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It’s been a week now, and the Olympic hangover still feels unlike any other.
My fingers are only able to punch up three channels on the TV remote, for example.
Every circular object I see — car wheels, Tim Horton’s donuts, Ken Hitchcock — seems to morph into the Olympic rings.
Worst of all, that I Believe song echoes in my brain like a background headache, never taking over completely but never really going away, either.
So bear with me if I don’t have the attention span to write an actual column today. Some quick hits will have to do.
Here’s looking back at some of the happenings in the toy department over the last couple of weeks.
* On the mystery of Sidney Crosby’s missing stick and glove, the ones he used to score The Goal.
Am I the only one who thinks Reebok is milking this for all it’s worth? I even saw the exact model number of Crosby’s stick — and the retail price — in one story.
That $10,000 reward Reebok is offering? The best advertising money could ever buy.
What is it about Crosby and his gear? Remember how his jersey disappeared after the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks? The guy obviously needs his parents to make sure he leaves the rink with all his stuff.
* On the drudgery of regular-season NHL games compared to the Olympics.
In some ways having its players take part in the Winter Games is bad for the NHL, simply because its product pales in comparison.
How many fights or dirty hits to the head did we see in Vancouver?
* On the Blue Bombers hitching their wagon to free agent quarterback Steven Jyles.
Interesting to hear head coach Paul LaPolice go out of his way to soft sell the Jyles signing, insisting the former Rider is not being anointed the starter.
So far, the new boss seems to be reading from the coaching manual labelled, Do Everything The Opposite Of What The Last Guy Did.
Which, in his case, might not be a bad thing.
Jyles and Stefan LeFors will fight it out for the starter’s job in training camp (everybody remain calm), which means the Bombers’ No. 1 question, once again, revolves around the most pivotal position.
* On Casey Printers signing a long-term deal with the B.C. Lions.
And to think, Printers was there for the taking much of last season, especially for the quarterback-starved Bombers and Toronto Argos.
When those franchises needed one most, there wasn’t a quarterback guru to be found.
* On the Saskatchewan Roughriders hiring former Bombers Doug Berry, Jim Daley and Bob Dyce as coaches, Dan Goodspeed and Kelly Bates as players.
Apparently the first line of Riders GM Brendan Taman’s job description reads: Stoke rivalry with Winnipeg early and often.
* On Jim Barker, the runner-up to Joe Mack for the Winnipeg GM job, taking the head coaching reins in Toronto.
With the jury still out on the Bombers' biggest front-office move, the hiring of Mack, the verdict will be handed down in two places: Toronto, where Barker is probably on his way to replacing Argos GM Adam Rita, and Regina, where Taman landed after the Bombers couldn't get his name on a contract.
The second guessing will be easy, and we’ll be happy to lead it.
* On B.C. Lions owner David Braley buying the Argos, too.
One man with two votes around an eight-team governor's table? Only in the CFL.
* On last week's NHL trade deadline.
What, it's over? Must have slept through it.
* On rumours the NHL was supposed to be back in Winnipeg last week.
After seeing how much better the Olympics are than NHL hockey, are you sure you even want it anymore?
paul.friesen@sunmedia.ca