06.09.10
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Body checking study misses the mark.

kronwall_lays_out_havlat_large[1] A new survey has reopened an old hockey debate about whether young kids should be able to bodycheck. CBC ran quite a thorough report on the University of Calgary study, which found that kids are three times as likely to be injured or suffer a concussion if they play with body contact. The study was based on a comparison between Alberta peewee players, who play with body contact, and Quebec kids who don’t.

The study is accurate in what it reports, but it shows a profound lack of understanding of hockey in what it chose to study in the first place. Very few hockey coaches argue for hitting at 11 years old for the sake of hitting. And, frankly, even an old goon like me has to wonder at the sanity of those who do.

Rather the reason they want kids to learn how to hit at this age – or even younger – is because they’re too young to seriously hurt each other at this age. An 11 year has the strength and size to hit pretty hard, but nothing that generally causes any serious, lasting damage. Continue reading →

03.08.10
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I now understand Apple a little better (but I like it even less)

Apple: Sure hard to loveI confess to being a Windows person since ver 3.0 (1990!) but the scarcity of Windows Mobile devices (in Canada, anyway) has pushed me to consider going over to the dark side. I finally broke down and went to the only Apple store in our city (Edmonton) where I was told by the store manager that to buy a phone I would need to make an appointment. Though it was only 7pm they were not able to book an appointment until the next day.

So I have to ask: is this the absolute height of arrogance, or am I entirely off base? Is this really the way this company is run?

Now I’ve heard the arguments in favour of Apple products in the past, and though I disagreed with them I at least understood them. What has always made me wonder about the adulation some people show the Apple corporate machine is the disregard Apple seems to show their customers.

I’m still not sure if I’ll go back and try an iPhone, but there’s no question Apple makes themselves hard to love.