Episode 31 of This Is Toronto is now available!!!
This latest edition previews the 5th annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival; Aug. 13-20.
http://www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com/
NEXT EPISODE: Aug. 13, 2010
- ER
Friday, July 30, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Blue Jays vs. TFC
Mark down this date: July 27, 2010
The Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 8-2. About 16,000 people were at the Skydome.
Toronto FC beat CD Motagua 1-0. About 18,000 people were at BMO Field.
To quote Bob Dylan, "The times, they are a changin'."
- ER
The Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 8-2. About 16,000 people were at the Skydome.
Toronto FC beat CD Motagua 1-0. About 18,000 people were at BMO Field.
To quote Bob Dylan, "The times, they are a changin'."
- ER
Monday, July 26, 2010
Zamboni Ramblings
(Cheap Plug Alert)
The answer: Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Lindsay Lohan, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Miller, Ilya Kovalchuk and Launy Schwartz.
The question: Who appears in my latest Hockey54.com article?
- ER
The answer: Lebron James, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, Lindsay Lohan, Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Ryan Miller, Ilya Kovalchuk and Launy Schwartz.
The question: Who appears in my latest Hockey54.com article?
- ER
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Draft The Schwartz
Unfortunately, I'm not a top ten finalist for season two of Drafted.
But...
I'm very happy to report that my fellow Hockey54.com colleague (and he's the co-owner of the site too) LAUNY SCHWARTZ has made it to the top ten.
As far as I'm concerned, The Schwartz is Canada's next sportscaster. He will "Be Like Brothers."
The Score has chosen wisely.
- ER
But...
I'm very happy to report that my fellow Hockey54.com colleague (and he's the co-owner of the site too) LAUNY SCHWARTZ has made it to the top ten.
As far as I'm concerned, The Schwartz is Canada's next sportscaster. He will "Be Like Brothers."
The Score has chosen wisely.
- ER
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Two Short Film Reviews
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus: 4 stars. Incredible imagery. The story flies off the rails. However, it's a Terry Gilliam film, so that's expected.
I watched Dr. Parnassus to prepare for...
Inception: 4.5 stars. IN-FREAKING-CREDIBLE! I highly recommend it. It's a long film (2.5 hours), but it keeps your interest.
- ER
I watched Dr. Parnassus to prepare for...
Inception: 4.5 stars. IN-FREAKING-CREDIBLE! I highly recommend it. It's a long film (2.5 hours), but it keeps your interest.
- ER
Friday, July 16, 2010
Late Night in the Bedroom
Episode 30 of This Is Toronto is now available.
This latest edition profiles Late Night in the Bedroom, an online talk show that features local artists, musicians and cultural players.
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: July 30, 2010
- ER
This latest edition profiles Late Night in the Bedroom, an online talk show that features local artists, musicians and cultural players.
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: July 30, 2010
- ER
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The Trades
A Raptor trade and a Blue Jay trade, all in the same day? I thought my poor head was going to explode. Some notes about both transactions:
Blue Jays
- The second Alex Gonzalez era has ended. Sorry to see him go, but his value is at its highest point and won't go any higher.
- Yunel Escobar has potential, but he's slumping and said to have off-field issues. Perhaps a change of location will lead to positive results.
- For the Blue Jays, this trade was about the future. For the Braves, this trade was about adding additional parts.
- Don't really have anything to say about the minor leaguers exchanged in the deal. Personally, I feel all minor leaguers are gambles. Labelling prospects is a waste of time.
Raptors
- Bye Turk.
- Barbosa is coming off an injury-plagued season. Wrists injuries can really affect a career. So forgive me for being a little skeptical.
- Barbosa, DeRozan, Calderon, Jack. One of these four won't be here in the fall. My guess (reluctantly) is Jose.
- Dwayne Jones will likely spend most of his time on the bench.
Something tells me BC & AA aren't done.
- ER
Blue Jays
- The second Alex Gonzalez era has ended. Sorry to see him go, but his value is at its highest point and won't go any higher.
- Yunel Escobar has potential, but he's slumping and said to have off-field issues. Perhaps a change of location will lead to positive results.
- For the Blue Jays, this trade was about the future. For the Braves, this trade was about adding additional parts.
- Don't really have anything to say about the minor leaguers exchanged in the deal. Personally, I feel all minor leaguers are gambles. Labelling prospects is a waste of time.
Raptors
- Bye Turk.
- Barbosa is coming off an injury-plagued season. Wrists injuries can really affect a career. So forgive me for being a little skeptical.
- Barbosa, DeRozan, Calderon, Jack. One of these four won't be here in the fall. My guess (reluctantly) is Jose.
- Dwayne Jones will likely spend most of his time on the bench.
Something tells me BC & AA aren't done.
- ER
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
George Steinbrenner: 1930-2010
Likable or not, Mr. Steinbrenner was extremely successful.
In honour of the late Yankee owner:
- ER
In honour of the late Yankee owner:
- ER
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Before the trade becomes official...
Bryan Colangelo sent this e-mail to every Raptor fan on the team's mailing list last week:
Dear ERIC,
What a spectacle! What we have all just witnessed is something unprecedented in professional basketball and possibly even in professional sports. In a year where multiple NBA teams positioned themselves for the ability to sign a "maximum" contract player (or players) in free agency, three of the NBA's bright young stars are teaming together in an attempt to win an NBA Championship. Kudos to the Miami Heat for pulling off such a feat.
I'm sure that there is frustration and disappointment, possibly even resentment, upon hearing the news that Chris Bosh is leaving Toronto to join forces with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in South Beach. Well that certainly is the feeling from this vantage point as we lose a player that has been the centrepiece of our franchise for the last several years. I can assure you every move/investment made in the last four years to improve our basketball team was designed with the belief that putting the right pieces around Chris would get us closer to our goal of winning an NBA Championship. In fact, Chris actively participated in that process as transactions and changes were contemplated because I have always believed that a franchise player experiences a sense of ownership in team building. Unfortunately, we fell short of that goal and must now move on to a post-Bosh era in Toronto.
In completing a Sign-and-Trade transaction with Miami, we were able to extract a very valuable Trade Exception and future draft picks that will serve as building blocks in the process of re-tooling our basketball team. The Trade Exception can be used to acquire players under contract with other teams via trade, or it can be used to leverage the acquisition of additional future assets. Speaking of the future, I can't tell you how energized we all feel to see the positive growth and development of so much young athletic talent on our roster including re-signing Amir Johnson and the recent first-round draft selection of Ed Davis. While more changes to the roster are possible, even likely, we can promise you now that this team will compete every night they take to the floor.
We believe we have the best fans in the NBA and we believe in the city and country that we play in. Your passion, pride and support has been tremendous no matter what the circumstances, and we cannot thank you enough for that. We all share a commitment to winning both on and off the floor and MLSE/Toronto Raptors ownership and management will do whatever it takes to WIN while also making the community a better place. Our franchise will evolve and emerge stronger than before, and I assure you that our combined efforts will produce the WINNER you are hoping for.
Sincerely,
Bryan Colangelo
President and General Manager
Toronto Raptors Basketball Club
Very different from Dan Gilbert's tone.
- ER
Dear ERIC,
What a spectacle! What we have all just witnessed is something unprecedented in professional basketball and possibly even in professional sports. In a year where multiple NBA teams positioned themselves for the ability to sign a "maximum" contract player (or players) in free agency, three of the NBA's bright young stars are teaming together in an attempt to win an NBA Championship. Kudos to the Miami Heat for pulling off such a feat.
I'm sure that there is frustration and disappointment, possibly even resentment, upon hearing the news that Chris Bosh is leaving Toronto to join forces with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in South Beach. Well that certainly is the feeling from this vantage point as we lose a player that has been the centrepiece of our franchise for the last several years. I can assure you every move/investment made in the last four years to improve our basketball team was designed with the belief that putting the right pieces around Chris would get us closer to our goal of winning an NBA Championship. In fact, Chris actively participated in that process as transactions and changes were contemplated because I have always believed that a franchise player experiences a sense of ownership in team building. Unfortunately, we fell short of that goal and must now move on to a post-Bosh era in Toronto.
In completing a Sign-and-Trade transaction with Miami, we were able to extract a very valuable Trade Exception and future draft picks that will serve as building blocks in the process of re-tooling our basketball team. The Trade Exception can be used to acquire players under contract with other teams via trade, or it can be used to leverage the acquisition of additional future assets. Speaking of the future, I can't tell you how energized we all feel to see the positive growth and development of so much young athletic talent on our roster including re-signing Amir Johnson and the recent first-round draft selection of Ed Davis. While more changes to the roster are possible, even likely, we can promise you now that this team will compete every night they take to the floor.
We believe we have the best fans in the NBA and we believe in the city and country that we play in. Your passion, pride and support has been tremendous no matter what the circumstances, and we cannot thank you enough for that. We all share a commitment to winning both on and off the floor and MLSE/Toronto Raptors ownership and management will do whatever it takes to WIN while also making the community a better place. Our franchise will evolve and emerge stronger than before, and I assure you that our combined efforts will produce the WINNER you are hoping for.
Sincerely,
Bryan Colangelo
President and General Manager
Toronto Raptors Basketball Club
Very different from Dan Gilbert's tone.
- ER
Monday, July 12, 2010
Brendan vs. Zach
Forget Taylor vs. Tyler. Let's take a look at Brendan vs. Zach.
It's the biggest debate in hockey (at least in my head).
- ER
It's the biggest debate in hockey (at least in my head).
- ER
Friday, July 09, 2010
Re. Lebron James
Yeah, I saw this coming.
Did anyone really expect him to stay in Cleveland? Miami gives him more money and a greater chance to win a title. In case you weren't aware, loyalty is very, very rare in the world of professional sports.
So...
James+Wade+Bosh = The 2010-11 Miami Heat.
What looks like a gift could also be a curse. Just saying.
- ER
Did anyone really expect him to stay in Cleveland? Miami gives him more money and a greater chance to win a title. In case you weren't aware, loyalty is very, very rare in the world of professional sports.
So...
James+Wade+Bosh = The 2010-11 Miami Heat.
What looks like a gift could also be a curse. Just saying.
- ER
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Re. Chris Bosh
And so, the Chris Bosh era has ended.
Can't say I'm surprised.
Fans knew he would leave if the Raptors weren't a winning team. For any fan, it was their biggest fear. I made peace with Bosh's eventual departure many months ago.
Bosh was solid player. He gave a full effort every night. He was respectful to the fans and the media. He never complained or embellished success. From my end - and I'm just one Raptor fan - there is no hate for Chris Bosh; only affection.
Could he have handled his free agency adventure better? Absolutely! But Twitter or no Twitter, Bosh was leaving the Raptors.
And I'm fine with that.
The Raptors survived without Damon Stoudamire, they survived without Vince Carter and they'll survive without CB4.
For the remaining roster, there is nothing but opportunity.
Almost every player has the chance to become the leader; the one to bring the troops together and lead them into battle. There are some good candidates: Jack, Bargnani, Turkoglu (if the rumours about making amends are true), even DeRozan and Ed Davis.
Don't be fooled. Bosh's presence will be missed and every player will need to step up their game. The upcoming season will not be pretty. But the outlook isn't consumed completely by darkness.
Bosh is gone and just like Carter, Stoudamire, Doug Flutie, Mats Sundin and Roy Halladay, it's time to move on.
- ER
Can't say I'm surprised.
Fans knew he would leave if the Raptors weren't a winning team. For any fan, it was their biggest fear. I made peace with Bosh's eventual departure many months ago.
Bosh was solid player. He gave a full effort every night. He was respectful to the fans and the media. He never complained or embellished success. From my end - and I'm just one Raptor fan - there is no hate for Chris Bosh; only affection.
Could he have handled his free agency adventure better? Absolutely! But Twitter or no Twitter, Bosh was leaving the Raptors.
And I'm fine with that.
The Raptors survived without Damon Stoudamire, they survived without Vince Carter and they'll survive without CB4.
For the remaining roster, there is nothing but opportunity.
Almost every player has the chance to become the leader; the one to bring the troops together and lead them into battle. There are some good candidates: Jack, Bargnani, Turkoglu (if the rumours about making amends are true), even DeRozan and Ed Davis.
Don't be fooled. Bosh's presence will be missed and every player will need to step up their game. The upcoming season will not be pretty. But the outlook isn't consumed completely by darkness.
Bosh is gone and just like Carter, Stoudamire, Doug Flutie, Mats Sundin and Roy Halladay, it's time to move on.
- ER
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Re. 2010 Blue Jay All-Stars
Vernon Wells: Absolutely!
Jose Bautista: Absolutely!
John Buck: Okay, that was a little surprising. He is replacing an injured player (Victor Martinez), but has put up decent numbers. If it were up to the fans, Jorge Posada would've probably taken Martinez's spot. However, the players choose the backups.
Also surprised that none of Toronto's starting staff made the team. The rotation (with the exception of a few) has allowed the Jays to hover at the 500 mark, which has exceeded most expectations. I thought Marcum and/or Romero had good shots of sneaking onto the AL roster. Then again, All-Star games are more about the offense than the defence. Better luck next year.
- ER
Jose Bautista: Absolutely!
John Buck: Okay, that was a little surprising. He is replacing an injured player (Victor Martinez), but has put up decent numbers. If it were up to the fans, Jorge Posada would've probably taken Martinez's spot. However, the players choose the backups.
Also surprised that none of Toronto's starting staff made the team. The rotation (with the exception of a few) has allowed the Jays to hover at the 500 mark, which has exceeded most expectations. I thought Marcum and/or Romero had good shots of sneaking onto the AL roster. Then again, All-Star games are more about the offense than the defence. Better luck next year.
- ER
Monday, July 05, 2010
Re. Gillette Drafted
Need a good laugh?
Here's my audition video for the second season of Gillette Drafted on The Score. A lot of people gussied up their auditions. I preferred the KISS method.
Here's my face. Here's my voice. Here's my delivery. Take it or leave it.
Enjoy!
Oh.....the audio and video are little out of sync (thanks YouTube). Just pretend my lips correspond with what you're hearing, lol.
- ER
Here's my audition video for the second season of Gillette Drafted on The Score. A lot of people gussied up their auditions. I preferred the KISS method.
Here's my face. Here's my voice. Here's my delivery. Take it or leave it.
Enjoy!
Oh.....the audio and video are little out of sync (thanks YouTube). Just pretend my lips correspond with what you're hearing, lol.
- ER
Friday, July 02, 2010
Toronto Youth Shorts
Episode 29 of This Is Toronto is now available!!!
This latest edition previews the 2nd annual Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival; July 14-17
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: July 16, 2010
- ER
This latest edition previews the 2nd annual Toronto Youth Shorts Film Festival; July 14-17
www.thisistorontopodcast.blogspot.com
NEXT EPISODE: July 16, 2010
- ER
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