JERRY: I don't understand, I made a reservation, do you have my reservation?
RENTAL CAR AGENT: Yes, we do, unfortunately we ran out of cars.
JERRY: But the reservation keeps the car here. That's why you have the reservation.
RENTAL CAR AGENT: I know why we have reservations.
JERRY: I don't think you do. If you did, I'd have a car. See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don't know how to *hold* the reservation and that's really the most important part of the reservation, the holding. Anybody can just take them.
I pre-ordered Arkham Asylum and they tell me that it's out of stock. On the bestbuy forum they mentioned that a pre-order would reserve a copy of the game for me, whenever they were in stock.
This doesn't make much sense to me. If you have 100 pre-orders, why would you be sure to have fewer than 100 copies of the game? That's just bad business. Now, I am stuck waiting for a game that may not come in for a week (and then will be shipped to me) and cursing bestbuyca.
Bad business!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
I hate Don Brennan
I really do. Tim at the6thsens.com does a great job of going through Don's history of idiocy here(http://www.the6thsens.com/2009-articles/august/trash-talk-and-violence-memories-of-don-brennans-summer-works.html). It's a good article and I suggest that you give it a read if you hate Don Brennan.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Just wanted to post that futureshop.ca and bestbuy.ca are selling Batman: Arkham Asylum for $38.83. This game's been getting a whole lot of hype and I thought the demo was totally awesome so you can still pre-order it and get it for a great price.
I'm toying with the idea of posting thoughts regarding PS3 games if there's nothing doing on the hockey front. We'll see.
I'm toying with the idea of posting thoughts regarding PS3 games if there's nothing doing on the hockey front. We'll see.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Murray Press Conference transcript
Question asked of Dany if he feels he can come back as a continued leader. Will he wear an A and be a leader?
Murray: I believe he can. There has to be discussion. The players need to know what frame of mind he's in. He's a good player and he's got a big impact on the ice and in the room. It's up to him.
Scanlan: What did you think of Dany's statements today? Do you really think you can make this work with him coming back?
Murray: He's indicated that all summer and it's been frustrating all summer as we try to get something done. He's a professional player who has a contract and wants to play and be in the Olympics. He could come back and play real well for us. I have to think that we're big enough people to let this happen.
Scanlan: Did you get the implication from Dany that you were dragging your feet?
Murray: I don't know that he's being misled. I was told on several occasions that a team was quite interested but when I called them then they had no money or interest. I think a couple of our players are aware that we're not dragging our feet. If there was an adequate trade then I would have pursued it. It was suggested that I go ahead and talk to Edmonton. I am still talking to other teams but it's nowhere close to what I need to get back.
Ian Mendes: Dany seemed adamant that he or his side did not leak the information. Do you have a comment on how it came out?
Murray: Game 6 of the PIT/DET series and we had our staff in our office talking about the letter and I saw on TSN that Dany had asked for a trade. The next afternoon one of Dany's agent was on the radio confirming it. Our staff made no public statement for quite a period of time until we had to confirm it. I don't know if Dany is getting all the information but it's disappointing when I hear comments like this from one of my players that aren't factual.
Don (IDIOT) Brennan: Dany made it clear that he's going to continue to want out. Would he turn in his A? Would you ask for it?
Murray: Premature. We haven't brought our players in. There has to be a reason why a person is a Captain or Alternate Captain and there has to be a serious reason to take it away. Before I overreact we will talk with the coaching staff and the players.
Dan Rosen: What are the chances that a trade can get done? Rosters are set and cap situations are what they are. Can a trade get done?
Murray: Dany said that there were many options but this has been the biggest issue. High paid player with big contract. We continue to talk, I talked yesterday to another GM. It takes an hour to get something done so long as the team you're talking to is somewhat interested but they have to offer something of value to make our team better. Timewise we can still do it, we just need the offers.
Nicholas St. Pierre: Any hope that both parties reach an agreement and you'll negotiate something to bring him back and keep going? Is it only a matter of when?
Murray: Dany said today he wanted out. All along we've wanted dialogue and we rewarded him with a big contract. There has to be give and take. He's coming to camp if we don't trade him and we want him there. If it gets to that point then it's a matter of spending time together and resolving issues. I will continue to field offers and make it go. We should probably have talked before it got public but whatever.
Marc Brassard: Would he be easier to trade during the season? At the trade deadline?
Murray: Well it won't be more difficult. Teams fill their roster and get ready to start the year. If they're playing well and it's a team that he would want to go to then they don't have cap space. If it's a team that would need a trade, he wouldn't accept a trade there. I hope he wants to play on a good hockey team with us and he'll play real hard for the Olympic team if nothing else but he's a guy with a lot of pride who will play hard.
Brassard: He said his role had diminished. He started killing penalties and that disappeared quickly.
Murray: He averaged over 20 minutes on the year and 90% of the time on the PP. Our team was not very good. Cory came in and gave us hope and effort and we won some games. We used a few more players and everybody bought in. He got 10 seconds less per game and he wasn't happy. The problem probably was that he didn't play as often on the PP. Cory broke them into two groups with Spez and Alfredsson on one line but that's what a coach is supposed to do. When you have a player who feels that his role is less than it should be but the team is doing well then it's disappointing. I feel like if he would come back and talk to Cory just a little bit then he would see.
Dan Figgin(?): Do you really buy that excuse? It seems so far-fetched. It seems like such a fixable problem.
Murray: We haven't played the old system for the last year or so. He's one of the high-paid guy and one of the better players on the team but his role is to play better and make everybody around him play better. I believe that it's pride a little bit. When it became public it got worse. I thought it was strategy but it doesn't matter anymore. The coach and player can resolve this issue really quickly.
Figgin: When this happened with Yashin, you guys came out well. Will you guys come out favourably?
Murray: I don't know how you come out ahead when you trade a player of this calibre. You can spread your money out but you can't get a better player. He's a good player, a goal-scorer.
James Gordon: Working on a deadline? If he reports for camp does he stay for the season or do you move him?
Murray: Hard to answer. Lots of tension early on but if we weather that tension then maybe we go along together longer, maybe the length of the contract. If we can't do something then we can't do something. I'd like to see Dany Heatley resolve the issue with his teammates, staff and just play as well as he can. We'll deal with issues later on. Just play well and help us get back on track.
Chad Something: Dany being misled about offers. How many discussions have you really had?
Murray: 3-4 teams that I've talked to, 1-2 serious offers. I've talked to a lot of teams over the course of time. Now it's down to a couple teams.
Chad: Do you have options to show him?
Murray: If I can find one more trade like the Edmonton one, they really stepped up, then he would go there. I don't think there are 2-3 teams that say "pick and choose between us." If I get one deal then that would be the limit.
Murray: I believe he can. There has to be discussion. The players need to know what frame of mind he's in. He's a good player and he's got a big impact on the ice and in the room. It's up to him.
Scanlan: What did you think of Dany's statements today? Do you really think you can make this work with him coming back?
Murray: He's indicated that all summer and it's been frustrating all summer as we try to get something done. He's a professional player who has a contract and wants to play and be in the Olympics. He could come back and play real well for us. I have to think that we're big enough people to let this happen.
Scanlan: Did you get the implication from Dany that you were dragging your feet?
Murray: I don't know that he's being misled. I was told on several occasions that a team was quite interested but when I called them then they had no money or interest. I think a couple of our players are aware that we're not dragging our feet. If there was an adequate trade then I would have pursued it. It was suggested that I go ahead and talk to Edmonton. I am still talking to other teams but it's nowhere close to what I need to get back.
Ian Mendes: Dany seemed adamant that he or his side did not leak the information. Do you have a comment on how it came out?
Murray: Game 6 of the PIT/DET series and we had our staff in our office talking about the letter and I saw on TSN that Dany had asked for a trade. The next afternoon one of Dany's agent was on the radio confirming it. Our staff made no public statement for quite a period of time until we had to confirm it. I don't know if Dany is getting all the information but it's disappointing when I hear comments like this from one of my players that aren't factual.
Don (IDIOT) Brennan: Dany made it clear that he's going to continue to want out. Would he turn in his A? Would you ask for it?
Murray: Premature. We haven't brought our players in. There has to be a reason why a person is a Captain or Alternate Captain and there has to be a serious reason to take it away. Before I overreact we will talk with the coaching staff and the players.
Dan Rosen: What are the chances that a trade can get done? Rosters are set and cap situations are what they are. Can a trade get done?
Murray: Dany said that there were many options but this has been the biggest issue. High paid player with big contract. We continue to talk, I talked yesterday to another GM. It takes an hour to get something done so long as the team you're talking to is somewhat interested but they have to offer something of value to make our team better. Timewise we can still do it, we just need the offers.
Nicholas St. Pierre: Any hope that both parties reach an agreement and you'll negotiate something to bring him back and keep going? Is it only a matter of when?
Murray: Dany said today he wanted out. All along we've wanted dialogue and we rewarded him with a big contract. There has to be give and take. He's coming to camp if we don't trade him and we want him there. If it gets to that point then it's a matter of spending time together and resolving issues. I will continue to field offers and make it go. We should probably have talked before it got public but whatever.
Marc Brassard: Would he be easier to trade during the season? At the trade deadline?
Murray: Well it won't be more difficult. Teams fill their roster and get ready to start the year. If they're playing well and it's a team that he would want to go to then they don't have cap space. If it's a team that would need a trade, he wouldn't accept a trade there. I hope he wants to play on a good hockey team with us and he'll play real hard for the Olympic team if nothing else but he's a guy with a lot of pride who will play hard.
Brassard: He said his role had diminished. He started killing penalties and that disappeared quickly.
Murray: He averaged over 20 minutes on the year and 90% of the time on the PP. Our team was not very good. Cory came in and gave us hope and effort and we won some games. We used a few more players and everybody bought in. He got 10 seconds less per game and he wasn't happy. The problem probably was that he didn't play as often on the PP. Cory broke them into two groups with Spez and Alfredsson on one line but that's what a coach is supposed to do. When you have a player who feels that his role is less than it should be but the team is doing well then it's disappointing. I feel like if he would come back and talk to Cory just a little bit then he would see.
Dan Figgin(?): Do you really buy that excuse? It seems so far-fetched. It seems like such a fixable problem.
Murray: We haven't played the old system for the last year or so. He's one of the high-paid guy and one of the better players on the team but his role is to play better and make everybody around him play better. I believe that it's pride a little bit. When it became public it got worse. I thought it was strategy but it doesn't matter anymore. The coach and player can resolve this issue really quickly.
Figgin: When this happened with Yashin, you guys came out well. Will you guys come out favourably?
Murray: I don't know how you come out ahead when you trade a player of this calibre. You can spread your money out but you can't get a better player. He's a good player, a goal-scorer.
James Gordon: Working on a deadline? If he reports for camp does he stay for the season or do you move him?
Murray: Hard to answer. Lots of tension early on but if we weather that tension then maybe we go along together longer, maybe the length of the contract. If we can't do something then we can't do something. I'd like to see Dany Heatley resolve the issue with his teammates, staff and just play as well as he can. We'll deal with issues later on. Just play well and help us get back on track.
Chad Something: Dany being misled about offers. How many discussions have you really had?
Murray: 3-4 teams that I've talked to, 1-2 serious offers. I've talked to a lot of teams over the course of time. Now it's down to a couple teams.
Chad: Do you have options to show him?
Murray: If I can find one more trade like the Edmonton one, they really stepped up, then he would go there. I don't think there are 2-3 teams that say "pick and choose between us." If I get one deal then that would be the limit.
Murray Press Conference
Coming up in a few minutes after the Team1200 replays the Heatley interview.
I'll do a transcript for that one too I guess.
I'll do a transcript for that one too I guess.
The 2nd PP Unit Wasn't a Demotion, Dany
So after my co-writer's courageous attempt to write a transcript, I would like to add two things:
(1) Don Brennan needs to shut up. I am still mad at him and the rest of the Ottawa Sun for driving Corvo out of town with his "Uh oh" nickname. How good would Corvo's 14 goals have looked on Ottawa's blueline last year?
(2) The only thing I can come up with for Heatley saying he wants a bigger role is that he's mad about being put on the second power play unit. Would someone please mention to Dany that his "demotion" was one of Clouston's best moves as a coach? Don't we all remember how for half the year we'd basically have a minute of legitimate pp followed by a minute of Mike "$4mil for being a blue-eyed, Christian ladies' man" Fisher & co chasing the puck? When Clouston put Heatley on the second unit, all of a sudden the Senators had a viable threat. I remember multiple times when this new unit actually seemed better than the "first" unit. Gah.
(1) Don Brennan needs to shut up. I am still mad at him and the rest of the Ottawa Sun for driving Corvo out of town with his "Uh oh" nickname. How good would Corvo's 14 goals have looked on Ottawa's blueline last year?
(2) The only thing I can come up with for Heatley saying he wants a bigger role is that he's mad about being put on the second power play unit. Would someone please mention to Dany that his "demotion" was one of Clouston's best moves as a coach? Don't we all remember how for half the year we'd basically have a minute of legitimate pp followed by a minute of Mike "$4mil for being a blue-eyed, Christian ladies' man" Fisher & co chasing the puck? When Clouston put Heatley on the second unit, all of a sudden the Senators had a viable threat. I remember multiple times when this new unit actually seemed better than the "first" unit. Gah.
Dany Heatley Interview Transcript (I did my best)
Trade request has not changed. I did not made it public, nor did my representatives. Unfortunate that it became public. Last couple of months, training. Want to play for Canada.
Wayne Scanlan: When did you decide that you wanted out of Ottawa?
Dany: Not something I woke up and decided. Waited until after the season to be sure. Middle of May we verbally communicated that I wanted to be traded.
Terry Jones (Edmonton Sun): Elaborate on Edmonton portion of summer? Anything you want to say to Edmonton?
Dany: Nothing to do with Edmonton personally. We wanted some options from Ottawa and to this date there's only been one option. I wasn't ready to make a decision at that time. I'm still not ready to make a decision until there are other options.
Terry: Anything to say to Edmonton?
Dany: Great hockey city, nothing to do with them.
Ken Warren (Ottawa Citizen): You've heard speculation as to why. Can you give us some of the reasons? Is it Clouston?
Dany: When I signed in Ottawa it was to be an integral part of the team. I feel like my role has diminished over the past season. That's the biggest thing. I can play in a lot of situations and I take pride in that. I don't feel that I've been given that role on the team.
Dan Barnes (Edmonton Journal): Do you realize that your actions negatively impacted Edmonton and Ottawa? Do you have regrets about how this is handled?
Dany: I disagree with how it became public. I don't know how it did. Middle of May I asked for it verbally. Gave it in writing as per their request at the beginning of June and then a few days after that it became public. It's been a tough summer.
Marc Brassard (Le Droit): Are you surprised that a deal couldn't be made? The way it's been handled it seems like your reputation took a hit as you've been portrayed as selfish.
Dany: Everyone who's played with me knows that I'm a team guy. It's been unfortunate this summer but everybody who I've played with or for has called me a good player and teammate.
Earl McRae (Ottawa Sun): Did you not feel that you owed an explanation to Senators fans who bought your jersey and paid to see you? Why the long silence? Why not come out earlier?
Dany: First of all, I love the fans in Ottawa and that's why I signed long term there. I didn't feel it was necessary to come out and create more of a circus than it already was. It's unfortunate that it became public. There's a process that had to go through.
Earl: Did your family support your silence?
Dany: Yeah, all summer.
Earl: I'll come back later.
Pierre Lebrun (ESPN): Murray said he continues to try to make a trade but that training camp is coming and he's going to have to talk about a return to Ottawa. Is that in the cards? How hard will it be?
Dany: I'll be there ready to go. I'm going to play to the best of my abilities wherever I am. We know that there are other teams interested and we hope something will get done.
Scott Burnside (ESPN.COM): Asking for a trade out of ATL and then OTT, do you worry that questions about character and stability are factors in not getting a deal done?
Dany: I've played for a lot of coaches and everybody who I've played with or for knows that I'm a team guy. I don't worry about that. The two trades were different circumstances and ATL was off-ice issues and this trade is purely hockey.
Donna Spencer (Canadian Press): Why do you think it's taken so long for you to be traded?
Dany: I don't know. I'm confident that something can get done. The request stands. I know that there are interested teams.
Principe (Sportsnet): How do you feel about the Oilers' attempts to court you? Were you ever close to saying "yeah, let's make it happen because I'll have a bigger role there."
Dany: Good talks with Steve and Kevin but this has nothing to do with Edmonton and everything to do with the request. We want options and I need options to make the right choice.
Dave Mitchell (CTV): Why is Edmonton not an option? How do you feel about public perception? Do you care? Do you understand why?
Dany: Canadian hockey fans are passionate and I love playing for and in Canada and it has nothing to do with Edmonton and everything to do with options.
Stacey McAlpine: Two more questions because we have other media commitment.
Dany: Edmonton wasn't the option because it was the only option and I need more options so that I can make the right decision.
Dave: So they were never an option.
Dany: Not on the list of teams to talk to and the trade came as a surprise and I wasn't ready then or now to make the decision.
Don Brennan (Ottawa Sun): Sorry I haven't returned your calls this summer. If there is no trade, will you turn in the Assistant Captain's A.
Dany: I'll be at camp and ready to go.
Don: You didn't answer the question.
Stacey: No more questions.
Dany: I'll do two more questions.
Chad (CBC Radio Ottawa): Sens fans honoured with that contract and then wanting out of town?
Dany: Straight hockey decision and I have nothing against the fans of Ottawa or the city of Ottawa. I want to go somewhere where I can be the player that I can be.
Ian Mendes (Sportsnet): Characterize the last conversation that you had with Clouston? Tense?
Dany: It was open. I gave him my thoughts, feelings and opinion and he gave me his.
Stacey McAlpine: We have another media commitment. Provide people with the playback on demand 60 minutes from now.
***End of interview***
So, in conclusion: Don Brennan is a total tool. He probably felt justified pushing Heatley for an answer to a question and getting a shot in about returning phone calls but honestly, shut the hell up and let the man speak. Fans in Ottawa don't want you being a whiny loser when we're trying to hear why the man who signed the biggest contract in Ottawa Senators history is leaving.
The interview went very far downhill after Brennan spoke and all it got was Stacey McAlpine trying to end the interview.
I hate Brennan.
Wayne Scanlan: When did you decide that you wanted out of Ottawa?
Dany: Not something I woke up and decided. Waited until after the season to be sure. Middle of May we verbally communicated that I wanted to be traded.
Terry Jones (Edmonton Sun): Elaborate on Edmonton portion of summer? Anything you want to say to Edmonton?
Dany: Nothing to do with Edmonton personally. We wanted some options from Ottawa and to this date there's only been one option. I wasn't ready to make a decision at that time. I'm still not ready to make a decision until there are other options.
Terry: Anything to say to Edmonton?
Dany: Great hockey city, nothing to do with them.
Ken Warren (Ottawa Citizen): You've heard speculation as to why. Can you give us some of the reasons? Is it Clouston?
Dany: When I signed in Ottawa it was to be an integral part of the team. I feel like my role has diminished over the past season. That's the biggest thing. I can play in a lot of situations and I take pride in that. I don't feel that I've been given that role on the team.
Dan Barnes (Edmonton Journal): Do you realize that your actions negatively impacted Edmonton and Ottawa? Do you have regrets about how this is handled?
Dany: I disagree with how it became public. I don't know how it did. Middle of May I asked for it verbally. Gave it in writing as per their request at the beginning of June and then a few days after that it became public. It's been a tough summer.
Marc Brassard (Le Droit): Are you surprised that a deal couldn't be made? The way it's been handled it seems like your reputation took a hit as you've been portrayed as selfish.
Dany: Everyone who's played with me knows that I'm a team guy. It's been unfortunate this summer but everybody who I've played with or for has called me a good player and teammate.
Earl McRae (Ottawa Sun): Did you not feel that you owed an explanation to Senators fans who bought your jersey and paid to see you? Why the long silence? Why not come out earlier?
Dany: First of all, I love the fans in Ottawa and that's why I signed long term there. I didn't feel it was necessary to come out and create more of a circus than it already was. It's unfortunate that it became public. There's a process that had to go through.
Earl: Did your family support your silence?
Dany: Yeah, all summer.
Earl: I'll come back later.
Pierre Lebrun (ESPN): Murray said he continues to try to make a trade but that training camp is coming and he's going to have to talk about a return to Ottawa. Is that in the cards? How hard will it be?
Dany: I'll be there ready to go. I'm going to play to the best of my abilities wherever I am. We know that there are other teams interested and we hope something will get done.
Scott Burnside (ESPN.COM): Asking for a trade out of ATL and then OTT, do you worry that questions about character and stability are factors in not getting a deal done?
Dany: I've played for a lot of coaches and everybody who I've played with or for knows that I'm a team guy. I don't worry about that. The two trades were different circumstances and ATL was off-ice issues and this trade is purely hockey.
Donna Spencer (Canadian Press): Why do you think it's taken so long for you to be traded?
Dany: I don't know. I'm confident that something can get done. The request stands. I know that there are interested teams.
Principe (Sportsnet): How do you feel about the Oilers' attempts to court you? Were you ever close to saying "yeah, let's make it happen because I'll have a bigger role there."
Dany: Good talks with Steve and Kevin but this has nothing to do with Edmonton and everything to do with the request. We want options and I need options to make the right choice.
Dave Mitchell (CTV): Why is Edmonton not an option? How do you feel about public perception? Do you care? Do you understand why?
Dany: Canadian hockey fans are passionate and I love playing for and in Canada and it has nothing to do with Edmonton and everything to do with options.
Stacey McAlpine: Two more questions because we have other media commitment.
Dany: Edmonton wasn't the option because it was the only option and I need more options so that I can make the right decision.
Dave: So they were never an option.
Dany: Not on the list of teams to talk to and the trade came as a surprise and I wasn't ready then or now to make the decision.
Don Brennan (Ottawa Sun): Sorry I haven't returned your calls this summer. If there is no trade, will you turn in the Assistant Captain's A.
Dany: I'll be at camp and ready to go.
Don: You didn't answer the question.
Stacey: No more questions.
Dany: I'll do two more questions.
Chad (CBC Radio Ottawa): Sens fans honoured with that contract and then wanting out of town?
Dany: Straight hockey decision and I have nothing against the fans of Ottawa or the city of Ottawa. I want to go somewhere where I can be the player that I can be.
Ian Mendes (Sportsnet): Characterize the last conversation that you had with Clouston? Tense?
Dany: It was open. I gave him my thoughts, feelings and opinion and he gave me his.
Stacey McAlpine: We have another media commitment. Provide people with the playback on demand 60 minutes from now.
***End of interview***
So, in conclusion: Don Brennan is a total tool. He probably felt justified pushing Heatley for an answer to a question and getting a shot in about returning phone calls but honestly, shut the hell up and let the man speak. Fans in Ottawa don't want you being a whiny loser when we're trying to hear why the man who signed the biggest contract in Ottawa Senators history is leaving.
The interview went very far downhill after Brennan spoke and all it got was Stacey McAlpine trying to end the interview.
I hate Brennan.
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