OK, the Nucks won tonight, but I'm truly fed up of this little shit disturber. There was a time and place for this kind of player, but we have far too many fast young players who will eventually put the puck in the net to afford Cooke at 1.5 M. He had one nice hit tonight (late as always), but otherwise was invisible. Don't like him, haven't for sometime, and it's time to move this hinderance before he pulls some guttless Bertuzzi like move and further soils this club.

OK, alright, it was bound to hapen. Coming off a highly rough round in which I carried my partners (who knew I was the long iron guy?) I went for a fun round at home with the lads. Home at Rivershore, playing the tips, all was going well til the fourth. I'd been cranking it off the tee, hitting all irons solid. Then came #4. I've always moved the ball left to right. Stood up today and smashed at it; move it right to left. Into a window. I knew, as soon as I hit it, that this was bad. Let me tell you that nothing is worse than standing on a tee box, grimacing, hearing the glass destruction and knowing you have to drop 3. Anyow, act like a man, let my partners hit and strut towards the house. By now, neighbors are all at their windows watching, seeing if I'll own up. Up I stomped, unafraid. Worst shot of my life, and it blew out some glass. I walked right up the back deck and knocked on her patio door as I watched a woman cooking her dinner. Appologized and described the caranage. Turns out she hadn't even heard the god awful smacking and was quite shocked to hear of the carnage I'd inflicted on her home. Turns out the ball hit the window of her sewing room and had she been there at work, oh my, look our...heart attack central. I asked for a box and volunteered to pick up the glass as we were lucky enough to have only broken one pane. The second was cracked as well, but alas. She went on to tell me that, as I gave her my phone numbers, I probably wouldn't be hearing from her as they have a $35 per year policy that covers them from broken glass due to golf balls with no deductible. Just show's that honesty is the best virtue. Feeling very true to the game, I walked back to the point of entry and hit three wood into the tree in my way, then a one iron into said tree. Finally crushed a six iron into wedge distance, which was follow with a one putt. Oddest 8 (snow man) I ever took. By the way, Bob fell out of the cart laughing. Bugger. Had a 44 on the back though. What an afternoon.

I stole this line, people at the coffee shop stared as I began laughing my bag off: If I were to compare Luongo to Cloutier, I would say Luongo is like a surgeon's hand. Steady as she goes. Cloutier is like trying to pour a drink after mistakenly killing your best friend.

That's some good stuff!

I predict this fella is gonna cost Patches and his anti Nucks betting style a lot of cash and bragging rights this season. The team looked great last night, very quick and explosive shifts coupled with tenacious checking. Nice to see, it was even nicer to see 'The Dominator' get lit up, though I'm sure that Nazzy's high wrister to the shoulder injured him early on. Keep er up lads.

Currently sitting in the coffee shot enjoying a dark Italian Roast and feeling contentment and a wee bit of relief. Seems that we've reached a tentative deal with Tech, and I'll be heading back to work as scheduled tommorrow morning. Be interesting to see what the deal contains, and we'll be going to vote to hopefully ratify within 10 days I understand. But that wasn't the reason I began this post. I'm just wondering on the 'rules of engagement' regarding the use of laptops publically, and more precicely the habit some seem to have of looking over the user's shoulder. There's a guy behind me right now who's apparently very interested in everything I do on this machine. And no Patches, I'm not surfing any of my 'fav' sites! Just newpapers, news and blogs. Yet, wait now...gonna quickly peek over my shoulder! Yup, there he is again, watching enraptured. Caught again, he looks away; only to go right back to staring once I'm back at the keyboard. This whole phenomenon makes me wonder, by bringing such devices into public, are we just opening ourselves up to such 'intrusions;' or was Mom right all along. Don't read over a stranger's shoulder?

I've Fallen and I Can Get Up!!!

Oh well, an imagined dilemma doesn't come to fruition thankfully. What's a few frantic phone calls among friends. We're looking out for you Patches, hope that oh so lovely lid of yours is intact. Did the genious bump withstand most of the blow?

Roberto Luongo, the Vancouver Canucks' $27-million US goaltender, was on the seventh green at Richmond Golf Club on Monday when an errant ball flew within a foot of his head.

"We figured the shot must have come from the second tee box," said a horrified Gerry Sillers, a member of the Luongo foursome in the annual Jake Milford charity tournament. "Somebody must have pulled his drive straight left and over the trees onto our green. It missed hitting Roberto by a foot."

Sillers is president of the Canucks Alumni. Also in the Luongo group was a shaken-up Francesco Aquilini, part-owner of the Canucks. "We heard the thud from the ball hitting the green," Sillers said. "Vancouver's been called a graveyard for goaltenders, but being injured on a golf course during training camp is ridiculous."

This film was quite the little letdown. Sure Copeland's one hell of a drummer, but he ain't no filmaker. This money grab is not a 'must-see' for even the most die hard fan. That said it was interesting to observe that Andy Summers very obviously had a drug problem. But the very best scene by far is that of Sting carrying his own bass, suitcase, and duffles into his very dumpy motel room. Sure that has not happened to the sellout in a very, very long time.

The Mediator signed out after a mere 9 hours. 72 hours strike notice has been served. Don't like this at all, really don't want to go painting. Ughhhh. Why do I let this worry me, they'll settle right???

Burn, Baby Burn!!!

Will this be the man to negoitate a contract between the big bad wolf (United Steelworkers) and the bigger, bad wolf (HVC)? Mr. Ready is scheduled to mediate final negotiations this week in hope of diverting the 72 strike notice the membership of US voted overwhelmingly to issue. In a year when HVC is anticipating a 1.5 B profit, I sure hope this gets settled. However, if we ask for the sun and the moon; we might see the might that is Tech Cominco. Sounds as though medical and dental have been added after retirement, which is super; but once the hand goes out - seems some pople expect it to get really filled. The enviornment at work is not a lot of fun at the moment, seems everyone is walking on eggshells, snarky and pissy as hell. Have to wait and see how this all pans out; should be done one way or another within the week. Here's hoping it's a good, long term contract for all. As a member of the bargaining committee so aptly said: 'We may be whores, but we're expenive ones.' Touche.

Watching the lovely Miss Jennifer Connely in the beautiful 'Dark Water' (had one jump that was almost Shining like) I got to thinking about what makes a great film, what is a great film. What for example, is Top Ten. This film isn't, but here's a list of mine in no particular order. Be interested in receiving yours...

Amelie

V for Vendetta

Lord of the the Rings Trilogy


Raiders of the Lost Ark

Shawshank Redemption


Lawrence of Arabia

From Russia With Love (or any non Moore Bond film), c'mon - James has gotta be on the list. Also adore the jasn Bourne films.

Pulp or The Dogs; gotta say Pulp

Ronin (an unseen masterpiece)

Things to do in Denver When You're Dead (see above)


Could go on and on, the first five are near and dear to me, the following five came to mind quickly. If you haven't seen V yet, log off and do so - wonderful Orwelian flick with Matrix like effects. Anyways, let's get blogging and enjoy, can't wait for the comments. And to sign off, predict Patches says Citizen Kane. Must admit I own a copy and long for my old sled....

Here we are on the 'near eve' of yet another NHL hockey season. The leaves haven't yet fully turned, the golf course is still in whalin shape, and heavy coats aren't as of yet, neccessary. The Canucks have changed drastically of course, and I find myself wondering about this obsession of ours, this game played on ice. With brutal efficiency, speed, strength and courage. These adjectives are going to HAVE to apply to this years version of the Vancouver Canucks, to dust away the cobwebs of last years nighmare. The tenacity of Calgary, the grit of Edmonton, the leadership of the Wings. These are characteristics that this club's gonna have to embody this year to take us where we've never been. I know loads of you are naysayers, but I like the look of this club. Drop the puck already, and let's get this party started!

Hmm, love to blog again, and oh what a story this one is. Got off work this morning and headed down to Kelowna straight from work so as to see my lovely Niece whose BD I missed to the evil countours of our work schedules. I'd booked a room here at the not so stunning Royal Ann Hotel in Kelowna for a couple of nights, and settled in later than I'd expected (communication on how early I could check in was miscommunicated between the reservation person, myself and the dude who checked me in. He was cool by the way) only to have a lovely ear plugged sleep in the afternoon. Leah and I had a great night with coffee, steak dinner, a great wander along the lake, and the sharing of some great conversation. Followed by a lesson in malts, some more wandering til I returned to the establishment with whom I placed my trust and belongings. From here refeered to as the Dump. Thinking I was gonna spend some time reading beside the boats tommorrow, I began to download some new tunes to the jukebox. Only to have the sound of a keyswipe and the creak of my door off to my left. The door swayed open to reveal a lovely young couple that had just been issued a key to this , my room. After chatting a bit, I begin to really get pissed and grab the phone and chat with some moron named, love this...Woody, who appologies like crazy. Go back to the truly stunned kiddos at the door and tell them I hope they get a room etc., and ask them for their keycard. They need it to get into the Dump's parkade, and I have no worries about them as they do seem like great people, I tell them "No worries, take it." They assure me they're also gonna give the night man some shit, and I wish them well in getting a room in this supposed sold out Dump. Gives me a great chance to call Woody back at the desk, and see what he's blubbering now. Loads more appologies, a tinge of ear in Woody's voice. Assures me he's lookng out for the couple whom he describes as the peole who were just at my door. (Beutiful Asian gal with equally handame young buck) Find out the Dump's manager may or not be in at Eight tommorrow, more likely Ten. Can't wait to talk to him. I feel so shitty, my computer, camera, luggage and clothes etc were all in this room, and the Dump's star night man behind the desk is giving out keys to MY room? Think this guy's gonna get fired tommorrow (unless this is a union shop) cuz I'm gonna rip the Dump's day manager, Glen, a new one. Said twit from behind the counter does have the good sense to call and squirm some more to affirm the fact that the young coupe had turned up with the key; but I stil feel no qualms. Gonna give the manager both barrels tommorow.

And you thought the contract on Long Island was bad? Well, we've come to expect that. This move by Bobby Clarke just proves that the old boys club that is management of the NHL hasn't learned a god damned thing. tendering an offer sheet @ 1.9 million for a player with 23 pts out of 82 games is truly a gong show. Wonder is puffy fucked his wife or something? Blow me Clarke.

Just a crazy wee update in the life of Dunc. Before heading to the Island golfing with Dad, my sweet Volvo (untainted in four years I might add) suffers a hit and run at Bob's house. Made me think of Vincent Vega's chat with his dealer in Pulp Fiction. 'You know, it'd be worth it just to catch them doing it...there's nothing worse than fucking with another man's automobile.' K so enough about that, the car sits, we travel the beautiful East coast of Vancouver Island (in an untainted car I might add) enjoy the courses, accomodation, sights and people. Come home, unwind for a few days, hop in the Volvo and drive to work. On said day, hit a deer on the way to work. Said deer essentially pulls a 'Duke's of Hazzard' slide across the hood, very efficiently scratching the hell out of the hood with those oh so cute razor sharp hooves of hers. Said deer proceeds to bounce beautifully away, up and over a fence before stopping to pause and look back at my now twice tainted Volvo. People say deer are cute, delicious with potatoes and roasted veggies I say. A day and a half after this little ungulate soiree, I'm minding my own business at work when the ERT pager goes off. Hop in with the foreman and grab a ride down to the crushers where there is a 240 ton haul truck completely engulfed in flames. The tires are burning and threating to blow. Our literature tells us these tires will blow rubber, rock, firemen or whatever is in the way up to a distance of three hundred feet. Sufficient to say, we fight this carefully and have the fire put out with no injury, loss of life or further equipment damage within four hours. We feel heroic, I however am on a major adreneline rush and find sleep elusive that morning. Next night shift really, really sucks! Days off go by uneventfully, which brings us to BC day, Aug. 7th. After work I'm ripping my way down the road towards home and a cozy bed when the vehicle in front of me enters an intersection before my eyes and get's T'Boned by a van at around 80 km. Said truck is turned sideways and comes to a stop on the side of the road some 80 yards from where he was hit. I'm watching this from 40 or so yards away and watch as the vanrolls twice and comes to a stop on the drivers side in the ditch. All this wreck was missing was flames and it would have been true Hollywood gold. Pull the Benz over, grab my first aid kit and cel phone and run towards the van. The two occupants are already attempting to get out. I'm on the phone to 911 as I approach the van, finish the call and lift the woman who's alreadied scurrying her way ou down to the ditch. Her man follows, informing me through an eye watering booze breath that they're ok, and don't need 'no fucking cops or ambulance.' I remind him they've hit another vehicle, and have been in a pretty bad accident. At this point, I really don't give a shit bout said asshole, and focus my attention on his gal pal. She too, ignores my plees for her to lay down and attempt to relax and insist on hobbling around on what I think is perhaps a broken leg. (there are shards of metal sticking out of it as well) Whatever, these hillbilles are gonna do there own thing, so I set out to check on the truck's occupant who's by now wandering around the highway, picking up the odds and ends which flew from his truck box after impact. Turns out he's another ERT guy from the mine. One who got off very lucky as the van had struck the box of his truck, avoiding the cab entirely. None the less he was a bit shocked, but otherwise fine. I helped him to gather his things (as this seemed first and foremost on his to do list) and convinced him to sit down and await the police and ambulance. Went back to check on the hillbillies to find only her where I'd left them. She said her man had left to go to his uncles. An attempt to defeat the DUI I imagine. By now the woman is in complete shock, ashen and shaking. We managed a blanket from a passer by, and were forced to carry her a distace (Ouch!) as the van was now leaking it's fuel and smoking a bit. Finally, the RCMP and Logan Lake volunteer Fire Dept. show up and take over the first aid. Do the witness thingy with the cop (who appears to be twelve by the way) and then get roped into helping out with splinting the gal's leg as the Logan Lake ERT also suspect it to be broken. Thankfully, she was packaged easily and shipped off to Kamloops hospital where I later heard she was doing fine. Buddy from work was OK as well. As for booze breath, dunno, don't care. Regardless, thought I'd share that little insight into one hell of a crazy couple of weeks. Enjoying a coffee as I finish typing this up, and really hoping the roof stays intact!!!! Cheers y'all.

This one's for you Lex....

In the wake of what's going on in the Gaza, I sinply found this pic and wanted it posted here.

Happy Birthday Baby! And just think of the hockey acquisitions on our nation's BD...should be fun.

Some very recent photos of the very manic yet personable Hiram:

The Future??? A gutsy move made by Puffy today. Sign's Luongo on as a franchise for reasonable money in a trade that's iffy. Only time's gonna tell, but I predict overall I'm gonna like it! Now about that JoVoCop............

Well, Vancouver was swell to me as always. Saw the NHl entry draft, golfed in a marvelous tourney, ate some great grub and spent some quality time with Doc and mr. Brown. Truly couldn't have asked for anything more, even watched the bidding go to $200 and then got to shave Geo's lid! Priceless.






Alas, a wonderful trip to Vancouver, not sure how George feels about it though!!!!

A dewey night in Wells Gray Park For Tommy's Stag:

Shouldn't this jersey say 'Cloutier'? Unreal push to the finals huh? I'm neutral, but as exciting as this final is going to be, I think Carolina has more Canadians on board, so maybe they ougthta win??? Could care less, just wondering when Puffy's gonna hire a damned coach???? On another note, it's a good thing that Toronto is signing such sensible contracts! Will it be JoVo to go with his sure to be enormous contract, or Bert, Cooke or Morrison? Linden's overpaid and the Sedins need resigning. But all I'm hearing tonight and rightfully so is of Carolina coming from WAY behind to defeat the Oilers and maybe take out the magic story which is/was Roloson to boot. I should care more, but I find myself wondering if the Canucks of next season will be wildly different, or a forgery of last season's club under new helm?

Remember The critter from Caddyshack? The nemesis of Bill Murray's character? Well I've got a little story for you. Golfed at Rivershore the other day, where I didn't play particularly well, but had fun as I was with some great friends and truly striking it pure. However, we came to the eighteenth hole, a 520 yard par five. The wind was behind us, and I wanted to cut the corner left and really smack the shit out of it. Let's just say I didn't get all of it, popped it about two hundred yards on that left line. Walking up, I thought the ball would be out of bounds or lost for certain. But alas, good karma I suppose (NOT!), I found it wedged below a sagebrush. having no shot whatsoever, I take my medicine and decide to play out sidways. I have no forward shot you see, the only shot is to advance the ball out to the right a few yards and get on with it. I took my stance in this god forsaken weed and actually got a good swing on it, and hit the ball just as I'd hoped, out to the right a few yards. But, what do you know, gopher hole right there! My partners were wondering what the hell I was up to as I dove after my ball directly after contact. That's right, a six dollar golf ball scores a hole in one down a varmin hole. Unreal eh? So after the laughter subsided, I dropped another (carefully as I was near the chasm that is gopher land), and crushed a three wood to sixty yard out. Front pin got hunted hard by my lob wedge, and a one putt for a bogey. Thus concludes the story of the best bogey of my life! Really made me kinda hate gophers though.

This made me a little damp in the old eyes.....

Please see my links to Rob's site, and follow his link to this fantastic blog. Here's one of the images. And there are way better on there as well, just thought this one fit my blog and all...

Some recent pics of my little monster:

Remember that photo contest I mentioned a while back? Well, here's the run down on the voting.

Pic #1: 5 votes
Pic #3: 3 votes
Pic #6: 2 votes

Happy to report I won, with the DRo submissions being Pics #1,5 and 6.

Link is here: http://kate-duncphotoblog.blogspot.com/

http://www.awesome-house.com/index.html

As seen in this weekends Province, the 'Steele House' Really wild stuff in my opinion; like George Costanza I like to pretend I'm an architect! And this make believe architect likes the steel features in this home. Look at those bathrooms and kitchen, wild, dangerous steel everywhere!

Just had to post this to piss of Monkey Number Two. HeeHee. By the way y'all the kitten has a name. He is Hiram. And turning into quite the little adorable monster I might add. Very cross eyed, very Siamese; really hope the coyotes and or owls don't get near this little fella. His outdoor leach training is going well.

Holy shit, it's Newman!!! Can't anyone just do their jobs anymore? Gotta love the union's take on this as well:

Alleged mail theft a sign of increasing workloads, postal union says
Last Updated Wed, 17 May 2006 10:59:17 EDT
CBC News

An alleged case of mail theft by a postal worker in Winnipeg – one of the largest cases in the country's history – illustrates the increasing burdens and stresses of the job, her former union says.

* RELATED: Former letter carrier charged with mail theft

On Tuesday, police charged the former letter carrier, accusing her of failing to deliver the mail over a five-month period between October 2005 and February 2006, when she stopped working for Canada Post. The woman, 33, faces up to 10 years in jail, if convicted.

Canada Post investigators are still sorting through trash bags and boxes full of letters, small parcels and flyers police found stashed in the woman's east Winnipeg garage over the weekend.

Police have said they don't believe the woman was trying to steal the mail; rather, they think she simply failed to deliver it to its intended recipients in the Transcona area.

Brian Ferris, the president of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, said the case reflects a heavy-handed work environment at Canada Post.

"I'm concerned at why somebody would have to take the mail home and not feel safe or secure enough to go to their supervisor and explain that they've got a problem," Ferris told CBC News.

"If they find that a carrier has delayed the mail: automatic five-day suspension. What ends up happening is people don't say anything about what's going on. They hide it."

Post office says it monitors workloads

Ferris said a recent increase in mail volume and a dramatic rise in flyer delivery is making it difficult for some carriers to complete their routes in eight hours.

"We're seeing more and more that carriers are having problems completing their eight-hour work day," he said. "I think that the system is flawed."

Canada Post officials said the case was unusual. Spokeswoman Teresa Williams said the post office regularly assesses letter carriers' workloads.

"We measure our routes to ensure that they're not too long," she said. "There's a value attributed to absolutely every action the letter carrier would perform."

Williams could not say whether the former letter carrier's route would be re-evaluated.

People in Transcona whose mail was found in the woman's garage will have their letters and packages delivered, she said, with a letter explaining why it was late.

Finally some pics from work, where we're kinda like kids playing in a very large sandbox; with very large Tonka toys! These are all the pieces of support equipment I'm now licenced to run...I never want to see another haul truck again! Going to sleep now, even though it's sunny as hell; fucking night shifts! One left. Night y'all.

A few pics of the Robertson's latest household roomie! He was born on the Eight of March...and he has no name! He's quite the little suck for a Siamese actually, but he's showing some personality; he and Bailey are hitting it off like two old pals. Feel free to click on the pics to enlarge...

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/casinoroyale/

Perhaps I stand ready to be corrected; watching this teaser makes me very excited!

Just wanted to report that Mr Brown is back on the West Coast, home where he belongs in the correct time zone...welcome the laddie back to Lotus Land!

http://www.infotecbusinesssystems.com/wildlife/

Check out the above link, pretty neat stuff, no eaglets yet!

Oh yes, and a quick before and after as it were:

Roofing follies, it's done! 2 1/2 days, over 120 man hours and many aches and pains. Special thanks to all my aides, especially Tommy Thick Fingers who ran the show and kept us rocking and rolling. Some pics of the 'fun'

Poor pup, all she loved to do was chase sticks with a vengance, fight to mark her territory, and battle hard every time the vaccuum cleaner came out; miss that team, I mean pup...

An image taken by a fellow competitor with whom I'm entering a photography contest. The rules will be simple, X amount of you will be notified by email and asked to judge the best of a random six photos. I've already set up a blog with all the entries and a brief description of the events unfolding...after all is said and done, I'll post the link here and maybe tell you whose photo won. But only if it's mine! Actually, either way we all win right?