2010 Year in Review - Canada's Top 10 YouTube Videos

With 2010 coming to a close, it's time for the numerous year in reviews...a chance to look back at the year that was and remember the good, the bad and the down-right stupid. From television channels to magazines to websites, everyone comes out with their list of the most significant, the most beautiful or the most hilarious “things” of the past year. It’s a great opportunity to look back and see how “tuned-in” we were to pop-culture, news, sports & random funny videos from the past 12 months.

Recently, YouTube released their list of the Top 10 Videos of 2010.

“The most-watched YouTube videos of 2010 reflect the people, places and events that captured our attention and imagination throughout the year,” said Mia Quagliarello, YouTube Community Manager. “YouTube has become the world’s town square – a place where culture is created and shared.”

I believe they forgot to add; and a place where time is gloriously wasted!

You can check out more about the Top 10 most-watched YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/rewind. You can view the Top 10 most-watched worldwide or drill-down to see the top 10 by various countries. 

Here's Canada's Top 10 Most-Watched YouTube videos;

Toronto: Sports Town or Sports Snob?

This coming weekend, Toronto will host the 2010 MLS Cup.  Unfortunately our hometown TFC will not be participating in the final...for those "out of the loop", TFC didn't qualify for the playoffs, again this year!  The Colorado Rapids will play Dallas FC down at BMO Field on Sunday night and yes, it's going to be a cold one...it may even rain.  The temperature and TFC not participating aside, this should be a big event...or at least it's supposed to be.  This is the Championship for Club Football in North America and it's being  competed for in our city...did you even know?  Do you even care?  This event, this championship, should be compared with the Super Bowl.  In the NFL, the league championship is played at a rotating, often neutral, site.  In the NFL, the Super Bowl is being played at Cowboys Stadium in Texas this year...we can safely assume that the Cowboys won't be making the big game this season. - sorry Badke!  It's gonna be a party in Texas and the city will revolve around the Super Bowl for at least a week but I'll be socked if the party in Toronto for the MLS Cup even makes City TV news...it's been pretty quiet so far.  Ok, there is far more history with the NFL compared to the MLS and yes, the quality of football in the NFL is the best in the world while the quality of football in the MLS is a work in progress but isn't soccer in the GTA popular enough to gather a crowd & create a buzz?  I'm sure if TFC was playing in the game, the city would be in a frenzy and the MLS Cup would be the hottest ticket in recent memory for Toronto sports fans.  People have suggested we could support a 2nd NHL franchise and many people believe the NFL could thrive in Canada biggest city.  Toronto is a sports town and if you build it, we will come...but would we?  Is Toronto really a sports town or are we sports snobs?

The Buffalo Bills recently played their latest instalment of the Bills in Toronto, "hosting" the Chicago Bears at the Rogers Centre.  This is the NFL, the biggest league in North America and they brought their brand of football to Toronto...ok, maybe it wasn't exactly "their brand of football" since they brought the Bears & Bills, a team that FINALLY won its first game this past weekend, but still...it's the NFL...it's supposed to be a big deal!  The game was played in the Skydome and reports suggest just over 50,000 people attended the game or 94% of the Rogers Centre capacity for you stats geeks like me.  This was the lowest attendance for a Bills in Toronto regular season game and the attendance numbers are on a downward trend.  I've heard rumours that many tickets had to be given away to encourage people to go.  Toronto is supposed to be a sports town and aren't the Bills our adopted team.  Sure, I'll acknowledge that the Buffalo Bills aren't "Toronto's team" and perhaps people would come out in truck loads if we did have the Toronto Bills (or whatever name you'd like to call them)...but is being the hometown team enough to earn a following?

Bargnani can dunk but this may be the only proof

I recently had an extra ticket for the Toronto Raptors game against the Charlotte Bobcats.  Canada's only NBA franchise and the hometown team...Our Toronto Raptors!  The hometown team playing an early season game against an opponent they should beat...aka, almost guaranteed win night = good times for all.  This was a game when you figured the Raps would even score over 100 points and everyone would get a free slice of Pizza Pizza pizza the next day with their ticket stub.  It shouldn't take more then 24 hours to find someone interested in going to a Raptors game under these circumstances but it wasn't until almost 6pm on the day of the game that I found a sports buddy...and tip-off was at 7pm!  This was a free ticket to an NBA basketball game and I simply couldn't drum up enough interest until about an hour before the game.  Sure, the Raptors & Bobcats are two of the worst team in the NBA right now but this was still a professional basketball competition that "attracted just over 14,000 people".  OK, I was unlucky because more then a handful of folks were out of town or had prior commitments but what shocked me more was the number of people that simply didn't want to go; some diehard sports fans that didn't want to watch the Raptors play basketball.  I'm hoping I wasn't the reason they didn't want to go but I also understand that the Raptors have lost some of that "shine", that sparkle that draws you to the games.  We don't really have a superstar guy anymore and I can only watch so many lay-ups over the course of a couple hours - does anyone else want to take Andrea Bargnani by the shoulders, shake him, and ask him why he doesn't dunk?  The LA Lakers have Kobe, the Miami Heat have "the big 3"...that's what you need to bring people out to the arena, you need to have an exciting team or one of best players in the league...right?

Bautista rounding the bases after another home run;
check out the empty seats behind him!

Jose Bautista, the Major League of Baseball Home Run leader in 2010, was one of the best hitters in all of baseball this year - the numbers don't lie.  Let's not forget about the teams play.  The Home Run Kings of 2010 in baseball was our Toronto Blue Jays.  This teams has history, this team's won Championships and with all the long balls flying out of the stadium, plus the Majors best hitter, the Blue Jays should draw a crowd.  There's little else in baseball that gets people out of their seat faster then a home run.  The Blue Jays hit 251 home runs in 162 games this past season...this was  46 more home runs than the Boston Red Sox (2nd in the league) and 56 more than the New York Yankees.  All that excitement down at the old ballpark and the Jays ranked 26th in average attendance...out of 30 teams in baseball.  Ok, the Jays didn't make the playoffs and never really challenged for a playoff spot but they played an entertaining style of ball, they had one of the leagues best hitters and even with all the history, the Blue Jays could only averaged 20,000 people per night - under HALF of what the Skydome (err...Rogers Centre) can hold.  The Maple Leafs average just over 19,000 people and they haven't seen the playoffs in ages...maybe Toronto really is a Sport Snob?  Or maybe Toronto really isn't a Sports Town or a Sports Snob but Toronto is only a Hockey Town?

The MLS Cup  

I want to believe that Toronto is a great sports town and that we support more then just "our teams"...or that we support more then just the Leafs.  I was lucky enough to volunteer in Whistler for the 2010 Winter Olympics and I know Canadians support more than just hockey and that we support all levels of sport.  Soccer is one of the most widely played sports in Canada and the MLS is where the best players in North America play.  FC Dallas only lost 4 games all season and the Colorado Rapids were one of the highest scoring teams in all of the MLS this past season.  The MLS Cup doesn't come around every year and it may be a long time before it comes back.  This should be a great game of soccer and I really hope the people of Toronto & of the GTA show up on Sunday night.

Remembering our Heroes

With the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month approaching, poppies can be seen on lapels all across the Canada.  Thanks in part to Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, the author of In Flanders Field, the poppy has become a symbol for Remembrance.  A visible badge reminding everyone of the ultimate sacrifice made by men & women during war.

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row"

Hockey Hall of Fame - Dino gets the call

The Hockey Hall of Fame at the corner of Front & Yonge
the site of my funny story is in this pic too!!

When people ask me about things to do when coming to Toronto, I always suggest a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  It's at the corner of Front St & Yonge St, which coincidentally is also the site of one of the funniest things I've ever had the opportunity to witness in person (ask me about it or I'll post about it another time)...but back to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  It's cool to walk to gallery and check out all the hockey memorabilia - old sticks, ugly jerseys & what some might consider protective equipment.  You can even sit in a replica of the Montreal Canadian Dressing Room from the old Montreal Forum - if you're inclined for such things.  One of my favourite things to do at the Hall is to call a play in the TSN Broadcast Zone.  You get to do the play-by-play for some of the most cherished hockey moments...and it helps me further understand why I'm no longer in radio or broadcasting!  The interactive stuff is cool but for the hockey purest, the Great Hall is the best part of any trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame.  In the Great Hall you can check out a number of the NHL's most coveted trophies; such as the Vezina, the Calder, the Hart and the toughest trophy to earn in all of sport, after the Fifa World Cup Trophy, the Stanley Cup.

The Great Hall is also where you can see the portraits & bios for all honoured members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.  This past week, the Hockey Hall of Fame inducted 5 new members into it's prestigious club.  It was a big year for The Hall as 2 women would be enshrined alongside hockeys greatest...for the first time ever!!!  Next time you visit the Great Hall, alongside Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux & Scotty Bowman, you'll be able to see the portraits of the 2010 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees; Angela James, Cammi Granato, Dino Ciccarelli, Jim Devellano, & Daryl "Doc" Seaman.

As with any list of inductees for any sport hall of fame, the achievements of those that made the list will be compared to others and questions will be posed about whether the right people got in.  I won't argue with the selection of Angela James, Cammi Granato, Jim Devellano & Daryl Seaman.  I don't believe it was time for Dino Ciccarelli.  I'm on the fence about whether Mr. Ciccarelli even deserves his place in the Hockey Hall of Fame however hockey powers greater than I have already made that decision and I congratulate him on his achievement.  Sure, Dino Ciccarelli had to wait 8 years before he got the call and ok, he had a nice career with 1232 games played, 608 goals, 592 assists, 11 30+ goal seasons and a couple trips to the Stanley Cup final.  All that said, he never won a Stanley Cup and there are players who have & there are players with far better numbers who are still waiting to take their rightful spot alongside hockey's greatest.  Some people will argue that despite his numbers & lack of Stanley Cups, Dino Ciccarelli was the greatest retired player not already in the Hockey Hall of Fame.   This dude was convicted of assault for an incident on the ice!!!

When you review the summary for the Election Procedure, a player is considered based on their "playing ability, sportsmanship, character and their contribution to the team or teams and to the game of hockey in general". CHARACTER & SPORTSMANSHIP!!!  Dino pleaded guilty to indecent exposure in 1987.  I believe the Hockey Hall of Fame made a mistake this time around and Dino Ciccarelli should still be waiting for his turn.  Dino was a fantastic hockey player and a great goal scorer but I don't believe he should be in the Hockey Hall of Fame...that spot should be given to a few other folks with greater positive impact to the game of hockey.


Adam Oates never won a Stanley Cup but holds a couple NHL records.  He's the player who has accumulated the most career playoffs points without winning the Stanley Cup.  Also, at the age of 39, he was the oldest player to lead the NHL in assists in a single season...he had 64 in 2001–02.  He is considered one of the greatest play-makers to ever play the game and had more assists than any other playing in the 1990's, except Wayne Gretzky.  Adam Oates was a six time finalist for the Lady Byng Trophy as "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability".  He has the most career points (1420 points in 1337 games) of any retired and eligible player for the Hockey Hall of Fame.  This dude deserves his Hall of Fame ring.

Joe Nieuwendyk was the rookie of the year in 1988.  He is a 3 time Stanley Cup winner and a Conn Smythe Trophy winner as playoff MVP in 1999.  Joe won a gold medal in ice hockey with Canada at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and enjoyed a successful playing career of over 1200 games and more then 1100 career points. In 1995, Joe Nieuwendyk won the King Clancy Award as the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community. There is no need to list any other accolades, he's a Hall of Famer!

Gilmour earn him a portrait alongside Cam Neely, Dino Ciccarelli & Mario Lemieux.  What about Eric Lindros, Pierre Turgeon, Pavel Bure, Kevin Lowe or even John LeClair?  While we may not always agree with the committees selections, I think they get it right...9 times out of 10.

Next time you're looking for something to do in Toronto, check out the Hockey Hall of Fame.  See for yourself where your favourites rank alongside some of the greatest people associate with our national pastime...and say hi to Dino's portrait while you're there!

Whale Riding Teen from Discovery News

I came across this article while passing time on the Discover News app. I couldn't believe a person didn't realize it was dangerous to swim within 30m of a whale, let alone climb on it's back for a ride. I was a little more shocked to learn it was actually illegal to come that close to a whale...did we really need a law for that?

You learn something new everyday!

http://news.discovery.com/human/whale-rider-australia.html 

Whale Riding Teen Speaks Out

An Australian teenager who climbed onto a whale and rode on its back has said he never intended to hurt the animal and had been acting instinctively when he put his arms around the massive sea creature.

Sam Matheson, 14, said he was with a friend at Middleton Beach in Albany south of Perth when he saw the animal not far off the Western Australian coast and decided to take a closer look. "I swam out to it and put my arms on it, sort of laid against it for about 20 or 30 seconds. I was out of the water from the waist up," the keen surfer told Perth's Sunday Times. "It was like a leather texture, like a really smooth leather, really soft. It wasn't even scary, it was like, 'Dude, it's a whale.'"

The teen said the whale, which he estimated to be about 14 meters (46 feet) long, did not even notice him until he laid on it. "Then it lifted up its tail, it went under and it pulled me down at bit, but I was fine and I swam back to the rocks," he said.

Matheson said he did not realize that it was illegal or dangerous to swim within 30 meters (98.4 feet) of a whale and that he now regretted his actions. "If I had known it was illegal I wouldn't have done it," he told the paper.

The story of the teen whale rider made headlines after a witness photographed the boy clambering on the southern right whale, prompting officials to warn the public that doing so was illegal and potentially fatal. They said the teenager was lucky to have escaped injury and the incident could easily have ended tragically had he been in the way of a tail slap or breaching action.

Matheson was let off with a warning but harassing protected species carries a maximum fine of 10,000 Australian dollars ($9,890) under environmental laws.

Good Day Gone Bad

We all having those "things" that drive us bananas.  Picture this...you're having a great day, you got to sleep in an extra 30 mins this morning, the line at Tim Hortons was short, two people have already complimented you on the new shirt you're wearing and it feels like nothing could wipe the smile off your face...then it happens!  You can't predict when it's gonna happen, you can't completely eliminate it from your life and no matter what state of mind you're in, this little incident will knock you off the rails for an undetermined amount of time.  Yup, I'm talking about Pet Peeves...those simple annoyances that force you to shake your head and ask the world, why me?  This morning, I experienced one of my biggest Pet Peeves.

One of my biggest pet peeves comes from driving on the highway.  My family moved to the Greater Toronto Area when I was a much younger lad.  We still had family back in the Ottawa region which meant numerous road trips down the 401 every year.  When I turned 16, I was more then happy to take the wheel for these 5 hour trips and quickly learned why my folks didn't fight me for the driving privilege.  Is there something people don't understand about SLOWER TRAFFIC, KEEP RIGHT?  Driving on the highway is like being on a TTC or on an airport escalator - stand right, walk left.  The same philosophy has been applied all over the world, fast stuff on the left, slower stuff keep right.  They've even have signs posted on the highways to remind drivers about this simple driving etiquette.

They even get this philosophy in the desserts

On a 2 or 3 lane highway, simply going the posted speed limit does not give you the privilege of remaining in the far left lane when there are cars lined-up behind you.  I understand if you can't immediately get over and aren't comfortable going much higher then the speed limit, good on ya!  Those folks are in the right and I'm not mad at them because eventually, they get over when there's room!  What drives me crazy are the people that, when the opportunity is available to safely move over into the right lane and allow the faster traffic behind you to pass , you remain in the "fast lane".  Furthermore, if you're going 10km/h or even 20km/h over the posted limit, you still aren't entitled to sit in the far left lane - some people want to go 30km/h.  Now, please don't interpret that I'm in support of going over the speed-limit.  I've learned my lessons (plural) and understand why those speed limits are there.  I'm simply trying to help people understand the anger & frustration they're causing when they feel the need to sit in the left lane and allow a line of cars to build behind them.  Who died and made you the speed police?  I'm sorry but I didn't get that memo.

To my friend in the Honda Civic with the fancy muffler tip, low profile tires and dark tinted windows, I bite my thumb at you sir.  Thanks to your simple yet correctable action, I was unable to enjoy one of my favourite songs on the radio this morning and my coffee just didn't taste the same after our meeting.

But you did motivate me to blog about our encounter...so I suppose you're forgiven this one time, but don't let it happen again!

I need to get one of these for my windshield

Voting for the next Mayor of Toronto

*Toronto Election - Mayor results*

Today's a big day in the city of Toronto, it's the 2010 Mayoral Election.  Current Mayor David Miller has been around since 2003, which is before I arrived in the city as a permanent resident.  I've never really had an issue with Mayor Miller and on one occasion, our groups enjoyed a scotch at the Liberty Cafe before a chilly TFC game.  When compared to the leading candidates in the race, I probably would have voted for David Miller...if he was running for the job again.  He wasn't.  The Big 3 getting all the media attention are Rob Ford, Joe Pantalone, George Smitherman.  I like to think I did my homework, or at least my version of homework; read a few websites, watched a little bit of the debates and spoke with a few friends about the candidates.  I focused on the leading candidate, those few that are generally acknowledged as legitimate candidates.  One of my friends takes "doing your homework" to the next level.  My pal's gone back and looked at how each of the candidates voted previously on different topics & things voted on by city council...he was an interesting guy to chat with.  Being happy with the knowledge I'd obtained, I had a good idea for whom I was going to cast my ballot when I got to the voting centre.

I arrived, showed my ID, got my ballot and was instructed to walk over to the private little spot they've decided is secret enough for me to cast my vote.  I've always found it a little funny how much we try to hide who we're voting for while we're actually voting.  If you look up when other people are around voting, you'll see people hiding their ballot like they're sheltering a frightened child.  A part of me has always wanted to smile and say, "don't worry dear...I'm not trying to cheat off your paper".  Anywho, I cast my vote and brought the paper back to be scanned into the system.  The process was pretty painless and overall, I'm pleased with my voting experience.  I did my part and now I'm allowed to bitch & complain about whoever gets elected into office and all the bad stuff they're bound to do while on the job.  You gotta love democracy!

Pedro wasn't running...this time

What surprised me most about the whole thing was the number of candidates running for Mayor.  I didn't only have 3 choices...I didn't only have 5 choices...I didn't only have 10 choices...I had 40 choices!!!  

Seriously?  40 peoples names made the ballot to be the next Mayor of Toronto? WTF?

Maybe it's just me but it feels like elementary school where everyone got a role in the Christmas play...even Billy, the horrible actor & Suzy, the sweetheart with stage fright.  I wrongly assumed that the interviewing process for the role of mayor, for Canada's largest city, might narrow down the list to the top 5 or even top 10 candidates before coming to the public for a vote.  I didn't know anything about 34 of the candidates until I got my ballot.  When I left this morning to exercise my civic responsibility, I figured maybe I'd see a few extra names I hadn't heard about but I never imagined 30 extra names.  Before I went to vote, I knew about Ford, Smitherman, Pantalone, Sara Thomson, Rocco Rossi, and Daniel Walker - a dude supported by the Dean Blundell show, a member of the Church of the Universe and a guy that believes strongly in the legalization of Marijuana.  I'm no expert but I'm not sure Dan Walker is really up for the job of mayor for the city of Toronto...but I'm up for sharing a joint with him and giving him the chance to make his pitch.

I'm happy, and fortunate, to have the opportunity to vote for my leaders.  I make every effort to get informed for all elections and believe every vote counts (this time, it was 1 of  about 814,00).  I hope you made it out to the polls and made your voice to be heard...with 40 people on the ballot, there was a candidate for everyone!  Here are a few folks that want to lead Toronto for the next few years and why they deserve your consideration:

Ratan Wadhwa - 290 votes

Ratan Wadhwa - great moustache and a interesting plan for the city.  CP24 asked, How do you plan on bringing "new life" to the city? Ratan replied, "I want to legalize prostitution and marijuana and create a legalized red light district; I believe that will bring in new tourists. I want to legalize all of this to eliminate pimps and johns, and I want prostitutes to pay taxes. I also want to encourage the adult film industry here and have it coordinate with the industry in California; it would generate all sorts of employment."

David Valance - 444 votes 

David Vallance - the guy reminds me a little of Donald Sutherland but I'm not sure if Donald agree that Canada needs an 11th province.  From Mr Vallance's website: "We appeal to the fair and intelligent people in all parts of Canada to understand that Toronto should be permitted, if its citizens so choose, to assume a separate and equal station among the provinces of this country for reasons that are neither light nor transient."  Would this help Hamilton get an NHL franchise?

James Di Fiore - 655

James Di Fiore - This guy was charged under the Canada Elections Act but he's still under consideration for the job of Mayor of Toronto.  James tells the story like this, "My most notable piece was an avant garde project where I voted three times in the 2004 Canadian federal election to shine a spotlight on flaws in the system. As a result, the Canadian Parliament credited me with the amendment that finally forced voters to show proper identification at the polls."

Watch Out...BIXI Toronto is coming

This week, BIXI Toronto had a members party at the Steam Whistle brewery in downtown Toronto.  The event was a thank you to the early adopters of the BIXI program.  BIXI is a bicycle sharing network that's been adopted in cities around the world.  Melbourne, London (the England one), Washington DC & Montreal already have their own BIXI programs and it looks like Toronto will see the bike stations around the downtown core in Spring 2011.  Secretly, the members party was a rallying event to help reach the target 1,000 subscriptions needed to make BIXI Toronto a reality.  1,000 members, before November 30th, was the threshold needed to earn the program a spot in the city...and what brings out a bigger crowd than free beer?  With said free beer in hand, everyone in attendance raised a glass in cheer when it was announced that 1,000 members had been achieved.  Sure, AutoShare may have purchased 100 memberships ($95 + tax / 1 year) to help BIXI Toronto get over the hump that evening, but I don't think it was ever going to be an issue.  The program makes sense.

Phase 1 of BIXI Toronto will see
80 stations inside the shaded area

The BIXI idea is pretty simple: buy a package (there are yearly, monthly or daily options), find a bike-sharing station, borrow a bike and then return it to any other station within 30 minutes.  While 30 minutes isn't a long time, BIXI isn't a bike-renting service, it's a bike-sharing service.  Stations will hopefully be located at convenient spots around the downtown core and will allow you to quickly get from point A to point B, using an active & green method of transportation.  Once you get to point B, there should be another bike station, conveniently located for you to return the bicycle.  You can do this as many times as you like.  Pick up a bike at home and drop it off a the mall, then pick up a bike a the mall and drop it off at the theatre, then pick up a bike at the theatre and drop it off...well, you get the idea.  The BIXI Toronto website says phase 1 of the role out will see 1,000 bikes & 80 stations around the downtown core.   They've been demoing the equipment over the summer and if you haven't seen them yet, I can report that the bikes are pretty fashionable and the locking stations are high-tech.

When I first heard about the program, I was curious about how it would work with the bike helmet laws in Toronto.  Wasn't wearing a helmet mandatory for all cyclist in Ontario?  I was surprised to learn that, in Ontario, wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle was only law for cyclists under 18 years of age.  Unlike our friends on the west coast who've said it's mandatory for all cyclist to wear a helmet, Ontario gives you the option once you've reached the age to vote.  

I was also surprised to learn that, in Toronto, sidewalks are for pedestrians...sort of.  A city of Toronto bylaw allows cyclists with tire sizes under 61 cm (24 inches) to ride on the sidewalk.  While I don't know the size of the BIXI Toronto bicycle tires (I'm waiting for a reply to my email), I'm sure Toronto will see an increase in bicycle & pedestrian collisions in the downtown core come Spring 2011.

Congrats to BIXI Toronto for reaching its 1,000 subscriptions threshold.  Welcome to the city...I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you in the Spring!

Toronto FC...can't we all just get along?

As Toronto FC approachs the end of its 4th season in the MLS, emotions are running high for the fan base of this fragile franchise.  It's been a season to remember in the short history of Toronto FC...another new head coach, a grass playing field, the new north end seating, the Wall of Honour, CONCACAF Champions League success (sort of), General Manager Mo Johnston being fired and a season-ticket scandal that resulted in the club sending an open letter to Toronto FC Fans admitting they "screwed up" and are now holding 4 town-hall style meetings...WTF???

A corner kick for the opposing team from the south-east
corner of BMO Field the Red Patch Boys corner...beware!

This past weekend, TFC finished the home portion of it's MLS schedule with a 2-2 draw against one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Columbus Crew.  The Reds played a solid game and deserved the full 3 points but a crazy goal in injury time, by the Columbus goalie (yes, you read that correctly), gave the visitors a tie.  You can see it all for yourself by watching the game in 6 minutes.  This was normally the kind of game that would have the BMO Field faithful in a frenzy...scarfs would be held high, streamers would be flying, feet would be stomping and the singing would get louder as the game progressed but not on this day.  Sure, people got excited and cheered at all the right times and yes, the air was sucked out of the stadium when Columbus scored the equalizer but overall, the energy around the stadium just felt off.  Well, here's the reason why...The Red Patch Boys, generally recognized as "the leader" of the various supporters clubs, used this game to send another message to the management of Toronto FC...by extension, to the evil empire MLSE.  Normally the loudest and reddest section at BMO Field, the boys arrived to the park making very little noise and with everyone wearing green instead of red, a gesture done to symbolize the greed of the owners.  It was a strange to see the most hardcore TFC supporters, sitting on their hands while their team put on a solid display of football.

The recent events surrounding Toronto FC have created a bit of a media buzz.  They're talking about us in the New York Times while The TSN Reports have given their thumbs up to TFC supporters for forcing the corporation to listen.  TFC management have received the message and changes are in the works for next season.  

I understand the frustration of another losing season and it's widely acknowledged that the club as been mis-management for a while now.  I support the need to send a message and demand a change from the powers above.  I'm a season seat holder who will be renewing his seat and will be attending one of the town-hall style meetings to further voice my displeasure with recent management blunders.  Sure, times are tough for TFC supporters but...with 15 minutes left in the last home game of the MLS regular season, after our goalie threw a player to the ground defending his territory and our team was playing a great game, the Red Patch Boys could have put aside their differences (for 15 minutes plus injury time) and supported the players on the field.  Maicon Santos was having an inspired game and Nicholas Lindsay looked like he belonged in the MLS.  You demanded a better performance on the field and the lads delivered.

Tuesday night, TFC will play its last home game of the year, closing out their CONCACAF Champions League schedule against Deportivo Arabe Unido.  With all the excitement surrounding the club, one might forget that they actually play soccer from time to time.  Here's hoping for a strong performance by our team, an entertaining TFC victory and that the supporters and management can get along for 90 minutes...plus injury time.

Tempered Optimism for Leafs Nation

Leafs Nation is riding high after a big win last night against a Stanley Cup contender Pittsburgh Penguins and the first 3-0 start in 11 years...all for a franchise that hasn't tasted post-season play since the NHL lockout.  In offices all over the greater Toronto area, water-cooler conversations are littered with tempered optimism over the Toronto Maple Leafs.  After the statement game Saturday over their Battle of Ontario rivals, my beloved Ottawa Senators, people weren't ready to start "planning the parade" but with the strong game last night, momentum is gaining and people have quietly started suggesting the starting spot.  Being a Senators supporter in the GTA can be challenging and I rightfully receive my fair share of trash-talking when I'm wearing my colours but what has surprised me most about Leafs supporters this season is the softer approach taken when talking about "the buds"...at least so far.

Let me state for the record, I'm an Ottawa Senators fan.  I thought Alexandre Daigle could have been the next Mario Lemieux and I suffered through the years when we had the greater team but couldn't seem to beat the Maple Leafs in the post-season - stupid Joe Nieuwendy & Bryan McCabe.  I think the Sens will finish better in the standings this season but we can talk about the Senators in another post (trust me, it will happen).  Living in Toronto, I've listened to Leafs fan for many years and the tune is a little different this season.  While people still drive around the downtown core in blue & white painted cars, honking their horns after a Leafs pre-season victory, the hometown crowd is cautiously wanting to believe in this current roster.

Brian Burke ponders his
Grand Plan for the Maple Leafs

I have a standing bet with my father when the Leafs play the Sens - $5 per win, $1 per goal.  I'm down $9 after the first game between our teams and I'm really hoping this strong start is just a bad joke.   Rather then gloat and proclaim the Maple Leafs superiority (it's been done many times before), Dad explained why it may be time to believe in Toronto and in the Brian Burke Method, part 2.  The articles are a conversation with Brian Burke about his philosophy on building a team, and hopefully a winning franchise for MLSE.  This struck me as odd...2 years ago, the Air Canada faithful proclaimed Brian Burke had the Midas touch and could have things turned around instantly.  The post-season was a guarantee and those good players signed to crazy contracts during the JFJ era would all of a sudden blossom.  Well, we know it didn't turn out like that (insert chuckle from Sens fan) and finishing 29th in the NHL last season, with no pick in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft, had people wondering if Steve Yzerman might consider coming to Toronto.  This season however, Toronto's NHL franchise is off to a solid start.  This would normally spark conversations of the long Stanley Cup drought finally being over...but, as the saying goes, "once bitten twice shy"...or in Toronto, 42 times bitten...  People in the city are happy with the success and the strong start for their team but unlike years before, people aren't running to their garage to pull-out their Maple Leafs car window flags.  Brian Burke was never going to repair the damage done over a few years in only a few months and Leafs Nation is sheepishly acknowledging they might have jumped the gun when he arrived.

Ron Wilson works on his systems
with his new cast of talent

One of my good friends has been to more Maple Leafs home opening games then anyone else I know and has been to every Leafs games so far this season...yes, he went to Pittsburgh last night and is working on going to NY this weekend.  He's a die-hard Leafs supporter but will often be a voice of reason among other die-hard fans.  We recently had a conversation about the strong start and his teams potential for the season.  While he wasn't ready to proclaim a playoff birth after Saturdays win, he did bring up the cast of players shipped out of town last season (Blake, Vesa, Mayers, Stajan, etc) and the new talent being used every night in 2010 (MacArthur, Phaneuf, Versteeg, Armstrong, etc).  His point was, Ron Wilson now had players in his line-up that increased his teams overall hockey IQ.  In his 3rd season with the club, the bench boss is now armed with players that can understand his systems and who will battle every night for the name on the front of their jersey.  His remarks got me thinking about Leafs Nation...could it be that the overall hockey IQ of Leafs Nation has increased after 3 years with Ron Wilson & Brian Burke at the helm?  Sure, the fans battle every night for the logo on the front of their 15 year old jerseys but Leafs Nation finally understands the plan.  They've realized that you need to be bad before you can be good, that you can only run after you've learned to walk and perhaps banging the drum after only 3 games played is a little pre-mature.

The Leafs are off and running this season and currently sit on top of the NHL standings...and yes, I know that my Senators are currently in 29th - sort of ironic...don't ya think?  The goalie controversy in Ottawa might get started if we lose to Carolina tonight and if Toronto wins on Friday, the Sunday issue of the Toronto Sun will have a diagram for the parade route on their front page.

Hockey season is back...now that's a reason for optimism!!!

Poll Results: the first Wright Anomaly poll

Colour Landscapes, with 4 votes, win the first ever Wright Anomaly blog poll;

What are you most looking forward to in October?

Poll ran from Sept 23 to Oct 5

Check out the next poll question...What team will finish first in the NHL's Northeast division this season?

Absolut Smile

After a wonderful Thanksgiving spent with friends & family, I've officially had enough turkey to last me until Christmas.  While raising a glass of wine in celebration this weekend, we've all had the chance to say thank you for the little things that make us happy.  I'm thankful for the random things that we see virtually everyday that, for whatever reason, simply make us smile...the view of downtown Toronto coming into the city from the east end, the sight of our favourite athlete scoring a highlight reel goal, or cleverly done advertising on the side of a bus stop or during the commercial breaks of our favourite shows.  The Snickers Betty White commercial is funny and yes the Yellow Pages mobile app commercial with the dude oiling himself up made me chuckle but they are missing that certain visual impact & creative appeal that brings a smirk to my face each time I see them.

I think if you made the neck
of the bottle a soccer field,
I'd have to agree! 

One brand that has consistently delivered interesting and visually creative campaigns is Absolut.  If you're of a certain vintage, you'll surely remember those Absolut vodka bottles being the center-piece for MANY pages of magazine advertising.  University dorm rooms all over Canada were the museums for those works of art.  The border of the room dressed with hundreds of these pages, every bottle taking a unique and interesting form to support various "absolute" messages...ABSOLUTE HOMAGE, ABSOLUTE PUNK, ABSOLUTE MARKETING.

Doing Things Differently Leads to Something Exceptional, a 60 second spot from Absolut,  is another one of those cool, visually appealing, smile moments.  7 words come together in a series of art stunts that must have been a pain in the ass to complete but loads of fun & stunning to witness live.  Think about it...you've got the G in SOMETHING halfway blown up when a bird runs into it and puts a hole in the balloon, forcing a major delay.  I love this spot and the message it delivers...I hope you enjoy it too!

Since I was curious after seeing the ad and maybe you are too...you can see a little about the creation each word in the ad in these clips: Doing Things Differently Leads to Something Exceptional.  The videos for LEADS TO & EXCEPTIONAL are my personal fav!

Also, you can see more about In An Absolut World on their website.  Some interesting reading if you've got the time to kill.

Cheers!

The Essential 100 Movies

Now that the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival is a thing of the past, the new TIFF Bell Lightbox is the trendy new spot in the entertainment district.  I recently stopped in during the Nuit Blanche festivities and picked up - or, I was sternly handed - a copy of the TIFF Presents magazine.  Similar to Famous, the magazine type thingy you might grab on your way into a movie at Cineplex, TIFF Presents is all about movies.  On the last page of this particular edition is The Essential 100, a list of the top 100 films of all time.  You can check out the link for the complete 100 but the top 10 go as follows:

1 THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC (Carl Theodor Dreyer)
2 CITIZEN KANE (Orson Welles)
3 L'AVVENTURA (Michaelangelo Antonioni)
4 THE GODFATHER (Francis Ford Coppola)
5 PICKPOCKET (Robert Bresson)
6 SEVEN SAMURAI (Akira Kurosawa)
7 PATHER PANCHALI (Satyajit Ray)
8 CASABLANCA (Michael Curtiz)
9 MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA (Dziga Vertov)
10 BICYCLE THIEVES (Vittorio De Sica)

Now I must admit, I haven't seen ANY of those 10 movies.  If I'm really being honest, I've only ever heard of Citizen Kane, The Godfather & Casablanca...please take a deep breath, plans are already in the works to see the Godfather soon.  It isn't until #26, 2001: A Space Odyssey, that I can definitively say I've seen this movie from start to finish.  It wasn't until #30, Star Wars, that I found a film that would possibly crack my top 10 or 15 favourite movies.  I was starting to question my taste in movies.  Finally I reached #40, Pulp Fiction and my faith in the movie industry was slightly restored.  I felt like I was getting on a role with #42, Slumdog Millionaire and maybe my favourites would help complete the list of 100.

I was surprised when I finished the list and realized there was a significantly greater number of movies that ended up in my "haven't seen or heard of" bucket.  More importantly, I was shocked to discover that my all-time favourite movie wasn't chosen by the "movie experts" that compiled this list.  I was sure the anthemic soundtrack and the Tom Skerritt's moustache would be enough for this classic to possibly slide in at #99.  Tom Cruise and Anthony Edwards put on a masterful performance in Top Gun and gave guys all over the world a new approach when trying to pick up in a bar;

And what about another of the all time greats, with one of the best speeches in motion picture history.  Not only is V for Vendetta a great movie but it reminds us to; "remember, remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder Treason & Plot"...I know of no reason why this movie was omitted, an error for sure we have caught.  Is there another movie that better highlights the value of a good thesaurus?

While I probably won't put up too much of a fight should you disagree about my two choices above making the Top 100 movies of all time, I will argue until I'm blue in the face for this next submission.  Silence of the Lambs is a fantastic movie with Sir Anthony Hopkins delivering an Academy Award winning performance.  The hit television shows CSI & Criminal Minds need to thank this epic movie for making the scientific search for bad guys something that is cool.  Is there a character in film that more people hate to love then Hannibal Lecter;

I love the debates that arise whenever any kind of list is published or shared.   We've all been sitting around in someones living room or backyard, sharing a beer, when eventually the question is posed, what's your top 5 favourite books/songs/movies/comics/sports moments...the list could go on for a while.  When passionate people are talking, the debates will often get animated.  We may not always agree with each other but the best moments are when someone is enthusiastically explaining why their favourite film deserves serious consideration to be included among the best ever; for example...Matthew Lillard's performance in Hackers as Emmanuel Goldstein was pure magic, and when you combine that with the short hair and tight leathers worn by Miss Jolie...well, can you argue against this movie being among the Top 5 films of all time?

OK, so I'm really just using this post to try-out using YouTube videos in my blog but I'm also wondering what you think about the Top 100 Essentials list...have you seen them all and do you agree with the rankings?  Did your top 5 make the list and where did they rank?  Most of these movies are being shown at the TIFF Bell Lightbox this month...just in case you're looking for a fun time out.  A few of the other 100 that caught my eye include #56, Pan's Labyrinth, #72, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon & #79, Jaws...a movie that I honestly believe has given me a phobia for swimming in the open water - we'll discuss that another time.

Lists will always be subjective because emotion is attached to experience.  Certain movies will always gravitate towards the top based on their cinematography (The Wizard of Oz), technological achievement (Avatar), or box-office gross sales (Titanic).  It's when a film is viewed as the first movie with your new TV, or with your brand new sounds system, or at the drive-in in your new car; those films hold a greater weight on our personal lists.  We share a bond with those movies that triggers an emotional response.   When a film is able to captured your heart, your imagination or make you think of the world in a different light, that's when you'll argue until 3am in the morning in support of that movies place among the best of all time.  That's what makes movies great and the reason for the bookcase filled with DVD's.

To add a 5th movie that should have been included with the Essential Movies of All Time...sure the graphics aren't exactly perfect, and maybe a flying dog is a bit of a stretch but watching Falcor fly through the sky in The Neverending Story captured this imagination of this kid.  It made me believe in the power of a good book and when Air Canada starts selling seats on the back of a flying dog, I'll be the first one buying!!

My First Tattoo

A tattoo is a marking made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment for decorative or other reasons...at least that's what Wikipedia told me.  Everyone has their own reasons for wanting a tattoo and there is virtually no limit to what you can get.  For some people, tattoos are a form of self expression while for others, it's a way to rebel.  I know people that have tattoos with a rich & powerful meaning and some folks that wish they could have their marks removed.  The decision didn't come lightly and it's an experience I won't soon forget but after years of talking and thinking about it, I finally got my first tattoo.

the original drawing
done by my brother

A tattoo was something I'd always wanted to get but I was never sure what I wanted to get.  The ever-popular Chinese symbol was an option but it had been done by many before and really didn't hold much significance for me.  Furthermore, since I can't read Chinese and have no plans to learn it anytime soon, how could I be sure of the symbols significance.  We've all heard the story of someone wanting a tattoo that reads "Courage for Life" but ends up with "Cougars for Love".  Getting your child's name seemed a popular choice but since I don't have any kids of my own (at least that I know of), I figured that option could wait.  What piece of art meant enough to me to get permanently branded on my body?  Growing up, my little brother was always the more creative kid in the house.  While I was off playing one of the many sports I was involved with, he could be found creating something cool with blocks or inventing a new comic strip that my parent were sure would be the next hit for Marvel comics.  A few years back I found a piece of paper on my brothers desk with a new drawing I'd never seen before.  When I asked him about it, he downplayed his art, as usual, and told me it was just something he'd been goofing around with.  I fell in love with the character and have envisioned it as a sports team or business venture logo on multiple occasions.  When it came time to decide on a piece of art for my tattoo, a version of this character was the obvious choice.

the blank canvas...ok, so
this may not be my back but
it's pretty close  

Next was the question of location on my body.  While I salute Mike Tyson for getting a tattoo on his face, that spot was never in consideration for me.  I'm very proud and pleased with my tattoo but I'm also happy with my face, just the way it is.  Everyone I spoke with about getting a tattoo was kind enough to give their suggestions and the list included virtually every part of the body.  One friend had a unique suggestion but I had to ask, why in the world would you get a tattoo on the shaft of your penis and do you need to stay erect for the procedure?  Having to worry about what it looks like when your either soft or hard wasn't a concern I needed.  I decided to pass on the genital tattoo since I wanted to share my art with people and have long since retired from my public exhibitionist days.  I wanted my first tattoo in a place that was partially private but would also be easy to share when I did want to show it off.  The short list became my right calf, my left pectoral or between my shoulder blades.  I'm not an overly hairy dude so I'm proud of my chest hair.  Continuously having to shave my chest so I could see the tattoo didn't sound like a good plan..so the left pectoral was out.  Unlike one of my best friends, my back is pretty much hair-free and it provided a nice canvas for my first tattoo with enough room for adding to the art later.  The right calf remained a strong candidate but with a good size scar already on my right hip thanks to a broken femur, the back jumped into first place.  We now had a design & a location.

getting my tattoo...a moment when
she wasn't going over my spine

On Friday October 1, I decided it was time to "shit or get off the pot".  I knew what I wanted tattooed, I knew where on my body I wanted the tattoo and finally, I'd found a place that I was comfortable going to get the tattoo done...it was time to step up, spend the money and get permanently branded.  I chose New Tribe Tattooing & Piercing.  I wasn't too picky about my tattoo artist because I already had the design and simply needed someone to "put ink to skin".  New Tribe had a good reputation in the city and was close enough to my home that if I chickened out, I was only a 5 minute run back to the apartment.  My appointment was scheduled for 3:30 in the afternoon and after only about 30 minutes on the table, I had my first tattoo!  The procedure was relatively pain free compared to breaking ones femur (I'll share that story in a blog post down the road) but I will admit to squirming big time when the tattoo was being done over my spin.  The tattoo is a version of the character my brother created with a few minor changes to personalize it for me...a soccer ball & hockey stick to showcase my passion for sports and a foamy pint of beer in cheers to family & good friends.  My first tattoo is done and, much to my mom's dismay, it likely won't be my last.

my first tattoo

Toronto Bleacher Creatures

With Cito Gaston managing his last game for the Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre, I made sure I was in the stadium to take part in all the festivities.  I've been to a number of Blue Jays games and have sat in almost every section at the Skydome (err...Rogers Centre).  My favourite place to watch a game is from the outfield seats right behind the bullpens.  While you're a little far away from the infield action, these seats give you a sneak peak into who's going to pitch next and it's the best place to catch a home-run ball.  Also, the fans sitting in these sections are far more animated and really get into the game.  It's often the place were the ever popular wave will get started and the best spot in the stadium to hear people heckling opposing players.  On this particular evening, a few of the fans in section 139 made the evening even more memorable.

Before the game between the Jays and Yankees, Toronto's final home game of the season, Cito Gaston was honoured for is numerous contributions to the Blue Jays organization.  It was a fitting tribute for the best manager in Blue Jays history.  As with any celebration, the booze started flowing early.  The Jays started things off in style with a lead-off home run by Travis Snider and while the ball wasn't hit to our section, we knew it was only a matter of time before we saw some action.  The Blue Jays roared out to a 7-0 lead after 5 innings and the hated Alex Rodriguez came to the plate to start the 6th inning.  The count was 0-1 when A-Rod strokes a long ball into the first row of section 139, a couple rows ahead of where I was sitting.  This was an evening to celebrate Cito and a Yankees home run wasn't welcome in our house.  The fans around our section started chanting, "throw it back, throw it back".  When a couple hundred people are yelling at you, it's hard to keep the souvenir you've just caught...so our friend in row 1 throws the ball back onto the field of play while A-Rod is rounding the bases.  Section 139 erupts in applause and dude in the first row is getting high fives like it's his job.  This is when our story gets interesting.  The Yankees would go on to score 2 more run in the inning but I'll be honest, I don't think anyone in our section saw, or cared, about the game at that point.

A few short minutes after the homer was sent back, a Rogers Centre staff member comes down to speak with our buddy in the first row.  While I'm sure throwing objects onto the field of play is prohibited, the gesture of throwing the ball back when an opposing team hits a homer isn't uncommon.  The young lady from the Rogers Centre, who's glasses seemed a little too big for her face, starts getting jeered.  The fans in the surrounding sections didn't want to see our friend in the first row get kicked out for his gesture, which was supported by the guys in the Blue Jays bullpen.  Chants of "let him stay, let him stay" begin to gain momentum and the young Rogers Centre staff becomes obviously flustered and leaves without our friend.  The section cheers and high fives ensue.  A few moments later, a more senior staff member comes down to speak with our friend while a few police officers observe from the top of the stairs.  The fans in section 139 are not happy that the issue is still being discussed and that police officers have been called.  More chants in support of the ball thrower are started, the usher trying to discipline our pal is heavily taunted and a few people, who have obviously enjoyed a couple wobbly pops, turn back to jeer the police officer...not a good idea.  One particular "smart kid", who has been trying to be funny all night  and likely spilt more beer than he actually consumed, stands up to call-out the officer.  This kid, wearing a beige flat cap and ears that would make Dumbo proud, thinks he's got the support of the section as he encourages the officers to go home and "enjoy another donut".  The officer, obviously not impressed with our little paper boy and the headlines he's shouting, stands his ground while the Rogers Centre staff finishes speaking with our friend in the first row.  The bullpen comes to the aid of our baseball throwing hero and it appears he's only given a stern warning while Dumbo's little brother starts to realize he may have gone too far.

With the Yankees portion of the 6th inning coming to a close, yet another Rogers Centre staff makes an appearance in section 139...this time with 3 police officers.  Our friend in the flat cap is now turning to the fans in our section and asking for their support should it be his turn to be disciplined.  This kid hasn't really done anything to earn the same support our baseball thrower received.  As the staff member reaches his row, Flat Cap kid stands up and raises his arms like a hero.  While he's reluctant at first, our "section jester in training" finally takes one last swig of beer before being escorted from section 139 by 2 of Toronto finest.  A few high fives are shared before he disappears from sight and the fans in our section return to watching the Jays win the last home game under manager Cito Gaston.

Having been to a number of sporting events and having seen a wide range of fan behaviours, I won't say I'm surprised at what transpired during the Blue Jays game that evening.  The herd mentality can be a powerful motivator and people will do some pretty crazy things under this influence.  I think the Rogers Centre staff should have understood the circumstances and the tradition of throwing a visiting teams home run ball back onto the field of play.  A single visit to our friend in the first row to remind him of the stadiums rules would have been sufficient.  To my buddy in the flat cap with the big ears and trouble getting beer from his glass to his mouth, I hope they didn't fine you too much and next time you decide to taunt a police officer, make sure people are laughing with you...not at you.