As some of you may know I am a hockey fan. I have season tickets for the Montreal Canadian ( shared in a group ). I am not so much a fan of the home team, as of the sport. But at this week-ends match, I had quite an experience. The game was Montreal vs. rival Toronto, both fighting for a playoff spot. So as you can imagine, their were alot of emotions on the ice, as well as in the stands.
First things first, when we got to the game, just as the anthem was finishing, i thought i walked into the wrong arena. The leaf jersey's outnumbered the canadiens jersey's 2 to 1. Second, I was impressed to see how involved the Toronto fans were. They were cheering on their team right up until half way into the second ( at a score of 4-1 ). Until that moment, you couldn't even tell there were canadien fans in the stands, as Toronto had been out-cheering throughout the whole game. It was at this point i realized alot of montreal people aren't satisfied with cheering on their team, they feel the need to insult the opposing crowd. Now this baffles me, having your team win ( and by quite a margin as the game finished 6-2 ) isn't good enough, you find it necessary to insult the other fans. Personnaly to see my team win, should be a moment of pride, and to stand tall, not crawl around in the gutters with personal insults to the other fans. As they say around here "ya du monde qui savent pas vive!"
Another point i wish to make, and this is directly towards the staff of the Montreal Bell Center. YOU ARE A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES! Now that i have said it, let me explain why. Early during the match ( like 10 minutes into the first period ) a couple of security guards ( if you can call them that ) came into section 430, and had were having what seemed to be a heated discussion with some toronto fans. After a couple of minutes i see the guards leaving with a Toronto flag on a broomstick. The explanation that I overheard was for security reasons they don't allow any sticks in the stands. Now i can agree to this, as it can be dangerous, but at least be fair, because no later than 20 seconds after this moment, did they show 3 people on the "jumbotron" waving full sized canadiens flags on broomsticks. These three people appeared no fewer than 4 times on the screens, and at least until midway through the third period. Now can someone explain to me, why they confiscated the Toronto flag and not the Canadiens one, is it because of a) We are in Montreal, not Toronto ( which if you ask me is a lot of crap,as they are allowed to cheer on their team if they want ) or b)because we were in the upper deck, and the canadiens flags were in the more expensive seats, and they figure that since they paid more, they should be allowed to get away with more?
Monday, March 27, 2006
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
What do you do when you run out of things to blame......
Ok, this I am not a religious person. I have nothing against any religion, so long as they respect that some people don't agree with their beliefs.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I have to share something that I found totally hilarious. While I was browsing news stories yesterday, I came across this article and just had to share it. The thought of it had me rolling around on the floor.
If fascinates me that people can think we, as a race, can pollute, consume resources, boost our food with steroids without having consequences, and then blame something (in this particular case, GOD) for punishing us, and for what, because some politicians are trying to legalize homosexual marriages.
This is a subject that I am very adamant about (the wasting of our resources, not homosexual marriages, which I have no problem with), and can go on for hours discussing, but I will spare you that.
My point today is simply that it baffles me to think that people, as in society not individuals, would rather blame some higher power than to look in their own backyards. Its a wonder this type of disease hasn't surfaced sooner, with the way we inject steroids, vitamins, etc into the food we eat, that the viruses are also getting stronger.
Now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I have to share something that I found totally hilarious. While I was browsing news stories yesterday, I came across this article and just had to share it. The thought of it had me rolling around on the floor.
If fascinates me that people can think we, as a race, can pollute, consume resources, boost our food with steroids without having consequences, and then blame something (in this particular case, GOD) for punishing us, and for what, because some politicians are trying to legalize homosexual marriages.
This is a subject that I am very adamant about (the wasting of our resources, not homosexual marriages, which I have no problem with), and can go on for hours discussing, but I will spare you that.
My point today is simply that it baffles me to think that people, as in society not individuals, would rather blame some higher power than to look in their own backyards. Its a wonder this type of disease hasn't surfaced sooner, with the way we inject steroids, vitamins, etc into the food we eat, that the viruses are also getting stronger.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Sneaky GMail
Well after reading a few articles today during my lunch hour, it would seem that GMail is not exactly what most thought it to be.
All this news chatter about GMail was caused because of a subpoena that is requiring Google to turn over all the emails from a certain Gmail account. In the subpoena, it clearly states, not just the email from the inbox, sent items, and that, but also the deleted emails.
It would seem that google doesn't actually delete anything even when you do. Everything is stored on their servers, ready and available for their browsing and data mining needs.
Now i firmly believe that if you send documents electronically, the sole responsibility for their security is your own, either encrypt the data, don't send it, or don't complain. But the fact that Google never deletes my mail is causing me to think a little more about what i want to send to my Gmail account.
I doubt i will change my habits, but this fact definitely falls into the "You learn something new everyday" category.
for anyone wanting more information about what Gmail does and does not do i suggest a quick read.
just my 2 cents
All this news chatter about GMail was caused because of a subpoena that is requiring Google to turn over all the emails from a certain Gmail account. In the subpoena, it clearly states, not just the email from the inbox, sent items, and that, but also the deleted emails.
It would seem that google doesn't actually delete anything even when you do. Everything is stored on their servers, ready and available for their browsing and data mining needs.
Now i firmly believe that if you send documents electronically, the sole responsibility for their security is your own, either encrypt the data, don't send it, or don't complain. But the fact that Google never deletes my mail is causing me to think a little more about what i want to send to my Gmail account.
I doubt i will change my habits, but this fact definitely falls into the "You learn something new everyday" category.
for anyone wanting more information about what Gmail does and does not do i suggest a quick read.
just my 2 cents
Obedience Lessons
Ok, so we started obedience training for our dog on tuesday.
I realized that he definitely needed some training, when he started pulling my wife around at the end of his leash. I don't have a problem walking him, as i out weigh him by over 100lbs, and am still much stronger than him, so i hadn't noticed so much that he has a tendency to pull on his leash. But after my wife telling me, that he dragged her around, sirens started going off in my head.
So Tuesday night he trek out to the middle of nowhere ( thats half between here and somewhere, for the lay person, St-Jacques-le-mineur), to see this woman, who we got a great recommendation for, especially for large breed dogs ( or small horses, however you choose to describe my dog ). So we get there, and i half expect to see the the female equivalent of an ogre, and there stands this little woman. I say ok, lets give this a try anyways, what can we lose, a couple of kilometers of driving through the middle of nowhere. So we start the "lesson" and she is asking us what she will teach us (because at some point she is teaching the owners how to behave around the dog so he listens to you). Then she starts the demonstration, she starts yanking on his leash ( not hard, just quick and sharp ) and low an behold, after a couple of minutes he is actually not pulling on the leash. Halleluhiah. So we each give it a try, and we start yanking as soon as he is not walking where he should be, and he starts listening ( walking next to us, and not pulling ).
She then throws the explanation at us, you shouldn't have to use force to train your dog, simple quick movements to bring him back to what you want him doing, and he will learn. It seems the more strengh you use to train your dog the stronger he becomes, and the more he will be able to fight you.
They should really have had a booklet of what not to do when you own a BIG dog. These aren't problems most owners face, as i can't really see a mop dog ( thats what i call a dog that could pass for a mop if only you shoved a broom handle up their backside ) yanking around a person weighing in over 100lbs. But for a big dog, these little tricks can really make the difference.
I can't wait to see whats in store for the next lesson.
I realized that he definitely needed some training, when he started pulling my wife around at the end of his leash. I don't have a problem walking him, as i out weigh him by over 100lbs, and am still much stronger than him, so i hadn't noticed so much that he has a tendency to pull on his leash. But after my wife telling me, that he dragged her around, sirens started going off in my head.
So Tuesday night he trek out to the middle of nowhere ( thats half between here and somewhere, for the lay person, St-Jacques-le-mineur), to see this woman, who we got a great recommendation for, especially for large breed dogs ( or small horses, however you choose to describe my dog ). So we get there, and i half expect to see the the female equivalent of an ogre, and there stands this little woman. I say ok, lets give this a try anyways, what can we lose, a couple of kilometers of driving through the middle of nowhere. So we start the "lesson" and she is asking us what she will teach us (because at some point she is teaching the owners how to behave around the dog so he listens to you). Then she starts the demonstration, she starts yanking on his leash ( not hard, just quick and sharp ) and low an behold, after a couple of minutes he is actually not pulling on the leash. Halleluhiah. So we each give it a try, and we start yanking as soon as he is not walking where he should be, and he starts listening ( walking next to us, and not pulling ).
She then throws the explanation at us, you shouldn't have to use force to train your dog, simple quick movements to bring him back to what you want him doing, and he will learn. It seems the more strengh you use to train your dog the stronger he becomes, and the more he will be able to fight you.
They should really have had a booklet of what not to do when you own a BIG dog. These aren't problems most owners face, as i can't really see a mop dog ( thats what i call a dog that could pass for a mop if only you shoved a broom handle up their backside ) yanking around a person weighing in over 100lbs. But for a big dog, these little tricks can really make the difference.
I can't wait to see whats in store for the next lesson.
Monday, March 13, 2006
A tribute to "Boom Boom"
This Saturday I was in the stands for the sold out attendance at the Montreal Bell Center, for the Montreal vs. Rangers hockey game. In itself is a good night, but we were treated to a once in a lifetime experience, a tribute to the life of one of Hockey's greatest players.
Now I am not a religious zealot when it comes to Hockey, however certain events merit a time to reflect. Many of today's fans, consider some of the young "all-stars" to be the greatest thing to come into hockey ( Sydney Crosby, Ilya Kovalchuck and many more come to mind ). Don't get me wrong, these players are very good at what they do, play the game. But few players in today's league have what it takes to evolve the game of hockey.
Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion earned his nickname by becoming the founding father of what is known as the modern day slapshot. Many people just assumed that such things have been around since the dawn of hockey, just like helmets, or goalie masks. It is players like him, that forced the game to evolve into what we see today. And this is the reason, why in my opinion "Boom Boom" joins a short list of players who have helped make the game what it is today. This list includes such names as Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, Bobby Orr, Jacques Plante, Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, and few more.
I do have one thing I would like to clarify. I heard many whispering while I was in the crowd, of why would his family be there when he died that very morning in his sleep. I agree that this may seem strange to some people, but I believe his son said it best, " It's what he (Boom Boom) would have wanted." To anyone who has ever met any of the "true greats" of hockey, can tell in an instant, that their love of this game goes beyond comprehension. I was once lucky enough when I was just a kid playing the game to meet some of these greats ( Henri Richard, Boom Boom, and a few more ) who were playing in an old-timers game at the Maurice Richard area ( where I was playing in a tournament.) Someone that surprised me, was they seemed to be more enthusiastic to be around the game of hockey, than anyone in that tournament. It is for this reason, that I want to thank to Geoffrion family (and everyone else who was there for the event ) for paying the proper respects to one of the best hockey ambassadors we could ever want.
Maybe these are just the ramblings of a hockey fan, but I was honored to be part of the crowd for this event and will not soon forget it.
Now I am not a religious zealot when it comes to Hockey, however certain events merit a time to reflect. Many of today's fans, consider some of the young "all-stars" to be the greatest thing to come into hockey ( Sydney Crosby, Ilya Kovalchuck and many more come to mind ). Don't get me wrong, these players are very good at what they do, play the game. But few players in today's league have what it takes to evolve the game of hockey.
Bernard "Boom Boom" Geoffrion earned his nickname by becoming the founding father of what is known as the modern day slapshot. Many people just assumed that such things have been around since the dawn of hockey, just like helmets, or goalie masks. It is players like him, that forced the game to evolve into what we see today. And this is the reason, why in my opinion "Boom Boom" joins a short list of players who have helped make the game what it is today. This list includes such names as Maurice "The Rocket" Richard, Bobby Orr, Jacques Plante, Wayne Gretzky, Patrick Roy, Ken Dryden, Gordie Howe, Mario Lemieux, and few more.
I do have one thing I would like to clarify. I heard many whispering while I was in the crowd, of why would his family be there when he died that very morning in his sleep. I agree that this may seem strange to some people, but I believe his son said it best, " It's what he (Boom Boom) would have wanted." To anyone who has ever met any of the "true greats" of hockey, can tell in an instant, that their love of this game goes beyond comprehension. I was once lucky enough when I was just a kid playing the game to meet some of these greats ( Henri Richard, Boom Boom, and a few more ) who were playing in an old-timers game at the Maurice Richard area ( where I was playing in a tournament.) Someone that surprised me, was they seemed to be more enthusiastic to be around the game of hockey, than anyone in that tournament. It is for this reason, that I want to thank to Geoffrion family (and everyone else who was there for the event ) for paying the proper respects to one of the best hockey ambassadors we could ever want.
Maybe these are just the ramblings of a hockey fan, but I was honored to be part of the crowd for this event and will not soon forget it.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
My dumb dog
My wife and I purchased a dog, around september. He was such a cute little thing. Reasonable well behaved, and healthy. We knew he would be a big dog, but that reality is only starting to sink in now.
He is a cross-breed between a husky and a bull mastif. At just under 8 months now, he weighs in at about 70lbs. But that fact isn't what brought me to reality this morning. I did my usual routine, got up, let him out, fed him. Once he ate, i tied him up to his chain to go and have my shower. As i am going upstairs i look out the window and see the end of his chain, but no dog ( now all this is less than 5 minutes. ) I go back down stairs, to see him sitting on the gallery, with the chain hanging from his coller. Now this is the second time in two days ( scratch that, 12 hours ) that he has broken his chain. This chain is the size on my finger, made especially for dogs.
I now need to go and find something industrial strength, to attempt to keep him tied up. Great way to begin the morning, thats for sure.
He is a cross-breed between a husky and a bull mastif. At just under 8 months now, he weighs in at about 70lbs. But that fact isn't what brought me to reality this morning. I did my usual routine, got up, let him out, fed him. Once he ate, i tied him up to his chain to go and have my shower. As i am going upstairs i look out the window and see the end of his chain, but no dog ( now all this is less than 5 minutes. ) I go back down stairs, to see him sitting on the gallery, with the chain hanging from his coller. Now this is the second time in two days ( scratch that, 12 hours ) that he has broken his chain. This chain is the size on my finger, made especially for dogs.
I now need to go and find something industrial strength, to attempt to keep him tied up. Great way to begin the morning, thats for sure.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
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