Rhubarb Report 056

Happy Holidays! It is that special time of year again, a time that we run around frantically from store to store, curse the traffic, and agonize over getting just the right gift for Uncle Fred. Ah the special enjoyment that the holidays bring us [insert sarcasm here].

Oh, wait, there’s more, or maybe not. With this year’s holiday season comes something a little different, courtesy of the Mayan calendar. The world might just end on December 21. That sure would take the edge off of last-minute Christmas shopping. I am sure that our friends in New Zealand can give us some lead time to let us know if December 22 makes an appearance. It will still be 5:00 am here in Austin, so 19 hours of lead time might be a good thing.

Meanwhile, plans move forward for the holiday season. So sit back, grab a glass of egg nog, and enjoy the latest episode of the Rhubarb Report.

1. Justice has finally been served: Canadian super group (if ever there was a super group) Rush has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, and Alex Lifeson will be inducted on April 18, 2013 - not that any red-blooded Canadian ever doubted it. Rush has been producing critically-acclaimed music and road shows for 44 years, so their induction is well overdue.

Rush will be inducted along with another Canadian band, Heart, and the likes of Public Enemy, Donna Summer, Albert King, and Randy Newman. Congratulations!

2. While I am mentioning “important Canadians”, thoughts would have to drift to hockey – Canada’s national pastime (yet not the official sport – that belongs to lacrosse). Once again, the National Hockey League (NHL) is in the midst of antagonizing its fans by having yet another labor dispute. At this point, games have been canceled through the end of the year. Both sides are barely talking, and the rest of the season is on the verge of collapse – again.

When will the NHL (and, for that matter, any other pro sports teams) learn? The fans are what drive the economic viability of the teams and the sport. No fans? No income. No games? No fans. Go ahead and debate the inner workings of income and percentages and shares, but the bottom line is that it is all a moot point when you aren’t playing. When you aren’t playing, you aren’t making any income – and the fans are forgotten in the process.

3. The University of Texas Longhorns finally got a big win last night when they beat the University of North Carolina at the Frank Erwin Center. If they can get anywhere near consistent enough to challenge for a berth in March Madness this year, I am sure the tournament selection committee will look at this as a “signature” win. It was a strong performance against the #21 team in the country.

However, the long-term success of the Longhorns this season rests on the return (or not) of Myck Kabongo. The Canadian sophomore point guard continues to await a verdict from the NCAA regarding his eligibility. It has now been 11 games without a decision from the NCAA. Why the wait? Either let him play or rule him ineligible – but make the call one way or the other.

Or, as Rush once noted -

“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice”.

More compelling words could not have been spoken. Rush knows music – but they obviously know the NCAA too.

Photo credits: Wikipedia