UPDATE!

An offer did come about. I have been offered employment by Oliff & Berridge, a patent law firm in Alexandria, VA. I have until Friday to accept or pass...right now I'm probably more likely to accept, but some things are pending.
Among them is the housing search. This can be kind of maddening. I like the idea of a fresh start with new individuals in DC, but it can be tough setting up times to meet, since I'm still in North Carolina, and finding the right type of person. I have a couple of leads...but something may need to materialize since I would probably start work in early September. And oh yeah, I'd like to get back out on my own again.
So the plan is to wait and see if I hear back from any other firms, or if any wonderous opportunities are still out there that I should pursue, or if a dream house with awesome roomies pops up in Alexandria, before making my decision Friday. I kind of want to accept just to be done with this all, as this last month has been, as I said, maddening. One can only write so many law firms and so many housing opportunities before they lose their mind.
Time to check Craigslist now to see if any houses have popped up in the last 30 seconds. Egads.

Les thoughts

Hard to believe the summer is already winding down, even if I am an old man and don't have true summers anymore (at least, not right now). Either way, here's what's running through my head as July comes to a close:
*This is the last weekend sans football until the weekend of January 28th, or basically half-a-year from now. That's beautiful.
*How quick is the hockey offseason? By next Saturday, we'll be half-way between the 'Canes Stanley Cup clincher and their first pre-season game. Nuts. By the way, it's a pretty awesome thought whenever the fact that they are the champs crosses my mind.
*READ A BOOK (!!!) this week at the beach, which is a major development. Was a fiction work titled "Tunnel Vision" and had been picked up by my sister at the biblioteca for the trip. Interesting read in several regards, mainly due to the high-concept storyline...the day before getting married, a man makes a bet with a fellow London Underground ("the tube") enthusisast that he can go to the Underground's 260-so stops in one day. Even worse, he wagers his honeymoon tickets and train tickets to Paris, the site of the wedding, and hands them over to his counterpart, who will only return them when he has completed his journey. The journey must finish by 1 AM, or his wife will leave from Waterloo for Paris on the scheduled train without him. Not sure anybody could possibly pull this off, since you'd have to average a station every 5 minutes to do it and some doubling back is necessary. But it's fun reading about this dude try and the dorkiness of the friend that put him up to the bet. I'd recommend a read. Would be an incredible story if somebody actually tried this in real life.
*As for the beach trip, it turned out to be really good. Nice having a week just to think things over and be away from everything for a while. Definetly some things that I want to put into practice that came out of the trip.

That's about it. Next few weeks will be busy as I shower law firms with my resume and my desire to work for them. Hopefully an offer or two will come about as a result

Quick thoughts

Gettin ready to pack for a weekend with the family in Virginia, so here are a couple quick nuggets:
*Japan is pretty much gone from the picture for this upcoming year barring a last minute massive change of heart...which has happened before...in the last week. So a change could come. For now, DC and a law job or bust.
*Unloading packages from a truck actually has some advantages, believe it or not. One of them is not, however, leaving work feeling fresh. It is not the heat or exercise that gets to one, but the massive bruises from battling trucks full of packages that do their best to not cooperate with the poor saps working there such as myself. Every night upon my return home it looks like I have been fighting a small war, and losing. Ah well, some say such scars supplement one's appeal. We'll see about that.
*The Panthers were crowned champions of the Sportscenter Ultimate Depth Chart "it's July and we're bored and have nothing else to talk about" marathon by ESPN. So for the second straight year, this team will be getting hyped and talked about by the prognosticators (SI, and myself, picked us to win it all last year). Could happen, we're probably a more talented team than last year. Of course, last year we had a cake road schedule that made the NFC-best 6-2 road mark a reality. This year's road sched? Playoff team Washington, improved Philadelphia, playoff team Cincinnati, improved Baltimore, +.500 Minnesota, division champs Tampa, Vick and the Falcons and Reggie Bush and the Saints. A 6-2 mark or better against that lineup is all but an impossibility. It will be said again, if the Panthers want to live up to the hype this time around, THEY MUST DOMINATE THE VAULT. Particularly when the Steelers and Cowboys, and their legions of fans, come calling.
*I'm a little worried the Hurricanes are all but keeping the same roster that took the ice in 2005-2006. Management did the same thing after the '02 cup run, and in '03 we were the worst team in the league. Would have loved to see one more goal scoring forward (Anson Carter? Sergei Samsonov?) with Cullen/Weight/Recchi jumping ship, but can understand the salary squeeze. If it's signing one of those guys or giving Cam Ward a massive extension next year, I'll take the latter. And you gotta love the commitment Staal/Williams/Cole have shown in signing long-term deals to stay in Raleigh. If nothing else, the Cup has propelled the 'Canes from the league's lower-echelon to its top 10 or 15 in terms of how the team is thought of by fans, the media and (most importantly) the players.
*World Cup Final Sunday, Italy vs. France. Tournament dominated by defense, so no surprise that the world's two most historically stingy defenses are meeting up to decide it up. Italy seems to be the clear favorite: slightly better defense, much better offensive depth and a MUCH, MUCH better goaltender in Buffon vs. Barthez (also, is it just me, or does Buffon look just like the villain from Red Eye? especially with the red pajamas he wears, for some reason). France has the starpower in ZZ and Henry, which has led me to question my initial thought of an Azzurrii blowout, but the guess here is Italy neutralizes the stars, gets an early goal and then tacks on a late capper to allow Rome to party like it's 1982. Interesting side nugget: the teams will meet in just 2 months, on September 7th in France in Euro 2008 qualification, since they are in the same group. And on that note, go Ireland! (who is in a different group, thankfully)
That's it.

J-O-B update

Been a while since I've posted. Thanks to all for the birthday wishes, much appreciated.
Nothing official to note yet, though the order of potential jobs listed in my last post has shifted.
Essentially I think I have all but decided to put off (maybe forever) the idea of going to Japan. It would be a great opportunity for me for all of the obvious reasons...but it likely would not help me much in my search for a career, and I'd be committed to spending a full year abroad no matter what. Since law is something I've always wanted to try I'm thinking about moving to a larger city and looking for a gig in a major firm as a way of determining if I really want to get the J.D. or not. And if a law job is impossible to come by, something in sports or something in journalism would be very helpful as well. And I could still go to Japan next summer, if I so desire.
The likely destination? Washington, D.C. I need to do mucho research on the city in terms of cost of living (I am at least working at FedEx weekday nights to make some cash) and some other factors. But D.C. seems to have a good mix of an enjoyable city, proximity to home (not so much, Chicago), decent weather (adios Boston, New York City), strong law schools (iie, Philadelphia) as well as good, affordable road trips. B$'s wedding and Oxford, Mississippi would be enjoyable destinations, among others.
No final decision to be made for a couple weeks though as I ponder this a little further. I am planning on going with the fam down to the beach in the last week of July, so I have until at least then to make up my mind. And for real this time.
That's it and that's all for today. More tomorrow.

Penny pinching

My search for what the next year of my life will bring continues. And as it does, I come to a sad realization: I have no money.
This is quite unfortunate. It really limits what I can do here in Charlotte and elsewhere. I prolly was a little too much of a free-spender in college, and I now have no cash in-flow. Parent's money and RA paychecks were nice during college. Those are now gone. Thank goodness for graduation money.
So, spending a lot of time doing free activities and looking for part-time work. Might sell myself over to FedEx for a while just to make some change as I wait on some long-term possibilities.
Those? Teaching English in Japan, a sports related job, a job in a law firm (in that order, with 2/3 all but tied), or, the rank outsider, a job in the journalism industry.
Each of these has its advantages and disadvantages. Unfortunatley none will be making me a ton of money any time soon. With Japan the leader, and with a job offer from a Japanese school that sadly does not pay incredibly handsomely, I am left to save up money for a potential plane flight and a first month there in which I'll have to support myself pre-first pay check.
Adds up to a pretty uneventful summer. But things would pick up when I land one of said jobs, I'm sure.
The search continues.

The 6 In 16

This is long…and the last lengthy sports diatribe for a while, as there are some other matters to attend to. But hopefully this will be a pretty darn good tribute to the ‘Canes. So if you’re interested, bear with me.

After 2 months of playoff competition, the Carolina Hurricanes are the team to hit the magic number of 16 wins that yields that big, shiny trophy.

And it is this number, 16 wins, that is the real definer of the great accomplishment that is winning the Stanley Cup. Yes, Game 7 was a great game and seeing the ‘Canes win the Cup was a truly amazing moment, but the real accomplishment is not victory in this one game but surviving the grinding, nail-biting race that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

At times, it did not look like the moment with the cup would come for the ‘Canes. Yet, throughout the playoffs, the ‘Canes responded to adversity with the guile of the champions that they rightly are.

Here are the 6 moments that defined the ‘Canes run and really, really helped bring the Cup to Carolina:

#6- HURRICANES 3, DEVILS 2 (OT) GAME 2, CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

I had the pleasure of attending this game. Heading into the game, I didn’t like our chances. We had beaten Jersey 6-0 in the opener and I knew the Devils were too good, especially in net, to accept this beating lying down.

Brodeur was as advertised in this game, making spectacular save after spectacular save. Then, Jersey took a numbing lead 20 seconds from the final on a deflected goal.

People cleared out of the row in front of me, anticipating that the game was lost and the series tied. Yet, the ‘Canes found a way to equalize three seconds from the gun, when Eric Staal slid one under Brodeur’s pads.

After Niclas Wallin added the winner (with his skate, but they count the same) in overtime, fans poured out of the RBC roaring. A certain loss had been turned into a spectacular win.

More importantly, the win showed the ‘Canes were both capable of playing outstanding hockey and pulling out the big goals and the crucial wins when needed. This game, more than any other, was enough to convince me the ‘Canes could win the championship.

#5- HURRICANES 3, OILERS 1 GAME 7, STANLEY CUP FINALS

Low down the list for the clincher, mainly because it lacked some of the pizzazz of other games.

However, three things stand out from the final game: the Hurricanes resilience after being absolutely blown out in Edmonton in Game 6; the ability of bit players (see Aaron Ward, Frank Kaberle and Matt Cullen) to come up huge; and CAM FREAKIN’ WARD.

The first factor is the most important. Many counted the Hurricanes for dead after Game 6. Instead, the ‘Canes came out hitting, scored in the first 90 seconds, and carried the play for the next 40 minutes, until that goalie dude finished it off.

#4- HURRICANES 4, SABRES 2 GAME 7, CONFERENCE FINALS

Justin Williams should be named “the Finisher.” Williams scored the game and series finisher in both this game and the Oiler finale, as well as taking out Koivu in the Montreal series (albeit accidentally).

The key to this one was a great 3^rd period, yet another characteristic of the ‘Canes championship team. Trailing 2-1, the ‘Canes picked up goals from Williams, Dougy Weight and the captain, Rod Brind’Amour, who put in the game-winner.

Stanley Cup Finals, here we came.

#3- HURRICANES 4, SABRES 3 (OT) GAME 5, CONFERENCE FINALS

After a spectacular Game 4, Martin Gerber and the ‘Canes defense were a step off in the first 25 minutes of this one. As a result, the Hurricanes trailed on the scoreboard 3-1 and Gerber was pulled from the game.

As in Game 2 of the Montreal series, Ward entered and the game instantly changed. In that game, the deficit proved to be too much to overcome as the ‘Canes fell 6-5 in double overtime (an honorable mention even in a losing effort). Here, the two goal margin was nullified by Recchi and Brind’Amour second period strikes. Ward then denied Afinogenov and Hecht on potential game-winners, setting the stage for Cory Stillman’s overtime power play winner.

This was an essential victory…a loss would have put the Hurricanes on the verge of elimination returning to Buffalo, an unenviable situation. It showed the Hurricanes ability to rally on home ice, where they finished 10-4 in the playoffs and a sparkling 10-2 in their last 12 games. It also showed the Hurricanes ability to get crucial goals and to prevent the opposition from getting them.

And on that note…

#2- HURRICANES 2, CANADIENS 1 (OT) GAME 3, 1^ST ROUND

You can’t win the Stanley Cup, a so-called journey, until the journey begins with the first win. And the Hurricanes run to the Cup was birthed on this eve, the night of the ‘Canes first win of the playoffs.

The biggest key to this night was, without question, the emergence of Cam Ward. In his first start in eons and his first career playoff start, Ward was every bit the Conn Smythe winner that he would prove to be. If not for him, the Hurricanes would have trailed by at least 3-0 in the game and by the same mark in the series…a death knoll for any team. As impressive as Ward’s saves were on Horcoff in Game 1 and Pisani in Game 7 of the Cup Finals, his best may have been glove robberies of Komisarek and Riberio in this one.

On the other end of the ice, the ‘Canes disappointed through 40 minutes before playing an excellent third period and overtime that resulted in the Brind’Amour equalizer, some well-drawn penalties and a Staal lazer in overtime from the point that won the game.

It was only the first of 16 wins, but without it the others could not have occurred. Had Cam Ward not been as spectacular as the ‘Canes need him to be in this one, the cup would almost certainly not have been hoisted in Raleigh, but instead in Edmonton, Buffalo or maybe even Montreal.

But thankfully, he was, and that did not have to happen.

#1- HURRICANES 5, OILERS 4 GAME 1, STANLEY CUP FINALS

Oiler boss Craig MacTavish said his team did not lose the Cup Finals in Game 7. And he was right. The ‘Canes seized control of the series in this game and never lost it, despite the looks of things in Games 5 & 6.

This game had all of the above elements rolled into one. A STERLING GOALTENDING PERFORMANCE. Ward may have given up four goals, but it would have been five or six or seven if not for robberies of Horcoff and denials on many of Edmonton’s 38 shots. RALLYING ON HOME ICE. The Hurricanes caught bad breaks and played poorly in falling down 3-0, but overcame this to pull off their biggest come-from-behind victory of the playoffs. GETTING THE BIG GOALS. The Hurricanes did not panic in falling behind 3-0, but instead waited for their opportunities and capitalized with patience and precision.

<>To win a series when you are not overmatching a team, you usually need to steal a game you shouldn’t win. This was the theft for the Hurricanes. The Oilers tried to rally, and they almost pulled it off, but this victory was more than big. In the end, it won the Hurricanes the Stanley Cup.

The Hurricanes were dominant at stretches of this season, including an early season run that saw the ‘Canes lose ZERO games in regulation in 5 weeks and a January revival when they lost just one game in 14 attempts, and.

The team tailed off towards the end with the division clinched, Erik Cole injured and with Gerber ailing. This carried into the playoffs, including the brutal 6-1 opening loss to Montreal that I had the pleasure of attending.

Cam Ward came in in Game 2, providing a necessary dominant backstopping presence, veteran additions Recchi and Weight combined to replace Cole and jelled with the team, Staal and Brind’Amour and many, many others combined to provide the crucial goal every time the Hurricanes needed it, and the ‘Canes took home Lord Stanley.

Expectations weren’t exactly high when the Hurricanes opened up against the defending champions in Tampa way back in October. Then again, they never really had been for a franchise that had never really had much success hopping from Hartford to Greensboro to Raleigh. Even when success came, as in the 2002 Stanley Cup run, it was followed by an awful season in 2002-2003 in which the Hurricanes plummeted to dead last. But with shrewd moves over the course of the next three years, a great team was eventually assembled. When this team combined spectacular playoff performances with wizardry in net, the Carolina Hurricanes, yes, the Carolina Hurricanes, were the Stanley Cup Champions, and a new hockey power had emerged.

And nothing could be finer.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And don't it feel amazing. The Hurricanes have captured the Stanely Cup for the 2005-2006 season, beating the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 and 4-3 in the series.
MASSIVE postscript/salute to come. As for this evening, my predicted hero Cullen may not have scored a goal, but he was all over the place in picking up 2 assists, including a HUGE play keeping the puck in the zone that lead to the Kaberle game winner. Also huge kudos to Erik Cole, who drove to the net and drew the penalty on Spacek that lead to the aforementioned goal just seconds later.
And CAM WARD. What more can be said? Well, more will be said tomorrow, but the kid is amazing. Makes no mental mistakes and consistently makes outstanding saves. This may not be the last Cup celebration at the RBC with this kid in net the way he's going.
More to come.