1 Comment Posted on by Steve Murray Columns, Sports

Why I’m Boycotting the Sochi Olympics

sochi-olympic-boycott-headerThere was seldom a moment during the London Olympics that I was tuned away from live broadcasts, especially during handball. I was one of the two-thirds of Canadians who watched Sidney Crosby end the Vancouver Olympics with an overtime goal to win the men’s hockey gold medal.

This time, I won’t be watching. I don’t care if Patrick Chan sets another world record in figure skating or Canada plays Russia for the gold medal in a game that goes to overtime. I won’t be watching my Winter X-Games favourites, slopestyle and halfpipe, or the curlers from my hometown battle for gold.

While the Olympics are supposed to be about coming together, the spirit of unity, and a celebration of sport and national pride, none of that is on display in Sochi. The Russian government, Sochi Olympic organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee have created an Olympic games that does none of that and I want no part of these Olympics.

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Sunday Link-Off: End The Games Before They Really Begin

laura-vandervoort-maxim14-04I’m going to warn you that if you’re looking for coverage of Olympic sports, you’ve come to the wrong place. I am in no mood to celebrate “the world coming together.” There are bigger fish to fry in Sochi. There will be Olympic coverage but I promise that sports fans won’t be interested.

But since it’s Sunday, I’ll have the column tomorrow. For now, it’s time for the links. Here’s Laura Vandervoort.

Not all Russians are as heartless as Vlad Putin and cronies. A hastily assembled dog rescue effort backed by a Russian billionaire is trying to rescue as many strays from Sochi as possible before the government-hired contractor kills them. (New York Times)

So it turns out that Sochi is ready for sports but not ready for anyone or anything else at these Olympics. Hotels for media have been an utter embarrassment for a supposed first-world country that was supposedly ready to host the Olympics. Then again, it’s probably just a way to distract the media from Russian gay bashing and dog killing. Why are you supporting these Olympics by buying the merchandise and watching the events? (Washington Post)

By the way, how did we all miss the symbolism of Germany’s rainbow uniforms? (Sports Grid)

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Entertainment Link-Off: Building Blocks

emma watson wonderlandI’m back! So we’re officially in February and I’m finally posting the first Entertainment Link-Off of 2014. The past month has been hectic with no steady internet and lots of moving around. Here’s to new beginnings and a wonderful new year ahead. Now this weekend at the box office, you got a star-studded yet critically panned flick The Monuments Men taking on the surprisingly certified fresh Lego Movie. Better yet, if you’re in Australia, just go watch the Robocop remake. Actually, on second thought, don’t. Anyway, let’s kick off the ELO with Emma Watson’s latest shoot from Wonderland. 

After the jump some aca-amazing news, a certain Parks and Rec moment ruined by a thief, Sherlock will be back, zombie beavers beware and another new installment to the Matt Damon/Jimmy Kimmel feud. Continue reading →

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Caption This: February 1 – 7, 2014

Inspired by the Globe and Mail’s caption writing person, we waste our time writing funny picture captions for some of the more interesting photos we come across when blogging. So here are some of the best pictures from the past week with a funny (-ish) caption. Continue reading →

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The Best of Don Cherry’s Wardrobe

Love him or hate him, the biggest name in the Canadian hockey media is none other than Donald S. Cherry. Grapes has been a mainstay on Hockey Night in Canada for over 30 years, both in the broadcast booth and in his famous Coach’s Corner segment.

Since Grapes just celebrated 80th birthday on Wednesday (in Russia, no less), I thought it was only fitting to pay tribute to him for his most infamous of features – his wardrobe.

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Leave a comment Posted on by Steve Murray Columns, Video Games

It’s Not Free-to-Play but Mobile Gaming That Is Broken

dungeon-keeper-microtransactions-headerThe big story in the games news world right now is EA’s mobile release of Dungeon Keeper. The original Dungeon Keeper was released in 1997 and was an instant cult hit. Gamers loved it and game designers were influenced by it. Even today, Dungeon Keeper is often among the top sellers on GOG.com.

The mobile version of Dungeon Keeper pretends to pay homage to the cult classic and instead bastardizes it with the worst free-to-play microtransactions system that many people have seen. While we’re used to free-to-play cash grabs, this might be the most blatant attempt to stop gameplay at every possible turn to squeeze the player for more money.

I don’t think, however, that the problems with Dungeon Keeper Mobile aren’t a result of the free-to-play model. If you go looking for free-to-play games, not all of them are blatant cash grabs. However, when you look at it more closely, you find that so-called games designed to print are really a mobile gaming problem.

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Wednesday Link-Off: Not So Super Bowl

sarah-stephens-newyorker14-01So… That was allegedly a Super Bowl. At least Bruno Mars wasn’t as bad as he could have been. And I was outscoring Denver against the spread for the first 44:59 of the game. What a sad game.

Anyway, it’s the middle of the week which means that it’s time for the links. Let’s start with Aussie model Sarah Stephens.

Woody Allen’s daughter, Dylan Farrow, talks about how her famous father molested her as a child. And Hollywood is honouring this man? (New York Times)

Gun violence in schools doesn’t seem to be on the decline. An examination of the personalities of the men involved tend to indicate some common social and psychological factors. No, it’s not video games. (Al Jazeera America)

The Conservative government is planning to introduce the “Fair Elections Act” which will allow the wealthy to make more political donations, restrict the investigative authority of the Chief Electoral Officer and tighten voter ID laws. In other words, it’s fair to Harper. Everyone else? Too damn bad. Welcome to Harper’s America Canada. (National Post)

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F1 Fails of the Week

Last week, we looked at the some of the rather odd-looking 2014 Formula One cars. This week, we take a look at what the best F1 photoshoppers have done with those terrible cars. At least the unique looking cars provide for a variety of photoshop opportunities.

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Formula One: 2014 Jerez Test Recap

The 2014 Formula One season doesn’t kickoff properly for another month-and-a-half but pre-season testing starts early as the teams try to get their heads around new engines, new energy recovery systems (ERS) and a new rules package for the cars. From the looks of last week’s test in Jerez, some teams are going to need all the time they can get to get sorted for this season.

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Sunday Link-Off: Just Super

martha-hunt-victoriassecret14-09Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! Hold on to your wallets today. Broncos -2 is probably going to see a lot of action on either side. I’d tell you what I’d bet but resident gambling guru Scott would say I have a gambling problem because I never win. He seldom loses so says he doesn’t have a problem. That’s how things work around here. Just like in sports, you’re judged on your win/loss record.

Anyway, it’s time for the links. Let’s kick off with Martha Hunt. (See what I did there?)

Justin Trudeau has a plan to completely overhaul the Canadian Senate. The only problem is that the way he wants to make the change may make it very difficult to make happen. (MacLean’s)

Ontario’s minimum wage is going to $11 per hour with an automatic annual increase based on inflation. But is that increase really enough? (Canadian Business)

Headline of the year all of time: Toronto Mayor Rob Ford defends fellow Canadian Justin Bieber. (Talking Points Memo)

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