Monday, January 31, 2011

André Racicot


It's not really a secret that I used to be a major fan of Montreal goaltender André Racicot. In fact, I used to collect every possible variant version of his cards (I still have them). I remember that I once sent a letter to him (care of the Canadiens), hoping that he would send me an autograph, but I never received anything back.

I remember, also, when my father and I went to see the Canadiens play at the Corel Centre (now Scotia Place, or whatever) and there was a girl in the distance that was wearing a Habs jersey with "Racicot" on the back. My father encouraged me to go up to her and say hello (I didn't).

I did a search for Racicot just now and found a page on the Canadiens' web site that did a kind of "Where are they now?" interview, so I thought I would reproduce it here:
Where are you living these days?
I live in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts in the Laurentians.

What have you been up to?
I’m working for a mining company called Agnico-Eagle. We’re just starting a new project in Nunavut that will see us open a gold mine there soon.

How many times a year do you strap the pads back on?
I got back at it last November. I was in nets in a game honoring the 45th Anniversary of the Rouyn-Noranda Citadelles, my old junior team. Prior to that, it had been five years since I’d played though. I’ve got to say that it really got the juices flowing again. I still play in a beer league with my buddies but not in nets.

Are you still in touch with any old teammates?
I’m still in contact with a few guys from the Rouyn area that are around my age, guys like Eric Desjardins, Pierre Turgeon and Stephane Matteau. We get together every once in a while, but we all have our own families and hectic schedules.

How many Habs games do you watch per year?
I watch whenever I can and I make sure to catch a few games at Bell Centre each season.

Who is your favorite current Canadiens player?
I really liked what I saw from Maxim Lapierre last season. He works really hard and has a nice edge to his game.

What is the favorite piece of Habs memorabilia that you own?
I sold a few things, but I still have a few collector’s items. Aside from my jerseys that I still have, I’ve a collection of blown up action shots of myself.

Where do you keep your 1993 Stanley Cup ring?
It’s resting comfortably in a safety deposit box at the bank and I never take it out. It’s probably been about seven years since I’ve seen it.
I think it's a bit sad that he doesn't wear his cup ring. He should be proud that he was part of that team.

Yay André!!

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Yay for acceptance letters!

My paper, entitled "'There is a Light that Never Goes Out': The Stage as Mediation in Live Performance," has been accepted for the IASPM-CA conference in Montreal in June. I'm very happy about this. It will be a return to Montreal for longer than a day, something I haven't been able to do since we moved in 2008, plus it will be a return to my doctoral school, McGill. I'm very pleased.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Great recent pic

- from True to You, posted 11 December 2010 during the student protests in London.

(Note the Smiths T-Shirt that she is wearing)

Friday, January 28, 2011

There's a book coming out that you should check out (because I'm in it)

Coming in May 2011: Jim Berti and Durrell Bowman, Editors, Rush and Philosophy (Popular Culture and Philosophy Series) (Open Court, 2011).

From Amazon:
Rush and Philosophy does not set out to sway the public’s opinion, nor is it an awkward gushing of how much the authors love Rush. Rush and Philosophy is a fascinating look at the music and lyrics of the band, setting out to address thought-provoking questions. For example, elements of philosophical thinking from the likes of Jean Paul-Sartre, Ayn Rand, and Plato can be found in Peart’s lyrics; does this make Peart a disciple of philosophy? In what ways has technology influenced the band through the decades? Can there be too much technology for a power-trio? Can listening to Rush’s music and lyrics lead listeners to think more clearly, responsibly, and happily? Is the band’s music a “pleasant distraction” from the singing of Geddy Lee? In what ways is Rush Canadian? How can a band that has been referred to as “right-wing” also criticize big government, religion, and imperialism? Rush and Philosophy is written by an assortment of philosophers and scholars with eclectic and diverse backgrounds who love Rush’s music and who “get” the meaning and importance of it.
The part of the description that mentions the idea of "pleasant distraction" is referring to my essay, entitled "'Cruising in Prime Time': The Drumming of Neil Peart as Distraction." Look for it!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Wonderful Quote

Don't let the guy with the broom decide how many elephants are going to be in the parade.
- Merlin Mann, MacBreak Weekly Podcast #191: "Lost" (20 April 2010).