Blasts From the Past

I overheard a conversation in a bar the other night between Mark Larson, Al Edwards, Dana Westimier and Don Barcome. Edwards said, "Come on, Donnie, it will be just like when we had World Junior titles!" Don asked, "Do you mean we'll play alot of hits and win alot of games?" Lars said, "No. We mean will hit on 20 year old chicks, strike-out, look for some pot, strike-out, then get really drunk, just like the old days!"

A little bird told me that J & J Larway's grand plan will soon come to light. Everyone they have curled with over the last 10 years will now join them in forming their own Curling Club. It may be one of the largest and toughest in the nation.

Ben Tucker has also dropped his front end. "These guys are just too damn old!" He has been spotted at Jr. High Schools and has some possibilities, if they can get their moms' permission.

Word out of Langdon is that Mark Cheatley is ready to come out of retirement as soon as the swelling in his knee goes down enough. He seems to feel that your knee should be smaller than your beer belly.

My spies in St. Paul tell me that Rich Rohanen asked Barcome who he was going to sue over his back troubles. Donnie said no one. Rich repotedly just hung his head and cried.

Donny's back troubles are his own fault. He made a rule a couple of years ago that the worst player on the team had to carry the bags after the game.

Cheatly carried Kurt Disher for years and now his knees are shot. Barcome carried him for one year and needed back surgery. Have you seen the guy? He's huge! He ought to stay indoors during moose season. Rumor has it Craig Brown is going to pick him up for next season. Craig is reported as saying, "I'm small, but I'm wirey."

Speaking of tough guys, the rumor mill has Tim Somerville getting The Rock and Stone Cold from the WWF. With these two guys behind him, maybe he could intimidate some teams or at least get Schnee to do as he's told.

Alaskan sources say that Mike the Hawk will have to sit out the year doing some time for hunting out of season. In all fairness, Hawk is too free a spirit to be held to anything as linear as "time". Many of us know that Garland Legacie taught Mike to cook Bald Eagle so it tastes just like chicken.

News is slow from out east. The Kamp/Cousins rink, also known as Team Blueberry Doughnut, has failed again in their annual search for a coffee importer who can also sweep.

I have to learn to post as a guest.

Signed,
Just having fun, don't be mean to me

Posted on: Wed, 2004-03-24 14:36
Believe it or not, the members of the Format Task Force, as well as the USCA Directors who voted this in (I believe it was 35 - 12, or something like that) were trying and make things better, not worse.
You all sit around and play devil's advocate and as much negativity as is possible when discussing this.

How about the positives:
1) EQUAL ACCESS
2) A nationals that PROMOTES CLUB PLAY
3) Shortens the playdown season, allowing for more bonspiels

How can you think that people like Bob Fenson, Grayland Cousins, Annie Silver, Andy Anderson, or myself (as well as the 2 negative votes on the commitee - Maskel & D. Brown) were out to ruin the game? The current Format is a mess of patches and quick-fixes. It is a joke!

The 2 new championships will actually provide for more EQUITABLE curling for more teams.

Don

Posted on: Sun, 2004-03-28 19:21
The USCA has made there decision to have this new format that could cause some big problems down the road. I have talked to alot of people about the new format, and so far not one has said they like it. Infact some are very argree about the new format, and at the USCA. Some complants are: "Who will have the time and money unless they are self employed", " what has the USCA done for us or me personally". And I dont have any answers.

I have talked to other culbs about this format and I get the same response. I personaly don't like the new format, and this is why I will most likely not be participating. I also think that the Olypic Playdowns should be seperate. I think the USCA took ONE BIG STEP. But in what direction is still to be seen. I don't like the view that people have of the USCA, and I don't know how much this is going to effect there membership. But I have a feeling that it might. I think that clubs will look for liability insurance elsewere. I think no one wants to see this happen.

I say if you look back, the women won wolrds last year with the old format and Roberts have won it with the old format. Why change??? I think we are trying to hard to get medal now instead of trying to have tons of medals in the future. And we have to remember that Canada has the numbers the US doesnt. So patience I think is the best thing for US Curling. Focus on training, juniors, earlier ice time, and expand the game. I know some of these are being done right now but we need more, more more..