570News - Gary Doyle

As a dad, this is ripping me apart. The search for Barrie teen Brandon Crisp has gone international. Barrie Police say they are hoping one of the more than one thousand leads they have received pans out. More and more sightings are coming in from the U.S. The 15-year old walked away from his parents two weeks ago after quarrelling over a video game. I can’t imagine not knowing what has happened to one of my kids. It was brough home last night when I was in Barrie with the Rangers. The new video scoreboard at the Molson Centre should have been playing games with the fans, showing pictures of the many Colts groupies dressed up for Hallowe’en. Instead, most stoppages showed the face of Brandon Crisp and a plea for help. There but for the Grace of God. Hug your kids.

I’m not talking about the snow. Baseball ends and basketball begins. Hockey is well underway. Football play-offs continue in University play and the CFL season is winding down. It’s a good thing I like sports. Not all sports. A friend took me to Waterloo Park years ago on a sunny day to watch and explain cricket. Still don’t get it. I’m a huge soccer fan and don’t understand people slagging it for being boring. Ditto for curling. Perhaps it helps that I participated in both (avoid using the word played) It’s true what Americans say about Canada’s two seasons….hockey and construction… it’s also true that we wear them like a badge.

The problem I have is not with Hallowe’een. I think of it as a night for the kids, nothing sinister, no Pagan Festival. The problem I have is I’m cheap. I don’t mind buying treats for children, I mind not having as many kids show up as treats bought. That’s when I believe it is my responsibility to personally guarantee that all left-over goodies are eaten. That’s the problem I have. My doctor once said “There’s a difference between all you can eat, and all you should eat.” Still learning that lesson.

That was a nasty day yesterday. The rain, the wind, the sporadic sunshine. One out of three ain’t bad. I spent a good chunk of my day cleaning out the garage to the point where we can get one vehicle inside where it’s warm and dry. (guess who gets that parking spot) Every year I vow to get that done before the weather turns on me. Yesterday, there I was, outside, packing up patio furniture, rubbing it down drying it off and packing it away for the long winter. So, here it is, my promise to my wife. I will clean out the basement before company comes at Christmas. Unless of course, you know where freezes over first.

I like discoveries. I remember the first Harry Chapin concert I attended. I was actually surprised there were other people there. That’s how personal fok music tends to be. I had Justin Hines on the show yesterday and will introduce him tonight at the Centre in the Square. What a gifted singer-songrwriter this kid is. Another recent discovery, thanks for “Donuts”, is Justin Rutledge. They tell me it’s country, but a singer songwriter is more like if. If that is indeed a genre. Rutledges’ CD “Man Descending” is very sharp. It’s mostly acoustic stuff that I’m attracted to anyway, but the future looks bright for this guy. Give a listen to “This Too Shall Pass”….it’s the reason CD players have repeat buttons.

Aging is not fun, it is inevitable. Yesterday I passed on an epistle to my friend Lisa Drew on “at-work” spouses. I have one. Her name is Janelle, and yes my wife knows. In a veiled attempt at a compliment Lisa, in her blog, decided to take the “at-work Fatherly-advice” route. That’s fine. I am older than Lisa. By exactly ten years. Now, I would never reveal a womans’ age, but I am 51. You can do the math on your own time.

Just chatting with Jeff Allan before he went on the air about the CD I bought on the weekend and have already grown attached to. Jackson Browne is out with his first studio album in six years of new material. Well, he says it’s new material. It feels like “Late For The Sky”, an album I bought on vinyl when I was in high school. For a 51-year old music nut, this is just what I needed. It’s called “Time The Conquereor” and I can’t say enough good things about it.

After the election tallying is done, status quo cost the taxapyer about 300 million dollars. That is a princely sum, but still cheaper than the gun registry. It’s all about perspective. We have another minority government, which is no big surprise. Most pundits predicted that would happen and it did. When will we be back. I say less than one year because the Party Leaders like each other less. I don’t see how this Parliament can be any more “functional” than the last. Now…let the recounts begin.

Lots to be thankful for. The weather was perfect this past weekend. Our annual pancake breakfast (in its’ new location) was a huge success. I got to spend most of sunday with my kids, including an amazing meal. (note to self. there is a difference between all you can eat, and all you SHOULD eat) I have a niece battling cancer. Another niece expecting her third child and a nephew about to become a 1st time dad. I have a job I still enjoy, a wife who still wants to be around me and friends that have never turned their backs. All in all, life is good. Whatever is going on in your life, take time to take it all in.

I love this idea. A U.S. Congressmans’ staff is suggesting their candidate and his political foes be hooked up to lie detecters during their upcoming debate. BRILLIANT!! How much fun that could be with a low dose of taser-juice for every lilly white that passes their lips. It would be like watching one of those Japanese Game Shows. If they go ahead, it will be the only U.S. debate I will watch and I won’t have to watch it live. www.youtube.com