This is Bret Hart's column from the Calgary Sun for December 29, 2001. He is a pro wrestler nicknamed the "Hitman", though he bears no relation to yours truly.
Nice U2 mention towards the middle....
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Looking back
By BRET HART
Memories of 2001, in no particular order. Books: My favourites this year all turned out to be historical novels;
True History of the Kelly Gang (Peter Carey). An interesting look into Australian history and their equivalent of Jesse James.
Shadow Box (Antonia Logue). A very erotic, moving book that captures the thee-way relationship between Jack Johnson, the first black boxing heavyweight champion of the world, with the poet, Mina Loy, and her husband, semi-professional boxer and art critic, Arthur Cravan.
The Dress Lodger (Sheri Holman). A sinister look at 19th-century industrial England, prostitution, and the secrets of medical science in that era.
Lying With The Enemy (Tim Binding). Guerrisey, in the Channel Islands. The only British territory to be occupied by German troops during WW2.
The Final Confessions of Mabel Stark (Robert Hugh). Maybe only someone involved with the wrestling business could appreciate this story of a lady lion tamer with Ringling Brothers. Then again, based on the book's popularity, maybe not.
MOVIES:
Life As A House. It touched a lot of emotions. The only movie that really stands out for me this year.
SPORTS:
Wayne Gretzky. I believe the team he's put together will bring the gold medal to Canada.
Lanny McDonald. Not only is he with Gretzky and the Olympic team but it's great to see him back with the Flames. It feels natural.
The Stamps. They fooled everybody and won the Grey Cup.
The Calgary Hitmen. I just love going to the games. Always have, always will.
Chris Jericho. Won the WWF World Title. Good things come to those who deserve it.
Michael Jordan. If I had all the money in the world, why wouldn't I go back and do what I loved the most?
The New York Yankees. It isn't whether you win or lose ... and they lost with such class! They did what they do best -- give the people of New York great baseball. A respite for a country in mourning.
MUSIC:
Kasey Chambers, Grant Lee Philips and Aimee Mann.
But by far, my No. 1 pick goes to U2 for giving us a hell of a pair of shows in Calgary.
TV:
Malcolm In The Middle. The youngest kid reminds me of my brother, Owen.
The Sopranos. Reminds me of the wrestling business.
Band of Brothers. It couldn't have been done any better. Provided quality time for me and my youngest son. Made you appreciate the hardship and sacrifice of the WW2 generation.
West Wing. Incredibly well woven dialogue. Poignant. Witty. Refreshing.
HEROES:
George Bush. How could you not love a president who says he's mad as heck. A truly great leader.
Muhammad Ali. When Cassius Clay changed his name and became a muslim everyone loved him just the same. A different time that would do us good to remember now.
My father. His strength. Quiet dignity.
BUMMERS:
Losing ... my mom ... Ed Whalen ... George Harrison.
The WWF show in Calgary. Heartless.
Bin Laden. Depraved.
BEAUTIFUL THINGS:
Australia. The country and its people comforted me during the terrorist attacks.
My last conversation with Ed Whalen, the day before my mom's funeral. A simple talk between friends unaffected by the difference in our age. Real.
On a trip to New Orleans to visit my friend Aaron Neville, I found myself standing with 60 Minutes co-anchor, Ed Bradley, not 10 ft. away from Aaron and Paul Simon when they teamed up for an impromptu duet on Bridge Over Troubled Water. As Aaron sang, Paul mouthed the word "wow" as he strummed the guitar. Yep, wow!
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:
To get my son to hockey practice on time.
And ... to finish my book!
I wish you all a new year filled with new hopes and dreams and the tenacity to keep on striving for the old ones; the love and comfort of those close to you and the compassion to take a little time to provide companionship to those less fortunate or alone. Happy New Year!
------------------
Live As If You'll Die Tomorrow, Dream As If You'll Live Forever
[This message has been edited by Hitman (edited 12-31-2001).]
Nice U2 mention towards the middle....
Saturday, December 29, 2001
Looking back
By BRET HART
Memories of 2001, in no particular order. Books: My favourites this year all turned out to be historical novels;
True History of the Kelly Gang (Peter Carey). An interesting look into Australian history and their equivalent of Jesse James.
Shadow Box (Antonia Logue). A very erotic, moving book that captures the thee-way relationship between Jack Johnson, the first black boxing heavyweight champion of the world, with the poet, Mina Loy, and her husband, semi-professional boxer and art critic, Arthur Cravan.
The Dress Lodger (Sheri Holman). A sinister look at 19th-century industrial England, prostitution, and the secrets of medical science in that era.
Lying With The Enemy (Tim Binding). Guerrisey, in the Channel Islands. The only British territory to be occupied by German troops during WW2.
The Final Confessions of Mabel Stark (Robert Hugh). Maybe only someone involved with the wrestling business could appreciate this story of a lady lion tamer with Ringling Brothers. Then again, based on the book's popularity, maybe not.
MOVIES:
Life As A House. It touched a lot of emotions. The only movie that really stands out for me this year.
SPORTS:
Wayne Gretzky. I believe the team he's put together will bring the gold medal to Canada.
Lanny McDonald. Not only is he with Gretzky and the Olympic team but it's great to see him back with the Flames. It feels natural.
The Stamps. They fooled everybody and won the Grey Cup.
The Calgary Hitmen. I just love going to the games. Always have, always will.
Chris Jericho. Won the WWF World Title. Good things come to those who deserve it.
Michael Jordan. If I had all the money in the world, why wouldn't I go back and do what I loved the most?
The New York Yankees. It isn't whether you win or lose ... and they lost with such class! They did what they do best -- give the people of New York great baseball. A respite for a country in mourning.
MUSIC:
Kasey Chambers, Grant Lee Philips and Aimee Mann.
But by far, my No. 1 pick goes to U2 for giving us a hell of a pair of shows in Calgary.
TV:
Malcolm In The Middle. The youngest kid reminds me of my brother, Owen.
The Sopranos. Reminds me of the wrestling business.
Band of Brothers. It couldn't have been done any better. Provided quality time for me and my youngest son. Made you appreciate the hardship and sacrifice of the WW2 generation.
West Wing. Incredibly well woven dialogue. Poignant. Witty. Refreshing.
HEROES:
George Bush. How could you not love a president who says he's mad as heck. A truly great leader.
Muhammad Ali. When Cassius Clay changed his name and became a muslim everyone loved him just the same. A different time that would do us good to remember now.
My father. His strength. Quiet dignity.
BUMMERS:
Losing ... my mom ... Ed Whalen ... George Harrison.
The WWF show in Calgary. Heartless.
Bin Laden. Depraved.
BEAUTIFUL THINGS:
Australia. The country and its people comforted me during the terrorist attacks.
My last conversation with Ed Whalen, the day before my mom's funeral. A simple talk between friends unaffected by the difference in our age. Real.
On a trip to New Orleans to visit my friend Aaron Neville, I found myself standing with 60 Minutes co-anchor, Ed Bradley, not 10 ft. away from Aaron and Paul Simon when they teamed up for an impromptu duet on Bridge Over Troubled Water. As Aaron sang, Paul mouthed the word "wow" as he strummed the guitar. Yep, wow!
NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS:
To get my son to hockey practice on time.
And ... to finish my book!
I wish you all a new year filled with new hopes and dreams and the tenacity to keep on striving for the old ones; the love and comfort of those close to you and the compassion to take a little time to provide companionship to those less fortunate or alone. Happy New Year!
------------------
Live As If You'll Die Tomorrow, Dream As If You'll Live Forever
[This message has been edited by Hitman (edited 12-31-2001).]
