Today at 2 pm is the final moment in the 2007-08 NHL season players can be moved between teams.By tonight we will know what the Blues (and the rest of the NHL) will look like for the remainder of the season. Last season the Blues traded away their top talent to receive high draft picks and also made a deal to grab Brad Boyes from Boston.What will they do this season? Confirmed transactions to follow: (my opinion)
2/25: Blues resign Barret Jackman- 4 years 14.4 mil. (good)
2/26: Bryce Salvador to NJ Devils for Cam Janssen (terrible)
2/26: Christian Backman to NY Rangers for 4th rd. pick in 08 draft (below average)
If you vote in the poll please comment here and tell me why you voted the way you did.
Currently the Blues are 3 points out of a playoff spot, with one game in hand, and 24 games left to play.
The Mystery continues as both girls continue to plead their innocence even after presented with the evidence against them and the worst part is, they could be telling the truth. And, if that's the case, I have no suspects and will continue to be mercilessly attacked without any hope of justice or retribution.
But enough about that for today. Just a couple of quick topics I'd like to discuss.
Remember when we were younger and you craved something from a vending machine? You just prayed you had some change in your pocket or that you had recently gone to the bank and gotten fresh ones; because back in the day, if your dollar bill wasn't perfectly straight, that machine was going to spit it right back in your face, as if to mock you and your petty, crumpled dollar.
Today though, I've got to hand it to the manufacturers. I recently purchased an orange juice from the break room with a bill I was certain would be rejected. It almost looked like it had been through the wash it was so wrinkled. But I was thirsty, needed my OJ, and had to try.
To my amazement, the machine sucked it right up and now me and my delicious citrusy beverage are one.
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As I was driving home last night from the Blues 4-2 victory over the LA Kings I realized something that I've never noticed before: there are an abundance of American flags lining the roads of our city. By abundance, I don't mean one here and one there. I counted over 25 flags in a 3 minute stretch of Manchester road.
Don't get me wrong, I am proud to live in this country (even though I've never lived in another one). I imagine, based on what I read and hear, we have it pretty good in the United States. I just wonder if there are as many Canadian flags hanging in the streets of Toronto, or as many Thai flags in the streets of Bangkok, for example, as I've noticed here in St. Louis.
The point is, next time you're in the car count the flags. I think you'll be surprised at just how high you count.
So yesterday was "Super Tuesday" as you probably know. Although I've never voted in a primary election before, I decided to go ahead and give it a shot, even though it was freaking miserable rainy outside.
I got off work at 4 and headed over to my parent's house to pick up AJ (my 15 yr. old brother) for the Blues game. I moseyed around there for a while chit chatting with my mom and sister, before heading to the polling place (a church near my apartment).
I got there around 6pm and started to make my way out of the car into the church but first I had to grab the ID card they send you in the mail. I reached into my center console to grab it (which was where I left it in the morning) but came up empty handed: no ID card here.
Ok, no big deal, I'll just go in and my name will be on the list and I'll vote, right?
Wrong.
I go in and tell them who I am, they ask for my license but my address on there is still my parents address so that doesn't fly. They needed something with my name and current address on it. The guy asks me if I have the card they sent me in the mail and I told him I did not. (Even though I am sure I put it in the car before work in the morning. I still have no idea where it disappeared to. Don't you hate when this happens? Losing things is a frantic, frustrating endeavor.)
Anyway, without proof of address I was turned away and had to retreat back to my apartment to find a bill or something that proves I live in their district. I got my car payment and went back up there hoping to get in and out now (this had now seemed to me almost more trouble than it was worth). But, as I'm walking back in to the place I hear a faint voice from behind me say, "Can you help me?"
I turn around to see an old woman easily in her 80's, maybe 90's. She's walking slowly making her way from the parking lot towards the entrance. I'll remind you it is pouring down rain at the time and on top of that there is no ramp to the door, only steps. I retreat back to her and tell her I'd be happy to help. She takes my arm and I start to walk her up the steps when I hear another voice from behind me.
I turn again to see another older woman, not nearly as old as the first though, this time in her SUV. She says that she needed some help getting inside too. So once I walk the first lady in I had to come back out for a second woman. This woman needed a walker to get around and the lack of a ramp really made it a struggle for her to get in. All in all, helping these two ladies walk 30 feet took me a good 10 minutes. I can't say I've ever helped one little old lady get where she was going but here I am helping two back to back on a cold wet night when all I was trying to do is get in and out and to my hockey game. It was truly an extraordinary set of circumstances.
Finally I got both of them inside and was able to get going, but helping those two women really put some things in perspective. The ability to simply walk around is a task we all take for granted. Both of these woman could only move at a snails pace. Add the weather and steps to the equation and it would have been impossible for these women to vote without assistance. Just makes you appreciate being young and healthy and reminds you things won't always be as easy as they are now.
These woman both thanked me for helping them inside last night but today I thank them for giving me a renewed enthusiasm for life.
I'll be the first to admit I just never adopted proper dental habits as a child and that oral negligence has carried over into my young adult-hood.
Don't get me wrong, I brush my teeth. Always have, once a day.
But therein lies the problem.
Last time I checked dentists recommend brushing twice a day and flossing.
So as you can see I fell markedly short of dental minimums, thus I apparently neglect my mouth.
I probably would have gone on this way for months and months to come if it weren't for my last trip to the dentist.
Normally, when you get your teeth cleaned its an in-and-out deal; 30-45 mins tops. But not this time.
The hygienist spent a good 60 minutes doing what they do (you know, the scraping, the cleaning, etc...) and she knew that I needed to step my game up when it comes cleaning the mouth.
So, to save this poor lady from having to clean my teeth that long the next time and seeing that look of despair in her eyes next time I come in I have decided to make some changes.
I've increased the brushing frequency to 1.5 times a day. I can't say we are at the goal of two yet because frankly, when it's late, and I'm tired, sometimes I just lay down and fall asleep. My teeth are not at the forefront of my mind at this time.
In addition to brushing more I've decided (by recommendation) to start using the Listerine.
At first this was a painful decision. Anyone who has braved the 30 seconds of torture Listerine imposes on you has to know what I'm talking about. Your eyes get red, they water, and you just are dying to spit the shit out to make the hurt go away. But you don't, you press on, because you know that pain is a good pain, a germ killing pain, and it's worth it.
But lately I haven't been experiencing this dramatic of a sensation when I use it. Sure, it's a little unpleasant, but not nearly the God-awful burning that there once was.
Have I built up a tolerance to the pain?
Is my mouth just cleaner now than it once was?
Regardless I feel the addition of Listerine into the daily mix has been a positive one. The gums don't bleed anymore, my teeth appear whiter (although this could just be an illusion) and mentally I feel better about myself.
As far as the flossing goes.... yeah, still can't get into that.
Maybe some day.
I can't. It's impossible. I bite the first possible moment it won't damage my teeth.
