Don't Punish the Jets

The NHL lockout has been frustrating to say the least. I'm not shy about saying that.

Hockey fans, myself included, have missed the games, the players, the competition and the quality entertainment it brings to our communities.

We have missed the pride, the camaraderie and the cache of having our own NHL team. NOBODY understands this like a Winnipeg Jets' fan.  We had a team. We loved our team. And then we lost our team. For 15 years we fought to get our team back.

Then, on May 31, 2011 it was announced we would get an NHL team back to the community. That summer we learned they would be called the Jets again. We got our "mojo" back!!! We were back on the map...back in the game.

The names Chipman, Thomson and True North are religiously praised. (And for good reason!)

To be in the MTS Arena (aka the phone booth) and sing Oh Canada, you just know to scream "true north" and put your heart into it.   This is what we love. This is who we ARE as Jets' fans.

So here's the thing:  There's anger and apathy and even a movement to boycott and protest NHL games. The on-line social movement is suggesting a fan walkout at the opening games around the league.

I say no. HELL NO.  That's not who we are. WE ARE JETS' FANS.

This lockout must have been incredibly stressful for our organization. It certainly has been stressful and a huge financial blow to our arena area businesses. We as fans, and as Winnipeggers can not, and SHOULD NOT make any effort to punish our Jets. This was not a Jets' strike, nor True North lockout.

We, the hockey fans, need to support our team. The league is the league. Naysayers are just that. Jets' fans are a different breed. We are passionate and supportive and grateful to have our team. We need to act that way. Let the others protest with their feet.  Let us be the ones to show our pride with our hockey hearts. We'll be the ones to fill the stands and again say "welcome home."

Long live True North.  Go Jets Go!

Activities & Adventure

Quite often when we travel as a family we have a well researched, planned activity scheduled at some point during the week. Like when we went to the Bahamas we paid to splash around and kiss dolphins. I would be wrong if I called it "swim with the dolphins." That would make it seem much more glamourous. This was a controlled encounter with dolphins, perfect for young kids. That was in the Bahamas and we loved it, and of course, we paid for the overpriced tourist photos.

When we went to Maui, I organized a private surf lesson for our family. It was my Christmas gift to everyone. That was a blast. We all rode the waves and thought we were rockstars. Again, I bought the touristy photos. But doesn't my boy look like he was born to surf? Takes after his mama!

We have had the character breakfasts at Disney World and panned for gold in Alaska. When we were planning a the trip to the Turks and Caicos I was really tired. I was out of planning energy. I could hardly lift a finger to research any more beyond studying our resort. I thought, perhaps, I would consider planning an excursion once we arrived on the island. 

Instead of pushing for another adventure or splurging on a once-in-a-lifetime activity we all agreed to just chill. And holy heaven that was nice! No praying for good weather on our whale watching or rushing to catch a charter just to stand in line. No $200 photo package to purchase. Instead we simply walked on the beach, played on the beach, swam in the pool and generally just lounged around like lizards. Lounge lizards! And we all loved it. 

I'll admit, there were times before the trip that I worried the kids would be bored. When we arrived I worried that they were going to be expecting something magical... another one of mom's fun travel surprises. But rather, they surprised me. They went all old school.... sandcastles, imagination activities, physical fun (swimming/running/jumping/diving/walks) mixed in with some cards, some reading and a couple ipod games. Oh, and "Jimmy" aka Mr. Crabs, the hermit crab they found. He was 3 hours of fun for sure! They kept building him new fortresses and making sandcastles to contain him. They had fun.... without me ever having to plan it, pay for it, or buy the photo package. Ahhhh. Score one for true relaxation! 

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I've finally joined Twitter. I basically plan to use it to tweet travel tips, and bargains that I spy. If you are at all interested, please follow me.   @cdntripseeker    But be prepared for a few tweets about hockey. I'm a hard core hockey fan. And I likely will gush about my new favourite tv show Dallas, from time to time. JR Ewing is mixin' it up again and you won't want to miss that new John Ross.   Hey, maybe I should plan a trip to the Lonestar state?  

Looking back on 2011

Each year is different. I used to summarize each year in a photo collage of eight or ten pictures and put it in one frame and hang it on the wall. Then for a few years I made gifts of photo calendars for family members. Now, I don't know. Life seems to change by the week. Is it the way we receive our news, our information or the absolute constant contact we have with our friends?

You need an answer? Google it. Want to know what someone had for lunch? Text them. Want to know if your neighbour is at the coffee shop down the street? Facebook it. 

So, does this mean we've stopped thinking and acting in months? Is a year a ridiculous length of time to look back on?  I wonder. And I wonder while I type... obviously. 

My computer is jam packed with photos taken over the last 12 months. Lucky for me the computer has an organizing system and it makes it really easy to take a visual look down memory lane. But, I think all that we do in a year could not ever be summarized by 8 or 12 photos. Things have gotten too fast, too easy to record and sadly... too easy to forget in a blink. 

But to reflect on this past year, I would focus on the great trips and great hockey moments.

2011 started off in Maui!  Best New Year's eve of my life! We were oceanside, at the luxurious Marriott Wailea resort. I slipped the host a $20 and we were seated right in front of the stage for the incredible show. The dancers and musicians were everything you wanted them to be. The sunset and meal were so beautiful and delicious. We had a lively visit with our table mates and even though our homes were thousands of miles apart, we found great things in common to talk about. 

In that inspired New Years moment, I vowed to take more trips, to better stay in touch with friends and most of all, relax and enjoy the moment. 

In April I took a very spontaneous trip with my brother. We flew to Tampa Florida to see a hockey game. We planned it on 6 days notice and were away from home less than 72 hours, but it was one of the best times I've ever had. And even though my team lost and my brother has only vague recollections of conversations "I claim" he had with strangers, I'm pretty sure he remembers it fondly as well. 

Another highlight came in May when a friend breezed through playoffs and had his hockey dreams come true when he won the Memorial Cup. Even watching that on TV, it was powerful and special. 

Then after 15 years, the NHL agreed to give Winnipeg an NHL franchise again and the Jets were re-born. It was incredible! The city and province and hockey fans all over Canada rejoiced. Manitoba got its mojo back thanks to True North Sports & Entertainment.   Grown men cried. Others danced in the street.  I did both.  

This Jets announcement also made dreams come true for two good friends who work in radio.  Knowing how much the return of the Jets would mean to them made me sooooo happy. Hearing them speak to audiences that share their passion for hockey... priceless. 

In August, my own kids won their hockey summer league championship. The best part of that was the boys were on the same team. As teammates they worked together and celebrated together. This was a family first. I hope it's not the last time. And it was quite the game. It really was exciting little league stuff. My goalie son was named "MVP" but he declared it an honour he shared with the team's best defenseman.... his little brother. Awwww. I still melt remembering that moment. 

In October, I took another trip. Big surprise... it was to see a hockey game. This time in Phoenix Arizona.  Again, definitely one of the best weekends of my life. This time, my brother and I travelled with a group of friends. Honestly, it was near perfect! The sun was out, the drinks were cold, and the party carried over into the streets. The camaraderie among Jets fans, and the laughs we had were incredible. 

The year has had, as all years do, ups and downs. But as families we get through them. Friends hold each other up in good times and in bad. The calendar keeps going. And we find things to cheer about. We all NEED to find things to cheer about... each and every year. Life is too precious not to celebrate.

Damn it's been a good year for hockey in my house.  Go Jets Go!