So busy, no time to post. Quickly, here are EURO 2004 semi predictions.
Netherlands-Portugal
I got half of this right (NET) the only qtrfinal one I got right overall. And I really think that this is the Dutch chance to win. All the really big guns are out, and they seem to be finding their game. Portugal has home-field, and yes, I underestimated that last time, but I think that the Dutch have a better attack, and of course, Ruuuuuuuuud!
Netherlands 3-1.
Greece-Czech Rep.
I didn't expect either of these teams to make the quarters, let alone the semis. But this is where Greece's run ends. The Czechs are just too good.
Czechs 2-1.
Not much else to blog on. I keep meaning to put thoughts on the election, but I run out of time, like I am now. Going to see Spidey 2 tomorrow - should be GREAT.
No time right now, but don't worry. The election wrap-up blog is coming. And be warned - you'll be surprised by what you read.
Well, I was planning to blog every night on this final weekend, but last night i didn't get home until almost 2, so that wasn't going to work. ANYWAYS.
Friday was great. Dinner at Hooks, then various fun stuff at my house - DDR2, hide-and-go-seek, walk, euchre - all in all, a great night! Always just a little subdued cause we all knew it was the last time, but probably one of the best Friday nights ever.
About the only thing that was exceptionally unusual that night from other Fridays was the fact that I beat my brother on DDR2. It was really weird. Never played the game before, but I beat him. That was a nice feeling. Good to know that my club dancing career is off to a brilliant start.
Saturday. I slept in late - around 9ish, and then my back was really sore. Went to the driving range and played better than I have all year - which is a good thing, cause I'm going golfing soon. Hopefully I'll shoot better than the 140 I shot last time. If I shoot around 120 I'll be happy.
On to the party. The littlest Hawkins - "Roof" as Noah calls her had a party cause she got born. And we celebrated by playing lots of sports. My sister Dee is really good at soccer! She scored a goal and then set up the game winning goal, scored of course, by yours truly. Dee smashed a shot of Abraham's hands, and it went WAY up in the air. Then Jevant does his best Ruuuuuuuuuud van Nistelrooij impression and heads the ball right over top of Abraham into the net for the winning goal! It was so much fun! I've never been able to head the ball before - and I've always wanted to. Scoring a goal off of it was even better.
Then we played a massive game of hockey hog, which NB and I lost, but hey, things happen. All in all a great weekend. Now comes the last Sunday.
One hour at a time.
I love it when the muddy waters clear and you know exactly what you are supposed to do.
Anyways.
Today was my last worship practice at FCCC - and probably my last for a long time. It was great, in a sad sort of way. A long one - almost 3 hours, but it was great. So many songs, so many memories. I'm really going to miss it. From the jokes, to the laughter, to the talking, to the everything - it's just been fantastic. Thanks so much to everyone who has made it such a positive experience. I owe you all big.
Well, the new blog is up - and all your comments are gone. Sorry about that. I'll be sure to post a good philosophical debatish topic soon, so you can all talk to me again.
Work was awesome today - I wasn't bored at all (there's a first time for everything). Possibly the best day at work yet.
The Netherlands won at Euro 2004 today - and the Czech's won as well - putting my Orange Crushers in the quarters. In response to some people like Trenchcoat/StrangeOne asking about my sudden interest in soccer, I've always followed international soccer events, I just don't care about the leagues. So there.
On to analysis.
Portugal-England. Apparently, there are 9 million people planning to call in sick in England on Friday. They'll all be hammered. Lucky for them, it will be celebratory drinking. England looks real good, and Rooney's the real deal. No Pele, but he's good. Not the best striker in the tourney, but probably second so far.
England 3-1.
France-Greece. The Greeks are so overrated its not funny. They backed into the quarterfinals and should not even be here - they're just lucky Portugal managed to beat a grossly underacheiving Spanish team. France looks good, and only the lack of urgency for the French will keep this from being a blowout. Should still be a big win.
France 2-0.
Sweden-Netherlands. Holland advances, and puts themselves in a great position to go to the semis. Sweden has never looked great, and the Dutch looked great against Latvia, and should have beaten the Czechs. I'm partisan of course, but this team could go all the way. And RVR has been GREAT.
Netherlands 3-1.
Czech Rep.-Denmark. I've always liked Denmark, but those Czechs are good. Denmark always seems to be a surprise team, but the Czechs were the only team to win every one of their games. That said, I'm going with the underdog pick. Tomassen scores 2, and they win 2-1.
Denmark 2-1.
There you have it. GO me.
Well, in CFL week 1, I went astoundingly badly - 1-4. Let's see what happens this week.
TOR-OTT - OTT
WPG-HAM - WPG
BC-EDM - EDM
MTL-CAL - MTL
Here's hoping.
I'll have qtrfinal Euro 2004 predictions tomorrow night. Stay tuned.
Well, the child porn blog seems to be drawing responses.
I don't think I can find a topic quite so controversial right now - I think I'll tackle the Charter next, but that might take a while.
The election is getting heated. Personal attacks. Obviously, you all know where I stand. I don't think I need to go into that further. Nothing has changed my mind, and Paul Martin reinforces daily that he has to go. I don't think I've heard a positive word out of him in weeks. And why ARE there guns pointing into my living room?
The final week before my church shuts down has commenced. A week from now I'll be posting about the last Sunday. It's scary. Such a huge part of my life about to change drastically, forever.
That's all I've got. As Jamie likes to say, I get most comments on the shortest blogs. Fire away. And keep going on the child porn comments. It's an interesting discussion.
Holly Jones.
Her rapist and murderer was put away today, for as long as our system allows - 25 years. Apparently this is "life". But that's a blog for another day.
Today I wish to focus on something far different.
I don't generally get too caught up in the "X's" to remember Cecilia Zhang, or that sort of thing. I've heard a compelling argument that we should not specially mourn the events like the blowing up of the Columbia - because there are far worse events that happen every day in the world.
But there is something that makes me angry. So much so, I was seething at work all day when I read this.
Holly Jones' murderer had spent the previous half hour turning himself on by accessing child porn over the net. Child porn. That Canadian courts have ruled has "artistic merit". And there are no laws in place to shut down these internet providers that are feeding into pedophiles minds.
The fact that our governmental officials have done nothing about this - and voted against amendments to make it illegal - is absolutely sickening.
Artistic merit. Tell that to Holly Jones's family now.
He did not plan the attack. It was a "spur of the moment" thing, and entirely aided by the fact he had been accessing child porn.
Artistic merit.
She was kidnapped, raped, murdered, dismembered.
Artistic merit.
I'm scared.
Nobody's posting on my blogs anymore.
I'm losing my readership.
Really, guys, if you found the story funny - PLEASE RESPOND - so I know you're all here!
And I promise to blog more often so you all come back!!
Oh yeah, I forgot. Don't know if anyone has any interest, but I'm predicting every game of the CFL this year on this blog.
Here goes.
SSK-TOR - SSK
OTT-WPG - WPG
HAM-BC - BC
EDM-MTL - MTL
CAL-SSK - SSK
I know I got the first one wrong. Stay tuned. If anyone has any interest in this with me, let me know, and we'll create a pool of sorts.
Oh yeah. And I finished 4th in my hockey playoff pool at school, even though I picked 80th-90th players, rather than participating in the rounds like the rest of them. SO THERE. Thus ends my little bragging exercise.
Here's my thoughts on the leader's debate.
Martin.
Looked like a desparate man, and talked over everyone else almost as much as Layton. Also, ignored all questions, and was more intent on stating everyone else's policy rather than his own. That said, he didn't take any major hits (ala John Turner), but still looked VERY un-Prime Ministerial - especially his comments to Layton.
Grade: C-
Harper:
Very professional. Calm, confident, and didn't yell his way to get his point across. Often on the defensive early, and stayed quiet through most, but came alive at the end. Needs to work on his personability, and activeness. Came across very well and did what he had to. Of the 3 candidates with a chance to be PM, he came across the best.
Grade: B+
Layton:
Martin's comments weren't far off. He was always talking, and his creepy smile all the time reminded me of Day when Day was debating - too happy, goofy. In his defense, he tried to stick to his ideas, and did hit Martin with a couple of good shots, but really didn't have much to do. And he was a distraction - I think everyone would have preferred Martin vs. Harper, one on one, to really help them decide how to vote.
Grade: B-
Duceppe:
Nothing to lose, everything to gain. By far the most relaxed, and the most personable - without losing an ounce of professionalism. If he was not intent on splitting the country apart, he'd probably make a good PM. His points were on target and focused. However, he didnt' really say a whole lot about policy, which is really the only strike against him.
Grade: A
Overall, an enjoyable evening of debate watching. As I mentioned, I'd prefer a 1-1 debate, rather than this 4 person thing, but hey. It's Canada, we like to watch other people yell, just not do it ourselves.
Well, it's been a while. I have a lot to say.
First off, my friend Rel says this blog is like a camera inside my brain. Thanks for the encouragement, I'm glad someone is enjoying this. Hopefully I'll take more pictures!
Secondly, I set a new record for wings last night among the group of coaches - 43. Yankeeman's record of 41 goes down, and a new champion is crowned. I followed that up with a raspberry steamed milk from Krispy Kreme. It's the new Atkin's adapted diet - protein AND fat.
Thirdly, our youth pastor and his wife finally had their baby, a girl! Congratulations, and I wish them all the best.
I now have a funny story. As most of you Londonites know, we had a torrential downpour last night - around 15 mm in about 30 minutes. Those 30 minutes happened to be right before my soon-to-be-cancelled baseball game. So, needless to say, while running back to the car, I got completely drenched. Like I had jumped in a swimming pool.
So, I get home and my dad asks me to reattach a eavestrough pipe that has come loose, since I'm already completely drenched. So I agree. I walk out there (still completely pouring down, harder and harder) and step over this large puddle to get to it. It doesn't fit - takes about 2 minutes. I attach it. Then I slip.
Falling straight backward onto my back in the water, and kicking off the drainpipe that I've just reattached while I'm at it. Now my back is muddy, and I'm MORE soaked. So, I get up. And I reattach the hose. Then I turn to get out of the garden. And I try to jump over the new grass. And I slip AGAIN on the grass. Only this time, a different result.
I fall on my face.
Needless to say, I'm kinda muddy, kinda wet. And my entire family is standing at the window, laughing their guts out.
As I'm sure you're laughing your guts out at the computer screen.
And I shaved today, for the first time in almost 2 years. You'll know what I mean when you see me. ;)
Conservatives are ahead in the polls for the first time in 11 years. Looks like Canadians might REALLY want change this time. But so volatile. Who knows?
Anyways, can anyone tell me why a kid who doesn't like to hit the ball, nor catch the ball wants to play baseball? I kid you not -- "Coach Joel, can I run for Kevin?" -- "No, why?" -- "Cause I don't like to hit, but I like to run. I don't really like to catch the ball either." WHAT'S UP WITH THAT? This kid says he wants to play baseball, but doesn't want to hit or catch? Weird.
Also weird that my worst player never goes to practice because he's got choir practice. Every stinking Wednesday night. How is he supposed to get any better? Only shows up to the games on Mondays, OR, as he did this week - CALL ME 10 MINUTES BEFORE THE GAME STARTED AND SAID HE WASN"T GOING TO BE THERE. Sigh. Annoying little kids.
Enough ranting about baseball.
It's Trenchcoat's birthday today. Happy birthday to him. Lucky for him, he can now drink alcohol guilt-free. He feels proud of this, as well he should, I suppose.
It was A's birthday yesterday. She feels older now, apparently. But not too much older. Lucky her is also going to the NHL awards tomorrow - where, I hope Kiprusoff will NOT win the Vezina - you only play 38 games, you don't deserve an NHL award.
ANYWAYS.
Yes. I'm going to see Spiderman 2 opening night. If you want to go, let me know - and I'll make sure that we all go as a group. Should be amazing.
I had a great idea for this blog, but I've since forgotten it. There might be more later. Check back often.
Lightning win the Cup. I'm not too sad. Andreychuk deserved it, and there were a lot of feel-good stories on the team. And I'm sorry, but Calgary was playing really dirty, and got lucky, and couldn't pull it off. Now it's off of hockey for 8 weeks, then we get the WORLD CUP! And before that, the Olympics.
Well, the political post drew alot of responses, as I rather expected it would. But that's good. Politics is best when people care and are passionate about it.
Horrible baseball game tonight. My best pitcher goes in with an 11-4 lead, and the rest of the team jsut gives up on him. It was disgusting. The poor guy is left in tears, and the rest of the team doesn't even care. We lost 16-11 after leading 11-0 going into the bottom of the last inning. Don't even ask, it was just disgusting.
I've been told to make this a genius post. Not likely. It's late, I'm talking on MSN, and trying to blog. Not a likely combination for success.
I think that's it for now. I'm bored, and going to bed. Enjoy. And if you're reading this and never posting, you might as well post and be done with it. I protect people's identities.
Well, here it is. The first post on the federal election.
This shouldn't be a surprise, but I'm voting for Mike Menear, Conservative Party of Canada. There are several reasons.
Firstly, he's a personal friend, and a good guy. I'd think about supporting him whichever party he ran for, but my thoughts on our electoral system as a whole will have to wait for another day.
Secondly, he's a lawyer. Automatic softspot for Joel. We have to band together.
Thirdly, he's someone I would love to work for someday (and Mike, if you're by chance reading this, you know my phone number).
Well, that's enough about Mike personally for right now. Obviously, in Canada, the bigger issue is not so much the person, but the leader and the party. I'll talk about my 3 options for leader, and my three options for party.
Leader:
Paul Martin.
One of the gang of crooks that stole 250 million dollars from the Canadian public. And 27% of Canadians say he is the most trustworthy! That's sad, really sad. If I defrauded my company and employees out of 250 million dollars, I'd be behind bars.
In addition, the guy does not know how to talk in public. Always looking lost, and desparate and scared (with good reason, I suppose. If I had taken 250 million, I'd be scared too.)
Stephen Harper:
The unknown guy of the bunch (at least for most Ontarians), he's done a good job so far. Hasn't got caught on any sticky issue, and has avoided some major problems nicely. I would like to see him become a bit more personable, but he's working on it. He also needs to articulate his party platform a bit better, and release more of it (although I think that is intentional, to keep the Libbies from stealing it all - like they have for 3 elections running now).
Jack Layton:
I have no idea if this guy is 6 foot tall, 10 feet tall, or 3 feet tall. All we ever see is his head. All the time. And he's an egomaniac, and far too concerned with bashing everyone else, and not enough time talking about Canada.
Okay. Enough about that. Obviously, I'm biased towards the leaders because I'm biased towards their parties.
Liberal:
The party that has been around for 11 years, and stolen 250 million of taxpayers dollars, while rarely keeping an election promise. It's scary. And they are old, and tired. Changing of the guard is good. I seriously promise that if the conservative party ever stole 250 million from Canadians, I would never vote for them either.
In addition, their policies continue to swing more and more leftist, which is a problem. I'll get back to this momentarily.
NDP:
Not much point in saying much, either than I disagree with almost every single one of their policies. Hmmm. More later. I'll focus on why I'll vote Conservative, rather than why I'll not vote for the others.
Conservative:
Here's the biggest reason. I believe that a lassiez-faire (hands-off) approach to the economy is the best approach for everyone - the rich, the poor, and everyone in between. Here's specifics.
Jobs - the CPC will help to create the most jobs by lowering taxes (which is also good). As someone about to enter the workforce, this is important to me personally. I also believe that the key to helping the homeless and poor is to focus on getting them jobs, rather than handouts. "Better a hand UP rather than a handOUT." Lower taxes, increased jobs means a better life for everyone. I'd love to see a system where you didn't pay income taxes if you made under 100,000. With an NDP or Liberal government, this would never be possible.
Debt - the national debt is huge. The CPC is the only party with a promise and plan to continue to pay it down. It is criminal to continue passing on this massive debt to our children.
Crime - Our Criminal "justice" system is despicable. Homolka out in a couple years. Bernardo in a couple more. What's the point of having a criminal justice system if criminals are being put out on the street a few years after they are in? And what about 16-year-old murderers getting a max of 10 years!?! THAT'S a crime. Again, the CPC is the only party with a FOCUS on crime, and eliminating it.
The social agenda items are minor, but reinforce my desire to vote CPC. I don't think I could support someone who advocated more money for social "programs" that I strongly disagree with.
Health care - Ironically, I think that the CPC will be the only party to actually back up their promises on this topic. Don't promise what you can't deliever, and I think they are promising the right amount - not too much, not too little. The truth is, health is a provinical field, and something that the federal govt can do little for other than just give money. So all these promises to reduce waiting times? They can't, it's the provincial that administer everything, the feds just give them money.
So that's it for now. Let the responses begin...hehe
