Nine months after he died, Michael Jackson, or more correctly his estate, has signed a recording contract that will guarantee up to $250 million in advances and other payments.
Sony has the rights to sell his back catalog and draw on a large vault of unheard recordings. The first recording covered by the new contract is the “This Is It” soundtrack, released last year, and Sony plans a new album of unreleased recordings for November. The deal allows for 10 recordings through 2017.
Licensing has emerged as the biggest growth area for revenue from recorded music as album sales have dropped. Jackson was the top selling artist in the United States last year.
It all seems so ironic. I caught an interview on one of the major American networks last week with his former bodyguards and they talked about Jackson's credit cards being denied and his being evicted from hotels.
Nothing like death and the music industry to boost one's immortality.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
WHEN KNOT TO GIVE UP
My father always stressed the importance of knots that he tied in ropes to secure boats, nets and gear. The half-hitch was dad's preferred knot. Ropes and knots are important tools for search and rescue personal and firefighters.
Just like using the right tool for the work at hand, the same can be said about knots. Use the right knot for the operation at hand when utilizing ropes. I have to admit I’m far from the best or most knowledgeable at tying a simple knot.
So when I saw this "safety video" about a "good solid safety rope", I thought back to dad's lesson on how to tie a knot.
Just like using the right tool for the work at hand, the same can be said about knots. Use the right knot for the operation at hand when utilizing ropes. I have to admit I’m far from the best or most knowledgeable at tying a simple knot.
So when I saw this "safety video" about a "good solid safety rope", I thought back to dad's lesson on how to tie a knot.
Friday, March 12, 2010
FLIGHT 491 REMEMBERED
Wow, today is the first anniversary of the Cougar Helicopters Flight 491 crash which killed 17 people. It seems like it happened much longer ago. The crash is one of those lifetime events you will never forget, like the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York.
CBC's The Fifth Estate is marking the anniversary with an investigative report on Sikorsky S-92 and concerns that the U.S.-based manufacturer did not do enough to ensure issues with the gearbox were addressed prior to the crash of flight 491, which resulted in a word wide grounding of the chopper to fix the problem. Obviously mistakes were made by Sikorsky in both the design and the timing of correcting the flaw for which they must be accountable.
CBC's The Fifth Estate is marking the anniversary with an investigative report on Sikorsky S-92 and concerns that the U.S.-based manufacturer did not do enough to ensure issues with the gearbox were addressed prior to the crash of flight 491, which resulted in a word wide grounding of the chopper to fix the problem. Obviously mistakes were made by Sikorsky in both the design and the timing of correcting the flaw for which they must be accountable.
It is a painful day for many , and that pain will only be heightened by the sensational report which will be aired on CBC tonight. It easy in hindsight for desk jockeys to point fingers and attribute blame. One thing is for certain, for the oil companies and Cougar, safety is job one. Aviation is one of the most regulated industries in the world, and is also one of the most unforgiving .Throw servicing oil platforms hundreds of kilometers out in the North Atlantic and you have many logistical and safety considerations.
Today is a day to remember those lost on the flight and to offer support to their friends, co-workers and families who have bared the brunt of this terrible tragedy.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
IGNORANT CALLERS TO CBC CROSS TALK
I caught a bit of the conversation on Radio Noon's Cross Talk this afternoon and was astounded by the pure ignorance of some of the callers.
The topic was health care, the in studio guests were Yvonne Jones and Lorraine Michael. The question being asked was if people trusted the results they got from tests done in the province. The two opposition leaders were suggesting that Eastern Health was too large and that was contributing to the problems in providing quality services.
One lady called up and challenged them both, saying the should shut-up because 80% of the people trust the government and things are okay. I was shocked with the nasty tone she and other callers took. Have we come to the point that we hate democracy, that our governments and institutions can not be questioned?
I think Jones and Michael should be applauded for carrying the weight of the job of providing an opposition in very challenging times. Lawfully elected representatives of the people must be able to present and discuss alternative policy options even if they are not part of the government and do not have an immediate way of making their plans succeed.
I may not agree with everything the opposition, or the government does. It is one thing to question their approach but quite another to try and shut them down! Do they want a system of government like that found in Iran or China, where one party rules with an iron fist? Why not just shut down the House of Assembly, cancel elections and make Danny ruler for life!
Voters expect that their representative will play an active role in parliament whether as a government or as an opposition MHA. People must be able to present and discuss alternative policy options without being considered disloyal.
Shame on the ignorant callers who do not believe in democracy, or a frank exchange of ideas.
The topic was health care, the in studio guests were Yvonne Jones and Lorraine Michael. The question being asked was if people trusted the results they got from tests done in the province. The two opposition leaders were suggesting that Eastern Health was too large and that was contributing to the problems in providing quality services.
One lady called up and challenged them both, saying the should shut-up because 80% of the people trust the government and things are okay. I was shocked with the nasty tone she and other callers took. Have we come to the point that we hate democracy, that our governments and institutions can not be questioned?
I think Jones and Michael should be applauded for carrying the weight of the job of providing an opposition in very challenging times. Lawfully elected representatives of the people must be able to present and discuss alternative policy options even if they are not part of the government and do not have an immediate way of making their plans succeed.
I may not agree with everything the opposition, or the government does. It is one thing to question their approach but quite another to try and shut them down! Do they want a system of government like that found in Iran or China, where one party rules with an iron fist? Why not just shut down the House of Assembly, cancel elections and make Danny ruler for life!
Voters expect that their representative will play an active role in parliament whether as a government or as an opposition MHA. People must be able to present and discuss alternative policy options without being considered disloyal.
Shame on the ignorant callers who do not believe in democracy, or a frank exchange of ideas.
A LIFE LIVED
When I got the news yesterday that one of my best friends, a friend of some 25 years, had passed away, it was devastating. We had met in College in Stephenville. Wade was a crusader for social justice, a rebel from the get go.
He suffered from Osteogenesis imperfecta but he had the heart of a lion. In those days he lived for the day. We partied hard and railed against the Peckford government. Despite the fact that his bones were brittle and he broke them all the time, he would not slow down.
His disability made it impossible for him to be independent. He was always in need of assistance. As he grew older, surpassing his life expectancy by decades, those needs became greater. He was no longer able to continue in his chosen career in community development. He started a home based web design and computer company. He had to be busy.
With limited assistance from government and a limited amount of portable oxygen, he made the best of a very challenging life. He volunteered for many organizations, politcal campaigns and gave all he had. He loved a good time,good music and a good party. He was happiest when his house was full of people drinking and enjoying a great feed. Over the past five or so years, he was unable to enjoy a drink but he certainly enjoyed watching others let loose. Wade's New Year's Eve and Memorial/Canada Day parties were legends.
Wade's journey through life could not have been easy. His fragility became more pronounced as he aged. A simple trip to the doctor, or the mall became a huge anxiety. Little accidents, bumps of the chair or a spill meant broken bones and long recoveries. He became more and more dependent on those breathing machines which further limited his mobility. In 30 years, I never once heard him complain.
Still, he remained committed to causes. He worked diligently to promote the needs of the disabled and was an outspoken critic of this provinces health care system. As I was taking a break from partisan politics, he was reengaging. He worked tirelessly for Liberals Siobhan Coady and for George Joyce. Of course when the Liberals were in power he was a supporter of the PC's. Anti-government, Anti-establishment all the way.
I'll never forget the 1989 provincial campaign. My buddy Wade ran as the New Democrat candidate against Kevin Aylward. It was a friendly campaign and he had a ball. On the night of the election we ended up having a few drinks. At about three in the morning we carefully lugged his drunken frame up over the stairs in Whites Hotel to his second floor room.
I'll miss our daily/weekly chats about issues and life. He was a great friend who looked adversity straight in the eye. He would not let his disability define him. Instead it motivated him to be all he could be.
He took nothing for granted. He had great personal strength and a great sense of determination. I admired him in so many ways.
I have lost a great friend, Wade you will be greatly missed.
He suffered from Osteogenesis imperfecta but he had the heart of a lion. In those days he lived for the day. We partied hard and railed against the Peckford government. Despite the fact that his bones were brittle and he broke them all the time, he would not slow down.
His disability made it impossible for him to be independent. He was always in need of assistance. As he grew older, surpassing his life expectancy by decades, those needs became greater. He was no longer able to continue in his chosen career in community development. He started a home based web design and computer company. He had to be busy.
With limited assistance from government and a limited amount of portable oxygen, he made the best of a very challenging life. He volunteered for many organizations, politcal campaigns and gave all he had. He loved a good time,good music and a good party. He was happiest when his house was full of people drinking and enjoying a great feed. Over the past five or so years, he was unable to enjoy a drink but he certainly enjoyed watching others let loose. Wade's New Year's Eve and Memorial/Canada Day parties were legends.
Wade's journey through life could not have been easy. His fragility became more pronounced as he aged. A simple trip to the doctor, or the mall became a huge anxiety. Little accidents, bumps of the chair or a spill meant broken bones and long recoveries. He became more and more dependent on those breathing machines which further limited his mobility. In 30 years, I never once heard him complain.
Still, he remained committed to causes. He worked diligently to promote the needs of the disabled and was an outspoken critic of this provinces health care system. As I was taking a break from partisan politics, he was reengaging. He worked tirelessly for Liberals Siobhan Coady and for George Joyce. Of course when the Liberals were in power he was a supporter of the PC's. Anti-government, Anti-establishment all the way.
I'll never forget the 1989 provincial campaign. My buddy Wade ran as the New Democrat candidate against Kevin Aylward. It was a friendly campaign and he had a ball. On the night of the election we ended up having a few drinks. At about three in the morning we carefully lugged his drunken frame up over the stairs in Whites Hotel to his second floor room.
I'll miss our daily/weekly chats about issues and life. He was a great friend who looked adversity straight in the eye. He would not let his disability define him. Instead it motivated him to be all he could be.
He took nothing for granted. He had great personal strength and a great sense of determination. I admired him in so many ways.
I have lost a great friend, Wade you will be greatly missed.
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