In Canada, Boxing Day is observed as a holiday, except (in some cases) for those in the retail business. Boxing Day and the days immediately following are when many retail stores sell their Christmas and retired model products by holding clearance sales. Some shoppers will line up for hours at night (sometimes before midnight and after midnight on December 26) for retailers to open their doors. Except in Quebec (where stores open at 1 pm)[wiki]

No, no shopping for us today. We’re getting a hand-me-down couch today from some really great friends of ours. We will have more for our New Years Eve guests to sit on than a $100 Ikea futon although we’re not sure what to do with that now. It seems like our living room is going from minimal furniture to all-round seating, but I’m sure we’ll figure something out.

Today is laundry day and then tomorrow, the real-world slaps me in the face as I have to work at 6am (all week long). We then get another long weekend and I’m off for two weeks starting the 2nd. During that time, since of course we won’t actually be traveling anywhere, my sister and I will snowboard and I’ll celebrate a birthday.

Tonight, we’ll be sure to catch the Canucks game tonight – maybe Santa will be good to them and deliver more than two goals, and a win.

It’s been a tradition for 87 years in Vancouver and this year, just maybe, I’ll be able to get John to go. I mean, we’ve been enjoying the beach all year, right? What’s a quick dip in English Bay… on January 1… after a night of drinking… I mean the Polar Bear Swim Club does it all the time.

Costumes and the Peter Pantages Memorial 100 yard swim race are the highlights of this event. To be a club member you must register before the swim. Registration takes place in front of the English Bay Bathhouse from 12:30pm – 2:30pm each New Year’s Day.

You may also register by clipping out the coupon in the Province Newspaper and presenting it at the registration desk the day of the swim. Your free membership includes a commemorative button after you take the plunge [PolarBearSwim]

Basically you show up, get in the water, then get the hell out. It’ll wake you, shrivel you, and will probably be a kickass time with thousands of other people in the city.

Everyone was on the line last night for Episode 12 as we discussed our win streak that slammed to a halt on Tuesday night.

This episode caught some of us off guard, but anytime you throw a bunch of Canucks fans together, it’s not hard to talk hockey for a half hour. The whole gang was here, but our connection to Dave cut out towards the end. That didn’t stop the podcast, you can count on that.

Record as of this episode: 17-16-1 (5th in the Northwest Division)

We cover the last three games, but we only played two teams during that stretch; Calgary and Minnesota. Luongo takes center stage for some discussion, we pick out the rag of the week(only because it seems that whoever we pick on tends to start doing better), and wonder what the heck is going on with the officiating during some of the games. Dave also gives a first hand report on venturing out for a Vancouver Giants (WHL) game, J.J. gives us a Vote for Rory update(listen to an interview with Rory on the website under “Rory Speaks!”), and Alanah is live with her new blog, canucksandbeyond.com.

This is our last episode before the Christmas holiday, so all the best wishes to our listeners, subscribers, and readers. (Look for another episode before the end of year)

Update: Sorry if anyone had any problems downloading this episode. I initially linked to the Rory interview that is on the Canucks.com website in MP3 format. For some reason, it was picked up as being the file for this episode. If you got that two minute interview instead of the regular episode, I apologize. This is resolved and working like it should now.

I logged into Myspace after reading Matt Good’s post [mg] about an online doppleganger. I figured I’d check my messages, delete friend requests (from random bands and big-chested, scantily clad men and women wanting to “party”) and look at some bulletins.

It seems that some of my favourite artists are having holiday promotions, offering up special tracks and tunes at no cost, for our listening pleasure.

Holly McNarland:

“…I’ve put up Bye Bye Boy, a song from my latest EP, “The Komrade Sessions”, as a free download until Christmas.

This is the acoustic version of Bye Bye Boy. I have a full length, fully produced record coming out tentatively in April 2007 which will include the full blown Rock Steady version of the song. It’ll make you wanna go and do some driving.”

The GoStation:

“…for a limited time only, anyone who orders a copy of the Quiet Zone EP directly through our website will receive their copy of the CD signed by the entire band! Plus, as a bonus, you’ll also get a link to free downloads of both our new singles, “All Together Now” and “Not Enough.” Both tracks are set to appear on our debut album, which we’re in the studio *right now* finishing up! Click here to buy the Quiet Zone EP and get your free download link!”

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