Hurricane Arthur did quite a number on New Brunswick about ten days ago and there are many residents who have gone without power ever since. Many were finally hooked up over the weekend, and while it's great news that lives are getting put back together; I find it inexcusable that we can live in a civilized society and go without power for that long. Sure, there are big issues, but NB Power can call their friends in neighboring provinces and states to give them a hand. I just can't see something like that happening in Saskatchewan and people having to go that long without, what is, an essential service for that long. I don't even think New Brunswick declared a state of emergency. Things run a lot different on that end of the country. I think it's also time for a public thank you to Sask Power for being as great as they are. There aren't many power interruptions in Saskatchewan of note. Sure, it goes off for a few minutes every so often, but anything longer than three hours in the last fifteen years would be a major, major story.
People who know me, know I am an astute follower of my Twitter feed. I treat it as my new source for news, sports, current events, jokes, and friend updates. I have to laugh, though, as I read sports reporters (some of them national, some of them local) offering expert advice to Germany and Argentina during the World Cup. I mean, do you really think that watching one or two games of soccer makes you an expert? I stayed away from the World Cup, namely because I wasn't too interested; but also because I haven't watched enough soccer to give my opinion.
I've become a bigger NBA fan with each passing week and while many grew tired of listening to minute by minute updates on LeBron James, I was not one of those folks. I ate it all up. It's fascinating, to me, to see an athlete of this magnitude decide he's going to take his talents home to a city that has never won a thing and try to elevate them into championship status. Yeah, he's doing it for the money too, but name me an athlete that went back home to try to accomplish the impossible. Wayne Gretzky didn't do it, I guess realizing there isn't anything anyone can do to help the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mario Lemieux saved Pittsburgh, but only because the Penguins were going bankrupt and owed him a pile of cash. Wouldn't Mario going to Montreal in the prime of his career to win a cup have been captivating (glad it didn't happen, I despise the Habs). I'm rooting for James. I think this is a great story. I just hope he stays there and doesn't jump ship again in two years. Having said that, if the Cavaliers are a joke of an organization after two years, I wouldn't blame him.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have dropped two in a row and there is widespread panic. I say relax. Yeah, Corey Chamblin looks like a boob for sending his running backs to the bench over one fumble, and sure he seems to send mixed messages for not benching those who engage in bar fights. Yes, I think from an outsider, it looks strange that they passed up on a key Canadian free agent receiver like Nick Moore because they wanted to keep Dwight Anderson (who has been traded after two weeks to Toronto). It also doesn't look great that players like Keith Shologan, Craig Butler, and Ricky Schmitt are gone with nobody (with experience) to replace them. Yes, Drew Willy looks like a real good quarterback and I think he should have played more while he was here when the offense was going through month long stretches where nothing but ineptness was being produced. These are all reasons for people to be concerned, but I assure you there is a plan in the head office of Riderville and the fans will be more than pleased when the marathon is over.
The only real question I have is that if you are a running back for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and you know that if you fumble the ball, you are hitting the bench; are you really playing to the best of your ability? Are you so worried about not trying to fumble, that you actually don't perform the way you would if a coach simply said, 'Go out there and play your best'. That's my two cents.
I'm thick skinned, but every once in a while, human beings go on an incredible run that forces me to not watch the news. Police shootings in Moncton, family executions in Texas, missing grandparents and a grandchild in Calgary, a toddler killed in Saskatoon in an accident, and murder-suicide of a man and two boys in Ontario. It's all enough to really depress a person.
How's the anti-spam law working for you? I get about 250 a day now. I used to get 0. I've filed a complaint with the feds, but haven't heard back. I'm not holding my breath either.
Nice person mentions this week to Jeff Sedor, Chad Ror, Devin Furgerson, and their friend Dave. Cam Moir, Bruce Luebke, and Trent Fraser.
