No, I didn't write this...

No.

In spite of rumors to the opposite, or what you might think, I did NOT write the following headline in this week's Brantford Expositor:

Clean getaway in Pledge, Windex theft

Although I could have.

Would have.


DJW

Another country heard from...: Meet Sammy...

Another country heard from...: Meet Sammy...

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This is Wonderland?: Rants for a Monday

This is Wonderland?: Rants for a Monday

An Early Retirement

My eldest offspring, Thing One, has been involved with Canada's best kept secret for over 9 years now.

She has been a Cadet since the age of nine.

First with the Navy League, then with the Sea Cadets.

In both instances, she started at the bottom and progressed steadily through the ranks, eventually becoming Chief of the Corps, the top ranking Cadet.

As a parent, getting her involved with Cadets was an easy choice. It was free to join, taught her skills, and gave her incentive to serve.

I knew what she was in for if she gave it a chance. I had been a Cadet as a young lad. I learned values and made friends there that I still have over 30 years later.

She retires this week, at the ripe old age of 18, passing on her charge to another deserving young person, willing and able to take on a leadership role.

Below is the text of her Farewell Message to her Corps.

On Vigil, November 11th, 2008

Camp, Cadets, and the Real World.

Firstly, I would like to take this time to congratulate all of our camp-bound cadets on an excellent summer. I got a chance to see most of you, teach some of you, and watch you become leaders in your Divisions and in Cadets. Congratulations to MS Johnson on being named top in his Division, and to QPO1 Jackson on earning his watch ticket.

Now, I’ve come to the point in my Cadet career where I can look back and reflect not only on what I have gained from the Cadet Program, but what I could pass on to you, the future leaders not only of our corps but of our camps, our town and our country.

Sounds a bit cheesy or romantic, I’ll admit, but let me explain. Throughout my Cadet career I’ve been presented with unique and fantastic opportunities, from traveling across the country to train at our two coastal SCSTCs, HMCS QUADRA and HMCS ACADIA, to volunteer opportunities through cadets and the Royal Canadian Legion. While the latter part, volunteering, might seem less than thrilling, it’s given me the skills to ‘get ahead’ or survive in what I call the ‘real world’, basically everything outside of your school, home, video game and computer chair. The real world is learning how to survive, how to succeed, how to explore what everyone else has to offer and find yourself in the process.

Have I lost you yet? I hope not. Everything you learn in Cadets: teamwork, initiative, leadership, discipline; down to the little skills like knot tying, orienteering, musicianship and sailing are tools you’re going to use again, unlike in some of your classes in school where you memorize dates and formulae you may never use in your entire life (apologies to Slt Messecar and Lt(N) Downey for that bit, no hard feelings against teachers or historians!). I won’t drag on too much longer, but I want you to remember this: anytime you’re sitting in a class at Cadets and you don’t want to pay attention, you don’t want to tie this knot or work with that person, just do it. Anytime you think “I can’t!” or that something is impossible, just do it. Like a bad Nike commercial, anytime something is difficult and you just can’t face it—you guessed it—just do it.

Trust me on this one.

Well done, Chief.

Bravo Zulu.

DJW aka Daddycab

There are Corps and Squadrons across Canada.

For more information on the Cadet Program, Click here

Really Instant Karma

Here's a news item from The Toronto Sun I thought noteworthy...

A teen armed with a handgun holds up a variety store and robs the proprietor of his hard earned money. While fleeing he runs into the street and gets nailed by a car.

Here is the entire text of the story:

A teen who ran into the path of an on-coming car on Victoria Park Ave. after robbing a North York variety store has died from his injuries in hospital, police said yesterday.

Two young men, including the 17-year-old dead boy, were each armed with handguns when they robbed the R.J. Food Market Convenience, between Lawrence and Eglinton Aves., shortly after 8 p.m. Friday, Toronto Police said.

"Two young teenagers with masks and a gun, one guy with a handgun and the other, some kind of gun" came into the store, shopkeeper Hann Liu, 55, said yesterday.

He said one of the bandits jumped over the counter and grabbed "$150-something" from the till, but he's not absolutely sure.

The duo then fled out of the store, one into heavy traffic on Victoria Park, Liu said.

"So one car hit one guy," he said. "The gun...fell on the road and the police (came)," Liu said. He said he feels bad: "Safety is not very good here." Neither Liu or his wife, 53, were hurt during the heist.

The injured teen apparently suffered head injuries and was taken to Hospital for Sick Children.

The other suspect got away. A pistol was recovered at the scene. Police said although the investigation is continuing, no charges are anticipated against the motorist.

DJ here...my only fear is that some Lawyer will get their slimy paws on this and sue the driver of the car!

Lets hear it for instant karma!

DJW

DJ thinks the best line from Judge Roy Bean is,

"Who the hell are you?"

"Justice, you sons of bitches!"

Watch This Space...

Holy Cow!

It's been over a month since I've blogged.

Some of you may find this refreshing.

It's not because I haven't wanted to, but life and circumstances intervened.

I'm chewing on some stuff that I've yet to fully digest and regurgitate here.

In the coming weeks (hopefully), you will find the closing chapter of The Steel Roof Chronicles (still waiting for the blessings of the Almighty Insurance Company), some stuff on Soldiers and Veterans, and on life in general.

Oh, and the Talk Show Idol thing?

CHML still hasn't gotten back to me. If you want to take it upon yourselves inquire about my status, contact the Program Director here. Or....jstorey@900chml.com

Later this week there will be a column with input from Thing 1.

Watch for it.

And if you look to your left at my profile, you will see an addition. Welcome aboard, Boy Thing! He's happy to be here and we are happy to have him. More about that later.

In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves and keep an eye here.

DJW

DJ apologizes to those who have been holding their breath.
You may now breathe . Thank you for your patience.

More bad news...again...like always...

Why do the news media outlets feel that we want to hear about the bad things in life?

Think about it.

The headline of almost any major paper or the lead story of almost all the broadcasts is usually about crime, tragedy, pain and suffering.

Headlines from 3 big papers and one small one today include:

• Sex Predator on the Prowl: Toronto Sun
• Helicopter Dropped Like a Rock: Toronto Star
• Elderly Eased Out: Hamilton Spectator
• Blight Ravages Potato Crops: Brantford Expositor

Gee, doesn't all that just perk me up.

Also, why do I need to know about celebrities behaving badly? And why is it news?

What possible difference to the economy does it make if Paula Abdul leaves American Idol? Or what effect will there be on the B.C. forest fires if John and Kate litigate?

One thing that I did pull out of today's news is that there will be a new show coming this fall..called Its Always Good News. Hosted by Connie Smith of CHCH fame, a 30 year plus veteran let go in budget cuts.

Also one local item with a personal link: Caitlin's Family Donates Warmer. A blanket warmer for McMaster Children's Hospital was donated by the family of this late tot, taken earlier this year by cancer at age 5.

And I had to dig this one up for M.D.B., a story from last year that could have been a tragedy: Man unhurt after being taken for ride when motorized chair gets stuck to truck grille. Poor guy crossing the road ends up stuck to the front of a semi, and could have ended up as road kill.

Two songs are running through my head right now, Don Henley's Dirty Laundry and Anne Murray's A Little Good News.

Dunno bout you, but I would rather hear about the good stuff first, kinda brace me for the bad stuff.

DJW

Some good news...the renovations are getting nearer to done!

John Rennison, the Hamilton Spectator