http://www.jackfm.ca

Never are we surprised by the instant kindness, empathy and generous action of listeners when learning of another’s troubles. Further proof of that came this morning.

First, let me share the email we read during the show.

Dear Matt and Eric.

I know you don’t take music “requests”, but, I do have a special request that I hope you might be able to help with.

Yesterday afternoon, we were flying home on a Westjet flight after a short visit with “Grandpa” in Vancouver. Our two sons (aged 10 and 12) were anxious to get home after a somewhat stressful trip, but, kept themselves occupied by playing their Nintendo DS Lites during the flight. They each got one last Christmas and started collecting several games since then.

When we landed, we left the plane and realized that our sons had inadvertently left all of their DS games onboard (all but two that were still in their DS consoles). There were at least 9 or 10 games in a small ziplock sandwich bag and somehow, our younger son took the games out of his brother’s backpack without us knowing. They were accidentally left in the seat pocket and left behind.

Upon realizing what had happened, I immediately called the airline to see if anything had been found in the seat pocket where we were seated. I even called the airport in Toronto as our plane was destined for there after it dropped the Calgary passengers off, but, to no avail. After several calls to both the Calgary and Toronto airports since yesterday, nothing has been found by the cleaning staff or turned in to Lost & Found. Westjet was very helpful, but, sad to say that the games had not been found.

Our boys are devastated by this mistake. It’s a hard lesson to learn and each is blaming himself. Both of our sons have learning disabilities and the past few years have been difficult. Tyson, our youngest, was recently diagnosed with ADHD and Sensory Integration Dysfunction. He is currently being tested for Autism and attends a school for kids on the Autism spectrum. To add to his problems, he also suffers from depression since losing his “Papa” to cancer two years ago. He’s a very complicated little boy with a lot to deal with.

Children with certain learning disabilities often get “fixated” and very attached to specific objects. Tyson is a child that was very attached to his DS games. He was learning to play “Brain Age 1″ and just last week, we bought him “Brain Age 2″. His older brother, Justin, was teaching him to play. Normally, I wouldn’t be too concerned about losing “games” but, these games were helpful in stimulating Tyson’s brain and getting him to think. They were more than just entertainment and we’re still hopeful that the games will be found!

I don’t know if you’re able to make an announcement over the air as to the lost DS games. I’ve been a JACK FM listener since it first began. Over the last several months, I’ve been collecting JACK Points in the hopes of cashing them all in on a trip so that my husband and I could get away … just the two of us. However, I’d be more than willing to donate all of my JACK Points (just over 150,000 points) as a reward for anyone that might find my sons’ games and return them to us.
If this is something that you’re not able to help us with, I understand. I realize it’s a lot to ask, but, I know that you have many listeners in this great city and someone might be able to help.

Well, again let me say we weren’t surprised when it only took about 15 minutes to many to respond and promise to buy this family the missing games. Here’s some of their names;

Rick at Anytime Installations
Jeff Harris, CP Rail
Wade Schmitz, A1 Radiator
Dean Ferguson

matt

Your turn

JACK’s bid to lead Canada’s greatest province is well underway. From the main page of this site get info on our positions dealing with the most important issues facing Albertans. Also, we have hundreds of ‘Vote Jack’ signs now available. You can come to the station and pick one up for your neighbor’s lawn. We certainly don’t expect you to put on your own as it would be an obvious eye-sore. If you’re afraid of traveling up to the NE, our campaign volunteers with be a McMahon this afternoon between 4:30 and 6 to hand them out.

Thanks to all who contributed to the show this week. From your memories of what you were doing twenty years ago as we celebrated the Olympic anniversary (especially the gal who, with a friend could only recall being hammered on vodka they’d saved a week for and wearing ‘hyper-colored shirts’ and zipper jeans. Obviously just one of the tenants of the Olympic spirit…faster, higher, stronger and drunker.

Eric found himself in a rather uncomfortable situation where as I found it well deserved! He was ranting about the evils of a gal his long time friend is engaged to and asking if he should phone his friend and voice his (and others in the circle) concerns about her. To many surprise, most callers say “YES!”…give him the head’s up. I thought that kind of intrusion and questioning of personal judgment was only acceptable till grade 5. During the morning’s exchanges, Eric continued to cite why his buddy’s finance was not one to marry. Then an unexpected moment of discomfort that left Eric white and speechless……..”Hi, is Eric there?…I’m phoning from Toronto…a friend of mine in Calgary called me and told me I was being talked about on Jack Fm” Ooops! Although his initial response was slight panic, in hindsight he’s saved himself a trip to Toronto and another crappy wedding!

Thanks to the hundreds of you who emailed submissions for our ‘Dozen Dozen” contest. It truly is a magical and touching day. My only wish is that all of the people you suggested could get roses. The twelve that did were a joy to meet. Some with tragic stories, some with happy endings, some with ongoing struggles, some funny…but all worthy and thankful for having great friends like you who emailed. We’re being doing it again next year….our 5th!

On a personal note, I want to rave about a place called ‘Let’s Play’. As I’ve mentioned before, Wednesday’s are ‘Adventure Day’ for my son Liam and I. I pick him up right after the show and spend all day together which is obviously the highlight of my week. Lately we’ve been going to ‘Let’s Play’, off McLeod at Canyon Meadows. It’s a huge space with everything a kid could want; slides, bridges, tunnels, climbing, padded rooms for jumping and where most of our time seems to be spent….the being the ‘ball play room’ (see photo below)

Have a great ‘Family day’ weekend and we’ll be back Tuesday morning at 5:30!

Your turn

Although it’s only in the early stages, the ground swell is obvious, the excitement is palpable and a bunch of other words used to describe a political movement. Because of our well publicized political savvy, Eric and I has been asked to launch an ‘exploratory committee’ on the viability of Jack entering the provincial election. We don’t know what any of that means, so callers this morning helped kick it off with the following suggestions.

Platform suggestions from JACK’s exploratory committee:

Four`-day work week
root beer in water fountains
car accidents illegal
Must wear all whites when playing badminton
Wall at the Saskatchewan border
Drink free until you pee

Mornings don’t start until 9 a.m.
Mandatory Separation for Edmonton

Party symbol:
Jack rabbit

Proposed slogans:

Legislating what we want
Come for the mountains, stay for the Ginger Beef.
Get a six pack, vote for JACK
We put the fun in dysfunctional
We put the ass in class
Your province, our way

One unanimous suggestion: our campaign theme song will be provided by Calgary boy band The Moffatts.
Your thoughts and contributions not only welcome, but needed! And keep listening for details how you can get a Jack Election sign to adorn your front lawn!

Your turn
matt

After having railed against those who forward what THEY deem to funny links….I’ve become that guy!

Contrary to what some think, that being Eric and work tirelessly on the show while in the studio…..we actually spend most of our time surfing the net. This morning we came across at ‘Bud’ commercial that was to be aired for the Super bowl, but censors would let be aired. Like most things that cross the line, it may just be the funniest commercial you’ll ever see. Check it out

[kml_flashembed movie="http://youtube.com/v/Z3dOSX0IZ4s" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Happy Birthday to Eric today! Looking forward to a great dinner out tonight with he and his lovely bride Sarah. Hopefully it won’t be as uncomfortable as our morning started. In the darkness of 4:30am, only the lights of JACK’S parking lot witnessed the ‘Happy Birthday Attempted Man-Hug’. The result? A need to categorize rules on the show this morning

Matt and Eric’s Man Hug Rules

Lead with the handshake, make eye contact.
Lean shoulder in, lose eye contact and form of a teepee.
Waists are not to touch under any circumstance.
Remember to angle in – do not directly face forward at any point.
At initial contact manly noises of some sort must be uttered.
Silence is unacceptable. Creepy actually.
Two or three solid, open-handed slaps on the shoulder – not higher or lower are to follow.
Total contact can last only two to three seconds, tops, before both participants must back away quickly.
Again, eye contact is not to be made while quickly changing the subject as if to suggest the aforementioned act never happened.
Because it didn’t.