drabley

In deciding which of the final Lightning home games to attend for the season, I found myself uttering a phrase that I never thought I'd ever hear myself say.... "I want to see the Washington Capitals." Imagine that.

Sybris - Burnout Babies

I think the "try then buy" thing is bullshit. Between Last.fm and Myspace, you can pretty much get a feel for an album for free without scamming the whole thing. I'd wager that less than 25% of people actually will buy something after downloading it, unless it is purchased on vinyl. Support the band. Guitars aren't free.

I assume you're talking about Civ. I have one victory on Deity (Expert) level. Cultural with The English. I've tried numerous ways with numerous civilizations and it's damn near impossible. I was 2 or 3 turns short of Financial victory with the Russians once. I just hung out and let my neighbor accumulate wealth and then stole it with spies. I went through and beat the game all four ways with every civilization on King and Emperor difficulties. So it's pretty much all I play too.

Brian Bond - Fire & Gold. If you're not familiar -- get acquainted.

Can't stop playing Civilization Revolution. Shit's tight.

I love Cutler's ability, but that dude needs to shut the hell up. I'm starting to think that trading him to Cleveland for Quinn and a second-round pick might be the thing to do. I'm starting to think that the Bucs need to hop on that shit post haste. Luke McCown, Brian Griese and that kid from SD State -- what a sorry bunch. Or maybe not. I live in Tampa, but I'm a Saints fan. Drew Breese FTW.

A coaching change has done wonders for the Pen's. 8-1-1 under Bylsma. Point well taken. The Rangers are also, what 3-1-1 under Torts? I wasn't arguing the validity or necessity of a coaching change, just pointing out that the coach takes the heat even though the fault sometimes lies with the players or the GM. Look at Paul Maurice in Toronto, for example. He had next to nothing to work with asides from Sundin, Kaberle and for a while a decent Bryan McCabe. And he was expected to make the playoffs with that? 5mil per season for Kubina? An over-paid Jason Blake after a fluke season? An over-paid Darcy Tucker after a fluke season? Every player gets a no-trade clause!!! Maurice's hands were tied by the opposite end of John Ferguson Jr's noose, and he unfortunately he took fall. No doubt first so that JFJ had someone to land on for cushioning when it was his turn to go. It's not always the coach.

The Bills were the only team that could afford to sign TO. And by that I mean that they have nothing to lose. 7-9 for the past, what 3 years now... The Jets are poised to get better...Brady's back....Dolphins are now playoff contenders...Bills needed to do something to stay relevant. TO will bring them not only a skilled player (and complete now one of the best receiver sets in the League) but he will bring Buffalo some fanfare. In a small market like Buffalo, and especially since there will be a game in Toronto, Buffalo needs all the spectacle it can get. With a young QB and a weak O-Line, though, on paper it looks like now Buffalo has TWO #1 receivers that they won't be able to get the ball to. As far as TO being a cancer to a locker room -- you give the man too much credit. Not even TO can destroy a franchise in only 1 season. Only time will tell, but this move made sense for Buffalo in numerous ways. Let's just see if he can hang on to the ball in the cold and wind -- he couldn't do it in Dallas, that's for sure.

C'mon, now. Everyone knows that when 20 guys are lousy it's the Coach and/or GM that gets the axe. Nothing new there at all.

http://www.myspace.com/broceans It's part post-rock, part math-rock, all fucking brilliant.

Awesome. When are pre-orders and what are the planned press runs? Gotta start budgeting now.

+1 for noticing the Shotmaker pic. I would have loved to see them do the discography on vinyl as well. I grew up with these kids. I saw almost every Shotmaker / Three Penny Opera show within a 100 mile radius of Belleville, Ontario. Southern Ontario had such an amazing scene in the mid 90's. Rural kids would drive for hours to see shows -- it was such a sense of community and involvement. Am proud to have been a part of it.

Good call - I would buy Antarctica vinyl in a heartbeat. I love that band. Agreed on Antarctica. And sweet Shotmaker icon. Come to think of it -- that's a discog in need of a repress.

The Oceans album is phonomenal. Can hardly wait.

Interested in your green copy of Our LP. Also, sent you a PM about your Hot Cross/Holy Shroud split yesterday, mang. Considering my offer for that, respond with a PPD for both.

PM'd on Loma Prieta

Offer up your vinyl, I'll offer up my $$. No bullshit.

spazzintellect knows his way to the post office.

Three suggestions: End Hits Ottawa, ON, CA www.endhits.ca This shop is run by Shawn Scallen. Shawn was a major player in the Southern Ontario DIY scene in the mid 90's and was very involved in the success of Shotmaker, whom we should all know and love. (If you're not familiar -- get acquainted). He ran the now defunct label Spectra Sonic Sound, but he still keeps the site and mail order going. He is also the man behind punkottawa.com which is a comprehensive site for everything punk/diy in and around Ottawa. He's an excellent photographer, and just a cool fucking guy. He'd be a great interview. Rotate This! Toronto, ON, CA www.rotate.com The premier record shop in Toronto, in my opinion. Some of the clerks are dicks, or at least some of the ones I remember, but the selection more than makes up for it so long as you don't mind attitude when you pull up to the counter. From the About section of the website: "Rotate This is an equal-genre retailer. We do not exclude titles from stock based on race, creed, culture, religious affiliation or sexual orientation. We might not, however, stock a title we feel is not appropriate for our store, for any number of reasons. You want Brittany? Wicked, so do we. But we don't sell her records. (Well, ok, maybe the UK 12"ers but please don't tell anyone)." And finally the current recipient of my $$ -- Vinyl Fever Tampa Tampa, FL www.vinylfevertampa.com There's quite a story and history behind the guys that started this place. It's a cool shop and they're really involved in the local scene. Good stuff.