Joyeux Noël!

December 23, 2010 game against the Montreal Canadiens (aka Habs).

Not with That Stupid Church

I originally made this sign for use at a hockey game when I knew I'd be seated next to a Barfalo fan. However, it came in really handy when I learned that members of the Kansas family who call themselves the Westboro Baptist Chuch would be in Raleigh to protest outside Elizabeth Edwards' funeral on Saturday, December 11.

I wasn't sure I would attend the counter-protest. I thought, how does one have a counter-protest to a protest at a funeral, without also destroying of the decorum of the funeral that you're trying to protect? My concern turned out not really to be an issue because the protests were three blocks away from the funeral. I hadn't really planned to attend, though, but I happened to be in the downtown area at the right time, and I had thrown this sign in my car just in case.

Despite the steady rain and cold and my lack of umbrella, I decided to go. I was a little late but was pleased to find a spot on the retaining barrier where I could point the arrow on my sign in the right direction. I went by myself, but I found out later that I knew several other different folks in attendance. I chatted with the stranger next to me and got her to hold my sign for this photo.

The Westboro Baptist Church had all of five representatives, compared to, I'd say a couple hundred counter-protesters. My sign got pretty much ruined in the rain, but it was worth it.

I feel like those WBC idiots aren't worth the attention that they get with their "THANK GOD FOR BREAST CANCER" and "YOU WILL EAT YOUR BABIES" logic, and I was concerned that the counter-protest only fuels their publicity. Wouldn't it be better if nobody showed up or noticed them at all?

But on the other hand, what a thing of beauty that so many people came out in the rain together to stand against what they felt was wrong. Some were there in support of gay rights, some in support of veterans. (WBC often protest at military funerals.) Some were there in solidarity with breast cancer victims, some were simply supporting the family of Elizabeth Edwards, or the attendees of every funeral. For whatever the reasons, people still came together. They chanted. They sang. They blew their horns. They waved flags. They drove by with their heads out the sunroof tonguing each other. Everybody seemed like they were having a good time, despite the weather.

Funny how the WBC managed to perpetrate love and peace despite their messages of hate.

Visiting Time

The inspiration for this sign was the Interjections! episode of Schoolhouse Rock. Hurray! I'm for the other team!

I attended the Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators game in Nashville on December 4, 2010. This and a pre-fab "Let's Go Canes" sign were the only ones I took because I wanted to be able to fit them into my suitcase. (I had to cut down my regular size poster board to fit.)

Unfortunately, the Canes lost 2-5, but I still had a great time in Nashville.

Ward-en

I found this sign, which related to goalie Cam Ward, while rifling through some old ones. I think I archived it for karmic reasons. It's not a useful sign once the opposing team scores.

Falling Stars

Too bad the Canes fell to Dallas tonight. :(

Snot Stevens

While rifling through some old signs, I found this one that I apparently forgot to photograph and upload. It refers to Scott Stevens, then of the New Jersey Devils.

Some of my signs pre-date camera phones. The first ones that I ever made, I probably threw away right after the game. I remember leaving one on the windshield of a car belonging to a visiting Montreal Canadiens fan in the parking lot. It soon dawned on me that I could save them and reuse most of them. Now I have a hard time discarding any of them. Even when one of the Canes players gets traded, it's as likely as not he'll eventually return someday. Still, the day is coming when I'll have to chuck some of them into the recycle bin.

Maybe I should cut them up and make confetti. Is confetti allowed in the arena? The cleanup crew might hate that. Perhaps I could save it for a special occasion, like another Cup win.

Slow Derby

The current Women's Flat Track Derby Association rules allow skaters to stop, backskate, and/or skate in the reverse direction. Jammers (the ones who score points by passing opponents) can step outside the track and go back to reenter behind the rest of the back so that they may try again to pass without committing a penalty and therefore earn points or the "lead jammer" designation that they would have lost on the first attempt. All this makes for (1) confused fans (2) confused refs (3) confused stat-keepers, and (4) ssssssslow skating.

In my opinion, and that of many other fans, this is not what roller derby should be. You wouldn't get this kind of nonsense on the banked tracks. My sign isn't very clever - I made it quickly during halftime on the back of another one - but there is something to be said for simplicity and for putting into writing what everybody at the bout was thinking.

The WFTDA should simplify the rules so that normal folks can follow the play. Derby should be fast and hard-hitting. If they want it to be slow and tame, they should go and play a pleasant game of croquet on top of Ann Calvello's grave.

Richland Poor

Carolina Bootleggers vs. Richland County (SC) Regulators. November 20, 2010

Take a Spill

It was the Canes who struck it rich tonight with 7 goals to the Edmonton Oilers' 1. You can keep your Alberta Beef; I'll take the free queso at Moe's (given away if the Canes score at least five goals).

As Seen on TV

These are the autographed versions of the two signs I made for a TV commercial starring Chad LaRose and Eric Staal. See previous blog post for the story. The ad was released on the web over the summer but is now shown on TV.

Neuter the Cats

I don't think this a particularly clever sign, but I made it short notice when someone offered me a free ticket to the Florida Panthers game just hours in advance. It took me only 12 minutes to make this sign. I think it's a record.

Drop a House

Alexander Ovechkin, Craptain of the Washington Crapitals. I also thought about making a YOU'RE NOT IN OVECHKINLAND ANY MORE sign, but three Wizard of Oz signs seemed like enough for one night. Too bad the Wizard doesn't play for the Canes any more. [Sniff]

Surrender, Washington

For the Canes' first home game on October 27, 2010, I wore a witch hat and had three Wizard of Oz-themed signs.

No Place Like Home Opener

The Hurricanes' long-awaited home opener on October 27, 2010. I was inspired by Halloween decorations and made three signs related to the Wizard of Oz.

We Have Crabs

This probably wasn't the best exit off I-95 for me to stop and pee during a road trip a couple weekends ago, huh?

Boldly Gone

Too bad I never got to unveil this sign at a game before Alexandre Picard left Carolina to go boldly to Montreal. (Yes, "go boldly." My signage may refer to the 24th Century, but my grammar is old school.) It's a shame because I might have mustered the courage to attend the game in a Star Trek outfit.

I should have known better than to make a sign before I knew I'd have a chance to use it. I tried to skirt around the karma, but resistance is futile.

Play Me Some Skinner

Skeeeeeewwww! Welcome to the South, Jeff Skinner.

Feeling Drained

Maybe the folks at work should think twice before asking me to make signs for the break room.

OMG! It's a T-shirt!

My OMG eye chart sign has been made into a t-shirt by my friends at Derbylicious.

Rosey is Rad! Vote for Chad!

Two of my signs are featured in a video web ad for the upcoming 2011 NHL All-Star Game, hosted by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Hurricanes video production staff contacted me through Facebook and asked if I'd make two signs, both basically saying "Vote Chad LaRose for 2011 NHL All-Star Game." I had a couple of days to come up with ideas. I sent them three or four, and they picked two. (I actually thought "DON'T LEAVE CHAD HANGIN'" was more cleverer, but I guess that was deemed too esoteric for the masses.) I made the signs, brought them to the Canes locker room, and got to hang out during filming.

The ad with my signs is actually the fourth in a series of four, all of which were shot one morning last April.

All-Star Ad #1 – Seat Selection (Extended Version)
All-Star Ad #2 – Exercise Bike
All-Star Ad #3 – Ping Pong
All-Star Ad #4 – Signs (featuring signs made by ME!)

I could barely contain my chuckles behind the scenes. Chad LaRose seemed perfectly natural as the funny guy in front of the camera, and Eric Staal was a great straight man.

Now, I'm not one to boast (bad karma and all), but it was pretty steamy hanging out in the locker room with such hotties as they changed shirts. I even got to help one of the stars with a wardrobe malfunction -- so close I could see his belly button lint! He had some difficulty keeping a towel around his waist. I'm talking about Stormy the Ice Hog, of course.

Why did the Canes need ME to make signs? I'm not 100% sure, but one should never underestimate the value of good penmanship.

Farewell, Rod

Rod Brind'Amour announced his retirement today, and like any good Caniac, I am sad.

The trade that brought Rod Brind'Amour to Raleigh was a seminal moment in my hockey fandom. It ultimately led to the birth of Clever Sign Chick because the player we traded for him was Keith Primeau. Primeau's supreme suckitude warranted relentless harrassment, and it was a cause to which I felt compelled to contribute my personal attention and skill with Sharpies whenever he visited Carolina as an opponent thereafter.

I kinda miss harrassing Primeau - he's long gone from the NHL- but not as much as I will miss cheering on the player who personified leadership and dedication as the Captain of the Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes: Rod Brind'Amour.

Rod didn't know when he came to Raleigh that he would come to love it here. I hope his new circumstances prove just as unexpectedly wonderful.

Mardi Gras

Another one of my favorites. My friend Jen and I held these up while wearing lots of Mardi Gras beads. Arturs Irbe was the goalie for the Hurricanes. He did splits.

Full o' Blarney

Happy St. Patrick's Day, Ref.

Hat Trick for Patrick

The problem with this sign is that it's bad karma to mention or even think about being close to achieving a hat trick. I must have been feeling the luck of the Irish.

Ready to Woo

Every time the Canes score, the Jumbotron shows a clip of Ric Flair yelling "Woo!"

Luv for the Ref

Have I mentioned how much I heart the refs?

Luv U Canes

A game on Valentine's Day.

I H8 DOIG

Jason Doig must have been playing for the Washington Capitals on a Valentine's Day game.

Kiss Off, Caps!

A Valentine's Day game against the Washington Capitals.

Black Eyes

It's a Southern tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Years.

Christmas Lights

A very useful sign during the month of December, whether we're winning or losing.

Lockout

During the lockout in 2004-05, when there was no NHL hockey, the Hurricanes chartered some buses and sent season ticket holders to a minor league game in Norfolk sometime before Christmas. The Canes' AHL affiliate team, the Lowell Lockmonsters, were playing the Norfolk Admirals. The home team fans were pretty P.O.'d about being invaded by so many opponent fans. Big fights broke out not only on the ice but also in the stands. That was fun.

Lump From Cole

Erik Cole

Chanukah

Don't forget to light the lamp eight times.

Thanksgiving

I can't remember which team I made this sign for, but it was near Thanksgiving. Penguins? Thrashers? Ducks?

Bough for Holly

In honor of skater Holly Wanna Crackya.

Make 'em Cry

In honor of skater Eva Lye.

Hissy Fit

In honor of skater Ms. Fit.

Royal Pain

In honor of skater Princess America.

Outta This World

In honor of skater Roxy Rockett.

Temper Mental

In honor of skater Shirley Temper.

Draw Blood, Zella!

In honor of skater Zella Lugosi.

Crank Up the dBs

When the Carolina Rollergirls hold intra-league bouts, they divide into three teams. I'm partial to the Debutante Brawlers.

Ain't Worth Jack

When the Carolina Rollergirls hold intra-league bouts, they divide into three teams. One is the Trauma Queens.

Flying Monkeys

This sign was in support of the Carolina Rollergirls during the "Wicked Wheels of the East" tournament.

Bow to Queens

When the Carolina Rollergirls hold intra-league bouts, they divide into three teams, one of which is the Trauma Queens.

I Dare You

The Carolina Rollergirls skated during the Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade. Me and some of the other girls held these signs.

Irish Temper

The Carolina Rollergirls skated during the Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade. Me and some of the other girls held these signs.

Irish Creamin'

The Carolina Rollergirls skated during the Raleigh St. Patrick's Day Parade. Me and some of the other girls held these signs.