Monday, July 13, 2009
Chris Benson's Penguins Stanley Cup Tribute Video
Video wizard Chris has finished re-working his playoff tribute video, to include The Cup.
My only quibble is the obtrusiveness of the 'Benstonium' logo. I know it's useful to tag one's creations against misattribution or swipery, but geez, why not make it blinky neon orange and put it right in the middle of the picture, while you're at it? I've hated these things ever since they first started showing up on television, and their increasing size, animation and un-ignorability really annoys me. Sorry to peeve at you Chris, but other than that the video is perfect.
(a few minutes later)... Okay, to remedy my own gripe a little: I've increased the display size of the video, from Chris's default setting of 320x240 pixels, up to 480x360. Luckily his source file is a nice high-quality .mp4, so it can take being blown up. The logo image doesn't scale up with the screen, so it's now smaller relative to the screen. Here's a screen-cap of the default size, so you can see what I'm yammering about. It would be better if the logo was semi-transparent like the ones you see on TV (watermark style), but at least this is an improvement.
My only quibble is the obtrusiveness of the 'Benstonium' logo. I know it's useful to tag one's creations against misattribution or swipery, but geez, why not make it blinky neon orange and put it right in the middle of the picture, while you're at it? I've hated these things ever since they first started showing up on television, and their increasing size, animation and un-ignorability really annoys me. Sorry to peeve at you Chris, but other than that the video is perfect.
(a few minutes later)... Okay, to remedy my own gripe a little: I've increased the display size of the video, from Chris's default setting of 320x240 pixels, up to 480x360. Luckily his source file is a nice high-quality .mp4, so it can take being blown up. The logo image doesn't scale up with the screen, so it's now smaller relative to the screen. Here's a screen-cap of the default size, so you can see what I'm yammering about. It would be better if the logo was semi-transparent like the ones you see on TV (watermark style), but at least this is an improvement.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Disco Still Sucks
Thirty years ago today, this happened.
Also, unrelated to the video: I've skipped posting a lot of noteworthy and/or funny stuff in the last week or two. It's hard to keep spending the time that frequent posting requires, when there just aren't many eyeballs here. I wish it were otherwise, but my SiteMeter reports don't let me delude myself. Especially in the summer when I have lots of other things to do that are far more constructive than typing. So please understand, it's not that I don't enjoy doing this, it's just that most of the time it feels like the tree falling in the forest with nobody here to hear it.
Also, unrelated to the video: I've skipped posting a lot of noteworthy and/or funny stuff in the last week or two. It's hard to keep spending the time that frequent posting requires, when there just aren't many eyeballs here. I wish it were otherwise, but my SiteMeter reports don't let me delude myself. Especially in the summer when I have lots of other things to do that are far more constructive than typing. So please understand, it's not that I don't enjoy doing this, it's just that most of the time it feels like the tree falling in the forest with nobody here to hear it.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Penguins FA Followups: Scuderi Leaves, Fedotenko Stays
I didn't post yesterday, because I was absorbing my disappointment over the loss of Rob Scuderi to the LA Kings. Scuderi agreed to a four-year deal worth an average of $3.4 million per year. The Penguins are thought to have offered a five year deal at a $2 million annual average, though the club doesn't release nor confirm this sort of detail.
I expected Scuds to leave, and I don't blame him for doing so, but it's still a bummer. He was such a crucial part of our success. We're really going to miss him. A lot.
But some good news today: Ruslan Fedotenko has been re-signed to a one-year contract, at $1.8 mil. That sure looks like a discount to me. So the Tank stays in town, and Geno keeps his linemate, just as Sid keeps Guerin. Shero sure knows his Care And Feeding Of Two-Headed Monsters.I'm guessing that what we have left under our 09-10 cap will go for a defenseman to replace Gill, if Ray can come up with one. Rob Rossi (the Trib's beat reporter) tweets that we've now got $2.957 million remaining.
And here's a great Q&A with Shero covering all of the latest goings-on, just posted at the Penguins' website.
And here's a great Q&A with Shero covering all of the latest goings-on, just posted at the Penguins' website.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
NHL Free Agent Frenzy Day
- Pens defenseman Hal Gill signs with Montreal: 2 years, $4.5 mil total. His loss was expected. Bye bye, big guy.
- Poor chooser Marian Hossa has gone from the no-ring-Red-Wings to the Blackhawks, a deal worth north of $62 mil OVER TWELVE YEARS. He'll be 42 when this contract is up. What the hell are they smoking in Chicago? And it's less per year than he turned down with the Penguins a year ago. Chuckle.
- Defenseman Mike Knuble goes from Philly to Washington, 2 years totalling $5.8 mil. He seemed to be the most attractive alternative if we lost Rob Scuderi, so this might have at least an indirect impact on how things go between Shero and Scuds. The TSN guys think that the Pens have encouraged Rob to go out and see what his market value is, then to come back and try to work out a deal. I hope they're right.
- No word on anything involving free-agent Pens winger Ruslan Fedotenko. I'd be pretty surprised if he comes back.
- Nikolai Khabibulin (owner of one of my favorite goalie nicknames, "The Bulin Wall") goes from Chicago to Edmondton. Four years, $3.75 mil/yr.
- The Pens sign NJ Devils forward Mike Rupp, 2 years @ $825K per. I don't know anything about this guy, nor the rationale behind the signing. The newspaper guys will have some analysis soon.
Twitterumors abound that we're trying hard to keep Scuderi by matching whatever anyone else offers, reputedly in the $1.8-$2.25 mil/yr for 2-3 years. I really need to see how things play out here, because I want him back.
Well, at least this beats listening to PIrate Fans vent their spleens over yet another further different player-dump, not to be confused with the previous player-dump, or last year's player-dump. While we're digressing, please let me indulge in a moment of self-defense: I am absolutely still a Pirate fan. I have been since I was a kid, and that won't ever change. What I am most definitely NOT is a supporter of the current management/ownership of the team. If this was spousal abuse, I'd be in the shelter with a restraining order. If this was the British Parliament, I'd be a member of the Loyal Opposition. The Nuttings have long ago seen the last of my money, which is the only possible way to vote No Confidence in these incompetent bastards.City Of Champions Videos, Two Flavors
The first of these two videos is longer, but it has for its soundtrack a rather overblown power ballad (aren't they all?) by the big-hair metal band Jaded Heart, which features a lead singer who sounds like Bryan Adams after a bender. The second video is a shorter version containing fewer clips, but the soundtrack is a more palatable tune - a recycled 9/11 tribute - by Oleander.
I defy any Yinzer watching either one of these not to get all choked up!
Longer version:
Shorter version:
Not-Stupid Bat Tricks
I've got a ton of videos to post today, and some other stuff too, but this has to top the list. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Josh Womack, from the independent Golden League's Long Beach Armada:
And an encore performance too:
Physics, and practice. Pretty freaking impressive.
Put Billy Mays On The Wall At Primanti's
Two deejays at KISS96 radio in the Burgh are spearheading an online petition to get Billy Mays's likeness added to the Wall Of Legends at the Primanti's restaurant in the Strip District. (Where the fries and coleslaw come inside the sandwiches, not alongside.) He'd join such Yinzer luminaries as Mister Rogers, Andy Warhol, and Myron Cope.I say let's waive the five-year waiting rule, like Cooperstown did when Clemente died. Well, okay, I don't think Primanti's actually has a five-year waiting rule, but if this petition helps them decide to put Billy on the wall right away, then go for it. The deejays want 5000 signatures. As of late Tuesday night, I was #405, so go on over to
and add your name. Then take a minute to blog or tweet or wall-post or share the link, to pass the word around to anyone who reads your feed. Or just link back here to this post, that will work too. I can always use eyeballs. Right-click here on [Permanent Link], or on the Permalink button below, to copy the URL. Alternatively, I've just added handy-dandy little Tweet and Share buttons to the bottom of each of my posts, so if you're on Twitter or one of the other social-networking sites (Facebook, Digg, etc), you have no excuse.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Guerin-Teed For $2 Million
It was too late to post this last night when I read it.
Pittsburgh Penguins Agree to Terms with Bill Guerin on One-Year Contract
Jun 29, 2009, 8:00 PM EDT
The Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins have agreed to terms with right wing Bill Guerin on a one-year contract, it was announced tonight by Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero.
Guerin, 38, was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
A veteran of 17 NHL seasons, Guerin played a major role in the Penguins’ Stanley Cup run, contributing seven goals and 15 points in 24 playoff games and providing exceptional leadership on and off the ice.
The 6-2, 220-pound native of Worcester, MA was acquired from the New York Islanders at the March 4 trading deadline in exchange for a third-round draft pick and immediately was installed as the right wing on Sidney Crosby’s line. He recorded five goals and 12 points in 17 regular season games with the Penguins.
Overall in 2008-09, Guerin had 21 goals and 48 points in 78 regular-season games with the Penguins and Islanders.
“We are excited to agree to terms with Billy on this one-year deal,” Shero said. “He made a tremendous impact on this team with his scoring ability, physical play and outstanding leadership and was a key factor in our drive to the Cup. I know our players, coaches and fans will be happy to have him back in Pittsburgh.”
Guerin has played 1,185 career NHL games with New Jersey, Edmonton, Boston, Dallas, St. Louis, San Jose, the Islanders and the Penguins, recording 408 goals, 403 assists, 811 points and 1,585 penalty minutes. He represented the U.S. in the Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2006.
The other signing yesterday was equally good news: Craig Adams for two years, reportedly $1.1 million total. Ray Shero, you are a credit to your job title. Sidney and I wanna buy you a beer.
Now we wait to see whether Scuderi, Gill, and/or Fedotenko like what they will see in free agency (which starts tomorrow), or whether we can get them back and re-signed inside of our remaining cap allowance. As Rob Rossi does the math, we have 17 players signed for next season, with a commitment of $51,218,000. The salary cap figure is $56,800,000, which leaves only $5,582,000 to work with. It won't be easy. I'd settle for one out of the three, and two would be beyond expectation. My order of preference: Scuds, then Tank, then Hal. But if anyone can do the nigh-on-impossible, Ray Shero's your man.
Now we wait to see whether Scuderi, Gill, and/or Fedotenko like what they will see in free agency (which starts tomorrow), or whether we can get them back and re-signed inside of our remaining cap allowance. As Rob Rossi does the math, we have 17 players signed for next season, with a commitment of $51,218,000. The salary cap figure is $56,800,000, which leaves only $5,582,000 to work with. It won't be easy. I'd settle for one out of the three, and two would be beyond expectation. My order of preference: Scuds, then Tank, then Hal. But if anyone can do the nigh-on-impossible, Ray Shero's your man.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
The Best Billy Mays Pitch
This has to be my all-time favorite, and it isn't even for a household cleaning product. The first time I saw the little sports balls traveling down the cat5 wire, I nearly peed myself. The multiple levels of satire going on in this spot are just phenomenal, not the least of which is Billy's cheerful willingness to parody his own persona. Gotta love whoever made this for ESPN360.com.
Here are links directly to the four ESPN360.com spots he did (all that are on YouTube, at least), each of them funny as hell.
ESPN360.com - Office (the one posted directly above, my favorite)
ESPN360.com - Intro (ALMOST as good)
ESPN360.com - On The Run (sick)
ESPN360.com - College
I'd give these people awards just for all the times the word "CRICKET" appears in the list of sports. Sooo droll.
I'm going to have to some cataloguing of Billy videos, and post more links. I gotta say, I think Billy's death has made me more upset than Michael Jackson's. MJ was clearly a troubled (albeit talented) freak from another planet... but Billy was One Of My Peeps.
Here are links directly to the four ESPN360.com spots he did (all that are on YouTube, at least), each of them funny as hell.
ESPN360.com - Office (the one posted directly above, my favorite)
ESPN360.com - Intro (ALMOST as good)
ESPN360.com - On The Run (sick)
ESPN360.com - College
I'd give these people awards just for all the times the word "CRICKET" appears in the list of sports. Sooo droll.
I'm going to have to some cataloguing of Billy videos, and post more links. I gotta say, I think Billy's death has made me more upset than Michael Jackson's. MJ was clearly a troubled (albeit talented) freak from another planet... but Billy was One Of My Peeps.
Another 50-Year-Old Bites The Dust
This is starting to get extremely creepy.
Billy was (like Michael Jackson) another contemporary of mine, a few months older but in the same school year. A fellow Yinzer. Sto-Rox HS, Class of 1977. One of the best things about listening to his commercials was how clearly his Burgh accent came through, loud and clear. Here's his Wikipedia biography, and here's a profile done last fall by the New York Times. RIP, Billy - cable television will never be the same without you.
And now you'll have to excuse me, while I go crawl under the bed for the next few days, to avoid the supernatural scrutiny of guys with scythes.
(CNN) -- Infomercial pitchman Billy Mays died at his Tampa, Florida, home Sunday morning, authorities told CNN. The 50-year-old known for his shouting OxiClean ads was pronounced dead at 7:45 a.m. The Hillsborough County medical examiner will perform an autopsy, Tampa police Lt. Brian Dugan said.
Mays was on the US Airways flight from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Tampa on Saturday that had a hard landing at Tampa International Airport when the plane's front tire blew out. There were no reported injuries on Flight 1241, US Airways told CNN. According to a local Tampa TV station, Mays said: "All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head." Airline spokesman Jim Olson told CNN Sunday there were no reported passenger injuries from flight 1241. The airline vowed to "cooperate fully" with authorities in the investigation.
"We were very sad to learn of Billy Mays' passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," Olson said. Tampa officials say the Medical Examiner's Office expects to complete an autopsy by Monday afternoon. In a statement, Deborah Mays said that although "Billy lived a public life," the family does not plan immediate public statements about his death.
Mays was a spokesman for Orange Glo and detergent OxiClean and appeared in commercials for other products. He is featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which follows pitch people in their jobs. "It is with incredible sadness that we have to report that Billy Mays died in his sleep last night," said a statement from the Discovery Channel. "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family at this time of incredible loss."
Billy was (like Michael Jackson) another contemporary of mine, a few months older but in the same school year. A fellow Yinzer. Sto-Rox HS, Class of 1977. One of the best things about listening to his commercials was how clearly his Burgh accent came through, loud and clear. Here's his Wikipedia biography, and here's a profile done last fall by the New York Times. RIP, Billy - cable television will never be the same without you. And now you'll have to excuse me, while I go crawl under the bed for the next few days, to avoid the supernatural scrutiny of guys with scythes.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Two Obituaries
A song about a rat, from a movie about the rat, sung by a young boy who grew up to have a very ...complicated... life. Which is now over, prematurely. We were the same age.
The other death today was a different flavor of pop-culture icon. Can't say that I was a fan, but she endured a very unpleasant mortal illness (anal cancer), voluntarily in the public eye, with incredible dignity.
The other death today was a different flavor of pop-culture icon. Can't say that I was a fan, but she endured a very unpleasant mortal illness (anal cancer), voluntarily in the public eye, with incredible dignity.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Stanley Cup Champs: Very Spiffy Drawing
Jimmy Shearer is a multi-talented individual. He could get a job doing caricatures at Kennywood, if he ever wanted to punt his VH1 gig and come back home to the Burgh. Look what he just sent around in email:
Can you name 'em all?
Can you name 'em all?
Monday, June 22, 2009
Yanni Sends His Congrats
Quoted from ThePensBlog: "Yanni is the Max Talbot of Crappy New Age Music."
I predict that this video will come out at every Pens-Caps game from now until Eternity.
I predict that this video will come out at every Pens-Caps game from now until Eternity.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cities Of Champions
I found a list of the cities that have had multiple-major-sport championships over the last few generations. We're the only one who has done it more than once within my lifetime. Pretty nice.
2009: Pittsburgh — Steelers, Penguins
2004: Boston — Red Sox, Patriots
1988: Los Angeles — Dodgers, Lakers
1979: Pittsburgh — Steelers, Pirates
1969: New York — Jets, Mets
1956: New York — Yankees, Giants (NFL)
1952: Detroit — Lions, Red Wings
1938: New York — Yankees, Giants (NFL)
1935: Detroit — Tigers, Lions
1933: New York — Giants (MLB), Rangers
1928: New York — Yankees, Rangers
2009: Pittsburgh — Steelers, Penguins
2004: Boston — Red Sox, Patriots
1988: Los Angeles — Dodgers, Lakers
1979: Pittsburgh — Steelers, Pirates
1969: New York — Jets, Mets
1956: New York — Yankees, Giants (NFL)
1952: Detroit — Lions, Red Wings
1938: New York — Yankees, Giants (NFL)
1935: Detroit — Tigers, Lions
1933: New York — Giants (MLB), Rangers
1928: New York — Yankees, Rangers
Show This To Your Kids
The monkeyboys are going to see this one for sure. It's by Randy Bish at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, a right-wing-nut-job newspaper that I normally don't touch with a barge pole (even though it has good Pens coverage).
Monday, June 15, 2009
Maxime And My Almost BMW
If Max had gotten a hat trick, a fellow poster on the game-day thread at letsgopens.com was going to buy me a BMW. Really, he was. Read it for yourself. I had witnesses.
Towards the end of the game, marek asked me if I was hoping that Max would get the empty-netter. Yes, I replied, I certainly was. I even had the model picked out (535i xDrive sedan). Oh well.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Stanley Cup Champion Penguins: Gallery
I don't know how many photos I'll end up posting, but here's one of my faves so far. Sid's got the Cup, and the only red in the shot is the CARPET. Sweeeeet.
Friday, June 12, 2009
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
(that's the way speechlessness looks in type)
I will write later, like tomorrow maybe, when my heart rate has returned to something approaching normal. I am SO HAPPY! FOR ALL OF US!
SCF Game 7: No More Tomorrows
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
It has all boiled down to a final 60 minutes, starting a little after 8PM tonight when the puck drops at Joe Louis.
As you can see below from my lack of posting between Game 1 and now, I've had some trouble keeping up with the blog in the last week and a half. Partly because of the mood-swings induced by the games themselves, but also due to some real-life priorities that kept me away from the computer. But after I recover from tonight's outcome, I'll do a little retroactive back-filling, so that my Blog Of Record doesn't have a gaping hole in the finals. And there will be lots to add as Post-Game Summations, no matter what happens.
I am anxious only in that I hate having to play the game in that gawdawful arena up there (I wonder if there will be as many empty seats as before - those people ought to be ashamed of themselves), but otherwise I have complete faith in our boys to Accomplish The Goal. If we'd have lost game 6 at home on Tuesday (re-running 2008), that's the one that would have hurt. Now, tonight, we can really, really, do this.
I'm even missing my monkeyboys' final little-league ballgame in order to be home to watch the hockey game. The monkeys understand completely, and I think they'd rather be here watching too, but they don't have the option. I'll be recording the game for them.
And what is on the dinner menu tonight at Casa Leeeny? Need you ask? Click on Mama to go to the recipe.
Actually I used this recipe instead, since the Post-Gazette finally did their homework and obtained Mrs. Malkin's actual recipe and posted it. Which was a full week after I did my version (I had to fake it since I didn't have any inside sources at the Penguins). My recipe takes longer to prepare, so I went with Natalia's tonight since I'm pressed for time. If it's good enough for Geno, it's good enough for me.
Also: Chris Benson has just made a nice little pre-game motivational 'commercial' ... as if you need anything else to get you psyched up. He says he took the photos from Game 5 of last year's finals (the triple-OT game).
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!! LET'S GO PENS !!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Yinz Luv Da Guins: Attitude Adjustment
If you're still feeling bad about last night, try the latest episode of Jimmy's Little No-Budget Web Show. It'll get you thinking straight in time for 8:00's faceoff.
SCF Game 1 Final Score: Wings 3, Pens 1
It's going to be tough for me to blog these finals in any sort of real time. I can hardly stand to watch them live — frequently I have to turn the sound off. (What happened to Eddie Olczyk in Pittsburgh to make him hate the Penguins so much? How long can you carry that much of a grudge after getting fired for doing a lousy job? And NBC hires this man to cover Penguin games?) And sometimes I just have to walk away from the television, and watch later off the tape. (It was like this last year too, although I wasn't blogging about it.) Times like these I am reminded of why I have traditionally been more of a baseball fan: it's way easier on your nerves. Especially if you're a Pirates fan, where watching their games is usually better than 10 milligrams of Ambien.
I'm certainly not happy after last night's loss, but I'm not in panic mode, either.
So here's all the stuff I'd put up if I were doing a big post-game post. Seth gets paid for his time, so just go on over to Empty Netters and read it there. Here's his in-game report (he was at JLA for the game). Sometimes I think I should just quit doing this, and post a daily link to Seth's blog instead. But then I'd get bored.
So we've all had a night's sleep, and get back at 'em tonight. As much as everyone (at least everyone in Detroit) has whined and moaned about opening with two back-to-back games, this is one area where baseball has an advantage: after a loss, you don't have much time to dwell on it. Put it behind you, do better the next night. And if it hurts the gimpy geezers in the red shirts to play hard two night in a row, well, tough noogies.
This Detroit team reminds me of nothing so much as the Soviet Olympic teams I watched every four years when I was growing up. Old, cold, impersonal, mercenary, machine-like. The Borg of hockey. Red jerseys, too.
I'm certainly not happy after last night's loss, but I'm not in panic mode, either.So here's all the stuff I'd put up if I were doing a big post-game post. Seth gets paid for his time, so just go on over to Empty Netters and read it there. Here's his in-game report (he was at JLA for the game). Sometimes I think I should just quit doing this, and post a daily link to Seth's blog instead. But then I'd get bored.
So we've all had a night's sleep, and get back at 'em tonight. As much as everyone (at least everyone in Detroit) has whined and moaned about opening with two back-to-back games, this is one area where baseball has an advantage: after a loss, you don't have much time to dwell on it. Put it behind you, do better the next night. And if it hurts the gimpy geezers in the red shirts to play hard two night in a row, well, tough noogies.
This Detroit team reminds me of nothing so much as the Soviet Olympic teams I watched every four years when I was growing up. Old, cold, impersonal, mercenary, machine-like. The Borg of hockey. Red jerseys, too.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Stanley Cup Finals Game 1: It Begins, Again
Time to turn the tables, boys. Sidney, you know what to do.
Friday, May 29, 2009
They Call Me Geno
Here's the latest entry in WDVE's "Evgeni Malkin's Diary", from Jim Krenn and Randy Baumann's morning show.
They've been updating the song for every stage of the playoffs. The one they did for the Capitals series was used as the audio for this slideshow by someone over at YouTube:
All of the "Evgeni Malkin's Diary" entries for this past season (going back to the opening games in Sweden), as well as lots more Pens stuff, and even more non-Pens stuff too, are archived at WDVE's AM Show podcast library. Warning: you'll spend all day there, listening to files. This stuff is funny.
They've been updating the song for every stage of the playoffs. The one they did for the Capitals series was used as the audio for this slideshow by someone over at YouTube:
All of the "Evgeni Malkin's Diary" entries for this past season (going back to the opening games in Sweden), as well as lots more Pens stuff, and even more non-Pens stuff too, are archived at WDVE's AM Show podcast library. Warning: you'll spend all day there, listening to files. This stuff is funny.
Good Shirt: MalkinMania
Jim Shearer (VH1 jockey, creator/host of Yinz Luv Da 'Guins, and fellow Shaler Titan I might add) appears to have an exclusive on this one. Go over to YouTube and post a comment on this video, or write him an email, and add your voice to the cry of the Yinzers who want one of these for themselves. The cartoon drawing is taken from this picture, by the way.Thursday, May 28, 2009
Mama Malkin's Lucky Soup
"I love Russian food, and my mom cooks Russian food. It's helped me. My favorite food is beef, and before every game I have soup."
-- Evgeni Malkin 5/21/09
Hot Beef Borscht with Sour Cream
BEEF STOCK INGREDIENTS:
BORSCHT INGREDIENTS:
TO PREPARE BEEF STOCK:
Heat vegetable oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add half of beef ribs and sauté until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate. Repeat with remaining ribs; transfer to plate. Add sliced onion to pot. Sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Return ribs and any juices to pot. Add 3 1/2 quarts water and remaining stock ingredients. Bring to boil, skimming any foam from surface. Reduce heat and simmer until ribs are very tender, skimming foam occasionally, about 2 1/2 hours.
Using tongs, transfer ribs to plate. Strain stock into large bowl. Chill stock until fat solidifies on top, at least 3 hours. Remove meat from bones; cut away excess fat. Shred meat finely. (Stock can be made 1 day ahead. Cover meat and chill. Keep stock chilled.)
TO PREPARE BORSCHT:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange beets in single layer in 13x9x2-inch baking dish; add 1 cup water. Cover; bake beets until tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool beets. Peel and cut into 1/3-inch dice.
Remove fat from surface of stock. Add enough canned beef broth to stock to measure 10 cups.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add diced carrots and chopped onions and sauté 10 minutes. Add cabbage and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Add 10 cups beef stock, beets, potato and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Simmer until cabbage and potato are tender, about 20 minutes. Add shredded meat; simmer 5 minutes. Season with additional red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
Ladle borscht into bowls. Top each with dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chopped green onions, and serve.
Наслаждайтесь этим в хорошем здоровье!
-- Evgeni Malkin 5/21/09
Hot Beef Borscht with Sour Cream
serves 10
BEEF STOCK INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 pounds beef short ribs, cut into 3- to 4-inch pieces
1 large onion, sliced
3 1/2 quarts water
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 carrot, coarsely chopped
12 whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
2 whole cloves
BORSCHT INGREDIENTS:
10 medium beets (about 2 inches in diameter), rinsed, tops trimmed
1 cup water
3 cups (about) canned beef broth
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
1 cup diced carrots
1 cup chopped onions
6 cups thinly sliced green cabbage (about 1/2 small head)
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1 large russet potato, peeled, diced
2 tablespoons (or more) red wine vinegar
Sour cream and chopped green onions, for garnish
TO PREPARE BEEF STOCK:
Heat vegetable oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add half of beef ribs and sauté until brown on all sides, about 8 minutes. Transfer to plate. Repeat with remaining ribs; transfer to plate. Add sliced onion to pot. Sauté until golden, about 10 minutes. Return ribs and any juices to pot. Add 3 1/2 quarts water and remaining stock ingredients. Bring to boil, skimming any foam from surface. Reduce heat and simmer until ribs are very tender, skimming foam occasionally, about 2 1/2 hours.
Using tongs, transfer ribs to plate. Strain stock into large bowl. Chill stock until fat solidifies on top, at least 3 hours. Remove meat from bones; cut away excess fat. Shred meat finely. (Stock can be made 1 day ahead. Cover meat and chill. Keep stock chilled.)
TO PREPARE BORSCHT:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange beets in single layer in 13x9x2-inch baking dish; add 1 cup water. Cover; bake beets until tender when pierced with knife, about 1 hour. Cool beets. Peel and cut into 1/3-inch dice.
Remove fat from surface of stock. Add enough canned beef broth to stock to measure 10 cups.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large pot over medium-low heat. Add diced carrots and chopped onions and sauté 10 minutes. Add cabbage and garlic and sauté 5 minutes. Add 10 cups beef stock, beets, potato and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Simmer until cabbage and potato are tender, about 20 minutes. Add shredded meat; simmer 5 minutes. Season with additional red wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
Ladle borscht into bowls. Top each with dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of chopped green onions, and serve.
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