Mason meets Hockey

So about three weeks ago on a Friday night, Jamey told Mason the legend of Gnash, the mascot of the Nashville Predators.*  That first night the story was told 2 maybe 3 times.

The next day the story must have had 8 to 10 retellings and since then Mason has become a huge fan of the saber tooth tiger and his online videos.  We have watched the online videos from in game entertainment, Gnash on game day, fan videos on YouTube over and over.

Through Jamey's hitherto unmentioned involvement in Leadership Sumner and a friendship has grown with David S., a Predators Season Ticket Holder since Day 1.  On January 29th, Jamey mentioned to David how Mason's fascination continues and David invited Mason and Jamey to attend the February 2nd game against the Calgary Flames.  The weekend involved a search for Mason's first "Gnash shirt" and a Monday morning revelation of the Tuesday invitation!

Mason's new Preds jersey and pants became his show and tell focus at school on Tuesday and in a driving rain storm after work and school, Jamey and Mason headed to the Bridgestone Arena, affectionately known locally as Smashville.

After watching the pregame from the lower bowl, David led Mason and Jamey to an ideal intersection to meet Gnash.  Following a coincidental and very low key pass by from Vince Gill, Mason got his moment!

Mason meets Gnash

After the encounter with the fanged one David, Mason and Jamey found their way to seats it the upper bowl and Mason loved his first hockey game.

From his perspective, he clearly knew that the guys in blue shirts were Gnash's friends and the guys in white shirts were the "bad guys," though he occasionally cheered for action more than for the home team.

Mason got into the home team GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL celebration (with a premature, soccer style shirt raising).

Mason wasn't ready to leave with 10 minutes left in the 3rd period and a 2-2 tie on the ice, but Jamey had the keys and the watch.  The Preds ended up losing in a shoot out, but Mason's first game was a great hit.  Our own season tickets are years off, but we'll be back to Smashville for sure!

*Read the official version here: Nashville Predators: About Gnash

My Review of Verona Cabinet Desk

Originally submitted at Cost Plus World Market

Complete your Italian countryside decorating scheme with this ever-so-clever Verona Cabinet Desk. A pullout desk and two drawers - one for desk supplies and the other perfectly-sized for file folders - tuck away behind a door adorned with the "X" detail for which our popular Verona Collec...

Verona Cabinet Desk

Great look, managable assembly

By Built over Lunch from Gallatin, TN on 2/3/2011

4out of 5

Pros: Sturdy Construction, Space Saver, Attractive Design, Easy To Move
Cons: Doors Don't line up, Drawer Catches
Best Uses: KitchenLiving Room
Describe Yourself: Budget Shopper
Primary use: Personal

We are very pleased with the sturdy components and the color of the finish. The size is just right for us to use as a public area desk in our house and double as a buffet for the dining room table. Assembly was mostly straightforward. I was able to complete most of the work on my lunch hour with final assembly in about 10 minutes after work.

The part that I had to complete later was the installation of the keyboard drawer. To complete Step 12 (of 14), I ended up pulling the middle and front bolts from Step 7 back out, leaving the rear bolts in place. Then I could raise the top like a hinge to slide the drawer into place, lower the top, and replace the middle and front and tighten all bolts down – in tight space. Like other reports, I do have some trouble with the inside supply drawer sticking.

I used a flexible ratchet driver with a #2 Phillips and 5/32 hex bit instead of the included Allen wrench. No power tools necessary. I would also recommend not doing the final tighten on bolts for the outside frame until all assembly is complete. To make that easier save the installation of the feet (Step 4) for last.

It has only been in place about six hours, but we are looking forward to using this desk.

(legalese)