Nicely done - same here. My wife and I have made more of an effort to donate not just money, but our time as well. Last Christmas we took all of the money we normally spend on gifts for everyone, walked into Toys r Us and spent it all on toys for Ronald McDonald House. We've been volunteering more often, mostly at the soup kitchens during brutal Toronto winter days. Working with Animal Shelters is next on the list for us.

On a hockey note, did you know that Sidney Crosby is the best defensive forward in the game? You learn something new every day on the Pens boards.
- Canuckleafer

Really respect the people who donate their time and effort for worthy causes. Although money is always accepted and is often easier to give, time donated is real dedication.

That ice bucket challenge is interesting, gets to be a bit much when it turns into commercial/corporate marketing schemes.

Really respect the people who donate their time and effort for worthy causes. Although money is always accepted and is often easier to give, time donated is real dedication.

That ice bucket challenge is interesting, gets to be a bit much when it turns into commercial/corporate marketing schemes.
- hillbillydeluxe

I'm not so sure Daniel took a step back last year, I think he like a lot of Canucks had very poor numbers based off a terrible system and some poor puck luck. His shooting percentage was the worst of his career (7.1%) if he had shot around his career numbers (11.9) he would of been on pace for 30 goals again.

Bad years happen to all players, for example Zettersberg shot at 6.4 2 years ago but returned his average of 10.6 last year.

Sharp had career worst 6.8 2 years ago and shot 10.9 last year (11.9 career)
Gaborik went 7.9 to 10.7 (12.9 career)

All these guys are over 30 and considered great offensive players, after posting career worst numbers nobody was saying they were done but for some reason daniel is?

(frank) the homeless... 90% of the homeless are homeless because of self inflicted causes. Tons of programs for these guys to get jobs and low income housing set up and they are rarely used to the fullest. There are legitimate situations where I can feel for some of these people but it is rare. I would much rather give my money to an animal shelter, or a local charity like Ronald Mcdonald House where you can see your dollar going a long way. IMO
- kneughter

90%?!?!? where did you get this stat, dumbass? the main problem associated with homelessness is mental illness, which leads to drug abuse and subsequently addiction. Have a modicum of an idea of what you are talking about before you poop garbage out your mouth hole (or keyboard)

90%?!?!? where did you get this stat, dumbass? the main problem associated with homelessness is mental illness, which leads to drug abuse and subsequently addiction. Have a modicum of an idea of what you are talking about before you poop garbage out your mouth hole (or keyboard)
- noisewater

Spot on.

90%?!?!? where did you get this stat, dumbass? the main problem associated with homelessness is mental illness, which leads to drug abuse and subsequently addiction. Have a modicum of an idea of what you are talking about before you poop garbage out your mouth hole (or keyboard)
- noisewater

Thanks man... the percentage of those with mental disorders is miniscule and some that are.. have been self described by the individual. Vast majority 80-88% (varies depending on source) are because of inability to pay rent and are evicted... conflict at home or issues related to drug use.

Don't (frank)ing lecture me on poop you obviously no Richard all about... I was also apart of a Psychology experiment at UBC where we offered work to 20 homeless people... $60 pay for 4 hours of work. 1 person showed up... it was a mix of people.. but all were abled body. The system is a joke... I'm not going to pretend everyone who is homeless is a lazy no good SOB but majority have access (if driven enough) to make a change for the better.

Spot on.
- Whiskey-Tango

The #s and research say differently... but you can believe what you would like

(frank) the homeless... 90% of the homeless are homeless because of self inflicted causes. Tons of programs for these guys to get jobs and low income housing set up and they are rarely used to the fullest. There are legitimate situations where I can feel for some of these people but it is rare. I would much rather give my money to an animal shelter, or a local charity like Ronald Mcdonald House where you can see your dollar going a long way. IMO
- kneughter

I used to think that way until I got more involved and educated about the homeless. I had a business on Sea Island for a while and used to interact quite a bit with the homeless who were living under the bridges. Often I saw these guys around the McDonalds on Russ Baker - these guys couldn't tell you what year it was, not alone which day. For the most part, you don't end up on the street unless you're dealing with some terrible circumstances. No one wants to panhandle. Most of the guys on the streets are dealing with some sort of mental illness.

Mental illness affects more people than you know. Some are more apt to deal with it and hopefully seek help. Others aren't.

I'm not so sure Daniel took a step back last year, I think he like a lot of Canucks had very poor numbers based off a terrible system and some poor puck luck. His shooting percentage was the worst of his career (7.1%) if he had shot around his career numbers (11.9) he would of been on pace for 30 goals again.

Bad years happen to all players, for example Zettersberg shot at 6.4 2 years ago but returned his average of 10.6 last year.

Sharp had career worst 6.8 2 years ago and shot 10.9 last year (11.9 career)
Gaborik went 7.9 to 10.7 (12.9 career)

All these guys are over 30 and considered great offensive players, after posting career worst numbers nobody was saying they were done but for some reason daniel is?
- belcherbd

The one aspect that is troubling and possibly quite telling of Daniel's game is that his shooting percentage has been on the decrease every season since 2010-11.

I'm hopeful that a new coaching system will benefit his game but I won't be surprised if he plateaus.

I used to think that way until I got more involved and educated about the homeless. I had a business on Sea Island for a while and used to interact quite a bit with the homeless who were living under the bridges. Often I saw these guys around the McDonalds on Russ Baker - these guys couldn't tell you what year it was, not alone which day. For the most part, you don't end up on the street unless you're dealing with some terrible circumstances. No one wants to panhandle. Most of the guys on the streets are dealing with some sort of mental illness.

Mental illness affects more people than you know. Some are more apt to deal with it and hopefully seek help. Others aren't.
- Canuckleafer

Fair enough... homelessness isn't an epidemic in Canada anyways. The numbers are small

The one aspect that is troubling and possibly quite telling of Daniel's game is that his shooting percentage has been on the decrease every season since 2010-11.

I'm hopeful that a new coaching system will benefit his game but I won't be surprised if he plateaus.
- Canuckleafer

This team NEEDS to get 60-70 points minimum from both Sedins, if they want to see the playoffs.

I think they will bounce back.. as will Burrows. This team doesn't need to have career years to be a top 10 offensive team... just guys to produce like we know they can.

The one aspect that is troubling and possibly quite telling of Daniel's game is that his shooting percentage has been on the decrease every season since 2010-11.

I'm hopeful that a new coaching system will benefit his game but I won't be surprised if he plateaus.
- Canuckleafer

He was a pass first player last year, we need a shooter.

He was a pass first player last year, we need a shooter.
- VANTEL

Vrbata

90%?!?!? where did you get this stat, dumbass? the main problem associated with homelessness is mental illness, which leads to drug abuse and subsequently addiction. Have a modicum of an idea of what you are talking about before you poop garbage out your mouth hole (or keyboard)
- noisewater

Well said, I think there is a lot of ignorance or perhaps even disdain that these people have brought it upon themselves. As you pointed out, most of the people who are homeless have some sort of psychiatric illness, or may have suffered great misfortune and destruction of lives often beyond their control (i.e. a severe and protracted illness which wipes out all family funds, a very long and emotional divorce involving custody of children, a loss of a loved one(s), which ultimately culminate in a very deep depression which starts to spiral further and further, with the inevitable accompanying substance abuse which can completely take over). And without family or friends, it is easy to succumb to the despair (to the point that you simply don't care anymore, except somehow easing your pain, which exacerbates things that much more)

People simply can't understand how quickly one can spiral down, and that each one of us is a lot closer to suffering a tragic or completely life-altering event/fate than they could imagine. I'm sure many of us know of someone who has, for whatever reason, ended up in such a state of despair. And the immediate reaction is usually, how could such a thing happen this person? how could they have ended up in such a state of despair?.

Well, the reality is, it does, and you would be surprised to what extent. So rather than judge or have a knee-jerk reaction based on stereotypes and lack of knowledge, get educated and try to make whatever difference you can.


PS Canuckleafer, it's great to hear that you and your family are so involved. Every little bit can make a difference or maybe even change someone's life. And of course, as concerns our furry friends, I wish I could do more but it's nice to see that there are many more people nowadays who find the stewardship of animals very important. I just wish that there were much much harsher penalties for animal abuse/neglect. There should be significant jail time given, depending on the extent of the abuse. Or just give me a few minutes with these @#$@#$ in a locked room.

Well said, I think there is a lot of ignorance or perhaps even disdain that these people have brought it upon themselves.
- Zogg

Actually we're all wrong, after all, kneughter was part of a psychology experiment at UBC, so he's got the entire issue on lock down.

Actually we're all wrong, after all, kneughter was part of a psychology experiment at UBC, so he's got the entire issue on lock down.

- noisewater

doesn't everyone take psychology in university?

doesn't everyone take psychology in university?
- numbear

Its a requirement in life

Actually we're all wrong, after all, kneughter was part of a psychology experiment at UBC, so he's got the entire issue on lock down.

- noisewater

Yes, my mother's hamster's neighbour's daughter's hedgehog also has his doctrate in psychiatry

I took an Earth and Ocean Sciences class at UBC in my first year, let me go ahead and tell David Suzuki how the environment works.....

Well said, I think there is a lot of ignorance or perhaps even disdain that these people have brought it upon themselves. As you pointed out, most of the people who are homeless have some sort of psychiatric illness, or may have suffered great misfortune and destruction of lives often beyond their control (i.e. a severe and protracted illness which wipes out all family funds, a very long and emotional divorce involving custody of children, a loss of a loved one(s), which ultimately culminate in a very deep depression which starts to spiral further and further, with the inevitable accompanying substance abuse which can completely take over). And without family or friends, it is easy to succumb to the despair (to the point that you simply don't care anymore, except somehow easing your pain)

People simply can't understand how quickly one can spiral down, and that each one of us is a lot closer to suffering a tragic or completely life-altering event/fate than they could imagine. I'm sure many of us know of someone who has, for whatever reason, ended up in such a state of despair. And the immediate reaction is usually, how could such a thing happen this person? how could they have ended up in such a state of despair?.

Well, the reality is, it does, and you would be surprised to what extent. So rather than judge or have a knee-jerk reaction based on stereotypes and lack of knowledge, get educated and try to make whatever difference you can.


PS it's great to hear that you and your family are so involved. Every little bit can make a difference or maybe even change someone's life. And of course, as concerns our furry friends, I wish I could do more but it's nice to see that there are many more people nowadays who find the stewardship of animals very important. I just wish that there were much much harsher penalties for animal abuse/neglect. There should be significant jail time given, depending on the extent of the abuse. Or just give me a few minutes with these @#$@#$ in a locked room.
- Zogg

There are a lot of people living cheque to cheque and then something happens where it all unravels.

Everyone making less than 35k should not have to pay income tax.

I remember a couple years ago it really pissed me off to see some fat old cat in an office saying how great it was that retirement age got pushed back and it keeps his brain sharp. And I'm thinking, what if your job was manual labour or entails physical work and your body is shot by the age of 60?

Everyone has their own cross to bear and they carry their load differently, everyone has stuff going on. You can't walk a mile in someone else's shoes. impossible. life scars you. these scars aren't always easy to see.

I can't imagine living on the street. you live in a different world. people look at you differently.

I took an Earth and Ocean Sciences class at UBC in my first year, let me go ahead and tell David Suzuki how the environment works.....
- noisewater

bless you for your scholastic commitment and showing Suzuki a thing or two

Yes, my mother's hamster's neighbour's daughter's hedgehog also has his doctrate in psychiatry
- Zogg

Good for the hedgehog... parents must be proud

I took an Earth and Ocean Sciences class at UBC in my first year, let me go ahead and tell David Suzuki how the environment works.....
- noisewater

You are comparing yourself to David Suzuki?... I used stats and figures to shut up someone who knows very little on the subject.

Awesome analogy though!!!!

I took an Earth and Ocean Sciences class at UBC in my first year, let me go ahead and tell David Suzuki how the environment works.....
- noisewater

David Suzuki is now working for Kraft making jams that are environmentally friendly

bless you for your scholastic commitment and showing Suzuki a thing or two
- Zogg

In all seriousness, I work the front door of an establishment on Granville street. I interact with the homeless on a weekly basis, often the same people repeatedly. I would say the majority of them are mentally ill and are not employable. But that's what happens when Riverview closes down and people are 'relocated' to the downtown east side and given a month's rent and left to their own devices. There are of course the "punks" who ask for spare change for beer and weed, but they are in the minority.