Garth McQueen 10/24/2003 09:14:10 AM Mark: Ah...the sweet smell of success...truly wonderful. Who would be the lead that would take us to victory?? It was a question that was lingering and one that weighed on the minds of some. Well you did it, Mark!! Now getting back to that smell thing. No I don't mean our opponents really stunk up the joint for we are not want to be bad sports, but rather, we, the CTFS team DID NOT stink. Our ability to leave rocks in play really is a big advantage. I put forward that this should become one of our strategies going forward along with 1. proper weight 2. hitting the broom and 3. Paying attention. Speaking of item #3. I was relieved to see Mauro not notice that Shannon was on the ice. This allowed him to watch all of our stones, all the time instead of those moments where he tends to gaze about the ice seeing where his favourites maybe playing. I wonder if this is why we don't do so well on sheets 4 or 5. I will look into buying blinders for some of our future games. Last week I called for the "weak and crippled" and the curling gods delivered both in one game. I will assume the gods will go the other way soon enough and reality will return... but once again I must say, our delivery has been strong for the first 2 games. There is a certain swagger about the team this year ... it's as if all of us has 4 (you know what). We are pretty ballsy. Well the Drive for Five is on (that would be the fifth letter A,B,C,D,E,F) and the word is out " We are the Cream Team"...take it as you see fit! ps. I am sure Mark you were surprised to see how mature we were in our handling of the 9th end. No extra rounds, no trips to the big C and no death feeling the next day. Why I even came to work. Mark Pioli 10/24/2003 09:48:54 AM The aches and pains are worth it when you come away with victory. I just wanted to thank the team for allowing me to be apart of the first victory. I hope this is not going to be a pattern every time I play we win and every time Mike plays we lose. Injury Report - Lead - Mark Pioli next week probable Left knee strain Almost died of heart attack after sweeping 2 ends. elbow sore after lifting only 3 beers. was very cold to start the game and had sniffles I will work with my personal trainer all weekend John Labatt and hopefully be better prepared for the grueling match next week.