Tagged, Eh?

I haven't played tag since grade 8 (not counting that time in Las Vegas a few years ago). It's a good way to get us to update our blogs though.

Lets see, ...... The rules: Each player lists 8 random facts/habits about themselves. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning before those facts/habits are listed. At the end of the post, the player then tags 4 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

OK....
1. One reason I am doing this is I don't think I could stand the embarrassment of having Allen actually update his blog before I do mine.

2. Megan is my favourite niece.

3. I have no addictions. If I did, cookies would be at the top of the list.

4. I actually know a lot more than people think I do. That makes me really good at Trivial Pursuit games, although I am admittedly weak in the cartoon-book-character category.

5. I get upset at drivers that straddle two lanes at stop signs.

6. I believe that mankind will save itself from disease, war, pestilence, and country music in a series of small steps rather than the "magic bullet" theorists.

7. Most of today's strong chewing gum flavours make me sneeze - a lot.

8. "Raymondo" comes from the first time I ever lied. At Disneyland, my two young daughters were horrified when they heard me give my name to the Latino operator of the ET ride as "Raymondo". "Dad, you lied!". Guilty. But at the end of the ride, ET said "Goodbye Raymondo". It was worth it.

As I don't know anyone else with their own blog aside from the ones Snowflake and Laurel already tagged, I'll have to pass on the tag to just Allan. Go for it Big Al!!

What's that Sound???!!!

The time is drawing near when even the most devoted of us Eskimo fans must admit to the realities of the situation - things are not looking too good these days. Stuck in the basement of the CFL West, we blew another game yesterday, and the Stamps win today. Those "pesky 'Riders are still hanging around even though August is long gone. How has it come to this?

One would think that after having not missed the playoffs for 35 years, my presence as a season ticket holder the last two years would have inspired the lads to even more dizzying heights. But no, both last year and this, just the opposite happens.

It's getting a bit tough to make the trip every couple of weeks only to have my spirits crushed once again. Anyone want to go halfs with me on my season tickets next year?

Oh, Those 'Riders!!

Fresh off an annihilation of the hated Edmonton Eskimos a week earlier (54-14 for those with short memories), the Green and White took it to the undefeated BC Lions last nite. Kerry Joseph looked like Joe Montana, Matt Dominigez looked like Jerry Rice, and Wes Cates looked like O.J. Simpson as he sliced through the BC defense.

21-9 winners, the 'Riders are now 4-2, solidly in second place in the CFL West division, and are no doubt looking for their next victim as the steamroller builds up momentum.

If only the Grey Cup were contested in August.

Darn Varmints!

The other day the Alberta Rat Patrol actually used shotguns to take out a colony of Norwegian Rats that had moved across the Saskatchewan border into Alberta near Alsask.

In today's Edmonton Journal, the results of an on-line poll were published. The question posed was: "Alberta has exterminated an infestation of Norway rats that came from Saskatchewan. Which possible Saskatchewan invader should we fear the most?"

4% of respondents identified gophers, 14% identified grasshoppers, 34% chose rats, and a full 48% identified Rider fans!

Have you any Grey Poupon ....?

Lloydminster's "Arts Without Borders" festival plays all this week. As Director of Protocol I will be meeting most of the cultural elite that pass this way. My table mate tomorrow for the Lt. Governor's Gala Banquet is Dr. Lynda Haverstock (have you any Grey-Poupon?), and her husband, amongst others.

Now, I know some of you are used to this, but for me it is a bit novel. Tonight, I will be meeting the six finalists for the Lt. Governor's Alberta Arts Awards. Bob Baker – artistic director of Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre; Greg Hollingshead – Edmonton author and professor emeritus at the University of Alberta; Sharon Pollock – Calgary author and playwright; One Yellow Rabbit Ensemble – an ensemble of Calgary theatre artists; Tom and Isobel Rolston – husband and wife musicians and administrators at The Banff Centre; and Rudy Wiebe – Edmonton writer and editor, have all been nominated. Three of them will be taking home a cheque for $30,000.00 each. I will also be attending three receptions with His Honour, Norman Kwong over the next three days.

Megan probably has most of the people on her speed-dial, but we folks in Lloydminster are all a-twitter. Did I mention that I just had a little chat with Fil Fraser in the bookstore at the mall? Oh, and do pass the Grey Poupon....

What's With Jason???

So I'm having a coffee whilst digesting the NHL Playoffs Leader board stats this morning and who sits atop the pack with 6 goals and 12 assists? None other than our friend Jason Spezza!

What's with Jason? Is this not the Jason that our inaugural NHL Underachiever Award is named after? Can this be true? Have I unfairly impugned poor Jason? Allan, what's happening here?

Mother's Day Surprise!

Roni, Kel and I visited Mom in NB on Sunday. She looks and feels good. Her garden is growing like a garden is supposed to grow in the spring with lots of flowers and blossoms on the fruit trees.

She was particularly delighted with a bouquet of cut flowers that had been delivered a day or two before. "Oh Ray, thank you so much for the lovely flowers" she said.

I looked at the card which read something like:

"From the good-looking one.....
the one that lives in Calgary......
the one that you last gave birth to .....
to the best Mom in the World .......
Happy Mother's day!"

"Didn't you read the card yet" I asked?

"Only the first line. I didn't have to read the rest, because I just knew it had to be from you", she said.

Well, what could I do?

"Happy Mother's Day Mom", I said. "You're the best Mom in the whole world"!