Sunday, February 19, 2006

Olympic Hockey is turned sideways and some good shows to watch

First off, let me just say that I am sorry for not posting my hundreds of olympic thoughts from these games. I get ready to post almost every day and then something comes up (usually more olympic coverage) and I end up going to bed instead of getting on the computer. Tonight I finally had enough and will forsake the extra 15 min of sleep so that I can post some thoughts.

Olympic thought #1: Women's Hockey...Canada "running up the score" in the round robin. First off, that is competitiveness and not unsportsmanlike. If goal differential held no meaning, I can see some people believing that but come on, these ladies train hard to play at their peak level. If that level is too much for other nations that are just beginning to develop their programs, and sorry if this sounds a little harsh, TOO BAD. You can learn a lot by playing the best team in the world and getting your butt kicked. Now the other shocker in Women's hockey is of course the upset of the USA by Sweeden in the semi-final. This creates the first major championship game that is not US vs Canada in Women's international ice hockey. Good for Sweeden and good for the sport. I'm not going to say this is a free gold medal now for Canada because upsets do happen but...well, it's pretty much a lock. That being said, good luck to the ladies in red and white and bring home another gold.

Olympic thought #2: Men's Hockey...what else can I say besides, "What the hell are you guys doing?" It's one thing to have a slow start and have to come back. It's another thing altogether when you don't even get close to having a comeback. Their play in the last two games has been horrendous. Sure they got a lot of shots on net and had some good scoring chances. Sure the goalies in both of their last games have been running hot and made some great saves but still. They're basically an NHL all-star team and they can't get a goal (that was called anyway) in back to back games? Come on. They'd better wake up quick or the Slovaks are or Russians are going to pound them in the quarter-finals. I think they need a swift kick in the ass so give'em hell Gretz because Pat Quinn just sucks and he can't seem to do it.

All other olympic thoughts will be left for another time because I'm getting tired...so on to the other topic of this post, great shows to watch.

For those Sci-Fi freaks (like me) there is Battlestar Galactica. A show that I have been repeatedly told was amazing (and according to Wei is the best show ever) but that I had never actually sat down to watch. So I started watching it from the beginning, starting with the miniseries and moving on to the actual series. I have to say it's pretty good and I can't wait to watch the next episode when I have time.

Another Sci-Fi show...Stargate Atlantis. If you liked the first one, this one is pretty good too. I haven't gotten totally into it but it is a good show and when the first 2 seasons finish downloading I'll be sure to watch them all.

Next is a show that I might take some flak for watching (kind of a girly comedic drama)...Grey's Anatomy. I recommend you at least watch a few episodes. The last few weeks were awesome. Plus there is some really kick ass background music in a lot of the shows by some relatively unknown, but great, musicians. Check out the show's website to see some of the songs if you want to know what they were after watching the show.

Last but definitely not least...The Daily Show. I can't say enough about Jon Stewart and this show. Even if you don't understand a lot of American politics this show will still crack you up. Check it out for sure.

That's about all I have to say right now but I'll be sure to get some more olympic thoughts in soon...plus some musical thoughts as well. Good night for now.

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Hooked up

I have internet! I have cable! It's all ready to go. So far I'm pretty impressed with the Rogers digital cable and the high speed here. We'll see when I start to test the download speeds and when there are Oilers games on the timeshifted channels but hopefully everything keeps up with expectations. So those that have been missing me on messenger (probably isn't too many of you), I'm back hooked up and will most likely be spending more time in front of the computer again...so drop me a line.

On another note, the Olympics have started and I'm already filling up my time with TV coverage. Congratulations to Jennifer Heil on winning the gold in Women's Moguls! A great competition for a great Alberta girl. Let's hope the rest of the Canadian Olympic Team can keep up the roll. Anyway, I'm going to get back to cleaning and watching sports. Go Canada!

Friday, February 10, 2006

TGIF

Well, the weekend is finally here. It's been a long week of setting up stuff in my new apartment and getting stuff done at work but now it's time to relax (well, almost since I'm still at work writing this). I'm pretty much moved into my new apartment (finally, right Anne-Marie), just my clothes left to move. If you didn't get my new contact info (I just sent out an e-mail) then let me know and I'll forward it to you.

What else is exciting? Anne-Marie is going to visit Jay in Sweeden for a couple of weeks. Another friend, Kevin, is going to Germany for a week and a half (for work). Half of my division is taking off to some corner of the globe in the next month or so (or have already done so). And I came second in a poker tourney at Wei's house last weekend. That only gave the poker bug that has been gnawing at me a taste for the cards and chips again...it still hungers. That's probably why I'm playing again this weekend. And one of these days I'll have to get in on a normal weekly game again (or start one up myself) but I'm nost sure when that'll be yet.

Well, I'd better get back to work. Those database diagrams don't draw themselves (unless you ask them nicely). Have a good weekend everyone.

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Dave has an apartment

Well, it's official now, I have a place to live. I signed the lease yesterday so I guess I'm stuck for a year anyway. The place seems quite nice and I can't say enough about the view (I'll post pictures eventually). Now all I need is furniture...and dishes...and food...and everything else you normally need in a living space. That'll all start tomorrow, and probably continue on for about a year or so until I'm finally settled and then decide to move again. Just the way this type of thing works. At least I'll have my "Ralph Bucks" to help me pay for furniture and the like (if you don't know what Ralph Bucks are or can't figure it out, you probably don't know much about Alberta but I'd be happy to explain it later if you don't get it).

On the job front things are starting to pick up quite a bit. I have a few things on the go right now. Nothing urgent yet but stuff that needs to get done and as of this afternoon, things that are frustrating. Not that most of you would understand the problem (it's a computer database thing), but suffice to say that the company that makes the database software could have made a few things a little more easy to track down. Guess I'll just have to figure out some way to get around it, that's what makes the job interesting.