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.