Year in Review

It's been quite a long time since I last updated this blog - long overdue.

A lot has happened in the last 14 months. Here are some highlights:
- I setup a killer Halloween montage (had a few criers again this year - yay!);
- Settled into our new house and did a lot of work around the house (built a new deck, a dog house and installed a 15' above ground pool, built a new play structure for the kids as well);
- The Sens were swept by the Pens in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs :(
- The Leafs didn't even make the Playoffs :D
- Jacob turned 6 and recently started 1st grade;
- Eve turned 2 and is the reason why the term "Terrible Two's" was invented;
- Last but not least, Gabrielle was born six weeks ago. She started sleeping her nights about a week ago as well.

Oh, and I wasn't impacted by the recent mass-layoff that occured at Bell. However I did lose many colleagues who I considered friends and I hope to see them again in the near future.

So, although the list above may not seem like a lot, it was certainly hectic. The days just flew by this year and I'm sure the next year will be just the same.

And I'm looking forward to it.

2007 Sympatico Hackers & Whackers Golf Tournament

I had the pleasure recently in being part of the organizing commitee, for the second year in a row, for the 2nd Annual Sympatico Hackers and Whackers Golf Tournament. And, it was a huge success once again.

Last year we did it for the first time and had little to no experience organizing a large event which aimed to fill 144 available spots. The event was hosted at a ClubLink course in the Ottawa area, named Greyhawk. The event was very well received and was a success despite the last minute preparations and such. 142 of 144 showed up that day. We were also able to raise over $3,000 for Kids Help Phone.

As a result of it's success, we decided to expand the participation level to 240 available spots. Many didn't think we'd be able to fill all 240 spots, however we were successful! Unfortunately, there were again a few no shows (15 of them to be exact), and we ended up with 225 golfers instead of the 240 target.

However, those 225 golfers had a great time, enjoyed a great lunch and dinner, enjoyed the company of friends and the occasional drink... ;)

We gave away some great prizes for the contest holes, such as digital cameras, digital photo frames & Sens tickets, just to name a few.

But most importantly, we were again successful in raising a lot of money for Kids Help Phone (final number TBD at this time - will update when available).

If you'd like to get a taste of what everyone experienced that day, check out the website: http://www.hackersandwhackers.ca

There's a great video and pics to be added soon.

3 weeks and counting...

Well, it's not only been almost 3 months since I last updated this blog, but it's also been 3 weeks since I've moved into my new home and it's been great (and hectic)!

Moving Day: It rained! Yay! :S

Despite the rain, we forged ahead and all 12 of us were able to pack the truck (5 ton, 24 footer), wall-to-wall and three trailers (can anyone say "Kids Toys"?), by noon (started at approximately 9 am). All the cars/trucks were packed with stuff as well. It's true when someone tells you that you don't realize how much stuff one has until you have to move it all.

I've since told my wife that if we can afford it one day, we would buy a new house, already furnished, and sell this one, already furnished, and only move our clothes. :)

We were able to unload everything in about 3 hours. However, we're still not done unpacking. I'm still living somewhat out of a box for my clothing and my office is still not completely setup. However, the essentials are done: kitchen, living room, dining room, kids room's and the playroom.

I also have a garage now, which up until this week, was filled with carboard due to the move. Now that it's all gone, I can focus on organizing it.

The kids love the new house and my son has a great view from his bedroom of an elevated tee from the Outaouais Golf Course. He's now taken an interest in the sport since he saw kids playing there.

I'm looking forward to completing the work that's left to be done in the house so that I can actually do nothing for a single day at some point in the next year, however I fear that will never happen (unrealistic, I know).

First Time Home Buyer

I've finally achieved a goal that has been beyond my reach for many years, which is to own a house. I'm relieved, to say the least. However, I'm not stressed about it (yet - maybe I'll feel that way the week of August 1st when I move), and I'm not super excited about it either.

I'm very happy, but I'm not more emotional then that. I'm being very level headed about the whole affair. When I spoke to our banker this week, he seemed surprised and started telling me about how some new home buyers call him repeatedly over the course of a single day to see if the papers are ready to be signed - and their closing date is in September!

I guess I've learned over the last few years not to get ahead of myself. I believe that if you get too emotionally involved with something that you leave yourself vulnerable to dissapointment. Too many times Nat and I had high hopes for something to happen in our favour, and too many times we were left dissapointed and filled with despair wondering if we would ever get ahead.

Well, we've finally made it ahead! We've bought our first house, in Rockland. A nice two storey single home. There are three bedrooms on the 2nd floor, a finished basement with two additional rooms, and three bathrooms (one being an ensuite to the Master Bedroom). It also has a garage and the yard is completely fenced in.

Finding a house has been a long process as well. It took us about a month and we visited about 20 houses before we found this one. It has everything we need and nothing we don't. However, I do have to purchase new appliances (fridge, stove, dishwasher - all black to match kitchen). We were lucky we found it actually. We saw the house the day it was listed, and put in an offer that night. Within a few hours, it was ours - they didn't even have time to put a sign on the lawn!

The home inspection went very well with no major issues found anywhere, except the garage, which had some water damage on the ceiling. They replace the drywall, insulation and burnt fixture (it had caught fire as a result of the water damage), which occured before the roof was replaced last September.

We're going to meet with the principals today of the two schools that are in the area. Both are French, one being public the other Catholic. Jacob will be with us to meet them as well and we'll then make our decision as to which school Jacob will attend. Public schools receive more funding from the Government, so I'm expecting that school to have more teachers, smaller classroom sizes, better access to material and equipment, etc...However, we'll know for sure this afternoon.

If you'd like to see more picture of the house, click here.

Sens vs Ducks - Stanley Cup Finals

Tonight marks the beginning of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks. This series should be fast and physical.

I've been reading a lot of the match-up previews and predictions on TSN, SportsNet, The Hockey News, Sun Media, nhl.com, etc...And I'm happy to say that about 95% of the sports media in North America have picked the Senators to win in 6 games.

I for one think the Sens can win in 4 games. Here's why:

- Depth: The Senators have more of it, whether it be with their forwards or their defence. The Sens are 4 lines deep. And although the bottom 3 lines have contributed about 40% of the scoring, they're all very fast and create quality scoring chances almost every shift on the ice. If their forwards can continue to cycle the puck in the offensive zone as well as they have all Playoffs so far, then the Niedermayer/Pronger threat will be null and void. They'll be so frustrated and tired that mistakes will occur and penalties will be the result against the Ducks.

The Sens defence is 6 players deep. Although the Ducks do have some offensive prowess, so did the Pens, the Devils and the Sabres. Keeping the scoring at bay won't be an issue for the Sens as long as Emery holds up his part of the bargain.

- Power Play/Penalty Killing: The Sens have a better PP and better PK then the Ducks throughout the Playoffs so far. If the Sens can continue to generate the chances they had against the Sabres on the PK, then the Ducks will have a hard time keeping up. As well, the Wings made obvious of the fact that the Ducks' PK players aren't very active with their sticks, this leaving wide open lanes across the slot, which will allow players like Alfredsson, Spezza and Heatley the opportunity for their much beloved back-door passes.

- Goaltending: On paper, the Ducks have a better goaltender in JS Giguere, which is simply based on current stats (JS has played 2 fewer games then Emery). However, the whole goaltender matchup thing is over-rated and doesn't speak to the fact that hockey is a team game. And although I agree that your goaltender has to be your best player at any given time, that same goaltender isn't facing off against the other goaltender. He's facing the other team's forwards and defence.

That aside, Emery hasn't been a series stealing goalie for the Sens simply because he hasn't had to be. However, he's been consistent. Emery and Giguere's stats are almost identical (1.95 GAA & 1.87 GAA, respectively, .919 SV% & .932 SV%, respectively). All that to say that it's a pretty even matchup, even though Giguere wears the max legally allowed pad sizes, whereas Emery does not, which allows him to have more mobility. They both also give up fat rebounds from time to time and have problems with pucks along the boards behind the net.

GO SENS GO

I'm going out to Scotiabank Place tonight the watch the game, since it's free parking and admission, however concession stands will be open. Should be fun!

The Buffalo Butter Knives

The Ottawa Senators are on the verge of sweeping the Buffalo Sabres tonight at 7 pm, and are 60 minutes away from making their first appearance, in modern team history, in the Stanley Cup Finals.

As a Sens fan I'm very excited about this possibility since the team itself is playing with the type of drive, determination and confidence not seen in playoff year's past.

I had the privelege of attending Game 3 vs the Sabres on Monday night. I sat 12 rows behind the players' bench, and next to Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien no less. The atmosphere was amazing and the game was very good. When a team is forechecking agressively, hitting hard, backchecking, blocking shots and creating lots of scoring chances, it's simply a treat to watch.

I must admit that I would have never predicted that the Sabres would be down 3-0 going into tonight's game. My expectation, and everyone elses as well, was that this series would be hard fought back and fourth hockey we'd come to expect from these two teams this season. The only glimmer of hope in every game for the Sabres has been Ryan Miller.

And kudos to Ray Emery. He's now shutout every team once in every series. What a difference last year's playoffs and this season have made in regards to his game play, his confidence and his temper. He's also 11-2 in these playoffs.

And finally, the #1 line for the Sens is actually it's #1 line! Spezza, Heatley and Alfreddsson are 3 of the top 4 players in the Playoffs right now in regards to point production. The remaining 3 lines are also producing points, although not as many, however they're still contributing in a big way by creating chances and hitting every Sabre that's on the ice. In Game 3, every Ottawa Senator except one (Mike Comrie), had a shot on Ryan Miller.

Game 4 should be very exciting tonight and the energy level will be through the roof. There's a campaign going on to change Elgin Street in downtown Ottawa to the 'Sens Mile'. After the Sens win tonight, there's a party going on that starts at approximately 10 pm that lasts until 1 am. Don't know if I'll make it (some of us have to work), but I'll certainly try.

GO SENS GO

Jacob's Hockey Banquet

Another post related to hockey...not a big surprise for anyone who knows me.

Jacob recently completed his first season of organized hockey as a Timbit, and he really enjoyed it! It came to a point where he would wakeup in the morning for school and want to play hockey instead of going to school. We had to tell him that if he didn't go to school he couldn't play hockey. It worked.

We were four coache's on the ice this year with about 17 kids on the ice. It's amazing how quickly they learn how to skate forwards, backwards and stop on a dime...ok, maybe a quarter...ok, maybe more like a few feet after they've attempted to stop and fallen on their butts.

Anyhow, the season ended recently and I had the pleasure of organizing their banquet. Banquets are the climactic end to a successful season. I decided to give the kids a different experience compared to the type of banquet I had as a kid, which comprised of a bunch of us from our team sitting along long stretches of tables in the local Legion or Knights of Columbus (which, when I was a kid, weren't 'non-smoking'). And if we were lucky, the association we're enrolled in for our respective sport was able to raise enough money to get us some nice trophies with our names engraved on them and not just the team name.

So I found Kidz Sports World. They booked us for two and half hours. They provided us with a "coach", who leads the group of kids through the activities. They spent 30 minutes on the floor using the rock wall and playing through the inflatable obstacle courses. Then they spent 30 minutes playing lazer-tag (which, I'm sure was a fluke, the top 2 scorers were parents), and then spent the remainder of the time eating pizza and I then presented the trophies to the kids with another one of the coaches.

All that to say it was a great time had by all! See all the pics HERE.