As I previously mentioned, I was fortunate enough to receive a ticket for the Vancouver Canucks game last Saturday. The day started with lance picking me up at 8:20, and off we went for Vancouver via kelowna. The first hour of the drive was beautiful, forcing me to wear my sunglasses. We quickly discovered that it would be short lived, however, as we ran into some severe weather north of Beaverdell. We picked up Dan in winfield after encountering 2 separate snowstorms, and had trouble finding his house as his directions led us into a rather sketchy trailer court. After phoning dan again, and driving over someone's garden (as he watched us), we found dan and were again on our way. the drive turned from bad to worse, forcing us to take the southern route due to extreme conditions and closure of the coquihalla connector. south we went, and between kelowna and chilliwack we passed 4 years worth of weather. The sun would break, the day would look beautiful, reminiscant of late spring, and 10 minutes later we were in the midst of a snowstorm rivaling a frigid january saskatchewan hell. Through the cloudy chaos we marched, and broke free of the storm to find ourselves at the tail end of a beautiful Lower mainland day, and the sunglasses returned for the final steps of the journey to abbotsford where we met up with Joe.
The sky train transported us to GM place, where we quickly made our way to Costco for a hearty (not to mention greasy) dinner. We dined around a trash can, as there were no tables available. Next we made our way to the stadium, and entered through the Canucks store. First Joe, then me, then lance got our tickets scanned and entered. we didnt look back until half way up the stairs, and quickly realized that Dan was having a problem scanning. We watched to see what was wrong, and were informed by the man with the scanner that Dan had bought a ticket for the game a week earlier. A moment of sympathy quickly turned to laughter at Dan's expense. Who buys a ticket for the wrong game...seriously. Honest mistake, but a costly one. Luckily Dan was able to buy a new ticket and didn't miss the game, but he didn't get away without a weekend full of ridicule.
The game itself was one to Behold. 2 goals for the canucks in the first 6 minutes, with a final score of 3-1. Suck that, San Jose. At one point in the game a man somewhere in the crowd in front of us walked past to go get food, and he happened to be wearing a trail smoke eaters jersey. Trail sucks...always has, always will. This fact promted us to hurl ridicule at the man who so boldly supported such an unworthy organization, and town, for that matter. The third time the man passed us, he seemed to be getting annoyed at our insults, and stopped to defend his toilet bowl of a town. Neither me nor lance were willing to retract our comments, and stood by them firmly, at which point we were asked if we wanted to take the matter to a more physical level. Being completely satisfied with our verbal beating, we both declined the request, partially because there was still close to half of a Canucks game to watch. Also, I was quite confidant that the man had probably been beaten up by someone from Grand forks at the T&P pub in Christina lake, and felt no need to capitalize on the matter.
The Game ended, and back to the canucks store we went. Me, lance, and dan all walked out with new merch. Dan felt it necessary to purchase a zip up hoodie that he fell in love with, but was only available in a small. Dan is not a small man. We tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn't budge. he could get it on, and it doesn't look horrible on him, but if he ever washes it, his wife will be the proud new owner of a Johnny Canuck Hoodie.
Back to abbotsford we went, and a late night turned later for me and Joe when we stayed up talking until close to 5 am. Its good to catch up with a friend I don't get to see very much, so I was not opposed to this. However, due to the late night, coupled with the spring-forward time change, sunday morning was spent sleeping, and we didn't hit the road until noon. Roads that had caused nothing but grief on saturday, had had a change of heart, and sunday's drive was pleasant and stress free, a relaxing end to a busy weekend. I have pictures of the trip, but am too lazy to post them, so you will have to use your imagination.
All in all, canucks trip=Awesome.
On another note, I once again am sporting the cane. An incident at battalion on wednesday left me with a right knee that is semi-functional at best. I have seen a doctor, and am faced with either a bad twist which should heal within 2 weeks, or a torn ACL, which is no small burden. I am hoping for the best, as I am slated to start working as soon as the snow is gone. The bright side is that I have always been a man who has enjoyed the cane, mostly because it provides me with an object to use on anyone who feels it necessary to annoy me. But be warned, I may or may not have a cane that can quickly turn into a sharp weapon.
As I am tired, that will be all. I leave you with these words, written by a man, who wants to do the simple things that a man enjoy's doing:
In the hunter-gatherer societies,
I'd bring home the bacon.
Public thought says men should try and be tame,
stirred but not shaken.
I say "baseball" then you start to cry,
I'm sorry I grieve you.
I think a motorcycle's a good way to die,
this must bereave you.
I know that you try so hard,
and I'm not saying it's a sin,
it's just that they don't feel my pain,
in Vogue or Cosmopolitan.
-Reese Roper
