Warmed up today--got all the way to 12 degrees F!  That's about 30 degrees warmer than yesterday.  But grey and snowing and still pretty darned cold. Locals were complaining about how cold it is in the arena.  It did seem colder than the last couple of days, but that might have been because there weren't as many people.  Monday is a working day.

Before I headed out this morning, I got through another big round of feedback and then reading proofs on one of the books I helped write.  Also sent off the materials for the workshop in St. Louis--deadline today! Didn't stop for any frivolities like geocaching, though.

The 2:00 draw had two games that ended on nail-biters.  In both cases, the team with the last rock had it to win, and in both cases they made the hit they had to make but then rolled the shooter out and lost.  This included the home team, so a groaner. But one thing I like about curling is that it is a friendly sport.  Teams that can't win concede before the game is over, and they always shake hands, no matter who wins.   The hometown crowd cheers any good shot.  There was one big one today where the Manitoba team, led by not just the home province boy, but actually the hometown boy, Brandon born and bred, fell victim to an amazing shot, and the whole arena cheered.  That's my kind of sport.

Last game of the night took a brilliant shot to win, and this time the skip made it.  Very exciting.

Spent some of today trying to get people to explain to me why the change to the five-rock rule from the four-rock rule has changed the game so much.  Much higher scoring now; many fewer blank ends (ends in which no one scores).  Big comebacks from deep deficits.  No one gave me a very satisfactory explanation.  Will continue to seek enlightenment!

Three more rounds tomorrow; will probably stay in for round one.  Two draws is really enough for me; I end up quite tired after all that!

Interesting sidelight:  between the hotel and the curling venue, I have to cross over the Assiniboine River.  This is kind of fun for me--a case of fiction come to life.  I am a big fan of Ivan Doig's Montana series, and Fort Assiniboine features in a couple of them.  This is an historical fort way north in Montana--near the Canadian border.  Turns out I'm visiting the home of some of my favorite fiction.  See the world.  Learn stuff!