Our Grey Cup disappointment is now nine days behind us, yet I still wish to share some of the notes I kept in a daily journal of our first four days in Vancouver.

Day one, Tuesday

Much of the buzz on this travel day was about the remarks of our commissioner at the trophy ceremony of the West Division final where Mark Cohon told Wally Buono and the crowd, "You are hosting the Grey Cup, now you can bring it home to your fans... Good luck next week."

We had CFL COO Michael Copeland present our trophy after winning the East Division earlier that day -- without the presumptuous remarks. After some reflection, if I was the commissioner, I probably would have spoken those same words to David Braley's team. In fact, every night before I go to sleep, I have my suspicions that Mark and I share the same prayer. "Please Lord, look after our families, our friends, and the financial and physical well-being of David Braley -- the future of the CFL depends on him."

It was no surprise that our fan base sent us on our way with an incredible showing and fervent support from the new airport in Winnipeg. We were also greeted by a swarm of fans and media at the Vancouver airport, one of whom carried a sign that read, "Welcome to Vancouver, you'll have a riot!"

Day two, Wednesday

After one night of life in the Hyatt, I have come to the realization our per diem of $110 a day may not be sufficient to eat for a week, especially after breakfast in my hotel room, which consisted of a bowl of oatmeal and a glass of grapefruit juice, cost $27.

The first indication we are at the Grey Cup? We have two buses to go to practice and everywhere else. We normally pile all the coaches, players, trainers, etc. into the overhead bins and storage bays in one bus during road trips in the regular season.

Today is our first day of practice and our first look at the new stadium, and what a sight to behold. The brand new field turf, the stands and the roof all look like money well spent, even though part of the field was cordoned off due to a waterfall-sized leak. They spent over half a billion dollars on refurbishing this stadium and what looks to be about $12.56 on the locker-rooms.

There is something to be said, however, about practising indoors in Vancouver after playing outside in the elements in Winnipeg for a month. That kind of cold makes you really appreciate a controlled environment and practice seems so much faster when everything is warm. I'm not sure if that is to our advantage or disadvantage? Went for dinner at the Black and Blue steakhouse with a collection of high school and university football friends. I split a 60-ounce steak with my buddy and added a side of broccoli for good measure -- balance is key.

Day three, Thursday

We had the Eastern Division Champion Media Breakfast this morning. All was going well until I went to get some juice. Fifty-seven minutes later I finished my last interview and all the players at my table had left.

Practice was closed today -- a welcome respite from having cameras up your nose while doing seven-minute swagger abs, pushups and running.

Went the the Gibsons Finest CFL player awards. It was short and sweet, and a great speech was given by Jovon Johnson. Cannot overstate my disappointment with Jerrell Freeman's remarks after his loss to Jovon, though. "I think I obviously had a better year, but I'm not sure what the media looks for. Maybe it's that (the Bombers) had more wins, but I'm not really sure. I don't know... I guess eight interceptions is good enough." Sometimes players need to ask themselves what they are planning on accomplishing by speaking their mind. If Jerrell's purpose was to come across as a jaded whiner, mission accomplished.

Day four, Friday

The last practice of the 2011 season and last ever for me. It was very spirited and a lot like your last day of school. I now know my career is winding down at the right time after I ran into Angelo Mosca (pre-fight) and Henoc Muamba in the hotel lobby. After exchanging pleasantries with one of the greatest and most fearsome defensive linemen who has ever played this game, Enoc and I got on the elevator where he proceeded to ask me with a straight face if I had played at all with Angelo throughout my career.

Doug Brown, a hard-hitting defensive tackle with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and even harder-hitting columnist, appears Tuesdays in the Free Press.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 6, 2011 D4