Terra Incognita

The blog post where I sound like a conservative

2008-02-27T23:33:00.003-05:00

A lot of people, Liberals and non-Liberals, are bashing the budget for having essentially "nothing" in it. It seems a hobby today for Liberals to self-immolate over Dion's decision to support the budget. Of course when people say there is nothing in a budget they mean no new, big, suprising, expensive announcements. Because budgets, of course, still have everything from pretty much every past budget in them (except for green auto rebates and a certain foundation).

It seems we have become so used to prosperity and big announcement budgets (damn, I'm sounding like Andrew Coyne here) that we forget there was a time when governments had to decide what spending to cut in budgets. So it is very much not true that this budget had nothing. There is some important new spending in this budget. Hundreds of millions of dollars for students and the auto industry. That is not nothing. Tax-sheltered capital gains (I'm not saying that's a good thing). You might not like the budget, or what the government is spending money on, but it is not the government's job to surprise Canadians with new extravagant spending in every budget.

/end conservative rambling

Anonymity

2008-02-26T16:09:00.001-05:00

Waiting for Finance website to load is frustrating. Meanwhile, on the CBC site, further evidence why news sites should not have comment pages:

Reader Comment by J Simpson

What's done, is done. Nothing is going to change that, the families will have to deal with it without the taxpayers spending obscene amounts of money.

2nd Pickton trial may not go ahead, families told

Disgusting

Douchebag of the week

2008-02-12T12:13:00.000-05:00

Financed by the Bank of Ma and Pa

You really need to pick up the paper version of the Globe with the giant photos to realize what a douchebag this Kieran Thomas is. Boo f***ing hoo, a couple makes only $170 000. Without Mommy and Daddy "I would have had to wait until I was 30 or 35 before my first condo." On Thursday I am flying to Vancouver just to punch this guy in the junk.

Afghan vote

2008-02-08T10:14:00.001-05:00

I could be wrong, but this whole Van Loan Afghanistan thing does not seem smart to me. Are the Tories losing their strategic edge?

Albertans for Trudeau?

2007-12-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

So, browsing through the news this morning I noticed the following headline: Justin Trudeau to outline vision for Canada's future

My first instinct was "Who the hell cares about Justin Trudeau's vision for Canada's future?" But then scrolling down I got my answer with another headline: Tories pounce on Trudeau stance

Great, I thought, what stupid crap did Trudeau go on about that made the Tories so happy? Harper's buddy and unelected Senator Cabinet Minister Michael Fortier had this to say about Trudeau:

"It confirms what a lot of people know already, that these people are completely disconnected from reality."

Wow, Trudeau must have really screwed up this time. So what did Trudeau say that was so detached from reality?

...he said any conferral of special status on Quebec or recognition as a nation creates divisions between Canadians, and he wondered, as many have, just who exactly the Québécois nation includes.

"Does it include everyone who lives in Quebec? Is it those who are old-stock Québécois?..."

Wow, what kind of crazy person would say or think that? Wait, I know. Pretty much every Canadian I know, including a good chunk of Quebeckers. It's truly a bizarro day when Justin friggin' Trudeau seems more plugged into the beliefs of average Canadians, and average Albertans, than a Conservative cabinet minister. It seems that perhaps getting into cabinet without actually having to talk to Canadians can distort your views of the public.

Fortier said the nation recognition is widely supported, not only in Quebec, but across the country, and that any criticism of it ultimately serves the Conservative cause.

You think so? I certainly don't. Fortier doesn't actually have to worry about what Canadians support of course, being a Senator and all, but his first shot at trying seems not to have gone so well. I guess now we have the answer to the question "Who's more detached from reality than a Trudeau?"

inverse relationship

2007-11-30T15:25:00.000-05:00

We were having a discussion the other day in class about politics and the internet, and whether it is worth it to enter into political debates online. Does anyone ever change their mind based on what they read on the internet?

I have a personal theory about online political discussions. It seems that, for news sites, the level of debate is inversely proportional to the reputation of the site. I have found some very interesting and intriguing comments on a number of the political blogs I read, both liberal and conservative.

On the other hand, I just read this article on CTV, predicting that Canada will likely face a very cold winter. With trepidation I scrolled down to see the predictable "Cold winter! Global warming is a hoax! All Chretien's fault!" comments. Had this been the Globe and Mail, the comments would have basically been drooling lunacy, generally recommending tin foil hats. Why do the wackos go to the traditional mainstream media sites? Shouldn't they be hanging out on their 'special' sites? Isn't that what the internet is for?

Colbert would be proud

2007-11-21T09:21:00.000-05:00

Paul Wells writes about Conservapedia, which he is not making up.

You will find that all 9 of the top articles are about homosexuality, and the main entry on homosexuality has 81% of the traffic of the main page. Yikes.

Galago Rescue

2007-10-29T14:56:00.000-04:00

Ottawa photographer Suzanne Bird tells the shocking story of Spanish hunting Greyhounds - Galagos. Hundreds of thousands of these dogs are tortured in Spain every year and ten thousand are slaughtered in the most inhumane way possible. You can read about it here, but it's very disturbing.

You can visit the Galago Rescue Network here: www.galgorescue.org

Pop

2007-10-03T22:37:00.001-04:00

Googleplexed

2007-09-25T09:45:00.000-04:00

It's no big surprise that Google is the number one search engine, but it did surprise me that only 64% of American searches are through Google. 23% of Americans use Yahoo? I hope Canada's better than that...

Journalism

2007-09-07T11:01:00.000-04:00

Mulroney lashes out at Trudeau!
The Betrayal - Lucien Bouchard

Notes from my history class? No, newspaper headlines... from the last two days. Wow, I've heard of slow news days, but seriously. What's next? Charlottetown Accord in Trouble? Internet becomes popular?

Motebello and police provocateurs

2007-08-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

Ok, this is fucking crazy and I didn't believe it until I saw the video. There are three "anarchists" at the Montebello protests trying to stir up shit - holding rocks, advancing on the police line, etc. A union leader, Dave Coles, is trying to disarm the situation and get the guys to piss off. Some other protesters accuse the three men of being police "provocateurs" - trying to cause trouble to give the police an excuse to move in. After some scuffling Coles gets pissed off and tries uncovering the men's bandannas. The men are then absorbed into the police line and "arrested" and taken away. It seems pretty obvious to me that the men were in cahoots with the cops.

Ain't easy

2007-08-12T23:17:00.000-04:00

So, if you try to conserve energy by not using your air conditioner, but end up so sweaty you need extra showers, are you really any further ahead?

Blogberry - travelling

2007-08-06T15:21:00.000-04:00

Barb, Echo, Joanna, and I are on our way back to Ottawa. Things wikipedia has helped us find out:
*Covered bridges protect their wooden support structures enabling them to last longer
*"Brew" was indeed the younger dog on The Raccoons

Vacation

2007-07-26T10:52:00.001-04:00

For those not in the know, I am currently on vacation in Newfoundland. We left Ottawa on Friday - we being me, Barb, Echo, and Barb's friend Shannon - and stayed in a sketchy motel in St Antonine, Quebec. We had some car trouble along the way, but fortunately we just had to take a couple breaks to let it cool down (and I think we've now fixed the problem). We made it to North Sydney well in advance of our 1:30am ferry on Sunday morning. Then our ferry was delayed and we didn't depart until 4am. Fortunately we had bunks booked and slept the whole way. Echo stayed in the car and did not seem to mind it to much. She became quite close to Shannon on the trip and looks forward to snuggling with Joanna on the way back. We dropped Shannon off in Gander around 5:30 and arrived in Twillingate around 7 on Sunday.

We've had a great time so far. We were warned we'd have awful weather, but until today it has been great. Sunny and uncharacteristically warm. Twillingate is directly in the path of the icebergs that float down from the arctic, and there have been some beautiful ones so far. We've been out in boat a couple times, and yesterday we went and checkd out an iceberg and went fishing, as the recreational fishery opened. We caught a few (including Barb's first) and had some for supper last night.

My dad; Robbie, Kayla, and Elodie; and my Uncle Cyril, Auny Cathy, and cousin Candace are all home visiting as well, so it's been a bot of a family reunion. Elodie continues to be swarmed by family and strangers alike, but is handling it quite well. She has learned to say "Echo" before "Unle Toby." There has been a lot of visiting, but otherwise it's been pretty relaxing so far. Our cellphones don't work anywhere in Newfoundland (go Rogers!) and we don't have any regular internet access. Being off the grid is fabulous.

It's a bit rainy today, so I'm not sure what we'll do with ourselves, but I'm not too worried. I have finished the sixth Harry Potter book (behind most of the world) and have started number 7, so everyone shut up about it. Barb and I are currently alternating access on the one computer in the "internet cafe" here, so I should get going. More photos on facebook...

Eat a sammich, or get off our campus

2007-07-16T12:59:00.000-04:00

What would happen if a campus banned a student for having AIDS? For being an alcoholic? A University of Northern Colorado student has been banned from campus for being anorexic. Apparently that violates the school's code of "conduct." They have even posted the girl's photo on the internet in case she is spotted trying to learn.

Two Years

2007-07-06T14:15:00.000-04:00

From Robbie

Facebook killed the Blog-io Star

2007-06-04T19:34:00.000-04:00

Hi, how's it going? Whatcha been up to?...

Hockey has been nerve-wracking, but I have a good feeling about tonight. The "Sens Mile" on Saturday was impressive. Apparently people in Ottawa can have fun. I can't help but find it a pale imitation of the Red Mile, but it's certainly a better attempt than Edmonton (stabby stabby).

I will be off the grid for a while, as I go to Vancouver for CASA. How many freakin' conferences do we have anyway? Hopefully I will be able to breathe long enough to enjoy Vancouver. Get back on June 12th for a brief requiem before Calgary.

Turning shit into solid gold, or, the only time Toby will quote Matt Good in a blog title

2007-04-24T23:03:00.000-04:00

Even CEO Can't Figure Out How RadioShack Still In Business

FORT WORTH, TX—After a thorough review of the its operations, RadioShack CEO Julian Day could provide no real explanation for the analog-riddled company's staying power.

This Onion article addresses an issue that has often fascinated me. RadioShack has changed a bit here in Canada since become "the Source," but I always wondered why anyone would buy things at RadioShack. I mean I shopped there for cables and other miscellaneous geekery, but they also sold computers and TVs and other things you could get for way cheaper at department stores or Future Shop. Does the entire company stay afloat on people like me needing Y-adapters and RCA cables?

On a related topic, I still wonder how Music World stays afloat. Their entire business model seems predicated upon
setting up in Malls with HMV and then selling every single item for $2-$5 more.

Not Photoshopped

2007-04-23T13:31:00.000-04:00

This partially makes up for my post-Flames game mood. This picture is from a Sens-oilers game that Barb went to with a bunch of Oil fans. She is the one sitting down. In the Sens shirt. I think the sign says it all though.

Small Bells

2007-04-23T12:15:00.000-04:00

Is Paul Wells really allowed to bash the Globe's new layout? Has he looked at the Maclean's website, which is quite possibly the ugliest thing on the internet outside of Senator's personal pages?

Cats

2007-04-20T11:40:00.000-04:00

FPTP, PR & MMP

2007-04-18T13:40:00.000-04:00

In the upcoming Ontario election voters will have the unique opportunity (well, BC and PEI have done it, so not so unique) to vote in a referendum on a new electoral system. The Ontario Citizen's Assembly is recommending a Mixed Member Proportional system. Under MMP Ontarians would elect 90 riding MPPs the way they currently do. Then there would be 30 additional representatives from party lists to even out the legislature to match the popular vote.

I'll talk about it later, but what do others have to say? Well, The National Post says "You know, Hitler liked proportional representation..." and Andrew Coyne responds "WTF?"

Virginia

2007-04-17T00:03:00.000-04:00

Tragedies like today's never cease to bring out the douchebaggery in the media. CNN felt the need to have MASSACRE and SHOOTING SPREE splayed across the screen at the same time. Every station had 'experts' on talking about what 'might' have been the motive. 48 hours promises to have an "anatomy of a massacre" tomorrow - what futurists they are. The 24 hour news cycle is not an excuse for this kind of callous reporting, I mean many of the students' families don't know what's happened yet. CNN referred to one reporter's vigil outside the campus. Not exactly the sort of vigil these people need right now.

Captain Planet

2007-04-13T11:50:00.000-04:00

Wow

2007-04-11T12:10:00.000-04:00

BELINDA STRONACH TAKES ON NEW CHALLENGES

PRESS RELEASE (For Immediate Release)

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

AURORA, ONTARIO --- The Honourable Belinda Stronach, Member of Parliament for Newmarket and Aurora, today announced that she would assume the position of Executive Vice-Chair of Magna International Inc. effective immediately, and simultaneously, she will not stand for re-election as a Member of Parliament in the next federal election.

"I am always assessing the best role I can play in public life, and, after being encouraged by members of the corporate leadership at Magna to return, I have decided that the timing of my return to the business should not be delayed. My father is looking to the future, the company is facing important strategic decisions, and the Canadian and global auto sector and economy is in a period of great challenge," said Belinda Stronach. "So I am stepping aside from elected politics for the time being and will now take part in public life in a different way."

"There are other considerations behind my decision that are important to me. The heavy demands of public life on family time are real, and as a mother I want to spend some more time with my kids" added Stronach. "And I remain concerned with the issue of global security for the coming decades, and will continue to work towards ending extreme poverty and disease in Africa. I will be involved increasingly in this work through such initiatives as www.spreadthenet.org and through the creation of a personal foundation."

"It has been an honour and privilege to serve the people from my community of Newmarket and Aurora and I thank them again for having placed their trust in me.

I will continue to represent the interests of the constituents I serve until such time as a federal election is called. I also plan to continue to play an active role in the community," emphasized Stronach.

Belinda Stronach noted that she had informed The Honourable Stéphane Dion, Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Senator Marie-P.Poulin, President of the Liberal Party of Canada, of her decision earlier today. She affirmed her interest in continuing to play an active and constructive role in the growth of the Liberal Party in areas like the recruitment of women into politics, fundraising and the modernization of the Liberal Party, including one member, one vote.

-- 30 --

For further information, please contact Greg MacEachern at (613) 882 5533

University of Toronto to Sell-Off Tobacco Industry Holdings

2007-04-10T17:00:00.000-04:00

University of Toronto to Sell-Off Tobacco Industry Holdings

Decision also Prohibits Future Investments in Tobacco

TORONTO, April 9 /CNW/ - After more than a year of petitioning and deliberation, the University of Toronto will be the first institution of higher education in Canada to divest from the tobacco industry, paving the way for others to follow. For the members of E-BUTT (Education-Bringing Youth Tobacco Truths), a student group at U of T, the decision marks a positive end to a long journey.
"It is an amazing feeling to see all of our efforts over the past year come together and lead to the right decision," said Tyler Ward, University of Toronto student and president of E-BUTT. "U of T president David Naylor made the right decision by not only divesting, but also prohibiting future investments in the tobacco industry, whos products kill more than 50 per cent of long-term users and harm the health of countless others."
U of T joins Ivy League university Harvard, as well as Stanford and Johns Hopkins, becoming the 24th institution of higher education in North America to divest its tobacco holdings. According to Naylor, the fact that "there is no serious academic or social debate about tobacco's health effects," along with the position taken on this issue by sister institutions, partner institutions and countries around the world helped him decide to accept E-BUTT's proposal.
"Against that background, our continued investment in tobacco companies was arguably something of a proverbial elephant in the room," continued Naylor. "It was our students - led by E-BUTT - who decided their university, the University of Toronto, should take a leadership position on this issue."
UTAM (University of Toronto Asset Management) has been instructed by Naylor to begin the divestment process immediately. As of December 31, 2005, U of T held approximately $10.5-million of tobacco industry stock, with investments in Japan Tobacco ($4.6 million), Altria Group Inc. ($4.5-million) and Rothmans Inc. ($1.4-million).

For further information: Tyler Ward, (416) 912-7079,
ebutt.studentaffairs@utoronto.ca

sick

2007-04-06T12:50:00.000-04:00

I seem to come down with an awful cold every April. I thought I was going to avoid it this year, as Barb had one for a while and I didn't catch it, but on Tuesday the cold spontaneously arrived. My head has felt like it is going to explode. Fortunatel the sore throat seems to be gone now as the cold goes through its annual paces. I managed to drug myself up and go out for Caen's birthday last night which was an Honest Lawyer good time. Also, drunk Caen, who doesn't come out all that often (Sober Toby, Joanna, and Phil were there too, who are equally rare).

I wanted to go to Toronto this weekend to visit my Nan, but I believe I am too sick to travel, as I hate that drive at the best of times. Phil is in NY, Sarah is in Vegas, and James is in South America. Toby is jealous. To top it off, Ottawa has decided to drop below zero again.

What day is it?

2007-04-01T12:46:00.000-04:00

Enjoy. I was actually fooled for about 10 minutes last night by Google Paper...

Patio time

2007-03-31T22:53:00.000-04:00

One of the things I love most about Canada is that the second any significant signs of spring show up, people go into full summer mode. Today we took Echo to a pub patio for a drink. Sure we went at like 7pm, and it was like 7 degrees and I nearly froze, but goddamn it, I was drinking on a patio.

Thought:

2007-03-23T15:39:00.000-04:00

If I drove a poutine truck to Calgary, would I make enough along the way to cover my costs? Do they like poutine in northern Ontario?

Soundwave vs Dollansky

2007-03-22T16:51:00.000-04:00

Conservative what now?

2007-03-20T11:55:00.000-04:00

As someone who is both Western and Atlantic Canadian, I am glad to see that we finally have a federal government that is willing to make tough decisions and hand out bags of money to Quebec and Ontario. Bravo, Mr. Harper.

Drugs

2007-03-03T23:14:00.000-05:00

What if nobody believes in the law? Should police still be asked to enforce it?

Does drug prohibition actually do more harm than drug use? Does enforcing drug laws make hypocrites of us all?

Our primary characters, all current or former law enforcement officers, say that as much as 80% of all felony crime is caused by addiction.

"Legalize, regulate, and tax" is their mantra now: Our heroes believe putting control over every illicit in the hands of criminals is a very bad idea.

Find out what changed them from ordinary cops who enforced the laws as written, into conscientious objectors to the War on Drugs.

I normally avoid watching Global for anything other than Simpsons re-runs, but tonight I was flipping through and they were showing a documentary on their Global Currents program. Damage Done: The Drug War Odyssey makes one of the strongest cases I've ever seen for decriminalizing drugs. Whodathunkit from Global?

la la la la Oda

2007-03-01T10:23:00.000-05:00

From BoingBoing: The video is lame but the song is quite funny.

The video refers to reports the federal heritage minister took Canadian taxpayers for a ride at the Juno awards last year in Halifax, where she racked up almost $5,500 in limousine expenses in four days, according to information dug up by the Liberals.

Please be awesome, please be awesome...

2007-02-19T22:17:00.000-05:00

And in case you haven't seen them:
Trailer one
Trailer two

Nerd Alert, Part III: Before I was Autobot leader, I was an Autobot reader

2007-02-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

The Newspapers Association of America is launching a literacy campaign with OPTIMUS PRIME as the spokes...bot. So awesome.

Nerd Alert, Part II

2007-02-16T14:41:00.000-05:00

Some guy built a home theatre to look like the bridge from the original Star Trek's Enterprise (there is no part of that sentence that is not awesome).

Also, one of the original batmobiles is up for sale.

And, finally, there is a replica of KITT for sale on e-bay.

The above geekdom will cost you $15,000; $150,000; and $30,000 respectively.

Nerd Alert, Part I

2007-02-16T14:19:00.000-05:00

I have recently tried to get back into reading comics (this is the part where you anti-geeks can stop reading). It's a shameless ploy to promote Spider-Man 3, but Spider-Man is wearing his black costume from the 80s again. I love the black costume, like a punk rock Spider-Man. They have also revealed Spider-Man's identity to the public, which I think is stupid, but whatever.

What the juice?

2007-02-15T20:52:00.000-05:00

So, I'm watching TV and this commercial comes on (as is the style). This weirdo dude starts talking.

My friends, there is a movement in our country to destroy the people that fight for you...

(Soliders? Doctors? Professional Wrestlers?)

...trial lawyers.

What? I'm supposed to feel bad for who now?

The guy went on to describe how he "and John Edwards" have been standing up for Americans (on a similar note, Romeo Dallaire and I have been standing up for Canadians for quite some time). He goes so far as to refer to lawyers as "warriors." What do you call 100 warrriors at the bottom of an ocean?

Shameless rip-off

2007-02-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

More VD

2007-02-14T14:57:00.000-05:00

VD!

2007-02-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again. May I suggest The Cap'n's Unfortunate Valentine's Cards?

YouTube Troika

2007-02-12T12:26:00.000-05:00

More YouTube

2007-02-12T11:48:00.000-05:00

Robots, lite-brite animation, Rock, and techno-bashing. Hells yeah.

Submissive phone sex anyone?

2007-02-12T11:33:00.000-05:00

Caen just sent me this from Conan. At first it just seemed like a regular bit, but it's really funny.

GHD

2007-02-02T09:12:00.000-05:00

Thanks Willie.

There was no shadow on the ground
Which means that spring will come around.
Flowers will bloom and life will begin
The waters will warm then we can jump in.

Harper so fat...

2007-02-01T10:01:00.000-05:00

So last night I checked Bourque, as I do every once in a while. I don't know why, it's a piece of crap, but it being Ottawa, it's easy to see what the 'hot' stories are from the news sites. In big bold letters I see "DION STOOPS TO FAT JOKES," followed by at least two other headlines about the exact same issue. Oh no, I thought, did he let his semi-famous temper get the best of him? Release some scathing remark about the PM's paunch?

I follow the link to an angry Conservative blog entry. I don't know why Conservatives are always so angry (seriously, he has angry in the name of his blog). You're government now, chill a little. Anyway, the blog says it has evidence of Dion not "exhibiting leadership qualities" (Oh my, Mr. Janke, you've been reading your talking points)and being thin-skinned.

I follow the link to the video. Not content with letting the video speak for itself, the angry Conservative has bluescreened the first part of the video, making sure you are prepared for the incredulity you are about to see. In the video, speaking of Stornoway, Mr. Dion says he has upgraded the exerise room and "My successor, maybe Mr. Harper will have the, the opportunity to lose his overweight now because we have this exercise room."

Oh no he di-in't! No, what?, wait. That's not incredulous at all. My first thoughts upon watching the video were not that Dion was making fat jokes, but that he really needs to work on his casual English. Secondly, he says, "my successor, maybe Mr. Harper" so he wasn't even attacking Harper directly (maybe he thinks all Cons are pudgy?). Clearly he was trying to make a joke vis-a-vis Harper will be back in Stornoway soon. It did not work so well.

I wish Dion had made a fat joke. It would have been more funny. Instead we get a bad joke delivered in poor English. If Conservatives need to jump on something like this perhaps they need some new hobbies (might I suggest pogs?).

Something does clearly need to be done here, though. I cannot let this attempt at a joke stand. If Dion is going to be accused of making fat jokes, then let's help him write some good fat jokes. I will start, but please help me out.

Stephen Harper so fat, when he sit around the caucus table, he sit AROUND the caucus table.

Snow

2007-01-31T23:49:00.000-05:00

It was snowy this morning, so I snapped some shots on the way to work.

Sketch

2007-01-29T12:21:00.000-05:00

Our office, despite being walking distance from Parliament Hill and close to the yuppy Glebe is located on what is somehow the sketchiest corner in downtown Ottawa - Bank & Cooper. We often hear arguments and fights outside, and sirens are a regular part of life. Now this is Ottawa sketchiness I must note, no shootings or muggings. Generally shirtless men yelling at each other (less shirtlessness in winter).

This weekend Bank & Cooper decided to ramp it up a notch, as I discovered from the Ottawa Sun cover this morning:

You can read the article here, it's quite entertaining. The internet cafe on the cover is the view I have out my office window

Random Photos

2007-01-25T23:15:00.000-05:00

I had to go to Winnipeg last weekend to make a presentation, and this was the lovely view from my room at the airport Sheraton.

While Barb was in New York, Echo and I went for a hike in Gatineau Park.

This is Costco poutine. I didn't get a good perspective shot, and cannot emphasize just how huge this is.

'Tis better to have loved and lost...and found, and then lost again

2007-01-25T23:04:00.000-05:00

A couple years ago my good friend and former co-worker Tanya gave me a pair of gloves knitted by her grandmother. Hopefully I didn't earn any bad karma by wearing gloves knit by another newfie grandma, but they were nice and warm and have served me well through several Ottawa winters.

The other day one of my gloves went missing and I had no idea where I lost it. On Wednesday, through some miracle, Barb found the glove, sitting on the outside ledge of a store window on Sussex Dr. Quite a lucky turn of events. Then, this morning, after my shower, I came down to this:

Echo seems to have hit the dog version of the terrible twos, or she's just frustrated from not being able to play for two weeks post-surgery. She has been chewing things all around, such as the Xmas ornament and tennis ball combination that caused her yakking last night.

Guess what I put in "class"

2007-01-25T22:40:00.000-05:00

So, I was going to blog about how the dog puked 8 times last night, when I was informed my friends Mike Marin and Matt Cameron both have blogs now. Apparently no one has informed them that blogs are supposed to involve descriptions of drunken antics, questionable images, pictures of babies and puppies, swearing, and various things you would expect to see on a 12 year old's blog.

Seriously, is that a Socrates template on Mike's blog? Always outclassing me...

Optimus Primepod?

2007-01-23T01:03:00.000-05:00

Optimus Prime (Ultra Magnus?) and the iPod together... at last?

Baby Video!

2007-01-22T01:32:00.000-05:00

My Dad gave Elodie an alligator piano for Christmas. She's already more talented than me.

(Christmas) Baby Pics!

2007-01-22T00:44:00.000-05:00

These are a bit late (but who can compete with Jo?), here are some baby pics from Christmas:

This baby eats Cheerios like they're goin' out of style. Who needs teeth?

Elodie and Dad.

For a tiny baby, she does a lot of this.

Pop's foot.

I could make a bald joke here...

FAO Schwartz bear from rich Uncle Toby

Nashed

2007-01-21T22:06:00.000-05:00

Due to popular demand, the green is gone.

I never thought I'd post a Nike video, but I do this for two reasons:
(1) The song is awesome, and references Voltron. That's right, muthafuckin' Voltron.
(2) For Renee; this is the first time I've seen a bad-ass Steve Nash.

But yeah, still don't buy Nike.

Sad news

2007-01-15T13:10:00.000-05:00

This doesn't really go with the flow of the blog today, but it's important. This weekend I found out that a colleague of mine from university passed away unexpectedly. Michael Jensen was only 29 years old. I didn't know Michael very well, but I wish I had. He was incredibly smart and kind. He had cerebral palsy but that didn't stop him from being one of the best debaters of politics at the U of C. He was an academic and we shared some of the same interests in political science. Michael was a passionate, active Liberal, something that takes a good deal of guts in Calgary. If you went to U of C you have probably met Michael, or you would at least recognize him.

I had the opportunity to talk to Michael briefly at the Liberal Convention last month. I've never run into him without him being happy and saying hello to me. I know a lot of people that were much closer to Michael than I was, and they must be devastated right now. It's still hard to believe that someone I am so used to seeing at university and political functions will no longer be there. If you did know Michael I encourage you to pass your condolences along to his family.

Michael Jensen

Michael A. Jensen, beloved son of Dorothy Dawe and Ian Jensen, passed away suddenly at the Rockyview General Hospital on Friday, January 12, 2007 at the age of 29 years.

Michael was born in Red Deer, AB on September 21, 1977. Although Michael became afflicted with cerebral palsy as an infant, he was ever determined to meet life's challenges head on. Always an honour student, in 1995 Michael was named a member of the Calgary Herald's Class Act upon his graduation from Ernest Manning High School. Michael went on to study at the University of Calgary, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in 2000, and his Master of Arts in 2003. Michael's Masters Thesis, entitled "The Neoconservative Mind; the Legacy of Leo Strauss", was nominated for the Governor General's medal for academic excellence. At the time of his passing, Michael was completing his doctorate in Political Science at the University of Calgary. Michael was a talented writer and contributor to many publications, including the Calgary Herald, the University of Calgary Gauntlet Newspaper, FFWD Magazine, Ehgloo Magazine and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Passionately interested in politics, Michael worked on numerous election campaigns as a policy advisor and was a member of the executive of the Calgary Nosehill constituency of the Federal Liberal Party of Canada. Michael was an equally passionate sports fan, particularly of hockey, baseball and curling. Michael's eternal optimism is perhaps best reflected by his devotion to his beloved Chicago Cubs, who haven't won the World Series since 1908. Known for his winning smile, his sometimes off-the-wall sense of humour, his generous nature and his gentle soul, Michael will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Michael is survived by his loving parents, mother Dorothy Dawe (Barry Dommasch), father Ian (Joanne) Jensen; two sisters Natasha and Chelsea; his grandmother Rae Jensen and his aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents Kai Jensen, G.H. (Harold) and Jean Dawe.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, January 15, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 for a future scholarship in memory of Michael.

Funeral Services will be held at Woodcliff United Church (5010 Spruce Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Robert W. Mutlow Presider. Graveside Service to follow at Red Deer Cemetery in Red Deer, AB on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Michael Jensen a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.

Ikea? I hardly knew her.

2007-01-15T13:05:00.000-05:00

Went to Ikea yesterday and bought a good chunk of the furniture we've been living in desperate need of for quite some time. That cheap craigslist dining table ended up costing a lot of money. And how is it that when you're at Ikea they cast some sort of spell over you so you forget that $99 piece of furniture ends up taking like 4 hours of manual labour to put together? I still have 2 dressers and a chair to put together tonight. Hooray for Family Guy DVDs to pass the time.

The Japan video to end all Japan videos

2007-01-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

If you took all the creepy moments from my entire time living in Asia, and put them together, you could not come close to how much this video will mess with your mind. Japan, I fear it's too late for you.

Snowledge

2007-01-15T11:09:00.000-05:00

Wiktionary defines a blizzard as "a severe snowstorm, especially with strong winds and greatly reduced visibility." Don't know if today qualifies.

I tried to find a definition on the Environment Canada weather site, but could not. I did discover however, that they have a 1-900 weather line. I shit you not. Only in Canada.

Baby it's cold outside

2007-01-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

Sitting at the new kitchen high-table listening to Gin Blossoms on the radio. It's snowing outside, which I normally enjoy, but this morning it makes me not want to leave. This mild early-winter has softened me (It's going to be -26 by Wednesday :( That's real winter!). Oh well, on with the gaiters and out the door...

The Ottawa wind cometh

2007-01-11T12:03:00.000-05:00

I do not like the looks of this, though it's still not enough to freeze the canal.

iOMG

2007-01-10T00:15:00.000-05:00

Warning, geek news:

At MacWorld today Apple announced a new phone/ipod/computer thing that is amazingly sweet. It's all screen and no buttons. Too expensive for me, but looks like awesomeness.

F-i-x-e-d

2007-01-10T00:08:00.000-05:00

Just got back from a long walk with the dog - to Quebec and back! We have to take her to the vet tomorrow to get spayed. I know it's what you're supposed to do, but I can't help but feel guilty.

In other dog news, she has declared all-out war on her own tail, and any part of her body near it.

Barak Obama? Did we get him?

2007-01-08T20:47:00.000-05:00

I shit you not, this ran on CNN.

Puddle Jumper

2007-01-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

So, I tried to trick my dog into jumping into a giant puddle - yes, I do things like that. She showed me by jumping over it. Enjoy.

Khaaaaaaaaaaaan!

2007-01-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

Am I the first to use that title? Huh? Am I?

Anyway, Wajid Khan has apparently defected to the Conservatives. "Who?" you say? Volpe backer, that's all you have to know.

With the cut in the GST, Stephen could finally afford that new cabinet

2007-01-04T12:04:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on the new Cabinet:

I'm super stoked that Monte will be "our' new Minister. He's one of my favourite.

John Baird in Environment? Is the Conservatives only goal to piss off my friend Mike? Maybe John Baird will simply yell at global warming until it goes away.

Jason Kenney as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism. Write your own joke.

It's pretty sad that even Stephen Harper can resist increasing the size of Cabinet. Secretaries of state, yeah, those are necessary.

What do the Liberals think of the new cabinet? Nothing, according to their website.

NYE Stress

2006-12-31T16:59:00.000-05:00

New Year's Eve planning is not going well. We were originally going to go to Barrymore's but weren't able to get tickets. There are now a bunch of us who want a party, but nowhere to host one. Most of our friends have small apartments, and Southie won't do it (boo). I would host, but some of our friends have pansy immune systems and cannot handle dogs & or cats. Going for dinner at 8:30 (late for a Toby). Not sure what will pan out for the night.

Internet withdrawal

2006-12-27T14:24:00.001-05:00

For those of you wondering why I've been incommunicado for a while, it
is because I have been without internet. The free wireless wafting in
through my Dad's livingroom window has disappeared. I am now using
Darlene's oldschool iMac (yes, one of the translucent ones) with OS9
and a "lite" internet connection. It is painful.

Ignorance is bliss

2006-12-22T15:00:00.000-05:00

I have no idea what is going on in politics or the news!

I am the king of Dad's-neighbour-wireless-theft

2006-12-21T13:06:00.000-05:00

Had a rez reunion at the Ship last night. Was tonnes of fun, and lots of people showed up, even though Disco had a competing event(!) Sometimes being a downtowner I forget how much having to drive home sucks. Stupid fun-without-alcohol.

I oh pee

2006-12-20T02:53:00.000-05:00

I just watched the Colbert Report and he was cisiting a class at the Institute On Politics at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. What was disturbing for me was (no, not that they all looked 12) that I didn't see one student laugh. Surely Harvard students can't be completely without senses of humour. Even some U of T students can laugh at a joke.

What's in that box?

2006-12-17T22:14:00.000-05:00

Yes, JT made me laugh...

Honest Ed. White, rural, Ed

2006-12-16T12:20:00.000-05:00

Ed Stelmach has names his first cabinet.

New cabinet team will focus on listening to Albertans and meeting their priorities, says Premier Stelmach

I await Duncan's brief, but I think it's good that he reduced the cabinet size. I'm certainly no expert in Alberta politics but here are some other thoughts:

Rural white men!
I assume Duncan is happy. Hancock in Health (and House Leader) must be a good thing
Only two women? Really?
Lyle Oberg: Minister of Finance. Oy.
Ted Morton: Minister of Sustainable Resource Development?

Keith Brownsey has this to say:

"Cabinets are there to represent and this cabinet does little in that regard... I think Mr. Stelmach hasn't read the basic textbooks on how to put a cabinet together."

Ouch

Too Liberal?

2006-12-15T10:02:00.000-05:00

Paul Wells prints (types?) a letter from a reader who worries that Dion has gone too hyper-partisan and is not capitalizing enough on his strengths - like his integrity. Two thoughts:

First of all, as Wells points out, Dion's first job is to build up the Liberals internally, and that mean's the Ken Dryden kind of speeches where the Liberals are the only party to truly care about babies and be committed to the non-eating of said babies.

Secondly, and more worrying, is that Dion shares with Harper more than just being really smart. I think he finds it hard to believe that he is wrong or that possibly some other people might be right. He will not hesitate in telling you why you're wrong. That being said, he's not paranoid and mean-spirited like Harper is, so I think it's something he can work on.

Blogger Beta

2006-12-15T02:44:00.000-05:00

I actaully had like a 3 page post ready and either Blogger or firefox crashed on me. My money's on Blogger (which is supposed to save drafts). I hate you.

Last night

2006-12-14T23:57:00.000-05:00

Pictures from last night's Liberal Christmas Party

With Scott Brison

Dion gets swarmed

Weird

2006-12-14T14:28:00.000-05:00

Arrest warrant issued for Myriam Bédard

Conservatives at a whopping 12% in QC

2006-12-14T11:04:00.000-05:00

Why is it that, on the very existential questions that cut closest to the distinctive hearts of Quebecers, Quebec's homegrown pundit class is so consistently wildly wrong about the reactions of ordinary Quebecers?

My HTML skillz are not mad

2006-12-13T10:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome back mildly offensive holiday template!

You learn something new every day. Generally from Wikipedia.

2006-12-12T00:14:00.000-05:00

Christmas Day is not one of the twelve days of Christmas.

From Maggie

2006-12-11T01:23:00.000-05:00

grab the book closest to you.
open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence.
post the text of next 3 sentences, the name of the book, and the author on your blog.
tag three people.

"Oh...yes...yes," he said. "This terrible war. When will it end?"
-Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

I tag Duncan, Jo, Robbie, and anyone else who feels like playing.

MADD Charity

2006-12-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

MADD's `exorbitant costs' anger charity's volunteers

MADD rejects critics

Via Toronto Star

2006-12-09T13:11:00.000-05:00

I raise you one Power Glove video

Flippity Flop?

2006-12-07T00:02:00.000-05:00

This just in: Apparently Giuliano Zaccardelli is now claiming that he did not resign as RCMP Commissioner, but in fact he never held the job in the first place.

Denis Qui?

2006-12-06T22:43:00.000-05:00

Favourite headline of the day: Mmm, time for crow, Denis Coderre

James Kim found deceased

2006-12-06T22:33:00.000-05:00

James Kim found deceased

Remove rights? Feel free...

2006-12-06T21:33:00.000-05:00

Stéphane Dion is not forcing Liberals to vote against the Conservative motion to re-open the debate on same-sex marriage. The consensus from Liberals, and even pro-same-sex marriage Conservatives seems to be that an un-whipped vote will put this issue to rest . Umm, hasn't this issue already been put to rest like three times?

How can you be a member of a party with "liberal" in its name and support taking away Canadians' rights? Why is it that any vote on a spending measure is considered a confidence vote and can bring down the government but MPs can vote on a whim to remove Canadians' rights without any consequences?

A Fool and His Ring Tone Are Soon Pitied

2006-12-06T21:30:00.000-05:00

You wouldn't believe how often this happens with me and my SMB ringtone.

Fun at the E.R.

2006-12-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

How does 20 hours at the E.R, no food, 2 CT scans, and a spinal tap sound? It wasn't me, but spent the day with a friend at the hospital. All that to find out that everything was a-o.k. Wonder how many tests you need to actually be admitted to a hospital?

Missing

2006-12-05T20:21:00.000-05:00

I haven't been reading my gadget-nerd sites because I was busy being a politico-nerd. On November 30 CNET Editor James Kim and his family went missing:

As we understand it, last weekend James, his wife Kati (above right), and his very young girls Penelope (left) and Sabine (baby), drove from their home in the SF Bay Area to Seattle. They were expected back some time Sunday, but were last seen by a hotel clerk at 5:45 PM on Saturday in or between Gold Beach or Portland, Oregon. We sincerely do hope they are all safe, and our hearts go out to the Kim family.

James' wife and kids have been found. They were lost in the wilderness in southwest Oregon while taking a scenic route and stayed warm running their car periodically. James went looking for help and did not return to the car as planned. Searchers have found James' tracks which inexplicably lead into a ravine. They have found heat signatures and believe they are close.

Here is the latest: Searchers think they are nearing missing CNET editor

Crazy Japan

2006-12-04T15:12:00.000-05:00

Wii fun

Non-politics!

2006-12-04T14:04:00.000-05:00

One big happy family

2006-12-04T12:26:00.000-05:00

Hedy Fry in the front benches? That's taking this unity thing a little far.
Seating Chart (pdf)

Pictures

2006-12-04T02:00:00.000-05:00

Some pics from the convention:

Escape

2006-12-03T15:13:00.000-05:00

I think we might finally be getting out of Montreal. Are there people that don't get continually lost in this city? I haven't met them.
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The 'other' vote

2006-12-03T04:04:00.000-05:00

Stelmach? Wow!
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The end

2006-12-03T03:50:00.000-05:00

End of the night. There has been a fire alarm at our hotel. Fairmont guests apparently don't take the stairs.
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