Monday, December 1:
BANGKOK -- The weather here has been incredible. The first week of the Asian portion of the trip was marked by heat, humidity and daily thunderstorms. But from my second day in the Philippines until -- and including -- today, it's been pleasant without a hint of rain. At poolside yesterday (yeah, I know -- tough life) I actually felt cool, thanks to the tropical breeze that accompanies the warm temperatures. But with just two days to go, I'm casting a wary eye on what awaits me when I return on Saturday. Like snowflurries and a high of 0 Celsius or 32 Fahrenheit. Ouch!
Wednesday, December 2:
BANGKOK -- "Eyes down, eyes down, eyes down," I mutter to myself as I trip over yet another broken or uneven piece of concrete along this city's sidewalks. But I haven't -- knock on wood -- done a face plant yet, unlike my first two trips here.
They have a -- heh, heh -- Manchester United restaurant here too, much like the one I visited two years ago in Jakarta. So naturally, I had to get a picture taken by the staff, showing I was here.
Bangkok's 10-year-old SkyTrain is a beauty, whisking you along to your destination five storeys in the air (the airport link opens this weekend). One of the station stops is misleading, though. The National Stadium station puts you within easy walking distance of what was Thailand's national football (soccer) stadium, but it no longer holds that distinction. Suphachalasai Stadium (its official name) is now used mainly for matches in Thailand's domestic league. Bryan Robson's national team now plays its games at the much-larger Rajamangala Stadium, which sadly is not served well by public transit.
Thursday, December 3:
BANGKOK -- Zounds! They caught me. Maybe I looked guilty as I was going through airport security but they checked my luggage thoroughly and finally found and confiscated what I was trying to smuggle through. Yes, they took away my shaving cream. Guess I'll have to become Grizzly Adams.
Sad to leave the Land of Smiles. Because that is what Thais are known for. They truly are the nicest, most gentle people I've come across in my travels. Even the security folks who snatched away my shaving cream did so with apologetic politeness. Not their fault -- they're just following orders.
A couple of things you'll notice if you visit Bangkok. The place has the largest billboards I've ever seen. And try not to snicker at some of the Thai police officers working the traffic. With their sharply pressed uniforms, relatively short stature, high hats and officious bearing and animation, they look for all the world like Asian versions of Barney Fife.
I have a few hours to kill this evening in Mumbai but won't get to see any sights. A visa is required and it wasn't worth the cost or effort for the short time I'll have. India is like Newfoundland as far as its time zone is concerned -- its deviation from Greenwich Mean Time also includes a half-hour measure. I have to remember that or else I'll do a double take when I read the clocks.
Friday, December 4:
MUMBAI -- Here, they nabbed my nail clippers. I hope the security guy who takes them home doesn't commit any crimes. My DNA is all over them. I should explain something. Normally, these items would be packed in checked luggage but I'm not checking anything as I try to travel as light as possible.
My seatmate on the flight from Bangkok told me as we were about to land that I should be wary and expect the unexpected here. Little did either of us know that that extended to the landing. We bounced once in a teeth-chattering jolt and came down again as trays and personal screens popped out of their enclosures. I'm told the runways aren't the world's smoothest. My seatmate also mentioned on final approach that, through my window, I was looking at largest slum region on the globe. It was dark, but there were enough street lights to determine that the neighbourhood extended right to the perimeter fence of the runway.
Saturday, December 5:
BALTIMORE -- Back in North America but exhaustion replaced my planned evening of crabcakes on Baltimore's waterfront. I checked into the Brookshire at about 6:30 last night. And immediately collapsed into the softest bed I've ever experienced. Now, back to Dulles for the short flights to JFK and Buffalo and then the drive home, which should put me into Stouffville late this afternoon.
Sunday, December 6:
I was due back home yesterday afternoon but didn't arrive until 2 a.m. today, thanks to about an inch of snow in Washington and what it did to jetBlue flight 1304 from Washington to JFK. To start with, it was late leaving New York early yesterday due to a fueling problem and when it finally did touch down at Dulles, the "blizzard" was in full force. After boarding, we spent almost five hours on the tarmac. We were de-iced three times, our noon-hour window closed when JFK briefly shut down and twice we had to return to the gate to let passengers off so that they could reach their ultimate destinations by other routes. Yet, during it all, the hostess and pilots were exceptional, down-to-earth and honest. If I had to endure something like that, I'm glad it was with jetBlue. I finally got to JFK in time for a 6:30 p.m. flight to Buffalo. Of course when I landed there, my bags did not. But after being assured that they would be arriving on a flight that landed at 10:30, I hightailed it to Anchor Bar (the airport outlet was closed) for some wings and an ice cold Rolling Rock. Back to the airport to pick up my bags (and a $100 jetBlue voucher!) and then I started the drive back home. And stupid me, I took the Queenston-Lewiston bridge which had an hour-long delay, even at midnight.
Monday, December 7:
My body clock is still a few times zones off. In other words, today I wouldn't have minded the early morning shift. But that's OK. I'm sure it won't be long before it all feels back to normal again. Seeing The Bride and Mandy the Wonder Pooch again certainly makes it wonderful.
Thursday, December 10:
I knew things weren't back to normal when I filled up with gas the other day and felt as if it was 20 degrees below zero (it wasn't). What it was, was a fever that has left me flat on my back for two days. In the midst of this was our first snowstorm of the season, a doozy that packed about 10 centimeters of heavy, wet snow onto the driveway. It took hours to clear off, mainly due to the fact that the snowblower isn't equipped to handle such heavy snow. So most of it was heavy lifting by shovel. Had to be done though, because of a sudden deep freeze which has turned everything to ice. How I hate winter -- and the start of it is still 11 days away!
We gotta keep trying to right this wrong. It is again time to let the baseball world know that the late Tom Cheek deserves to be in the hall of fame. Cooperstown missed the boat by not electing him five years ago when he was alive to enjoy it. There's nothing we can do about the final vote but we can certainly make sure he's one of the finalists. Here's the link -- now via Facebook -- to help get Tom Cheek elected to Cooperstown. You can vote daily until month's end:
http://www.facebook.com/baseballhall?v=app_20678178440
Friday, December 11:
!!! HAPPY HANUKKAH !!!
The fever has broken and I'm starting to recover from the wooziness. Best of all, my appetite is back -- and I have the weekend off to get back to 100%. Most of the key pre-bowl college football games are now history (nice work, Alabama!) but I do believe I will kick back on Sunday and check out the NFL. Speaking of which, what on earth is wrong with the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Sunday, December 13:
I can't figure out Manchester United this season. They look like world beaters some days and anything but on some others. They had a chance to pull even with Chelsea yesterday after the Blues were held to a 3-3 tie by Everton. But they stumbled at home, losing 1-0 to Aston Villa. Maybe Michael Owen, who scored a mid-week hat trick in a Champions League road win, would have had another strong game but we'll never know. He was rooted to the bench.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are just four points out of a playoff spot but here's the rub: They're still in 14th place, meaning they have to climb over half-a-dozen other clubs to get there. They've been, aside from a couple of sorry trips to Boston, impressive lately but their terrible start may doom them in the end.
The Bride and I both love "It's a Wonderful Life" but when CTV drags it out over three hours, it becomes unwatchable. Last night I bailed before George Bailey jumped off the bridge.
Monday, December 14:
I know, I know, I know. Just when you thought it couldn't possibly get any worse, just when you thought the low point had to have been hit, here come the Detroit Lions to prove you wrong once again. In today's Detroit News, columnist Bob Wojnowski opined that if you watched the Lions' 48-3 loss in Baltimore to its rancid conclusion yesterday, then there's "something wrong with you." Probably, Wojo, but for the life of me, I couldn't turn it off. It was like watching Casey Jones' last ride -- you knew there was a train wreck right around the corner. Besides, in addition to seeing an NFL team play as terrible as humanly possible, there was the very real possibility of having the cameras catch head coach Jim Schwartz exploding into little, itty bits of Honolulu Blue debris all over the sideline. Angry lips have never been thinner in the history of mankind.
Wednesday, December 16:
The one and only reason to ever enter the Rogers Centre in Toronto is gone -- pitcher Roy Halladay has been traded to Philadelphia for three young players, none of whom will make the slightest impact with the Blue Jays in 2010. The club had to move Halladay, perhaps the classiest and most nose-to-the-grindstone, blue collar ballplayer the Jays have had in my 25 years living here. But it's going to be a bleak summer unless you believe in miracles. The Jays' one drawing card is gone and the general populace isn't going to embrace a ballclub entering yet another year of guaranteed elimination from the playoffs. There certainly is no desire, at least on my part, to watch baseball on fake grass inside (usually) an antiseptic mausoleum.
Thursday, December 17:
I've been in the news biz for three-plus decades, so any wild-eyed wonder that I had when I was a cub reporter has long been drilled out of me. Takes a lot to lift me out of my seat, in other words. So I was a bit surprised at the reaction I had at seeing the Olympic torch right here in our relatively small burg this morning. Half the town, it seems, came out to see the torch being run down Main St., and then everyone converged on the Fickle Pickle, Stouffville's best restaurant, to see one of the bearers with his Olympic torch in tow (yes, it does look like a giant silver joint). And yeah, I was kind of excited. I mean, I've been to four Olympiads personally as a reporter, but to see what the torch means to so many happy flag-waving townspeople, well, that is the spirit of the Olympics.
By all accounts, Chris Henry was getting his life together after years of misconduct and misfortune, so it's sad to read of his death. The Cincinnati Bengals receiver fell out of a moving truck during what police say was a domestic dispute yesterday. And say what you will about Tiger Woods and his alleged infidelity (I personally don't think it's my business) but at least the truck accident he was in last month didn't result in anything more than minor injury.
Saturday, December 19:
Crazy a day as it was, I'm glad I had to deal with flying home through Washington two weeks ago today instead of today. The day-long insanity December 5th was due to an inch of snow at Dulles Airport. I can only imagine what's in store for travellers going through the U.S. capital today as a wild nor'easter roars up the Eastern seaboard. They say this might be one of Washington's largest December snowstorms on record. Two weeks ago, the locals told me they'd never seen snow that early in the season. Global warming, no doubt.
Sunday, December 20:
And then there was one. New Orleans' loss to Dallas last night leaves Indianapolis as the lone unbeaten team in the NFL. The Colts are 13-and-0 but would certainly trade it for some post-season success. Me? I'd like to see San Diego in the Super Bowl -- against the Saints.
It was another of "those" Saturdays that saw most of my teams on the short end, including Manchester United. Yeah, they're injury-plagued, but lots of teams have been. Like my Red Wings, I just don't think they're good enough for a title this season -- and like the Wings, they owe me absolutely nothing with the bevy of riches both teams have bestowed on their faithful fans over recent years.
Monday, December 21:
Happy winter! Unless of course, you're checking in from Australia or Brazil or Johannesburg, where it's happy summer! But for those of us in the northern hemisphere, this is the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight. By and large (so I'm told, as I missed a large chunk of it) we had a pretty decent autumn here in terms of weather, and while the snowstorm of December 8th will guarantee Stouffville a white Christmas, it's been a far more bearable 12th month than each of the last two years. Of course, I shouldn't speak too soon -- they're calling for a mess on Christmas Day.
A belated 75th birthday (Saturday) to one of the sporting heroes of my youth, the ageless and always classy Al Kaline. As kids and Tiger fans in the 1960s, the first "player" chosen when we took up sides for pick-up ball (as in, "I get to be (insert name of major-leaguer here)!") was always Al Kaline. Ahead of Rocky Colavito, ahead of Norm Cash, ahead of any of the talented and hated Yankees like Mickey Mantle. Part of the ceremony a decade ago, when Tiger Stadium saw its final major league game, was having the living Tiger greats take their old positions on the field. And watching Kaline, at age 65, lope out to right field not only rekindled childhood memories, but his trot out there was so effortless and natural that it looked as if he'd be able to start the game. For all of the troubles many pro athletes get into today, for all of the tarnished stars who seemed to be above controversy, I give you Al Kaline, a guy who once turned down a raise because he didn't think his season warranted it. Many happy returns, Al.
Tuesday, December 22:
I remember thinking when Cal Ripken Jr. passed Lou Gehrig for most consecutive major league baseball games played that it was a record I never thought I’d see topped. But at the time, there was one sports mark I positively knew would stand the test of time. Wrong again. To me, Terry Sawchuk’s career mark of 103 shutouts was as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar. But the amazing Martin Brodeur passed him last night with a 4-0 blanking of Pittsburgh. Yes, he needed a late assist from the goalpost but if he hadn’t recorded the shutout last night, it would have come soon enough. A remarkable achievement from a remarkable goalie.
Wednesday, December 23:
I finally got the pictures from the recent trip posted. You can see them via the "bonus page" button on the home page. Or just click here: 
Enjoy!
In addition to his patter and shtick, one of the reasons I like Phlash Phelps so much on XM-Sirius' '60s on 6 channel is his subtle take on music (he is the station's music director). This may be coincidence but I doubt it: The other morning, he played "Black is Black" by Los Bravos, featuring lead singer Mike Kogel, who (to my ears) sounds very much in style like the late Gene Pitney. Phlash's next song was Pitney's "It Hurts To Be In Love." Smooth.
I actually heard some dope obviously bereft of any gray matter opine, on the air, that star sprinter Usain Bolt could, in time, drive a race car as fast and as well as Jimmie Johnson. How do these people get radio jobs?
Thursday, December 24:
My Christmas has already been made. I have a friend whom I won't name here. She's a waitress at a restaurant I often visit in Newmarket. She's funny, cute (a Jodie Foster lookalike) and street smart -- and best of all she allows me to flirt with her shamelessly (it's OK, she's happily married with three kids -- and The Bride has seen me do this with various waitresses in various eateries over more than a quarter of a century and she just rolls her eyes). At any rate, a week or so ago, my friend was going through the tremendous stress of moving from condo to house in the middle of the holidays. All I did was lend my ears (while she let out some frustrations) and leave a decent tip for the great service I always receive. So, the other night, she greets me with a Christmas card and a box of Belgian chocolates! Totally unexpected, sweet -- and embarrassing, as I had nothing to give her in return except my thanks. The Bride and I have already sampled the chocolates -- delicious! And no matter what comes my way tomorrow, it was the most unexpected and delightful gift this year!
Off to Brockville in a few hours for Christmas with The Bride's family.
Friday, December 25:
BROCKVILLE, ON -- !!! MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!
Saturday, December 26:
BROCKVILLE, ON -- It's a wonderful, albeit bittersweet Christmas here in Brockville, our first without my brother-in-law, whom we lost in February. We all miss him terribly, but all agree that this would be a Christmas he would have loved to have been a part of. The whole family is here and with a full weekend immediately following the big day, none of us have to disappear in a hurry. So we've enjoyed a few laughs, shed a few tears, watched some classic Christmas movies and have had a very relaxing and fun time.
Slumping Chelsea was held to a draw today by Birmingham. Equally slumping Manchester United plays Hull tomorrow with a chance to close the gap. But the way these teams are going, maybe Arsenal will slide up and take the whole thing come springtime.
Sunday, December 27:
BROCKVILLE, ON -- Urban Meyer made the right decision, stepping down as coach of the Florida Gators for health reasons. The pressure that came with the job was intense and from all accounts, Meyer was a very intense individual. The combination was just too volatile. I don't believe those who suggest Meyer resigned so he could take an NFL job. Maybe down the road, but his health and family are the most important things on his plate right now.
Monday, December 28:
BROCKVILLE, ON -- I have no trouble with the Indianapolis Colts resting their key players, having already wrapped up home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. I have a great problem with them resting key players in a game against a club that's fighting to make the playoffs. By playing the second string in the second half against the New York Jets, they did a serious disservice to the Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers -- teams, like the Jets, that are also fighting to get into the post-season. Had the Colts been playing, say Chicago, a team that won't make the playoffs or gain the first-overall draft pick, then fine. But what they did yesterday was simply wrong.
Urban Meyer has decided to return to the Florida Gators sidelines for the 2010 season after taking some time off during the off-season. I hope he knows what he's doing. Heath is far more important than anything else.
Wednesday, December 30:
What beats Christmas with a five-year-old great-nephew in the room to enjoy it? Nothing, that's what. Our niece and her husband's Mikey-Man was a whirling dervish, playing with the toys Santa brought. And he has a wonderful imagination. He told us the flat-bed truck he was playing with was an ice-cream truck that went "all around the world." "Where's it going now, Mikey?" I asked. He told me it was bound for the North Pole. Why the North Pole? "It's for Santa and the reindeer," he said. I hope they enjoyed the frosty treat when they got back from their delivery job!
Thursday, December 31:
This is a first for me -- working New Year's Eve. I've worked the dayside on both the 31st and 1st before, but never the evening shift. Kind of looking forward to it really, as we have no New Year's Eve plans. At our place, we either work Christmas or New Year's, and this year we took Christmas off.
What a mess at Texas Tech with now-fired football coach Mike Leach. remember, this is the school that hired Bobby Knight on the basketball side when no one else wanted to touch him with a 10-foot pole. Tech appears to be so keen to be amongst the athletic elite that it appears to have made some rather questionable hires. The allegations against Leach are just that, but if proven true, you wonder if last year's 11-and-2 record and upset of Texas was really worth it.
Please drive safely this evening or better yet, take public transit, a designated driver or a taxi. As the old slogan goes, "arrive alive!"
