Rock stars

So by a mile my favourite news story of the day is this one from The Toronto Star talking about a reality TV show in the United States on.....curling.

Yes, I know, I know. However, it's kind of a clever idea. Participants try out, the ones selected get a shot at the the U.S. qualifying tournament for the 2010 Olympics. Maybe it doesn't speak well for my chosen sport where a bunch of people will no training or skills in the sport will have a shot at making the Olympics after a few months of coaching and practice. But it's an undeniably catchy idea. Most people by the time they hit their 30s can pretty much forget the Olympic dream. But here's a show giving them the chance. An average person who could go from never playing the sport to the Olympics in a few months.

Hell, I'd like that chance. Sign me up for some of that action.

I also love the idea of a celebrity host. The fact that Bruce Springsteen might get together with a few of his buddies and throw a few rocks makes me very happy. That Bon Jovi also plays is not quite as thrilling, but still kind of amusing. I think the producers are dreaming in technicolour if they think they're getting Springsteen to host, but hey, Bon Jovi would kind of work.

You know, I'm going to be staying in New Jersey when I go to New York in April. It's a hell of a lot cheaper to stay there than in Manhattan. Maybe I should see if Bruce or Jon is up for a game.

And while on curling, this is one more for the anyone in Iqaluit. Well, if you want to travel up here for a curling bonspiel, we'd love to have you. But honestly, I don't think we can make it profitable for you even if you were to win.

Anyway, the Iqaluit Furspiel - the biggest curling bonspiel of the season in Nunavut - runs from February 21-24. The entry fee is $100 per person, but you get a fair amount for your money. First, you get a 1 in 16 shot at the grand prize, which will be a minimum of $2,000 per team. You also get access to the Racquetball club upstairs, which has a bar and restaurant. The fee also gets you a chance to enter a Skill's Competition, which is worth at least $200 for the winner. Plus there will be other prizes given away throughout the weekend, including door prizes, which require no skill whatsoever to win. We promise.

Oh, and there will be a meal at the end of the bonspiel, which is included in the fee.

So that's a pretty good bonspiel. You get at least three games, lots of fun, plenty of prizes up for grabs, access to a cool private club that your ordinarily wouldn't be able to get into and lots of food.

So if you're interested in taking part, drop me a line. We'd love to see some new players there.

Last Five
1. You come in burned - The Dandy Warhols
2. Dirty laundry - Don Henley
3. Cry - The Trews
4. Put your records on (live) - Corinne Bailey Rae*
5. Being for the benefit of Mr. Kite - The Beatles