Author Archive for BlueIndian

And They’re Off! NHL Free Agency Opened at Noon

4:27PM      Ottawa signs UFA goaltender Alex Auld to a 2 year deal worth $2-million
4:14PM     Tampa Bay signs UFA goaltender Olaf Kolzig to a 1 year deal worth $1.5-million (plus bonuses).
4:02PM     Colorado signs UFA forward Darcy Tucker to a 2 year deal worth $4.5-million
3:49PM     Vancouver signs RFA forward David Backes to an offer sheet, 3 years $7.5-million.
3:43PM     Chicago signs UFA goaltender Cristobal Huet (undisclosed)
3:41PM     Florida signs UFA forward Cory Stillman to a 3 year deal worth $10.6-million
3:40PM     NY Rangers sign UFA forward Aaron Voros (undisclosed)
3:40PM     Pittsburgh signs UFA forward Eric Godard to a 3 year deal (undisclosed)
3:38PM     Tampa Bay signs UFA forward Adam Hall to a 3 year deal worth $1.8-million
3:24PM     Toronto signs UFA goaltender Curtis Joseph to a 1 year deal worth $700,000
3:24PM     Toronto signs UFA defenceman Jeff Finger to a 4 year deal worth $3.5-million a season
3:09PM     Phoenix signs UFA forward Todd Fedoruk to a 3 year deal (undisclosed)
3:07PM     Detroit signs UFA goaltender Ty Conklin to a 1 year deal worth $750,000
3:07PM     Montreal re-signs RFA forward Andrei Kostitsyn to a 3 year deal worth $3.25-million a season
3:03PM     Colorado signs UFA goaltender Andrew Raycroft to a 1 year deal worth $800,000
2:53PM     Washington signs UFA goaltender Jose Theodore to a 2 year deal (undisclosed)
2:50PM     Phoenix signs UFA defenceman Kurt Sauer to a 4 year deal worth an average of $1.75-million a year
2:02PM     Pittsburgh Penguins re-sign UFA defenceman Mark Eaton to a 2 year deal worth $2-million
1:58PM     Minnesota Wild sign UFA forward Andrew Brunette to 3 year deal worth $7-million.
1:33PM     Vancouver signs RFA forward Kyle Wellwood to a 1 year deal worth $997,500.
12:55PM     Boston signs UFA forward Blake Wheeler to an entry-level contract.
12:52PM     Lightning sign UFA forward Radim Vrbata to a $9-million, three-year contract.
12:04PM     Anaheim re-sign forward Corey Perry to a five-year deal worth $26.625-million

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George Carlin’s Last Interview

Here is the interview conducted by Jay Dixit.
The Interview
What follows are edited highlights. They represent a little over half of the interview.

How do you think about comedy and self-expression? Expressing what’s within vs. looking at the outside world and making observations?

Self-expression is a hallmark of an artist, of art, to get something off one’s chest, to sing one’s song. So that element is present in all art. And comedy, although it is not one of the fine arts—it’s a vulgar art, it’s one of the people’s arts, it’s the spoken word, the writing that goes into it is an art form—it’s certainly artistry. So self-expression is the key to even standing up and saying, “Hey, listen to me.” Self-expression can be based on looking at the world and making observations about it or not. Comedy can also be based on describing one’s inner self—doing anecdotes, talking about your own fears. Woody Allen taps into a lot of self-analysis in his comedy. But I don’t think these things are mutually exclusive. I think self-expression is present at all times, and whether or not you’re talking about the outside world or your responses to it depends on the moment and the subject.

Continue reading ‘George Carlin’s Last Interview’

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Bye George

I woke up this morning to my IPod playing a George Carlin bit about “Airline Announcements.”  I thought it was a normal Monday.  When I switched to the radio I was informed that George died last night at age 71.  I shouldn’t be surprised do to the massive amounts of drugs he did in the 60’s and 70’s.  But it’s still a sad day for me.  I have all the cd’s, both books, and got the pleasure of seeing not only his HBO specials but also in person twice.  I also respected the man for how he handled his wife’s death, the love of his life , Brenda in 1997. I know that his family and friends will miss him.  Some knew him for his early work with Jack Burns. Some for “the seven words you can’t say on television.”  Still a younger generation saw him as Mr. Conductor from that train show for kids.  I will remember him as a unique perspective on the English language and he observations of the human condition.   Bye George, you will be missed.

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Fletch sharpens his knife

Article From Toronto Sun Here

If often-criticized defenceman Bryan McCabe is a potential victim of the imminent Maple Leafs housecleaning as is expected, it likely will not come via the buyout route.

That was the word yesterday from Maple Leafs general manager Cliff Fletcher, who is aware that McCabe’s average salary of $5.75 million US translates to a hefty cap hit (almost $3-million per season for six years) in the event the Leafs attempted to buy him out.

The more logical way to go is to trade the veteran defenceman, the belief being that McCabe might waive the no-movement clause in his contract in order to go to a preferable destination such as the New York Islanders. The McCabes spend their off-seasons on Long Island, where Bryan’s wife, Roberta, grew up.

One theory making the rounds here leading up to tomorrow’s 2008 entry draft was that the Leafs might attempt to include McCabe and their No. 7 overall pick to the Islanders for a package that includes the No. 5 selection. By moving up two spots, the Leafs likely would land either Niagara defenceman Alex Pietrangelo or Russian forward Nikita Filatov, two players they covet.

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Hey Don, That’s A Great Suit

Being a Leafs fan in the United States I watch a lot of HNIC(Hockey Night in Canada). I am very familiar with Don Cherry. He provides classic commentary at the first period intermission. Well the former Boston Bruins coach is well known for not only his brutally honest views of the game, but also for some interesting outfits. Check this one out from last night’s broadcast:

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