NO HOCKEY, NHL Lockout Solution

Like many other fans of hockey, I am getting tired of really rich people fighting over a giant pile of money.  I have a fun idea for a new solution....my idea is new and I am sure it would never happen but hear me out.

Basically since the NHL and NHLPA cannot seem to want to share tons of money and the 2012-13 season looks pretty much dead, I think that Canada needs to step up.  Americans have the NFL and we have the CFL.  The CFL is a great league for Canada and the players do not make a lot of money but watch a CFL game and those guys are playing their hearts out.  So why not ignore the NHL and create a professional hockey league for Canada only and open professional hockey up to new markets?  I think it would be awesome.  Keep the NHL cities:
VANCOUVER
EDMONTON
CALGARY
WINNIPEG
TORONTO
OTTAWA
MONTREAL
and you could add places like:
HAMILTON
possibly another TORONTO team
SASKATOON
HALIFAX
REGINA
or any Canadian city able to put up a decent rink and fit the market.....

It would be awesome to have a Canadian league and if the USA wanted to start their own they could. Make it a North American league but have the regular season be played in our own countries.  No regular season play vs the other country.  Have a champion from each country and then each champion team could play for the league Championship.  So every year there would be a Canadian team play a USA team for the big trophy.  :)

I would make it so that each player no matter what their skill enters the league making a base salary.  It could be like $200,000 per player (cheap by todays NHL) this would include guys like Crosby and Ovechkin.  Now I realize in the real world they'd never take less....but who needs them?  Take who ever wants to play for that money and start a new league.  The league would have achievements  similar to xbox where you unlock achievements and get a higher gamer score.  Each player could then select an achievment to try and unlock each season based on their personal playing style.  Sample idea:

• score over 50 goals 
• penalty minutes etc..... for enforcers
• assists
• total points

The details about what the achievement would be and how much of a bonus payout would need to be worked out.  But the idea would be each player makes a GOOD salary and has potential to make more $$$ based on their performance.  It's just a silly idea but one that I wish would happen.  I am sick of where the NHL is at, it's nothing like the hockey I watched as a kid and the players are just all overpaid to the point I care nothing for them.  I used to LOVE Wayne Gretzky as an amazing player, the money he made never even was something I knew about.  When I think Crosby, Ovechkin and other elite players all I think about first is how rich they are.  Good hockey players?  YES they are, but do they deserve that much money?  I don't think so.  Just my thoughts about hockey. :)

- sad fan, Randy

Here are some new edits:

~ New Look Website and Vegreville Landscapes ~

I recently got a new logo for Randy Pond Photography.  I decided to give my website a reboot and new look.  I am looking to add some new portfolio images and excited to be going in some new directions with my photography.  I really love the new logo designed for me by a great artist friend.  I think the colours are really represented by the landscape of Alberta.  Everyone that sees a sunset or sunrise in Alberta can relate to the orange and blue.  Also love the Oiler connection there too.

I have been enjoying running around the countryside of Vegreville shooting the sun coming up before work.  Here are a few of the current shots from earlier this week.  Not much else to share on the blog today, just excited for some snow this weekend. :)  I am also hopeful hockey comes back, even if they are all a bunch of spoiled rich kids and fat cat owners.  It's nice to have a Canadian sport to watch during the winter when there is nothing else on TV! :)  The last black and white was shot with the iphone, I really love it.
-Randy

~ Thanksgiving Weekend ~

Most people take this time of the year to reflect on what they are thankful for, so I figure I will put down some things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for life, thankful for creativity....without the chance to imagine I would be a very sad human being.  I enjoy seeing the creations of my fellow humanity.  Music, movies and all the amazing images created by artists all over this planet.  Of course I am thankful for my family and friends....and the real friends that have shown their support and kindness to me.

I hope you all have a good thanksgiving weekend.

Here is an edit from a shoot with the lovely Danielle Lucier.  Short and simple blog post today. :)
-Randy