I will admit that I have a very short fuse when I hear parents telling me that the child beside them that is desperately begging to play hockey will not be able to play because it is far to expensive. I become very defensive and very hot very fast. I know that is alot of very, but hey! Why go half way?
Let me break it down for you real easy. Yes, rep level hockey can get extremely expensive. The problem is that it really is no more expensive then rep level anything. Soccer, football, gymnastics, ballet. If your child really wants to excel at anything it is going to cost you huge. The kicker is, they don't have to play rep or above. They just need to play. Children need social interaction. They need to sweat. They need to work as a group and learn that sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, the needs of the team outweigh their own needs. They need a sense of accomplishment and a nickname. A very well deserved nickname that they can own.
Children, at all levels of all sports do not need $200 hockey sticks. $150 soccer cleats. $150 ballet leotards and $300 make up sets for dance. These are parent needs.
I will set the record straight right here. In my home we have put a serious stress on sports and arts and we are very happy to pay for our children's success. Now whether or not it is fair or the way it should be, if you want a Junior level hockey player, or a Provincial gymnast, it is going to cost you. And we are very happy to bare the brunt of that cost. And yes. A triple A hockey player does need a $200 stick and $500 skates, because the difference in technology could be the hurdle between making the team and not making the team. My friends are always the friends of my son and daughter's team mates and we blow more on gas every month for travel then we do on groceries, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I also am very happy in the knowledge that if they had decided to play at the house level my children would have been just happy to belong.
So, Cost, Is house hockey as expensive as other sports? No. No it isn't. And I will prove it.
For a season of Novice Soccer in Petawawa (around 2-1/2 months) it costs $140.00 That does not include travel or tournaments or equipment. A season of Novice hockey is $460.00 for 7 months. Now basic division will tell you that Soccer runs at about $70/month and hockey is $65/month. Now the killer. Equipment!!! A bag of equipment from Canadian tire is $100.00, used skates, around $50 for a decent set and helmet is now free for novice players through Chevy.
Now if you had to buy that every year the season would work out to $85.00/month, but you don't. Skates are usually a yearly buy, but after the initial hit for the bag of equipment you get gear as they grow, so shoulder pads this year. Shin pads the year after. Trust me, its doable. So averaging it out over 4 years to replace we are down to $70/month for both sports. Now, if your child does want that crazy stick, or gear,(which they will) it is up to you to say no, But never hold back your child from a sport and what should be their right as a Canadian because you have "heard" or "know somebody who say's" because it is nothing but bullshit.
Remember that the fact that you also get an average of 2 practices a week and a game a week with hockey as opposed to one practice a week and one game a week with soccer, you are getting a considerable deal. Hockey is one of the few sports around that you can play into your retirement years and while your child is young you get to help. You get to volunteer, And best of all? You get to share in the victory from the stands. Once your child has started then make the decision if you want a child, or an athlete. That discussion is for another blog completely.
Please parents. Your child doesn't have to be the best, but how can they be if you don't ever let them have the chance to succeed.!!!
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I'm back...Back in the USA
Well, its been almost 2 years and its time to get this thing up and running. A quick little review since my last post. I have gone to Afghanistan, received a medal for my contributions to the war there. I got home, had to piece my life back together after spending 7 months away. Coached a hockey team, helped them win a regional championship. Coached a lacrsosse team (results to be posted soon). Went from being CH-47 qualified to CH-146 qualified. Spent 3 months in Montreal training. Another month in New Brunswick training. All that and then got the entire family posted to Petawawa.
Right now I'm sitting in a hotel in South Philly across the street from the Boeing CH-47 Plant training on my country's newest acquisition. Now I can't get into the nitty gritty, but she is a beaut and I have never been happier to be a part of somethin, nor have I ever been apart of something this big from the ground floor.
Now, back at home my wife, arguabley the strongest woman I know, is running the house like a well oiled machine. She is managing to keep 3 kids (ya, thats right, I said 3 but that is another story) a house, driving to hockey lessons 2 hours away and all the other wonderments that come with being a single mom, all the time having her pain in the ass husband chirping in her ear every 2 nights wondering what I'm missing out on. It is common knowledge that my son has never forgiven me for moving from Cold Lake AB and really hasn't been that happy since moving to Borden but Pet seems to be his new Xanadu. It is the perfect match of bumpkin-nowhere and close to a real city, so the girls are happy with Ottawa and Ethan is happy with the open spaces of northern Ontario. All the while I miss out on all the adventures they are having.
So, I end my rant on this. When you want to be a part of something big, don't be surprised when you miss something bigger back home.
End of Message
Right now I'm sitting in a hotel in South Philly across the street from the Boeing CH-47 Plant training on my country's newest acquisition. Now I can't get into the nitty gritty, but she is a beaut and I have never been happier to be a part of somethin, nor have I ever been apart of something this big from the ground floor.
Now, back at home my wife, arguabley the strongest woman I know, is running the house like a well oiled machine. She is managing to keep 3 kids (ya, thats right, I said 3 but that is another story) a house, driving to hockey lessons 2 hours away and all the other wonderments that come with being a single mom, all the time having her pain in the ass husband chirping in her ear every 2 nights wondering what I'm missing out on. It is common knowledge that my son has never forgiven me for moving from Cold Lake AB and really hasn't been that happy since moving to Borden but Pet seems to be his new Xanadu. It is the perfect match of bumpkin-nowhere and close to a real city, so the girls are happy with Ottawa and Ethan is happy with the open spaces of northern Ontario. All the while I miss out on all the adventures they are having.
So, I end my rant on this. When you want to be a part of something big, don't be surprised when you miss something bigger back home.
End of Message
Sunday, May 1, 2011
What is a dad to do
So. I am a hockey dad. Not a crazy one per say, but I can be a little on the odd side when I want to be. I have a boy. A great boy. He amazes me with his quick wit and his strength of mind and body. Yesterday he was dealt probably the worst blow of his short life.
I'll start off by saying that this 11 year old has had to deal with more adversity then most adults will in a lifetime. Yet every time, he comes out smelling like a rose. When he was 2, I was a laid-off steelworker with a lot of time on my hand's and I bought him a pair of Bauer skates, dropped 100 bucks on a back of equipment and started off to skating school with him. He took to it like a duck to water. The next year he started hockey school and was automatically one of the strongest kids on the ice. We then moved from Stoney Creek to the hockey heaven that is Alberta. There was where he really found his stride.
A "hat trick" a game scorer, he was leaned on regularly to produce and never failed. I'm not even considering him to be the next "Shea Weber" or Sydney Crosby, but the kid has talent. The thing with Cold Lake AB was that it was a small town with a strong hockey program and he was shinning like a big star. Then it happened. BANG. I was his head coach and handed some of the worst hockey parents I have ever encountered. The problems ranged from verbal abuse directed at my son to phone calls in the middle of the evening accusing me of padding his numbers or not passing around enough ice time. Ironically we won the regional championships that year.
The next year got even worse. I didn't get the head coach position for his team and the guy who did was a world class douche. Verbal abuse doesn't even cover his coaching policy and he wasn't even foreign to demeaning the kids on the bench. I thought that was going to be it. I thought that poor little 9 year old was going to hang up the skates. He suffered through the summer of moving back to Ontario. A move he to date still hasn't forgiven me for, and we had our eye's opened to the beast that is Hockey Ontario.
Our posting was changed last minute and the AAA team he was originally going to play for was no longer a reality. That and in my lack of knowledge, we weren't appraised of the habit of spring tryouts for the following year. After speaking to a director in the new area, he assured me that I didn't need to scramble to get him to another area tryouts because the local rep team was just as good if not better then the outside area AA and A programs... it was a lie.
Our tryout skate was a nightmare. The boy looked 8 inches taller then everyone else and there were kids that made the team that could barely skate backwards. The beautiful woman that keeps me centered told me, "don't worry, its exactly what he needs, he gets to be the rock star". She was right, he did, but it wasn't what he needed. I watched slowing as all the skills, fitness and hockey sense deteriorated from him. At the end of the season, it took a tonne of time and money just to get him to the shape he was when we initially moved from Alberta. I won't even get into the gong show that was our season.
Then a ray of hope came our way. I took the boy to AAA tryouts in Barrie. A team he had no hope in hell of making and he was cut. This was a first for him and he took it extremely well. But a wonderful lady pointed out that it didn't have to end there. We could take him to one of a various amount of teams and have him tryout there... which we did. We showed up to the tryouts after a quick phone call to the coach and he not only made the team, but was a walk on.
It was at this time that I was training in the good 'ol U.S of A to go "over there" and I left my son knowing that he knew what he had to do. I was wrong again. He spent the time I was gone on the couch with a new friend and was in no way in shape for the season. The coach was horrified when he saw what shape the boy was in. I stepped in, and got him back into training. The boy just needed a little direction and he was off. He lost 10lbs and went from a 3rd line D man to starting position and special teams machine.
The season was a blast. Good parents, great kids and a very supportive family environment for my family while I was off to go fight "over there". It wasn't a winning season by any stretch of the imagination, but the boys all pulled together and were playing real AAA hockey by the end. We were ready to tryout for the same team this year knowing that the coach was staying on and very happy with the boy's play... or so we thought.
A parent stepped in for the head coach position and won the job. The wheels were coming off again. He decided that he didn't want big players with big hits and big shots. He wanted exactly what the boy was not. Little speed demon's. The boy stepped up to tryouts thinking he had a shot, and was wrong. The beautiful woman that had held this together called it from day one and I refused to believe that the boy wasn't going to make it on superior size, speed and strength. Wife-1, Me-0. He made it all the way to final cuts and was released at the last ice time. He was crushed. He had dropped yet another 10lbs in training for the job. His father was and best friend was still away at war, his friend's had all moved away, and now this. How could a grown adult drag him through this hell? Was he blind? Did he not see? What am I missing?
I can't help but think that had I been there, it would have been harder for the cut to happen. I know I have let the young man down. I should have been there, to cheer him on. To let him know that its okay. But here is the kicker. Children 1/2 his size, strenth and speed made the team. What the hell. Am I that bad a person? Did the coach just ditch my kid to keep me away? Not only that, but the coach pinned two of the best Friend's on the team against each other for the last spot, and then gave it to neither of them.
Having not been there, the fault therefore lies with me. I should have been there. The boy has gone through enough, without having to have his hope's and dream's dashed by somebody who is more concerned about a "vision" then he is about talent. Its not fair to any little boy to be cut, but part of a process of learning loss and how to jump up and dust himself off, but how much dust does one boy have to chew on before somebody wakes up and says.... he has done enough.
I guess my final thought was that because this team hailed from all over a region, I loved the fact that there were no politics involved. The old head coach had no kids in hockey, neither did the assistant coach or the manager. Next to impossible for politics of children to play a role when the coach doesn't have to worry about who is friend's with who..... but it has all changed. I've said it before and I'll say it again. At the AAA level, a parent's place is in the stands, cheering and being as positive as possible. But if you pick up the coach's whistle, you had better learn to be about development and the kids, and not your own agenda.
At least that is what I think
I'll start off by saying that this 11 year old has had to deal with more adversity then most adults will in a lifetime. Yet every time, he comes out smelling like a rose. When he was 2, I was a laid-off steelworker with a lot of time on my hand's and I bought him a pair of Bauer skates, dropped 100 bucks on a back of equipment and started off to skating school with him. He took to it like a duck to water. The next year he started hockey school and was automatically one of the strongest kids on the ice. We then moved from Stoney Creek to the hockey heaven that is Alberta. There was where he really found his stride.
A "hat trick" a game scorer, he was leaned on regularly to produce and never failed. I'm not even considering him to be the next "Shea Weber" or Sydney Crosby, but the kid has talent. The thing with Cold Lake AB was that it was a small town with a strong hockey program and he was shinning like a big star. Then it happened. BANG. I was his head coach and handed some of the worst hockey parents I have ever encountered. The problems ranged from verbal abuse directed at my son to phone calls in the middle of the evening accusing me of padding his numbers or not passing around enough ice time. Ironically we won the regional championships that year.
The next year got even worse. I didn't get the head coach position for his team and the guy who did was a world class douche. Verbal abuse doesn't even cover his coaching policy and he wasn't even foreign to demeaning the kids on the bench. I thought that was going to be it. I thought that poor little 9 year old was going to hang up the skates. He suffered through the summer of moving back to Ontario. A move he to date still hasn't forgiven me for, and we had our eye's opened to the beast that is Hockey Ontario.
Our posting was changed last minute and the AAA team he was originally going to play for was no longer a reality. That and in my lack of knowledge, we weren't appraised of the habit of spring tryouts for the following year. After speaking to a director in the new area, he assured me that I didn't need to scramble to get him to another area tryouts because the local rep team was just as good if not better then the outside area AA and A programs... it was a lie.
Our tryout skate was a nightmare. The boy looked 8 inches taller then everyone else and there were kids that made the team that could barely skate backwards. The beautiful woman that keeps me centered told me, "don't worry, its exactly what he needs, he gets to be the rock star". She was right, he did, but it wasn't what he needed. I watched slowing as all the skills, fitness and hockey sense deteriorated from him. At the end of the season, it took a tonne of time and money just to get him to the shape he was when we initially moved from Alberta. I won't even get into the gong show that was our season.
Then a ray of hope came our way. I took the boy to AAA tryouts in Barrie. A team he had no hope in hell of making and he was cut. This was a first for him and he took it extremely well. But a wonderful lady pointed out that it didn't have to end there. We could take him to one of a various amount of teams and have him tryout there... which we did. We showed up to the tryouts after a quick phone call to the coach and he not only made the team, but was a walk on.
It was at this time that I was training in the good 'ol U.S of A to go "over there" and I left my son knowing that he knew what he had to do. I was wrong again. He spent the time I was gone on the couch with a new friend and was in no way in shape for the season. The coach was horrified when he saw what shape the boy was in. I stepped in, and got him back into training. The boy just needed a little direction and he was off. He lost 10lbs and went from a 3rd line D man to starting position and special teams machine.
The season was a blast. Good parents, great kids and a very supportive family environment for my family while I was off to go fight "over there". It wasn't a winning season by any stretch of the imagination, but the boys all pulled together and were playing real AAA hockey by the end. We were ready to tryout for the same team this year knowing that the coach was staying on and very happy with the boy's play... or so we thought.
A parent stepped in for the head coach position and won the job. The wheels were coming off again. He decided that he didn't want big players with big hits and big shots. He wanted exactly what the boy was not. Little speed demon's. The boy stepped up to tryouts thinking he had a shot, and was wrong. The beautiful woman that had held this together called it from day one and I refused to believe that the boy wasn't going to make it on superior size, speed and strength. Wife-1, Me-0. He made it all the way to final cuts and was released at the last ice time. He was crushed. He had dropped yet another 10lbs in training for the job. His father was and best friend was still away at war, his friend's had all moved away, and now this. How could a grown adult drag him through this hell? Was he blind? Did he not see? What am I missing?
I can't help but think that had I been there, it would have been harder for the cut to happen. I know I have let the young man down. I should have been there, to cheer him on. To let him know that its okay. But here is the kicker. Children 1/2 his size, strenth and speed made the team. What the hell. Am I that bad a person? Did the coach just ditch my kid to keep me away? Not only that, but the coach pinned two of the best Friend's on the team against each other for the last spot, and then gave it to neither of them.
Having not been there, the fault therefore lies with me. I should have been there. The boy has gone through enough, without having to have his hope's and dream's dashed by somebody who is more concerned about a "vision" then he is about talent. Its not fair to any little boy to be cut, but part of a process of learning loss and how to jump up and dust himself off, but how much dust does one boy have to chew on before somebody wakes up and says.... he has done enough.
I guess my final thought was that because this team hailed from all over a region, I loved the fact that there were no politics involved. The old head coach had no kids in hockey, neither did the assistant coach or the manager. Next to impossible for politics of children to play a role when the coach doesn't have to worry about who is friend's with who..... but it has all changed. I've said it before and I'll say it again. At the AAA level, a parent's place is in the stands, cheering and being as positive as possible. But if you pick up the coach's whistle, you had better learn to be about development and the kids, and not your own agenda.
At least that is what I think
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Its been a while, but what can I say??? I've been busy
So, here I am, feeling like a turd after watching Vic haul ass through the blogging world and decide its time to get my "Feces collated" and get back on my own personal therapy. The fall is off and running and I'm not even sure how we are going to keep it all going. The monster went off and made a AAA hockey team, which involves no less the 2-3 practises a week and 2 games every weekend. The monkey on the other hand has gone off out of nowhere and made the competitive gymnastics team and man is she good. I mean, good gymnasts are saying "wow... she's good".
Now this is all well and good, but lets just put it all into perspective here. AAA hockey ain't cheap, but I will never slow my child down due to financial costs. I personally believe that after years of being told how this is "to expensive," or that is to "time consuming", or my personal favorite... "you are going to get hurt", that these are words that will never come out of my mouth when my child shows promise or raw talent. The first consideration is that after a day of work, the bombshell I get to sleep beside each night and I high-5 at the door, and I'm off in one direction to a hockey rink and she is off to the gymnastics club. I don't begrudge this time. I can actually say that my boy is my best friend, and we talk about everything in the 45 min-1 hour drive to the rinks. And on off days we will switch it up and I'll get to see the monkey wow me with feats of strength and agility that make my back hurt and my muscle's sore just watching her. The problem is that I'm leaving for the better part of a year with breaks back home of 2 weeks every 6 months. The practises and gym time are on the exact same nights at the same time. The bombshell tells me not to worry, she can handle it, but really... why should she???
Our lifestyle is such that we don't have a tonne of family support so she is literally doing it on her own ( the little trooper that she is) and she won't complain about it even once unless somebody really pisses her off. The other fact is financial.... I thought AAA hockey was expensive until we met the financial beast that is gymnastics. Lets just say there are no plans for early retirement any time soon. And again, I don't begrudge a single moment.
Today the monster's team got walloped by a very strong and very big team to the tune of 13-0. The monster ended up getting benched for a couple of shifts for under performance and that led to a very open discussion in the car about work ethic and accountability. He took it in stride and decided to make sure that he never lets the coach down and ups his work on practise ice. The monkey followed it up by saying that he is lucky that he only has to play for 1-1/2 hours and practise the same length since she is on the floor for 3 hours at a pop twice a week. She consoled him in the fact that being a "Bullivant" meant that giving up isn't in our social makeup and that he will find his wind when it comes to him. I was holding back laughter watching my daughter give the boy the "win onefor the kipper" speach but it was good to see them team up.
Long and short... You can't put a price on fun, memories, education or social skillz.... all of which I can easily say "MY CHILDREN ARE ROCK STARS".
Now this is all well and good, but lets just put it all into perspective here. AAA hockey ain't cheap, but I will never slow my child down due to financial costs. I personally believe that after years of being told how this is "to expensive," or that is to "time consuming", or my personal favorite... "you are going to get hurt", that these are words that will never come out of my mouth when my child shows promise or raw talent. The first consideration is that after a day of work, the bombshell I get to sleep beside each night and I high-5 at the door, and I'm off in one direction to a hockey rink and she is off to the gymnastics club. I don't begrudge this time. I can actually say that my boy is my best friend, and we talk about everything in the 45 min-1 hour drive to the rinks. And on off days we will switch it up and I'll get to see the monkey wow me with feats of strength and agility that make my back hurt and my muscle's sore just watching her. The problem is that I'm leaving for the better part of a year with breaks back home of 2 weeks every 6 months. The practises and gym time are on the exact same nights at the same time. The bombshell tells me not to worry, she can handle it, but really... why should she???
Our lifestyle is such that we don't have a tonne of family support so she is literally doing it on her own ( the little trooper that she is) and she won't complain about it even once unless somebody really pisses her off. The other fact is financial.... I thought AAA hockey was expensive until we met the financial beast that is gymnastics. Lets just say there are no plans for early retirement any time soon. And again, I don't begrudge a single moment.
Today the monster's team got walloped by a very strong and very big team to the tune of 13-0. The monster ended up getting benched for a couple of shifts for under performance and that led to a very open discussion in the car about work ethic and accountability. He took it in stride and decided to make sure that he never lets the coach down and ups his work on practise ice. The monkey followed it up by saying that he is lucky that he only has to play for 1-1/2 hours and practise the same length since she is on the floor for 3 hours at a pop twice a week. She consoled him in the fact that being a "Bullivant" meant that giving up isn't in our social makeup and that he will find his wind when it comes to him. I was holding back laughter watching my daughter give the boy the "win onefor the kipper" speach but it was good to see them team up.
Long and short... You can't put a price on fun, memories, education or social skillz.... all of which I can easily say "MY CHILDREN ARE ROCK STARS".
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
State of Emergency?
On September 11, 2001 you could not find a single channel other the TSN that was showing anything but the attacks on the World Trade Centre. The world sat and watched as emergency crews ran around like chickens with their heads cut off trying to save the victims, help the people from becoming victims, and generally do the best they could. News crews sat like vultures trying to find the latest survivor.
Fast to a month ago, and a very large earthquake hits the tiny country of Haiti. We sat and watched as the same vultures reported on the victims, the hero's and the villains that tried to exploit even more victims. In both cases this was news, and you could see why this was the only major news reports. You could almost understand why the world's news would be crippled in comparison to these major events.
Fast forward to today. And I am stuck in my hotel room with nowhere to go. There is a mild storm outside with whiteouts happening and the State of Pennsylvania is shut down. I get it, they don't get the snow we do. I really do understand. What I don't get is why is this major news? Why are news crews running around, talking to busy tow truck drivers about accidents, bothering the "turnpike" association (not sure what that is, but the media asked them a lot of questions) or my personal favorite. The reports from FEMA(you remember those guys... they dropped the ball huge in that whole New Orleans disaster) on what the latest developments are.
So, let me get this straight. The entire state is cooped up in a house, nothing to do, and you can't even enjoy television and why? OH that's right, lets make mountains out of molehills. This explains the United States right down to its fiscal irresponsibility, foreign policy and international vision.
The theory is, keep your countrymen scared. And the media does its part to scare them to death. Everyday here on the multitude of news service channels, you get inundated with the latest foreign threat. "Terrorist Attack inevitable in the next (get this, cause it was a real headline) in up to 3 years"..... 3 fucking years. Who is the genius that made that prediction. Here is one that I can give about Canada. The CBC will do its best to discredit Canada's military and make our soldiers take refuge and hide in the next 12 months.
The media here doesn't just make mountains out of molehills, they then build a space program on the mountain and send the fear into space. I have had to endure lectures on "The world needs to Thank the GOOD OLE U.S. OF A.", why don't ya'all just listen to us? These are my favorites. And believe it or not, the members of the media not only mimic this statement, they promote it. And with that comes fear, lots and lots of fear. And fear, like any other virus, is catchy. The worst part is that there is no booster that can fix this kind of fear. The people here are not prepared to educate themselves enough to rise above the fear.
I have done what I do and socialized to the point to make some good friends. Not great Friends, but good friends none the less. The first question asked each time is about our national health care program. I understand, if you don't have it, you want to know. They want to hear about the reported wait times, and reported lack of facilities. I educate them as gingerly as I can so as not to offend, but I do educate. Then they have a stroke when they find out how well we are educated on North American history and not just Canadian history. They are shocked at the difference it perception of battles, economics and world relations. Then they ask about our infrastructure.
That is when they have a stroke. I even use snow storms as a reference. When I explain that the money is set aside for our snow removal and that we bank on an evaluation over the past 5 years, that we don't close schools until the day of, in order to know exactly what the weather is going to be like. That we make sure that we have all the facts before we lodge our complaint or make our decision. Trucks ready to go at all times, but not manned until snow hits the ground. Enough snow equipment to clear the entire city in one week. Civil responsibility for your own driveway and your sidewalks(they don't have to clear the walk in front of the house here, which would save the cities millions in costs) and only valuable information, not a steady stream of the same crap. But most of all? A warning not to panic, because its all under control
Long and short? A snowstorm has just summed up everything that drives me, my family and friend's nuts about our neighbor to the south. That and the fact that they don't understand that in Canada? Its not called Canadian Bacon, its called bacon. Now I can't wait to come back here in the spring and watch the news when they don't get rain for a month.... oh dear gawd I need a new outlook.
Fast to a month ago, and a very large earthquake hits the tiny country of Haiti. We sat and watched as the same vultures reported on the victims, the hero's and the villains that tried to exploit even more victims. In both cases this was news, and you could see why this was the only major news reports. You could almost understand why the world's news would be crippled in comparison to these major events.
Fast forward to today. And I am stuck in my hotel room with nowhere to go. There is a mild storm outside with whiteouts happening and the State of Pennsylvania is shut down. I get it, they don't get the snow we do. I really do understand. What I don't get is why is this major news? Why are news crews running around, talking to busy tow truck drivers about accidents, bothering the "turnpike" association (not sure what that is, but the media asked them a lot of questions) or my personal favorite. The reports from FEMA(you remember those guys... they dropped the ball huge in that whole New Orleans disaster) on what the latest developments are.
So, let me get this straight. The entire state is cooped up in a house, nothing to do, and you can't even enjoy television and why? OH that's right, lets make mountains out of molehills. This explains the United States right down to its fiscal irresponsibility, foreign policy and international vision.
The theory is, keep your countrymen scared. And the media does its part to scare them to death. Everyday here on the multitude of news service channels, you get inundated with the latest foreign threat. "Terrorist Attack inevitable in the next (get this, cause it was a real headline) in up to 3 years"..... 3 fucking years. Who is the genius that made that prediction. Here is one that I can give about Canada. The CBC will do its best to discredit Canada's military and make our soldiers take refuge and hide in the next 12 months.
The media here doesn't just make mountains out of molehills, they then build a space program on the mountain and send the fear into space. I have had to endure lectures on "The world needs to Thank the GOOD OLE U.S. OF A.", why don't ya'all just listen to us? These are my favorites. And believe it or not, the members of the media not only mimic this statement, they promote it. And with that comes fear, lots and lots of fear. And fear, like any other virus, is catchy. The worst part is that there is no booster that can fix this kind of fear. The people here are not prepared to educate themselves enough to rise above the fear.
I have done what I do and socialized to the point to make some good friends. Not great Friends, but good friends none the less. The first question asked each time is about our national health care program. I understand, if you don't have it, you want to know. They want to hear about the reported wait times, and reported lack of facilities. I educate them as gingerly as I can so as not to offend, but I do educate. Then they have a stroke when they find out how well we are educated on North American history and not just Canadian history. They are shocked at the difference it perception of battles, economics and world relations. Then they ask about our infrastructure.
That is when they have a stroke. I even use snow storms as a reference. When I explain that the money is set aside for our snow removal and that we bank on an evaluation over the past 5 years, that we don't close schools until the day of, in order to know exactly what the weather is going to be like. That we make sure that we have all the facts before we lodge our complaint or make our decision. Trucks ready to go at all times, but not manned until snow hits the ground. Enough snow equipment to clear the entire city in one week. Civil responsibility for your own driveway and your sidewalks(they don't have to clear the walk in front of the house here, which would save the cities millions in costs) and only valuable information, not a steady stream of the same crap. But most of all? A warning not to panic, because its all under control
Long and short? A snowstorm has just summed up everything that drives me, my family and friend's nuts about our neighbor to the south. That and the fact that they don't understand that in Canada? Its not called Canadian Bacon, its called bacon. Now I can't wait to come back here in the spring and watch the news when they don't get rain for a month.... oh dear gawd I need a new outlook.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Weakness is the 5th season
So, I'm stuck here in Harrisburg PA.... and I mean stuck. This is a hole, a state Capital with the most unpleasant of social structures in history. This is as interesting as it gets for a social addict like me.
First of all... drinking and driving is a sport here. I find it offensive. These people get wasted, not tipsy, wasted and then hop behind the wheel and turn the roads into a contact sport. Second, I've come close to throwing a couple of "Bows" because of the unconscionable use of the "N-Bomb". Apparently this town is just a very large trailer park
But the absolute crusher on this trip was the 12 inches of snow that because listed as a "National Emergency" by the state of Pennsylvania. I'm Canadian, I understand that shit weather is part of the gig, but it shouldn't be out of the ordinary to expect a winter nation like the Norther USA to figure out the snow shouldn't cause the rotation of the planet to stop... but that is just what happened.
I drove 1 hour to Gettysburg... THE GETTYSBURG.... to envelope myself in American Military History and drive the battlefield tours. And what happened?? Guess, you only get 2..... that's right, the City of Gettysburg was closed. Not a couple of shops, not the federal buildings for tourists.... the city was closed. You couldn't even get a beer. Or milk.... somebody explain that one to me. And when I state my discomfort???? "you aren't in Canada man..... its not the same"....
Why not?? This is supposedly the most powerful country in the world. You can murder a world leader in his sleep and you can't shovel snow????
I'm calling it right now..... global warming is almost over and global cooling will begin and when it hits??? I'll be "Grand Emperor" of Canada and invade this little "Winter Free" zone that is the united slobs of America
First of all... drinking and driving is a sport here. I find it offensive. These people get wasted, not tipsy, wasted and then hop behind the wheel and turn the roads into a contact sport. Second, I've come close to throwing a couple of "Bows" because of the unconscionable use of the "N-Bomb". Apparently this town is just a very large trailer park
But the absolute crusher on this trip was the 12 inches of snow that because listed as a "National Emergency" by the state of Pennsylvania. I'm Canadian, I understand that shit weather is part of the gig, but it shouldn't be out of the ordinary to expect a winter nation like the Norther USA to figure out the snow shouldn't cause the rotation of the planet to stop... but that is just what happened.
I drove 1 hour to Gettysburg... THE GETTYSBURG.... to envelope myself in American Military History and drive the battlefield tours. And what happened?? Guess, you only get 2..... that's right, the City of Gettysburg was closed. Not a couple of shops, not the federal buildings for tourists.... the city was closed. You couldn't even get a beer. Or milk.... somebody explain that one to me. And when I state my discomfort???? "you aren't in Canada man..... its not the same"....
Why not?? This is supposedly the most powerful country in the world. You can murder a world leader in his sleep and you can't shovel snow????
I'm calling it right now..... global warming is almost over and global cooling will begin and when it hits??? I'll be "Grand Emperor" of Canada and invade this little "Winter Free" zone that is the united slobs of America
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Who own's the night
"What did you ask him"..... I say "who ownda Chief's"....
Okay, and what did he say
"Owwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnzzzzzzzz oooooooowwwwwnnnzzzzz"
Ownership of a night out gets tougher as your age progresses. Here I am living large in a foreign land, (I don't care if its only Pennsylvania, I'm the only only guy at the bar without an accent, or with one, depending on who you talk to) going to school, all day, and having hours such that it is possible to hang out at the bar downstairs, and still make it to work the next day.
The hotel I'm staying at is more of a convention centre then a hotel, and so far we have had a sporting goods equipment, biker, and farming convention since I have got here. What does that mean? New people, and new boozing each week.
They say that youth is wasted on the young and they aren't kidding. I'm sitting here wishing I still had the ability to wake up after a day of boozing and not have a hangover that lasts into the following week. My liver, limbs, stomach, oh who am I kidding? My entire body is taking the challenge up as well as it can, but it is out of practise.
While I'm here I'm also doing my best to get fit. I have joined a gym and hit the elliptical every morning and then work out for another 2 hours in the afternoon. This is all well and good, except that living in a hotel and boozing 3 days a week, kinda puts back your workout a fair bit.
I have also gone clubbing for the first time in a couple of years. And I'll admit it, I'm loving it. Live bands playing music that I love and music went out and got fun again. LMFAO's "Miami Bitch" has me bopping my head and getting my feet going. I've also taken to enjoying country and western music and dancing in our hotel nightclub. I have found that I'm actually pretty good at the dancing part and its wa-hey-hey-heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyy easier to meet people when you are half cut and dancing, they you don't look like your a saucepan.
So the answer my friend is? I in fact own the night. That is until my body rejects me and tells me to give it back to the 21 year olds and thank them for letting me borrow it.
Okay, and what did he say
"Owwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnzzzzzzzz oooooooowwwwwnnnzzzzz"
Ownership of a night out gets tougher as your age progresses. Here I am living large in a foreign land, (I don't care if its only Pennsylvania, I'm the only only guy at the bar without an accent, or with one, depending on who you talk to) going to school, all day, and having hours such that it is possible to hang out at the bar downstairs, and still make it to work the next day.
The hotel I'm staying at is more of a convention centre then a hotel, and so far we have had a sporting goods equipment, biker, and farming convention since I have got here. What does that mean? New people, and new boozing each week.
They say that youth is wasted on the young and they aren't kidding. I'm sitting here wishing I still had the ability to wake up after a day of boozing and not have a hangover that lasts into the following week. My liver, limbs, stomach, oh who am I kidding? My entire body is taking the challenge up as well as it can, but it is out of practise.
While I'm here I'm also doing my best to get fit. I have joined a gym and hit the elliptical every morning and then work out for another 2 hours in the afternoon. This is all well and good, except that living in a hotel and boozing 3 days a week, kinda puts back your workout a fair bit.
I have also gone clubbing for the first time in a couple of years. And I'll admit it, I'm loving it. Live bands playing music that I love and music went out and got fun again. LMFAO's "Miami Bitch" has me bopping my head and getting my feet going. I've also taken to enjoying country and western music and dancing in our hotel nightclub. I have found that I'm actually pretty good at the dancing part and its wa-hey-hey-heeeeeeeeyyyyyyyyyyyyy easier to meet people when you are half cut and dancing, they you don't look like your a saucepan.
So the answer my friend is? I in fact own the night. That is until my body rejects me and tells me to give it back to the 21 year olds and thank them for letting me borrow it.
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