May 28, 2010

Today's Tune: "Midnight Train To Georgia"
By Gladys Knight And The Pips


Happy Birthday to Gladys Knight! Knight, also known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American R&B / Soul singer and songwriter. She was born on this day (May 28) in 1944.

Gladys Knight And The Pips were incredibly popular in the 1960s and 1970s. Their song and dance style of performance was an influence on others in those days, for serious and fun entertainment. It has also been copied and imitated, especially these days, for humorous purposes.

There is no denying that this lady is one of the best singers ever. For this 'Today's Tune', I've chosen to honor her by posting one of her most popular songs. Please enjoy "Midnight Train To Georgia", a 1973 single by Gladys Knight And The Pips.



Gladys Knight - "Midnight Train To Georgia"


According to bodysenshi, who posted this video to YouTube on March 21, 2008, this performance is: Empress Of Soul, Gladys Knight, performs at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo Norway December 11 2005. Bubba Knight, Orchestra Director-Benjamin Wright, Musical Director-John Fluker, Drums-Darrly Woolfolk, Guitar-James Davis, 2nd Keys-Vernell Brown, 1st Keys-Matthew Pittman, Bass-Walter Jones, Background singers-Regi Brown, Neil Taffe, and Voncille Fagget'

May 27, 2010

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
May 15 - 20, 2010


Last Update - May 27, 2010 at 8:55 PM EDT

Below, you'll find Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' for May 15 through May 20, 2010. It's filled with title links and snippets from a variety of items published to the internet during that time period.

Unfortunately, I've fallen a bit behind here lately. The plan right now, is to catch up within the next few days.


May 20, 2010

Foghat To Return To Their Blues Roots On 'Last Train Home'
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Foghat is often linked to the classic rock genre, due to such anthems as “Slow Ride” and “Fool for the City,” but the band has always had their roots in vintage blues.

So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans that Foghat has reconnected with the blues on their latest release, Last Train Home, due out June 15th...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Mike Knuble
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: Knuble scored goals at a higher rate in 2009-10 (.42 per game) than in any other season in his career.

Interesting Stat: Knuble's shooting percentage by period (first-to-third): 23.3, 20.3, 12.8.

The Good: At the tender age of 37, Mike Knuble led all NHLers 34-and-above in goals scored (actually, Martin St. Louis, three years Knuble's junior, also had 29 goals, but in 13 more games played). More importantly, Knuble topped 25-goals for the third consecutive season, despite missing 12 games with a broken finger...

Listen To Ronnie James Dio’s Final Recording
By gbarton at Classic Rock

One of the last known studio recordings by late vocalist Ronnie James Dio has been unearthed...

Click here to listen to Elektra. We think it’s pretty damn good; Dio still at the height of his powers.

...And click here to see what may have been Ronnie’s last ever interview.

Interview With Bruce Boudreau
By DC Sports Chick at On Frozen Blog

Justin Cohn and Ben Smith are sports writers for the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, and they have a Blog Talk Radio show, “We’ve Got Game.” On Tuesday, they featured an interview with Bruce Boudreau, who was a former Fort Wayne player and coach. Click below to listen (Gabby comes on around the 38-minute mark, with 22 minutes remaining):...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: Jeff Schultz

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...We all know that the plus-minus statistic is worth less than a plugged nickel, but try this on. Since the plus/minus statistic was first officially recorded in 1968, 16 different defensemen have won the Norris Trophy as the league’s best defenseman. Of those 16 defensemen, only five of them had better plus/minus number in any of their first four seasons than the plus-50 Schultz put up this season (his fourth) to lead the league. And what a who’s who that short list is:...

Jenson Button Q&A: I can’t afford another DNF
Posted at Formula1.com

A small oversight - a foam bung left in one of his car’s sidepods - sealed Jenson Button’s fate at the Monaco Grand Prix. After being forced to pull over to retire on the third lap, Button left the Monte Carlo race with zero points and thus lost his top spot in the championship standings. Although there are still plenty of races left and plenty of points still up for grabs, the British driver knows perfection is key and another mistake could quite easily rob him of the chance to defend his 2009 title. He explains more in an interview with his official website...


May 19, 2010

Bears and Monarchs even at 2-2
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Last night’s Calder Cup playoff action ensures that there will indeed be hockey in Hershey this weekend.

The Manchester Monarchs edged the Hershey Bears 1-0 in Manchester to even the best-of-seven set between the two teams at 2-2. Jonathan Bernier made 18 saves for Manchester to record his league-leading third shutout of the season...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Milan Jurcina
By Becca H at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: During his time in Washington, Milan Jurcina registered over three times as many hits in a Caps uniform as Joe Corvo, while appearing in only nine more regular season games.

Interesting Stat: His teams had a combined record of 5-1-1 when Juice registered a point.

The Good: Jurcina's past reputation of being undisciplined began to fade this year, and he was whistled for just seven minor penalties in twenty-seven games with the Caps. That time spent out of the box was put to good use...

'Captain America' To Be Filmed In London
By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page


Back in 2008, Marvel Studios signed a long term lease at Raleigh Studios in Manhattan Beach, California and promised that Marvel's next four feature films would be filmed there.

And while Marvel has kept to its promise for "Iron Man 2" and "Thor," "The First Avenger: Captain America" will be filmed almost entirely in London, without any scenes of the film to be shot in Los Angeles...


Alonso: Monaco was a missed opportunity
Posted at Formula1.com

Monaco could easily have been Fernando Alonso’s weekend. After dominating the timesheets in Thursday’s opening practice sessions, it looked as though victory was already in reach, but then a small mistake on Saturday morning damaged his Ferrari beyond repair and ruled him out of qualifying...

Heaven & Hell Members Pay Tribute To Ronnie Dio
By mdome at Classic Rock

The members of Heaven & Hell have now issued their own individual tributes to Ronnie James Dio, who died from cancer on May 16.

Tony Iommi – “I’ve been in total shock, I just can’t believe he’s gone. Ronnie was one of the nicest people you could ever meet, we had some fantastic times together. Ronnie loved what he did, making music and performing on stage. He loved his fans so much...

Prost confirmed for Race of Champions
Posted at Formula1.com

Formula One legend Alain Prost will make his Race of Champions (ROC) debut later this year. Prost, who won 51 Grands Prix and four drivers’ titles during his glittering F1 career, will be among the stars appearing at Dusseldorf’s Esprit arena in Germany in November.

The ROC is an annual end-of-season competition that brings together the world's greatest drivers from various motorsport disciplines and pitches them head-to-head in identical machinery. Among the F1 names already confirmed for 2010 are Sebastian Vettel and Michael Schumacher...

Gravel stages to feature on Rally de España
Posted at WRC.com

The organisers of Rally de España have revealed that in a break from its traditional all-asphalt format, this year's event will feature a mixture of road surfaces with more than 70 per cent of Friday's mileage run on gravel.

The RACC Automóvil Club has confirmed a series of changes for this year's event, the penultimate round of the World Rally Championship, which will be held from 22 to 24 October...

Kubica: Renault must keep up the momentum
Posted at Formula1.com

Renault’s Robert Kubica willingly admits that before the 2010 season began in earnest, many had given up hope of seeing the French team return to race-winning ways anytime soon. But following his third-place finish at Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix - his second podium of the year - Kubica is pleased he has gone some way to placating the cynics...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: Tom Poti

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

In case you hadn’t noticed, Tom Poti had a pretty solid season for the Caps. And on a team that had the high-wattage offensive performance of a Mike Green, chances are that a lot of folks didn’t notice. If you look at Poti’s ten-game splits, there isn’t much of anything that leaps off the page, but that’s the point...


May 18, 2010

Geezer Butler Speaks out on Ronnie James Dio
Posted by Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

Geezer Butler has posted a statement on his own website regarding the death of Ronnie James Dio. It's no secret that I've done Geezer's website for awhile, and during this time, I've learned that he's a pretty private person. When you get to know him, he's pretty cool, but generally he's a pretty private man. That's why the statement he posted on his site is extremely cool, as it goes into a lot of detail regarding Ronnie's last days, and Geezer's own thoughts on Ronald (I never heard Geezer call him Ronnie)...

Looking Ahead - Caps 2010-2011 Roster
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

Well yesterday's big news announcement is in the books and now we can take a minute to look ahead a where the Capitals are with regards to 2010 - 2011 roster and what I personally think they ought to do with making signings and adjustments as well as what I think they will do and why...

World Championship, Hershey Updates
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

The 2010 IIHF World Championship continues in Germany today when the eight remaining teams in the tourney finish preliminary round play. Slovakia goes up against Germany, the Canadians clash with the Czechs, Russia faces Finland and Switzerland takes on Sweden...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Mike Green
Posted by Stephen Pepper at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: Nominated for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, and led all defensemen in the NHL in goals and points, for the second consecutive season.

Interesting Stat: His +/- in Southeast Division GP (22) was just +4, versus +35 in his other 53 games played in 2009-10, by far the largest +/- discrepancy between in-division and out-of-division games amongst Caps' D...

Open For Bon Jovi At O2 Arena
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Bon Jovi are looking for five unsigned UK bands to open for them at London’s O2 Arena next month.

The New Jersey brotherhood are currently running a contest, asking interested bands to upload video content and info about themselves...

Early Van Halen Cover Of Rainbow Song Made Public
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

A previously unheard recording of Van Halen covering Rainbow’s Man On The Silver Mountain live has just been made public.

This is in tribute to Ronnie James Dio, who died from cancer on May 16...

Washington Has Its Forsberg
By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog


What if he really turns out to be Foppa II? (But with better feet.)

The comparison Nicklas Backstrom has most commonly endured pretty much since he arrived on the acclaimed international prospect scene some five or six years ago has been with his countryman, Peter Forsberg. I confess, I never saw the basis for the comparison — until this past season...


Ozzy Pays Tribute To Dio
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

...“I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Ronnie James Dio. Metal has truly lost one of its greatest voices...

Vodafone Rally de Portugal entry list announced
Posted at WRC.com

The organisers of Vodafone Rally de Portugal have published the entry list for the forthcoming event, round six of the FIA World Rally Championship season, which starts on 27 May.

One of the highlights of the 2009 season, the event returns this year with the largest number of entries of the season so far featuring 75 crews from 33 countries...

The Secret Life of Rubens Barrichello
Posted at Formula1.com

Ever wanted to know your favourite Formula One driver better? Ever wanted a glimpse inside their lives outside the cockpit and see what really makes them tick - away from the race track? You can with the help of our series, The Secret Life. Williams’ Rubens Barrichello is our latest target, as he reveals a talent for cooking a mean Brazilian barbeque, his past as a teacher’s pet and a penchant for practical jokes...


May 17, 2010

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Defensemen: Mike Green

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Hildegard Knef probably never played hockey – she was a German actress – but she might have described Mike Green’s 2009-2010 season many years before the fact. Green had what, by the usual statistical measures, was one of the most impressive seasons – not counting his own the previous season – in recent memory. He became the first defenseman to lead all defensemen in points in consecutive years since Brian Leetch did it in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons, and he had the most combined points in consecutive years in almost two decades. And, he had generally solid ten-game segments...

Hendrix Exhibition In London
By mdome at Classic Rock

The house where Jimi Hendrix lived in Central London is to be opened to the public, to mark the 40th anniversary of his death.In 1968, the legendary guitarist lived at 23 Brook Street in Mayfair. This has now been knocked into one property with 25 Brook Street, which is now run by the Handel House Museum; classical composer George Handel lived at number 25 for 36 years...

Contract details for Nicklas Backstrom, Marcus Johansson
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

Nicklas Backstrom's contract escalates from $6 million to $8 million, I'm told. It breaks down like this: $6 mil., 6, 6, 6, 6.5, 6.5, 7, 7.5, 7.5 and 8.

Marcus Johansson's three-year entry level is for $900,000 ($810,000 salary plus $90,000 signing bonus) each season. There are no team-paid performance bonuses...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Boyd Gordon
By David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Gordon's 10:17 of ice time per game was the lowest number of his career - by almost ninety seconds.

Interesting Stat: For the third consecutive season, Gordon played fewer games than he did the previous year.

The Good: Gordon was as advertised on the defensive side of things this year: he won 61% of his faceoffs, only gave the puck away three times in the regular season, saw more penalty killing time than any forward other than David Steckel, and blocked shots far more often (at 5-on-5, at least), than any other Capitals forward...

Latvala and Al Attiyah complete Nurburgring 24 Hours
Posted at WRC.com


Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala enjoyed his Nurburgring 24 Hour race debut over the weekend but was held back by mechanical problems, while Volkswagen’s Nasser Al-Attiyah won his class.

Nonetheless, Latvala posted class-leading lap times in front of an estimated 220,000 fans at the epic German event...


Download Festival To Honour Dio
By gbarton at Classic Rock

The Download Festival is to honour Ronnie James Dio this year.The second stage, which is sponsored by our sister magazine Metal Hammer, is to be renamed The Ronnie James Dio Stage.

In addition, the man stage will be called The Maurice Jones Stage, named after the man who founded the Monsters Of Rock Festival at Donington in 1980. Jones died last year.

Find out more at http://www.downloadfestival.co.uk/home/

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Quintin Laing
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Quintin Laing – once upon a time a fourth round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings (1997) – will turn 31 years old in a few weeks. As this season draws to a close, Laing has not yet compiled a season’s worth of NHL game experience (79 games). While Laing might be the sort of player whose career is spent on the margins of the NHL and AHL, his having played as few games as this (76 games with the Caps over the past three seasons) is as much a product of ghastly luck as it has been his talent...

Ronnie James Dio, RIP
By mdome at Classic Rock

...An all-time great, Dio was born in 1942. He first released a record in 1958 under the band name of Ronnie & The Red Caps. But he made his name in the early 1970s with Elf. From there, he achieved legendary status with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell. Dio was also the person who brought the devil horn sign into metal, when he joined Sabbath...

...Tributes have poured in from the world of rock and metal. Here is just a selection:...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Wingers: Jason Chimera

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Then, just before New Years this past season, he was traded to the Capitals for forward and team captain Chris Clark, and defenseman Milan Jurcina. At the time, Chimera was leaving a team wallowing among the Western Conference also-rans at 14-18-7 and in the midst of a nine-game losing streak (0-7-2), while the team he was joining was 24-8-6 and sprinting toward a President’s Trophy...


May 16, 2010

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Wingers: Matt Bradley

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...Matt Bradley might not be the greatest fighter in the NHL; he might not be the biggest hitter. But if you’ve ever watched “Band of Brothers” or “Saving Private Ryan” or “The Pacific,” he’s the guy in the foxhole or the beachhead the other guys want by their side, because he’s going to be the guy who will lay all he has on the line for his teammates...

Metal Legend Ronnie James Dio Passes Away At 67
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

After a night wrought with wild rumors hastening his demise - ones dismissed by a statement by his wife/manager Wendy, the rock world was devastated today by the news that indeed metal vocal legend Ronnie James Dio has passed away at the age of 67...

Ronnie James Dio has Died
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

This was confirmed to me within the last half an hour by both Wendy Dio and Geezer Butler. He died this morning - May 16, 2010...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Wingers: Eric Fehr

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...There is, perhaps, no more efficient goal scorer in all the NHL than Eric Fehr. Fehr finished the season with 21 goals. Of the 86 players who finished ahead of him in the goal-scoring standings, none had less average time-on-ice than Fehr (12:07), and the closest to him in that regard – Tampa’s Steve Downie and Dallas’ Jamie Benn – skated an average of 14:42 a game...


May 15, 2010

Hershey Bears Players After AHL EC Final Game 2
Home Win Over Manchester Monarchs

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com




Coach Mark French After AHL EC Final Game 2
Home Win Over Manchester Monarchs

Posted on Caps365 at WashingtonCaps.com




The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Wingers: Tomas Fleischmann

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

If you looked at a stat line for a 25-year old winger that said 23-28-51, plus-9, with seven power play goals and four game-winners in 69 games, you might think you had a budding star on your hands. And if you looked at that same player and saw a progression in goals scored over four years of: four, ten, 19, 23, you would think that this was a potential 30-goal/70-point player.

Meet Tomas Fleischmann...

Pre-Order Ozzy's "Scream" Album
By Joe Siegler at Black Sabbath Online

...the album comes out in the US on June 22nd (and in Europe on June 14th, according to Amazon's UK site). The track listing is below, and as with the last studio album isn't without some controversy. Here's the track listing:...

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.05, 'Flesh And Stone'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Episode Title: "Flesh and Stone"

Written By: Steven Moffat

Story: Surrounded by Weeping Angels and trapped on an alien world, The Doctor must come up with a plan to escape the terrifying creatures and save the lives of Amy Pond, River Song, and the soldiers sent to eliminate the Angel that brought them there...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens"
-- Wingers: Mike Knuble

By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...He is no stranger to hard work, and it is that ethic – and the style with which he applies it – that made him an attractive free agent to the Capitals last summer.

As you can see from Knuble’s progress in ten-game segments, success was not swiftly coming this past season, and it involved a few detours along the way...

May 22, 2010

2010 F1 Monaco Grand Prix Review

Mark Webber crosses finish line to win 2010 Monaco Grand Prix. Photo by AP.

Last Sunday (May 16, 2010), I enjoyed watching the 2010 F1 Monaco Grand Prix. It is the most anxiously anticipated race on the schedule every year, and it always provides some of the most exciting and entertaining racing atmosphere and history. The winner of this year's Monaco GP, making his second straight victory for Red Bull Racing (Renault powered RB6 cars), was Australia's Mark Webber.

The elite Formula One drivers of the past and present mingle with some of the biggest music and film stars near the racing area before the event. They also get together at parties before and after the race. The race itself though, with it's historic, old fashioned and treacherous snugly fitted course (Streets of Monte Carlo), is the real star here.

If you missed the 2010 F1 Monaco Grand Prix, or you just want to get more detail and behind the scenes information, the following items ought to serve as a review of the event. F1 items posted to the internet that are not specifically about this particular race can be found in regular Junior's 'Reading And Viewing List' blog entries.


Qualifying - Webber takes thrilling Monaco pole
Posted at Formula1.com on May 15, 2010

Red Bull’s Mark Webber deprived Renault’s Robert Kubica of pole position in Monaco on Saturday afternoon to continue his strong run of form. The Australian squeaked ahead of the Pole’s 1m 14.120s best with 1m 14.104s, but then slammed in the only sub-1m 14s lap of the weekend with 1m 13.826s to throw the issue beyond doubt. €t was his second consecutive pole and his third of the season, and Red Bull’s sixth.

As they share the front row, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel moved ahead of Ferrari’s Felipe Massa in the closing moments, 1m 14.227s to 1m 14.283s, leaving McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton fifth on 1m 14.452s...

Qualifying - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on May 15, 2010

Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso on not participating in qualifying after his shunt in final practice; Lotus’s Heikki Kovalainen on spinning as he pushed for 18th on the grid; Renault’s Vitaly Petrov on crashing out of Q2; and Mark Webber on clinching Red Bull’s sixth pole of the season. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, review Saturday’s action in Monte Carlo...

FIA post-qualifying press conference - Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com on May 15, 2010

Drivers: 1. Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1m 13.826s; 2. Robert Kubica (Renault), 1m 14.120s, 3. Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1m 14.227s

Q: Mark, you are on fire at the moment. Pole in Spain and a victory and now pole here. How did you do it?
Mark Webber: I don’t know if my previous lap was enough. I can’t really remember. It was a bit of a blur at to be honest. I remember it was pretty quick, but I told Ciaran Pilbeam (Webber’s race engineer) that lap three and four are the ones I am going to try and murder if I could...

Spectators watch 2010 Monaco Formula One GP Qualifying from hill. Photo by AP.

Qualifying analysis - can Kubica take bull by the horns?
Posted at Formula1.com on May 15, 2010

An in-form Mark Webber combined with a near-perfect Red Bull made for an untouchable combination around Monte Carlo on Saturday. Almost as impressive, however, was Renault’s Robert Kubica, who has a chance to spring a surprise from P2 on the grid on Sunday. We take a team-by-team look at qualifying...

Paddock Postcard from Monte Carlo
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

Monaco is always a hotbed on the social side and 2010 was no exception after luminaries such as Sir Jackie and Lady Helen Stewart, and Nigel and Rosanne Mansell (supporting son Greg who was racing in World Series by Renault) attended a Mumm/Total champagne reception at l’Hermitage on Thursday to celebrate the 60th birthday of the FIA Formula One World Championship...

...Showbiz visitors included Jennifer Lopez, Mick Jagger, Paris Hilton, Pharrell Williams, Michael Douglas, Liz Hurley and David Furnish, many of who attended Friday evening’s Amber Lounge Fashion Show to raise money for the Elton John Aids Foundation. Lotus’s Heikki Kovalainen was among the biggest bidders in the charity auction, while Lewis Hamilton, Adrian Sutil, Jaime Alguersuari, Tonio Liuzzi and Nico Rosberg were among the F1 drivers-turned-models for the night...

Race - Webber and Red Bull hit Monaco jackpot
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

Red Bull’s Mark Webber underwent trial by safety car in Monte Carlo on Sunday afternoon, but kept his cool throughout four interventions, the last of which was after a late tangle at Rascasse between backmarkers Jarno Trulli and Karun Chandhok which happened right in front of his Red Bull.

That brought out Bernd Maylander and the Mercedes for the last time, the previous three occasions involving two heavy crashes by Williams drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Rubens Barrichello...

Monaco Grand Prix - selected team & driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

McLaren’s Jenson Button his early exit; Williams team mates Nico Hulkenberg and Rubens Barrichello on their high-speed retirements; HRT’s Karun Chandhok and Lotus’s Jarno Trulli on their dramatic coming together; and Red Bull’s Mark Webber on scoring his second win in a week. All 24 drivers, and senior team personnel, report back on Sunday’s race...

Robert Kubica driving in 2010 Monaco Grand Prix. Photo by Reuters.

Failures to blame for both Williams shunts
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

It was a bitterly disappointing Monaco Grand Prix for Williams, with both Nico Hulkenberg and Rubens Barrichello crashing out of the Monte Carlo race. But rather than driver errors, the British team have already discovered that both high-speed accidents were caused by car failures.

Hulkenberg’s race ended when the German slammed into the barriers in the tunnel on Lap One, after his car suffered a problem with a front wing mounting component, following clutch issues on the formation lap. Barrichello, meanwhile, who had been enjoying strong race, crashed into the wall coming up the hill to Massenet and was pitched into a dramatic spin on Lap 30 following a failure on the rear of his car...

Schumacher penalised for Alonso safety-car pass
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

Mercedes GP’s Michael Schumacher has been penalised by the Monte Carlo race stewards for his overtaking manoeuvre on Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso in the dying moments of the Monaco Grand Prix...

FIA post-race press conference - Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

1st Mark Webber (Red Bull), 1h50m13.355s; 2nd Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull), 1h50m13.803s; 3rd Robert Kubica (Renault), 1h50m15.030s.

Q: Mark, you are leading the World Championship and you are a Monaco winner. How does it feel?
Mark Webber: Absolutely incredible and for sure the greatest day of my life today. To win here is a very, very special day. It started yesterday with qualifying when it went well but this place is such a test for two hours. I had a lot of work to do. The track was changing quite a lot during the grand prix as well, we had backmarkers and a lot of safety cars so we were tested quite often...

Q&A with Red Bull’s Christian Horner
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

How do winners celebrate? Red Bull’s one-two Monaco victory ended with both drivers in the Monte Carlo harbour and the rest of the team in the Energy Station’s swimming pool. A wet but grinning team principal Christian Horner is certainly happy...

Sebastian Vettel driving at Monaco in F1 Grand Prix. Photo by Reuters.

Winning combo - Mark Webber & Sebastian Vettel Q&A
Posted at Formula1.com on May 16, 2010

Mark Webber’s second win in a week means he has earned a maximum 50 points from the last two races. Sunday also saw him become only the second Australian to triumph in Monaco after Sir Jack Brabham. A good day indeed then. For Sebastian Vettel it was second place, but the German insisted he was not disappointed, especially as he leaves Monte Carlo level on points with his Red Bull team mate, the new championship leader...

Monaco analysis - resurgent Webber on a roll
Posted at Formula1.com on May 17, 2010

Mark Webber banished any doubts about him being a true championship contender on Sunday as he dominated a second Grand Prix in succession, leaving his rivals - Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel included - in the shade. As the likes of Ferrari and McLaren were left licking their wounds, Red Bull left Monte Carlo leading the 2010 constructors’ standings for the first time, with Webber and Vettel level on points atop the drivers'. We take a team-by-team look at the Monaco race...

Q&A with Cosworth’s Mark Gallagher
Posted at Formula1.com on May 17, 2010

After a positive start to Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, which saw Williams driver Rubens Barrichello running in the top six and some feisty opening laps from the Lotus, Virgin and HRT drivers, it was ultimately a tough race for the eight cars with Cosworth power. Although there were no issues with regard to their CA2010 engines, none was able to complete the 78 laps as a result of incidents or car-specific mechanical problems. General manager of Cosworth’s F1 business unit, Mark Gallagher, reflects...

Monaco debrief with Renault’s James Allison
Posted at Formula1.com on May 17, 2010

Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix saw Renault score their second podium of 2010 following another stellar drive from Robert Kubica, allowing the team to narrow the gap to fourth place in the constructors’ championship. Technical director James Allison looks back on the Monte Carlo weekend and assesses the progress Renault have made since the start of the season...

May 19, 2010

In Remembrance Of Ronnie James Dio


Ronnie James Dio, one of the most extraordinary singers, songwriters and entertainers of all time, passed away early Sunday morning - May 16, 2010. He was a brave and determined man, but stomach cancer won the battle anyway.

Forgive me for not posting something sooner, but besides being busy with the ever crumbling world that is my personal life, I have spent much of the free time that I do have grieving over the loss of Ronnie.

Not too long after Sunrise on Sunday morning, I signed off the internet. The last thing I had read was that Ronnie James Dio was still alive, and that reports of his death were merely rumors. The first thing I saw when I got back on the internet on Monday, was confirmation that he did pass away. It was just a little later on, while I was taking my dog for a short walk.

He had lived a lot and given a lot during his time on this Earth, but 67 years isn't all that old, and I know he had a lot more to give. The force that was Ronnie James Dio lives on in the people who loved and respected him. His influence can be heard in many a rock singer's vocal style.

I'm sure fans new and old are pulling out their Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio and Heaven & Hell records, CD's and DVD's, emersing themselves as I have done, and playing RJD recordings over and over again.

It's been a while, but I had the pleasure of going to five or so Black Sabbath and Dio concerts with Ronnie as lead singer. They were all good and satisfying times. Memories I shall cherish until my own demise. Thank you, Ronnie!

In remembrance of Ronnie James Dio, I've chosen to include a few videos of him singing what I know was one of his favorite songs to sing. From the very first Rainbow album, Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow (1975), I offer "Catch The Rainbow". I just can't seem to get enough of this tune right now, and I don't feel like picking only one video. Each of the following includes different pictures and live action. My favorite is the last one, apparently a small intimate show, where Ronnie is obviously very happy. It's not the whole (long version of the) song and recorded somewhat poorly from one side of the small stage, but I love watching him enjoying life. I wish he could be doing so right now.


Service announcements from the official website:

Public Memorial Service For Ronnie James Dio
5/19/2010 2:21:32 PM

There will be a Public Memorial Service for Ronnie James Dio on Sunday, May 30th at 2:00 PM at The Hall Of Liberty located at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, 6300 Forest Lawn Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90068.

This will be a celebration of the life and music of Ronnie James Dio and is open to all of his friends and fans from around the world.

For those of you that will be flying in from out of town or out of the country, we have made special rates at various local hotels available to you! Just go to our official Facebook Page for hotel information!

Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook Fan Page

The Ronnie James Dio "Stand Up And Shout Cancer Fund
5/19/2010 11:59:40 AM

Wendy Dio has requested in lieu of sending flowers, please make a donation to the Ronnie James Dio "STAND UP AND SHOUT CANCER FUND". Please send your donations to the Niji Entertainment Group, 12400 Ventura Blvd. #624, Studio City, CA 91604 USA. From all of us at Niji Entertainment Group, we thank you! For those that want to use Paypal, a link will be set up at RonnieJamesDio.com .


For the long version by Rainbow, live in Munich, Germany in 1977:
Part 1 (10:35) here, and then Part 2 (7:47) here
- Oberhoffer posted May 18, 2010.



Original Rainbow audio with pics, vids - akrug79 posted May 18, 2010



Original Rainbow audio w/ pictures - BJB333333 posted May 17, 2010



Dio at Sofia, Bulgaria in 1998 - angelpriest posted May 04, 2008



Dio at Gothenburg, Sweden 1997 - japiedio posted Nov. 21, 2008

May 16, 2010

Today's Tune: "Chevrolet" By Foghat


Happy Birthday Roger Earl! Earl (Born in 1946) is an English drummer, who played for British blues band Savoy Brown from 1967 to 1970, before becoming a founding member of blues rock band Foghat. He's the only member of Foghat to have stayed with the group continuously, and appeared on every album. Roger is famous for the giant mustache he maintained for many years, but it's gone now.

To celebrate Roger Earl's 64th birthday, I've chosen a song Foghat released in 1978. "Chevrolet" is the 'Today's Tune' for today. It doesn't show off this drummer's talents, but you know he's there, and it rocks.



Foghat - "Chevrolet" (1978)

Junior's Reading And Viewing List:
May 8 - 14, 2010


Last Update - May 16, 2010 at 3:33 AM EDT

Take a look at this 'Reading And Viewing List' of interesting items I found on the web, from May 8 through May 14, 2010.

These title linked items include articles on the Washington Capitals hockey team, music, Formula One racing and the current World Rally Championship, among other things. The most informative 2010 F1 Monaco Grand Prix Preview posts that I came across are included in this list.


May 14, 2010

'Doctor Who' Stars Talk Time Travel And Story Ideas In New Season
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

A new episode of "Doctor Who" airs this weekend on BBC America, and that means I'm rolling out another brief segment today from my interview with the series' stars, Matt Smith and Karen Gillan.

This time around, the new "Doctor Who" duo discuss the dynamic between themselves and the series' executive producer and lead writer, Steven Moffat, and why there's a little bit of magic in every episode this season...




Ovechkin's chat with Russian fans:
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

What do you think about the video, which appeared on the Internet? On that video our hockey players are smoking! What is your attitude towards the paparazzi?
I don't like when we they film you from the bushes or behind the light poles. And then they post it on the Internet and poke the finger, "These are the bad guys." Yes, the Russian national team players are public people. But each of us is also a person like anybody else, just like you. Everyone has his own head on his shoulders. And he knows what to do and how to spend free time. If you want, you can smoke and drink. This is a personal matter. When you start making bad plays in hockey, it is becoming your problem. You are a professional, and you are responsible for your body...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Tomas Fleischmann
Posted by J.P. at Japers' Rink

Key Stats: For the fourth consecutive season, Fleischmann improved upon his regular season goal and point totals and per-game rates, but has just three goals and two assists in 22 career NHL playoff games.

Interesting Stat: Fleischmann scored eight goals in the ten games Alex Ovechkin missed this season and just 15 in the other 65 games he played, including the playoffs.

The Good: Fleischmann missed the first 11 games of the season while recovering from a blood clot in his leg, but came on strong in his return, totaling 17 goals and 14 assists in his first 46 games (that's a 30-goal/73-point season pace), including points in nine-straight games (second-longest streak on the team for the season) beginning with his second game back...

Practice analysis - all to play for in Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com

The teams spent Thursday in Monaco carrying out their usual evaluation of the prime and option Bridgestone tyres (medium and super soft here), and handling on low and high fuel loads, while acclimatising themselves to the new higher kerbs and road surfacing of the Monte Carlo track. The general feeling is that the option tyre degrades quicker than the prime - and that things will be extremely tight in qualifying, both in terms of traffic and times. We take a team-by-team look at progress...


May 13, 2010

Tom Poti on eye injury: 'I was an idiot for not wearing' a visor
By Lindsay Applebaum at Capitals Insider

Less than three weeks after suffering a gruesome eye injury during Game 6 of the Capitals' short-lived playoff run, veteran defenseman Tom Poti says he's on the road to a full recovery.

Poti, who temporarily lost sight in his right eye after a wayward puck caused significant damage to the delicate surrounding bones, said doctors expect he'll be able to play next season without a problem. But he's still got a ways to go until then...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Eric Fehr
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Six, the number of games Fehr missed because of injuries suffered in the 09-10 campaign.

Interesting Stat: 12:07, Fehr's average time on ice, 11th among Capitals forwards.

The Good: 2009-10 was a breakout year for Fehr, as the former first round draft pick broke the 20 goals plateau, set career highs in goals, assists, and points, and enjoyed the healthiest season of his NHL career. But how good was Eric Fehr's 2009-10 season? Consider the following: by scoring 1.50 goals per sixty minutes of 5-on-5 ice time, Fehr scored more often than every NHL forward other than Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Sidney Crosby, and Scottie Upshall...

Ovechkin scores again as Russia stays perfect
By Lindsay Applebaum at Capitals Insider

(Martin Meissner/AP)

Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal at worlds Thursday in Cologne, Germany, leading Russia to a 3-1 victory over Belarus. The Russians won all three of their preliminary-round games and move on to the qualification round...


Thursday practice - selected team and driver quotes
Posted at Formula1.com

Two-time Monaco winner Fernando Alonso is no stranger to success in Monte Carlo, and on Thursday he took the top honours in both practice sessions. Alonso, his rivals, and senior team personnel reflect on their early progress in the Principality...

Great White Singer Gets Weird On The Radio
By mdome at Classic Rock

Great White frontman Jack Russell has just done an interview with a Philadelphia radio station – and it gets very odd.

He’s on 94 WYSP to promote the band’s upcoming show in the city on Friday, May 14. Things go along reasonably well for about 10 minutes. And then as DJ Spike gets ready to wrap everything up...

60 years on - the start of the F1 world championship
Posted at Formula1.com

This week marks the 60th anniversary of the very first round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, which was held at Silverstone on May 13, 1950. The British Grand Prix, which also had the title of 'Grand Prix d'Europe' bestowed upon it that year, was the first event in a seven-race season, which also featured rounds in Monaco, Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy, plus the Indianapolis 500...

Mixed feelings on Monaco traffic issues
Posted at Formula1.com

The majority of drivers are resigned to the fact that getting a clear lap round Monaco, especially during the first qualifying session on Saturday, is going to be like trying to thread a needle at 150 mph now that any talk of splitting Q1 have been set aside because the teams could not agree the best way to accomplish that.

At least six of them - those driving for the three new teams - could be lapping up to six seconds a lap slower, and will thus spend as much time looking in their mirrors for faster cars as they will looking out for the bumps and barriers that lie in wait on a quick lap...

Law and Order: NHL Unit
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders. These are their stories...

Scene: 66 Mario Lemieux Place
Pittsburgh, Hill District...


I Can't Even Feel the Pain No More...
By Kameron at I May Have Been Born Yesterday
But I Stayed Up All Night


In one of his routines, comedian Denis Miller ranted about how difficult it is to find coffee-flavored-coffee since the rise of Starbucks, and what a hassle it is to locate beer-flavored-beer since so many bars now specialize in fruity microbrews.

And Leary had an idea:

"I'm gonna open my own bar, okay? It's going to be the most retro bar in the history of New York. We're going to serve coffee, donuts, cigarettes, beer and whiskey and that's it!...

Radnor makes Rally GB return
Posted at WRC.com

The organisers of Wales Rally GB have confirmed that this year's route will include a mix of the old and the new, with a brand new Super Special in host city Cardiff and the return of a classic forest stage last used 11 years ago.

Wales Rally GB, which will run from 11th - 14th November, is the final round of the 2010 season and will be based for the second successive year in the Welsh capital Cardiff...

Cult Heroes No.14: Atomic Rooster
By mdome at Classic Rock


...The answer is Atomic Rooster. And if that seems an odd way to start this retrospective, there’s a reason. The reality is that, to most people, Atomic Rooster are a mere footnote in rock history, known solely for being the aforementioned answer to the following question: which band did drummer Carl Palmer quit to join ELP?

Yet, the Rooster deserve much more respect; their sound and style was as pioneering as those of Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, both of whom were contemporaries of this severely underrated band...


Skid Row Announce New Drummer
By mdome at Classic Rock

Skid Row have a new tub-thumper.

Dave Gara has left for undisclosed reasons, to be replaced by Rob Hammersmith, who’s previously played with Gunfire 76 and Rockets To Ruin...

Scorpions Record Whole Tour
By mdome at Classic Rock

Scorpions are to record every show on their ongoing farewell world tour.

The German legends have teamed up with Simfy Live – and you can find out how this all works right here...

All systems go for Solberg and Mills in Portugal
Posted at WRC.com

Petter Solberg’s co-driver Phil Mills insists it’s a case of “all systems go” for Vodafone Rally de Portugal later this month despite the pair’s dramatic late exit from Rally New Zealand.

Solberg and Mills, the 2003 world rally champions, were heading for a podium finish on the Auckland-based event only to crash out on the very last stage of the world championship qualifier...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Brooks Laich
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...OK, “hero” is a bit much for a 25-goal scorer, but if that day comes when the Caps do win a Stanley Cup, we’re going to bet that Brooks Laich will be right up there among the reasons they do so. On a team with young guns such as Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Mike Green, Laich held his own statistically. He finished fifth on the club in goals, fifth in assists, fifth in points, tied for fifth in power play goals, tied for fifth in takeaways, second in power play goals, second among forwards in blocked shots...


May 12, 2010

Legendary Drummer Carmine Appice To Join Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary US Tour
Posted by Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock


The complete line-ups for the Michael Schenker Group's 30th Anniversary World Tour - which will continue in Europe and North America - have been revealed below:...


Q&A with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso
Posted at Formula1.com

Fernando Alonso has won the Monaco Grand Prix twice - and had a moment of shock in qualifying 2006 when he found a certain Michael Schumacher blocking his path. But that is all water under the bridge and the two time world champion is simply looking forward to closing the gap to the Red Bulls this weekend - or at least being ready to capitalise should his biggest opponents be struck by misfortune, something that has served him well thus far this season...

FIA Wednesday press conference - Monaco
Posted at Formula1.com

Drivers: Sebastien Buemi (Toro Rosso), Jenson Button (McLaren), Timo Glock (Virgin), Robert Kubica (Renault), Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

Q: A question to you all. Just look back at last weekend and look ahead to this weekend. What do you think of this circuit? What are your chances? Sebastien, perhaps we can start with you.
Sebastien Buemi: Barcelona was a new start to the season with all the new updates. I think we didn’t do too bad considering we are a small team, so I am expecting to have a good car here in Monaco...

Monaco Preview - can Hamilton get back in the hunt?
Posted at Formula1.com

With four different winners in the first five Grands Prix of 2010, and none of them him, McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton comes to Monaco determined to get a victory under his belt to push back into the world championship fight. And McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that the team will be aiming as high as possible even though Red Bull have to start as favourite on the highest downforce circuit of them all...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: John Erskine
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Zero, the number of games John Erskine played in the 2010 postseason.

Interesting Stat: 1.71, Erskine's GAON/60, good for second best among Caps' defensemen in 2009-10.

The Good: If it was a gritty, nasty, unpleasant job, odds are Erskine was pretty good at it. His 2.18 hits per game were more than any Capitals defenseman other than Shaone Morrisonn (who played roughly 9.5% more minutes), his 1.6 blocked shots per game were third on the team (to Tom Poti and Jeff Schultz...

Gulp.
By Ted Leonsis at Ted's Take

Facebook’s gone rogue. So says this article.

When will an open alternative emerge?

Privacy is a consumer’s right...

Colm Feore's Mysterious 'Thor' Role
Required 'Five Hours' of Makeup

By Blair Marnell at MTV's Splash Page

Last September, Colm Feore was cast in director Kenneth Branagh's highly anticipated adaptation of "Thor". And while principal photography appears to be winding down, Feore's role within the film is still shrouded in secrecy.

"Marvel hasn't allowed me to say anything", related Feore during an interview with The Montreal Gazette. "I can tell you makeup took me five hours every day...

Ogier tipped for the top
Posted at WRC.com


Citroen Junior Team driver Sebastien Ogier - who came tantalisingly close to claiming his debut World Rally Championship victory in New Zealand - has been tipped for a manufacturer seat next year by Sven Smeets: the team manager of Citroen’s factory team.

With Ogier consistently outperforming Citroen’s official number two this year, Dani Sordo, the Frenchman has been linked to a move up to the works squad. But Smeets, formerly co-driver to Freddy Loix, ruled out the possibility of Ogier switching over this year...


Stryper Confirm Covers Album Details
Posted by mdome at Classic Rock

Stryper are to release a covers album in the autumn – and it’s got the cunning title of The Covering.

The Christian rockers will include the following classics:...

Barcelona to Monaco - a race against the clock
Posted at Formula1.com

When the 2010 race calendar was published last year, the news that the Spanish and Monaco Grands Prix were to be held on consecutive weekends caught the attention of every team manager up and down the pit lane. Back-to-back races are always a challenge, but add Monaco into the mix and the whole business becomes even more complicated...

A Shoe Is Dropping in Winnipeg, and It’s Being Heard
in Washington

By pucksandbooks at On Frozen Blog

Two storylines this offseason loom of greatest interest to me: in what manner will general manager George McPhee reshape his playoff-failing roster, and will there be an initial domino to fall in franchise relocation space. The answers to that first storyline are weeks, at least, away. However, the past week had brought significant developments related to the latter plot.

The latest on the dire straits in the Desert arrived from CBC yesterday:

“The NHL schedule makers have created an itinerary for the 2010-11 season that includes a team based out of Winnipeg.”...

Semin and Fedorov: Reunited and it Feels so Good!
Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

...No sooner had I published the Semin interview below when I notice a tweet from our good buddy Dmitry Chesnokov which alerts me to this interview between Pavel Lysenkov and Alexander Semin which just came out in today's issue of Sovetsky Sport...


May 11, 2010

Alexander Semin Looking for Revenge in Germany
Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

Continuing the coverage of "our" Russians participating at the World Cup in Cologne, Germany, I present to you a translation of an interview with Alexander Semin by Dinara Kafiskina, which appeared today on the Sportsdaily.ru website...

Thin Lizzy Announces New Lineup, UK Tour To Follow
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock


...24 years have passed, the world has changed, but the amazing body of work that is Thin Lizzy still retains all of its vibrancy and influence. A new lineup has formed to take Lizzy’s music to a whole new generation of music fans. Led by alumni Scott Gorham, Brian Downey and Darren Wharton (all of whom played in Thin Lizzy with Phil Lynott) the stellar lineup is completed by Def Leppard's Viv Campbell (guitar), bassist Marco Mendoza (Whitesnake, Ted Nugent) and The Almighty's’s Ricky Warwick on vocals and guitar...


Ovechkin, Semin score as Russia rolls
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

...Alex Ovechkin and Alexander Semin each scored to lead Russia to a dominant 4-1 win over Kazakhstan. Russia is now 2-0 as it defends the country's back-to-back world titles...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Joe Corvo
Posted by Stephen Pepper at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: Joe Corvo logged only the fifth-most ATOI and ATOI at 5-on-5 amongst Caps' defensemen in the first round series vs. Montreal.

Interesting Stat: He played more than 26 minutes per night in half of the first 26 games to start the season for Carolina before suffering a terrifying injury on November 30, 2009: a slice into his calf by Karl Alzner's skate that required more than 100 stitches.

The Good: Corvo rebounded after suffering that injury enough to parlay his performance into a role with the league's top regular season team. With the Capitals, he showed flashes of the type of offensive skill and smart decision making on the attack that could have served the Caps well during a deep playoff run...

More Playoff Musings and A Few Caps Musings As Well....
By Usually Frustrated Caps Fan at Mark's Musings

...Some's Cap's musings. Last week Homer McFan Boy posed five questions, he believes the Caps must answer this off season/coming season. Here's my answers and thoughts to those five questions.

1) Does Alex Ovechkin need to change? After the Canadiens series, Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges was quoted as saying Ovechkin has become predictable: "When he's coming in off wing, he'll try to step to the middle and shoot through you, you can bait him into that." Well to a guy who sits in Section 103 for so many home games, that's really not news. Other than agreeing with Homer that Hal Gill's comments in the same interview prove, Gill isn't the fastest guy on his feet in an interview, there's not much...


May 10, 2010

Meet the artist: Rachel Cohen
Posted by tj at Alex Ovetjkin

From www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com, May 10, 2010:

Rachel Cohen is a 19-year old student at the University of Hartford. Lamenting that she is the seemingly only Caps fan on campus, Rachel has focused her efforts as an illustration major into beautifully stylized and somewhat demented graphics of the team’s young guns...

Semyon Varlamov:"When You See a Raging Sea of Red,
Your Adrenaline Goes Off the Charts"

Posted by tuvanhillbilly at Japers' Rink

While most of the team is resting and recuperating, Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Semyon Varlamov have all flown to Cologne, Germany to play for the Glory of the Motherland (aka Team Russia) in the 2010 IIHF World Championship. Semyon Varlamov's participation got off to an inauspicious start when his gear bag with all of his equipment was lost by the airline and he wasn't able to start training immediately. He was soon kitted out in some new gear, however, and Sovetsky Sport's Pavel Lysenkov was able to talk with him yesterday following a morning practice. At the beginning of the article, Pavel noted that head coach Vyacheslav Bykov had told him that Varly would be starting in the Russia-Belarus game...

Twisted Sister Will Never Tour Again
By Allyson B. Crawford at Noisecreep

If you think you'll catch Twisted Sister live the next time they roll through your town, think again. So says guitarist Jay Jay French. "It will never ever happen. I would just assume things would maybe happen, but we will never tour [again]. I look at the mathematics of it every year, the mathematics makes no sense. None. Every year people ask me, every year I revisit the math. Every year it completely makes no sense to tour. It's just an incredibly money-losing proposition. I don't like losing money."...

World Update
By Mike Vogel at Dump 'N Chase

Caps left wing Alex Ovechkin tallied the game-winning goal for Team Russia in the team’s first game of preliminary action at the 2010 IIHF World Championship in Germany. The Russians earned a 3-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday...

'Iron Man 2' Review Roundup: Your 140-Character
Reader Reactions!

By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Now that the opening weekend for "Iron Man 2" is in the rearview mirror, we've heard from countless critics, comic creators and journalists about the blockbuster follow-up to 2008's "Iron Man" — but what about fans?

This morning, I asked subscribers to the Splash Page Twitter feed to give me their 140-character reviews of "Iron Man 2", and the response was, well... pretty amazing...

R.I.P. Frank Frazetta: Iconic Artist And Visionary
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page


As I reported earlier today on Twitter, veteran artist Frank Frazetta has died at age 82.

The creator responsible for some of the most iconic images from the worlds of swords-and-sorcery and science-fiction, Frazetta died due to a stroke suffered earlier today...


Queen Exits EMI as Investors Vote on Cash for Label
By Kristen Schweizer at Bloomberg's Businessweek.com

Queen, the British rock band that penned “Bohemian Rhapsody,” is said to be leaving EMI Music after almost four decades, as the label’s investors vote on providing more cash to prevent creditors from seizing control.

Queen will switch to Vivendi SA’s Universal Music Group next year, when the band’s contract with Guy Hands’s EMI Group Plc expires, two people familiar with the matter said today. Universal Music will handle the band’s recorded music contract outside North America, while publishing rights will remain with EMI, one of the people said, declining to be named because the talks are not public. Hollywood Records, a unit of Walt Disney Co., holds Queen’s U.S. recorded music contract...

2009-10 Rink Wrap: Jason Chimera
Posted by David M. Getz at Japers' Rink

Key Stat: 30-6-7, Washington's record in the regular season games once Chimera pulled on the Caps' sweater for the first time.

Interesting Stat: Chimera had 17 points in 39 games for both the Blue Jackets and the Capitals this season.

The Good: Chimera brings an attitude and skill set that no one else on the Capitals does. That in and of itself has value; the fact that his combination of speed and physicality and gritty style of play are perfectly suited to the playoffs is even better. On the physical side of things...

Monaco preview quotes - Bridgestone, Lotus, Virgin & more
Posted at Formula1.com

Of all the races on the Formula One calendar, Monaco can surely claim the most historic and glamorous reputation. Here the drivers and senior team personnel explain what makes the Monte Carlo event so special and reveal how they think they may fare over the coming weekend...

Give Me A Hundred : The Who's Magic Bus For Sale
By Nightwatcher at Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

In 2007 Volkswagen celebrated their 60th anniversary by staging a huge event in Hanover, Germany. The celebrations included a concert by The Who, who performed their 1967 hit 'Magic Bus'. Though not originally about a VW, the classic track has become an anthem for VW bus owners and links between The Who and the Volkswagen bus go back as far as 1965...


May 9, 2010

Ovechkin talks to media (video) after the win over Slovakia
By tj at Alex Ovetjkin

Ovechkin scored GWG, got the first star of the game and was presented by the tournament organizers with Swiss watch.

"We didn't start the game well," commented Alexander the Great. "we must score on PP. But God was on our side. In the end, we scored an empty netter and erased all the doubts"...

Ovechkin scores in Russia's win at worlds
By Tarik El-Bashir at Capitals Insider

Alex Ovechkin scored the game winner to help two-time defending champion Russia beat Slovakia, 3-1, in Russia's opener at the world championships in Germany...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Alexander Semin
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator


...There is perhaps no more mysterious player in the NHL than Alexander Semin. A genius with the puck – shooting it or passing it – he is also perhaps the most confounding of Caps. 2009-2010 was Semin’s best year statistically, and it would have seemed to be the springboard to even bigger things, as the ten-game segments suggest...


Ogier backed to claim first WRC win
Posted at WRC.com

Sebastien Ogier’s team manager Benoit Nogier believes it is only a matter of time before his star driver wins his first world championship rally.

Ogier came within three corners of taking his maiden victory in the WRC on Rally New Zealand but a spin and stall dropped him back to second place behind Jari-Matti Latvala, albeit a scant 2.4 seconds adrift of the factory Ford driver...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Wingers: Alex Ovechkin
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...It is hard to think that a player who registered his fourth 50-goal season, his fourth 100-point season, finished a plus-45 (2nd in the league), finished with seven game-winning goals (tied for 4th), had 13 power play goals (tied for sixth), had 14 multi-goal games, and was 30-4-7 as captain of the club could be said to have an unsatisfying year, but there it is...


May 8, 2010

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Centers: Boyd Gordon
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...A traditional spiritual song and hockey might not seem to go together, but Boyd Gordon’s back didn’t seem to get along much with hockey this season, either. Gordon missed 41 games in three different stints due to back injuries. It was very unfortunate for Gordon, for not only did he never really get much traction in cementing a place in the lineup, the statistics he did put up put him on a pace for one of, if not his best offensive season...

The 2009-2010 season, by the "tens" -- Centers: David Steckel
By The Peerless at The Peerless Prognosticator

...When first we saw David Steckel this season we thought that perhaps this was it; this would be the season when he added some offense to his abilities as a defender, penalty killer, and faceoff specialist. When last we saw him, we didn’t. Steckel did not dress for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series against the Montreal Canadiens. In fact, he dressed for only one of the last five games, a victim of numbers and perhaps...

'Doctor Who' Review: Episode 5.04, 'The Time Of Angels'
By Rick Marshall at MTV's Splash Page

Episode Title: "The Time Of Angels"

Written By: Steven Moffat

Story: The Doctor is summoned by River Song, the woman with a mysterious, possibly romantic connection to The Doctor, who was last seen in 2008's "Silence in the Library" adventure. After helping The Doctor regain control of his TARDIS, the trio of River, The Doctor and Amy Pond meet up with a group of soldiers on a barren planet...

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