Careful with that sword, Tomas.

What the what?! (Photo: iSport.cz)

Maybe next week, I won’t be settling into a new job while dealing with our annual family-wide summer barfing flu. See, I have just about enough time to tell you where the Stanley Cup is. It’s in the Czech Republic, chilling with David Krejci and Carolina’s new Hurricane Tomas Kaberle. I dunno – isn’t hanging with your former team’s Stanley Cup kind of like showing up on WCW Monday Nitro with the WWF Intercontinental Championship belt in your hand? But I digress.

So Kaberle brought the Cup to his hometown of Kladno, where he was presented a shield with the town’s coat of arms and a sword because “as the modern defender must be able to even attack”. Heh. And those guys in the Hello Piggy overalls? Are an actual band!

Somehow, all of this weirdness makes me appreciate Tomas Kaberle a little more. Glad to see the guy had some fun with this, since it’s hard to imagine he’ll have an opportunity like this again. NHL.com has some movies and more on their Summer with Stanley 2011 blog. Of course, not to be outdone, Zdeno Chara has rented a freaking castle for his day with the Cup on Friday in Slovakia. I’m guessing normal structures in his home country simply cannot accommodate a man of that kind of towering stature. That, or he’s planning a hell of a kegger.

Ladies… Linkups

(Editor’s note: I apologize. Because I have too much to do at 6:30 AM, and because WordPress for iPhone doesn’t allow me to embed links, this post sucks. I assure you it will look much better when I get home this evening.)

A weird thing happened to me last week: I won this book by Bill Simmons, noted Red Sox fan and columnist for little known sports network.

See, CBC Radio 3 tweeted that they were giving these away to the 26th, 27th or whatever person who emailed their mailing address, and I was all “HAHA! I’m going to give this a shot because wouldn’t it be hilarious if the gal that cares not for Bill Simmons or basketball wins the…oh crap. I won.”

So yeah. And R3 is giving them away again today. Check it out if you wish. I hear it is a good read so I’ll give it a fair shot. At least where it’s about the NBA I won’t be subjected to his obnoxious Yankee hating (right?) Besides, Sportsguy is a Springsteen fan and doting father, which makes him slightly endearing to me.

Speaking of things NBA, Orlando was all Magic last night, beating the Atlanta Hawks 112-98 in the East semi.

Tonight the Celtics will try to hobble toward a Game 3 victory against the Cavaliers, while Phoenix will attempt to go 3-0 in its series against the Spurs.

In the NHL, the Bruins will try to finish off the Flyers tonight (without Krejci! Sadness!) in the Wales Conference semi (on a related note, am I the only one annoyed by this? Maybe I’m getting humourless in my old age. My birthday is Monday, BTW.)

From the “Everybody Calm Down” file: http://www.walkoffwalk.com/2010/05/let-the-wringing-of-our-hands.html

Much ado about nothing, enjoy these Macbeth comic strips by the fabulous Kate Beaton.

Finally, we note the passing of two greats in the baseball world this week. Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell died on Tuesday at the age of 92. Deadspin posted this terrific tribute by writer Peter Hyman.

Yesterday, we lost Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts. The Hall of Famer was 83.

Sunday is Mother’s Day, and could I ever use a reason to kick up my feet! Oh, Yankees-Sox at Fenway this weekend? Perfect!

Don’t forget to show a mama some love!

Ladies… Linkups: Your Pre-Super Bowl Edition

I would have loved to have had a Friday Foodie for you, but with my recent vacation, the two night classes I’ve been taking and the usual mama and work stuff it’s been too hard to find the time.

But you know who does it better anyway? The original author of our Football Foodie Fridays, The Starter Wife, who has been busily dishing out 14 days of delectable Super Bowl eats, including Sugar Pie. Sugar Pie! I didn’t know people outside of French Canada made this! Youpi!

Speaking of countdowns, Fack Youk has been counting down the days until spring training begins, pinstripe-style. If you love baseball history, check it out over your lunch break. It’s good reading!

The Ladies… also salute those who gave us a kind shout-out in the blogosphere in recent days, like Stumptown Magazine whose writers discuss everything Portland, Oregon. Like Rudy Fernandez.

We also thank the ladies at the funny and feminist Not My Gal for including ours among their My Gal Blogs of the Week. It’s where you’ll find an insightful piece on that ad. Regardless where you stand on the issue, check it out.

Mens’ hockey is fun to watch and all, but we’re really excited about womens’ Olympic hockey! CuteSports linked you to Team USA’s profiles a few days ago. Here’s where you can learn more about Team Canada. I wonder if it’s too late to order a Wickenheiser jersey for next weekend.

And now I give you stretching Saints…

(Reuters Photo)

Enjoy the game Sunday!