Off!

   I'm taking a week of well deserved rest next week, so there won't be anything from me. I will be back June 1st.
  Take care, and until then:

TTFN

The End Of A T.V Era

   Whether you were a fan or not, it must be said David Letterman had a huge impact on television. Tonight, the lights will go out for the final time on the "Late Show with David Letterman", bringing the curtain down after more than 42 hundred shows since it debuted in 1993. Letterman announced his retirement last year.
   One of the most famous moments of the Late Show was "Assman the Gas-man". Letterman found out about Regina gas station owner Dick Assman (which is properly pronounced OSS-man), while reading a newspaper ad. Assman quickly became the butt of several jokes, and even appeared on the show. Now 81, Assman says he wishes Letterman well in retirement.
   Of course, it was far from smooth sailing for the show, which was in a constant battle with "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" for ratings gold. And there was bad blood between the 2 after Letterman was passed over in favour of Leno to host the Tonight Show when Johnny Carson retired. For a few years, Letterman ruled the late night wars, but then lost the competition for viewers.
   How popular was his show? Enough to grab 67 Emmy's. Letterman also won a Kennedy Center Honor in 2012.
   Will I be watching the final broadcast tonight? No. For the simple reason I have to work early Thursday morning, and it's going to be a long day with Supper in the Field tonight. And since I don't have DVR, I won't be recording it. And truth be told, I was always a Leno fan.
   That aside, best wishes on your retirement Dave, and regardless of my preference, you made a mighty huge impact on T.V and peoples lives over the years, which will be missed. For that, Thank You. and good luck to Stephen Colbert, who takes the reins.

TTFN

Not The Best Long Weekend

   Monday was Victoria Day in Canada, but the weekend (at least in this part of the country) was more like November than mid-May.
   Friday was great, sunny and warm. Saturday started off not bad, either, with more sun and warm conditions. But by afternoon, it started clouding over, and by evening it was overcast and windy.
   Then, there was Sunday. I was awakened in the middle of the night by a howling north wind, and freezing rain, which continued into the early morning. Even later in the morning it was -1 with a windchill of -9. We even got a skiff of snow. The wind was gusting so strong, we could see the fence in our back yard start to tilt.
   The southeast corner of the province was forecast to get hit even worse, with the possibility of 10 cm of snow or more, along with the gusty wind. In parts of Manitoba, it got so bad the RCMP were warning people to stay off the road if possible. A few provincial highways were closed due to conditions.
   And what was responsible? A Colorado Low. Not that we can't get lousy weather in mid-May, mind you, we have and still do. But it was a bit of a slap in the face to have it on the first "warm weather" long weekend of the year. I just pity anyone who was out camping in a tent.
   And why was the weekend so early, anyway? Victoria's birthday is actually the 24th, which would be this coming Sunday. Why not move it back to where it should be? Our long-range forecast suggests it's going to be mush better weather-wise with sun and highs near 26.
   No matter. I hope all my Canadian viewers had a safe May long!

TTFN

That's Something You Don't See Every Day

   The Victoria Day weekend is upon us in Canada, and lots of people will be heading out of city's and towns looking to get into the great outdoors after a long winter.
   But in Yorkton last night, the Great Outdoors decided to come into the city.

   A moose was seen crossing one of the busiest streets in town about 9:00 last night, before heading down an alley. City RCMP sent officers out to check for it, but by the time they arrived the moose had disappeared.
   Officers on the night-shift decided to call the moose "Monty". Personally, I prefer Bullwinkle. There was, however, no sign of a flying squirrel.
   Have a safe May long weekend!

TTFN

The Passing Of A Legend

   Riley King has left us. Better known to the world as BB King, he died last night at age 89. And he was a legend. Rolling Stone magazine put him 6th on the list of the top 100 guitarists of all time. He won 15 Grammys, and is in the Rock 'N Roll all of Fame, received the  Kennedy Center Honor and Presidential Medal of Freedom among others.
   His impact on not just Blues, but music in general is immense, with several notable musicians like Eric Clapton citing him as a major influence. King says his favourite singer was Frank Sinatra, who he credited with helping get him into the major clubs in Las Vegas in the early '60's.
   I only got to see him play once. It was in Regina in 2008 when he was 82. It was a short show, only lasting an hour, but it was great nonetheless. I couldn't get over the power of his voice when he was singing, and the power of his playing was, well, legendary.
   And while King may be gone, his music will live on for a long, long time to come.
   RIP Riley B "Beale Street Blues Boy" King.

TTFN

D'Oh!

   Long time Simpsons voice actor Harry Shearer is leaving the show, apparently after a contract dispute. He was the last hold-out in a new contract that saw the rest of the cast sign on for seasons 27 and 28. As you can see, he was responsible for the voices of some very major characters including Mr. Burns, Mr. Smithers, Principal Skinner and Ned Flanders, and in fact was one of the originals when they show started in December, 1989.
   Producers say the show will go on without him, but exactly how remains to be seen. All the voice actors do multiple characters, and the loss of someone like Shearer may well be the death-blow to the Simpsons, even if they find a replacement. I also can't see the folks who put it out doing a mass purge of his characters, since losing them altogether would certainly mean the end of the show.
   It'll be interesting to say the least to see how this all shakes down.

TTFN

Need For Speed

   O-kay, I'll admit it. I've been known, on rare occasions, to go a little above the posted speed limit. And be honest, you probably have as well. Not all the time, but rare occasions. When I'm on the highway I'll set my cruise control very close to the posted maximum.
   There were times in the past, in the days before I got cruise control, the old right foot got heavy and I'd be doing a little above the limit. But not like this guy.
   RCMP pulled a driver over on the Trans Canada near Swift Current in March going, wait for it, 204 km/h. That's a whopping 127 MILES an hour. The posted speed limit on that stretch of highway (and on most divided highways in Canada) is 110.
   And he was driving one of these:

   A Ford Mustang. He's been slapped with quite a hefty fine for going almost twice the limit. 2 thousand dollars in fact. And apparently it's not the first time he's been nabbed, either. He was busted in January going 154 km/h in a 100 zone. That cost him a license suspension, a fine of 3 hundred bucks, plus another 500 for giving the cop a false name.
   No word if his license was pulled again.

TTFN

Is It Sexual Harassment?

   I think it is. There's a very vulgar, obscene phrase being used and directed at female members of my profession, with the latest incident in Toronto when a reporter simply trying to do her job covering a soccer game had it hurled in her direction. And, from what she says, not for the first time, either. Shauna Hunt says she's endured hearing it on an almost daily basis for close to a year. To her enduring credit, she did not quit her job in disgust. In fact, she confronted the people who shouted at her.
   One of the men who used the vulgarity was identified through social media, and tracked to where he works. Or worked. His employer, Hydro One, terminated him for violating company conduct codes. As it should be.
   However, there have been calls for police to look at charging those using the obscene phrase with sexual harassment, which I think it clearly is.
   And it doesn't matter whether or not the victim is in the media or not. Harassment is harassment and should not be tolerated.
   At least that's my view.

TTFN

I Won A Thing!

   I've blogged about the "Saucy Duck" barbecue sauce competition held by Ducks Unlimited in the past, so you'll know my sauce was chosen to represent GX94 against sister station Fox FM, CTV and Yorkton This Week.
   The big event was held Friday, and, by a narrow margin I won!

   It was a rather long evening, since there was the dinner (at which people tried all 4 sauces on either ribs or chicken), followed by a live auction, then the "big announcement". It meant that my wife and I didn't get home until 10:30. Not late perhaps by most people's standards, but remember: I get up about 3:45 A.M, and my wife about 4:30, so anything past 9:00 is "late".
   And a word about my sauce, the recipe for which follows. When I was buying the ingredients, I mistakenly grabbed cider vinegar, rather than red wine (which was called for in the recipe). I used it anyway, and got a nice "twang" from it.
   So, for anyone wishing to try out my sauce, here's the 4-1-1:

                       GX94's Twangy-Tangy Country Rib Sauce

2 cups ketchup,

2 cups tomato sauce,

1 1/4 cup brown sugar,

1 1/4 cup cider vinegar,

1/2 cup molasses,

4 teaspoons hickory flavoured liquid smoke,

2 teaspoons worchestershire sauce,

2 tablespoons butter,

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder,

1/2 teaspoon onion powder,

1/4 teaspoon chili powder,

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper,

1/2 teaspoon celery salt (or celery seed),

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon,

1 teaspoon salt,

1 teaspoon ground black pepper,

3 bay leaves,

3 dashes Louisiana hot sauce.

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 20 minutes to thicken. Brush sauce on ribs, chicken or any type of meat during the last 10 minutes of cooking. Makes 48 servings (supposedly).

***NOTE: I cut the recipe in half for the in-house competition, using 2 bay leaves and 2 dashes of hot sauce.*****

   If you do try it, I hope you enjoy.

TTFN

Celebrating V-E Day

   That's one of the most iconic pictures ever taken, and certainly one of the best of World War II. It was taken on May 8 1945, after news broke that Nazi Germany had unconditionally surrendered all armed forces, ending nearly 6 years of war in Europe.
   It's been called the bloodiest war in history, with more than 70 million military and civilian deaths. That also includes the Holocaust, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. Bombings that hastened the end of the war in the Pacific, and brought all hostilities to a close.
   We in Canada set aside November 11th to remember our war dead from all conflicts. But today we should also give pause to thank those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice in a war that ended, at least in Europe, 75 years ago today.
   In London, England, two teenage girls, one of who was a mechanic and driver in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service, quietly slipped into the crowd outside Buckingham Palace to celebrate. The future Queen Elizabeth was the subaltern, and her younger sister Margaret was the other.
   Similar celebrations were held in capitals and major cities among the Allied countries, including Ottawa and New York.
   And about that picture, which I believe was taken in the Big Apple: The sailor and nurse apparently did not know each other. It was one of millions of spontaneous moments celebrating the end of that part of the way.

TTFN

A Dynasty Falls

   The Alberta Progressive Conservative Party was swept into power in 1971, as they ended the 36 year reign of the Social Credit Party. After 44 years, the P.C Party themselves have been swept out on a tidal wave of NDP orange.
   I was a few years short of voting age when Peter Lougheed's Tories won a majority government. Back then, the NDP won 1 seat, with Grant Notley the candidate. His daughter Rachel

   Lead the party to their historic win last night. Sadly, her father wasn't there to help celebrate. He was killed in a plane crash in 1984.
   As for the P.C's, they ended up in 3rd place behind the Wildrose Party, which now forms the opposition. Tory leader Jim Prentice stepped down as leader, and as the representative in the riding he won last night, meaning a by-election will be needed.
   I don't envy what Notley will have to do in the days, weeks and months ahead as she forms the first NDP government in Alberta history. Political watchers and pundits will no doubt have their claws sharpened, and more than a few right-wing commentators will predict gloom and doom from the left-leaning party.
   But just like 1971 when the Tory earthquake hit in that province, the sun still rose in the east and set in the west. People got up and went to work August 31st that year, and the world did not come to an end. I suspect it'll be the same this time.

TTFN

It's That Time Of Year Again

   I'm already looking forward to the next month and a half, as we're getting ready for the spring 2015 edition of GX94's Supper in the Field!
   I'm going to try to get in as many as possible again this year. And since we've successfully had "Craig in a Combine" the past 2 fall suppers, I'm hoping to get to drive an air drill, seeder or sprayer this spring.
   I'm not a farmer, but a "city boy". But I'll tell you this: I'm sure looking forward to meeting the farm families lucky enough to have their farm picked for one of them.
   The first of 6 spring suppers is tomorrow. I'm hoping to have an update Thursday. Maybe with a picture or 2 from a tractor.

TTFN

Welcome To The World

   This weekend saw a new arrival for the Royal Family. A new princess was born to William and Kate Saturday.
   Today, it was announced her name is Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. I like it.
   Welcome to the world little girl.

TTFN

That Was A Quick Weekend

   Of course, I spent a good part of that behind the wheel. In a 58 hour span, I was driving for almost 20 of them. Not a lot really when you think what truckers put in at the wheel on a daily basis. But when the longest trip I've taken in the past year was a 3 hour trek to Saskatoon, it was something.
   Of course, I went to Calgary to say goodbye to a long time friend (see the post "I lost a friend this weekend). It was a little awkward for me, since I didn't know anyone but his wife. Even his kids had grown in the years it had been since I last had a visit, and I didn't recognize his widow, either. In fact, the only way she knew who I was was the fact I'd been speaking with another friend of Mikes, and mentioned I'd known him since 1977.
  Still, I was glad to have been able to attend and chat with his family a bit. There were a lot of people there who knew him a lot better than I did, simply 'cause they'd worked with him for 20 years. But I was the last of the "old gang" that used to hang around together, swilling back coffee at Denny's or beer at some local establishment like the now torn-down Highlander Inn. The one common thread most of us shared with him was fishing. He loved it, and looked forward to it every weekend.
   So, yes. It was a quick weekend. The best part, for me, was the 2100 km drive was very uneventful.

TTFN