A long trip and a great day remembered

Guess this being late thing isn’t just about time zones, or I’m just not used to being home.

And since yesterday went from a 5 a.m. wake up call in Portland to blog before a long journey through Vancouver got me at Casa Doug about 9:45 p.m., there wasn’t a lot new stuff to think about.

So …

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Man, am I glad that one’s over.

Longest trip of the year, in games, time and soul-sucking losses that turned every story into pretty much the same one.

But some personal observations and tips, if you want:

Best find?

Lumpy’s in Salt Lake and Epic Brewing’s Brainless golden ale.

A fine end

If you can shut down the trip after the last game at Kell’s in Portland with Gumby and catching up for an hour or so with Jay over a Kell’s lager it kind of takes some of the sting out of the journey.

Jay’s doing extremely well, loves being back on an NBA bench, truly enjoys simply coaching and working with players rather than dealing with some of the extraneous crap NBA coaches have to put up with. Loves the city, the organization and looks more relaxed than he ever did in the final year on the bench here.

Oh, and the Irish natchos at Kell’s (potato chips rather than tortilla chips) are outstanding.

Worst day?

You sit out an eight-hour delay at the Sacramento airport and I defy you not to want to stick pins in your eyes.

Speaking of The Kells …

A story.

It’s got to be about four, maybe five year ago and I find myself at a table there (it’s an excellent Irish pub with good music) with Stumpy and Jack Armstrong and was introduced to one of the worst concoctions I can imagine.

Ever hear of an Irish car bomb?

Half a pint of Guinness, drop a shot of Bailey’s in it and, boom, slug it back.

Now, I can’t handle the texture of Guinness nor its taste (had one on a tour of the factory with Super Granddad more than a decade or two and couldn’t have a second) and Bailey’s is a nice with coffee and that’s about it.

Anyway, they knock down a few of them and Stumpy is just starting his Slice Of Life rants in the Little Paper That Used To Grow so he writes about our night out and what we had consumed.

The Super Wives here in and Lewiston were not impressed; and Stumpy giggled every time we ragged on him about it.

And now that I’m home until a Christmas Day flight to San Antonio (I’ve got about Dec. 18 when Super Wife and Super Son are ready for another departure) it’s time to relax a little bit.

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12-12-12.

Nice ring to it, no?

Not sure what today is going to be like but I can sure tell you what 12-12-92 was like.

It snowed like nobody’s business in Toronto but that couldn’t stop the Wedding Of The Century from unfolding.

Super Wife in calf-high snow boots walking into the church before changing for a glorious stroll down the aisle, me looking ravishing and a tad nervous and the tuxedo-clad groomsmen and best man stopping for a post-ceremony pre-reception cocktail at some dive around Broadview and Gerrard and being asked if they were the band.

Yeah, was a helluva day for Super Wife and I and 60 of our then-closest friends.

Best thing I ever did.

And when you’re watching the HOTH tonight, I won’t be; I’ll be remembering all the good of the last two decades.

(And probably fielding a lot of calls from ticked off friends who took the under)

Dance, anyone?

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One game?

Yes, I believe David Stern might be getting a wee bit soft as he prepares to ride off into the sunset as NBA commissioner after the late-night suspension handed down to Amir Johnson.

The dude rifled his mouthpiece at a referee and hit him, for goodness sake.

But I guess the mitigation might have been the complicity of referee David Jones in the whole matter and Amir’s clean disciplinary sheet in the past.

Still, the one-game dead did surprise me.

Gonna make for some interesting lineups tonight when the Nets come to down, especially if Bargnani’s elbow is still an issue. That leave only Valanciunas, Davis and Aaron Gray as available bigs and that sound you hear is guys like Reggie Evans and Hump licking their lips.

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So I understand this is the last week of publication of a printed edition of The Sporting News and we of a certain vintage should have a moment of silence.

Now, I will fully admit I was far more a Sports Illustrated guy back in the day but The Sporting News was a decent second to Sport Magazine on the list.

(Yes, kids, this was even before there was an ESPN!)

Anyone remember racing to get that week’s Sporting News so you could read the notes on each team and check out the boxscores of the week?

That was kind of cool and gave rise in some small way to the notes pages that started to appear in newspapers which gave rise to notes packages that started to appear on the internet (hello, Nothin’ But Net) and I guess you can thank the Sporting News for this.

Or something like that.

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Hey, one more 12-12-12 note?

Not only did we set up The Wedding Of The Century to have a 20th anniversary on the last day ever we’ll have a date like this but it was also a birthday celebration of The Chairman Of The Board.

And, oh yeah, we danced to this one, too.

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Sure, if you’ve got mail, we’ll take a look at it.

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So the name-calling is over and I’m not taking much crap any more.

The whole comments part of this is to stir discussion, present alternative viewpoints and I think we’ve done it quite well over years.

But now? Now the name-calling and personal crap is over the top so it’s zero tolerance now. I’m not sitting here and letting anonymous people hurl personal insults, it’s a priviledge to have stuff show up here, not a right. It’s far to easy to block IP addresses and e-mail addresses; keep in civil or else. No warning, no nothing; you’ll be able to read but not write and my already high blood pressure might go down.

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Comments

[Matt]

Congratulations on the milestone, Doug! Glad to see that with the hectic nature of your job you're able to make some time to reach some work/life balance. Enjoy the evening!

Blogger's note: Thanks. Am sure we will

[Edward]

Personal attacks on anyone are not only unacceptable, they violate a basic rule of rational argument. However, given the sorry state of the Raptors, how long it has gone on and the little hope these is or the future, one can understand where the anger and frustration come from. If you send a complaint to MLSE, you get a pre-canned, form letter back, and an offer on a set of tickets. Even though Doug Smith is independent of MLSE, many of the Raptor writers in town are not and he probably gets lumped in with them.

[Boko]

Doug, congratulations on the 20th anniversary. I recommend sending your wife to a day spa, all expenses paid. I do it annually (even sometimes join her to get a 1-hour deep-tissue massage myself), and we've been together since 1989.

A while ago, I noticed that some of the comments were upsetting me, so I decided to just read your replies to them. I you tweaked my interest, I then read that particular comment. (I imagine that the unfortunate ones were the ones who made a good point, but didn't get any reply from you. Just something to keep in mind ...)

Blogger's note: Spa? Not a bad idea

[David in Oakville]

Congratulations Mr Smith!

I will be sure to raise a Guinness in toast to your and the tolerant Mrs Smith's continued happiness. Well done!
+
And, about time you and Mother Star laid down the law for some of the nonsense that people feel compelled to post here.

Blogger's note: Thanks for the best wishes

[Wilber]

Based on your fashion choices on press row (the pink shirt is our favourite), you must have went stylish with the tuxedo colour - Powder blue? Chocolate brown? Raptor purple? Do tell. In all seriousness, Happy Anniversary to Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

As I've watched these games, I'm wondering how much they've missed Alan Anderson. I know he's no star and there are bigger issues, but he seems like a steady-handed pro, one who would keep his head and do his job when things get hairy. How much have they missed him, Doug?

Blogger's note: They've missed him quite a bit, actually. And I would be shocked if he didn't play Friday.
Was traditional black, it was two decades ago after all

[Rob.V]

So, not to be a smart ass however the question I have is are you still going to have to sift through (read) the posts that you delete?
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If so, I'm not sure how this is going to help with the blood pressure.
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If you're going to have to read them anyway maybe you should continue to post because at least this way you will (in all likelihood) have an army of irregulars that can respond.
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I agree, the personal attacks are not cool however I am not for any censorship of any sort.
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I also do not believe that religion or any other taboo topics (as some have suggested in the past) should be avoided.
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There are other blogs where it is one blatant attack at another poster after another. Those sites are just terrible. This blog is "nothing" like those, and that's why people come here. Now, I'm not usually the one taking the hits so my perspective is of course going to be different from yours.
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Having said this, if some of the garbage is still going to be read by you then this is only going to spare us so I'm not sure there is a benefit in that (to you).
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And in some kind of obtuse way some of these posts actually become entertainment for the readers (some, not all posts). Okay, I'm probably going to hear it from the other irregulars on this however if they were being honest - they'd probably admit it too.
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What's really important is this: Serenity Now. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlZvY_LXJco

Blogger's note: Am all about serenity. Today at least. Thanks
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Anyway my friend, Congratulations on 20 years!!.

[sam]

A few quick thoughts -

Amir got off easy -

The knuckleheadism seems to be at an all time high - If you browse some of the other Raptors Sites - name calling and insults are common place. It's not something I totally understand - what was the word you used awhile back "civility" ? It does seem to be lost

The Lakers,,,,oh my, loosing to the Cavs last night. This might make the legend of Steve Nash grow when he returns and leads the team to the promiseland...

In honour of your wedding anniversary I'll toast you and super Wife with an ice cold Stella while watching the game -
All the best and Happy Anniversary.

Blogger's note: I appreciate it

[David in Oakville]

Oh and one more thing... I always say that there are two types of people in this world... those that appreciate the taste and texture of Guinness (not to mention it's ability to serve as a meal replacement) and those who, sadly, were not blessed with superior taste buds.

Enjoy your evening away from the Raps (and if they win, consider celebrating your anniversary every night they play) ( I keed of course )

[gavin]

Happy anniversary buddy! You deserve the night off :)

Blogger's note: You know, I think maybe I do. Thanks

[Nick]

Congrats Doug on the occasion. I hope a trip to China is in your future, because I think a place would freeze over if you entered a china shop. However, on second thought 20 happy years with "Super Wife" might make it easy to saunter into a china shop.
Lastly keep the opposing idea comments, as they occasionally make me laugh, but exclude those low class , low rent personal attack comments.

Blogger's note: That is absolutely the plan, thanks

[joeu]

Hi Doug, congratulations on the 20th. My wife and I also had a December wedding, but ended up with a much warmer day, and it worked out quite well. Lots of great memories.

I know you aren't looking for the approval, but I agree completely with your stance. You've worked hard at keeping the discourse open, and it's too bad you have to actively throttle the knucklehead-ism.

Have a great night out !

Oh, and for Mike D. you have a point but Superwife may have an exception ...
http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=25295
could be reality, right ?

Blogger's note: Thank you

[Ren]

Congrats Doug!

Blogger's note: Thanks

[DaveB]

Congratulations to you and Super Wife on 20 years of wedded bliss. Enjoy your day with family and best wishes for many more years of health, happiness and prosperity.

I am sure we only see a small example of the negative comments. It appears the IGBT is probably worst than the comments section. I assume you do not post the most offending comments in the blog or IGBT. As moderator I think you have the right to suppress these comments and I am glad you are doing it.

It is amazing to see some of the comments in other papers/sites where there doesn't seem to be any moderator. Many of the little paper, TSN and the National Post comments are irrational, uninformed and you wonder if the writers even follow the team or just post comments based on the latest results.

While I sometimes disagree with your opinion I fully accept your right to have it. I thank you for accept my differing opinion. No offence is intended or taken. This is what makes good discussion.

I do agree that Amir's suspension may have been influenced by the referee escalating the situation instead of deescalating it. He really seemed to overact to a routine that many players (not only Amir) perform while the opposing is shooting free throws.

Enjoy your day. I look forward to your next blog/story.

Blogger's note: Thanks very much; and there always needs to be room for dissenting views, it's what makes the world go around.

[zow]

20 years is quite a milestone, she must be a (superwife) to put up with a snarky beat grunt for that long! Have a special day ;)

Blogger's note: You know me well. Thanks

[Michel G]

My wife and I celebrated our 20th a couple of months ago. It was fun. Congrats!

And thank you for trying to censor some of the crap people post. Like other readers have mentioned, I'd started to skip the comments.

Blogger's note: Congratulations to you and your wife; and thanks

[JW]

20 Yrs! Great Milestone Doug, Congrats!!!

Pay no attention to the personal attacks. You know those loosers wouldn't have the the cahones to say anything to your face.

Did you ever catch me off guard this morning with your Guinness comments. A beer lover such as yourself not liking a pint of the Black Stuff? Never would have guessed.

Have a great day with your wife Doug.

Blogger's note: Thanks very much

[larry lukeeborg]

smart man, getting married so close to christmas...you only have to shop once for gifts!!!

happy anniversary, and thanks for the blogging fun.

p.s. i suggest that you give guiness another try. my first was as a young fella visiting ireland, the guiness was warm and i nearly...well, i didn't like it much. but now, as an old fella, i think it's great. but...i'm a dark beer kinda guy.

Blogger's note: Thanks. I'm more a Pilsner, lager guy

[Rob]

Happy Anniversary!! As a fellow frequent business traveller with kids in the family, i know just how much we lean on a good wife to make it all work. And for 20 years is quite an accomplishment.

So, is your wife into the raptors at all? If so, whats her take this year?

Blogger's note: Thanks a lot; no, she's not a big fan. By choice, not because of how they're playing now

[SR]

Happy 20th anniversary Doug! The 1st anniversary for my wife and I is less than a month away.

Blogger's note: Hope you have soooo many more; best wishes

[AC]

Happy Anniversary, Doug, and all the best! Keep up the good work.

Blogger's note: Very much appreciated

[MC_Brad]

Congrats on 20 years!

As an aside, I will miss your usually snarky retorts to the idiots that post stupid things though

Blogger's note: Oh, there'll be room for snark; am absolutely not stifling discontent or disagreement, just tired of being called names.

[bob]

Congrats to you and your wife!

Question - with the Amir suspension, which they knew was coming before they left Portland, and with Bargnani hurting himself in the same game, wouldn't it have made sense to bring Quincy Acy back with them from the west coast? I know he's raw, but a big body is a big body... With Humphries, Evans, and Blatche up front for Brooklyn, wouldn't his energy and physicality come in handy right about now, even just as emergency depth?

Blogger's note: Thanks, and they are actually trying to get him back today; probably should have started the wheels in motion yesterday

[Mike kovacs]

I'll miss you at the game tonight!

I loved reading The Sporting News way back to get all the stats on the Expos and see how the kids on the farm teams were doing. It was necessary to get it at Lichtman's bookstore as they had it right away rather than 2 or 3 weeks late at the variety store.

Happy anniversary! Is there a reason you were married in December? ( I know superson is not old enough to be the reason! )

Blogger's note: Short story? I was covering baseball at the time and it made more sense in our lives. Litchtman's for that, and the Sunday papers from Boston, Chicago and New York to read, mainly, Peter Gammons and Bob Ryan, Sam Smith, and George Vescey

[Tony O.]

At the risk of being repetitive (never stopped me before), congrats to you and super wife. I agree, marrying a Newfoundlander is the smartest thing you could have ever done!!!
And thank you, thank you, thank you, for getting rid of the riff raff. The last few days have been most difficult to read the comments section (my daily reprieve to find some sense in the madness). And I wasn't being insulted, you were!

Tony O.
St. John's, the Rock

Blogger's note: And a grand-daughter of Sir Albert Walsh; I married beyond my stature in life

[Dean Weber]

Doug, that sounds good maybe now you will have time to reply to basketball questions and comments that have at least some intelligence to them. I have yet to have a response from you. BTW congradulations on your wedding anniversary - its nice to see a big shout out to your wife - Classy!

Blogger's note: I'm not here if not for her