The world according to IdRatherBeSkiing
- Thread starter IdRatherBeSkiing
- Start date
George Carlin had some not-too-kind words to say about golfing, and country club golfers in particular. Growing up, my brother once worked as a caddy at the golf course near us, but my dad was too much of a workaholic to waste time with golf. And so we were never groomed to be golfers.
My next-door neighbor (the retired doctor) is a golf fanatic. He only comes back home when the course is open here. Otherwise, he's in Florida, where there's 2 golf courses in his gated community. He often pumps me to join. Maybe in like 10 years.
My next-door neighbor (the retired doctor) is a golf fanatic. He only comes back home when the course is open here. Otherwise, he's in Florida, where there's 2 golf courses in his gated community. He often pumps me to join. Maybe in like 10 years.
So I live in Toronto. The local football team (CFL) is the Argos. Their arch-rival is The Hamilton TIger Cats. Hamilton is about 90 minutes south west of Toronto. I grew up in Saskatchewan so my love of the Saskatchewan Roughriders is also deep. Their arch-rival is The Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
A mutual friend of my son and I and my son convinced me to join them to watch a CFL game. Winnipeg @ Hamilton. This was yesterday. Well the mutual friend cancelled so my son and I wound up going to see the game in Hamilton. Hamilton is referred to by me as the cesspool of Ontario. The first thing you notice is the overwhelming stench. It is a heavy industrial town historically steel. The next thing you notice is the blanket of smog.
Once you get to the stadium you also notice that they have no public parking. But that is ok, they also have no access to public transit. I was told that people just park on the street. We wound up paying a guy $20 to park on his front lawn. With the number of cars he probably makes himself $100 per game (9 per year).
The gate on our ticket was gate 1. But gate 1 was locked. So we went in gate 5.
Since Winnipeg was 12-1 and Saskatchewan is not doing that well, we decided to cheer for Winnipeg. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. Now I have vowed never to buy another ticket in that god forsaken hellhole but I do have tickets to see the Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Hamilton Tiger Cats in October. So I will be back for one more game. Hopefully a better result. This game will likely decide the 3rd and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If Saskatchewan (currently 4th in the west) has a better record than Hamilton (currently 3rd in the east) they would swing over and play in the Eastern semi-final. Otherwise the 4th place team in the west is out of the playoffs. This is the CFL wildcard but used to make it fair since they have 5 teams in the west and only 4 in the east.
We decided to not buy any concessions or eat dinner in Hamiton. We ate dinner at a local restaurant near our home.
A mutual friend of my son and I and my son convinced me to join them to watch a CFL game. Winnipeg @ Hamilton. This was yesterday. Well the mutual friend cancelled so my son and I wound up going to see the game in Hamilton. Hamilton is referred to by me as the cesspool of Ontario. The first thing you notice is the overwhelming stench. It is a heavy industrial town historically steel. The next thing you notice is the blanket of smog.
Once you get to the stadium you also notice that they have no public parking. But that is ok, they also have no access to public transit. I was told that people just park on the street. We wound up paying a guy $20 to park on his front lawn. With the number of cars he probably makes himself $100 per game (9 per year).
The gate on our ticket was gate 1. But gate 1 was locked. So we went in gate 5.
Since Winnipeg was 12-1 and Saskatchewan is not doing that well, we decided to cheer for Winnipeg. Unfortunately, it didn't work out that way. Now I have vowed never to buy another ticket in that god forsaken hellhole but I do have tickets to see the Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Hamilton Tiger Cats in October. So I will be back for one more game. Hopefully a better result. This game will likely decide the 3rd and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If Saskatchewan (currently 4th in the west) has a better record than Hamilton (currently 3rd in the east) they would swing over and play in the Eastern semi-final. Otherwise the 4th place team in the west is out of the playoffs. This is the CFL wildcard but used to make it fair since they have 5 teams in the west and only 4 in the east.
We decided to not buy any concessions or eat dinner in Hamiton. We ate dinner at a local restaurant near our home.
Sounds like when we were kids, we were Yankees fans. But the stadium was in the Bronx (no need to explain further). You'd risk your life going there. Eventually, my brother-in-law came into the picture, and he'd take us to the Mets games at friendly Shea Stadium in a nice part of Queens. Never went back to the Bronx.
That game was yesterday. And there was not a better result. Saskatchewan lost. Their offense was as cold as we were.
We also had tickets to the Argos game today. That one ended better with the Argos winning 23-20 over the BC Lions. However, we were not there to see the end of it. A couple of weeks ago, I bought season tickets to the Toronto Marlies (AHL feeder club for the Leafs). A perk of that was they gave me a pair of free tickets to the Leafs pre-season game tonight in box seats. To make it better they also provided free food (pizza and hot dogs mainly) and free drinks (2 alcoholic and unlimited soft drinks). We also got Marlies tote bags as well as a puck. So we left right after halftime at the Argos game and moseyed over to Scotiabank Arena. The game was entertaining and a lot of fun. Unfortunately the box had tv screens which were tuned to the Jays game. But 2 Toronto teams won. Leafs won 5-1 over the Detroit Red Wings.
We have our last Argo game in 3 weeks against Montreal Alloettes. That game will likely decide first place in the Eastern Conference. Should be fun.
Now there's a sports event I might actually attend!
Well, tennis I would go for the sport. Anything else would need this perk
I don't think I shared this but my son and I are season ticket holders (members) of the Toronto Marlies hockey club. They are the AHL affiliate which feeds into the Leafs. The tickets were reasonably cheap and it seemed like a fun little thing to do. Last Saturday we had a bunch of our friends in a box. This was a benefit of the membership. We got a box for 1 game.
Now I don't know how many of you go to minor league hockey games. If you do you always see some sort of contest on the ice between periods before the Zambonies come out. It's usually some guy or guys shooting the puck in the net from the opposite blue line for prizes or something. Today was 4 people standing on the faceoff circles and trying to shoot the puck closest to centre ice face off circle. And today, I was one of those guys. 2 employees approached me before the game and asked if I wanted to. I said yes once they said I did not have to wear skates. I was up against 2 women (whose kids were riding the Zambonie that period) and some guy who played men's league hockey. The prize was a set of winter tires. I went second behind one of the ladies. She was wide right. I got my first puck across the red circle. The other lady's first puck did not make it to the circle. The hockey player put his in the circle. Then we all got second shots. The first lady remained wide right (but not as much). I got mine further but it bounced a bit to the left so was just inside the line on the left side of the circle. The other lady fired hers clear across the ice and the hockey player got his second puck also in the circle.
So I didn't win the tires. I did come in second and I did not fall flat on my ass on the ice so those were good things. My son said I did not embarrass myself. I got a participation prize: a hoodie, a stuffed dog and a cooler. I was nervous as hell but it was a lot of fun.
Now I don't know how many of you go to minor league hockey games. If you do you always see some sort of contest on the ice between periods before the Zambonies come out. It's usually some guy or guys shooting the puck in the net from the opposite blue line for prizes or something. Today was 4 people standing on the faceoff circles and trying to shoot the puck closest to centre ice face off circle. And today, I was one of those guys. 2 employees approached me before the game and asked if I wanted to. I said yes once they said I did not have to wear skates. I was up against 2 women (whose kids were riding the Zambonie that period) and some guy who played men's league hockey. The prize was a set of winter tires. I went second behind one of the ladies. She was wide right. I got my first puck across the red circle. The other lady's first puck did not make it to the circle. The hockey player put his in the circle. Then we all got second shots. The first lady remained wide right (but not as much). I got mine further but it bounced a bit to the left so was just inside the line on the left side of the circle. The other lady fired hers clear across the ice and the hockey player got his second puck also in the circle.
So I didn't win the tires. I did come in second and I did not fall flat on my ass on the ice so those were good things. My son said I did not embarrass myself. I got a participation prize: a hoodie, a stuffed dog and a cooler. I was nervous as hell but it was a lot of fun.
That’s really cool. It sounds like a fun night. The hoodie is a good participation prize.
I had gotten picked to do the tricycle race between innings at a Mud Hens game. I was pretty much half in the bag at the time but won. I got a $50 gift certificate for a tire store, but lost it at home a couple of months later. The hoodie would still be in use.
I had gotten picked to do the tricycle race between innings at a Mud Hens game. I was pretty much half in the bag at the time but won. I got a $50 gift certificate for a tire store, but lost it at home a couple of months later. The hoodie would still be in use.
Inside the cooler was 2 caps, 2 toques, a pen and a puck as well. So I scored on the bling.
They shoulda put five golden toques, four pounds of back-bacon, three French toasts, two turtlenecks and a beer in there.
I have several updates. Will do them in separate posts.
We are really enjoying this. However it is no without adventure and excitement. Some positives. Last Saturday I got to see my first shootout. And the Marlies won it. The Marlies are in first in their division and we found out we get the first 2 rounds of playoffs for free as members. Bonus!
There have been some "interesting" times too.
Last Sunday we were playing Laval Rockets ... AHL team to the Montreal Canadiens. A couple was wearing Montreal Canadiens jerseys behind us. This other guy who is kind of a few bricks short of a load comes by and starts yelling at them. Yelling cursing and generally being rude and obnoxious at top volume. Several people were asking him to stop swearing as their were kids present. I didn't hear this but I think the Montreal fans told him to drop dead in the exchange. While this was happening several people were trying to flag security. Of course security was nowhere to be found. Then the fan short of bricks leaves and then comes back 2 minutes later yelling at them some more telling them he has reported them to security and they will be ejected ... for uttering a death threat to him. Security did come by about 5 minutes later. They asked the Montreal fans to come into the tunnel to talk. My son and I followed. We intervened and told security exactly what we saw. It did not seem fair to us that they should be ejected when they were not the instigators. They talked to the other guy about 5 minutes later and he came back and "accepted their apology". The Montreal fans did not push this any further and it ended there.
Then about 1/2 way through the first period the fire alarm went off. And everybody completely ignored it. Eventually it was turned off. Turns out there was a popcorn maker that went up in smoke at one of the concession stands. It was an eventful game. We thought it was the most excitement we could have at a game until ....
Tonight, we took my wife to the game against the Manitoba Moose. They are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets which is my wife's favourite team. The first period was uneventful and then there was the period break. Then the countdown of the break went down to 0:00 and reset to 20:00 for second period. Except there were no officials or players back on the ice. Very unusual. They usually make a big deal of the Marlies coming to the ice at about the 3:00 mark. Then we noticed there were about 12 EMT/firefighters in one of the ailes below a section (which had been cleared) working on someone in a stretcher. We found out later a woman had a cardiac arrest in the stands. They worked on her for abut 20 minutes before transporting her to hospital. After about 5 minutes, the music stopped and they put a note on the board that the game was on hold until further notice. After the lady was removed we expected them to resume play. But it just sort of dragged. They put yellow tape around the section she was in and announced that anyone sitting there to see fan services to get relocated. Then they removed the yellow tape and people continued to sit there. Then the refs came out. One of the rare times people cheered for them. Then they left. Then after 1 hour delay they announced the game would be postponed. So we went home.
We have found from local media the woman is in critical life threatening condition in hospital having suffered from cardiac arrest. I hope she pulls through.
This was the last home game until February. Not sure when this one will be rescheduled.
We are really enjoying this. However it is no without adventure and excitement. Some positives. Last Saturday I got to see my first shootout. And the Marlies won it. The Marlies are in first in their division and we found out we get the first 2 rounds of playoffs for free as members. Bonus!
There have been some "interesting" times too.
Last Sunday we were playing Laval Rockets ... AHL team to the Montreal Canadiens. A couple was wearing Montreal Canadiens jerseys behind us. This other guy who is kind of a few bricks short of a load comes by and starts yelling at them. Yelling cursing and generally being rude and obnoxious at top volume. Several people were asking him to stop swearing as their were kids present. I didn't hear this but I think the Montreal fans told him to drop dead in the exchange. While this was happening several people were trying to flag security. Of course security was nowhere to be found. Then the fan short of bricks leaves and then comes back 2 minutes later yelling at them some more telling them he has reported them to security and they will be ejected ... for uttering a death threat to him. Security did come by about 5 minutes later. They asked the Montreal fans to come into the tunnel to talk. My son and I followed. We intervened and told security exactly what we saw. It did not seem fair to us that they should be ejected when they were not the instigators. They talked to the other guy about 5 minutes later and he came back and "accepted their apology". The Montreal fans did not push this any further and it ended there.
Then about 1/2 way through the first period the fire alarm went off. And everybody completely ignored it. Eventually it was turned off. Turns out there was a popcorn maker that went up in smoke at one of the concession stands. It was an eventful game. We thought it was the most excitement we could have at a game until ....
Tonight, we took my wife to the game against the Manitoba Moose. They are the AHL affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets which is my wife's favourite team. The first period was uneventful and then there was the period break. Then the countdown of the break went down to 0:00 and reset to 20:00 for second period. Except there were no officials or players back on the ice. Very unusual. They usually make a big deal of the Marlies coming to the ice at about the 3:00 mark. Then we noticed there were about 12 EMT/firefighters in one of the ailes below a section (which had been cleared) working on someone in a stretcher. We found out later a woman had a cardiac arrest in the stands. They worked on her for abut 20 minutes before transporting her to hospital. After about 5 minutes, the music stopped and they put a note on the board that the game was on hold until further notice. After the lady was removed we expected them to resume play. But it just sort of dragged. They put yellow tape around the section she was in and announced that anyone sitting there to see fan services to get relocated. Then they removed the yellow tape and people continued to sit there. Then the refs came out. One of the rare times people cheered for them. Then they left. Then after 1 hour delay they announced the game would be postponed. So we went home.
We have found from local media the woman is in critical life threatening condition in hospital having suffered from cardiac arrest. I hope she pulls through.
This was the last home game until February. Not sure when this one will be rescheduled.
For Christmas, my son and I got my wife a trip to Ottawa. She wants to visit the National Archives. We also got her tickets to see the Winnipeg Jets play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night. This is a Saturday night hockey game. For Canadians this is a big thing. Also this is on Hockey Day in Canada where all 7 Canadian teams are in action and most televised throughout the day. If the game was in Toronto obstructed vision or standing room would have been over $300/ticket. In Ottawa however, the tickets were $30/ticket for wheelchair accessible seats (always more expensive). We are going to see the Jets play the Leafs on Thursday as well and I paid considerably more than $30/ticket for wheelchair seats. Not Saturday night prices however. And yes I checked, the only time prices for Ottawa are higher is when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town.
And we are going there by train, my wife's favourite form of transportation. It is also business class. I got a pretty good deal as my wife qualifies as youth (under 25) and my wife qualifies as senior (over 60). I would also but as a companion to a wheelchair I am free. KaChing!
And we are going there by train, my wife's favourite form of transportation. It is also business class. I got a pretty good deal as my wife qualifies as youth (under 25) and my wife qualifies as senior (over 60). I would also but as a companion to a wheelchair I am free. KaChing!
My wife has had a dream of going to Bermuda. After her first cancer treatment was done, we wanted to do a celebration vacation. She was thinking Bermuda, I was thinking Bahamas and somehow we wound up in Barbados. We always laugh about that. But this spring I found a cruise to Bermuda and booked it. I am not sure how I feel about being on a cruise ship post-covid but prior to that it has been something we actually both have been wanting to do. So we went for it. It leaves New York in late May for 5 days. We will either drive to New York and stay at a nice hotel the night before. Or drive to Buffalo and fly from there to New York.
I despise people like this.
I thought every day was Hockey Day in Canada?
Did you type that correctly? I'm confused.
Add an couple more destinations and you're a Beach Boys song!