Jeremy's Blog

2008 Beijing Olympics: My burning desire for Games to begin

3:09 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
Website of the Telegraph Media Group with breaking news, sport, business, latest UK and world news. It's definitely hazy, but one man's humidity and 'Scotch mist' is another's pollution and I'm reserving judgment until I've been for a run around the city streets.I quickly found out the media's place in the transportation system, as air-conditioned athletes' buses sped past our older-generation model – a description which also fitted our driver perfectly – and we had to stop and ask a policeman directions to the media village.The route into the city may have been dressed up, with Olympic banners on lampposts and bridges, but it didn't feel like an Olympic venue. The streets were eerily quiet and lacking people.That was until the National Stadium, the Bird's Nest, swung into view. It is magnificent. For any athlete lucky enough to be competing there, the surge of adrenalin on first seeing it will be immense. Pictures do not do it justice.The spectacular venue will be matched...
Originally from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/olympics/2519181/2008-Beijing-Olympics-My-burning-desire-for-Games-to-begin---Olympics.html


Variety in Adirondacks

3:09 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
Due to heavy rains the water level of the North Branch of the Moose River was up and we effortlessly went with the current, barely paddling to avoid an occasional overhanging tree or sandbars on the inside of the river bends. It's no secret that the Moose River is one of our favorite paddling destinations and the North Branch from North St. Bridge down to Old Forge is a stretch that we especially love. The winding river loops, side channels, changing scenery from alder flats to evergreen flats, and the chance to see birds and wildlife provide an entertaining three or four hours. Except last week with the faster current we made the trip in about two and one half hours, not counting the portage around Indian Rapids. With higher water levels on the Moose, as well as other central New York waters it may be tempting for some canoeists or kayakers to think about running the rapids or rocky areas instead of portaging. Don't! Unless you have the experience and paddling skills of people like my...
Originally from: http://www.oneidadispatch.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19899742&BRD=1709&PAG=461&dept_id=70195&rfi=6


Help Choosing first boat

3:08 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
Playak Go! I live in Southwestern Ontario in Canada so most of my rafting will be river rafting with minimal rapids (Cl II and III) with the occasional trip up to Ottawa for some more serious/extreme fun. Basically I am looking for a boat that can handle the rivers and rapids, but will NOT be totally out of place on some flat lakes (if such a boat exists). I am a fairly big guy 6'4 tall and approx. I was looking at the Pyranha Burn and H3 but fear they will be to Whitewater focused, I was also looking at the Prijon Choppper and Athlete. Thanks in advance for all the help. DEMO!!!!! You need to ask your self realistically, what will you primarily be doing? Flat water? a mix? or like my self who started out on a rum of the mill rec boat (prodigy 10) in lakes, flat river, then found my self wanting more; more gnarly waves, more awe inspiring hydraulics, more spine tingling drops, more mind numbing wave trains, more respect for the river Gods whom on a whim can put you in your place...
Originally from: http://playak.com/index.php?option=com_fireboard&Itemid=2&func=view&catid=107&id=22543


Ontario may lose Pan Am Games bid funding to Edmonton event ...

3:08 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
St. Niagara Falls - W. St. Catharines - St. St. St. Thomas - St. CommunitySt. CatharinesNiagara FallsWellandThoroldNiagara-on-the-LakeWest NiagaraFort EriePelhamPort ColborneWainfleetDunnvilleDowntown Niagara FallsMarch Break ListingsSummer Activity GuideSportsSt. CatharinesNiagara FallsWellandThoroldNiagara-on-the-LakeFort EriePelhamPort ColborneWest NiagaraWainfleetNiagara RegionDunnvilleChurchesSt. CatharinesNiagara FallsWellandThoroldNiagara-on-the-LakeFort EriePelhamPort ColborneWest NiagaraWainfleetDunnvilleService ClubSt. CatharinesNiagara FallsWellandThoroldNiagara-on-the-LakeFort EriePelhamPort ColborneWest NiagaraWainfleetNiagara RegionDunnvilleNon ProfitNon ProfitSt. CatharinesNiagara FallsNon Profit2WellandThoroldNiagara-on-the-LakeFort EriePelhamPort ColborneWest NiagaraWainfleetDunnvilleEntertainmentNightlifeBrockTheatreShawMuseumMusicArtOther StuffSchoolsBrock UniversityNiagara CollegeSt. It should be no contest, yet a frustrated Paul Henderson says Ontario's chanc...
Originally from: http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1110294


Area 'staycation' spot gets attention from governor

3:07 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
NEW HARTFORD - Gov. M. The Staycation program offers discounts and special deals for Connecticut residents at attractions across the state. Rell developed the program to help make summer family outings more affordable as gas prices cut into family vacation budgets. "We know a lot of people can have difficulty budgeting a vacation," Rell said, from outside Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks on Route 44. Main Stream Canoes and Kayaks owner Jack Casey said the program has been helping his business. "Since we started Staycation, business has increased tremendously," he said. "It's been the best summer we ever had." Those who come to the canoe shop can take a 10-mile journey on the upper branch of the Farmington River to Main Stream's base camp in New Hartford while beginners can enjoy a 10-mile flatwater canoe ride on the lower branch of the river from Farmington to Simsbury. "This is a great way to beat the summer heat and experience one of the most majestic waterways in the country," Rel...
Originally from: http://www.registercitizen.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19897380&BRD=1652&PAG=461&dept_id=665579&rfi=6


In medals race, more countries in running

3:07 AM, Aug. 9, 2008 .. 0 comments .. Link
Competition is changing more thoroughly than at any time since the collapse of the Soviet Union. This Olympics will mark only the start of the trend. China’s massive effort to win these Games is just now getting up to speed. It is tipped to win the gold-medal table here. It suggests an era of unprecedented equality among Olympic nations. The picture he paints is something like cold-war-lite: Three nations competing at the top of the medal table, but the distance between them and the nations after them increasingly diminished. The Chinese assault on the medal table is overwhelming. Home-field advantage generally helps the host nation, and in recent Olympics, China has already been improving its performance. In Athens, where China finished second, women won more than half the nation’s gold medals. Olympic historian David Wallechinsky calls events like shooting and women’s weight-lifting “soft targets,” not to demean them but because the amount of talent competing in these...
Originally from: http://features.csmonitor.com/olympics08/2008/08/07/in-medals-race-more-countries-in-running/