Author: Randy Friesen

Are you kidding me?  When Ingrid and I met Joyce, Brent and Jeff from SFU (and Burnaby Mountain Selects) for coffee a few weeks ago we knew we would be talking about some ideas to support the Christian Friesen Memorial Award.  We had no idea however, how big these guys were thinking.  What you are looking at is the Christian Friesen Commemorative Lacrosse Stick.  It has Be The Best on it, along with Chris’ signature and the Canadian flag BMS logo.  The sticks will be sold at normal retail, but with incredible support from Harrow and our BMS gang, all net proceeds will be added to the Chris Friesen Memorial Award fund.  More on this tomorrow, but thought you just had to see this now!

It was exactly one year ago tonight.  Max, Chris and myself screamed and yelled at the TV as we watched our beloved and sometimes ‘behated’ Canucks eliminated in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Chicago Blackhawks.

I told the boys that sick feeling they had in their guts was their graduation in becoming a true long-term Canucks fan.

I was in Grade 12 for the ’82 ride to the cup finals vs the ___________ (if you said New York Islanders you are correct)… and I went to Game 6 live with my good friend Mark Funk in ’94 that forced the famous Game 7 back in New York against the Rangers to battle for the NHL’s top honour.

Fast forward to 2009 and 2010.  Nothing changed for the Canucks in these playoffs.  Luongo had issues.  The defence was hurt and a better Chicago team dominated when needed.  For us of course, everything has changed.  There was no Chris in the room tonight.

This is just one of countless things that we continue to go through and it’s just part of the process…oh how I hate that word.  Earlier in the playoffs I actually thought about how I would feel if the Canucks made a long run this year and Chris wouldn’t be here to share in the victory after decades of loss.  Perhaps thankfully, we don’t have to cross that bridge this year?  I have very mixed feelings about that.

There were other changes as well.  Max grew a playoff beard.  The pictoral evidence is included here.  He also shaved it off tonight.  Another first…but as a Canuck fan son, it probably won’t be the last time you shave your beard off in April or May as opposed to June.

That being said, I’m mighty proud of the beard you grew Max.  That is a change that I’m very proud to see.  Nice work…and don’t forget the shaving balm after you’re done.

My nephew Steve contacted us several weeks back suggesting he may have a week of work coming up in San Diego.  Once confirmed, it took us about 25 minutes to have our flights and hotel booked.  Meggan even flew in from South Carolina and we had a great weekend together.

Now here’s a few behind the scenes moments.  In these pictures we look happy….and we were…and are.  However, Max actually had a bad case of the flu that came up very suddenly traveling down and through the weekend and even though he still did stuff, he didn’t eat much and felt pretty weak.  You probably couldn’t figure that out just by looking at these pictures.

What you also can’t see is those painful moments that keep coming in like clouds loaded with rain.  They do pass and sometimes there is even a rainbow, but we usually just don’t take pictures of those times.  I get concerned sometimes that people might think we’re too happy.  We’re not.  We’re not acting either.  When I looked at the pictures you see here, the first thing I thought of was ‘the new normal’…here we are the three of us, all with our wrist bands and Chris with us in spirit.  The new normal.

By the way, the film maker who brought you ‘Walking in Langley’, may even have a ‘Walking in San Diego’ movie coming up.

THANKS to Steve and Meggan for arranging their worlds to spend some time with us this weekend.  We love ya lots.

Last weekend was spent up in Kamloops as previously documented.  For those joining us outside of BC, Kamloops is a 3 hour drive through a few mountains on the way to the interior of British Columbia.  I put this little video of lacrosse action together from Sunday’s semi final between Kamloops and Langley.  Kamloops played well led by a certain number 14, Blaine Boomer and friends as you can see in the vid.  On the last play of the video I’ve slowed it down so you can see how fast this game really is.  Someone will know who that Langley player is…yes, let me know…you’ll see the footwork and hustle to get the rebound after  a great save by the Kamloop’s goalie.

Blaine’s folks, Jim and Carolynn were our hosts for the weekend.  Carolynn in the middle of planning gourmet dinners and breakfasts was also preparing for a track and field challenge on Sunday where she only SET THE CANADIAN MASTER’S SHOT PUT DISTANCE RECORD!!  I’d say nice work! Congrats Carolynn and everyone who is out there BEING THE BEST!

Go play lacrosse.  Go do the Shot Put.  Do some push-ups or go take your Mom out for lunch.  Be The Best…in everything.  CF#2 forever.

Bonus: If you want to experience a little Boomer Kamloops hospitality yourself, they own a big condo at Sun Peaks that they rent out.  Check it out here.