Sunday, November 30, 2008
Dion - Canada's New Prime Minister?
In an interesting twist of affairs, it looks like there's atleast a 60% chance that Stephane Dion will be prime minister in the next few weeks. Yup, you read that right...but didn't Canada just elect Stevie Boy?
Last week the Conservatives presented their annual fiscal update to open the new session of parliament. There were a few highly controversial pieces:
- prevent public servants' right to strike.
- eliminate the annual $1.95 per vote "subsidy" that all political parties get based on the last election's results, which costs a whopping 26M annually. This is a very dastardly move as the Conservatives by far have the biggest financial "war chest" - scrapping this funding would hurt the Liberals and NDP and would seriously cripple the Green party.
- lacked any significant fiscal stimulus, even though the Conversatives have changed their tune from a few months back and are now saying we're in a serious economic downturn, are almost definitely in recession and are likely to run a deficit, and at recent G20 meetings promised to provide stimulus. (Anyone else remember Harper's claim that "we already built the Ark to weather the economic storm" during the election campaign a mere two months ago?")
Needless to say the NDP in particular didn't take too kindly to these plans. The Liberals, NDP and Bloc have forged an agreement for form a coalition government, and in all likelihood will bring down the government next week with a vote of non-confidence. Typically when there's a vote of non-confidence, the prime minister asks the governor general to call an election.
And that's where things get interesting...because we just HAD an election, more likely than not, the GG would have to agree to let the Liberals / NDP form the government...and Stephane is the most likely candidate for PM.
Whoda thunkit. Boy, if this happens, Stevie Boy will be one pissed off schnauser.
Last week the Conservatives presented their annual fiscal update to open the new session of parliament. There were a few highly controversial pieces:
- prevent public servants' right to strike.
- eliminate the annual $1.95 per vote "subsidy" that all political parties get based on the last election's results, which costs a whopping 26M annually. This is a very dastardly move as the Conservatives by far have the biggest financial "war chest" - scrapping this funding would hurt the Liberals and NDP and would seriously cripple the Green party.
- lacked any significant fiscal stimulus, even though the Conversatives have changed their tune from a few months back and are now saying we're in a serious economic downturn, are almost definitely in recession and are likely to run a deficit, and at recent G20 meetings promised to provide stimulus. (Anyone else remember Harper's claim that "we already built the Ark to weather the economic storm" during the election campaign a mere two months ago?")
Needless to say the NDP in particular didn't take too kindly to these plans. The Liberals, NDP and Bloc have forged an agreement for form a coalition government, and in all likelihood will bring down the government next week with a vote of non-confidence. Typically when there's a vote of non-confidence, the prime minister asks the governor general to call an election.
And that's where things get interesting...because we just HAD an election, more likely than not, the GG would have to agree to let the Liberals / NDP form the government...and Stephane is the most likely candidate for PM.
Whoda thunkit. Boy, if this happens, Stevie Boy will be one pissed off schnauser.
The bluefin tuna near extinction?
The Sushi Wars: Can the Bluefin Tuna Be Saved?
Just read this article about the impact that the recent proliforation of sushi restaurants worldwide has had on global fisheries, particularly of the bluefin tuna. I was actually thinking about this the other day...how can nature keep up with such a huge consumption demand? Looks like the answer is: it can't.
This just seems to be another in a long line of species we're "hunting" to extinction, and collectively little is being done to stop it. In part, it seems like the problem is that there's no specific global organization whose job it is to lay down the law on this stuff. It also always seems like short sighted concern about unemployment blinds people to the long term unemployment impact of overfishing.
Ah the royal mess we've made...
Just read this article about the impact that the recent proliforation of sushi restaurants worldwide has had on global fisheries, particularly of the bluefin tuna. I was actually thinking about this the other day...how can nature keep up with such a huge consumption demand? Looks like the answer is: it can't.
This just seems to be another in a long line of species we're "hunting" to extinction, and collectively little is being done to stop it. In part, it seems like the problem is that there's no specific global organization whose job it is to lay down the law on this stuff. It also always seems like short sighted concern about unemployment blinds people to the long term unemployment impact of overfishing.
Ah the royal mess we've made...
Yay Peeps!
Ali and Adam were in town yesterday for Ali's Bday. Went down to the ever enjoyable "C'est What" down near the market...I do enjoy that place! I feel like I'm more in touch with the Ontario beer scene after the food and wine show last weekend, and actually recognized most of the beers on the menu and was even able to confidently explain the difference between two beers to someone at the bar.
The highlight of the night though was chillaxing with the peeps. Ali had lots of school / guelph friends there, and Murts/Frank, Sara/Dave were also there. Good fun! I even learned that Murmel has been blogging more lately, and that Frank is gainfully employed. Go Murts!
I'm starting to get excited about Christmas. I hope there's lots of snow and that the canal is frozen enough for skating. Boy, THAT would be fun!
The highlight of the night though was chillaxing with the peeps. Ali had lots of school / guelph friends there, and Murts/Frank, Sara/Dave were also there. Good fun! I even learned that Murmel has been blogging more lately, and that Frank is gainfully employed. Go Murts!
I'm starting to get excited about Christmas. I hope there's lots of snow and that the canal is frozen enough for skating. Boy, THAT would be fun!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
I fail.
Yesterday was blood donation day with work. I'd finally worked up the courage to do this, although I was pretty tense and nervous on the way there with the other 12 peeps from the office.
I managed the finger prick thing ok ( although even this was a major accomplishment for me), filled out their little survey...and got rejected by the nurse who asks you all the awkward questions about sex with men.
No, no, it wasn't any of THOSE questions that did me in, it was Costa Rica! Yup, apprently according to Blood Services it's on their Malaria "no go" list, even though the travel clinic doctor we saw before the trip told us we wouldn't need any shots as there was only one small area of the country (on the coast we didn't visit!) that had some malaria. So, I didn't get to donate : (
Even worse though...of the 13 people who went SEVEN got shot down. Everything from Travel(Mexico, Morocco, India, etc) to low iron, and even a "pulse that's too high".
I understand the need for rules, but with the amount of travel people do these days, a full 1 year wait after a trip to just about anywhere seems harsh.(seriously, I eventually found the list of no go countries on their website, and there's easily 150 no go countries) Obviously it's all about safe vs sorry, but it's too bad they aren't better able to test / screen the blood once you've donated...presumably odds of any of the travel folk actually HAVING come in contact with malaria is seriously low.
I managed the finger prick thing ok ( although even this was a major accomplishment for me), filled out their little survey...and got rejected by the nurse who asks you all the awkward questions about sex with men.
No, no, it wasn't any of THOSE questions that did me in, it was Costa Rica! Yup, apprently according to Blood Services it's on their Malaria "no go" list, even though the travel clinic doctor we saw before the trip told us we wouldn't need any shots as there was only one small area of the country (on the coast we didn't visit!) that had some malaria. So, I didn't get to donate : (
Even worse though...of the 13 people who went SEVEN got shot down. Everything from Travel(Mexico, Morocco, India, etc) to low iron, and even a "pulse that's too high".
I understand the need for rules, but with the amount of travel people do these days, a full 1 year wait after a trip to just about anywhere seems harsh.(seriously, I eventually found the list of no go countries on their website, and there's easily 150 no go countries) Obviously it's all about safe vs sorry, but it's too bad they aren't better able to test / screen the blood once you've donated...presumably odds of any of the travel folk actually HAVING come in contact with malaria is seriously low.
Labels: Blood, Costa Rica
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Truffle pictures
Chocolate!
A few updates:
- Chocolate: I've made truffles twice this week, and am now pretty confident with it. Thanks to everyone for my bday present last year...it's been tons of fun, and I'm all stocked up (except an immersion blender and a candy thermometer, both of which are on my christmas list). Today I made 3 kinds - hazelnut coated, crushed almond coated, and white chocolate dipped. Pictures to follow.
- Donating blood: I'm finally stepping up and doing this (it was Ali's Christmas Donation request last year). I've organized a group trip for work, and there's 18 of us going, including the company president! It's on Wednesday - wish me luck, as I get really queasy about the whole thing.
- Food and Wine Show - I volunteered with Second Harvest on Friday at the Food and Wine Show here in TO collecting people's used glasses. (People use get a glass on the way in and use it for their samples for the night). For each glass collected, Second Harvest got $1 from the organizers. I worked from 5pm - 10pm and with one other guy collected ~6000 glasses. Literally. It was something...picture your living room with trays of glasses stacked 3 high. This was an entertaining event....around 5pm it was all retirees and older, quiet folks. By 7pm it was like a night club in there.... Highlight - I got winked at 6 times by cute girls.
- London: I'm going to London for a week for work in December!! I'm VERY excited about this, and booked the flight on Friday. I'm going over to run training for the London office...probably about 15-20 people, similar to the training I did for the Toronto and New York offices back in October. If anyone has any tips or "must see" recommendations, let me know. The training is in the evenings, so hopefully I'll be able to sneak away during the day and have some fun.
- Wedding: We've had tastings with two of the caterers now and I think we'll make a decision this week. Sadly, I think we're not going with the 'best' one, just cause the costs are pretty nutty...an extra $30 / person is a big difference. I think the one we'll go with is still really pretty solid though and should be fun!
- New Credit Card: I decided today to upgrade to the CIBC Aerogold Infinite credit card, my first ever "paid" credit card. I think the math with make sense for this year with the costs of the wedding, and with the bonus signup aeroplan points. Realistically I'll probably cancel it next year and go back to the free cards....but I feel fancy for now!
- Movies: I think in the past few years I've turned into a real movie junkie. Watched Iron Man, Quantum of Solace, Run Fat Boy Run, Hulk, What Happens in Vegas, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and a few others lately. Run Fat Boy Run was probably the highlight for me, although Bond was pretty damned good. Apprently there's some vampire movie that came out this week that's done fantastically well.
- Soduku: Laura got me a "Level 6" soduku book for christmas last year. I've been doing these on the TTC on the way to work lately. They are FRIGGIN HARD...probably takes me an average of 1.5 hours each, although it would likely be faster if it wasn't a bunch of 10 minute segments.
- Chocolate: I've made truffles twice this week, and am now pretty confident with it. Thanks to everyone for my bday present last year...it's been tons of fun, and I'm all stocked up (except an immersion blender and a candy thermometer, both of which are on my christmas list). Today I made 3 kinds - hazelnut coated, crushed almond coated, and white chocolate dipped. Pictures to follow.
- Donating blood: I'm finally stepping up and doing this (it was Ali's Christmas Donation request last year). I've organized a group trip for work, and there's 18 of us going, including the company president! It's on Wednesday - wish me luck, as I get really queasy about the whole thing.
- Food and Wine Show - I volunteered with Second Harvest on Friday at the Food and Wine Show here in TO collecting people's used glasses. (People use get a glass on the way in and use it for their samples for the night). For each glass collected, Second Harvest got $1 from the organizers. I worked from 5pm - 10pm and with one other guy collected ~6000 glasses. Literally. It was something...picture your living room with trays of glasses stacked 3 high. This was an entertaining event....around 5pm it was all retirees and older, quiet folks. By 7pm it was like a night club in there.... Highlight - I got winked at 6 times by cute girls.
- London: I'm going to London for a week for work in December!! I'm VERY excited about this, and booked the flight on Friday. I'm going over to run training for the London office...probably about 15-20 people, similar to the training I did for the Toronto and New York offices back in October. If anyone has any tips or "must see" recommendations, let me know. The training is in the evenings, so hopefully I'll be able to sneak away during the day and have some fun.
- Wedding: We've had tastings with two of the caterers now and I think we'll make a decision this week. Sadly, I think we're not going with the 'best' one, just cause the costs are pretty nutty...an extra $30 / person is a big difference. I think the one we'll go with is still really pretty solid though and should be fun!
- New Credit Card: I decided today to upgrade to the CIBC Aerogold Infinite credit card, my first ever "paid" credit card. I think the math with make sense for this year with the costs of the wedding, and with the bonus signup aeroplan points. Realistically I'll probably cancel it next year and go back to the free cards....but I feel fancy for now!
- Movies: I think in the past few years I've turned into a real movie junkie. Watched Iron Man, Quantum of Solace, Run Fat Boy Run, Hulk, What Happens in Vegas, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and a few others lately. Run Fat Boy Run was probably the highlight for me, although Bond was pretty damned good. Apprently there's some vampire movie that came out this week that's done fantastically well.
- Soduku: Laura got me a "Level 6" soduku book for christmas last year. I've been doing these on the TTC on the way to work lately. They are FRIGGIN HARD...probably takes me an average of 1.5 hours each, although it would likely be faster if it wasn't a bunch of 10 minute segments.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
The small things in life
Sometimes one can find joy in the simplest things.
Take for example, my recent grocery trip to Loblaws. Last week I was surprised to notice the price of chicken breasts had gone up quite significantly...for the past year or three they've usually been "regular price" between $15-$18/kg. Last week they were $21/kg.
No surprise, when I hit the store today they were once again $21/kg. At first, I noticed a pack that expired in 3 days rather than 6 like the others that had been repriced in $17/kg. Sweet. I picked it up and was going to head off, but decided I should hold off as I'd likely not be USING the chicken until atleast Tuesday (we're doing a catering tasting on Monday!)
So, as I'm going to put it back, I notice some really nice looking chicken at the back that doesn't expire until the 15th / Saturday. Out of curiousity I checked the price.....
$11.00 / kg! Woot! Yup, someone had presumably mispriced the pack...so being me, I bought the 6 packs that had seemingly been mispriced, super thrilled that my expensive chicken woes had been banished by the good fortunes of the chicken gods.
All in I musta saved ~$15 on my chicken find! Ohhhhh yyyeeeeeah. (The sad thing is, the $11/kg isn't even really THAT cheap...it's just a decent price).
Take for example, my recent grocery trip to Loblaws. Last week I was surprised to notice the price of chicken breasts had gone up quite significantly...for the past year or three they've usually been "regular price" between $15-$18/kg. Last week they were $21/kg.
No surprise, when I hit the store today they were once again $21/kg. At first, I noticed a pack that expired in 3 days rather than 6 like the others that had been repriced in $17/kg. Sweet. I picked it up and was going to head off, but decided I should hold off as I'd likely not be USING the chicken until atleast Tuesday (we're doing a catering tasting on Monday!)
So, as I'm going to put it back, I notice some really nice looking chicken at the back that doesn't expire until the 15th / Saturday. Out of curiousity I checked the price.....
$11.00 / kg! Woot! Yup, someone had presumably mispriced the pack...so being me, I bought the 6 packs that had seemingly been mispriced, super thrilled that my expensive chicken woes had been banished by the good fortunes of the chicken gods.
All in I musta saved ~$15 on my chicken find! Ohhhhh yyyeeeeeah. (The sad thing is, the $11/kg isn't even really THAT cheap...it's just a decent price).
Living the life
Laura is in Vancouver this week for a work conference, meaning I'm a bachelor for the week. I've been livin the life -- haven't washed dishes all week, and have been going to bed whenever I want (read: FINALLY getting to go to bed at 10pm rather than midnight).
Other highlights - it was Simon's birthday this week. Happy bday Chimon!
Went "night riding" on Thursday with a bud from work - mountain biking in the dark, courtesy of some kick ass new bike lights. Actually worked out really well and was lots of fun. The weather was fantastic this week, 15-18 degrees most days!
Watched: Indiana Jones, Incredible Hulk, and Bad Cop Bon Cop(I'd recommend this one out of the three, especially for Ottawa folks who'll appreciate both sides of the Toronto / Montreal, English / French humour).
Wedding catering tastings: We're doing one on Monday and one the following week...should be fun!
Laura comes home on Sunday, so my freewheelin lifestyle will come to an end. Ah well, good while it lasted!
Other highlights - it was Simon's birthday this week. Happy bday Chimon!
Went "night riding" on Thursday with a bud from work - mountain biking in the dark, courtesy of some kick ass new bike lights. Actually worked out really well and was lots of fun. The weather was fantastic this week, 15-18 degrees most days!
Watched: Indiana Jones, Incredible Hulk, and Bad Cop Bon Cop(I'd recommend this one out of the three, especially for Ottawa folks who'll appreciate both sides of the Toronto / Montreal, English / French humour).
Wedding catering tastings: We're doing one on Monday and one the following week...should be fun!
Laura comes home on Sunday, so my freewheelin lifestyle will come to an end. Ah well, good while it lasted!
