btvancouver

Will who? Forget about that guy from Will & Grace, Eric McCormack successfully reprises the role of Ricky Roma, the infamous real estate agent character with “concrete” balls (as he so eloquently stated in character) on the Stanley stage for opening night of Glengarry Glen Ross.

This is an infamous play and a classic flick. Playwright David Mamet’s words provide a comical, yet expletive laden look at capitalism, as a group of real estate agents all struggle to close their next lead to keep their heads above water. It’s real, intense and will teach you different ways to creatively use the F-bomb. Whoa daddy!

Glengarry Glen Ross was a stage production before a movie, so there were some clear distinctions. There is no Alec Baldwin role in the play, the set design in Act II makes it feel like you’re watching the movie all over again and Eric McCormack needs to play a villain in his next project. He’s so bad, it’s good!

RM

So I’m standing outside the Centre in Vancouver last night and I hear some guy negotiating ticket prices for the Drake concert. Two tickets in the Centre Orchestra for $500 a pop. Are you kidding me? Then as I watched the show I got it, this guy is the real deal.

 I remember interviewing Aubrey Graham aka Drake aka Jimmy Brooks from Degrassi: The Next Generation years back after his reign on the hit teen show ended. He mentioned his next focus would be music. Who knew he’d be the face of the next generation of hip hop. The first Canadian rapper to go platinum, both in Canada and the US, owned the stage last night. The sound was tight and Drake’s undeniably got the charisma the ladies loved and the ferocious rhymes that commanded the respect of the sell out crowd that was clearly in awe of the 23 year old. He’s 23 and already this big. Well done!

 It was a great vibe in The Center, with a relatively younger crowd in attendance. I walk away from the show with two afterthoughts: 1. Drake will be a force in hip hop for years to come 2. After seeing the skirts (or lack there of) of the ladies at the show….I’m never having a daughter. Yikes!

 RM

What drives you nuts at work? Is it that girl that always spills the beans on her not so successful first dates while you work?  Or what about that person that always waits until you leave, then leaves five minutes later to make it look like they do more than you do?

Everyone has got something that gets to them. After eight years in television I have never had the privilege of working in my own office. The open cubicle system seen in TV land would be my weakest link as silence is a rare commodity in this setting and I’m the type that works best when you can hear a pin drop.  Add that to the pollution of  Debbie Downer’s pot sticker down the hall and one thing comes to mind…..Houston, we have a problem. Lucky for me, this crew keeps me laughing the entire time.

If you think you’re alone on your everday annoyances, think again. Check your sanity by checking out this link of  the most common things to put you over the top in the workplace.

Workplace Annoyances

RM

Talk about a trip down memory lane. The one thing that bonded my dad, big bro Zain and myself back in the day was some good ol’ wrestling! The likes of the Ultimate Warrior, Andre the Giant and the immortal Hulk Hogan were the icons that had us screaming at the TV during Saturday Night’s Main Event, all in an effort to help dictate the already orchestrated outcome.

This past Sunday, Team Hogan came to the Red Robinson Theatre and we managed to squeeze in some quality time before this epic photo opp that I’ll be sharing with my mini-Meghjis one day.

 Can you dig it Brother!!!!!!!    RM

So I saw Vienna from the Bachelor (no she wasn’t crying), NHL defenceman Mathieu Schneider in line at the hotel buffet getting an omelette (no he’s not coming back to the Canucks anytime soon), not to mention some guy from General Hospital (no I don’t watch General Hospital, some ladies on my city tour pointed it out – Days of Our Lives…that’s another story), but during my trip to LA last week, one of the best experiences would have to be breakfast at Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles. Yes, that is tasty fried chicken, a big ol’ waffle with syrup and we topped it off with some mac and cheese and a gravy covered biscuit. Cue the heart palpitations.

La La land not only offered up a cardiac arrest for breakfast. The city boasts a great variety for nightlife.  The Bazaar Lounge at the SLS Hotel is a must do if you’re looking for great tapas and a sexy ambiance.  I loved the Santa Monica Pier, but could have done without the parking lot for a freeway.  Lots of fun stories and quality time spent with Kelly and her family.

It’s nice to be back though, helping wake you up once again. See you bright and early……RM

…..but you probably didn’t hear much about the result after this past weekend’s G20 summit was marred with pictures of police cars blazing, police using brutal force and imposters disguised as “protesters” damaging the city of Toronto and for what?

The idea of having the twenty most influential leaders together in one place is encouraging for the greater good, but why the bill for such an event exceeds a billion dollars of our tax money and why this meeting of the minds takes place in of the biggest metropolitan cities in Canada are big question marks that led to disdain.

I am sad as an opportunity was missed this weekend. The opportunity for peaceful protesters to truly have their voices heard in standing up for what they believe. Instead, a few black clad radicals spoiled the opportunity for debate with selfish actions of vandalism and destruction. Perhaps the system could be changed to allow more of a venue for voices to be heard so that when we look back at these Summits we could applaud progress rather than senseless violence.

RM

Last Friday I was in Cabo soaking up the sun and this weekend, the first official weekend of summer, I’ll be doing the same in Vancouver. We had a great week on BT covering World Cup Fever and now that it’s down to the Final 16, the intensity will rise.

It’s hard to believe that today also marks the one year anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson. There is no doubt his legacy will continue to inspire the masses and musicians for years to come. He dreamed big, was passionate about his craft and one of the rarest talents we will ever see in our time. I’ll be spending many hours watching the specials dedicated to the man, as his life is the true definition of reality television.

Have a great weekend, see you bright and early Monday morning.

RM

How crazy are people about soccer? Take a look at this site to see the England goaltending mishap versus the US  recreated using Lego! Respect all around for this effort.

Lego World Cup Highlights

RM

Measurably louder than a lawnmower, chainsaw, air horn and drum, much of the hype around the World Cup has been about those dreaded Vuvuzelas and their 127 decibel output. These horns, which simulate the sound of bees frantically swarming around their sweet nectar, have proven to be a huge nuisance for players on the pitch and broadcasters calling the game.

Should they be banned? Well that’s easier said than done says FIFA. As a viewer watching on television, I don’t mind them. It showcases the enthusiasm fans have for the sport and more specifically their team, but then again I’m not in a 90,000 person stadium with an inability to block out the blare of those booming souvenirs.

 What do you think of this vuvuzela controversy? Is it a symbol of soccer support or an unnecessary nuisance?

 RM

I’m getting old.  The first scary sign is the fact my entire lower body, including the toes are in pain. This result coming from only three brief ball hockey games we played this weekend representing Breakfast Television at the ‘Play On’ tournament in Burnaby.

Todd (Audio), Greg (LiveEye), Alvin (IT), James (Web) and others all came out for a good time and we had fun – that’s what counts. Or at least that’s what we tell ourselves after being pummeled by a not so respectable cumulative score of 34-10 after three games.  Next year we’ll get’em. Until then, fingers crossed my hamstrings will heal.

RM