Even though this end-of-year stuff is all man-made I still enjoy taking stock and setting goals and all of those things as the calendar is about to tick over.  2013 was a good year, all things considered.  There were no catastrophic illnesses in our family and everything hummed along. Some things improved and some improved greatly. …
Yet Another Year End Blog Posting! Read More »
These photos didn’t make the Twitterverse or even this blog, I don’t think. But each one brings back a delightful memory of the year. …
Some Favourite Moments of 2013 Read More »
When you get to the point of this post you are not going to believe it.  You are going to think that I was somehow duped into accepting the wildest most ridiculous rumour and that I haven’t checked it out thoroughly.  You will be wrong. …
Food News – Not for the Squeamish Read More »
Time Magazine named Pope Francis its Person of the Year for 2013 and it was a richly deserved distinction. I’m not Catholic and I’m not likely to praise anyone who’s steeped in religious dogma but this man is more than just a Pope. He’s a humanitarian in a true sense of the word. Â …
A Pope for All of the People Read More »
I received many wonderful things this Christmas but I’m most excited about a bunch of little plastic pots in cardboard carriers. …
The Gift of Imagination Read More »
For the fifth straight year, “whatever” has been selected as the most annoying word. Pollsters at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, conduct this research every year. I don’t, like, know how like isn’t, like, on top but it’s second-most annoying. Â …
More than 500 workers at Kellogg’s are losing their jobs in 2014 but they continued a tradition of generosity.  Good people.  Great story.  And worth a randt. …
Brandt’s Randt – Generosity in a Time of RestraintRead More »
Brandt’s Randt – Generosity in a Time of Restraint Read More »
I’ve been surrounded by students lately! It’s intern-mania in London radio newsrooms right now. I’m impressed by the calibre of talent coming out of Fanshawe College. And now I’ve been offered the chance to help it grow. …
I had just finished a recording session with the client on the phone. I was feeling relieved because he hadn’t been satisfied with my original voice work so I was concerned about it.  It turned out that the producer changed directions once the project got underway.  So it wasn’t me after all.  And the client was very nice. …
Sad Cat Tale (Not About Spice) Read More »
Well bravo to China for sending a spacecraft up to the moon. They know we’ve already been there, right? …
The News in Brief Read More »
It appears the floral industry, or at least part of it, has fallen victim to the same flawed perception that sends beautiful women to plastic surgeons: nature just isn’t pretty enough. …
Imagine a homeless man you see on your walk to work every day.  He doesn’t seem out of it, like he’s on drugs or anything. He’s just a guy whose luck ran out one day and he found himself on the street. …
Trees for Cars and A Hand Up Read More »
I just can’t believe that someone in charge of the welfare of children was dumb enough to think that an asthmatic child’s inhaler should be put under lock and key.  But that’s what happened last year at a Staffordville school and a student paid for it with his life.  So I randt. …
Brandt’s Randt: Stupid Dumb Idiotic Policy Read More »
You have to be from Mars to have escaped hearing about a boy group called One Direction.  They’re the biggest thing since whoever was the biggest thing since the Backstreet Boys. …
Unexpected Direction Read More »
Kellogg’s is closing its London plant after 90 years, blaming low cereal sales. More than 500 full-time workers, including one of our dearest friends, will be out of work. They made 27 cereals and the aroma around the factory has been a wonderful part of driving down Dundas St. East. It’s like driving through a cloud made of Froot Loops. …
So Long, Tony the Tiger Read More »
On Saturday night we went to a live roller derby game. You heard me! Roller derby is back, and it’s more popular than we knew. …
Roll, Baby, Roll! Read More »