Halloween Is Here

   And as promised, I tried to go all out. Or, in this case, all outback! I came in "Aussie" this morning, complete with the corked hat, "tube" of "beer", shrimp on the Barbie (actually a lobster. She said she was from Sydney, but I didn't know she meant the one in Nova Scotia) and my didgeridoo. Which I can actually play. Sort of. I practised for 6 weeks, and can at least get the correct sounds out of it.
   I also brought in some "bush tucker" (actually Halloween treats) for my morning show matey Danny Ismond and mid-day host Tonya Cherry. There was even enough left over to drop some off at our sister station, Dingo.....sorry....Fox 94.2 FM!
   So, the question now is "what do I do for next year?" I'm thinking me and the other Craig should put our heads together and try to cobble something together. We've at least got a year to figure it out.
   I've already done something for Robbie Burns and St. Paddy's days, so I guess the next one is Valentines. I wonder where I can get an over sized diaper. And vastly over sized wings? Well, I've at least got a few months to think of something.
   Happy Halloween, and don't eat too many treats tonight!

TTFN

Hallowe'en Is Coming

   And this year, I've had time to prepare. Staff at the station I work for are encouraged to don costumes for Hallowe'en, and after last year, when I didn't have time to prepare, what I've got cooked up is the result of a year's planning.
   I'm not going into detail, but there will be music (I've been learning to play an instrument over the past 6 weeks, and can now get it to make more or less the proper sounds). There will also be food, and I plan on coming in "corked". There may also be some comedy involved
   That's about all I'm willing to say at this point, other than the fact I'm going to need a back-pack to bring everything in on Friday.
   Is this going to be scary? Only if you hear me try and play the instrument. I also have no illusions about winning the "contest" to see who has the best costume. I can say with almost absolute certainty I have no chance in hell of that happening.
   Last year (and with very little planning) I came in as a Zombie News Reader:

   This year, I'm coming as something a lot more alive.
   All will be revealed Friday! Mwaaahaahaa!!!!

TTFN

The Aftermath (Edited)

   You probably all know by now what happened in Ottawa on Parliament Hill yesterday. A lone man with a gun shot and killed an honour guard at the National War Memorial before running into Centre Block where he was shot and killed by the Sergeant At Arms, a former RCMP member with 29 years on the force. Some reports I've seen suggest as many as 50 shots were fired before the gunman was killed.
   Needless to say, the events have prompted (and rightly so) a complete review of security, not just in the nation's capital, but in all government buildings. In Saskatchewan, extra security and police sweeps were done ahead of the Throne Speech opening the fall session of the legislature yesterday. Events which were to have been held outdoors for the occasion were either moved inside, or scrubbed altogether. Security was also boosted in other provincial capitals, and at government buildings across the country. Flags at government buildings are also flying at half-mast in tribute to the slain soldier, reservist Nathan Cirillo:

(Photo from Nathan Cirillo's facebook page).
   GX94 Morning announcer Danny Ismond brought up a great point. He says "this is the face and name that should be mentioned and remembered not the coward that pulled the trigger". Truer words have never been spoken.
   Reaction, and condolences, have been pouring in from around the world. U.S President Barak Obama expressed his country's solidarity with Canada. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the attack underscores there are threats that all free nations face. The leaders of the 3 main parties in Canada all condemned the attack, adding the country will not bow down to terrorist activity.
   The shootings also prompted the NHL to postpone a hockey game between the Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs in Ottawa. And in Pittsburgh, tribute was paid before the game:

   "O Canada" was also sung as part of the game opening ceremony.
   Where do we go from here? As mentioned, there will be a review of this, as officials try to find out how an armed man made it as far into the building as he did before being shot and killed.It goes without saying that security is going to be very tight from now on, as it already is in places like the U.S and Britain. Lessons will be learned.
   One thing is certain: Canada has been changed by this. For better or worse remains to be seen.

TTFN

A Dark Day In Ottawa---UPDATE 1

   One soldier standing guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa has been shot by a gunman who then proceeded to Parliament Hill, which was promptly placed on lock-down. Video taken at the scene shows police rushing down a corridor after a loud shot, and returning fire.
   One M.P says at least 30 shots were fired, and one report says there were 2 or possibly 3 individuals involved. One apparently was shot by an official in the parliament buildings, and policer now confirm that suspected gunman is dead.
   The Prime Minister was whisked away from the area to an undisclosed secure area, and the leaders of opposition parties, along with all M.P's, are reported safe
   Police in the nation's capital say there have been a total of 3 shootings.
   This story continues to develop.

TTFN

How's Your Driving?

   I admit it. I'm not the best driver out there. But I'm also far from the worst, and a question morning man Danny Ismond asked today sparked a lot of comment and debate. Basically, he wanted to find out what drives people nuts about other drivers?
   It was not an easy question to answer, either, since there are a few "pet peeves" I have about others who share the road with me. Driving too slow is one of them. I've seen people going 20 k/mh below the posted limit (usually when I'm stuck behind them) both in the city and on the highway. And since we don't have a 4-lane divided highway in and out of the city, it's quite a problem, especially when it comes to passing.
   True, there are passing lanes on highway 10 between Fort Qu'Appelle and Balgonie, but none anywhere else. Since I'm in the mood to make admissions, I might as well own up to these. I've been known to hurl a few colourful epithets, not to mention a wagging finger or 2, at other drivers. Especially those who don't go the speed limit.
   That also applies to drivers who don't move over to the right in the above mentioned passing zones after they've passed another vehicle. And especially to those who overtake, then slow down to 80 or 90 in a 100 zone!
   Maybe it's time for the provincial government to test drivers every 5 years, regardless of how long they've been behind the wheel. Would I pass? Right now, honestly, I'd have to say "maybe", but not definitely "yes" or "no".
   Guess I'd better study the manual again.

TTFN

Another Pointer Problem

   Laser pointers. It seems you see them everywhere these days. They're supposed to be used to do what they're designed for: Point at things during business presentations. They're also great animal toys, where Fluffy or Fido can chase that little dot across floors etc.
   But there's a big downside to them as well. It's been well documented, even in Saskatchewan, where unscrupulous people have been using them to "paint" the fight deck of aircraft taking off or landing. In some parts of the world, the goal is simply to blind the pilots and bring the aircraft down.
   An incident last night now 'points' out the need to haul these things back in. It happened during the NHL game between Montreal and Boston, who are old "Original 6" rivals. Someone aimed a pointed at the face mask of Bruins goalie Tukka Rask, trying to distract him.
   Rask says he didn't notice it, even though video clearly shows a green dot on his mask. Rask did say he saw it being directed elsewhere during the game in Montreal.
   What earthly purpose does this serve? Maybe I'm being naive, but is it really necessary to try and blind your opponent? Which can happen with these devices. It now also brings up the 'revenge' factor. What's going to happen when the Canadiens visit Boston next? Are fans there going to respond in kind? I hope not.
   The question of what to do to halt any further incidents will likely also be raised, and if it means people need to pass through a metal detector or empty their pockets, purses or what have you, then so be it if it means safety for the players. Perhaps another way of curbing their use is forfeiture of the game.
   And to the perpetrator: Get a life! It's just a hockey game.

TTFN

This Seems Like A Reasonable Question To Me

   The price of a barrel of oil has fallen 24%, and is now at a 2 1/2 year low. It was trading at about 80 dollars a barrel as of this morning, and there are indications the price could drop even further.
   That's got a lot of governments worried. Our Canadian government, for example, stands to lose quite a bit of revenue if prices remain low or fall even further. Exporting nations are expecting budget shortfalls, but importing nations welcome the lowest prices in years.
   Now, that reasonable question: Why do oil companies seemingly immediately hike the pump-head price every time crude prices jump? Even when things like hurricanes in the Gulf are forecast, they jack the price up. Logically, then, with the price falling, we should see an incremental decrease at the pumps. But we're not (at least not right now). Why? Well, the oil companies say it takes a week or 2 for the old, more expensive crude to make it's way through refineries. Fine. Then wait a week or 2 to boost pump prices when crude prices rise. Admittedly, the chances of that happening are very slim to none.
   More than one person I've spoken with says we're being gouged, plain and simple.

TTFN