Open Thread II (pipe forum)

[garydh2000]

Penguins sweep Carolina and advance to the Stanley Cup finals for second straight year!

[Dedalus]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

Won't work on a football fan from Detroit... or Cincinnati for that matter.

Ha, or Cleveland!

[David M]

I dont know whats worse.

Winning 0 games in a very long season.
-or-
Constantly being a favorite to WIN IT ALL, only to be continuously falling way way way way way short of the goal. So short in fact that its embarrassing.

***

Crosby has turned it on these playoffs.
Malkin has finally caught up as well.
Pens are awesome but I am not sure they have what it takes to beat Detroit.
The Wings work ethic and consistency is something special and amazing, even though I hate all of them with a passion.

[garydh2000]

Nothing would please me more than for the Pens to beat da Wings. A couple of months ago I never would have believed that we would be in the finals. It seems that we are peaking and jelling at the right time.

[David M]

Originally Posted by garydh2000

Nothing would please me more than for the Pens to beat da Wings. A couple of months ago I never would have believed that we would be in the finals. It seems that we are peaking and jelling at the right time.

I dont think anybody could have predicted this Cup Final.
I am happy for the Pens and their fans.

[IHT]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

At least 3-1 isn't the end of the world. Win this next one at home like they're supposed to and they're right back in it.

just think if LeBron would've missed that shot in game 2. they would've been swept.

[jeromy]

Anyone in to motorcycle racing? This weekend is a pretty big race in Utah, FIM World Super Bike. That is where I will be all weekend. A couple of photos I took from last year:

[IHT]

yes, i'm a huge motorcycle racing fan!!
here's to ben spies kickin ass at Miller this round!!
can't believe he's dominated and 3rd in points due to mostly things out of his control (out of gas in last corner while leading, broken shift lever while leading, run off the track by other riders twice). he's crashed a couple times, sure, but you put those points he lost in italy and south africa, most likely 50 points (taking 10 away from Haga), he'd be a win or two away from leading the c-ship.

what the fluck is up with Nicky Hayden on the Duck in MotoGP?? a combo of new team, new tires, new bike?? if he's having so many issues with the damn traction control - which he says he doesn't like to have on a bike - then he should turn it off and ride like he knows how.

edit: i have/had a few photos of myself with N. Hayden, Frankie Chili, and Kevin Schwantz somewhere on this site, from the '99 WSBK round at laguna seca.

[brianwalden]

Originally Posted by David M

I dont think anybody could have predicted this Cup Final.
I am happy for the Pens and their fans.

I bet a lot of people from Pittsburgh looking for revenge predicted it.

[randerson07]

Not to much into motorcycle racing, but I can dig the photos.

I take a few pics myself, about 99% film, and about 80% of that in black and white
Here are some of my favs
My Best - a set on Flickr
and the rest
Flickr: RyanNine's Photostream

[jeromy]

I had big hopes for Nicky Hayden this year as well. It did not seem he was happy with Honda and I thought the move to the Duc would be a good thing. Pretty disappointing so far. Lets hope he figures it out soon.

Ben spies is an animal. I haven't got to watch much of the racing this year but what I have seen an read about the rest of the riders are going to have their hands full. I am stoked to watch him kick some series booty on his home turf this weekend!

[jeromy]

Originally Posted by randerson07

Not to much into motorcycle racing, but I can dig the photos.

I take a few pics myself, about 99% film, and about 80% of that in black and white
Here are some of my favs
My Best - a set on Flickr
and the rest
Flickr: RyanNine's Photostream

I started to flip through some of them, ill spend the next little bit going through them. Looks like pretty nice body of work so far!

My flickr stream is here I dont have to much up. I will be adding more in the next few weeks.

[David M]

Originally Posted by brianwalden

I bet a lot of people from Pittsburgh looking for revenge predicted it.

As much as I would absolutely Love and be So Happy seeing Sid and Geno raise the Cup, its unlikely to happen. The Wings are simply Robots in their execution of everything. Nothing gets them down. They stay so consistent its freaky. Osgood is so lucky to have that team in front of him.

I do think that the Pens will smack a couple games away from them though. It will probably go to 6 but I would hope 7. I can already tell that Sid and Geno are going to put up a Super Show the next couple games and specifically Game One I think...hope. This Final will at least show us the Height of those 2 guys's talents. Its about to be a Dual Human Highlight Reel on those two and we all get to watch!
Its still not gonna be enough to stop the Red Machine. Fleury would need to channel a combination of Brodeur & Roy to have a chance. And the Pens D would need to kick it into the stratosphere to stop Detroit. If they could just replace Gill (although he's gotten better) with more of a solid stay at home kid they would be better off.
Having a Cup Final watching party at my house probably on Saturday for Game 1 as well as Game 5 next Saturday.

***

I am so glad to see so many photographers here. Very cool.
I also am a hobby photographer. Shoot everything, from stills to sports to sculpture to Pipe Smokers (soon!). I have been bad though. Haven't picked up the camera for about 3 months.
We need to start shooting Pipes, Smoking Pipes, Tobacco everything!!! and posting all of it here for our fellow Brothers.

Here's a few randoms.

Round Push



Old Age



Hockey Sticks (I LOOOOOOOOOVVVE HOCKEY)



Tool for Height



Funky Landscapes (Defunct Oil Field outside Salinas, CA)



60-year Old Transvestites dancing in the Desert



And more Hockey, I Love Hockey!

My boy Ryane Clowe applying a Toll Stop



Dan Boyle giving Ryan Kessler a little lift



Elastic Nabby making a kick save on Taylor Pyatt



And the obligatory - Nabby Is Jesus - shot

[garydh2000]

David

You present a good analysis of what the Pens need to do to have a chance against Detroit. Sometimes, but not often, I believe in destiny. I just wonder if destiny is on the side of the Pens this year? I sure hope so.

Fleury is a worry.

Gary

[DeadFrog]

Gotta give the Pen's props, they've made a hell of a run so far. I'll be pulling for them for the cup. Especially after those bums the Canucks dropped the ball with Chicago. Same old, same old with Vancouver. Maybe I should go back to being a Flames fan.