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You promised you wouldn't tell.

Nope, but for many of the previous years, i felt like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football that Lucy was holding. She had yanked it away repeatedly, causing him to fall flat. She would then tell him to try again with promises that despite the past, this time would be different. He would hesitate, but with all manner of assurances, he would set aside his well-founded fears and charge at the ball, only to have it pulled away once again at the last moment.

Patience, grasshopper, patience.

The point of my comment was that, in 29 years, we've had our hearts broken repeatedly by the Bombers, even when it looked like they were shoo-in winners and its hard to believe that suddenly we were going all the way. The Riders, despite where they finished were not that good a team.

Hmmm.....Huffer is going all-in on Mitchell and may live to regret it. And Ottawa paid surprisingly little in exchange.

If you are a fan of the ironies of history, here's one for you: the Brits and the Yanks were about even in the war that led to American independence, and about as many colonials were against independence as for it until the British decided to bring in "contractors"- who were mercenary Germans called Hessians. This angered many of the undecided colonials to the point where they sided with the rebels and the tide of war swung against the Brits. Now the Americans have been hiring mercenaries that they call "contractors" in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan producing the same anger in the locals. These mercenaries have been recruited from all over the world and are those who have often been dismissed from places like Chechnya, Nigeria and South African armed forces for what would be called war crimes. They are paid much more than US grunts and do not have to adhere to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, resulting in unjustified killings that go unreported.

Detroit was a much better place to be until the massive auto industry layoffs, although the racial tensions were always a couple of degrees below a full boil. That's what happens with a one-industry place.

The entire 2019 playoffs were a revelation, albeit stressful. We beat the Stamps- great, but Bo-Levi was not good, then we beat the Riders on their turf, thanks in no small part to Fajardo hitting the goalpost with an errant pass, but that was so close a win that I was afraid what would happen against what had been a powerful TiCat team. And then the Grey Cup came. Although the Bombers were never in any danger of losing, I hard a a very hard time believing that they could be so dominant against a 15 & 3 team. I kept waiting for the 'Cats to rally and make a comeback but they just never got untracked. Gonna remember this for a long, long time.

True, but look at the recent past- Bombers lost a starting QB and played without their all-star MLB for weeks but still rallied to win it all. Walters has a way to go to be another John Hufmagel, but he has done very well in filling needs, and kudos to the scouting staff.

Damn. We no longer have a Sayles force.

O'Shea has had a lot of celebratory moments in his career but I would wager none will be as sweet as this one.

On the cusp of a new year and a new decade, my wish for all here is that in 365 days after a year of celebrating, bemoaning and bickering, may we all meet here again in good health and peace. Sempre avanti!

Why would you wish that visited upon Khari? Did he shoot your dog?

Say what you will about the NFL, but their marketing is nothing short of superb. They have managed to convince their fans (brainwashed, really) that the NFL as presently constituted is perfect and the only football in the world worth watching. The games are plodding although the athletes are great, and excitement is in short supply.

But but but I actually liked the lightning bolt and navy blue. I'll be over in the corner trying to go to my happy place.

We won this year, not because of a powerful offence, but because Collaros was a perfect fit and played his best football, but the defence was totally dominant. We cannot realistically expect that to come together so well again. We need a better, more unpredictable offence in the new year. If that means a new QB, so be it, but I am happy that LaPolice is gone.

Maybe we will see more creative use of our talent now that LaPolice is gone.

Its a game of fear vs greed and ego.

Hufnagel has shown himself to be a very shrewd GM, and he would trade at least one of his kids if he thought it would benefit the Stamps.

Darned few would have taken Harris out of the starting role once he came back from his suspension. Agree on Wolitarski and Peterman.

And so it begins.......

Hate those Saskatchewan-Alabama cards.

Yup.

And so could a nutless monkey.

It seems to me that Christmas gifting is redundant this year, as we already have had a great gift. Regardless, my best wishes to all and sundry here in the spirit of the season and a repeat for 2020.