Quote of the day

"Paris, like Christmas, disappoints."
The first words of Bill Richardson's review of Time was soft there: A Paris sojourn at Shakespeare & Company by Jeremy Mercer that appeared in The Globe & Mail on December 10, 2005.

I got a secret

Just heard about this site on Freestyle.

Pretty funky.

What's cooking

Home after a long racquetball session, and I'm cooking chickpea ragout, which is a recipe I found on Jacques Pépin's Fast food my way site. This site is for his PBS cooking program that I've seen a couple of times, and quite enjoy.

Perhaps I enjoy Pépin's show, because he doesn't have a band or feel the need to kick it up a notch like some Food TV people that I could live without.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie! Oi, Oi, Oi!

So, I was watching the RCA Home Theatre (said in a Jean-Luc Picard voice) tonight and surfed by the local SHAW cable channel at 9:30 or 21h30, and saw a guy playing guitar. Not just playing, but playin' freaking amazing guitar, and it was a tune that I recognized, but I couldn't place it. I thoguth maybe it was a YES tune, but I just didn't know.

I watched until the end of the rather long instrumental piece, and the interviewer came back out to ask the guy a couple of questions, and he said he was going to be at the Billabong restaurant on Monday. I thought, "hey, that's tonight." I could go see him.

The Monday night sports choices were limited and the football game was 42-0 early in the second half, so I thought "what the heck. Let's walk over and see this guy play." I was there by 22h30.

It was cool. His name's Dale Willis, and he is from Aus. He did do the tune that I saw on TV and I did briefly ask him about it later. It's an Eric Clapton song, not a Yes song.

Anyway, I picked up a CD of his, so I'll see what that's like.

The place he was playing is called Billabong, and it's been open since March 19, 2005. I asked about that, and the guy behind the bar, who's a part owner said as much to me. I'd read about the place earlier in the day by chance in a local foodie magazine that came with the paper.

When I was there, I had the grilled flat bread and dips - three dips that change daily. One was a tapenade, one a hummus, and the other a beet root and jalapeno pepper. Very interesting. The place got a good review in the mag, and I can understand why from the appetizer dish I had.

Back from Grand Forks

Back from a racquetball tournament in GF tonight. Won some, lost some. Had fun.

Picked up a couple of racquetball gloves, which are difficult to find in Canada, and an Illinois basketball t-shirt (the only one I saw, though there was plenty of Michigan stuff in the store, which only made me wish I'd brought a flame-thrower).

Watched Good Will Hunting on Bravo. Seen it before, but worth seeing again.

Q: Where is the good Ms. Driver these days?

Have Attitude, Will Survive (?)

"Shoot first, because I'd rather be judged by twelve than carried by six." - Cliché of some living in dangerous conditions mentioned by Jervey Tervalon in his article on New Orleans after Katrina published in Maisonneuve (Dec 2005).

Crossword clue

"Like some seals."

Clubbed to death with a big stick!

Oh, wait. Only five letters.

Damn.

One thirty eight

I had 138 trick-or-treaters come by my house tonight. The most popular costumes were Spider Man - 4 I think, unicorns - 3 or 4 with the same costume, a couple of Scream masks with the liquid coming down the front, and I think the most popular colour - other than black - was lavender (mostly an accent colour for witches).

One season ends, another begins

Well, the Blue Bombers have ended their season in much the same fashion they exhibited all year. They lost 46-24 to the Calgary Stampeders. It was a season that we expected to go to the playoffs, but finished the season 5-13. Ugly, ugly, ugly.

It was also ugly last night in our first mixed curling game of the season. I was skipping, and was good on about 1 shot in my first 6, so the other team got up 12-0 after 4 ends. We kept going though, and actually were ahead over the next 4 ends, 4-3, so the final score 'only' 15-4.

The upside of that was most of the team was missing. Joel and Tania were in TO, and our new third couldn't make it either. It was me, Susan and Warren. Susan was probably the best of us. We should be able to do better with our regular folks out next time.

On the plus side, Newcastle beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 today. So it's not all bad.

Quiet night at home

Just spending tonight at home, but last night I was out seeing Barney Bentall. He played a small venue with one sideman; a guy named John Ellis, who Ron and I joked about because there's a John Ellis who's a pro racquetball player. Tom Wilson of Junkhouse and Blackie and the Rodeo Kings opened the show, playing with Bob Lanois and one of the guys from Junkhouse.

Bentall was "quite good," but Wilson was "not bad." Which is to say, I liked Wilson more than Bentall. Ron's a fan of Bentall, so he enjoyed him more. Wilson was better in the sense that he rocked more.

It was an unusual audience because of how the show came together. It was put on by some guys that our friend Sherman works with in ad sales for a local radio station (well, several stations really owned by the same company). Those guys apparently came up with the idea to put on a show over a few beers, and then formed a company and went out and did it. Pretty cool, really.

Canadian Open Racquetball Classic

Just back from the first Canadian Open Racquetball Classic in Burlington. We - Racquetball Canada - hope it will develop into a "Grand Slam" racquetball event like the US Open, which I'll be going to next month in Memphis.

Dave Negrete, the IRT Commissioner (men's pro tour), commissioned me to write an article on the event for the US rb magazine. Gave me the cash in advance. Happy about that. Submitted the article today, and he seems happy with it. I wrote more than I planned and budgeted for with Negrete, so maybe I'll hit him up for some beers in Memphis at the US Open.

The Hold Steady

Saw The Hold Steady yesterday after attending another Armstrong's Point Association meeting that went too long.

The band was good. Nice music, although I couldn't always make out the words. They played West End Cultural Centre, where I've seen many great acts, like Great Big Sea, Lyle Lovett, Susan Werner, and Robyn Hitchcock, as well as some not so great shows like Evan Dando.

Good start, good finish

Did well on what might have been my last golf outing this year. On the first, I was to the right of the green on my approach. Last week, Ron has told me that he used his 3 iron around the green in some situations rather than a wedge. I have a couple of underused 2 irons in my bag, so I took on of them out, and hit the ball. It went pretty fast, but hit the stick and went straight down into the hole. Routine par.

On 9, Shy has won the previous 3 par 3s, and has again put his shot on. I take out my 7 wood, which I know is the right club for me for that hole, and smack the ball. It's right at the green, and lies about 15-20 feet away from the pin.

I get up there, and the line to the cup is pretty good. The 9th green has a pretty steep back to front grade, so it can be challenging. I'm a little high of the hole, but the line looks like it's only a little right to left. I figure I just want to touch it, so it doesn't go way past the hole. I lightly tap it aiming to the right of the hole and it goes right in. Birdie!

Overall, it was a 46, which is just about my best ever, and another round in the 40s, which was my goal for the day.

My golf game's improved quite a bit this year. I think I've shaved 2 to 3 strokes off my average for 9 holes.

Last tune-up

Went for what's probably my last run before next Sunday's Paris-Versailles race. Might go for a run on Friday in Paris, but if not today was it.

I'm not sure how far I went. From measuring it out on the map, I think it's 5.83 K or 3.65 miles, and I did it in 30 min, which would be pace of about 8:12 minutes per mile. I think. That pace would mean I'd run the 10 miles between the Eiffel Tower and Chateau de Versailles in about an hour and 20 minutes.

But there's a big hill to go up. You can see the elevation profile on the web. It's flat for about the distance I ran today, and then it goes almost straight up (at that scale) for about 2 K. What fun that will be! Then it levels out - more or less - for the rest of the race.

Out and about today

Man, I was out today fulfilling a musical (re)quest for a friend, and ran into a couple of people that I know. One was a former colleague from the U of Winnipeg, who was buying a futon cover and pillows. She spoke of another guy that I know from Illinois, who's now at North Dakota State, as she was at a conference there recently.

While I'm chatting with her, I realize that another fellow is in Dream On Futons with his wife. I worked with him during the Pan Am Games here in '99, and he's recently agreed to help out Racquetball Canada with an issue(s) that we've been having some difficulties with.

Then on the (roundabout) way home, I saw a guy who I don't know, but know who he is. He's a local writer. In fact, I'm going to be applying for a job with the weekly newspaper that he's editor of.

Should I have introduced myself? Maybe, I don't know. Didn't. Seemed a bit too weird to me. He was with a couple of little kids, and it's just a Sunday afternoon out.

Some say God gives you the opportunities to make your life better. Maybe this was one of those opportunities. And I didn't take it.

Again.

Katrina and the Waves

Jimmy Johnson is one of my favorite cartoonists, as the author and illustrator of Arlo and Janis. He also lives in south Mississippi, which is the area hit by Hurricane Katrina.

Johnson has put up information on the Arlo and Janis site about the devestation that has occurred on the south coast, emphasizing that is not simply New Orleans that will have great problems moving forward but many parts of the coast will also. And a great deal of the coast was severely effected by Katrina.

Looking at the images on and linked in to the A&J site gives a better understanding of the extent of the damage done along the coast. It's simply unbelieveable.

p.s. had a 52 at the Canoe Club today; a 9 and a 7 - the latter on a par 3 - did me in.

Salsa

I made salsa again tonight following a recipe from the show that's all about cooking without a recipe (I am SO ironic!): Chef At Home, which is a Food Network show I like.

This time I used about 6 smallish tomatoes, some chopped green onions, celantro, two banana peppers (any hot pepper will do; I tried a little bit the pepper by itself and it didn't seem like a big deal, although I could feel its heat; but part of mouth is still tingling from its after effects an hour later), lime juice and zest and S & P. It's the third time I've made it, but I used milder peppers before. It turned out fine this time also. The heat of the peppers is diluted by the other ingredients.

I remember in grad school Vic and I went about trying chips and salsa at different drinking establishments. The Empire in Urbana had the best of the twin towns. As I recall it was a bit sweet, which this recipe is too. I wonder what his recipe was.

Disappointing week on the links

Shot 53 at the Canoe Club this week, and didn't drive any par 3s. I was just off on the first one, as my shot was straight at the pin, but hit a few inches short and almost plugged, so the ball only bounced forward a couple of inches, which left it a couple short.

On the 8th, Gus shot first and got on and close. I was the last to shoot. I hit it straight at the pin, and it looked great. Then it landed in the bunker short of the green. I was so disappointed. It took me 3 shots to get out of the bunker, and with a three putt I made 7 on that hole. Ugh.

But in sports there's always next time. And that's what I'll have to wait for.

Breaking glass

Back from Ottawa, and my former student's wedding, where I drank a lot, met some folks and the cutest woman in the room, who I'd been watching all evening, came up and talked to me spontaneously. I was stunned.

Sadly, I found out she (a) lives in Vancouver and (b) has a husband. Quelle dommage.

I still can't quite understand why she came and talked to me. Maybe it was because I was the only man in a tuxedo, an evening tailcoat no less (i.e., "tails") with white tie.

When did this happen?

I'm in Ottawa for a friend's wedding, and staying with my aunt. Last night, my cousin Valerie was saying "Oh, don't worry about the kids. You can just send them home if you want. [she was going out shopping]. They're old enough to stay by themselves."

I'm thinking to myself: the kids are 9 years old; is it OK for 9 year olds to stay by themselves? I ask Tyler how old he is, and he says "11." And his sister Melissa is two years older than him!

When did these kids get this old?

Second best

46 today at the Canoe Club, my second best total ever there. Just Gus and I were out, as the weather kept others away. It had rained between 11 and 11:30, but it was fine at 12 when we teed off, and didn't rain again. Heck, I ended up golfing in short sleeves after arriving in a windbreaker and mock t-shirt. It seems the other people we golf with - or more often don't - are weather wimps.

I could have been lower, as I took a 9 on the first hole, squibbing a second shot over the riverbank edge and four putting. Ugh.

But I did hit the green on 8 and made par to win that hole after Gus won the first two by driving the 7th green and making par (neither of us were on the first par 3). Gus was also on the 8th green, but I was closer.

I teed off first on 9, and made the front edge of the green on the right side. Gus also drove the green, to the left and further back. The pin was over to the left centre, so he was closer and made his par to carry the day.

Still it was a good day for me. Shot pretty well. Need some practice around green, getting up and down. Clocked a couple chips across the green today that I was trying to plop on, which also added to my score.

Winnipeg weather looking better and better

After seeing what Hurricane Katrina did across the US Gulf coast, Winnipeg's weather - no sudden catastrophes here (we have to sandbag every so often but with plenty of warning) - looks better and better.

Golf Day

Well, not a great day on the links. Shot 54. Did OK most of the time, but took a 10 and two 9s. The 10 was on the second hole, where it took me 3 shots to get from the blue tees to the reds (now, the second two shots were also with my driver, because I'd left the rest of my clubs up the fairway).

On 9 though, Gus hits his first shot in the bunker, and I drive it right at the green. It rolls and looks like it's just off. So, he suggests going again. I say sure, and hit it even better. It's at the back of the green but clearly on. Gus goes way left, so I'm putting for dough (with this club).

Ironically, when we get to the green, my first shot turns out to be just on, while my second is several inches into the first cut just off the green. Sadly, after a good first putt, I came up just a bit short of making the par and winning a buck from Gus, who'd taken three from me on the previous hole (first two were carried over).

Plants in the yard

In my yard there are plants that volunteered themselves into place, and some that I planted.

Among the volunteers are day lilies, sweet cicely, celandine poppies, nightshade, cilia, gout weed, ferns, as well as several trees: oak, elm, Manitoba maple, pines (maybe some small European buckthorns that I haven't seen and pulled out).

Over the last few years, I have planted the following tall meadow rue, prairie sage, fireweed, blue vervain, narrowleaf sunflower, milkweed, joe pye weed, white flat-topped aster, hostas, coleus, evening primrose, prairie rose, swamp violet, culver's root, bleeding heart, three flowered avens, Philadelphia fleabane, red bee balm, phlox, double balloon flower, pink onion, giant hysop, gaillardia, bladegrass, yarrow, bergamot, little bluestem, golden alexander, black eyed susan, crocus, iris, obedient plant, purple prairie clover, white prairie clover, and dotted blazing star (I've planted more than this, but some of the plants simply disappeared shortly after going in the ground).

This isn't an exhaustive list (there are bunch of weeds that I didn't list, and I have a couple of tomato plants too), but it gives some indication of what's in my 75' by 123' lot.

Out at the movies

Recently saw Wedding Crashers, which is a good romantic comedy, and Four Brothers, which is a good action flick with revenge as the premise. If you're looking to see a film this weekend, either of these would be good cinematic experiences, although not the same sort of experience.

Oh, and I watched Finding Forrester on the tube last Sunday, which was also good although I didn't realize that the title referred to Sean Connery's character rather than the lead actor - a black student who gets recruited to go to a preppy - mainly white - high school, because of his basketball skills, but they don't know how smart he is too.

More plants go in

I put some more plants in yesterday: White and Purple Prairie Clover, Black-Eyed Susan, and Dotted Blazing Star. Hopefully, they will look as good next year as this Double Balloon Flower looks this year, which I planted last year.



Or this Philadelphia Fleabane that I put in a few years ago.

The man with the whistle

I'm volunteering as a scorekeeper at the 2005 Canadian Ultimate Championships. I did three games today, and will do three tomorrow.

The third game was a great match between two women's teams: Cream, from Edmonton and Roughriders, from Vancouver. Cream was up at the half, 8-5, although they had been down 4-2 early on.

Cream was still ahead 8-7 when the time cap horn sounded, which means the game will end at the highest current score plus two after the current play is finished (each play ends with a score).

Roughriders scored to make it 8-8, so the game would end when one of the teams got to 10. Roughriders then scored again to take the lead. Cream then drew level at 9. The next point would win the game. And it was scored by Roughriders.

It was a great match, but the day was a bit of a drag: cool and damp. But at the end, as I was going to my car to head home there was a perfect rainbow across the eastern sky.

With only one ball

PB-ed again at the Canoe Club today: 45, beating my previous best by 2. And I could have been lower, as I was on the 6th green in 4, but made 8. Oops!

Also, I won the first par 3, edging out Gus, who was also on the green. He won the 8th hole, which was a carry over. When I stepped up to the 9th tee, it was with the knowledge that Jen, Shy and Gus were all off to the left. I hit it right at the heart of the green - and it bounced over. Frick! I don't know my own strength.

A & J

I love cartoons. One of my favorites is one that isn't well known. I got to know Arlo & Janis through the Winnipeg Sun.

To find out if you like it too, you probably need to see some examples. So, a one, and a two, and a three, and a four.

Crashed out

I crashed out of the Klondike tournament on Saturday by playing worse than I did on Friday. I didn't think that was possible, but I was wrong. *sigh*

We did OK in doubles, and I played well in that. But lost in a tie-breaker 11-7.

And Bombers lost! Kevin Glenn - the starting QB - got hurt in the first half. Tee Martin, the second stringer, replaced him, and didn't less than nothing. That led to Russ Michna coming in the 4th quarter, and he threw for 2 TDs (and no interceptions; Glenn threw 1 and Martin 2).

A late-comer to camp in the pre-season, I've wanted to see Michna play in the regular since he threw for a TD in the both the pre-season games he played in. Let's keep playing Michna regardless of whether Glenn is hurt.

Klondike Tournament

In Edmonton for the Klondike tournament. They had a golf day yesterday. It was a great day for it, although I didn't play great. Made few good shots, but overall it was a disappointing 123 (64+59).

And it was a long day, which I think might have showed in my racquetball game later. I lost pretty convincingly, but to a player who's ranked much higher than me. So, I could have played well and still lost. But that would have been more satisfying.

We - 'Father' Bob and I - pulled doubles out of the fire in a tie-breaker.

Oh, and picked up the Feist album "Let it die," and it's good. Very good.

Glacial day

Scored 51 at the Canoe Club today. But I won the 9th hole, driving the green and then making par. Brian was on too, but I was closer. Parred the 8th too by getting it up and down after missing the green right. Finishing par, par salvaged the day for me.

Didn't drive nearly as well as last week, and still a bit off around the greens, so I was like a glacier today. Took a step back after a couple of steps forward last week.

Got a bit of sun

I got a bit of sun by sitting beside my front steps on the weekend reading the weekend papers. First time I've sat outside with my shirt off in quite some time. I'm not sure I can remember the previous time. No, wait. I AM sure I can't.



I wasn't bothered by mosquitos much, as Winnipeg has become dragonfly central.

It just gets better and better

Personal best at the Canoe Club today: 47, although I didn't win any money. Did drive one of the par 3s, but Gus was closer to the pin by about 3 inches. Frick! But he bogeyed that one. Then I was two inches off the last green, and Gus was on and got a lucky bounce to make par and sweep the day.

I drove the ball really well. Got over the water on No. 1 for the first time ever. I wasn't so hot around the green, so I could have easily been a few shots lower.

Whew!

Just back from the Bomber game. They were up by a bunch, but fell behind late, yet managed to win their first of the season over perennial powerhouse Montreal. It's the first time in a decade Winnipeg has won the first meeting of the season with the Alouettes. And unlike the Edmonton game last week, which was low scoring, this game was high scoring: 51-46. If you told me 6 hours ago that there were be 97 points in the game, I would have feared a 80-17 blowout against us, as we were 0 and 4.

Now at 1 and 4 there's some hope for the rest of the season, as Kevin Glenn's return to the QB position has seemed to get the offense on track. Of course, when your running back carries 20 times for 195 yards that helps too.

Grey Cup here we come!

What someone should have asked Bettman and Goodenow at that press conference

Gentlemen, given that you've met for 10-12 hours a day for the last several weeks, and that you've stated that much time was necessary for reaching a deal that is detailed in the 600 page document you produced, why did your constituencies - the players and the owners who you represent - not demand of you that you go through this extensive meeting process LAST summer so that we - the fans - could have enjoyed a 2004-05 NHL season?

Out on the links

Fifty-three this week, which was disappointing, as I had some nice drives, but couldn't finish it off well. Making a good drive and then making 8 on a par 4 isn't a good way to go, especially not three times. I parred one of the 3s but it was out of the sand so not for cash. I did get a chance to putt for dough on 9, as I was the only one who drove the green. But I two putted. Oops.

The putt I'm thinking about more though was one on 8 that I swear was going right in, and then about two feet from the hole the ball jumped to the right an inch or so - for now apparent reason - and proceeded right by the hole. Frick!

When a 5 year old boy comes to visit

It's good to have a few toy soldiers on hand when little boys come to visit.

For a brief time, one of these Scots soldiers was free with a bottle of scotch (not sure what brand), which was my father's drink of choice. I have 51 of these soldiers.

Happy Bastille Day!

Man, it's been hot for about a week or so. The Grants are here for a visit, and I was planning on putting them up on the 3rd floot, but it's 30 degrees up there. I can't seem to cool it off even by opening the windows at night and keeping the blinds all drawn during the day. My 96 year old house doesn't have air-conditioning, so the Grants have taken over the front room on the first floor (that's ground floor to you Europeans).

Shot 53 yesterday. Started off poorly, but on the first par 3 of the day, I drove the green and one putted. Birdie! And a buck each from my 3 playing partners. I did OK on the back 4 too, driving the last green - although two guys were closer to the pin - and I was just on the fringe on number 8.

And happy Bastille Day to everyone in France! Drink some champagne for me.

You'd have thought this was my idea

What a great idea!.

Week in review

Well, I shot 60 this week at the Canoe Club. Drove the ball OK, but not always in the best direction. And didn't putt as well as before - no one putts.

Went to the Bomber game, and they lost - again. The defense and special teams are OK, although we did have a punt blocked that went for a TD. But, man, the offense is pathetic. Well, we did get some running game going, with Roberts running for 102 yards. But in 3 games we have about 450 yards in total offense - in THREE games! UGH!

Just back from my first day at the Folk Fest, which started on Thursday here. In a word, it's muddy. We've had lots of rain, including a downpour on Thursday night, and the site is a low point, so there's plenty of water on it and mud.

Now, you'd think that all that water would make excellent conditions for mosquitos, and it probably does, but I didn't swat at one today. Why? Dragonflies. The sky is full of them, and they must be feasting on mosquitos.

Here's a picture looking to the main stage from where I was sitting tonight.

At the age of 10 and 3/4

Here today, but not yesterday

The great thing about a garden is that stuff can change from one day to the next.



These flowers weren't open on Saturday, but they were today. I think they're evening primrose, although I could be wrong. I got them from Theresa last year, but they didn't bloom last year. This year they've spread some and look like they will be blooming for awhile.



The flower close up.

Oh, it's going to be a long season

Just back from the Bomber game, and man, it's going to be a long season. We're 0-2, and haven't looked good in either game. Tonight the defense looked OK, but they did give up two HUGE plays for TDs: a long run, and a 105 yard pass play that was only about 10 yards in the air.

We're still unsettled at QB. Kevin Glenn started last week, but was hurt, so Tee Martin started this week. He's been in camp since mid-season last year, but Martin wasn't especially impressive tonight. He took a long time to get off the ball, and was sacked several times. Maybe that was the OL's fault, but it doesn't inspire my confidence.

And beers are now $6!

Bad news all around.

Batman Begins well and ends well

Just saw Batman Begins. It's quite good. His origin is really nicely tied together, and the acting is good too.

You have to suspend plenty of disbelief, of course, as it is an action film so many things are blown up real good.

Actually, one thing I was thinking was that some of the fight scenes involve such quick cuts - from one view to another to another - that they could just be tapping each other and I wouldn't be any the wiser. I wonder if the quick cuts mean less fight orchestration - and hence less fighting, even though the cuts make it seem like the fighting is more intense.

Early morning rain

A little rain early today didn't stop me from golfing with Jeff, who was in town for the weekend. We were the first people at the Canoe Club, because of the rain and just about the only people on the course during our round.

I shot 51 today, but I beat Jeff, who had 53. He did take my money though in our par three game (rules: you have to drive onto the green and make par; if more than one person drives the green, only closest to the hole has the chance to win; if no one drives the green, then it's a carry over).

But it did take a second go round of the 'back 4' before one of us drove a green. I drove the ball far enough a few times to make the green, but my aim was off.

I see a great gazebo

Doesn't that look like a good place for a gazebo? (don't ask about the orange bags; I'll just angry; no, no, really).





View from the street.

Desire to be outdoors

I need to create a patio or deck or gazebo or some place where I can sit outside in my yard. I'm thinking it might do to put a little place next to the neighbor's garage. I haven't put in any plant there or anything, so I think I could fit something in there.

When I was a kid there was a sandbox there for me and my friends for awhile. Many toy trucks, cars and army men were buried in the sand.

First golf day

Went golfing for the first time this year at the Canoe Club.

It was a great day. Got a bit sunburned.

And I shot 48. First time I've broken 50.

Woo hoo!

Didn't make any pars but hit the ball pretty well, and made some good putts.

Premiere

This is the start.

Now, on with the show.

This is it.