so sweet and pure and still newsworthy

Yesterday I was driving around in the big smoke, somewhat aimlessly, listening to Sarah Harmer's latest and greatest in stark contrast to my transportative existence in the city of lost innocence.

First the album...there's something so sweet and pure about this one, kinda bluegrass sounding (and I only sort of know what that might mean). The lyrics are cute, although I'll have to listen to "I'm a Mountain" a few more times to fully grasp that Walmart reference. I *love* "Oleander" and "I am Aglow", for both their lyrics and the instrumentation. Notice it's not "I'm Aglow" but "I am Aglow", which sounds a bit more certain and worthy.

And back to the city. Didn't make it down to Dundas Square but only as far as Yonge and Eglinton and then I'd had enough. I should've counted the traffic lights as I listed to "Escarpment Blues". But I was also thinking about the now named Jane Creba. If you were to google her right now, the logarithms still rate her as an award winner in the Toronto District School Board. It's far more than just a shame that it won't last that way for long. She's quite striking in the picture on the front page of all the papers. Shot in the head. Can there be anything more inhuman? More sudden? More disheartening?

And yet when I first heard I don't remember feeling surprised, just sad...thinking about her family, and hoping she didn't have enough time to feel terrified. Hoping that her family's terror will be mitigated by...what? God? Community? Faith?

I remember how shocked I felt by Vivi Lemonis in 1994 (yes, I had to google it to remember the date). I don't feel the same with Jane, but it does feel different. I hope that's a result of something other than desensitization, or being jaded. I think it's something else, because while I don't feel concerned for the soul of the city, whatever that means, I do feel concerned for her family and friends and her school.

And to the guy who wrote to the Star about how we don't hear about people being stabbed in Times Square, maybe it's just that we don't hear about it, not that it doesn't happen. I felt safe when I was there. And the next time I go to the Eaton Centre I'll probably be more concerned about someone stealing my purse than getting shot. But I am happy to live in a place where every single victim of gun violence is analyzed and agonized over in the local, even national news. Thank god it's still newsworthy. Let's keep it that way.

Nothing has ended
It's all been mended
It's the way that it should be
You're coming back
You're coming back
It was so lonely here just me
This time no promises of what's to come
We'll just live it for the day
Oleander I see you stand there and I know you'll be ok

-from "Oleander" by Sarah Harmer

Do they know it's Christmas?

If you click the title you'll end up at a CBS webpage where, on the left about halfway down you can watch a video about Ben Stein's thoughts on Christmas. For the record, if you want to wish me a Happy Hanukkah, or Eid, or Kwanzaa or simply offer best wishes over the holiday season...heck if you want to invite me to just enjoy the time off work, I will not be offended. Quite frankly, I celebrate Christmas as a doubtful Christian anyway. I think of it more as a non-denominational goodwill sort of holiday. And you don't need to believe in Jesus or Santa Claus to let a little joy and goodwill into your heart. Too bad it only happens once a year, even if it is for practically one sixth of said year.

On the other hand, thank god (whoever you may be) that it only happens once a year. Less frequently might be welcome. I'm referring now to that side of the holiday season that is about how things SHOULD be and a revisionist history of how things WERE. I confess, Christmas always makes me very sad. Not the sitting in a corner rocking back and forth in the fetal position kind of sad, but more melancholy and wistful than I normally like to be. The unproductive kind of melancholy and wistful. This is not an indictment of my mother, but as a child I always remember Christmases as being a time when Mom would miss her family, living in another city. And now, I think of how things are different than Christmases past, and it sort of depresses me because it makes me think that things are not how they should be, that we (me?) messed up somewhere along the way. It's not that I couldn't or don't feel this way the rest of the year, it's just that I can handle it better without all this family togetherness and tradition and perfection and Martha all over the place. That's the image that's put out there, but the reality seems to be that Christmas is about feeling down on yourself. Man, I'd like to be 3 again. Blissfully ignorant and too little to carry any baggage.

So Merry Christmas to you all, Christian or not. Let's all leave our baggage on the airport carousel and enjoy some good company.

Judgment Day? You've got to be kidding me...

As usual, the Americans have it all wrong. No surprise I guess, since they put that dimwit asshole Dubya in the White House and Conan the Barbarian in charge of California.

It looks like Tookie Williams will die at midnight pacific time.

And despite the fact that he was convicted of murder four times over and co-founded one of the worst LA gangs, his execution is so wrong I find it more disgusting than contemplating his crimes and the horror of the families affected.

Jesse Jackson says he's reformed, Schwarzenegger says that's doubtful since he's apparently never apologized. Excuse me, but aren't they doing exactly what this Williams guy has been convicted of doing, that being deciding whether someone else deserves to die?

I'm not saying they should let him loose or anything, the legal system, faulty as it is in the States, did find him guilty, but why is it okay for "the state" to decide who should live or die, but not the individual?

And what's even more disgusting is that in making his decision, you can bet that Schwarzenegger was thinking about how many electoral votes Texas and Virginia have.

What makes "the Terminator" any better than Iraqi hostage takers, playing with peoples' lives like this?

If I had a million dollars?

So I woke up at 4:30 this morning and never really got back to dreamland. And it's only Wednesday. Long week.

On the plus side, I downloaded the BNL concert I went to on November 25. It's so cool that they sell a quality recording for a reasonable price. It's so cool that they just go with it and make the money and I get something entertaining to listen to in the car on the ride home. Love that.

And then I discovered some enterprising entrepreneur (is that redundant...maybe not?) has been trying to sell his or her vote in the upcoming federal election on ebay. Of course, investigations are underway. Come on now, have a sense of humour.

Just a few more Canadians showing their skills at evaluating emerging markets.

Because I'm Always on the Run

So, yesterday the government fell, this morning they dropped the writ and already there are flyers in my mailbox from the incumbent and wishful-incumbent. *Sigh*

On the bright side, at least I'm not an American with my Supreme Court reconsidering a woman's right to choose - more or less. Is it a coincidence that big chunks of the US Supreme Court building are falling off?

Record and play, after years of endless rewind...

Okay, it's not a song title, just a lyric, and it really doesn't have much to do with this post. I've just always liked it, kind of a get on with it, moving forward, taking charge thing. It's cool.

And speaking of the Barenaked Ladies, saw them at Massey Hall on Friday night for one of there Christmukkah-type concerts, which was definitely on my as yet nonexistent list of things that I must do at least once in my life. They were fabulous, as usual. There was one point where I realized that Brian Wilson came out when I was in high school...and that was a long time ago now. But on the upside, I was not caught in a time warp with a bunch of teeny-boppers while at the concert, so it really didn't feel so bad. I'm definitely not their oldest fan, or their youngest, and I think that says a lot about what great entertainers they are. Not to knock the music, but there's very few musicians who can carry off a decent show. Classic example was that televised "Intimate and Interactive" thing of Feist. Wow that was just profoundly bad. And I love her CD "Let it Die".

Another classic example of poor stage presence...maybe that's what it was...was the night's opening act, Buck 65. It wasn't so much bad as completely incomprehensible. And I don't think it was the sound guys' fault. He seems to be some sort of cowboy hiphop rapper that travels with another guy who does interpretive dance and juggles knives behind him while he blathers on and works the turntable. I will say that the chorus portion of "463" was mildly interesting, but only that, and not really entertaining. And yet BNL kept thanking him during their set. I just don't get it.

And yet, here's an odd twist: I like the Barenaked Ladies, the Ladies like Buck 65, and you would think here that Buck 65 would like music that I can't comprehend either, but the list on his website is actually pretty decent, and I can honestly say, he's got good taste. So maybe the only one's with bad taste are BNL? How can this be? This must be why I dropped the section on epistemology in first year philosophy. Bite me Rene Descartes!

Anyway, so I find myself thinking back to the Brian Wilson days, wearing the boots I wore in university because I can't find my new snazzy ones...I can record and play, and handle the rewind as well. It's okay once in awhile.

Takin' Care of Business?

I suppose since I like shopping at Amazon, I wouldn't mind living in Amazon.ca. But then again, there are unfavourable connotations with being an Amazonian. Where does this come from? How about the news that Santa, Idaho is now Secretsanta.com, Idaho. Well, I guess it beats the alternative of raising the tax rate.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I've been reading Pierre Berton's Marching as to War and came across this excerpt that made me think of Cindy Sheehan. He's talking about the construction and dedication of cenotaphs across Canada in the post-WW1 era:

It was in the mothers' names that the lies were told, the propaganda machine was oiled up, the demonization of the enemy was carried to insane lengths, and the brutal facts about "the war that will end all wars" (H.G. Wells's unfortunate phrase)were unrevealed in all their naked horror. The mothers who so proudly sent their boys abroad to be sacrificed must never know how their sons really lived and died in the wastes of no man's land, nor must they be exposed to an even more dreadful truth: that the Men Whose Names Will Live Forever died for no good reason in a futile and foolish war that solved nothing.

Also particularly interesting was his description of Canada's role in the Boer War, which I knew next to nothing about before reading the book. As you read the following passage, think about why Cindy Sheehan's son went to war. I don't mean his motivations, but the motivations of George H.W. Bush for stepping right in with Desert Storm. And then think about how other nations might view the U.S.:

As usual, both sides believed in the righteousness of their cause. To the Boers, Great Britain was a greedy, imperialistic nation that had pushed the virtuous Boer farmers out of the Cape Colony. To the British, the policy of the Transvaal government was dictatorship--a brutal denial of basic freedoms to the Queen's subjects--which, incidentally, jeopardized British control over the largest gold-mining complex in the world.

Some things never change. Isn't it depressing? Still, thanks to Mr. Berton for the context.

Take Five

It's been like a marathon lately. And everyone knows that I have never trained for a marathon. This week will be a marathon, too, but with some good stuff thrown in for better balance. Rent the movie on Monday, and the Barenaked Ladies at Massey Hall on Friday.

The politics of work have been sort of overtaking things lately, but I've been able to be a bystander for most, luckily. I have not always had such restraint. Although for the stuff of late I have exercised restraint largely because circumstance has allowed me to, so I can't really say I have more willpower than before. But I am a bit more circumspect about it, I think. I can't tell you how many time I thought to myself, or said outloud, "I just want to do my job". And then go home.

Ah ha...and then go home, but I've done a lot of coming in early and working late.

Hopefully the fun stuff this week will be my reward.

Time to take five.

Come fly with me...let's fly, let's fly away

Now I haven't really been a big fan of the West Wing since the early years, but I have been catching it recently and was looking forward to Sunday's "Live Debate" episode. Live, and a debate, but scripted, which is a guess not that weird for political debates, really. But whoa nelly, this isn't a reality show right? So why was a real life journalist, Forest Sawyer, moderating the "debate" with the NBC News logo in the corner?

Ever hear of journalistic integrity Forest?

And speaking of integrity...great that there were less commercials, but there was one big mother of a commercial the whole way through, carefully woven into the happenings by none other than Ellen DeGeneres. And I'm sorry, but I don't think she's using her Amex card to save for her retirement. And then I went to the NBC site and it was hard to find out anything beyond Amex Amex Amex and "campaign" websites for Santos and Vinick. Too bad they aren't real, since they did articulate some interesting ideas. Too bad that their proposals are so far from the reality of politics in America that it gives an unreal picture. Nevermind that no one in the horserace is quite as pretty as Jimmy Smits.

"News"flash!! According to NBC "News", Santos is in the lead in the post debate spin.

But wait a minute, he's not actually running for President.

Did they learn nothing from Dan Rather and the 2000 Presidential Election. Or maybe I'm confused and that hanging chad thing was all a bad dream...

Cool/Photograph

Two song titles today...

Went to a meeting in Caledon on Friday for work and ran into people I used to work with. Felt kinda like old times...the good and fun parts at least. The best parts. Got caught up on all the happenings. Driving home through beautiful King I feel like perspective may have finally found me. I actually started to think about the things I learned, the things I came away with, and not just about the pain in the ass moments.

Driving through Caledon and King City and Whitchurch-Stouffville I missed having my camera because there is just so much to see: falling leaves/leaves in fall, farms, old houses and places for which time seems to have had minimal impact. Can't imagine that will last much longer. It took me 25 minutes to get out of the populated part of Caledon. The edges are moving farther and farther away. Hell, I used to live on the edges. That was a long time ago.

The high point of Friday's meeting for me was a talk from a European Union Observer on his experiences of the recent Palestinian election. Definitely a real view of the situation. Democracy is imperfect, and that's what makes it so beautiful, in my opinion. However, sometimes it's a little more imperfect than we'd like. Still, I suppose there are worse conditions under which to hold an election that military checkpoints and suicide bombers. Say abject apathy for example. My favourite quote, which speaks all to well to bureaucracy: "At least we can all agree on mediocrity". On the other hand, it was a bit like the Stephen Lewis thing too. This guy passionately believes in "the universal rights of the elector" and put his money where his mouth is, spending time away from his family during the holidays. Inspiring--not necessarily the part about being away for the holidays, but having a sense of the greater good that is left to be done in this crazy world.

Tomorrow will not be too guilty. I painted my first wall today. It was a pain in the ass (*grrr* I hate crown molding) and not great when it dried (needed a second coat), but at least I gave it a try!

Mais Feliz?

Seven and a half years ago I was sitting in an uncomfortably well used chair on the 8th floor of a dorm at the University of Ottawa listening to "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls on the radio. My feet were propped up on the window sill, the night was dark but the lights were bright and I was feeling deliciously melacholic. "When everything seems like the movies, yeah you bleed just to know you're alive".

Around the same time, in the summer days' heat, we got this brilliant idea to go to the grocery store for relief. "Poets" by the Tragically Hip was also on the top ten the night before. "He's been getting reprieve from the heat in the frozen food section, ya".

I'm feeling like naming all my posts after songs. We'll see if it works. I've already sort of started with "f train" and "Mushaboom". And now you've read "Mais Feliz".

Page or Reed? "Read" ergo sum

I used to babysit for this woman who had a friend who was having a baby who announced that it would be named Page (girl) or Reed (boy).

And speaking of books...

I've been reading Jose Saramago's "The Double" for the past few days. I don't usually read books that are translated from the original works because, while I appreciate the effort of some excellent translators to get great works out there to the masses, I just think that it doesn't work well to rework the original words of the author, even for such a noble cause. It's for this reason that I am ashamed to admit that I have not ever been through an entire book of Gabrielle Roy. I know, it's like blasphemy, eh? Get over it.

So maybe it was last year that I read the synopsis of Saramago's "All the Names" and picked it up. Naturally, I was attracted to the idea of working in the area of vital statistics, because it's closer to my own experience than many other working situations featured in novels. It was dark, definitely a difficult read, but overall a positive reading experience. I tried out "The Gospel According to Jesus Christ" but it didn't work. The topic wasn't enough for me to get over the complete lack of appropriate punctuation, which I will not fault Saramago for, because of my lack of knowledge of Portugese and how it might be properly translated into English.

But now I'm onto "The Double" and perhaps rather ironically, it feels like a double of "All the Names". Creepy loner guy gets obsessed with something which takes over his life. For now I'm going with it...we'll see. Finished "Children of the Day" by Sandra Birdsell before this. I really liked "The Russlander" and this one was equally good, though I prefer "Russlander". Overall she's a great writer.

Far too many books on my shelves, and far too little time. I still have Stephen Lewis to devote some time to as well.

Race Against...Apathy and Frustration? And a Horse Race?

So I spent Friday night at the Massey Lectures at Convocation Hall--fuzzy pictures on my Flickr Photo page. Not to say that AIDS in Africa is the less important message, but I really feel like I needed to have my week horribilis capped off by spending time in the presence of a man who so passionately believes in his work, that's work in the sense of vocation or calling rather than the thing you do to put gas in the car. He clearly relishes being a vehicle for the underdogs, which is all the more remarkable given the abject disinterest there is in the world for the needs of the African continent. I was impressed by how deftly and respectfully he responded to questions as well, even from one woman who was clearly off her rocker a bit.

And then there was the undeniable and evident mutual respect between Michelle Landsberg, his wife, and himself. He credited her with much of his ideas and in turn she sat in the front row, rapt with attention for a text she had in all likelihood read several times.

So, AIDS and HIV are ravaging Africa and very little is being done about it. Very little beyond the promotional events that likely resulted in more downloads than donations. I guess the question is, is it enough to worry about it when Bono tells you to, or do you have a moral responsibility to know more? And is that moral responsibility worth the pain? I mean I just feel so overwhelmed about all that I should be responsible for lately, everything from Mojo's dental health to the education of women in the third world. Clearly they are not all equally important in the global sense. But they all matter to me. And I have a race against my time running out and my energy dipping low at the end of every day, every week. I don't know how he does it.

It's not enough, all around. But I did go and listen. And I will read the book. And from now on when I read about AIDS I'll have more information filed away for background with which to make informed decisions about my opinion. And according to Mr. Lewis, there will be a federal election in April....so, ya never know what will happen. Candidates on the hustings beware, you never know what I might hold you to account for.

It's political, in a bad way

Unicef takes note of the plight of children with AIDS in Africa, the UN sends out a news release, it gets coverage on CNN, and no mention of Stephen Lewis. Huh?

Interesting that this all happens the week that Mr. Lewis embarks on his cross-country Massey Lectures, speaking on, not surprisingly, AIDS in Africa.

Why appoint him as UN Envoy for AIDS in Africa and then not quote him somehow?

I suspect it's for the same reason that there's an ashtray right outside the front door when by-laws clearly prohibit it:

"It's political"

Any Given Sunday

Sundays are guilt days. Sunday is the day of the week where I thrash myself for not having gotten more done. It is the day I usually spend doing nothing and feeling consumed with guilt about it.

Sunday is like September, once a week. Friday night is like May, when everything seems possible.

Mushaboom

Here are a couple of good blogs I've been perusing lately:

Holler at your girl, k, specifically, check out the October 19 post called "My super sick bar-mitzvah". Good stuff.

The Chronicles of George. This is so funny I found myself stifling scary sounding laugh noises while in my cubicle on Friday.

I found the previous blog by linking through "Blunt Trauma: Life after the Cow-orker" (misspelling is the author's, on purpose). Same vein as George, not as haha funny, but equally amusing in it's own way.

Then of course there is Google Earth. Not a blog, but it totally rocks. Check out how you can read the words painted on the runways of McCarran Airport.

All for now...

Personal Responsibility and the McDonald's Cheeseburger: An Expository Essay

CNN reports that the US House of Representatives approved a bill that would stop people from suing fast food chains because of their obesity. It still needs to get approval in the Senate before it can become a law, and apparently that's not a sure thing, even though 20 states have similar legislation in place.

You're right, you can't legislate personal responsibility. But then how come smokers can get away with suing? Although Philip Morris is far from a golden boy, I didn't hear him (okay them) claiming that their cigarettes were healthy, just not addictive. And neither is a McDonald's cheeseburger. Right. Have you ever had one? And I used to work for self-righteous Mickey-Dees, so you would think if anything would turn me off them, that would be it.

But here's the wrench in the plan. If the BC government can sue Big Tobacco for recovery of the tax dollars being flushed down the neverending black hole toilet of smoking related health care costs, than why can't the same province (or another, or all of them) sue Big Fat (for lack of a better term) or Big Sugar (not the band, but the Hershey people, etc) for the same reason?

Now I realize they don't have public health care in the US, but they do have medicaid or something. Which means they could sue McDonald's for those costs. But they won't. You know why?

It's the same reason that Ontario isn't suing Big Tobacco like BC. It's Money.

Fast food is big bucks to the US government. And so is tobacco harvesting in Ontario. And I guess either health care costs related to tobacco/fat represent less $$ in this trade off, or they make for some votes, or party donations, or something.

Or it could just be that our collective overriding feeling on this is that it's a matter of personal responsibility. And I guess you think there's less fat and crap in McDonald's healthy menu Fruit and Walnut Salad than their Cheeseburger. Look again.

See you in the dark

Today I heard Diane Dupuy speak. She's the founder of the Famous PEOPLE Players. Her topic related to the thought du jour (quite literally), Character Community Day. October is for inclusiveness. How fitting.

You know how I love to hear about people who overcome obstacles, about the underdog coming out on top. This was one. Nearing the end, she commented on how values aren't taught to children as much as they should be, sometimes not even at all. In that absence, children learn values from TV. Or I guess, if you're not paying attention, they learn their values from us, but not the kind that we wanted to pass on.

Normally, having become politically aware in the Dan Quayle vs. Murphy Brown era, I cringe at hearing the word 'values'. I think of the conservative, holier-than-thou thought police who want you to go away if you think a woman's right to choose, is just that, her right. It's not inclusiveness, but exclusiveness.

But that's not what Diane meant. She was talking about values in the sense of having value for yourself, your talents, and what makes you special and unique in this world. She was also talking about having value for the talents and specialness of other people. Having compassion for their hurts and validating their needs. Being human.

One of the stories that she told that I found particularly good was her recollection of being in school and seeing one of her classmates have a seizure. The rest of the class just laughed and pointed at the kid. Alternatively, during one of her first puppet performances, ironically (or perhaps divinely) to a group of people who happened to have mental disabilities, the group ran to help on of their own having a seizure. She said she then thought to herself, who are the people that society really should be calling "retarded".

I love how she brought something into existence that validates and makes alive the dreams of a group of people who were once (and unfortunately still are) shunned. I love how when a person is doing the thing they are meant to be doing in this world, when they are able to fulfill their dream, all the other labels and dis-abilities just fall away. I guess that's why PEOPLE is capitalized.

“What you see is sensational...What you don’t see is inspirational”

Mojo sleeps after a long day...

f train

mmmmmm.....Shasha cookies.

So Jordis sang this song on Rockstar:INXS awhile ago and I never really caught the title at the time but I liked it and it sounded familiar in some weird way...

Then I'm napping this afternoon and it comes to me. It's the theme of CSI: NY. Apparently it was also featured in an episode of House. More on that in a link below.

It's Baba O'Riley. By the Who. And what throws me off completely, is that "Baba O'Riley" is some kind of inside joke because those words (arguably a name) do not appear in the lyrics at all. In fact one might find themselves calling it "Teenage Wasteland".

So now I find myself thinking about other songs that have a title with little apparent connection to the words of the song. And lo and behold, my beloved Wikipedia is helping me out again. Check it out, they have an entry called "List of songs with titles that do not appear in the lyrics". What did I do before the internet again? I can't remember.

Remember "59th Street Bridge Song"? Feelin' Groovy? I think I was near it when I was in NY in September. I remember telling Liz about it. But in true wiki style, the list differentiates between those titles that, while not lyrics of the song, nevertheless describe the song. They deem the Bridge to be one of these. I can see that.

But then there are those that are truly perplexing, especially without internet access. Such as Baba O'Riley. Such as "Rainy Day Women #12 and #35". But I don't understand why "Celebrity Skin" is on the list, because in my mind it clearly fits in better with Feelin' Groovy.

I remember the Prof I had in the semester of 1st year English. He said that sometimes it's better to start with a title so you don't get off track from where you're going. You can look a the top of the page and remember to keep to the point. Sometimes the title reveals what the author was going for. Sometimes the title reveals you to be confused. You're not alone.

What do you think of when I say the name "Jim Bob"?

Probably, you're thinking of a guy, maybe he lives in Arkansas, maybe he has 16 children with names that range from Jinger to Jedidiah.

How ironic that you'd be correct.

Mom delivers 16th child, thinking of more

Remember, there's nothing that says you have to live up to a sterotype. Break out of the mold. If God does bless you with another mouth to feed, why not name him "William Jefferson" or something? Or maybe you're Republicans. Interesting that the article doesn't mention that seeing as how Jim Bob previous ran for the US Senate.

Oh well, I guess you've gotta be famous for something.

UNICEF bombs Smurfland

If you click on the title of this post, you'll get the scoop on what I'm about to ramble on about.

It's been a long time since I've thought about the Smurfs. I had several of their records as a kid. Did you hear that? A kid. Sure, nasty, awful, terrible, tragic, horrific and indecent things happen everyday. Why don't people get that and do something about it? Maybe because seeing it is so common and so overdone to get ratings. I mean, would I feel shocked to see, oh, I don't know, some group of marauders dragging a dead US soldier through the streets? Probably not, I've seen it before. Many times in fact. I only recall knowing about it happening once, but I've seen that clip several times. It's harder and harder to get in touch with the part of myself that truly feels that sense of shock.

So come on, don't go and co-opt something inherently kiddie and make it scary. I think you might end up defeating your purpose. If the kids start seeing the Smurfs terrorized, maybe when it happens to us it won't seem as much of a human tragedy. Let kids by kids and sing along with Papa Smurf. Preserve the debilitation of their sense of shock until they're, I dunno, twelve maybe. Wait until the baby blues of Anderson Cooper are enough of a trade off for the nasty news of the world to make it seem okay.

You know, I had a button when I was little that said "Equal Rights For Smurfettes"...it was kinda weird that there was only that one girl.

Division Street, heading south

When I was in OAC Politics (my god, in 1992? 93?), we learned about the concept of a 'philosophical-operational dichotomy'. That's when you believe in freedom of speech but are against burning the flag. When you believe in the welfare state but want lower taxes. When you believe in the Catholic Church, but pop The Pill anyway. It's sort of about being able to believe in opposing ideas or concepts simultaneously.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about that 'Disney difference' lately. I've been wishing that I didn't have to live in the philosophical-operational dichotomy. I've been wishing that the philosophical would become operational.

Of course, I also believe in the sanctity and comfort of order. Operationally, as my living quarters and office drawers would suggest, I waver. I should sign a waiver.

And yet, I have to try.

It may be Monday, but...

Finally, there's a deal between the CBC and CMG (okay, tentative, in principle, whatever, I'll take it!). Thanks Tod for reporting it! I'm going to miss all the 'unplugged' and 'unlocked' media, but I look forward to real news on the CBC website again. And Andy Barrie! Woo hoo! The conspiracy theorists among us would point out that this probably has something to do with the imminent return of hockey and the 'political' problems associated with no Hockey Night in Canada, especially after a cancelled season as a result of labour distruption. These conspiracy theorists would be right. And I suspect Amber and Rabinovitch would admit it.

So now I wait. Until. Andy's. Back.

On an entirely unrelated note, Bush has nominated White House Counsel to the Supreme Court? Yes, it must be Monday, Dubya is screwing things up again. On the upside, I guess that's better than in Toronto, because if he worked there, he'd be nominating his tweaked out nephew or something.

Pope on a rope, and a sturdy one at that

Although usually a reference to the specific branch of Christianity, the word "catholic" has historically meant "universal" or "found everywhere". See google for the list. How ironic then that Catholic is not really catholic; not universal, not found everywhere--not even within what we call the Catholic Church.

Now that we in Canada have taken a step towards embracing gays as lesbians as people (just as God always intended), there is some discussion that Pope Benedict may refuse communion to our elected leader, perhaps even excommunicate him. Now kudos to Paul Martin, who is able to differentiate between church and state, and notes that he is a practicing Catholic. Although, one does have to ask how effective the Catholic Church is when one who identifies himself as 'practicing' can hold a simultaneously opposing view, but since I'm on the side of the angels here, I won't ask.

My bias here, in case you haven't alreday figured it out: I'm a recovering Catholic. I no longer consider myself Catholic.

But how fair is it for the Pope to target Paul Martin on this when he clearly didn't really have the balls to make the decision anyway and is following the lead of the Supreme Court. And how fair is it that the Supreme Court made it's decision, not only in light of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but also with clear indications of support, or at least indifference, from the people that make up this nation?

Excommunicate us all (or at least those of us who still care). It's hard enough to get good people interested in public office (and I'm by no means suggesting the current company falls into this catefgory), and now they must risk being forced into a crisis of faith? Do you have to be an agnostic to be a leader? Hmmm, wonder how this would play out for Muslims and Jews....

Thoughts on Grocery Shopping...

Why do some people insist on getting dressed up to go grocery shopping? At 10:30 a.m. on a Saturday there is no plausible reason you should be in a suit and heels/tie to get your tomatoes and french bread. If you work the night shift, surely you don't need to be that dressed up. If you have to work on Saturday, surely you should already be there.

I had occasion to be waiting in a car with the dog, sitting in front of the grocery store this morning. There was one woman, with a teensy shiny purse, a white overcoat, shiny heels and sunglasses who came out an fished around her tiny purse for way too long, to find her cell phone. Then she held it. And didn't use it. And then she started to walk off the step and into the parking lot. And when she got to the point where she had to stop to avoid being hit by a car backing out, she abruptly turned around and walked all the way back to the curb in front of the grocery store, still holding her phone. There are drugs for that honey.

Never did see what happened to her, but note that she did not have groceries. She was in the grocery store, but didn't buy anything. Window shopping? The grocery store does not seem like a logical place for this. It was a stand alone store, so really the only reason you should be going there is because you need something that you believe is sold there. Perhaps she was looking for new bedroom furniture and surprised it wasn't on display? This may not be as irrational as you think, because I think Loblaws sells the stuff. Did I mention it was Sobeys I've been talking about?

What I'd like to know is, would Dubya pass?

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 7 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Reality is the only true Shareware, copyright protected

So they always say, write about what you know. And I feel like I have a book inside. Not necessarily a novel, but a book of things. The only problem is the thing that I know best, or the thing that I recognize that I know the least about, is me.

When you read Dave Eggers, as I have frequently been doing of late, you recognize what must be his life in there. Obviously moreso in "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" than in "You Shall Know Our Velocity!", but it's still there. If you know about his loss, you know how he's describing it is very real and well known to him. And he probably talks the way Will does too. You always know that Mordecai Richler's characters were people he knew, but Dave Eggers seems different somehow.

But I don't like to put up pictures I've taken of other people in Flickr unless they say it's okay, because it's theirs. Or at least it's ours together.

And that's it, my life is co-owned. Not the way I experience it in my head, but the actual events, which one could describe in order to, in turn, convey the experience, which is the part that I know best, or maybe least...?

So is Toph really pissed off at Dave Eggers? Is whoever is Hand in real life, if they are in fact still alive, really pissed off at him too?

Just because it's shareware doesn't mean that their aren't those tricky moral complications of 'ownership', whatever that means.

Quotable Quote: "You Shall Know Our Velocity!", pg 276

"...I read news and look for and collect facts because so far they haven't added up to anything. I had pictured, as a younger man, that the things I knew and would know were bricks in something that would, effortlessly, eventually, shape itself into something recognizable, meaningful. A massive and spiritual sort of geometry--a ziggurat, a pyramid. But here I am now, so many years on, and if there is a shape to all this, it hasn't revealed itself. But no, thus far the things I know grow out, not up, and what might connect all these things, connective tissue or synapses, or just some sense of order, doesn't exist, or isn't functioning, and what I knew at twenty-seven can't be found now."

Quiet Desperation

Went to that candle selling bookstore last night and happened to pick up some book about what famous, successful women were doing when then were 30. The point was that they weren't doing what you'd expect. They weren't yet famous or successful. I think Suze Orman was a waitress or something at 30. I didn't buy the book. Instead I bought a collection of essays from that guy who wrote the now famous "On Bullshit". But instead I kept on with "You shall know our Velocity" before drifting off into a fitful sleep. People on my street make too much noise in the middle of the night. And when it's Saturday morning, 7:30 a.m. is still the middle of the night.

When I was in the bookstore, it occurred to me that part of the problem is that people seem to think I'm some sort of genius because I can make shiny spinning thingies happen in PowerPoint presentations. And because this is so far from genius behaviour, the praise seems at first hollow, and now, I feel, offensive. This is not what makes me smart. It can't be. This is the 2005 version of a life of quiet desperation. *Sigh*

Tomorrow is Word on the Street. Maybe that will help. Of course, actually having a functioning computer to do my job at work might also improve my mood. But let me stay away from that subject before I get myself too deep into the pit. And then there's my beloved CBC....

Try, try, try to let it ride...

According to Tod Maffin, it's day 37 of the CBC lockout. Andy Barrie & Co. will give up their spot on CIUT at the end of this week. This may just be the first year I make it to Word on the Street, and now CBC employees are locked out. At least they'll have Kevin's tent. Hooray for Kevin!

So politicians, especially American, especially Members of Congress, get riders put onto legislation as a condition for voting for that legislation. As a result, a bill to require Corporations to be responsible for oil-spill clean ups could conceivably contain a clause authorizing billions to be spent drilling for oil in the Alaskan wilds. Or better yet, it could contain a clause giving Exxon a giant subsidy to transport oil as close to the rocky coastline as they can bring 'er.

Celebrities, surprisingly enough, are a little bit clearer in their intentions, at least as much as their riders don't so seemingly frequently defeat the purpose of the overall contract. There is no Britney clause that says "if you want me to sing, I won't sing" (And yet, if you think about it, this is not impossible).

So here is my rider (or at least the start of it, until I can think of more):

1. I require a dressing room at least 30' by 15' that has a big brown leather library chair, a queen size bed with crisp pastel coloured sheets, a desk and suitable mood lighting.

2. In said room, there must be a wifi laptop with internet access faster than the speed of light. If it goes funny all of the sudden I must have a technician with a 50 second response time.

3. And speaking of calling, I need one of those cool brushed chrome old-style phones from the pottery barn and a blackberry.

4. There should be a variety of bath products on a table to the side, including, but not limited to, Lush's Big and Narcotic, Bath and Body Works antibiotic foaming hand soap and some other Bigelow things that I can't think of right now, but you better get right.

5. I need one of those chairs you sit in to get a pedicure and someone to give me a pedicure.

6. Which reminds me, none of the service providers I interact with can have known my mother before 2001.

7. I would like to eat Mediterrean Lasagne a la Boston Pizza for dinner. I would like a multigrain sesame bagel with veggie lite cream cheese for breakfast. I would like to have fresh chocolate chip cookies for some time in between.

8. I would like a clause requiring a prohibitive tax on all cans, bottles and fountain poured Coca-cola.

9. I would like to be able to ask George Bush a couple of questions without any advisors present.

10. I would like Michael Moore to document No. 9.

11. I want Suzie to be the new lead singer of INXS.

12. A frozen Strawberry Margarita would be nice.

13. VH1 and CNN and Donny Deutsch and Nancy Grace and Miami Ink and CSI (Las Vegas) and The National, the real National, with Peter Mansbridge.

14. My dog must be treated like the prince he is. That means he needs a fuzzy pillow, a bowl with clean water, some kibble and Charleebears and a belly rub every 15 minutes.

15. I still think Allan Rock would have been a good PM.

16. Oh yeah, and world peace, yada yada yada.

17. A clear and undeniable victory for Team Aniston.

And if you give me all this I'll do ?????.

A train, a boat, a plane and finally, a car

So we're back. On the last day we headed out to Pier 83 and the semi-circle cruise around the bottom (south) side of Manhattan. The guide, David, was amusing and informative. For example, did you know that Pier 83 lines up with 43rd street? Take the number of the Pier and take away 40, you have the corresponding cross street in Manhattan. I'm trying to think of something funny he said too, but I'm really tired and just not coming up with anything. I think he said something about Spiderman when he did some weird maneouver on one of the poles (that sounds more suggestive than it was). Anyway, it was definitely worth the 25$ and I would recommend it, thought early on in your trip because it gives youa good idea of what you might want to see. It's a very different persepective from what you get inside the concrete jungle.

Afterwards, we chowed down at Applebees again, this one in Times Square, and the same one we ate in last year. In fact, I think we even got the same table. The Chicken Broccoli bowl was great. Yum.

Then we subwayed back to 70 Park Avenue and attempted to get a cab. We even had professional help, from the doorman, but to little avail. We eneded up taking a private limo thing on his recommendation. I normally wouldn't have done it, but it's a nice hotel and I don't think the doorman would have led us astray. Probably more expensive than a cab too, but we had to get to the airport to catch a plane....or so we thought...

The plane was delayed. In fact, every Air Canada flight out of LaGuardia was delayed due to weather (probably something to do with Ophelia) and there were some really pissed off paying customers in the crappy lounge already when we got there. Let me back up a bit. LaGuardia is the shittiest airport I have ever been in. And it's not that I've been in many, but trust me, it's bad. The security is sandwiched in to places it shouldn't be, the bathrooms as insufficient, it's way to small and the bottom line is it has had better days. And you know things are bad when you arrive in the lounge and they have four or five giant fans going to circulate air.

And here's the good part, a list of actual phrases uttered over the loudspeaker by an Air Canada employee:

"We've had a lot of screw-ups tonight."

"I have the list of stand-bys, I will read them in order. Standing around the desk and staring at me will not help you."

"...and now the broken plane....", followed closely by:

"The plane for Toronto is okay."

"I'm going to read the names of the stand-bys I have. If you hear anything that might sound like your name, please come forward."

"Please do not interrupt me when I'm talking to another passenger."

"Listen people, when you get on that plane, I get to go home, so there's nothing I want more than to get you on your way."

It may not sound like it, but it was darn funny. They moved our gate three times. The JetBlue passengers at the opposite gate were given free water, juice and chips.

Despite all this, I'm happy with the service I had for this flight on Air Canada. Some people might have called it unprofessional. I don't deny that. But it was funny. Being serious about it would have just made it seem colder and less friendly.

And the flight attendants were nice. And I got home safely. And despite the fact that the plane was delayed, it arrived sooner than the revised time they predicted. It was way too long to spend at such a crappy airport. But it was okay. Liz drove home.

And now I'm home, and now I'm tired. zzzzzz.

Thursday Morning

*Sigh* last day. Never did make it to the bus thing last night, but maybe today, or maybe the cruise if the weather is okay. It's humid, not so much hot.

How could they have dumped Suzie on Rockstar:INXS last night?

Behind the kimonos...

So here it is people, the secret to knock off purses on Canal Street. Follow the small Asian woman who has little understanding of English beyond numbers and the word "dollar" through the rack of kimonos and into the little room that is stocked with "Louis Muitton" and "Bearberry" to the rafters. And if you aren't too shocked by all this, and evidently Liz wasn't, bargain the price down a bit. She is now the proud owner of a knock-off Burberry.

We started off late this morning waking up at about 9:30 (but we only got to bed at about 2 a.m. the night before) and headed out to Chinatown for Dim Sum. Ended up at this really authentic, non-touristy place called "The Golden Unicorn" and chowed down. Okay, so it was new to me so I didn't over do it, and ate with a fork. And Ginger Ale. There were pictures on the wall of the owners of the place with Michael Bloomberg and a letter from Rudy Guiliani (Mayors, current and former). Not sure if that speaks to much, but I think it at least says that the place has a clean record from the health department, so hey, good news.

It was hot, and we then did the purse shopping, a bit of Little Italy (about 20 paces), some Soho and Tribeca. Went to a Starbucks and had some kinda tea passionfruit thing that Liz ordered for me (it was yummy). We spent a long time trying to figure out what to do next, which is very ironic when you're sitting in New York City.

We ended up trying for a tour of the New York Stock Exchange, which, since it was about 3 and close to the end of the trading day might have been interesting. I say "might" because we were promptly, but courteously informed by one of the many security guards that there have been no tours since 9/11. Saw a bunch of guys in the financial district with machine guns, and even in Penn Station (though that was a bit of a blur due in large part to the activities described in my previous post).

Lots of security all over. And Liz tells me that while she was out for a smoke she heard that the President of Uganda just left our hotel. Actually, the woman from Atlanta she was talking to said "Utanda", so I'm making an assumption there, but I think it's a good guess. And really, things are good when you can afford to stay in a hotel that is good enough for the President of Uganda.

Another ad I noticed in a subway today (or maybe it was yesterday).... "Assaulting a police officer is a felony". It goes on to point out that it's also a felony to assault bus drivers and transit operators. Hmm, I would have thought that assaulting anyone was bad and that most of us were clear on that, but apparently you have to threaten people with more jail time (or whatever a felony conviction works out to, it's been awhile since I've watched Law and Order), in order for them not to assault a transit operator.

Off for now....

Nothing pretty about it...

Yes, there's nothing pretty about it, I puked on the New York City subway. I think it was a red line, maybe 2 or 3? To all my fellow passengers, and to Lizzy, I'm so sorry. Believe you me, I would have avoided it if I could. I think it was the heat that got to me. The station under the WTC feels like well over 40C and my body was revolting.

And yet, it feels like some sort of rite of passage. I survived. And now I'm back baby, and ready to go on a double decker bus tour.

Wednesday morning

While I wait for Liz to join me in the lobby...have I mentioned Vh1's "My Fair Brady"? Okay, so I like some reality shows, usually not the high end ones, usually just the sad, pathetic, train wreck ones. This is the latter. Adrienne (chickie from first round of America's Next Top Model)and Peter Brady (I know it's not his real name, but who remembers him as anything but Peter Brady anyway?) have hooked up. Well, actually they did that on yet another reality show, The Surreal Life. Anyway, on the last episode I saw, in fact the last three episodes I saw because of incessant repeats, Greg Brady brought Mrs. Brady, now a psychotherapist (how fitting!) to analyze his relationship with this 22 year old model. How about I give it a try too...a smoking, drinking, model from the mid west meets her golden ticket, a 47 year old famous for what he did 40 years ago, who has money and hasn't yet grown up.

Of course, they make beautiful reality television together. Apparently worthy enough to write home about?? Hehe.

and now for some random thoughts..

Last night I figured out how to work the panorama feature on my camera after we left Times Square.

Applebee's charges 17 per cent gratuity on all orders where you're seated after 6 p.m. ???

I sent some postcards this morning. You'll get them well after I get back.

The subways are falling apart....where is all that federal money people keep talking about that is available in the US for municipalities, but not in Canada?

People keep asking us for directions--?? Do I look like a New Yorker?

Get over it...it's just a pair of shoes already!

Okay, I'm trying this from the Mac in the lobby tonight, so we'll see. Just got back from a night out at the Gershwin Theatre and Wicked, which was, perhaps unsurprisingly, wicked. I was surprised by just how much I loved it. I mean, I knew what it was going to be about going in, and although I don't remember a lot of the details of the Wizard of Oz, I remember enough to know how the show was going to end. It was surprisingly funny and moving. The singing was spectacular and the effects were great. It's amazing how they were able to bring that sense of the lack of clarity between right/wrong and good/bad into musical theatre. Not that my experience is vast in this department, but I haven't really seen that before.

Some of my favourite (slightly paraphrased) quotes...

From Glinda (formerly Ga-linda) to Elphaba after Elphaba's sister has been killed by a falling house in a storm:
"Accident, regime change.....whatever" and, with regard to Elphaba's obsession with getting back the ruby slippers (actually silver):
"Get over it...it's just a pair of shoes already"

And from Nessa to her sister Elphaba after the wizard has labelled Elphaba wicked:
"I can't harbour a fuguitive, I'm an elected official!"

I don't think I'm giving it away to say that in the end both Glinda and Elphaba agreed that knowing each other has made each "better, for good". Great singing and acting by both actresses, one of which sounded so familiar she may have been in Rent last time around here. The woman who played Glinda has an excellent comedy sense. And of course, Rue McClanahan and Ben Vereen were terrific. The theatre was impressive too. We were closer to the ceiling than the stage, but it was clean and up to date, and looked much better put together than the Nederlander last year, but then again, that worked for Rent.

But for $105 CAD a ticket, I was kind of disappointed by the idiots next to us who arrived late, and the one woman further down who left and then had the gall to come back during the show, not waiting for the intermission. Be like the rest of us, pee ahead of time and plan appropriately to not be late. Pox on the three of you.

After the show we ate at Applebee's on the north end of Times Square and then took the subway back, which brings me to the part of the story where I start typing on this computer to post to my blog.

Me tired....tomorrow is Chinatown. Maybe I'll by a "Kate Spud" purse. Maybe some shoes....

When even one night in jail is too many

So, now that I have my sympatico password committed to memory again, or at least the one that seems to be working, I thought I'd be back in business, but I can't seem to get onto blogger on this computer. Argh. Therefore, another post with an earlier date that will have to appear when I get back...or at least not now.

We were in Harlem this morning doing some shopping and again, it was rather disappointing. Avenue, Ashley Stewart, Lane Bryant, Old Navy....and a CVS Pharmacy. Both the CVS
Pharmacy and Avenue were robbed while we were in line to pay for our purchases. I'm not sure if the cops are in Harlem most days, but today, with Dubya in town, it would seem like they are in mid-town Manhattan. How weird it must be for this to be such a regular occurence--streets to be shut down, diplomats parking illegally.

Oh wait, the guy on the other computer just left, I'm switching and hopefully will get this and the older post up...

Okay, I'm back. Just got up the post from the 12th and am back to this one.

If you're wondering about the title, it comes from an actual sign inside a subway car that I was in today. It was an ad for a law firm. Remember, this is the US after all.

To recap, this morning we ate on the run at Starbucks walking down to Grand Central to catch a train uptown to the shopping. We hit (and by hit I mean "shopped at" in case it's not clear that I am a law-abiding citizen, er, visitor) the usual places, then took the subway to a Bath and Body Works where I made a few more purchases. We had smoothies at some place around 22nd and 5th, which is where the Bath and Body Works is and then came back, picking up sandwiches at Grand Central Station. Now, we chill.

Next, if we can make it around the secret service, we'll be off to Wicked tonight, which is at the Gershwin Theatre, I think which is on 51st between Broadway and 6th?

Anyway, I'm off for now to find something to drink....10-4.

On Tuesday Morning...

Well, I couldn't post yesterday from the Mac in the lobby, but now that I'm on a regular PC things seems to be working. So now I try to get my planned post from sympatico mail and I can't retrieve it to actually post it. Trust me, it was cute. I'll try again later. The title was "Ninjas killed my parents, need money for King Fu lessons".

Right now Liz is upstairs getting ready and we are about to head up to Harlem to do some serious shopping. After my last post, which at some point will be underneath this one, we went out for her birthday dinner at something which I think was called "El Rancho Grande". Great food (sour cream and guacamole, my faves) but I paid for it later. Or maybe it was just a cumulative effect.

After that we headed up to Rockefeller Centre, and after wandering around and finally asking an off-duty security guard, we think we found the place where people skate and the tree is up over the Christmas season. The statue is impressive. Then we walked back to Times Square and ended up in the Virgin Megastore. I picked up a CD that looked cool for 7.99. Something called "Miss Independent" or something, with a collection of some pretty good music that I otherwise wouldn't be bothered to download, but am glad to have.

By the way, the flight yesterday was unremarkable. Unfortunately. it's become unremarkable to watch everyone try to get there bags which should be check-in but they have forced to be carry-on, shove these huge bags into the overhead compartments. As Liz and I were on different flights, I checked her bags on my flight and it ended up being the two of about 15 checked bags in total.

Okay, so I'm going to surf, do a little people watching here next to the concierge, and try to recover that last post. Hopefully I'll be able to get on later after Harlem. Tonight is "Wicked" on Broadway.

Hi Mom!

Mr. and Mrs. W: I'm very fond of you too! :)

Parents killed by Ninjas, need money for Kung fu lessons

Arrived in the Big Apple and 70 Park Avenue Hotel. Nice place. Iespecially liked that they have laptops for guests use in the lobby. What sucks is that I can't enable java and cookies which prevents mefrom posting this directly to my blog. What you are seeing is a cutand paste of an email I sent to myself on the actual date above.So NYC has an interesting juxtaposition of the concept of service. Onthe one hand, it's over the top, like the guy that offered me wine as Isat down to type at this laptop. on the other hand, it's thecompletely disinterested staff at most coffee shops and stores. Theycould care less. They need a trip to Disney. Maybe I just have higherstandards now. Today is Lizzy's birthday, and as such, she chose the Olive Garden inTimes Square for lunch. Nice choice. And good service, from Frank, Ibelieve his name was. CBS was promoing the new season of Survivor inTimes Square and Liz got autographs from Ethan, Rupert (Arrrrghhh!),Jenna and Boston Rob. I got some pictures, which may or may not getposted to Flickr when I get back.Not much luck in the shopping area today. We went to Lane Bryant on34th and neither of us bought anything. I didn't even try anything on. Made a purchase at Sephora and Avenue. The Bath and Body Works wewere headed for was closed for renovations. And we missed Lush yetagain (sorry Jaimie, I was going to get you a picture). You'd think itwould be more noticable, we missed it last year as well.It would seem that tomorrow is the democratic primary for localpolitics here in NYC, the result being a potential mayor. We'll see. Also, it sounds like there's something going on at the UN. That's whatour Greek cab driver told us on the drive in from Laguardia. Trafficwas a bitch. Turns out he lived in Toronto for three years in the1970s before moving here. It's a small world after all...By the way, the title refers to a sign froom a panhandler we saw today. I thought it was creative enough to deserve the title for today'spost.Until tomorrow.....or whenever.

9/11

Well it's September 11 again. It's sunny and unusually warm. I'm remembering September 11, 2001...I was at work. Libby told me that a plane had hit some building. I think we damaged the network by trying to log into CNN simultaneously, all 500 of us, or so. Later we gathered in the Chambers to watch the feed, off of the Shopping Channel of all things.

But things are better now, and I am off to the Big Apple tomorrow in the wee hours. Is it a sad thing when life goes on as usual, or is it a triumph? Or is it just inevitable because it must, somehow go on, because we have no other direction to move in?

Not Magic Moments, Tragic Moments! (place back of hand on forehead, tilt head back and sigh)

It's day 25 of the CBC lockout by Tod Maffin's count. For the first time I logged onto cbcunplugged.ca and found a wealth of information on the locked out employees. Looks to be about 30 blogs, at least, from some public, some anonymous figures on the side of those that are locked out. Hmmm. It's interesting when you screw with people who normally run the media... they know how to make things work to their advantage. While on the other side, listening to reruns of Disc Drive on the drive home just plain sucks. And I'm sorry Susan and that other guy who is hosting the morning show, but you just don't cut it.

Still, I hope to come home from NYC to find that this has all been resolved. But my backup plan is CIUT, which is turning out to be a pretty good alternative, even aside from the CBC Unlocked show.

But on to another tragic moment. I get approved for an RBC credit card. RBC sends me a letter to pick it up within ten days. I attempt to do so, only to be told (after spending 15 minutes finding a parking spot) "don't call us, we'll call you" when the card is in. Funny, the letter didn't mention anything about waiting for a phone call.

Here it is, 4 weeks after the original letter and, brace yourself, this is priceless, I get my first statement. And I still don't have the card. So tonight I phoned their lovely customer service number only to be told that they can't help me, I have to call the branch on Monday.

When I'm in NYC? I think not.

RBC, I am NOT impressed.

I hate change! But I sure changed the channel fast...

In addition to CIUT's 'new' morning show, locked-out CBC employees have now taken to the interweb at www.cbcunlocked.ca. Kudos to them. Interestingly enough, their site is way better than the CBC's own site, now presumably run by management. Hmm, I guess it is the people that make it happen then, eh? Not only is the CBC site not as in depth as it was before the employees were locked out, it's also not as aesthetically pleasing and now, for some inane reason, features a banner ad. Why on earth would someone choose now to implement this? While the CBC has been considered a bastion for the liberal-minded, those same people, are very set in their ways--as if to further confound the demographers, some would call this conservative? I can hear us all chanting now "back to the way it was!", "this is totally throwing off my morning routine!". Why can I hear this? Because I'm saying it, too.

So now I listen to Andy on CIUT in the morning and have changed my homepage to CBC unlocked. Now look at what you've done, dammit! Listen, it's bad enough that I have to give up Peter Mansbridge during the hockey playoffs (except for last year). Don't do this to me!

Another interesting fact: I see from CBC unlocked that our very own Toronto Star began as a publication by locked out employees of something they refer to as "The Afternoon News". Never heard of them.

So if I was the one who's bright idea it was to lock out Canadian Media Guild employees, right now, I'd be worried. Shake in those boots, baby. It may be the only thing keeping you warm this winter.

September?

It is a question.

It's Labour Day. The end of summer. It has been 7 autumns since this has meant anything to me, 7 and a half years since I graduated from university. And, by the way, I didn't even mind going to school, in fact I rather liked it. Wish I was going back this month actually.

But there's something about the summer, especially in the beginning, even in May when the sun starts to warm up and the rain has slowed down, that makes you feel like everything is possible. Even if you have no vacation to speak of, summer reminds you that there is life after work. I don't have a pool, or even own a bathing suit, but in a few weeks it will be a little too chilly to walk down Unionville Main with Nancy on Saturday nights. When the paper is too late for Dad to bring in before he leaves, it will soon be too cold for me to dash outside and grab it to read with breakfast. Soon it will be dark when I have to leave for work and night will come way too early.

And then it will be Christmas. And while I do enjoy finding those perfect things for my family and friends to put under the tree, I have to admit, I really don't like Christmas. But that's an explanation (if you need it) for another day.

So it's Labour Day and Andy Barrie is back on the air, except on CIUT and only from 6 to 8 a.m. because of the continuing lockout at the CBC.

The good news is that we leave for New York a week from today. I wonder how different it will be than last year, when the anti-W sentiment was ripe and on display in that 'blue state'. But then again, maybe not much since there still seems to be a lot to complain about.

I guess it's sad not because it's the end of summer, but rather because it's no longer the new beginning it once was...new classes, new books, new pens. Ah well, the feeling never lasted long anyway.

It just seems harder to make things feel 'new' and full of possibilities now, without the new classes. September is a question.

All my titles sounded too glib to put here

Here I am, home before the long weekend, drinking lemon tea and looking forward to NYC.

Someone fucked up big time in New Orleans. To quote the Mayor to the feds: "Get off your asses". I was reading this thing by Sanjay Gupta (I know, CNN again, but like a moth to a flame...) about a hospital in New Orleans with ventilator patients having air manually pumped by exhausted staff because of the lack of electricity. Of course that probably happens every minute somewhere in Africa, every day of the year. There are people without water, simple water, in the richest country in the world. I realize that the foundation of emergency planning is the individual, yes, but how are you supposed to stock up if you don't have enough for the day to day living already? As Rosie says in her blog, how do you evacuate when you have no car?

I suppose the lesson here is that if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. And we really should be better prepared. But having said that, it's a colossal failure when a country is trying to fix things overseas and can't fix things in their own backyard. Dubya has spent the last four years trying to convince people that fighting terrorists abroad makes it safer at home. Hard argument to make if you (used to) live in New Orleans. Thank god, for me and my family and friends, the glass is half full. With clean water. At least for now.

Gracious Southern Hostess, I will come...

So I may have been too flippant about New Orleans. Honestly though, the fact that CNN did get it right this one time does not help their overall credibility when it comes to hyping up news stories. Remember this is the station that brought you all OJ, all the time.

It's sad, not only because I would love to go to New Orleans and now I know that this plan will be a) put on hold for some time and b) seriously affected since I don't know what state all their historical buildings and sites are in. No, it's also sad because we sorta all knew it was coming and yet there are still people stuck in that superdome, waiting to be moved to the Astrodome now. It really speaks to proper emergency planning. One of Disney's strengths is the idea to plan for every eventuality. Okay, not possible all the time, but you have to wonder when that many people are stranded, without food, water, showers... They are in an area prone to hurricanes. We did know something was coming. Maybe they didn't want to believe CNN either? I went to the New Orleans website and it looks like it's being updated remotely and piecemeal by someone who does not normally do the website. No meetings until October at least. Interesting.

Here's a sample of what the City Official is posting to the website:

"Longtime CVB Vice President Nikki Nicholson, who retired 18 months ago to buy a bed and breakfast in Bay St. Louis Mississippi has barely survived. Nikki attempted to stay and ride out the storm in her b&b, but the storm destroyed her home around her and she and her dog survived clinging to a tree until rescued."

Now doesn't the fact that her dog is mentioned make you like her? I wonder what her dog's name is?

Anyway, I'm sorry if I was insensitive, not to CNN but to people from New Orleans. And all that I can give you in return is the promise that one day I will spend some tourist dollars in your fine city. One day.

Blah blah blah...whatever

Forced to flick the dial elsewhere during this insane CBC lockout, I was listening to some garbage on CRFB 1010 this afternoon. Well, not all garbage, because that far removed from news, anything sounds good. But when they start devoting time to call-ins, even when it's CBC, I change the channel.

Anyway, so the guy was rambling about the over the top coverage CNN is devoting to Hurricane Katrina: the city of New Orleans might have to move! It's North America's Tsunami! Hehe, insert stupid and sad "Katrina and the Waves" joke here. See I was thinking, too bad if they have to move because I was hoping to go there someday. But as Alex points out, this just may mean the trip will be cheaper. Assuming I can find the right point on the matrix between 'mess cleaned-up' and 'deep discount'. I have this funny feeling that if Katrina hit Cuba, if that was possible at all, it would most certainly not be called "North America's Tsunami". Even though this guy was slamming CNN (and rightfully so), he himself was a little too much into the anti-CNN hyperbole for me to continue listening. And besides, I had to change it when they started with the call-ins. I don't care what Joe from Mississauga's take on this is.

And yet, although I do not like radio that is so into feedback in that call-in sort of way, I am LOVING Dave Eggers' "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius". If you're not into self-conscious semi-autobiographical fiction that is such a mess it's totally beautiful...if you're not willing to go along for a 400 page ride on this one, don't bother. It's tragic, so tragic you think it can't possibly be true, but apparently it is. Or it might be. And I have to say there are parts that I identify with in a rather uncomfortable way. Like nothing I've ever read before. Wish I'd written it. Wish I could write like that. It actually starts with instructions on how to read the book and urges you to skip a large portion of the book. Maybe it's just me, you know how I love self-deprecating humour.

So, I need Andy Barrie back. Real bad. Please?

Sneezy and Grumpy

I don't think it's allergies, I think I have a cold. Hence the sneezy comment. I'm leaky today.

As for Grumpy, well that relates to my beloved CBC. Reading in Maclean's this week I see Mark Starowicz musing that the labour distruption (aka lockout) may go on until October or later. WHAT? Not that these fill in people who have taken over my morning radio aren't nice people, but they are most certainly not Andy Barrie or even a reasonably hand-drawn facsimile and while I like Coldplay I have the CD. I want news. I want local news. It was amusing to know the weather in Nunavut for the first couple of days, but it's only annoying now. And much as 680 has news, they have cheap news, not CBC news. You know, the kind where you spend a disproportionate amount of time debating the believability of Karla Homolka's ex-boss, who is clearly just another ex-con looking for a buck. What about the gun violence in Toronto? What about the effects of last week's storm? I feel so disconnected.

And I really don't care who's fault it is. Okay, so the fact that the employees were locked out does seem to lead to one conclusion, but I really don't think I have all the facts on this contracting out business so I'm not sure on which side I should stand.

I just want Andy Barrie back on my radio.

Yes, the pixie dust has worn off....

Goofy and Sleepy

A dream is a wish your heart makes, when you're fast asleep....and that's how I feel. Completely exhausted. I've spent away all my energy, but there are worse things to do in the magical world of Disney. I meant to do an audioblog, but I was having phone problems in the beginning, and, well, I was busy. It's hard to go from pixie dust back to reality, but here I am. *Sigh*

I have to say that there really is no place quite like it. The way the staff, ahem, cast members, anticipate anything you could possibly need or want was extraordinary. It allows you to relax, to feel safe. If only they could tone down that humidity a wee bit.... But what a success story, not just the company, but the man. Exceed expectations by paying attention to detail. So simple, not so easy. Interesting lesson both professionally and personally.

Waiting

I'm at the airport. Waiting. Who knew you don't pre-clear US customs in T3? Why do they want you here three hours early when you don't have to go through customs? Lots of questions....too tired...it's too early in the morning. L8r. zzzzzzzzzzz

Tell me your own Politik...Open up your Eyes

Okay, so I've been listening to a lot of Coldplay lately. I have "X and Y" but "A Rush of Blood to the Head" is in the car, so it's mostly been that one. Their lyrics are very interesting: "Give me time and give me space; give me real, don't give me fake". That's from "Politik", which is not my fave (that would be "Clocks") but it's the song I thought of while reading about Lance Armstrong's latest public statement on the CNN website. We should spend more on the war on cancer than on the wars is Iraq and Afghanistan. Why? Sheer utilitarianism when it comes to American lives.

Not a surprise coming from the one and only Lance (and you know how I feel about him, although it's Chris Martin that's up there with Anderson Cooper on the mwah! factor list). What was more interesting is his comments related to his possible run in the gubernatorial race in Texas. I guess since he isn't rah-rah for the gun-toting kind of war, there is a chance he might not be a Republican. But note the last line of the piece, where he says that he doesn't think illness is a political issue. What? Okay, so there's two ways to go at this. Firstly, modern health care requires us to determine levels of funding, and some things, regrettably, must receive more funding than others (though one would hope that the decision making was at least rational and fair). Anything that requires a determination of where public funding should go and in what amount is political. And just because the US has private health care does not mean it escapes this loop, since, as Lance points out, there is funding for research.

But secondly, and I truly feel this, politics has been given a bad name. Politics is an art of gaining and maintaining power or support for a particular issue of public concern. Lance is political. But so long as people associate politics with Kennedy philandering and drinking, Bush manipulation and, here in Canada, Liberal kickbacks, then politics will be in bed with corruption, when in reality, it's in bed with all of us. For the better.

Citizen Lise's Opinion, for today

Just wandering through Wikipedia today and I came across a reference to Trop V. Dulles in which the US Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision in 1958, ruled that the divestment of US citizenship constituted cruel and unusual punishment and was therefore unconstitutional.

Very interesting.

During all that discussion of WW2 war criminals seeking to live out a peaceful retirement in Canada (and after reading the book “Crimes of War” by Peter Hogg) I was arguing that we do just that. Removing the right to identify as a citizen of Canada seemed the only thing that was appropriate for a bunch of old, decrepit, feeble-minded men who gained citizenship under false pretenses (okay, I’m hoping that’s how they got in, but I don’t know for sure). What about those born here? Okay, I don’t have an easy answer. If there’s nowhere to deport someone to, then I guess it’s a problem we own.

I don’t believe in the death penalty. There may be people who deserve to die for what they have done, and maybe some were among this group of men who immigrated to Canada to live the easy life after participating in the genocides of WW2. My point is that it is not for me to make this, very final, decision.

However, I am a Canadian citizen, and I feel like I own at least a part of what that defines. I hope, in fact I know, to many in the world, Canadian citizenship means trust and kindness and fair-mindedness and, perhaps most importantly, respect. Which is why divestment of citizenship should never be for political or sociological views, no matter how distasteful, but it should be reserved for those who perpetrate a crime against humanity.

Interestingly enough, according to Wikipedia, the dissenting opinion noted: "Is constitutional dialectic so empty of reason that it can be seriously urged that loss of citizenship is a fate worse than death?"

The answer? Maybe not, but it’s the only thing we are able to do without perpetrating a crime ourselves.

Flying bullsh*t, duck!....duck, goose?

So the federal government is working on a no-fly list. Except they call it 'passenger assessment'. On the one hand, I know you're thinking that this is great. Get the bad people off my flight. Yes for that. On the other hand, think about Maher Arar. And that pot growing guy in BC who despite not being a criminal in Canada is having his extradition to the US supported by the RCMP. Who gets on this list? And don't think I feel more comforted by this proposal that the Minister of Transport has the final say as to whether someone goes on the list. Geez, they can't even stop guns from getting across the border and those are tangible things. How do they plan on executing a search of your intentions?

No-fly article in the Globe
Pothead extradition
My post about Maher Arar
Guns in T.O.

Hey, wait a minute, how's about we get the US to extradite one of their gun runners to Canada?

And I'm one of the good guys, in case you need me to be super explicit about things. I hope not to be selected by your system of random incompetence (God help us, I hope that's all it is).

Neat/Stuff

Caught a bit of "Neat" on the Life Network today. I've seen it before--it's where a woman name Helen comes into a person's home, very often a person who lives in squalor far worse than myself, which is both heartwarming and shocking all at the same time, and helps them organize there stuff and their lives. Helen and her clutter crew arrive and start the sort immediately, and then at some point, the clutteree breaks down and confesses that the reason they are cluttered is because a) some childhood trauma b) some recent trauma c) a lack of fullfillment in their life....it's never simply d) I'm a messy person.

And this brings us to the kicker of the show. You see Helen is not just a professional organizer, but also a life coach. I get what a life coach is, but not really how one becomes qualified to coach life and how they go about doing it. And yet, if you've ever met my grandfather you know why the two professions work well together. And if you've ever seen the show, you know that most of Helen's clutteree's either cry, get misty-eyed, or confess to having been close to some permutation of emotionality during the "Neat" process.

I have attempted to beat down my clutter, little by little, in recent months. I have given away so many items of clothing (to one charitable organization or another) that we now have a surplus of hangers enough to support the needs of Walmart Canada in my house. And yet I still have tons of stuff. And I still want to buy more stuff. And even if I lived in a mansion, I know there would still be too much. It is psychological.

But I try to remember that if I don't absolutely love it, someone else might. Or at least they might need it bad enough to love its function for them. Incidentally, after watching the show I did a clean out of the bathroom and threw out tons of product that was old and unused. I wonder what's in the back of Helen's closet. Because just as messy can be a disease, neat can become a psychosis. But really, I like the show. And she seems like a nice person.

GG, CBC, Davinci and my future spot in the Senate

So, does the feds new funding strategy for CBC involve choosing the Mother Corp's TV personalities as G-G? As Adrienne Clarkson leaves, it would appear that Michaelle Jean is the new host of the wine and crackers set. I don't mind, I like the Passionate Eye. But once again, I have been passed over. Okay so I'm not a francophone, but I have a name that could convince the disinterested that I am and I've heard that gossip about this appointment is a non-starter in Quebec anyway. Did Paul Martin not read my application?

Okay, so I'm not fluent in five languages. But I have good intentions. And by the time all these newly appointed senators are ready to retire, I'll be ready to step up to the plate. I mean, I like Davinci's Inquest, and apparently that can qualify a person.

And maybe after that I can be G-G.

The view from here; the view from there

Here's the view from the just inside the Rosteski's cabin on Steeprock Lake. Quite a site to see. And so calm and peaceful it makes you wonder why so many people live in cities. Okay, so I would find it hard to give up the shopping, but when you're in a place like this it somehow feels like you need less. Maybe a good book, some bug spray, a cold drink and a ball to play catch with the dog. *Sigh*

Now, picture yourself sitting in that chair. Nice, eh?

A breath of fresh air...

So if I decline to participate in the voluntary random security check at the Winnipeg airport, does it become a mandatory random security check? Don't worry, I'm not stupid enough to find out. At least they were nice about it. I assume that there chemical test of my baggage turned up what I expected--nothing beyond some traces of granola bars and a little dog drool--since I was allowed on the plane.

Between Alex and I, I figure we drove about 1200 km this past weekend. But it was all for good because Paul and Julie's wedding was the best. I managed to survive without internet access very well, mostly because I was either so busy or so exhausted to think about it. I have to say that Julie's family is the nicest group of people you could ever meet. They are so welcoming and are clearly such a caring group of people that I feel like I've known them forever. Frances, Julie's sister and wedding coordinator extraordinaire put together one wonderful event. As for the priest, well, if there were more like him I might actually be a practicing Catholic today. And Julie....well, when a person is that good to my grandparents, of course I'm gonna love her.

And Paul. I don't think I've ever seen him happier, more content, more at peace....ahhh, life is good, ya know?

I've got some pictures up in my flickr account. There's a link on the right side of the page. I'm going to try blogger's new posting feature to do some more here.

Special kudos go to the people at Enterprise Car Rental who kindly upgraded me to a Jeep (for free!) and stepped in for a quick fix when I needed it...quick. Also had a great time at the Swan River Super 8, a place where strangers wish you good morning and there's always an extra blanket.

Congrats Uncle Paul and Aunt Julie! 

What a weekend!

Without a doubt it was the best wedding I've ever been to! I only got around to one audioblog, but there's much more to say....tomorrow... I'm off to bed!

Audioblog from Swan River, Manitoba

Mirage in the Prairies: Timmy's, the Net, Water and Maybe a Password?

So tonight I'm off to Winnipeg with Alex, to be off to Swan River tomorrow, to be off to Birch River the next day for Paul and Julie's wedding (woohoo!). I'm only gone until Monday night, but I'm trying to figure out how I will survive, how I ever lived, without the internet and a Timmy's every 10 metres. Yes, it's a great and huge country we live in, but I've only ever really lived in the most lived parts and only occassionally visited the more spacious and off the trans-Canada places, mostly notably in 2000, when city girl here got some sort of heat stroke. No you can't just stop off to get a bottle of water at the corner store when there is no 'corner' for miles.

Having said that, the 2000 trip was a blast and I'm sure this will be too.

And I'm going to remember to keep some water in a cooler in the trunk this time.

I'm also going to try to audioblog, but at the moment I can't remember that password. It may come to me. We'll see.

Sundays, Blue Men and Yellow Jerseys

Ah, Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France and all is right with the world again. Okay, not really, but that's why we have sports and entertainment, to take us away from this tsunami-bombing-killing-poverty-death business. Yes, it's tragic, but I suspect even the people at CNN appreciate a little levity. And in the form of a 33 year old inspiration such as Lance (so long as he doesn't run for office), well, as I said, life is good.

Went to see the Blue Man Group last night. Quite honestly, it was the most bizarre theatre experience of my life. But then again, why not a little levity in the form of three mute guys painted blue eating marshmallows and dumping toilet paper all over you. I mean, if a couple hours of that leaves you offended or monstrously bothered, you have other problems buddy.

It's Sunday, and I have to work late tomorrow night and I have a marathon of a week to get ready for a marathon run to Birch River, Manitoba next weekend... But for now, it's still Sunday. And after all if Lance can do it all, than I can surely make this stage. I'm just going to take a nap in preparation for my run for the yellow jersey.