What makes a true fan?

Last night saw the National Hockey League wrap up their season with the Vancouver Canucks losing in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins, in Vancouver. There was not a lot of love for the Canucks throughout the series by most Canadians which makes me wonder why we have stopped supporting our own teams?

One of the constant and consistent bones of contention about why no one supports the Canucks was the lack of engagement by their fans. So that got me thinking, what is a true fan? Is it the person that jumps on and off a band-wagon depending on the fortunes of a team? Is it that person with every piece of SWAG the team has? Is it someone rioting in the street after their team loses?

No a real fan is someone who supports their team, loudly or not, visually or hidden, but someone who is always there. The people who rioted in the streets of Vancouver last night were not true fans.

True fans were the ones standing in the crowd applauding the Boston Bruins as they hoisted the Stanley Cup over their heads. Real fans were the people who woke up early this morning to go to downtown in Vancouver and clean up the mess left by last night's riots. Real fans were the ones who kept their tongues and tempers in check last night on Twitter, ignoring the rude, crass and classless taunting by so-called Bruins 'fans'. Boston my have won their Cup but I think Canucks fans have come away much richer and further ahead from this experience.

Gardening and gardens on a Sunday

Today was one of those perfect Sundays, the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, the temperature was just right and there seemed to be time for anything and everything.

I decided to get up and putter in the front flowerbed at our house. We hadn't planted anything in it before and so I tried my hand at making it look pretty this morning. It actually looks pretty good for a first-time effort; filled with dusty miller, petunias, pansies and lobelia I can't wait for these flowers to really flourish.

In the afternoon I took a break from gardening to wander down the hill to the Muttart Conservatory and marvel at their gardens. This is the view from about three blocks down the street from my house. Isn't it lovely?!

The Muttart has four gorgeous glass pyramids, each housing a different climates worth of plants. There is a pyramid dedicated to: tropical, temperate and arid climates. The final pyramid has a revolving plant theme every few months. This month it was "Celtic flowers".

It was a perfect afternoon to get out with a friend, enjoy some beautiful flowers and the fresh air. I have now finished my last paper for my spring institute and I feel like I'm free again now. Time to get back to the life I'd put on hold until now and to start enjoying 'me' time again!

The magic of a song

Many years ago (1997 to be exact) U2 stole my heart at a live show in Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium with Pride (in the Name of Love) during their Popmart tour.

Literally the hair on my body was standing on end and I was overcome with emotion as the crowd literally sang the song for the band.

Fast-forward 14 years and I was in the crowd at Commonwealth Stadium again watching U2 play again for a packed house during their 360 tour. This was the song that made my heart race and my emotions go haywire:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZrM2m3bQGs

What an amazing experience!