So, Battle of the Pacific?
Well, I guess I should get back in the blogging game here at BoC, and what better topic to come back on than official blog business? Specifically, while I’ve been distracting myself with GTA4 and Galactica after the Ducks got eliminated, James O’Brien has been offering thoughts on the Dallas Stars most of this postseason, and has been as subtle as a Pronger-elbow-to-the-head in hinting that this blog should be renamed “The Battle of the Pacific” in the not-too-distant future.
I’ve gone back and forth on this issue, and I think in the end I’m against the notion of blog re-branding at least at this point in time, though I am willing to listen to counterarguments in the comments. For one, there’s the matter of blog contributors—if this blog’s purpose is to be a somewhat even-handed approach to the Pacific Division, that would require definitely a strong Coyotes voice and possibly even another Stars voice—and I’m not even sure that this blog has a glaring need for any more regular contributors.
Secondly, from a technical standpoint, I’m not the savviest blog administrator on the internet, but I do put a huge priority in preserving this blog’s archives. I’m confident that Blogger has the capability to mass-transfer old BoC posts to a new “Battle of the Pacific” domain, but I really don’t want to go around and try to get other sites to update old links, whether in blog listings or in actual posts.
Also, I think I have a bit of a philosophical hurdle to overcome. While the Stars perspective is certainly relevant to the BoC’s Pacific Division standings, there are still some geographical differences that continue to differentiate fans of the two teams, namely two time zones—nobody on the east coast is complaining that they have to stay up too late to see Stars games, or that their team has to travel as far west as Texas. I mean, certainly we’ll have similarities being mocked as non-traditional hockey fans, but Texas is nearer to the NHL’s east-coast bias than any CA team will ever be. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like I empathize with the plight of the Kings fan or the Sharks fan much more than do a Stars fan, and idealistically it’s probably that commonality that this blog promotes.
Suffice to say that there’s a fair amount of work to be done in representing a “Battle of the Pacific” blog, and I don’t think I’m up to it anytime too soon (heck, I’m not sure I’m ready to stop saying “BoC”). Even if Stars and Coyotes posts become regular features, I don’t think that it demands a blog rebranding; accuracy has never been our strong point, why try to start now? So unless I hear of any particularly compelling comments, my plan is to just continue operating under the Battle of California web address, and we’ll continue to write about whatever we want, including opinions on the Dallas Stars.
Anyway, let me open it up to the comments: How important is it that the blog name align with possibly expanded coverage? Also, is anybody interested in supplying Stars or Coyotes posts?
[Author’s note: Earl does plan on covering the Ducks again real soon. First issue to be discussed: why I am not panicking about Brian Burke Leafs GM rumors.]
23 comments:
Even if Stars and Coyotes posts become regular features, I don’t think that it demands a blog rebranding; accuracy has never been our strong point, why try to start now?
Hit the nail on the head with that one. James T's pop culture prowess holds a special place in my heart.
As for a slight appeal to both sides, possibly bump up a few Stars and Coyotes blogs to above the BOC "Morons" cartoon? I personally don't think that's necessary, but maybe an olive branch would do the trick. I sense an uprising brewing.....
/sarcasm
Good to have you back Sleek.
Good call, Plank.
I've doctored up the sidebar. Besides, now that the cup finals have been over for a few days, it was high time to get rid of those pesky DET and PIT blog listings.
Hear hear, Earl. I'm all for expanding coverage, but I think it's just that much funnier to keep to the original name, no matter how anachronistic it might become. How much more hilarious is to have regular (we've had two in the past few days) posts about Boston become a part of the Battle of California.
And thanks for the new toon, though I was hoping there'd be a wimpering coyote in the background pouting about being excluded. But I don't really know how to represent that cartoonishly.
In true California form, this blog should be all about US. Screw the other teams in the Pacific division...unless they relate to us, of course.
Just My Type, you have more eloquently stated what I was trying to convey in the "philosophical hurdle" paragraph.
I only care about the Coyotes and Stars in their ability to affect my team. Between that and the additional work entailed, I think there's little reason to activate change.
Still, it's good to know we have readers on the same page. Makes it seem a bit less self-serving.
And thanks for the new toon, though I was hoping there'd be a wimpering coyote in the background pouting about being excluded. But I don't really know how to represent that cartoonishly.
Heh, I nearly had that in there, but that was back when I was going to use actual state outlines. Instead, I decided to pen it up, and the somewhat-determinable shape of Arizona was the unfortunate casualty.
I'm a Stars fan and I'd say keep it as BoC.
I love JamesT's posts about the Stars, but I still think of him as a guest speaker. No offense.
The fact that there are three (!) teams in California is reason enough to stick with it.
Shorter Sleek: James T., back of the bus.
The expanded coverage doesn't bother me, but the main thrust of the blog should be the inherent rivalry between the CA teams.
You get too inclusionary, you might actually start to provide educational value (My eyes! These goggles do nothing!).
You could always go of the way of Southeast Shootout and just create a new blog with Stars and Coyotes contributors while still having BoC. Basically, most of the posts there are just reprints or game summaries of the division I think
Earl, please don't! As a Sharks fan who grew up in So Cal, I love this blog...specifically because of you and Rudy. I don't care to have a balanced view of things here - that isn't what it is about. I would suggest starting a whole new blog for the pacific fans and cross post like PJ does.
Whatever you end up doing I can't make it through a season without this blog...
Keep it up!
I say keep things as is.
battleoftherestofthepacific.blogspot.com
huh, huh? whaddoyathink?
If it makes anyone feel better, Earl Sleek's post made me realize the error of my ways even before I read the comments.
The biggest nail in the coffin was my laziness and the general insanity re-designing BoC would be.
The final one came after the people had spoken.
Slam dunk in the "No" column. No blood no foul.
Ultimately, my question is: how much Stars is too much Stars? E-mail me if you absolutely cannot stand hearing anything more about Modano and the Chipmunks:
jamestobrien@hotmail.com
Nobody cares.
Besides that, I have no problem with James writing about the Stars as much as he wants, because it's good stuff. Write about whoever, that's my motto. (Also, my motto: dead hookers can't talk.) If we want to add a Phoenix guy, that's cool too. It's your site, Chief, do whatever you want.
Stars fan here.
I enjoy this blog. If it had some Stars stuff (even if only in relation to the CA teams) then the more the merrier.
I put you guys on my blog roll
http://stars.hockeyanalysis.com/
Keep up the good work
I just found this site this season and would hate for it to be about anything but California.Being a ducks fan i for one hate how we don't get the same coverage as other teams. So please keep it the way it is :D
Hooray for the status quo
Did someone mention Phoenix?
im back from the dead....keep it Boc...the guest dallas posts are good enough
no I hardly get no coverage of SoCal on this blog.
Yeah, as fun as a name change might seem, I guess in the end it would be nothing more than a cosmetic confusion-causer.
If you guys were interested in a Coyote blogger, even while keeping the BoC name, you already have that list of 4 blogs in the links that you could use.
If you do end up changing the name to Battle of the Pacific, despite all the resistance against it, there's no reason not to include our neighbors on the other side of the Pacific:
http://www.alhockey.jp
My suggestion - call it "Battle of the Pacific" until a Cali team actually beats the Stars in the playoffs.
I'm only half serious about that, but nothing wrong with keeping it the way it is. I enjoy as much Stars coverage as possible, but at the same time I understand the intent and origin.
Oh...and I laugh maniacally when Phoenix is left out...which is all the time.
My suggestion - call it "Battle of the Pacific" until a Cali team actually beats the Stars in the playoffs.
That's harsh, dude, but I guess I should be bracing for more Stars gloating. I guess that's what happens when you haven't had a series win since 2003 (the year a Cali team actually beat the Stars in the playoffs).
Aw, I kid, though.
In the meantime, though, could you Stars fans remind me what it's like to get eliminated by the Red Wings? I know it's happened to the Ducks twice before, but my memory gets a bit shady when thinking back to the 1990s.
There's way too much Stars posting for this to remain BoC. Maybe if the Stars posts only came up when playing a BoC team, which would still be pretty frequently.
Post a Comment