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H2H: Where We Stand in ‘10
by IwoCPO on 01/03/10 at 07:36 AM ET
Comments (97)
I’ve alerted Dave Bing. Oddly, he hasn’t written me back. But I felt it was my displaced civic duty to let him know that March 26th may be a date he should go ahead and circle on his Detroit calendar. No less than 50 of you will converge on Hockeytown and it just seems like a good call to let the authorities know a brouhaha may be in the making.
I’m gonna give you an update on where we stand with the Herm to Hockeytown project and this will also serve as your formal notification that H2H is no longer an A2Y-specific initiative. We now have a website in development (thanks Gabe) dedicated specifically to H2H. There’s a Twitter account created specifically for H2H. We have members of the A2Y family who have taken this project on and expanded it across multiple blogs, several community ogranizations, media outlets and the team itself.
With three months until the game, it’s time to put the pedal down.
We’re right at $2,000.00. That’s enough to get Herm to Detroit and take care of some incidentals. In other words, our original goal has been accomplished.
But now we have a chance to really have an impact. Every cent raised from this point forward is going to go straight to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, via their Wish Club and every dollar raised will help out a great and most-deserving group of kids.
We’ve had some media interest and I expect that to increase as the game gets closer. That’s the easy part. The next step is going to be the most important.
It’s now up to each of you to spread the word. Email, Twitter, Facebook, bar stool to bar stool. And if you have a Wing blog and you want the code to the donation graphic, let me know. And when you write about it, be sure and tell your readers that this isn’t just about getting a Brazilian kid to Osrt’s couch. It’s much more. It’s about taking advantage of an opportunity to help an awesome charity. Also, Wing bloggers…we’d like to point readers of the H2H site to specific write-ups about the project. So if you’ve posted about it, send me the link.
We’re going to have a raffle soon. If you have Wing memorabilia you’d like to donate to the cause, be ready. The NHL has been contacted and it looks like they’re ready to play. The folks who organize those Tweet-up deals? They’re going to promote this as well. We’re looking into a location for a meet-up on the 26th. Hockeytown Cafe is an obvious choice, but there are other options. More to come on that too.
More on media. There are things in the works. Awesome things. Trend and precedent setting things. Like The Obstructed View? You’re going to like it a lot more on 26 March. All I’m saying about that for now. You think Herm is a mild-mannered kid no one’s ever seen or heard? Stand by. That’s gonna change. Oh, and for those of you doing the heavy lifting on this? Better be ready to face the cameras and the microphones too.
The website should be up very soon. If something significant breaks prior to then, we’ll pass it along here. But like we said at the top…this has moved way beyond A2Y. It’s now an entity all its own. We’re going to talk about it here because it’s awesome. But by the time Herm touches down at Metro it’s going to be a Detroit Red Wing fan project.
There is a core group of people working this and they deserve some thanks: Jennifer MacRostie, Mike Serven, Matt Saler, Gabriel Porras, Ellen Manuszak and Brent and Tyler from the Triple Deke.
You’ve probably already donated and we’re not asking you to do so again. Now it’s communication time. Get on it.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Comments
I may just have to get twitter. Or sign up for it. Or enlist. Whatthehellever it is called. Technology marches on apace.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 07:59 AM ET
You can have mine. I wouldn’t even think of having one but I have to have it for work purposes and it drives me nuts.
On the H2H Party- pretty soon we can buy-out the JLA the way this is going.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/03/10 at 08:26 AM ET
And I need to thank Jennyquarx for talking about name tags because I actually dreamed about making 150 custom name badges with supplies I got from the scrapbooking section of the craft store. I have too many dreams that have hockey in them.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 08:34 AM ET
No, thank you, Paul - I’ll just have to get my own. 
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 08:35 AM ET
This effort has blown through AMAZING, without even slowing down. It’s building steam and approaching the city limits of fauxing INSPIRATIONAL. I’m seeing one of those oversize Ed McMahon checks being presented to the hospital representatives in front of the Gordie statue, on Red Wings LIve pregame.
Posted by dougie on 01/03/10 at 08:36 AM ET
//sigh
Red is going to be so disappointed with me.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 08:38 AM ET
I have watched this unfold over the last few weeks, and I have to say that this is the coolest thing I have ever witnessed online. This whole project is amazing. Kudos to all of you who have volunteered your time and resources to put this all together!
Posted by Forlorn in VA on 01/03/10 at 09:04 AM ET
Aw c’mon, this is only cause of Christmas and all Chief, HockeyinHD said so. 
Thanks to all who’ve been in on the organizing and behind the scenes sttuff.
This is going to be one helluva get together.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 10:14 AM ET
I had no idea this was going to be so big when I committed to showing up - now I’m getting an attack of shyness. I’m really not all that good with people. :(
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 10:16 AM ET
Awesome.
This is such a great thing to be a part of from the get-go.
And the benefit to the Wish Club, well ... just awesome.
Thanks, again to all those putting in their own time to make this happen.
L.G.R.W.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 01/03/10 at 10:42 AM ET
We now have a website in development (thanks Gabe) dedicated specifically to H2H. There’s a Twitter account created specifically for H2H. We have members of the A2Y family who have taken this project on and expanded it across multiple blogs, several community ogranizations, media outlets and the team itself.
Good, more stuff to print out and take to the visa interview.
You think Herm is a mild-mannered kid no one’s ever seen or heard? Stand by. That’s gonna change.
. 
!
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 10:43 AM ET
I’m really not all that good with people. :(
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 10:16 AM ET
You can hide behind me Ms B… or start drinking. 
I am far from shy, but the whole transition from imaginary friends to faces and names is a little “different” I will say.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 10:48 AM ET
Good, more stuff to print out and take to the visa interview.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 10:43 AM ET
T-bone, maybe you can have Chief say a few words for you via teleconference during the interview ... ah, never mind. Things might get lost in translation.
Just handle it yourself. We what to make sure your visa is approved.
Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 01/03/10 at 10:56 AM ET
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 10:48 AM ET
You have no frigging idea how close I was last February to just bailing out and calling you to give my regrets and ask for an address to mail a check to cover the cost of the ticket you got for me. No. Idea.
I have all the empathy in the world for Franzen and his anxiety in public, because I totally get it - I’m the same way, and I’ve used some of the same dodges to avoid attracting attention.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 10:43 AM ET
Great, we’ve created a Brazilian monster.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 10:59 AM ET
But by the time Herm touches down at Metro it’s going to be a Detroit Red Wing fan project.
Pure Awesome.
And somehow I’ve ended up with a celebrity on my couch. Wild. You better look like Alyonka dude. Or Fil.
Posted by Osrt on 01/03/10 at 11:14 AM ET
I’m really not all that good with people. :(
Posted by Baroque
I feel you Ms. B. A combination of bad genes, life and a propensity toward the darker side of life are my causes. I’m glad to hear you fought through it last time; I fight too, and I’m winning right now 
Oh also, we all love you. You’ll be treated like a goddess.
I hope George comes out too.
Posted by Osrt on 01/03/10 at 11:18 AM ET
I had no idea this was going to be so big when I committed to showing up - now I’m getting an attack of shyness. I’m really not all that good with people. :(
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 10:16 AM E
Just bring snakes…
Posted by mrfluffy from Long Beach on 01/03/10 at 11:24 AM ET
And somehow I’ve ended up with a celebrity on my couch. Wild. You better look like Alyonka dude. Or Fil.
Posted by Osrt on 01/03/10 at 11:14 AM ET
I’d think you’d be happy with anyone that doesn’t look like Darren Garcia, am I wrong?
Posted by clemshady from Greenwood, SC on 01/03/10 at 11:27 AM ET
Herm, whatever you need, I don’t know how the visa interview works, hit me up at jennyquarx at gmail dot com - I will provide you with whatever information you need to help you.
I see you on Twitter, Baroque. You will like it. And if you’d like to make name tags, I wasn’t kidding.
This is going to be awesome you guys.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 11:28 AM ET
the visa interview.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 10:43 AM ET
Even back 20 years when I had an office in the U.S. Embassy Kuwait that I worked out of in the afternoons getting a visa was not a certainty. I know that you know what you’re doing, just please start on that right away if you haven’t. otherwise Helm won’t have anyone to shoot at.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 01/03/10 at 11:42 AM ET
I see you on Twitter, Baroque. You will like it. And if you’d like to make name tags, I wasn’t kidding.
I don’t have the slightest clue how it works, but I’m so used to the screen name Baroque (or Baroque97 in this case - just added my favorite number to the end) that I wanted to grab it so at least no one else can take it.
I did have a vision of tags with an ice-rink patterned paper as the background, and a border in cherry red and metallic silver, maybe with a deckle edge, and the screen name and possibly state of residence in bold black font ... but I overdo things like that.
The tags I did before were for a Domino Action Weekend when I was in high school. There was no reason at all for them to be calligraphy, but just printing the names was too easy.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 11:43 AM ET
but I overdo things like that.
Meaning I wasn’t thinking a handful of Sharpie markers and a stack of “Hello my name is” stickers.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 11:46 AM ET
Haha, I was thinking stickers and sharpies, so yeah, when it gets closer, if you’d like to do that, I’ll give you the list. My husband points out that the 19 probably can’t be trusted with writing their own names on a sticker anyway.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 11:56 AM ET
I know that you know what you’re doing, just please start on that right away if you haven’t
Posted by RWBill from inside Franzen’s knee. on 01/03/10 at 11:42 AM ET
It started. My new passport is already done, but holidays are delaying the delivery. After that I’ll schedule the interview, which will take place in about a month, but all my documents are ready.
And of course, later I will contact Osrt to get adress and stuff like that. I just wonder if the fact of him being from India might come in the way of things.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 11:57 AM ET
I’m really not all that good with people. :(
Posted by Baroque
I feel you Ms. B. A combination of bad genes, life and a propensity toward the darker side of life are my causes. I’m glad to hear you fought through it last time; I fight too, and I’m winning right now grin
Oh also, we all love you. You’ll be treated like a goddess.
I hope George comes out too.
Posted by Osrt on 01/03/10 at 11:18 AM ET
If there is one saving grace to the whole internet it’s places like this and projects like H2H where even the shy, the socially awkward, and the flat-out misanthropic can get together without having to feel like such outsiders.
Of course, that also means it’s a place for furries to get together; but if old sitcom theme songs taught me anything it’s that taking the good and the bad is all part of the facts of life.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/03/10 at 11:58 AM ET
I may just have to get twitter. Or sign up for it. Or enlist. Whatthehellever it is called. Technology marches on apace.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 07:59 AM ETYou can have mine. I wouldn’t even think of having one but I have to have it for work purposes and it drives me nuts.
Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/03/10 at 08:26 AM ET
I started sending “tweets” on the way to and from Stockholm just to keep my 2 daughters updated, by the time I came back there were several dozen of you receiving my random observations. That was cool b/c I was doing something unusual so I hope it was a little interesting.
I vowed not to tweet since the day I’ve returned because I’m not doing anything unusual or noteworthy that I would burden somebody else to read.
I opted to receive tweets direct to my phone as txts during the SC playoffs but cancelled that service after hockey season.
A good application every day? Your DOT should have a tweet service to immediately advise you of traffic snarls or delays.
A mindless application every day? My daughter receives tweets from several dozen singers and actors. Blecch.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 01/03/10 at 11:58 AM ET
Ah, why the hell not - it will give me an opportunity to indulge my artistic instincts. Anything to avoid the boring conformity and stickiness of the same stickers everyone else has for every other convention.
I’ll do the personalized name tags for this wacky group.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:00 PM ET
I’m a twitter crackhead but it makes being a hockey fan even more fun and made me a lot of fake friends. And it has come in super handy in the H2H project.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 12:01 PM ET
I’ll do the personalized name tags for this wacky group.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:00 PM ET
This is official. You are now in charge of this.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 12:02 PM ET
A good application every day? Your DOT should have a tweet service to immediately advise you of traffic snarls or delays.
Weather alerts would be a great idea, too.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:03 PM ET
I am far from shy, but the whole transition from imaginary friends to faces and names is a little “different” I will say.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 10:48 AM ET
I used to feel this way, but I’ve been meeting up with total strangers from music lists for well over a decade. It makes the experience ten times better.
Once, I picked up some online friends, a couple from Seattle, when they flew into Raleigh, and put them up in my crummy house for a couple of nights.
It turns out they were one of the first wave of Microsoft retirees(in their 30’s), and when I went to Seattle the next year , I had an entire wing of his house to myself for several days. They took me to Vancouver and Whistler, treated me like visiting royalty.
All because of an internet fanbase get together.
Posted by dougie on 01/03/10 at 12:05 PM ET
In charge. Yay.
I’m thinking right now that the largest print should be screen names for the regular commenters, since that is how we know each other - real names on the back, maybe, unless someone wants them on the front instead.
As if I needed an excuse to hit the craft store for supplies. I’m just an unprincipled art supply slut.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:06 PM ET
Sounds good. Whatever you want to do, it’s your project now!
I’ll get you a list of who is for sure coming in the next couple of days, but we’re around 60 right now.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 12:12 PM ET
the whole transition from imaginary friends to faces and names is a little “different” I will say.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 10:48 AM ET
true true a little weird, but Andrew AA is exactly like I thought he would be, only shorter, but he had gone out of his way to tell us who he is and never hides anything here.
I had played xbox online with a dozen or so guys who are, “more mature”, than what you think of the average online gamer to be, guys with families and/or full time jobs. We would spend a couple of hours most nights a week after the kids were in bed racing cars or shooting each other online, ending up playing UNO or Poker on xbox online having a nightcap or BSing much of the time.
We met face to face a couple of years in a row, including one guy flying in from Stockholm. Everyone was exactly as we knew them online, except it was weird hearing their real names instead of Fury or Tobinator. It was surprisingly comfortable as we had spent hundreds of hours already talking and joking with each other. We knew who had a short fuse, who made smart ass remarks (me), etc… and it was the same in person. Of course on xboxlive you ARE actually talking live, not typing remarks, but few of us hide anything here.
This is similar to the Christmas emails we’ve just seen with real names.
...sigh… I’m not really a stalking perv, however, so disregard everything I just said.
Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 01/03/10 at 12:13 PM ET
Glad it’s so many - it makes it easier to justify buying things with quantity discounts.
Now to start on a couple of prototype ideas so they won’t look like grade-school crayoned crap.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:17 PM ET
Three of my best IRL friends are former fake friends I met from a site I administer (for moms). The transition is surprisingly easy, and totally wonderful in my experience.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 12:17 PM ET
I’m thinking right now that the largest print should be screen names for the regular commenters, since that is how we know each other - real names on the back, maybe, unless someone wants them on the front instead.
Am I Guilherme or Herm?
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 12:17 PM ET
Am I Guilherme or Herm?
Posted by Guilherme from Brazsil on 01/03/10 at 12:17 PM ET
Whatever you desire. It’s your name tag.
I was thinking Guilherme, though.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:20 PM ET
I’m thinking you need two, because the project is Herm to Hockeytown. Or Guilherme with “Herm” ?
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 12:22 PM ET
I’ve met up with a few friends from a film site I’ve frequented for a couple of years. I only called one by his real name and that’s because his real name is also his screen name. They’re a great group, not too dissimilar from the 19. The jokes are a little more crass, but not by much. I’ll tell you, for a bunch of puerile degenerates, they’re some of the smartest people I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. The same is true with this group.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/03/10 at 12:27 PM ET
Probably Guilherme in the main font, and “Herm” below it slightly smaller so it’s clear that it is a nickname.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:31 PM ET
I’d like to throw a name tag suggestion out there: Lanyards rather than pins.
I know I won’t want to pin anything through whatever jersey I wear that night, not sure if others are as protective of their gamewear as I am.
I’d have to imagine that raises the cost a bit, I might be able to contribute there.
Or if I’m the only one worried about it I can bring my own and you can all do whatever you want.
Posted by DetroitHockey on 01/03/10 at 12:40 PM ET
Nothing deragartory meant by my “different’ comment, just could find the right word I guess. I’ve met a few of the 19 and some of them more than once now and willingly volunteering to meet a bunch more…. I’ll let that speak for itself.
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/03/10 at 12:42 PM ET
Lanyards rather than pins.
That decision was already made by me.
Nothing I despise more than having to figure out where to poke an amazingly dull pin through any item of clothing, especially if you are trying to figure out how to keep it out of the way of a purse or briefcase strap, especially if it comes unfastened because the pins are cheap crap and then you have to excuse yourself in the middle of a lecture to go to the bathroom and yank your blouse up to get the damn thing fastened properly, and then do the same thing with another two tops because it’s a multi-day conference.
No poking and no sticking will be required, just looping over the head so it won’t interfere with jerseys, coats, it doesn’t matter if you have a pullover or zip up sweatshirt on, and it won’t get in the way of anyone’s purse strap - and don’t worry about the expense - donate your dollars to the kids instead.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 12:46 PM ET
Any decision yet on which tattoo parlor we are taking Herm to?
I am thinking classic winged wheel on a body part of his choice. 
Posted by mserven from warmer than where you are, Arizona on 01/03/10 at 12:55 PM ET
Any decision yet on which tattoo parlor we are taking Herm to?
I am thinking classic winged wheel on a body part of his choice.
Posted by mserven from warmer than where you are, Arizona on 01/03/10 at 12:55 PM ET
If we do this, I’m saving up extra money for that cause.
Also, maybe they’d do group discounts. Just sayin’.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 01:17 PM ET
I finally sent in my donation! My funds are limited, but there is no end to hastily produced photoshops I will manufacture for the cause.
JPEG-resizing victim Helm as Speed Racer, with robbery—er, sampling of WingsFaninBeanland’s H2H sign.
Posted by Lola from down by the bay on 01/03/10 at 01:34 PM ET
//sigh
Red is going to be so disappointed with me.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 08:38 AM ET
Lucky for you, the gaming thing from last night inflated your point total.
This is turning into an incredibly awesome thing. I just hope I can make it up there in March…
Posted by RedMenace from the darkest recesses on 01/03/10 at 01:35 PM ET
This post is something of a neurotic gold mine…I love it.
Now to start on a couple of prototype ideas so they won’t look like grade-school crayoned crap.
You don’t need to worry, B…there would be something oddly fitting about the 19 wearing nametags that look like they were made by a drunken 3rd grader. In fact, I say forget the names and just draw everyone’s avatar using finger paints. That would be awesome.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/03/10 at 01:38 PM ET
but there is no end to hastily produced photoshops I will manufacture for the cause.
I believe that is a talent we may be looking for as well. I will let you know if/when it comes up.
Posted by jennyquarx on 01/03/10 at 01:42 PM ET
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Cameras and microphones?
Thank god I’m not one of the heavy lifters - you would see tenseness and stage fright and nervous babbling like you would not believe!
(Especially the nervous babbling - I talk pretty quickly normally, when I’m nervous I’m even quicker.)
I may just have to get twitter. Or sign up for it. Or enlist. Whatthehellever it is called. Technology marches on apace.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/03/10 at 07:59 AM ET