The Year of the Fan

So I am a couple of days late in posting my blog celebrating the riders big win – and really what else am I going to blog about. I won’t go into detail on the game, or what my favorite part of the game was, as that part has been fully dissected, but I will instead talk about what this win seems to mean to this province.

I have heard it about 300 times in the past few weeks, that the Riders have the best fans in the world, that we support this team like no others, that we made Grey Cup weekend in Toronto. I can’t really comment about what it was like in ’89, but I think this championship seems to be more about the fans than any other championship I have ever seen before in any sport.

I haven’t seen an interview with any person, player, coach in which they haven’t said how happy they are for the people of Saskatchewan. Even Troy Westwood, maybe the most hated Bomber of all, said while he was crushed by the loss, he was happy for the people of Saskatchewan…not for the Riders, but for the people…the fans.


It just seems that this year the fans were the story even more than the team. It started with the sellout pre-season games, then the impressive attendance through the first part of the season, then there was the now infamous black-out/torrential downpour game in which thousands of Riders fans endured an hour delay and soaked clothing to some back out an cheer like never before as the riders came back to beat the…who was it again- doesn’t matter. There was the game in which we got hit by a freak hail storm, which only made everyone more excited during a cold - somewhat boring game in October. There was the home playoff game in which the fans of Saskatchewan finally got to witness a playoff game in Regina after a twenty year drought. And the fans mad that game unforgettable, never have I been in a place with that much energy and excitement. The section I was sitting in didn’t sit down the whole game….not once. Next big thing was the win in BC, where not only was the green and white well supported in the stands, but 2000 people showed p at the airport at 1:30 in the morning to welcome the boys home.

And finally there was the Grey Cup. Thousands of people from Saskatchewan flicked to Toronto to attend the festivities, and thousands more adopted the Riders and there team and the Green and White fans were talked about all week on the coverage leading up to the game. In Regina you couldn’t find anyone who wasn’t talking about the game all week. Everyone in this province was not a Rider fan, (even if they didn’t know what a first down was). House parties were thrown, sports bars were overflowing, and when the clock hit zero’s, the city went crazy. Thousands upon thousands of people hit the streets, everyone with a smile on their face (despite the -20 weather). Albert was lined with Cars from almost the south right to the north, people hanging out of their cars, sitting on roofs, running down the middle of the road giving out high fives. I never saw one person looking to take advantage or cause damage, people we just thrilled to be in that moment. And it continued to the rally Monday at Mosaic Stadium, when 8000 crazy ass rider fans braved the -34 weather to welcome the team back from Regina (I was not one of then).

I guess what I am getting at is that in a way this wasn’t about the team. Really the riders didn’t play that well in the payoffs. Well the defense did, but offensively we were less than outstanding, but it seems like finally nothing could stop us fans from getting the championship that we have waiting so long for. I don’t want to take too much away from the team, as Ken and the boys have done something very impressive, and I hope this turns into a dynasty, but this main story line remains the fans and our support of our beloved football team.


I watch a lot of sports, and while teams often make reference to there great fans, the fans are never the story themselves, but in the case of Saskatchewan, we were what made this grey Cup 2007 such a memorable time. For the first time in a long time it seemed this province was finally in total agreement on something, and that is that WE LOVE THE RIDERS.

My Top 10 most anticipated sporting events in my life

10. 2003 Big Moose Final – Kenosee Lake 2003 vs the Saskatoon Outlaws- we should have won, they beat us in the bottom of 7. It hurt like hell.
9. 2001 MLB Division Series –Yankees vs Twins – I saw games 1-2 live. The Metrodome was loud, but twins lost both on way to loosing series 3-0.
8. 1992 World Series – Finally the Jays were in the world series. I remember Candy Maldonado making the final out in the ALCS to put them in the series. I was just old enough to be a big fan.
7. 2001 Memorial Cup – Regina hosted and the pats had an awesome team – if only they had a better tender they would have won. I only went to one game live but it was a beauty.
6. 1998 Olympic Hockey – This first Olympics where NHL’ers were allowed to play. Unfortunately they put Rob Zamnuer on the team and we were lost. I still hate shootouts because of that year.
5. 2003 World Juniors – after losing the previous two years after entering into the 3rd period with the lead we were coming back with a vengeance in 03.
4. 1993 World Series – after the win in ’92 it made bigger Jays fans out of many people. They had an awesome team this year, I think it was better than the ’92 team.
3. 2007 Rider Home Playoff Game vs Calgary – Never, Never have I been in atmosphere like that. Mosaic Stadium was rocking!
2. 2007 Grey Cup – Only 2 more sleeps. Go Riders Go! This town is excited!
1. 2002 Olympic Hockey- The only event that can beat this year Grey Cup. I looked forward to that event for 4 years. It made my 2002. I don’t know if I will ever be that excited for a sporting event again.

GO RIDERS GO!!!!

The riders are going to the Cup and IT FEELS AWESOME

So our beloved Roughriders did the job against BC and will face the hated Bombers on Sunday the first ever Bomber/Rider Grey Cup. And man am I excited!

It actually is a little surprising how excited I am. To me football has always been clearly the 3rd sport on my list, clearly behind hockey and baseball, and it has never rivaled those sports when it comes to anticipation and excitement for a game. But I haven’t been this excited for a sporting even since the 2002 Olympics Gold Medal Game.

I think part of the season is that none of my favorite teams have played for a championship in some time, and I’ve forgotten just how good it can feel, how exciting it is. During the game against BC I got pretty excited, but that is just a drop in the ocean compared to what I will be like for the big game this weekend.

Already you can feel the energy in Regina, everybody is talking about it and this city is ready to explode. I think they better have to riot police out on Sunday because it could get crazy. This city loves it riders. All ages, from 7-70 will be watching to see how the boys do on Sunday.

Go Rider Go!!

Top 10 controversial subjects

– the things I might want to blog about, but just shouldn’t. All I will say is that I am both for and against things in this list.

10. Euthanasia - more than just pulling the plug.
9. Politics – Provincial Politics is one thing, but what about Communism, Dictatorships, or Democracy
8. Spanking – Did your parents? Do you or will you?
7. The Death Penalty – Canada doesn’t do it – should they?
6. Native Cultures – Poverty, crime, and unemployment are some of the issues here.
5. Abortion – Pro-choice or Pro-life – both sides have merit
4. Religion – Not just Catholic vs United, but what about the lives lost in religious conflicts
3. Homosexuality – Can you handle it? What about marriage?
2. War – Linked with politics in many ways. Is war today different than war in 1915?
1. Jen or Angelina – who should Brad choose? Who would you choose?

Hangovers

Inspired by yesterday’s hangover after two days of boozing I am going to try and describe a typical hangover in my experience.

For me hangover’s typically start pretty early. It doesn’t really matter what time I go to bed, but at about 7am it all gets started with waking up to a dry mouth. And not just a little dry. Sometimes my tongue actually feels like it might crack. The immediate needs is water. On some occasions, when I don’t have water at my bed side, I may fall back a sleep a couple of times and dream about water. (one time I fell asleep while holding a glass of water on my chest, it ending up spilling right in my face – not cool)

Shortly after finally getting some fluids back into my mouth the headache makes it self known. For me this is typically the worst thing about my hangover’s. It is blinding pain that seems to focus in my eyes and/or the back of my head just above my neck. I get some drugs in me, whatever I can find, but it typically offers little solace as the Hangover Headache out battles any headache medication known to man. This pounding in my head prevents me from sleeping anymore, so I spend the next several hours laying there, beginning to realize how nauseous I am. I roll from side to side, but I can’t lay on my sides or else I can feel the puke coming. Like most people, I hate throwing up, so I fight for as long as possible. Then there is the moaning… for some reason part of fighting back the puke is letting a moan out every few minutes. I will lay there wishing to hell that there is something that may make me feel better, and promising myself I wil neer drink again. Eventually when I have grown tires of the rolling around, or the mrs has kicked me out of bed, I will move to the couch. But going vertical only intensifies to headache. I try to drink some water, as I need re-hydration to ease the headache, but my stomach won’t allow it. I take sips, but the water just doesn’t taste good. My stomach feels like it is going to pop.

Eventually the puke comes. Some days I fight it longer than others, but eventually it comes. It comes with a ferocity that one rarely see’s in their lifetime. I yell at the toilet, scaring the cats and waking the other people in the house, until it is all out. When that’s over my head feels so close to exploding I hold it to offer extra support. All the skin around my eyes is filled with popped blood vessels that won’t go away for a couple days. I look like hell, but on the upside, my stomach feels better.

The next few hours bring more laying around, but no sleep. Maybe a little food, but not much. The headache wont’ let up, but usually the stomach starts to quiet down.

Eventually, at about 1 or 2pm I finally am able to have a nap. The nap lasts for 1 or 2 hours, and when I wake up a feel ok, but the headache is even worse. But at least I can eat at this point. And I don’t just eat a little. I devour anything within sight. Typically I crave grease, soup, and caffeine.

Once I have food, caffeine, and more water the headache eventually subsides. This might happen by 5pm or so. The rest of the evening I try and do something productive, but it never really goes well, and I end up just sitting on the couch, hoping the next day I will be back to normal.

When bed times come I enter into the last stage of the hangover…the shakes. While trying to fall asleep I will these sudden jolts when my whole body shakes like I got shocked by a deliberator. I wake up a couple times soaking wet as my body seems to try and sweat out the remaining booze in my system. I tell my self on last time that I will never drink again.

My Top 10 movies:

10. SuperBad – Super Funny. It might not last long on the list, but right now has to be there.

9. For Love of the Game – For I love baseball, Vin Sulley, and seeing a guys attempt to throw a perfect game.

8. Transformers – Dare I say best action flick ever?!?

7. The 3^rd lord of the rings – There were actually people cheering in the theatre when I saw it. Awesome! All three were good, this was my favorite.

6. Ladder 49 – More or less why I want to be a firefighter

5. Rounders – Matt Damon is awesome, and the narration in this movie rules.

4. The Matrix. – At one time my #1, the two sequels were let downs, but I loved the original

3. Shawshank Redemption – Everyone loves this movie. Morgan Freeman at his best.

2. Good Will Hunting – I wish I was a Genius like Will. Plus he’s tough.

1. Crash – If you haven’t seen this movie, rent it (download it) now. I didn’t know much about it the first time I saw it, but have never been so captivated by a movie.

Top 10

I am starting a Friday ritual in which I will create a Top 10 list on every Friday on whatever category I see fit.

This week is my Top 10 broadcaster sports personalities.

10. Vin Scully – MLB play by play – classic play by play – best voice out there
9. Don Cherry – NHL analyst – CBC – starting to lose it, but still entertaining
8. Chris Cuthbert – NHL/CFL play by play – TSN – great play by play man
7. oe Buck – NFL/ MLB play by play – FOX – one of the best of our generation
6. Jay Onrait – Sportscentre anchor – TSN – Funniest anchor in Canada
5. Chris Berman – NFL/MLB analyst – ESPN – Knows his stuff
4. Bob McKenzie – NHL insider- TSN – Truly knows the inside scoop on the NHL
3. James Duthie – NHL on TSN – Leader in Panel hosting in Canada plus he writes a great article on tsn.ca
2. Ron MacLean – NHL analyst/host – CBC – he defines hockey night in Canada
1. Jerry Haworth – Blue Jays Radio play by play- FAN – another Classic – no one was better than the late Tom Cheek and Jerry on the radio.

Halloween

So another Halloween has come and gone, and I and a few others around here noticed that there weren’t many kids out last night. Maybe it was just coincidence that our neighborhoods were slow, but I wonder if Halloween still offers that same excitement that it did when I was a youngster. I’m not sure there was a day of the year that I liked more when I was between the ages of 5 and 11. My mom never really kept junk food around the house, but on Halloween I got to get pounds of it and kept it all to myself. Man did I love that stuff.

But besides the candy, the whole dress up in a costume thing was hug for me. Some of my greatest costumes were Zoro, Batman, Leonardo from TMNT, an astronaut, a guy who got beat up, a cowboy, amongst many others. I think the batman was the best.

I don’t know if the kids these days are putting forward a good enough effort. I think next year I will give out Candy depending on the quality of the costume. A full blown, home made costume that shows great effort will get a bag of chips, a chocolate bar, and a bag of nibs. A ghost will just get a chocolate bar, and a kid in jeans with a crappy mask on will get a single piece of gum- and it won’t be double double. Plus I want to see enthusiasm when you say trick or treat! And show some manners, a thank you sir wouldn’t hurt anyone.

The rating system will have to be further developed, but you get the idea. No more hading out Candy just because you show up at my door. As for the kid last night, who came at about 9:00 and asked if he could have the rest of my candy just because he was likely my last “customer”, he might just get a swift kick in the ass. And the kid who said marry Christmas, he might get a punch in the nose. Happy Halloween you little $#%*!