Souvenir Photo Studio, by Al Bourassa

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Sunday October 26, 2025 Oil Kings

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Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

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Sunday October 26, 2025

This is my email to the Edmonton Oil Kings Junior Hockey Team after our attempt to go to one of their games against the Calgary Hitmen today:

"I am 75 years old, obviously a senior, and my hobby, repeat hobby, is photography.

I was last at an Oil Kings game maybe in the early 1970's at the old Edmonton Gardens. I left Edmonton in 2000 and returned 2023.

Today I was invited to a game by a senior, handicapped friend in our building who has season tickets. The two of us have Edmonton Elks season tickets as well.

We took the LRT to McEwen station and had brunch in the Casino before the game.

We were passing through security when they noted my camera.

They said I could not enter unless my lens was 3" or less. They said my 4.25" lens made me considered a Professional Photographer....

Perhaps I should advertise in all photography magazines that all it takes to become a Professional in Edmonton is to own a zoom lens.. and that the Edmonton Oil Kings staff are the new experts on the subject!!!

So my friend was disappointed and watched the game alone.

I walked home.

And that is the first, and last, time I will darken the doors at Rogers Place...

Oilers tickets (last time I checked, they wanted me to pay $485.25 EACH for handicapped seating) are way out of reach of seniors on fixed incomes, if not most fans....

And the Oil Kings are afraid that a long-distance photo (not allowed to be taken from a Professional position) might actually be clear enough to matter for a little free advertising.

Live sports are no longer fun."

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

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If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.

Casino lounge for brunch

Entry to the main hockey arena

Sign noted on my way out

My lens uses Viagra

Leaving Rogers Place for the last time

Bay LRT Station

Our lovely corner tree

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Saturday October 25, 2025 Independence

PLEASE bookmark this page and check daily.

Older Blog: https://cuencaupdates.blogspot.com/

Please see my best artworks for sale at my websites:

http://souvenirphotostudio.neocities.org/

or https://pixels.com/profiles/al-bourassa

******

Saturday October 25, 2025

Thursday, our Oilers finally got on track and beat Montreal in overtime.

Friday, our Blue Jays trounced the Dodgers 11-4, so we are more confident in the possibility of them winning the World Series... The Dodgers are a powerhouse not to be dismissed....

Our Stampeders beat the Elks 20-10 so the stars are aligned for us...

A cousin sent me an oversharpened doggie cam photo of he 2 dogs standing together to make into something for her phone wallpaper. I fought with it for 2 hours, never satisfied with any corrections. Finally, I took two individual shots of her sweet dogs and made this:

She is thrilled with this..

Today, my niece wanted me to accompany her to the Alberta Independence Rally at the Legislature, but she sadly could not get transportation into the city. She had heard that they expected up to 100,000 people from across the province and was quite excited.

I removed my Canada flag from the Gio and went over myself. I bought the Alberta flag and mounted that on the back instead, because that is where my sympathies lie now.

This rally had a larger crowd than the last rally I attended, but only maybe 3,000 people, tops, while I was there, which was not long. Repetitive rah-rah speeches bore me to tears, but I at least showed my support.

One thing I was happy to see is that the Rally had a powerful sound system and the rude native element was nowhere in sight this time.

I am related to 4 former Canadian Prime Ministers, 3 of which were Liberals who did everything in their power to screw Alberta. While I would be revolted by any suggestion that we join the fractured, crazy USA, I am in favor of Saskatchewan and northern BC to join Alberta to make a powerhouse nation that can be the richest nation on earth. There, I have stated my position....

Back to the sports channels I go.....

I hope you enjoy the pictures. That was the day’s excitement.

******

If you want to borrow a picture to share with family and friends, Facebook or whatever, at least PLEASE give me credit for the photo.

NOTE that you may click on any photo for an ENLARGED VIEW.