Avalanche Making Run At Playoffs

You're Dialed In with JQ

Dear Readers,

For those of you that doubted me, all I have to say is.....I told ya so.


The Colorado Avalanche have put up an impressive 9-2-1 record since the end of February. Now even I'll admit that I was a little scared after a horrible loss to the Red Wings on 2/18. It really looked like we were a sunk ship. Then the trade deadline came along and we added some much needed depth, talent, and heart to our team. The addition of Denver favorites Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote really boosted our team with confidence and put the "kibosh" on a sinking morale. Ruslan Salei, a defense man we picked up from the Florida Panthers, may have been one of the best trades this season. Even though it was quietly done, and over shadowed by the Brad Richardson (to Dallas) and Marian Hossa (Pittsburgh Penguins) trades, he stepped out on to the ice and gave us power size and a surprisingly good shot from the blue line.

Now the injury bug has still been biting us in the ass. Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos were both hurt in a game against the L.A. Kings. Svatos tearing up his knee and Smyth getting checked into the half boards and suffering a concussion. Svatos is done for the season, but Smyth should be back in the line up maybe as soon as Saturday when the New Jersey Devils step back into the Pepsi Center to only have their asses handed to them once again. Other injuries to Scott "The Sheriff" Parker, Jordan Leopold, Adam Foote, and Peter Forsberg have shortened our lines a bit, but Captain Joe Sakic and the other assistant captains have really kept the team on a roll.

With 10 games left in the season, the Av's finally reclaimed their rightful spot at the top of our division. And with all the remaining games, except for the Devils on 3/15, being against division rivals every point is going to count. So if you weren't on board before, pretend you were and start cheering on my boys. The playoffs are right around the corner and I'm smelling blood in the air. Stay Dialed In

Death & Lunch

You're Dialed In with JQ

First things first. Way to go Av's. If you didn't watch the game like I suggested, you missed one hell of an ending. Joe Sakic was "Super" as usual and the rest of our team put on a hell of a performance. Don't worry Coach Q, the boys might just save your job after all. Av's are at home for the next 4 games, and hopefully we'll see Foppa out there giving someone hell. Keep it up boys. You owe me 14 wins, at least!

So on a different note I thought I'd write a bit about real life. I work in an office were I am one of the youngest employees they have. There are a few of us under 30 but most of the guys that work here are 50 or older. One employee in particular is older than "Death". I mean this with as much respect as I can. He's a nice old guy who walks around the office with as much energy as "Sid the Sloth". He's got a lumpy bald head that looks like the terrain for the next JEEP commercial. And his face resembles that of "Smeagol, or Gollum" for those of you that speak LOTR dork. So there is your description. Got a good picture in your head?

So I went to lunch today with "Smeagol" and another one of the employees. We went to a great Vietnamese place that I would absolutely visit again. You know it's good food when all the other patrons are Vietnamese and you're the only white people there. So we ordered our food, sipped on some tea, and struggled through pointless conversation about the weather, weekend plans, and all the crap you say to people that you don't really know. "Smeagol" doesn't say a word from the time we leave the office till the time we come back. Super, I know. The waiter brings our food and we begin the chore of attempting to respect another culture by using the chop sticks that were provided. So obviously it takes us forever to eat the god damn rice. "Smeagol" on the other hand decides to use a spoon, probably so that he can just gum his food in peace. The obvious strain of lifting a spoon to his toothless head about gave me a heart attack. He constantly looked like he was either going to:

A) Shit himself

B) Fall asleep in his Noodle Bowl

C) Die

Now granted he's an old timer and he's seen his share of winters if you take my meaning. And I'm sure you're all thinking we'll be like that someday too and how would you feel blah, blah, blah.

Now me personally, I was hoping for option B. This way I wouldn't have to smell his shit in the car ride home and Option C would have meant that I would have to use my CPR training, thank you Baywatch,and give this walking corpse mouth to mouth. For those of you that are either terribly concerned or just curious option D happened. None of the above.

The long and short of this little stint is this: My fucking lunch hour is too short to have to worry about whether or not someone asshole is going to fucking die at my table. I know it's a selfish fucking thing to think and I of course don't wish him any harm. But for god sakes man, I can't deal with that sort of pressure. Especially when all I want to do is eat my fucking chicken curry.

Until next time.....

stay dialed in.