It's not just the time of year for the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild and the granddaddy of them all, the Oscars, although those are very fun. It's also time for our own awards, those of us toiling away in radio news.
For the first time ever, I've chosen and submitted some of the work from the past year on 97.7 The Beach to be considered for awards from the RTNDA, the Radio Television News Director's Association. I have been saving some of the better features that the reporters have done, and think we certainly are doing some excellent work. Is it award-worthy? We'll see if the judges think so.
Now, part of me feels like many awards-type things are a bit of a scam. There's an entry fee for each, and seriously, when was the last time you heard any newsroom described as anything other than, "Award Winning"?
But will I be so disparaging if the stuff my wonderful reporters have done, wins? Of course not.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
New Popcorn
Several of my friends tease me because my favourite lunch might be categorised as a bit odd, and probably would not fall onto anyone's list of healthy.
It's not fancy, either, and secretly, I'm a little bit ashamed of this habit.
Here goes: Popcorn and beer. Although today, just popcorn, hold the beer.
Before you judge, please remember that what passes for lunch for other people is a whole lot later in the day for me, since morning radio means I'm in bed by 8 and up by 3:30 each weekday. So, if I'm eating popcorn at 1 o'clock, that translates to something like a very late afternoon snack for the rest of you. And who wouldn't like a salty snack with a beer late in the afternoon?
I mention this because my buddy Julie laughed at me the other day about my lunch-time habits, and then turned me on to a whole new addiction.
Oh, I knew about the white popcorn and the purple popcorn. I've tried the stuff that comes in a bottle instead of a bag, and really, the difference is so miniscule as to be non existent. After much experimentation, I stay with the garden-variety stuff from the grocery store, popped in my oil popper, the one with the stirring mechanism in the middle. But thing changed last week, when Julie sent me a wee bag of Jumbo popcorn to try. I hadn't heard of it, it doesn't look any different from the regular stuff; same colour, same texture, same everything. But once popped, what a difference! It's like a whole new food. OK, it's still just popcorn, but it's really vastly superior: bigger, holds more butter, holds up better to the butter.
I'm a convert!
Now, what to do with the two kilograms of the regular stuff I have stored in the basement....
It's not fancy, either, and secretly, I'm a little bit ashamed of this habit.
Here goes: Popcorn and beer. Although today, just popcorn, hold the beer.
Before you judge, please remember that what passes for lunch for other people is a whole lot later in the day for me, since morning radio means I'm in bed by 8 and up by 3:30 each weekday. So, if I'm eating popcorn at 1 o'clock, that translates to something like a very late afternoon snack for the rest of you. And who wouldn't like a salty snack with a beer late in the afternoon?
I mention this because my buddy Julie laughed at me the other day about my lunch-time habits, and then turned me on to a whole new addiction.
Oh, I knew about the white popcorn and the purple popcorn. I've tried the stuff that comes in a bottle instead of a bag, and really, the difference is so miniscule as to be non existent. After much experimentation, I stay with the garden-variety stuff from the grocery store, popped in my oil popper, the one with the stirring mechanism in the middle. But thing changed last week, when Julie sent me a wee bag of Jumbo popcorn to try. I hadn't heard of it, it doesn't look any different from the regular stuff; same colour, same texture, same everything. But once popped, what a difference! It's like a whole new food. OK, it's still just popcorn, but it's really vastly superior: bigger, holds more butter, holds up better to the butter.
I'm a convert!
Now, what to do with the two kilograms of the regular stuff I have stored in the basement....
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Seriously Awesome
Who's with me to create our very own version of the Awesome Foundation in this area?
Yes, there really is a thing called the Awesome Foundation, and it's, well, it seems awesome to me.
Here's the deal: You and nine friends make a club, donate a hundred bucks a month, put the word out that you're looking to give the money away to anyone who has an awesome idea, and then you hand it over, no strings attached.
In Boston, someone made a hammock that would hold 20 people. In London, a project put black helium balloons into the sky, with wee LEDs attached, so people would see what the night sky looks like, without all that light pollution.
It doesn't have to be artsy or crafty, either: another Awesome project bought an enthusiastic gardener a wee tractor, so he could expand his vegetable plot and thus provide a food bank with additional healthy, locally-grown produce. Now, THAT's awesome.
What do you say, nine friends of mine, and awesome idea generators out there? Let's do this!
www.awesomefoundation.org
Yes, there really is a thing called the Awesome Foundation, and it's, well, it seems awesome to me.
Here's the deal: You and nine friends make a club, donate a hundred bucks a month, put the word out that you're looking to give the money away to anyone who has an awesome idea, and then you hand it over, no strings attached.
In Boston, someone made a hammock that would hold 20 people. In London, a project put black helium balloons into the sky, with wee LEDs attached, so people would see what the night sky looks like, without all that light pollution.
It doesn't have to be artsy or crafty, either: another Awesome project bought an enthusiastic gardener a wee tractor, so he could expand his vegetable plot and thus provide a food bank with additional healthy, locally-grown produce. Now, THAT's awesome.
What do you say, nine friends of mine, and awesome idea generators out there? Let's do this!
www.awesomefoundation.org
Monday, January 24, 2011
Minding the Minions
What a tempest over the hard-fought Conservative nomination here in Simcoe Grey!
Wasaga Mayor Cal Patterson seemed really very angry today distancing himself from the letter sent out this week by the Kellie Leitch camp, ostensibly by him, endorsing her for the federal Tory nomination. While Cal has been a supporter of Leitch's for a while, he told me today not only did he not write the letter, he wouldn't have. As a result of what happened, he says he's taking himself out of the endorsement business entirely.
So if Patterson didn't write it, is this another case of Simcoe Grey's Conservative minions getting ahead of their leader? Can we expect other endorsers' letters to arrive soon?
Having worked in PR (albeit briefly) I know a few little things about how quotes work in these situations. That knowledge is one of the reasons I don't quote news releases if I can help it at all.
So here's how I figure this situation came about: (and please remember I'm just guessing here, but it's an educated guess) Patterson endorses Leitch, (which he did; openly and without exception, out loud on my talk show two weeks ago) whereupon an eager worker in Leitch's office puts together the letter, which, in their eyes, isn't really that much different than him speaking the words on the radio. Well, except for the encouraging people to join the party part. Oh, and the signature. But I can just imagine the keen young letter-writer thinking to themselves, "WhatEver...let's get this thing in the mail!" While it might be a stretch, it's not a big one.
And really, how different would that be from Helena Guergis' people writing letters to the editors of local newspapers under an assumed (or their spouse's) name?
It's a lesson for all you budding politicians: the minions need minding.
Wasaga Mayor Cal Patterson seemed really very angry today distancing himself from the letter sent out this week by the Kellie Leitch camp, ostensibly by him, endorsing her for the federal Tory nomination. While Cal has been a supporter of Leitch's for a while, he told me today not only did he not write the letter, he wouldn't have. As a result of what happened, he says he's taking himself out of the endorsement business entirely.
So if Patterson didn't write it, is this another case of Simcoe Grey's Conservative minions getting ahead of their leader? Can we expect other endorsers' letters to arrive soon?
Having worked in PR (albeit briefly) I know a few little things about how quotes work in these situations. That knowledge is one of the reasons I don't quote news releases if I can help it at all.
So here's how I figure this situation came about: (and please remember I'm just guessing here, but it's an educated guess) Patterson endorses Leitch, (which he did; openly and without exception, out loud on my talk show two weeks ago) whereupon an eager worker in Leitch's office puts together the letter, which, in their eyes, isn't really that much different than him speaking the words on the radio. Well, except for the encouraging people to join the party part. Oh, and the signature. But I can just imagine the keen young letter-writer thinking to themselves, "WhatEver...let's get this thing in the mail!" While it might be a stretch, it's not a big one.
And really, how different would that be from Helena Guergis' people writing letters to the editors of local newspapers under an assumed (or their spouse's) name?
It's a lesson for all you budding politicians: the minions need minding.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Words matter, and so do guns
Sarah Palin has now weighed in with her defence when it comes to suggestions what she and other political pundits (or pundints as she said it...)have had to say may have played a role in the deadly shooting in Arizona over the weekend. She calls the alleged shooter deranged, among other things and says there has always been harsh rhetoric in American political discourse.
She's right, of course; this guy was deranged and there have often been harsh words spoken. She also says when she puts crosshairs on a map and names the now-victim on her website, we're also supposed to know she's just kiddin' around. Maybe she should hold up a sign or something, so everyone will know when to take her seriously and when she's joking.
By contrast, Barack Obama was awesome, hitting exactly the right note last night in his address in Arizona, although it was kind of weird that he got so many standing ovations at a memorial service.
All this got me thinking about assassinations. In US history, there have been 20 assassination plots that went far enough to become action. Four of them successful.
How many Prime Ministers in Canada have been assassinated? None. Is that because of our gun laws or our rhetorical restraint? Maybe both. There's no way to know for sure, but I'd sure like that number to stay right where it is, at zero.
She's right, of course; this guy was deranged and there have often been harsh words spoken. She also says when she puts crosshairs on a map and names the now-victim on her website, we're also supposed to know she's just kiddin' around. Maybe she should hold up a sign or something, so everyone will know when to take her seriously and when she's joking.
By contrast, Barack Obama was awesome, hitting exactly the right note last night in his address in Arizona, although it was kind of weird that he got so many standing ovations at a memorial service.
All this got me thinking about assassinations. In US history, there have been 20 assassination plots that went far enough to become action. Four of them successful.
How many Prime Ministers in Canada have been assassinated? None. Is that because of our gun laws or our rhetorical restraint? Maybe both. There's no way to know for sure, but I'd sure like that number to stay right where it is, at zero.
Review: Black Swan
I finally broke down and drove south to see this amazing movie which I fear will never make it north of highway 7. It was worth every minute on the snowy highway and every dime at the massive multiplex.
What a tour de force!
Now, Black Swan won't be to everyone's taste; the highly graphic girl-on-girl fantasy sex scene will be far too much for some sensibilities. (although I found that scene essential to the plot, especially in the moments that follow when its veracity is questioned.)
This is a psycho/horror movie set in a ballet company, with a nasty maestro pulling the strings as Natalie Portman's character, Nina, gradually loses her mind.
While I can't sympathise with the character as much as I'd like, Portman is fascinating to watch, and it's clear she did her homework, both when it comes to ballet and obsession.
That said, I would have preferred Nina's transition to be from sane-ish to crazy rather than from crazy to crazier.
Here's hoping Cineplex eventually brings Black Swan this far north, so I can watch it again.
Spoiler alert: in the end, Nina's fate is the same as that of the white swan in the ballet.
What a tour de force!
Now, Black Swan won't be to everyone's taste; the highly graphic girl-on-girl fantasy sex scene will be far too much for some sensibilities. (although I found that scene essential to the plot, especially in the moments that follow when its veracity is questioned.)
This is a psycho/horror movie set in a ballet company, with a nasty maestro pulling the strings as Natalie Portman's character, Nina, gradually loses her mind.
While I can't sympathise with the character as much as I'd like, Portman is fascinating to watch, and it's clear she did her homework, both when it comes to ballet and obsession.
That said, I would have preferred Nina's transition to be from sane-ish to crazy rather than from crazy to crazier.
Here's hoping Cineplex eventually brings Black Swan this far north, so I can watch it again.
Spoiler alert: in the end, Nina's fate is the same as that of the white swan in the ballet.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Farewell to The Streak
Finally, the streak comes to an end, and frankly, I'm relieved.
It's been a bit weird, not yet losing a single game of this curling season.
Every time I toddle to the rink, I think, "Is today the day?" But no, in each of my three leagues, my players just keep squeaking past, making their shots, pulling out win after win. It's been a bit surreal this two and a half months undefeated.
The hardest part is trying (and failing, according to my sweetheart) not to brag, as dearly departed Dad's voice rings in my heart with his life-long mantra, "Don't crow if you win, don't cry if lose." But honestly, a long winning streak is kind of cool, especially since I've never been known for any kind of athletic prowess.
Yesterday's defeat was not pretty, and at one point, I tried a 'Hail Mary' shot because, well, we were down by four and even if I made it, we would still be losing big, so why not practice doing something awesome? I missed, but it would have been amazing if I'd made that 8-foot angle raise to the button to sit two and set us up for the draw for three, don't you think?
In the end, our first loss (8-4) was to Joanne, very cool new owner of the Huron House on Pine Street. Hey, maybe there will be some free appetizers in it.
It's been a bit weird, not yet losing a single game of this curling season.
Every time I toddle to the rink, I think, "Is today the day?" But no, in each of my three leagues, my players just keep squeaking past, making their shots, pulling out win after win. It's been a bit surreal this two and a half months undefeated.
The hardest part is trying (and failing, according to my sweetheart) not to brag, as dearly departed Dad's voice rings in my heart with his life-long mantra, "Don't crow if you win, don't cry if lose." But honestly, a long winning streak is kind of cool, especially since I've never been known for any kind of athletic prowess.
Yesterday's defeat was not pretty, and at one point, I tried a 'Hail Mary' shot because, well, we were down by four and even if I made it, we would still be losing big, so why not practice doing something awesome? I missed, but it would have been amazing if I'd made that 8-foot angle raise to the button to sit two and set us up for the draw for three, don't you think?
In the end, our first loss (8-4) was to Joanne, very cool new owner of the Huron House on Pine Street. Hey, maybe there will be some free appetizers in it.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas Thank You Card
Dear Christmas,
You vixen, with your promises of wishes fulfilled, of happy family time, of a winter wonderland of fun and frivolity, how my pants hate you now!
Oh, I know, darling Christmas, that I have purchased a new, more accurate scale and its calculations might differ from my old one, but still, how can it be that I put on a pound for every day of turkey-roasted time off?
Don't you know, my Christmas, that when I was young and belonged to the 4-H beef club, I was supposed to log the weight of my calf all summer, with hoped-for weight gain of a pound a day? Do you know, oh precious yuletide, how hurtful it is to see the numbers on the scale going up, up, up just like the fatted calf?
You knew, didn't you, darling vacation, that my friends were going to bring their mothers' baking to New Year's Eve. But, oh, no, you couldn't make even one of those morsels of delight less than delicious, could you? Couldn't you keep me away from the champagne and canapes and cheese for just one day?
Christmas, you saw the delight in my eyes when I donned my wedding dress on Christmas Day, my long-sought goal of the Hunting Weight season; how could you take it away from me so very, very soon?
Oh wonderful Christmas vacation, thank you for the fun, but for the next few weeks, I'm sticking to water and plain, simple, high-fibre foods. Quinoa is my new best friend, not you, Christmas. Quinoa and water. It might just be the first water I've had since the 24th.
You vixen, with your promises of wishes fulfilled, of happy family time, of a winter wonderland of fun and frivolity, how my pants hate you now!
Oh, I know, darling Christmas, that I have purchased a new, more accurate scale and its calculations might differ from my old one, but still, how can it be that I put on a pound for every day of turkey-roasted time off?
Don't you know, my Christmas, that when I was young and belonged to the 4-H beef club, I was supposed to log the weight of my calf all summer, with hoped-for weight gain of a pound a day? Do you know, oh precious yuletide, how hurtful it is to see the numbers on the scale going up, up, up just like the fatted calf?
You knew, didn't you, darling vacation, that my friends were going to bring their mothers' baking to New Year's Eve. But, oh, no, you couldn't make even one of those morsels of delight less than delicious, could you? Couldn't you keep me away from the champagne and canapes and cheese for just one day?
Christmas, you saw the delight in my eyes when I donned my wedding dress on Christmas Day, my long-sought goal of the Hunting Weight season; how could you take it away from me so very, very soon?
Oh wonderful Christmas vacation, thank you for the fun, but for the next few weeks, I'm sticking to water and plain, simple, high-fibre foods. Quinoa is my new best friend, not you, Christmas. Quinoa and water. It might just be the first water I've had since the 24th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)