Walker, Verizon Ranger

My day started with a phone call offering two free tickets to the Tampa Bay game tonight. After careful consideration, I said yes.

When I arrived at work, I was handed a very unexpected reimbursement check. Apparently my raise was retroactively applied to my salary all the way back to October. Perfect.

I sat down at my desk at about 9:30am. Super late. Why so calm? Boss on vacay. :)

Filled out my ranking spreadsheet for the American Idol pool I'm doing this year. NERVE WRACKING. I'm really in it to win it.

I read this article on expected Medicare cuts. I had a few reactions. Disbelief. Confusion. Really glad to see it on CNN though, I think it's a great awareness/education piece.

It was a sun shiny day. Registered and oriented to Greater DC Cares, it's important to pay it forward, right?

Left at 5 on the dot to meet up for drinks at Mad Hatter's new location on Connecticut. I liked the space a lot, they did really well with the decor. And they played "Time of the Season" by the Zombies so...doesn't get much better. Split delicious bruschetta with Daph.

Off to the game. GREAT game. First time I had seen Varly in real life, in goal. New blood on the ice with the trade deadline yesterday. Tied 1-1 after the first period with a goal from Fehr. Ovie also almost took someone out with his slapshot.

Knubs had two goals in the second, the first with a beautiful assist from Brooksy. Then weird things started happening. Greeny got called for unsportsmanlike conduct. They reviewed the play, I saw NOTHING wrong, he didn't even react to the hooking from the Tampa Bay player. The call wasn't overturned, 4 on 4. The crowd was PISSED. 6 seconds later, Brooksy got 2 min for high stick. 3 on 4. Crowd is getting angrier. 54 seconds later, Poti was called on high sticking, mostly because one of the Tampa Bay players had a delayed acting reaction and fell to the ice in the most disgustingly dramatized move I've ever seen in hockey. He must be taking his cues from Crosby. Crowd has now had enough. REF YOU SUCK. REF YOU SUCK. Then Backstrom's stick broke during the penalty kill. He made two SICK body saves followed by a third save from Varly, earning a crazy standing ovation. Ultimately, all three penalties were killed, good D boys.

We went into the third 3-2, and fresh off the joys and delights of an intermission kiss cam session and a visit from Slappy. Newly acquired Scott Walker scored his first goal as a Cap, which was just awesome to see. This guy was pumped to be coming to Washington. Tampa Bay was able to tie the game up 4-4, but Walker scored his second of the game, second as a Cap, and only fifth of the season, to make the final score 5-4. It was his first multi goal game in 3 seasons and it earned him the hard hat tonight after his first game with the team, how cool! Welcome to Washington, Mr. Walker. Welcome.

The neat trinket this game was a Let's Go Caps! sign. It's in my window now. Next trip to the phone booth for me is next Friday to see Tampa Bay again. I hope it's as eventful as this one!

I have been filling my youtube playlist with Phoenix, in preparation. I like what I'm hearing very much.

Tonight Alice and I were discussing the rising incidence of myopia from both a genetic and environmental health point of view. Her conclusion?

Alice: Yes exactly. We're caught in a bad romance.

When questioned her meaning/usage of this phrase?

Alice: I don't know. What does GaGa mean when she says it?

Great question young one. Great question.

Councilmember Catania is as big of a P-I-M-P as Jim Vance.