to the 2nd story "Dumplings" since it is too much for me to stomach and I suggest you go back to seek it out yourself. The beginning of the above clip gives a hint of "Dumplings", but does not spoil it. Of course, the food she is eating is very spoiled... hahahahaha

The social commentary for both short films is wonderfully insightful and does not leave the gore completely useless. Although it did come out a couple years ago, I believe the Lodge has become more acculturated to Asian strangeness to handle this more openly.

CUT: Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5.

So let me know how it stirs you.

Goose in the 802 (Vermont)

Gentlemen. Its the time of year when a Goose, Gander and Gosslings need to fly the coop for a little R&R. I will be gone for the next 9 days in a land of Maple syrup, Ben and Jerry's and the Vermont Lake Monsters Baseball. (Single A Affiliate of the Nationals)

I will not have internet connection and limited cell phone. I wish you all well for next week and will catch up soon with a Goose from the 802 post.

Until then......Take there words from Mr Steven Tyler to heart

There's somethin' wrong with the world today

The light bulb's gettin dim

There's meltdown in the sky

If you can judge a wise man

By the color of his skin

Then mister you're a better man than I.....

Livin' on the edge

With the #1 Pick in the 2007 Lodge Fantasy Draft The Browncoats Select....

Michael Vick and his five best bitches.... seriously, where was the grand jury in Ptown with Qyntel Woods and the crew?...

Survery Question of the Day: The oddest fantasy plot line ever going into the draft season?

The Alec Guiness Memorial Golf Tournament

Please join us for the second leg of the Lodge "Triple Crown of Golf"

Im thinking West Seattle since we only got to play 9 the last time
I believe August 4th was the pre arranged time. Say we have a 10am Tee time?

Same rules as last time. I think Team Chewbacca may want a remach after the 1 stroke loss at the Bruno Kirby Memorial, unless you want to switch up teams

Official Seattle SuperStar

He's still here to play.

In commemoration of this relief I leave the translated lyrics of Ichiro's favorite batting song Superstar. (which is rather surreal...)

“The future is a face of ignorance, I’ll keep making it myself.”Maybe that’s what you think
It’s just that on a kind of loud morning, I lost my voice

But I remember your brightly shining eyes

If I were to meet them again, it would not make me happy
So this is the me of a feeble today
And yet I hate this

“Answers are infinite, I’ll keep making them myself.”
Dying leaves are, as usual, protecting the ground
Kicking, walking over that kind of earth is how I search for my voice

Each time I remember your decision to stand in solitude
I shake, enduring the tears
But this is the me of an inept today

Tomorrow, I want our hearts to face each other in the flame that burns you
As if when we met was something I could be proud of
The you inside the TV
is my superstar

- by Tokyo Jihen/Shiina Ringo

Ch, Ch, Ch, Ha, Ha, Ha

A little History of Friday 13th

Paraskevidekatriaphobia: Fear of Friday the 13th

Some historians propose that the origin of the "Black Friday" was the simultaneous arrest of hundreds of Knights Templars on October 13, 1307 (Friday), to be later tortured into "admitting" heresy.Today, the concept of Friday the 13th has been extended through the 'black Friday' concept to incorporate anything really bad that happens on a Friday.

In history there have been a number of events that happened on a Friday and are known as Black Friday:

Black Friday (1869), a financial crisis in the United States

Black Friday (1889), the day of the Johnstown Flood.

Black Friday (1910), WSPU took militant action when the Conciliation Bill failed.

Black Friday (1919), a riot in Glasgow stemming from industrial unrest

Black Friday (1921), day on which British dockers' and railwaymen's union leaders announced their decision not to call for strike action against wage reductions for miners

Black Friday (1929), a stock market crash in the United States

Black Friday (1939), a day of devastating fires in Australia

Black Friday (1945), largest air battle over Norway, over Sunnfjord Hollywood

Black Friday (1945), the day the six-month-old Confederation of Studio Unions (CSU) strike boiled over into a bloody riot at the Warner Bros. studios leading to the eventual breakup of the CSU.

Black Friday (1978), a massacre of protesters in Iran

Black Friday (1982), known in Britain after Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, sparking the Falklands War

Black Friday (1987), the day an hour-long F4 category tornado ran through the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Black Friday (2004), a crackdown on a peaceful protest in the capital city of Maldives, Malé

Here is a great Article on the history as well.

Just a little tidbit on a normally slow day.

Frank Oz Friday

Why? Its like a Lodge Summertime hiatus. Put what crap you have on until the good show (Football) start back up

Digital Midi-Chlorians

Chewie supports the rebels at Sony's E3 meeeting. After a long healthy peace in the Republic of PS, the evil Empire of Microsoft X threatens to stamp out gaming freedom. With the help of Wookies and Japanese they unveil a new weapon in the fight for gaming freedom again. The new PSP,w/special edition Star Wars silver.

- 33% lighter

- 19% thinner

- For PS3, better games this year all around (ex: Metal Gear Solid: 4)

"Takin' you down at the knees!"

Yet out of sight and underfoot, the less advanced and miniature Wii-Ewoks fight their own challenges as they continue to swing the tide away from the empire. Small, but nimble and clever, they show new tools in the Rebellion...

- little high tech foot controller

- new Duck Hunt gun

- way fun games

- other new peripherals

and the best handheld system... with effin' Contra 4! even the music is 80's....

Signings...

SEATTLE -- Going with the theme of the day, hopefully the Times didn't jinx the reported contract extension with Ichiro with their front page story in today's paper. In my opinion, this would be Bill Bavasi's first good move as the Mariners GM. Even if the speculative price is $20 million per year, it's worth it considering the box office draw, market appeal both here and in Asia. It's a no-brainer. And something Seattle should have done in the offseason.

The story is starting to get national media attention, and with good reason. If Ichiro becomes a free-agent next Winter, Seattle will have lost to free-agency their fourth HOF in his prime, following Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr. and Álex Rodríguez out of town.


If Ichiro indeed re-ups with the M's, it'll be a great day. And it might buy Bavasi another year or two as MLB's worst GM... but hey, we'll take the bad with the good, eh!?! At least we have Kevin Durant in the Northwest for the next three years...

UPTON PARK -- From the Irony Department, another reported signing is the transfer of Craig Bellamy to West Ham United in a club-record £7.5million move. Bellamy joins a West Ham club that barely escaped regulation this past season after two shady signings of now notorious Argentinians. I think Bellamy thinks by signing with United, he gets to roll with the Green Street Hooligans firm, and saw the appeal in a guaranteed fight every week.

Whats the Deal

"You cannot buy me, you must debate me - in cryptic phrases."

All who have yet to see Transformers ( or want to see it again) are welcome to join me Thursday night.

Location: Cinerama

Time : 8pm

With the draft, the NHL season has concluded...

The NHL ends with what I think was a milestone season. Several elusive records were reached throughout the season. These highlight some of the league elites from this past season.





While neither team from last year's Stanley Cup didn't make it to the playoffs, the post season had a lot of excitement.





A few Highlights from the Season



600 Goals: Three players earned their 600th goals this year. 1. Jamomir Jagr, not only did he score his 600th goal, but also scored 1500 points and became the leading European scorer passing Jari Kurri. Also getting his 600 points and 1500 points was Joe Sakic, Jordan's hometown team captain with a worthy award for a worthy guy. Finally the last guy to get 600 goals was Jagr's teammate, Brendon Shanahan.



500 Goals: There were five players that passed the 500 goal plateau. Matts Sundin, Teemu Selenne, Peter Bondra, Mark Recchi, and Mike Modano. Modano became the the all-time American goal scorer.



Rookies: Evgeni Malkin - first rookie since 1917, the start of the NHL, to score a goal in his first 6 games. Teammate Jordan Staal became the youngest to score a hat trip; 18 years, 153 days. Jordan's boy from Colorado, Paul Stastny who set a rookie point streak, that means either an assist or goal, with 20 games.



Awards: Sid the Kid became the youngest player to win the Art Ross Trophy (most points) with 120 points.



Martin Brodeur overtook the record for most wins in a season with 48 this year.

With the Draft this year, it was the first time two Americans were picked one and two. Go USA!


Finally to my boy Thomas Hickey. This T-Bird was the 4th overall pick in the entry draft and word on the street, or the Seattle Times - Thomas will probably return next year for the T-Birds!

Thanks for a great season, I can't wait until October!

Work Perks a la VM

I will be here with football and sharpie in hand.

Talk About High Blood Pressure: Joe Montana Visits VM July 11

The Virginia Mason Heart Institute is proud to welcome long-time National Football League quarterback and Hall of Fame inductee Joe Montana Wednesday, July 11, in xxx xxxx xxx from o:00x to o:00x. Montana will share his experience with high blood pressure and its potential consequences. He will appear with Jim Zorn, Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach, and cardiologist Dr. James Rippe, founder and director of Rippe Health Assessment at Florida Hospital Celebration Health.

VM staff members are invited to attend the session, which will be moderated by The Heart Institute’s Michael Longo, MD. It will be broadcast by video conference to available VM locations.

While many know Montana as a four-time Super Bowl champion and one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, few realize he is one of approximately 72 million Americans with high blood pressure. Diagnosed in 2002, Montana is actively helping raise awareness about high blood pressure and encouraging patients to work with a health care professional to help set, achieve and maintain a healthier blood pressure goal.

(Joe may or may not be getting kickbacks from the drug companies for promoting Prilosec w/his Topps Hall of Fame card in every box.)

Ricky Gervais meets...

I just don't know what it is about little people....

Fantasy Football 2.0

Goose has continued his 10 year streak of attempting to get me to coach this coming Fall. So you know what that means? Yep, Football season is around the corner. This will be the second year The Black Lodge will take our games to the World Wide Web, as Train will attempt to defend his title.

ID#:	132736
Name:	The Black Lodge 2.0
Password:	ass
URL:	http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/league/blacklodge
Draft:	Offline Draft
Scoring:	Head-to-Head

I've sent email invites to everyone that had email addresses listed in last years league. Same settings as last year, except one change... I've limited the playoff berths to only 4 teams. This way, we won't have any bottom-feeders upsetting teams in the playoffs due to a great matchup week.

We will discuss the best draft time at the links Tuesday night. I'm thinking a weekday night the last week of August. Thursday, August 30th looks like a strong candidate, with the season openers of College Football that evening. Everybody put their votes in the Comments here online if you have a day of the week preference. Casey, don't forget to formulate your kicker list before the draft.