Briliant piece! The insight Charlie shared about 'We The North' being more about the new, multicultural Canada than just geography is spot-on. What I find really interseting is how sports become entry points into communities we might otherwise never join. I had a similar moment at a cricket match years back, totally out of my element but suddeny part of something bigger. The accessibilty angle (cheap, play anywhere) versus hockey's barriers is such a subtle but powerful detail about who gets to belong.
Excuse a parenthetical and likely rage-baiting (word of the year! according to my friend Gord) comment, but those dancing girls' costumes are atrociously ugly.
When I attented a Raptors game a few years ago, my reaction to all the spectator involvement, t-shirt specials, noises here and there and flashing lights, was to think that the organizers didn't have much confidence in the game itself to hold our interest. And frankly, when one or both teams will likely be scoring 100 points a game, how can one attach much importance to any basket, however elegantly netted? So the game was for me a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Perhaps this is the high school Touchdown Quiz three-time laureate in me but I was always under the impression that Issac Newton, who died in 1727, or was it John Locke, who met his maker in 1704, were the last humans "to know everything." But both "circa" the same time as Liebniz, so guess the last time one could be a true "know it all" was in the early 18th century. But my odds are on Newton or Locke, but maybe that's just the anglophile in me. But totally agree about basketball. Like you, Philip, came to appreciate its athletic artistry very late in life.
I loved your piece on basketball Philip. But you would have to pay me to go watch basketball. This comment comes from someone who has followed sports closely all my life. Not just followed but played several sports. I have had 45 years of Racquetball, 10 years of Pickleball, some tennis, and years of playing baseball, and football. I was for years a regular at Blue Bomber games as well as as the Winnipeg Jets. Even to this day, I remain involved in following sports. With all of that, I say to you that basketball is a sport which does not attract me in the least. It is one sport that rewards height. My family lacks height and indeed hair. I cannot identify with a sport that makes it impossible for a short guy to play. While it is true to say height helps, there is still room for smaller competitors to play at a high level. Not basketball. Volleyball has the same problem for me. I might add that I played basketball as a kid but then, the height disparity was not so great. So no hoopla for me about basketball. As in none.
Briliant piece! The insight Charlie shared about 'We The North' being more about the new, multicultural Canada than just geography is spot-on. What I find really interseting is how sports become entry points into communities we might otherwise never join. I had a similar moment at a cricket match years back, totally out of my element but suddeny part of something bigger. The accessibilty angle (cheap, play anywhere) versus hockey's barriers is such a subtle but powerful detail about who gets to belong.
I love how I can feel your exuberance. Exuberance keeps us young.
Excuse a parenthetical and likely rage-baiting (word of the year! according to my friend Gord) comment, but those dancing girls' costumes are atrociously ugly.
I know nothing about professional sports, nor do I care. I do enjoy your newsletters, though. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to.
When I attented a Raptors game a few years ago, my reaction to all the spectator involvement, t-shirt specials, noises here and there and flashing lights, was to think that the organizers didn't have much confidence in the game itself to hold our interest. And frankly, when one or both teams will likely be scoring 100 points a game, how can one attach much importance to any basket, however elegantly netted? So the game was for me a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Perhaps this is the high school Touchdown Quiz three-time laureate in me but I was always under the impression that Issac Newton, who died in 1727, or was it John Locke, who met his maker in 1704, were the last humans "to know everything." But both "circa" the same time as Liebniz, so guess the last time one could be a true "know it all" was in the early 18th century. But my odds are on Newton or Locke, but maybe that's just the anglophile in me. But totally agree about basketball. Like you, Philip, came to appreciate its athletic artistry very late in life.
I loved your piece on basketball Philip. But you would have to pay me to go watch basketball. This comment comes from someone who has followed sports closely all my life. Not just followed but played several sports. I have had 45 years of Racquetball, 10 years of Pickleball, some tennis, and years of playing baseball, and football. I was for years a regular at Blue Bomber games as well as as the Winnipeg Jets. Even to this day, I remain involved in following sports. With all of that, I say to you that basketball is a sport which does not attract me in the least. It is one sport that rewards height. My family lacks height and indeed hair. I cannot identify with a sport that makes it impossible for a short guy to play. While it is true to say height helps, there is still room for smaller competitors to play at a high level. Not basketball. Volleyball has the same problem for me. I might add that I played basketball as a kid but then, the height disparity was not so great. So no hoopla for me about basketball. As in none.
Excellent article .And excellent op-ed in Globe and Mail
Loved this. The way you leapt joyfully. I've never been to a Raptors game... Now I'm tempted