Mattress Vancouver

When watching a film, our gaze is directed at a subject that has been chosen for us. We give the director free reign to control our sight line. This exchange encourages new experiences, some of which are cultural.

This week, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival hopes to direct our eyes towards the North American Asian experience.

In their 15th year of operation, the VAFF is intent on providing a cultural bridge between Asian and non-Asian communities. The Festival will run from November 3rd to November 6th, with all shows screening at Cineplex Odeon International Village, near Roger’s Arena.

The films range in subjects from cross-cultural love for the Vancouver Canucks, to a historical documentary on the migration of asian settlers to North America.

Also included in this year’s festival, as a part of Vancouver’s 125th celebration, is an encore presentation of “Love Letters,” the photo and video campaign shown last June. Love Letters was an open call for Vancouver citizens to submit digital records of images and video that conveyed their love for our fair city. VAFF will show Joanna Wong’s entry on the festival’s opening night.

Tickets for all the shows may be purchased online at the Festival site or the day of at the Festival box office. Passes are also available for the true film buffs.

British Columbia issued license plates for the Olympic year with the slogan, “Best Place on Earth.” Many Easterners saw this as another west coast hyperbole that proved the level of our conceitedness.

But for those of us who call BC home, the phrase holds more truth than the sharp-tongued retorts of the critics.

BC is one of the most diverse provinces in the country. It has the mildest winter weather and the least humid summers. It is is home to the country’s most beautiful city, Vancouver, and It is also the proud parent of the Vancouver Canucks, the only Canadian team to get past the opening round of the 2011 NHL playoffs.

Our province has some of the lushest parks in the country, the most epic skiing conditions and one of the only stretches of shoreline worth surfing in Canada.

We showed the world we could host a party in 1986 and we did it again in 2010.  The BC acronym is synonymous with a higher level of living that folks from all over the world recognize.

Part of that living experience is the proximity to the most elite mattress store in the country, Simmons Mattress Gallery. The BC mattress store, offers the top Simmons Beautyrest beds at prices that are worth the drive from St. Johns.

If you’ve never slept on a Simmons, you’ve never experienced the west coast. Come see why this truly is the best place on earth. We’ll be waiting with a mattress, two free pillows and some of the BC’s finest (mattress professionals).

The National Hockey League has announced the schedule for the 2011 NHL playoffs. Your Vancouver Canucks will face the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round. The series begins on Wednesday, April 13th, in Vancouver at 7pm PST. Game two will start at the same time on Friday night. The Canucks will then have to fly to Chicago to prepare for Sunday’s bout, which will begin at 5pm PST. Game four will play out on Tuesday, and with any luck, that will be the last game of the series.

A Canucks sweep would put to rest the demons of the 2010 and 2009 NHL post-seasons. It would also be a major springboard for the Canucks to advance deeper into the playoffs.

To see how the drama unfolds, we will have to patiently wait for Wednesday’s opener. This may be easier said than done – especially since this town seems to be living off the current exploits of their favourite sons.

But don’t fret. If you’re finding it hard to sleep as the aniticipation builds,, you can always upgrade your mattress set. It may not alleviate your anxiety, but it will make the nodding off experience easier.

Come check out the mattress deals on now at Vancouver’s mattress store, Simmons Mattress Gallery.

Believe...

It’s official, the Canucks are the President’s Trophy champions. Currently holding 113 points they have the best record of any team in the National Hockey League.

Their remaining games are inconsequential. All they have left to play for is pride and statistics.

On the fortieth year of the franchise, on the 125th anniversary year of their hometown, on the cusp of heading into the playoffs, the Canucks seem like a team destined for a championship.

The Sedins have never been hotter, Luongo is clearly in the zone and the injured winter soldiers are slowly returning to the line-up.

Daniel has a firm grip on the scoring title with 102 points, Henrik is leading the league in assists with 74, and Luongo has the most wins with 38. Hamhuis should be back in the line-up this weekend after his second concussion this season and Samuelson has already started skating with the club. Alexander Edler could also see action by the end of the week, in time for the final game of the season against the Calgary Flames.

With the Western Conference still in limbo, it could take until Sunday for the Canucks to know whom they will face in the opening round. A loss to Calgary on Saturday could set the stage for Vancouver to ultimately face their old rivals from Alberta.

More than likely, our boys will be matched against the Blackhawks, the team that has secured our quick exit from the playoffs for the past two years. However, a series win against Chicago could be the perfect catalyst for a push to the finals.

No matter what the match-up, the Canucks are ready and willing.

This is our year. Let’s plan the parade route down Broadway, right past Vancouver’s premier mattress store, Simmons Mattress Gallery.

They Gave It Everything They Had In 94

(Sorry, we’re a little selfish. But like the rest of you who cursed that goal post in 94, we believe our city deserves this and we want to be there for the celebration!)

What’s the hottest team in Vancouver right now? Ok, the Whitecaps have won one game and yes it was impressive, but the hottest team is definitely the Vancouver Canucks.

With a 105 points, our boys are leading the league in points. THE LEAGUE!!! And who’s guiding that ship? Our very own Swedish twins, Henrik and Daniel.

The twins are hotter than a Cajun cookout. Henrik, last years Hart and Art Ross trophy winner, is leading the league in assists by a hefty margin. Our captain is also third in the NHL in points. Daniel is the league’s top offensive producer with 95 points. He is also second in goals behind Steven Stamkos. Never have two brothers dominated the league in such a manner. Thank god they play for us.

But with all the talk centering on Henrik and Daniel, we here at Simmons think another set of twins should get their fair share of time in the spotlight. Can you guess what we’re going to say next? Yes, exactly, twin mattresses. Twins are perfect for small college dorm rooms, spare rooms and couples that may need separate beds to receive a full nights rest. Spatially, they are amazing. Comfort wise, they offer the patented Beautyrest, non-flip pocket coils, that make every Simmons mattress a dream to sleep on. They also come at a considerably lower price than a king or a queen size mattress.

They may not originate in Sweden, but a Simmons twin is just as remarkable. When the playoffs start in April, rest up for the big games on your own twin. Head into a Simmons Mattress Gallery location to pick up your twin today.

Tack Tack!

Twin Love

In times like these, a little laughter is good for the soul. This week Ryan Kesler was providing Canuck fans with just that.

The athletic jokester was the key element in a montage video released by the Canucks. The video featured interviews with players from Vancouver’s team. The common thread between the interviews was Kesler’s appearance in the background.

In some of the tapes he is simply walking around shirtless, staring at the camera. In others, he is pranking the player being interviewed. The young American star asks Raffi Torres if he would like any pizza. In an interview with Cory Schneider, Kesler dons Luongo’s mask and walks into frame, testing the will of the interviewers themselves. In another, he skirts by with a popped collar and aviator shades.

Cluster Bomb

The collage video was added on Friday and was a viral sensation before the weekend was out. Kesler added to the hype on Saturday, when he appeared in a Daniel Sedin interview, slowly rising from behind the Swedish star.

Kesler has referred to his cameo technique as ‘videobombing.’

Good to know the Canucks are so loose heading into the playoff stretch.

With thirty-five games ticked off, the Canucks are nearing the halfway mark of the season. They are finishing up a stellar December that saw them lead the league in power-play percentage. Their goaltending is two-tier, there seems to be strong leadership in the dressing room and one of their only losses this month was one of their best games (Dec. 22 / Detroit).

For a team that has gone its full existence, forty years, without a cup, it finally seems like Vancouver has put together a winning line-up. Not since the days of the West Coast Express, has Vancouver looked so poised for a deep playoff run.

And… we know it’s early and any number of things could happen to disrupt the near perfect chemistry that the team is currently showing, but really, if ever there was ever a time… this is it.

Not convinced? Too superstitious to start talking parade routes?

Well here’s a list of ten reasons why 2011 might just be THE year.

1.Luoooooo

-He may not be Captain, but he is still the pivot point on which the Canucks turn.

2. Super Twins

At the time of writing, the Sedin twins sit fourth and fifth in league points. Out of the bunk beds and onto a Beautyrest Black, the Sedins are showing the world that they have finally come of age. Thank you Sweden!

3. Malhotra in the Face-off Circle

What a pick-up! This guy is dominating the circle with the second highest percentage in the league. Don’t think that face-off percentage is an important stat? Back to your European handball.

4.  Kes

That deflection goal last night was sick! And then one post away from a hat-trick.  With none of the pressures of being Captain, Kesler is leading by example. We’ll forgive him for those few offhanded remarks he made about Canadians during the Olympics.

5. Fortunate Son

The son of former great Steve Tambellini, Jeff Tambellini is part of the new young breed energizing Vancouver.

6. Coach V

In his fifth season behind the bench, Alain Vigneault isn’t putting up with anything. Quick to send players down and even quicker to change line combinations, Vigneault is still keeping it fresh, while maintaining that mischievous grin.

7. German Efficiency

Christian Ehrhoff is giving the Canucks blue line a scoring touch. Night-in and night-out Ehrhoff stops them at one end and adds an offensive presence in the other.

8. Big Mike

All Mike Gillis needs to do is to maintain a steady course. “Please Mike don’t dump a bunch of contracts and snap-up another has-been like Mats. Just let the boys you have play.”

9. The Green Men

Nothing says intimidation like two dudes in full-body, fluorescent green, spandex suits. “What silly antic will they think up next.”

10. 40 Years

Enough is enough. It’s been FORTY YEARS! The time is now. The window is open.

Go Canucks Go!

Regular season hockey is just over a month away and Vancouver sports fans couldn’t be any happier. It has been a dreadful summer for the 1-7 B.C. Lions, as Wally Buono continues to tinker with a team that just can’t seem to get it done.

Mike Gillis Addressing the Media

Across town, Mike Gillis is assembling his crack squad of sports professionals for another successful regular season run (we won’t talk about the playoffs).  Part of that mix includes a specialist, whose job it is to analyze the schedule and make important decisions regarding the team’s movement.

This specialist, whose name we cannot print, is known as the ‘sleep doctor.’

The sleep doctor is a Gillis addition to the player management team. His/Her job is to determine whether it is better for the players to leave a city the night of the game or fly out the morning after.

These decisions are made using data collected from previous games. The Canuck players are asked to wear ’sleep bands’ which monitor the wearer’s sleep patterns, the length of their rest and the quality. The science behind the monitoring is referred to as ‘actigraphy.’

Cross-referencing the individual player data helps the sleep doctor determine the team’s optimal resting time.

It is then the sleep doctor who decides what time the team boards the jet for the next game.

Simmons Mattress Gallery hasn’t been able to reach the mystery man or woman, but we are sure the boys’ sleep could only be improved with a restful night on a Simmons mattress.

Buono, if you are reading this, the same applies for the Lions.

This week, Simmons Mattress Gallery would like to thank all the faithful mattress lovers out there in cyberspace who have been enjoying our weekly blog. This is our 116th entry. We have tried to keep our articles fresh and current, while still emphasizing the need for a comfortable sleep. The focus has been on our products, sleeping issues and fun activities to get involved in around the Lower Mainland. Our readership has grown and our blog has even attracted the attention of local sports star Brent Seabrook.

Seabrook plays for the Chicago Blackhawks and is one of the major factors behind Vancouver’s early exit from the playoffs. So even though we hate him for his shutdown performance against the Canucks, we love the fact he reads our blogs and was inspired to come buy a mattress.

Seabrook Celebrates Goal With Teammate Versteeg

Here is a list of some of our most popular articles:

1. Creepy Crawlies Invade the West End.

-This article talks about the terrible bed bug epidemic affecting Vancouver’s West End residents. It offers preventive measures and coping techniques.

2. Mattress Disposal

-Getting rid of your old mattress once you have purchased a new one is always difficult. This article offers four easy ways to dispose of your old bed.

3. Johnny Depp’s Pajamas

-This is a celebrity siting article about our favourite swashbuckling pirate, Johnny Depp.

4. A Lesson in Mattress Shopping

-A lot of our customers are looking to buy a new mattress, but don’t know how to begin the process. This simple article lists six easy steps to start you on the road to comfort.

5. WordPress Crashes On Mattress

-This article created quite a stir when it was posted for April Fools Day.

6. Idzikowski’s Six Personality Sleep Positions

-Your personality may be linked to the way you sleep. This article examines six different sleeping positions and the personality that they are connected with.

7. The Sweet Sounds of “Mattress Music”

-This was Inspired by Marques Houston’s album entitled “Mattress Music.”

8. Rain City Gallery

-Although you wouldn’t think it these days, we do get a fair number of rainy days here in Vancouver. This article provides a number of gallery locations to spend your time during the wet months. The top gallery on the list: Simmons Mattress Gallery.

9. Mattress Guilt

-Sexsomnia is a serious condition where afflicted individuals engage in sexual acts while they sleep.

10. From the Moon to Your Room

-The history of memory foam. It was actually a product invented by NASA to add a shock layer on the seats of the shuttle. Who knew that the comfort of an astronaut’s posterior would change the mattress world forever.

So for all those reading our weekly blogs, thank you. And for those just joining us, welcome. We promise to continue to provide you with entertaining and educational articles. Thanks for reading.

Your Persistent Blogger,

Simmons Mattress Gallery

The mighty Vancouver Canucks are now two games away from completing the longest road trip in NHL history. It all started with a 5-3 win over the dismal Toronto Maple Leafs on the 30th of January. Since then, the club has been able to hold on to an impressive road-trip record, slightly over 500.

The 14 games away have been spread out over 40 days and three different months. That’s more than 39 nights that the boys have been away from their beds. They have probably slept in over ten different hotels.

This Wednesday, they return to Vancouver after their final road game against Phoenix. They are leading their division and looked poised for a strong stretch run.

But come Wednesday night, I doubt the Canucks will be thinking about their impressive record or the resurgence of Kyle Wellwood. No, the boys will have one thing on their mind: sleep.

It’s what every athlete requires to perform at a top level and for over a month the Canucks have been asked to find their rest in foreign settings.

On Wednesday, each player will sink into his bed after arriving on the red-eye from Phoenix.  There may be a short physical moment with their significant other, but then it’s lights out.

“Congratulations team on an excellent road-trip. You don’t work again till Saturday, so enjoy your rest. Hopefully you’re finding it on a Simmons, the ultimate mattress for comfort and an undisturbed sleep.”