From the you-can’t-please-everyone department, we are delighted (well, sort of) to bring you this week’s column.
Lately, the ramblings that appear in this space have received mixed reviews. Some cherished readers have pointed out that I am too cranky, having tormented the audience with a selection of pet peeves before attempting to dampen the enthusiasm surrounding Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp. Yet, one member of the audience recently opined that my rants should be more acidic.
Does the world really need an angrier me? Based upon recent eruptions, I feel the need to be kinder, gentler, and as soft as my not-inconsiderable stomach.
So here, as a counterbalance to the sour offerings, is a list of things that I like. We will print a retraction next week.
• The new Mosaic Stadium, at which the Saskatchewan Roughriders will make their debut on Saturday.
• The old Mosaic Stadium, which from this point forward will be referred to as Taylor Field.
• Amenities at the new Mosaic Stadium. Elevators! Who knew? The one elevator at Taylor Field may have been personally inspected by Mr. Otis.
• Wascana at this time of year — or any time of year, mind you. But the springtime walks in the park are especially enjoyable after a punishing winter.
• New water fountains in Wascana, featuring the water-bottle filler things (technical term).
• Local small businesses where everybody knows your name.
• An evening spent at the ballpark. Regina Red Sox games are always a treat. So are Western Cycle Rambler Park Fastball League doubleheaders.
• Not golfing. How many people can say they haven’t had a bad round of golf in a quarter-century? I pushed 150 back in 1992, during the Moose Jaw Warriors’ golf tournament, and wisely retired from the sport.
• Dealing with Roughriders quarterback Kevin Glenn — always a class act.
• Dealing with anyone from the Regina Pats organization.
• A relaxing hour in the YMCA pool. Some people would call it water displacement. Regardless, it is a nice time.
• Self-deprecation.
• The bike path … Devonian Pathway … whatever it is called.
• Cream of mushroom soup. This is the one indulgence I allow myself while dieting.
• Writing a column while listening to jazz — like now, for example. (Do a YouTube search for “Tsuyoshi Yamamoto.” Find the “Autumn in Seattle album.” Fast forward to 24:00 and treat yourself to a swingin’ version of “Misty.” Y’er welcome.
• Cherished memories of Bob Hughes — the greatest of all greats in the sports-writing biz.
• Anyone who laughs at my jokes. Guffaws were heard as recently as 2013. I am on a roll.
• “The Wire.” What an addictive show. Thank goodness for the portable DVD player.
• The portable DVD player. Naturally.
• Sundays devoted entirely to the NFL. I am dealing with acute Sunday Ticket withdrawal.
• Any musical group that actually employs, you know, musicians. Too much of today’s noise sounds like it was produced simply by pushing buttons.
• A visit to the Regina Public Library.
• The National, with Peter Mansbridge.
• Jake Tapper, Anderson Cooper and John King, all of CNN.
• Dan Rather’s Facebook posts.
• Immersion in a book that is impossible to put down. Every few months, I find a book that simply has to be read at every opportunity. The only unfortunate part is that within a day or two, the book is finished, and another search begins. The best books consume the fewest days.
• Anyone who says “thank you” or “you’re welcome.” Manners are a lost art, it seems.
• Buying a new CD, listening to it in the car, and burning gas while driving all over the city until all tracks have been heard. Oscar Peterson has done this to me hundreds of times.
• Any sports book written by Jeff Pearlman. Nobody interviews more people or peels back more layers. His upcoming book on the United States Football League will be unbelievable.
• Any book written by Mark Bowden (see: “Black Hawk Down”). Anything by Bowden or Pearlman is a must-buy, regardless of the topic. You know it will be a great read.
• Listening to a Major League Baseball game on the radio.
• Any theatre with reclining seats, ideally without Kristen Wiig appearing in the movie.
• Any movie featuring Tom Hanks or Morgan Freeman.
Enough positivism. Sometimes, it really can be too much.
(Rob Vanstone is the Regina Leader-Post’s sports co-ordinator.)
