This about day three or four of a heatwave that is bathing the Bulkley Valley in 30 degree Celsius heat and the plants around our house have been growing crazy. We're excited to say the least. Also, a walk around the back of the shed that is in our back yard revealed some big raspberry bushes that I didn't know existed. Life is sweet.
People come up to this part of the world from all over the world to fish for salmon. I don't fish but I love salmon so I was stoked when someone in Jen's office asked if we wanted some fresh salmon. I love salmon grilled and we recently acquired a bbq from the neighbor when we moved into our new place. So it's all good at home right now. Not great pics but you get the idea. Wish you were here.
I haven't been this excited about vinyl since I stepped on my friends Bare Naked Ladies long player. When I moved up to Smithers two years ago I threw my turntable away. It didn't function well and I assumed that I would just by a new, better one. Well, two years later I'm still lugging my vinyl around and have yet to get a new table until now. I ran across an article on The American Audio TT Record turntable online. This table will allow me to record, in real time, analog to digital and then just transfer the files to my computer with a jump drive that's inserts into the table. Another bonus is it doesn't involve extra software for my computer. I plan on using the turntable to record my old records for a new podcast. It will be available through my website marcbelke.com.
It's football night in Smithers. My team in the Bulkley Valley Adult Soccer League, The Greasy Gunners, will be playing Vandergaag. Before last summer I hadn't had the opportunity to play the beautiful game the way it was meant to be played, with 11 players on a regulation sized pitch since I was a teen living in Edmonton. It's all been great and it's also been a good test of my physical condition. I've met new people and I get some exercise. Last time I did play "real" soccer I was always a forward. I've relegated myself to the back now and it's worked out well. There are five regular season games left. We did get to the final last year starting the game with only 8 players. We lost by one goal. We have a good chance to win it all this year. In related football news, after years of Adidas allegiance I switched to Nike this season. Green is good.
The NHL free agent deadline happened a few days ago which means alot of player movement. This is a relatively new thing. The traditional strategies used by NHL clubs to acquire players still exists but it's become more difficult to re-tool your roster via a trade.
My team The Edmonton Oilers lost their best player from last season. Dwayne Roloson came to the Oilers in a deadline trade with The Minnesota Wild on March 7, 2006 in exchange for the Oilers 1st round choice in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and a conditional draft choice.
When Dwayne Roloson came to the Oil with 19 games left in the 2006 season he pushed the Oilers over the top, in their patented "squeak into the playoffs finish".
He anchored the Oilers as the ran the playoff table and came within one period of a Stanley Cup. Unfortunately the Oil lost Roloson in game 1 to a lower body injury that would see him miss the remainder of the season.
Three seasons later Roli would part of the three goalie system that coach Craig Mactavish instituted when there was no clear number one. Mathieu Garon was the man most thought would take over failed to grab the spot with inconsistency. When it was Roli's turn he stepped up and played better than the others. He never complained about the three goalie system which gave each goalie less ice time. Most veteran goalies would raise a stink. Not Roli, he accepted it worked hard and and did his best when it was his turn.
He accepted defeat and even would take the blame in one goal losses.
Dwayne Roloson's class is magnified by the recent Dany Heatly situation. Danny Heatly could learn alot from Dwayne Roloson a humble player who realises that hockey is team game and you can only be one part.
The Edmonton Oilers have, perhaps, upgraded on Dwayne Rolosons talent by acquiring the best goalie available, Chicago Blackhawk Nikolai Khabibulin. But Dany Heatley proves in small way that it might be hard these days to replace a true pro, Dwayne Roloson. As Oiler fan, I miss him.
