Saturday
Foreword by Tim Long, Executive Producer - The Simpsons
Here’s how you know you’ve made it in life -- the guy whose music you failed to get laid to in high school asks you to write the foreword to his book.
I first encountered Alan Frew whilst sprawled on my parents’ couch in Exeter, Ontario, in the mid-‘80s, watching Much Music. The video was, of course, “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”, and I instantly recognized Alan as handsome, charismatic, and wildly talented. The kind of person who really gets on my nerves.
Cut to some eighteen years later, and I meet Alan at a late-night party at the Canadian Comedy Awards. It soon becomes clear that in addition to the aforementioned talent and charisma, Alan is also friendly and thoughtful. Plus he dresses well, smells great, and really seems to care what I have to say. By now, this guy is totally starting to piss me off.
Three more years pass, and Alan calls and asks if I would read his upcoming book and write the foreword. I agree instantly, because a.) he’s Alan friggin’ Frew and b.) I am a whore. But soon I’m gripped by an overwhelming fear: What if the book he’s written is really, really good? As a professional writer and a fantastically small-minded person, how will I deal with that?
Not well, it turns out. As I drain the remnants of my third gin and tonic, it gives me no pleasure to report that the book you hold in your hand is – sigh – wonderful, full of hilarious anecdotes and priceless wisdom.
It turns out Alan Frew is one of those people who just sort of has things figured out: he knows what it takes to rise from hardscrabble Coatbridge (like him) or not-so-hardscrabble Exeter, Ontario (like me), achieve everything you’ve ever dreamed, and have fun doing it. What’s more, he’s generous enough to share that knowledge with the rest of us.
So read the damn book – it’s great. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go fix another drink (my fourth) (okay, tenth) and start teaching myself how to write songs and play the guitar. Hear that, Frew? If you’re gonna move onto my turf, I’m gonna move onto yours. You’re a wonderful man… and you’ve written a gem of a book… but you’re going down.
Tim Long
Executive Producer, The Simpsons, former head writer for David Letterman
Los Angeles
April 2007
I first encountered Alan Frew whilst sprawled on my parents’ couch in Exeter, Ontario, in the mid-‘80s, watching Much Music. The video was, of course, “Don’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)”, and I instantly recognized Alan as handsome, charismatic, and wildly talented. The kind of person who really gets on my nerves.
Cut to some eighteen years later, and I meet Alan at a late-night party at the Canadian Comedy Awards. It soon becomes clear that in addition to the aforementioned talent and charisma, Alan is also friendly and thoughtful. Plus he dresses well, smells great, and really seems to care what I have to say. By now, this guy is totally starting to piss me off.
Three more years pass, and Alan calls and asks if I would read his upcoming book and write the foreword. I agree instantly, because a.) he’s Alan friggin’ Frew and b.) I am a whore. But soon I’m gripped by an overwhelming fear: What if the book he’s written is really, really good? As a professional writer and a fantastically small-minded person, how will I deal with that?
Not well, it turns out. As I drain the remnants of my third gin and tonic, it gives me no pleasure to report that the book you hold in your hand is – sigh – wonderful, full of hilarious anecdotes and priceless wisdom.
It turns out Alan Frew is one of those people who just sort of has things figured out: he knows what it takes to rise from hardscrabble Coatbridge (like him) or not-so-hardscrabble Exeter, Ontario (like me), achieve everything you’ve ever dreamed, and have fun doing it. What’s more, he’s generous enough to share that knowledge with the rest of us.
So read the damn book – it’s great. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go fix another drink (my fourth) (okay, tenth) and start teaching myself how to write songs and play the guitar. Hear that, Frew? If you’re gonna move onto my turf, I’m gonna move onto yours. You’re a wonderful man… and you’ve written a gem of a book… but you’re going down.
Tim Long
Executive Producer, The Simpsons, former head writer for David Letterman
Los Angeles
April 2007
Friday
A Very Special Event!
Join Alan on January 19, 2008 at 7:00pm at "Fire on the East Side", 6 Gloucester St. Toronto, ON 416-960-FIRE, where he will talk about his new book, tell a few stories and sing a few songs. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by the Seneca College Alumni Association.
To register call Andrew MacDonald 416.491.5050 ext. 6863 or by email andrew.macdonald@senecac.on.ca.
Parking: Charles Street Parkade, two blocks north of Gloucester Street on Charles Street just east of Yonge Street
Wellesley Green "P" Lot, two blocks south of Gloucester Street on Wellesley Street just east of Yonge Street
On Gloucester Lane, running off Gloucester Street north to Isabella Street
Join Alan on January 19, 2008 at 7:00pm at "Fire on the East Side", 6 Gloucester St. Toronto, ON 416-960-FIRE, where he will talk about his new book, tell a few stories and sing a few songs. Admission is free. This event is sponsored by the Seneca College Alumni Association.
To register call Andrew MacDonald 416.491.5050 ext. 6863 or by email andrew.macdonald@senecac.on.ca.
Parking: Charles Street Parkade, two blocks north of Gloucester Street on Charles Street just east of Yonge Street
Wellesley Green "P" Lot, two blocks south of Gloucester Street on Wellesley Street just east of Yonge Street
On Gloucester Lane, running off Gloucester Street north to Isabella Street
Wednesday
Tuesday
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