Looks like we made it Thrasherville

This past weekend I was rummaging through the cabinet that houses my CD collection. I needed to swap out the half-dozen or so that had been hanging out in my car’s glove box, so I brought those in and looked for a couple to replace them. These CDS are arranged in alphabetical order by name of artists…and in the case of multiple CDs from the same artists, I arrange them in chronological order based on the date of release of that particular album.

OK…so I’m organized.

Anyway, I’m flipping through the jewel cases, selecting the ones that I wish to have at the ready when…what do I see, smack dab in the middle of the second row? Why, none other than a Barry Manilow CD.

I’ll give you a moment to regain your composure

Yes. There, to my horror, nestled in with my Beatles CDs, my Pink Floyd CDs, my Rolling Stones, Rush, Dire Straights, Led Zeppelin, U2, Janis Joplin, Elton John, (pre-1980s stuff, mind you), REM, Peter Gabriel, B-52s and other fine assorted CDs was that…that… that thing.

Even worse, this Manilow release had not just infested…nay, defiled… the hallowed sanctuary of these musical treasures, but it was actually making contact with the Jimi Hendrix CD that my good friend Bluenote gave me last winter.

Now, this, thing, titled “The Essentials Barry Manilow”… or whatever…belongs to the Divine Mrs. R. She has her own CD collection and keeps them tucked away in a separate cabinet located on the opposite side of the room. The two never mingle. When we got married two decades ago, we decided that our taste in music was less compatible than most everything else in our relationship. As such, we agreed to keep our collections out of the union. There are “hers”, there are “mine”…but there are no “ours” in regards to our music CD collections.

shrugs…hey, it’s worked for 20 years, 9 months and 19 days so far for the two of us.

But this was the first time there has ever been a Code Red, full-contact intrusion of my CD space. How it happened is anyone guess. But it had to be dealt with, and right away. Therefore, I did what any red-blooded American male would do under the circumstances.

The younger Tax Exemption after disposing of the Manilow CD. He was rwarded handsomely for his actions

That’s right, I sent my youngest son…the one who wants a career in the military…in after it.

Oh, don’t get me wrong… I’m not the squeamish type normally. I’ve de-snaked back yards, dealt with spiders and other creepy-crawly things on many occasions. Why, I can even change a dirty diaper while eating a peanut butter sandwich. But the sight of Barry Manilow mingling with my CDs…well, it almost made me squeal like a 12-year old girl.

Almost.

Anywhoooo, I provided the boy with a Tyvek HazMat suit, fitting him with rubber kitchen gloves, armed him with my grill tongs and made sure he wore proper eye protection. He was then sent on the mission to purge this easy listening, soft “rock” abomination from the shelf of my CD cabinet, put it back in its proper place…or toss it in the trash, I did not care which… and restore honor to my otherwise pristine music community!

He was happy to accommodate my request…asking only a moderate amount of money in return.

Upon completion of the mission, he was then deconed with the back yard hose and steel wool scrubber. Unfortunately the tongues could not be saved, but the saving grace here is that grilling season is drawing to a close soon.

So, why am I telling you this?

Well two reasons really. First, as T.E. No.2 was performing this hazardous duty, I glanced upon the offending jewel case and noticed one of the song titles…”Looks Like We Made It”.

Yeah…I know.

But it was at that point that I was reminded of the fact that we are nearing the end of the dreaded month of August, the longest, most miserable month for hockey fans. And as August prepares to give way to September, we move into the month we look forward to so much. The players are already starting to make their way into town and training camp will start up in just a few short weeks. Soon after, we’ll see the final touches put on the makeup of the roster as preseason gets under way.

Will Craig Ramsay and the Thrashers new coaching staff be able to bring winning hockey to Thrasherville? (AP/Chris O'Meara)

We woke this morning to news that the Thrashers will not be bringing in forward Lee Stempniak. Instead he’ll remain in Phoenix for another 2 seasons. Also, Mark Everson of the New York Posts is reporting rumors that Travis Zajac may become a cap casualty of the New Jersey Devils once Ilya Kovalchuk is officially re-signed. So while there is news happening around the league, certainly things will do nothing but heat up as we tumble closer and closer to opening night.

Yes, Thrasherville. It does indeed look like we’ve made it…madeit again through another hot, humid, muggy, oppressive, long, nasty month of August. As such, one more offseason is nearing its end and another NHL season approaches, carrying with it the hope and expectations that accompany it.

Oh, and the second reason I shared this story with you? Well, it’s because ever since I saw the song title, I cannot get that insipid tune out of my head! So, Ive come looking for your help.

Today, tell us all what it is you are looking forward to most with this year’s edition of the Atlanta Thrashers. But also share with us what your favorite album of all time is…and possibly even explain why.

Maybe spinning those tunes in my head will help flush out my noggin and clear it of this hideous song.

I’ll start things off…I’m most looking forward to seeing if the new coaching staff employed by this organization can finally instill a solid, defensive-minded squad that plays hard-hitting, responsible hockey on their own end of the ice. As for my favorite CD…well, it’s the one I was blasting down I-75 this morning, Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”.

Only I could have sworn it was Barry Manilow singing “Us and Them”.