I was really into this years Super Bowl. Both teams have long history in the league & were very entertaining during the regular season. I was not really a big Aaron Rodgers fan until this game. That dude is a baller. I was afraid that the game was going to be a blow out but the Steelers made a game of it. It was by far one of the more memorable Super Bowls of the recent past in my opinion. Something told me that the Packers had it in them all year, even through all the crazy injuries they suffered. I was glad to see such a great game, and did not care who won. But the Packers really did impress me.

I’m not like some people that I know that think they get more than a day to celebrate their birthday… but this year my week rocked, kinda. I only got one present for my thirtieth birthday, and it was from a very unlikely place. Raises and bonuses were announced at work during the week, and I also happened to get a promotion. I have been working very hard at my current role and cannot lie, it was kind of unexpected. Either way, I got a hefty sum and some stock, and some big new shoes to fill at the job. Bring it!

I was looking forward to getting some work done on my latest tattoo, but that fell through and I was forced to make other plans. Mom and I went to Anita’s for some breakfast and then went shopping. I got a bunch of stuff from Best Buy including a few new HDTV’s, a XBOX (Kinect is awwesoommmee) and some other small things. We also went and got a mani-pedi, which I am really starting to enjoy! Muahaha.

The best day of the past few weeks had to be when I went and bought my furniture. I got a 5-piece dining room set, a huge 5-piece sectional for my great room, a king-sized bedroom set for the master bedroom w/ Pillow-top mattress & power reclining chair and sofa for the basement. I cannot wait for them to be delivered. Gonna be piiiimpin’! I will finally have all of my house furnished, with the exception of a few tables and such. I have also started decorating some rooms and have lots of neat ideas for the rest now that I know what the furniture is gonna look like. Weee!

In other, not so important news… I shaved my beard fully for the first time in over three years. I needed it bad. It was dead, split ends — like having a dead animal on my face. Gonna keep it clean for a bit and then grow back a monster beard! Hehe.

Lots of fun stuff going on and lots more to come. I am planning a vacation… hmmm Hawaii or Jamaica again?! Looking forward to going to a major sporting event of some kind in the near future. Going to start a bucket list (now that I’m thirty!) Looking forward to starting a workout plan. Need to start dating! Want a new iPad. Need a giant man grill.

So much to do… EEK!

I have seen Disturbed a couple of times, and although I really dig their new album, I expect the same sort of performance. Lots of fire, lots of jamming & solos, and lots of screaming along to the words by the fans. I have only seen Godsmack once, and it rocked. They put on one helluva show. I’d have to admit I am looking forward to seeing them again. I just caught Megadeth a few months back with Slayer. Not sure the summer festival will be able to top that arena show.

I am ALWAYS pumped to see Machine Head. I have probably seen them 8 or 9 times, the last being with Metallica in ’09. The dudes straight up DESTROY any venue they play in. Would much rather see them in a club, but being on the Main Stage should be pretty tight. I am hoping they will be bringing out some new material with them for this one.

I have seen In Flames once, and they were tight. They are just wrapping up a new album and should be jamming some of that… sweet. I have also seen Trivium a handful of times, and they don’t disappoint — at least they haven’t. They should also have some new material.

Main Stage

• Disturbed
• Godsmack
• Megadeth
• Machine Head
• In Flames
• Trivium

I have never seen Suicide Silence, but am intrigued by the opportunity. They are one of those bands that had to grow on me at first. Sorta like All Shall Perish. Once I gave their first album a listen a few times, I was mildly hooked. They are also finishing their next album and should have some juicy new jams for the ear drums! I have never seen Straight Line Stitch and have no clue what to expect from them. Not sure I have even heard any of their shit. :s

Extreme Stage

• Suicide Silence
• All Shall Perish
• Straight Line Stitch

I will definitely be checking out Unearth and Kingdom of Sorrow on the Jager stage.

Jagermeister Stage

• Unearth
• Kingdom of Sorrow
• Red Fang

All-in-all, the bill is not bad. There were more bands in years past, but I hope this means longer set lists, and possibly getting one of those stages in the gravel taken down. I would really enjoy seeing all of these bands play on a single stage, but I don’t think that will happen, at least not this time. Thankfully, there were ZERO rumors of Marilyn Manson headlining this one. YAY.

Festival Home Page:

http://www.rockstarmayhemfest.com/bands

Snow outlook for my area. Yeah, I'm in the white (severe) nubbin right between the two pink bands.

It took me a good two-and-a-half hours to shovel. Shit was wet and heavy! There were some people in my neighborhood that did not even try to shovel their driveways. One dude just left his car halfway sticking out of the damn thing. The plow man buried him in even further. HAHA.

Here is a shot of my driveway after I had finished and the snow stopped.

I went to my Mom’s house this morning to cut her out a path and she did not get nearly as much, probably about 4 inches.

I was really hoping to work from home today but there was really no excuse to not come in. I am sure some people will find a reason to not come in though . I just hope charcoal kabob shows up to give some noms today! (BOO, Indian restaurant is here instead :/)

Getting a one-two punch of shitty weather today… Not a fun birthday present for Mom Dukes, BOO. Some are calling for 3-6 while most are calling for 4-8 inches of wintery goodness. This morning was mostly sleet and rain, but I can see the big fluffy snow clouds inching towards us on the radar. Maybe we will get enough to force a work from home day. Yay.

Matt Hendricks got a super sweet deflection in the 2nd to put the CAPS up 1-0. CAPS rookie Goaltender Braden Hotlby was looking sharp. He had only given up one goal in each of his last two games. He did give up a goal in the third, but it was crazy. The slap shot took a wicked trajectory and was bounced up into the air. It landed behind Holtby and trickled into the net. Dagger!

Regulation ended tied, and the teams went to overtime. The 5 minutes passed and no team scored, so we went to the dreaded shoot out. This marks the 7th straight OT/SO loss for the CAPS, and the 9th of the last 10. Ouch.

All-in-all, any CAPS game is fun to attend, win or lose. Weeee!

Game Information

Season: 2010-2011
Game: 50
Score: Captials lose 1-2 (in a shoot out)
Attendance: 18,398 (Sellout)
Record: 27-14-9

Interesting Stats:

* Washington is the first team in NHL history with four or more wins from three different goaltenders aged 22 or younger.

* In tonight’s game against the Rangers, the Caps trotted out the same 18 skaters and two goaltenders for the third straight game, a rarity this season.

Game Recap

The Big Four 2011 is coming to America

The Big Four 2011 is coming to America

This should be interesting…

[UPDATE] What a crock of shit. Only announcing one date, in California. What a major let down. I was really hoping that this would have been a festival or something. Oh well. Bring on ROCKSTAR Mayhem Fest!

• The crowd was explosive! It was the last game before the NHL Winter Classic and several “We want Pittsburgh” chants broke out.
• HBO was filming the last installment of the 24/7 documentary.
• Varley got a shut out!

Game Information

Season: 2010-2011
Game: 39
Score: Captials win 3-0
Attendance: 18,277 (Sellout)
Record: 22–12–5

Game Recap

Game Information

Game Information

Game Information

Season: 2010
Game: 9
Score: Redskins lose 28-59 (in a blow out)
Attendance: 84,912
Record: 4-5

Game Recap

Game Information

Game Information

Concert Information

Venue: First Mariner Areana, Baltimore MD
Bands: Slayer, Megadeth, Anthrax

Game Information

Concert Information

Concert Information

Venue: First Mariner Areana, Baltimore MD
Bands:

• Main Stage:
• Korn
• Rob Zombie
• Lamb of God
• Five Finger Death Punch
• Silver Star Stage:
• Atreyu
• Norma Jean
• In This Moment
• 3 Inches of Blood
• Jägermeister Stage:
• Hatebreed
• Chimaira
• Shadows Fall
• Winds of Plague