More Of The Incredible Arune

Yes folks, the final chapter of the Marvel.Com videos “explaining” why the system servers crashed last week. In this episode I star as the Hulk, who faces off with Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada and Publisher Dan Buckley. Enjoy!

The Incredible…Arune?

As many people know, Marvel.Com recently launched a groundbreaking digital comics service. Response was so overwhelming that there was a problem logging onto the site for a few days and Marvel, having a sense of humor, decided to laugh at themselves. They’ve been posting videos about what “really” happened and I’m starring as Hulk in a few of them.

The concept is that Hulk was hired as the new tech guy and screws everything up. This is the third video in the series– but the first with me! Note that the Hulk at the keyboard early in the video isn’t me– but the one beating up people is me. For all the fun videos, check out Marvel.Com. They’ve done some cool work so it’s all worth checking out!

Break The Walls Down

November has been a good month for a number of reasons, but last night WWE gave me one more reason to smile– the return of wrestler Chris Jericho (learn more about him right here).

So why does this matter?

For fans of wrestling in the nineties, or early 00s, you’ll remember Chris Jericho as not only a gifted pro-wrestler, but also one of the most entertaining performers to every step in the squared circle. He was funny, smart, spontaneous and never disappointed. Good guy or bad guy, he made you love him. And no one ever left a feud with Jericho looking like anything less than a million bucks. Jericho made sure everyone he worked with came out better for it and always put on the best show possible.

Now that’s he back, feuding with my favorite current WWE superstar, Randy Orton, it means the WWE championship scene is about to get interesting. There’s a reason to watch WWE on Mondays because RAW…is…JERICHO!

If you don’t know wrestling, this won’t mean anything to you. But if you do…you’re smiling right along with me.

Ultimate Marvel– On-Sale Wednesday!

Just in time for Thanksgiving, the newest Marvel Comic written by me. Of course, like the other work with my name on it, this is a sampler previewing what’s to come, so all I’m writing are the interviews– but I’m very proud of how it all came together. Find out more here.

ULTIMATE MARVEL #1

COVER BY: DAVID FINCH
WRITER: ARUNE SINGH
PENCILS:
THE STORY:
The groundbreaking Ultimate Universe changed the face of comics, redefining your favorite heroes in bold new epics. Now, get your first look at Ultimates 3, Ultimate Iron Man II, Ultimate Origins and all the other Ultimate books that will have your jaws on the floor! Add in exclusive commentary from creators, never-before-seen art and you’ve got the perfect holiday surprise at the right price! The Ultimate Universe will never be the same and this is your chance to get in on the ground floor!
Rated A…FREE

Yeah, that’s right..it’s FREE. So now what’s your excuse for not finding out why everyone love’s Marvel’s Ultimate Universe?

Everyone & No One

Walking down the street yesterday, in no particular rush to be anywhere, I noticed something—everyone’s on their cell phones. This is no huge revelation to anyone, myself included, but I can still remember when cell phones weren’t as big and we walked around talking to each other, looking at the world around us and not checking out Fantasy Football scores. The kicker is that I was, of course, on my cell phone too.

I’m not saying that because we’re on cell phones we don’t communicate with each other since phones, by their nature, are devices for communication. And we’re hardly isolated or unappreciative of the city if we’re out in public, walking, talking and watching at the same time. But it just seems bizarre to see people out at dinner, tapping away on their PDAs (I’ve been that person unfortunately) and multi-tasking relationships with business. Is work that much more prevalent in our lives? Does this incessant use of cell phones connect us to people more than before? And, perhaps, is there nothing wrong with the new status quo?

As someone who uses his BlackBerry a lot, I’m hardly above indictment, but it seems like we’re all so wrapped up in using these phones that we miss out a lot on things—or at least I do. My recent travels highlighted that as I noticed the little details around me more because I wasn’t on my phone and I wasn’t trying to talk & observe at the same time. Even my conversations on the phone seemed more focused and intelligent on my part because I had them while I was relaxing, not while I was walking around and discovering. Hell, had I been on the phone while watching the Canadiens/Leafs, I can’t imagine I’d have been as absorbed by the game and enjoyed it nearly as much. It’s hard to have a conversation with a friend over dinner if we’re both checking our phones. It’s hard to truly notice a great city when we’re focused on our phone call.

Maybe some things just shouldn’t be multi-tasked?

National Fun League

There is no sport above hockey in my world. None. I love baseball and soccer– it’s been that way since childhood– but hockey is number 1. Of late, there’s one sport that’s earned the number 2 spot and it’s surprising– Football.

Let me say this– the NFL presents not only a compelling game because of the players but also because of the format. With only 4 months of regular season play and one more month of playoffs, every game matters, so there’s no wasted time. You know that Sunday is football day, and while we may get Monday or Thursday games, it’s easy to plan watching your favorite team in action. So for five months, fans of football are consumed with each week’s game, the fallout and preparation for the next game. There’s no “all star break” or anything other interruption of the season. There’s no best of seven series between teams in the playoffs. Those are all great things in other sports, but the lack of them in football makes the game stand out.

As a child, I remember my father visiting Dallas and bringing back a Dallas Cowboys sticker that remained on my bedroom door till I moved out of that house. While I flirted with being a San Fransisco 49ers fan (to be opposite of my brother) and a Minnesota Vikings fan (I lived there for three years), I’ve always loved the Cowboys. It helps that I got into the sport when Troy Aikman & Co put together a magical run with the franchise, but the Cowboys remain the one team my entire family agrees on. They’re the Singh family football team.

This year, thanks to a better managed schedule and less hectic weekends, I’m watching football each week. Now that I’ve learned the rules, understand the strategy and see it regularly, I’m realizing why fans are so rabid about football. It’s an exciting sport because you only get one chance a week to prove yourself. One chance to say your peace on the field. Yes, it’s a very physical, sometimes violent game. But the nuances of football strategy and beauty of a perfectly executed play raise it above any concerns I have about the brutality.

After spending the last three hours glued to my sofa, my eyes not averted from the screen, I’m glad to say it was time well-spent. My Cowboys won, I was thrilled the entire time and it’s made my whole weekend even better. While I’ve always love hockey the most, I gotta admit– when it comes to Sundays, it’s all about the football. Now I hope my neighbors aren’t concerned about my frequent yelling of “Get the damn ball!” and “Not another f—in penalty!”

Zut Alors! Part 4

A dream come true.

That’s what I thought about not only seeing the Montreal Canadiens live in Montreal, but seeing them play their rival Toronto Maple Leafs? That’s perfection. Walking out of the hotel, with both of us wearing our jerseys (Canadiens for me, Leafs for Nick), we weren’t surprised to see the streets swarming with fans of both teams. The Habs/Leafs rivalry is one of the biggest in pro sports and easily the most storied in hockey history. It’s the two sides of Canada—English and French—battling for supremacy in the Canadian pastime.

Not ten feet out the door, a group of Leafs fans spotted us and said “Wow, you two must be good friends,” since Nick and I wore jerseys of opposing teams. I replied, “We’re brothers,” to which the drunken group replied “no way!” I explained we grew up in Toronto but I got hit in the head and became a Habs fan. This facetious explanation would be used throughout the night by shocked fans on both sides.

I must admit, part of me was worried about the rowdiness of the crowd. Hockey fans aren’t nearly as violent or bloodthirsty as UK football or NFL fans, but they’re a passionate bunch and I had no interest in seeing people at each other’s throats. Besides the general pre-game ribbing and bravado, I’m happy to report that fans were very well-behaved. I’m generally impressed at the professionalism and politeness of Canadian hockey fans. Even after only half a dozen Rangers games at MSG, it’s clear that American fans are much more into the fights than the Canadian fans.

The Bell Centre is a great stadium. Thoroughly modern in offerings (even though the cash only stipulations for concessions are annoying) which range from Tim Horton’s to Pizza Pizza; a top of the line team store; and some really cool displays of Canadien history all around. Even more amazing is how old school the stadium feels. This is a stadium made for hockey. The City Is Hockey, as the signs proudly proclaim, but The Stadium is Hockey as well. Great seats, a good view from everywhere and that perfect hockey smell. Nick and I took our seats (thanks again!) along side a few Leafs fans, flanked by more of my Habs fans. Game on!

Before each game begins, there’s a superb video package examining the history of the Canadiens, with the faces of the great players projected on the ice. This quick package also included superstar goalie Cristobel Huet introducing the great team this year (is there a bad player on the roster?) and things were off! From the minute the puck hit the ice, both teams played their hearts out…even if the Leafs did score in the first 2 minutes.

It’s hard to describe the game. If you’re a hockey fan, you know what I mean when I say this was a competitive game where neither team ever let up on the pressure. It was just damn good hockey. For non-hockey fans, imagine the perfect sports game of your favorite sport with your favorite team in your favorite rivalry. Now, to be honest, The Canadiens lost 3-2 and I wished they’d won, but I can’t deny how much fun we had. Nick and I alternated profusely cheering at our teams’ successes, berating them for their failures and just having a damn good time. It helped that the fans around us were real fans of the sport, not mindless drunken obsessive fans who’d start trouble if someone cheered for the team they didn’t like. I can’t remember a time I’ve smiled more than during this game. It’s an odd feeling to have a dream come true unfolding in front of you because you’re so wrapped up in the happiness that you don’t realize how amazing it is to experience it occurring.

During one of the intermissions I explored the stadium and while I’d like to see more, I was impressed by how much there is to see on each level. I missed seeing team mascot Youppi (pictured below), so that’s my goal for the next time I visit (and there will be a next time). I made sure purchase the team Media Guide, which details each player and the team’s history. For anyone who sees a hockey game this year, I recommend purchasing a media guide– all the ones I’ve seen are invaluable resources for hockey fans.

There’s also the unfortunate French/English translation humor, as “Goal” translates to “But” in French. Since Canada is a bilingual nation, when a goal is scored, the following text appears on the screens “But Goal!” Yeah, I know, it’s a bit silly to laugh at it, but I couldn’t help but thinking it was a funny combination.

I’ve still got the ticket from the game, along with all my purchases and it’s amazing how much I still get attached to physical mementos of experiences. It’s silly to me, because I keep thinking that it’s the memories that mean the most and I never understood why I get attached to a ticket stub or hat. Maybe it’s because those items trigger the memories, but it’s always been a bit odd to me that I can’t get myself to throw away admittedly mundane things like a plastic bag from the Canadiens team store.

Once the game was over, Nick and I returned to the hotel, exhausted from the game and ready to relax. We turned on Hockey Night In Canada, watching the Canucks beat up the Avalanche, and read our books. I finished A Lion’s Tale, which I liked overall but felt was rushed by the end. I’d love to read more about Jericho’s WCW experiences and also about his time in WWE. I know the book’s about achieving his dream of making it to the WWE, so thematically the end of the book made sense, but I wanted more.

Canadian television offers some fresh, new ads (yeah, I generally enjoy television commercials for some reason) and one in particular stuck out in my mind. Mr. Sub, the Canadian version of the Subway restaurant, ran an ad featuring an old woman stealing a sub from a young guy and then lying ont he ground, claiming the young guy is attacking her. Thus, the old lady keeps the yummy sandwich and the young guy must buy a new one. There’s something wonderfully ludicrous about the commercial that made me laugh when I saw it.

So, there you have it– the trip. The next day was uneventful as we flew back into NYC, but this journey to Montreal (and all the events during the visit) will remain a favorite memory for a long time to come.

Heart To Hart

November is a good month. The Montreal trip (yes, the posts about it will continue) was a dream come true and enough to put a smile on my face for the next year. But for now, life is conspiring to make me happy and today I met the best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be. I met my idol…Bret “The Hitman” Hart.

Last week, co-worker (and co-member of B.A.D—Big Apple Defenders) Bill Rosemann informed me that the legendary wrestling team the Hart Foundation would be in New York for a signing. My first reaction? “You better not be kidding!” I quickly went online, registered for RingsideFest 2007 and counted down the moments till I met my idol. Remember, I grew up in Canada, the same nation from which Bret Hart hails and the country he proudly represented throughout his wrestling career.

You need to understand that in Canada, Bret and the Hart family are royalty. Canadian wrestlers are among the best in the world and in Canada, we all know that pro wrestling is, at it’s purest, an art form. I’m not sure why, but wrestling was always a big part of my childhood even when I wasn’t watching it and always knew that Bret Hart was a hero. His wrestling character was always a pro-Canadian, proud-to-be-Canadian, tough as nails character. Proudly proclaiming himself “The best there is, the best there was and the best there ever will be,” Bret epitomized the perfect combination of theatrics and technical wrestling. Check out this video of some great clips.

Throughout my life, Bret Hart epitomized the characteristics I wished to embody—integrity, honor, dedication and “the excellence of execution.” As a child, I had few role models and Bret was one of them—a Canadian, just like me, and it struck a chord with me. I followed Bret’s career to it’s end and thrilled to all his matches. I especially loved his stable—the Hart Foundation. While the line-up often changed, the most notable members were Owen Hart (rest in peace), the British Bulldog (RIP), Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart and manager Jimmy Hart (no relation). Proudly carrying the Canadian flag, kicking ass, taking names and just being cool, there was no way a little kid like me wouldn’t become their fan.

Today I got up early, headed to Carolines in midtown and lined up behind hundreds of other devoted fans. On some level I don’t think I realized I’d be meeting my childhood idols in person, as I felt sort of half asleep throughout it all, as though it were a fuzzy memory. After entering the room where autographs and photos would be handled, I met two other big Bret Hart fans at my table, who I chatted with for the rest of the show. Things kicked off with Jimmy Hart making his way into the room.

Jimmy’s a huckster– and I mean that in a good way. You know it but you can’t help but want what he’s selling because you believe he believes in it. So when he began talking, everyone in the room was on the edge of their seat, hanging on every word he said. He spoke about the upcoming Wrestlemania, his years in wrestling and then– he introduced Jim Neidhart. The room erupted as the big man walked in, but it was nothing compared to the standing ovation for the next guest– Bret Hart. Everyone, including myself, stood to cheer and applaud the Hitman. Below we’ve got Bret, Jimmy and Anvil.

I must say that the autograph/photo session went very smoothly. Small groups were moved into position and, far as I can tell, no one felt rushed. Would I have liked more time with the Hart Foundation? Sure. But I got to tell Bret and Anvil that they inspired me, I got to hear their thanks and I got the great photo below:

After the photo was taken, Bret and Anvil wanted to see it and seemed happy with the result. Anvil also joked that I was the only one who looked good in the photo and I pointed out he still looked like he could kick ass. After going through so much, Bret looks a lot older than last time he was in the ring and seemed a bit slower than I’d expected, but he was cordial and radiated awesomeness. Look into his eyes and you know the Hitman is the best, now or ever. Bret also signed my copy of his excellent book (buy it right here). I wanted to stick around for the Q&A session, but when it was over an hour late, I figured I’d call it a day, as I’d been there for five hour already. Sure, I spent 5 minutes with the Hart Foundation, but now I know something: these guys are the real deal. Great wrestlers, great guys and still my idols.

I’m not one of those people who gets overly excited to meet celebrities– not a value judgement, just no real interest– but Bret Hart’s on the short list of people I always wanted to meet. I have very few idols in life, so I guess it’s just my desire to see if Bret was really a good guy. Now there’s no way I can learn that from one short meeting, but it’s a great memory I’ll carry with me as I do my best to embody the Hitman’s ideals.

Zut Alors! Part 3

Previously: My brother and I went to Montreal for the first time and much fun ensued in the first day. Now we join our intrepid explorers on the second day of the trip…the day when the Leafs and Canadiens would battle on the ice!

In life, there are some absolute joys, ones that can’t be tainted by what comes before or after. One of those joys is sleeping in late simply because you can, something I experienced Saturday morning. I woke up at 8am, realized it didn’t matter when I got up and promptly went back to bed. Now that is how one should sleep every day, allowing your body to properly recharge and the best dreams to continue till their story is told. I know it’s not realistic (I’d never make it to work in time), but it’s one of those feelings that reminds your body and soul that you’re on vacation, that you can be reborn to fight another day at your best.

Of course, nature calls and I paid the price for some poor food choices. Look, Molson Export is amazing beer and I don’t regret having some…but for a good 20 minutes that morning I sure as hell did. ‘Nuff said.

Having explored so much– including McGill University– on Friday, Nick and I hit the gym, something we both enjoy. For some people, going to the gym is a chore and it’s a feeling I understand. For me, going to the gym isn’t about vanity (though on some level I’m sure it is) or being better than anyone else– it’s about being my best. That’s what makes it a way of life for me. It’s not a decision. It’s not a choice. It’s something integral to my day because it’s my chance to become better in a measurable manner. No matter what happens with the rest of my day, no one and nothing can take away my achievements in the gym. A lot of people don’t feel that way and find different motivations, but for me there’s no more pure drive than to simply be better than the day before.

When I stayed at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto, I was blown away by the gym. Lots of machines, lots of benches and dumbbells weighting over 100lbs. It was a real gym! The only downside was the $15 or so I paid each day to use it, so when I arrived at the Sheraton in Montreal and found out that the gym was free, I was ecstatic. Once I visited the gym I soon understood why it was free– it wasn’t very good. Much of the cardio equipment was old and broken, the new equipment needed some maintenance and the weight room was cramped, with dumbbells only up to 30lbs. Still, anything is better than nothing with equipment and I managed a decent workout. Heading back to the room I showered, relaxed in front of the TV (seeing the Global television logo made me smile) and once Nick was all done, were we out the door at 2pm.

Knowing we had the hockey game at 7pm, we didn’t want to do too much, but we walked around a bit more and ate at a bad diner on Rue Saint Catharine. Our next stop was the Montreal Museum of Art (I can’t remember the name) as we’d tried to go there the day before but totally missed it (it’s a small building). Along the way I found a cool silver ring, which my brother promptly purchased for me as a gift, yet another sign that I’ve got an awesome family. I really wish I could be positive about the museum but it was boring. I love art museums, but this is the first one I’ve ever seen where I felt bored. I’m not saying it’s bad– that’s hardly a statement I could make with any authority– but the exhibitions just didn’t make me feel anything. To be honest, our entire visit was tainted by the woman at the front who berated us for having money visible in our wallets when we pulled them out to pay for the tickets. Apparently, according to her, we were asking to be robbed. On some level I can understand why she’d say that, thinking she’s helping us out, but it just came across as rude and inappropriate. I fear that tainted my opinion when I observed the art.

Having seen all the sights we wanted to see– besides an architecture museum that sounded fun– we headed back to the hotel to continue reading. I can’t remember when I last read a book without feeling rushed and it was nice to absorb Chris Jericho’s book at my own pace. Even though I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the book (the last 1/3rd felt a bit rushed to me), it was great to just read and let my imagination fill in the visuals. It’s such a simple thing, but one I know I don’t always remember to savor and this trip was a good reminder of the things I need to bring back into my life. Here are some photos:

I gotta say, I can’t understand why every strip joint used the Superman styled “Super” for all their signage. It’s just…odd.

At 6pm, we got ready and prepared to head out to the game. The reason for our trip was upon us and as we put on our jerseys– Canadiens for me, Leafs for Nick– over our hoodies and headed out into the wild.

Game On!

To be continued…

Zut Alors! Part 2

And we’re back, continuing our look at my first day in Montreal with my brother Nick. When we left off, we’d been planning what to do for the evening and we both agreed on one thing– it was time to see a movie. American Gangster seemed like the best choice, as we’d both found the trailer interesting, figuring that the combo of Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe couldn’t possibly do much wrong. But before I get to that, let’s back track.

Parts of downtown Montreal don’t have crosswalk signs. You walk when traffic is running parallel to you and watch out for crazy drivers who don’t support your right of way. Nick & I were thrown off at first because every country has signs indicating when you can cross the street (the coolest ones being in Sydney, because of the “beep boop” noise they make), but apparently Montreal is all bad ass and doesn’t play by the rules. Certain sections of the city have the signs, but the busiest areas don’t– which just confuses me.

Equally confusing is crazy French people. No, I don’t mean all French people are crazy, but y’know– the transients (can’t think of a PC word folks– don’t skewer me) who seem totally nuts. When they babble and yell at you in Francais, they somehow sound even more nuts. My heart goes out to them of course, but I admit to chuckling when some crazy guy walked by and babbled at me in French.

Alright, well back to the movie. We went to the Scotia Bank Move Theatre on Rue Saint Catharine (this street was central to everything it seemed), which won me over by having not only a bar at the bottom (beer + movies = great combo if I was drinking), but a Tim Horton’s inside. What is Tim Horton’s you ask? Here’s the Wikipedia article, but I’ll define it simply for you: the best hot chocolate, the best donuts and some of the best sandwiches I’ve had in North America. Period. Try some TimBits and tell me you don’t love ‘em. I dare ya! Dare ya! An added bonus came in the form of all the advertising for WWE’s Survivor Series wrestling event later this month. Now we all know I’m a wrestling fan, but thanks to the Hart family (and others) in Canada, people are generally a lot more accepting of wrestling up in Canuckland. You’ll find more bars in major cities showing the weekly shows and as this theatre reminded me, you’ll often find the pay per view events shown in movie theatres. Sure, you’re not actually at the event, but how many home theaters can replicate the experience of watching a wrestling event larger than life, live and with hundreds of other fans?

Making out way into the proper auditorium, Nick and I got great seats when we both came to the same realization: we needed beverages. I headed out to get some drinks when I was approached by a member of the theatre security, who asked if I’d ever worked in security. I said “yes” and he told me he’d like me to call him about more work. I got his business card and didn’t have the heart to explain I’m not from around there because he just seemed so…enthusiastic about me. But at least I know if I ever went to Montreal, I can always do security work at the movie theatre, eh?

The movie was preceded by lots of commercials in both English and French, which worried me at first because I hoped the movie wasn’t in French. I love Quebec, the language and their proud history, but a movie in French meant I wouldn’t hear Denzel and Co’s own voices, which was part of the film’s appeal– hearing everyone involved deliver their lines. Thankfully, the movie was in English and, even better, it was a phenomenal movie. You probably know the premise– Washington plays a rising gangster who takes over the Harlem drug trade and Crowe plays the cop trying to taking him down. Based on a true story and drenched in authentic New York attitude, this is the kind of gangster films that gets us at the core because Washington’s character (”Frank”) is relatable to a point. He believes in a code of honor. He believes in paying people what they deserve. He believes in family. But at the same time he’s got no problem selling drugs to kids, killing his rivals in cold blood and getting violent with anyone in his way. Meanwhile Crowe’s detective character (”Richie”) is the perfect cop– a man of integrity who believes in justice and honor. A man who won’t compromise or take the easy way out. But when he gets home, he can’t stay faithful to his wife or be a good father. Both men are contradictions representing the dueling aspects of so many people’s personalities. The contradictions within us all.

But American Gangster succeeds on every other level as well, providing some gripping action scenes without excess gore or violence. When blood appears, it means something to the viewers and characters. That probably seems really silly to some, but in an era of torture porn films (IE: Saw) and so much violence in all our entertainment, it’s good to see a movie that recognizes the truth of violence. It’s disgusting. It’s repulsive. But it’s a big part of life and to tell such a layered story about these two broken men, we need to see the violence in which they’re drowning. But it never feels gratuitous because all the characters in the film recognize the effects of violence and react appropriately (if not immediately then down the line at some point). By so powerfully depicting how violence can twist us, a movie about gangsters– which one might expect to celebrate violence– is one of the best arguments against the culture of violence we’ve created. The dialogue is similarly purposeful– Frank rarely uses the “n-word,” even though we’ve been trained to expect that from African-American gangsters. I don’t know who made that decision– or if it’s how the real Frank spoke–but it makes his moments of anger even more powerful, when we see the sophisticated veneer swallowed by primal anger in the form of curding.

Easily the best thriller I’ve seen all year and highly recommended to all. On a lighter note, the trailer for the film (watch it right here) was a big part of what attracted me to the film and you’ll notice that half way through the trailer, there’s a catchy hip hop song. I enjoyed the song so much that I sort of worried I wouldn’t enjoy the film as much without that song in the background– but if you’re like me in that regard, no need to worry. American Gangster is easily one of this year’s best.

I’d expect a lot of people to copy Washington’s delivery of the phrase “My man” to convey irritation with someone while remaining cool on the outside. He just says it so much and makes it sound so cool that you can’t help but want to repeat it in place of cursing.

After the film, Nick and I headed out for dinner to a place called Mike’s, which apparently has numerous locations around the city and offers a nice variety of basic pastas, sandwiches, salads and entrees. While we hoped for some hockey on television, we ended up watching a CFL (Canadian Football League) game between the Montreal Alouettes and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. I haven’t watched the CFL in some time, so perhaps I’m remembering old games with rose colored glasses, but did the quality drop significantly? There was barely any running game and it just seem like everyone ran the same plays. Blitz the offense. Offense throws long pass. Offense often has incomplete throws. I didn’t enjoy the game but had to finish it to see if it improved and it just seemed atrocious. Am I missing something or was this some incredible game I couldn’t appreciate? I know the CFL is inherently a different kind of football than the NFL (Go Cowboys!), but it just felt boring and sloppy to me, though I can remember loving old Calgary Stampeders or Toronto Argonauts games. Did something change?

After pondering this, Nick and I headed back to the hotel where I proceeded to continue reading Chris Jericho’s book. Just as the man made me laugh with his promos in ring, he made me laugh with some of his stories about rising up the wrestling food chain. I fell asleep at 1am and slept soundly, knowing I wouldn’t have to wake up any time too early on Saturday.

To Be Continued!