lets continue our caption game.....

A little chuckle for y'all...occasionally you get an email with an image so funny...I've taken off the title it came with in hopes you might come up with something funny yourselves...let the game begin...

Well Kids, tonights the night! I've passed through all of my training on heavy equipment at the mine, and tonight at long last I get to run the second largest loader in the world. To put that picture into persective, the top of that bucket is some 45 ft in the air. Crazy huh? I was on it observing yesterday, and was really shocked by what a piece of machinery it truly is. Funny how you can haul loads off of it for years, but never really have much admiration for it til you finally hop on. Wish me (and the drivers I'll be loading) luck!

I just got the results of the Canucks Golf Tournament! Here are the results:

Todd Bertuzzi -18
Markus Naslund -17
Ed Jovanovski -8
Matt Cooke -8
Mattias Ohlund -7

OH WAIT that's not their golf scores, that's their PLUS MINUS STATS!

Could have give Man-Tits a run at Augusta maybe!

Well, here we go...no need to worry about missing spring tee times as my beloved Canucks are done. A touch of history...bear with me here: I remember the year I began playing goal. A flyer arrived in the mail for a local hardware store that had sticks on sale for somewhere in the vicinity of two dollars. My mother and I agreed that I should have my own stick, so as to not have to always borrow from the new neighborhood kids on sweet ass Clifford Ave. I'd made some new friends in that lovely cul-de-sac and spent every glorious afternoon whittling away the hours smacking a tennis ball at a beat up old net once we'd finished our days at Happyvale Elem. I remember running home, cutting through the dirt patch where we rode our bikes for hours on end; and cruising in the front door anticipating my very own stick. My afternoons after school with my mother hold many a memory for me. Often the house smelled of bread, cookies or muffins. In this same house I remember my mom, elbow high in flour baking dozens of pies (with less expenisive wind fall apples which were sweet but tart); but none the less saving some dough for me. With it, I can recall us making beautiful strudels which we adorned with our initials made of dough. I guess I'm getting at the fact that my afternoons apre school are vivid and treasured. On the day in question, I ran through the door, waiting to see my lovely first stick. Instead I found a heavy, lumbering no name brand goaltender's stick which must have weighed at least a pound. I recall my mom at this point, not knowing the difference, and feeling every bit the silly landed immigrant. I can still see her in my minds eye, and adore her mistake. I didn't spaz out, but rather took out my stick and became the blocks goaltender. My mom went on to the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame. I went only to adore the sport, but more importantly, watch the 82 playoffs with my folks, where my love of Canucks hockey took some deep root. Richard Brodeur captured the interest of the nation, and our home. From the day I got that stick, I've always followed my Canucks, and I will til the day they or I leave. But this said, man O man, I want this team gutted like a fish! Having taken this lovely trip down memory lane, I don't wish to spoil the mood by harping on the club's mistakes. Rather view it as an evolution of a family; one that'll have it's ups and downs.

Thought I'd share this with y'all. Bought this kinda knowing JFu wouldn't let the kids have it, so it's all mine. I really want to open it up and play with the piece, but the packaging is just way to cool; I mean look at that cop! He's one steely eyed MoFo.

Alrighty, I'm taking a bit more interest in what I'm listening to these days. I'm not sure if it's a maturation, or just the cutie who works at my fav record store. Regardless, though I'd share a few of these 'new to me' albums that are turning my crank at the moment:

Emiliana Torrini: Fisherman's Woman and Love in the Time of science. (Can't say enough about this woman)
Sarah Harmer: Songs for Clem and I'm a Mountain. (Kathleen Edwards would kick her ass in a fight.)
Pinks Mountaintops: Self Titled and Axis of Evol (the latter being the better of the two.
The Boss: the ghost of tom joad (Even saw this in a crossword clue the other day!
Stars: Set Yourself on Fire. (This album fucking rocks, I love it.)
Bell and Sebastian: The Life Pursuit. (Scottish, nothing more needs said. By the way, JFu hate's em)

Love this line:

"I always loved you, you always had a lot of style. I'd hate to see you on the pile of nearly made-it's, you got the essence dear, if I could have a second skin, I'd probably dress up as you"

Alrighty, there ya go - let the jokes begin lads...

Man I love this pic, can't believe man tits Phil won back to back Masters this weekend. Oh well, I'll try and forget that he won and remember my 330 yard long drive prize (and second place overall for the weekend) This is gonna be the year DRo lights it up.

Well, thought I was going to have a stroke watching the Canucks tonight. Having missed most of the Calgary game on Sat due to a little to much happiness in Penticton, I was wound up to watch tonights game. Cooked up a free range turkey with all the fixins, which was carved and served minutes before the puck dropped. Then all hell breaks loose: poor coverage and break-outs, fucking brutal goaltending and one hell of a hot opposing goaltender and the Canucks have essentially shit the bed again. And you know what really gets my goat? I want to see a little emotion, some fury, some agressive plays. Saw Nazzy slam the bench door, but that was about it...no scrums, scraps, nothing. Just Ruttu being moronic, Auld taking a bad penalty, a twin hitting the post, and us throwing a zillion pucks at Giguere. All for not, I'm so damned frustrated with this club; why is it I'm so fanatic? Oh well, looks like I won't have to miss any tee times this spring because of pressing Canuck playoff games. Who the hell knows though, the way this fucking league is being played, maybe the final three games are four point games??? Regardless, they'd have to win one. And on another point, I'll drive Morrison to the airport with his 18 kids this summer if he needs a ride. Long life Burkie, and I fart in your general direction Puffy.

Here's how I see it, by Sat the lads could be in dire straights; surely they'll be nervous having sat for days on end watching Gary Bettman's new NHL battle it out. Really not sure how to predict anything at this early point, but I feel those two San Jose games are gonna be nuts; everything'll be on the line. Must admit though, this new schedule is questionable, and not just as a Nucks fan. I want to play every team in the leage, and as a fan and PPV buyer, I'm truly fucking fed up of MIN, CAL, COL, STL etc. Would have been swell to see some of those curiously placed superstars from the East. Oh yeah, the East may claim a cup now and then, but the division blows with a chasm between the elite and 10th place; that's why they always draft so well out there...........

Vancouver,Canada (AP) - A seven year old boy was at the center of a
Vancouver courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over
who should have custody of him.

The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially
awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody law and
regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree
possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat
him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When
the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out
that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate
family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life
among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to
propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare
officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Vancouver Canucks,
whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

Rory' semi-finished mechanical masterpiece, words seem petty...check out his blog link (Rorminder's blog) for previous pictures of the beast in its Jeckel mode, this is truly Hyde! He tells me that there are a few more touches to be added, none the less I was stunned looking at the suspension as the kid explained his custom mods. The new truck is a vision of inspiration, hard work, and dedication to his cause. I'm so fucking proud of this lad...I'll be sure to post some more pics once the final pretty bells and whistles are on 'er. Also, vote for this truck is he decides to put it in Hot Nights in the City!!! Be sure to nag him too, as I think he deserves a day on the sidewalk watching chins drop and being told what a wonderful job he has done bringing and old heirloom back to another generation.

Guess people have had enough, hope it wasn't magic pixie dust that may have helped him pull his head out of his ass however...

A letter containing a suspicious white powder arrived at GM Place Monday, resulting in the home of the Vancouver Canucks being quarantined for several hours.

According to police, contents of the letter, which had Canucks forward Todd Bertuzzi's name on it, leaked onto a desk after being opened by Orca Bay staff.

None of the seven employees for Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, the company that owns the Canucks, who were exposed to the material in the letter became ill.

Const. Howard Chow said the hazardous materials team later determined the substance was not harmful.

The Canucks did not play at GM on Monday, as they suffered a 4-2 loss in Dallas to the Stars.

got this from a poster on the Canuck's website:


I based this year on the 12 year theory and everything is still in line for a magical run to the finals.

By now everyone knows the 12 year theory of the nucks from entering the league in 1970 to making the finals 12 years later, then again in 1994 12 years later having the greatest canuck of all times jersey retired as number 12 and then this year 2006 still in question.

The thing in all of those years the Canucks licked it up and scraped into the playoffs and went on a crazy run. I predicted at the beginning of the year the Nucks will finish 6th-8th in the conference having a sub par year as usual then clicking at the right time. My goal is just get in the playoffs and ride the moon to the finals. It is going to happen and we are right on track. No worrys here just bought playoff tickets and they will be used.

Another wee bit of proof that kids shouldn't get a spring break anymore. Holy shit, 5-0! Crawford may very well be out of a job tommorrow morning.

This is a stagnant pond. A note to those of you with an old blog, to update before disease settles in; miss you all - must be a spring anticipation lack thereof project! Come on kids, especially those near and far; keep up to date so we all ken that you're fine and well. We don't really give a damn about that, just looking for keen observations and quirky points about town.....Post you buggers......Post! Unless of course you're in Alberta and counting down the days! Were I in that situation, I wouldn't have time to post either as I'd be sealing my boxes for the ninth time in eager anticipation of reclaiming the west coast............................ Long live it once you arrive Ron, and you might want to continue cheering the Flames this season via the default setting............

Time for the Canucks to hit the button, really and truly thinking this club is gonna miss the playoffs...

The future of the Vancouver Canucks. Question is who the hell is gonna fucking start playing with these guys??? Canucks worried this lad tonight, though the new D looked good despite their plus/minus. Holy shit though, tis team needs to score!

""A university in the Halifax area is banning the use of computer software designed to help professors catch plagiarists.

Student leaders at Mount Saint Vincent University in Bedford, N.S., have been lobbying to stop professors from using the online database turnitin.com, and the university's senate agreed in a vote on Monday.

"Students go to university for a higher education. They don't go to be involved in a culture of mistrust, a culture of guilt," said Chantal Brushett, president of the students union.""

Dear god, 'a culture of guilt' shouldn't the guilt come from the cheating, not the honest students fear of being caught??? Seems to me the student leaders may not be the most honest students, or are bowing to the not so honest membership. Though I'd post this forum to gather the Doc's opinion...

Could this be the next Kipper? I really like what Nonis did at the deadline, the D is shored up, and with the return (hopefully) of the top three D; we're about as deep in that dept. as any club in the league. Brown brings some toughness which'll be welcome as it seems Brookbank was rushed back, still looks dizzy out there. Hopefully the veteran leadership of Carney and Mr. yellow visor will help the room a bit, as I have a hunch it needs it. Shall be interesting to see what the next few games bring. In not trading Bert, I think management was giving er one last go with the core, and attempting to keep Naslund happy and content. That or the offers either weren't there, or not a fair swap for the 'asset.' Hoping this club will finish strong and head deep, however I've been let down before................

DRo wins the ten spot...in your face JFu!!!!

Oscar night coming up, little soire at JFu's, tis gonna be great. And did I mention I'm gonna win 10 bucks?

Why do they always pose with the cute baby ones??? Sir Paul and his lovely wife are creating quite a bit of global noise in anticipation of the annual Newfoundland seal hunt....thoughts??? Personally, I feel seal hunts draw the ire of many due to graphic, brutal way in which the animals are harvested (thus bludgened and clubbed) yet culling of the population is the only way to ensure healthy fish stocks. Funny how we interfere with nature by way of economics huh??? I hear after the ice flows, Sir Paul is gonna hang with that hack Sting and the dude with his flared nose down below the equator. Speaking of which, what's with these old washed up rock stars? Rod Stewart is recording the worst (yet best selling) music of his life; but none the less still siring children with super hot young uns. Good for him, maybe Paul and Gordon Summner ought forget about the wasting globe and indulge in more earthly delights like Mr. Stewart. And the pun was intended.

'A la SNL of the late 80's:'

'Bure' - Here me now, and believe me later Gino; you are so pumped, not like that girly-man Capain Kirk in his little tights and cape.

'Gino' - Rocket, flex for me and I 'will pump you up'

Lordy am I bored tonight, don't feel modivated to do a damn thing. Laying around watching Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas on TV and feel the need to chew on an adrenal gland...if only half of what Mr Thompson claimed to do was done, truly a miracle they made it out alive. Man, to trash a hotwl room like that...While on the film note, watched Domino last night. Some interesting filmaking re. pacing, lighting, shots etc (and holy shit is Ms. Knightley some hot stuff) but the dialog blew. The story probably could have been dealt with in a better fashion as well. Ok, enough rambling, I'm predicting the Swedes to take the gold tommorrow by a two or three goal margin. Hank and Daniel are gonna shine...

Leaked pic of a bruised and battered Bond...still not sure about this guy.

Especially after reading this quote:

Daniel Craig stunned James Bond bosses when he couldn't drive 007's classic car - reports LSE.

Filmmakers had transported Bond's original Aston Martin DB5 to the Bahamas to shoot new movie 'Casino Royale'.

But the star confessed he didn't have a license to drive the manual car, which Sean Connery drove when he played the dashing spy.

The 39-year-old reportedly said: "Er... I don't do gears."

An insider is quoted in Britain's Daily Star newspaper as saying: "They've started shooting here and are using the old DB5, which is absolutely sensational. It was shipped over and was ready to go but then we found out he can't drive a manual car.

"So we have had to adapt it so it's like an automatic. You don't expect that with James Bond, to be honest."

Last year, Craig admitted he is struggling to overcome his biggest fear to play Bond - he's terrified of guns.

The star will have to handle weapons in the film but said he was left petrified after seeing a real life bullet wound.

He said at the time: "I hate handguns. They are used to shoot people and as long as they are around, people will shoot each other. I've seen a bullet wound and it was a mess."

Don't need these anymore, surgery was easy as pie...going for my follow up post op today, though everything is already crystal clear with no pain whatsoever. Watch this blog for another excitng entry re. eye surgery. Will be up shortly............

Caught the tail end of this film yesterday, and had forgotten just how great it is...didn't do any research for this post, but the French actor who plays the inspector (also a wise old guy in Ronin and Munich) is a superb actor. I need to learn more about him. Anyway, if you haven't seen the movie, do yourself a favour and watch a classic cat and mouse chase with this one. But don't, repeat don't mistake this for the Bruce Willis movie where computers talk to you, and you can pick up vans with enough firepower to bring down mountains. All while sneering and sporting that 'I was good in Moonlighting, wasn't I?' look. After Reindeer Games Bruce's version of 'Jackal' should go down as one of the most ridiculous pieces of film ever shot.

Wow, the long lost Sutter brother!

Don't point that piece at me please Vice President Chenney. I understand he gunned down a 78 year old lawyer while quail hunting yesterday. Wonder if the lawyer was a member of the Axis of Evil? What's next 'Shrub' aka Bush Junior takes out his lawyers eye while juggling foreign policies? Look out Iran, he's only got so much longer in power.....

Had it with this guy, had it with the manager, the coach, the so called 'power forward' the injuries, the refs, the ice, the pucks, the game itself....FUCK

The NHL has reached a settlement with a group of recreational hockey players over the Stanley Cup.

Gard Shelley and David Burt, members of a Toronto pickup hockey league called the Wednesday Nighters, filed a claim against the NHL and the trophy's trustees in Ontario Superior Court last April, seeking clarification of the terms under which Lord Stanley provided the Cup and how it is to be awarded.
The Stanley Cup is shown here with a young fan and former coach Scotty Bowman. (CP File Photo)

The group challenged the NHL's claim that it had exclusive control of the Cup and contended that Lord Stanley wanted the best hockey teams to compete for the trophy every year when he donated the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup in 1892.

The cancellation of the 2004-05 NHL season meant the Stanley Cup was not awarded last season, but Shelley and David Burt filed its claim seeking to ensure that the trophy is contested for even in the event of another labour dispute.

Shelley and David Burt argued that the Cup's trustees – Ian (Scotty) Morrison, former head of the Hockey Hall of Fame, and former NHL official Brian O'Neill – should be able to award it to someone else if another lockout or strike wipes out an NHL season..

A court hearing on the case was scheduled for Tuesday, but Tim Gilbert, the lawyer for Shelley and Burt, confirmed Tuesday that a settlement has been reached with the NHL.

"A David and Goliath story," Gilbert said Tuesday morning.

Under the terms of the deal, the NHL acknowledges that the trustees who control the Cup can award it to a non-NHL team in a year where the league doesn't operate.

Also, the NHL must donate $100,000 a year into hockey leagues for women and underprivileged children for the next five years.

The settlement does not mean the trustees have to award the Cup if there is another work stoppage, only that they now have the option to do so.

"In a lot of respects, the litigation was the sole remaining vestige of a year-long labour dispute that was difficult for us and for our fans," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "It was time to turn the page and move on.

"We're satisfied that the terms of the settlement adequately protect the league's interests."

He's going to have to stand on his head for a few more games before getting a break. Tonight's bold prediction: Nucks 5, Blue JackAsses 2

HaHa, look at Monkey Faced Taylor laughing at that poor 'Hawk.

A lovely book here kids. A pal at work, who's Irish, but loves Scottish writing turned me on to this title. I've read loads of other Ian Rankin novels from his series centered around Inspector J Rebus, and so I really didn't know what to expect from his first ever Novel, The Flood. He wrote it while still in University, and may have written his best book yet in my opinion. It's set in a now Defunct Fife coal mining town and follows three generations of a very unusual family through their trials and tribulations. The sections dealing with Sandy, the 15 yr old bastard son were really telling and fun. Anyhow, think it was released in rather low numbers, but keep your eyes peeled in those dusty old book stores, for Rankin is an author to read.

Pic courtesy of a Revolutionary...maybe this guy could pull it off.......Got my room wired today and all set up with surround sound, can't believe what a difference the new woofer and good wiring makes...scary shit; which should be the first Bond film to break this room's cherry???

Apart from golfing, this looks like a fine way to spend one's retired years eh?

Two of the only pics I have from Havana as my batteries croaked out for the digital (another reason I'm ready to swear off the technology for holidays, weddings etc) and sixty bucks for two Lithiums seemed like a bit of a gouge. Alas, the beautiful, though crumbling city lives in my minds eye...I only hope it someday regains it's splendor and pride.

These pics were taken one early morning where I joined up with a couple of fellow Canucks for a round of golf on the Dupont's old mansion on the North coast of Cuba:

Alrighty, finally some pics of Cuba for you all: Loved this billboard in the village of Varadero. These pics were all taken in varadero, where I tried to escape the commercialism of the resort area where I was staying. This was the start of a look deep inside the poverty that envelops a very proud, lovely population. I wish I hadn't traveled to Cuba alone, as my first trip to a third world country demanded conversations that were inpossible to begin with tourists seeking only sun and mucho rum.

Man alive, just found these pics...prior to Cuba I drove straight from work and went to Geo's. Fair enough to say we got a little loaded and I wandered home at 5ish to turn in for the 'night.' After night shift, I'd been up for over 24 hrs at this point. Must have pulled out the digital and tried to get all artsy in the Doc's hallway. Sleep deprivation and Stella abuse yields photos like these mes amis.

Here's the Panic Button Nonis needs to hit! Wow, is this team unacceptable....absolutely puzzling. Anyhow, last post prior to Cuba; talk to y'all later. Adios Amigos.

In an unpresidented move Crawford will start both Alex Auld and Maxime Ouellet in net wednesday versus the Dallas Stars, while Crawford will mix up the lines with 3 forwards and one defenceman. He claims that the 2 goalies that will start will be able to defend the net better than just one. By doing this crawford claims that he has founded a new goaltending style which will help loosing teams. Both Auld and Ouellet will be able to play side by side or stack on top of each other for deflections. Reactions from all around the league have been fast and furious with comments from Mika Kiprusoff such as "Ha HA Ha". Crawfords mixing up of the core lines with one defenseman and 3 forwards is said to bring speed and basically allow a non present defense to conitnue its non presence. The gamble should pay off, while perhaps playing shorthanded the whole game would get players playing with heart, and perhaps into shape in order to get them hustling again. Crawford earlier started to teach the defenseman of the Vancouver canucks how to play goal so they could fall back during odd rushes, however Crawford arrived at starting two goaltenders by realizing his defenseman couldnt block shots to save their lives, coupled by the defensemans non stop efforts to leave the zone too quickly.

Check out Rory's restoration of the '79 here....

The Nephew makes this old man proud, what a kid...

Link

Heading here on the Ninth to forget about hockey for a while! Oh yeah, and to forget about work too...heehee...email addy if ya want a postcard. God, I can't wait to swing a golfclub, home on the 17th.

Alrighty then, here's the score as I see it. The Nucks are losing ground fast and furious. They've exhausted all efforts at trying to find the diamond in the rough via Manitoba. To date, there's been ten call ups I believe. The lastest one is done for ages with a busted leg. Still limped off the ice though, tough lad. Reports say Jovo is doubtful again for tonight with some sort of 'lower body injury,' and our latest goaltender experiment is failing misereably to say the least. If this slump continues, the team will be in the basement before we know it. Puffy's gotta have something up his sleeve hasn't he? I also wonder if ownership actually gives a shit, the building is selling out ain't it????