Life Continues

Halloween party on Thursday was a lot of fun. I always enjoy The Druid, and there were a lot of very creative costumes. My two favourites were one person dressed up as a professor, as well as another dressed as a Survivor contestant (complete with a knife in the back).

Speaking of reality television, I thought that Thursday's Apprentice (which I of course taped) was wonderful. Though, I'd never even heard of Dick's Sporting Goods prior to the episode. It's funny, as when they picked the teams I thought that it was the other team that was going to lose. Between taking on Markus and Clay, and getting rid of Rebecca and Marshawn, it looked to me like a mismatch. But wow. The fact that Capital Edge didn't have anyone that knew anything about sports either made it worse. One could make the argument that this is the biggest embarassment in reality tv since Gervase stomped Kelly in the canoeing challenge in season one of Survivor (how's that for a blast from the past?).

Anyways, as cool as it was to see all 4 get fired, I think that may have been a bit of overkill. I'm not sure that Mark really deserved to get fired, as he was just doing what he was supposed to be doing (working the ball machine). Though, I suppose one could argue that he was living on borrowed time after not getting brought into the boardroom in week 2 after the Lamborghini task. Even James was borderline, though he deserves some blame for the batting cage idea. The other two both deserved to go though.

Jennifer talked big, then didn't perform. As well, I don't think arguing with Trump when he was explaining what everyone did wrong helped her stock (though, by that point the decision was likely made that at least she was going) . Bill and Carolyn also wanted her gone last week, so clearly she was already on thin ice.

I had Josh pegged as a competitive player early on, but he clearly blew it on this one. Worse, he seemed to fall into the trap of thinking he was on Survivor by deciding he was going to just bring in Jennifer (apparently he wasn't paying attention when Chris just brought in Markus). Luckily, Trump didn't let it get to that stage. He also seemed far too smug for someone that had lost a task that badly.

At any rate, I'm excited for next episode to see whether they had to have Rhona call up and warn all the others waiting up that no one would be coming back. That, and how the new teams get re-shuffled.

The Round Table

It's been an eventful couple of weeks. Welcomed Spencer from out of town last week. Karaoke in RATT was a tad low-key, but it still made for a fun evening.

Today I hit up the Faculty Club with Senator Kotovych and a couple of other classmates. That's really a swank joint. As well, the bartender there is clearly the best in the city. The party discussed making this a regular sort of event, I could definitely go for that.

Having thought about it for a while, I don't agree with Trump's reasoning for firing Kristi. While either one of them could have gone, I think that Jennifer M. more clearly contributed to the loss that week. Additionally, if he was going to change up the teams anyways (which he sort of implied at the end) "the rest of them can't work with her" doesn't hold as much water as a justification. At any rate, I'm looking forward to this week's episode.

Football:

Hamilton and Toronto
A week ago, I would have said that Montreal is going to be the team coming out of the East. No more. Toronto has just been taking it to teams, and that's not going to stop this week. Kevin Eakin had a strong debut, but he's not playing Ottawa this week. Toronto by a bunch.

B.C. and Edmonton
This should be the game of the week, and should go a long ways towards determining first in the west. B.C. seems to have turned things around, with two strong performances in a row. As well, Edmonton is coming off a bit of a mediocre performance, and a bye. I'm curious to see who starts for the Lions (we've beaten Dickensen this year, but not Printers). Regardless, I'd be remiss if I didn't pick Edmonton.

Montreal and Ottawa
Poor Ottawa. At times this year, they've really shown promise. However, I think this game marks the end of their slim playoff hopes. They have the misfortune of playing Montreal the week after an embarassing loss. While I don't think that they can be considered the top team in the East anymore, Montreal is still strong and should be more than capable of disposing of Ottawa this week.

Calgary and Winnipeg
You know, I really hate the Stampeders. That being said, after last week I don't really have any choice in this one. Calgary, as they've done all year, made good adjustments at half time. Winnipeg folded. Calgary should win this one.

In Case I Forget

Football this week:

Ottawa and Hamilton: Ottawa
Toronto and Montreal: Montreal
Winnipeg and B.C. : B.C.
Calgary and Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan

On another note, what does it take to get kicked off on Survivor these days? Apparently not being drunk and belligerent. That's ok though, he amuses me.

Meeting One's Obligations

So, I had the lovely and talented Jen Bond do this for me; therefore thought it would be sporting to comply with point 8.

Leave your name and
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. A flavour of jello to wrestle in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal. You MUST. It is written.

Mascots And Trump

Last rugby practice today. It kind of sucks to be missing the alumni game, but conflicting schedules happen. Rugby was something I'd wanted to try when I decided to go to Alberta for law. I can't say that I've regretted any of it. I've been able to meet a number of great people, have good times and learn a new sport (which I was also interested in before). Here's hoping that the alumni go down in flames on Saturday.

First Vin Ordinaire event as well this evening. The wine was quite good (not that I can really tell good wine from bad), and it was nice meeting people in other years.

As for the Apprentice this evening, Toral wasn't the reason they lost. That being said, that doesn't mean that she didn't deserve to be fired. While going in it looked like a foregone conclusion, at the beginning of the boardroom it actually looked like Felicia was in a worse position. Toral just kept shooting herself in the foot. I do agree with Rebecca's assessment that she was ganged up on, however, I found it a lot more difficult to feel sorry for her than others in similar positions. I think Trump may have to shuffle the teams in the next couple of weeks, however, as Capital Edge looks like they still have some issues.

Mush

I find this rather amusing. Good to see the Flames adding players well suited to the "New NHL".

In spite of the loss the other night, I'm quite pleased with how the Oilers have been doing thus far. Hopefully they'll be able to keep it up.

On to football.

Calgary and Hamilton
While it's too early to tell these things after a week, based on last week's results I think we know who won the Troy Davis trade. Hamilton got embarassed by Ottawa last week, and I can't see them beating Calgary this week.

Saskatchewan and Edmonton
Good to see the running game finally established. However, the Argos aren't noted for their run stopping prowess, so this week should be more of a test. I'm also a little concerned with the fact that Davis Sanchez is likely out, given that we traded our back up defensive back to Hamilton. Nevertheless, I'm confident the the Eskimos will be able to pull this one out, once again putting an end to talk of a home playoff game in Saskatchewan.

B.C. and Montreal
How the mighty have fallen. B.C. is in disarray. Apart from a couple of drives, they looked awful in Winnipeg. Now, they're going into Montreal, when the Als for the first time in ages are actually still playing for something at this time of year. I'm not sure who's going to be in at quarterback, if Duncan O'Mahoney is still the kicker, or if the Lion DBs are going to cover any better this week. It doesn't matter: Montreal is the pick.

Toronto and Winnipeg
This is a bit tougher than it would have been a week ago. Winnipeg played their best game all year, and Milt Stegall put in a career performance. Winnipeg is still fighting for their mathematical playoff lives, however, I think that they may experience a bit of a letdown. Last week it was the 75th Anniversary celebrations, the third jerseys and the top team in the league. They're still up against the defending champs, but I can't see them coming with the same intensity. By the same token, Toronto was probably a little unlucky to lose last week. I think they'll bounce back, and therefore Toronto is the pick.

It's Back!

I realised today that this blog has not been active while there has been NHL Hockey. It's been that long. Glad to see that Oilers pull it out (and the Flames lose). Hopefully Horcoff's production tonight is a sign of things to come.

On the other major Edmonton sports team, I like the trade. Comiskey shores up our O-line, and Davis is a proven back (though, I'll point out that with the amount we've been attempting to run the ball it wouldn't matter if we had George Reed back there). At the same time, we have sufficient Canadian and receiving depth so that we can afford to give up Brock Ralph, and Tay Cody wasn't really breaking into the lineup anyways. All in all, I think we came out ok from this one.

In other news, I opted out of AP!RG yesterday. I have now successfully opted out for every semester that I've been able to. I highly recommend it, it's quite the empowering experience.

On to the football games for this week:

Hamilton and Ottawa
This is a tough one. In spite of what they showed last week, Hamilton is still not a very good football team. At the same time, right now neither is Ottawa. Momentum is telling me to go with Hamilton, but I've been traditionally overly generous with Ottawa, and I see no need to stop that now.

Montreal and Saskatchewan
Ah yes, the "hottest team in the league". With the additional storyling of Marcus Crandell facing the coach who "didn't give him a chance" in Edmonton. Well, sorry Rider fans, but midnight has to come some time and I'm saying it's this week. Saskatchewan has been playing very well as of late, but Montreal is also starting to put things together. While the Riders will have the home field advantage, and still have the prospect of a home playoff game, I'm still going with Montreal to come out with the win.

Edmonton and Toronto
You know, by all accounts I should be picking the Eskimos to lose this week. However, I recall them turning it on last Thanksgiving against a Montreal team that should have beaten them (I think they may have been coming off a loss then too). As well, this team for the past little while has had an annoying tendency to come up big against big opponents. With the new additions to the O-line and running game, I'm counting on the Eskimos emerging with the win.

B.C. and Winnipeg
Well, as fun as it's been to watch the Lions lose the past couple of weeks, all good things must come to an end. Winnipeg has been tough to figure. As well, I haven't gotten an injury update on Dave Dickensen. Regardless, even with Buck Pierce at the helm, I'm thinking that the Lions should be able to take care of Winnipeg.

Off The Deck

The game against UBC went rather well. The pubcrawl afterwards was also quite eventful. I shall refrain commenting on the football game for the moment, and only remark that I'm glad I was unable to watch it. At least B.C. lost as well.

As well, it seems to me that it is perhaps a bit more than a coincidence that the CBC has managed to solve their labour problems in time for hockey season.