Dimanche Gras

The Sunday sun rises slowly over Toronto...something to do with it being North, I suppose. Today was a simple day. Fat Sunday in the Great White North.

After some orange juice and a bit of reading, Tammy and I walked down to the beach, as the Weather Network (note: NOT Weather Channel) informed us that neither the sunshine nor the warmth (about 50 degrees F) would be lasting long.

Snow and ice run until the give way directly to sand and surf on the north shore of Lake Ontario. The wind was furious this morning. I assumed this blowing was the normal state of things in the city and possibly attributed to the poor state of the Maple Leafs over the last few years. Apparently, though, such a breeze is quite unusal in the area, causing accidents, bridge closings, and other assorted consequences.

It sure made the lake choppy, though. Not that it seemed to bother these ducks:

After the morning sojourn, it was time to prepare the Fat Sunday feast! A trip to the store yielded baked ravioli, maple baked beans, and piorges.

Football abounds with the last of the playoff positions decided (including a Philly-drubbing of the Cowboys, which made Fat very happy). Most importantly though, the streak ends and yours truly wraps up not one, but TWO fantasy football championships.

Beef stew simmers away in the kitchen as I write this, so I best get to it. Above, check out the dining room (unused thus far, as is customr on Fat Sunday), and the quaint front sitting room.

The preview of the house will continue tomorrow as I cover...well, whatever we end up doing tomorrow.

Tune in then and find out. Same Bat-Time. Same Bat-Channel.

Hockey Night in Canada

Day 1 is complete. Actually, Day 1 and day 2 are complete, in a disjointed half-assed sort of fashion. And we are in Toronto. And by "we" I mean Tammy, Fat, and myself. The other prospective Canada travelers all backed out. Not that we need them to have a good time. Just some Alexander Keith's and Hockey Night in Canada.

How did we get here? In two dstinct parts. First was the evening shift, last night's run for the border from Crestwood to Windsor, douchebag capital of North America. Seriously, Windsor is just a place for every college kid that isn't old enough to buy alcohol nor cool enough to join the Pikes to come get drunk and find chicks to get intimate with, where the definition of "get intimate" is take back to the room, get her blood-alcohol level higher than her IQ, and have your way. After all, it's not a mistake if she can't remember it, right? Not that the girls aren't doing their best to look like a

Boxing Day special walking down the street in mini-skirts and scoop-cut shirts in 40 degree (F) temperatures and rain.

But hey we made it a Boxing Day (they celebrate that up here) to remember, with the Hawks on the TV in a sports bar and a trip to the Aardvark, ending with a well-deserved night's sleep.

Picking up in the morning, we have breakfast at a McDonald's that doesn't have biscuits (at all, everything's a McMuffin or a bagel) and hit the road in FogRace '08. I never considered that rising temperatures could actually cause snow to porduce fog but, alas, there it is! A dicey drive across the piece of Ontario between lakes Huron and Ontario, and we finally reach Toronto, to find our beautiful house for the week, where we've settled down for that most sacred of Candian traditions, beer and Hockey Night in Canada.

O Canada, indeed.

More to come in the following days.

(Yep, I still remember the schedule)

This week, a special edition for a reverse birthday present kind of deal. For you, the reader...

The girl I loved
She made me muffins on my twentieth birthday.
Over a hot drink
And muffins
We laughed a bit
We talked a bit
But we did not kiss
We could not kiss for the world.
But we could dance.
Oh, how we danced!
With blueberries on our breath,
Butter on our lips,
Love in our eyes.
Would she dare to whisper a word to me?
With blueberries on her breath,
Butter on her lips,
Love in her eyes,
She would.
“I love you.” lost in a sigh.
What can I do but embrace,
Smile,
And return in kind.
And I did love her.
With blueberries on my breath,
Butter on my lips,
Love in my eyes,
Aye, I did love her.
But we did not,
Could not,
Would not kiss.

She made me muffins for my twentieth birthday,
The girl I loved.
The girl I love.

Ticket to ride...ticket to write?

Seeing how my proposed schedule has not taken flight this week, and I still haven't figured out how to transfer my poetic formatting to this text editor, I'll call an audible tonight. Hell, the World Series is playing 3 1/2 innings tonight. What a better time to do something unexpected? Tonight, I'll finally grant Travis's request and delve into politics.



If noted of late a huge discrepency among the candidates. No, it's not a fundamental difference in their economic plans. And, no, it's not a core difference in their campaign platforms. It's not even a minute discrepency buried deep among their posted beliefs. As a matter of fact, the difference isn't directly tied to either campaign's message. And yet, it may be a driving force that could lead to an Obama victory, especially among the so-called swing voters.



This difference lies in the image projected by each candidate. Think of Obama the candidate. You can probably see him in your mind's eye. Kind of lanky; cool expression on his face; maybe talking with his hands; maybe sitting with relaxed posture, hands folded across a knee.



Now, think of McCain the candidate. You picture what? What has the McCain campaign left in your mind's eye? It would be nice to think of a war veteran standing with that crisp military posture, eyes to the future, comforting America while promising to lead them to the other side. More likely though, you see the scowl. Or, even more likely, you see Sarah Palin. Or, the worst case scenerio for the Republicans, sight of McCain simply makes you think of Obama. the worst part is, the campaign has allowed this to happen, encouraged it even. Who would you rather vote for, a man who is the face of his party, or the man who isn't even the face of his own ticket?



At this point, the Republican ticket has become just that, a Republican ticket. It's not McCain's ticket, which I admit is kind of disappointing to someone who was looking forward to having two strong, honorable cnadidates vie for the nation's highest office. With the GOP in control, voters seem to be left with two choices, vote for Barack Obama or vote against Barack Obama. Either way, where do McCain's beliefs come in?



This lack, I beleive, is in no small part responsible for the waning popularity of McCain the Candidate during the summer months. Opting for the short term shot in the arm, GOP officials (I would be pressed to say it was really McCain's call) decided that Sarah Palin should be McCain's running mate. While this did wonders to calm the conservative base of the Republican Party (though one has to wonder, who the hell else were they going to vote for anyway?), the novelty soon wore off and we were left with the GOP version of Good Conservative, Bad Conservative.



If the act wasn't so predictable, it might have even been effective. The Bulldog goes on the attack, while Papa McCain calls the troops off and convinces the country that we all just need to get along...just not under the watch of Barack Obama. While it gave McCain a chance to play the bi-partisan, peacemaking, progressive role he won the candicy on, it did had a side effect that wasn't so favorable: it made Sarah Palin a bigger star than he was.



The Republicans can say what they want, being a celebrity in America is not a bad thing (remember those ads?), especially when it comes to the presidency. Grant and Esienhower didn't win the presidency merely on account of their platforms. They were war heroes! Washington? Same thing. Many presidents were governors or mayors in very prolific places before becoming president. And let's not forget St. Ronald Reagan, rest his soul.



But Palin is now the face of the party. Even watching a Republican event, when you're not thinking of Palin, you're probably thinking of Obama (face it, even if you're thinking of him with devil horns, a hammer and sickle, or a turbin and WMD, you're still thinking of him). Likely, McCain is the THIRD person that comes to mind, if at all. Is this how we want to think of the leader of the free world? Especially considering the puppet-presidency that came before him?



Admittedly, this isn't totally McCain's fault. The GOP has much more to gain by setting up Sarah Palin as the face of the party. Sarah is the future. John is the past.



To be completely accurate, John has never been the face of the Republican Party, and they'd probably be happy if it stays that way. Maybe it's the conspiracy theorist in me, but it seems to me that this works out perfectly for the Republican Party. As I was saying just the other day, the Republican probably stand a better shot at winning the presidency in 2012 if they don't win this year. Wouldn't it be convenient to blame all fallout from our current situation on the sitting president (instead of sorting it all out correctly)? And any mistakes made in that process...magnified beyond all recognition.



In all, it seems John McCain never had an euqal shot in this election. To keep his party happy, he had to let them call the shots. By letting them call the shots, he had to sacrifice his present for the party's future. Doesn't sound very maverick-like to me.

So, next Tuesday, when you step into the voting booth, remember the important decision you have to make. Search your heart, your mind, and maybe your faith. Either vote Barack Obama, or vote...um...that other guy. You know: white hair, hockey mom. No wait, that's not right. Scary guy with the bad heart. Damn, that's not him either. Well, I'm pretty sure his name is Joe...and he does something that has to do with pipes.

It's Wednesday once again. And as I watch Scott Kazmir look increasingly uncomfortable on the mound in Game 1 of the World Series, I wonder if I can come up with a suitable drinking game playing on the universal distaste for Tim McCarver.

It's lit day again. I haven't had time to work out the formatting issues and I haven't written anything new of late, so I'll dip into the archives again, and see what I find.

An untitled bit this evening...


Pinks and purples
Hang
Suspended
In the air around,
Against the canvas of the night.
From which comes a laugh
(A giggle? A chuckle?)
Certainly not a chuckle.
Neither.
A throw your head back
Let your hair fall
Eyes closed,
Throat open,
Sky swirling,
Skirt twirling,
Angels singing,
Trumpets ringing,
Music-to-my-ears laugh.
Somebody is happy.
Someone is smiling.
A lady is dancing.
And she is loved.

Series Spectacles

Well, I missed Monday again.



So Sports comes to you on Tuesday again this week. We'll chalk it up to another win by I (heart) Hefeweizen, which is now leading Livin' La Vida Other Cat. Technically, I'm tied for record but leading on points.



As a matter of fact, I'm tied with Gerald who made a trade with me a couple of weeks ago. In a league where trades are rarer than bigfoot sightings in Meijer, the two guys bold enough to pull one off reign supreme.



But that's not what I'm here to discuss today. With the World Series starting tomorrow, I thought I'd put out one more prediction blog. Before we get to predictions, though, I want to take a look back. I was reading an article earlier that was discussing recent World Series and it got me thinking of my favorite Fall Classics. My memory of the Series goes back to about 1987. I remember bits and pieces of games before that, but not entire series. Including that year there have been 20 World Series. Of these, the ones that follow were the 5 best in my opinion.



Honorable Mention: 1990: Reds 4, A's 0

It's not in the top 5, but I would be remiss if I didn't mention Cincy manhandling the A's. An

artificial, selfish mention, yes, but it's about all we've had in the last 20 years.



5) 1993: Blue Jays 4, Phillies 2

A very exciting, highly unpredictible series on the surface. A series that ended with a walk-

off homer. I remember being glued to the TV for this one. The only thing that holds this one

back a bit was a subtle feeling I had all along that the Jays were going to win. Not a

predicition-like feeling. Not a gut feeling. The knowledge like it had already happened.

Personally, it took a little bit out of it for me.



4) 2001: Diamondbacks 4, Yankees 3

Many people look back on this fondly as the end of the Yankees' dynasty. Others remember

it as the crowning of Mr. November. Of all of the World Series that happened while I was in

college, this is the one I remember most. This is probably in no small part thanks to the

Yankees for domilishing their opponents in the other 3. (I particularly remember going on a

band trip to Tampa in 1998 and missing nearly the entire series). Anyhow, back to 2001. A

seven game series that came down to the most improbable finish I've seen: Porfessional

shitstain Craig Counsell getting hit by a pitch to bring up Luis Gonzalez with bases full to

stirke a bloop hit off the best closer the game has ever seen. Unbelievable. Jeter's game 4

homer, equally so. And let's not forget everyman Scott Brosius having hsi day.



3) 2002: Angles 4, Giants 3

Another 7 game series. After 2001 reinvigorated my passion for the series, 2002 did not

disappoint. I remember being drawn into Rally Monkey mania and rooting hard for the

Angels to take it. An Angels team that, mind you, I couldn't have cared less about two

months before. The postseason makes strange fans sometimes. Close games, not-so-close

games. High scoring games, low-scoring games. It was a roller coaster of a series with the

Angels down 3-2 coming back home to the Monkey. I also remember the emergence of

Francisco Rodriguez, which was a thing to see in and of itself.



(Random Fact: David Justice played for 14 seasons. 13 of those had a World Series. He played in the World Series 7 times. (1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001) Not the postseason mind you. the WORLD F'N SERIES. Now that's a career. )



2) 1996: Yankees 4, Braves 2

I don't know if this series just hit at the right time in my life, but few sports events have

enthralled me more than this series did. So many moments stick out. Leyritz's series-

changing shot in Game 4. John Wetteland's perpetually dirty cap. Wade Boggs on that damn

horse. And Charlie Hayes still haunts my nightmares. For me, though, the signature moment

of this series is a popout caught by Paul O'Neill in right to end the bottom of the ninth,

wrapping up one of the finest pitching duals ever seen in the Series or any game for that

matter. Pettitte/Smoltz. Eight innings apiece (8 1/3) for Pettite. Golden Boy Chipper Jones

on third after a leadoff double and a groundout (with his hot wife getting plenty of camera

time in the stands). And Wetteland...and that cap...put the game away. I stayed up late for

this one. Simply one of the best games I've ever seen, though it often seems overlooked by

"experts" in this category.



1: 1991: Twins 4, Braves 3

Generally considered one of the best World Series of all time, it's impossible to find anything to fault here. The worst-to-first storylines of the teams coming in (The young stars and pitching depth of today's Rays look so much like the 1991 Braves, every AL East team should sleep less easy tonight). Kirby Puckett looking like a superhero in game six, carrying his team on his back and back into the series. (I also remember Puckett crashing hitting the old plexiglass they used to keep up in above some of the walls to catch a flyball that might have been a homer. I remember he looked like a hockey player crashing the boards. I'm not crazy). The Metrodome going apeshit crazy. Hell, even Fulton County Stadium was lively. Seven games of ravenous fans that needed baseball success. However, the series can be summed up in a line:



10 7 0 0 2 8



Let's try that with labels: 10 ip 7 hits 0 runs 0 earned runs 2 walks 8 strikeouts



10 innings...no runs...7th game of the World Series. That's 10...T-E-N innings. That's clutch. That's Jack Morris. That was the 1991 World Series.



Alright. Now that I've gotten that out. A prediction. Hamels can make or break the Phillies. Game 1, after a week off, against Scott Kazmir. Now, I've had both of these guys on my fantasy team. I'll take Kazmir. Yeah, Hamels has the nasty stuff, but Kazmir is the better pitcher, I think. In the TropDome, I don't see pitchers making it through without freak homers. Hamels' fastballs put him at more risk. Game one, and momentum goes to the Rays. They'll continue through game 2. A well-seasoned Jamie Moyer will give Phillies fans hope in Game 3 before the Philly fans torch Citizen Bank Park. Balnton has been lights out and will continue to be so in Game 4. Game 5 could go either way, and will be the Phillies only chance at this series. For some reason, though, I see Mr. Cool Kazmir weaving his magic again. If the 'pen can hold together (and with Price emerging, I think it might happen), the Rays can take that one and send it back to Tampa where Big Game James can fianlly live up to his billing.

World Series Prediction: Rays 4, Phillies 2

See you at the ballpark tomorrow night!

Hiccups

Why is it that no one was talking about the ALCS until last night?

What a great story the Rays have been. Having never won anything, they sit in the big spotlight, pounding on the defending World Champions...and then three innnings go horribly, horribly wrong.

No the talking heads are running in full throttle. Good for baseball, I suppose, but something sticks in my crawl. Yes, it was a great comeback. Monumental even. And sure, the NLCS is finished now, leaving more attention to be shone on the AL. But something just seems fishy. The sports media seems excited now. This was already an exciting series to watch. Why the sudden extra bounce in the step?

It just seems that the media loves the baseball royalty, those teams that seem to pop up on ESPN on a weekly bases, whose hats are in every Wal-Mart regardless of region, who have fans in every pocket of the country?

These are immensely popular teams, which explain the facts above. But should this explain a different media attitude? Is it all in my head? Or is it that The Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Braves, Cardinals, and Dodgers just seem to get a different spotlight than others.

Maybe that comes with being a fan of the underdog.

I love ranting.