Saturday, November 30, 2013

December Update

November seemed to fly by at The Weather Network. I was extremely busy with a lot of shifts and it's only going to get busier as we enter the Christmas season. November included a lot of early mornings, so I've been able to perfect the art of the nap.

I was able to host the GTA morning show for the first time at the end of November, which was a lot of fun as it allows you to really inject some humour and personality into each segment. Also, November included a photo shoot in studio for my website profile on www.theweathernetwork.com. The profile isn't posted yet, but I will be sure to post the link when it goes live.

Here are a couple of behind-the-scenes photos from the photo shoot:



Here's my December schedule. Of course, depending on what area of the country you live in, you may not be able to see me at these times as TWN runs five different feeds: British Columbia, Alberta, GTA, Atlantic and National (all times are ET).

December 1 - 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 2 - 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 7 and 8 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

December 14 and 15 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

December 19 - 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

December 21 - 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

December 22 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

December 23 - 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

December 25 to January 2 - 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Remembrance Day



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 that we, as a society, take for granted every day.

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

The only reason people are able to espouse such opinions and exercise their right of free speech is due to the strength and resolve of our veterans.

Remembrance and reflection has taken a backseat in the non-stop hustle of 21st-century society and our complete subservience to technology. When is the last time you turned off your cellphone, email, TV or computer 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 a soldier.

On Monday morning at 11 a.m., I implore everyone to shut off all communication devices and truly reflect on the lives that have been 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.

I watch the Remembrance Day Ceremonies in Ottawa every year and it's always heartbreaking to watch dozens of elderly men and women reminisce about their wartime experiences. Although their words can't be heard, it's evident that they struggle 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.

Many veterans lived in an era where you kept things internalized. I’m sure many of them did extraordinary and heroic things, but they wouldn’t be caught dead bragging about them. That is extremely noble and refreshing in today’s look-at-me society.

The courage and bravery showed by veterans is incomprehensible to me. We live in an age where the sports media think '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 no problem saying I am too much of a coward to serve in combat. It takes a special type of person with a bravery gene to risk life and limb. I am glad there are people willing to do the dirty work to keep us safe.

The things veterans see and experience changes them; they're forever haunted by their past. It's a steep price to pay for serving one’s country.

To all former and current military personnel: THANK YOU.

Saturday, November 2, 2013

November Update

October was an extremely busy month for me at The Weather Network. The highlight of the month for me was undoubtedly Halloween. I dressed up on-camera as Tom Cruise from Top Gun (the beach volleyball scene). It was a very busy day with live Stormwatch coverage of a Colorado Low pushing through Ontario.

I was live every 10 minutes all afternoon and I introduced each segment with a quote or a description from Top Gun. I even sang a few bars of "You've Lost that Loving Feeling" by the Righteous Brothers for one segment. Lots of fun.

Here's my November schedule. Of course, depending on what area of the country you live in, you may not be able to see me at these times as TWN runs five different feeds: British Columbia, Alberta, GTA, Atlantic and National (all times are ET).

November 1 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 2 - 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

November 3 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

November 4 - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

November 7 - 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

November 8 - 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

November 9 and 10 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

November 16 and 17 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

November 18 - 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

November 23 and 24 - 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

November 30 - 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.