In case you haven’t already heard, Canadian icon, Lloyd Robertson signed off for the last time as CTV’s National News anchor after being with the network for 35 years. His career started long before that, but I’m going to focus on his CTV years..

From a very young age, I’ve always associated late night news with Lloyd Robertson. I remember in the 80’s when I’d occasionally get to stay up late and watch the news with that blue background that has always reminded me of vertical blinds. I’d lie in bed at night and hear through the floor the all too familiar opening tune to his newscast and try and make out what he was saying.

As I got older, I still tuned in to watch the news with Lloyd. Events like the Challenger shuttle explosion, to the fall of the Berlin wall. Celebrations, wars, natural disasters, or any other local, national or world events. There are few things today that stay consistent, but watching the days events with Lloyd explaining what happened was one of those reliable things.

Even though most Canadians never met him, I believe that we all learned about our world and country from him. So many newscasters “tell” you the news, but few explained it like he did.

Lisa LaFlamme certainly has big shoes to fill. It will be interesting to see what happens with late night news ratings.

Lloyd, if you happen to read this, thank you for being a part of my life. You will be missed on the late night news by myself and all Canadians.

Good luck and enjoy your retirement!

We got there around 5:30pm to see how things were and decide whether we would eat dinner before or after. There were about 100 people in line, so we decided to wait in line. Around 6pm, the staff led us into the store and started us snaking through the bookshelves to line up to get our books signed. They had a DJ there who was playing some decent music and we waited.. and waited..

Finally at 7pm, the book signing starts with 250-300 people in line waiting. It wasn’t until 8:30 that we got up to the table where Russell was sitting. He said hi, asked how we were doing and signed our books while the staff of Chapters used our camera and took candid photo’s of us at the table. And then that was it.. we were done.

Now, I do enjoy Russell Peters comedy routine.. But if I were a die-hard fan, I would have been pretty disappointed with the whole thing. He was nice and polite, but didn’t seem too engaged in the whole event. Of course, if I was meeting that many people and signing my name that many times in a night, I might not be either..

So, I have a copy of his book.. It’ll probably be a good read and then sit on the shelf..

On the bright side, it was a good excuse to not go home after work and clean my bathroom..

News1130 Alert:  Steven Page has left the Barenaked Ladies

I did a quick search on the web, and sure enough, he’s left to pursue other “solo” opportunities..

Now, for anyone who doesn’t know me, I’m a big BNL fan.  For over half of my life, they have been a source of enjoyment.  Trust me, they are in heavy rotation in my iPod!  When I lived near Toronto, I went to every BNL concert that I could.  Even since moving out to Vancouver, I try to never miss a performance when they tour here.   

While I’m disappointed to hear the news, I’m not terribly surprised.  Even though they are denying it, surely his drug charges that he was facing several months ago must have played SOME factor in the decision.  It may not have been the leading reason, but it must have been one of them! 

But, I wish him the best in whatever he does end up doing.  I would like to see a little more from The Vanity Project!  Time will tell..

It seems that BNL will continue to move forward without him, with plans to go to the studio soon to record a new album due to be released in the fall.  I look forward to the “new” Barenaked Ladies!

Well..

When I moved here, it was Z95.3..   For a number of years, I would listen to this Top 40 station.  A lot of the music I didn’t care for, but sometimes, they’d play what I consider to be some decent stuff.  True to this type of radio station, they played some music and then a ton of commercials.  A few years ago, they tried to revamp the station format, but essentially it was the same.

Then, about 2 years ago, they “changed their name and format”.  They became 95 Crave.  The first few weeks, it wasn’t bad.  They played a little more from the 90’s, and a little too much of the 80’s.  But it didn’t take long before their old habits returned.  Too repetitive, too many commercials, and too much music that I wasn’t interested in..

A few weeks ago, I turned it on, and now they are Virgin.  Same staff, same theme.  Nothing has changed but the name..

This radio station has a serious identity crisis.  They change the name, say that they are going to make changes, and yet, it stays the same. The only thing I enjoy about it is the morning show.  The only problem with the timing of the morning show is it falls when I’m driving to work and listening to News 1130 for stuff that matters..  like traffic.  Besides..  the on-air personalities at the news station actually are entertaining to listen too..

There are other stations in the Vancouver area to listen to, but I none of them hold me interest for long.  Jack FM isn’t bad, but most of the others are crap.

So..  keep up the good work News 1130!   As for Z95/Crave/Virgin..  well.. keep trying..  someday you’ll actually achieve the change that you are looking for..

Old habits die hard I guess.

It seems that over the years I’ve changed my preferences on a couple things..

First, it seems that I prefer to drink Coke more than Pepsi.  Yes, Mark, I know what you are going to say:  I told you so.  It all started with me deciding that Coke tasted really good with sushi, instead of Pepsi.  Then, partially because of the choice we have from the vending machine at work, it seems that when I am presented with a choice, I’ll usually choose Coke.  I’m not proud, but there..  that’s off my chest.

Secondly, I seem to be much more accepting of country music.  Yes, Colleen, it’s true.  I remember years ago, when I still lived lived with my parents, our neighbours would have it cranked up most summer days. I would retailate with whatever I had going, and eventually played Weird Al’s “Don’t Play That Song”, and they eventually learned to keep their music to themselves.  These days, I listen to some now.  I’m now not in denial that Shania Twain and others are actually country.  

I’ve been saving this post for almost four months..  I dread the comments to come..