I've been switching back and forth between NBC and CBC the last few days making comparisons between the two networks when it comes to their Olympic coverage. A sad but very true fact is that NBC only shows events with Americans in them. Otherwise it is not worth their time. CBC shows a variety of events of which many have no Canadians in them. Could this be because Canada isn't even in an event at times?... most likely.
NBC is also quite pro-American... almost sickening if you ask me. They have claimed scandal after scandal with the one nation that is dominating more than they are (the Chinese). They also claim that they are being screwed in terms of scores (specifically in gymnastics). While watching the Women's Team Gymnastics final, the commentator repeatedly addressed how the Americans scores were too low and the Chinese too high. There was also repeated mention of the possibility of the Chinese team members being younger than the age they are listed as, as well as throwing out the possibility of information on their age being changed by the Chinese government in order for these athletes to compete in the Olympics. That being said, I don't really know why they have an age limit in gymnastics. No offense, but if you're sixteen shouldn't you be able to dominate a supposed 12-13 year old? The answer is plain and simply "yes." If a twelve year old stomps you in gymnastics, I say give them a gold and forget the age limit. The Olympics are in place for the best in the world to compete with eachother. If the best in the world happens to be 12 or 13, why should you have to take away that right from them? Now I'm not saying these girls representing China are 12 (though they do look the part), I'm simply mentioning the trend that if the US team is facing any difficulties while they are competing, there is always something sketchy they have to mention that is going on with the other team, especially when it comes to host nation China (according to NBC).
I mean, why can't any other country say these things about the US on their television networks? They can't because there would be serious reprucussions, all of which would be negative.
I really like Michael Phelps and what he's done, but I imagined recently that a British network suggested that the US genetically structured their athletes in order to be more successful in their respective sports, especially when it came to my main man Phelps. For instance, Phelps has the perfect body for swimming. The legs of someone who is 5'8, size 14 feet, the torso of a man who is 6'9, and the wingspan of someone 6'7 while standing 6'4 (while also double jointed in his back thus allowing a more powerful dolphin kick) . I'm not suggesting anything by saying this, but GOLLY. These factors are just asking for someone to throw a genetically structured scandal out there. I don't mean to pick on you Michael, but they keep showing why your abnormalities help you so much and I couldn't help but dream that one up. For the record, I don't think you are genetically structured one bit.
And now I digress. Glad I wrote a post after so long. I'll try to be more regular with them from now on.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Places We Go to Eat
Hello all,
Just a quick post on the places I like to eat in the various places I go to. Obviously I'm going to entirely avoid franchises, because they're all over.
Peterborough:
Hot Belly Momma's- Hot Belly's is awesome! Now obviously the sweet potato fries are the popular thing there, but for me, that's not the highlight of it at all. In fact, I find that they are often too salty. What I like is that you can get a very good meal for a very good price. The Blackened Chicken Sandwich and Pulled Pork on a Bun are both fantastic sandwiches. The corn soup, which is a spicy cream based soup is absolutely fantastic.
St. Veronus- Not only do they have great selections from the tap, but also wonderful food. The menu seems to change often, but they are always creative European-based pub foods. The menu describes the meal perfectly, and as a student of literature it is greatly appreciated; what you read is what you get. The prices can be high at times but for an evening out with that special someone or if you're feeling like you want to spoil yourself, get on down there.
Thurston's- Hands down, the best breakfast Peterborough has to offer.
Kingston
Whiskey Willy's- The most amazing wings in Kingston, or anywhere else for that matter. Tuesday's are 2 for 1 night and those mouthwatering wings are enjoyed by many Kingstonians.
Mino's- My employer of two years, and I still can't resist the food. It was absolutely spectacular when I was there and it still is now. Now this restaurant is quite expensive and tops the list of Kingston's Fine Dining experience. The bread that is brought to your table is spectacular. The vegetables, rice and greek potatoes are rich and perfectly cooked. The meat.... my goodness, it's all amazing. Whether it's the salmon topped with a homemade lime and dill sauce, prime ribe covered in an au jus sauce, or even the breaded chicken breast covered in a succulent mushroom-sherry sauce, it's all good. If you ever have the oppurtunity to be in Kingston and want to get dressed up and spend a little money (and eat really really good food)... this is the place to do it.
Ottawa
Blue Cactus- Simply the best steak sandwich I have ever had.
Mongolian Village- Very neat restaurant that has you pick out the items of your stirfry in a buffet style. You literally grab a bowl and throw in the raw meats, vegetables and sauces you want in your stir-fry and have the bowl weighed (which determines the price). Then you go sit down and within 10 minutes, your meal is cooked up and served to you. Before you receive the meal, you are given a complimentary soup, usually a choice between hot & sour soup and a soup of the day. Definitely something you should all go out and experience.
** Well that's all I can think of right now... should you have any restaurants that are not a franchise that you think are awesome, please share in the comments section.
Til' next time, this is me signing out. I'm going out to Saporo for lunch this afternoon, which is Peterborough's all-you-can-eat sushi place. The service is a bit lacking but the food is spectacular.
Just a quick post on the places I like to eat in the various places I go to. Obviously I'm going to entirely avoid franchises, because they're all over.
Peterborough:
Hot Belly Momma's- Hot Belly's is awesome! Now obviously the sweet potato fries are the popular thing there, but for me, that's not the highlight of it at all. In fact, I find that they are often too salty. What I like is that you can get a very good meal for a very good price. The Blackened Chicken Sandwich and Pulled Pork on a Bun are both fantastic sandwiches. The corn soup, which is a spicy cream based soup is absolutely fantastic.
St. Veronus- Not only do they have great selections from the tap, but also wonderful food. The menu seems to change often, but they are always creative European-based pub foods. The menu describes the meal perfectly, and as a student of literature it is greatly appreciated; what you read is what you get. The prices can be high at times but for an evening out with that special someone or if you're feeling like you want to spoil yourself, get on down there.
Thurston's- Hands down, the best breakfast Peterborough has to offer.
Kingston
Whiskey Willy's- The most amazing wings in Kingston, or anywhere else for that matter. Tuesday's are 2 for 1 night and those mouthwatering wings are enjoyed by many Kingstonians.
Mino's- My employer of two years, and I still can't resist the food. It was absolutely spectacular when I was there and it still is now. Now this restaurant is quite expensive and tops the list of Kingston's Fine Dining experience. The bread that is brought to your table is spectacular. The vegetables, rice and greek potatoes are rich and perfectly cooked. The meat.... my goodness, it's all amazing. Whether it's the salmon topped with a homemade lime and dill sauce, prime ribe covered in an au jus sauce, or even the breaded chicken breast covered in a succulent mushroom-sherry sauce, it's all good. If you ever have the oppurtunity to be in Kingston and want to get dressed up and spend a little money (and eat really really good food)... this is the place to do it.
Ottawa
Blue Cactus- Simply the best steak sandwich I have ever had.
Mongolian Village- Very neat restaurant that has you pick out the items of your stirfry in a buffet style. You literally grab a bowl and throw in the raw meats, vegetables and sauces you want in your stir-fry and have the bowl weighed (which determines the price). Then you go sit down and within 10 minutes, your meal is cooked up and served to you. Before you receive the meal, you are given a complimentary soup, usually a choice between hot & sour soup and a soup of the day. Definitely something you should all go out and experience.
** Well that's all I can think of right now... should you have any restaurants that are not a franchise that you think are awesome, please share in the comments section.
Til' next time, this is me signing out. I'm going out to Saporo for lunch this afternoon, which is Peterborough's all-you-can-eat sushi place. The service is a bit lacking but the food is spectacular.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
super busy
Hey everyone,
Sorry about not posting the review on Step Brothers, but it'll have to wait because I'm quite busy at work these days. In the meantime, enjoy this joke courtesy of Chris Rock's first HBO Special, that I watched for the first time approximately a month ago. Here goes (paraphrasing of course):
"Did you know that there are black women who will NOT date black men... will. not. date. BLACK MEN.
So one day I decided to ask one of these women Sweetey, what do I got to do to get with you? Why don't you date black men?
She answered "NO REASON",
What do you mean no reason, I asked
She again said "NO REASON"
So I punched her in the face (long pause)
NOW SHE GOT A REASON."
Sorry about not posting the review on Step Brothers, but it'll have to wait because I'm quite busy at work these days. In the meantime, enjoy this joke courtesy of Chris Rock's first HBO Special, that I watched for the first time approximately a month ago. Here goes (paraphrasing of course):
"Did you know that there are black women who will NOT date black men... will. not. date. BLACK MEN.
So one day I decided to ask one of these women Sweetey, what do I got to do to get with you? Why don't you date black men?
She answered "NO REASON",
What do you mean no reason, I asked
She again said "NO REASON"
So I punched her in the face (long pause)
NOW SHE GOT A REASON."
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Step Brothers
So this movie I just finished watching. I didn't mind it too too much. It was quite funny but I think it's best you save this one for DVD. I'll leave it at that because it's 12:30 am and I want to go to sleep. Will follow up with a full review in the next couple of days.
Cheers.
Cheers.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Trent University and its Constant Rebellion
The Trent Student Body always has one constant attribbute; the need to debate, petition and boycott at least one thing at all times during the school year. While I do feel this is often unnecessary and a waste of time for most students, I don't know what to say for those in the International Devlopment Programs and Political Studies programs. While nothing usually results from the actions of these students, it would be a nice addition to a resume for the students in those respective programs to say they have played a major role in one or more student groups that partake in these activities. This is because they are partaking in activities related to their field of focus. As for the others that partake in these activities (which I will say are most of these students), shouldn't you be spending your time doing your readings and going to class?? Putting a button on that says to lower tuition fees doesn't bother me, but rallying at a government building has not from what I've seen worked. In fact, it seems as if they haven't done anything except get publicity in the local paper, and piss a good number of people off. This makes the Trent Student Body appear like a bunch of Hippies, and makes me wonder if less people are attracted to Trent each year because of this image (it was documented this year that enrolment was way down this year than in past years).
Like my friend Cory Snoddon put it to me, "It just seems like its one thing after another at that school." Couldn't agree more buddy.
Now where would the world be without protests? I don't know. Large scale, non-violent protests have assisted in breaking the race barrier and assisted greatly in women finally obtaining equal rights (though we are by no means at point where we can say women have been given absolute justice). But let's remember that these are large-scale protests and not Trent protests.
I don't feel as if I have the right to say whether or not someone should partake in these activities, but am simply placing my opinion on the matter. I find my free time better spent excercising my body and relaxing from the rigours of school. I also have a job on the side, as do I'm assuming many of the students who don't partake in these activities at Trent. So basically I'm thinking spend your time making money to pay your tuition rather than complaining about the cost of it. These petitions, appeals and boycotts are for the most part during business hours anyway.
Like my friend Cory Snoddon put it to me, "It just seems like its one thing after another at that school." Couldn't agree more buddy.
Now where would the world be without protests? I don't know. Large scale, non-violent protests have assisted in breaking the race barrier and assisted greatly in women finally obtaining equal rights (though we are by no means at point where we can say women have been given absolute justice). But let's remember that these are large-scale protests and not Trent protests.
I don't feel as if I have the right to say whether or not someone should partake in these activities, but am simply placing my opinion on the matter. I find my free time better spent excercising my body and relaxing from the rigours of school. I also have a job on the side, as do I'm assuming many of the students who don't partake in these activities at Trent. So basically I'm thinking spend your time making money to pay your tuition rather than complaining about the cost of it. These petitions, appeals and boycotts are for the most part during business hours anyway.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Guitar- Overrated???
Earlier this year, one of my TA's made an extremely bold statement which literally contained these words:
"The guitar is the most overrated instrument of all time."
After getting over the initial shock of this statement (a few days) I actually started to think "you know what? This could very well be true." But then I started to think what about the piano between the 16th and 19th century. Like the guitar, fans flocked from hundreds and thousands of miles around to hear the Mozart's, Beethoven's and Bach's. Did that make the piano overrated? Perhaps. Now people flock from everywhere to hear the guitar, whether it be country, rock, R&B, blues, jazz, Metal, Punk and even hip hop.
Basically, I think a change will occur every once in while, where one instrument is the favorite. It's also important to note that if the guitar will follow in the footsteps of the piano, it's popularity is still in the early stages and probably has another 2 or 3 centuries before another instrument takes it's place at the top (hopefully it's not any sound made by a synthesizer... thank Jesus Murphy I won't be alive to see the day).
Also, don't most bands have a couple of other instruments regularly accompanying them. In the case of the guitar, it's most frequently a keyboard and the drums. Though not as popular, every band using guitars essentially needs a drummer.
So in the end, I am still unresolved. Is the guitar "overrated" or is it simply it's turn to be on top? Your thoughts are welcomed in the comments section of the blog.
"The guitar is the most overrated instrument of all time."
After getting over the initial shock of this statement (a few days) I actually started to think "you know what? This could very well be true." But then I started to think what about the piano between the 16th and 19th century. Like the guitar, fans flocked from hundreds and thousands of miles around to hear the Mozart's, Beethoven's and Bach's. Did that make the piano overrated? Perhaps. Now people flock from everywhere to hear the guitar, whether it be country, rock, R&B, blues, jazz, Metal, Punk and even hip hop.
Basically, I think a change will occur every once in while, where one instrument is the favorite. It's also important to note that if the guitar will follow in the footsteps of the piano, it's popularity is still in the early stages and probably has another 2 or 3 centuries before another instrument takes it's place at the top (hopefully it's not any sound made by a synthesizer... thank Jesus Murphy I won't be alive to see the day).
Also, don't most bands have a couple of other instruments regularly accompanying them. In the case of the guitar, it's most frequently a keyboard and the drums. Though not as popular, every band using guitars essentially needs a drummer.
So in the end, I am still unresolved. Is the guitar "overrated" or is it simply it's turn to be on top? Your thoughts are welcomed in the comments section of the blog.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Canadian Basketball game tonight
Hello all,
I know Canada's Senior National Team has ruined any chance of the Olympics but I am excited for their exhibition with the United States tonight. It's all about pride tonight and playing with heart. I have heard the report that LeBron James is not going to play in tonight's game and even still, it will probably be a very difficult game for the Canucks. With a young core of players, it's all about playing well and playing hard and proving that they belong. I know a win is a far-fetched dream, but with a close game or a victory, these young players will have started their quest for a spot in the 2012 Olympics on the best possible note.
The exhibition game airs on ESPN at 8 o'clock and will be replayed on The Score at 10 p.m. this evening. Whatch for Canada's Carl English. I really like this player and feel he is a very capable shooting gaurd. I also like Levon Kendall and his rebounding ability.
Of course, if he gets some minutes, I will be rooting for Aaron Doornekamp, my highschool teammate. He's a guy who puts on his hardhat and brings his lunchpail to work every day. I remember in high school he'd be at school every morning I'm guessing around 6:30-7:00 a.m. and partake in a shooting drill. I actually went one morning with him and learned the routine, but I never did it every single day like this guy. Now I know he's 6'7 and has a family of talented athletes, but he was the first person to make me realize that talent is not God-given. Hard work is the most important thing because there are plenty of spectacular athletes out there. Working harder than everyone else will pay off and will get you noticed. Anyhow, here's hoping he gets some minutes and some time to show some of his skills. I remember we used to talk about the NBA players all the time in highschool, and now he gets to play against them. That's an accomplishment right there if you ask me.
I know Canada's Senior National Team has ruined any chance of the Olympics but I am excited for their exhibition with the United States tonight. It's all about pride tonight and playing with heart. I have heard the report that LeBron James is not going to play in tonight's game and even still, it will probably be a very difficult game for the Canucks. With a young core of players, it's all about playing well and playing hard and proving that they belong. I know a win is a far-fetched dream, but with a close game or a victory, these young players will have started their quest for a spot in the 2012 Olympics on the best possible note.
The exhibition game airs on ESPN at 8 o'clock and will be replayed on The Score at 10 p.m. this evening. Whatch for Canada's Carl English. I really like this player and feel he is a very capable shooting gaurd. I also like Levon Kendall and his rebounding ability.
Of course, if he gets some minutes, I will be rooting for Aaron Doornekamp, my highschool teammate. He's a guy who puts on his hardhat and brings his lunchpail to work every day. I remember in high school he'd be at school every morning I'm guessing around 6:30-7:00 a.m. and partake in a shooting drill. I actually went one morning with him and learned the routine, but I never did it every single day like this guy. Now I know he's 6'7 and has a family of talented athletes, but he was the first person to make me realize that talent is not God-given. Hard work is the most important thing because there are plenty of spectacular athletes out there. Working harder than everyone else will pay off and will get you noticed. Anyhow, here's hoping he gets some minutes and some time to show some of his skills. I remember we used to talk about the NBA players all the time in highschool, and now he gets to play against them. That's an accomplishment right there if you ask me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)