A time to look forward and back

So, did everyone survive Amateur Night, er, I mean New Year’s Eve?

Not sure why – perhaps it’s because of a dearth of invitations or simply the ravages of age – but New Year’s doesn’t quite hold the allure it did in the past for partying or getting silly or even getting dressed up and going out.

Feel the same?

But, oddly, it does put me in a bit of a reflective mood, much moreso than, say, a birthday or anniversary or anything like that.

Not a melancholy mood or anything like that, nor a true taking of stock of where I am in life and work and all those things.

I just seem to spend a bit of time thinking about what’s gone on in the past calendar and wondering what might lie ahead.

It’s a fun endeavour at times, often brings a smile, sometimes being a wistful feeling, every now and then it can devolved into a wee tiny bit of sadness.

But I think it’s important that we all slow down a bit last night and today – not because of the banging inside your head or the party favours dangling from the bedside table as a reminder of some zany moments – but just because it’s important to slow down every now and then just to catch your breath and think a bit.

Think about things like …

-

Best day, workwise

Has to be the Monday after the London Olympics.

The First Lady Of The Beat, Not Grace Kelly and I (along with our sort of new friends from Finland) at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese.

It was a perfect end to a long, tough trip, just sitting in a classic pub catching up and telling stories and averting international incidents.

A great, quiet, nice dinner later that evening with The Mighty Quinn, a rendezvous with everyone else at the Ship Tavern to end the day and it was just about perfect.

-

Hey, those of you Of A Certain Vintage.

Remember this guy?

Of all the New Year’s traditions – and I don’t have a lot except a grandmother’s insistence that First Footer be a dark-haired male or the coming year would not be good (google Hogmanay or first-footing if you like) – listening to Guy Lombardo just after the stroke of midnight was pretty cool.

-

Best day, family version

Sitting in a golf cart at a nice course in Niagara Falls while Super Son was driving us around on a totally-relaxing two-day father-son getaway that was as relaxing as it sounds.

Not sure Super Son was as interested in the golf as he was handling the cart as a newly-minted driver but it was cool and fun and totally made me feel old.

-

The hopes for 2013

No, I don’t do resolutions – they’ve always gone the way of the wind by about Jan. 11 – but this probably is a time to set new goals for the next little while.

Here’s five:

Better parenting.

Less, and eventually no, Fresh Air.

Good stories well told.

Less impatience, more tolerance.

The shedding of some excess poundage and a reduction in those ghastly blood pressure numbers.

-

Three things I’m glad I saw

Diana Matheson’s goal.

Rosie MacLennan’s gold medal.

A full day at the gym.

-

Three things I hope I see

A playoff game.

Super Son fully licensed and driving me around.

Smiles on the faces of friends.

-

And, finally ...

A wish for good health and peace and prosperity and happiness for you all.

If this is time for reflection, it’s time to say thanks for another great year and a plea for one as equally interesting as 2013 unfolds.

I hope this little endeavour continues to grow and prosper and we find some more fun things to do.

As we’ve said countless times, this is like the world’s greatest cocktail party in some cool bar; people of all manner of background and location getting together to entertain and, sometimes, infuriate each other.

Not too many of us know each other, at least in any traditional sense, but we’ve come to know each other at some level, haven’t we? Don’t imagine I could pick too many of you out of crowd (we need to get a super-secret Irregular handshake or sign or something, don’t we?) but I know you’re there and I appreciate it more than you can imagine.

That’s been the blessing of the past years and I hope it continues as the next calendar year unfolds.

A very, very Happy New Year to you all. May 2013 be even better.

-

 

 

 

Comments

[Matthieu]

Thanks for taking the time to post this on the first day of the year and bonne année!

Blogger's note: You're most welcome; thanks

[Dave]

As I recall, the Guy Lombardo tradition was on the radio in (at least for me) a pre-TV world...and what a different world it was. Happy New Year to you and super family as well.

Blogger's note: Much appreciated

[Kate C]

Happy New Year Doug!

And a Happy New Year to all the Irregulars. This is a fun place to visit every day.

Kate C

Blogger's note: It is kind of fun, isn't it? Thanks

[Mike D.]

Happy New Year to you and your family, Doug, with hopes that you discover (and share with the Irregulars) a secret method that allows you to reduce your blood pressure from the "ghastly" level without skipping anything you really like to eat or drink.

Happy New Year to the rest of the Irregulars, and to the loved ones thereof. May we all finish 2013 as (even) better people, cheering for and arguing over a better Raptors team.

Blogger's note: And to you and yours

[David in Oakville]

Happy New Year Doug!

Good luck with the Fresh Air (hope you & all others succeed with that)

Best wishes for you & super family in 2013.

Best wishes to all who stop here....

GO RAPS!

Blogger's note: Many thanks

[Simone]

I had the great fortune of doing a soccer clinic with Diana Matheson, Robyn Gayle and Melanie Booth. Not only are these ladies talented, they are great role models for young girls today and seeing goals like Diana's only helps push them further to their dreams.

[Paul]

Best wishes to you & Super Family in 2013!

Thanks for keeping me engaged in 2012. I have always considered your daily blog to be like a chocolate chip cookie or a good cup of coffee -- my day is always better when I have it ...

Blogger's note: Thanks

[Peter]

I wish you all the best in 2013, and especially encourage you in your health goals. It's obvious to us how much your family means to you, and I can only imagine that you mean the same to them.

Thanks for letting us in, not only to your little basketball world, but also into your life. All the best to you, and here's hoping 2013 is a tremendous year for you!

Blogger's note: The best to you, too. And thanks

[J. Millett, Halifax]

Thanks Doug for your writing excellence another year. Much appreciated! All the best for 2013!

Blogger's note: Many thanks

[Wilber]

The world does look fresh and hopeful on a New Year's morning. Here's to a great 2013 for Doug and the super family and all out there in irregular and Raptor nation.

With regards to the Fresh Air, I remember supporting family member with that struggle by holding them accountable (nag is such a harsh word...). Doug, let us know if you would like us to "help" you.

Blogger's note: I certainly will

[Cluck Kent]

Happy New Year to you and all the Irregulars. Thank you very much for being here everyday. It's like a basketball oasis in the middle of a pucks desert.

Blogger's note: How about that glorious Spengler Cup triumph!

[E. Co]

Happy new year to you Doug and to your family. All the best in 2013.

Blogger's note: And the same to you

[Richie]

Good morning Doug: 4 things
1. It's hard to find Guy Lombardo on TV on New Year's Eve these days!
2. Happy, peaceful and most importantly a healthy '13 to you, yours and "ours" on this thing of ours
3. We know you secretly run The Star's sports webpage and as such, can you have them take down the scores of the Grey Cup (more than a month ago) and TFC (more than 2 months ago) Just a pet peeve of mine
4. Keep up the best sports blog/articles in town. You comic irreverance gives me a chuckle every day

Blogger's note: I'll get on that all, happy New Year

[Avinash]

Hya Doug, a Happy New Year to Super Family and you! Wow, do you ever take a day off? You're one hardworking Grunt! Hope your year is fabulous. Looking forward to another wonderful year of awesome posts. You really should write a book/publish your memoirs

Blogger's note: Hope you and yours have a great New Year, too

[doug]

we can start our own secret society like the freemasons...leaving symbols and the like to stump mankind for years, the Irregular society of the D.S. bloggers, with our secret acknowledgement just like Jeep drivers have, a exclusive club not known by many, as all Jeep drivers give each other a wave as you pass each other, anonymous people with one bond...that is the people on this blog......and don't you think it would make more sense for the NBA to have a slew of day games today?/...and me I make sensible New Years resolutions I know I won't break or won't set me up for failure like no drinking of a beer until 4 o'clock today for instance or have a bowl of raisin bran today not fried eggs, simple immediate and then thats that....ok cheers and Happy New Years to all

Blogger's note: Happy New Year, too

[Striker 77]

Hey Doug,

I really enjoyed your post today... Thanks again for another year of blogging. Happy new years to you, and yours.. and to the Irregs!

S77

Blogger's note: And to you and yours as well

[Gerry Tanner]

Happy New Year to you and yours. I remeber Guy Lombardo on New Years Eve and that has always been my favourite version of them all. Thanks for
all the information you impart and the kindnessf which which you do it.

Gerry T.

Blogger's note: Guy's the king! And thanks

[sportschic]

Happy New Year to you, Doug, and all the irregulars. That basketball diaries post was definitely a highlight, and one of which you should be particularly proud. :)

Best of luck with cutting down on fresh air - I do hope that your pursuit of better heatlh won't cut down on your visits to cool spots on the road, (for selfish reasons) as I enjoy reading about them and the various characters you encounter.

Blogger's note: Oh no, nothing will get in the way of that. And Happy New Year

[DaveB]

A very good New Years Day blog! I agree that as we advance in years it is a good time to reflect on our successes and our challenges and wonder what the future holds for us. As a Type 1 Diabetic since the age of 22, I am struggling to keep my eyesight at a level whereby i can continue to drive. It is one of those things we take for granted until it is threatened. At the same time, we learned over Christmas that the new year will bring a significant (positive) milestone in our lives.

As for New Years Eve,we went out for a late dinner with 3 other couples. We had great food and good conversation and camaraderie. We dropped back to one of the houses to gently welcome the New Year. Overall a quiet but enjoyable New Years Eve.

As for Super Son driving you around, don't turn in your driver's license yet. It is funny that after all the hours spent driving your children around and waiting for them at basketball, baseball, scouts,Girl Guides, etc.it seems that when they get their license they are too busy to drive you and no way can they wait five minutes for you. I hope your experience is different, but don't count on it. My three daughters played traveling team basketball from age ten to 18 and we drove them from Owen Sound to St. Catherines to Quebec City,often with my wife driving in one direction and me in the other. We had very few weekends off during the season. All in all, it was a lot of fun and we missed it when it was over.

I am looking forward to tomorrow's game. It will be interesting to see how they play after a couple of days off and after reading their own press clippings. Let's hope for a competitive finish to the season with the playoffs within reach.

Best wished to all for the New Year.

Blogger's note: Happy New Year to you, as well

[Barry Ward]

Things I hope to see in 2013: Doug Smith finally makes it to the top of the Toronto Star blog listings, edging out The Royal Watch.
Thanks for entertaining us in 2012. All the best to you, your family and all the blog followers in 2013!

Blogger's note: What's her name is preggers, no way I beat Royals

[Boko]

I'm just guessing, but the reason that you are reflective may be that on your birthday and anniversaries, only one or two or three people around you may be likewise, but around New Year's, almost everyone is.

"Less, and eventually no, Fresh Air" Huh? Is Fresh Air some punk-rock group or something?

Wouldn't it be great to have a Raptors playoff game at home this spring!

[jimt]

Happy New 2013 EV1 and may the raptors sneak into 8th,upset Miami,wind up in the finals without Durant as he sprained his ankle. :0

[Joe]

Best of the New Year Doug. I hope you have a great 2013.

As for your blood pressure, have you tried Omega 3? I've been taking that for the past 3 years and it's done wonders in reducing my blood pressure along with exercise. That has allowed me to cut back on the medication I take to control my blood pressure.

Blogger's note: And our best to you

[Alex]

A Happy New Years Doug, and a same to all the Irregulars.

Looking forward to the always entertaining IGBT's in the new year. Over the course of the first part of the season I may have actually learning a few tidbits about basketball from your in game insights. Very exciting. And remember, not all Pelicans are the same ;)

Blogger's note: Happy New Year

[Gordo]

Would like to add a happy new year to all. I do have a new years wish though. That the media around these parts start to pay more attention to our Canadian kids who will be part of an exciting bb future for Canada. Would have loved to see something in the Star about the amazing story our Canadian kids at Gonzaga have been this week. Olynick and Pangos scored 44 of Gonzaga's 59 points last night and combined for over 50 against Baylor. Nothing mentioned at all this week. We could have as many as 10 new Canadians in the NBA in the next 4 years and the makings of National team we have never seen before. Can we just pay a little more attention this year?

Blogger's note: Not on a game-by-game basis, no