Laurel & Hardy-The Dentist 1931 & Bottling wine

Stan Laurel always makes me break up. Here he is with a bad toothache. Priceless!

The second one is Stan bottling wine. Reminiscent of Lucy's "Vita-meata- vegamin". Hysterical!!

The Battle for the Soul of Capitalism

Don't be frightened by the subject matter. This guy speaks in plain English about a subject most of us know little about (myself included). Sit down, relax, and watch this fascinating discussion unfold. A must see. It's important.

Bill Moyer's Journal - John Bogle ~ September 28, 2007

- "Investment industry giant John Bogle says that as more and more money managers take control over corporations on Wall Street, Main Street is paying the price". (pbs)

- "It's this kind of capitalism that drives John Bogle up the wall, as you're about to learn. John Bogle believes owners should be in charge — and accountable. He's known and respected world-wide as the father of index funds and the founder of The Vanguard Group, one of the largest mutual funds anywhere, with over a trillion dollars in assets."

View video Here (PBS)

Pet Peeve #1 - Bottled water is bull-s**t !

I have been saying this for years, but nobody seems to believe me. Spending your hard earned dollars on bottled water is a huge waste. Bottled water is more expensive that gasoline! And for what?... because it tastes good?... because it is better for you?... because it is safer?

I think after watching this video, you might just change your mind. Tell me what you think?

"A surly douche-bag" ?

Robert Draper author of Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush, is interviewed by Bill Maher. This biography gives us an insight into the inner-workings of GW's brain... and it's worse than you might have thought...

To see video, click here.
(Compliments: Onegoodmove.org)

More NYC. . .

FYI... the temperature inside some of the subways stations was 36ºC+ !! Air conditioned cars, but not the stations. Most are not beautiful and have four sets of tracks. The center tracks are for trains passing through the station without stopping.

New York. . . New York. . .

Hey... I've been very busy since I got back from New York so now I have some catching up to do.

I loved New York! In essence it was my first real trip there. In 1964 my parents took us to the New York World's Fair but I can barely remember it. The only thing I remember from then was our tour of NBC. I was 13 at the time.

It seems incredible to wait all this time for a return visit, but I finally went. Although I traveled on my own, I had a great time. In one week I think I got to know Manhattan very well. Why? Because I walked my ass off everywhere! I only took a taxi once. The rest of the time I walked or took the New York Subway (massive!).

There were many things that impressed me about NYC. New York treasures its' past and holds onto its' history. The vintage architecture is everywhere. Unlike Toronto, NY treasures its past and glorifies it. Art Deco is everywhere. Best examples are Rockefeller Plaza and "30 Rock". 43 years later I once again took the NBC Studio tour. It was interesting to see where Conan O'Brian and Saturday Night Live are shot.

The best overall view of NY is definitely the "Top of the Rock". I went up it my first day just so I could get oriented. A two hour boat tour of the harbour helped orient me even more. The city looks even more amazing from the water.

My only brush with fame was meeting Rupert G. from the "Hello Deli". As you know, Rupert appears regularly on "The Late Show with David Letterman".

Here are some of the 300+ pictures I took...

UPDATE

This past Wed the 15th, I got back from New York City. Lots to share (words and pics). Will do so shortly.

No sooner did I return to Canada, I had to go up north to the "4th Annual Krust-O-Rama" in Muskoka.

Will explain shortly. ;)

The top 1% suck the blood from the rest of us . . .

Barbara Ehrenreich

Bill Moyers talks with author Barbara Ehrenreich about inequality in America. Via PBS

I just came across this. She is fascinating and well worth the view. She is bang-on-everything. Ms. Ehrenreich articulates what I can't say. It is my hope that the public, once again bands together and does something about this grave inequality.

It's not just in the US., it's here in Canada too. Not as bad, but getting there.

I consider this mandatory viewing for all. Pass it on if you feel the same way after viewing it.

Watch Video

Also watch the video where Barbara goes undercover as a waitress + and expresses her feelings and the experiences she went through at various jobs. - A musical? ;)

Watch "Undercover" video segment

Yes, I am ready for a woman president of the US . . . just not Hillary.

Clinton: "Yes I Will" Continue To Accept Lobbyists' Money

From my constant observation of US politics, I will stick my neck out and predict that this statement will be one of the major factors that will cripple Hillary's chances of ever being in the White House.

Here is the full story via The Huffington Post.

"I don't understand the question? Duh!

The US is being run by idiots. Plain and simple. Here are some of their latest shenanigans...

Courtesy~ Comedy Central.

(Video will auto-play, sequence by sequence. You can stop at any point)

Click here to go to Video

"Pride Toronto" uses my photos on their website!

Jack, a friend of mine, enticed me to get a Media pass for this years Toronto Pride Parade. Boy... am I ever glad I heeded his advice! Today I discovered that they have used five of my photos on their website... including the lead photo on their Home page! What can I say? I am thrilled!















































It is the first time any of my photographs have been published in any form. It has been one of my objectives to start sharing my photographs so all can see. It's a great start eh?


Here are the photos that they used and this is what it looks like when you enter their site.

To see them at the Pride Toronto site, click here, and here.
(Update - Links are probably old by now & may have changed?)

My best friend & his family

My best friend is Nati, aka Nate. I have known Nati and his family for about five years and as far as I am concerned they are now close family. Nati, Masha, "Babooshka" (grandmother), Rayisa, and Borys are the BEST! So are all their friends.

They love coming up to our family cottage in Gravenhurst, Ont. They are the most wonderful people you could ever meet. Nati and family hail from Kharkov, Kharkiv Oblast Ukraine. Almost all of them are now Canadian citizens, and Canada is now a better place because of them.

"Dutch Dreams" - Toronto's BEST ice cream parlour

Got a hankering for Ice Cream? Well, look no further. Dutch Dreams is THE place to go. Located on Vaughan Rd near St. Clair and Bathurst, I think it is the bestof the best. The waffle cones are handmade and if you are lucky, you might visit when they are making them. The smell wafts down the street inviting all to enter. Mmmmmm... just look at an example of one of their regular size cones. Awesome eh?

Here is my friend Rafa digging into his cone.

They are open from 3pm-11pm Tues-Sun (closed Mondays). In the summer expect a lineup, but it is part of the anticipation. As you can see, the place is very narrow and packed with Dutch memorabilia. There is seating at the back.

Tammy Faye Bakker dead at 62

Tammy Faye died Friday July 20, 2007. She was 62.
Her final interview was done less than 24 hours before her death from colon cancer.
Often imitated and made fun of, she will be remembered for her spirit and eternal optimism.



~

First there was Fanny ~ Then came Barbra

Fanny Brice was the inspiration for "Funny Girl". Here she is in a thick Yiddish accent...



Now compare her to Barbra Streisand playing Fanny Brice... Hard to believe it was her very first movie! Reminds me... Down the road I should buy the DVD on Blu-Ray. ;) Oy! How gay can you get? lol



Click here for a bonus video. Barbra Streisand Sings Hatikvah and Talks to Golda Meir

Shalom

Jim Bailey as Phyllis Diller

His impression of Phyllis is uncanny. Dead-on is more like it. Here is a pic of Jim as Jim and Phyllis as Phyllis (backstage).

Audio is a bit low.




Click here to see more of Jim's work

Remember When?: Phyllis Diller

Phyllis Diller (now 90 and still a hoot). My favourite comedienne of all time. Here are a couple of her routines.

To this day I still roar when I hear the two original records I have of hers. Phyllis was best with her own writing. It seems that no one was better at coming up with those lines than the master herself. I went with my family to see her at the Imperial Room in the Royal York Hotel, here in Toronto. She was incredible! I almost got to meet her backstage, but due to a mix-up, I missed out. But I did get a call from the Maitre-d the next day. He said Miss Diller had waited for me backstage, but carelessly nobody told me that! Grrrr.

Click here for video

Click here for an audio bio with many excerpts from Phyllis' first two albums, "Are you Ready?" and "Phyllis Diller Laughs". 29 min - I have these, but they are very scratched due to many years of use. Guaranteed to make you laugh!

Enjoy...

Remember When?: Totie Fields

Here is Totie, at her peak on the Ed Sullivan Show. She was the first woman comedienne I ever saw. Soon after her came Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller. Unfortunately Totie died very young, so we never got to see how brilliant her career would have been.