Penguins - 2, Sabres - 0

We once again have good news and bad news. Lets start with the bad news first. The Penguins have lost Gary Roberts to injury. Gosh, the bodies seem to be piling up as of late. He suffered a broken left fibula in the 2nd period. Showing what a warrior he is, he refused a stretcher and skated off the ice with the help of teammates. The loss of Roberts is a big blow in terms of intensity and leadership. The left fibula is a non-weight bearing bone and if it's a clean cut, Roberts might be able to return within 2 months time. He will be reevaluated though. Luckily, Ryan Malone came back from his infection. The question is now who gets the call up to replace Roberts.

On to the good news... did you know the Penguins are 12-5 in their last 17? What? Really? No way! The way they've been playing? But they are. It hasn't been pretty but they are winning games and in the thick of the playoff race. And out of nowhere, Ty Conklin has claimed his spot as the Pens' number 1 goaltender. Ty Freakin' Conklin! He's 4-0 and got his first shutout as a Penguins last night. He played very well and looks to be starting the Winter Classic on New Year's Day.

Next up in the Winter Classic in Buffalo! Bring on the outdoors and those spiffy powder blue jerseys!

Fantasy In The Sky!!!

The New Year's fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are pretty popular. So popular, in fact, that the park usually closes in the morning on New Year's Eve because it reached full capacity. I wanted to see them myself but I didn't want to have to deal with those crowds. Thankfully, Disney came to the rescue. Disney is doing 3 nights of New Year's fireworks, so people can see them without having to squeeze themselves among a billion people. Tonight was the first showing so I went to see them. Something was very peculiar about them though. They were called "Fantasy in the Sky." Now that name brings back many memories. Fantasy in the Sky was the first Disney fireworks show I ever saw. It was the one that introduced me to that magic. It's since been replaced by Wishes. But this couldn't be THE Fantasy in the Sky, could it? I figured it would be a different show, using an old name.

I was wrong.

11:50 pm came and the Magic Kingdom turned dark. And just like that, a very familiar song played. My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe it. This IS Fantasy in the Sky!

The second star to the right shines in the night for you...



I have not heard this music in almost 5 years. I never thought I would hear it played in the park again. It was surreal and my eyes just began to water up. Now this wasn't the old show exactly. It was updated to bring in today's fireworks effects but there was no doubt, this was the Fantasy in the Sky we all knew. Even the way the castle lit up was the same. I will say it now and I may get some heat over it but Fantasy in the Sky is better than Wishes! I mean it! With the updated effects to bring it on par with Wishes' effects, it became clear to me which was the better show. The music makes the fireworks show and Fantasy in the Sky has better music. It taps into timeless Disney songs while Wishes consists mainly of a bunch of people chanting "Wishes! Wishes!" and constant interruptions by Jiminy Cricket. The music of Fantasy in the Sky really grabs you and holds on. I am so happy to be able to have relived Fantasy in the Sky tonight.

But that wasn't the end of it. The New Year's fireworks were more than Fantasy in the Sky. When Fantasy in the Sky ended, only a few moments remained until midnight. It was then I was introduced to what may be the greatest fireworks effect of them all... the perimeter fireworks. For those who don't know, perimeter fireworks don't just appear behind Cinderella Castle, they envelop the entire Magic Kingdom! Disney only brings out the perimeter fireworks on special occasions and this was one of them. The Magic Kingdom's countdown puts Time Square's to shame. The countdown was done through perimeter fireworks somehow writing numbers in the sky. So all around you, the numbers 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 were blasted into the sky. Perimeters must be seen to be believed. It is incredible to be there, surrounded by fireworks in all directions. Wow, just wow!







Happy New Year, indeed!

Penguins - 4, Capitals - 3 (OT)

It was redemption for Sarge. After being the goat in regulation for two costly turnovers that turned into Washington goals, Sergei Gonchar scored the game-winner off a beautiful play by Sidney Crosby in overtime. It was another odd night of scoring with guys like Taffe, Sydor, and Brashear scoring goals. Conklin played rather well. I wonder if he's taking the number one spot away from Sabourin. The Capitals played a really well puck possession game. Why is it that with a team filled with so much talent do the Penguins insist on playing dump and chase? Carry the the puck in! And quick looking for the perfect play. Shoot the puck!

Lieutenant Dan!

Gary Sinise rocks at the Candlelight Processional!

Merry Christmas!

Penguins - 4, Bruins - 2

Didn't catch the game but some things jump out from the recaps. Roberts, Laraque, and Conklin as the stars of the game? Wow... it is a bizarro world. Malkin seemed to show once again that he's every bit as good as Crosby. And there was good news and bad news about Mark Eaton. The good news is his shoulder injury wasn't that serious. The bad new is he suffered a far worse knee injury yesterday. The Pens may have lost their best defensive defensemen for the year. With the loss of his shot-blocking ability alone, our goalies will be sure to face more shots now. There are a lot of rumors floating around about finding Sid a legitimate winger. Names being thrown around are Marian Hossa, J.P. Dumont, and Kristian Huselius. Wow!

Disney Goes Vietnamese

I visited Disney's Animal Kingdom for the first time in who-knows-when today. The park was actually opened late tonight, until 8 pm. Can you believe that? So I finally got a chance to see Animal Kingdom at night. It was very nice and peaceful. Almost eerie, too. But that wasn't the coolest thing I did there. I decided to try out the new Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Asia. I must say that it is quite nice. It has a variety of Asian dishes, including one that shocked me. While going through the menu, one item jumped out at me... Pho. Disney has Pho now??? For those who don't know, Pho is a traditional Vietnamese soup with beef and rice noodles. Never did I think I would see the day that Disney would serve Vietnamese food. I was tempted to try it but I already had some earlier in the week. Odd, over 5 months in Orlando and the first two times I would see Pho on a menu would happen in the same week. Instead, I had the Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp, which consisted of skirt steak, tempura-battered shrimp, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, and a chili plum dipping sauce. It was excellent! Absolutely delicious. The shrimp was perfect and the steak practically melted in your mouth. I will definitely eat here again. The Yak & Yeti has become my restaurant of choice now at Animal Kingdom. It's one of the better Asian restaurants Disney has. Epcot's Nine Dragons has some serious competition now.

Osborne Lights

I thought I'd share a recording I made yesterday of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at the Disney-MGM Studios. Pardon my jerky movements at times, I was getting bumped by people. The Streets of America get pretty crowded for the lights.

Islanders - 4, Penguins - 2

The Penguins once again displayed their inconsistency. Sabu was horrible. More and more, the talk of Ray Shero making a move gets louder and louder. Something is up. Be prepared.

New Little Mermaid Video

There's a new video out for The Little Mermaid on Broadway and it's the best clip yet. It shows the best musical scenes from the show and finally reveals Sebastian's costume!

Check it out!

Penguins - 5, Bruins - 4 (SO)

This game was just INSANE! The whole game was just crazy. Crosby and Malkin have their way with the Bruins in the first period. Laraque and Chara's failed attempts to fight. Crosby finishing up the Gordie Howe hat trick by bloodying Andy Ference. Crosby fighting? And not only fighting but winning? The whole game seemed to be going the Penguins' way. But then we were reminded that the Penguins can't play a whole game. Although we escaped with a win, we should hang our heads for giving up a 4-goal lead. The game should have never made it to overtime. But Kris Letang becomes the hero again. He's 3 for 3 in shootouts. This guy has some wicked moves. Why is he a defensemen? Seriously, maybe we should be looking at him to be Crosby's wingman.

Kris Letang > Ryan Whitney

Let's hope Mark Eaton is ok. If we lose our only true defensive defensemen... we are in some deep trouble.

Top 5 Fireworks Shows

The fireworks shows are some of the best things Disney has to offer. After a long day at the parks, you're treated to a magnificent spectacular, bringing together all the magic you experienced that day. These leave a lasting impression on those who see it. Some of them are alone worth the price of admission into the parks Throughout the years, I've been fortunate enough to see many of them. These are the best five that I've seen. No shows that I didn't see in person made the list, else Disneyland's amazing "Believe... in Holiday Magic" would be there.

5. Fantasy in the Sky - Magic Kingdom

This is probably a sentimental pick. Compared to the fireworks shows today, Fantasy in the Sky is dated. But it was the first Disney fireworks show I ever saw and that memory will always stay with me. My eyes still light up every time I hear its version of "The Second Star to the Right."

4. Magic, Music, and Mayhem - Magic Kingdom

This is the fireworks show from Disney's Pirate and Princess Party and I think they are the best Magic Kingdom fireworks around. Instead of using original music, it taps into beloved Disney ballads and the exciting soundtrack to Pirates of the Caribbean. It's also the only pure fireworks show that tells a story. The "Part of Your World" sequence alone is enough to make it my favorite at the Magic Kingdom, but throw in an insane pirate battle over the castle and it's just mind-blowing.

3. Fantasmic! - Disneyland

While Fantasmic! isn't a pure fireworks show, it definitely belongs in this category. What can be said about Fantasmic! that hasn't been said before? It's an incredible show bringing together fireworks, water effects, fire effects, characters, action, and a wonderful soundtrack. There are two versions of Fantasmic! I went with Disneyland's over the one at Disney-MGM Studios, since it's better and easier to see. Peter Pan and pirates beat out Pocahontas any day.

2. Remember... Dreams Come True - Disneyland

One word describes Remember... wow! Remember was the perfect show for Disneyland's 50th anniversary. It paid tribute to what Disneyland was through 50 years. Remember sent you on a journey through all of Disneyland's classic attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Star Tours, Indiana Jones, The Enchanted Tiki Room, and so many more. Through amazing effects tied to each attraction, you practically did everything in the park through the fireworks. And Tinkerbell's flight... pure magic!

1. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Holiday Version) - Epcot

The regular version of IlumiNations is not good enough to make this list, but its holiday version not only makes it but claims the top spot. The regular version hurts itself with a rather dull couple minutes of just globe projections. The holiday version tacks on an additional 5 minutes of fireworks that more than makes up for the dull part. At the end of the regular show, the voices of the world make one final wish and the most haunting rendition of "Let There Be Peace On Earth" is played. The sequence is so well done, it send shivers down your spine. The most amazing effect of the flying dove is created through lasers and you are treated to a giant crescendo of fireworks. While Remember has much better effects, IllumiNations trumps on it on the emotional factor. This show is absolutely chilling and must be seen.

Rangers - 4, Penguins - 0

Wow, that was the worst game this year by the Penguins. That was worse than the 8-2 beatdown in Philly. At least they showed some fire against the Flyers. The Pens seemed like they didn't even bother to try tonight. How does one of the most dynamic offenses in the league only get 5 shots through two periods? It was like they decided not to play this game. I don't know what to think of this team. It's not looking like a playoff team at all.

Penguins - 3, Islanders - 2

It wasn't their best game by any means, but I guess a win is a win. Conner James was actually called up to play the game today. I wonder how long he'll stay up. Tyler Kennedy was the star of the game with 3 points... Tyler Kennedy?? He's starting to look like this year's Jordan Staal.

Senators - 4, Penguins - 1

Martin Gerber - 1, Penguins - 0

That about sums it up.

Flower Power Out For 2 Months

The Penguins announced today that Marc-Andre Fleury will be out with a high-ankle sprain for 6 - 8 weeks.

.
.
.
*gulp*

CuJo, anyone?

Gutless and Classless

That's what the Flyers team, organization, and their fans are. They have and will always be the lowlifes on the hockey world. Cowards, that's all you can call them. Ben Eager, you can't hide forever. Big George will find you and he WILL break your face.

Until then, I will just relive this glorious scene of you getting the snot beat out of you by a 41-year old Gary Roberts.

Farewell to the Wrecking Ball

A bit of news came by this weekend that I failed to discuss. Mark Recchi is no longer a Penguin. He was picked off on re-entry waivers by the Atlanta Thrashers. (BTW, haven't the Thrashers learned their lesson about picking up aging vets yet?) Recchi will always be remembered as one of the Penguin greats, a potential future Hall-of-Famer. But lately, he just doesn't have it anymore. His hands are gone. So many times this season, we've seen a pass gift-wrapped for him and he fanned on the shot. Also, his presence seemed to have an adverse effect on the youth on the team. Is it really a coincidence that the Pens have played so much better without him in the lineup? Remember how well they played when he was lent to the Hurricanes in 2006? This team must be put in the hands of the youth. They are the present and the future. Mark, you will always be fondly remembered, but it was time.

I've Been Dreaming Of A True Love's Kiss...

*in excited James Marsden voice*

GISELLE!!!

Penguins - 2, Canucks - 1 (SO)

Unbelievable! The Penguins complete a sweep of Western Canada, beating the Oilers, Flames, and Canucks. I wasn't able to catch most of the game but I see the shootout. I love Kris Letang! There, I said it! This guy is a defensemen? He's got better moves than the majority of snipers in the league. That's two games he's won for us now. Dany Sabourin is making everyone feel better about the goaltending situation, but I really hope Fleury comes back soon. The little celebration the team did at the end around the Letang was great. This is now looking like a real team, just like it was last year.

Penguins - 3, Flames - 2 (SO)

What a finish! That was some crazy, exciting hockey at the end of last night's game, concluding with Kris Letang deking out Kipper for the win in a shootout. Some of the Penguins looked great last night. Ryan Malone is finally looking consistent. Gary Roberts was very angry and it showed. Jordan Staal is visible on the ice again. The one sour note? Marc-Andre Fleury left the game in the first period with an injury. No word on how severe it is yet. Let's hope it's nothing serious. Max Talbot was hurt as well.

Penguins - 4, Oilers - 2

It's really true, the Penguins refuse to play the first two periods. Down 2 goals going into the 3rd, they all of a sudden went "Ok, time to play." They showed some scary offensive power in the 3rd dropping 4 goals on the Oilers in a 7-minute span. Imagine if they did that all game long. In his first visit to the land of Gretzky's dynasty, Sidney Crosby seemed to have his way with the Oilers, getting 3 assists on the night. Marc-Andre Fleury was so close this time to scoring. Keep on trying, Flower! With 5 wins in the last 6 games, is this the turnaround we've been waiting for?

Pirates DVD Event

So Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End came out today on DVD and Blu-ray and Walt Disney World decided to make a little event out of it. A month ago, I got the passholder newsletter telling me about a special pirates promotions. On December 4th at the World of Disney store in Downtown Disney, Disney would be giving away free gifts to the first 700 people to buy the movie. The gifts were a pirates watch, a pirates stein, and a limited edition lithograph with an actual piece of the sailcloth from the Empress Ship. There would also be some limited edition pirates pins on sale. The store would open at 6:30 am.

I made a horrible assumption. I had thought that only passholders knew about the promotion. And because of that, I couldn't imagine that many people in line for this event. I mean, how many passholders will be in the area and willing to get up that early for this? I was mistaken. Passholders weren't the only ones who knew about it, cast members did as well. That changes everything. There's an unlimited supply of cast members in the area and a lot of them are crazy enough to wait for this. I had gotten to the World of Disney store just before 6:00 am not expecting a crowd, only to see about 200 people already waiting in line. Some were there since last night. By the time the store opened, that number more than doubled. But you know what? It was fun! Disney actually had a band of pirates come and sing pirate songs and Christmas carols to the people in line. They were really good! There were even some people dressed as pirates in line. Some cast members were selling hot chocolate to people. I actually got bumped to the front of the line because I was a passholder. Nice! The store actually had Jack Sparrow do meet and greets inside. I bought the Blu-ray version of the movie, got all the free gifts, and got one of the pins. After my purchase, I went and met Captain Jack. I posed with the Blu-ray. It was so funny! All and all, I spent about 2 hours waiting to get the movie but the experience was a blast and I would love to do another event like this.

Penguins - 3, Coyotes - 1

Why is it that the Penguins only decide to play the 3rd period of games? Do they just enjoy the thrill of the final period? Things weren't looking so great during the first two periods, where the powerplay looked abysmal, being given all these chances and having nothing to show for it. With him gone, it's become so evident how important Sergei Gonchar is to the Pens powerplay. But then in the 3rd, they just came alive. Is Jordan Staal becoming a playmaker now that he has his own line? Funniest moment of the night was Marc-Andre Fleury's attempts to score a goal into an empty net. He wanted it so badly and the Penguins defensemen kept taking the puck from him. Hilarious!

Maple Leafs - 4, Penguins - 2

Well, that was a quick streak. Didn't see the game so I can't say much about it. Let's hope the Penguins start a new winning streak soon.

Regis and Kelly

Guess who I saw filming the Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade today?

Penguins - 4, Stars - 1

The Penguins showed no rust after a week long layoff. In fact, they showed a lot of hunger. They seemed to thoroughly outplay Dallas in every facet of the game as they cruised back to .500. Seriously, who are these guys? They do not look like the team that has been struggling earlier this season. They look like a team with a lot of chemistry and that's oozing confidence. They look like last year's team. I really like these line combinations. Army and Malone work well with Sid. Sykora seems so natural with Malkin. And it looks like Staal is back and looks great paired with Roberts and Kennedy. Even Ruutu and Laraque are looking good. It's only been a few games so I don't want to get too excited yet, but things are looking good. Let's see how they fare against the Maple Leafs tonight.

It sure looks like Mark Recchi is on his way out of town. Recchi was a great Penguin and I hoped that he could have ended his career here but he just doesn't have it anymore. This team has been going on all cylinders ever since it was handed over to the young guys. Recchi just no longer has a place on the team.

Enchanted

So tonight I saw Enchanted and I cannot express just how much I love this movie. This is the best movie I've seen in years! Enchanted is joining my list of favorite movies ever, I'm talking Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast territory! This movie is just so perfect in every way, from the first frame to the last. From the moment it began, I was captivated. Amy Adams is absolutely adorable! The songs are wonderful and stay with you. I got the soundtrack right after seeing the movie and now "True Love's Kiss" and "That's How You Know" are stuck in my head. Alan Menken has done it again! And Jodi Benson is in it! I was all "OMG, that's Ariel!!!" From the previews, you might have gotten an impression that this was a film that poked fun at fairy tales, like Shrek. But that's not the case. Enchanted is a homage to fairy tales. It pays tribute to Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White, and The Little Mermaid.  This is a movie for every dreamer out there, every idealist, every hopeless romantic. It's for anyone who believes in dreams come true and happily ever after. In a time where it seems people are too cynical and sarcastic to believe in the innocent and pure things in life, Enchanted is a breath of fresh air. Enchanted really makes you believe that true love is the most powerful thing in the world. Happily ever after exists, whether you live in a fairy tale or reality.

Birthday Dinner

I celebrated my birthday at California Grill atop Disney's Contemporary Resort last night. It was my second time there. It was really nice. The atmosphere, the service, and the food was just amazing. I had a three course meal with Spicy Sensation (a sushi dish with Scallops, Tuna, Avocado, Tobiko, and Fireball Sauce), a Spiced Butternut Squash Soup, and an Oak-fired Filet of Beef. The sushi there is the best! We were so stuffed, we didn't have room for any desert. And dinner was wrapped up with splendid view of Holiday Wishes. It was so cool how they piped in the music from Main Street into the restaurant.

Believe... in Holiday Magic

Christmas is absolutely wonderful.

Thanksgiving Recap

I was away for the holiday so I didn't catch any of the hockey action but here are the results.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007: Devils - 2, Penguins - 1

Thursday, November 22, 2007: Penguins - 6, Senators - 5 (SO)

Saturday, November 24, 2007: Penguins - 5, Thrashers - 0

Who are these guys and what did they do to the Penguins?

The Disney Cheesesteak

About two weeks ago, I was walking through Pinocchio's Village Haus when I noticed something strange. There was something new, something different on people's plates... but it was also something familiar. They were cheesesteaks. Wha? At Disney World? In Orlando? In Florida? I had already eaten so I didn't have one. But on my visit back to the Magic Kingdom last weekend, I got to try one out. It's made with slices of sirloin steak, grilled onions, melted swiss cheese, and cheese whiz on a roll. I was surprised by two cheeses, especially the swiss. I've never seen swiss used in a cheesesteak before. The steak and the onions were good. And the sandwich was plenty messy, a definite requirement of a cheesesteak. One problem, however, was the roll. It was all wrong and really took away from the contents. It's just not a real cheesesteak with the wrong roll. Still, it was good enough that it will join my list of food options at Disney. Am I surprised Disney decided to serve a cheesesteak? Well, considering the massive amount of guests they get from the Delaware Valley, I shouldn't be. It was about time. Now if only they can get the roll right.

Have you ever seen anything so wonderful in your entire life?

So last night, I was finally able to see them in person, the Castle Dream Lights. I had gone to the Magic Kingdom in the late afternoon and grabbed a quick dinner at Village Haus. While eating, I completely forgot that the lights would be on at night. When I got out of the restaurant and looked up, I was completely floored and left speechless. I had not been that breath-taken since the very first time I saw Cinderella Castle. Now Disney has done some silly things in decorating that castle, including turning it into a cake and hanging a big mirror on its face. But this time, they finally got it right. They've taken the most beautiful structure in the world and made it even more beautiful than anyone could have ever imagined. It's like the feeling of seeing Cinderella step into the ball unannounced in her magnificent gown. You're just left in awe. Spending the night beside Cinderella Castle, I struggled to find ways to describe the Dream Lights. There are no words that can describe it. To be in Main Street, listening to classic Christmas carols, sipping hot chocolate, surrounded by the glow of holiday decor, and setting your eyes on the glimmering beauty of Cinderella Castle... nothing can be more magical.

Rangers - 4, Penguins - 3 (OT)

I can't say much about this one since I didn't watch it. But it looks like the Pens got owned by the Rangers defensemen, who scored all four goals.

The Greatest Hockey Game Ever Made

EA Sports FINALLY released their roster update for NHL 08 yesterday. And with that, at last, I was able to start my dynasty. But not without making one adjustment to the roster, I added Angelo Esposito to the Baby Pens. I'm not gonna use him this year but I want the option of having him for the next season. I gave him a 76 rating, I hope that's fair. It's time to say it. NHL 08 is the greatest hockey video game ever made. It's so cool now that you control not just your NHL team, but its AHL affiliate as well. But the gameplay is what makes this game amazing. Someone has finally captured what a hockey should be. I played my first season game last night against the Carolina Hurricanes and it was absolutely thrilling. The game finished 2-2 in regulation, went to OT and stayed tied and was finished off in a shootout where I won 2-1. Before, hockey games were either ridiculous scorefests with 22-10 results or ones where it was impossible to score and you would lucky to ever see 2 goals. Here, EA did it just right. You can't score doing that same thing over and over (one-timers). You have to work for your points, but it's not impossible. It requires more strategy and creativity. And if you make it to the shootout, wow! They capture the feel and emotion of it so well. I love it! I can't wait to continue my dynasty.

Penguins - 3, Islanders - 2

Michel Therrien finally shook up the roster tonight, playing Kris Letang and Tyler Kennedy while scratching veterans Mark Recchi and Darryl Sydor. Before tonight, it felt like there was a double-standard where veterans weren't being punished for poor performance. I don't know what the long term effects of this will be, if any. But the Pens got a much needed win tonight and it didn't come easy. I noticed Marc-Andre Fleury went back to his old mask. Maybe he was hoping it would bring better luck. I wish Jordan Staal had something from his past to turn to. While he made a great play screening DiPietro on Gonchar's goal, he fanned on way too many passes. Malkin is gift-wrapping some shots for him and he's not getting them. Come on Gronk, snap out of it!

2008 All Star Jerseys

Ew, they look like basketball jerseys.

Letang gets the call

The Penguins have called up Kris Letang from the Baby Pens. I'm not sure what to make of this. Letang was supposed to be one of our young stud defensemen this year. His spot on the team was pretty much his to lose, and he did just that. Not only that, but he was actually scratched for a few games in the AHL. I have heard that he had been playing much better as of late, getting a point a game. Well, playing Letang can't possibly make things worse. And he gives us the right-handed shot we desperately need. Let's see how this goes.

Devils - 3, Penguins - 2

These are the times that try men's souls. The Penguin's losing streak has reached six. When this slump began, they were in a battle for the top of the division. Now they find themselves at the bottom. What has happened to the Penguins? It seems the entire team has lost its confidence. Last season's biggest surprise, Jordan Staal, has lost his way. Marc-Andre Fleury has lost his starting job. Gary Roberts is finally showing his age. The great role play of Maxime Talbot and Colby Armstrong is gone. Mark Recchi, well, shouldn't even be here. This team is being carried on the backs of stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. But as been shown, they can't do it on their own. The smiles and fun are gone. There's gloom in the atmosphere of Mellon Arena.

The Pens played their best game in a week last night but still lost in the end. That's another sign of a slump, losing games you deserved to win. Each loss puts us in a deeper hole that becomes harder and harder to get out of. But we can't give up! That's not what we do. We're the freak'n Penguins! Wear your black, white, and gold with pride. We'll pull out of this... somehow. Something must be done though. Something must shake this team up.

Fire Michel Therrien.

A Look Back At Food & Wine

Well, Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival is officially over. It lasted from September 28 to today. With MGM's and Animal Kingdom's ridiculously short schedules and the Magic Kingdom's inconsistent times due to the Halloween Party, I found myself spending a lot of time at Epcot over the last month and a half. And with so much time spent there, I got to sample almost every booth at Food & Wine. There were only a handful that I didn't try. Here is a list of all the things I ate at Food & Wine.

Argentina

- Spicy Beef Empanada

- Grilled Beef with Chimichurri Sauce

Mexico

- Quesadilla con Chorizo

Ireland

- Boxty with Bacon Chips and Kerrygold Garlic and Fresh Herb Butter

China

- Pork Pot Stickers

India

- Samosa with Tamarind Sauce

- Coconut Indian Rice Pudding

South Africa

- Durban Spiced Chicken on a Skewer

Germany

- Debriziner Sausage with Sauerkraut in a Pretzel Roll

Italy

- Lasagna Al Forno

- Zuppa Inglese

Poland

- Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies

Hops & Barley Market

- New England Crab Cake with Barley-Lentil Salad

USA

- Main Lobster Roll

- California Strawberry Shortcake

Japan

- Spicy Tuna Roll

- Crispy Sukiyaki Beef Roll

Morocco

- Kefta

- Bastilla

Oklahoma - Three Sisters' Cafe

- Seared Buffalo with Scalloped Wild Onions

France

- Coupe de Sorbets Champagne, Framboise, & Chocolat Blanc

New Zealand

- Lamb Slider

Canada

- Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup

- Maple Custard topped with Almond Crumble

Greece

- Spanakopita

Peru

- Arroz con Pato

I think my favorite thing in the whole festival was the maple custard at Canada. OMG, it was divine! This was my first time taking part in Food & Wine and overall, it was a good experience. I gotta admit, Epcot's going to feel a lot emptier without all the booths. But the Christmas decorations are now going up. And those are even better... though you can't eat those.

^%#$!@ - 5, Penguins - 2

*shrugs and shakes head*

Fire him!!!

Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

I tried to hold it back but I can't do it anymore, not after seeing the Magic Kingdom tonight. I say screw Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is here! Visiting the Magic Kingdom tonight, I had hoped to be able to see the new Castle Dream Lights. Unfortunately, they weren't out yet. There were, however, Christmas decorations throughout the park. I was met with such a pleasant surprise walking into Main Street, U.S.A. Seeing wreaths and lights hung around all over the area, I just gasped in delight. And while the lights weren't turned on on Cinderella Castle yet, something nearby made me melt. It was a beautiful Christmas tree in the rose garden, next to Cinderella Castle. I was surprised to find the tree there. In Disneyland, the tree is in Town Square. Seeing a Christmas tree and the castle side by side, can I get more magical? Wait till those Dream Lights come on I guess. Christmas is here for the next two months!

Rangers - 4, Penguins - 2

The Penguins played awesome... in the third period. Unfortunately, they didn't in the first two. What they did in the third was a sight to see. Where was it in the first and second? Consistency, guys! Come on! And can I say that I hate Sean Avery? Yeah, I know that it's his job to piss me off. But he's doing a damn good job of it! I don't know what can be done with the Penguins. Something has to jolt them. A trade? Is it time to fire Michel Therrien?

Goodbye to an Enemy

Eric Lindros announced his retirement today. It was a quiet end to the controversial career of a star who didn't quite live up to his fullest potential. Lindros' NHL career was controversial from the very beginning. Labeled as the "Next One", he was drafted No. 1 overall by the Quebec Nordiques in 1991. Lindros, however, refused to play for Quebec and forced a blockbuster trade to the Philadelphia Flyers. Quebec received money and a group of players, including a guy named Peter Forsberg, that they would use to win two Stanley Cups as the Colorado Avalanche. For most of the 90s, Lindros was a dominating force in Philadelphia, showing the hockey world a rare mix of size, power, and skill. It was there that I learned to hate him as he would be a constant thorn to the Penguins' side. He would win an MVP award and take the Flyers to a Cup final. But that would be as high as his career would go. Through a series of concussions (which the Penguins played a part in) and a strained relationship with the Flyers organization, Lindros made his exit from Philadelphia. He would spend the latter part of his career with the New York Rangers, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Dallas Stars but he never found the same level of success he had in Philadelphia. Tormented by injuries and decreased production, the former phenom has called it a career. He'll be helping his fellow players now as a representative in the NHLPA.

Without a doubt, I absolutely hated Lindros as a Flyer. However, I can't help but to feel sorry for him. He was a great adversary. You had to respect him. I remember when Mario Lemieux retired in 1997 and bascially handed the torch to Lindros. Ironic that Lemieux would return years later and Lindros would fade away. Sidney Crosby now carries the torch and the mantle of the "Next One." Let's hope Sid's career is able to live up to his potential.

@^$#&% - 3, Penguins - 1

You lost to the Flyers?! The Flyers?! I don't care who they have or if they're better this year. Never lose to the Flyers! Unbelievable! I'm not gonna be able to swallow this. Ok, it's become so very evident that Crosby and Malkin MUST be split up. Yes, they are great together but the other 3 lines provide absolutely NOTHING! What the hell is wrong with Staal? Ugh! How does a team this offensively talented only put up 1 goal against a defense this bad? This Saturday is a chance at payback and I want it!

Penguins - 5, Devils - 0

Now that's what I call a game! That was about as perfect a performance the whole team can have together. If we could only do that for the rest of the season...

Sierra Boggess = <3

Islanders - 3, Penguins - 2

Why can't we hold a lead?! What's wrong with this team? This team is better than this. This team is better than the 105-point team last year. What's the problem? Something has to be done soon. Change of personnel? Change of coach? Something.

On to better news, the NHL Network is finally out on DirecTV. Wooo! I love it! I don't need ESPN anymore. This network gives me all the hockey coverage I need. This joins that only other two things I watch on TV, Simpsons reruns and the Food Network... what?

The Holidays Arrive at Disney

Yesterday was the final night of the Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Today, signs of Christmas have started to appear at Walt Disney World. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights has been out for a few weeks now. They just haven't been turned on yet. And if you look closely, you can see icicle lights hanging off of Cinderella Castle. But it wasn't until today that I saw Christmas out in the forefront at Disney. I visited Epcot and was surprised to find a giant Christmas tree in front of the World Showcase. Some pavilions in the World Showcase have started hanging up decorations, including another tree at the American Adventure. While it is a bit weird to see signs of the holidays out to early, I'm so excited for Christmas at Walt Disney World. I've never been here for Christmas before. I have been to Disneyland once for the holidays. There's going to be so much going on here. All the parks are going to look so beautiful this season. The Magic Kingdom will have Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a new parade, and the Caste Dream Lights. I cannot wait to see what those lights of Cinderella Castle will look like. It must be so enchanting! The Disney-MGM Studios (soon to be Hollywood Studios) are going to have the Osborne Lights and the Harlem Gospel Choir. Epcot will have Holidays Around the World and the Candlelight Processional. I'm not even sure what that is but I'm looking forward to it. Even Animal Kingdom will have Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade. The most magical place on earth is going to be celebrating the most magical season of the year. It seems hard to imagine but I get the impression that I'm going to fall even more in love with Walt Disney World this holiday season.

New Jersey!

No, not the devils. My new RBK Premier jersey finally arrived... after a month of customization. Yeeesh, how long does it take to stitch on a name and number? Anyways, I love it! The stitching was really well done. It definitely feels lighter than the old style jerseys and is more form-fitting. I got a white Jordan Staal one! Here are some pics.

Front:

Back:

Avalanche - 3, Penguins - 2

Three and a half minutes, that's was all that was needed to change the tide of the game. The Pens played great early on with Crosby netting two goals and then in a 3 1/2 minute span in the second, they gave up 3 goals.  After a month of play, this season has so far shown the Penguins to be very inconsistent. Let's get it together guys!

More YOMD Promotional Pictures

Disney has released a new set of promotional pictures for the Year of a Million Dreams by photographer Annie Leibovitz. These pictures feature celebrities as Disney characters. The first set had David Beckham as Prince Philip, Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, and Beyonce as Alice. This new set has Rachel Weisz as Snow White, Roger Federer as King Arthur, and Julie Andrews as the Blue Fairy. They're really nice. Rachel looks great as the fairest one of all.

 

Penguins - 4, Wild - 2

I wasn't able to see this game, stupid Versus! I have the NHL Center Ice package, which means I get every single game, except the ones on Versus. Ugh! I dunno what I'll do come playoffs time. Anyways, the Penguins' dynamic duo of Crosby and Malkin stole the show last night with Crosby getting 1 goal and 3 assists and Malkin getting 2 goals and an assist. The two of them together make a dominant pairing but it makes you wonder what effect that will happen on the other lines. Staal is the 2nd line center now but he's not really the playmaker they need there. He's better suited at wing or centering the checking line. We'll see how it goes.

Voyage of the Little Mermaid

This weekend, I got a new computer, an iMac. I've been waiting on that so I would have a proper place to store my digital pics. Once I was able to do that, I was able to clear my camera and now I can use it for other things, like taking some video. I went to the Disney-MGM Studios today and took these. Other than Cinderella Castle, this is my favorite place to be. :)

Ariel sings "Part of Your World":

The Finale:

Canadiens - 4, Penguins - 3 (SO)

The Penguins came back from a 0-3 deficit to force the game into a marathon shootout. I didn't get a chance to watch the game but from the post-game reaction, the following things were noticeable: EC finally missed in the shootout. Fleury was inconsistent again. Sabourin played well in replacing him. Crosby defended Malkin after a hit from behind by former Penguin Alex Kovalev. Gary Roberts was out due to a cold. Tyler Kennedy was called up into action. Mark Recchi was placed on the 4th line, thank you! Come on, Pens. We gotta do better than this. 

Maple Leafs - 5, Penguins - 2

The Penguins played well for 2 periods and then, well, things just fell apart in the 3rd. I'm starting to get tired of this constant line juggling by Therrien. I know what he was trying to do, but putting Hall with Staal and making the 2nd line a checking line? Yes, we wanna be more responsible defensively but you can't make the Penguins play so cautiously like that. The Penguins are an offensive team. They have to play offensively. They can't be limited like that. There seems to be a lot of talk going around now about whether or not Michel Therrien is the man to lead this team.

New Broadway Pics

The official Little Mermaid Broadway site has a bunch of new pictures up! Go see!



Official Site

Cast Video

Check out this video of the cast from The Little Mermaid doing a photoshoot. The costumes look great... except Flounder, what's up with him?

Penguins - 1, Rangers - 0

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal, Petr Sykora, Mark Recchi, Sergei Gonchar, Ryan Whitney, Jaromir Jagr, Martin Straka, Brendan Shanahan, Chris Drury, Scott Gomez... all these offensives threats in this game and it ended 1 - 0. Wow! Fleury was awesome tonight, making 36 saves and getting the shutout. It's great to see him back in form now after having a questionable start. But guys, one goal?

Penguins - 2, Capitals - 1

Fleury had a great game tonight. He finally looked confident and was the first star. I hope this continues and we can put those earlier games behind us. The things that stood out about this game had to have been the fights. Laraque vs Brashear was big, but the fight of the night to me was Pettinger vs Staal. Staal? Our Staal? Jordan Staal? The Staal that never shows any physicality Staal? Oh wow. He didn't really put up much of a fight. He couldn't get any punches off and looked like he was wrestling, but he sure looked angry! First goal and first fight of the season for Jordan!

Penguins - 4, Hurricanes - 3

A much better effort from the Penguins. When I heard that Dany Sabourin would be in net, I pretty much assumed this was one in the loss column. But Sabourin proved me wrong and played well. The game went into a shootout but a win is a win. Things to notice: Erik Christensen is still money in shootouts. Petr Sykora is becoming the king of garbage goals. Sidney Crosby is getting back to his point-producing ways. Evgeni Malkin has been the Penguin's best player so far this season. Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals are up tonight.

California Makeover

It looks like Disneyland's little sister is getting a makeover, a $1.1 billion makeover! Disney now seems to be admitting that they made some mistakes with Disney's California Adventure. And while I like the park, I would agree that there is just something missing from it. From my experiences, there was nothing about it that made it special, that made you want to go there. It had a few nice attractions, Soarin' Over California, Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, and Disney Animation. But other than those, it didn't really hold much for me. Last winter, I spent two weeks in Disneyland and I hardly ever visited California Adventure. The allure of Disneyland is just so strong. California Adventure almost feels like Disneyland's ugly stepsister.

Well, it looks like times are about to change. It's just been announced that Disney plans a $1.1 billion overhaul of California Adventure. What they're aiming for now is "a second Disneyland." New lands and attractions are going to be added and the entrance of the park will be completely redone with a new hub and a new icon. The new icon is going to be a replica of Hollywood's former Carthay Circle theater, where Snow White premiered in 1937. With Disneyland's entrance bringing guests back to Walt's hometown in Missouri, California Adventure's entrance plans to take guests to Walt's arrival in Los Angeles, including an appropriate "Partners" statue. New additions included Pixar-themed attractions based off of Toy Story and Cars. Existing rides like the Sun Wheel will get a makeover. The park will also finally get a nighttime spectacular. And this is what excites me the most... a Little Mermaid ride! Anyone I've known who has had or seen the Little Mermaid Platinum DVD knows of the forgotten Little Mermaid dark ride and wishes it would have been made. Well, it looks like we're getting that wish! OMG, I am so psyched! It's going to be in Paradise Pier, which is perfect cause of the water and Ariel's Grotto already there. It looks like this overhaul is going to take about five years to complete. Gosh, that's a long wait but in my opinion, it's totally worth it!

You can see the official press release and concept art here.

Devils - 5, Penguins - 4

Ugh, this was one of the most aggravating games I ever had to watch. I'm done thinking about it.

Favorite Magic Kingdom Attractions

I thought it might be fun to do a ranking now and then. There's lots to do ones on. I think I'll start with the park that's dear to my heart. Here are my favorite Magic Kingdom attractions.

5. Tomorrowland Transit Authority

This is probably the most underrated ride in all of Disney, but it's a good one. It's just a tour around the attractions of Tomorrowland, but it provides a great escape from the hectic pace underneath. There's hardly ever a wait and it's one of the longest rides around. You're treated to different looks to familiar attractions and an amazing view of Cinderella Castle.

4. "it's a small world"

If this was Disneyland, "it's a small world" would rank even higher. While it doesn't compare to its West coast version, it's still one of my favorites. You either love "small world" or hate it. Count me in as one of those who love it. It's such a sweet and charming ride and there's always something new to see each time. Plus, it's fun to make wise cracks about the dolls.

3. Mickey's Philharmagic

Unlike the other 3-D shows at Walt Disney World, Philharmagic doesn't seem to ever get old. Maybe it's because it doesn't rely on jokes and gags but instead touches on many of the most cherished scenes in Disney history. Seeing Philharmagic is like listening to your favorite song and visiting your beloved friends again and again. The magic doesn't wear off.

2. Mad Tea Party

The Tea Party is insanity. I love spinning and getting dizzy. It's just so much fun throwing yourself around and laughing throughout the whole ride. It's something that must be done with others, but whenever I get the chance to go on the tea cups, I take it. The best part about the tea cups has to be dragging on a person who can't stand spinning and trying to make them sick. Good times!

1. Cinderella's Golden Carrousel

This is the most simple ride in the whole park, but I think it's the most magical. Yeah, you can find carrousels anywhere, but there is just something special about this one. There's no ride that exemplifies "fantasy" more. You're treated to the sights of Fantasyland while riding a gallant horse to the greatest of Disney songs. The experience is even better at night when darkness falls and the lights of the Magic Kingdom shine all around. Every visit to the Magic Kingdom usually must include a ride on Cinderella's carrousel. I even have a horse to call my own!

So I take it you've noticed that none of the major thrill rides made my list. They're ok, but to me, I come to the Magic Kingdom for magic, not thrills.

Penguins - 6, Maple Leafs - 4

Live by the sword, Die by the sword

That pretty much describes the Penguins throughout their history. They live and die by their offense. They have almost always been an offensive juggernaut but the defense has always had more holes than a Hollywood plot. It seems like this year's Penguins are continuing the tradition. Last night, the Penguins offense came to life and unleashed 52 shots on Toronto... 52! The Leafs only had 27. That is amazing! And while the win was great, their defensive issues are becoming more and more glaring. And to make matters worse, we lost Brooks Orpik to a concussion. The early word is that it's a mild one but it could still keep him out for some time. Orpik is probably our best defensive defenseman, and the perfect complement to Ryan Whitney. Orpik was also our only hard-hitter on defense. If Orpik is out, the question is now how can he be replaced? Alain Nasreddine is the 7th defenseman, so he would be the logical replacement. He's currently in a conditioning assignment with the Baby Pens. But the thought of Nasreddine in our corps doesn't help me sleep any better at night. Or perhaps Kris Letang will get the call-up. Letang, however, is better to replace Gonchar or Whitney, not Orpik. The Penguins lost Mike Weaver through waivers to the Canucks so he's not an option. Gosh, it really makes you wish the Penguins had signed Danny Markov. We'll see what happens and hopefully, our offense will continue to produce and keep us in this.

Ariel Swims!

Check out this newly released picture from the Little Mermaid on Broadway. This is the first picture showing how the mermaids actually appear in the show and swim around. They use Heelys to move around with a fin attached to their hips. It must make for a great illusion!

Canadiens - 3, Penguins - 2

I didn't get a chance to watch this game. (I was at Disney.) But from what I've been hearing, the Pens didn't put out a consistent effort. It's only 3 games into the season, but there should be some concern here. Only a handful of teams can rival the amount of talent that is on this team. No teams should better than this team. And if you lose to a team that's not better than you, it means one thing. You didn't put in the effort. What's with the Penguins? Is it overconfidence? Are they buying into all the hype? Yes, they have the talent to be Stanley Cup contenders but you need effort to go along with that talent. They need to play the full 60 minutes. The Penguins have shown bursts where they are just unstoppable and then they shows lapses in judgment and carelessness. I hope that message gets to them soon. We can't afford a slow start.

But to keep the excitement up, here's the video the Pens played just before their home opener. It's awesome!

Epcot has EDGE!

So today I found evidence that hockey and Disney DO go together! I was in Epcot, visiting the Canada pavilion, where I was met with quite the surprise... Rbk EDGE jerseys! Wow, that was my first time seeing an EDGE jersey in person. For those who don't know, EDGE jerseys are the brand new style of jerseys Rbk created for the NHL. They ditched the traditional baggy hockey sweaters (to much outrage) in favor of more form-fitting jerseys. This caused all 30 teams to make changes to their uniforms, some more drastic than others. I was pleasantly surprised to see them at Epcot. I doubted any place in Orlando sold them. Leave it to the Canadians to make me happy. Of course, they only had the six Canadian teams but it was cool to finally see them.



The store only had replica jerseys, no authentics. I don't think I've ever seen a store outside of the actual arena that sells authentics. The main difference is that the replica uses different materials. It doesn't have that stretch, waterproof material. And there's no fight strap. One difference I didn't notice until I finally saw them was that the replicas are actually cut differently at the bottom of the jersey. The authentics have rounded hemlines, which are weird and make the traditional horizontal stripes on a hockey jersey look really weird. The replicas, however, have a flat hemline with a triangular cut on the sides splitting the front and back, much like a polo shirt. Those make the horizontal lines on a replica look much nicer. I don't understand why the authentics couldn't do that.



Other than that, there aren't too many differences from the traditional hockey jersey. Yeah, it's more form fitting but they still look like hockey jerseys. I spent a good amount of time checking out the details of each one. I was happy to see the Ottawa Senators jersey, mainly because the Penguins one has the same style. I have a Penguins jersey on order and now I was able to see what it would look like before I got it. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens jerseys are still classics and I wouldn't mind getting one of those. But I'm getting my Penguins one first! I was surprised by the price. They were regularly priced. I thought Disney would jack up their prices like they do for everything else, but they didn't. The Vancouver Canucks jerseys weren't so bad in person. They've gotten a bad rap, mostly because of the "Vancouver" wordmark. But once you get past the wordmark, it's a nice jersey. Now I can't say the same for the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers. What the hell were they thinking? Calgary tried way too hard with their jersey. There's too much going on with that jersey, from the laces to the vertical stripes, to the weird ram effect on the back, to having the flags on the shoulders. The Oilers were the opposite. It's like they were halfway through designing their jersey and just quit. It looks like parts of it are missing! I feel sorry for the province of Alberta.

And that my friends has been your hockey fashion report.

Penguins 5, Ducks 4

First win of the season didn't take long. The offense is back and kicking. Petr Sykora looks like he will be a 40-goal scorer. Malkin got points on consecutive nights. Crosby was hurt but should be fine. Georges Laraque looks great in the last two games... pretty good for an enforcer. Defense still has some issues. But hey, we beat the defending Stanley Cup Champions. I'll take it!

Greatest Commerical Ever!

This ad for NHL 08 makes me laugh so hard!

Hurricanes - 4, Penguins - 1

Ouch! What a stinker! We were thoroughly outplayed at pretty every facet of the game tonight. I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. Nothing went right. The Canes played awesome defense, they weren't giving us anything to work with. There's still 81 games left in the season but you never wanna have a bad start. I remember the start we had two seasons ago. Come on Pens, get it together!

On other news...



Disney released some new photos of the The Little Mermaid on Broadway. I so want to go New York this fall. *sigh*

BATB needs an update

I was watching the Beauty and the Beast show at the Disney-MGM Studios last weekend and I couldn't help but to wonder why this show isn't getting a much needed update. Granted, I used to love this show. It introduced me to Beauty and the Beast. But after seeing Disneyland's Snow White, California Adventure's Aladdin, and now Animal Kingdom's Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast just pales in comparison. Watching it again, all the show's flaws just became so glaring. It doesn't even really tell the story of Beauty and the Beast. It's really just an excuse to perform a bunch of musical numbers from the movie. But the thing with that is they're really not even performed. Belle and Gaston are the only characters who actually sing, everyone else just lip syncs to recorded audio. The show doesn't really explain anything. How Belle meets Beast. Their relationship. They didn't even show Belle leaving. At the end, Beast says "You came back." She didn't go anywhere! And Gaston lives? What's up with that?! And why on earth does "Beauty and the Beast", the film's most important scene, turned into nothing more than a happy ending dance at the end. Belle's supposed to dance with the Beast, not the prince. The only number that really stood out for me was "The Mob Song." Other than that, the show really just feels hollow.

A lot of the same problems can be pointed at Voyage of the Little Mermaid as well. But The Little Mermaid is much harder to work with and the show has its own charm with the puppets and water effects. And Ariel performing "Part of Your World" makes the show worthwhile. I could sit there all day and listen to her sing... sometimes I do. Plus, the fact that its a 15-minute show that goes on all day tells you that it's not trying to be legitimate theater. But that's what Beauty and the Beast tries to pass itself off as. Being shown just 4 times a day, there is so much more you can do with it.

With Beauty and the Beast now off Broadway, Disney has a great opportunity to do something with their MGM show. It's quite simple. Take the Broadway show, remove anything that wasn't in the movie (which is a lot), make some cuts here and there, and boom, you have a great 45-minute show on the level of California Adventure's Aladdin. They'll probably have to make some changes to the stage but nothing major. I just don't see why they couldn't do that. It's not hard at all! The Hollywood Pictures Backlot at California Adventure is basically a mini-MGM Studios. If that can have a great stage show, why not the real thing? If they can tell the story of Aladdin in 45 minutes, why not Beauty and the Beast? Right now, there are high school productions of Beauty and the Beast around the country that are better than what they have at MGM. I think that's an embarrassment.

Yes, it's a popular show. But it's popular because people love the story and the music, not because the show is great. People will not mind if you take it away for a while to improve it. If Disney can shut down Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion to make them better, they can do the same for Beauty and the Beast. This is arguably Disney's greatest story ever, it's time it got the respect it deserves!

The journey starts again!

Tomorrow, the NHL season officially starts for my Penguins. I'm so excited! So excited that I'm not going to go to Disney on a Friday night... gasp, I know. But its the season opener. I have to watch! I'm thinking of just ordering some wings, sitting back, and enjoying some hockey. Last year was so amazing. After suffering for 6 long years, the Penguins burst back into hockey contention. Everyone said that the future was bright for the Pens, but to them, the future was now. Their turnaround caught people off-guard last season, but this year, they'll have a target on their backs. They're going to be carrying heavier expectations. It's not going to be enough to just make the playoffs anymore, they have to make a serious run.

Are they up to it? I would like to think so. When you look at the Penguins, the first place you set your eyes on is their newest captain, Sidney Crosby. Sid now takes on the responsibility of being a leader for this team. You know, being the youngest captain in history, the reigning scoring champion and MVP, and the face of not only the Penguins, but the entire league, it would seem like a lot of pressure to put on a 20-year old kid. But Sid's lived with pressure since he was a pre-teen. He not only knows how to handle it, he embraces it. Sid never needed the "C" to show that he was a leader. He shows it through his poise, his maturity, his work ethic, and his clutch play. From the moment that lottery ball came the Penguins way, he knew that this was his team. In his 3rd year, the Next One will not disappoint. He'll only get better, which is scary.

Sidney's supporting cast should be up to the challenge as well. Evgeni Malkin is stronger and more confident than he was last year and should be better prepared for the rigors of the full NHL season. Seeing how the rookie of the year got 85 points last season, it's not hard to imagine him breaking the 100 point mark this year. I hope we see Malkin stay dominant from October to June. I'm also hoping we get to see more of that nasty side we heard so much about in Russia. Jordan Staal may have been last season's biggest surprise. No one expected the 18-year to make the team, let alone play as well as he did. There's some fear going around about a "sophomore slump" this year for him. And I can see why people would think that, feeling that he may have overachieved last year. But he's filled out his big frame more this season and has experience under his belt now. He already has incredible defensive poise. I would love to see him produce even more offensively this time. Then there's the Flower, Marc-Andre Fleury. A 40-game winner last year, unfair as it is, more will be expected from him this year. Fleury is as integral to the success of the Pens as Crosby is. And he is the one with the biggest question marks. Can he display the consistency he needs to put him into elite goaltender status? Pens Nation has their dreams riding on it. Rounding out the Fantastic Five is Ryan Whitney. I feel this is the year he supplants Sergei Gonchar as the team's leading point-producing defenseman. If he can improve his defensive game, we're looking at a possible Norris trophy in the near future.

Without a doubt, the five phenoms are the face of the Penguins, but contributions from the rest of the team must be expected as well. Petr Sykora joined the team this summer and will bring a much needed scoring threat on the wing. I'm looking forward to a full season of Gary Roberts. The guy is one crazy S.O.B. You don't see to many 40-year olds play with such reckless abandon, but he does. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had a great quote about Roberts. "One day, Gary Roberts will hit the wall. And the wall will groan." Even though he's past his prime, here's hoping Darryl Sydor brings stability to the blue line. Colby and Mad Max need to continue playing hard and Ruutu needs to keep making other players want to kill him. And lastly, please please, Laraque has got to fight more. His job is to protect these kids. He didn't do much of that last year.

The Pens won't have it easy. I see the Rangers and the Senators as their biggest challenges. The Rangers went back to their old ways this summer and bought their way to contention. The Senators have not changed much but they are the defending East Champs and the ones who ousted us last spring. The Sabres could pose a threat as well, even with the departure of their captains.

It all starts tomorrow! I can't wait! Bring on the Hurricanes!