Monday, November 28, 2011

Mark Hunter replaces Dale Hunter

The London sports scene caused reverberations around North America on Monday, with the news that Knights' head coach Dale Hunter had been named the head coach of the Washington Capitals. The team held a press conference on Monday afternoon to introduce general manager Mark Hunter as the new head coach.

I had a chance to talk with Mark about replacing his brother.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Oh, those Movember Knights

With the month of November coming to a close, I visited the London Knights at practice earlier this week to discuss their moustache-growing efforts. Here is what I found.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

2 Guys, 1 Mike: Revenge

Revenge. It doubles as a dish best served cold and also as the most entertaining new television show of the fall season. Colin and I derided this show's previews, but once we tuned in we were hooked by the storylines of this primetime soap opera.

This podcast is all about the show and its characters.

2 Guys, 1 Mike - Revenge

Enjoy.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

2 Guys, 1 Mike: Crosby is back

A discussion of Justin Verlander winning the AL MVP is bumped because of Sidney Crosby's return to the NHL last night.

Colin and I discuss the game, the hoopla, and our predictions for what Sid the Kid has in store for the rest of the season.

We also display our embarrassing lack of knowledge of chess and things you learn in law school.

2 Guys, 1 Mike: Crosby is back

Enjoy.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Sports Xpress London - November/December 2011 Issue

I've started to write freelance articles for the Sports Xpress London magazine. It's a community sports magazine published every two months in the London area. From this latest issue, here are links to three of my features:

Lightning ready to strike

Hominick ready to rumble

The mighty Junior Knights

I also wrote an article yesterday for the Metro News London about London Knights' forward Vladislav Namestnikov.

Namestnikov finding the net for Knights

Thursday, November 17, 2011

2 Guys, 1 Mike: The London Rippers

Colin and I are back after a two-week hiatus and we decided to tackle a local issue in the London, Ontario, area. The new Frontier League team in the city being named the London Rippers.

We discuss this from every angle: our first thoughts on the team, the logo, the connotations the name invokes, and the social media uproar.

Where do we land on the subject? You'll have to listen to find out, but somewhere between agreeing that it's just not a very good team name and believing that the spirited reaction of those crying "offensive" is a tad overblown.

2 Guys, 1 Mike - The London Rippers

Enjoy.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Pole dancing segment from Sexy Living



For my work on Sexy Living with Carlen, I visited Aradia Fitness in London, Ontario, to try my hand at pole dancing. Here is that segment unedited. This was filmed in September 2011.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Demo reel from Sexy Living episodes



I was an on-location reporter for a series called Sexy Living with Carlen on Rogers TV London. Here is a collection of clips from interviews I conducted in September 2011.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Lest we forget

Remembrance Day should be held in the utmost respect and reverence for the thousands of men and women who have served in the military protecting the liberties we, as a society, take for granted every day.

This is not meant to be a political discussion. I don’t care if you sit on the right or the left; arguing about the purpose of our fighting forces does nothing but cheapen their tremendous sacrifice.

To all of those who question our involvement in overseas conflicts:

The only reason you are able to espouse such opinions and exercise your right of free speech is due to the strength and resolve of our veterans. Remember that the next time you criticize military tactics and procedures. These people made the ultimate sacrifice for you, asking nothing in return.

I fear that patriotism and remembrance is taking a backseat in the non-stop hustle of 21st century society and its subservience to technology. When is the last time you turned off your cellphone, computer, or television, and truly appreciated how great it is to live in a country like Canada?

I love the support provided by citizens during repatriation ceremonies along the Highway of Heroes, but it’s terrible to think that such an outpouring of compassion and thanks is catalyzed by the death of one of our soldiers.

I implore everyone to shut off all communication devices at 11 a.m. and reflect on the lives that were lost to guarantee our liberty. Two minutes is a miniscule amount of time to appreciate the veterans and the blanket of freedom they have provided Canadians.

It’s always heartbreaking to watch elderly men and women reminisce about their wartime experiences during Remembrance Day ceremonies. You can see them struggling with inner demons of what they saw and what they had to do during their time “over there.” Many have tears rolling down their cheeks.

The courage and bravery showed by these veterans is incomprehensible to me. We live in an age where the sports media thinks “courage” is a pitcher throwing on three days rest. Risking your life for your country is something the average person could never imagine.

I have a close friend who served two tours of duty overseas. He is the bravest person I know. The funny thing is I could beat him up in high school; now he could probably kill me with one hand.

It takes a special type of person with a bravery gene to risk life and limb. I am glad there are people like him willing to do the dirty work to keep us safe.

The things veterans have seen change them forever. They are haunted by their experiences for the rest of their lives – a steep price to pay for serving one’s country.

To all former and current military personnel:

THANK YOU.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Flemington returns from suspension

Kyle Flemington of the London Knights was suspended at the end of September for 15 games for a hit to the head. His return is Friday, November 11, and I had a chance to interview him at practice last week about his absence.

Here's what we discussed.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Two Disparate Posts

It was an odd Sunday. It was a day that included the extremes of news writing. One story I wrote was about the world's largest squash grown in St. Thomas, Ontario, and another was about a UWO professor arrested in the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government.

Therefore, I definitely had to flex different writing styles; not to mention brush up on my Middle East geography.

Friday, November 4, 2011

London Knights and London Lightning

It was a busy day in London sports yesterday. I went to the Knights practice for a couple of interviews. The result of one was an article with captain Jarred Tinordi about the Knights' community involvement.

At night, I went to the first ever NBL of Canada game in the Forest City. The London Lightning hosted the Halifax Rainmen at the John Labatt Centre and I covered the experience.