SevenSeasJim

I'd be in.

And people wonder why society is "going for a shit".

Sports Ticker

8/24/2005 9:16:37 AM

NEWCASTLE, England (Ticker) - Newcastle United has agreed to a club-record transfer fee with Real Madrid for striker Michael Owen.

The former Liverpool star will have to decide whether he will accept the deal to return to the English Premier League with the struggling North England side.

The price has not been disclosed. The club's current record fee is the $18.36 million paid for Alan Shearer in 1996.

"Newcastle United have met Real Madrid's asking price and conditions," read a statement on the club's website. "The agreed fee will be a record transfer fee for Newcastle United. It is now up to the player and his advisor."

Owen, 25, declared himself willing to spend a season on loan at St James' Park if his preferred option of a return to Liverpool failed to materialize.

"I said that my ideal situation was to start the season in the Real Madrid team and if not I would prefer to return to Liverpool." Owen said. "The president understood and said he would try to help me achieve this.

"If the transfer cannot be finalized in time, I have agreed to go to Newcastle United but only on a one-year loan. I need to be playing regularly in a World Cup year."

Owen scored 158 goals in 297 games for the Reds, before leaving the club for Madrid last summer.

Newcastle is desperate to recruit a striker and has been held scoreless in its first two games of the Premiership season with Shearer on his own up front.

I think he will be stellar this year. The knee has had a good long rest.

Senators deal Hossa for Heatley

Hossa and Heatley

TSN.ca Staff

8/23/2005 4:29:38 PM

The Atlanta Thrashers have arranged media availability for this afternoon at which time they are expected to announce that the team has acquired Marian Hossa and a defenceman from the Ottawa Senators for forward Dany Heatley.

"We had approached the Thrashers a couple of weeks ago requesting a change of environment," agent Stacey McAlpine told The Canadian Press. "It was an extremely difficult decision, but we all worked together to try and get things resolved and it looks like we were able to do that."

Heatley, drafted second overall by the Thrashers in 2000, has 80 goals and 181 points in 190 career games. His best season thus far came in 2002-03, when he set career highs in goals (41) and points (89).

Heatley played last season with AK Bars Kazan in Russia and SC Bern of Switzerland during the NHL lockout.

He is a restricted free agent and is on the verge of agreeing to terms with Ottawa on a new deal.

McAlpine said Heatley would meet the media Wednesday in Ottawa.

Hossa and the Senators avoided salary arbitration when they agreed to a new contract Tuesday morning, just before the case was scheduled to go to arbitration. A source said Hossa will earn $5 million this season, $6 million in 2006-07 and $7 million the following season.

Hossa recorded 36 goals and 46 assists in 82 regular-season games in 2003-2004. In 467 career games, the six-foot-two, 215-pound Slovak has 188 goals and 202 assists.

More to follow.

Fart and lock the windows is always a great way to entertain.

The Rolling Stones performing in Moncton will probably do more for their economy over that weekend then anything that city has ever seen!

It is foolish to complain about such things when you look at the bigger picture, to me those complaining are quite selfish.

Tim

That's right folks....making money is the big picture. Especially for the business's that stand to profit from it.

I've seen more Monarch's this year than in a long time. 10-20 per day for the last couple weeks.

And grasshoppers....I don't think i've ever seen as many as this summer

Careless cyclists using the city's pathway system may find themselves facing fines if they don't slow down and share the trail, the bylaw department says.

Bill Bruce, city director of animal and bylaw services, says with water restrictions and other concerns this summer, bylaw officers haven't had time to monitor pathway use as much as they'd like to.

In July, a young child and an elderly woman were injured in separate collisions with speeding bikers.

More bylaw officers will be on the paths in the next few weeks, Bruce said.

"Cyclists, like most of us, overestimate their ability," Bruce said. "You have to be able to stop. If it takes you more than one or two bicycle lengths to stop, then you're too fast to be in a mixed-use area."

Careless behaviour – including speeding, no helmets or the lack of a bell – on the paths can lead to fines of between $50 and $100, Bruce said.

On the other hand, cyclists – many of whom use the city's 450 kilometres of paths to commute to work – often complain about the 20 km/h speed limit. And many argue that joggers and dog walkers don't follow the rules either, creating unsafe conditions.

Bruce says the city will organize focus groups this fall to discuss how to better share the pathways.

Link

On the same subject....What are some good Internet radio stations to listen to? I listen to many of the Winamp stations but wonder what else people are listening to.

It amazes me how many users still don't know what ctrl-alt-delete means. I have some users that just press one at a time or keep all three keys pressed until by luck they just get it to stop flashing at the login screen. Of course I just keep letting them do it :grin:

When it's really hot people are fucked. Last night it went down to 7C and I'm in a fucking great mood today.

[You see it as porography... I see it as a funny picture that somebody took time to create (hehehe)

Most arses don't have teeth Geoff /quote]

So, by that logic, this pic would be an acceptable avatar?

I mean, everybody loves Santa.

Or better yet, maybe a gaping vagina but with a Phil Lesh paint job or something....why not!?!

Personally it doesn't offend me. But hey that's me.

Curt, you better get rid of your Darwin avatar, that could offend somebody... second tube, that looks alot like pot smoke, that could be offensive, especially to co-works. Ms Huxtable! Pot leaves! That could strike up some issues with those who are opposed to drugs. Fluff head - all that blood! My god thats gotta offend somebody.

As usual in our society, people take it on themselves to decide what the rest of us should and should not be offended by.

Big brother is watching.

oh puh-lease. It's pornography dude.

There are limits. Relax.

You see it as porography... I see it as a funny picture that somebody took time to create (hehehe)

Most arses don't have teeth Geoff :wink:

I wanna change my avatar to "Big Brother". Anyone know what he looks like?

(Oh, wait ... I seem to recall that AD is "The Man". Are "Big Brother" and "The Man" the same guy? I guess I should change my avatar to a photo of AD?)

Big Brother grows with you. He's always just a bit bigger.

Curt, you better get rid of your Darwin avatar, that could offend somebody... second tube, that looks alot like pot smoke, that could be offensive, especially to co-works. Ms Huxtable! Pot leaves! That could strike up some issues with those who are opposed to drugs. Fluff head - all that blood! My god thats gotta offend somebody.

As usual in our society, people take it on themselves to decide what the rest of us should and should not be offended by.

Big brother is watching.

I can't remember, [color:green]butt was anybody really offended with your naked ass in that Christmas avatar?

so one person decides to put up an avatar of a gaping anus ("man' date=' people can be uptight over nothing") on a public forum, and I have to turn off [i']everybody's avatars in order to avoid it?

nope. If anyone sees an avatar that is offensive, send me an email and I'll get rid of it. Once I figure out how to let moderators help out with these tasks, it'll be even easier for me to TCB

Hopefully nobody puts up any religious symbols.

so one person decides to put up an avatar of a gaping anus ("man, people can be uptight over nothing") on a public forum, and I have to turn off everybody's avatars in order to avoid it?

As you said you can choose to ignore a certain user. Or you could work while at work :wink:

you might think its ok...but i doubt my coworkers do...

and there are lots of us on here with jobs that dont allow us to view what could be construed as gay fetish porn at work...

HaHaHa nice. I guess at work you could choose to "Hide Avatars" in the Display settings of "My Fusion"

I missed the old avatar.. what was it??

An ass with teeth. Funny looking IMHO. Not offensive at all.

I travelled up that way last July (Hwy11 to Thunder Bay). We camped at Greenwater and I've never experienced bugs like that in my life. This is the worst year I've ever seen for Deer Flies and Horse flies in the Parry Sound area. While riding my bike I can have anywhere from 25 to 50 breathing down my neck at any one time. I must say that I'm intrigued to take in some of the Cree culture as well. Chisasibi sounds like it's got some cool things to experience.

I'm thinking of making this trip possibly over Labour Day weekend (5 days) or next summer depending on a few things. Any people out there ever take this road trip? Any tips (besides don't run out of gas)?

Overview of Road and Map

Sounds like Bertuzzi will get 10-20 games this season as well before he can play.

Story

Some of the Band playing

The Agnostic Mountain Gospel Choir (AB) Feisty purveyors of down and dirty Delta blues, Appalachian folk and ragged gospel for non-believers. theagnostics.com

Blood Meridian (BC) Defiantly melancholic scorched-earth roots-rock from a quintet of Vancouver indie vets. bloodmeridianmusic.com

Buddy Tabor (AK) Rabble-rousing folk singer from Juneau, Alaska.

Carolyn Mark (BC) Lock up your sons and hide the liquor - the original Party Girl is back! newmusiccanada.com/genres/artist.cfm?Band_Id=5904

Creaking Tree String Quartet (ON) Virtuoso acoustic ensemble play an electryfing mix of bluegrass, jazz, country, and classical compositions.

creakingtree.com

Eivør Pálsdóttir & Bill Bourne (Iceland/AB) What do you get when you cross a venerable Canadian folk legend with an angel-voiced Faroese chanteuse? eivor.com and billbourne.com

Greg MacPherson (NS/MB) Passionate, intelligent, grittily melodic folk-rock from Nova Scotia by way of Winnipeg. gregmacpherson.com

Joel Plaskett Emergency (NS) Melodic pop, bombastic 70s-influenced arena rock and country-tinged ballads and from a trio of East Coast indie heroes. joelplaskett.com

Leela Gilday (NWT) Soulful singer-songwriter from Yellowknife mixes folk, jazz and blues. leelagilday.com

Marieke Hiensch (YT) The triumphant second coming of Dawson’s premier songstress.

Rae Spoon (BC) A big, bold voice and an eye for the beauty of everyday life distinguish the songs of this banjo-pickin’ new skool cowboy-folk crooner. raespoon.com

Rick Scott (BC) Award-winning children’s entertainer and founding member of legendary Canadian folk trio Pied Pumkin String Ensemble. rickscott.ca

The Sadies (ON) Awe inspiring psychedelic spaghetti western country surf rock from one of Canada’s best and most exciting live bands. thesadies.net

Shotgun & Jaybird (NB/YT) Dawson’s prodigal sons return to dazzle and delight with songs of love, loss and shotgunandjaybird.com

Swingin’ Fish Nuggets (YT) High-energy, booty-shaking swingers from just down the road.

Tanya Tagaq Gillis (NT) Innovative Inuit throat-singer mixes traditional techniques with freestyle improvisations and atmospheric electronica. tanyatagaq.com

Tons of Fun University (CA/BC) Two Grand Slam poetry champions and a human beat box join forces to revolutionize spoken word performance. mikemcgee.net/tofu

Whammer Jammer Blues Band (YT) Four of the Yukon’s most talented and versatile musicians join forces to belt out foot-stomping rave-ups and slow cool jams that are guaranteed to keep the dance floor full.

Web Page

Here's some of the rule changes for the 2005/2006 Season.

No more ties

- Following a scoreless five-minute overtime, three players from each team participate in a shootout.

- Each team takes three shots. The team with the most goals after those six shots wins.

- If the score remains tied, the shootout will proceed to a "sudden death" format.

- If a game is decided by a shootout, the final score will give the winning team one more goal than its opponent, based on the score at the end of overtime.

Two-line passes

- Two-line passes will now be legal. The centre-red line will be ignored for off-side purposes.

- The "tag-up" off-side rule returns, allowing play to continue if offensive players who preceded the puck into the zone return to the blue-line and "tag" it.

Restrictions on goalies

- The dimensions of goaltender equipment will be reduced by approximately 11 per cent. In addition to a one-inch reduction (to 11 inches) in the width of legpads, the blocking glove, upper-body protector, pants and jersey also will be reduced in size.

- Goalies may play the puck behind the goal-line only in a trapezoid-shaped area defined by lines that begin six feet from either goal post and extend diagonally to points 28 feet apart at the end boards.

Bigger Offensive Zone

- The blue-lines will be moved closer together to create an additional four feet in each of the offensive zones. That reduces the size of the neutral zone to 50 feet from 54 feet.

- The goal-lines will be moved two feet, to 11 feet from the end boards.

- The width of blue-lines and centre-red line remains unchanged.

Changes to icing

- A team that ices the puck cannot make a line change prior to the ensuing face-off.

- Touch remains in effect but linesmen will be given more discretion to wave off icing infractions if they are deemed the result of an attempted pass.

Changes to instigator rule

- A player who instigates a fight in the final five minutes of a game will receive a game misconduct and an automatic one-game suspension. The length of suspension would double for each additional incident.

- In addition, the player's coach will be fined $10,000 US, a fine that would double for each such incident.

Areas of emphasis for officials

- Zero tolerance on interference, hooking and holding/obstruction.

- Goalies who play the puck behind the goal-line but outside the designated puck-handling area will be penalized for delay of game.

- Goaltenders will be penalized for delaying the game if they "freeze" the puck unnecessarily.

- Any player who shoots the puck directly over the glass in his defending zone will be penalized for delay of game.

Unsportsmanlike conduct

- The league will review and assess fines to players who dive, embellish a fall or a reaction, or who feign injury in an attempt to draw penalties.

- The first such incident will result in a warning letter; the second will result in a $1,000 fine; the third will result in a $2,000 fine; and the fourth incident will result in a one-game suspension.

- Public complaints or derogatory comments toward the game also will result in fines.