Freddie P's Blog

The Wade Belak story has taken a wild twist and I find it quite amusing how the sports media, or media in general is avoiding it.

When it was first believed Belak had committed suicide the sports talk shows generated enough content to last five NHL careers, but now that it may have been something equally as weird as tragic, all the research has stopped.

For a couple of days following Belak's death NHL tough guy suicide was examined from every goddamn angle possible. It became nauseating as expert after expert was called upon to find a connection between wanting to kill somebody on the ice during your career and then wanting to kill yourself after your career.

It got to the point where I had to shut the radio off. I couldn't take it any more. Like most other Leaf fans I felt real shitty about Wade Belak's death, but I found the media mayhem that surrounded it even shittier.

Granted, it's a by-product of today's all news and all sports channels. They need content so often they create it - and the Belak stretch was a fine example.

Probably the best interview I heard on the subject was given by former tough guy Chris Nilan on Ted Bird's exceptionally "real" morning show in Montreal.

Nilan thought the over-analysis was a joke and he asked why so much attention was being given to a hockey player when there were so many other people in other professions who had suffered the same fate.

In a word, Nilan considered the connection between fighting on the ice and then killing yourself to be - bullshit. With a capital "B"

But remember, at the time he, like everyone else, thought it was suicide.

Now back to my original point. Why has the media gone so quiet now that it's been suggested Belak's death may have been the result of auto erotic asphyxiation?

What more do you want? Belak's death apparently wasn't suicide, but it was the result of strangulation. Accidental strangulation. Even his family admits it - and their word should trump all.

There really isn't a whole lot of area between AEA and suicide, so when you get right down to it there's a much better chance that his death was connected to auto erotic asphyxiation than it was to being a tough guy in the NHL.

So again, my question, when the sports media thought it was some psychological phenomenon why did they go ape shit dumping hour upon hour of mind numbing analysis on us, yet when it turns out it may have been a sexual phenomenon they go quiet?

Hey, I'll be the first to admit that I may have missed something, but since this latest story broke on Friday I've been twisting the dial trying to find somebody to address it.

No such luck.

Believe me, Humble and Fred Radio would be all over it.

Category: Stuff

There's quite the fun fest going on over at Toronto Mike. Some guy named Dan Speerin put together a video called Rob Ford's Top Five WTF Moments.

It's the usual stuff supported by the usual suspects. It's totally out of context but more important than that, it's not funny. I could see some point to it if it was actually humorous but the Speerin suffers a bit in the delivery department.

The crew at Toronto Mike think it's a clever because they so desperately "want" it to be clever.

But honestly, if these are the Top Five WTF's, then Mayor Ford is doing OK.

Have a look at the video, and then go on over the Toronto Mike and witness the excitement of the kids as they actually think they have Rob Ford in a gotcha moment.

I especially enjoy the Kyle Rae bit - if anybody thinks Rae didn't hide behind the AIDS conference as a way to see the world, they're horribly naive. This shit happens all the time.

After digesting all this, please read my latest posting below this one - it sort of plays into this and explains why Rob Ford has so much work to do.

And one more point, don't talk to me about plunging polls. Even the great world changer Barack Obama, whom I'm sure the world of Toronto Mike adores, is suffering in the polls. It comes with the territory.

Category: Stuff

I didn't write about the Wade Belak story last week because I really didn't know what to say beyond this.

Wade Belak was a big, strong, good looking guy who had just completed an NHL career, something very few can claim. He was about to start a TV career in Nashville and on top of everything else, he had a beautiful wife and two little girls.

To choose death over this is inexplicable. It sheds a light on depression that I'm sure will never be explained.

Yesterday provided a completely different scenario for the hockey world. The crash of that plane in Russia pushed all kinds of thoughts through my brain, the least of which was the living hell it must be to know you're about to die when you don't want to.

The passengers had to know there was something wrong right off the bat, and given that the plane was just taking off the fire ball on impact must have been horrific if not a blessing because it probably prevented a lot of suffering.

And I can't help but think of head coach Brad McCrimmon and how fate can play such a large part in our lives... and deaths.

Brad McCrimmon made a big decision within the last year that I'm sure he struggled with, but ultimately thought it was the best thing to do. I'm sure he never dreamed it would end in a fiery crash, in a suspect plane, 250 klms north of Moscow.

A Canadian guy who came up through the Canadian hockey system, played in the NHL and then chose a career as coach after his playing days were over.

He became an assistant coach with arguably the best organization in hockey, the Detroit Red Wings, but then decided he wanted more. He wanted to become a head coach, but rather than wait for something to break in the NHL, he chose to take a job in the KHL.

It must have been huge decision. Far from home, I presume far from his family and in an environment very much different than what he experienced in the NHL.

Since yesterday more and more reports are coming out about the state of aviation in Russia and the standards that allow suspect planes to remain in service.

I'm not a bad flyer, but I'm not completely comfortable either. It's those first few second while whipping along the run way that always unnerve me a bit, and my heart jumps when the wheels leave the ground.

There's no way I could work in the KHL if the planes were questionable. Yesterday I heard reports of bald tires and weird sounds and loose safety checks. There's a startling history of crashing planes in Russia, and it was just a matter of time before another one went down.

And the timing sucked for Brad McCrimmon.

Category: Stuff

I had an interesting conversation with my mother yesterday. While telling her about the project I'm working on with Humble, she asked me if I was going to forget about using the "f word."

This took me off guard because my mother is no prude and definitely not against the use of the word in question. As a matter of fact, she's quite comfortable with it and I heard her say it long before I ever heard my dad say it.

I asked her to explain what she was getting at, and from what I can gather she's not against the use of the word in every day conversation, but I think Junie, who's a big fan of this blog, doesn't like it when I write the word and I don't think she liked the sound of it when she listened to some of the earlier podcasts Humble and I did.

It's quite the dilemma. What's a guy to do?

I explained to her that my blog and our podcasts aren't like the radio shows we used to do. I pointed out that there's a whole other side of entertainment that allows for naughty words.

I told her about the shows on HBO, shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Entourage that feature language that you'd hear on the street or in a bar or amongst friends. There's a whole area outside of what she thinks is the standard and that's what this blog and our podcasts will fall under.

I'm not sure it made her feel any better.

I think my sweet mom is concerned about my reputation. I know she can handle the "f" word, but I think she's worried about other people she knows seeing me write it or hearing me say it on a broadcast or podcast. I think she's worried about what they will think of her little baby boo boo.

I'm convinced that she thinks it takes away from the product.

It's interesting because earlier this week Humble and I had a conversation about show content and the key to being successful on-line is to offer a product that isn't available on regular radio and sometimes that might involve graphic subject matter and language.

I told her this and then recommended that the best option might be for her not to listen.

Her reply - "fat fuckin' chance of that happening."

Category: Stuff

By mid-afternoon I'll be somewhere on the road that runs behind my trailer with bocce balls in hand, practicing for the 2011 Jeff Laird Memorial Bocce Tournament.

Yes, its that time of year again, when all the trailerites gather for the annual battle that stretches throughout most of Saturday and ends with a huge pot luck feast.

This year I'm offering barbequed pork tenderloin with Jamaican spice. Not necessarily jerk spice you knuckleheads, a different spice that got rave reviews when I served it several weeks ago.

Have I told you that I'm the only two time winner of the Jeff Laird? Yup, I am. Many have won it once, nobody besides me has won it twice, and I've come oh so close to winning it a third and fourth time.

It's a bastardized version of the classic Italian game. We play with plastic balls and we go up and down a dirt road. There's no bordered pitch, just wide open space that provides an adventure at every turn.

It's gonna be a great weekend, the last long weekend of the summer, chance for all of us to get together for one last blast, and this weekend will be highlighted by a visit from Humble Howard and his sweet girlfriend Amanda.

Hope the weather co-operates.

As of Tuesday, we all have to get serious again. For some reason Labour Day does that to you. The fun season comes to an end and we all have to focus on what makes the fun times possible.

It will be a different winter for Humble and I. We're about to embark on a new venture that will be fully explained over the next week or so. If it works, it will be every radio announcers dream.

A show with no restrictions, no regulation and nobody asking why you went an extra 37 seconds on that last break.

If it doesn't work I've got my eye on the plumbing section at Home Depot. It's only two minutes from my house and apparently they have good benefits.

Stayed tuned because we're on the verge of launching a website that will begin to explain everything, including how we need you to help us out.

As for CanadianThinker.com it may change in the coming weeks as well as my focus switches from one thing to another. CT has been great therapy and exercise but it might be time to move on.

One thing I promise. There will be no time given to the provincial election. After eight years of Dalton McGuinty I know who I'm voting for, and I figure those who haven't come to the same conclusion are probably beyond help, so what's the use goin' on about it.

Come Tuesday, its time to turn the corner and give it a shot - I hope you come along for the ride.

But for now, I have to concentrate on my game. How do you like my form?

Category: Stuff | The Trailer

I've got to weigh in on the Doug Ford proposal for Toronto's eastern waterfront.

Believe me I'm not a big proponent of it, but I have to laugh at how its been so readily attacked by the usual suspects - starting with my good friend Toronto Mike.

Let me repeat, I'm not advocating we rush out an do this because I really haven't looked into it enough, but I do know it doesn't deserve to be sloughed off like it has been on the pages of the Toronto Star and the much more interesting Toronto Mike.

And I say this based on my recent visit to Chicago and my complete sense of amazement with their waterfront.

You see, it wasn't long ago that Toronto and Chicago were compared to each other, and for the longest time Toronto held the upper hand. That is no more.

Chicago has surpassed Toronto in the great city category and a lot of it has to do with a strong Mayor, little influence by the bleeding heart left and the desire to bloody well get things done.

I don't have to tell you that besides a myriad of condominiums that have totally cut the city off from the water, not much has happened on Toronto's waterfront, especially the eastern part that still looks like a shit hole.

Now tell me, what is wrong with Doug Ford proposing what he has? What's wrong with proposing an area with a megamall, a ferris wheel and a mono rail?

Toronto Mike, through his hatred of anything Ford (as in the Mayor and his brother) says it sounds disastrous.

Sounds disastrous? Really Mike, sounds disastrous?

When I was in Chicago last week two of the biggest attractions were a ferris wheel and a megamall. The ferris wheel is at the Navy Pier, right on the water front, and the megamall, although not on the water is called Water Tower Place, and to tell you the truth it would be pretty cool situated on Toronto's eastern waterfront.

It amazes how a simple proposal can be so readily rejected until I realize where the criticism is coming from - those who still haven't forgiven the Mayor for going to the cottage on Canada Day.

Of course this situation begs the question, what's your alternative? Toronto's waterfront development has been stuck in neutral for decades, so I would ask the critics of this proposal, and that's all it is, what their solution or idea is.

If it's proposed parkland, great, Millenium and Grant Parks on Chicago's waterfront are fabulous. But they need to be kept up and groomed and that will come out of taxpayers pockets.

Have you seen some of the other parks in Toronto lately?

Again I can point to what has become one of the greatest cities in the world, Chicago, and show you a ferris wheel, a megamall and an elevated transit system that have helped put it there.

I realize a mono rail isn't an elevated transit system, but Chicago spins their EL as a tourist attraction. Maybe the same thing could happen here. Maybe not.

Maybe it isn't a mono-rail, but it becomes something else. But that's the key, "something."

I get the impression that Chicagoans don't have time for the foot dragging bleeding heart bullshit that Toronto has to put up with. Several years ago they determined their city needed some work and they got going on it.

Meanwhile, Toronto was saddled with the likes of David Miller and a city council that couldn't get anything done because they were too busy grabbing free muffins, drinking free coffee and eating free restaurant meals at taxpayer's expense.

And don't forget the free taxis'

Doug Ford comes up with a proposal, and that's all it is, and the next thing you know there's a mad rush to compare what he said to an episode of the Simpson's. Shallow sniping that is so characteristic of everything that's wrong with Toronto.

Let me get back to the ferris wheel for a second. I didn't ride the one in Chicago last week, but I've got to tell you, when you approached the Navy Pier and saw it standing there, unobstructed from a million condominiums, it looked pretty cool and gave a sense of fun and attraction.

What's the harm?

But apparently that's disastrous for Toronto. I guess we should use the waterfront to build lots more public housing and maybe a tent city or two.

Category: Stuff

I won't be writing for the next few days because me and my darlin' are heading to Chicago for a three nighter.

And I want to keep this trip strictly carry-on so I don't want to take a computer and I don't have an I-phone right now. It stayed in Peterborough.

I've always wanted to explore Chicago and that's what I'm going to do between now and Friday. I was there once before, for a CFNY Jays / White Sox baseball trip in 1991, but we got there Friday night, it rained all day Saturday and we left early Sunday morning.

This trip will only involve one baseball game. I got tickets to see the Cubs and Braves Tuesday night at Wrigley. I've never been to Wrigley and it's definitely on my bucket list.

Wednesday night we're going on a Skyline Cruise which is sponsored by Landshark Beer, which just happens to be partly owned by Jimmy Buffett.

A pretty good deal. A 90 minute cruise and each person gets two Landsharks while on the boat. Then it's back to Margaritaville for finger foods, two more Landsharks and entertainment.

Not bad. A cruise, four beers, some food and entertainment for 20 bucks a head. I like to see ya get that deal in Toronto.

Other than that we've got nothing else planned. Just a lot of walking, looking, eatin' and drinkin'.

Of course we'll have lunch a couple of times at the Cheesecake factory. They have fabulous appetizers that make for great meals. Like the fresh Thai lettuce wraps, the avocado eggs rolls and the spicy Ahi tempura rolls. That's some pretty good shit.

Funny, every time we go to the States we always seek out a Cheesecake Factory, but we've never had their cheesecake.

We'll have a deep dish pizza somewhere and maybe on Thursday night we'll seek out a famous Chicago Chop House and get ripped off paying eight bucks for a baked potato.

I might go to the top of the Sears Tower which now called the Willis Tower, and I'm gonna check out the Navy Pier and I'll definitely take a stroll through Millennium Park.

Hey, have I ever told you, my dad was born in Chicago?

That's right. Dickie was born in Chicago in 1925. Just think, if he had stayed there I might be a Hawks and Bears and Cubs fan.

Talk to you on Friday ya buggers. When I get back I'll tell you about my first ever pedicure.

Category: Stuff

Category: Stuff

No doubt about it, the relatively newly minted PC term "racial profiling" has become quite the beast.

Read the story and then answer these questions. But first, let me do the usual ass covering before the Libby brigade goes nuts on these very pages.

If this story is accurate, then the actions of the police officer in questions were out of line.

If the cop was as cold hearted and unresponsive to this mans condition, then something should be done about it.

Now that that's out of the way here's my first question - what the hell does it have to do with race? The suspect was black for cryin' out loud.

Second question - if a white man had gone through the same experience, would it be racial profiling?

More questions - If the roles were reversed and a black officer had done the same thing to a white man under the very same circumstances, would it be racial profiling? Hell, even it was white on white or black on black would it still be racial profiling?

There was a description of a suspect and the cop followed it up. Is that racial profiling or just doing your job?

Crazy me, I thought racial profiling meant stopping someone based on race for no reason, or questioning someone in the anticipation of a crime. ( ie airports.)

Again, if this story is completely accurate there is no doubt the police officer could have handled it differently. A guy in his 60's with a huge scar down his chest doesn't pose much of a treat. Then again, being sixty and having a huge scare on your chest doesn't mean you're incapable of B and E either.

But looking at this straight up the middle and considering that the cop may have been too tough on the guy what the hell does it have to do with racial profiling?

Like the word racism, the term racial profiling is being battered to hell.

And once again, hats off to the Toronto Star for making something out of nothing.

Category: Stuff

I just recieved word from the Nottawasaga Inn. All those charged the "noise fee" on July 9th will be reimbursed.
Thanks Liz!

Category: Stuff