Aug 31 – I have to post something to wrap up the month and add to the content so it is not just a Monday Music post.

Site trouble – it seems that my site was down for part of the weekend and my ISP folks say it was “my fault”. Some aspect of my code had knocked it down. When they reset I was back up and running. That’s the good news. The bad news is I don’t have a clue what I could have done to “spike it” as I did not do anything different from normal. The only thing I can think of is that maybe I broke some kind of file rule with the 15 megs of Iron Butterfly and "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida". I knew I would get into some type of trouble with that one so today I will be going “cruisin’”.

NHLPA – dumps Kelly after less than two years. Story goes that he was too close to their arch nemesis, the tiny perfect commish. Wonder if I should send my resume in or not? But then again, I don’t know whether I should go after this job or the $400 k a year to watch people buy lottery tickets – that one has opened up as well but it looks like they are getting pretty picky on expense accounts – seems they don’t like expensing nannies without receipts – how unreasonable can they be. They are just taxpayers dollars after all. I don’t know if I could survive in that draconian an environment. They probably wouldn’t like me expensing private flights to Detroit to watch a real hockey game. They would probably want me to take a bus to ACC for SRO at Leaf junkets and there is no way I could handle that.

HTCP III – Good news on the trainer exam front. It is exactly the same one as I wrote in 2000, 2003, 2006 and now in 2009. Isn’t consistency a wonderful thing. I think just for personal development I will sit down with my books and notes and rewrite my answers for all eight pages and 20 essay questions from scratch – NOT! MS Word – File Open – Search / Replace – Save – Send - Done. Key question – Is it plagiarism or cheating if you copy your own answers? I hope not – such moral and ethical dilemmas. By the way, I practiced taping ankles – I figure that specialty will come in handy as people jump on and off the Leaf bandwagon again this season.

Monday Music – I told you I was stuck in the 50’s and 60’s and today is no exception. After my little run-in with the Jonas Brothers’ crowd at Union Station yesterday, I am really OK with that. I have a bunch of favourites in this genre of “Golden Oldies” so I will start off with one that has “Golden” in the title and whose title also provides a very good message for certain people. As they say, “better to remain silent and be considered a fool than open your mouth and remove all doubt”.

This week’s selection “Silence is Golden” by the Tremeloes. Originally produced by the Four Seasons as the “B” side of their hit “Rag Doll”, in 1964, the song was covered later by the Tremeloes. It is their version I prefer that made number 1 in May of 67.

“Silence is Golden” – Tremeloes version - 1967

 

Oh, don't it hurt deep inside

To see someone do something to her

Oh, don't it pain to see someone cry

Oh, especially when someone is her

 

Silence

is golden, but my eyes still see

Silence is golden, golden

But my eyes still see

 

Talking is cheap, people follow like sheep

Even though there is nowhere to go

How could she tell, he deceived her so well

Pity, she'll be the last one to know

 

Silence is golden, but my eyes still see

Silence is golden, golden

But my eyes still see

 

How many times will she fall for his line

Should I tell her or should I keep cool?

And if I tried, I know she'd say I lied

Mind your business, don't hurt her, you fool

 

Silence is golden, but my eyes still see

Silence is golden, golden

But my eyes still see

. . . . .

“Talking is cheap, people follow like sheep” – gotta love that line!

Apparently I have Jane's family descending on us en masse tomorrow night for a BBQ and whatever. I also am going to be hung up at the office for a while so this is not going to be a good thing. Don't look for any post tomorrow.

Back to top

Aug 30 -- the week of recertification is over.

HTCP level III -- The level III trainer's certification/recertification was essentially the same as my last renewal and the one before that and the one before that and the original program. The last time I took it three years ago they had promised it would be revamped prior to this go around. Didn't happen. The good news about that, or at least I hope the good news, is that the examination that I have to complete and send in won't have changed either. If nothing else, I have another copy of the nutrition textbook, the taping manual, some additional practice taping assorted body parts, as well as some tensor bandages and a tape shears. Still, not the greatest return for $175 and a full Sunday. Oh yes, and I forgot, when they send me my certification update it will likely come through on a GTHL number so that I will have to pay to get it converted to the OMHA unless I want to defect to the G.

It was kind of funny that I recognized several folks from three years ago and the dietitian was the same one who would deliver the program the last three times -- by rote, and with the same overheads.

Sarcasm aside, if you pay attention you always learn something new at these events, if it's not from the instructors, then it will be from the other participants. An interesting thing about the level III trainers is that probably a majority of the individuals that take it are involved with junior clubs, older athletes, and see a lot more aggressive injuries. Not sure I am in a hurry for that.

Anyway, once I change the date, modify a few answers and send in my exam, I will be good to go as an HTCP level III trainer and D2 coach. Now all I have to do is find a bench.

What the heck -- coming back your union station on my way home tonight I thought I was being swarmed by a bunch of prepubescent teeny boppers. At first, I simply thought it was because the exhibition was on, but then I overheard someone talking about the Jonas Brothers concert. I was not aware that the whale guy even had Brothers let alone that they were concert musicians. As if that was not bad enough, a couple of young ladies in Star Trek uniforms then went wandering by to totally confuse me. As I noted in an earlier blog, the comic con show was on this weekend in the number of the characters/fans were roaming the building. What a way to end the weekend. Because the trainers clinic ran as long as it did, I missed getting home in time to head off to the horse races to see how my brother-in-law's horse would do at Mohawk tonight? Jane went, so I guess I just have to wait and see or if I remember watching on the horseracing channel.

Short post this evening as first of all it's the weekend, and second I now have to dig through the archives and find my old level III trainers exam to avoid having to rewrite it.

Back to top

Aug 28 -- based on the weather forecast we are all sitting and waiting for the 40 to 50 mm of rain that has been predicted. If it comes in a downpour you better build an ark. Of course it's the weekend so we can anticipate lousy weather.

Certification -- having gotten the coach's side of the requirement dealt with on Tuesday night allowing me move forward as an official D2 (as the intermediate designation effectively disappears) I now have to deal with the trainer's side of the ledger as unfortunately my level III expires on August 31 as well. At best they do two or three level III clinics in the entire province all year so there is not much choice as to where you can go. Once again, as I have for the last three renewals, I have hooked up with the Sports Alliance and the head office of HTCP in Toronto. They're running a clinic this Sunday which will blow my whole day.

The frustrating part about the trainers course is that while the content can be very good as it goes beyond the normal ABCs, the course has not been changed or the 12 years that I've been certified at that level and in fact the examination that has to be completed at the conclusion of the program has not been changed either. Change the date, modify few answers, and send it in. I am expecting that this will happen again Sunday, but I may be in for what in this case would be an unpleasant surprise. Anybody want to buy a nutrition or taping book? I will have another copy of each come Sunday afternoon.

Having renewed all of the certification requirements for all aspects of the game, I think I will put my services up for offer and see what kinds of bids I get on either the coach or trainer front.

Citizen Kane -- the saga comes to a conclusion as anticipated with no lasting criminal damage and everyone low keying the result. With a conditional discharge given for being a good boy for a year and all is forgiven -- provided you write a letter of apology to the cabbie -- the boys got off easy. I hope Mr. Kane writes that letter himself and not delegate it to one of his minions. Funny how they tried to paint the cabbie with some fault in this situation and maybe he deserved it. Why else would two young able-bodied men hassle a sixtysomething cabdriver. Forget it and move on as nothing more is going to happen here.

Phoenix -- interesting how the NHL can promote a do as I say not as I do mentality without any apology. Adamant about maintaining the Coyotes in Phoenix, it is intriguing that when they put in their emergency, stall for time bid, that it literally includes provision for moving. Yet, they've been slamming Jimmy B. on that basis all along. While I don't know all the nits and pics of the actual proposals, $212 million with an upfront declaration of intent strikes me as a better deal than a $150 million range offer that comes across as wishy-washy and does hint at a move anyway. We will be finding out soon what's going to happen as the clock is running for the September dates and also the 2009/2010 season. Apparently seasons tickets go on sale in the next day or two in Phoenix. I'm not sure who they're offered by but it will be interesting to see if anybody buys them. If I lived there, I would, as it seems the lowest ticket value is $15 a game. Compare that to the ACC cashbox. You have to know that Jimmy B. is not going to get this team under any current circumstance. What will be interesting is what happens when the NHL gets the bid.

A relief -- it's comforting to know that minor hockey is not the only sport with a quota of boneheads. How about a football team that has had to cancel their "opener" because of lack of equipment. Apparently, they had no helmets or pads. They were on order but had not arrived yet. The scary part is that the coach indicates they have been practicing in T-shirts and shorts. I suspect (hope) that means there were no contact drills and the players would likely have ended up as cannon fodder had the game gone forward. Imagine a football team receiving their equipment one day and playing a game the next - read about it here.

Fraud -a lot of people will look at the auditor expense item in minor hockey's annual statements and question the wisdom of spending that much money for an "unnecessary" service. We were big believers in a formal audit every year and those with a long memory about what went on in Oakville will know why. It's not just a thing of the past either, as unfortunately an Ottawa Association recently found themselves in much the same boat as Oakville was years ago. (Article) if you do the math and look at the statements, there is a lot of money passing through minor sports associations whether it's here or anywhere else. When you realize what happened in Oakville and now see the Ottawa situation, anyone involved should have a comfort level that funds are being handled properly and be prepared to ask questions if they think they aren't.

Interesting approach -- in remote regions there are not the same number of players, teams, leagues or playing opportunities. The Yellowknife Minor Hockey Association has taken an interesting approach to both identifying members for their development teams as well as how they play them through the year. First, all players in each group are rated according to a well established evaluation process and then from those ratings the development teams are established. The top 10 our automatic selections the next two must be taken from players ranked 11th to 15th and the remaining six must be taken from players ranked 11th through 30th. Once the development team is established, since there is no regular "rep" loop, the development team plays in the next higher house league division. I. E. The peewee development team would end up playing in the house league Bantam division, would have their regular practice with one of their league teams but would be provided with additional practice time for themselves as a unit. They would then also play in available tournaments suitable for their caliber. Kind of an interesting approach to creating a development path for the kids. Here is their website link.

Back to top

Aug 27 - as promised, I faded to black for the past two days. Tuesday night was "refresher night" and Wednesday was the Jump Start golf tournament.

Refresher -- where to start? There clearly was a degree of interest in my attendance on Tuesday night. I don't know if that is good or bad and it doesn't matter. It was "interesting" how a number of the coaches made a point of saying hello and asking me how things were going. It was equally "interesting" to note the number of other "individuals" who were also taking the course and working diligently to avoid having any type of contact accidental or otherwise with me. What a shame.

The instructor for the course was a gentleman by the name of Gary Kay who over the years has been involved with we figured roughly 30 clinics with me. I probably know more of his stories than he does While a bit of an exaggeration, it seems that Gary and I spent as much time talking with each other as he did with the balance of the class. Some of our conversation and his comments about _______________ were quite interesting.

While Gary did his best to make the class informative, in the grand scheme of things with respect to the experienced coaches that were there, one has to wonder whether this is more of a "money grab" on behalf of the OMHA and Hockey Canada, then an event that is truly productive and worthwhile for the individuals. While I am a big fan of continued education and skills betterment for volunteers, there are a number of other qualifying options that are offered such as specialty clinics or game day coaching clinics that allow participants to earn credit towards a renewal as opposed to the formal one evening refresher course. Based on the content of these options, I would think that they would be more beneficial to the coach then the limited content that can be covered with this type of group in one evening with one instructor.

Speaking of money grab, I will take one more shot at the cabal for what I consider to be a disgusting practice. Having spent 15+ years contributing to the MOHA in a variety of roles including coach, trainer, convener, board member, scheduler, program developer, executive and on and on, I find it incredibly petty, unprofessional, shortsighted and downright ignorant to charge me a nonmember rate to take a refresher course in my home Center.

To add to the stupidity, I was almost not allowed into the clinic. When Jane went in to register me and pay (to make sure it got delivered and I got a receipt), the individual working in the office did not know who she was and said that they had just finished player registrations, had not looked at the clinics as they weren't until the end of the month. When Jane told her I was not a member and went to pay with cash she was told that they weren't sure they were going to let any other nonmembers in and that they didn't take cash in payment. Clearly they did not know who she was, and didn't bother to check the name. When Jane told me this, I told her I could always look for somewhere else to go but it was just more convenient to take it here. I wouldn't have, but Jane called the VP house and when she told her what had have been their response in the office, was to go ahead and register. When she went back in the next day she was met with the "oh we didn't know who you were" and "of course we will take the registration" and cash -- at the inflated non member rate of course – no suggestion that the regular rate was OK.

During all of my years with the MOHA and with all the certification programs I have taken including renewals for my trainers levels and all my coaching levels, I have always borne the full cost myself, have never charged it back to a team nor submitted to the MOHA for partial reimbursement in the volunteer program that I got approved by the board. Thank you for recognizing these efforts.

Golf tournament -- a career as a golf professional is clearly not on the table for me. I would have better luck as an amusement park than a touring pro. Having said that, it was a great day -- after the first three holes. We started early and in the rain which may be okay for the avid everyday golfer but is a real pain for the tournament hacker. Fortunately, the rain stopped after the third hole and it turned into a great day weather wise.

Condolences to my foursome on having to put up with what I will call my golf game and considering that in a scramble we only ended up at two over par on the Sidewinder course, I think we did pretty good. Our downfall was we could not buy a putt. Whether that's because the greens were exceptionally tricky or we were just exceptionally bad putters is up for grabs. I did however almost get a Mustang. Not on a hole-in-one contest but rather with the drive that I smoked on one hole. Unfortunately the trajectory it decided to take on its own was significantly off to the right in the general direction of the parking lot. As Maxwell Smart would say "it was thaaaat close”.

On the hole-in-one prize hole, I did get an exceptional shot approximately 179 yards directly at the pin. Unfortunately, I needed 180 yards to clear the water to bounce on the green.

As many may know the Canadian Tire Jump Start charity is a huge fundraiser to support young people in all types of athletic endeavors. The golf tournament I played in yesterday which is hugely supported by our vendors for which we are deeply grateful is the primary fundraiser for Jump Start. Despite the tough economic conditions that a number of businesses are facing full credit and accolades go to all of our vendors as the event was a huge success. All spots were sold out and playing scramble golf with four courses involved -- two at Rattlesnake, Glen Abbey and Glen Cairn, we had about 676 golfers tearing up a lot of real estate.

I also learned that fescue is the other “F” word, often used in conjunction with the other “F” word or interchangeably. In my  crisscross travels, when I was not at the beach or swimming, I gained a deep and personal experience with the multiple varieties that exist at Sidewinder. All in all a great day -- but was I bagged last night. Maybe I should not have flagged the beer cart so often.

Quickies:

1. I am getting some feedback on My Iron Butterfly selection - not a surprise - what will next week bring?

2. I hear registration is closed but there are people trying to register that aren't getting any response! What's up with that

3. I also hear registration is "up" and  ice is a problem - maybe dumping Ice Sports and the guys that supported us for years was not such a brilliant idea - Wonder how that will play out with the Richard Bell? Here's a hint - you can always go back to more 6:00 AMs or is it easier just to have kids not play?

4. NHL - with the "We can move it" bid from the NHL, the Jimmy B versus the world battle could heat up.

5. Senator Demers! Next! Senator Moorehead?

Back to top

Aug 24 -- given my late post yesterday and the fact this was a typically frantic Monday, there's not much new news to post today. Reading and watching the controversy over Jerry Jones $40 million TV set -- a.k.a. the 1.2 million pound super screen set up in the new Dallas football stadium reminds me of how petty and stupid people can be over the dumbest things. The screen is a marvel stretching from the 20 yard line at one end to the 20 yard line at the other end or about 160 feet. I think the common was it would take about 5,000 52 inch LCD TVs to provide that viewing area. It's the old why go to the game if you're going to watch it on television story. Of course, given that it's only 90 feet above the field the great controversy is with the opposing kickers trying to nail the screen both in practice and during the game -- successfully I might add. So far they haven't broken anything but you know that's what's coming next. Shades of the new rink in Buffalo where the clock crashed to the rink surface before the building had even opened. What kind of ego maniac requires a $40 million television?

Read about it here if you're interested.

Tomorrow -- is the big day -- I'm off for coach recertification after a 15 year classroom sabbatical. The fact that I orchestrated upwards of 50 clinics in the interim is apparently irrelevant under CBET, you need 20 points to gain your three-year recertification. Points are given for coaching, development administration, seminars, and a variety of other things in a passport format. If I chose to go through the drill and lobbied the OMHA based on what I have done over the past three years, I could likely get an exemption renewal. However, it'll be interesting to see what they have in the refresher clinic as they have done some work to update them and make them more "meaningful" for participants. Or, at least that's the theory. Given that it will run late tomorrow and Wednesday is my big golf tilt, it's unlikely that there will be any posting showing up until this Thursday at the earliest. I will let you know about my impressions at that point.

Storm damage -- while there has been quite a lot of coverage on the storm damage from Thursday night as well as the potential from hurricane Bill hitting the Atlantic, the good news is that none of my colleagues, a number of whom live in the northern area of Vaughan where damage was the most severe suffered any serious problems. They were fortunate, whereas a lot of others were not. It's hard to imagine your reaction if one minute you're happily ensconced in your home and the next you own a convertible house with water pouring into an open second-floor or worse. Besides the damage, which insurance can cover from a monetary sense, there are things that are lost that can never be replaced. That has to be tough. Even more so, is the tragedy of a young man who lost his life in Durham, partially because things happened so suddenly there was not enough warning to take appropriate precautions. As the Green Giant commercials used to say "it's not nice to fool Mother Nature".

Monday music -- difficult choice this week because I don't feel like uploading a 15 MB file which is the MP3 for this week’s winner – OK – I changed my mind and did upload it.

To move the genre around as well as to bring back some interesting memories - I think, today's pick is the psychedelic rock classic 1968 "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly. At 17 minutes and 2 seconds, this has got to be one of the longest songs ever as it took up the entire second side of its release album. Theoretically, the name of the song was supposed to be "in the Garden of Eden" but ended up as it did for whatever of the reasons floating around that you choose to believe -- drugs, alcohol or bad headphones. What I particularly like about this song at the time other than the fact that it was "out there" and clearly fit with my suspect behavior, was the drum and organ solos. If you listen to it all the way through, regardless of your taste in music it is some pretty interesting percussion.

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" – Lyrics

(not much for a 17 minute song!!)

In-a-gadda-da-vida honey,

don'tcha know that I love you?

In-a-gadda-da-vida baby,

don'tcha know that I'll always be true?

 

Oh won'tcha come with me,

and take my hand?

Oh won'tcha come with me,

and walk this land?

 

Please take my hand...

 

Let me tell ya now.

In-a-gadda-da-vida honey,

don'tcha know that I love you?

In-a-gadda-da-vida baby,

don'tcha know that I'll always be true?

 

Oh won'tcha come with me,

and take my hand?

Oh won'tcha come with me,

and walk this land?

 

Please take my hand...

 

Let me tell ya.

Two,three,four!

In-a-gadda-da-vida honey,

don'tcha know that I love you?

In-a-gadda-da-vida baby,

don'tcha know that I'll always be true?

Off to watch NYPD Blues and get psyched for tomorrow!

Back to top

Aug 23 - a quick recap for the weekend as this is shaping up to be a very busy week for me and I am not sure what time or energy and will help for posting. In addition to my regular "work", I have to refresh my NCCP intermediate coach’s certification and refresh my HTCP level III trainers -- both expire this year - very bad planning and timing.

The coach recertification or refresher whichever you prefer, is particularly annoying given my involvement over the years and the fact that the intermediate coaching level was supposed to be a non-expiring certification when I took it probably 15 years ago. The entertaining part of it, is that the refresher course I am booked into is on Tuesday evening at the M0HA office -- home of the cabal -- an interesting story there that I might tell later on. For those who know, I have not darkened the door of the Spears Road facility since I was unceremoniously turfed over a year ago. It will be interesting to see who's there, if anyone, from the cabal. I could care less.

Then on Sunday I have a full day training session for the renewal of my level III HTCP trainers certification in beautiful midtown Toronto at the Sports Alliance building. An expensive week both in terms of time and dollars for someone who has no official standing with any team or Association. However, No one else is footing the bill for these and I have to pay the "foreigner" rate for my NCCP. I have carried these certifications for a long time and would hate to lose them. I'll have to think about that, as it is a waste to have the training and not use it.

Weekend Roundup -- I did not think this weekend was going to be overly busy but it turns out that I ended up with more on the go then I thought. Friday night, we were sitting around and getting ready for Saturday's family reunion (Jane's family) when we got a call from Shaun letting us know they (Shaun and Becky) were in playoffs this weekend for their slow pitch team as well as a tournament. They had two games Friday night over in Mississauga at Fleetwood Park -- theoretically at eight and nine o'clock. Given that we hadn't watched him play this year, we decided to go over and watch just for fun. We got there on time, only to find out they were starting late and someone had turned the mosquitoes out early. After sitting through the first game and getting seriously chomped, we decided to call it a day as the second game would have been over until after 11 o'clock.

Saturday was a trek to Jane's sister's for the dreaded family reunion so that I could play the game of "Gee I wonder who that is?". All of this while getting rained on. However, it wasn't a bad day and I actually met someone who I had not seen since high school roughly 40 years ago. Scary how time flies.

Sunday, we get the call from Shaun that they had made the semis and we're theoretically playing at the Diamond Beach Park at 1:45 PM. If they want that they would be playing at Centennial Park in the final at 3:15 PM. When we finally found Diamond Beach Park, we discovered that the semis were actually at Centennial Park at 1:15 PM not 1:45. Whatever, we got there in time to see the last inning -- a victory for the good guys and then hung around to watch the championship at Diamond Beach Park at 3:45 PM.

Others than it was a nice day to sit outside and simply watch baseball, it was also great to see Shaun and Becky's team win with both of them having had a great tournament. Sitting around for a couple of hours in the sun also helped me develop a nice Indian tan that I will probably feel tomorrow.

In any event, congratulations to the team on their big tournament win, even though they have a disgusting team name.

Time to bail out and rest up for the confrontations coming up this week, plus my big golf outing - look out Rattlesnake!. Stay tuned for exciting episodes.

Back to top

Aug 20 -- after chasing through a number of projects today I decided that I would declare today Friday and start my weekend tomorrow. This is all in keeping with my plan of trying to use up last year's holidays prior to my use it or lose it October date. This will be a challenge but regular three-day weekends are not a bad thing. Especially if we can get some decent weather.

Hockey -- this is one of those days when you read the paper and wonder why you have anything to do with the game. Let's work through the list.

Jimmy B -- Toronto Star headline number one, “Balsillie says NHL accepts 'criminals' as owners”, provides some interesting reading on the qualities of some of the current and former NHL owners. Point of contention being that Jimmy B. was approved as an owner in 2006, but now three years later went down to a somewhat convincing 29 to 0 defeat.

Melnyk -- not to be outdone, Eugene Melnyk decides to take a run back at Jimmy B. Check the Slam Sports headline – “Melnyk fires back at Balsillie”, or read the article, I guess he didn't think too much of Jimmy B's comments.

NHL -- not to be outdone, repeat, the NHL under another Star storyline “NHL comes out swinging at Balsillie”, tabled documents in court suggesting that Jimmy B. had cooked up the entire Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy scheme simply to set himself up for a takeover. Everybody in this squabble just keeps getting farther down and dirtier. If this keeps up, at the end of the day, will anybody really care who "wins"?

Citizen Kane -- meanwhile in Buffalo, Citizen Kane and relative were busily pleading not guilty to the reduced misdemeanor charges brought down by the grand jury. Article

Gumbley Guilty - to bring a more local flavor to all of the good news floating around, the Mississauga news ran an article on Mr. Gumbley who was recently convicted of fraud for soliciting funds from players for a league that didn't exist. Mr. Gumbley, a former owner of the Streetsville Derbys, is also in the news as the purported owner of the Ontario Central Scouting organization that is currently being investigated with respect to alleged promises made for a European hockey trip. This whole mess had been mentioned earlier based on the involvement of Victor C. a former Oakville Ranger coach.

With a list like this in the news today, on top of the "regular" hockey stories, you'd have to wonder how much would actually be covered if they were really playing games. Kind of a sorry state of affairs for what is supposed to be our national game. It is almost enough to take your eyes off the local folks.

Rain – We interrupt this program for a weather update – Holy Smokes! The water is just pouring down in sheets, the sky is dark, the trees are shaking and we have a light show! Time to bail and shut down.

Back to top

Aug 19 – Low key day – mid week – limited crises – good weather – low energy. The Kane situation is unrolling as predicted – pending grand Jury bill (felony reduced to misdemeanour) and plea bargaining has now entered the conversation. Don’t you just hate it when things are this predictable! I’m sure if was you or me we would be treated exactly the same. RIGHT!

Panic – is setting in. I have a golf game next Wednesday at Rattlesnake in CTC’s annual Jump Start Foundation fund raiser. That’s the good news. The bad news is I have not lifted a club in anger since last year’s event (despite some kind offers), and my clubs were very angry last year. I think the one vicious drive I hit is still boring through the bush. Is there a mercy rule in golf – what about a certain number of consecutive snowmen? Whatever, it is a great event, great fund raiser and a lot of fun with my vendors and suppliers. Everyone needs to get humiliated once in a while.

Photos – a popular aspect of many of the “news” sites are daily photo galleries. ABC (site) is one that usually has several plus a library of former topics. Today they had one on creative cars that had some really interesting but “stupid” vehicles. Here’s one.

 

Crackberry proliferation – 75% of GO Train riders are Crackberry users. This scientific conclusion was derived from an in-depth assessment of my Quad Pod tonight. The fourth member was an iPhone radical malcontent. While this is somewhat facetious, it is probably not that far off the demographics of this group. RIM dollars are just flowing.

FSMT – on the go for 2010. Since the cabal is now aware of my support and involvement with this very noteworthy tournament, I am pleased to note that details are up and running on the Frank Sabatino Memorial Tournament site (www.fsmt.ca ) and ready for applications. Major Atom and Major Peewee, this super event is set for January 15 – 17, 2010. There we go – planning for 2010! Talk it up, send it around, get the message out! Email for information to info@fsmt.ca

Shoot the puck!

Back to top

Aug 18 - Direct entry - so it will be short. It is tough coming home after a hectic day at the office dealing with crisis after crisis and then having to cook dinner. It's just not fair. OK, all I did was BBQ the chops but I like to play it up/

Citizen Kane - continues with the master plan. The "heartfelt" apology has been played out. Remorse oozing everywhere. The wrong place, wrong time platitude is playing although I am not sure how they figure that one plays unless the plan is to crucify the cabbie? Anyway it is now "wait for the grand jury time" - do they bring down the indictment or have enough soothing vibes worked their way through everyone's system?

Chelios a Leaf??! - This I have to see. He is only 47 and in the prime of his career. What an opportunity for the Leafs. They can probably sign him for a buck and look at all the cap room they can save. Are bob skates legal? If he can't even warm the press box in Detroit, let alone the bench he can likely start in Toronto.

I guess I better be careful though - Bertuzzi signed with my Wings - What's up with that?

Uptight Torontonians - You guessed it, the billboards are coming down. Molson has knuckled under to the pressure from the over sensitive egocentric snobs from TO who have no sense of humoour  "Colder than most people from Toronto". Boy is that hurtful. How will our egos and self esteem ever survive? "Chill" out folks. I bet those same people never tell or laugh about jokes at the expense of people from Newfoundland, or Pakistan or Biafra! Kind of funny when the shoe is on the other foot. Bouquets to the creative team who pitched the ad. Brickbats to the wimps who canned it.

Favre - making comeback with the Vikings. Other than my brother - who cares - and he's not a cheesehead anymore anyway. I guess Minnesota is looking to dethrone the listless Lions.

NYPD Blues time - call it a day!

Back to top

Aug 17 – Warned you I would be low profile over the week-end as I took the opportunity to do basically, absolutely Zilch!

This pleasant Monday was one of those Three Bears days – This would be the Papa Bear – “This weather is too hot” version – but too soon we will hit the Mama Bear "too cold" with unfortunately very little Baby Bear likely to come our way – you figure it out.

I had to go downtown (from midtown?) tonight to track down a copy of NYPD Blues Season Two. I originally had one and was working my way into Disc three (of 6) when to quote the golf vernacular, I had an unplayable lie – some SOB had scratched Disc three. Jane was kind enough to take it back to Best Buy to replace it BUT they did not have one. Not to miss a golden opportunity like this she quickly subbed to something she wanted and left me holding the bag (and Season 3 which I could not watch until I had another Season Two to finish. No Season 2 at Best Buy, or Future Shop or Oakville HMV (I forgot Wal Mart but I think that was on principle). Anyway, suffering serious withdrawal I found out the Yonge Street HMV Superstore had both Season 2 and 4 so I left the office early to pick them up. I learned three things:

1. There are a lot of weirdoes and other things roaming downtown at 4:30 PM.

2. You can essentially stay in “shaded” canyons all the way from Dundas to Front, and

3. It’s too damned hot and muggy for a “brisk” walk. I felt like a used dishrag by the time I hit Union Station.

Golf – “Drive for show – Putt for dough”. A lesson reinforced with the Tiger Sunday. Starting with a two stroke lead, Tiger just could not put the ball in the hole on the greens and that, not any magic from Mr. Yang cost him the PGA title. I was watching (sort of) and there were seven or eight of the “good look” putts that he scooted by, lipped out, or pulled the string on – make a few of these and he wins. Yang’s birdie on 18 was just the icing on the cake as he did not need it. All it did was make a point to the talking heads who were talking about and waiting for his anticipated melt down that never happened. They did make one comment I liked – “the best way to get a four is to go for a three”. So with the last putt miss we end up with 2009 as a “Tigerless” Major year.

Mosquitoes – Something is wrong. Either I am becoming more attractive to the skitters, Oakville’s spraying practices have changed, or the critters are getting tougher. Right up there with the fun of a morning face plant in a spider web, my morning wait at the bus stop has turned into a blood donor clinic for the last couple of weeks. It has been a pitched battle between the skitters and me with the little winged b&*^&%#d’s winning. I am thinking about taking a citronella candle down there with me and having a bit of a campfire. I don’t remember ever having this issue in the past but it sure is one right now.

Music – Monday’s come around faster than you think. Especially when one has not given a lot of thought to what to play next.

Going semi-spiritual today (just to confuse people on my taste – or lack of it). I almost had to drop this song from my playlist after that awful “Ghost” movie with Whoopi or whatever her name is. However, I had to keep it as a great old tune that everyone and their brother (and sister) has covered - and not a bad slow dance either! Wikipedia, that all knowing source claims that there are over 500 cover versions – of which the Righteous fellas are one as they did not really write the melody or lyrics.

On the Righteous Brothers 1965 release, that wonderful human being – Phil Spector was the producer.

Enjoy!

Unchained Melody lyrics

Righteous brothers

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love
God speed your love to me

Lonely rivers flow
To the sea, to the sea
To the open arms of the sea
Lonely rivers sigh
"Wait for me, wait for me"
I'll be coming home; wait for me

Oh, my love, my darling
I've hungered, hungered for your touch
A long, lonely time
And time goes by so slowly
And time can do so much
Are you still mine?
I need your love, I need your love
God speed your love to me

Back to top

Aug 14 – You wonder why Canada has somewhat of a reputation for being hockey “fruitcakes”. As we head into what is hopefully a real summer weekend with the promise of extended good weather what photo hits the news? A bunch of Canadian hockey fans (likely well into their cups - and I am not talking about protective apparel) at one of the four golf majors – The PGA Championship- sheering on their favourites while wearing Team Canada jerseys and hockey helmets! Are they waiting for a Bob Barkerish scene from Happy Gilmour to break out? I guess I should applaud them for their national pride and enthusiasm.

 Photo: MATT SULLIVAN/REUTERS
Canadian fans watch play on the seventh hole during the first round of the 2009 PGA Championship golf tournament at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

Fair Warning – or based on your opinion of my content it may be a relief that if we get the weather we are all hoping for then this blog will likely be vewy, vewy quwiet over the weekend! Enjoy.

Friday Potpourri

Suspended – Not a good idea to be chatting on the phone or out of the building during plane crash as a Teterboro controller and his supervisor have discovered.

Racing – Another one – Durham police officer “tagged” for driving unmarked vehicle +50 over the limit. The car was impounded by the OPP – does this mean they will sell it off under the crown assets auction? I’ll have to check. Meanwhile does buddy get foot patrol as his licence is suspended.

Gone – but he won’t be forgotten – Ted ‘Teeder’ Kennedy.  Passed away today at 83. One of an ever smaller group of the “great” names of the era.  A good article by Frank Orr. article TheStanley Cup sure looked a lot different in 1949.

Liberty’s Crown – Open again but you have to book ahead and only online. Sold out through November. Though I would book a New York jaunt as it has been years and where else can you climb 354 steps in a copper tube? Good story on the “experience” – not the view.

No Word – Oh Oh! - Watch this one – Microsoft barred from selling Word in the US!! Story All because of a Toronto firm’s lawsuit. 60 days and the calendar is turning. How many gazillion copies are out their as a core product of the MS Office Suites? Look for the Redmond boys to "buy" their way out of this one. They seem to be a popular litigation target - and are losing a few.

Back to top

Aug 13 – The plot thickens on the European jaunt and the story I highlighted yesterday. Here is a Star update as more data “surfaces” – article.

Yesterday’s Today - For those folks who feel I have been unfairly maligning the new cabal, please do not read today’s post. For those who want my point of view, biased as it may be, read on. If anyone wants to challenge the point of view or facts – send me the rebuttal (with proof) and I will post it.

If you are checking out - have a nice day, otherwise, move on!

Clinics – In minor hockey one of the key mandates for any association, second only to player development, should be volunteer development. Working to provide ongoing learning opportunities, experiences and support to attract and develop quality volunteers should be a key priority. In hockey, the need for appropriately certified coaches and trainers means the development program is often built around the NCCP and HTCP clinic program. Clinics offered to provide coaches and trainers at ALL levels with the opportunity to obtain the required certifications in a timely and cost effective manner.

Oakville as the largest OMHA centre (debate with Brampton) always had a great reputation for providing clinics to support volunteer certification. Part of that reputation was because we believed in the value of the clinic programs and part of that belief was that we felt as a large centre with the facilities and member base we had available to support development it was our “obligation” to do the best job we could to provide this service, i.e., clinics.

As a result, Oakville offered a comprehensive clinic program, booked at the right times during the season and available on a non discriminatory basis to anyone wishing to attend. We became very well known for our clinics both within the OMHA administration and throughout other associations. As recognition of this philosophy, we were offered “pilot” opportunities for new programs, were used as a training location for new instructors (supervised), received the best instructors to do our programs, were asked for our input on the programs and ended up attracting a lot of registrants from other centres and wide geography who knew the “best” place to go.

We looked at this as a major positive since the broad spectrum of registrants brought a diversity of experience to the room, encouraged the exchange of ideas and got away from the “ticket punch” mentality of certification requirements and normal “I have to do it” attitudes.

It also brought us good will from a lot of the smaller centres who literally could not “afford” to host a clinic because they did not have enough “need” for registrants at a certain level to be able to meet OMHA minimum registrations. Occasionally we did get frustrated with registrations because members of other centres would jump to register in our clinics while the “locals” sat back and then raised a stink when they reluctantly tried to register at the last minute and found out we were full.

Consistent with this philosophy we did not apply any differential pricing to “penalize” the out-of-towners. According to the OMHA, clinics are to be run on a cost recovery only basis, not as a profit generator for the host centre.

From my perspective the current cabal has an entirely different perspective based on very visible indications. The first chart below has been reproduced directly from the MOHA web site as of August 11.

Five of the first seven clinics scheduled were cancelled. What does that tell you?  In all the years we ran the clinics, I don’t recall ever cancelling a scheduled clinic (there might have been one Speak Out we over booked in the early PRS days), and we only ever ran one clinic with registration below the OMHA minimums. I think we missed by two and ran the event anyway because our volunteers needed it.

 In any event, the clinic dates on the site are past, delete them and quit embarrassing yourself.

For additional clarity on perspective, having one CHIP clinic in August is a clear indication that things are out of whack. There are no others scheduled, I checked the OMHA master list. Chip applies to Timbit (Initiation), Tyke and Novice as a requirement and can be used for Minor Atom and Atom HL roster purposes.

One clinic opportunity, (30 to 35 registrants max.) for all those age groups / teams, where most coaches are not even selected yet, let alone registering for an August clinic is (insert expletive here). Timbit to novice has a projected 66 teams according to the site. At a minimum do at least half of these head coaches (let alone their assistants) already have their CHIP certification as there is no room for more in one clinic.

Where and how are all the new coaches supposed to get support and training to properly develop the players under their charge.?

Where and how are these coaches supposed to get certified so that their teams can be rostered if they want to play exhibition games or tournaments?

Where and how are they going to meet OMHA basic certification requirements?

As a simple, common sense approach, two or three dates for CHIP clinics in October actually works. Too bad those dates and instructors are likely now taken by associations that planned accordingly and actually have a development program.

	Program	Day(s)	Date(s)	Start	Finish	NON-MOHA	MOHA Volunteers
NCCP	Coach Refresher 2	Monday	May 4th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  65.00	$  50.00
HTCP	Trainer Level 1 Refresher CANCELLED	Thursday	May 14th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  70.00	$  60.00
PRS	Speak Out CANCELLED	Wednesday	May 27th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  30.00	$  20.00
PRS	Speak Out CANCELLED	Tuesday	June 2th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  30.00	$  20.00
NCCP	Coach Refresher CANCELLED	Thursday	June 4th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  65.00	$  50.00
HTCP	Trainer Level 1	Sat	June 20 2009	8:00 AM	4:00 PM	$  90.00	$  75.00
NCCP	Development 1 CANCELLED	Sat/Sun	June 27/28 2009	8:30 AM	5:00 PM	$150.00	$130.00
HTCP	Trainer Level 1	Sat	Aug 15th 2009	8:00 AM	4:00 PM	$  90.00	$  75,00
NCCP	Coach Refresher	Tues	Aug 25th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  65.00	$  50.00
PRS	Speak Out	Wed	Aug 26th 2009	6:00 PM	10:00 PM	$  30.00	$  20.00
NCCP	CHIP -  Initiation	Sat	Aug 29th 2009	8:30 AM	4:30 PM	$  85.00	$  75.00
HTCP	Trainer Level 1	Sat	Sept 26th 2009	8:00 AM	4:00 PM	$  90.00	$  75.00
PRS	Speak Out	Wednesday	Sept 30th 2009	6:30 PM	10:00 PM	$  30.00	$  20.00
NCCP	Coach Stream	Sat	Oct 3rd 2009	8:00 AM	5:00 PM	$130.00	$115.00

All fees presented represent "cost recovery" based on current OMHA rates and are subject to change.

Fees – as claimed on the site (above) and required by the OMHA, these clinics are to be cost recovery only, not a revenue opportunity for the centre – BULL!

The chart below shows the fees that the OMHA charges the host centre for each participant in the various programs. On top of this, the centre is allowed to add a reasonable fee to cover expenses. Given that the OMHA normally provides all of their own AV equipment, the centre could charge for “other supplies”, the room and refreshments.

In this case, the other suppliers may be some flip chart paper and markers, the room is already paid for and refreshments are a minimum. For the day long events – coffee and donuts / muffins - $100. For evening events (if you are lucky) a bottle of water - $0.30 a pop? No other food is provided or needed. So help me calculate the rationale for these up-charges.

Under those conditions and remembering that your audience are volunteers who in most cases are reaching into their own pockets to pay to support the kids are the numbers below reasonable, or more importantly “right”?

 Put it another way is it “right” to charge a guy driving in from centre “X” to take a refresher course his centre can’t offer an extra $15 versus the local guy for a mark-up of $30 or +85% on a $35 course.

I say no, and that’s why I am what I am and do what I do, except I don’t do it anymore. Stay tuned for more examples.

Recognizing that most of the certification needed is at the House League level (which by the way is 80+% of the kids), it is quite easy to figure who is being given the short end of this stick. Wait until teams try to roster for tournaments and find out they can't - Oh Boy!

Back to top

Aug 12 – I had a post ready for today (with appropriate warnings about content), until this dropped into my lap, or should I say “hit the wires”. I will save today for tomorrow and go with tomorrow, today. Figure that out.

One more time – “Know the Rules”, or perhaps I should say from my experience, despite the best intentions, you can give a hockey parent the book of knowledge but all they will do is chew the cover.

One of the simplest rules is – If a hockey event is not sanctioned by Hockey Canada directly or through one of its members, DON’T GO! People just don’t seem to get it.

You may disagree with this rule and not like it but those are the facts as a group of young men off on a French adventure have discovered, much to their chagrin. Going 4,000 kilometres to play inter-squad games when you were “expecting” a big international tournament, foreign elite competition, scouts, possible pro offers. . . NOT GOOD!

Hockey Canada tells IIHF - IIHF tells French organizers - Games / Tournament vanishes! Quelle Surprise!

While everyone can finger point and say who should have done what, the “simplest rule” above applies. No sanction under Hockey Canada means not sanctioned to other hockey governing bodies means KAPUT!

Having said that, this situation is a classic “case study” - and guess what - Many of you may recognize the local flaxour prominent here as the “apparent” spokesperson for “Ontario Central Scouting “is none other than Victor Criscuolo. Victor coached the Ranger Midget AAA team for a year, and then I believe spent some time with the Blades before moving on. There are also some interesting Victor stories about his time in Oakville (MOHA and then the OHA) which shall we say leaves me unsurprised and chuckling about current events. It is interesting if you read a number of the articles as to who is really who in the OSC – Will the “real” Francis please stand up.

This “screw-up” is getting picked up by a number of outlets and is under police investigation. That means I am not going to comment on a bunch of things but rather would suggest that you read some of the articles and figure out what you would call it – A scam? Fraud? Poor communication?

By the way – do not confuse the Ontario Central Scouting listed here with the NHLs Central Scouting. Those guys (the NHL ones) must be chewing nails and spitting fire over this one.

Here are some of the story links.

CTV.ca article

CBCSports.ca article

City TV article

The Star – Faceoff.com article

The Globe & Mail article

Canoe Slam Article

Toronto Sun Article

(P.S. – Ask a certain Burlington hockey executive what he thinks of VC – and duck!)

 

OSC Hockey head coach and director of hockey operations Victor Criscuolo speaks to CTV Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2009.

Back to top

Aug 11 – There is nothing more exhilarating than walking out your front door at 6:30 AM, face first into a new spider web. It just gives you that great feeling to start your day. Avast you arachnids – the pressure washer is coming out tonight – I hope you can swim.

Citizen Kane – is already in major spin doctor mode and everyone else into heavy “no comment”. Some of the original vocal support seems to have gone AWOL under a guise that facts are still being determined. Apparently, the high priced shysters have been retained on both sides with the likely upshot being that a good chuck of Mr. Kane’s paltry “newbie” NHL salary will find its way into a certain cabby’s pockets and the briefcase boys will get some attractive billable hours. Coincidentally, the charges will melt away or become a wrist slap fine / community service. Building on a colleague’s comments, I hope somebody plants him in about the third row of seats for giving hockey players a bad name. Amen to that.

• Spin 1: - Cabbie did not have a licence at the time – so!

• Spin 2 – may have been mistaken for college kids at 4:00 AM – does this mean instead of the fine upstanding, well behaved citizens they are purporting to be, and again - so?

Keep it coming!

Red Bull – I think on several occasions I have commented on not drinking this stuff. “Stuff” being these rocket fuel energy drinks that would likely send me into cardiac arrest. However, I must be in the minority as there is a huge following, customer base out there based on what I know about the sales and the amount of money that Red Bull is pouring into promotion. Not just your basic trade show / sample stuff, but major events. The air races are insane enough, but their travelling flying competition goes one stop better. Apparently at this event there is a significant price for whoever either stays airborne longest or goes the farthest (man powered flying machines). The most recent stop on the road or I guess I should say river show was Russia. Clearly some of the Ruskies either missed the concept, were completely polloted on Red Bull or some stronger local beverage (I am seeing potatoes) or are just plain dumb.

You have heard the expression “pigs could fly, if only they had wings”. It seems these guys did not get the message. Pigs do not fly, and, they do not have wings. The live action shot shows where this attractive entrant went, but you can guess from the photo. Turns out their expertise was vertical – not horizontal! Slish, Splash I was takin’ a bath.

Back to top

Aug 10 - Internet Speed – While Bell and Rogers are currently duking it out over who’s faster, my Cogeco speedometer went to “0” on the weekend. I was online with VPN to the office Sunday when “zap” down goes the carrier – internet down. A call to Cogeco took me through the Help Desk stuff I had already tried – cable checks – reboots – in sequence cable modem – router – PC. No joy. While they claim there were no local outages (this was pre-storm), they said they would send out a service guy Monday. Given that their normal first response is “bring in the modem” – it suggests there may be a local issue. Or, maybe because I turned into an increased revenue source for them last month I now get personal service – not likely, but we did exceed our 60 Gig. Bandwidth last month and will get hit with incremental charges. +60 Gig! Oh Ricky – Someone’s got some ‘splainin to do! Streaming high-jacked satellite radio and TV has got to stop! I stuck a bandwidth monitor on my desktop and usage on that PC is in the “megs per day” range – Hmmmmm!

To prove we are creatures of habit and to reinforce that we are becoming way too dependent on technology, I don’t know how many times yesterday that “I’ll just go check it on the Net” or “Did I get that email yet?”

Hopefully cable guy will have arrived and done his / her “Mr. Fix-it” routine before I get home tonight or I may have to sneak out to the backyard and pirate some signal. With thunderstorm warnings, I’m not sure that is a good idea.

Update - was there - replaced modem - good to go. No signal theft tonight.

Cab Fare or Not Fair – (one story) Somehow I don’t think a $0.20 change discrepancy is the issue behind the young Mr. Kane’s current legal woes. How could it be? According to sources, a 62 year old cab driver could not make change from $15 on a $13.80 fare. He could only give $1 in change and did not have the $0.20. Apparently, Patrick and his cousin held and punched the cabbie over this issue while playing the “don’t you know who I am?” card. If the published reports are ANYWHERE close to the truth this is both disgusting and shameful. I’ll bet Mom and Dad are real pleased! (see the Smart Doggie note)

The first question you have to ask yourself is “Are these two such cheap SOBs that they were planning on stiffing the cabbie for any kind of a tip. It sure sounded like it. There are a lot of people who would suggest that the $15 total on a $13.80 fare is insulting in the first place let alone worrying about the missing two dimes.

I suspect that the cabbie may have pointed this out to the two “gentlemen” who at 4:00 AM and with potentially inflated egos and potentially inflated blood alcohol levels may not have reacted well to the advice.

Most hockey players who are “stars” (or role-model athletes in general) clearly understand that stardom does not just reflect your feats on the ice, it reflects your character and actions off the ice as well. I would suggest that based on the storyline to date that Mr. Kane has dug himself a rather large hole. It is also interesting that the Black Hawks are standing behind their precious commodity (surprise, surprise). Let’s watch the spin on this one.

Any bets on how quickly the:

•  “Heartfelt” apology surfaces?

• The mitigating circumstances?

• The acts of contrition?

• The charges get dropped?

You better be quick or it will be over!

Smart Doggie – Confirming what I think we all knew all along (as parents), the average mutt is as smart as a toddler (perhaps through additional extensive research they will realize that this holds true through teen and adolescence – and longer for some hockey players - as well).  Theoretically the smartest dogs are border collies (understandable) and poodles (not a fan) while the dumbest are basenjis and Afghan hounds. While their cognitive skills are pegged at 2.5, their social skills apparently equate much older – read it here.

Room with a view – close-up of the river. While we may think we are getting rained on, the folks in Taiwan are having an even rougher time with deadly mudslides and hotels that fall into the river. Is a swimming pool – with fish and garbage in your hotel room a plus? ABC has a video of it as well as showing bridge washouts and huge mudslides.

Monday Music - I have often been accused of being a cold hearted, emotionless, unfeeling SOB. Most times I take that as a compliment. However today's song will demonstrate the kinder, gentler, softer me. Don't worry, I don't believe it either and it won't happen again.

Recorded early in 1970 and probably the best known of the Carpenter's songs, Jane and I had this song as part of our wedding music LONG before it became fashionable to do so.It has made it into "The Grammy Hall of Fame" big deal - and apparently is still popular today as a wedding anthem. Clearly I have great taste.

Carpenters – We’ve only just begun

 We've only just begun to live

White lace and promises

A kiss for luck and we're on our way

(We've only begun)

 

Before the risin' sun, we fly

So many roads to choose

We'll start out walkin' and learn to run

And yes, we've just begun

 

Sharing horizons that are new to us

Watching the signs along the way

Talkin' it over, just the two of us

Workin' together day to day

Together

Together

 

And when the evening comes, we smile

So much of life ahead

We'll find a place where there's room to grow

And yes, we've just begun

 

Sharing horizons that are new to us

Watching the signs along the way

Talkin' it over, just the two of us

Workin' together day to day

Together

Together

 

And when the evening comes, we smile

So much of life ahead

We'll find a place where there's room to grow

And yes, we've just begun

Back to top

Aug 7 – Friday at home and relaxing – other than the 35 or so emails and issues I had to deal with this morning. The good news is that I logged off the network with my notebook and reverted to crackberry contact only which limited what I could do and more importantly, what others expected I could or would do. So off to the deck, a freezie to be followed with a wobbly pop, imported of course, and the start of my weekend.

From the apropos of nothing file (and I don’t have much else to comment on:

Harper to visit Washington in September – who cares but what will it cost?

Car clocked at 210 in an 80 – story - What does it take for people to get the message that “speed kills” and unfortunately, often not you!. Take the car, take the licence, fine them, and throw them in jail. Next!

Bob Dylan Christmas Album? – Now that would be funny but apparently there is some meat to this story. I hope the melody is decipherable because you probably would not be able to understand a single word of the lyrics – even if you know the song!

Real madness infects Toronto – not at my house. Yawn. The big question being kicked around (pun intended) was how long it would take him to score – and I don’t mean on the new grass at BMO.

Balsillie bid for Coyotes has life – Only on a ventilator. While Jimmy B gets full marks for perseverance in the face of non-reward he gets an “F” for common sense. 29 – 0 says “They do not want you”. September auction says “Not this year”. Sit back, let some other fool pour money into the phoenix sinkhole. Figure out your Nortel muddle and come back when their has been enough blood spilt on the new guy. Guess what? Unless you are married to the Phoenix concept, you could have your choice of half a dozen teams that are haemorrhaging cash with suspect owners.Listen to Kenny Rogers (but not on plastic surgery) – you need to know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em! FOLD!

Steve Mason – forgot to mention the Toronto Sun article from last week. If you did not see it, some good ink – Article

Dream – Discover – Celebrate – Apparently that is the theme or a theme of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Just out of curiosity and to get ready for the hoopla that is already starting to ramp out, I thought I better check out “The Site” – Here’s the link. FYI – 189 more days to go before Triumphs are realized or Dreams are shattered – take your pick. I unfortunately suspect there will be more of the latter than the former since “we” the collective “we” just do not get, or support what it takes to be an Olympic contender on the National level. WWe rely on individual heroics and sacrifice to make us feel good as we play out our couch potato roles making sure we sit squarely on our wallets.

Back to top

Aug 6 – I am going to push my luck and try again for a real day off tomorrow. This will be my third try at taking the July 1 Stat, let alone the carry-over I have from 2008. Unlike City of Toronto “local” boys, I can’t bank either those or any unused “sick” days to create a windfall. Hopefully it will work out – third time lucky as they say, or the flip side is things happen in threes and this could be the third messed up day. I have also posted the short blurb I was working on yesterday but got derailed.

GO to make amends – that will be the day. According to the news, GO is going to compensate riders who were “inconvenienced“ by “the flood”. So far (noon) this happy news has not gone out on the GO email service and is not on their site (unless well hidden) so who knows the details. “Ride” ticket holders can easily prove their presence on an affected trip but those of us foolish enough to commit to monthly passes are a different kettle of fish. I suppose we will get a nominal credit to buy next month’s pass? Given that I spent almost 4 hours on a 20 minute trip, I should be able to bill them for three hours of my time at my exorbitant hourly rate! Like that will ever happen even though they totally screwed-up a planned family evening. Stay tuned.

Tune Deaf – It seems that some folks enjoy my taste in music. At least so far, until I reach into the bag and pull out a real winner. One has even gone so far as to suggest sight unseen sound unheard, that I should join their vocal group. Now there is a truly scary thought. Ask my family. The only “safe” haven I have for singing is a secluded shower stall and even then I have to watch out for projectiles aimed at silencing me (hint there for future song selection).

Teaser Time – It has been suggested that “my sources are drying up” as I have not “trashed” the local cabal for a while. Don’t you wish! Someday people will realize that like there is “no crying in baseball” (at least according to Tom Hanks) there are “no secrets in minor hockey”. I have been sitting on this for a while to see how the remaining cabal spin doctors play it out when one of their own goes off the reservation! Check the court dockets, or ask around! So far it seems a cross between the Ostrich Defence and a slightly cracked Maxwellian Smart “Cone of Silence” approach (neither works).

Department of Redundancy Department – The media has burned a lot of digital space covering the laying of sod over the turf at BMO field. Am I correct in my understanding that the turf field at BMO is being tarped and sodded (at whatever expense - $250,000 for 10 days) to simply accommodate one game with Real Madrid this Friday, because the pampered footballers will not play on an artificial surface? Article Heaven forbid that somebody ends up with a rug burn. We are not talking about the painted “rubber” concrete cover that was the excuse for “grass” for so long at SkyDome Rogers Centre. This is the special synthetic turf that the mere mortal Toronto FC play on but is apparently not good enough for real footballers. Without rooting and laid over a tarp would this surface not be more dangerous? Don’t care – soccer is too boring anyway.

 

Back to top

Aug 5 – Perhaps with the transit record of this “community” I should report when I have uneventful days and at least this morning’s trip in was not bad, only five minutes late. Ended up with no write / no post time on this as we went out tonight (5^th) for a belated family birthday dinner for Shaun (4^th) who is now officially “OLD” having hit the big 30. I was also accused of NOT mentioning this monumental event in my blog as I stand accused of covering a lot of other trivial trash! SO!!

Happy Birthday Shaun!!

 Hope you are suitably embarrassed – blame your mother!

Maple Leaf Foods – How often can MLF continue to report and recall products due to “listeria” concerns before consumers vote with their wallets and fears and say that they just do not want to risk it. The most recent hot dog recall (article) is number?, in what seems like a never ending total. Is MLF just being super cautious, are they the only company checking in view of past issues or are they just continuing to experience food prep problems? Not sure I want to continue experimenting with them so the brand is likely off my shopping list.

Back to top

Aug 4 – The Civic / Simcoe / Whatever weekend is over. As the harbinger of summer’s pending end (shorter days, cooler nights), I am not sure we will notice a difference. I spent most of it with my attention split between my crackberry, notebook and games days at chez Moorehead. Just be glad you don’t live in Calgary and need to buy fuel at Petro Can. If we think our weather has been iffy, Alberta has really taken a thunderstorm thumping.

Into August – means “back to school” adds are running, summer clearances are in vogue, grocery stores are flogging lunch snacks and the Blue Jays are done.  Yankees are in town, “Doc” is pitching and what should be a huge summer series is a “who cares”.

We interrupt this broadcast – to take a run at those unspeakable yahoos that operate GO Transit. I really enjoyed my commute tonight – arriving home at 8:55 PM only 5 minutes shy of four hours after leaving the office. Toronto  and GO Transit were apparently struck with another natural disaster today rivalling the Great Blackout – “it rained”. Having made my normal 5:35 Clarkson Express (with no hint of trouble or warning) we arrive at Long Branch and STOP (quietly for awhile) Since it is an express the doors don’t open but we see prior train debarkees slogging through some water and jumping the ditch and fence – somewhat frowned upon behaviour. After sitting for about 20 minutes we are informed there is a delay and that the Long Branch pedestrian tunnel is flooded – Big Whoop!

After awhile we are advised that the track ahead is being inspected ??? and we would be delayed. Another half hour and we are told that service is cancelled, we can’t get out at Long Branch (flood) so we will be heading back to Mimico and then bussed (always a horror show – trains into buses don’t fit) to Port Credit!! We sit for another half hour and they repeat the same announcement –quelle surprise – I think we understood it the first time! Finally we putter back to Mimico – get dumped off the train with a pile of prior / other passengers and no direction on where or when the buses are coming. After chasing around for another half hour (tried to arrange a group taxi) finally found a GO Bus – jammed – and had the lurch and bump ride to Port Credit where miracle of miracles there is a train waiting to go. Get on the train and find they have no information or instructions as to when it will leave as they are waiting for more buses. Call Jane – get the limo over to PC for pick-up and go home. Just in time for a quick birthday visit with Shaun and to lose a game of cards on the last hand – they cheated!

If I hear “GO apologizes for the inconvenience” one more time I will go postal!! I did not count them tonight and their customer “service” mishandling of this event was brutal. It’s wonderful when you don’t have a choice. Who knows if there will be a track / trains for tomorrow. I am too tired to give them the real reaming they deserve.

Missed Monday – my excuse being that it was “theoretically” a holiday, I did not post my song of the week. Along the lines of keep them guessing (and to demonstrate my eclectic and far ranging tastes) this week’s song is a “ballad” not your duster moush but “The Ballad of the Green Berets”. Sung by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler, this song was released in 1966 and was one of the very few “positive” anythings about the Vietnam war. Co-written by Robin Moore (who wrote the Green Berets book that was turned into a very successful movie – starring “The Duke”), this song sold over 9 million copies (and was the top single in a year where both the Beatles and Stones dominated the charts). It was #1 in the US for five weeks.

While a teenage warmonger to start with, I guess this song struck even more of a chord with me when I saw first hand the impact Vietnam was having on young draft age “kids” in the U.S. The anti – war faction, the I’m waiting for my notice group and even more directly the returning “vets” I met and hung around with in ’60.

For you fellow “Caddyshack” fans, Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) is mumbling the song as he is wiring up the explosives plunger in his final battle with the gophers.

The Ballad Of The Green Berets

Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage peak from the Green Berets

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request
Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret.

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back to top

Aug 1 - At the risk of sounding like a lush, I see that the micro / craft breweries are getting a lot of play. One in particular was featured in my daily GO Train rag – “Metro”. The brewery is Neustadt Springs brewery and there are probably only half a dozen people who know where it is. I am one of them. Back in my distant past we used to do a lot of racing (standardbred) on the “B” circuit. There are many stories there about our jaunts, but one of the regular “load and ships” was off to Hanover for the Saturday night races. Just before Hanover, we would always go through Neustadt and see the old “abandoned” looking stone building at the corner. Originally the Crystal Springs brewery established in the 1800s, it was closed down during prohibition but has been open for a number of years with apparent success.

How could you help but like a brewery with a product called “10W30”. I hope it is not as thick as its namesake but what a “manly” name.

10w30 Brown Ale

Brewery: Neustadt Springs Brewery · Neustadt, Ontario, Canada

Variety: Ale · English Ale · English Brown Ale

Alcohol: ABV 5.50% / ABW 4.40%

Color: Nut Brown (English Brown Ale) (20 SRM)

A traditional dark English mild beer. Malty, smooth, not bitter with plenty of flavor. Awarded a silver medal in the 2004 Beer World Cup and a silver medal in the 2004 Canadian Awards.

Great “Beer” site for craft breweries

Jimmy B – does not give up easily. Mayne that is why he is a multi-millionaire. After getting told 29 – 0 that your new best friends don’t like / want you in the club, do you quietly tuck your tail between your legs, pick up your bags of money and go home? Noooo – you go back after them in court. I guess Jimmy B doesn’t think this is over yet, but the sands of time are running through the hourglass for the 2009/10 season.

Changed my mind – Went to the LCBO and found they had three imported beer on sale for the long weekend. So., being a cheapskate, and they were 500 ml cans, so I went for it.

Only problem is that these three weren't in the flyer so now I have to add three more. Darn!

Check-off on:

Bitberger    Gosser    Holsten    decisions, decisions, decisions!

Crown being on sale for $5 off, I had to stock up on that as well to balance off the soft / hard purchasing.

This will help me get through my "Western Canada" problem.

Back to top