My Hometown - AUG.26.08
Entry posted by Polar Bear
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<table width=90% align=center><tr><td><img src=http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/09/bear_head.jpg border=0 align=left vspace=1 hspace=4>If you aren't in, then you are out. If you are not for us, you are against us.
While these statements sound like a recruiting add for the Marines, or the latest round of motivational posters for suicidal Islamic fundamentalists, I assure it is something slightly more domestic; in both senses of the word.
I have been lucky enough in my life to travel to a great many places in the world and there is one constant with every city I visit, and with every fellow traveler I meet. I wouldn't trade hometowns with any of them.
I had a great meeting with a couple of travelers from New Jersey while I was in Santorini, Greece a few years ago. The conversation was a one sided one, with these two waxing eloquently about the beauties of Jersey and how it was the envy of all who were not from there. They discussed the fine city life of Jersey, and how Jersey did a better "Greek Salad" than the Greeks (complete with Croutons, Caesar dressing, Bacon, and Egg... I think they have their antiquities mixed up!). Then, an hour later (I was too polite, being Canadian, to interrupt their diatribe), they asked me where I was from. I pleasantly said Vancouver, Canada. As they looked at each other with a look of confusion, likely wondering where in Australia Vancouver is, I calmly explained that I lived in the city with the highest standard of living in the world, in the country, which finished atop the UN's Quality of Life Index.
I have this great pride about where I live, where I work, and my fellow countrymen. I don't begrudge others who speak highly of their places of habitation, but I am convinced that mine is better. It is this attitude, which is well supported by the data, which leaves me rather confused.
I don't understand why there isn't a lineup of UFA's willing to take pay cuts just to have the please of calling Vancouver home. I find it insulting that someone would have the nerve to pass up a contract in Vancouver so they could go and play in Nashville, or Carolina, or Minnesota. It just doesn't make sense to me.
I have to admit that there is another emotion that comes out with the recent FA events in Vancouver. Anger. I get angry when I feel people are disrespecting my city and my team. When Mike Toth spouts off his unsupported vitriol directed at my team, I get annoyed. When people talk constantly of Luongo wanting to leave Vancouver it drives me up the wall. Why does he want to leave? Is it the crime rate in Miami that is pulling him away?
All I need to do is look at players who call this city home. Trevor Linden was born to play for this club. Willie Mitchell, I am convinced, plays a little harder just because he is from Vancouver. Matthias Ohlund, in any other uniform just wouldn't be the same. There is a great deal of pride in this team and in this city.
I have no tolerance for those who do not want to play here. If you don't want to play for this team, then get out or don't come at all. I don't care if you are a blazing fast Russian, a hulking Canadian winger with a mean streak, or an over-hyped indecisive Swede. If you aren't willing to put it all on the line to play for my team, then you don't deserve to live in the test city in the world and play for the best fans in the NHL. This team deserves to be one of the best in the NHL, this team deserves players who will represent the quality of this city. This team deserves players who are as passionate as the fans of Vancouver. This team deserves nothing less.
Thank you everyone who was read my blog over the past year. I have enjoyed writing them; I hope you have enjoyed reading them! All the best,
Tom Lupton
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