I've Got a Nose For Value!

Sadly, I must report on the passing of Eddie Shack, the long time Maple Leaf (thanks for aiding in four Stanley Cups!) and spokesperson for Pop Shoppe pop.

As kids, we adored Pop Shoppe pop, I had an affinity for Black Cherry and Lime Rickey.

I met the Shack twice in the 80s-90s, the first time was at a bar in Brampton called O'Malley's (#1 old-school bar on that list). I was drinking with a handful of friends, possibly after playing Trivia at Tracks. It was a banner year birthday for Eddie so it was probably his 50th in February, 1987 and he stumbled in with a gaggle of buddies and sat at an adjoining table. My friends and I bought him a beer for his birthday and we spent an hour or so drinking with him. I remember this one line that he used on the waitress there. "Say, what's the age of the oldest guy who's ever harpooned ya?" Needless to say, he didn't go home with her.

I'd eaten a Donut or two at Eddie Shack Donuts in Guelph and reading his bio was surprised to learn that he got his juniors hockey start playing for the Guelph Biltmores in the mid-50s but I never bumped into him there. Mini edit. My friend Bob reminds me that we went to Eddie's Donuts in Caledon.

The next time was a decade or so later at the Grand Opening of a Nightclub of which he was co-owner with the father of a co-worker of mine. It turns out that her dad and Eddie go way back and I was surprised to learn that her dad also owned O'Malley's. Small world (#not so small)! I was introduced to Mr. Shack and he said, "I remember you from my birthday at O'Malley's!" I was blown away!! Too bad the nightclub didn't last, I can't even find any mention of it on Google. Hmm. It may have been called "EDDIES".

I must further lament the passing of John Saxon who I fondly remember from a ton of tv dramas and especially from Enter the Dragon, Black Christmas, and Battle Beyond the Stars. For photos of him, this provides a good variety.

Although I mainly know him from his numerous appearances on Letterman, other than that I don't know much about him other than snippets of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

Oops, sorry that's Mino Monta his Japanese clone. Here he is in action.



Back to Regis, here is his final appearance on Letterman.



Dave tweeted this about him, "Regis is in the same category as Carson. Superlative. He was on our show a million times, always the best guest we ever had, charming, lovable and could take a punch. When he retired I lost interest in television. I love him."

RiP to three great legends!
EDIT: Make that four! Farewell Olivia de Havilland! I think I'll watch Robin Hood today.

Joyeaux Jour du Canada!

The First of July and that means it's Canada Day, Eh! Time to show off my Mountie, who bobbles upon his trusty steed whenever an earthquake occurs.

I didn't do much celebrating though I did educate my students on how old Canada is. I waved a flag and wrote 2020-1867=? on the board and then had my Grade 3, 5 and 6 students answer it. I also needed to show America's age so they also subtracted 2020-1776=? as well. All of them needed to show their work to accomplish the subtraction except for two kids in one Grade 3 class who did the calculation in their heads! I then mimed Canada's age as an infant, America as a gibbering toddler and Japan as an old man. Most of the kids got it but once or twice the teacher had to help out. One kid asked how old China is and I said she's a great-great-grandmother.

I shared this video on my Canadians in Japan Facebook page and it garnered a few likes. It's a classic that we'd see as a short before movies decades ago.



I'd also like to express my sorrow and admiration for those who are struggling to remain distanced yet connected in Canada these days. An old pal from the University of Guelph composed and sang this song to combat the woe.



Lovely!

Since it is July 1st, time for a Calendar round up. Let's hope that Hulk can smash puny virus!

And that Darth likes his tie.

Finally, I'd like to express my sorrow for the passing of 98-year old Carl Reiner on June 29th.

Carl Reineroceros and his pal, Melephant Brooks both had cameos in Toy Story 4 last year.



Neither of them show up in that clip though they do put Jerry Seinfeld to shame when they guested on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

I suppose my first memory of Carl would be as Alan Brady on his creation, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Later I caught as many reruns as I could of Your Show of Shows when he played the straight man to Sid Caesar's yukster. The only movie of his that I own is one he directed, The Man with Two Brains. I won't have time to watch it tonight, so I'll view it tomorrow.

I dug through his filmography and noticed that he played Shazam's Wizard on a show called Justice League Action.

I caught his episode and notice this shoddy editing error.

Oh well, it isn't Carl's fault that they can't spell.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Reiner.

And Happy Canada Day!