Congrats to my Ol’ Peeps at 680
When I was at 680 News I had a reputation for not caring about awards. …
Working
April Tip of the Month
Every month I send out a broadcasting tip to clients and colleagues.  Usually it’s something I wish someone would have told me early in my career because it would have saved me a lot of frustration. I keep colleagues on the email list, if they want, just to stay in touch.  So here’s the gist of what I sent out for this month: …
A Tale of Two Storytellers
Recently I had the experience of hearing a news story on one radio station, and then immediately hearing it on another. This isn’t such a rare thing except the story was told so differently by the two anchors that it was like a slap in the ears with a velvet glove. …
Pavlov’s Radio Host
It happens every day around 11 am. One of the restaurants in the building downstairs from 1039fm fires up the grill and like the dinging of a bell, the drool-inducing smells of searing meat start wafting up through the ventilation system. …
Anti Canadian Rant
I’m about to take an anti-Canadian stance on something. If you see anything Canadian as inherently good and have a small flag waving in your heart at all times, you might not like it. …
The Word Fairy
In the past few days The Word Fairy has been struck by an unusually high number of writing faux pas. Let me put down my wand as we explore some of them here, shall we? …
Forecast Schmorecast
Meteorologists, unite and please admit that you cannot predict the weather. Do it! You will feel better. The truth will set you free! …
Let’s Go Racing Boys and Girls!
The racing season at Delaware Speedway doesn’t start for several weeks but I’ve been working on it for some time now. …
Selling Sensible Sight
I have a little sideline sales project. Well, WE have one. It’s a case where we liked the product so much, we bought the company…er…or something like that. …
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. …
Move In Day
If you’ve ever been to a trade show, say, the auto show or a boat show, you probably haven’t even thought about what it takes to get all of those vehicles indoors, safely, efficiently and without any crashes or catastrophes. …
I Started a Joke…
Joke writing is hard. I’ve often said that if I had it to do over again I might pursue stand-up comedy as a vocation. But it’s really difficult to come up with original material. …
This Might be Tacky But…
I’ve been nominated for a London Music Award for favourite media personality. …
Deep Cuts
The broadcasting community was buzzing yesterday about a nationwide slash-and-burn at CITY TV stations. …
Legal Eavesdropping
Back when I worked at 680 News I was adamantly against playing 911 tapes of distress calls on the air. The only exceptions were those calls from September 11th, released long after the fact, when describing the scenes as they unfolded, first hand, seemed newsworthy. But I thought a call from a frantic person describing the death of a loved one was exploitive and disgusting, and I still think that way. …
Um, Sorry!
I’m sorry! …
Dear Santa
I know Christmas is over and I said the trip to Vegas was fine for my gift but then my pal Betty sent me this video and I decided that if this roll-up laptop really is available, I want it. And I want it soon, big guy! Thank you!Â
Going on the Offensive
I never aim to offend but sometimes I do anyway.   If someone is personally affronted by my telling of my own truth, well, it’s not really my business,is it? And that philosophy works in both directions. …