Cranes Freak Me Out!

Yesterday morning, as I walked by the construction site at 5th and 10th, I noticed the crane towering above me. Cranes freak me out! Matter of fact, if I happen to be driving by one, I have to have my sunroof open so I can see it. I know, it's messed up..like if it were plummeting towards me..I'd have time to jump out of the car and run!


This was all prior to the CTRAIN incident yesterday morning. Now Trains are hitting cranes. That's all we need. We're finding a way to hit them. Is no place safe anymore?

Someone have a hard hat I can borrow?

Have a great Thursday.
Frank

LPGA forces players to learn English

At first I thought, how could they do this? How could a league,
in this case, the Ladies Professional Golf Association force its members to speak English? Not P.C at first glance. If Nascar did this, they would be considered rednecks and racists. If the NHL made it mandatory for their mostly European and Quebec players to speak English, everyone outside the provinces of Don Cherry would riot. What would happen if Major League Baseball enforced this rule? Half of the league is made up of Hispanics.

How about this scenario? Let's say Tiger Woods couldn't speak english? Would he have to learn? Absolutely. He put golf on the map for his great talent and the fact he's a great ambassodor and able to sell the game internationally. Everyone can understand him. No one cared about golf before Woods made it mainstream. Can you imagine selling the game of golf if he couldn't speak the language? How can you market any sport without it's top player not being able to sell it in the english language? This is not a diss towards foreign players but this is why no one cares about the LPGA. I mean, who are the athletes and who cares about them outside of a few hardcore enthusiasts. If they can't speak the language, how can they sell the sport? Who cares about Cycling now that Lance Armstrong retired? No one. Can you imagine him having to sell that sport if he only spoke a foreign language? No one would care because no one would be able to understand him.
The bottom line is, if you are paid to play sports at a professional level, you need to help the hand that feeds you sell the sport. If you can't speak to fans, can't do commercials in English, how can anyone understand what you're saying and buy into the sport you are playing? (Especially if the sport is already a tough sell)

The LPGA is helping its players learn the language. It's free, there's no real time limit but there is zero tolerance towards players unwilling to learn.

When I travelled abroad, albeit for a few weeks at a time, I loved learning a new language. It makes no sense to me as to why anyone wouldn't want to learn english. I mean even dictators and tyrants learned it to better sell their fascist views. How boring and ineffective would it be for these rulers to sell their message if they couldn't tell their enemies where to go in a language they understood?

Frank

Why I Won't Do Soldiers

Ok, not what you think. Thanks for reading thus far.

This morning Meg and Ian's Instructor Quian came in to talk about Soldiers of Fitness.
For the last few weeks, everyone has been trying to get me to commit to trying this out. Truthfully, I have no interest. No, it's not because I'm lazy and don't like exercising but I like to do it at my own pace. All jokes aside, and we've made many during the show, I don't think I'm in really bad shape at all. Sure, I can stand to lose a few pounds. I guess I can improve my cardio but I watch what I eat..I really don't overindulge, I'm a casual drinker and don't do any drugs. I've been thinking about getting back into drumming lately. I played for about 8 years and if you want a workout? Try playing an entire RUSH concert from beginning to end.

I'm glad Meg and IAN are really enjoying their experience at SOF. I think it's a great program if you're looking at getting your ass in gear and getting into shape. For the time being, I'm going to exercise my fingers a little and keep writing some blogs, keep working my mind (i'm in great mental shape I know that much!) and maybe when it feels natural to me, I'll start a work out regiment that works for me. I think everyone should do whatever they feel is the right amount of exercise. Biking in Copperfield seems like a pretty good work out for this guy! See ya at the marsh.

Frank

Michelle Obama and Ted Kennedy at the DNC

Not sure if most Canadians care about the upcoming U.S election but I know quite a few do.

At the end of the day, America is our neighbor and we are directly influenced by their culture.

Needless to say, the last 8 years have been a disaster. I know hardcore Republicans who will be voting Demo this time around based on the mess GWB put his country and the world in. Sure, he is not solely responsible..you can add Cheney, Rumsfeld to the fritata. Bottom line and as cheesy as the line may sound, it is time for CHANGE.

Last night, I was really looking forward to 2 speeches. BTW, the only noteworthy ones. The first from Sen. Ted Kennedy. (he's suffering from brain cancer and made the trip to Denver to lend his support to B.O) He had everyone in the crowd in tears. His doctors told him not to take the trip but he went anyway. Brain Cancer? Think about that. What does that say? Says to me, America is in trouble and Ted thought it worthwhile to travel across the country to tell everyone about this man with "the funny name".

THE FUNNY NAME

Barack's wife Michelle gave a great speech last night. She was real, natural and showed America not only why they should vote for her hushand but why she would make a great first lady. There were several funny moments from how she first rejected her husband, thought he had a funny name, wears the same clothes he wore 10 years ago and her two children interacting with their dad really showed how typical the Obama's are.

Barack is 47, his wife is 44. They have two kids under 10. This couple defines the American Family. Not since the JFK era has America seen such a young family in the White House.

Last night showed me if I wasn't convinced already, why Barack needs to be in office. If only we had as interesting politicians here. No one in Ottawa excites me. What a snorefest a fall election would be compared to the excitement south of the border.

If you get a chance, watch the DNC. Amid some boring speeches and filler, you'll find some great buzz and excitement from a country desperately searching for a new identity.

Frank