Facebook

I've recently been introduced to a site called Facebook (kudos to Pat Narcisse for doing the intro; Facebook thanks you as well; We go out for drinks regularly now, hold hands, hug...you get the picture).

Anyhow, not only am I on Facebook, but so is Nat (my beautiful wife), and apparently so is everyone else from the High School we graduated with and everyone else I know in the Ottawa area.

I actually ignored the site for the longest time thinking "not another social website to update on a regular/semi-regular basis", but, new friends are being added all the time and the social network keeps growing at a torrid pace! It's definitely a convenient way of keeping up to date with, what we thought, were long lost friends. Now you don't have to wait until the 10 year reunion to play catch up with everyone within a 5 hour time frame, all the while getting drunk and forgetting most of what was said the next morning.

In fact, people who organize a reunion should use Facebook to not only organize said event (that's a given), but use it as a game. Quiz people at the reunion about their respective Facebook profiles to see how much people really pay attention to the details. Hand out prizes to the winners! Even declare a winner for the individual with the largest social network!

All that being said, I find myself checking the site daily now to see who's requested to be my friend (although they were probably already my friend at some point in the past), and enjoying 'seeing', virtually of course, those who I have not seen in a long time. Hopefully I'll get to see them in person again some day soon.

Winterlude '07

Feb 17 '06 011
Originally uploaded by chrisbelanger.

We decided to go to the Rideau Canal for Winterlude for our kids to enjoy their first skate on the world's largest ice rink. Jacob really enjoyed it! He went for about an hour non-stop.

However, he did fall a few times because the ruts in the ice in some sections were considerably large.

We then stopped for some hot chocolate and Beavertails. A tradition for anyone who has ever come to Ottawa and enjoyed the Winterlude festivities.

This pic was taken when we had just finished eating those delicious pastries.

Timbits Hockey

Feb 17 '06 058
Originally uploaded by chrisbelanger.

Jacob has been enjoying his first year of hockey in the Timbits program. Recently, he enjoyed 30 minutes of ice time at Scotiabank Place (where the 'in the playoffs' Ottawa Senators play their Home games).

The ice was split into three areas with two teams playing a game in each area at once for 30 mins. The event started at 7:30 am and ended at 7 pm. Over 140 Timbits teams from around the Ottawa area participated.

Every child was also presented with a medal at the end of the game.