http://www.rock1053.ca

Now I know I was talking about itching to get riding last week and it’s STILL on my mind. The driveway is free and clear of snow, the temperatures are above zero and I’ve already logged 2 hours polishing the Road King this week alone.

It certainly doesn’t help that a few of the boys like Chico, Navigator and German are also of the same mindset. When I’m talking to one of the above, conversations tend to sound like a couple of chickens yammering away in the ole’ henhouse.

Future rides are already being planned, past trips are constantly talked about over a cold one and to date I have several maps and atlases with intentions of purchasing more.

The photo below was taken last summer on a ferry in BC. Me thinks somewhere near Nelson or Nakusp.

My two favorite shortcuts on the computer are the ‘cut’ and ‘paste’ shortcuts. I’ve put them to good use today, hence my column from the current edition of the Medicine Hat News.

For the Love of the Game, right?

This Monday businesses and companies all over North America will be recovering from a loss of revenue. From the smallest Ma and Pa donut shop to factories that make the plastic ends for shoelaces, no one is safe. More frightening than the thought of a 24 hour Hall & Oates radio format, the loss of productivity will not stem from the recession but from a day full of beer guzzling, barbecuing, tail gate parties, yelling, screaming, dancing and eating.

Work vestibules will be empty come the start of next week, voicemails will go unanswered and e-mails will disappear into cyber space. For those who do possess the gumption to fill out their Monday morning time sheets do not bother interacting with these people as they will resemble zombies. Physically they’ll by putting in time but mentally that ship has sailed and their noggins are nowhere close to the boarding gate.

Ladies and Gentleman, this is the Superbowl Weekend.

Who’s Playing? Who Cares?

If asked to sum up what the ideal ‘North American Dream’ stands for, the easiest way to make someone comprehend would be to sit them down in front of a big screen, stick a bag of Cheezies in their left hand, some frosty margaritas in their right hand and let them be for the duration of the ‘big game’.

Even the commercials are highly entertaining; assuming you have the American feed and aren’t forced to watch back to back Canadian Vignettes though I do miss the opening theme from Hinterland Who’s Who.

Even more interesting is that allotment of time in between quarters, affectionately referred to as the ‘Halftime Show. Up until 1993, if you watched the Superbowl, it’s more than likely because you were an interested party or had your life savings riding on the home team.

From Indiana Jones to the Rolling Stones to Tom Petty and ZZ Top, and yes, how can we forget the Nipplegate Incident, this year is no exception with Bruce Springsteen playing for the masses. The Halftime show has become an event of its own while even the name itself, ‘Superbowl’, has been sold to the highest bidder.

The Northern Equivalent

As Canadians, we’re no strangers to our version of football and the Grey Cup is almost twice as old as the Superbowl. Knowing that little nugget, you’d assume the Grey Cup halftime show would be a lot stronger than it is but that’s not the case at all, is it? Don’t get me wrong, I thought it was pretty cool to see Theory of a Deadman perform at last year’s event even though they had to open up for someone nobody has heard of. Lenny Kravitz has also performed at the Grey Cup and while that’s as right as rain, one of our national pastimes should include Canadian talent. I should reiterate that the word ‘talent’ is used very loosely within the confines of the Grey Cup Halftime show. Case in point, Luba.

And if you’ve got an idea or want to chat, you can find me at Medicine Hat’s Best Rock, Rock 105.3 at 403-529-1053 every weekday morning starting at 5:30 or drop me a line at www.rock1053.ca

After receiving at least 3 e-mails from people defending the Mustang while trashing the Iroc Z (one of the single greatest vehicles ever by the way), I’ve decided to paste a couple of pictures to let you decide.

Really though?

I know what you’re thinking. It is too good to be true, isn’t it?

43 million dollars were up for grabs over the weekend and while I have a greater chance of successfully spear fishing a pike at Rattlesnake Lake while donning chain mail armour, there’s still hope that I could come into the money.

I haven’t checked my ticket and I don’t plan on it. I want to wait until I watch the news and hear ‘the winner of the 43 million has yet to come forward but we’ve narrowed the winning ticket to reside somewhere in Medicine Hat’ comment first. Then and only then will I check my ticket, if I haven’t lost it.

I could never believe anyone that says they wouldn’t quit their job if they struck it lucky. I love what I do and I’m very fortunate to have found a career that allows me to wear jeans and a T-shirt to work everyday but if I wake up with 43 million dollars in my account, I’ll be calling in sick to work for the rest of my days, you know?

Okay, it’s no story and definitely no book but the following did appear in the Medicine Hat News today.

Has Anybody Seen the Rock in Roll?

This has been a historic week with the inauguration of President Obama and the surrounding hullabaloo that entailed. Dinner functions, breakfast meetings, brunch get togethers; our counterparts to the south have been rallying and celebrating like Lindsay Lohan fresh out of rehab.

No party is ever deemed a true shaker until the entertainment arrives and when the last streamer floated to the ground and the final balloon was popped leading up to the President’s big day, there was U2’s Bono, microphone in hand, standing on stage and instead of belting out tunes like ‘With or Without You’, ‘Desire’ or ‘Where the Streets Have No Name’, he was droning on about the history of politics. Unfortunately, his microphone was on too.

Prime Minister Helix

I don’t expect to see Johnny Dee from Honeymoon Suite running for Prime Minister nor would I vote for him, just like I wouldn’t pay money to see our Prime Minister play a rock and roll gig at the Royal. Actually, I would pay money to see Mr. Harper trade in his sweater vest for a leather jacket, complete with shoulder spikes before he rocks out to a rendition of Ace of Spades but that doesn’t mean he should give up his day job, not until Canadian Idol returns to our living rooms anyways.

You don’t hire a plumber to cook your steak and you don’t hire a florist to build your house and so I don’t understand why some musicians wander into realms that they shouldn’t. A hit record does not make you a politician despite what we’ve seen and heard.

When I attend a rock concert, the last thing I want to hear are the beliefs of some overzealous front man spewing talks of coup d’etats. I want to leave any mental baggage I’m carrying at the door for a couple of hours because we’re looking for release. I want to leave a concert with a smile on my face, a ringing in my ears and if some slower brain cells are left behind to make way for the faster ones, all the better. (Thank you Cliff Claven)

Other side of the two dollar bill

This isn’t a slight against people like Bono or Bob Marley or outfits like Rise Against and Rage Against the Machine or any other musical political beast. They’re using what means they have to promote and to make aware of the ‘issues’. Commendable? Sure. Enlightening? Why not. Bearable? I beg to differ. What happened to clever written songs about women, wine and weekends? Are the tunes about fast cars, bad jobs and broken hearts any better/worse when you’re craving inspiration and motivation?

I guess it’s like drinking Orange Crush even though I’m a fan of Orange Fanta. It still tastes good but it’s just not my first choice and music is no different.

And if you’ve got an idea or want to chat, you can find me at Medicine Hat’s Best Rock, Rock 105.3 at 403-529-1053 every weekday morning starting at 5:30 or drop me a line at www.rock1053.ca

Thanks to our Promotion Guru Andy and Producer Extraordanaire Dave, I now know how to paste personal pictures on my blog.

And so I thought I’d post a few pics of my best friend, Dr. Jake, my black lab. I’d be lost without him.

Over the weekend I received an extra note in the mail from my Postal Carrier, gently reminding me that my driveway is icy and should be rectified. So, after a trip to Canadian Tire where I purchased a tanker full of melting salt and then dispersed it all over the walkway, I played the game of hurry up and wait.

‘Hurry up and Wait’ isn’t a real exciting game if you’ve ever played it, so I found myself biding my time in the garage, looking at the Road King. The next thing you know, the bike’s exhaust was bouncing off the walls so I had no choice but to open up the garage door and drive up and down the 40 feet of driveway 8 or 9 times, ensuring that the walkway was properly melting of course.

For a guy that loves winter, biking season can’t come fast enough.

Just in case the mailman didn’t deliver, here’s what was on the ole’ noggin concerning my column in the Medicine Hat News.

Unleashed

That is the name of the 2009 Fleetwood Mac touring machine but methinks it should be renamed more along the lines of ‘The How Much Are You Willing To Pay For Tickets’ tour, or possibly ‘Still Don’t Have Enough Money To Buy Denmark’ tour.

With a cup of black java in one hand and my other extremity delicately poised over the mouse clicker while random tracks like ‘Tusk’ and Monday Morning’ flowed from my computer speakers, I was primed and prepared for some online shopping. It was my jaw that was left open however and not some adult themed website when I found two tickets for the upcoming Fleetwood Mac show in Toronto for the meager asking price $1278.12, not including flat, overpriced arena draft beer.

Understandable Disappointment

Begrudgingly, my Fleetwood Mac ticket search has been put on hiatus until at which time I hope to cash in on Saturday’s Lotto 649 and then and only then can it resume.

And likening to Stevie Nicks the way a moth is attracted to a flame doesn’t help my current situation in terms of fighting my impulsive shopping side to my serious lack of common sense side. Not since Pink Floyd toured in the early 90’s have I been so determined to witness a musical spectacle and for what it’s worth, I secured a Pink Floyd floor ticket for less than 60 dollars back in the day, unlike the sad current situation.

The Relative Theory of Money

I don’t live on the wrong side of the tracks and while I may reside close to the shady side, 1300 dollars is a lot of cake to me. That could pay off the property tax, pay for a trip to Vegas complete with spending money or even pay for a sweet Plasma TV and DVD player so you can watch Stevie and Lindsay duet in High Definition.

That number also breaks down into approximately; 1 pair of ape-hangers for the Road King, 72 cases of high end lager, 93 medium pepperoni pizzas, 21 fill ups at the gas station with the wife’s ride, 232 DVD rentals, 1432 i-Pod downloads, or being able to pay off 18 speeding tickets if you’re my co-host, Niki.

Now I understand that these prices are for those who have some disposable income at their fingertips and since Fleetwood Mac has been around for decades, it’s fair to say that these eclectic dressed musicians are targeting fans of those aged 35-60. I also comprehend that the older you get the more money you make but the less you feel like spending. Ironic, isn’t it?

Johnny Crisco started an on-air debate this morning over the possibility of going under the knife for calf implants. If Johnny wants big calves and craves to save some serious coin, try the YMCA.

Personally, the only time men should appeal for any sort of physical alteration is for the removal of back hair. Even then, I have a difficult time trusting a man that doesn’t believe in the growth of man-fur as I find it unsettling.

What did impress me however, was a caller stating that there is too much pressure from society demanding that women specifically, all look like the 88 pound supermodel from the pages of Cosmo and went on to say that women need to empower themselves. The fact that such an eye opening statement was taken from the mouth of a 14 year old female is even more impressive. Way to stand up against the pressure of a superficial world, especially when that bulls eye is splattered on the backs of young women everywhere.

On the show tomorrow, stories and tales from the unemployed line. a.k.a.; getting fired, something that I’m quite familiar with.

Unlike the thumbnail, Gran Torino is the new Eastwood flick and everyone has seen it already, with the exception of me. Conversation around the office microwave this morning was all about Clint and his new cinematic exploits and I too will witness the movie, more than likely when it’s released to video, like Betamax.

I love the Eastwood movies however I’m prone to his spaghetti westerns as opposed to the whole ‘Dirty Harry’ thing.

Sure, ‘The Good, the Bad & the Ugly’ was a great flick featuring Lee Van Cleef, another one of my favorite western actors however when compared to staples like ‘A Fistfull of Dollars’ and ‘For a Few Dollars More’, it just can’t compare. Steely eyed with a cold heart to match, Clint is the epitome of a cowboy’s cowboy, if you will.

I’ve been on the ‘Outlaw Josey Wales’ train lately but I may have to opt for something a little meaner, maybe some ‘Hang ‘em High’.