Winter Musings

For those of you who ever followed Sid Hartman's column, my Winter Musings is my attempt at his Jottings.

1. Winter Ice: This has been the greatest outdoor ice season in my memory. Granted, we've had a couple 3 day cold snaps and a few major snow dumpings...but for the most part since mid December its been in the 20's with very low wind. Nothing better than skating outside. The sounds, the smells, the runny noses, the cold toes, the rosey cheeks, the wet gloves...man nothing better. For my friends in warmer climates...eat your hearts out.

2. Pennant Fever: Somebody throw me into a snowbank, I got Pennant Fever. Pitchers and Catchers report...the Twins have live arms, 2 MVP's, and a great supporting cast to a decent team from last year. If the Twins win the Central....this is their year to put up a fight in the ALDS. No more Bye Week for the Yankees, Red Sox, or Angels.

3. Carrot Top: Since when did Carrot Top become such a great Snow Boarder? He's a much better athlete than comedian.

4a. Gophers: Can the Gopher sports programs get any lower. Going into this Fall, we had a new stadium for football, a returning NCAA basketball team that had 10 returning players and a top 10 recruiting class. Can you spell NIT? Oops, I'm sure most of you can...but not so sure about Al Nolen. Hockey? See 4b.

4b. Will a first round loss in the WCHA playoffs cost Don Lucia his job? IT BETTER. No matter the excuse....a state dripping with NHL prospects, NHL alums, National Championships should never be on the road for the WCHA playoffs.

5. Which American hockey team will show up during the Olympics? The Nagano troublemaking/ whiners? The Lake Placid Miracles? Or the WE'RENOTTHATGOODABRONZEWOULDBEAWESOME's?

6. Favorite Winter Olympic Sport: Ski Jumping. Has anyone ever seen that jump over near Hyland in Bloomington? Just looking at that thing loosens my bowel!

7. Derby: Only 71 days until the Kentucky Derby.

8. Golf: Approximately 70 days until I make my first double bogey!

9. Tiger Rant: Speaking of double bogeys, does anyone really care what Tiger Woods is going to say on Friday? Really, Tiger? The last thing "the people" want to see is a contrived press conference where you control the questions. All they want to see is your facial reconstruction, after that they will probably have the TV set to MUTE and wait for the sound bite. Sorry dude, that's how it works. No one really cares about you and your "situation". And one more thing, if you say you're playing in the Masters this year....I'll be sure not to laugh. No one in the world expected you to miss the Masters.

10. Peyton: Hey Peyton Manning -- I could care less if you shake hands with the other team 25 minutes after you threw the most famous Super Bowl PICK 6 since Willie Brown housed one on the Vikes in Super Bowl XI. If it were NFL protocol or tradition to shake hands after the game (ala the NHL), then sure you're a baby. But the NFL doesn't do that, so you have nothing to apologize for. This country apologizes way too much.

Sorry if this blog was too short (or too long). Sorry if it offended you. Sorry if I made fun of someone. Sorry if, Sorry if, Sorry if, Sorry if....