Winter Fun Food and Adventure Victoria - hug a stranger day · 23 February 2010 by colin newell
Today is Hug a stranger day.
Who knew?
Go on. Do it.
You need it.
You know you do.
My friend and creative partner, Bob Harris, appears at the 1:12 mark.
Winter all food, fun and drink marathon continues - My World · 21 February 2010 by colin newell
In the last month or so, I have been working to launch the PCJmedia.com website and audio stream series…
With Keith Perron of Taipei, Taiwan… you know, the country Taiwan.
I remind folks of that because I like the reaction I get when I say Taiwan…
holding breath
The Country
Because this admittance usually results in a firestorm of death threats and verbal abuse from folks in Mainland China.
Keith Perron, who used to live in Montreal and Vancouver – and worked on a variety of radio programs and stations (Radio Canada International and a Chinese station in Vancouver…) must have a pretty thick skin. Because he gets regular bouts of crap and abuse from the hard-core in China about this Taiwan issue.
Anyway. My job over at PCJmedia.com is:
- associate producer
- voice over talent
- writer for North American features
- web and technical guru
One of the shows that we are doing at PCJmedia.com is Happy Station – a show
that was on the air for a very long time – the longest running variety show on Shortwave radio – and now its back. There are others coming. Check it out if you have a free hour to hear some interesting radio. Lots of ways to tune in: Live stream on the homepage or click on archives for some recent shows.
Some of the folks recently interviewed: Dick Van Patten, Eydie Gorme and Steve Lawrence… and so on.
Check it out. And thanks!
Leave your heart in the hands of Tony Bennett · 7 October 2009 by colin newell
After 4 or 5 standing ovations, I would have to say that the Tony Bennett show (at the Royal Theater in Victoria) was the greatest show I have ever seen.
Tony and his band took us on a sentimental journey through the great American song-book – and we went willingly and often with rapturous results.
To say that Tony Bennett is a skilled time traveler would be entirely fair – or better, a musical history tour guide of some of the sweetest love songs of the last 60+ years.
A largely gray crowd were held spellbound with classics like “Someone to Love,” “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” from a whisper to, yet another, explosive finale, and brought the lovers in the crowd closer with “Maybe This Time,” and emoted “Speak Low” with his signature texture and rasp.
At 83, Tony has more to offer than the clear majority of pop stars half his age, his vocals offering an return ticket into life’s simple magic – and his undying quest for perfect love.
“I dedicate this song to Britney Spears,” he cracked during “Kiss the Good Life Goodbye,” the Royal audience embracing his sentiment as he snapped a sly smile.
“That’s the way to live, if you mope and groan, something’s got to give,” he sang in Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone,” the band trading blazing solos as they did throughout the night, incinerating “I Got Rhythm,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got that Swing)” with an unquenchable fire.
Other greats included: “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “Fly Me to the Moon.” “Sing You Sinners” and “For Once In My Life.”
At one point Tony put the microphone down and sang into the crowd with only the guitarist by his side. As he did throughout the night, Tony and his band took us higher and higher – leaving us breathless.
And like my wife and I, I am sure the other couples in the audience felt that Tony was singing directly to them, reaffirming their love and reminding us that tomorrow is another day – filled with joy and hope – and the little annoyances don’t mean a thing – not a thing.
Tony Bennett: Thank you!
2010 Olympic Rant #33 Vanoc, hands off my stuff · 16 September 2009 by colin newell
Hello. My name is Colin Newell and I am Canada’s most notorious Anti-2010 ranter.
Not sure? Google it. Google “2010 Rant” and I am your man. On the job. Shouting out. Raging against the machine.
Will I be anywhere near the 2010 Olympic venues during the dreaded event?
No.
But you might. If you can get anywhere near the place. Dig this though:
Organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics will send roving bands (read packs) of observers (read Brown shirts) with the power to confiscate non-Olympic material (and man-handle civilians) outside the venues if they feel it violates the Olympic experience.
Say it with me folks.
WTF.
Potential confrontation, the IOC (and VANOC) suggests, shouldn’t be overly aggressive, for fear of negative publicity. The director of commercial rights management for the organizing committee says the teams will balance protecting the brand and protecting free speech.
Let me get this straight. If I am walking down West Georgia in Vancouver (The Library square is a venue folks!) and some goons get in my face about the T-shirt I am wearing or whatever. They had better look the f*ck out.
Good thing I am not going to be there.
For the rest of you though – join me in saying…
No to VANOC-IOC Nazism.
No, hell no.
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Fall Colors Canadian Style 2009 Saying good-bye to the Fast Cat Ferries · 26 August 2009 by colin newell
Two things bad happened to the province of British Columbia in the last 17 years; the NDP and the Liberal parties. Two completely polarized parties – one neo-conservative and the other… root vegetable digging, gumboot wearing social workers and elementary school teachers all rolled into one big red suit.
The PacifiCat fast ferries, the products of one of British Columbia’s most controversial NDP mega-projects, have been sold to Washngton Marine Group who plans to export them to Dubai.
The Washington Marine Group, which bought the aluminum catamaran-style ferries at auction in March 2003, said yesterday that it has sold the three vessels to a firm called Mar. Note the lower of the 2 photos.
The ships, built between 1999 and 2000, were mothballed by the provincial government in 2001 after fairly successful tests on British Columbia’s coastal waters.
Abu Dhabi MAR’s website says the company is a builder of huge yachts, based in the United Arab Emirates. Its most recent achievements appear to be the conversion of two Dutch-built warships into two of the largest super-yachts ever built, 139.5 and 133.5 metres in length. Yachts. For rich folks. That we built. Nice.
Click on the little image above and above for the big image and weep.
Link to my photo in the Times Colonist here… 3 from the left.
Fall renewal series Chapter 1 standing at the gateway of eternity · 21 August 2009 by colin newell
I have an elderly aunt that has been in the hospital for a while – all the normal issues that one would associate with being in ones late 80’s – and it is part of life.
My sister works in the same hospital. She is an ER nurse and ambulance paramedic. And if that isn’t enough she often signs up for a remote Evac team.
That is a group of people that are on pagers 24 hours a day. When the pager goes off, she gets a cab to the airport and jumps on a sleek nearly new Lear Jet – This Lear is outfitted for a couple of stretchers, medical supplies and equipment, a few nurses, a doctor (maybe) and 2 pilots. It is light and fast. She can leave Victoria and be across the Mexican border or to Hawaii in little over 3.5 hours.
But I digress.
My aunt has been in hospital for a month. In those 30 days I have gotten to know people on the ward… lots of people. And the following names have been changed to protect their privacy and identity.
Maxwell is 82, a millionaire and a former jet pilot. He lost his wife of 42 years last Spring, took a fall, had a mild heart attack – he has been in for a month and wants to go home. But he cannot. He is feistier than a junk yard dog but without some of the important things in his life – and being less than complete, he isn’t ready. He might never be ready.
Daisy is 48 years old and suffering from the latter stages of brain cancer. She is brighter than a super-nova and more cheerful than a roomful of Shriner Clowns. She is really good about where she is going. Her 18 year old daughter… not so much.
Her name is Willow. She is a 21 year old personal trainer and kinesiologist. And judging by her level of anger and sadness, there are a lot of folks that are working with her that are getting the crap kicked out of them!
Daisy, on the other hand is oddly circumspect and resolved – her biggest worry is whether or not she will start acting like an asshole as her illness progresses and devours more of her essence… and how her daughter will cope without her guidance.
Daisy muses, “Willow got a nose ring… I hate body piercing… and I threatened to disown her…” she titters with a diamond glint in her eye.
I whisper closer, “You better get on that!”
We both laugh disturbing and amusing her room-mates at the same time.
I feel boastful as I peel the shrink-wrap off of my CD and sign it – and brag about my brief writing stint on CSI Las Vegas… Daisy chirps, “Willow loves CSI Las Vegas! Damn a celebrity in my hospital room!” “Relax, you’re the celebrity…” I head her off.
In my daily two hour plus visits to the hospital, I spend as much time with aunt as possible and then do my rounds. Max and Daisy used to be my Aunt’s room mates but they have been shuffled around some.
Believe it or not, I find that I am quite funny and empathic (and sympathetic) around the sick and dying – and I am not sure why. With Daisy, I crack lines faster than Robin Williams and with Max, I sit quietly and listen to his stories from his glory days in the Air Force. They usually get 15 or 20 minutes of my time each. And they seem OK to have a stranger talk story with them for a few minutes each day.
In this continuing series, I write about a new phase in my life – and my experience with the Autumn of life.
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Summer Food and Drink - Bonus 2010 rant #29 in video · 21 July 2009 by colin newell
Phrase time… I love to write catchy, cynical or subversive catch phrases.
Try this one on.
Post 2010 Olympics – Enjoy your new Vancouver!
I hope you recognize it.
Spring into taser fun - excited delirium and other mythical disorders · 16 May 2009 by colin newell
When the only tool in your handbag is a wrench, you keep your eyes out for the nuts…
And to explain nutty behavior and unexpected death in taser use, owners of Taser International do what comes naturally – make up a cause of death that does nothing to implicate the energy weapon itself.
Our own RCMP, Canada’s once beloved law enforcement agency, are now “brainwashed” by the manufacturer to justify “ridiculously inappropriate” use of the electronic weapon; zap first, autopsy later.
The makers of the Taser appear to be instructing police in Canada that when they encounter a person suffering from a “mythical” condition that Taser calls “excited delirium,” police have few options other than jolting the person with the controversial electrical weapon.
I guess that this is the upside to using a more typical explosive discharge weapon like the 9MM Glock… which often results in instant death and unexpected gaping wound syndrome.
Excited delirium is not a recognized medical diagnosis. It is a “dubious disorder” created by Taser International and its training Canadian and American police to legitimize it.
The term is also used by the Institute for the Prevention of In-custody Deaths, surprisingly lead by John Peters, an associate of Taser International of Arizona.
John is the go-to guy if you need a professional witness to defend your cop shop against accidental death by over-joltage charges.
Gives extra meaning to the expression… guilty as charged!
Dunno. If some copper is sitting on my head (or neck) after zipping me 4 times with an energy weapon, I am either going to be dead, nearly dead or suffering from entirely pissed off syndrome.
Anyway. What we do know now is that the reputation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is at an all time low… and unless we can bring some of their victims back from the dead… or undo some of their lies, there is little hope that things are going to improve in the short term.
Spring into long weekend gas price gouging on Vancouver Island · 14 May 2009 by colin newell
Synchronized gas price increases on a Canadian long weekend – As reliable as gravity. They come like sunrise. And Spring showers.
And this weekend is no exception.
Every gas station on Southern Vancouver Island raised their prices within minutes of each other – from about 102.9 to 106.9. Snap. Just like that.
But how does this work?
We asked a master mechanic and long time employee at a local Petro-can station.
“Gas prices in Victoria are set automatically… by a supplier in Vancouver. On a system called Viper. It is an auto-dialer. Electronic. Every gas station gets the exact phone call at the exact same time… regardless of the levels in their tanks. This is the way it has been on South Island as long as he can remember. “
They raise the prices. We get screwed. Rinse and repeat.
Petro-can employee continues…
“Tri-mac is the trucking company that delivers the gas… but it is one supplier in Vancouver… at the terminal… that calls the shot. Price fixing? Sure it is. But there is no one in government (or the media) with big enough stones to tackle the problem.”
Free market system at work I guess. More of a racket as I see it.
Anyway. The upside for me? I drive less. Or maybe a bit slower. And smell the roses… if and when they bloom.
With a little imagination we can give the finger to big oil. Boycott one station or another. Pay in buckets of pennies. Walk more. Take the bike. Car pool. Or give up your car entirely if you can.
I did not actually own my first car until I was 40. And I had my license when I was 19. That was my way of sticking it to the man. Nowadays, I actually need a vehicle – with aging parents and all… and actually wanting to live a little.
So. We live with it. Begrudgingly.
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Spring into my face - more shite from VANOC and IOC · 29 April 2009 by colin newell
Some Vancouver area waterways used by recreational boaters will become closed security zones during the 2010 Winter Olympics, security officials have muttered in one of their latest saber rattling dictates.
In a recent CBC online story, real British Columbians have responded my emotion and candor…
Before I know it Olympic security officials will be telling me that my bathroom will be a closed security zone during the 2010 Winter Olympics, that my work place is a no go zone
Oh hell, just close the damn province and be done with it! This get more ridiculous every day and guess what? The people of Vancouver get to pay for being held hostage in their own city and homes!
welcome to stalag vancouver.. is everyone having fun?
Dudes – no way anyone will stop my boat from going where I want to go. This is Canada, not the USSR. Good luck to anyone who thinks they can keep up with my Scarab 454 Big Block
Ok. Here are some of my thoughts.
I am not a big fan of the NDP anymore… and I think the Liberals are neo-con weasels. I am starting to believe that El Gordo Grande could actually lose this election based on all the shite he has brought upon B.C. against their will:
- The Olympics. Yup. It is that simple. The clear majority of British Columbians did not want this corrupt and morally bankrupt event brought to our Province.
- Gordo and his crones have given away vast swathes of public land on Vancouver Island without public consultation… ostensibly to land developers to pillage landscapes best left alone.
- Gordo has put the average standard of living near the bottom of all the Provinces – putting more women and children in harms way and poverty.
We have gone from Beautiful British Columbia to pitiful British Columbia in a couple of Liberal terms. Enough is enough. On election day, send these extremists back to Alberta where they belong.
I want my Province back God damn it!
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Spring into B.C. Parks cutback - feeding the Olympic sneaky snake · 27 April 2009 by colin newell
Have you been to a Provincial Park or B.C. recreational area lately? And come away feeling like you have been on acid?
I have not camped overnight in beautiful British Columbia since the Renaissance – but I have frequented day use areas… and lots of parks. And correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t this the most confusing experience ever?
Click on the photo above for the big picture
Lets start with parking. We were on the west coast of Vancouver Island recently when we pulled into a large heavily used park – at China Beach I think… ostensibly to walk down to the beach for an hour.
At the orientation sign was a stump with a stack of envelopes on it. On the orientation sign were instructions about the ticket spitter (for those with credit cards) and a reference to a mysterious Box where one can fill out a form and deposit a parking or camping remittance – in cash.
Starters. There was no ticket spitter. I looked high and low and could not see an electronic ticket kiosk. I tried hard to even imagine one – but that was to no avail.
And there was no box to put the damp envelopes in once you have figured out how (if at all) you fit in and how much you had to pay to park for an hour – if in fact parking fees were in effect.
To add to this Fellini-esque scene were groups of 20-something slacker-plaid-clad camper guys and girls standing around in small groups looking bewildered and eager to get down to drinking and sex. Utterly surreal.
Come on Parks Canada and the Province of British Columbia! You can do better. Or can you? I just read that almost 50% of park rangers in B.C. are going to be eliminated… so this confusion is just going to get worse.
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Spring into rent increases - Vancouver's housing nightmare · 23 April 2009 by colin newell
The British Columbia office of residential tenancy has handed down a surprise split decision in a dispute between a group of tenants in the tony west end of Vancouver and their landlord, Gordon Nelson investments.
The owners of the Seafield Apartments had applied to raise the rents in the building by as much as 73 per cent, above and beyond the four per cent allowed under provincial law. The formula – the rate of inflation plus two per cent per year has been the respected standard for the longest time. The tenants fought the increase, telling a dispute resolution officer with the residential tenancy branch the proposed rent increases, some as high as $500 a month, were exorbitant.
Of the 13 units in the building, 4 were determined to be exempt from the increases.
It begs the question though: What is stopping any property owner from comparing his/her place to a neighbors citing “an undervalued property”?
In light of the impending arrival of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, I am prepared to make a couple of prognostications. Rent increases like these are going to become commonplace in an obvious attempt at weeding out the unworthy from “upper-class” environs like West Van and Kits.
The unworthy being anyone falling under the umbrella of “Doesn’t support Gordon Campbell and his Olympic supporting sycophants…”
Secondly, the “War on the Poor” on down and out East Enders is going to be ramped up noticeably as the countdown to Gold in the Host City continues.
In the words of Bob Marley, “Get up, stand up… Stand up for your rights!”
Are now ringing clear and true.
The World around us - in crisis - Ed Begley Junior · 31 January 2009 by colin newell
I write and talk about Cafe culture and my life with coffee – it is a niche area that has been good for me and hopefully good for people that actually work in the industry… like the farmers and their families… and even a cafe or two.
But it is not something that is going to net me a huge audience that would fill an auditorium and get me round after round of ovation and accolade.
Because it’s coffee – and although millions drink it and love it… It isn’t Earth shattering.
Ed Begley Jr. talks about the environment and sustainability – the path we are on – the crisis that we are in – and the actual real tangible hope that is before us.
We saw Ed Begley Jr. at the University of Victoria Center auditorium tonight and he made sense. Sure he was preaching to the converted – like Andrea and I… and our dear friend Sheila. But I am sure there were one or two cynics in the crowd. I mean, I sure hope so. Because a converted cynic in hand is worth two converts in the bush…
Whatever the heck that means.
Anyway. I wish Ed would come to coffee one day because I share a table in our cafe with a couple of anti-global warming bobble-heads. That is, they hear an AM talk-show host say that there is no global-warming or environmental crisis… and they believe it without question.
Ed’s message is simple: “Don’t listen to me. Don’t listen to the Sierra Club. Don’t listen to AM radio or the Right Wing media.
No. Pick something you trust… like National Geographic… or someone with a Phd after their name… like a University professor who actually knows what she or he is talking about – and at least listen”
Ed’s the voice of reason. So we listened to him. And although we kind of are already on that sustainable – environmental bandwagon, there is a lot more that we can do for the Planet.
Ed also says… “Do not listen to the message about not being able to afford change or afford the environment…”
The message is: We cannot afford not to listen.
Ed speaks in a compelling way, without being too preachy – giving real World practical examples about how everyone can do their part – however small.
Anyway – do yourself a favor and check this guy out if you can – or visit his website.
Postscript – thanks for the e-mail Ed! Appreciated.
Winter Colors Canadian Style - Olympic 2010 Rant #25 Rage · 18 January 2009 by colin newell
Premier Gordon Campbell called an emergency session of the legislature this weekend!
Ostensibly to give the city of Vancouver the go-ahead to borrow the money it needs to complete the Athletes’ Village for the 2010 Winter Games.
20 hours of debate later, the B.C. legislature approved Bill 47, which gives the city limitless borrowing power for completion of the development that will house Olympic athletes…
Which is expected to total more than $1 billion.
Speaking for taxpayers in British Columbia, I offer the following:
“We are so screwed!”
In my estimation, an emergency session of the B.C. legislature could be called to discuss Child poverty in this Province, the state of First Nation housing, homelessness, etc.
But no. It was called so Premier Gordo could make sure his buddies in Big Construction (and I am talking about organized and un-organized labor) get their palms greased.
This whole 2010 Olympic thing is an utterly obscene piece of work. I blame the current Socred government and the gutless socialist opposition as well as the VANOC sleaze-balls and their IOC masters.
On behalf of the taxpayers of British Columbia… on behalf of the homeless in this Province… on behalf of children living in poverty and women living in compromised situations – I hang my head implacably in shame.
And shame on you Mister Gordon Campbell for calling this an Emergency.
Shame shame shame.
Summer fun food and drink - 2010 Vancouver Oly rant · 29 August 2008 by colin newell
My definition of irony:
Gordon Campbell and his band of merry scoundrels (The Liberal Party) are dropping in the polls.
Now wouldn’t it be ironic (Don’t you think…) if Gordo was ousted in the next election? An election date that he cast into law.
And he would miss Jock Fest 2010…
At least as premier of the Province that is…
By then he could be a member of VANOC… which is largely land developers anyway.
Something to think about. In the photo above, Mister Premier deflects bad words, thoughts and odors with his fingertips – let’s see if he can pull the next election out of his hat. What!? No hat? Whoops!
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