Don Grose

Spoiled

2011-10-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

"Show me the prison - show me the jail -
show me the prisoner - whose life whsoe life has gone stale.
And I'll Show you young man - with so many reasons why -
and there, but for fortune - go you and I - you and I.

Show me the alley - show me the train - show me the hobo -
as he lives out - in the rain.
And I'll Show you young man - with so many reasons why -
and there, but for fortune - go you and I - you and I.

Show me the whiskey, stains on the floor -
show me the drunkard, he stumbles out the door
And I'll Show you young man - with so many reasons why -
and there, but for fortune - go you and I - you and I.

Show me the countries - where the bombs have to fall -
Show me the ruins of the buildings once so tall -
And I'll show you young LAND , with so many reasons why -
and there but for fortune, go you and I - you and I."

Phil Ochs - There But For Fortune

It never comes as much of a surprise when I find myself
reflecting on the lyric above...often in times blurred by
difficulty where decisions I'm facing are distasteful, or
humbling, or both - requiring knowledge, strength or wisdom,
I fear I lack. Most often I find my desired path is that of
"the high road," the right decision usually found in seeking
assistance from others who have what I need, having been
there before and having covered the ground that seems so
foreign and forboding to me. Sadly, for me this is often the
last direction I choose - I really much prefer to sort out my
own messes, following my own instincts, gathering information
as I go. There is tremendous satisfaction that comes with this
when things work out well...but every once in a while, when
things start heading south, there is stress that probably could
have been avoided. On a positive note I have yet to find myself
in a jam from which there is no salvation. I think most of
us from time to time confront roadblocks which seem monumental -
but at the end of the day - are situations from which we learn
most - and as I so frequently say -"When they write the history
of the world will barely get a mention."
We are blessed in Canada to enjoy an enviable quality of life.
drawing on parallel - no matter what your lot in Canadian life -
in another part of the globe existence would be far more tenuous -
far more fragile - far more difficult to sustain.
Lets face it - Canadians have everything they want. Attainment
is merely a matter of deciding what we want. If we want it badly
enough it is ours for the taking.
In Alberta, I would further submit that we "have" like no other.
We are chin up, chest out, resource rich - driven by an economy
bulking up on energy controlled by companies that find themselves
short on one resource alone - manpower. As a result, these
corporations are doing everything possible to advance the standard
of living in the oil-rich north so that minus 50 in January is more
of an inconvenience than a problem. I know that having spent three
years in Whitehorse as a teenager that life in fact does go on
during the admisttedly long winter months - and there are things
to do which can be every bit as enjoyable as a splash in the pool -
although again, admittedly, most require more planning.
I have already marvelled at the show put on by the northern lights
and I am anxious to see them in even greater splendor in the weeks
and months ahead.
Another benefit to life in northern Alberta is that within a hour of
our home, we frequently go hunting. Never before in my 58 years have
I ever had a gun in my hand with the intention of killing anything.
But, I will admit that the romance I attached to a Winchester 3030
rifle that my late father had displayed in the family home for 30
years was a big part of my attraction to hunting. The rifle was not
just "Dad's" gun. Dad had been given the rifle when his uncle Neil
who lived on a farm in Blind River in northern Ontario passed away.
My first recollection of that rifle was at the farm when Neil
fascinated me with stories of running off wolves threatening his
sheep...and using the rifle to kill wolves he'd trapped.
So when I came north, the Winchester came with me.
First cold my son Matt took me out and we tested it. Worked
as well as if it were closer to 1 year old than 100 years old.
So on the the second or third Saturday we ventured out just before
daybreak and got to our spot, surrounded by Aspers and tall
grasses on the edge of a swamp. Matt called out a moose call...
we waited...likely not more than a minute or two passed before
we spotted something large - a dark spot 400 metres or so away
on the far side of the water...Matt looked through the site
on his Magnum - turned to me and pointed - I nodded - Ya, that
is a moose. Matt called again, and started smacking low brush
with a stick...the moose immediately turned to face us and
started our way. I have never seen an animal that magnificent
cover that considerable distance with such a measured,
dedicated gate. It was likely no more than 90 seconds before
he stood before us, 125 yards out staring directly at us.
There no shot. He waas facing us head on - he must have caught
our scent because at one instant he was staring us down,
seemingly deciding whether to charge, and in the next instant
he darted for a stand of trees at the edge of the woods 15
yards away.
Matt fired two shots that we both agreed must have missed.
We heard the beast snorting and thrashing in the trees - Matt
went down one side and I waited then made my way down the
other. We spent more than an hour looking for signs of blood
or anything what would indicate a wound...nothing. We headed
back to Argo - and back to the truck - exhilirated if defeated.
Matt, whose hunted for several years had never seen anything
that big, that close.
I had never - experienced - anything - like - it.
What addded to the experience was the time that immediately
followed...emotions, analysis, reflection, analysis, emotion..
It was totally uncontrolled..."If I'd only..I never...I wish I..
Imagine if...what if...Wow...that was amazing...I wonder...
Oh My God I can't beleive !...."
We had to go out and try again the next morning.
We went to the same place....stayed an hour and never saw
anything. We decided to try another spot where Matt had seen
a moose the previous year. This particular spot was right on
the edge of a bog. The Argo was sitting in six inches of
muck when Matt, wearing chest waders got out and started
making his way off to the right through waste deep
swampwater,and brush...he was 80 to 100 yards off when
I heard his first call. I'm sitting in the Argo, wondering
if I were ready if a moose actually did appear. I spent
about five minutes lining up shots, bringing my rifle from
my lap to my shoulder and aiming at various "targets"
in line with where I imagined a moose could appear.
I lit a cigarette and smoked it, put it out and then
heard Matt put out another call. I looked around intently,
and listened carefully. My senses were completely alive.
And then - I thought I heard something in the trees off
to the left....the brush...I did hear something...
thrashing, smashing, heavy sloshing around in the thin,
slimy muck..Grunting ...I went from senses alive
to full alert.
The first thing I was able to catch of glimpse of
were the large antlers slashing through the bows -
he was no more eightly yards away but the underbrush
was sufficiently dense that his frame was completely
masked...There was no masking his grunts..no
question he was making his way toward us. Grunting..
I was aware that Matt was headed my way as well
as quickly as his surroundings would permit.
My eyes were glued to the brush..Grunt - I caught
just momentary snippets of the antlers, then his
head - but he was still in heavy cover. About 50
yards from me he emerged from the brush but there
were enough small birches in the way and the
fact that he was coming straight for me there
was no shot to take.
There was maybe 15 yards of pond and then
a small stand of birches between this immense, wild
creature and me...he got to the stand of birches,
grunted - and turned to his left headed for the
only solid ground...he took one step and presented
me with a full broadside - gun at the ready
I pulled the trigger...he winced and staggered.
I shot again assuming he was wounded but still
capable of escape.
I heard two shots from Matt while I fired a third.
He fell to his side not ten yards from the place
he turned sideways and was down.
By the time Matt got to me, within a minute I had
already relived the experience a hundred times..
I was numb..I was shaking..the adrenilin took over...
" Nice job , Don! That was one big @#$#% animal !
" High five..
My two and half contribution was admitteldly
a little weak. I was shaking...grinning like
a banshee, but hardly capable of response.
We sat for five minutes before going over
to inspect our prey. He was massive ! 800-
900 pounds our estimate. Matt immediately
got to work...I was impressed with the skill
with which Matt field dressed the moose.
I was very little help and he worked like a
surgeon preparing the carcass. He called in
help to extract the moose from our location.
Basil arrived in his Argo with trailer - we
got stuck once and Basil towed us out of the
bog with Matt chest deep in muskeg doing
what he could.
We've enjoyed several moose meals since.
and the freezer is winter ready with
steaks, roasts, ground meat and sausages.
All in all - a wonderful experience
and one that I never would have lived
having not moved from Nova Scotia here.
Gawd...the days half over...Sens and
Rangers on the tube - Leafs tonight.
Next time - Advertising....
Happy Trials...Comments welcome -
Anytime...Don

A Room Fulla Tories

2011-10-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

The way the new premier of Alberta puts it.." Fort McMurray is not
boom town - it's a home town !"
Alison Redford said all the right things to an audience anxious to hear
what she had to say tonight - making her first appearance in Fort Mc
since her stunning ascention to the throne in the recent Alberta PC Leasership
race.She's engaging, she can talk, she drops names with the best of them,
and she apparently hires better speech writers than I've witnessed since
the William Davis days in the Ontario of the 80's...1980's for those less
astute historians.
Fort Mac with it's resources, energy ( not necessarily directly connected through
inevitably connected ) wealth, multi-culturalism, drive and yes, I will say
"spirit" represents the future of Alberta - for the next several generations.
Very, very slick, very, very polished presentation I must say to a jam-packed
gathering oen can only assume was in the neighbourhood of 70 percent PC.
The Sawride ( compliments to management ) was the ideal setting - and the
Premier had the audience hanging on every word.
I'm glad I attended.
I had the chance to introduce myself to the Mayor, Melissa Blake - an occasion
that was far overdue. The Mayor does an amazing job driving this city
ever forward - and she does so without so much as a whimper of dissent from
her council - which in my experience is akin to a skunk with no smell...
there is no such beast...prior to surgery.
The one thing that is not open to dispute is the kind of non-petroleum energy
that exists in Fort McMurray. There is no way to convincingly convey to non
residents what we have here. I brazenly include myself among those so enthused,
or infused, because Fort McMurray is a unique place to call home. The
construction is non-stop, but everything that is being done holds promise of
something better - bigger and better.
Fort McMurray boasts the largest recreation centre of it's kind - not in
Alberta -in Canada ! Pools, running tracks , fitness rooms, field houses,
a library, meeting rooms, conference rooms - it goes on forever - and
MacDonald Island is going to get even bigger with the investment of a few
hundred more million more dollars to support the weight of a population
expected to double in the next decade !
Stay seated on this for the full eight seconds when the bell goes off and
you'll have something to be proud of...
I ramble, as always, but from a self proclaimed non-political being,
congratulations to the Alberta PC for a first class show - and for having
somehow chosen a leader who connects so well with her public.
Apologies to those of you who have found my profile(s) all over the
frigging place - under the misassumption that I might have something to
say. I am no friend of Google. Yes, I blog here, but I have to say that this
is simply my way of sharing random thoughts which are usually positive - because
hey - I'm a positive kind of guy.
I will be tellig you all about my first experience ( successful ) hunting
moose - but I have to wait until I can wipe this smile off my face.
Next time you hear the expression " thrill of the hunt" think about it...
My or my, until you've been there you have no idea....
That's all for now..
Happiest of Trials...
Don
to

I Don't Wish I'd Done It 30 Years Ago.....

2011-07-22T17:47:00.000-07:00

Five months anyway since I last took - or had - the time
to spend a few moments laying down some random ( and as
always scattered )thoughts.
First - I am living proof that there comes a time when
you have to forget about everything else and do the right
thing for you. I will suggest to you that money, security,
comfortable surroundings - all that stuff will look after
themselves. When the need for change, the need to shuffle the
deck, the need for a new perspective is recognized - do it !
My wife and I are now settling into a new life in Fort
McMurray Alberta - far removed from our surroundings of
20 years in Nova Scotia. I remember now how badly I needed
a change when we left Kitchener Ontario - I beleive the
pigs tails, sauerkraut and all too plentiful beer tipped
the scales at that time - and how well Nova Scotia satisfied
that need...but the time comes. What a welcome breath of fresh
air Northern Alberta has been.
I love my job - everyday a challenge - everyday a reminder there
remains so much to learn - everyday a reminder that I will
never have all the ( right ) answers.
I remain in radio - broadcasting - where I started my career
nearly 40 years ago. God that's scary.But as much as it's the same
media, the same playing field, the game has changed and my
involvement in the game hs changed and what I extract from
the game has changed - and does change - everyday.
Fort McMurray is wonderful. The weather is spectacular - summer -
just as I'd like it..sunny and hot but not "sweating standing still"
hot...cool enough for sleeping at night - and just nice for for my
favorite summertime pastime - golf.
Fort McMurray on the outside is still a little rough around the
edges. But on the inside - where the community ticks - there exists
an energy I've never witnessed. The people who make up the volunteer
community - the heart of any community - are charged, commited and
dedicated to making a contribution and making Fort McMurray a wonderful
place to live.The population has doubled in the last ten years - and
there is no indication that the world's thirst for oil will impair
that growth for another couple of decades to come.It is a community
where fundraising never stops - where golf tournaments, and galas, and
kitchen parties and concerts and festivals and exhibitions lead one
right into another...I haven't missed too many meals...
It is nice to be happy again.
I miss the friends I made at Oakfield in Halifax - but I certainly do
not miss the golf course and the gang that ran it.
I miss my bridge playing friends from Thursday night in Grand Lake -
and I truly miss singing harmony with Charlotte and Shelley and playing
music with Charlie, Dave, Pete, Ernie, Cathy and Gordon...and
a few other people, particularly some of my clients...but , boy,
it's nice to be happy again.
More shortly - there's a party about to break out upstairs.
Happy Trials.
Don

Turning The Page

2011-02-17T04:10:00.000-08:00

"To everything, turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn , turn, turn
And a time to every purpose under heaven."

Whenever I think of that - I hear Roger McGuinn's
12 string Rickenbacher, soaring vocal harmonies,
and feel a welcome peacefullness and calming breeze
making still anxieties about what may lie ahead.
This is it.
This is my final day before a few vacation days kick
in which will take me to the end of a road I've been
on for almost 15 years.
I am leaving CHUM Radio in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
I am leaving C100 and 101.3 the Bounce.
I am leaving the friendly confines of a building
in which I've had many a good laugh, with many a good
friend. I've celebrated many a victory. I've languished
in the dim light of setback only to claw my way back out -
stronger, better, a little wiser from the experience.
In a decade and a half I like to think I've learned
something most everyday. I've learned a ton about
advertising, learned much about people, seen business
done well and business dealings which I thought were
shoddy, weak, and of little value. I've seen competitors
come and go. I've seen really, truly good, honest, hard working
people have their businesses swallowed up unable to combat
tighter times and big box stores.But through it all, I beleive
I remain an optimist. I think there is always room for
honesty, integrity, and a desire to achieve. Good things can
be made better and people should be treated with respect and
the way, you yourself would like to be treated.
I'm doing something I've never really done before.
I'm leaving something good - a place I feel very much a part
of me - for the unknown. It's exciting ! I feel very alive !
I appreciate that I feel I have the strength to take on
whatever challenges may be out there adn renewed that with
my values and skills, there is something great to be
created in the months and years to come.
I have been in Nova Scotia for 20 years.
There's a comfort that is on the one hand hard to turn
my back on - but at the same time which I feel somewhat
stifling.
So we're headed to Fort McMurray Alberta, to re-unite with
son Matthew, Eli, and two wonderful grand daughters.
Grandkids - as we know from having raised two wonderful sons -
are only youngsters once. We want to share in their growth.
We want them to know us as part of their lives.
My hope is that at some point I will have the chance to join
an organization in which I can make a major contribution,
and a little further down the road pursue other interests
relegated to fond but distant memories at this stage of
life. I will take with me to Fort McMurray my golf clubs,
my musical equipment and a desire to try some other things.
I relish the idea of the hunt, and fishing with Matthew.
I relish equally being re-united with Tyler and Michelle,
and another grandchild yet to be born, and the rest of the
family and Mom in Ottawa with stories to tell about our
new northern experience.
I say my final official goodbyes at Noon today at work.
I admit to being both anxious and excited about it.
It is yet a very interesting day unfolding...another
very interesting day unfolding...
Happy Trials.

The Poor Dogs

2011-02-15T04:34:00.000-08:00

So..is it Llasa Apso or Llaso Apsa...I could look it
up but...who cares.She'll always just be Jazz, short
for Jasmine, to us...Jazz, and Ceiladh, her intrepid
much senior sister, a border collie, but sister none-
the-less, if capable of speech, would no doubt be asking
the question, " What in the name of all we cherish is
going on here ?"
For the past ten days they've been watching strangers
come to our door removing all the furniture they were
never permitted to sit on..not that that ever stopped
them...the dogs not the strangers.
You see, I am in my final three days of working for
CHUM Radio Halifax - C100 and 101.3 The Bounce.
I resigned a couple of weeks ago, once, we'd sold
our home and gotten the necessary medical clearances
Charlene and I required to embark on a whole new adventure.
My wife and I decided about six months ago that it
was time for a drastic change. So..we've loaded up the
truck and move to Beverly...Hills that is..swimming pools,
movie stars..except our destination is not south, not
Beverly Hills, not even California..not even warm...
No, we're headed for Fort McMurray Alberta, to begin
phase 47 of our lives.
So for the past litle bit, our routine, if you will has
been somewhat disrupted ( shot all to hell.)...
And the dogs I'm sure are thinking that their numbers have
got to be coming up soon. I wish we could adequately convey to
them that they're safe. We're taking the dogs..and my
musical stuff, and golf stuff, and computers and enough
furniture to inhabit a small apartment.
So far we've been fortunate to be able to help others
decorate their homes. We've managed to sell living room,
dining room, bedroom, and most of our other miscellaneous
furniture...Just the downstairs and the cars to look
after now.
We are both excited..Charlene and I are looking forward
to being close to son Matthew, his lovely wife Eli and our
two grand daughters, Kathy and Makayla...and while it
seems, sometimes like we'll be further away from Ottawa and
our son Tyler, and his beautiful partner, Michelle ( soon
to be parents ) and my Mom and two brothers, we are
still only a flight away.
But all this is not doing anything for the dogs..
Or the Toronto Maple Leafs...
Nice to see Lady Antebellum do so well at the Grammy's.
The world would be a better place with more 3 part
harmony.
Have yourself a marvelous day !
Happy Trials.

Sooo...It's Like I Was Saying...or....

2010-12-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

I will not make the mistake of promising to be more diligent
about more frequent posts. Not that much of significance happens
on a regular basis that is of interest...or...not that
much happens that is of interest - that I feel it's appropriate
for me to share - in this particular media.
Having said that - I am once again excited. And once again -
I have someone unexpected to thank. I am going to resist the
temptation to name names. Those involved if they read this will
know and recognize any part they had to play. And while it may seem
a contradiction - the only true villain in the whole event
receives my most sincere gratitude.
It all started about 16-18 months ago, when starved for others
with whom to share my love of music, I joined in a Monday
evening gathering of older, never-were-serious musicians.
That was incredibly attractive because I was not in a place
where I needed more stress or needed to feel even less sure of
myself. It had been more than a couple of years since I'd played
with a longtime friend and since he'd moved away I'd spent my
time recording - working on developing harmonies - working on
sculpting a style of harmony that I could use in singing with
others - no matter what kind of music we were playing. And while
the experimentation was fun - it wasn't like sharing music with
others. So...the Monday night group happened and from an
unshapely, scattered, multi-directional, humble beast, there
began to emerge a rather, large, awkward, shy, group.
The group appeared at a Community Seniors Dinner just a couple of
months after starting and four guitars, three fiddles, a harmonica,
an accordion, four singers and a keyboard player got their first
taste of performing...and you know what ? It was fun. Three of us
had been there before.In a couple of cases 30 years ago and I'm not
sure how long it had been since the third had been on stage.
For everyone else it was the high-water mark and a thirst was
born. Organization was required. A plan needed to be developped.
And "Good Company" needed more material. Quite by accident, by
nature of the material we were learning the group came to have a
fairly distinctive sound ( it helps that we were the only group
with ten active members none of which really had a clue what was
going on .)There were discussions about whether we should ever
actually perform as a full group - or whether we should function
as three or four - smaller acts part of a travelling circus.
It became apparent as the curtain to my involvement descended
where that particular concept was formed - and why. One self-
professed "lazy bastard", didn't want to be bothered learning
music that anyone else was performing. He only wanted to play
and sing material he chose, in which he needed do nothing but
sing ( badly) the lead, and play ( just as badly ) his guitar.
He wanted his hand-picked bandmembers to back him up to help
hide his inconsistencies and musical blemishes - but he nearly
had to be forced to be of assistance to or for others.
This all came to a head when at his own suggestion of having
a consistent look to all of our lyrics and chord sheets, he
was asked to contribute one song of ten for a rehearsal.
It was too much for him to do...Yes, he is retired and yes, he
could do it...but, it was his experience that if he waited
long enough, someone would do it for him. It is interesting.
I have played music with two retired Halifax based university
professors and in both cases - they play music for one reason.
Because no one listens when they talk anymore. And the reason
that no one listens when they talk anymore, is that niether one
of them has anything of much interest to say - and no one has to
listen to them ! and they desperately miss that captive, have - to
audience. It's really quite sad, financially they are both set
for life. But deep inside they are both nerds trying desperately
to be cool. It's really a shame...but..that's just my take on
things. I thank them both. The first one had nothing to do with
Good Company. I decided after the first time we played together
that if it never happened again it would be fine. It did happen
again - and then I decided it never would again. So then I met
up with his counterpart - who dragged me along to Good Company.
Ninety percent of Good Company is really fine people. Unfortunately
when you get that number of people involved with a project you
are going to get differing ideas on direction, activity levels,
and presentation. Having decided that I would no longer stomach
the idea of propping up my friend the Professor, as difficult a
decision as it was to leave so many people for whom I have true
affection, the lure of finding three or four like-minded
individuals to do nothing but perform harmony and melody driven
music was strong...but I needed a shove and it
was provided by one misguided individuals' self indulgence and
utter laziness. And for that I thank him - scum - sucking toad that
he and all the others like him - are. So I've started a new band.
Publicized the need for some musicians/vocalists and the emails
started coming in with a day. It's going to happen..and it's gonna
be good.
So..I'm wondering how good we should feel that our beloved
Federal Finance Minister - with our best interests in his heart -
is bringing forward the idea of a Canada Pension Plan that would
allow the aged to afford both shelter and lodging - at the same time !
Please sir...more ? I know , I know...I'm growing cynical. Five
plus decades of being lied to and ripped off by three levels of
government in this country and I'm suspicious when a Cabinet Minister
suggests he wants to do something good for the people of the country.
Watch how much of the increased CPP employee and company contributions
ever actually get returned to our citizens.If my increased contribution
goes to fund "Gun Control" and/or expensive lunches and dinners for civil
servants I'm not sure what I will do.
At least in some countries you know you have no rights, you know if you
step out of line you're screwed, and you know all along that your life
is of no consequence to anyone but immediate family. I'm beginning to
think that's preferable to watching these lying, cheating, stealing
politicians in government houses in the provinces and in Ottawa
acting like criminals at double-time and a half...with the taxes collected
from working Canadians we should have unparalleled education, health,
and elder care that is free to anyone whose done his or her part.
I can't stomach what our Federal government does to our returning veterans,
the injured, or the families left behind by those who've died serving
in our unholiest of wars. My own father in a battle he'd lose, on more
than one occasion, spent hours in a hospital corridor, scarcely able to
breath, racked with pain, unable to even ask for the help he so richly
deserved. My father spent his career, proudly as a member of the Canadian
Armed Forces. His thanks..."yea Pal - the lineup starts back there - take
a number." If there were an honest politician they would quit - too ashamed
to serve. Something has got to change - and it's going to - I can feel it.
Oh My...must go...must go watch the Leafs over-perform....
You see...that's funny. I couldn't leave on a negative note.
Happy Trials...

Running For Office

2010-11-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

First...I am not....running for office that is.
I would not - ever - run for office.
I am not nearly sufficiently deluded to ever
imagine that any political party would ever
have me...nor am I delisional enough to think
for a second, that I would last more than a
week as an active member of a political party.
I don't play well with weasels.
I do dream of someday having the opportunity of
voting for someone of the mind that we need to
change the way we do things. We need to be open
and up front with what we want to do and that
tax dollars have to go to the important things
first.
I found myself back on this treadmill earlier
this week. I was listening to a talk show on
radio about a group that was battling to have
cancer drugs made available to any Canadian in
need - without those already fighting the disease
of our lifetime having to face losing their homes
in order to pay for life saving pharmaceuticals.
This is a battle in my mind there should be no
need to have. Working Canadians pay sufficient tax
that health care, education ( including university ),
and maintenance of our sidewalks, roads and sewers
should be something that happens automatically with
no charge. If the question were put to Canadians
" Would you rather have free cancer treatment,
no waiting for surgery, and free education, or
a long gun registry and, for sake of an example,
the CBC, which do you think they would choose ?
How many government agencies and departments are
there without practical function except to gorge
themselves on tax dollars ? Do we need the CRTC ?
What's it's budget and how is it performing ? Do
we need industry marketing boards - and how are they
performing ? Should we be eliminating an entire level
of government in this country thus eliminating
the duplication at the Federal and Provincial government
levels ?
How much money would be saved with the elimination just
one set of elections every three or four years ? Judging
by voter turnout over the past decade would anybody even
notice ?
Voter turnout is declining because our legislators operate
without accountability. People don't beleive anything our
representatives tell us - they've stopped beleiving anything
the media reports for that very reason - and the average
Canadian just feels powerless - so the eyes have glazed
over and until they find themselves victim of the system -
they choose to just leave well enough alone.
That's why a convicted pedofile in this country gets pardonned
and no one knows. That's why a Canadian fighting for our enemies
gets eight years in jail. What ?!?! In my mind, Kotter was either
innocent and should be set free - or guilty in which case he should
have been tried as a traitor and killed. So many decisions made in
this country - no logic behind them - no common sense behind them
- no spirit of right or wrong.
These are very, very sad times we live in.
Our governments spend our money like it has no meaning...and when
Canadians as individuals need it - the government is never there
to help.
I have to go...thanks for participating in my rant.
Bless.

Give The Man His Due

2010-09-29T03:41:00.000-07:00

I am admittedly quick to criticize where I feel
criticism is warranted.
Whether or not addressing misdeeds accomplishes
anything is most certainly a topic completely open to
debate. Certainly doesn't help me sleep at night
but that is not the issue here.
Today I want to pay a compliment or two.
First...I was bold, remain unwaivering, and harsh
in my recent criticism of my NDP MP on his all-
too-quick about face when the time came to vote
on Canada's ridiculous Gun Registry. Peter Stoffer's
vote allowed the Registry to live. Knowing how
our government works I see another decade or two of
pouring billions more tax dollars into something
that will have no impact on the average Canadian -
except to contribute to continued lousy education,
health care and a significant national pension program.
Like most Canadians I would not mind being as highly
taxed as we are, if our monies were being well spent.
At any rate...I do have to compliment Peter Stoffer.
I sent the Email as it appears in my previous blog -
and within 72 hours he was on the phone to me.
Clearly he continues to respond personally to all
communications with his riding residents - and he
thanked me for letting him know how I felt about
his actions and him. It wasn't a long conversation.
But I would like to think that in his position
I too would respond to calls both good and bad. I'm
not sure I'd bother.
Okay item second...if you check out the website
www.atlanticgolfradio.com you will not only find
all kinds of new, helpful, golf tips you will
also find a story of tremendous kindness that involves
a member at Oakfield Golf and Country Club and a
friend and former employee of the golf course whose
having a bad time with his health and finds himself
unable to " get out much anymore." Read more about
this on the "Links" page on the website.
This third item is something that will be shortlived
only because it involves an event coming this weekend.
I consider myself most fortunate to have been invited
a year and a half ago to join a group of mostly retirees
who get together once a week to play music.
Initially any thoughts of performing in public were
beyond consideration, but the 11 or 12 of us involved
have come to be known as "Good Company." We are now
performing at special local fundraising events and
other community get togethers - and I am having a
ball doing it. The music page on the website (or you
can just google "Don Grose Music") is a page
dedicated to a great group of people - a group of
people I consider myself most blessed to have come
to know - and a group of folks I look forward to seeing
anytime we meet. Check it out at your leisure.
That's it..I gotta go...but as Edison once said...
" I haven't made any mistakes...I've just found
a thousand ways that don't work."
Til next time...hittem long and hittem straight...
Go Tiger !

Violated

2010-09-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

The following is the "nuts' of an email I sent to my Member
of Parliament this morning.
I am really pissed...I'm not against gun controls...I am against
the government putting billions of dollars behind a "long gun
registry" that never was going to work, is proven to have been
a waste of time, and does nothing to deter the gun - toting criminal.

"Peter Stoffer,

I don’t know what you’ve been promised – I am convinced you’ve been
bought.
I had never even considered voting NDP until I moved into your riding.
You impressed me as an all too rare politician of integrity and character.
I admit to having been fooled.
My lack of respect for public servants is the direct result of their irresponsible
spending of our tax dollars. The instances of our politicians directing hundreds
of millions of dollars to support toothless, worthless, ineffective “longgun registries” is criminal in it’s representative lack of accountability and personal character.
“Gun registry’s” accomplish nothing except provide a place for government
friends to be hidden from public view where they get a nice paycheck and
ultimately a pension for life. The Conservatives to their credit are trying to
reduce the burden in this regard.
Please provide me with both the authors and the final results of the survey
in our riding that led you to change your position. "Survey ???"
What a bunch of bunk !
You are the reason why participation in our electoral system continues to
decline…you have won your riding not because of the party you represent
but because your competition was at best unknown – or known and a
candidate of the ilk of the all too visible Gary Hines.
But with this one move – everyone I have spoken to feels as “violated”
as do I…Your about turn on the issue was not in my mind a change of
heart. It was thinly veiled opportunism. Politics…nothing more than
irresponsible, self - serving politics supported by lies and deception.
Very, very disappointing Peter…be proud…you’ve never had a higher
national profile – although I must say that most of the National TV
coverage painted you in a primary color of suspicion. "

This is going to be something that I am going to start doing on a
regular basis. I am going to send copies of this to the newspaper
with hopes they print it. It's high time we let our representatives
know that we expect more.
Watched the Leafs second exhibition game this season...Do I dare
feel encouraged ? Am I alone in wondering if Ron Wilson is the
guy ? I'm glad I missed their first game and the goals they scored
were less than classic - and that continued against Philly in game
three in London...bottom line...doesn't matter HOW you fill the
net - the only thing that matters is IF you fill the net.
Jose Bautista got his 50th Home Run for the Blue Jays this season
last night. Too bad Rogers has decided to make watching Jays games
on the tube something you'll have to have a subscription to do...
Do you get the feeling that there is no one out there that doesn't
exist to be the one that reaches into your pocket and gets your last
nickel. Dear Sportsnet One...I was a Yankees fan before the
Jays came along and for the price of your subscription you may
force me to join the millions who back a winner...I've watched a game
at the Skydome before, I will no longer use the stadium's most recent
name, and frankly, I think the Jays have a losing record when I'm
in attendance there as well.
Now that I have that out of my system...I will play golf twice this
weekend...I hope to inch my handicap down to a career low 5...
two games in the mid 70's will do it...if you don't hear from me
for the next six months you'll know I posted two games in the
mid 80's and I'm in a deep depression...or I have amnesia
and have forgotten how to type....or I've decided to launch a
coast to coast tour with my new band, "Ersel Twings Gwoup of
Stwings" and we're lost somewhere between and the Nova Scotia
New Brunswick border...
Have to go...busy day ahead..Make it a good day..Enjoy it..
Relish every moment...and for Gods Sake don't accept
whining as your first response... Maaan -UUUUp !
Happy Trials...

It's Gotta Be A Nightmare....

2010-09-13T12:08:00.000-07:00

Everyday something - at least one thing - sometimes
significant - more often less so - happens that leaves
me shaking my head...For example.
Last evenning Charlene and I were watching TV - watching
a documentary on how a Senior Crown Attorney in Manitoba -
had falsely - not erroneously - but falsely - had a series of
unfortunates imprisoned for life for murders they had not-
and the Crown Attorney knew well they had not - committed.
They spent anywhere from 6 to 23 years in jail before
their convictions were finally overturned. They were
free....but so was the Crown Attorney who had withheld
evidence, paid informers to perjure themselves and
generally run amuck with our legal system. Makes
you wonder, with this individual himself not spending his
dying years in jail, who we think we're fooling in this
country even referring to it as a "justice" system.
Congratulations to the CBC for doing a nice job on the
Canadian Country Music Awards last night...seriously..
I was golfing yesterday with an individual - I will not
use the word gentleman - whose name I will also refrain
from using. I will say that this fellow has spent his
career in and out of the unsavoury world of politics in
this province, and I had heard rumours about his dubious
conduct on the course....but until I witnessed it for
myself I have to say I had had a hard time believing what
I'd heard. Until that is, he, with the backs of his
fellow golfers turned, attempted to tap in a two footer
- missed - and hastily put his ball back in it's original
position - and marked it. Then when his turn came he
made the second attempt and proudly claimed his par.
I could not resist the temptation and admitted out loud
that I was unfamiliar with the "do-over" rule and asked
whether it was limited to shots on the green or whether
it could be used anywhere. He didn't seem overly disquietted
by the fact that his blatant cheating had been noted by
those with whom he played..in fact he did it again before
the game was over and used his "par" to steal the honors
from the third member of our group who'd struggled all
day and finally had enjoyed a good hole...a legitimate good hole.
So much for honor, integrity and good sportsmanship.
I couldn't help myself...At games end I had to tell this
lizard that I had found this experience and specifically
his behaviour both shocking and offensive and beyond
anything I'd ever witnessed...frankly I don't think I
said anything he hadn't heard before...Astounding really.
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that golfers will be
the death of the game.
I am the first to admit that I am probably a pain in the
ass on the golf course. While I try not to take things
too seriously, I am prone to "losing it" when others are
talking when I'm over the ball. I find it most interesting
that people, intelligent people, otherwise considerate
people, people who profess to know all the rules and think
nothing of talking about others who offend for any variety
of reasons, feel that what they have to say is of greater
importance and urgency than someone else's shot. These
are the same people who are most offended when they find
themselves in a divot or a bunker that was not properly raked.
We're not talking about people who are new to the game.
I wonder whether it is arrogance, whether it's just not
thinking, whether they are suffering from the same feeling of
entitlement with which Tiger Woods partially explained his
fall from grace, or whether frankly they've simply just stopped
caring. Doesn't matter really - the sportsmanship, and honor so
integral to the heart of the game are what suffer ultimately -
and that's too bad.
In Ottawa they're spending more time and money on the long gun
registry...Here is another glimmering example of why our seniors
live in fear of not having a roof over their heads or a dignified
level of care in their final years...why kids are going hungry and
not getting the direction, education, or lifeskills training
they deserve and why our veterans get treated like garbage.
I personally favor having controls on gun ownership...but not if
these controls are in the hands of our politicians. When are we
going to finally look at the bill the thugs in Ottawa are running
up over gun control and realize if that money were going into
health care, elder care, education, and infrastructure everybody
in this country could have a gun and no one would have a reason to
use one ! Look at how much tax renenue our three levels of
government raise each year ! What do we get for it ? And what are
we doing about it ? Canadian Business should rally and refuse any
increase in Canada Pension payments - Canadian citizens should
demand their MP's come up with a five year plan to reduce
the size of government by 30 percent and increase productivity
by 50 percent. Do Canadians need a CBC ? Do Canadians need a CRTC ?
Do Canadians need the Canadian Gun Registry ? Do we need to be
allowing illegal immigration ? Do we really want our politicians
spending hundreds of millions of dollars hosting lavish Summit
meetings ? I think the time has come we start demanding
responsibility and accountability of those who represent us.
Oh my...this was supposed to be a fairly mild return to the blog...
Maybe tomorrow there'll be something more casual upon which to
comment...and by the way...Rogers...I think your idea of subscription
"live" sports TV on Rogers 1 is the absolute end of blind greed and
shortsightedness....good luck with that.
Til next time...Happy Trials..
Don

When Air Canada meets the Walmart Greeter

2010-01-31T06:52:00.001-08:00

It occured to me sitting in a packed Air Canada Air Bus awaiting
a recent midnight take off from Pearson International in Toronto,
that Air Canada is guilty of either shooting itself in the foot
in an attempt at suicide, or simply - it's employees - just
don't care - are told not to care - can't care - won't care - or
are so busy doing other things - they don't have time to care...
I don't think it's the latter.
Okay - let's start from the assumption that an airline's primary
function is to get you and your luggage from your starting point
to your destination in a timely fashion.
I have not always been able to say that Air Canada's been much
good at that...but I have to admit that on this particular journey
they achieved a passing grade...low expectations were a factor but
I will resist the temptation to go off in another direction.
On this particular occasion I overlook the issues of leaving late
twice in a four departure equation. I also choose to overlook the
fact that the flight attendant was too busy to ( or didn't care
enough to - or chose not to ....) reset my inflight
movie after it jammed - I had to ask her twice - twenty minutes
between requests - consequently missing the final few minutes of
the movie which is in itself a royal pain in the behind.
No, I overlook all that...but let me pose a scenario to you.
What would the future entail for the Walmart Greeter who cornered
you as you entered the store with .." Hi...My name is Bert.
I'm your greeter today...Our entire staff is here to make your
shopping experience one which is rich, memorable, and fullfilling.
In a few minutes I will corner you again and go through an entire
list of safety rules - God help us if we ever need them - but
that can all wait until you're actively involved in something
other than just getting comfortable." Sixty - ninety seconds later
as you guide your cart up the first isle of interest, Bert accosts
you again..." By the way - our manager today is Harry...his assistant
is Bernice and they both hope your shopping experience is rich,
memorable and fullfilling. ( Rich, memorable and fullfilling are
words chosen by some expensive consultant hired by head office to
ensure that Walmart is both different and better than its
competition....yawn. )By the way, you will be shopping today at an
elevation of 648 feet above sea level...thanks for shopping at
Walmart." No sooner do you lose sight of Bert when the Walmart PA
system comes on..." Hi shoppers...this is your manager Harry...
My assistant, Bernice and I , and infact our entire staff is here
to ensure that your shopping experience - sorry but I have to say
this - is rich , memorable and fullfilling...You're shopping today
at 648 feet above sea level...thanks for choosing Walmart."
Suddenly out of nowhere - there's Bert - right back in your face -
and he repeats word for word what Harry just said , but in French.
Funny - nothing in your cart but you're starting to experience
an irritation just south of your tailbone.
You get a break for a minute or two and then Bert comes back with his
safety message - he disappears for 30 seconds or so and then
comes back and does safety enfrancais and then just before you
complete the second isle of your buying trip - Bert comes back
to tell you if you like he will fleece you for a sandwich or drink
and he'd really like it if you had the correct change...and then
he does it again - en francais.
The headlines would all read - " Another Walmart greeter mysteriously
crushed in shopping cart mishap."
I've been in Walmart twice that I can remember...neither time was
anything more than aware of the existence of a greeter.
Until they can come up with a somewhat more entertaining routine
and I somehow think that's a stretch, I would recommend Air Canada
give some serious thought regarding the way in which they deliver
all the required information they choose share. I would recommend
a brief burst as soon as all are seated - another quick burst just
prior to taxiing out to the runway - and if needed anything else
as soon as they are in the air.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I don't care who the Captain
is much less his co-pilot, don't care what the flight attendants
names are, don't care how high or how fast we fly...
Air Canada needs to focus on some details...how can they make
the time their customers are imprisoned as pleasant as possible ?
PA chatter is annoying at the best of times. Needless PA chatter
is needlessly annoying. Needless PA chatter and other needless
distractions that force your attention from reading, TV, music,
movies, or just some much desired sleep do little to enhance the
flying experience. Air Canada this message is for you.
Big trade in the NHL today...the Leafs acquired defenseman Dion
Phaneuf from Calgary, and former Moosehead JS Giguere from
Anaheim...Sorry..it's not enough.
The golf season has started...no Tiger...is anyone watching ?
Check out the music page at the website...atlanticgolfradio.com.
lot's of fun stuff happening there...hope you enjoy it.
Happy Trials....

Triumphant Returns

2009-12-13T07:10:00.000-08:00

Unless you are deaf, dumb, blind and totally unaware
of the world around you - you have already tired of the
turmoil, chaos, plane crash, train collision, eruption,
boil, epidemic, tumour, and simple disaster that is
reflected in all that has been written about the personal
life of one Tiger Woods.
The last thing anyone cares about or needs is my two cents
worth. So here I go....
Will Tiger Woods come back and when he comes back what
should we expect ?
Yes Tiger Woods will be come back and when he returns he
will become an even bigger "star".
Tiger Woods will command even bigger endorsement contracts.
Tiger Woods will continue to do amazing things both on the
golf course and through his foundation.
And when Tiger Woods retires from golf he will be the most
beloved professional athlete of all time.
All of this will come to pass regardless of whether he
remains married to the current Mrs. Woods and whether he
is ever found again to be out playing the tom cat.
The fact is that we love the story of the individual that
picks him/herself off the canvas more than we love the story
of the unblemished hero. Can you think of a modern hero that
is unblemished ? I can't.
The fact is that today we spend ridiculous amounts of time
and money looking for blemishes on our heros.
Celebrity brings with it many ills - but as a society we have
a very short memory where celebrity indiscretion is concerned.
Bill Clinton is likely more of a draw today because of Monica
Lewinski than if "the page beneath the desk" had never existed.
Kobe Bryant, Ray Lewis, Alex Rodriquez - tainted stars who've
eventually emerged unscathed from public scrutiny.
In fact, the only high profile cheater to pay a huge price in
my memory is Pete Rose and that's a blog for another time.
In our society, sadly we casually turn blind as our
policitians daily lie to us and steal from us - if you accept as
theft the grossly inappropriate ways they spend our money.
In our society today we'll be outraged for a week or two and
then another scandal will take over the headlines and the
spotlight on Tiger will fade until he decides the time is
right to return.
I don't beleive that we will see Tiger Woods until he is at
the point where his game - mechanically, emotionally and
intellectually is at a level that no one has ever seen.
When Tiger returns he will win like we've never seen him win
before and that is the only thing that will impact his
legacy.
If Mrs. Woods can ever forgive him - their family will be fine.
Within a year the public will have forgotten all about this.
I have a feeling - and I could be all wet - that Tiger Woods
is every bit the family man he was the day he got married.
Tiger Woods was never a kid - never a kid like most kids. He
made his first golf appearance on national TV before
he was of kindergarten age.He was groomed to be a machine - a
golf machine - the greatest golf machine ever created. He
was groomed to think right, swing right, putt right , treat
the media with undue respect, and to be steely cold in the
pursuit of purpose.
Tiger never learned to be a goof. I would be very surprised
to learn that Tiger ever had the freedom, or for what we know
the inclination, to be a sixteen year old underage drinker
sporting a lovely fresh barf design on the shirt that he wore
to charm any unwitting victim in a skirt at the school dance.
I'm guessing that Tiger lived out his early teens
( and was a goof ) in his late 20's and early 30's only after
his guide, his father had passed on.
Take any 16 year old that I grew up with - give him
Tiger's looks, money and power and the fact that no one would
ever say "no", and - well - that story does not end well.
Jack Nicklaus was asked to comment on Tiger's situation...
He said it was none of his business but that Tiger was an
incredible athlete and that he would figure it all out.
He will figure it all out.
I was watching PBS last night - perish the thought - during
the Leafs game with Washington. PBS Detroit was broadcasting
a special on Peter, Paul and Mary.
I think it was the last special produced before the recent
passing of Mary Travers.
Whether you like their music or not theirs is a compelling
story. Three very distinct voices and styles and after 43
years of performing they still had the ability to hold an
audience. The thing that I respect most - admire the most -
is that they were true to their craft. It was always acoustic based.
Guitars, and three part harmony and the material was always
appropriate for anyone.
I remember seeing them in concert in Hamilton, Ontario probably
30 years ago. I remember becoming emotional watching Peter, Paul
and Mary sing - and watching the entire audience, pre-school to
great grand parent, swaying to and fro singing right along with
them....Puff the Magic Dragon, If I Had a Hammer...
" The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the
wind."
By the way - the Leafs won.
Til next time - Happy Trials.
Don

Tis the Season to be Excessively Excessful

2009-12-02T03:23:00.001-08:00

It was supposed to be five degrees...and sunny. Even under
those conditions the 25 kilometre per hour winds would
promise to be a factor - a challenge. It never got to
five degrees - and although the forecast was for mostly
sunny skies - the sun made only brief appearances - and the
winds were only diminished when we found ourselves hidden
in trees guarding the fairways. Certainly standing outside
the car before we started I questioned the wisdom of trying
to squeeze one last golf game in on the final Sunday in
November.
We were playing Granite Springs, and I have to say that once
we got walking it was very pleasant. We teed off at noon.
It took three holes and four or five lost balls to feel
anything like I'd found a swing but boy it was nice to be
out enjoying another round seemingly stolen from the long,
forboding off-season.
Woke up this morning to snow on the ground.
Sent out an Atlantic Golf Radio Newsletter last night - a week
overdue - and heard back from Jason that they were going to
try to play Eaglecrest in Centreville today...Maybe they
escaped the snow. Good luck with it...although I have secured
my clubs in their spot for the winter I have not totally given
up on the idea that there may yet be another game before the
curtain is finally closed on Golf 09...I'll be watching the
forecast with something more than a casual eye. Friday is
sunny and 10 degrees...Saturday's not quite as good.
Not that I need anything more to do. Work's busy and I've got
two or three projects on the go involving music.
The Monday night group is playing for a Senior's Christmas
Concert in Grand Lake this coming weekend..preparations
have been on-going for several weeks and we have a final
rehearsal Saturday...I play bass which is fun because I
am not and never have been a bass player so I take what
limited knowledge and ability I have and apply it as
best as I can...very similar to the way I approach golf...
and anything else frankly....I'm also working with another
aging folkie, a retired Dal Prof, whose coming over to
record some music. The songs are songs that at some point
we will perform publicly, likely for residents in Seniors
facilities at least to start, and who knows from there.
Anyway, I will take the songs we record and add bass and
guitar and harmonies...the process is the same as the one
used in the music you will find at www.atlanticgolfradio.com
on the music page...just old favorites of mine that I dissect
and reassemble, and reengineeer until I come up with something
that I think is presentable - entertaining in some capacity.
The attraction is the journey - each end result is temporary.
Briefly...what a great Grey Cup Game ! CFL fans have got to
be pleased even though it must sting to be a Green Rider...
Should any of us be surprised at Tiger's accident ? Too bad
on soooo many levels...even golfers are human. I'm thinking
there is such a thing as too much excess...
The Leafs beat the Habs last night...there's nothing left
to say. Except..in the words of Jimmy Buffett.
"I spent four lonely days in the brown LA haze and I just want
you back by my side...."
Lovely.
Til next time....Happy Trials.
Don

And The Winner IS.....

2009-11-07T02:59:00.000-08:00

A 16 year old kid , Ben Fanelli, lies in serious but
stable condition - upgraded from critical -
in a southern Ontario hospital.
This young man was the victim of a vicious hit in an
Ontario Hockey League game October 30. Reports
indicate that the rookie defenseman for the Kitchener
Rangers is beginning to show signs of responsiveness -
his injuries skull and facial fractures.
Here's a 16 year old kid - 16 years old - he'd been
slammed into the end boards retrieving a puck behind
his net.
In the blink of an eye the game changed. Life changed.
What is supposed to be a game - changed. Lightning
struck on the head of a pin. An entire set of references
changed in the time it took for his motionless body
to hit the ice.
Here's a teenager doing what he loves to to do - what he
has done his entire life - stricken by a 20 year old -
doing what he loves to do - what he has done his entire
life. Both players were playing a game the way they have
been schooled to play - both playing at a very high
level - competing in a game - attractive at least in part
due to it's violent nature and both intent on earning
a future spot in a still higher level of the game.
The OHL - league Commissioner David Branch - suspended
the 20 year old journeyman enforcer Michael Liambis
for the rest of the season and the playoffs...
his junior hockey career thus ended.
I don't often find myself agreeing with Philadelphia Flyer
legend Bobby Clarke but I have to say that in this case
Clarke is absolutely correct. During an NHL telecast after
the incident Clarke called the suspension "ridiculous."
Clarke correctly pointed out that the hit was perfectly
legal...vicious yes, but at the same time, well within
the rules and in fact, perfectly in line with the way
way this game is played.
Michael Liambis is ( was ) an overage enforcer for the Erie
Otters. The Otters describe the suspension as extreme.
Liambis himself appears to still be in shock. His intent,
he says was never to injure and he seems genuinely contrite.
Clarke correctly says that the OHL has to change the rules
to better protect its players - and suspending a player for
doing what he's in the lineup to do - is wrong.
Liambis is more than a "goon." Liambis is a junior
hockey player whose been recognized for his volunteer work
in his Erie community - working with the Shriners and
reading to kids...He's articulate and appears to be a
thoughtful young man.
I hold faint hope that both the players involved in this
incident will a couple of decades down the road prove to
have emerged successfully.
I sincerely hope that Ben Fanelli gets his health back and
is able to return to his promising career in hockey.
I sincerely hope that Liambis is able to get his head around
this and that he is not spoiled, embittered, feeling
discarded, rejected, and used.
This is a very sad story involving two very clear victims.
On another note - let me ask you a question.
Are you among those outraged by the H1N1 vaccination fiasco ?
Could government(s) have been less efficient ? While the
ever present finger pointing continues at Province House
and Parliament Hill the flu vaccination screw-up is nothing
more than the latest evidence that neither our provincial
or federal politicians are capable of anything other than
padding their own bottomless pockets and wasting our money.
It is not the fault of our elected representatives.
It is the fault of our highly paid, totally unaccountable and
untouchable civil service. I can only hope I live to see the
day that questions aren't just asked - but answered - and
those who clearly failed to plan and execute leaving the
public at risk and vulnerable, are taken to task.
Speaking of wasting money...Ontario's hosting the 2015
Pan Am Games. Hurray !!! There were high-fives all around
at the announcement yesterday. Terrrriffficc !!! I'm
excited...Everyone I know will either travel to southern
Ontario or gather anxiously in front of their TV's
to watch...The Pan Am Games...The Ontario and Federal
governments are both on the hook for something in the
neighbourhood of 500 million dollars or so
- EACH - what did it cost to launch the bid ?
$ 200 million ? With education, healthcare, our Federal
pension programs, and infrastructure all in the shitter
it's a comfort to me that we continue to toss around
hundreds of millions of dollars - which become billions
of dollars - taxpayers dollars - on things as critical
as Pan Am Games.
And then the Yankees win the World Series...next year
they will add Doc Halladay from the Jays roster - the
Yankees will lose ten games all year and the Jays will
win ten and Major League Baseball will be as it should.
Funny world we live in, isn't it ?
Yesterday's snows remain on the ground - tomorrow's tee time
appears at risk...Despite that - I will have a
good day today - and a good day tomorrow - and hope that
you enjoy the same good fortune.
Happy Trials...
Don

There's a New Chill Moving In

2009-10-14T17:57:00.000-07:00

I struggled off the golf course going on five and a half
hours ago...it was bitter. You expect bitter playing golf
this time of the year, in this part of the world - but this
was -BITTER -...If it got warmer than eight degrees today
it woud be a surprise to me...and the wind was searing...
cutting...my four layers of clothing restricted my swing
but seemed to do nothing to dull the cruel impact of the
impending change of seasons. By the time was final putt
crashed into the bottom of the cup every joint throbbed.
My feet hurt, my ankles and knees had given all they had
to give, and it was only forceful, conscious thought that
kept my back from siezing up all together. It's hard slugging
when it's cold and damp and the fairways are all saturated
from rains that moved off just 12 hours before.
More rain in the forecast tomorrow night - two more events
this week - Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
It's bad enough your body's not moving the way it needs to -
but when it's this cold the ball simply does not compress
off the club face, and anything less than perfect impact feels
like you've just hit a rock...I hit a lot of rocks today.
When we were done I had to excuse myself from customary
libations and social niceties, knowing that if I sat down
in the warm clubhouse, I would have been locked there until
my back decided I'd paid the appropriate toll to move.
I got home and immediately sat two turns in the steaming
whirlpool tub....After supper we got caught up on the two
episodes of Dexter we'd missed this season and then Charlene
went upstairs and I turned on TSN to watch the Oilers and
Blackhawks.
I wonder if either of those two entertaining teams would be
winless in seven if they played in Toronto ....Gawd it's fun
watching good hockey...Gawd it's demoralizing being the fan
of a Toronto sports franchise. The Jays, the Argos, the Leafs
and the Raptors all give new meaning to the expression -"in
complete disarray." Is there any hope ?
Spent last weekend in Philadelphia attending my brother in law
Andrew's wedding. What a tremendous weekend ! Andrew and his
bride Robyn, families from both sides well represented, the
weather held out and everything went off without a hitch...well,
except for the planned "hitching." Even the airlines failed to
cause anyone major discomfort. Met some really nice people and
I have to say that Philly impressed me greatly. It is a city I
would not mind visiting again - when I had a week. Art, culture,
history - and I escaped without having sampled a cheesesteak.
We've come a long way.
For the last several days - since we got back I been working
in the studio - pleased that the material that's resulting is
improving.The vocals are starting to come around, the harmonies
are getting a little tighter and I'm even starting to experiment
a little with my guitar playing. I'll likely post something
new on the music page of the www.atlanticgolfradio.com website
in the next couple of days and will continue to try to post
something new every week...feel free to drop in for the visit.
I hope you enjoy the music. Chances are I won't be straying far
from my folk, light pop, light country comfort zone but I am not
operating under any illusion that there's a career out there for
me...the material is simply songs that have stuck with me for
one reason or another that I like to play...and I hope you'll like
them too.

" I like the way , that your hair falls away, when the night
brings a candle to you.
And I like to stare, as you come down the stairs, when the
light fron the landing shines through...."

Renaisance David Bradstreet.
You can hear David do that song on U Tube in concert in Hamilton from
the mid 70's...really nice.

That's it...gottta run.
Happy Trials.
Don

Ace !

2009-09-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Golf is a funny game...
I was really looking forward to our 8:08AM tee this morning.
I always look forward to our weekend tee times - but yesterday
I thought several times about how nice it was going to be to
tee it up with our regular Saturday group.
I arrived at the golf course as I always do, just a few minutes
prior to teeing it up - and hit a few putts and few chips - and
off we went...My start was less than stellar. Two balls in the
woods off the tee. We found the first one - unplayable. Chipped
out, left my approach short, left my chip short and rammed home
a 12 footer for a double.
By the time I was done stickhandling through the first nine I was
nine over par and not particularly enamored with the state of my
game. I parred the first hole on the back thanks to a longer than
should have necessary putt so again; I was not feeling particularly
bouyed. Even when I birdied the next hole I was still pretty
discouraged by my performance.
Now it's interesting...in the past couple of weeks while playing
well I'd hit a couple of shots on par threes that looked like
they might have a chance. In one case my ball wound up four inches
past the hole, appearing to have lipped out. From 170 yards away
it's difficult to tell. And then there was Ken who was telling me
about his wife who'd taken up the game two years ago and got a hole
in one last week using her driver on a 140 yard shot...40 years
I've been golfing...and then there's Alice, a friend from Oakfield
who recently got her fourth hole in one firing her career best 75.
40 years I've been playing this game...
So this morning I stood up on the 3rd tee ( we started on the back
nine ) and set up to hit my fall back big draw...I don't remember
thinking about much other than it was windy and cold and that the
ball hadn't been carrying much so I took one more club than usual.
I put a good swing on it - it started well right of the green and
began to descend left toward the intended target.The ball hit the
right edge of the green and rolled forward, arcing left...and then
it disappeared...I turned to the others in the group and their
reactions confirmed what I had beleived I'd seen...It's in !!!
High fives all around. I think I laughed...I wasn't sure what else
to do...My first hole in one. The rest of the round seemed to be
happening in another place far removed from my own little world.
I missed a lengthy birdie putt on the next hole and the two footer
for par...bogeyed the next...topped a ball into the water on the
following hole and well - the rest of the round is best described
as surreal..One good shot I hit I had a four iron in my hand when
I thought I was hitting a six...I will say no more.
Pressure's off now thankfully. I no longer have to worry about
playing golf all my life without making a hole in one...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight...
Don

And Then The Slug Says.......

2009-09-07T15:56:00.000-07:00

So I'm at the golf course Saturday morning - doing all the
things I know I'm supposed to do to properly prepare for
a good game of golf. Stretch for ten or fifteen minutes,
hit a few shots on the driving range to properly loosen
up - take at least that long to work on chipping and
putting - and then take a minute or two prior to
getting to the first tee to review the game plan and
get focussed...Okay...so anyone who knows me knows that's
a pile of ....bunk...to put it mildly. Roughly 95 percent
of the time I roll into the parking lot at the golf course
no more than 3.2 minutes before my tee time..just enough
to squeeze my carcass out of the car, get my shoes on, get
my clubs on my cart - and hustle on over to the tee. If I
get to hit three or four putts before I play, you see, I
find the whole exercise too mentally taxing. I tire easily.
But Saturday morning was different. Pre-game routine was
roughly the way I normally play except that one of the guys
playing in the group after us came over and asked the
always intriquing question..." Did I tell you the Slug
story ?" There is a multitide of ways one can respond,
but I chose the most direct and genuine..."No " I said.
So into the slug story he launched...
Guy was spending the evenning at the cottage and decided
he'd go out on the veranda to enjoy a little summer air.
As he approached the door he heard a faint scratching
noise coming from the other side. He openned the door
to find a slug which he promptly picked off the door
and hurled into the nearby bushes.
Three years later - the same guy was in his same cottage -
about the same time of day - when he heard a faint scratching
from the other side of the door...he openned the door and
found a slug - the slug looked up and him and said, " What
was that all about ? "
I have been chuckling about that since I heard it...now
that's funny.
No joke about Steve Stricker winning the second stage of the
PGA Fedex Cup Playoffs. Tiger had a great day but he was,
admittedly too long gone for it to mean much. Stricker on
the other hand has rallied very nicely from an earlier
"tough time" to become one of the tour's truly nice guys,
and as his record would indicate, a very solid, solid,
performer. Perhaps that is one of the sport's charms.
It's most attractive personalities are articulate,
genuine, humble, and respectful. It represents a refreshing
departure from the stars of any other sport...Stricker
now has the lead over Tiger in the Fedex Cup rankings
adding a little meaning to the waning days of the PGA
Tour season.
What a wonderful weekend...sunny and warm ( although there
is little doubt a change in season is rapidly approaching ),
there is a briskness to the air that I thoroughly enjoy.
My golf weekend was exhilirating with a 78 Saurday,
a 78 Sunday with consecutive birdies on the first and
second hole, and a 79 Monday with a birdies strung
together on holes one , two and three...on the third
hole, a 170 yard par three it appeared that I lipped
out...even I couldn't miss the three inch putt I had
left...for a moment I thought I had canned that elusive
ace...I have never had a one...but I've only been playing
thirty or thirty five years - and I only play 70-80
games a year...okay so now I'm depressed...well as
depressed as I can get - and that's okay by me.
Back to work tomorrow...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Awaiting The Arrival Of The Storm

2009-08-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

It won't be the first time we've had a face-to-face with a
hurricane. Little did I know when we moved the family to the
east coast of Canada back in '91 that we were headed for what
would ( might ) become hurricane alley.
Our introduction to a storm with real teeth was Hurricane
Juan in September 2003.
The only reason I will forever remain familiar with the date,
is that we had just moved into our brand new home. Literally,
just moved in. With the aid of friends we had moved all of
our boxed possessions into our new home in a small community
about ten Kilometres away. We were tired by the time we got
everything into the new house so we set up the bed - and
went to sleep.
I remember waking up at about 4AM and looking out the window
and thinking, " That's quite a storm." Little did I know.
When we got up under the benefit of morning light our
intention had been to scamper over to the old house and do
some final cleaning for the new owners and finalize the sale.
Well....there must have been 50 trees down across our new
driveway. I found our chainsaw and took an hour or two
cutting a path to get the car out so we could get over to the
old house. We had no idea what we might find there but based on
what we found at the new house we were prepared for anything.
As we were to discover both old house and new were right in
Juan's path. There was a mature tree leaning up against the
new house and peeking into the second story bathroom window.
There was a second mature tree blown up against the second
story deck off the kitchen. A third tree had been uprooted
and thrown against one of our cars the miracle being that
damage was limited to some dents in the hood. The other car
escaped unscathed.Over at the old house - the structure
itself was unblemished but a couple of towering, stately
hemlocks had succumbed under the strain of 100 + Kilometre
and hour winds - turning a once very secluded seeming back
yard into a new "open concept" whose appeal was from my
perspective - at the very least - lacking. But thankfully
the fallen trees had done so away from the house - and
no one was hurt at either place...the outcome could have
been so much different. It took a good eighteen months
to heal the scars where whole stands of trees had been
uprooted or snapped like matchsticks and the
neighbourhoods once again assumed something akin to
residential elegence...
The worst I suppose was the two weeks where we suffered
with no power. Imagine living in the city for two weeks
without electricity. Now imagine living in rural Canada
where you rely on a pump to retrieve water from your well -
and a pump to make your septic system function. Two
weeks without showers and toilets far exceeds an
inconvenience.
I'm watching Hurricane Bill with some interest. Fingers
crossed that Nova Scotia Power is better equipped to
handle extreme conditions than it was six years ago.
So far, so good...the hurricane did force us to cut short
a vacation in Ottawa where we had the rare good fortune
of having both my sons Tyler and Matt and Matt's beautiful
family, both my brothers and their terrific partners all
together at Mom's house.
Charlene and I arrived Wednesday. We flew in - our first
experience with Porter Airline. Tyler and I had the
chance to golf at his home course "Grayhawk" in Ottawa's
east end with Matt and family not arriving until later
in the day. Poor Mom...she worked for weeks preparing
for the gathering, and when we left she was still hard at
it. We left a day earlier than planned. With Hurricane
Bill gaining strength in the Atlantic it became apparent
that flying home as scheduled on Sunday was not going
to happen. Porter had already tried to contact us when
I reached them mid morning Saturday. We had seats on a
plane headed for Halifax at 2PM yesterday and by 5PM
Halifax time we were back home. Having suffered through
several bad experiences flying with Air Canada my
expectations had been low trying Porter for the first time.
Full marks to Porter. Hassle free, error free and
reasonable...that's all you want. We will definitely fly
Porter next time we travel to Ottawa or Toronto.
I actually considered heading out to the golf course this
morning to see if I could get a game in before "Bill"
flexed. When I got out of bed at 6AM it was raining
with gusto so I shelved that idea. By 6:15 the rain had
stopped but by 10AM the rains were back so I am pleased
I resisted the temptation. It's coming down heavily
now so I am going to to sign off now...in case the power
goes off.
Stay dry and may the light be with you...
Don

Drowning In The Wake Of What Might Have Been

2009-07-22T14:15:00.000-07:00

If you receive the weekly Atlantic Golf Radio E-Newsletter
I've already touched on just how unfair I am reminded the
game of golf can be.
Turnberry , Scotland...last week. The 2009 ( British ) Open
Golf Championship. After being teased when aging Greg Norman
set the tempo last year, here was Tom Watson at 59 years old
setting golf tongues all over the world wagging...Tom Watson,
already a five time Open Champion leading from start to the
72nd hole...Tom Watson missing a ten foot putt that would
given him the title - and forcing a playoff with "where have you
been all week" Stewart Cink. Cink had made a birdie on his final
hole to put himself in position. But no one - until the playoff
began was talking about Cink. Cink - a winner on the PGA tour -
but never a Major Winner..Cink - honorable , humble, modest,
certainly capable, but a golfer without the flash and sizzle of
some of golf's younger/other stars..a star without excessive
glitter.
And Watson - capturing everyone's imagination. His swing
seemingly unchanged by the decades - his smile seemingly
unchanged by the spotlight - and his composure seemingly
unchanged by what must have been excrutiating pressure.
Watson's romance with the Open and the people of Britain
is well documented. "Tommy" is an American but he is as
one of their own.
Watson truly loves the game of golf.
He's a student of the game - the way it's properly played -
it's history and traditions - and the way it's stars should be
expected to conduct themselves. Always in control - of the club
in his hand - and his emotions. Fatigue or nerves - what was it
that kept Watson from getting that fateful putt to the hole ?
If the putt had gone in - the story would have been THE GOLF
STORY of all time...the fact that his putt weakly broke away
and slipped right of the target made for just as big a story...
The letdown was every bit as charged as the event itself.
The miss as big a story as Watson's heroic 71 hole affair
with - well - what might have been.
Sadly - lost in all this is Stewart Cink...He received an
appropriate champions welcome home - and there is no doubt
his handlers will start fielding the calls for endorsement
deals - and Cink will be run off his feet for the next
twelve months skipping from million dollar appearance to
million dollar appearance - Everyone wants a piece of the
Open Champion ( Champion Golfer )...
But in the end when golfers talk about the 2009 Open, more
will forget who won than who finished - and how he finished
- second....
So you have to ask yourself..how long is the deal the RCGA
has signed to stage the Canadian Open the week immediately
after the British ? It'll be interesting to see how the
timing of the event affects ticket sales, player participation,
and the galleries. The Canadian Open still doesn't seem
to have captured much marquis attention...too bad.
Gotta go..cleaning and prep work to be done before company
comes tomorrow...
Til next time hittem long and hittem straight.

Canada Day

2009-07-01T15:33:00.000-07:00

So lemme see now...rebuilt the shed, attended to a few other
outstanding domestic chores, managed to squeeze in a game
of golf, a nice supper, and have watched with interest as
NHL teams paid obscene dollars for some Free Agent hockey
players. Still no word at this point where Ottawa star
Danny Heatley will end up - he negotiated a no trade clause
in his year old contract - a new coach came in and demanded
that Heatley work both ends of the ice - so Heatley demanded
a trade. Heatley's not a particularly sought after commodity
so Ottawa worked out the best deal they could with Edmonton -
and Heatley's baulking. No trade clauses should be abolished
in professional sports. When athletes are making 7 to 20
million dollars a year there's not much a coach can do to
get a prima donna's attention. Pro sports is a mess.
Hockey players are better than most despite Heatley's efforts
to tarnish the brand. For my money tennis players are
among the worst on the men's side of things. Andy Roddick and
Roger Federer come to mind immediately. I saw Federer a couple
of weeks ago mistreat a nameless ball boy chasing him around
trying to give him a towel. Federer treated this youngster
with complete and utter indifference bordering on disdain.
Shamefull behaviour from one of the stars of the game.
I won't dither on long here...Except to say that I feel
very fortunate. I enjoy good health, have a terrific family,
a good job, I got my new Martin guitar this week ( replacing
one obtained a year ago that had issues )I play golf
every week with fellas whose company I thoroughly enjoy,
and have enough going on to most days keep me out of
trouble and entertained....
I shot 80 today. Bogeyed two short par fives, three short par
fours and slipped into a deep sleep on three other occasions.
Just another day on the golf course...another Canada Day on
the golf course...Happy Canada Day to you..
Bless.

So....Here's the Deal....

2009-06-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

The polls are closed - the new government for Nova Scotia
has been decided and after all the headlines the story that
has emerged that has everybody scratching their heads is
"Why was there record low voting ?"
Some very smart people are saying we need to educate people
on the system - start explaining the system to school aged
kids - get people to know and understand how the system
works.
There in lies the rub...The most obvious fact that appears
to be overlooked in all this - is that only our politicians
and pension sucking bureaucrats think the system works at
all !
In North America we vote people out of office - we don't
vote people into office. The recent provincial election
in Nova Scotia is a perfect example of how this game is
played.
The people were pissed at Rodney MacDonald and his arrogant
PC's. The Liberal Leader was someone new that no one in the
province had had any chance to get any kind of a "feel" for.
The NDP's banner was carried by a comfortable old shoe
Darrell Dexter....he's been around awhile....
All three are politicians...Darrell Dexter and the NDP
didn't win an election. They were the only remaining choice
for an electorate so frustrated they had no where else to
turn.
The fact is - and the next four years will bear me out -
the party in power will make little difference.After
greasing the wheels of the mega-machine that powers
Province House - we may be further in debt - so far in
debt that generations will be left trying to dig
themselves out - but any apparent improvement in the
quality of life for Nova Scotians will be non-existent.
If taxes on home heating oil are eliminated- and wait lines
at hospitals are reduced we'll be taxed somewhere else.
That's just the way the system works.
Our Provincial and Federal governments already take in a
shameful amount of money..so much so that it's impossible
to keep track of...and that is why there lacks any
accountability for what governments do with our
tax dollars. And that is why the system doesn't work.
And that is why we don't attract leaders to government.
We attract ( with very few exceptions ) people who thrive
in an environment where doing something takes the place
of doing the right thing - and as long as it keeps the heat
down and silences the detractors - something is as good
as we can expect.
I did not vote for the first time...and it felt odd not
doing so. But I have to add my name to the apparently
growing number of people who recognize that our system
is broken...government, our system, is inefficient,
ineffective, unhearing and uncaring.
Those that represent us who do honestly care, and can hear,
unfortunately don't have the strength or power to right the
ship...and so it rolls on and on and on....
Wait until the impending Federal Election...watch the voter
turnout for that one. Wanna bet we set another record.
It is not because we don't care...and it is certainly not
because we don't understand.
People don't vote because the system is broken and that's the
way our politicians and bureaucrats like it.
Hmmmmmm....

I Have An Idea

2009-05-27T17:39:00.000-07:00

What we need is an election...
In Nova Scoltia we don't need -
Better roads....we need an election.
Better health care...we need an election.
Improved education...we need an election.
A better idea of where our tax dollars are going...
we need an election ( lots of tax dollars for that one ).
What a snooze fest. Everyone I speak with finds themselves
grappling with the same dilemna.
Rodney MacDonald has done nothing - and has shown no
indication of having any desire to do anything - other
than be a politician.
Most people I know are deeply afraid of the New Democrats.
Those of us who already cringe at the bulk of government,
the inefficiency of government, and the wanton waste and
abuse of privilege we already see at all three levels of
government in this country cannot fathom what life would
be like with the NDP driving the bus.
The Liberals - they shouldn't be an option.
Even though it was the Federal Liberals under Chretien
who gave arrogance and corruption grand, new meaning -
it's hard to imagine even a Canadian forgiving any
Liberal Party for the stench attached to that brand.
So there you have it...
The bigger problem as I see it is that we are devoid of
leaders in this province. Our politicians are politicians
and nothing more. They talk the talk but it stops there.
I fail to see how any of the choices were are offered has
any kind of plan for making a positive difference. It's
win - and then same old same old is good enough.
I started eating yogurt this week. Every day. I thought
the new active probiotic ingredient was doing wonderful
things for my regularity...then I saw one of the PC's
campaign commercials on TV..."need a government with a
plan - with a proven record"...it may not be the yogurt.
Enough..I had another idea the other day...so a buddy and
I drove down to Berwick Heights Golf Course about 15 minutes
the other side of Kentville, NS. What a pleasant surprise !
I went down there about nine years ago when it first opened
and got a tour of the layout. It was still very rough.
Well from the ugly duckling has emerged a swan.
What a nice golf course..and when you take advantage of the
two play for one green fee that comes with the Lung
Association's Golf Privilege Club booklet , we're talking an
incredible value for your golfing dollar. The holes are
varied, from wide open links style to tight tree lined,
there are short par fours where big numbers are possible
for those who get too ambitious and it seems that
those who take the time to properly map out a strategy
for each hole they can do very well. The greens are large and
beautiful, firm and true...try it sometime. I'm sure, like
me, you'll enjoy it.
Oh, and by the way...the Golf Privilege Club Book. What
a nice thing to have...if you like golf and plan to play
more than three times over the summer you have to get
one. Here's the deal...it's fifty bucks. For your fifty
dollars you get two for one green fees at over 50 courses
in NS, plus courses in PEI and New Brunswick, Maine and
New Hampshire. There are also discounts in the book for
hotels, driving ranges and things like that. If you
want more information google the Lung Association of
Nova Scotia or just pick one up at the nearest Pharmasave.
It's a great deal for you and the money goes to help
kids with breathing problems.
Two dogs are telling me it's time to wrap it up...
Here's hoping for a sunny weekend...no, I mean in
Nova Scotia !
Happy Trials.

Fantasy

2009-05-19T03:07:00.001-07:00

I had a dream last night....
I was walking, sun-bathed through knee-deep, warm, waving, golden
summer grasses in a meadow far removed.
I could hear in the distance carefree, childhood, laughter chasing
dancing butterflies - And there you were - eyes full of joy - and
smiling - always smiling. And there you were.

So...how was your weekend ?
Took Tyler and Kim off to the Airport this morning at 5:30...
Tyler looks great...100 pounds lighter than he was - full of
enthusiasm and obviously happy to have Kim by his side.
Two Maritimers - from Metro - living and meeting in Ottawa.
That's great - and she lived up to the advance rave reviews she
received from Tyler's Grandmother. Nice lady. They have a long
day ahead.
Despite forecasts that called for rotten weather all weekend -
I did manage to squeeze in golf everyday.The final round was
a tournament round and despite having a partner who played
brilliantly enough for us to win our division - I have to
say that six hours on a golf course in any conditions is
ridiculous...ridicuous to inexcusable. I don't care what
the format is - if it can't be played in a maximum of four
and a half hours - it should not be played..even on a
nice day four and a half hours is plenty of time..in the
cold and the rain six hours is not a game - it's a sentence.
As good as the Washington- Pittsburgh series was will
there be anything better than Pittsburgh-Carolina in this
year's run to the Stanley Cup ? Last night's game is going
to be hard to top...
Go Jays !
Gotta run....
Bless

That Was Then - This Is Now

2009-05-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

So nearly a decade or so ago I sort of inherited a golf radio
program - that's the short version of the story and it will
suffice for this exercise. The inheritance kind of came out of
nowhere and while I had an idea of how I wanted to tackle the
beast I was, I freely admit, ill-prepared.
First of all, while I would have no problem talking about golf
for an hour on the radio, there was no chance I would screw up
my weekend morning tee times ! There was also the threat with
my ever present potty mouth that after ten years of not being
on-air to go live might be a source of concern. So, it was
clear that pre-producing the whole shooting match was the
preferred ( only )( sensible ) course of action.
So it began....and eight years later the show appeared to
have outlived it's usefullness - the station that hosted the
program changed format - and it appeared there was no place
for it to go...except the web.
Eight years of pro-tips from some of the region's best known
CPGA Pros, features on some really good golf courses in
the maritimes, some wonderful stories and a collection of
quotes, book reviews and funny conversations with golfers
of all skill levels all now have a new home.
Thanks to my older brother Doug from Ottawa who patiently
held my hand through the process, - the new
www.atlanticgolfradio.com is up and running.
It's still not where I hope it will be - and in the months
ahead you will witness it's transformation - but the basics
are there...please stop by for a visit. I hope you'll enjoy
it.
I saw James Taylor on Elvis Costello's new TV show last week.
It's the only episode I've watched to date - I am not an
Elvis fan - but I have to say I got a tremendous kick out of
the two of them singing "Crying In The Rain." What a great
tune...I remember it being a hit for the Everly Brothers and
was surprised to find out it was written by Carole King.
I took it out to the Monday night group I play with every
week - don't know whether it will make the playlist or not
but there's lots of room in that song for pretty harmonies.
Gotta Go...it's way past my bedtime..I know because the
border collie is whining at the office door - she wants
me to shut it down. We do have a routine after all...
Till next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Is It Just Me ?!?!?

2009-04-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Another birthday comes and goes...
Thanks to all of the wonderful friends who through
facebook, email, phone and cards, thought enough to
say "Hi" and wish me a happy day...even Steve who
said he would come and visit except "old people
depress him..." Now that's funny - I don't care who
you are.
Perhaps it's due to the teen years I spent in Lahr
Germany - or the "beer years" I spent in Kitchener-
Waterloo - but my birthday supper of schnitzel was
a real treat - and the fact that it was the warm-up
to the first game of golf of the year made it all the
more delectable...
With word that Oakfield may be a while yet before it's
greens and fairways beckon - Eaglecrest again this
year was the site of the first tango of the season.
Bad knee held up and the hills didn't stop me so I guess
it's all systems go...Predictably the short game was a
little less than stellar and I'm not sure that I'd reflect
proudly on fairways hit or greens in regulation, but I
did manage a few solid shots and a couple of legitimate
birdies so I'm anxious to tee it up again...like anything
could have happened that would have resulted in anything
else.
Which leads me to - Wells...Vernon Wells. If someone had
told me years ago that I would be watching the Blue Jays
during the Stanley Cup Playoffs I would have protested
enthusiastically...au contraire ! Well...so far this
NHL Post Season I've watched a greater percentage of
Jays inning played than I have playoff periods to date.
Don't get me wrong - I love watching hockey...when it's
played well. But the Caps and Rangers, Hurricanes and
Devils, Blues and Canucks, Calgary and Chicago, Detroit
and Columbus, Anaheim and San Jose, Pittsburgh and Philly
somehow fail to compell. Pittsburgh and the Flyers is a
series with some merit, as is Carolina and New Jersey but
the rest are duds or simply on TV too late..
Now the Blue Jays...suspect pitching after the ace "Doc"
Halladay, potentially powerful offence and Manager Cito
Gaston back at the helm - it's a concoction from which
something magical could emerge.
But I have to say that when I see Vernon Wells - and to a
lesser degree rightfielder Alex Rios leaving runner after
runner on base, coming to the plate representing the two
biggest paycheques on the roster ( among everyday players )
I get really irritated...sandpaper on dry skin irritated.
When I see Wells nonchalantly one hand flies hit to his
field it makes me nuts. Based on nothing else than his status
on the team Wells should be making every effort to
appear focussed and the picture of concentration on every
play. Wells should be setting the standard for his teammates
in the same way that Halladay works harder than any other
pitcher...Wells owes it to his team and the fans.
I was heartened to hear that Kenny Perry who dropped the ball
on the final few holes to lose the Masters is back at it
this week on the PGA Tour. Perry plays his heart out everytime
he tees it up but could be forgiven for taking some time
off to grieve over his Masters Mishap. What changed his
mind prompting him to get back at it as opposed to disappearing
to lick his wounds ? Phil Mickelson, Scott Hoch and Greg
Norman were among those who called Perry to praise him for
his performance and encourage him to look back on the
positives associated with the way he played so well at
Augusta. Perry also reportedly received a truckload of
well wishes from golf fans world wide. He played well -
so very well - and he deserves to look back on the 09 Masters
fondly.
For those who have visited the website www.atlanticgolfradio.com
please be patient. Changes are coming...keep checking in.
Thanks...til next time..hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Hardass

2009-04-05T05:03:00.000-07:00

I am the first to admit..I should avoid listening
to radio talk shows...invariably I emerge from the
car feeling there are things that have not been
said...such was the case Friday...
For discusion - " An individual discovered a thief
stealing his All Terrain Vehicle...he hopped in
his car, chased the guy, ran him off the road and
shot him with his shotgun...he didn't kill him but the
"suspect" is in hospital...Were police justified in
laying charges against the shooter ? "
Respondents both supported the individuals' right to
defend his property and the fact that charges had
been laid. On the one extreme the sentiment was
expressed that the only thing the shooter was
guilty of was being a bad shot and not killing the
thief....the more moderate view was that having your
ATV stolen and tolerating you shooting the thief was
a road down which we dare not go.
My question is why is this happening in Canada ?
How have we gotten to the place where Canadians
would even consider appropriate this kind of
response to the theft of anything - much less a
recreational vehicle ?
The answer is , in my view, Canadians no longer
feel protected by our justice system.
Obviously in any shooting police are justified in
laying charges.
Police are simply doing their jobs following the
letter of the law.
Having said that, would the person in question here
have resorted to gun violence if he were confident
that upon conviction a thief would receive a sentence
that would somehow discourage repeat offences ?
More of our lawbreakers need to do jail time.
More of our jail sentences have to involve serious
jail time.
And our jails should be houses of misery, hard labour,
and frankly places people do not want to go.
Long hours of physical labour, mandatory physical
labour. Nourishment that is nourishment in it's
minimalistic most basic form and life devoid of
luxury. Criminals should be living harder lives
than even our most impoverished families.
As a young court reporter, decades ago, I sat through
the trial of a repeat drunk driving offender who
crashed his car and spent weeks in hospital. A rare
judge showed rare wisdom in ruling that the taxpayer
should not be burdened with the offender's hospital
bills and that he should be responsible for the
costs associated with his recovery.Needless to say
I support a system where anyone who suffers injury
in the process of committing a crime be held
responsible for bills associated with recovery.
We need a system of justice in this country which
respects those who respect the laws presumably
designed to protect from those who choose to
offend.
There should be no excuse for Canadians taking the
law into their own hands - but there is also no
excuse for Canadians feeling the need to.
We live in a wonderful country - it's worth
protecting.
Till next time - hittem long and hittem straight.

The Sweet Smell of Spring

2009-04-04T10:55:00.000-07:00

Golf season is officially upon us...emails arrived this
morning from Jason - the Director of Golf at my home
course - Oakfield - and I received an email from "Upper
Canada" from someone involved in a website similar to
my base - www.atlanticgolfradio.com - where an attempt
is being made to create something more Canadian than
Atlantic Canadian with a similar focus...Not only that -
two other sure signs of spring ( golf season ) - it's
damp and rainy and Vernon Wells has just flied out in the
Jays' final pre-season game with runners in scoring
position...and Phil Mickelson is +9 not quite finished the
second round at the Houston Open...yup...spring's back.

Yes, the economy's a little further south than soft...and
there is no question that the economy is not where our
problems end...but spring remains my favorite time of
year. Time to get back out on the golf course, we'll
soon be taking the time to enjoy a coffee on the
deck in the sunshine, and I can't wait to see how
many of the fish in the currently swollen creek beside
the house survived the winter.
I am also excited about changes coming to the website.
Phil - my web caddie for the past five or six years did
a wonderful job - but time has come for a new look - and
some additions...so finally - in the next few weeks visitors
to atlanticgolfradio.com will be treated to some of the features
that were key elements of the 8 years of the Golf Shop Radio
Program. AtlanticGolfRadio.com will soon be the host of audio
golf tips from some of the best golf pros in the Maritimes,
features of the best courses found in Atlantic Canada - and
elsewhere - and some of the more entertaining answers to the
questions - Why Do You Play This Game, and Your Most Memorable
Shot...Give me a couple of weeks - then stop in for a visit.
If you love golf you won't be disappointed - and you might learn
something and be entertained to boot. Watch for the Atlantic Golf
Radio E-Newsletter for updates...if you aren't signed up to
receive yours - go to the website and subscribe today !

" The lamp is burning low upon my table top -
the snow is softly falling...
The air is still in the silence of my room -
I hear your voice softly calling.

If I could only have you near - to breathe a sigh or two
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
on this winter night with you.

The smoke is rising in the shadows overhead - my glass is
almost empty.
I read again between the lines upon the page - the words of
love that you sent me.

If I could know within my heart - that you were lonely too
I would be happy just to hold the hands I love
on this winter night with you."

Song For A Winters Night - Gordon Lightfoot

Very, very pretty...I was sitting semi-consciously picking through that -
one of my favorite Lightfoot numbers - the other day and at the end of
it thought...now that's an older song...stopped long enough to do
some casual calculations, and realized it may be one of the few things
I hold dear that out-dates my oldest fillings...what ? early 1960's ?
Almost 50 years old...Good Gawd....I guess it just goes to show that
good poetry and a sweet melody truly do stand the test of time.

Gotta feed the dogs before Jazz gnaws through my ankle...
Till next time...happy trials.
Bless

Please Play Again

2009-03-19T04:57:00.000-07:00

There is something foul in this world of ours.
Ya, Ya ...the stock market has tanked...AIG
executives are receiving anything but what they
deserve, and that snake Bernie Madoff is not going
be stripped of everything in his possession...
Ya, Ya...but I have to say that of greater concern
to me is that so far - and this is really unusual for
me - at this point I have rolled up my rim to win at
Tim Horton's I don't know how many times - and I
have been shutout ! I haven't altered my strategy.
I still order large double/double...I drink as quickly
as I can...I anxiously grip the rim in my teeth and
unfold expecting to win a car...not a car, not cash,
not electronics, not coffee, not a donut...Nothing...
nada...squat...zero...what kind of a world are we
living in ? I'm growing bitter...bitterer...
Speaking of which...AIG executives who have cashed
their bonus cheques after the company received American
stimulus money to stay in business should be looking over
their shoulders...with great care ! I suspect each and
every one of them will find the IRS taking keen interest
in their financial affairs as far back as is legal...
I'm guessing these individuals will find the spotlight
intense as a lesson to all...you don't make the President
of the United States look bad without consequence.
The last thing I saw on TV last night before I forced
myself to sleep was CNN's Anderson Cooper who went to
commercial break teasing...so Bernie Madoff is in jail...
how much is he going to get to keep ? I will only tell
you it's going to make you more mad...."More mad" kind of
stuck with me..."madder" of "angrier" might have been
preferable but I will say that if Madoff ripped people
off to the tune of 65 billion dollars, he and his wife
should be able to keep any personal possessions, over
and above 65 billion dollars...homes, cars, cash, boats,
everything should be sold off until 65 billion dollars
has been recouped and they should not be permitted to
own a stitch of anything until their responsibilties
have been met. There is something truly distasteful
about the idea of Mrs. Madoff living in luxury in
Florida even with the weasel in jail while so many of
his victims suffer.
and now for something really important !!! I spoke with
Manager Ken Jaquard at West Pubnico Golf and Country
Club yesterday and guess what...West Pubnico is
open for business effective tomorrow ! Friday !
Golf in Nova Scotia...
Which veteran pro golfer was it that said, " If it
wasn't for golf I'd be a caddie today...."
Til next time...hittem long and hittem straight.
Bless
Don

Under the Microscope

2009-03-13T04:08:00.000-07:00

I watched with uncharacteristic interest as Barack Obama addressed
the US Congress a couple of weeks ago...
Obama's an intriguing political presence.
Economy, Education and Health Care...three areas of focus for his
administration...costly initiatives to be funded by trillions
of dollars recouped from scrapping inefficient, wasteful progams
of the previous government(s).
I am optimistic that he will have some success. Only time will
tell.
I do question bailing out the automakers. That may prove to be
good money after bad. I suspect that without life support from
taxpayers GM, Ford and Chrysler would all fold. Massive,
unwieldly, wasteful and inefficient, the North American car
makers represent in a snapshot what went wrong in the
"system." For decades the " Big Three" have been guilty of
throwing crap at the wall hoping something would stick worried
little about quality and customer satisfaction - concerned more
with fragile bottom lines and ridiculous executive payoffs.
Instinct tells me that from the ashes of the dinosaur -
corporations faster, stronger and more responsible would rise
seeing opportunity to create something good..and lasting.
We don't need companies dependant on government handouts.
We need companies that provide needed products - that can
bring those products to market, reasonably.
I hope that Canadians will someday soon see a similar strategy
employed in this country. Government focus on what we need.
Our once admirable healthcare system is in shambles. Our
education system resembles a carmaker and our taxes are
wasted on programs that sheild our politicians and civil
servants from anything close to accountability.
The CBC is begging for increased funding.They would have
us believe the 1.1 billion taxpayer dollars on which the
CBC survives is insufficient. The CBC, like many corporate
"bad dreams" has simply gotten too big and no longer
serves the master for which it was created. I support
a public broadcaster in Canada. I support every Canadian
helping to foot the bill. But - a responsible public
system would involve one Canadian Engish TV network -
one Canadian French TV network and one radio network in
each official language. In fact the time may have come
to pull the plug on even that - and make the whole service
web-based. 24 hours a day - all Canadian content ...on
5 percent of their current budget Canadians should be
able to enjoy, top Canadian quality - a major improvement
over much of what the CBC currently programs.A little less
Peter Mainsbridge and a little less Ron MacLean, would not,
in my view, necessarily be a bad thing.
In my last blog I used some lyrics from a song from an album
by Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pedersen...nothing wrong with the
lyrics but for anyone who may be trying to track down the song -
the title is " Out Among the Stars " not "Moment of Glory"...
the problem with aging is that the braincramps occur more
frequently and I only catch the odd one.
It is the middle of March. Time to start working on
the first " Atlantic Golf Radio Magazine E-Newsletter"
of the season. We'll be teeing it up again before we know
it. If you want to register for the newsletter just go
to the website ( www.atlanticgolfradio.com ) ...tips, golf
quotes, the odd editorial comment, places to play and things
that are going on in the Maritime Canadian golf community...
it's an easy read that attempts to entertain.
Time for me to go to work..I leave you with this quote
from golf pro Paul Goydos commenting on a particularly
treacherous golf course..." It's like playing Scrabble
without any of the vowels."
Til next time...Happy trials...and make it a good day.
Don

Unpredictable Joy

2009-02-15T06:53:00.000-08:00

"It's midnight - at a liquor store in Texas
Beneath the neon - closing's just begun.
When a boy walks through the door and pulls a pistol
He can't find a job - but oh, he's found a gun.

He pulls it off no trace of confrontation -
He lets the old man run out in the street.
He knows that soon they'll come with guns ablazing
Already he can feel the sweet release.

Oh - How many travellers get weary
Bearing up their burdens and their scars.
Don't you think they'd love to just stop caring.
And fly like eagles up among the stars.

He hears the arrival of the cruisers
He sees that old familiar anger in their eyes.
He understands that when they shoot this loser
They'll be trying to kill the demons in their lives.

The evenning news carries all the details
He dies in every living room in town
And in his own a bottle's thrown in anger
His father cries ' "WE'll never live this down."

Oh - How many travellers get weary
Bearing up their burdens and their scars
Don't you think they'd like to just stop caring
And fly like eagles up among the stars. "

Chris Hillman and Steve Hill

About week ago I grabbed a stack of six assorted CD's from
my growing collection of re-releases - as I attempt to re-build
my once formidable fortress of vinyl.
The albums were Emmylous Harris and Mark Knopfler - a
neglected several year old recommendation from a friend,
Procol Harum - The Well's On Fire, Traffic - Far From Home,
A Hundred Miles Or More - Alison Krauss, An Introduction to
Stephen Bishop and Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pedersen...
The random mix from the Bose System in the Maxima was the
equivalent of a full body soul massage as smooth as a
luxurious vintage deep, red wine.
Stephen Bishop's a master of the emotionally searing ballad.
His voice and phrasing remind me of a friend and guy
I used to play and sing with Steve Kennedy...
Procol Harum is always A Whiter Shade of Pale cloaked in
lyrical disguise - audibly thick and rich.
Steve Winwood and Jim Capaldi are the unmistakable ship's
Captains aboard Traffic.
Mark Knopler compliments Emmylous Harris in a unique,
unchallenging fashion.
Alison Krauss has been a favorite since I first heard
"I've Got That Old Feeling" although "Whiskey Lullaby"
with Brad Paisley never fails to reach deep and touch
even the deepest buried nerve...
Rice, Rice, Hillman and Pedersen represent Country/Bluegrass
on a most sincere, honest and unpretentious palate.
The lyrics above are from " Moment of Glory " which struck a
chord...

"Oh How many travellers get weary ...don't you think they'd
just to like to stop caring ? "

Harmony, artfully massaged strings of acoustic guitars, simple
lyrics that provoke thought and feeling...It amazes me how
the so varied, distinctive flavors of the albums I chose
that day created such a satisfying blend... doesn't take much
to make me happy and when the daily aggravations start to
churn music can usually provide safe haven...

Thoughts for the day...email your MP today ! It is time Canadians
enmasse began demanding some accountablility for the inexcusable
wastefull spending practices in Ottawa. At what point should we
expect our decision makers to start looking at how much money
it takes to provide Canadians with needed services.
Provincial governments are no better...we urgently need
representation with backbone looking out for our best interests -
not theirs !
Are you as tired as I am hearing about A-Rod ? Who cares that an
overpaid, pampered athlete at one point in his career used steroids
during a period in baseball's history when the use of performance
enhancing drugs was the norm ? Who cares that he lied to a bunch
of politicians ? Like congress and those who do business within
it's membership have ever been accused of operating in ethical,
forthright, transparency...the hypocracy is overwhelming !
Leafs fans are long suffering - and the suffering continues..
the biggest disappointment for me is the goaltending situation
in Toronto. Toscala's got to go ! Pogge's not ready and may never
be...
Mike Weir in position to win this week..he's four strokes behind
but in his favorite position....second place. Go Mike !
Hope you had a blissful Valentines Day...
Bless
Don

Bong !!!!!

2009-02-03T17:09:00.000-08:00

Ice is blowing sideways - no point in trying to move.
Winter lingers..or more precisely, we're in the midst of
a seasonal muscle flex which reminds just how odd it is
that anyone in their right mind would choose to live in
this climate...Winter is - and February is a little early
to expect anything but wind, snow, ice and cold...On a
more positive note - I always start looking ahead to spring
and golf December 21st when the days start to get longer.
It makes it even more bearable with the speed with which
each season passes - the days whiz by dragging the weeks
in their wake and I know it won't be too much longer before
I'll be waking up early weekend mornings and heading for the
golf course.
I've only begun to allow myself to think about the golf
course, though...that despite the fact that I played
golf five consecutive days in Arizona...and that was
nothing short of a miracle.
The week before Christmas I was stricken with back problems.
After seven or so visits to two different chiropractors, and
weeks of religiously doing my stretching exercises and icing,
I actually thought I was over it. Then five hours in a plane
from Halifax to Calgary - and another hour from Calgary to
Fort MacMurray - and the pain returned. We had travelled to
northern Alberta to visit Matt, Eli, Kathy and our new grand-
daughter ( she's only the most beautiful baby ever )and I
arrived barely able to move. I tolerated the aggravation as
long as I could and finally sought relief. I went and got an
acupuncture massage the day before we left Fort Mac and headed
south to Arizona. Still uncomfortable, I improved the first day
after the massage...I played golf in a cart 48 hours after treatment,
and got better - and continued to play each subsequent day.
I wish I'd known how much better I was to feel. I would have gone
day one up North and could have been in a little better frame of mind -
and body to party a little. Oh well it was a nice visit none the less.
We've been back a week now and I feel as close to fully recovered
as I ever dreamed I could.
Is there an NHL franchose is worse condition than Ottawa ?
I predicted not long ago that Pat Quinn would be the next Sens
coach. I failed to factor into my prediction that the same
lack of insight would go into making another coaching change
as has gone into previous miscues...goaltending is shaky -
defense lacks mobility and is porous and the talent up front
is thin and more problematic - uninspired. Even Eugene Melnyk
must recognize that Brian Murray is not the guy and that his
next manager mut be someone with a better understanding of the
need for chemistry between players and coach...Melnyk was right -
there is no need to blow-up what they currently have...the Sens
have already blown themselves up over the past two seasons.
What a Super Bowl ! I would have been stunned if Arizona had
beaten the Steelers but the Cards did make it very interesting -
and entertaining. Pittsburgh - now there's a coach. Replaced a
giant - effectively managed his players and their need to adjust -
and two years into his tenure - a Super Bowl Champion.
As much as it would have been appropriate for a long hair to win
the Phoenix Open - I was really pulling for Kenny Perry. At 48
years old he's the oldest winner of the event - and from all
reports Perry is one of the PGA's real good guys.
So they got a picture of America's Olympic hero with his face in a
bong...So what...think for a second what this guy surrendered in
his efforts to reach peak performance...It's not like he's in
training right now - and for the first time in his life he has
time and the resources to relax and enjoy some of the things
that "normal" people his age enjoy...I think we should respect
him and admire him for his dedication and success - and cut him
some slack...the picture gave no indication he was hurting anyone -
and I really think its wrong that we hold young people in sports or
entertainment to a higher standard than our own kids...
Gotta Go...
Til next time - hittem long and straight..

A Most Unlikely Outcome

2009-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:00

There's something blissfull about gazing over a field
of unblemished fresh snow bathed in welcome sunlight...
There's a newness, freshness, peacefullness that I
appreciate more now than ever before...don't know why -
I just do..No surprise really...I have always sought
out and marvelled at the simple masterpeices of nature.
As a kid , I loved animals, loved to wander along creeks,
through the trees, and loved to lose myself in shoulder -
tall grasses...Fondest memories of my teen years - even
more than those associated with playing music - involve
a small aluminium fishing boat and four or five hours
alone in the Trent River in the cascading water below
the dam. I called it fishing but I don't remember ever
being terribly disappointed if I never got a bite...
Tranquility is worth pursuing.
Makes me wonder what it is that calms the soul for high
level athletes...Team Canada at the World Junior Championships
in Ottawa comes to mind.
Tomorrow they battle for gold - how they get any sleep before
that is beyond my ability to imagine.
What a game against the Russians last night. I have to admit
that when Russia pulled ahead with two minutes to play, I
flipped over to the Leafs - Senators game...and the Colts -
Chargers...I did ( thankfully ) flick back with a minute or so
to play and was spellbound when Canada scored with five seconds
left to force overtime. I was left shaking my head when Canada
won in the shootout...I have to say that I was never a fan
of the shootout as a way to decide a game...but in the past
season or two I've come full circle...It makes for great
theatre.
Am I alone in thinking that Pat Quinn could very well be the
next coach of the Ottawa Senators ? The Sens lost to the sadsack
Leafs last night - Ottawa is a team without an ounce of soul...
Based on talent they should be competitive. At least the Leafs
have already declared themselves a reclamation project.
At one point prior to the playoff round at the World Juniors
Ottawa owner Eugene Melnyk embraced Quinn in a post victory
celebration...a light bulb went on at that point..players
have always said they like to play for Quinn...and the Sens
won't play for themselves and Craig Hartsburg doesn't appear
to be able to get through to them...changes are coming and
you know Quinn would love one more shot at the NHL.
I'm feeling better today.
I think my back is finally on the mend. Three weeks of wondering
whether I would ever get mobility again is being replaced with
a hint of optimism. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
One of the last episodes of Austin City Limits I saw was a
songwriters forum which included Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, and
John Hiatt..does anyone craft better lyrics than Guy Clark ?
There's an old Texan who takes story telling to a whole new
level.
That's it..I gotta go..
Bless.
Don

Not Quite Alone In The Dark

2008-12-12T18:47:00.000-08:00

It happened again.
There I was - midstream in the flow of brilliance -
two , maybe three paragraphs away from a major strike -
and the computer died, the clocks all stopped, the TV
in the other room went black - and the lights went out.
Yes - there was wind...but in the 17 plus years I've
lived in Nova Scotia - that is not an uncommmon
occurance - certainly not an occurance for which NS
Power should not be prepared.
My immediate reaction was not one fit to print.
Brilliance is not something that is anything other than
a rare commodity when my fingers caress this keyboard..
or any other..I blame the fingers...but I digress.
So there I was ( I'm repeating myself )...First, bitter
ugly and cynical - and then conciously making the decision
to take advantage of the silence and late afternoon darkness.
I have often said that there is nothing so calming, nothing
so peacefull, nothing so pure in it's ability to medicate,
as the sound of the acoustic guitar.
So I cautiously made my way to the office wall, and picked
out the Larivee ...I sat for 40 minutes or so and replayed
songs rehearsed a hundred a times.
There But For Fortune, Song For A Winter's Night, Need You Most of
All, Baby Now That I've Found You, and a couple of originals,
Most of All, and Tolling Bell.
The thing about an open concept home - it's a pain in the ass
when Charlene's sleeping and I feel inspired to play first thing
in the morning - but when the lights are out , no one else is
home, I can play in the basement family room and hear the echo
from the cathedral ceilings upstairs...there's no changing my
voice but, my God, the guitar sounds sweet.
Ceiladh asleep on the couch beside me and Jazz curled up at
my feet...a packed Massey Hall would not compare favorably...
the dogs have rarely booed me off the stage !
The lights were restored about the same time my left hand
started to go to sleep - which is usually the sign it's time
to put the guitar away - its hard to play in a boxing glove.
So...I had been trying to work this afternoon - then the power
went out so I played...and then the phone rang..Matt and his
brother Tyler were together with family and friends in Fort McMurray.
Lobster was on sale - $ 10.99 per pound. Matt bought 20 or so of them
and wound up having his picture taken by Sobeys representatives - they
told him it ( the picture ) was for the flyer..so if you see a
fellow with a rather large bag of lobster in your next Sobeys flyer -
it might be Matt. I told Tyler that he should have informed Sobeys
that the two of them make a far more impressive snapshot but unfortunately
my fatherly-agently advice was too much after - the - fact...and
apparently it was too frigging cold in Fort Mac to go back.
We did share a tequila shot over the phone tonight but I wish we had been
there. We're going to have to wait until the New Year by which time
Charlene and I should officially be grandparents...the update in
status call could come at anytime.
I wish that family was closer, that times were easier, that our
( friggin ) generator worked properly , NS Power was dependable
enough that we didn't need a generator, that I could still play
guitar for more than 20 minutes before my left hand went to sleep,
that there were no Canadian service people overseas, that the
much needed , massive overhaul of our culture was over,and that I
always took the time to say something nice to all the wonderful
people with whom I am in contact daily.
Good Luck Myrna and Bruce....

"May your path be clear, your vision unclouded, your mission
fullfilling and your plate always bountifully full."

From the Song Maritime Son 2003

Be Happy...
Don

Goodbye Alan Shore and Denny Crane

2008-12-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

Frankly....I'm disappointed...disappointed that Charlene and
I won't have Boston Legal to enjoy together each week - it's
become quite a ritual - record it Monday night - and watch it
together over a casual meal later in the week. But like all
good things Boston Legal too has come to an end..."leave them
wanting more." If you're gonna go that's the way you want it.
It may be a good thing...Dexter, it would appear is going to
require my full attention til season's end..not all television
is a complete waste of time.
I was very surprised that with all the political turmoil in
Ottawa these days that "Lloyd" found time in the CTV late news
to include Sean Avery and his suspension. I deplored the editorial
decision to include for the umpteenth time Avery's quote three or
four days after the fact...The suspension might have been newsworthy -
repeating Avery's distasteful comment was abusive, unnecessary,
and close enough to Jerry Springer to...well..enough.
So...to Ottawa...Michael Ignatief is the new interim leader of the
Federal Liberals...and the co-alition. Yawn...Proof again that
the Liberal Party deserves to be denied public money to keep
them afloat. Ask yourself why the Liberals need the money ..
Why are they such poor party fund raisers ? The answer is that
for so many years they were lining their pockets with public
money and never needed to go out and get it themselves.
There's a reason the Tories have regained power in Ottawa.
The Liberals in their arrogance lied and cheated to the extent
that even Canadians could no longer turn a blind eye. There
was no way Canadians would vote in the Liberals after Chretien
got the toss...yet their arrogance remains. Ignatief failed in
his initial bid for the Liberal leadership because the feeling
was Canadians didn't trust his American ties. No one would
have supported Bob Rae - but surely the Liberals would have been
smarter to choose an unknown who to at least the charitable could
have been cast some degree of the benefit of doubt.
After Ontario's experience I don't think anyone sees the NDP
as a realistic option and when you throw the NDP, Liberals and
seperatists into the same pot, someone explain to me how this
coalition could be any kind of improvement over the Conservatives.
Harper arrogant ? Ya..I'll accept that...but to date he's the best
we've been offered and if these opportunistic nutbags under the
banner of the Coalition ever get to rule Canadians will rue that day
indeed.
The world just gets crazier and crazier...people losing their homes,
their jobs, institutions generations old crumbling before our
eyes - God Bless the New York Yankees...their latest signee, a
pitcher with a seven year contract worth in excess of 160 million
dollars.
Surely there's something we can do ??? Where are Alan Shore and
Denny Crane when you need them ?
I'm going out on the deck to have a scotch and cigar with Ceiladh the
border collie and Jasmine the Llasa Apso...Charlene won't sit out in
the rain...even a December rain.
Til next time...

Where Were You When Sam Mitchell....

2008-12-04T03:40:00.000-08:00

Okay so I admit I watch more than a reasonable amount
of Sports TV...I was watching when the news broke that
Raptors Head Coach Sam Mitchell had been fired.
From a Canadian perspective Sam Mitchell getting canned
and being replaced at least on an interim basis by
Canadian Jay Troino is a significant story...Sadly, it
was "top of the news" for a very short couple of hours.
The story that had been the headliner before Sam's dismissal
was "Sean Avery and Sloppy Seconds."
Sean Avery eclipsed Carolina coach Peter Laviolette's
firing in the realm of NHL importance despite the fact that
Laviolette was relaced by the man he replaced - Paul Maurice.
On any other day - there's a story with some ironic legs.
But the emphasis all day - in fact since Tuesday night -
was renegade mouthpiece, problem child, and four million
dollar a year headache - Sean Avery.
Sean Avery orchestrated a national TV forum where in a
carefully rehearsed soundbite he referred to two of his
Calgary opponents' girlfriends as his " sloppy seconds."
At best - his comments can be viewed as an effort to
incite and distract his opponents. I think it was more
an effort to inflame the media - a self serving and well
thought out way to get his own image on TV reinforcing
his image as the NHL's badman...
Give him credit..he knows our media all too well. He knew
there was no way the media could resist. His words are
the poison koolaid todays "journalists" die for.
There in lies the problem.
To what depths are we willing to stoop in search of
headlines ?
Calgary coach Sutter said it best. Modano and Turco were
ignored...two of the NHL's credible stars never got
interviewed - until they were asked to comment on Avery.
It's sad really...ignore Avery and his "National Enquirer"
off-ice quotes - and Avery would have to rely on his
performance in-game to be noticed.
The whole issue is not Avery and his conduct, but the conduct
of our media. Avery is nothing if not predictable.
He should be the last player interviewed before or after
each game...and if he doesn't have something worthwhile to
say - he should be ignored.
"Sloppy Seconds" is a headline created not by Avery but by
the media - and if this particular incident leaves the same
bad taste in your mouth as did Steve Murphy's "interview"
during the federal election campaign with Liberal Stephane
Dion - don't be shocked. When CTV aired the Dion "outtakes"
during a Halifax interview, in my mind, the network was not
doing a service to the Canadian public any more than it
was doing a service to Dion. It was a self serving action
aimed only at it's headline, ratings - building potential.
It is my feeling that in both the Avery and Dion cases,
we have witnessed the media at it's lowest level.
The media's job is to cover the news - not create it !
Now to the really important part of this particular column.
I had the pleasure of embarking on my Broadcasting career
in Kingston Ontario...One of my fondest memories is of the
smoked meat sandwiches at the Miss Kingston Delicatessen..
From Kingston, I moved to Kitchener Ontario where I grew
particularly fond of the smoked meat sandwiches at the
Three Minute Deli...smoked meat piled high on fresh rye bread
with a particularly garliccy dill...oh God, I'm becoming
Montreal aroused....well...on the off-chance that you are of
the belief that advertising doesn't work I want you know how
wrong you are...Subway has been promoting it's own version of
Montreal smoked meat...I can't get them out of my head.
Sadly, I am on a diet, trying to provide my knees and ankles
with much needed releif, so I have so far managed to avoid
breaking down and visiting my nearest sandwich artist...
Give me strength....
That's it...
"I have nothing to say and I'm only going to say it once."
Harry Neale
Bless...
Don

If You Experience a Four Hour Election.......

2008-10-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

Frankly...I would dread being an American...when did the campaign start
for their upcoming Presidential election ? 1974 ?? Sweet Mother of Earth -
how many lies need to be told before a decision is made.
A month - six weeks - eight weeks - whatever the legal requirement is
in this country seems to be about all my stomach can tolerate.
I heard an exchange on radio between a Liberal and a Conservative this
morning - neither appeared overly intent on making any statement
about policy or what was good for the country or the people - it was a
game each one competing to drowned out the other...the NDP
representative wisely sat back and said nothing.
Our system of government is sadly outdated...our system of government
is incapable of grappling with the important issues before us today - heck
the political parties expend their energies hiding and hiding from - the
challenges of decades gone by.
Can you vote for the Tories ? Not based on the respect they deserve - and
certainly not based on many of the candidates they field in many ridings
across the country...
but can you vote the Liberals ? Have we as a nation already forgotten the
arrogance of the Chretien government and the absolute disdain it
exhibitted for the Canadian public ?
and what of the NDP ? Oh my God - the New Democrats share one thing
with the Liberals - the spending would start the minute they took power
and before long government would double in size.
We need a system of government where a vote in Nova Scotia carries
as much weight as a vote in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver or Whitehorse.
Then we need to wake up...Canadians are a polite, caring society...
But we've got to start speaking up ..we've got to start paying attention !
Particularly in these times we need to start casting a critical eye on what
we receive for our tax dollars. We are a very comfortable people - but
we won't be long unless some serious answers to some equally serious
questions are forthcoming from our MP's . What the heck are they
doing with all of our money ? Would you pay the kind of money you
pay in taxes to anyone else for the kind of service we're
receiving from Ottawa ?
Our taxes service one master and one master alone - Ottawa.
Any benefits we enjoy are ultimately cosmetic. Ottawa is out of
control and needs desperately to be reined in...Only after
massive change occurs in Ottawa will we see our money used
to provide the kind of health care we need, education we deserve,
and pension programs we paid for...we should be looking at the
deficiencies in these areas as nothing short of theft and those
responsible should be jailed.
Seriously...talking about this depresses me..I think I'll go and
watch one of the several CBC TV channels I'm paying for. I
can't wait for the Simpson's reruns at 6PM...and Martha Stewart,
and Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune...Ahhh ! Canadiana !
I can't think of anything more fruitfull on which to spend our
money...
Does anyone know what the CBC's annual budget is ?
Does anyone but me care ?
Heavy sigh.....

If I Had My Way

2008-08-22T05:17:00.000-07:00

I have no desire to be tall, dark, and handsome..and wealthy.
I am....frequently...and then I wake up and frankly, I find the
experience over-rated in the extreme..I still have the same
aches and pains when I drag my carcass from my bed, and the
same limited skills I had when my head hit the pillow.
There are some things in this world though that I would change
if suddenly I came into possession of some magic wand.
If it were mine to decide - substance would take precedence over
flash - reward would be based on performance - and for the first
time ever in my existence I'm starting to see some value in
a more socialistic approach to government.
I have not watched one minute of Olympic coverage on TV since
the Beijing games began.
The IOC is no longer an institution of suspicion.
Awarding the games to China was a move of arrogance on the part
of the IOC in dire contradiction of any ideal of amateur
athletics. Spending 130 million dollars on the games openning
ceremonies was a shameful misuse of funds and an illustration
that the Chinese government is every bit as arrogant as the
IOC....all this is small potatoes.
Why did we the Canadian people fund the CBC's Peter Mainsbridge's
trip to China for the Olympics ? How much did that cost ?
We had the entire sports contingent of the CBC there and if anyone
beleives we aren't paying a premium for that we are sadly
misinformed. Mainsbridge is a news anchor. The CBC pays
dearly for more reporters than any other news agency in
this country. There was no need for the CBC's top anchor
( and most highly priced anchor ) to leave his chair in Toronto
for a glorified all expenses paid vacation to another exotic, global
destination. This is just one example of the kind of waste in which
the CBC is awash. It wouldn't take much to carve the CBC's
annual budget by 75 % to produce an efficient, worthwhile, truly
Canadian broadcast operation relevant to the needs of Canadians.
Maybe then some attention could be rightly paid to health care,
education, the justice system, and our social pension scheme.
The CBC is a perfect example of how the government has grown
into a many headed monster with an appetite impossible to satisfy.
They're talking about an election in this country....we are talking
about a classic non-event. Stephane Dion or Steve Harper...now there's
a choice to make, eh ? The problem in this country - and in the States
is not with the people - or individuals representing us in the offices
of power - it's in the evolution of our system of government.
We are incapable of judicious, responsible, honorable government.
There are too many CBC's in the closets of power. The average
Canadian has no idea how many CBC's there are in the tentacles
of Ottawa....and why it costs so much to keep the machine running.
We are fortunate in this country to enjoy the standard of living we
do - but it could and should be so much better.
Under the heading it must be Canada - TSN has already begun it's
pre-training camp reviews of what lies ahead for Canadian NHL
teams....another long, long season awaits long suffering Leaf fans.
Speaking of which..what is it with Toronto teams ? Why do they always
wait until they are all but mathematically eliminated before they start
to perform. Last night the Jays whipped the Yankees 14-3 - the Jays
won't make the postseason but last night was sure fun to watch.
Except the one Jay who failed to get a hit was...yep you guessed it...
Vernon - the 20 million dollar per season man - Wells.
He's got all the moves - his strikeout move is second to none...
Wells should donate half of his paycheque to the Jays in an effort to
keep Doc Halladay and AJ Burnett at the top of the pitching rotation
next year so they could take another crack at it.
It is my honest feeling that every professional athletes contract
should be performance based. Half of the contract should be based on
individual statistics - and half should be based on team performance.
This system would add a whole new meaning to " team game."
Are you tired of reality TV ? I watched a bit of Canadian Idol last
night...Oh my word !!!! Should help literacy in this country though..
if that's the best we can come up for TV there's no excuse not to
give reading another shot.
So much to say - so little time - Seabiscuit Out !
Mirror, Mirror on the wall - if you could just make the standard, short,
fat and balding I could get that modelling job I've dreamed of so long...
So Long....
Bless.

O-For Weekends

2008-07-28T04:31:00.001-07:00

It's not the first and it'll not be the last...
Headed into the weekend full of anticipation.
Canadian Open, Senior British Open, or own
Club Championships, and the Jays on a roll -
playing the worst team in the Majors....Oh boy !
So...Mike Weir played well, but not well enough
to break the spell and become the first Canadian
to win our Open in 54 years...Anthony Kim, my
pick heading into the final day faded in the Oakville
sun...well at least he didn't drown in an Oakville
monsoon...
John Cooke managed to mismanage his three stroke
lead on the final 9 to miss out winning the Senior
British Open...
and the Jays with the chance to sweep the lowly Seattle
Mariners dressed like the pre-Cito Blue Jays Sunday
and lost 5-1...time to start another winning streak...
I'm a big beleiver in that old "never give up" attitude.
But sometimes even the right attitude isn't enough...
Heavy sigh....Disappointment is part of the game.
I went into round two of Oakfield's Club Championship
having put together a couple of weeks of pretty respectable
golf ( for me ). Saturday I messed up the front nine due to
some ( three of them ) pretty questionable shots off the tee...
But I hit the ball well otherwise and that was enough of a
base from which to rally.
I was really quite pleased with being even par on the back...
Sunday it just wasn't there....no excuses...loose swings,
lack of concentration...after 9 holes it was clear - there
would be no magic...there is a fine line between playing well
and a round that rips your heart out....the line I drew
was thick and bold and the result ugly..ugly..ugly...
Funny game golf...some days diamonds - some days -
well - something a little less precious...and when all is said
and done - when they write the history of the world this
weekend will bearly get a mention...as a matter of fact -
my weekend didn't even make this morning's paper...
Could it be that worse things happened ?
This morning I woke up with a smile on my face and
another rally lingering somewhere not too very far
away...
Happy Trials...

Focus...It's All About Focus...

2008-07-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting here thinking...and one incomplete thought closes down
making room for another...and another and another...
I'm waiting for the second round of the Club Championships...tee time
is 12:50...it's gonna be 29 degrees and humid as all get out...
perfect...I'm built for days like this...I'm thinking today will be a good
day to shoot the temperature..in fahrenhiet...Having said that -
could've easily done that yesterday...unfortunate double on the
second hole...unforgivable bogey on the eighth hole...and then
that potentially disasterous triple on the ninth...
the problem with golf is that the ball usually goes where you hit it.
So I finished the front nine six over...as a seven handicap that doesn't
leave me a lot of "giggle" room on the back...So I bogeyed ten...three
putts from twenty feet...
In years past my natural tendency would have been to either freak
out and get angry - or either just give up and drag my arse around
the rest of the golf course discouraged. Yesterday for some reason
I managed to dig deep and stick to the game plan and see what
happened. I went par, birdie, par, bogey, par, par, par birdie...
I finished even par on the back - and six over for the day...never
give up...you just never know what might happen.
So with all this behind me - and glowing with the turnaround in
fortunes - I made my way to the scorer's table after having
compared notes with the playing partner who kept my card.
I was really pleased...I mean really pleased...until that is the
scorer asked me..."Don you're 55 aren't you ?" You can laugh
here if you like...I had to think about it for a second.
We often discuss how player A or player B might be wise to
take advantage of the "Senior" option of playing from the
forward tees...the course can get long when you're getting
"up there." Up until that precise moment in time when
reflecting upon the question just posed to me I had never
considered "me" to be one of those who had the option.
I'm still a kid for Pete's sake ! Funny thing...Charlene
came home from work last evenning and as co-incidence
would have it - she was dealing with a customer - Charlene
sells furniture for Leon's - when the customers little
daugher looked at Charlene and told her Mom - "She
looks like Nannie." Both of us face to face with the same
reality on the same day...so much for any goals of
playing quarterback for the High School Football team.
Having said all that life is full of blessings. Charlene's really
fit and I still manage to haul my carcass around 18
holes carrying my clubs - and we are going to be
grandparents ! The first pictures of the first female
grandchild in the Grose family in three generations
have now been published - and if you've seen my
Facebook profile picture, I think you'll agree - she is a
looker ! I can't make up my mind which side of the
family she favors but that doesn't matter...she's
got two wonderful parents, four most loving
grandparents and a sister whose just about the
best little person I have ever met. We're all
getting together with Uncle Tyler and " More Nannie"
the end of August and I for one, can't wait.
Just before I close - Anthony Kim will win the
Canadian Open - and I'm hoping John Cooke
wins the British Senior Open...
I'm off to drink a couple bottles of water and
hit a few balls into the net to get ready for this
afternoon....If anyone finds my tan, striped golf
cap please let me know..I can't win without it...
Happy Trials....

Let's Shed No Tears for the Shark

2008-07-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

It says plenty about the man's skill, his instincts, and his
bearing that Greg Norman could arrive at the Open Championship
without benefit of recent competition - and be there, leading the
pack entering play in the final round. It says plenty about his
legend that just as many that were surprised by his success
heading into the final turn, so desperately wanted the Shark
to prevail.
I was not among them. I was heartened by Norman's play in the
first three rounds - and heartened too that there was no evidence
of lingering shadowy gremlins from his Augusta meltdown
in '96. He played well...and that was good. It was good for
golf that without a Tiger someone else was there to refocus
the spotlight...someone like Greg Norman had to surface to
grab the headlines so the 08 Open Championship was not
remembered as the Open without "the star."
But if Norman had won it would have been the ultimate insult
to the current crop of international top golfers.
I was very happy when Padraig Harrington surged on the final
nine to repeat as Open Champion. Harrington doesn't get much
attention on this side of the Atlantic - and in earlier years was
often criticized for not seeking out the media spotlight - for
being too serious - for appearing not to be accessible enough to
those who cover the game. While others were granting endless
interviews, signing autographs, and posing for photo ops, Harrington
has worked on his game. With two majors to his credit, Harrington
is now arguably the best Europe has to offer...I like Harrington.
He's earnest, unpretentious, dedicated and focused. Like Tiger,
immediately upon having secured his second Open title, he talked
about his next job being to reset his goals...Padraig Harrington
is a worthy Major Champion indeed - interested most in getting
better - with his sights firmly set on whatever comes next. I believe
the Open 08 ended in the only fitting way it could.
The Canadian Open starts today at rain-soaked Glen Abbey in Oakville.
Every ounce of my being wants Mike Weir to shake off his loss to Vijay
when last the Canadian Open visited the Abbey - and become the first
Canadian to wear our crown since ...what...1954 ? It's not right.
Gotta go...need to go get a new pair of rain gloves...club championships
this weekend and Saturday's calling for....rain...could the Weather Network
be wrong ? Hope so..but I'll still get the gloves.
Happy Trials...

They Are Giving Him What ?!?!?!

2008-07-03T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Toronto Maple Leafs are going to be a much improved
NHL team next season...Lemme see...they paid Darcy Tucker
9 million dollars to turn in his jersey...he promptly cashed
in his freedom for another 4.5 million to play in Colorado.
Colorado also picked up a goalie from the smouldering
ashes of the Leafs of 07/08 to whom the Leafs paid a
working man's career earnings to take a hike. Kyle Wellwood
found a home and near million dollar one year contract
in Vancouver and the Leafs have spent another King's
ransom replacing their expensive spare parts with the
spare parts of others...the Leafs are typical of the 29
NHL Teams that are not the Detroit Red Wings.
In the absence of any answers - do something to make it
look like you are building a contender...I'm guessing with
the exception of Tampa Bay and maybe Pittsburgh most
teams are investing heavily in make-up to hide their embarassment
for having no clue how to build a machine to counter the
mega beast in Detroit....sad times...sadder still that we will
continue to watch and some will even continue to pay to
attend NHL games...Something struck me watching the
madness of Free Agency that struck July 1st.
Now even fringe players are signing multi million dollar
contracts based on a single good season - or even a marginal
season. What the hell was the NHL lockout about just a
couple of years ago..Salary Cap ??? In the blink of an eye
NHL teams are paying their players more than they were
when the owners shut it all down in an effort to rein in their
own blind, stupid spending. Clearly the NHL is not going to
alter it's approach until it's in ruin.
The NHL, Major League Baseball, Football, Basketball...
They are all nuts ! They have gone berserk !
It's not sports - it's entertainment...the same thing is happening
in the entertainment industry. Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Jim
Carrey all Hollywood icons...sorry...tens of millions of dollars per
movie ?
In a society where healthcare was free for everyone, the aged
were well taken care of, education was turning out sophisticated
and capable career people ( who didn't owe $ 50 - $ 100 thousand
in student loans ) and our streets and highways, and infrastructure
were well maintained, I would have no problem paying our
entertainers handsomely.
Sports and Entertainment are a sad reflection on the state of our
society.
I beleive most people - I will say Canadians have thrown their
collective hands in the air in surrender feeling completely
powerless to influence our direction. We are completely out of
touch with our government - to the same degree as our government
is completely out of touch with us. Our government spends
the majority of our tax dollars not helping us - but playing an
intricate shell game - creating and funding useless institutions
with billion dollar budgets that represent the government's
own unique currency passed from the hands of one politician
to another...
The vast majority of our politicians - I'm reluctant to use political
leaders - I suspect honestly think they are on a noble quest.
But playing the game long ago eclipsed functioning in an
environment with links to the values upon which western
cultures and certainly North American society is based.
Maybe not yet...but soon..." The Times They Are A Changing "
We turn this thing around and right the ship or we will crash upon
the rocks of the shore as surely as the ill-informed of our ancestors
just a short few hundred years ago...
Do you ever watch Austin City Limits on PBS Saturday nights ?
John Prine was featured back in April...I was never a huge fan
back in his hay day but I've got to tell you...watch for a repeat
performance. How could you not like songs entitled " Crazy As A
Loon" and "Some Humans Ain't Human." He's nearly as cynical
as I am...
British Open coming up next week...can't wait...
Till next time....bless.

Simply Grand Theatre - Tiger Woods

2008-06-17T08:07:00.000-07:00

By this time I shouldn't be - but I continue to be - taken aback
at the number of people - non golfers - who approach me after
another spectacle weekend and greet me with the comment -
"Tiger sure put on a show, didn't he ?"
Most aren't aware of what an admirer I am of one Tiger Woods -
but they know how much I love golf...and if you love golf I can't
imagine you not having at the very least an appreciation for
what Woods brings to the course every event - certainly every
major.
The fact that a 45 year old Rocco Mediate was in the final was news
because paired with Tiger it was the ultimate David and Goliath.
There was a human interest element to the story because most
in the golf business had pretty much resigned Mediate to the
wall decor section of the tour. Truly a nice guy and a spirit that
is admirable... and you love to see competitors who seem to
have a realistic appreciation of how truly fortunate they are...
but in terms of being drawing card - a network TV viewer
magnet - without Tiger, Rocco just doesn't cut it.
In any sport it is said the mark of truly exceptional competitor
is that he/she has the ability to make those around them
better - forces those around to be as good as they can be.
Tiger Woods by his very prescence - albiet on one leg -
created the venue upon which Rocco Mediate was able to stage
his finest performance...another credit to Rocco...given the
chance - he brought his best ...but as it proved again - a
journeyman's best is no match for a prowling Tiger - even
a wounded Tiger...
It'll be a while before we see Tiger again - he'll need time
to mend that painful knee...I suspect Tiger will also require
some time to rest from the mental, emotional, psychological
strain associated with winning his 14th Tour Major on sheer
strength of will alone...and that is what Tiger brings to the
game...and that is why Tiger is such compelling drama and
a draw that even non-golfers find hard to resist. It is the
human spirit on display at it's best.
Wow....
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight..
Don

The Streak Ends

2008-03-25T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well...Tiger Woods undefeated streak is over...
Anyone who plays the game of golf appreciates the importance
of the short game...I had a boss once whose favorite expression
was, " It's the little things." He used that line to describe both
the highs and the lows. It immediately came to mind when
Tiger came crashing to earth in the third round of last weekends
tourney at Doral...I fully expected after round number two that
Tiger would wolf down the rest of the field leaving in his wake
unprecedented evidence that he was the King of the PGA jungle.
Then in round three - the putts that have so consistently fallen
all year long - came up short - lipped out - or drifted by the
cup. By the rain delayed midway point of the final round Tiger
could have been excused for taking the look of the beaten man.
Imagine how disappointed he must have been. To rally the way
he did and perform well enough to make many beleive there was
a chance - is the mark of an exceptional athlete and competitor.
The fact that Woods finished just two back of the eventual
champion is a marvel. Geoff Ogilvie will concede his final round
performance was less than stellar. What it was - was good enough
to win...and that's it. How much of his final round uncertainty can
be attributed to knowing that Tiger was still prowling ? Even
five shots down with nine holes to go - Ogilivy had to know that
Woods was more than a threat... The fact that Tiger can play
so un-Tiger like for a round and a half at such a key time in a
tournament and still come so close proves again that he is anything
but just another golf pro....in fact if he had made less than half the
routine- for- Tiger putts he missed, he might have posted a four
shot win....
If you already receive the Atlantic Golf Radio E Newsletter - you
have a treat in store...one of the subscribers forwarded something
fun this week...I'm going to include it in Newsletter # 3 .
If you don't already subscribe - visit the website -
www.atlanticgolfradio.com and register today.
Bluegrass is alive and well in Nova Scotia...more in a future report
when I hope to be able to go into great detail - but all I can say is
that I heard a couple from Mushaboom whose music is as sweet and
pure as can be imagined....acoustic music and soaring vocal harmonies -
bottle it - many of society's ills could be cured.
It's still way to cold to golf here - so I'm off to tune up the Martin -
and refresh...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.

One Down - 29 To Go

2008-03-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

For most reference to golf's "Silly Season" brings autumn, big
purse, non-PGA Tour tournaments...
Not me...silly season is the welcome, impending beginning of
a new season of Maritime Golf.
It's my personal silly season because I begin the search for
little known golf fun facts, funny golf quotes I may not already
have in my library, and simply things to talk about in the
Weekly - Atlantic Golf Radio Magazine E Newsletter...
The Golf Shop moniker is gone...corporate stuff mostly -
so the radio program, the newsletter and the one minute
radio golf feature will all carry the same banner as my
website - www.atlanticgolfradio.com .
The Radio Program - the one hour radio golf magazine -
is still very much in question...not a huge issue...a
year's sabatical will allow for more fine tuning and formatic
revisions that may be due anyway. I had already put in
place a number of changes about which I was quite excited -
but - a year to contemplate and refocus on playing the game
would not be unwelcome. If you already get the newsletter
you'll know within a week or so - and if you don't - well, go to
the website and sign up...you can never be quite sure what
you may find in the Newsletter...this week's Atlantic Golf Radio
funpoll asks the question - "Will Tiger win all four majors..."
So far , no one's willing to come right out and support the
idea, although everyone seems to think it's a distinct
possiblity. Frankly I think Tiger's mental game is now such that
he can overcome any sporadic mechanical issues. I think he
will. If he posts what looked like an unlikely win before yesterday,
today at Bay Hill - look out...one record no one's ever held is
undefeated for the season....We may be entering an age when
we realize that there are many who can top Tiger over one
round - but can anyone outlast Tiger for four rounds ?
He is amazing to watch.
Jazz wants out and the Penguins are frosting the Flyers - so
I'm out...
Til next time hittem long and hittem straight.

Little this...Little that

2008-03-04T16:19:00.001-08:00

" You're a party with the lights down low..
You're my Friday night movie show...
"Love Me Tender" on the radio - just hold me tight and don't let go..

It's the smile on your face - it's your style and your grace -
and that's why - that's why - I love you."

Could be my favorite pop lyrics - thank you Andrew Gold...
So many good pop songs out there although I must admit my
familiarity with those less than say 30 years old - is somewhat,
and shamefully lacking.
I was tinkering on the guitar the other morning..not paying much
attention when I marvelled at how far guitar manufacuring has
come since I first picked one up forty some years ago.
I was playing my Martin - the one that got smashed up on an
American Airlines flight several weeks ago. What a lovely guitar
to play...sound so pure and sweet, the action so perfect...
It's not an expensive guitar by Martin standards - and certainly
most manufacturers produce an instrument in the same price
range...whether they compare to the entry level Martin is pure
personal preference but when you look at the investment in
today's dollars compared with what was available when I first
started to play - well....guitar players have much to be thankful
for....
I mentioned that American Airlines did a job on my guitar
when we flew to Chile the end of January...it was a very
sad moment when I spied my guitar in Santiago airport with
the lower, back end of the case demolished....crushed...
obliterated. I was afraid to look inside to see what damage
the guitar had suffered.
I won't go into much detail here...you'd be bored to tears unless
you've had a similar experience...I will say the story has a happy
ending. Without a whole lot of hassle or inconvenience, certainly
much less than I expected, American Airlines replaced both the
guitar and case and then were very reasonable when I asked
to purchase the damaged instrument and case to see if they
could be salvaged. A few hours at the workbench, and the guitar
though still cosmetically challenged is structurally sound and
infinitely playable. At son Matt's suggestion in rebuilding the
guitar case , I reinforced the top, sides and bottom with
fibreglass and then covered the whole thing in denim. In it's
current state I think it'll even stand up to airline abuse...we'll
see in a few weeks.
So, American Airlines came through - and that's two for two.
I'm always willing to share my horror stories involving Air
Canada...( see my blog 36 hours in the evil clutches ) but
even that story ended satisfactorily. A couple of emails and
phone conversations with Air Canada Customer Service and
they too came across like a corporation with a conscience
and compensated us fairly for our inconvenience and discomfort.
I frankly was surprised at the understanding they exhibited.
Hats off to Air Canada - and that's not something I ever imagined
you hear from me.
Took a walk around the golf course today..God it was nice..won't
be long now.
The Leafs are playing New Jersey tonight. This should be step
one in the end of the dream that many are allowing themselves
the luxury to enjoy. The Leafs will not make the playoffs.
Sundin, despite playing the best hockey of his career, can't do it
alone. The rest of the no-trade five don't have the nuts to play
consistently well enough to make the playoffs. Tucker's act is
really tired...McCabe and Kaberle still disappear at too many
inopportune times...and Kubina is just a mistake made by
John Ferguson for which he paid with his job. Even with Toskala
playing at his heroic best - the country club that is the Leafs, needs
to be flushed. ( Gawd I dislike Ryan Seacrest ..American Idol is on
while I write and Ryan Seacrest is to Idol what Ron MacLean is to
Hockey Night in Canada...too much Ron and not enough HNIC )
Back to the Leafs...sadly anyone who plays in Toronto more than a
couple of seasons too soon comes to understand that in Leaf Land
the difference between winning and losing is minimal. You're
a hero either way, idolized by a far too forgiving public, and
too many Leafs have realized when the paycheque doesn't change,
why exert yourself.
Have I mentioned golf ? I am so looking forward to the season
ahead..if you are not registered to receive my weekly Golf ENewsletter
go to the website - atlanticgolfradio.com - tips , tricks and all
kinds of golf news...including which clubs in Nova Scotia are
opening earliest and when.
Talk soon...til next time..or should I say just, next time - hittem
long and hittem straight.

Roger Clemens - Baseball - Criminal Misuse of Funds

2008-02-13T15:40:00.000-08:00

So whose telling the truth ? Roger Clemens or his former steroids
trafficcing trainer....What's four and a half hours of TV time worth ?
On multi networks internationally....
How many American taxpayers dollars have been pissed away on
the bound for nowhere Congressional Hearing that happened today
and the investigation that led to it ?
And the hearing today was less about baseball's performance enhancing
drug problems and more about who's telling the truth - and more to
the point - who is telling lies to American politicians !
The American economy is in the toilet - the rich are okay but people
are losing their homes - the homeless in the states are a concern that
grows in numbers daily....
Sound familiar ? Sounds an awful lot like the kind of investigation that
we witnessed here in Canada over the relationship, financial and
otherwise between former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney and
and German man-about-town Karl Heinz Schriber....
In an environment where I beleive the truth is a truly rare commodity -
the voting public sits on its hands and allows our politicians to waste
astronomical amounts of our money chasing ghosts...
Will we never wake up ?
Roger Clemen's arrogance is only surpassed by the arrogance of the
American politicians who chose to fund and participate in this unholy
charade !
I think there should be hearings into those who dared appear on
camera and insisted on having their say in this collossal waste -
and anyone who is proven to have ever misled a government
committee, told a mistruth, or heaven forbid, ever lied in
conducting the business of Congress - should themselves be
punished....would there be anyone left ?
The public has to wake up and start making their feelings
known...In both Canada and the United States - the voting public
has to start insisting that government come under an increasingly
critical eye. I'm no expert, but I get the sense that the Americans
are buried under the size of their government(s)....I am absolutely
convinced that there are billions and billions of untraceable budgets
allocated to departments within departments with no measurable
contribution to the health of our society. They exist only to make
it difficult to track government waste.
Our democratic system is in desperate need of overhaul - a dramatic
overhaul - and the Clemens/Baseball and Mulroney/Skybus inquiries
are all the proof we need that this is true !
With healthcare becoming a luxury that most Canadians must view
as a threat, with our educational systems in absolute disarray,
with Old Age Security reduced to little more than a joke - and
with our roads, sewer and water systems in disrepair, we have to
demand more from the people we elect to represent us, locally,
regionally and nationally....They have to get the message -
stop wasting your time and my money on nonsense, and start
delivering value for the hard earned money I have no choice but
to surrender with every paycheque I cash.
By the way - I have never been a Clemens fan - but he looked
really bad today...sad thing is...someday soon he'll be able to
look back at all this and laugh...." I'm Roger Clemens - I have fame
and money - they couldn't get OJ Simpson so there's no way they're
touching me."
Sad...

Things I Miss

2008-02-08T16:41:00.000-08:00

Charlene's upstairs, Ceiladh the border collie is under the
end table in the TV room watching the golf on TV,
Jazz the Llasa Apso is sprawled on the floor at my feet in
the office and I'm just glad to be home.
We left for Chile two weeks ago today and there is a lingering calm
I feel now - back in my "space." It's a familiar space, a space
that's warmer having had the luxury of being reunited with
our two wonderful sons, my youngest son's beautiful new family,
having spent time with Eli's parents and sisters, and Matt's friends
from Fort McMurray, Basil, Madonna and their daughter Jodie.
I'm tired, but it's a good tired ...and there are elements of this
feeling that I hope never fade.
Chile was an interesting experience. Where do I start ?
Being a stranger in a foreign land in which a different language
is spoken is difficult. But to a person, in Chile, they seemed to
understand that our graceless efforts to communicate were at
least well intended - and they seem to have a healthy sense of
humour.
It was a wonderful trip...it was hot...every day. Air conditioning
was limited to a mall and a rented 13 passenger Hyundai.
We ate, we drank, we danced and talked...usually the day
began sometime closer to midmorning than early in the
day - and usually it ended sometime ...well...before sun-up...
it varied by individual but it was not unusual to be having
supper at midnight.
My memories will be of a catholic wedding in Spanish -
a beautiful bride in a beautiful dress and Matt and his
best man, Tyler in the front of the church before a
priest who seemed in tune with the needs of those
present....I will also remember the generosity and
warmth of Lilly and Luis - and the laughter...always an
excuse to laugh...I'll remember gin rummy, tossing the
football and losing at ping pong ( Tyler will remember
tossing the football and winning at gin rummy and
ping pong...Gawd that sounds awkward ), instant
coffee and rum and lamb...and salt...and the laughter.
I'll remember watching the Super Bowl in Spanish,
and not letting American Airlines' destruction of my
prized Martin guitar spoil it all.
It must have been a tremendous strain on Luis and
Lilly, Matt's father and mother in law. They surrendered
their home to us, entertained us, chauffered us all
over the place - night and day - all the while organizing
a wonderful wedding and reception...but always with
grace and a smile.
I miss our sons, I miss our new extended family, and
all the new friends we made, and I miss the excitement
and anticipation that led up to the trip...but all that's been
replaced with a terrific sense that all is right with our
world...all the important pieces are in place and though
the volcanos may steam and burp fiery lava - we
are very lucky and must appreciate the blessings that are
ours.
Til next time...

Welcome to Chile

2008-02-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

The food is good, the drink is plenty, family is gathered, laughter fills
the air -and the big event - the wedding is tomorrow. Still lots of
scurrying about trying to get last minute things done - and all the
talk about heading out to fight the hordes at the 60 percent off sale
at the Jumbo Mall in Temuco is forgotten...get something done and
remember something else that needs to be tackled.
The aproach to things here in Chile is one I very much appreciate.
Getting here is the trick....thought we had it all worked out...American
Airlines from Halifax to JFK...JFK to Santiago...Air Chile to Temuco...
I won´t get too involved here...but tired from 20 hours or so in transit
is not the time to find that the Airlines has smashed the crap out of your
Martin guitar...heavy sigh..thank you American Airlines...we´ll be talking
upon my return.
That having been said - Chile is wonderful - 44 degrees the first day we
spent in Pucon an hour down the road in the shadow of one of three
active volcanos in the area....it´s quite a sight to be driving down the
road toward a towering, snow-draped mountain spewing steam...
Our hosts, the parents of the bride have been phenomenal...Lilly and
Luis have gone out of their way and their hospitality has been
over the top and unending....
I don´t want to monopolize the computer - so I will leave you with..
it´s been a great trip and despite not tanning before we left - my
only real miscue to date has been to redefine "belly burn" one afternoon
at the beach....one week still to go...
Ciao for now...

36 Hours in the Evil Clutches of Air Canada

2007-12-21T16:27:00.000-08:00

First let me say that with some of the things that have happened
since, I have a hard time writing about something which has
left such a bitter taste - there is no way to avoid sounding critical
and negative when reviewing what has become the worst nightmare
of my 50 odd years...what makes the whole topic so painful was that
it was all so very, very avoidable.
My dear mother turned 80 years old this past Tuesday - and my
wife and I decided we'd fly to Ottawa to help her celebrate. She's
been on her own now for a couple of years since Dad passed away -
and while my two brothers who live in Ottawa are both diligent in
making sure they are in contact, and visit, so, so faithfully, as it is
for anyone adjusting to living alone - it gets tough for her...so we
were all looking forward to getting together...then came the storm.
We were scheduled on a flight 10:45 Sunday morning - from Halifax
to Toronto - catching an early afternoon flight from Toronto to
Ottawa. We were all aware of how nasty the weather had become
by first thing Sunday morning. I dutifully checked the Air Canada
website for notices of cancelled flights - and was relieved to see
that everything was running on time as scheduled. I checked
Pearson International's website and that of the airport in Ottawa.
Again - no indication of any disruption in service. We packed and
headed for Halifax International , received our boarding passes and
checked our luggage - and not a word of warning that we could be
headed for trouble....the plane was a few minutes late leaving Halifax
and quite frankly I can't remember the reason given - we've come
to expect delays anytime we travel Air Canada. We arrived in
Toronto without further incident - checked boarding times for our
connecting flight - and the only hint that there might be complications
was on the constant CBC in terminal feed that talked of nothing other
than how the central and eastern parts of Canada were in the midst
of the worst winter battering in 30 years ! All posted flight schedules
indicated air travel was unaffected except to the eastern seaboard of
the United States. Things took a decided turn for us when we tried to
board for the trip to Ottawa and were told we'd been bumped...I was
still in mid-protest when the flight was cancelled and those on-board
were made to return to the terminal. Air Canada with it's ever present
lack of transparency - told everyone to be patient - and that flight
status would be up-dated at the earliest possible opportunity.
It must have been 3 o'clock when travellers were alerted to check
with customer service for their best options - including when anyone
might expect to get into Ottawa. We stood in line for an hour until
finally an Air Canada representative ventured into the fray and made
his way down the line and informed everyone that that there was no
way in hell that anyone was getting to Ottawa for the next two days -
and that all flights to Halifax were booked solid through the night.
His best advice was that everyone go and retreive their luggage and
head to the nearest ticket booking queue to make their own
arrangements. It took an additional two hours to get our
luggage...while I was watching for the luggage - my wife was busy
trying to get us on the next flight home...When we finally reunited
we were on the list of those hoping to fly standby on one of three
flights scheduled for Halifax through the evenning. At 8'oclock
we got word that we were on a flight and headed home. Whew....
if only the story ended there. We boarded the plane - takeoff was
again delayed - and then we were finally in the air. the pilot
( why is it Air Canada's pilots all love to hear their own voices so
much ) explained that it could be a rough trip with turbulence
expected particularly as we made out descent into Halifax...
Well - we got to Halifax and it was far too windy to try to land so
we circled for a while hoping for a break in the weather - he
tried to land once and had to pull out of the landing because
we were bouncing around like nothing I've ever experienced
before...we climbed to a travelling altitude and then he
announced we were headed to St. John's Newfoundland where
the weather would permit us to get down on the ground.
At 2AM we were on the ground in St. John's Airport...We all
knew that was temporary solution at best because the storm was
heading for the rock - so 90 minutes later we back on the plane
for a two hour jaunt to Halifax...you can only imagine the reaction
when the pilot anounced that we could not land in Halifax - and that
we were headed back to Toronto...As we left the plane at Pearson -
the sun was coming up and what daylight revealed was bodies
everywhere - on seats, under seats, on the floor in every corner,
on window sills - everywhere but where those bodies wanted to be.
I won't drag this out any longer than necessary..At 6Pm Monday
we boarded a plane - supposed to heading for home...we sat on the
plane , on the tarmack, until 7:30 before finally taxiing out...all the
while our new pilot explaining that the delays were the result of
problems with loading baggage....Air Canada had announced the
6 o'clock at Noon..six hours they had to ensure that it was ready
to go....it makes it even more laughable - as we were boarding
they stopped the process and announced that the flight might
not happen because there was some question whether they
had scheduled flight attendents....
Did they not appreciate that they were dealing with hundreds of
exhausted people who had been pulled one way or the other
for 36 hours..is there no one responsible for going down a
checklist of things that have to be arranged to make each
flight happen...what an operation ?!?
What is the most irritating aspect of the entire experience
is that we should have been notified in Halifax before the first
leg of our trip that there was no way we were getting to
our final destination. We found out from another stranded
traveller that flights to Ottawa had been suspended Saturday
night. If the technology is available to tell me that a tee time
will be rained out - and it is available - don't try and tell me
Air Canada wasn't fully aware that our trip would end in
disaster...if everyone had been told to stay home Air Canada
likely wouldn't had to fly to Newfoundland in the middle
of the night and back to Toronto...surely to God no one
watching the weather radar would have wagered on the
odds of a positive result in this ill-advised misadventure.
Any corporation with a conscience - any responsible corporate
agency would have had a far clearer eye on what was
happening around them - and enough integrity to tell
people to stay home when there was no chance of them safely
reaching their desired destination.
Over the course of 36 hours I heard " we appreciate your
patience" and "we apologise for the delay" and "Gee, I'm
sorry about this folks" more than anyone who is considered
a " valued customer" should hear in a lifetime of air travel..
My disgust with Air Canada and it's all too evident willingness
to abuse it's customer, and it's apparent inability to plan and
execute anything more complicated than a credit card transaction
has reached new heights...
Thanks for flying with us today and for choosing Air Canada.
My Word........

When The Poet's Well of Words Runs Dry

2007-11-22T09:30:00.000-08:00

When the poet's well of words runs dry - just a start to a
song I've been battling with for a while...now that golf season's
over perhaps I can manage better than a three putt where
songwriting is concerned....speaking of which...
It was probably three or four degrees the last time we
played golf this year...we got our first snow fall later that day.
I was even par after 8 holes - which wasn't shocking -
but I made the comment that, despite the temperature,
this was the atmosphere under which a
person should play all the time..because it was so cold, and
there were leaves blanketing the fairways and greens, I
found myself out there primarily to be with buddies to
enjoy the walk and fresh air ( interrupted by the odd
cigarette ) and the chuckles and barbs that normally
accompany an outting of this nature. There is always
present the desire to perform as well as possible - but
under the conditions expectations were low...and there
was no pressure when faced with that six foot putt...
Instead of concern over the implications of missing - the
focus was entirely on executing the shot...instead of
concern over a tee shot on the left side of the fairway
instead of the middle the focus was - okay, lay up
short to a great place to chip from or shoot for the open
part of the green...I was astounded at how easily the
game went that day...instead of battling expectations
the emphasis all day was on what was left on the golf
course ahead...it was blissfull...cold, but blissfull.
I'm watching with a heavy heart the hockey world today.
The Leafs are dismal and the game is in a very sad state.
It's a terrible shame that at a time when a beautiful
sport has more exposure than ever before, the NHL
has been reduced to a very high priced beer-league.
Even high def can't make up for a talent pool that has
been stretched beyond it's health. I would love to see
today's game played amongst the 12 healthiest teams.
With 12 teams of the NHL's best players, coached by
league's the 12 best coaches, showcasing the 12 best
goaltenders with only the best officials....wow..
each game would be a spectacle for an entirely different
reason. Hockey is one game where you simply cannot
field a team with just one elite level player.
Did you hear...Celine Dion's not coming to Halifax...
it's too bad..she would have easily sold out and brought
a ton of money into the market place without all the
potential residual negatives associated with more
rock oriented acts. Actually, when you look at the aging
marketplace perhaps a closer look should be taken
at bringing in some classier, big name performers for an
outdoor venue like the commons...and then pray for clear
skies. As far as Dion is concerned while I admire her talent
and success I wouldn't open the blinds to see her...and
apparently I'm not alone.
Quote of the week: "That Hochtaler's a great wine...good
to drink and a not-too-shabby aftershave." The Reverend.
Til next time...

A Moment

2007-10-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

" Walk down that lonesome road - all by yourself.
Don't turn your head -back over your shoulder.
And only stop to rest yourself when the silver moon -
Is shining high above the trees.

If I had stopped to listen once or twice..
If I had closed my mouth and opened my eyes
If I had cooled my head and warmed my heart
I'd not be on - this road tonight. "

No idea who wrote that...but I was listening to some James
Taylor on my MP3 while golfing the other day and the
lyrics struck me...funny thing..Steve and I used to sing
this song, acapella, two part harmonies and it was always
one of my favorites of our material..I'd love to record it with
a choir...perhaps over the winter.
It will definitely be one of the tunes I keep on my playlist.
I have two and a half rounds of golf worth of songs on my
MP3 and I do beleive for anyone who has trouble with lack
of focus standing over the ball, I may have stumbled onto
something. I put my earphones in place before every shot
and it shuts everything else out...and I find it very soothing -
very relaxing...It puts me in the absolute best "place" I can
be to start my pre-shot routine..hell..it forces me to develop
and use a pre-shot routine and that in itself is a shot-saver.
Funny, how it happened.
The vast majority of the people you run into on the golf course
are good folks...well intentioned and out there for all the right
reasons - a little outdoor activity, fresh air, companionship,
and friendly competition. But...it amazes me how many
people who have golfed for many years, have forgotten how
impolite it is to talk while someone else is lining up a shot or
standing over the ball preparing to play. Over a recent two
week period in three instances I found myself in groups where
there was one individual who considered what he had to say
so important it couldn't wait until someone else hit the ball.
I may be more sensitive to these things - to any form of lack
of consideration of others - than some - certainly I know I
have less tolerance than I'd like - but the MP3 reduces
those kinds of distractions...and having a source of music
for four and half hours while golfing adds an element of
relaxation I've not before experienced. It is a terrific
thing.
Bridge tonight...gotta go....Leafs play tonight -
I hope I do beter with cards than they do...
Bless.
Don

It's Happening Again Again

2007-10-10T05:20:00.000-07:00

The year is 2028.
Cars as we knew them back in the first decade of the new century
are no longer. Commuters pile into single seats built into the side
of the personal pods in which they live. The personal pods of each
individual of the household are attached by common areas for
cooking, eating, and what little communication they share.
Once seated in their personal pods, commuters simply dial
in co-ordinates for their chosen destination. In an instant they
are transported where they need to go - and in that instant
they are entertained by the news, weather, music or drama
that once took an hour to absorb.
It is definitely a new world in which we live...AND THE LEAFS
ARE GOING TO MAKE THE PLAYOFFS - FINALLY.
Not to diminish the significance of the accomplishment - every
team in the National Hockey League International - all 486
teams in 56 divisions make the playoffs in this new, ultra
exciting era.
League Commissioner John Ferguson Jr. finally got something
right. A dismal failure as the Toronto Maple Leafs General
Manager, Ferguson was named President of the entire
organization when it became clear there was nothing remaining
for him the screw up. When the Leafs organization, once hated
for being the proudest, most financially successful operation
in a once proud league - had to be sold at auction - it was clear
that Ferguson's vision seperated him from all others - and there
was no where to go but the top. Under Ferguson's leadership
the league has finally adopted rules where no team is allowed
to carry more than two Canadian hockey players on their roster
- those Canadians are just too rough -too aggressive - and there is
no room for that in our game ! All those troublesome Canadian
franchises have been moved to Central and South America - so
players no longer have to deal with those harsh and cold, dark
winters - Oh, the Toronto Maple Leafs still exist - they just
play out of Nicaraugua..not hard to get a ticket these days !
But there is no question that Ferguson's greatest impact on the
game of hockey - what he will be remembered for most - is that
finally the league doesn't bother to keep score...adding legitmacy
to the new playoff structure.
Buckle up Leafs fans...dramatic changes are needed if promises
are to come true that this crew will make the playoffs - before 2028...
Sigh....
I'm a golfer..I love the game...lots of people love the game as much as
I do...but no one swings the club the same as I do..some hit the ball
further..some don't hit it as far...some putt better than I do - some
don't...I'm pretty good at it...I work at it...and I'm passionate about it.
The day someone comes out and decrees that there is only one way to
golf properly and that if you don't approach the the game that way
you are of limited value - much of the attractiveness of the game
will disappear...golf is like everything else we undertake in life - there
is no one right way...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight...and if you stand on
your head to do so...have at 'er !
Don

The Essence

2007-09-19T16:04:00.000-07:00

I feel a little badly...this is the third time in the last five
minutes or so I've taken my perch at the keyboard - and
each time poor Jazz has curled up at my feet - she loves
to be close...she's not there now - probably gave up on the
idea that I was going to be here long enough to make chasing
me around a worthwhile prospect...oh well...puppies, like
putting strokes and inspiration, come and go. ( at least she's
now consistently going outside .)
I played golf today - not particularly well - and in fact at one
point caught myself musing whether this pastime was anything
more than a colossal waste of time...I made some good shots - in fact
I parred the first two holes - missed biride butts - but played the holes
the way I intended - hit the ball where I wanted it to go.
Then on the third hole - I turned my back on the good , controlled
swing that had kept the ball in prime positions, in the fairway, where
life is uncomplicated, relaxed and satisfying...nope - that's apparently
for better golfers ! The evil Don took over - as he is want to do -
and I stood over a tee shot about which I was anything but comfortable.
I have never read anything in any golf publication that recommends
swinging hard in any situation about which you are unsure....but that's
what I do ! Imagine - I've played this over in my mind several times
in the hours since it happened - standing over a shot...first thought is -
you're standing far too far from the ball...you're leaning over way too far..
there's no way you should be standing like this...and then instead of
standing back up - backing away and starting the address process
over again - you conclude - close the clubface - and swing hard - that
should fix it...this is where the game of golf becomes a mind-altering
drug....we found the ball in the trees - from which I had to pitch out
sideways....200 yards plus to the green - sidehill lie - ball above my
feet - with a fully mature tree 30 yards away...what kind of a lunatic
would decide that the same guy that was incapable of hitting an 80
yard fairway - could hit a high draw, around the tree and expect to
get anywhere near the green...that lunatic is the evil Don...lost the
ball even deeper in the trees right...oh well...bogeyed the next
hole without making any terrible mistakes - parred the next par three,
and then on one of my favorite holes on this golf course...a straightaway,
tree- lined par four, I drove three balls in the woods right...
I made some decent shots - made some really good shots - made some
very solid pars - the rest of the way - but continued to interrupt any
possible lengthy runs of competance with dumb mistakes...
Finally on the 18th tee, I relaxed- totally....drove a ball up the tree line
on the right....pinched a little nine iron to four feet from the back pin -
and made the putt...the only birdie of the day. That felt good !
Interesting though...I'm not sure I would have felt a lot different
if I'd missed the putt...It's mid September - the sun was shining -
it was lovely and warm - and I was with three good guys whose company I
enjoy - we all made some nice shots, made some poor shots, did a little
cussing at appropriate intervals - and shared some laughs...
For the recreational player - golf is the journey - and the folks you
meet along the way - it's not the destination...
Whether I was 77 or 87, 97 or 107, I will try just as hard the next time
to play error free..to make my way through the 18 hole maize without
mind spinning mental cramps, enjoying the good shots and trying to
forget the bad...and I know when I come home it'll be to a wife that
loves me - and when I sit down at my computer Jazz,
who just peed on the floor, will curl up at my feet.....
Life's not all bad.
Don

Beware the Handsome Stranger

2007-09-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

We have a stream beside our house...not a big stream - and it only
stretches from the culvert out on the street to the where it winds to
the back of our property ....initially the stream, was a ditch dug to
allow standing water in the ground in one half of our lot to run off.
It was supposed to connect with some proper drainage between the
properties behind us that runs into a lake several hundred yards
away...Problem was -equipment can't get into that part of our
property to make the connection because it's too wet....so
the ditch simply filled with water...when it rains the water flows over
the top of the end of the ditch and runs as surface water over the
natural lay of the land into the neighbouring drainage - but three
feet of water seems to remain - in the ditch. At first I allowed this
to confound me a little and dreamed up schemes to drain this
wetland...but the longer we lived beside the "creek" , and the more
frogs we were sereneded by in the spring, and the more ducks that
flew in for a visit and the more other creatures we were introduced
to - the more I've become attached to having our own little private
waterway. Several months ago I got the idea to introduce fish.
Off I went to the petstore to buy some "feeders" the fish they
sell to feed their carnivors. I also purchased a couple of
"pond" gold fish. Full of anticipation I let them all loose...and day
after day, night after night, I would walk along the water
hoping to catch a glimpse of our latest pets. I gave up thinking
any of them had actually survived the experiment weeks ago -
and then a couple of days ago, Charlene and I were out with the
dogs, Ceiladh the border collie and Jazz the Llasa Apso, and
what do I spy but a flicker of orange in the grasses bordering
the creek...Sure enough - healthy proof that life exists swimming
merrily along in the 120 feet or so of waterway beside the house.
I saw one other of the littler guys that same day - and today - well
the little showoff was in fine form, flitting back and forth, to and fro
in a ten foot stretch right beside the garden shed - the best viewing
perch...he's obviously not suffering from too little to eat...if he were
a child he'd be into his third or forth new pair of shoes having outgrown
those he wore home....makes me smile...
I predict - in some future Olympics we will have the pleasure of watching
a new sport...synchronized peeing. I had to laugh the other day -
Jazz - the aforementioned Llasa Apso - has pretty much taken to being
the all-weather shadow of her 8 year old sister, the border collie..
Our routine is now well documented. If I've been out - and the dogs have
been left on their own I come home and we all go outside to do our business.
I simply watch to try to minimize complaints from the neighbours - but
the two dogs emerge from the garage and walk in perfect tandem to their
appointed spot and with their backs to me - stop together - and squat
together. All the while Jazz keeps her eye on Ceiladh to make sure she
doesn't misstep. Doesn't take much to entertain some of us....but I must
say, part of the entertainment value is in the week or so since the pup
has had an "accident" in the house. Now if she could only distinguish between
the mornings when I have to get up for an early tee time and those when I
choose to languish until 6:00 or 6:30 we'd be all set.
Speaking of which - another weekend of mediocre golf has now slipped by -
but I have to say that today I learned to appreciate an apsect of the game
that I often neglect. I parred the first hole - bogied the next three, parred the
fifth and then rolled in a fifteen footer for birdie from above the hole on the
par five sixth hole. I've been struggling with my putting of late - so I got
tremendous satisfaction when that one dropped - in fact it wiped out the
ill-effects of the three earlier consecutive bogeys. On the next hole I blocked
my tee shot and found myself 190 yards out with a very narrow gap
to negotiate through trees between me and green. The only option I
could imagine to get home was to move the ball back in my stance and
"sting" a five wood...I missed a twenty foot birdie putt but had about
a four inch tap in par...The approach shot to the green was more satisfying
than the par itself...thinking it through - and executing it well - that's
what the game is all about. There were a couple of other shots of which I
was proud on the back nine - two birdies and an amazing par on 17 -
but I won't you bore you with the details...but golf is a wonderful game.
Which is something to which I have to attend right now. Golf Shop 07 -
23...the 23rd show if the current season - I have to begin working on it
now so I can record in the morning...after that - three more shows to do -
and then I start work on a new music CD that I hope to have complete
before Xmas...if you visit the music page, I hope to have some samples
finally up by the middle of October....
Oh by the way...as witness to the fact that I am no longer bitter about the
way he trashed me in match play this year...Congratulations to Don Matheson
of Oakfield who today, recorded his first ever hole in one on number three.
He hit a six iron and the ball reportedly touched nothing between his club and
the cup...Great story...if you see Don don't ask him what he did on hole
number four...he might have been a little excited....
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight...
Bless.
Don

PGA Championship

2007-08-12T17:29:00.000-07:00

Tiger Woods wins - and wins majors for one very simple
reason. Tiger Woods is a golfing machine - and as such
is a Ferrari running against Chevy's...Tiger Woods
is the best equipped in every possible aspect of winning
golf tournaments.
He's in better physical condition than any other
player on the PGA Tour - mentally - he is unchallenged -
He can adapt his game to the conditions and the course,
and is unlimited by course length and layout - and
Tiger Woods by virtue of nothing more than the percentage
of his time on earth during which he has had a golf club
in his hands is better equipped than any other human being
to get a golf ball to do his bidding.
Tiger understands better than anyone else. Tiger has the
ability to sift through the important and the mundane over
the course of a championship - and bottom line - as much as
the others may want to win...Tiger wants to win more !
Tiger demands to win more ! Tiger expects to win more.
In his post tourney news conference Tiger said one thing
that stood out...he's better than he was several years ago -
and several years from now he will be better than he is
now....If you love watching Tiger perform - the ride is far
from over yet...if you are among those who is not a Tiger
fan - there is always tennis.
It was good to see Woody Austin do so well at the PGA
Championship. Always emotional, legendary for having
snapped a putter across his melon, Austin was referred
to as a loose cannon by one of the commentators. He is
seldom given much respect...Austin articulated his
resentment Sunday during the broadcast and I thought
he answered his critics well. During one interview he said,
" I mishit a drive and slam my driver into the tee box and
I'm a loose cannon...did you see Tiger Saturday ? He missed
a drive and slammed his driver into the teebox and the
comment is how competitive he is...well - I'm competitive
too !"
Good for you Woody...there is nothing wrong with honest
emotion and I was particularly pleased that someone took
the commentators to task..."Very full of themselves" is a
common broadcast booth malaise...I wonder if they could
get shots ? Maybe if they ( most of them ) got one large
needle every week where they sit they'd find it a little
less difficult to be humble.
Vernon Wells is a great baseball player...good hitter although
this season's been a post contract disappointment, and
usually a terrific, dependable defensive centre fielder.
The other night I saw something I don't beleive I've
ever seen him do before ...he mislayed what should have
beena routine linedrive out..the ball kicked off the end of
his glove and allowed a run to score...now what surprised me
is that this is the first time I've witnessed this with Vernon.
He makes some great catches and gets to many balls that
others wouldn't - but if I were a manager I'd kick his butt
for the way he handles the routine stuff. He falls short of
hotdogging - but he one-hands everything hit his way, whips
his glove down and away the second the ball falls into it -
and generally gives the appearance that he has to try to
amuse himself out there because his job is just so friggin'
dull....well " Dull This !" Vernon because you are supposed
to be the Jays leader and the example you set is very
likely contributing to the Jays being no better than a .500
ball club...by the way....as long as the team leader acts
as if the routine isn't important - your team will never be
more than a .500 team. If Vernon Wells conducted himself
with the same attention to detail and passion that Tiger
Woods takes to the field on game day - that alone would win
the Jays 15 more games per season. And then others would
start showing they care---scary what might happen...but until
your key, big money players start acting like true professionals -
they are pretenders...
Gotta go...gotta date with Jasmine...it's time we go out to pee.
Bless..
Don

Jazz - Not A Golf Training Tool

2007-08-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Well there it was...75..matched my best score of the year.
Three over on the front and even on the back...good to finish
strong. One more good score and the handicap drops to the
magic 6...never been there before...that's the magic...ever
elusive...and when a golfer does get to establish a new personal
benchmark - the pursuit of the next personal best takes over
and becomes all consuming...but alas, until the old dragon is
slain - the castle is more of a prison than prized possession.
Hard to follow a personal best...most golfers I assume can relate.
Back to the old form..brain cramp here...rushed shot there...
inexplicable missed putt...doubts....next round an 81..that's
okay..it's all there right in front of you..you know you won't
make the same mistakes again. I went out and shot 82 the
next game...and then the Club Championships...
New mindset...focus on fairways and greens..how can you possibly
screw up such a simple plan...70 games a year every year for the
last decade on the same golf course. Every fairway has been hit -
every green has been reached in regulation...even with two putts
on every green and a couple of mistakes - there is no conceivable
reason to shoot above mid-seventies provided you let nothing
steer you from your plan.
First hole of the first day of the two day Championship event -
drive down the middle - second shot a blueprint, simple layup.
Middle of the green the target for the third shot on the par 5 -
two putts and - bingo..everything's working like clockwork.
Second hole - good drive - 105 yards out...second shot drops
two and a half feet - below the hole...MISSED THE BIRDIE
PUTT....didn't even hit the flipping hole...that's how you shoot
83 in the first round..one missed putt and focus and game plan
go sailing right out the window...
I won't bore you with details on round two...it was an 84 in
excessive heat....
Three rounds last weekend to recover...couple of games in the
70's and the handicap might still inch downward...80, 81, and
82...
Golf is a very amusing game...they say you learn more about
your opponent in 18 holes of matchplay than you would in
years dealing with he/she across a desk in business. You also
learn all kinds of things flattering and otherwise about yourself
each time you head out.
The last game I played I simply ran out of gas.
And I blame Jazz.
Since I found Jazz - I don't sleep at night. I trust less than I ever
have...and I am constantly looking over my shoulder...by the way -
my tastes in music have not changed. Jazz is short for Jasmine.
Jasmine is a four month old Llaso Apso we brought home a little
more than a week ago. Jazz - poor thing - had to adjust to sleeping
in a kennel...had to adjust to not "doing her business" wherever and
whenever she felt a need...had to adjust to sleeping at least partway
through the night..and is still working on the difference between a
chew stick and my nose...lovely little dog....very affectionate and
cute as can be...but hard on the system. There was a time when
getting up at 3:30 or 4:00AM to take the dog out for a piddle
wouldn't have been too taxing - but those days are gone.
I worked outside the home office for the first half of the day
today - participated in a phone conference call until 1:30 - made
two phone calls - and died. Out of gas...little nap and I was back -
but needing the nap is wearing thin....particularly when being out of
gas is affecting my golf game...which it is...changes are coming !
So couple of long overdue comments....
I never disliked Davis Love III...my son's not fond of him..most of
my golfing comrades view him as sterile, colorless and robotic...
But I never considered him without class until he shafted Angus
Glen the way he did. Angus Glen no doubt paid a fair amount to
have DL3 do the make over of their golf course prior to the
Canadian Open. For him to snub his nose at them - and not
compete was inexcusable...I know he's playing like crap...but
what's new ???..he should be used to that. The last time he
seriously contended they were just putting the wraps on the
Civil War - and I still beleived there was some good in our political
system...Don't get me wrong...If they didn't hold the Canadian Open
the week after the British - and if Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk
hadn't been the only marquis players there - Davis Love III would
have doing the Canadian Open a favor by staying away.
Under normal circumstances - no one would have missed him.
But with the slot the Canadian Open has been forced to accept -
and with everyone needing a break before the playoffs after
Carnoustie and with Love III having been paid handsomely
to do a little nip and tuck on the golf course, it is shameful that
backed out....all that's missing is an ounce of integrity or honor.
Having said that - the Canadian Open will continue to be no
more than an after thought until it moves on the PGA
schedule.
Barry Bonds - does anyone care ? Five years from now A-Rod
will eclipse Bountiful Barry...
A-Rod....does anyone care ?
It's a shame that today's athletes are all the kinds of people you'd
least like to have move in next door.
Gotta Go...Jazz wants out...
Don

Blink and It's Over

2007-07-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

And here we are back home - weary and happy to be back
but so sad it's over....Months we anticipated our trip to
northern Alberta, to Fort McMurray. This was our first
trip to Fort McMurray - our first time visiting our youngest
son where he has chosen to make himself a home...but
even more importantly - where he decided to get married
for the first time - and he did - and we were there and it
was beautiful...really nice...Matthew was great. His new
bride, Eliana was great. We got to meet her family -
Luis and Lillie , her Dad and Mom and the whole brood...
and all a big rehearsal for the real wedding which takes
place in Chile - Eli's native land - in the New Year..Hence
the earlier mention of married for the first time. Can't
wait. We spent our last two days in Alberta in Edmonton -
I'd never seen the West Edmonton Mall before...beyond my
ability to comprehend. You would need three solid days to
fully appreciate what all is there. Before we got to the
mall we also visited a very nice golf course. Redtail Landing
out by the airport....$ 65.00 with cart...very good value...
links style, target course, ever present breeze, good
entertainment...Also...just so you know - I discovered two
very playable golf courses right in Fort McMurray...
Fort McMurray has a lot more to offer than I ever
dreamed possible...keeping in mind of course that a
visit in winter would be somewhat a different proposition.
Golf Shop Radio Program this week may be the best show
ever...the best in eight years ! My guest is World Golf Hall of
Fame inductee, Canadian Sports Hall of Famer, Marlene
Stewart Streit. What an inspiring lady ! I hope you will
tune in. The world would be a far better place were it full
of straight shooters who called it the way they saw it the
way this lady does. I have a new hero.
That's it for now...I will ramble more later.
Bless
Don

Raspberries and Roses

2007-06-11T04:14:00.000-07:00

It's early Monday morning...couple of things to ponder..
Why can't all PGA Tour winners be as genuine as Woody
Austin ? Perhaps because he doesn't win every week,
perhaps because he's not one of the tour's marquis players -
but mostly probably because he's the type of player -
the type of person that instead of going berserk and
disrupting anything and everything that's going on
around him - he's the kind of person that snaps his own
putter over his own head when things get beyond his
ability to control...you have to love Woody Austin !
Michele Wie....I shant even bother...the poor lost child
is the victim of parents who are either blind with greed
and ambition or just blind and their vehicle is oh so sadly
their daughter. Tragically I'm guessing the damage already
done is damage from which Michele can never recover.
Still with golf - if you watch TSN - there is no way you
will have escaped the Dynamic Mutual Funds commercials
featuring Mike Weir and his caddy....How Mike could ever
allow these to get to air is nuts ! There is no worse series
of commercials on TV. Mike looks dumb - Brendan looks dumb -
and anyone with Dynamic Mutual Funds in their portfolio
should hastily divest themselves of this corporate entity.
Any company that employs a marketing department that
permits any agency to come up with this kind of a message
to "brand" their business - is I fear a company sadly lacking
in understanding of how to create an image to make people
want to consume their product...scary, scary stuff.
Phil Michelson will not win the US Open...
Love to hear from those people who listen every week to
the Golf Shop Radio Program. Please, when you register to
receive your weekly Golf Shop E Newsletter, feel free to
let me know a little about your golf experience...Are you
a member at a golf course ? Where do you play ? What is
it about the game that appeals to you ? What's your favorite
course ? Thanks for listening and for visiting the website.
I'm working on adding a few things to the website and the
show - so - keep coming back.
I'm excited about being able to offer some promotional
opportunities with Nike Golf and the Fairmont Algonquin
Resort and look forward to awarding some nice prizes in
the weeks ahead. Listen to the Golf Shop - and visit the
website www.atlanticgolfradio.com .
NS Mid Amatuer comes up next week at the Links at Penn
Hills the end of next week...If you like to watch good golf
at a good venue might be worth a drive out to Shubenacadie.
The Atlantic Zone of the CPGA is holding a tour event at
Penn Hills the second week of July...that should be fun to
watch as well.
While I'm at it...dare I say - the greens at Oakfield finally
appear to be coming around...keep your fingers crossed...
it's been a long and frustrating early part of the season for
golfers there. I played in a tournament at Granite Springs
last week and they too are experiencing some challenges
on their putting surfaces. Matters weren't helped by vandals
driving machinery across the three tiered 12th green.
I do not envy those people charged with the responsibility
of providing a satisfactory product to the golfing public -
be they greens fees players or members. Most of us
under those circumstances would be driven to twitches.
Had a visitor to the website from Pakistan this week...
Awesome...that's the US, England, the Philipines, Germany,
Africa, and South America so far....and the season's just begun.
Gotta run...
Til next time..hittem long and hittem straight...
Don

It's Shameful

2007-05-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

It's shameful.
We, as a country are sending service men and women
into battle and as they come home in flag draped caskets
we dishonor their memories and service by not even
providing for them an adequate funeral.
The families left behind are being insulted and penalized
by being given less than $ 5,000 in funeral allowance by
our federal government. The average funeral cost in
Canada if you can beleive the numbers being quoted in
the media is $ 10- $ 12,000.
I will not dwell on the disgrace our legislators should
feel.
Why is it that the Captain of Canada's World Championship
Hockey Team causes more fervor than this kind of
national insult ?
If our Members of Parliament treat people who give
their lives this kind of lack of respect, is it any wonder
we receive the quality of government we are witnessing
today ?
Is there no sense of priority any more ?
Is there no sense of right and wrong any more ?
Are we completely beyond any moral, ethical,
direction ? Is there no such thing as good and evil ?
It's shameful.

And it was going so well........

2007-05-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

I've got it in my head, I've got it in my heart,
Its racing round in melodies I just can't seem to start.
I get new inspiration with every passing cloud
I trip on new ideas every morning as I plod
my way through each black coffee,
But the coffee just won't clear -
The fog - that keeps this song so deep inside

I stammer and I stutter as I hit each different key
the chords are there, the notes ring true, but nothing seems to be
the way it started out - my message now has changed -
Reign in these charging horses or we'll never safe escape -
The dangers that lie hidden -
and the fog - that keeps this song so deep inside.

That is the sun that shines and bathes all we see in light
It is the sun that warms and makes new grasses grow
It is the sun that drives away the mysteries of night -
that bring the fog that keeps this song inside.
That brings the fog that keeps this song inside...

Can't seem to find a shortcut - or a way to make it flow
Can't seem to navigate the course - to follow
I have the sense - with each attempt I'm closer to the goal
And better having launched the ship to find those distant shores
still hidden -
in the fog that keeps this song so deep inside.

D Grose Music 07

Its probably ill-advised of me to begin these "columns"
with song lyrics. Probably scares a lot of folks away.
Not meant to...it's like a pitcher's warm-up tosses - or a
singer doing vocal exercises..it's as close to a stretching
exercise as I ever get....

Master Clubmaker and Professional Clubfitter Dana Wong
of the Village Golf Shop in New Minas knows his stuff !
I am officially on record as endorsing club-fitting and
custom club - making.
I will only add that the care and passion with which the clubmaker
and club fitter carries out the tasks I beleive are as important
as the process.
Everyone who goes to Dana for a fitting and clubs comes away
with the same reaction..." Wow..he really knows his stuff. "
"Wow..he looks at every conceivable detail." and " Must
be nice to love what you do as much as he obviously does!"
And he obviously does love his work.
Dana spent about 4 hours with me one day this winter.
He measured, and re-measured all the while explaining
what and why he was doing it.
I have to admit that as impressed as I was - I remained
somewhat skeptical. I have always beleived that my seven
handicap is the result of my limited ability to execute in
key situations - and my desire to play more than practise.
Short form - it wasn't the tools - it was the technician...
some would say in this instance - the technician and the
tool - are one and the same.
Here it is the end of May and I have now played golf in all
conditions this year ( except prime physical condition
that is ) and I want to say that custom clubs - properly
fitted - make a world of difference. While I have yet to
post any record scores after about ten previous games
I experienced golf on the weekend unlike that which I
have ever experienced...Yes, I still made the customary
mistakes - but the mishits didn't bruise like they have
in the past - and the good shots - and there were plenty -
were sooooo sweet. It was like golf the way golf was meant
to be. There is a lot to be said for standing over an iron with
confidence - knowing the ball will go where it is designed to go.
I could go on - but I won't except to say - that if you love your
golf - book a fitting session with Dana - custom made clubs
from the Village Golf Shop in New Minas is the only way to
go.
Now...had the occasion to play golf at the Links at Penn Hills in
Shubenacadie Monday of the long weekend. Booked a time to
jump in with three members out there. If you remember the
day - it was cold and gray and it had rained both Saturday and
Sunday so you knew it was going to be wet underfoot.
As it turned out my three playing partners had all cancelled -
I trust due to the weather - and I wound up playing with
Herb - a member - Jason the Assistant Pro and Pat DeCoste the
Director of Golf. Now, I've known Pat for several years - but never
been out on the course with him. My gosh...while I didn't play
sterling golf by any stretch of the imagination - the shots that he
and Jason were making look routine...something to watch.
When they tell you that the difference between a pro and an
amatuer is the pro's ability to get up and down - well - there's
a lot to that. Forty or sixty or in one instance 80 yards by your
good drive - well there's a lot to that too - and it does change the
game...but what a day...one cloudy , cold day I'm glad I didn't
miss....although I'm still bitter that my "miracle" skin got cut
on 15....I look forward to an opportunity to do that again -
soon I hope....I think the NS Mid Amatuer at Penn Hills will be a
good one the week of June 20.
Ad Speak...In business and spending too much on advertising ?
In business and not sure you're getting results to justify your
investment ? In business and wondering whether you are doing
anything to protect much less expand your market share ?
You're not alone - and if you are like most businesses advertising
is the last thing you want to deal with..
It's too bad . It's not that difficult.
If you want to know more - email me at dgrose@chumhalifax.com.
I will even buy the coffee if you'd like to sit down and vent for a
few minutes and then find some answers to your marketing and
advertising problems. It's like self help guru the silver fox - Jim Rohn
used to say, " It's Easy !" and you know what..it is.
If you don't want to talk about advertising but you'd like to make
contact - just say " hi " - help me through my writer's block - or
recommend counselling but don't wish to register with blogger -
email is dongrose@eastlink.ca. Love to hear from you...unless you
are one of those people who misunderstood something I said and
were offended...in which case...sorry..probably didn't mean anything
by it.
Til next time...bless...and please listen to the Golf Shop Radio Program
Friday evenings at 6 and Saturday mornings at 8 on 92 CJCH or
at www.cjch.ca streamed live...and register for your weekly newsletter.
Don

Sometimes Life Is Just Too Good

2007-05-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

A winter's day
A cold and windy winter's day
A dreary, blustery winter's day
a light

A winter night
A cold and windy winter's night
A dreary, blustery winter's night
a torch

A winter walk
A cold and windy winter's walk
A dreary, blustery winter's walk
A spark

A fountain
A warm and soothing, healing, fountain
Wet and warm you close your eyes, a fountain
the seed

A dream
Life renewed, truth restored, a dream
Worth pursuing, you alone, a dream
the reason

D. Grose Music 07

You know - sometimes life is just too good.
My youngest son has just announced he's getting married. Too cool !
Matt and Eliana...even sounds good together. She is a beautiful lady
and a most welcome addition to the family. Her daughter, Kathy whom
we met in Cuba is a sweetie - a marvellous little girl - we loved her the
day we met her. I'm so proud of Matt - and his brother - I am
truly blessed.
Needless to say there's a little excitement around this household.
They will be married in June when we visit them in Fort MacMurray.
And Tyler, Matt's older brother is going to be there too. Nice.
Tyler, from the newly established Calgary Grose clan was home
last week - left last night.
We managed to get two games of golf in and I haven't had
that much fun since I don't know when. I would rather play golf with
Tyler than anybody else I can think of. Having Matt there would make
it perfect. Playing with Tyler reminds me of playing with my father.
It's got the same feel to it. It's so much more than golf.
Now Scrabble on the other hand..that's a game just meant for
"schoolin !"
T-Bone's visit was his first since he ventured west and
he's missed again already.
Cards...Greeting Cards...Probably because I associated card with "report"
they've never meant that much to me..but this year I got two really special
cards on my birthday - one from my wife and one from my mother - that
darn near brought me to my knees. They were really, really nice. I got a card
from my mother-in-law that made me chuckle and then last night in the mail
we got a card from a longtime friend of the family, Mrs. Timmins in Ottawa.
We'd sent her a card on her birthday just as kind of a little surprise - Charlene's
idea as always - and Mrs. Timmins wanted to acknowledge the gesture.
Nice people deserve to have nice things happen to them - and the Timmins
were always cherished friends of my folks who treated me so very kindly.
And - Mr. Timmins - got his very first "hole in one" very recently...
It's just nice.
You know - block out the nonsense and - Sometimes life is just too good.

Bless
Don

Tempest in a Septic Tank

2007-05-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Seeeeeeeeeething...I'm just seeeeeeeeeething.
I can't beleive the story that has dominated Canadian TV News
for the last two nights. Shane Doan - the Captain of Team Canada at
the World Hockey Championships.
Almost two years ago an NHL official accused Doan of an anti-Francophone,
on-ice slur. No one beleived it. Teammates, opponents, other officials, the
NHL...the charges were dismissed. Except in Ottawa where a gaggle of
French Canadian MP's used their outrage over the incident to get their
otherwise meaningless personnas on the News.
I am from Montreal...my wife is of French Canadian descent. I love
pea soup ! and Gitanes ! and smoked meat piled high on rye ! But
man oh man - is there no limit to how small our politicians have
become ?
I don't know Shane Doan - but anything I have ever read or heard indicates
that he is a highly decent, principled, ethical, and spiritual model of a man,
much less a hockey player. Shane Doan is one of a handful of hockey players
representing his country ( PQ included ) on strictly a volunteer basis.
He is Captain because he is the best leader for that collection of playoff
castoffs....
The fact that some of our highly paid MP's can find no more meaningful
issues into which to sink their teeth than Doan's suitability as Team Canada
Captain - should be cause for their immediate dismissal -
Any MP in the last 48 hours who has appeared on camera to weigh in on
an issue with as little depth as this has proven how "galactically shameless"
they are.
Health Care, Education, Roads, Fiscal Irresponsibility, Waste, Pollution,
Over-Taxation, Corruption....these are issues worth attacking.
What a sick game our political process has become.
Our MP's have no shame. Our MP's have no backbone. Our best MP's
have surrendered to treading water in scum in hopes that somewhere
along the line they can make the slightest difference. It's their only
hope.
Our system must change - these are most desperate and discouraging
times. I hope Hockey Canada meets with government officials tomorrow
and tells them to go screw themselves and turn their attention to things
that matter.
Having said that , I am not a regular Oprah watcher...but I caught bits
of her show today - and I marvel at the inner strength exhibitted by
some. There was a woman whose husband killed their four kids and
then himself; there were two young boys with artificial limbs and
several others who had overcome tremendous difficulties and
challenges and who now were leading meaningful lives. The human
spirit is a wonderous, inspiring thing.
Now...to the truly important...let me just say that golf is a spectacular
game ! After playing nine holes at Riverhills a couple of weeks ago -
last Saturday morning I played my first 18 at Penn Hills in Shubenacadie.
I will readily admit to dragging my heinie around the last two or three holes,
Penn Hills is a good hike when you're in good shape but boy it was great
to be back playing again. Terry and Kelvin - Doug pooped out on us -it
was like we'd never stopped. Some really good shots hit - some atrocious
shots hit - some great one liners - some great laughs - that's what its all
about. By the way..professional, custom fitting is the only way to go.
Dana Wong at the Village Golf Shop in New Minas put together a set of
clubs for me this spring - and I'm telling here and now - what a difference.
Clubs designed to make me better as opposed to clubs designed to be sort of
like clubs designed to make a PGA tour player better. Call Dana today.
Seriously.
Gotta Go....the Sens and Devils are about to start..as are the Jays and
Indians...What a Raptors game last night...
Til next time...Bless
Don

The First Dimpled Ball

2007-04-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Supposed to golf tomorrow...it's going to rain...how predictable was that ?
This is where I normally break into song..." Nobody knows - the trouble
I've seen.." Big deal - lots of time for golf ..In fact I played nine holes earlier
this week...picture this if you will.
I'm driving to Barrington Passage to pick up my Mom whose visiting Aunt Glo
and Uncle Lou...I'm due there at around 11AM...So , I deduce that it would
be effective use of my time to get up two hours early and begin the three hour
trek at 5:45AM and arrive in time to stop in at RiverHills Golf and Country
Club and drop off a CD of the Golf Shop Radio Program in which they were
recently featured...And I further decide to walk nine holes and try out my
custom fitted clubs....
8:45....there's a welcome chill in the air...light breeze..sun has just barely
managed to peel a light frost off the not yet green fairways...it's blinding
as you look out from the eleventh tee to the uphill par five ahead. The tee shot's
key on this hole. Start it out over the right edge and ease it back not quite
to centre..good contact will put you on a flat for your second shot.
Six shots later and you're in the hole and you've resuscitated every
excuse you used all last year and invented a couple of new ones -
but hey - it's alright...it's early...and it's only game...and the short game's
always the last thing to come back...and who could have read that putt
to break just before the hole like that...and no one could have made that
eight footer coming back...and that's just bad luck when the ball rims out
like that...even on your fourth putt.....Golf Season has started again -
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.... Is it just me or is this year's Byron Nelson Classic a
little less compelling than normal ? Is Tiger's absence a factor ? Phil
being there's not helping. Maybe it's just me - If I'd been out for more than
nine holes so far maybe I'd be more keen.
I hate square drivers....square drivers and long putters should be banned.
I'm on record. While we're at it - I'm really not a fan of the claw grip much,
either...reminds me of riding side-saddle. That's just me....
I am reading a book I am truly enjoying..Golf for Enlightment by Deepak Chopra.
Highly recommend it...so does my subtle inside self.
I have to go jacket shopping...buy for now....
Til next time....hitttem long and straight....and if you're not doing anything
and it's 6pm Friday night ( Halifax time ) or 8AM Saturday...www.cjch.ca..
and tune in the Golf Shop...find out what Bill Taylor's best remembered for.
Don..

My Favorite Maritime Golf Courses

2007-04-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

1/ Lynx at Kingswood Park
2/ Dundarave
3/ The Highlands
4/ Abercrombie
5/ Digby Pines
6/ Links at Penn Hills
7/ Fox Harb'r
8/ Mactaquac
9/ Royal Oaks
10/ Mill River
11/ Glen Arbour
12/ Dundee
13/ Fox Meadow
14/ Paragon
15/ Le Portage
16/ Osprey Ridge
17/ Chester
18/ Algonquin
19/ Bell Bay
20/ Oakfield
21/ Ken Wo
22/ New Ashburn
23/ Truro
24/Granite Springs
25/Hartlen Point
26/Stanhope

So there you have it...My favorite Maritime Golf Courses...on any given day
the order might change a little - but these are the courses about which
I smile when I think an opportunity might be coming to play them.
Please do not misunderstand - I have not necessarily played spectacularly
well at any of them...even for me. But for the most part I remember holes ,
or series of holes, hospitality, layout, or something about them that makes
them a place to which I'd return in a heartbeat.
In some cases - they are far from exquisitely manicured - but they have a
place that is well defined, they serve a community and a purpose well.
Are they the best ? In my mind, for my purposes, today...yes - they represent
the best Atlantic Canada has to offer.
The first question I can hear is.."What about Crowbush ?" Could be a great golf
course..but for two holes. Blow those two bad boys up and you're off to the
races...In fact, using the back tees on the par five which should be a par
six or seven...they could create a short par three to take the place of
the astronomically nonsensical # 17 and a small but tricky par four over
the environmental area and they could have two decent holes - which
would make Crowbush - a very good golf course indeed.
Another PEI standard that's missing from the list is Brudenelle about which
I am admittedly conflicted. There are many things to like about Brudenelle.
It is a nice playable golf course with a couple of really nice holes - but I think
much too much is made of the 6 par 3's, 6 par 4's and 6 par fives...
I would much prefer to play Glasgow Hills, Andersons Creek, or Eagles Glen
than I would Brudenelle....By my memory you get more course for the money.
I will be expanding on my picks on the Golf Shop Radio Program over the
summer if my rationale is of interest.
Something else I am going to start doing is golf equipment reviews.
Whose irons are best ? Whose making the best driver ? When you buy
golf balls where is your money best spent ? Be listening.
Now...I don't care what they tell you..I beleive it's time that some new
talent emerge from the frozen north to take the place of Lorie Kane and
Mike Weir...Sorry, I am fans of them both, but I don't see either reclaiming
their share of the golf limelight ever again. Here's my theory...Both Lorie
and Mike had to work like the devil to win on their respective professional
tours - both had to sacrifice and dedicate and commit to a level that most of
us will never know. Both Mike Weir and Lorie Kane made it ! Multiple winners
on the grand stage. But after the seductive influences of success, I have
to believe it would be very difficult to go back to the driven, uncompromising existence that got you there. They will continue to compete - they may again
flirt with big prizes but names will remain prominent in an ever shrinking
circle. I don't think either would expect us to feel badly for them.
So..the NHL Playoffs...too much...I'm sorry..even as a hockey fan we are
being over exposed. The NHL was a much better product when you had to
wait all week to see one game..even when that game was bad. The problem is that even though we're seeing some good hockey now, there is so much of it it becomes easy to ignore.
Go Jays !
Now..how sweet is it that the Raptors play Vince in the first round of the
NBA Playoffs ? As easy as it is to dislike most obnoxious professional athletes,
Vince Carter has taken "Arseface" to a whole new level. ( isn't that lovely and
articulate sounding ? ) In what kind of world does he exist ? Does he not know
that his teammates can't trust him, can't depend on him, can't possibly respect
him, because his evident complete lack of character ? Is he not aware that
with a backbone somewhat akin to an eclair, his teammates and Nets fans
expect him to fall down and lie on the hardwood grimacing in pain when things go badly ? What kind of a mirror do people like Vince Carter look at ?
With all his talent , all his money, all his fame, Vince Carter will never
be a winner, never be admired and at best someday may be universally
pitied. Ya...that's what I want to be when I grow up ! I only hope that
Chris Bosh never gets lured to the dark side and that he continues to act
and play like someone around which a franchise can grow - and be proud !
And that Sports Fans..is all she wrote..
Til next time - Hittem Long and Hittem Straight
Don

Oh My...It Is A Familiar Pain

2007-04-02T03:26:00.000-07:00

I don't often find myself agreeing with "hockey insider" and TV airbag Bob
McKenzie -but in this case - I have to say - he hit the proverbial nail on
the head.
The Leafs are pretenders ! The Leafs had no business actually vying for
a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
While you have to love their heart - the Leafs have given fans every
indication in the past few weeks just how limited their future is.
You cannot contend in any competition over the long haul if you habitually
surrender healthy leads.
Those who follow the Blue and White have seen more than their share of
opposing miracle comebacks particularly of late. The Leafs are proof perfect
that shots on goal mean nothing - that territorial advantage means nothing -
and that scrappy, blue collar goals are not the things on which you find a
Stanley Cup perched. While the Maple Leafs have scored more replay
worthy goals of late, they aren't known as a team that is going to bring
fans out of their seats with an end to end rush - and this is not
a season that will be remembered for it's sterling playmaking - ala Oates
to Hull or Oates to Cam Neeley...
No this season will be remembered for absolutely atrocious defensive
end coverage. How many goals did the Leafs surrender in the past month
when they had control of the puck in their own zone and failed to clear ?
How many times have opposing forwards had both "space and time" in
front of the Leaf net ? Wellwood, Gill, Antropov, and Ponikarovsky all give
me shivers when they have the puck in their own zone...
Sadly..it's all a forty year refrain...no horses.
Raycroft is not Bower, or Sawchuk, or Joseph, or Belfour...but he should not
shoulder the blame.
I think Paul Maurice did a marvellous job with what he had and reclamation
projects like Devereaux and Kilger proved his keen eye. The fact that he
stuck with Stajan and Steen will pay off in years ahead...but ...this year
is another that Leaf fans will bury in the compost hoping that by the fall,
a richer , nutrient - flushed base will be foundation of a more fruitfull
campaign...It is a wish...and a hope...something we Leafs fans sadly see
where what we'd rather be looking at - is a Cup...
Now having said all that....wouldn't it be a blast to get the chance to play that
golf course on which Adam Scott won the Shell Houston Open. Nice putt to win.
The Tournament Course at Redstone proved a wonderful venue to spring
the PGA Tour onto Augusta this week.
What is your favorite Masters Memory ? Please dial in the Golf Shop this week
Friday evening at 6PM or Saturday morning at 8AM..our season begins
this week on Masters weekend. Can't get 92 CJCH on the radio ? Dial us
up on the web where we are streamed at www.cjch.ca...
Gotta go..promos to write and presentations to send off..
Til next time..hittem long and hittem straight..
Don

You Are Tardy Grasshopper

2007-03-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

It is all somewhat beyond my comprehension - but wait long enough and the circle
of events, does, for whatever reason, seem to close with an inescapable pattern.
This latest go-round begins with a trip in November to see Mom in Ottawa.
On the flight on the way up I began reading a book I'd been anxious to read
for years.
It was written by Rick Reilly - someone whose work I'd respected and admired
since his early days at Sports Illustrated. Reilly always manages to embrace the
most human elements of the story - and that is what I think attracted me most.
His style is so distinctive that I remember reading an article - and thinking - I
enjoyed that so much it must have been Rick Reilly's...nine times out of ten I
was right. By the time I left the sports department at CHYM/CKGL
( and thus read Sports Illustrated less compulsively ) I was looking
through the index, disappointed when there wasn't something Reilly had penned.
At any rate, I'd read somewhere that Reilly had written a golf book
- Who's Your Caddy ? - and picked up a copy. For no better reason than lack
of time to read it - it sat on my book shelf for the longest time - until last
November.
In previous submissions I've talked about how much I enjoyed the book -
and in one of the chapters he had caddied for - as he described him -
mystic, healer and self help guru Deepak Chopra...Well..I had mentioned to
my wife, Charlene how much I had enjoyed Who's Your Caddy - and had
enthusiastically described the chapter with Deepak Chopra...So...for Christmas
this wonderful woman not only surprised me with another Rick Reilly book -
but also one entitled, " Golf for Enlightenment" the seven lessons for the game
of life - by Deepak Chopra...
Well I've been suffering through a bit of a personal funk for several months -
plaqued by issues like retirement, and what I want to do when I grow up....
and of course all of the other things that befuddle the generation...and then
I saw, " The Secret" which in my humble estimation is this generation's
" Think And Grow Rich" by Napolean Hill...but a far easier read. Then on
Bravo this morning I saw a piece on an ancient "surfer guitar master"
whose advice included a little gem , "When you fall into a pile of shit, tell
yourself it's perfume, because you could be there for a while." This guy's
life, and I don't remember his name but it doesn't matter because outside of
his home of California, he's not particularly well recognized, includes it all...
rise to fame and fortune, collapse, personally and professionally,
divorce, near fatal health problems, and from it all , he's emerged, singular
in his thinking, his actions, and his message. I'm guessing the guy's in his mid
sixties, and he and his 12 year old son play guitar together...bottom line here is
that this individual does what's right for him...lives his dream - and in the end -
decides what he wants and then does it. And is grateful for the chance.
I watched with great interest his story unfolding - because his story, much
like The Secret, much like so many other things I keep coming across reinforce
the idea that there are no limits on what a soul can do - and no limit on how
many ways anything you decide to do can be accomplished -
and that all you need do is make the decision - and then - go get it.
Presumably - the difficulty with which you reach your goal - is determined by
many things - including how well you plan - and how well you align yourself
with the external forces that can aid or hinder your journey...which is where
I am in the Golf For Enlightment book -
which is , in summary, just a whole lot of fun to be reading...right now.
Spent last weekend at the Golf Atlantic Expo meeting all kinds of good folks -
collecting a whole new series of Most Memorable Shots and Why Do You Play
This Game features for the radio program...I have a meeting this week to discuss
a possible weekly Golf column in a Nova Scotia print publication and I begin laying
out plans for a new feature in the Golf Shop Radio Program - my 20 favorite
Maritime Golf Courses....I don't think you'll find my choices reflected in the
politically formulated Top 100 of other golf media... Frankly how the Bell Bay's,
Crowbush Cove's, and Brudenelle's ever get identified among the Maritimes' best
courses is beyond me...90 percent of Maritime golfers never get to play them.
At any rate...oh...before I go...
Do you think the NHL should ban fighting ? Do you think the NHL should ban
fighting due to the number of recent injuries ? How many NHL players have had
their careers ruined by knees that blew up when their blades caught a flaw in the
ice ? Ban ice ! How many players have had their careers ruined when they were
sent flying into the end boards racing to touch the puck for an icing ? The NHL still
has icing. How many NHL careers have been ended by old age ? Any player over
30 should be banned.....or killed. Ban fighting ? What nonsense !
What the NHL has to ban is teams carrying a guy who gets 2 minutes of ice per game
- and 30 minutes of penalties. Fighting is far preferable to stick work..but two
giants in war gear who square off in a planned skirmish for which they are specifically
employed is too artificial to be considered as anything more than fodder for the
WWE. Anytime a player racks up more penalty minutes in a game than he has playing
time - he should be suspended for 3 games. After three suspensions, his worth to
his team should be clear, and he should be suspended for the year...then if a player
doesn't have the gifts to play at the NHL level - his days as a player will limited.
Might want to consider a hefty fine for the team each time one of their players is suspended...Tough hockey is good hockey...and there is certainly room in the NHL
for tough players and fighting..but sending two big wankers out there to mix it up is
a waste of everyone's time....and is proving dangerous.
That's it - that's all - there is no more...go Tiger !
When I get the chance I will talk next about Mike Weir and Lorie Kane....as they
fade like setting suns....
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight..
Bless
Don

Shhhhh...it's the Secret

2007-03-02T12:32:00.000-08:00

If you live long enough there are many things - good and bad - that you will
have the pleasure - or pain of experiencing multiple times. Someone at
work couple of weeks ago hosted a screening of something called
" The Secret."
At the time, I had no idea what the secret was all about.
And, as it turned out, I was unable to make the screening...but I borrowed
the DVD the next weekend...
I have been introduced to Tony Robbins, and have at times found several
other self improvement gurus worthwhile...I particularly enjoyed the work
of one "Silver Fox" Jim Rohn, who I saw early on in my sales career, in
Toronto, while with MacLean Hunter. Rohn's pitch was
" It's easy - just do it ! "
Rohn pre-dates Nike and the swoosh by a decade or two, and I found his
message compelling in its simplicity... wanna lose weight ?
We all know how...it's easy - just do it ! wanna stop smoking ? We all know
how....it's easy - just do it ! Wanna get rich...we all know how...it's easy just
do it. Decide what you want, and then program your life and activities so
that everything you do is consistent with getting you to your chosen
destination...and that, in a nutshell is the secret.
I watched this new DVD, this new Secret with great interest - and I must
say, it spiked a new level of enthusiasm in me and has helped turn a bit of
a corner...for that I'm very thankful...I do need a reminder from time to
time - now more than ever that I sell advertising and marketing advice/
council/direction particularly where it relates to radio - or the human
voice - and increasingly the web. ...and it is that particular pastime that
allows me to live a very comfortable, and ample lifestyle...and I can't think
of a lot that I would rather do - that would allow me the freedom this does
- with similar rewards - until my rapidly approaching retirement...
So here's to "The Secret."
The Secret really hasn't changed much from the time I first read
Napolean Hill's , " Think and Grow Rich" - but 90 minutes ,
well produced in video is far more palatable than grinding through 228
pages of small print, or 12 30 minute cassettes.
" The Secret," is make a decision about what it is you want - and then
pursue it.
We're s'posed to get the winter's first storm tonight...and then it's
s'posed to go to five degrees celcius in the sun tomorrow...golf is not far
away. I hit shots for about an hour today into a simulator...it was
wonderful. I have new clubs. I had them custom made...custom fitted
and custom made. So far, I am very impressed...
and dying to get out on green grass in the fresh air and put them to the
real test.
I will begin working on the Golf Shop E-Newsletter this weekend...If
you are interested in being added to the distribution list just send me
an email. The Newsletter will have Quick Golf Facts, Swing Tips,
Book Reviews, Websites worth visiting, Equipment Reviews, Industry
News, and course reviews and will come out weekly. The Golf Shop
Radio Program, by the way begins April 6 ( Friday Nights at 6PM on
92 CJCH - streaming at www.cjch.ca ) and again Saturday mornings at
8AM...Lots of good stuff planned so please tune in...and tell your
friends !
Am I alone in my releif that Phil Mickelson failed in his bid to win two
tournaments in succession...he's probably a nice man, and there are in
all likelihood far more despicable people on the PGA Tour, but just
watching him on TV makes my skin crawl...dunno know why....
it is what it is..
Robert Louis Stevenson once said, " Our business in life is not to
succeed - but to continue to fail in good spirits."
Til next time...Bless
Don

The Great Restaurant Fiasco - The Argyle - Don't Go

2007-02-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

You know...there are places you can go to eat in Halifax, and
be all but assured that you will have a great meal with good,
service - a fabulous way to either start or end any evenning.
Well, the Argyle Street Bar and Grill is not one of those !
While guilty often of making rash assessments of people,
establishments, comments and sentiments, I feel I am
well qualified to pronounce harsh sentence on the Argyle.
Saturday night we had reservations for the Argyle -
despite my protests because we had been tricked before
and I quite frankly got the feeling that while serving adequate
food - anything beyond that was a pleasant accident and
if you were treated to anything resembling good service
it was your good fortune indeed.
So, Saturday night we arrived at the Argyle to be told that
they did not have our reservation...but we were welcome to
wait until a table came open. While I ran next door to OPA
to see if we could get in there, they shoved the other people
in our party into a booth - we had reserved a table - when
I returned they were seated. A table was set and ready not
ten feet from our booth and our requests to be moved were
ignored.
Upon my return I was fairly insistent to the others in our party
that we either order a full meal and leave or that we just leave -
because this was second consecutive time that we had had a
reservation at the Argyle that never got recorded - or that
got dumped when they found themselves busy that night.
I have never, ever, anywhere seen such a disgusting display
from a business within the hospitality industry.
The above is offered only as a public service - there are so many
good restaurants in Halifax I shudder at the thought of someone
from out of town happening upon the Argyle Street Bar and Grill
and thinking that is the standard that Metro offers.
As it turns out the evenning did have a happy ending. We strolled
two minutes down the street to the Economy Shoe Shop where we
were treated to a delightful meal and good service and another
positive story to tell...if you like curry - try the Shoe Shops curry
with chicken and rice dish or the curry shrimp pasta...
Fantastic !
By the time we got to Neptune Theatre we were all in the mood to
laugh...and laugh we did...I have no idea if "The Love List" by Norm
Foster is still playing - but what a riot !?! Bill Carr was a scream
and shone..and it is plain to see why Foster has gained a reputation
as Canada's top playwright. Congratulations to Neptune on another
great production !
Back to the Argyle for just a moment...I very much get the feeling
that the Argyle Street Bar and Grill is run by Air Canada..
I will share my latest Air Canada story in my next offering...but
Ad Moment...
You know having been in advertising the last couple of decades - one
of the things that only began discussing with my clients and potential
clients recently is " customer experience." I mean, I have always
insisted that clients tell the truth, and have told them that the worst
thing you can do is build up some potential customers' hopes or
expectations and them let them down. But something new that
I find very worth discussing is what new customers find when they
visit a business for the first time. Advertising will bring new customers
into your business - but if they don't have a good experience - not
only won't they buy - but they won't come back - and they won't come
back with everyone who will listen to them.
If you are going to invest in advertising, please make sure that you are
offering a shopping experience of which you will be proud...If your
ads bring people in and your staff send them away mad, you're likely
not getting full value out of your ad budget...Sadly, it doesn't usually take
much to make a good impression...get your staff to act like they care,
treat your customers with the kind of courtesy, manners, and style that
you would like, and listen to what the customer wants. If you're clean
and you look good - that's often enough - but there is so much more
you can do. Bottom line - under promise and over deliver is a mission
statement that always works.
Kinda like the Argyle - and Air Canada...If all their advertising were to
end with -" Bring your business to us - we'll aggravate the hell out of
you !" No one would ever be disappointed - and some people might even
be pleasantly surprised.
Speaking of which...Charlene and I and a couple of friends spent this
Saturday in the valley....with Eagles and the Lookout and a great
restaurant in Canning....More next time....
Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff, Banff...
For T-Bone whose miserable Father used to insist that he
correct spelling mistakes by writing the word ten times and I
did,as he so eloquently pointed out, butcher the word in my last
offering...I will say in my defense that I am extremely proud of Tyler's
communication skills both verbal and written and that if he would just
ease off and let me win at golf occasionally he'd be the perfect son.
Both his Mother and I miss him alot and the phone is no substitute.
Til we meet again - Hittem long and hittem straight..
Bless.
Don

Free Cable

2007-02-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

Cable has freed up all it's channels this month...goes to show
that as your parents so often told you - you get what you pay
for...Confirmation once again that I have more cable
services than I want right now...
the Phoenix Open is on this afternoon on existing services
and hockey's on tonight - so...what more is required ?
I'm starting to get the bug...it's happening again...I'm about to
shift my golf clubs from the spot they maintain in the garage
in the off season to the trunk of the car. I almost phoned around
today to see if all the simulators in town were booked. I was out
to Costco yesterday and almost bought golf gloves - I have to
have eight or nine unopened gloves in my golf-gear bag from last
year so I know that compulsion is starting to take over.
Golf...can't wait.
I'm in the planning stages for this year's Golf Shop Radio Program...
In the next couple of weeks I expect to map out the format for the
coming season, introducing a couple of new wrinkles to the broadcast -
and there is the possibility that the Golf Shop will be expanding
to include the print media which might be very cool indeed...and...
I fully expect to be doing a weekly newletter - so if you're interested
in golf tips, vacation ideas, course reviews, contests, and industry notes
as they relate to golf in the maritimes - email me and sign up...it's all free
and your email address will be used only to distribute the newsletter.
I'm excited about the upcoming season. I met a couple of golf pros late
last season who I'm going to invite to be regulars on the show this year -
I have recruited a couple of western correspondents - more on that later -
and we'll be watching closely the battle in Metro on the retail front....
We know now that Golf Town is opening up in Dartmouth's new
Mall/Park - Jo Mac is switching his signs soon to Nevada Bob's - and a
couple of smaller independents - are starting to inch their way into the
logjam over equipment dollars and I think it's going to be interesting to watch...
Who will be the winners be ????and who will the losers be ? I'll tell you
one thing...I've shopped both Nevada Bob's and Golf Town in other markets -
and unless they have a corporate strategy for new stores - there will be no
big saving to be enjoyed by Metro golfers. Golf Town may, and I'm not
convinced this to be the case, may, offer more variety and more choice than
Golf Central and Jo Mac - but today where an increasing number of players
I know are opting for having clubs custom made at the Village Golf Shop
or even Precision Golf or shops like those - I don't see the retail climate
changing a whole lot - except that the National chains have national advertising
budgets and buying power to give them leverage to play the bully to an extent...
interesting times await.
Part of the reason that I'm itching to scratch that golf thing so early this year
is that I missed my mid - January Phoenix fix this year.
Only so many vacation days in a year - and with a June flight to Alberta in
the offing ( Bampf, Kannanaskis so many others ) there was just no way to make
Phoenix fly...instead Charlene and I met son Matt, and Eli and Kathy in
Toronto a couple of weeks ago and buzzed off to Cuba...Holgein was the city...
what a wonderful vacation ! Very relaxing, very healthy, very laid back and
educational...did you know for instance that there is a limit to the number of
fruit juice based tropical cocktails you can consume in three or four days at
the swim-up bar if you are not a fruit juice drinking person to begin with.
It's true. I won't go into details on the symptoms - but you will know when you get
there...gives a whole new meaning to "all inclusive."
Couple of sports notes....the Raptors are starting to play like a team that beleives
they can...
The Leafs will re-sign Darcy Tucker although it will cost them more than it
should have - and the same holds true for the Oilers and Ryan Smyth.
I want to vomit everytime another baseball player signs a new contract.
Part time players making 2-3 million dollars a season is just wrong !
Ad note...for those of you running small businesses, trying to sort out your
advertising...
Ask yourself the question ? How many customers can I possibly serve over the
next year ?
Are you advertising in too many mediums, spreading yourself too thin, and despite
spending more than you ever have before being less effective than ever before ?
Fact...there are more and more vehicles for advertising everyday.
But how many more potential customers are there where you do business ?
Don't lose focus.
Fact...even a little AM radio station in a market like Halifax in all likelihood has
25-30 thousand adult listeners every week. What percentage of that audience
has to be customers of yours for you to be busy ? How much is it going to cost to
convert those listeners into customers ?
Don't lose focus.
I know of at least a couple of dozen businesses who could trim
their advertising expenditures by 50 %, and still bring in more customers,
if they knew what to say - and who to say it to -
and if they developped a plan and stuck to it.
Just because you hear your competition somewhere you are not is no reason
for you to go there. Before you spend your first dollar every year on advertising,
you should decide what you want it to do and how it's going to do it.
Make your plan - stick to your plan - plant your seed and tend your fields -
and the harvest will be bountiful.
Off to Neptune tonight...Superbowl tomorrow...don't you wish one of coaches was green ?
It's a sad comment that every Super Bowl report this week dealt with two black
coaches instead of two very good, very dedicated, very intense, very smart, very commited
coaches - and two good ball teams...not perfect ball teams but good ball teams. Could be
interesting....Go Colts !!!!
Til next time...Bless
Don

Roses

2007-01-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
A rose this week to a true pinnacle virtue - Ernie Fage.
Ernie, for anyone living outside of Nova Scotia,
is the member of the Provincial Legislature and
Cabinet Minister who for the second time has been
found dipping his toe into a pool of political scandal.
Ernie, is the central figure in a John Grisham meets
Nova Scotia yarn of deceipt, coverup, corruption,
and disgrace. Ernie is alleged to have left the scene
of an automobile accident, albeit a minor one back in November. Problem is, Ernie was driving his government paid-for vehicle, smelled of alcohol, left the scene
before police arrived, and God bless the camera phone -
witnesses got pictures. Funny thing - police never tracked the offender down that night...hmmm...funny
thing..everyone in the premier's office was aware there
was a problem that night...but the Premier was successfully kept in the dark for more than a month.
Funny thing...none of this was made public until the
individual with the camera - phone - pictures offered them for sale to local papers and TV....I hope he or she was handsomely paid...Ernie Fage should now be
barred from ever holding any public office and should
be denied any pension or other benefits he may have
otherwise earned through public service. The Premier's
Office should undergo a "professional" cleansing -
no severance, no benefits, just the disgrace of having
played a role in the coverup for everyone who earns
a paycheque working directly for the Premier...Oh -
and Rodney...he should be made to work the counter at
Burger King until such time as he proves himself ethically fit to do anything else...or..he could leave
the province. Just when we cynics start to think maybe
we have a warped view of the way things are and the
way they should be - something like this comes out...
We are a society out of control ! Is it any wonder that
we face the hurdles we face as a nation when we look to
the likes of Rodney, Fage, Chief of Staff Chisholm, and
any of the rest of the pack for leadership...these
are pathetic excuses for humanity who have completely
lost their way - and we have no one but ourselves to blame for having their kind in positions of power
in Ottawa and Province House...We are witnessing the
decline of a civilization.
Now having said all that - a rose to Ray Price...for
those who don't remember - veteran country singer
Ray Price...I heard Roses of San Antoine the other day..All the tiny classic country nerves in the back
of my neck stood right up...that's good music.
I was listening to the Emmylou Harris album Blue Kentucky girl in the car the other day and Save the
Last Dance for Me came on...I have no idea who her
bass player was on that track but what lovely tasteful
work it was. I wonder if folks who make records like those hear the tracks they played on years later and
recognize just how good their work was ? I wonder if
they care, or if they leave that to you and me ?
At any rate...not flashy, not even fancy, just really
flattering to the song and the other musicians..I think
the honesty and lack of pretention is what attracts me
to the country - and other - music that I like best.
Thank God we no longer have to worry about David Beckham and wife Posh and family starving on the
streets of Britain...thank God, some true humanitarian,
convinced Beckham it was in his best interest to accept
a ten year, 50 million dollar a year contract to play
soccer in LA....Let me see... people work hard their entire lives and can't afford decent health care, people work hard for 40 or 45 years and are told the
government pension won't be enough to keep them comfortable and they die in pain because they can't afford releif bringing drugs, our education system
is such that graduates are leaving university with loans the size of modest mortgages before ever landing their first jobs - and as a society we are supporting
an entertainment industry ( sports included ) that
can come up with that kind of money to pay one man to
play a game..and let's not even get into the fact that this particular man's best socceer days are behind him. Boggles the mind....the funny part of it is,
I was listening a sports talk show this afternoon and
their dialogue centred around how hard done by NHL
players are having to settle for modest 4 and 5
million dollar per year contracts...and we have
families living in the streets in every major North
American City...warped, warped, warped...
At any rate...if you've read all this..thank you.
I do enjoy the ability to rant...feel free to rant
back if you like.
I sold the Garrison guitar the other day..I was tremendously sorry to see the Red Rose go..it was the
only non-blond acoustic I owned..and it was the most
playable instrument ( in it's price bracket )I've ever
had the pleasure of owning...but unfortunately with the
Gibson Gospel, Larrivee, and Martin in the same house
it had stiff competition - and it never got played.
I hope the lady whose receiving it as a gift truly
enjoys it.
That's it...Bless.
Don

2000 and what ?????

2007-01-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
I'm hoping I'll get to seven and then as mystically
as it's hit me - my current writers' malaise will
fade away with no more fanfare than with which it's
baffled me these last eight months..I have about six
little melodies and hooks that I've been playing with,
constructing,developing, working and reworking -but for some reason - the words just won't come...and
it's not that I don't have lots to say....Lord knows
that even with the number of useless meetings I've
managed to remove from my life - there is still ample
material that remains - that produces excellent
motivation to communicate...
Try and watch the television news without being inspired to comment on either what passes for journalism or the greed, blind ambition and deception upon which our society is increasingly balanced...be concerned - be very concerned....
Who are the experts providing guidance for the people charged with making the decisions that dictate
what governments, corporations, small businesses and
even families do ? Who are they and how did they get
into the position from which they ease the rudder side
to side ? How many of them would you trust to do your private banking ? Now there's a sobering thought...
And yes there are also the rare tales of the truly wonderful acts of good and kindness that in fact we see too little of...so lots to talk about...
But getting the time - and focus - to organize thoughts into musical walkways, gondolas to ferry
ballad messages through canals of mind and heart -
there's the challenge.
Used to be two verses and a chorus were child's play.
The last verse was sometimes a challenge but I find
recently I have difficulty finishing a line on the
same thought matter with which I started. Fight through it - remain optimistic there are good things
ahead.
About eleven o'clock one night last week I was out in the driveway having one of my last cigarettes and
I looked up to experience one of life's little joys.
It's a little joy but a pure form of joy that I
truly appreciate. There wasn't a cloud in the sky.
The stars were the size of basketballs begging to
plucked and held...living in the country is full of
blessings easily overlooked...
Okay...so I've got work to do...so...headlines.
New Years Eve at Todd and Linda's...such nice people -
lots of good food to eat and lots to drink - cannons,
fireworks and playing guitar and singing til 4 AM.
New Years should be four times a year...of course they'd have to change the name.
Never mentioned Neptune Theatre's Oliver..what a
nice job ...terrific staging...the whole production
was marvellous. Those folks who've never taken in
a performance at Neptune are really missing something.
What a nice night out...
Speaking of which....Charlene and I finally had a
meal at "Seven" last week. Over the past couple of years we've been making an effort to visit as
many of the nice dining experiences as Halifax has to
offer and " Seven" lived up to it's billing.
On a scale of one to ten...ten being highest....
Food 9
Service 9.5
Room 8
We were downstairs - I'm guessing the upper area is
a tad more private..but all in all an experience
worth revisiting on all counts.
New Years Resolutions...No cigarettes, no VLT's,
no white flour, no sugar, no potato, exercise every day, play guitar everyday, and do something around the
house everyday.If I can cover those, seeking excellence in all I do, with the help of God, 2007
should be a good year.
Is there any other time you'd rather be living than
right now ?!?!? Cause you don't have a choice so you
might just as well make right now as good as it can
be.
Cheers...
Don

Twas The Night Before

2006-12-19T17:43:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
Twas the night before Thursday - no bridge club this week -
Momma is working so it's just me and me teeth.
Well me and my tooth if you must know the truth.
I lost one - they built one - a sorry excuse.

You see teeth by themselves are a marvellous thing.
They chew well and look good so white and so clean.
They fill up your mouth when there's no words inside -
and spend most of your time just there - there's the crime.
Just wait till the day when a tooth falls off -
woe !
There's a big gaping hole in your smile - oh no !
It's never a back one that gets your attention -
it's always a front one - forget any pretention -
Because you now have no choice - you're aging - you
know it !
You can hide things that sag, but fall off - you will show it !

So you rush to the dentist and rely on his magic -
To plug your new gap with something of plastic -
You look in the mirror and marvel and cry -
You look good as new - oh me - my oh my !
Here's the part of the story where good news turns bad...Befuddled, Bewildered, Be Sorry, Be sad -
Your appearance is indeed a technological shock -
But the bridge he installed makes you talk like a sock
was implanted behind where your tooth used to be -
Your tongue just won't function when competing you see -
For the space in your mouth once it's own sole domain.
So a lost tooth - replaced -a problem remains.

I sign up tomorrow for remedial speech classes -
If I perfect these new skills, I'll again talk like the masses.
But until that day comes, I'm afraid I'm resigned -
to taking my bridge out - to talk, cry or whine.
So when your dentist tells you to brush thrice and
floss -
Every day do due diligence or suffer the cost.
Look good or talk right - it's one or the other -
I'm thinking from life I might never recover.

But seriously....Gracious me...I once held the ill-informed belief that once I hit forty - well we'd be
rolling in the clover then ! I've since come to the
conclusion that life is taking every day as it
comes and the happiest people are those who wake up
in the morning with a clear idea of their mission -
an idea of the dream they wish to pursue and the
desire to somehow make someone elses life better in even the most insignificant of ways before each day is done. But I did lose a tooth the other day and I'm
finding it very difficult to talk so I'd really be
quite happy to accept any and all expressions of sympathy....Actually, it's alright...this little
temporary speech impediment might be enough to make
me listen more and speak less - and that can't be a
bad thing.

First Christmas at home without any kids since way back in 1981 when Tyler was born.Tyler's moved to
Calgary, joined younger brother Matthew in Alberta,
so the lovely Charlene is stuck with me..and Ceiladh
( Kay-Lee ) the wonder dog...In case you're curious -
we don't call Ceiladh " the wonder dog " because she's bright even for a border collie...it's because
she sheds and we wonder why the hell we didn't get
something like a pig with no hair. Oh that's nice isn't it ?...No lack of Christmas spirit in a comment
like that now.
My heart goes out to anyone whose alone or whose lost a loved one recently...this can be a difficult time
of year...allow yourself to think good thoughts,
enjoy good memories - and try and think of something
nice you could do for someone else - you might get
a lot of joy out of something simple - like taking
someone else's mind off a situation that's causing
them to struggle.
At the end of the day - we're all in this together.
Have a joyous, safe and healthy holiday season.
May peace be yours.
Don

Great Writing

2006-12-01T10:24:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
For a while I was really enthralled with James Patterson...William Coughlin spins a tidy yarn..
Robert Ludlum crafted some captivating puzzlers...
and yes..I think it's safe to say that a good book
is more than a match for anything on TV..although
Charlene and I quite enjoy recording Boston Legal
and playing it back over a very relaxed late week
supper ...and I am quite bewitched by PrisonBreak,
and although there is finally too much of it, TV
is a heck of a medium for Sports (Having said
that, I would desperately like to know how much of a
budget the CBC wastes every year on Sports Weekend-
I remain convinced that the audience numbers for
University Diving,Volleyball and Table Tennis must
indicate the even the immediate families of the
competitors choose not to tune in .. a rant for another time ). Point being - on a recent trip to Ottawa to visit Mom and the rest of the Grose clan
I decided to delve into a couple of the golf books
that are piling up in my collection. I read Johnny
Miller's " I Call The Shots " which was entertaining
but regretably 100 pages longer than what Johnny
had to say meritted and also a book from one of my
favorite Sports Writers of all time.
I remember first becoming aware of Rick Reilly when
I was the Sports Director at CHYM and CKGL Radio in
Kitchener Ontario. I used to devour Sports Illustrated
as soon as it came out and it wasn't long before I
recognized his style. I'd read an article on a
particular event or personality and find myself
disappointed when the article came to a close.
There's a humanness to his approach, an sparkling
eye in the way he engineers a phrase, compassion,
humour and pointedness all in the appropriate proportions, and a joy that I cannot believe is
accidental.
Well...On the connecting plane from Toronto
to Ottawa I took out a book that I'd been wanting
to get to for a couple of years.." Who's Your Caddy"
is a masterpeice. I'm sure Charlene, sitting beside
me in the plane, must have thought I'd finally been stricken by some long overdue psychological
malfunction...I found myself apologising to her
repeatedly for breaking into uncontrollable snorts,
whiffles and chortles, wiping my tearing eyes, and
forcing myself to come up for breath.
Reilly spent several years forcing his caddying skills
( or lack there of ) on Tour Pros, legends, personalities, gamblers and gurus...the book includes
insights from those for whom he caddied, regular tour
caddies, giants in business...man, he rubbed elbows
with them all...Jack Nickluas, Donald Trump, Deepak
Chopra...it really is a wonderful read...if you like
golf and you like to laugh and you appreciate the
chance to "get to know" some names you might otherwise
not have the opportunity...get the book..
Now back to what I said about too much sports on TV..
I made mention in a recent rant about the NHL suffering from overexposure...Recent TV Ratings
indicate that Hockey Night in Canada has taken a
major hit...19 % decline in the early game - 30
percent off for the late Saturday night game...and
TSN and Sportsnet have slipped as well...If they
can't hold an audience in Canada is it any wonder
they are struggling in the states ?
Liberal Leadership Convention this weekend...does it
really matter ? Having heard some of the spillage
from the candidates I am left with the question...
Is there anyone further out of touch with the
Canadian people than the Liberals ?
Til next time...Happy Trials...
Don

Fish Do It

2006-11-21T05:23:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
"If you don't pursue your dreams you might as well be
a vegetable." Anthony Hopkins in The World's Fastest Indian...
I'm on holidays today ! Oh Joy ! Oh Bliss !
The BC Lions won the Grey Cup....like that wasn't s'posed to happen !?!?! The CFL needs to have someone upset BC every year in order to make the championship
something other than a snooze fest.
Last week there was hockey on TV four of five week nights...Never thought I'd say this but its' too
much...as good as I think the NHL product is today in
this latest go 'round , over-exposure is something
for which to watch out.
I took a few minutes - while watching hockey the other
night - and set up the Martin...I have a new favorite
guitar! I love my Gibson Gospel -it has the distinctive Gibson feel but it's better plugged in
than playing acoustically...My Larrivee is an exceptionally sweet sounding guitar - with the action
of an electric guitar but a sound that simply sings,
and rings bringing to the ear and mind visions of
warm, summer nights, campfires, full moons and
ceilings of glimmering stars....but the Martin is
a wonderful instrument - wonderful to the touch and
a sound that is both mountaintop high and dusty,
dry, valley creek bed low.
I have taken to experimenting with mics and mic positions, and guitar levels in an effort to achieve
a " live" sound that replicates that which I
manage through a digital recording studio..I don't expect to be able to match the studio through an old
Yamaha amp but even something close - something comparable - " It's mine to find a reason to go on."
So....it's 9:10AM on November 21...I'm playing golf
tomorrow morning ! In fact, that is what I chose
to celebrate when I initially sat down this morning.
As recently as Saturday I was playing golf in
shirt sleeves - in Nova Scotia...it has been a good
year...no telling when the " just one mores " are
going to run out.
Gotta Go...do something nice for someone today - it's the one guaranteed way to ensure that you have a
good day too !
Bless...
Don

Coyotes

2006-11-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

Don Grose
It's a feeling not unlike that which I remember experiencing in one of my first apartments . I lived at the end of a creaky old hardwood hallway in a beehive of one or two room residences above the main street commercial district in dusty downtown Kingston,
Ontario. There was a dope dealer living across the hall
and down one - he served as our rent collector - and his single bedroom was his blue lit grow-room...the
ritz - this particular apartment building was not - but when I moved in I was in a bind and had to find a place to live - and the TV station and radio station
at which I worked ( CKWS )was a mere block away - and
as much as the apartment was no hell - it was cheap, and the other residents didn't seem to mind me playing
guitar and singing at all hours - and in fact, all the
tenants seemed to mind their own business. Which is
a good thing a good portion of the time...but the
morning I came home from work for lunch to find my
apartment door kicked in and everything I owned
strewn from one end to the other and the stereo -
which I had just finished paying for the previous week-
gone I really missed that sense of community where
you just knew someone had been peeking out from behind
a curtain, or peering through a crack in their door
jam - or watching from a car in their driveway.
That was all a very long time ago - more than 30
years - but I haven't experienced that feeling of
being very small and very much " not in control",
insignificant even in your own world, until the
coyotes came back the other night.
We live on the outskirts of a residential area about
40 kilometres outside of Halifax. It is not unusual to
hear the coyotes active in the distance, howling in the
moonlight a lake or two away - doing what coyotes do -
hunting down food. A couple of months ago while
my son Matthew was home visiting from Fort MacMurray
we had a most unsettling experience. We were standing on the deck at the back of the house when all hell
broke loose in the trees up on the hill, not a hundred
yards from where we stood. There was growling, barking,
snapping - they were making no effort to mask their
prescence so near our house. After the initial instance
of shock, we gave a yell, and sent them into retreat.
Matt , as a kid had stashed several packages of
firecrackers amongst the valuables he'd left behind
when he headed west...I sent him down to bring up a
couple of packs and we fired them off to discourage
the coyotes from coming back. We didn't see them again
until one night last week when at eleven o'clock
I let the dog out - as is our custom - and one
appeared bathed in the street lights, loping it's
way along the shoulder of the road toward us. Ceilidh,
the border collie started barking at something in the
brush that borders our yard..I called her back and
then Charlene ( my wife ) and I watched from an upstairs window as a second coyote emerged from the
brush to join the one I'd spotted streetside. The
days of the wonder dog being let out alone at night
are gone....It's funny - I started feeling the same
way I remembered feeling when I discovered my apartment had been broken into...There is a dark side.
Speaking of dark sides....the hard drive in my digital
recording studio is fried...Thank God Brother Doug
is equipped to repair such things...Going for a visit
next week and figures he can get me back and ship
shape.
Question..am I just getting older and crotchetier or
the "analysts" both on TSN and CBC - and for that matter Sportsnet - increasingly unbearable ? Just what
are the necessary credentials to become a hockey
insider ? Three years active playing in a beer league?
Gotta go...I'll be back
Happy Trials.
Don

What !?!?!

2006-10-18T16:36:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
So there I was - preparing to update my uncustomarily
neglected blog - when the phone rang...With customary
cheeriness I said, " Hello. " All I heard on the other
end was rattling and static, and " Shit !" Some people
really have to work on phone manners.
I had full intentions of playing golf today. There are
two clients I would still like to entertain on the
golf course before season's end. The rain put an end
to that. So the idea of golf Friday came up..Rain in
the forecast for Friday too. In the vernacular of my
children...."this is really starting to suck."
Which leads me to...After the Leafs first game this
season, I honestly harboured fears that they were
actually worse than the Toronto media would have us
beleive. When they managed to lose as convincingly as
they did to Ottawa, I pretty much resigned myself to
another dreadfully long season on Hockey Night in
Canada. However, I have to say that as cynical as I
admittedly remain, Paul Maurice has a style that
appeals to me...Contribute or wallow on the outside -
He sympathizes but it's up to the individual. Help me
win or sit...it's up to you. I like that. No favorites - no nonsense...It'll be interesting to
see how the Leafs do this season...John Ferguson Jr.'s
last as Leafs' GM...Still credit to the organization -
At least at this point in the season they are playing
lots of kids. Much like in Junior Hockey - September
through Christmas means nothing - keep the rest of the
division within sight and give your kids a real chance
to show what they can do. After Christmas make appropriate changes.
Ad Tip Du Jour...If you are in business - understand that the ad you run today - should be designed to influence the buyer in March...buying decisions are made everyday..if you think that anyone is going to
buy your product based on one ad - you're nuts.
You want to be planting seeds today to influence the
buying decisions to come. You want to sufficiently
impress the consumer that when he or she makes the decision to buy your product or service - you are the first company of which they think...and not only do
they think of you - they want to buy from you ! At the very least if your advertising is working you'll be
added to the shopping list - and that's a better first step than being ignored all together.
What do people think about when they think about the
business you are in ?
Hamburger - MacDonalds
Snowmobile - Skidoo
Facial Tissue - Kleenex
That's the result of successfull, aggressive and longterm advertising...you too can own your industry
locally if none of your competitors has had the
foresight and guidance to claim a mountaintop they
are prepared to defend. It's really not that complicated - and it can make a business a pile of money...
Call me sometime if you're in business and you'd like
to investigate the strategy of owning a marketplace.
I don't bite unless you're masquerading as a steaming
plate of lasagna with lots of cheese and freshly ground
pepper...and no one dressed like that should be
trying to communicate anything other than, " Dig in !"
with a dry red...mmmmmmm...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Happy Trials.
Don

When Things Go Badly

2006-10-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
An all too well intentioned individual approached me
in the hallway during a recent very rare appearance in
the office..."Sorry to hear about that big account that
cancelled." he said. My response was a very simple and
sincere, "Thanks." And then I quickly added, " But
these things happen." I phrased it a little differently
than that but you get the general idea. Fact is,
that I have enjoyed the benefits of dealing with that
particular "piece of business" for several years..and
I'm much better off having had that good fortune.
It may take a couple of years to fully replace the
loss that business represents - but if I want it to happen more quickly I can. The nice thing about
sales and advertising sales particularly, is that
there is only person to whom I ultimately answer -
and that is me. Bottom line - this is merely a
three putt in the lifelong game of golf - and when
they write the history of the world it will barely
get a mention.
I cannot speak for anyone else, but I have so much for which to be thankful. I live in a part of the world
that knows peace, my family is healthy, I have a
terrific wife and two great sons of whom I am over-
the-top proud, and I have grown to love a border
collie who continues to teach me patience. My life is full and as fullfilling as I want it to be - and that
folks is what it is all about.
When things go poorly - take a second - I'll bet without too much thought you can find someone whose
far worse off than you.
Change is inevitable - unless you're dealing with a
vending machine.
Drop me a line sometime - I don't bite unless you're
masquerading like a veal cutlet with fries and cole slaw on the side...
Bless
Don

Musings on a Saturday Afternoon

2006-09-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
Another PGA tournament - another weekend off for
Mike Weir. Those who know me, know I don't often suffer for Mike Weir when things go poorly...Don't
get me wrong. I was a big Mike booster on his way
up..I was in his corner all the way in those early
multiple win golf seasons...I was ecstatic when Weir
topped the field at Augusta..A Canadian winning the
Masters..A left handed Canadian winning the Masters.
Outstanding ! Was I disappointed when shortly there-
after the winning stopped ? Yeah...I was just like
all the other Canadian golf fans whose dreams and
aspirations rode on Weir's success. But let's face
it...Mike had to work hard - devilishly so - to get
to the top...and Mike has a young family and his
management group had to keep him busy so as to
cash in on his ascention to golf's herarchy..Mike,
I'm afraid has lost the focus - lost the drive -
lost the blind internal fire that he needed to get
that green jacket. The question becomes - can he
rekindle that fire he needs to win again. He is to
be forgiven if he cannot. Mike accomplished more
than Mike ( I suspect ) ever dreamed possible.
He now has enough money that finances should never
be an issue with him....golf is his job...I'm not
sure that under the circumstances I'd be practising
six hours a day either.
Michele Wie...get off the mens' tour ! At 16 years old
all you are learning how to do is miss cuts !I can't
imagine at this point anyone paying extra, or buying
a ticket to watch her bogey her way around a golf
course...God love ya...get back on the LPGA Tour -
learn to win - and then see how you stack up.
Turning the page..I think it's absolutely shameful that
Canadian and American and other soldiers lives are
being wasted overseas. Did we not learn anything in
Vietnam ? When are we going to force our politicians
to do the right thing. Go to war to win - or don't go
war ! I am not a peacenik...I am not a war monger.
I think that our prescence in the Middle East is without excuse...the war being waged is a political one...and our politicians are killing our loved ones
the way chess peices are knocked over in a match. If you have sufficient purpose to go to war then you have sufficent purpose to win that war as expeditiously as
you can and without thought to enemy losses. If civilian casualties are enough of a concern to prohibit you going in all guns blazing - then you have no right to send our troops into harms way. What we
are watching every day is government with no vision,
no morals, no ethics, and bankrupt of compassion.
End the bloodshed now - buy the oil !
I was at a wedding this afternoon...very emotional.
Nice service...everyone looked very nice..the father
of the bride sang a song for his daughter and son in
law..beautiful. ( the acoustics in the church were
outstanding. ) Tyler , my son was a groomsman. I was
very proud of the him all decked out in his tux...
Hard to beleive it was the same no good rotten kid
that kicked my behind the last time we played golf.
Actually - and I'm not qualifying his victory -
but- come on...I beat hm by three the first day of a
two day competition...he eased his way back into
contention and then - oh my gawd - he took the lead.
Then I got back to within one shot with a miracle
par or birdie on one of the toughest holes at
Penn Hills, number 14, and then he four putted
15 to give me a three stroke lead with three holes to
go...I felt badly for him, so I four putted for triple
on the easiest birdie hole in the province, number
15 - and then, well who cares ! If I sound bitter
it's only because had I won I would have embellished
the details to make it sound equally , well,
unbeleivable. I will leave it to you the reader to
decide whether this actually ever could have happened.
Ha !
Gotta go....hittem long and straight..
Don

It's the Little Things

2006-08-28T05:15:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
I had a boss in a past life who used to love to use that line....." It's the little things.." He was the
GM at CHYM and CKGL radio in Kitchener Ontario..
I was the News Director...we seemed well able to handle
the crisis' but it was the stupid, nonsensical, day
to day stuff that made us all crazy...Hence...it's the
little things...
Little thing number one...I know I am not alone in
feeling that Terrell Owens is the perfect
representation of all that is wrong with pro sports.
After his escapade in Philadelphia - he should have
never appeared in an NFL team jersey, anywhere...anytime. But greed, the feeling that he would sell some tickets, led the oft shortsighted
Jerry Jones to sign him in Dallas...obviously Jones
has enough money that his hemeroids are less irritating than most...
Oh the poor Hamilton Tiger Cats...let the players
dance and the cheerleaders play. A few blogs ago
I backtracked on my criticism of the hiring ( re-hiring ) of Ron Lancaster as head coach...my back tracking was a bit premature. It's a shame...with the
Ottawa franchise such a recurring headache, and
Toronto just now appearing to have turned a corner,
The CFL without the Hamilton Ticats is less than a
league...for those of us left who still care, the
CFL needs the Ticats to be a foundation franchise
but I hear we're seeing the end of the road of both
the Tabbies and the CFL.
The Mark of a true champion..Tiger Woods can't lose
even when tries...The Firestone was an event that
Tiger had no business winning...He simply had more
business winning it than anyone else...Listen very
closely....put your ears to the wind...concentrate..
way off in the distance the plaintiff, wandering,
call of the loon ...now we know what they are saying..
" Where's Phil ???? Where's Phil ??? Where's Phil ??"
Ad tip of the day...Just friggin do it ! No matter
how badly to you do it...no matter where or how...
no matter how little return you receive on your investment, getting your name out there in a
competitive environment, is a must. Ah yes, with
planning, and the right approach there is much to
be gained from advertising, but advertising will never
hurt you. Someone , somewhere is going to see or hear
your ad and is going to be impressed..no matter
how bad it is...but it will never hurt you...And even
the best ad or commercial is going to piss somebody off. If it's good enough to make a positive impression
on your best potential customers, then it's also good enough to have the opposite effect on people with the
opposite personality traits...sigh...just do it !
If you want to discuss advertising for your business,
what you are currently doing, versus what you could
be doing, how much you should spend on advertising,
and what you shoud expect it to do...give me a
shout...drop me a line...I don't bite unless you're
masquerading as a tuna melt with a mountain of fresh
cut fries...Not the frozen ones...Lord Gawd..the
consessions we've made as a society in the interests
of economy, convenience and time..it is a sad world.
Next thing you know they'll have machines that brush
your teeth for you...
By the way...Mom, if you got my email and got into
my website, and have gotten this far...don't be disturbed..I'll be fine...Love you.
Til next time...hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Rotten Dogs

2006-08-24T05:28:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
Alrighty then....so even Ceiladh the Wonder Dog at six
or seven years old starts to smell, well, " doggy" every once in a while.You know it's extreme when I
am motivated to do something about it...So out to
her pool we went yesterday..she stood while I splashed,
then shampooed, then splashed some more...no more
"doggy smell" and it is once again a happy doghouse
in which we live. The point to all this is...
John Gibbons should get himself a large pool and
hand pick a half dozen of his doggy smelling, high
priced, spoiled rotten, pup athletes and shampoo them -
it might be just as effective as threatening to get
into dust-ups with his problem Blue Jays. Let's face
it..the older I get the more entertaining it is to
watch baseball on TV...Baseball was always my grandfathers favorite game...I fondly remember old
Cecil in his Thorold, Ontario, backyard tossing the ball back and forth with me as a kid...I've been a Toronto fan all my life..he was Boston fan, Bruins and
Red Sox....but I digress...Let's face it ( again )..
Baseball players ( and basketball players ) are
the most pampered, overpaid, self indulgent, whining,
over-valued individuals in society today....and the
Jays certainly have had their share. Hillenbrand
got his just desserts...they gassed him. Good for
the Jays...now Ted Lilly...that arrogant little,
pompous,left handed package of attitude has got to go.
Lilly has underacheived at every opportunity. It dates
back to his first year as a Jay. His pitching coach
tried to get him to make a change in his delivery.
Lilly steadfastly refused. He continued doing it his way and continued to struggle. He has the ability to
be very good...but for some reason Lilly has confused
his role as a member of a team with that of God. I wish
that John Gibbons had gone into the clubhouse after
him the other night and throttled him. Lilly needs
a personality adjustment and nothing short of a
serious ass whoopin' is going to do the job.
They never should have stopped spanking kids...
JP Riccardi had better hope that the rest of the Jays
are as tired of Lilly's act as am I, and that they
rally together, take Lilly aside and put him in his
place...I fear that is not about to happen. I fear that
you will see Vernon Wells and some other key veterans
bailing for parts unknown to escape the soap opera...
and that's not good for anyone. I suspect we're heading
into a period where " Go Jays" takes on a whole new
meaning.
Now onto the important part...Graham MacIntyre is once
again atop the Nova Scotia Golf World...Graham
MacIntyre, one of the games true gentlemen, is gearing
up for the National Senior Championships in Winnipeg
next month. MacIntyre won his second Senior Provincial
Crown in three years of eligibility, convincingly,
at Oakfield a couple of weeks ago. I had a chance to
sit down and chat with Graham the night before last -
and as always, an interesting conversation it turned
out to be...What a nice man ! That conversation will
be on the Golf Shop September 1, 6PM on 92 CJCH...All
Oldies all the time...tune it in...
Tiger...the question is...can Tiger eclipse Jack
Nicklaus's mark of 18 Major titles by winning the
next seven Majors in a row ? Unlikely ? I'm not
prepared to say that at this point. The Tiger Woods
who won the British Open and the PGA Championship, is
the new improved Tiger Woods whose a Tiger we've not
had the pleasure of seeing before. Tiger was absolutely
dominant, when weaknesses only he saw, prompted him
to make changes - adjust his swing and approach...
That opened the door for Vijay, Ernie, Phil ( the
pretender )and others to make chase for the World's
Number One...I wonder if they realized how temporary
their effective pursuits would be.
In the golf world we have entered a new era.
A magical era where anything is possible...things once considered beyond the realm are now worthy of serious consideration....welcome to Tiger's era.
The Tiger Woods we're watching today appears to have heard the complaints that golf is no longer a shot makers game - heard the cries that driver, wedge is not the game that Hogan, Jones, Palmer and Nicklaus created.
Tiger Woods is singlehandedly making all the long-hitting young studs on tour obsolete, long before they hit their primes. Grip and Rip just won't cut it any
more...Success in the majors is going to be predicated on being able to design an assault on the host course dictated by the design of the course itself - and
being able to think your way around the track, and
pull off the shots you need to execute. The bad news
for all the "would be Kings" on the PGA Tour is that
no one is anywhere near Tiger's equal in any of those
areas. I do not think this is a bad thing for golf.
Tiger draws attention to the game...Tiger gets people talking about golf...Tiger gets non-golfers watching
golf...the only downside is that any tournament in
which Tiger does not play becomes little more than
a local tournament.
Ad Tip of the Day....80 percent of success in life is just showing up !!!!For gosh sakes...if you're in
business - invite people to do business with you..
give them legitimate reasons to business with you...if you can entertain them with a story, make an emotional connection with them at the same time...Home Run !
Ace ! Remember, if you are in a business in which
you beleive, somebody else is in that business, or
will be in that business, that beleives just as passionately as do you ! It is critical that you
constantly troll for new customers because someone
is out there trying to net yours...
The point to all of this obviously is that if you
don't wash the dog it'll start to smell like a
Blue Jay....don't even ask...I'm off to do my nails.
Til next time...hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Wasted Opportunity ? No Such Thing

2006-08-03T05:16:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
Another club championship comes and goes...one more
time I failed to mysteriously ascend from the depths
of mediocrity..one more time, somehow, I shot my
handicap and...at first glance spent another two days
on golf course, making the same predictable mistakes,
at the same predictable spots, with the same predictable results. Hmmmm...Just another wasted
opportunity. Au Contraire !!! One of the big attractions to playing in these club events is that
you get the chance to play with people you might
otherwise only meet in passing..say "hi" to on the
practise tee or practise green, or when you launch
an ill-fated tee shot onto their fairway instead of
yours...Saturday, the first day of the event I played
with Dwight Isenor and Dave Power...We all had our
issues but they were great company...and it was a better golf season having had the chance to spend
five hours in their company...Sunday I played with
Mel Ritcey and Jeff Burrell - an equally enjoyable
day in the sun..now these are four guys I wouldn't
normally get to play with - and that is what Club
Championships are all about for the vast majority of
us...There are those who magically come up with a
career best round during events such as these - very
few manage to put two of them together - they are left with the " what ifs..." The competition is fun..it's
engaging...the chance to compare your game to the
game of others at similar skill levels adds an
element..but at the end of the day..win or lose -
we all have to report for work on Monday, our wives still love us, and the dog doesn't bite us when we
get home...and when they write the history of the
world - our successes or failures on the golf course
will likely take up no more than paragraph or two.
I do have to share one little story..and this will
likely make the Golf Shop the week after next..
At one point in our game Sunday Mel hit a drive and
pulled it badly left into some trees. We all expected
find the ball without any problem but wheh it's hot and
your playing your second five hour round in two days
the last thing you want is to have to walk back to the
tee to hit another ball should you not be able to
track the ball down...so Mel teed up a provisional -
He hit maybe his best drive of the day...beautiful,
long, high draw down the right side...it hit the right side of the fairway and kicked dead into the middle.
Mel turned to Jeff and I and said, " Yesterday, I hit
three of the nicest provisionals I've ever hit..."
We chuckled...
I wonder what percentage of golfers since Tiger's victory at the Open have started working on the
"stinger." How many golfers are now starting to take
an extra club and "knock it down ?" You could be working on worse things..
Gotta go...back soon.
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Hmmm.That's Even More Interesting

2006-07-27T17:01:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
"It's never too late to get hot !" Okay...there.
I'm on record as actually having said on the golf course the other day...now , before anyone pictures
me in a cute little cheerleaders' outfit ( that's just
one of those things that results in an involuntary -
weoaiugh...blech ) or anything...picture four middle
aged ( and that's being kind ) men playing golf - badly - to a man - and it was on a men's night - where
all it takes is a birdie to have the chance to win something - and in my defense - we hadn't seen the
beverage cart in awhile - and it just struck me that
it broke the silence more suitably than a little more
overused profanity...Enough of my foolishness.
On a more serious golf related note...
Tiger's absolutely magnificent triumph at the British
Open has left me reflecting on a number of things
I have long felt to be true - but that I am sorely
so discipline depleted that I have never been able to
use them to my own benefit. First - you canot dispute
Tiger's ability to design a winning plan - and stick
with it. He hit one driver at the British Open !
Over four rounds - one driver ! I have often asked
the question .." on many a shorter golf course would
a fellow not be smarter to simply take all trouble
out of play and shoot for the 150 marker at every
chance. If your approach on every hole was close
to being the same shot - if you weren't good at it
before - you'd soon get a good feel for it....let
me see....take trouble out of the equation - and
leave yourself with a very comfortable, and familiar
shot in...seems like a strategy that would work for
the recreational golfer...( now let me see..how
many holes are there where I don't hit driver...
the par threes and our two shorter par fours...but
that's at Oakfield my home course...on a shorter course I'm not sure I'd pass that test.
The other thing is...how many times in the Open did
Tiger just put the peg in the ground, walk over and
whack it...Tiger approaches each shot absolutely the
same way ( after he tells the idiots with the camera
phones to kindly give him a break..I wouldn't have
been that polite )...a pre-shot routine is something
I know all good golfers rely on and most bad golfers
ignore...
It all begs the question...how come I only develop
bad habits ? Perhaps with age will come wisdom and
salvation...I can only hope.
Ad Tip Du Jour !
It's okay to hate your commercial...you know - I
absolutely swore off buying Keiths beer when they
introduced that whack-job with the fake British Isles
accent and his loud obnoxious " Spilly talker" routine
and the like...Gawd I hated those commercials !
But you know...the 18-24 year old males Keiths wanted
to reach all loved it...fact is...Keiths didn't care
that I hated their commercial..
I detest most beer commercials...like the current -
" Hey there are six Canadian missing ( from the
bottom of the lake )...I find the creative mind numbing
and insulting...but again...they aren't produced
for my entertainment. Bottom line is you can
absolutely hate the commercials written and produced
for your company..but remember - chances are you
already shop there.
Til next time - HIttem long and hittem straight.
Don

It Was Only Right

2006-07-24T10:05:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
Chris Demarco could have won..Ernie Els could have
won...Sergio could have won...anyone of a number of
golfers could have won...but it was only right - and
after the first round - it was inevitable that
Tiger Woods was to successfully defend his British
Open Crown. There was no other proper winner.
There was no one else destined to win..there was
no one else so determined to win..there was no one
else who could have won. After Tiger Woods eagle on
14 in one of the early rounds - everyone could have
gone home-unless they were prepared to battle it out
for second. Tiger Woods made a statement when he
sank a four iron from the fairway on the long par
four. This British Open - the Open - was his and he
would entertain no other options. Some threatened -
he answered their thrusts with parries keeping them
an appropriate, respectful distance behind.
I will resist the temptation to compare Phil Mickelson
with the true champion donning his Crown in Liverpool, England yesterday.
Tiger's emotional outburst upon sinking the final putt, his sobbing , complete loss of control was
predictable - so very predictable - and the only
possible way for Tiger to one final time, publicly
honor his recently lost best friend, and father.
The way he played - so disciplined - the way he way
he gathered himself in so short a time before the
awards ceremony - the dignity with which he carried
himself throughout the week and in his address to the
thousands on hand and the millions, including his
mother, who watched on TV...Tiger Woods is the golfers' golfer - the champions' champion.
Speaking of which...it's been six days since I
launched my outraged attack on the CBC ( blog July 20 )...but it's only been three days since I forwarded
my feelings to my Member of Parliament, NDP MP , Peter
Stoffer. Peter called me this morning. He identified
himself, thanked me for my message, told me my concerns
would be forwarded to the appropriate people, and the
call was over. I suspect that Peter heard from more
than me over the weekend. The fact that he personally
responded is impressive. I beleive he will get my
concerns in front of those who can do something about
them. Thank you Peter...
Peter has so inspired me that I am going to see just
how much I can accomplish today, so to that end I
leave you with thought on advertising.
If you are getting tired of hearing your ad on radio-
and are considering making a change...consider this-
whe your ad comes on your ears perk up like no one
elses..that's only natural..but remember - no one elses
ears are perking up like yours. If you have a good
ad that tells your story well addressing your customers
needs and concerns - don't mess with it. Watch to make
sure that your message has not be blurred or buried
by the writers need to be creative - the essential
element is that your ad address the needs of your
potential customers. Remember...buying decisions are
made everyday..your ad is working when someone
decides they need your product or service and you are
the first company about which they think.
You have a great day ! I mean it !
Got an advertising question ? Drop me a line..I don't bite unless you're masquerading like a philly-cheese-steak sandwich and a mountain of fries...Oh my Gawd -
I just popped a blood vessel...no, button on my shirt.
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

It's Only Right

2006-07-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
Chris Demarco could have won...Ernie Els could have
won...but make no mistake...Tiger Woods winning the
Open - The British Open ...was the only result that
would have been right. Tiger Woods made a statement
when he eagled number 14 in an earlier round. He sank
his second shot from the fairway on the long par four.
"Gentlemen...bring me your best. You may get close
but this is my championship...and I will not be denied.
It is time to honor my late father." I will resist
the temptation to compare Phil Mickelson and a true
champion. Tiger had a plan - he stuck to the plan.
When someone threatened - he parried the thrust - and
in the end left them beaten. The outpouring of emotion
at tourney's end, how Tiger collected himself and was
able to address the thousands on hand - and the
millions including his mother watching on TV - the
dignity with which he carried himself all week - Tiger
Woods is the golfers' golfer - and the champions'
champion.
Enough of golf...It was eight days ago when I launched
my initial volley, born of outrage, at the CBC. It
was less than three days ago when I forwarded the
contents of my blog to my Member Of Parliament, NDP
MP Peter Stoffer. I have met Peter on a couple of
occasions over the years, and certainly seen him
many places serving his constituents, but I was very
surprised, and pleasantly so,when my phone rang
this morning and he was responding to my complaint and
my demand for action. It was a very brief call..He
identified himself, thanked me for my correspondence,
and told me would send it along to the appropriate
places. I think he will. I'm impressed he got back
to me - I suspect mine wasn't the only message he
received over the weekend - and the fact that Peter
responds personally - is something I respect.
Thank you Peter.
I have much to do...and Peter has inspired me to
try and accomplish as much as I can today...
I leave you with this ad tip...if you are tired of
hearing your ad on the radio and are considering
trying to come up with something new - remember -
When your ad comes on your ears perk up like no one
elses - it's only natural - but remember that no one
elses are perking up like yours...If the ad is
telling the story that needs to be told - leave it alone. As long as your core message has not been
blurred or buried by the writer's need for creativity -and as long as the key attributes of your customers'
needs are being discussed - the ad will stand up.
Remember buying decisions are made everyday and
at the moment the customer realizes they want what
you sell - you want them to have someone familiar
to which to turn - with which to connect...Your ad is
working when they don't have to think about it.
Cheers,
Til Next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Don Grose

2006-07-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
The following is the heart and soul of an email that
I will send to my Member of Parliament ...
I can no longer sit idle and let this shameful waste
of tax dollars continue. As Members of Parliament
our representatives have a responsibility to make sure
that our tax dollars are not being frivilously spent.
I have to say that watching re-runs of the Simpsons
in the late afternoon on CBC TV disturbed me more than
a little bit when I first discovered it was happening
several years ago. I am sorry - but the Simpsons - and
programming of that ilk ( which was never allowed on
in our house when the kids were small - the Simpsons
and WWE were the only things I absolutely forbade )
do absolutely nothing to encourage our national spirit
or develop our native talent. The very fact that
the CBC cannot find anything better to broadcast in
afternoon prime time is just cause to shut the entire
operation down. The CBC does some good things - do not
get me wrong - but at what cost ? It is time that
someone take a serious look at the corporate extravagance that the CBC is allowed to wallow in !
It is high time that someone, instruct someone, to
get their heads out of their own behinds and make
these people accountable. This is all the result
of my drive home after a very pleasant game of golf last Sunday morning. This is Sunday...about 11:20AM.
Someone had suggested to me there was someone on
CBC I might enjoy on the weekends - but they weren't
sure what time they came on. So...I tuned in our
"tax dollars at work." 11:20 Sunday morning..the first
word I hear is F***.And for the next 15 minutes that
was the most common word I heard. There were others equally colorful but none more frequently used.
" Who do you think I am a fuckin' elder ? "
I was flabbergasted. Those who know me, know I am no prude. I am not often offended by language.
I am not a particularly religious fellow.
but I do respect the rights and feelings of others.
Whoever the shameless, brainless, unconscious, unfeeling, self righteous, dunderhead was, who was
responsible for that particular program airing at
that particular time, he or she should have worked
their last shift. These are our tax dollars at work !?
The program - and I am still not sure whether it was a
documentary, docu-drama, or pure fiction, was about aboriginal Canadians, native Canadians...and if I were a native Canadian I would be most upset at the stereotype our tax dollars are being used to promote.
I see two major problems with the program.
First the stereotyped nature of it.
Second the time the program aired. I would be
further incensed if I had been sitting with my
family with the radio on listening to the station that
I have no choice but to economically support and that
garbage had come on. It is high time that the CBC - both Radio and TV reviewed it's original mandate.
With the state of health care, education and roads
in this country we can ill afford to support a multi
channelled public broadcaster in capable of self
management. It is time that our national broadcaster
be scaled back to one TV station in english - one TV
station in French - and one radio channel in each
official language. As our representatives our
Members of Parliament have a responsibility to seek
this solution.
Good Day..

That's What I'm Talking About !

2006-07-18T07:11:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
I make no bones about it...this column is, first and
foremost a blatant vehicle of self promotion...it's
to let anyone who reads it know the following -
despite more than a half century of abuse I have not
managed to extinguish my own personal, physical, flame...yet.
I have a number of interests to which career and
employment are connected - not the least of which
are advertising, marketing, commercial writing, golf
and music ( truth be known that pretty much sums up
most of my interests )...
I enjoy spots and I loooove to hear from folks that
I haven't had occasion to speak with in a while -
or that I have never met.
I heard this past week from Dave , someone who used
to be a neighbour, someone I used to play hockey with,
and someone I used to meet at the end of the driveway
to whine about the bonehead Leafs and how they would
once again break our hearts no matter how well they
were playing at the time...and yes, I am going to try to get my hands on the album by Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris - what an intriguing combination of souls....Dave's a good fella and it was nice to see he'd stumbled into my personal therapy
zone...which is the kind of secondary function for
this blog...I love to write...love to communicate.
Song writing has always been a terrific outlet but
this is soo much better..Songwriting requires inspiration, organization, dedication and persistence. The first verse or two of a poem or song often come easily but developing an effective hook, or refrain can
be very cumbersome - and it's not hard to identify,
those that are built or constructed as opposed to those that are natural and authentic or sincere.
Rambling provides the same benefit without the
required discipline. And as rambling I never look
back over it with too critical an eye wondering
whether the effort was worth anything...to anyone.
Now to sports..
Ron Lancaster, I owe you an apology. When I heard
the Hamilton TiCats were bringing you back to coach
I almost lost my breakfast. My immediate thought was-
that's the CFL - can't find anyone good so you get
somebody old. Lancaster's most recent coaching stint was hardly a success but you won your first
game so " good for you." Good Luck..
It's gonna seem strange to watch the Leafs this year
without Pat Quinn behind the bench...I think they
will be a better team without him but I always admired Quinn and the style of game he encouraged. I always
disagreed at how old he allowed his team to get and
I wonder if , had his job not been on the line every
night in Toronto if he would't have let more rookies
play early in the year so they'd be ready and the
vets wouldn't be worn out when the real season started.
Glad he turned down the Boston job.
Don't think the Jays will make the postseason.
I don't think Troy Glaus and A.J. Burnette for all
their talent and ability are the characters with
which you build a champion. I hope I'm reading them
wrong...I think the Jays are one consistent, reliable
pitcher away.I don't think Ted Lilly is the answer
either...
Ad Tip of the Day: Being in business without advertising is like winking in the dark..you know
what you're doing but nobody else does. Understand
what your potential customers are looking for - that's
what you need to be talking about....Does it matter
to your customer that you are the oldest company doing
what you do ? Probably not...Are you the best ? Now
that's important ! Don't try to sell me on how good
you are without showing me just what it is that makes
you better...what's important to your customer ?
How long you'be been in business, how big you are,
where you're located, mean diddly to me unless it
has direct impact on your customer. Find something
that matters and talk to me about that...and keep
talking to me about that until ...no...just keep talking about that.
As much as my personal preference is radio advertising
because I know how efficient and effective it is -
the fact is any advertising vehicle will work if you
use it correctly. That's another topic for another day.
I also want to talk about my latest experience with
the CBC...now more than ever an inexcusable waste of
our tax dollars.
Have a cheery day !
Til next time hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Hmm..that's interesting...

2006-07-13T12:25:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
I may just be fooling myself..I hope that's not the
case. For two recent games of golf I tracked my
putting. On both occasions I had fewer than 30 putts.
So...18 holes...two putts per hole is 36...And because
I don't historically chip in too frequently - and
don't hit my approach shots with pinpoint precision -
I am comfortable with the idea that my putting is
pretty sound..so..I conclude that weaknesses in my game this year are centred in other areas. Typically,
I am not long off the tee. But, I am , not always but
generally fairly consistently on or close to the fairway. I need to work on my irons. Having all this
information with which to work has been a good thing.
For the last couple of times out I have ( when was a
golfer ever given this advice ) taken an extra club and tried to swing consistently with the emphasis on
making good contact. I'm hoping a corner has been
turned. As luck would have it - on Saturday morning
just before heading our for our 6AM tee time ( yes,
that's nuts ...even for me )I happened to flick
on the Golf Channel. An instructor from somewhere in
Florida was recommending that when you get to the range
instead of concentrating on full shots, even with a
wedge, that you instead, put your feet together and
take half swings,with an eye to maintaining your balance and making good contact. It's funny how things
you've heard a hunrded times in the past finally sink
in. That was my sole swing thought as I approached
each shot that morning - and what a breakthrough.
For three successive rounds I was one or two over on the front nine - which is usually as long as I am able
to maintain focus - and while I struggled some coming
home - my scores and game were improved, significantly,
and I had a lot more fun...I'm looking forward to the
weekend ahead.
I had the pleasure of playing in the Danny Gallivan
Cystic Fibrosis Golf Tournament at the Old Ashburn
Golf and Country Club last week.
It was my first involvement in this event and I left
with the following observations.
There are many really, truly good-hearted, fine people
who work very hard to support very worthwhile
charities in our communities.
There is a natural, justice in this life that makes
it's prescence felt all too infrequently, but it
makes me want to share this story.
This tournament was started by a man whose two children
were diagnosed with CF as youngsters. In the 22 years
of this event, his heart and soul have been poured into it, in an effort to find the ultimate cure. In the last several years , both his son and his daughter succumbed to the disease but great strides have been made in the areas of treatment and life expectancy of those stricken.
In the 22 years of the event no one had ever
scored a hole in one on one of the holes to which
a major prize award was attached. That all changed last week when Ian Thompson aced a 205 yard dogleg
par three. Thompson was gracious in his words at the
dinner after and there wasn't a heart among the 200
gathered that wasn't touched...Nice.
Stanley Thompson left an indelible marking on the
Ashburn course...A little touch of the Highlands,
Digby and Westmount ( in Ontario ) right in the middle
of Halifax. Those who get to play it regularly are
very fortunate.
Don't look for a Mickelson victory at the British
Open..I wouldn't put a lot of money against Tiger
clawing his way back to the top.
Gotta go..I have a ton of stuff to do...
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Rolling Clouds

2006-06-28T04:04:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
I put my feet up on the bench and lounged back in
my portable camp chair ...I let my head fall back
and looked up...it was 28 degrees, the sun was hot,
and the big, puffy , white clouds, rolled , and twisted, tumbled, before my eyes, as if they were
leaves caught up in a swollen, springtime, mountain
brook...John Gorki's energetic guitar and silky voiced
"Water is Wide" accompanied the moment on my CD Walkman...Wonderful for a moment.
It was one of several breaks in the action as we entertained clients at an annual Golf Tournament
at the Links at Penn Hills. I was stationed on the
eleventh hole, handing out CD's , " the Best of the
Golf Shop Radio Program" a special project I'd
undertaken specifically for this event, essentially
an hour long version of the show I do each week on
920 CJCH without commercial acknowledgements.
Whole focussed on the short game " Best Of " includes
healthy golf thinking, attitudes and some interesting
observations, including part of an interview I did
with singer, songwriter Bruce Guthro, where he
described " a moment" when I asked him about his
most memorable shot.
It was nice to see many of the folks ( clients ) I don't get to see much any other time and I think
most everybody left quite content and satisfied.
I have a busy morning ahead so I'm cutting this
short but I will be back soon.
Ad Tip du Jour...When you are putting together
your advertising budget, much like planning a
campaign make sure you know what you want to
accomplish...If you are content with the status quo
then leave your ad budget where it is, or use the
criteria you always have ( 2 % of revenues )when
deciding how much you are going to spend...but if
for example your desire is to increase sales by
15 percent over the next year, then does it not
make sense that you have to increase your ad budget
accordingly ? Make sure that your planning reflects
your objectives - make your plan - know in your heart
that you have a plan that will get you where you
want to go - and then stick to your plan. Guaranteed
there will be bumps in the road - but stick to your
plan - don't be distracted or scared off. Your commitment will pay off. When was the last time a
fitness program worked for you when you quit after
a month ? People don't talk diets anymore - they
discuss changing lifestyles...effectiveness is the
result of longterm commitment. Find out what works
and then stick with it..
Jackie Burke Junior once said.." Bad putting stems from thinking how instead of where."
Til next time - hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

Almost a Great Week

2006-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
So the Oilers fell short...all things considered
Edmonton has every reason to be proud of their hockey
team who I think finally played to their potential
in the playoffs. Full credit to Craig MacTavish
whose intelligence and creativity as a coach brought
them to the brink of immortality and did so in such
a way that the team peaked at just the right time.
Peca, Pronger Smith and Smyth played their games and
it was a releif that goaltending didn't in the final
analysis do them in the last round. Unsung hero award
should go to Ethan Moreau whose unselfish and
sacrifice and dedication went unnoticed by the media
covering the Stanley Cup. Congratulations Jim Rutherford and Peter Laviolette...very nice job !
The NHL is better than ever - the product was exciting
to watch and thankfully speed and skill have once
again taken their proper priority places on the
list of team ingredients required to win. Mr. Bettman, one request...move the trading deadline back to January 1st...rent - a - players detract from the
integrity of the team concept.
Now - onto the highlight of the week...You gotta love Lefty !!! Phil Mickelson admittedly had me nervous...but his true potential shone in the final
holes of the US Open..Wow...his finish was even beyond my wildest dreams...My only regret was that Colin
Montgomery was not able to dig deep enough to win.
He came within one shot..he came within one mistake..his crime, I beleive was wanting it too
badly. I am not sorry that Ogilvie won...his chip in
and the par he made at 18 under the pressure he faced - well...he earned everything he gets !
Advertising Tip of the Day...Just tell the truth !
A puppy can't be a kitten, and a chicken will never
walk like a duck so trying to represent yourself or
your product in any other way is simply setting you
up for disaster. Oversell me, promise me more than
you can deliver, and I am going to be disappointed.
Why should you care ? As a victim, I am going to tell a far larger number of people how you misrepresented yourself than I would if you treated me well...
When was the last time you were anxious to tell
anyone who would listen that Air Canada didn't lose
your luggage.
Know what your limitations are - don't flaunt them
but recognize them as being the boundaries outside
of which you will not stray. Your integrity will
come back to haunt you in all the best ways in the
long term.
Til next time - Hittem long and hittem straight.
Don

It's a Cruel Game - But It's a Great Game

2006-06-14T18:55:00.000-07:00

Don Grose
I should be watching the hockey game right now..My
Oilers lives are hanging tenuously by a "Must Win"
thread...But at least for the next few minutes they'll
have to do it on their own.
Thought number one...Played golf last Thursday at
Granite Springs in a scramble - a charity event for
the Canadian Paraplegic Association. It was miserable,
cold and damp...but the presenting sponsors, Investors
Group, raised another $ 15,500 for CPA and everyone
seemed to have a great time despite the weather.
Kudos to the team from Investors for another sterling
performance in hosting the event...Bravo to Granite
Springs for once again doing a bangup job in very
strained conditions - and my utmost respect and
admiration to Lockie Rutt and the folks at CPA for
the work they do...very special people all and I consider it my privilege to be invited to participate
each year.
Still with golf...Lord what a tough game...another
year another first round defeat in the club match play
event...and I was up for this one ! The last couple of
years my enthusiasm for competition had in fact diminished a little - but I had myself psyched for
my battle with " Remax Rob."It was a good match although neither of us was particularly brilliant.
In the end - it's hard to keep up with the long
ball and my own lack of consistency was the
determining factor...Good luck Rob...( Basta...just
kidding..I'm not really bitter ).
Nipped over to PEI last week...Good Gawd but everything
looked lush and wonderful...as opposed to water logged
and grey. The sun and shining. It was warm. Didn't play
golf, but did some interesting interviews that will
be airing on the Golf Shop in the weeks ahead.
Yesterday, I had the tremendous pleasure of meeting
and having a game of golf with, singer, songwriter,
and all around good fella, Bruce Guthro...Mike DeYoung
at Glen Arbour was as always, very gracious as host,
and we managed to get to the putting green
on 18 before they blew the horn to get everyone off
the course due to threat of lightening. Bruce as
those who listen to the show will find out , is a
very likeable guy - he and Rick McGuiness make a
great couple of guys to play golf with..Bruce has a
new album coming out---go to his website for a
preview.
Now to the PGA Tour...Go Tiger ! This may be the US
Open...but it also may be the first time since he
started his pro career that Tiger Woods should play
under zero pressure.First, as Tiger he has nothing to
prove..and please don't misunderstand what
I'm about to write but he will not be playing, concerned that his Dad could be disappointed...He knows
that his Dad passed away, well aware that his son is
the best golfer this planet has ever seen. Secondly,
Tiger has just had nine weeks away from the game..
so if he's sloppy, it's rust and that's to be understood and no big deal...and maybe I'm wrong
but Tiger seems very relaxed..more relaxed and at
peace with himself than I have ever seen. It's in
his deportment, his smile, his comments to reporters
and his eyes. There is a tranquil quality or air
surrounding him that I think is unmistakable. And I
think it should scare the tar out of Lefty, Ratief,
Ernie and anyone else. I would not be at all surprised
if Tiger goes flag hunting and performs like a man
possessed, unlike anything else we've ever seen.
Phil Mickelson will finish the year without another
major victory.
Jack and Tom Watson on the Island next week - should
be quite a show...good luck to the organizers !
Til next time..hittem long and hittem straight.
Don