Black and White

No, I'm not talking about race relations. I'm talking about black and white television. I grew up with it. Our family had a big consuel color tv, but I had a small black and white in my room. I think I got it around 1975, or so, when I was laid up with Swine flu. It had a ear plug jack too. This enabled me to stay up late at night watching all sorts of things. I remember watching hockey, soccer, Wrestling at the Chase, western movies, Woodstock and Montery Pop, all in black and white. I remember Howard Cosell informing me and the nation that John Lennon was shot, during Monday Night Football.

The reason I am remembering black and white today, is that on the NHL Network, they were showing a playoff game today from 1971, and it was in black and white. It had the Toronto Maple Leafs (with Hall of Famers, Daryell Sitler and Bernie Perrant) contesting the New York Rangers (with HoFers, Brad Park and Clark Gilles). The game was so much better back then. No advertising on the boards or the ice like now. The play was different. Not as much sensless crushing people into the boards. That's not to say there wasn't any rought stuff. Each time somebody skated by someone else, elbows were up and there was a lot more open ice hitting going on. There was a 5 man fight in the first period and several fights in the second period, including 2 5 man fights. Good stuff. I didn't see the 3rd as we went out for family activities.

I had a nice ride this morning, a 20 mile route thru Fenton, Sunset Hills and Crestwood. Not much flat. Started from my house to Bowels and the first hill. Once by the hospital, I went down, reaching 50km. Turned right onto Horan, then right onto Larkin Williams and up the short steep hill into Old Town. Over the bridge and the industrial flats of Sunset Hills. This would be the last flat for a while. Up Old Gravois/Kinnerly. It'll be a great climb after they finish the roadwork. As of now, the pavement sucks. At least today, they weren't working, so I didn't have to worry about any one way traffic situations. Once at the top, it was time for rolling hill after rolling hill. Kinnerly to Sappington to Eddie and Park to West Watson. Then, Rott gave me some flats again. I took the path into Minne Ha Ha Park, back over the olde bridge, then up 141 to Bowles and back home. This is a good route. About an hour and 20 minutes on the fixed gear, including stop lights and signs. I am getting fitter, the climbs don't seem as bad anymore. In fact, I like them.