Daniel Moir

genre: alternative rock

album: 'the Country and the Sea'

website: http://www.myspace.com/danielmoir

my fav quote: "a fight without a cause leaves us wondering whatever went wrong" (Change The World)

Daniel Moir is a nineteen year old, Edmonton-born talent. He is fresh, has only released 4 songs (a fifth through a special Facebook promotion) and the quality of his work is astounding. Daniel Moir has one of those calming, soft, yet powerful voices that makes you feel so at peace. I heard about him through a Facebook fan page suggestion from one of my friends, which led me to invite all my friends to become a fan in order to get my free 5 song album. Good deal, huh? Daniel Moir's songs poke at us and throw ideas at us that we probably haven't thought of before, but at the same time they allow you to fall into the music and not worry about the deep metaphors and symbolism lurking everywhere. I am really happy I found out about Daniel Moir, and I will be following him as he goes with his musical career.

Day Three - Wheelchair Curling

On the third day of the Paralympics I went to wheelchair curling. Korea played Japan, Germany played USA, Italy played Switzerland, and Canada played Norway. It was another great experience for me, as I haven't ever watched curling, let alone wheelchair curling! After my fellow reporters and some friendly spectators explained the gist of the game, I was excited and pumped, and enjoyed the intense game Canada and Norway played that much more. The game really did come down to the last (well, Canada's last) stone. They were the last teams still playing, every pair of eyes in the stadium were on them. Canada had a stone in the blue when their last stone joined it, winning them the 2 points required to beat Norway from the previous 5-4 score.

The curler that stood out to me was Darryl Neighbour of Team Canada. He suffered a workplace injury, putting him in a wheelchair in 2000. Not only was he a great curler, but when we talked to him after the game he was kind and funny, willing to take pictures, and just seemed like a good person. He is 61 years old, but he doesn't just curl. He plays wheelchair tennis, and he is an active speaker for the BC Paraplegic Association, an ambassador of the Rick Hansen Foundation, and is a spokesperson for BC Wheelchair Sports. Darryl Neighbour is an incredible athlete and a kind soul, a true Canadian.

Top Image: Darryl Neighbour and I after the game.

Middle Image: Not just the Olympic Norwegian curlers have cool pants!

Bottom Image: Neighbour steadies Gaudet as she releases the stone.

Day Two - Sledge Hockey

On the second day of the Paralympics I went to the Korea vs. USA preliminary sledge hockey game. It was a great game, and a real experience for me, the first time I'd seen sledge hockey. Most of the rules are the same as ice hockey (icing, interference, high-sticking, holding), but some are different (teeing --> when a player hits another player with their sledge at a 90 degree angle). The players are incredible at handling and passing the puck, something that surprised me. They will also often dribble the puck underneath their sledges, which also surprised me. The game was also very vicious. Players will poke each other with the grips on their sticks, and smack into each other at every chance. Overall, it was really cool, especially since we were sitting at centre ice.

One player had an especially excellent game, Steven Cash. He is the USA goalkeeper, and performed his best with a shut-out. Cash got cancer, and had to have part of his right leg removed at the mere age of 3. Nothing could stop him though, he followed his dreams all the way to becoming the Paralympic SportsMan of the Year in 2009. His other achievements include winning bronze at the 2008 World Championships, winning gold at the 2009 World Championships, and being the starting goalie in all of the games in the 2007-2008 season. Cash also coached a summer camp for young sledge hockey players, where I'm sure he inspired the masses. Steven Cash has overcome life-long difficulties to do what he loves, an achievement that we could all learn from.

Top Image: Clear boards and ice floors make the penalty box and team "bench" accessible.

Middle Image: The teams set up for a face-off.

Bottom Image: The ref throws down the puck.

Day One - Body And Soul

On the opening day of the Paralympics I went to the cultural event Body & Soul. It is a play by 13 women, telling stories about their lives. At the end of the play it was evident that all of the women had been through horrifying struggles, and have come out stronger than ever. The women were all over 40, and therefore had many interesting stories to tell. The play made you want to laugh, cry, and everything in between. Body & Soul will be playing until March 17th, so you should definitely check it out!