Let's Go Camping

On the May Victoria long weekend I was able to get away to my parents house in Prince Albert, the home of the WHL Champion Raiders, and while I was there we took a day trip to Waskesiu National Park.  We checked out some camping spots for my parents upcoming camping adventures.  A lot of CFL fans were looking forward to a different kind of camping though as team Training Camps opened across the country.  I was two hours away and my beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders were arriving at Griffiths Stadium/U of S for the opening of Training Camp. 

Most years this single occurrence is what gets me through the winter/spring doldrums.  In 2019 things have been different and I've mentioned it in previous blog posts how I've become discouraged mostly because of the negotiations between the Canadian Football League and it's players to come up with a contract.  How could I totally commit myself when we didn't even know if camp was going to happen or not?  Well, it finally seemed as if all was a go then the CFL did some swindling by changing the language of the contracts and all H-E-double hockey sticks almost broke loose.  Some last minute negotiations took place and in the final hour the agreement was ratified.  We sure came close with that one!  Far too close for this fan.  All the players had arrived and schedules were set.  What a disrespectful (dirty) thing for the league to do to the players and the fans.

The launch of the Nu Era CFL merchandise was unveiled Thursday morning.  For most teams there was little change except in the manufacturer and some teams going with a new helmet design.  I thought this had been the case when it was announced that Nu Era was taking over.  I know what many of us are looking forward to is better fitting size appropriate clothing.  Last week I had the chance to peruse the Lawson Heights Rider Store and as expected the new merchandise wasn't there yet BUT I do own two Nu Era tank tops from last year which are my very favourites.  I still own a cursed (to put it lightly) Reebok jersey and it remains crumpled in the back of my closet where it was discarded last season.  My wardrobe is no place for bad mojo.  I have a gift card so I'm looking forward to injecting some winning attire.  Let me know if you have any of the new items and what your impression is.  We all deserve amazing CFL gear.

Don't forget appropriate sizing!

Some CFL media types have released a list of Preseason Power Rankings which to me seems awkward because all they really are doing is comparing the talent on the paper.  One doesn't know how any of it will pan out until they play a game.  We usually can't tell much from Preseason games either because coaches are busy trying players out in different situations in real game time.  Some Training Camp stars are big flops in real time.  Taking all of these things and the time it takes to sit down and construct power rankings into account I wondered if I should continue with my Power Groupings which I've done over the last two seasons.  I put the thought out on Twitter and what I discovered is that I actually have a following.  Thanks!  What started off as I-don't-like-your-list-here's-mine has become something that others look forward to and I really appreciate it!  This season they will be published right here on my blog page instead of their own page.  It's just a far simpler system.  I'm leaving the 2018 posts up so you can all critique...ridicule my artwork.

Green and White day will be held Saturday at SMF Field in Saskatoon.  This is a terrific event if you can't make it out to the mornings of  Training Camp.  You'll get to see the team do a light workout, the Drum Line will perform as will the Cheer Team.  The part I look forward to is the "scrimmage" and of course the team lining up for a meet and greet with fans afterwards.  Lot's of people ask me how I've managed to meet so many players and this is it.  If you can't get to the annual Labour Day event then this is the one to be at.  I will never forget standing in line in the rain in 2013 to meet players.  Don't miss out making a memory.  You'll remember in November how it was all worth it.

Believe (BEL13VE) was the slogan the Roughriders used in their social media posts following the 2017 season.  It was a hashtag that many of us aligned ourselves with easily.  It embodied the Riders as underdogs and how the belief of fans holds them up and elevates their performance.  Unite in Green is the new 2019 hashtag.  It doesn't roll of the tongue as easily but as we all dust off our gear (or invest in new merch) we all end up pilgrimaging to the same destination with the same goal in mind.  We do unite and nothing truly brings us like the community of Rider Nation.  There is never a question which CFL team you should cheer for.  You won't find another one like the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Isn't it great that CFL football is back?!  Let's Go Camping!  Go Riders Go!

Football Funk & Other Football Friday Fun

It's been a while since I've touched base with you, my readers!  Even I feel like I've been leaving my blog out.  Now, I was on vacation for 10 days so that's a thing and then there's the vacay prep as well as getting back into the groove afterwards.  I *think* I might be caught up.  In spite of May being my busiest month of my teaching musical life I found a few hours to put some thoughts down for you in blog form.

I hope you enjoy Football Funk & Other Football Friday Fun.

Say that 5 times fast.  Thursday there was the major announcement from General Manager Jeremy O'Day via live stream that the Roughriders had signed Solomon Ele…elemi...ele…  Elimimian.  Yeah, there's that.  We have a couple weeks to learn how to say the Riders newest all stars name correctly.

I was away for 10 days over Easter Break in Utah and Arizona and it was FANTASTIC.  While shopping for snacks in a market in Kabab, Utah and sporting my Roughriders tank top a man remarked about it.  He knew what it was and I smiled and it made my heart feel well.  Rider Nation is recognized everywhere.  Also while out hiking we at Bryce Canyon National Park we saw an SUV with Saskatchewan plates and a sticker that said Carlton Honda.  My people.  My home away from home.  In all seriousness though, go see Utah, it's amazing.  Also if you haven't heard or tried "fry sauce" it might change your life.

Check out my Instagram: smilingriderfan for more vacay photos!

Wednesday Ricky Ray announced his retirement from the CFL.  What a stellar career he's had and nothing rocked the football world (CFL anyway) like the trade from the Eskimo's to the Argo's.  My only wish was that his career could have ended on the 2017 note and not that horrific injury from 2018.  What I don't get it why when something like this is announced that journalists/columnists/fans feel the need to rank their play.  It really doesn't matter who thinks who is the most legendary...let's appreciate what they did while we got to watch them play.

Tuesday Dan Clark was in a car accident and it was reported he was in "stable condition" in hospital.  He was enroute from a speaking engagement in Cudworth to his home when the accident occurred.  As fans I think we forget how much players do for our/their communities in the offseason.  I'm sure most players give back but it seems to me that players from Saskatchewan get out to more places in the province and do more than any others.  I don't know what this means for Clark's season but I hope he fully recovers and we see him back on the field soon.  Also, let's not pass judgement on the use of seatbelts, not much is going to hold a person the size of this O Lineman in his seat in a rollover.  This aspect of the crash should be the least of our concerns.

Before I embarked on my epic trip I had made a social media comment about how I've been feeling that my excitement has been waning for this 2019 season.  My season tickets arrived and I'm still a bit "meh" about it all.  I did receive a few responses from people who are feeling the same and they weren't all Rider fans.  Usually at this time of year it's all I can do to contain myself from the excitement of camp opening.  But is it really opening or are the players going to strike?  We just don't know.  It would be fun to plan an ABC Rider Fan meet up at camp...but there might not be much to meet up for.  It's really hard to stay in my fandom state of mind and I've found myself delving farther and farther into other interests.  I've even watched basketball.  Send help.  Or, get a jump on the Roughriders season by staying in the know by "liking" the ABC Football Facebook Page and joining ABC Rider Fans.  We are coming up on our 1 year anniversary.  Thanks to everyone who continues to make it a success!

As things try to ramp up it was announced that the Nu Era merch is coming soon.  I am excited about this because not only does my old Reebok jersey have a hex on it (it's been crumpled in the back of my closet since last season) but I'm looking for a better more comfortable fitting jersey.  The design of it or whether the pattern is different doesn't really matter to me.  I want a jersey that makes me feel comfortable.  Fingers crossed.  I also have a gift card to spend so YAY!  At the same time, in recent days I've seen an alarming amount of "sponsored" posts on Instagram and Facebook advertising CFL items.  It's buyer beware.  These items are not CFL licenced and the logos are used illegally.  Usually the items come from the US or outside Canada and are over priced and under delivered.  The sparkly bunnyhug I saw on Facebook, which did look amazing in pictures was really unwearable as reported by one fan and another said the sparkles were actually a print on it and not sparkles at all.  If we really want to support our CFL teams let's ensure we purchase from team stores or they include CFL logos so we know they are official merchandise.  When we finally get to see our Riders hit the field we want to look our game day best. #UniteinGreen.