Fame & Opinions

When Money Takes Over

Is it about the fame and fortune? Or, purely for the love of writing, playing, and performing the music? Recently I have been let down by a member of a band that I idolized. It all started when his voice flooded CTV during a singing competition. Few had heard the unique strong voice that he acquired. His originality was expressed through his voice and actions as he performed, capturing Canadians of all ages and genders. I should have known this taste of fame would take over who he initially was. Why is it that a group with undeniable talent and such passion can strive together to complete their dreams but those dreams can easily be demolished by one person who wants more. It’s all about the money these days; it has the ability to take over who one truly is, it has the ability to burn the bridges of faithful friendships. Why did the taste of money have to steal such a talented band of five fantastic people away from their thousands of fans?

Supporting Ex-Hedley with out question: Derek/Brandon, Ryan, Kevin G, and Kevin H.
You guys are freaking amazing, never stop doing what you love.


It’s all about the game

According to these few girls; Forget hockey, it’s all about the boys. The Province newspaper published an article that raddled PBS.

CREDIT: Gerry Kahrmann, the Province Giants forward Gilbert Brule appeals to both scouts and girls, but for different reasons.

CREDIT: Arlen Redekop, the Province No one can doubt the commitment of Giants fans (from left) Erin Crowe, Sophia Yu, Brenna Duperron and Danielle Turenne. It's just their reasons that may differ from those of hockey purists.

As a teenage girl, I have been asked many times just what it is about hockey that I love so much. Is it the goals?

As exciting as the atmosphere is when the home team scores, if I could control the Jumbotron, it would not be showing cute young girls jumping up and down, hoping to get on screen.

No, I would much rather see a nice close-up shot of the smiling player who just scored. Now that would be nice.

Is it the fighting? As exciting as hot-headed boys both on and off the ice find this aspect of the game, I find it pointless. It does, however, lead to one of my favourite parts of the game: when the players who were fighting sit in the penalty box for five prime viewing minutes without their helmets. There is just something about that messy, sweaty hair.

How about the pace? I admit, it is helpful since the pace of the game forces the players to be in a condition found in few sports. Translation: lots of really nice, lean muscles. What girl could resist that?

Eventually, I'd be asked point blank just what it is I like, if not for the fast pace, the goals, the playmaking, the intensity, the fighting or the spirit of the crowd?

Then I'll answer quite simply that I watch hockey because of the boys.

This could explain why, despite all the hockey-starved boys out there, most of us girls are fine, as the Giants are still playing.

Think of it from our perspective. What's more appealing? A bunch of older men, most of whom have lost their teeth and are most likely married with children? Or a group of boys aged between 16 and 20 who are still on their way to losing teeth.

There's no contest. The top prospects for both the girls and the scouts are definitely not in the NHL but in the CHL. The opinion between the girls and scouts differs slightly over who the top prospect is. While the scouting world is salivating over Sidney Crosby, we girls are doing the same over our own top prospect.

The young, and shall I say hot, Vancouver Giants forward Gilbert Brule is definitely the dessert most girls in the West would love to order. It just so happens that when asked who are our favourite players and we mention his name, most people think we are actually looking at his hockey ability.

Truthfully, he'd still be named as our top prospect even if he never scored a goal in his life. I mean, have you seen that boy? I know I'm not alone when I say the reason I love hockey is because of the players.

© The Vancouver Province 2005


PBS decided that our opinions could not be left unheard. We wrote a letter to the editor…to read it ask me.



PBS On-Side Opinions/Thoughts

- P of PBS -
Can you say demeaning?? I would like all of you to know that yes I am a girl, and no I do not think like that. Believe it or not I love hockey for what it is. Hard hits, the goals, the adrenaline you get when watching and/or playing this game. I can only speak for Steph, Brayley, & myself but we wouldn’t spend nights listening to games on the radio if we were only interested in seeing their faces. As for Brule.. yes he is my favourite player.. but i'm NOT basing this on his looks.. it's his hockey ability!!! It's actually kind of good that she wrote this because it's so true that there are girls out there. We'll be writing a retraction letter.

- B of PBS -
This article has pushed me off the edge. What am I to say to something like this? It’s disgusting. As Pam sort of said, we are all teenage girls; but this article describes the complete opposite of how we feel about the game of hockey. We may have an awful day, and then we think, “Yah!! we’re going to a Giants game tonight!!” Why do we get so excited? Because we know how pumped we’ll get when we see the unbelievable determination these players have. It’s has absolutely nothing to do with how the players look. I’ve never heard of a “fan” that enjoys seeing their players in the penalty box, am’ I crazy or is this girl caught up on the one thing that should definitely not be associated with the game of hockey? I don’t know about you but Pam, Steph, and I don’t have the kind of money to be going to games just to check out some hot guys. That is definitely not worth our time or our money…the game, the heart, the focus, the teamwork, the determination, now that’s worth our money. Oh yes, and comparing Brule to a dessert, GIVE ME A BREAK! That’s just ridiculous. I’m not saying people shouldn’t have an opinion, but let’s not generalize all teenage girls on this topic. It’s all about the game.

- S of PBS -
Steph will soon be posting her comments…under comments when I figure out how to work them.


Enough of that for tonight. I will have a real post up soon...had to get some of that old business out of me.