So I just got back from Big Bear this weekend.  This was the trip that necessitated our taping the comedy cast on FRIDAY instead of SATURDAY.  Weezy took the change particularly hard and sent out a really nasty email implying that I am a diva.  Hey, I'm not the one who makes my gardeners sprinkle rose petals along the path leading to my front door.  I don't even have gardeners.  If something needs to be done around the house, I do it myself, unlike someone I know.

Ummm...for more, though not more interesting, information on my weekend at Big Bear, go check out www.lauraswisher.blogspot.com.

Since comedycast #4 went up earlier this week, we've been absolutely bombarded with emails from folks wanting to learn more about Canada Day.  I had no idea the topic would resonate as much as it did.  People are absolutely bonkers for Canada.  So, because YOU asked for it, here's a brief article on the history of Canada Day:

Canada Day

Background

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1^st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50^th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1^st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.

Isn't that adorable!?

Even if I was once again left out of the article (grrr), it is nice to see we are still being noticed.

Since I don't believe this particular article has already been shared, here it is...Oh, one other thing. I am still not too sure about this comment made later on in the article:

Geez, not really sure that is what we were shooting for. While I am beginning to see that we are developing a serious female demographic, I am not all that thrilled about being compared with 'The View'.

I have been following Laura Swisher’s blog since she first started it. She is another TechTV/G4 merger cast-off, the co-host of the very funny show (RIP) Unscrewed with Martin Sargent. Her blog is very funny stuff, and frequently updated.

Laura has started a podcast project with Louise Palanker called Weezy and the Swish. New shows are released on no particular schedule just yet, and are generally free-form, humorously covering whatever current events these two decide to talk about.

The odd thing was, I had no idea who Louise Palanker was, but she looked awfully familiar. It wasn’t from her testimony in the Michael Jackson trial (she is a friend of the family who made the accusations), I just remembered seeing her picture somewhere else a long time ago.

Then as I browsed her bio page, it hit me. Louise Palanker was one of the founders of Premier Radio Networks, which was home of the Jim Rome Show, one of my favorite sports radio shows. Premier has since been sold to Clear Channel. [Read the rest]