Please, Please, Please

Let me get what I want this time. Which is Sean Avery back in a Rangers sweater! Reported #16 will be called up this morning and with only a handful of teams below us in the standings (including both the Devils and Islanders) chances are strong he'll be suited up Thursday night. It'll be like the start of the season for me. Fact is if we're gonna lose I'd rather lose with Avery in the lineup, that's just how I feel. Now lets keep our fingers crossed he passes through waivers (sorry Dallas) and that Torts has the good sense to dress him. Can you imagine that incoming interview. Word of advice Aves, just bite your tongue you've got to put the classic in Winter!

Now if we can get the Hobbit back on Broadway were golden!

Peter Parker textbook mystery solved

Didn't need Encyclopedia Brown for this one. I just noticed this afternoon that you can spy the spine of the book Peter Parker is reading on the roof when Uncle Ben interrupts him in one of my photos. I put my brilliant deductive team, Jane and El Fano, on the case and they soon determined it's name, Splice Of Life! This does not seem to be a real textbook, so when it shows up on ebay next year, you know it's a real prop. I thought maybe Andrew Garfield was sketching out his Spidey suit atop the roof, like Tobey did before him, but either this is a brilliant bit of foreshadowing or our super smart student is researching his new changes.
Also I snapped a pic of a crew member sporting this shirt. I orginally thought it might have some other clue to the plot of The Amazing Spider-Man, but it appears to be a vintage cover. Can any comic book afficianados confirm?

Caught in the web

So now that the Rangers have gone on summer break (and the Caps too, so suddenly!) I've had a little time to devote to The Amazing Spider-Man, whose cast and crew have set up shop this past week in my backyard. Still with a big production like this you never know what situation you're walking into when you arrive at the reported location. Imagine my delight yesterday when I rounded a corner in search of the shoot to find one Peter Parker perched atop a Park Slope roof. Now it's no secret I have a bit more of a tendre for PP than Spidey himself (ever since raindrops kept falling on Tobey's head), so the bespectacled Andrew Garfield set my heart aflutter.

I think this must be the exterior of Uncle Ben and Aunt May's house because the first scene had PP addressing Martin Sheen down below. Reminds me of My So Called Life. If only AG was sporting Krakow hair! Mr. Garfield was a delight, as always. More than I can say for his handler, who neglected to pass along a small token despite a fervent promise to do so. Suck it, Lou Reed wannabe.

Still I'm jonzing for every bit of Spidey I can get, and it's well more than a year until this thing hits theatres.

xo Dollo

Note: If you borrow these images please credit me, Dollie Banner.

One game 5 was not like the others

I thought when Chicago pulled out a 5-0 win in game 5, then Tampa won their must-win decisively 8-2, that the Rangers were gonna follow suit and deliver a feel good win to all us fans who suffered through game 4. It didn't happen, and in fact my Blueshirts are the only team I was rooting for that didn't take game 5, the only win I really wanted.

Now that the season's over, failing in 5 makes some sense. The series definitely felt like the we were trying to beat the Caps, and the Caps are trying to win the Cup. I think that's the drive that powered Washington to take the two overtimes. I can digest that this team was not destined to go far in the playoffs, but what stings is that they were a better team than two years ago and their 4-1 result somehow negates all the heart and hard work they poured into this campaign. I especially feel for Henrik who again comes in second to a rookie goaltender. Neuvirth was definitely good, no mistake, but Henrik did a hell of a job, with nothing but a losing record to show for it. He deserves a fairer shake in the history books. We haven't been on the right side of the handshake line since 2008 (I'm looking at you Marty!) and I sure hope we'll be enjoying that distinct pleasure around this time next year. Maybe Chris Kreider will make all the difference :D

We prayed for this two weeks ago, right?

Ticketmaster sent me an email today requesting I review Game 4 for their site. Uh, what? Thinking about the responses they might get from the Garden faithful takes a little edge off the pain of Wednesday night. 48 hours later I can appreciate the excitement and intensity, all fun and good if it weren't for the heartbreak. It still hurts. Forget giving up a a 3 goal lead, I'd still rather be beat by some skill. To my mind it would have been better if Ovechkin had scored on his 1OT breakway, a much more dignified defeat than that nightmare of a misplay. Larry Brooks had it down this morning. There's plenty of other teams I'd have relished this scenario playing out against, but why my Rangers? Why does Ryan Miller have 2 shutouts and a 3-2 advantage when Henrik has been the best Ranger, all season, but most definitely this post-season. I still have faith in this team and especially in goal. Hopefully Henrik will tally his playoff shutout tomorrow afternoon. Plus, Boyle and Dubinsky's staches definitely deserve a few more viewings, I'm thinking Monday night. Let's Go Rangers!

What a win!

To the Rangers, with love, from the NHL
Thank you NHL! I think they dig Dubi's mustache, I know I do. It's only been 2 years, but I forgot how awesome playoff games are. I need some lasso lessons though because my towel arm is sorely out of practice. Luckily 4 goals (we sang for all of them, disallowed or not) got me up to snuff. As J remarked, it was nice to have so many banners waving (and not just me) during the national anthem. I'm looking to keep my skills honed tomorrow night. It's so hard to guess how each game will play out, but I'm hoping for the same effort with a little more finesse from NYR. As much as I miss The MZA, I'm thrilled to have #16 in the lineup, especially because I've been sporting his heritage jersey. May it always bring the Blueshirts good luck. Here's to Henrik and all the team, I love you and I believe in you.

Not I know in my last post I was hating on Washington D.C. a little, particularly the Post and it choices for this year's top Peeps dioramas. I apologize to Megan and Jesse who won a spot for their Black Swan entry. I took my desperation for peeps immortality out on them, when I know there are plenty of deserving peeps enthusiasts. I did want to give some particular love to one WaPo entry. This Is Spinal Peep is by far my favorite in this year's Peep Show. In the interest of full disclosure, I had nothing to do with this diorama, but I think Constantia Rioux, Sean Eustis and Kevin Hollenbeck did a terrific job. Seeing all these detail pix, I'm so impressed with the finish on this entry, and from all angles. I'm especially loving the exit sign at the back of the club. And of course the amp is a work of art. Great work, Love it!


But that's it, me and D.C. are no longer friendies. We are in battle, and I'm rooting for NYC all the way. Let's go Rangers!

in the hunt

So Saturday turned out pretty great. Not so much Friday night when I came home and Hockey Rodent had our berth% at 29.something. But I still had faith and was praying for a Caps matchup, generally a team I'd rather leave be. After a rousing visit to The Garden and a little help the unexpectedly eager Lightening, my prayers were answered. Apart from the outcome I was pretty satisfied with last night's playoff opener. Overall I want us to play well and we definitely did that, especially Henrik. My mom was not so happy, "Did you see them chop Henrik's hands? How can that happen?" I think the real problem with last night was that we scored first. I always have an illogical response to scoring first, thinking then that it's our game, we're obviously taking this one. Well it doesn't always play out that way. So let's go in tomorrow and clean up. I'm thinking Rangers' take it 5-1. I'd love nothing better than to head back to MSG Sunday having split and with all the momentum. That's my plan.


In a terrible twist of timing I was shafted by D.C. twice yesterday. First I wake up to find that my Black Swan peeps diorama has been passed over for another inferior take on the same theme. The rest of the Washington Post's Peep Show V is quite good (I like #22 the best!), but when you get to #19, just insert the picture to the left. I'm just a little bitter, but really every Black Peep entry I saw in the loser's gallery was better than the one they picked. And how many of them actually play Swan Lake? Add that to OT loss and NYC and DC are in a blood feud. Let's hope the Ranger's stick up for me tomorrow.

ps. I bought an Avery heritage jersey. Think he'll get to play? I'm thinking game 5!

It's never easy

The Rangers are making me crazy with their newfound will to lose. And of course Carolina refuses to cooperate and fade away. We're trailing 1-4 going into the the third against the lowly Isles. Not a happy Blueshirt. Still 3 goals is not insurmountable, so I'll be crossing my fingers and acting crazy for at least another 40 mins. C'mon the MZA, C'mon Avery, let's see some magic!

The Washington Post is also driving me batty. I keep checking Twitter and Google for news on the 2011 Peeps Show, but to no avail. If the powers that be at WaPo have made up their minds, they've yet to inform the public.

Still I thought y'all might enjoy some more pix from our peeps diorama entry "BlackPeep". It's really meant to be viewed front-on, but I dig this reverse angles. It shows off the synchronicity of the bunnirinas. Also I forgot to mention that Black Peep doubles as a music box, playing what else...Swan Lake.


I have a lot of faith that both outcomes, the season and the contest, will be positive. Yeah, yeah.

feelin' it

How proud are you of our New York Rangers? They have been delivering the goods down this stretch. And basically all season. Even losing, they rarely disappoint, that is what is so special about this campaign. Maybe it's because we been inside the playoff hunt most of the season, but it feels pretty fabulous to be chasing the teams ahead rather then fighting for eighth. There's still 6 to go, but I'm feeling pretty confident this squad can get it done. The whole team has worked hard, but I kneel at the feet of our King. Henrik has been spectacular down the stretch and I only hope those Vezina murmurs have rippled beyond NYC, because he definitely warrants consideration. One disappointment - memorable post-games. This team is great and good on the ice - off it, just plain boring. Avery's been neutered when they bother to speak to him at all. I love Boyle and Staal but their post-game chats are beyond stale. I only have Henrik's loving glances to look forward to. At least the Devils have shirtless locker room footage. Give me something to work with MSG! Still a minor complaint seeing as we're tied for 6th. Can you imagine a 7 game series like Saturday's game? Hard on the heart, but I'd be pretty happy with Boston. I'd take on Washington again too. Can't count on routing them like we did this season, but some retribution for 08-09 might be on the menu. If I could control fate, I would avoid anything in PA for two reasons. One, I'd hate losing to either team and two, I hate even looking at them. Oh wait I just thought of a third reason, the refs. Penguins - we'll get all the calls against real and imagined. Flyers - will poke and pull while the refs do their nails -or whatever their rationale is. So fingers crossed for 6th or 7th!

Well, while our heroes in blue have been putting together their run toward the cup two points at a time, I too have been working towards a crowning achievement. Yessirree, it Peeps time! Me and my DC BFF Shannon worked up BlackPeep for the 5th annual Washington Post Peep Contest. Now that it's big sister Black Swan has been released on DVD today, it time for our peeps diorama to wow the world.


We wanted to show both sides of Natalie Peepman's performance so we staged it on a stage with Tomas' ballet studio on the left and Nina's solo on the right. We hope you love it, and that the Post does too. Hopefully Black Peep will be a little luckier than my poor passed over Peepitals. Here's to great things in April, wish us all luck!

school girl days

So I have a theory about Henrik's lack of "fohcoos" these last few games. Henrik is spending all his resources being charming and criminally attractive. Did you see the all-star game? It took me nearly a week to get around to watching it, but after viewing the on-ice introductions it all became clear. Just look at his look! I know he was only on camera for about 15 seconds, but he managed about 7 devastating glances right into the camera. I know because I watched it frame by frame, and it was Hitchcockian wondering what was gonna happen next. "Oh no, he's blinking...will he look again?....Yes!" Perhaps a job in the Rangers' truck is in order because my slo-mo skills are excellent. Also, Henrik might want to try out for the next cycle of America's Next Top Model because his ability smize is second to none. Sorry Tyra!

I haven't taken so many pix of the TV since I was a teenager as this week also saw me capturing Eduardo's best moments in The Social Network. My man Andrew Garfield might have been passed over by the Academy but he is still much loved in this house. So much so that I actually bought two of Eduardo's outfits from the film. And don't think I'm not wearing his Caribbean hat Oscar night. Suck it King's Speech! I'm all about that Facebook movie, though I still love you Colin Firth.


You know who else is supporting manlove this week? Sean Avery. I always knew we had a lot in common besides the fact that our thighs are the thickest part of our bods - we both love the gays. Avery is not only standing up for gay athletes, but also giving the whole community some candy with his participation in Marc Jacob's skin cancer prevention cause. I wonder if these developments have anything to do with his rare decision to drop the gloves against Devil Dave Clarkson? PS. Sorry about the Devil's feed on this clip. The only thing worse than seeing Avery drop to the ice is having to hear Chico offer his "commentary" about it. This is what happens when you deviate from a tried and true formula (i.e. pelt Brodeur and deny Clarkson) Henrik gets pulled and Sean goes down (and not in the good way). At least Vinny Prospal is red and ready. I'm hoping for some serious points in these next three road games. Did you hear the awful promo on Thursday? "The Rangers hope the Price is wrong Saturday afternoon." Sure, but jeez, we're the Rangers not the Isles. Let's up our game.