July 2008

July 29 - Today's blog is brought to you by the letter "T" for "T"echnology.

It seems I drew the short straw and will be winging away to St. John NB tomorrow - Mother's hide your lobsters. I get to "host" a top secret event (at least it will be until it hits the news) and maybe get featured in the media. Ah, the price of stardom is so high. However, the point being that I figured unless I took "T"wo , count em "T"wo notebooks old bloggy would be off the air for a couple of days. While I know that would have the crew at 1026 Speers dancing in the streets (scratch that image - please), I did not want to deprive my loyal readers of my pithy commentary.

So today I am posting my usual blog BUT in it hopefully this link "link" will take you to my Windows Live "Wayne's Space" where I can post my "proxy" blog for the next couple of days. That is if my pursuit of the ever elusive perfect lobster (better make it plural) doesn't get in the way.

I can then revert to the OLD ways on my return. As can you by clicking www.minorhockeyfan.com/Wayne_Blog    - I hope

OR maybe this grand plan won't work and they can start the dancing as I go "black".

The technology dedication is based on the IT policy that my employer and most other corporate entities have in place and for good reasons. My corporate notebook has the official suite of applications on it that are "blessed" as the official desktop, plus a few extras I need to corner the fuel market. Anything else is strictly VERBOTEN and the system is LOCKED down. Since I use MS FrontPage to publish to my web, and have no credible reason to convince the propeller heads to install it on my corporate notebook I am SOL. Hence the "T"wo needed.

Those of you who know my propensity to fool around with systems know that originally these restrictions - Drove Me Nuts. But now, I am a better and stronger person. I have learned to live with it - Right!

I have also encountered serious computer stress on the Home Front.

"Child Envy".

Son Number two has purchased a new notebook as he prepares to head back to school. He bought a “tablet notebook” – I tried to talk him out of it (because I knew I would be jealous) but it didn’t work. He can swivel that screen around, close it up and write on it like a piece of paper.

Pattern recognition, Bluetooth, card reader, wireless and all sorts of gizmos and gadgets make my Toshiba look like an old Trash 80 (none of you probably have a clue what that is  but it was a Tandy (read Radio Shack) TRS 80 that was once all the rage.

Now I’m depressed.

Okay - we can tell the Olympic fever is ratcheting up - The scandals have started.

•      Question - When is Fourteen equal to Sixteen?

•      Answer - When you live in China!

Interesting way to take the focus off of not being able to breathe. Did they plan this?

For you movie buffs – on this day in 1940 Orson Welles (then 25) started filming what The American Film Institute in 1998 rated the top of America’s greatest movies – you guessed it – “Citizen Kane”.

Correspondence is heating up on the hockey front.

·         Some countdowns

• ·         Friday for Matt

• ·         2 days until August

• ·         5 days until Civic Holiday Monday

• ·         25 days until Try-out / Training Camp

• ·         34 days until Labour Day

• ·         ?? days until ??

I hope you enjoyed the summer!

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July 28 – Another Monday. There ought to be a law against them, but then we would just complain about Tuesdays. It’s shaping up to be quite the week as it turns out I likely have to fly to St. John for a Thursday event (I hope it’s lobster season). That effectively writes off Wednesday – Friday so that I have to get this week’s “stuff covered off tomorrow or in the old plane / hotel mode – and people think this is fun! It will also cramp my blog style as I don't think I will carry two notebooks.

Today in History – In 1945 the U.S. had their first version of 9/11. A B-25 Mitchell bomber flying in dense fog swerved to miss the Chrysler building and crashed into the Empire State building in a collision eerily similar to what was to come at the WTC. But on a smaller scale. 14 people were killed (3 in the plane and 11 in the building). Burning jet fuel flowed through 5 floors from the 79^th floor impact point to the 75^th floor but the building maintained its structural integrity. Having been to the ESB several times I did not really realize this and I don’t think they even mention or show it?

The stories are starting to spool up on the Olympics – to breathe or not to breathe. China is “guaranteeing” good air. How they plan to pull that off is interesting – it sounds like they are basically planning to shut down the country – i.e., their economy. Can you see the government trying to do this in Toronto! Banning more vehicles  closing more factories (does this include the coal fired generators?).

Athletes now are indicating they won’t compete in endurance type events. You have to ask yourself, why did the get awarded the games in the first place – Answer – Politics, Politics, Politics.

Who says there are no politics in sport!

Speaking of Toronto, I believe I heard that “gun violence” is up over 20% so far this year in the Big Smoke. Is it just me or does it not seem that every time you listen to a news report they are discussing some shootout and in more cases then not, it comes across as senseless. The question becomes, do you start digging the moat and hunkering down or look for a nice hermitage in the boonies – wherever they are now.

Me -  the stay at home and wait for the DVD version for my projector guy is planning to knuckle under and surrender to the Dark Knight. Number Two son (remember Number one son is in marriage prep mode – and no number 1 and 2 are not value judgments or prioritization, it is simply chronological) and I have made a pact to go see it in IMAX version as the hype has seduced us. It is the old "if you are gonna go, go big or stay home". I also think its time someone knocked James Cameron and the Titanic out of the record books. So DO NOT tell me about anything that happens if you have seen the movie. I will do that after I’ve seen it. My hike off to New Brunswick has muddied those plans at bit as I am still in the “I do not wait in line mode”. It’s bad enough getting ripped off (what is a ticket now - $50?) without having to line up to get robbed!.

There you go – a new record – a whole blog without one word about that sliding on ice sport. Don’t get used to it. I just did it to prove I could.

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July 27 – Today’s weather generally behaved itself so that a number of sporting events got completed essentially on time, here, there and everywhere.

Mike Weir couldn’t get it going today but did finish up a very respectable fifth. Chez the no-name is now a name and gets the Masters invite and a two year tour exemption. The $900,000 purse money is roughly double what he had made in his golf career to date.

Paul Tracy got back into open wheel racing and did not crash (he tried to and came close) . He finished fourth. Participants in this “sport” get my vote for “you gotta be crazy”.

We did get a couple of “Canadian” wins with Daniel Nestor coming through with another doubles championship at the Rogers. Typical Canadian story in that he probably gets more recognition everywhere except Canada because he is not in a “glamour” sport / role. How many other tier 1 Canadian Champs have we got this year.

But more important we won the Tour de France (at least our Bike did). Unfortunately it was not a Canadian Tire Supercycle – maybe next year.

The countdown is on – 11 days to the Olympics. Problem is no one can find the venues – the smog is too thick! Keep watching those action shots / clips in the news.

They are now trying to call it “fog” and insisting it will be better in August. The IOC says they will delay outdoor events if the air is too bad! A new one for the books – game called because you can’t breathe. How long will they delay – until 2012 and the “pure” air of London!

I enjoy watching the Olympics but must confess a preference for the Winter games. Downhill, Bobsled, and the insane Luge are real excitement sports. A four hour shot put event just doesn’t do it for me. Hopefully my nephew-in-law (is that correct) won’t see this as he trained and competed in this in Sweden. I think he also dabbled in the marginally more exciting “discuss” – the heavy Frisbee.

A plug for Little League (no offense to OMBA). OLL is hosting the 2008 Canadian Senior League Championship from August 1 – 8. See t. Should be some great baseball and well worth watching and supporting. Check the site for schedules http://canadians.ollb.org/ . Hopefully we got things rained out already and they will have good weather.

The question to be played out this week is where or if Bret Favre plays – Green Bay / Jets or Electronic Arts only. Get your votes in. The Cheeseheads are all in a flap. However, if any of you have ever been to Lambeau Field, it is the BEST, bar non, pre-game tail gate party in the world. Been there, done that, would love to do it again. Buffalo is bush league in comparison.

Tomorrow’s Monday – into another week we go!

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July 26 – An unusual “morning post”  brought to you by the letter “M”, as I have a busy day / weekend on the go.

“M”oorehead wedding countdown 22 days – I guess it is time to start thinking about it.

Along the lines of “This day in History” combined with “You know you are getter old when. . . . “ – Congrats to “M”ick Jagger on his 65 birthday. Between Mick and Keith it is almost a strong recco for the “drug culture”. It was 46 years ago this month when Jagger and Keith Richards got together with Ian Stewart and Brian Jones (there is some debate about who all was really part of the Stones “original cast“ as Dick Taylor and Tony Chapman are sometimes included) to establish the best “Blues” brand in Britain and came up with the name Rolling Stones in homage to the Muddy Waters song. Jagger was 19. Don’t think they made it as a “Blues” band.

So other than the signature “Satisfaction”, the question becomes what is your favourite Stones tune. I have several but I’ll tag “You can’t always get what you want”.

The 60’s were a great time for the debate about whether Mick and company were better than the Liverpool four – opinions?

The wondrous new partnership between MOHA and the Blades was written up in the Beaver yesterday as I suggested. If anyone knows the analogy of the “Camel’s nose in the Tent” keep it in mind.

It is good that there is “someone” to “run” the pre-season schools – but is this what people signed up (and paid for)?  What is the quid pro quo to the Blades.

It would be nice to have a positive working relationship with the local junior team, but time and time again this relationship has been tried and “failed”. From my jaundiced viewpoint, primarily because of inappropriate actions or expectations or what were considered as broken promises from the Blades. These prior shortcomings are well known by and were touted by the same people who are all now “sweetness and light” with the Blades. “Quelle surprise”! Movie title – The Many Faces of Eve!

The relationship between a junior club and a local minor hockey association if formalized (as an affiliation) provides the junior club with a lot of “power” over the actions of the local association and its dealing with players .It can come down to who is running who.

As in any business relationship it is a “what’s in it for me?”, ”what’s in it for them?”, “what’s it worth to me?”, “what’s it worth to them?” and ultimately for the decision, is this the right thing to do for the members (your kids playing hockey)? We’ll see.

A couple of parting shots as per Bob McCown:

• A leopard does not change its spots

• You can’t teach an old dog new tricks

• If it walks like a duck, looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it probably . . .

Meanwhile back at the Open, you guys obviously are not cheering loud enough for Mr. Weir based on his Day two struggles – get with the program – Go Mike Go!

My Detroit boys – like him (know of him) or not, Geordie Howe – “Mr Hockey” was one of, if not the greatest all around player ever

 Interesting article / interview in today’s Star (Cory Wolf Interview)  Not sure if or for how long the link will work.

Just one quote:

•   Canwest: Would you put up with Tomas Holmstrom being in your goalie's face all night?
   

•   Howe: Nope. He'd be wearing tape on his head. That's the first time in my life that I felt sorry for a defenceman. If he touches (Holmstrom), he goes off. . . . In my first game, I lost teeth and I got about six stitches. That's what motivated me to get the lumber up.

My kinda hockey! Go Wings Go!.

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July 24 – Long day at the salt mines, so a short (but controversial) blog tonight

As Al Michaels said in 1980, “Do you believe in Miracles”? (Sports trivia reference for the day).

Yesterday I comment on the “missing” Discipline Chair and today, Zesto Presto! The name “magically” appears. Anything else you want posted on the MOHA site, let me know. Apparently if I take a bit of a poke at it, it moves folks along. Yeah, I know this was just a coincidence and they were going to do it anyway!

In any event, another member of the “shadow cabinet” creeps into the limelight. If they keep this up, MOHA will have to be renamed MORA for Minor Oaks Referees Association. Hockey will be incidental.

So here are some thoughts to generate discussion at the park, pitch, rink, field, court, course or whatever. Remember I’m the “angry and bitter old man” so govern yourself accordingly.

• Does anyone know or care about the “role” the new Discipline Chair played in the infamous Zebra unrest?

• Does this mean he won’t be refereeing anymore as one could argue that as a referee he would have a conflict on any game issues – I think there are referees at most games and you know that you can’t break ranks with the brethren?

• As an instantly appointed new director what House League division will he convene? – That has been the policy - without exception! – Want to bet that will change or his participation years ago will be claimed to “exempt” him from the rules for mere mortals.

• Why did the plan (agreed upon) to choose between current Directors A or B for this role, change to bring the new “write-in” candidate forward?

• Does anyone care?

Enquiring minds want to know!

Communication and transparency

Meanwhile the “this day in history” thing is pretty low key – Today in, 1911, American archeologist Hiram Bingham gets his first look at Machu Picchu, an ancient Inca settlement in Peru that is now one of the world's top tourist destinations. He found a big pile of rocks.

For the Open – three days to go – do we want it to rain or not for Weir?

Soccer All Star tonight – yawn, Rogers Tennis – yawn, CFL – out of towners – yawn, Countdown to the Olympics – can’t see through the smog.

That ought to stir up enough for tonight.

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July 23 – I’m back - did anyone notice I was gone?

After an exciting foray into chunks of South Western Ontario, with an “overnight” in Sarnia and wandering through Mississauga, Kitchener, Woodstock, London, Strathroy, Sarnia and Brantford. In deference to my hosts for part of this incredible journey, today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “E” for Esso. Or for those of us who are schizoid, should I have used "I" for Imperial Oil or "S" for Standard Oil? The folks at Esso were kind enough to give us a tour of their Sarnia refining facility. They have lots of pipes. I had toured there before but they have lots of pipes. It was good to see how they turn 120,000 barrels of crude a day into that wonderful stuff we burn in our cars. Did I mention they have a lot of pipes? By the way, for those of so inclined, our assessment of a barrel is about 159 litres and for arguments sake you can get a mix of 50 – 60% “gas” out of a barrel of crude. It goes through a lot of pipes. The rest is light gases, distillates (no not distilled) and heavy oil or residuals like coke. I noticed they have a lot of pipes.

I spent most of my time looking for Murray Westgate (“Always look to Imperial for the Best”), but no one would tell me where he was (and most of you don’t have a clue what the ^&^%67 I’m talking about anyway!). He must have been out fixing the pipes.

For those of you struggling with the math, that’s about 10,000,000 litres of mogas a day – fill ‘er up! And you wonder why people talk about depleting oil reserves - this is just one of three refineries in Sarnia and four in Ontario?

Meanwhile back at the hockey front, 1026 Speers is being very quiet these days. Perhaps I will “fuel” (pun intended but weak) your curiosity with a couple of comments.

• The folks have themselves a new discipline chair but don’t seem to want to post or publicize that info. Hmmm. I wonder why? It seems that it was an Arte Johnson process – “Verrry Enteresting”. Dial up the discontent for some folks.

• Second point to ponder – I hear that the Blades are getting “involved” with the pre season Hockey Schools (scuttlebutt to be confirmed but since everyone else seems to like floating items, why shouldn’t I). This “alleged” marriage deserves close watching as there are a number of great historical topics here. Yeah I know as the old guys we clearly were at fault for all the “issues”. Well as the man says, “it takes two to Tango” and one half of the Tangoees are still there. Potentially more later as this little gem unfolds.

Thanks to my loyal readers for these little gems. Stay tuned.

Now reverting to our educational and automotive motif for the day, today in history, on July 23, 1903, Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago took delivery of the first Ford Model A, the precursor to the Model "C" and the Model "T".

This baby looks too “racy” to be an ’03 model?

With due respect to our local Ford friends who have announce some challenges, one would think this would be a trumpeted celebration in Oakville. I wonder how much it cost and whether it passed the emissions test?

Follow-up on cost – it was US$750 base with a leather roof as an extra $50. Top speed 45 mph (72 km/h for you modern types). Unlike the “T” it came only in Red.

Off to ponder my Open Pool.

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July 20 – Today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “A”. “A” for Apollo, Armstrong and American. It is hard to believe that it was 39 years ago today (if I have my math right) that the US landed on the moon and Armstrong took the first “off planet” stroll. There are always a few dates that stay with you – you remember where you were and what you were doing. Kennedy’s assassination (Friday, Nov 22, 1963) is one for me, as is the first moon landing. I was in the aforementioned California sitting poolside with my Coors and watching TV for hours until those blurred images came across (at least I remember them as blurred and I don’t think it was the Coors).

Billions of dollars spent to bring back 48 pounds of rock. Pretty expensive stuff! In today’s world it may seem easy, but the US pulled this off using less computer power in the Command Module and Eagle than is in an average sedan today. Let alone your desktop PC. You should read about some of the “glitches” and “fixes” that went on in that “voyage” and appreciate that these guys were true “adventurers.

You also have to wonder how Collins felt getting “left behind” in the CM when Armstrong and Aldrin picked up all the “Buzz” (that’s bad) both on the moon and later. For any of you who have seen an actual Apollo CM you have to think he did enjoy the extra “space” when they were off exploring and almost dreaded refilling the “sardine” can for the ride home.

The Yanks went from basically “no space program” to a successful moon landing in less than 10 years based on Kennedy’s commitment in 1961, just over a month after Gagarin’s space flight and the evil “commie” scare.

It just goes to show what can be accomplished with a specific goal, focused commitment (and lots of dough). Some people should take note – at least of the first two components.

Less well known is that also “today in history” in 1999 Gus Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7 Mercury capsule was recovered from the ocean 38 years after it sank while Grissom was being recovered from his Mercury flight. His fellow astronauts ribbed him unmercifully about this citing it was his “pilot’s error” that sank it (or as they referred to it “he screwed the pooch”).

Grissom unfortunately, along with Ed White and Roger Chaffee was killed in the Apollo 1 capsule fire in January 1967 – just 2 ½ years before the successful moon landing.

It all links together in a very serendipitous fashion.

Moving from Outer Space to Inner Space, what is going on in Sundin’s head! Is the “quashed story” of his deciding to accept Vancouver’s offer true or false. Would you rather get $20 M to play in Vancouver for two years or $? to do penance in Toronto next season. I’m not thinking Blue and White but who knows?

Enjoyed the battle of attrition described as the Open (British flavor and with the arrogance that there is only one “Open”). Had kind of hoped the old guy would hang on, but unfortunately the Shark seems to only swim backwards on day four of the biggies. Padraig was a good result – two in a row and a staunch Irishman. Besides that you gotta like the “nerve” he showed with the second shot 5 wood on 17 (similar to the Tiger’s shot at Glen Abbey).

Until he sorta “blowed up” it would have been something to see Wood shoot his way into the Claret Jug as a 20 year old amateur. Gotta cheer for the long shots.

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July 19 - Low key day. Today's blog is not brought to you by anything or really on anything.  So it is just a quick one to let folks know I have not dropped out. Next week will be spotty as I have a road trip to deal with that will mess with my schedule.

Picked up a couple of web cams today for lack of anything better to do and was futzing around getting them setup on my desktop and notebook. Now I can send pictures or videoconference me with me. Sounds like fun if you are a bit narcissistic.

So if someone wants to try out their video conferencing capabilities - send me an MS Messenger Live invite.

Also decided to reload my MP3 player which can be amazingly time consuming and not really a value-add activity.

It is amazing how much of a slave to technology we have all become.- cell phones, crackberries, notebooks, desktops IPods / MP3 players, video games, TV / DVD / Satelite / HiDef / streaming video / internet  . . . .

It doesn't seem like people can make their own "fun" anymore without some electronic crutch.

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July 17 – Continuing with the Sesame Street metaphor, today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “D”. Read on.

Apparently I am a “bitter and angry old man”. Now that hurts. I will cop to the man accusation and to some extent I am angry. Angry at what is happening (again in my opinion) to an association and program I was proud of and that I felt served Oakville’s young people.

But the “bitter” and “old” part – I must really be getting under some folks’ skin. I would have accepted “disappointed” and “disgusted” – two “D” words but apparently they were not in the description.

I could have had today’s blog hosted by the letter “F”, as I understand the “f” words are now part of the language at certain board meeting – likely tied to a description of yours truly.

Things are heating up but I can’t report on it yet, I think this angry and bitter old man will save it up for a while. Build the suspense.

It is funny (not). I would like to thank one of my “Russian” readers (or at least I think she is) who sent me an email thanking Mr Arnold and this ink stained wretch for providing information on what is going on in Oakville minor hockey. Apparently she was told this is where to get the scoop and originally didn’t believe it – but now she does. Isn’t that quite a statement about the current state of affairs.

Wasn’t openness, communication and transparency supposed to be pillars of the new cabal’s platform?

Moving on to another “D” (no not that one, I am saving it for later remember) - it is fun to see that Detroit gets to hoist both their Stanley Cup banner and the new look Leafs (AKA the AHLs) at the same time. Is the point spread more than a TD yet – the over / under double digits?  Funny thing is, it is games like this that gives the opponents a better chance to win as the home team often gets caught up in the celebration. Someone want to look up the records for the last 20 years or so and see if I’m right?

Sport #2 – everyone cheer for Bright’s Grove’s Mike Weir. Just two off the pace after round one of the “Open” in what could be classed as “brutal” conditions. Apparently Sandy Lyle (no slouch as an Open and Masters Champion) simply chucked it and walked off the course after 9 holes at 11 over par. I’d love that score – I’d only be +22 for the round.

Anyway, besides being a Canuck, Mr. Weir is a southpaw (and wore a tougue). We need to support our own – Go Mike Go!

A returning feature – This day in History – On July 17, 1955 Disneyland (another “D” word) opened. It cost $17 million and was built on 160 acres in Anaheim. In the summer of 69 (which I think is a song title) I spent four months in California (living in sunny Orange County which is featured in a number of cop shows) and one could say I basically “lived” at “D” Land. That is when I was not at let’s see, Newport Beach, Chavez Ravine, Hollywood Park, Hollywood including the bowl and don’t let me forget Tijuana (because I really did).

Fun WOW!

Why did I ever come back! (Partially because I got a draft notice – even though I was one of them furriners and had no desire to take a close-up and personal look at South East Asia). I had seen and heard enough from “Old” 20 year old returning vets – ya hadda be there and see / hear it to believe it!.

Enough for today – we old men need our sleep and it’s 8:30.

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July 16 – Horror of Horrors – A good news hockey story!

Today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “A” as in Atom and “AAA”.

As you may or may not know in April of this year MOHA’s Atom AAA Rangers, in conjunction with MOHA (Note – the Atom AAA team and supporting committee did all the work – not MOHA) hosted the Ontario Hockey Federation (OHF) Provincial Atom AAA Championships.

The Ranger host team played well and deserves credit for their efforts on the ice, but the organizing committee and the parents of the team deserve real accolades for the work they put into hosting this event. These events don’t happen by magic and the “team” was praised by the OHF for their achievements.

Not least of which was the financial support and management that went into the event with a very positive “result”.

Part of the OHF conditions for hosting an event of this type is that it can not be hosted “for profit” by the hosting association. They stipulate that any funds raised over and above the cost of the event be designated to a charity of the host’s choice.

Besides putting on a “first class” event, the books are now “closed” and I understand that a cheque for $5,999.31 (guys I would have thrown in the extra $0.69 to make it 6 large) is en route to the Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital Foundation.

WELL DONE and CONGRATULATIONS to all involved!

If we consider this donation in conjunction with the funds that have been raised and donated by the Frank Sabatino Memorial Tournament “Team” (guess what, many of the same worker bees), then our young people through their sports events (with adult help) have donated more than $10,000 to the OTMHF, much of that directed towards supporting palliative care.

Kinda rare but very nice, the young folks supporting the “not so young”.

So if you run into any of these folks (if you know who they are – Hans, Debbie, Dana, Shona, Reggie, Lisa, John, Steve, Duncan, Kirby – and I know I have missed some and I apologize for that), take a minute to congratulate them and say thank you. It does not have to always be “about me”!
Next entry I will likely revert to my usual critical norm.

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July 14 - Hockey 101

Today the Islanders fired Ted Nolan - too bad I think he is a good coach and he had finally got back to the NHL after losing the power play in Buffalo and ending up on the black list that we all know does not exist. However, it is a classic situation:

• The Islanders cite "philosophical differences".

• Translation:

  • General Manager says - Team not playing up to potential!

  • Coach says - I did not have the horses!

  • GM farther up the food chain, closer to ownership, protecting job - bye bye coach.

Will he get another team? With what he had for player talent and some of the injuries he did pretty well for the two years - at least he made the play-offs once.

A truism for NHL coaches - You are hired to be fired.

It reminds me of what a colleague used to say about a certain packaged goods "beverage company" (many of you probably know (drink) them).

The story was,

The day you are hired they pull the trigger.

The only question is how long it takes the bullet to catch up to you!

And I thought the Leafs were done.

In a stunning move they "steal" Ryan Hollweg from the Rangers. Hollweg poured in 2 goals with 2 assists in 70 games last year. I guess he could have at least doubled that phenomenal production if he had not picked up 96 penalty minutes. He probably spent more minutes in the box than on the ice. Explaina me dis!

Free advice for MOHA for the day - Get a Sheridan graphics student or somebody to do something for your site! It has to be embarrassing.

I know you need board approval to do anything, but I still live in Oakville and people know I used to do it - I would not want them to think I still am.

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July 12 – Orangemen’s Day

Go n-eírí an bóthar leat.
May the road rise with you.

The anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne is as good an excuse as any to resume my commentary on the local hockey scene. Since anything I am going to comment on has already been referenced in Gerry’s blog, it should not add to any additional source witch hunt.

 I also hear that my “friends and supporters” are very disappointed in me for the tack (or should I say the attack) I have taken. That I should stop for my own good as the only person I am hurting is myself.

Perhaps that is just another gambit in the how do we make him go away sweepstakes. Whatever!

Today’s blog is brought to you by the letters “H” and “M”.

First topic “H” for honouraria – Nice spin!

The Officer honouraria “proposed” revisions are a wonderful example of what could be classed as misdirection.

Is it the “Let’s make a big deal of giving up nothing”! The appointed President and Treasurer filling out unexpired terms and the newbie Veeps don’t qualify for anything other than the base honouraria for their positions so they are not giving up anything under the reported plan.

FOUR years from now (Pres and Treas.) and THREE years from now for the Veeps  this would have some impact. The question you have to ask yourself is whether any of them will still be around by then in their roles to have potentially “collected”?

An old negotiation ploy, give up something that has no value to you and make it seem like a huge sacrifice and a selfless act. (Keep in mind I am a true cynic)

There are both pros and cons for the idea of the “experience” increment that was provided. For the Officer positions. The base was increased by $500 each time the incumbent completed a two year term and only paid in the following term years. The rationale being I guess twofold, 1) that it encouraged individuals to continue in the role and 2) that the increased experience of the individual was a recognized value to the organization as they provided “more experienced” leadership.

In my case, finishing my eighth year as VP House League I received $6,500, instead of the base $5,000. Did MOHA receive value for the “extra”$1,500? We will have to wait and see, or perhaps that conclusion has already been reached.

Maybe if folks are so concerned about the Officer honouraria they should be cut back to the original levels or eliminated entirely.

One would hope that there is as much focus going into the hockey program as there has been on this topic

 Speaking of the hockey program –

“M” for Mitron

If Mitron is out, that may be a good or bad decision. I hope that the decision was based on an analysis of the value, or lack of it for Mitron versus the opportunities in Plan B, C or D and not just a knee jerk reaction to “get rid of” an individual.

Given the acrimony of the situation I am not going to discuss dollars and cents, although that has to be part of the assessment but more of a “so what are you doing instead”?

What is the “NEW” program.

I have no issues with any of the three individuals I have heard are to be the new “Head Coaches” or “Hockey Gurus” or whatever the nomenclature. Just keep in mind that an old proverb describes a Camel as a Horse designed by committee.

At the risk of offending people the other analogy is that “A Master can have two slaves, A Slave can not have two Masters”. Who’s in charge? Will there now be 35 individual coach designed programs? Is there a curriculum (like the Mitron books / program? Will there be a coach supervision / assessment program? Is there dryland? Are there seasonal plans? Is consistency valued? Will it, how and by who be evaluated? Will someone figure out the difference between assessment and mentoring – and which is it? . . .

I could go on and on but you get the drift. It is easy to walk away from something but that path is heading in what direction?

Corrupting Harry S. Truman – the buck stops where?

Having bodies or a committee is not a program, but then again people can say we did not have that with Mitrom anyway, or who says you need a program at all – just skate them till they drop. If it worked for Herb Brooks its good enough for MOHA.

Make sure you keep the stats from last season, They may make for a good comparison.

Remembering it’s Orangemen’s Day, I still owe myself a Guinness.

So I will leave you with some good old Irish blarney:

“May the curse of Mary Malone and her nine blind illegitimate children chase you so far over the hills of Damnation that the Lord himself can't find you with a telescope”.

Or on an equal opportunity more positive note:

“Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you”.

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July 11 – Took a leisurely day off to stretch out the weekend. Figured that would give me some relaxing time to come up with some great blog material. Surf the net, check the news do some puzzles, touch base with the office and be ready to go with some good stuff..

So much for the best laid plans.

I did put together a couple of sections of the IKEA shelving units I bought on sale a while ago. Easy to put together but what am I going to do with them? This was one of those deals, just too good to pass up. “Real wood” shelving units on sale for $15. Each. So I got several (over the pointed objections of several family members). Got them home, well they were real wood, sort of. Not sure what it is but it sure is soft, has a penchant for warping and seems to have some type of disease where it grows knots (notice I did spell this correctly with a “k” compared to the abuse I took on the knob / nob content). Anyway, I figured no big deal I will just shellac them and they will be fine.

What a pain in the lower back. Every piece had to be brushed by hand prior to assembly and I discovered a new property of this wood. It was thirsty.

Not really remembering the price of shellac and the ability of this wood to drink it, I figure the shellac ended up costing me as much as the shelves – let alone my slave labour. Surprisingly, no one wanted to help – isn’t that unique and different.

So with that finished I checked in at the office, found out crude was climbing again for no real reason and decided I did not want to hear any more about it until Monday – and checked out.

All along I had the Fan590 on to get the inside scoop on all my hot info for the blog and found there wasn’t any.

The big story of the sports day was the “beer guy” got fired! Seems that subject to filling in all the details and getting the facts correct (which I do not want to get a reputation for doing) the company that manages the concessions at the Skydome Rogers Centre and for the Blue Jays has fired our local celebrity the “Ice Cold Beer” guy for selling beer to an individual without “carding” him. Now the story is that the patron was of legal age but apparently / allegedly young enough that he should have been checked – or so I hear. Hopefully I have waffled enough to avoid being sued for defamation of somebody’s character.

Anyway this effect is getting huge play as the consensus seems to be that the punishment does not fit the crime and we want our beer guy back.

Tomorrow is July 12^th. For many of you the response is “so what”. However, in deference to my departed grandfather and in keeping with my heritage, I will tip at least one glass of Bushmills and a Guinness or two to celebrate Wee Willies victory over the evil King James II in the Battle of the Boyne – 1690.

Happy Orangemen's Day

My grandfather, who I lived with for a while and hugely respected, was also named “William” and was a devout celebrator of the day. A staunch Baptist, there was no end of conversation in the household about the “evils of Catholicism”. He was also a WWI veteran (a sapper) with some real stories to tell.

So now that I have offended the Holy Roman See, it is hardly worth worrying about local hockey today.

Some additional content for your history lesson below.

In July 1690, the Battle of the Boyne took place just outside the town of Dorgheda on the east coast of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, it is commemorated by marches and a bank holiday on or just after July 12. This day is known as "Orangemen's Day", "Orange Day", "the Glorious Twelfth" or just "the Twelfth".

 Orangemen's Day, also known as Orange Day, is celebrated on July 12th. In Newfoundland and Labrador it is usually celebrated on the Monday nearest to July 12th.

Orangemen's Day commemorates the 1690 Protestant victory over Roman Catholic forces in the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland. King William III of Orange, the Protestant King of England, defeated former King James II, a Catholic.

The Orange Order was established a century after the Battle of the Boyne and steadily grew in the 19th century as a patriotic bulwark against what many Protestants saw as treasonous Catholicism.

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July 10 - Buy  your gas before midnight tonight - rack has jumped 3.6 cpl which with GST added means up 3.8 cpl tonight. Diesel is going up even more. Why? Pundits claim concern and uncertainty over Iranian missile testing. Other than the pain of filling your tank these costs are working through the system and hurt everyone. Truckers especially are getting hammered on fuel costs especially if they are independents without the protection of fuel surcharges in any contracts.

The numbers below show the kind of increases we are facing with somewhat of an unprecedented climb this year. Oh for the good old days (Red Deer 1978 - 19 cpl.

In 1958 when Canadian Tire opened our first gas bar, the price was the equivalent of + cents per litre.

By the way, this is public, non proprietary, free info that anyone can access and check for the overall average or for designated cities. I am not revealing trade secrets. This week's high spot was Labrador City at $1.552, followed by Victoria BC with their wonderful new Carbon Tax - $1.529. And you think you have it tough.

Here is the base site link if anyone wants to peek. http://www.mjervin.com/ then go to fuel prices. A lot of good stuff here.

This has me so stressed I decided to take tomorrow off and create a long week-end Besides I still had over three weeks of vacation time left from last year that I had not used - I was too busy . . .

Maybe if I spend all day tomorrow thinking about it I can come up with something good to say about . . .

Nah!

I have to mention something about hockey, so how about "Leafs stumble again" - they got Frogren's contract nixed by the NHL. Would it be cruel to say they can't even sign a nobody? Well at least they can't blame this one on a broken fax machine.

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July 8 - I am hearing that some of my old baseball / hockey colleagues / competitors are reading my blog! I hope they are finding it entertaining and maybe I'll have to branch out to include baseball! The first foray would be my question - Do Little League and OMBA still "despise" each other, or have they reached detente?

I go back to the good old knuckle sandwich days. Love yo hear. wayne@minorhockeyfan.com

Keep this up and I can maybe sell ad space - do ya think MOHA would buy? Over 3,300 hits (and no misses).

Today’s blog is brought to you by the letter “C”. Shades of Sesame Street for those of you not making the connection!) I would hope most of you remember the moral indignation about Bert and Ernie.)

After yesterday’s blog I was advised that I should not be referring to the new brain trust as a cabal (letter “C”) and I have had previous comments that there was no coup (letter “C”) as there was an election.

Ever one to be accurate, I went rushing off (to my regular online sources – I mean if it is on the internet it must be true – right!) and came up with the following:

ca•bal

1. A conspiratorial group of plotters or intriguers:

2. A secret scheme or plot.

intr.v. ca•balled, ca•bal•ling, ca•bals

 [French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabala; see kabbalah.]

coup

1. A brilliantly executed stratagem; a triumph.

2.

a. A coup d'état.

b. A sudden appropriation of leadership or power; a takeover: a boardroom coup.

3. Among certain Native American peoples, a feat of bravery performed in battle, especially the touching of an enemy's body without causing injury.

Idiom:

count coup

Among certain Native American peoples, to ceremoniously recount one's exploits in battle.

 [French, stroke, from Old French colp, from Late Latin colpus, from Latin colaphus, from Greek kolaphos.]

Now, I would suggest that my “cabal” usage is clearly bang on – def 1.

For coup, I would not like to give credit for brilliance, so I would refer to definition 2b. I think this is a reasonable application of the situation without too much of a stretch.

With all the swirling rumours of potential legal action over this and that, I would not like to be seen as misrepresenting the facts.

To further deal with the blather about not being helpful in transition, the blatherees may want to harken back to when yours truly took over from the previous incumbent and all the help I got!

Some people either don’t have a clue about what is going on or have veeeery short memories.

I have said this before and I will say it again, since some folks still don’t or don’t want to believe me. I will not work with, support or assist the current cabal because of my opinion of them and their actions, past and expected. This has nothing to do with winning or losing an election. It has to do with my beliefs and principles about who I choose to associate with or support. Sorry folks, it’s that simple.

And who said I couldn’t be educational?

Game on!

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July 7 - Hello, you don't know me but I want to be your friend. I am a displaced member of royalty and the deposed ruler from Pucksshouldgoinland who is being unjustly persecuted by the tyrants who have taken over my country. If you will please just send me a few dollars I will be able to reclaim my throne and I would then invite you to share in my wealth.

It seems to work for all the Nigerians (with apologies to the good people) who persist in sending me this crap so I thought I would try it.

Actually, I just want to raise a few bucks for a trip to Chicago next Jan 1 to watch my Red Wings lay a whuppin on the Hawks at Wrigley field. What happens if you lose your puck in the ivy? Will a member of the unemployed Bush family go in after it or do you get a tree minute penalty? That's awful!

Maybe I can get a cheap seat in a lawn chair on top of the apartment house over the left field wall and being that Chicago is the Windy City maybe get blown right into the game.

Having enjoyed watching a ball game there (in a real seat), this is a natural extension. Who wants to go - lets get a busload.

Or, maybe if you send me enough money I can buy the Leafs. With the moves they are making, a $1.86 ought to just about cover either them, or a litre of gas. Break through news today on Stajan - they say he played all 82 games! Did anyone notice? Moorehead's law #62, "when your penalty minutes exceed your scoring points you typically are not a star". Check the stats.

Interesting tidbit found its way to me - Apparently the MOHA cabal is upset with "us", because "we" did not help with an orderly transition! Ya Think!

Perhaps you can save me a trip to the history books or www.Wikipedia.com  by letting me know when the last "coup" victims stayed around to help! Brilliant comment but I would expect no less! Anybody want to buy a wooden horse.

I am going to have to transfer "control" to my notebook so I can sit on the deck and drink some of my access controlled, over priced beer while blogging away. It may improve my prose.

By the way former colleague of mine who is the Beer Store guy, do you want Gerry's address so you can fill his yard with empties in response to his comments? I don't care - I only drink imported!

Off to the still I go but don't tell anyone.

Remember - email me the money - I need a new hobby.

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July 6 - As I sat on my deck this morning "remote working" I thought about how times have changed. Propeller Heads rule the world! Here I am on a gorgeous Sunday morning sitting outside working (like an idiot). I have my "office" notebook, hooked up wireless to my home network, linked into my office downtown access through secure VPN networking to work on data residing on our corporate network hidden away in a remote "secret" bunker somewhere (hint hint) northwest of Toronto and no it is not Cheyenne Mountain. All of these opportunities to ruin my day courtesy of the advances of the Pocket Protector People - the PPP, not to be confused with but not to dissimilar from another alliterative three letters.

What price progress?

Anyway it got me thinking back to my first involvement with personal computers as I guess I fall into the "early adopters" bucket. In the early 80s, a decade some of you may recall I was working for Ralston Purina marketing pet food - there are some stories there (Meow Mix figures prominently).

The early 80's - Ronnie Ray Gun was Prez.

Something new called CDs were being introduced as a vinyl killer - let alone computers (I still have a Pioneer 8 track recorder / player if anyone is interested).

Some guy named Bill Gates was becoming more known with this Microsoft company.

Meeting "slides" cost roughly $75 each to produce in glass 35 mm mounts - Computers graphics were in their infancy and LCD projectors were a WHAT?

"Wang" was the name in high tech word processors, closely followed by Big Blue's Displaywrite. Lotus 123 owned the spreadsheet world, Harvard Graphics owned graphics and the only respectable database was DBase - strictly for nerds.

Oh yes - and Gas was 40 cents a litre (I can't recall off-hand if it was still "leaded").

In keeping with the supposed hockey flavour of this blog, the Oilers and Islanders were powerhouses.

It was already almost 20 years since the Leafs had won the cup - Ballard was in control (I think) and

MOHA had never heard of me!!

Times change and so do PCs.

At Ralston I was a "power user" so I got the latest and greatest with all the bells and whistles, such as they were.

I was the dog food guy so I had lots of "needs".

Anyway, just for fun and to fill some space today, I compared what I had then as a state of the art, loaded business PC to what I am sitting at right now as an average "home" unit.

The chart below my provide some interesting comparisons for those of you with long memories or have nothing better to do with your time. You may even understand some of it!

The $ factor simply looks at the cost ratio while the P Factor sort of equates the size or performance. True technophiles please ignore.

Enjoy.

Back to work!

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July 4 - As the 51st state, I hope you all celebrated Independence Day today!  If you don't believe me check the economics.

Took a break yesterday, hoping for some exciting Leaf activity I could poke fun at. Didn't happen - what a surprise. Analogy of the day - Fletcher fiddling while the Leafs burn -  Nero fiddling while Rome burned.

I am sure their moves are good, I just haven't figured them out yet. The "blockbuster" must be coming - right!!

On the local front, I am really excited that Clearview is getting a public school. Our "builder" and other luminaries have now made good on a promise made 20 odd years ago.

Twenty years ago, we bought an "imagine if you will - house" in Clearview (we are still there as plank owners - for you nautical types) based on dirt, plans and a lot of promises.

The dirt is still there although they completely and negatively changed the elevations.

The surprise attractive green utility box and fire hydrant in the front yard were a nice added bonus - funny, they weren't on the plans.

The plans became a house, reversed plan and with some interesting challenges and

The promised school is yet to appear! Really, I will believe that when I see it, or better yet when my kids go there.

Oh Oh, wait a sec. - Andrew was two when we moved in, lots of time (we thought) for the school but I am not sure that at 22 he really wants to start there. Guess we have to move out and find another non school area.

Shouldn't be hard, as poetic justice, Chisholm where he did go is being closed. go figure.

For Shaun who was 8, I won't even comment, except that he spent some time at New Central and it too is getting the axe.

Maybe his kids will end up in Clearview - but no, that won't work because then I would be a Grand Parent and I am not that old!!!

Anyhow, it looks like we can add "school killer" to my resume.

Seems like "summer shutdown" mentality has set in on a number of fronts. And, no, that is not a pun on the Polywheels closure.

That is a very difficult and challenging problem for a lot of folks who have lost their jobs and I hope things work out for them. For those of us looking at a number of business factors every day this is a very real "close to home" example that there are serious economic issues at play.

The "oil escalator" is clearly working it's way through the "food chain" and none of us are immune to it.

I know I'm not - so - buy gas - buy lots of it - and buy it from Canadian Tire!

If I get really desperate for content, maybe I will post some historical gas retails. That would truly ruin your day.

Any thoughts or ideas for summer hiatus content - let me know Wayne@minorhockeyfan.com or minorhockeyfan@cogeco.ca . (I just want to make sure my email works as I am tired of sending test emails to myself.

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July 2 - Honouraria

To pay or not to pay, that is the question.

Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the dollars and cents of honouraria or by opposing end them.

My apologies to Shakespeare but this seems to be a hot topic with arguably two sides with reasonable positions.

Today’s blog is more of a sermon, in favour of continued support for at least some honouraria, specifically House League Convenors.

Prior to my tenure as an MOHA officer, an unsolicited board committee recommended and received approval for a package of honouraria. These have been reviewed and, or adjusted over time but in the scheme of things, there have been honouraria paid for around 8 or 9 years – that does not make it right or wrong.

Over the years, MOHA has been fortunate to have a great corps of volunteers, not just as team officials but in league roles.

Philosophically, it would be wonderful if enough folks volunteered to support these roles – gratis.

Pragmatically, it has become more and more difficult in today’s world to find people who are willing to do so – especially as “convenors” with the demands on their time and the “aggravation” they take / put up with from less than respectful individuals.

At the current $60 per team allocation, this rewards a convenor of a 6 team league with $360. – roughly $3.75 per participant and less than the registration cost for their own son or daughter if they have one participating.

With 204 teams – tyke and up, the House League Convenor honouraria was $12,240 for 30 convenor roles in 2007/08.

For this, the time commitment is approximately 4 hours a week at the rink (½ hour before – ½ hour after for 26 weeks), pre season setup / team formation, weekly stats and administrative issues, post season ratings and evaluations plus ad hoc meetings etc. This works out to around 180 hours minimum per season of contributed time meaning that in effect the convenor is being paid about $2 per hour.

For the service that they provide, I believe this is a very worthwhile expenditure.

These are important roles for the program, and can you recruit 30 quality convenors without this type of an inducement?

Should you expect to?

My tongue in cheek comment is that convenors are not obliged to accept an honourarium. They are free to decline. In fairness, and with my compliments to them, this occurred on a few occasions while I was VP.

There are a number of other honouraria paid. Which may have a different slant and may be deemed more or less worthy. Perhaps that can serve as cannon fodder for a future epistle.

However, I would hate to think that the impetus in considering dropping some or all honouraria, especially at the convenor level, is simply to free up funds to increase or create “paid roles” - remember I talked about this before.

Meanwhile, as a parent or volunteer, make sure you let the board know where you stand.

In case you haven’t guessed, I am pro convenor homouraria. I convened when there weren’t any but times change and so do demands on people and their expectations.

Now that I have said I am for them, you can consider that the K of D with the current cabal.

Did I hear my Wings got Hossa! It ALMOST makes me feel sorry for the rest of the league - especially now that the Leafs can really get the Finger!

Go Wings Go!

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July 1 - Into the second half of 2008 we go - busy day and it is just starting

• Canada 141 birthday - funny, I was not invited to the party.

• B.C. Carbon Tax a go - consumers hit again - definitely not happy - apparently there is an election this year and we all know what that means.

• Quebec cell phone legislation kicks in - watch the car calls sans hands free. Three month "grace" period over.

• An Order of Canada for Morgentaler?

• Crude trending up - over $142!

• NHL Free Agency wars are on - Are Leafs a combatant?

• 12 Million angry bees on their way home (Ontario) from New Brunswick - do I have an idea where we could send them?

• 5 Edmonton youth soccer players charged after allegedly beating up a dad (careful Gerry)

• And in Oakville . . . .

I have already worked a half day so that's it - off to the deck!

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