More Crayons - Less Pens

For the Canes v. Pittsburgh Penguins (aka Pens) game on December 27, 2013, I had wanted to make a sign saying, "MORE SHARPIES - LESS PENS!", but I was afraid of being hassled by the door Nazis. They may have considered such a sign to be inadmissible, as a kind of advertisement for Sharpie. Also it was fun working with crayons for a change. Crayon takes a lot longer than Sharpie, but I had the time over the holidays.

Black & Blue Jackets

My first sign related to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It also works in the holidays, since the game occurred on December 23, 2013.

Bust a Cap!

Things got a little chippy between the Canes and the Washington Capitals this evening.

School the Sharks

Hard to believe, but I had never made a sign related to the San Jose Sharks until last night, December 6, 2013. I have also not yet made a sign related to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Vancouver Canucks, or the Nashville Predators, even though I actually attended a game in Nashville. (My sign for that game didn't mention the Predators.)

Yinz Witches

Although I was born in Western Pennsylvania, I had never visited the city of Pittsburgh until this September, when my husband and I got tickets for a Steelers game vs. the Chicago Bears. We had the best time tailgating and just hanging out in the city that weekend. The whole city was black and gold because there were three Pirates games and a preseason Penguins game also going on that weekend.

Now, the Carolina Hurricanes fans regularly tailgate, which I am led to believe is relatively uncommon among the NHL, seeing as how we have relatively good weather in the winter and a vast, open parking lot, unlike many NHL arenas. But the Steelers fans had some lavish set-ups, and everyone was having a good time. Drum corps, stereos blasting, superfans all geared up in face paint (or a Pope outfit). I saw Bears fans dancing with Steelers fans. And I saw a Steelers fan dancing with a roasted pig. (No, really, I've got video.)

Although I say I'm a Steelers fan, I don't really follow football. Still, being Sign Chick, I felt I had to make some sort of sign. This was only the second NFL game I'd ever attended. Not knowing much about the teams or players, I drew on two of my other fallback sources of sign inspiration: language and holidays.

The game was close to the autumnal equinox, and the phrase "Drink up, yinz bitches! The game's 'bout to start" is a common Pittsburghese saying at game time. Augmented with a $3 witch hat from a drugstore and considerably more expensive seats close to the field and the camera operator, and poof! this sign magically lands you on primetime television! A friend of my husband saw us on Sunday Night Football and texted us a photo of the TV while we were still at the game. Icing on the cake of a totally fun fan experience in the Steel City. I'd do it again any time. (But I won't root for the Penguins!)

I Mustache You A Favor

The Canes and the NHL participated in "Movember," where players grow mustaches to raise awareness of and money for prostate and testicular cancer. The last game of the month was against the New Jersey Devils.

They were giving away mustache stickers at the door. I had a Sharpie in my purse. What choice did I have?

Sympathy for the Devils

For the Canes v. New Jersey game on November 29, 2013, I drew inspiration from the Rolling Stones song "Sympathy for the Devil."

Buy the Ranch, Avalanche!

Canes vs. Colorado Avalanche, November 12, 2013.

Rhymes with Malhotra

I can rhyme anything, given enough languages. This sign is mutilated Franglais for "We need another(,) Malhotra!" and refers to Canes player Manny Malhotra. I couldn't decide whether to add a comma because I liked that it could be interpreted two ways:

1. We need another [goal], Malhotra!
or
2. We need another player just like Manny Malhotra.

Faulk's Night 3

I already posted this sign, but finally I was able to use it ON Guy Fawkes Night, November 5, 2013, at a game against Philly, while wearing a Guy Fawkes mask.

Less Vile Than Congressmen

Topical sign relating to the federal government shutdown and the Los Angeles Kings, whom the Canes played on October 11, 2013. Unfortunately, I had a new, lazy camera guy who didn't direct the camera at me at all, so neither of tonight's new signs were shown on the Jumbotron. The Canes lost in a shootout.

L.A.? P.U.!

Quite possibly my shortest sign ever, I made it for the Canes v. Los Angeles Kings game on October 11, 2013.

Keep Cam

Following the "Keep Calm and Carry On" sign meme, this sign refers to Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward.

Never Yield

For Opening Night, Hurricanes vs. Detroit Red Wings, October 4, 2013.

More Shots

New for the 2013-14 season, this sign would have been useful countless times in the past. Sometimes the team just needs to get out of their heads.

Just Staaling

At the final home Canes game of the 2013 season, three Staal brothers dressed and played together on the same NHL team for the first time. Too bad their other brother Marc, who plays for the Rangers, was out with an injury. Otherwise, there might have been four brothers on the ice at the same time.
As the Canes had had such a dismal season, I felt this message was particularly cheeky. Better luck next year, boys!

Don't Call Me Shorely

For the Canes v. New York Islanders game on April 23, 2013. The Canes had been losing a lot, but they shore did manage to beat the Isles after all.

Deserted Isles

For the Canes v. New York Islanders game on April 23. The last month or so of the Canes season was quite dismal, but we didn't desert them.

Garden State

Not my cleverest sign, but after having attended so many New Jersey games, it's hard to think up something new sometimes. The Canes also didn't put forth their best effort when I brought this sign (March 21). :(

Goose Egg

What I like about this sign is that it can be interpreted in several ways that are all valid. Apart from the Easter eggy connection, it could mean "Send them home with a big fat 0." If that were the case, the sign might not be useful after the opponent does score a goal. But also it could mean send them home with a zero because they didn't score a point in the standings (didn't win the game). So it could still be meaningful throughout the game. And finally, it could mean "Send them home with a goose egg (lump) on their noggin," which is always useful no matter what happens during the game.

Unfortunately, the rookie camera guy apparently didn't understand any of the meanings because he didn't see fit to direct the camera my way and the Canes lost rather miserably Tuesday, March 19, when I first used this sign. It eventually got shown Thursday, May 21, though.

Saint, Patrick

Happy St. Patrick Dwyer Day! Made this for the game on Thursday, March 14. Patrick Dwyer even scored that night, but the Canes ended up losing to the Crapitals. Better luck next time!

Spring Forward

I had been having a hard time coming up with any fresh ideas for a sign for the New Jersey Devils, since we play them so often. But it was the Saturday night before Daylight Savings Time, and eventually the idea just 'sprung' on me.

Hooah-Canes

Occasionally, an idea for a sign hits me while I'm AT the game, and I scramble during the intermission to make one in 20 minutes' time. Saturday, March 9, was Military Appreciation Night, and this idea hit me during the first period. I can't believe I had both red and blue Sharpies in my purse.

Someone asked me if it should be spelled "Oorah-Canes" instead, but no, I went by the authority of the Army soldier sitting next to me. It's definitely the Hooah-Canes I support.

Freebies Galore

Last year, Papa John's offered discount pizza the day after a Hurricanes win. They continue that promotion this year, but there are four other restaurant promotions this year, too, and it's been a challenge to keep up with them all.

1. The day after a Canes win, you get a 50% discount off your online order at Papa John's with "secret" code CANIAC. North and South Carolina only.

2. Each night they pick a different Canes player, and if he scores a goal, you get free chips and queso at Moe's the next day. (I think you have to say something like, "I'm a Caniac.")

3. If the Canes "put the biscuit in the basket" during a power play, you get a free Bo-berry biscuit at Bojangles. (I think you have to say something like, "I'm a Caniac.")

4. If the Canes win two or more games in a row, you get a free hurricane sushi roll at Kanki. I think you have to purchase something else.

5. If the Canes score five goals in a game, you get a free cookie at Subway. I think you might have to print a coupon somewhere for this one.

So far, by my reckoning, the maximum number of discounts resulting from a single game has been four out of five. I eagerly await the night we hit the jackpot with all five. I have faith!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Although there are other teams at which this sign could be directed, it's obviously for the Buffalo Sabres. Or more accurately, at their fans who invade the PNC Arena. After so many years, it gets kind of hard thinking up new signs for the teams we play over and over. But Buffalo inspires me so. Made this for the March 5 game and am just getting around to posting it now.

Dwyer vs. Crier

I've been wanting to 'reward' Hurricanes forward Patrick Dwyer with his own sign since last year. The "crier" referenced is of course Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, whom the Canes played last night when I unveiled this sign for the first time.

Shooting Stars

This sign is in reference to the Hurricanes forward Alexander Semin (who is Russian) as well as the massive meteor that struck Russia last week. Semin didn't strike tonight with a goal, but he did earn a point with an assist against Winnipeg. Interestingly, Semin used to play for a professional hockey team (Traktor Chelyabinsk) in the city where the meteor fell.

Winnipeg also has a Russian forward, but he didn't do anything earth-shattering.

Find A Way, Jay!

A few games ago, I decided Jay Harrison deserved to be rewarded with his own sign. I also have Patty Dwyer in my sights.

Southies

So, if you don't know, "Southies" is a nickname for people from South Boston. I made this sign for the Canes v. Bruins game on January 28, 2013. The Canes lost 3-5, which may have partly been my fault because I sat through the whole first period without realizing I was wearing the WRONG EARRINGS!!!! But also, it may be the camera guy's fault because none of my signs was shown on the Jumbotron - always a bad omen.

Anyway, the sign elicited comments from several strangers. First, some Southies sitting behind me wanted me to hold it up so they could get a picture. They were very polite and having a good time.

Another fan, local, didn't understand what it meant, so I had to explain. He said he was sitting next to a Bruins fan who also didn't get it. I thought that was odd.

Finally, a guy who had been sitting a few seats away on the same row as me got up during the game. As he passed me on the way out he said, "I'm a Southie. Lived here for 22 years. I hate the Bruins." That was amusing.

However, the best interaction with a stranger this night was with the door man. Over the years, I have had some interesting interactions with the folks at security. Usually it goes rather smoothly. Sometimes, not so much. I usually bring half a dozen to a dozen signs with me to each game. They are usually 22" by 14", which is about half the size of a regular piece of posterboard and also about half the size of the maximum allowed, according to the arena guidelines the last time I bothered to read them.

Although fans are not really allowed to bring large bags into the arena, I do put the signs inside a clear plastic, tall kitchen size garbage bag with handles. It's easier to carry that way, and it protects them from bad weather. I wanted to make sure I had clear bags to make it easier for the guys at Security. I had to order these bags online because I couldn't find them in stores.

So, most of the time, I'd say what happens is the security staffer briefly looks at one or two signs, but he doesn't want to hold up the line, so he usually says something like, "There aren't any bad words in there, right?" and I assure him everything is kosher and he let's me pass. Occasionally, like suddenly during the playoffs, there's a new staffer who doesn't know the protocol and gets uptight and hassles me. Like they have to ask somebody else if the sign is too big or if the word "suck" is ok. So every time I enter the building, there is a moment of apprehension as I wonder what kind of treatment I'm going to get and whether someone will arbitrarily confiscate one of my signs.

At this game, I used the new Season Ticket Holder entrance for the first time. On the plus side, there was no waiting at this entrance. On the downside, that meant that the security staffer had plenty of time to look through each and every one of the signs I had brought with me, because no one was waiting in line behind me. But as I patiently waited, he started to chuckle. He read one sign and said, "Oh, that's good." Then, he read another and said, "Oh, that's funny." Then, "Oh, that's good too."

Pretty soon the other staff nearby started teasing him and me, saying he was never going to give me my signs. Finally, he returned my bag to me and said, "Those are so good, I'd probably let you in anyway even if they WERE inappropriate!"

I sure hope that guy works that door every game this season!

Bogus Call

I guess I'll only be able to use this sign for a few games before its topicalness expires. It refers to a current news story in which a college football player, Manti Te'o, still played well following the death of his girlfriend, Lennay Kekua, and his grandmother on the same day. It turns out that he only knew Lennay online and via telephone or voicemail, and she never really existed. He was the victim of a hoax: bogus calls from a friend of a friend of the family claiming to be Lennay. The Canes are also victimized by bogus calls, from the ref.

Upstate

At the end of the first period at the Canes vs. Buffalo game when I first unveiled this sign, I was immediately accosted by a Buffalo fan. Her first question had to do with the BUFFALO MAKES YOU JERKY sign. She said she didn't get it. I said it's a pun on Buffalo (the meat). "But Buffalo is not known for making jerky," she said. No, but it IS known for jerky fans.

She insisted she was not trying to be mean, but also Buffalo is not "Upstate." I told her I was aware that some people didn't consider it Upstate, but some people do. No, she said, "I'm from Buffalo, and nobody considers it Upstate, so your sign doesn't work because we're not Upstate." I said some people do consider it Upstate, and the fact that it offends people from "Western New York" to be called Upstate just makes the sign just that much more effective.

She kept telling me she wasn't trying to be mean, and I thought, no, it just comes naturally to your kind.

Canes beat Buffalo 6-3 that night at home and then beat them 3-1 the following night, in, you know, Upstate.

Less Stalling, More Staals

Unveiled at the January 22 home opener at PNC Arena, this sign simultaneously welcomes Eric Staal's brother Jordan to the Hurricanes and expresses disdain for the hideously late start to the season due to greedy bickering between the NHL owners and players. I'm glad to have a season, compressed though it may be, but the apologies the league has issued are pathetic. If I hadn't built up 12 years of seniority as a season ticket holder, I'd have canceled in protest. I will save my ranting about poor treatment of STHs for another post. No time now because, due to the compressed season, I have to think up more sign ideas for quickly approaching games!

Faulk's Night 2

I had made this sign last year but was never able to use it at a game because Faulk got sent back to the minors. So, this year when the Checkers played a game in Raleigh on January 6, I got to unveil it then, since Faulk was playing. Unfortunately, it wasn't near Guy Fawkes Night (remember, remember, the fifth of November), but I guess the pun still works the rest of the year. As a bonus, my seats for the Checkers game were awesome, right behind the Checkers bench. So I was able to get this really cool photo with Faulk, himself, in it.

Here's An Epiphany -

The Charlotte Checkers hosted the Norfolk Admirals at the PNC Arena in Raleigh on January 6, 2013. (January 6 is Epiphany.) As this was during the lockout, I bought tickets and thought it might be the only chance I'd have to see hockey in Raleigh this season.

As it turned out, an agreement was reached between the players and owners the day before this game. "Un"fortunately, I had already made a sign referencing the lockout before the agreement was made public. I just knew if I made a sign about the lockout that it would be rendered useless before gametime - which is why I went ahead and made it anyway. That's right: you can thank me for the end of the lockout.

So, yeah, this is one of those signs I made that never got used. I should make a category for that.

Norfolking Way!

I attended a Charlotte Checkers vs. Norfolk Admirals game at Raleigh's PNC Arena on January 6, 2013. I was afraid this sign might not make it through the doors, so I left some of it unfinished and then completed it before the game. My fears were unfounded, though, because the door man didn't even try to read my signs. It turns out the Checkers actually provide poster board and markers at a table inside the arena and encourage fans to make signs. So it's pointless to check signs at the door for appropriateness. They didn't seem to have any problems.