A couple of years ago I came up with the idea of writing this when the Bombers finally won it all. Even if nobody reads it I'm glad I went through with it - digging up some old memories has been incredibly therapeutic. For those who do read it - I hope you enjoy.
January 28, 1986: At 10:39 AM CST the Space Shuttle Challenger disintegrates over the Atlantic Ocean. Approximately 8 hours later I am born. I've considered that the curse has something to do with me.
November 27, 1988: The Bombers win the Grey Cup for the first time in my lifetime. Being a 2 year old, I do not care.
November 25, 1990: The Bombers win the Grey Cup for the second time in my lifetime. At 4 I still have no interest in football.
March 5, 1991: My sister, my only sibling, is born during the offseason. Until Sunday, the Bombers do not win the Grey Cup during her lifetime.
September, 1991: I begin attending school.
Fall, 1993: My first distinct memory of attending a Bomber game. I don't remember being at the game itself, but I can remember writing about the game and, specifically, Matt Dunigan in my grade 2 journal. I can also remember a very poor attempt at drawing the team logo in my journal. I was never an artist. My dad takes me to several games in the 1990's, gently trying to stoke my interest in the team.
November 28, 1993: My first memory of losing the Grey Cup. I remember our family went to a friend's house. The game is on a fairly sizable console TV in the corner of the basement. I watch occasionally, but am more interested in playing Super Nintendo with my friends.
Summer, 1998: My dad takes me to a game and, for the first time I can remember, puts a paper bag on his head part way through the game. I am dreadfully embarrassed. I plead with him to take it off. He refuses. Also, the undertaker threw mankind off hеll in a cell, and plummeted sixteen feet through an announcer's table.
September, 1998: I begin attending junior high school. In band class, I select the baritone (euphonium) as my instrument. My reasoning is that it seems like the easiest instrument to play: woodwind instruments look too complicated; the trumpet mouthpiece is too small; the trombone slide seems too complicated; and the size and weight of a tuba seems like far too big of a hassle. This decision, perhaps more than any other, shapes my life.
Summer, 2000: For the first time I begin watching Bomber games for my own entertainment, as opposed to watching just to do something with my dad.
September 11, 2001: I am in my second week of high school. I remember being glued to the TV in the library's media room during my spare periods, silently watching. Up until this year I had only ever attended one school, and the first week had felt somewhat surreal. The day's events only added to this. I have no ties to anyone involved, but I feel a general sense of loss.
November 25, 2001: I am, for the first time, cheering for the Bombers in the Grey Cup. It does not go well. Many people blame Westwood for the loss. I do not - we were simply outplayed.
November 17, 2002: The Bombers lose the West Final in a season where Khari Jones threw for 46 touchdowns, with Milt Stegall catching a CFL record 23 of them. This one hurt.
Spring, 2004: I am accepted into the University of Manitoba School of Music.
June, 2004: About a week before I graduate high school I ask a girl out on a date and, for the first time, she says yes. I don't know what I'm doing. Also, one of my band instructors recommends a summer brass band where I could get some additional performing opportunities. It is with this band that I meet the love of my life and future wife for the first time. We exchange maybe a dozen words over the summer.
Fall, 2004: I begin working on a bachelor's degree in music. I am generally doing well but voluntarily withdrawal from Music History I. Several classmates also withdraw and we regularly go out for breakfast in the now open timeslot. This becomes known as "Flunky Breakfast". My future wife is in this group. The Bombers are doing nothing significant.
December, 2004: I experience my first kiss after dropping off the girl I began dating in June. Large snowflakes are slowly falling to the ground. I have no idea what I'm doing.
Summer, 2005: I am dumped. I am not shocked - things had been cooling off between us for months and, frankly, I deserved it. I had no idea what I was doing. This in no way softens the blow and I am devastated. I remain a virgin. The Bombers are still doing nothing significant.
October, 2005: My best friend invites me to a movie night at my future wife's apartment. At least half a dozen people are invited. Only my best friend, his girlfriend, and I show up. After we finish our movie my best friend and his girlfriend leave. My future wife and I talk until 3 AM. This feels different. Not long after the movie night I invite my future wife out on our first date.
October 21, 2005: My future wife and I go out on our first date. We go and see The 40-Year-Old Virgin. I cannot help but draw comparisons to myself. After the movie we decide to go grab a bite to eat at Moxie's. We enjoy a nice meal and I drop her off. I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Not long after we make plans to attend the Student Association Halloween party. I plan to go as Bubbles from Trailer Park Boys. My dad, an optician, gets me a very thick pair of prescription glasses and contact lenses with the opposite prescription so I can see.
October 28, 2005: My dad collapses while at a bonfire at a neighbour's house. I am not told and go to work the next day.
October 29, 2005: My cousin comes to my workplace and tells me I need to go to see my dad at the hospital. I go with the rest of my family to see him at the ICU. He has been scheduled for emergency surgery to remove a tumour on the surface of his brain. To try and get my mind off what is happening I attend the party with my future wife. My costume is magnificent. Thanks to the camaraderie and liquor I manage to have a pretty good time, given the circumstances.
Winter, 2005/2006: My dad's surgery is a resounding success. It is discovered that the brain tumour was a secondary cancer and was easily removed from the surface with no side effects. Unfortunately the primary cancer is in his lungs. Surgery is conducted to remove a third of one lung and aggressive radiation and chemotherapy follow. He is required to take steroids and was already an irritable person. His mood swings strain our relationship. Conversely, my future wife is there for me through all of this and our relationship rapidly develops.
February 15, 2006: My future wife and I agree to get married. We have been dating less than 4 months. Both of our families are, unsurprisingly, shocked. My family are supportive nonetheless. Her family, who have barely gotten to know me, are skeptical.
July 20, 2006: The Bombers do something significant. My dad, my future wife, and I were watching the game on TV. For the first time I can remember he decides to get up and go to bed before the game is over. My future wife and I watch as Stegall goes 100 yards to win it on the last play. I immediately run upstairs and wake up my dad to tell him. My future wife becomes a Bomber fan.
August 19, 2006: I marry my wife. The day is beautiful but it is 30 degrees with no wind and no cloud cover. Photos in the heat are exhausting. By the time we get back to the hotel neither of us have much energy. We order Dominos and watch Mission Impossible III. My wife falls asleep halfway through. I remain a virgin.
August 20, 2006: I lose my virginity.
2007: My dad has finished his final treatments and is declared cancer free. Before the treatments he was never able to grow facial hair. He is now able to grow a respectable goatee. It suits him. This is how I picture him when I remember him. The Bombers make the Grey Cup but Kevin Glenn breaks his arm following a botched hand off in the East Final. Ryan Dinwiddie starts for the Bombers in the Grey Cup in his first career CFL start. We lose by only 4 points. Fuck you, Kevin Eiben.
Spring, 2008: I make the difficult decision that I will not be returning to university in the fall. My grades have been slumping badly, largely because my heart is no longer in it. While I am leaving university with no degree after 4 years of study I do not consider it a waste - without it I would not have met the love of my life.
Summer/Fall, 2008: Between my friends, dad, and wife I am now regularly attending Bomber games. I am working a low paying job but I am generally happy with how things are going.
November 8, 2008: I attend my first playoff game. It is cold as fuck. That's, unfortunately, all there really is to say about it.
Summer/Fall, 2009: The less said about this season the better.
November 9, 2009: I begin my career at the company where I continue to work. The timing could not be better - my wife's student loan payments are set to begin in a month and, prior to getting this job, I do not know how we will afford them.
June 20, 2010: As a Father's Day gift to my dad, my wife and I get season tickets for the 3 of us. I can still remember the moment clearly. My dad doesn't initially realize how many tickets are in the stack. He asks how many there are. I tell him a season's worth and let him know we're coming too. My dad does not normally betray his emotions - seeing the look on his face at this moment is one of the most rewarding moments of my life.
July 2, 2010: We attend our first regular season game as season ticket holders. Section 11, Row 16, Seats 7 - 9. It is a loss.
October 11, 2010: Thanksgiving Day game against BC. Probably the most exciting game I have ever attended. The highlights, for those who haven't seen the game. My wife, for some reason, was unable to attend so it was just my dad and I. The team announced early in the week that Steven Jyles had been benched for Alex Brink. The fans are not pleased wtih this decision. The Bombers are terrible for 3 quarters. BC scores early in the 4th to make the lead 32-14. Approximately half the fans leave. My dad and I never consider it and mock those who are leaving. Brink is finally benched for Jyles. With less than 11 minutes left Jyles leads the Bombers to tie it up and head to overtime, where we eventually win on a walk off pick 6. So much more happens in this game - a Bomber kickoff from the BC 35 yard line, Khalif Mitchell being ejected for punching Obby Khan in the testicles. Do yourself a favour and watch the highlights.
January, 2011: My dad, while on vacation in San Francisco, finds himself constantly running out of breath. After returning home he meets with his oncologist. The lung cancer has returned and is not treatable. He is given less than a year to live. His tremendous work ethic dictates that he continue to go to work. He works in a small shop - just my dad, the owner, and one other optician. The owner makes every accommodation, allowing my dad to take naps during the day and work when he can.
Spring, 2011: My wife and I begin looking to purchase our first house. My dad is incredibly excited for us and comes to showings. In April we put in an offer on our 2nd house and it is accepted. My dad can't stop talking about everything he'll help us out with in fixing up the house. Possession is set for June 15, 2019. Unfortunately the deterioration of my dad's health is progressing at an alarming pace. As recently as December he seemed to be in good health. By May he is on full oxygen. He continues to go to work.
June 5, 2011: My dad is admitted to the palliative care ward at St. Boniface Hospital. He is no longer able to take in enough oxygen to stand on his own. He is admitted on a Sunday. He continued to go to work until the previous Friday.
June 8, 2011: I visit my dad at the hospital. We watch game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final in the common room of the palliative care ward. My dad does not like Boston. There is some talk between us, but not a lot. There is not a lot to say. I tell my dad I love him before leaving. This is the last time we speak.
June 11, 2011: Surrounded by family, my dad is taken off life support. He is 55. For years I had been looking forward to celebrating a Grey Cup with him. One of the greatest regrets of my life is that we never got to.
June 13, 2011: My wife and I meet with our lawyer to sign the requisite paperwork for taking possession of our house.
June 15, 2011: My wife and I take possession of our house. It is a difficult day.
June 17, 2011: My dad's celebration of life. There is no service - the microphone is left open for anyone that wanted to speak. The soundtrack to O Brother, Where Art Thou?, his favourite movie, plays in the background. Plenty of hilarious and touching stories are shared. It is perfect.
July 1, 2011: I attend my first Bomber game since my dad's passing. It is an emotional day. My dad's co-worker, a season ticket holder himself, has moved his seat and now sits with us. We continue to sit together to this day.
November 20, 2011: I attend my second playoff game. The crowd is electric - unlike the last playoff game I attended we fully expect to win. We ride an incredible defensive performance to victory over Hamilton.
November 27, 2011: I am conflicted. Since my teenage years I've been waiting for a Grey Cup. But I can't stand the thought that of all years for it to happen it would be this one. Outside, I cheer loudly. Inside, for the first and only time, I hope they lose. They finally come through for me.
Summer/Fall, 2012: Bombers are bad. We live our lives.
Summer/Fall, 2013: Bombers are bad in a new stadium.
Summer/Fall, 2014: Bombers start their first season with Mike O'Shea as head coach. Bombers remain bad, though there is a bit of optimism around the team.
Summer/Fall, 2015: Bombers are bad. In September we acquire Matt Nichols via trade with Edmonton. My wife and I attend the Grey Cup in Winnipeg. We both take the week before off and take in all of the festivities. We attend the Atlantic Schooners party and have a blast, though their mascot is creepy as fuck. The game itself is entertaining enough but
September 4, 2016: My wife and I attend our first Labour Day game. After a 1-4 start under Drew Willy, Matt Nichols has led the team to 4 straight victories. For the first time since 2004 the Bombers come away with a win on a walk off field goal. We are elated.
October 22, 2016: My sister gets married. My wife and I are the maid of honour and the best man. During the ceremony a song from the O Brother, Where Art Thou soundtrack plays (I want to say it was You Are My Sunshine). Tears are pouring down the faces of my sister and I as we remember our dad.
November 13, 2016: The Bombers are in their first playoff game since 2011. They lose a nail-biter to BC. It is a difficult loss but there is a lot of optimism for 2017.
July 27, 2017: This happens. This is right up there with the 2010 Thanksgiving Day game as the best I've attended. I seem to go back and forth between which is my favourite.
November 12, 2017: Another early playoff exit. I am not very surprised - the Bombers had trended downward late in the season while Edmonton was surging. I have the feeling that with a few more offensive weapons this team can get it done.
Summer/Fall, 2018: Bombers start and end the regular season strong but there is a troubling period in the middle, particularly the back to back with Saskatchewan, where Matt Nichols looks awful. He sorts it out by the end of the season. The team enters the playoffs looking pretty good but I have the feeling we're not quite there. Overall they impress me in the playoffs, knocking off Saskatchewan at home before losing a close game to Calgary.
June 15, 2019: It is our tenth year as season ticket holders. My wife and I are at our gate at the airport, in our jerseys, waiting for our flight to Vancouver to attend the season opener. Wade Miller is on our flight. He approaches us, gives us his business card, and asks that we e-mail him - he will reply providing tickets to the team box. We excitedly accept. We take in the game from the luxury of the box next to several team board members and Adam Bighill's family. The Bombers earn a convincing victory. The day feels completely surreal.
June 27, 2019: The home opener. This game will start a trend that lasts much of the season - our defence allows a pile of yards but our points allowed are low. I am wondering if this will be sustainable.
July 12, 2019: At half-time we are up 37-6 on Toronto. We come out looking flat in the second half, playing very conservatively on both sides of the ball. It doesn't cost us today and I am not all that concerned.
August 1, 2019: We are up 20-3 late in the first half when everything starts to fall apart. We are again looking flat. This continues into the second half and we give up the 1st of what will be 2 embarrassing comebacks. After a strong start to the season doubt is beginning to set in.
August 8, 2019: Even without Bo Levi Mitchell a win against Calgary feels like a big win. Still, given how close the game was I'm concerned about our chances against Calgary later in the season when BLM returns.
August 15, 2019: A strong victory is overshadowed by what appears to be a long term injury to Nichols. I am slightly encouraged that he does not look like he is in much pain as he walks off the field.
August 23, 2019: A strong outing by the offence in Streveler's first start of the season. I am cautiously optimistic.
September 1, 2019: My wife and I attend our second Labour Day game. Even though we lose on a walk off field goal I am encouraged - the defence, outside of the final drive, contained one of the league's better offences.
September 7, 2019: They say blowouts are not fun games to watch. When you're at the stadium and it's your team up, they feel just fine.
September 21, 2019: All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost.
September 26, 2019: Bombers announce Nichols has had season ending shoulder surgery. All is lost.
September 27, 2019: Streveler can't throw. All is lost.
October 5, 2019: All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost. All is lost.
October 9, 2019: Bombers acquired Zach Collaros via trade with Toronto. I am fairly certain we will see him starting before the end of the season, but have a tough time believing he'll be able to develop enough of a rapport with the offence to make a playoff run.
October 13, 2019: For the first time since becoming a season ticket holder I'm forced to miss a regular season game. The city has been hit with a massive snowstorm. We shovel out the back lane behind our property and try and get out, but the car gets stuck further down the lane after the snow and ice rip out some panels from the bottom of my car. I am forced to wait hours for a tow so cannot even bus to the game. I am sad.
October 19, 2019: Bombers lose a tight one in Calgary. With this loss our hopes of a home playoff game are all but gone. This saddens me. I am encouraged, however, that we were able to play this well against Calgary in their stadium. I am still expecting a first round exit from the playoffs.
October 25, 2019: Zach Collaros makes his first start and beats Calgary in a very important game for both teams involved. Despite a couple of really ugly throws Colarros looks better than I expected. His touchdown pass to Darvin Adams at the back of the end zone was an unbelievable play. I am also treated to my first walk off field goal at home in a long time. I am feeling better about our chances entering the playoffs. I expect a close, winnable game against whichever opponent we get.
Early November, 2019: I book the week of November 25 off. Just in case.
November 10, 2019: I am shocked at the dominance displayed by the Bombers in this game. I never expected the Bombers to roll into Calgary and force BLM to put up the embarrassing performance that he did. Streveler's performance on his injured ankle is inspiring. I am confident we can go into Saskatchewan and win, but I still have my doubts that we can beat Hamilton.
November 17, 2019: It took a solid 10 minutes for my heartrate to come down after the game. A difficult, well-earned victory. When speaking about the game I make a point to draw attention to Shayne Gauthier's touchdown saving tackle on the trick punt return. It does not get enough recognition.
November 18 - November 23, 2019: Being the biggest fan at the office I'm consistently asked throughout the week what I think will happen. At the beginning of the week my answer is that we have a chance but that I think this is Hamilton's year. As the week goes on I become more amped up and my confidence grows - by the end of the week I'm saying that it will be a close game but I think we'll come out ahead. On Saturday I find myself restlessly pacing around the house, waiting for the day to be over. Sunday can't come soon enough.
November 24, 2019: In his CJOB colour commentary Doug Brown will often speak of needing to play at a higher emotional level than your opponent. The truth of the statement is on full display today - the entire squad looks absolutely possessed during this game. I think this is perfectly encapsulated by Thiadric Hanssen's special teams tackle. I believe that is the first time I've seen a tackler throw his blocker into the returner and then tackle them both. Early in the 4th quarter my wife and I begin exchanging nervous glances. But I've seen too many 2nd half collapses this season and I am still worried. It isn't until Jackson Jeffcoat forces a fumble with about 5 minutes left that it begins to sink in that we were going to win this game. As the clock winds its way down to 0:00 I hug my wife and think of my dad.
November 25, 2019: The victory still hasn't sunk in. The viewing party the previous night was pretty subdued as most friends there were casual fans. My wife has to work but I go to the airport to welcome the team back, getting there about an hour before the plane lands. There are already about 100 people there. Before long 100's more show up and chants are starting up. The team enters the terminal and the crowd erupts. The players appear overwhelmed by the crowd. It is amazing. After the event has wrapped up I head to the parkade. Mike O'Shea is standing around the main floor elevator, posing for pictures with fans. I get a picture with him. Somehow, the victory still hasn't sunk in.
November 26, 2019: My wife's office closes early for the day so the staff can attend the parade. We meet downtown with my dad's co-worker and make our way to the parade route. The starting point is the closest spot from our meeting place. We get there 15 minutes before the parade starts and hang out where the team is waiting. We follow the parade along the entire route. My wife, wearing her Medlock jersey, manages to get a picture with Medlock when the parade stops for a moment. Lucky Whitehead sees me with my stadium horn and asks me to pass it to him. He blows on it for a while and gives it back. It now tastes strongly of alcohol. We get to the end of the parade route at The Forks and crowd in to the stage area for the speeches. Surrounded by the 10,000 other fans who attended, the victory sinks in. We are finally the champs.
DandyDanWpg, November 25 - November 27, 2019
Submitted November 27, 2019 at 09:42PM by DandyDanWpg https://ift.tt/2OolS8L
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