Sports in Seconds: Major life decision made by sports fan

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

Sometimes in life it is better to move on and leave certain things behind.

As I struggled off and on for approximately three or four weeks with my commitment of fandom to my favourite National Hockey League (NHL) franchise, the Toronto Maple Leafs, I began having doubts.

According to the Labor Law Talk online dictionary, the term fan refers to someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking of a person, group of persons, work of art, idea, or trend. The word is an Americanism of around 1889, a shortened version of the word fanatic in reference to an enthusiastic follower of a baseball team.

Two aspects of this definition stood out for myself; intense liking, and enthusiastic follower.

Let’s say for instance, if I were near Peyton Manning of the National Football League’s Indianapolis Colts for some reason, and he needed a bottle of water or his even shoes shined, I’d be all over it.

Or if Kenny Rogers needed some fresh pine tar fetched from the Detroit Tigers clubhouse, I would not hesitate.

With these unrealistic examples aside, the point is that I am a dedicated and committed fan to both the Colts and the Tigers. No matter what happens with these franchises and how successful or futile they have ever been, I have always proudly displayed my affection and desire for those teams.

This brings me back to the Leafs.

When speaking of intense liking. I can’t say I agree with many of the moves made by the club, including the Andrew Raycroft gamble, the continuous signing of aging stars at the tail end of their careers, and the basic fact that the ownership doesn’t really care if the team succeeds as long as the “suits” of Toronto keep filling the seats on a nightly basis.

In terms of being an enthusiastic follower, nothing about the Leafs excited me this season and when I think about it, nothing has for years.

It is one thing to be upset that a team has not won any significant game in years, yet when a team doesn’t seem to be very enthusiastic themselves in the moves they make as a franchise, one has to question their motivation.

For these reasons, I have decided to turn my back on the Toronto Maple Leafs, and shift my attention and dedication to a new club. I am officially ending the relationship I have had with the Leafs, and starting a new one with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

You heard it here first; I’m pitching my old blue and white sweater of the Leafs, and embracing the black and gold of the Pens.

Pittsburgh is a young, up-and-coming franchise with potential, talent, and promise. More importantly the team has a sense of excitement flying around it.

Led by a the young group of first overall, and second overall picks of the past few years, including; forward Sidney Crosby (19 years-of-age), forward Evgeni Malkin (20 years-of-age), goal-tender Marc-Andre Fleury (21 years-of-age), and forward Jordan Staal (18 years-of-age), the Pens have an extraordinarily bright future.

Everything that embodies the definition of a fan, that I mentioned previously, is something I am going to dedicate myself to as I delve into my new role as a Pittsburg Penguins follower.

So Sidney, if you ever need your skates sharpened or stick taped, don’t hesitate to call.

Opinion article

Bathroom etiquette blunder

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 30, 2006

Has this ever happened to you?

Everyone has been in a similar situation, yet not everyone is comfortable talking about this topic.

Being in the position to have my views published in the paper, and personally being comfortable discussing pretty much anything, I am going to go ahead and write about this common, and somewhat humourous issue.

The topic is bathroom etiquette, specifically in public washrooms.

An unspoken rule related specifically to bathroom etiquette, if possible and if the situation allows this to happen, is to leave a space between urinals or bathroom stalls if someone else is currently occupying either of these when you need to use the facility.

This is simply common courtesy and it will help circumvent any potentially “weird” and uncomfortable situations.

However, sometimes this is un-avoidable. If you have to go, you have to go, regardless of the potential occupant being merely two-feet beside you.

In order to follow the globally accepted rules of bathroom etiquette, one mustn’t handle it the same way this writer did a couple of years ago.

After receiving tattoos from a shop in Sarnia Ontario, myself and a childhood friend headed across the street into a mini-plaza in search of a post-tattoo celebratory bite to eat. Before we found our chosen meal, we ironically both decided that we had to perform the deed, which is commonly referred to as “number two”.

Assuming that my buddy, who followed me into the washroom, had chosen the stall directly beside mine, I proceeded to quote a movie I had recently seen, 2004 Harold and Kumar go to White Castle, and said “Hey, you just sunk my battle – explicative.”

Shortly after the flush and departure beside me took place, a rolled-up paper-towel came streaming in my stall hitting me in the head. I snickered, and told my friend what I thought about his dear mother.

After eating and waiting for my other friend to get his tattoo, I proudly mentioned to my friend about my earlier comment, “That was pretty funny what I said in the bathroom, eh?” Puzzled, he looked at me and asked, “What the hell are you talking about?”

Clueing in now, I realized that the person beside me in the stall was not my buddy after all, but actually a random person who happened to enter the bathroom before my friend.

If by chance that the individual that day is reading this newspaper, my dearest apologies go out to you.

This is definitely an extreme case of public washroom experiences gone badly, but also without a doubt a hilarious one.

The other important question that arises when placed in the situation of being directly beside a fellow washroom occupant, “Be patient, and hold it back somewhat – or just let it go?”

That could be a tough debate, and potentially grounds for another entire article. I’d say bathroom etiquette would suggest hold-off for washroom solitude if possible, but technicalities could come into affect on a situational basis recommending otherwise.

So in order to follow the simple rules of bathroom etiquette; hold-off for isolation if possible, for goodness-sakes don’t strike up a conversation with the person beside you, and make sure you’re one-hundred-per cent sure that the individual beside you is indeed the person you think it is if you decide to be a wise-guy.

Sports in Seconds: Ridiculing Yanks is always fun

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 23, 2006

Oh, how sweet it is.

I’m going to take this opportunity to take a shot at the New York (NY) Yankees, who had their $200 million ego deflated once again this October in the Major League Baseball (MLB) post-season.

Losing the American League divisional series to the Detroit Tigers in four games, the Yankees fell victim once again this year falling considerably short of the inevitable expectations placed on them and their bloated payroll.

What is even greater then watching $25 million a-year-man Alex Rodriguez and $19 million a-year-man Jason Giambi hang their money-grubbing-heads in shame after another disappointing loss, is the fact that many ex-Yankee players are still thriving in the playoffs.

Kenny Rogers arguably had his best performance of his career, besides his perfect game with the Texas Rangers in 1994, against the Yankees in game three of the divisional series. Rogers led the Tigers to a 6-0 victory, scattering five hits over seven 2/3 innings.

Rogers played for the Yankees from 1996 to 1997, but never quite thrived in the Bronx, despite winning a championship ring in 1996.

Another former Yankee flop, Jeff Weaver is currently doing an admirable job starting for the National League (NL) Central champion St. Louis Cardinals.

With a 2-1 post-season record thus far, Weaver’s latest victory came in game five of the NL Championship Series where he out-dueled former Cy Young award winner Tom Glavine of the NY Mets.

Weaver was traded to the Yankees in 1996, and never seemed comfortable with the pressure and scrutiny placed on him in NY.

I’ll bet the Yanks would have loved throwing Rogers or Weaver out there this year, considering they had to throw an injured, and aging Randy Johnson, who had discs bulging from his back, and chronically-injured Jaret Wright whose only decent seasons came in 1997 and 2004 with the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves.

To add icing to the cake, last season’s World Series championship team, the Chicago White Sox, was led by two other former Yankee pitchers, Jose Contreras and Orlando Hernandez.

Although it is easy poking fun at the Yankees when they do not succeed, I couldn’t help but point out the success many of the former Yankee players are having after they have moved on in their careers.

Maybe the Yankee’s will eventually realize that no matter how much money you shell out to lure free agents - quality scouting, intelligent general managing, and player development are more integral to building championship teams.

So who knows, the Yankees could very well win the World Series next year, and stop all this bashing by the media, but one thing is almost certain if that does happen – A-Rod will likely still only bat a meager .125 with maybe one R.B.I. in that potential Fall Classic.

Don’t feel sorry for the Yankees as you watch the World Series this year, just keep rooting for the team that knocked them out.

Go Tigers.

New article published on www.bleacherreport.com

http://www.bleacherreport.com/nhl/nhl-editorspicks/visit_to_nhl_locker_room_a_humbling_experience_20061018616/

Movie review for "The Departed"

Big stars shine in The Departed

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 16, 2006

Sex, drugs, guns, and Jack Nicholson’s devilish-grin, what more does a film need?

With the combination of entertaining comedic-dialogue and ingenious directing from Martin Scorsese, the star-studded cast from the 2006 film The Departed help produce one of the most riveting and memorable movies of the decade.
Starring Nicholson, Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Walberg, Martin Sheen, and Alec Baldwin, The Departed constantly leaves viewers on the edge of their seats and, at times, left with their mouths gaped open in awe.

Set in Boston Massachusetts, the film is a gangster-tale that features under-cover police officers (DiCaprio), corrupted detectives (Damon), and crime-bosses (Nicholson) all intertwined together in a story that keeps viewers guessing as to what will happen from scene-to-scene.

Adapting a 2002 Chinese film Internal Affairs, Scorsese’s directing of The Departed instantly puts in the same echelon as his previous films, Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980), and Goodfellas (1990).

The all-star cast work extremely well together and, without losing their own individual appeal and creativity, combine together to feed off each other’s work.

DiCaprio stands out in the film, and his evolution as a “class-A” Hollywood actor becomes apparent with the way he tackles the role. Known for his “not-so-manly” roles in Titanic and Romeo and Juliet, DiCaprio becomes separated from his teen-heart-throb persona and completely embodies his role as a vulnerable, yet completely tough and resilient under-cover police officer.

DiCaprio, who appears in his third Scorsese film (Gangs of New York [2002] and Aviator [2004]), captivates the audience and with his passion and talent. He creates a connection with the audience and his character, and arguably delivers his best performance of his acting career.

Damon seems perfectly suited and comfortable in his roll. The swagger and arrogance of his character is pulled off brilliantly, and Damon leaves the audience resenting and disliking his corrupted character through his quality acting.

Nicholson delivers some of his trademark moments throughout the film including his evil -grinning personality, reminiscent of his 1980 performance in The Shining, and an array of slick and masterful monologues that have become accustomed to Nicholson in much of his work.

The Departed is a fast paced film that contains large amounts of profanity, and blood-spilling-action, yet remains an intelligent and completely appealing film that will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the top movies in the short history of the 21st century.

Sports in Seconds: Best birthday memory in history

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 16, 2006

The recent success of the Detroit Tigers in the Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs has brought back numerous memories for myself regarding the ball club from Mo-town.

After reminiscing, I realized that I basically had it all growing up.

The winter Starter jacket, the authentic MLB ball cap, a baseball helmet, t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks, pennants, posters, mini-baseball bats, and even a baseball card binder all sporting the not-so-ferocious-looking logo of the Detroit Tigers.

So without boring you with stories of me spending hours sorting through my boxes of baseball cards for hours on end, only to find a Mike Henneman rookie card to fill a gap in my Tiger’s binder, I’ll tell you about my 10th birthday.

Having a birthday in the summer, August 10th to be exact, was always great because I never had to worry about going to school.

Knowing this, my parents planned well in advance and purchased some tickets for a game being held at the old Tiger Stadium right on my birthday.

Excited about attending the game with much of my family, including my Aunt and Uncle from England, whose only experience with baseball was my little league games that same summer, decided to go exploring once I got there.

With my family sitting in their seats, most likely indulging in certain kinds of ice-cold refreshments, I went to stand by the Tigers bullpen to watch the starting pitcher of the day warm-up.

The pitcher that day was none other then a younger, but not so much slimmer, David Wells.

After watching Wells for a few minutes, he threw a wild pitch past the catcher. The coach beside Wells tossed him another ball and, after retrieving the wild pitch, the catcher tossed Wells the ball he was using previously.

Stuck with a dilemma, Wells looked across into the stands to the boy standing adjacent to him. Giving him a nod, Wells tossed the ball over to the boy and preceded with his warm-up.

I was ecstatic.

To go along with my Detroit Tiger paraphernalia I now had this prize possession, the centre of my Tiger universe, the ultimate birthday present, an authentic ball from MLB.

Immediately turning to my family, who were watching me below from their seats, I received a standing ovation from them, as they knew that I could not have asked for a better birthday present.

From there I went on a new mission; to get autographs.

Accompanied by my Aunt I received signatures from two pitchers at the Tigers bullpen, Joe Boever and Mike Gardiner to be exact, but I had my sights set on some non-no-name players.

We traveled down to the Tigers dugout, but as the game was just about to begin, I figured we might as well head back to our seats as autographs are not normally given during the game.

My Aunt did not give up hope though. Being the eccentric and extroverted type, she poked her head in the dugout and came face-to-face with Sparky Anderson, the legendary former manager of the Tigers.

Seeming almost intimidated by my Aunt, Anderson reluctantly signed my ball after she explained that it was my birthday.

So as the 2006 version of the Tigers continue to prowl their way through the MLB playoffs, I will be recalling many of the memories I have regarding the Tigers, as they were always a part of my life growing up.

Sports in Seconds: It’s Christmas time for sports fans

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 09, 2006

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Sure, everyone knows that line and everyone associates it with the excitement and thrills of the holiday season. You know, the time when people are jolly, and kids are giddy and all that jazz.

Let me tell you, if it is possible for this sports fan to ever be giddy, now is definitely the time.

In December people hang mistletoe in the hallways and beads around the Christmas Tree.

In October, Major League Baseball (MLB) pitchers hang curveballs in the heart of the plate and turn around to watch in devastation as the ball sails over the wall for a game-winning home-run.

People often take family outings, sometime before Jolly Old Saint Nick makes his annual appearance, in search of that perfect Christmas tree to be placed in the living room.

The fall is the time when National Football League (NFL) linebackers go in search of unblocked running backs in hopes of driving their helmets into the ground causing a fumble.

After a hearty Christmas dinner, families can kick back and watch their favourite National Hockey League (NHL) team battle it out on television. In October, well, families can do the exact same thing, as the NHL regular season is just under way.

With the abundance of quality sporting events occurring at the same time, sports fans will have no problem finding a game to satisfy their craving for excitement, and entertainment in the sporting realm.

MLB began their playoffs on October 3 with many teams and many big-name stars battling toward world supremacy.

The American League’s New York Yankees feature a lineup consisting of nine current and former All-stars and, despite them competing against my beloved Detroit Tigers in the divisional series, look poised to cruise into the World Series against the winner of the Oakland and Minnesota series. I will not give up hope though Detroit.

The National League championship is up for grabs as all four teams, the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and San Diego Padres, all have question marks hovering over their respected teams.

Although another “subway-series” is very probable, I feel the Mets pitching staff is too injury-riddled to make it past Los Angeles in the divisional series, and subsequently the Dodgers will ride their recent hot streak all the way into the Fall Classic.

The NFL season is also in full swing as the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears sit atop the league with perfect 4-0 records.

If anyone read my columns last year, you would know that I bleed blue for the Colts, and I will maintain my bold prediction that they will finally become Super Bowl champions this season.

The NHL regular season kicked off on October 4 as well. All six Canadian teams made significant changes in the off-season, all adding different pieces to their puzzles in hopes of bringing a Stanley Cup north of the 49th.

Although I consider myself a Maple Leaf fan, I don’t think it would be a strong bet tagging them as the champions this year, although Ottawa and Calgary should have a good shot at championship glory.

So in this so-called “sports holiday season” I will be enjoying myself immensely along with other sports fans across the country. Hopefully the franchises that I support can continue to be successful and reach their team’s ultimate goal.

Neil Young aids family farmers

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 09, 2006

“Wouldn’t it be great if we did something for our own farmers right here in America?”

Those were the words spoken by musician Bob Dylan, during the Live Aid concert held at various locations around the world on July 13 1985.

Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp heard Dylan’s call and founded Farm Aid in 1985 in hopes of raising awareness and funds to support family farmers across America. Farm Aid concerts have been held from Nebraska, to Indiana, to Texas and, most recently to Camden New Jersey on September 30, where Farm Aid 2006 was located.




“The fight to save family farms isn’t just about farmers,” said Nelson, president of Farm Aid. “It’s about making sure that there is a safe and healthy food supply for all of us. It’s about jobs. From Main Street to Wall Street. It’s about a better America.”

Farm Aid believes that family farmers are the only guarantee for fresh, local food. Their mission is to keep family farmers on their land and their goal is to bring together family farmers and citizens to restore family farm-centered agriculture.

Farm Aid accomplishes their mission by awarding grants to farmer and rural service organizations, developing and funding programs that promote outreach, education, and development of long-term solutions to support family farms, and building partnerships and educating the public to raise funds to promote activism in support of family farmers.

The primary tool Farm Aid uses is an annual signature concert.

Dave Matthews, who joined the Farm Aid Board of Directors in 2001, was the first headliner to play the 2006 concert at the Tweeter Centre, which is right across the Delaware river from Philadelphia.

Opening acts included Jerry Lee Lewis, The Los Lonely Boys, and Government Mule, among others.

Matthews played a solo, mostly acoustic set and entertained the crowd with some of his classics including “Everyday”, “Gravedigger”, and an electric guitar lullaby “Some Devil”.

Mellencamp followed Matthews with a set that revisited the 1980’s including performances of anthems “Pink Houses”, “Rain on the Scarecrow” and an extended version of “Authority Song” to keep the crowd rocking.

Young enchanted the crowd with his distinctive vocals and perfected sound, performing “Harvest Moon”, “Four Strong Winds”, and “Field of Opportunity”. Nelson also appeared on stage for Young’s performance of “Homegrown”.

Nelson wrapped-up the show in traditional style, playing his hits “City of New Orleans”, “Whiskey River”, “Good Hearted-Woman”, and “On The Road Again”.

Never lost amongst the incredible musical performances by every artist, was the message that Farm Aid wanted to deliver. Matthews was one of the few to state the purpose of the show during his actual performance.

“Every farm should be run by a family. People who love the earth,” Matthews said. “There ain’t nothing better than a good tomato.”

Canadians can relate to the purpose of Farm Aid as well, as factory farms are taking over family farms north of the United States.

A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) report indicated that huge hog barns are being championed as the future of pig farming. One swine operation can churn out up to 15,000 pigs a year, thus doubling pig production in Manitoba in the last decade.

One farmer told CBC that it is not normal farming going on and that it is an industry. Hog barns store gallons of liquid manure in untreated, open-air lagoons, sometimes as big as a football field.

Farmers say that the current practices of these factory farms is very dangerous for the environment.

Sports in Seconds: A humbling experience at the JLC

Aaron Hall
Interrobang
email: ahall@fanshawec.ca

Published: Monday, October 02, 2006

The perks of my job have made me realize that I’m still a kid at heart.

I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to cover the National Hockey League (NHL) exhibition contest between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Pittsburgh Penguins held at the John Labatt Centre (JLC) on Sunday September 24.

After my experience last season covering the exhibition game between the Flyers and the Atlanta Thrashers, I thought I would be given the same treatment this season – access to the standing-room-only sections of the JLC and that’s it.

Luckily, I was wrong.

Upon entrance into the arena, I was given my media pass and shown the direction to my front-row seat in the JLC Press Box. Surrounding me were beat-writers from the Flyers, Penguins, and Toronto Maple Leafs, journalists and photographers from the Globe and Mail and Canadian Press and an assortment of other reporters from very reputable media organizations.

Thank goodness I was at least wearing a dress shirt and khaki’s because everyone else was done up all pretty in suits and ties. So, feeling a bit intimidated, I sat back, enjoyed the game, took notes, and observed how all of the professional media personnel handled themselves while they worked.

The game was a bit of a drag, lacking many of the stars from both the Penguins and Flyers, but there was still a sweet scrap between the Penguins Matt Carkner and Philadelphia’s Martin Grenier, and the Penguins John LeClair put home a nice goal off a slick pass from rookie Jordan Staal, giving Pittsburgh a 2-1 victory. Then came the disappearing act.

Literally one minute after the final whistle, all of the occupants of the Press Box flowed out and took off through the departing JLC crowd. I thought to myself either everyone had hot dates after the game, or they were all heading toward the locker rooms of the respected NHL teams in hopes of getting a quote for their articles.

I thought the latter was more viable, so I went on a search mission for the dressing rooms of both the Penguins and Flyers.

Not sure exactly where to go, I asked around and got pointed in the direction of two bulky, and somewhat scary looking security guards situated outside a corridor. When I asked them if reporters were allowed in the dressing rooms, not recognizing me whatsoever, they glared at me and asked me who the hell I was and whom I was with. When I flashed my media pass and said I was a reporter with Fanshawe College, they gave me a nod and said, “First two doors on your left.”

Almost running into him, I watched, Penguins forward and 2005 Stanley Cup Champion with the Carolina Hurricanes, Mark Rhecci walk right past me in his jock and sweats, then across the room I noticed notorious NHL-pest Jarkko Ruutu being interviewed by a Finnish reporter, and goalie Jocelyn Thibault loosening the laces on his skates.

Not prepared at all to do any sort of interview and basically thinking to myself, “Holy crap I’m in the Pittsburgh Penguins locker room,” I regrouped. I thought, OK, take a deep breath, and come up with some questions to ask these guys so I don’t look like a complete idiot. But then I got thrown into a complete loop.

Walking towards me in a designer suit, and amongst a posse of similar looking young men, came Sydney Crosby.

I never thought that being in the company of a 19-year-old kid, and several balding men in their underwear would make me stand like a deer caught in headlights, but it definitely did.

Not only did I just stand there in amazement, lost amongst the whole situation, I felt like I was a 12-year-old kid again with the only thing missing from my appearance being a puddle of urine forming beside my feet.

I never managed to ask any questions, nor did I even try and shake Crosby’s hand, but I can say it was one of the most memorable moments in my life, in both the sporting and journalistic realms.

So I will chalk this up as experience, and I will undoubtedly be more prepared the next time I am put into a similar situation.