NHL Playoffs! Like most Canadians, I love me some hockey. And there is nothing, NOTHING, that compares to playoff hockey. The intensity is ratcheted up to a whole new level, and it is the best hockey you will see.

This years playoffs have not lacked in drama or intensity, what with all the suspensions handed out in the first round (including a whopping 25 games to Phoenix Coyotes Raffi Torres). While the media cries that the game is being ruined, I would have to disagree. Yes, there should be more respect between players and that is why you see repeat offenders like Torres, who just don’t seem to get it, get a huge suspension. But in reality, there have been playoffs like this one before (I mean in the 80s highlights of the battle of Alberta, all you see are line brawls!), and the game survived that. At least the players are playing like they give a damn! (Being an Oilers fan, we don’t see that much effort these days).

And then there are the series: usually you can pretty accurately predict most of the series, but this year? Forget about it. The president’s trophy winning Vancouver Canucks were downed in 5 games by the LA Kings. In fact, most of the perrenial powerhouses have been knocked out:  Vancouver, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Chicago, San Jose. This is not the year to make bets (or, maybe you should bet a little on the underdogs).

In the end, this is better than Christmas time for me. If only I didn’t have finals to get in the way of my enjoyment.

Tonight, at midnight, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 will be released, the final movie in the series. This not only means the end of the Harry Potter series (although JK Rowling has announced a new site called Pottermore, with over 18,000 new words of content), it also means the end of my childhood.

It’s funny, when the first book came out in 1997, I was actually determined not to read it. I thought it was pretty stupid, even though I didn’t really know what it was about. Eventually, I caved and decided to read them. By that time, the first four books had come out. I read the first one and as soon as I finished, went to the second one. Then the third, then the fourth. I fell in love with the books, as most children did, and couldn’t wait for the fifth one, and the sixth one, and the final, seventh one.

One of the greatest things about the series is how I felt like I grew up with Harry, Hermione and Ron. I started reading the books at about age 9, and the last book came out when I was 16, so I was pretty close in age to the characters. The movies even more so. I mean, I am only a year younger than Emma Watson, who plays Hermione and who makes me supremely jealous of Ron Weasley.

So yes, I do think that tonight marks the end of an era, not just for Harry, Rowling, and everyone associated with Harry Potter, but for myself as well. Now that its done, I guess I will have to grow up.

Well, at least I still have one more day.

Hey guys!

So hopefully you guys have seen our new video about our program (if not, check it out under the About section, http://www.sunia.ca/about/, or just watch it below). The song in it is You’re gonna go far kid by The Offspring (Which was the Edmonton Oilers intro song a couple years ago, that’s probably why I love it so much).

Anyway, I decided that since the pictures in the video were about SUNIA, why not make the lyrics too? Now I would put a voiceover of me singing but a) I don’t know how to do that and b) that would just be cruel to you guys. So instead I just wrote out the lyrics, try singing along with the video!

You’re gonna go far kid (SUNIA Remix)

Show me about a time

That’s getting better all the time

And taking place out at goldeye
It’s an awesome place to be
Another amazing view
Sets off a feeling in you
That you have never felt before
Look these people jump off their feet!

Now dance, man just dance
At this amazing chance
And no one even knew
It was really only you

And now you steal away
Belly flop on Goldeye Lake
Nice work you did
You’re gonna go far, kid

With a thousand smiles
And a good fire time
You won’t believe your eyes
No you won’t believe your eyes
When you walk away
Got so much to say
And what are they pointing at?
Seriously, what are they pointing at?!

Debating the merits
Of instating governments
So play it out I’m wide awake
It’s politics at its most crazy
There’s nothing in your way
So register right away
Take lots of group pictures
To post on Facebook baby

Now dance,man just, dance
At this amzaing chance
And no one even knew
It was really only you

And now you’ll lead the way

Hope you liked it! And try making your own remixes!

So this weekend was the launch of the latest must-have technology: 3D TV. Now you can watch movies like Monsters vs Aliens in 3D, just like in the theater. But that’s not it. Soon, you will be able to watch every TV show or sporting event in 3D as well. FIFA announced that it will be broadcasting some the 2010 World Cup games in 3D. Last week, the NHL game between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders was broadcast in 3D. How cool would it be to watch a 3D sporting match? It would be like you are almost IN the game!

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well in a way, it sort of is. To watch 3D TV, you have to buy a 3D TV, which wouldn’t be a big deal, except for the fact that it is more than twice the cost of a regular TV at $3700. Now, you might think, it’s a new technology, of course its going to be more expensive and the price is not that unreasonable, I mean, LCD TV’s were that much at one time. Fine, I will give you that. But to actually be able to watch programming in 3D, you have to buy fancy, $250 rechargeable 3D glasses. Each. That means for a family of four, you would have to drop almost an extra grand on top of the TV to be able to watch it in 3D. Not to mention all you would really be able to use it for is the very limited array of 3D Blu-Ray movies available.

Now 3D is pretty cool to watch, we all know that and proved it when we went in droves to watch Avatar. But is it good enough to spend that kind of money on? I mean, why do the glasses have to be rechargeable? Why can’t we just use the glasses that we used in theaters? Sure the quality is probably better, but I mean, can it be that much better? I think the glasses could be what sinks 3D TV, unless the price of the actual TV goes down.

The fate of 3D TV rests on us, the consumers, to buy it and prove it is worth it. Will it go mainstream? Who knows. That depends on how much programming will eventually be available in 3D. This could end up being like HDTV and LCD’s and revolutionize the home entertainment industry. Or it could be just another gimmick that fades away quickly.

All I know is, until the price becomes more reasonable, I am fine with my regular 2D HDTV. Well, at least until the World Cup.

As of last night, the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver are underway. There have already been 9 medal winner, all from different countries, but no Canada. Yet.

Canada’s first medal will hopefully come tonight from Jennifer Heil in freestyle skiing. If she can win the gold, it will be the first gold medal Canada has won on home soil. So no pressure, Jennifer.

I for one am very excited for these games. I have been looking forward to them ever since it was announced Vancouver would get the games back in 2003. Canada, in anticipation, started the Own the Podium program as a way to win as many medals, hopefully of the golden variety, as possible.

But we all know there is only one medal Canadians truly care about. Gold in men’s ice hockey. After ending a 52 year drought in 2002, the Canadians crashed and burned in Torino 2006 with a disappointing 7th place finish. Hockey Canada has said they have learned from their mistakes and to expect a better finish in 2010. Being on home soil, Canada better deliver this time. Gold is the only acceptable finish for this years team. And when I say only, I mean ONLY option.

But, no pressure.