February 2007 Archives
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« January 2007 | | March 2007 » I'm HonouredFebruary 28, 2007 @ 08:08
While talking with TA I found out about the Pat Marsden Foundation which has been established to help needy kids join clubs and groups that require registration money. I thought it was a great idea and would provide a fitting legacy to a man who was loved by so many people in Toronto. As TA told me, Pat didn't have a lot growing up himself so this is the perfect way to keep his memory alive. And what a pleasant surprise when I received a call from TA yesterday asking me if I would become an honourary director. I immediately accepted and now anxiously look forward to the next fund raiser which will be held at Yonge and Dundas Square over the St. Patrick's Day Weekend. It's called the 3 Day St. Patrick's Day Bash and it promises to be good fun for a good cause for a good guy. I'll have more details as the date approaches. Category: Stuff
February 28, 2007 @ 08:05
The opposition parties joined forces to vote down the extension of two controversial anti-terrorism measures the Conservatives wanted to extend for three years The measures empower authorities to detain suspected terrorists without charge and to compel individuals with knowledge of terrorist activity to testify before a judge. The Harper government says the provisions are needed to keep the country safe from terrorists, but the opposition parties say they go too far and infringe on civil liberties. Ironically it was the Liberals who introduced the bill following 911, and neither one has ever been used, but Stephane Dion was hell bent to see the extension get squashed and he won. He won, but the country loses. As of next Thursday when the provisions expire, Canadians will become a little more vulnerable because Stephane Dion chose to pander to the hysterical left and play politics with our safety. But what the hell, I guess it's more important to make suspected terrorists feel a little more comfortable in good old Canada. And we wonder why the Yanks are pushing the passport thing? Category: Politics
February 28, 2007 @ 08:04
I don't buy it. If the big oil companies didn't have a history of price fixing and gouging I might be able to find a little sympathy in a refinery fire in Nanticoke, but I'm sorry, I smell a rat. I keep searching for the answer but I haven't heard it clearly defined yet. If the oil refinery fire was an Imperial Oil problem, why couldn't I get gas at Sunoco and Petro-Canada last night? I wonder, I just wonder if this is another case of collusion. Here's my conspiracy theory. Imperial Oil has a problem at a refinery that will force them to raise their prices, but the other oil companies won't be affected. Imperial goes to the other guys and says "if we have to raise our prices and you don't, then you're going to get all the business and we'll get none." The boys all get together and decide that goes counter to their long and illustrious history of working together through price fixing and controlled shortages, so they agree that everyone will have a shortage and everyone will raise their prices. Crazy? It might be but I think these bastards are capable of anything. And here's something that is really crazy. Yesterday when pressed by the media about the gas shortage in the province, Ontario Energy Minister Dwight Duncan said "so what." In the middle of an energy shortage in his province, whether real or orchestrated, the Energy minister said "so what." The Tory Tory years are coming. Category: Politics
ARGH! or Andrew Raycroft's Glove Hand February 28, 2007 @ 08:03
Why wouldn't Jean Sebastian Aubin have started against the Sabres last night? Raycroft had a soft night in Montreal allowing five goals on 15 shots, and then Aubin shuts them out the rest of the way. Why not let J.S. have an actual start against Buffalo? This has to be a personality thing between Aubin and Paul Maurice. There was talk yesterday of the Leafs trying to acquire Curtis Joseph before the trade deadline and that's just ridiculous. At this point there would be very little too choose between Aubin and Joseph yet the Leafs were apparently willing to trade some future for Cujo. It just doesn't make sense. In the end, its Leaf fans who are suffering. Andrew Raycroft is not the answer to their present or their future. He can make some spectacular saves, but you simply can't trust the guy over the long haul. ARGH!
Category: Sports
Third Time Is The Sweetest February 28, 2007 @ 08:02
But yesterday they give up a young defenceman in Brendan Bell and a second round draft choice. I sit here in Brampton, in my underwear in front of my computer thinking that on some level I'm smarter than the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. That can't be.. can it? Meanwhile, after last nights stinker against Buffalo I recieved the link to this website started by a Leaf fan. Category: Sports
Mel and Me February 28, 2007 @ 08:01
Shortly after she moved into her new apartment in August she told me she wanted to get a pet and she ended up with bloody rabbits of all things. She calls them Bacon and Eggs. Her mother and I warned Melanie not to get the goddamn rabbits but after one trip to the Humane Society she fell in love with these things that do nothing more than sit and shit. But what are you gonna do? The kid loves animals and I love her and how can you argue with compassion - the type of compassion that allows me to receive this e-mail from Melanie yesterday. There was no message with it, just this link. Category: Family
Radio Vet Lee Eckley Checks In February 28, 2007 @ 08:00
In the posting I said this "Talk about the evolution of rock and roll. I remember back in the early 80's Q-107 listeners would often accuse CFNY of playing nothing but "fag" bands and the Police were near the top of the list. It didn't take long before I got a response from Toronto radio veteran Lee Eckley who wrote this. Category: Endorsements | Radio
Thankyou Everyone February 27, 2007 @ 08:35
Like Bruce Barker, James Edgar, Andy Wilson, Ivar Hamilton, Kevin O'Leary, Fred Ball, Donny Patterson and Phil Evans who thinks there should be more boobies on the sight. All these people are near and dear to my heart. Category: Endorsements
Carroll's Right February 27, 2007 @ 08:34
It seems Bill has the same attitude that I do; global warming is a problem but the Al Gores and David Suzuki's of the world are dreaming with their timetable for turning things around. And that's why Kyoto is a joke. Carroll also made a point about the hypocrisy of the Green movement. People yell and scream and yap about the environment while pointing fingers at Conservative governments and big oil companies and then they turn around and break most of the basic rules themselves. They leave lights on, they use air conditioners and they litter. All the grass roots stuff that has to be addressed before we attack those who are employing millions of people. It drives me nuts when I see Christmas lights till burning in February, garage lights burning through the night, and tons of garbage at every off-ramp in the GTA. Nothing, absolutely nothing is going to change until things change at the level where "we" can actually control change. At our level. The people's level. The level that doesn't need rules or legislation. As we bolt towards the next federal election I'm preparing myself for the insincerity of what will be the number one issue, the environment. The Liberals and NDP will make it the number one issue to pressure the Conservatives, knowing that when all is said and done nothing much will change. And the Conservatives as the ruling party will get sucked into it as nothing more than a defense mechanism, again knowing nothing much will change. They all know nothing can change until the people change and from what I gather the people don't have time to give the environment anything but lip service. Insincere lip service.
Category: Radio
Funny Boys February 27, 2007 @ 08:33
They're having a lot of fun on the Dean Blundell Show and I hope those guys appreciate the freedom they get. I know a couple of other guys who took it for granted for several years and it's a rude awakening when all of a sudden one day you have to play by the same boring rules as most of the stations at the top of the ratings. Enjoy every minute of it boys. I caught two great bits yesterday. The first was "Wha' Happened" which featured an intriguing story about a young girl who got out of bed stark naked and pissed in her boyfriends sock drawer. Oh yea! And then later on I heard "Todd on the Street" and it made me want to piss in my drawers. Todd went to the Auto Show and proceeded to tell several well endowed women that they "Auto Show him their boobies." I don't care what anybody says, that's funny shit. And any radio geek who claims it's infantile and or in poor taste is one of two things. A liar or jealous they can't do the same stuff. Category: Radio
The Evolution Of Rock And Roll February 27, 2007 @ 08:32
The attached picture is from that special Playboy edition back in 2002 when Wilder took the Canadian radio industry by storm. It was great, and bewildering. The magazine was released just as MOJO management was having second thoughts about our format so we were instructed not to talk about it. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. We had a current Playboy model working on the air, and we were called MOJO for crying out loud, but we couldn't take advantage. Oh well. Anyway I was amused by one of the announcements Joanne made yesterday. The Police have announced a third show for Toronto in November and then she played a Police song. Talk about the evolution of rock and roll. I remember back in the early 80's Q-107 listeners would often accuse CFNY of playing nothing but "fag" bands and the Police were near the top of that list. And I believe U2 was up there as well. Category: Radio
Sweet Caroline February 27, 2007 @ 08:31
Outside of a few brief moments it didn't happen at NY - she left the station took an office job and did weekend news out in Oshawa. Eventually she moved to Sudbury and took a TV job. And then yesterday I got a fantastic e-mail from Caroline with this announcement. "I have accepted a job with CTV Winnipeg, I will anchor the CTV weekend news at 6 and 11:30, and I'm a reporter three days a week." And when I told her I'd mention it on FreddieP.ca she said. "Thankyou so much. I just love you Fred! You've always been so good to me, and one of my favourites." Maybe I should move to Winnipeg and make her my darlin'. Category: Television
Dougie G. February 27, 2007 @ 08:30
Rather than make a trade why don't the Leafs just bring back Dougie G. for the playoff run. He may be over 40 and have a bad back and wonky knees, and he may have been off skates for two or three years, but come on, he's Dougie G. He can do anything. And Wendel would look good on the wing. Category: Sports
This Is It February 26, 2007 @ 17:10
As I mentioned in earlier postings I was reluctant to change but I pretty well had to. The new FreddieP.ca has all the bells and whistles that give me the chance to reach the largest audience. And I want your feedback. Click on the "discuss" button below and tell me what your think of the new look. As a matter of fact I want you to click on the "discuss" button as much as possible. I want your reaction to all my comments. It will be interesting. Change is good. Category: Stuff
XL February 26, 2007 @ 07:16
If you knew my mother you wouldn't think that much of it. She's always looking for a laugh and she delivered on this one. She couldn't wait to see his reaction when he un-wrapped the box, although to be honest she was probably a little disappointed because knowing his grandmother the way he does, Dan didn't miss a beat by telling her she should have bought the extra large. Anyway, it was a fun time around the Christmas tree and I honestly didn't get an icky feeling about my mother buying condoms for my son. I did get an icky feeling yesterday however when my wife offered to do the same thing. I think she was only kidding because I'm sure Danny's capable of buying condoms for himself, but when Delyse made the offer I felt a bit nauseous. Danny left for Mexico this morning and yesterday he was telling him mother, tongue in cheek I'm sure, that he planned on meeting a single chick at the resort so he could shack up for the week and not have to sleep in the same room as his buddy. It was at that point his mother told him he better watch what he's doing and did he want her to go out and buy him some condoms? And it was also at that point that all the life was sucked out of me and I got the creeps. I couldn't imagine my wife going out to Shoppers Drug Mart to buy extra large condoms.
Category: Family
Overkill February 26, 2007 @ 07:14
Before the NHL lockout trade deadlines were interesting in the NHL because teams could spend as much money as they wanted. I think one year there was something like 40 transactions on trade deadline day. Now it's different story. With the salary cap there's only so much money you can spend and a lot of things have to fall into place before you can pull the trigger. Not only that, but there's been several trades in the past week or so that have taken a lot of the suspense out of tomorrow. However both networks plan to start their trade deadline coverage at 10am and Sportsnet promises eight hours of coverage till six pm. Talk about freakin' over-kill. Category: Television
Three Years February 26, 2007 @ 07:13
It's another one of those situations where the Leafs find themselves caught in the middle, the way it's been for the past 20 years. We know they're not good enough to win the Stanley Cup, yet they're not bad enough to throw in the towel. So instead of moving Tucker at the deadline in exchange for draft picks or a young quality player or two, they keep him and hope for a miracle run in the playoffs. And when that doesn't happen, they're right back where the started. In the middle of the pack. Category: Sports
Laughing Senator February 26, 2007 @ 07:12
I loved him in that brawl against Buffalo. Before he even started fighting Emery had a huge smile on his face as he skated towards Sabres goalie Martin Biron. It was like he knew he had to fight but the concept was so stupid it made him laugh - and he continued to laugh through the whole fight. Category: Sports
Oscar Gore February 26, 2007 @ 07:12
I know Global Warming is a problem, and I know the issue has to be dealt with, but I maintain Kyoto is not the way to do it. Gore seems to think it is. Last Sunday Lorrie Goldstein of the Sun wrote an article that pretty well sums up how I feel. Category: Stuff
Mike Boon February 26, 2007 @ 07:11
Before he left I showed him my rec room and out came the camera. Go here for the results. Category: Stuff
Airhead February 25, 2007 @ 09:10
Rosie wrote a vicious piece about Derringer in Saturday's Star, her reaction to a lawsuit that's been launched against Derringer and his employers Corus entertainment. I'm not going to go over it piece by piece because I can't be bothered. I'd rather you read it and them come back and get my opinion, which is this. DiManno has it out for radio people, always has, and I guess as long as she's not good enough to suck off the radio tit like so many of her newspaper colleagues, she always will. Then again, maybe it's something else. Maybe she's jealous of the money high profile radio people make. Or maybe it bothers her that her industry is crumbling around her. Rosie's piece isn't so much a defense of Domi as it is an attack on Derringer and her argument is so hypocritical it's sickening. She wonders how a man's alleged adultery makes him fair game for unsubstantiated inferences of charitable venality. Well I wondered the same thing back on June 1, 2001 when MOJO radio's format made the radio station fair game for DiManno's unsubstantiated, wild and ridiculous connection to child molesters. I'll tell you the day that column was printed I would have paid to see a few MOJO models kick the snot out of DiManno because I worked there, and so did Derringer. But more than anything what bothers me about DiManno's Saturday column is when she claims John is no reporter, just an "air head." Air head? She writes a whole column in defense of Tie Domi of all people, almost worshiping at his gnarly feet while overlooking all the pain he's caused his family and she calls Derringer an airhead? Really Rosie, who's the "airhead.?" Category: Radio
Donabie February 25, 2007 @ 09:05
This morning Donabie had a woman on the air talking about grilled cheese sandwiches and needless to say that brought back a lot of memories. Like John, I like them with ketchup and a pickle on the side. The woman also gave a little history lesson on the grilled cheese sandwich claiming it they were mostly open faced until the 1950's. A piece of bread with cheese and top and then broiled, not fried. This really struck me because what she described was something we called cheese dreams as kids. We'd put cheese on the bread, then short strips of bacon top of that and put it right under the broiler. The bacon would get crispy and the cheese would bubble and turn brown on the edges. Admittedly it was a little on the oily side, but I imagine today if you used that pre-cooked bacon that comes in a box it would greatly reduce the grease. Category: Radio
Ghost February 25, 2007 @ 08:57
Trains on the Bloor-Danforth line will bypass the Bay station and run on a rarely-used track through an unused TTC station below the Bay station. Trains won't be stopping at the abandoned station. Category: Stuff
Great, Another Trudeau February 23, 2007 @ 12:47
Justin Trudeau wants to be prime minister and with the image challenged Dion at the helm, Trudeau can smell blood. He'll get himself elected as MP, play the game like he has to then take a shot at the next leadership convention in five or six years. At that time he'll be 40 years old and positioned to smooth talk his way into power just like his old man did, and knowing this country we'll buy the bullshit hook line a sinker. Meanwhile, Dion's reaction to Trudeau's announcement was rather cool. He praised Justin's ambition, but made it clear he will have to win the nomination; it won't be handed to him. Trudeau will run in the Bloc Quebecois stronghold of Papineau, so it won't be an easy ride and that could be the upside to this story. By running in Papineau there we could be saved from another arrogant, over-rated Trudeau and the Liberals won't gain the seat. Category: Politics
Dilemma February 23, 2007 @ 11:12
Say what you want about Pavel Kubina, he makes some unbelievable mistakes, but on a game-in game-out basis there is nobody worse than Brian McCabe. It's just another one of those aggravating things about the Leafs. John Ferguson signed these guys to contracts that gobble up close to ten million dollars a year against the salary cap. Just imagine what they could do with that money. Nobodies going to tell me that Andy Wozneiwski and Brendan Bell couldn't fill the gap and actually lessen the mistakes. And there's no light at the end of the tunnel. McCabe has a five year deal and Kubina has a four year deal. It's too bad. Category: Sports
Not Worthy February 23, 2007 @ 11:05
Nothing against the woman, but good god she can't seem to keep a job. And to think they keep snubbing Don Cherry. Category: Politics
Friday Fun February 23, 2007 @ 10:53
Category: Fun Stuff
You Won't Believe This February 22, 2007 @ 10:42
So imagine how I felt when I was on the phone with a Sunquest representative yesterday booking a trip to Mexico. It was surreal. I was talking to this woman, giving her my credit card number for an all-inclusive trip to Mexico which departs on Monday morning. I know what you're thinking - what a hypocrite, what a big mouth flip-floppin' blowhard - and if that's what you're thinking, I understand, but let me explain. I'm not going. My son Danny is. Danny's a good boy who's never given his mother nor me an ounce of trouble. He's always done what he's been told and never, and I mean never asks for anything in return. For the past couple of years by wife and I have been urging Danny to go on a trip. We want him to experience as much as he can before he joins the everyday working world and going away with some buddies is something we wanted him to do. Problem is, he never really acted on the offer until this week, and still it came at the urging of me and his mother. Reading week was coming up at college so we encouraged him to go somewhere. Well didn't I crap my pants when he came back and said he'd like to go away with three friends next week and told me Mexico was the destination? "Mexico" I said. "Why Mexico, it's a third world shit hole Dan!" "No it's not" he sad. "A lot of my friends have been there and they like it. Dad, we've been there and you liked it." He was right but that was before throats were slashed, bullets flew, hit and runs happened and the Mexican police looked the other way. What was I going to do? "Why don't you go somewhere else Danny?" "Because when you go to Mexico you don't need a passport and most other places that don't need passports are booked full. It's reading week in a lot of places." And then it struck me. He's 21 years old and old enough to make his own decisions and all the qualities I give him credit for are all the qualities necessary to travel to other parts of the world and survive. I couldn't argue any more. He wanted to go and he deserved to go, so he was going. I picked up the phone and booked it. But let me tell you and tell you loud and clear. Danny may be going but you'll never catch me in that third world corrupt backwards shit-hole again. I'm a man of conviction. Category: Family
Racial Inequality February 22, 2007 @ 10:33
It's going to be excruciating waiting for all the white girls to be eliminated, and if there's any justice that's what's going to happen. Unfortunately there are seven of them. The early favourite of all 12 women has to be LaKisha Jones. She can bring it. Category: Television
Arsenholis February 22, 2007 @ 09:44
It's tough to watch a show that includes an untalented kid who in typical Canadian backwards ass-wipe fashion was catapulted into CTV stardom simply because somebody thought it would be cool to have the former prime minister's son on their network. It's unbelievable how much work they give this guy, and no matter what he does it's awkward, uncomfortable and unfair to hundreds of other out of work kids who could do a better job. But I digress. While watching American Idol last night there was a cool CTV promo that involved all the major stars who appear on the network, both Canadian and American. Jon Stewart is in it, the cast of CSI, Mathew Perry and even Brent Butt from Corner Gas. But you know who's in it for the longest and sticks his big Mulroney head right in the camera? You guessed it. Category: Television
Bloody Ontario February 22, 2007 @ 09:24
This comes as dismal news to the Liberals who see their leader fall behind Layton who runs a party that can't even be taken seriously anymore. However this also comes as dismal news to most clear thinking Ontarians, because it also displays how unbelievably stupid the people of this province can be. Just think about it. Before the Conservatives were elected, Harper appeared to be their biggest problem. He was saddled with the image of a pro-American, big business shill who wanted to incarcerate all homosexuals. It was all bullshit of course and Harper has proven to be a strong and decisive leader whose party has quickly won over most of Canada. But the key word is "most" because most doesn't include Ontario. In this peculiar province, despite having Stephane Dion in third place in leadership polling, and the Conservatives leading in national polls, the Liberals still have a ten point lead over the Conservatives in Ontario. What the hell is the matter with us? Category: Politics
The Name Game February 22, 2007 @ 08:45
The issue exploded yesterday when street signs were erected in the Jane and Wilson area (Ward 7) with the names of MP Judy Sgro and former federal cabinet minister Sergio Marchi on them. It's considered a thank-you for what they've done for people in the area. Apparently city policy stipulates that names of "living people should only be used as street monikers in exceptional circumstances" and the question begs to be asked, do these people qualify? And that leads to an obvious solution. When it comes to politicians, don't do it till they're dead. The naming of streets is a political process therefore whenever a politician is involved it's going to raise eyebrows. It's also self indulgent and to be honest I'm surprised that Sgro and Marchi would allow it to happen. Category: Politics
Jim Lang Checks In February 21, 2007 @ 10:49
Jim Lang was the sportscaster on MOJO when I was there and now he's one of the main players on Rogers Sportsnet and he was kind enough to send along this note. "Fred - I've said before and I will say it again - your website is freaking awesome... I love your rants... Maybe if someone in this country had a clue they would extend this gold to a wider audience." Jim calls home-runs slobberknockers. And I like that. Category: Endorsements
Dough Boy February 21, 2007 @ 09:50
After a game against the Leafs, because of business reasons Horton opted to drive back to Buffalo on his own rather than take the team bus with the rest of his Buffalo Sabre teammates. With twice the legal limit of alcohol and traces of a prescription drug called Dexamyl in his blood, Horton failed to negotiate a turn on the QEW and flipped his De Tomaso Pantera. He was 44 years old. In fact I often think about that. What if Tim Horton could come back for one day, just one day? What would he think? What would he think of his legacy shifting from hockey to crullers and baguettes? What would he think of his name being plastered all over the landscape, including on paper cups tossed onto the ground at every off-ramp. But most of all, what would he think of the all the cheesy Tim Horton's commercials that are inflicted upon Canadians on a regular basis. Especially the one that features that old prick who doesn't want his son to play hockey. Category: Sports
ARGH February 21, 2007 @ 08:52
ARGH = Andrew Raycroft's Glove Hand. Category: Sports
Again and Again February 21, 2007 @ 08:51
Reebok with Sidney Crosby, Coors Lite and yes, too many Tim Horton's commercials are repeated and repeated and repeated to the point where you think somebody has made a mistake. But they haven't. I guess the audience for Leafs TV is still so small they can only attract a narrow clientele. Category: Television
Hosed In Hogtown February 21, 2007 @ 07:52
No, I can't imagine. Then it made me think of something my good friend Rob Johnson of the Edge sent me yesterday. It's an ad for a game on Long Island on Monday night featuring the Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins. Check out the prices to see Sidney Crosby. Category: Sports
Injustice February 21, 2007 @ 07:33
For the second year in a row he's failed to make it into the CFL Hall of Fame despite holding the professional football record for most combined yardage. Pinball didn't make it again this year, but Darren Flutie did. Nothing against Flutie, but when compared, how does Flutie make it and Pinball doesn't? I smell a rat. For more on this horrid injustice you can read Steve Simmons column in today's Sun. Category: Sports
New Film February 21, 2007 @ 07:14
After I watched the film I asked this question. If it was taken "before" the President was shot, why does the film end with a shot of the School Book Depository? Check it out. Category: Stuff
A Great Afternoon February 20, 2007 @ 10:16
The seminar was conducted by a guy named Barry LaValley and he didn't talk so much about money as he did mind set. Not only do you have to be prepared for retirement financially, but you also have to be ready emotionally. Over-all it was a positive experience and it also allowed me to meet two fantastic women who have recently lost their husbands - men I admired very much. Sitting at the table with me were Teri Ann Marsden and Bernie Wadsworth. Teri Ann was married to legendary Toronto sportscaster Pat Marsden, and Bernie was married to Mike Wadsworth who accomplished so much in his 60 short years it's almost too hard to comprehend. Pat Marsden is a man I only met a couple of times and never really got to know, but like most people my age Pat Marsden was in my living room every night while I was growing up. He was sports director at CFTO for many years before getting fired, going to CFRB, retiring, then coming out of retirement and working at the Fan. He died last year of lung cancer and he's sorely missed by Teri Ann and his children, but they can hold on to the image of a man who was larger than life and loved by everyone who knew him. Bernie Wadsworth lost her husband Mike to bone cancer in the spring of 2004. In his short life Wadsworth attended the University of Notre Dame where he got his law degree, he played pro football with the Argonauts and then became one the best radio and television football analysts in Canada. If that wasn't enough, he became Canada's ambassador to Ireland before heading back to Notre Dame to become athletic director. And shortly before he died the way was cleared for him to become a judge. How's that for a resume? Nobody was looking for sympathy yesterday but I have to be honest, I felt sorry for both women. But I'll tell you, if it's possible for the deceased to look down upon their families both Pat Marsden and Mike Wadsworth feel pretty good today because both their wives are immensely proud of their legacies and that was beautifully conveyed yesterday. Category: Stuff | Television
Captain Fantastic February 20, 2007 @ 09:57
It was marvelous. He used his big frame to its full potential literally muscling the puck from behind the net to the front of the net where he swept it around Dwayne Rollison. He was a man possessed. He was impressive to watch. He was a captain. Category: Sports
Tuscany February 20, 2007 @ 09:08
For years I drank this coffee with cream while ignoring Dan's opinion that coffee of such quality should be consumed black. Well about three weeks ago I brewed a pot of Tuscany and when I opened the fridge I was horrified to find no cream, so I drank it black and I haven't looked back. Talk about flavour. Category: Stuff
AC Does Dick February 20, 2007 @ 08:58
She's billed as a left wing lawyer, lesbian, comic, writer, anti- American actress. Which is fine, there's nothing wrong with multi-tasking, I just wish she'd tone it down a bit. Having said that, I learned something from Maggie today. I learned that Anderson Cooper is gay. I'm sure that's what she said. AC gay? I had no idea. It doesn't change anything and I'll still watch his show because you don't judge anyone by their sexual preference because that would be ignorant and intolerant, but I'm still surprised. Anderson Cooper is gay. I would never have guessed. Category: Television
Venn Checks In February 19, 2007 @ 09:01
Craig anchors the morning show at a Classic Rock Station in Windsor and is having a great time. Craig and I have a special bond that very few can appreciate. Both of us have lived most of our lives in Brampton. Category: Endorsements | Radio
Bubble Wrap February 19, 2007 @ 07:02
This time Cherry showed a picture of the ten year old kid in Guelph who was killed on the hockey pond. Nicholas Lambden was leaning over to pick up a puck just as another older kid blasted a slap shot in another game, and it caught Nicholas behind the ear. He was airlifted to Sick Kids and died the next day, without a doubt a sad and sickening story and the nightmare of any parent. As you might expect, this has opened a new debate on weather kids should be forced to wear helmets while playing pond hockey and to tell you the truth, I can't make up my mind. During his bit on Coaches Corner Cherry conveyed the words of Nicholas' mother who is pleading with everyone to make their kids wear the helmets, and what else would you expect? Yet at the same time I wonder about what we're doing to our kids by trying to protect them at every turn and should we go as far as to legislate this stuff. It was only a few weeks ago that another child was killed while tobogganing and we heard the same cries - all kids should have to wear helmets when sliding down hills. I can see an evolution here that's quickly gaining speed. When I was a kid we wore next to nothing - now I get the feeling there are parents out there who don't want their kids to leave the house without wearing a helmet because there's danger around every corner. It's done with the best of intentions to protect a kid physically, but I can't help but think this "bubble wrap" generation might be hurting our kids psychologically. Category: Stuff
Culture Club February 19, 2007 @ 06:53
"What is white culture" was the question being asked around the University, and nobody could come up with an answer. And I agree with that. What is white culture? Then again, what is black culture or Asian culture or any other type of racial culture? To me culture isn't a question of race; it's a question of lifestyles or nationalities. So I agree, there really is no room for a White Culture Club or Black Culture Club or any other racial culture club. There is however room for a Jamaican Culture Club, a Chinese Culture Club and yes, even a Canadian Culture Club. There is a Canadian Culture you know - but that's for another time. Category: Stuff
Decisions February 19, 2007 @ 06:24
When it comes to stuff my eyes glaze over and I want to tell Steve to go ahead and do whatever he needs to do because I trust his judgment but apparently I can't in his case. I'm 50 years old which means my portfolio needs more of my attention as I approach the opportunity for early retirement - I have to make some decisions. I don't know what sucks more, having to make decisions or having the word "retirement" on the horizon. I've had a lot of down time over the past year and to tell you the truth, I don't think I ever want to retire. Too many fart jokes remain untold. Category: Stuff
Fair To Midland February 18, 2007 @ 10:06
In typical fashion Leaf fans tried to make it a special moment when Dave Keon walked out, but they didn't quite get there. Keon meanwhile appeared to appreciate the moment, but didn't seem blown away. It was a nice try but not what you see in Montreal. Category: Sports
Freeway February 18, 2007 @ 08:08
And over the past couple of months it's been fun for Frank. The Leafs took a little nosedive before Christmas and at one point the Habs led the Leafs by 12 points. With last nights victory over Edmonton, the Leafs have 66 points, which is two more than Montreal. The Habs have lost six in a row. That's all I have to say. Category: Sports
Just Another Shill February 17, 2007 @ 08:57
I've seen his television shows and there's no doubt that he can push a point of view and make it sound like there's no alternative, no other side, no other story. Well this week I've lost a lot of respect for the man. He's doing a cross country bus tour with the purpose of getting Canadians to wake-up to climate change. I don't know if its Suzuki's strategy, maybe it is, but he's coming across an arrogant and rude know it all. Maybe that's his method of getting people to buy in, but it's having the reverse affect on me. He's giving people shit at every turn with a total disregard for reality. The reality that people have to live and work and feed their families and pay the bills. It's easy for the financially independent Suzuki to tell people to change their lives tomorrow, but in reality it can't be done. Even David Miller, the left wing head up his ass mayor of Toronto has come to the conclusion that the Suzuki's plan to save the world isn't realistic. There are too many jobs on the line. Toronto' can't conform at the speed Suzuki thinks it can or should. I'll go back to a point I made earlier in the week. Whenever anyone questions climate change or the Kyoto protocol, they're accused of being shills for the oil industry. It's like calling someone a racist, just to shut them up. I wonder who Suzuki is a shill for. Who's paying for him to sit on that bus and storm into places demanding things change immediately without a realistic game plan? I'd like to know who's really behind his crusade and I question the timing. The Liberals agreed to Kyoto, and the Conservatives reject it. The Conservatives are in power, and the Liberals are not. To embrace the science of climate change is cool, to question it is to be an enemy of the planet. Yea, I wonder who's paying Suzuki? Category: Politics
Perkins Nails It February 17, 2007 @ 08:44
And then today I read Dave Perkin's column in the Star and he explained it perfectly. Grab your coffee and give it a read. Category: Sports
Things To Do This Weekend February 16, 2007 @ 08:57
2.Watch the Leafs 1967 Stanley Cup re-union on HNIC. 3. Have a man bath with your neighbour. Category: Neighbour John
1967 February 16, 2007 @ 08:50
That's fine, and to that I say this. Bite my clank. And did you notice the Leafs beat the Flyers 4-2 last night, giving them 64 points, the same amount as the Habs who just three short weeks ago led the Leafs by 12. Did you notice? And did you notice that thanks to winning percentage the Leafs are actually in a playoff spot today and the Habs aren't? What good are your 26 Cups on February 16, 2007? Bite my clank and call me The Gumper. Category: Sports
Keon and Keon February 16, 2007 @ 08:31
It was petty really. Keon got pissed off at Harold Ballard in the early 70's and wouldn't let go through the 80's and 90's refusing to have anything to do with anything Maple Leafs. Even after Ballard kicked the bucket, Keon wouldn't budge and snubbed the organization at every turn. Dave Jr. is head of off-ice officials at the ACC and has held various positions with the Leafs for more than 20 years. I often wondered how embarrassing it was for him to continually have his dad act like a spoiled kid. That will change tomorrow night, and hopefully when Keon is introduced to what will surely be a huge standing ovation, the camera catches a glimpse of David Keon Jr. who occupies the time keepers bench. Category: Sports
That's Canada February 16, 2007 @ 08:23
On Wednesday, he had the charges against him dropped, and this has caused a bit of an uproar. Many believe he should be used as an example to other to not denigrate any National Monuments, let alone a war memorial. But hey folks, this is Canada. We don't act in extremes. If this had happened in the United States this kid would down in Gitmo stark naked and barking like a dog for the amusement of any soldier who took offence. But not in Canada. In Canada, Fernandes' lawyer actually used intoxication as an excuse. He was so drunk he didn't know what he was doing, and to some extent the judge actually bought it which is dangerous because it could provide a convenient precedent for the next guy who gets nailed for drunk driving. It's crazy, but that's Canada. But here's what makes the story truly Canadian. Apparently Fernandes donated 200 dollars to a veteran's hospital and then went directly to a Canadian Legion where he apologized to veterans. The veterans thanked him for his donation to the hospital, and then readily accepted his apology with approval that charges be dropped. That is really Canadian - forgive and forget - and in a twisted way I guess veterans feel they went to war to preserve the right for stupid kids to piss on whatever they want. Category: Stuff
Not So Smart, Smart Guy February 16, 2007 @ 08:03
Suzuki is doing a cross country tour defying his intelligence by telling Canadians we should buy into Kyoto lock, stock and barrel. It's one of those situations where we're supposed to fall in line because no one should ever argue with the great Dr. Suzuki when it comes to science. Bullshit. And kudos to Oakley for not backing down and throwing valid questions on the table for Suzuki to chew on. Unfortunately Suzuki doesn't like to be challenged and he proved that by throwing a little shit fit and storming out of the studio. I find it amusing that a consistent defense of environmental sheep is that they accuse skeptics of being on the payroll of the big oil companies. After hearing yesterdays compelling segment on the Oakley Show, I wonder who's paying Suzuki to sell us out with a flawed piece of crap like Kyoto. Category: Politics
Toronto Mike On B-Ball February 16, 2007 @ 07:54
"Is there no part of you that is excited about the Raptors" asked Mike. "No, not really" I said. "I tend to put my finger in the air and see where the winds blowing, and right now, there's no Raptor buzz. I don't think anybody really cares that they're first in the Atlantic Division." Boon disagreed. He said in his office there seems to be a growing interest and maybe I was missing the boat a bit. Maybe so. I think it's an age specific thing. I think the under 40 crowd may have more of an interest than I'm aware of, but I can honestly say I haven't had a singe conversation about the Raptors with anyone this year. Not until I talked to Mike last night. I have a 21 year old son, and neighbour John has four kids in their teens, but none of them ever mention the Raptors. Boon pointed out that maybe it will take a playoff birth for Toronto to really get behind the Raptors, and maybe he's right. They've just got to hope the Leafs have already been eliminated or nobody will notice or care. Category: Sports
Memories February 15, 2007 @ 16:39
All the fathers of all the Leafs were invited to Philly for the road trip which will include two nights, team meals, team practices and the game against the Flyers. It's a great idea and something I'm sure the players and their dads will appreciate and probably never forget. When you're a kid you go on lots of road trips with your dad, but when you're an adult it means even more. Back in 2002 when I was working at my beloved MOJO, the radio station built a promotion around me and my dad. A father and son trip to Florida to see a couple of Leafs games, a Dolphins game and a Miami Heat game. From several hundred entries, we picked a winner and he and his dad would travel with me and my dad. I remember going up to Stayner a few weeks before the trip and telling my dad. It was a great moment because he could hardly believe it. It was hard for him to comprehend that he was actually going to get on a plane with me and head to Florida for a week to do nothing but watch sporting events and it wasn't going to cost a cent. And we had a fabulous time. We had top notch accommodations, we ate at fabulous restaurants, toured South Beach and the Everglades, but the highlight had to be the Dolphins game. There was something very cool about sitting and watching the Dolphins and Raiders on a Sunday afternoon in December, wearing shorts, sweating in 75 degree weather and sucking back a king sized beer. It's something neither of us will ever forget. I was 45 and my dad was 76 at the time, and really gave us something to hold on to. Very few of us get to experience something like that with their father at that stage of their lives and I'm so glad it happened when it did. Big Dick is still doing well these days, but if we were given the same opportunity to do the same thing right now, I'm not sure he'd be up to it. Category: Family
John C. Gallagher Checks In February 15, 2007 @ 16:36
Gallagher has a long and impressive history of sportscasting in Toronto with Q-107 and CITY-TV but currently finds himself in the same situation as me. He's without work. John's been out of the game for four and a half months since leaving the Rock in Oshawa and says he's getting stir crazy. I know what that's all about. Gallagher says he's networking and investigating with the hopes of getting back into the saddle soon, and I'm sure there are a lot of fans out there who will be glad when that happens. Category: Endorsements | Radio
Gas Explosion February 15, 2007 @ 16:25
Toronto - Neighbours in a midtown Toronto neighbourhood pulled a 30-year old Enbridge gas employee out of a house that blew up from a natural gas explosion yesterday morning. The red brick house was leveled around 11 a.m. on Harper Gardens in the Mount Pleasant Rd. and St. Clair Ave. E. area while the man was working inside. Whenever I see a story like this it scares me and gives me concern for Neighbour John's family. John is a perpetual source of natural gas and I just know that one of these days he's going to drop one while he's too close to an open flame. I can feel the day coming. I'll be sitting at home when all of a sudden the earth will move and the windows will rattle. Hopefully John will be home alone at the time and hopefully the damage to my house will be minimal.
Category: Neighbour John
Not Fair February 14, 2007 @ 17:04
The sweet and wonderful Liz West did a feature on the Genie Awards, and the Genie awards are much like the Gemini and ACTRA awards in Canada. Nobody knows what they are, and nobody cares. Meanwhile, if there were awards in Canada that would really mean something to the general population in Canada it would be radio awards. There is no level of entertainment in Canada that has more impact on the public than radio, but this medium is all but ignored when it comes to awards. There are radio awards as part of Canadian Music Week each year, but as well intentioned as they are, they don't do radio justice. Canadians spend only a small percentage of their time watching Canadian television programs and Canadian movies, but they probably spend 100 percent of their time listening to Canadian radio. Canadians have a better connection with radio personalities than any other type of entertainer, yet radio doesn't have its own awards. It blows. Category: Radio
ARGH February 14, 2007 @ 16:32
You'd have the usual column with wins, losses and OT losses, but the Leafs would have an extra category for losses called ARGH. It will be a fair assessment of many of their losses this season, including the last two against Pittsburgh and the Islanders. The Leafs lost these two games as a direct result of ARGH and it's become a big problem for the club so that's why it's important that ARGH be brought to the forefront and be included in Leafs statistics. And just in case you're wondering what ARGH stands for, it's this. Andrew Raycroft's Glove Hand. Category: Sports
What A Prick February 6, 2007 @ 17:22
What the hell is that all about? It's got to be the stupidest bloody commercial I've ever seen. It raises so many questions. First of all, why is the old man such a prick? Secondly, when the old man arrives at the rink and the conversation starts, do they actually expect us to believe that the son had no idea his father knew what hockey team he played for or what position he played? Who paid the kids registration? Who bought his goddamn equipment? And if it wasn't the old man, why would they make a commercial "based on a true story" about such a miserable old bastard. And there's another part that bugs me. The flashback part when the old man sneaks into the rink to watch his kid's game. Why is he hiding? What kind of a fuckin' loser doesn't want his son to see him at his hockey game? From what we gather, the kid would have been thrilled for dad to be there, but this crusty old arshole wouldn't give an inch. Listen, I'm not a big fan of Tim Horton commercials to begin with, I think most of them are stupid - including the current one about the berries - but this hockey spot has got to be the all time worst. "Based on a true story?" The story of a king sized prick! Category: Stuff
Super Sunday February 4, 2007 @ 16:20
All I have to do is walk out the door and take about 50 paces due west. Watching a game at neighbour John's provides a man with pretty much all he needs. You walk through his foyer and the stairs to rec room are on the right. From that point on, you're in a sports fans fantasy. As you descend the stairs there is sports memorabilia plastered to the walls and ceiling of the stairwell. Ticket stubs, newspaper articles and pictures of John with famous people. As you enter the rec room you have to walk by a pinball machine and a big screen television to get to the bar. The bar is appointed as well as any bar in any commercial establishment and stocked the same way. A television hangs above the bar which means you don't miss a minute of the action while you're getting a drink. Then again, at neighbour John's it would be impossible to miss any of the action. The big screen television I mentioned is not the main television. He has another one in the main sitting area. The first big screen I mentioned is there if you're playing pinball, or if you're in the main sitting area and you happen to look to your right. And don't worry about a quick trip to the washroom, there's a television in there was well. In a 35o square foot area, there are four television sets. John will set up a pool for the game which will have a pay off of about 100 bucks. There all kinds of shooters you'll be urged to drink during the game, there will be all kinds of great snacks at half time, and afterwards Johnny Boy will crank up the karaoke machine and everybody will be forced to sing one song before they leave. John will sing something by Jimmy Buffett, his dad will sing Sinatra (very well) and then I usually do John a big favour. I sing the Candy Man and it clears the house. Category: Neighbour John
Leadership February 3, 2007 @ 17:43
On the heels of yesterday environmental report out of Paris, Stephen Harper showed great leadership by not buckling under to the hysteria, and giving Canadians a rational and realistic response. As Harper says, before Canada reduces emissions, they have to be stabilized. Having been a skeptic of the science of climate change, Harper has now been convinced that it's real and steps have to be taken, but he's not about to bullshit his way through it. "You can't just snap your fingers and reduce emissions by one-third and reduce Canadians energy use by one-third, in the space of a couple of years." he said. "We have to talk about fact, not about fantasy. The application of new technology over time is the only way to get absolute reductions." How can you argue with that? There's no other way to look at it, because when all is said and done it will all come back to the economy. Jobs will be lost through this, lots of jobs and the Prime Minister has to prepare Canadians for that inevitability. As he said yesterday,
"I don't think, realistically, we can tell Canadians to stop driving your car, stop going to work and stop heating your homes. The science is clear that these changes are occurring, they're serious and we must act. It's large; it's long term; and there are no quick fixes." To be honest, I'd rather have a leader respond this way than to have some quack promising the moon when it simply can't be done. And that quack ladies and gentlemen is Stephane Dion, who had several years to act on this problem and accomplished less than nothing - Canada went backwards. Category: Politics
Trouble At The Border or The Bra Caper February 2, 2007 @ 16:12
Problem is, you can't just visit for a few hours and haul 120 dollars worth of anything back, let alone bras. But that wasn't all. I went into Old Navy and they had these sweatshirty things on sale for 3.99. Unbelievable, so I bought five. And then there was underwear for my son Danny, and just before we left we whipped into the Gap and my wife bought two pairs of Capri pants for 11 dollars each. This was a lot of stuff for a two hour visit, so we had to plan our strategy for get back across the border. With a little consultation from a clerk at Old Navy, we decided rather than lie completely and say we had nothing, we would claim the cheap things and cram the bras in the trunk underneath the thing that covers the spare tire. Everything seemed fine as I approached the border - and when I volunteered to the fine gentleman in the booth that I had indeed bought some shirts which amounted to a grand total of 40 dollars he seemed satisfied. But then it was obvious he was taking too much time and he was scribbling something on a piece of paper. And then he handed it to me. It was a yellow piece of paper, and he told me to pull ahead and make a sharp left and someone would inspect what I had bought. Shit! What if they look in the trunk? Shit! They were going to find the tit-slings. I pulled up to the office and I went inside with the sales slips hoping this would be enough, but unfortunately it wasn't enough. The guy inside told me to wait by the car and someone would come out to have a look at what I had bought. As I went outside almost directly on my heels was an inspector and even though I opened the back door of the car to show him the bags I had claimed, he had something else in mind, he asked me to open the trunk. Shit! He was going to find the over-shoulder-boulder holders. At that point my mind scattered. I had never been in this situation before and I didn't know what was going to happen. If he lifted the spare tire cover what would the consequences be? Would I be arrested? Or was it just a fine? And if it was a fine, how much is the fine? Jesus Christ, why did she need new boobie traps in the first place? But then, as I opened the trunk, I heard a wonderful thing. "Freddie P?" I looked at the inspector and he had a big smile on his face. "You're Freddie P. aren't ya" "Yes" I said. "I'm Freddie P." "Nice to meet you Fred" he said. "What are you up to these days?" "Not much" I said. In my mind I was thinking, not much besides smuggling lingerie into Canada from the United States. The inspector was a great guy, gracious and polite. He told me he'd been listening to me since the early 80's and he once went to a CFNY Wankee game in Lewiston, he loves Peter Griffin and he loved CFNY's music and he was just plain happy I'd stopped by. Then he glanced inside the trunk, but he never lifted the tire cover. I was a free man, and Delyse escaped with her 12 cups. And I will never "not" declare anything again. *Portions of the above are fictional to amuse the reader. Category: Stuff
Kyoto Blows February 1, 2007 @ 17:36
Right now it's the "term" of the day, and it bothers me how anyone who raises any questions about it is deemed an enemy of the planet. Yesterday the awkward Stephane Dion and the Liberals were up the Prime Minister's ass for something he wrote back in 2002. He questioned the science of climate change and called the Kyoto accord a money sucking socialist plot. Good on him. Back in 2002 he should have been questioning Kyoto and we still should be today. It's a flawed piece of crap . As for questioning the science of climate change that would have been a natural position to take in 2002 prior to it becoming such a sexy issue. It would have been irresponsible to do anything else. And don't forget, in 2002 the Liberals were in year nine of doing nothing about the environment. Harper could have jumped on the environmental bandwagon then and used climate change against the governing Liberals, but instead he did some homework and simply raised some questions which are now being used against him. I hate the way this issue is being positioned. We're all supposed to be a bunch of freakin' sheep and believe every goddamn thing we're told. Climate change is a huge undertaking and before we spend the time and money on tackling it, we better ask a lot of questions. Category: Politics
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Last week I wrote a 
Remember this day, February 27th, 2007, the day the Liberals and NDP got together with the Bloc Quebecois and put you and your families safety at risk.
Last night I went to buy gas for my wife's car and it wasn't easy. I had to go to four stations before I could find high grade gas and it left me in a state of pissedoffedness.
I'm not about to blame Andrew Raycroft solely for the past couple of Leaf games, but I really don't understand managements unwavering commitment to this guy.
I don't know what to think about the Yanic Perrault thing. The Leafs have gotten rid of him twice before and they could have signed him as a free agent this summer with no compensation but chose not to.
A lot of things contribute to making my daughter the wonderful person she is, but at the top of the list is her love for kids and animals.
Yesterday I had a posting called 
I'd like to thank everyone for responding to the new FreddieP.ca yesterday. It was great to hear from so many.
This morning I'm listening to the Bill Carroll Show on CFRB and he's talking about global warming. 
While driving my son to and from the airport yesterday I listened to the fellas on the Edge and I really shouldn't do that because it makes me jealous.
After nine o'clock I went up the dial to listen to the lovely Joanne Wilder. I like Joanne, we didn't work together for long, but while we did it was fun.
I used to work with a woman at CFNY back in the late 90's named Caroline Barghout. I believe she had a boring office job at the time but she was determined to get "on air"
With the trading deadline arriving today I thought of something. 
Yes, this is the new FreddieP.ca and I hope you like it.
For Christmas 2005 my mother bought my son Danny a very special gift. Not you'd expect a 78 year old woman to give her then 19 year old son for Christmas. It was a box on condoms.
Tomorrow should be a tough day for TSN and Sportsnet. Both sports networks have blown another load over the NHL trading deadline but this time it's backfired.
Leaf fans don't have to worry about Darcy Tucker being traded tomorrow. The feisty little winger has agreed to a three contract that will keep him in Toronto for the next three years and he'll earn between nine and ten million dollars.
I've been meaning to make a point since Thursday night but keep forgetting. Even though he's dirty rotten Ottawa Senator, I gained a whole new respect and appreciation for Sens goalie Ray Emery.
I'm embarrassed to say it but it wasn't until yesterday that I finally saw Al Gore's Oscar winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. It's fabulous, and way beyond anything I can argue with except for one thing.
Now I know what it's like to be featured in one of those decorating magazines. On Saturday morning Mike Boon came over to my house to engineer the launch of the new FreddieP.ca.
Today I defend John Derringer against a frustrated woman named Rosie DiManno who writes for the Toronto Star. 
On weekend mornings when I wake up I like to listen to John Donabie's show on CFRB. It has the perfect feel for a weekend morning show, with the emphasis on entertainment and fun as opposed to traffic, weather and bad news.
Here's something special for those who have an interest in Toronto history. The city has an unused subway station and because of construction over the next six weeks you'll be able to see it.
Justin Trudeau can say all he wants about wanting to bring nobility back to politics and reducing the cynicism, there's only one reason he plans to run in the next federal election, and that reason is Stephane Dion.
Yes, Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson has himself in a tough situation. After watching last nights game on the Island there is no longer any question. The two worst defensemen on the Leafs are the two highest paid.
The Order of Canada has lost all credibility. Read 
There's a guy named Mike McCoulf from Buffalo who visits this site every day. I call him Buffalo boy. He sent me 
Frequent readers of freddiep.ca will find this amusing. Over the past several months I've referred to Mexico as a third world shit-hole, a corrupt backwards hell-hole, and I swore I'd never ever return there to vacation.
I sat down and watched my first segment of American Idol last night and judging from what I saw, I have a suggestion for the show's producers. Throw out all the white chicks.
In case you didn't know, the Patterson household is a "Ben Free" household. We refuse to watch any show that has Ben Mulroney in it. It's unfortunate because we'd like to watch Canadian Idol but we can't. Ben wrecks it.
The latest Ipsos Reid poll says that Canadians think Stephen Harper would make the best Prime Minister. He's got a huge lead over Jack Layton who's second, and Stephane Dion who's a distant third.
Here's my take on the street naming controversy. I don't think a politician should have a road named after them until they're dead.
Part of the fun of doing this blog is getting reaction from people - and I especially like it when I hear from people I used to work with.
It was Dick Smyth who told me. It was 33 years ago today and I was getting ready for school. The radio was blasting 1050 CHUM in the kitchen when I heard the words I could hardly believe. Tim Horton was dead.
Just for the record, ARGH was a factor in last night's Leaf game.
And on the subject of commercials, what's the deal with Leafs TV. Last nights clunker was on Leafs TV last night and they have such a limited inventory of commercials it's enough to drive you nuts.
As last nights horrid hockey game at the ACC came to a close last night, neighbour John made a good point. He said, "Can you imagine if you had spent 300 hundred dollars for a ticket to this shitty game." 
There's something going on within the Canadian Football League that's extremely shameful. It's the snubbing of Pinball Clemons.
This is cool. It's a short home movie of the Kennedy motorcade on the day the President was assassinated. It doesn't show the assassination, but it does show a clear picture of the President and Jackie Kennedy just 90 seconds before his brains became a hood ornament. It was donated by some old bastard who's been hanging on to the film for 40 years.
Yesterday I attended a wealth management seminar at the King Edward Hotel. It was arranged by my financial advisor who thinks it's a good idea for anyone within ten years of retirement age to stop down and think about a few things.
I forgot to say this on Sunday and again yesterday. Did you see Mats Sundin's goal against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.
I got to thank Dan Duran for turning me on to something. Actually it was about five or six years ago that Dan introduced me to a coffee called Tuscany which he buys at the Coffee Tree near Jane and Bloor.
It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the John Oakley Show on 640 Toronto. I listen most every morning and enjoy most every moment. All but Tuesday mornings after eight o'clock when he has somebody named Maggie Cassella on the show.
Craig Venn checked in from Windsor. He listened to 
If you caught Coaches Corner on Saturday you saw another emotional closing by Don Cherry. It's become the norm these days.
The shit hit the fan at Ryerson last week. There were students who wanted to start a White Culture Club and the student union didn't think that was a very good idea.
I have to be at King Edward Hotel this afternoon for a seminar. It's been highly recommended by my financial advisor Steve Moffatt and it's got something to do with wealth management.
It's hard to accurately comment on last nights 1967 Stanley Cup re-union without being there, but from what I can gather it was underwhelming.
Freeway Frank is the evening jock at a station called 99.9 Mix-fm, and he's a big Montreal Canadiens fan. Even though Frank and I haven't seen each other over the past year and a half, we still correspond through e-mail.
A few times during my radio career I had the (pleasure?) of meeting David Suzuki. Suzuki is one of those guys who walks into a room and immediately you're somewhat intimidated by his assumed intelligence.
Over the past few days I've been thinking about tonight's 1967 Maple Leaf Stanley Cup re-union and trying to put it in perspective. On Leafs TV the other day I saw a replay of game six, the clinching game against Montreal, when the Leafs won their last Cup. It was interesting to see the low-key celebration and the almost indifferent Cup presentation by NHL president Clarence Campbell. It was weird.
1. Buy 24 Bud Lite
I realize it's going to be a great weekend for Leaf haters. They like to throw the 1967 thing in your face whenever they can. To them this weekend will be more of an exposure of incompetence than it will be a celebration of hockey history, especially to aggravating Hab fans.
Part of the re-union tomorrow night will be the return of Dave Keon, who after more than three decades has buried the hatchet with the organization.
The story of Stephen Fernandes is so Canadian. He's the stupid 23 year old kid who was caught pissing on the National War Memorial in Ottawa last summer.
Dr. David Suzuki made a complete asshole of himself on the John Oakley Show yesterday. Talk about an arrogant condescending jerk off.
I was on the phone with 
When the Maple Leafs flew to Philadelphia yesterday there were 20 extra passengers. The Leafs have decided to follow the lead of several other NHL teams and have a father and son road trip.
Add John Gallagher to the list of regular visitors to freddiep.ca. Spike gave me a call yesterday to say hello and tell me how impressed he is with my 
News Item
Watching the news last night on CITY I got to thinking. 
The NHL should add a new statistic in the standings that only applies to the Leafs and it should be called the ARGH statistic.
And speaking of commercials is there a worse one on right now than the Tim Horton's hockey spot featuring the Asian family?
I hope over the next few days Canadians stop-down and appreciate the man running this country right now. 
Yesterday my sweet wife Delyse and I drove to Niagara Falls, New York. We went to that godforsaken Outlet Mall on Military Rd.
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