A Kanye West Moment

I don’t know what the critics are saying but I enjoyed the Steve Martin-Alec Baldwin pairing at the Academy Awards.  And some of the wins were heart-warming, not the least of which was actual movie-making (The Hurt Locker) over high-tech trickery (Avatar).  As much as we’ve all loved Sandra Bullock over the years, who would have pegged her for an Oscar one day?   It’s a nice change on the side of good! …

Singing a New Song

A debate is underway about the lyrics of our national anthem.  Specifically, there’s going to be some official, government research into whether the line, “in all thy sons command” in O Canada, should be rewritten to be more inclusive.  A new poll out this morning shows 80% of respondents want the anthem to be left as is. …

No Depp-rivations

Johnny Depp lives an idyllic life in southern France with his family and instead of envying him for it, I am happy for him.  Unlike some movie stars who seem to be nothing more than gluttons with a cute smile, Depp appears to be a true artist.  …

My Friend Joe

I’ve written about Joe before.  We go back about a dozen years, or so.  Joe had leukemia and wanted his birth family to get tested to see if they might be matches and could potentially provide him with life-saving marrow.  They refused.  That’s how we got to know each other.   His story appeared in the Hamilton Spectator, my talk show producer Peggy and I were bowled over by it and we gave him a call.  The rest is history.  …

Do You Need a Spork? House Proud – The Toronto Sun

I equate shopping for technology with trying on string bikinis under fluorescent lights, in public, on live television. I’m sure it’s not as embarrassing but I dread it just as much. Food shopping is a necessity and not my idea of fun. Given a choice, I’d prefer to spend a stolen hour devoted to browsing among unusual items. So a recent outing with a girlfriend to hit a string of home stuff stores was a welcome way to spend a sunny Saturday. …

A Wee Bit of Whine

Yesterday I did something I’ve never done before even though I have previously wanted to.  I called an editor and complained about how one of my published columns was edited. …

Twitter Twits

My Blackberry buzzed yesterday afternoon with the surprising and sad news that Gordon Lightfoot had died.  “Damn”, I thought.  “Last I heard he was doing well.”  …