3 Home Games Left

Go Meat!


The Iowa Chops have not had the best season this year although watching the games has been infinitely more fun this year than in the past. There are only 3 home games left this season, I suggest you give one a try. The Chops are right on the edge of making the playoffs so come help give them a boost!



I like almost everything about Chops Hockey this year. I like our guys, I like the crowds, I like the play (when they are playing and not being total slackers), I even like the name and logo (although that has taken me awhile to say). However, I do not like the mascot. Pitchy the Pig. He is cute, he is cuddly and kid friendly...plus he is named after the pitch-a-pig contest and so seems merely there to sell foam pigs...he is not what a mascot for a hockey team should be.

Pitchy the Pig - more like Porky the Pig or Babe than a cool mascot.

I had always proposed a meaner, more boar looking tough mascot that I call Chompy. Chompy would embody the toughness of our team, he would show that the Chops aren't just little piglets. He would be something to be proud of. If the Chops owners announced today that they would definitely be here more than one more year, I would definitely go out, buy the costume, and become Chompy myself.

Proposed Mascot: Chompy

Mid December Updates

Go Meat!

After this weekend's games. The Iowa Chops have moved into first place in their division. First Place! I don't think they will stay there all season as the division is a very close race...but it is just nice to be able to say First Place. Never came close to saying that for the Iowa Stars...with them we were always like "They are only 5 points from fourth! If they win the next three games and Omaha loses, we will get in the playoffs!" It is a much better feeling starting out strong and I hope the Chops can continue this level of play throughout the rest of the season.

Check out your First Place Chops this Friday and Saturday at Wells Fargo Arena. You will be entertained (not only are they winning but they are also third in penalty minutes...our Chops love to throw down the gloves). Go Chops!

Bag of Crap

My B.o.C. finally arrived...woot! wasn't kidding when they used to say in their FAQ "that they shipped by the cheapest, slowest, most annoying way possible." That's paraphrased but not by much. What can I say, I paid $6 total and I did receive the product, so I am happy. So what did I get in my B.o.C.? Wonderful surprises? Long lost artifacts? 60" LCD TV? Sadly no.

I received 3 of the Targus Desktop Security Lock for iPods. Amazon.com lists for $29.99

Unfortunately, I do not really have a need for 3...actually even one since I don't have an iPod, so I will share the Bag of Crap love*. Send me an email through here or my profile page saying that you would like an iPod lock. Next week (probably on Dec 15th) I will randomly pick some winners next week, contact them for a shipping address, and send them out - hopefully for arrival by Christmas.

*This will only be available to people within the United States of America, and I am the final judge and decider of who wins (although I will be as fair as possible). Any selection that doesn't reply with a shipping address within a week will have their prize re-awarded to someone else...I don't want them laying around my house any longer than necessary.

Also contained in my B.o.C was this Lowepro Ridge 10, Digital Camera Bag (Amazon $8.95). Not too bad. I am going to probably give it to my niece America (human) as I know she is getting a digital camera for Christmas. Luckily my parents have crappy dial-up interwebicon that they never use, so I know I am not going to be ruining any surprises here.

All in all, I can't say that I was totally blown away by my Bag of Crap...but again it was a Bag of Crap so as long as it is not sitting on my front porch in flames I guess I am good. As I've said before, to me it is not about what I actually get, it is more about the hope and the Christmas like suspense that not knowing creates. My heart was full of joy when I saw the package sitting on my front porch. I am happy with my Bag of Crap and look forward to the next opportunity to buy Hope.

Updates!

I forgot to mention that all photos in the wedding post were taken by GF-Unit and thus I suppose copyrighted. If you need a photographer she can be hired by contacting her at www.jlynnphotography.shutterfly.com

I would also like to say that this Blog has now paid for itself (wait it's free...but time wise I guess) because after reading the Wedding Post Hedda reimbursed me the $15 for Big Booty White Girls 4 movie that Ryan rented on my credit card. Thanks Hedda, I always knew you were awesome!

CHOPS play tonight. Be sure to check it out if you have a chance, it is a great time and much better hockey than we had in previous years. Come by section 103 and join us in a chant of "Sieve...Sieve...Sieve...Sieve. It's all your fault, it's all your fault, it's all your fault," as the Chops beat the tar out of San Antonio again! Plus it's Thirsty Thursday $1 Beer Night. Game starts at 7pm.

A Strange Week

This week has been very strange and varied for me.

Roughing It

It started off camping at Acorn Valley over the weekend. Why camping? I am still not quite sure, but it was something different to do and probably the last really nice weekend to do it. It was a good time...nothing special but nice to get away from hectic pace of normal life. Plus a little naughtyness in the woods is always fun. We were at campsite 61 which was far enough away from most other people yet close to bathrooms, forest trails, and the playground. Our tent was a little smaller and a little more rustic than the one pictured above.

High Culture

Tuesday was the first show in this year's Civic Center season ticket package. It was a play called Frost/Nixon, about the way that the admittance of wrongdoing and subsequent apology came about years after he resigned. It was entertaining but I wouldn't call it engrossing. It didn't really make me think much or enlighten me in some way, it just filled a couple hours with something besides TV or video games. Would I have paid to see it if it wasn't part of the season ticket package? No, but I don't feel that it was a waste of time either. Elvis was not mentioned. Looking forward to Spamalot (again)!

A Journey to the Past

Wednesday, we (me, GF-Unit, Kinda-Kid) went to WFA to see Walking with Dinosaurs Live. It was a really good show. I thought it seemed a little short but it was a very entertaining show (if you have any interest in dinosaurs). The dinos looked pretty realistic and cool. The Kinda-Kid knew the big dinos were fake right away because there was a car thing between their legs that drove them around (although it was disguised so it wasn't completely distracting). The smaller dinos (raptors, baby t-rex, etc...) that were people in suits had him fooled for about half the show. He finally realized that you could see the actor's legs about halfway through the show. They all did a very good job, the dinosaurs moved very realistically and if you used a little imagination you could pretend they were real. We got the cheaper tickets (around $25/ea) and it was well worth that price. I don't know if it is worth the higher $60 ticket price - to me probably not, but I felt I got my money's worth for what I paid. I had a good time and I don't think the Kinda-Kid will forget the show any time soon. If you have young-ish children, I would suggest giving it a shot.

Familial Stupidity Part 1 (vicariously)

Tonight (Thursday), I am going with Hetero-Life Pal CT to Billy Joes to see Step Brothers. I think it looks hilarious and need a good laugh after the past few weeks of crappy movies. Also there is the added plus of bar food. I am not sure if the mini-corn dogs are calling my name or if I am hungry for something else this week...it will have to be a game time decision.

A Literary Event

Borders bookshop is haveing their Educator's Appreciation Weekend. There is a reception Friday night. I am not an educator but GF-Unit is (or is studying to be), so she really wants to check it out...me? I just find it hard to turn down going to a bookstore for any reason.

Familial Stupidity Part 2 (in person)

Sunday morning, my brother is gathering a bunch of friends together for a golf tournament...I think it is basically his bachelor party since it is opposite his fiance's bridal shower. I suck at golf, but I always have fun. Noonan.

Slap Shot

The Iowa Chops first pre-season game takes place at the Buccaneer Arena. It technically has free admission but I think they are asking for a $7 donation to Youth Hockey. I am excited to see the Chops in action. I am looking forward to a winning season for once. You should go...it will be fun.

C.H.O.P.S.

So it was made official last week that the AHL hockey team in Des Moines is going to be named the Iowa Chops. Yep, a pig team. About the last thing that I wanted in a new team name. I was very disappointed and saddened by this development at first. I have known about the name for about two months due to secret sources but kept hoping they would change it. But it is now official, we are a pig team and not just that but a pig team named after a food, and perhaps even worse than that we are the second pig team in our conference.

But I am very excited for the new season -

• The new name has grown on me.


• It has created a lot of buzz - everyone is talking about it, even people who never talked about hockey before (and both times I wore a t-shirt with the name or logo, I was stopped and asked where I got it - something that never happened in 3 years of wearing Iowa Stars gear).


• It is OUR name. It feels like OUR team, not just a baby team for an NHL team.


• Our new affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks should provide a tougher, more rugged style of hockey for Iowa.

So instead of whining and complaining about the name like some people continue to do, I am embracing it with open arms. Our team winning games and playing great hockey will make everyone forget that the name is a little silly. Let's take control of the team and make it something to be proud to wear. We only will be embarrassed if we let others embarrass us. Take control, wear your colors proud. There are many dumb, strange, dorky team names in sports - and the fans eventually embrace them (I did with the Barnstormers - which was the stupidest sounding name I had ever heard 15 years ago). In a couple years, you won't even remember why Iowa Chops sounded so strange.

For the people that say that the pig (I call him Chompy) needs a hockey stick or a puck in it's mouth? Look at NHL logos - only like 5 of 30 team logos contain sticks or pucks(Thrashers, Islanders, Penguins, Sharks, Capitals) - and I don't really like a single one of their logos. Do football teams have to put a big football in their logo, so people know it is a football team? No. If your team is supported by the community, the logo becomes the sport. I know in a few months when I am watching games every week, I won't see the Chompy logo and think "pig" or "pork chop," I'll think hockey. If you come to the games and cheer on the team, I can guarantee you will think the same. PS - they cut ticket prices this year between 30-50% depending on seating area, so be sure to give it a chance. I am at 40 games (at least) a year and always have a good time.

Just remember...at least we are not the Syracuse Crunch...I have no idea what that is supposed to be. Chompy looks 100% better than THAT.

Go CHOPS!!!

corrected typos/spelling on 7/18/08 9:06am