pavel is now up there with evgeni in prettiest russian names
...but Zhenya is a much better diminutive than Pasha.

If anyone's interested, here's an interview with Ovie after he got back to Moscow, translated by the wonderful Dmitry Chesnokov, and it absolutely breaks my fucking heart. It makes me want to weep over the playoffs (something which, surprisingly, I have not done). I like the idea that all the Russians (sans Ovechkin) are chilling in Miami, though.

Blackhawks won tonight, essentially holding serve; score is now 2-1 Detroit. I'm predicting a Detroit win, but I want a 'Hawks win. They're the most attractive team in the Western Conference. Kaner seems kinda sluggish though. Toews was looking good, better than Kane, but not as good as in last game (when he had two goals). Both were kept off the scoreboard tonight though. Khabibulin was pulled for (hip, hip) Huet, and the 'Hawks won less than two minutes into overtime. Not as impressive as the 12 second vic against the Flames though, sorry guys.

Canes and Pens play tomorrow, Pens up 2-0 but they take it to Raleigh. It's difficult to imagine home fans being a big deal in Carolina, but these Canes already have a Stanley Cup ring to stuff in at least one ear from '06 so maybe they do make a difference. Go Canes, I hate the Pens more than I thought I would.

And finally, the Bears are beating the baby Bears 2-1, splitting sets in Hershey and now breaking with 1 in Providence. Isn't great how applicable tennis metaphors are in hockey? Anyway, if the Peebs force a game 6 and kick it back to Hershey, I'm going, Dan's going, and SO ARE YOU. LET'S GET PUMPED FOR MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! (Actually that noise will certainly be present at the RBC Center in Raleigh thanks to the Canes' number one fan, the Nature Boy, Ric Flair!)

In non-hockey news, I've applied at Gamestop, Puma, and Ann Taylor (the latter two at the outlet mall). I still need to apply online for Old Navy and Adidas, although six years of German means I pronounce that correctly, and by correctly I mean AH-di-das, not A-DI-das which I'm sure would not go over well. Obvs Gamestop is my first choice but they're not actually actively hiring, but since I have basically the most flexible hours ever I've still got a shot. Puma would be nice because I actually enjoy wearing their things; I believe my Puma sweatpants went far too long without washing during exam season. But hey, a job's a job.

I've also started accounting classes. I find the subject oddly soothing and I'm kind of enjoying myself, which fills me with the quiet dread that I was actually meant to be an accountant, a fear I've had since middle school. But because it's so easy and I finish quickly, I have plenty of time to write, and I'm considering an infodump entry. Just so when I talk about Val and Tay and Basti you don't think I have a secret family.

Man, I'm so not looking forward to Red Wing-Penguin finals. :/