London in the Afternoon with Mike Stubbs - blog
Someone Please Say No To On-Line Voting
London City Councillors seem to like the idea of allowing people to vote in the municipal election online. This is not a good thing.In My Defence...Again...
Every once in a while ya say something on-air and manage to get on everybody's bad side. The problem is that people are upset at me for something I didn't say.We're Not Just Nice and Polite Anymore
Go almost anywhere in the world as a Canadian and you are welcomed with open arms. We, as a nation have been well known for politeness. Now, thanks to Vancouver, we will be known for much more.OH GOOD! A Blog on Figure Skating
I admit that I know NOTHING about the sport of figure skating. BUT, one man's apparent "trash talking" has me thinking the sport needs a little push.This Time Tiger Isn't Going To Get What He Wants
Tiger Woods seems to have been getting whatever and whomever he has wanted for awhile now.But all of that is hopefully over. Despite what certain people might think, no one is big enough to have their cake and eat it too.
If Tiger Woods wants to put everything that has happened behind him and truly move forward, then he must answer the questions that reporters and fans have for him.
Until he does that, this whole scandalous mess is going to stay with him. It will be brought up over and over.
Is that fair ? Absolutely not.
Tiger Woods feels that this is a private matter between himself and his family and a few other choice individuals. It really should be just that, but it isn't.
Thank you, Jack Layton
As the leader of the federal NDP, Jack Layton has to live a public life. He has to spend any given day in a fishbowl. What he doesn't have to do is make private, personal and secret issues, completely open for the rest of the country to know about.
Layton's diagnosis of prostate cancer could have easily stayed between he and his doctor. He could have drawn on the support of family and friends, and it would not have had to become anything more than that.
Instead, it became a major announcement. And Mr. Layton needs to be both saluted and congratulated.
Prostate cancer does not have the exposure that it needs.
More than 26-thousand men were diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and just about every single one of them did what they could to keep it low-key.
That's the guy way. You don't want to tell someone about your problems because you don't want your problems to become their problems. It's easier just to face it yourself.
But that is a mindset that must change.
Prostate cancer and men in general need to take a look at what women have accomplished in the fight against breast cancer. It is front and centre and if you take a look at donations and contributions from all sources, it is one of the leaders in money for research and treatment.
Jack Layton didn't have to put himself into the spotlight, but in doing so he has given prostate cancer another avenue to convey its statistics and information with the hope that it, like all other forms of cancer, can one day be cured.
The Battle Against Obesity is Doomed for Failure
Because of my recent overhaul into diet...I'm learning how terribly I was eating. Because most of it is mental, rather than emotional, it's only a matter of time before Obesity cries Check Mate.Was One Chapter Enough for You?
Before ANY of us here at Newstalk 1290 get any stink about our "Media ADD", I want to go on the record as at least asking if you're interested in hearing about Haiti developing.The Hard Hits of Junior Hockey
The biggest question going around in the hockey world right now is not, "who is going to win the Stanley cup ?", or "who is going to win Olympic gold ?", or "will the Knights finish first in the Midwest division ?"
It's "why ?"
Why do we have all of these horrible hits in junior hockey this year ?
Michael Liambas on Ben Fanelli. That was a hit that fractured the 16 year old's skull and gave Liambas the boot from the OHL.
Zach Kassian on Matt Kennedy. It was a hit that may end up finishing Kennedy's career. He has now suffered five concussions and may not want to risk coming back.
I Don't Know How to Resolve
I'm supposed to be making a New Year's Resolution, but I don't know how. PEOPLE ARE CONFUSING ME!Why There's a Bell on my Christmas Tree
Sometimes we fall into traditions out of habit. Fortunately, I remember most of the meanings behind mine.I'm in the Mood
It's a challenge for me every year, but this year, I've managed to find and hold on to the Christmas spirit.My Name is Al, and I'm "In" With the Government
Recently....I've been accused of spreading false propoganda, and it has me STEAMED!
Memo to Ski Jumpers: Go Take A Flying Leap
The 13 women who have now decided to take the loss of women's ski jumping at the Olympics to the Supreme Court of Canada, are missing the point.I'VE BEEN HOODWINKED!!!
Ya ever get that feeling that you got hosed? The Band pulled a fast one on me. I'm kinda peaked...On Being Naive Of Those With Whom We Share This Planet
It's nice to sit back sometimes and believe that our world is becoming a little more open-minded. To believe that enough has happened in history to make an example of what is right and what is wrong; what is acceptable and what is unacceptable. But that's just naive, isn't it ?A Bedtime Story
Here is a story for everyone to read. Take from it what you will.
The Calgary Flames Aren't The Only Ones
If you have heard the story about the Calgary Flames' players and families jumping the H1N1 queue in Alberta to receive their shots and you are upset about it. Stop being upset about it. They aren't the only ones.My Battle with Reality and Sentimentality
For the first time in my life, My sentimentality is TRYING to beat up my realization of the reality of a situation. And I hate it.Is It All Gone Yet ?
Is it safe to open my eyes ? Has the last of the pumpkin pie finally been eaten ?The Barack Bash
Ok...everybody deserves SOME criticism...but aren't we overdoing it here?The Olympics WILL be Fun Again
I've been missing the fun in the Olympics, and have REASON TO BELIEVE IT WILL COME BACK SOON!Don't Worry, Our Future will be as MESSED up as we are
You'll call me out as being an Anti-traditionalist...but upon further review...I'm ok with some of the "text" language of our youth.Knights and Former Knights Update
Bryan Rodney did not make the Carolina Hurricanes. Danny Syvret and Rob Schremp still with the Flyers and the Oilers. No word on what the Islanders want to do with Anton Klementyev. Nazem Kadri ties game and scores in shootout in Leafs' win over Penguins. Michael Del Zotto still with Rangers.
Right at Home
Picture this. It's 5 days after your 17th birthday. You are standing in front of nine thousand people. Eighteen thousand eyes. You are being asked to perform. Could you do it ? If your name is Michael House, the answer is, yes.True Defenition of Building from Within
After a preseason performance that was sub-par, Islander's GM, Garth Snow, MAY be worried about his number 1 draft pick, John Tavares. Here's why he shouldn't.Long Live The Internet
Everyone always yaps about how fast technology moves. We always hear about how much easier things are today because of innovations and things like the internet. Well it's all true.It isn't Politics, it's Business
There's political rhetoric, and then there's attack ads. But for some reason, attack ads sometimes miss their mark. We're seeing the beginning of that right now.
A Matter of Intelligence...and Tact
Why do people feel like they NEED to convince you that they are smart?
It's Time to Fail Grade 3, 6 and 9 Testing
Ontario Premier Daulton McGuinty sat in the NewsTalk 1290 CJBK studios and stated that there were no planned cuts for the public sector even with the economic picture in this province being what it is.
He needs to reconsider that statement.
There is a way to save millions of dollars without horrible job cuts.
It all starts with Grade 3, 6 and 9 testing.
Failure Is Not As Bad As It Seems
We are almost smack dab in the middle of summer vacation. It might not seem logical, but it is time to talk about school. After all, the first day is only 49 days away. You might not want to go saying that too loudly around children or educators, but fact is fact.
To that same end, suggestion is suggestion. And here's one: It's time to allow our children to fail grades again. Just like in the good old days.
Thoughts about the NHL Entry Draft
The London Knights are almost making this a habit. For the third time in the last 8 years a Knights' player was taken first overall. When you consider the 60 teams in major junior and then the hundreds of clubs worldwide who produce players for the NHL, the odds of that actually happening rival the art of caching lightning in a bottle and finding gold at the end of rainbows.
So how does it keep happening ?
Let's All Go to the Movies
The "Original Date Night" is still special to me, but the industry needs to change to be more efficient. Here's how they can fix it.It's a Funny Thing, This Golf
I picked up my golf clubs for the first time in almost 3 years. It was nothing short of a disaster. These were the hilights...err...lowlights of the experience.Soccer is more than just soccer in Canada
Thousands of kids play soccer in this country, so why does it struggle more than it succeeds ? The answer has very little to do with the game itself.Questions You Didn't Know You Had...
For some reason people get curious about my job. I'm fine talking about it...but just in case we don't meet, here are answers to my FAQ.A Need for Congratulations
When it comes to sports of any kind, London and Windsor are rivals. Football, hockey, soccer, basketball, baseball, track. Mustangs vs Lancers. City vs Border Stars. And especially Knights vs Spitfires. But this is a time to set the rivalries away and salute the other side.A Little Less Over-reaction
A teenage band in New Jersey decided to perform in their school's talent show. They did 28 seconds of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall Part II" and someone pulled the plug. Call it a good thing. Why ? Well, because in telling the story all over, we can all see that we have reached the tipping point for over-reaction and intolerance.You're Gonna Think I'm Not Grateful, But....
I'm not saying I don't want a long weekend...ALL I AM SAYING IS ONE OF THE ONES WE HAVE IS STUPID!A Trade Proposal For Mother's Day
It has become clear that Mother's Day and Father's Day fall on the wrong days. But a simple switch would fix everything.Bring a Little Emotion Back
Of the many regrets I have in my life, one of them was being scared away from the arts while I was growing up. At a talent show the other night, my regrets were thrown in my face, and made me reflect about the importance of the Arts.
The Most Meaningless Words
There comes a time when words change. They change meaning or bring in new light. There is also a time when words lose their meaning. I have 2 words that drive me nuts...I'm Sorry.OHL Championship Series
Why make a prediction before a series starts when you can make it one game in. Here is what will happen the rest of the way as Windsor meets Brampton for the OHL Championship.On a Serious Note.....
I'm not trying to bring you down for the weekend, but there are some things that you aren't able to joke around about. This just happens to be one of those things.
Twas just before Game 5 between the Knights and Spitfires
So, what do you think ? More overtime ?Rules
Rules are rules - aren't they ? You break a rule, you face the consequences - right ?
You would think so. But our world tends to be a little more complicated. There are different rules for different people. There probably always have been.
Almost 30...the REAL "Tween"
I have a birthday around the corner...and I feel like I'm in the WORST age bracket that EVER existed. I'm not old...I'm not new...I'm the REAL "tween".It's Not All About Goals and Assists
Hockey doesn't need more statistical categories. But it does need recognition for things that happen in a game that don't show up on the scoresheet but still help a team to win.2 Years and Going
When I moved here, I prayed to make it through 2 weeks. Time has spread its majestic wings and flown (wow...that creative writing class is making me write funny). Now, I'm celebrating 2 years in the city of the London Knights, a lot of parks, and some great people.Right before Game 2 in Saginaw
Hockey and auto racing don't have much in common. Combine the two of them and you either get melted ice or extra crashes. But auto racing has a basic rule that applies to all sports and playoff hockey is right at the top of the list...
Travel Mugs: Metaphor for the Economy
In life, there are always mirrors for what's going on. Much like a golf ball that you have lost, but somebody else has found, it takes a broken mind to find them. In this case, Travel Mugs act as a metaphor for Ontario's economy. How? you may ask...well...let me take you on an adventure through my broken mind.
On the Road with the London Knights
Preparing for Game 3 in Erie...
It never fails. Cross the border from Canada to the United States as the London Knights have just done and voices yell out from certain corners of the bus.
"Ahhh, smell that air."
"Oh, look around. Now this is a great place."
The WBC Doomed?
one of my ALL-TIME favourite shows sank in the ratings and was cancelled...and should act as a learning lesson for the World Baseball Classic.
Is there a fix? I think there just might be.
Drinking and Driving
Whenever there is tragedy, there is attention.Whenever there is preventable tragedy, there is discussion.
On March 13th three lives were lost that shouldn't have been. The horrific details of the fiery crash that happened at Westel Bourne and Longwoods Road continue to come out and so do the opinions of the situation itself.
We have a drunk driver, and three people who were far too young to die. Two of them just 12 and 13 years of age.
The drunk has been arrested and handed the usual, "Yeah, but he was drunk." charges. They are also known as impaired driving causing death which somehow makes them seeem less serious.
