Hi everyone! It’s been a bit of a rough week for Steve. Work has been super stressful this week due to the fact it’s summer time, meaning we are constantly short-staffed due to the summer holidays, but that also means the paycheques are getting bigger due to an increase in hours, so I can’t complain too much. I just wish I had more time to devote to this site and to my writing, which when I don’t get to do, I tend to get a little stressed, and frankly, a little cranky because writing is my drug. Well, unless I have a fridge full of Alexander Keith’s amber ales, then THAT’S my drug of choice. But writing is second, so it’s nice to finally get the chance to put down a few thoughts down. Luckily for me, it’s the weekend, but not just any other weekend; it’s Canada Day weekend, meaning three full days off, and since it is going to be disgustingly hot and humid in Ottawa the next few days, I’ve got an excuse to stay inside and relax and write.

Last weekend was the Ottawa Small Book Fair, which I attended with absolutely no expectations. I told my wife I would be surprised if I sold three or four copies, and she was surprised I would set my bar so low. There’s a reason for that. At the Seals/Barons 50th anniversary event last October, I sold fifteen books, which I was informed by other writers in attendance that this total was pretty impressive and that I should not expect such luck at all book signings. It’s also important to remember that literally everyone there had some sort of connection or devotion to the Seals, so I wasn’t all that surprised people were excited to fork over $40 for a signed copy. This time around, however, I didn’t sell a single copy, but I still consider the Small Book Fair to be a success because 1) most of the writers there were selling poetry and paperback novels which were selling for less than $20 (some poetry was self-published in small booklets, so they were going for just a few bucks each). My fancy hardcover book didn’t stand much of a chance; 2) I got to meet some great writers, and we all got to bounce ideas off each other; and 3) I now know where I’ll try to sell books in the future, and I have some great ideas on how to promote my work, so all in all, not a bad time at all this past weekend. Considering it costs just $12.50 for a half-table, I’ll probably try my luck again this fall.

As for new stuff on the site this week, there is a new article on the little-remembered Finley ultimatum from September 1970. When Finley bought the Seals during the summer, he thought many players hadn’t pulled their own weight the season before, which is an odd thing to say since Finley was not even there when the Seals got swept by Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs.

There is also a brand new induction to the Overexposed wing of the Hockey Hall of Shame. It is a screaming good time, I can promise you that.

Next week, there will be no update as I’ll be preparing for the big reveal: Who will be the three new inductees to the Seals Hall of Fame? Voting will officially end Friday, July 6, so if you haven’t voted yet, do so before it’s too late. The newest inductees will be announced the following week, July 13.

Until next time, stay gold!