Hack Chat

I've misplaced my curling, can you help me?

2008-03-04T12:37:00.000-08:00

So here I am, sitting in the 5th largest city in the US, Phoenix. I know roughly 1800 miles North, Curling "March" madness is occurring...without me...across Canada!
So I say to myself...self, being that we are in Phoenix, heavily visited and invested in by Canadians and other cold climate curling fans surely there might be one of five curling majors on TV. Thinking the odds are in my favour, let's see, 300 channels, 1 curling event....c'mon baby!
Click....Spanish TV...
Click....Cooking...
Click....Cooking...
hmmm....seems people like to cook.
Click....Bass fishing in Tennessee...
Click...."and we'll put a happy tree here..."...Ug, painting....
Click, Click, Click...DRAT'S, Qwest 1, Canadian 0.
AHA....let's try Direct TV...being a satellite, maybe increasing my odds to 1100 channels, maybe I can find one, lonely Canadian curling championship. Feeling rejuvenated in my quest, I head on-line to find out what channel Direct TV can provide me what I am looking for.
Mouse click...HBO
Mouse click...Russian TV GUIDE...
Mouse Click...France....really France.
Direct TV 1, Canadian 0.

So why is it, in an electronic age, a transplanted Canadian can't turn on the TV to watch something remarkable, far more interesting than "Kitchen Wars", from somewhere in the same continent! What makes this even funnier, is that for a few extra bucks, I could get all of the Latvia Television I want...ARE WE KIDDING. No to be beat, I finally curled up (no pun) in front of a laptop...found CBC.ca...and watched the games on a 17" monitor that had to buffer every 4 minutes. Not great, but better than nothing.

So Mr. CRTC and Mr FCC, while I appreciate the 8 different soccer channels, 14 Starz channels, and the fan favourite Speed channel, please, oh please, make one Canadian channel, like TSN (Canadian ESPN) available. Heck, if we can't ditch G4 Video game TV, make the CBC events or TSN pay-per-view.

Let's reach out and embrace diversity I say...heck, let's even promote a little, inter-continental appreciation. I love the break out Corner Gas and DaVinci Code...but to cover curling when its happening every weekend for two months. I'm sure we can get that done.

And USCA....thank you for working out the deal with CurlTV.com. Fantastic start...but really, after the Korbel Championships have rocketed NBC ratings up 1100%, not to mention the Olympics, can we not convince NBC to step a little further outside the box? Do curling a favour, send our requests to these service providers or NBC asking for curling on American television. You want Rockstar Curling to take off, get it on after American Idol. You want curling to take off like wildfire, show the Brier finals over two days. Viola....you got yourself a hit..and with a hit, comes money. Sad but lets face facts.

So, Mr CRTC and FCC, you leave me no choice but to go forward and acquire my curling through other sources. When you want my monthly fee's, please let me know.

Sincerely,

The Curling Coyote....

The makings of a great curling club...

2007-12-28T13:57:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's the Christmas season...maybe the chill in the air, whatever it may be, its got me thinking about our curling club.
Recently, after the final night of our regular league curling night, all of the members, fresh with rosy cheeks from the the last draw, gathered around the table at our local apres curling venue for the much celebrated and earned beverages. With all of the rula bula (fun bar noises for those rusty in Latin) in full swing, I had a chance to sit back and just observe all of your members and got to thinking.
What makes a good curling club? For those who have curled before, you can attest to this, for those who haven't, be on the look for it when you go curling.
In our club, we have men and woman, some young, some...more seasoned. We have those who save and save so they can curl, and others who can do so without blinking an eye. But what is phenomenal, is that out on the ice...or back in the warm room, they are just curlers. Race, political ties, and religion is a non factor. The only global warming trend you can see is your beer glass getting warm due to great conversation! Being on the broom is more important than social status. The rich guy from down the road can hog a rock just like the guy who got there by bus! And everyone does it with a smile and a gracious hand! In a world of immediacy, disposable dreams, and disappointment, curling remains an oasis of good sportsmanship and honor. There have been no curlers suspended for failing drug tests, betting scandals, referee tampering, or violent body checks that can kill someone. Maybe curling is considered boring by todays standards. Heck...why play something that requires little training, no real equipment investment, the people are polite, and there are no referees to make sure you play by the rules. Yeah, what a silly game. Is it my turn on the X box?
No matter where you go to curl, Canada, Europe, or the US, tell them you curl in WHEREVER city, and you will be greeted with open arms and warm smiles. It's this quality, the uniqueness of curling clubs to attract quality people - that helps make curling even more special. It is no surprise that no matter where you go, every club is like this. I know what food I can expect at any McDonald's...I also know what I can expect at any curling club. And its great! Not to knock any other sport or organization as I have been apart of many, but honestly, curling clubs and those who are members, are some of the greatest people I have ever met. If I can lose myself in the all of the off ice fun, be apart of something I can be proud of, and enjoy the game, sign me up please!
So for those couch Skips out there who see curling on television and think, “What the heck is so special...”, or “what's the point...”, visit your local curling club. Invest a couple of hours of your time to learn the mechanics of the game. Once that is done, go ahead and without hesitation, go have a drink after the game with your team mates and others from the club. Among the clinking glasses, the laughter, and the spirit of curling, you'll find some really special moments that you will come to cherish and appreciate.
Here's a little toast to celebrate all the great clubs and curlers around the world...

In my curling club, we like to laugh...
After curlin my drink is never alf...
Its great to see you my curling friends...
I can't wait...to do it again.
So raise your glass's my mates...
I'm sure this'll help you get yer weight!

who doesn't like shoes for Christmas?

2007-11-26T14:10:00.000-08:00

wow! Are we already at the end of the Fall season? Thanksgiving has come and gone with the 50/50 raffle a perfect success... The Skip is already talking about the Spring season... Plans are in the works for teams to be competing at upcoming playdowns in Seattle... 2 Learn to Curl sessions have been booked for the 1st of the year... and Santa needs to know what's on your Christmas list. Well here's something I want you to consider putting at the top of your list.

Curling Shoes... yep, that's right, you heard me, Curling Shoes. If somebody is looking for that perfect present for the hard to buy for new curler... A gift certificate for the Coyotes Curling Club or any of the recommended curling supply retailers listed on coyotescurling.com, is the easiest way to make sure you, or your favorite curler, has the proper footwear for being on the ice. If you have any questions, go ahead and post them here... or if you have an opinion for what kind of shoe is best for the beginner to experienced level curler, post that here also!

Remember... fun on the ice is a big part of curling... and safety is all of our responsibility. Having the proper shoes, dedicated to curling and never, and I mean never never never worn for anything other than curling, is on the list of required attire for team members. In fact, I think it is the only required clothing, since warm and comfortable is just common sense. Yes... we do make exceptions for Learn to Curls, but once you join the club and play on a league, it's time to make the investment in dedicated shoes. If you don't want to buy curling shoes, or you don't like the individual styles, at least get a pair of shoes that you can put on at the club, and take off at the club, along with your own personal slider (which we can order for you in various different styles).

As club members, and seasoned curlers (we've been through at least one season so that makes us seasoned, right?) we need to be setting an example for new members and learn to curl participants. We need to protect our club and members and visitors by not letting street shoes onto the ice. Each of us has a share in this responsibility.

So anyway... sorry for the rant... and please chime in if you have some advice or a different opinion... that's what this blog is all about.

cya on the Ice... in my curling shoes bought from Asham Curling Supplies Online 4 seasons ago...

Bored? Go to the Board Meeting!

2007-11-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

The November Board Meeting of the CCC will be held on Monday November 12
at 6:00 pm in the Celebration Room at the Ice Den. We hope that you will be able to attend.

The Curling Coyote is back in the hack!

2007-11-06T21:00:00.000-08:00

In this era of blogs and myspace accounts, computers on every desktop, high speed internet, Wi-Fi, Blackberry's, Treo's, iPhone, text messages, talking email, picture mail.... the chance for a little newsletter being actually read (if it got through your spam blocker) is pretty slim. But what better way to get news and share the excitement of our desert curling club? Well ladies and gentlemen, here it is. "HACK CHAT" is here to provide an interactive space to post and reply and post again. You have the hammer.

I'll start this post off with a long overdue welcome to all new and returning members of the Coyotes Curling Club for the Fall, 2007 season! What an awesome start with 10 full teams playing on 5 sheets of ice!

New rocks... new brooms... new sliders... it feels like it is coming all together doesn't it? Did you know the Ice Den provided the brooms and sliders? They also are working very hard to make sure our ice is ideal... have you noticed a difference? For those of us who have been here from the beginning, I'll just say the difference is amazing! Thank you, Ice Den!

There are lots of exciting things happening within and around our club... Hockey Night Fund-Raiser (November 15th), Coyotes 50-50 Raffle (November 24th), Hat Logo Contest, and the ever changing, always fun, semi-competitive round robin curling season that is nearly half over! We've been to bonspiels, we've played shuffleboard, and we are looking forward to putting teams together to compete in Mopac and regional competitions. Check out the website for more details. http://www.coyotescurling.com/

It feels great to be back in the hack, back on the ice, and back to Saturday night curling! I invite anyone and everyone to comment back and share ideas or news for the club here. If you are reading this blog and you belong to another club, please post your info regarding upcoming bonspiels and events, and links to your website. If you are reading this and are in the Phoenix area, come check us out at the Alltel Ice Den, 9375 E Bell Rd in Scottsdale. We curl every Saturday 9pm-11pm, with broomstacking at the co-located Peter Piper Pizza Pub. Hope to see you there!

Good Curling!