Curling - Part 2

Besides the ice and rocks, there have been a number of changes in the recent history of curling.

Up until the 1990's to win a curling game usually meant one team was better able to hit the other team's rocks.  As teams became better at it, the game got boring for the viewers.....like watching paint dry is how many described watching curling at the time. The curling associations implemented first a three rock and then a four rock rule which meant no hits were allowed until the lead rocks were played.  In my mind this was probably one of the best rule changes ever made as it meant more rocks in play.  With more rocks in the play the game became more of "chess on ice" as having the best strategy (and ability to place the rocks) became the key to winning.

The prizes have changed too.  When my parents curled in a local bonspiel, a big prize was a set of stacking stools or maybe a bottle of whiskey.  Probably the biggest prizes given away previously were the four automobiles presented to the winners of the Autospiel held in Nipawin, Saskatchewan from 1947 to 1954.   Now, the prizes are usually cash and teams have become more competitive.

When I was a kid, it wasn't unusual to see the curlers smoking as they swept the rocks down the ice, with ashtrays at either end.  Today the term 'Huffin and Puffin' generally refers to the lead and second of the Randy Ferby team (Marcel Roque and Scott Pfeiffer).

Just watching today's game of Canada versus Finland, I see another change.  Check out the 'do on this guy!

One thing that hasn't changed is the social atmosphere at a curling event both on and of ice.  There are very few poor sports in the game of curling.  Occasionally someone will slam their broom due to a poor shot on their part.  A cousin often says if they allowed body contact in curling he'd be more interested in the sport.

The audience can sometimes be another matter, especially at a evening game when someone has enjoyed the libations a little too much.  But post-game you'll often see curlers and spectators discussing the shots missed and made in the game just played, while enjoying a beverage or two.

As you can likely tell, I'm a huge fan of the game.  I love the strategy, the ability of the curlers to sweep rocks to just the right place, to read the ice, and their love of the game.  Besides which, in what other sport can you hear....."easy, easy" and "hurry, hurry hard!"?

Hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Curling - part one

Wow, it's been a busy few days.  Work has been uber-crazy with year-end and movement of staff among teams, which while getting over this ridiculous cold, results in me falling into bed at night exhausted.  No one is more grateful for a four day weekend than I!

On the home front, both of my kids have come down with the same head cold. Of course they are blaming it on me!  They didn't say I couldn't hug them when I was sick....

This afternoon marks the start of the final curling event of the year.  The Ford World Men's curling starts in Victoria, B.C. this afternoon so I'll be planted in front of the television for the rest of the weekend.

Several posts ago, Olga asked me if curling was a reality show about a beauty salon.  While that would be fun too, I thought I'd take a stab at explaining curling to the uninitiated.  Today, a brief history and a little information about the game:

Like golf, curling originated in Scotland, I assume so there was something else for men to do in the winter besides frighten the sheep.  It is a game played on ice so when the first immigrants from the British Isles came to Canada they brought the game with them as there is an abundance of it in this part of the world.  Especially this winter...but I digress.

Briefly, curling involves throwing rocks (or stones) down a sheet of ice, preceded by two sweepers with brooms, at the direction of the skip with the object of placing the rocks the closest to the center of a series of rings. Until recently no one did this better than Kevin Martin of Alberta.

There are two teams, each comprising a skip (the leader), the third, a second, and a lead, alternating shots until 8 stones are thrown by each team.  If you've ever played or watched shuffleboard played at a pub, you've got an idea of the game of curling.  Except in curling the drinking usually happens after the game. (I said usually....there have been notable exceptions)

Years ago, the game was played outdoors.  In some cases, rocks were simply old jam tins full of sand and even when real curling rocks were available the ice conditions were so poor, the best most curlers could do was chuck the rock down the ice and pray for the best!

Eventually curling came indoors into community rinks.  My guess is women began curling and refused to freeze to death outdoors so they insisted the men build shelters!  The local rinks became the hub of rural community life in the winter time, with skating rinks attached to keep the kids busy, a lunch counter with homemade sandwiches and soup served along with coffee or tea to warm up the curlers after a long game, and a place to visit with the neighbours over a friendly game of cards.

Curling is a sport that can be enjoyed by pretty much everyone of any age, and ability.  There are leagues for children, men, women, seniors, wheelchair curlers, and even blind curlers.  For most, the game is more about comradery and fun, rather than winning and losing.  Both my parents curled for many years though my mom had to give it up when another curler slipped on the ice, fell on her and broke her leg, while dad curled until he was 92.  Check out this fellow; at 102 he`s the oldest curler in the world!

Despite having grown up at the curling rink, I never did take up the sport.  As a teenager I rebelled against anything my parents did or suggested, and it wasn't until 1989 that I got interested.  The company I worked for gave away tickets for the Brier (Canadian men's championship) and I won a pair to the Thursday`s three draws.  I invited my mom to join me in Saskatoon and we spent almost an entire day at the rink from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 at night. She spent the day answering my questions, "what are they trying to do, why that shot, how do they get the rock to do that?"  She was incredibly patient with me...a trait she rarely demonstrated...so she obviously enjoyed the day. I did too, as it was truly the start of a new relationship with my mom.

A few years later, I attended the Roar of the Rings (the Olympic curling trials in Canada) in my city.  I was blessed to sit with two couples, both of whom were well-known curlers in their own rights, who answered my questions and helped me gain a greater understanding of the theory of the game and the strategy.  Over time I've become a hell of skip....at least from my armchair.  

I did take a couple of lessons a few years ago, but it was about the time my mom died, so I gave up and I've never gotten back to it.  Perhaps when I retire I'll try again.  In the meantime I'll enjoy watching the masters (both men and women) of the game amaze me with their shots and strategy.

Oh yeah, and of course, there is the occasional eye-candy.  That's Thomas Ulsrud of Norway with Kevin Martin of Canada...guess which one I think is gorgeous...hint he has more hair!

I hope everyone is having a great Easter weekend!  It's even starting to melt here...maybe spring will follow the Easter bunny.

A long time ago

Fifty four years ago to be exact I met my mom and dad for the very first time.  I don`t remember anything of our first meeting but I know the details.  I know, because the nurse who delivered me  attended parties at my families home, and when T was drunk tipsy, she would pull me aside to share the story.

The doctor was delayed and I was in a hurry.  In such a hurry in fact, that I was born in the amniotic sac intact, which T had to cut open which resulted in fluid splashing all over her.  This was the sordid detail she liked to remind me of as often and as publicly as possible.  Not the thing you want to hear when you are 14, 17, or even 25, but now I think it`s kind of interesting.  It was a good thing I weighed in at a mere 3 pounds 6 ounces (1530 grams) or I suspect my mother would have hated me forever.

Mom always said I was a colicky baby, at least she took me off the formula the doctor prescribed, and put on Carnation 2% evaporated milk and corn syrup.  This would give any medical practitioner the fits these days, but I thrived on it.   Dad was the one who got up in the night with me, as he was a farmer and was away during the day.  I'm his first child, and as result was a little  lot spoiled.  He told me he would lay me down (on my stomach, another no-no today) and pat my back until I went back to sleep.  He told me he would count to 500 and occasionally fell asleep leaning over the crib.  Like I said, spoiled.

Today, on the anniversary of my birth, I've taken the day off work.  If I could pass one law in the world, it would be everyone would not have to work on their birthday, and be able to relax and enjoy it as they chose.  Since that isn't the case, ever since I've been able to arrange my schedule I've taken the day for myself.

It hasn't been an exciting day, but and enjoyable one...at least for me.  I slept in briefly, was woken up by a friend calling to wish me Happy Birthday and then I puttered around the house before doing some shopping.  What a treat to be able to shop on a weekday morning when the stores are less busy.

I came home with my packages to find a lovely gift on the table; a lovely chocolate dessert.  I'm sure you'll laugh, I didn't realize what it was and stuck my fingers into the box to lift it out, and stuck my fingers right into the icing!

For the rest of the day I plan to relax, enjoy some cuddles with the cats, dinner with C and D, and simply enjoy my time off.  Didn't I say something earlier about being spoiled?

Have a great day everyone!

Making the most of Monday

I took the day off as my earned day off.  I usually take Friday but this time I switched it up as I planned a day of vacation tomorrow and I loved the idea of a four day weekend.

Of course, being sick all weekend, meant I didn't much housework done around here.  After my daughter left for work at 7 a.m., I got up to have a shower, and got on with it.  After much scrubbing, vacuuming, dusting, folding, tidying, and tossing the house is looking terrific and I'm exhausted.   I think it must be spring fever....at least I hope it is!

I stripped the bed, did three loads of laundry, and cleared the side tables.  I have a tendency to let stuff gather up so a lot of today was putting things where they belonged.  I got the filing of all the bills and tax information and used the shredder to cut up a bunch of last years paper.

Next on the agenda were the hall closets, one we use for linens, towels, and such, the other holds cleaning supplies, paper products, and cat food.  I'm not sure how they get so messy but they sure do.  I tossed some old items and cleared the clutter.

After a brief stop for a bowl of oatmeal, it was on to the kitchen.  The island tends to be the catch-all in this room and it was a disaster.  My children, wonderful as they are, are also not the best at keeping the counters and stove clean when they make their meals.  They do load the dishwasher...I'll give the that!  After clearing the counters, washing up a few dishes, scrubbing the stove and fridge, I started on the pantry.  I refuse to tell you how old the box of Rice Krispies was - it was tossed.

The living room was next.  I'm ashamed to admit this but the picture doesn't lie...it's been far too long since I moved the couch to vacuum!  Saku loves to chase things around the room until they find their way under the furniture.  His favorites are hair elastics, the pink cover for my daughter's cellphone, candy wrappers and cat toys.

The last area was the front hall.  Despite the cold, we've been tracking dirt in on our boots.  I vacuumed and scrubbed the floor, took the garbage, emptied the bucket.  AND collapsed in my chair!

One of the things I accomplished was to get rid of the winter decorative items.  That included the Rider Snowman, a reindeer, icicles, snowflakes, and another a door stop snowman.

I've decided it's my fault winter has been hanging on for so long is because I hadn't put away all the decorations.  It's a theory...we'll see whether it works.

I'll be so happy to be rid of this view.  It may not be spring outside, but inside my house...it's officially spring.

Hope everyone had a productive and happy Monday!

Time lapse

These pictures were taken on Friday.  The first I snapped at about 6:30 in the morning, when I looked at the window to see Mr. Bunny.

To my surprise, when I got home from work around 3 p.m he was still sitting there.

It had been snowing lightly all day, so he seemed to be settled in quite comfortably.

I was in bed early, by 8:30 that evening, and he was still hanging out.

From the first the last picture it hardly looks like he's moved at all!  Obviously he's better bladder control than I have.  I couldn't sit that long!

I woke up this morning feeling much better, I definitely slept well, and my ears have popped so I can hear properly again.  Thanks everyone for the good wishes!

I'm back!

I haven't completely fallen off the face of the earth, but there were moments this week when I wish I would.  And it nothing to do with my worries of early this week.

I've been spending my time doing lovely things like coughing to the point I hoped I'd hack up a lung, shivering during a hot flash, and most recently, trying to keep up with constant nasal drip.  Oh yeah, and just for fun I threw in a migraine on Wednesday.  Try coughing with a migraine...between nausea and feeling as though my head was going to explode...it was one of the worst days of my life.

Because I'm a loyal employee idiot I managed to make it into work the rest of the week, though it was probably not the best idea since I probably spread my germs around.  I didn't want to miss any announcements on Thursday though I should have known nothing definitive would have been provided.  We do know our budget has been cut again, however the work is going to increase.  Surprise, surprise...not!

The other item to come out of the budget is the goal of the federal government to renegotiate sick leave benefits for public servants.  Currently we earn 15 days a year, which can be carried forward if not used.  Should a significant illness occur, the employee can use up to 13 weeks of leave before disability would normally kick in.  Those who don't use the hours lose them on leaving their employment.  However, many employees use their sick leave as earned - I saw stats that say the average public service employee uses 12.5 days a year, while the private sector uses 8.5 days in a year (my numbers may be slightly off but it was in that range).

I suspect they may try to reduce the number of days we can earn in a year, and perhaps cap the amount of hours carried over.  I can't see the unions giving away the benefit entirely, as it would have an impact on the private sector as well.

So things at work aren't as bad as I thought they might be (at least not yet), and I'm starting to feel better.

I'm getting lots of couch time in with my Sasha. The cats seem to enjoy that I'm a hot water bottle, but not so thrilled when I start coughing and send them flying.

Time for me to catch up with the rest of you, I did manage to lurk a little this week but I don't think I commented.  Who knows, for a good portion of the week....brain...not...working.

Happy Saturday, everyone!

It's official

We broke the record for snowfall in our city this winter, with just over 196 centimeters of snow (about 6 1/2 feet).   Oh, yippee! :(

On one hand it is good since we'll have lots of moisture this year, on the other hand we have to worry about flooding.

The last house we lived in, was the lowest on the block, and I had a flooded basement two years in a row.   When we bought this place I made certain to check the lay of land (so to speak) and my house is actually the highest so hopefully we'll be okay.  If not, I could be in trouble as I don't have a sump pump or a backwater valve installed.

So even though there is still a lot of snow pack we're all hoping for a slow melt.  The temperatures we've been having will ensure that.

Spring arrives in less than 12 hours...I'll be ready and waiting (and waiting, and waiting!)