Friday, February 29, 2008

Childhood Memories

Do you remember the CBC show Mr Dressup?
The show aired every weekday morning, and each day Mr. Dressup would lead children through a series of songs, stories, arts, crafts and imagination games, with the help of his friends Casey and Finnegan, a boy and a dog who lived in a treehouse in the back yard. The set for the show included the inside of Mr. Dressup's house, with scenes shot in the living room, kitchen, and a kind of play room that included the Tickle Trunk (where costumes used in make-believe skits were stored) and a long counter where Casey and Finnegan often appeared. Sometimes, the action moved outside to Casey and Finnegan's treehouse.
Mr. Dressup's most famous segment featured his Tickle Trunk, from which he would get a costume. It might be an animal costume, or a policeman's or fireman's uniform, or some other outfit in which he could dress up
and play whatever role was suggested by the costume.
I used to watch alot of TV when I was a kid. I sometimes kid and say my baby sitter was the TV set, and to some degree it was true. I used to love this show. So imagine my surprise when I walked by this set piece on display at the CBC. It was like walking past a part of my childhood. And of course I had to get a picture beside it.
info courtesy of http://en.wikipedia.org

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Forsythe Championship Racing Shuts Down

Feb. 28/08 - Statement from Neil Micklewright, VP of Operations for Forsythe Championship Racing Ltd., LLC:
“Forsythe Championship Racing is announcing today the cessation of its racing operations. After 13 years of competition in CART and the Champ Car World Series, the team has been unable to secure the necessary sponsorship to be able to compete in the Indy Racing League IndyCar Series in 2008. Forsythe Racing Inc., the parent company of FCR, will participate in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, the Champ Car finale, with drivers to be announced.” Paul Tracy
“I got a call from Neil (Micklewright, president of Forsythe Racing) this morning and he said, ‘I’ve got some bad news for you,’” related Tracy from his home in Las Vegas. “Neil said he’d been trying to get a hold of my manager but he was having a colonoscopy today. That’s ironic ‘cause that’s what I feel like I got.”
The 2 car Atlantic Team, under the banner of Forsythe Racing Inc, will run the 12 race 2008 Atlantic schedule with James Hinchcliffe and David Garza. For those that didn't know the 12 race Atlantic Series is still on, although the schedule will be revised.
info courtesy of The New United IRL (facebook)

Racing News: Champ Car Fallout

On Friday, February 22nd, 2008, after a 12 year divorce, Champ Car and the Indy Racing League decided to unite for the betterment of the sport.

The Official Press Conference took place on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, at Homestead Speedway.
Here are some notes from the newser.
Tony George, CEO and founder of the Indy Racing League.
"This is all about looking forward. At the risk of taking a glance back, it was just last fall on the anniversary of my grandfather's death that I was thinking to myself that it really had been 30 years since the sport of open-wheel racing had been truly unified." He also stated, "Our whole racing community is excited and energized about unification and everybody is working hard toward the season opener at Homestead-Miami Speedway March 29."

Kevin Kalkhoven, co-owner of the Champ Car World Series and KV Racing team.
"I'm thrilled we now have a unified open wheel racing series that will feature great drivers, a diversity of world-class venues and numerous top-notch teams, I applaud Tony George for his commitment to the sport, and join him in now focusing solely on the future of open wheel racing in North America. I'm eager for our team to race this season, and certainly will do all that I can to help advance our sport in the short- and long-term."

UNIFICATION ELEMENTS
Champ Car teams committing to the IndyCar Series and demonstrating the ability to fund operating budgets will be provided:
*One-year Honda basic engine lease
*Two Dallara chassis from a pool of new and used cars to the extent of the pool available for up to two seasons
*$1.2 million per car from the IndyCar TEAM program
*At least two race venues from the Champ Car World Series schedule will be added to the IndyCar Series schedule in 2008 if the parties reach agreement.
Discussions are proceeding to add events in Edmonton, Canada and Surfers Paradise, Australia to this year's current 16-race schedule.
*The historic Grand Prix of Long Beach Champ Car race finale will be run the same weekend as the already scheduled IndyCar Series race at Twin Ring Motegi in Motegi, Japan. The 2008 Grand Prix of Long Beach will be Champ Car's final race. Champ Car will promote the race as its "Finale."
Champ Car will conduct the race and the IndyCar Series will require any teams taking advantage of the incentives offered by the Indy Car Series to compete at Long Beach. Since these teams will be missing the Motegi race, they will be awarded points and prize money as if they were competing at Motegi.
Beginning in 2009, the Grand Prix of Long Beach will be part of the IndyCar Series schedule.
*IndyCar Series officials developed an assistance program that assigned an IndyCar Series team to work directly with a Champ Car World Series team (i.e. Rahal Letterman Racing will work with Newman/Haas/Lanigan.)
*In the agreement in principle, the IndyCar Series will purchase various non-tangible assets such as intellectual property and historical records from Champ Car. In addition, the IndyCar Series will purchase the Champ Car Medical transporter.
*As the 2009 schedule is prepared, the IndyCar Series intends to review all recent Champ Car and current IndyCar Series races, as well as other opportunities to produce the most viable schedule of short ovals, super speedways, street courses and road courses that will be of interest to fans, promoters, sponsors and racers.
some pictures courtesy of http://auto-racing.speedtv.com, info courtesy of The New United IRL (facebook)

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Dirty Dancing

As I mentioned yesterday, it was my wife's birthday. And part of her gift was two tickets to the play, Dirty Dancing. And if you're thinking wasn't there a movie with the same name that starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey, you would be right. This is a musical based on that movie. I didn't have the time of my life, but I really did enjoy the play. It was pretty much exactly like the movie as you remembered it, and all the music was from the 60's, which made it really enjoyable. Here are a couple of pictures from Pilar's birthday celebration.
Enjoying dinner before the show.The view from our seats.My one problem I had with the entire night was the amount of room we had in our seats. We were pretty much dead centre up on the balcony, and the view really good. But the actual seats were way to close together with very little leg room. I'm not that tall, and I had a hard time sitting there for two hours. Any taller and I would of had a problem.Having the time of our lives....In front of the Royal Alex

NOTE:Pilar came down with the flu the night these pictures were taken. Always the trooper, she opted for the night out, instead of bed, which I'm sure is what she is thinking about in all these pictures.

Trade Deadline Day

I work at a national sports TV station, and yesterday was the NHL Trade Deadline day (The last day to trade players from one team to to another for this season.) It is always a big day for my station and for Canadian sports fans. We were on the air live from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm covering this event, with reporters all across the country and in the States following every hockey team. I thought it would be cool to show you what its like to work on a day like this. Here are some pictures from the madness that was Trade Deadline day, enjoy.
This a look at the main studio. Notice there are to area's on the stage for the on-air talent to discuss back and forth, the days events.
The reverse angle view.This was the second studio.And this was the situation room.And this is my area where I work. Here are a couple of the guys I work with, "hard" at work.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Happy Birthday!

Today is my wife's birthday. Still as beautiful as the day we met. Happy birthday baby, hope you have a great day!

Monday, February 25, 2008

Sam in Japan Update

Just heard from Sam. She wanted me to let everyone know that there is a new entry on her blog. Check it out at: http://samiaminjapan.blogspot.com/, enjoy.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Racing News: Finally

From the Indy Racing League Offices
INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 - Owners of Champ Car and the Indy Racing League completed an agreement in principle Friday that will unify the sport for 2008. Gerald Forsythe, co-owner of Champ Car, signed an agreement in principle in Chicago, joining his partner Kevin Kalkhoven and Indy Racing League founder and CEO Tony George who had signed late Thursday in Indianapolis. Full details of the agreement, and the revised 2008 schedule, will be made public at a press conference at next week’s Homestead test.
Rahal-Letterman Racing3-time IndyCar champion and Rahal Letterman Racing co-owner Bobby Rahal concerning the announcement concerning a merger of American open-wheel racing. "This is a great day for open-wheel racing and one that I and my Rahal Letterman Racing team have looked forward to for a long time. I applaud all of those that made this possible, but want to especially recognize all of those that made sacrifices and concessions to secure the future of open-wheel racing. I truly believe that this is the first step toward restoring open-wheel racing and the Indianapolis 500 to not only where it once was, but beyond."Andretti Green Media Announcement, Michael Andretti, chairman, Andretti Green Racing:
"This is a huge day for the IndyCar Series and for our sport as a whole, for sure. Over the years, whether I was in the role of driver, team owner or promoter, I have always wanted a unified sport. That has been my only goal throughout this entire process and I applaud everyone who played a role in making this happen. So many people have worked tirelessly, both publicly and behind the scenes, to get this done. Everyone can now focus on taking the IndyCar Series to new heights for the good of our sport and everyone involved in it."
WALKER RACING EMBRACES OPEN WHEEL UNIFICATION
“It’s back to the future,” stated Derrick Walker, Walker Racing owner. “It’s been a long road, but it has finally come together. From a fan and sports business point of view, one open wheel racing series in the United States has long been recognized as what fans and sponsors want to have both series together and I’m happy to say that Walker Racing embraces the decision. I also want to give a special thanks to all the past and present CART/Champ Car officials for all their hard work in giving us some great seasons.”
A casualty of the announcement is that the Grand Prix of Toronto (nee the Molson Indy), which has been a fixture on the Toronto waterfront each year since 1986, will be cancelled. The last-minute merger means Toronto’s race can’t be inserted into the IRL’s schedule. But sources say the event may return in 2009.
info courtesy of Champ car gossip

Friday, February 22, 2008

Gimmie a break!

After almost 2 weeks since that record snow fall that dumped more than 30 cm of snow in one day, and a week since the last significant snowfall which dropped an additional 10 cm on the GTA, city snow ploughs FINALLY made it down my street yesterday. They only cleared one side, but they finally removed the ruts in the middle of the street, which threatened to rip off my muffler every time I drove down the street. My tax dollars hard at work. I guess I will take what ever I can get.

2008 Toronto Auto Show

Took in the 2008 Toronto Auto show yesterday afternoon with a buddy of mine. I had planned to go in and scope out the best $25,000 and under car, the best $50,000 and under and the best if money was no object car and blog about it. Then I realized, who really cares? Do I review cars for a living? Then why would anyone care what I thought, right? So instead, I have decided to show you the things that I thought were cool about this year's auto show, enjoy...
A look at the complex steering wheel of the Toyota F1 car.
If it's so "smart" why does it cost $21,000 and only have room for 2 people and maybe a couple of bags of groceries in the trunk (if you can call it that!)A picture of me and my first car! Really, this was what my first car looked like. A 1978 Honda Civic CVCC. I owned mine when I was 17, I'll let you do the math!Notice the sleek lines......and the sporty interior.The new Mazda Miata, or as it's now called, the MX-5. Check out the cool retractable hardtop. Would make for awesome summer cruising.However not a very practical car for our needs. Not too sure where you would put 2 dogs...And as usual, my choice for best car that I would actually put money down to buy; the VW Golf GTI. Surprised? I didn't think so.And now we're talking more my speed. Love the bike rack, and the bike. Wrap it up!In the category of say it isn't so, or maybe better late then never ... the new VW mini-van.And again, surprising no one I'm sure, my pick for an SUV that I would put money down to buy. The new VW Tiguan. Can you say brand loyalty? Sorry about the crappy picture, but it's about about the size of the Honda CRV and its priced at $29,000 to start. Where do I sign?
I thought this was a super cool option for the Toyota FJ Cruiser.
Yup, it's long enough for even my buddy Tony to sleep up there comfortably.
And my personal favorite of the 2008 Toronto Auto show. The new kid on the block, Ferrari and Porsche killer ... 420 hp ... 0 to 60 in 4.6 seconds ... the Audi R8 ... sweeeeeeeeeeet! Love the glass engine cover.