Just forget the words and sing along

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Latest Column & Other Sunday Stuff

Latest column's up! This week, I talk about Going to the Movies:

"But, for this past year, people have been lamenting that people don’t go out to the movies as much anymore. In 2005, the media made much fuss over the “box office slump.” Many reasons were floated as to why people weren’t heading out to the theatre. Some said that a night at the movies had gotten too expensive. Other analysts pointed to the steady stream of sequels and remakes and said that it was a lack of originality. The one thing that everyone latched onto, though, was the advent of DVD. The logic was why go out to the theatre when you can watch it in the comfort of your own home?"

Read it all right here!


Just kicking back, and getting ready to enjoy the Olympics. I'm starting to do some reading up on the merchandising push.

The 2006 Winter Olympic Mascots So here's the mascots for the 2006 Winter Olympics. The organizers of the Tornio games call them "the most original Olympic mascots ever!" We have Neve (the one with the round head), and she's a snowball. And we have Gliz (the one with the square head) and he's an ice cube. Interesting.

Here's some other wacky facts about Olympic mascots:

First Mascot - Schuss the Skier, the mascot for the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble, France.

First Summer Games Mascot - Waldi the Daschund, mascot for the 1972 Summer Games in Munich, Germany.

Only Disney-Owned Mascot - Sam the Eagle, who was the mascot of the 1984 Summer Games in LA. Yes, he was designed by, and is currently owned by, the Walt Disney Company.

First Twin Mascots - Heidi and Howdy, twin polar bears in cowboy outfits. The mascots of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Most Hated Mascot - Izzy the Whatizit, an abstract cartoon character. Mascot for the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

Most Mascots - the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Currently slated to have 5 mascots.

Oh, and despite what that Simpsons episode says, the mascot of the 1976 Olympics in Montreal was NOT a vampire. It was Amik the Beaver.


Speaking of the Olympics, the Royal Canadian Mint is having another commemerative Lucky Loonie!

We all know the legend by now. 4 years ago, a loonie was buried at centre ice at the Olympic Hockey Rink in Salt Lake City, and both the boys and girls Canadian hockey teams went on to win the gold medal. Ever since, the loonie has been seen as a good luck charm for atheletes. And the Royal Canadian Mint has been there to cash in!

Two years ago, for the Athens games, the RCM released a special Olympic Lucky Loonie. It was just like a regular loonie, only the Olympic rings and the logo for Team Canada were imprinted above the loon.

But now, they've gone all out! The new commemerative Olympic Lucky Loonie depicts a loon in flight, with the traditional prive of an olive wreath clutched in the loon's talons. Oh, and the Olympic rings and the logo for Team Canada are imprinted on it.

Watch for it in your change! Or, just do what I do, and go get it from the Royal Bank.

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