Congratulations to former Western Ontario Mustang defensive lineman Vaughn Martin. This weekend, Martin signed a four-year contract with the San Diego Chargers. The deal also includes a very respectable $486,000 dollar signing bonus. And now, on to this week's questions.
From: Moe
Comments: Hey Jim, great responses, love "Transition Time". OK, question. If you were granted one wish from your wife or from a Genie (Barbara Eden, in her time), and that wish is allowing you to create a room what would it be: A Home Theater or a Sports Theatre (Vegas style) with stadium seating, 5 rows 3 across deep?
Answer: Hi Moe, appreciate the kind words. Right now, the only room I get to call my own is the downstairs bathroom. If I ever get the green light to create my own "dream" room, it will be a Sports Theatre all the way. Not only would I want a High Def - LCD TV, I would demand it has to be a minimum of 60 inches. I would have a few high back leather chairs and an Oakland Raiders beer fridge. I would also have a ticker like the ones you see at the stock market. But instead of stock quotes, it would constantly update scores and fantasy sports stats. This is the kind of room every married man could retreat to for some much needed "Transition Time". There really is no end to the personal sacrifices a married man makes every day, so a little "Transition Time" is a must. If only the women of the world understood what we men have to go through on a daily basis.
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From: Steve-O
Comments: Hey Jim, I was just wondering if I could get some advice on women. You seem like a pretty cool guy who would do well with the ladies if you were single. I know women love confidence and I have never been a really confident guy. I get along with women well but just like Ryan Reynolds from "Just Friends", I can never get out of the friend zone!! Do you have any advice for me to present myself as more than just a friend?
Answer: Wow Steve-O, this is a really tough question. First off, you can be friendly with a woman, but you should never be "friends" with her. The next thing you know, she will be asking to come over to watch the hockey game, then demand to borrow the converter so she can check out what's happening on her favourite decorating show. You might as well hop on an iron ore freighter and join the French Foreign Legion because life as you know it is pretty much over if you ever let a female "friend" use your converter to watch a freaking decorating show. My first advice to you is to try not to seem too eager.
Women can sense desperation like a shark smells blood and will automatically peg you as a "friend". One of our producers thinks he's a bit of a player and likes the "whatever, I'm not that into you" hard to get game with the ladies. One of the attractive female employees here at the network thinks he's way off base. She's a believer in the direct and honest approach. Confidence is a funny thing, even some of the top athletes on the planet have confidence issues from time to time. You will be amazed at what happens when you just tell a woman you like that you like her and you want to go out on a date. The worst thing she can do is say no. Failing that, just find a way to become incredibly rich. That always seems to work wonders with the ladies.
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From: Andrew
Comments: Hey Jim, how does Mendes get away with blogging once every three months? I always enjoy the controversial/whacked-out ideas and topics he covers but I need more. What does Ian need to motivate him? Money? Sugar? Arby's? Love the columns and this Q&A - you've improved the quality of my procrastination.
Answer: Hi Andrew, glad you enjoy the blog. Like you, I am a big Ian Mendes fan. For Ian - it's all about the Beaver Tails. Since he's based in Ottawa, Mendes is addicted to the things. No Beaver, no blogging, it's as simple as that.
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From: Adam from PEI
Comments: Hi Jim, what's your take on all that Brian Burke has done as Leafs' GM? Will it be enough to get the Leafs back to the Promised Land?
Answer: Hi Adam, do you live anywhere close to Cavendish? I love that place. I really like what Brian Burke has done so far. Unlike previous regimes, Burke definitely has a concrete and tangible plan for turning the Leafs into a perennial winner. You may or may not agree with his plan, but at least he has a definitive blue print that he's following. While he still needs more frontline scoring, Burke has added depth to the blue line, a potential star goalie and team toughness. I think that's a heck of a good start.
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From: Trent
Comments: Love reading the column every week and when you are live too. I am wondering if you know what a typical NHL contract looks like... is it like reading a essay or a huge book? Have you heard any stories of "clauses" that are unusual/funny or otherwise interesting? To me the only one I've heard entails use of motorcycles by an athlete who had an accident. Oh and as a soon to be married man, I laughed my **** off at your concept of transition time.
Answer: Hi Trent, I e-mailed a former long time NHL G.M. and he pointed out that since the new CBA, they have very simple contracts in the NHL now. He pointed out that an average modern contract is roughly four pages long. As he put it; "Prior to the new CBA, the contracts were wide open; now, no bonuses except minimum bonuses to rookies. It's a very simple format, just big time money.
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From: Andy
Comments: Betty or Veronica?
Answer: Damn you Andy, damn you. I was dreading this question. Veronica is hot, but she strikes me as a little cold hearted. She's the kind of girl that will tell you she has to run an errand then, as Glenn Frey of the Eagles once said, "She will be headed for the cheating side of town". Betty has to get the call. I love my blondes, plus she seems like a lot nicer girl than that ice queen Veronica.
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From: Arshdeep
Comments: Who is your favourite wrestler?????
Answer: I love my wrestling so this is one a great question. There have been so many wrestlers that I have been big fans of over the years. Most of the time, I am a big fan of epic matches more than just one wrestler. There's little doubt that Savage versus Steamboat at Wrestlemania 3 was a classic match. However, my all time favourite match was Mankind versus the Undertaker in the infamous Hell in a Cell match. I still don't know how Mick Foley survived that one. But no matter what the era, at the end of the day, my favourite wrestler will always be the self proclaimed Dirtiest Player in the Game, Ric Flair. I remember hearing a radio interview Flair did with Jeff Marek and he said that in the halcyon days of the NWA, he was wrestling over 300 days a year. No one worked harder at selling wrestling than Flair.
Check out this bit of YouTube gold from the early 1980's as the Nature Boy does his thing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy-LQH8N6Ug
"My shoes cost more than your house" That is sheer bloody wrestling poetry in my books. I highly doubt there will ever be a wrestler that even comes close to Flair's longevity and greatness.
