In the Center of it all....: What the........In Lou we trust!

It's the first thought the morning after, the night before. What the.....what just happened?

Last Saturday was the annual 'Thunderball' - the Vancouver Minor League's shindig for the parents of kids in peewee hockey. When we come together to celebrate our sons and daughters playing our national game, it can make for a heady brew. Especially for men, who should know better.

While a chance to exchange war stories of those bleary eyed early practices, crazed coaches and out of control kids, for fans it's a chance to gain a tangible piece of those hockey heroes we all so love, who play at the highest level of competition. It's no wonder they have very, very easy to the happy juice at these events. Yours truly was taking full advantage of the 3 bars on hand, especially the one a mere shinny stick from my dining seat. So, the vino flowed and I was left to my own devices as the other half made her rounds......I wandered over to the silent auction exhibits on display. It wasn't the spa treatments, or Canuck tickets that appealed, or the Salo or hot boy Kesler shirt. But that big, white number 1 just seemed to call me......of course, when at these events there are male fans also in the same predicament, drooling over the man toys.

And so it goes on, and you know where this is going......

Bright shiny toys, booze in ya system, male testosterone pumping.....the laughing among the A-type, west side, BMW driving, Top Gun fly boys...a bid made.....time ticking down....the glances around to see any stealth bidders among the gaggle.....2 minutes to go....another Ivy leaguer suited real estate clone swoops in......50 seconds to go......now your hearts pumping....it's nearly 9 pm - last bids time.....180 bpm.....30 seconds....oh! whats this - that guy in the sharp cut London suit with the buzz cut.....he's glancing down 8:59:50 seconds.....Arrggggg!!! He slides in out of the shadows and in cold, slow motion...picks the pen up and.....yes, yes, yes! Coolly signs his name to......a $600 bid! Take that suckers - Who Dares Wins baby!!!....and walks away with 'Now that's a respectable bid......' and the clock ticks on........theres no gong, bright lights.....2 minutes later - the limey bas***d picks up the bid sheet 'Here, this is mine TAKE IT! TAKE IT!' Thank you and goodnight!

How much do you value you're Numbero One goalie - Signor Roberto Luongo?

Six hundred Canadian Dollars my friends - yes - $607.78 US or 377.31p English quids mate! That's how much you value you're Vancouver Canucks........oh dear - what have I done now...

And lets tell everyone! See how the man of the hour runs around telling everyone like a babbling baboon -oh here's the voice of the Vancouver Canucks himself on Team 1040 radio: John Shorthouse! 'Ahhh look what I got John! $600!' John says he'd willing pay $700! Really I say.....'Nahhh! $200 max! laughs John. But how we laughed. John admits, back in Vegas, he placed a bet on one certain home team we all love, to win it all come June...but that's between me and him pal!

Look how the man in the 2 piece runs now.....oh! and here is the 'Canucks official photographer: Jeff Vinnick: 'Ahhhh! I know you'd get this for free!' pointing at the prized signed jersey. But all Jeff can do is look in mock horror at such an idea......and there's Mrs. Reid...and why she is crying? Oh dear the silly man neglected to tell his beloved he was even thinking of bidding on the famed shirt in question......all the silly man can do is put the shirt on and dancethe night away to the Roxy's house band: 'Dr. Strangelove' ....

For tomorrow might never come......lets just party!

But the night did finish and I did wake up thinking 'What just happened.......'

You better bring it home Lou - or the kids won't be heading to Yale after all....

But I leave you with words of wisdom and reflect what has already happened and can happen.....

Love Letter by R. Luongo

Your golden glow, makes me quiver.

The way you feel on my skin,

I shiver, I shiver.

I lusted for you, my dream come true.

You belong to me, eternally.

And so it was on February 28th, 2010 when we won the one game that counted for our nation: the Mens Hockey Gold against Team USA. And we all lived in the after glow of a Winter Olympics that was undoubtedly the best the world had ever seen! And it happened in our own backyard.....

So come together once again, as we relive those glorious days last year, and we all meet downtown this Saturday, February 12th.... look out for the limey with the Canuck work helmet on - come say hello!

The Canadian Test......

Before I go - put the professionalism, and clearest of 'Received Pronunciation', known as BBC English together to really highlight the games. If you don't have fat warm tears rolling down your face after seeing this - then either you don't get it or you're just not a Canadian......