News & Views

The Beckett / Craig Ferguson Conspiracy

I must be a sucker. Yesterday, a telemarketer from Beckett Publications, named “Sid“–but probably really named Samir–called me and asked if I wanted to renew my subscription to Beckett Hockey Magazine. And I said “yes.”

Now, I was about to tell Sid (Samir) that I do not wish to subscribe to Beckett Hockey, because the magazine is really just inflated card values and regurgitated press releases from Upper Deck.

But the problem was, I kept thinking of Sid, the cursing rabbit puppet from “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” Ferguson voices the foul-mouthed, Scottish-accented puppet.

With my defenses down, Sid (Samir) dropped the bomb on me: TWO years of Beckett Hockey for $36. That’s $3 per issue, plus I would get two free card gradings.

Hmmmm….maybe $3 an issue isn’t too much to satisfy my morbid curiosity. So, I caved in and bought a two-year subscription. Perhaps if enough of us buy in, Beckett will print thoughtful articles again instead of the usual “They Say / We Say” nonsense.

Now, most normal people don’t think of a cursing rabbit puppet from late night television when they hear the name “Sid”. But most normal people don’t blog about trading cards based on the 5th most popular sport in the U.S., either.

But here’s where things got freaky. While doing a Google Image Search to find a few pictures of Sid the Rabbit, I came across a video of an interview with Craig Ferguson, regarding his voice acting work in the film How to Train Your Dragon.

Sure, nothing weird there–until I clicked play to watch the video and an ad for Beckett appeared!

Beckett has found a way to use my enjoyment of Craig Ferguson’s comedy against me. Am I crazy, or is this the beginning of a conspiracy theory?

In other news not related to Beckett, Craig Ferguson or conspiracy theories…you might want to check out this contest over on Fuji’s blog.

2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day Three

NOTE: You might want to read Day One and Day Two first:
2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day One
2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day Two

Chicago, IL – Aug. 1, 2010

On the third day of the convention, I pretty much spent the whole time waiting in lines to get autographs. 

In retrospect, I regret not going to more panel discussions.

But at the time, I was excited because I had those VIP signing session passes, which entitled me to get autographs from the best ‘Hawks players.

So, that’s how Sunday went. I waited in line, again and again and again.

I also made a few purchases, and my girlfriend interviewed several artists at the convention. Continue reading “2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day Three”

2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day Two

NOTE: You might want to read the Day One recap first:
2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day One


Chicago, IL – July 31, 2010

We arrived at the convention around 9:30 AM, and headed over to the autograph room to try and get wristbands. Scheduled to sign at 11 AM were Stan Mikita and Eric Daze.

It turns out that Mikita was sick, and did not attend the show over the weekend. My girlfriend and I each got a wristband for Eric Daze. Continue reading “2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day Two”

2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day One

After some computer problems, then a road trip to Memphis, I am finally getting around to posting my recap of the 2010 Blackhawks Convention (“Hawks Con”).

Chicago, IL – July 30, 2010

Opening Ceremony
We arrive at ‘Hawks Con around 4:30 PM. Every year, the convention officially starts with an “Opening Ceremony” at 5:00 PM. In 2008, this was very cool, as the team announced that Jonathan Toews was appointed captain, and that  number 3 was being retired to honor both Keith Magnusson and Pierre Pilote. Huge news that the die-hards like myself got to hear first. Continue reading “2010 ‘Hawks Con – Day One”

2010 ‘Hawks Con recap soon…

A plethora of computer problems have have kept me from posting my recap about the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Convention (aka “Hawks Con”).

Problem 1: My video editing software keeps crashing. Coincidentally, my girlfriend had the same problem with her video editing software too.

Problem 2: The flatbed scanner I ordered from NewEgg.com hasn’t arrived yet. My old scanner still works, but the scan quality sucks.

Problem 3: I’ve tried running MalwareBytes (a free malware-removal software) and my computer crashed.

Problem 4: I tried burning things to DVD–so as to free up some space on the hard drive–and that crashed my computer too.

Anyway, once I get to the bottom of these problems, expect a full day-by-day recap that will include video, scans of items I got autographed, a few cool stories and some neat purchases.

In other news, the Blackhawks signed Marty Turco, which means they won’t be re-signing Antti Niemi. They can’t afford him, since the Cup-winning goalie is set to make $2.75 million per year, thanks to his arbitration hearing.

What I don’t understand is, why did the ‘Hawks tie up $3.5 million per year re-signing defenseman Nicklas Hjalmarsson? Hjalmarsson was the 4th or 5th defender on the team, and had he gone to San Jose the Blackhawks would have had the money to re-sign Niemi AND get some compensation from the Sharks. I’d rather have a number one goalie for $2.75 mil than a 4th defender for $750,000 more. Plus, the ‘Hawks have a top defensive prospect in Nick Leddy, who left college after his freshman year to join the ‘Hawks this fall.

Who’s Signing ‘Graphs at the ‘Hawks Con?

The Blackhawks still haven’t confirmed exactly WHO will be signing autographs at the 2010 Blackhawks Convention–or Hawks Con, as I’m gonna call it–this weekend. According to a source of mine, the team won’t let fans know until the convention actually starts on Friday. Continue reading “Who’s Signing ‘Graphs at the ‘Hawks Con?”

1963-64 Parkhurst #3 – Leonard (Red) Kelly

I have been working on a new set review that isn’t quite ready to share just yet, so in the meantime here is another card in my ever-increasing 1963-64 Parkhurst Hockey Set.

Red Kelly is my 26th card. This one also has a few pin holes in it, but otherwise is not a bad-looking card. No stains, no creases and no badly-rounded corners.

Hawk Bits

A few quick thoughts on what’s going down in HAWKeyTown…

Stanley Cup visiting Elmwood Park – The Stanley Cup will be in the Chicago suburb of Elmwood Park on Wednesday, July 28.. However, the Cup will be at a private event, held at First Security Bank. The Wirtz family owns First Security Bank.

Who’s Signing Autographs? – As of Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks still haven’t told us who will be signing autographs at the Blackhawks Convention this upcoming weekend. Sure, some are a given (Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Bobby Hull, Tony Esposito), but who else? Maybe I’ll just bring one card of every Blackhawk ever, just to be safe. The team did announce a pretty explicit autograph policy, though.

Training Camp Fest – On September 18, the Blackhawks will hold a Training Camp Festival. Seriously. For $5, you can watch the team practice. There is also a charity run/walk/skate event, and a 3-on-3 street hockey tournament. Tickets can be bought here.

Easy Come, Easy Go– Last month, the Chicago Blackhawks traded away three good players and a prospect for Marty Reasoner and Jeremy Morin. Last week, the ‘Hawks traded Reasoner to the Florida Panthers for Jeff Taffe. Guess Reasoner’s $1 million annual salary was taking up too much cap space. Funny, though, because the ‘Hawks made a big deal about acquiring Reasoner, going so far as to “Photoshop” him into the Indian-head sweater (above). But Reasoner’s subsequent trade to the Panthers was nary a mention on the ‘Hawks home page.

JR in the HOF – Former Chicago Blackhawk Jeremy Roenick was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame last week. Roenick was a favorite player of mine, so I certainly hope that he will make it into the “real” Hall of Fame when he is eligible in 2012. For those who missed it, I posted a Career in Cards about Roneick earlier this month.