Joy Fai

Local politics, Judaic studies, Holocaust memoirs, Books,Canadian TV, Provincial Politics, Entertainment National politics, Music & politics

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

British Columbia overnight... Unreal.

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

Had a bunch of emails today on my show today surrounding polling at the federal level. If you missed any part of the show, its available everywhere you grab your pods or weekends across Canada starting bright and early... https://t.co/fnVN5h6dy3

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

Good for #WabKinew stepping up for Canadians, and firefighters from both sides of the border. Absolutely ridiculous that it even needs to be said, but in the world of the "ambulance chaser" I'm glad he said it in a way that should connect.

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

Awesome to see Max Scherzer on the mound at a Vancouver Canadians game. Might be most decorated C's pitcher to take the hill in a Vancouver jersey since former 2x Cy Young winner Jack McDowell.

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

Three in Tri-City starting tonight, then home to open up The Nat's 75th on Tuesday at 7:05pm. #VanCanadians

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

There are five teams at 3-0 to start the #MLB season, and two of them are managed by former @vancanadians manager's #Schneider #McCullough

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

With it on... Tribute to the iconic manual scoreboard here at The Nat.

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

Here is the link! https://t.co/k3rXd7f4fV

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

My first ever creation set for sale this season at The Nat...

[Rob Fai @RobFai]

As many reflect on the life and times of Jim Robson, I'm drawn to a pair of stories that will stay with me for a lifetime.

He loved to meet up with friends for breakfast, at a small corner cafe in Kitsilano. It was close to his home and like a Canucks or Mounties roster, he knew the menu and staff by heart.

The first time I got to sit across from him he could probably hear my knees knocking from the nerves, but Jim had a way of knowing what might connect - and he immediately started telling me of his early days in baseball, a sport he dearly loved.

He'd remember with crystal clarity the Mounties player out on second base in the bottom of the 3rd inning with two out in a scoreless game back April of '68. It was incredible to sit back and let Jim paint a picture of a scenario and laugh as he'd usually find a way to turn a story into something relateable.

The first time he told me about a call he had heard me make was the cherry on a perfect Sunday - I couldn't believe he listened, but he did.

He told me a technique when on the radio that I use to this day.

Four people in a car, one knows everything about what you're talking about, two 'sort of know' and one has no idea. The goal he challenged me with was never to have anyone in the car ask to change the channel, meaning ensure your broadcast had something in it each inning that made everyone in the car feel as if they could come along for the ride. It is more than stats; it's stories, which way the wind is blowing, and how quickly the arm in the bullpen is warming up. Mention the score, often because you never know when someone just got to their car to tune in, and remember "no one is driving around with a pencil and a pad of paper, so just a few key stats, and then let the game tell the story."

I valued every single interaction with a man that cared about the craft and the person he was sharing his insight with.

The other memory?

He never lost "it."

A few years ago we had a video out at The Nat that just had to have his voice on it. I had rarely asked Jim to do things of this nature but after a quick call - out he came to the ballpark, ready to sit down and record his track.

I budgeted about 30-minutes hoping he'd be comfortable enough in my stuffy, rooftop office to get through my crammed script and help us out. I had my makeshift recording studio set up and there he sat, reading through the script in an office with no heat, a flickering light and a crow sitting on the cable outside letting Jim know he was a fan as well.

I pressed record, and Jim delivered the script once, with absolute perfection. Every note, every inflection and word that needed punch delivered as if he had written it himself.

When he finished, I clicked stop and said "we're good." No second attempt needed, no "safety" just in case - he could not have done it any better, and we just sat around in that little corner of the stadium and talked about Lou Pinella's debut in the Pacific Coast League, and how one night the wire during one of his recreate games only sent him two outs and not the third which caused a tizzy. He had told me that story a few times before but it never got old and I never stopped laughing because he always have some new tidbit to add from memory that made it more than worth the moment.

Jim was an amazing husband, father, friend, and mentor - to so, so many.

I am on the other side of the world this morning, and saddened as one of my heroes has left us. I take solace in knowing he's home with his wife after just a few months apart, and many friends, probably sitting down at some cafe allowing them to share some of their stories before he gets into his.

Thank you Mr. Robson. I am better for having met you and being so fortunate to have learned from your journey.

Safe travels. #JimRobson

[Joy Fai @joy_fai]

Going off of Twitter - catch me at blsky

[Joy Fai @joy_fai]

@Cdnrumpole It is not enough to simply tweet out a condemnation. Those who spew Hate speech must face consequences for spreading hatred against Jews. Instagram, and tweets are simply a one second task - action must follow or it is simply meaningless.

[Jewish Federation of British Columbia (JFBC) @JewishFedBC]

Our community united last night in memorial of the October 7th attacks, drawing strength and support from one another. With 1,400 attendees in person and 1,300 online, it was an unforgettable evening of memory, pain and hope.

[Deborah Lyons @DeborahLyonsSE]

No one should have to hide their identity in their job. I am heartbroken to read Dr. Gill Kazevman's account in @CmejEditor of anti-Jewish and anti-Israeli discrimination happening in Canadian medical schools. Not only do these actions go against the @CMA_Docs Code of Ethics, they go against basic human dignity. @UofTMedicine and all Canadian medical schools need to ensure safe learning and supportive environments for all students - including Jewish and Israeli-Canadian students.

Personne ne devrait avoir à cacher son identité dans son travail. J'ai eu le cœur brisé en lisant le récit du Dr. Gill Kazevman dans @CmejEditor sur la discrimination anti-juive et anti-israélienne qui se produit dans les écoles de médecine canadiennes. Non seulement ces actions vont à l'encontre du Code d'éthique de l'@CMA_Docs, mais elles vont aussi à l'encontre de la dignité humaine fondamentale. @UofTMedicine et toutes les écoles de médecine canadiennes doivent garantir des environnements d'apprentissage sécuritaires et un soutien pour tous les étudiants, y compris les étudiants juifs et israélo-canadiens.

https://t.co/JP9NNBuBS4

[Michael A. Sachs @michaelasachs]

I can’t properly express how disgusting this is

[Michael A. Sachs @michaelasachs]

Extremely disturbing targeted boycott of #Jewish owned businesses in @Montreal.

The organized targeting of Jewish businesses is an #antisemitic tale as old as time and just the latest example of the manifestation of hatred in #Canada.

[Democratic Wins Media @DemocraticWins]

BREAKING: Lady Gaga just delivered one of the most powerful rebukes of Donald Trump this year. It’s safe to say that Lady Gaga will be supporting President Biden. Retweet so all Americans see this.

[Joy Fai @joy_fai]

@RobFai @WilliamShatner Brilliant!

[Paul Mason @TempusDrums]

This is already far more musically interesting, honest and emotive than the rest of the Spotify Top 100 combined… 😎

[Phil Figueiredo @philfigs]

Tune in to Weekends on @CKNW with @RobFai tomorrow morning for your chance to win TWO pairs of tickets to this Tuesday's @WhitecapsFC #CanadianChampionship match against @CPLCavalryFC.

#VWFC