Stanley Cup, Outdoor Games, & Olympics

 Usually around this time of year we are near the end of the NHL season and gearing up for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  The weeks leading up to this time of year are usually bombarded by stupid campaigns by the NHL, like "Because it's the Cup".  Damn, it I hate that campaign...almost as much as "Is it October, yet?".  Who writes this crap?  Who greenlights this crap?  And, why do they keep using this amateur slogans to promote a game that is losing its core audience.

Anyway.  This is something I observed a few years ago and the pattern is still going strong.  Notice that teams playing outdoor games have a very good chance to be in that year's Stanley Cup Finals.  Here is a list of NHL outdoor games on Wikipedia that you can check.  And, a list of Stanley Cup Champions and Finalists.  

Let me break it down.

- 1954, Detroit Red Wings have an exhibition outdoor game with the Marquette Prison Pirates.  The Red Wings go on to win the Stanley Cup that year against the Montreal Canadiens.

We get some outdoor games where this theory does not work out, but hold on...

- 2008 Winter Classic, Pittsburgh Penguins versus Buffalo Sabres.  Penguins go on to meet the Red Wings in the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals

- 2009 Winter Classic, Red Wings vs Blackhawks.  Red Wings meet Penguins in 2009 Stanley Cup Finals

- 2010 Winter Classic, Flyers vs Bruins.  Flyers in 2010 Finals with Blackhawks

See it?  The Winter Classic pretty much guaranteed a spot in the finals.  No Cup win, but very close.  Okay, a few more games were played in the open with no results that I can skew towards my theory.  But, it happens again, this time we have Cup winners for outdoor teams.

- 2014 Stadium Series between the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.  The Kings would go on to win their second Cup that summer...against the New York Ranger...who also played in the...

- 2014 Stadium Series.  The Ranger actually played two outdoor games, one against the Devils, other against the Islanders.

- 2015 Winter Classic, Blackhawks vs. Capitals.  Chicago wins another Cup, this time defeating the Lightning in the Finals

Skipping a head to make me sound like a genius.  I should also mention that there are up to four games being played outdoors at this point.

- 2017 Stadium Series, Philadelphia Flyers vs Pittsburgh Penguins.  Yeah, Penguins lifting the Cup at the end of the Finals.

- 2018 Stadium Series, Toronto Maple Leafs vs Washington Capitals.  Come on, you did not think the Leafs were going deep in the playoffs, did you?  Of course not.  The Capitals win their first Cup

- 2019 Winter Classic, Bruins vs Blackhawks.  Boston make it to the Finals but just fall short, as the St. Louis Blues win their first Cup.

- 2020 Winter Classic, Nashville Predators vs Dallas Stars.  Crazy pandemic year with whacky playoffs, but the Dallas Stars make it to the Finals, but are defeated by Tampa Bay.

Here we are at 2021, and we have four teams that played in two outdoor games.  Vegas Golden Knights, Colorado Avalanche, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins.  Will one of these teams make it to the Finals, possibly win it all?  Currently the Avalanche and Golden Knights are at the top of the same division.  Bruins are in a playoff spot, with the Flyers just on the outside looking in.

-----

Wait, I have more!

Three Canadian cities have hosted the Olympics.  The result?  Top of the league the next season and a Stanley Cup Championship (almost)

1976 - Montreal hosts the Summer Olympics.  The next year, 1977, the Montreal Canadiens are at the top of the league.  They would have been awarded the Presidents' Trophy, if it existed then.  But, more importantly, they go on an win the Stanley Cup.  Okay, I know this was during their dynasty years (1976-1979), and no one was getting around the Canadiens.  My theory still stands.

1988 - Calgary hosts the Winter Olympics.  The next year, in 1989, the Calgary Flames win their second Presidents' Trophy in two years, and first Stanley Cup.

2010 - Vancouver is host to the Winter Olympics.  The Canucks would win back to back Presidents' Trophies in 2011 and 2012.  They reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2011 (year after Olympics) and came with in a game of winning it all, losing in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins.  

-----

There you go, my Stanley Cup, Outdoor Game, and Olympics theory.

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - April 2021

 Ah, April Fool's Day.  Perfect day for telemarketers.

1 April 2021

  315-775-2689  Watertown, NY - During the Winter, does Watertown become Icetown?  Fuck you!

  ezgro420@gmail.com - Okay, clever name for an email address.  One does not even need to click on the link to know what this scam is about.

ezgro420@gmail.com

As you can see, this was sent to 20 people.  How many fools fell for this today, could we expect another email/text like this in about 19 days?    Fuck you!

7 April 2021

  anniesterry@gmail.com - Another 20 person mass email. This one coming in at 6:08 in the morning.

anniesterry@gmail.com

Remember back in the day one could only get a Gmail account by invitation only?  This when back when it was new and you really had to know someone to get a Gmail, as there was only like 5-10 accounts that one could give out.  

Now, anyone and their mother can get one and use it as a telemarketing tool.  Including, ezgro420 and anniesterry.  Fuck you!

   ddd1996@gmail.com - Coming at'cha at 7:39

ddd1996@gmail.com

Like we said, anyone can get a Gmail account. Looks like Gmail is the new weapon telemarketers are using to attack us.  Fuck you!

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 147-150

...and we are back.

This is a shipment from almost a year ago (April 2020).  These parts have been stashed away, deep in an abandoned mine and we finally dug it up.

Issues 147-150

These parts kind of spoiled the surprise, we have known for a while that there was a going to be train modification to the Time Machine. With Issue 150 in hand a year ago, we thought the build would end at 150. Turns out, there are more railroad ties, rails, and train wheels to be shipped, received, and built.

But, we are almost to the end...and we are still missing Issue 128.

Issue 147 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 147

There are some tiny parts in this, issue.  Take your time and make sure you are working in a clean area as parts and screws tend to fly.  Small hands and good lighting is very helpful for this build, along with patience.

You know how we love screws.  Hold your horses, no screw count yet.  But we did notice the reintroduction of the CP screw that we had not seen in a while.  Also, and this is very exciting, 147 issues in to the build, we have a new RP screw!

Issue 148 - Railroad Ties

Contents of issue 148

All the excitement of the last issue and we are back to this.  Feel free to skip ahead.

Issue 149 - Rail

Contents of Issue 149

Keep skipping

Issue 150 - Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 150

Only the second train wheel and it is not much work.  Two screws and you are done.  Remember to keep the washer and cap in safe place and there is no need to remove the wheel from the blister if you wish to keep thee wheel 'fresh'.

Remember last time, we had Issue 151?  Well, now we can dive into that.  

There are some really small parts and screws.  Speaking of screws, we have another new screw to report, the OP.  These are the tiny screws used to secure the tiny handles of  the hood box. 

After this shipment, there should be two more sets of railroad ties, rails, and train wheels, and at least one issue of hood box elements.  So, at least seven issues, possibly eight.  Again, that should be two shipments, which means we can finally be done sometime in the Summer.  Hopefully, of this year.  A total of 158 issues, or maybe rounding it up to 160 issues total.  Pretty sure Eaglemoss can toss in some more parts, and for sure we will be received another shitty binder.  We could just look it up to see the final issue count, but what is the fun in that?

Here is the screw count, with two new screws!

114-AP, 25-BP, 3-CP, 24-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 29-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 6-QP, 1-RP, 2-OP

to be continued...

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 144, 145, 146, 151

We are close to end...maybe.  Initial thought: there is the "original" 130 issues with 20 issues for the train modifications of the Time Machine.  Well, with this shipment, we can see there are more to come.  Our calculations were not correct, and there are at least seven more issues left, possibly eight.  Details on this later, but let us get to this shipment

Issues 144, 145 ,146, 151

Surprise, we have missing issues.  Ah, the good news it, we have had the 'missing issues' (147-150) since April of 2020.  Yeah, that box of parts have been sitting there for almost a year.  There was a period when there were serious delays in receiving parts from Eaglemoss, so they just started shipping later issues. Those issues and parts would sit there until back issues arrived. 

Yes, for those keeping score, we are still waiting for Issue 128. 

Issue 144 Railroad Ties

Contents of Issus 144

Look familiar?  Yep, we are doing this...again.  Any guesses to what is next?

Issue 145 - Rail

Contents of Issue 145

If you guessed "Rail", you are correct!

Issue 146 - Train Wheel

Contents of Issue 146

Whoa!  What is this?  Something new and different!  A simple build as all you do is attached the disc to the metal train wheel.  Yes, metal.  Be careful not to lose the washer and cap, small parts.

Pro tip:  Keep the wheel in the blister.  There really is no need to remove the wheel to attach the disc.  You can also use the little baggie to store that cap and washer.

Issue 151 - Time Circuit Components 

Contents of Issue 151

Not much we can do with these parts right now. We will hunt that box of parts from eleven months ago. For now, here is your screw count:

113-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 23-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 21-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 5-QP

to be continued...

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - March 2021

 One of these days we are going to stop doing this.  We have been doing this for over ten years.  Telemarketers will always be calling, and we will always be ignoring.  There is no benefit for us to record and report these numbers here.  We are not getting paid for this, very few people read these, and it does not make a dent in the fight against telemarketers.

2 March 2021

  310-271-9885  Beverly Hills, CA - Another number from Beverly Hills.  Does this make it a "luxurious scam"?  Champaign wishes and caviar dreams...more like scam-paign wishes...am I right?  Ha, fuck you!

5 March 2021

  310-418-2960  Gardena, CA - Well, they left a message.  

310-418-2960

Is it still telemarketing when they are trying to sell Jesus?  Fuck yes, and fuck you!

  310-283-0603  Gardena, CA - Yeah, we are going to put this in the telemarketing pile.  Just got a second call, six minutes later, with voicemail.  Pretty much the same voicemail.  But, at least these were left by an actual people and they think they are going good.  Still, it does not excuse them from committing the worst sin of all...telemarketing.  Fuck you!

6 March 2021

  fredicnovalkhf583@gmail.com - Text via email.  Do we get spam emails via text?  

fredicnovalkhf583@gmail.com

Could this be a legit wrong number/email situation and Ann Hendler is trying to send top secret file to Ruth Hallberg?  Nah!  How do you fuck up an email address with a phone number.  Fuck you!

Here is a great video of how some of these scams work and a small payback to some of the scammers.  Enjoy.

18 March 2021

  310-271-9885  Beverly Hills, CA - Sometimes you need to be sharp, like a needle, man.  These pricks are spoofing this number.  Fuck you!

29 March 2021

  310-434-4263  Santa Monica, CA - Looks like this is from Santa Monica College...or is it?  I did not even know Santa Monica had a College, so they would have no business with me.  So, most likely a spoofed call.  Wait, does Santa Monica College offer a telemarketing course?  Fuck you!

30 March 2021

  310-575-6187  Los Angeles, CA - Oh, a 'new' number.  Nothing coming up on a search.  Granted, I only look a the first 2-3 results.  So, could be legit...but leaning towards spoofed and scammy telemarketer.  Fuck you!

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issue 140-143

Oh, we have another shipment.  It was in a larger box, and that usually means we get another stupid binder.  One of these days we will get into why these binders are stupid.  Maybe we have already.  But, it has been so long...maybe you want to read about it again.

 Well, luckily this was not the case.  Some of the parts and packing material made this shipment too big to fit in their standard box.  They could have made it fit in a standard box.  Although, the feeling of expecting the stupid binder and be relieved that there was no binder is ecstatic.

Issues 140-143

By the way, we are still waiting on Issue 128...still waiting.  Anyway, here we go...

Issue 140 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 140

Tiny hands help when you have to deal with these little lightbulbs.  You also need a lot of strength.  Ideally, hands of a tree frog with strength of a bear.  Good luck. 

We also have some wire work in this issue. No, not like Yeun Woo-Ping...little tiny wires.

Issue 141 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 141

Guess what.  Yep, same thing.  Although our parts came with an extra eight EP screws.  That is a lot of extras, as we normally get one, sometimes two, extra per screw.  We nearly doubled our EP screws after this shipment.  We know you are excited about the screw count.  Hold your horses, we will get to that at the end per usual.

Issue 143 - Rail

Contents of Issue 142

At this point, we do not even need to look at the build instructions.  Are we that good?  Nah, this is our fourth time doing this...and more to go.  Yay?

Issue 143 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 143

Yippee! We got two Issues with Time Circuit parts in this shipment.  Many small parts in this.  Careful with that cross piece, overtightening could bend the ends.  We found out the hard way.

This is what you have been waiting for...

113-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 21-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 8-NP, 5-QP

to be continued...

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - February 2021

 Short month and these fuckers are wasting their own time in more ways than one.  Slacking off for almost a week before getting the first call/text.  Here we go

5 February 2021

  469-512-2469  Dallas, TX -  Okay, bonus points for having '69' twice in your number.  But, then it is fuck up after fuck up.  Follow along.  Reuben!  Close, but I usually go by a different name.

469-512-2469

Oh wait, did I win something...I mean, did Reuben win something?  Sweepstakes, you say?  Well, shit.  Connecticut?  Wait, the text originated from Dallas.  There you go fucking up, again.  

Claim my prize?  Yeah, like I am clicking that link.  I will be disappointed, because I know that link will not lead to dick pics.  Seriously thinking about replying to these texts with dick pics.  Oh, I can show a code to an AT&T Store?  If I do, will the guy behind the counter whip out his cock?

Fuck you!

7 February 2021

  917-601-4549  New York - What, no more calls?  All I get are texts, now?

917-601-4549

Come on, guys!  How many times do I have to tell you to check your spelling?  By the way, I looked up the number, and the first result was "Protect yourself from scammers and robocalls..."  Fuck you!

8 Februrary 2021

  310-849-9563  Beverly Hills, CA - Oh good, a call instead of text.  Ah, but a silenced call, because you sorry as is another telemarketer...and to that I say, fuck you!

  469-750-9048  Dallas, TX - Wait, three days ago, came in first in the Connecticut AT&T Sweepstakes. Now, I am second in the AT&T Rewards?  Wow, what luck!  

469-750-9048

Okay, I get it.  AT&T Headquarters is in Dallas, but why would they run the sweepstakes and rewards program out of Connecticut?  Does the Connecticut branch not have the resources?  Considering I did not enter any sweepstakes nor rewards contests, and quite a drive from Connecticut,  that is pretty darn lucky of me to win...twice!  Fuck you!

9 February 2021

  310-504-6094  Redondo Beach - "Spam Risk"  Fuck you!

  714-748-1854 - Garden Grove, CA - Okay, we all know this is a fucking telemarketer.   But they left a voicemail.  We know, voicemails are a dime a dozen, but you gotta see this transcript.

714-748-1854

"Spies now.."  This totally backs up our theory and explains everything.  Telemarketers are spies, looking for your information to use against you.  I mean, look how long the message is.  Double-O-seven.  We talking about James Bond shit going on here.  This is a matter of national security, we have international spies calling our citizens to steal our information.  Fuck you!

  310-504-6094  Redondo Beach, CA - They called back.  Pretty sure I told you to fuck off.  Okay not in those exact words.  How about now?  Fuck off!

12 February 2021

  833-736-0960 - This is a toll free number.  But, while toll free, still very likely a telemarketer scam.  Check this shit out:

833-736-0960

We are going to look pass the many spelling and grammatical errors on this.  What are the odds that a Fortune 500 company cannot even write a simple note?  Nah, we just gonna gloss over that.

Look closely.  Is that fucking Comic Sans?  Okay, it is not Comic Sans, but it sure looks like an incestual relative of Comic Sans.  Again, we question the validity of a corporate memo when it is written in a questionable font.  Surely this robot is an uptalker.  Fuck you!

  760-653-3125  San Marcos, CA - ...and other thing...Fuck you!

13 February 2021

  844-725-0482 - Like the 833 area code number from yesterday, the 844 area code is allocated nationwide.  Therefore no specific location.  And, just like the previous scam we got the same message:

844-725-0482

Same copy/paste message. Same spelling and grammatical errors...and the same fucking shit font.  It is so obvious they are cold texting people in hopes that someone will click the link and fall for their scam.

Speaking of link.  Note that they are different. If  the message/issues are the same, the links should be the same.  Nice try, fuck you!

18 February 2021

  310-801-4567  Beverly Hills, CA - Not once

  310-801-4567  Beverly Hills, CA - Not twice

310-801-4567

   310-801-4567  Beverly Hills, CA - But thrice, and one shit attempt to leave a voicemail.  The voicemail was just some mumbling.  Perhaps they were shocked at our outgoing message, who knows.

As usual, we did a little research.  While this is a legit number of a business (maybe), we do not have business with them. So on a technicality, this is a telemarketing call. It can also be another spoofed call.  Either way, there is no need to call someone three times in one minute and not leave a proper voicemail.  Fuck you!

  310-801-4567  Beverly Hills, CA - Looks like they tried again to leave a voicemail.  Maybe it is a recording, maybe it was a robot.  It was in a foreign language, which we are not fluent in...and from what we have gathered, it has nothing to do with what the business is associated with...according to a search of the number.  

That was one awkward sentence. You know what is more awkward?  When your phone tries to transcribe a foreign language, or maybe they were trying to translate.  Tell me what they are trying to say:

Could be some spy shit

Could this be some spy shit?  Sure sounds like a secret password to confirm my identity before they transfer millions for the NOC List.  Fuck you!

  310-504-7886  Redondo Beach, CA - Today was a busy day, another Spam Risk.  Fuck you!

19 February 2021

  310-483-3648  Torrance, CA - And, the calls just keep on coming.  Of course, this was a Silenced Call.  But, just in case, we did a quick search and this number cam up as a "Debt Reduction Scam" and under High Risk.  Yeah, fuck you!

23 February 2021

  310-826-2787  Los Angeles, CA - This is pretty much your typical spoofed number.  Fuck you!

24 February 2021

  318-293-6285 Saline, LA - Spoofed number all the way from Louisiana.  Again, we have no business with anyone in Louisiana.  Heck, we do not have any business with anyone.  But, we do that this for them...fuck you!

  562-423-5062  Long Beach, CA - Yep, you guessed it.  No business with anyone in Long Beach, either.  Mind your own business, fuck you!

Build the Back to the Future Time Machine - Issues 136-139

Issues 136-139

Following the same pattern as the previous shipment, here are Issues of the latest shipment.

 Issue 136 - Rail

Contents of Issue 136

You know the drill.

Issue 137 - Time Circuit Components

Contents of Issue 137

This is the only interesting Issue of the shipment, and one you need to pay attention to.  There are some small parts that can easily lost. Be careful and be patient.  

Pro Tip:  Take your time with these tiny clear parts.  Better to go one by one with these clear 'tubes' than to rush and remove them all from the sprue.  Ask me how I came to that conclusion.  Work above a clean surface so pieces are easier to locate.

Small screws are the least of your problems, at least you have extras of those.  Not so much with the plastic parts.

Issue 138 - Railroad Ties

Contents of Issue 138

Yep, same thing

Issue 139 - Rail

Contents of Issue 139

Hey, you look familiar.  You know what to do.

...and your screw count up until now.

111-AP, 25-BP, 2-CP, 22-AM, 13-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 38-DM, 3-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 11-EP, 22-FP, 2-JM, 5-HP, 4-GP, 16-NM, 3-MM, 9-KM, 2-LM, 23-IP, 1-OM, 1-PM, 4-JP, 2-KP, 3-QM, 2-LP, 6-MP 1-RM, 7-NP, 3-QP

to be continued...

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - January 2021

 We have our first call of the new year!  Just surprised that a call did not come earlier.  Do robots celebrate Christmas and New Years?

4 January 2021

  310-599-8974  Compton, CA - Going back to Cali.  We have received calls from the 310-599-XXXX before, so when this number popped up, we knew it was Compton. Of course, we knew it was some sort of telemarketer call.  So, with that we are excited to hand out the first Fuck you!

6 January 2021

  469-797-6225  Plano, TX - Yeah sure, this is could be a scam...definitely telemarketing.  This is target marketing at its best.  Bonus point for (mostly) correct spelling and grammar.  I kinda like these superliminal tactics.  

469-797-6225

A 7:30 text, basically, telling my fat ass to wake up.  Then, straight up that I am a fat ass and I am too lazy to do anything about it.  But wait, snort a mound of this shit before I crash and, BAM!  I go to sleep a Chris Farley and wake up a Chris Hemsworth.  Fuck you!

11 January 2021

  862-485-1906  New Jersey - This mother fucker texts me at 6:47 AM.  Not only that, this is basically the sames message as the one from above.  The link is different, but same fucking scam.

862-485-1906

So, we did a little digging.  Not really, just a quick search, and this number has been linked to multiple scams ranging from Netflix, AT&T, Amazon, USPS, gun permits, bill paying, etc.  Fuck you!

   402-444-6135  Omaha, NE - Silenced call, which means pretty much a telemarketer.  Fuck you!

14 January 2021

  310-599-1936  Compton, CA - Another Compton number.  Again, most likely another spoofed number.  I have no idea what they are trying to push, but it is most certainly a scam.  Fuck you!

  310-809-5067  Los Angeles - Hmm...nothing came up on a quick search.  But we will err on the side of caution and call this another telemarketer.  Fuck you!

22 January 2021

  310-849-9674  Beverly Hills, CA - Wow, over a week without a call.  That has to be some sort of record.  We cannot remember the last time there was this long of a break between calls.  This is amazing.  Only two words can sum this up.  Fuck you!

26 January 2021

  310-504-8835  Redondo Beach, CA - Automatically labeled as "Spam Risk". Fuck you!

  214-340-1944  Dallas, TX - The stars at night, are big and bright.  Fuck you!

29 January 2021

  325-480-4081  Abilene, TX - I am sure you have heard about the "massive California exodus to Texas".  Last year, over eighty thousand people left the Golden State for 'greener pastures' in the Lone Star State.  Could telemarketers be doing the same?   Do robots get taxed, too?   Fuck you!

  310-849-9563  Beverly Hills, CA -  Okay, maybe some telemarketers and robots are staying in California.  Second call of the day.  Perhaps the last push before the weekend, or last push before the end on the month?  Would not be surprised to get some weekend calls from these cunts.  Fuck you!