The Long Road

First, this weekend marks a milestone for Mich’s dad Rick. He turned 60! Have a very happy birthday you old guy! Oh, don’t feel bad Rick, the Earth is much older than you…

So Mich and I spent Earth Day weekend a couple of great ways. Yesterday we killed about 300 square feet of thirsty, water sucking grass. I loved it. Sod cutters rule. OK, yes I burned fossil fuel to do it, but last year we used the old fashioned way and learned enough to know that this time there was just too much area to cover. Anyway, we increased our veggie garden by about 120% and added three more border gardens. So yes, we are planting stuff for Earth Day. Low water, native plants when possible and appropriate too.

Today we spent mostly on our bikes. Mich went to a mountain bike clinic and I went for a nice ride with a couple of guys that are in WAY better shape than I am! I was sucking wind! Tons of fun though.

Michelle asked me which team I’d like to see win the cup. I didn’t really have an answer. As stated before, I don’t really care if we or expect to see Vancouver in the finals. That said, last year I could say the same about Edmonton, though I sure would have liked to see them win. I guess the same would go for the Canucks this year. Really though, I’m just enjoying watching the playoffs, no matter which direction they go. Last night was great. Thanks to Craig E over at The Engleson Files we are onto streaming the games over the net on Sopcast. Very cool as we can’t get CBC over the air here, and we don’t have cable or sat. So it was sure nice to use the power of WiFi to bring the laptop out onto the deck last night, BBQ up some smokies and watch some hockey outside. That must continue!

Note to Craig, and all the China hockey watching guys… if Sopcast isn’t working well, CBC is streaming all televised games too. So far, it has been more choppy than Sopcast but at least it’s another option. Enjoy! Looking to hear about the Dong Bei Cup soon too!

Well I started taking part in hockey pools with the guys in China. And I have to say I did pretty well. Unfortunately, while always in contention, I never was quite able to win it. So it was with great anticipation that I entered my school’s pool this year… and finished second. Ha. Oh well, the fifty bone I took home bought us a couple of really nice bottles of wine and paid for my fee for the playoff pool! Bring it on.

Which brings me to my next point, that I’ll admit ain’t gonna make me any new friends (and might even lose me a couple). Yes I picked Daniel Sedin for my pool this season AND for my playoff pool. But do I think the ‘Nucks have a chance? Nope. Not even. I’m seeing people all over the place saying that this is the year for them to take it, what with Luongo and all. And the Sedin twins are really coming into their own. Um, really the ONLY reason that Vancouver made it into the playoffs was the aforementioned trio. And yes, all three had a great year. Of course, all three lack real or any playoff experience, and (and this is a big “and”), there’s no “three” in “team”. And that is the real reason that I’ll be surprised if the Canucks even make it past Dallas. Good thing for me that I can dump players after the 1st round and pick up others! Now don’t get me wrong - I don’t NOT want Vancouver to win - hey, I’d be happy for them and all the rest of BC and Canada who are fans - it’s just that Vancouver let me down WAY too many times for me to jump on any bandwagon. Not my style - I didn’t root for the Jays when they made their run to the World Series either. OK, I wrote way too much here for a post that was supposed to be about my hockey pool winnings.

OK, I know that there are those who will blast me for this post. I’m not trying to brag or make anyone feel bad. I’m just feeling so good that I wanted to share is all! I think I have spring fever. That is, we left town for the Easter weekend and things were looking pretty good. However, when we got back, a mere four days later, life had arrived in Kamloops. Things are green here! Temps are in the teens and even 20’s. Flowers are up and just about ready to bloom. Our fruit trees are about to bloom. I almost have to mow the lawn already for crying out loud! We’ve been pulling out dandelions - that are blooming! I’m excited - I’ve got lots of plans for big projects for the yard… garden expansion, deck, patio, pergola.

It all makes me wanna dance like these guys…

Well we are enjoying our visit to Prince George for Easter. It’s been great seeing Mich’s brother Jamie in his new town! Anyway, happy Easter everyone! Hope you have a great weekend no matter what you are up to.