During my foray into roller hockey I acquired at least two puck-shaped bruises on my shins, despite my protective gear. So when I winced as I read the N.Y. Times article about NHL players blocking shots, it was from a small amount of actual experience. It’s become commonplace for all players, not just goalies, to hurl themselves in front of shots in a tactic “built on bravery and strategy, calculated risk and not a small slice of insanity.” Compare the full head mask, leg pads, chest protectors, and wide gloves worn by the goalies to the protective gear of the other players if you want to fully consider the dangers of this trend. Martin Strata, a Rangers forward (for you non-hockey folks that means he’s supposed to be making shots, not blocking them), broke his finger throwing himself in front of the puck in October and was out for a month. No one ever said hockey was a game for whimps.

Turkeys “May” and “Flower” were pardoned on Tuesday by President Bush and then flown to Florida for the customary parade grand marshal duties at Disney World.

This year’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree grew up in Shelton, Connecticut (another tree contribution from my home state!) and I found a nice view of it in its original location on maps.live.com (here on flickr). The Norway Spruce was cut down by hand this year, no power saws, and it will be lit with LEDs as part of an initiative to keep the Rockefeller Center celebrations more “green” this year. After its service, the tree will be made into lumber and used by Habitat for Humanity.

Seattle foodies shouldn’t miss this interesting history of the local fine dining establishments and how many restaurant roots go back to the early 1980s pioneers such as Settebello and Campagne.

It costs $415 to take Driver’s Education in the Seattle public school district, and prices are similarly high in neighboring areas. Private driving schools offer perk-filled classes (door-to-door service, snacks & drinks, even a Mercedes-Benz C230) with steeper fees. A quick web search shows fees across the country at $165, $225, $350, with some districts opting out of offering classes after state funding was reduced.

Want to watch video of the New Frontier Hotel & Casino implosion that took place on Tuesday in Vegas? Sure you do!

In the year since the Bellevue, WA crane collapse that killed Microsoft employee Matthew Ammon the following has taken place: $14,800 in fines were imposed on two companies involved in the building’s construction; they are appealing the fines. Ammon’s parents filed a lawsuit against the same two companies. Licensing for crane operators and certification for crane installations will be required statewide in 2010. Three cranes in Bellevue were found to have structural problems; one was taken down, the others repaired. Two cranes at Microsoft in Redmond were also shut down.

Eurostar has launched its new high-speed link between London and Paris, scheduled at two hours and 15 minutes. The train leaves from St. Pancras arriving at Gare du Nord, and the inaugural trip, while not affected directly by the Paris transit strike, did leave some passengers struggling for options to get to their final destinations after arrival. St. Pancras underwent a $1.7 billion restoration, bringing shiny steel and glass back to its Gothic architecture. Retailers and restaurants will also be opening in the station which Eurostar boasts as having “the longest Champagne bar in Europe” at 330 feet.

It’s white truffle season, and a particularly expensive one. At Pike Place Market $4,000 will get you a pound of these famous fungi from Alba, Italy. Even with significant surcharges, local restaurants aren’t expecting much profit from adding the pricey shavings to their dishes. Black truffles are a little more affordable, $740 per pound at one purveyor. But perhaps you’d rather try to find a local truffle and save yourself a bundle.

Kiddie Records celebrates “the golden age of children’s records.” The site contains a treasure trove of mp3s taken from the classic records of the 1940’s and 50’s. Hollywood names of the time provide narration. It’s a splendid collection. (thanks 13s!)