In our duties as committee members (myself - secretary; Sam - webmaster) for the Brisbane Blue Tongues Supporters Club for our local ice hockey team in the Australian Ice Hockey League, we have to come up with, arrange, attend and document club activities.

Today is the Club’s first annual event - Blue Tongues Barefoot Bowls Day.

Jad, our vice president, works as the greenkeeper at a Bowls Club here in Brisbane, and therefore it was pretty much a given that one of the events for the year to encourage new members to the club, introduce players to the fans and generate some interest in our beloved ice hockey team, would be a Barefoot Bowls Day. Thanks to the movie Crackerjack, barefoot bowls has become a favourite event for clubs, and groups to participate in, enjoy some social time, raise some money, have a ton of fun and get tanked on beer at 1970s prices!

It should be a good day. We have about 30 fans coming and there’s also about 5 or 6 players and their families. The roster for this season has yet to be finalised, our imports won’t be in Australia until the first game and our captain is currently in Canada! Hopefully it will be a success though. What with prizes, and raffles, and well alcohol, it should make for a fun and interesting day.

I’m not sure I’m going though - as I have the flu. But we’ll see how I am when it’s time to leave.

Well…. the dream is over. We are back in Australia and to normality. Well… reality at least.

We’ve yet to unpack though!

Today the Stars are playing the Sharks at home, so we’re going to hang out until the game is over - listen to Ralph and Razor (Oh happy day!! R&R back again!) and then head over to Chermside to get three or four very important photos printed out and framed. Then a spot of grocery shopping as we are in desperate need of food, and home to *gulp* unpack. I have no idea where we’re going to put all our new memorabilia, but I’m sure we’ll find somewhere.

In the meantime, we had a long flight from LA to Brisbane - which we both managed to sleep through thankfully. Sam is now officially over his fear of flying as he slept through turbulance, something he couldn’t do on the flight to the US. We even got hot towels to “refresh us” before we landed. I thought that was only first class. Apprarently those in the cattle station get them as well as those in the luxury seats.

We miss everyone in Dallas terribly. Please stay in touch and don’t forget us! We’ll be back next season, we promise! And we can initiate you to the AIHL and keep you up to date with our hockey during the summer months. A small consolation, I’m sure.

Take care all and thanks for reading about our journey to Dallas. The trip of a lifetime has finally come to an end. But keep checking back as we recount the Blue Tongues second season!

~ Wendy.

Stars had their first shootout loss last night against Anaheim. *Shakes head* The ice was bad, the puck was bouncing, the boys were flat and Zubie was out. The good news? Janne Niinimaa had a great game!

Val from the Unboards kindly hosted a farewell/watching party at her place. It was great to get to say goodbye to everyone and to be able to watch the game with friends - not just Stars fans but real mates. Because that’s what our friends from the Stars forums have become. Mates. And we had such fun with all of them. They’ve given us so much, in terms of time, gifts, experiences, laughs and memories.

It was so sad to leave. When Val, Nathan, Rhonda, Jesse and Jen drove off and left us at the hotel, we both just stood there on the steps of the hotel at 2am and cried. It didn’t matter that we had to be up at 4.30am to get to the airport to catch our 7.40am flight. Anyway, we got there on time, and made our flight. We spoke to a lovely lady at the American Airlines counter that was very helpful.

Going through the security at DFW was interesting. They scan you and then make you stand in this enclosed cubicle which blows puffs of air at you, sending your clothes flying everywhere. It was certainly an experience. They didn’t do that at San Diego, but we had to take everything out of our pockets, and even take off our shoes. Normallly it’s just the laptop that gets scanned separately but the video camera had to be a well. Very, very weird.

LAX is just a monster of a place. We got a little lost but security helped us find our way. We were acosted by Indian Monks who gave us two books, and asked for a donation. We gave ‘em $5 but left the books in a corner somewhere. We’re not taking any chances through customs.

So… this is definitely the last post until we get back to Australia. Take care everyone. To those in Dallas - we miss you so much already!! GO STARS!!!! Here’s to kicking the Kings butts!! To those back home - we’ll see you soon.

~ Wendy

Today was the final chance to see the Stars on the ice. Since they don’t play again until Friday night, they had an optional practice today. Only half the team actually got on the ice for a skate. The rest did either weights or rehab or other training and then others, like Mike, didn’t come in at all until later. It was still good to see those that were on the ice out there. To my credit, I didn’t cry this time.

We met up with OldMike from the Stars forum and chatted to him through practice and then went to line up for autographs. We had three still to get to make our jersey complete - Sergei Zubov, Janne Niinimaa and Jeremy Stevenson. Unfortunately, Jeremy had already left when we went out to line up but Zubie came out the door and signed our jersey - he’s not one for much fanfare and hates being in the spotlight so signing autographs isn’t his favourite thing in the world. But he did and for that we are grateful. Jason, one of the staff for the Stars, did us a favour and got Janne Niinimaa to sign our jersey for us by taking it into the locker room - Janne isn’t exactly the most fan-friendly teammember, so it was great of Jason to do that for us. It’s a shame that we missed Stevenson but since Tjarnqvist was brought up from the Minors and both he and Billy Guerin signed our jersey, we actually have a full roster on there without Jeremy’s john hancock on there anyway. We even have Tippett too!

With our jersey completed, we just said goodbye to the guys as they left, or hello as the case was for Mike when he came in late, before heading off to get some lunch. We stopped by to say goodbye to Rob but he wasn’t in his office. After lunch we dropped back in and Rob was there so we said goodbye and thank you for everything, to which he nonchallantly shrugged and pretty much said “No problem, just get back here next season!”

We shall indeed try.

This afternoon, we went to a hockey store but they had no wheels for inline skates. We’ll check out another one tomorrow after we go to UPS to mail some of our gear back to Australia. Then it’s back to the hotel to check out, check into Motel 6 for our final night, return the car, and prepare for our watching/going away party at Michelle and Nathan’s house.

Tonight though, we’re going to Reunion Tower to check out the view, then meeting Chris back at our hotel before the three of us are heading to Rhonda’s for Chinese and Hockey!! It should be a blast.

I probably won’t be able to post on here again until we get home so to all of our friends here in Dallas - Rhonda, Jesse, Chris, Michelle, Nathan, Jen, Karin, Cindi, Zack, Andrea, Dave, Kelly, Sparky, Kel, Matt, Jeff (though I know you’re actually in Florida), Julie, Clay, Harold, Heather, Mike and Leni - thank you so much for bringing so much fun and laughter to our trip. We have had an absolute blast here in Dallas, so much so that we wish we didn’t have to go and leave you all. To anyone I’ve missed out - I’m sorry but the above goes for you too.

To Rob, Jason, Mark and the guys at the Stars - THANK YOU SO MUCH! You’ve given so much to us, in what you call a day’s work - to us it helped make a dream come true all that much more special. Thanks guys. I hope we see you again next season!

To Ralph and Razor - Keep it up boys. We love you so much! You’re our link to Stars hockey and we have missed listening to your call of the game. Here’s to the rest of the season and a good playoff run to the Stanley Cup - oh and Ralph, you’re right. The steak fajitas at Papasitos are fabulous! Thank you for being patient with us. Thanks for your candor and your assistance. Really, you guys are heroes to us. Thank you.

To the Stars players - thank you guys so much. Mike and Jere, you were so generous to us. Thank you for your time, your patience and your candor. The photos will be treasured. To the rest of the team - GOOD LUCK BOYS!! We’ll be following you through the playoffs. Stay strong, play with pride, honour, courage and faith. We know you can make it to the podium to hold that Cup high. GO STARS!

And to everyone at home… I hope you’ve enjoyed following our journey as much as we’ve had taking it. See you next week.

~ Wendy.

In the morning, we hung around the hotel, did some laundry and watched television. At 1.20pm we left for Garland, a little city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to watch our friend Rhonda’s theatre class perform in the UIL Competition - it’s a tournament where schools compete against each other by performing one act of a play - each performing a different play. In this round robin, Rhonda’s school, Lakeview, were performing a scene from the play The Sins of Sor Juana by Karen Zacarías. The two other schools performed two different plays - one was 1984 by Orson Wells and the other was about the Holocaust but I can’t remember what it was called. Anyway after the plays, the awards were given out and the critique was given. The two best performances advanced to the next round, meaning they are to compete again on Friday in another round robin type of performance.

Lakeview was definitely the best performance in our opinion - not that we’re biased! But they did advance, thankfully, and they even won the award for best actor as well! Rhonda’s kids wanted to meet us, so they came over between school two and three’s performances to “hear our accents”. We ended up chatting to one of the parents for ages, but due to the Ducks game we had to leave at 5pm to get to Jesse’s house by 6pm.

We made it and got to the AAC by about 6.30pm. Sam and I headed for the WBAP booth to say goodbye to Ralph and Razor. Only Razor was there so we said our goodbyes to him, and that we’d come back to see Ralph. We got some dinner - chips and a burger - and then headed back to section 106 to see Ralph. We briefly said thanks and our goodbyes, and he said to come back for the Playoffs! Then he said seriously that he hopes we can make it back next year and he’ll save us a seat! I love those guys! We wished him luck with the call and headed off to find our seats.

We watched warm ups and took a few photos, but mainly just spent our time soaking up the atmosphere. Ian, our ticket rep, came down when they were announcing the team and they were skating out to start the game to tell us to meet him outside the Old No 7 and he’d take us down to the tunnel to watch the guys come out for the second. Sam said we’d already done it and yes, I smacked him and said to shut up! The guys in the row behind us joked with Ian that they were with us. Ian laughed, but said to us that it was okay, we could do it again. We thanked him and said we’d be there waiting for him.

I cried when the national anthem played. Seriously, it’s not my anthem, and it doesn’t normally bring me to tears to hear the Star Spangled Banner but there’s just something about the anthem being sung at the AAC - and the 18000 voices calling out “STARS!” twice when it appears in the song, that just moves you - at least as a Stars fan. And knowing that it was the last time I was going to be able to yell it out loud just made me really sad.

It was a tough and physical game. The Ducks are fighting to remain in the top 8 for the Western Conference, and they’re currently sitting in 6th position in the table with 86 points. They’re tied with Vancouver on 86 pts in 7th and only two points ahead of Edmonton on 84 pts. They are literally fighting to stay in the playoffs, as the Northwest and Pacific divisions are so close. The first ended scoreless, and we went down to watch the guys come out with Ian, Tatjana and Jen I think her name was, who works for the Stars. We were given a lecture - “Don’t talk to the players unless they talk to you, and don’t touch them. No photos.” Boy. Like we’d want to do any of that anyway! You’d be messing with their mojo and you don’t want any part of that! The guys came out, and only Robidas smiled when he saw us - though I think it was more for Tatjana than us as she had come from Germany just to see him play and he appreciated that. They had had some good conversations when they’d met up in the autograph lines at Frisco.

The guys were definitely “in the zone” when they came out though, which was great to see. As usual, Jason Arnott, Mike Modano and Sergei Zubov were the last three in that order. Mike said something to Jason as they walked out but all of them ignored us. I was pretty happy about that - it meant that we weren’t distracting for them. We thanked Ian and Jen, and then headed back up to our seats to enjoy the rest of our final game.

Zubie scored first, 7.37 into the second on a wonderful wrist shot if I recall correctly, assisted by Mike Modano and Jason Arnott. Anaheim hit back less than a minute later, but we weren’t done yet. 17.05 into the second, Niko Kapanen got a sweet tip on a slapshot from Antti Miettinen, passed to him by Mike Modano. The Stars were up 2-1 at the end of the second. I was ecstatic as Mike had had an assist on both Stars goals.

When the third started, so did my tears. It was hitting me that this was the last game - the last time I’d hear Pantera play as the boys came out onto the ice. The last time I’d hear JeffK announce another Stars Powerplay! The last time I’d hear Bill Ollerman announce “Here are your…Dallas… STARS!” and the last time I’d hear Rock N Roll II play after a goal, with the entire crowd punching the air and screaming out “HEY!” at the appropriate time. There’d be no more cheering for a guy going to the box on the opposition, or booing the refs for a bad call. No more chanting “MARTY!” on a great save, or just sitting in the arena and soaking up the atmosphere. There’s no more bugging Ralph (for which I’m sure he’ll be grateful!) or Rob … No more chilli fries or hotdogs. There’s no more ringing ears from pucks smashing the glass, or pucks flying into the crowd. There would be no more fights, no more checks, and no more live Stars hockey.

By the time the game, and all the fights in the third, were over, I had tears streaming down my face. We waited for the arena to empty and then walked down to the glass and picked up a few of the programs that had been left behind. Sam took a few more photos of the empty arena, and then of me standing there. The usher that was walking up the stairs looked at me a little funny so we explained that this was our last game and we were flying back to Australia on Saturday and we didn’t know if we’d ever come back again. I said I knew I was being silly but I couldn’t help it. I love my Stars and I’m going to miss them so much.

But I’ve had the time of my life - and all good things must come to an end.

~ Wendy

We got up at 8am, and prepared for the early practice at Frisco. The boys were on the ice by 10.45am, so they were out early today. We got some great photos and even took some video footage - which we’re not posting online sorry guys - it’s for our personal usage only. We lined up to get the guys we’d missed on our jersey, and were there for a couple of hours. We were surprised that Zubie and Mike both came out the front. Mike signed a player card for me, which was nice. I’m not sure if he remembered me or not, but that’s okay. I have my memories and that’s all that matters. He was still pleasant, but I could see that he really didn’t want to be doing the line. He just wanted to go home. The guys had worked hard on the ice today.

Jere also came out and signed a rookie card for Sam and we got the elusive photo of Sam with his idol - I actually said to Jere, “If we don’t get one, I’ll never hear the end of it!” He just laughed. They smiled and posed, and thankfully I didn’t cut anyone’s head off otherwise I truly would not have heard the end of it all. Jere was truly a gentleman and a very sweet man. Completely underrated as a player as well. He certainly deserves more attention and credit than he receives!

Billy came out and walked the line too which was great. I think I surprised him, I certainly didn’t mean to, but when he came out, I exclaimed, “Billy!” like it was a surprise to see him, which it was, and he kindly signed my jersey. I also got Niklas Hagman, Dave Tippett (thanks to Mark in the PR department who went into the locker room to get it for me) and Mattias Tjarnqvist, and Willie Mitchell. Zubie came out with his hands full, said he’d come back but didn’t - bit of a disappointment - and both Jeremy Stevenson and Janne Niinimaa didn’t bother walking the line they just ducked out the front door. Jeremy I can understand - he had his son with him. Janne was just rude. A shame. So now we have 21 of the 24 we wanted. We saw Rob, and gave him an Aussie gift pack (complete with stuffed Kangaroo, shot glass, keyring [I said to him, “Everyone needs and Australian Keyring!” which made him laugh because I’d said that to Mike.], Caramello Koala, Violet Crumble and of course an Arnott’s Tim Tam. We told Rob that he had to get the team to start calling Jason “Tim Tam” and how we’d given Jason a box and told him that it was our nickname for him). He was like, “You didn’t have to do that!” and I said, “You’ve done so much for us. Now it might not be much in your eyes, but seriously we really appreciate it. This is a token of our appreciation.”

Anyway he went back to work and we continued to wait in the line. After we got Willie, we were done, so we walked to the car to go and get some lunch and Rob was outside for whatever reason. He called out to us and we wandered over and started chatting, and he invited us in and gave us more things to take home - a couple of t-shirts, some pucks, a mini stanley cup, a couple of Mike Posters, two hockey news magazines he’d read, three Stars lanyons, a Stars Russian Doll set, two hats…. and we sat around and talked to the guys in the PR department. Seriously, those guys are just the best. I ended up saying, “Guys, just go clean out your offices. Whatever you don’t want, we’ll take off you!” Rob also gave me an Andy Moog players card, and an autographed pennant by Moog too. He’s now our Goaltending coach, but used to be the Stars Goalie back in the 90s.

I can’t believe there’s only one game left before it’s all over! That makes me so sad. Even Rob commented that I looked a little depressed this afternoon, and I admitted that I got teary watching practice knowing that it was all coming to an end. I don’t want to go back to a lockout. I know what having access to hockey is like now and … man I tell you - you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I seriously hope that everyone who has NHL hockey appreciates having access to it. Because it’s no freaking fun living so far away and without any access to it. It sucks. Big time!

Now, we’re at Dunn Bros Coffee, and tonight we’re off to Pappasitos for dinner with friends, on Ralph Strangis’ recommendation - apparently the Steak Fajitas are to die for. I’m hoping Chris can make it by then. He’s working late tonight but should be able to meet up at some point tonight. Rhonda is joining us for dinner, and I’m hoping that Jesse will be too. I love hanging out with them. They’re a ton of fun and always make me laugh. I’m going to miss them so much!

I love my friends here. I love Dallas. I love Texas. I love Stars Hockey.

And for once, I’m actually dreading going home.

~ Wendy

We got up at the ungodly hour of 5am, and were unbelieveably on the road to San An by 6am. Filling up with petrol, we then headed on I-35 South all the way to San An. Well… I fell alseep. I was still recovering from my flu… which I’ve now passed on to Sam and apparently Amber I so found out.

We got lost looking for Boerne, Amber’s town. It wouldn’t be us if we didn’t get lost! Anyway Amber drove up to the petrol station (or as they say here in Texas, the gas station) and we followed her back to her parents house. It was a gorgeous ranch style house, on a large plot of land. Amber has her own apartment attached to the main house, with her own lounge, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. Her older sister Maegan, and her daughter, live in a two-bedroom apartment about 15-20 meters behind the main house, and her younder sister Dielle lives in the pool house which has also been converted to an apartment. It’s a fantastic set up. They’re renovating the house, and it’s just beautiful. I loved it.

They have a menagerie of animals, about 4 dogs of all shapes and sizes, four cats, fish, and I’m sure there were more but I can’t remember. The three of us went to lunch at Martha’s, which was - according to Amber - an authentic Mexican restaurant. The salsa is to die for - and free with corn chips they make themselves. We got fajitas which were brilliant, and Amber ended up taking a doggie bag. Then back to her place to watch a few episodes of Buffy (we’re all big fans) before meeting Amber’s Mum, and her sister Dielle, and her neice Desi. Then came Maegan, and then Dielle’s best friend Jenna and her husband came over for dinner and then Amber’s Dad came home. We had homemade fried chicken, peas n corn and mashed potatoes for dinner. It was delicious. We sat around the dinner table and talked for hours before Sam and I had to leave at 9pm. We gave everyone hugs - and left a tube of Vegemite with Amber’s mum to use in her gravy.

During the drive home, we got pulled over by a state trooper in Austin. We didn’t see the speed limit had changed, and got clocked doing 72 mph in a 60 zone. Aparently the limit drops by 5 at night. Anyway the Trooper was really nice, and since we did everything right (turned off the car, stayed in it with our seatbelts on and Sam’s license and the car’s pink slips ready), he let us off with a warning. I think he realised that we weren’t used to the signage here. He even had a little chat to us and said he’d never seen an international drivers’ license before. We said we’d never seen an American one before, so he pulled out his license and showed us! We even had a brief discussion on flights and travel times and stuff. Anyway he said to be careful on the road and to keep our eyes on the signs to make sure we’re at the right speed. We thanked him and then Sam turned the car on and drove us off…. without the headlights on. *Palmsmack*

We got home in one piece at 2am.

~ Wendy