SJConrad

My Flames are slowly but steadily creeping back into contention and are one of the best teams to watch 3 on 3. Now that we've had our Jarome Iginla slow start out of the way I think there's a chance, albeit slim, to repeat our run to the playoffs next year. Of course that's because the Pacific (outside of the Kings) is GARBAGE this year but hey you gotta do what you gotta do. In other news this may be my favorite gif of all time: http://gfycat.com/UntimelyEsteemedCoral

I'll post my team when I'm on a laptop but totally forgot about the draft and think I came out alright.

Benches Gates the week he has 3tds going into the 4th quarter. LOLOL

Come A Little Closer - Dierks Bentley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVGw7FbohY4

Stand Up And Run - Billy Talent

SJConrads Week 8 Update CONRAD'S STATE OF THE LEAGUE As I expected the West has dominated the East. The west is a combined 23-10 while the east is a combined 6-19 (Games played disparity is due to the 5 team west/ 4 team east). I really think the CFL needs to go to a one division format for the health of the league next year. OH YEAH AND ALL GAMES ARE BEING SHOWN ON ESPN 3 CURRENT STANDINGS: West 1. Calgary Stampeders 5-1 (w/tie breaker win over Edmonton (26-22) week 5) 2. Edmonton Eskimos 5-1 3. Winnipeg Blue Bombers 5-3 [Played Week 8 Game @ Toronto Argonauts. Lost 21-38] 4. Saskatchewan Roughriders 4-2 5. BC Lions 4-3 East 1. Toronto Argonauts 3-4 [Week 8 Game played. 38-21 vs Winnipeg] {Also have 2 games Week 8... thanks CFL scheduling} 2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats 1-5 (Tie Breaker: Points differential: -26) 3. Ottawa REDBLACKS 1-5 (Tie Breaker: Points differential: -78) 4. Montreal Alouettes 1-5 (Tie Breaker: Points differential: -79) MY OPINIONS Calgary Stampeders [Week 8: @ Hamilton Tiger-Cats] While the Stamps may lead the west it certainly hasn't been easy for them. A game handed to them by interesting special teams choices by Edmonton, and a nail biter against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats have me worried. QB Bo Levi Mitchell picked up his game vs the Red Blacks and if he continues this pace the Stamps may stay close to the top all year. Not to mention losing last years Offensive MVP RB John Cornish, then injuries Back up RB Matt Walter as well as his replacement RB Martell Mallett has led to the use of 5 different RBs coming into week 8! Edmonton Eskimos [Week 8 @ Ottawa REDBLACKS] Mike Riley is proving himself in my eyes. When his o-line has appeared competent he's a great pocket passer, and when it hasn't he's done it with his feet. Add to that he's been taking huge shots and still keeping the Edmonton O on his back... needless to say I've been more than impressed. Great turnaround from the Green and Gold. Winnipeg Blue Bombers [Week 8 L @ Toronto Argonauts 21-38] I thought leaving the decidedly easier east division would leave the Bombers in a tough spot this hasn't proven to be the case. Not yet at least. Drew Willy leads the league in passing yards, rookie RB Nick Grigsby leads the league in rushing yards, and they have 2 players in the top 5 in tackles this teams turn around has me impressed, but has the loss to the east leading Argos shown some holes in the armor? Saskatchewan Roughriders [Week 8 vs Montreal Alouettes] While thy may be at the bottom of the west the returning CFL champs come into week on a 4 game winning streak. John Chick leads the league in sacks with 9. This team is well balanced and may have their issues in the backfield finally figured out. The Riders a are a well balanced and very well coached team so I expect continued results. BC Lions [Week 8 @ Toronto Argonauts] As sad as it is the Lions would still be leading the east at 4-3 but find them selves at the bottom of the west. Kevin Glenn and crew ended the stamps bid for perfection 2 weeks ago in a nail-biter and squeaked out a win against the Ti-Cats last week. Their Defense begins and ends with Solomon Elimimian who leads the league with an astonishing 54 tackles! That's 19 tackles ahead of any other player in the league, and 24 more than team mate Adam Bighill. The offence is pedestrian, with Kevin Glenn having thrown 11 picks (5.24% of his passing attempts) already. Toronto Argonauts [Week 8 Game 1: W vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers 38-21] {Week 8 Game 2 vs BC Lions} This team has deserved better. In their first of two week 8 games they had 0 WRs on their roster that dressed for game 1 of this season. Asking a player to come into any professional scheme and having to learn the playbook in a week will hamstring even the best offenses. If they ever get healthy the east MIGHT have a competent team. Oh and they revealed these snazzy new alternate Jerseys this week. What are your thoughts? Hamilton Tiger-Cats [Week 8 vs Calgary Stampeders] If you asked me for a saying to describe the Ti-cats games it would have to be "Close but no cigar". Week 2: Lose by 4, Week 4: Lose by 3, Week 6: Lose by 1, Week 7: Lose by 7. With a couple bounces this team could be 6-1.. but they aren't. They have been playing well but in the CFLyou need to close game and the Ti-Cats just can't. Ottawa ALLCAPS REDBLACKS [Week 8 vs Edmonton Eskimos] For an expansion team they're getting close but close only counts in horseshoes and tidily-winks. This new team is yet to establish an identity, but they need to find it and to keep fans in the seats in Ottawa they need to do it fast! The number one problem I see is their lack of dissipline. 10 penalties for 130 yards in week 7 is inexcusable to any team. ​Montreal Alouettes [Week 8 @ Saskatchewan Roughriders] The post Anthony Calvio era in french land has not gone well. Big name signing Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson only has 4 receptions for 78 yards, Their "QB of the Future" Troy Smith is now on the bench behind Alex Brink, and their coaching staff has all been retooled... TWICE! If the players have any pride they're not showing it on or off the field. If results don't come expect big changes.

Well, seeing all the NFL off season talk going on I feel there needs to be a little love for those of us 3-Downers. WHERE TO WATCH IN THE US: http://www.cfl.ca/page/us-broadcast-schedule RULES CHANGES: Pass Interference Challenge: Smaller Rules Changes WEST: BC Lions Wally Buono has some serious thinking to do after last season. Hopefully the OL and QBs will stay Healthy, and maybe they can find a replacement for long time C Angus Reid. I honestly think BCs still 3rd place in the division if they stay healthy, and further down the list if they can't! Prediction: 3rd Calgary Stampeders(prepare for the homer) Well. The stampeders retained the services of the CFLs best edge rushing tandem, traded away a disappointing kick returner (replacing him with an actual player in Jock Sanders), and improve our DB corps. Add that to the fact that we retained both Bo Levi Mitchell and Drew Tate through the expansion draft, which I thought near impossible. Add to that the fact that Kory Sheets isn't in the league to challenge Jon Cornish, and our special teams I think we have ourselves the chance at returning to the Grey Cup. (PS Drew Tate. STAY HEALTHY MY MAIN MAN) Prediction 1st Edmonton Eskimos The best thing to come out of last season for the Esks might just be the fact that it's finally over. I personally attended quite a few home games here in Edmonton (Shout out to Section O) With the wave of OL signings I'm waiting to see if they can keep whoever starts behind center (Mike Reiley or Matt Nichols by my estimation) Fred Stamps is still possibly a huge threat at SB or WR and maybe they can find a kicker who understands the winds that swirl around Commonwealth and make a go of it. Prediction: 4th Winterpeg Winnipeg Blue Bombers I'm starting my description stating that last years problems for the Bombers didn't end on the field but they started there. With the addition of Korey Banks maybe the Defence will shore up a little bit. My area of concern is at QB. Drew Willy isn't tested and I hope his confidence is given a chance rather than the "QB by committee" that Winnipeg was last year. Oh. And maybe finding a stable front office structure'd be nice. Prediction: 5th (The west is too stacked) Saskatchewan Roughriders The Mellonheads were able to buy win a Grey Cup on home soil, but a repeat looks more difficult as the wests strength seems to just keep increasing over time. As somebody who can no longer play the game because of injury I look at Riderville and think "If the injury bug hits..." and scratch my head. They don't have a proven backup at QB, no Korey Sheets (at time of writing), one natural C on the OL, and only one natural safety on roster... I'm worried for the Green Machine. Prediction: 2nd EAST Toronto Argonauts Am I wrong in saying if Ricky Ray is healthy the Boatmen have a chance at running their whole way to the Grey Cup? Their possibly potent running game combined with Ray spreading the ball around better than any other QB in the game their Offence can drown you out of the game faster than their... interesting defense can sink them. Prediction 1st Hamilton Tiger Cats Tim Hortons Field will be opening with a new young face under center. Weather it's Dan LeFevour or Zach Collaros I still feel that the Ti-Cats are in for a tough year. I may be over simplifying but the CFL is a QB centric league for a reason. That being said maybe the weapons around them make them better than I can see on paper. I also look at their defence and say... "Uhh... who dat?" and that's NOT a good thing. The defence needs to make sure that the retooled offence stays on the field, and I'm wondering if that'll happen Prediction 3rd Montreal Alouettes It's the end of an era in Montreal. But is the rest of the team able to move on? In my opinion there will be a big initial down turn as the Als get used to not having AC13 in the backfield. That being said it's now seeming to be the young gunslingers division with more inexperienced QBs. Again, similar to Hamilton will the offence allow the QBs to flourish or flop? However unlike Hamilton the Als have the Defence that can talk the talk and walk the walk, especially with their LB core. Prediction 2nd And last but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST Ottawa Rough Riders Renegades ALL-CAPS RED-BLACKS I think this team has created more questions than answers for me. What will make this time different in Ottawa in terms of fan support? Will Henry Burris have anyone else to throw to other than Paris Jackson? Will Rick Campbell be able to create another contender? I really have no clue. Their Offence seems to be up to Hank to figure out, which isn't the worst but he's always had weapons around him, not just one stud WR. While offence wins games and Defence wins championships, I'm faltering in my confidence in this O to win. I'm just hoping this team stays afloat long enough to create Football Atlantic in the near future. Prediction 4th

If there's room I'd join.

Since I had nothing else to do today I continued this. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Jacens’ Subaru Impreza pulled up to the magical institute’s parking lot. The signs listed it as a church but the cities many mages knew better. Yes every Sunday it held a Catholic mass which was actually led by one of the grand maesters but that was mostly a front. Jace pulled the keys from the ignition and opened the door without a word to Stephen. The teens words this morning still playing through his mind. He really wished he could tell the kid off but he knew that would do him no good. Grabbing his and Stephens bag from the trunk he turned to walk to the back doors of the church. “What’s with the silent treatment there boss?” Stephen questioned, taking the black canvass backpack from Jacen and slinging it over his shoulder. Stephens lanky appearance gave him the look of more of a delinquent than someone who should be visiting a church on a daily basis. His torn jeans and spiked leather jacket hiding the sex pistols shirt he wore underneath not helping the image either. “You’re being an ass today is all.” Jacen quipped, not wanting to really share what was bothering him. “Plus I need to focus. I have a hearing with the counsel later today.” He bit his lip. Was he really nervous about the gathering? He shouldn't be. He hadn't broken any of the laws of magic as far as he was concerned. As if Stephen could sense his mood. “Good. I thought you were mad at me there for a second.” Running a hand through his disheveled hair he continued, “I wouldn’t want you kicking me out for teasing you.” “The thought crossed my mind Steve…” Jacen let his sentence drop away unfinished to get the boy to shut up. Stephen was a good kid but could talk too much for his own good sometimes. He reached his hand out to the door knob as they reached the door. The signature of magic power on the door always hit him as he got to the door. It wasn’t painful, but similar to a static shock, it let you know it was there. He mouthed a silent curse and opened the door for Stephen and himself to enter. To any non-mage it would look like a simple hallway, but to the wizards who trained here it was far different. The walls spread out, revealing a large round room, doors and other openings in all directions. The grand mages had used spells to bend space around this room, allowing for multiple levels and rooms to be accessed through this simple looking entrance. A large desk sat in the middle of the room, occupied by three seemingly human looking figures. Jacen nodded to Stephen as the two parted company. “See you after class. You’ll have to tell me what you learn about Merlin the Great tonight.” The youth rolled his eyes and flipped Jacen off as he wandered off to the scholastic wing. “I guess I should go check in,” he muttered to himself, forcing himself to move towards the center of the room towards the desks. As he approached the desk you could see that the figures weren’t made of flesh, but of brass gears and levers all animated by the force of magic. In all honesty they were inspiring but Jacen feared the beings. Something about them being able to know anything that the institute knew about you at an instant was unnerving. What if they got into the wrong hands? He shivered at the thought, pressing it to the back of his mind. “Uhh… Jacen Mills reporting to meet with the High Counsil.” He said in general to the automations. The one closest to Jacen looked up from a sheet of parchment marked with Cyrillic text. The lenses that functioned as its eyes adjusted to his face, as if to verify that it was in fact him. “While your verbal and facial identifications pass, Jacen Mills, all High Counsel affairs require a multitude of identifiers. Please proceed to the administrative wing, room 205 for further analysis. Maester Snow shall be commencing your testing.” The automation then returned to the page. Great. This day was just getting better. “Um… I hate to be a bother but is there another Maester who can do the tests?” His question wasn’t answered by the automations. Jacen knew all decisions were final when it came to the High Counsel. Maester Snow was a crotchety old man, one of the few mages who still used a spell to focus his power. The old man was a walking encyclopedia of both people and the law. Why he was involved had warning flags running rampant through his head. “I wonder what further they need from me?” he muttered as he walked over to the administration hall on the side of the great room. He had limited dealings with the High Counsel in the past. The only two times that stuck with him is when he was accepted as an apprentice and at his graduation into a full mage. Thinking back on the day of his introduction made his mind slow down a bit. Maester Snow was at that appointment. But before Jacen could get himself lost in that thought he arrives at a door marked 206 with ancient brass numbers looking like they could fall off the door at any time, and underneath that an equally old looking knocker. “A suitable location for an old wizard I guess” he chuckled to himself. He reached up and used the knocker. “Come in,” came through in an elderly tone. There was still a sense of authority behind the voice even in age. Jacen silently wondered what he’d be like if he made it to that age. He turned the doorknob and escorted himself into the room. “Ah if it isn’t mister Mills.” Maester Snow said slowly, as if it was quite an effort to talk. The man was dressed in the traditional robes worn by wizards of lore. “As far as I’m aware I am but the piles of cogs downstairs seemed to think additional testing was required,” he said, showing his resentment of the desk dwellers. “Yes, they are telling the truth Jacen. But not testing on who you are per se. How are you? Any troubles recently?” Jacen kept his face neutral to the questions. Shit. Could they know the nightmares were back? Why would they care? “As far as I can tell I’ve been more than ok Maester. I’ve been looking after the housing of the apprentice Stephen Eaves and that’s going well enough…” The Maester cut Jacen off there “I mean in regards to losing your family in that fire mister Mills”

Since reading Razors story I remembered how much I used to like writing. I haven't written anything in years so I figured I'd crank out a quick intro today to see how rusty my skills have gotten. I know there's not a lot of depth here but that will come as I continue. Thanks for giving this a quick glance. I'm super open to critique and am hoping for it to a point! Edit 1: Formating ___________________________________________________________________________ Jacen awoke in a cold sweat, the imagined smell of smoke and demonfire filling his nostrils. He shot into a sitting position, his eyes searching for the non-existent flames in the dark dormitory. He had awoken this way many times before, but it always felt as real as the first. Realizing this he fell back onto the stiff bed, its creak helping him calm himself. “You’re ok Jace.” He muttered to himself, attempting to still his still rapidly beating heart. The beams of the roof above him shuddered in the wind of the storm sweeping through the area. The sound of the rain beating off the shingles reassuring the young man of their presence. “Oh good you’ve stopped screaming,” a voice said form the door calmly. “I thought someone had finally decided to make sure you’re dead this time.” “Can it Stephen,” Jacen mumbled through gritted teeth, “You knew what you were getting into when you signed your rent agreement.” The younger man at the doorway chuckled, making his way into the room, settleing into the armchair placed by the large window. “That I did. Doesn’t mean I can’t poke a little fun at how my roomie screams like a little girl in his sleep from time to time.” The youth lazily raised his hand to block the pillow Jacen had thrown at him. “I said can it and I mean it,” Jacen growled angrily this time. He was always irritable after that dream. This old festering mental wound hadn’t healed in years, but hadn’t popped up recently. “Don’t you have something better to do than torment your landlord?” The younger man reached into his pockets, retrieving some keys from his pocket. “Like remind you we have to be at the institute in half an hour? Yes. Yes I do.” The smug grin on his face couldn’t have been any less annoying to Jace. Why he had offered this man housing still astounded him. “Alright, I get it,” huffed the prone man. He righted himself in the bed once again, the sheets sticking to the sweat that still clung to his body. “If you want to prove yourself useful for once can you throw the bags in the car? Since we don’t have time to make lunch now we’ll grab something on the way.” “Don’t get your knickers in a twist old man,” Stephen said as he stood. “I hope we finally get to do actual spell work today, not just read about stupid mages of old. If I have to hear about another one of Merlins’ fables I think I’ll vomit.” “Such is the life of an apprentice. I’m sure they know you couldn’t handle casting a simple luminescence without burning the institute to the ground yet,” Jace ribbed back at the teen. He rose from the bed, “Plus those stories are great!” “Yeah, for a nerd like you Jace” Stephen said as he closed the door. A soft thud cold be heard against the door. Another pillow for sure. Today was off to an interesting start, to say the least.

That'd be great. Self editing never was my strong suit.

Alright. I guess we'll get more descriptions as the story progresses and thanks for the calculations.

I expect to be in this. OH AND CAN I KILL A WES BASED CHARACTER. THAT WOULD BE AMAZING. But in all seriousness this seems legit and I only have some issues with it. From how you described Crystalia it had a diameter of 20km and housing ~a million people. This leaves a population density of ~3175 people per square km (if my calculations are correct). When comparing that to New York at ~2,050 people per square km don't you feel that number's improbable? But other than that I like the startings of this and I might have to start writing again as well.

With the new CBA signed and the pre-season over it's time to kick off the season! BC Lions Preseason Record: 2-0 Next Week: vs. Edmonton Calgary Stampeders Preseason Record: 1-1 Next Week: vs. Montreal Edmonton Eskimos Preseason Record: 1-1 Next Week: @ BC Saskatchewan Roughriders Preseason Record: 1-1 Next Week: vs. Hamilton Winnipeg Blue Bombers Preseason Record: 0-2 Next Week: vs. Toronto Toronto Argonauts Preseason Record: 2-0 Next Week: @ Winnipeg Hamilton Tiger-Cats Preseason Record: 1-1 Next Week: @ Saskatchewan Ottawa REDBLACKS Preseason Record: 1-1 Next Week: BYE Montreal Alouettes Preseason Record: 0-2 Next Week: @ Calgary

One overnight shift with no sales would raise an immediate red flag to me. I know when I worked at our hockey stadium in Calgary managers would "damage" food for the employees who couldn't afford food on their own but management stealing? I assume the store is pressing charges?

Well... it looks like a lock out might be happening.

Calgary Flames have a new GM; Brad Treliving. Apparently big into advanced stats! #corsi But on a sad note Burkie's not our GM

SO I just tried this. I was on a street and saw a sign... in Jewish. So I figured Israel. Found the next sign. Legit said Jerusalem Airport. Following it now

Would the Als pay him the money he'd require to come up? I doubt it. Pipedreams of mediocrity abound in french land.

1. Bruins: Iggy deserves a cup 2. Kings : Family Friend plays for them 16. Lightning: 2004 was a JOKE

Off to watch the Sochi Olympics again then

East Bruins over Red Wings in 7 Canadiens over Lightning in 7 Penguins over Blue Jackets in 5 Flyers over Rangers in 7 West Ducks over Stars in 6 Kings over Sharks in 5 Avs over Wild in 4 Blues over Hawks in 7

Remember when I said Johnny Gaudreau was a good player? First NHL game = First NHL goal. Flames future looks bright But then Paul Byron gets five and a game for a hit to the side. Hope D. Sedin is alright though. Sedin was in a vulnerable position.

Just picked up FTL. Wow how did I not grab this game earlier?!

Is it just me or are the Flames on more of an upswing than the Oilers? I don't watch NCAA games often but seeing Gaudreau's highlights i think he'll be a hell of a player