It's a Phone Too?

All right tech geeks and nerds rejoice, the iphone is officially here. And while people like my buddy Casey and Aaron know a great deal more about these things than myself, I will endeavour to tell you what I think. I think this is a product for our generation, one that wants the absolute most out of everything it has. It wants it all in one package, and as convenient as possible. I give you, the iphone. The fact that it does damn near everything is impressive, the fact that it is touch screen is cool, and the fact that it is actually in the feasible price range for many is even better. Yes, it is a bit on the expensive side, and yes if you wen out and bought the individual products..MP3 player, Camera, phone etc. by themselves you would probably get better quality individually, but you can have it all. Isn't that the point of the iphone? the complete package...Otherwise, why bother getting it at all...

Let me know what you think.

On Top to Stay

So, with Canada Day approaching, perhaps I am feeling a little patriotic, but whatever the case may be I saw an article in the paper today that got me thinking. It was actually a picture, and in it members of the Canadian Junior men's, Men's and Women's Hockey teams received their rings for winning the world championships this year. That's right, we won all three. Again. And, we won the 2005 World Cup of Hockey, and it is set to be held again in a few years time. The Olympics...we'll call that a blip on the radar screen. This is truly a sign that the programs implemented by Hockey Canada are working and that as a whole, we are still the greatest hockey nation in the world. And we are also among only a few countries who care about such a title. Hockey lacks that world wide appeal of baseball and soccer because it requires a rink, and countries like Germany, Switzerland and Italy are full of expatriate Canadians who fill up their rosters, though they are developing more home grown talent, and Germany is becoming a better hockey nation all the time. The fact remains that this is our game, and we care more about it than anyone, so why shouldn't we be the best. The pressure is there, and we are expected to win. Well, be that as it may, you can't win them all...oh wait...maybe you can. There are other sports that have greater competition and the World Cup of Soccer to me is the pivotal world's sports trophy as almost every country has a team, but the fact is Canada is still dominant in a spot that is played in a great number of nations, with greater populations than our own, and we continue to ex cell. Look at the NHL for the facts. Teams that win the Stanley Cup are lead by Canadians. There is no othere nation except perhaps Brazil's soccer team that can boast the kind of success Canada has had in this one sport. This may come across as brash patriotism, and rude even disrespectful to other nations, but the facts speak for themselves. They just make us look good is all...

Draft Day

The annual NHL entry draft was held this past weekend in Columbus Ohio, and while there was actually a fairly decent crowd of supporters for the event, it was relatively quiet in the US press. This despite the fact that for the first time ever the top two overall picks were American born players. Pat Kane of the London Knights was selected first overall and this was no great surprise given the numbers he put up last season, leading the OHL is scoring, as a rookie, and in the new NHL despite all the raving over size now that Anaheim won the cup, there is a place for smaller players like Kane. There was definitely a lack of big names in this draft class, as was there a lack of overseas players taken. The lack of a transfer agreement between Russia and the IIHF/NHL was probably responsible for some of this, but there was a definite lack of foreign players taken this year. As was there a lack of goaltenders, Tyler Sexsmith of the Memorial Cup champion Vancouver Giants was one of the more prominent tenders taken. Otherwise, this was a relatively uneventful draft year, but with the crop of talent the last three years, it has been hard to repeat such a wealth of players.

Things of Interest

At least I hope this is interesting...

Anyway, I was away fishing, that explains the lack of Blog posts recently. Anyway, upcoming things of interest around here include Bluesfest, which promises to be great this year with acts like the White Stripes, Van Morrison, Kayne West, Sam Roberts and others. Also Pilot Speed is playing at Barrymore's Saturday, should be a good time. The upcoming world under 20 soccer Cup is being held in Canada, including Ottawa and it promises to be a good time, these guys are incredibly talented and will be playing professionally in no time, many already do. So, check out these events if you're in the area, later.

PS - New Simpson's trailer on Yahoo movies - good stuff,

Canadian eh?

Looking forward to an upcoming fishing trip got me thinking about what it means to be Canadian, and what makes us so unique. There are of course many of those people, including several of my friends, who feel it is the multicultural aspects of Canada that make us what we are and what make this country great. I don't entirely disagree and living in Ottawa, having the opportunity to experience or at least get a small perspective of these other worlds, is a great opportunity and leads to better understanding in the world or at least we can hope it does. But to me Canada will always be the outdoors, the spirit of the land and the sense of space and freedom. A little corny? perhaps. Conservative...maybe, but the point is that, that is what 90% of our country is. Not sprawling cities and huge buildings, or people crammed into houses like sardines. Canada is know for its great outdoors and its love of outdoor activities. Our tourism industry thrives on it, and people from all over the world come here to experience what we are lucky enough to have access to every day. Weather it's playing hockey on a frozen lake, floating gently in a canoe or simply walking in a field (cue cheesy happy music and sunshine) this is what makes Canada, Canada. Our land, and the people who inhabit the small cities and areas away from the modernization and fast pace of today's world. I grew up in a small town like this, and perhaps this is nostalgia talking, but that is what makes up most of our country and so in my opinion is what makes it great.

Formula Fun

OK, never mind the cheesy title, and listen up. I was in Montreal this past weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix on the Formula One circuit, and it was well worth the trip. Even for a novice like me. For those of you who have never seen these cars live, it is a sight to see. They are incredibly fast, incredibly agile but mostly incredibly loud. The roar of the engine rang clear across the island from wherever the cars may have been. They are nothing but a blur as they pass you by, and how they can keep them under control is beyond me. They are obviously quiet safe too, as one BMW driver hit the wall at 300km/hr and was released from hospital yesterday with a concussion and sprained ankle. Lucky indeed. The other series of cars that travel with F1 are also quite impressive, if not nearly as fast. I also believe that anyone who owns a Ferrari or other such luxury car was in Montreal just for the sake of being see by those who appreciate such things (and not just the lovely ladies, of which there were plenty) such as the friends I went with. I don't know a great deal about cars, but you can still appreciate the performance you see right in front of you, and while this was not a cheap venture I highly recommend it for anyone remotely interested in racing, or just going and having fun in a great city.

Playoff Perspective

Here are what I think were some of the more memorable/interesting moments of this years playoffs, not in any particular order.

- The play of Sidney Crosby, even in a losing effort shows he is ready to lead a very talented and determined young team. He was just named captain, and I say look for Pittsburgh to make a run next year.
- Ranger goalie Henrik Lundquvist: This guy is perhaps the best goalie his country (Sweden) ever produced, and his play against Atlanta - not that they did much in the way of offence - and especially Buffalo proved that.
- Martin who? - Martin Brodeur was certainly not himself in these playoffs, almost blowing a series against a sub-par Tampa team, and letting Ottawa walk right over him.
- The Fantastic Four - Tampa Bay almost upset New Jersey with four players. Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavallier, Martin St. Louis and Dan Boyle almost took out the devils themselves, and though Holmquvist was good in net, the rest of the team was no where to be found. These guys are good. All Canadian too...
- Atlanta Thrashed - The Thrashers made some poor decisions leading up to the playoffs just to get a spot, trading their future away for Keith Tkachuk and Alexi Zhitnik, and then coming up so lame against New York, that if they were a horse they'd be luck to get shot. They played musical goaltenders too, which doesn't help the confidence of a talented young goalie like Keri Lehtonen.
- Ottawa's emergence - The Sens may have lost the final, but winning the East and looking good doing it made them seem for real and helped shake off past failures.
- Roberto Luongo vs. Marty Turco - This may have been one of the finest displays of goal tending the playoffs have ever seen, and the epic battle went to Luongo in 7, the only game 7 of these playoffs. Turco's poor luck continued, as he shook off past playoff failures only to run into a wall called Roberto. Luongo saved Vancouver this year, they need more offence because with him in net they can be a real threat at any time.
- Flames fizzle - Detroit was made to look good by Calgary and San Jose, Anaheim finally knocked off this over achieving and over the hill team. Calgary underachieved again except for Mika Kipprusoff who was his usual stellar self.
- San Jose vs. Nashville - This was the only rematch from last year, and may have been the most entertaining series. It had something for everyone and though a shorter series than most expected, it was very entertaining.
- Teemu's ring - Selanne finally got his ring, and as one of the most respected nice guys in the game, fans couldn't be happier for him.
- Pronger Shmonger - Pulling some of his typical goon tactics and subsequently suspended for two games which the Ducks won both, proves the over rated nature of Chris Pronger. He plays a lot, and has a good shot, but lacks other fundamental skills like speed, which lead to his cheap shot on Dean Mcammond. He is good, but no Scott Niedermayer or Nick Lidstrom.
- USA?? - Being in Ottawa and having a chance to see the fans and the love for this game, not only in the playoffs but during the drive to make it in for the Leafs and Habs, shows that the game belongs here. New Jersey and Detroit didn't even sell out some games, and most people in Anaheim couldn't tell you what the Stanley Cup was if you held a gun to their head, which could happen in LA...

What was your favorite playoff moment??...

Seasons End...

OK hockey fans, this one's for you. While I have refrained from writing about the Sens in the fear of jinxing their amazing playoff run, we now know how that ended up, so, sadly, with no need to worry any longer here are my thoughts on the finals. Once again "Canada's Team" lost to a sunny, football loving, non hockey city. I know Anaheim has more Canadian players, which left many calling them Canada's team, and those players were the reason they won the cup. Not that Ottawa didn't have good Canadian content, or that their lack of Canadians cost them the cup, but the last number of years the reason the teams in the south have won is because of Canadian players. The same as every other year. Think of Lecavalier, Ricahrds, St. Louis, Boyle and Sydor in Tampa and Brind'Amour, Stall, Ward & Ward, Rechi et. Al. in Carolina last year. Anaheim wasn't necessarily the better team, and that will be widely debated, but the Ducks did outplay Ottawa by a wide margin in the series and deserved to hoist the might mug. Ottawa got away from their game and didn't play nearly as well as Anaheim, which is due in part to the Ducks stellar play, but Ottawa made it easy on them, and that's what will haunt them for the next many years. Their breakout playoff run came to an unfortunate halt as those who stepped up and lead the way through the first three rounds pulled a Jimmy Hoffa and disappeared completely from the finals. They looked like a team of destiny, but shot themselves in the foot time and time again. In this sense it is unfortunate, and isn't meant to take away from Anaheim's victory but it would have been nice to see the real Sens show up in the series. That being said, I believe that the two best teams in hockey faced off for its top prize. These were the deepest, most skilled, most determined teams and the proved it in the playoffs. The talent level on both teams is outstanding, and their ability to play at both ends of the rink, and several styles of play is what got them here. If they can keep their core together both these franchises may find themselves back here next year, and wouldn't that be sweet. Even though Ottawa played sub par, the hockey was still good and the games entertaining, not that anyone in the states noticed. But enough Yankee bashing, its far to easy. So good for Anaheim, hope they don't have the parade in the parking lot when Micky and Minnie live so close by. And to the Sens I say I know its tough, and we were pulling for you, but you'll be back. To those who say move on or deal with it, you're not true fans and it takes time to get over a loss like this. "Keep your stick on the ice!" - Red Green

Looking back...

Last night as I attended my graduation from the University of Ottawa, I was afforded the opportunity to look back and think about my time there and what it has meant to me. With several friends still attending the school, my connection to it is far from done with, by my own personal chapter is. Having been in History and English there were many faces I recognized in the crowd, but not as many that I knew all that well. That is the one thing about attending such a large school. But there were the friendly faces of those you have come to know over the past four years, and it makes you wonder what lies ahead for each of us. In this sense it isn't much different than high school in that there is the unexpected ahead of you, only by now you should either have a better sense of direction or more knowledge behind you to face it. We are older and hopefully wiser, but that doesn't mean anything if you don't apply yourself. This is the message received from countless friends and family members as you start out on our new lives. The world doesn't really care about you unless it show it why it should and hopefully we've learned enough to prove this to them and to ourselves. The kind thoughts of friends and family members are always appreciated at this time, and hopefully we can all prove that it was worth the investment, and make our way through this world using the skills we have acquired here. It's not just what you learn in the classroom that's important I have found, but the skills you learn being on your own, and what you learn about yourself as you grow up. These are what really matter, and is a part of a truly valuable education. And as my dad always told me, education is never wasted. Here's hoping he's right.

You Again...

What? How'd you get in here? Isn't there a law against this? How could this happen? These and other more base thoughts which we shall not disclose here, are what entered my mind tonight as I went to see Knocked Up. The movie itself was pretty good, hilarious at times, crude, over all it's unrealistic, but definitely worth your time. The problem I had wasn't with the movie, the sticky floors, or the stale smell in the air, it was with my fellow movie goers. Why is it that people fell it is necessary to laugh so loud that you miss half of what the actors say, or why they keep laughing about past jokes during parts that aren't funny in the least. It is frustrating as hell and I figure I will enjoy the movie much more when I can watch it in a more quiet environment where I can pay attention to everything, and not be constantly annoyed at others lack of social graces. I know this may seem like pitiful whining but its on my mind, so here it is. I know many people feel the same way, so I don't feel to bad outing those among us who have no common sense. The other problem I have with movies like this is how the lines are repeated ad nausium by fans for months after, which also takes away from the film itself. Think about it. That's all I ask.