Hockey Thoughts

First of all, how good is Ottawa right now?
Answer: very good.

How comfortable is their bandwagon?
Answer: It’s very nice. Thank you.

I can’t believe the way THEIR Swedish captain (ahem) has stepped up during the playoffs. I watched the game on Saturday and the Senators play smart fast strong impressive hockey. And their first line of Alfredsson, Heatley and Spezza seem pretty unstoppable. They’ve got a jillion points these playoffs. Plus strong secondary play from their complete well-rtounded team. I like their chances against either Detroit or Anaheim.

Here’s another question: what the fuck does Ray Emery have to do to get respect? People are still questioning him after he won the ‘goaltending battles’ against two of the leagues top goaltenders in Martin Brodeur and Ryan Millar in the last two rounds and put HIS team into the Stanley Cup finals. Pundits are still all, “hmm, does he have what it takes?” …I think that question has been answered.

Anaheim vs. Detroit

What a tough series to call. Not just because it’s so evenly matched but because I can’t decide who to cheer for ie. who I hate less.

Detroit:
Last night during the game Chiara suggested we support Detroit because they have Bertuzzi, and he’s Italian. That’s cool, I wish him all the best. And if hockeyhater Chiara chooses a side, we best fan that flame and hope it grows into a deep abiding passion for hockey. Also Detroit has mad hockeyhistory so Ottawa-Detroit would be a cool final. Buuuut
I fucking hate Detroit. I cannot physically cheer for them.

So Anaheim then. But they knocked the Canucks out. (You could argue the Canucks knocked themselves out technically, but Anaheim was at the scene of the crime). Also their name is the Anaheim Ducks formerly Mighty Ducks, and that’s the shittiest name going. It embodies everything that’s wrong with pro sports. Plus they’re from southern California, decidedly not a hockey region. It’s the kind of place a Stanley Cup finals would be lost on. I apologize to all Ducks fans, and I know there are some of those, but I don’t really dig Disney ice-hockey in Southern California. No matter how deserving of a place in the finals your team is.

So I should support Detroit. But that’s just not possible. I was so happy when those shit-heads got scored on in overtime last night. Ha ha! Fucking Detroit…

I can’t cheer Detroit and don’t want to cheer for Anaheim so let’s just hope for a grueling, hard-hitting 7 games to tenderize whomever advances.

By Liesbeth Smit|2017-09-14T08:44:19+00:00May 21 2007|

“I especially enjoyed the clarity in all of what you were doing – I always understood what it was that you were teaching. I never felt lost. That was really awesome.”

Martin, Tampere

“Ryan’s improv workshop is incredibly fun but also ruthlessly effective. Participants are taught to drop their inhibitions, let their imagination flow and and embrace the positive attitude at the heart of improv. They are also treated to Ryan’s personal blend of enthusiasm, wit and generosity.”

Jeremy, Brussels

“Because of you my fear of speaking or presenting in front of an audience has lessened a great deal.”

Samora, Amsterdam

“I loved loved loved your workshop. I liked the way it was structured and meaningful. Time flew unnoticed. I liked the shortness of the exercises, the surprise and fun, and the fact that you gave me so much to explore. I now can be in an empty prison cell or in a desert island and never feel alone or bored anymore. Now I can expand my world.”

Elsa, Lisbon

“Ryan is an extremely qualified, talented, and professional teacher and coach. I’d recommend Ryan’s services to anyone!”

Derek, Amsterdam,

“Ryan is the most enthusiastic, positive workshop leader I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I’ve been to several of his workshops and after each session I came away with a sense of achievement and feeling that I had learnt something new.”

Chris, London

“Very inspiring and useful workshop. Picked me up from where I’m at and helped me develop strategies to improve developing scenes and my performance skills.”

Anonymous, Switzerland

“I LOVED the fucking GREAT and positive energies in the workshop. They so got me going. Perhaps the highest moment during this festival was laughing in the workshop (to the dances… :)).”

Ben, Tel Aviv

“Ryan is an incredible teacher. He took a straggling group of beginners and turned us into a viable company of improvisational actors who regularly perform together – in front of actual, paying, repeat customers.”

Carrie, Brussels

“I’ve learned so much from you and thank you for giving me that nudge to get out of my comfort zone.”

Imaan, Amsterdam

“Absolutely brilliant! Exceptional work!”

Anonymous, Impro Hotel

“Thank you so much for passing your writing knowledge onto me. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun too.”

Larissa, Amsterdam,

“Working with you was an absolute blast! I’ll take your writing advice with me wherever I go.”

Marton, Budapest

“Ryan is a natural at teaching and you get the feeling he puts his heart and soul into helping others. I look forward to doing more workshops with Ryan.”

Shauna, Tunbridge Wells

“The skills I learned from those two weekends, which were two of the most enjoyable weekends I’ve ever had, have been an invaluable tool I use to this day in my daily life, both at work and in personal interactions.”

Andy, Brussels

“Thank you for your positive spirit, energy and creativity. Your public speaking sessions really helped me feel more comfortable standing in front of a group of people.”

Serena, Amsterdam

“I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. I learned how beautiful authenticity is, with such little moments as sharing your breakfast. Being in the moment is so amazing to see and to feel.”

Laura, Amsterdam

“Your Taking It Easy session helped me relax more into the truth of a scene and let it grow more organically instead of pushing too hard to make it funny or dramatic. I loved that you were really clear about what you wanted us to get and how the exercises played into the scene work we did later. I really got a lot from one short session.”

Andrew, Brighton

“I’ve benefitted immensely from this journey which I would recommend to anyone looking to learn more about themselves in a fun, immersive way.”

Simon, Amsterdam

“Ryan seemed to know just what to do to get the best from everyone. I would jump at the opportunity to do another workshop led by him.”

Calum, Brighton

“I really admire your energy, creativity and knowledge and I’ve learned a lot from your training sessions.”

Natasha, Amsterdam,

“Ryan is a great teacher, very serious (and very funny!) gives great coaching during scenes! I had a great time studying with him!!”

Alon, Tel Aviv

“Plenty of energy, enthusiasm, good clear guidance on how to make the scene ‘deliver results’ without killing the improviser… Ryan’s enthusiasm for improv is infectious.”

James, Brighton

“Ryan’s coaching sessions really improved my public speaking skills and made my presentations much more interesting for my audience.”

Furio S., Berlin

“As a coach Ryan’s ability to zone in and identify the main agenda for each sessions was amazing. His coaching helped me reflect, make decisions and make positive changes in my business.”

Tracy, Dublin

“Ryan really made the most out of the workshop. No time-wasting. He gets to the point quickly, in a clear and effective way.”

Pedro, Lisbon

Hockey Thoughts

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Hockey Thoughts

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How was working with Ryan?

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