Canada Impressive at 2010 Olympics

Whether it was the "Own the Podium" program or not, Canada will have 26 podium positions to be proud of - more gold than big brother to the south, 13 at this point, that's not too shabby. Le Big game is on today between the U.S. and US at 4:45, and both teams are strong and evenly matched, and have been impressive in other wins since their meeting last Tuesday. Saturday, Canada really cleaned up on the gold, getting three in one day, including Kevin Martin's well deserved gold in curling. The total medals now is 25, and will be at least another silver or gold later today. That will make it the most medals ever, beating out the Turin Olympics in 2006 by 2. It's only been since the 1994 Olympics that we've been in the double digits medal-wise.

Today's game may also set another record for biggest Canadian audience for a televised event. Last Tuesday, 10 million fired up their tubes to watch, and with the gold medal on the line, there will likely be more cheering from across this cold land.

Update: Canada won it in overtime, in a nail biter of a game. The U.S. pulls the goalie in the last minute of regulation play, which hardly ever results in a goal, and they tied the game with only 27 seconds left. 7:40 into overtime, Jarome Iginla, receives a pass from Crosby, then lands it back to Crosby approaching the net, and the Cole Hr. native snaps it in, to end the tournament. The Americans really poured on the pressure and the game could have gone either way. A hard fought battle which made for an exciting final Olympic event.

Blue beak brigade

Global Warming

Beachcombing

Captain's log
Slowing things down a little
A place to relax

Tiger not out of the woods yet

Golf hero Tiger Woods gave his act of contrition today in front of millions worldwide. After playing around the fields on his wife Elin, he decided that a long apology par for ... He will have lots of future temptations to overcome, and she will or would have a deep hurt, and mistrust to overcome, and may take a long time to really forgive. However, many already have forgiven him, and some of them include former sponsors. Nike said "... We look forward to him returning to golf."

Where there's money to be made, you can expect to see lots of forgiveness. Just after the news of his affairs, attendance at major golf events dropped off. One charity in California that had been given donations by a local golf event, had it's donations put on hold. It will be interesting to see just from a human self-control angle if the Tiger can abstain from extra-marital intercourse, as he re-enters a marital course.

Gordon Lightfoot Remains Alive, and Well

Yesterday, at least three online news sites, the Vancouver Sun, the Ottawa Citizen and the Calgary Herald, ran a story saying that Gordon Lightfoot had died. It was taken down when it was confirmed that he was still above the sod. Apparently the rumor started out of Ottawa. The story quoted Ronnie Hawkins confirming the death, another part of the fake story. Lightfoot himself was naturally surprised to hear it, but joked, “I haven't had so much airplay on my music now for weeks.” Good to hear that one of Canada's best musicians and songwriters is still around. He will be coming to St. John's on March 29 and 30, and Corner Brook on March 31.

Curler Increases Advertisement Income

Arguably the greatest curler Canada ever had, Kevin Martin is the favorite for gold at the 2010 Olympics. They defeated their first opponent on Tuesday.Martin and team Canada will get plenty of exposure, and he is taking advantage of his personal real estate to draw in some extra coin. Famous Chicken bought up the first days ad space, and Pizza Experts are on top for day two of curling.
Best wishes to Kevin and the team for the gold.

Other Rejected New Olympic Sports

Last year the International Olympic Committee stood by it's decision to exclude a new sport, women's ski jumping from the 2010 Olympics. Hopefully, by 2014, it will meet their criteria and be "developed" enough for those games. Other winter events that have also been rejected for the 2010 games include:

Windshield scraping
Snow shovelling
Downhill skating
Cross country figure skating
Ice fishing
200 metre skiing steeplechase
2 metre Snowman building
Stuck car pushing - team event
The 5 km uncleared sidewalk walk

Did I leave out any?

Hitler reacts to Fortis building plans

From the Good Times blog

The World of Water People

They live fast and are ever changing,
the people of the sea.
They frolic and dance about every second,
all are one, and one is all, so care free.
They jump and roar when they are twirled,
it's how they entertain us in their big little world.

Sarah Palin Hand Notes to Self

She made fun of Obama for being articulate and using a teleprompter (as if she didn't or wouldn't). At the same time she watches her hand for her own reminders. Here is a video of her caught at this before. This is a picture enlargement of what this still first woman President hopeful (at least she will get lots of coverage and sell books at the thought of it anyway) had written down on her hand.


This is just Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinijad at the Golden Globe ceremonies, with his Avatar 3-D goggles on. That guy loves the paparazzi.

Superbowl Sunday and shots of the orange, bowl

Touchdown!

Get well soon Premier Danny

Premier Williams had heart surgery earlier today, and best wishes to him for a smooth recovery. There has been lots of talk (controversy?) at home on radio, tv and other media, and nationally, about Williams going to the U.S. for his particular surgical needs. What's the big deal? A man decides to do something for his best interest, his life. There are certainly procedures that cannot be done in NL, and finding some privacy is more of a challenge for a popular public figure than anyone, and what he does for his personal health is his own business. It's a worry enough already to simply recover without infections or complications, let alone a created media controversy about where it was done. Not a good time to add more stress to the man's life. Good luck to him for good health for many years to come.

Warning: Chilling Images Below

Frost spikes

Pie-etic Justice for Hate Group PETA

Perhaps it was part of their "anything to keep attention on us" strategy, but come on, they begged for it. While it was PETA who got dogged yesterday, I could not help but feel sorry for the otherwise sweet 21 year old target, who PETA knew would probably get some payback for last weeks goon attack on the Fisheries Minister Gail Shea. Poor kid, probably loves animals like most of us, but fed propaganda by this sick self-serving extremist group. Too bad she had to make the trip from BC to protest about animals, when BC alone, has at least 1500 cattle ranchers. This may be out to lunch, but there are probably many humane animal slaughter causes in protester's backyards, since about 650 million animals are killed each year in Canada. There's nothing wrong with making life better for those 100s of millions, so save yourselves travel time, money, and stress, and have a look in your own neighborhoods first.

A Pain in the Pothole

What gets bigger the more you take away? Well, they could also be referred to as black holes. Getting blowouts is becoming an annual occurrence for this traveler. Fact is, this one is so careful on the roads, that I am probably considered a boring driver, very aware and conscientious on the streets and highways. However, when it's foggy, black, blinding, and there's someone driving parallel to you, you have next to no chance when there are No Signs indicating a deep, jagged asphalt-edged, tire-slicing pit, gouged out in the path of the passenger side wheel.

The tire did not flatten immediately, but the sound of that wheel slamming into the sharp rim-wrecking crater was just like last years sound. I was able to make it to my destination, and when leaving later, sure enough, Mr. rim made that familiar rumble on the pavement. The only consolation was that it was a mild 3 or 4 degrees while changing the tire.

Taking the same route home, there was a sign that others had fallen victim to the same black garage trap that it was. The sign was a black and orange striped warning sign now jutting straight up from the gouge. I wonder if it is really asphalt being put on our streets sometimes, or play dough. Or does Canadian Tire or some other garage, get the contract to do the paving, use junk, and reap the extra follow-up rewards during the winter months? Well, if that were the case, you guys are good. I'll need another tire, and possibly a rim.

Here's an idea that came from the Oral-B toothbrush. You know when you've used your brush for a certain time, the blue begins to fade in the bristles. Well, bring on the asphalt boys, and pour in a dab of neon green paint so that we can see the patch, because it's just a matter of time before it fades away and causes that rotten road cavity pain once again.

Toyota needs to step on it to fix the accerator problem

When I asked a Toyota rep if my Corolla is being recalled, he said he couldn't recall. Well, it turns out mine is safe, but I kinda wish it was recalled. Just once, I'd like to bring my car in and not have to pay an annual third world income per hour for some mechanical issue. Poor Toyota, this must be a shock to their system - a glitch that puts the brakes on car sales. But, they have a plan for a catch up comeback. Once this little gas pedal problem is over, they will be throwing in a free car mat with every new car purchase. Some dealers will pop on hubcaps on new car sales, which is usually reserved for the Camray EX Special editions. Toyota will be busy for weeks trying to check out and fix gas pedals from sticking, so just a word of advice, it could be a long wait, and while it may be hard not to do, don't rush it.

Flights delayed and grounded due to weather

Michaelle Jean: Grace | PETA Goon: Disgrace

Canada's beautiful Governor General just keeps showing her inner beauty. Last week she made an emotional appeal on behalf of her homeland and brothers and sisters in Haiti. Last year she connected with Canada's Aboriginals by sharing seal. Yesterday, our Governor General sang at the microphone's a song of hope for Haiti. The poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, Haiti's PM told an international group Friends of Haiti, yesterday, that it will take about five years for his country to just get back to where they were pre-earthquake. The consensus was that it would take ten years to rebuild Haiti.

While it seems the rest of the world is raising funds for Haiti, the terrorist supporting group (donated at least $42,000 to a convicted arsonist) PETA sent one of it's own fundraisers to physically assault Fisheries and Oceans Minister, Gail Shea. Shea's own response was cool and with class.

The formula for this extremist group "80% outrage, ten percent each of celebrity and truth" - from the mouth of their one time president. See that and more on this desperate group right here.

For anyone who still would like to donate to relief for Haiti, here's the Newfoundland and Labrador Red Cross site.