Changing gears. my journey as an official at the FIBA level has officially come to an end.  It's been a wild ride.  My semi-final was my last game.  It's been an exciting 16 years doing international ball.  I've travelled to countries I would never even dreamed or thought of seeing. 

I've met amazing people and have made new friends from all over the world who I will cherish for a lifetime.

My mantra: 

Dream-Believe-Achieve

I believe if you want something bad enough and are willing to work, ANYTHING is possible!  

I made my "anything" a reality.

Thank you all for your support!  

Olympic Games - Rio 2016

Today watched Men's 10M platform diving and I'm telling you, I would have a heart attack on the way down!  There would be no "pretty entry" for me...no way Jose!  These guys go down like rockets!  I don't know how they manage to remember how many times they've spun before they come out of a tuck!  Check out these photos.....

Seriously!!!!!  That's one of our two Canadians but of course you can't tell.  Aye Carumba!  Not for me!!!!!























Below you will see the video of our top Canadian.  Thought it would bring to life what is actually looks like when they dive off the top of a 10 story building, essentially!

There are always some super crazy fans at all events who dress up in weird costumes to support their countries' athletes.  It's really quite cool to see, hear, feel the passion this event brings out in people!  They talk about these games being ones that bring people together in the spirit of sport...and it's true.  While the competition to win a medal is fierce, you can see, as many or all of you may have witnessed, the sportsmanship of ones who are humbly defeated.  

WICKED SHOT!

Okay, handball is CRAZY!  What a great sport to watch live!  Those guys are HUGE.....and beat the crap out of one another!  So very awesome to see this sport live!  I didn't have a clue what was going on aside from the fact that you can pretty much beat the TAR out of someone and get away with it!
The court is not overly large either!  Imagine these guys going at each other like freight trains!  YIKES!

FACIAL!!!!!

I lucked out and got to move down behind Slovania's goal and look what I ended up beating someone up in the stands to make my own.....

Okay....the beating up part was a lie!  I just had to grab it out from under a foot!  Cool keepsake though!

I will be working the USA vs. France semi-final tomorrow at 7:00pm.  Even though the US has been pretty much crushing all opponents, I'm super excited to work them as they are in a league of their own!  Will be a great experience!

I know these don't look appealing on the outside, however I have found my new love in fruit!  They have these delicious green and yellow guava.... the pink fruit inside that is tangy and sweet at the same time!  Wonder if I can find these bad boys at home....

Game yesterday was awesome!  First off, I got to work with two people I was really hoping to work with....the Official from France - Eddie and my friend from the Dominican - Paola.  The game itself was hard fought, challenging, and the end result was a huge upset!  Serbia just does not give up!  They played their hearts out and took down the first place team in their pool - Australia.  It was a huge shock for Australia...however Serbia earned the win.  It was a pleasure to be part of such a great game!

Sadly, Canada struggled against France and did not pull out the win at the end.  I am sad for them as they have a really good team and had a very legitimate chance to be in a semi-final....but they unfortunately fell short.  

I'm excited as I am off to Men's quarter final handball today!  It's a crazy game as I mentioned before so I can hardly wait to see it live!!!!

Is it just me or o these look like lemons/limes?

Yummy pink fruit!

Have Quarter Final tomorrow at 11:00am my time - Australia vs. Serbia.  Will be a battle!  Working with my buddy from Dominican Republic for the first time - Paola!  We are both very excited!

This delicious Brazilian staple is called a "Caipirinha".  It's made with 2 ounces of Cachaca, 2 tsp of sugar, and 4 lime wedges that are muddled and blended with ice and mint.  These babies are one of the most delicious bevvies one could every drink.  I highly recommend them...however be careful....they sneak up on you and punch you right in the face when you least expect it! If you are not a rum fan, don't worry.......they are just as good with vodka!  I have been wise and have stayed away from them until today (bad memories from Pan Am Games in 2007) but had to indulge while on the Copacabana Beach today. Look terrible huh!

Finally had a moment to get out and see another sport...and with my buddy Kathy who came all the way from Edmonton to support me at the Olympics!

USA was playing Great Britain if you can't tell from the photo...LOL!  What a crazy sport....rock hard ball - rock hard sticks, and only mouth guards, shin pads and skirts!  Yikes!  No thank you!  I tell you what though.....WOW are these women FIT!  There can't be 5 ounces of body fat between the entire team!  Totally impressive!
Thank goodness Kathy knows the rules to the sport as I would have no idea otherwise!

This woman to the right was drilled which is why she's in a puddle on the ground.  Not as crazy as handball (which I would of loved to have played about 25 years ago) but still fairly rough!  So very neat to see some of these sports live!

Last day of preliminary play and our Canadian women have a very important game today against Spain.  This will determine who finishes second to the USA in their pool and be critical when they cross over for play-offs!  If Canada plays the way they can play, they should be able to come out with a win.

Oh, and for those who like to enjoy a cold one at any game, check out the really cool collectible cups you get.  Just to confirm...this is NOT MY BEER!  I am taking the picture of someone else's cup as it's totally cool!  I had to beg to get them to let me have the cup as a souvenir!