For some reason I have always been attracted to sports or activities where there was a chance of serious injury. I knew I was hooked on water-skiing after my first true bail that resulted in a complete sinus cleansing and consumption of a dangerous amount of lake water. "ohhhh you let go of the tow rope when you fall. Right."
Since it is my first day back from vacation I thought I would give you a little taste of what recreational time is like in the Bennett camp. For about 10 years of my childhood every summer was spent at a lake in Maine water skiing and trying to survive a tube ride with my uncle Steve driving the boat. This summer was no different. We have revived the Bennett summer get-together and since everyone else in my family seems to have become old and boring I brought along my new favorite toy and had to convince the cousins that severe bodily harm on a wake board was a small price to pay for family wide entertainment.
Wake boarding was a great discovery for me because as many of you know, water skiing once a year uses muscles you don't normally recruit meaning 3 mins of fun equals at least a few days of severe pain. Wake boarding on the other hand is much less taxing on the body. You pop right out of the water and since the boat doesn't need to go as fast there is less stress on the muscles. That is unless you face plant right off the start in which case you may not want to give it another go. Also its pretty much like snowboarding on the water. I convinced my cousins to try it out without considering that it may not feel quite as natural if you have never been on a snowboard. Oops. Hopefully they will forgive me. I managed to escape the wake boarding and water skiing with no serious injury so it was indeed time to break out the tube. One we cleaned out the broken glass inside the tube (It had doubled as a beer caddy to the floating dock.....) we were ready to go. The title of this blog is pretty much the family mantra when it comes to tubing so it was no surprise that after kart wheeling off the tube at high speed on my very first dumping I lay in the water for a second thinking..."yup...my neck is definitely broken.." Thankfully feeling returned to my limbs and I was able to shake it off in time to enjoy more family fun.
So back to the 'real' sports as I put aside wake boarding and water skiing for another year-HOWEVER stay tuned on Totally Broad, (every Thursday night at 11pm-my show where we talk about sports outside the mainstream) we will cover both events, street luge and long board, coming up at Top Challenge on the mountain the weekend of August 25th.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
Cocky or confident
I have to be honest, while attending Canadiens development camp the first person who catches your eye when you look to the ice is P.K. Subban. I could say its cause he is fast and he is, or because he goes all out on every single drill, which he does, but the fact that he is the only black dude out there makes him pretty darn easy to spot. Props to Subban to not only excel in his sport where he is in the minority but to have to stones to walk up to the table where Bob Gainey and Guy Carbonneau were sitting and tell them that he will be playing on this team and is prepared to shoulder the burden of bringing the cup back to Montreal!
Carbonneau loved the boldness and spoke about what a huge part confidence plays in sports. It got me thinking; where is the fine line between confident and cocky and when does it tip over the line and begin hurting the team?
I certainly think there are more than a few pro athletes out there that would do themselves and their team a great service if they would check their egos at the door- Terrell Owens anyone?? But who would you prefer to have in the room, an underrated quiet guy who can get the job done or an overly confident player who will never live up to his perceived greatness. P.K . Subban in my opinion falls somewhere in between the 2 which is great news for the Habs as you look to the team of the future.
So feel free to throw me out some names that you think fall under confident and who needs to tone down the cockiness and remember Ali: It's not bragging if you can back it up!
Carbonneau loved the boldness and spoke about what a huge part confidence plays in sports. It got me thinking; where is the fine line between confident and cocky and when does it tip over the line and begin hurting the team?
I certainly think there are more than a few pro athletes out there that would do themselves and their team a great service if they would check their egos at the door- Terrell Owens anyone?? But who would you prefer to have in the room, an underrated quiet guy who can get the job done or an overly confident player who will never live up to his perceived greatness. P.K . Subban in my opinion falls somewhere in between the 2 which is great news for the Habs as you look to the team of the future.
So feel free to throw me out some names that you think fall under confident and who needs to tone down the cockiness and remember Ali: It's not bragging if you can back it up!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
akkk my groin
After repeated emails from Mitch informing me I am a lazy good fo nothin I have decided on my own accord that it is time to update my blog! :)
I do like to write when something gets me going and with the exception of Paris Hilton, not too much has me riled up these days. Well thank goodness for charity softball games because once again I am forced to defend a sport that so many men in this business enjoy slamming despite the fact that they "have been farting into the same sofa cushion" for 10 years. Now I played fast pitch softball which is quite different from slo pitch softball, for one thing our ball was just slightly bigger than a baseball and I cant say the actual speed of the pitches- we're girls so we don't get clocked or scouted or anything- but I was a catcher and my pitcher used to severely bruise my hand if I caught it outside the web. (She went on to get a scholarship to Long Island University)
So imagine my deep satisfaction when after hearing Mitch refer to my game as a bastardized version of baseball I turn up at Jarry Park and see Mitch limping over to say hello! And they were only in the 4th inning! Sooooo the sissy game of softball somehow managed to have the last laugh!
The day was a complete smash and so much fun to have a chance to talk with some other sports types that were out of their element. And FYI Guy Carbonneau pretty much rocks, I saw him hit a pretty sweet line drive past the shortstop.
Pefect segway to the Canadians draft picks. Now is there a shred of possibility that after winning 5 Stanley Cups as a player and 4 Selke trophys Gainey might have a better idea of what is good for the club than say...Vinnie from Lasalle? Just a thought. And with so many up in arms about the Canadiens not selecting Esposito I am curious how many of them follow these young men around to evaluate their talents. Such a waste to be spending that kind of time and money just to fill out a message board. I have no clue who any of these up and coming players are. Most of them look like I could still be babysitting them to be quite honest. So if you truly have this kind of energy to expend in knocking choices that frankly I believe few people are qualified to make- (and the ones that are were probably at one of the tables in Columbus) how about making those that deserve it a little more accountable? If there were as many people scrutinizing the envornmental and social choices that our government made there would be no pollution or poverty.
I do like to write when something gets me going and with the exception of Paris Hilton, not too much has me riled up these days. Well thank goodness for charity softball games because once again I am forced to defend a sport that so many men in this business enjoy slamming despite the fact that they "have been farting into the same sofa cushion" for 10 years. Now I played fast pitch softball which is quite different from slo pitch softball, for one thing our ball was just slightly bigger than a baseball and I cant say the actual speed of the pitches- we're girls so we don't get clocked or scouted or anything- but I was a catcher and my pitcher used to severely bruise my hand if I caught it outside the web. (She went on to get a scholarship to Long Island University)
So imagine my deep satisfaction when after hearing Mitch refer to my game as a bastardized version of baseball I turn up at Jarry Park and see Mitch limping over to say hello! And they were only in the 4th inning! Sooooo the sissy game of softball somehow managed to have the last laugh!
The day was a complete smash and so much fun to have a chance to talk with some other sports types that were out of their element. And FYI Guy Carbonneau pretty much rocks, I saw him hit a pretty sweet line drive past the shortstop.
Pefect segway to the Canadians draft picks. Now is there a shred of possibility that after winning 5 Stanley Cups as a player and 4 Selke trophys Gainey might have a better idea of what is good for the club than say...Vinnie from Lasalle? Just a thought. And with so many up in arms about the Canadiens not selecting Esposito I am curious how many of them follow these young men around to evaluate their talents. Such a waste to be spending that kind of time and money just to fill out a message board. I have no clue who any of these up and coming players are. Most of them look like I could still be babysitting them to be quite honest. So if you truly have this kind of energy to expend in knocking choices that frankly I believe few people are qualified to make- (and the ones that are were probably at one of the tables in Columbus) how about making those that deserve it a little more accountable? If there were as many people scrutinizing the envornmental and social choices that our government made there would be no pollution or poverty.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Stanley Cup Final-LY
Its almost June and I spent most of the weekend taking the sun and the Stanley Cup final is JUST getting underway. I love hockey and I am sure my excitement will resume as soon as I watch these 2 teams play what is expected to be a fast, rough and dirty (hey-the Ducks have Pronger) series. However, considering the priority of the NHL is to increase popularity in the States and Canadians pay the price by losing amazing franchises like the Nordiques and the Jets, you would think stretching it out like this is counter productive. Sometimes I wish we were not so damn Canadian and made a worthwhile PROTEST when someone spits in your face.
For the record I am going with the Sens in 6. NOT because they are "Canada's team" but because of the way they have made it to this final. I truly thought that nothing could stop the Sabres. They looked so dominant against the Rangers... and then they ran into Alfredsson and the Senators and pretty much crapped the bed. The Sens seem to have the depth, the defense, the momentum and the hunger to counteract the presence that Pronger, Selanne and Niedermayer bring to the series.
Side note- My heart goes out to any family members of Marquis Hill but what are you DOING on a jet ski with no life jacket?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2884762
I come from a long line of lake go-ers in the summer and granted, we were more of the waterskiing-tubing persuasion but everything is/was always done with a life jacket and the few times I have been on a Jet Ski in a lake with NO Current, you couldn't get me on that thing without a life jacket. There seems to be an element of Darwinism here.
For the record I am going with the Sens in 6. NOT because they are "Canada's team" but because of the way they have made it to this final. I truly thought that nothing could stop the Sabres. They looked so dominant against the Rangers... and then they ran into Alfredsson and the Senators and pretty much crapped the bed. The Sens seem to have the depth, the defense, the momentum and the hunger to counteract the presence that Pronger, Selanne and Niedermayer bring to the series.
Side note- My heart goes out to any family members of Marquis Hill but what are you DOING on a jet ski with no life jacket?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2884762
I come from a long line of lake go-ers in the summer and granted, we were more of the waterskiing-tubing persuasion but everything is/was always done with a life jacket and the few times I have been on a Jet Ski in a lake with NO Current, you couldn't get me on that thing without a life jacket. There seems to be an element of Darwinism here.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Video Replay???
The Senators have a chance to take a 3-0 series lead on the Sabres tonight and If I was Lindy Ruff I would be ready to throw every available water bottle at the video replay decision makers. In my view the Sabres have been robbed of 2 playoff goals that could have changed the situation the conference leading team finds themselves in right now. The first one I have let go. I did see the puck cross the line even on my crappy TV but its gone, in the past... it was inconclusive...whatever. The last one off Vaneks glove- I do not understand how you don't call that a goal. Is it possible they are slowing down the frame SO much that they are seeing things that didn't actually happen in the .2 seconds of action? He is standing at the net the puck bounces off his glove that is planted firmly on the stick and lands in the net. Why not a goal? Was he making a batting motion at the puck that seemed to catch everyone including Vanek by surprise when it flew in front of the net? Well if you slow it down enough apparently so. Personally I think he was robbed and also am starting to think that perhaps they are tossing a coin and the entire video replay is a complete sham.
Monday, April 30, 2007
My Sally Ride moment
I had a crazy weekend. Not only was I the first woman for CTV to have on Ron Reusch's Sports Night 360 but I attended the Golden Age of Sports Celebrity Breakfast and got to introduce Henri Richard, Jacques Demers and Kirk Muller.
Starting with 360, I was super stoked to be on the show and although doing TV makes me incredibly nervous it is really fun and a new challenge. So my first problem - I have to be honest here- was my hair. I left for the show and it was, for me, the worst possible conditions, heavy mist in the air. When I arrived my perfectly coiffed hair had morphed into frizzy, island girl, BIG HAIR. I pulled most of it back and then strolled into makeup and quipped that I sure hoped they had a straightener or at the very least a blow-drier to help me out. They had neither. Now I'm no DIVA by any stretch of the imagination but no blow drier-COME ON. I combed the bags best I could, we sprayed down the rest and the lovely makeup artist proceeded to cake on the makeup. 10 mins later I'm watching the Sharks and Redwings in the Green Room and the producer walks by and says, "don't worry they will be right down to do your makeup." :0
Yeeeeeaaah.
So the show starts and I quickly realize that not only am I the only woman but I also disagree with everyone on the panel re: Kovalev. Now, not wanting to appear like a ranting crazy lady I feel like I let a few opportunities slip by to make good points.
#1 I absolutely disagree that Saku Koivu is not a good passer. I don't know which games those guys were watching but Koivu REGULARLY passes the puck right onto the tape of his line-mates stick. Remember he did that all season with a CATARACT on his eye.
#2 Yes Kovalev had a disappointing season and I can tell you that I see him every day at practice and after a large number of games and there is no doubt in my mind that Kovalev is a competitor and is far more annoyed than you when he plays poorly. That being said, Yes he underperformed and of course its frustrating when you don't think he plays up to potential, but you know what? Players have bad games. They even have bad seasons. Does that mean fans and the Club should give up on him? I don't think so. Give the coaching staff a chance to gel with the-built-like-a-brick-shit-house-soul-of-an-artist player. He may be difficult to handle but imagine if we supported our players instead of salivating at the mouth when there is a chance to lambaste them in print.
Points about Kovalev I like:
Kovy's Kids: Kovalev picking up the torch from Theodore and pays for the loge where sick and underprivileged kids can watch the games.
He still makes jokes with the media despite their obvious desire the trade him for a bucket of pucks.
His pure skill on the ice when he is ON. He may need to be handled with white gloves but so does the Stanley Cup.
For the most part he speaks his mind. I don't buy that Kovalev is a liar. I'm sure he has fudged some of the facts of what he said in a few interviews to avoid being tarred and feathered on his way out of the Bell Center. But quite honestly I couldn't care less what he says to a Russian reporter. Short of telling the Canadiens you want out in November (Samsonov), I dont see anything wrong with a veteran criticizing decisions they were not happy with and talking about what they think they need to succeed.
Moving on to the Sports Celebrity Breakfast. I was very honored to be invited to this and sitting at a table with Henri Richard in front of me, Elmer Lach and Dollard St. Laurent at the table to my left and numerous others that I never thought I would find myself in the same room with was a really cool experience. Speaking in from of a huge room FULL of people however not so cool. Thanks goodness for Jacques Demers who snagged that microphone out of my hand before you could say "18 goal season" and he was off to the races.
Can't wait to get the pictures back of me on stage with these icons (wearing my FIERCE leopard print shoes I got just for the occasion!)
I will post them as soon I get them!- the pics not the shoes.
All in all great morning, thanks to Lorne Rubin who also represented THE TEAM and all the amazing guests that showed up to help out for a very worthy cause. (The event will support the Centre’s Med-Aid program that delivers much needed medication to seniors who are unable to financially look after their medical needs.
Hope you tuned in on Saturday! I'll get to the playoffs in my next post.
Andie
Starting with 360, I was super stoked to be on the show and although doing TV makes me incredibly nervous it is really fun and a new challenge. So my first problem - I have to be honest here- was my hair. I left for the show and it was, for me, the worst possible conditions, heavy mist in the air. When I arrived my perfectly coiffed hair had morphed into frizzy, island girl, BIG HAIR. I pulled most of it back and then strolled into makeup and quipped that I sure hoped they had a straightener or at the very least a blow-drier to help me out. They had neither. Now I'm no DIVA by any stretch of the imagination but no blow drier-COME ON. I combed the bags best I could, we sprayed down the rest and the lovely makeup artist proceeded to cake on the makeup. 10 mins later I'm watching the Sharks and Redwings in the Green Room and the producer walks by and says, "don't worry they will be right down to do your makeup." :0
Yeeeeeaaah.
So the show starts and I quickly realize that not only am I the only woman but I also disagree with everyone on the panel re: Kovalev. Now, not wanting to appear like a ranting crazy lady I feel like I let a few opportunities slip by to make good points.
#1 I absolutely disagree that Saku Koivu is not a good passer. I don't know which games those guys were watching but Koivu REGULARLY passes the puck right onto the tape of his line-mates stick. Remember he did that all season with a CATARACT on his eye.
#2 Yes Kovalev had a disappointing season and I can tell you that I see him every day at practice and after a large number of games and there is no doubt in my mind that Kovalev is a competitor and is far more annoyed than you when he plays poorly. That being said, Yes he underperformed and of course its frustrating when you don't think he plays up to potential, but you know what? Players have bad games. They even have bad seasons. Does that mean fans and the Club should give up on him? I don't think so. Give the coaching staff a chance to gel with the-built-like-a-brick-shit-house-soul-of-an-artist player. He may be difficult to handle but imagine if we supported our players instead of salivating at the mouth when there is a chance to lambaste them in print.
Points about Kovalev I like:
Kovy's Kids: Kovalev picking up the torch from Theodore and pays for the loge where sick and underprivileged kids can watch the games.
He still makes jokes with the media despite their obvious desire the trade him for a bucket of pucks.
His pure skill on the ice when he is ON. He may need to be handled with white gloves but so does the Stanley Cup.
For the most part he speaks his mind. I don't buy that Kovalev is a liar. I'm sure he has fudged some of the facts of what he said in a few interviews to avoid being tarred and feathered on his way out of the Bell Center. But quite honestly I couldn't care less what he says to a Russian reporter. Short of telling the Canadiens you want out in November (Samsonov), I dont see anything wrong with a veteran criticizing decisions they were not happy with and talking about what they think they need to succeed.
Moving on to the Sports Celebrity Breakfast. I was very honored to be invited to this and sitting at a table with Henri Richard in front of me, Elmer Lach and Dollard St. Laurent at the table to my left and numerous others that I never thought I would find myself in the same room with was a really cool experience. Speaking in from of a huge room FULL of people however not so cool. Thanks goodness for Jacques Demers who snagged that microphone out of my hand before you could say "18 goal season" and he was off to the races.
Can't wait to get the pictures back of me on stage with these icons (wearing my FIERCE leopard print shoes I got just for the occasion!)
I will post them as soon I get them!- the pics not the shoes.
All in all great morning, thanks to Lorne Rubin who also represented THE TEAM and all the amazing guests that showed up to help out for a very worthy cause. (The event will support the Centre’s Med-Aid program that delivers much needed medication to seniors who are unable to financially look after their medical needs.
Hope you tuned in on Saturday! I'll get to the playoffs in my next post.
Andie
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Roller Derby: are these girls insane?
My new show Totally Broad- THURSDAYS AT 11PM has been rolling along pretty smoothly so far with the exception of the Canadiens getting bounced out early, hence the Athlete quiz has been put on hold for the time being before its transition to the Alouettes quiz of the week!
This week is based on one of the original ideas behind the show: ROLLER DERBY! I caught some reality show about these chicks a while ago and they seem completely nuts and extremely vicious. I love it.
I must share with you part of an e-mail sent to me by the captain of one of the Montreal teams who will be joining us Tomorrow night at 11pm.
There's been a bunch of hype going around about Montreal's birth of a roller derby league and May 5th will be this baby's Bat Mitzva!
The teams playing will be Montreal's very first team, The Contrabandits vs. the second team (my team) Les Filles Du Roi.
One thing is for sure, this wont be your regular Saturday night. Our ladies have been training like soldiers in preparation for this event and will be sure to leave you hungry for more!
Don't think that the derby girls are just a bunch of pretty faces. We are competitive and ruthless adrenaline junkies all wrapped up in fishnets and fundies.... that rhymed... hehe.
For real though, if this kinda thing gets you all fired up, try and get your hands on some suicide seats. That's right, SUICIDE SEATS!!!!!! On track level, the floor 15 feet out from the outer ring of the track itself is reserved for our freak fans who like the idea of a body checked derby girl flying into their lap.
One last thing..... If you do decide that this is how you wanna kick off your Saturday night, then bring lots of signs that say "Go Filles Du Roi" and support your local "Slut's and Criminal's".
Love,
Captain Beater Pan-Tease
LOLOLOL! I will absolutely be attending this event hope to see you out there!
Andie
This week is based on one of the original ideas behind the show: ROLLER DERBY! I caught some reality show about these chicks a while ago and they seem completely nuts and extremely vicious. I love it.
I must share with you part of an e-mail sent to me by the captain of one of the Montreal teams who will be joining us Tomorrow night at 11pm.
There's been a bunch of hype going around about Montreal's birth of a roller derby league and May 5th will be this baby's Bat Mitzva!
The teams playing will be Montreal's very first team, The Contrabandits vs. the second team (my team) Les Filles Du Roi.
One thing is for sure, this wont be your regular Saturday night. Our ladies have been training like soldiers in preparation for this event and will be sure to leave you hungry for more!
Don't think that the derby girls are just a bunch of pretty faces. We are competitive and ruthless adrenaline junkies all wrapped up in fishnets and fundies.... that rhymed... hehe.
For real though, if this kinda thing gets you all fired up, try and get your hands on some suicide seats. That's right, SUICIDE SEATS!!!!!! On track level, the floor 15 feet out from the outer ring of the track itself is reserved for our freak fans who like the idea of a body checked derby girl flying into their lap.
One last thing..... If you do decide that this is how you wanna kick off your Saturday night, then bring lots of signs that say "Go Filles Du Roi" and support your local "Slut's and Criminal's".
Love,
Captain Beater Pan-Tease
LOLOLOL! I will absolutely be attending this event hope to see you out there!
Andie
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