Addition: Camille edited her post from early today or last night. It must have been edited at some point during the day. I wrote this around 5 am in the morning, Vancouver time, when she still had her original post up. I guess Camille realized how condescending and know-it-all'ish her post came out and decided to delete more than half of it. What you see presently is where she should have ended her original post, but let it be known she deleted what angered many of us in the first place.
Dear Camille:
I just finished reading your apology blog and I have a few things to say in response of your actions during the riots the night of the Game 7 Stanley Cup final. I'm not sure how I was originally going to respond at first, I left a comment on your blog, but I am not sure if it was going to be published. So I decided to blog a response to your 'apology'.
First off, what were you thinking? I understand that you're young, a university student who was looking for some kicks. As a former university student, I remember getting my 'kicks' and 'fun' from seeing if we can get the new students to buy us pitchers of beer at the campus pub, or putting a body of a Volkswagen Beetle on a building roof.
Yes, we're all human and make mistakes, and you somehow got 'caught up in the moment' of it all and decided to loot Black and Lee for some apparel. I also get that you're a young girl who was going with the flow, but if someone told you to jump onto incoming traffic, would you? Even if you were drunk? I'm guessing you would not, but if the mob was doing it, you just might? Is that what you're saying? If that's the case, what a weak-minded individual you've turned out to be. Such a shame, really.
I get all about being in the moment of things, you see, I was there in 1994 when the Canucks yet again lost a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup as a 19 year old girl. I walked the streets of downtown Vancouver, seeing people enjoy the weather, their fellows fans and the accomplishment of their team. The biggest difference between you and I was, when it got crazy downtown and the riots started, I found the quickest way out and just like you I was very intoxicated. Perhaps I was just more mature at 19 than you are at your current age or managed my liquor more, but who knows. All I know is I didn't do what you did.
My hats go off the those that tried to prevent it, to stop it, to try to make it better that night. You, on the other hand, are now whining about your consequences. You should have thought of that before you decided to partake in all the chaos.
I guess it's up to the rest of the wonderful people to clean up after you idiots, and then pay extra in taxes due to your one incident of 'fun'. Wow, thanks. I appreciate myself and other citizens of the Lower Mainland to foot your bill of a night of 'fun'.
Your attempted apology is rather pathetic, and pretty much makes you come off as a whiner. No, dear, you're not the centre of my world, and please stop making yourself more important than you really are. I would like to know if you're going to pay for the damages you did to Black and Lee, and repay them for whatever piece of merchandise you stole? Regardless if you broke the glass to get in the store, the second your decided to partake in looting, you became like anyone who decided to participate, an embarrassment and criminal.
I was mad at the game as well. I even paid good money to be a fan in the arena that night, so yes, I was downtown. But unlike you, I:
1) took my frustrations out on a few drinks
2) didn't watch sports channels for two days
3) didn't pick up after myself around my home moping about the loss
4) didn't partake in a riot that defaced our city, hurt a good number of people and stole from local businesses.
I am not perfect, in fact, I am far from it. I also had a run-in with the law in my day, and I paid my debt to society, but I didn't go blaming external influences. I took it like woman and did my sentence. Also, unlike you, the run-in I had with the law, was to protect my family to the best of my abilities, not to steal a pair of pants from a store that was vandalized and looted.
You're not a hero, you're not a martyr, you're just a selfish girl, who thought it would be 'fun' to loot a store during a chaotic night in her city. You're human, I get it, but you're wrong, so deal with the backlash. It's because of people like you, that all of us Lower Mainlanders are defending our reputations world wide and hoping that we're not painted with the same wide brush along with those of you that participated in such display of idiocy in front of the whole world.
Next time you want to participate in a riot, think twice before you write an apology, because if you were sincerely apologetic, you would do more to rectify the situation than write an online letter to the public and then telling them to 'leave you alone'. If you want sympathy, show some empathy.
Justine Galo
Monday, June 20, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Saturday Night Hockey:Something to be Shared by all
Saturday tradition at my house usually involves a hockey game or two, either on the tube or in person at the arena. For us Canadians, it's almost religion. Saturday night and hockey go together like pork chops and apple sauce. I was on twitter earlier this morning (I'm on twitter almost every morning) and I came across a tweet about taking Saturday Night hockey rights from CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). I am not sure if I should put up who put out that tweet, because perhaps I misunderstood. After all there is only so much you can say with 140 characters.
This all started with the fantastic job HBO did with the 24/7 special featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals leading up to the Winter Classic. The special was outstanding and showed a humanistic side to the business and operations of people involved with the two NHL franchises. Unfortunately, a very popular tweeter and blogger, based in Washington, DC, found it important to say that HBO should have a weekly NHL game on their network and that CBC should be reliquished of their broadcasting of NHL hockey on Saturday nights. Here's the quote:
"The next @NHL TV contract should include an @HBO NHL Game of the week. W/ players and refs mic'd. Take Saturday night hockey way from CBC!"
I simply replied that Saturday night hockey shouldn't be taken away from CBC, but it can certainly be shared. After all, as far I as know, only Buffalo and Detroit are the two hockey markets that get that televised on CBC in their markets. It's not like CBC is taking away the television viewing rights of NHL fans in the United States. For those CBC games that feature American-based NHL teams, there is a listed US broadcaster of the game. That's listed on the NHL.com site.
That brings me to why would this tweeter/blogger feels that CBC isn't deserving of keeping Hockey Night in Canada? Isn't Hockey Night in Canada the original and longest lasting hockey broadcast on TV today? In fact, it's been since the radio days that CBC has hosted that show. So why would they have to have it taken away? The show's viewership is loyal, committed, and passionate about HNIC, the NHL and of course the sport itself.
Also, it's highly unlikely the NHL would 'shun' CBC from their broadcasting rights since the network does pay the league an ample amount of money to have exclusive rights on Saturdays for games involving the Canadian based teams. I highly doubt that Mr. Bettman, as stubborn as he appears to be, would relinquish $100 million dollars of TV revenue money from one network to appease a 'maybe' south of the border. It doesn't make sense.
I am all for different broadcasters and networks having national broadcasts of NHL games, but to say that CBC should lose the rights to broadcast the NHL on a non-cable network because a cable network did a fantastic job on small special is not only ludicrous, it's bad business.
This has been A View From A Broad
Justine Galo
This all started with the fantastic job HBO did with the 24/7 special featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals leading up to the Winter Classic. The special was outstanding and showed a humanistic side to the business and operations of people involved with the two NHL franchises. Unfortunately, a very popular tweeter and blogger, based in Washington, DC, found it important to say that HBO should have a weekly NHL game on their network and that CBC should be reliquished of their broadcasting of NHL hockey on Saturday nights. Here's the quote:
"The next @NHL TV contract should include an @HBO NHL Game of the week. W/ players and refs mic'd. Take Saturday night hockey way from CBC!"
I simply replied that Saturday night hockey shouldn't be taken away from CBC, but it can certainly be shared. After all, as far I as know, only Buffalo and Detroit are the two hockey markets that get that televised on CBC in their markets. It's not like CBC is taking away the television viewing rights of NHL fans in the United States. For those CBC games that feature American-based NHL teams, there is a listed US broadcaster of the game. That's listed on the NHL.com site.
That brings me to why would this tweeter/blogger feels that CBC isn't deserving of keeping Hockey Night in Canada? Isn't Hockey Night in Canada the original and longest lasting hockey broadcast on TV today? In fact, it's been since the radio days that CBC has hosted that show. So why would they have to have it taken away? The show's viewership is loyal, committed, and passionate about HNIC, the NHL and of course the sport itself.
Also, it's highly unlikely the NHL would 'shun' CBC from their broadcasting rights since the network does pay the league an ample amount of money to have exclusive rights on Saturdays for games involving the Canadian based teams. I highly doubt that Mr. Bettman, as stubborn as he appears to be, would relinquish $100 million dollars of TV revenue money from one network to appease a 'maybe' south of the border. It doesn't make sense.
I am all for different broadcasters and networks having national broadcasts of NHL games, but to say that CBC should lose the rights to broadcast the NHL on a non-cable network because a cable network did a fantastic job on small special is not only ludicrous, it's bad business.
This has been A View From A Broad
Justine Galo
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Hollywood Hockey: Who Are These F******* Guys?
Remember the movie "Major League"? Remember when a die-hard Indians fan looked down the list and said, "Who are these f***ing guys!?" He was saying them because he has never heard of members of the team that were listed. The fictional group that made up MLB's Cleaveland Indians were a team struggling to get some attention and some wins in their own hometown. Like the Indians, the Los Angeles Kings struggle to get attention in the City of Angeles, or anywhere in the league for that matter. Unlike their movie counterparts, the Los Angeles Kings aren't struggling to win. Where did they come from? Who are they? Are they for real?
Stud Defence
Like any team with a shot at the playoffs, you must have a stud or two on your blue line. The Los Angeles Kings already had two young one in Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty. Johnson had an incredible junior career and really starting to develop into a fine defensive player. In fact, he is at the top of the depth chart out of all the Kings' US born defensemen. He has won World Jr Gold, and won Olympic silver and now getting his NHL career on track.
Drew Doughty is a young defenseman from the OHL's Guelph Storm. He is a 20 year old defenceman who plays like 10 year veteran with patience, and proper positioning. He won Olympic gold with Team Canada in Vancouver and was Canada's best blueliner in the tournament. To compliment the two young studs comes to them via free agency, Willie Mitchell. Mitchell brings leadership, and a steady (and long) stick to the fold. Although he is on the LTIR right now, he will be a welcomed addition after he heals his wrist.
Drafting Wisely
From 2003 and on the LA Kings management and scouting team have been doing their homework and drafting such guys as Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Bernier and Brayden Schenn to name a few. A good consistent amount of blue chip players already in the lineup or on the brink of making it.
Veteran Leadership
With additions like Willie Mitchell, Ryan Smyth and Michael Handzus now present, the young guns have guys to look up and to help them hone their skills.
Despite all this, a lot of people who are just casual hockey fans only get to hear of the Ovechkins, the Crosbys, the turmoil of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I believe it's because they play in a hockey market trying to get back their fans; they play in the Western Conference which doesn't get a lot of coverage from the rest of the heavily eastern based hockey media; they are a team trying to forge a new identity post-Gretzky and doing it, for the most part within their system. Impressive for a bunch that don't get much press outside of the traditional hockey world or much press in their own neck of the woods.
The LA Kings no longer have the fan fare of Wayne Gretzky and the scarily accurate trigger of Lucky Luc, but once again, the Kings have managed to win a game here and there and lead the Pacific Division and are just two points behind for the Western Conference lead.
So who are these f******* guys? They are the Los Angeles Kings, and they're winning.
This has been A View From A Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
Stud Defence
Like any team with a shot at the playoffs, you must have a stud or two on your blue line. The Los Angeles Kings already had two young one in Jack Johnson and Drew Doughty. Johnson had an incredible junior career and really starting to develop into a fine defensive player. In fact, he is at the top of the depth chart out of all the Kings' US born defensemen. He has won World Jr Gold, and won Olympic silver and now getting his NHL career on track.
 |
| Drew Doughty, A Natural |
Drew Doughty is a young defenseman from the OHL's Guelph Storm. He is a 20 year old defenceman who plays like 10 year veteran with patience, and proper positioning. He won Olympic gold with Team Canada in Vancouver and was Canada's best blueliner in the tournament. To compliment the two young studs comes to them via free agency, Willie Mitchell. Mitchell brings leadership, and a steady (and long) stick to the fold. Although he is on the LTIR right now, he will be a welcomed addition after he heals his wrist.
Drafting Wisely
From 2003 and on the LA Kings management and scouting team have been doing their homework and drafting such guys as Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jonathan Bernier and Brayden Schenn to name a few. A good consistent amount of blue chip players already in the lineup or on the brink of making it.
 |
| Drafting Anze Kopitar was the best thing to happen to LA in 2005 |
Veteran Leadership
With additions like Willie Mitchell, Ryan Smyth and Michael Handzus now present, the young guns have guys to look up and to help them hone their skills.
 |
| Captain Canada makes LA his home |
Despite all this, a lot of people who are just casual hockey fans only get to hear of the Ovechkins, the Crosbys, the turmoil of the Toronto Maple Leafs. I believe it's because they play in a hockey market trying to get back their fans; they play in the Western Conference which doesn't get a lot of coverage from the rest of the heavily eastern based hockey media; they are a team trying to forge a new identity post-Gretzky and doing it, for the most part within their system. Impressive for a bunch that don't get much press outside of the traditional hockey world or much press in their own neck of the woods.
The LA Kings no longer have the fan fare of Wayne Gretzky and the scarily accurate trigger of Lucky Luc, but once again, the Kings have managed to win a game here and there and lead the Pacific Division and are just two points behind for the Western Conference lead.
So who are these f******* guys? They are the Los Angeles Kings, and they're winning.
This has been A View From A Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sundays are for the Church of the Grid-Iron
It's late, I mean really late. Late enough that the sun is about to come up in a few hours, but I can't sleep and have sports on my mind. Something has been bugging me as a North American Football fan and I think I am going to have to voice it out or else it's going to bug me for the rest of the CFL and NFL seasons.
So readers, I unload on you...
Hockey Fans Who Only Love Hockey
I get it, you don't follow other sports unless it's played on an ice surface. I'm a big curling fan myself. I completely understand. However, I do get a laugh at some of you when you put down football, because either:
You see, around summer time last year, my good friend, Karla went to her first football game. She went to watch the BC Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders. She knew nothing of how the sport was played and was an avid hockey (Canucks) fan. She didn't even really like the first game we went to together, but she embraced the experience nonetheless.
In fact, due to our mutual friend John being a big Cowboys and Lions fan, Karla started to get more into the game. She started to diligently watch more NFL on Sundays and catch a Lions game live here and there as well as catching it on TV. Now as she enters her second year of being a football fan, Karla was asking if I wanted to join her at a game at Empire Field or head down to Seattle to watch some NFL. She gave it a real chance, and now enjoys a good Sunday on the couch watching a march down the field or two.
The Canucks are still #1 on her sports priority list, but she wasn't so close-minded about football and found out she actually liked it. Maybe, just maybe some of you hockey fans can learn to at least appreciate it.
Football Fans of a Different Kind
I think it's great that we can call this sport North American football, I think it's a fantastic alternative to watching guys run up and down a field for 90 minutes and scoring one or two goals. In fact, I love it more than the other game with the same name. Unfortunately, world wide, this game has its haters.
As a North American football fan, I had to deal with a lot of 'pot shots' to the game I love from lovers of soccer that aren't native to North America. They feel that our version of football is a 'poor man's' rugby and that if they were 'real' athletes, they'd play it without pads. Fine, we're all entitled to our opinions but the sources usually won't even give the 'poor man's' rugby a chance because of their prejudice towards the sport. Some even went as far as calling the players 'wimps and bitches' because of all the padding they were wearing.
I found a lot of foreign opinions a bit snotty about the whole concept of football and I'm not exactly sure why, but it has the highest selling sports video game franchise in the world (Madden) and over 1 Billion people tune in each and every year the Superbowl is on TV. So what gives? When does this game get global respect from 'football' fans of the other kind?
You see, I am a huge hockey fan, but I love and appreciate other sports. In fact, I dare say I am a pretty complete sports fan. But don't go dissing a sport you don't understand without giving it a legitimate shot of appreciation. Find out why we football fans love it so much, and see if you can get into it too. Sports at times are already snubbed by other groups. Why do it to each other?
I found this year that I liked curling, and even went out to try it. It just taught me that if you don't know it, don't dis it because it just might be something you could like, or at the very least appreciate down the road.
This has been A View From A Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
So readers, I unload on you...
Hockey Fans Who Only Love Hockey
I get it, you don't follow other sports unless it's played on an ice surface. I'm a big curling fan myself. I completely understand. However, I do get a laugh at some of you when you put down football, because either:
- you don't understand it
- you have a personal vendetta with football
- you only like ice
You see, around summer time last year, my good friend, Karla went to her first football game. She went to watch the BC Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders. She knew nothing of how the sport was played and was an avid hockey (Canucks) fan. She didn't even really like the first game we went to together, but she embraced the experience nonetheless.
In fact, due to our mutual friend John being a big Cowboys and Lions fan, Karla started to get more into the game. She started to diligently watch more NFL on Sundays and catch a Lions game live here and there as well as catching it on TV. Now as she enters her second year of being a football fan, Karla was asking if I wanted to join her at a game at Empire Field or head down to Seattle to watch some NFL. She gave it a real chance, and now enjoys a good Sunday on the couch watching a march down the field or two.
The Canucks are still #1 on her sports priority list, but she wasn't so close-minded about football and found out she actually liked it. Maybe, just maybe some of you hockey fans can learn to at least appreciate it.
 |
| Karla, on the left and I, at her first CFL game back in July '09 |
Football Fans of a Different Kind
I think it's great that we can call this sport North American football, I think it's a fantastic alternative to watching guys run up and down a field for 90 minutes and scoring one or two goals. In fact, I love it more than the other game with the same name. Unfortunately, world wide, this game has its haters.
As a North American football fan, I had to deal with a lot of 'pot shots' to the game I love from lovers of soccer that aren't native to North America. They feel that our version of football is a 'poor man's' rugby and that if they were 'real' athletes, they'd play it without pads. Fine, we're all entitled to our opinions but the sources usually won't even give the 'poor man's' rugby a chance because of their prejudice towards the sport. Some even went as far as calling the players 'wimps and bitches' because of all the padding they were wearing.
I found a lot of foreign opinions a bit snotty about the whole concept of football and I'm not exactly sure why, but it has the highest selling sports video game franchise in the world (Madden) and over 1 Billion people tune in each and every year the Superbowl is on TV. So what gives? When does this game get global respect from 'football' fans of the other kind?
You see, I am a huge hockey fan, but I love and appreciate other sports. In fact, I dare say I am a pretty complete sports fan. But don't go dissing a sport you don't understand without giving it a legitimate shot of appreciation. Find out why we football fans love it so much, and see if you can get into it too. Sports at times are already snubbed by other groups. Why do it to each other?
I found this year that I liked curling, and even went out to try it. It just taught me that if you don't know it, don't dis it because it just might be something you could like, or at the very least appreciate down the road.
This has been A View From A Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Loyalty Goes a Long Way
So I am not having the best of sports seasons this fall, in fact, I believe at times it's been down right ugly. The thing is, I have had friends and colleagues tell me that it's time for me to switch teams. Cheer for someone better, cheer for a winner! I've been a fan of these teams and I'll be honest it's hard for me to jump ship and change allegiance. After all, cheering for a winning team seems to be all the rage these days? Not to me. True blue... thick and thin...for better for worse..I'm a sucker...etc etc.
The New York Yankees
 |
| Yankees getting into it against the Braves |
The Denver Broncos
 |
| Broncos Head Coach, Josh McDaniels |
 |
| "Hair Canada" Steve Nash going up-court |
The Phoenix Suns
After basketball was abruptly taken away from Vancouver and Seattle, my team became the Suns. But before I get on that case, let me tell you all I am first and foremost a Sonics fan. The reason I cease in cheering for that franchise is because I refuse to cheer for a team in Oklahoma City that had no business being taken away in the manner that it was. Now back to the Suns. How can you not love a team that has an amazing Canadian player on it and of course once employed a coach named "Cotton".
The BC Lions
| Wally Buono letting Paris Jackson know he's not happy |
Now if there was ever a team to test your loyalty, this one would be it. Wally Buono and his merry men have been nothing short of a roller coaster ride over the last few seasons. First we get rid of Casey Printers, and then we bring him back and we waive the guy? We've had capable QBs with a fine receiving core but nothing ever seems to work! Someone is always injured or someone special (ahem Cam Wake) went to the NFL! Despite it all I will never forget winning Grey Cup at home in 1994 and being on the field as a part of it. Not to mention the "Snow Bowl" against Doug Flutie and the Stampeders. I'll see ya back at BC Place and will be cheering you on next season. "Roar oh Lions roar!"
The Vancouver Canucks
Did you actually think I would let these guys slide? Did you actually think after investing 30 years of my heart, my guts, my anguish, my joy and my pain I would forget the team that jerks my emotions the most? I remember 1982 but I was seven years old and I was just getting to know the team and the sport of hockey. Still it was amazing to see our team in the finals. They did it with a bunch of "no names" and no real 'talents' and then got swept by the then amazing New York Islanders. Did you expect any less? Mike Bossy, enough said.
 |
| Captain Henrik, can he lead us fans to a championship? |
After many years in between of mediocrity and bad drafting, 1994 came and saw Cinderella go to the ball but was one goal away from a glass slipper. Thanks Trevor, you've solidified your place in Canucks history, and you too Nathan Lafayette..*cough* GOAT BOY *cough*. I will never forget that run for as long as I live. I think it was then and there I learned what being a true fan was all about. I learned that this team really captivated me and pretty well owned my loyalty. Now I am just yours, for better for worse.
Now we got the talent, but can we get the cup? Answer me that Canucks! So I'll fasten my seat belt and will enjoy the ride.
The Gist of it All
 |
| A picture taken and given to me about being a true blue sucker, er I mean fan. |
Although at times our teams let us down, frustrate us or even down right piss us off, remember why we chose them as our teams. It's like getting into a marriage and not knowing what you were really in for (unfortunately happens more often than not). Before you decide "This is my team!" know why, be loyal and read the fine print.
This has been A View From A Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
Monday, September 27, 2010
The NHL Great Arena Tour
During the hockey season, each and every year I do a couple of things. One: I follow my Vancouver Canucks on their Eastern Canadian Road swing (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto). Second, I make a trip to an arena I have yet to visit. Each building has their own character traits (or lack of) and their own unique charm. Now that I am nearing the end of my full tour of NHL arenas, I can honestly say I can give some feedback of what I think of the arenas around the league.
THOSE STILL TO CONQUER
I have yet to be in Atlanta to watch a game at the Phillips Arena, and if things work out accordingly, I could see my Canucks there on March 25th. Coincidentally, it is my boyfriend's birthday. Let's not forget to mention that he's a big Canucks fan. Wouldn't that be a great birthday gift? At least I know we can get tickets.
Although we had a trip planned for Phoenix last season, due to an medical emergency, we had to postpone it. I guess I will have to see Jovo-Cop at some point this season in the hot Arizona sun. With all the controversy in Phoenix in regards to the Coyotes, I could very well be watching those boys back in Winnipeg at the MTS.
Although I've watched games in Pittsburgh and New Jersey, with their new arenas erected, I think it's time to pay them a revisit. I will be in Pittsburgh this year to watch the Canucks take on Sid and the Pens. It should be exciting and I am looking forward to their new modern arena. However, I did love The Igloo for it's old school charm.
THE BAD AND THE UGLY
So not all NHL arenas are built equal. In fact, there are some that shouldn't be NHL worthy any longer. In Uniondale, NY stands the old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It's outdated, it's the smallest of all arenas around the league, and instead of knocking it down and building something new. The community of Long Island has to deal with another redevelopment of this old building. It's no longer nicknamed, "Fort Neverlose" but rather "Fort NeedANew".
Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome is not the worst arena I've watched the game, but definitely not the best. You have to be in the lower bowl to get some good views. Once you hit the upper decks, unlike its more modern counterparts, it's very hard to see and in some areas, missing parts of the ice and not being able to see the play.
NOW THAT'S A HOCKEY ARENA
Hands down (or until I head to Pittsburgh, maybe) the best arena to watch hockey is the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The minute you hit that concourse, you see ice. You know you're going to go there and watch one thing and one thing only, hockey. It's great that the patrons of the arena are knowledgeable fans and love their hockey. I felt like I was in the depths of the Canadian Prairies watching a WHL game with the way the fans conducted themselves. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to do an arena pilgrimage. It's worth fighting the -30 Celsius cold.
GOOD VIBES
There is no doubt in my mind that one of my favourite places to watch hockey is in Detroit at Joe Louis Arena, home of the Redwings. What a fantastic atmosphere and great fans from both sides of the border. It's to be said, that Wings fans are probably the most passionate about their team throughout the continent. I'm sure they are, I've been, I've seen, I've experienced. Le Centre Bell can be deafening whether their Habs are winning or losing. It's also been a great enjoyment of mine to 'debate' with the Quebecois in French, an experience I don't get anywhere else (well maybe Tampa Bay).
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Although the name has changed, the Garage (Rogers Arena, formerly known as GM Place) is like a pair of old jeans you just feel 'right' . It's like having grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup on a cold and wet night. To me, it's comfort. I love knowing where section this or that is located and what your vantage point would be in those particular seats. I love knowing that Gate 2 is my entrance to my seasons tickets. I know that Gate 16 is the way to the media level via the elevator and that as I get off the Skytrain, there is the hustle and bustle of tickets being bought and sold all around me. I love seeing the TEAM 1040 vehicles out on the plaza pre-game and that there officially three hot dog vendors on that side of the arena. This is my arena and although I visit them all, the feeling I get in Vancouver is that of no other: Home.
This has been A View From a Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
THOSE STILL TO CONQUER
I have yet to be in Atlanta to watch a game at the Phillips Arena, and if things work out accordingly, I could see my Canucks there on March 25th. Coincidentally, it is my boyfriend's birthday. Let's not forget to mention that he's a big Canucks fan. Wouldn't that be a great birthday gift? At least I know we can get tickets.
Although we had a trip planned for Phoenix last season, due to an medical emergency, we had to postpone it. I guess I will have to see Jovo-Cop at some point this season in the hot Arizona sun. With all the controversy in Phoenix in regards to the Coyotes, I could very well be watching those boys back in Winnipeg at the MTS.
Although I've watched games in Pittsburgh and New Jersey, with their new arenas erected, I think it's time to pay them a revisit. I will be in Pittsburgh this year to watch the Canucks take on Sid and the Pens. It should be exciting and I am looking forward to their new modern arena. However, I did love The Igloo for it's old school charm.
THE BAD AND THE UGLY
So not all NHL arenas are built equal. In fact, there are some that shouldn't be NHL worthy any longer. In Uniondale, NY stands the old Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It's outdated, it's the smallest of all arenas around the league, and instead of knocking it down and building something new. The community of Long Island has to deal with another redevelopment of this old building. It's no longer nicknamed, "Fort Neverlose" but rather "Fort NeedANew".
Calgary's Pengrowth Saddledome is not the worst arena I've watched the game, but definitely not the best. You have to be in the lower bowl to get some good views. Once you hit the upper decks, unlike its more modern counterparts, it's very hard to see and in some areas, missing parts of the ice and not being able to see the play.
NOW THAT'S A HOCKEY ARENA
Hands down (or until I head to Pittsburgh, maybe) the best arena to watch hockey is the Xcel Energy Center in Minnesota. The minute you hit that concourse, you see ice. You know you're going to go there and watch one thing and one thing only, hockey. It's great that the patrons of the arena are knowledgeable fans and love their hockey. I felt like I was in the depths of the Canadian Prairies watching a WHL game with the way the fans conducted themselves. I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to do an arena pilgrimage. It's worth fighting the -30 Celsius cold.
GOOD VIBES
There is no doubt in my mind that one of my favourite places to watch hockey is in Detroit at Joe Louis Arena, home of the Redwings. What a fantastic atmosphere and great fans from both sides of the border. It's to be said, that Wings fans are probably the most passionate about their team throughout the continent. I'm sure they are, I've been, I've seen, I've experienced. Le Centre Bell can be deafening whether their Habs are winning or losing. It's also been a great enjoyment of mine to 'debate' with the Quebecois in French, an experience I don't get anywhere else (well maybe Tampa Bay).
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Although the name has changed, the Garage (Rogers Arena, formerly known as GM Place) is like a pair of old jeans you just feel 'right' . It's like having grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup on a cold and wet night. To me, it's comfort. I love knowing where section this or that is located and what your vantage point would be in those particular seats. I love knowing that Gate 2 is my entrance to my seasons tickets. I know that Gate 16 is the way to the media level via the elevator and that as I get off the Skytrain, there is the hustle and bustle of tickets being bought and sold all around me. I love seeing the TEAM 1040 vehicles out on the plaza pre-game and that there officially three hot dog vendors on that side of the arena. This is my arena and although I visit them all, the feeling I get in Vancouver is that of no other: Home.
This has been A View From a Broad, a not too distant perspective.
Justine Galo
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Sports and Miss Prissy
I was asked by a female friend of mine why I was so much into sports but love fashion, especially shoes, all at the same time? I said, "Why not?" Why can't someone who doesn't look like she lives in football, hockey, basketball jerseys etc etc, and hasn't seen a hairbrush since 1989 not like sports? She said, well it's mostly the ugly girls that like sports or those that just don't have any sort of feminine traits. Really?
I was quite offended that she thought all female sports fans were, for lack of a better term, 'butch'. I looked at myself in the mirror. I am well dressed, I am properly accessorized and I am 'made up' (not like a clown) accordingly but I will get into my sports like someone, maybe say, "The Schwab", just a lot more girly. I was the great debate settler amongst my male friends, pre-internet days. I settled debates of who hit what and who scored what from a certain game or a certain sports era. Even with the internet at their disposal in the palm of their hands, some of my guy friends still ask me to settle a sports debate.
So continuing my conversation with my girlfriend who thought all female sports fans all looked like Rosanne Barr during her tenure on prime time television, I had to defend myself and my sisterhood of female sports fans. She actually believed we were all beer guzzling (okay so maybe that part is true), plaid wearing, no combing, socially inept tailgaters! I tailgate, but hardly fit her description of what of a female sports fan entailed.
Let's look at some celebrity female fans. Alyssa Milano, for instance. Beautiful, funny, knows her hockey and her baseball down to the little last shot on goal and runs batted in. How about Julia Roberts and her huge love for the game of basketball? Could her love for the three pointers sway my friend's opinion?
Of course I got the argument, "Well, they are celebrities." I guess only celebrity female sports fans can be hot.
So I decided to have her look at some of my lady sports friends in my Twitter world. She was surprised that so many attractive ladies could be such big sports fans. One of her personal favourites, and mine, @canucksgirl44. She said, "Wow, she's not only good looking, but she seems witty. I just can't believe how much she loves the Canucks." Bingo. I proceeded to show others like her, and finally my friend might have finally clued in.
You see my non-sports loving friend, we're not all lumberjacking, beer swilling, crude she-men! In fact, there are many of us out in the universe that love sports, are presentable and attractive, and shop at Holt Renfrew with the best of them.
Well now that that's settle, I'm going to take care of my Christian Louboutin's that have been collecting dust in my closet and give them a little exercise before the Yankees game comes on.
This has been A View From a Broad, a not to distant perspective.
Justine Galo
justine.galo@gmail.com
I was quite offended that she thought all female sports fans were, for lack of a better term, 'butch'. I looked at myself in the mirror. I am well dressed, I am properly accessorized and I am 'made up' (not like a clown) accordingly but I will get into my sports like someone, maybe say, "The Schwab", just a lot more girly. I was the great debate settler amongst my male friends, pre-internet days. I settled debates of who hit what and who scored what from a certain game or a certain sports era. Even with the internet at their disposal in the palm of their hands, some of my guy friends still ask me to settle a sports debate.
So continuing my conversation with my girlfriend who thought all female sports fans all looked like Rosanne Barr during her tenure on prime time television, I had to defend myself and my sisterhood of female sports fans. She actually believed we were all beer guzzling (okay so maybe that part is true), plaid wearing, no combing, socially inept tailgaters! I tailgate, but hardly fit her description of what of a female sports fan entailed.
Let's look at some celebrity female fans. Alyssa Milano, for instance. Beautiful, funny, knows her hockey and her baseball down to the little last shot on goal and runs batted in. How about Julia Roberts and her huge love for the game of basketball? Could her love for the three pointers sway my friend's opinion?
Of course I got the argument, "Well, they are celebrities." I guess only celebrity female sports fans can be hot.
So I decided to have her look at some of my lady sports friends in my Twitter world. She was surprised that so many attractive ladies could be such big sports fans. One of her personal favourites, and mine, @canucksgirl44. She said, "Wow, she's not only good looking, but she seems witty. I just can't believe how much she loves the Canucks." Bingo. I proceeded to show others like her, and finally my friend might have finally clued in.
You see my non-sports loving friend, we're not all lumberjacking, beer swilling, crude she-men! In fact, there are many of us out in the universe that love sports, are presentable and attractive, and shop at Holt Renfrew with the best of them.
Well now that that's settle, I'm going to take care of my Christian Louboutin's that have been collecting dust in my closet and give them a little exercise before the Yankees game comes on.
This has been A View From a Broad, a not to distant perspective.
Justine Galo
justine.galo@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)