WEBVTT 00:00:04.830 --> 00:00:10.510 Jim Conrad: Hello, my name is Jim Conrad, AKA Cono, and this is Conovision. 00:00:10.530 --> 00:00:18.270 On episode five, we present stories about the dichotomy of us versus them. 00:00:18.900 --> 00:00:27.780 Team good guys versus team bad guys, ego versus psyche or soul. 00:00:34.710 --> 00:00:40.350 Given our fragile purchase on the world, given our obdurate dependency, 00:00:41.160 --> 00:00:47.280 given ignorance of alternatives, given the lack of rational analysis, given 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:53.130 the imposing immensity of messages from the information environment, we 00:00:53.130 --> 00:00:56.550 all assemble a false sense of self. 00:00:57.540 --> 00:00:58.800 We call it ego. 00:01:01.845 --> 00:01:06.735 It is not false because we've lied to ourselves about ourselves, 00:01:07.245 --> 00:01:12.075 but false because it is not about us, but about them. 00:01:12.645 --> 00:01:16.665 It, the other, something outside of us. 00:01:17.865 --> 00:01:24.165 So we are defined by the other, not from within, not by divine design, 00:01:24.195 --> 00:01:27.345 but by the otherness of the other. 00:01:28.425 --> 00:01:33.225 Which we cannot fathom, understand, contain, control, comprehend. 00:01:34.185 --> 00:01:35.175 It's a mystery. 00:01:38.384 --> 00:01:42.854 So we are defined as a reticulated network of behaviors, attitudes 00:01:42.854 --> 00:01:48.560 towards self and world, and reflexive strategies designed to get our needs 00:01:48.699 --> 00:01:54.735 met and to manage the anxiety in whose slipstream we daily stride. 00:01:56.475 --> 00:02:01.365 As most of this assemblage we call ourselves remains unconscious, we 00:02:01.365 --> 00:02:05.655 can't really address it, at least not until it becomes conscious. 00:02:06.975 --> 00:02:12.615 The fractious paradox of the unconscious is that, well, it's unconscious. 00:02:15.045 --> 00:02:19.395 Yet some of us learn that there is such a thing as our psyche, 00:02:20.505 --> 00:02:22.755 a Greek word meaning soul. 00:02:24.645 --> 00:02:30.465 The psyche embodies the totality of our being, brain, blood, bone, 00:02:30.555 --> 00:02:33.105 cerebration effect and desire. 00:02:33.945 --> 00:02:35.235 It is who we are. 00:02:35.865 --> 00:02:40.965 Though we can only know ourselves partially through the limited purview 00:02:40.965 --> 00:02:48.765 of consciousness, yet, it knows us, minds us, cares for us, corrects us, 00:02:48.915 --> 00:02:51.315 and critiques us when we are off track. 00:02:52.380 --> 00:02:54.600 It never sleeps, never ceases. 00:02:55.080 --> 00:03:01.200 Always standing watch over our troubled slumber and always registers its 00:03:01.200 --> 00:03:04.050 opinion as to how things are going. 00:03:04.950 --> 00:03:08.910 When from the psyche's purview, things are going as they should, when we are 00:03:08.910 --> 00:03:15.810 in the towel, it provides us with energy sufficient for the task and supporting 00:03:15.810 --> 00:03:19.560 the feeling that affirms our daily agenda. 00:03:20.490 --> 00:03:23.250 When we're off track, psyche protests. 00:03:23.790 --> 00:03:27.330 Noisy demonstrations are held in the amphitheater of the body. 00:03:27.840 --> 00:03:31.260 Streets are blocked in the brain by rebels from the cane fields. 00:03:31.800 --> 00:03:37.470 Dreams are invaded by spectral disturbances, effects riot and 00:03:37.470 --> 00:03:39.750 tear down the work of years. 00:03:41.190 --> 00:03:47.700 Meanwhile, the timorous ego, that nervous nelly of necessity, runs 00:03:47.700 --> 00:03:52.290 from these tumults represses, splits off projects, procrastinates, 00:03:52.560 --> 00:03:57.160 rationalizes, diverts, and narcotizes. 00:03:57.180 --> 00:03:59.730 But the insurgents dig in for the long haul. 00:04:00.480 --> 00:04:07.590 Our abdication, our overthrow seems their aim and our terrors multiply. 00:04:09.204 --> 00:04:12.030 Whatever shaky throne we purchased at the price of our numerous 00:04:12.030 --> 00:04:17.550 adjustments and backroom deals is our presumptive treasure and our sanctum. 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:22.020 Nelly on the throne admits no faults, and simply orders more 00:04:22.020 --> 00:04:23.910 troops to guard the castle walls. 00:04:24.810 --> 00:04:32.790 This sundered sovereign, ego, will resist until resistance is futile. 00:04:35.490 --> 00:04:39.240 Depression debilitates, the spouse leaves. 00:04:39.630 --> 00:04:43.590 The cost of the addiction is way too much troubling. 00:04:43.590 --> 00:04:53.085 Dreams persist until a deep shaming sense of sham may no longer plausibly be denied. 00:04:55.245 --> 00:05:01.365 Thus, psyche speaks not with tongues of angels, but with sounding brass, 00:05:01.515 --> 00:05:05.655 and battens our brain and pommels our person till we collapse, and 00:05:05.655 --> 00:05:10.215 then, possibly, open the door. 00:05:10.635 --> 00:05:21.210 Then, begins the healing, then, begins the recovery of what was lost 00:05:21.210 --> 00:05:24.570 by the necessary adaptations of ego. 00:05:25.560 --> 00:05:33.660 Then begins the wisdom of asking what really matters most. 00:05:34.030 --> 00:05:41.510 Attention. 00:05:51.375 --> 00:05:53.414 Alright, listen up, maggots. 00:05:53.444 --> 00:06:05.145 Sir, yes sir. Today I am going to talk to you about the US versus them mentality, or 00:06:05.145 --> 00:06:09.420 for you brainiacs social identity theory. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:15.659 Sir, yes sir. It is a psychological tendency to view the world in terms 00:06:15.659 --> 00:06:23.490 of an ingroup, us, and an outgroup, them, often leading to rivalry, 00:06:23.790 --> 00:06:31.530 prejudice, and hostility by idealizing one's own group and devaluing others. 00:06:31.530 --> 00:06:36.120 Sir, yes, sir. This thinking often involves creating a negative or 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:42.780 inferior image of the them group using stereotypes and ignoring individual 00:06:42.780 --> 00:06:49.170 differences, which can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and even conflict. 00:06:49.170 --> 00:06:54.870 Sir, yes, sir. While it can serve as a fundamental part of group identity, 00:06:55.395 --> 00:07:01.635 it's a harmful dynamic in many contexts, including, but not exclusive 00:07:01.635 --> 00:07:08.175 to politics, workplaces, and what you call your social interactions. 00:07:08.175 --> 00:07:08.385 Sir, yes sir. 00:07:09.765 --> 00:07:11.055 Here's how it works. 00:07:11.715 --> 00:07:14.235 One, categorization. 00:07:14.775 --> 00:07:18.675 The world is simplified into opposing groups based on 00:07:18.675 --> 00:07:23.505 differences in ethnicity, religion, politics, or others shared traits. 00:07:23.625 --> 00:07:27.715 Sir, yes sir. Two, positive self attribution. 00:07:28.125 --> 00:07:34.035 The us group is idealized, seen as superior, and holds positive 00:07:34.035 --> 00:07:35.625 beliefs about its members. 00:07:37.255 --> 00:07:39.975 Sir, yes sir. Three, negative othering. 00:07:40.665 --> 00:07:47.295 The them group is devalued and stereotyped often with negative generalizations 00:07:47.295 --> 00:07:49.425 that ignore individual differences. 00:07:50.085 --> 00:07:55.275 Sir, yes, sir. Four, reinforced distrust. 00:07:55.875 --> 00:07:59.685 This division creates an illusion of difference and prevents 00:07:59.685 --> 00:08:05.415 connection, empathy, and genuine understanding between groups. 00:08:05.650 --> 00:08:08.025 Sir, yes sir. Alright. 00:08:08.385 --> 00:08:10.035 Are you with me so far? 00:08:10.290 --> 00:08:13.245 Sir, yes sir. I can't hear you. 00:08:13.245 --> 00:08:15.590 Sir, yes sir. Good. 00:08:17.355 --> 00:08:22.065 Now how about manifestations and consequences. 00:08:22.365 --> 00:08:29.250 Sir, yes sir. First, polarization, political divides deepen with each side, 00:08:29.250 --> 00:08:31.920 perceiving the other as an antagonist. 00:08:32.640 --> 00:08:39.330 Second, workplace silos, departments or teams can become insular, fostering 00:08:39.330 --> 00:08:41.789 competition, and a lack of collaboration. 00:08:42.780 --> 00:08:50.189 Third, social division, it can lead to scapegoating, hostility and discrimination 00:08:50.189 --> 00:08:51.540 against minority or out groups. 00:08:53.444 --> 00:09:00.464 And fourth, reduced empathy creates an excessive focus on group differences 00:09:00.974 --> 00:09:04.875 and diminishes compassion for others. 00:09:05.170 --> 00:09:09.915 Sir, yes sir. Now, how do we break the us versus them dynamic? 00:09:10.485 --> 00:09:11.324 Listen up. 00:09:11.834 --> 00:09:14.985 Sir, yes sir. A, promote collaboration. 00:09:15.750 --> 00:09:18.990 Engage in cross-functional projects to build understanding between 00:09:18.990 --> 00:09:20.550 different departments or groups. 00:09:20.550 --> 00:09:27.540 Sir, yes, sir. B, encourage inclusivity, actively include diverse perspectives 00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:31.680 in decision making processes to prevent cliques from forming. 00:09:31.865 --> 00:09:37.080 Sir, yes sir. C, offer constructive feedback. 00:09:37.470 --> 00:09:40.605 Challenge us versus them thinking when you see it taken hold, 00:09:41.310 --> 00:09:43.800 helping to resolve divisions early. 00:09:43.800 --> 00:09:48.180 Sir, yes sir. D, practice empathy. 00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:52.680 Make an effort to understand the perspectives of those 00:09:52.680 --> 00:09:54.750 outside your own group. 00:09:55.055 --> 00:09:59.580 Sir, yes sir. And E, focus on shared humanity. 00:10:01.335 --> 00:10:07.680 You must all recognize the common needs, aspirations, and values 00:10:07.680 --> 00:10:13.470 that unite people, rather than solely focusing on differences. 00:10:13.829 --> 00:10:15.390 Do you hear me? 00:10:15.390 --> 00:10:18.689 Sir, yes sir. Dismissed. 00:10:29.685 --> 00:10:32.325 Uh, Dennis, uh, I know that some in our audience don't know 00:10:32.325 --> 00:10:33.825 the finer points of hockey. 00:10:34.155 --> 00:10:37.215 Uh, could you tell them, for example, uh, what is, uh, slashing? 00:10:37.425 --> 00:10:39.860 Slashing is, um, like that, you know? 00:10:40.840 --> 00:10:42.825 And, um, there's a penalty for that. 00:10:43.065 --> 00:10:43.665 Yeah. 00:10:43.755 --> 00:10:48.615 You do that, you go to the box, you know, two minutes by yourself 00:10:48.615 --> 00:10:50.975 and you feel shame, you know? 00:10:51.425 --> 00:10:52.415 And then you get free. 00:10:52.415 --> 00:11:00.375 The good old hockey game is the best game you can play, and the best game you 00:11:00.375 --> 00:11:01.234 can play is the good old hockey game. 00:11:03.979 --> 00:11:08.060 This is the Conovison podcast, and I'm joined by my good friend Alec Tidey. 00:11:08.250 --> 00:11:09.150 Alec, how are you? 00:11:09.900 --> 00:11:11.010 Alec Tidey: I am great. 00:11:12.689 --> 00:11:13.560 Jim Conrad: Well, how about fine? 00:11:13.890 --> 00:11:14.670 Okay, you're fine. 00:11:14.699 --> 00:11:16.060 You're great and fine. 00:11:16.609 --> 00:11:21.180 Alec, uh, give a bit of a thumbnail sketch about your life. 00:11:22.290 --> 00:11:23.670 Where were you born and raised? 00:11:24.030 --> 00:11:26.219 Alec Tidey: Well, I was born in Vancouver General. 00:11:26.819 --> 00:11:32.069 My father bought our first house when I was just born in West Vancouver. 00:11:32.325 --> 00:11:33.945 So we grew up in West Vancouver. 00:11:33.945 --> 00:11:37.515 My dad worked for Trans Mountain Oil Pipeline in purchasing 00:11:37.815 --> 00:11:40.035 and he also fixed up houses. 00:11:40.035 --> 00:11:45.015 So we moved quite a bit as he built and fixed up houses and 00:11:45.375 --> 00:11:46.605 did that in his spare time. 00:11:46.695 --> 00:11:50.925 Jim Conrad: And West Van, uh, back then wasn't the West Van we know now. 00:11:51.045 --> 00:11:51.525 Alec Tidey: Well, no. 00:11:51.880 --> 00:11:55.270 We called, we lived below the highway, so it was called the ghetto 00:11:55.270 --> 00:12:00.160 and up in the properties where all the money was, so, but yes, it 00:12:00.160 --> 00:12:02.380 was a different setting for sure. 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:07.270 Jim Conrad: Now, uh, growing up, going to school, you were dyslexic. 00:12:07.570 --> 00:12:07.660 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:13.080 Well, there's a couple of things that growing up back 69 years ago. 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:18.530 Uh, one was, uh, the A D D, H A D, all the DDs. 00:12:18.530 --> 00:12:19.610 I invented that. 00:12:20.474 --> 00:12:22.864 Um, I was outta my seat all the time. 00:12:23.055 --> 00:12:26.864 And I acted out in my fear and had, um, 00:12:27.165 --> 00:12:31.254 Jim Conrad: So because of your ADHD and your dyslexia, 00:12:31.275 --> 00:12:34.995 you felt alone and isolated? 00:12:35.115 --> 00:12:35.805 Alec Tidey: Well, no. 00:12:35.805 --> 00:12:36.525 Jim Conrad: As a, as a kid? 00:12:36.555 --> 00:12:36.885 Alec Tidey: Yes. 00:12:37.095 --> 00:12:37.935 As a kid. 00:12:37.935 --> 00:12:41.895 And I didn't fit in because I was, but I didn't realize it back then. 00:12:41.895 --> 00:12:41.985 Jim Conrad: Right. 00:12:42.195 --> 00:12:43.040 Of course you were child, obviously. 00:12:43.040 --> 00:12:44.275 Alec Tidey: I just was going through life. 00:12:44.735 --> 00:12:50.235 But my background or my way of dealing with it wasn't to 00:12:50.235 --> 00:12:51.655 isolate, it was to act out. 00:12:51.805 --> 00:12:58.355 And I used to put kids in headlocks and cause trouble in, you know, school not 00:12:58.355 --> 00:13:00.665 knowing what was going on in my life. 00:13:00.845 --> 00:13:06.515 And as I grew, went through grade one, grade two, Pauline Johnson School, they 00:13:06.605 --> 00:13:12.120 held me back, didn't know what that was about, but I was never a bad kid. 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.949 I was just active all the time. 00:13:14.280 --> 00:13:15.120 Jim Conrad: You weren't a bully? 00:13:15.540 --> 00:13:18.959 Alec Tidey: Not a bully, but, don't get me mad. 00:13:20.400 --> 00:13:23.189 And that was inherently built into me. 00:13:23.819 --> 00:13:24.810 I would act out. 00:13:25.050 --> 00:13:28.860 Jim Conrad: Because of the dyslexia and the ADHD, primarily the 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:32.025 dyslexia, were you labeled, dumb? 00:13:33.165 --> 00:13:37.485 Alec Tidey: When you can't read, write, or spell in school, going grade from 00:13:37.485 --> 00:13:44.035 grade 1 into grade 7, 8, 9, I often got called, oh, you're so stupid, Alec. 00:13:44.525 --> 00:13:45.415 You know, you're dumb. 00:13:45.495 --> 00:13:49.605 And instead of going, oh, and hiding, I act out. 00:13:49.785 --> 00:13:55.875 That is, you know, something that I didn't like looking back in my life, but it 00:13:55.890 --> 00:13:58.439 created something for me to deal with it. 00:13:58.590 --> 00:14:02.530 And just like someone that isolates, there's two different 00:14:02.550 --> 00:14:03.660 ways of dealing with it. 00:14:03.810 --> 00:14:06.600 Dyslexia wasn't known back in the schools back then. 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:11.250 It was not identified and so I got really lucky. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:16.980 We joined Hollyburn Country Club and started swimming and playing hockey. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:22.620 I swam until I stepped on the jack that put a hole in my foot and 00:14:22.950 --> 00:14:26.400 the coach came and pulled the jack out and made me swim the race. 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.390 And I said, okay, I'm out. 00:14:29.070 --> 00:14:32.550 As I was crying, I was probably six years old or something. 00:14:32.550 --> 00:14:37.080 And anyway, I went and played hockey and uh, that was a natural thing for me. 00:14:38.060 --> 00:14:41.450 Very interesting too, is my grandfather's father was the first 00:14:41.450 --> 00:14:48.830 mayor of Merritt BC and my grandfather, I've got a picture of, uh, 1915 on 00:14:48.830 --> 00:14:50.510 the Merritt High School hockey team. 00:14:50.510 --> 00:14:54.280 He was a rover and uh, A rover was the guy that could skate. 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:54.980 Jim Conrad: Yes. 00:14:55.680 --> 00:14:56.900 Skate better than the rest of the guys. 00:14:56.900 --> 00:14:57.050 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:14:57.200 --> 00:14:58.280 Better than the rest of the guys. 00:14:58.280 --> 00:15:01.600 He'd go anywhere over the, this was back in 1915. 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:08.135 So I had this ability, which was a gift from wherever that I could play hockey. 00:15:08.135 --> 00:15:13.475 And I started excelling in that, uh, a fellow named Greg Neild, his 00:15:13.475 --> 00:15:18.485 family, his mother would rent the ice or get the ice and we would skate and 00:15:18.485 --> 00:15:20.625 skate and skate as we were younger. 00:15:20.995 --> 00:15:23.355 You know, I'm talking 8, 9, 10 years old. 00:15:23.935 --> 00:15:30.834 Jim Conrad: So hockey became a way for you to excel and to be part of, because 00:15:30.834 --> 00:15:34.015 you were in school, it was a no go. 00:15:34.074 --> 00:15:34.314 Alec Tidey: Right. 00:15:34.645 --> 00:15:39.025 Well, I've got a couple of stories about that if you'd like one is, 00:15:39.265 --> 00:15:46.464 yes, when I was 15 I played BC Junior Hockey in Richmond, so 15, 16. 00:15:46.635 --> 00:15:54.525 So I would miss school for playing hockey and, um, we'd be on the road or whatever 00:15:54.555 --> 00:15:57.045 and, uh, I'd, come back to school. 00:15:57.045 --> 00:16:00.230 And then the following year was grade 11. 00:16:00.615 --> 00:16:02.055 I had training camp. 00:16:02.324 --> 00:16:05.115 And I missed a week of school in training camp. 00:16:05.204 --> 00:16:08.595 And then I came back into school and I got all my books in my locker 00:16:08.595 --> 00:16:10.095 and I went to the first class. 00:16:10.125 --> 00:16:13.995 And uh, the teacher, you know, I always sat in the back of the class 00:16:14.025 --> 00:16:15.555 'cause I was a bit of a disturber. 00:16:15.635 --> 00:16:16.995 And that's where I would sit. 00:16:17.444 --> 00:16:20.564 And the teacher said, Alec, are you playing hockey this year? 00:16:20.895 --> 00:16:21.915 And I said, yes. 00:16:22.245 --> 00:16:24.105 He said, well, I don't want you in my class. 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:25.500 Jim Conrad: Really? 00:16:25.560 --> 00:16:25.890 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:16:26.610 --> 00:16:28.560 And I went, you know what, that's fine. 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.819 And I walked out. 00:16:30.510 --> 00:16:32.970 Jim Conrad: And that was it for you for formal education? 00:16:32.970 --> 00:16:37.710 Alec Tidey: Well, what happened was the next class I went to was in English and 00:16:37.710 --> 00:16:42.630 he was always trying to help me in English this teacher, this was West Van Secondary 00:16:42.630 --> 00:16:45.360 School, and I went into the class again. 00:16:45.855 --> 00:16:49.454 And at the beginning of the class he said, Alec, are you playing hockey this year? 00:16:49.574 --> 00:16:50.865 And I said, yes. 00:16:51.165 --> 00:16:53.745 And he said, well, we don't want, I don't want you in my class. 00:16:53.925 --> 00:16:56.145 Jim Conrad: So this, another teacher said the same thing, 00:16:56.145 --> 00:16:56.775 Alec Tidey: Two things. 00:16:56.865 --> 00:16:57.045 Jim Conrad: Wow. 00:16:57.584 --> 00:16:59.834 Alec Tidey: And I walked outta the class and you know, 00:16:59.834 --> 00:17:02.624 big, tough Al started to cry. 00:17:03.405 --> 00:17:07.935 And I went and got my books and I took the books into the principal's office. 00:17:08.349 --> 00:17:09.940 And I was crying. 00:17:10.060 --> 00:17:13.120 He was on the phone and I walked in and I threw the books. 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.440 And this is what I'm talking about. 00:17:14.670 --> 00:17:16.050 This is how I acted. 00:17:16.590 --> 00:17:18.609 And I took the books and threw 'em on his desk. 00:17:18.609 --> 00:17:19.060 And I said, 00:17:20.829 --> 00:17:21.819 Jim Conrad: Your school is fucked. 00:17:21.849 --> 00:17:22.150 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:17:22.150 --> 00:17:22.660 Fucked. 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:24.370 I can say it. 00:17:24.855 --> 00:17:30.130 And, and he, he was, he hung up the phone and I walked out and I phoned my dad. 00:17:30.554 --> 00:17:33.405 And my sister swam for Hollyburn Country Club. 00:17:33.405 --> 00:17:36.945 She swam in the Pan-American Games and she went to Sentinel School. 00:17:37.155 --> 00:17:39.344 So he phoned Sentinel. 00:17:39.344 --> 00:17:42.314 He said, okay, Al, told him what happened. 00:17:42.314 --> 00:17:44.235 He said, I I'll phone Sentinel. 00:17:44.235 --> 00:17:46.754 And Sentinel said, okay, you can come to Sentinel. 00:17:47.084 --> 00:17:50.355 And that's where I got to know all my friends up in Sentinel. 00:17:50.445 --> 00:17:53.145 I had friends from West Van, but I went to Sentinel. 00:17:53.145 --> 00:17:58.274 And boy, it was a gift to walk into that place and start fresh. 00:17:58.574 --> 00:18:01.940 But again, I had a general program. 00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:05.600 I was, you know, woodwork study, metalwork study. 00:18:07.040 --> 00:18:11.850 I went on all these different programs and, but we were causing trouble, my 00:18:11.850 --> 00:18:16.880 buddies and I in school up there, and I don't need to go into that, but finally, 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:19.550 about three quarters of the way through, the vice principal came to me and he 00:18:19.550 --> 00:18:20.780 said, what are you doing here, Alec? 00:18:20.780 --> 00:18:21.830 And I said, I don't know. 00:18:22.050 --> 00:18:23.480 He said, why don't you go play hockey? 00:18:23.870 --> 00:18:26.565 And this is another thing about life. 00:18:27.465 --> 00:18:33.825 My dad, I phoned my dad again and told him what happened and he said, yeah, okay. 00:18:34.575 --> 00:18:40.335 I had, uh, tutors in grade seven, in grade eight and nine trying to teach me how 00:18:40.335 --> 00:18:43.185 to read, phonically, sounding words out. 00:18:43.335 --> 00:18:44.385 None of it worked. 00:18:44.445 --> 00:18:49.085 Jim Conrad: Because in, in dyslexia and because it is, common, and 00:18:49.555 --> 00:18:55.534 some people there is a way to, to work through it and to adapt to it. 00:18:55.834 --> 00:19:00.465 In fact, studies have shown that a lot of dyslexic people actually 00:19:00.465 --> 00:19:04.754 become overachievers in various things because of, you know, they're, 00:19:04.784 --> 00:19:06.495 it's basically, I'm gonna show them. 00:19:06.764 --> 00:19:09.815 You know, I was called dumb in high school or school. 00:19:10.205 --> 00:19:13.094 So, but no, I'm gonna show them and they overachieve. 00:19:13.245 --> 00:19:15.405 Alec Tidey: I had a little different feeling of it. 00:19:15.495 --> 00:19:20.765 I had, I lived in the moment, didn't understand about what I 00:19:20.765 --> 00:19:22.715 should or shouldn't be or do. 00:19:23.225 --> 00:19:26.975 And I played hockey luckily and turned professional. 00:19:27.185 --> 00:19:27.635 Jim Conrad: Well, let's go. 00:19:27.635 --> 00:19:28.175 Let's go back. 00:19:28.175 --> 00:19:31.655 So, so out of school now you're playing hockey full time. 00:19:31.775 --> 00:19:33.575 That was in the BC Junior League. 00:19:33.965 --> 00:19:36.455 Alec Tidey: Yeah, so a couple of things that happened in there. 00:19:36.575 --> 00:19:39.825 I played BC Junior for two years, and then I went to Kamloops 00:19:39.845 --> 00:19:41.125 and played my first year. 00:19:41.275 --> 00:19:43.765 Got scouted and went and played with them. 00:19:43.765 --> 00:19:47.515 I think I scored 16 goals, but I played on, it was not a really good team. 00:19:47.515 --> 00:19:49.885 Jim Conrad: So in the, in the early juniors sphere of 00:19:49.885 --> 00:19:52.345 hockey, this is quite a step up. 00:19:52.435 --> 00:19:52.735 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:19:52.885 --> 00:19:55.135 Jim Conrad: To be drafted by one of these major junior teams. 00:19:55.165 --> 00:19:55.945 Alec Tidey: It is. 00:19:55.945 --> 00:19:56.935 And it's, um. 00:19:57.555 --> 00:19:58.125 You know, it was, 00:19:58.130 --> 00:19:59.295 Jim Conrad: It's a pipeline to the NHL. 00:19:59.295 --> 00:20:01.455 Alec Tidey: It is a pipeline to the NHL, it's the way you get 00:20:01.455 --> 00:20:02.835 drafted and this sort of thing. 00:20:03.075 --> 00:20:07.115 You know, I can talk about some of the issues that I had with that, or should I? 00:20:07.295 --> 00:20:09.555 Jim Conrad: Yes, let's get it all out, Alec. 00:20:09.645 --> 00:20:12.615 Alec Tidey: You know, one of the things about doing that is following your 00:20:12.615 --> 00:20:17.865 passion and, uh, coming into playing against 19 and 20 year olds and some 00:20:17.865 --> 00:20:19.455 pretty good hockey players back then. 00:20:19.575 --> 00:20:20.955 So it was a different deal. 00:20:20.955 --> 00:20:25.755 And, uh, you know, I remember, um, one of the problems that I had in my life, 00:20:25.845 --> 00:20:30.075 oh, and I forgot to tell you about this, when in high school I got a gift. 00:20:30.510 --> 00:20:34.860 And being outside, looking in all the time and not fitting in with all of my 00:20:34.860 --> 00:20:38.100 peers, I started to drink on the weekends. 00:20:38.520 --> 00:20:40.170 And what did that do for me? 00:20:40.650 --> 00:20:43.190 It put me on the playing field with all my friends. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:45.600 And they didn't look at me as a stupid guy. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:50.030 I was popular, I was fun, I was, you know, a hockey player. 00:20:50.030 --> 00:20:54.830 I was, uh, now in the game of unity with, with friendship. 00:20:54.830 --> 00:20:57.560 Jim Conrad: Being accept, being accepted through, through drinking. 00:20:57.650 --> 00:20:57.920 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:20:58.100 --> 00:20:59.840 And partying and having fun. 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:05.590 And, uh, it, again, it was something that turned my character into who I 00:21:05.590 --> 00:21:10.900 am today as opposed to being angry and feeling outside, not good enough, 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:14.740 and all the things that school gave me because I couldn't read, write, or spell. 00:21:14.830 --> 00:21:18.910 Jim Conrad: So now the party culture gave you an in to be accepted. 00:21:19.060 --> 00:21:19.540 Alec Tidey: Yes. 00:21:19.650 --> 00:21:19.860 Jim Conrad: Yeah. 00:21:20.350 --> 00:21:21.330 And that's very common. 00:21:21.430 --> 00:21:22.360 Alec Tidey: Yep, it is. 00:21:22.420 --> 00:21:27.220 Jim Conrad: Uh, that's why that's kind of probably the main motivation for kids. 00:21:27.250 --> 00:21:28.240 I know it was for me. 00:21:28.390 --> 00:21:32.165 It wasn't about, I really wanted to drink or do drugs. 00:21:32.615 --> 00:21:37.040 It was everybody else was and if I do this, I'll be in the club. 00:21:37.600 --> 00:21:38.429 I'll be accepted. 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:44.580 And it was more abhorrent to me to be outside and looking in than any harm that, 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:46.260 that I thought drugs or alcohol could do. 00:21:46.260 --> 00:21:46.770 Alec Tidey: You know, Jimmy? 00:21:46.770 --> 00:21:49.170 Jim Conrad: So I was kinda like, yeah, let me into the party. 00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.409 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:21:49.770 --> 00:21:54.660 Well, you know, Jimmy, the thing about that is there's good drinkers, good 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:57.580 partiers, bad partiers and bad drinkers. 00:21:57.580 --> 00:21:57.939 Jim Conrad: True that. 00:21:58.510 --> 00:21:59.730 Alec Tidey: I was all the good ones. 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.810 I had fun. 00:22:00.949 --> 00:22:02.290 Uh, the guys loved me. 00:22:02.290 --> 00:22:07.689 The, I had girlfriends and that was a gift for this guy to this 00:22:07.689 --> 00:22:10.445 day that opened up my life. 00:22:11.045 --> 00:22:15.305 But along with, comes with that, I was a binge drinker and, um, 00:22:15.365 --> 00:22:19.129 when I drank, I didn't know how to go home or want to go home. 00:22:19.595 --> 00:22:23.524 And so I was always out late and partying and that sort of thing. 00:22:23.524 --> 00:22:24.845 But I didn't drink all the time. 00:22:25.504 --> 00:22:27.004 It's just when I was on, I was on. 00:22:27.245 --> 00:22:31.264 Anyway, I wanted to say that to you because when I went into my first year, 00:22:31.264 --> 00:22:35.855 junior training camp was a month long, and then we made the team and or we're 00:22:35.855 --> 00:22:40.455 in the, the game and then the, uh, the team said, okay, well we got a day off. 00:22:40.455 --> 00:22:41.955 We're gonna let you guys go party. 00:22:42.014 --> 00:22:45.705 So 19, 20 year olds that I'm going with, we get a bottle of 00:22:45.705 --> 00:22:47.445 Southern Comfort is what I got. 00:22:47.595 --> 00:22:49.725 And, uh, some orange juice. 00:22:49.875 --> 00:22:56.835 And, uh, that's what happened with my type of drinking and what happened with hockey. 00:22:56.985 --> 00:22:59.765 I stayed out late and got in trouble. 00:22:59.905 --> 00:23:00.745 Jim Conrad: Past curfew. 00:23:00.745 --> 00:23:03.465 Alec Tidey: Past curfew, and that was the start of it. 00:23:03.524 --> 00:23:06.105 And I wanna say that because I didn't do that all the time. 00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:09.870 But when I did it, I stayed out too late and this sort of thing. 00:23:09.870 --> 00:23:15.330 So my first year I, like I said, I've scored I think, uh, 15, 16 goals, 00:23:15.330 --> 00:23:17.070 which wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. 00:23:17.130 --> 00:23:20.100 And they traded me to Edmonton Oilers. 00:23:20.190 --> 00:23:22.200 Jim Conrad: Now this was the Edmonton Oil Kings. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:24.630 Alec Tidey: Oil Kings, sorry, you might have to correct me. 00:23:25.590 --> 00:23:27.030 They had a really good team. 00:23:27.030 --> 00:23:30.420 They went to the finals the year before and I didn't make the team. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:34.350 Jim Conrad: And it was because of the party? 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.470 Alec Tidey: No. 00:23:35.470 --> 00:23:40.210 Um, I think they'd, okay, so this is interesting because, um, I, I didn't 00:23:40.210 --> 00:23:41.950 make the team and I didn't know why. 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:45.710 So I went down to Lethbridge and tried out with Bryan Trottier 00:23:45.730 --> 00:23:47.880 and Brian Sutter, Ron Delorme. 00:23:48.370 --> 00:23:49.300 We had a pretty good team. 00:23:49.930 --> 00:23:53.890 And the first preseason game, I scored four goals. 00:23:54.430 --> 00:23:59.830 The other thing that I did between Kamloops and after I finished playing 00:23:59.830 --> 00:24:04.870 hockey in Kamloops, went up to the Cariboo and my dad built a net with two 00:24:04.870 --> 00:24:09.790 cans in the corners and a, a shooting platform, and I bought 300 pucks. 00:24:10.199 --> 00:24:15.959 And all summer I shot pucks, after playing in Kamloops and only scoring a few goals. 00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:20.639 And I went to Lethbridge and I'm up in, you know, playing with Bryan now, 00:24:20.860 --> 00:24:25.610 Bryan Trottier, Brian Sutter, and we had one of the hottest lines in hockey. 00:24:26.229 --> 00:24:31.550 Then what happened was they traded for Terry Bucyk, which Terry Bucyk 00:24:31.570 --> 00:24:35.260 was drafted the year before, and he was a high draft choice and 00:24:35.260 --> 00:24:36.669 there's money in them there hills. 00:24:36.669 --> 00:24:40.929 I didn't know this, but get a draft choice that goes for them. 00:24:41.169 --> 00:24:44.480 They get paid more money for the higher draft choice. 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:48.490 I started partying and got pissed off. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.560 Earl Ingarfield was the coach. 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:56.240 Not his fault, just he put me on the second line and, uh, I started 00:24:56.450 --> 00:25:00.380 hanging out with the wrong guys and oh, I, the other thing that I wanted 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:05.660 to say was when we played against the Edmonton, I scored three goals. 00:25:05.780 --> 00:25:07.160 Jim Conrad: The team that didn't want you. 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:11.030 Alec Tidey: The team that didn't want me, and they interviewed the general 00:25:11.030 --> 00:25:15.420 manager and said, why wouldn't you have kept Tidey and it says it in 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:18.000 writing, because he was causing trouble. 00:25:18.870 --> 00:25:19.350 Jim Conrad: Oh no. 00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:19.830 Alec Tidey: Yes. 00:25:19.890 --> 00:25:22.610 Jim Conrad: This was a, a quote from him on the record. 00:25:22.610 --> 00:25:23.850 Alec Tidey: Why we didn't keep Alec. 00:25:23.850 --> 00:25:24.330 We heard. 00:25:24.390 --> 00:25:24.720 Yes. 00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:26.550 Just that some form of that. 00:25:26.670 --> 00:25:29.850 This is stuff that, you know, when you're growing up and you're walking 00:25:29.850 --> 00:25:32.419 through it, you don't know what that is. 00:25:32.570 --> 00:25:36.640 Jim Conrad: But your reputation as a troublemaker was now on the record. 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:41.260 Alec Tidey: And then I remember being, after Christmas, I would play 00:25:41.260 --> 00:25:44.620 on the power play with Trottier and Sutter, but I'd play in the second 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:48.070 line and I ended up with 42 goals. 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:51.669 Bryan Trottier ended up with 44 goals. 00:25:51.669 --> 00:25:53.080 I was second in scoring. 00:25:53.169 --> 00:25:59.170 Fighting, I took boxing and I'm left-handed and talented, so I 00:25:59.170 --> 00:26:01.060 knew how to fight, but I hated it. 00:26:01.330 --> 00:26:02.290 I hated fighting. 00:26:02.470 --> 00:26:05.740 I didn't like the feeling, I didn't like the aftermath. 00:26:05.830 --> 00:26:10.730 Jim Conrad: On teams there were certain players that were designated fighters. 00:26:11.210 --> 00:26:13.970 We wouldn't call them goons, but a lot of people did. 00:26:14.540 --> 00:26:15.390 Were you a goon? 00:26:15.390 --> 00:26:21.354 Alec Tidey: No, and, but I fought the goons and I, I never lost a fight except 00:26:21.354 --> 00:26:23.094 for one, but that was a long ways through. 00:26:23.284 --> 00:26:28.680 But never got beat up and I hurt a lot of guys with my left hand. 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:32.460 'Cause I knew how to hit, knew how to box, and I knew how to fight. 00:26:32.670 --> 00:26:36.060 But you had to get me really mad for me to do something like that. 00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:38.280 Jim Conrad: Would a coach tell you to go get a guy? 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:38.610 Alec Tidey: Nope. 00:26:39.030 --> 00:26:39.360 Never. 00:26:39.540 --> 00:26:40.290 I wasn't that player. 00:26:40.290 --> 00:26:41.610 I was this goal scorer, right? 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:43.080 I was a skater, goal scorer. 00:26:43.470 --> 00:26:48.330 And the thing about that is, you know, to, get drafted, you 00:26:48.330 --> 00:26:49.830 had to have these abilities. 00:26:50.100 --> 00:26:56.900 And so my agent in North Van, I think of his name, said you know, Alec. 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:58.370 Jim Conrad: You forgot the name of your agent? 00:26:58.370 --> 00:27:01.550 Alec Tidey: Uh, just a sec. Its, uh, that isn't, that's very bad. 00:27:02.150 --> 00:27:02.810 Very bad. 00:27:02.870 --> 00:27:03.740 Jim Conrad: I do as well. 00:27:03.800 --> 00:27:05.210 Alec Tidey: I know, it's coming. 00:27:05.210 --> 00:27:06.290 Jim Conrad: Especially when they don't work for me. 00:27:06.290 --> 00:27:06.860 Alec Tidey: It's coming. 00:27:07.160 --> 00:27:11.600 But that's because I, I didn't, I had a few hits in the head, okay? 00:27:11.601 --> 00:27:11.611 Jim Conrad: Okay. 00:27:12.245 --> 00:27:12.695 Alright. 00:27:13.235 --> 00:27:14.044 Alec Tidey: It'll come to me. 00:27:14.315 --> 00:27:18.575 He said I would get drafted in the low first round, high second round. 00:27:18.625 --> 00:27:18.925 Jim Conrad: Okay. 00:27:18.925 --> 00:27:21.754 So now let's set the scenario once again. 00:27:21.754 --> 00:27:24.145 So now you're playing for the Lethbridge Broncos. 00:27:24.195 --> 00:27:25.415 You're scoring goals. 00:27:25.475 --> 00:27:26.524 You're a tough guy. 00:27:27.095 --> 00:27:31.085 These are attributes that the NHL, you know, they, they like, they like the 00:27:31.085 --> 00:27:35.705 fact that you've got good hands, not only scoring goals, but can handle yourself. 00:27:35.705 --> 00:27:35.975 Alec Tidey: Correct. 00:27:35.975 --> 00:27:37.715 Jim Conrad: You've got a mean streak as they say. 00:27:37.790 --> 00:27:42.350 And so now you're in Lethbridge and now it's coming to what year of the draft? 00:27:42.350 --> 00:27:46.040 Alec Tidey: So the end of the year, we ended up losing out in the playoffs. 00:27:46.070 --> 00:27:47.659 Uh, we had a really good team. 00:27:47.720 --> 00:27:49.970 I scored the most goals in the playoffs. 00:27:49.970 --> 00:27:51.740 We won the first round, the second round. 00:27:51.830 --> 00:27:56.745 Again, playing with Trottier now, again in the playoffs 'cause we're trying 00:27:56.745 --> 00:28:02.655 to win and then the draft is coming up and I'm at home by myself in West 00:28:02.655 --> 00:28:09.165 Vancouver, where not many hockey players came out back then, out of the west. 00:28:09.315 --> 00:28:11.695 Jim Conrad: Okay, so your family wasn't there watching the draft? 00:28:12.205 --> 00:28:12.425 Alec Tidey: No. 00:28:12.425 --> 00:28:13.695 This was a new thing too. 00:28:14.015 --> 00:28:18.285 Late, uh, or sorry, mid seventies when this was happening. 00:28:18.305 --> 00:28:20.784 So it was all evolving, the drafts. 00:28:20.784 --> 00:28:22.385 Jim Conrad: It wasn't the big show that it is now. 00:28:22.565 --> 00:28:24.095 Alec Tidey: No, not, not like it is now. 00:28:24.365 --> 00:28:28.265 But I was watching it and, uh, third round came along. 00:28:28.835 --> 00:28:29.975 Fourth round came along. 00:28:30.575 --> 00:28:35.580 Fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth round I get drafted. 00:28:36.270 --> 00:28:37.919 Jim Conrad: Drafted in the eighth round. 00:28:38.219 --> 00:28:43.320 Alec Tidey: By Buffalo Sabres, San Diego Mariners in the fourth round in the WHA. 00:28:43.439 --> 00:28:46.110 I was shocked and I was uh, 00:28:46.169 --> 00:28:47.789 Jim Conrad: Did you not expect to be drafted? 00:28:49.019 --> 00:28:51.330 You thought you were gonna go in the first round? 00:28:51.330 --> 00:28:51.389 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:28:51.389 --> 00:28:55.555 Or the second round, like, Ron Perrick from North Van. 00:28:56.024 --> 00:28:57.135 Jim Conrad: Ron Perrick was your agent? 00:28:57.135 --> 00:28:57.825 Alec Tidey: Yes, my agent. 00:28:57.825 --> 00:28:58.034 Yeah. 00:28:58.335 --> 00:28:59.145 I knew it'd come up. 00:28:59.625 --> 00:29:00.284 Great guy. 00:29:00.495 --> 00:29:03.135 I mean, and anyway, that, that whole thing. 00:29:03.135 --> 00:29:06.044 Jim Conrad: Now, how much do agents influence, they're the ones who 00:29:06.044 --> 00:29:08.145 are trying to sell you to the GMs. 00:29:08.315 --> 00:29:10.395 So Ron didn't do a very good job. 00:29:10.425 --> 00:29:13.215 Alec Tidey: Well, that's we, we would say that, but I think what 00:29:13.215 --> 00:29:17.145 happened was I got the bad name from our coach and our general manager. 00:29:17.145 --> 00:29:20.175 Jim Conrad: So the reputation of being a troublemaker. 00:29:20.300 --> 00:29:26.600 And, being put on record by a GM in Edmonton, like in, in writing, 00:29:26.690 --> 00:29:28.340 you know, quoted in an article. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.750 Alec Tidey: It starts lathering up. 00:29:29.870 --> 00:29:33.710 Jim Conrad: I guess it speaks to character, but you can get, you 00:29:33.710 --> 00:29:35.180 can get a bad rap, can't you? 00:29:35.570 --> 00:29:36.740 Did you think you got a bad rap? 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.760 Alec Tidey: There's a couple of things. 00:29:38.010 --> 00:29:41.820 The binge drinker as opposed to a chronic drinker, doesn't get caught. 00:29:41.820 --> 00:29:44.220 I didn't get caught up in that I had that problem. 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:48.389 Or that it was just in the moment I would stay out and do stuff and then get caught. 00:29:48.389 --> 00:29:49.379 I'll give you an example. 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:54.360 In Lethbridge, it was three o'clock in the morning in my little car 00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:58.800 that, I had a little station wagon, and I was coming down the Cooley at 00:29:58.800 --> 00:30:02.310 three o'clock in the morning, ran over a deer, and broke his back. 00:30:02.585 --> 00:30:05.255 And I got out and I going, oh, what am I gonna do? 00:30:05.255 --> 00:30:09.065 And, and then a cop came by at three o'clock in the morning. 00:30:09.785 --> 00:30:15.605 19-year-old Al is driving his car intoxicated and ran over a deer. 00:30:15.785 --> 00:30:17.645 So he shot the deer. 00:30:17.645 --> 00:30:18.995 I'll never forget this. 00:30:19.085 --> 00:30:20.315 And he said, you go home. 00:30:20.615 --> 00:30:22.300 Well, what do you think happened the next day? 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:26.429 They phoned, they phoned the coach or the general manager and told 00:30:26.429 --> 00:30:27.449 them what happened, I'm sure. 00:30:27.479 --> 00:30:28.409 'Cause I didn't tell 'em. 00:30:29.030 --> 00:30:32.669 Jim Conrad: At that point in time, Alec, did you think about changing? 00:30:33.149 --> 00:30:36.209 Alec Tidey: No, not in, I didn't think I had that problem. 00:30:36.629 --> 00:30:36.780 I didn't, 00:30:36.780 --> 00:30:39.519 Jim Conrad: Even though, even though there was obvious consequences. 00:30:39.540 --> 00:30:40.379 Alec Tidey: Yeah, it's funny isn't it? 00:30:40.385 --> 00:30:44.880 Uh, and maybe I, maybe I looked at it and went, oh well, you know. 00:30:44.910 --> 00:30:45.660 Jim Conrad: You're 19. 00:30:45.750 --> 00:30:46.110 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:30:46.680 --> 00:30:51.990 I, might've looked at, I, honestly didn't think about that problem being a problem. 00:30:52.050 --> 00:30:55.580 Jim Conrad: So, drafted by San Diego in the fourth, by the Sabers in the eighth. 00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:57.900 Who did you decide to go with? 00:30:57.900 --> 00:31:02.040 Alec Tidey: Ron Perrick said to me, Alec, if you go with Buffalo, they 00:31:02.040 --> 00:31:06.870 played in the finals with, I think it was Montreal and, uh, they had 00:31:06.870 --> 00:31:08.630 a really good team and he said, 00:31:08.630 --> 00:31:09.360 Jim Conrad: Gilbert Perreault? 00:31:09.360 --> 00:31:11.660 Alec Tidey: Yeah, Perreault, Martin, Danny Gare. 00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:12.930 Jim Conrad: That was the big line. 00:31:13.170 --> 00:31:14.460 Alec Tidey: Oh, great team. 00:31:14.880 --> 00:31:17.080 Jim Conrad: Oh, so he said go to San Diego. 00:31:17.490 --> 00:31:21.149 Alec Tidey: Go 'cause you'll play, you'll get ice time if you go to Buffalo, 00:31:21.149 --> 00:31:22.659 you go down to the minors, right? 00:31:22.659 --> 00:31:27.389 And so I went to San Diego and uh, this is wild. 00:31:28.050 --> 00:31:31.020 So I'm down in San Diego in training camp around the pool. 00:31:31.020 --> 00:31:34.409 And I said to my dad, I'm gonna go down a day early 'cause it's really hot down 00:31:34.409 --> 00:31:36.750 there and I wanna get used to the heat. 00:31:36.840 --> 00:31:42.240 And so I went down the Dana Inn and I went in and hung out the pool by myself. 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:44.429 And then the next day the players start coming in. 00:31:44.429 --> 00:31:50.415 André Lacroix, Wayne Rivers, uh, Jean Piaget, and meeting these 00:31:50.445 --> 00:31:52.225 guys, I didn't know any of them. 00:31:52.285 --> 00:31:55.405 And there are a lot of older guys because the WHA brought in some 00:31:55.405 --> 00:31:58.555 older players, but they had us young guys to fill in the team. 00:31:58.855 --> 00:32:02.215 They were sitting around the pool and then this burr head comes in. 00:32:04.425 --> 00:32:07.005 With his nose over to the side and it was, 00:32:07.035 --> 00:32:07.935 Jim Conrad: He's a white guy? 00:32:07.965 --> 00:32:08.675 Alec Tidey: He is. 00:32:08.845 --> 00:32:12.215 It was Goldie Goldthorpe. 00:32:12.215 --> 00:32:13.655 From Slap Shot. 00:32:13.655 --> 00:32:14.475 I'm not kidding. 00:32:14.595 --> 00:32:15.225 Jim Conrad: Wow. 00:32:15.285 --> 00:32:17.625 Alec Tidey: And he walked into the pool. 00:32:18.030 --> 00:32:22.470 And he had nunchakus you know, the, the things that you swing around, 00:32:22.470 --> 00:32:23.770 the two pieces of wooden chain. 00:32:23.790 --> 00:32:25.470 Jim Conrad: Oh, uh, chakras, 00:32:25.475 --> 00:32:26.310 Alec Tidey: Or, or something like that. 00:32:26.310 --> 00:32:27.930 Nunchakus, I think they were, anyway, 00:32:27.930 --> 00:32:28.530 Jim Conrad: We'll Google it. 00:32:28.710 --> 00:32:29.100 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:34.500 And he comes up to me and goes and pulls it under his, I'll 00:32:34.500 --> 00:32:35.820 see you on the ice tomorrow. 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.295 And I said. 00:32:36.685 --> 00:32:37.585 Fuck off. 00:32:40.975 --> 00:32:43.765 Jim Conrad: I didn't know you told Goldie Goldthorpe to fuck off. 00:32:43.765 --> 00:32:44.245 Alec Tidey: Fuck off. 00:32:44.245 --> 00:32:44.475 Yeah. 00:32:45.135 --> 00:32:45.745 Jim Conrad: I like it. 00:32:45.745 --> 00:32:48.145 Alec Tidey: And the guys are sitting around the pool watching 00:32:48.145 --> 00:32:49.915 this and going, ah, that's Goldie. 00:32:49.945 --> 00:32:52.280 Don't worry about Goldie and this sort of thing. 00:32:52.280 --> 00:32:57.355 And I'm going, and, and, now I'm finding out that they thought I 00:32:57.355 --> 00:32:59.095 was a big, tough player, which. 00:32:59.470 --> 00:33:01.090 I guess I was, but that wasn't my deal. 00:33:01.090 --> 00:33:03.790 Jim Conrad: So your role, their assumed role for you on 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.710 the San Diego team was goon? 00:33:05.889 --> 00:33:09.159 Alec Tidey: Well, they, the, after I've made the team, they, told me, a 00:33:09.159 --> 00:33:11.649 couple of guys said that, that they heard that I could really fight. 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:16.210 Anyway, Goldie, the next, so with the first practice we have, and this 00:33:16.210 --> 00:33:19.629 is training camp and we're working out, and then we're gonna scrimmage. 00:33:19.635 --> 00:33:21.220 And guess who he puts me against? 00:33:21.850 --> 00:33:22.330 Goldie. 00:33:22.629 --> 00:33:26.080 And he whacks me and I whack him back with a stick. 00:33:26.080 --> 00:33:27.190 We're going up and down the ice. 00:33:27.190 --> 00:33:29.080 He's, he's whacking me again. 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:33.070 I turn around, I whack him, and we drop the gloves with Goldie Goldthorpe. 00:33:34.270 --> 00:33:36.790 And I'm standing there watching him, throwing punches. 00:33:36.790 --> 00:33:39.790 He's jumping around, throwing punches, and I'm just sitting here like this and 00:33:39.790 --> 00:33:42.879 I'm looking at his chin and I go, bang. 00:33:43.330 --> 00:33:44.110 Knocked him out. 00:33:45.710 --> 00:33:46.430 Out cold. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.360 One shot. 00:33:48.170 --> 00:33:51.170 And he gets up and he, he wakes up and he's like this. 00:33:51.170 --> 00:33:54.200 And he's pulling his, and the guys are going, oh, Goldie, go sit down. 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:55.790 Tidey kicked your ass. 00:33:55.795 --> 00:33:57.890 And, and I made the team. 00:33:58.490 --> 00:33:59.250 Jim Conrad: Ah. 00:33:59.770 --> 00:34:00.320 Great story. 00:34:01.070 --> 00:34:01.800 Oh man. 00:34:01.820 --> 00:34:04.219 Alec Tidey: I've, I've got another story about him too. 00:34:04.219 --> 00:34:05.389 But anyway, the, um, 00:34:05.510 --> 00:34:07.370 Jim Conrad: Okay, well gimme the, gimme the other Goldie story. 00:34:07.429 --> 00:34:10.850 Alec Tidey: Well, the other Goldie story is we're in the bus and, uh, this 00:34:10.850 --> 00:34:15.529 is a month and a half into the season, and I'm reading something and he grabs 00:34:15.529 --> 00:34:17.210 my book and throws it out the window. 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:22.009 Just like, just because he's Goldie, because he's, he's bored. 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:25.040 And I, and I turned to him, I said, you want some more? 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:30.570 It was just the way my brain worked when I did stuff, right? 00:34:30.620 --> 00:34:34.200 Because of my history and my background of growing up and acting out. 00:34:34.470 --> 00:34:35.790 And I, I believe that today. 00:34:35.790 --> 00:34:36.750 And it's not wrong. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:37.870 It's just what it is. 00:34:38.580 --> 00:34:40.260 Here's another great story. 00:34:40.260 --> 00:34:45.120 So my, my first home game was against, uh, Winnipeg. 00:34:45.420 --> 00:34:46.590 You know who played on that? 00:34:46.800 --> 00:34:47.490 Jim Conrad: Bobby Hall. 00:34:47.640 --> 00:34:48.480 Alec Tidey: Bobby Hall. 00:34:48.875 --> 00:34:53.614 And I was on a kid line, Joe Norris, Kevin Devine, and Alec, 00:34:53.674 --> 00:34:55.085 where we were the checking line. 00:34:55.085 --> 00:34:59.495 We checked all the big players 'cause I could skate and check and uh, 00:34:59.495 --> 00:35:01.145 that's what position he put us in. 00:35:01.265 --> 00:35:05.855 Uh, I'll never forget the coming out and warm up and look, couldn't get 00:35:05.855 --> 00:35:08.285 my eyes off of Bobby Hall is skating. 00:35:08.620 --> 00:35:12.785 Now, we sat every Saturday hockey night in Canada and grew 00:35:12.785 --> 00:35:14.404 up watching these guys, right? 00:35:14.495 --> 00:35:15.845 Gordie Howe, Bobby Hall. 00:35:15.905 --> 00:35:16.775 Jim Conrad: Legends. 00:35:16.775 --> 00:35:20.285 Alec Tidey: Legends, and you're, and now I'm going to the face 00:35:20.285 --> 00:35:22.295 off and I'm, he played left wing. 00:35:22.295 --> 00:35:26.675 I played right wing and I'm standing beside Bobby Hall and I go, Bobby, I 00:35:26.675 --> 00:35:28.805 can't believe I'm standing here with you. 00:35:29.165 --> 00:35:30.485 He said, it's okay, kid. 00:35:30.635 --> 00:35:31.385 Have a good game. 00:35:31.850 --> 00:35:32.779 And I said, thank you. 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:36.920 And we go up and down the ice. 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:39.230 I'm all over because I could skate. 00:35:39.560 --> 00:35:40.370 The end of the game. 00:35:40.370 --> 00:35:41.299 We won the game. 00:35:41.660 --> 00:35:42.980 I scored three goals. 00:35:43.220 --> 00:35:44.060 Jim Conrad: You got a hat trick. 00:35:44.089 --> 00:35:44.960 Alec Tidey: I got a hat trick. 00:35:45.170 --> 00:35:49.129 Jim Conrad: Against Bobby Hall in the WHA Winnipeg Jets. 00:35:49.700 --> 00:35:51.980 Alec Tidey: The, in the, and the in the paper the next day 00:35:51.980 --> 00:35:56.455 it said Tidey checks Hall, maybe Hall should have checked Tidey. 00:35:56.475 --> 00:35:57.465 I've got that clipping. 00:35:58.605 --> 00:36:00.345 So those are the things that happened. 00:36:00.825 --> 00:36:05.175 But in that, uh, San Diego, I don't know if you remember, 00:36:05.175 --> 00:36:07.305 Jim Conrad: Did they stick around or they did they fold? 00:36:07.305 --> 00:36:09.825 Alec Tidey: Well, here's what, there's another thing that's really interesting. 00:36:09.885 --> 00:36:14.080 So San Diego was golden girls and parties. 00:36:14.200 --> 00:36:15.439 And all the rest of the stuff. 00:36:15.439 --> 00:36:18.919 And you know, one of the things that happened to me is I started 00:36:18.919 --> 00:36:20.794 partying with the partiers and, uh, 00:36:20.955 --> 00:36:21.734 Jim Conrad: The real partiers. 00:36:21.734 --> 00:36:22.705 Alec Tidey: The real partiers. 00:36:22.705 --> 00:36:22.814 Yeah. 00:36:22.814 --> 00:36:23.495 Jim Conrad: The hardcore partiers. 00:36:23.509 --> 00:36:24.319 Alec Tidey: The hardcore. 00:36:24.379 --> 00:36:26.750 And, uh, anyway, uh, 00:36:26.750 --> 00:36:28.879 Jim Conrad: Did they introduce you to another substance? 00:36:28.910 --> 00:36:29.540 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:36:29.540 --> 00:36:33.090 That would've been a, so the, the story of that was I was, uh, 00:36:33.090 --> 00:36:34.290 Jim Conrad: Peruvian marching powder. 00:36:34.350 --> 00:36:34.620 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:37.890 So what what happened was I went to my first, uh, party 00:36:37.890 --> 00:36:40.480 in a house party in San Diego. 00:36:40.590 --> 00:36:46.020 And, uh, this girl standing over and she comes over and she says, do you toot? 00:36:46.170 --> 00:36:50.340 And I looked at her and I went, yeah, 'cause she was beautiful. 00:36:50.430 --> 00:36:51.390 Jim Conrad: Do you toot? 00:36:51.390 --> 00:36:52.110 Alec Tidey: Do you toot? 00:36:52.110 --> 00:36:55.085 Jim Conrad: Now that could be, that could be taken a lot of different ways. 00:36:55.115 --> 00:36:56.255 Alec Tidey: Well, I didn't know what it meant. 00:36:56.345 --> 00:36:56.855 Jim Conrad: Okay. 00:36:57.365 --> 00:36:59.795 Alec Tidey: And I, I, but I looked at her and I said, sure. 00:36:59.915 --> 00:37:00.185 Yeah. 00:37:01.715 --> 00:37:05.045 And she said, okay, do, let's go into the bathroom. 00:37:05.345 --> 00:37:06.365 And I looked at her again. 00:37:06.365 --> 00:37:07.535 I said, okay. 00:37:08.045 --> 00:37:09.375 Seriously, I didn't know what she was doing. 00:37:09.375 --> 00:37:11.285 Jim Conrad: There was some gonna be, some tooting going on. 00:37:11.285 --> 00:37:14.795 Alec Tidey: And we went into the bathroom and, uh, she pulled out a little 00:37:14.795 --> 00:37:16.745 mirror and put this white stuff down. 00:37:16.805 --> 00:37:20.195 And I'd heard of the cocaine, but I've never ever seen it. 00:37:20.910 --> 00:37:23.580 And she starts chopping it up and she takes a snort. 00:37:23.580 --> 00:37:25.109 And I said, what is that? 00:37:25.109 --> 00:37:26.250 And she says, cocaine. 00:37:26.310 --> 00:37:26.729 Oh. 00:37:27.209 --> 00:37:29.279 She said, it'll help you party all night. 00:37:29.729 --> 00:37:30.629 Oh, good. 00:37:30.750 --> 00:37:31.169 Okay. 00:37:31.439 --> 00:37:34.350 So I did a line, and then she looked at me right in the eyes and 00:37:34.350 --> 00:37:35.384 she said, and it's not addictive. 00:37:37.365 --> 00:37:38.505 And I'll never forget that. 00:37:39.675 --> 00:37:40.275 Jim Conrad: Delusional. 00:37:40.444 --> 00:37:40.535 Alec Tidey: Yeah. 00:37:40.564 --> 00:37:41.214 Oh yeah. 00:37:41.944 --> 00:37:45.255 So the other thing that happened was my first road trip was into Houston. 00:37:45.525 --> 00:37:46.845 And guess who played in Houston? 00:37:47.254 --> 00:37:47.964 Jim Conrad: Gordie Howe. 00:37:48.015 --> 00:37:53.170 Alec Tidey: Gordie Howe And Gordie Howe again, I'm in, you know, warm up watching 00:37:53.170 --> 00:37:55.900 Gordie Howe going, I'm, with Mr. Hockey. 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:57.160 I'm skating on the same ice. 00:37:57.160 --> 00:37:57.910 I'm not kidding. 00:37:58.240 --> 00:37:59.320 It was powerful. 00:37:59.350 --> 00:38:02.710 And then we're, we start facing off and we start playing and I'm checking 00:38:03.020 --> 00:38:04.600 Gordie Howe, we get in the corner. 00:38:04.600 --> 00:38:05.500 What does Gordie do? 00:38:05.830 --> 00:38:06.280 Elbow. 00:38:06.705 --> 00:38:07.605 Right in the nose. 00:38:07.814 --> 00:38:11.984 And I turned to him and I with my stick and I was going crosscheck him. 00:38:12.285 --> 00:38:14.174 And I go, oh, that's Mr. Hockey. 00:38:14.174 --> 00:38:18.524 And I went to the bench and my nose is bleeding, like, and, uh, 00:38:18.855 --> 00:38:21.480 on Andre Lacroix down at the other end of the bench, he says, Tidey. 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:24.450 You take that from him, you take that from everybody. 00:38:24.530 --> 00:38:27.810 And I went, okay, this is a true story. 00:38:28.500 --> 00:38:29.340 The next shift, 00:38:29.370 --> 00:38:30.300 Jim Conrad: Of course it's true. 00:38:30.300 --> 00:38:30.870 Alec Tidey: It's true. 00:38:31.020 --> 00:38:34.620 And I had the stuff up my nose to stop it from bleeding. 00:38:34.620 --> 00:38:37.620 Jim Conrad: And so you go out in the ice with, with the two nose plugs up there. 00:38:37.620 --> 00:38:41.550 Alec Tidey: The two nose plugs up my and, he's in the slot and we're in our end 00:38:41.820 --> 00:38:43.590 and I see the puck coming out to him. 00:38:43.590 --> 00:38:47.460 So I crosschecked him down onto his knees and he turned around 00:38:47.940 --> 00:38:50.130 and broke his stick over my leg. 00:38:50.845 --> 00:38:53.694 Jim Conrad: Back the day when the, when the stick was a piece of lumber. 00:38:53.694 --> 00:38:54.415 Alec Tidey: A piece of lumber. 00:38:54.444 --> 00:38:54.595 Yeah. 00:38:54.595 --> 00:38:54.685 And. 00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:59.940 I threw my gloves off, like go with, because I don't think about 00:38:59.940 --> 00:39:03.360 anything, but I thought you don't break a stick over my leg like that. 00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:07.080 And I threw the gloves off and I look back on both benches and now are emptying. 00:39:07.620 --> 00:39:11.520 And I grabbed onto Gordie's on his knees and I'm down there with him and I go, 00:39:11.520 --> 00:39:13.200 oh, Gordie, I'm in trouble, aren't I? 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:14.940 And he said, yeah, you are kid. 00:39:15.365 --> 00:39:18.755 And we didn't have helmets on back then and all I could feel I was just 00:39:18.815 --> 00:39:23.009 holding them in and the knuckles were going off the back of my head 00:39:25.350 --> 00:39:26.975 and so there you go. 00:39:27.005 --> 00:39:28.125 I fought Gordie Howe. 00:39:28.535 --> 00:39:29.194 Jim Conrad: True story. 00:39:29.345 --> 00:39:30.065 Alec Tidey: True story. 00:39:30.395 --> 00:39:33.274 Jim Conrad: Alec, uh, great to have you on the show. 00:39:33.444 --> 00:39:36.595 Hockey stories were always my favorites, but thank you so much. 00:39:36.644 --> 00:39:37.604 Those are great stories. 00:39:37.625 --> 00:39:38.525 Alec Tidey: Well, thank you. 00:39:49.395 --> 00:39:53.115 Jim Conrad: Well, that's episode five in the digital archive. 00:39:53.234 --> 00:39:54.794 Thanks for making it this far with me. 00:39:55.455 --> 00:40:01.550 To review, on epi five, we heard the wisdom of 84-year-old Dr. James Hollis, 00:40:01.550 --> 00:40:08.000 PhD, a Jungian psychoanalyst, and author, from his book What Matters Most. 00:40:08.510 --> 00:40:14.000 Also, we heard the full metal jacket explanation of the US versus them 00:40:14.180 --> 00:40:19.485 mentality, and the story of my good friend Alec Tidey and his battles, 00:40:19.515 --> 00:40:22.575 both on and off the frozen pond. 00:40:23.565 --> 00:40:24.255 Thanks for listening. 00:40:24.375 --> 00:40:29.655 It's always a pleasure telling stories, and of course, remember 00:40:30.135 --> 00:40:32.865 we are all stories to be told. 00:40:33.735 --> 00:40:38.105 Until next time, I'm Jim Conrad and this has been Conovision, 00:40:38.775 --> 00:40:40.395 the spirit of storytelling. 00:40:40.995 --> 00:40:41.745 Bye-bye.