Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Clips from Habs Celebration

Below are a few clips that were filmed during the victory celebrations that transpired after the victory by the Habs in game 7 of the first round of the play-offs.

The first clips are of the crowd and festivities before the riot police started to break things up. The latter clips are of the initiation of street clearing tactics by the riot police.













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Sunday, April 20, 2008

The Habs and their loss

Upon returning from the airport, where I had gone to help my father with his luggage, I went directly to a McKibbin's. As I was making my way from the bus to the bar I noticed that not only were there cops mingling with the smokers at Peel Pub, there were also cops on almost every block of St. Catherine. I guess they were expecting trouble reminiscient of 1993.

As soon as I arrived I found the group of friends I was looking for an joined them to watch the rest of the night's Habs game.

At the time of my arrival (the first intermission) I was informed that the score was 1-0 for the Habs (even if it hadn't been a pretty goal, it was still a goal). As the second period started the Bruins snuck one in to tie things up. Fortunately, shortly there after number 14, who had been assigned to our table, scored. We were then rewarded with a free round of tequilla shots.

As the game progressed through the end of the third period this became the trend. The Bruins would tie it up and then the Canadians would get a goal to up them up by one. Unfortunately, with about eight minutes left to play things started to fall apart. The Bruins then began to outscore the Habs in such a way that proved impossible to overcome. With only a few minutes left in the game the Habs managed to put one in to take them to 5-4, the game's final score.

I guess the upside is that both teams now get to experience the emotion associated with a game seven. Presumably things will be lively on Monday when the Habs try to keep their season going.

A Few Quick Notes 171

-Today, though momentarily moderately overcast, has largely be quite beautiful. Like past days, today hasn't been too hot, but quite nice for walking and participating in outdoor activities.

-I must be 15/88 on this year's Roll Up the Rim contest. While buying a coffee yesterday, my father and noticed that the woman was just about to double cup my coffee with a second contest cup. Unfortunately she was intercepted by a more experienced employee who only allowed her to give me one contest cup.

-My father had a brief but successful visit to Montreal this weekend. Not only were we able to do some socializing with my friends, but we were also able to buy a dozen pint glasses and pack a selection of my possessions (meaning that I have already started the move).

In a few weeks he will return and we will pack up the remains of my life in Montreal.

-This afternoon I attended a picnic on Mont Royal. We ate next to the battle re-enactors and their entourage.

While we watched the unending fights we shared food and listened to a few of the picnic participants perform on a mandolin, a banjo, a clarinet, a glockenspiel, and a trumpet.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

A Few Quick Notes 170

-Today, as well as yesterday have been particularly nice. Environment Canada is claiming that it is presently 23 degrees. It seems that similar weather has been forecast for the next few days.

-It seems that I must be somewhere near 14/85 on the year for Roll Up the Rim. It seems that my end of year drive has failed me. I am presently on a pretty long dry spell, which may be permanent as places are started to run out of contest cups.

-Nithum returned unexpectedly today. With him he brought a friend. Once my father arrives tomorrow we will have a pretty full apartment.

-On Wednesday I was able to hand in my final library school assignment. Assuming that I pass all of my courses I will soon be able to call myself a librarian. A few years ago not all that many people would have guessed that this is a path that I would have taken.

-In preparation for my summer employment, I obtained a haircut yesterday evening. The hair cutter was Nick, a co-worker. We did the deed on his balcony so that the wind was able to take care of most of the clippings.

The result is that my hair is very short on the sides and in the back, longer on the top. What I got was exactly what I was looking for.

-Last night, while playing around with my camera, I decided to take a picture of the street in front of my building. Upon stepping onto my balcony with my camera I heard someone muttering something. I soon realized that the muttering was coming from someone sitting on a planter across the street and that he was muttering about someone taking photos at that time of night (1:30 AM). I think he may have been suggesting that I not take a photo of him (which I wasn't planning on and did not do). I did take a photo of the street next to where he was sitting though.

Some period of time later, maybe a half an hour or so, someone (whom I believe to be the individual from the planter) was having a minor dispute about money with two other individuals. Eventually things were settled and all three faded back into the night.

My theory is that it was a drug deal and that the first guy wasn't particularly pleased to see someone taking photos (as he knew what was supposed to be happening in the very near future). Fortunately, this individual's displeasure with my photographic activities didn't lead to any further actions on his part (something I was mildly concerned about last night).

Sunday, April 13, 2008

A Few Quick Notes 169

-Today has be largely overcast, though with clear periods, and occasional periods of precipitation. This is quite a change from the weather of a few days ago, which was close to perfect. At least we are generally heading in the right direction.

-It seems that I am now about 14/79 for this year's Roll Up the Rim contest. I received a bit of a boost in my numbers yesterday when a new employee double cupped my coffee with context cups. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to convert this good fortune into further wins. Hopefully I can really kick it up in these next few days as places are starting to run out of cups, meaning that it is really now or never.

-It seems that with changes in weather we are also starting to get other signs of spring, most notably plant growth. Just today I noticed that leaves (or 'leafs' for our hockey fan readers) are starting to sprout on some of the trees outside of our windows. Not only with this be a pleasant sight, but it will provide Nithum with a degree of privacy that we haven't experienced since last Fall.

-Last night I attended the library school end of year party. The event was largely successful and people seem to have enjoyed themselves. I was particularly pleased that I was able to speak to a number of people to whom I hadn't really been able to speak with much these past few weeks. Also, the turnout seemed to be pretty good.

Though I missed much of the performance, we did have a male stripper who danced to "Another One Bites the Dust." Those who did see the show seem to have been quite pleased with what transpired.

-For about an hour and a half I have been trying to do laundry. Every time I head down to see if there are any empty machines I find people loading recently vacated washers. Hopefully I will find some empty ones tonight. It will be very disheartening to have to re-make my bed with a dirty duvet cover.

-In the past few days I have been making curry quite frequently. I am not really sure what explains this recent trend. As this seems to be working out relatively well I don't think that I will be doing all that much to try to break myself of the habit.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

A Few Quick Notes 168

-These past few days have been close to perfect. The temperatures have been quite pleasant, maybe near the ten degree mark, maybe a little higher, but certainly nothing unpleasant. Furthermore, the sun has been out and the days bright. Hopefully we can keep this trend going for another couple of weeks, though word on the street is that we are due for some less than pleasant weather in the coming days.

-It seems that I am now 14/74, though I wouldn't be surprised if my count was a little off. My goal of keeping my win rate up has fallen on hard times. Maybe I need to re-group and re-energize and bring my best game to next few days of the competition.

-I have been busy with school work these past few days, which is the reason for my shortage of posts. Hopefully my failure to post hasn't caused you too many problems. In the next few days I should be back on the wagon and supplying Montifax with regular posts.

-Today, as I was walking home from school a guy in a fancy black car honked at me as he was approaching, and then waved his finger at me as he drove past. I really have no idea what his problem was as I was on the side of an intersection waiting to cross the street. My only idea is that he thought that I was going to walk out in traffic in front of him, but I really don't know why he would have thought that, as my actions were no different than most people approaching an intersection.

-On Monday I was able to submit two final assignments. A third was submitted yesterday. My fourth, and final, final assignment is due next Wednesday. Fortunately I have already done a fair bit of work and am not at all worried about having the work done on time.

-While in Lobos today I noticed that they were selling raspberry flavoured malt beverages for 69 cents. Not surprisingly, I was suckered in and went for the impulse buy. After refrigerating the beverage for some number of hours I eventually decided to give it a try. Much to my surprise, the experience wasn't too bad, though it wasn't all that great either. The raspberry flavour was quite strong, certainly much stronger than the malt flavour. I may try to go back and pick up a few more before they well out.

-Today, while waiting in line at the library a guy cut in front of me. Upon realizing that he cut the line he turned around and said "Sorry, did I cut in front of you?"

I indicated that he had cut in front of me. He seemed to acknowledge this, but then went on with his transaction.

Why ask if you are going to do nothing about it?

-For the first time in some number of weeks I baked some bread. I am not all that pleased with the way things turned out, mainly as some of it is a little closer to burned than I would have desired. Hopefully it tastes good.