The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Check this out: The 2nd time I've ever tried to download a movie (It was Babel, which I've yet to watch) and I get this in my inbox. I know people who've downloaded tons of movies and games and haven't heard a peep from anybody, and they're picking on me! I've learnt my lesson. Sorry Paramount, I'll try to do better next time.

Dear Sir

Rogers Cable (Rogers) has received a notice stating that activities associated with your IP address are infringing copyright in material(s) owned or exclusively licensed by others.

The full notice is appended to this e-mail below.

Under section 4(d) of the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet End User Agreement (EUA) and Acceptable Use Policy (AUP), you are prohibited from using the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet service to engage in illegal activities, including activities that infringe copyright. Copies of our EUA and AUP are available at:

EUA and AUP

Where there has been a violation of our EUA and/or AUP, including the unauthorized distribution of copyright-protected material, Rogers has the right to take appropriate action against you.

If you have any questions about the attached copyright notice, please contact the sender of the notice using the contact information provided in the notice. Please do not reply to this e-mail.

We trust you will comply with our policies and all applicable laws in using the Rogers Yahoo! Hi-Speed Internet service.

Rogers EUA Management Team
Sincerely,

EUA Management Team
Rogers Yahoo Hi-Speed Internet



-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

Notice ID: 22-21445303
26 Feb 2007 20:49:04 GMT

Rogers Cable

Dear Sir or Madam:

BayTSP, Inc. ("BayTSP") swears under penalty of perjury that Paramount Pictures Corporation ("Paramount") has authorized BayTSP to act as its non-exclusive agent for copyright infringement notification. BayTSP's search of the protocol listed below has detected infringements of Paramount's copyright interests on your IP addresses as detailed in the attached report.

BayTSP has reasonable good faith belief that use of the material in the manner complained of in the attached report is not authorized by Paramount, its agents, or the law. The information provided herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, this letter is an official notification to effect removal of the detected infringement listed in the attached report. The Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, the Universal Copyright Convention, as well as bilateral treaties with other countries allow for protection of client's copyrighted work even beyond U.S. borders. The attached documentation specifies the exact location of the infringement.

We hereby request that you immediately remove or block access to the infringing material, as specified in the copyright laws, and insure the user refrains from using or sharing with others Paramount's materials in the future (see, 17 U.S.C. 512).

Further, we believe that the entire Internet community benefits when these matters are resolved cooperatively. We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity and inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts toward this common goal.

Nothing in this letter shall serve as a waiver of any rights or remedies of Paramount with respect to the alleged infringement, all of which are expressly reserved. Should you need to contact me, I may be reached at the following address:

Mark Ishikawa
Chief Executive Officer
BayTSP, Inc.
PO Box 1314
Los Gatos, CA 95031

v: 408-341-2300
f: 408-341-2399

Pick up the paper. Take a look online. Check out the NHL standings. There's the Senators, sitting well in 4th place. Imagine the playoffs are today, guess what? They're playing the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins who just acquired Gary Roberts and George Laraque.

I don't know how Muckler screwed this up, especially in light of what the Pens gave up to get Roberts: a prospect named Noah Welch who was drafted in 2001.

Do you think Pittsburgh has "mortaged" their future? I don't. And considering the Sens are still one the youngest teams in the league, very much like the Penguins in some respects, I have to wonder how many more draft picks Muckler thinks he needs to hold onto. Does he think sending a 1st round pick this year will somehow make the Sens hit rock botton? Was there no way Muckler could have topped this trade? To me, it seems the Pittsburgh gave up very little to get a heck of a lot.

Guess what Mucks? Now that you felt you cannot "add without subtracting", you've put the Senators in the worst position possible: instead of Roberts who WANTED to play alongside the likes of Alfredsson and Heatley, now he's suiting up with Sydney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Does this increase or decrease your chances of a Stanley Cup run this year?

Your answer is Oleg Saprykin. He's a 26 year-old kid, with no leadership abilities, no veteran experience, and managed only 6 points in 25 or so games with Calgary during the cup run just before the lockout. Does this kid sound like a game-breaker to you? Not likely.

Hey, I think some teams have gone too far, like I wrote yesterday that Tkachuk trade was ridiculous. Some risks though, DO get rewarded. Risks are what allow for success. If you're not willing to roll the dice a little, how succesful can you be?

I think Muckler has blown it again, and if the Sens have an early exit again this year, I beg and PLEAD with Eugene Melnyk to get the ball rolling and fire this guy. I hear Bryan Murray used to be a GM.

Other thoughts: To all you Oiler fans out there, I feel bad for you. I cannot believe management could not find a way to re-sign Ryan Smyth. And that sends a message, in my view, that they have no hope of the Oilers making the post-season. The ultimate screw-job for Oiler fans.

The trade deadline is 24 hours away, and already we've seen how a desperate team can cause uncertainty in the market place and leave other GMs with nightmare scenarios if they decide the need to acquire a new player to make a serious Stanley Cup run is necessary.

The Atlanta Trashers traded a 1st & 3rd round pick in 2007 with a 2nd round pick in 2008 along with forwad Glen Metropolit to the St Louis Blues for forward Keith Tkachuk. If they re-sign him to a new deal after this season is finished, they also have to throw in a 1st round pick for the 2008 draft as well. I tell ya, the GM for the Blues might have just saved his job with this trade. There was absolutely no way the Blues were making the playoffs this year, and stocking up with these draft picks for a player that will likely not re-sign with Atlanta and play for the Blues again next year, for me, is highway robbery.

Especially when you consider Tkachuk really isn't all that great a hockey player.

If Atlanta wanted to acquire a forward from the Blues, they should have traded for Bill Guerin. I personally can't stand Tkachuk. This guy hasn't won anything in his career, more times than not, his post-season experience amounts to one round in the playoffs and his attitude is something left to be desired. He has a reputation for being lazy and self-centered, and last season when he showed up at training camp fat and out of shape sums up my impressions of him.

Guerin has at least won a Stanley Cup ring and has a reputation of being gritty and willing to pay the price. Because of the ridiculous demands the Thrashers adhered to in getting Tkachuk, it will be interesting to see how much Guerin will go for if he gets traded. Teams like the Senators, Red Wings and Stars have been rumoured to be potential suitors but if the Blues have similar expectations in relation to what they got for Tkachuk, I'm not sure how likely Guerin will be playing for another team.

In any case, I think there's a good chance, even with Tkachuk, the Thrashers might not even last one playoff round. Remember, this is a team that has never even made the playoffs before. GM Don Wadell is expecting a miracle for the Thrashers if he thinks they'll be playing in the Cup final. But, weirder things have happened, and only time will tell.

To Ric Flair. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!


Sean Astin. Lord of the Rings baby! Nice job.


Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Your works of art inspired many!


Anton Volchenkov. You block so many shots, Gerber fears for his job!


And of course, to me...SBP! Kylie, did I forget anyone?

I'll be taking it in, althought I know most don't want to. Doesn't matter though, I'm hoping there will be some memorable moments that will make it worthwhile. If you're the gambling type, here's who I think will take home the big prizes:

Best Picture: Little Miss Sunshine. It has both mainsteam and indie appeal, that's why I think it will take it.

Best Actor: Forrest Whittaker, Last King of Scotland. I haven't seen it, but tell me an award leading up to the Oscars that he hasn't won.

Best Acress: Helen Mirren, The Queen. A near lock. I will never see it.

Best Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy, Dreamgirls. Like I said before, more for his contributions in the last 25 years to entertainment than for this film itself. He's in it for 15 minutes and he's nothing special.

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls. I think Beyonce got screwed, but what are you going to do?

Best Director: Martin Scorsese, The Departed. He must must MUST win! I don't imagine how the Academy can screw this up. This isn't even his best film, but it's about time the Academy correct its past errors, and this movie is good enough to deserve it, regardless.

When An Inconvenient Truth wins best documentary, I hope Al Gore will be on hand to help accept it, but I doubt it.

Bread is a staple of almost everyone's diet. Meat eaters and vegetarians alike can enjoy a slice of bread as part of almost any meal they prepare. There is an important distinction, however, when choosing the type of bread you eat. Specifically, whether you choose white or whole wheat bread.

White bread is everywhere you go. When you order a pizza, eat a burger, or have a roll at a fancy restaurant, the default choice for most establishments is white bread. While there has been definite improvement in offering consumers whole wheat bread (even that McDonald's commercial has an interview with a customer who claims he enjoys "the option of a whole wheat roll"), most of the time it is not the case.

Some quick facts as to why you should eat whole wheat over white bread:

- Whole wheat is much higher in fiber, vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, zinc, folic acid and chromium. Fiber is perhaps the most important out of this list.

- In various studies, it was found that those who eat whole wheat bread suffer fewer heart attacks and strokes then those who opt for the white bread counterparts

- Most white bread contains many preservatives to lengthen shelf-life and bleaching chemicals to whiten the bread. They also contain high levels of starch.

- Most white bread have few nutrients and high carbohydrates. It takes about 8 slices of white bread to match the fiber content in one slice of whole wheat bread.

- The high levels of nutrients in whole wheat bread make you feel more full after eating than white bread, and thus can help you consume less calories.

For all these reasons, when grocery shopping, you should make an effort to pick out breads that are labelled "100% whole wheat" or "whole wheat". It is very difficult to avoid when going out to eat, but having only whole wheat bread available in your home will be beneficial to your health and well being. Even a bachelor like me avoids the white and finds a slice of whole wheat bread just as satisfying!

I don't normally dedicate a post to a particular Sens game, but here it goes. Tonight's tilt against the Sabres where Ottawa fell 6-5 in the skills competition was immensely entertaining. Sens grab the lead 2-0, Sabres make 3-2, Ottawa ties it up, Buffalo makes it 5-3 in third period, then we're right back to a tie game when Ottawa scores the next 2 goals. Unfortunately Ottawa couldn't seal the deal with their powerplay in the last 90 seconds of overtime and they lost in the shootout.

But the 2nd period where a few fights broke out, including goaltenders Martin Biron and Ray Emery exchanging fists, fired up a rivalry and Saturday's rematch should be fantastic. As most of you know, I do think fighting should be banned from the game, but at the same time, I cheer when it happens and it's entertaining to watch so I guess I'm a hypocrite. Ray Emery's big grin as he dropped his gloves and not only took on Biron but Sabres' tough guy Andrew Peters was great. (Althought Bryan Murray must have been worrying about Emery's injured wrist getting even worse).

The whole thing started with Chris Neil giving a hard, but legal, check on forward Chris Drury which caused him to bleed and left him dazed. As one of their star players, the classic retaliation took place next shift, when the Sabres put out their goon line against Spezza, Heatley and Comrie. I always thought the notion of the star players being exempt from hitting was ridiculous. A lot of the shenanigans that causes injuries would probably stop if every player can agree that as long as a hit is clean, it doesn't merit dropping the gloves afterwards.

But if the traditionalists feel that star players shouldn't be hit at all, I have an idea. Let's have every team pick 3 or 4 players that cannot be checked. Make that jersey a different colour so there is no confusion...how about yellow? If you hit said star player, you get 2 minutes and must square off against the opposing team's goon before heading to the box. There you go, problem solved.

Mel Gibson is perhaps one of the most unpopular celebrities at the moment, but I can't deny the fact he's the star & director of Braveheart and picked up a few Academy Awards for the effort. So when I want to talk about the soundtrack, well, here he is.

Selecting the random function on my Itunes, it played back the Braveheart soundtrack and reminded me why I bought the CD more than 10 years ago. I really liked the movie, and the film's score really captivated me. While there are some tracks that are conveying the battle scenes (for example, The Battle of Stirling) with heavy drums and the sounds of trumpets, I like the more soothing cuts, such as Gift of a Thistle and The Secret Wedding. It's great music to listen to while on the computer or just taking it easy with a book.

James Horner was the man responsible for writing the score which earned him an Academy award nomination, and the rest of his resume is quite impressive. He wrote scores for almost 90 films, including Titanic, Apollo 13, Aliens, Glory, and A Beautiful Mind.

If you haven't given it a listen, and even if you didn't like the film, you owe it to yourself to give it a try.

All my friends know I like my rasslin'. I was surprised to finally see on DVD shelves the documentary Wrestling with Shadows, a fantastic doc that even a non-wrestling fan can watch and get into. Wrestling with Shadows is a revealing look at the backstabbing culture of WWE, where even those who have given years of loyalty and dedication can be used, manipulated and thrown on the trash heap once it has been decided they are of no use to the company.

This doc takes place primarily in 1997, when billionaire Ted Turner launches WCW in attempts to take over WWE and become the #1 professional wrestling organization. The WWE has lost some of its talent to big money contracts and is scrambling to rebound from dismal TV ratings and a stale product. It's #1 star, a Canadian named Bret "The Hitman" Hart, is torn between taking the easy, lucrative deal with WCW and remaining loyal to WWE's owner, Vince McMahon. In the background of all this, Hart is witnessing what he feels is the decline of wrestling in general. He finds it offensive and becoming overtly sexual. He won't let his kids watch anymore and he becomes more and more reluctant to participate in these smut storylines.

The climax of the program is the infamous 1997 Montreal "screwjob" at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. Vince tells Bret his recently signed 20-year contract is too high a price for WWE and encourages him to sign-on with WCW. Vince leaks this information out and the fans think Bret sold out for a larger payday. Not wanting to lose his world championship in his homeland of Canada as he feels it would be a huge letdown for his Canadian fans, Vince assures him he can go "anyway" he wants and on his own terms. The fix of the match Bret thought would happen doesn't, and Hart is caught in the middle of the biggest controversy of professional wrestling.

Another angle this film takes is the USA vs Canada storyline that, in hindsight, was designed by Vince McMahon to sabotage Hart's career and leave him without a direction to his character. Hart was the #1 face (good guy), then pushed to become the #1 heel (bad guy) defending Canada's conscience and way of thinking in comparison with the way of the United States. Loved by Canadians, but loathed by Americans, 95% of his job is still in front of USA audiences. Without a leg to stand on, Bret feels betrayed by his mentor and employer of 14 years, and the viewer is left scratching their head as to why someone Bret thought was not just a boss, but a friend would betray him in the manner he did.

As mentioned, you don't have to be a WWE fan to watch it. In some ways, it may even confirm your views on the behaviour of those involved with pro wrestling and the fans that watch it. But watching it knowing everything that transpires really did happen, and watching Hart pain through it all, make for compelling viewing.

With the trade deadline about a week away, the rumour mill is in full swing as hockey fans, insiders and journalists give their two cents on what will and what should happen. Which team is a seller? Which is a buyer? How many are still in limbo? As mentioned, with so little time left to make a move, each team will have to decide how they will enter the trade market and if they have a realistic expectation of a long playoff run.

I've already talked about Gary Roberts and there is no doubt in my mind Florida will part with him, but with many bidders for his services, it's hard to say just how much he'll cost. John Muckler likes to hand on to his "addition without subtraction" philosophy, but that has to change. I don't think teams are looking for draft picks, especially with many scouts stating this year's entry draft is weak. I believe Muckler might have to move a young guy like Eaves or Kelly to get that impact player Ottawa has never traded for in the past.

Aside from Roberts, I've heard Keith Tkachuk, Bill Guerin and even Ryan Smyth as possible Senator pickups. I can't stand Tkachuk (hasn't accomplished much of anything in his career) but Guerin would be a nice fit. He has a Cup ring, is a rugged checker with a nice scoring touch and provides much needed veteran experience. Would you trade Eaves for this rental? I would, in a heartbeat. I think Ottawa is good enough to make a serious run at the Cup. (I just don't see how the Oilers can part with Smyth, and if they do, how much it will cost the Senators to make such a move).

In the East, I think Buffalo, New Jersey and Ottawa are the strongest contenders. (Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh are near the top of the standings but I believe their goaltending will kill any chances). From the West, I think Anaheim, Nashville, San Jose and Detroit are the most dangerous. With the standings so close, anything can happen. Muckler needs to make a move to improve his club, a trade that could put them over the top, to eek out what will be a dogfight right down to the finish.

I might get a little grief for donning a Habs jersey, but it was just for one night only. It's still Sens 4 Life!

I hate it when two of the same card comes out on the flop after someone has called my raise. Doesn't matter if I'm already holding a medium pocket pair like 10s, or if I paired the other card on the flop, it seems I get trapped and lose many chips if I play it strongly without making a set. Suppose I'm holding said pockets 10s and I raise, and I get one caller. The flop comes:

J-J-Q.

Now what do you do? If I'm first, I'll lead out with a bet and hope to take it down right there. If I'm called, alarm bells are ringing off in my head. Would someone call your bet with only A-K after this flop? Maybe a horrible player would, but if you're up against someone who knows what they're doing, you have to ask yourself if they're holding A-Q, K-Q, A-J or even worse, Q-J and made a boat. The absolute worst case scenario of course, is if they're holding pocket Jacks or Queens in which case you're up against quads or a full house and you're drawing stone dead. And don't forget the possibility that they're holding Kings or Rockets.

If I hold position and a bet is made, I might raise if I have enough chips to see if they're simply making a continuation bet and hope to take the pot down right away (Each situation is different of course, for example, if I'm against a player who hasn't played a hand in a hour, this is an easy fold). But let me tell you, if I get any more action with the hand, I'm done with it. If they re- raise, I'm dumping those 10s lickety-split. I've made an attempt to take the pot down and it didn't work, so kudos to them if they're bluffing. Instead, I'm going to keep the remainder of my chips and not think about if I'm going to commit the rest of them to this toss-up situation and pick a better opportunity.

Maybe you've had better luck with paired boards, but myself, unless I flop a set or full house, I approach with caution and will readily give it up if I meet any resistance. Why risk all of your chips when it's so easy to be up against a much better hand?

Most people think acquiring Peter Forsberg for a long playoff run is ill-advised. Giving up some of your future for a player, while one of the best when healthy, is injury-prone and unlikely to be able to play at 100% even when he's healthy enough to dress up. But, having said all that, I admire the guts the Nashville Predators are showing.

You have to take risks to win the ultimate prize, and this trade does come with risks. It's entirely possible Forsberg won't even dress for one playoff game. But, the message this move tells the fans and players is that they feel they can win it all. How exciting is it for the 3,000 Predators fans in Nashville? They already had a legitimate shot at the Cup, and this move just makes them that much better.

Fans said, "I told you so" with Hasek's injury history last year, pulling his groin (not adductor, groin) last year and unable to compete in the playoffs. But the Sens took a gamble. If he was healthy, how far could have Ottawa gone? We'll never know. Melnyk wanted to put together a winner and Hasek was the key. It was a risk he was willing to take, and the Red Wings are now enjoying the benefits of signing the 41 year-old goaltender.

Only time will tell how the Predators will fare in their quest for the Cup, but even if they fail, they had the nerve to make this move and for that alone I admire them for it.

A taste...worth dying for.

That's their slogan, and they do not deny who or what they are. They serve unhealthy food & drink, and with no anti-smoking bylaws in effect, you can also pick up a pack of smokes with your purchase. Welcome to "The Heart Attack Grill".

The item you see the gentleman holding is the "quadruple-bypass" burger. 4x the meat, 4x the bacon, 4x the cheese...you get the idea. You can also ask for a side of "flatliner" fries to go with your meal. Fried in pure lard, and they proudly announce this fact on their menu.

Located in Arizona, they also offer patrons scantily clad "naughty nurses" (although the one seen here seems to be dressed more conservatively than the others pictured on their website) as servers. I'll let you decide if they've set back woman's rights a few decades. The government of the state has asked that they put disclaimers that the women working at the restaurant are not real nurses. Maybe some people really do think if they keel over after eating one of these meals, they have the staff on hand prepared for a life-threatening situation.

The concept is cute, and when you first hear about it, you probably laugh and think it's funny. Still, this place speaks volumes on the mindset and excess of Western culture. Big-sized meals. Extra fat & grease. The opportunity to drool over young girls that only smile at you for a bigger tip. I don't know, I'd feel dirty for walking in the place just once. The owner doesn't recommend you eat there every day of the week (once or twice a week is ok) and goes on to say every time you do go, you'll have a good time.

But really, in the end, shouldn't this place be closed?

LUCKNOW, INDIA -- Hardline Hindus who say they are fighting western influences threatened yesterday to beat up young couples who exchange Valentine's Day cards or gifts.

Valentine's Day, which is today, has become increasingly popular in predominantly Hindu India. Shops in most cities are draped in red ribbons, and heart-shaped balloons, chocolates and flowers sell briskly.

"We request young couples not to visit parks and restaurants or organize parties on Valentine's Day. Those who do not listen to us will be beaten up," said Ved Prakash Sachchan, the convener of the militant Hindu group Bajrang Dal.

- AP

Impressionable children are portrayed as either brain-washed or blessed depending on your point view in Jesus Camp. This Academy Award nominated film for best documentary takes the cameras to a middle-America bible camp and portrays what comes across to me as a training ground for soldiers of God. I do not say this in a good way. Their blind faith leaves a disturbing impression on the viewer, although the many featured in Jesus Camp were reportedly very pleased with the final cut. Beauty is in the eye of beholder, indeed.

To celebrate God's will and the fight Christians have to take to non-believers, children less than 10 years old are dressed in camouflage and warpaint, dancing to Christian music while welding sticks that are struck together like weapons. They cry as their minister, Becky Fischer, talks about the evils of sin and Satan. All this is done without a flinch from the parents and the adults in attendance. They look on with approval as all others are wrong and, as Minister Fischer explains, it's because "We hold the truth".

A 12 year old boy named Levi explains he was "saved" at age 5; he found God and has been a better person since as he was wasting his life up until then. Children are taught that global warming is not a real issue, only the afterlife matters. Minister Fischer talks about how America's kids are fat & lazy because they are not like the 5 year old Islamic children who fast for a month during Ramadan. I have never seen so many kids outpour with so much emotion before, either because they feel they are weak and God has rejected them, or they feel that they are in a state of euphoria & bliss as they talk in tongues with tears rolling down their cheeks.

It's scary stuff, enough that those who are already lukewarm to religion will reject it entirely. But at the same time I also think that fundamentalist Christians may feel motivated by the film. The Evangelical church's mission, as portrayed in this picture, is essentially world domination. They go to Congress with red tape placed on their mouths with the word "LIFE" written in marker as they pray the pro-life Judge gets chosen to sit on the Supreme Court. World domination starts with controlling the people of their country, and no better place than to start with those who administer justice.

I don't expect many to watch Jesus Camp, but be aware of it. Jesus Camp is an alarm bell about the lengths the ultra-conservative religious right will go to get what they want, or maybe for you it is must-see viewing for children who have chosen the wrong path. For me, a non-atheist, it has to be the former.

What you are looking at is what I just sold on Ebay: An Obi-Wan Kenobi Elite Edition lightsaber replica from Star Wars: Episode 1, The Phantom Menace, edition # 418 of 1250. Price: $499.99USD. Funny thing is, I broke even on the transaction. Well, after the listing fees, lost a bit. But that's ok! It was like a forced savings plan. And this gives me money for Vegas baby, Vegas!

Don't you wish you had your own!?

Went to the canal with Alex, Kerri & Finn for some hot chocolate, beavertails and a skate in some chilly weather. I can't remember the last time I went skating...too long ago! There was also a surprise for Calista as she turned the big 3-0 and a bunch of us sang Happy Birthday to her. After that, pizza and Sens hockey followed and a routine SBP poker victory. :) A good night for sure!


What's in here?


It's just me, Finn!


You need a closeup of my cuteness, I aim to please my fans!

A simple concept makes for very addictive fun. Guitar Hero II (I didn't even know there was a part I) involves you picking up a guitar controller that comprises of 5 different coloured buttons on the neck, a horizontal white strumming bar on the face and a whammy bar. Even if you have never picked up a real guitar before, beginners can get right into this game and have lots of fun with it.

The simplicty makes it appealing. You have choice of different songs ranked from Easy to Expert, and once your song is picked, you are taken to your band's venue where you have to win the crowd over with your guitar skills. A screen scrolls towards you and the object is to strum and press the appropriate coloured buttons at the correct time. Sounds easy? It can be. But as the songs progress, more complicated patterns and combinations emerge and it can get tricky. If you screw up too many times, the crowd turns on you and boos you off the stage, and the song is over.

I played two songs: Motley Crue's "Shout at the Devil" and a classic from the Police, "Message in a Bottle". The time flies quickly as you play, and it's a great party game as even those who don't care for video games liked to give it a try. When your song is over, you get a ranking out of five stars for your performance and the percentage of times you correctly hit the proper notes.

Apparently a version for the Xbox 360 is coming out and I can only imagine how good it will be. The only drawback was there wasn't as many songs as I thought there would be: just over 50 for this version. Still, it's a ton of fun and for $90 for the game and the guitar controller, a pretty good deal.

February 27, 2007 is the NHL trade deadline. Past seasons usually had a floodgate of trading activity to buyers & sellers who are looking to rebuild for the future or compete now for the Stanley Cup. But last year, the trades trickled in, and no blockbusters were done. The salary cap era has made it more & more difficult for teams to do player exchanges, and this year I don't think will be much different.

The Senators acquired Mike Comrie after the loss of Spezza & Fisher due to injury, and it may very well be their last transaction of the season. The Sens have a solid roster and they should do fine without any more moves, but many have proposed that one piece of the puzzle remains, and that piece is Gary Roberts.

Roberts was a major reason why the Sens were unable to overcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in past playoff encounters, as his solid work ethic, grit and leadership rubbed off on his teammates and brought them victory. He has experience too, playing in about 20 seasons in the NHL and winning a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames. No team looks forward to playing against him, so why not put him on your roster and make your opponents feel a little more nervous?

GM John Muckler will have to adjust his philosophy of "adding without subtraction" because there will be many bidders for his services. A young player like Patrick Eaves, Chris Kelly or Antoine Vermette packaged with a draft pick and/or prospect Brian Lee will likely be the cost. Seem high? Maybe. But do you want to win Lord Stanley or not? The Sens only have one Cup winner on their team, that being backup goalie Martin Gerber. A player with proven leadership like Roberts could fill that void. It would be an excellent way of management telling the Senators' players they believe they have a winner and they are giving them the tools they need to win it all. The energy he could bring to the locker room would be off the charts.

I'll tell you another thing: Acquiring Roberts would plunge a dagger into the heart of every Leafs fan out there. And maybe for that reason alone, it would be worth it.

Just recently, I was watching the Global news channel where they had the leader of the Green Party discuss a proposition to bring the minimum number of weeks of vacation for a full-time employee to four. The panel consisted of four individuals, two for, two against, and they debated the issue for a few minutes. What I thought was funny was at the end when one of the pro-vacation panelists ask the anti-vacation one how much vacation he had.

"Uh...four weeks."

Exactly.

Those who are against improving the minimum standard of living, whether it's minimum wage, health care benefits, or vacation time, are usually those who already have more than the average person. I distrust anyone who says, for example, minimum wage is too high as they cash in a few million of their stock options. These people are completely detached from the hardships the working and middle class people face every day, and, in my opinion, are complete bold-faced liars when they claim the Wal-Marts and McDonald's of the world can't afford a modest increase in minimum wages for the employees of their firms and somehow the entire economy will collapse if they do so. The reality is, that rich people ignore, is that there ARE people who have to pay the rent and feed their families working $5.15 an hour (in the USA) jobs. It's not just students working these jobs: it's mothers and fathers working them, too.

Going back to the vacation time question, you're darn right we should have at least four weeks of it. I'm lucky...my union guarantees that for me after 7 years of service. As I mentioned in previous posts, most of our jobs don't change the world, and the time off to recharge the batteries, spend more time with families and take a break from the stresses of the 9-to-5 grind far outweigh the costs of having someone cover your voice mail messages while you're gone. European nations have known this for sometime and enjoy several weeks of vacation (I've read as high as 8 weeks), and you don't see these economies suffering. The primary pursuit of our lives should be happiness, and this is one of the many components that helps achieve this.

This is a debate that the Green Party is right in bringing forward, but whether or not it actually goes anywhere is another story.

We've all enjoyed a club sandwich at our local pub or restaurant, but how many of us have actually taken the time to put together a triple-decker ourselves? Alex did, and he didn't hold back: double cheese, double bacon and double chicken. And, just like a fancy restaurant, had some toothpicks ready to make sure these thick sandwiches didn't fall apart. MMMMMMMM....delicious! Nice job Alex! (Click on the photo to see a 3 megapixel enlargement!)

While playing hold 'em, nothing gets me as excited as flopping a set: When you hold a small or medium pair, and your hand just improved to a three of a kind after the flop is dealt, all you can think about is how many chips you can extract from your opponents. When your hand improves even further to a full house and you're still getting action, shoving all your chips in the middle and getting paid off on it can make up for a month's worth of bad beats.

I like to flat call with a small/medium pair when it's early in the game and hope to flop the aforementioned monster (about a 7.5 to 1 chance of happening). When the table is shorthanded, it is usually correct to raise, especially when the blinds are high. You can usually win the blinds right out, and if you don't, your opponent's two high cards may miss and you can still take the pot with another bet. If you make your set, you might be able to build a big pot and take down a huge number of chips.

Most players usually check when they hit their set, hoping to induce a bluff from the opposing player and then they can either flat call or re-raise depending on the circumstances. This is standard play, but sometimes, it isn't always correct. Let's suppose you raise with pocket 7s. You get one caller. The flop comes:

Ace-Queen-7

Even if it's a rainbow flop (all different suits), you should make a standard bet right away and hope to get action. The reason is simple: Most players play hands like Ace-King, Ace-Queen or Ace-Jack and it probably hit their hand. And if you're first to act, some players will think you're just trying to steal the pot after a pre-flop raise in hopes of taking the pot down right away (or making a "continuation bet"). When I play a pocket pair, miss my set and an Ace hits the flop, 99% of the time I'm done with the hand. People play their Aces. So in my example, lead at the pot and expect to get action.

If the board is suited, this gives you even more reason to bet out. If the A-Q-7 has two diamonds, there's a chance your opponent might be playing a suited Ace and will play the hand strongly. If they move all-in you're calling...you're still about a 70% favourite to win if they're playing a paired Ace with a flush draw. Make them pay for their suckout.

I find beginners, especially loose ones, bet out so much that when they check it can become a tell. If, for example, you're playing against someone who fires a bullet at every flop, alarm bells should be going off in your head if they check a hand to you. In some cases, a check can be scarier than a bet.

Going back to my original example, say your pockets 7s see a flop of 3-7-9. Now, here's a situation where it makes sense to check. It likely didn't hit your opponent in any way, and they may decide to make a play at the flop. Better yet, maybe they're holding a big pocket pair like Queens or Kings and think they have the best hand. If they check behind you and an Ace or King comes up on the turn, it may have hit their hand and they will give you action.

Slow-playing a set isn't the only way to go. Leading out with a bet can be an unpredictable and profitable way of getting the most out of your monster hand.

Too much Sens, poker, brownies and football yesterday to do a post. By the time I got home, it was well past midnight and unfortunately I still have a job I have to go to in the morning. A break off from the blog once in a while is all good though.

So...Superbowl. You know, it was actually kind of interesting to start the game, mainly because of all the mistakes that were being made. People blame the ball for being wet for all those fumbles, but whatever, those players are paid millions of dollars and they're wearing gloves. A big problem with pro sports is that defence is worked to perfection. Because so few mistakes are made, a game can be quite tedious; witness a New Jersey Devils matchup to know what I'm talking about. Anyway, the mistakes (and entertainment) quickly ended and the Colts dominated after the 1st quarter making for a lousy game, but with the Superbowl, that's usually to be expected. Good on Manning for coming through with the win.

The Sens skill competition was a good time. The players were having fun and the crowd of 16,000+ (a lot of American NHL markets can't even draw that for a game much less a skills show) enjoyed it. The part I'll remember most is the accuracy contest as Brian McGrattan almost got killed while playing the role of passer. Mike Fisher was shooting at the targets and after hitting one, missed four in a row. Not really giving a crap after that, he had a big smile on his face as he whipped a hard shot off the post. The puck deflected and whizzed right by McGrattan's head. McGrattan mouthed something then Fisher whipped another shot high and wide that bounced off the glass and just missed McGrattan by inches. A profanity-laced outburst followed, although the crowd was loud enough that you coudn't hear him. Good thing no one got injured.

Ultimate was a little better tonight. We've lost some games 25-9 (bleah!), but tonight we tried playing a little better positioning and the result was a 22-13 loss. Still a definite improvement, and something to work on!

Perusing the canoe.ca website and reading up on the latest goings-on in the NHL, I came across a comment by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Anson Carter. The trade deadline is less than a month away, and many teams are deciding if they're buyer or sellers: do they have a chance of winning the Stanley Cup or not? The Blue Jackets are clearly NOT a contender, so rumours of movement on their roster will, of course, start to surface and Carter is a candidate for a trade. But interestingly, Carter doesn't think moving to a Cup contender is "all that":

"Ah, it's pretty easy to step in at the deadline on a contender, get a ring and say you're a champion. It's not the same as grinding it out with your teammates from the start of training camp."

That statement rings very true. Mark Recchi and Doug Weight were moved to Carolina around the trade deadline (Weight 6 weeks earlier) and they got their ring. After the season was finished, they moved back to their respective clubs, the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues.

So my question is, yes, while the playoffs are a grind in itself and whoever comes out on top deserves all the glory bestowed on them, do guys like Recchi and Weight really now have a special connection to Carolina?

Do they look upon the city of Raleigh and its fans with passion and fondness?

Will they be ambassadors for the Hurricanes once they retire?

To me it's like they stopped for the proverbial "cup of coffee" and reaped the benefits. Weight didn't even dress for game 7 of the final.

They got their ring, but like Carter said, most of the grinding out was done long before they ever showed up.

Other thoughts: It was nice to hear a player happy to be playing in a city that cares about the NHL. Mike Comrie commented, "It's been awhile since I've had this much fun playing hockey." When Yashin wanted to leave, good riddance. I have no interest having players on the roster who'd rather play elsewhere. Welcome to Ottawa, Mr. Comrie.

2000 of anything is an accomplishment.

Brian "Killer" Kilrea will be behind the bench for the Ottawa 67s tonight in his 2000th game against the St. Mike's Majors, just one of many milestones for the 72 year-old coach in his lifetime. When you figure the revolving door job security of a hockey coach, it makes this achievement just that much more impressive.

Ottawa doesn't have too many well known figures in the public eye. And those that are known, like Matthew Perry and Sandra Oh (hmmm...you have to really look for them, don't you!?) have left this city to pursue their careers. Kilrea is one of the very few that we can call "our own".

He tried his hand playing NHL hockey, scoring the very 1st goal for the expansion franchise Los Angeles Kings but couldn't keep his name on the roster. He tried coaching in the NHL but it wasn't for him. He loved coaching the Ottawa 67s and stuck with them for over three decades, and it's hard to imagine the junior squad without him.

I met Kilrea just once, a couple of summers ago at a pub on Bank St (whose name now escapes me!) for a pre-golf charity fundraiser. He insisted you call him Brian but for me I still had to call him Mr. Kilrea. He was friendly and all smiles, a true gentleman.

Can he coach another 2000 games by the age of 102? I don't think he has anything left to prove, but if anyone can, it's Killer.

Defense

Wade Redden: Injuries early in the season prevented him from getting into a groove, and he bounced in and out of the lineup before finally taking a hiatus from playing so he could get healthy. He's back at 100% and he was missed, for it was no coincidence the Senators turned it around once he was back playing full time. Doesn't have much of a physical side, but he excels everywhere else. Grade: B+

Chris Phillips: Bryan Murray called out Chris Phillips to step up his play in the absence of Chara and, along with Anton Volchenkov, is the go to guy when the opposition's top players are on the ice. He doesn't get too many points, but that's not his role. Phillips quietly improves season to season and this year is no different. Muckler is hopefully working on resigning him now as he'll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and a hot commodity to boot. Grade: B+

Anton Volchenkov: My last impression of Anton was his overtime cough-up in the first 15 seconds that directly resulted in Buffalo winning game 1 of Round 2 and the Senators never recovering from that loss. All is now forgiven as I feel he has emerged as the most improved and perhaps the best defensive defenceman the Senators have. This guy is a joy to watch blocking shots night in and night out and leads the NHL in that category. Still dishes out big hits, too. He can't score, but so what? If he can keep up this play, he'll have an Adam Foote-type reputation in the league (before he got old). Grade: A-

Andrej Meszaros: The sophomore slump has hit Andrej. He has been rusty in many games and causes many a turnover that gives me nightmares. He very rarely is on the ice to penalty kill, but having said all that, he still has good offensive upside and is a good powerplay guy. Isn't afraid to join the rush, either. I'm sure he'll get better defensively as his career progresses. Grade: B-

Joe Corvo: He's been named "Uh-oh" Corvo by some of the press because of his weak defensive play. He gets points and has a nice point shot, but much like Andrej, is nowhere to be found when it comes time to shut down the opponent's offense. Is it confidence? Who knows, but the fact that he has no playoff experience makes me nervous about how well he'll perform in the Spring. Grade: C+

Tom Preissing: Solid, if unspectacular, defenseman who somehow manages to flirt with the league's top plus/minus players. Is a good point man for the powerplay, but plays a bit soft and I've yet to seem him dive to block a shot or play with any sort of passion. Seems to be competent enough playing against the other team's 2nd or 3rd line players. Had a strong playoff with San Jose last season so obviously I'm hoping he'll repeat this year. Grade: B

Goalies

Ray Emery: Emery relied mostly on his athleticism to stop pucks the first time around, but this past summer he also worked on his positioning and the result is a pleasant surprise for Sens fans and management. He plays with confidence and that also rubs off on his teammates, and has strong stats to show he's a legitimate #1. If he can continue to play this strongly in the playoffs, the Senators have a shot. Grade: A-

Martin Gerber: He's been relegated to backup duties with the emergence of Emery and his sub-par play. He wouldn't be under so much fire if he wasn't paid $3.7M a year, but he is, and he'll likely be unloaded in the off-season to someone who's willing to gamble he can play like he did with the Hurricanes. He's won his last three starts, two against the Flyers and just recently over Washington, so maybe he's turning things around. I really don't like the way he plays from his knees and just bounces back and forth between the posts. Hopefully, Emery will stay healthy. Grade: C-

Other Thoughts: Nice job by Dany Heatley being named 1st star for the month of January after tallying 22 points in 13 games. Bring that Rocket Richard trophy home, Heater!