Outstanding. Like Really, Really, Great.

Some of you (very few, but some) may recall a character in my life named the Grumbear.

The Grumbear was created and named by my son, Rantwick Jr., when he was 6 or 7. Rantwick Jr. is 10 years old now. The Grumbear has been an important part of my life ever since he was created. I stick his terrifying face over the partitions of people's cubicles at work sometimes. I also use him in a "talk to the hand Grumbear" kind of way when sitting in my office.

I once hallucinated the Grumbear after eating some cursed berries while on a hike in Komoka.

link to that trippy Komoka hike

I've even named my hockey pool "team" after him and Yvan Cournoyer...

As the inquisitive among you already know, The Cournoyer Grumbears are currently in 18th place, but that's out of a field of 52 teams, so obviously it is a combination that works pretty well. I used Cournoyer because my last name sort of sounds like his and other kids used to call me that when I was little. I didn't mind... Cournoyer played on the Montreal Canadiens with the likes of Guy Lafleur and was a star in his own right. Some kids were getting called a lot worse things, I think.

Here's a strange fact that some of you serious cyclists might appreciate; "By the time he was an 18-year-old star with the Montreal Junior Canadiens, Cournoyer's legs were so muscular that his pants had to be specially tailored to fit his legs." (pic and quote source) Crazy. Just crazy. Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, the Grumbear!

I think I have demonstrated that the Grumbear is no bit player in my largely satisfying existence. He matters to me. In my job, I supervise one person. We give each other Christmas presents. This year I gave him an Etch-A-Sketch which he said he really liked and I believe him. His present to me was a little delayed because of when we took days off and I received it from him just this morning. Check out what he gave me:

Outstanding. Like Really, Really Great.

Thanks, Man!

R A N T W I C K

Last Gasp SARATS Entry!

Hey there! Long time no write! How have you been? I sure have missed you these last 9 days... I have no good excuse. Just got busy again. Somebody else who got busy was Darin from Duluth, Minnesota. He submitted a picture for SARATS at 9:01 PM (Eastern) on December 15, bringing the total number of entries to a whopping 18! There were 12 entries in the Smackdown's first year. Now, does that translate to 150% growth or 50% growth? I've always been a little slow on growth percentages. In any case, it is awesome. Thanks again to all who entered.

Here's Darin's email:

Hi Rantwick,

I guess I've procrastinated as long as I could, so here is my entry into the smackdown.

 

These two beautiful maples are in my back yard in Duluth, Minnesota. Not only are they the perfect distance apart to hang a hammock, the squirrels and chipmunks who frequent them keep my dog, Loki, entertained and out of my hair for hours on end. 

Thanks for putting on the contest, and despite what Loki may think, I find reading your blog much more entertaining than watching squirrels and chipmunks.

Darin

http://northwoodstrekkers.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

Pretty damn good entry if you ask me.

 

I consider Darin an excellent new acquaintance for several reasons. First and foremost, he appears to be pretty crazy about bikes and has a number of them that I envy and/or covet quite badly. This leads to a second reason; one of said bikes gets ridden in Winter in Duluth, Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

Look at those fat tires. So cool. The last reason I'm pleased to have "met" this dude is that Duluth Minnesota and the pictures from his blog remind me very much of my birthplace and childhood home of Thunder Bay, Ontario, which I openly pine for sometimes on these pages.

 

Look at this map:

 

 

 

 

 

Hell, we're practically brothers! Darin, please don't be alarmed. I won't be showing up at your house or anything. I may, however, be sending you some syrup; only the voting will tell.

 

Speaking of the voting, it may have to wait until the new year, meaning a SARATS winner may not be declared until later in January. Sorry for the delay, but I've been kind of swamped lately.

 

I probably won't be writing again until after Christmas. I want to wish all of you a truly peaceful and loving holiday. Whatever you think the real point of Christmas is, cling to it as best you can and try to just dump all the rest.

 

Yer Pal,

R A N T W I C K

PS - I take issue with Darin enjoying reading my blog more than watching squirrels. Squirrels should win that one hands down. Darin, you're not my new best friend anymore, you anti-squirrel watching jerk. So there.