Why Minor League Hockey Is Better Than the NHL

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Ammon

Last Saturday we went to see the Houston Aeros take on the San Antonio Rampage—two teams in the AHL, professional hockey’s minor league—and I loved … every … minute … of … it!

I used to think I did’t like hockey. It turns out though, that I just don’t like NHL hockey. Growing up, my Czech aunt took me to more than my fair share of LA Kings games. I always enjoyed the experience, but I never really cared about the actual game.

Despite the fact that I attended games regularly and even got to see the Great One play, I never became fan. After the game on Saturday, however, I’m convinced that it’s just the NHL I don’t like and not hockey itself.

My major gripes with NHL hockey games are that

The games are too low scoring. Every game I’ve ever seen to was like 1-0 or 2, 0. I want to see goals!
The NHL has legislated fighting out of the sport. Hockey without fights is just Men’s team figure skating.
I always had trouble following the game. It doesn’t help that at NHL games good seats are so expensive. I can never see the puck from up in the nosebleeds.

So, how did the Aeros game change my opinion about hockey? The score was 5-3, there were a couple of decent fights, and we sat ten rows behind the goal without breaking the bank.

I don’t care that I don’t know the rules of the game, consider me sold on AHL hockey. I’ll be back for more.

Do you prefer professional or minor league sports? Who’s your favorite team? Sound off in the comments below.

All images are from my flickr, unless otherwise noted.

AHL Player Tries Fighting Entire Opposing Team [VIDEO] (wzlx.radio.com)

Two Keys Chained Together

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Ammon

I think it’s great that every time I rent a car they give me a set of two keys!

So many, many circumstances could arise (I came up with three) where this would be handy.

Someone else might need to take the car out
I might (heaven forbid) lock myself out of the car and need to get in
I might (perish the thought) lose a key

Yes, having two keys to the rental car would be great … if they weren’t bound together on the same indestructible keychain without any possible way of ever separating them.

Why do you think they do this? Sound off in the comments below.

All images are from my flickr.

Renting a car? Take a picture first (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
Hints from Heloise: Prevent car rentals from becoming a problem (goerie.com)

When Pigs Fly in Texas

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Ammon

Everything really is bigger in Texas. The cowboy hats, the belt buckles, the hairdos and even the hood ornaments. I used to think that owning a Cadillac was a sign of maturity, stability, and class.

That was before I spotted this winged chrome oinker perched atop the hood of a Caddy at the office recently.

Clearly, you can’t buy good taste (or good sense for that matter). But, you can buy everything bigger.

What’s the tackiest thing you’ve seen lately? Sound off in the comments below.

All images via my flickr

Weekly Photo Challenge: Ready

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Ammon

Are you Ready for this week’s the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? I bet you are. Because I’ve never been more Ready (even if I am a bit late).

It must be all the tests I’ve taken over the years, but nothing says ready to me quite like a sharpened number 2 pencil.

I love that moment right before you put graphite to paper. There are so many possibilities open to you.

Whether it’s a Scantron or a sheet of college-ruled notepaper, as long as you’ve got your trusty number 2 you’re ready for anything.

Want to participate in the challenge? Head on over to The Daily Post and follow the instructions below.

1. Each week, [they] provide a theme for creative inspiration. You take photographs based on your interpretation of the theme, and post them on your blog anytime before the following Friday when the next photo theme will be announced.

2. To make it easy for others to check out your photos, title your blog post “Weekly Photo Challenge: (theme of the week)” and be sure to use a “postaday2012″ or “postaweek2012″ tag.

3. Subscribe to The Daily Post so that you don’t miss out on weekly challenge announcements. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS.

Now, take a picture that captures this week’s theme and post a link to it in the comments below.

All images are from my flickr, unless otherwise noted.

This post was Freshly Pressed on February 10, 2012!

Superhero Toys: Then Versus Now

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Ammon

Superhero movies rock these days and so do their toy counterparts.

Growing up in the 1980s most superhero toys either looked like Ken dolls or like this.

My kids, however, gets to play with these.

Who do you think had it better? Sound off in the comments below.

All images via my flickr

Hot Links: PopRocksCandy.com

Posted on January 16, 2012 by Ammon

Sometimes a website is so ugly, it’s awesome. This isn’t one of those times. It’s just plain horrid.

Check out PopRocksCandy.com and see how many of the biggest web design mistakes it’s guilty of.

What’s the ugliest site you’ve seen lately? Sound off in the comments below.

All images via my flickr

82-Year-Old Grandma Tries Pop Rocks for the First Time (neatorama.com)

18-34 No More

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Ammon

I used to be with it, but then they changed what “it” was. Now, what I’m with isn’t it, and what’s “it” seems weird and scary to me. | Abe (Grandpa) Simpson

Grandpa Simpson
Image via Wikipedia

As of today, no one cares what I think anymore. At least that’s what I’m told marketers and advertisers believe.

Yesterday was my last day as a member of the coveted 18-34 male demographic. So to make the most of it I spent all day skateboarding while playing Skyrim and Battlefield 3 on my Xbox 360. I watched UFC and MTV on TV. I was so social—I tweeted, I poked, I plussed, I stumbled, I tumbled, and I pressed. I only ate super spicy Cheetos and drank nothing, but Mountain Dew.

It was so, totally, extremely, radically, awesome! Except none of it happened.

To settle in to my new demographic group today I got up before the sun rose to read the Wall Street Journal. Later, I did the New York Times crossword puzzle while my double fiber oatmeal cooled enough for me to eat it. Then, I drove to the grocery store in my Buick where I wandered aimlessly and complained about the weather, the economy, and Obama to anyone who would listen. Afterwards, I met my wife for the early bird special at Denny’s. Before bed, I resolved to finally get into this Facebook thing I’ve been hearing the young folks talk about.

I’m especially glad that that wasn’t how I spent my birthday.

The truth of the matter is that I don’t think I fit into the boxes that marketers and advertisers want me to and I’m pretty sure most of you don’t either.

Do you agree or disagree? Sound off in the comments below.