570News - Gary Doyle

I just found out that a good friend died yesterday. Fran Campbell was a sports writer at the Record until he retired. His son, Tim, followed in the family footsteps and is a regular on the show. Another son, Craig, also works at the Record behind the scenes and is heavily involved with the Rangers. Fran was one of the first two people I met on my first visit to the Aud 23 years ago. The other was Don Cameron. Fran was a terrific writer and impossible to not like. I don’t know any of the details yet, but I do know this. He will be greatly missed. A gentleman, and a friend.

I spent my sunday afternoon at Galaxy in a crowded theatre with a group that could call me “sonny” and mean it. We all went to see the Paul Gross 1st World War epic, and I hope they enjoyed it more than I did. The battle scenes were fascinating and gripping. Sadly, they were also a minor part of a major movie. The ensuing love story was a little on the hokey side for my taste. Talking after the movie with a friend, who was also there, and we agreed on one thing…..the movie came so close to being something special, but just falls short.

My wife and I were in Hamilton last night. We had dinner with good friends and then off to Theatre Aquarius to see the new Norm Foster play. Foster is a prolific playwright and a darn fine actor to boot. His new play is called “Mending Fences”, and it takes place in a farmhouse in Saskatchewan. Right away he’s got my interest. I won’t give too much away, suffice to say, Foster fans know what they’re getting and those who haven’t discovered Norm’s body of work can use this one as an introduction to many nights out being entertained. As usual, Norm has one killer line that I will use at will. It will update the line I’ve used since seeing the Love List. If you get the chance to see Mending Fences it will move you and may nudge you to repairing some of the damaged relationships in your life. Cats Ass, Norm!!

…….a hockey game free of mistakes and/or infractions. But I did see one free of penalty calls. Yesterday in Saginaw, Michigan it appeared two veteran OHL referees left their cars running. Not a penalty call in a game that was played in less than two hours, including overtime. Were their penalties YES…..were both teams guilty…YES….but early in the third period when Rangers captain Ben Shutron was chopped down as he rounded the goal and headed up ice it was obvious the peas in the whistles were missing. Was in frustrating..YES…for both teams.. both coaches had long chats with both refs at different times, but nothing could sway them from their transparent mission. Next on my to do list, a game without a penalty that is legitmate, not a sidebar.

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.