Football in a Hockey Crazy Country

Football in Canada

Unless you've been living under a rock, you will have definitely heard how Toronto sports fans are going crazy after the Argonauts beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-22 in the 100th edition of the Grey Cup, which was held in Toronto. If you dig a little deeper, you will have heard that the Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton is being demolished and rebuilt, causing the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to temporarily relocate to Guelph.

So what does all this mean for football in Canada? Well, a lot. Football, more specifically the Grey Cup, is 100 years old, while football wasn't in much demand… until recent years, that is. The game at the Rogers Centre drew over 53,000 fans for game night. An average audience of 5.5 million viewers saw the game on TSN, making it the most-watched CFL championship game ever recorded on English-language television. And that is exactly what football in Canada needs.

Two-time Grey Cup champion Blake Marshall, who played for the Edmonton Eskimos, said he believes that "once people watch Canadian football, they'll be drawn towards it more than the NFL." And he's got a valid point. "I've played with American players, as we're the same calibre. People just think that everything American is better, but when they watch the Canadian game, they'll realize that it's more exciting," added the former Western Mustang running back.

It's safe to say that Marshall may be a bit biased towards the Canadian game, but you really can't blame him all that much. Not that I'm saying that the NFL is not a good league. The NFL is by far the more popular league and will be for the foreseeable future. It's also home to 32 teams, four times more than its Canadian counterpart. But that doesn't mean the CFL can't improve. And they appear to be improving slowly.

There's a new team starting in Ottawa, the third attempt at starting a team in the capital. Future expansions are being planned and considered for a number of cities, most notably Halifax, Moncton, Quebec City, London and Windsor. Mark Cohon, the CFL commissioner, has his eye set on expanding the league to Atlantic Canada, owing to the obvious football craze that exists in the region. The main challenge for proponents of a CFL franchise in the Atlantic provinces is corporate support. Financial instability was the main reason the Ottawa Renegades were dissolved after just four seasons of play in 2006.

Marshall is among other football fans in London who believe that the city would be able to support a CFL franchise. And who is to say the city won't be able to? Look at the fan following the London Knights get at every home game. The London Lightning team is seeing attendance slowly rise. The Western Mustangs are a footballing powerhouse in the region and the TD Waterhouse Stadium is almost CFL ready, save for a few renovations and more seating space for fans.

London may not be the first choice for a CFL expansion just yet, and football-crazy Atlantic Canada needs a few franchises first that would expand 'Canada's League.' Scenes in Toronto prior to the Grey Cup in 2012 are enough proof that the league and the sport are not going anywhere. Football may have lost about a generation of fans, but if recent trends are to go by, all that could soon change.

After all, as the league's motto goes 'Notre Ligue. Notre Football' or, translated into English: 'This Is Our League.'

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=9130&sectionID=4&issueID=218
Image Credit: http://cfl.uploads.mrx.ca/league/images/en/inside/2011/10/en_1280x748_CFL_MapCities4743.jpg
Video Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laeOn5DKnmA

Blue Jays Fixations...

John Gibbons and Alex Anthopoulous: Now Canada is excited...

I thought this would be the best time to finally write about the Toronto Blue Jays. Yes, I've put this piece off for a number of weeks, but the buzz that surrounds the Blue Jays makes me want to write this piece as soon as possible.

For baseball fans in Canada, whether you live in downtown Toronto, minutes from the Rogers Centre, or out in Halifax, or maybe even in Vancouver, the Toronto Blue Jays are Canada's baseball team.

I've been told and read for myself that the team is awful, but then the events of the past few weeks unfolded. John Farrell left for Boston, Mike Aviles was sent to the Cleveland Indians, the Jays acquired Maicer Izturis... and then the big one.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard about the mammoth 12-player trade between the Blue Jays and the Miami Marlins. On November 14, Toronto acquired pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle, shortstop José Reyes, utility man Emilio Bonifacio, and catcher John Buck for pitcher Henderson Alvarez, infielders Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria and prospects. Miami fans were furious at this seemingly lopsided trade and, on the other side of the spectrum, Jays fans were ecstatic. The team's fan base has also been whipped into a frenzy of excitement after the signing of free agent Melky Cabrera.

Rightly so, because when you look at it from a Canadian perspective, Canada's MLB team finally has a chance to do something in the American League East Division. In a hockey-crazed country, baseball finally has a chance to shine next season. I'm not saying the team will definitely make it to the World Series, nor am I saying I've become a Jays fan overnight, I'm just saying that there is hope at last.

The other big announcement made so far this off-season for the Jays was the hiring – or, rather, the re-hiring – of manager John Gibbons. The hiring of Gibbons by Blue Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos was seen by fans as a weird one, given the availability of other big name managers on the market.

"I have more conviction in this hiring than I've had in any," Anthopoulos said emphatically during the November 20 media conference announcing Gibbons as manager. "I can sleep like a baby at night because I know it's the right decision." Clearly Anthopoulos is convinced that Gibbons is the right guy to lead the new Jays team next season.

There are two sides to every coin, and some fans question the decision by the Jays' front office. I'm going to remain unbiased, though, and not tell you my stance. Like I mentioned, I'm not a Jays fan and I don't see myself hopping on the bandwagon any time soon. Some of us expected the Los Angeles Angels to be genuine World Series contenders after they added Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson, but they never made the playoffs in the post-season.

So really, if you're a Jays fan, you're in for some exciting times. Just hope the team brings the same excitement to the season next year. If they do, Jays fans, you might just have something to cheer about next fall.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=9077&sectionID=4&issueID=217
Image Credit:http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/_hROeh2hJf3IMSgt4u8Tiw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MTk3NTtjcj0xO2N3PTMwMDA7ZHg9MDtkeT0wO2ZpPXVsY3JvcDtoPTQxNTtxPTg1O3c9NjMw/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/News/ap_webfeeds/a9b8c79cb4047020210f6a706700dd07.jpg

The Festival of Lights...

The Festival of Lights...

At the beginning of November, we celebrated Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. Now you're probably asking yourself what is Diwali? Or why do people celebrate Diwali? The answer to that is simple.

Diwali is a Hindu festival, and in a multicultural country like Canada it becomes one of utmost importance, especially to people who grew up celebrating the festival. It's essentially a five-day festival, but that's not the way I celebrated it. Of course, the prime reason for that is largely the fact that I'm not a Hindu, but as a child growing up in India, the lights fascinated me.

Typically, in the area I grew up, families lit their homes (hence the term "Festival of Lights") and exchanged sweets with one another. Diwali doesn't occur on a fixed day, just like most Indian festivals. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali typically falls between mid-October and mid- November. Diwali is an official holiday in a number of Asian countries: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore as well as other countries like Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Suriname.

Diwali is by no means a public holiday in Canada, so if you're someone who celebrated the festival, you still had to go to school or to work that day, even if you didn't feel like it. You also saw how large department store flyers tend to advertise Diwali shopping and it's all part of multiculturalism.

So what do people do on Diwali in Canada? Many Canadians do celebrate the festival, which also attracts plenty of media and public attention. Various community groups, businesses, schools and associations celebrate Diwali each year, largely due to the number of employees that might celebrate the festival.

Victoria Park in London saw a near traditional celebration. Besides fireworks on November 17 (which happened to be the official date for the festival in 2012) the place saw Lakshmi puja, bhajans (Indian devotional songs), a quiz on Ramayan (one of the great epics on India), music, entertainment, dancing and celebration by Hindus and non-Hindus alike.

But now here comes my favourite part. What would I do on Diwali growing up? For me the festival largely involved buying tons of fireworks. Huge sales (or "melas," as we called it back home) would sprout up in numerous locations and they were always buzzing with life. Returning home with stacks of fireworks, it was time to move the vehicles into the garages, leaving plenty of space on the roads and on our driveways as we'd take turns, family and friends included, to light those fireworks, each of us full of such passion and enthusiasm. And when we were done burning about a thousand rupees' worth of crackers (About $17 to $19), we'd take turns scrubbing gunpowder and smoke off our skins before gleefully hogging sweets as if there were a shortage coming.

I miss that here, and I won't lie. I'm scared at times that lighting a firecracker would land me a ticket of some sort. The festival is monitored strictly for obvious reasons: the noise, the risk of fires and the very rare chance of a stray firework. But all that said and done, that won't stop me from heading out and picking up a few sweets, even if I have to eat them myself. I may not be celebrating the festival in the true sense, but look at it this way: the world is a global village, and if it's not me celebrating, then someone else definitely is.

Here's hoping everyone had a safe and happy Diwali.

Image Credit::http://www.stow.ac.uk/media/diwali.gif

Arkell Street, Hamilton

Hamilton's own: The Arkells.

I remember a time last year when I was torn between seeing Arkells at the London Music Hall or reporting on a London Knights game. Fortunately (or unfortunately at that time), I'd volunteered for the Knights game even before I knew what Arkells was. And then I began regretting my decision. For what it's worth, the Knights game was pretty insane and I got to speak to Austin Watson and Greg McKegg, so in truth, I'm not all that displeased.

I don't think I've been drawn towards a Canadian artist since living in the country as much as I've been drawn towards Arkells. I elucidate the difference as knowing some artists from back home (Nickelback, Simple Plan and Drake, to name a few). So what does someone like me do? Well get my hands on both Arkells albums, no doubt: Jackson Square and Michigan Left, for those who are unaware.

I don't know what I love about Arkells. Admittedly, they're no Coldplay or Green Day but they still have that unexplainable draw that causes me to fanboy over them. And by fanboy, I don't mean the way some people gush over an 'artist Canada should attempt to hide forever.' Yes, I'm talking about that teenager: Justin Bieber.

If you recall the April 9 issue of the Interrobang, where I elaborated on 10 things that Canada taught me, I did mention the Arkells performing in London, the show that I missed and the fact that my iPod would have to work overtime. Well, all that was all forgotten on September 13. If you were in London then, you'll probably know that the Western Fair was on. Arkells performed as part of the Western Fair's free concert series. Naturally, I got all excited and ecstatic and made sure to clear my schedule. I had already missed one Arkells show in London and I sure wasn't going to miss another one.

And there I was, amidst hundreds more, singing out loudly to songs I didn't know the words to. And this was probably the second-best concert I'd ever been to. (Four in my entire life isn't a whole lot, I know.) The only reason this isn't number one is simple – Chris Martin dancing on stage – but that's a different story.

Another thing I like about Arkells: the band was named after a street in Hamilton. That is beyond cool simply because you name streets after famous things, and not vice versa.

I've distracted myself long enough. For now, I need to get back to my iPod, Arkells beckon. And for the record, I've yet to pick a Canadian Football League team to follow. "Ticats Are Hummin" might just sell me on the Hamilton Tiger- Cats. But that's a decision for the future. Right now, I'll stick to learning every Arkells lyric.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8976&sectionID=3&issueID=215
Image Credit::http://vancouverisawesome.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/arkells.jpg

Canadian Castle's

Stana Katic and Nathan Fillion: Hamilton meets Edmonton...

I loathe myself for two reasons. One for letting my workload get to me and not being able to write anything for last week. And two, and I can't stress this enough, for not realizing what this week is all about. I've recently gone on a Castle-watching spree. The ABC series is something different from all the sitcoms I usually watch, and it only just struck me that both the lead actors (Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic) are Canadian. This is something I should have written about ages ago!

I've noticed that Nathan Fillion has been around for a while. He was cast in Joss Whedon's Firefly (which, coincidentally links, Fillion to one of my other favourite shows, The Big Bang Theory). On digging further, I noticed that Fillion went to school in Alberta, where he is from: The Concordia University College in Alberta and then the University of Alberta. I often chat with friends back home about Castle, and the one thing that comes up – especially if they're female – is his looks, his charm and his personality, especially portraying the role of Richard Castle. It's an area I don't have any comment, naturally.

But then I move on to Kate Beckett, or rather Stana Katic. For starters, she's from Ontario; Hamilton, to be exact, although she did live and grow up in Chicago, Illinois. This time when I chat with people from back home, they usually have no comment. For starters, if they're female, they're usually too busy ogling Nathan Fillion, or if they're male, they think they have other, more important shows to watch. So usually, it's just me against the world. I'm actually excited about both these characters to be honest; I'd say they're a perfect match.

Anyway, I thought I'd finally move on to the show itself. I was skeptical at first when I saw the ads on TV back in India; I wasn't so sure how the show would pan out, much like Burn Notice, although I was insanely excited for Burn Notice when I saw the first trailers. I'm more of a sitcom kind of guy; anything that makes me laugh usually has priority when it comes to watching TV, so Castle is a welcome change at times, something different (though it still makes me laugh). I'd say the show is well supported, especially by Jon Huertas and Seamus Dever in the roles of Esposito and Ryan, respectively.

While I haven't been able to watch the new season of Castle yet, owing to my lack of a cable connection, I'm sure the show is moving forward well. I'm eagerly waiting for the day I'll get to watch season five. Until then, I have the first four seasons on DVD to keep me company. Canada has outdone herself once again, this time through two quirky actors that know how to work together well on screen. Kudos, Canada, Kudos!

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8896&sectionID=3&issueID=213
Image Credit: http://fandomania.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/castle-206-1-7.jpg

The Maple Leafs Suck.. But You Already Knew That...

Self explanatory.

Before I begin, I'm well aware that this week's column could be one that brings me hate mail. That being said, I felt it's time to actually sit and discuss 'Leafs Nation.' What's that? Forty-five years (and counting) without the Stanley Cup, you say? Well as you can see, I'm not their biggest fan. My hockey loyalties lie elsewhere. While there are six other Canadian NHL teams, wherever I've been, I seem to encounter a score of Leafs fans for every non-Leaf fan.

What baffles me is the fact that despite such a pathetic record – including seven years without playoff hockey – the team still continues to be one of the NHL's most valuable teams. I took Perspectives on Hockey as my Gen Ed during my first year, and that's where my eyes were opened. I will attribute most of my hockey knowledge to that class and NHL 2002, not frozen ponds and rubber pucks, which sadly don't exist in tropical India.

I've heard many stories on what went wrong for the Leafs during this past year. Some fans say goaltending, and it turns out that post 2005, James Reimer had the best save percentage with .912. Other fans say the lack of a franchise player, someone of the status of say Nick Lidstrom or Steve Yzerman for Detroit. Obviously, every team wants to have a franchise player on the roster so really this is no reason for the Leafs to be struggling if you ask me. Sometimes all it takes is luck and good scouting.

The reason I've come across most often is Brian Burke. Now, I know I'm in no position to comment on his performance as general manager, although it does seem that Leafs fans have given up hope in their GM. I've even come across a thread called "Official Brian Burke Thread; Let Your Anger Out" on the official Leafs website, something I've never ever seen on any pro teams website. I even remember a Don Cherry blast when he cried the Leafs were the only team to not have a player from Ontario on the roster last season (unless you count London's Nazem Kadri's cup of coffee with the team). It got me thinking, why (arguably) does Ontario's biggest hockey team not have an Ontarian on the roster? I'm sure Burke has his reasons and I'm not one to dabble in his affairs.

The streak will end, I know it. Manchester City from the English Premier League ended their 35- year run without a trophy in 2011 and followed that up with their first league title in 44 years the following season; if they can do it, so can the Maple Leafs. Until then, let's all laugh at them.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8864&sectionID=4&issueID=212
Image Credit: http://pisarek.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Leafjersey.JPG
Video Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLdTKNXpCqs

Sharing roots with Russell Peters

"Somebody Gonna Get A Hurt Real Bad"

Everyone's favourite comedian is Canadian. You got it; I'm referring to Russell Peters, the first comedian to ever perform in front of a sold-out crowd at the Air Canada Centre. What makes this week's column even more special to me is the simple reason that I share similar roots with Peters: the only significant differences that come to mind is that he was born in Canada, I was born in India and he's a lot more famous than I am right now.

I'm going to take the similar roots aspect a little more in depth: How about I say the same city? That's right, for I grew up in Calcutta, the same city where Peters' mom was born. This YouTube sensation was in Calcutta as recently as 2008, but unfortunately for me, I couldn't be at his performance, although I do not remember the reason why. I do, however, know some people who did attend this show, and when the 5'10" brown skinned man eventually came out on stage a half an hour late (which, by the way, is normal for Calcutta standards), he said something I remember to this day. His reason for the delay? "I have always identified myself as an Indian. I am Indian. In fact, that has been my answer to every question I've ever been asked, whether it makes sense or not. 'What's your name?' I'm Indian. 'What do you do?' I'm Indian. 'Why are you late?' I'm Indian."

Funny story here, by the way: the reason I watched Breakaway was indeed Peters, where he plays bridegroom-to-be Sonu Gill in his own characteristic way. I also just recently came across videos from the 2008 and 2009 Juno Awards, hosted by Peters, and while I know he isn't everyone's favourite award show host, he certainly made it look easy, again in his own characteristic way. But the biggest reason why I look up to this comic is because he dissed 'Bollywood.' Bollywood, for those unaware, is India's version of Hollywood, and while I admit they do make some great movies from time to time, the film industry of late makes Indians "look dumb" (as quoted by Peters in an article on expressindia.com dated October 21, 2008).

I've also seen a fair share of critics for Peters, who mostly look down upon him as being racially insensitive, which for me is the prime reason why he has been so successful all these years. Coming from a minority background in Canada does help one see life in a completely different light. I should know, I'm seeing a whole new side to life that was unheard of back in India. "I don't make stereotypes, I see them," he said in one show in San Francisco. One of the first Anglo-Indian comics who made fun of South Asian culture, Peters is, in my opinion, just your average guy trying to raise awareness about stereotypes through wit and humour. I end, otherwise "somebody gonna get a hurt real bad."

Orignally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8750&sectionID=2&issueID=210
Image Credit:http://www.leaderpost.com/7323457.bin
Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYM-KZIczs

Basketball's Canadian side

The father of Basketball, Dr. James Naismith

Here's a fun fact that not many people are aware of: basketball is Canadian. Sure, you might tell me that it was first played in Springfield, Massachusetts and not on Canadian soil, which is fair enough, but the fact that the sport was the brainchild of a Canadian born innovator, Dr. James Naismith is reason for me to believe that the sport is Canadian. Naismith was born in Ontario and if my limited knowledge of Canadian geography is correct, he was born in present-day Mississippi Mills, Ontario.

There would be no LeBron James and no Kobe Bryant and definitely no Steve Nash if it wasn't for Naismith's invention on a cold winter day in Springfield in December 1891. And ever since then, the sport has not looked back. At least 10 players in this original game of basketball were university students from Quebec, (according to an nba.com article from March 2002), thus ingraining Canada and Canadians into the sport's earliest days. That very same article cites how quickly the sport spread into Canada; like maple syrup on warm pancakes, if you must. This hockey- obsessed country has participated in Olympic basketball from as early as the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany, three years before Naismith breathed his last breath.

Another great story that I came across while doing my research was the fact that Naismith had just 14 days to invent the game. According to his resume, the game was invented "under orders from Dr. Luther Gulick, head of Springfield YMCA Physical Education, to provide an athletic distraction for students. Gulick demanded that it would not take up much room, could help its track athletes to keep in shape."

Probably a more well-known fact is that the first ever game in the sport's most elite league, the NBA, was played on Canadian soil in Toronto between the New York Knickerbockers (now the NY Knicks) and the defunct Toronto Huskies. Of course, the league was then known as the Basketball Association of America (BAA) and the Huskies were only around for one season, but as I've said before, the sport was already showing its Canadian side.

Modern-day basketball fans in Canada have to contend with the struggling Toronto Raptors. I've often seen lots of vintage Vancouver Grizzlies memorabilia around the halls of Fanshawe College itself, proving the fact that the sport is indeed ingrained in Canadians. Videos of the famous pairing of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady in the late 1990s still sends shivers down my spine: I guess you could call that the heyday of the Toronto Raptors.

US Patent #1,718,305 will be remembered as the basketball granted to G.L. Pierce in 1929, almost four decades after the game was invented. While Naismith's 'original 13 rules' might have been modified several times over the ages, the joy and excitement that the sport of basketball brings hasn't diminished one bit. It's a Canadian invention, after all.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8723&sectionID=4&issueID=209
Image Credit: http://www.peoplequiz.com/images/bios/James-Naismith.jpg-5864.jpg

Barbecuemania in Canada

Barbecues and Beer: A Match Made in Heaven

Correct me if I'm wrong, but barbecues are all the rage here in Canada, right? Everywhere I look, I see patios with barbecues and folding chairs and I often wonder why it caught on. Logically speaking, I assume barbecuing in Canada came with a ton of influence from the United States. I grew up well aware of the Texas, Kansas City and Memphis styles of barbecuing through those numerous hours I spent watching TLC India (which is somewhat similar to the Food Network.)

Being the inquisitive type (and a budding journalist at that), I did my research and found out that the barbecue was introduced to Canada in the 1940s and '50s by advertisers, cookbook and writes pop culture journalists. But that still left me unsatisfied. Why is it that women do a lot of cooking in the kitchen, but when it comes to barbecuing, it's largely male dominated? The answer I came across often both on the Internet as well as asking around was pretty unanimous: "There's meat, sharp tools, flammable liquids, fire, smoke and, most importantly, ice cold beer." That answer left me satisfied; barbecues are men's way of having a blast, so to speak, their way of cooking food. A common cliché dictates that women are better cooks, and I've often been victim to ridicule for taking an interest in cooking, but that's another story.

Mark Feldman, a professor of biological sciences at Stanford University, has an interesting answer to why women don't hang around barbecues often: "Looking after offspring was a key factor in the diversification of the roles, because if there were no offspring to look after, then there would be no reason in principle why females couldn't hunt as well."

Professor Colin Groves at the Australian National University added that control of the food and the fire was all about power: "… the possessor of the meat, the source of the prestige food, is the one who's going to impress females."

Anyway, I've just concluded my first summer in Canada and every time I went grocery shopping it wasn't hard to not notice rows and rows of barbecue supplies neatly laid out waiting to go home with eager chefs. That's a lot of outdoor cooking supplies for a country that's supposed to be covered in snow for a large part of the year. (Yes, another cliché, I know). Even Russell Peters' comedy routines talk about barbecues. One that comes to mind very often is his dad's desire to "become a Canadian" by hosting a barbecue for his neighbours, and when I watched the video on YouTube a couple of years ago, I was convinced that the barbecue is synonymous with Canada and Canadian households and now I can see that I wasn't wrong.

Not surprisingly, I came across the fact that each province in Canada has its own style of barbecuing. From what I've read and heard, barbecuing is a lot different in British Columbia than it is in Ontario and Quebec. Variation is usually a good thing, and hopefully someday I'll be able to travel coast to coast and feast on numerous barbecued delicacies that this country has to offer. The biggest though why I'm convinced that 'barbecuemania' is big in Canada is simple: there sits one on my balcony as I write. And I'm not Canadian.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8620&sectionID=2&issueID=207
Image Credit: http://www.alwaysfoodie.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/beer_and_barbecues_the_secret_to_a_fun_living_813yg.jpg

A Summer Of Fun

Summer 2012 Bucket List: Complete

I've always grown up as a person who hated summer. But before you judge me, I should make myself clear and say that summers for me while growing up involved near 50°C temperatures on a daily basis with unpleasantly hot and sticky weather, so naturally, I hated the sight of summer.

Of course, now, summer seems like a pleasant thing after all. I've just put my first Canadian summer behind me and while the joy of returning to school may haunt me in a few months, the summer most definitely will not. I've heard about the rage that barbecues create in this country and now that I am the proud owner of one myself, I'm not sure if I fall under the category of enthusiast or bandwagoner. Perhaps someone would like to clarify.

Jokes aside, I really looked forward to my first taste at a 'Canadian summer.' I was excited, naturally, and the suspense would kill me each passing day while I was holidaying back home in India: golf, baseball, barbecues, the possibility of meeting Corey Perry,  all of this was indeed in the cards back in April. And then it so happened that the London Knights won the OHL title and there I was, probably the only guy in India who was actually celebrating, which made me realize how out of place I really was. "Keep cricket to India and hockey to Canada," is what I told myself.

Fast forward a month and my dreams of becoming the next superstar on the PGA tour took a backseat. It seems like everyone in Canada, from businessmen to the biggest NHL superstars, all fancy their hand at golf, but alas, I've yet to discover why. Perhaps next summer, eh?

London has been great to me, it really has. It's been my home from over a year now and was also the place where I watched my first hockey, baseball and football games. But there is something that beats all of that combined: meeting Corey Perry at Labatt Park during Drew Doughty's charity softball tournament. I know some of you might despise Perry, but for a kid from well beyond the pond, I'd call that a pretty awesome and nerveracking moment; a moment that sort of makes up for the disappointment of being told that not being Canadian was the reason why I couldn't apply for a summer work study position at Fanshawe. I can now only imagine how much different life might have been if I had I been working at 106.9 TheX or for the Interrobang, but that's not something that really matters now that summer is gone and winter draws ever so near.

Summer 2012 is almost complete, and since it was my first Canadian summer, I can safely say that it will always remain special to me. It's interesting to see how people do things here in Canada, and yes, they are different than things we did back home. Studying abroad is a great learning experience, I'm glad I could do it. It's great to be writing for the Interrobang again, and I can't wait to meet new people in the halls of Fanshawe.

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.php?storyID=8602&sectionID=3&issueID=206
Image Credit: Spencer Gowan

Ten Things That Canada Taught Me

Canada Flag

It’s the final issue of the Interrobang for this school year, and honestly, it’s gone by so fast. It seems like yesterday was the first day of class and it’s already the end of a fruitful year. While I’ve been writing about all these different Canadian things that catch my eye, I've often been asked "what has Canada has taught you?"
She’s taught me a lot, all in such a short time, and I list just a few below in no particular order:

10. Hockey is life: I’d be livid with myself if hockey wasn’t on this list. I grew up watching the very limited hockey that ESPN would broadcast back in India. I fell in love with the Anaheim Ducks and NHL 2002 back in the day, but to actually live in the country where it’s considered a pastime in the winter has been unreal, in a word. Cue the celly...

9. Poutine is heavenly: French fries with cheese and gravy: Poutine. Poo-teen for those still wondering how it's pronounced. I still remember the first one I had, back at Oasis, the school cafeteria if I may, back in October 2011. I’ve been hooked on the stuff ever since. Now, it’s been brought to my attention that too much poutine isn’t the best thing ever, mainly because it’s so fattening and unhealthy, but let’s be frank here, it’s delicious. And because it is delicious, I’m going to make the exception every so often. Mmm, gravy...

8. 12°C is warm weather: Back in Calcutta, India, our winters would touch 12°C. Sometimes, if we got lucky, it would drop to 9°C or so. It used to be freezing cold back then. The other day when my dad called and I told him 12°C was warm, he gasped. Now that I've lived here for seven months, I now know that is 12°C warm weather. Why even the other day when it was 3°C, I told myself it's warm, so I guess old man winter has yet to show me what he can do. Perhaps a trip to Winnipeg or Alberta might change all that, but until then, "To the beach..."

7. The Toronto Maple Leafs are really awful: Sorry, Leafs fans, but you know I had to. I knew you guys never made the playoffs since the lockout; I never knew it’s been such a long, unfruitful run. It’s tough on you guys, I can empathize, but this is something that I came across only after coming to the Great White North. And I love it. The odds of laughing at James Reimer, or the Phil Kessel trade, or the fact that the team is just god awful. Buck up, lads, you’ll be playoff-bound soon. Or not.

6. The Arkells are brilliant: The Arkells are an amazing band. And they’re Canadian. I’d never heard about them, and now they fill up my iPod. I’d say coming to Canada has really opened my eyes to a lot of great music that you would never ever hear of if you stayed in India. I’m disappointed with myself for not going to the Arkells show in London a few months back, but I plan to see them if and when they return to London. Until then, my iPod has to work overtime.

5. Without Tim Hortons, this country would be static: You really didn't think I’d forget Tim Hortons, did you? Without Tim Hortons, there is no Canada (if you permit me to exaggerate just a little bit). It’s true, though; Timmies are in every part of the country I’ve seen. After all, who doesn't like to grab a hot coffee and a donut, and oh need I mention 'Rrroll up the Rim'? 1 in 6 odds? I laugh at that Tim Hortons. Still, I'm hooked. And now, to grab myself a large double-double and roll up the rim...

4. Nickelback is not everyone’s cup of tea: Honestly, this one surprised me to a degree. I grew up listening to Nickelback, and when I came to Canada, I discover that they are despised in some parts of the country. I haven’t been able to decipher the reason so far, but rest assured I will try to put this mystery behind me. I set Rockstar as my alarm tone because it is so annoying. Everyone knows that, "Coz we all just wanna be big rock stars..."

3. Shovelling snow is a better workout than you’d get at GoodLife: For starters, I’ve never ever hit a gym in my life, so don’t count on me being an expert. What I can tell you is that shovelling snow is not fun. Every morning, in those sub-zero conditions, you go out and burn those calories. I did it for the first time ever this winter and it wasn’t pleasant. And you know what the best part is? You get to do it all over again the next day.

2. Bilingualism is in: This is one thing that’s impressed me so far. I’ve never been to Quebec, but I hear it’s a lot more French biased. Ignoring that fact, everything I’ve seen is bilingual. I see it as promoting cultural diversity, which I believe is a great thing. French-Canadian or English- Canadian is still Canadian, and that is the main thing. Merci.

1. ‘Eh’: Hilarious as this may seem, this is a word I’ve observed numerous people use, whether on the bus or in the halls of Fanshawe. The word seems to be a conjunction finding its way into many sentences, although I’ve seen it as a standalone word numerous times.Where did I first hear it eh? Only everywhere, and by everywhere I mean everywhere. And you know what the funniest bit is right now? I use it myself. Funny how that works, eh?

It’s been a great year in Canada and at Fanshawe. I’ve made so many friends and met new people. I love this country, to tell you frankly: the culture, the food, the people. It’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made in life. The country has grown on me and I can’t wait to be back next year.

Until then, Canaduh 1, 'Murica 0 

Originally Written for the Interrobang: http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8423&sectionID=2&issueID=203
Image Credit: http://mobi-wall.brothersoft.com/files/640480/c/12814388987247.jpg
Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOm-15621bs

This Is It...

Surprise MVP Candidate: Kevin Love

So here we are; the last issue of the Interrobang for this school year. While the NBA season will still go on, it won’t be possible to write more about the league. In that regard, this will be my playoff preview, if I may call it that.

At the time of writing, just two teams have clinched playoff spots: The Chicago Bulls and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hardly surprising there, I would say; these are the two teams I fancy to top their respective conferences. Miami sits second in their conference and they should qualify next, but one team that has caught my eye is the San Antonio Spurs. They sit second in the West and have played just 50 games (at the time of writing). Remarkable, considering many view them as an ‘aging team.’

On the other side of things, three teams are already out of playoff contention: the New Orleans Hornets, the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Bobcats. The fourth worst win percentage (at a modest .340) is Toronto. At this moment, they look to be the next team headed out of playoff contention.

Jeremy Lin is out injured; he’s expected to be out for six weeks. That could be six long weeks for the New York Knicks as they sit in eighth place in the East and the Milwaukee Bucks are right on their tail. The NBA playoffs begin on April 28 and if the Knicks do squeeze into the playoffs, they will be up against the Bulls, and honestly, they would be massive underdogs in that matchup.

If the league were to end with the standings as they are, there is one matchup that will be interesting to watch: the L.A. Lakers against the Dallas Mavericks. Remember Dallas swept the Lakers aside last year in their conference semi-final matchup, so Kobe Bryant and company will be out for revenge. By no means has this Dallas team impressed me so far, so I won’t put it beyond the Lakers to take the series this time around should it occur.

All this discussion leads me towards another key question that basketball fans always seem to debate about: who will be this year’s MVP? I’ve come up with a few candidates who could take home top prize, but by no means is this list definitive:

• Kevin Durant: He missed out on this award last year. While Derrick Rose was a worthy winner, remember Durant didn’t get half as much coverage as Rose did. So for him to win the NBA MVP award will be a huge boost indeed.
• Derrick Rose: He’s arguably Chicago’s key player. Rose is one of the reasons why Chicago is running riot in the NBA this season. He scores when called upon and distributes the ball well. He’s another definite MVP candidate, but his injury layoff could hamper his chances.
• Chris Paul: He had his stellar seasons at New Orleans, and now that Paul is in L.A., he’s clicking well with the Clippers. Based on the Clippers’ season, he could end up with this award, and that is something that will drive the Lakers mad.
• LeBron James: James is always going to be on the MVP candidate list, he is that big a player. His offensive efficiency is excellent, while his rebounding and defence has been outstanding. He showed what he can do when Dwayne Wade was out, but the one thing James wants more than anything is the NBA ring that has eluded him all these years.
• Kevin Love: I’m going to take a huge gamble and place Love on this list. While most people expect the MVP to at least make the playoffs, this year Love has improved his game. I credit the Ricky Rubio effect as the key to this transition. While Minnesota’s failure to possibly make the playoffs could ruin Love’s chances for the award, his stats still show what he is capable of.
• Kobe Bryant: Kobe, Kobe, Kobe. He’s played injured and he’s scored key points to help the Lakers win games, so it’s no surprise that he is on this list as well. He’s leading the shortened NBA season in scoring. He’s also broken a couple of records this season, which adds to his credentials. So, I guess, while I might not be his biggest fan, this list would be incomplete without Bryant.

The league is winding down to an end, and Kentucky’s Anthony Davis tipped to be a first overall pick in 2012, which isn’t surprising, given his potential. This shortened NBA season is surely putting up some surprises. It’ll be sad when the season is over, but then you just have to wait a few more months for it to happen all over again. Amazing!

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8433&sectionID=4&issueID=203
Image Credit: http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/content_images/love_buzzer.jpg
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHfUQMv6uW0

Squeaky Bum Time

The top two teams in their respective conferences: Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls

It’s been little over four months since the NBA lockout ended, and it’s almost that time when we get a rough idea who’s making the playoffs and who isn’t going to. The league has entered into its fourth quarter and it’s time for the final push that could make or break a season.

One team that has already made the playoffs is the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have been on fire this season and have crept up to favourites in my book. The Bulls’ key man and reigning MVP Derrick Rose has missed a few games recently due to injury. Having watched the Bulls play Denver, one couldn’t help but notice that Rose was being missed. It seems strange, but it’s true; the Bulls look like they need Rose back as soon as possible. While the playoff spot is secured, the top seed in the East is still a position up for grabs.

The New York Knicks, on the other hand, are still fighting, and with the rise of their go-to man, Jeremy Lin, all eyes are on the Knicks. Milwaukee looks to have pulled a smart trade: Monta Ellis is ensuring that the Knicks have all the pressure on them as the Bucks are closing in on eighth place in the East. New York will have to go without Amar’e Stoudemire, who suffered a back injury that could keep him out of the playoffs, should New York make it. Carmelo Anthony has been awful this season, to put it nicely. I was surprised when he made the All- Star team. It’s clearly his poorest season as a professional.

In my last article, I mentioned that Derek Fisher was traded to Houston, which was true at the time. Since then, he has moved on to the Oklahoma City Thunder, who claimed him off waivers. This is a move that could help the Thunder, as Fisher has a lot of playoff experience. In my reckoning, Fisher would play as the backup point guard, considering that Russell Westbrook is on the roster for OKC. They currently occupy top spot in the West and should clinch their own playoff berth soon.

Let’s be real here, the Toronto Raptors are going nowhere. Canada’s only team lacked the finesse needed to challenge for a playoff spot, constantly relying on Andrea Bargnani to deliver the goods. The Raptors are currently sitting 12th in the East with just 16 wins. They have, however, ‘stunned’ fans by dishing out the odd victory, most notably their win against New York: a 96-79 win that snapped New York’s fivegame winning streak. They also almost upset the Bulls, only to be undone by a somewhat lucky basket for Luol Deng in the dying seconds of overtime. A couple of good performances could maybe see the Raptors sneak into a playoff spot but I wouldn’t count on that happening. In the Raptors’ 117-101 defeat to the Orlando Magic, a loud cheer erupted when Toronto scored 100, not because they were leading with seconds to play, but because free pizza is offered to fans every time the team scores 100.

On a side note, the game that featured Atlanta and Utah was the first game to go to quadruple overtime since 1997 when Phoenix beat Portland. Atlanta beat Utah 139-133 in this game.

With most teams having fewer than 20 games left in the regular season, it’s crunch time. There are still playoff spots, particularly in the West, which could be claimed by a number of teams. If I were to make a prediction, I’d say that Chicago and Oklahoma will top both their conferences while the much-talked-about New York Knicks will only barely scrape into the playoffs this time around.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8381&sectionID=4&issueID=202
Image Credit:
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHy-tkwVEg

The Godfather of Canadian Music

Legendary Record Producer Jack Richardson

To be really honest with you, I was having trouble deciding what to write about this week. I was working on a story for the entertainment beat in my Broadcast Journalism program, which isn’t my strongest point by any means. Nevertheless, I happened to speak to John Young and Pat Maloney at the Fanshawe Student Union and I chanced upon the Jack Richardson Music Awards. Maloney is the Producer of the show, while Young is the Chair of the awards. I had never heard of Jack Richardson before, until I listened to a personality profile in class: a profile of Richardson.

Richardson shares his birthday with my brother, and that is probably the only connection I have with the man, but I did get a chance to speak to people who worked with him while he taught at Fanshawe. Richardson was an instructor in the Music Industry Arts program and his colleague, Steve Malison, has fond memories of him, “Jack and I were the morning crew, we would talk for an hour before class.” This went on every day, according to Malison. He went on to add that Richardson was not restricted to one genre, though many people thought he was. He had a vast influence on a number of musical acts and genres during his years as a record producer.

When Richardson passed away in 2011, Canada lost a legend. “I will never, ever forget how you changed my life,” were the words of The Guess Who frontman Burton Cummings on his blog. Richardson saw the music business from a variety of perspectives – as a musician, producer, advertising executive, record-company executive and college professor. His whole life was devoted to music, so much so that he took a second mortgage on his house to finance The Guess Who from Winnipeg to go down and showcase for a label in New York City. According to Maloney, who was in the last class that Jack taught at Fanshawe credits, that decision was “the start of the Canadian music industry as we know it today.”

In total, Richardson produced 14 albums for The Guess Who, five of which were certified platinum in Canada, with three of them reaching that mark in the U.S. He has received 38 gold and platinum awards for his production work. He also won the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the Juno Awards in 1986. Such was his impact on Canadian music production that in 2002, the Juno Awards category for Producer of the Year was renamed the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year award. Richardson is also a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. And that’s not all; he was also made a member of the Order of Canada in 2003.

Though Richardson has passed, his memory lives on among us. The Jack Richardson Music Awards are held annually in the Forest City. It carries on the legacy that created by the ‘Godfather of Canadian Music.’ Jack chose to live in London for a while, and every year at the Jack Richardson Music awards, local talent is given a platform to shine and stand out. This year will be the first time that the show goes on without the watchful and supportive eyes of Richardson. It should definitely be an emotional night and it all happens April 15 at the London Music Hall (185 Queens Ave). For more information, check out jrma.ca.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8374&sectionID=2&issueID=202
Image Credit:http://cashboxcanada.ca/sites/default/files/images/Jack%20Richardson%20at%20'the%20board'.jpg
VIdeo Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUj8rVStIg

Movers and Shakers

The LA Lakers traded long time guard Derek Fisher to the Houston Rockets

The 2012 NBA trade deadline came and went and it left some basketball fans like me wondering things like would Dwight Howard be traded? Would Pau Gasol be traded? Which team would strengthen their squad up in the hope of lifting the trophy at the end of the playoffs? It’s questions like this that are asked around every trade deadline, whether it’s the NHL, MLB or the NBA. There were some moves that came as a surprise, and some that didn’t cause such a big uproar.

Derek Fisher to Houston: This was the biggest move that took place on deadline day. The longtime L.A. Lakers point guard was dealt to the Houston Rockets for a first-round pick in 2012 and reserve centre Jordan Hill. Fisher was a virtuoso at leading former Head Coach Phil Jackson’s triangle offense before the Hall of Fame coach retired. Fisher struggled to adjust to new coach Mike Brown’s system, as he lacked the explosion and quickness to effectively run Brown’s traditional offense. Interestingly, Fisher was subsequently bought out by Houston and is free to sign with any team.

Ramon Sessions to the L.A. Lakers: This was the other deal that the Lakers were involved with on deadline day. Point guard Sessions and small forward Christian Eyenga moved to California for two-time NBA champion Luke Walton, former three-point contest winner Jason Kapono and a first-round pick in 2012. Sessions should fit nicely into Brown’s plan. It should be noted that Kapono was put on waivers by Cleveland.

Monta Ellis to Milwaukee: This wasn’t a deadline day move, but it was one of the most talkedabout trades. The Golden State Warriors gambled by trading Ellis, their leading scorer, for injured Milwaukee Bucks centre Andrew Bogut. The Warriors have made the playoffs once since 1994 and haven’t had a true centre in years. The Warriors will be fearful of the fact that Ellis could become an all-star in Milwaukee. But it’s a gamble they took and if Bogut can stay healthy, it could be one that pays off. As part of this trade, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown also went to Milwaukee while Stephen Jackson joined Bogut in Golden State (only to be traded to San Antonio on deadline day).

Leandro Barbosa to Indiana: You know that things are not going your way when you trade two players for a second-round draft pick. Such was the case for the Toronto Raptors. Barbosa and Anthony Carter join the high-flying Pacers who are looking to secure the playoff spot they currently sit in. To be honest, I’m surprised that one of the big teams did not swoop in for Andrea Bargnani, who has clearly been Toronto’s go-to man in an otherwise lacklustre season. The Raptors will have Indiana’s second- round pick in 2012.

Nenê to Washington: Brazilian centre Nenê was dealt by Denver to Washington, leaving many to question his contribution to the Denver franchise. This trade might haunt Denver in the short run, for Nenê is a playoff veteran but with JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf moving to Denver from Washington, it could ultimately pay off for the Nuggets.

Marcus Camby to Houston: The Portland Trailblazers, who are already without centre Greg Oden, traded their other centre Camby to the Rockets. Camby has expressed desires to end his NBA career in Houston. In return, Portland received point guard Jonny Flynn, centre Hasheem Thabeet and a future second-round draft pick. The Rockets are in a playoff position and are hoping to make a playoff run. For Portland, it looks to be a season of rebuilding after the team parted ways with head coach Nate McMillan as well.

Gerald Wallace to New Jersey: When I said rebuild mode for Portland, I meant it. The Blazers sent Wallace to New Jersey in exchange for former Utah centre Mehmet Okur, forward Shawne Williams and a first-round pick in 2012. Okur is a centre who loves to shoot, so that could help Portland on offence, but for a team in a mini state of crisis, 2012 doesn’t look to be all that good a season for fans in Rip City.

There were three other trades in the NBA that I didn’t talk much about: Stephen Jackson to San Antonio, two days after the Golden State Warriors acquired him; Nick Young left Washington and will line up for the L.A. Clippers; and the Memphis Grizzlies sent Sam Young to Philadelphia and acquired Ricky Sanchez in return. The stage has now been set for the 2011/12 NBA season to burst into life, and the season should live up to all the hype it has been promising.

Originally Written for the Interrobang:http://www.fsu.ca/interrobang_article.asp?storyID=8330&sectionID=4&issueID=201
Image Credit:https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyXPOUwRkn7y_wThRsweX_QbQx37g-jtDoH-GAYxE9fBmcZl47T6GLnLZ_Nj4SeN4CoHmlVp0mlbrIOTxiZ-OLgmgOVacQjexZ-0ZG5M7804jLPp77W15tsAQ5Z_BGtI6-I-wmGqoLro/s1600/derek.jpg
Video Credit:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TdZHffwOF8