Freddie P's Blog

July 30, 2007 @ 09:35

In Memphis.

Category: The Trailer

July 27, 2007 @ 10:02

We arrived in Memphis yesterday and immediately went for a stroll along Beale Street.

Beal Streat is similar to Bourbon St. in New Orleans, just not quite as long. Beale St. like Bourbon St. is closed to traffic and features a wide selection of bars and restaurants.

The heat was punishing here yesterday with the temperature flirting with 90 degrees. We had a brief thunderstorm in the afternoon, but it did nothing to take the heat away.

For dinner we went to the most famous rib place in Memphis. It's called "Rendevous" and although it's the most famous in Memphis, we didn't find the ribs as tasty as they were at "Jack's Barbeque" in Nashville.

Having said that, there's really no comparison between Nashville and Memphis when it comes to what the city core has to offer. Nashville was surprisingly quiet and somewhat depressed, while Memphis seems alive. Last night the streets were crowded with people.

Another bonus to Memphis from my perspective is the location of our hotel, the "Doubletree" on Union Street. It's right across the street from "Autopark Stadium" and tonight we plan on catching a Triple A baseball game between the Memphis Rebirds and Sacramento.

This afternoon we're making the trip out to "Graceland" to get sucked into all the touristy bullshit it has to offer, and we're also going to check out the assassination location of Martin Luther King.

Check back Monday and I'll give you the low down on Graceland and a few other things.

In the mean time, here's what kids do for tips on Beale St.

Category: Stuff

July 26, 2007 @ 09:14

Today we're on the road to Memphis where we plan to take in more sights and sounds.

Even thought I could give two shits about Elvis I'm going to Graceland because that's what you're supposed to do in Memphis.

I'm anxious to get a taste of the music, apparently it's somewhat different than what's offered in Nashville. More soul and blues.

During our farewell night in Nashville, after a big feed of King Crab legs, we popped into several bars and once again were amazed at the talent level - at one bar on Broadway called "Roberts Western World" we discovered a band that was simply amazing. "The Travis Mann Band."

The blond guy in the forefront was simply amazing with his guitar.

Here's a small snippet. The blond guy in the forefront was simply amazing with his guitar.

And before I start the mini-van and point it towards Memphis, here's something else for you to enjoy. Some funny country music.

Category: Stuff

July 25, 2007 @ 09:59

Nashville, Tennessee - I realize a strong dollar can be a problem for Canadian exporters, but when you're traveling in the United States, a strong loonie is fabulous.

Yesterday when I went to a bank machine and withdrew a couple of hundred bucks, I was amazed to find out the Canadian dollar was flirting with 97 cents - so for all intents and purposes, it's par. And in some cases its better than par.

Take beer for instance. Beer is so cheap down here when you consider what we used to pay on the exchange, and what we pay now, a lot of the beer I've been drinking is free.

Yesterday I was in a place called the Broadway Brewhouse in downtown Nashville which offers more than a hundred beers on tap and their happy hour runs from 11am till 7pm.

A 16 ounce glass of draft is two dollars. At home, the average price for a draft that size would be about five dollars.

Anyway, I did the math.

A few short years ago, yesterdays draft would have cost be three dollars Canadian, but yesterday it cost me $2.07 Canadian. So compared to when our dollar was worth roughly half of what the American dollar was, yesterday I drank a third of the beer for free.

Not bad eh?

Or, you can look at it from this angle. What cost me 2.07 in Nashville, would have cost me at least five dollars in Toronto. So it wasn't until my third beer yesterday that I actually started payin'.

Not too bad eh?

Restaurant food is another beast. I noticed this a few years ago when our dollar was still struggling against the American greenback. Menu prices in the States, in most places, mirror what they are in Canada.

There are exceptions, but who wants to go to a sloppy buffet with a bunch of fat geriatric Americans?

Yesterday we did some more sightseeing and it included the old and the new. First we went to have a look at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel which sits in the suburbs of Nashville.

It's one of those hotel theme-park things that is great if you travel down here with a family, but is next to useless if you really want to enjoy what Nashville is really supposed to be about.

It's got close to three thousand rooms and a huge atrium that's filled with stuff designed to suck every last dollar out of your jeans.

This area is also home to the new Grand Ole Opry, which seems weird. Weird that something so historic and famous would end up out in the boonies.

Afterwards we went back downtown and visited the Ryman Theatre, which is actually the authentic Grand Ole Opry that was rebuilt in the 90's after sitting empty for close to 20 years.

The Gaylord fella who built the big hotel outside of town donated eight million dollars to restore the Ryman when Nashville city council threatened to tear it down.

It's a wonderful place that reeks of history. If you're down here take the guided tour for 16 bucks. It's worth it, even if you're not really a country music fan.

The tour also provided a funny American story. At the beginning the tour guide asked everyone where they were from.

"Texas" said one.
"Maryland" said another.
Oklahoma and Nebraska were two others.

When it came to me I said "Toronto".

After a couple of other people named the States they were from I just had to ask the question.

"Hey people" I said. "Why do say the State you're from and not the city?"

"What are you talking about" said the woman from Maryland. "You named your country."

No kidding.

One other thing we did yesterday was have dinner at a place called the Cheesecake Factory. It's a chain my wife has visited while traveling in the States and she insisted we go to the Nashville location last night.

Fabulous. Especially the appetizers. The Avocado rolls and the Fresh Tai egg rolls are crazy.

That's it for now. Today we tour the Country Music Hall of Fame and then tomorrow we head for Memphis

Category: Stuff

July 24, 2007 @ 10:45

Nashville, Tennessee - Nashville is one of those cities where reality is much different from perception.

When we first arrived yesterday the city looked small from the highway with only one skyscraper, but when it's surrounded by a large football stadium and a major league hockey arena you assume its just another major market.

It wasn't until we checked into our hotel and started to explore that we realized this is a tiny city.

The main attractions are lower Broadway Ave., 2nd Street and Printers Alley and that's about it - and you could probably walk the area in less than an hour.

Nashville appears to be hurting a bit with several closed down shops and restaurants throughout the tourist area, and there seems to be signs for office space everywhere.

A city with the image of Nashville tends to be inflated in our minds because of its significance to music, it's history and its exposure - it's also one of those cities that when you arrive you're not so much disappointed as surprised.

I expected it to be bigger than life and a lot more polished, something like New Orleans, but instead it's somewhat tired, and for the middle of July very quiet.

We did a walk about last night, and outside of one regular bar and one karaoke bar the streets were bare and there wasn't much going on.

Needless to say Nashville is a city that attracts up and comers, wannabes and losers and we saw a sampling of each yesterday.

In the bars the quality of performer is a cut above what you'd see anywhere else. Performers come here to be discovered and part of that strategy is to do bar gigs for nothing more than tips. Anywhere else and they'd probably be paid for their ability.

The karaoke bars are interesting because they showcase vocal talent to the hilt. Singers choose popular songs and belt them out. Believe me, Nashville is not a place for casual karaoke enthusiasts - at no time last night did I even consider getting up and doing my rendition of "Candy Man".

What would be applauded in Toronto would be laughed off the stage in Nashville.

The most amusing act we saw yesterday was a female group called the Maynard Triplets from Omaha. Blond, attractive identical triplets with fabulous voices - baby come on!

If they have one drawback its their weight. They tried out for America Idol and Simon Cowell said they looked like three overweight Jessica Simpsons, to which they replied "we promise to lose weight."

Judging by yesterday, they still have some work to do and I guess that's why they find themselves doing karaoke in Nashville.

That may sound cruel but it's reality. I don't have to tell you how tough breaking into this business can be, and looks, especially for women is a big part of it.

One other thing I noticed yesterday was the subtle campaign to keep the Predators in Nashville. Although most of the bars displayed "Tennessee Titan" banners and paraphernalia, there was very little "Predator" stuff.

Over the next few days I plan to engage a Nashvillian with a little hockey talk and I'll let you know what I learn. In the mean time, check this out.

Category: Stuff

July 23, 2007 @ 11:55

In Atlanta

Category: The Trailer

July 23, 2007 @ 09:02

Believe me; I know this is not unique. Everyone has an Air Canada story because simply put, it's just not a very good airline and Friday night a got a large dose of their incompetence.

What was supposed to be a direct flight from Toronto to Atlanta at 5:15, arriving at 7:20 turned into a connecting flight New York, departing at 6:30 and arriving in Atlanta at midnight.

Here's what happened.

Because my wife has an American Express Platinum Card through her work place, we have access to the Air Canada lounge and believe me, it's a nice perk for a beer drinkin', trailer lovin' redneck such as myself.

Anyway, we arrived at the Air Canada lounge at about four o'clock giving us about 45 minutes to have a couple of drinks and as we were showing our credentials at the lounge, the woman at he desk told us our flight had been delayed till six.

"That's odd" I said. "We just checked in and they didn't say anything down there."

"It just happened" said the woman.

No big deal we thought. It would give a little more time in the lounge, and a 45 minute delay was nothing to complain about. The woman told us to be at the gate at 5:30 instead of 4:45.

Me, my wife and our good friend Lori Love enjoyed ourselves in the lounge and about 5:25 made out way to the gate.

I knew there was something wrong as I approached Gate 166 and their appeared to be none there. No one except and Air Canada woman who quickly told me our flight had just left the gate and we had missed it by about three minutes.

"But they me it had been delayed until six" I said.

"I realize that sir, but it was changed back to 5:30 when some bad weather cleared."

"How was I supposed to know that?" I asked.

"We made an announcement throughout the airport" she said.

"But I was in the Air Canada lounge, and I didn't hear a thing."

"Unfortunately sir, nobody made a call to the lounge."
"Why" I asked. "Isn't that part of the deal."

"Normally yes" she replied, "but in this case the call wasn't made. I'm sorry."

"I'm sorry. What good do does that do me right now? My flight is on its way to Atlanta and I'm not on it, so what do I do now?

"Go to customer service" she offered.

This story could go on forever, but I'll spare you all the grimy details. Just let me tell you from that point on, it was typical Air Canada arrogance and buck passing.

The guy at customer service was helpful, but he ended up putting us on a connecting flight through La Guardia that we had no chance connecting. We ended up on a nine o'clock flight thanks to Delta Airlines, but no before being tagged at security and having everything done to me just short of having a probe stuck up my ass.

A two hour direct flight turned into a six hour nightmare.

I should also make two other points.

In Toronto I went back to the Air Canada lounge to voice my displeasure with the woman who originally told me about the delay. I pointed out that if she had taken on the responsibility to tell me about the delay, maybe the system should have allowed for some important updates.

She was quick to retort that it wasn't her fault and if I wanted to continue the conversation I could do it with the police.

It seems some airport employees are taking the new security measures a bit too far, I'm not an idiot, I'm an excitable guy, but I hardly raised my voice to the woman - I was just adamant in my argument but she was embarrassed and her defense was to threaten me.

And one last thing. Apparently a major part of new security measures means no bag can be put onto a plane if the passenger doesn't board the plane.

In other words, if Fred Patterson arrives at the airport and checks a bag, and then Fred Patterson doesn't board the plane, then Fred Patterson's suitcase should not be allowed on the plane. Makes sense.

My bag flew to Atlanta, on time, on the original flight. So did my wife's and so did Lori's

How's that for security?

Category: Stuff

July 23, 2007 @ 09:01

The first thing you notice about Atlanta is how clean it is. It's like Toronto used to be.

It really hit home over the weekend.

In Toronto, and around the GTA we've always had this smugness about us while comparing ourselves to American cities. Well something shocking has happened over the past decade or so.

While cities like New York and Atlanta have experienced re-birth and revitalization, Toronto has gone the other way.

I didn't see a long of graffiti in Atlanta and I definitely didn't see much litter. The streets of Atlanta and the downtown core are very clean and it's really become a people's city.

We also had a rental car and Saturday night we traveled out to the suburbs, a place called Conyers which would be the equivalent of Mississauga.

There was no litter on the highways and no litter on the off-ramps. Completely different to what we've become used to in the GTA.

The downtown area of Atlanta is similar to Toronto with one distinct difference - It shuts down on Sunday. There's a completely different attitude towards the Sabbath in the south and most of the downtown stores were closed yesterday and its against the law to sell beer wine or liquor on Sunday.

It was only in recent history that restaurants were allowed to sell booze on Sundays.

Highlights of our stopover included a tour of CNN. Not the greatest tour I've ever been on, but worth the 12 dollars if you don't mind all the woman asking about Anderson Cooper.

We toured the Buckhead area of Atlanta which would be the equivalent of your Rosedale or Bridal Path. However, the homes here are of a different architecture and feel - obviously very southern.

They have an area downtown called the Underground which is exactly that, a mall underground, and close to the Underground area is something called Five Points which would be similar to our Queen Street West.

Last night we took the subway, or what they call the Marta to the Braves game against St. Louis. Atlanta is just another one of those cities to build a retro-park since Toronto built the Skydome.

It really is nice to sit outside on a summer's night in a park made especially for baseball.

In some ways the Skydome suits Toronto right now. Not quite in step with the rest of North America's major centres, cities like Atlanta that appears to have solved all the problems that David Miller is confused by right now.

If there is one contentious issue in Atlanta right now it deals with Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. Since he was charged with that "dog fighting felony", it has split opinion in the usual way.

Those who don't like football or those who don't really care about sports want to see the skunks ass nailed to a wall. But then there's that element that just care about winning football games - those who buy into the attitude that pro athletes are above the law and should be excused from anything as long as they continue to deliver.

Vick has that attitude. Last week during an interview, he actually came right out and said it. "I'm Mike Vick, nothing's going to happen."

A racial division is also quite apparent. Most white people think he should be suspended from the NFL right now, while most blacks feel the opposite.

And just before I go I'll leave you with this. Last week I mentioned we'd be going to a Southern Barbeque on Saturday night, and we did.

Here is a video of my buddy Darren's plate.

Category: Stuff

July 20, 2007 @ 09:34

It was a great segment of radio this morning between 8:30 and nine on the Bill Carroll Show.

Kudos to Bill for having enough balls to attack the game of soccer and going as far as to claim they should bulldoze BMO Field.

It case you didn't hear, there was a major incident at BMO field last night, during and after the World Cup under 20 game between Chile and Argentina.

It started on the field with the Chileans complaining about bad referring, and then escalated after the game as the Chileans boarded their bus.

Police had to escort the officiating team off the field, and then after leaving their dressing room the Chilean players actually engaged the police to the point where a taser gun had to be used.

The segment on Carroll's show was riveting. Absolutely amazing to hear soccer fans call in and blame the police for the behaviour of the fans and players.

Fans attempted to run onto the field, but it was the police who were criticized for trying to prevent it. And after the game, when police decided it might be best to make sure the Chileans got right on the bus and didn't mingle with the crowd, they were criticized for that.

Some callers to the Carroll show insisted on excusing the behaviour of the fans and players based on the officiating and that's even more ridiculous.

Bottom line - as Carroll says soccer and hooliganism go together and we really don't need it in Toronto. We have other sports where for the most part, the vast majority of the time, fans acts like normal people.

This was a horrible incident, but already the behaviour of fans has been called into question for regular season games involving Toronto FC - there's something weird about this sport and what goes on around it.

"I hate soccer" said Carroll.

Right on Bill.

Category: Radio | Sports

July 20, 2007 @ 09:33

Later this afternoon I'm flying to Atlanta, Georgia where I'll begin a nine day holiday through the south.

(And I'm sure some of you who read and misinterpreted yesterdays posting "Welcome to the Neighbourhood" will think this is where I belong.)

Three days in Atlanta, three days in Nashville and three days in Memphis. That's the itinerary and thanks to my laptop computer, my amazing Nikon camera and high speed internet FreddieP.ca readers are going to join me every step of the way.

In Atlanta we're going tour CNN headquarters on Saturday afternoon, go to a private southern barbeque on Saturday night, and then on Sunday night we're going to Turner Field to watch the Braves and St. Louis Cardinals.

On Monday we're heading for Nashville where we'll take in all the sights and sounds of music city including Printers Alley and a fantastic steak house that Neighbour John told me about.

We'll check out the Grand Ole Opry, go to some neat bars with live music and maybe I'll get the pulse of the city regarding the Predators.

I also plan to check out the Predators arena and maybe take a tour around the Titan's stadium. I'm weird that way. I love looking at sports venues.

I've talked to several people over the past few weeks and I haven't met one person who didn't have fabulous things to say about Nashville.

On Thursday we'll shoot over to Memphis and do all you're supposed to do in Memphis, including visit the home of that fat bastard who died on the toilet 30 years ago next month.

It may sound gruesome, but I wouldn't mind doing a drive-by of the motel where the great Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. It's a bit of a downer, but it's history just the same.

It's going to be busy, but it's going to be fun so click on FreddieP.ca starting on Monday morning to see what's going on.

Loving yuz all, each and every one of yuz.

Category: Stuff

July 19, 2007 @ 08:36

There's something very interesting going on in the city of Brampton and it all centers around a mosque to be built at the corner of Sandlewood Parkway and Hurontario Street.

The project has been approved and it was championed along the way by Mayor Susan Fennell who isn't stupid. She realizes the changing face of Brampton and the GTA means ethnic votes and she wasn't about to stand in the way of the mosque, even if it meant turning her back on long time residents.

It's a sticky issue. The Muslim population of Brampton and Mississauga is absolutely thrilled that this structure, which could easily be described as ugly by many, is finally going to be built.

Unfortunately, hundreds of other Bramptonites aren't so thrilled. They've lived the area for a long time, invested a lot of time and money into their homes, and they don't want a big Mosque in their back-yard.

They attempted to block the project through parking, noise and traffic concerns, but after virtually every angle was tested it couldn't be stopped.

Needless to say the opponents have been accused of the usual with intolerance being at the top of the list. They were also referred to as ignorant and it was suggested they were over-reacting to 911.

But is this really a case of intolerance or is it a case of looking after your own interests?

To deny that having a Mosque built on the edge of a residential area will affect property values and the image of the neighbourhood is just plain silly, because it will.

Put yourself in this position. If you are any faith other than Muslim, how would you feel about a 10 thousand square foot Mosque being built in your neighbourhood? A mosque with a 96 foot tower and a large dome.

A mosque that needs two levels because women are not allowed to pray with men.

There is absolutely no doubt that this will have an affect on property values because once built it will instantly decrease the breadth of cliental. Whether anyone wants to admit it, believe it or acknowledge it there will be house hunters who will immediately choose not to live in the area - and when you get right down to it, can you blame them?

And it won't necessarily be because they don't like Muslims or they're "afraid" of Muslims, it could be the property value concerns, or because the architecture doesn't suit the area, or maybe they just don't want to live near a huge mosque where common practice is to oppress women.

For the most part Canada is a tolerant and welcoming nation, noted for its willingness to accept dramatic change. But sometimes too much is expected too fast.

In this case why couldn't the roles be reversed? Instead of looking at the long time residents of this neighbourhood and asking them to understand and open their minds and accept change, why couldn't it have been the other way?

Why couldn't those in favour of the project have been asked to understand the feelings of those already in the neighbourhood. Those who worked hard to buy their homes and establish a neighbourhood they are comfortable in, those who weren't quite ready for a mosque to be built on the corner.

To tell you the truth, I'm sure that request was made, but it obviously fell on deaf ears because it's becoming abundantly clear that it no longer works both ways in Canada.

There is so much wide open space in Peel Region I'm sure a compromise could have been reached to situate this building where it wouldn't be such an imposition, yet easily accessible to those who support it.

But it didn't happen. The Mosque will be built. And if you don't like it, you bloody well better get used to it.

Or move.

Category: Stuff

July 19, 2007 @ 08:34

David Miller has used the "C" word. On the heels of having his taxation plan deferred at city council on Monday, Miller has become of a fountain of ideas on how to make-up Toronto's fiscal shortfall and a casino is one of them.

Personally, I hate casinos. I think they're creepy places that attract too much of the wrong people and when I refer to the wrong people I mean people who have no business throwing good money after bad when they can't afford it.

To me, casinos are a legal form of theft. Look at the odds, look at the opulence and look at the profits. People may win from time to time at a casino, but that's a rare exception to the rule.

Most of the time casinos are stealing your money while praying on your desperation and naivety. Casinos have caused untold heartbreak in many families and created addiction where there was none before.

But beyond that you have to wonder where all the money goes. Like lotteries, casinos in Ontario were designed as a form of taxation with proceeds going to specific projects. But somewhere along the way we lost sight of all that.

The money raised can't really be traced to anything specific with most of it ending up in "general revenue" to be pissed away like regular tax dollars.

So even if Toronto does get a casino, who's to say Torontonians will ever really benefit from it or that the money will end up where it should - and is having a this form of taxation where senior citizens literally connect themselves to slot machines the way to go?

You can be sure that sooner than later signs and billboards will be posted for those suffering from a gambling addiction, much like they have in Niagara Falls and Windsor.

Some might argue that casinos are no different than cigarettes and alcohol, two other forms of taxation that can cause pain and suffering, but there's a distinct difference.

It's too late to ban cigarettes and alcohol, but it's not too late to stop building casinos.

Category: Politics

July 17, 2007 @ 11:28

I was pokin' around yesterday and I saw the latest results of the BBM - I think they call this one 2007-2 or something like that.

Over the years I've been amazed at how CHUM-FM can fluctuate so much. In this book they went up two share points - other years we've seen them drop two share points.

For the record, based on share, CHUM-FM is the most popular radio station in Toronto, even though; probably like me, you don't know anyone who listens to it.

It's hard to believe that so many people can like and then dislike the station in such short periods of time. It's a farce really.

I don't have the time or energy to get into it, but for those of you who don't know what BBM stands for, it means Bureau of Broadcast Measurement. It's an archaic and inaccurate way of measuring radio audience in Canada.

A household gets a ballot or diary for every member of the family and during a given week they have to write down what radio station they listened to in quarter hour segments. (I'm not kidding)

Apparently, in the coming months BBM will be introducing something called people meters where a select few will agree to wear meters that will record all radio stations that they come into contact with during a day.

It too will have some flaws, but it will definitely be better than the current system, and will probably provide some surprises. There a few stations in Toronto that probably don't have the audience they get credit for, they get numbers based on heritage and the fact that "mom" probably fills out ballots for dad and the kids.

I have a wide range of friends - both in age and income and they honestly can't believe it when I tell them CHUM-FM and CHFI lead the pack in Toronto radio ratings.

It always comes back to the same thing. Most of the people I know between the ages of 35 of 50 desperately want a radio station but there isn't one out there for them and the general consensus is usually this - they'd love "a CFNY for their age group".

However, I've been hearing this for years and nobody seems to want to do it so I guess the bean counters and programming wizards have decided it's not viable.

A mature CFNY would get in the way of Rob Thomas, Maroon Five, James Blunt, Gwen Sefani and profound talk about what was on TV last night. And oh yea, it might put a consultant out of work.

Too bad.

Category: Radio

July 17, 2007 @ 11:27

Neighbour John had a break in his busy schedule and I just happened to be up at the trailer by myself so we put two and two together.

John would grab his three boys and head north for a couple of days of fishin', boatin' and tubin'.

What a pleasure to host these fellas. I've told you before that John has six kids and they're probably the most obedient kids I've ever encountered. With great frequency I find myself in John's house and most of the time, you wouldn't know he had any kids.

They're quiet, polite and I've got to be honest, for all the years I've known this family I've never seen the kids fight. It really is remarkable, so hosting the four fellas in the close confines of a tin shack was no problem whatsoever.

We had a lot of fun and the most uttered phrase over the two days was "Thanks Mr. Fred."

John's kids call me Mr. Fred. They always have and I hope they always will, and what a pleasure to do anything for these boys because they genuinely appreciate it and they tag everything with "Thanks Mr. Fred."

It doesn't matter if you take a fish off their line, give them drink or take them out in the boat you get nothing but respect and manners. They're good boys.

John and Ally have done a fine job.

Meanwhile I was anxious to get job up to the trailer so he could check out the current status of Tiki North - and I just happened to capture the moment on my precious little Nikon.

I'd like to offer one more thing today. I have lots of friends at the trailer, but I'd like to introduce you to my newest friend.

His name is "Meat"

Category: The Trailer

July 16, 2007 @ 09:21

My wife phoned me last night to tell me that Maie Pauts had left me a phone message.

Sweet Maie said she was just calling to catch up because we hadn't talked for a while and if I wanted to call her back, call later in the day this week because she'd be filling in for Marilyn Dennis on the CHUM-FM morning show.

So of course I got up this morning in the trailer and pointed my Starchoice Satellite towards Toronto so I could hear "my darlin" do her thing - and it was a pleasure.

Everybody loves Maie Pauts and its not tough to realize why. That sweet ingratiating voice you hear on the air is what you get when you're with this woman face to face in any situation.

Maie is one of those old "CFNY" family members. Before the days of convergence and corporate squeeze in radio we had a pretty special thing going on at CFNY - we were a small group who really cared about each other.

A lot of us got married or had kids during those years and together we lived through the struggles that CFNY experienced as it grew to be what it is today - and Maie Pauts was one of those people.

"You don't know what you've got till it's gone" is one of those old sayings that's got a lot of play in my head since I was tossed from the business. When you miss something you tend to really miss the small things, the subtle things and one of the things I miss is the daily cross-over at 9:30.

The Humble and Fred Show would end, and the Maie Pauts would begin but Maie would always come into the studio a few minutes early and it was fun to catch up and goof around and trade "kid" stories.

I've worked with a lot of people throughout the years buy Maie Pauts is near the top of my "special" list.

Maie Pauts is good people.

Category: Friends | Radio

July 16, 2007 @ 09:20

On Saturday I was at a little General Store in a place called Big Cedar and while I was lining up to pay for coffee cream I noticed a shelf of canned goods.

The one thing that caught my eye was a can of "Puritan Beef Stew", and then I got to thinking, who eats canned stew any more?

In this day and age of healthy living and watching what we eat while we worry about Global Warming and an imminent terrorist attack, who would actually walk into a store and buy a can of beef stew.

Within a can of beef stew nothing tastes like its supposed to taste. Not that it tastes horrible mind you, its just that the potatoes don't really taste like potatoes, the carrots don't taste like carrots and the beef definitely doesn't taste like beef - and if it's been sitting around too long, sometimes you can actually taste tin.

There's really no need to expose yourself to such a thing and I've got to believe that the sale of canned beef stew isn't that significant today.

There was a time when canned goods served a purpose through convenience, but now there are so many other convenient products that offer much better quality - microwave dinners like Michilini's or Lean Cuisine.

I imagine if there's a market for canned beef stew its been reduced to college students who don't give a shit and like the price, or white trash that like the price and don't know any better.

When I was a teenager staying up north with a bunch of other kids without our parents sometimes we'd get hungry at night, and here's what we'd do.

Every kid would go back to his place and grab one canned good item, and no matter what it was - stew, beans, spaghetti, soup, chili, even sardines - we'd put it all in one pot and we called it "slop."

That was back in the early 70's, and I can honestly say it's been over 30 years since I last ate a can of beef stew. I never gave canned beef stew to my kids and I can't recall seeing anybody else give it to their kids.

So again, I leave off where I began.

Who eats canned beef stew any more?

Category: Stuff

July 13, 2007 @ 10:00

The majority of my friends had children long after I did and I constantly find myself saying the same thing to them.

You're kids are always your kids and you look at them the same way no matter how old they are.

Situations change and strategies change as they get older, but deep down you look at your kids the same way at 25 as you did when they were five.

I find myself in that situation this weekend.

My daughter Melanie is spending a long weekend at the Calgary Stampede.

Up until this morning I was excited for her. I've never been a Calgary Stampede and I want my kids to experience as much and more than I have.

When Melanie went to Europe a few summers ago I was terrified, and when she went to the Dominican a couple of years ago I was concerned - but Calgary never really phased me because it's Canada, it's Alberta it's the freakin' stampede.

This morning however as I was going through the newspapers I came upon this headline in the Star.

"Stabbings jolt the Calgary Stampede"

Super. Now my weekend has been ruined and some time today I'll be forced to extremely irritate Melanie with a "dad" speech - the one about being careful - it's standard stuff that kids roll their eyes at.

But it's got to be done.

Category: Family

July 13, 2007 @ 09:59

It's been four weeks since our beloved dog Billie had to be put down and the emotions attached to this are a lot like losing your job - you ride the roller coaster of emotions, some days are fine, other days not so fine.

Of course there's one significant difference. There will always be another job, but there will never be another Bill.

One of the things about losing Bill that's made things easier is her obedience. This dog was never a problem, very low maintenance.

For most of the day she just laid there and waited for you to move so she could follow you into the next room and lay down there. In a way, this has made it easier to adjust to her being gone because you hardly knew she was around to begin with.

There is however one thing that gives me a heavy heart every time I walk into our laundry room. That's where we kept her food dish and it still sits there full of "Iams Active Maturity" and there's still a full bowl of water.

I fed Billie for the last time on Tuesday, June 12.

She didn't eat her food that day and I knew something was weird on Wednesday when she didn't touch it again. It was on Wednesday night that she collapsed for the first time.

Thursday she went to the vet and she never came home.

So now we're faced with another one of those emotional situations. We have to empty the food dish and probably put it away for good - but I can't bring myself to do it and neither can my wife or kids obviously because nobody has touched it - nobody has even mentioned it.

I guess it goes back to that timing thing. When you lose someone close to you, even a dog, they say only time can heal and I'm sure this applies to Billie's food dish.

When the dish goes it will really hit home that Billy's gone and right now, none of us are ready for that.

Category: Family

July 12, 2007 @ 08:59

The news was released about nine yesterday morning, Ed Mirvish had passed away.

I won't begin to review what this man meant to Toronto because I'm sure over the next few days newscasts and newspapers will be full of the huge contributions this man made to Toronto.

Personally, when I first heard the news I thought of May 16, 1974. It was Delyse Joseph's 18th birthday and the first real "dinner date" we had since becoming an item just a couple of months before.

We did what everybody did back then, we went to "Ed's Warehouse" on King St.

Ed's served fantastic roast beef and Yorkshire pudding that could fit into an 18 year olds budget. But with the reasonable prices you got fantastic décor and surroundings.

My buddy Brad Bulley drove us down and waited around until it was time to drive us back to a surprise party I had arranged in our wood paneled Scarborough bungalow rec-room.

The attached picture. although now quite faded, was taken as we walked into the room, and my sweet Dol, who roughly six years later would become my wife, had no idea.

Category: Family

July 12, 2007 @ 08:58

The NHL schedule was released yesterday and this is the first time under the new format that the Canadian "flaw" is exposed.

The Leafs will play no games against Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver this year.

The way the schedule is designed, you play your division rivals eight times each, conference rivals four times each, and then you play ten games against the West - one game each against two divisions.

It just so happens that the division the Leafs don't play against this year is the Northwest.

It's amazing how the NHL will bend over backwards for American teams. Do whatever it takes to make sure they get all they need to stay afloat, but meanwhile Canadian teams are taken for granted.

The Leafs, Montreal and Ottawa should have the other three Canadians teams on their schedule every year. It's a no brainer.

This is Canada and the game is hockey and there's nothing better than watching two Canadian teams against each other - and its important to the fans, especially Western Canadian fans who love to have the Leafs and Habs visit.

But therein lies the answer and the problem. When it comes to Canadians fans the NHL doesn't give us much thought. We're there, and we'll always be there. We don't need any maintenance so no provisions are made.

That's precisely why a Canadians billionaire sits on the sidelines right now willing to strengthen the league with a boat full of money.

This winter while you're settling in to watch the Leafs play Columbus, or Nashville or Boston for the eighth time, remember those games could have easily been changed for Vancouver, Edmonton or Calgary making the season more interesting for Canadian fans.

They could have. But the NHL doesn't care.

Category: Sports

July 12, 2007 @ 08:57

And that brings me to this.

Mike Boon is an internet/website wiz who helped me create freddiep.ca as it is today.

He's a man of many interests including hockey which is right near the top of his love list.

Mike Boon is so typical of millions of hockey fans in Canada, the type that of guy who'd probably buy season tickets if a team came to Hamilton. But he can't because the NHL won't let him.

Mike Boon is the type of fan that Gary Bettman continually pisses on, not for a second appreciating the passion.

I'm going to forward this page from Boon's blog to the NHL offices in New York. I know Bettman will never see it or probably wouldn't care if he did.

But it's the kind of devotion to the game that Canadians get no credit for.

Category: Sports

July 12, 2007 @ 08:56

Jason Barr of the Edge morning show is writing a book and he needs your help.

Jason has two boys and he's heavily involved in minor hockey on both the parenting and coaching levels.

Over the past few years he's been witness to some unbelievable situations involving hockey mons and dads that would make your head spin, and now he'd like to put it all in a book.

But he wants more stories and he'd love you to contribute. For more information, go here.

Category: Friends | Radio | Sports

July 11, 2007 @ 09:39

Way back in January I made this posting about Peter Gross who had just been named morning sportscaster on 680 News.

Peter responded some time ago, but for some reason I didn't see his posting until last night.

Fred,

Fred - good luck to you and I will be 'subscribing' to your blog on a regular basis."

Category: Endorsements | Radio

July 11, 2007 @ 09:38

You've got to feel good for two Canadians this morning.

David Onley, who's been named Ontario's next lieutenant-governor, and Don Cherry who's been given a lifetime membership to the Canadian Legion.

I've met both men over the years but I can't say I know either one of them personally, but I know both these designations will mean the world to both men.

I'm not much of a monarchist, far from it, and any attachment to the Queen annoys me, but Onley plans to use his five year term to improve accessibility for the disabled in Ontario and that sounds great to me.

Onley was stricken with polio when he was three years old and today needs a scooter to get around.

As for Cherry, he's been recognized by the legion for his unwavering and emotional support for Canadian soldiers. Anyone who's seen Hockey Night in Canada knows all about it.

Cherry is thrilled by this but in the eyes on others it will do nothing to lessen how ridiculous it is that this man has not received the order of Canada.

Love him or hate him, compared to some of the other jokers on this list, he deserves to be there.

Category: Stuff

July 11, 2007 @ 09:37

It doesn't happen very often, but I find my self agreeing with Toronto's destructive mayor David Miller.

In recent days there has been some noise about Toronto making a bid to host the 2016 or 2020 Olympics and Miller has said no. It's no the time.

I agree with him. It's not the time.

I've never been a fan of Toronto hosting the Olympics because unless its done precisely correct, it's usually a money losing nightmare, and considering Miller leaves impression he'd have trouble balancing his own cheque book, the timing isn't right.

Granted, by 2016 Miller will probably be a long and horrible memory, but I'd be very reluctant to move forward on any level while this man is mayor.

So you're right David. It isn't the time.

Category: Politics

July 11, 2007 @ 09:36

When I used to work on the radio, I hated to talk about television so I'm reluctant to do postings about television shows on this blog unless they're insulting.

Talking about prime time television on the radio bothered me because television rarely reciprocated.

TV people would constantly contact us about promoting their show on our show, but when we asked if they'd promote our show on their show there was always this exasperation like "how can we do that?"

Back in the Edge days the only time we talked about TV usually, is when we were poking fun at a show or insulting someone on a show - much like I do in the television section of this blog.

We would also talk about TV if we were guesting on a show because we were into extreme self promotion and that's just good business.

But in the closing stages of the Humble and Fred Show we were in a situation where we felt obligated to talk about television shows in a different way.

Updates and all that gossip shit that dominates so many morning shows today became part of our show and it was tough to do. It didn't feel right.

Anyway, last night I watched another reality show at the urging of a good friend. It's called "Singing Bee."

It's self explanatory. A band starts the song and the contestant has to finish it with the correct lyrics. If they don't they're tossed, and if they do, they survive.

I gave it 30 minutes, and I will never watch it again.

The premise was interesting enough that I gave it a chance, but from the opening of the show till the excruciating end, it was all too much for me.

It's too loud, to busy, way over the top and not very interesting from my perspective.

It was so bad it's the type of show Humble and I would have mocked in the Edge days.

We probably would have come up with our own version and sang stupid songs with dirty words and then trashed host Joey Fatone - an aggravating jerk off who used to sing with N Sync.

The fun way to look at TV.

Category: Television

July 11, 2007 @ 09:35

It's a spoof on Cialis starring Cuba Gooding Jr. from National Banana.com

Category: Fun Stuff | Video

July 10, 2007 @ 09:51

Between this website and my facebook page yesterday, I recieved more than 350 birthday wishes.

Much appreciated, but too much to answer individually.

Thanks everybody, but to be honest birthdays aren't so much fun any more, in fact I'd rather delay them

Loving yooze all. Each and every one of ya.

Category: Friends

July 10, 2007 @ 09:27

I apologize for not posting yesterday. It's funny with this website, I feel like its become my job, and if I don't post on a week day, it just doesn't feel right.

Just so you know, I had to get up early yesterday and make the trek back to Brampton from the trailer with my buddies Ivar Hamilton and Kevin O'Leary.

They're a couple of old friends from the CFNY days and they came up north on Friday and spent three nights with me.

We shared a lot of stories, ate some great food and drank a lot of booze. It was a lot of fun to catch up with these guys who've gone on to other things outside of the radio business.

Ivar is Vice-President of Marketing at Universal Music, and Kevin is a production/sound engineer at Amp' Mobile.

After three days of bumming around at the lake we had to get back to the city for various reasons, and on the way back they offered to buy me lunch because yesterday was my birthday.

We planned on going to a little place in Brampton called Calypso Garden on Kennedy Rd.

It's actually in the same plaza that was home to CFNY for most of the 80's, and a lot of guys, including Kevin and Ivar used to go to Calypso Garden for what is called Caribbean Chinese food.

Son of a bitch. It was closed so we went up the street to Hooters.

Quite the place this Hooters - if its possible to be physically deformed in a good way then all three girls who were working yesterday afternoon fall into this category.

Petite frames with small bottoms and massive boobs, or to keep with the theme, massive hooters.

They really were something to look at and believe me; you couldn't help but keep looking at them. They're unique specimens that not only have to serve food, but who obviously have to put up with a bunch of older guys who appear to be regulars.

You know what I'm talking about. Those guys who sit at the bar and constantly attempt to engage the young lovelies in conversation while leaving the impression they actually think they might have a chance with these girls.

It's rather sad really. But in the end, the girls usually get inflated tips and the horny old bastards get nothing.

Anyway, for the most part if was a pleasant experience, the restaurant was cool providing welcome relief from the oppressive city heat. The beer was cold and it was nice to spend a little more time with Kevin and Ivar.

The only downside of my Hooters visit was the chicken wings. On Mondays they have an all-you-can-eat special for 9.99 and we all decided to go for it, but let me tell you, they didn't lose money on us.

Right off the bat I noticed the wings were greasy but I didn't realize how much until I had almost finished. It was like a delayed reaction. After I was finished my stomach began to gurgle and I felt nauseous, and by the time I got home I had to have a real good sit down.

Three hours later I still felt like crap and couldn't enjoy my birthday dinner with my wife and daughter. They ate, I didn't. I just sat there and thought about how I'll never ever have the wings at Hooters again.

I'd boycott the place altogether but that wouldn't be fair to the waitresses.

Category: Friends | Stuff

July 10, 2007 @ 09:26

I've often made the point on this website that I had litter. It's doesn't make me unique because I'm sure everybody hates litter.

But I really hate litter and it bothers me how the problem is growing rapidly right before our eyes. It's especially troublesome along our highways and on various off-ramps around the GTA, but it's even worse when you see litter on city streets - streets that just a few short years ago we took pride in because they were so clean.

How refreshing to learn about Marc the Litter Guy. He's a 30 year old man in downtown Toronto who's chosen an alternative to panhandling.

Instead of begging for money he walks around the city picking up litter for donations.

He doesn't verbally ask for donations, he wears a sign on his back that points out what he's doing with the hope that as many people as possible give him what they can.

What a fantastic idea. I think everybody should support this guy and hopefully it will unfold like panhandling and the advent of squeegee kids did. Everybody will start doing it.

I refuse to give money to panhandlers and squeegee kids because most of them are nothing more than able-bodied lazy pests.

Garbage pickers are different. Marc the Litter Guy has created his own job and its something that helps the city immensely.

How grand it would be if hundreds of others made the switch from begging.

Category: Stuff

July 10, 2007 @ 09:25

I was listening to the Oakley Show this morning and he was talking about public transit and people's refusal to use it because of body odour.

On hot days they pack people in like sardines and the result isn't very pretty. Some people don't have the best personal hygiene and when they get on a packed bus or subway they start to ferment.

It reminds me of when I was a teenager taking the bus up Birchmount Rd. every morning to Stephen Leacock Collegiate.

Going to school wasn't bad, it was coming home. It was alright if I caught the bus precisely at 3:30, but if I missed that bus and got the next one it meant I would catch the crowd from the Laura Secord plant just below Ellesmere.

The mixture of B.O. and chocolate was unbearable. A lot of them were woman and in the summer they wore dresses that exposed their armpits and they had as much or more hair than most vaginas used to.

Droplets of sweat would hang and drop from their underarms and the only thing that would cut the stench of that was the thick smell of chocolate that also clung to their bodies.

What a wonderful day it was in 1974 when I paid for 25 dollars for a 1965 Dodge Van.

Category: Radio | Stuff

July 10, 2007 @ 09:24

I was driving my daugther to the bus terminal this morning and we saw this sign at Conservation and Hurontario in Brampton. In front of a TD Canada Trust.

Category: Fun Stuff

July 10, 2007 @ 09:23

Yes, it was a special time having my two long time CFNY buddies at the trailer and Saturday night we all gathered around the Tiki Bar.

When you watch this video please be warned there is some swearing. I admit its needless swearing and only demeans the website and all those involved…but it's reality… a moment in time in the reunion of some long time friends.

Category: The Trailer

July 9, 2007 @ 08:55

Thanks for checking into freddiep.ca on this fine Monday morning.

Due to some commitments and scheduling problems I won't be able to post anything until later this afternoon.

Check back then..

Loving yooze all.

Category: Stuff

July 6, 2007 @ 08:31

Holy cow! Yesterday I made this posting and the response was amazing - a little disturbing but amazing just the same.

The kick-start came from someone named Swampy who wrote this snappy response.

"Then there is Fred Patterson.

And while precious time is being wasted on mundane blogs , more Red-necks will be brought up to the Tiki Bar to bitch and complain about a culture that they are soooo protected from, drink pissy American beer and pretend they no all the facts- then pass out drunk."

I've got to be honest, I think I know Swampy. It's either someone I've worked with, or somebody in the radio business who really doesn't care for me.

And that's fine. It's crazy to think you could work in an industry for close to 30 years without rubbing someone the wrong way, and I really have no problem with what Swampy wrote.

I use this website to exercise my writing skills and to give my opinion on everything under the sun. I don't think for a minute that everybody‘s going to agree with me, and even if they did, it would make this website a lot less interesting.

The only thing that bothers me about Swampy's posting, is that I know Swampy isn't your name. For some reason you've chosen not to show your face.

I am Fred Patterson. I drink Bud Lite, I vacation at a trailer, I built a tacky Tiki Bar and I wear my heart on my sleeve - but at least I put my name to everything I write.

I have strong opinions and I stand behind them with the invitation for anyone to respond. I have the option on this website to censor or "clear" comments before they appear, but I choose not to.

I'm prepared for any and all criticism, but I'd much prefer the response to have a name attached to it.

Again, I can tell by the way the response is written that I probably know who Swampy is, but for some reason Swampy has chosen to hide.

Just think how cool it would be if Swampy came out of hiding and told everyone who he is - how cool it would be if you all knew who it was and you could follow the dialogue between us.

But that's not the way it is. Instead, Swampy has decided to hide behind a nickname.

And yes I know, there are other people who probably post comments under assumed names. But when someone calls you a fat, racist drunk… you'd sort of like to know who it is.

You know what I'm sayin'?

Category: Stuff

July 6, 2007 @ 08:30

This is my trailer buddy Gerry. He drives a train for a living, he's a great golfer and he's got a heart of gold.

He also makes me laugh from time to time and one of those times was earlier this week.

Have you ever heard the masturbatory terms, "cuff the carrot", "spank the monkey" or "chokin' the chicken"

I thought I had heard them all until Gerry delivered this one.

"Hey Fred, what are you doin'…… a little five on one?"

Call me crazy or call me immature. I just found it funny as shit.

And on that note, if anyone else knows other terms for "beatin' your banana" feel free to post them.

Category: Fun Stuff

July 5, 2007 @ 08:09

This is (name removed and picture altered because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.)

He's 16 years old - about the age he should be getting his first summer job, and saving for college, or if he's really lucky, maybe saving for his first car.

Instead, he's running from police. They suspect he shot two men in cold blood early yesterday in Scarborough.

A 16 year old kid had a gun, and obviously had a problem with two adults (aged 34 and 43) so he shot them at 3:40 am.

I could go on about how at 16 I wasn't allowed out at 3:40 in the morning, or how my son would never have been allowed to be out on the street at that time but that would be silly.

Obviously he doesn't have that type of discipline in his life and compared to gun ownership, gang activity and drug dealing, what's a little curfew breaking?

This is what its come to in the GTA.

Think about how much has happened in the life of a 16 year old for him to become a fugitive at such an early age. How brazen he is, how troubled he must be to acquire a gun and then actually use it.

Of course there will be all kinds of blame thrown around- it will be the governments fault, society's fault, it will be your fault and it will be my fault.

But somehow it won't be his parent(s) fault.

And while precious time is being wasted on the blame game, more kids like this will be brought into the world to follow the same path.

Category: Stuff

July 4, 2007 @ 12:43

For those of you who care, I should explain the eratic posting times of freddiep.ca lately.

I'm up north, at the trailer, sitting by the Tiki Bar and I'm using an internet system that's somewhat slower than I'm used to.

Not only that, but I'm sharing it with Dan Duran and his wife Jackie.

It's not as slow as dial up, but it's definately not high speed. It's a Telus card that you stick into the side of your laptop and connect with the local wirless company which just happens to be Bell.

It takes me roughly twice as much time to accomplish anything up here, and sometimes I can't do anything because Dan and Jackie are using the card to run their business "Gourmet Safari"

I'd get my own card but the service up here is very expensive and we decided during the summer months we'd split on the service but sacrifice some convenience.

So that's the deal.

While I'm up north I can't promise my usual posting time of nine am each morning. Instead I just have to roll with it and do what I can when I can and ask you to check in a few times a day.

Loving you's all. Each and everyone of ya's.

Category: Stuff

July 4, 2007 @ 12:42

This may sound drastic and little over the top, but I really think the citizens of Toronto should explore all possibility of removing David Miller as Mayor.

There must be some mechanism in place that allows the electorate to reverse a bad decision and save their city before its absolutely ruined by an incompetent socialist who can't solve any problem without crying poor and taxing the living shit out of anything that moves.

What David Miller proposes for Toronto could drive it into the ground. You can't place the burden on the shoulders of the people to this extent and expect any good to come of it.

Garbage tax, liquor tax, entertainment tax and exorbitant increases to land transfer taxes are an invitation for people to move out of the city and for tourists to stop coming to the city.

Municipal politics are a unique beast. Like no other level of government a city has to be run like a business and from what we can gather, David Miller would have trouble running a kool-aid stand.

I'm sure all the citizens of Toronto are sick and tired of hearing him pass the buck and blame everybody else for what ails Toronto.

He knew what the situation was when he first ran for office. It was a new landscape with new rules and new responsibilities and he knew what he was getting into.

Unfortunately, once in office he proved he wasn't capable of doing the job and if that wasn't bad enough, he ran again and was re-elected by the left leaning loonie element that dominates Toronto.

It really is a tragic turn of events.

Back in 2004 Toronto had the opportunity to elect a real business to run the city like it has to be run - but John Tory was rejected because he was considered too conservative.

Looking back it was a horrible mistake and the incompetent Miller still has more than three years to go on his current term.

The people of Toronto must revolt and explore every avenue of removal, and if its possible they should move to do it.

Category: Politics

July 4, 2007 @ 12:41

The world we live in has really become screwy in some respects.

Look at the situation of six year old Shaquan Cadougan. Two years ago he was severely injured in a drive-by shooting near his home in the Jane-Finch area.

It was a horrible event. Little Shaquan was hit by four bullets and two of them are still in his body. He's recovered as best as can be expected but his mother hasn't forgotten what happened and she's not about to let it go.

She's doing what any responsible mother would do.

No, she's not moving out of the area. And no, she's not interested in finding out who was responsible for shooting her son.

She's doing something else.

She's suing the Toronto Community Housing Corporation for not providing enough security in the neighbourhood.

"If there had have been more security things would have been different" said Suzette Cadougan.

You're right Suzette, security, that's the problem.

Category: Stuff

July 4, 2007 @ 12:40

I really hope Vesa Toskala is half as good as the Maple Leafs think he is.

I sit hear rubbing my head wondering what this guy has done to warrant a long term contract through 2010 that's worth double what the San Jose Sharks paid him.

The San Jose Sharks, a well run organization with a recent history of building solid teams while showing fiscal responsibility paid him 1.37 million dollars a year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who represent just about everything the Sharks aren't, have decided to more than double Toskala's salary after next year.

Doesn't that seem a bit odd?

Excuse me for being a bit of a skeptic when it comes to the Maple Leafs but what has Toskala accomplished that would warrant such treatment?

He was a backup goaltender for a solid team with a good defensive system. He hasn't played one minute of one game under the Leaf system but he's instantly worth twice as much.

You think they would have learned from the Andrew Raycroft experience. They threw two million a year at him before he played a single game and we all know where that put them.

It put them in the market for another goaltender.

Category: Sports

July 3, 2007 @ 11:03

When we arrived at the trailer Thursday afternoon, it was the first time without our beloved dog Billie.

She loved it up north and like any dog, she had a certain ritual every time we came north.

First of all, she'd stand in the truck as we made the bend approaching Burleigh Falls - it's nothing unique to dogs, but something that has always fascinated me.

How do they know? Is it something in the air? She could be sound asleep in the back of the truck, but as soon as we made the bend at the top of the hill approaching the entrance off the highway she would stand up and wag her tail.

Then as I stopped the truck behind the trailer, she would pace a bit until I'd open the tail gate and she'd jump out.

At that point, one of two things would happen. Either she'd greet her best friend Joe, another beautiful dog, or if Joe wasn't there, she'd head straight for the water and cool off while we unloaded the cargo.

Billie would go for a short swim, then just sit there, chest high in water, and watch us as we carried things into the tin palace.

I didn't look forward to the first time without Bill but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thanks goodness I wasn't alone, I had my wife Delyse with me, and over the previous two weeks we had pretty well come to grips with Bill's death.

I stood there for a few moments with a heavy heart and then I remembered what so many people had said to me - think of the good things - the good life she lived and the wonderful memories she provided, and that really does help.

I got a little emotional when Joe arrived with her family and she wandered over to greet Bill but I sucked it up and went and got her one of Bill's jerky treats as I normally would.

Beyond that, there's not a lot to say.

We're blessed with so many fabulous friends and it makes it a lot easier when they stop by and say so many thoughtful things to make you feel better.

And then there's perspective.

Billie was only a dog and she was approaching twelve years of age. Get over it and move on.

Problem is, it just ain't that easy.

Category: Family

July 3, 2007 @ 11:02

I've got to be honest, over the holiday weekend I was disconnected from the world at large.

Like everyone else I got pissed off when I heard about the domestic terrorism that was taking place in eastern Ontario on Friday and remain even more pissed off that it lasted as long as it did.

Yes, it could have been worse, but I won't be happy until these blockades are "busted up" the minute they're set up.

I'm also very concerned about what's happening in England.

It's naïve to think that ugly acts of terrorism aren't coming to North America. They are. It's just a matter of time and it's going to be unstoppable. In fact I'm surprised it hasn't happened already.

How do you stop suicide bombers on crowded city streets? How do you prevent car bombs if there's a determined effort to build them?

I think it's absolutely amazing that so many of these scum bags have been arrested before executing their dastardly deeds, but you can only hold your finger in the dyke for so long.

Category: Stuff

July 3, 2007 @ 11:01

I read about the NHL free-agent signings with great interest this morning.

Hey, what the hell, Jason Blake isn't a bad signing but as a cynical Leaf fan you just have to wonder what will go wrong with the guy.

Will he survive the pressure in Toronto? Will he play on the right line? Will he break his leg this summer is some freak accident?

I must say however, that the most profound thing I've heard this season came from the mouth of Leaf coach Paul Maurice.

He doesn't understand all the doom and gloom around Toronto.

He points out that the Leafs had 91 points off 40 victories this season. Ottawa and Anaheim, the two teams that went to the Stanley Cup final had only 48 victories each.

From October till April, on only eight occasions did the Leafs lose when the Stanley Cup finalists won.

They're not that far off.

Category: Sports

July 3, 2007 @ 11:00

Category: The Trailer