It's not looking good for the NHL season as the owners and players broke off talks once again. The CBA expires on the 15th, so if they don't get it done right now, the season is impacted.

As per several suggestions (sadly, they were probably meant as a joke at the time), here's the website to the ECHL. There are plenty of teams there to choose from (left sidebar), should anyone want to go to Hockey Whoopass Jamboree Plan 9 (you knew it had to be Plan 9, this is Rocket Jones after all).

And since I'm the original eternal optimist, welcome to yet another Calgary Flames fan who's joined in the Jamboree. Say hello to VegasBaby!

She joins these hockey fans already playing banging their heads against the wall:

Derek - Colorado Avalanche
Catt - Pittsburg Penguins
Jenn - Colorado Avalanche
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

Posted by: Ted at 12:12 PM | category: Links
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1 I'll take the Mighty Chiefs of Johnstown!

Posted by: AnonymousKyle at September 10, 2004 12:49 PM (blNMI)

2 Tricky...SO MANY TEAMS! My loyalties lie, of course, with the old WCHL teams that were assimilated, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY COOL LOGOS!

Bah...I shall choose the "Idaho Steelheads" because A: I've seen them play, B: Again, loyalties...I used to be employed by a WCHL team and C: I've actually played hockey against a steelhead...Well, former Steelhead...

Whee.

Posted by: Derek at September 10, 2004 02:31 PM (wEVXE)

3 I'm going to have to go with the Fresno Falcons, which fits nicely. 1. I was born in Fresno. 2. They're a minor league team for the San Jose Sharks. 3. Falcons is the name of the USAF Academy teams, and I was a winghead for many years.

GO Sharks FALCONS!

Posted by: Ted at September 10, 2004 02:45 PM (blNMI)

4 Hey, Ted, as per my earlier comment and your response, if the season is wrecked by labor issues, can we still talk smack anyway? Please?

Posted by: RP at September 10, 2004 02:53 PM (LlPKh)

5 Isn't the AHL season still on? The CBA only effects NHL contracts, right?

Posted by: Catt at September 10, 2004 05:19 PM (zyzhA)

6 I've never heard of this league, but I'll have to go with the Victoria Salmon Kings, 'cause they're Canadian. Don't tell me...They're probably the worst team in the league, right? That's ok. I'm used to being the underdog ;-)

Posted by: Gir at September 10, 2004 08:58 PM (eAcba)

7 On second thought, did you consider the AHL?

Posted by: Gir at September 10, 2004 09:01 PM (eAcba)

8 to be safe, I choose the Hershey Bears (in the event we use the AHL for the jamboree).

But c'mon...AA hockey! It's still professional, but so accessible! could be worse, we could be picking a CHL team (in which case, I'd claim the Colorado Eagles.) God forbid we went with the ACHL (um...There's only one team left there I think). UHL! Flint Generals! We could go on and on...

Of course, worst case scenario, we could go with the teams from my rec league. On principal, I'd have to NOT choose my own team.)

Posted by: Derek at September 11, 2004 09:59 AM (iY1/W)

9 If we choose AHL I'll go with the Baby Pens (even though the Admirals are the home team).

ECHL I have to think about it, since the Hampton Roads Admirals are no longer an ECHL team.

If we go with my Hubby's rec league count me in for the German Pantry Slashers.

Posted by: Catt at September 11, 2004 10:59 AM (zyzhA)

10 OK, I'll play. Dallas in the unlikely event there's an NHL season. San Diego Gulls if we go with the ECHL. If we go with the AHL I don't know, prolly the Houston Aeros.

Posted by: Matt Navarre at September 11, 2004 06:03 PM (f/E40)

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"It is high time the mainstream media be held to at least the minimum standards expected of competent bloggers, isn't it?"

Dean Esmay, in the comments over at Q&O.

Posted by: Ted at 07:25 AM | category: Links
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You do realize that these are top posted each day, don't you? You need to scroll down to see the new stuff, but you knew that already. Right?

I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:12 PM | category: Links
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Say hello to Derek, a Colorado Avalanche fan, and latest member of the Hockey Whoopass Jamboree. Woot!

Ya know, y'all ought to be linking to each other (me included). I've got to do some sidebar maintenance soon.

So now, the Jamboree players are:
Catt - Pittsburg Penguins
Jenn - Colorado Avalanche
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

Posted by: Ted at 11:44 AM | category: Links
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1 Okay, links are up on my site now! *Whew*

Posted by: Gir at September 09, 2004 01:13 PM (eAcba)

2 Can you make the code available to everyone for managing on their site? I can already predict I am going to fall apart on that aspect...

Posted by: Helen at September 09, 2004 02:03 PM (/uGVk)

3 woot woot! Now for the collective baragining agreement!

Perhaps we revert to ECHL teams?

Posted by: Derek at September 09, 2004 03:52 PM (wEVXE)

4 Ted, do let me know the location of the team logos so I can bookmark it -- thanks in advance!

Posted by: Cindy at September 09, 2004 05:05 PM (9i10V)

5 I'll get to the linking this weekend. When do we get to start talking smack?

Posted by: RP at September 10, 2004 07:28 AM (X3Lfs)

6 I'm a firm believer in "early and often".

Posted by: Ted at September 10, 2004 07:33 AM (blNMI)

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(It's taking longer than we thought)

That's the banner for Straight Dope, a wonderfully fun and funny page chock full of everything you ever wanted to know but probably never thought to ask.

Thanks to Blogslut for pointing this site out to me.

Posted by: Ted at 06:06 AM | category: Links
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Chalk up another Blogger Bowl 2004 preseason victory for Rocket Jones!

annika has joined the Hot Jets cheerleaders. Yay!!! "But wait," you might say, "isn't she your opponent this week?"

To which I reply: Don't be such a girly-man.

You can take the boy out of California, but you can't take the California out of the boy.

So now, the Hot Jets number twenty something strong. Go Hot Jets!!!
Big Hair, of Left & Right!
Wegglywoo, of On the Beach at the End of the World!
Helen, of Everyday Stranger!
Cindy, of Squipper!
Lemur Girl, of... uh, Lemur Girl!
Lynn S., of Reflections in d minor!
Susie, of Practical Penumbra!
Mookie, of MookieRiffic!
Denita, of Who Tends The Fires!
Jennifer, of Jennifer's History and Stuff!
Heather, of Angelweave!
Kat, of Mostly Fluff!
Nic, of Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax!
Gir, of Your Moosey Fate!
Tink, of Flitting Here and There!
Sarah, of Trying To Grok!
Blogoline, of Blogoline's Journal!
LeeAnn, of The Cheese Stands Alone!
Dawn of Caterwauling she's moved!
Stevie, of Caught In The XFire!
Emma, of Miss Apropos!

Posted by: Ted at 04:30 AM | category: Links
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Thanks to the Ministry of Minor Perfidy, here's a few facts about this year's incoming college freshman class:

Desi Arnaz, Orson Welles, Roy Orbison, Ted Bundy, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Cary Grant have always been dead.

“Heeeere’s Johnny!” is a scary greeting from Jack Nicholson, not a warm welcome from Ed McMahon.

Mike Tyson has always been a contender.

There have always been night games at Wrigley Field.

We have always been mapping the human genome.

Politicians have always used rock music for theme songs.

Rogaine has always been available for the follicularly challenged.

Posted by: Ted at 05:55 AM | category: Links
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Publicola, SayUncle, Jeff at Alphecca and many more are following this closely. Whether you're pro or anti-gun, the fact is that all the numbers show that the so-called "assault weapon ban" has had absolutely no impact on crime numbers.

I'll be contacting my state senators this week (they know who I am) to let them know that I expect them to let this useless piece of legislation expire quietly.

Want to reduce crime? Start targeting criminals, not law-abiding citizens.

Posted by: Ted at 04:56 AM | category: Links
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The lovely annika (she of the unused Caps key) has reminded me that this weekend is the start of our fantasy football season. She's trash talkin' like a true Raiders fan, and I was delighted to return the favor in her comments. She's also fielding a formidable team, although she's already suffering a personnel crisis or two.

But the Rockets aren't going to be pushovers! Here's my starting lineup for week 1:

QB - Brett Favre (Green Bay)
RB - Jamal Lewis (Baltimore)
RB - TJ Duckett (Atlanta)
TE - Randy McMichael (Miami)
WR - Jerry Porter (Oakland)
WR - Jerry Rice (Oakland)
WR - Isaac Bruce (St. Louis)
K - Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis)
Defense - Baltimore

And the bench is deep too. I noticed a lot of activity on the waiver wire (after the fact, I don't think I've visited in a couple of weeks), and I wonder if some of these folks aren't out-thinking themselves.

In any event, I've absolutely positively got the best cheerleaders in the league, bar none. So let's hear it for the Hot Jets!
Lynn S., of Reflections in d minor!
Susie, of Practical Penumbra!
Mookie, of MookieRiffic!
Denita, of Who Tends The Fires!
Jennifer, of Jennifer's History and Stuff!
Cindy, of Squipper!
Lemur Girl, of... uh, Lemur Girl!
Heather, of Angelweave!
Kat, of Mostly Fluff!
Nic, of Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax!
Helen, of Everyday Stranger!
Gir, of Your Moosey Fate!
Tink, of Flitting Here and There!
Sarah, of Trying To Grok!
Blogoline, of Blogoline's Journal!
LeeAnn, of The Cheese Stands Alone!
Dawn of Caterwauling!
Big Hair, of Left & Right!
Wegglywoo, of On the Beach at the End of the World!
Stevie, of Caught In The XFire!
Emma, of Miss Apropos!

annika dear, you are about to be soundly spanked!

Posted by: Ted at 06:47 PM | category: Links
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1 Hey, if Susie could be in the Axis of Naughty and the Alliance at the same time, why can't i have my own team and be a Rocket cheerleader too?

Posted by: annika at September 07, 2004 09:31 PM (6zw0Q)

2 annika, I've asked you in your comments at least twice, but you never responded. Welcome to the squad!!!

Posted by: Ted at September 08, 2004 04:46 AM (ZjSa7)

3 ooo sorry, i'm lame.

Where do i pick up the pom-poms?!

Posted by: annika at September 08, 2004 12:19 PM (zAOEU)

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Everybody, give a great big Hanson-Hello to two more players in the second annual Inter-Munuvian Hockey Whoopass Jamboree!

Welcome aboard to:
Catt - Pittsburg Penguins
Jenn - Colorado Avalanche

The roster is filling out nicely.
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

I'm working up a format for the sidebar so that everyone can just stop by Rocket Jones and see at a glance who their next game is against. This outta make it easy for everyone and my hit counter should tick over nicely too.

Posted by: Ted at 04:29 AM | category: Links
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Last week I was interviewed for a television program (all right, it wasn't a major program, but it's on the TV, so hush). This week, thanks to Steve the Llama Butcher, an actual honest-to-goodness Rocket Jones question on political blogging is asked of Wonkette (sorry, no link), and, no doubt impaled upon the devastating insight therein, she writhed and squirmed like a bug on a pin before snarking her way to safety, hiding behind a humorous retort.

I have arrived.

Posted by: Ted at 10:25 AM | category: Links
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1 I betcha you arrived 40+ years ago.

At least, that's what your mama said.

Posted by: Victor at September 06, 2004 10:34 AM (etHvD)

2 Yeah, but arrived where?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at September 06, 2004 11:14 AM (+S1Ft)

3 Now I really know I've arrived. I have my own trolls.

Posted by: Ted at September 06, 2004 12:59 PM (ZjSa7)

4 Who you callin' a troll... I'll have you know some of my best friends are trolls!

Posted by: Tricia at September 06, 2004 07:00 PM (lRTFS)

5 Yeah, but arrived where?
Munuvia! Yay!

Posted by: Victor at September 07, 2004 08:52 AM (L3qPK)

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For those who're having trouble finding team logos to put on your page, here's a place where you can find small versions that will work for you. You might also try Googling your team name under the "images" tab and see what comes up.

Here's who's playing so far:
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens or New York Rangers or New York Islanders (not sure yet)
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

Posted by: Ted at 11:20 AM | category: Links
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Not really, but more and more, you can find almost everything on the 'net. For instance, there's this list of sites where you can read free Science Fiction online. Pretty cool, eh?

Thanks to Professor Hall for the pointer.

(I'm waiting for the updates to the Virginia Tech Sounding Rocket Program website too!)

Posted by: Ted at 07:58 AM | category: Links
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Sarah asks if it's weird that the word "sniper" is a turn-on?

Now for those less militarily-inclined ladies, I'll mention that I have one of those sexy TS clearances, and that all personal detail-filled emails sent to the address on the sidebar will be held in strict confidence.

Just sayin'.

Posted by: Ted at 05:42 AM | category: Links
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You should probably replace the "yahoo" above with your favorite exclamation of pleasure (other than "Oh God, YES!" maybe).

I noticed last night that someone found Rocket Jones by googling "Jets Cheerleaders Hot" or some combination of same. So I wondered where I'd rank on the list for "Jets Cheerleaders".

Congrats to Denita of Who Tends the Fires, for showing up #1 on google for anyone looking for Jets Cheerleaders. Cindy at Dusting My Brain is at number #7, and I'm at #14, which ain't too shabby. As Mookie would say, "Woot!"

Posted by: Ted at 05:11 AM | category: Links
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A caption contest over at Who Tends the Fires, so sharpen your wits and funnybones, and go to town. I've already disconnected the smoke detectors in my house, because I'm doing some serious thinking on it.

Posted by: Ted at 08:43 PM | category: Links
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Over at Q & O (happy birthday guys!), McQ posts a moving and devastatingly effective rebuttal to a comment that I thought cut right to the heart of the matter concerning the Swift Boat Veterans ads.

Until I read the comments, where one Viet Nam veteran summed it all up in as perfect a way as I could ever imagine:

"If Kerry loses, that will be the parade that we never had."

Posted by: Ted at 01:23 PM | category: Politics
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I understand the concept that news is a business, and bad news sells, which is good business. That helps explain why you'll seldom see this kind of good news on progress in Iraq.

Warning: there's a lot of good news.

Posted by: Ted at 12:08 PM | category: Links
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Seven also happens to be the number of new Munuvians added this weekend by our overworked and underappreciated uberlord host, Pixy.

Welcome and Yay to:

Flibbertigibbet
Drama Queen
Mediocre Fred
Dairy Diary
Ravings of a Corporate Mommy
Nouvel
Deja Vu

Stop in and say hellow. Say hello even.

And the cycle begins anew:
The Lyrics of Life in LA

Darn, did I forget to pick my robe up from the cleaners?

Posted by: Ted at 06:08 AM | category: Links
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I found this link-filled list of products that let you post to your blog from your PDA. Many are free, and I may be checking these out and posting reviews.

Posted by: Ted at 04:57 AM | category: Links
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