Based on the rather dubious content you read in this space each week – or not, you’ll probably find this hard to believe, but without a doubt, the most taxing part of this job is coming up with ideas for editorials each week.
You’ve probably noticed over the past few months that the editorials have been rather bland, generic and even a bit irrelevant. But one thing’s for sure – bland or otherwise, at least the topics are safe.
That’s why you’ve been reading stuff about a certain string of Caribbean islands – c’mon, admit it, as far-fetched as it may sound, you’ve got to love that idea; as well as marginally funny seasonal quotes and other similar-type topics.
And seeing as how I butchered the drag race donation editorial from a few weeks back on a whole bunch of levels, there’ll be no more tap-dancing on the thin ice for me.
Nope.
I’m crawling back under my rock safely over there on shore and from now on I’m sticking with topics that nobody really seems to care about – or at least won’t cause any hard feelings for anyone.
Other topics you can expect to see more of include abandoned cats, bachelorhood, stryofoam plates, sports, bashing Americans and basically anything that happens outside of the borders of this province.
So having said all that, how about that crazy roller-coaster ride known as the Saskatchewan Roughriders? For the die-hard fan of the Green and White, the past few months have been more eventful than Britney Spears on a three-day bender.
It all began at about 7 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, 2007 when the Roughriders defeated the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19 to win their third Grey Cup in the franchise’s history.
The victory kicked off a euphoric celebration over there that, apparently, is still going on and one the province hasn’t seen in at least 18 years dating back to their last championship season.
But with the proverbial cart at the absolute apex of the rollercoaster’s track, things stared going south big time, both figuratively and literally on Jan. 16 of this year when the team’s beloved head coach Kent Austin accepted the position of offensive coordinator of his alma mater, Ole Miss.
A scant few days after that, all-star quarterback and league MVP Kerry Joseph announced that he was attending a tryout camp with the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League.
And as if that isn’t enough, the team waived longtime fan favourite kick returner/running back Corey Holmes on Jan. 29 causing much consternation among ‘Rider fans that lasted until Feb. 8 of this year when they traded defensive stalwart Fred Perry – easily one of the best defenders in the league, to, of all teams, the Evil Edmonton Empire!
But just when the proverbial cart was at the absolute bottom of the rollercoaster’s track, things stated to pick up a bit in Riderville as just last week the team resigned wide receiver Matt Dominguez to a two-year contract. Just prior to that they also announced that former offensive coordinator Ken Miller as their new head coach, replacing the departed Austin.
But it still doesn’t end there.
Last Friday the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix reported that a group of wealthy investors in that city have proposed the construction of a new 32,000 seat stadium there to either entice the Roughriders to move north permanently or…are you ready for this, apply for an expansion team that would surely result in the tearing apart of the Rider Nation.
Aside from all that, things are apparently still very upbeat over there in Saskatchewan.
The Grey Cup is on an extended tour of the province visiting virtually every city, town, village and hamlet along the way. And there’s no need for fans of other CFL teams to worry, the ole’ Cup is getting plenty of lovin’ along the way as hundreds of thousands of fans have rubbed, hugged, groped, kissed and basically adored the silver mug throughout the tour.
So there you have it, an editorial directly from the comfy – and safe confines somewhere under a rock back on the shore.