Author Archives: dperras56

Smart or Not

Posted on March 11, 2014 by dperras56

Congratulations to Dave Smart and his basketball Carleton Ravens on their tenth national championship in twelve years. How does he get away with it ? Being so un-Canadian, I mean. Watching him on the sidelines, still ranting at his team … Continue reading →

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My Russia (Part II)

Posted on March 3, 2014 by dperras56

Brezhnev must have been busy with other things because we rolled through customs at the Moscow airport after the authorities checked the amount of rubles we had to spend. Maybe President Reagan was coming through on the next flight or … Continue reading →

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My Russia

Posted on February 24, 2014 by dperras56

Of course it’s not really my Russia. I’m not pretending I’m Putin or Josef Stalin or Ivan the Terrible, although I have been accused of having delusions of grandeur; I won’t tell you by whom. My wife and I took … Continue reading →

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Small Town

Posted on February 11, 2014 by dperras56

I live in the urban enclave of the Glebe, which means (some) neighbours go out of their way not to say hello. It’s just the nature of the beast, as my late uncle liked to say to describe people. But … Continue reading →

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Opening Night

Posted on February 6, 2014 by dperras56

October 1 was the opening night, or Opening Night, depending on your level of passion as a hockey fan. I was pumped as only a die-hard Habs fan can be (how can you not have Jean Beliveau as your all-time … Continue reading →

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Neighbourhood Crap

Posted on February 4, 2014 by dperras56

My daughter Rachelle’s hockey team had a potluck party Saturday night. Afterwards, with the parents sitting around enjoying a liquid libation, the subject of dog crap came up. Contrary to what you may be thinking, it wasn’t me who started … Continue reading →

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Requiem for an Older Brother

Posted on January 27, 2014 by dperras56

Even from the warmth of my kitchen table, looking out the window on another day of blowing snow and a driveway that needs to be shovelled (again) I am reminded that it is still January. Five years ago this month … Continue reading →

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A Ghost Story

Posted on January 14, 2014 by dperras56

Maple Westgate had often been a little bit drunk after leaving Jack Dawson’s card parties late at night, but tonight he felt especially giddy. He and his playing partner Billy Painter had combined to win the competition and so as … Continue reading →

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Changing Times

Posted on January 10, 2014 by dperras56

As I leaned down over the magazine rack to pick up the latest edition of Runner’s World, I thought to myself, “Man, the world has changed.” I first started subscribing to the magazine in the late ’80’s. It had been … Continue reading →

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Oldtimers

Posted on January 8, 2014 by dperras56

Men’s hockey dressing rooms are the last havens left in this country battling the scourge of political correctness. I’m talking Old Timers now, because that’s what I am. I can’t say that I still feel like I’m twenty five years … Continue reading →

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