KarateKen

LOL, as much as I hate to admit it......well not really, I guess I just felt it looked better to start that way.....when I was new to the arts I would kihap at the top of my lungs. Loudest in the class. It was a combination of pent-up anger and wanting to look tough. At the time I was impressed with myself. I was a lot younger and a little bit more immature. I do recall preparing for my first tournament and one of the black belts in class told me that "yelling loud can score you points in the forms or weapons because judges think it shows confidence." Or something like that. So, it was encouraged, at least in that example.

Stunning score in game four as the Oilers crush the Panthers 8-1, avoiding the sweep and sending the series back to Florida Tuesday night.

Dana White has announced that McGregor is out of 303 with an injury. The new main event is Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka. As of this posting there has been no announcement by the UFC of if/when the fight will be rescheduled.

Panters win 4-3 and take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series with a chance to win the cup Saturday night in Edmonton. The Oilers made it interesting with a late push, down 4-1 after two and getting it to 4-3, but Florida holds on and needs one more victory to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in team history. Ironically, I guess, it was one year ago today (June 13) when the Panthers were eliminated by Vegas and now, they are almost certainly going to win the cup this year after tonight's win. Only once in NHL history has a team come back from three games to zero deficit to win in the Cup Finals, and that was in 1942. Barring a miracle comeback by the Oilers, the Florida Panthers will be the 2023-24 Stanely Cup Champions.

Journey - Anyway You Want It

Stitched Up Heart - Lost

Rumors swirling around the internet over the past week about the fight and if it is still on. As of now the fight will go on as scheduled, less than three weeks out. With the cost of the tickets and, for those out of town, the hassle and cost of traveling to Vegas for this event, it would be extremely frustrating if the fight were to be cancelled or postponed just days before it took place. That is always a risk you taken when you travel for a sporting event or concert, ect, that if the gets called off you can't get reimbursement for your plane tickets, hotel rooms, and what not.

Leon Draisaitl will not be suspended for his illegal hit against Barkov in game two, where Leon left his feet to strike Barkov in the head with an elbow. Panthers coach Paul Maurice has issued a warning to Draisaitl and McDavid saying, "keep your head up." Could get very physical in game three. The hit caused injury to Aleksander Barkov on the play, and he is questionable for Thursday's game in Edmonton.

Often, if the weapon intentionally touches the ground, you tell the judges so they know not to deduct points from you. I once saw a competitor tell the judges that if he hits himself (in the head, groin, etc.) that this was intentional. It got a good laugh. Of course, he didn't mess up and did just fine. I suppose if I had said my name was Steve-O I would have gotten extra points for doing it, then a TV contract. Oh well.

It has been over a month now and I can say honestly that not once have I had even the slightest urge to drink.

To me the keyboard is like an umpire in baseball. I never give it much thought unless something goes wrong. Back in the day I would have keys that would stick, or fall out, things like that, but for the last 15 years probably I don't recall ever having an issue other than maybe the ink wearing off some of the keys.

I don't have much tournament experience, but I have never heard of it. Doesn't sound like a great way to do it. The couple times I did it we went up, did the form, and sat down until everyone was finished then the judges announced the third, second, and first place winners.

I'd just add that if you do NUNCHAKU, and I have at tournaments, I suggest not hitting yourself in the groin.

Grimmstine - Supernatural

Panters win game two, 4-1, as the series shifts to Edmonton.

Florida shuts down and shuts out Edmonton in game one 3-0.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Jewelz - 40 Bars

Thinking about this series I am going with Florida because of their physical and suffocating defense which will be challenged by the Oilers fantastic offense. I also have questions about the Oilers goaltending as Skinner has been inconsistent, though he put up better numbers against Dallas. I am guessing that the Panthers win this series in six games, though for whatever reason I am suspicious of picking the Oilers to lose a closeout game at home. Panthers do have home ice advantage meaning that games 1,2,5,7 would be in Florida, games 3,4,6, in Edmonton. Couple of fun facts: The Oilers had the best record in the Western conference since Jan 1, and second best in the NHL. Florida had the third best record during the same period. The team with the best record since Jan 1? Carolina Hurricanes. If the Panthers win it would be their first time with the Cup. The franchise started in 1993 and has been to the finals two other years, 1996 and 2023. If the Oilers win it would be their first title since 1990, and the first time any team from Canada has won the cup since the Canadians did it in 1993. The last team from Canada to make it to the finals? Also the Canadians, though they lost the series to Tampa on July 7, 2021. The COVID pandemic delayed the season which is why that was the first and only time the SCF have been played in July. If the Oilers do win it would be their sixth time lifting the cup. On a personal note, I have zero rooting interest in this series and might not even be watching much of it, but for those who are excited I hope you enjoy it.

Third Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life

Absolutely, I'm fascinated to see what happens with the characters, personally I hope Mike Barnes and Terry Silver fight each other. That is the only thing I felt that was missing from season five, but I understand why they didn't do it. For one reason, Sean Kanan had a scheduling conflict with another show which is why is did not get more screen time. I hope to see a lot more of him and Chozen as well. For me Chozen stole the show in season five. Anyway, that was back in September of 2022, so now I am going to go back and watch all the seasons before July 18 and swing right into season six. I have not gone back and watched since they first came out. However, this may not be the end of it. There was some talk about a possible Cobra Kai movie being made after the series concluded. Not sure how legit that is, but so far I have loved everything they have done so I hope they can keep it going. Looking forward to this!

I will test it.

McGregor has cancelled all his media appearances leading up to the fight including the press conference.

Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a Changing

Finals are set. After a chance for both series to go seven, neither did, they both ended in six with the lower seed advancing on home ice. Oilers beat the Stars 2-1 and are in the finals for the first time since 2006 facing the Panthers who were just there last year. Game one is on Saturday on ABC and ESPN+. Florida will have home ice advantage in the series. Here is the full schedule will all times being 8pm eastern Game 1 - Oilers @ Panthers Saturday June 8 Game 2 - Oilers @ Panthers Monday June 10 Game 3 - Panthers @ Oilers Thursday June 13 Game 4 - Panthers @ Oilers Saturday June 15 Game 5 - Oilers @ Panthers Tuesday June 18 Game 6 - Panthers @ Oilers Friday June 21 Game 7 - Oilers @ Panthers Monday June 24 Of course, games 5,6, and 7 are only if necessary. All games will air on ABC and ESPN+ in the USA and on the CBC and TVA Sports in Canada.