posted 2007/03/04 at 18:07
Once again I found myself compelled to watch both games and all the pre- and post-game coverage on CBC's Hockey Night in Canada last night. Although nothing is for certain yet on my job hunt, I'm planning on having to move to find good employment, and I'm guessing that wherever I wind up I won't have access to CBC television.
This brings up kind of an interesting dilemma for me. Hockey Night in Canada's coverage is broadcasted on the NHL pay-per-view package NHL Centre Ice, so even though I might lose my Canadian comedies and beloved curling coverage, I would at least keep the best hockey coverage in the world wherever I go. If I move someplace where I can't get Red Wings games on basic cable (basically anywhere but Michigan), then purchasing NHL Centre Ice is a no-brainer for me, even though I'll likely get very few Tigers and Pistons games throughout the year. (Let's forget about the Bengals for the sake of this argument.) If I move to Michigan then I'll probably get FSN Detroit on basic cable, which means I'd get all of my teams, but adding NHL Centre Ice on top of that would kind of be overkill for me. I love Hockey Night in Canada, but not that much. This isn't exactly the kind of decision that will affect my choice of jobs, but it is something to think about.
Oh, and since I've been talking about children's issues lately, I'd also like to note that during Hockey Night in Canada last night, this organization aired several commercials encouraging children who are being bullied at school to call their 800 number for help. The number is just for counseling for the victims and the organization doesn't appear to actually confront the bullies, but it sure would be nice if children had a toll-free number to call to report incidents of bullying. At least Canada seems to be taking a good first step towards that. (In the states, of course, I'm sure that anyone who suggested anything like that would get all of that "being bullied builds character" rhetoric that makes me want to puke.)
I have considered it, but between the lack of free speech laws, the CRTC, the ridiculous laws regarding the importing of erotic media, and the super-cold weather, I don't think I could hack it there. As much as I dislike a lot of things about the States, there are just some conveniences and rights here that I've grown dependent upon.
OK, let me rephrase that. Why don't you consider moving to Windsor?
copyright © 2008 Sean Shannon