What I Learned On My Summer Vacation
It has been over two weeks since my last post. During that time I took a little pilgrimage to the motherland; aka Newfoundland. In the process I hung out with my amazing family, taught dad to golf(sort of), played a couple of rounds myself, beat my young nephews at video and real basketball, saw Lloyd and Wendy get married, loaned them my rings, had a couple of good nights downtown with Heidi, experienced Lloyd's Ford Explorer shutting down while doing 120km/hr on the highway, had some of mudder's and Renee's great cooking, spent a couple of nights at the beautiful lodge, reconnected with my old friend Tracy, saw dad produce 5 natural 7s, and I may have married Lloyd. These events and more helped inspire the following thoughts.
1. Phil: Guys can make a game out of anything; especially when drinking.
While at my best friend's wedding, a bunch of us were sitting on the dock. Phil, a guest, looked out at a rock peeking out of the water and proclaimed he could hit it more than everyone; a game was born. At its apex, Phil, he named it after himself, had six participants and several involved spectators. While I held the championship belt for a while, it was eventually stolen back by one of the guys from Town (St. John's). After an hour, there was whining of political involvement.
2. The Blue Jays are frustrating.
Significant streaks against the Yankees and Red Sox and then they lose a series to the Astros. This team is more up and down than .... an easy lady's underwear. (Keeping it PG for dad!) It's been a fun season but I would appreciate a run that puts them more into the playoffs and less on the bubble.
3. Wiggins will be traded and become a Raptor
Long story short, Wiggins is heading to Minnesota and he won't resign in a couple years. He will then become King of the Raptors and Lebron might question his move to trade him; expect Bennett and Thompson to follow suit.
4. Newfoundland has a lot of great athletes.
Watching the constant feed of solid athletes making headlines on the rock was fun. Basketball players heading to prep schools, soccer teams showing well in national tournaments, a fantastic running event in the Tely 10, and the list goes on. If I was a CIS coach, I would make it a priority to get some scouts scouring the province looking for untapped potential. It is there in scary amounts.
5. Cheater at Cards.
Just look at the picture and see how my dad can cheat. No real explanation needed.
6. Cell Phoneless weddings rule
Lloyd's wedding was at a small lodge near Point Leamington, NL. It had no cell service. Now I am a cell phone junkie. I check it too often, never when I am talking to others, and sometimes I have to force myself to leave it in my pocket. That said, it was nice to have that problem taken out of my hands. I took a couple of pictures and then it disappeared. The party was a full evening of enjoying people... and too much beer. I can see weddings in the future requesting people to limit their use of cell phones or just turn them off.
7. The Spurs hired a female coach
They just keep ahead of the curve all the time. Nothing complicated about this move, but they went out and hired WNBA star Becky Hammon. Think back to one of your influential female high school teachers, don't you see that person as someone who could help a group of NBA players. She is well spoken and seems like someone who will have a fantastic impact. Don't look for a female head coach yet, but another door may have just opened. As someone who played for a female in high school, I can tell you it will turn out positive.
8. Paul George Injury
It was graphic and hard to watch. Drs are saying he will be out for a year but should return to full form. This reminds me of the David Robinson injury that lead to the Spurs tanking for Duncan. I hope Paul is okay for 2015 but I also see the Pacers free falling for a year and getting a great pick. In the long run, the Pacers might be better off because they are not winning with their present roster.
9. We need to cut out the Knee Jerk Reaction
We now know everything that happens the instant it happens. This does not mean we need to react without thinking. Too many events over the last couple of weeks had people changing the landscape of sports for an exception. As a society, we need to really step back and allow ourselves to make informed decisions. The Paul George injury was horrible, but it does not require an immediate change. This year's Tely 10 had exceptionally high temperatures and people want to move the race to September. Last year it was freezing on race day. We need to breath and not undo a sport because of one incident.
10. Dream Golf Pairing
I played the Admiral's Greens golf course
while on the rock. It was very rustic course and it's not overly well
maintained. It is very hilly and not an easy walk, but some of the views overlooking St. John's
will take your breath away. The fact that I got to play it with my dad and
Lloyd made it that much better. There was constant chatter and the morning passed too quickly.
Anyway, those are my returning thoughts. I have another month before life becomes busy so I am planning on enjoying the dog days of summer.
