Shitballs and a phone call from Jeff Stoughton.

Mid week at the Scotties-  Marie-France is at 6-3 and looking like a lock to make the playoffs, maybe even the 1-2 game. Go Quebec!

I am a big fan of this team. We actually spent some time with them this year – we seemed to have the same draw at a couple of out of town spiels. So if you were wondering, they are as nice in person as they seem on TV.

While Marie-France has not been shooting the lights out – she seems to be making the shots that count. And has any skip will tell you, it’s not about how many shots you make – if you can make the right ones.

More importantly, they look confident they are going to win. There is nothing like a streak of close wins to make you feel like you will always win your next game.

***

Favourite moment so far: Heather Nedohin – skip of Alberta caught on TSN saying “Shitballs” after missing a shot. Awesome use of profanity Heather!

I will not judge. I have to admit, when I curl I swear like a drunken sailor who just stubbed his toe on the bedpost after finding his girlfriend in bed with his ship captain. I have used words that would make Hugh Hefner blush. So I am not sure what would come out of my mouth if I missed a big shot on TV.

But honestly, it was nice to see a little intensity from someone at the Scotties. Everybody is a little bit too sunshine and lollipops at this year's event. Where is the eye of the tiger? Where is the steely-eyed stare of a champion. Only Jennifer Jones seems like she means business. 

I was watching Kelly Scott from BC, and she actually says things like “aw shucks” when she misses. Btw - Kelly Scott sounds exactly like the receptionist from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. You be the judge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHa1zTLrXO8

   
***

So Mike – what are you doing next season? I seem to be getting this question a lot lately – so here is a phone conversation I had last week:

Ring – Ring...

- Hello?

- Hello Mike? Jeff Stoughton here.

- Hey Jeff, nice to hear from you. Tough loss at provincials this year buddy.

- Yeah. It sucks to be the World Champion – and to not be invited back to the Brier.

- Indeed.

- Well Mike – let me get to the point. I have decided a need a new bald, toe-tucking third. Mead just is not cutting it any more. And we think you are the guy.

- Really Jeff? You do realise that I did not even make it to Quebec provincials this year?

- Yes, but your talent and ability has shown through. I blame your team. Also, we saw how well it worked for Jennifer Jones to pick up a Frenchy from Quebec - with that “Joelle” chick.

- Yeah, but I am not actually French Jeff, I just have a French name.

- Trust me buddy, nobody out here will notice the difference.

- OK – I am in – sign me up!

- Great! Welcome to the team! By the way – you will have to move you and your family to Winnipeg. Or maybe Flin Flon. Or Gimli.

- Hmmm – let me get back to you

Okay – this conversation did not really happen. So to answer those who have been asking, I have no idea what is going on next year. And being up to my ass in diapers, school lunches and sleep deprivation, I will tell you that it is not the first thing on my mind these days!

***

Big Congrats to Pierre Charette and team who won the senior men's and are on their way to Abbotsford, BC!!! As I have said before, Pierre is the smartest curler in the world - it would be nice to see these guys come back with a national championship. It has been a while since Quebec actually won something at a national level. (I believe William Dion's junior team was our last national champion, and that was a bunch of years ago). Yes, Marie France still has an outside shot at the Scotties - but I would bet on Pierre being our best shot at a National Title this year.