British Columbia – Page 10 – JohnBollwitt.com

2007 Aug 21

Putting the new Canucks jersey hoopla to rest

The Canucks organization knows exactly what they are doing when it comes to everyone’s interest to the new jerseys for the upcoming season. Ever since the RBK design was announced, everyone knew that things were going to change. This is also combined with all the hints that coach Alain Vigneault made about going back to the old threads of the stick-in-rink. Truth be told, it’s a cash cow that makes the team some nice coin when everyone updates their wardrobe.

Still, I give them some mad props for doing an official event for fans to attend at GM Place for the unveiling of the new look.

Canucks TO UNVEIL NEW HOME AND AWAY SWEATERS AT GENERAL MOTORS PLACE

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they will unveil their new home and away sweaters to their fans and media on Wednesday, August 29th at General Motors Place.

Canucks fans are encouraged to join their favourite team for a tailgate party prior to the sweater launch at 12:30 pm. The tailgate party which begins at 11:30 am on the South Plaza will include free hot dogs provided by Grimm’s and Save-On-Foods, Coca-Cola beverages and Canucks prizing courtesy of McDonald’s and The Beat 94.5 FM Street Squad.

Canucks mascot FIN will be taking part in all of the activities and will be available for photos following the Sweater Launch on the South Plaza. [canucks]

All of this makes me start to ask, why would you have such a big event if the change was going to be subtle? There are a lot of rumors about potential designs and simple color changes to the existing logo. Seems a bit much if you are going to give away free tickets for the event, not to mention free hot dogs and soda.

Still, go on ya, Canucks. Instead of a simple media event and press conference, you’re inviting us fans in to partake in the fun. I can dig that. Now just to see what all this hush-hush is about and if it’s worth waiting for.

Something else worth mentioning, at the bottom of the page for the event, something new is about to happen from the Canucks official site. This whole event is going to be streamed live.

Watch the jersey launch live as Canucks.com broadcast straight to you for the first time right from General Motors Place.

We’ll bring you the action right from the bowl and bring you behind the scenes at the post-event media press conference from the Canucks dressing room.

Tune in to Canucks.com on Wednesday, August 29th at 12:30 pm PST to watch the event and catch all the buzz of the new Canucks jersey with some of your favourite Canucks players and staff. [canucks]

If I were you, I’d check it out online because all the tickets are gone for the event. Well, you could always pay $10 for a ticket off Craigslist. They were on there as soon as the word got out about the event being “sold out”.

2007 Aug 192007 Aug 19

Working the fair at the PNE

Finding time and energy to make posts has been tough in the past few weeks because of the day job, and all of that has led up to this weekend. The Fair at the PNE has kicked off in full force, and I’ve been on the forefront of getting things in place for the few weeks that it runs. To be quite honest, it’s not unlike the county fair that I grew up with every year, just down the street from my parent’s house.

There are a lot of agriculture related things here combined with the huge amounts of food vendors and people trying to sell the products that you don’t really need but find yourself unable to live without. Truthfully, it’s more like a glorified carnival on steroids, and the only thing that makes me say that are the rides that make you contemplate the ratio of bolts to nuts. They could probably use my leatherman on the hour, every hour for some added insurance.

In all honesty, I appreciate the fair to the extent of what it means to summer. They basically run hand in hand, and it’s not a stretch to say that it wouldn’t be summer without one. That being said, it doesn’t mean that I love every minute of it.

It’s like the line from Clerks[imdb]:

Dante Hicks: You hate people!
Randal Graves: But I love gatherings. Isn’t it ironic?

It’s tough to appreciate fighting the foot traffic, getting bumped, pushed, or waiting in lines. Only having one place to be isn’t as bad, but depending on that location, the non-stop noise can get to you. Sometimes you get lucky, and so far, so good. With even more hope, these next few weeks go by pretty quick because the $7 I had to throw down for my lunch time burrito didn’t impress me. Makes me really lose my appetite for my yearly corn dog.

2007 Aug 192007 Aug 19

Third Tuesday in Vancouver

As if there aren’t enough things going on in Vancouver that relate back to technology, social media, or something to do with Facebook, Twitter, or whatever social networking tool you use, here comes another one.

Third Tuesday in Vancouver is an event that focuses on bringing people together to share ideas and concepts about various things relating to the online world. In fact, let me allow the Facebook group to explain it better.

THIRD TUESDAY is a monthly meetup for communications and marketing folks interested in learning/sharing more about the practical applications of social media in business.

Third Tuesday has real world chapters and meetups in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal and Halifax.

Third Tuesday meetups typically include a guest speaker who talks with the group about different social media technologies and trends ranging from blogging, podcasting, social networks to influencer marketing and online WOM techniques — and how these things apply to communication, marketing, community building and society. We really try to encourage group discussion and learning, and we do this by keeping our meetups very casual and open, but focused too so that our members walk away with new insights and actionable ideas for their businesses.

Third Tuesday is also an opportunity to simply network with industry peers, to share knowledge, experiences and perhaps a few laughs and drinks too. So, if you’re interested in some thought provoking discussion about new media marketing and communications, please join us for Third Tuesday.

Even though I was (depressingly) unable to attend BarCampVancouver due to my work schedule, this will be a neat opportunity to not only experience this realm of meetups, but I’ll also get to see some of those folks from BarCampVancouver as well. I’m also curious to hear about what tools or methods people are using for the realm of business, especially when it comes to thinking outside of the box to do unique, successful things. Should be good.

2007 Aug 15

Rocking the Osoyoos

It’s been a whirlwind last week or so, but I want to make a mention of the excellent long weekend that we had in Osoyoos.

I wish I could say that we did a lot of really cool things, but there is something to be said about going on holiday. To me, that’s means not doing a lot. One could say that cooking good food and hanging out on the beach is a lot, but that’s the speed of things that we both needed for getting away, especially with the amount of workload that has come with my day job.

On Sunday, we thought about doing some wine tours, but once we got into the car, it was tough to stop driving when we had some incredible, hot weather and good music going on the iPod. Instead, we ventured through Oliver and Penticton to explore the area some more.

There is something to be said about getting on the back roads to get a true sense of the Okanagan, especially after you’ve done a handful of wine tours before. It’s not that I’m against them (or the sampling), but it’s almost more impressive to drive by as many operations that you can and see them from the outside than seeing just a few from the inside. And if you think that the valley is impressive from the bottom, get up on the hills. Very cool perspective.

The marmots amazed me, and I realize that this makes me no better than the throngs of tourists who photograph the raccoons in Stanley Park like they are a dying breed. They were simply everywhere at one point. They’re plump and don’t move, even in the hot, hot sun.

When it comes down to it, numerous pictures of just hanging out on the lake just didn’t cross my mind. It was time to relax in the midst of all the busy things going on right now. As I write this, I’ve been awake since 3:30AM to work a remote until noon, only to have more things to take care of for future remotes in the afternoon. I knew this was on the horizon, so it’s why we took it very easy over the long weekend.

I’m ready for another.

2007 Aug 08

My first bear

As Keira commented, it’s been a little while since I’ve made a post. Work life has been hectic, and the long weekend prompted a kick ass getaway to Osoyoos. Getting back yesterday, I’m right back into the fray. But while doing the work thing last Friday, I saw my first bear in the wild during my first time ever in Whistler.

He came across the hill and ventured down the worn in pathway, nibbling on weeds or flowers or something.

This woman was asking for it. She stood there with her back to the bear to get a picture with it in the background. Did she stop there? No, she started to yell “Hey, bear! Look here, bear!” over her shoulder to get the bear to look her way just so she could snap that amazing picture. Better yet, she started backing up about ten feet, pulling her picture taker with her, towards the bear.

Black bears don’t get very large, but this one seems like it could grow just a little bit more before it’s fully grown. At least that’s what other people were saying. I haven’t a clue.

I would say that thirty yards is as close as I got, some folks got closer only because the bear came in that far. After reaching the bottom of the trail, he turned around and went back the way he came. Needless to say, I was pretty amazed. My co-workers flipped when I said that I had never seen a bear before, so everyone came running to make sure I caught him about a hundred yards out. Didn’t think I would be getting as close as I did though.

2007 Jul 29

All the way from Smithers, B.C.

Sean, aka Zanstorm, is on holidays with his wife, taking a road trip through southern B.C and the island. I’ve been reading his hockey blog, most for the Canucks content and not the Leaf stuff, for a long time. Waiting For Stanley is clever, funny, passionate, and very informed, even for a fan who is up in the interior.

Photo courtesy of miss604 on Flickr

Sean has been on The Crazy Canucks just once, but with the coming season on the horizon, watch for him to make another appearance or three. We’ve also told him that he needs to really get down here for a game.

This was the first time that Sean has ever stepped beyond the realms of meeting people online and meeting them in real life. Sadly, we were still pretty groggy from the late night Blogathon adventure. Next time, we’ll get hockey crazy, Vancouver style.

Hope you enjoy the vacation, Sean! Come back soon!

2007 Jul 262007 Jul 26

Watching stuff blow up in the water

Photo credit: duanestorey on Flickr

Basically, that sums up the Celebration of Light. You take a barge, stick it in the ocean, lace it with fireworks, call 500,000 of your closest friends, and watch someone light the fuse.

The pre-game mayhem is annoying, and the post-game crowds is almost made up for by watching the pretty lights in the sky. Last night being the first night of four, I wish we had sat closer to the music being played over the loud speakers. Could have brought a radio, but the last thing I want to be carrying around is a ghetto blaster. Although, that would be cool, especially if I had some high-tops, track suit, and a bandanna.

Photo credit: duanestorey on Flickr

Living in the west end, we understand what it is that we have to deal with. Getting to sleep last night wasn’t too hard, and I assume that the Saturday night performances will be much crazier than the mid-week displays. Still, I’m not complaining. Argue if they are good or not for the city, I was hanging out with a wicked group of people last night. Summer is made for things like this.

Photo credit: duanestorey on Flickr

Corinna and Adam picked us up on the way to meet up with Keira, and then we proceeded to Duane’s to chill and enjoy some beverages. He and Rebecca had the opportunity to meet Mr. Tony Pierce while in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, and the man is in Vancouver for the next few days. He brought along a local friend as well, and good times were most certainly had.

Photo credit: duanestorey on Flickr

Spain had their turn last night, and it started out slow. I was feeling a little let down towards the beginning, but it didn’t last long. There’s something pretty cool to be said about thirty, simultaneous explosions that will always put a smile on my face. Forty and I’ll clap.

Kudos to you, Vancouver, for taking your trash with you. Being that the garbage workers have been on strike for nearly the whole week, there wasn’t a ton of Starbucks cups left everywhere. I still can’t understand what possesses someone to just toss their waste where they are sitting. Morons.

And next time, I’ll think to take more pictures with my own camera. You can see even more of Duane’s fireworks pics here.

2007 Jul 18

Extend the SkyTrain towards UBC, but go all the way

It’s no secret that I have become fascinated with the SkyTrain since coming to Vancouver. It’s easy to do, and maybe it has something to do with a love I had for trains as a kid. I don’t know all of the technical ins and outs, nor do I own a set of train engineer pajamas. However, I have a certain appreciation for mass transit.

Suddenly, there is debate to extend the SkyTrain west to the UBC campus. This would be an add-on to the existing Millienium Line that has long been discussed as being extended, but I’m surprised to hear the sudden press for it.

Another transit line could also be extended through Vancouver. TransLink will vote this week on whether to approve a $1 million study into running the Millennium Line from Commercial Drive to central Broadway, and eventually out to UBC. Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan supports the idea. If the expansion is completed, it should be done by 2009. [news1130]

This is causing a battle between mayors because of the long, on-hold project of building the Evergreen Line that would connect the Millennium Line with out laying communities on suburban commuters.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan supports a $1 million TransLink study looking at extending the Millennium Line west towards UBC. But politicians in other cities say it’s too soon to start thinking about that, while the Evergreen Line remains on hold.

The Millennium Line proposal would extend rapid transit from Commercial Drive to central Broadway and eventually west to the university. But Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan says the focus should instead be on getting the line to the northeast sector off the ground, which was promised ten years ago. The Evergreen Line still needs $400 million in government funding before it can go ahead.

TransLink Chair Malcolm Brodie says the Evergreen Line is a top priority, and the potential expansion of the Millennium Line is still many years down the road. [news1130]

All of these stories came out today, so it gets really confusing as to what’s going on where. Still, if there is a plan to push for the extension to UBC, the current plan only sees it to reach to Arbutus Street, barely half way to UBC. Chances are, the extension might never reach that far, a combination of construction issues seemingly the reason.

Like I said, I am all for expanding mass transit. I’m a firm believer that more should be done in extending services to outlaying areas and suburbs where commuters clog up the roads on a daily basis. More so, I think expanding SkyTrain service throughout Surrey and Langley would be a far better option than twinning the Port Mann[wiki], but the ball already seems set for that project.

However, if you are going to help fix the situation, then go all the way. Stopping at Arbutus would seem half-assed, and even the news reports all say, “and eventually out to UBC.” Traffic is rough in Vancouver, but providing just partial fixes isn’t going to make it any better.

2007 Jul 10

Reasons to love getting up in the morning

I’m an early riser, for the most part, and there is something to be said about running in the mornings. This picture that I’ve had sitting on my desktop for a while, and rediscovered today, is a reminder of that.

Thanks, KatKam.

2007 Jul 09

Taking in some FIFA U-20 World Cup action

I was able to score a couple tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup tournament going on in Canada right now. Rebecca and I had really good seats, practically in the center of the pitch for the last half of the match between Scotland and Costa Rica. We would have seen more of the game, including the first game between Spain and Jordan, but we hit the 1PM showing of Transformers before hand. More about that another time.

When we got there, the score was 0-0, and the crowd was great. There was a great cheering section for the Scots, bag pipes and all. They had some great songs that they were singing as well, complete with kilts and accents. I loved it!

Not to be out done, Costa Rica fans had their fair share of support. What was brilliant was what the Scotland fans would yell in the midst of their cheers.

“COS-ta RI-ca!” clap, clap, clap-clap-clap. Instead of clapping, Scotland fans would yell, “SUCKS!” I was highly entertained.

Even though we only caught forty-five minutes of World Cup futbol, it was incredible. A Scottish player scored a goal on a bicycle kick, a fight broke out between the two teams in the middle of the half, and a streaker busted out onto the pitch with ten minutes left in the game. There was even some amazing snatch and dash of a game ball by one spectator where he casually caught the ball and hauled out of Swangard Stadium like his rear was on fire. The kind thing to do is to return the ball, if not mandatory, but I’m not sure if he was able to hold on to the souvenir.

The streaker, on the other hand, underestimated the width of the pitch and, probably, his blood alcohol level. Two-thirds of the way across, he gave up his all out sprint to walk his way over the to the other side. There was some mutual exchange of greetings between him and the security on the other side, but after pulling his pants up, his arm was pulled behind his back while he was forced out of the stadium.

I was slightly confused as to why I couldn’t get the bottles soda, that we got with our hot dog combos, with the caps left on them. That’s really useful when carrying a lot of food and drink, and I was told by the vendor that it’s against FIFA rules to leave the caps on. Talking about this over the weekend with friends, this made more sense. You can’t throw plastic bottles nearly as far when you don’t have a cap on it. Makes sense, but it caught me a little of guard.

The game was 1-1 going into two minutes of extra time. With just seconds left, Costa Rica was able to score an amazing goal that caught the Scotland goalie out of position. 2-1, final.

On the SkyTrain back home, a couple of Scotland fans, kilts once again, were still in great spirits and feeling pretty good. They asked a girl if she watched the game today. She asked what game they meant. Well, the football game, or soccer game, of course.

“Oh, I usually just pay attention to hockey.”

“What? Hoo-key?!!?”

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