My last entry Friday is below. I commented about the bizarrO world of the Leaf Fan who feels glee at the demise of the Ottawa Sens and forgets that their own pathetic squad hasn't done squat in a very long time.
I will stop this now as I see that resistance is futile and that the Borg Collective is too strong.
Before I'm completely done though I would like to address Brenda's Boyfriend from Cambridge.
BGFC writes...
Humble, you happen to be 'anti-leaf'. Not 'pro-any-other-team'. But 'anti-leaf'. There's a difference. (I'm not anti-Leaf, I'm just not Pro-Leaf...there's the difference.)
Thus, your stance in all matters of hockey (specifically regarding Leaf topics) must be read with that bias in mind.(Yes the bias of a Leaf Fan who can't understand why I didn't drink the Kool-ade!)
It's easy to cheer for the best (a la Tiger Woods or the Red Wings) when they're winning, how hard is that?(Your point?)
A true fan likes a team for what they stand for, who they have on their squad, their jersey's colours, Provincial or State flowers, etc, etc, whatever.(Agreed. But what about the abuse the Leafs heap on their fans...40 years of crap and the ticket price goes up every year. Leaf fans are the ultimate enablers.)
But when your team goes into a funk (because ALL teams--& Tigers do), you don't bail on them. Even if it is an extended 40 year funk, you still have to support your team.(See above.)
The Leaf fans I know do not plan the Stanley Cup parade route if the Leafs win 3 in a row in September.(Yes they do.)
The Leaf fans I know realize that Ottawa is (on paper) a much better team than Toronto. But they also realize that had Ottawa not won 15 in a row (was it?) back at the beginning of the season, they would not have made the playoffs either. (The Leafs haven't made the playoff in fours years...isn't that worse?)
The Leaf fans I know wish the head office of MLSE could function properly and build for us a half decent hockey team. But then, I don't think there is another hockey team owned primarily by a teacher's pension fund.(???)
The Leaf fans I know are not as delusional as 'anti-leaf' individuals seem to think they are. (BBFC I think your making the Leaf Fan as delusional point for me. Thanks.)
When Tiger starts sucking (and he will eventually suck) will you still be devoting a week's worth of blogs prior to the Master's about Mr. Tiger? Or will you jump on the Immelmania bandwagon..
First off I appreciate the passion that Brenda's Boyfriend and all Leaf Fans show but the analogy of Tiger and the TW bandwagon doesn't apply. It's individual versus team. When I was a kid I cheered for Bobby Orr, when he retired I he was still my favorite player, but I started to follow Gretsky. Eventually he stopped playing and I became a Lemeiux fan. Get the point?
I used to love Arnold Palmer, then Nicklaus, Norman, Couples, Faldo, then Tiger.
I have been on several individual players bandwagons over the years and when Tiger finishes his career I'm sure I will follow some one else.
Frankly I wish Michelle Wie would play better!
Years ago when I used to do a little Radio show, Rob Ford was an amusing guest from time to time.
I mean both he was amusing and a guest, from time to time.
Anyway he was the aforementioned simply because he was a "loose" cannon. He would say outrageous things and it was fun to hear him slam the other nitwits on City Council.
Well I guess that act has worn a little thin. The Asian-non apology thing, the threatening to kill your wife thing and now this nasty little clip.
I got this off of the Mighty Boon's site and it's sickening. It is Rob Fords' true colors and the reason he will never be Mayor of Toronto. It is the type of thing that will be run over and over again should he even think of trying for office.
The people in his ward might be cool with good old Rob's antics but his schtick has gotten old and it certainly won't play outside of his inner circle. Interesting article in the National Post for more.
Went to a thing at the Hockey Hall of Fame last night and it took me 50 minutes to drive there from Queen and River.
Cool huh?
Then later I met my old neighbor Captain Morgan for Sushi at a little joint next door. Good food and some very attractive Women-People. Fish and Chicks.
Ha that's Morning show funny. Now I just need to hit the traffic sounder while everyone in the room laffs like monkeys for reasons only they can explain.
I drove home last night to the O-dot going 40KMH and it took an hour fifteen. Yes the fun continues.
This morning I've been shoveling out my driveway. Dang its good to finally get the snow we've been dreaming of.
My pal Jon May from Buffalo sent me this rant.
Jon's a very bright guy who despite his support of The Bush's is quite articulate!
Have a read.
Interesting. Hey Howard (And Randee!)
I have to give you my two cents (worth only 1 cent Canadian)
Yes, this will be a typical Bitter Buffalo Fan rant…..
Watching the Patriots lose the Super Bowl was one of the most satisfying sports experiences of my life.
Yes, history would have been made if they’d won (history was instead made the other way).
But this Patriots team, many of its players and especially its coach, while undeniably talented, are just the most completely unlikeable group I’ve seen in years.
It isn’t about beating the Bills. Your daughter’s soccer team could do that on some days. (no offense to Charlie and her friends!)
But the fact is they cheat. They are arrogant. And they have a sense of entitlement and poor sportsmanship that should be held up to kids to show them how NOT to act.
I offer as proof of their bad character the simple example of Belichick (and Brady, and Moss) walking off the field at the end of the game with one play to go.
Moss did that years ago with Minnesota and was rightly castigated (that must’ve hurt!). No, their presence didn’t matter and yes, he did shake Coughlin’s hand (unlike Dungy’s hand last year when they lost to the Colts). But if any other coach or player had done that, you’d hear howling—and rightly so.
Furthermore, every other team that got blown out by them this season (and there were quite a few, including the Bills) had to sit there and watch Bill Belichick run up the score when he didn’t have to. So, it would seem reasonable for him to step up and take it like a man when he loses—especially only for one second.
However, that is not in Belichick’s character and his lack of it has apparently spread to Brady, who took himself out of the Pro Bowl (along with Moss, who never had any character in the first place).
Wins count. Talent Counts. Success counts. If another team was vying for a perfect season (say, the Colts), I would be supporting them. Because they (and their coach) are great players AND appear to be good people.
But, character and class also count. And the Patriots have neither.
End of rant! (sorry!) Thanks for listening!!
Hope all is well,
JON
Products from cloned dairy cows are indistinguishable from those of conventionally raised animals, the FDA says.
Products from the offspring of cloned cattle, pigs and goats can enter the food supply immediately, and without special labeling. Items could become routinely available in three to five years.
Tell me that doesn't scare the crap out of you. Really Mad Cow anyone?
That's what we need. It's not bad enough that our food supply is manufactured in meat factories and injected with all manner of hormones, enhancers and Roger Clemens-goo, now we've got our best and brightest trying to get us to eat cloned food that's bad for us.
I don't know it all seems a little Omega man to me. "...then we finally figured out how to clone our food supply and no one would go hungry again. That was just before we all started dieing except those that were immune or turned into crazed zombie-cannibals!"
I don't have an entry theme, just a few tidbits. As opposed to TimBits.
From the desk of Hhdotcom.
Food: Haven't eaten any in 8 days. Feel fine. Wrapping up the cleanse Monday, one day ahead of schedule due to the fact that it takes 4 days to come off it and we're having some people over next Saturday and we don't want our first real meal to be then. Plus we're both "cleansed" enough.(Damm you herbal laxative tea.)
Football: I watched The New England/Jacksonville game last night. Dang those Pats have themselves a nice little team there. Their winning streak continues and anything short of winning the Super Bowl would suck for them. I wonder if Tom Brady is very popular in New England?
Too bad he's not very good looking or talented.
Fun: I am going to Whistler with some Soccer Dads and I can't wait. My conundrum(yes I have those) is apparently my thumb is really f-ed. My doctor says skiing and snowboarding are the worst things I could do right now. Geez I wonder what else there is to do in Whistler at the end of January.
Screw it. I'll just wrap it up and go. Hell I've got 2 thumbs, the other one still works.(At least I can hold a beer or scotch or other booze items.)
Work: Doing lots of it again this week. Shooting, editing and client hand-holding. Plus I've got another Moses meeting coming up this week and some other stuff that could turn out to be cool too.
I'll try and post when I can.
Have a great week.
I've mentioned I go to this site quite a bit lately. Very cool stuff and very collaborative.
I recently came across this bit.
Interesting. Hello America.
Are you really the greatest country in the world or just the greatest country that most of you have heard of.
Why do you call it the World Series when only American teams( and one Canadian)play?
Why do you win a World Championship when you capture the Super Bowl yet nobody else on the planet is invited?
Does telling yourselves you're the greatest make is so?
All good questions America.
Just curious.
American's pride themselves on so many great achievements but are mostly ignorant of the accomplishments of others.
America claims to have the best lifestyle, health care, economy, political system, but truth be told it's not even the best on the continent. Not even close.
America is being increasingly marginalized by a world that has free access to information about itself and increasingly gets to see that the old U.S.A ain't what she used to be.
The sad part? Everyone recognizes this but Americans.
Don't get me wrong I still like America, I'm just not in love with it anymore.
Meredith sent me this in response to my wanking about my snowboarding injuries. I broke my tailbone the first time I snowboarded. It took 6 months for it to stop hurting when I got off the toilet. Even now, 10 years later, if I sit in a crappy chair (like those found in movie theatures) it starts to hurt.
Go see a chiropractor. Your pelvic bone may have shifted with your tailbone being out of place.
Good luck with the thumb. Hope you can still masturbate.
No worries M, I'm a righty. Wouldn't matter anyway, I don't need my thumb to work my "self-magic" I use a modified kung-fu grip or the crook of my arm. Or sometimes an old sock.
Okay I'll stop now.
Talking about it, I mean.
Travelling for work. Oh yeah, that's a load of fun.
Now I know why business people looked so peeved when they travel.
Traveling for work is work.
Here is a look at the last 7 business days for me.
Drive to Pearson, park, stand in line, wait for plane, plane delayed. Fly to Montreal.
Montreal. Cab to hotel, next day work, cab back to airport, miss flight, flight delayed, fly to Ottawa.
Ottawa. Cab to hotel, next day work, cab back to airport, flight delayed, fly to Winnipeg.
More of same, fly back to Toronto.
Fly to Calgary, plane late, cab to hotel. Next day work, cab to airport, fly to Edmonton.
Edmonton work, fly back to Toronto.
Hey doesn't that sound like fun?
Being in the cities and doing the job was great, getting to and from...not so much.
No wonder business class cost so much. It's worth it.
Couple of nice people checking in. Hi Nice People.
I don't get too many comments on my site. Maybe I'm not "controversial" enough or maybe only me and my Brothers read this drivel.
Soccer Mom pops in from time to time but I think that's because she and I are sweet on each other.
Boon will occasional drop by and spew and of course my pal JasonGetYourOj always has a word or two.
I do get some comments that I receive directly from the contact page. and I like those as well.
They are often more detailed or private or just catching up.
Hi, Humble! It's Danielle Carriere. I sent you my slime stories from my work email last year. I transferred from the Toronto office to the firm's Edmonton office in January of 2007 and so much has happened (I had a beautiful baby girl in July) that I completely forgot about the contest. I've been on maternity leave since June and had a difficult pregnancy and therefore lost touch with a lot of my Toronto friends for a while. I was in the West Edmonton Mall yesterday with my daughter and decided to stop in the bookstore to check out "weight loss after pregnancy" books when I happened to stumble upon your book. I was surprised but excited to see that you had printed two of my slime stories (the slime male nurses do and Mexico time share slime). The book is a GREAT read! Congratulations on a job well done!!
Longtime listener and pal Dean from Hamilton also checked in recently.
Good to hear that you are busying yourself with stuff that sounds fun. My youngest daughter Banyan game up with an epiphany today. My wife was totally unappreciative of its brilliance and I thought you a man that would see the depth of the truth it reveals. She said; "You know, life would sure be different if we could see farts." A philosophy major in the making. I hope all is well with you and yours.
Dean from Hamilton
I love that comment. "What if we could see farts?" I know the air would be a lot cloudier in my house!
2 Movies 2 Good Rentals. One so-so Theatrical release.
My wife was in MTL this weekend so I rented a few good flicks. We are Marshall.
Great schlocky sports flick with Mathew McConaughy as the head coach who's gonna "rebuild the football program" after a horrific plane crash that wipes out the team.
It's one of those movies based on a true story that is really good and it turns out true.
Definitely worthy if you're browsing and can't make up your mind. 7 out of 10.
You Kill Me.
Stars Ben Kingsly as an alcoholic hit-man who is messing up on his job (not killing people!) so his employers, the Buffalo Snow-Plow Mob send him Westward for help.
He joins AA, meets Luke Wilson, gets to sex it up with Tea Leone (also the films producer) and eventually finds sobriety, redemption and gets back to the biz of killing.
I liked this mainly cause Ben Kingsly is a dang good bad guy. It's a much watered-down version of his crazy assassin in Sexy Beast but BK can still bring it.
Also Tea Leone is nice to look at.
7.5 out of 10.
Fred Claus.
I took Spencer to this while Charlie had some boys over for a project. (A whole other story but suffice it to say I made it clear to the lads that a) I was crazy and b) should anything go on bad things would happen.)
Anyway Fred Claus is a fine kid-flick with some huge acting pedigree up on the screen.
Paul Giamatti, Kevin Spacey, Vince Vaughn, Miranda Richardson, Rachel Weisz, and Kathy Bates.
Too bad the script was so weak. That cast should have been doing The Usual Suspects 2.
The whole thing is like every Vince Vaughn movie you've ever seen. He's a wise-cracking hipster who has spent his whole life in the shadow of his younger brother Santa Claus. A bunch of stuff happens and then in the end Vince and Santa hug and it's over.
Your kids will like it but not if they're too young. I think any age under 6 or 7 will have trouble toughing out the nearly 2 hours of holiday hokeyness.
6.2 out of 10
I've had quite a week of input from you and I appreciate it.
The big comment generator was the Mac quest.
Wow. You Mac people are like a cult.
I bought one on eBay (used) last year, which came preloaded with tons of software. At first I thought I would only use it for e-mail and surfing, now I have pretty well abandoned my Windows PC. Brought it home, opened the case, it immediately found my home network and I was hooked. No need for pesky virus softwar/updates and an easy migration from Windows. Go for it!
Posted by: Tom
Got the MacBook. Swear by it. Like the lady said...no going back after you gots de Mac yo!!
Posted by: Tim
My family owns six of them. I just bought a MacBook White on Saturday - the mid model, faster processor, larger HD. The simplicity of the Mac is the big selling feature for me. Want to hook up to a wireless network. Done. No settings, no fooling around. Printer. Easy peasy.
With the exception of the myriad of games available to the other guys, there is very little that you can't do on the Mac. Oh and migration of stuff from your PC is breeze
As for prices, the differential is now $150. I paid $1449, for the same product that cost $1299 in the US.
Posted by: Michael
Thanks nice people. I appreciate it the advice. Only thing that's stopping me is the Gang-mocking I'll get from RR and the peeps at ACME pictures.(New job..see entry below.)
My favorite comment came from D in Hamilton who read my entry about Charlie's last Halloween.
D's a parent like me and said:
You have to stop making me cry at work. You've been on a roll lately. I had an almost identical experience last night with my kids. However Sequoia reaffirmed what I've always known (that she's a great kid). I told her that I remember carrying her around in a little bat costume and as she walked away to go with her friends she said; "And I will always try and carry a small piece of that bat with me". Parenting is the greatest adventure. Keep up the great stuff Howard, I'll just move the Kleenex box closer to my computer.
Hey Hhdotcom peeps. Thanks for checking in.
Quite a bit of feedback...here's some.
A little suggestion for the nano...
For some reason which will forever remain a mystery to me, I woke up with Lambs Head running through my head (That little lambs head costs a dollar fifty two). Why something from H&F #1 in 97 should mysteriously appear in my brain I have no idea but I thought I should share the joy!!!
Signed,
Felkins.
Buffalo Boy is a good dude who has been part of the H+F world for some time and now he's up and running on the net.
He checked in recently. Howard, Mike Boon and I have been working hard on my new blog buffaloboymike.com. I have to give you credit for creating the idea of buffaloboy as the name has stuck with me over the years. Could ya give me a little promo and link me on your site?
I can honestly say you, freddie and mike inspired me to get into it and its a lot of fun.
Thanks
Mike (Buffalo Boy)
PS I have you linked in my sidebar
And then I received this hysterical bit of back and forth from some Hhdotcom regulars.
Great! They're filming another Short Circuit movie with you resurrecting the Steve Guttenberg role.
See you Saturday. Toronto Mike
No it's an Ed the sock Biography.
james edgar
I hear they asked Howie to do the Ed the Sock movie and he turned down the $20 million offer on principle.
Maybe this is The Dini Petty movie I've heard rumblings about...
Toronto Mike
Trust me, this posting alone is a lot more interesting than certain other places.
Jason
All right kids let's play nice. By far the most thoughtful and passionate comments Hhdotcom has ever received on a posting. Thank you all.
The debate here shows just how important the issue is in this election. Tim's e-mail posted yesterday spurred quite the response from a diverse group and I urge you to go back and read them all.
A group called The Coalition for Educational Fairness checked in. Interesting bunch with a perspective that is summed up nicely by this.
My pal Soccer Mom had some nice points. (Has some nice "points" too, if memory serves me!) "...I directed my taxes 50/50 and so can anyone, and even though my son has graduated from the school system my taxes still remain as such. It just sad that more of us don’t know you can do this and we need to be informed that this is an option. What they are presenting is an all or nothing at all and that doesn’t have to be the case. If this option was broadcasted to the masses there would not be the need for such an up-roar."
Fred had this to say.(Not that Fred.) "More than a few people have said they will not vote for McG because he is a liar and does not keep promises and in the next breath say they do not believe Tory will come through with the funding for FBS. Is there not something wrong with this picture? (and before anyone says that nobody would say that...read the first post).
What about those of us that do not belong to any faith but choose to not send our children to the public system? Will Atheists be afforded funding for their private schools too?
How about this as a proposal...rather than create dozens of small school boards for each faith that is able to get funding, why not offer classes on different faiths in the public system? Give everyone the opportunity to learn about different beliefs and NOT segregate people based on religion. I suspect the world would be a better place if we all understood each other a little bit better.
And lastly, what ever happened to the separation of church and state? Since when did it become the government’s responsibility to teach children about their faith? Is that not what parents are for?
In my mind, this was a brilliant move by Tory. He keeps the media focused on a single issue and never has to defend the rest of his platform and McG looks weak because he does not support the proposal but cannot commit political suicide and declare he wants the catholic system abolished.
I appreciate you all being part of this. As many or you know I enjoy others helping with the Hhdotcom content and this is also an issue I (and many of you) feel strongly about.
I must tell you I've had a conversation with my local NDP guy and he agreed with me about the fairness issue but the party line is a whole different story.
No politician wants to be the first to say let's level the playing field. At least John Tory isn't pretending that it is.
One of my friends teaches in the public school system. He has an interesting take on the subject.
Have a read, I think you'll agree.
Thanks Tim.
Humble,
I am a man of faith and I teach in the public system...you know that.
I admit that for me there is probably a lot more at stake here than just creating 'alternatives' for people's education. With money as tight as it is already in the public system...how on earth are we going to pay for so much more? I am concerned about my job. Student numbers will drop. Jobs will be lost. Can I get employment at a Muslim (as a Christian/Jew/Hundu/Sikh/etc) school when there is nothing left in the public system?...It's not an question of it simply being the same amount of kids, nothing changes. There will be significant changes.
Yes there is a question of fairness. Absolutely. But the problem is not adding more 'separate' schools, but making it a one part public education system. Nothing against the Catholic system. But for it to be truly fair...make it all the same. Not a bunch of 'different'.
The dividing of the system will only 'ghetto-ise' everything. Jews here. Muslims here. Buddhists here. Etc.
Although Dalton McSquinty does make your bile rise, I think what he is saying is fundamentally sound. I teach in the public system and we do "work/live together".
Its hard enough to try and gain understanding when you are together "24/7" (see earlier Blog about pooing in the downstairs toilet). But you if you work at it and have the opportunity to do so...you do.
At my school, and others in the Peel system, we celebrate diversity as much as possible (Ramadan, Diwali, Hanukkah, etc...they are all honoured)...separate us and I think it will cause more damage.
By the way, since when is it a school's job to teach faith? Ultimately, I believe that faith is a church/synagogue/temple/mosque/etc's job. Separation of church and state makes sense here.
A school is NOT a faith based school because it has a religion's or a person-of-faith's name on the outside wall. It is all about what's being done on the inside.The "Golden Rule" happens across all faiths in some form or another...so if I am respecting and caring for my staff and student's well being and 'doing unto them...' am I not being my own micro-cosmic faith-based-school?
Yesterday I deviated from my formula or wry observation gusting to non-stop hilarity and jokey-jokes and put up a comment about this whole "Faith-based school funding."
My Pal Lou Schizas checked in with his take. Hi Howard - as I mentioned when we discussed the funding of faith based schools today. Parents do not send their children to Catholic Schools for the 1/2 hour a day of faith training they get - its because they believe that its a higher quality education. My take on the situation is the same as all public sector programs-- they fail to work because the public system can only exist without competition - if every family was given an education voucher - and could freely choose which school they could send their children to I doubt it would be a public school. And with the Mc Ads when I see them I ask where do his kids go to school? Happy Captalism!
To me it is the only issue of note in this Fall election and it permeates all aspects of the political discourse.
From the obvious: Bill Murdoch the PC incumbent in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound says he didn't realize how divisive the issue would be when it was first introduced by our leader....and should this come before the legislature I will vote against it!
Okay Bill thanks for weighing in with that, it's nice to hear a politician saying what he really thinks, even if I don't agree with it.
The not so obvious comes from Dalton McG of course, who went to Catholic school mind you and is pushing the "We're all in this Together" crap every chance he gets.
When asked, How many countries have you visited? He replies, blah blah trade mission to China, blah blah to fully appreciate how blessed we are in Ontario to be home to people from every corner of the globe, who (here it comes) live Together here and work and build Together, blah blah.
Give me a break. Yeah we all work, live and build together, except those in the separate school system.
John Tory is starting to get the vibe that this isn't the most popular issue he could have raised but I like the fact that he had the balls to do it.
He says no matter what opposition he gets he'll go forward with his plan because it's a "matter of principle."
What more can you ask of someone in charge. Tell us what you're going to do then when your elected do it.
Okay, that's it for today now back to the jokey-jokes and YouTube videos.
This will be as close to seriously political as I get.
John Tory wants to fund all faith-based schools and that is getting some people all bent out of shape.
Dalton McGinty has jumped on this by saying we should all go to school "Together!"
His commercials make me nauseous. When I see them I can actually feel the sick get caught in my throat.
In a way, I agree with both. Here's why. (With apologies to all my Catholic peeps.)
If you fund a separate school system for Catholics then you should fund one for all faith-based schools. (Tory's point.)
But if you want us all to learn "Together," ( Help me gag-reflex) then get rid of the only ONE you are funding .
That's never going to happen.
(Interesting the Liberals want us all to "learn together", "be together" and "understand each other." Just not the Separate School System!)
So if you're not going to cease funding the Catholic schools then you should fund all the other faith-based ones. Why should you get to direct your property taxes into a certain system because you believe in a certain religious point of veiw?
Seems simple but of course it's not.
My wife doesn't agree with me and maybe you won't either. I will say I've always found a separate school board unfair long before this election. It just seems strange that in 2007 any religion would have an advantage over any others and that's what this is.
An unfair advantage.
In an effort to do less and provide more drivel, I have enlisted the help of RR's(Regular Readers) and friends to "fill in the blanks" left by my apathy.
I'm happy to say that Dan Duran has risen to the challenge.
Yesterday when I published an exclusive interview with Dan many of you weighed in with comment.
Thank you. Comments are always welcome here at Hhdotcom. Mainly for the ability to recycle comments into content.
Watch.
I do the interview with Dan.
He comments with some smart-alecky remarks.
OK I would like to clear some things up
I now believe that 9-11 was perpetrated by Osama bin Laden's kidney dialysis machine which directed the media, and therefore public opinion, with it's Bluetooth features.
ShotGlass Larry has often supplied urine samples for law enforcement cover-ups and framing olympic athletes and should not be given the time of day (just a cliche as I'm sure he no longer has anyconcept of time)
I have never hammered my head. However the nail on my left finger is just returning to it's proper length after my electric driver fell off of a slot screw. Arrgg. The Robertson screw is king.
My last comment is for Howard. I really think that you have room for at least 2 more photos of me in this posting. Please try as I'm sure your blog traffic will spike to your liking.
Dan Duran
Presto! I've got another entry and we all get to enjoy new and diverse Hhdotcom hilarity.
See, everybody wins, including Dan Duran who would like to see more of his head.
Today is Tuesday September 11. The last time it was Tuesday on this date was the day that 9/11 was born.
How sad/angry/horrified we were and how jaded/cynical and tired of the whole thing some of us are now.
We will never forget that terrifying day or the people who's lives were lost but now their memory is being scarred by a ridiculous war and many more Canadian/American lives that have been lost.
One question.
If Osama Bin Laden led Al Qauida and was reportedly being helped by sympathizers in Afghanistan, than why did the US go to war with Iraq?
No there is no simple answer but as time goes by there will be more and more questions.
I'm no conspiracy theorist (okay a bit-go here if you want to have you mind blown!)
but there will always be something fishy about the way things happened the last time it was a Tuesday on 9/11.
Most of you Toronto types don't know Ernie Butler but in Montreal he was the king of comedy.
He ran a club there for years and helped launch and sustain many a young comic's career.
Ask any of the radio people, they all knew Ernie.
I met him while I worked there and liked him right away. He knew my wife before I did and our first date (Randee and I, not me and Ernie) was at his comedy club.
He was even at our wedding.
I just found out last night he died suddenly last week and it was sad news indeed. We hadn't kept in close touch these last few years, but whenever I ran into him he was always good for a laugh.
A hale fellow well met, or whatever that quote is.
This is from his obit.
Over five hundred friends, family and colleagues packed St. Monica's Church in NDG today for the funeral of the 58-year-old comedy impresario who died last week of stomach cancer.
Ernie's younger brothers Michael and John eulogized their sibling as a generous and devoted family man; a big brother who gave John, a Bobby Orr fan, his only ticket to a playoff game between the Bruins and the Canadiens.
"He has no idea that it was one of the greatest evenings of my life and it was all because of Ernie."
In his homily, Father John Walsh says Ernie put others in the spotlight instead of turning it on himself, giving comics their big break at his comedy club.
"Ernie never said he was the best stand-up comic because his real strength, and he knew it, was that he was a great master of ceremonies."
Walsh says Ernie helped anybody who felt that life was cruel to them or that they were rejected by society.
"Ernie turned cruelty into healing through laughter."
He leaves his wife Marie and his children Silver, Ryan and Shannon.
Every so often some peeps check in here at Hhdotcom and I must say it's nice to hear from the nice people.
Carlos Benevides from DAVE Fm wrote in.
Hey Howard,
I haven't been to your site for awhile, (I know, wha's my problem?) but I stopped in tonight and I just wanted you to know how enjoyable it is everytime I check it out. Hope you and the family are well. Hope to see you at Luby's tourney in a few weeks. And looking forward to your "sort of" new radio venture.
Carlos
Thanks Carlos I hope to see you and your Half-Mexican self there too.
Hi Howard,
Just want to say that I miss you and Fred terribly. I absolutely loved the Mix morning show hosted by you, it was a great kickstart to my day. I honestly cannot find a half decent morning show. Nothing out there appeal to me. Are you considering back in the business???
Luv You
Jane
No Jane, I love you.
Hey Humble,
I just listened to your Podcast of Love today. Yes, it's August and I just found the podcast yesterday. I'm a Canadian citizen, born in Hong Kong, and now living in Ningbo, China. I used to be your show's loyal listener and followed your move to Mix999. I left in August 2005 from Toronto to follow my wife here in Ningbo, and I miss Toronto so much.
You know, listening to your podcast brought back many memories, although they were mainly of me stuck in my minivan on the 401 being kept off from massive road rage because I have you guys on the radio.
Today I replaced that memory with me being stuck in my Civic on a Chinese highway, and again, no road rage because of you and Fred and Dan.
And Humble, if you come to China to do an exclusively book signing in Ningbo for me, I'll sooooo buy your book to read what SLIME means and treat you to some Chinese slimes....actual slimes, I think they eat that in Guangzhou! :-D
Thanks!
James Cheung
Thanks James I would love to come to China for some Slime.
I saw both the Nanny Diaries and Mr. Bean this past weekend, part of the "What can we take our kids to?" festival.
Let me just say that they are both very fine movies with a few differences.
The Nanny Diaries has Scarlett Johansen and Mr. Bean does not.
Although Rowan Atkinson is one of my favorite comic-genius-dudes, he is not however Scarlett Johansen.
Mr. Bean is a cute, somewhat funny fable about a nitwit who mixes every thing up and goes on capers.
The Nanny Diaries is the story of a nanny or something that stars the very delicious SJ.
If Mr.Bean had featured Scarlett Johansen it would have been a much better movie.
They are both good kid-flicks.
One has Mr. Bean. One has Scarlett.
You do the math.
Blogging is what it is.
A new Media, communication, entertainment, a way for washed-up Radio guys to feel their still part of The Bigger Picture.
I enjoy it.
I hope you enjoy some of the drivel I pump out here from time to time.
I have no idea what impact my day to day rambling has, but a year after I started Hhdotcom I still like doing it.
Maybe not as much as before.
Maybe the novelties worn off.
Maybe.
Anyway here's another Blog cartoon I found and liked.
Have a great and safe weekend.
You may have heard they are pondering the notion of re-naming a stretch of the 401 the "Highway of Heroes" to honor the Canadians that have died in the service of our country. This is the very definition of a no-brainer.
This is from CTV.ca... A section of Canada's busiest highway might be renamed the Highway of Heroes to honour the path fallen soldiers take from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to the coroner's office in Toronto.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said he will consider an online petition asking the Ministry of Transportation to change Highway 401's name.
Really. He'll consider it. How big of you DM.
Listen the only downside is that the Liberals will somehow make some political hay out of this. Whatever.
There have been too many trips from Trenton to Toronto carrying dead soldiers, calling that trail the Highway of Heroes is the least we can do.
No discussion.
What an ass. Pleads guilty to the charges of organizing a dog-fighting ring and for what?
What could he possibly gain from doing this? Nothing.
What could he lose? Well he's going to lose everything. Half of his 130 million contract, about 20 million of his 30 plus signing bonus and most of all his entire career and credibility.
And for what.
What an ass. Plead guilty and now go f-away.
Friday night the kids were watching High School Musical 2. (Zak is so dreamy!) I
opted out and went to see SuperBad.
Wow.
It's by far the funniest movie I've been at for a long while.
Seth Rogan is that dude from 40 year old virgin and knocked up and he wrote this picture with his buddy Evan when he was 13.
The theatre was packed and it got so many laughs that many of the next lines were drowned out. I haven't experience that for some time.
I will say this. It's vulgar, juvenille and immature, so mostly it's a guy flick. But there's lots of laughs in there for both of your sexes.
Here's an unedited trailer.
If you have time, check out this interview with Seth Rogan. How old did you think he was?
Seems while Daddy was away some of you kids got into it over the Dixie Chicks entry.
A few HhDotcom-ers were going back and forth over free speech, George W.Bush and the whole Shut up and Sing-thing. Have a look here. Very interesting what stirs people up.
As for the DC's, vindication is a dish like revenge, better served cold and later. The Chicks have gotten the last laugh on the red-neck southerners who banned their music. They won 5 Grammies, are more popular than ever and 60 plus percent of Americans are now embarrassed that George W is from their home state.
I finally saw Shut up and Sing, the Dixie Chicks movie last night and it is amazing.
Besides the fact that these are talented, delicious women, all of whom could use me as their pleasure toy, it's a great documentary about the mentality of the conservative right in America.
Sweet Natalie Maines just said she was embarrassed that President Bush was from Texas and the whole world turned on the group.
Banned from Country Radio, protests and death threats...and through it all the Chicks remained a strong unified group.
Check out this clip from the movie.
Check out this cool performance from the 2007 Grammies.
The other day I wrote about reading Harry Potter and wanting JK Rowlings to adopt me. In my haste I inadvertently let slip a few plot points that my have given away a bit of the story to those of you who haven't read it.
Sorry.
I recieved the following:
Welcome back, Howard
Your bit on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows should have said "WARNING SPOILER ALERT" for those 3 people who haven't yet read far enough to know that Mad Eye Mooney bought it.
If you think that's wild, wait until ...
Once you're done, maybe we could start a father-daughter book club to discuss the ouvre of J.K. Rowling.
Posted by: Mike MacKay | July 31, 2007 / 08:38
Mikes right. I should have prefaced the entry with "MAY CONTAIN IMPORTANT HARRY POTTER FACTS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO SKIP ABOUT THE FIRST 200 PAGES!"
Mike is also a friend of mine who drinks very good scotch.
Have to agree with Mike. I just read it the other day, that would have bugged me huge. When is a spoiler no longer a spoiler though?
Posted by: thatmasonkid | July 31, 2007 / 09:49
I don't know thatmasonkid but he makes a point. When is a spoiler no longer a spoiler? How long does everybody have to be quiet about a book/show/movie so as not to ruin it for those who haven't bothered to see it.
I love the movie The Usual Suspects but should we not be allowed to talk about how Kevin Spacey is Keyser Söze just because some people have yet to rent it.
Oops.
What then is the statute of limitations about leaking important pop-culture plot points?
By the way, I finished the book yesterday. Loved it. SPOILER ALERT!
In the end Don Corleone dies and Michael becomes the new Godfather. Fredo get's whacked, ET goes home and Darth Vader is really Harry's father.
While I've been out running around pimping my book and flying GSIN some of you have left me some notes.
Thanks people. I appreciate your concern/thoughts/opinions and more are always welcome.
Here's a sample or two from you.
Message: A few random thoughts from Fred E.
I cannot believe it has been a year...it took me a long time to find a new station to listen to. Finally settled on CFNY but not sure my kids should listen to Dean! May have to go back to Andy Barrie (spent the time you were on a.m. days there).
That was quite a shock to hear about Andy. Never met him but sounds like a stand up guy.
I have given up watching new shows until the second season. Got hooked on Studio 60...CANCELLED. Got hooked on Black Donnellys...CANCELLED. Got hooked on Love Monkey last year...CANCELLED.
Berkshire stock actually trades at over 100K USâ ¦Warren created Baby Berkshires for those of us without a lot of idle cash. Each 100K share is convertible into 30 baby shares.
Saw you driving one day...how do you like the Volvo?
I think you should do a slime that companies do. I bet you could have a 3 volume set.
Thanks FredE.
Slime comment from Tina
Message: Hi: I just picked up your book and loved it. It make me realize how incredibly f***** up men are - its enough to make me want to be a lesbian - but of course, my lesbian friends tell me it does not work that way :)
I wanted to send in my own SLIME story - but I have so many that I cannot figure out which to send you - sad, very sad.
Of course, now that I read your book, I want to know when the next 5 are coming out!!!!
Thanks and actually, for a guy - you are somewhat acceptable.
Thanks Tina, I feel somewhat acceptable.
Longtime Pal Ted Nesbitt says,
Message: Miss you on the Toronto airwaves!
I had some station on the other day, and they dragged out an "old" Pennzoil ad---there were your silvery pipes all over it----ahhh, memories.
So, besides this, what is Humble doing with himself these days? I'm still selling equipment and materials to do "signs" in the graphics business, traveling more and more, spending less time in Toronto all the time.
Haven't been back to Moose Jaw in awhile, but it's on the agenda for later this fall.
Thanks for all the great memories I have from you and Freddie on the air over the years. Anything I can ever do for you, let me know---promo stickers, helping out with a golf tournament with signage, you let me know. It's the least I can do for all the laughter (and some grease) you provided yours truly with over the years.
Thanks Ted I miss you on the Toronto Airwaves too.
I am bored. Pleasantly.
12 months. That's a lot of sleep-ins.
I love my family. They're getting sick of me.
I still can't stay up very late but some nights I'm awake till 11pm!
I used to worry a lot but then that got boring too.
People have stopped asking me what happened and I've started to forget.
I've met a lot of other people that have been fired. Fired people love to tell me that I won't be fired forever. It just feels that way.
Being at home has been fun but I also need to have a place to go sometimes.
When you don't have a job, some people don't call you back anymore. I won't forget them though.
Meth isn't as much fun in month 12. That was a joke just to see if you were still reading.
I hardly listen to the Radio anymore. It sort of bugs me.
I'm not as bitter as I might be but it's something I have to watch it. The meth helps with that.
Finally I hope I'm not a writing a similar entry 12 months from now. That would suck.
I received a few nice notes from people on my "Anniversary."
"...it has been a year without anything good to listen to each and every morning! I'm still bitter about the whole thing!!!! Can't wait to hear more of you soon Howard.
Hey what happened with that big announcement?!?!"
Posted by: Jackie
"Morning radio has not been the same since they let you go." Posted by: Dave
"Howard, enjoy your time with your young family. I missed out. Now, I have more time for them but, they have no time for me.(all grown up)Miss you and Fred. I get my fix once in a while and put on #1 in '97.?"
Posted by Humble on July 17, 2007 @ 14:49|Permalink
Isn't It Ironic. Dontcha think?
Thanks to my buddy Marc G, I got the heads up on a sweet deal that Future Shop was having on a Garmin Street Pilot GPS. About a hundred dollars or so less than the full pop, so I ordered it.
Paid the extra so I'd get it asap.
Well that hasn't worked out yet.
I called Canada post with my tracking number and they said it was created online and the computer read it but it actually hadn't been shipped.
Then I called Future Shop and spoke to a nice person who told me they can't declare it "lost in shipping" until 4 business days have elapsed.
Huh?? I asked why not check on it's status now but the FS lady told me it may arrive today and it it doesn't I'm supposed to call Friday.
But, I said again, why not check on it now?
This seemed to annoy the nice FS lady who didn't seem to understand why I wasn't getting the fact that it isn't lost in shipping and checkable until day 4.
Forget the fact that I paid for Express Shipping thinking that the thing was supposed to be here Tuesday.
Now I'm working for Future Shop cause I have to call tomorrow to declare a Shipping Emergency.
I tell this to annoyed FS lady and this does little to un-annoy her.
I say isn't it ironic that you can't locate my GPS. Maybe if you had GPS-locater-GPS you would know where it is.
She doesn't see the irony.
Oh well, at least it will give me something to do Friday.
By the way for you people that have been asking...this is what I've been doing now that I have no real job.
Poop pump down, I repeat the poop pump is pooched. (Actually I meant to write "Pool pump down, I repeat the Pool pump is pooched, but I think poop pump is funnier.) My 1Hp Hayward is overheating and shutting itself down which apparently is a sure sign that the motor needs replacing. The pool company that I will not name(Rhymes with Pioneer) doesn't repair them and in fact recommends replacing them instead. No kidding.
Anyone who has a pool knows it's all the after market gunk you buy where all these pool companie
