Hawkstock and Two Smoking Barrels II

Back to back barrels? The Writer’s Guild strike, the NBA, Hallowe’en? There must be lots on my mind…

When presented with the timeless question, ‘Which would you rather hear?’ I always go for the good stuff.  So here it is: the Writer’s Guild strike looks like it will halt production of ‘The View.’ 

Is Mike Myers thinking, ‘It worked for the Red Sox, maybe it’ll work for the Maple Leafs?’  I’m referring to the timeless 2005 sports classic ‘Fever Pitch,’ starring Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore and its story of the cursed Boston baseballers.  Now Myers has penned and is starring in ‘The Love Guru,’ a story about how the Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup because their star player finds lost love.  If nothing else, at least it stars ‘Mini Me’ (Vern Troyer) as the Leafs’ coach.  It is believed that the villain in the film is ‘actual hockey talent.’

Last week, fireball throwing pitcher Joel Zumaya hurt his shoulder moving a box.  Would it be bizarre if this week a boxer hurt himself while playing with fire?

Homemade Hallowe’en costumes just seem a little bit cooler than store bought ones.

Random job you don’t hear much about these days: cobbler.

So the Saskatchewan Party, led by premier Brad Wall won the provincial election.  That’s two provinces with nontraditional parties in charge (Quebec).  My bet is Alberta is next to follow suit, then the Maritimes. 

The turn of the century was the first time in recent memory that the WGA went on strike and since then, it seems to me that Hollywood has mostly made biopics, animated movies, and a load of brutal remakes.  Chaplin, Great Balls of Fire, and Private Parts used to pop up on the moviegoers landscape once in a while.  Now it seems as if one or two ‘lifestories’ anchor the awards season (Hurricane, Man on the Moon, Walk the Line, Ray, The Queen, for instance).  Was this because the less imaginative writers finally got hired? Do actor’s just love starring roles?

A tale of two actor/basketball players.  As of this morning, 5 teams from the NBA’s Eastern Conference’s 2007 play-offs are out of contention and the lot sits at 4-17.  Pull up your socks Shaq, and enjoy your new teammates Ray Allen.

When I think of all the beautiful looking Dutch people in the world, for some reason, the VanGundy’s don’t come to mind.

This is the last time that I mention the WGA.  I promise.  To me, it seems that because of good writers we get shows like Arrested Development, The Office, 30 Rock and some excellent late night talk shows.  Without them, I foresee more World According to Jim clones.

I’m not in favour of New England showing poor sportsmanship by running up the score, but I am glad that they are exposing two problems that plague pro sports.  The Patriots are showing how expansion dilutes the talent pool and they are showing how making the right personnel moves rewards a team.  Give Brady weapons and voila!

Karma? CBC broadcast a Raptors’ game for the first time on Sunday, November 4th.  It was blacked out down east and instead a movie was shown.  Later, a fire broke out at CBC Halifax.  No boxers were involved.

Hawkstock and Two Smoking Barrels II « Hawkstock’s Weblog

Hawkstock and Two Smoking Barrels II « Hawkstock’s Weblog

Hawkstock and Two Smoking Barrels

Okay readers, here we go with some observations and thoughts.  Feel free to respond.  Or send money.

First MLB started those World Series games an hour and a half LATER than they did during the regular season, then they have James Taylor sing the national anthem.  They must think we need sleep.

Cleveland doesn’t strike me as a city who’s teams rebound well the following season.  I don’t think that the Cavs or Indians will be as serious of a post season threat next year.

When I was a kid, I thought, “What if there was no news on a day, would the 11 o’clock news just show more traffic/weather/sports info?” Now we have multiple daily entertainment news – why?

When the NHL was expanding, was there a good reason that Milwaukee didn’t get hockey?

Why blame the coach of the winless Miami Dolphins? He comes from parents who weren’t creative enough to give him a name other than Cam Cameron…

I’m looking forward to hearing the 20th anniversary remastered version of The Joshua Tree.  I was thinking about some of the songs on that album, and I realized that – and keep in mind that I think the world of Bono – With or Without You may just be rock’s version of Hamlet’s To be or Not To Be soliloquy.  Also, might Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For echo You Can’t Always Get What You Want? Anyway, if you listen to the whole CD you get to Bullet The Blue Sky as the fourth song.  I haven’t seen a drop off after the big three, since this season’s edition of the Boston Celtics.

Notice that the NHL’s emblem is the only one that isn’t red, white, and blue.  And while we’re on it, the Original Six Teams’ logos seemed to fall in one of two categories: either intricate detail like Detroit, Chicago, and Toronto, or simply the big letters of Montreal (C), Boston (B) and NY Rangers.

Yes, that is me to the stage right in the Mark Messier/Lay’s/Hockey Hall of Fame commercial.

My dad knows the names of all the ‘on stage assistants’ on Deal or No Deal.

 The Patriots win this week by 15.

 NBA Predictions for 2007:

East Play-offs – Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Orlando, Toronto, Boston, New Jersey, Indiana

West – Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas, Utah, LA, GS,  and Denver.

The only real surprise is the absence of Cleveland.  The wheels of progress/regression turn at a different pace these days.  Carolina and Edmonton played for a Stanley Cup and then they both missed the play-offs.  Cleveland didn’t improve enough in a conference that otherwise did so.

MVP: Duncan

Finals: Detroit vs. Dallas

Winner: Detroit (What???????? you say.  I know.  At this stage, just wait, I’ll explain later on).

NHL Predictions: Americans don’t watch.  Ottawa wins the President’s Trophy.  Nothing changes in Toronto.  By the way, will Sundin’s trade value ever be higher?