Blog Topic #4: Vancouver 2010

The Winter Olympics in Vancouver are spectacular. The week started out with the mogul skier, Alexandre Bilodeau, winning gold. It’s our first gold medal on Canadian soil! During reading week, I spent most of my days watching the Olympics. For me, winter sports are thrilling; going to the mountains and skiing for two to three days. I believe the emphasis of the medal count on CTV is not “that” overboard. Dr. Greg Wells, a physiologist of the Winter Olympic Games, stated that the pressure and the constant reminder of medal counts help athletes to focus and achieve their goal. He also mentioned that athletes use different techniques, such as talking to oneself, tuning out the crowd, and thinking about the specific routine are ways to calm the nerves. Though the constant reminder of the number of medals Canada has gotten so far is a bit tedious; comparing us to the United States, Canadians seem a bit… depressed. In a recent CTV news broadcast, VANOC’s “Own the Podium”, a organization which funds Canadian athletes for these games, states that Canada catching up to the US in medals in near-impossible. Has Canada given up hope? Even though Canada’s loss to the US in medal count is a bit discerning, I think that as long as Canada tried their best it is already an automatic win. Olympic is the opposite of boring. The heart-beating events keep viewers on the edges of their feet… literally!

The struggle between the United States and Canada in the hockey match was overwhelming. The US got their first goal in the first few minutes of the first period; Canada picks up their first goal to tie up the game shortly after the US. One goal became two and two eventually became three, and it was 3-1 US. Canada buckled down and made two goals in one period, though the United States scored another, making it 4-3. In the third period, an empty net was seen on the Canadian’s side, with one more shot from the US, the game ended with a 5-3 win for the United States. A bit of disappointment there, but that feeling quickly dissipated when Canada beat Germany with 8-2. Hockey was not just the only thing that made the Olympics fun to watch. The pure laughter and cheering heard among the streets of downtown Vancouver and Whistler made it “the place to be.” As mentioned, Alexandre Bilodeau, the mogul skier, won the first gold medal at home. During winter, I like to spend my time skiing. Watching Alex ski inspired me to ski more frequently this year. I like the fact that not only is skiing exercise, but you can take time to look at the scenery. Skating is another sport that I would like to improve on; not figure skating though... I think the Olympics help inspire kids to take up the sport and it shows that determination does pay off in the end.

Crowds chanting the national anthem, hundreds of photos taken per second, and the anticipation as you see someone representing your country getting a medal is exhilarating; it makes you feel proud. However, some “anti-organization groups” believe that the Olympics Games are a waste of money as funding could have went to homeless shelters. These protestors went up to the streets of downtown Vancouver smashing and vandalizing windows of the Hudson Bay Company, sponsor of the Olympics Games. However, these acts did not stop Vancouverites from supporting their country.

The noticeable flaw in the opening ceremony was upsetting; with the hydraulic system for the cauldron didn’t rise, many spectators sat with confusion. Even though there was an error in the program, the fact that the games were held in our country will always be a memorable moment in our lifetime.

Go Canada Go!!!

Blog Topic #3: Apple’s iPad or Sony’s Reader Digital Book?

The innovation of an iPad can help us through our lives, but the concept of an e-book reader had already been developed by other companies such as Sony. From Sony's website, the Reader Digital Book displays downloaded and purchased e-books on a 6 inch black and white screen. Apple's iPad is not as "portable" as the Sony's e-book reader since Sony's reader is slimmer, and lighter.

The iPad serves as a multipurpose "portable" electronic device. Many consumers would like a device that has all the basic accessories such as: a music and video player, a photo gallery, wireless internet (WIFI), and even gaming software. Well the iPad can do all that and more! As technology enhances each year, it is hard to keep up with it. Almost every day you hear about new innovations on the television that are more sleek and aerodynamic. But can you actually keep up with it? For one, the iPad is not that different from the iPod touch. The iPod touch has all of the same functional applications as the iPad, except for the e-book reader. As many of us consumers already have purchased iPod touches, I do not feel the need of buying a product which has all the same functions and application that the iPod touch, which I have already owned. Buying a device with just an e-book function is not worth another $600. So why not just keep using my iPod touch and buy an e-book reader from Sony which costs less and is more portable?

For now, I find Apple's iPad is more of a way for the corporation to gain money from consumers. I really do not believe people would find it convenient to carry a massive 9 inch e-book reader just to listen to music. Why don't they just buy an iPod touch which functions the exact same way that an iPad would? (Minus the ability of reading electronic books of course…)

However, I do find e-book readers useful. They are eco-friendly as they provide relief for the poor trees that gets chopped down. With fewer books printed, forests will have time to rejuvenate and our carbon footprint will shrink. Textbook printing companies, like Pearson, should provide an option for consumers to purchase an electronic version instead of the hardcover book. Prices for the electronic version should be less expensive than the hardcover books to promote putting a stop to destroying natural forests. Buying e-books can be beneficial to students because we would not have to lug those massive thousand paged books on our backs! In fact, by purchasing an e-book reader, we can reduce the percentage of people getting back pain from the less weight that we carry around each and every day.

It may take time for North America to adapt to this leap in technology but it will be very useful indeed. The world is constantly changing and by using these new gadgets we can improve our standard of living. New technologies which help to make our lives simpler sprout each and every day. So as of right now, I think I am going to stick with my 16GB iPod touch and listen to some good old music.