40 Facts about the Canadian Flag.

http://www.canada.com/topics/travel/canadianheroes/story.html?id=4d297c89-5675-4f20-b801-21e1eda67e7d&k=87266&p=1

I know I'm definitely infringing on No. 40.

Yikes!

Wah.

I missed my show last night. Now I don't know what's happened to Maddy from Shepparton.

This is what happens when you get caught up in other peoples' birthday celebrations.

Bless the greasy spoon cafe on the corner of Peel and Cambridge.

Tastes like chicken.

In two days, it is Canada Day. For you Australians, that is the Canadian equivalent to Australia Day. Seems a bit obvious, yes, but you'd be surprised how many people ask me, 'What's Canada Day?'.

Anyway, in the lead up to Canada Day 2006, I thought I would talk about something Canadian on my blog. The topic I've chosen is ringette.

Ringette is a Canadian game that was first introduced in 1963 in North Bay, Ontario. Developed originally for girls, ringette is a fast-paced team sport on ice in which players use a straight stick to pass, carry, and shoot a rubber ring to score goals.
For ten years, play centered in Ontario and Quebec, however the sport quickly spread accross Canada and is now played in all ten provinces and the Northwest Territories.
In fact, the sport has become one of Canada's favorite activities for females, with over 50,000 participants, including players, coaches, officals and volunteers, across Canada - a remarkable growth rate for such a young sport.
The growth has continued internationally with the formation of associations in the U.S.A., Finland,
Sweden, Russia, and France. In addition, Ringette Canada has been instrumental in demonstrating the game in the Netherlands, Switzerland, West Germany, along with New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

Canada vs. someone at the 2002 Worlds.

(Logo, text and photo obtained from www.ringette.ca)

Note that while there has been remarkable growth, it doesn't seem to be as popular as those other Canadian games like basketball and hockey... even lacrosse.

We played ringette in gym in elementary school. That was pretty much the beginning and end of ringette for me. I don't recall any of my friends playing ringette outside of school or there being any ringette teams in Fort Garry.

Anyway, that's it for the Canadian trivia.

Route 109.

Today I had to catch the tram into the city and back for a meeting.

I think I actually miss PTing in the mornings. Probably because I actually see other people. I know I'm not much of a people person in the mornings (noon or night) but a little bit of human contact in the morning doesn't hurt. These days, all I see are cars, trucks and buses on my way to work.

Anyway, I was tempted to go visit my coffeewhore of days gone by but their cafe was out of the way and I needed to get back to the office.

Meanwhile, City of Yarra, what is up with all the footpath rectification works?!? These days to get from Point A to Point B, you have to cross the road at least twice to avoid the hot, stinky bitumen or freshly poured concrete. Roadworks, roadworks, everywhere... Sounds like an old Iron Maiden tune.

Bozo, I say.

Last night...

Those two words always remind me of a dirty, 90s RnB boy band song.

However, back to this blog.

Last night, after a 1.5km 'sprint' on the exercise bike and dinner, I decided to sit down and have a go at 'Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories'.

I must say I was a little bit disappointed because it doesn't appear to be as detailed as 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas', and seemed to return to the old skool 'run-through-the-icon' type format, much like 'Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'. But I suppose that the game was designed for the PSP so maybe some concessions had to be made. The graphics are great but it seems to be lacking something.

Plus the fact that I was able to complete 4 missions without being wasted seemed a bit wrong.

One thing I do love about the GTA franchise is the effort that they put into the radio stations. One of the stations, RISE-FM, is full of house music anthems like 'Sing It Back' by Moloko, 'Feel What U Want' by Kristine W, 'Spin Spin Sugar' by the Sneaker Pimps, 'Plastic Dreams' by Jaydee, etc... You can guess which station is my favourite. And there's a classical music station too! HOT!

Anyway I got a bit bored so I decided to go through my records. Our very own Swiss Miss is leaving Australia and her farewell party is this Friday so I'm pulling the headies out for a few hours and stepping back behind the decks. Therefore, I thought it might be a good idea to re-acquaint myself with my dusty records.

And when I say dusty, I don't mean Springfield.

I've been listening to a lot of (everybody now) Jen Cloher and The Endless Sea, Maria McKee, Sheryl Crow, The Pixies, Coldplay, Depeche Mode and trance lately so when I put 'Carnival de Sao Vincente' by Cesaria Evora on, the DJ inside me stirred. But just a little.

Then I put on some vocal house and the foot started tapping.

Then I put on what is probably my all-time happy track:

This song always makes me smile.

Iloveitthankyou!

Uh-0h... I think I've got the itch.

JGT - DON'T LET ME BUY ANY RECORDS!!!

Yes.

I think I'm back to my bloggin' self.

Maybe it's because I'm actually doing interesting things.

Or perhaps I'm doing things that I'm interested in blogging about.... who can say?

Chicken or the egg?

I forgot to mention..

That the accompanying music to 'Schéhérazade' was very similar to, if not the same as, the theme music used to announce Gargamel's arrival in 'The Smurfs'.

I also found that rather amusing.

If I were a classical music enthusiast - which I may be after November 27th, right now I would only consider myself an 'appreciator' - would I refer to 'Schéhérazade' as the ballet that accompanies the Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov piece?

Hmmmm?

To the balletmobile!

As I mentioned (or 'raved'... haha... meh.) yesterday, I went to the ballet again last night. This time I went with Theatre Buddy and we saw 'Revolutions', a triple-bill featuring the works of famed Ballet Russes choreographer, Mikhail Folkine.

Included in the triple-bill were 'Les Sylphides', 'Le Spectre de la rose' and 'Schéhérazade'. For more information, see http://www.australianballet.com.au/default.htm?article=192.

Not to take anything away from the Australian Ballet but one of the more enjoyable parts of the evening was sitting on the steps playing 'Mr. Blackwell' with TB. I would like to note that while commenting on other peoples' 'fashion' may seem a little bitchy, we know that we aren't members of the haute couture army nor do we care to be. Dude... It's just clothes.

TB... now there's an unfortunate acronym. Theatre Buddy is no way related, or held in similar regard, to that highly variable communicable disease of humans also known as tuberculosis.

You'll be reading more about my theatre adventures here soon... you should see all the brochures I collected last night. So much to do in July/August... Yay!

It's here...

Sitting in my bag is 'Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories'.

Alas, I'm going to the ballet tonight to see 'Revolutions'.

Yes, the ballet again.

I'm even considering getting a 2007 subscription.

Very exciting indeed!

And when I say 'rave'...

I mean 'mention'.

But seriously, folks... 'Deadwood Falls'.

Put it on your playlist.

Sunday

Having had a restless night, I decided to get up early on Sunday and have a bit of Jude Time.

By 9am (maybe not so early for you parent folk), I was up and at'em, wandering the streets of Abbotsford and Richmond on my way to Victoria Gardens (www.vicgardens.com.au). I thought I might grab a coffee but alas, the only place open that early was Gloria Jeans. I folded and went the large latte only to realise so much dairy at that time in the morning on an empty stomach when I'm about to go see a movie was probably not the greatest of ideas. So I turfed it.

So yes, I went to the movies and saw the 9:40am screening of 'X-Men 3: The Last Stand'. You would have thought from all my ranting a month ago that I would have seen it by now. Well, I've been busy-ish. For a minute, I thought I'd have the theatre to myself but then 4 more people came in.

Anyway, loved the movie but I knew I would anyway. Nothing like a bit of action and tragedy on a Sunday morning. No spoilers here in case you haven't seen it and wish to.

By the way, the new 'Pirates of the Caribbean' movie looks fantastic!

After the movie, I headed down Victoria Street for some grilled spare ribs on broken rice whilst mulling over the Sunday paper. I would have taken photos of my lunch but there were too many other people in the restaurant. Ok, I'll admit it... Even if there was just one other person at the restaurant (including staff) I wouldn't have taken a photo. Plus my camera was still sitting on the floor of my bedroom.

One day I might actually remember that my phone has a camera.

Following that, I headed down to my local for a quiet afternoon at the pub, drinking coffee, beer and destroying crossword puzzles.

I think I've worked out the perfect lazy Sunday. Now I'm ready for this week and however many fitouts, hospitals and schools they want to throw at me.

Bring it.

Lip them.

Family Excursion #2

On Friday night, the girls had their first Friday night off together in a few years so we ventured off to the Corner Hotel to see Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea play.

We had a few small adventures between when we initially arrived at The Corner and when Jen finally came on stage.

Continuing my 2006 'stepping out of my comfort zone' resolution so to speak, I went to 4 new venues that evening. Five if you count the band room and the public bar as separate venues. But why would you?

If you haven't seen Jen Cloher and the Endless Sea - chances are that the majority of my reading audience haven't - I highly recommend it. I've raved about her once before so I won't do it again.

(P.s. Big hello to shypants, thanks for the cuddle... PANTS!)

RAH!

I took my camera to the disco on Friday night.

Alas, I only took 3 pictures... the standard photos of Ambie Dextrus and kdj in the mix, as well as a hot hot photo of ye olde birthday girl.

I haven't yet downloaded these photos and I think there are other photos from weeks gone by that are still on there. My camera is currently sitting on the floor in my bedroom where I left it after emptying my handbag (shhhh) on Saturday.

As a result, I have missed out on taking some great photos this week. First there was the magnificent sunrise on Wednesday morning and accompanying said sunrise were my favourite clouds.

On Thursday morning there was another beautiful sunrise.

Then today, there was the strange man goose-stepping down Gipps Street, using a tree branch, complete with leaves, as an umbrella. Please note that while it wasn't raining at the time, it looked like it could have started raining at any point in time.

Maybe I need two cameras...

Battle of the Brains

Last night, whilst waiting for 'The West Wing' to start, I stumbled upon 'Catalyst' on the ABC which was showing 'Battle of the Brains', a four-part documentary about gifted students battling to make the team for the International Biology Olympiad in Beijing.

You're probably expecting me to make fun, yes?

Well I'm not. This is one of the most compelling programs I've seen this year. Probably in a few years actually. Maybe it's because I bombed out in Science at school and hope to pick up something. However, they happen to be studying 1st Year University Biology. All I can say is: Permission to buzz the tower, sir!

I wish I hadn't missed the first part last week. >:o(

Anyway, this is the website:
http://www.battleofthebrains.com.au/www/index.cfm
and if you're in Australia, Part 3 is on next Wednesday, 8:00pm EST on your ABC.

Delayed.

The release of Grand Theft Auto - Liberty City Stories has been delayed.

It is now due out this Friday.

That gives me some time to refresh my gaming skills.

Viva Carl Johnson!

Giselle.

Last night, I continued my forage into the arts - or to be precise, watching the arts - and went to the closing night of 'Gisele' by the Australian Ballet at the State Theatre.

Alas, I didn't go with my theatre buddy but instead it was our first family/house outing. It was a very pleasant evening indeed. Thank you, ladies!!!

I couldn't recall if I'd actually been to the ballet before. I know I haven't been in Australia but wasn't quite sure if there was a school excursion or some sort of Chinese School thing here or there.

Sidebar: I find it rather amusing that I recall attending a lot of Chinese School events but not actually attending Chinese School. I think that Chinese School was also the first time I experienced my worlds colliding - those instances when Chinese School was on at the same time as the General Byng volleyball and basketball tournaments on Saturdays and Coach Gigliotti would make us run our warm-ups up and down the hall and I would see family friends in the classrooms. Good times.

Where was I?

The only 'cultural' things I really remember from my childhood are the Chinese Acrobats and their spinning dinner plates, the Planetarium and the Natural Museum or Museum of Man or whatever it was.

Mmmm... Woolly mammoths.

Whoops...

I've been so busy lately that I forgot to do June Birthday shout-outs...

Anyhoo, better late than never!

Happy Birthdays go out to:

• Edwin
• Claire
• Flamin' Mo
• Mastie (who's an old girl now?)
• Flees
• Big Al
• Nev
• Eila
• Martin

Welcome 5000th visitor!

Yes.

Thank you.

Nothing to see here...

But there may be something after this weekend.

It's Bob & Nev's lidl mate's birthday and celebrations begin Friday night.

The emphasis should be placed on the word *starting*.

It's been a while since I've been to the disco and who knows when I last ventured across the river so all in all, it should be mighty interesting.

Must recharge ye olde camera for the occasion.

Say 'cheese'...

445.

I'm one cost plan short of a nervous breakdown.

See you.

Parental Guidance advised.

This is a warning that in approximately two weeks time, I'll have 'Grand theft Auto: Liberty City Stories' in my possession.

I shall resurface in a few months... or when I get stuck.

Which will probably be a few days after.

Anyhoo, lookout middlechild.

I *love* polar bears.

Even when they're being forced to pull the White Witch around in the middle of summer.

Meanwhile, I saw this photo in this week's 'Animal Tracks' on www.msnbc.msn.com.

This polar bear is watching a whaling crew near Barrow, Alaska. The crew were checking out conditions for whaling and hunting ducks (wabbit season!). The bear did not approach the crew.