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Notes from a Garage

Times' editor and publisher John Gardiner entertains and informs in Notes From a Garage.

Mr. Gardiner’s Opus….and the band takes flight….

I had an emotional evening last Wednesday – but it was happy emotion mixed with a little melancholy. I travelled off down the road to Brantford to share some time with my little brother, Brian. You see, my little brother is retiring after 32 years as a teacher, the last 23 spent at North Park Collegiate as the music instructor. I was talking to Brian last Sunday and he happened to mention that he was planning for his annual spring band concert – something he does every year at this time. This year, however, it was different – this would be the final time for the concert with my brother leading the band. As soon as I got off the phone, I got to thinking. I should go, I thought.

Original music by Rick Flewelling.

Podcast Archives

Mr. Gardiner’s Opus….and the band takes flight….: Tue, May 22, 2012
Get a real job, Mr. Flaherty; and performing spoken word: Tue, May 15, 2012
Am I really a dumbass? And getting ready for our first gig…..: Tue, May 8, 2012
The awful price of gas and keeping the dream alive…..: Tue, May 1, 2012
Murdering the world’s children and the death of Levon Helm…: Tue, Apr 24, 2012
The nature of discrimination and the new nameless band……: Tue, Apr 17, 2012
The old neighbourhood gang; and starving children…..: Tue, Apr 10, 2012
On being Pappa; and who’s watching the money…..: Tue, Apr 3, 2012
The best of all worlds; and the end of life a we know it: Tue, Mar 27, 2012
When a government is evil; and sending kids to school too early: Tue, Mar 20, 2012
A few words about Frankenfood; and the world of Apple computers: Tue, Mar 13, 2012
Saying good-bye to Mr. Wallaceburg!: Tue, Mar 6, 2012
Hockey Night in Canada…..and comments on a couple of presidents: Tue, Feb 28, 2012
Why we mistrust the government….and remembering the Hippie Reunion…..: Tue, Feb 21, 2012
Life’s what happens and the GOP presidential race…..: Tue, Feb 14, 2012
Beating a dead horse and wasting money by the trunkfull: Tue, Feb 7, 2012
The school of abstract expressionism and what’s happening with RIM…..: Tue, Jan 31, 2012
The falling standard of living and celebrating my Mom’s birthday: Tue, Jan 24, 2012
Those really smart old Greek guys and jamming with my daughter….: Tue, Jan 17, 2012
I visit Disneyworld; and saying good-bye to Philip Shaw…..: Tue, Jan 10, 2012
The future of cktimes; and performing in Toronto: Tue, Dec 20, 2011
Hyper Parenting 101; and Christmas shopping wit the masses: Tue, Dec 13, 2011
Scrapping the computer and a lack of creativity in TV land…..: Tue, Dec 6, 2011
How dumb are we? And……the fabulous Sixties…..: Tue, Nov 29, 2011
Why do the police have to be so tough? And when poor people don’t act like poor people…..: Tue, Nov 22, 2011
Getting published in the Globe; and Christmas throughout the year…..: Tue, Nov 15, 2011
Hippies and the Occupy protest; and pure beauty in life……: Tue, Nov 8, 2011
When numbers trump children; and when is 7 billion too much…..: Tue, Nov 1, 2011
The difference between rich and poor; and is bigger always better?: Tue, Oct 25, 2011
The passage of time and Christmas Tales and Tunes…..: Tue, Oct 18, 2011
Occupy Wall Street; and the Index of Durable Goods……: Tue, Oct 11, 2011
Boys’ weekend; and a distinct lack of choice…..: Tue, Oct 4, 2011
Stuck in a quandary; and wishing for a simpler time…..: Tue, Sep 27, 2011
Stuck in a quandary; and wishing for a simpler time…..: Tue, Sep 27, 2011
The legacy of Terry Fox; getting to the bottom of things; and a real miracle: Tue, Sep 20, 2011
Listen to Warren Buffet; Watching old movies; and playing with the band: Tue, Sep 13, 2011
My parents’ 60th; and bringing down the price of gas…..: Tue, Sep 6, 2011
One more kick at the Capitol….and another Gardiner grandchild….: Tue, Aug 30, 2011
Kids and technology….and celebrating an Al Mann moment in Wallaceburg….: Tue, Aug 23, 2011
Kids and technology….and celebrating an Al Mann moment in Wallaceburg….: Tue, Aug 23, 2011
A little ultra violence….non stop elections…..and way to WAMBO Wallaceburg: Tue, Aug 16, 2011
The world economic crash…..and seeing John Mayall…..: Tue, Aug 9, 2011
There’s gotta be a better way….my friend Rick Fines….and violent neighbours…..: Tue, Aug 2, 2011
Death by stardom….and going postal….: Tue, Jul 26, 2011
Ranting about the rich and the beauty of the human condition…..: Tue, Jul 19, 2011
Strange Brew rocks on; and memories of a high school musical……..: Tue, Jul 12, 2011
Strange Brew reunion; privileged, spoiled people; and getting gouged and loving it: Tue, Jul 5, 2011
The house is sold…..and what’s going on with the arts and culture in Chatham-Kent….: Tue, Jun 28, 2011
Power to the people; and sharing the wealth…..: Tue, Jun 21, 2011
The busyness of life; those old rock guys; and looking forward to seeing the family: Tue, Jun 14, 2011
Mountains of dumbness; the choices we make; and good growing weather…..: Tue, Jun 7, 2011
On getting old; the rape and pillage of ordinary citizens; and gray, textureless pablum….: Tue, May 31, 2011
Pick me, Stevie! Pick me!!!!!; and when music isn’t music…..: Tue, May 24, 2011
Creating positive vibes; good for the goose; and the return of Strange Brew…..: Tue, May 17, 2011
The time of our lives; and it’s not always about bad choices……: Tue, May 10, 2011
Backing away from civilization; killing and more killing; and the Strange Brew reunion: Tue, May 3, 2011
Honouring the past; more advertising lies; and sick of the election: Tue, Apr 26, 2011
Let’s have some ungrowth; the nature of music; and let’s get moving….: Tue, Apr 19, 2011
The end of greatness; the end of decency; and a couple of great arts events….: Wed, Apr 13, 2011
The end of greatness; the end of decency; and a couple of great arts events….: Tue, Apr 12, 2011
Wealth and privilege; the end of nation states; and the same old, same old……: Tue, Apr 5, 2011
The Marathon of Hope; mudslinging at election time; and tiny, little hookers……: Tue, Mar 29, 2011
Beam me up, Scotty; learning to swagger; and showtime in Bothwell…..: Tue, Mar 22, 2011
The National Energy Policy; the Canadian dream; and the poor people of Libya….: Tue, Mar 15, 2011
Arts and culture in Chatham-Kent; the dependable, old safety razor; and the Capitol: Tue, Mar 8, 2011
The mysteries of life; the power of fate; and criminal companies…..: Tue, Mar 1, 2011
The mysteries of life; the power of fate; and criminal companies…..: Tue, Mar 1, 2011
Bigger ain’t better; in search of freedom; and selling good news…….: Tue, Feb 22, 2011
Celebrity culture debunked; rampant world capitalism; spending time at home: Tue, Feb 15, 2011
One fine young man; chaos could be coming to a country near you; and King of the Hill…..: Tue, Feb 8, 2011
What’s with kids’ movies; the big printer/toner scam; and saying goodbye to more of your money……: Tue, Feb 1, 2011
On being turned to a pillar of salt; your tax dollars at work; and changing times…..: Tue, Jan 25, 2011
All life is precious; Big Brother; and boring old me……: Tue, Jan 18, 2011
Getting rid of computers; thoughts of my Dad; and living in caves…..: Tue, Jan 11, 2011
Where has it gone; what you should remember; and the end of a long career…..: Tue, Jan 4, 2011
Where has it gone; what you should remember; and the end of a long career…..: Tue, Jan 4, 2011
Collecting air miles; the Spott Farm Christmas record; and Happy Christmas…..: Tue, Dec 21, 2010
The great Canadian snow tire scam; more on government advertising; and the Christmas show…: Tue, Dec 14, 2010
The colour of intimidation; why nobody votes; and living in the bush…..: Thu, Dec 9, 2010
A little criminal activity; more criminal activity; and re-reading a little philosophy: Tue, Nov 23, 2010
World-wide stupidity; the story on the economy; and my grandson Isaac: Tue, Nov 16, 2010
My Uncle Ray; the way to do business; and great fall weather: Tue, Nov 9, 2010
Away back in 1971; leave your underwear at the gate; and get out the shovel…..: Tue, Nov 2, 2010
And the rich get richer; the broken U.S. political system; and looking toward the budget: Tue, Oct 26, 2010
A sea of negativity; using some common sense; and painted ladies: Tue, Oct 19, 2010
The house at 436 6th Avenue; the changing times; and Power to the People: Tue, Oct 12, 2010
The house at 436 6th Avenue; the changing times; and Power to the People: Tue, Oct 12, 2010
On being frustrated; turbines in the wrong place; and Lindsey Lohan……: Tue, Oct 5, 2010
When a young person dies; double dipping; and human nature: Tue, Sep 28, 2010
The boys’ weekend; herding us along; and talking and seeing on Skype…..: Tue, Sep 21, 2010
Vanity sizing; let them eat meat, and working in advertising……: Tue, Sep 14, 2010
Vanity sizing; let them eat meat, and working in advertising……: Tue, Sep 14, 2010
The house at 436 6th Avenue; hipiefest 2010; and my grandson Isaac…..: Tue, Sep 7, 2010
A couple of quality guys; where government should go; and the end of the world: Tue, Aug 31, 2010
A couple of quality guys; where government should go; and the end of the world: Tue, Aug 31, 2010
The Essay on Civil Disobedience; a plethora of crime; and more criminal activity….: Tue, Aug 24, 2010
Thinking you’ve got choices; Ontario the Bad; and the Battle of the Blues Bands…..: Tue, Aug 17, 2010
Organized crime at the government level; the Kitchener Blues Festival; and what’s art…..: Tue, Aug 10, 2010
Two great notes; bottled water; and rockin’ in Chatham-Kent!!!!!: Tue, Aug 3, 2010
Skyping with the grandkids; living in a material world; and the big contest!!!: Tue, Jul 27, 2010
Workers of the world unite; seeing Stratford in Chatham-Kent; and unhappy voters: Tue, Jul 20, 2010
A stupid economic system; what old hippies talk about; and playing at Ribfest….: Tue, Jul 13, 2010
My trip north; on being too connected; and the G20…..: Tue, Jul 6, 2010
Maybe I’m an anarchist; Mr. McGuinty’s legacy; and heading north…….: Tue, Jun 29, 2010
Universal consciousness; end of days; and playing my guitar…..: Tue, Jun 22, 2010
Universal consciousness; end of days; and playing my guitar…..: Tue, Jun 22, 2010
Running for office; creating positive vibes…..; and hewing to the line….: Tue, Jun 15, 2010
Ranting about the media; and the politicians; and the pool pump!!!!!: Tue, Jun 8, 2010
More than a little yogurt; a less than crowded bus service; and the Capitol lineup……: Tue, Jun 1, 2010
On sexualizing ourselves; a fairly stupid situation….; the road to recovery: Tue, May 25, 2010
Why I’ve been lying low; and warp drive……: Tue, May 18, 2010
A lock for the NDP; a little controversy; and wondering about life…..: Tue, May 11, 2010
Just tell me what it costs; cultural activity in East Kent; and being pampered…..: Tue, May 4, 2010
Time for a Big Bang; the old band days; and the life of a dinosaur……: Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Time for a Big Bang; the old band days; and the life of a dinosaur……: Tue, Apr 27, 2010
Remembering Pappa; the miracle of life; and the way we feel…..: Tue, Apr 20, 2010
Hey…Hey…Hey…it’s Fat Albert; a lucky fellow; and being great!: Tue, Apr 13, 2010
The family homestead; the prophet of doom; and getting civilized: Tue, Apr 6, 2010
A few words about Wallaceburg…….: Tue, Mar 30, 2010
A bit of a reunion; conservative maniacs; and frozen fish: Tue, Mar 23, 2010
Holes in my life; taking ourselves too seriously; and developing a plan…..: Tue, Mar 16, 2010
Thinking about Tony……: Tue, Mar 9, 2010
Changing my tune; the UFO explained; and fun with cktimes…….: Tue, Mar 2, 2010
Government advertising; close encounters; and making the right choice….: Tue, Feb 23, 2010
Spaceship Earth; trying not to rain on the parade; and my basement “man cave”: Tue, Feb 16, 2010
Pride in the Glasstown; some interesting TV; and another ginormous blockbuster…..: Tue, Feb 9, 2010
Remembering service; some strange surgery; and having grandchildren…..: Tue, Feb 2, 2010
The Sixties debate; Doing what’s fair; and raining on the Olympic parade…..: Tue, Jan 26, 2010
Digging deep for Haiti; All day Kindergarten; and a little dumbing down…..: Tue, Jan 19, 2010
Dangerous bike lanes; learning to skate; and dumb, dumb, dumb…..: Tue, Jan 12, 2010
Living science fiction; Court of the Crimson King; and Bell Canada….: Tue, Jan 5, 2010
Arbitration rubbish; the Senate lottery; and road hockey at Christmas…..: Tue, Dec 22, 2009
My winter boots; the trouble with global warming; and say hello to the HST: Tue, Dec 15, 2009
Back from the edge; memories of Sam; and remembering others……: Tue, Dec 8, 2009
Making us pay; the end of a tradition; and trading our way to oblivion: Tue, Dec 1, 2009
Making us pay; the end of a tradition; and trading our way to oblivion: Tue, Dec 1, 2009
Lots of local talent; what I was really saying; and remembering Janis…..: Tue, Nov 24, 2009
Wanton stupidity at Queen’s Park; doing the math; and making people feel better: Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Worrying about the flu; false advertising; and Professor William Christian…..: Tue, Nov 10, 2009
H1N1 fiasco; an unsustainable system; and the lack of sports in my life…..: Tue, Nov 3, 2009
What’s wrong with local TV; welcoming a new radio station; and on needing warp drive: Tue, Oct 27, 2009
Humanizing Harper; waiting for Karl Marx; and power to the people…..: Tue, Oct 20, 2009
Awarding the “peace” prize; playing cribbage; and my old friend Dwight….: Tue, Oct 13, 2009
Wanting my share; checking my makeup; and Larry Towell…..: Tue, Oct 6, 2009
Letting government ruin your life, government propaganda and bad negotiating…: Tue, Sep 29, 2009
Struggling with technology, Big Brother is watching, Archie Dempster’s party and a couple of gigs…..: Tue, Sep 22, 2009
Struggling with technology, Big Brother is watching, Archie Dempster’s party and a couple of gigs…..: Tue, Sep 22, 2009
Planned obselesence, my little sister and boys’ weekend at Sauble Beach…..: Tue, Sep 15, 2009
Computer problems, Lord of the Rings, too much democracyand political posturing: Tue, Sep 8, 2009
To the stars and beyond; one big arts and music festival and more positive vibes.....: Tue, Sep 1, 2009
Keeping the children safe, ranting and raving and justifiable homocide........: Tue, Aug 25, 2009
The fading Sixties; my favourite 1960's experience; and where to from here.....: Tue, Aug 18, 2009
On being nostalgic, doom and gloom, rainy Saturday and hope for the future.....: Tue, Aug 11, 2009
Hardwiring young brains, inventing something useful and a plan for the ages.....: Tue, Aug 4, 2009
Back to the Sixties, back where it all began and wondering if I should be worried....: Tue, Jul 28, 2009
Right under our noses, consultant heaven and working for a living.....: Tue, Jul 21, 2009
iPod heaven, West Side Story and the world of haute couture......: Tue, Jul 14, 2009
The King of Pop, may the fates be with you and some big holes in my life.....: Tue, Jul 7, 2009
Just a whole lot of bad news....No, Pepsi is not okay and the trouble with technology,,,,,: Tue, Jun 30, 2009
The Woodstock Arts and Music Festival, the shrinking planet and time with the kids....: Tue, Jun 23, 2009
Giving quiet thanks, frustrated and bitter and spinning out of control.....: Tue, Jun 16, 2009
One for the Mann Files, legendary bluesman and recreating the Glasstown: Tue, Jun 9, 2009
How low will we go? the miracle of life; NHL hockey.....and the passing of a dear friend....: Tue, Jun 2, 2009
Senseless death......sore hands and old junk......: Tue, May 26, 2009
On having a non pregnancy, Cultural Crawl in Wallaceburg and mosaic or melting pot....: Tue, May 19, 2009
The Decade of Love; Made in America, some criminal behaviour and staying home.......: Tue, May 12, 2009
Just how morally depraved?; what is smart business? and mixed emotions.....: Tue, May 5, 2009
Here I go again, Save Our Sydenham and the Sunshine Club......: Tue, Apr 28, 2009
Here I go again, Save Our Sydenham and the Sunshine Club......: Tue, Apr 28, 2009
My outing with Isaac, tribute to a good friend and ordering Stratford tickets......: Tue, Apr 21, 2009
A little darkness, the technological fix and the family home at 436, 6th Avenue: Tue, Apr 14, 2009
Passion and energy, sleeping in and more nostalgia.........: Tue, Apr 7, 2009
It just could happen, a few words about the Capitol, good vibrations and getting old........: Tue, Mar 31, 2009
What's wrong with the CBC and what';s wrong with planned obselesence.....: Tue, Mar 24, 2009
PLaying my guitar and when it enough too much.....: Tue, Mar 17, 2009
The art of podcasting, watch out for Chaos, the Afghan war and some other neat stuff.....: Tue, Mar 10, 2009
Smaller communities, economic meltdown and so much more.....: Tue, Mar 3, 2009