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.

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.

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..

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.

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.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Year End..

Wow.. Final week of 2010 already.. Just seems like 52 weeks ago we went through all this.. Oh wait...




Yeah, final week of 2010. What this will not be is a retrospective. You can go pretty well anywhere to do that, and besides, I hate those things.

No, actually this is something that will actually verbalize something that I’ve always felt around this time of year. Every year for probably the last 20 or so, I’ve gotten depressed in December. I don’t know what causes it. I don’t know why it happens, but it does. The depression always seems to get worse between Christmas and New Year’s. I think it’s mostly due to the fact another year’s ending. More stuff in the history books, etc. I mean, good year, bad year, best year ever, it all ends. Another year starts and it’s a new start but not really.

The last few years I haven’t even stayed up to midnight to see the year change over. I think I was in bed at 11 last year. I don’t party so that doesn’t keep me up. I don’t know. I may be in bed early again this year. I may not be. I may just avoid the New Year’s Eve specials, since they’ve all seemed to go downhill over the last 5-10 years. Or, I may just watch the one from Niagara Falls.. And that’s only to see the Barenaked Ladies perform. (By the way, they really need to come back to Oshawa.. Or Peterborough)

So really, other than celebrating the fact that the earth hasn’t imploded, exploded, melted down, drowned, or just destroyed for an interstellar bypass, what are we celebrating on December 31? Are we celebrating the fact that we’ve had a good year, filled with memories and friends? Or are we celebrating the fact that it’s another holiday where the main idea is to drink yourself stupid? To many people, it seems that the second ties in with the first. Celebrating the year with friends and family WHILE drinking yourself stupid.

To me, the end of the year reminds me both of what’s gone on and what’s passed by. It may not always be pretty, or really even memorable, but it’s the past. And really, that’s where the depression comes from: knowing that another year has gone down the crapper and nothing’s really happened.

Who knows.. Maybe I just need to look at things in a different perspective. At the same time, maybe this is just me.. Or, maybe more people go through the same thing, but never really thought about it, or put it to words. In any event, whatever your feelings, and plans.. Have a good one this December 31. Don’t drink yourselves too stupid. And in 365 I’ll probably write something similar..

Thursday, December 23, 2010

'Tis the Season...

As we get closer to another Christmas holiday (yeah I know. Again? Already? Didn’t we just do this last year??) We have those people who get to spend time with their loved ones.. And you have those people who are stuck at work for whatever reason. While the reason varies, people are still away from their families. Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t have doctors, nurses, police and other essential services working on Christmas. They are necessary. But really, is it going to kill you if you don’t have milk for less than 24 hours? And if it is, you have far more serious problems than I’m willing to get into here.


So this is the start of what will probably end up being a yearly thing, even after I get out of the hell that is retail convenience. I’ve been saying it verbally now for four years, but this is the first time writing it down. Convenience stores and retail in general should not be open Christmas. Period. Stock up on Christmas Eve or suffer till Boxing Day. If your forget something, tough gingerbread. We’ve become too accustomed to convenience. Forgot something? Just go to the corner store. It’s open, even at 3am. Of course, someone has to be THERE at 3am for the people who can’t remember to pick up what they need when they’re out, but I digress.

The only people who benefit from stores being open on holidays are the people who forget to get what they need and the shareholders of the company, if it’s public. The operator doesn’t win. The staff doesn’t win. The operator has to pay out wages regardless, more if the person actually works on the day in question. Still has to pay holiday pay out. It gets really expensive paying someone $20/hour to babysit an empty space. The staff member, while getting that extra money the government immediately takes their bite out of, has to stay in the store and work. On a midnight, that gets quiet. I should know. Where I am there are nights where I don’t see people for three hours. That’s $30.75 out of the operator’s pocket with nothing coming in.

Of course, the people who make the decisions about whether the store is open or not hasn’t actually worked in the store for years, if ever. It’s unlikely they’ve even worked a retail environment period. And of course, because they’re the big wigs, THEY get to spend Christmas at home with their families, while the people their decisions affect have to suffer.

I still remember when the decision was crapped out four years ago that we needed to be open regular hours on Christmas. Their reasoning was “Gas stations are open 24 hours. Why shouldn’t we be?” Good reasoning except for one tiny, miniscule part: We.. Don’t... Have.. Gas.. Pumps.. Yes, there are some locations that have gas pumps attached to them, but that’s a small portion of the company’s stores. So really, the decision comes down to corporate greed. They figure they’re not making enough off the backs of the drones working the hives already by being open till midnight Christmas Eve and 9-5 Christmas Day, so they needed to change that. They decided that they needed more money. More profit. Problem is, they’re the only ones making anything off it.

Where I’m from, if you forgot to stock up on things before Christmas, you were S.O.L. till Boxing Day. The convenience store we had was open 364 days a year. They didn’t even open Christmas Day, so the people could spend time with their families. As it should be.

Now, we may never be able to go back to that time, where things were actually CLOSED on holidays, but it would be nice to be able to get reduced hours. You do not need a place to be open 24 hours on Christmas. If you do, then you need to learn to plan better, or to anticipate where you might run short on something. Until that happens, maybe I should hibernate for December. That sounds more and more appealing as I think about it..