And Now, the End is Near...

by blurr1974 on Dec 31, 2009 5:00 AM EST

And so I face, the final curtain.

Well gang, that's it for 2009. Say good bye to the first decade of the century while you're at it. I've no idea what 2010 and beyond holds for the Leafs, but I can't be the only one who is glad to see this year, or even the decade, come to an end.

Sure we've had good times. We've seen players achieve incredible feats, make cross crease pass like we don't believe and we even got to see a glimpse of the future. Plus, who can forget this gem? Go ahead and click that one again. I love Ron Wilson...

Unfortunately, we've also seen our share of moments that make us cringe in disbelief or maybe just leave us in the fetal position. Moving on...

Join me after the jump for more links, hyjinks, a round of drinks and an announcement methinks.

As Sid (by way of Ol' Blue Eyes) says, he did it his way, and I've always tried to do it mine. Regrets, I've had a few, but too few to mention (except for that one.)

So, not only am I bidding adieu to 2009, I'm vacating the weekday FTB anchor chair. I'll still be around, annoying you with my minimal hockey sense and general apathy towards your opinion, I just won't be using the FTB for it.

Life has gotten a little chaotic for me in California, but it's all in a good way. I decided that I wasn't giving this opportunity the attention it (and you all) deserved. Rather than give a half-assed effort, I thought it best if PPP and Chemmy found someone with a whole ass to give, as I've given mine to something else.

I've no idea what the plan is going forward, I just know I can't wait to see who picks up the FTB mantel, and more importantly, read their opinions on the stories making the rounds in the Barilkosphere. And of course, as always, to read what everyone else thinks of them.

Have a fantastic New Years Eve. Be safe, and enjoy it with loved ones.

And GO LEAFS GO!

One last time, here are your morning links, with love from blurr...

Somebody needs a hug. Poor eyebleaf has lost his mojo, and it's bringing me down. I do agree however, Drew Doughty is no Luke Schenn, and vice versa.
Jared is building an Olympic hockey team out of spare parts. Can Canada just enter three hockey teams, and go for the medal sweep?
When it comes to the captaincy and Ian White, Steve is hoping for the status quo.
Pamplemousse would like you to meet....Pamplemousse. On a personal note, I'm really excited about this new blog. No pressure Mr. mousse, but I've always enjoyed your thoughtful comments here. Can't wait to see what's on your mind.
Hockey or Die! has two thoughts about Team Canada: Where's Martin St. Louis and why not Mike Green?

Poll

If 2009 were a candy it would be

Pop Rocks

8 votes

Warheads

13 votes

Gobstopper

28 votes

Circus Peanuts

52 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 1 recs |

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Comments

blurr

you’ve always done a great job, and I salute you for it. Happy New Year

THIS IS A JOKE

by loser domi on Dec 31, 2009 8:06 AM EST reply actions

Thanks for the fun Blurr!

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Dec 31, 2009 8:33 AM EST up reply actions

also

Mrs. Tavares goes to work over at BMR

THIS IS A JOKE

by loser domi on Dec 31, 2009 8:10 AM EST reply actions

You really, really need to stop losing bets.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Dec 31, 2009 11:34 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Great job, Blurr

And Happy New Year everyone!

-- Rock

My blog: Greetings From SoCal
My Twitter: RockFromSoCal

by Rock Outta SoCal on Dec 31, 2009 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Great Job Blurr

and the rest of the people here at PPP, you guys all rock

Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding

by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 31, 2009 8:59 AM EST reply actions

Happy New Year Blurr. Thanks for helping to make PPP the best Leafs site on the planet.

Vintage Leafs Blog

by somny on Dec 31, 2009 9:49 AM EST reply actions

Awesome job, blurr.

…you will be missed in the FTB. Thanks for all your hard work and Happy New Year!!!!1

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog

"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)

by jrwendelman on Dec 31, 2009 9:59 AM EST reply actions

First Mattblack and now Blurr?
WHEN WILL THE MADNESS END?

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 31, 2009 10:11 AM EST reply actions

Wait, Mattblack is leaving too? How did I miss this?

SHOCK! OPPROBRIUM! LOUD NOISES!

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog

"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)

by jrwendelman on Dec 31, 2009 10:16 AM EST up reply actions

nah, Mattblack used to be the daily FTB, but noooo, he had to go and get a job

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 31, 2009 10:25 AM EST up reply actions

Good Lord, I thought my whole world was crumbling down around me.

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog

"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)

by jrwendelman on Dec 31, 2009 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Great Job again Blurr! Good luck with the California Chaos!

Brain: The irony of it all, Pinky. Years of trying to take over the world, and all I had to do was say "truculence".
Follow me I'm Boring!

by blindfolded tank driver on Dec 31, 2009 10:28 AM EST reply actions

thanks

for the kind words everybody!

have a happy new year. i’m trying to get out of work by noon today, hope the rest of you working stiffs can do the same!

I have nothing interesting to say.

by blurr1974 on Dec 31, 2009 10:31 AM EST reply actions

Over the years blurr, I’ve come to regard you as someone I once met….

Just jokes :) You’ve done a great job with the hardest role in sports blogging!

Dum spiro spero

by Mattblack on Dec 31, 2009 11:02 AM EST reply actions

I’ve just woken up and now I’m going drinking. Hope you all have a good New Year.

Take care guys.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Dec 31, 2009 11:42 AM EST via mobile reply actions

Well played Mr. Blurr.

May the wind be always at your back.

Why do we do this to ourselves?

by Kenjamin on Dec 31, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Sad day

Thanks for the FTB’s blurr. Hopefully you will still be stopping by the CC to tell us that what we are listening to is crap and to get off your lawn.
Also, we should thank Blurr for giving us the greatest FTB ever.
Just enjoy this

Fairweather fans can go to hell

by leafer1984 on Dec 31, 2009 12:22 PM EST reply actions

Happy New Year to you too Mr. Blurr.

by birky on Dec 31, 2009 1:25 PM EST reply actions

Happy New Year All

And thanks for the kind words Blurr!

Unable to actually speak French since 1980.

by Pamplemousse on Dec 31, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions

And...

We’ll miss you on the FTB’s.

Unable to actually speak French since 1980.

by Pamplemousse on Dec 31, 2009 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

Happy new year

And also sad to hear about the FTB stuff, blurr. Thanks for everything.

"Luke Schenn is Stronger than Strength."
Truculence is Everything: Vote for the Leaf of the Decade Today.
Check me out on Twitter, too.

by Marc Pilgrim on Dec 31, 2009 2:37 PM EST reply actions

Sad to see you go Blurr….as for your poll, maybe it’s just me but I think 2009 was like the remnants of a 23 year old half-eaten humbug sweet, covered in lint and found in the pockets of a homeless man who died in 2007 and was partially eaten by feral cats.

Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...

by mf37 on Dec 31, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions

Happy and safe New Year to you and your family, Blurr

You have done a fantastic job of the FTB – Half ass or any other fraction of ass that you have put into it.

See you around!

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 31, 2009 6:21 PM EST reply actions

blurr-
You have always been and will always be the man. PPP wouldn’t be what it is without your incredible contributions.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Dec 31, 2009 7:02 PM EST reply actions

Damn

Thanks for doing what you’ve done with the FTBs, blurr. I’ll miss the wit and the style you brought to this role. Whoever takes over has a tough act to follow.

Happy New Year to you and everybody here!

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Dec 31, 2009 7:08 PM EST reply actions