Today I decided that I was going to do something nice for myself, so I decided that I would go shopping. But by 11:30 I had decided that I also didn't really want to leave the house. I certainly didn't want to go to the mall just to find out that what I really wanted wasn't in stock. So I looked at BestBuy.ca to find out if they had what I wanted in stock at either of the stores in the city, they did not. So I turned to online shopping.
20 minutes and $300 later I had ordered the complete series box set of Gilmore Girls from Amazon and all 4 "series" of Canada A People's History from the CBC store. These are sure to bring me hours of entertainment once the Olympics are over. Now I just hope that they get to me alright.
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Olympics. Show all posts
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Was That an Ice Dance Gold Medal?
Why yes, yes it was. Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir won Canada's first ever gold medal in ice dance. Sadly I missed their free dance. I fell asleep during the warm up for the final flight. Actually for that matter I missed their compulsory dance too. But I saw their original dance and they were amazing. So let's hear it for another gold medal for Canada. I would say this is a top three Olympic moment for me so far. The other two would be Alex Bilodeau's gold medal to kick start the Games and Canada's 5-3 loss to the USA in men's hockey (not because I'm happy about it but because it's a big deal). 
Did you see them dance or did you miss it too? What has been your highlight of the Olympics so far?
Did you see them dance or did you miss it too? What has been your highlight of the Olympics so far?Friday, February 19, 2010
Yeah, I don't miss that
I have obviously been watching a lot of Olympic coverage, since it's on all the time. And I love it I do but the last couple of days I've been watching figure skating.
For the men's short and free skate I joined the women of Ladies... for a live blog. It was a good time even though I think that Plushenko should have won (and Elvis agrees with me ). I mean how do you not even try to go higher, faster, stronger at the Olympics. Maybe it's just more figure skating is not a sport fodder to think about.
Anyway today the compulsory dance is on tap. I figured skated for 8 years and frankly I hated the days when we did dance. I just thought it was so boring. I have to admit though that watching it at this level is amazing. It's just so pretty to watch. Dance is clearly not the most exciting of figure skating competitions. I mean the first part is everyone doing the same dance, but it does get slightly more exciting after that I promise. I don't expect any spectacular falls in this event though.
So do you have any thoughts on figure skating? Sport? Non-sport? Quad or No Quad?
For the men's short and free skate I joined the women of Ladies... for a live blog. It was a good time even though I think that Plushenko should have won (and Elvis agrees with me ). I mean how do you not even try to go higher, faster, stronger at the Olympics. Maybe it's just more figure skating is not a sport fodder to think about.
Anyway today the compulsory dance is on tap. I figured skated for 8 years and frankly I hated the days when we did dance. I just thought it was so boring. I have to admit though that watching it at this level is amazing. It's just so pretty to watch. Dance is clearly not the most exciting of figure skating competitions. I mean the first part is everyone doing the same dance, but it does get slightly more exciting after that I promise. I don't expect any spectacular falls in this event though.
So do you have any thoughts on figure skating? Sport? Non-sport? Quad or No Quad?
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Why Am I Not at The Olympics Right Now?
Obviously the Olympics have been going on for the last couple of days and I'm absolutely riveted. I love every event. Well except maybe the cross country skiing, it's just so boring, but biathlon is awesome.
The Olympics are in Vancouver and I'm not there. It's kind of like when I was in Scotland during
Wimbledon but didn't get there.
What about you, are there any sports you're following at the Olympics? Or is it all just a waste of time in your eyes?
The Olympics are in Vancouver and I'm not there. It's kind of like when I was in Scotland during
Wimbledon but didn't get there.
What about you, are there any sports you're following at the Olympics? Or is it all just a waste of time in your eyes?
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Moguls Skiers are Flipping Crazy
I just finished watching Alexandre Bilodeau win the first Olympic gold medal for Canada at the Olympics. Last night I watched Jennifer Heil win the silver medal in the women's event.I can't even imagine doing what they do. Ski-ing down a crazy bumpy course AND taking to the air and doing flips all in less than 30 seconds.
Before the event CTV did some profiles of Alex and his relationship with his older brother who has cerebral palsy. Oh and now he's crying during his interview with CTV. That's it people I think I've found my moguls "boyfriend".
The picture by the way is from CTVolympics.ca. So what about you guys are you watching the Olympics? What's your favorite event?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
One More Thought on the German gymnast
Okay before I give up on this topic completely I wanted to post these pictures which I found this morning. Not only does he have a pouty face but he also sticks out his tongue when he's concentrating which I find totally adorable. 
Okay so now we can go back to not discussing gymnastics for another 4 years and then being plesantly suprised when we see him again in London. Oh also he's slightly balding as I noticed this morning, 21 year olds are not supposed to be going bald!
It must be some kind of illness
Who doesn't need a new office crush? That would be me. And yet a new one is developing. Not good. You would think after a while I would run out of people to have crushes on but apparently not. It's just a good thing I don't have to see him all the time because I always act a little bit silly around my crushes, especially in the beginning stages.
Back to my new Olympic crush on Fabian Hambuechen, besides being too young (21 in October) and too short (5'5) for me is also kind of pouty. I got up early this morning to watch the High Bar final in which he was the top qualifier. He was the first to compete and from the time he got off the bar he didn't look too happy. Kind of like in this picture which I borrowed from what could possibly be my new favorite blog (even though it is on hold at the moment), but with more pout.
Back to my new Olympic crush on Fabian Hambuechen, besides being too young (21 in October) and too short (5'5) for me is also kind of pouty. I got up early this morning to watch the High Bar final in which he was the top qualifier. He was the first to compete and from the time he got off the bar he didn't look too happy. Kind of like in this picture which I borrowed from what could possibly be my new favorite blog (even though it is on hold at the moment), but with more pout.
Anyway he didn't fall off the bar this time so that's a good thing. He also ended up with the bronze medal so that's not so bad given his other 4th place finishes so far.
Monday, August 18, 2008
My love hate relationship with amateur sport
I'm a little bit ticked off after my day at work so I thought I'd go on a little rant to release at least some of my pent up anger.
Every couple of years motivated by the fact the Canada isn't winning so many medals at the Olympics people get the big idea that we should throw more money into amateur sports because we aren't winning enough medals. It's not that I don't support amateur athletics. I do truly love the Olympics. I also appreciate how hard these athletes work to be at the top of their sports. You hear stories about athletes who can't train as hard because they don't have the funding or some like David Ford even pay their own way to compete after they lose their funding. Sure we hear about things like Team Visa and RONA who pay to help a few athletes pay for their training but most don't really get that kind of help.
The thing is that as soon as someone says something like "we'd do better at the Olympics if we spent more money on amateur sport", I start thinking I already pay 1/3 of my annual salary to the government to pay for things like health care, the military, subsidized tuition and low income housing. All things that I feel are just a little bit more important that seeing someone with a medal hanging around their necks. The thing about spending tax money on anything thing is that the money has to come from somewhere, either something has to be cut or the citizens need to be taxed more.
I've also found that high performance athletes do actually receive a whole lot of extra little bonuses that the average person doesn't get either. Even if these are not professional athletes getting the big bucks for what most of them are able to receive at least some scholarship funding for college. Many of the large American schools even offer full scholarships for athletes (though granted most of these are for sports in which you can turn professional. But I came out of university with a piece of paper, a couple of letters to put behind my name and a whole lot of debt. Scholarship athletes could come out with the same things and a whole lot less debt.
I guess what I'm trying to say is not that these athletes shouldn't be rewarded for their dedication to their sport and their desire to compete for their country but I shouldn't be expected to foot the bill. Do I feel a tiny sense of pride when I see a Canadian up there on the podium? Sure I do. But I also work hard for my money and if I want to donate to sport of my own free will then I will but I'm not so sure it should be mandatory as part of my citizenship.
One more thing before I end my little rant. I realize that the Federal government as well as the Provincial government in BC have been and will continue to throw a whole lot of money into the Vancouver 2010 games and I'm not entirely sure I agree with that either but at least that is leading to changes such as improved infrastructure which will still be around (if done properly of course) long after all of the athletes that compete in 2010 are retired.
And end rant.
Every couple of years motivated by the fact the Canada isn't winning so many medals at the Olympics people get the big idea that we should throw more money into amateur sports because we aren't winning enough medals. It's not that I don't support amateur athletics. I do truly love the Olympics. I also appreciate how hard these athletes work to be at the top of their sports. You hear stories about athletes who can't train as hard because they don't have the funding or some like David Ford even pay their own way to compete after they lose their funding. Sure we hear about things like Team Visa and RONA who pay to help a few athletes pay for their training but most don't really get that kind of help.
The thing is that as soon as someone says something like "we'd do better at the Olympics if we spent more money on amateur sport", I start thinking I already pay 1/3 of my annual salary to the government to pay for things like health care, the military, subsidized tuition and low income housing. All things that I feel are just a little bit more important that seeing someone with a medal hanging around their necks. The thing about spending tax money on anything thing is that the money has to come from somewhere, either something has to be cut or the citizens need to be taxed more.
I've also found that high performance athletes do actually receive a whole lot of extra little bonuses that the average person doesn't get either. Even if these are not professional athletes getting the big bucks for what most of them are able to receive at least some scholarship funding for college. Many of the large American schools even offer full scholarships for athletes (though granted most of these are for sports in which you can turn professional. But I came out of university with a piece of paper, a couple of letters to put behind my name and a whole lot of debt. Scholarship athletes could come out with the same things and a whole lot less debt.
I guess what I'm trying to say is not that these athletes shouldn't be rewarded for their dedication to their sport and their desire to compete for their country but I shouldn't be expected to foot the bill. Do I feel a tiny sense of pride when I see a Canadian up there on the podium? Sure I do. But I also work hard for my money and if I want to donate to sport of my own free will then I will but I'm not so sure it should be mandatory as part of my citizenship.
One more thing before I end my little rant. I realize that the Federal government as well as the Provincial government in BC have been and will continue to throw a whole lot of money into the Vancouver 2010 games and I'm not entirely sure I agree with that either but at least that is leading to changes such as improved infrastructure which will still be around (if done properly of course) long after all of the athletes that compete in 2010 are retired.
And end rant.
We have Medals
Yes I am aware this probably should have been posted about 2 days ago but I just didn't get around to it. So yes we have medals. The first ones were Women's Wrestling and rowing. I figured we'd get a couple of rowing medals and we did which is great because I like watching rowing.
I also watched 15 minutes of 8 guys swimming 30 laps of the pool to see Ryan Cochrane win a bronze medal. He's only 19 so he'll be back in 4 years. I've actually watched far more swimming than I have in quite some time given that I'm not the world's hugest swimming fan. I also missed Ian Thorpe hugging Michael Phelps' mom twice.
In non-Canadian medal news Rafael Nadal won gold in men's singles tennis, My favorite German male gymnast finished 4th in the floor final and the Jamaican women won first through 3rd in the 100m sprint.
I also watched 15 minutes of 8 guys swimming 30 laps of the pool to see Ryan Cochrane win a bronze medal. He's only 19 so he'll be back in 4 years. I've actually watched far more swimming than I have in quite some time given that I'm not the world's hugest swimming fan. I also missed Ian Thorpe hugging Michael Phelps' mom twice.
In non-Canadian medal news Rafael Nadal won gold in men's singles tennis, My favorite German male gymnast finished 4th in the floor final and the Jamaican women won first through 3rd in the 100m sprint.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
I take it back
Yesterday I was talking about the Men's gymnastics competition and a certain German Gymnast who I discovered will not be 21 until October, which makes him just a little too young for me. This fact didn't stop me from staying up until almost 1 am to watch the men's all-around final though.
In case you weren't crazy enough to stay up to watch it Yang Wei of China won the gold medal. He was 2.6 points ahead of the silver medalist. The Canadians finished 15th and 17th which is pretty awesome given that it's the first time since 1992 that a Canadian has even been in the Men's all-around final. Hambuechen fell off the high bar which is apparently his best event even though both times that I've seen him on it at these Olympics he has fallen off the bar. But again he's cute so I'll look past it, though it does make me wonder about my power of jinx .
Oh yeah and since I'm on the subject of Olympics still no medals for Canada.
In case you weren't crazy enough to stay up to watch it Yang Wei of China won the gold medal. He was 2.6 points ahead of the silver medalist. The Canadians finished 15th and 17th which is pretty awesome given that it's the first time since 1992 that a Canadian has even been in the Men's all-around final. Hambuechen fell off the high bar which is apparently his best event even though both times that I've seen him on it at these Olympics he has fallen off the bar. But again he's cute so I'll look past it, though it does make me wonder about my power of jinx .
Oh yeah and since I'm on the subject of Olympics still no medals for Canada.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
It's Olympics Time
Surprisingly I'm not so into the Olympics this year I blame it on Canada kind of sucking so far. Seriously win a medal already. I have however discovered my gymnastics crush a place that was previously unfilled until last night. I was watching the Men's team finals which Canada failed to qualify for. Fabien Hambuchen of Germany fell during his high bar routine which was kind of sad. But he's good looking so it's okay. He's also a favorite in the high bar apparatus final, which I will attempt to watch as long as it's not in the middle of the night.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
More on my irrational hatred
As I have previously discussed I have some hate issues . New to the list of random people I hate is Michael Phelps. I'm sure he's actually a really nice guy but I could care less if he's going for 8 gold medals in Beijing. I'd like him to lose just one race so that the media can just shut up. I also wish that Ian Thorpe would come back. But that's a whole different issue. A brief side note on the Thorpe story because I found it while I was borrowing this picture of Phelps, apparently Thorpe is suing a French newspaper for saying that he took performance enhancing drugs.
The current object of my hate Michael Phelps. I think that maybe I'm just jealous
Friday, August 08, 2008
Random Thoughts to End My Vacation
Crap, I have to go back to work on Monday. Am I looking forward to it? Not at all. Not that my week off has been spectacular or anything what with the spending all sorts of money that I don't have yet (but hey at least work knows I have to come back), getting stopped at the US/Canada border on the way back, losing my 12 pack of Folklorama tickets at the very first show I went to, getting in a huge fight with my mom when I went home and having a terrible cold for the last 2 days and accomplishing pretty much nothing that I wanted to get done.
On the upside I bought a bunch of new stuff down in the States, dyed my hair (I looked better as a blonde), watched a whole season of Gossip Girl (still haven't decided if this is a good thing) and watched the Olympic opening ceremonies 3 times (well only part of it each time really).
Oh I also watched a little bit of the Disney Channel games. Yes it's a little embarrassing but after a week off I kind of ran out of stuff to watch and I certainly didn't feel like getting up off my couch today. But I've decided that the Jonas brothers are the Hanson of the younger generation. Geez, when did I become part of the older generation?
On the upside I bought a bunch of new stuff down in the States, dyed my hair (I looked better as a blonde), watched a whole season of Gossip Girl (still haven't decided if this is a good thing) and watched the Olympic opening ceremonies 3 times (well only part of it each time really).
Oh I also watched a little bit of the Disney Channel games. Yes it's a little embarrassing but after a week off I kind of ran out of stuff to watch and I certainly didn't feel like getting up off my couch today. But I've decided that the Jonas brothers are the Hanson of the younger generation. Geez, when did I become part of the older generation?
Friday, July 11, 2008
It's almost Olympics time
So Friday night I’m at home trying to find something to watch on TV. I watched about 2 seconds of a repeat episode of Friday Night Lights before I decided that I really needed to find something else to watch. The guide on my TV said that TSN was showing the Bombers vs. Lions game so I thought even though I’m not a CFL fan it’s probably preferable to say an episode of Friends or the Simpsons which I’ve probably seen or 6 times.
As it turns out because it’s a Bombers home game we’re in blackout territory, so no football game. In it’s place was E60 which I’m assuming is some sort of sports magazine type show. Anyway the first story was about a paralympic sprinter named Oscar Pistorius. He was a gold medalist at the Athens Paralympics and it turns out he might actually be good enough to compete with able bodied athletes except that the IAAF (the track governing body) has banned him because they say his prosthetics are considered technical aids and are therefore banned. The ban was over turned and he’s resumed full time training. At the moment he’s still a little short of making the Olympic standard in the 400m. I can’t help but think that having to fight the legal battle has probably hurt his qualifying efforts. For the record he’s also kind of cute. He's also only 21 so he might be able to qualify for the 2012 Olympics but that seems so far away and a lot can happen between now and then.
Oh and while I’m at it there is a South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit who will be competing in both the Olympics and the Paralympics. That’s pretty freaking awesome. It actually reminds me of another story that I heard during the 2006 winter Olympics about a Canadian Cross Country skier who had a degenerative eye condition and had started his career as a regular cross country skier but as his sight got worse he wasn’t allowed to compete with the able bodied athletes anymore.
If you want to read more about the sprinter’s story check out these links
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12492-0,00.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/sports/othersports/15runner.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=3483741&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
As it turns out because it’s a Bombers home game we’re in blackout territory, so no football game. In it’s place was E60 which I’m assuming is some sort of sports magazine type show. Anyway the first story was about a paralympic sprinter named Oscar Pistorius. He was a gold medalist at the Athens Paralympics and it turns out he might actually be good enough to compete with able bodied athletes except that the IAAF (the track governing body) has banned him because they say his prosthetics are considered technical aids and are therefore banned. The ban was over turned and he’s resumed full time training. At the moment he’s still a little short of making the Olympic standard in the 400m. I can’t help but think that having to fight the legal battle has probably hurt his qualifying efforts. For the record he’s also kind of cute. He's also only 21 so he might be able to qualify for the 2012 Olympics but that seems so far away and a lot can happen between now and then.
Oh and while I’m at it there is a South African swimmer Natalie Du Toit who will be competing in both the Olympics and the Paralympics. That’s pretty freaking awesome. It actually reminds me of another story that I heard during the 2006 winter Olympics about a Canadian Cross Country skier who had a degenerative eye condition and had started his career as a regular cross country skier but as his sight got worse he wasn’t allowed to compete with the able bodied athletes anymore.
If you want to read more about the sprinter’s story check out these links
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-243-297--12492-0,00.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/15/sports/othersports/15runner.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/trackandfield/news/story?id=3483741&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
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