Stupid agreements...

I so want to share right now. But can't. Stupid agreements.

What is it with young guys?

I'm a liberal. I'm a hockey-loving-tree-hugging-universal-health-care-supporting liberal...and I like coffee houses. In fact, my favorite local shop proudly proclaims itself as a "Home to Malcontents, Revolutionaries and Do-Gooders of all types". I more or less fit the billing, but I'm not sure the people sitting across from me do.

...or do they?

As I've noted in the past, I've never understood 'Angryoldwhiteman' syndrome. Are things really that bad in this country? To what standard are we we comparing ourselves? Is there a country we should try harder to emulate? Maybe Canada? (I know some of us believe so)

Yesterday I was chatting with a friend and laughing at how ironic it is given my political beliefs that I seem to move from one conservative hot bed to another time and time again. West River South Dakota, Utah, Kansas, and now Wyoming. These areas differ in how the prevailing ideology surfaces: Utah is church based, Kansas is community based, and Wyoming is individualistic-in-your-face-with-a-shotgun-conservative-libertarian, but needless to say, they are all conservative.

The couple sitting across from me are outraged at the new health care and the expansion of government under the current administration. Granted, there is room for improvement and I think some of the legislation passed in the past year-and-a-half leaves much to be desired, but I am not terrified of our government. I do not fear the recent health care bill will lead to the government allowing only blue-eyed and blonde-haired babies to be born nor do I fear this expansion will lead to satellite eavesdropping in people's backyards (both of which were discussed in all seriousness). This couple--who are in their late-20s/early 30s--have guns and this concerns me.

What breeds such distrust in government? and anger? Am I so liberal that I am unable to see (or imagine) a not-so-distant world controlled by Big Brother because our government passed a health care reform bill?

What is it with these young guys?

2014: It's about time!

It may not be the Frozen Tundra, but it's a start: Super Bowl XLVIII!

You might be in Wyoming if...

...the wind is blowing hard enough to have waves break in ditches along the highway.

(this was yesterday when we had a 'light breeze')

...the wind is blowing hard enough to rock your apartment building.

(I live on the second floor and woke to my bed moving this morning)

...the wind is blowing hard enough to knock out power.

(I wish I was joking, but I'm not)

A question of timing...

I have a question for all of you out there...

How early is too early to share about a new female interest?

32.1...

Doing the right thing is sometimes more challenging that it should be. Sometimes it requires keeping the greater good in perspective through challenging times or while facing insurmountable odds. I am currently faced with such a dilemma as I write these words, debating what to share with this post.

You see, today is my sister's birthday. There's a unique bond between an older brother and his younger sister--one where I can be quite defensive of her. She's my one-and-only sibling and is therefore very special to me.

But last night I went to hockey game.

Decisions...decisions...

Hockey it is.

Yesterday, I made the trip back to Rapid for this game. It should be noted that this was no ordinary game, it was Game 6 of the President's Cup!--the CHL's best-of-seven championship series! Luckily, it's Finals Week here, meaning I have a rather flexible schedule. When I do my work (grading) is up to me as long as I get it done in time.

The trip almost didn't happen. When the Rush won Game 5 on Saturday and went up 3-2 in the series, I knew I would need to move some meetings and appointments around on Monday in order to make it out of town on Tuesday. Although this was taken care of rather quickly Monday morning (and, yes, I did have to wait until Monday to do this), the ticket availability came into question. Long story short, I ended up with the LAST TICKET available for Tuesday night's game.

It really was a classic game. We fell behind 3-0 in the first with the third goal coming with only 28 seconds left in the period. I, like many of the 5118 other fans in attendance, thought we were done. The crowd that had been electric only moments earlier had been silenced. I sat there debating why I had made the 5-hour trip instead of waiting for Game 7 on Friday.

Hope did emerge. We scored a goal halfway through the second, but that was it for either team in the period. That late first period goal, a goal they scored because we didn't hustle back on defense, was looking rather ominous. It may go without saying, but a one goal lead is much easier to come back from than a two goal deficit.

The crowd was on the edge of its seat for the entire third period as shot after shot rocketed just wide or was stuffed by Allen's goalie in spectacular fashion. Thankfully, we scored a second goal with about 5 minutes left in the game to cut the lead to 3-2. Two minutes later, we scored a game-tying goal and the arena ERUPTED!

I've seen many a game in many a locale, but the roar that came forth when we scored our 3rd goal may be the loudest human created noise I have ever heard. My ears were still ringing at 3am. Unbelievable.

This late goal sent the game into overtime. As we entered the first extra period, no one on the ice nor in the stands could have anticipated what we were in store for...an epic battle of goaltenders. 39 minutes and 28 second later, Scott Wray scored the winning goal for the Rush sending the emotionally exhausted fan base into a cheer that would last for nearly an hour. Simply incredible.

In the nearly 20 years of the CHL's existence, this was by far and away the longest series ending game going nearly 2 full extra periods before the winning goal was scored. What a treat.

I was there for our first game ever (played in Fort Collins). I was also there for our first home game ever. And now I can say I was there for our first Ray Miron's President's Cup!

THIS IS 'R' TIME!!!

GO RUSH!!!

(Happy Birthday, Geek!)

And on the third day...

...he announced he had signed a new contract.

Yes, my friends, the paperwork has been signed and it is now official: I will be a Wyoming Cowboy for the next 4 years!

The paperwork was presented to me Wednesday of last week. I would have signed right away had it included a clause about new equipment. Once that was clarified, things were in place for my signature.

Thankful for the security this will provide over the next several years.