OK, you’re telling me that a little long-haired white Canadian guy is MVP of the NBA two years in a row?
What an accomplishment. Fantastic.
I just watched Steve and his Phoenix Suns come back to defeat Kobe Bryant in game 7 of the play-offs. There is no doubt Kobe is the most skilled player in the world. But I would rather have Steve on my team under any circumstances.
Check the many reasons why:
The season ended too early.
The Flames fizzled in game 7 at home and lost to Mighty Ducks from a city that hasn’t seen ice since the last ice age.
My Calgary Flames and their diehard fans are just now coming out of shock. Next phase is anger. It will be a while before many people think rationally.
This team and this city have the most enthusiastic fans in the league. After a good season, it’s a shame we did not go deeper into the play-offs.
From this fan — thanks for everything!
Wait’ll NEXT year.
Katrina’s niece was dancing in Calgary.
She’s joined the Compagnie Marie Chouinard dance troupe.
The provocative show is titled bODY_rEMIX/gOLDBERG_vARIATIONS.
… erotics of disability: gorgeous dancers, prosthetics and crutches at hand, twisting tortuously into orthopedic poses of pleasure and pain.
The other day Tiger Wood got blasted for saying his play was spastic. He (and I) learned that word is offensive in 2006. The lexicon of political correctness is ever shifting.
The show is based on the Goldberg Variations as interpreted by Glenn Gould. I liked the electronically distorted sampling of a radio interview with Gould.
Modern dance is my favourite style. Thumbs up from this talent scout!
Review from the North American Premiere in Oregon.
Two years ago I felt that Jerome Iginla of the Calgary Flames was number one.
But Jonathon Cheechoo is on fire right now. As the NHL play-offs begin he is playing like Bobby Orr. A man skating between boys. Totally dominating. Playing with creativity, he is unshakeable.
Cheechoo has the magic.
There are a dozen teams that could win the Stanley Cup this year.
I am predicting Cheechoo’s San Jose Sharks who were knocked off by the Flames last time.
The best ice hockey goalkeeper (as voted by the general managers of the teams in the National Hockey League) is awarded the Vezina.
Calgary would trade Kipper for no other goalie in the league.
Last time the Calgary Flames made a run for Lord Stanley’s Cup they brought in tough guy Chris Simon to bolster the team.
It worked before — they fought through game 7 of the NHL finals, but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the closing minutes.
This year (I hear) they are bringing in Rick “Bubbles” Bieche. Remember — you read it on this blog first!
The US$1.44 million prize money is great — but exemptions to future Majors earned may be even more valuable.
The Players Championship is considered the 5th major of the season. Ames dominated the last day of play — having almost a perfect round.
Born in Trinidad & Tobago, Stephen Ames became a Canadian citizen in 2003. He’s has lived in Calgary for many years since marrying Jodi, a local girl.
Ames is outspoken, even cocky. But fun to watch. He’s one of the most animated players on tour.
Congratulations!
The Heat are the hottest team in basketball right now. And you can get a ticket for $10.
The Heat loss, the only NBA game I have ever seen, was a bit dull. Far less entertaining than the NHL Flames hockey, by comparison.
Shaq was not particularly impressive though I can see how he dominates under the rim. He is huge, even in a big man’s game.
More impressive was coach Pat Riley. A big man too, very much in charge. Pacing, he looks the movie version of an egocentric coach.
Riley recently called Dwayne Wade, the Heat’s top scorer, the most gifted player he had ever coached. High praise.
Shaquille O’Neal and Dwayne Wade
Next travelogue on this trip >> baseball – Florida everglades
I bought a scalped ticket ($15) for the Jays vs the Red Sox. Canada’s Team put on starters and still lost (4-8) to mostly minor leaguers from the much stronger Boston franchise.
Not a Pro baseball fan, I still very much enjoyed the mild vibe of a Spring Training game in small town Dunedin, Florida.
We sat in the second row above the Sox dugout. My scalper actually chatted with some of the Boston players.
Did you hear about the “Miracle on Grass“? Canada beating the USA in the World Baseball Classic?
In Dunedin I saw Canadian hero Adam Stern back with his Boston Red Socks. Stern had a home run, a triple and a single in Canada’s upset 8-6 victory over the biggest American names in professional baseball.
Next travelogue on this trip >> baseball – Miami Heat basketball
I believe that’s what they called the recent World Baseball Classic.
Though the USA hosted, had the easier pool, and were allowed an extra man on the team (cheating umpire Bob Davidson) they still managed to make an early exit from the playoffs. Mexico slammed the door.
I believe the US Superstars even lost a pre-tournament pick-up game with Vatican City.
ESPN.com – MLB/WORLDCLASSIC2006 – Stark: Japan deserves to be called the world’s best
Rick McCharles 