Row-Ho-Ho and a bottle of rum

Well yesterday was somewhat un-eventful. Took an easy day, tied up some loose ends, and chilled. Then we went out for some delicious dinner, and I was missing some home cooked meals, so I had some sheppards pie hoping it was like mom's. NO where near as good as homes. Oh well, the bread pudding dessert made up for it as it was delicious. Hit the hay early, read a bit before. Boom out go the lights.
Today was an office day, and more TOK sessions. My pin collection is looking sharp. I will post a picture of it, and the rest of my pics soon I promise. I get to go see boxing tonight, the event ive wanted to see the most this week. Its at the Forum, a famous oldschool rink here in Hali, my mind will hopefully be blown. Talk to you later.

Never again going to have a beavertail in Ottawa

Oh my oh my,
We went to Martock yesterday (one of the two ski-hills) where I saw my first medal ceremony. It was awesome. Seeing everyone who qualified to grab a medal finally get it around their neck was awesome. The smiles on their faces (minus the one who was pissed because they announced the wrong province) was a great sight to see.
It was also the first time I have seen a snowboard halfpipe in person. I thought it was massive and huge, turns out it wasn't even a full sized halfpipe. Damn.
I also received a medal so to speak, in the form of a Beavertail. I don't know about you, but Ottawa, please update your boring Beavertail Menu. After exploring the new flavours and catching the drool from my mouth, I decided not to go with "The Avalanche" which was vanilla icing or something and crushed oreos on top. Instead I chose to go with one that's name couldn't even be remembered, the amazingness of a cheesecake spread, chocolate syrup, and crushed Skor pieces. I literally, honestly, drooled on my shirt by accident. It left me speechless.
Night time saw us at Bubba Rays Pub for another mission party. It was delicious. They had a chicken wing buffet, along side shrimp, mussels, and other seafood. The chicken wings were excellent, and they had 12 sauces to choose from to throw on it. Was yummy yummy in my tummy. Then to wash it down, I had discovered that on that night they were selling $3.00 pint of Heineken. SOOOOOO GOOOOOOODDDDD. Night ended, I passed out, was very very happy.

Peace out

Back at it

Ok, so I gave up on my day by day blog. I clearly don't have the energy to come home every night and blog, I would much rather go crash, as I have done the last few nights. Oh well. So what has been new and exciting with me over the last few days?

• Yesterday I spent hours upon hours unloading and loading athlete luggage and sport equipment. It was extremely intense. Let's just say for training camp next year, I am going to see if my kids can do this for a few hours. It was nuts. Some of the things were massively heavy. And seeing everyone coming through to check in for their flight was nuts also. Lululemon pants need to have laws along the lines of alcohol and cigarettes. That is you need to show ID to prove you are above 19 to wear those pants! All the lugging reminded me of my good old Freeman days with Duppa.
• After however many days here, I have finally called to get cable and internet. We had to unplug the internet to get cable, and apparently our neighbours below us (CGC coworkers) nark on our internet, so they weren't happy when I tried to watch the game!
• I got to see the last 3 songs of Great Big Sea the other night. It was a packed house. Amazing atmosphere! So cool to see a  concert right in the heart of downtown.
• I got to see the bronze medal hockey game. Was a great game with a big comeback for the win. I got offered gold tickets, but I was already back in bed, so I gladly declined :P.
• Today I truly felt what the Canada Games was all about. I went to eat lunch at the Metro Centre and watched some hockey. I think it was Manitoba and Alberta playing or something like that. Either way I was alone in the free beer VIP box and there was maybe 100 people in the stands, MAYBE. Either way the little lady from Manitoba scored a goal. She got to the bench after celebrating like mad, and when she looked up at the board, she noticed they were showing her on the bench! She lost her mind! The Canada Games is a high level of competition, theres no doubt. But it has the unfortunate situation of always being compared to the Olympics. For girls like this, she will likely never have the opportunity to walk in a closing ceremony, score a big goal for her province, who knows, maybe never get put on the big screen for popping in a geeeeno. The Games give those the opportunity to feel like a celebrity, for maybe their only time. 
• Got to see my coach-manager meeting/medical meeting/athletes village tour today. Pretty interesting stuff. Felt like the coach manager meeting could have turned into a battle royal, but unfortunately got sorted out.
• Went to a mission party with the Marketing team and a gal from Forzani (the peeps who own Sportchek). Was a great party with great people. First talked to the people from TSN including Catriona LeMay Doan, and all the other big wigs and workers with TSN. Then went downstairs to the party to eat, yes, a create your own mashed potato bar. You plop your mashed taters in the bows, and add anything from sauteed onions, mushrooms, bacon, cheese, etc... and plop some gravy on top. My god I was happy. Had some good  times with the marketing crew, and Kelly who was the forzani gal, great gal. 
• Right before that I watched Hey Rhianna with LJ and her amigo, interesting band, not my cup of tea. Went home and cranked some Petty.
• Bought my kids and family some souvenirs. Bit expensive for what I bought, but they better like it!
•  Applied for 3 jobs! Hopefully I can snag one, end of April will come very quick sadly, and my time will unfortunately be done with CGC :(. If you see something, let me know!
• Got to cruise around in a Lancer yesterday. Sure its a Mitsubishi, but I still miss my focus.
• Heard my lads are kicking some butt in Rochester. 1-1-1, but enough to make the finals, will be thinking of ya in the morning boys!
• Did more groceries. More pickles, but some sandwich stuff this time.

Well can't think of much more right now. I will add some when I can think of more to add.

Feb 15th

This was my favorite day so far out of them all. On the 14th, I made a great shift trade in my opinion. I took the 7-11am shift (I built a threshold thanks to the Knights 7am practices) in exchange for my 3-7pm shift. Why you ask? Well after my TOK session which was done at 1:30, I had the rest of the day until dinner to do what I felt!

First stop was the Wheelchair Basketball competition with LJ and her friend Steph. I must say, Wheelchair Basketball is one of the most insane sports I have ever seen in my life. It has contact, chirping, almost fights, and faceplants. It is nuts. I would die. Literally. I would fall over on a chair I am strapped to, smash nose first into the floor, and bleed to death.

After the basketball, Steph went her own way and LJ and I went off to the Metro Centre (remember my VIP story from the 14th...). Well there was a big hill in the way as you who have been to Hali know. We decided to race up the hill. I was no gentleman, LJ I whooped your butt! We then took a death walk down the ice stairs, lost all 9 lives for sure doing those, and finally got to the free beer Metro Centre. PEI vs NB in a snoozer of a game. LJ also was quite giggly today which made it much more entertaining, I don't think I wasn't laughing for more than 2 minutes. Was a great day.

Night time I decided to try and pick up chicks at the Canadian Women in Sport event. I was one of a total of 3-4 males who attended. The other 3-4 were married. I still didn't pick up. Win some you lose some, but I lost a bunch there.

Final stop of the evening was birthday dinner for Andre at Salty's. The seafood was epic, the wine was great, and talking with Tiff, Kim, LJ, JP, and Sue not about work, and having a good time laughing away was well needed for us. It was truly one of the most enjoyable times I have had with the CGC.

I got home, heard that the Knights romped the Rams 6-1 (also forgot the shout out to the win the night before when they beat the Blues!) and began to think that I should just stay here as they are flying! Keep up the good work all of you, and those who are injured, take your time and come back 100% and ready to win a playoff championship! I slept great that night. My mind was at ease, my spirits were sky high, and 7 hours helps too!

Back track to Feb 14th

My God, it is two nights after the peppers, and the gas they have given me would battle anyone and win. ANYONE. I think I woke up my neighbours at one point. I def woke up myself.

Observer program was in full swing today.Taped two sessions, and man is the discussion good stuff. Was really nice to see everyone so focused and they are asking questions like crazy. No politician answers either.

For those of you who don't know, the Observer Program is a bunch of sessions and activities at the Canada Games put together for other groups to come and learn. We have Sherbrooke 2013, Prince George 2015, the 2015 Pan Am Games, the Aboriginal Games, The Western Canada Games, and some other groups all here to learn and talk to the people that know EVERYTHING. It is amazing

So after the second session of the day (had some crappy salad and chowder in between for lunch, but oh well. I continue to back up my theory of anyone who says they have the best, is usually the worst) I had an office shift, and that flew by. Me, Aaron and Isi then went to catch the Hockey Game at the Metro Centre. It was Ontario vs whoever they beat. BC maybe. Either way, Greig you can attest to this, they have an Ottawa boy on the team who I have reffed many times. Looks pretty good. They also have one kid, whats his name, oh Subban, younger brother of PK, he's tearing it up.

But the best surprise of the evening was when we actually got to the rink and made our way up to the VIP box (which we have access to because we go where we want, when we want!) I felt my tongue a little dry and decided to wet my whistle. I ask for a Keith's and as I pull out my wallet, she gives me a strange look. Oh God No. Life changed, work no longer a thought of mine. Free beer at the VIP box in the Metro Centre. Good night Halifax!

Made it home at some hour, thought about typing these blogs up, decided to have another beer and wham, out cold. GOOD DAY!

Back track to Feb 13th

So we left off with me sleeping 4 hours, and having a stomach full of hot peppers. Not just any normal hot, but like death hot. People were crying on difficulty 2 of 5, some quit half way through, but me an 8 others succeeded.
Either way, I was driving around various delegates to 6 venues and despite how tired I was, wow it was impressive seeing all these places.

First stop was Citadel High School, a new highschool which is hosting Wheelchair Basketball. Lucky kids who go there as it is a hell of a facility. They have a nice theater where the NAP program will be showcased. I sat down and almost passed out...

Second stop was the Long Track Oval and what hospitality (at all venues) as we got some nice homemade cookies. mmm. What a venue it was. So amazing.

Third stop was the Mayflower curling club, and I bumped into some people I had recently met and talked a tad. Another beauty facility, and had plenty of female curlers in lulu pants, so I couldn't tell you who was winning.

Fourth stop was the Canada Games Centre, and if you haven't seen this venue yet, please, PLEASE, google it. Absolutely unbelievable. Just stunning. Check my photos I will post later. Gymnastics was going on and Barbs, I am sure you would drool at everything they had set up here for the athletes. My funny of the day lands here. Around the top of the gym area is an amazing running track. At the end of the track they have a sand pit for long jumpers. Off in the distance they have a weight room being set up, and me being a snoopy sam, was walking towards it and not watching my feet. Sure enough sand pit + gravity = man down.

Fifth stop was Cole Harbour Place, the rink where the legendary, Stanley Cup Winning, home town hero, Joe Dipenta played. There was some other chump who played there too, can't remember his name, hope he doesn't cry about it. Ringette is drawing incredible crowds, and as we saw, the venue is booming. Apparently for the first Nova Scotia ringette game, 150 people were turned away, and the venue sits about 1000. BOOM.

Last stop was hockey at the Metro Centre, sexy building.

It was now 4:00pm, I went back to my room, did laundry, ate a Banana, ate another banana, decided not to follow the song (one banana, two banana, three banana, four) as that would end in death. Then I had the best nap life has ever witnessed. Woke up at 6:00pm, worked 7-11pm, then went back to bed. Day done, no pink socks or shirts, not much food. Oh well! Stomach still shifty, poop is green, damn peppers.

Back Track to Feb 12th!

So this was the first day of the interesting last few. I apologize for leaving you all guessing about if I was alive or not, but sadly for you I am still kicking, but barely.
The 12th was one interesting, amazing, crazy day. First off, I had a brutal sleep the night before. Only got about 4 hours of sleep. Opening the office wasn't fun to say the least! This was also a big day for me. We had our first Transfer of Knowledge(TOK) session in the program I co-organized, and we had the party I booked. Oh lordy, this was going to be rough.

First TOK session came and went without a hitch. There was a huge group and they loved the session. A lot of big names were there, and it was fun to see so much interest from the group.

I then decided to cover Tiffany's first bit of her shift, and she covered some of my 7am shift, which turned out to be a huge help as you will find out soon.

Spent most of the afternoon while not in the office visiting the amazing outdoor long track course, grabbing some delicious pizza, and watching some hockey day in Canada. Was a good use of my time. On that note, let's start the eat count. Breakfast + half a large pizza.

I did the shift, and had to wait a tad longer as Tiff lost her accreditation (and Kel lost her wallet, bad day apparently). She finally got a new one printed and joined us in the office so I could bolt. Me/Aaron/Lindsay went to watch a grand 10 minutes of the QUE/BC hockey game, where in that span of time we got un-invited to the board dinner, and then re-invited.

Board dinner was delicious. Their first mistake was offering me an all you can eat mussel/salad bar with our meal. 3 plates of mussels and 2 plates of salad later, I was ready for my meal. I had some delicious blackened haddock with a interesting spicy sausage mix, and some rice. Mmmm soo good. Then we had some amazinggggg cheese cake.

To put the total now it is: breakfast+half pizza+3 plates of mussels+2 plates of salad+blackened haddock/sausage mix/rice+cheesecake. Boom

I left dinner at 8:30. I was at our private secret party by 9:00. Lets just say I had joined this secret club by 10:00pm, and the only way to join was by eating 6 deathly hot peppers. Mmm.

Many beers and many shots later I found myself in the emergency room.






Yes I skipped a bunch there. After the bar ended which was around 1, I went back to my room and took a sit on my bed, when my phone went off. I was hoping it was co-workers wanting more beers (as I had stocked up that day), but on the line was Aaron and Isi telling me my roommate was in the emergency room after falling, dislocating his elbow, and passing out. So I decided to wake up Kim with my 1 am phone call, and after hanging up on me the first time, I finally got her to stay awake and come to the hospital with me.

We arrive around 1:45, my roomie gets a few more x-rays, has er popped back into place, and 4:00 am we find ourselves back in bed finally. Oh, thank, god, I, got, Tiff, to, take, my, 7, am, shift! Well I still had to be there for 9!

Will write about the 13th later tonight, oh belly it was interesting.

WHAT A DAY!

Now this day was fun! Lets start from the top!

Opening Breakfast/Opening Press Conference: I got to help out with this event this morning. I threw on my good pants, and didn't wear a toque. I looked damn sexy. I was to greet media and special guests in the hotel lobby and help them up to the ballroom. I however looked so masculine that half the athlete's thought I was security and kept flashing their badges. Lets just say I didn't let a few through. Got to see some really cool people, and talked with a bunch of them. I then heard the great news that the Trews would be playing the opening ceremony. I almost let my bladder slip on that news.

That started at 7:30am, got back to the office (again) around 10:15am. I went on a mission to buy some bottled water for the office, when an unexpected, and amazing thing happened. Tiff, one of our marketing coordinators bumped into me at the escalator. She was in a rush as she literally had to do two things at once. She needed to deliver a "package" and at the exact same time head to another venue. Well since I am Superman, I decided to help out. She handed me said "package" and gave me directions on how to get there as quick as possible outside. I had no coat, and had my accreditation around my neck, and my shirt was tucked into my good pants, so I looked like a legit important person. Sure enough she hands me the package, and tells me whats inside, and I immediately think "wow, I could ruin the whole opening ceremonies if this doesn't get delivered." That's right, I was put in trust of the official Canada Games Torch, which you saw on TSN during the opening ceremonies. I had no bodyguards, I had no snipers, just me, my big, enforcing presence, and the torch. I immediately ignored all her instructions and took the long way to my location (or I messed up and got lost). Running through the streets of Halifax, no one was the wiser that in my hands was the torch. I could have dropped it under a truck, been mugged, had it stolen while drinking, or ripped out of my hands by monkeys, but no, Superman made a successful delivery to its location, so ALL of CANADA could see it lit on TSN. Canada, you owe me one.

I then return from my long adventure only after 25 minutes. My co-workers asked where's the beef (water), and I said I didn't get to it like it was no big deal. I then sat down at 9:55 and logged into Cap Tickets to buy me some Bon Jovi tickets for the Ottawa Show. Being the pro I am, and amazing multi-tasker, I not only got amazing seats to the Bon Jovi Show, I also met 3 people and had a conversation with each and everyone, printed a document, and solved an issue all at the same time. Boom.

I then had a mediocre afternoon with another office shift, but ended up going to buy lots of water, adding a parking pass to our beautiful Mitsubishi car we drive around in, and probably breaking a few hearts while walking through the mall. Tough life.

Then the evening came. My first opening ceremonies for a multi-sport event and I couldnt be happier. What a spectacle. If you didnt see it on TSN, try and find a repeat online or on TV. Absolutely amazing. Some texts I sent my sister during the event or that she sent me:

"Lol mom is mad at him saying 1-bec ahahaha"
"Sounds like he's saying TOGA TOGA TOGA"
"JRDN? Someone doesnt like vowels"
"This is the guy who gave me my bonus and took me to xmas dinner" - When Tom Quinn Spoke
"I printed off the speech he's reading" - When Tom Quinn Spoke, and yes, I had help printing.
"That's the flag I sat on by accident" - When the flag bearers (sic?) were waving the flag.
"I cabbed around Ottawa with him last year" - When Rankin was playing on stage

Oh it was fantastic. I do however want the pep pills the host had when the teams were walking out. If my Knights could take a shot of that, we wouldn't have the issue of no energy (just the issue of no sleeping). On that note I heard our Golden Knights took a big 4-1 win! Way to go lads. Dom and Tom, get better you two, and Logan, nice to have ya back! Phil, I leave for one game and you draw a bench minor! I'm not mad, I am jealous! Good job Knights! Chapman, you better have been bending those knees on that goal! And Malcolm, I can still hear your voice!


I also booked a party and am amazing. Boom!

Talk to you all tomorrow. BOOM SHAKA LAKA!

Holy 15 hours Batman

Well, I am still sane and that is impressive. I have been in the mission office now for approx. 15 hours, not this week, today! I am so comfortable with my surrounding, I have ditched the shoes and roam the halls in socks. Mom, I am thinking of buying sandals, not going to lie. That would make for epic walking I am sure.

Snoop, you would be proud, I think I am on diabetic Coke number 4. No small feat, unless you are Snoop. I also disappointed myself by not consuming any type of fish (mind out of gutter all of you!) today. I had A&W for lunch and timmies for dinner. Yes. Exciting food day. No lobster mac and cheese that's for sure.

Mom, you will also be proud, in that 15 hours of office work, I did not fall asleep. I bet you would have about 3 naps in that time! See the above point as to why I did not nap.

Poor people though, my last shower was yesterday morning. I didn't intend on going all day without showering, it was an honest mistake I swear. Last night I was absolutely gassed (and had a few brews), and hit the hay. When I woke up for my 7:00am shift, it was 6:40. Thinking I am a genius, I was just going to come back and shower after my 7-11am shift. Well, arrived at the office and noticed my shift was 7-3pm, and then 7-11pm. So, no shower for me as in that gap, I still had office junk to do, and running around! Blast.

Well things were interesting this morning thought. Marketing had been told their gifts for a reception weren't going to arrive until Monday. Reception was tonight. Gifts were for some very important people (just a little PM and such). Well they got new gifts made up and apparently looked fantastic! They run around like crazy those marketing and comm people with the CGC, I am extremely impressed. I'd need a few breathers, or beers.

Then more travel SNAFU's occurred, but once again my boss saved butt's, by finding a plane to fly people out. Not just seats, a PLANE. Boom goes that issue.

Got to meet a tonne of cool people over the last two days, pretty amazing. The CEO of the Canada Games who I work with back in Ottawa has introduced me to everyone as Big Mike, ugh. Oh well. At least they know my name!

I think I am getting a nice ass-grove in this office chair. It's getting extra comfy.

I was just informed my sleep in tomorrow has been canceled and I have to wake up and be at a hotel by 7:30am to escort top exec sponsors. Hopefully I meet some cool people!

Mom, when I get back to Ottawa on the 28th, I am sleeping for 3 days straight, I might wake up for hockey, that's it.

Starting tomorrow, I will start doing some contests on Twitter/Here for some 2011/Canada Games Swag. You want in? Sign up on twitter or get ready to leave comments on here!

Adios amigos.

Office Hours Begin

So I woke up last night to what I thought was a tornado outside. Note to self, when sleeping in Halifax during winter, and you crack a window because your were too confused with the thermostat to make it cooler in the room, and there is a windstorm outside, your blinds will fly everywhere and literally scare the crap out of you. White sheets may have been a bad idea...
Other than that I had a solid sleep. Ottawa time 11pm fall asleep, Halifax time 8am wake up. Oh so nice.
Did my first round of grocery shopping and bought Fruit Loops, Coke, Milk (choc and white so I don't get accused of racism), Pickles, Caramel, Bread, Pop Tarts (all because of Duppa having them), and OJ. I guess I can find some more stuff at some point, but the best seafood is that which I have not prepared. So I will purchase those meals on my own.
So 8:30 run out the door, grab (ala Duppa) a pack o' pop tarts, head over to pack the gifts in the car. There are boat loads. Then we arrive around 9:30 at the office here in Halifax where I have been ever since.
So in the last 7.5 hours I have:

• Broke 1 printer
• Created the worst phone voice message ever
• Booked a party for $1000.00
• Broke the 2nd printer, only to then fix it.
• Blasted tunes from my computer without realizing our walls are not sound proof
• Showed my plumber crack to at least 20 people by now I am sure since I had to plug in a lot of computers.
• Hyped up on coke
• Tripped over a laptop cord 4 times
• Got food, dropped can of coke on floor, broke open, went to purchase plastic bottle. 
• Almost dropped 10 framed photo's on the floor

Etc...
I am sure there are more but I can't remember things. Tonight has the line up of another VIP dinner (BOOM) and other stuff here and there! Trip to beer store needed to fill the remaining 88% of fridge which is empty.

Will talk to you all later, hope the tornado's don't come back and give me night terrors.

I have arrived!

Holy Tamole!
I am finally in Hali and settled. Our living arrangements almost make me want to move out here in this room and stay forever. I am currently typing this from a desk overlooking the boardwalk, and to the left is Keith's Brewery. Simply amazing. We have a full living room, kitchen, and dining area, as well as a nice TV and sound system, and fireplace. There are two bedrooms of good size, one has a bathroom attached, the other doesn't. I was the gentleman and let Lindsay have the nicer room. I figured she has to put up with me for a few days, she can get the bigger room.
The flight was a drag. Me being the genius that I am, decided to try and watch a movie. Turns out the flight is only about an hour at most. Them movie I chose was 111 minutes long. Maybe I can watch the end of it on the flight home on the 28th! Oh well, if that's the only hiccup I have today, I won't complain.
We are going to dinner in about 30min, so I should probably shower. That 5am wake up is kicking in right now and a shower should boost me back up. If you check my twitter (mikethegoalie32) you will see pics of my trip and room etc... Talk to you all later tonight!

Here we go!

I am starting this blog, at 9:10pm EST, the night before I fly out to Halifax for the 2011 Canada Winter Games. Have I packed yet, no. Have I thought about sleeping, no. Do I realize I am up at 5:00am EST for a flight, oh yes. But hey, what can you do. In fact, I worked until 3:15, came home, went back to work to pick up something someone forgot, came back home, then went to coach, and now I am in front of this screen.

Why follow this blog and my twitter? Why spend countless hours by your computer waiting for me to update my next post? Why ditch work, re-book your doctors appointment, cancel your first date, and avoid your child's night activity for me? Because this will be the most entertaining, informative, exhilarating, lip biting, toe curling, blog known to man. Let it be now with the Canada Games, or post-games when I plan to continue this blog, you will want to keep updated as I will say it as I see it.

Either way, apparently I should be getting ready for a trip. Some people like to pack early to be prepared, I like to prepare then pack. I know what I will forget before I put everything in my luggage. So boom!

Talk to ya all soon, follow my twitter and this blog!