The Writer

 Just a quick note - and picture - from the last of Summer 2026 Trips of CFL Excellence, when Kevin and Erik and I drove up to Ottawa to watch the REDBLACKS game. Again, I wish we would have stayed for the weekend (this is one of the lessons that Kevin and I learned over the years: just go ahead and stay a couple days, because you never know when you're going to make it back to Winnipeg). After the game we went for a walkabout (or at least as much of a walkabout as I was capable of then) and ended up at a posh bar. I think there was a dance club with beautiful young people up on the roof. The owners of the bar gently directed to the downstairs bar because it was "quieter", which I think meant, "Dudes, you're going to ruin the vibe upstairs." Anyway, we were sitting there enjoying adult scholarly beverages, when the waitress came by with a leatherbound journal for select customers to write in. Naturally, she handed over the journal to Erik, who is actually a legitimate writer who has penned several novels and countless articles. Just as they were right to steer away from the roof, they were right in handing to opportunity/responsibility to Erik. Kevin and I were just happy that they didn't size us up and ask us to carry in some boxes from the back.

Either Erik was simply clearly the writer at the table - or he was also simply the best-looking guy at the table - both of which were demonstrably true. As to be expected, his words were thoughtful and beautiful.