A special day that sometimes doesn't feel too special

Know what I wish, among many things?

That Christmas didn’t have the feel of “just another day” to it.

Not sure precisely why but there seems to have been a societal move away from it being a major holiday.

Remember when nothing was open? Oh, maybe one mom and pop corner store would open in the afternoon so you could run out and get batteries or milk or whatever but other than that, you couldn’t go sit in the coffee shop, you couldn’t get gas, you couldn’t do very much at all.

And you certainly couldn’t sit like a zombie and watch five – FIVE! – basketball games in a noon-to-midnight marathon that is so much overkill, it’s not even funny.

I kind of agree with Stan Van Gundy, who once famously tweaked the NBA for its determination to try to make Christmas at least a little bit about the sport when it shouldn’t be. He was – and I am – a bit miffed that families have be a bit disrupted if Dad or Mom have to go work at the arena selling concessions or taking tickets or whatever. I think the players would, if truth be told entirely, enjoy the day off rather than have to play and having watched more than a few Christmas Day games, it shows in the level of performance.

I understand, a bit, the need to worship at the altar of the almighty television dollar and the networks want programming that at least has a chance to take away from what could be family time, or at least private time.

But overdoing it so much has turned what could be a special day into just another in my little life. No way in the world I’d watch all that basketball, even if I could.

Shouldn’t tomorrow be a day to hang with the family and the loved ones, play a bit for the new toys you discovered in the morning?

I want it to be a “nice” day, not “another” day.

I’m not looking forward to my own afternoon’s Toronto-Houston-San Antonio flight; I’m not looking forward to dinner in a hotel lobby bar (wonder if they have turkey tacos at the RiverCenter?) and I’m not looking forward to disrupting Super Family’s life by rushing through what should be a relaxing morning to pack and get shuttled off to Pearson.

But those quiet days when you couldn’t do anything are gone; not sure they should be forgotten.

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A little CanCon Christmas?

You can have The Hockey Song all you want; Stompin’ Tom does the holidays and it’s cool.

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So it’s come to this in the idiocy that is junk food giveaways at NBA games?

Doug Collins goes into his own pocket rather than have his team disrespect the game so fans can eat something they probably shouldn’t?

Seriously, we see this so often in so many cities over the course of a season that I think the league should step in, tell its teams to stop this across the board.

I can’t imagine the money the teams get for these silly promotions is substantial enough that they’d miss it if it’s gone. And with a mandate from the marketing gurus in New York – and, trust me, they have to approve everything from in-game antics to music selections to the decibel level of PA announcements – teams could easily say they’ve love to do something like cheap food giveaways but they can’t.

Seems an easy solution, doesn’t it?

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A question for the ages:

Why do people behind the wheels of cars become total driving idiots at this time of year?

Was watching by a mall here on Sunday and saw four cars stopping traffic each way by floating into intersections and blocking traffic like seldom seen, saw one doofus go careening around a corner screeching tires and almost knocking over a pedestrian and then saw close to a fistfight over a parking spot when there was another one open not 30 metres away.

Isn’t this supposed to be the time of peace and joy and caring for your fellow humans? I understand impatience like the best of them – it is the one trait I’d love to change in myself – but this time of year seems to bring out the worst in too many of us.

It’s not like the mall is going to disappear or anything, it’s not like blocking traffic should make anyone feel any better.

Dopes.

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Obligatory Raptors note, just to keep some of you happy:

No, there’s been no update on Jonas Valanciunas. There were going to get him to a hand specialist on the weekend and, perhaps, seek a second opinion after that.

Doubt we’ll get anything today, either. I’ll catch up with them Christmas night in San Antonio and should have something then.

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Okay, here’s one?

Best part of Christmas dinner?

A true confession: I’m not big on turkey at all.

So …

Garlic mashed potatoes?

Sweet potato casserole?

Stuffing?

Dessert?

Me? I’m all about stuffing and gravy, the taste of savoury (an integral part of any good stuffing) and gravy made from the bottom of the roasting pan.

Doesn’t get much better than that does it?

We’ve never been what you’d call an adventuresome dining family at the holidays and that’s quite fine with me. No deep-fried turkey (pretty much a guarantee of a four-alarm, holiday-ruining blaze I’d suspect) and nothing out of the ordinary.

Just quiet times with loved ones, you know what to expect and it seldom varies too much and I’m all for that.

How about you?

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All right.

One more quick trip to Niagara Falls for a visit, a very little bit of last-minute running around to do, wrapping, packing for the road trip and then a search for It’s A Wonderful Life somewhere on the dial to watch this evening.

 

 

 

Comments

[Michael]

All I want for Christmas is a free slice of pizza, hope the Raptors score 100 points in their next home game! Haha just kidding.

Wishing you and the family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Looking forward to the 2013 blog!

Blogger's note: Merry Christmas to you, as well

[Mike kovacs]

Another thing that makes Christmas feel less special is how hesitant anyone is to actually say " Merry Christmas " anymore for fear of offending anyone. Even the meal provided at our hospital this year on the 25th to staff that are working is now called a 'holiday meal'!

Merry Christmas to you and your family and everyone else reading here!

Blogger's note: My best to you and your family.

[jc]

Hey Doug,
I like Christmas as much as the next guy...but then again, I can't say that to be true in Canada as the next guy is just as likely to celebrate the holiday as he is to not. One may long for the days of old when the national celebration lead to an off day but that also wouldn't recognize the multicultural miracle that is Canada. With that said, as you do celebrate the holiday, I think you should not be obliged to work on such a significant day (and flying to San Antonio counts as work). As much as we hang on your blogged words, we should be happy to rely on the box score for one game if it meant that your beliefs were respected. To all, however you approach tomorrow, best wishes and to the Super family, Merry Christmas and a good new year.

Blogger's note: Sincere thanks and Merry Christmas

[born_ghost]

Hi Doug,

I got a chance to shake your hand (I haven't washed it since!! :) at Friday night's game thanks to a pal scoring some choice tickets. The one thing I thought was pretty crazy in this age of technology was the amount of paper that gets handed out to the media throughout the game with notes, stats, and whatever else. Can't they just post it on some mlse intranet or something and save all that printing and distribution (something that only the media/pr/team employees have access to). One of my favorite parts of the game was seeing the guy walk past all the media holding a handwritten piece of paper with the status for JV after his hand injury! Classic! Everyone has at least three electronic devices yet here's this guys with a sheet of paper with the most important info in the building (at that point)! Loved it.

Anyway, Merry Christmas to you and yours. Good luck on the road!

Blogger's note: And my best to you

[Rob.V]

I was all for Sunday & holiday shopping when I was younger. Now?... be great if everything just closed.
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Aside from all of the usual fixings nothing says Christmas like grandma's eggplant parmesan. There's (literally) 65-70 years of experience that goes into that thing!!.
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Now shamefully, I've never been within 6000km's of Europe however this eggplant (somewhat) takes me back to a time in the early1900's. Old fashioned Italian peasant food at it's best... cant beat it!
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Merry Christmas irregulars.
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Merry Christmas to you and your family as well dude!

Blogger's note: Have a great Christmas

[jimt]

Happy Holidays Sir Smith of TdotStarEh the First :)
#goraps #poundthewestcoast

Blogger's note: And to you, as well

[doug]

Merry xmas to the Super Family and yourself....cheers...

Blogger's note: And best wishes to you, as well

[DaveB]

Doug, I forgot to mention that the County Line BBQ on the Riverwalk is good. Maybe not fantastic, buy quite good. My wife and I shared the 5 Meat Combo (meant for one) and we couldn't eat it all. The brisket and smoked turkey was very good..

Blogger's note: Hope it's open

[Kate C]

Merry Christmas Doug to you and your family, and to all the Irregulars who also make this a fun place.

Kate C

Blogger's note: And to you and yours

[GM]

I agree, five Christmas Day games is overkill, although I suspect one isn't expected to watch all five. Rather, it allows more people to pick and choose which one to watch. I love my Christmas Day basketball games (heck, I used to go out and play the game outside with my friend on Christmas Day -- there is a lot of down time, after all), but even I will most likely only watch one of them.

Ah, ye olde 100-point giveaway debate! It's been a while. I was at a Portland game on Saturday and they only scored 96 points. My son was cheering for the chalupa and I was secretly hoping they wouldn't get it. But @AT's point is probably right: most probably don't redeem what they get; it's just a chance for fans to get involved late in a game, especially if it's not close.

As for Collins' point that "Collins demanded guard Evan Turner dribble out the clock so not to show up their opponent", gimme a break. 1. Every team in the league knows what's happening. 2. How is 2 extra points "showing up" an opponent. Winning by 19 is fine, but 21 is outrageous? No, running up a score happens long before the last 24 seconds of the game. The Spurs leading the Mavs by 46 is running up the score. Once you're up 30, you needn't keep pouring it on. But these are professionals and they understand it's just one game. Nothing to get worked up about. Nothing to see here, folks.

At the Portland game, I got thinking about booing, too. I've argued that it's jut a WWE-type thing, where the fans need a villain. Wouldn't it be a fun tradition if the crowd picked one random player off the opposing team every game and decided to boo them every time they touched the ball?! Come on!

Hmm, not very Christmasy, but I'm listening to the Paul Anka Christmas album as I write this. All the best to you and happy travels.

Blogger's note: Merry Christmas to you, as well; I hope your son has a great, great day

[Ewandro]

For you Doug and your family as well as to all irregulars, that grant me everyday with nice comments and funny remarks, and their families:

Feliz Natal!!!
Merry Christmas!!!

All the best in the world: love, peace and good health. What more we can ask for the Boss up teher?

Cheers

Blogger's note: Feliz Natal!

[doug]

oh also i would be remiss not to wish all the irregulars a Merry Xmas as well....cheers to all...

Blogger's note: Cheers to you, too; and Merry Christmas

[DaveB]

The County line will be closed on Christmas Day but open on Boxing Day. This is from their facebook page:
"Merry Christmas everyone! We'll be closed today and tomorrow so that our staff can spend time with their families. Have a great holidays and be safe!".

[Joe]

Merry Christmas and happy travels Doug.

I agree that the 24th to the 26th should be family time for all of us, including professional athletes. Unfortunately, that's society now a days where money is the bottom line and people are mere widgets. As for impatience, last Thursday, after seeing my kid's Christmas concert at our local school, I saw a school bus driver and a parent get into quite a shouting match after the parent parked in the school bus lane and the school bus couldn't get through to pick up students. Let's just say that a few interesting words were exchanged with the parent issuing a majority of them. The kicker...it is a Catholic school and they had just finished performing their Christmas concert. The parent's kid was one of the star performers and was in the back seat of the car as all of this unfolded. The other kids were having quite the chuckle over the events.

Blogger's note: Merry Christmas

[Peter]

Hi Doug, I know that Christmas isn't the same for you as it is for some of us, who get to relax and spend precious time with the ones that we love. But I hope you feel the genuine appreciation from those of us who read your work daily. You add to our lives far more than we could add to yours. All the best to you in your travels, and Merry Christmas to Super Family from one of the irregulars.

Blogger's note: I do, with many thanks. Merry Christmas to you and yours

[Hope Caper]

Merry Christmas to you Doug, your family and all of your readers from the Maritimes. To the fighting drivers and this time of year? It's hard for people who don't practice kindness all year and don't follow Christian teachings and then expect them to suddenly figure it out at Christmas. Dopes indeed.

Blogger's note: Merry Christmas to you