Hank Stolar was my first boss, heck, he still is my boss, seeing how I still work at Salvatore’s.  Hank was like a second father to many who worked at Salvatore’s, he would tell you crazy stories, he would become a part of some awesome stories, he told great jokes, and he did so much more for people.  Examples of this would be a couple of my friends went on a senior trip, Hank stayed up until 3 am to make them some chicken and potatoes for their trip.  He didn’t have to do that, they could have bought food, but he stayed up to help them.  Hank would go golfing with a couple people from Salvatore’s, and after one of his more recent surgeries he invited a couple people over for a game of poker, myself included.

Many people have worked for Salvatore’s and many people knew Hank.  Some people hated Hank because he pushed them too much, some people quit because of Hank, and some people were fired by Hank, but everyone else loved this man.  With Hank it was a love-hate relationship, there were days were you couldn’t stand him, and there were other days that you couldn’t work without him.  What makes me really upset is that the people who just started working at Salvatore’s within the past two years, really didn’t know Hank.  They knew he was the boss, but they didn’t know the stories, they didn’t know his personality, and they didn’t get to fully enjoy the Salvatore’s experience.

All I know is this, walking into Salvatore’s on any given weekend will not be the same with out Hank being there.  You would walk in and he would more then likely being on the slicer cutting some meat or fixing some kid’s tie and he would always say hi.  It won’t be the same working a wedding and him not coming up behind you and saying, “Son, these glasses aren’t clean son, take em to the dishroom and tell that dishroom to get humping and bumping.”

Hank died due to complications after his open heart surgery on Saturday October 25, 2008.  Hank was a boss to everyone a Salvatore’s, a mentor to the guys, and most importantly, a friend to everyone.

I may start posting short stories that I got from Hank or inspired by Hank as part of a tribute.

Hank, I’m going to miss seeing you every weekend at Salvatore’s and I’m going to miss just being able to talk to you about whatever.

Rest in Peace Hank.

I want to start with the college life.  I have been thinking a lot about this, this thought actually went back all the way to last year.  I have been thinking more and more about will I miss college.  Anyone who knew me in High School and read my old blog knew how much I missed High School after graduation and I started college.  I knew I would have that feeling in the closing days, but with college I’m not sure.  I hear everyone say you will miss college and you will wish you could go back, but really, I’m not too sure if I will.  Maybe that is because I commute and never really got to experience the college life.  Maybe its because while I have made a lot of close friends and people I am glad I have got to meet, I think a part of this reason on why I will not miss college is because of the CS department.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy what I plan on doing with what I learned in Pitt’s CS department, it’s just that I don’t believe I have had the best experience with the professors.  I can count on one hand the professors that I have really enjoyed class with and have learned from.  I honestly believe to be one of the reason I want to be done with college.

I also think I won’t miss college after having two internships with Del Monte Foods and pretty much just having a good time with the people that worked there and realizing why I want to make this my career and not just having a job with computers every day.  It is what really makes me know I picked the right major, I went to Del Monte every day ready to go in and loved it everyday.  Had it not been for that, I may have changed my major and who knows what would have happened.

It may be to early to tell if I will miss college or not, but I need to start thinking about the future.

Naturally, first thing that comes to mind is getting a job.  Would I like to stay in Pittsburgh, of course, I was born and raised here, I feel in love with this city and the sports teams, but I know what the job market is like.  So with that, if I have to move, then so be it, would I want to, not really, but if the opportunity was right and the money was good, then anything is possible.

After I get that job, my number 1 priority is getting rid of any college loans I may have, once those are gone, I would like to place a down payment on a house, I’ve been wanting to get away from my house since I started college, and now I get that chance.  As for a car, I can always get some junker to start, just need something to get me around.

Is it too early to start thinking about all of this?  Maybe, but really its less then a year away, and soon I’ll be graduating from Pitt and hello Real World.  Until then, I’m going to try and have the best year of my life.

This sounds incredible and can really pave the way for the future of sports games much like EA Sports Be a Pro modes in NHL 09 and FIFA 09 where the player can create themselves in the game and use that player to go through a career and play online.  There is however what appears to be one downfall to this DNA feature they are advertising like crazy in NBA Live 09, and that is you have to buy the feature first.

That’s right, the feature that EA is making their giant sellling point, you have to buy first for it to work.

Don’t believe me, the following comes from Major Nelson’s website, www.majornelson.com.  For those who may not know who Major is, he is one of the leads in Microsoft and has short 1 minute videos on XBox Live saying what came out this past week and keeps players up to date with game conferences, releases on Live, and any downtime.

Title: NBA LIVE 09

Content: NBA Live 365 Subscription
Price: 800 Microsoft Points
Availability: All Xbox LIVE regions
Dash Text: [ESRB: E (Everyone)] Get NBA LIVE 365 for daily updates to Dynamic DNA all season long. Dynamic DNA brings unprecedented realism to NBA LIVE 09 with real world results driving Player DNA that drives how a player scores, Team DNA rating how players play together and Player Tendencies from each spot on the floor. Replay any NBA game all season with actual streaks, tendencies and DNA from that day in NBA LIVE Rewind. Basketball made fresh daily all season long! There are no refunds for this item. For more information, see www.xbox.com/live/accounts.

For those who may not understand the idea of Microsoft points, it allows gamers to go to their favorite game store to buy points instead of putting their credit cards onto their XBox’s.  1600 Microsoft points are 20 dollars, so in this case the feature costs 800 points or 5 dollars.

So let me get this straight EA.  First you are making the gamer pay 60 dollars, plus tax for your game for what is essentially just a roster update and possibly some updated graphics.  Then you are making the gamer pay an extra 5 dollars for the feature that is your main selling point in your ads.  Really EA?  You have done some shady things in the past, but come on this may be a new low.

Granted I could care less about pro basketball, but I am still a gamer and this is just ridiculous.

So EA, What you talking bout?

definite plans:

May 19 – August 15: Summer Internship at Del Monte Foods on the North Shore
This will be my second internship at Del Monte. I find the company very enjoyable to work with, and they do a lot for their employees. I am looking forward to go back this summer to see what has changed since last summer and hope I can work my way towards full time employment after graduation.

May 30 – June 2: NASCAR Race at Dover, Delaware
This has become a tradition for my dad and I to attend. We usually go with a couple of his friends. We leave Friday morning around 7 am, get down there for the Truck race and Cup qualifying. We enjoy the weekend full of racing, talking, and relaxation. It is really awesome talking to other NASCAR fans as well, everyone is so friendly and willing to help out when you are in a bind. We return Monday/Tuesday depending on the day of the race. This is pretty much my summer vacation.

July 13: My 21st birthday
This should be a very enjoyable day and I am looking forward to it, even though I will not be able to celebrate it with my friends for a couple weeks with it falling on a Sunday.

July 19: Justin’s wedding in Erie
My friend from high school and bowling Justin is getting married up in Erie. I have never met his fiance, but I am sure she is a nice girl and good to Justin.

Possible Plans:

Columbus Weekend
Go to Columbus for a weekend to watch the Columbus Clippers(Minor League Baseball Team) and the Columbus Crew(Major league Soccer Team). Check out the city.

Other little trips
I would like to take some other little weekend trips with my friends from high school just to get away from Pittsburgh for a bit.

That’s all for now, enjoy the summertime and go Pens

So I’m trying to get into the summer mood and I’m thinking what do I plan on doing to start my summer?  So I made up a list, unlike most college kids getting drunk is not number one on this list.  Anyways here it is:

1.  Play video games
2.  Go bowling
3.  Sleep
4.  Watch TV
5.  Relax
6.  Do some work until my internship starts.

Those are a bunch of boring ideas, while I love playing video games as much as the next person, I need something big to start this summer break, and luckily I found just the thing:

PLAYOFF TICKETS FOR THE PENGUINS-RANGERS GAME 1!!!!!1!!!!!

What better way to start my summer?  Anyone who knows me, knows how much I follow the Pens, and how much I can appreciate this game being in a playoff environment.  You have the return of Jagr to Pittsburgh which may be some of his last games in the NHL, you also have the return of Marty Straka.  You have two division rivals going at it.  You get to see someone finally put Sean Avery in his place.  There is so much riding on this series and it all starts Friday.  The Penguins already came out and said prepare for a white out, because they are giving everyone free t-shirts at the gate.

Needless to say I cannot wait until Friday at 7:00 when I am in the Mellon Arena cheering my heart out trying to lose my voice.

Go Pens!!!

I decided to start a new tradition this year by growing a “Road To The Playoffs” beard and whether I continue this tradition or not is still to be seen. I must say though, seeing my face cleanly shaved makes me look different after so long.

Right now I would like to do my own Playoff Prediction for the NHL.

1. Montreal Canadian vs 8. Boston Bruins
This should be a breeze of a series for the Canadians, the Bruins got hot a month ago to get into the playoffs but Montreal has been playing great hockey all year. I thought they were going to give up on the season when they traded Christobal Huet to the Capitals and start Carey Price, shows how much I know. While the Bruins have some solid players I don’t see this one being a challenge for Montreal.
Montreal in 4

2. Pittsburgh Penguins vs 7. Ottawa Senators
A rematch from last year’s first round, this time with the Pens having the home ice. I see this series being very heated and physical. Ottawa coach Bryan Murray came out and said the Pens tanked their last game so they wouldn’t have to play the Flyers in the playoffs. Will Murray take out his frustration on the Pens by sending in some goons to go after Crosby and Malkin? Last year, the Pens were inexperienced with it being many of the players first trip to the postseason. I see this year being very different, the Penguins have two solid scoring lines, a better defensive core, and a goalie who is confident. Ottawa is down three of their top penalty killers and are on shaky goaltending.
Penguins in 5

3. Washington Capitals vs 6. Philadelphia Flyers
This should be an interesting series. Ovechkin’s first playoff appearance in his young career. The Flyers bounced back this year after having an awful year last year and played shaky at times throughout this year. While the seeds say 3-6 I see this being more of a 4-5 type series being fairly close and going all 7.
Capitals in 7

4. New Jersey Devils vs 5. New York Rangers
Two Atlantic Division foes play in this playoff series. The Rangers are powered by a high powered offense behind Jagr, Shanahan, and Drury. They also have a great goaltender in Lundqvist. The Devils, they have one of the best, if not the best goaltender in the history of the NHL in Brodeur, and while the Devils struggle scoring, the Rangers may just have as big of a problem scoring on Brodeur. Expect a lot of 1-0, 2-1 games in this series.
Rangers in 7

2nd Round: I won’t go in depth with these predictions but instead do an overview when the actual second round starts

1. Canadian vs .5 Rangers
Upset Alert: Rangers in 7

2. Penguins vs .3 Capitals
Penguins in 5

Eastern Conference Finals
2. Penguins vs .5 Rangers
Penguins in 7

Western Conference Predictions: Don’t know too much about these teams, will just make predictions here

1st Round:

1. Detroit Red Wings vs 8. Nashville Predators
Red Wings in 4

2. San Jose Sharks vs 7. Calgary Flames
Sharks in 6

3. Minnesota Wild vs 6. Colorado Avalanche
Avs in 7

4. Anaheim Ducks vs 5. Dallas Stars
Ducks in 7

2nd Round
1. Red Wings vs 6. Avalanche
Red Wings in 5

2. Sharks vs 4. Ducks
Sharks in 5

Western Conference Finals

1. Red Wings vs 2. Sharks

Sharks in 7
Stanley Cup Finals
2. Penguins vs 2. Sharks
As much as I would like to pick the Penguins, no team has been hotter since mid-February then the Sharks only losing 3 games.
Sharks in 7

So to all my readers, enjoy the NHL playoffs, grow a playoff beard and remember what Badger Bob used to say, “It’s a great day for hockey”

Go Pens!

Anyways, the point of this blog is going to be much like my old blog, to be on a personal level where the reader can learn about me.  This was the strength of my old blog, but also my weakness.  I found that I would not blog after a while because every post would be the same.  So to change it up a bit I am going to add a couple things this time such as game reviews, my thoughts on what’s going on in the sports world, and on Friday’s I would like to do a column called “The Checkered Flag” just dealing with what is going on in the NASCAR world.

For those wondering about me.  I am a junior at the University of Pittsburgh, I am majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Economics.  I am an avid bowler, and I am bowling in my first adult league this year, I am currently averaging 192.  I am a big time sports fan who follows baseball, pro and college football, college hoops, NASCAR, and hockey.  I will be going back to Del Monte Foods this summer for my second internship with them.  I am hoping they offer me a job after graduation.

Some may be wondering about the blog title, “Refuse To Lose”.  This is often a motto I use in my e-feds, but it isn’t just a motto but really a way of life.  It doesn’t mean that you want to win at everything and if you don’t you are going to kill yourself.  What it means is that you give a 110% to whatever you are working on, and you refuse to give up on it no matter what.  Refuse to Lose, it’s not a motto, but a way of life.

I hope everyone enjoys this blog, and don’t be afraid to give some feedback and things you would like to see.