4 Pics from the Season

I've heard that there may be too many stats going on lately and not enough fun.

Truth is that for the first time in my life, I'm actually relevant in the stats which probably speaks to my interest.  However, I suspect that's about to change, so lets talk about a few happenings in the league of late.  Hey, you know what's cool about a private blog?  I don't have to blank out names.

I accidentally got on a Hot Tub Woody's email distribution list regarding registering for the August tournament.  After many excited Woody's (yep, did that on purpose) registered; current Hot Tub Woody's and former Grisslie great Tim (Timmy Two Beers) Osmond sent out this gem of an email

After many cat-calls, that was followed by TTB's follow up email:

I was going to attach a picture, but it just seems too wrong.  Even for me.  You got off light Timmy, watch those thumbs.  :)

Next topic.

This is the image of downtown Toronto that many of you picture.

Its clean.  Its pretty as far as a city goes.  Its safe.

As many of you know, I work downtown.  By downtown I mean RIGHT DOWNTOWN.  Jarvis and Dundas downtown.  I'm not saying that the area is dangerous but the drug dealers need police protection.  I've worked downtown for years.  Front and Simcoe?  Nice area, lots of sales types with the convention center there and tons of sports fans being by the dome.  King and Bay?  Awesome.  High end brokers and bankers.  Bloor and Jarvis?  Hip, young and happening.

Jarvis and Dundas.  The hookers can't stand the homeless asking for change.  Its just brutal.  This is the downtown Toronto that I'm accustomed to:

No shit.  This is real.

So I can park beside my building for 11 bucks.  Not bad for downtown.  But I'm cheap.  So I park around the corner and step over the hookers and get accosted by the homeless on the one block it takes for me to get to work at 7am.  Why?  To save 2 bucks.  I pay 9 dollars for the extra smell and dirt.  Whats the matter with me?

Oh.  Where I park?  Its the parking lot of the Filmore hotel. Do you know the Filmore?  Probably best not to admit it if you do.  So I was walking to my car on Monday and I saw this sign on the Filmore Marquee.

I swear to god, its the only clever thing I've seen down there.

First here is a picture of Me with Colin Mann, Al Duchesne and Rob Farah.  It was a pretty cool moment for me, meeting two legends that started this league some 30 years ago.  What you can't see from the picture is the conversation that preceded this.

Rob:  Doug this is Al and Colin
[shaking hands]
Doug:  Pleasure to meet you both, you're legends around here.
Al:  Are you on the alumni team?
Doug:  Me?
Colin:  Ya.  I'm glad to see there's still room for older guys. Its kind of inspiring me to come back.
Doug:  Seriously?  Are you looking at Rob or me?
Al:  What's Rob?  Mid 40's?  He's probably under the league average for age.  But a guy like you playing?  That gives everyone hope!
Doug:  Why don't we just get a picture.
Colin:  Do you want to borrow my smart phone?  I see you're still using a camera with film.
Doug:  That's because its better quality, not because I'm old.
Colin:  Right, you probably still use VHS.
Doug:  Beta.
Al:  I'd come back but I couldn't stand the drop in technology.  

So this pic come from Canada day on Fraser Ave.  Current residents Mark Banks, Rob McCarron, Paul Hargreaves and Rob Farah are joined by former resident Chuck Cragg.

Hargreaves:  Rob, you can take your hand off my shoulder, its not my first picture. 

Farah:  Well you didn't get the memo to wear a red shirt

McCarron:  And Mark didn't get the memo to wear sleeves.  

Banks:  When you've got pipes like mine, you don't wear sleeves. 

Farah:  Hold still Paul, Sue's gonna snap the picture.  

Hargreaves:  This is the longest picture I've ever had. 

Farah:  No "I'M" the longest pitcher you've ever seen. 

McCarron:  Has anyone seen my wallet?

Farah:  You guys are just excited to be standing near the best player in the league, settle down. 

Hargreaves:  Me?

Banks:  Me?

McCarron:  Me?

Cragg:  So glad I moved. Where's Dwyer?

Banks:  Filmore.

Of course the center piece of the Help The Kids Play weekend is the All Star Game.  Rob Farah was selected to the all star game as a catcher.

Rob:  Like my shirt?

Roman:  Not much

Rob:  Why not?

Roman:  Because you look like the Green Lantern.  Its stupid.  

Rob:  Green Lantern?  Like the super hero.  

Roman:  Ya.  Have you ever read a comic?

Rob:  Ummm.  I like Cathy and Beetle Bailey in the Sunday Sun.  

Roman:  Wow.  Why are you grabbing your crotch.  

Rob:  I think my jock shrunk.  Feels tight.  So question for you. 

Roman:  Shoot. 

Rob:  Who do you think the Grisslies will beat in the finals?

Roman:  I think you need therapy.  

Rob:  Because of my pulled shoulder muscle?

Roman:  No....the muscle above your shoulder is definitely pulled though.  

I'm assuming that this pic is from the Michael Worrod charity golf tournament.  

Chris Ross:  [screaming] HELP ME!!!!
Rick Cudnik: Look, one hand driving on the golf cart at 80kms!!!!
Chris Ross:  [screaming] AAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Rick Cudnik:  He's just joking.....
Chris Ross: [screaming] SAVE ME!!!!!
Rick Cudnik:  One hand and not even looking at the road, I'm friggin awesome!
Chris Ross: [screaming] Our Father, who art in heaven.......