Day 12

It's very hard to put yourself in front of some sort of screen. Whether it be a computer monitor, a television, heck even my phone without being exposed to the USA. Maybe that's why Canadians can be resentful of our American neighbors. I'm not saying that would be the sole reason but it could be a major factor. We can't get away from the American media. While we want our own country we are so exposed to the USA part of what is theirs become part of what is ours. Thank God for the CRTC though. I mean without them we would lose what little we already have.

Many times over the past month when I tell people what I'm doing I get the response "Canadian TV shows suck" and other variations on that sentence. I think that we have gotten soft with our media. We have the USA to supplement our own television so that gives us liberty to invest less in our own media. And it is the suits who have the money that are holding it back. That's why our music has flourished. Music is relatively inexpensive in comparison to produce. But our television and movies are for the most part ignored for one reason or anouther.

Now if the people who have a say and the people with the money got together and said let's reclaim our media and let's put something out that we can be proud of. Us as Canadians could be more proud of what we are producing as a country and not just what we are producing in hockey.

Over these past few weeks I've been watching a lot of CBC. The Hour, Q, Rick Mercer. Thank goodness that we have that otherwise I would have pulled out my hair.

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When you get a chance listen to Wavin' Flag by K'naan and that version that they recorded with all the Canadian artists.

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir Gold Medalists!!

Virtue and Moir made history tonight by becoming the first North Americans (and Canadians at that) to win gold in ice dance. They blew the competition out of the water by winning by 6 points. They are also pretty darn young at ages 22 and 20 respectively. They have been skating since they were little and it looks like all those hours spent at the rink paid off! Good for them. Everyone is happy. You log onto facebook and all you see is status updates about the newest gold medal in the trophy case of Canada. Where Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kratz paved the way Virtue and Moire went! It was fantastic.

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The Canadian Women advance to the finals in hockey. They will be facing rivals USA. I'm really hoping and praying that we win that game. They have it in them to win. I firmly believe that we have a strong strong team. I really don't want to jinx this post by saying we have the stronger team so I won't. As long as they keep it simple. Keep making good passes through the neutral zone and keep getting the puck to Megan Agosta ... lol.

I'm buying a poster and I'm putting it on my wall these girls are truly heros in my opinion to all Canadians and they are making us all proud.

*sniff I think I might shed a tear*

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Anyone catch that Brian Williams and Brian Williams bit they did earlier today? It was hilarious. I know every Canadian loves Brian Williams (the Canadian one) and it just wouldn't be the Olympics without him doing the prime-time show. Plus after Brian Williams (the American one) interview on Q he deserves honorary Canadian status. That's not something to be given out lightly either.

If Shaun White doesn't want to be called The Flying Tomato then he shouldn't have the same hair as Carrot Top

That's it in a nutshell. Shaun White has a red afro and he has to deal with being called The Flying Tomato. I'm sure that seeing as how he has two gold medals he can suck it up.

I have to admit though I really wanted him to fall. HARD! But when you have your own half pipe you better win or else. He did seem genuinely happy so I can't be all angry towards him.

I know this is not Canadian but I figured seeing as how it was all that was on my television what else would I say.

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On a different note Canada took home anouther medal today. This time it was a silver in short track speed skating. On her 20th birthday Marianne St. Gelais sped to victory. To look at her face when the race was over and how she carried around the flag you'd think she'd won the gold. And that ladies and gentlemen is what the Olympics are about.

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And the Norwegian pants are making more headlines than the Norwegians themselves. I think it's still up in the air if this is a good thing or not. I think it is. Seriously they are sweet pants. You have to make a fashion statement at the Olympics.

Take that Sweden

Well it was quite a game. Not in that it was very exciting. But it was interesting for a few reasons. Hayley Wickenheiser now holds the record for most olympic goals at 16. Meghan Agosta got a hat trick and for such a young player she is really one of the ones to watch. She shows a lot of potential to become one of the next leaders of Team Canada.

Speaking about leaders though, Sarah Vaillancourt played a really solid game. Honestly in my mind she is one of the future leaders of Team Canada.

They were outplayed by the Swedes in the third period.

All in all though the Canadian team is well deserving of the pride our country has in them. I'm glad they were relentless with the goals. And to those who say Canada is unfair chew on this, Hayley Wickenheiser is holding a conference/tournament in March to help build women's hockey worldwide. On top of this Hockey Canada will be holding a similar conference in the summer. Canada is like hockey missionaries we just want to help build this sport and spread a love for this game. So what are the Americans doing to build sports outside of their country eh?

Be sure to tune in to Maelle Ricker's gold medal presentation tonight. I believe but don't quote me that it is Alberta night down at BC Place.

Maelle Ricker and the Norwegian Curling Teams Pants

Maelle Ricker will be awarded with her gold medal tonight in Vancouver. It's exciting for Canadians and no doubt exciting for her. Congrats.

The awesome thing about Maelle is that she keeps getting up. She fell during one of the timed races early in the day yesterday but she got back up and finished the race. A bigger example of her drive and determination is her experience in Italy 4 years ago. She was seriously injured. They had to take her out on a helicopter. But she didn't quit. She kept going. And tonight she is going to be rewarded for that determination with a gold medal. And Canada as a whole will be rewarded for her determination because when one Canadian wins we all do. So good job MAELLE RICKER!!! You are a Canadian hero!

I'd like to suggest though that not only is she a hero to young women who snowboard that she be a hero to young men. That determination is something we can all learn from.

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Ok So many of you probably have seen the pants worn by the Norwegian curling team. I myself watched the very close very exciting game between Kevin Martin's rink and the Norwegians. It had to go into an extra end. Even if you haven't seen the game I'm sure you've seen the pants. You can even become a fan of the trousers on facebook. So do it! Become a fan! They are something else.

Canadian hockey teams go in for the kill!

Ok so here's the deal. The Canadian women's hockey team is taking a lot of flak about how they absolutely destroyed the other teams they have played so far. And yes the scores have been pretty crazy. But hello people. This is the Olympics. This isn't a round robin on the outdoor rink by the arena. This is the big leagues and this is where it counts. I have yet to hear anything about how the US women's hockey team beat Russia 13 - 0.

Women to watch wearing our glorious maple leaf are of course wearing #22 Hayley Wickenheiser, #26 Sarah Vaillancourt, #17 Jennifer Botterill, along with Piper, Mickkelson, Sostorics, and Apps. I could really list the whole team here as they are all amazing but these are the ladies that stood out for me in the game against the Swiss.

Everyone feels that because we're Canadians we need to be polite but this is hockey we're talking about. This is where the rubber meets the road as far as our national pride and morale goes. Sorry and please go out the window as soon as an international hockey game is on the line.

Speaking about hockey, How about that Iginla/Crosby/Nash line? Wow!