Na, na, na, Gonna have a good time

I don't know about you, but I thought this may have actually been a monumental moment in my Blog. The last post was the 25th post I have put on this fabulous page and I think it deserves some sort of recognition if not a celebration.

Hi am the author of this blog, the internet's Litton Wickenheiser. I started this blog as way to share the experiences I am enjoying in Calgary with my good friends back in the O-town, my parents and of course those who know me everywhere else in the world.

So to all you playas I want say to say Thanks, Merci, Kiitos, Gracias etc etc . . . for giving me the inspiration to come here once a week or so and belt out a few lines of the crazy thoughts going on in my head.

I think I will celebrate this momentous occasion by reflecting on some of the highlights of this journey, the Bearded Backpacker retro.

Well the adventures began after I attended the Erin Mills stampede stomp and was the master of the Sumo Pit. I declared my dominance that day pushing and hurting anyone who dared get in my way. I HAVE THE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!

The stampede brought some early highlights to the blog as I took in free breakfasts and rodeo fun.

Following that it was the adventures with my parents as they came to visit their beloved son in the New West. We had a lot of fun, what with the Rocky Mountains, West Edmonton Mall and promiscuous zoo animals. All good times.

After that I kind of disappeared and reappeared celebrating the wedding of my Brother in Christ, the one the only Jimmy James E. It was a blast and I had tonnes of fun. Plus I got to check back in with a lot of the great people I left back in Ottawa. You guys still mean a lot. Never let anyone tell you different.


After that I just kind of went off the rails and my mind took over the blogging without me having any control. Where does this mean we're going, I don't know.

I think I will just try and keep it light with a few biting commentaries if possible.

An update on my reality show audition is that I don't believe this one is meant to be, but that's okay. I think there will be other opportunities. I need to be on TV.

I want to leave you here with the lyrics of another song. It was from one of my favourite shows growing up, The Electric Company.
Morgan Freeman was one of the regulars of the cast. It rocked and taught me a lot and I believe is a very appropriate celebration song. So read the lyrics here and hit the link at the bottom. Hopefully it will bring you to an actual video of the opening credits for the show.

HEY YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!
Moving out in a new way
Moving out in a new way
We're gonna turn it on (turn it on)
We're gonna bring you the power (you can do it)
We're gonna light the dark of night like the brightest day in a whole new way
We're Gonna Turn it On (do do do)
We're Gonna Bring you the Power (do do do do)
We're gonna tell you the truest words that you heard anybody say
Moving out in a new way
Moving out in a new way
We're gonna turn it on
We're gonna bring you the power
It's coming down the lines, strong as they can be through the courtesy of the Electric Company

That's right the Electric Company.
Give it a chance to load up.

Alright friends. I gots to go. Have a great day and look forward to the next 25 posts, This was number 1

Later

And i think it's gonna be a long long time

I don't know about you, but I'm finding the start of this NHL season to be the most scrutinized and most intensly analyzed hockey season in my hockey watching life. It does not seem to matter what I am watching or reading, but you'd swear it was at least mid season with the way 'pundits' like Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun are getting all worked up.
I'd bet you that Mr. Garrioch would love to have half the Ottawa Senators team traded just because they started 1 and 2. Why are guys who look like they can't skate or even hold a hockey stick allowed to make so many outrageous claims about this sport.

Here are more examples of early season wackiness. You should know I'm no fan of the Maple Leafs, but after their loss to the Sens they were getting written off. IT WAS ONE GAME PEOPLE!! The Buffalo Sabres win two games, one in a shoot out and another in the last minute and their going to the cup. Everyone is so quick to be a bandwagon jumper its embarrassing. I know we can look back on the last two cup winners and both the Lightning and Hurricanes had awesome starts to the season, but both were almost beaten by teams who people had written off halfway through the season.

I guess I'm just sick of these half wits who figure Calgary Flames goalie Mikka Kiprusoff is done because he has a bad pre-season game. Or the Sens can never overcome the absence of Chara. There is more than Chara not being on the team. Yeah he was a presence, but the defensive problems the team has have more to do with the fact the team is missing new team member Joe Corvo to injury and everyone else is playing with a different partner or the opposite side. Give them time to get it together before having a panic attack.

Anyway I truly believe that people are taking hockey way too seriously now. I don't like losing to the leafs, but in reality it doesn't really matter for the Sens anymore. Teams are going to lose games during the season. Last year the Sens may have started the season 3 and 0, but two of the wins were in shootout and once they had to come from behind and the other they blew a big lead before winning in the penalty shots.

Anyway I had to rant because I have this sense that too many people are pinning what happens in the first week of the season on their team's chances of winning the cup.

Come on.

We all need to take a breath people

Now somewhere in the black mountain hills of dakota

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian fans. As it is the time to be thankful I guess there is a number of things I can say thanks to. I guess the return of the NHL was one thing that I was really happy to have back after the one year lockout. I had a lot of fun last season going to the Corel Centre slash Scotiabank Place to watch the Senators play. I guess it will suck a bit this year that I won't have a chance to see my favourite team in person, but I got in a lot of games last year to hold me over.

Another thing I'm very thankful for is the series of events that led to me moving to Calgary. I'm really glad that I actually did take that chance and moved across the country. I'm thankful for all the support I received from my friends and family during a pretty stressful time.

I have to give a lot of thanks to the support and place to stay the Double B's, C and Two D provided me with when I first arrived in Cowtown.

I'm also thankful for the great people I have met in my short time in Calgary.

Anyway to summarize, Thanks

Well I will leave it that. I want y'all to enjoy your turkey or tofurkey and remember to give thanks.

Oh before I leave I'd like to share the lyrics to a classic Yes tune

Ive seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied Im on my way.
Ive seen all good people turn their heads each day
So satisfied Im on my way.

Take a straight and stronger course to the corner of your life.
Make the white queen run so fast
She hasnt got time to make you a wife.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Move me on to any black square,
Use me any time you want,
Just remember that the gold
sfor us to capture all we want, anywhere,
Yea, yea, yea.

Dont surround yourself with yourself,
Move on back two squares,
Send an instant karma to me,
Initial it with loving care
Dont surround
Yourself.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit dont surround
Didda. - yourself with yourself.
Dont surround yourself with yourself, dont surround yourself.
Move on back two squares,
Send an instant karma to me, send an instant
Initial it with loving care karma to me. dont surround yourself.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured
For the queen to use.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.
Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda.

cause its time, its time in time
With your time and its news is captured.

Ii. all good people

Ive seen all good people turn their heads
Each day so satisfied Im on my way.
Yea, yea.
Ive seen all good people turn their heads
Each day so satisfied Im on my way.

Were's moving on up

I'm a big fan of television and the movies, anyone who knows me knows this. That is why I was really excited this week when I had the opportunity to audition for a reality type television show. The show is called Letters, or something like that, and it will pit 10 men in a free for all of love.

The contestants will attempt to win the affection of a women solely through their talents with the written word. Being on the show would allow me to reach my goal of being on television. Sure I was on TV back when I was 13 and my class took part in The Thunder Bay Televison Young Producers. Still I didn't appreciate the experience. I played the chef in the sketch, 'Mr Roger's Solar System.' The theme of the show was space I think, it was such a long time ago.

To the East Side

Anyway let me set the scene. I happened to be cooking something when Mr. Rogers walks in and asks me what I'm doing? My line was 'I'm cooking Mr. Rogers.' Shortly after the kitchen explodes and the laughter begins. I remember watching the episode as a kid and laughing at myself so hard that it hurt. I unfortunately do not have a copy of the show. It is one of the regrets of my life.

A side note of that production is that Kevin Durand, who has appeared in such films as 'Walking Tall' and 'The Butterfly Effect', was the host of our little production. Its awesome baby.

Yeah so I don't know if anything will come from this little audition, but it has made me think about whether or not I should consider getting involved in some other types of productions, maybe some type of one man show or the shakespeare in the park, I dunno. We will have to see where the wind guides me as a float atop a giant leaf, breaking free in the autumn from the mighty oak and drifting slowly, but surely to the earth. I am holding tight on this botany fueled adventure and so far I like it.

Anyway if my fans out there can think positive thoughts about this opportunity that would be great.

To a deluxe apartment in the sky

Before I go, there was something else I was wondering about. Did the Road Runner and Speedy Gonzales ever race one another? I don't seem to recall. I know the Hanna Barbera characters always had some sort of Olympic type event, but not the Warner Bros.In any case I'm thinking that Road Runner would have to win just because of his longer legs. I mean I'm not taking anything away from Speedy, the dude is quick, but he has to expend so much more energy to cover the same area. Of course he does deal with a lot less wind resistence because of his smaller body and his closeness to the ground. It is a debate that will rage on until these two champions of speed, race. If it has already happen, let me know. I GOTS TO KNOW,


Alrighty then Dudes and Dudettes. That's it for me tonight and I hope you can stay tuned for a new episode of Golden Girls. Tonight, Blanche and Dorothy fight over the same younger man. Let the laughter ensue.

We finally got a piece of the pie!

It don't matter that you got not alot, So what

The Office, the winner of this year's emmy for best comedy, premiered its third season this week with what may have been the most uncomfortable 22 minutes of television I have ever seen in my life. The show had me cringing and laughing all the way through. The episode has Michael Scott finding out that one of his employees is gay. Now any other normal person would handle this in stride, but not Michael. No, he decides he is gonna put his own little spin on things and in the process outs Oscar. It is amazing how this guy doesn't get anything. And yet this is the genius of the show.

Anyway after outing Oscar, Michael decides he is gonna fix things, first by trying to hug Oscar and then by kissing him. The most spectacular about all this is that the rest of the office just sits there watching Michael do these things. I'm still laughing.

The episode was great and the season is off to a great start.

I give it a 5 out of 5 backpacks.

This is the first of what may become a regular feature of the Bearded Backpacker that I like to call 'The Reviews.'

And with this being the first I'll share another opinion of entertainment with you.

Mon ami Amanda was in the city this weekend to celebrate some religious holiday and so had a chance to hang out with her and we decided to check out a film.

Along the way we picked up to stragglers to join us at the movies and this made selecting a film a bit difficult. We could not get unanimous approval amongst the four of us for any of the following, 'The Last Kiss', 'The Gridiron Gang' or 'Talladega Nights.' However a surprise to me was that everyone was up for seeing 'You, Me and Dupree.' It was a fine choice. Owen Wilson, and that thing he calls a nose, Matt Dillon and Kate Hudson all gave hilarious and touching moments and left us all laughing, except for Rebecca, who thought a nap would be more appropriate. Anyway I loved it, it was really fun and the hockey helmet was a nice touch for Wilson. I laugh alot.

Anyway I wrote something much better about these two, except the computer conspired against me and I lost the genius before saving. Damn you KHAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway enjoy my thoughts and maybe you too will tune into 'The Office' or check out "You. Me and Dupree.'

"The Reviews' have been a Quinn Marten Production.

Do you know do you know do you know just how I feel?

So I thought about writing something about how ridiculous I think the New York Islanders signing of Rick Dipietro is, but why waste our time.

I'd rather talk to you about a much more important issue. The fall of the Sunday Rec Plus B Swingers in the Championship Game on Sunday September 10th. It was a great day for co-ed slo-pitch. The sun was out and temperature decent. We played the Commandos, a team we lost to by one run during the regular season in the bottom of the Seventh. The cruel mistress of fate would cast a similar spell on us in the Big Game. We did our best to win that game and I may have even had my best hitting performance of the season. Took me long enough. Yet the glory of victory was not to be ours as we again lost by one in the bottom of the 7th.

All the time, it was...we really, finally did it!! You maniacs! You blew it up! Ah, damn you! God...damn you all to hell! "






















So this loss brings my record in championship games to a dismal 3 and 7. Not good.

Ah well winning isn't everything. Who I'm kidding? Its the only thing!

But seriously we will all be better for the experience.

Anyway I would love to write more, but '2103: The Deadly Wake' is on Encore Avenue and it looks too good to miss.

Long long time ago

Wow. I can't believe it's been 5 years since I began my career as a media monitor. The date was September 10, 2001, that was the day I first began listening and writing about the news. I have to admit that I really do like my job a lot even though many people don't understand it or others find it boring. I guess I am an infophile and having a job where I am getting bombarded with new information everyday is really pretty darn exciting.

So it was 5 years ago that I entered the 10th floor office of Bowdens Media Intelligence in downtown Ottawa. It was a pretty uneventful day that I remember very little of, because as you may know things were gonna get a lot more exciting on my second day, what with September 11th and all. I think it was probably very beneficial to have such a major news event take place on the second day of a monitoring job. Anything that would follow that event would seem like child's play. It could also have made the job seem more mundane and dull and let me tell you those moments exist, but I guess its my love for information that just keeps me coming back each each and every day.

When I was studying history and political science at Carleton University or radio broadcasting at Algonquin College there was never a time that I thought wow I could get paid to just sit in front of a tv or radio and write what's going on . But the job actually exists.

The time I have spent as a media monitor has led to some of the best friendships I have ever known and maybe that is why I like the job so much. There have been some tough times during my time with the company, but my friends have always been there to help things along.

I spent my first 4 and half years with Bowdens working in Ottawa and the job finally allowed me to meet some quality people in the city that I know will be friends for life. There is of course Mo who has been one of the most important people in my life to date. She has been a tremendous friend and has tried to help me from the first day. There is also Rob, who without his influence I may have never been able to enjoy as many Ottawa Senators games as did last season. Who else is there? Of course I cannot forget Em. She is a wonderful friend who always gives me a reason to smile. There are a few others in that office who are great people and I'm glad I had a chance to get to know them. Mitch, Lan, G-Money, The Mats, Marlene, Murial and Mel are some of the interesting characters I had a chance to meet during those halcion days. What's with everyone having an M in their name anyway?

Of course the good times in Ottawa did come to an end and I headed west to check out how the playas in Calgary roll when it comes to media monitoring. Well let me tell you these cats are whacked. There is a great group of people in the office out here. The atmosphere in the office is very positive and I hope that I will form the same bonds I had in Ottawa out here.

Well I just wanted to reflect a bit on my anniversary. 5 years is a long time, but it has been a good time.

I want to dedicate this post to Rob, Mona and Emilie, the Bowdens co-workers who made my time at that place so much easier.

You all rock

I'd like to end this post with a song

What would you do if I sang out of tune,
Would you stand up and walk out on me.
Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And I’ll try not to sing out of key.
I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
What do I do when my love is away.
(Does it worry you to be alone)
How do I feel by the end of the day
(Are you sad because you’re on your own)
No I get by with a little help from my friends,
I get high with a little help from my friends,Oh,
I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody,I need somebody to love.
Could it be anybodyI want somebody to love.
Would you believe in love at first sight,
Yes I’m certain that it happens all the time.
What do you see hen you turn out the light,
I can’t tell you, but I know it’s mine.
Oh I get by with alittle help from my friends.
I get high with a little help from my friends,
Oh I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends.
Do you need anybody,I just need somebody to love,
Could it be anybody,I want somebody to love.
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mm I’m gonna try with a little help from my friends,
Oh I get high with a little help from my friends,
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends.

Thanks a lot! You've been a great crowd!

How Long... How long must we sing this song?

Again I have decided to take some time to reflect and collect my thoughts before releasing another post. I find myself with a number of ideas, but when it comes time to write out my thoughts I have not the energy or the wisdom to put it down.

I prefer to philosophize my ideas and figure if they make any sense to me, but usually they don't so I might as well just write some things out.

So I saw something that to me was just genius. You may have already seen it, but if not make sure you get down to youtube to check out George W. singing the U2 classic, 'Sunday Bloody Sunday.'

It's truly amazing the editing done to make this work. It rocks.

Anyway it is this song that makes me want to write something, but what. I no longer have any real adventures to speak of, what with the end of summer and the baseball season. I will be going for the Sunday Rec Plus "B' title this weekend. I look to play well and have fun and for that occasion I have had my haircut. I want to look good for the team photo and I wouldn't mind if my hat would stay on during a game.

I don't want to worry any of my fans who like my longer hair, I have not shaved my head, but I have gone above the ears so hopefully you will still like me the way I am. Its amazing how much our hair can come to identify us, either to ourselves or to others. There was a time I did not get my hair cut too short because I was worried it would change the way some people thought about me or maybe I just thought I looked good with it. It's like the whole beard thing. I love having it and it has become a part of me and anyone who says to get rid of it I will tell them;

THE BEARD STAYS YOU GO!!!

But is that really a bright idea? I mean, choosing my facial hair over a relationship, I say yes, because you should never have to change who you are unless you are a complete ass. I don't think I'm there yet. I could be wrong. Nahhhhh!

Anyway what was my point?

So I want to recommend something else that I have found really funny, it may be some of the best cartoon writing I have seen since
'The Tick.'

The show of which I speak is 'The Venture Bros.' It is a more adult spin on the Johnny Quest cartoons you may have heard of. It's the story of a scientist, his two sons and their super strong body guard voiced by Patrick Warburton. The show has me laughing out loud rolling on the floor. It's ridiculous, the stories, the villains and the whole idea. I don't think I could do it justice in an explanation, but check it out if you can. It's on Monday nights on Teletoon at 10:30 pm.

So those were my picks of the week and I hope you do your best to check them out because they are the bomb y'all.

Well I guess that is all I have to say for now, but I promise I will update everyone on the results of tomorrow's Softball tilt.

Gooooooooooooooo SWINGERS!!!!!!!

A superbowl homeboy from the O-town

Yes so it wasn't all weddings and dancing and drinking for your's truly during the trip to the National Capital Region. I actually ran into some of the other people I left behind when I took off from my former home.

You can see some of them in this photo. They are so innocent looking aren't they, well let me tell you, you can forget all that. Bad seeds every last one of them. Wouldn't trust them any further than I could throw them.

The one on the left is the real troublemaker, but I leave that story for another day. Anyway I did see the 6 people you see above along with a few other all-stars, Nic and his sweetheart, DC and his crazy family along with my personal favourite Chuck Man Jack. Oh don't forget about that crazy French man who always reminds me to be out there sowing my oats or something like that. I in turn helped him reno a bathroom. Whoo wee!! That was the highlight of the trip. Hopefully next time I'm in Ottawa he'll have another project for me. They're quite a bunch let me tell you.

Of course my search for Danny G was fruitless, I can never get a hold of that guy, its as if he is avoiding me. What is he afraid of, is it the money he owes me or does he know that I found out about his fear of cardigan sweaters? I don't know.

So the trip to Ottawa allowed me to spend some quality time with Mo and her kid. It made me realize that I deep down I don't hate children, I actually enjoy hanging out with them and discussing world events. Its a blast. Will I make a good father? Some say yes, others may not be so sure. As long as any children I have turn out to be jerks than I will consider their upbringing a success.

Now to something important. What's the deal with Pluto being demoted. That's an outrage that is. We are always talking about equality and then scientists go and pull something like this. Ridiculous.

Anyway that's my time, now enjoy the musical stylings of Baby TV.