Office MIschief

 Yesterday I walked into the office to find this epic Alouettes pennant hanging on our office door. I suspected that Erik had spirited away from treasure from the Alouettes game, not only because he had mysteriously disappeared during the game, but also because it's a classically Erik thing to do. He's definitely one of the people who I will miss the most next year when we're overseas.

It makes me happy that this will continue to grace the Wick hallway even when I'm overseas.

A Truly Wretched Game - and a Wonderful Day

 A couple posts ago I shared the surprising math wherein I had, over the years, brought 19 different people to CFL games. The "research" was inspired by taking my friend Erik, a first-time CFL game participant, along with Cyndi and Kevin (veterans) to an Alouettes game on Saturday. The game was pretty dreadful. It was played in a steady cold rain, and the Alouettes were, due to injury, down to their backup backup backup quarterback, but the day itself was an amazing day spent with great friends.

I've attended some ugly CFL games, but this may have been the ugliest. Kevin and I freezing to death in Calgary this summer was unpleasant, but the bizarre weather conditions made it beautiful in its own way. I remember watching Johnny Manziel "play" a game for the Alouettes once, and that was train wreck, can't look away bad.

Having said all that, before the game we stopped by the Kouign Amann bakery before hand, for delicious and dangerous pastry. Then we drove on the Schwartz's Deli for smoked meat, and you can't ever complain about that.

The crew at Schwartz's, getting ready to tuck in. To paraphrase Homer Simpson, "Can't talk, eating."

Erik and Kevin enjoying the grandeur that is Schwartz's. After our mad dash to Kouign Amann we arrived at Schwartz's at 10:20 (they open at 10:00). Apparently you don't want to get there any later - within ten minutes the place was packed.

Cyndi, strangely, eating her smoked meat sandwich with a knife and fork, clumsily displaying her patrician roots.

Cyndi, rocking one of my Alouettes shirts and her Ali McGuirk hat.

A brief moment when it was raining on us. During the game I was pitching a Hamilton game to Cyndi and an Ottawa game to Kevin. They both, wisely, ignored me.

This was, inexplicably, again, Erik's first CFL game. Here he is trying to grasp the different dimensions of the field and the complexities of the rouge. Oh, and we didn't see a rouge, adding to our misery. On the hill, in the distance, is a building we discussed during the game.

Every time I go to an Alouettes game I look at that building and pick out my imagined new office, only partially because I could go into my office during games to "research and write" while watching the Alouettes play. Since Erik was at the game we discussed that this was also his decision since we always share an office. We settled on the office right below the clock. Now, of course, I don't even know if this is a faculty office building, but we've chosen our spot nonetheless.

After leaving Schwartz's Erik and Cyndi stumbled into Cafe Le Nigiriz in pursuit of a cup of coffee. We ended up watching an extraordinary science experiment. Erik joked that it was a pity that we ended up missing the game because of the elaborate preparation time, but that it was the greatest cup of coffee of all time. It was a cool place, and I suspect it will be added to our Alouette game routine.

And, of course, the day ended at a Tim Hortons in pursuit of TimBits. All was right with the world.

Museum of Everyday Life

 Last Friday the usual Breakfast of Excellence was switched from the TASTee Grill to the Village Restaurant in Hardwick, as Sandy and Kevin had plans to visit the Museum of Everyday Life. I'd always heard about the museum, but somehow never made my way to it, which is shameful because it's absolutely wonderful. It is, as the name suggests,  a celebration of the quotidian. There is a regular collection, in the main barn, and then a separate space for a temporary collection, in this case focusing on Stains. It was absolutely amazing. I'll definitely go back soon.

The main entrance, i.e. the upper barn.

In the temporary Stains collection you could mess with Stained Glass, which gave Sandy the opportunity to express his artistic side.

Thanks to Kevin to organizing the trip!

The museum, for many reasons, reminded me of the Museum of Broken Relationships, as both celebrated objects that anyone could contribute.

It was also like the Museum of Broken Relationships in that some of the displays were truly heartbreaking, so as this one.

Cruel But Fair

 It's time for the preparation to begin for the 13th season of the Twin Peaks Fantasy Football League. In fantasy football you don't normally draft in the inverse order of last year's records (like the NFL does, another example of how socialism only applies to the rich), but instead each league comes up with some odd way of sorting it out. We've settled on Sylvie Maple, Andy and Heidi's daughter, pulling the names out of a hat. It wasn't that long ago that she was a baby who they had to keep focused on pulling out random slips of paper, but now she's old enough to play a roll in creating the artwork and taking pleasure in the misfortune of league members.

Sylvie Maple, the league's Assistant Commissioner, getting too much joy out of Mike Lange's team ending up with the 14th and last draft pick of round one. It's the wretched slot I had last year.

SM's artwork gets more elaborate every year. Hopefully, she will not ever outgrow this chore. I imagine her pulling the names out of a hat from her college dorm room.

Clearly my attempt at a pre-draft cryptid bribe didn't work, as I'm picking 12th.

Busters

 Here's a picture of my oldest friend Jack and his first grandson, Crosby. It's hard to believe that this is the hoser (fellow hoser) that I ran around with in high school. This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Here is a shot of a life well-lived.

Elks Game and a Failed Selfie

 Here's a picture that I snapped during the Edmonton Elks game last week. I was trying to recapture the amazing selfie that Andy took last year at the Hamilton game, but, tragically, it didn't work out. At the exact moment I was trying to take the picture one of the Elks staff jettisoned a t-shirt up and just about conked me on the head. That, of course, I didn't mind, but it did mess up my artistic plans (this was actually the best of the series of chaotic shots, made even more chaotic by people rushing over to grab our missed swag; which is fine, because doubtless it would never had fit me). We saw a rouge, so it was a success.

The game itself was fun, although the Elks are pretty bad. Sadly, there were only about 14,000 people at the game (in a stadium that seats 55,000 - the largest in the CFL) for the opening game of the season. Hopefully the Elks turn it around.

Still, that's a pretty sweet Elks jersey. As we were walking out a fan stopped me and told me how much we loved the jersey.

 

Craig

 Janet and I had a wonderful surprise the other day when my long time friend Craig stopped by on his way back from a bike ride. Happily, he drove his car here, as compared to biking out to our cabin in the wilderness. It was a lovely visit, and we had a ball. I think it's starting to dawn on all my friends that I'm actually quickly heading towards retirement, and it's inspiring more visits (which is a blessing).

We certainly had a lot to talk about, in addition to teaching together for twenty years we also travelled together to China and Jordan. Too many stories.

Destinations Real and Imagined

 I think I mentioned recently that I was booted out of my long-time campus residency in Aiken Hall, which is being turned back into a dorm after many years of being the home for the Core Division. I've now moved across the quad to Wick Hall, which is definitely a step down. I'm not taking it too hard, actually, because while some of my colleagues have only known Aiken, my new office in Wick will be my sixth office in four different building over the last quarter-century. I'm still sharing an office space with my great friend Erik, which means more daily discussions of film directors we admire and film actresses we love. We both could have chosen single offices, but we get along so well that we decided to keep with a double. Initially we were considering moving down the hill to Coolidge Hall, but it was actually a terrible fit for my declining health. Of course, I was too vain to see that, but Erik, being a great friend and and an all-around good guy, gently proposed that Wick was better for his schedule. Clearly, he was looking out for me, which I immediately picked up on and appreciated. It was a more politically astute equivalent to Mike Kelly, in response to me carrying a couch through the side yard when we were moving me into the cabin, saying: "Don't be an asshole." Truthfully, I appreciated Mike's honesty, and that's become a go-to phrase when vanity needs to be dispelled.

When I arrived in Wick I found a set of clocks in the hallway, which was clearly the work of Erik (all clever and anonymous schemes are designed by him). I love that Rising Sun and Lisbon are recognized. It warms my heart to think that my friends care enough about me to figure out the time of day for me in Portugal, even if they, at least temporarily, will begrudge the fact that while they're trudging off to teach nitwits I'll be sitting at a cafe reading and drinking sangria.

My aunt Connie asked how people know that I'm from Rising Sun (or at least I claim Rising Sun for my hometown) and I told her that I've built that up into such a mythology over the years that everyone knows it. Of course, she played an active, if innocent, role in that mythology by sending me so much Rising Sun swag over the years.

The Liminality of Eros

 There is no post here other than the fact that I wanted to record "the liminality of Eros," which Sanford Zale said yesterday at our weekly Breakfast of Excellence at the TASTee Grill. It was witnessed by Erik, Kevin, and yours truly. We have no idea what he was talking about - and, truthfully, he was mainly talking smack - but we thought it should be recorded so that Sanford gets credit in the dictionaries and encyclopedias when this becomes the academic jargon of the day.

An Overseas Wedding

 Yesterday I received my official email invitation for my former student Mahmoud's upcoming wedding to his fiancée Sireen (who I am looking forward to meeting). They're getting married in September in Ramallah in the West Bank, and he was kind enough to invite me. He's easily one of my all-time favorite students, and he's popped up now and again in this blog. Janet and I had taken a No Foreign Travel oath for this year so that we could wipe out some debt (although, even though it was my idea originally, I'm the one who was already failing on that front), how could we possibly miss out on the opportunity to spend that magical day with him? I remember years and years ago inviting his family, who was visiting, out to the house I used to have in South Burlington. They are such great folks and it will be a pleasure to see them again. It will be Janet's first visit to the Middle East, so she's already excited about the trip and nothing has been planned so far. Obviously, more will be said about this in the months to come.

In Praise of KA

 My friend Kevin possesses many virtues, and not just his hidden love of the CFL. As I've proposed several times, no doubt, he's also a fantastic cook. Last week he whipped up some shrimp and grits with chorizo. Marcelle, Kevin, and I wolfed it down after my last final of the season, which was a wonderful way to end an utterly dreary semester.

It was, seriously, one of the best meals I've ever had in my entire life.

In Praise of SW

 I wanted to post this picture of my great friend Steve, which I snapped last week during Finals Week. He teaches a first year class that features martial arts, and during the final exam period he brings the students out into the quad and has them break thin boards. If nothing else it gives them some exercise and sunshine, but, more importantly, he takes the opportunity to build up their self-esteem. He has them write perceived obstacles on the boards before breaking them, and then encourages them to keep the boards throughout their time here at Champlain so that they can remind themselves of how they can defeat their demons.

Steve pumping up the students. He, unfairly, never gets the credit he deserves for being a very talent teacher who is utterly devoted to this students.

Back To Me

 The other night I finally got the chance to see Kathleen Edwards in concert. We had briefly met years ago - as chronicled in this blog - when, on a drive across Canada, I swung over to Ottawa and stopped by Quitter's Coffee (the coffeeshop she ran during her temporary retirement from the music industry). She could not have been more gracious during my visit years ago, and I was really excited about finally getting a chance to see her perform in person. I'm a huge fan, and have been for twenty years, and a couple of her songs have been "the song" of different times of my life. It was a wonderful show, and I heartily recommend that you take the opportunity to see her if she comes anyplace close to your town.

I was less blurry pictures from the show, but not a picture that I like more than this one.

Kevin, Mike, and Cyndi - which made the event even more fun. As I told Mike at one point, referencing one of my favorite Edwards's song, I hoped he understood how much I appreciated all that times that he and his wife Jamie had been my soft place to land.

Missing Friends

 OK, so I shamelessly (although with permission) swiped this picture from my friend Heidi. She ran into our friend Sean at a conference (one of the best reasons to go to an academic conference is to catch up with friends). We're all in the same fantasy football league (and, similarly, maybe the best reason to play fantasy football is to keep in touch with folks),  but I don't see them nearly enough.

I miss these two way too much.

Bingo

 I snapped this picture that was hanging on the wall outside of my truly excellent friend Steve's office; consequently, I figured it had passed into the public domain. Obviously one of his students whipped it up as an homage to SW. This is a brilliant bit of parody, and hilarity, and I'm sure it gave Steve a great laugh.

Steve is, deservedly, completely loved by his students, which matches the love he has for them. He never gets the credit he deserves for being a truly gifted teacher.

Blessings

 Last weekend my best, and oldest, friend, Jack, made his way up to Vermont for a visit. We were doing the math, and we've been friends for over fifty years (and that does my head in).  I often make the point that I'm blessed beyond what my meagre virtues can justify, and his extraordinary friendship is proof of that statement. Any words that I would try to fashion to explain what he means to me would pale in comparison to the depth of the love and appreciation I feel for having him in my life for all these years - and hopefully a few more.

Two distinguished gentlemen at Sarducci's in Montpelier. Or maybe it's a picture of us heckling the other Muppets on stage.

Happy Birthday Kerry

 As is well-documented, 1960 was the last good and dependable year for the production of excellent human beings (don't blame me, blame science). Yesterday was the truly excellent Kerry Noonan's birthday (she's much, much younger than me). A group of us gathered at the Burlington Beer House to celebrate her general and sustained excellence, and a great time was had by all.

Janet and my Folklore Cards and Namaste Squid gifts were, happily, a big hit.

CFL Diva

 In one short month Kevin and I will be heading west, and meeting Andy who will be driving in from Michigan, for our CFL Doubleheader Event of Excellence. Clearly, if you're going to show up at the game you have to support your team. And while I have t-shirts for every one of the nine CFL teams, I didn't have any sweatshirts. And, well, no doubt it will be a little chili in Hamilton and Toronto in mid-October. 

I also have the Tiger-Cats equivalent. Essentially, I'll be a diva who will be changing outfits several times.

Gold Star

 And if I'm going to pass through the Midwest then, if at all possible, I need to swing by Cincinnati to see my old friend Dave. As always, we had a blast. We talked the long the first night that we missed closing time at Skyline Chili; fortunately, Gold Star was more dedicated to providing us with Chili Excellence.

I suppose I shouldn't post a story about heart issues and then include this picture a few slides later. Still, it was great chili - and much better company.

CFL Doubleheader Excellence

 The plans have been made for some epic CFL Doubleheader Excellence in October. Kevin and I are driving west - and Andy and Heidi are driving east - and we're meeting in the middle. We're catching the Stampeders and Tiger-Cats game in Hamilton on Friday 18 October and then the REDBLACKS and Argonauts game in Toronto on Saturday 19 October. Noted betting expert Mike Kelly has set the Over/Under number of TimBits consumed over the weekend at 108. I'm betting Over for me alone.

A picture from our last trip to Hamilton, pre-COVID. Hopefully we can park in the same guy's front yard.