Freddie P's Blog

May 30, 2008 @ 08:44

Figures released by the National Hockey League shouldn't surprise Canadians. Although Canadian teams only make up only 20 percent of the league, the six Canadian teams are generating 31 percent of league revenue through ticket sales.

Regardless, Canada continues to be nothing more than an afterthought for league Commissioner Gary Bettman and this American controlled league.

While franchises belong in cities like Winnipeg and Quebec City, Bettman and the boys continue to push for expansion into hockey hotbeds like Kansas City and Las Vegas.

Bettman talks a big game. Whenever pressed, he goes on and on about the importance of the Canadian franchises, but his almost immediate rejection of Jim Balsillie told Canadians all they needed to know about this position on more Canadian franchises.

Bettman holds onto the dream of the NHL actually becoming a big player in the U.S. but it's not going to happen.

Meanwhile Canadian hockey fans flap in the wind.

Shameful.

Category: Sports

May 30, 2008 @ 08:43

Yes my friends, I'm heading out on another adventure, this time with my sweet darlin' Delyse.

Tomorrow morning we're flying to Phoenix, Arizona where we'll spend a week touring the state.

We plan to spend three days in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area before heading north to Sedona, Flagstaff and then the Grand Canyon.

It's going to be hot, the forecast for arrival time tomorrow is sunny and 37 degrees celsius - buy hey, what the hell, it's better than the crap we've been getting up here lately.

It should be fun, and as usual, I will take you with me. My trusty little Toshiba laptop will make the trip so I'll try to post something every day while we're away.

On Sunday afternoon I'm going to an Arizona Diamondbacks game - I will drink beer.

Loving you,
Frederick

Category: Stuff

May 29, 2008 @ 09:57

If you’ve been a frequent reader of this blog over the past couple of years, and or if you used to listen to me on the radio, you know I’ve never been a big fan of Mats Sundin’s.

I’ve never bought into his act, which to many is I’m sure is unbelievable, especially when you consider that yesterday in Pittsburgh, Sundin was given the Mark Messier Leadership Award.

I must be missing something.

I’ve never really thought that Sundin was that much of a leader, I’ve never bought into the theory that he’s never been given anyone of skill to play with, and basically, I don’t think he cares as much as people give him credit for.

Even though Sundin was within his right not to waive his no trade clause at the deadline, it’s become quite apparent it was done more to be vindictive than it was to be loyal.

Sundin was well aware of what the Leafs could have received in return for him at the deadline but he refused to move. He realized it could have been a turning point for the franchise, but he ignored it.

Mats Sundin put Mats Sundin first. Ahead of the franchise and especially ahead of the fans who have so blindly worshipped him over the years. All he was asked to do was go to a contender for a few weeks and maybe win a Stanley Cup, but he refused to do it.

Now we hear he wants to continue his playing career and he’ll probably end up with one of the teams he could have played for just a few short weeks ago.

In other words, for the sake of getting a longer summer holiday, he deprived the Leafs and their fans of acquiring a few good young prospects.

Sundin appears ready to rub the Leafs nose in it.

Where the vindictiveness comes from I don’t know. The franchise was has become a bungling joke, but they always looked after Mats Sundin. They always paid him well, and we can’t forget there were a few good years in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, years when the Leafs did well in the playoffs.

Oh but wait, I forgot. During those playoff years Sundin disappeared when the Leafs really needed him, so I guess as he looks back, the great leader doesn’t count those years.

Apparently Cliff Fletcher will meet with Sundin next week and attempt to convince him why staying in Toronto is a good idea. Sundin says he’s got to be sold.

Which brings a fine fantasy to my mind. Sell the bastard to Bitemyclankastan of the Russian League.

Category: Sports

May 29, 2008 @ 09:56

I got a text message from Neighbour John about five o’clock last night. It was short and sweet.

It said, “Find Waldo in Pitt”

I knew what it meant. John was on one of his many business trips to southern Ohio and must have whipped across to Pittsburgh in search of a ticket for game three of the Stanley Cup final.

He got one, and the reference to “Waldo” meant that I was supposed to watch the game last night and pick him out of the crowd........ Don’t laugh. A couple of years ago he was at a game in Boston and he sat right behind the Leaf net. I saw him all night long.

Anyway, I called neighbour John this morning.

Category: Neighbour John

May 29, 2008 @ 09:55

It's no contest anymore people.

The best talk show host in the city of Toronto is Mike Stafford of am 640, and it's got nothing to do with the fact that he's a dear personal friend.

Nobody and I mean nobody in this city, and probably in the country, has the mixture of intelligence, humour and irreverence that this guy does.

Mike Stafford is a Canadian gem when it comes to talk radio in Canada. He's a brilliant thinker, a brilliant writer and a highly skilled broadcaster.

There are others in talk radio in Toronto that give it a good shot, but none compare to Mike Stafford.

I have an saying when it comes to Toronto radio. "you're only as good as your call letters."

And that explains the Stafford situation brilliantly. Mike is the best talk radio host in Canada, yet it will escape many, because he doesn't work for the heritage talk station in town.

They had him, but for some unbelievable, inexplicable reason they let him go. How regrettable!

I don't know what's happened lately; maybe the management at 640 has decided to let Stafford go for it and step outside the usual boring Canadian talk radio box, but he's been on fire lately.

Telling it like it is, and putting it in clearest, most eloquent way

I direct you to Mike's blog comment from today. An example of his work, and example of his willingness to show some balls and say what has to be said.

He's simply the best.

Category: Radio

May 29, 2008 @ 09:55

Part of the reason I created CanadianThinker.com was because of people like “Mike from Lowville.”

Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate that Mike is a frequent reader and contributor to FreddieP.ca, and CanadianThinker, but that doesn’t mean I agree with the guy, or that his damaging political correctness escapes me.

Guys like Mike are why Canada is going where its going. Guys like Mike, in his quest to prove whatever to whomever, like to squash the opinions of others by making outlandish statements designed to silence them.

Yesterday was a great example.

I posted a piece called “The Mayor is Stupid”. I talked about the David Millers plan to close a couple of shooting ranges in Toronto as a bizarre way of helping to battle gun violence in the city.

I went on to say the Mayor refuses to confront the root problem of gun violence in the city, which is mostly committed by a small portion of a small group in the city. A fact that can’t be disputed, a fact that’s been well documented and a fact that’s been validated by people within the actual community.

But what does Mike say? Mike from Lowville, in his ongoing to mission to sound like the smart guy comes out with this.

"There has to be some way to get this lunatic out of office A.S.A.P. before he really does some permanent damage."

There is. All you people, (including Fred) are alluding to it. Get someone from the islands to do it. Put a cap in his ass. Then arrest tall the coloured folks that come from that island and throw away the key. That will solve everything....... How moronic!!

To be honest Mike, the only thing on this page that’s moronic is your response.

Category: Stuff

May 28, 2008 @ 10:54

Hockey, cell phones and big boobs.

Category: Radio

May 28, 2008 @ 09:45

If anyone had any question about how far David Miller has his head shoved up his naïve asshole, it should be crystal clear now.

Miller’s call for a national hand gun ban was futile enough, but this is way over the top. Now the mayor has called for the closure of two target shooting ranges on city property.

It’s absolutely unbelievable how Miller runs around the city pointing fingers at everything but the root cause of so-called gun violence in the city.

I don’t know where he gets his nerve. I don’t know how he can actually do these things and then show his face in public. I don’t know how he comes up with this crap.

He’s more than willing to close down a couple of shooting ranges denying law abiding citizens of some recreation, but he refuses to identify the thug element from a certain cultural group that’s responsible for most of the “gun violence” in the city.

Does the man who was given the responsibility of running the city really believe that closing these ranges will do “anything” to stop crime?

If he does, if that what he really thinks, then he’s not fit to be mayor.

This guy has to grow some big balls and tackle the real problem. Go after the actual perpetrators and once and for all get it through his thick pinko skull that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

Category: Politics

May 26, 2008 @ 10:35

Nothing but hockey.

Category: Radio

May 26, 2008 @ 09:21

That's more like it.

What a difference a week makes. The weather this weekend was near perfect for late May, and it made for an enjoyable weekend at the tin shack.

On Friday, I had the opportunity to play golf at Glen Abbey and I kept everything in perspective.

The weather was perfect for golf, and was playing with a couple of my best buddies and I wasn't horrible, just the usual bad, but not horrible.

It's a tough golf course for someone of my ability, which made me remark to the fellas at one point, I don't call this place Glen Abbey, I call it Glen Abacus, because that's what I need to keep track of my score!

Anyway, after 18 and a cold refreshing beer I headed back to Brampton where I picked up my lovely and we continued on to paradise.

After arriving we sat by the fire and I got into a global warming argument with my good friend Dan Duran. I take a more realistic, more rational Stephen Harper type approach to global warming, while it's apparent that Duran, prompted by the hysterical rantings of CBC radio and such, would have everyone on bicycles tomorrow.

At one point Friday night I told Dan I didn't want to continue our conversation, which isn't always the best tact.

"I don't want to talk about it anymore" I said.

"That's no way to debate an issue." Said Dan.

He's right, but I've been up this road with Duran so many times over the years, and we get nowhere, that all it serves to do is put a knot in my stomach, so I'd prefer to relax and talk about things like "culling" the bastard Canada Geese that are shitting all over my lawn.

Saturday was another beautiful day and it started with me and my sweet going for a long walk to the end of our lake. There are several steep hills along the way, but it's great for exercising the legs and removing an unwanted portion of my wife's ars.

Saturday afternoon was Tiki Time. A few of us got together and decorated the Tiki Bar for the 2008 season. It's a fun process because there's really no "set" format. We just grab strings of lights and start going round and round until we run out of them.

We throw up some signs and knick knacks, put the roof on and we're ready to go.

By Saturday night we were all gathered around the bar watching game one of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Too bad the game sucked.

Sunday was a day for finishing off some planting, going for another walk and noticing how much Dan Duran's son Colton reminds me of his dad.

He's like a mini-me to his old man without all the unrealistic and socialistic baggage.

Thank goodness I spend a lot of time with this lad during the summer. Hopefully I can have enough influence on this kid before he wants to do something stupid like become a member of the NDP.

Category: The Trailer

May 23, 2008 @ 07:44

When I say for my Ionview friends, I mean friends of mine who went to the same public school that I did.

Ionview Public School on Ionview Rd in Scarborough. Ionview Rd is the first right off Eglinton Ave, heading west from Kennedy.

I went to Ionview Public School from 1961 to 1969 and while I was there one of my friends was a guy named Trebor Hosier. (yes Trebor, not Trevor) He lived on Lozoway Dr. and he was a bit different. Not in a bad way, in a creative way.

In fact when we were still at Ionview he put a band together called "Hosiers's Hotshots", and they played in front of the school a couple of times.

Hosier's Hotshots also featured Alan Falkner and Mike Adomite.

Anyway, needless to say, like most people I've lost touch with most of my friends since the Scarborough days, and I haven't seen Trebor since the early 1970's.

But thanks to facebook, and the wonderful way it brings people together, I got an e-mail from someone else who went to Ionview (someone I don't even remember), and she told me about an article in the Lindsay Post Newspaper.

It turns out Trebor still has a passion for music and he's turned it into a business enterprise. He's opened the "Youngtown Rock and Roll Museum" in the town of Omemee, which is just west of Peterborough and was once the home of Neil Young.

That's where the "Youngtown" comes from.

It's small and somewhat out the way, but it's something and it's something that was created by one of my old Ionview friends, and that's pretty cool.

On that note, if your read this blog and you used to go to Ionview or you know Trebor, hit the discuss button and let me know. I'd love to hear from you, and I'll pass it along to Trebor.

And thanks to Michele Miller Dames for tipping me off.

Category: Friends

May 23, 2008 @ 07:43

Yesterday I spent part of the afternoon at the Rogers Empire at Jarvis and Bloor, and found myself in one of those frustrating situations.

On my way out I ran into an old colleague from the CFNY days and I couldn’t remember her name.

Her name was in my head and it was trying to claw its way out, but it was one of those situations that as soon as I saw her and gave her a hug, I so desperately wanted to say her name that it created a block.

I knew her name because I’ve thought of her many times over the years and when I’ve thought of her I’ve said her name in my head. But yesterday, it wouldn’t happen for me.

So, I did what I usually do when I meet someone whose name I can’t remember. I called her "darlin’." If it’s a guy, I call him "pal."

Anyway, for the better part of fifteen minutes we stood and talked in front of the elevators on the fifth floor and the entire time I was kicking myself in the ass for not being able to come up with her name.

We talked about old times, we talked about present times, we talked about old CFNY people and we talked about the Kawartha’s.

Finally, when it was time to leave rather than say, “see ya darlin” I decided to be honest.

I looked her in the face and said just that. “I’m going to be honest with you.”

But before I could finish the sentence she said “you don’t remember my name do you.”

And I replied “no”

And she said. “Jay”

And then it all came back to me, including her last name. Stinson.

Jay Stinson is Promotions Director for 680 News.

Jay Stinson, is also one of the many fabulous people that I met, worked with and partied with during my wonderful days at CFNY in 1980’s.

Someone I hadn’t seen in close to twenty years.

Sorry if I offended you Jay.

Ya darlin’.

Category: Friends | Radio

May 22, 2008 @ 10:15

I'll be joining my good friends Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly on CHCH Live at 5:30 this afternoon.

The issue is a decision by the IOC not to allow women's ski jumping at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

In a twisted use of logic, several female ski jumped have gotten together and decided to sue the Vancouver Organizing Committee, using the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Problem is, the VOC had nothing to do with the decision. It was strictly the IOC, which has determined that women's ski jumping does not meet technical standards.

There aren't enough jumpers to make the event valid, and the sport is grossly underdeveloped. There's never even been a world championship held.

It's a little on the hysterical side, and I plan to make that point this afternoon.

Category: Television

May 22, 2008 @ 10:13

The city of Toronto took a giant leap backwards last night with the official approval of an Africentric school which will open in the fall of 2009.

I can’t believe I’m actually sitting here writing this piece.

Here it is, the year 2008, Toronto prides itself in being a multi-cultural city in a diverse country, yet we’ve buckled under to the politically correct again and allowed something to happen that is not only wrong, it’s downright embarrassing.

Everything that Canada stands for crumbles with this decision. Allowing segregation in our schools is nothing to be proud of. This is not progressive and it’s definitely not a solution for what ails black youth in the current school system.

It’s an excuse. Nothing more than a silly excuse for parents who let their kids down at home long before they were let down at school.

It’s a power play. It’s ill equipped parents looking to blame some else for their shortcomings and then standing behind the all mighty “R” word to get their way.

And it’s pathetic. It’s pathetic that this could be allowed to happen in this day and age, especially when you consider what black people have fought against for generations. It’s wrong, and what makes it even worse is that most of the people who voted in favour of this probably know it’s wrong.

But they were afraid to say so.

And the spotlight should go on trustee Maria Rodrigues today. She did the most predictable thing during last nights final vote which will allow this regressive joke to go forward.

She accused fellow trustee Josh Matlow of being racist simply because he apposed to the idea. How predictable, how mindless, how manipulative.

In some respects however, what Rodriques did was a solid argument against the school. It goes back to my point about a power play. This school exists mainly on the strength of the "R" word. During the whole process opposition was stifled by it's use. It stopped rational debate and silenced those who might have had good reason to be against it.

It divided the trustees. Much like the school will divide children.

And this is only the beginning, make no mistake about it.

On the heels of last nights decision to open a school for kindergarten to grade five, demands were made for a high school. It will only grow from here. The segregation will only spread.

It’s a sad day for Toronto, it’s a sad day for Canada.

Category: Stuff

May 22, 2008 @ 10:12

Today’s story about the 15 year old Toronto lacrosse player, who died as the result of an injury in a game, is horrifying for all parents.

Obviously, it can’t match the living nightmare that Jamieson Kuhlmann’s parents are going through, but it’s something that constantly plays on the subconscious minds of parents every time they watch their kids walk out the door.

To lose a child under any circumstances has to be the most horrific thing that could happen to a person. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s to disease or an accident.

As the father of two healthy young adults I try not to think about it, but when I see stories like the one about Jamieson Kuhlmann I shudder. I can’t imagine losing one of my kids, and for those who do, I wonder how they go on.

My father died recently, and the pain it cause is bad enough. My dad was 82 years old and lived a long and productive and mostly healthy life.

But if losing him can hurt so much, how do you measure that against losing a child. As the old saying goes, your kids are supposed to bury you, not the other way around.

When I talk to new parents I love to ask this question. Especially of those who swore at one time that they’d probably never have kids.

I ask them, could ever imagine loving something as much as you love your kids, and the answer is always the same. A resounding “no!”

Prior to Monday, I’m sure the parents of Jamieson Kuhlmann had a lot on their minds.

It could have been anything, their jobs, their finances, personal relationships, and before Monday these things may have played a big part in their lives.

Today I’m sure nothing means anything and everything else is a blur.

The Kuhlmann’s have suffered the absolute worst thing that can happen to anyone and I’m sure for the time being, their lives have lost all meaning.

Category: Sports | Stuff

May 21, 2008 @ 14:48

Bar hours and hockey.

Category: Radio

May 21, 2008 @ 14:47

Parenting continues to be ignored in the ongoing search for what's "wrong" with Toronto's public schools.

A lot of time an money is spent on identifying every problem known to man, every problem that is, except parenting.

The Toronto School Board will spend four million dollars on a new program designed to battle racism, sexism and violence.

It's part of a one thousand page report that was commissioned after the Jordan Manners murder, but it offers precious little on the root problem of bad behaviour in Canadian schools....... Bad parenting.

Category: Stuff

May 20, 2008 @ 10:12

I guess its only fitting that the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings are meeting in the Stanley Cup finals.

They were the two best teams in the NHL during the regular season.

Some might argue that the Montreal Canadiens were the best in the east, but that’s to ignore the horrendous fluke that happened down the stretch. The Canadiens proved their true worth during the playoffs and saved us from a lot of Hab fan nonsense over the past few weeks.

Next year will be a lot easier to stomach, because I still maintain Montreal will not make the playoffs.

Anyway, its time for non partisans to pick a side and to tell you the truth, it’s a no brainer for me. I want Pittsburgh to win, and it’s for no other reason than Sidney Crosby and Nicklas Lidstrom.

Sidney is Canadian and Lidstrom is not.

Call me crazy, but I still like the idea that no team with a European captain has ever won the Stanley Cup.

A couple of Americans have captained Stanley Cup winners, but never has a European and although its bound to happen eventually, as a guy who could care less about either the Pittsburgh Penguins or Detroit Red Wings, it gives me a focus for the Stanley Cup final.

On any given night, the Penguins and Red Wings have the same number of Canadians on their squad. About seven or eight. It all depends who dresses for a particular game.

So it comes back to the captaincy thing and I’d love to see the young Canadian guy lift the Cup above his head before the old European guy.

Is that wrong?

Category: Sports

May 20, 2008 @ 10:10

I guess I’m getting soft in my old age.

A Victoria Day weekend came and went and I didn’t go north. I just can’t handle shitty weather any more.

It used to be, I didn’t care what the weather was like, I just loved being in the Kawarthas even if it meant being huddled inside watching movies.

Not any more.

My wife and I got up on Friday morning and we weren’t going to be fooled by the nice day that was unfolding. We put an eye towards the forecast and it wasn’t too encouraging, so we made a call.

We’d stay home on Friday and if the weather forecast proved to be wrong on Saturday morning, we’d head up north.

Saturday arrived and we still weren’t convinced there would be any major turn around so we decided to stay home, and it proved to be the correct choice.

Saturday was unsettled and cool, Sunday provided a steady downpour and Monday was downright frigid.

We stayed home, enjoyed our spacious home, entertained some relatives, watched a lot of hockey and planted a tree. Yes, a tree.

My sweet wife Delyse has always wanted to plant a birch tree in front of our house, so on Saturday we went and bought a little sapling.

It will take years to mature, and we’ll probably be long gone before we can actually enjoy its full splendour, but that doesn’t matter, we accomplished something on the weekend that gave us both a small measure of pleasure and warmth.

We’ll watch it grow as long as we’re here, and even after we’re gone it will give us a reason to drive by the “old house” and see how much the birch tree has grown.

Category: The Trailer

May 16, 2008 @ 09:53

Exciting times for Ontarians.

Soon any and all medical procedures in the province with be covered by OHIP.

Details have not been released but we can only assume that with the announcement that gender surgery will be covered, all procedures will be covered.

If there's is enough money in the system to pay for a sex change, there must be enough money to cover absolutely every other medical procedure that up until this point has not been covered.

If the system is in such great shape that a man can become a woman, or a woman can become a man at taxpayers expense, then expense for absolutely every other procedure under the sun has to be covered.

Again, Ontario Health Minister George Smitherman has only confirmed gender change, but we can only assume the rest will follow.

Category: Politics

May 16, 2008 @ 09:53

It's not often that Canada makes a big impact on the world stage, but every so often along comes a Canadian who stands above the crowd.

Such is the case with Taylor Fuchs.

What are the chances that a young fella from White City, Saskatchewan could become the world's most successful male model? It's quite the accomplishment, and quite the name.

I'm sure he had a bitch of a time as a kid.

Category: Stuff

May 16, 2008 @ 09:52

Here's more content from an outside contributor.

My buddy Darren is a big fan of the Onion Daily Dispatch and every so often he sends me an article that he finds especially amusing. And if he finds it amusing, it means it probably is.

This one is a gem.

It's another shot at the NHL and the sad lack of attention it gets in the United States.

Category: Sports

May 15, 2008 @ 10:52

I told you a couple of weeks ago that my house had been selected for a BBM survey.

We're eligible now because I no longer work in radio. Ouch! It hurts to say that.

My wife took the call, and earlier this week, BBM radio diaries assigned to each member of the family, arrived along with some instructions and a five dollar bill in each one.

It really is peculiar system.

Starting on Monday, the occupants of our house have been asked to faithfully fill out a diary. Its broken down day by day, quarter hour by quarter hour, and you’re supposed to fill it out at the end each day, they’d prefer to you didn’t fill it out at the end of the week in case you’re memory fails you.

Yea, fat chance of that happening.

I’m willing to bet that almost 100 percent of these diaries are filled out as an after thought, by those who feel an obligation to BBM because of the five dollar bill.

It’s absolutely ridiculous to think anyone but a retiree or shut-in would make this priority during their busy week. To think that a teenager or busy young adult would actually sit down with a pen and fill this out is a stretch of major proportion.

Can you image anyone between 18 and 24 doing anything that doesn’t involve a computer? And you can probably stretch that to someone in their mid 30’s.

I mean really, in this day and age of on-line music, information, purchasing and networking, who, with any connection to the computer world would take one of these diaries seriously?

I have a 22 year old who would be all over this if he could do it on his Mac, but to imagine him sitting down at the table with a pen in hand, on a daily basis, filling this out, is not only dreaming in technicolour, it’s not realistic.

But you know what? It’s gonna happen.

It’s gonna happen in my house because having been in the radio business I understand the importance of this archaic system and I owe it to my former colleagues to have it done properly.

I’m going to explain the system to my family and ask them, as a favour to me, to fill out the ballots just the way BBM would have you fill them out.

Problem is, what about other households? What about other families who agreed to take the survey but have no intention of doing it properly? In most families these diaries sit on the kitchen table for the entire week and they’re all filled out by one person, usually mom, out of guilt, on the last day.

That’s how you get bizarre results. Like in the last book when a popular station for older individuals in Toronto enjoyed a huge increase in males 18-34. Excuse me? An obvious case of the “mom” factor.

But don’t worry about my family.

My wife will only fill out her ballot and same goes with the rest of my group. It’s going to be a fun little “family” project, and I won’t even recommend who they should support. That wouldn’t be fair and it wouldn’t be prudent, and I would urge any of you out there who may have been selected for a survey to do the same.

As crazy as it seems, jobs depend on it.

Category: Radio

May 14, 2008 @ 12:07

Tina Turner ticket talk.

Category: Radio

May 14, 2008 @ 12:06

I’m sure some of you think my life must be pretty good if one of the more pressing issues in my life is graffiti, but I’m telling you, we should all be concerned.

Not to get overly dramatic, but I think the recent explosion of graffiti in the GTA is extremely disturbing. It tells us something about our society as a whole.

It reveals selfishness, the disregard for others and the willingness to literally shit where you live. I’m convinced that most graffiti is probably committed by people who live in the area where they leave their messages or so-called tags.

What kind of pig chooses to deface their own community.

I guess it’s the same kind of pig who decided to deface the granite memorial dedicated to Ontario’s fallen firefighters at Queens Park.

The son of a bitch took a red spray bomb and covered the memorial with all kinds of garbage, showing total disregard for all the heroic firefighters who have died on duty, and their surviving family members.

It’s a despicable act that should be dealt with severely, but don’t hold your breath.

As the city becomes a canvas for every half-cocked, malcontent jerk off with a spray bomb, the mayor twiddles his thumbs, and thinks of ways to embrace the practice without offending anyone.

I’m telling you, I’m so pissed off at what happened at Queens Park, if given the chance I’d literally cut the bastards balls off.

Category: Stuff

May 14, 2008 @ 12:01

Wayne Gretzky was very diplomatic, but he quickly downplayed rumours that he'd be interested in becoming President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Gretzky is arguably the greatest players in the history of hockey, but that image has been somewhat tarnished as coach of the Phoenix Coyotes. It's been a struggle.

Taking on the paramount job of running the Leafs would definitely have an upside, but given the horrific modern day history of this club, Gretzky is not about to take any chances.

Being the latest Leaf management failure could go a long way in clouding his wonderful playing legacy.

Thanks but no thanks.

Category: Sports

May 14, 2008 @ 11:48

There is no excuse for assaulting any one under any circumstances, and the thought of someone suffering physical and emotional injuries while fishing is unconscionable, but complaints from several areas of the province about certain fishermen not following angling laws, continuously fall on deaf ears, and are conveniently written off as racism.

Again, this is no excuse for violence, but enough complaints, spread out over a large province should be enough to initiate an investigation by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

Unfortunately, because of budget restraints and political correctness, neglect by the Ministry has turned into an issue for the Ontario Human Rights Commission and it's whacked out leader Barbara Hall.

Because of cutbacks, fishing decorum goes virtually unchecked in the province and its become a passionate issue for those who care about our lakes and steams.

I find it amusing that the Ontario government refuses to even consider that there might be a problem with the abuse of angling laws in the province, but doesn’t hesitate to crack down on those who feel there is.

We must repeat there is no excuse for racist remarks or violence because no man has the right to lay his hands on another. However, we do have the right to have an issue examined from all sides and dealt with accordingly.

Barbara Hall is a real winner through all of this. She quickly grasped this issue and turned it into a racial thing as a method to justify her existence as head of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, yet at the same time she's allowed literature to printed reminding certain people of angling laws, including catch limits.

Obviously she realizes there's a problem with some groups. Obviously she's talking out of both sides of her mouth.

Category: Politics | Stuff

May 13, 2008 @ 09:50

I just went online and tried to buy some Tina Turner tickets for my wife and daughter.

But after viewing the price for the best available seats, that weren’t very good, Ticketmaster, The ACC and Tina Turner can collectively bite my clank.

The tickets were $150.00 apiece, but that wasn’t the extent of it. There was also something called a convenience charge of $14.25 a ticket, and something called a building facility charge of $1.75.

Grand total, with delivery, $337.00.

I guess I’m out of touch with reality, but that doesn’t mean I have to buy into it.

When my daughter Melanie was barely old enough to talk, Tina Turner had just released her album Private Dancer and Melanie loved it.

She used to walk around the house singing “What’s Love Got o Do With It.”

I eventually got the video of the concert and Mel would sit in front of the television set and watch it from beginning to end several times over.

So… my sweet wife Delyse thought it would be nice if she and Mel could go to the concert at the ACC in November for old time’s sake.

But it ain’t gonna happen.

I don’t know what pisses us off more. Giving a hundred and fifty to Turner, giving $14.25 to Ticketmaster, or coughing up the buck seventy five for the building facility charge.

It’s all bullshit and we’re not going to get sucked in.

Category: Show Biz

May 13, 2008 @ 09:04

Here you go people.

Yesterday’s subject on CHCH Live at 5:30 got a lot of reaction, so I decided to include the video as well as the audio.

However, it’s was shot with my trusty little Nikon, placed right in front of my 36-inch Sony.

Tolerate the quality and hopefully you’ll enjoy the content.

Category: Television

May 13, 2008 @ 09:03

Yes, here we go again. The government of Canada plans to issue another formal apology, this time to Indo-Canadians.

It deals with the Komagata Maru, an Indian ship that came to Canada in 1914 with almost 400 would be Indian immigrants aboard.

It was turned away and the incident has never been forgotten, with members Canada’s Indian community pushing for an apology ever since.

Even though it happened almost 100 years ago, even though those involved are no longer alive and even though times were different and policies were different.

Now, in 2008, the Conservative government plans to issue an informal apology on behalf of all Canadians, Canadians who had absolutely nothing to do with this moment in history.

It’s obvious the apology will be issued for political reasons, and of course there’s money involved, 2.5 million dollars in commemorative grants will be handed out.

On the surface, CanadianThinker agrees that no harm can come from an apology, but when you scratch the below the surface, why is it necessary? All countries have dark moments in their history, but they were often dictated by the times.

Canada seems to be the poster child for apologies.

The greatest country in the world, that remains the first choice of many immigrants today, but we’re made to feel guilty for the actions of some of our ancestors who have long since departed.

Why should Canada always give in?

Category: Politics

May 12, 2008 @ 09:55

I'll be a guest on CHCH Live at 5:30 this afternoon with my good friends Mark Hebscher and Donna Skelly.

The subject will be this Dairy Queen commercial that has feminists and women's groups up in arms. They've decided it's some kind of exploitation.

Todays other combatant will be Marianne Mead Ward of the Toronto Sun who over-reacts to any and all women's issues.

Should be fun. CHCH Live at 5:30

Category: Television

May 12, 2008 @ 09:00

Steaks and Wings.

Category: Radio

May 12, 2008 @ 08:59

This is my friend Bruce Mallory. He’s a magician with a barbeque.

How is it that some guys have the touch and others guys don’t. I have to admit, that for every half dozen steaks that I barbeque, maybe one of them turns out exactly the way I want it.

Bruce bats .1000, and it doesn’t matter where the meat comes from. On Saturday night we had our first barbeque of the season at the trailer and Bruce took control of the Broil King and he was given steaks from three different places, and all three we exceptional.

Bruce isn’t one of these guys who keeps flipping a steak, he get the barbeque really hot and then leaves them alone, flipping them once and testing them with his thumb, never does he have to cut into the steak.

It really is an art. It’s a talent, it’s a gift and he’s got it.

Saturday night followed a hard day of work about the tin palace. There was stuff to move out of the shed, lots of leaves to rake and other small jobs that add to one big effort.

It’s the same thing every year. I had up there for the first weekend having convinced myself that’s there’s not really that much involved to open up, but once you get going, you realize that people who own cottages must have a bitch of a time.

I arrived at the trailer late Friday afternoon and it was good to see my buddy Brian Collins with his usual collection of fishing buddies. They love to fish – almost as much as they love to drink beer and eat. Brian also likes to make frequent references to “the big guy”, which is exactly what you think it is.

Dan Duran was there. He forgot to bring beer and Bailey’s again. But he’s got a lot on his mind these days.

And what’s left of my good friend Darren was there as well. Darren dropped about 30 pounds over the winter and he’s a new man. Long and lean and extremely conscious of what he puts in his mouth these days. He eats a lot of berries.

It was also a bitter sweet weekend for the group.

Out beloved park managers Shawn and Brenda have decided to move on and that can be upsetting. Good managers are like your favourite pair of jeans.

You like the way they fit and they’re very comfortable. That’s the way Shawn and Brenda were and we’re going to miss them.

A few years ago we had a terrorist named Jim running the park, and you’ve always afraid there could be more than one of him on earth.

Surely there can’t be.

Category: The Trailer

May 9, 2008 @ 09:56

Over the weekend I was wondering if you could help me?

Can you look to the right and click on CanadianThinker.com and take part in the dialogue?

I'd like to get this baby up and running and it would be cool if you could click through and get the numbers up while giving your two cents worth.

Beyond that, it would be exceptional if you could spread the word about CanadianThinker.com, because don't forget, even if you disagree with some of the postings, you have the opportunity to respond.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Frederick Richard Patterson,
Editor,
CanadianThinker.com

Category: Stuff

May 8, 2008 @ 11:27

Hey everybody, I probably be won’t be posting anything on FreddieP.ca tomorrow, because later this afternoon I plan to head north and open the tin palace and start trailer season 2008.

It’s my favourite time of the year. A new beginning and reengagement with a bunch of great people who’ve been a big part of my family’s life for close to the last two decades.

It doesn’t take much to open up.

Turn the water on, take a bunch of stuff out of the shed, make the beds, hook up the satellite and give her.

Once again this year I’ll keep you posted on the week to week happenings. I realize its not of interest to all of you, but its there if you care.

Loving you.

Category: The Trailer

May 8, 2008 @ 11:13

Yes, the madness continues in Toronto where a return to segregation is well underway and threatening to grow.

Now that an Africentric school has been approved for kindergarten to grade five for the fall of 2009, the push is on to expand it to a high school for the fall of 2010.

It’s got to be one of the most bizarre situations in the history of Canada.

A country that has prided itself in multi-culturalism and accepting just about anyone from anywhere in the world, is now being pressured into taking a huge step backward by dividing kids by colour in our schools.

We're not fooled by the smoke screen that suggests these schools will be open to all kids of all colours and backgrounds. They will be occupied by black kids who have parents who choose to blame the school system for the scholastic failures of children.

This is political correctness in its worst form.

The idea of Africentric schools is wrong but the concept lives on because too many people are afraid to say no.

Category: Stuff

May 8, 2008 @ 09:24

The story of the 27 year old London woman who was fired from her job at Tim Horton’s should be enough to make the entire country boycott this corporate monster.

Talk about hypocrisy.

Here’s a company that spends millions dollars a year producing cheesy commercials about being a fixture in communities across the country. Commercials about compassion and generosity. Commercials about family and friends.

Obviously, when you get right down to it, it’s a load of bullshit flung at the Canadian public by the corporate weasels who make tens of millions of dollars a year on the backs of people who patronize the coffee chain in a disturbingly cult like fashion.

27 year old Nicole Lilliman gave one stinkin’ Tim-Bit to an 11 month old child and for that she was fired. She didn’t even receive a warning.

A single mother of four, Lilliman was accused of theft and was told to sign an accusation before she left he store.

This is corporate greed of the highest level. It represent a big problem in our society today, all rationale is lost when it comes to the all mighty dollar.

Of course an employee shouldn’t give food away. But consider the entire situation and the extent of the actual damage before throwing someone onto the street.

"Employees aren't allowed to give out free products and that's the bottom line," she district Manager Nicole Mitchell. "She gave out free product and it doesn't matter if it is a Timbit or a coffee or a doughnut or 10 sandwiches or what."

How heartless is that. What a dumb ass.

From what we can gather, Lilliman did something that possesses all the qualities that we usually see in a Tim Horton’s commercial.

Bastards.

Category: Stuff

May 7, 2008 @ 17:01

I had a great time on the Derringer Show again today. Actually, when I think about it, it’s a little bittersweet.

I’m a big fan of the show, and all the guys are great, but when I’m sitting there I realize how much I miss radio. It sort of makes you feel heavy hearted.

But I can’t express how grateful I am to JD for giving me a huge platform, and to brother Bill, Ryan and Johnny Garbutt for making me feel so welcome.

Here is the segment from today's show. In two parts.

Category: Radio

May 7, 2008 @ 17:00

Talkin' about CanadianThinker. com.

Category: Radio

May 7, 2008 @ 16:59

I was in the halls of Corus Entertainment Toronto today when word broke of the firing of Paul Maurice sometime around 11 am.

People were scurrying up and down the halls.

Young Steve Dankoff, who hosts Leafs Lunch Weekends was there, News Director Stephanie Smyth was there, and Program Director Gord Harris was there.

When a story like this breaks, and you're the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, decisions have to be made about how you're going to handle the story and it was fun to watch the team go into action.

On air at the time was the marvelous Mike Stafford and no surprisingly, Mike morphed from newsman to sports analyst in a matter of seconds.

Within minutes Mike had Bill Watters on the phone, and the he spent the rest of the hour taking calls from passionate Leaf fans.

I so desperately wanted to bust through the studio doors and sit with Mike and take calls, but it wasn't may place.

It used to be, but not no more.

What do I think of the Maurice firing?

I'm not surprised. As screwed up as the organization is, there were too many nights over the past couple of years that the Leafs appeared "not ready to play."

I realize that motivation for players who make millions of dollars a year shouldn't be an issue, but that's not reality.

If a professional coach has any angle to his job that shouldn't be necessary, it's motivation, but pro athletes are nothing more than big dumb kids and quite often they do need to have a fire lighted under their ass, and Maurice simply didn't deliver on that front.

Will anything change? Probably not.

This organization has a woeful history of plowing through players and coaches and not having much of anything change.

You know the story. Until the top changes, the bottom will be a familiar place.

Category: Radio | Sports

May 7, 2008 @ 16:58

After I left the Corus Empire yesterday I headed for CBC Headquarters where I had a lunch date with Jeff Marek and Jeff Domet.

The boys are doing well at the “Corp” following their departure for am 640/Leafs Lunch/ The Bill Watters Show.

Once I was cleared through security, which was rather extensive I might add, the two Jeffs showed me around.

Wow. Public broadcasting is a lot different than private broadcasting.

The first thing you notice are the people. There are people everywhere, especially in the newsrooms. Rows and rows of people pecking away at key boards in an office like atmosphere.

The newsroom for Radio One spans almost as far as the eye can see. Weird when you consider that most newsrooms in private news stations consist of maybe half a dozen people.

You can’t help but wonder what the hell they’re all doing on Front Street.

After a quick tour of our tax dollars at work, Jeff and Jeff took me up to the Hockey Night in Canada/Sirius Radio offices where I met a couple of interns and another producer whose name escapes me right now.

After that they took me into their new state of the art studios where Hockey Night in Canada Radio is produced and I was blown away. Top notch, state of the art. The studios still smell new.

We shot the shit for a while, and then Marek’s phone rang with a call from Don Cherry who was confirming his appearance on the show later in the day.

It was good to catch up with my boys, and before I left we went downstairs to a food court that I didn’t know existed, and we had veal sandwiches.

Sandwiches made from baby cows. Baby cow tastes good. Especially with hot peppers.

Category: Radio

May 6, 2008 @ 09:51

Hey everybody, check this out.

In conjunction with technical whiz Toronto Mike I’ve developed a new website called CanadianThinker.com

It’s like the national version of FreddieP.ca, but I’d like it to be even more interactive.

There are several websites in the United States that act as national forums for people to state their opinion on domestic affairs, and that’s the role I hope Canadian Thinker will play.

Not only do I want your comments, but eventually I’d like readers to initiate thought and file stories or comments about things they see in the news, with a slant towards pushing back against political correctness.

I’d like CanadianThinker.com to become a daily visit for people right across the country.

CanadianThinker.com will feature links to stories that affect the lives of all Canadians, and course, it will feature comments from the editor.

Welcome to CanadianThinker.com

Category: Stuff

May 6, 2008 @ 09:50

Yes, I’ll be on the Derringer Show again tomorrow morning, and I’m very much looking forward to it. True man True!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, when I got nixed by the Mix, for the first year of so I enjoyed not having to get up at 3:30 in the morning. But that has long since worn off.

Now that I’m well rested and horrifically bored, I’ve realized that the early morning is the best part of the day and I desperately miss getting up in the morning and heading for a radio station.

I’m already pumped. I can’t wait to get up tomorrow morning.

I’ll probably set the alarm for 5:30 and be on the road by 6:15. That will have me at One Dundas by 7:00 and I’ll sit in with John and the boys until my bit at 7:35.

I’ll just sit there and breathe in deeply, absorbing every precious moment of being in a radio station during the early morning hours.

I especially enjoy the Derringer Show because it’s my kind of radio. Honest, relevant and real, the complete opposite of the fake, forced, consultant driven bullshit that can swallow a guy up and throw him onto the street if you know what I mean.

I’ll enjoy getting up, I’ll enjoy the drive and I’ll especially enjoy the elevator ride that lifts me up the 16 floors to where some of my best days in radio were spent.

I know what you’re thinking. If it was so goddamn good, why did you leave?

Simply put, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

Please be listening to the Derringer Show tomorrow morning. It’s the best morning show in Canada and I'm gonna be on it.

Once again, thanks JD.

Category: Radio

May 6, 2008 @ 09:49

In Canada, the highest priority should be given to our children, especially when it comes to predators and perverts.

Yesterday in a Toronto court room, actor Robert Smith pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography on the internet.

He’s the guy who embarrassed the hell out of the brewers of Alexander Keith’s because he was their loud mouthed, kilt wearin’ spokesman for a few years.

But here’s the unbelievable part. Despite possessing and distributing child pornography, the maximum this “perv” can get under the Canadian Criminal Code is two years.

Shameful!

Category: Stuff

May 5, 2008 @ 08:35

Hockey and reefers.

Category: Radio

May 5, 2008 @ 08:34

A growing problem in the Toronto area and stretching out across the land is graffiti.

It’s another one of those things that we could always take pride in when compared to the United States, but no longer.

So called “urban art” is taking hold in larger Canadian cities and unless we want to give in like large American cities, it will cost millions to clean up.

It’s a selfish crime.

To take a spray bomb or a pain brush and deface someone else’s property is the height of ignorance and disregard for the visual environment.

To inflict your beliefs or thoughts or slogans on the property of others without their permission should be considered a serious crime and perpetrators should be dealt with severely.

It was nice to see the cops kick some ass over the weekend.

It’s property damage plain and simple and costing innocent victims money that could be better spent elsewhere..

Without getting too dramatic, I really believe scribbling on street signs, traffic signs, mail boxes and walls etc. is indication we're losing control as a society.

It's like nobody gives a shit about any one else any more.

Category: Stuff

May 5, 2008 @ 08:33

No doubt it’s nice to have the World Hockey Championships being played in Canada for the first time in its history, but you have wonder about the size of the field and whether it’s necessary.

What is the point of having countries like Latvia, France, Italy and Denmark in the tournament?

They travel thousands of miles to have their doors kicked and it really is pointless.

It’s like the IIHF feels the tournament isn’t legitimate unless there’s a certain number of team in it. Even if it means several games between clubs that don’t stand a chance or teams that nobody cares about.

When you look the schedule, it’s heavily weighted with games that mean nothing compared to games that will actually hold some interest.

Team Canada’s 7-0 exercise against Latvia yesterday was a waste of time and bordered on cruelty, while several other games were lopsided and featured some teams actually backing off to save their opponents embarrassment.

A 16 team field for an International hockey tournament is far too ambitious and takes away from the flavour.

Eight would be enough and grab the interest of fans long before the current format does.

Category: Sports

May 3, 2008 @ 10:15

Category: Sports

May 2, 2008 @ 13:44

I received a great call early this afternoon. My long time buddy Mike Stafford of am 640 was on the line and wanted to know if I'd come on his show and talk about the reputation of Brampton.

Category: Radio

May 2, 2008 @ 10:03

I alluded to it yesterday, but today I’ll expand on it.

On Wednesday I’ll be making a return visit to the John Derringer Show on Q-107, and I’m really looking forward to it.

My first visit went well and the response on this website was outstanding.

I remember shortly after my execution from the MIX I enjoyed not having to get up at three thirty in the morning.

Well believe me, that's passed.

The early morning is the best part of the day. It just took a couple of years of rest to realize it.

The Derringer Show. Wednesday morning at 7:35.

Category: Radio

May 2, 2008 @ 10:02

I got a call about 6:30 last night from a woman named Janice. She wanted to let me know that Roger, Rick and Marilyn were giving away 25 thousand dollars this morning at 7:10.

No strings attached. All you had to do was be listening at 7:10 and once Roger gives out a number the lines are cleared and the first person through wins 25 grand.

At least I think that’s what the instructions were. I didn't follow along that closely because I had no intention of taking part because the chances of winning are slim and the phone solicitation isn’t my idea of good radio.

I wonder how many people fall for this and then end up with a BBM ballot that falls in favour of CHUM-FM because it was the last radio station on the mind of somebody who followed the instruction of the phone call.

Roger, Rick and Marilyn end up with credit for a listener who really wasn’t a listener, but somebody who could use 25 thousand dollars.

Roger, Rick and Marilyn end up with credit for a listener but it doesn’t mean their show is any better or any worse than any other show on the dial.

As fate would have it, their on-air success and success from other gimmicks and promotions have allowed them to generate enough revenue to hire phone solicitors to call thousands of people in the GTA and give away thousand of dollars.

Do I think there’s anything wrong with it?

Yes and no.

Yes, because it exposes the pathetic system that determines audience measurement in Canada, and no because it begs to be exploited so why not exploit it.

And further to that, when I've critisized BBM before, many of you have pointed out that I sure didn't mind the system when it worked to my advantage throughout the years. I took bonuses when they came along.

Goddamn right I did. I was in no position to change the system, so I took the benefits as readily as I was forced to accept the flaws that worked against me.

When you think of the leaps and bounds that technology has taken in the past decade its hard to believe that the radio industry still can’t come up with an accurate and fair system of ratings.

Category: Radio

May 2, 2008 @ 10:01

It’ll be interesting to watch the bullshit fly now that Brenda Martin has arrived back in Canada.

The Liberals have already made it political and I’m sure they’ll only increase that angle over the next few weeks while Martin awaits release from a Waterloo Women’s Prison.

Already Dan McTeague, Liberal for Pickering- Scarborough East has jumped in.

“The fact that it took this long was certainly something that didn't go unnoticed for most Canadians and it was only when we got the press heavily involved did things start to move."

Yea, yea, yea.

The truth is, the Liberals would have had no interest in this case if they didn’t think they could have made the Conservatives look bad. It just lined up perfectly for them, and started with that unofficial visit by former Prime Minister Paul Martin.

And that’s the key. It’s easy for the opposition government to issue all kinds of wild statements and make cute little visits to Mexico; it’s an entirely different thing for a sitting government to handle the issue.

They have to worry about diplomacy and protocol, even if the other country is a wretched hell hole like Mexico.

The Brenda Martin case has all the makings of a TV movie and the Liberals saw that from a mile away. By pretending they actually cared about Brenda Martin they could look good and take a swipe at the Conservatives all in one motion.

As much as the Liberals helped Brenda Martin, they exploited her more.

Category: Politics

May 2, 2008 @ 10:00

Yesterday’s posting about the double murder/ attempted suicide in Brampton has turned even uglier.

It turns the victims were married. It wasn’t a Good Samaritan coming to the aid of a stranger being attacked by her spouse; it was a husband coming to the aid of his wife who was being attacked by a stranger.

An unprovoked attack that is incomprehensible. Like something out of a cheap slasher film and it happened in a small plaza on a quiet street in Brampton.

But as disturbing as the murders were, the story behind the attacker is extremely unsettling as well.

He was violent offender, out on bail.

Our system fails us again.

Category: Politics

May 2, 2008 @ 10:00

Al Falkner is a long time friend of mine. We grew up in Scarborough and went through a lot of things together, including the tragic death of his father in a car accident way back in 1977 when we were only 21 years old.

Yesterday he sent me this e-mail.

Thanks Al.

Freddie,

Hope to see you soon,
Al and Brenda

Category: Family | Friends

May 1, 2008 @ 10:18

Over the past few days I've been battered and bruised by many because of my stance on the Montreal Canadiens.

I predicted they couldn't beat Philadelphia, mainly because I couldn't see how this "soft" team could win at the Wachovia Centre.

Well, don't look now but the Habs trail the series 3-1 and in order to win they'd have to still find a way to win in Philly while sweeping the other two games at home.

It ain't gonna happen.

And you know what else ain't gonna happen. The Habs ain't gonna make the playoffs next year.

Category: Sports

May 1, 2008 @ 10:17

I realize money isn’t everything and money definitely doesn’t guarantee happiness, but as the father of a 25 year old woman, I can’t help but wonder it would be like to have her walk in the door and tell me she was marrying a 37 year old rich guy.

That was it was like for the parents of 25 year old Swede Josephine Johansson who was yesterday officially introduced as 37 year old Mats Sundin’s fiancée.

I’ve got to admit, if my daughter brought at 37 year old guy into the house and I didn’t know his financial situation, I’d probably be pissed.

I’d wonder what this old bastard wanted with my little girl and I’d be concerned for her future. What about having kids and her retirement. The old prick will probably be useless down the road.

However, once it was presented to me that he was worth tens of millions of dollars I wonder how I’d react.

To be honest, I’m sure it would lessen the blow and allow me to get my head around my little darlin’ marrying someone who comes across as a cradle snatcher.

All of a sudden I wouldn’t worry so much about her future knowing that even with a pre-nup she’d be set for life before life had really even begun. I’d realize the burden of child rearing would be made that much easier and who the hell cares about retirement because retirement would start the day she tied the knot.

And I’ve got to admit, it wouldn’t hurt that along with the money came the profile of my daughter marrying a freakin’ Toronto Maple Leaf for cryin’ out loud.

I might even overlook the fact it’s Mats Sundin, although I’m sure at family dinners I’d be all over him for not accepting a trade at the deadline and for keeping company with the likes of Tie Domi.

And get his opinion on why, still to this day, a team has never won a Stanley Cup with a European captain.

Category: Family | Sports

May 1, 2008 @ 10:16

My heart sunk yesterday when I heard of the double murder/ attempted suicide in Brampton, not far from where I live.

It must have been a horrible scene as a man plunged a knife into a woman, and then did the same thing to a good Samaritan who tried to help her out. After killing those two, he started to slice his own throat before police arrived a tasered him.

A horrible incident that could have happened anywhere, but something that puts another knife into the heart of Brampton.

It’s another one of those things that will leave non residents of Brampton shaking their heads this morning, thankful that they don’t live here.

I don’t think I have to explain the reputation that Brampton has acquired over the past several years, much like Scarborough. And much like Scarborough, it’s undeserved.

I’ve made the point before, Brampton gets tagged with a lot of what it doesn't deserve because the Peel Court House is located here, and whenever anything happens its usually reported with the tag line “in Brampton Court.”

It could happen anywhere in Mississauga and Caledon, but it always comes back to Brampton because of that damn court house.

I’ve lived in Brampton for close to 30 years now, and I can only tell you that its been a fabulous place to raise a family and continues to be a safe and peaceful community.

I don’t know exactly what happened at that Brampton Mall yesterday, I don’t even think the police know at this point.

What I do know is that Brampton dropped a couple more notches in public opinion yesterday and it’s getting to the point where its reputation is probably beyond the point of recovery.

Sad, but true.

Category: Stuff

May 1, 2008 @ 10:15

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned American Idol on my blog this year.

I've given up on it. I gave up a few weeks ago when Michael Johns was voted off the show.

Not that I was in love with the guy, but he was so much better than a few others that I couldn't take the bullshit any more.

American Idol has become nothing more than a popularity contest for little girls who tend to vote for young cute guys long after they've proved they have no talent.

It happened last year with Sanjia, and it's happening this year with a dread locked freak named Jason Castro who probably should have been the first one one voted off. To be honest, he's got less talent than Sanjia but he's managed to weasel his way into the final four.

Only because the little girls love him.

The guy can't sing, he's got no stage presence and when the judges talk to him he sounds like he smoked half a dozen reefers before he hit the stage.

It's a joke and not worthy of my time. And it's caused a split in my family.

My wife and I used to enjoy watching American Idol together but back on April 10th I told her I couldn't take it anymore and walked out of the room. She wasn't pleased and has felt lonely every Tuesday and Wednesday night since then.

Oh how I regret that moment during my appearance on the John Derringer Show back in March when I declared that American Idol was one of my favourite shows.

What a mistake. Thank goodness I'll be able to retract it this coming Wednesday when I visit Derringer again.

Category: Show Biz