Reading Week: Heading to Prince Edward Island

(Photo of my nephew Samuel pointing to where his Nana and Papa live).

Prince Edward Isle, to thee
Our hearts shall faithful be

The last time I was home in February, I was in the middle of climbing up the proverbial playoff mountain with the Pownal Red Devils. It's "Spring Break" at the University of Ottawa and I am heading home to PEI check in with the parents, check in with Moulded Image and perhaps find some wine. I won a 10-dollar gift certificate from the Merchantman Pub so it's looking like it will be an old fashioned Friday night on PEI... likely hitting the Canton later as well.

Happy to say I have landed a few more publications. I have a piece on choosing the right sports management program for a Culture Magazine/Blog. They also want me to write a piece on scrapbooking... who me?

The winter rolls along...

Ottawa Update

(Photos: my new faculty ID and my picture of me at the computer while making Coq au Vin last week).















Where am I, now? I am in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Similar to my previous position, I left NYU with excellent written performance evaluations. Only this time, as an adjunct, there were simply no classes for me to teach (except to be truthful and thankful, with less emotional scars). However, I am happy to say I will be teaching at the University of Ottawa/Universite d’Ottawa (Canada’s only official bilingual University marketed as “Canada’s University”) this semester. Besides its excellent academic reputation, I am also being provided with 4 Teaching Assistants to mentor.

I didn’t exactly want to leave the center of the universe but the award of being close to my nephews and also being able see my parents more often (12 hours away but a cheaper flight) has been so far a VERY nice bonus. Living in an amazing sublet (half of my NYC cost) in the Hintonburg area (great neighborhood for theatre, markets, and restaurants) of Ottawa for 4 months before possibly heading home to teach a class at UPEI this summer.

As far as next Fall, I am merely asking that the "Did you hear anything?" questions be put on hold. I can tell you that Andrei Kirilenko went to Russia this past year during the NBA stoppage and he's expected back someday.

At this time I simply want to thank Bob Boland for allowing me to live the dream in allowing me to live in the greatest city in the world in 2011. To my NYC friends I have made in the last 12 months, you are still in my heart and always will be. I hope to see you all at the Giggs/Cormier “Shared testimonial” at Nevada Smith’s in May of 2012 or 2013 (Giggs will determine if it’s still on... then again, if I am really like “Sir Ryan”, perhaps we will both be back next year).

Meanwhile, to all my friends, please know that the heat is always on here (because yes, it’s cold!). If you’re ever up for a skate on the Rideau, followed by a beaver tail, and of course, a hot toddy to warm up even more after, please let me know. On the rink called life, I can only tell you to skate straight, keep your head up, and always be “stick ready” (stick on the ice with both hands!) because you just never know what kind of rebound you’ll get. I certainly enjoyed the last rebound. And what an experience! I will always love New York.

There you have it...an update. Still smiling...

Top 5 NYC Moments

Top 5 moments in order of photos...
1. “Manchester United beats Chelsea”. Cinco de Mayo Thursday makes for an extended weekend, texts from the graduation ceremony from the class of 2011 back in Massachusetts on Saturday followed by the greatest day of my life: United wins the league, I do brunch, have an afternoon nap, have a great dinner, and inspired by Ryan Giggs, have another great night out with karaoke until 3 AM (photo of my Nevada Smith’s lads).

2. Birthday week. It was a typical week but that’s what made it so great. East Village living just seemed extra special those three days but highlighted with a great Thanksgiving day.

3. Fall 2011 Class two offering… I was on PEI but it involved New York. Singing “New York State of Mind”, Sinatra’s “New York, New York” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqlJl1LfDP4) and “One Day Like This” until 2 AM.

4. Family visit(s). My late grandfather once said if he made a million dollars, he was going to New York. Meeting my parents at Grand Central on their way back from Florida and having dinner with my brother and father at Les Halles. Watching the Canadiens with the tickets bought my former students.

5. New York Public Library moments… researching and writing an article for the Encyclopedia of Sports management and Sports Marketing, having lunch on outside terrace one day, and skating at the Bryant pond. The fact that I taught across the street from the NYPL is still mind boggling to me. Like a dream.

Honorable (too many to) mention. “Class nights”- I love what I do and absolutely think NYU brought back my love of teaching after a challenging final chapter in Massachusetts, reuniting with my childhood girlfriend Katherine, Brooklyn nights and mornings with Stevo, playoff games at the Blue Moon, great dinners at the Post House with Bob, wine nights at Uncorked, Winebar, and Von wine bar ($4 happy hour), Sunday NFL football at 13th Step, Trader Joe’s budget, poutine at Pommes Frites, Halal Cart on 53rd and 6th, “Hope and Beauty” moments in May, NYSC workouts, Grande Skinny Caramel Mocs at Starbucks, people watching and coffee at Think on the corner of Bowery and Bleeker, 2A nights, amazing brunches at Cinema Café and Black Swan, meeting the actual practitioners of professional sports, lobster paella at El Paso, ball hockey games and post-game parties at Tompkins Square, Rooney’s bicycle kick, Molded Image’s win, meeting the NY Knicks dancers, West Village dates, Central Park walks, and finding peace with the UES...