I was strolling down the street in East Lansing the other evening and when walking past the old Taco Bell building, I spotted this harbinger of joy on the front window:

Please let this be true. As a suburban Detroit native, I grew up eating at National Coney Island restaurants. Things got even better when the big 24 hour place went up in Roseville, granting my high school cronies and I great place to hang out.  Then one opened up minutes from my parents’ place and things got even better.

I suffered without my beloved National for too long while on the West side of the State during my Grand Valley State days. It was a sad state of affairs.

Thankfully, Lansing has its fair share of excellent chili dog places, so I have not suffered here. But as good as they are, they still aren’t the same as National. There was always something special about National, even the small place they had at Lansing Mall in the old food court (don’t know if they still have one, I doubt it).

When I was younger and still drank pop, I would always order a Coke in a styrofoam cup go wash down my chili dogs.  Coke always tasted better in their styrofoam cups for some reason. Can’t explain it.

This reminds me, I need to stop at a National next time I’m back in the D. It has been too long. I’ll break my pseudo-diet and get a chili dog. Mmmm. Chili dog.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

This year’s Stanley Cup Playoffs was one for the history books.

And I’m not just talking about the Finals, which featured the same teams as the previous year for the first time in 20+ years. The whole run was epic, East and West. Yes, the big story line is the Red Wings falling to the Penguins, the opponents they bested last summer, but every round was chuck full of some great hockey. And honestly, this year’s playoffs probably helped draw more fans in than playoffs in years past.

We got to see Washington and Pittsburgh duke it out in the second round, which was a gift for everyone. Detroit renewed their storied rivalry with division-mates Chicago. And then there was Montreal, celebrating its 100th season, imploding in the first round as they faced their fellow Original Six member, Boston. This was one of my favorite playoffs in recent memory.

As a Red Wings fan, the Finals were indeed heartbreaking–but Pittsburgh deserved to win, especially in the fabled Game 7. They just played better. The Red Wings looked sloppy and nervous in Game 7, a far cry from the well-tuned powerhouse that spanked the upstart Penguins in Game 5 last weekend at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. And every game was an epic battle (well, except for maybe Game 5). You saw some of the best hockey ever in this series–that’s why the final score of Game 7 was 2 to 1. The teams were that good, especially the goal tenders.

I was one who felt that if even the Red Wings had won the Cup, that Penguins forward “Geno” Malkin should have won the Playoff MVP. He was that good, and better than his highly touted team mate, Sidney Crosby. Malkin is the total package: he can skate, score and he has size. I like watching him play way more than Crosby.

Yes, I’m upset the Red Wings didn’t win–but I’ll live. The fact they even GOT to the Finals two seasons in a row is a staggering achievement. My one complaint, or even question, about the latter half of the series is why Red Wings coach Mike Babcock did not continue to play Red Wings rookie Justin Abdelkader. He had two goals in the first two games–and super star sniper, Marian Hossa had zero goals in the Finals. Abdelkader seemed to have the speed, along with Darren Helm, to keep up with the Penguins.

But next season is a chance to start again, and we’ll see what happens. That’s part of the fun. If anything, this loss–especially in a Game 7 at home–will fire up the Red Wings and inspire them to redeem themselves next season. I don’t hate that the Red Wings lost so much as I hate that Sidney Crosby won the Cup. Now, that’s all we’ll hear about forever, and ever. He’s already the NHL’s Golden Boy (for whatever reason), and this Cup win will make it even more so. Sigh.

Mirrored from Daniel J. Hogan. If something doesn't look right or show up, view the original blog post. Feel free to comment here or on the original post

A rare, decent photo of myself:


Taken this past Saturday at the Michigan Movie Networking event in Pontiac, MI by the folks from filmingingdetroit.com (sign up to be an extra and such, I did). My only regret is I'm still wearing my name tag. Grr. The other photos are kind of, meh. I liked this one tho.

Want proof that going only about 60 to 65 MPH on the freeway gives you better gas milage?

Here ya go--went to and from Detroit over the weekend, and I drove around 64-65 the entire way (with cruise control) and after a half a tank of gas I had gone 220 miles.

Before the trip when I filled up, I had only gone 106 miles after half a tank.  (I reset my trip-o-meter every time I fill up to gauge my miles per gallon).  This lesser miles per gallon was due to city driving (stop and go) at around 40 MPH and slower when the roads were crappy due to snow.

That's a huge difference.  And, back when I used to drive to Detroit going around 75, it would take half a tank to get there.  Now, when I go no more than 65, I can go make a round trip to Detroit on only half a tank.  Neat huh?

I will point out that going around 65 MPH on 696 is a very brave thing to do, as most people treat that stretch of road like it is the Indy 500.  Heck, even when going 70 (the offical speed limit), people blow past me.  I was subjected to plenyt of dirty looks and tailgating, but I held my ground, refusing to be intimidated.

Plus I like pissing speed demons off.  I just laugh when I see people speeding down the highway, especially in big suvs/hummers/trucks. But I'm not stupid about what I'm doing, if it looks like what I'm doing is going to create a log jam or something, I speed up and keep pace with traffic.  The same goes when I have to pass someone or change lanes--I speed up until I know I can slow down without causing any problems.

This method was also confirmed when i drove to and from the Upper Penninsula this summer.  I would get nearly 40 miles to the gallon driving at 60 MPH with cruise control.  I do the same thing when tooling around Lansing on the freeway, driving around 60-65 MPH (496 used to be 55 but was changed to 70 maybe a couple years ago).

Survived the Thanksgiving run-around, and ended up having a fun few days off.  The Girlfriend and I caught the "Monet to Dali" exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Art on Friday.  It was enjoyable, but sadly only had one Dali painting--I was thought there would be more.  Oh well.  I did get to see some early Picaso, which was neat.  Lunch in Mexcian Town was equally enjoyable, as was the shared pitcher of margaritas.

I got a little bit of writing done, which is good because I did not think I'd get any done while home for the holiday.  I'm at a bit of a hill in the writing process at the moment, but I'm confident I'll get over it soon.

I also saw Austrilia with the Girlfriend.  It was sappy and predictable, but not unwatchable.  I enjoyed seeing the vistas and landscapes of the land down under on the big screen.  Hugh Jackman did a decent job as the nameless outcast that ends up falling for Nicole Kidman.  I was stupid and thought it was going to be a musical for some reason.  I figured out within ten minutes that was not the case and enjoyed it much more.  I did like the historical context of the film and it was a blast to watch on the big screen.

And it was good to see Bruce "the Pilot from Road Warrior" Spence again, if only for a little bit.  I also made my first ever (that I can remember) Black Friday purchase--and it was just for me.  Ha!  I bought Season Eight of the Simpsons at Best Buy.  It was half off.  Now I can watch the Mr. Sparkles episode whenever I want.

Lastly, I made you a LOL. I think I get extra points for working in a Star Wars reference.


moar funny pictures

I was playing Smarty Pants (a trivia game for the Wii) at a party this weekend when a question about author Elizabeth Bear popped up--I was on a panel* with her at Penguicon this past April, how funny is that?  It took me a couple seconds to realize who the the question was referring to "Why do I know that name?...WAIT."

Signing This Weekend: I'm selling and signing copies of The Magic of Eyri (for a reduced price) at the "Go Local" event at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial on Sunday (noon to 5PM).  I'm sharing a table with my mom--she's selling Two Sisters Gourmet stuff (spices, seasonings, other yummy stuff). I believe there is a $3 donation to get into the event.  There will be a lot of other stuff there too.


*the panel on dystopias.