Mark Pioli 12/12/2003 08:18:12 AM You know Futsa and Clarkie and Prancer and Pioli, But do you recall The most famous curler of all? Rudolph, the red-nosed curler had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw him, you would even say it was a brown nose. All of the other curlers still laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph play in any curling games. Then one 9:00 pm Thursday eve Clarkie came to say: "I am not playing it's too late Rudolph with your nose so bright will you ever win a game this year?" Then all the curlers loved him as they shouted out with glee, "Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you'll go down in misery!" Garth McQueen 12/12/2003 09:38:33 AM 'Twas 2 weeks before Christmas, when all through the house Were nothing but Blue Rocks, much bigger than a mouse; The shots were well timed and the brushing was with care, In hopes that a win soon would be there; The team was all grumpy, no one was nestled in their beds, While visions of Mauro's draw weight danced in their heads; And the lead in his Bills shirt and I in my cap, Had just settled down for another week of crap, When out on the hack there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the house to see what was the matter. Away down the ice my broom was a flash, Leaning so hard, I thought I would crash With an Italian Skip, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; Now, 1st End! now, 2nd End! now, 3rd end and Four! On, 5th end! on Bruce! on, Mark and Garth! To the top of the podium! to the top of your game! Now bash away! crash away! slash away all!" Victory was ours, to the end we would fly, Our skip had returned like stars in the sky, Six ends did we take, 9-3 was the score Mauro's back in the hack and this team will now soar!! Well the spell has been broken, and despite my 3 for 16 dismal display, we soundly trashed the other team. Even when we took the first 5 ends, there was bit of nervousness with thefinal three ends. Hats off to Mauro and a hip hip horay!! It seems some time off was good for his game. I can only hope it will help me. The "O"fer streak is over and I hope we can take this into next week and make Christmas festive instead of always being the feast. I still wanted to through the rock through the house in the 8th, it has hurt way too much when those other 3 teams did it to us. Note to Mike: I am confused why Bruce once sent you a picture of vacuum when you asked for a broom. It would appear he is most nible with a SWIFFER that just glides on the top. I will look for some weights for the end of his broom so the pepple is worn down not built up!! That's all for now folks, all this ryming has crushed my brain (what ever is left). I felt like the Cat in the Hat as I put this together. Thanks to Mark for giving the theme for this weeks paper.