Movember Edmonton - 2013 Curling Bonspiel

This year marks my 6th year participating in Movember and my 5th Movember curling bonspiel. Every year the bonspiel keeps getting bigger and better. Unfortunately though that popularity left me with no room to play on any teams this year. So instead I tagged along with some buddies 'coaching' one team and documented the curling shenanigans of Chrissy and her team.

I like to take pictures of people shooting just to capture their form.

A large component of the event is the team costumes and generally ugly outfits. My buddy Chris brings out his blindingly bright yellow sweater every year as it remains a crowd favorite.

Other highlights this year included a team in one piece animal costumes and Amy's puppy dog shirt.

In between games we got some Pilsner in us and discussed strategy as one the 'Flying Eagles' advanced to the A Final and the 'Foster's Heros" stunk up the consolation rounds.

Much to the chagrin of the fans The Flying Eagles were demolished in the finals. The only consolation for Jenny and Parker was that Adam and the Flying Eagles made the playoffs as opposed to their Oilers.....burn!

Chrissy's team didn't fare well through the day. I got the feeling though that most of the them didn't really care too much.

So ended the first Movember Bonspiel for us as man and wife.

Movember 2012

Another Movember in the books.

"During November each year, Movember is responsible for the sprouting of moustaches on thousands of men’s faces, in Canada and around the world. With their “Mo’s”, these men raise vital funds and awareness for men's health, specifically prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives."

For reason's I cannot fully explain this year Movember had a different feel to it for me. Maybe it was the overshadowing of my new engagement, the novelty loss of everyone and their dog participating or the realization that with everybody doing it, I am basically just getting caught up in slacktivism rather than awareness raising.  Either way, once again I grew out the Mo.

As we were in San Francisco for the first part of the month I made Christina a deal that I would leave the full beard as opposed to the mustache (for pictures sake) in exchange for a donation. So on November 11th I said goodbye to the beard and hello to Movember.

The mustache came in well leading upto what has become my favorite part of the month: The Mike Miller Movember Bonspiel. With my top notch team of curling experts assembled we took to the ice.

On the rink we were a comedy of errors with the sole athletic highlight of the day coming from Greg winning the "Indian Leg Wrestling" match for the hammer before our 3rd game.  BTW: I think this should be the method of deciding the hammer for the Brier and Tournament of Hearts.

Where our team excelled was looking good and drinking beer. Or at least I was good at drinking beer.

After introducing Movember to my workplace last year I stepped back as Mo Sista Dawna took over and brought it to a whole new level. Here's a picture of the firms Mustache growers and their supporters.

And our firms Man of Movember, Josh, rocking the custom made belt.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the post, this year just felt different. I still believe in the cause and in the need for awareness in testing but I'm just not sure if I'll grow the Mo again next year. 

So in closing.

Thank you to those who sponsored me this year. Mom, Stephanie, Chrissy, Dawna, ONPA Architects, Stephen, & Andrew. Your donation was very much appreciated. 

Enjoy this last picture below. It may be awhile till I look this good again.

Ice Ninjas Curling Funspiel

Yesterday on behalf of our rec-hockey team I hosted the first ever Ice Ninjas Curling Tournament. We had a grand total of 8 teams show up for the inaugural event with skills ranging from Schmirler to first timer curler.

My team, "Stu's Sirens" was comprised of myself, Dana "The Ringer", Andrea "Rookie of the Year", and the "Polish Assassin" Okinczyc.

We started strong with a big win over Top Gear after scoring 5 points in the 3rd end (to keep the day moving, each game was 4 ends). Andrea & Dayna split our player of the game honours.

Andrea was dialed in.

 Even with all the eye candy around.

Our second game we lost quite soundly to the eventual "A"side winner; Hewson's Heroes. Dayna was our player of the game in the tough loss.

My co-worker Craig with the great delivery.

With the loss we ended up in the "C" Final versus the Blazing Kilts. The Blazing Kilts ladies were riding high and played us tough. But there was no answer for our player of the game as Christina was absolutely killing it.

The championship lunge bringing us home as C Finals Champs.

There was a lot of good curling going down that afternoon and I tried to capture some of the moments and teams in the building.

On behalf of my hockey team I would like to thank everyone that came out and helped us raise a couple hundred bucks for our annual tournament. I hope you all had fun.

Bonus - Cute child picture - Parker chilling out in the lounge. Big curling fan.

2010 Olympics Appreciation Rally

It's been a couple of busy days at work as I've been working overtime to finish a couple of projects with end of Q1 deliverables.  I did manage to take lunch off today and head down to Churchill Square (City Hall) for the Edmonton 2010 Olympic & Paralympic athletes appreciation rally.

I'm horrible at estimating crowd size but I think there was probably about 600 people assembled. I snapped some pictures below.

Work folks checking out the action - from left to right. Michelle, Mike, Chris, Lindsays knees and hands

The parade of athletes through the square and in front of the new Art Gallery of Alberta

It's only a matter of time before there is a citizens revolt and Kevin Martin is proclaimed Mayor.

I would vote for him - We are both NAIT alumni - we stick together