Why we all hate the media (small m)...

Okay we have some paperwork to do before I let this one out. First off Todd Holdman, of the world famous punk band Nobody's Children Holdmans, left a note about Brett Favre's ride....

that is a nice truck and i think you should sell your house and buy it. what's he driving now? Prius?

Todd

Umm, Todd I am not sure if I ever took Number 4 for a Prius guy. Of course we all know that now he is just driving his lawn mower.

AND a first time caller to the show, Round Guy, of the Des Moines Iowa Round Guys, drops this little ditty on me...

Yo CP,

what's to say you buy the truck,...then a week later Favre changes his mind and wants it back??????

"ROUND GUY"

Round Guy you are truly a guy who I need to consult in the future when I decide to make an impulse purchase on eBay. Your thought process on this sale is spot on. What the hell would I do if he asked for it back. Would I tell him I did not think he was in the 'right mindset' to have the truck back? Or would I just go with the 'that train has left the station' blast? Oh and more importantly which media outlet would I use to get my side of the story out? Sure as hell won't be Fox News. If I was GM and Coach of that fine truck I would accept what Brett wanted to drive only one truck in his career and give him the truck back. Because no one wants to see the greatest QB of all time go and buy a different truck and then drive around in it even if he had a better year in that truck. It would tarnish his image.

Anyway, Round Guy, maybe you should advise me on this eBay auction before I buy it... Ric Flair signed Robe. What do you think? Do you think you could give me some advice on how to sneak it into my house with out Donna seeing it? Or how about what country I should move to and hide in when she does see it?

NEXT:
As you all know I am a member of the dreaded left leaning Media that has ruined the country and your children's future. We all know it wasn't because you are a bad parent, it is completely on the Media for your child turning out the way it did. That is a whole different rant that I won't go into today. I have other fish to fry.

The media. Let me tell you that I believe that there are two kinds of media out there. Media with a capital M and media with a lower case m. The capital M is a media that works as it was designed to work. As a public service to the community. One that asks questions from both sides, informs the public, and holds those in power accountable. Oh and if you are entertained along the way that is a plus. Entertainment is not number one. Information is. Sadly that kind of Media is few and far between now a days.

Then there is the more prominent media that exists. The kind that thinks it is more show business than it is to inform. The kind that is more responsible to it's advertisers than it is to it's viewers.

The story I am going to tell you today is about a local media outlet. We here at TundraTalk are a big proponent of the Media being a service to the community not a service to advertisers. We should always tell both sides of a story, when possible, and never use the Media to our own advantage. Okay, so maybe not TundraTalk so much.

Well here is the part of the story that I will NOT put the word 'allegedly' in front of. About a week or so ago a TV station did a story on an old woman (81) who had her power cut off from SaskEnergy because she could not afford her bill. Of course there was the ubiquitous shot of her in her non heated house. Her talking about how cruel it is to turn the heat off on a defenseless old lady. This story of course got the community all involved and volunteering to pay her bill. Eventually a guy came in to SaskEnergy and paid cash for the bill. This story took off across the country and was picked up by many media outlets.

Nice story right? Real power of the media to do right right? Here is where the story gets fuzzy. The story showed the old woman sitting on her rocking chair in a sweater and a blanket. Of course it did. You know what else it showed? The old woman sitting in front of her electric stove heating the house. Uh, not to cool there. It also had an interview with the son saying stuff about why would they shut off the gas on my mom and stuff.

Of course the reporter interviewed SaskEnergy and they towed the company line that if you do not pay you do not play. As well they should right?

Okay, maybe I am a burned out old bastard but my first thought would have been "Hey jerk off son. Why the hell did you not pay the bill for her?" I know that I would do everything in my power to pay MY moms bill if she came up short. Who knows, maybe he is unemployed and can only afford to pay for his families bill. Oh, did I mention that the bill was around 900 dollars? Oh, and did I also mention that she had not paid for over 6 months?

Here is where I put the big word in my story ALLEGEDLY everything from here on out will fall under the allegedly category.

Come to find out, the son lives in the house, ALONG WITH HIS ADULT SISTER. WTF!!! You are telling me that this woman lives in the house with her ADULT son and daughter, have not paid for their heating bill for over six months, and I am supposed to give a flying crap? I don't think so.

Do you really think that the guy who paid the 900 bones would be happy that he paid the bill for an old lady when in actuality he paid the bill for a deadbeat kid(my opinion) and his sister and their mom just happens to live there (allegedly)? I would be pissed.

It is no wonder why people hate the media. Well, I know that the son and daughter love the media. They just got their bill paid by the media. I think I might just call up the local station and see if I can get them to come over and do a story on me and maybe I can get a credit card or two paid off. I mean really.

I don't want to point too many fingers at the reporter, cause I don't know him, but, did he know these people? Was he doing a favor? Or was he just wanting to do some 'good'. Maybe he thoght he was 'sticking it to the man'. Why the hell did he not ask the son why he did not pay the bill? Or better yet, ask him where he lived? C'mon people, do your homework.

As a camera guy, I have ALWAYS raised my voice when a situation came up that may or may not be ethical. I have gotten in trouble at times for vocalizing my concern with a stories angle or lack of both sides of the story, I do not care if I catch heat for that. At least the question is asked. I am not sure if this reporter shot it himself or if there was a camera man involved. I know I would have been screaming to whoever would listen if I was at this shoot. No way in hell I would have 'staged' the shot of the old lady in front of the stove. NO FREAKING WAY.

I have always been against being a part of the media with a lowercase m. I personally own a shirt that has a picture of a dog on the front with the quote "Why do we go live?" and on the back says "because we can". Which in the biz is a 'dog lick live'. You know the old quote, "Why does a dog lick his balls? Because he can". I hate those. You know the ones, "We are her live" at the location, in the dark, 24 hours after the accident happened. Save the live truck for something immediate. I am going off on a tangent a bit but I am trying to make my point that the Media needs to serve the public in giving information that they need, not to help pay their bills that they are too lazy to pay themselves.

I guess I still want to believe that a Media outlet can exist today and do the right thing. I also know that sometimes people make mistakes. I hope that this is the case where a 'mistake' was made. I am thinking that probably is not the case but who knows.

Anyway, that is my rant and I am sticking to it.

Have a great weekend. Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

Ric Flair Podcast part 3 is on the air...

Okay people. Episode three is up and on the air. CLICK HERE if you want to listen to the finest podcast on the internet. Of course it goes without saying that it does not suck.

On this episode Blair and I are waiting in line getting nervous about meeting the 16 time world champion. Yup you heard me right, I got a bit nervous. Just to ease the mood a bit I started a fight with Yukon Jack-ass of the Bear radio in Edmonton. He is a jack ass and I pointed it out to him. That shit is funny.

We also visit with Trev Doroshenko again as he comes to pick me up at the airport. I can make a podcast out of anything. Really I can. So if you have 12 minutes to kill, have a listen. We also revisit the Drunk PJ incident again. That shit is funny.

Have a great day and GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

Part Two is on the Air...

Okay, so I have episode number two up and running. In this episode of the award winning Podcast that does not suck. Blair and I discuss, again, our strategy for the evening, and then, you the TundraTalk faithful, get an EXCLUSIVE listen to the Nature Boy himself on stage in Edmonton. That's right, it will almost be like the Nature Boy is talking to you.

CLICK HERE to listen to the podcast or just click the link on the right.

Go and have a listen. On the next episode I will have what has become known as the 'Drunk Ass PJ' incident, as well as the fight I started in line for the meet and greet. Stay tuned.

Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!

Part one is on the air...

TundraTalk the Podcast that does not suck is finally back on the internet. Part one of a I don't how long series is up and on the air. In this episode of TundraTalk we catch up on the action as Trevor Doroshenko, of the Regina Doroshenkos, drives me to the airport to fly to Edmonton for the Ric Flair show. We also meet up with Blair Stefishin', of the Edmonton Stefishin's as he picks me up at the airport. Man this is compelling stuff.

CLICK HERE if you want to listen, or just click on the link on the right hand side of this page.

Now GET BACK TO WORK.

An evening that will remain in infamy...

Why may you ask am I smoking that Cuban cigar? Well, I have always wanted to try smoking a cigar I just was too chicken to try it because I figured I would do it wrong and puke. In fact when the boys would get together in Green Bay and play a friendly game of poker in my garage, cigars were always present. As you can see in the pic to the right the Nordic Man has one blazing. I wanted to try so bad but never pulled the trigger. Well, that ended Saturday when after the Ric Flair evening, I decided to give it a go as in celebration of the big moment. Yup, it lived up to the hype. Big time.

Let's go back to the start of my trip. I got on a plane in Regina around 9am on Friday. I was supposed to get on at 8:20 but the fog in Edmonton was holding us up. Once we got in the air and close to Edmonton the fog was still there. So I ended up flying in circles around E town for about an hour. Stupid Edmonton.

So I got in around 10 when I was supposed to be there by 8:30. I called up my boy, Blashill, and we got around 48 wings at Kelseys and went to work. It was like I never moved. We got all the gossip out and about just like old times. After that we went out to Rexall to get his new camera so I could be jealous. Then we stopped by the Eskimos locker room for a visit with Dwayne Mandrusiak, of the equipment managers for the Evil Empire Mandrusiaks. Dwayne is the dude who got me the Brett Faver auto'd football. He showed us the design for the new locker room, we told some stories, drank some beer, and called each other names. He could not believe that I came all the way to Edmonton for Ric Flair. He said, and I quote, "You are a bigger loser than I thought you were." Thank you Dwayne, I appreciate that.

I had a great first day in Edmonton, well almost. After living in Regina for over a year I can honestly say that Edmonton traffic sucks balls. When I lived there I hated traffic, but just because traffic sucks. BUT when you come back and are forced to sit in it after going anywhere in Regina only takes 15 minutes it REALLY SUCKS. Of course Blair called me a pussy and soft, as well he should have.

At this point I was still working out what I was going to say and wear to the big day. It truly was a big deal. I had decided that I was going to go with my Tragically Hip concert sweater from the In Between Evolution tour. Which I Marty later said it had wicked irony and not that irony that Alanis Morisette sings about. Cool. I was for sure going to do the four fingers up for the pic with Flair. Blair came up with the idea of pointing at the camera. He noticed that in a picture, his book, and on the DVD he is pointing at the camera. Nice job Blair, way to do your homework. I wish I would have thought of that. Truly original. No one else did that pose.

As for the question, still a bit up in the air. I really liked the question that McCoy gave me. Thoughtful, interesting, and pretty original. I also was thinking about asking him about the Horsemen. What was his favorite line up. Or maybe what is his all star line up? I also was thinking I might ask him to run a promo on me. Tell me how much he was going to beat my ass. That would be awesome. Just depends on how much time we have with him.

So Blair and I had a great big breakfast at Humpty's so as to not be hungry on the big day. We also tried not to eat anything to gaseous so as not to have the Flair goofy look photo that Marty described so well. Of course Carey, Blair's wife gave us crap all morning for talking too much about it. She will pay.

We headed over to the Myer Horowitz theater on the campus of the University of Alberta around 1:30 pm. The show was scheduled to start at 4 pm (doors at 3). At this point there was a meet and greet already going on in the theater for people who wanted only to meet the man. We bumped over to My Mac Dealer and picked up a few things then came back to hang out.

Now, I am going to say this as lightly as I can. Because of course, I was attending the same event as these guys. Wrestling fan is weird. There was some strange ones in attendance at this event. If you want to see the whole group of meet and greet photos CLICK HERE. I will just say, there are some 'interesting' cats. The best ones are on the last two pages of pictures. The guys in the rock show t shirts are crazy.

Of course 'That Guy' was there. You know the one, the guy who wears the championship belt like he won it. I know, I have one too, I just don't wear it. There was also this guy who came up to me when he noticed that I had a VIP badge. He wasn't all there. He wanted to know if I would get his DVD signed for him. Me being the nice guy that I am, said okay. I immediately knew this was a mistake. I have been planning for weeks what I was going to say and do at this moment of glory and just before go time I let this a-hole throw me off my game. Way to go stupid. He was of course on of these guys who will not go away AND a close talker. Great, this is just getting better. Eventually I convinced him to get it himself by waiting by Ric's limo. Did I mention that we saw Ric arrive in his limo? Check the limo out... Needless to say I dodged a bullet there. I did not need this guys DVD throwing me off my game.

In what seemed like three hours later they opened the doors and we wandered into the theater to sit in our row two seats. It is almost show time and I am sooo geeked you can't even understand. I got my micro recorder ready to record the whole thing and I got a camera all ready to take some great pics. I went to London Drugs on Thursday and bought one of those new Nikon cameras that Ashton Kutcher is shilling. Oh did I mention that I am taking it back on Monday. Yup, use it for the weekend then take it back. I feel so dirty, like the dirtiest player in the game RIC FLAIR!!!


Flair Entrance in Edmonton from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



It is show time and the Nature Boy enters to the greatest theme music in all of wrestling and the crowd goes wild. You can see his entrance above along with some of his opening remarks. Blair recorded some of it on his camera. Oh, and if you want a CD of the show just drop me a line and I will burn you a copy. I will of course have a podcast of the weekend up soon.

Flair came out and spoke for a bit on several things then opened up the floor to questions for the rest of the show. Which I thought would be cool to ask a question but they made everyone wait in line along the back of the theater to ask your question. I paid for row two tickets so I did not feel like standing in the back of the theater for the show so I decided to wait and ask him in the meet and greet.


Drunk PJ at Ric Flair from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



I do have a great story about the questions and answer time. PJ Stasko, of the camrose Staskos, was there. I did not see him before the show so I had no idea if he made it or not, until, I hear someone on the mic say in an extremely drunk slurring voice, "I would like to firssst give a shoutttd out to a good frrrriend of mine who is the biggessssst wrasslinnnnn' fan I know, Chris Peterssssson." I look over and it is PJ. Oh man, he is hammered. At this point there is an uncomfortable feeling settling over the theater. Flair was nice to this drunk man who then asked about "kisssssingggg girlzzzssss". Hilarious. PJ came over to our seats and gave me a cool Pilsner Beer stein that I proceeded to get autographed by Ric Flair. Sweeet. Nice job PJ. You drunk bastard.

Flair told some great stories about life on the road with the WWF and WCW and getting drunk with the boys. There was of course the times when some dude would ask flair a Chris Farley type question like, "Remember that time you beat up Dusty Rhodes? That was cool." and to Flair's credit he was respectful to everyone in the crowd.

At one point in the proceedings he was telling a story about Rowdy Roddy Piper and decided to call him up. So he then did. He put Roddy on the speaker phone and we all said hi to Roddy. Really cool the guy has the Rowdy Roddy on speed dial.

If you listen to the audio of the event you hear me laughing a lot. It was a really good time and well worth all the time I obsessed over it. But, it is not over yet. The meet and greet is right after the show and that is when the pressure really hits. I decide that Blair and I will wait an go at the end of the line so as to avoid the guy yelling because I am taking too long. Just before we go in for the meet and greet we see PJ again. He is out of his mind staggering drunk and just happy as all get out. He came over and gushed and gooned us again. Hilarious. After we left one of the people who was working the show told us that 'our friend just fell down the stairs on his way out'. Nice PJ, way to make an exit. He apparently walked it off. PJ rules.

We were instructed that we would only get 60 seconds with the Nature Boy and only can get two things signed. Whoa, that completely throws me for a loop. So Blair and I start our scheming on how to get around it. All the while I am getting nervous about the big event. Now I don't usually get nervous about things like this. After all I am the king of the Brush With Greatness photo. Actually Blashill is the king, I am just a knight. Anyway, I am getting nervous and this whole 60 seconds thing throws me off.

I decide to go ahead anyway. We get up there an Blair goes first. He had around 4 things to get signed and got them all signed. No problem. So much for the 'only two things' rule. Whew, I am next. I have been waiting to meet this guy for around 30 years and it is finally going to happen. Whew, sweating my ass off. Hope I don't smell too bad.


Flair Autograph from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.



Here goes. I walk up to the table, plop down the belt and he grabs the poster to sign. I set down the recorder and he asks me what is that? I tell him it is a recorder so I can record this great moment for ever. He tells me he does not like those and turn it off. I apologize and then realize that he has just spent two hours talking, another three signing autographs so he is tired. I then opt out of the questions and just tell him that it is an honor to meet him and that I have been a huge fan for 30 years. He thanks me and tells me it is his honor to meet me and what is my name. I was at this point a bit in a daze so I did not answer him. He looks at me and says it again, 'what's your name man?'. Oh snap, wake up. I tell him and he signs the poster to Chris. He then signs the mug and the belt and we go for the pic.

I had given my (temporarily) camera to one dude and he proceeds to take a completely crappy out of focus picture. Blairs pic was shitty also. Luckily for them, they paid a dude to take pics for all of us. That one (below) turned out great. This is exactly the situation that I was afraid of getting into. Coming all this distance and coming away with a picture that sucks. I was sooo happy that they paid a guy to take pics. I went as you can see with the four fingers up and I beleive that it does live up to the hype. I can frame this one and hang it with pride in my man cave. Plus I got that Pilsner mug plus a great story to go along with it. I am in the process of getting the belt hung on the wall also. Thank you PJ. Thank you Blair. Thank you Ric for a great evening.



I had my meet, it lived up to the hype, and we went out to celebrate with beers at BP's. Jordi Weidman, of the Stony Plain Weidmans, and Greg Donnelly of the Edmonton Donnelly's, came out also and we sat around and told stories, rousted drunks, and called each other names for a couple of hours. Great time had by all.

Thank you again TundraTalk Nation for helping me get through this with your advice. Really came up huge in my time of need. I will be putting the podcast together in the next few days so make sure you check back for that occasionally.

Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

I gots too much on my mind...

I can not concentrate on work right now. I know, I work in TV, there is not too much to concentrate on. Screw off. I work just as much as the next guy, it is just in TV you spend a lot of time waiting then when it is time to work, it is fast, intense, and non stop. Get 0ver yourself and your desk job.

Anyway, I am just a bit over 48 hours until I meet the Nature Boy Ric Flair. The 60 minute man, the leader of the most Elite wrestling organization EVER in the history of history, the Four Horseman. This is huge. I have sooooo much to think about. I will mention right now that I got a note on Facebook from PJ Stasko, of the slinging hooch in Alberta Staskos, that he will also be attending the show. Nice job PJ way to man up.

Okay, here is one of the things that I need to think about. This is so big, I do not want to do this wrong. This could have ramifications that could affect the space time continium let alone many other things. What the hell am I going to wear to the show? Seriously. Do I wear my Wrestlemania 19 shirt? Nah, there will be a lot of dudes there with black shirts on so I don't want to be just another jerk with a black shirt on. I know I am not going to wear my championship belt. I will NOT be that guy. I personally don't think I should ever wear it unless I won it. Kinda like the Stanley Cup. Don't drink from it until you win it.

What the hell do I wear? Do I wear my new AJ Hawk Packers jersey? Nah, that is crossing sports. It would be acceptable to wear a Pack jersey if I was going to an event that was held in Green Bay, but this is in Edmonton, so no go with the Pack jersey. Really, what the hell am I gonna wear. Maybe I need to go shopping when I get to E Town and find something appropriate.

This is a tough one, but not as tough as the next one. How do I pose in my pic with Ric? Do I give my trademark thumbs up pose, or pay homage to the Horsemen with the four fingers up? This is so tough. I really have some big decisions to make. I mean, really, in most of my brush with greatness photos I have done the thumbs up thing. It is my thing. Please do not copy it because I would hate to have to call my lawyer and sue your ass.

So do I break with such a time honored tradition to give the four fingers? It is a picture with the greatest Horseman of all times. He is the leader of the Horsemen. I bet if I give the four fingers he will also. That would be cool. But then it would be a break in tradition. Do I give the four fingers up on one hand and the thumbs up on the other. Wow, do I dare put my arm around him like I did with the Rock? Do I dare touch his 'custom made head to toe' Armani suit? This is so hard to decide.

You may be laughing right now at all this, but please do not. This is very serious. This picture will hang with honour in my man cave. Blown up big and framed really nice. You know, every thing looks better framed. That phrase is also Trade Marked so don't try to steal it. Probably hung somewhere near my autographed Brett Favre game ball. Huge deal. I am sooo stressed right now. I should be excited, which I am, but I should not be stressed.

Along the picture lines, my digital camera is getting a bit old and unreliable. I do not want to hand my camera to some jerk off to capture this momentus occassion only to come away with a blurred out crappy pic. That would be tragic. I need to find someone who will loan me their good camera for a few days so that I make this magic moment last forever. Oh yeah, I need to learn how to run said camera so I don't F that up. My head is gonna explode. Maybe Blair has a good camera? I could take my 35 mm camera. I know that will take a good picture. BUT then I have to develop the film and that means that I cannot post the picture within 10 minutes of me taking it. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

On top of those two whammys, I have to decide what to get autographed. The Belt is a no brainer. I have a replica World Heavyweight Championship Belt that I purchased during a weak moment in front of QVC back in 1999. It has Ric's name on it and I have wanted to get it auto'd for a long time. I hope there is no restrictions on what he will autograph because I want this bad. I also have a really cool WCW promo photo of Flair in his robe that would be cool, his book would be cool, the (never opened) box set action figures of the Four Horsemen would be cool, and maybe even a DVD. Choices. Choices. Choices. If I am only allowed one, it will be the belt. If they only allow what they have to get auto'd, that will suck.

THEN there is the whole thing about the question. What am I gonna do about that? As the great Chevy Chase said in the movie Vacation just before he jumped into the pool with a naked Christie Brinkley, "This is crazy, this is crazy, this is crazy...". I have a few narrowed down, but am still a bit torn on what to ask him. I am thinking of recording the whole show on my iPod so as to share a bit from it with you.

Oh and speaking of you. Thanks for all your great help in this question thing. Not one suggestion. Not even a smartass one from Robby like "Ask him if he likes wrestling with men in his underwear?". Nothing. In my time of need, you TundraTalk nation, give me nothing. I know you read my post because I have a site counter. I keep track of if you read it or not. After all the time wasting material I have given you over the years, you come up with nothing in the most critical time of need. Dammit!!! I need your help!!! You sit there in your ivory tower nay saying, always nay saying. ArrrrrrrrRRRRrrrRRRRrrrGHHHHhhhhhh.

Wait, sorry for blowing up like that. You did not deserve that, I am just stressed about this. I apologize. I will just sit up all night tonight and make the decisions like a big boy.

Big day is coming, can't wait..

Now GET BACK TO WORK.

Of course after my post, Marty came up strong. As usual.

Chris,

Wow - you need to stop stressing and just plan out what you need to do.. But always rememer - you need a backup plan in case something that you've been obsessing about for a month now, doesn't turn out the way you want it to.

First off - you can't do the regular thumbs up for Ric Flair.. It's got to be the four fingers, but do it sideways with the four fingers pointing at the man as an homage. Do not put your arm around him - that is bad form in this case.

The belt sounds like a good idea, but then remember - you're going to have to drag that around with you and protect it after that.. You should have a backup item to autograph and your own marker or something that will make a good solid autograph - don't expect him to have everything, you need to be self-contained.

Clothes - I don't know, I'm thinking that you need to go a little non-traditional here.. Maybe an actual button up shirt with a collar.. Oh hell, I just imagined you wearing that.. Never mind.

Now - listen up, this part is important.. Don't get all loaded the night before you go.. I know you're excited, but if you get liquored up you're going to feel like crap and you're going to forget something important. Worse than that - you will most likely do or say something extremely stupid when you meet Ric Flair - or worse yet you will pass some incredibly horrible gas just before the picture is taken and he will have some foul look on his face - and that will be your picture for all eternity. You standing there trying to smile with bloodshot eyes and half a thumbs up... and Ric Flair looking at you out of the side of his eyes and trying not to gag on your beer fart.

Marty

I got some hate on, step back...

WKRP in Cincinnati: Thanksgiving Turkey Bomb! @ Yahoo! Video

FIRST: Check the video above. WKRP rules. One of the best moments in TV history. Well, next to anytime I was on TV.

Okay lets take care of some paperwork before I get the hate on. First I up got this email from Marty Frey, NBC big whig Frey's...

No more waiting.. It's finally here

DirecTV’s The 101 Network will broadcast the Canadian comedy “Trailer Park Boys.”

The TV series will make its debut on the network on Feb. 5 with two back-to-back episodes. Two new episodes will follow every Thursday night at 10 p.m.

DirecTV has acquired all seven seasons of the show, including 55 half-hour episodes and two specials.

“Trailer Park Boys,” which revolves around the misadventures of a group of trailer-park residents, is created and directed by Mike Clattenburg and produced by Clattenburg, Barrie Dunn and Michael Volpe.

Cool Marty. It is about time that the masses in the United States get wise to the Trailer Park Boys. This is the best news I have heard since Obama won the election. I am sure that Marty had a lot to do with this announcement. Since again, Marty is a big whig.

I did fill out a survey that DirecTV gave me about 6 months ago and listed TPB as one of the shows that I would like to see.. They gave me 3 free months of all the Showtime and Skinimax channels.. Maybe more people put it down as one of the shows they can't get but love.

Nice Job, Marty is the man.


NEXT: The video above is very funny also. I don't usually post or forward videos of kids but this one is just funny. A bit of funny before I get my hate on.

HATE: Okay, I have a few things to hate on this week. Can you imagine, I actually have a hate on the same week I am going to see the Nature Boy? Yup, it can and will happen.

The Super Bowl has come and gone. Some of you may not know, but up here in Canada the lame national broadcasters buy US programming and pretend that it is their own. In the past Global has bought the Super Bowl. This year CTV had the rights. What that means is that they can cover up the broadcast and put their logo in the corner and again, pretend that it is theirs. This also means that they cover up the good commercials. In the past I have always found a way to get the US broadcast so I they can not fu#k with my American right to see the game. You cannot believe how frustrating it is to have a network prop up the big game then take it away from you. Now you might think that they commision a bunch of their advertisers to put together great ads for everyone to see. NOPE, they just run shitty promos and Super Bowl ads from LAST year. they also have the habit of coming back from commercial late and missing whole plays. Global would take it a step further and run promos saying "Hey, tune in tomorrow to our morning show and see the commercials that you missed today during the game." Yeah, fu#k you Global. While we are at it fu#k you CTV.

Not a bad start to the hate.

HATE TWO: About middle of the third, my old man calls me up. Which is not unusual but he was just trying to get me going. He was watching the game in Arizona with a bunch of his retired friends. You know, a geriatric super bowl party. So he decides to put one of his friends on who just happens to be from Minneapolis. Of course this guy is a queen fan. I think they poision the water up there to make them just a bit slower than the rest of the country so they all end up queen fans. Now I could see that this might be funny if the Packers were in it and losing (not that this would happen). Anyway, he starts in on the last falls rap that Number 4 is going to be a viqueen. He says that that is all the media in Minneapple is talking about is that it is imminent that there will be an announcement that Favre will be wearing the ugly purple jersey.

Nice dad, ruin my day. I immediately do a search on the internet to see what I can find. Nothing. Not one article. Which does not mean it is not true, but still. WHAT IS IT WITH THESE MORONS IN PURPLE? Why are you guys so hung up on getting Number 4? Let me just put it this way. I am not ever gonna wish that Fran Tarkenton would have played for the Packers. NEVER. I do not want the guy who used to beat the Pack like a drum. I do not want Daunte CulPOOPer wearing Green and Gold EVER. Randy Moss, get the hell out of Green Bay.

Now I know i did at one time say that I would accept the a-hole number 84 as a Packer. BUT the only reason was is the Number 4 wanted him. If Number 4 wants him it trumps all my wishes. Deal with that. Favre has made a career out of beating the crap out of the queens but all you queenfans do is seem to wish for him to play in your crappy dome. Leave it alone, get over it, move on. Read my lips, or my blog, he ain't coming. Now go polish all those runner up trophies.

HATE THREE: This bit of hate is kind of a follow up to the moron kids hate. The other day as I was driving to work, again by that school. Some moron in the school zone decides it is NASCAR day on Rochedale Avenue. He speeds up and cuts in front of me using every inch that he had to get in front. He then drove about half of the block and then took two lanes and turned into the school.

I really hate a-holes who drive through a school zone too fast. PLUS this asshole is one of those jerk offs who feel they only need to scrape just enough of his window. You know the guy. The guy who feels that he only needs about a CD case big enough space on his window to see. Jerk off.

Oh and might I add, we are in a cold spell, like the rest of the world, the ice on his window was thick. I just want to get out and pummel guys like this. Really, who does he think he is? Whodini? Man, I am not one to point out laziness, cause I can be lazy at times, but this, and the littering idiot, are the epitome of lazy.

That is about all I have tonight, but this weekend will be one for the ages. I will have updates and pics and hopefully a podcast that will have a special guest by the name of The Nature Boy Ric Flair. SWEEEEEEEET.

Still working on my question. If you have some advise send it my way.

Now, GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!!

I need the help of TundraTalk Nation...

Train Killer from hamiltongbp on Vimeo.

I just found this video up top. It is a classic from the WGBA days. Joel Bernell, the dick, was always big into localizing EVERYTHING. There was this dude who was killing people via railway. So Bernell in his infinite wisdom asked if we had train tracks in Green Bay. Uh yeah dumb ass, we do. So Larry Salazar and I were assigned to localize the story. Did I mention that he was caught 5000 miles away. There was no way that he could have been in Green Bay. NO WAY IN HELL.

So Salazar and I decided to do a Daily Show story along with the real story. That is it above. I hope you enjoy it. Salazar did a great job writing and editing it. I Hope you enjoy it.

NEXT:

I am in need of some expert help. As you all know, on February 7th I am going to Edmonton to meet my destiny. That's right, I am going to meet the greatest wrestler to ever enter the squared circle. The Nature Boy Rick Flair. Yep, Blair Stefishin, of the Edmonton Stefishin's, and I dropped the cache to go and see the man speak. With the purchase of our row two tickets we also get the honor of a meet and greet, a signed piece of memoribilia, and a photo op with him. In a word, I am soo geeked you just can't understand. Or maybe you can.

Anyway, I am going to take my micro voice recorder and try to record some of the show. I am also going to bring it along to the meet and greet. This is where I need your help. I am going to try and ask him a question on the micro when I get to meet him.

What the hell do I ask him? This dude has been interviewed probably around 3 billion times and has been asked every question in the business. Now, there is a thousand things I would like to ask him. If I could do a podcast with him, it would be the greatest podcast ever, but that ain't gonna happen.

I mean really what the hell can I ask him that he has not been asked before? Really? I would love to know where the nose dive in his matches came from but is that really the ONE question I want to ask? Do I want to ask him about retirement? Maybe ask him what he thinks of the Brett Favre situation? I know he loves hockey. Do I ask him about that?

Maybe ask him about the old days and if he likes where the business is now as compared to back in the day when they lived the gimmick. I don't know. That is why I need your help. If you have a question idea, let me know. If you have a subject that I should address let it fly.

I am going to get my championship belt signed and an old PR photo from back in the day of him with a sweet robe on. I am going to get the BEST brush with greatness photo ever. And I am going to get a question. Send your ideas to tundratalk1@mac.com as soon as possible. Don't wait to long. I will post your responses and we will pick the winner that I will ask THE MAN.

NEXT:


I don't want to be that guy who gloats too much about the election and the fact that Bush is gone. Especially back in 2000 when my old man called me after all of Bush's pals on the Supreme Court handed him the election. He called me up and started to sing Happy Days Are Here Again. I did not want to be that guy. But the video above was just too funny to not share. Enjoy.


Now, HAVE A GREAT DAY AND GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

The realization of a dream...

Okay, sorry, again that this has taken so long to get to. You know all the usual excuses, CHRIStmas rush, work, went to PHX for my dad's 70th birthday, too much TV to watch. You know, the usual things. I need to keep up with this better. I went from around 10 posts a month to two. Not good.

Lets take care of some book keeping things first. For those of you who have been following the Entourage competition closely, you have way more patience with it than I. Oh and Tony Mutzenberger, of the war hero Mutzenbergers, will not be doing a podcast. His and my schedule have not been able to connect so he has bowed out of the line up. Which is too bad because I had some wing dingers to ask him. What does that mean? Well, not much other than Mitch Davis, of the Regina Davis' is up next. Mitch is in the line up for Nepotism reasons and lets hope he can bring his red rage up a notch and give us a reason to consider him for one of the spots.

NEXT: I want you all to sit down. I have some big news. NO it is not we are having another kid because the operation did not take hold. Speaking of that traumatic situation, it did not work. Yup, you heard me right, the OPERATION DID NOT WORK.
You might be saying to yourself, "Self how does Chris know it did not work if his wife is not preggers?" Well to not go into too much embarassing detail, lets just say there is a test, I took it and failed. It involved a cup, a brown paper bag, and a mad dash to the hospital. I think that was too much detail. Moving on.

Now some of you will blame it on me. Not really in a position to make a difference on whether it works or not laying on a table with my junk out, so that is not the reason. Some may take it to the next level and blame it on the Canadian Health Care system. I am not going to blame that because I had no problem getting it done and it did not cost anything so I will not blame that.

What I will blame is the dumb ass doctor. The fact that he said 'oops' during the procedure, the fact that he did not know what an iPod was, and the fact that his damn hands were cold. That is what I am going with.

Where do I go from here? I will tell you that back on that damn table is NOT an option. No way, no how. Screw, a, err, that. I think I need to just sit back and relax for a while and contemplate the gravity of this situation. Then decide what to do. For those of you who are in Regina and have this little procedure scheduled. STAY AWAY FROM DR. SOOD.



NEXT: Here is the meat of what is going on right now. Why may you ask is Ric Flair atop this paragraph? Well I will tell you. Ric Flair, as most of you know, is the greatest wrestler of all time. Hands down. No discussion, no debate. He retired last year at Wrestlemania. I have been watching this man on TV for around 30 years. Every time he hit the ring and I was anywhere near a TV I had it on. I am as you say a HUGE FAN. I own the action figures, the championship belt, the DVD's, and the program.



No one conducts and interview better than this guy. No one. I have been quoting this guy's catch phrases for years. The only thing I did not get to see is him wrestle in person. I saw him at Wrestlmania IX come in and do a run in on Hogan and Vince. I also once saw him in Edmonton do a run in on Chris Benoit during a Raw show. Never saw him wrestle. I once drove from Green Bay to Fargo for a Thursday night Thunder show on the rumour that he was going to be there. I saw something on a website that said he might be there so I got Nick to get tickets and took the day off so I could be there when he came back. Nope, did not happen.

Ric was, and I guess still is to some extent the guy who 'lived the gimmick'. Back in the day before Vince told everyone that wrestling was rigged, I will not say fake because these guys get hurt way too much for it to be fake, the guys would live the character. Like for instance, the night Nick Chase and I sent a beer over to Mr. Perfect. He looked over from the bar, gave us a dirty look and then drank the beer. Bad guys were bad, and good guys were good. Now people like Kane act way too nice outside the ring for me to even believe anything he does inside it.



Ric was the playboy wheeling, dealing, jet flying, limo riding, Kiss stealing, space mountain son of a gun. He said it on TV, he lived it in real life. I thought that was way too cool. Everything he said was cooler than anything I would ever say in my life. I wanted to meet Ric from the first day I saw him on TV back in 1982.

Fast forward to February of next year, and that dream comes true. Blair Stefishin, of the Edmonton Stefishin's, sends me this email...

The time has come. What time you ask? The time has come that the greatest man in history, the man who has shaped the world as we know it today, the man that IS the man has named E-town as a stop on his pilgrimage to spread wisdom as only THE man can. Who could this great prophet be you ask? My children, I speak of the one, the only, his holyness the Nature Boy; WOOOOOOOOOOOOO! When, you ask, will he spread his great gospel to us lowly servants of The Man? February 7, 2009; that's right, 1 night only to have the opportunity to be in the presence of greatness. You say you would give all your worldly belongings to be a part of this great pilgrimage?

Well, my children, that is an awesome show of devotion, though you need only sacrifice a small fee to have the opportunity to hear the words of his holyness. However, if you purport you are righteous enough to stand to the right hand of true greatness, a vial of your life essence and slightly larger fee is all you need renounce for VIP seating (first 2 rows), free autographed memorabilia, and the opportunity to meet, greet and lay your hands upon his holyness.

Thank you, my children, and may The Man bless us all. WOOOOOOOOO!



Wooooooooooo, is right. Ric is doing some kind of spoken word legends of wrestling tour and it's only stop in Canada, so far, is in Edmonton. I am soooooo going. Of course there is no way that I am NOT going to sit in the first two rows and get that meet and greet. This is going to be huge. There will probably be a tremor in the force. I bet that the security threat level (you remember that don't you. Bush used it to get re elected) will be raised to super red. There may be press there to cover this event. Two legends together in one place. Whooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

I cannot wait. Of course I will have full reports with photos and I hope some audio from the event. Blair and I will provide team coverage that no other multi dollar semi important blog site will have. Believe that. Now there is also the situation that I promised Donna that I would retire from wrestling if I got to go to Wrestlemania IX in Seattle. I checked the contract and I found a loophole that allows me to attend this show. Since there will be no wrestling, per se, it does not qualify as a wrestling event. It is a concert or a lecture. Nick is a good lawyer, look him up.

I will leave you with one last Ric Flair moment to get your humpday going...




Now GET BACK TO WORK!!!!!!

Ric Flair Shuts it down....finally....

It's been a bit of a rough year for me. Not in the work sucks, life sucks kind of way, but in the all my favorite athletes shut it down kind of way. Just a little over a week ago on a monday night the wrestling, or wrasslin', world paid tribute to one of the all time greats. Now I know some of you are now saying to me, "Chris, how would you know, you retired from watching wrestling." Which you would be correct. I did not see it live, a friend at the CBC taped it and I watched it posthumously. Big word.
Apparently Ric over the past month has had a story line where Vince McMahon told him if he loses he has to quit. So apparently he has been winning for a month or two. I did see a match on a Monday where he wrestled Vince McMahon. It was, and I am sad to say it, the worst match I have ever seen Ric wrestle. It culminated at Wrestlemania where he wrestled Shawn Michaels. To whom he lost. Well on Monday night Raw the wrestling world bid farewell to the Man. It was quite a show.
Now I will tell you there were no man tears shed, because we all know that this was a 'Wrasslin'' retirement so he could be back in the ring next week. But I will tell you that it was pretty elaborate goodbye. Have a look courtesy of YouTube...





Now that you have seen it. You know that it was pretty cool to see the Four Horsemen all back together again in the ring. As I watched the whole thing I kept waiting for someone to come out and ambush the whole thing and turn it into a work. I am sure if Eric Bischoff had been in charge I am sure that that would have happened. It was respectful and very entertaining. Something Eric Bischoff has never been.

Speaking of entertaining, I have been watching this guy for around 28 years. Man that is a long time. I remember the first time I saw the Horsemen come out and beat the snot out of someone. It was AWESOME, and then, Ric Flair walked over to the NWA podium in the small studio, to Gordon Solie and cut a promo about limo riding, jet flying, and space mountian. It was incredible. I was sold. This dude is the man.

Now living in North Dakota, you don't usually get to see the world champ that often. In fact, never. I am not sure that Ric Flair, as NWA world champ ever made it through North Dakota. I wanted to see Ric wrestle so bad. In fact in 1996 I drove from Green Bay to Fargo to watch a WCW Thunder taping just on the chance that Ric Flair would wrestle. I was denied. It took until I went to Wrestlemania 19 in Seattle to finally see Ric perform. And even then he did not wrestle.

In Edmonton a year or so later Ric came back to town and it was awesome, but he still did not wrestle. Maybe that is good, because later in his life his skills were lacking. Still when he did his nose dive into the mat, it just got better like a fine wine. That is the thing about Ric Flair, he was always entertaining. Always. There were only a few ring entrance songs that you knew when you heard it there was a beatdown coming. The Freebirds, the Road Warriors and Ironman, Roddy Piper and the pipes, and Ric Flair with the theme from 2001. Everything about Ric was entertaining. His robes were second to none. I think he may have been the last one to wear a robe to the ring. Those things were awesome.

There is a story that I am unsure if it is true, but I hear that Steve Schoenrock, of the Minot Schoenrocks, in college had an old robe of his moms that resembled one of Rics ring robes. Apparently he wore it every saturday morning. It is also unconfirmed that he refused to eat breakfast until Tony Mutzenberger would give him a ring introduction. That is the stuff of legends.

He is the king of the catch phrases. The only other dude who is even close is the Rock. I still to this day use the Whooooooo! at all times. I have used many of his catch phrases much to the chagrin of Donna. ' In order to be the man, you have to beat that man, and right now I am that man.' is one of the all time greats. The airport story is great, and then there is the '60 minute man.' His stuff will be forever be in my dialouge. I guess it is plagerism but I don't care.

So to wrap this one up the world has lost two great ones this year. Number Four, and the leader of the Four Horsemen.

Get ready for the Podcast with the Nordic Man.

NEXT: Mike Chaussee shows up...

Okay, in our 12 part series of posdcasts, designed to form me a posse, Mike Chaussee, of the Bismarck Chaussees, sits in and makes his play to become a, well um, PLAYA. Nice, I truly am a wordsmith.

Anyway, Mike came prepared. He had his man laws studied, he knew his Packer stats, and he said pretty much the right things. He even explained why he hates man tears.

I am not sure what to do about you guys so far. No major smak running. Mike ran not one bit of smak. Well, except at viqueen fans. They deserve every bit of smak they get. Oh, and Mike does a great job on explaining why the suck and why it is soooooo much fun to hate the queens.

Anyway, CLICK HERE listen to Mike on TundraTalk or just click the link up on the right.

Next up on the list is the Nordic Man. Get ready big man, get ready.

Oh, and just in case you noticed that I have not commented on the retirement of the greatest wrestler of all times, Ric Flair, oh I have not ignored it, I am just compliling my thoughts. I will address this next week. Man Number 4 AND the Nature Boy retire in the same year. Big losses for professional sport. Big losses.

Okay, I gots things to do so why don't all of you GET BACK TO WORK!!!!

We lost another one and Rick Steiner, where is he now...

I saw this last week but forgot to share it with you. Bam Bam Bigelow died. That's right another wrestler dies young. I swear that these guys are dropping like flies. CLICK HERE to read an article about the struggles Bam Bam was having in Florida. These guys lived hard and fast and when the career ends they just can not shut it off. Too bad, they provided a lot of entertainment for me as a kid growing up. So when I hear of one of these guys, who were indestructable on TV every Saturday, dying it is tough to hear.

CLICK HERE and CLICK HERE to read a few articles about his death.

I saw Bam Bam wrestle a couple of times. I believe that the he was ont the card the day that Nick Chase called Curt Henning a pussy. Mr. Perfect is no longer with us also. Bam Bam was a big dude but what stood out about him over the other big men in the sport was his quickness and acrobatic ability. He could sky off the ring ropes and defy gravity. He always was one of my favorites and always will be.

Here is what the WWE site had to say about his death....

Bam Bam Bigelow passes away

Written: January 20, 2007
WWE.com has learned that former WWE Superstar Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow has passed away in Florida.

Kevin Doll, the Public Information Director for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Bigelow was found dead early Friday morning in his home in Hudson, Fla.

"We can confirm that Scott Bigelow was found in his home this morning. At this time the cause of death is unknown," Doll told WWE.com.

Doll also confirmed that the Pasco-Pinellas Counties medical examiner has taken the body and an autopsy will be performed.

Bigelow, 45, worked for WWE, ECW and WCW extensively throughout his 20-year sports-entertainment career. A former ECW Champion, ECW Television Champion and WCW Tag Team Champion, he is perhaps best known for his rivalry with Lawrence Taylor that culminated in the main event of WrestleMania XI in 1995.


Bam Bam RIP


Terry 'Bam Bam' Gordy

Whilst I was searching for news on Bigelow I found out that another 'Bam Bam' passed away awhile back. Terry Gordy of the Freebirds passed and I did not even know about it. The Freebirds were one of the greatest tag teams ever and you knew a beat down was about to happen when you heard that song blast in an arena. Man I loved to hate those guys.

CLICK HERE to read about Gordy.



Last but not least I read an article about Rick Steiner the other day. He is not wrestling too much any more but has a new gig. He is selling Real Estate. Really. How much would that rule to buy a house from The Dog Faced Gremlin? Almost as great as getting a loan from Ric Flair.

If you are in the market for a house in Georgia, CLICK HERE and buy your house from Rick Steiner.