Carolina to begin 2010-11 season in Finland

[brindyfan]

I need a serious kick in the @$$ to get going. You would think I still had weeks left instead of days. :crazy:

[ButtersSaysNo]

Good lord people. I once was given less than 4 days notice that I was going overseas with no clue of when I was coming back, that was a frickin whirlwind trying to get everything taken care of I could possibly think of in regards to mail, bills, etc.

You all are going away for about a week and have had months to prepare, enough with the getting ready drama. ;):spin::laugh:

[livinthedream]

More must reads from Dan Rosen (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536954) today regarding Tuomo and his teammates in the sauna and Paul Maurice not.

[nccanes]

Ha! Great read. Boy - I hope the Canes don't suck this year because Mo can be a funny dude when he wants to. :lol:

[nccanes]

So, was just checking the weather (gorgeous day so far!) to see if we're gonna get rain and decided to check the weather in Helsinki..right now.

It's 50 degrees (local time 7:20pm). Lows should be in the 40s.

Y'all make sure to bring layers. Looks like we'll have a mild week, but it doesn't seem like much of a transition period with all the heat we've had! :beatup:

And on a hockey topic...anyone know what the NHL rules are with the teams going over to Europe in so far as roster limit. Surely they don't still have a 23 man cap. I presume they will have to take an extra goalie, but is that the only exception?

[nccanes]

Wow Paul Branecky read my mind! They can take 25.

With Jon Matsumoto, Riley Nash, Bryan Rodney, Jerome Samson and Jared Staal leaving the Hurricanes’ main training camp on Sunday, the team’s roster now stands at 26, which is one more than the maximum allowed to clubs making season-opening trip to Europe.

That makes one more cut a necessity, although coach Paul Maurice says the team may take as few as 24 depending on health. Teams are typically only allowed 23 during the regular season, but those headed overseas are granted a temporary exception.

[rosey12]

I'm actually quite looking forward to the cooler weather. :lol: I'm done with this 90 degree stuff.

[ontheglass]

I am very sorry if this is posted somwhere, I'll have to look the thread over... Are the games in Finland sellouts? I will be in Brussels on business and can fly to Helsinki for the Friday game. I have found a flight and it's no real problem to make the short trip, but if the game is a sell out then I'll just suck it up and hopefully connect nhl.com.

BTW, those of you looking to get out of the 90 deg weather. I am working in northern France this week, it is mid-day and in the 40's... too cold for me right now.

[caneshockeychick]

OTG, the last I'd heard/read is that no, they were not sold out. You can go online and check Hartwall Arena.com for tix.

[ontheglass]

OTG, the last I'd heard/read is that no, they were not sold out. You can go online and check Hartwall Arena.com for tix.

Thanks, I'll give it a look and if all is well, I will "tailgate" with some Caniacs in Helsini.

[livinthedream]

Here's the link (http://www.lippu.fi/PublishedService?pageID=18&freePage=709&itemcode=150161) if you need it. Word is the tickets are expensive by Helsinki standards (hell they're expensive by American standards!) so they've been slow to sell but I think they are [eventually] expecting sell-outs for both games.

[livinthedream]

Looking good so far! :D

10-day forecast for Helsinki (http://bit.ly/cTIX30)

[caneshockeychick]

^ Good...my suitcase has cold weather clothes already packed in it ;)

I'd hate to have to switch it up :lol:

[rosey12]

I vaguely remember seeing somewhere that Friday's game was now sold out, but that tickets were still available for Thursday.

[livinthedream]

Angry Birds (http://www.appolicious.com/games/articles/3248-angry-birds-the-making-of-an-iphone-game-sensation)

All you iPhone and iPad users (and perhaps soon Droid), make sure you download this game, it's viral and it's Finnish!

[nccanes]

The whole staff (with iPhones and iPads) of Rosie Radio talks about this game a LOT! Sounds most addicting.

[livinthedream]

My hairdresser told me about it last week. It's plastered all over the front page of Yahoo! today and was the #1 trending topic for a while. Cracks me up that the developers are from Helsinki.

We just purchased the LTD family iPad last evening over at the Apple store at Southpoint. I now have a stack of $1 bills on my desk from my son who has been buying apps on my iTunes account. And I just checked it out a few minutes ago (he's at track-out so I could actually get my hands on it) and noticed that he's also already loaded twitter and has his twitter account logged in and ready to go.

[KaniacFever]

Angry Birds (http://www.appolicious.com/games/articles/3248-angry-birds-the-making-of-an-iphone-game-sensation)

All you iPhone and iPad users (and perhaps soon Droid), make sure you download this game, it's viral and it's Finnish!

That was one of the first games we downloaded when we got the ipad. I think its freakin hilarious and its addicting. For some reason slinging birds into glass/boards to kill pigs makes me laugh.

Another crazy one is plant zombies. You have to plant different types of plants to get the zombies before they come into your house. Its so stupid, but you'll find yourself playing for hours.

My brother was hooked on these two games the whole week we were on vacay. He said he is getting an ipad just so he can play these games :lol:

And LTD, LTD Junior will like Shrek Kart. Its just like Mario Kart.

[SoCalcaniac]

So, right around this time next week- The LTD family & others will already be there; and many of us will be landing in CLT to connect to our flight!

With days to spare, I've finalized my Helsinki wardrobe, and my bag is half packed. I am now working on the accessories - belts, scarves etc. etc. I'm closin' in on being done! :lol:

Who else besides my husband is packed?

[caneshockeychick]

^ I was packed Friday night, and ready to go really. But...I've had to get some things out to get thru the week so....I'll "finish" Sunday ;)

There are a few items I need to purchase but other than that...I'm good to go :D

[caneshockeychick]

Question:

It was mentioned in one of these many pages, to go ahead and exchange a few dollars into Euros. Where do you go to do this (I'm lazy and don't want to read all over again ;) )?

My CU can't do it and they suggested the larger banks.

Anyone?

I'm sure I read its better to actually do any more exchanging over in Finland correct?

[caniac369]

Here's one option...

https://www.wachovia.com/foundation/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=42a58779b60aa110VgnVCM1000004b 0d1872RCRD

[andyt]

Here's one option...

https://www.wachovia.com/foundation/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=42a58779b60aa110VgnVCM1000004b 0d1872RCRD

That's what we did for our recent trip to London. Wachovia told my wife it could take several business days to get our money, but they had it in 24 hours. When returning, you can exchange back, but they won't take coins, only paper money.

[DeWaltGirl]

I actually took care of my Euro needs at Wachovia during lunch today. Only took a few minutes and she said I will have it no later than Wednesday but probably tomorrow.

[ontheglass]

... its better to actually do any more exchanging over in Finland correct?

I travel Int'l all the time and have exchanged money everywhere, from my home Bank in Raleigh, to RDU, to the arrival airport. No real good deal at any of those place, you'll get hit with a hefty commission. Best option is to call your bank card and let them know that you are traveling to Finland and when you arrive, go to the ATM. It has the least expensive surcharge and your bank will charge you the actual close of business exchange rate. I find this to be the best option in Europe. One other thing, plan for everything to be twice as expensive as what you would expect at home. So a cab for a 20 min ride can be 50 Euro, a simple meal starts at 15-20 Euro, and adult beverages in Scandanavian countries are more expensive than the RBC.

I am flying home this weekend from France and fly to Belgium next Thursday, so I am hoping to take a short trip to Finland for the Friday game, or atleast some kind of tailgating.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Thanks OTG! I thought I had remembered that we had decided that the ATM at the airport (upon arrival) was perfectly fine the last time we were in Ireland but I kept seeing folks dispute that lately. We used ATMs all over Ireland and I thought I had remembered the fees being relatively low.

[livinthedream]

For me personally, I like to have just a small stash of foreign currency "in hand" when I arrive in case something unforeseen happens, so I ordered a small amount online from Bank of America, but I plan to use credit card and ATM (if required, I'm pretty cashless by nature, I typically purchase *everything* on credit card anyway) for the rest of the trip.

And talk about timing, yesterday Mr. LTD's credit card was declined at a restaurant, and in investigating we found out he was victimized by credit card fraud. Bad news is he has to get a new card, good news it happened here and now and not a week from now, would have sucked to be in Helsinki with a card that had been compromised.

[caneshockeychick]

And talk about timing, yesterday Mr. LTD's credit card was declined at a restaurant, and in investigating we found out he was victimized by credit card fraud. Bad news is he has to get a new card, good news it happened here and now and not a week from now, would have sucked to be in Helsinki with a card that had been compromised.

That just happened to one of my mom's bff's. Her and the hubby were at MB for their class reunion and her card got declined. When she called, that's when she found out. :(


Credit Card thieves suck!!!

[KaniacFever]

For those of us leaving next week, at this time we will be on the plane :nanner:

[SoCalcaniac]

All Helsinki AAA package peeps- spoke with Mary Anne just a bit ago on a separate matter; for those wondering where the complimentary gift is- ( recalled that they were distributing them for a preseason game when we all met at the information session) Mary Anne indicates they met with the Canes org today, and that they are expecting the shipment of toques/scarves "direct from RBK via 3:45pm Fedex" -- if they do arrive today, they'll be available for pickup at both Eye Locations starting tommorow, or at the Game on Friday. Apparently they've had some issues on the RBK side in getting them out.

She said "pass it on" so there, considered it passed on. :lol:

[Radioactive]

Question:

It was mentioned in one of these many pages, to go ahead and exchange a few dollars into Euros. Where do you go to do this (I'm lazy and don't want to read all over again ;) )?

My CU can't do it and they suggested the larger banks.

Anyone?

I'm sure I read its better to actually do any more exchanging over in Finland correct?

Some AAA locations will exchange currency, a friend just did so before a trip to Greece. I always just use ATM's in the country I am travelling to... best rates and least hassle.

[caneshockeychick]

Thanks to all who answered that question!!! :)

Now......onto the next question (I think I'm just in nervous mode or something but I am thinking, thinking, thinking, all the time).

Question: Can we "carry on" our own snacks and stuff? Or do we have to buy everything @ the overpriced airport stores? I want snack options :D

BTW...its been over 4 yrs since I've flown on a plane and I know somethings have been relaxed whereas others have not. And TSA's website really doesn't have much on this.

[Radioactive]

Thanks to all who answered that question!!! :)

Now......onto the next question (I think I'm just in nervous mode or something but I am thinking, thinking, thinking, all the time).

Question: Can we "carry on" our own snacks and stuff? Or do we have to buy everything @ the overpriced airport stores? I want snack options :D

BTW...its been over 4 yrs since I've flown on a plane and I know somethings have been relaxed whereas others have not. And TSA's website really doesn't have much on this.

Yep... no issues taking food through TSA, as long as it is not liquid or gel. I have been known to bring a stash of jerky, peanut butter sammiches, nuts, chocolate, hard candy etc. When you get to your destination, sometimes customs will not let certain foods through (usually any kind of meat product like jerky or slimjims) they usually don't care about packaged foods otherwise. TSA is more concerned with your shoes.

[superdave]

Yep... no issues taking food through TSA, as long as it is not liquid or gel. I have been known to bring a stash of jerky, peanut butter sammiches, nuts, chocolate, hard candy etc. When you get to your destination, sometimes customs will not let certain foods through (usually any kind of meat product like jerky or slimjims) they usually don't care about packaged foods otherwise. TSA is more concerned with your shoes.

I guess that means that as long as you guys don't try to carry your jerky in your shoes, you'll be okay.

[livinthedream]

Food/snacks/etc. are fine. Don't bring any beverages, water bottles, etc. through security, but you can buy those at the airport after you're screened. Speaking of which, I recommend you buy at bottle of water and carry it on, they really don't give you a lot with most beverage services and the air on the plane is pretty dry.

[ontheboards]

I am a great proponent of Sigg bottles (one liter size aluminum with non-leaching liner) and I have always carried an empty with me through security without question. You can do the same with Camelback bottles as well. I have never been questioned or challeneged with either. I just prefer the Sigg- aluminum, Swiss (not chinese) made, not more plastic...

[LostTexan]

I am a great proponent of Sigg bottles (one liter size aluminum with non-leaching liner) and I have always carried an empty with me through security without question. You can do the same with Camelback bottles as well. I have never been questioned or challeneged with either. I just prefer the Sigg- aluminum, Swiss (not chinese) made, not more plastic...
Yea, I've never had a problem bringing an empty Nalgean or other water bottle with me through security and then I just fill it up at a water fountain.

[caniac369]

Peanut butter sandwich ok but watch out with a tub of peanut butter- hubby got nailed a few years back and had to toss it.

Empty water bottles, kosher. Bring those Crystal Light/Koolaid type singles and you can DYI your own beverages. Most of the time the in-flight service personal (I don't know what the PC term is for them anymore) will give you extra ice, water, soda, etc. if you just ask.

Another tip- horse-shoe pillows & sleeping masks are your friend. I have flown more red eye flights over the past 6 years back and forth then I care to count and if you want to get any sleep on the flight I highly recommend having both.

[ButtersSaysNo]

Peanut butter sandwich ok but watch out with a tub of peanut butter- hubby got nailed a few years back and had to toss it.

Empty water bottles, kosher. Bring those Crystal Light/Koolaid type singles and you can DYI your own beverages. Most of the time the in-flight service personal (I don't know what the PC term is for them anymore) will give you extra ice, water, soda, etc. if you just ask.

Another tip- horse-shoe pillows & sleeping masks are your friend. I have flown more red eye flights over the past 6 years back and forth then I care to count and if you want to get any sleep on the flight I highly recommend having both.

you forgot to mention, bring earplugs too, both the normal kind as well as something like earbuds for music/movie, etc. All it takes is one loud person near you to annoy you for the whole flight.

[livinthedream]

Or my arch enemy, the excessive gum chewer/popper.

Trust me people, no one else wants to see, smell, or hear what you have in your mouth. Really.

[nccanes]

Trust me people, no one else wants to see, smell, or hear what you have in your mouth. Really.

Amen and I love you.

[caneshockeychick]

Hmmm...well ^ and ^^ as an "ex-smoker" gum is a...well, that's my new "smoke." Can't help that but I'll try to be considerate (and no, its not the Nicorette kind but the fruity and minty types ;) )

I bought some of those snack pack thingies. Some cookies, some crackers. :D

[SouthernHockeyChick]

If I don't chew gum on a plane my head will explode (sinus pressure). But my mouth is closed and there are no sound effects.

[andyt]

you forgot to mention, bring earplugs too, both the normal kind as well as something like earbuds for music/movie, etc. All it takes is one loud person near you to annoy you for the whole flight.

I do love my Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. One of the best gifts my wife ever got for me.

[superdave]

Or my arch enemy, the excessive gum chewer/popper.

Trust me people, no one else wants to see, smell, or hear what you have in your mouth. Really.

I have a co-worker who is a gum chewer/popper who will pull up a chair right beside me at my desk and ply her trade about a foot from my tender ears.

As for the Helsinki games, I won't even be able to watch them live since I'll be working in Baltimore those two days. Actually driving there on Thursday and driving back on Friday. Sucks...

[caniac369]

you forgot to mention, bring earplugs too, both the normal kind as well as something like earbuds for music/movie, etc. All it takes is one loud person near you to annoy you for the whole flight.

OMG Butters I left out the most important part!! :D

You can usually get good noise cancelling ear buds on the cheap at TJMAXX.

[Jay]

I am about to leave for Raleigh; I fly out tomorrow morning at 9:30am!!!

See you all in Helsinki! (at the luncheon, first :D)

[livinthedream]

Ruu hoo! Safe travels, Jay!

Hey folks, Dan Rosen posted the team's itinerary in his blog (http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536954) on nhl.com, here's their schedule.

Friday: Preseason game vs. Atlanta at 1:30; Charter flight to St. Petersburg departs after the game, around 6.
Saturday: Arrive in St. Petersburg at 1 p.m. local time; off-ice workout at Jubilee practice facility followed by players-only dinner with NHLPA officials.
Sunday, Oct. 3: Practice at 11 a.m. at Jubilee followed by a player/staff/media bus tour of St. Petersburg and a team-only dinner at a local restaurant.
Monday, Oct. 4: Morning skate at Ice Palace; Team lunch at hotel, Game vs. SKA St. Petersburg at 7 p.m.; Charter departs after the game and arrives in Helsinki at 11:15 local time.
Tuesday, Oct. 5: Practice at Hartwall Arena followed by player-only event at Sauna Island.
Wednesday, Oct. 6: Practice at Hartwall Arena followed by a team lunch with fans and a press conference.
Thursday, Oct. 7: Morning skate at Hartwall Arena; Team lunch at hotel, Game vs. Minnesota at 7 p.m., Post-game dinner at team hotel.
Friday, Oct. 8: Morning skate at Hartwall Arena; team lunch at hotel; Game vs. Minnesota at 7 p.m.; Charter departs from Helsinki at midnight.
Saturday, Oct. 9: Charter flight arrives in Raleigh at approximately 4 a.m. ET.

[nccanes]

It strikes me as funny that they fly all the way to St Petersburg and have an NHLPA meeting/dinner. :lol: Guess the NHLPA doesn't have budget problems.

Thanks for sharing. I keep forgetting to check his blog. I'm so used to putting everything in google reader and I can't seem to just get his blog without every other thing from NHL.com.

[caneshockeychick]

Finally, fixed up my cell phone for International. Yay!!!


Actually, I'm going to try and not use my phone too much. While I can receive texts at no charge, there is a charge for me to send text and pics so...that's a no go ;). I figure for all the free web stuff out there (gmail chat, skype, FB, etc), I can do that and peeps here will have to deal with that. LOL. I'll carry around the little bitty netbook should I need to connect (and can connect) asap. Dang thing fits right in my purse!!

[caneshockeychick]

Because I just had to do it :lol:
9jK-NcRmVcw

[KaniacFever]

Finally, fixed up my cell phone for International. Yay!!!


Actually, I'm going to try and not use my phone too much. While I can receive texts at no charge, there is a charge for me to send text and pics so...that's a no go ;). I figure for all the free web stuff out there (gmail chat, skype, FB, etc), I can do that and peeps here will have to deal with that. LOL. I'll carry around the little bitty netbook should I need to connect (and can connect) asap. Dang thing fits right in my purse!!

I'm not planning on using the cell too much either. Figured I can use my ipad for all the facebook/twitter/email, etc.

Bank and credit card called and notified i'll be traveling.

Finally went to AAA before the game and got an adapter and a cube bag to hold all my power cords for the phone, ipad, and camera.

This weekend it'll be laundry and packing and checking my list 10 times to make sure i've got everything.

And I was reminded today to NOT forget your bus pass thingy cause gosh darn it, I forgot about that.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I decided not to do anything to my cell for international. The AT&T thing is $5.99 and it only reduces the rate from $1.29/min to $.99. So, I'd have to talk 20 minutes for it to be worth it....I doubt that will happen. Texts are $.50/each or you pay them $10 for 50 (I think)...doesn't seem worth it...I just won't text. Data was like $25 for 20MB...not doing it. I'm cool. A friend is letting me borrow her tiny netbook to bring along so, I'll just e-mail.

[caneshockeychick]

^I wasn't going to worry about it at first but....I have a mother who still worries and I know, I KNOW, she will have to hear my voice every now and then :lol:

Plus, while Rosey is being boarded by my vets, she's also just been put on some meds so even though my mom will be the main contact, In Case of Emergency, I gotta know about my baby. It will all be prorated anyway so, I'm not worried about losing too much.

Picked up some beer for the weekend because I'm just way too excited and hyped up at this time. Wishing it was Monday already. And that is a weird feeling to have :lol:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I think you did the smart thing. If I had any plans at all to talk to anyone, I would do it too. The data is really what I wanted most but I don't want the extra $25 so I'll live withou!!

[livinthedream]

Yo people! Why hasn't this been posted already???

Flight Tracker - BOS921 (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOS921)

[caneshockeychick]

^ :lol:

Wonder if I can get my mom to check out this site. LOL

[ssangste]

Yo people! Why hasn't this been posted already???

Flight Tracker - BOS921 (http://flightaware.com/live/flight/BOS921)

ok... seriously??? they're stopping at my home as the connection before going over the atlantic.... flight duration: 1 hour 56 minutes.... I could only *dream* of getting a direct flight from RDU to Halifax and have the total trip home only be 1 hour 56 minutes.... shortest ever was 5 hours with a connection... the other 40+ times there was some sort of delay with connections and it ends up being 7-14 hours.... lucky buggers.....

although I wouldn't want to fly overseas on a 757... that's not a very big plane even with the cushy comforts they put in those private planes.... 757s get bounced around too much for my liking...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I'd sure trade it for what I'm probably getting....crammed into a giant plane with 75,000 people for an interminable number of hours.

Not that I'm really complaining. :D

[ontheboards]

...I wouldn't want to fly overseas on a 757... that's not a very big plane even with the cushy comforts they put in those private planes.... 757s get bounced around too much for my liking...
I guess it's a good thing this is happening now with this team than when Jeff O'Neill was in his prime :lol:

[caneshockeychick]

I guess it's a good thing this is happening now with this team than when Jeff O'Neill was in his prime :lol:

Jeff O'Neill would have never made the trip to Finland. Wasn't he scared to fly over water or something?

[KaniacFever]

I think you did the smart thing. If I had any plans at all to talk to anyone, I would do it too. The data is really what I wanted most but I don't want the extra $25 so I'll live withou!!

That was my thoughts when I was talking to AT&T about adding it. I'll call my mom to let her know I got there safely, and the boyfriend, but tell her to check facebook for status updates so she'll know i'm still alive. I'll just use the ipad for the facebook updates. Somehow I'll live without the data plan for the week. Keeping fingers crossed that the dog doesn't give the boyfriend any trouble. Sometimes when I go out of town, the dog gets stomach trouble. Guess that's one good thing with not getting the plan, he won't want to waste $1.29 to complain about the dog :lol:

[livinthedream]

Question... y'all want us to keep posting here as the trip starts or is a new thread easier? I have no preference one way or the other. Just thinking ahead as I'll be posting in transit shortly. :D

And I don't plan to use phone or text much, but it's impossible for me to live without twitter.

[caneshockeychick]

well, tonight, I'm working on that Travel Check List that was in the little folder they gave us at the AAA meeting. So far, I'm doing good. LOL:lol:

And I've put all the IMPORTANT papers in that little folder. :D

Are you leaving tomorrow LTD?

[kermelbar]

Jeff O'Neill would have never made the trip to Finland. Wasn't he scared to fly over water or something?

I don't know if O'Neill's fear of flying specifically applied to water, but it's the reason McG didn't do "Superman" -- it meant flying to Australia. (And it's also part of the reason he did "We Are Marshall" -- he thought doing a movie about a plane crash might help him face his fear.)

/Herd fan

[livinthedream]

Are you leaving tomorrow LTD?

I leave for the airport in 12 hours. I'm just starting to pack.

And I need to go through that little folder myself.

And refueling is complete in Halifax, they're on the big leg of their flight now over to St. Pete.

[caneshockeychick]

And I need to go through that little folder myself.

That little checklist was awesome!

Have a safe flight...I'll be working my last day at the Teeter tomorrow...:yippee:

For a week anyway :(

[brindyfan]

BF is a VERY happy camper now since Roddy is on the trip per Dan Rosen http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=536954

:yippee:

[Bonbonsgrrl]

Ladies, Gents, to all those who are going, I hope you all have a fan-freaking-tastic time. To those of you on Facebook/Twitter, please for my sanity update frequently!!
And if anyone wants to y'know, buy me something awesome in Helsinki, I am totally, totally, not opposed to presents :-)

[caniac369]

^ What she said. :D I promise to CHC that I won't blow up her phone... too much.

[Bonbonsgrrl]

^ What she said. :D I promise to CHC that I won't blow up her phone... too much.

I promise to not blow up the phone, Facebook AND Twitter however, are a much different story :kiss::kiss:

[caniac369]

Copied from the other Finland thread...

This tweet made me laugh so hard my daughter said 'mommy, you laughed too loud':

jbk_ltd: I BS you not, I just heard an overhead page here at JFK for the Jokinen party.