Caps R2 G1

Having made it to the second round of the play-offs the Caps are up against the Tampa Bay Lightening. I wonder what their mascot looks like? Our mascot turned in to a cardinal from an eagle in the end of the season. Not sure how that jives. Looks like he added to the new look with a mohawk in round two.

credit: clydeorama

My weekly Friday meeting with the client didn't happen so after helping out the boss for a bit out was out of there at 5:00. Teri and I got good seats on the club level at exactly center ice. We were a couple rows behind the TV cameras. I always find it interesting to watch how they work. For some reason tickets were available for this game. I think prices dropped leading up to it. Of course we got tix after game six of round one so they were probably at their highest price. We ended up getting a decent deal for a round two play-off seat at club level on a weekend.

This game they gave us thunder sticks. They are 2.5 foot long but thin balloons you blow up and bang together. Thunder sticks versus the Lightening? The first minute of the game was the same as its been during the play-offs and the Caps were on their heals. After that though they picked it up. Teri had her Avon walk the next day so no drinking for her. Unfortunately even though the Caps seemed to have control most of the game the Lightening got some luck and scored. After that we couldn't come back. Hopefully the Caps pull it back in game two before heading to Tampa Bay.

Netherlands Carillon

It was a nice day so Teri and I rode bikes to Shirlington to have lunch. On the way past the Marine Corps Memorial and the Arlington National Cemetery we saw that the Netherlands Carillon was open. I've been riding past it for years and this was one of the only times I've seen it open. The last time was years ago. Teri and I stopped and took the opportunity to go up inside and check out the view. Other folks there were saying that it was closed for a few years. I didn't have my camera with me but below is a phone picture. It was a nice view. The bells rang while we were up there but thankfully it was only a quarter after the hour. Teri got a little wheezy being up so high and we headed down before the bells rang again.

Caps R1 G5, Mad Fox, Soulive

Game five seemed a long way away when Teri and I bought tickets but the week went by quick and Saturday was upon us. I was looking forward to this day all week but unfortunately I was still sick even though I've been going to work most of the week. I thought on Thursday and Friday I was starting to go in the wrong direction and felt worse than Tuesday and Wednesday. Thankfully things didn't seem too bad waking up on Saturday. It was an early 3:00 game which allowed us to hit the Soulive concert afterwards.

We got club level seats as usual. The lines on the lower level are way too long for the bathroom and food/drink. The other issue with the lower level is they serve the good beers in smaller cups than the club level for some odd reason. Preferential treatment? It was a red out as usual in the stadium. Unfortunately they gave us "cheer cards" this game unlike the red towels I got in game one. The cheer card was a half sized poster with the Caps logo and not the take home item most fans would enjoy. Not many people actually held them up during the game. It was a cheap game for me holding off from the $8 beers. The Caps put together a good game. They scored in the first period which is not usual lately. Green went down with a shot to the head but returned to the bench later. Any win in the play-offs is fun.

After the game Teri and I hit Mad Fox for dinner on our way to the State Theater. It was a 25 minute wait so we sat outside in their recent outdoor set up. It was a bit chilly but not too bad. I had some stuffed trout and Teri had a pizza. We sampled some beers of course and headed off to the show down the street.

They were supposed to have the same popular local gospel-influenced soul singer that opened last time but instead there was a DJ. The guy looked like Eric the guitarist of Soulive. Finally Soulive's suited groupie announced the band and they took the stage. I think they opened with the same song they did last time. They seemed to be enjoying their job and wanting to play well. They picked it up throughout the show. The drummer seemed to have some issue with his hand. The suited groupie brought out a towel that appeared to have ice in it and tied off with a guitar cord. It didn't seem to affect his play though. At some point he went off stage for a couple minutes while the other two diddled around. They brought out some of their Beatles songs during the second half of their show. Those seemed to be more layered and high energy then their own songs. It was a jamin' medley. I ended up having a beer or two at the end of the night since I felt so well.

Teri's game pics

sick

I started feeling sick on Friday with a sore throat and head congestion during work. Thankfully we had our weekly Friday afternoon meeting with the client early and I was able to go home before 5:00. I think I was the worst that night. I was pretty warm and may have had a fever. I spent Saturday on the couch. I felt a little better but was still sick on Sunday. That stayed the same on both Monday and Tuesday so I stayed home from the office to rest. I didn't do a whole lot of resting; I worked all day Tuesday from my couch. Tuesday morning around 5:30am I woke up thinking I had bugs crawling on me. I realized a second later I was covered in sweat and it was beading up and dripping down my skin.

I finally went to the office today. I still have congestion. May even feel my sore throat coming back now that I analyze myself. After the Caps finally win tonight I'm going to bed. Amazing game with the NYRs scoring three goals in the second and then the Caps scoring three in the third to tie it up.

Round 1 Game 1

The Caps clinched the Eastern Conference Championship despite some rough patches during the season and it's finally time for the play-offs. The first two games are in DC being that the Caps have home ice advantage. Teri was busy with a softball and soccer game of her own. I decided I couldn't pass up the play-off fever and surprisingly was able to find great seats for (relatively) cheap. Teri and I sat in row F near center ice a couple weeks ago and ticket I got for game one of round one was right behind that in row H.

Play-off games are different than regular season games. Of course the game is sold out and every seat is filled. Everyone was rockin' the red. The energy is high with both the fans and players. Lots of antics by the fans (depending on your home team). This year the Caps fans behind the visiting bench brought rain ponchos. This is because the NYR's coach dumped water on a Caps fan during the play-offs two years ago.

Everyone got a red towel to wave around so the place was pretty much solid red. Instead of blue man, who I saw earlier this year at a game, there was red man. He was taughting the Rangers player in the penalty box at one point. It was an entertaining game all around. Well except for high scoring which the NHL seems to have these days on occasion. It was high tempo. The Caps laid out a few Rangers during the game with Ovechkin giving out one of the best hits right in front of me. After the Rangers had control for the first two minutes the Caps seemed to control the rest of the period. It wasn't until the third period when the wrong team finally scored. From that point everyone was begging for a goal as the time counted down to the end of the period and a game one loss. With six minutes to go Ovi slammed one in under the goalie that had to be reviewed. Regulation ended so we took a 15 minute break before another 20 minute sudden death period. That fourth period went almost the full period before Semin snapped one in the back of the net with 1:30 left.

Pictures and video

first bike ride

It wasn't my first bike ride of the season but it was definitely the warmest. It was in the upper 80's and stayed warm throughout the night. Around 5:00 I suddenly realized I needed to be out of the stressful office and on the outdoor carefree trail. I didn't make it on my bike till 6:30 of course but it was still bright and warm out.

The trail was filled with people. I wasn't too bothered as I need to work my pace back up. It was very windy. I didn't mind the resistance this ride too much for some reason and of course going with the wind you feel like Superman. I just made it to the airport and back; less than 10 miles. Looking forward to some hard and leisurely and hard rides on a regular basis this summer.

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Raleigh WBF

Another fun beerfest down in Raleigh with Beth and Matt hosting. Mark and Michelle didn't come this time. Teri and I drove down with Scott and Jen for their first WBF. We left the rain in DC and drove in to some decent weather down south.

After a nice baked breakfast from Beth we headed downtown for the noon start. This year they took our tickets and checked our IDs before the start time but had the tents blocked off inside the festival grounds until noon. The line went rather quick this year. Most people were inside at noon who were in line. Everyone was lined up against yellow tape that prevented them from going in the beer tents. Then after some presumed approval one part of the crowd started moving in the tents. The rest of the crowd didn't wait for any word, walked over the yellow tape, and filled the tents. They had water out for drinking and rinsing. People were doing more rinsing than drinking. I should have had more food before the festival or ate in the middle. We never eat at the Raleigh location for some reason although it may have to do with going to the afternoon session. I remember people were feeling good in our group after an hour. I got a new cool belt buckle made from a beer bottle bottom and Teri got a sweet flask belt buckle for her Dad. I took my GPS to record how far we walked and it ended up being only about 3.2 miles. If you look my speed over the duration you can see when I go to the bathroom because I stand still in line for awhile. The frequency increases as the four hours goes on. An interesting data point no?

After the party we went out for food and more drinks. We got to see Beth & Matt's plates in Flying Saucer signifying 200 different kinds of beer drank on premises. It sounded like Beth was well on the way to earning her second plate.

On the way back Scott missed a turn and it allowed me to grab a quick pic of the Lizard Lick Towing company. First they were one of many stories on All Worked Up on True TV but they have since graduated to their own show called Lizard Lick Towing. It is quite funny. Can't believe we actually drove past the place. The town is not more than an intersection off of US-64.

I also brought back some New Belgium beers across the state border for my beer stock since they are not distributed in VA.

pictures and video

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final Caps home game

Teri and I were busy working late when I got a tweet from my guy TicketManJosh about last minute club level Caps tickets at a great price. Not only were they good seats at a great deal, it was the last home game of the season. An offer I couldn't pass up. I quickly replied and was able to secure the tickets. A few others emailed him while we were talking. I asked why they were available being the last home game and he said he was saving them for himself and ended up not being able to go.

We missed the first period but sat down with food and drink before the crowd rushed out for the first intermission. Caps were already up by one goal and scored another as we were sitting down. Sean Collins scored his first goal (second game) of the season during the second period to make it 3-0. Hendricks made it 4-0 in the 3rd period and we were hoping for a shut out for Varly. Unfortunately the Panthers got one in about mid way through the third. They must have been desperate for points at the end of the season being third worst in the league and pulled their goalie with 2:30 left in the game. It worked and they scored making it 4-2. But to no avail, Backstom and Ovechkin pulled some tricky maneuvers at the end and scored a slick goal 12 seconds before the home season ended.

A good end to the season. I didn't miss the lower level lines. Who knows how accessible play-off tickets will be.

Cherry Blossoms

It has stayed cool this early spring and it was odd to see the cherry blossoms open the last two weeks. The weather finally opened up on Sunday. Of course being a weekend it was a mad-house down on the mall and around the Tidal Basin. I don't think I've been down during the weekend in awhile during the Cherry Blossom Festival as I don't remember so many people. It was nuts. Teri and I biked down and had to lock them up because there were too many people to ride among. It is interesting to see the trees blossom in the city each year. It is a lot of color and you wish they would last for more than a week or two out of the year. I'll have to do another geo-tag ride some year. Not too many pictures this year. We saw a bride and flower girls. The Jefferson Memorial is being renovated on the outside and it was no fun having to walk all the way around to get to the steps. Hopefully the government doesn't shut down for the tourists this weekend or all the memorials and sites will close.

I took a few pics of kids being posed in the trees and I wonder what the parents must think as some stranger captures their kids.

pictures

We biked 4.45 miles to and from the mall and walked 2.46 miles around the Tidal Basin.

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