Crazy Oilers Theory

As those who know me well can attest,  I am the furthest thing from a sports expert that you could ever get.



But as a lifelong Edmontonian, I can't help feeling that there is some kind of energy missing in our city when it comes to the Oilers.


We know we achieved greatness exactly 30 years ago. I remember watching the fateful game at my Grandma Simonne's house with my dad, and will never forget the sound of car horns honking. All night.


We even achieved greatness in 1990, two years after Wayne Gretzky left us. So we know that, while he was a big factor in the Oilers' previous Stanley Cups, he wasn't the exclusive factor. (Boy, would I love to get him drunk and get a definitive answer on the whole was-he-sold-like-a-piece-of-meat-or-did-he-want-to-go conundrum. But I digress).


Or did the culture that deal created, the whole "Well, if Gretzky is worth $20 million, then my client is worth...", kill both the fun and work ethic of professional hockey?  Is today's squad massively stressed out by the spectre of past glories?


I don't know. As Yoda would put it, "A sports expert, not am I. Luke, like Great One you will not be, if train you not. Now put down donair and CONCENTRATE!"


But I know 4 things:


1) For now Eakins and MacTavish have the power.


2) Eight years is a LONG time between Cup runs.


3) I miss interacting with well-behaved partying fans on Whyte Avenue during Cup runs.


4) People will be a LOT more forgiving about paying for swanky new downtown arenas if they have a productive winning team to support.


Just a few random thoughts...


Let's remember...







Here's a bonus...





Have a great night!


Your Partner In Life

Ralph Leibo: Profile Of Courage

I have known Ralph Leibo for almost 25 years. Many disabled people (sometimes including myself) have the habit of falling into the thinking that "things are the way they are" and that "there is nothing we can do to change anything". Ralph is a person who has never fallen into that type of thinking, working tirelessly as an advocate for Alberta's disabled community since his arrival in Edmonton from Montreal in the mid-1970's, Whether it be volunteering on a government commitee or signing up for a study, he is always doing his best to work for change in the disabled community as a whole. To be Ralph's friend is to be Ralph's friend for life, and he is always offering friendship and support to whoever needs it. Now, after moving tentatively into the digital age, he has chosen to share his story with the world. There is not a disabled person anywhere who has not dealt with these homecare and equipment issues in some fashion, and Ralph handles it all with courage and grace. He is an inspiration to all who know him.

Have a great day!

Your Partner In Life