It's My Life

BEING SINGLE DOES NOT MEAN I'M ATTRACTED TO 95-YEAR-OLDS

Me: This woman looked good.
Mia: Someone's been single for too long.

This was me talking about a 95-year-old woman I interviewed today. I failed to mention right away that I though she looked healthy for her age, but that's what I meant. My co-worker Mia Vare had to rub it in though. I don't actually find seniors sexually actractive, I was just being observant of her looks, and most 95-year-olds that are alive and not dead look like crap, and are just hanging by a thread. No, wrinkles and saggy tits aren't a turn on for me. Sorry any of you elders who happen to be reading this blog right now. I know a lot of you are widows and could use a young man around the house.

It is true that I've been single for a while now. It's been nearing one year. Yet it hasn't bothered me too much I guess because I've been busy. I just think of how much a hassle a girlfriend would be. A girl probably couldn't stand me anyways, as a boyfriend that is. I have some personality traits that friends enjoy but I doubt a girlfriend so much. Like my constant rambling about sports, my stupid sense of humour, and my lazyness. It's not like it's something I can't change, and I do plan on changing, well, at least the lazyness part. My stupid sense of humour and passion for sports have been there for ever, and I may just be laughing at the same things I am right now when I'm an elder myself.

I mean really, how many girls out there are for me? Just what would my girl be like. She has to laugh a lot at stupid things, have a good sports knowledge because I'd need to talk about sports at the end of the day with someone, and someone needs to be there to tell me everything will be alright when my favorite team loses a heart breaker in overtime. Oh, I also can't really cook too well so she'd have to be good at that, and she'd better not be no gold digger because I can't afford it, and girls should have some themselves. I think I made that clear around Meghan and Melissa. I had a girlfriend like that before and got taken advantage of. Yet I'm still convinced there is one for me. I just need to explore a bit more. I often think I should be spending my time off work doing more than typing these blogs and chatting on messanger.

I am picky with girls and I often wonder if I'm too much like a Jerry Seinfeld in a relationship. No enough heart, and pin pointing every little bad quality with a girl such as the classic "she eats her pees one at a time" tale. But come on seriously now, would that not annoy you too?

Oh well, I can make things change, and I'm in no hurry. I'm a young 21-year-old still, and I'm taking it one day at a time. I've got a good job, and great friends, such as Meghan, who typed an acceptional blog yesterday. It was very good. Good job Meghan, and you will always be a good friend to me, and remember, friends will last longer than boyfriends that don't last. It's often hard remaining friends and in contact with ex-boyfriends and girlfriends, and least in my experience ex-girlfriends have drifted apart.

Yet I'm not upset, or dissapointed. 21 is far too young to be concerned, and I like the independance of being single, and the freedom too. I'm I'm not ready to rush into anything with a girl I hardly know when I'm busy enough with work. So if people want to know why it doesn't bother me, then I'll just refer them to this blog and they can find out. Anyways, that's all I have to say on that. How has Port Alberni been?

Port Alberni has been alright. I got to go drinking with local rugby players on Saturday night, and they kept buying me drinks, which was very generous of them. I never golfed on the weekend unfortunately, but I put together a few good stories, and talked to my mom. My dad is back in Grande Prairie again which is good, and my sister is leaving to Europe in like two weeks now. She'll be gone for 2 1/2 months, but back for my parents anniversary party.

Anyways, until next time, keep fit and have fun. - BODY BREAK

BACK IN PORT ALBERNI

Here I am, back in Port Alberni. Well, I've been back for two days now, but still not that long. When I first went up to PG I kept telling myself I can't wait to be back. After being here only two days, I'm missing a few major things about PG already. Even though I went up there on an unplanned trip, and had to take time off work immediately to leave last Thursday morning, I got to see everyone I missed, except it was for the wrong reasons.

Arthur McKay (1951-2003)
My uncle Art was one hell of a guy. Unfortunately his life suddenly came to an end when he was one of two CN workers killed while on a train that derailed near McBride. If there's a silver lining to such a tragedy, it's that it's brought my family closer than ever before. And I was up there long enough to hang out with some friends I began to forget about. But when I hung out with them I realized how cool they really are, and it brought a smile to my face as we could all reminisce about the past and the good times we've had together. These are guys I've grown up with, and faces I hadn't seen in a while. Yes, PG really isn't that bad a place, and I'm regardless of things I may have said, it'll always be in my heart. I was born and raised there, and lived my first 20 years of my life there, and nobody can take that away from me. I have witnessed many changes in that city. Just how long was I there?
- I was there when the Spruce Kings played in the Rocky Mountain Hockey League.
- I can remember the days when UNBC didn't exist, as well as the road leading up there.
- I remember the Cougars first season in PG (1994/1995), when they had to play in the 1700-seat Prince George Coliseum. I didn't even know what the WHL was before that. On that team the first year included the likes of Mike Leclerc, Chris Mason, Rob Butz, and Dorian Anneck. The Blazers had Iginla, Dominicelli, and Tucker that season so you can imagine how they did.
- I was there when PG was increasing, and not decreasing, in size.
- I was at the Multiplex for such events as the Scott Tournament of Hearts, a Nickelback concert, Tragically Hip, and Our Lady Peace.
- I can remember when the new Aquadic Center and Civic Center were being constructed.

Seeing the family warmed my heart while in PG. When I was younger I thought I was so far off from my parents, but I can now realize just how much we have in common. Like the passion for sports I share with my dad. My dad is always ready for a good conversation about sports and he's always interested to hear my opinion on many issues. However, once I get going on sports, I often won't stop, and that's when my dad is ready to watch a T.V. show or something. Our family also shares the same sense of humour. We laugh at each others jokes, regardless how stupid, and when an episode of Friends, The Simpsons, or Seinfeld is on the tube, we're gathered around watching it.

PG will always be my home regardless of where I'm living. But that hasn't stopped people from making me feel right at home and welcome here in P.A. Although it isn't home, they're doing an awesome job of making me feel like it could be my permanent home.

Last night I went golfing for mens night here at the Alberni Golf Club, and boy I didn't expect the treatment I got. I was golfing with Brian Rands, the assistant pro at the club, as well as a couple other members, Fred and a guy who went by Chevy. As I sat in the golf kart ready to go, Brian had already given me a beer (Coors Light). I figured a beer after the round would be the smarter thing, but oh well, what's one beer going to do?
After a hole of golf, two women pulled up in a cart carrying food and beverages. Brian ordered four shots of fireball, then asked me if I liked fireball. I couldn't just lie, so I said of course I like fireball, I had a shot and that was the beginning of quite a round of golf.

Now I won't go into great detail about my round, but it wasn't the greatest round that is for sure. Nearing the end of the round I had four beers and two shots of fireball, wouldn't be much over a night but over 1-2 hours sure it's a fair bit. For me anyways.

Brian: We've still got one hole left. Of course you want a beer.

That was Brian insisting that I wanted another beer. Yeah I have to admit I was feeling like one more before the end of the round. I figured five beers over nine holes sounded good to me. So I had one and that was it. What was really impressive was our team got runner up on the night, and we drank more as a team than anyone else. Fred and Chevy wouldn't stop drinking, yet their golf games were still solid. No better way to calm the nerves than a little alcohol.
After the golf my night wasn't quite over. It couldn't be because I had to drive home, and I needed to sober up first could it? Well that would be the intelligent thing to do. But how could I sober up fast? How about some food?

A nice dinner is served to all the golfers following their rounds of golf on mens night, so I just helped myself to a nice steak fresh off the barbeque, a baked potato, and some fries and ketchup. This rules! It's no wonder everyone drinks on the course. They've got dinner to sober them up so no worries. I was almost ready to leave when Brian brought me a lemon pie, and two prizes shortly afterwards, a new golf glove and towel. After that the night was over, but not without some fun. And what's even more solid is that I didn't pay a cent the whole night.

It's a Friday night, and an uneventful one at that. I chatted to Meghan for a while, and for those who care, Meghan is doing fine, and enjoying every minute of Smithers. She plans to live there after graduating and working at their newspaper full-time. I'm just joking. I went to work out today, and lets just say I'm a little out of shape. It's back to work again tomorrow, my boss is letting me work Saturdays right now since I missed four work days while I was in PG.

added pictures

Well it's been a few days, and I'm now I've calmed down and hit reality, realizing that the Canucks just weren't cut out to beat the Wild. The harder working team won. But enough hockey talk. I think I spent my last post commenting enough on that.
Tonight I went out for a beer with my friend Kendall. He's been here for about a year working for CH News on Global right here in the Alberni Valley region. We drank and played a few games of pool when I noticed something- even after living a year away from PG I still had the touch at pool. I beat him two games out of three, including a major comeback in the first game. He was down to the eight ball, and I sunk like four in a row, then the eight for the win.

Kendall: Dammit. I shouldn't have said anything.
Me: No you shouldn't have.

He was kicking my ass until he had to mention the fact that I have a pool table at my parents place and he was winning. It was over after that. Aside from pool we just bullshitted for a bit about Port Alberni, and how there's such a lack of excitement here. It was an early night- I left the pub at 10. But then again, I do have to work in the morning.

I went golfing on Saturday with the GM of the AV Times Rick Methot, his wife Barb, and a kid named Mike who's in the junior program. You wouldn't think he's only 14 when you see him golf, but he is. He golfed an 80 on a par 71, which is bad for him. We won't go into my score. I think that's something better kept to myself. Anyways, he golfed a 76 or something ridiculous the round before that.

I'm not too competitive when it comes to golf which is good, because I'm really not any good. But I still enjoy it, and I'm working to get better. Saturday was only my second day out. Rick certainly didn't think so. Either that or he expected me to be a natural. Then again, I did tell him I was okay.

Rick: I thought you were good at this game.
Me: It just takes time. I'll be on top of my game on the 18th hole.

Surely enough, the 18th was arguably my best hole, although I only got a bogie. Yeah, that pretty much sums up my round right there. But I did manage a nice drive and chip shot just off the green, that was so close an ant could have pushed it in the cup. It was still nice to be able to hang out with my collegues outside of the office though. Rick offered me to come out for a 19th hole so I couldn't pass that up.

Sunday marked Mothers Day, and yes I phoned home, so don't anybody panic. My mom was very pleased, and then she told me my dad had just left for Grande Prarie to look at a mill up there. He got offered a contract job up there for a couple months, so he went up to look around. I still don't know the word on whether he'll take it. My mom was happy to hear from me, of course, and decided to nag at me for a little while(surprise, surprise), and then we ended by saying "goodbye" and I told her I'd call again in a few days.

I miss everybody, and I hope you're all enjoying your summers. I still don't know the word on this job and how long it will last though. I hope it goes the whole summer because of the money obviously. All I know for sure is I will be back in PG labour day weekend prior to going to Kamloops for school to attend a big barbeque for my parents 25th anniversary. It should be a busy weekend.

I'll start, and finish, this column, by sports, obviously, how could I not? Tonight was a big game. A HUGE game. Game 7 for the Canucks against Minnesota meant do or die, against a pesky Minnesota team that just wouldn't go away. That didn't kill Canuck fever though, how could it? The Canucks felt confident. The fans felt confident. I saw two flags today outside of both a van and car. Yeah, two isn't a lot, but I saw them both within just an hour or so, and I'm in Port Alberni, a town of only 20,000.

Now, just a few hours later since seeing Canuck fever on T.V., and on the streets, their season is over after a dissapointing 4-2 defeat. I'm in utter disbelief of how quickly the tables turned. Only 6 nights ago Sopel scored in overtime to give the Canucks a commanding 3-1 lead. Under two hours ago Todd Bertuzzi scored to give the Canucks a 2-0 lead midway through the second in this one. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Canuck fever dies, or if it will still alive. Besides, the Canucks did achieve a lot this season, including their own 3-1 series comeback. But I can't help but be bitter about all of this. And the commentators are giving the Wild way too much credit. They're neglecting the fact that the Canucks made costly mistakes the past few games. I could go into that, but no, it'll just upset me more.
I'm still a strong Toronto fan, and they remain my favorite team, but what was going on in this province was incredible. It doesn't matter where you are, Canuck fever is existing all over the place, and citizens of this province strongly support B.C.'s team. And they're out.

The door was open for the Canucks, but they wouldn't walk through it, they got lost in the Wild. I saw an incredible stat on TSN the other day. Of the final four teams in the playoffs, 3 of them are in the bottom 1/3 in the league as far as their payroll is concerned. Those teams are Anaheim, Ottawa, and Minnesota, and Minnesota has the lowest payroll at something like 25 million. So how do they win?

1. Good coaching- If Jacques Lemaire doesn't get coach of the year, I'll be very surprised. He's given players who have been healthy scratches, seen time in the AHL, and carried suitcases the confidence to contribute. I don't know how he manages to get a team to buy into a system quite like this team, but he does. Mike Babcock and Marc Crawford are solid candidates, but they have more natural talent to work with.

2. Solid team defense- Their defense is strong, and it comes from hard work. They play their defensive system to perfection, and their forwards work hard to support the defense. They have some of the best defensive forwards in the NHL.

3. Special teams- Their power play and penalty kill have been strong, and it's paid off.

4. Effort and Discipline- Since a team like this can only win by a solid effort, that's exactly what they did against the Canucks. They outworked the Canucks, and remained composed when they gave up a 2-0 lead tonight.

5. Goaltending- When called upon, Roloson has been solid, and he's outplayed Cloutier the last 3 games.

It's not even the fact that the Canucks are out that upsets me. I mean, for a low budget Canadian team, staying in the playoffs long enough to see only four other teams remaining in the playoffs is quite the accomplishment. It's how they got out that bothers me. If the series were close the whole time, and the Canucks lost close games, and gave it all they had, fans of this team wouldn't be hanging their heads. Instead, they blew a convincing 3-1 lead, lost three in a row at home in the series, and gave up 16 goals their last three games, to what was a low scoring club during the season. They also allowed Minnesota to score a franchise record 7 goals in one game on Monday night.

While non-Canuck fans will notice the fact Minnesota became the first team to come back and win two series after being down 3-1 in one playoff year, without as much emphasis on who they did it against, it'll take a very long time before Canuck fans will forget that they were the second victim of a 3-1 series comback.

I'm sure there will be at least one more surprise before this years wacky playoffs end, given the amount so far. Never has a Canucks Cup seemed so attainable in years. Out of the playoffs were Dallas, Detroit, Colorado and St. Louis. When the game began the Canucks,Minnesota and Anaheim were the remaining teams in the Western Conference.

Looking ahead to the Conference Finals, three of the four teams haven't won the cup, unless you consider the Senators when they won in like 1915 or something like that, maybe later, but who cared back then. Three of the current franchises left in the playoffs didn't exist prior to the 1990. The team that has won in recent years is New Jersey, having done it in 1995 and 2000, and I did predict them to make it to the final, and I still do. It's hard not to see them winning the cup due to their past experience, but this could be the year of the Wild or the Ducks.

My playoff predictions for Round 3:

Western Conference: Anaheim 4 Minnesota 2 - The Ducks don't panic in close games like the Canucks have, and I think the rest they've gotten will give them an advantage particularly in game 1. However this won't be an easy series for them, because of Minnesota's system.

Eastern Conference: New Jersey 4 Ottawa 3 - Yes this series will go seven games. However I give New Jersey the edge because of Brodeur's experience, and they play acceptional defence, something Ottawa haven't seen yet in the playoffs. Also a big time goaltender. If you ask me, Snow and Cechmanek aren't big goalies and have never got it done in the playoffs. Goals will not come easy for Ottawa in this one. Ask Boston or Tampa Bay how easy scoring was. However, the Sens provide much more depth on offense, and will fire a lot of shots. Their defense is also bigger and stronger than in the past. Expect a hard-hitting, low scoring series.

I'll give my Cup Final Previews when it begins.

So the Canucks will have to wait another year for another shot. It's absurd to think back to a time when all the sports reporters and broadcasters discussed how favorable it would be for Vancouver to face either Minnesota or Anaheim in the first round. Now they're both in the Western Conference final.

A few quotes from tonights game:

Commentator: Cloutier never saw it.-the commentator referring to Minnesota's first goal, a flip pass from behind the net that Dupius knocked out of the air.

Brendan Morrison: A couple lucky bounces for them on the first two goals, and then they just hung around and wouldn't go away. Everybody is bought into their system, and their goaltending has been solid. -Brendan Morrison discussing their upsetting defeat tonight.

Kelly Hrudey: I don't think the Canucks were ready in game 5, and that was the key to the series for Minnesota.

Bob Mackenzie: If you're looking for one word to describe to difference between Minnesota and Vancouver, it's discipline. Minnesota never took one penalty in game 7.

Anyhow, that's all I've got to say about that. If you want more on hockey, Mike(deco.cooltrap.com), and Nick(theloops.blogspot.com) will have things to say. Also Meghan(megglesrus.blogspot.com) and Shaun(gracefulclutz.blogspot.com) may have a few comments on the Canucks season.

I'll start my comments today with a look back at the game tonight. Another Canucks-Wild game, another Wild win, with 5 wild goals in wild fashion, going back to wild Vancouver for what will be a wild game 7. 12-3 Vancouver has been outscored over the last two games. It's gross!
I'll admit that Minnesota deserved a break after the Canucks had gotten so lucky in game 1. But not 12 breaks in two games! It was a horrible, brutal, pathetic, disgusting, ridiculous, and upsetting game 5 and 6! A dedicated sports junkie with his reasons behind tonights defeat, their second in a row, in no particular order:

1. Costly giveaways on defense- game 5 it was Jovo, tonight it was Ohlund. I understand they were down by a couple, but they absolutely cannot do that, not in an important game.

2. Undisciplined penalties- Naslund again was swinging his stick around like a headless chicken, Ruttu was taking shots at players on the bench, and there were a few others.

3. Playing fancy on offense- just like in game 5, now that the Canucks defensemen have this reputation as being real high scoring, they figure that means they're all like the next Bobby Orr, roaring, soaring down the ice and scoring in overtime. Nah ah, I don't think so. The forwards have this problem too- you don't have the speed of the Wild, so why pretend to, get some damn shots on the net, and crowd the goalie so there isn't the big wall of Minnesota players circling Roloson. Wild forwards are outscoring Canuck forwards 20-8 in this series, and the Naslund/Bertuzzi/Morrison line has 1 goal. How have they scored most goals during the year? They did it by creating traffic, it's the same way Sopel scored his goal, that was all work in front of the net, not Sopel's shot. The shot was pretty weak if you ask me. Get traffic in front of the net and shoot. That's how they scored their lone goal tonight, another goal to Jovo's credit.

4. Giving up the first goal- it was going to start costing them sooner or later. The Canucks managed to pull off comebacks in games 1 and 4, but this team (Minnesota) is just too disciplined to let that happen in must-win games. They play an extremely disciplined game in which they wait for the opponents to make mistakes and then take the lead. Their neutral zone trap is acceptional therefore, the Canucks must dump the puck in more. I feel if Vancouver can finally get the first goal, they can play their game instead of trying to match Minnesota's speed, and Cloutier's confidence will be that much higher.

5. Lack of Effort- The Canucks shouldn't be playing sloppy and lazy even when they're down by a few. They fell asleep for a moment after getting within two in game 6, and just like that, Minnesota took at 4-1 lead. Yes you could argue that was an offside, but what the hell where the Canucks doing so far up anyways? You absolutely cannot let the forwards get behind the defense because they won't catch them.
They need to use their size more in game 7, and play hard, score the first goal, and they'll win.

So anyhow, the game was a 5-1 win for the Wild, on another dissapointing defeat for the Canucks. They played a strong first period, then gave up after that. Apparently 0-0 after one with this team wasn't good enough. Anyhow, after that Roloson outplayed Cloutier, the Wild forwards played harder than the Canucks forwards, they got less penalties, and they got the lucky bounces in a few situations. Game 7 is tomorrow night at GM Place, and there's still hope. We'll have to wait until tomorrow night and see. It's less than 24 hours away, but they deserve it. They played 2 games in 6 nights if you can believe that.

Anyhow, congratulations to the Ottawa Senators, for going bankrupt, and still overcoming all the adversity to win the Presidents Trophy. Now they're in the Eastern Conference final against the Devels. And you've gotta appreciate what Anaheim has been able to accomplish. Dallas and Detroit are both on the golf courses shaking their heads. It certainly is any team's cup now, and it'll be interesting to see how the Western Conference winner matches up against the winner of the top two teams in the east.

Here's a good quote from my buddy Dave Shivas, the guy I'm living with here in Port Alberni:

"The only way the Canucks will win game 7 is if they pound the living shit out of them. They also have to get all the lucky bounces, have a strong game from Cloutier and wear them down."

Here's another classic one on HNIC tonight.

Kelly Hrudey: The Canucks are playing in under 24 hours now, so they have to forget this one. They need a good rest, and to get some healthy food and a lot of fluids in them tomorrow night.The only fluids they're feeling like right now are alcoholic ones I'm sure. A Don Cherry Bubba Keg would do the trick!

Just the same old in my life right now, with work and everything. Today was a pretty busy day, I was working on a few stories, and got a tour of a local high school this morning. It's the same school I'm doing my feature story on. Right now at this minute I can't forget about that truly dissapointing loss the Canucks took tonight. Meghan has been typing like she's on speed, and Melissa has sent me about 7 forwards already today. I still have to get my mom a mothers day gift, I keep forgetting which I know is pretty bad, but when she isn't I forget about special days like that. I'll remember soon enough I swear.

Another day, another dollar- until next time, when I'll discuss my game 7 perspective, so long suckers!

Well, here we are into May, and I still find it hard to believe that a month ago I was still in my journalism courses at UCC. So much has changed over that period. I've been at the AV Times for a week now, and got my first paycheck on Friday(cerching!!!!!!!!)Well, it wasn't exactly phat cash, but nonetheless, more than I've had since last summer. It was nice.
I didn't have as many stories as preferable last week, but I've got a feeling this week will be better. I've got more stories going into the week, and a whole week to look back on. I set up a new cell phone line, and cleaned the house a bit this weekend, other than that it wasn't too exciting. I did watch some hockey though, how could I not? With only seven teams remaining, things are heating up.

The Tampa Bay Lightning bowed down to the New Jersey Devils 2-1 in the third overtime period on Friday, leaving seven teams alive. The Lightning simply lacked in experience, particularly in goaltending. The Devils once again won in five games, and have been taking an easy route to the Eastern Conference Final. I even called for New Jersey to make the Stanley Cup Final and I still do. They won't go through the Sens easily next round though. Look for that to be a full six or seven gamer. Yes, the Sens will beat Philly!

Fridays Vancouver-Minnesota once again had all the drama of the previous games in the series. Minnesota held the lead for most of the game like they had in others, but Vancouver tied it late on a beautiful tip by Jovo, and they won on a goal by Brent Sopel. Bertuzzi did a great job of drawing a four-minute double-minor with the bleeding nose he got from a Kuba high stick.

Saturday I watched two blowouts of games. Dallas and Ottawa returned to the form that won them the Western and Eastern regular season crowns respectively. Dallas chased Giguere with three goals before the third period had began and won 4-1 over the Ducks on two goals by Niko Kapenen. "Giguere is human" said commentator after commentar- Scott Morrison of Sportsnet, Geno Reda of Sportscenter among others. In the Ottawa game, Cechmanek again was beaten four times before getting a seat on the bench. This was before the second period was up. Philly, as ever other game in this series, scored the first goal but surrendered five unanswered right after. On the fourth goal, Cechmanek had forgotten how to cut off the angle, thinking the side of the net is where the goal line crosses.

"He looks like he's doing the robot or something. He just froze for a second"- quote from a hockey analyst.

Anyhow, in the end it was a 5-2 triumph. Anyhow, Ceckmanek will come back and win because he's 5-0 when coming off a loss with 2 shutouts and a .997 GAA or something gross like that.

Once again, the Canucks have a three-day break in between games. Two games in six days in that series. Personally I think this favours the Wild. Two full days off to regroup while the Canucks would rather get it over with after riding the momentum of an O.T. victory. Yeah there's no games tonight unfortunately. I think I'm going to cry. 3 games on Monday- my predictions are none of the series will end. I do think the Canucks will beat the Wild, but it'll happen Wednesday in Minnesota. Philly will ride Cechmanek to a win, while Dallas will in fact force a game seven back home against Anaheim.
Anyhow, not a lot happening in my life right now aside from work. As far as other people, Meghan is sick in Smithers(northwestern B.C.) unfortunately, Melissa is back in Dawson Creek(northeastern B.C.), Nick in Langely(southwestern B.C.) and Mike and Shaun in Kamloops(south-central B.C.) Then you've got good old Matt Silver in Victoria(island) and Mark Hunter over in southeastern B.C.- Cranbrook.

Anyhow, this is when you quit reading these stupid things, when I start babbling on with facts that you really don't care about. Anyhow, that's all I've got today.
A.M.