June gets a little busy for me. It’s the end of the second quarter at work, and it’s usually one of the busier times. See, I work in IT sales, and despite what you may hear on the news, there is not a recession on. As such, people with purchasing power want to get a lot of purchase done now, so the minions will have something to do and report back to him on when he returns from his week on the Cape for 4th of July. What I’m trying to say is June is tough. Plus, I work for a publicly traded company, so anyone that also works for a public company can relate as to being slaves to Wall Street. They say jump, we say how high. As such, there is extra pressure from the higher ups to stay late, and drive results and so on. I have not had much time to come home and write on this blog like I would like too, but with Rush’s “Working Man” playing, and me drinking a “Working Man’s Brew”, Miller High Life, I find myself hard at work on this blog once again. You can call me the working man. I guess that’s what I am.

I hope everyone’s having a great summer so far. I’ve been busy, but enjoying myself. I’ve been thinking about what I should write on Goonblog a lot lately. You see, I am inspired to write almost every day. Like for instance. Goonblog favorite, Tom Rowe was promoted to Assistant Coach in Carolina. I had an idea about a post congratulating him, as well as predicting he will be the head coach by the All Star break next season. Didn’t happen. Staying in Carolina, I’d get to their camp if you can. The Canes acquired Darcy Hordichuk, and re signed Trevor Gillies. The chances of those two NOT having a go in Camp are as good as me NOT sleeping with Jenny McCarthy . In other words, bet on it. Again. That post didn’t happen.

I’d say the biggest thing I wanted to post about, is the Boston Celtics. No, seriously. I have not lost my mind. There will be no name change to KGBlog, or whatever. In fact, I didn’t even get on the bandwagon. I mean, as a Bostonian, or Masshole in general, I am happy they won the title. Let’s put it this way, I’m glad they won the title. It really didn’t have enough bearing on my life to sway me from happy or sad. For me watching the Celtics accept their trophy in the Garden with streamers coming down around made me think, “I wish that were the Bruins.” For those of you scoring at home, here’s how they look in terms of last titles won for big four in Boston.

• Celtics 2008
• Red Sox 2007
• Patriots 2005
• Bruins 1972

As a diehard Bruins fan, that is a tough pill to swallow. In 1972, the team on the bottom of that list could have arguably been the most relevant in the town. Now? I am sure some people aren’t even aware there is still a pro hockey team in Boston. Watching the Celtics win the title made we want the Bruins to become relevant again in the worst way. I mean, could you imagine if the Bruins won it all? For me, I’d be gone. I would be off the reservation for at least a week. Here’s the thing. They are a couple of pieces away from being a very good hockey team, but I think ownership cares more about the Celtics going deep and reaping the rewards of concession stand sales, then actually shelling out their own money to have a team go deep in the playoffs. I think for us Bruins fans, the only time we will see the Black and Gold hoist Lord Stanley ’s Cup, is when the DNC sells the team. I don’t know if I will be alive to see it.

To quote John Winger: “And then, depression set in.” After Screwy and I are done drying our eyes, and the last team member has retired to the dressing room to drink from Lord Stanley that’s when it’s real. I am stuck with stupid baseball until September. Oh and the Celtics are in the finals, which is cool I guess, but I really can’t stand basketball. My Celtics fan friends all want me to pick the Lakers in six, because I had the Penguins in six, so they like the reverse jinx angle. So, there you go. I’m predicting the Lakers in six. They are playing the Lakers right? This really sucks. I am glad I have the NHL Network because the AHL finals are still going. It looks like Chicago is going to handle Wilkes/Barre easily though, and then it’ll all really be over. MOL is happy. I am not.

Overall, I think this hockey season was a good one. I didn’t’ write enough here, and that will change next season. I took a new job at work in October, and that on top of buying the house, figuring out how to be a husband, and my love of being in a gin mill, killed my productivity here. For next season I promise more running diaries of the games, and I recently bought a microphone, so I am going to try a Podcast. I think I am turning into a nerd. So, like I said, the season wasn’t bad. The beloved Bruins surprised me. Milan Lucic is my favorite player EVAH, and Shawn Thornton really had some great bouts in the second half of the season. YouTube continues to be a favorite spot. I love the Gillies/Mirasty tilts out there. It was nice to see Gordie Dwyer on American soil for a little bit. I am telling you, there aren’t many guys as engaging and friendly as him. I’d like the AHL to pay more because Lowell could sure use a guy that can skate and hit like him. Oh, and the Devils? They suck. Bad. Plus they are boring. They could use a guy like Dwyer to add some personality. So that’s it for 07-08. I’m really into birding these days (no kidding) so I’ve got my feeder to keep me occupied. I need some more, and a good bird book to help me identify what I am looking at. So far at my feeder I have seen a squirrel, and a chipmunk. Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal, and a bunch of brown birds. Oh, and the fattest Blue Jay since Frank Thomas! HI OH! Congratulations to the Red Wings have a great summer all. I wish it was September.

Pound sand Tiger.

Imagine if you will, you are about to make love to a woman you’ve wanted your whole life. This is a woman so desirable you’ve had to fight off foe after foe to get with. It’s been a long process to be sure. As you’ve been trying to get her into bed, you’ve wined and dined her. Bought her a few drinks, asked her what she likes and dislike, really listened to what she had to say. As this was going on, several other men have tried to come and take this woman away from her, but your hard work, dedication, and persistence has really been paying off. After a few drinks and dinner you drive back to your place, and invite her in. Maybe you put on some soft music, pour yourselves a little night cap. You sit on the couch, and maybe you start with a little kiss. Then it proceeds from there, and you wind up in the bedroom. Remember, this is a woman you’ve wanted your whole life! Holy shit! This is ABOUT TO HAPPEN! Just as you guys get all your clothes off, and the heavy petting ends, and the final hurdle is about to fall, she passes out cold on you. You try to wake her up, but it’s no use. For almost three hours you try, but to no avail. Finally the door swings open, and it’s her husband. Guess what? He’s not exactly pleased with you, and doesn’t really mind doing a little time. They say things go black as the bullet hits the front of your skull. I am wondering if that’s how the Detroit Red Wings and their fans feel right now.

24 seconds. They were 24 seconds away from winning it all. I was so sure they were winning I had cleaned up the table, and had the remote in my hand when Max Talbot scored to tie the game at 3. I could not believe my eyes. Then the first OT came and went, and that was a furious a pace I have ever seen. Someone needs to get Mr. Fleury laid when this is all said and done because he saw more rubber than a Goodyear plant last night. After the second OT, I had to call it quits. It was 12:30, and I am neither from Detroit nor Pittsburgh. Plus, I have a job. I was amazed to see Petr Sykora scored the game winner because he tapped on the glass between the benches where NBC had Pierre Maguire reporting from, and told him he was getting the game winner. Apparently he also told the boys in the room he was getting it as well. Talk about calling your shot eh? Anyway, I like the Penguins to win the Cup. What a confidence boost this will be. I like them coming home for some home cooking, with zero pressure and playing loose. I see a big win for them tomorrow, and then they win the Cup on Detroit’s ice 3-2 in a nail biter. 24 seconds…I can’t believe it….

After the second game of my illustrious return from lying on the couch quietly watching TV, I feel slightly better. My whole life didn’t flash before my eyes this time out, and I really only thought I was seriously going to puke twice. So, to recap. The first time I thought for sure I was going to die, and wished I had while the puke-o-meter was 4. I didn’t really want to die, or feel like I was going to and the puke-o-meter was a 2. Not bad. As an aside, we got throttled 9-2, and I really suck.

Speaking of sucking, I am pretty sure things are going to be sucking for Penguins Nation in about 27 hours. Last night the Penguins had chance after chance after chance, and just could not beat the high flying Red Wings. I look for a 5-2 Wings victory tomorrow night to clinch the cup.

The news is no better on the farm, as Wilkes-Barre went down 2 love to Chicago in the American League finals this afternoon. These two teams really do not care for each other, and there was even a fight when I was watching. I had to leave for my game, but I am really psyched I talked MOL out of canceling the NHL Network from our cable line up, as they are showing the Calder Cup finals. Get it all in while you can boys, as we are in the final days of the 2007-2008 hockey season. If I still drank, I would….