A New Year and New Beginnings

Today's Topic: New Years Resolutions

I'm a firm believer that obstacles are placed in front of us so that we can overcome some of life's greatest challenges. I also believe that a person will only ever know their own limitations by challenging themselves and stepping outside of their comfort zone. And with a new year upon us, society tells us that it's time to start a new chapter. It's time for Chapter 2012.

I started to ponder the question: "Is it really possible to have a New Years resolution?" So let's take a look at that today. For some, resolutions come easy; people making bigger steps to take their life to the next level.  It all starts with an idea or a choice that we make. "I want to start eating better." "I want to be a better parent." "I want to try something new." "I want to lose weight." "I want to fall in love." I always felt Christmas and New Years went hand in hand. What you didn't get on the 25th, you can strive for it at the strike of midnight six days later. Or, what you did get on the 25th, makes you realize what you "need" to help you be better and to help you take a leap forward, moving in what you hope to be your right direction six days later. 

Keeping the resolution is the problem. In general, and I'm stereotyping here, but most people give up way too easy on their resolution. It always left me pondering why people do it. And then I realized that it's a lot easier to make an excuse than it is to make results. Money holds back resolutions, so does Time, so does Our Own Thought Process, so does Embarrassment, and the list goes on. I capitalize these words to make a statement: identify the barrier and what you call a problem or excuse. Make it the goal to fix it and make it the result.       

Now I know by this point if you're still reading, you're all probably just DYING to know what my resolution is (this is my attempt at humoring my reader). I really want to finish my book, finish the idea, finish the product and take my next leap forward. That is my goal I have set out, and my resolution if you will (although it may never get read because the Mayans tell us we are all going to die next December anyway...right?) I believe in the idea of a resolution. Some may even call it a REVolution. But, I also think that January 1st is this complete ridiculous fabrication of "starting over." That is b.s. I can start over anytime I want. How about June 28th? I can change who I am or who I want to be on August 9th. Sorry Dick Clark, but it doesn't take a ball dropping in Times Square for me to be happy and who I want to be in my life. Just pick a date. However, I do like the idea of a resolution because it makes you a better person for a lot of reasons. You are contributing to a bigger set of rules and a bigger picture that makes you walk out the door every morning.

I'm not an expert and I don't pretend to be one. If you know my writing, you know it's straight from the hip. So I'm going to give you the lowdown on the resolution: As I get older, I realize that I have an old soul. But I also realize that there really is no limit. There is no resolution too big, too small or not big enough. Like anything else, you take the first step. You create your own story to tell people that it all began on January 1st, it was my new years resolution. And for a lot of people, it's an ego booster. It feels good to have someone say good for you or I'm proud of you. But you have to own the resolution, and not let it own you. And by that I mean really push yourself. I watched Into The Wild recently, which reminded me of the brilliance that we have within ourselves and I was reminded that there is still hope for mankind. All we have to do is try. There are several quotes in the movie but one that pertains to this topic of a resolution really sticks with me. To paraphrase: It's important in life to not necessarily be strong, but to feel strong. To find yourself in the most ancient of human conditions with only your hands and your head.  And that to me is entirely what a resolution should be: common sense.

So yes, it is possible to have a resolution. You can always improve who you are, which improves who someone else is, which improves a group of people, and you know how the rest of this goes. In bare bones, there are two things certain in life. You live and you die. Make the resolution count. Let it stand for something, for who you want to be. 

I know I'm not going to change the world with a blog or a book, but I'm going to try.


Start tomorrow. Start today. Just Start your engine. Explore, seek, find and do not yield.  


 

Showgirls

Today's Topic: Showing Jersey Cows

It might seem crazy to get dressed up in all white clothes and parade around a ring. It might seem crazy to become "cattle hair dressers", teasing it, combing it, spraying it and giving them an essential royal treatment. It might also seem crazy to drive thousands of miles for cattle shows, truck the girls 14 hours across the states to Kentucky, or 13 hours to Wisconsin or stay for a week at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto at the Royal Winter Fair. Yes, it's all part of the game. The job. And the business.

Ever since I was old enough to walk, I was helping my parents show dairy cattle; with a white shirt and pants, a hatband or a harness and a lead strap in my hand. Growing up, I was involved in this culture, completing 4-H projects year after year, and doing my best with the jersey(s) I was showing. Well, 11 brown haired girls, countless local shows and 5 National Shows visits later, I still fine myself completely immersed in this culture several weekends (and sometimes weeks) of the year; along with thousands of other people. 

There is...so much to showing dairy cattle. I couldn't possibly think of every show moment or every single detail from the shows I have been too and sit down to write it all in a single blog. Countless hours of preparation, feeding, bedding, and clipping of hair. At the shows, you don't run on a good nights rest or a healthy meal. Sleep comes in small doses, food comes with "whatever is quick and easy" and your body hates you for several hours up until showtime. But then the day comes. Showday arrives and all of a sudden all the hours you have deprived your body of sleep, food and just plain common sense don't seem to matter anymore. You're instead running on adrenaline and the thrill of being able to show off your prize winning cows to friends, family, the general public and interested breeders and buyers. Ribbons, trophies, jackets, prize money and a picture in the winner's circle; and it's over just as fast as it began. And then comes more work; loading up, packing up, tearing down, etc etc. It's both physically and mentally exhausting. But in between the work, I can still manage to sneak in a pop...or two. Our farm has had our share of success in the showring at some of the biggest cattle shows in the world. This has lead to great business partnerships and a sense of belonging to a community; a community of like minded people who all love the same thing; showing cows. Just like how people show horses, chickens, pigs, dogs, or whatever the animal...it's a unique thing we do. 

I think in my second life, I'm going to be a show cow. A typical fair for one of our jersey cows is like a day (or sometimes week) at the spa; that's how I like to describe it to people when asked what exactly is involved in showing these beauties. A hot bath with soap, getting all your hair clipped, the best bedding and all the food you can eat. Then on showday, more manicure procedures take place; styling that hair with cow hair products, a black show shine added to the hoofs, a flower type spray to make them sparkle, shine and smell pretty and then, a walk around to the people looking on. Oh, and did I mention getting your ass wiped as well? Because that happens too. So to all of that, SIGN ME UP.

And yes you heard me right, cow hair products. A whole line of them. From hair dying colours, to soap and brushes, to clipping equipment, to hair dryers for blowing up and teasing hair...I would need a whole separate blog session to detail the players involved in selling this stuff to we, the "showgirls" consumers. It's a niche market, and they make a fortune.   

Even though I'm not quite as involved in my family farm operation as what I used to be, I love people that still say to me "You're just a farmer." Yep, just a farmer. The business that we are in, is a business just like any other. High pedigreed show cattle can go for big dollars. I have seen people spend up to $100,000 on a single female cow at public auction; only to turn around and DOUBLE their investment. If you have the genetics, the right market and the right sales pitch, you can make a dollar in this show industry that people regard as "just farming." Brazil, China, Guatemala, Denmark, India, Australia, Europe, Uruguay and so on...they all want Canadian genetics. And we can't produce them fast enough. Embryos (or "cow eggs" if you will) are being shipped daily, and literally across the globe. Every farm that is involved in this business, this business of marketing cows, strives to keep up with these markets and to find the next "great one." It's a whole new way of thinking. At the end of the day, the cow still produces it;s product and simple business strategy will tell you that the product is what creates the business. Only showing dairy cattle takes it to the next level. To have one of these prized possessions to call your own; it's honestly an experience like not other. It's so hard to write about it, you simply have to live it. 

So the next time you are out and about or you happen to drive by the local fair, take the time to appreciate the days of preparation that go into those shows. The hours of washing, bedding, feeding, training and grooming that go into those bovine beauties. It's a culture like no other. Call us crazy, but that's the business. And when you hit the business at full stride, you discover how insane we really are. The miles we travel, the hotels we stay in, the drinks we down and the friends we make; all thanks to the girls at the barn. Not bad for a group of big, hairy animals. Not bad for a group of showgirls.              

Views of some of the competition walking around the colored shavings in Kentucky in 2008. Our showgirls attended and our farm was their with a full lineup...it was an incredible journey!

People helping People

Today's Topic: The People We Meet

I have been fortunate this year to have met people from all over the world...literally. My travels this year have taken me to Texas, Las Vegas, all across Eastern and Western Ontario and the upcoming East Coast Canada trip. The family business has allowed me to meet people from Uruguay, Malaysia, Italy and Brazil...just to name a few. There is something that I just find completely awesome about meeting people from around the world, learning about different ways of life and why people do what they do.

I sit back as another year is coming to a close and I am starting to reflect on just the different outlooks of life people have. It's a proven fact that this can affect choices and decisions we make in our own lives and whether we just take it for what it is on the surface or embrace it and try to find a hidden meaning or understanding. Of course, I seem to take the latter of the two and look for a discovery or why I feel so happy talking about these people and sharing my stories with friends, family and even random people who happen to stumble across the Sunday Sitdowns.

When I was playing poker in Las Vegas earlier this year, the locals seemed to start to respect me when they realized I wasn't just a typical tourist who didn't understand the fundamentals of a game that TO THEM, is a way of life. It was because of this that the locals started to share some real Las Vegas stories, to which I was more than eager to listen to. When you start to hear about people throwing away $6,000 thousand dollars only to show up the next day with a smile on their face, you don't feel as bad for losing $20. Only guy told me for ten years, it was his profession to be a poker player, and thanks tourists for allowing him to make a living. I thought isn't it funny how the world works? Vegas and the people made me realize how insignificant money can be. Especially when you take out $200 at the debit machine, only to get two $100 dollar bills and not the usual mitt-full of twenties. In staying within America, the people in Texas were something else. Southern drawl, friendly going, kick up your boots and have a drink sort of folks. Eat until you are busting a gut and living the truth slogan of everything is bigger in Texas. To me, America is almost culturally separated by states, and every state has people that are completely different from the last state you resided in. No two are really alike.

I sat at the table in my parents house today and realized just how many international guests we have entertained over the years. The laughs, the good times, the huge meals...everything just gives you a feeling of pride for the country you live in and what is means to have a country to call home. There hasn't been one negative business deal that we have dealt with (knock on wood) where people from different parts of the world couldn't find an equilibrium or a universal understanding. I feel fortunate that I can educate myself from people who drive down our driveway, to educate myself on the inner working of the world. It's impossible to see this entire planet. Its impossible to meet every face. But when we do, we are connected through our common knowledge of what life is about: Happiness, Success, Laughter and Grasping Knowledge...the list could go on. What I'm starting to realize is that we are all in this thing together, a true people helping people scenario. What we learn, what we do, what we share all becomes a collection of what we stand for and what we understand. Ignorance is no longer an excuse to me, because it really is that easy to say Hello to a stranger, a person from another country, and share a laugh, a smile, a drink or a meal together. Enjoying the people that make up the moments, that seems to be the answer.

It's a powerful thing to learn about a different culture and people that live in it. It's even more powerful to share common interests. After all, isn't that a part of life?

To strive, to seek, to find, and not, to yield.

When Duty Calls...

Today's Topic: Superheroes

I have always been really jealous of Batman, even though I know he's not real. When I first saw the new "Batman Begins" series several years ago, I became even more intrigued and wondered, "What would it be like to be a superhero?" The thought of being an unsung hero has always interested me for some reason. Maybe because it is one of the only noble things a person can do anymore, and not have to ask for anything in return, get paid for it or get recognition for doing it. To become Batman would be a thing of sheer beauty; to roam the streets and protect the innocent or ones who can't protect themselves.

There was a time when the comic book was considered to be a stereotypical "nerd" thing to hold in your hands. It wasn't a cool or flashy hobby to be into men flying around in capes, super human beings with their laser eyes or lighting fast speed and even scientists that were the result of a science experiment gone wrong. I was watching a show on HBO called "Superheroes" and the show dealt with real life people who have taken on the hobby of making the streets safer in their communities. And they are everywhere! One man has formed the XJL...Xtreme Justice League. Another married couple spend their down time together and make it their duty roaming the streets as Zetaman and Apocalypse Meow. The Dark Guardian, a man who calls himself Life...the list goes on and on. Even individuals who have had extensive jujitsu or martial arts training make it their citizen duty to be a silent (or sometimes very vocal) protector. I think Marvel and DC Comics have done an incredible job making the superhero "cool" again by pushing out successful summer blockbuster movies and really getting people back into the newly discovered comic genre. Mix incredible graphics and a director's passion for a project and you can really see the magic on screen when you watch films like The Dark Knight, X-Men, Watchmen, Transformers and Ironman...just to name a few. You don't have to be a comic lover to appreciate a brilliant on screen performance.

I think the thing about superheroes that really impresses me is their alter ego. We all do have an alter ego or quirky thing about us, and that's completely normal. Just not all of us dress up in a costume or wear a mask to show it. In fact, there were times when I seriously questioned myself and wondered what it would be like to become a superhero like Batman. So I picked up a book called "Becoming Batman" which was a neuroscience professors look at the possibility of a superhero. In his opinion, to become a superhero like Batman could actually be possible. If you think about it, Batman does not have any superhuman qualities or strengths. He just has a cape, really good equipment, years of training in martial arts, a really sweet vehicle and busloads of money; all things that would be required to become a man of his stature. You also have to keep in mind the extreme dedication to the process it would take someone...the food you would be required to eat, how to improve your reaction time, the dangerous situations you would be throwing yourself into and the hours of training it would take to become a masked vigilante. We are looking at a least 20 years for all of these to fall into place. And then once you're in the position, realistically, how much physical abuse could you put your body through and still function a day to day basis?

I think at one point growing up, we may have all dreamed (or maybe it was just the guys) of being a hero, sweeping the pretty girl off her feet and saving people from crime, one day at a time. Many argue saying, "that's what cops are for." But superheros generally don't have rules to follow; they are just more interested in preventing mass chaos (which is why they signed up to be a superhero in the first place). If I had all of those things required to do the job (including thousands of dollars), I think I would seriously consider becoming a superhero. It would be the ultimate way to give back selflessly, and not need to have anything come back in return for the service you provide. Even thrilling television shows like Dexter have taken the possibility of a noble man into consideration. Only for Dexter, a question of morals comes into play, even though he is killing criminals and evil doers who pray on the innocent. It is something that I find truly fascinating, which some would say doesn't sound normal. But others would stand up and applaud, because the world will always look for a hero.

5 Must See Movies

Today's Topic: Movies

I've decided to do something a little different on the Sunday Sitdowns this week. Instead of a over-analytical column on a life topic about crazy situations that probably only I ever think about, I've decided to come up with a list of 5 movies that you may not have seen before. They are movies that had an impact on me. While it's easy to come up with a list of classic movies and everyone's "favourite" flick on all time, I have chosen 5 movies that "relatively" flew under the radar when they were released and movies that may/may not have found their way into your movie collection. They are movies that get you thinking. So here it is: my top 5 movies that are hidden gems in the video store and amongst people's collection


5. Man on the Moon (1999)- When I first saw man on the moon, I was in awe. Jim Carrey showed why he can be taken seriously as an actor in this movie portraying the life of the long time comedic wonder, Andy Kaufman. The movie has an underlying comedy theme but at the same time, really makes you think about a life where nothing could seem real and you should never trust what you see or hear. Carrey does an incredible job in this movie of convincing us that he is a different person all together. I think what really sets this movie aside is the acting, inside the acting. Carrey is playing a character, who was full of characters and different personalities. As you watch this movie, you start to question everything and realize what it would be like to be a person who questioned everything, everyday. A brilliant film that will leave you wanting more, man on the moon has to be one of my all time favourites.



4. The Prestige (2006)- This is a movie that keeps you guessing until the very end. Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman star in this film directed by mastermind Christopher Nolan (yes, the same man who brought you the Batman Begins and Dark Knight instant cult classics) What makes this movie so captivating is the ongoing rivalry between Jackman's and Bale's characters. Two magicians try to out perform one another in this movie and while the momentum switches back and forth between the characters, the movie takes you on twists and turns that makes you continuously wonder "who will get the last laugh?" Of all the movies I;m putting in this list, this one many people may have seen only because it was released after the Batman Begins movie, and people were hungry to see Bale in anything because of the quote/unquote instant star power you receive for portraying the "caped crusader." If you're looking for a mind bending trip, pick this movie up. You will not be disappointed.

3. One Week (2008)- This is a movie made right in our own backyard. Shot across the breathtaking landscapes in this glorious country, Joshua Jackson plays a terminally ill patient who begins to understand what life is all about. He is diagnosed with a rare type of cancer, with his odds of survival being slim, and his doctors urging him to start treatments immediately. But before he becomes a patient, Jackson takes life by the horns, purchases a motorcycle, and tours across Canada in the hopes of having his own adventure. Sometimes it takes a movie like One Week to bring us back to reality and make us realize how fragile life really is. Although I've never been a fan of Jackson, he pulls of a very convincing character who seems to start playing the cards he is dealt instead of folding every hand for fear of failing. The "narrator"in this movie also charms in with some very interesting asides and "stories from the road", making this Canadian inspired film a top shelf pick in my eyes. It asks the age old question, what would you do if you had one week to live, and the film helps put into perspective what one person tried to accomplish.

2. Barney's Version (2010)- Every once in awhile, a movie comes along where you just happen to be in the perfect mood to watch it. This happened when I watched this movie. I wanted to watch a movie that was unpredictable and one that lead me down a path only to quickly guide me down a side road that I never knew existed. Paul Giamatti turns out a brilliant performance in this movie, and I understand better why he won the golden globe for best actor last year with his portrayal of Barney Panofsky; a man who's life story covers his three marriages and the many ups, downs and curve balls life throws at us. This is the most recent movie on this list, and one of the more intelligent scripts I have seen in awhile. The movie dominates your mental capacity, keeping you awake, attentive and interested from beginning to end. The greatest gift this movie gives is the things in life we cannot control and on the reverse, those that we can. A brilliant comedy/drama (or dramedy as I like to coin them) that you need to see. And then own.

1. Little Miss Sunshine (2006)- A genius movie. In all aspects. A family that couldn't be more different travels across the country to get their youngest to a beauty pageant final that she has dreamed of winning. What the girl lacks in looks, she makes up for in winning charm. Along with Olive, we have a brother who aspires to be in the military, an award winning-on-suicide-watch homosexual uncle, a desperately over-bearing and over-the-top father, a drug addicted grandfather and a mother who seems to be lost in the shuffle on her life. It's a recipe for both comedic genius and a family unit that shows even the most odd ball and outcast family members can still pull together as one and embrace the obstacles placed in front of them. There are so many memorable lines and scenes in this movie that I can almost guarantee you'll want to watch it a second time the very moment it ends. Greg Kinnear and Steve Carell round out this low budget production built on high energy and an entire family who become the most unlikely of heroes. Personally, this movie taught me to not take life so seriously and that in the end, nothing lasts forever. What seems to be a big deal actually isn't and what matters at the time, won't matter anyway. You may not get that deep message out of it, but what you will get out of it is the urge to go out and purchase this piece of cinematic brilliance.

I hope you enjoyed the list and maybe even consider that some of these films are in fact worth a peek. Each of these films has a special way of captivating you while you watch it and I hope for you that these movies make you say, "I love that movie." After all, that was the whole point!

The randomness of it all

Today's Topic: Circumstance

I must have a comforting face that people recognize. It doesn't seem to matter where or when I go but the most random events and even more random people seem to find me, approach me and are willing to have a conversation with me. About anything. For example, yesterday a pregnant 30 something year old came up and started talking to me in a cafe while I was waiting for my food. She literally told me her life story. What's even more interesting is that I wasn't really planning on going into the cafe at all, it just sort of happened while I was waiting for someone. It brought me to a place of realization and that random circumstance and events seem to control my life. And if anything, it's made me realize two things.

The first thing is about trust. People often pressure people to trust themselves, put their trust in individuals and in other people. The world is only as scary as we make it out to be. It's not so much about our own perception, but about the trust we put into someones hand (I never truly realized that until recent, but that is another sitdown topic in its entirety) It's hard to open up to someone and let people in, but yet people will do it, time and again, based solely on trust alone. Trust is in every day situations. You trust that the person making you your coffee isn't going to put anything into it and on the flip side, the person making it trusts that you're going to enjoy it and pay for it. When you get into a cab, you're trusting that the driver will get you to your destination quickly and safely, and they trust that when you get there, you'll pay your bill. It really makes the world go round.

The second thing I realized is that random events happen every day and that you're not the only one who's happy, upset, depressed, confused, energetic, drunk, thoughtful or embarrassed. I'm not the only one who met a stranger at that exact moment, that exact location in that city. It happened somewhere else too. I began to think of the millions of cafe's around the world, the millions of people in them, and wondered if circumstance had led someone else to having the same conversation that I had with a person. Odds would say yes, that patterns and events leading up to moments makes you believe that. You're probably asking yourself at this point, who the hell thinks of this stuff anyway Donnie? I sometimes catch myself thinking the same thing.

I really believe that at some point in your life, everyone realizes how insignificant each one of us is on our own. That you will at some point give up on yourself and wonder why do it all anyway. Why does it even matter. You live and die. That's it. The in between in all of that is just humans walking around, eating and drinking. People spend their entire lives trying to plan for something and finding THE answer, when 99% of the time, it's staring them right in the face. Life is a mess, and people screw up. But I believe that it really is out of our control and we all do our best to interact and find happiness. Random circumstance makes me this way and life is an uncontrollable pattern of events that unravels one day at a time. The sooner you embrace that, the sooner you live.

Let's go crazy!

Today's Topic: Canada's Pastime

The stage was set. The ducks were in a line. The hype was loud. The fans were psyched. All the bars in downtown Vancouver had "Sorry, we're full"signs in their front window. Yes, the Vancouver Canucks seemed poised to take home Lord Stanley. It seemed like the perfect scripted story was going to have the happy ending. All the stats, the players, the coaches...everyone seemed optimistic. Without actually saying it, everyone felt it. The media covered it remarkably. The lead story most nights on CBC involved the Canucks. From the experience I had in this industry, it is a rare thing to be a positive story and be the lead night after night. One win would pull it all together and you could here the "I believe" slogan in the echos of the city.

On the other side of the coin, it was the story of the old boys club taking to the ice. A team hell bent on trade deadline day to put all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a championship contender. You had to give Boston a lot of credit. They stuck to their blueprint. I also bet a lot of fans watching the Stanley cup finals didn't recognize Tomas Kaberle with facial hair, since it seemed he never ever had any while he was in Toronto. But it was more about the team, the adversity and the game 7 wins that brought them to the most prestigious trophy in all of professional sports.

As I watched the days leading up to the final, I remember thinking what would happen if the Canucks lost. It seemed like everyone was still riding the wave of the Olympics and that Vancouver was the magical city where dreams came true for so many athletes. Watching Canada AM, they were interviewing sports psychologist to determine what goaltender Roberto Luongo had to do and how his mind set had to be in order for the Canucks to have the glorious victory they so desired. How close they were.

Most players on that team may never get that shot again. A game seven in the Stanley Cup finals seems to be a once in a lifetime experience. I still get chills when I think about players lifting the Stanley Cup, what runs through their mind when they finally hoist it over their heads, while the ghosts of past players surround the prize and the sacred feelings of it all. To actually touch the real thing. I don't think there would be a better feeling in sports and few sports trophies can rival the history that the cup has. True Story: In 1996, Mike Ricci of the Colorado Avalanche brought the Stanley Cup to a party. The Riley's attended this same party; a couple who had given up hope on having a child after trying for almost 14 years. That night on a whims and a prayer, Cheryl Riley kissed the cup for good luck. 9 months later, little Stanley C. Riley was born. Like I said, true story.

It's amazing in Canada how attached people get to hockey. It's literally like a drug and who among us can honestly say that they don't enjoy those simple little montages they play before or after every game. You get chills thinking about some of your favourite ones. But why do Canadians crave the sport more than any other country? Is it the thrill and love of the game, the past time of the backyard rink? Is it the entertainment and the fans that drive it's success? Is it the loud sounds of the crowds, the atmosphere of the rink? Or is it because of the grand prize? I think you could answer yes to all of these questions and maybe it's a little bit of everything but sometimes the obsession takes it to the next level.

The Vancouver riots blew my mind. The images were ridiculous. The reasoning just seemed illogical. Tipping over a car because someone let a puck in a net? Setting a car on fire because the hometown team never came out on top? Looting? Really? It was like a damned Apocalypse scene that you see in the movies. And everyone just stood by with jaws dropped. The wow factor. The "are they seriously doing that" looks. Yep, along with game 7, the Vancouver riots will also go down as a once in a lifetime thing. The question no one can seem to answer is why it all happened. I mean yes, there are thousands of opinions and for radio shows across the country, it was radio chat gold. Dig in and make wild accusations, make the biggest assumptions possible and point as many fingers as you can. Some say the NHL should take responsibility and claim the one million dollars in clean up expenses. Others say sock it to the cities taxpayers. Some would argue to bring the ones responsible to justice. It boggles my mind when I look at countries having riots over poorly run governments, war and famine and here we are throwing riots of rage because we lost a game. Now ask the question, is it more than just a game. Does it now become a political debate? Does the past time constitute as an enterprise needing it's own set of city laws and protocols? These are all valid questions and I don't even know the right answer. I do know that hockey does not justify the total thrashing of a downtown, but maybe it's our own fault for giving into the hype and temptation of the thought of winning the best trophy sports has to offer.

So to recap, that is Canada's favourite past time and that is what we cheer for; a silver cup lined with legendary names, a cup that has literally been through hell and back, has seen thousands of homes and has been touched by millions of people. Few get the quote "religious" privilege to hoist it over their head, a dream that almost every child growing up with a stick in his hand dreams of. It's a past time that is enjoyed by millions and a game that shows no mercy for the weak. Vancouver gave the country hope that it was time for Canada to take back the hockey reins and join in on the cup craze. But for now, and as they say in sports, there's always next year.