Thursday, January 1:
HAPPY NEW YEAR
to one and all!!!
Friday, January 2:
Our friend Pat's dad passed on today at the age of 94. Pneumonia. But his heart was failing and a fall at the cottage last year was the beginning of the end. It's also believed he suffered a mini-stroke. Mike was a marvelous story-teller and sharp as tack right until the end. We'd usually see him a couple of times each year for Pat and Stewart's Thanksgiving and Christmas Day dinners and he would have us enthralled all evening, spinning his yarns. Last week, he claimed a woman in the nursing home had proposed to him. We fell for it, asking if he was going to be married in the new year. "No," he said, which prompted me to ask, "Playing hard to get, Mike?" That, of course, set up his punch line. Without missing a beat, he said, "You would too, if you saw her!"
Last night, we had friends over for dinner at our annual New Year's Day get-together, and Pat mentioned that her dad wasn't doing too well, but we didn't realize he was in his final hours. But thankfully, he passed peacefully and lived a long and adventure-filled life. We should all be as fortunate.
Some folks dislike the NHL's Winter Classic, but I enjoy it (and not just because my Red Wings won yesterday in Chicago). What I really like about it is that the league isn't taking a good idea and getting greedy with it. They only plan on having it once a year. It will be tough to top the visuals from old Wrigley Field yesterday, but an annual New Year's Day Classic is fine with me, wherever the future outdoor games are held.
Sunday, January 4:
Canada will have play better tomorrow night against Sweden -- especially in goal -- if a fifth straight world junior championship is to be claimed. Yes, the Canadians prevailed 6-5 in a shootout semifinal against the Russians last night, but the Ruskies were about a foot away from prevailing in the final minute. Canada scored the tying goal just after Russia missed an empty Canadian net with the goalie out for an extra attacker. A thrilling win yes, but more is needed in the final.
Wow! I didn’t see that coming. With a banged-up LaDainian Tomlinson, I didn’t think there was any way the San Diego Chargers would beat Indianapolis in last night’s playoff game, despite home field advantage. But win it they did, in overtime. The Colts finished the regular season on a great run, but the Chargers did too, needing to get hot in November just to reach the post-season.
We’re less surprised by Arizona’s six-point win over Atlanta. The Falcons were certainly a feel-good story but Cardinals’ veteran quarterback Kurt Warner was the difference in the final minutes with a couple of dangerous but perfect passes to keep possession.
Tuesday, January 6:
And play better they did. Wow! The drive for V ended with an impressive V for Team Canada, saving their best for last in last night's 5-1 win over Sweden in the final of the world junior hockey championship. It never gets old, hearing the kids bellow out an off-key 'O Canada' along the blueline after taking the tournament. It's amazing to have not only won this tournament five years in a row but to have put together such a streak twice over the years. Sweden came out determined to display a measure of toughness last night but they got carried away and paid for it in the penalty box. And, as with any championship team, there's measure of luck involved. For Canada, that came Saturday night when they came within seconds (and a missed empty net) of a semifinal loss. All in all though, a deserved championship for Team Canada and a measure of pride for us all. Again.
What's the deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins? They've dropped five in a row and seven of nine following last night's 4-0 loss to the Rangers in Manhattan. If the playoffs started today, the Pens -- who were just two wins shy of a Stanley Cup triumph back in June -- would be on the outside, looking in.
They couldn't hang on to what would have been a great come-from-behind victory but Ohio State did the beleaguered Big-10 proud with its effort in the Fiesta Bowl. They came back from 17-6 down to take a late 21-17 lead but couldn't close the deal, losing 24-21 to Texas on a Colt McCoy touchdown pass with 16 seconds remaining. McCoy, who had far from his best game, looked sharp when he had to. But the Buckeyes looked to me to be the better team on this night and their inability to get into the end zone in the first half sealed their fate.
Thursday, January 8:
This is it -- the wrap-up night for U.S. college football. Florida versus Oklahoma for all the marbles. Oh sure, they’re still waving "look at us" down in Texas but the Longhorns barely beat Ohio State the other night and were outplayed throughout. As for this evening, Florida has a dynamic offence. The Gators also have a strong, tough defence. Oklahoma has been scoring at a point-a-minute clip lately. The Sooners’ defence? Er, uh, did I mention how good the offence is? Defence wins championships. Florida wins by at least 10.
Friday, January 9:
For once in my life, I nailed a prediction. "Florida by at least 10", I suggested in yesterday’s ramblings. And Florida by 10 it was, 24-14 over Oklahoma in last night’s BCS championship game. Not that I saw much of it, and it had nothing to do with my 4 a.m. wake-up call for work. I am loathe to tear into other announcers, lest they discover my own career stumbles, but after less than one half of Thom Brennaman calling last night’s game, I was long gone. Between breathlessly calling a fourth down and goal gamble by the Sooners -- on what was really third down -- and gushing over Gators quarterback Tim Tebow as if he was the greatest human being in history (no knock against Tebow, who is probably a fine fellow), I was ready to toss a brick through the TV screen. Brennaman, with his dad Marty, does a fine job of calling baseball, especially on radio in Cincinnati. Football? Not so much.
Sunday, January 11:
HUGE win for Manchester United today, 3-0 at home over Chelsea. The defending champions are on form these days, and with Liverpool held to a tie yesterday, the seaside Reds have to be looking back over their shoulders. United have two games in hand, and play them Wednesday and next Saturday before Liverpool sees action again. Games in hand are great as long as you win them, but United looks very strong at the moment.
If you get tired of quarterbacks winning more than their share of MVP awards, game balls and Heisman trophies, just remember this: When things go awry, who gets the lion's share of the blame? Yep. Quarterbacks. Imagine if the Indianapolis Colts hadn't won the Super Bowl a couple of years ago. Peyton Manning would still be wearing the tag of the QB that can't win "the big one." Imagine the heat Jake Delhomme is getting today in Charlotte after his terrible game -- five interceptions and a fumble -- against Arizona. It may be football's dream and glamour job, but woe betide if you don't produce.
There aren't many musical genres I don't enjoy. And I've been a fan of folk and folk-rock music for as long as I can remember. One of the first and best folk-rock groups was We Five, an underrated San Francisco-based quintet that had one monster hit ("You Were On My Mind", in 1965) and not much else. But it was great music and I've always believed it was a lack of direction, not a lack of talent that kept the group from stardom. We Five still exists today (albeit with just one of the original members, Jerry Bergan). And so it was great to hear that a new CD featuring some of their previously unreleased material will soon be available. Can't wait to hear it.
Tuesday, January 13:
Time stands still! I can't say I've ever had a Timex watch up and quit on me -- until today. I'm sure it needs nothing more than a new battery but if ever there was a watch that was destined to shut down early, it was this one. The Bride got it for me a few Christmases ago, and knew I'd like it because its colours are Honolulu blue and silver -- the colours of the woe begotten Detroit Lions, who just completed an 0-and-16 football season. I'll quickly get it up and running again but something tells me fixing the Lions won't be quite as easy.
I may not be the picture of perfect health but my molars are fine. Another cavity-free check-up today from Dr. Teeth and his Electric Mayhem. The Bride and I lucked into attending his clinic when we first moved into Toronto 25 years ago and I can't imagine going anywhere else.
Thursday, January 15:
Fighting in hockey -- the great debate: When I was young, I loved seeing on-ice battles, the bigger the better. Bench-clearing brawls? Yahoo! And growing up in London, Ontario was a bonus because when we were in high school, the London Knights were the big, bad brawlers of the Ontario Hockey League. Then came one night when my buddy and I were watching the Knights play Montreal at the London Gardens. The Knights' resident tough guy picked a fight with one of the Junior Habs, whaled the tar out if him, and I was on my feet, cheering like mad. My friend Dan? He uncharacteristically sat in his seat until it was over. "Great, eh?", I enthused. "No. The Montreal guy didn't do anything to deserve that," Dan said rather glumly in return. I wondered when did that matter? He was right of course. It did matter. Mattered then and it matters today. A fight spilling from emotions is one thing. Staffing a load of cement so he can goon it up? Not so much. I don't give a shiny shekel for "the code" or "honour" or any of those hackneyed cliches that hockey people toss around. "Ah, you haven't played the game," is what they cry. No, I haven't, not at any decent level, but I've watched enough hockey over 56 years to know what's right and what's not. And fighting should never be part of any team's strategy. You want to prove how tough you are as a team? Make visitors afraid to come into your barn by hitting them legally, hard and within the rules. And if a fight breaks out, game misconducts for the combatants. It would be a start.
Sunday, January 18:
Mandy the Wonder Pooch is 11 years old today. It's been a challenging year for her but her leg is getting better all the time and pretty soon she'll be able to handle stairs again, so she can spend the nights in our room. Leaving her downstairs has been heart wrenching for all three of us.
The Super Bowl contestants will be decided today. I'd love to see Arizona upend Philadelphia but I'm not sure it will happen, even with the game in the Phoenix suburbs. The upset I think will happen is Baltimore over Pittsburgh. Yes, it's in Steeltown, and yes, the Steelers have the experienced quarterback, but I like Baltimore's defence a bit better and their running game -- which could be key on a cold and possibly greasy turf -- a whole lot better.
Manchester United is in the Premier League lead for the first time this season with their late-goal win at Bolton yesterday. But they're being hit with injuries, including a three-week sideline for Wayne Rooney. Hopefully they can tread water until they're healthy again.
Time is marching once more. A new battery and the Timex The Bride bought me years ago is merrily ticking away again!
Monday, January 19:
Super Bowl trivia for $20, Alex. What are the New Orleans Saints, the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions? The answer is, the three franchises predating the Super Bowl that have never played in one, now that the Arizona Cardinals have booked their ticket. And Cleveland gets a pass -- the franchise moved to Baltimore and won a Super Bowl shortly thereafter. What's more, the Saints are a heck of a lot closer to getting there than the Lions, who are coming off their infamous 0-and-16 season. I was glad to see the Cardinals win the NFC championship for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact it relegates the Lions to "worst-franchise" status in the league. They deserve it.
As for the great prognosticator, I'm sure glad I don't bet money. I picked the Eagles and Ravens yesterday. But I'm not giving up. I think the Super Bowl could be ugly. I'd love to see Arizona win in two weeks. But at a neutral site against that Steeler defence, I think they could get trounced.
Tuesday, January 20:
A cold but sun-splashed January day in Washington D.C. A youthful U.S. president-elect about to take over the reins as leader of the free world. A stirring speech to his nation with millions expecting so much from this man, a man representing a beacon of change. I was eight years old, the president was John F. Kennedy but I remember it extremely well. And the similarities are eerie for the new American president of today, Barack Obama. With one major difference. The world of today is a scarier, smaller and more turbulent place than the world of 1961. And Obama starts his presidency on the cusp of what could be the worst economic stretch since the Great Depression. The expectations are enormous. But I believe America elected a man of character and compromise and I'm looking forward to his era.
Thursday, January 22:
We always get a January thaw 'round these parts. Not this year. Unless you count today's Toronto reading (unofficially, as it was in my car) of plus-one (or 34 Fahrenheit). Here in Stouffville, it remained below freezing. In just a couple of weeks, we'll see that blasted albino groundhog pop out of the ground and make his usual incorrect prediction. Maybe he'll call for six more weeks of winter for a change. Problem is, Environment Canada is calling for a lot more winter weather, too. No trip to the sunny south for us this year, so we'll have to grin and bear it!
Saturday, January 24:
When the NHL all-star shinny is being played tomorrow night, I will be anywhere but in front of my TV. Baseball's is the only all-star game I will watch and even then, it's not as compelling as it once was, even with the prize of World Series' home field advantage for the winning league. But hockey's all-star game? Ewww. It's nothing but a corporate shmooze-fest, which is why the league is suspending two injured Detroit Red Wings' players (Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk) a game each for not showing up. Sidney Crosby is also hurt and is also sitting out but because he's going to be in Montreal this weekend, he escapes a suspension. Which all goes to show you what's more important to Gary Bettman and his cast of idiots. Not playing in a boring display of shinny is fine but make sure you're on hand to kiss the hineys of the corporate world who don't give a damn about the sport but latch onto the NHL monetarily.
Sunday, January 25:
Voices: I like to think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to "oldies" music -- especially songs coming out of Detroit and environs where I spent much of my youth. And I always thought Stevie Wonder's "Blowin' In The Wind" was recorded with Jerry Butler. Don't know why, I just always thought so. And I always wondered why the Iceman's name was never mentioned when the song was played on the radio. Pretty good reason -- it wasn't Butler at all, but Clarence Paul, Stevie's mentor (and the man who came up with the name "Stevie Wonder".) Wonder and Butler, while not members of my "Terrific Ten," are certainly right up there in my second tier of favourites, and I think if they teamed up for a duo, it would sound sensational!
Wednesday, January 28:
If you played the "six degrees of separation" game in the music industry, almost everyone would be connected in no time. And that's how I manage to discover more of my favourites from days gone by. I mentioned We Five earlier this month -- and my appreciation of this group started with a pre-teen crush on lead singer Beverly Bivens. That developed into complete admiration for her underrated singing talents. (She is one of my "Terrific Ten"). From there, it moved to bandmate Michael Stewart, who did most of the arranging of their music (and later went to produce some of Billy Joel's finest stuff). From Michael Stewart to his brother John Stewart, who replaced Kingston Trio co-founder Dave Guard -- and that has led me to rediscover the Trio and folk music in general. Sure, I've heard the Kingston Trio almost all of my life but now I'm listening with a sharper ear -- and loving what I hear. And these days, my listening tastes are filled with the Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Dylan, Lightfoot, et al. In time, I'll switch to something else (it was classic rock not long ago and country and western -- the old stuff --before that). I can't sing or play a lick but I sure am thankful for whatever musical gene I was given and to the late Bill Telfer -- my grade 5, 6 and 7 teacher -- who nurtured it. In our small public school, everyone of age sang in the senior choir at Mr. Telfer's insistence, even those of us with fractured voices. No exceptions. And we won awards almost every year.
Snow. We'd had a nice reprieve of late at the cost of bone-chilling temperatures so I shouldn't complain about the 7-to-14 centimetres we're supposed to get today. But we haven't had anything resembling a winter thaw yet and it appears there is none in the foreseeable future. And doggone it, the last two January 28ths, I've been on a cruise ship in the Caribbean. Maybe that's why I'm a might cranky! No trip this year with the current economic crisis and our own workplace uncertainty. We'll just have to deal with a full winter -- like most folks.
Friday, January 30:
I don't know the gent or lady who puts this site together but it is one of my favourite stops along the internet highway. One of the things I love about sports, and perhaps even more than the games themselves, is the venues teams call home. These days, there's not much difference between them, especially new indoor arenas. But in days of yore, every building had its own quirks, nooks and crannies. My dad took me to my first live NHL game February 24, 1962 at Detroit's Olympia Stadium, a Saturday afternoon 6-1 Red Wings' loss to Chicago. I still believe the Olympia was one of the best places ever to watch hockey and it had so many oddities: extremely round corners, cutting off room behind the net; players' benches almost entirely inside the bluelines -- changing on the fly was a treat to watch in the second period; dressing rooms built into the outer walls, so players had to walk across the lobby to reach the ice. I've seen precious few photographs of the Olympia over the years in comparison with most of the other Original Six barns, but this website has 263 of them! And that's just Olympia Stadium. There are hundreds of such photo albums of ballparks, arenas and stadiums on this site. Enjoy!
https://ballparks.smugmug.com/
Saturday, January 31:
One of my colleagues at work is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. And he's worried sick about tomorrow's Super Bowl game. He's not the only one in my circle of friends who believe the Arizona Cardinals have a decent chance at winning the game. I wish I could see it because I'd love to see the Cards pull off the upset. I just don't think they'll score very often against the Steelers defence. Everyone talks about Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals' quick-strike possibilities. But I don't think the Cardinals will be able to run the ball -- few teams do against Pittsburgh -- and that will allow the Steelers to devise schemes to deal with the aerial attack. it's not likely Warner is going to have much fun finding Fitzgerald or any other open receivers. The Steelers can bring plenty of pressure yet they aren't a blitz-happy team. On the other side of the ball, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has matured over the past few years and merely has been steady tomorrow and take what the Cards' defence gives him. Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Arizona 13.
