Pickle fight gets man in trouble with the law

These kinds of stories brighten up my evening. It’s pretty much a given that buddies named Bobby Lee and Jody Lee are going to run into some red neck trouble.

CBC Radio 2 re-think

A few months ago, I mentioned I liked the new CBC Radio 2 evening format. After listening to a lot of sub-par performances on Canada Live, and spending numerous nights wondering if Laurie Brown is taking some heavy sedatives, I’ve decided some changes are in order.

I still like the concept and music played on The Signal, it’s just the host that has got to go. Unlike Patti Schmidt who used to bring knowledge, enthusiasm and fun to Brave New Waves, Brown tends to pontificate about things like fireflies at her summer cottage in Ontario. I know she was a hip in her time, but that time has past. I’m sure CBC has a young hipster host kicking around who can bring a lot more to a show that plays cutting-edge music.

As for Canada Live, I often find myself thinking of the height of Can Con when I listen to a lot of the acts the show presents. I’d say I enjoy one or two acts over a week that may include 14+ performances. I’ve given up and turn on my own music when the show comes on now.

I’d like to a host or two from Radio 3 come back into the Canada Live time slot and play music from acts that are breaking new ground. I know I can find Radio 3 on the Internet and via satellite, but live public (and free) radio still has its place. Canadian bands have proven this country is making fantastic music, and CBC could do a lot more to give these acts the exposure they need.

I still love Tonic – Katie Malloch  is awesome – and the daytime classical music. Because I’m an old guy, I don’t really have a chance to listen to the 1 a.m. show.  I would, however, like to see the evening shows run five days a week instead of seven. Again, a few more slots for new international and Canadian acts would be great to hear.

I won’t talk about In the Key … of Charles.  Let’s just say “stream-of-conciousness” journeys aren’t my cup of tea. But that’s a comment on weekend radio I’ll save for another time.

Real Talk!

Good..

Real Talk!!

Better…

Real Talk!!!

Best!

More SkyTrain problems

I guess my post was pretty timely. The vending machines at all 33 stations were shut down today due to vandalism.

Vancouver’s transit system not so safe at night

I’ve been waiting awhile for a media outlet here to write a story about the dangers of riding SkyTrain at night. In this article, which is part of a week-long series, a reporter rides Metro Vancouver’s rapid transit system between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. for the better part of a week. What he sees is pretty creepy, but it seems like an easy problem to tackle – adding more gun-carrying police isn’t the answer.

Installing turnstiles and staffing the stations in the evenings is the best solution. I’ve travelled in a lot of countries and have never rode a subway or rapid transit system that allows you to come and go without going through a turnstile that is watched by a transit employee.

In Metro Vancouver, stations aren’t staffed and there aren’t any turnstiles. People who want to take a chance on being fined travel for free. The video monitoring equipment at each station is only good after an incident happens, and is often used by police to identify people who commit crimes in the station.

I’ve been riding the SkyTrain every week day for over two years and I’ve been checked for a ticket four or five times. I totally agree with the article – women who ride at night have every right to be nervous. Things can get weird on the trains even after 8 p.m.

On-site staff and turnstiles will discourage people from hanging out around the stations, give people peace of mind and increase fare revenues. Criminal activity will also be reported in real-time, thus reducing the need to add more armed transit police to the system.

1234 – Feist tribute

You’ve got to love a song and a musician that inspires a bunch of nerdy kids to stay after to school to make a tribute video.