http://www.jackfm.ca

We came across a stranger story out of England today. It will put into question yours and our making fun of Calgary’s City Councilors saying they only deal with silly and frivolous issues.

Birmingham City Council has banned the use of apostrophes on signs. Yup, apparently this was a big issue for people who were confused by apostrophes. They also cited the cost issue as a reason for banning the apostrophe. I’m not sure the exact cost of putting an apostrophe on a sign, but I’m sure they add up!

Leaving the story right there makes it absurd enough….but wait, there’s more!

John Richards, founder of the ‘Apostrophe Protection Society’ is outraged by the move saying it’s “Dumbing down our city” and “Teachers are trying to teach proper grammar and punctuation. Now children will go around Birmingham and see utter chaos”

That’s right…..’Apostrophe Protection Society’ and “utter chaos”

Upon hearing Eric and I talk about this, James who listens to the show via the net in England emailed right away to say “You think that’s a weird story?

Check this out

Ryan Seacrest with a visually impaired contestent on that little karoke show

Ryan, which is it…are you blind or dumb?

For those of you who just moved to Calgary within the last couple of years, I’m sure you’ve heard you’ve heard this lately….”It hasn’t always been like this….no really, it hasn’t”

And that is in fact true, it hasn’t. Our wonderful city is being overrun by thugs bent on nothing but violence. We seem helpless to stop it and it’s coming to a point where’s it not just headlines from communities we don’t visit or cultures we’re not related to.

Yesterday was the latest gang death and shoot up in the ‘OK-Calgary-Corral’ (not the rink).

For me, the news of this one this morning was what I’ll call my ‘Ticked Off Tipping Point’. I must admit that for the longest time, the gang violence really didn’t resonate with me. The violence was generally within a certain criminal segment of our population, at night, downtown and outside a club. My family would never be in that situation, so it didn’t concern me as much as it should.

Yesterday at 2:00 in the afternoon two ‘gang cars’ traveling beside each other on 26th St. S.E. decided that was as good as place as any to starting firing off their guns. That place happened to be a busy street in broad daylight near a school and surrounded by houses and backyards where kids may have been playing.

That scenario was my ‘Ticked off Tipping Point’. For others I know it was the New Year’s day killings that saw an innocent man killed for being in the wrong restaurant at the wrong time.

Have you had your ‘Ticked off Tipping Point’….if so, when was it?

Matt

Your turn

Even though it started only three hours ago, for the life of me I can’t remember what provoked this question….

“When you were 20, what was your ‘sure thing closer album’?”

Given some thought I think you’ll admit you can remember what you always had in that crappy cassette stereo when a date was coming over.

This morning call after call confirmed that those listening are as depraved as Eric and I.

- ‘In through the out door’
- ‘Avalon’ Roxy Music
- ‘Escape’ Journey “By the time open arms came up….it was on!”
- ‘Beth’ Kiss
- ‘Ships’ Red Rider
- ‘Tonight’s the Night’ Rod Stewart
- ‘Bat our of Hell’ Meatloaf
- ‘When I’m with you’ Sheriff
- ‘Careless Whisper’ George Michael
- ‘Saturday Fever’ Bee Gees…Our good friend Rod Forsythe revealing his age

Speaking of revealing one’s age I suggested our boss, Kevin…errrrr…Gavin’s closing album was probably something from George Gershwin. He is now not talking to me.

Eric’s submissions I found eclectic if not simply odd…Tracey Chapman, Chicago and Beastie Boys.

I’ll admit to Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ that many years ago. Although today it’s the opening them music from the ‘View’ because that’s nap time for the kids….and it’s just the right length.

Please add yours!

Matt

Your turn

It’s good to be back at it! Especially since we’re kicking off a huge contest on Jack!

‘JACK’s $100,000 dollar big bag of cash’ is underway. Yes, we’re giving away 100 grand! Your chance begins Friday morning at 7:10 with ‘Matt and Eric’.

Until then listen for local celebs try their luck. It’s not for real money, but a chance for Eric and I practice cuz we’re not too bright or trusted for that matter.

Thanks to all passed on Christmas and New Year messages! I hope everyone had as great a holiday as we did.

Two weeks off was a nice break…..from Eric.

We spent it here and enjoyed our first truly ‘at home family Christmas’. Seems we’ve always traveled this time of year but there comes a time, we decided, that you have to start your own family traditions. I know our parents had to make that break way back when so I know they understand and respect it now.

Christmas morning was magical in that Liam, now 3, gets it! From milk and cookies out for Santa, to actually wanting to go to bed early, coming into our room in the morning and obviously tearing into (far too many) gifts. My memories as kid came flooding back since those visuals and experiences you tend to forget.

A couple of days after Christmas brought Liam seven more gifts neither he or we expected. That would be stitches. It’s currently all about running, climbing and jumping with little or no regarded for where he may land. I.e.. The corner of a bed.

Paige was far more distraught than Liam I think as we hastily prepped for a trip to emergency. Distraught may not be the right word. Maybe more like ‘angry’…….at me, for insisting on taken pics of the wound so I could send to buddies say “look at my hockey player!”

All stitched up and smiles was Liam at the ‘South Health Centre’ wanting to get home and re-enact a flying ‘Buzz Lightyear’ again

Liam and Beck enjoying Christmas