LET MY PEOPLE GO!!!!!! : Chilean Miners Being FREED!

Though it looks like
a Texan flag, It's actually a
CHILEAN Flag.

YAY! Finally a happy ending to what could have been a very tragic story! After 69 long days below ground, I hear that 1 Bolivian and 12 Chilean miners have been hoisted to safety! The miners' being rescued range in ages from 19 to 63, the oldest had been mining since he was 12. (I doubt his family will let him mine another second of his life.) The remaining 20 will be rescued throughout the day. In a world where bad news sells, I'm glad to have a story like this around. The perseverance of the trapped to stay alive and not go crazy. The Rescuers not giving up and working tirelessly to safely return the miners to their families.

From what I am reading, Chile has a long history with mining. The country is a top Copper producer of the world. In the last decade, on average, the Chilean mining community has seen 34 deaths a year due to accidents. That's insane!

I'm a bit claustrophobic, so I think I would have gone completely mental within the first week. No sunlight would have plummeted me into a huge depression. I would have gone stir crazy from being in a confined space. (I guess that's the same as the claustrophobic comment.) But the unity between the trapped must be a solid bond. I'm sure there's a great camaraderie within the ranks, it's going to be weird not to see them every day as they have for the last two months. (I'm sure they're happy to see their families though.) It'll be hard to see each other once life gets "back to normal" as it'll be a reminder of the 69 - 71 days in a dark dungeon, miles below Earth's surface.

Bolivia's Flag

As the day goes on, the reports roll in and are being broadcasted making some of these numbers inaccurate... I've heard that the first miner to be evacuated from the Earth was done so just after midnight, making his containment for 70 days, not 69. I've heard that it takes about an hour per miner in rescue time. That means that the last miner to be rescued will have been underground for 71 days total. I've heard that both the Chilean and Bolivian Presidents are both on hand at the rescue site. It's also been reported that there has been a personal problem for one of the trapped miners. I guess both his wife and his mistress showed up to be the first to greet him. (The joke has already been made that he'll elect to stay underground instead.)

It's not always about me; I'm just glad it's a happy ending not a tragic!!!!

Keep Your Peter In Your Pants Already! GAWD!

Here we go again..... Just as the Tiger Woods scandal fades and drips, I mean drops, off the radar... Bret Favre comes along and proves you can't always learn from someone else's mistake.... I was sooooooooooooo sick of hearing about Tiger Woods, so I'll keep this as short as I can.

Infidelity isn't limited to celebs by any means, but the media attention is... (Unless an average, ordinary, everyday spouse goes ape and pulls a Lorena Bobbit or something.) It's recently surfaced that Brett Favre sent a picture of his Peter to a woman via text. One minor problem... Brett's married and the woman on the receiving end of the "sext" wasn't his wife. Naughty Brett, naughty. I guess Brett didn't learn anything from Tiger's public misery.... Forgot about Jude Law getting busted.... Maybe he wanted to be just like popular American Presidents JFK or Bill Clinton?

You're not original there, Brett... Donate a bazillion bucks, volunteer some where to improve something or some one. Why are you going to incriminate yourself by sending a picture of your wenis to some Bimbo? I mean, she knows you've got a wife, how honest do you think she really is? That being said, the pic might not even be Favre, maybe she's just some Ho that randomly picked Brett out of thin air to be her victim. I dunno, do you for sure? How do you know for sure? Have you seen Brett's wee-wee to know whether or not it's his?

Brett's been a regular in the tabloids for the past few years... Retired? Not Retired? Retired? Not Retired? Vikings? Green Bay? Retired? Not Retired? What Team? You know Brett's plight. I know celebs are human, but I think quite a few are pretty dumb to be perfectly honest... Where was his head? (I guess I know that answer.) Nice role model... Just what I want my kids, nieces, nephews etc emulating. Maybe he wanted the cake and to be able to eat it too... Greedy pig... I do feel bad for his wife though, true or not... It must shake her trust a bit... I'd be more than a little crushed.

A Celeb's personal life is really none of my business, it's not yours either. But part of the high amount of $$$$ on a celeb's cheque some how compensates them losing some of their privacy. Because they knew publicity came with the territory it justifies the lack of respect for their privacy? The more scandal, the more $$$$ everyone makes, so they want more pictures, interviews, dirt.... The whole 9 yards. I don't think its right, but what am I gonna do about it? I don't wanna hear it or see it... So maybe this'll be the last time I speak of celebrity crap.... Like I say, it's not my business... (If it was my hubby or family or whatever, I'd be singing a different tune. If I was the skank nut doing the cheating with a married celeb, I should be publicly... maybe spousally humiliated and banished to exile. Homewrecking Whore is the charge.)

If you want to hump like Charlie on Two and a Half Men and are married, GET A DIVORCE!!! Do you really want to ruin your "Street Cred", or career rather, over some fake scuzz face? Do you really want to hurt your wife and have your kids look at you differently? Do the right thing.... Whatever the right thing is for you, just don't cheat... If it's not always about me, it sure isn't always about you...

It's not always about me, therefore it's not always my business... But a word to the wise, if he/she isn't your spouse, and your name is highly recognizable... What ever your it is, KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS!

The Juice Was Loose... Then They Cleaned Up The Mess : 15 Years After OJ

Taken from Wikipedia

On October 3, 1995, shortly after 10 AM, OJ Simpson was found not guilty of a double homicide. 15 years later, at the age of 63, OJ sits in jail on kidnapping and armed robbery charges. I hadn't realized it had been that long since the biggest let down verdict of the Century, until I was flicking through the channels yesterday and came upon Oprah... Oprah was interviewing Mark Fuhrman. It got me remembering what went down all those years ago.......

I was just finishing 7th grade when the double homicide took went down in Brentwood. I was 12 going on 13 when it all started and I didn't really know who OJ was let alone who Nicole Brown Simpson or Ron Goldman were. In the media circus that followed, I found out pretty quickly who they were. We were headed into summer vacation and shortly after the untimely deaths the first tastes of Reality TV were dished out and it was a bitter meal by the end.

While by the end of summer vacation, kids are usually so bored they're almost begging to go back to school. By the end of that summer, I was so bored and so tired of the OJ drama that I almost raced to get out of the house. It was pretty sad that two people were savagely murdered and just because the prime suspect was famous, everyone wanted a piece of the action, whether it be the police, lawyers, the media, right down to the common folk. It was said that Murder, just like sex, sells. Whether it comes by News, fiction novels, true crime books (Ann Rule for Example), or fiction TV shows/Movies, murder will "up" it's value. It made me sad to know that people were glued to their TVs to hear about those two peoples' misfortune and the grieving families' torturous losses. It made me sadder to think that people were profiting from the deaths as well.

The trial seemed endless. I thought it was pretty sad that Nicole and OJ's 2 kids, Sydney and Justin, would have to start a school year without their Mum. I was heading into 8th grade, that's high school where I'm from, and I was still pretty dependant on my Mum, so I couldn't imagine the turmoil those kids went through. I'd come home from school to a familiar scene, the TV would be on.... It seemed as though no matter what channel you had it on, you'd see Judge Ito's face, or Kato Kaelin, or Marcia Clarke or Christopher Darden's, OJ's or one of the two victims' or their families, or maybe Johnny Cochran or one of the fabled "Dream Team" defence's. I wasn't even involved except for being on the other side of the TV watching what was going down, and I just wanted this thing to come to an end. I can't even begin to imagine what the families were going through.

The drama through out the trial seemed to fuel the media circus of course. The low speed Bronco chase, the "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" line, Kato's testimony, Mark Fuhrman being deemed a racist bigot. I started 9th grade by now and the Brown-Simpson kids started another school year without their Mum. Finally, everyone could see the light at the end of the tunnel as the jury was sent to deliberate OJ's guilt or innocence. I remember the day the verdict was announced... I was sitting in Math class, hopeful they'd convict, but in the back of my mind I knew they wouldn't. The class went silent, the teacher stopped mid-lesson and we turned the radio on low... Not Guilty was what came back, and the sound of cheers from the classrooms below rose almost like an explosion.

I was shocked and pretty sick... Juries wrongfully convict the average citizen on way less evidence than the mountain they had on OJ. Here's a guy who has been known to have a violent past with his ex-wife, had all these bright flashing arrows pointing to him evidence wise, and he got to walk free. If you look Nicole Brown Simpson's biography up on Wikipedia, it plainly states "She was murdered at her home in Los Angles, California, US along with her friend Ronald Goldman by her ex-husband, O. J. Simpson...." Being that the verdict came back not guilty, I think that's a ballsy statement but I'm sure the wording is the least of OJ's problems. In his civil suit, OJ was found liable for their deaths. A small feat no doubt.

Here it is, 15 years later, and OJ is finally rotting in jail. It may not be for the right crime that most believe he committed, but at least he's where he belongs. It's too bad that two people had to lose their lives and he has barely compensated as per the Civil Suit ruling.

It's not always about me; I'm not the one who set The Juice loose!

How Bout Living In Reality, Not Reality TV?

Seems as though our TV screens are being bombarded by nothing much more than "Reality" based shows. No, I'm not talking about the News or Talk Shows either. I'm talking about stuff like Survivor, The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Big Brother, The Real World, The Amazing Race, Survivor Man, Man Vs Wild, Iron Chef, Canada/America's Worst Driver, Canada's Worst Handyman, Under Cover Boss, Apprentice, Celebrity Apprentice, Dr Drew Celebrity Rehab, America's Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Next Top Model, American Idol, Ice Road Truckers, Dancing With the Stars, Battle of the Blades, Real House Wives of __________, Biggest Loser, and basically every show on TLC (Sister Wives, 19 Kids and Counting, Little People, Big World, Kate Plus 8). Trust me, this seems like quite the list already.... But there's more... Just take a peak at www.realitytvworld.com/realitytvworld/allshows.shtml and I'm sure even they have forgotten a few.

Don't get me wrong, not all reality shows are evil but there are some that are worse than others. I'll admit, I watched the first two seasons of Survivor. I've watched the occasional episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8, Dr Drew's Celeb Rehab, Ice Road Truckers and Battle of the Blades. But come on, how real is any of it? If it is "real", some of the people on the shows are despicable people and I wonder how any of them have friends? I sure as hell wouldn't want to be associated with some of them!

Jon & Kate Plus 8.... That's now Kate Plus 8.... Did they happen to catch the fact that Jon was apparently doing what he was? And seriously, having 8 young kids.... How many of you honestly think you could handle that with out having a melt down, at least once a week? It's called good editing.... I don't doubt that they have fun and everything else as depicted on the show, but I'd like to see what happens after the cameras stop rolling... Now that would be amusing "Reality" TV.

America/Canada's Worst Drivers.... I've only heard of one lady losing her licence because of this show. One.... Out of how many contestants? I live in Edmonton, I know there are terrible drivers out there.... Some days I wonder if some of these people paid off their driving examiner to get their licences... Again, I don't doubt that these drivers are actually terrible drivers in real life. But the question begging to be asked is how they manage to keep their licences after the show... Or should be forced into some sort of driver's training program. I'll admit, I've had a serious good laugh over this show though.

Ten + years later, Survivor's still going strong. Many people still watch the show. It's more like a reality game show.... After Richard Hatch won the first Survivor, every Survivor Series after had advanced knowledge of forming alliances and how to be scummy without seeming scummy to win. Granted, that may be an aspect of reality, show them how it's done and it'll change the face of the game... So let them play. To be honest, even though I watched the first two seasons of the show, I had to google Richard's last name (the a fore mentioned first season winner.) All I could remember was his first name and the "Big Fat    F_ _ _ _ _ with a million dollars" line.

I honestly hadn't heard of Kim or any other of the Kardashian's until their faces were on the front cover of every rag magazine. I guess they're another family with a reality TV show. And who the hell is Snooki and why would I give a flying crap about her?

Some shows leave me wondering..... If contestants on some of these shows spent half the time and energy they did on these shows, just to go home disappointed and still not famous, on something else... Maybe they'd be further a head than they are. American Idol for example... Yes, they've made some famous people... (One of them went on to be on Dr Drew's Celebrity Rehab, proud moment hey?) But how many no talent people, aside from William Hung, do you remember? Where is Susan Boyle now? (Yes, she had talent, but did she have "the look" to have staying power?) Honestly, some I think are suckers for punishment... Simon Cowell being the first offender on the punisher side... He's direct to the point, blunt, hurt your feelings honest... Ever watched an episode of Hell's Kitchen with Gordon Ramsey? Competing or not, yell and swear at me once you jerk, and I'll walk. I can handle pressure but not a bully.

Some "Reality" shows aren't as bad as others, and some are a good escape and give people something to talk about the next day at work. I guess my point is, in my mind, not all of them are reality.... Biggest Loser and Amazing Race - more along the lines of reality... They affect people's lives and there for affect these people's reality. They can encourage and inspire people, like the viewers who want to lose weight, or wouldn't otherwise have a chance to see some of the places in the world otherwise. Cake Boss and Ice Road Truckers - these people actually do this stuff for a living... Pretty well reality to me.

I could do a commentary on all of these shows separately, but I'd rather not... They aren't in my reality, so I won't bring them into my reality. I guess this could be just another TV fad cycles... Back in the day, there was a variety show explosion in the '70's. (Dean Martin, Sonny & Cher, Red Skeleton etc) There was a sitcom epidemic that followed. I hope this is one TV fad that fades out sooner than later. I guess this just proves that we are a TV Nation, and with advances in TV technology, we don't have to miss a beat of it. We can TVR it, pause live television too, when our reality gets in the way. Go figure.

It's not always about me, but I'm getting off my big butt and going out to make my own reality.... I suggest y'all do the same!

Glass Castles and Little Hobos

“I'm the cripple on the corner
You've passed me on the street

And I wouldn't be out here beggin'

If I had enough to eat

And don't think I don't notice

That our eyes never meet

I lost my wife and little boy when

Someone cross that yellow line

The day we laid them in the ground

Is the day I lost my mind

And right now I'm down to holdin'

This little cardboard sign...so

Don't laugh at me

Don't call me names
Don't get your pleasure from my pain

In God's eyes we're all the same

Someday we'll all have perfect wings

Don't laugh at me”

~“Don’t Laugh At Me” Performed by Mark Willis

As the days grow shorter, the temperature drops, and the festive season is upon us, I can’t help but think of the Street People. At times it’s hard not to be frustrated while walking down the street and in the course of two minutes be asked four times if you have any spare change or a cigarette. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that everybody is somebody’s son or daughter, is a human being, and we could all use a hand from time to time.

Walking down Whyte Avenue, one of the more identifiable drags in Edmonton, there are a lot of regular characters that you could come across. It seems as though they are the same nameless faces that are constantly asking for something. Most you can see picking through garbage cans collecting empty bottles and cans to scrounge up a little change. Some can be seen with a few large garbage bags in a shopping cart full of cans and bottles.

When asked for change by someone who seems to be better dressed than you are, it’s hard not to pitch a fit and tell them to move along. When they tell you they haven’t eaten for days then turn down your offer to buy them a sandwich – only to see them later walk out of a liquor store with a brown papered bag containing a bottle... How does one not want to flip their lid? A friend of mine has a shirt with a list of things he doesn’t have, won’t do that is perfect for the Ave. (No I don’t have a quarter, No I don’t have a cigarette, No you can’t use my phone, No you can’t come over etc.) A common thought is that panhandlers make more money in a day than the average working Joe, and have it better because they don’t have to pay taxes on it. That may have been true, but with the economy’s down turn and UI that went up, and with everyone with a jaded outlook, I’m not so sure.

Anyone who’s been on the Ave long enough will know as the crazy lady of the Ave. I’ve called her the chicken lady, on more than one occasion I’d seen her walking clucking away and bobbing her head like a chicken. She’s not homeless, just one of the less fortunate. I’ve been caught at a corner with her behind me and heard her rattle off Nursery Rhymes or bits of the Lord of the Rings. She’s looked like a Mummy from time to time with her face covered in Band-Aids. I’ve had friends tell me that she’s tried to spit on them as they passed, or that she’s taken a swipe at them. Rumour has it, if she takes her meds, she’s quite normal. I waited on her while I was working at a small Department store, and she was quite polite.

I’ve heard a lot of sob stories, and I’m sure at least a few were true. “My little sister and I are living on the streets. Our parents are drunks and drug addicts; it’s less stressful to live on the street.” “I just lost my job.” “My UI benefits just ran out and I’m disabled/too old to work.” I want to be able to help out, but I can’t afford to be dishing out change to everyone who asks, if I did – I’d be broke and out on the streets too. There are signs in some businesses warning not to give to panhandlers, but to donate to charities that are geared to such need. I like this idea a lot. I’m sure I don’t need to explain that some panhandlers don’t know about certain services, don’t want such services, may have mental health issues, are battling drug or alcohol dependancy, and so much more.

A while ago, there was a bit of an uproar in Edmonton. There were talks of paying a few local artists to erect a statue in tribute to the homeless that lost their lives. It’s a touching thought, but not one I figured was such a great idea. Why would the government be so willing to spend tax payers’ money on something as frivolous as a statue instead of services that would actually help those in need? I’m sure the homeless would rather have some food in their stomachs, or warm clothing, or a warm shelter to escape the howling wind. I’m not sure where the issue stands but I hope the whole thing has been kyboshed and reconsidered.

I've volunteered once at the Food Bank here in Edmonton, at work I've delivered United Way mail outs for donations. On Facebook I had added the Campbell Canada (as in the soups etc) application. That application has changed, it used to be that for every virtual can of soup that you sent and was received, Campbell's would donate a can of soup to the local food bank. Now if you look up Campbell Canada, you are able to become a fan of the page to track Campbell's activities in the community. (http://www.facebook.com/#!/CampbellCanada) I just saw a commercial for Shaw - a cable/phone/internet provider. Seems as though they have teamed up with Campbell's and Safeway to help support the local food banks. It's always nice to see larger corporations giving back to local communities.

I read a book by Jeannette Walls called The Glass Castle. It was about her life growing up as one of four children. She lived in squalor even though her parents had the ability to work, and funds at their disposal. After the kids moved away, her parents chose to be street people. It was hard for her, and for the reader, to wrap their head around the choice to live in such a way. It was a fascinating book and well worth the read. I would really recommend reading it to be perfectly honest. I doubt you will walk away disappointed.

It’s not always about me; just remember everybody’s got a story that could break your heart.

Here Turkey, Turkey, Turkey : Tales of a Turkey Hunter

Let me start out by saying Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians. This weekend is our annual three day weekend to give thanks for things past, present and future. My thoughts on Thanksgiving could go in many different directions... I will try not to offend anyone =0)

My grandparents used to be turkey farmers. I'm not sure for how long, or how many they farmed... But I do have a brief recollection of it from my early years... Talking to my Nana years later, she confirmed what I mildly remembered. I giggle as I remember her telling me how stupid the birds were... You'd have to put tin foil in their feed so they didn't starve to death... "Oooh shiny!"....  In colder weather, they were known to huddle together to keep warm... In some unfortunate cases a few were suffocated to death due to them piling on one another in a corner for some body heat... They could be vicious and man, they are one ugly bird, not the ugliest by far though... This is one staple of a Thanksgiving dinner though... They did something right!

I don't remember Thanksgiving really being a big deal around my house. I mean yeah we'd get together for a Turkey dinner, but don't expect the whole family to attend. (Some Christmases we can't even depend on a full family roster, let alone a three day weekend.) I remember one year, it was just my family at Grandma's, though Mum has two younger sisters and a younger brother. (Between the 4 of them, 10 grand kids appeared.) In the younger days I seemed to remember more of a Thanksgiving Day feel, but as the grand kids grew up and scattered, that became less and less.

In the years I've been in Edmonton - 7 1/2 or so - I've had two Thanksgivings with friends. The first was about four or five years ago, and my friend pulled it together for her family because her parents didn't observe the holiday. She worked pretty hard and was determined to have a turkey. The dinner was really good and I was pretty impressed with my pal. The second, I would rather not remember so I will spare you the details.

Thanksgiving isn't a big thing to me. I am thankful for the three day weekend it brings however, and I won't turn that down. I figure Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that fall into the same category as Valentine's Day. While we don't get an extra day off for Valentine's, same sentiment here. I don't need a day to remind me to tell people that I love them. I shouldn't need a day, or a near death experience, to show how thankful I am. Every day I think of what I have to be thankful for. I am thankful for my family and friends. I am thankful for my health and education. I am thankful to be Canadian. I am thankful to have food on my plate and a roof over my head. I am thankful to be gainfully employed and to be supporting myself. I am thankful for this and much more.

Thanksgiving means different things to different people. Some celebrate it, some don't. Some have a gigantic turkey dinner and veg in front of a football game, others spend it volunteering to help feed the homeless in a soup kitchen, some don't feel the need to observe it at all. What ever your prerogative, it's your right.

So however you spend this weekend, be safe and enjoy!

It's not always about me, HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANADA!!!!!

It's Back, and Betta Than Ever! - Hockey, Canada's Game

Bring on Don Cherry, Blue and his suits. Bring on the smack talking, the Battle of Alberta and Battle of Ontario. Bring on the fights, pretty goals and team pride. Hockey's back Baby! This is one sport I dig, support, can get behind. I'm not the hardcore, watch every game or my life isn't complete kind of thing, but I won't complain about a hockey game on the tube at home. I haven't always liked the Hockey. I remember back in the day, when Dad would watch Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday night, I'd hate it and wish he'd change the channel. Now though, I've grown to love and appreciate Canada's National sport.

When I was in grade 9, I met a friend named Jennifer. I believe her family had season's tickets to the local hockey club, the Vernon Vipers. I would tag along to some of the games with them and we had a blast. The following season I bought my own season's tickets. We always had fun, and it didn't hurt that some of the players were pretty good looking. I don't think anyone I watched made it to the NHL, I don't think any have competed at the Olympic level either. Doesn't matter though, it's a fun memory. Vernon has seen a couple local boys make it to the NHL with the likes of Brent Gilchrist and Eric Brewer. (Though Brent Gilchrist wasn't born in Vernon, Eric Brewer was. Mr Gilchrist's family must've relocated to the Vernon area however. In elementary school, I was friends with one of his nieces, and just after high school, I volunteered at a benefit concert bearing his name featuring The Moffats, Jann Arden and Amanda Marshall.) One of the last games I saw in Vernon's old Civic Arena was the Old Timer's game. That was cool to see some of the Legends. I saw the likes of Guy La Fleur and Tiger Williams. It was a rad experience to say the least.

I think mainly because I grew up in B.C, I've always been a Vancouver Canuck fan. I started to get into hockey with the Pavel Bure Era. (Man, that dude could skate!) In 1994, I watched the Canucks go all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. I remember the team wasn't supposed to get passed the first round that year against the Calgary Flames, which they obviously did. The Canucks made it to the 7th Game of the finals against the New York Rangers in a nail biter... At one point, the Canucks were down three to zip and in the third period they started to make a comeback... It was a little too late however, they wound up losing 3-2 in regulation time. After the final horn of the game, Kirk McClean, the Canucks then goalie, stood in his crease with his hands stacked on his stick. Trevor Linden, who happens to be my favorite player ever, slumped into the boards after one last failing attempt for the tying goal. I was heartbroken, and seriously went into my room and cried. The Canucks, unfortunately, haven't made it that far since.

Now that I've been living in Edmonton, I've become a bit of a fickle Oilers Fan... (Brent Gilchrist played for the Oilers at one time.) When I first moved to Edmonton, those 7 and a half years ago, I lived a stones throw from The Coliseum/Rexall Place. I was pretty stoked the first time riding down Wayne Gretzky Drive and seeing where a professional sports team played, where dominance of the NHL in the early '80's was wicked awesome with players like Mr Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffee, Jari Kurri, and Glen Anderson just to name a few. Out front at Rexall stands a statue in tribute to the phenomenon, Wayne Gretzky. (I'm just sorry that the rink is in a rougher part of town, but not to worry - there's a big fight over a new downtown arena. We'll see how that turns out.) In 2006, it was the Oilers' turn to make the run for the Cup. I don't remember much of the beginning of the play-offs, I do remember doing inventory at a job and everyone huddling around the radio to hear what the action was. Towards the end, there were riots of sorts down Whyte Avenue here in the City. The riots made National News and made the fans here look like assholes. Damage to stores and store fronts happened, garbage cans were lighted on fire, just a whole pile of shenanigans went down, and it made us look bad. We were in the finals, and the rowdies made it look like we lost or some injustice had happened. Since then, the Oilers haven't made it as far in the playoffs. Some seasons they sucked so bad, they didn't even make it to the playoffs and were the joke of the NHL. To further that joke, in the 29 years I've been on Earth, and the 7 and a half I've been in Edmonton, I have not seen a single NHL game at Rexall or in any other team's barn. Now that's a sad, sad state of affairs!

I did take in last night's Oilers season opener, and it was a Battle of Alberta with of course the Calgary Flames. I didn't watch the whole thing as I had the control of the remote, but I did flip back and forth to the game. From what I saw, it was an exciting game and was impressed by some of the new, young talent. It was an electrifying 3rd period with the right out come. The "Oil" won with a shut out performance of 4-0. Sorry Flames, better luck next time. I wonder if Khabibulin stayed sober the whole game or had arena beer delivered between periods? Either way, he got the shut out.

Love him, or hate him, a big amusement is Coach's Corner with Don Cherry. Personally, I think the guy is rather obnoxious but what are ya gonna do? The only reason I stick around long enough to see Coach's Corner is to see what outlandish new suit he's got on. Don Cherry seems to be a bit of an Icon in the NHL, as he was briefly a player but spent majority of his time as a Coach. He's been known to say a thing or two to get people riled up, he's been known to do a thing or two getting under people's skin. Like him or hate him, Don Cherry is the face of Coach's Corner, and I'm not sure if anyone else would fit.

Hockey has become a little more commercial of late it seems. Of course you can go out and buy your favorite player/team jerseys, ball caps, key chains, T-Shirts and so on. While I was watching last night's game, they had a segment on in one of the intermissions about Stan Lee. (Ya, Stan Lee as in the Comic Legend, Stan Lee.) I guess Mr Lee is working with the NHL doing something called the Guardians. From what I hear, every team in the league will get their own personalized "Super Hero" geared to their specific team. I guess Calgary's team will obviously have Fire Power, and Philly's Team will have the ability to fly.... Then I get to work this morning, leaf through a paper only to find an ad for a movie... A musical no less... It's called The Score and I guess it's a hockey musical... I don't know guys... I mean I watched The Mighty Ducks when that came out, and I thought that was pushing it. (Cute movie, really liked it... But pushing it.) Slapshot is a classic Hockey movie, I can't find a single person who didn't like it. The re-make on the other hand was a bit more divided.

While in Whistler working the Olympics, the turn out to watch the hockey games were the wildest thing I've ever seen. When I wasn't working I'd go down to one of the bars that was televising the game and join in the festivities. One of the games that stood out was the 8-0 stomping Canada laid down on Norway. There were Norwegian Athletes in the bar where the massacre was witnessed and I felt bad because a few people didn't have much class and got in the Athlete's faces and rubbed it in. That same night, just after the game, a European version of TSN came through the bar then stood out side interviewing insane fans. A few people I was with and I got our faces broad casted across the Ocean, how cool is that? That night there was partying in the streets of Whistler alright. My little group of about 6 - 8 were walking back to grab a bus back to our camp as parties raged on. Another group of 6 or so people were coming in the opposite direction with a huge Canadian Flag they all held over their head. We went between the people and under the flag all high 5-ing each other. As we walked away they came back for a second pass, this time they scrapped off one of our crew. Good times, good times. I've got relatives that still live in Norway and I'd Facebook everything. Even though they had their asses handed to them that day, my Norwegian cousins were a riot and took it in stride.

Although I didn't watch any of the Olympic Hockey live down in Vancouver, I still have memorable moments of hockey highlights. I was in Whistler Village one evening and was headed back to camp... I was mad because a co-worker bailed out on me, so I was just a hoofin' 'er. I look to my right and who do I see? None other than Captain Canuck himself, Trevor Linden. My breathe was taken away, I had been "in love" with him since I was like 12 - 13 years old! I was dumbfounded and awestruck and I called my Mum (who happens to be Trevor's second biggest fan, behind me of course - tee hee.) and started talking a mile a minute. "MUM!!! MUM!!!"   "Lauren calm down, what's going on? You OK?" "MUM!!! I THINK I JUST SAW TREVOR LINDEN!!!!!!!" "OMG Lauren! Go get his autograph! You know he won't say No! Go do it and call me back!" After about 5 minutes of semi-stalking the guy, so I could work up the nerve, my opportunity came... It was now or never, it was go time. Some how, Mr Linden got behind the friends he was with and I had gotten a head of him a little bit. I looked over as he caught up and it went down. "Excuse me? Are you Trevor Linden?" Glances at me, "Yep, I am." (YAAAAY in my mind.) "I have been your biggest fan, since like forever can I get my picture taken with you?" "Sure, but walk with me, I've gotta catch up with my friends." Almost shitting my pants with excitement, I did as I was told. My camera was on the wrong setting, so that was tres embarrassing. Once I got it going, Trevor grabbed it out of my hands, snapped off a pic, kinda grunted "I don't like that one" and snapped off a second one. He waited for me to look, asked if they were alright, which they were. I thanked him, told him he made my life, he said to have a good night and disappeared into the crowd. I walked on clouds as I called my Mum and Dad and headed back to camp. A few people at camp were jealous, but then they saw Trevor at the Our Lady Peace Concert and got pics of their own. (That's the story behind the pic of Trevor Freakin' Linden and I right here on my blog.)

The last thing I'll mention on this long ass Hockey post, the Gold Medal Hockey Games of the 2010 Olympics. Oddly, both the Mens' and Womens' teams had to defeat the USA or accept a silver. I had to work the day of the Ladies' Final but managed to get back to camp with enough time to watch the 3rd period... To be honest, I was tired and hazy at the time but do remember that it seemed like a hard fought battle. In the end though, the Ladies' made this Hockey Nation proud by winning a Gold on Home soil.

The Mens' I remember far better as I took a few days off work and was better rested. I was in Victoria visiting an Aunt and cousins and we had the game on. My Auntie and I couldn't bare to watch, just in case we jinxed them but whenever we heard cheers, we ran inside to watch the goal replay or to see what was up. Finally, the 3rd period came around and we were down to 5 minutes left with a 1 goal lead. On the edge of our seats we silently prayed... Until with 27 point something seconds, the US tied it up. (See, we jinxed...) Cursing the other team, we went to OT and did the same thing of seat edge praying and nail biting... Then Syd Crosby became a national hero as he put the winning goal away. We had our second Gold in "Our Sport". The streets of Victoria went a little nuts afterwards, meanwhile before it was a ghost town because of the game. Everyone was happy and asked if we'd seen the game. (I'm sorry to any Americans reading this following line... I understand that both US teams didn't win silver, but infact lost gold. Trust me when I say I know what it's like to watch your team be second best. Happened to me more than once. The first was in '94 and the second '06 and when the Canadian Hockey teams didn't medal at the Olmpics. But when the Mens' US team - and I think the Ladies' as well - accepted their silver medals, I was pretty disgusted.)

It's not always about me, but I am Canadian and I loves me some hockey! =0)