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Sunday, November 1:
I don't know who displayed less intestinal fortitude yesterday -- Cole Hamels or the Michigan Wolverines. Cruising along with a 3-0 lead over the Yankees, last year's playoff pitching hero gave up what first looked like a double to Alex Rodriguez. Upon review, the umpires correctly changed it to a two-run homer, cutting the Phillies' lead to 3-2. At that point, Hamels came undun, and the Yanks battered him around the ballpark until manager Charlie Manuel finally came out with the hook. I mean, even pitcher Andy Pettitte raked him for a RBI hit. The Yanks eventually won 8-5 to take a 2-1 series lead and home field advantage back. Then we have the Wolverines, who twice in the span of five plays, appeared to score a touchdown that would have given them a 19-7 lead at woeful Illinois. Both calls were (rightfully) reversed via instant replay and Michigan went to pieces. The Illini immediately scored to take the lead and eventually romped 38-13, dropping the Maize and Blue to 5-and-4. And if they don't beat Purdue at home next week, then you can kiss a bowl berth goodbye because they sure in thunder are not going to trip up either Wisconsin or Ohio State.
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Monday, November 2:
"Don't know why I love you, don't know why I care..." sang Dion and the Belmonts half a century or so ago. Oh wait, I know. They recorded it early in 1958, mere months after the Detroit Lions had won their fourth NFL championship. Yes children, there was a time when the Lions were the class of pro football. As for the lyrics and how they pertain to my favourite pro football team, well I have no idea why I love them like I do, or why I care. They provide good comedy, I guess. Yesterday's 17-10 loss to the St. Louis Rams (!) featured the Lions biting on a fake field goal-touchdown pass that left them standing around in slack-jawed wonder. After the game, center Dominic Raiola got into it with the fans again, angry that they were giving rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford the business. With the record unemployment in Motown, it's a wonder anyone can afford to attend a game, let alone the circus the Lions have become. Nice that he's standing up for his teammate and all, but methinks ol' Dom should drink a can of Shaddap and concentrate on trying to block someone in a different-coloured jersey. Of course, the main culprit is William Clay Ford Sr., the worst owner in sports and the reason I will never buy one of his automobiles as long as the family owns the Lions. Nor will I ever attend a Lions' home game under his reign of error. And it seems folks may be getting the message -- just 40 thousand showed up yesterday. Best line of the day came from an angry fan on the Detroit News' Lions' fan forum. He wrote that if Ford was a stopped clock, he'd only have the correct time once a day.
Putting a shift on to a dead pull hitter can pay huge dividends in baseball. But there are times when you have to engage the brain at the same time. Case in point: Last night, game four of the World Series, 4-4 in the top of the ninth with the Yankees' Johnny Damon at first with two out. The Phillies swung 'way around to right for Mark Teixeira and Damon took off on the first pitch, easily beating the throw to third baseman Pedro Feliz. That's right, third baseman Pedro Feliz. That's when Damon realized that the closest person in a white uniform to the hot corner was a fan three rows back. With no one covering third, he chugged in standing up. A hit batsman and two singles later, the Yanks had a 7-4 lead and shortly thereafter, the game. Now they're up three-games-to-one and with any luck, this crazy season will conclude tonight.
On the gridiron yesterday, the Eagles crushed the Giants 40-17. At the Gahden Saturday, the Sixers beat the Knicks in overtime. But fans in Philadelphia would have gladly traded in both of those conquests of New York for a win by the Phillies last night.
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Tuesday, November 3:
And so it starts. I was walking through Sears yesterday and saw Christmas displays, with speakers playing "Sleigh Bells" and "Winter Wonderland." I know merchants now have less than eight weeks to move their wares and I don't mean to be a "Bah Humbug!" type but I'm still just trying to get over the end of summer!
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Wednesday, November 4:
Ever had one of those days? For me, this is one of those dates. November 4th has been a pimple on my posterior for as long as can remember. Oh, not every year. Two years ago, I left for a vacation to New York City and Thailand, and started it with a football game in Buffalo. But today, I went to get in my car, only to find that my left rear tire had swallowed a nail. It all worked out as the gang at Acura of Markham slapped on my snow tires and repaired the damaged tire with all speed, making me late but not critically so for work. No big deal -- but there was one very ugly 11/4 decades ago when I got into a very nasty argument with my dad and left home, certain that I was right and he was wrong. (I don’t have to tell you who really was correct). And a year ago today, our neighbourhood lost Steve, the World’s Greatest Next-Door Neighbour, when he was killed in a motorcycle crash.
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Thursday, November 5:
I’ll preface this by saying that I respect David Branch more than any other person in hockey. He has the thankless job of running Canada’s three major junior leagues and he does a sterling job. But I’m having a hard time getting my head around his rest-of-the-season suspension of the Erie Otters’ Michael Liambas. His junior career is now over for his high-speed collision with 16-year-old Ben Fanelli of the Kitchener Rangers last Friday, putting Fanelli in critical condition in a Hamilton hospital, where thankfully, he’s improving. That’s not to suggest Liambas is blameless. Far from it. He travelled a long way at a high rte of speed to crush Fanelli and certainly deserves a lengthy suspension. But this is too harsh. Liambas didn’t leave his feet or use his stick. And many factors led to the serious injury. Fanelli appeared to turn towards the boards just before he was creamed. And his visor cracked. Branch spoke about a ”lack of respect” on the part of Liambas. Well, there’s been a lack of respect in hockey ever since the Broad Street Bullies arrived on the scene in the 1970s. Coaches teach guys -- and Liambas is one of Erie’s tough guys -- to nail the opposition whenever possible. Don Cherry’s videos highlight crushing hits. This is the climate of the game these days. So, while I think Branch is wrong, I won’t condemn him for it. I’d rather have a hockey commissioner be more of a hanging judge than a softie when it comes to laying down punishment. Dave Branch has done as much, maybe more, than anyone to clean up junior hockey. And he is consistant. I’m glad I didn’t have the responsibility of doling out punishment in this case. And more than anything else, I hope Fanelli has a speedy and complete recovery.
Well, we’re off! Another excursion, and a long one -- a month to Europe and Asia. We’ll be posting from places like Frankfurt, Prague and Singapore and we'll drop in a picture or two along the way.
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Friday, November 6:
NEW YORK -- It was closed of course at 5 a.m. but now I know it's there -- an Anchor Bar right in the departure section of Buffalo International Airport! I have no idea how long it's been there but I think I've found my dinner destination for December 5th, when I return from this excursion. In an hour from now, I'm off to Washington and then late this afternoon, across the ocean to Frankfurt.
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Saturday, November 7:
PRAGUE -- What a beautiful city this is -- full of classic old relics, lovingly maintained over the centuries. I was hoping to catch a hockey game but both local teams were idle. Which was fine, actually. It gave me more of a chance to sight-see.
I arrived here via Frankfurt, which has grown by leaps and bounds from my last visit five years ago. Every third structure is a crane. And I'm sure Olympic walkers do their training at Frankfurt International Airport. It's gotta be a mile from the arrival gate to the baggage claim to the rental car counters. At least I'll be in better shape for the rest of the trip!
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Sunday, November 8:
HANNOVER, Germany -- So Michigan lost to Purdue. Glad I didn't see it. After a 4-and-0 start, the regressing Wolverines are going to be denied a bowl game for a second straight season. Unless you believe they'll either beat Wisconsin in Madison or upset Ohio State. I sure don't.
Germans certainly know how to drive. You won't find any dawdlers in the passing lanes over here. I don't have a vehicle on this trip that can keep up with the Bimmers and Benzes but even in a Fiat, tooling along on the autobahn is a blast and a half!
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Monday, November 9:
LEVERKUSEN, Germany -- It's a day of celebration in Germany. Twenty years ago tonight, the Berlin Wall started coming down, uniting East and West Germany and creating the vibrant country Deutschland is today.
I love the language, although I don't speak it, I'm afraid. Saw a sign the other day directing drivers to "Bad Homburger" and I thought, yep, I've had a few of those over the years. And exit signs along the autobahn say, "Ausfahrt."
Saturday's hazy sunshine turned into yesterday's cloud cover and today's all-day rain. And, in the words of the incomparable Yogi Berra, "It gets late early here." Sunset is about 4:30 or so, leading to a long period of dusk. A far cry from next week's destination of Southeast Asia, close to the equator. When the sun sets there, it gets dark in mere minutes.
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Tuesday, November 10:
FRANKFURT -- It's been a whirlwind few days of driving around Germany in the Fiat. But you have to drive in the hills to get back here to the country's financial capital. And the Fiat and the hills don't get along. In that regard, the vehicle is more of a Gutlass Supreme. But we opened her up a few times in the flatlands.
At one point today we were just cruising on the autobahn at about 140 kph. And to my right, a bullet train flashed by in the wink of an eye. As it disappeared, I shook my head at the decades of incompetence amongst our politicians for failing to invest in high-speed train travel. It makes so much sense. I guess that's why nothing has ever been done.
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Wednesday, November 11:
FRANKFURT -- It seems very surreal to be observing the 11th day of the 11th month in Germany -- Veterans Day for our friends south of the border -- Remembrance Day for us. For so many of our veterans, my grandfather included, Germany was "the enemy." But I've never ever considered German people the enemy. They're wonderful, down-to-earth folks. It was, at least in the World War II, Hitler and his followers who had to be defeated.
Five-and-a-half years ago, on my last visit to Frankfurt, I discovered a restaurant just north of my hotel, that served great German food. After a little trial and error, I found it again and sure enough, the food was just as spectacular!
Off to southeast Asia later today. Finally, some warm weather!
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Friday, November 13:
BANGKOK -- Warm weather, indeed. It was 34 degrees Celsius when we touched down yesterday afternoon. Fine with me. Even though I look as if I'm melting, I'd far rather be hot than cold.
Bangkok's taxis don't have a specific colour scheme like New York's fleet of yellow cabs. The vehicles are painted in all colours of the rainbow, including, no lie, shocking pink. Guess which colour cab tooted up to whisk me downtown from the airport. It was common enough though. There must have been half a dozen other pink cabs zipping along the expressway besides ours.
Bangkok's SkyTrain service from downtown to the airport opens December 5th, two days after I leave Asia to return home. People here are complaining about the long delays in getting the project finished. I was here exactly two years ago and frankly, I'm amazed it's ready to open. I was also here six years ago, and not only was the airport SkyTrain a pie-in-the-sky dream, the new airport wasn't even open. And while all of this is getting done, Toronto's no closer to a fixed link from downtown to Pearson than it was when I moved there in 1984.
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Sunday, November 15:
PHUKET, Thailand -- Power naps. I love 'em. I need 'em and I think societies that encourage them have the right idea, whether it's 20 minutes or two hours. I was in the middle of the latter yesterday afternoon when I was jolted awake by a loud boom. "Thunderstorm," I murmured to myself before drifting off again. A pretty strong one, I found out later but it was mostly a rumour to me. But today's boomer was no rumour. Just as fierce, it was one the reasons we got to spend far more time at Don Muang International Airport than we intended while waiting for our flight to Phuket. The last time we were at this 92-year-old facility -- February of 2003 -- it was teeming with people. Now, its glory days long behind it, Don Muang handles cargo and a couple of domestic airlines. The place is stripped to the bare necessities and not really the place to have to kill a few hours. Kudos to our carrier, Nok Air ("We Fly Smiles!") though. With a delay of less then two hours, they provided dinner vouchers to passengers allowing us to enjoy passable fried rice and chicken at the airport's lone sit-down restaurant. Oh, and Nok's logo is pretty neat, too. It looks like a fortune cookie sporting a Kermit the Frog smile.
Ladies of the evening are a way of life in Bangkok and it's a wonder they don't kill themselves trying to navigate the city's battered sidewalks in their high heels. The sidewalks consist of concrete squares laid down on weak and shifting sand and failing to look down while walking is an invitation to danger.
Bangkok is not without its charms. In addition to signs on SkyTrains requesting people surrender certain seats for the elderly and physically challenged, there are also signs saying, "this seat is reserved for monks." Nice touch, Thailand being a deeply religious country, with Buddhist monks a common sight. And a sign promoting the restaurant at the Landmark Hotel reads: "Probably the best steaks in Bangkok." Probably.
My taxi to the airport today was silver. And I haven't had a cabbie either reach for his glasses whilst navigating an expressway curve at 150 kph, or refer to me as "Charlie Malibrook." But there's still lots of time.
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Monday, November 16:
PHUKET, Thailand -- This gem in southern Thailand was devastated a few years ago by the tsunami that swept through southeast Asia. But it has recovered nicely and it's business as usual in regards to tourism. If Thailand is a future destination for you, Phuket is not to be missed. It's mountainous and the long drive to the beaches from the airport reminds you of cottage country -- small dwellings lit up by fluorescent bulbs. Very cool -- well, except for the temperature. This is Thailand's extreme south and the heat doesn't diminish despite the hills. But the ocean breeze makes it all bearable. Coming back to an air-conditioned room would be nice, except that at many places, including mine, the room's power system is activated when you place your room key in a slot beside the door. When you leave and take your key with you, the A-C turns off.
There are hotels here of all sizes for all budgets, including (of course) a place called Fawlty Towers. They even have one establishment called "The Nice Hotel."
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Wednesday, November 18:
SINGAPORE -- Welcome to Singapore, where you and your bags go through airport security on arrival as well as departure. Actually, not a bad idea. The drive downtown is a delight, with parks and trees lining the expressway. And Singapore's Flyer, its giant ferris wheel, is actually bigger than the one in London, England. I'm told Singapore is one of the lightning hot spots on the globe, with lightning strikes occurring approximately 170 days of the year. This was one of them.
Some things just boggle the mind. As we were being transported to Phuket's airport this morning, we passed a motorcycle with a sidecar. At the control and doing about 60 kph was a helmetless Thai mom and loose in the sidecar was a helmetless lad of maybe two years and a propane container. Further words aren't necessary.
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Thursday, November 19:
SINGAPORE -- Because of a short stay here, my sight-seeing plans were at the whim of the weather and Mother Nature did not cooperate. Heavy rain started falling just as I arrived at my hotel and continued into the evening. But I did get to spend some time along Orchard Road, one of the best shopping districts in all of Asia. After a week of budget accommodations, I splurged for a night -- reasonable at that -- at the Orchard Parade Hotel. And after a week of Asian food, I succumbed to the temptation of the Angus Beef Steakhouse in the lobby.
Travellers tip: To reduce the chance of angst when the hotel mixes up your wake-up call time with your room number, make sure you stay in a higher-numbered room than mine last night (315).
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Saturday, November 21:
ANGELES CITY, Philippines -- Diosdado Macapagal International Airport will never be mistaken for the great departure hubs on the globe but its history may be hard to match. For Diosdado is the former Clark Air Force Base, an important landmark, especially during World War II when it was held for three years by Japanese forces. More recently, it was a strategic centre for the U.S. during the Vietnam war. Clark's days were numbered when nearby Mount Pinatubo erupted in 1991, causing extensive damage. Flying into Clark, the pyroclastic flows along old river beds are clearly visible, and it's easy to spot where old subdivisions were completely wiped out.
There's nothing to love about Angeles City mind you, unless sleaze and slime are your thing. It's strictly a place you pass by on your way to somewhere else.
Ohio State 21 Michigan 10. Sigh. A 5-and-7 season, no bowl game and a sixth straight loss to the scarlet and gray. If Rich Rodriguez, hired to much fanfare, can't turn this around next season, then he's gotta be gone.
Wow! Queen's upset Laval in the university playoffs. Now the Golden Gaels play Calgary for the Vanier Cup -- yep -- at Laval!
Saw a sign at a four-way stop -- "first to stop, first to go." Simple, eh? If only people followed those instructions in Toronto.
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Monday, November 23:
PATTAYA, Thailand -- Back in the Land of Smiles after a long day of travel. Last night, my cab driver immediately apologized for his difficulty in English, and then must have thought I'd get lonely on the hour-long trek from Bangkok. Ten minutes in, he hands me his cell phone, saying "you talk." His friend spoke English but what was I going to say to her? "Hi, nice to meetcha?" When we arrived, it was quickly evident that the driver didn't know Pattaya from a bowl of soup. After getting lost for half-an-hour (I was going to ask if he was showing me his old paper route) I finally begged out when I saw the first landmark I recognized and hoofed it to my hotel from there.
Hey, the Detroit Lions won a football game!
Hey, Jimmie Johnson won a NASCAR title -- his fourth in a row. Well done, my man!!
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Tuesday, November 24:
PATTAYA, Thailand -- The folks who operate this city are bound and determined to change its image. Oh, the beer and go-go bars at the south end of town won't disappear but they're suffering financially as Pattaya concentrates on bringing in families as its main tourist base. And the fruits of labour are paying off. A marvelous new shopping and hotel complex that was being constructed when I was here two years ago is now complete and open. The only danger is that, in addition to unique shops and attractions, the old tacky standbys -- Ripley's, Madame Tussauds -- are here as well.
So this is cool season! I had what I thought was a taste of it in 2007, but this is the real deal. Sunshine, high 20s Celsius, low humidity -- what most Canadians pray for in the summertime. Delightful!
My friend Dawn, a superb broadcaster and photographer, is blogging! A cat person, she calls her blog "Mew sings." Here`s a link -- visit often if you love animals, nature and the "mew-sings" of a delightful human being:
http://digbytoast.blogspot.com
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Thursday, November 26:
PATTAYA, Thailand -- A joyous Thanksgiving to our American friends -- and please stay safe as you travel the highways and airways to reconnect with loved ones. Enjoy the turkey and the football -- and in the wake of their heart-stopping, last-play-of-the-game win on Sunday, I'll refrain from any cheap shots about the Detroit Lions and their annual appearance today on national television.
"They are still swimming" reads the neon sign at King Seafood on Pattaya's Walking Street. And they were, in the large tank to your left as you enter. So we splurged the other night for the king lobster dinner and added a mai tai served in a carved-out pineapple to wash it down. Both were devoured at midnight at a table by the sea, accompanied by a light breeze and a soup-bowl of a half-moon setting behind the giant PATTAYA City sign on the south shore. Cost? Like the ads say, priceless.
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Saturday, November 28:
PATTAYA, Thailand -- Nothing, and I mean nothing, cures the ills like a Thai massage (traditional, dear). My spare tire has led to back pain over the years and the hard-as-concrete beds over here have left me uncomfortable lately. I also love to walk, and the more I walk, the more I am reminded of two very arthritic knees. So yesterday, I took an hour-long message down the street from the hotel. Sixty minutes later, I felt like strapping on a helmet to go looking for stray quarterbacks.
The elevators here have a marvelous feature: When you press the >|< button to close the doors, the doors actually close! Right away. In North America, I believe those buttons are there simply for decoration.
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Sunday, November 29:
PATTAYA, Thailand -- There are bars here of every shape, size and theme, including one named "Only Fools and Horses." A lot of long faces in there, yuk, yuk. But you won't find any Canadian-themed bars, mainly because the early Hockey Night in Canada telecast would start here Sunday morning at 7 a.m. Instead, football (soccer) bars are everywhere as the Saturday afternoon games in the U.K. make for prime time viewing here on Saturday night. Last night, I entered a Glasgow Rangers' bar and made some fast friends. Sadly, the 'Gers fell 1-0 at Aberdeen. Later, at a place near my hotel, I convinced the owners to switch away from a Manchester City-Hull match ("No one wants to watch that", I thundered) to the Manchester United-Portsmouth game, won convincingly by the good guys in red.
Hard to believe I'm missing Grey Cup Sunday. I've always had a soft spot for the Green Riders, due to their passionate fans. But I'm from the east and I have to cheer for the bride's hometown Alouettes. I just hope it's a great game. Sounds as if the Vanier Cup was a dandy. Congrats to Queen's for their narrow win over Calgary.
Moving on today -- back to Bangkok where a meal of ribs at Tony Roma's awaits. Gad, I'm pathetic.
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Monday, November 30:
BANGKOK -- Wow! I can only imagine the water-cooler chats today following what must have been an incredible Grey Cup game last night in Calgary. And Rider Nation must be in a state of absolute shock. I can't imagine the agony of Saskatchewan winning a championship on a missed field goal, only to be flagged for having too many men on the field, giving Montreal a second and ultimately successful chance. The only thing I can remember that comes close was Ohio State's double-overtime win against Miami in the BCS championship game in January of 2003 when a very late flag on a fourth down incomplete pass derailed the Hurricanes' celebration, even as orange and green confetti was flying. But even that took a few more plays to develop before the Buckeyes ultimately prevailed.
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