Today is the start of the wonderful joy of another Dalton McGuinty term. I'm not overly happy about that. I didn't vote for him or his party. I would have thought everything we've endured as a result of the last eight years of Daddy Dalton would have woken people up, but oh well.
Then again, I looked at the map for the breakdown by riding. Northern Ontario, with the exception of two ridings, is NDP. he two ridings that voted different both were Liberal. Central and Southern Ontario were predominately Conservative, except for a couple pockets of Liberal and NDP. And here's the fun part.. Toronto... Pretty well all of the ridings in Toronto are Liberal. So that makes me wonder. It makes me wonder what makes the viewpoint on the same matters so different based on region? Then... I looked at the numbers for voter turnout..
49.2% Less than half of the eligible voters actually got up and exercised their Democratic Right to Bitch. Less than half of Ontarians bothered to make their voice heard. So already we know it's a minority since we have 50.8% of the people sitting on their asses doing nothing yesterday.
CBC has an article online right now asking why there was such a low turnout. Everything from inconvenience to "they don't hear us" to too many elections this year were brought out as excuses. One thing that they were encouraged about though was the advance polls were used more often than last election.
So what can be done to change voter apathy? The same CBC article talks about bringing in a law where people can complain to someone about the politicians lying... (What's a politician who doesn't lie? Unemployed!!) Another thing mentioned was changing the style to proportional representation. (Wasn't that brought up and voted down in a referendum already??) So what's my solution? Get rid of the Three Stooges we have now, each of them with about as much charisma as a bucket of sand, and replace them with people who can speak, who know what they're talking about and most of all... Will Listen to the people.. Drop the lying weasels we've had rotating for ages and get someone new in.
We have voter apathy simply because Canadian Politics is like a PBS pledge drive... The same exact thing, but in a different voice..
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
September 11th
Well, the views today may not be overly popular..
Today's the 10th anniversary of the planes flying into the World Trade Centre. An event likened to the bombing of Pearl Harbour in historical importance.. And how is this date marked??
A&E has non-stop documentaries on the collapse.. They even ran a play-by-play this morning. Sporting events today will have more flag-waving than usual, especially with the start of the NFL season. I'm surprised MLB hasn't tried to get the Yankees wrapped in the flag tonight. At the very least I won't be surprised if they're wearing the Fire/Police hats they wore the first few games back after the original event.
But here's the problem I have with the memorials and everything else. They're being used more for the purpose of flag-waving and patriotism than for actual remembrance. It's being used for monetary gain than for honouring the people who lose their lives and those who started picking up the pieces. (granted, a lot of the documentaries on A&E are honouring the people who were at the site. Police, Fire, Medics, etc..)
I'm just saying that the date should be honoured with a moment of silence rather than flag-waving and chanting. (sports) Then again, maybe it's the society we live in now.. I can't imagine Pearl Harbour being exploited the same way.
Today's the 10th anniversary of the planes flying into the World Trade Centre. An event likened to the bombing of Pearl Harbour in historical importance.. And how is this date marked??
A&E has non-stop documentaries on the collapse.. They even ran a play-by-play this morning. Sporting events today will have more flag-waving than usual, especially with the start of the NFL season. I'm surprised MLB hasn't tried to get the Yankees wrapped in the flag tonight. At the very least I won't be surprised if they're wearing the Fire/Police hats they wore the first few games back after the original event.
But here's the problem I have with the memorials and everything else. They're being used more for the purpose of flag-waving and patriotism than for actual remembrance. It's being used for monetary gain than for honouring the people who lose their lives and those who started picking up the pieces. (granted, a lot of the documentaries on A&E are honouring the people who were at the site. Police, Fire, Medics, etc..)
I'm just saying that the date should be honoured with a moment of silence rather than flag-waving and chanting. (sports) Then again, maybe it's the society we live in now.. I can't imagine Pearl Harbour being exploited the same way.
Friday, September 9, 2011
A couple random thoughts..
Well, it's been a while since I've written anything.. I've been busy.. But there's a couple things swirling around the ol' brain today..
1) The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is trying to petition the Ontario government to let convenience stores sell beer and other alcoholic beverages. They trot out the numbers for ID'ing for cigarettes as evidence c-stores do a better job at ID'ing than LCBO does. That may be the case.. However, I have a couple questions:
I seriously doubt those questions will be answered. Basically they will point to Quebec and the US where this is already in place and say everything will be fine. Yes, it's a potential revenue stream untapped in Ontario. I don't think a petition in the stores really covers the potential issues that can arise as a result..
The second thing.. Is kind of a funny one comparatively. Turn Signals on vehicles... Yes, you know, those things that flicker when you move the stick to let other people know you intend to turn? Or maybe you don't and just have wondered what that thing is there for on the car.. Fact is.. The turn signal is not optional equipment. It's there for a reason..
I know it'll be a surprise to some people, but we can't read your mind..It doesn't help when you have no clue where you want to go.. We are not mind readers.. When you stop in the middle of the road without indicating your intent to turn, you are potentially causing an accident. So please, when you're out driving, try that little stick.. You might be surprised and confused at the sound and the flashing on the dashboard, but it's a useful thing.. Just trust me on that. No... It's not just easier for us to learn telepathy and find out what you're thinking.. That could be very disturbing.. Just... Just use the turn signal.. Please??
So yeah there's the thoughts flying around the head today.. I will write more often now..
1) The Ontario Convenience Stores Association is trying to petition the Ontario government to let convenience stores sell beer and other alcoholic beverages. They trot out the numbers for ID'ing for cigarettes as evidence c-stores do a better job at ID'ing than LCBO does. That may be the case.. However, I have a couple questions:
- Where will you merchandise the liquor? Behind the counter, where you then have to build/install coolers, or with the other beverages?
- How will you ensure theft will not occur? More to the point, how can you ensure minors aren't going to rob you blind?
- How are you going to deal with the inevitable drunk coming in to buy alcohol, barely able to stand as is? Will there be a protocol for denying like in a bar, or are you going to look the other way and count the cash?
I seriously doubt those questions will be answered. Basically they will point to Quebec and the US where this is already in place and say everything will be fine. Yes, it's a potential revenue stream untapped in Ontario. I don't think a petition in the stores really covers the potential issues that can arise as a result..
The second thing.. Is kind of a funny one comparatively. Turn Signals on vehicles... Yes, you know, those things that flicker when you move the stick to let other people know you intend to turn? Or maybe you don't and just have wondered what that thing is there for on the car.. Fact is.. The turn signal is not optional equipment. It's there for a reason..
I know it'll be a surprise to some people, but we can't read your mind..
So yeah there's the thoughts flying around the head today.. I will write more often now..
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
“To help avoid assaults, women should avoid dressing like sluts``-Toronto Police Officer to York U Students January 24th.
It’s rather annoying this thought process still exists.
On Sunday, April 3, a group of women marched from Queen’s Park to Toronto Police Headquarters on College St in protest of a police officer putting his foot in his mouth.
The officer told a York University law class on January 24th that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.” So in response, a “Slut March” was organized by a couple of the students. The demonstration was peaceful and included victims of assault as well.
Of course, the main issue is the officer’s statement at York January 24th. I’m male. I admit I enjoy looking at the female form. And, I admit there are times where the thoughts are not necessarily pure. However, I would not act on any of those thoughts. And I would never use a woman’s clothing (or lack thereof) as an excuse. Really, it should not be an excuse for anyone. A woman dressed in barely there clothing is not “asking for it” nor does she “deserve” getting assaulted. A woman wearing a parka is just as likely to be assaulted as a woman dressed to walk the streets.
The next question is then.. Who’s at fault? If we’re not placing the blame on the female, who do we blame for the assault? Simple. We blame the scumbucket who decided to assault the female. I remember reading an article in Playboy magazine, maybe 10 years ago now, about why men assault women. The experts in the article basically say it’s done due to survival instinct, as part of the male wanting to pass genes on, etc. Ok.. But that excuse doesn’t work for me. We’re civilized people. We’ve been taught that kind of behaviour is unacceptable. I mean, if someone started flinging their excrement around at people what would we say? Would we pass it off as instinct, or would we consider that disgusting? Part of the problem may be how taboo we make sex. Now, I’m not saying we should allow people to do it wherever they want, but maybe being honest from the start may mean more respect for ourselves and others. But, I digress...
So what do we do? We send these predators to jail and they come out “rehabilitated.” We release them into the wild to possibly relapse. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, or really done much research on this, but I wonder just how many “rehabilitated” reoffend. For obvious reasons, the people in neighbourhoods where these people are being released to don’t want the person there. So again, what’s the answer? My answer may be a little extreme. You assault someone, you can kiss it goodbye. Literally.. After they chop it from your body..
So really there is only this left for me to say: Ladies, dress as you want. There will always be admirers. And if, God Forbid, you are the victim of an assault, just remember: You are NOT at fault.
On Sunday, April 3, a group of women marched from Queen’s Park to Toronto Police Headquarters on College St in protest of a police officer putting his foot in his mouth.
The officer told a York University law class on January 24th that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.” So in response, a “Slut March” was organized by a couple of the students. The demonstration was peaceful and included victims of assault as well.
Of course, the main issue is the officer’s statement at York January 24th. I’m male. I admit I enjoy looking at the female form. And, I admit there are times where the thoughts are not necessarily pure. However, I would not act on any of those thoughts. And I would never use a woman’s clothing (or lack thereof) as an excuse. Really, it should not be an excuse for anyone. A woman dressed in barely there clothing is not “asking for it” nor does she “deserve” getting assaulted. A woman wearing a parka is just as likely to be assaulted as a woman dressed to walk the streets.
The next question is then.. Who’s at fault? If we’re not placing the blame on the female, who do we blame for the assault? Simple. We blame the scumbucket who decided to assault the female. I remember reading an article in Playboy magazine, maybe 10 years ago now, about why men assault women. The experts in the article basically say it’s done due to survival instinct, as part of the male wanting to pass genes on, etc. Ok.. But that excuse doesn’t work for me. We’re civilized people. We’ve been taught that kind of behaviour is unacceptable. I mean, if someone started flinging their excrement around at people what would we say? Would we pass it off as instinct, or would we consider that disgusting? Part of the problem may be how taboo we make sex. Now, I’m not saying we should allow people to do it wherever they want, but maybe being honest from the start may mean more respect for ourselves and others. But, I digress...
So what do we do? We send these predators to jail and they come out “rehabilitated.” We release them into the wild to possibly relapse. I don’t have the numbers in front of me, or really done much research on this, but I wonder just how many “rehabilitated” reoffend. For obvious reasons, the people in neighbourhoods where these people are being released to don’t want the person there. So again, what’s the answer? My answer may be a little extreme. You assault someone, you can kiss it goodbye. Literally.. After they chop it from your body..
So really there is only this left for me to say: Ladies, dress as you want. There will always be admirers. And if, God Forbid, you are the victim of an assault, just remember: You are NOT at fault.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Yet another election...
Yes, friends, we’re going back to elect more of the same. No matter how you slice it, it’s what we get. So.. Let’s go over our options, as nauseating they may be..
Stephen Harper: Our current Prime Minister. Like everyone, he’s made some good decisions, and some not so good ones. Of course, I only remember the not so good ones, like spending $1 billion on the G20/G8. I mean, really.. If he wanted to show the leaders a lake, bring them up north. Many many lakes in North-western Ontario. And the anarchists wouldn’t follow for the simple fact that you can fly everyone to a lodge for the time and be done with it. No plane, no way.. But of course, they wouldn’t go for that.. The leaders want to be pampered. Anyway, enough about that.. This is about the election..
Stephen Harper, I’ve been saying for a while now, reminds me of a used car salesman. Greasy smile, you know he’s lying because his lips are moving, and he’ll say anything at all so long as it means a sale. Of course, he’s also shown as much personality as a plank of wood, but that’s beside the point. He at least tries.. And sometimes even comes off as genuine, unlike our next contestant..
Michael Ignatieff or as he’s named in the papers, Iggy. The leader of the Liberal Party. One paper I read has dubbed him The Visiting Professor. The problem with Ignatieff is simple: He has a negative personality. I don’t mean he’s always bringing the room down or anything. I mean when he enters the room he sucks the personality out of the room. A Charisma Black Hole, if you will. He reminds me of someone who ran for president south of the border. Of course, he was unsuccessful. You may remember him.. John Kerry? Yeah... The odd thing is... They even kind of look similar..Michael Ignatieff here: http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=128315. John Kerry here: http://www.nndb.com/people/512/000024440/. You kind of wonder..
The third non-option is Jack Layton. He’s the leader of the NDP. I should say that for the most part, I’ve voted NDP in elections, as did my dad. For the most part, they were the only ones to “get” living in north-western Ontario. Unfortunately, Jack Layton is really taking the rabid Chihuahua approach: a lot of yipping and yapping, but no bite. And if he does bite, it’s just on the toe.
And one special case has to be mentioned as well. He’s only available in Quebec but insists on polluting our screens in the rest of Canada: Gilles Duceppe. He’s leader of the Bloc Quebecois. The federal separatist party that whines about unequal treatment while having many more special privileges for his province than anyone else has, all because they feel they should have their own country. Of course, the last time they tried to separate, they lost..Barely.. By percentage points, really. Part of the reason, I think, they haven’t tried again is the fact the natives have basically told the Quebec government “You leave, we leave and take our land with us.” I would take it further as a Canadian citizen by saying this: “You leave, we’re not helping you.” But that’s a separate issue. The fact is, this guy will never be Prime Minister since he only is in Quebec. He’s more of a pain in the rear than anything.
So there you have it. Our options, or non-options in this case, for Prime Minister. Of course, we don’t vote for these morons directly, but through the number of seats we give their party.
Since this is the 4th vote in 7 years, now more than ever we need a “None of the Above” option.
Stephen Harper: Our current Prime Minister. Like everyone, he’s made some good decisions, and some not so good ones. Of course, I only remember the not so good ones, like spending $1 billion on the G20/G8. I mean, really.. If he wanted to show the leaders a lake, bring them up north. Many many lakes in North-western Ontario. And the anarchists wouldn’t follow for the simple fact that you can fly everyone to a lodge for the time and be done with it. No plane, no way.. But of course, they wouldn’t go for that.. The leaders want to be pampered. Anyway, enough about that.. This is about the election..
Stephen Harper, I’ve been saying for a while now, reminds me of a used car salesman. Greasy smile, you know he’s lying because his lips are moving, and he’ll say anything at all so long as it means a sale. Of course, he’s also shown as much personality as a plank of wood, but that’s beside the point. He at least tries.. And sometimes even comes off as genuine, unlike our next contestant..
Michael Ignatieff or as he’s named in the papers, Iggy. The leader of the Liberal Party. One paper I read has dubbed him The Visiting Professor. The problem with Ignatieff is simple: He has a negative personality. I don’t mean he’s always bringing the room down or anything. I mean when he enters the room he sucks the personality out of the room. A Charisma Black Hole, if you will. He reminds me of someone who ran for president south of the border. Of course, he was unsuccessful. You may remember him.. John Kerry? Yeah... The odd thing is... They even kind of look similar..Michael Ignatieff here: http://webinfo.parl.gc.ca/MembersOfParliament/ProfileMP.aspx?Key=128315. John Kerry here: http://www.nndb.com/people/512/000024440/. You kind of wonder..
The third non-option is Jack Layton. He’s the leader of the NDP. I should say that for the most part, I’ve voted NDP in elections, as did my dad. For the most part, they were the only ones to “get” living in north-western Ontario. Unfortunately, Jack Layton is really taking the rabid Chihuahua approach: a lot of yipping and yapping, but no bite. And if he does bite, it’s just on the toe.
And one special case has to be mentioned as well. He’s only available in Quebec but insists on polluting our screens in the rest of Canada: Gilles Duceppe. He’s leader of the Bloc Quebecois. The federal separatist party that whines about unequal treatment while having many more special privileges for his province than anyone else has, all because they feel they should have their own country. Of course, the last time they tried to separate, they lost..Barely.. By percentage points, really. Part of the reason, I think, they haven’t tried again is the fact the natives have basically told the Quebec government “You leave, we leave and take our land with us.” I would take it further as a Canadian citizen by saying this: “You leave, we’re not helping you.” But that’s a separate issue. The fact is, this guy will never be Prime Minister since he only is in Quebec. He’s more of a pain in the rear than anything.
So there you have it. Our options, or non-options in this case, for Prime Minister. Of course, we don’t vote for these morons directly, but through the number of seats we give their party.
Since this is the 4th vote in 7 years, now more than ever we need a “None of the Above” option.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wow..
I need to add a little preface to this:
It’s taken me a little bit to sit down and type this one out. The driver has since returned to work.
I know there’s a law against talking on your cell phone while driving, but there is too much wrong with the recent firing of a TTC streetcar driver for using his cell phone when the internal communications unit wouldn’t work.
The driver was initially let go for using his cell phone to call the department calling him to find out what they wanted to tell him. Basically, the unit they use allows for the drivers to be notified of emergencies or other issues. So, thinking there might be a problem, and being left with a non-functioning communications unit, he stopped the streetcar, put on the four-way flashers and called using his cell phone. He found himself jobless because TTC protocol is to stop, get out of the car, and find a landline.
My question is simply this: Why?? Why would you want the operator to leave a car full of passengers to try and find a landline to use? Depending on the area it could mean either bothering someone behind a counter to use the phone (and a lot of places won’t unless it’s to call 911) or knocking on someone’s door. The other option you ask? Finding a payphone where they don’t exist. Needle, meet haystack. Really, would it not be safer for all involved for the driver to do what he did? Or, should he have ignored the calls and gone on, possibly putting many lives in danger? It’s not like he was careening down the tracks at 50 km/h while talking on the phone to his wife on his cell.
The other thing that leaves a bad taste about the whole thing is the reaction by the leader of the Amalgamated Transit Union 113, Bob Kinnear. Mr Kinnear has his panties in a bunch already because Rob Ford is talking about making the TTC an essential service, thereby removing the right to strike. Well, now he’s throwing a hissy fit, saying this firing was done simply to demoralize unionized workers.
Tell me, does that compute with ANYONE other than Bob Kinnear? Anyone?? *crickets* Thought so..
The firing of Mohammed Aden (the driver) is not part of this “witch hunt” as Kinnear calls it. Just because you don’t agree with Rob Ford doesn’t automatically make everything about you, Bobby..
Yes, the firing was wrongful. (I am happy they reinstated him) Mr Aden should (and does) have his job back. He did everything in his power to ensure the people on his streetcar were safe. What Bobby SHOULD be doing is working with the TTC policymakers to update this obviously outdated policy. Not to mention getting the TTC to update their communication systems.
Now, I’m not a fan of unions. Too often I’m sickened by the whining and posturing that comes at contract time, especially when told the cupboard’s bare. But what Bob Kinnear needs to do is try to ensure someone else doesn’t get fired for this reason, rather than twisting the facts.
It’s taken me a little bit to sit down and type this one out. The driver has since returned to work.
I know there’s a law against talking on your cell phone while driving, but there is too much wrong with the recent firing of a TTC streetcar driver for using his cell phone when the internal communications unit wouldn’t work.
The driver was initially let go for using his cell phone to call the department calling him to find out what they wanted to tell him. Basically, the unit they use allows for the drivers to be notified of emergencies or other issues. So, thinking there might be a problem, and being left with a non-functioning communications unit, he stopped the streetcar, put on the four-way flashers and called using his cell phone. He found himself jobless because TTC protocol is to stop, get out of the car, and find a landline.
My question is simply this: Why?? Why would you want the operator to leave a car full of passengers to try and find a landline to use? Depending on the area it could mean either bothering someone behind a counter to use the phone (and a lot of places won’t unless it’s to call 911) or knocking on someone’s door. The other option you ask? Finding a payphone where they don’t exist. Needle, meet haystack. Really, would it not be safer for all involved for the driver to do what he did? Or, should he have ignored the calls and gone on, possibly putting many lives in danger? It’s not like he was careening down the tracks at 50 km/h while talking on the phone to his wife on his cell.
The other thing that leaves a bad taste about the whole thing is the reaction by the leader of the Amalgamated Transit Union 113, Bob Kinnear. Mr Kinnear has his panties in a bunch already because Rob Ford is talking about making the TTC an essential service, thereby removing the right to strike. Well, now he’s throwing a hissy fit, saying this firing was done simply to demoralize unionized workers.
Tell me, does that compute with ANYONE other than Bob Kinnear? Anyone?? *crickets* Thought so..
The firing of Mohammed Aden (the driver) is not part of this “witch hunt” as Kinnear calls it. Just because you don’t agree with Rob Ford doesn’t automatically make everything about you, Bobby..
Yes, the firing was wrongful. (I am happy they reinstated him) Mr Aden should (and does) have his job back. He did everything in his power to ensure the people on his streetcar were safe. What Bobby SHOULD be doing is working with the TTC policymakers to update this obviously outdated policy. Not to mention getting the TTC to update their communication systems.
Now, I’m not a fan of unions. Too often I’m sickened by the whining and posturing that comes at contract time, especially when told the cupboard’s bare. But what Bob Kinnear needs to do is try to ensure someone else doesn’t get fired for this reason, rather than twisting the facts.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Release the Chihuahuas!!
Jeez..
An election hasn’t even been dreamt of yet and already the attack ads start. The federal Conservative party have had their attack Chihuahuas dream up a couple ads attacking Michael Ignattief, the leader of the Liberal party.
The attack Chihuahuas come up with any reason to attack, sometimes even taking the footage they use to attack out of context. Of course, the major message they send out is that Ignattief didn’t come back to Canada for the average Canadian. The question is, of course, if he didn’t come back to serve the Canadian people, why is he in politics? It can’t be the stress-free environment. Can’t be for fame.. Quick, name 6 Prime Ministers.
See what I mean?
The other thing is this: As a voter and a taxpaying citizen of this wonderful land of snow and rock called Canada I tend to not vote for the party that attacks. Attack ads, to me, mean one of two things:
1. The party flinging has no real ideas to help the country
2. They figure by flinging, people will not be reminded of the party’s shortcomings
Heads up to the political parties and their roving bands of attack Chihuahuas on both sides of the border:
• Attack ads are cheap, often below-the-belt jabs at your opponent that have no merit
• Attack ads are employed mainly when the attacker has no ideas that match the person they’re attacking
So really, instead of spending the money on attack ads, think of an articulate answer to the other party’s ideas. Possibly even... Oh, I don’t know... Respond to the issue at hand??
So, Mr Harper, instead of attacking Mr Ignattief, how about coming up with ideas that help the country? Or, how about stating your views on the issues that affect the average Canadian? Or even better yet, stay off my screen, off my TV, and out of my newspaper!
Oh, and one more thing.. You want to send out your attack Chihuahuas? Send ‘em out on your dime. No using my money to pay for them.. Also, don’t forget to scoop afterwards.. Nobody likes stepping in it..
An election hasn’t even been dreamt of yet and already the attack ads start. The federal Conservative party have had their attack Chihuahuas dream up a couple ads attacking Michael Ignattief, the leader of the Liberal party.
The attack Chihuahuas come up with any reason to attack, sometimes even taking the footage they use to attack out of context. Of course, the major message they send out is that Ignattief didn’t come back to Canada for the average Canadian. The question is, of course, if he didn’t come back to serve the Canadian people, why is he in politics? It can’t be the stress-free environment. Can’t be for fame.. Quick, name 6 Prime Ministers.
See what I mean?
The other thing is this: As a voter and a taxpaying citizen of this wonderful land of snow and rock called Canada I tend to not vote for the party that attacks. Attack ads, to me, mean one of two things:
1. The party flinging has no real ideas to help the country
2. They figure by flinging, people will not be reminded of the party’s shortcomings
Heads up to the political parties and their roving bands of attack Chihuahuas on both sides of the border:
• Attack ads are cheap, often below-the-belt jabs at your opponent that have no merit
• Attack ads are employed mainly when the attacker has no ideas that match the person they’re attacking
So really, instead of spending the money on attack ads, think of an articulate answer to the other party’s ideas. Possibly even... Oh, I don’t know... Respond to the issue at hand??
So, Mr Harper, instead of attacking Mr Ignattief, how about coming up with ideas that help the country? Or, how about stating your views on the issues that affect the average Canadian? Or even better yet, stay off my screen, off my TV, and out of my newspaper!
Oh, and one more thing.. You want to send out your attack Chihuahuas? Send ‘em out on your dime. No using my money to pay for them.. Also, don’t forget to scoop afterwards.. Nobody likes stepping in it..
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
It's the end of the world as we Snow it, and I feel fine..
Ah yes, winter. Cold temperatures, snow and ice. It wouldn’t be Canada without it. Storms: weather events usually containing bad weather, sometimes with damage. Either word on their own doesn`t cause much alarm. Put them together, however, and it`s almost Armageddon. The morning hours of February 2, 2011 and we`re in day two of a winter storm warning that`s supposed to dump a boatload of snow on us. It’s funny. People get in a panic about what COULD happen. Not what is GOING to happen. But what COULD. I mean, we could get the major snowfall they’re calling for, or we could get a light dusting. They called for 5cm on February 1 and we got a few flakes. They’re calling for 15-30 today. We’ll see..
By the way, the phrase winter storm bothers me. Seems winter’s the only season we attach to storm. We don’t say summer storm for thunderstorms. Why not just call winter storms what they are: Blizzards.
My mother-in-law called today to make sure we had bread, milk, candles and all this other stuff. Yes, I know southern Ontario got hit by a major storm earlier this season where people got stranded for days on end. The problem with that storm and this one is this: The storms in southern Ontario lasted for a week, and basically followed another major storm. Their major storm came in waves. If it was rain, it would be a flood. Almost like a snowy hurricane.
The funny thing is the people online have been trying to outdo each other with giving this storm a witty name. Everything from Snowsama Bin Laden to Snowzilla has been thrown around the Twitterverse. (I can’t believe I just wrote that.. shudder) So people are already able to make funnies about it. Let’s see the storm actually come and see what it does first. (I kind of like the Bin Laden one just for the fact that for the most part it’s all talk.)
I know the weather forecasters have a thankless job where no matter what they say people complain about them. I wouldn’t want to do that. Honestly, I’d rather go back on the phones at the call centre than be a weather forecaster, but people have to remember: Just because they’re calling for it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. It’s only going to happen when it’s actually happening. (That sounds kind of Yogi Berra-ish, eh?)
So I guess really all this amounts to is this: either we’re going to be hit by Snowzilla, or it’s going to be Much Ado about Snow-thing.
By the way, the phrase winter storm bothers me. Seems winter’s the only season we attach to storm. We don’t say summer storm for thunderstorms. Why not just call winter storms what they are: Blizzards.
My mother-in-law called today to make sure we had bread, milk, candles and all this other stuff. Yes, I know southern Ontario got hit by a major storm earlier this season where people got stranded for days on end. The problem with that storm and this one is this: The storms in southern Ontario lasted for a week, and basically followed another major storm. Their major storm came in waves. If it was rain, it would be a flood. Almost like a snowy hurricane.
The funny thing is the people online have been trying to outdo each other with giving this storm a witty name. Everything from Snowsama Bin Laden to Snowzilla has been thrown around the Twitterverse. (I can’t believe I just wrote that.. shudder) So people are already able to make funnies about it. Let’s see the storm actually come and see what it does first. (I kind of like the Bin Laden one just for the fact that for the most part it’s all talk.)
I know the weather forecasters have a thankless job where no matter what they say people complain about them. I wouldn’t want to do that. Honestly, I’d rather go back on the phones at the call centre than be a weather forecaster, but people have to remember: Just because they’re calling for it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. It’s only going to happen when it’s actually happening. (That sounds kind of Yogi Berra-ish, eh?)
So I guess really all this amounts to is this: either we’re going to be hit by Snowzilla, or it’s going to be Much Ado about Snow-thing.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
January
So this is the new year.. January 1, 2011. Seems a lot like 2010 so far. But it is only one day.
Every year people make resolutions for the new year. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and exercising are fairly popular ones. Others don't bother making them since they never follow through.
I don't make them for that reason. That, and I tend to not like setting myself up for failure. New Year's resolutions are usually done in good faith, but the execution rarely follows.
So really my wish is to make it another year around the sun.. Have some changes, have some things stay the same. Just enjoy what happens and hope things are good for my friends and family..
So, enjoy the day.
Every year people make resolutions for the new year. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and exercising are fairly popular ones. Others don't bother making them since they never follow through.
I don't make them for that reason. That, and I tend to not like setting myself up for failure. New Year's resolutions are usually done in good faith, but the execution rarely follows.
So really my wish is to make it another year around the sun.. Have some changes, have some things stay the same. Just enjoy what happens and hope things are good for my friends and family..
So, enjoy the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)