I have not had a chance to mention this yet however I had these amazing dudes come over and fix my new/second-hand computer and have never had such a great, frustration-free experience with computer techs. If any of you out there need some help at home, they are 2 young entrepreneurs that know. their. shit. Check out www.athomesupportwebsite.com The main guys name it Mitchell Polsky and his number is 514-295-8373. He will sort you out!
Now back to Habs, had a great time working the game last night and got a much better show than I think anyone expected. Sergie Kostitsyn was unbelievable, and imagin what could happen if he starts shooting instead of passing! Its really difficult to think of the potential of this team if they continue to keep it simple and play the system that seems to be working for them. I get the impression that they have out the blinders on some of the players media-wise, which although it sucks for us might be a great idea. Lately it is pretty slim pickins when they open up the locker room doors so there could be some players that are being kept out of the media spotlight.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Friken ICE.
So I came to work in my car today and I am going home on foot. Why you ask? Because once again, through no fault of my own my car is damaged. Get this: Ice fell off the roof in the back of THE TEAM 990 building and just happened to hit MY car and crash through my back window. Lovely no? Its official. My car is cursed.
Anyhoo, more importantly I had my first interview in french this weekend on Radio- Canada for International Womens Day! It was super fun and I think (hope) I held my own so a big thanks to Jason Cavallaro and Alexandre Coupal for thinking of me and inviting me on to their Satellite show!
The week off was wonderful, got to see some family, go snowboarding and watch A LOT of Dexter. Check it out if you are hard up for some good TV.
I'll write more soon with all me awards selections. One I don't have to think about is rookie of the year who I think has to be Patrick Kane.
Anyhoo, more importantly I had my first interview in french this weekend on Radio- Canada for International Womens Day! It was super fun and I think (hope) I held my own so a big thanks to Jason Cavallaro and Alexandre Coupal for thinking of me and inviting me on to their Satellite show!
The week off was wonderful, got to see some family, go snowboarding and watch A LOT of Dexter. Check it out if you are hard up for some good TV.
I'll write more soon with all me awards selections. One I don't have to think about is rookie of the year who I think has to be Patrick Kane.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Habs reporters have a collective heart attack
Marian Hossa is going to Pittsburgh. There was a ripple of excitement here as his name was mentioned on TSN followed by a mixture of disappointment, excitement and indifference-(from the camera men :)) when the destination was announced.
Should be interesting to see what will fall after this one went through as Hossa was no doubt a first choice for many who will now move on to the other irons in the fire.
Hossa and Pascal Dupuis go to Pittsburgh for Angelo Esposito, Colby Armstrong Erik Christensen and a 1st round pick.
Should be interesting to see what will fall after this one went through as Hossa was no doubt a first choice for many who will now move on to the other irons in the fire.
Hossa and Pascal Dupuis go to Pittsburgh for Angelo Esposito, Colby Armstrong Erik Christensen and a 1st round pick.
Huet on his way out
ok BREAKING NEWS!!!!
Cristobal Huet on his way to Washington for a 2nd round pick.....I was expecting Huet to move since they gave the reins to Price for tonight despite his loss on Sat.
Cristobal Huet on his way to Washington for a 2nd round pick.....I was expecting Huet to move since they gave the reins to Price for tonight despite his loss on Sat.
Blogging from the Bell center
How much can you talk about nothing? That seems to be the goal for most of the Trade coverage. Maybe I just cant get in the spirit of things but this is my 3rd year covering NHLs trade deadline and it is quite possibly the most overblown day for news. Everyone is huddled around the same TV waiting for SOMETHING to happen so we can relay what is most often minor deals to our listeners as soon as possible. Unless they are watching the same TV that we are in which case they already know.
There is a small possibility that we may find something out about 30 seconds before it makes it on TSN TRADEWATCH but short of sneaking around the Bell center basement and trying to figure out if Marion Hossa's equipment has been moved locker rooms there is not too much going on. Wade Belak has been traded to the Panthers for a 5th round pick. Whoop de doo.
So far the prevailing rumor is that Hossa is coming to Habs for Ryder, Grabovski- who was called up today- and Lapierre.
ok back to eavesdropping and snooping.
quick note: habs were told to stay away from Bell center till 5 but I just saw Chris Higgins and Josh Georges kicking around a soccer ball and getting ready to do some light work outs.
Marian Hossa is also staying away apparently chilling in his hotel room having a late breakfast.
There is a small possibility that we may find something out about 30 seconds before it makes it on TSN TRADEWATCH but short of sneaking around the Bell center basement and trying to figure out if Marion Hossa's equipment has been moved locker rooms there is not too much going on. Wade Belak has been traded to the Panthers for a 5th round pick. Whoop de doo.
So far the prevailing rumor is that Hossa is coming to Habs for Ryder, Grabovski- who was called up today- and Lapierre.
ok back to eavesdropping and snooping.
quick note: habs were told to stay away from Bell center till 5 but I just saw Chris Higgins and Josh Georges kicking around a soccer ball and getting ready to do some light work outs.
Marian Hossa is also staying away apparently chilling in his hotel room having a late breakfast.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
My Take
Big weekend for sports news with 2 Canadiens players getting hauled into the pen after a crazy night partying topping the list of headlines in this city. Am I missing something here? Are the Florida cops so hard up for action that this warrants (ha ha get it?) an arrest? Last time I checked Florida has a pretty severe drug problem so how do these cops just happen to be on hand to arrest 2 drunken athletes? And what kind of training do you have that you can't simply diffuse this situation on the spot? I certainly don't condone whatever it is these guys were up to a 3 am in a Tampa bar but I will say this:
A) I would never let my purse out of my sight while out a a busy nightclub and any chick that does, pretty much deserves to have it stolen.
B) Grand theft? Are you serious? Consider the effect this may have on O'Byrne's life. Is it worth ruining someones career because some slag cant keep track of her purse and some drunken hockey player decided to play a prank on her?
C) The fact that they have been lambasted in the media for being out at - heavens no! 3 am!! Anyone up on their high horse should remember that, they were not playing the next day and this was the tail end of their rookie dinner which is supposed to be a partay- Yes. Obviously things got a little out of hand but who hasn't had a few too many IN THEIR EARLY 20'S and woken up with a pile of regrets the following morning. Wait is that just me? And what better time to tie one on than following a 6-1 loss at the hands of the league leading Sens. If that is not a reason to drink I don't know what is.
Anyhoo Moving on! Richard Zednik remains in intensive care today after Ollie Jokinen's skate severed an artery in his neck on Sunday. Crazy, crazy injury. Thank God he is ok, I for one do not want to witness a death on the ice. However if players and decision makers continue to macho themselves into dangerous situations this could become reality. I don't mean to imply that this is the fault of Zednik or Jokinen however I can't figure out with the speed of todays game that there are still really simple safety precautions that are not being put into place. Visors for one seem to carry with them a connotation of wimpy-ness. Thank you Don Cherry. What is wimpy about not wanting to go through the rest of your life blinded or worse? And trust me, I like fighting in hockey, when it is spontaneous and for an actual reason. Heres an idea: wip off the helmet if you want to fight. Couple it with dropping the gloves.
Granted the visor would not have helped Zednik in this situation but a neck guard would have. Obviously we need to start re-thinking hockey equipment if we are serious about keeping the players safe.
A) I would never let my purse out of my sight while out a a busy nightclub and any chick that does, pretty much deserves to have it stolen.
B) Grand theft? Are you serious? Consider the effect this may have on O'Byrne's life. Is it worth ruining someones career because some slag cant keep track of her purse and some drunken hockey player decided to play a prank on her?
C) The fact that they have been lambasted in the media for being out at - heavens no! 3 am!! Anyone up on their high horse should remember that, they were not playing the next day and this was the tail end of their rookie dinner which is supposed to be a partay- Yes. Obviously things got a little out of hand but who hasn't had a few too many IN THEIR EARLY 20'S and woken up with a pile of regrets the following morning. Wait is that just me? And what better time to tie one on than following a 6-1 loss at the hands of the league leading Sens. If that is not a reason to drink I don't know what is.
Anyhoo Moving on! Richard Zednik remains in intensive care today after Ollie Jokinen's skate severed an artery in his neck on Sunday. Crazy, crazy injury. Thank God he is ok, I for one do not want to witness a death on the ice. However if players and decision makers continue to macho themselves into dangerous situations this could become reality. I don't mean to imply that this is the fault of Zednik or Jokinen however I can't figure out with the speed of todays game that there are still really simple safety precautions that are not being put into place. Visors for one seem to carry with them a connotation of wimpy-ness. Thank you Don Cherry. What is wimpy about not wanting to go through the rest of your life blinded or worse? And trust me, I like fighting in hockey, when it is spontaneous and for an actual reason. Heres an idea: wip off the helmet if you want to fight. Couple it with dropping the gloves.
Granted the visor would not have helped Zednik in this situation but a neck guard would have. Obviously we need to start re-thinking hockey equipment if we are serious about keeping the players safe.
Friday, February 1, 2008
How do I love Ovechkin?
Let me count the ways:
1: Sexy Ugly.
2: How he starts the game with a big open ice hit to Steve Begin. like saying 'hello, my name is Ovechkin, not only will I undress multiple defensemen but I'll also take on the grinders.'
3: How he uses the opponents players as a screen before ripping and impossible slapshot, from an impossible angle to an impossible corner.
4: How he can somehow be a finesse player but also register 5 teeth rattling hits against players of Komisarek's stature.
5: How he seems to find space on the ice when there shouldn't be any.
6: How he never gives up and manages to be a threat ever second hes on the ice.
7: How he considers it a special day because he got stitches AND broke his nose. Oh ya and he scored 4 goals in a game. For the second time this season. And also registered and assist.
8: How his boyish enthusiasm does not seem at all affected by a monstrous contract.
9: How he glams up his outfit with Yellow laces and a tinted visor.
10: How even though he is speaking another language you can tell that he has a great sense of humor.
1: Sexy Ugly.
2: How he starts the game with a big open ice hit to Steve Begin. like saying 'hello, my name is Ovechkin, not only will I undress multiple defensemen but I'll also take on the grinders.'
3: How he uses the opponents players as a screen before ripping and impossible slapshot, from an impossible angle to an impossible corner.
4: How he can somehow be a finesse player but also register 5 teeth rattling hits against players of Komisarek's stature.
5: How he seems to find space on the ice when there shouldn't be any.
6: How he never gives up and manages to be a threat ever second hes on the ice.
7: How he considers it a special day because he got stitches AND broke his nose. Oh ya and he scored 4 goals in a game. For the second time this season. And also registered and assist.
8: How his boyish enthusiasm does not seem at all affected by a monstrous contract.
9: How he glams up his outfit with Yellow laces and a tinted visor.
10: How even though he is speaking another language you can tell that he has a great sense of humor.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Habs v. Blackhawks and Female Presidents
Its an original 6 match-up tonight-as you know if you listen to the Drive show (I must have said original 6 about 20 times) and one thing that stood out for me at practice today was- how teeny Patrick Kane is!!! I mean seriously, I am going to keep my eyes out for this guy and I know he was a number 1 pick overall but heck I don't often watch the Blackhawks so never thought for a minute that he looked so young! He's listed at 5'10" 163 pounds. ummmmm yeeaaaahhhhh. Don't think so. And just look at that face. 
Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks? Must be something special to be such a standout among the giants he plays next to. For the game tonight keep you eyes out for #88 as well as on the Habs, the Kostitsyns who really have come into their own this season and of course hopefully the Lapierre-Higgins-Ryder line that I hope will only get better. Ryder playing well is spectacular when you see how quick a shot he has and they have teamed up for some pretty sweet plays as of late. Andrei Markov is sure to be on his game after receiving the honor of being not only chosen for the All-Star team but coming second only to Sidney Crosby in voting. Seriously? Seriously? I mean he absolutely deserves it but I am pleasantly surprised that hockey fans supported him so much that he falls directly behind Crosby.
Switching gears completely- Now I am not American but am I the only one sick of hearing the debate - Is America ready for a female president or is America ready for a Black president? (Although we hear the latter less as its more acceptable to be completely sexist than racist these days) How about this Americans? Why not try electing someone for their values and platforms that you think will be able to turn around the frikken mess you find yourself in after letting someone who makes Paris Hilton look like a MENSA member run your country for the past 7 years? If you think that they can get the job done and have some brains and hopefully some understanding of the world outside the United States who cares if it's a woman, man, trans gender- aren't you looking a bit deeper than this? It's the dumbest question ever but I do love seeing media types discuss it while trying to avoid sounding blatantly sexist. Men and women by the way.
Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks? Must be something special to be such a standout among the giants he plays next to. For the game tonight keep you eyes out for #88 as well as on the Habs, the Kostitsyns who really have come into their own this season and of course hopefully the Lapierre-Higgins-Ryder line that I hope will only get better. Ryder playing well is spectacular when you see how quick a shot he has and they have teamed up for some pretty sweet plays as of late. Andrei Markov is sure to be on his game after receiving the honor of being not only chosen for the All-Star team but coming second only to Sidney Crosby in voting. Seriously? Seriously? I mean he absolutely deserves it but I am pleasantly surprised that hockey fans supported him so much that he falls directly behind Crosby.Switching gears completely- Now I am not American but am I the only one sick of hearing the debate - Is America ready for a female president or is America ready for a Black president? (Although we hear the latter less as its more acceptable to be completely sexist than racist these days) How about this Americans? Why not try electing someone for their values and platforms that you think will be able to turn around the frikken mess you find yourself in after letting someone who makes Paris Hilton look like a MENSA member run your country for the past 7 years? If you think that they can get the job done and have some brains and hopefully some understanding of the world outside the United States who cares if it's a woman, man, trans gender- aren't you looking a bit deeper than this? It's the dumbest question ever but I do love seeing media types discuss it while trying to avoid sounding blatantly sexist. Men and women by the way.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Years Resolutions anyone??
Well since over the Holidays my computer connection went from no wireless to no nothing, your movie list will have to be more of a must see in the New Year as opposed to vacation viewing. Since I have a serious love of Kung-Fu I was going to categorize all the recommendations but heck you guys can figure it out! so here they are in no particular order:
Sexy Beast- Great gangster flick- Ben Kingsley most intimidating tiny gangster.
Top Gun- I'm sorry I have to include it on every list. Know it by heart- I used to want to fly fighter jets and did 3 years of Air Cadets. Also my cousin is a pilot and sent me THIS http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/swf/blueangels/blueangels.swf which you really have to check out.
Feel free to add to the list!!! And now time to get back to sports.
Fist of legend – Jet Li
Ghost Dog- Director/Writer Jim Jarmusch is definitely not for everyone but if you like RZA the soundtrack alone will blow your mind and the movie is damn cool.
Down By Law-Another Jarmusch masterpiece- Tom Waits and Roberto Benigni in one of the funniest films I have ever seen.
Sexy Beast- Great gangster flick- Ben Kingsley most intimidating tiny gangster.
Top Gun- I'm sorry I have to include it on every list. Know it by heart- I used to want to fly fighter jets and did 3 years of Air Cadets. Also my cousin is a pilot and sent me THIS http://alt.coxnewsweb.com/ajc/swf/blueangels/blueangels.swf which you really have to check out.
Feel free to add to the list!!! And now time to get back to sports.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
RECAP of fun-ness!
So many things to recap right now so prior to my must-see-holiday-movie-list that I am working VERY hard on- I wanted to blog about a few things that have happened in the past week or so.
I have to be honest, I normally do not love doing remotes because they make me really nervous. It always turns out better than I expect because of all the wonderful people that take time out of their day to come down and hang out, participate in the show and of course come over to say hello! This time was no different. A big thank you to the Resto/Hotel and everyone who stopped by. Also due to the lovely folks working homeland security we got to spend more time with Bill Lee who was in fine form at the show.
Our party this year was at Irish Embassy. A first time there for me and it was great! As usual with the TEAM 990 get-togethers it was a total sausage fest so I brought along some girls that do my show TOTALLY BROAD (on hiatus till January) which I am sure upped that bar bill significantly. A good time was had by all and I think most of us were suffering for it the next day!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Bring on the Bruins
Yes Yes the movie list is coming. Hold your horses! I just had to write in today following that abysmal loss to the Wings last night. The Habs had 16 shots on net last night and won 40% of the face-offs. You don't need to look at a stat sheet to see that they are having problems. I think it is important to remember however, before everyone panics, that the team looked SO much better at the beginning of the season. If they were good then, they can be good again in my opinion. The problem for the Canadiens as I see it is simple. They can win games against top teams when everyone contributes and the effort is there on every shift. However you get a few passengers or fall behind and say goodnight Gracie.
How do the Canadiens now find themselves so low on confidence that they can not manage a come from behind win? How does Andre Markov suddenly become a glaring weakness on the team? How does Micheal Ryder suddenly look like the second coming of Sergie Samsonov? What happened to Francis Boullion? There are a lot of unanswered questions right now for the Habs. Lets hope that Maxim Lapierre and Ryan O'Byrne have some answers.
How do the Canadiens now find themselves so low on confidence that they can not manage a come from behind win? How does Andre Markov suddenly become a glaring weakness on the team? How does Micheal Ryder suddenly look like the second coming of Sergie Samsonov? What happened to Francis Boullion? There are a lot of unanswered questions right now for the Habs. Lets hope that Maxim Lapierre and Ryan O'Byrne have some answers.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Do they do this on purpose?
How many times have the Habs let a goal sneak in with under 20 seconds to go forcing overtime? I mean my goodness, I think I am going to have to send my massage therapy bill to the Canadiens for all the undue stress they have caused me! We are supposed to be impartial but I cant help but hope for the win especially with a 4-3 lead on the Leafs. Those late goals are just killers but I have to confess, I love overtime and most of the time I love the shootout. I am sure all the hockey purists are groaning out loud but I can't help it I love seeing the different moves especially when I am expecting something and they do something else. Perfect example; Alex Kovalev last night. I thought for sure he would pull some kind of deke and instead he roof s a beautiful shot over Toskala.
Feelings on OT and shootouts??
Also as the holidays are approaching I am in desperate need of a new book to read. Its so hard to choose books, I get way too overwhelmed in bookstores and every good book I have read is from a recommendation. So, here are mine for you:
BEST easy reading: The Curious incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by: Mark Haddon or Save Karyn By Karyn Bosnak
Just damn good books:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Papillion by Henri Charriere
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (read it quick before they make it into a movie!!)
OK thats all you get for now! Send me in your top pics. Im also a bit of a movie snob so I will be putting together a list of must-sees that you can check out on vacation!
Feelings on OT and shootouts??
Also as the holidays are approaching I am in desperate need of a new book to read. Its so hard to choose books, I get way too overwhelmed in bookstores and every good book I have read is from a recommendation. So, here are mine for you:
BEST easy reading: The Curious incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by: Mark Haddon or Save Karyn By Karyn Bosnak
Just damn good books:
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Papillion by Henri Charriere
Life of Pi by Yann Martel (read it quick before they make it into a movie!!)
OK thats all you get for now! Send me in your top pics. Im also a bit of a movie snob so I will be putting together a list of must-sees that you can check out on vacation!
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
I have been relegated to: 'Sister to Myshka'. - Myshka is a dog.
Has anyone else's parents inched closer to insanity with retirement or is it just mine? I was met at my parents house this weekend with a cry of "Myshkaaaaa! Your sisters are here" Which would not be all that strange except for the fact that Myshka is a Black Lab/Rottweiler who has somehow usurped my sister and I as my parents favorite child.
It was a wonderful long weekend on the heels of a week rife with discussion of Hall of Fame entries and who should and should not go into the Hall. To be honest I have a hard time when we talk about the Hall of Fame because more often than not the contenders are a little before my time and I did not see them play with my own eyes. All I have to go on is usually whatever is on the record about the possible inductees, and as I have realized over the past few years is that, at times the pundits get it wrong. This I do know however; the HOF should be reserved for those that were way out in front of the rest in the era they played. Not great player, hell of a guy etc etc but the truly exceptional. Otherwise why bother. I think Mitch put it best when he said something along the lines of - "If there is a debate over whether or not they go in, you have your answer." I like the simplicity of this rationalization. It reminds me of another story making the headlines this week; What is the future of Jim Pop as head coach of the Alouettes.
All knowing (with curiously svelte legs) Herb Zurkowsky wrote in the Gazette today that Owner Robert Wetenhall has plans to meet with three offensive veterans: Ben Cahoon, Bryan Chiu and Kerry Watkins about the strengths and weaknesses of Popp, the team's general manager and head coach. I think if it gets to the point where there appears to be so many malcontents on the team that the owner needs input from the players to try and get the real story.... you already have your answer. I hate to qualify an opinion but I will say that I respect everything that Jim Pop has done as a GM with the Als and he has never been anything but friendly and forthcoming with me, however I do not think having a GM as Coach is ever really a good idea. In some cases it works but I think there is a conflict of interest there that can have a disastrous outcome on the club. That being said, we must remember the Als were dealt a few significant blows this season, not the least of which being the injury/D-listing of Tim Strickland and Anthony Calvillo making the absolute right decision by leaving to be with his sick wife. So the Als will not win the Grey Cup- but who cares? The Habs are going to win the cup!
It was a wonderful long weekend on the heels of a week rife with discussion of Hall of Fame entries and who should and should not go into the Hall. To be honest I have a hard time when we talk about the Hall of Fame because more often than not the contenders are a little before my time and I did not see them play with my own eyes. All I have to go on is usually whatever is on the record about the possible inductees, and as I have realized over the past few years is that, at times the pundits get it wrong. This I do know however; the HOF should be reserved for those that were way out in front of the rest in the era they played. Not great player, hell of a guy etc etc but the truly exceptional. Otherwise why bother. I think Mitch put it best when he said something along the lines of - "If there is a debate over whether or not they go in, you have your answer." I like the simplicity of this rationalization. It reminds me of another story making the headlines this week; What is the future of Jim Pop as head coach of the Alouettes.
All knowing (with curiously svelte legs) Herb Zurkowsky wrote in the Gazette today that Owner Robert Wetenhall has plans to meet with three offensive veterans: Ben Cahoon, Bryan Chiu and Kerry Watkins about the strengths and weaknesses of Popp, the team's general manager and head coach. I think if it gets to the point where there appears to be so many malcontents on the team that the owner needs input from the players to try and get the real story.... you already have your answer. I hate to qualify an opinion but I will say that I respect everything that Jim Pop has done as a GM with the Als and he has never been anything but friendly and forthcoming with me, however I do not think having a GM as Coach is ever really a good idea. In some cases it works but I think there is a conflict of interest there that can have a disastrous outcome on the club. That being said, we must remember the Als were dealt a few significant blows this season, not the least of which being the injury/D-listing of Tim Strickland and Anthony Calvillo making the absolute right decision by leaving to be with his sick wife. So the Als will not win the Grey Cup- but who cares? The Habs are going to win the cup!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Poor Andie and stupid journalists with a personal mandate
Hi guys! First I want to thank all the folks who took time to email me telling me that I am right and Mitch is wrong. No better way to start the day! I won't draw out this topic but I do think that my point was slightly misunderstood by Mitch and Pierre. I am the last person to focus on the negative regarding the Canadiens. I agree that Carey Price is a great goalie, future of the Habs etc.. but lets not get ahead of ourselves.. we should be just as critical of his play as we are of Cristobal Huet. Thats all.
That being said; as much as I appreciate the emails talking about how hard Mitch is on me sometimes, one of the great things about Mitch is that you can have a heated discussion/disagreement with him and nothing is ever personal. I enjoy the challenge of working with Mitch, if nothing else he keeps me on my toes and expects nothing but the best from the people he works with and tries to do the best possible show every single day. Don't feel too bad for me. I'm scrappy, I can take it.
Another topic I don't want to dwell on but I have to mention is the yearly visit from the TVA contingent showing up at practice and wasting everyones time with inane questions to Saku Koivu and Coach Carbo. First of all it would be lovely if these bozos had enough class to remain quiet after they get their xenophobic questions out of the way for the rest of Carbos press conference. I know its a lot to ask, but you just made all the reporters sit in the room while you beat a dead horse for 10 mins the least you could do is not screw up the rest of our audio with sounds of you taking down your camera, dropping tapes then conversing with your token English speaking (barely) reporter you brought along while Carbo is still talking. Second of all if it is such a cinch to learn a new language, why don't you learn some English? I love the irony of a uni-lingual French speaker telling another Bi-lingual person that they should learn French. ARRG! And they wonder why young people are leaving Quebec. Its no mystery to me. We are fed up with this. I love being Bi-lingual. It is truly an asset for anyone but its a choice. Even for the Captain of the Canadiens. He owes you nothing more than giving his all on the ice and being a good leader for his team.
That being said; as much as I appreciate the emails talking about how hard Mitch is on me sometimes, one of the great things about Mitch is that you can have a heated discussion/disagreement with him and nothing is ever personal. I enjoy the challenge of working with Mitch, if nothing else he keeps me on my toes and expects nothing but the best from the people he works with and tries to do the best possible show every single day. Don't feel too bad for me. I'm scrappy, I can take it.
Another topic I don't want to dwell on but I have to mention is the yearly visit from the TVA contingent showing up at practice and wasting everyones time with inane questions to Saku Koivu and Coach Carbo. First of all it would be lovely if these bozos had enough class to remain quiet after they get their xenophobic questions out of the way for the rest of Carbos press conference. I know its a lot to ask, but you just made all the reporters sit in the room while you beat a dead horse for 10 mins the least you could do is not screw up the rest of our audio with sounds of you taking down your camera, dropping tapes then conversing with your token English speaking (barely) reporter you brought along while Carbo is still talking. Second of all if it is such a cinch to learn a new language, why don't you learn some English? I love the irony of a uni-lingual French speaker telling another Bi-lingual person that they should learn French. ARRG! And they wonder why young people are leaving Quebec. Its no mystery to me. We are fed up with this. I love being Bi-lingual. It is truly an asset for anyone but its a choice. Even for the Captain of the Canadiens. He owes you nothing more than giving his all on the ice and being a good leader for his team.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Am I missing something here?
Well despite the fact that lovely listener 'lynch mob' enjoys commenting on my blog about how I should stick to 'weather and traffic' I will risk embarrassment once again and write about sports. And BTW Lynch Mob- Rod does traffic and weather. I do sports updates.
So after yesterdays practice that had 5 guys wearing the dismal gray jerseys we arrive today at practice to find that not only will Guillaume Latendresse sit this one out but so will Steve Begin. STEVE BEGIN??? The guy who is throwing himself in front of pucks in the pre-season? Steve Begin the guy who is sporting a chrome dome for a young fan going through chemo that he doesn't want to feel like an outcast? Steve Begin the heart of the team that leaves it all out on the ice every single time he laces them up?
I understand that Begin is not the number one point getter on the team but he has certainly not been a disappointment after 3 games of the regular season. And if there was something that Carbonneau saw that he did not like does Begin not merit a least a sit down for some constructive criticism before he rides the pine?
Begin found out he was not playing this morning by showing up at practice and noticing that his name was conspicuously absent from the wipe-off board.
After Carbonneau pointed out in the off-season that communication was one of the areas of his coaching style that needed improvement it is a bit surprising that a Canadiens workhorse would not get a personal word from the coach before hand that may have made the disappointing news a bit easier to swallow.
And here is why I love Begin. His response: 'I am going to do whatever I have to do to make sure that this never happens again.' Now that is a player you want on your team.
So after yesterdays practice that had 5 guys wearing the dismal gray jerseys we arrive today at practice to find that not only will Guillaume Latendresse sit this one out but so will Steve Begin. STEVE BEGIN??? The guy who is throwing himself in front of pucks in the pre-season? Steve Begin the guy who is sporting a chrome dome for a young fan going through chemo that he doesn't want to feel like an outcast? Steve Begin the heart of the team that leaves it all out on the ice every single time he laces them up?
I understand that Begin is not the number one point getter on the team but he has certainly not been a disappointment after 3 games of the regular season. And if there was something that Carbonneau saw that he did not like does Begin not merit a least a sit down for some constructive criticism before he rides the pine?
Begin found out he was not playing this morning by showing up at practice and noticing that his name was conspicuously absent from the wipe-off board.
After Carbonneau pointed out in the off-season that communication was one of the areas of his coaching style that needed improvement it is a bit surprising that a Canadiens workhorse would not get a personal word from the coach before hand that may have made the disappointing news a bit easier to swallow.
And here is why I love Begin. His response: 'I am going to do whatever I have to do to make sure that this never happens again.' Now that is a player you want on your team.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Where will the Habs finish
I am not going to pretend that I am enough of a hockey analyst to accurately rate how the eastern conference is going to shake out before even 1 game of the regular season is played. What I do know is that there is more to a team than a power-forward or a bona fide enforcer. For me successful teams usually have more to do with how the players jive together than individual strengths. I am calling the Canadiens to finish 7th and I feel justified in doing so because:
-The Habs missed the playoffs last year by a mere 2 points and they managed that with; the Samsanov soap opera, questionable goal-tending that got them down early far too often, a team wide flu, the Kovalev factor, Higgins injury, and a defense that let WAY too many goals make it to the goalie.
-Carbonneau will be better this year
-5 on 5 will be better (can't be much worse)
-Carey Price. Carey Price. Carey Price.
-Red Fisher called it and he knows everything.
As to where everyone else will finish I know the Flyers got way better but they lost 48 GAMES LAST SEASON! So I'll go:
1. Ottawa, have to admit Spezza, Alfredsson & Heatley pretty much kick ass
2. Carolina-can't downplay experience
3. Pittsburgh- If Crosby can pull his panties up
4. Flyers- they will be so amazed to not suck they'll finish strong
5. Sabres- I loved them last year...despite losing Briere and Drury they still have a lot of talent in Pominville, Afinogenov, Connolly etc..
6. Rangers- Avery is far too annoying to put them above 6th
7. Canadiens
8.Leafs- barf but hey it makes sense.
I have no clue about the west but I am rooting for the Red Wings cause they took Aaron Downey and he plays the game cause he loves it and is grateful for every day hes out on the ice.
-The Habs missed the playoffs last year by a mere 2 points and they managed that with; the Samsanov soap opera, questionable goal-tending that got them down early far too often, a team wide flu, the Kovalev factor, Higgins injury, and a defense that let WAY too many goals make it to the goalie.
-Carbonneau will be better this year
-5 on 5 will be better (can't be much worse)
-Carey Price. Carey Price. Carey Price.
-Red Fisher called it and he knows everything.
As to where everyone else will finish I know the Flyers got way better but they lost 48 GAMES LAST SEASON! So I'll go:
1. Ottawa, have to admit Spezza, Alfredsson & Heatley pretty much kick ass
2. Carolina-can't downplay experience
3. Pittsburgh- If Crosby can pull his panties up
4. Flyers- they will be so amazed to not suck they'll finish strong
5. Sabres- I loved them last year...despite losing Briere and Drury they still have a lot of talent in Pominville, Afinogenov, Connolly etc..
6. Rangers- Avery is far too annoying to put them above 6th
7. Canadiens
8.Leafs- barf but hey it makes sense.
I have no clue about the west but I am rooting for the Red Wings cause they took Aaron Downey and he plays the game cause he loves it and is grateful for every day hes out on the ice.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thoughts of Dodgeball from the Presidents Cup
We are on location at Royal Montreal all week and try as I might, golf just does not do it for me. It’s a beautiful day outside but we are set up in an air conditioned tent so we would never know it if there was not a huge screen in front of me showing the outdoors.
Totally Broad will feature dodge-ball this week after a friend of mine told me that he saw organized dodge ball the other day with actual spectators. Mitch snickered when I told him the show topic was dodge ball but quite frankly you would catch me with a cold beer watching some dodge ball before I donned pleated front khakis, disposed of my cell phone and came out to follow a bunch of cranky old men knock a ball around a golf course.
My brush with greatness was slightly disappointing after finally getting within a few feet of Tiger Woods- these guys are so sheltered from the media its ridiculous- he did not even look up and acknowledge any of the fans who had been waiting outside the trailer to catch a glimpse of the best golfer in the world. He didn’t even glance in my direction despite the fact that he walked right by me and I was waiting to talk to his assistant captain. At least when I walked by Gretzky in the Bell Center he smiled and said hello for gosh sakes- and that is GRETZKY- (I also heard once that when Gretzky called into a media conference call-he actually spelled his name. Does anyone else find that hilarious?)
Totally Broad will feature dodge-ball this week after a friend of mine told me that he saw organized dodge ball the other day with actual spectators. Mitch snickered when I told him the show topic was dodge ball but quite frankly you would catch me with a cold beer watching some dodge ball before I donned pleated front khakis, disposed of my cell phone and came out to follow a bunch of cranky old men knock a ball around a golf course.
My brush with greatness was slightly disappointing after finally getting within a few feet of Tiger Woods- these guys are so sheltered from the media its ridiculous- he did not even look up and acknowledge any of the fans who had been waiting outside the trailer to catch a glimpse of the best golfer in the world. He didn’t even glance in my direction despite the fact that he walked right by me and I was waiting to talk to his assistant captain. At least when I walked by Gretzky in the Bell Center he smiled and said hello for gosh sakes- and that is GRETZKY- (I also heard once that when Gretzky called into a media conference call-he actually spelled his name. Does anyone else find that hilarious?)
Monday, September 10, 2007
Calvillo who?
No disrespect to Anthony Calvillo or Robert Edwards but both players were an afterthought in the Als stunner over the Lions at McGill stadium yesterday. With Marcus Brady showing that he has not been twiddling his thumbs sitting on the bench for a year and a half and Jarrett Payton taking punishment to bring the Als 3 touchdowns the Als were able to rekindle the hope of winning the Grey Cup.
It was the first Alouettes game I have attended this year and it was pretty much the best game I have watched all year. Think the team was happy to have Tim Strickland back?
My one gripe is the borderline-bad-porn-storyline on which the cheerleaders seem to have based their halftime show. Is the naughty school girl thing just a wee bit played out by now. Britney Spears pretty much put that to rest did she not? What with the bad camera work, French dubbing over School of Rock roll-call and ghastly makeup choices I was ready to cover the eyes of the children sitting in from of me for fear of what was coming next.
I guess the reason I feel free to criticize the Alouettes cheerleaders choreography is that I spent my Saturday as a rookie addition to 'The Flying Wallendas'. Yes that is right, I Andie Bennett flew on a trapeze and I have to say it is one of the scariest things I have done since trying Calamari for the first time. (sidenote: I hate eating things that look like they could crawl off your plate.)
First of all, they don't exactly ease you into the whole trapezing thing. I thought hey, first timer, we will perhaps swing back and forth on the bar a few times. Ohhh no! First time up you try a knee hang which means; you climb up a really tall ladder about half a foot wide, onto a platform where another trapezer is waiting and he hooks you in, (we were harnessed in something that quite frankly as a climber I was a little wary of) then holds the belt while you reach out for the bar-at this point I have the uncontrollable shakes and my palms are sweating so much I am beginning to think this was a horrible mistake. So after about 5 mins of instructions we are expected to swing out on the bar HOOK YOUR KNEES THROUGH YOUR ARMS AND OVER THE BAR THE LET GO WITH YOUR HANDS AND REACH OUT BEHIND YOU WHILE ARCHING YOUR BACK. Then you simply reach back up bring your legs down slowly and "legs front-back-front and let go as you back flip off the bar onto the net." Easy-Peasy. My Totally Broad sidekick Debbie Mahoney looked like a pro and made it all the way through with no problems. Me, not so much but I did do everything except the back flip. We finished the 2 hour class by completing a catch and despite the fact that the fear was still there, it was the most amazing feeling to be swinging upside down and reach back and actually have someone catch you off the bar. It was a true sense of accomplishment that is impossible to explain. Go try for yourself at Trapezium.
http://www.trapezium.qc.ca/
Check out Totally Broad this Thursday at 11:00pm on The Team 990 for more Trapeze info and a full review of our experience!
It was the first Alouettes game I have attended this year and it was pretty much the best game I have watched all year. Think the team was happy to have Tim Strickland back?
My one gripe is the borderline-bad-porn-storyline on which the cheerleaders seem to have based their halftime show. Is the naughty school girl thing just a wee bit played out by now. Britney Spears pretty much put that to rest did she not? What with the bad camera work, French dubbing over School of Rock roll-call and ghastly makeup choices I was ready to cover the eyes of the children sitting in from of me for fear of what was coming next.
I guess the reason I feel free to criticize the Alouettes cheerleaders choreography is that I spent my Saturday as a rookie addition to 'The Flying Wallendas'. Yes that is right, I Andie Bennett flew on a trapeze and I have to say it is one of the scariest things I have done since trying Calamari for the first time. (sidenote: I hate eating things that look like they could crawl off your plate.)
First of all, they don't exactly ease you into the whole trapezing thing. I thought hey, first timer, we will perhaps swing back and forth on the bar a few times. Ohhh no! First time up you try a knee hang which means; you climb up a really tall ladder about half a foot wide, onto a platform where another trapezer is waiting and he hooks you in, (we were harnessed in something that quite frankly as a climber I was a little wary of) then holds the belt while you reach out for the bar-at this point I have the uncontrollable shakes and my palms are sweating so much I am beginning to think this was a horrible mistake. So after about 5 mins of instructions we are expected to swing out on the bar HOOK YOUR KNEES THROUGH YOUR ARMS AND OVER THE BAR THE LET GO WITH YOUR HANDS AND REACH OUT BEHIND YOU WHILE ARCHING YOUR BACK. Then you simply reach back up bring your legs down slowly and "legs front-back-front and let go as you back flip off the bar onto the net." Easy-Peasy. My Totally Broad sidekick Debbie Mahoney looked like a pro and made it all the way through with no problems. Me, not so much but I did do everything except the back flip. We finished the 2 hour class by completing a catch and despite the fact that the fear was still there, it was the most amazing feeling to be swinging upside down and reach back and actually have someone catch you off the bar. It was a true sense of accomplishment that is impossible to explain. Go try for yourself at Trapezium.
http://www.trapezium.qc.ca/
Check out Totally Broad this Thursday at 11:00pm on The Team 990 for more Trapeze info and a full review of our experience!
Monday, August 13, 2007
"It's not really tubing until somebody splits a lip."
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.
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, 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!
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