hockey night in whoville

Here they are! We saw the Blues on Friday night. It was very exciting.

I only took pictures during the warm-up because I just didn't think about it during the game, I was too busy watching the game.






I love watching the warm-up actually. I'd watch one or two players and see what they practice the most before the game.








This is where we sat. We were fourth row from the top. The air in thinner up there I think. I am impressed with how good the seats really are wherever you sit at GM Place. At least that's my take on it.





However, when you sit up in those rows, all the barriers have these words printed on them. It's not for safety but rather to keep the view clear for the person behind you. When you lean forward you can block the view of the person behind you. People generally respect the sign. It's hard to always remember to sit upright in your chair. It would seem that it's good for your posture sitting up there.


Between periods the Canucks fans are treated to this blimp whale that floats around the stadium dropping flyers or coupons or something on the crowd below. It's very strange to see this whale pooping out flyers from it's tail end.

It's an odd mascot I think, but then it could be worse or more offensive. Thank goodness I've chosen a team with the blue note on it.

Oh by the way, despite the numerous injuries and being at the bottom of the Western Conference, the Blues won 6-4. Woohoo! It was so much fun seeing them win since we don't see that very often.

Hockey and Budgets

The NHL trade deadline has ended and the federal budget was announced today. I'm disappointed in both.

I've already posted about losing Salvador for a player that may not be worth it. They traded Backman as well, but that doesn't really concern me too much.

As for the budget I am unimpressed from what I've read. This government is failing the environment. They are "Turning the Corner" all right and it is taking us down an oil sands slippery slope. No carbon tax? Huge amounts of money for nuclear energy and to find ways to hide carbon from coal-fired electricity? Huh? What planet are these people on? Not one that I want to be on that's for sure.

I'd like a trade deadline for this government, but with Dion, the opposition leader, voting for the budget it doesn't seem like that's going to happen any time soon.

Salvador and Jamal

db just sent me this story about my two favorite players on the Blues. Why are they my favorite players? Probably because they've been there the longest and always seem to be sure and steady. They're not superstar hockey players or a big draw for the crowds, but like I said they've always been on the team since I started watching the Blues the year db and I got married. Also, I was interested in them because they are two of the few players of colour in the NHL and I've always wanted them to do well because they are role models for kids. When you think about the racial divide in a place like St. Louis you have to think that it is a very positive image to have these two men on the local team.

db use to work for a hockey store in Toronto and was off the day Jamal Mayers showed up in the store to get his skates sharpened. Everyone at the store couldn't believe that db wasn't there. When they told Jamal what a big fan db is, Jamal went out to his car and got a postcard sized picture and signed it. We keep it by the t.v. for hockey night and that would be tonight.

Note: I just tried the link and it won't take you to the story about the two players anymore. So, if you're really interested just type in their names Salvador and Mayers in the search box the article will come up. Sorry.

News from Whoville

We got a significant amount of snow again while I heard in the city they got very little to none. db took this picture in the morning from our front window. It snowed the rest of the day.
The snow is so beautiful here. I know it causes a lot of grief for people trying to get around, but I love the fact that snow removal is almost non-existent here in Whoville so everything stays very white and fluffy looking for several days. We're supposed to get more snow overnight!

This past Wednesday db and I went to a Blues game! St. Louis was in town playing those Canucks. Why the Brian Sutter card image? Because I wore a vintage jersey from db's collection with Sutter's number and name on it. It fit quite well. Jersey's were made quite differently then (late 70s/early 80s -- I'm not sure when db acquired this jersey).

I felt a little weird wearing a sports jersey to an event like some sort of conformity had occurred. Yet part of me was so excited about seeing the Blues I didn't really give it too much thought. However, I almost changed my mind when I was hurrying around getting ready to go and meet db. I slipped on my sneakers without lacing them and had just finished drying my hair so it was frizzy and wild looking before I tamed it with some Neal's Yard and I caught myself in the mirror and was completely distressed at the image and said to myself, "I look like a hockey chick!" I actually looked like Garth from Wayne's World. I almost changed. Lacing my sneakers and taming my hair into braids certainly helped shake the Garth look.

Once at GM Place I was aware of keeping the big "reveal" hidden until we were in our seats. People were pretty funny in their reactions. We got a lot of laughs and sympathy when things didn't go our way. It was fun.

Both national anthems were sung. Usually I don't sing the national anthem mostly because I'm shy, but the chance for such a large group sing was pretty cool and I eventually sang a little. I'd like to learn the French version for next time I think. I guess only in Montreal they sing the anthem in French or both official languages.

The game itself was very exciting. We were in the upper levels behind the goal. The seats were great because it really is a great vantage point to watch a game. Professional hockey is unbelievably fast when you see it live and I loved being able to see the whole surface and all the line changes and interactions. I was impressed. The game ended in a shootout and we lost. Sigh. St. Louis was also robbed of a goal when they had scored and the ref blew the whistle while the puck was still in play. The people sitting around us were sympathetic when we all saw the replay on the big screen. Ah well, c'est la vie.

We're going again in March when St. Louis is back in town. I can't wait!

This was a bad sports weekend. Newcastle, who are without a manager right now, played Manchester United and were defeated 6-0. Ouch! Of course the score could have been slightly different if Michael Owen's goal had been permitted, but he was called offside. He was not offside. It was very unfortunate.

Then today the Blues played Vancouver in St. Louis and lost in a shootout after coming back and tying the game in the third period. I hope that means that St. Louis will win when they come to Vancouver in 10 days. db and I will be at that game. Very exciting.

Oh well there's always another game. As for Newcastle, I hate to say it but I don't think things could get worse at this point.

the curse has been lifted and other notes

6:00 am the phone rings. db is up but not answering so I get out of bed because the thought occurs to me that it could be important. No one phones at 6 am unless it's important. I grab the phone too late. Hello? Dial tone. So I star 69 to see the number (no, we don't have call display) and I can hear my brother leaving a message. All I hear is the end of the number of where he is and this: "call me it's very important."

I fumble around with the buttons on the phone trying to hear his message again and I scribble down the number in the dark. I call him. He answers at his work number.

me: What's going on?
bro: the curse has been lifted!
me: What?
bro: the old man is dead!
me: Who's dead
bro: Bill Wirtz
me: Oh my god. When did this happen? (I have no idea who this is, but I express concern)
bro: Yesterday. The curse is lifted man. Aren't you monkeys up? Isn't db making coffee?
me: He's up. I'm in bed! It's six in the morning.
bro: The blackhawks are going to have a great season.

BING!

The lightbulb goes on (only in my head. I leave the bedside light off to stay in the dark). This is hockey talk. He needs to be talking to db.

me: okay I'm putting db on because you should be talking to him. (subtext: I don't give a rat's ass at 6 am).
bro: put him on.
me: You know I'm going to kill you for this.
bro: Yeah, yeah.
me: (As I'm passing the phone to db) I'm going to kill you.

At that point db takes over the phone. He later explains to me that my brother believes the team was cursed because Wirtz ran it poorly by doing things like not televising home games. Huh?

We're also joining bro's hockey pool so I've got to make some picks now. I guess the season has officially begun.


***

Roaming Writer is moving to a little place just outside of Nelson. While I'm sad to see her go I'm glad she'll be going to a place she really wants to be. She's bought a place there and it even has a little studio separate from the house that will become her writing space/office. What a dream!

I went to graduate school with her and when she moved back to BC I somewhat lost touch with her. Recently she emailed me out of the blue for some help with dialogue on a script. We never did get to that project, but we reconnected which was cool and she showed me parts of the city that I probably wouldn't have visited on my own.

Have a great trip Roaming Writer. I'll be visiting as soon as I can.

***
db's bread book that I got him for his birthday noted regarding sourdough:
"The yeast and bacteria from the soured leaven will provide B vitamins and biotin (important if you follow a vegan diet).
So here's to the sourdough. db made a beautiful loaf this weekend.