There's Just Something About Spring

One thing I have discovered about living in Winnipeg is when spring comes, everything seems better. The fresh air and sunshine just seems to make it easier to handle the bumps that life inevitably throws your way.

I've been rather busy, but its ok. I've been tired, but its ok.

It seems to me that most people's outlook just improves as the weather improves. It may be the realization that the school year is coming to an end. It may be that all the activities you started in the fall are going to take a break. That break often comes with relief. It's not that you don't like to do it, you just want a change for a while.

It may be that long lazy days at the lake are on the horizon, or maybe its as simple as you can go outside without 10 layers of clothes on.

I'm sure its different for everyone but I'm also sure that everyone looks forward to spring, and it's here in Winnipeg.

Moving on Up

There are some good economic signs out there. The TSX is back over 12,000 and it looks like it will stay there. The Canadian Dollar is over $0.98 USD and it looks like it will stay there. In Canada it looks like we are on the road to happy days. We may not be there yet but it is coming. People are still out of work. The government is a bit short of money, but it will all work out.

One clear indicator that things are going OK is housing prices are still going up.

Yes it continues to get more expensive to own your own home. Canadians seem to think that they need to own property. It is a forced savings plan but, by the time you add in the upkeep and taxes, you really aren't making too much money. You have to live somewhere so breaking even is OK. Eventually not having a mortgage payment would be pretty cool. Maybe someday I will own my home.

The strong Canadian Dollar does hurt exports. Our products become more expensive to foreigners as our dollar gains value. The dollar has to be propped up by something. I'm sure the Bank of Canada is not buying up every free dollar out there so a lot of people must see value in buying Canadian.

When you take a long look at it, Canadians are looking at a good time ahead.

Looking Around

Do you every find yourself so caught up on your own life you don't see what is around you? I know I do. I get all tied up with work and commitments that I don't realize what is going on out there. Sometimes I feel like life is passing me by. I'm sure I lead a reasonably fulfilling life. I'm not unhappy. I just wonder some times what else is out there.

I live in Winnipeg. I have lived in Manitoba my whole life. I'm not sure why. I don't feel like I have to live here, I just seem to stay. Maybe, just maybe there is more out there. There are days when I think it can't get much better, but there are also days when I really wonder. I'm sure this is just human nature. I'm sure we all do it from time to time. I'm sure a great day will come my way and make me smile. I do have a lot of good stuff going for me. I have my health. As families go I have a pretty good one. As friends go I have great ones. I know who my real friends are and I can't do any better. I know they are there for me on the bad days and happy for me on the good days. I really can't do better in that department.

Despite all the good, I do wonder from time to time if it could be better. Maybe it could be. Maybe it should be. If I don't look to see what's out there I won't know. Maybe I should be living in a hut on some tropical island flying tourists around or maybe I should be in the rat race in Toronto or New York, or maybe I am in the right place.

I know as I write this I will not look back on life and have a huge disappointment, but sometimes you have to look around to see if you could have a more excitement, if that's what you want.

Why Should We Continue to Try to Own the Podium

The Olympics have ended and we are all returning to a normal state. I may be suffering a bit of withdrawal from the excitement and I never went to Vancouver. As Canadians I think we must look back and take away the good and the bad.

One of the good things that came out of hosting the games was Own the Podium.

There are several benefits to the program beyond just putting athletes on the podium during Olympic competition. A program that produces elite athletes in a position to win has significant grass roots impact. As young people choose activities to participate in and work hard at and try to excel at, their choice will be impacted on by what support they will have down the road. Nearly everyone wants to play hockey, partly because it can pay the bills. If you can compete in Skeleton or Cross-country skiing knowing that you can have quality equipment, good coaching, and food to eat, then these sports will become much more attractive to pursue.

So why would Canadians want more people pursuing sports.

Canada is quickly getting out of shape. I see more and more youths with weight and fitness problems. We need to make sport and exercise the activity of choice for all Canadians. By doing so, we will see a long term benefit of healthier, happier, and more productive Canadians. The health care system will be less burdened and the quality of all Canadians lives will be improved.

Own the Podium does not necessarily be an entirely government funded program. It will probably be most successful if it is a joint program between government and private enterprise. The actual structure will take some time to develop but the purpose must be there as it will provide many benefits for generations to come.

I Think Spring May Be On It's Way To Winnipeg

It's still sub zero temperatures in Winnipeg, but as the days get longer and the sun is gets higher in the sky the prospect of spring is coming. You can feel the warmth of the sun. When the heat from the great glowing orb in the sky is unimpeded to earth, snow melts. These are the very early signs of spring.

I like spring. It has often been referred to as an awakening. In Winnipeg it definitely is. We are on the cusp of returning to a habitable climate.

I live in Winnipeg because my job is in Winnipeg. That is usually an important reason to live where you live. However there are times, especially in the winter, I want to pack up and go away, never to return.

Winnipeg winters are brutal. Cold, dark, and dry. The air is dry, we are allowed to buy and drink booze, which is needed to get through some of our winters. It goes pretty good up until Christmas. Once we celebrate the new year, everyone goes into hibernation mode. However, there are signs that we are awakening from our winter nap.

There are some upsides to a Winnipeg winter. There are people who really like winter, they revel in it. They go ice fishing and snowmobiling. They ski and snowboard. I am not one of those people.

There are going to be a few more wintery days. I'm ok with that but I am really looking forward to the first day I do not have to wear a jacket. That day feels like victory. It feels like you have beat old man winter.

It may still be sub zero today but I will relish in the moment when spring arrives.

Olympic Coverage

If you are Canadian and pay for some of your TV you have a lot of Olympic coverage. I know, I have been on vacation since the Vancouver 2010 games began. I have watched a lot of coverage. I have watched coverage of sports I never watch. I have watched coverage is parties. I have watched coverage of an intern waiting in line to ride a zipline. I have watched coverage of the Japadog.

I think I have watched too much coverage.

It must be a gargantuan task to produce that much coverage. It must be even more challenging to keep it fresh and interesting everyday.

Overall the coverage has been good. Some of the guests have been better than others. Some of the interviews have been a lot tougher and some have been cream puffs.

The Winter Olympics is a much smaller event than the summer counterpart. Many things go unnoticed in the Summer Games. Nothing is going unnoticed in this Winter Games. Every parent, every significant other, every celebrity, and every friend is being caught and talked about. The Olympics are about humanity coming together. That is being captured. Are there moments that may be too invasive. Yes I'm sure there are, but it's hard to be perfect and that goes for the media as well.

Capturing those great moments is special. It becomes part of our history and our collective conscious. It creates a record of what happened, not just for the people watching at home but for the friends and family of those who bring everyone these great moments.

I have watched way too much Olympic coverage but I would not have it any other way.

Vancouver 2010 - Other Than The Sport

Vancouver is located in the the last time zone on the planet with any significant amount of population. There are a few places the sun rises after Vancouver but not too many people live there. As such everyone is up before the Olympics. I have been on some vacation this week and have been watching a lot of Olympic coverage, maybe too much. To have something on in the east when people wake up, a lot of filler is produced until the events start.

Some of it is good, some is not so good.

By watching all this coverage I think I'm getting a decent impression of what is going on out west. It looks like there is a lot happening. It looks like a great time is being had by all. It looks like I should have gone to Vancouver.

Even if I didn't have any event tickets I would have thoroughly enjoyed my time. There is so much going on, both sanctioned and unsanctioned. It is a gathering of the world around sport. It looks like what I imagine the Olympics should be. People are having fun, the drinks are flowing, and the memories are being made.

I will not be going to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, but I should have