September’s Coming, Get Excited!

I know that the end of August means the end of summer. So generally we all try to squeeze every last drop out of the month. Kids aren’t especially keen on heading back to school (for the most part) and after Labour Day we’re stuck waiting for Thanksgiving to get a long weekend. However, there are some cool things coming in September and I can’t wait for them. I’ve got countdowns on and I hope that you’re able to share in some of my excitement.

Check it out kids!

September TV Premiers are on the way and there are more than a few shows that I can’t wait for…

Returning TV
Bones: The show isn’t as popular as it once was. And sometimes the cases are a little easy to solve. But I still love this show and I’m ready for Booth, Bones and the squints to bring some bad guys to justice.

How I Met Your Mother: The last season is coming. I’m sceptical about the entire thing taking place over 1 weekend at Robin and Barney’s wedding, but I still want to see how it all ends. We’ve seen the mother’s face. We know that she plays bass in the band and we know that Ted is going to fall in love with her. Now it’s just the hows that we wait for. Season 9, episode 1 airs Monday, September 23 at 8pm on CBS.

New Girl: Jess and the boys are coming back. It looks like they won the battle against Happy Endings, and while I liked that show, I’m ok with it I guess. The Jess & Nick relationship will be key in how this show moves forward. They better get it right.

NCIS: It’s not just for old people! I dig this cast and the show. It’s been around for years and I hope that they keep it going for years to come.

Once Upon A Time: The land of fairy tales has come to life and a new season is on the way. We’ve met a bunch of characters and had magic come and go. The new season is going to bring more of the unexpected (at least that’s what I expect) and we will be introduced to Ariel at some point as well.

New TV
Back in the Game: A TV show that features a little league baseball team. I’m in! Also, hey James Caan, welcome back to TV. This one looks funny and I’m sure will hit some emotional points once in a while with the family dynamic they’re playing with.

The Blacklist: Who doesn’t love James Spader. He’s awesome and I’m totally willing to give it a chance.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine: I’m not sure I have time for another sitcom, but if anyone is going to earn a spot in my schedule, it’s former SNL funny-man Andy Samberg.

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: The new show that I’m most excited for this fall. I know I’m not the only one. DC has owned the TV show circuit the way that Marvel has owned the big screen. Now Marvel is going to try to take a shot and they are bringing in a lot of hype and potential with them. I’m also quite curious about Agent Coulson “coming back from the dead”, it better be good! Premiers Tuesday, September 24 at 8pm on ABC.

The Michael J. Fox Show: Just read the title. What more reason do you need to tune in and give this one a chance? MJF’s Parkinson’s has been written into the show, which is an interesting turn. Stay tuned.

In sports we’ve got some big things coming in the month of September…

UFC 165
Saturday, September 21
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Brendan Schaub vs Matt Mitrione – Heavyweight
Schaub had an early rise through the UFC Heavyweight ranks. Maybe too quick, but I know that he works hard and I know that he badly wants a win on a PPV card. Look for a good fight between two big dudes. Odds are this one is going to end in a knock out.

Mike Ricci vs Myles Jury – Lightweight
Ricci is a Canadian boy who comes from The Ultimate Fighter. He’s got a big mouth and does not lack in confidence. Fighting in Toronto will be big for his adrenaline and I’m sure he’ll be looking to make a statement. Fight of the Night?

Jon “Bones” Jones vs Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson –
Light Heavyweight Championship
Bones is looking for his 6th UFC Title defence in a row. And Toronto is a great place for him to do it. With 2 previous wins in Ontario’s capital, Jones will take on maybe his toughest test with the young Swede coming in hot and hungry. If I’m betting on this fight, I’m taking Jonny Bones.

NFL
Are you ready for some football? The new season kicks off with a rematch of the AFC Championship and rolls into a great 1st Sunday of the season.

Thursday, September 5 – Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos – 8:30pm
1 play was the difference between Payton Manning taking his new team to the Super Bowl and Joe Flacco earning his new contract with the win. Denver gets to play at home again in the rematch, and this time I expect a win.

Sunday, September 8 – New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills – 1pm
I’m not a Bills fan, but I really dislike the Patriots. And there’s always something about this match-up that makes me want to pay attention. Maybe it’s the underdog storyline every time. I don’t know. Good luck Buffalo!

Sunday, September 8 – Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – 1pm
The Saints will be looking to make some noise this year. And I can’t blame them 1 bit. They will score often. But will they play D and will Matty Ice have a chance at another 4th quarter comeback?

Sunday, September 8 – Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers – 4:25pm
Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers are coming into this season with a chip on their shoulder. They are likely the best team in the NFC and need to prove it all year long. They may not be the champs, but they will have a target on their backs. And Aaron Rodgers is really good at hitting targets!

Sunday, September 8 – New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys – 8:30pm
A great rivalry (and my favourite team) gets the 1st Sunday Night Football game of the season and I can’t wait! I know that the Cowboys have flaws. The Giants do too though. So I’m really hoping that the ‘Boys can get it done at home on opening night. Romo to Bryant for the win! Playoffs here we come!

Note: I’m also excited that I’m not writing the Dallas Cowboys season preview this year. Look for a guest post that I’m sure will knock all of our socks off – it’s coming soon!

ArtBombDaily.com Goes to New York
ArtBomb is expanding again.

The Toronto based online art auction site is expanding to New York City on September 1st. Emerging NYC artists will be featured in the same way that Canadian artists have been since December 2011. Sign up now at artbombny.com today and be ready for all of the new art that is coming!

There’s more coming too. TIFF will hit Toronto hard on September 5th. Fall Fairs will descend on small towns all over the place (Port Hope, Sept. 13, 14, 15). A ton of music and movies will be released. Students will go back to class. Fall fashions will hit the streets. The Breaking Bad series finale will air on AMC on September 29th. And we will all take 1 step closer to Movember.

I hope that you’ve all had a great summer. There’s a little bit left. Enjoy it. And then embrace September and our turn into autumn.

Maybe It’s Time For New Little League Memories

Yesterday before we walked through the gates of the CNE for day 2 of The Ex, Trish and I stopped at the Exhibition Baseball Field to catch a few innings of Little League action.

The 57th Annual Lions-CNE Peewee Baseball Tournament is being played now and features 32 teams of 12 and 13 year olds. It reminds me of playing in tournies when I was a kid and how much fun I had on baseball fields. In fact, as I’ve written before, I was on some awesome teams when I was in Peewee.

However, something different happened yesterday when I was watching baseball. I didn’t have an urge to grab cleats and a glove and go play centrefield. I had an urge to head to the bench and talk to the Western New York pitcher who throws his pitches from his elbow. I wanted to help him throw from his shoulder, right over the top, and find a release point that is going to give him more strikes and less strain. I wanted to make him better.

I also wanted to talk to the kid who got doubled up at 1st base on a looping line drive to the shortstop with 1 out. It’s a tough play for the baserunner. He’s got to be ready to get to 2nd if the ball drops – but he ended an inning by not getting himself back to 1st in time when it was caught. That secondary lead and knowing how to lean and when to react are things that I can help teach.

I found myself paying attention to counts and cheering for the kid who got a great sacrifice bunt down. I predicted a steal attempt on a 2 ball, 1 strike count with nobody out in the inning. I felt good for the 1st baseman who hit a solid line drive single after being down on himself when his SS pulled him off the bag with a throw in the previous half inning.

I’ve thought about coaching before. I had some great coaches when I was a kid. My parents when I was really small and just learning the game. A dude named Tony who coached my Peewee teams. And my All-Star coach Jerry, who gave me the chance as the starting pitcher in my 1st game in the league.

I know that it takes a special type of person to be able to coach. You need patience and persistence and consistency in the message and the lesson. The great coaches learn their kids and how to reach them. They lift them up when they’re down. They keep them level when they’re hot. They help turn weaknesses into strengths. And they offer a level of mutual respect that many kids aren’t used to from adults.

Could I be that person? I don’t know. I’m confident that I know enough about baseball to coach. I have knowledge and ideas and tips and strategies and drills that could help players improve. I know games and tricks and incentives that can help keep things fun and loose. I think that I’m still enough of a kid at heart that I’d be able to connect and reach kids.

But still I’m unsure.

Maybe it’s something I need to think about more. Perhaps some research is in order. Maybe I just need to believe in myself a little bit and go for it.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

Be awesome.

The Boots and Hearts 2013 Wrap and 2014 Predictions!

The 2013 Boots & Hearts Country Music Festival has been wrapped for a couple of weeks and it’s a good time to look back at it… and forwards to 2014!

The 2013 fest was great in my eyes. Yes, there were issues with the pouring rain on Friday night and campers and ticket holders not being able to get in to see shows. And that sucks hard. But, please remember that it was not a decision made quickly and it was made by the municipality and not Republic Live.

Inside the gates the music was fantastic and in the stage area things were (soggy on Friday night) entertaining as all hell. The performances by early acts and headliners alike made people cheer and sing and dance – and that’s exactly what I was hoping and expecting to see.

Note: You may have seen some of the reviews that we posted (there were a bunch, I hope you didn’t mind) and the photos that Trish took of the acts. Special thank you goes to Trish for those photos. She got in there and took the shots she wanted (and the ones I asked for) and did an awesome job. Without those photos all we would have to share would be iPhone pics taken 50 feet from the stage. That wouldn’t have been very good. Trish’s pics were a game changer. Thank you!

It’s hard to look back at the performances and pick a favourite. It really is. The Stone Sparrows, Mackenzie Porter and Whitney Rose were all great on the Front Porch Stage which featured many emerging country artists. And on the main stage I enjoyed (and that’s putting it lightly) Dean Brody, Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Rascal Flatts, Joe Diffie, Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert. There was 0 let down from the 2012 lineup, and the bar needs to be met again in 2014.

Speaking of 2014… there’s 1 name that everyone is already excited for. Yes, it’s true, I was wrong about Blake Shelton showing up at the 2013 Boots & Hearts weekend. But he did make an appearance by video just before Miranda took the stage to announce that he will be headlining next year in Bowmanville. The crowd went wild, as expected. Now all that’s left to do is wonder who else is going to play the main stage 12 months from now.

If I had to make some guesses… and I will… I’d be looking for:

Little Big Town – who have been on fire for the last 18 months.
Hunter Hayes – who I incorrectly guessed this year.
Kellie Pickler – who is one of the most adorable and talented people in country music.
Luke Bryan – who makes nothing but hits and has a new album out now that he will be touring.
Gord Bamford – who has been nominated for the 2013 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award.

And my longshot pick is… Lady Antebellum!

Because Hillary Scott just gave birth in late July I am hesitant to think that they will make the trip to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park next summer. But it could happen. Babies travel with their musician mamas all the time.

Could I be wrong about all of these predictions? Yup. I was wrong about most of my picks for this year. But man, it would be awesome to see those acts taking the stage a year from now.

Thanks to everyone who read our reviews of the 2013 Boots and Hearts Country Music Festival. We hope that you like the words and pics and that you’ll keep coming back for more as we start the countdown to 2014!

Work Hard, Play Harder, Be Awesome.

Guest Post: Kick-Ass 2 Hits the Big Screen!

Last night Trish and James checked out a pre-screening of Kick-Ass 2 and just like we did with The Avengers last summer, we’ve got a guest post from James for y’all. Please do not fret, THIS POST IS SPOILER FREE (except for what you’ll read if you click the link) and will not take away from your movie viewing pleasure.

This is why James has written this guest post: James knows his comic books, movies, games and culture and whether he knows it or not, is totally my barometer.

(He knows this stuff like I know baseball. And usually I try to be modest about what I know… but this time I mean it in a big know-it-all kind of way)

If he says something is worth reading, playing or watching, I trust him. If he says something works, I trust him.

Kick-Ass was a movie that I enjoyed on DVD when it first became available and the sequel is one that I’ve been quietly interested in since the announcement and filming and etc. Even the whole Jim Carrey thing couldn’t stop me from wanting to see what was up. Maybe it even helped.

But forget about me, this is what James has to say about Kick-Ass 2: