Writing comes naturally to some people who can just put their thoughts down in a blog where it reads like a masterpiece, whereas some people, like myself, create content which doesn’t flow and sometimes misses the point completely. I guess what I’m getting at, is that anyone can blog! It doesn’t have to be brilliant, it doesn’t even have to be good. But if it is often, and somewhat interesting… people will come. Worst case scenario, is that you’ve created an online journal which can bring discussion and reminiscence down the road. I’ve been chatting with my 16-year-old son about his youth, and ..read more

I’ve been asked why it is that I blogged for such a long time / have written so many posts, and my response has always been that I do this as a journal to keep memories where I can access them. I think I’ll need to change that response, as my kids have grown up and I’ve found another great reason why it was a smart idea to have maintained this blog. My response now would be, so that my kids can read stories about themselves, and learn the funny, clever and unique things that they did, when young, which were captured for posterity. My daughter, for example, recently turned 13-years-old, and she ..read more

So, I think I’m funny. That’s pretty much all that matters, right? I was having coffee with my sister this morning and while I was making her a cup of coffee I turned on a Spotify playlist of the top 100 Canadian songs. On comes, “Echo Beach” by Martha and the Muffins, who later became M + M. I’m fairly sure that the father of the lead singer Martha Johnson was my father’s manager for many years, but I digress. I said to my sister, “do you remember this song!” She grunted. So I immediately replied that, “Echo Beach is my second favourite beach after… Son of a” Then I started laughing unt ..read more

The other week, I found a box which had my yearbooks from all 4 years of my high school. I was on the yearbook staff for 3 of those 4 years, which meant that not only did I have a personalized yearbook, but each and every picture or article chosen for those years came across my eyes at some point in time, which made it feel that much more personal for me. I opened up the front cover to see comments and notes written from my friends and classmates, which covered the entire front and back and many pages in between. Notes from people I still keep in touch with, and unfortunately notes from way to ..read more

After watching the entire Star Wars saga from movies to cartoons to spin-off’s with my eldest child, my second in command child asked me to do the same with the Marvel series. We started with Iron Man, then watched Dr. Strange, and then Iron Man 2. Not being familiar with the characters and having watched a bunch of them in random order with the kids, or on airplanes while travelling, I asked him if there was a specific order to watch them in… We concluded there are 3 options. Chronological order, Release order, or by series. We though right away that by series would be a bad way to watch as o ..read more

I want to wish everyone a happy new year! Let’s hope that 2023 is better than 2022. Like a LOT better. Here’s to hoping that 2023 being more patience, tolerance, and understanding around the world that people can be who they want, do what they want, and live the life they want so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else. This message is intended specifically for countries like China, Russia, Afghanistan, and North Korea, plus any middle eastern country promoting terrorism, or hindering the freedom of women, and anyone deemed a minority, and yes, I’m looking at you, Iran. I’m hoping, but not holding ..read more

Upon hearing that my first childhood hero, Pele, had died, I was filled with memories of my youth! I found myself thinking about stories I had told about soccer and my love of the sport, and now that there is something called the Internet, I found myself checking back on some of these memories only to find out they didn’t exactly occur as I had remembered… Oops. As a kid growing up in Toronto who was, how can I say this politely, not so fit, I somehow had a love of the sport of soccer. I know it was 100% because of Pele, but I don’t remember how or why. I know that I begged my parents to sign ..read more

With all that is going on in the world these days, sometimes the best answer, or solution is just to say no! Then remember what prompted you to say no, and follow up and be heard. For example; Russia… You think it’s okay to invade Ukraine? NO. What about lying to the citizens? NO. Poisoning anyone who opposes you… NO NO NO. Alabama removing bathrooms for transgendered kids… NO. No you are not. NO NO NO. Sorry, but not sorry. NO Florida requires kids and teachers to out children who are gay… NO. NO. NO. NO. Then suggesting you would prosecute parents of trans kids… Heck NO. Texas and their abor ..read more

Being stuck inside for the better part of the past 2 years due to COVID concerns, I’ve seen a lot of great commercials on the TV and on social media and I’ve seen my fair share of terrible ones. Here is a brief list of some good ones and some terrible ones. It’s in no specific order, and I’ll try to explain why I like or detest them. If you have any to add, please do! Like: Any commercial for Tide Cold. These commercials with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ice-T, and a combination of laundry / cold / ice related players like Vanilla Ice, Mark Messier and Falcons QB Matty Ice, are absolutely hilariou ..read more

As I mentioned in my most recent post, I have a love / hate relationship with the Olympics. I love that countries build structures for sports and housing for athletes and then turn those facilities into housing less advantaged, and training kids in these sports, but, I hate that the whole process around getting the games is corrupt. It makes me sad to see so much bribery and corruption rampant in the process of deciding where the games will be held, and that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) seem to place more presence on making money than on the best interests of the athletes and the ..read more