ON THE MARK.

WHO'S GOT A PAIR OF BLUEJAY TICKETS?

Man, what a weekend!  We hosted not one, but TWO dinner parties.  I picked up not one but TWO Apple TVs, and the Toronto Raptors have won TWO in a row.  I told you they were a better team WITHOUT Bargnani.  And how about those Bluejays? Looks like the National League Cy Young Award winner might actually come here, to Canada.   The hot Christmas gift this season will be tickets to the 2013 Jays.   Pitchers and catchers report to Dunedin Florida in TWO months.   I'm imagining a Bluejays staff featuring R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Brandon Morrow, Mark Buehrle and Ricky Romero (or JA Happ).  I'm salivating over a batting order with Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera, Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Brett Lawrie, JP Arencibia, Colby Rasmus, etc.   And as for Travis D'Arnaud and any other "prospect" being dealt, it's a no brainer.   The time is now for the Jays.  The Yanks, Red Sox and Rays are NOT stronger than they were last year, while the Jays are A LOT stronger than they were in 2012.   Personally, I hope D'Arnaud becomes a great major league player...but not until 2016 or AFTER the Jays win a couple more World Series titles.   That way, any deal with Dickey and D'Arnaud will benefit both teams.  One now, one down the road.

For those who feel Dickey is too old, at 38, try to remember that he throws a knuckleball, and knuckleballers have generally flourished as much older pitchers.  Look no further than Tim Wakefield, who won 72 games in the major leagues AFTER the age of 38.   You see, the knuckleball doesn't put any strain on the arm.  Ask Charlie Hough, who used the knuckler to win 100 games AFTER the age of 38.  And, just in case you think Dickey might be a three-season flameout, consider that Hall of Famer Phil Niekro won 170 games AFTER the age of 38.  His brother, Joe Niekro, won 77 games AFTER the age of 38.  Yes, he was a knuckeballer as well.  And let's not forget Hoyt Wilhelm, who, as a knuckballing relief pitcher, saved 175 games AFTER the age of 38.    I see many, many good seasons from the relatively young arm of R.A. Dickey.

So, the Raptors have won two in a row without Andrea Bargnani (and Kyle Lowry and Landry Fields).  Perhaps it was fortuitous that the Big Italian went down with an injury.   We need to see the young guns on this team, and even though veteran Jose Calderon led the way, it was kids like Terrence Ross, Ed Davis and Demar DeRozan who stepped up.  Even 31 year old Alan Anderson provided a spark, having missed most of the season with injuries.   I like the way JV is playing in the post.  He seems to be improving every game.  And while the Raptors won't make the playoffs, two straight wins without two of your top players is reason to celebrate.  As long as the effort is there and the kids are learning, the Raps are one lottery pick away from being a contender.

So, I heard last week that STAPLES would be having a door-crasher sale yesterday (Sunday) only on Apple TV.  I've been wanting one for some time, and was even prepared to wait in line to save the 30 bucks.  By the time we got to the store in Ancaster, which had just opened, I discovered that they were already sold out.  "How many did you have?" I inquired.  "Seven" I was told.    Really?  Seven of them and you're telling people it's a door crasher on a Sunday morning?   Come on.  Is there not a legal minimum number of items that you have to have available before you can advertise it?  Like, twenty?
Anyway, we found out that the STAPLES store in Waterdown didn't open until Noon, so we headed over, and in the pouring rain, arrived at 11:30 a.m.  Nobody was lined up.  I sent my son to the front door, clutching an umbrella.  He was the first in line.  I stayed warm in the car.  Within 30 seconds, about ten people emerged from their vehicles and joined my son in the lineup.  They would be the only lucky ones.  The Waterdown store had 11 Apple TVs.  My son got the first one.
     Installing it was easy for my son (I just let him do his thing) and we now have a tremendous selection of movies, TV shows, You Tube, documentaries and music.  Much greater than the On Demand stuff from your local cable company/satellite provider.   In fact, my son, who works and goes to college in Toronto, wanted one for his home.   So, we went to the APPLE STORE in the Mapleview Mall in Burlington.   The place is always packed, but we managed to corral a salesperson.  I told the young man that we had already purchased one Apple TV for 79 dollars at STAPLES, and would they match that price?   The answer was "Yes".    So, in one day, I discovered that the service at the APPLE STORE and their willingness to make the customer happy by matching price is a cornerstone of customer loyalty.   Also, if you don't ask, you don't get.   And as for STAPLES, try to be a little more upfront with your advertising.  If I had known there were only 7 items available, I wouldn't have rushed to get there.  I understand there's only a LIMITED number available, but make it a reasonable number next time.
         My apologies for not having posted the past few days, but I'm suffering from an injury which makes it painful to sit down.  In fact, I am writing this while (standing) erect.  First, an update on the Keg controversy. http://tinyurl.com/cgzdfg9
Several readers alerted The Keg Canada of my unhappiness on social media,  and I received correspondence from The Keg, asking to provide details of my misadventure.  After a telephone discussion, the problem was resolved and a gift certificate was sent to me in the hopes that I will try The Keg once again. I likely will, as I am satisfied with their response and their quick action.   And let's face it, they make a great steak.