I Haven't Fallen Off the Face of the Earth...

Wow, it has been a long time since I wrote my last blog entry. But that is my life lately - busy, busy, busy. For the last three weeks I have woken up Monday morning, and then, before I know it, it's already Friday afternoon. Apart from quickly checking emails and Facebook, I haven't spent much time on the computer at all. In fact, I think this is the first time in a couple of weeks that I've actually spent any time on it.

Last week was interesting - in the same day I found out that I owe the government money (first time ever), but Colin got a whopping refund, so it isn't that bad; and I got summoned for jury duty.

I was at a job for two years that I despised, and would have given anything to miss a day of work. Now that I'm at a job I absolutely love, I get summoned. The worst thing about this summons is the timing - it is the day before a major event in which I am one of the main planners. And anyone who has ever planned an event knows the day before the event is just as crazy and important as the actual event day. I don't have too many options though: I talked to the Sheriff and he told me to write a mushy, heartfelt letter as to why missing work on those days would affect me. Now I have to wait and see and hope my letter moves them enough that I get out of jury duty.

Tuesday was a much better day: I went to my first (and sadly last) Canucks game this season. I had a blast, even though we gave up a 2-0 lead. So frustrating. We were sitting beside a couple from Medicine Hat, who were extremely good friends of the Lindens. After talking with them though, we both got the feeling that they actually were the Lindens...

I didn't watch the game on Thursday: I figured if they won our Saturday night would be planned; and if they didn't win I wanted Tuesday night to be my last memory of the season. Plus I had my dance class that night, and I only have 8 weeks left till we break for summer, and have a show the first weekend of October, so I need all the practice I can get. I'm glad I went. Everyone was in a giggly mood, and we worked on our Tahitian dance, so I got an extremely good workout.

On Friday evening I went out for coffee with Lisa, Andrew, Darcy, Tina, Jen Wong, and Warren. And last night Colin did our usual movie and sushi night. We saw Spiderman 3. It was pretty good, but maybe too many villains for one movie. I thought Thomas Haden Church was awesome as the Sandman. But I've always been a fan of his, back to his days on Wings.

This morning I went out for brunch with family visiting from England. And tonight I'm off to Book Club.

A Busy, Busy Weekend...

And it isn't quite over yet. But I am wondering how much can really happen over the next 10 hours, or so.

As of Thursday, at 4:30 PM, my weekend looked like this: Spend Friday hanging out with Chantal; Saturday night with Colin; Easter dinner at my Parents'; Monday night hanging out with Colin...

This is what my weekend turned into: Thalia called me after work on Thursday, so we went out for dinner and rented a movie.

I had a relatively lazy Friday morning, and then spent the afternoon with Chantal. My Friday night was quiet.

Saturday day I ended up on the set of Schism, my brother's movie he's shooting for his final project for his film program at BCIT. It was quite a fun and interesting experience. Saturday night Colin and I hung out, had some dinner, and watched Sideways, for the third time. I love that movie.

Gavin called us Saturday night, inviting us over for Easter Brunch. So Sunday morning we headed over to Jess and Gavin's. enjoyed a tasty Easter breakfast, an Easter egg, then grabbed the basketball and the dog, and walked down to Kits Beach. Unfortunately there no hoops up, so we just sat around, chatted, and enjoyed the Spring view. After that Colin and I rushed home, caught the end of the Canucks game - it was strange watching a game that really had no bearing on anything -, fixed ourselves up, and headed over to my parents for Easter dinner.

This morning I rolled out of bed at 8am to be back on set. I am acting as a stand in today... And that's what I'm doing currently...

The Vancouver Canucks

Throughout the season I have written snippets here and there regarding the Canucks, but I haven't offered an overall opinion on this season, and since it's almost over, it's probably about time.

First, my rant: If there is one thing I cannot stand it's a Canucks fan (myself excluded, of course), let me explain. We must be the whinniest, pessimistic, negative bunch of fans in the entire league. Why do I say that? Well, for starters, the Canucks are the winningest team (in the NHL) since Christmas; Bobby Lou set a new Canuck record, and currently holds the most Goalie wins this season; we are currently first in our division, third in the Western Conference, and fifth overall - winning the President's Trophy could actually happen; yet the fans (and the media, who are worse than the fans) complain. For example, Naslund hasn't been scoring. Who really gives a (rhymes with Canuck) if Naslund hasn't been scoring, everyone else has.

At the beginning of the season we Canucks fans were treading into unfamiliar territory, with half the team dispended and new faces in line-up. We hoped, on an outside chance, we would make the playoffs... short of winning the Stanley Cup I don't think we could have asked for a better season. And I still can't believe we actually have an all-star goalie...

So, it's time (dare I say) to dust off the car flags; mine have some rust or something nasty on them - they have been sitting in the trunk of my car since April 2004...

So quit yer whinning and complaning and get ready for some post-season partying...

Say goodbye to the boo-birds and hello to the Lou-birds...

He's Ba-ack...

...Brent Sopel is once again a Canuck. And Smolinski is along for the ride too...

Anything But Boring

Once upon a time, about a season ago, maybe even the beginning of this season, a Canucks vs. Wild game meant utter boredom. The Wild were always able to one up us, get those first important goals they needed, and then shut down and play the defensive trap. Yawn.

But times have changed, and so have the teams. Even though Wednesday's game was relatively low scoring (Vancouver with a 3-2 win in OT), it was still damned exciting to watch. Did you ever think that Canucks vs. Wild hockey could be edge of your seat hockey?

In many ways the roles have reversed: Vancouver now has a dynamic defense, tops in the league. And with Gaborik and Demitra, the Wild have a sharp shooting offense. But here's the difference, in my humble opinion: The Wild don't play a fancy-pants offense like the Canucks used too - no show boating here; and the Canucks don't hunker down and play the defensive trap - which means some great hockey between these two rivals.

Valentine's Day

I have never been one for Valentine's day. Even when I was single, I could really care less about it.

Colin and I usually do something every year, but it's usually just a normal date. Go see a movie, or go out to dinner. I think tonight we'll be watching the hockey game. Hey, we both love the Canucks, and today is a day to celebrate your love...

I have spent the past nine Valentine's (including this year) with Colin. But there are two dates far more important than February 14th when it comes to celebrating our relationship - August 12th and August 1st.

As far as I'm concerned February 14th is just another day, and a good excuse to go on a date.

Double Header

I have now seen all the Oscar nominated (best picture) films. The other day Colin and I caught a matinee showing of Letters from Iwo Jima. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. It was interesting to see what happened on Iwo Jima from the Japanese point of view; plus, it's the companion piece to Flags of our Fathers, which we saw some time ago.

Later that evening I went out with Lisa, Andrew and Die to see Babel - another good film.

It's really hard to choose one to best pic since they are all great films, and all very different. But if I had to pick, either Little Miss Sunshine, or the Departed... But Paul Haggis and Clint Eastwood seem to be on a role with Oscar, so maybe it will be Letters from Iwo Jima.

After seeing the latter film, I thought it would be a good idea to rent Tora Tora Tora. So after a sleepy, cum heart attack hockey game (Vancouver vs. Atlanta), and late-nite all you can eat sushi, Colin and I headed to Rogers to rent Tora Tora Tora. They didn't have it - Rogers only has DVDs now. At least the Marpole store does.

But life if full of strange happenings... Yesterday I was watching some cheesy movie on KVOS, when the Sunday night movie flashed across the bottom... Tora, Tora, Tora. I couldn't believe it.