Tool in Toronto

I wanted to post pictures from the Tool concert I went to at the Air Canada Center! The venue was packed and the energy in the arena was electric. I can't stress it enough- the show was just phenomenal and Maynard’s voice was spot-on!! I also loved the stage and set-up too! What a great night in Toronto!

Enjoy some pics below:

 Loved the stage set-up!

 

Look at those eyes!

 Brett & I enjoying the show!

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Hillebrand Winery

 Harvest Table, Cellar 63

Hillebrand Winery

This past weekend I went to Hillebrand Winery located in Ontario’s wine country on Niagara-on-the-Lake for a wonderful tour and tasting! With a group of friends on hand the tour was a fantastic time that had us all eager to sample a variety of wines!

The setting was beautiful and the winery had a very cozy feel to it. We were there during the Trius Campfire Chili event (January 21, 22, 28 & 29) where people were relaxing around the campfire while eating Chef Frank Dodd’s Icewine Chili! Our tour and tasting were fantastic and I even bought home a couple bottles of the 2010 Trius Cabernet Sauvignon. Delish!

 Queen Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake

After the tasting we went to the Icewine Festival located in Queen Street in Niagara-on-the Lake. We had so much fun! This outdoor festival had wineries all around the region showcasing their Icewine while people listened to live Jazz and ate some delicious food pairings.  I am eager to visit again! 

Image Source: http://www.hillebrand.com/Special-Events.php , http://www.cip-icu.ca/greatplaces/en/place.asp?id=5923

2012 Red Bull Crashed Ice World Championship, Saint Paul USA

2012 Redbull Crashed Ice World Championships

Ok, I may be a bit late on this- but I have found a new fun sport to watch! If you are a fan of motocross, downhill skiing like super giant slalom or just intense extreme sports- mix those together and you get “Ice-Cross” or “Crashed Ice”! I tuned in to watch the Redbull Crashed Ice World Championships in St. Paul USA and I must say it was awesome! They stated that this sport came back to the USA after a 9 year absence and this race in Minnesota would start the 2012 season. The track itself was set in a beautiful location on Cathedral Hill in St. Paul and the announcers said there were about 80,000 people in attendance!

To further explain what it looks like- this extreme sport has racers in hockey gear,  “ice-crossing” through a downhill ice track about ¼ mile (or 400 meters). The athletes are from around the world but Canadian Kyle Croxall took the win at the World Championships in St.Paul. I’m eager to learn more and watch this sport (heck, I’d love to go down that track too!) but check out a clip from the championship above!


Video Source: http://www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/red-bull-crashed-ice-world-championship-2012-video-021243149167391

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

“Martin Luther King, Jr. (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. King has become a national icon in the history of modern American liberalism” (1) and today we celebrate this federal holiday.

Dr. King was born in Atlanta on Jan. 15, 1929, but this holiday is observed on the third Monday of January. “Martin Luther King Jr. Day began in 1976 — 18 years after his death by an assassin’s bullet in Memphis — but has only been celebrated in all 50 states since 2000”. (2) Today is recognized as national Day of Service so it is important to get out there in your community! "The MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems". (3)

In August of 1963, as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stepped up to the lectern of history to deliver his monumental “I Have a Dream” speech on the National Mall, he was introduced as “the moral leader of our nation”. (2) Please take a moment to listen to this epic speech today.

 MLK on steps of the Lincoln Memorial (March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom)-1963

 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial (Washington, DC)

If I were back in Washington, DC it would be a perfect day to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which opened last fall on the National Mall!

Sources/Image:

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.

2) http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/martin-luther-king-google-doodle-mlk-dream-logo-celebrates-civil-rights-leaders-birthday/2012/01/16/gIQA3g9r2P_blog.html

3) http://mlkday.gov/

4) http://drkathleenyoung.wordpress.com/2011/01/17/only-love-remembering-martin-luther-king-jr/ 

5) http://jeannewillette.com/2011/08/

Raptors vs. Nets

 Raptors vs. Nets

I went to my first NBA game here in Toronto to see the Raptors play the Nets! The big buzz to the game was the fact Chris Humphries was in town (Kim Kardashian’s ex-husband) and Raptors fans didn’t fail to taunt him about that. In the 2^nd quarter a group of men in the 4^th row decided to hold up huge signs displaying the faces of the Kardashian family. The night ended up with a loss for the Raptors 97-85 but overall, I had a fantastic time!

 A great night!

 lol

Image Source: http://www.thestar.com/sports/basketball/nba/raptors/article/1112007--kris-humphries-showered-with-boos-and-cheers-by-toronto-crowd

2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic

 Flyers vs. Rangers in Citizens Bank Park

As promised, I would post some pictures from the 2012 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic in Philadelphia! The day itself was amazing filled with eager fans for both the Flyers and the Rangers. We woke up early (first stop was WaWa) and had a fun filled morning at the tailgate. The Citizens Bank Park lot was full of fans from both teams and contrary to some beliefs about Philadelphia fans- we made friends with Ranger fans parked across from us in the lot. Okay, I admit we all had some friendly banter going on!

Once we got to our seats the crowd was memorized. The crisp cool air encompassed all 46,967 fans and it even started to snow in the 2^nd period. To say the least, it was a perfect setting and crowd for the Winter Classic was on their feet. According to NHL.com Flyers coach Peter Laviolette said, "The Winter Classic is a tremendous event, and our organization is thrilled to be a part of it.  To play in an atmosphere like tonight, you know, the only thing disappointing for us was the result."

In the end, the Flyers lost to the Rangers 3-2. The glimmer of hope with a penalty shot from  Danny Briere was lost in the end as Lundqvist “stood on his head” yet again with some amazing play. From a special blog from Briere for NHL.com (after the game) he stated, “Coming in on Lundqvist, I had beaten him once on the blocker side, once on the glove side. He had stopped me a couple times before as well in shootouts, but I was still convinced I was going to score. I tried to surprise him with a quick little shot, unfortunately he was quicker than me. I've got to give him credit for that”.

I will always cherish these memories for the 2012 Bridgestone Winter Classic in Philadelphia. Not only do I consider Philadelphia my original hometown but I was able to spend the day with my closest friends who all grew up in Philadelphia as well. We don’t get to do these things all together normally, so seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as we took pictures, danced to the bands in the streets and watched the game together- it all added to the "once in a lifetime" memories from the event. 

Enjoy the pictures below!

 Our 2012 Winter Classic Crew!

 About to head in Citizens Bank Park!

 Let's go Flyers!

 The Flyers and Rangers are ready to go! 

 Love when the Jets flew overhead!

 Start of the game

Priceless memories :)

If you missed my pictures from the leagues Winter Classic family skate at Citizens Bank Park (night before the game) click here to check them out!

Image Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1008339-2012-nhl-winter-classic-5-reasons-citizens-bank-park-has-been-the-best-venue

Family Skate on Winter Classic Ice

2012 Winter Classic- Family Skate at Citizens Bank Park

Family Skate on Winter Classic Ice

Happy 2012!! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and great start to 2012! The year ended with great memories as I traveled back to the US to see family and friends for Christmas and spent the New Year in Philadelphia! A highlight to start off this New Year is the fact that the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic was held Monday, January 2, 2012 at Citizen Bank Park in Philadelphia! It was the first time the Winter Classic was not played on New Year’s Day but for anyone in Philadelphia who follow the mummers that may not have worked out so well anyway! I will write all about the game tomorrow but today I want to highlight the fact I was able to be on the Winter Classic ice at the leagues family skate the night before the game! It was amazing!

Upon arrival at Citizens Bank Park there was a flurry of excitement as the final preparations were being made for the 2012 NHL Winter Classic Game Flyers vs. Rangers. Signs were being raised, seats were getting their warmers, camera crews were getting their angles on the jumbo screen and sound checks were being called. When I got down to the ice it was filled with Rangers players and their families- and the atmosphere was overflowing with laughter and playfulness.

As we got underneath Citizens Bank Park I was able to scope out the locker rooms for the Flyers and my excitement grew. I couldn't get my skates on fast enough! Stepping onto the Winter Classic ice was such a memorable experience and so much fun! The weather was crisp, the ice was solid and I was able to meet the refs and linesmen scheduled to be in the game (and their families). The HBO Crew was wrapping up for the night and we were engulfed with the singing of the national anthem by Lauren Hart. We even got to hear sound check from ‘The Roots’! I’m a huge Roots and drummer ?uestlove fan! After the skate I was able to say a quick hello to ?uestlove too! Seriously what an amazing night! 

 Enjoy some of the pics below! :)

 Rangers Players Family Skate

 Brett and I at the family skate! 

 Great view from the ice!

 Winter Classic Ice (night before the game)

 Flyers Bench

The Roots!

 ?uestlove from The Roots!

Image Source: Rob Carr/ Getty Images, http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1008339-2012-nhl-winter-classic-5-reasons-citizens-bank-park-has-been-the-best-venue