Sunday, December 31, 2006
Last Saddam Post of 2006
Apparently they are arguing about whether the Iraqi government was responsible for Saddam's hanging or if it was actually Moqtada alSadr who dropped him.
I've now seen the video and the answer is obvious: it was Mexican wrestlers.
(Thanks to Ms Mushrooms for bringing this to my attention.)
New Year's Eve
It's New Year's Eve. Unless you are in Asia and Australia and Eastern Europe and the Middle East and Africa, where it's already New Year's Day. Cheers!
Another year down the crapper, as my father might've said.
Spent most of the morning downloading CDs onto my ipod. My sis (a true boomer) lent me about 25 CDs full of old songs which as a boomer-hater (I suppose technically that is self-loathing but I digress) I should hate, but there's a lot of old stuff I wanted to own (Can you say Creedence?) so there ya go.
The Sounds of Silence continues to be a great song. What a great song.
And under odd discoveries, ever known a song for, oh, 30 years and only come to realize something about it today? That happened with Your Song by Elton John. Only this afternoon did I realize that when he sings "I forgotten if they're green or they're blue", he's singing about his love's eyes! I never knew that. I always thought it was some rhyme that made no sense. I never connected it to the eyes that he sings about in the next line. How dumb is that.
In movie news, saw The Good Shepherd today. I liked it. But would only recommend it to anyone who likes Cold War, CIA, KGB intrigue. Slow-moving intrigue. Very slow-moving intrigue. John Turturro is terrific in it. But I kept imagining him licking a bowling ball like in The Big Lebowski and that distracted me.
In trailers: I saw the Beatrix Potter one, with the oddly attractive Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. I fear this is a family film and will afford no opportunity for McGregor to drop his trousers. Is it me, or has he stopped doing that completely? He used to do it a lot! I haven't seen Little Ewan for years, methinks.
In other trailers, it looks like 2007 will be a cinematic Chris Cooper cavalcade. Which is good because I like him. The spy movie he's in about the CIA looks good. I really like CIA movies, I've noticed.
Is Dick Clark dead? I can't remember.
Another year down the crapper, as my father might've said.
Spent most of the morning downloading CDs onto my ipod. My sis (a true boomer) lent me about 25 CDs full of old songs which as a boomer-hater (I suppose technically that is self-loathing but I digress) I should hate, but there's a lot of old stuff I wanted to own (Can you say Creedence?) so there ya go.
The Sounds of Silence continues to be a great song. What a great song.
And under odd discoveries, ever known a song for, oh, 30 years and only come to realize something about it today? That happened with Your Song by Elton John. Only this afternoon did I realize that when he sings "I forgotten if they're green or they're blue", he's singing about his love's eyes! I never knew that. I always thought it was some rhyme that made no sense. I never connected it to the eyes that he sings about in the next line. How dumb is that.
In movie news, saw The Good Shepherd today. I liked it. But would only recommend it to anyone who likes Cold War, CIA, KGB intrigue. Slow-moving intrigue. Very slow-moving intrigue. John Turturro is terrific in it. But I kept imagining him licking a bowling ball like in The Big Lebowski and that distracted me.
In trailers: I saw the Beatrix Potter one, with the oddly attractive Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. I fear this is a family film and will afford no opportunity for McGregor to drop his trousers. Is it me, or has he stopped doing that completely? He used to do it a lot! I haven't seen Little Ewan for years, methinks.
In other trailers, it looks like 2007 will be a cinematic Chris Cooper cavalcade. Which is good because I like him. The spy movie he's in about the CIA looks good. I really like CIA movies, I've noticed.
Is Dick Clark dead? I can't remember.
Friday, December 29, 2006
My Bizzarro New Year's Resolutions
1. Gain 20 pounds.
2. Start smoking. Work my way up to a pack a day.
3. Stop walking; drive more.
4. Get off the treadmill and onto the couch more often.
5. Read fewer books; watch more reality t.v.
6. Watch porn.
7. Spend money frivolously
8. Spend more than I earn.
9. Embrace Cheney.
10. Kick the cat.
Hanging Around
Let me state for the record that I think hanging Saddam Hussein will cause more suffering and grief than joy. I'm filing it under "Bad idea".
Why don't the Saudis take him in, like they did for Idi Amin? What? Idi was good enough for them, but Saddam isn't.
How about the Russians? They can take him, poison him slowly over several months and then say he died of natural causes. Man, do I have to do these people's jobs for them? Get with the program, Vladimir.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
The new standard of cool
James Brown's body is "lying in state" at the Appolo Theater in Harlem. How cool is that.
I can't believe I just saw the open casket on the news. Ick. I hate open caskets. In his case, though, it seems appropriate to believe that he would want everybody to see him just one more time.
Resolution time
Here I go again. Year-end stocking-taking. Vowing to do better next year. This year I have to come up with Resolutions that I can actually keep. How many times have I said that? Oh, only every single pathetic wasted year.
Should I post my Resolutions on my blog? hmmm. Exposing myself to the entire world...or well maybe to 10 people at most? hmmm.
To be continued...
Should I post my Resolutions on my blog? hmmm. Exposing myself to the entire world...or well maybe to 10 people at most? hmmm.
To be continued...
It's Hajjing time again
It's that time of year again.
I wonder if British bookies take bets on how many pilgrims will get trampled to death this time round. They take bets on everything else under the sun, I'd guess they have this covered too.
300? 700? 1200?
There's gotta be a better way to worship.
I wonder if British bookies take bets on how many pilgrims will get trampled to death this time round. They take bets on everything else under the sun, I'd guess they have this covered too.
300? 700? 1200?
There's gotta be a better way to worship.
The Closeted Russian
When will Daniel Craig come out of the closet and admit he's Russian? 'Cause one look at him and you know he's got Russian blood.
And now the news that he may be playing the poisoned Russian spy Alexandre Litveneko in a movie. Well, I guess he'll have two parts in that film because obviously he'll have to portray Putin as well. Busy, busy, busy.
I'm fascinated by this Russian KGB poisoning story, but it is so complicated I can't follow the plot. At first it was Putin's fault, but now apparently the Russian govt is trying to finger the Yukos oil execs. Big surprise. I need it to be played out in an action thriller to better understand it.
My insistence that Daniel Craig is, in fact, secretly Russian, in no way diminishes my new-found admiration of his assets. Just want to make that clear.
And now the news that he may be playing the poisoned Russian spy Alexandre Litveneko in a movie. Well, I guess he'll have two parts in that film because obviously he'll have to portray Putin as well. Busy, busy, busy.
I'm fascinated by this Russian KGB poisoning story, but it is so complicated I can't follow the plot. At first it was Putin's fault, but now apparently the Russian govt is trying to finger the Yukos oil execs. Big surprise. I need it to be played out in an action thriller to better understand it.
My insistence that Daniel Craig is, in fact, secretly Russian, in no way diminishes my new-found admiration of his assets. Just want to make that clear.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
"He doesn't feel good"
That's what my sis said when her husband told us James Brown had died. I gotta hand it to her, she didn't miss a beat.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Welcome Christmas
I'm off. Have a great Christmas everybody. Let's go back to the Grinch....
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Come this way!
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day.
Welcome, Welcome
Fah who rah-moose
Welcome, Welcome
Dah who dah-moose
Christmas day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas
Bring your cheer
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Come this way!
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas,
Christmas Day.
Welcome, Welcome
Fah who rah-moose
Welcome, Welcome
Dah who dah-moose
Christmas day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to clasp
Fah who for-aze!
Dah who dor-aze!
Welcome Christmas
Bring your cheer
Friday, December 22, 2006
Casino Royale
I'm a big girl and I like to think that I can admit when I'm wrong.
I was wrong.
About Daniel Craig.
Very wrong.
Oh so wrong.
Five minutes into Casino Royale, I knew I was wrong.
In the G-rated spirit of the Holiday Season, I will simply say: he's a very attractive gentleman.*
Maybe it's the Bond mystique. Or the Bond tux. Or the Bond grey T-shirt. I dunno.
To all the critics who complained that the poker game scene is too long, I say tish and pish. I love on-screen high-stakes poker playing and I loved all of that part of the movie. Did I mention the tux?
What really did bother me in that scene, though, was Giancarlo Gianini's play-by-play to our Shakesperean tragic heroine, i.e. the Bond girl. The way Giancarlo kept telling her (and us) "the pot is at 24 millions dollars" or "the pot is 115 million!". Oh shut up with the exposition. We don't care about the exact amount of the pot, and this chick is supposed to be an accountant, and you're telling me she can't keep track of the wagers. Please.
Best line: "That last hand. It almost killed me." Oh James, darling, you are so amusing.
Another gripe, and this is a typical Bond gripe for me. The whole plot was dumb. So when governments are trying to track down the source of terrorist funding, they arrange a $10 million stakes poker game in Montenegro? MI6 and the CIA have a gambling wing? No wonder we are losing the war of terrorism. What about the rest of the people at the table, were they all spies too? How could they know the very fat black guy wasn't going to win the whole pot?
(*Translation: What a hot man!)
I was wrong.
About Daniel Craig.
Very wrong.
Oh so wrong.
Five minutes into Casino Royale, I knew I was wrong.
In the G-rated spirit of the Holiday Season, I will simply say: he's a very attractive gentleman.*
Maybe it's the Bond mystique. Or the Bond tux. Or the Bond grey T-shirt. I dunno.
To all the critics who complained that the poker game scene is too long, I say tish and pish. I love on-screen high-stakes poker playing and I loved all of that part of the movie. Did I mention the tux?
What really did bother me in that scene, though, was Giancarlo Gianini's play-by-play to our Shakesperean tragic heroine, i.e. the Bond girl. The way Giancarlo kept telling her (and us) "the pot is at 24 millions dollars" or "the pot is 115 million!". Oh shut up with the exposition. We don't care about the exact amount of the pot, and this chick is supposed to be an accountant, and you're telling me she can't keep track of the wagers. Please.
Best line: "That last hand. It almost killed me." Oh James, darling, you are so amusing.
Another gripe, and this is a typical Bond gripe for me. The whole plot was dumb. So when governments are trying to track down the source of terrorist funding, they arrange a $10 million stakes poker game in Montenegro? MI6 and the CIA have a gambling wing? No wonder we are losing the war of terrorism. What about the rest of the people at the table, were they all spies too? How could they know the very fat black guy wasn't going to win the whole pot?
Another gripe. (Spoiler alert) Bond's recovery time after being horribly tortured in the genitals was awfully quick. I couldn't believe he was already getting amorous when frankly he should've barely been able to walk, much less...well, you know.
I know, I know. He's James Bond.
This is not to say I didn't enjoy the movie. It made me want to go to the Bahamas and Montenegro and Venice. Thumbs up.(*Translation: What a hot man!)
A Small Christmas Gripe
The men in Tim Horton's commercials are such losers.
They get SO excited about a teapot or a new coffee mug, I can't stand them.
Our Man Joe
He died 4 years ago today. I still miss him. Some people really do leave the world a cooler place for having lived. He was one of them.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Today's Strange Encounter at Work
I went to the bathroom on my floor. The entire time I am in there, a lady from another department is at the sink scrubbing and scrubbing a tote bag. Clearly she had spilled something in it.
Me: You spilled something?
Her: What?
Me: Something broke?
Her: Oh, I had an egg in my bag and it broke.
(An egg? Clearly it was not hard-boiled or she wouldn’t be scrubbing for 5 minutes)
Me: An egg?
Her: Yes. I was in such a hurry this morning, I just put the egg into my bag. I didn’t put it in a Tupperware or even a plastic bag.
Me: I see.
!!!
Who on earth thinks they can throw an egg into a tote and expect it not to break before lunch time?
Who's hiring these people?
Winter Solstice
I'm not sure what we're supposed to do today.
Dance around the Festivus Pole?
Set up a tiny cardboard Stonehenge?
Who cares? As of tomorrow we'll start having more minutes of daylight*. Huzzah!
I feel more chipper already.
*except for the Southern Hemisphere, of course, where they'll have fewer minutes of daylight. Boo.
Dance around the Festivus Pole?
Set up a tiny cardboard Stonehenge?
Who cares? As of tomorrow we'll start having more minutes of daylight*. Huzzah!
I feel more chipper already.
*except for the Southern Hemisphere, of course, where they'll have fewer minutes of daylight. Boo.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Keeping abreast of current events
Let me preface this by saying:
1) I cannot believe this story isn’t all over the Internet. I took it from a Dutch web site, dated 13 December. That’s a whole week ago and the Internet isn’t saturated by a big boob story? Astonishing.
2) I guess my list of countries I cannot visit without feeling terribly inferior is now: Britain, Denmark and Netherlands. Sigh.
3) Note to girls 12 to 19 years. Eating fatty food will not give you bigger boobs. Trust ME on this one. A fatter behind, yes.
4) Shouldn’t there a companion story to this about how the number of male visitors booking trips to Holland has skyrocketed in the past week?
AMSTERDAM — Dutch women are getting bigger breasts and 32 percent of them now have a D-cup or bigger compared with 20 percent five years ago. In Europe, Dutch women are ranked third behind British and Danish women in terms of bra size, research commissioned by Bodyfashion Promotion indicated on Wednesday.
Some 42 percent of women aged 30-39 have D-cup breasts and feel in general okay about that. Women with a large bra size are now the largest group in the Netherlands. But the shape and size of breasts start to change once women reach the age of 40 and women then opt for a smaller bra size.
Some 44 percent of surveyed girls aged 12-19 think that eating fatty foods helps increase the size of their breasts. All survey respondents said poor nutrition habits are the cause of increased breast size. Hormones in food and the general increasing size of the population are also leading to bigger breasts.
1) I cannot believe this story isn’t all over the Internet. I took it from a Dutch web site, dated 13 December. That’s a whole week ago and the Internet isn’t saturated by a big boob story? Astonishing.
2) I guess my list of countries I cannot visit without feeling terribly inferior is now: Britain, Denmark and Netherlands. Sigh.
3) Note to girls 12 to 19 years. Eating fatty food will not give you bigger boobs. Trust ME on this one. A fatter behind, yes.
4) Shouldn’t there a companion story to this about how the number of male visitors booking trips to Holland has skyrocketed in the past week?
AMSTERDAM — Dutch women are getting bigger breasts and 32 percent of them now have a D-cup or bigger compared with 20 percent five years ago. In Europe, Dutch women are ranked third behind British and Danish women in terms of bra size, research commissioned by Bodyfashion Promotion indicated on Wednesday.
Some 42 percent of women aged 30-39 have D-cup breasts and feel in general okay about that. Women with a large bra size are now the largest group in the Netherlands. But the shape and size of breasts start to change once women reach the age of 40 and women then opt for a smaller bra size.
Some 44 percent of surveyed girls aged 12-19 think that eating fatty foods helps increase the size of their breasts. All survey respondents said poor nutrition habits are the cause of increased breast size. Hormones in food and the general increasing size of the population are also leading to bigger breasts.
2007
I smell not one but TWO elections coming in the new year: both federal and provincial.
I'm so excited I could squeal wheeee wheeee wheeee
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
My favourite Christmas song!
I just found these lyrics. Let's all sing, sing, sing Trim Up the Tree.
Trim up the tree with Christmas stuff
Like bingle balls, and whofoo fluff
Trim up the town with goowho gums and bizilbix and wums
Trim every blessed window and trim every blessed door
Hang up whoboohoo bricks
Then run out and get some more!
Hang pantookas on the ceilings
Pile pankunas on the floor
Trim every blessed needle on the blessed Christmas tree
Christmas comes tomorrow
Trim you, trim me!
Trim up your pets with fuzzle fuzz
And whiffer bloofs, and wuzzle wuzz
Trim up your uncle and your aunt
With yards of whofut flant
Trim every house in Whoville from the cellar to the roof
Hang up a mile of dafflers
And three miles of snaffer snoof!
Hang dang-donglers on the bathtub
Trim the occupant the with floof
To every home in Whoville and to every blessed Who
Christmas comes tomorrow
Trim me, trim you!
Trim up the tree with Christmas stuff
Like bingle balls, and whofoo fluff
Trim up the town with goowho gums
And bizilbix and wums...
Trim up the tree with bizilbix and wums
Trim up the tree with Christmas stuff
Like bingle balls, and whofoo fluff
Trim up the town with goowho gums and bizilbix and wums
Trim every blessed window and trim every blessed door
Hang up whoboohoo bricks
Then run out and get some more!
Hang pantookas on the ceilings
Pile pankunas on the floor
Trim every blessed needle on the blessed Christmas tree
Christmas comes tomorrow
Trim you, trim me!
Trim up your pets with fuzzle fuzz
And whiffer bloofs, and wuzzle wuzz
Trim up your uncle and your aunt
With yards of whofut flant
Trim every house in Whoville from the cellar to the roof
Hang up a mile of dafflers
And three miles of snaffer snoof!
Hang dang-donglers on the bathtub
Trim the occupant the with floof
To every home in Whoville and to every blessed Who
Christmas comes tomorrow
Trim me, trim you!
Trim up the tree with Christmas stuff
Like bingle balls, and whofoo fluff
Trim up the town with goowho gums
And bizilbix and wums...
Trim up the tree with bizilbix and wums
Tis the Season
How come I’m not a bigwig exec at Goldman Sachs? Where did I go wrong? I could use a share of $16 billion.
“Surging stock and bond markets, coupled with an unprecedented level of takeover activity, has turned the big investment houses into corporate cash machines. It is also delivering stratospheric bonuses to top employees, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. doling out a staggering $16 billion this year.” (Washington Post)
$16 billion with a B in bonuses. In bonuses. That’s obscene.
Are Christmas or year-end bonuses the norm? I work for an organization that is governmental, i.e. non-profit so we don’t get any bonuses, be it Christmas, year-end or the Easter Bunny’s birthday.
In my first job, many many moons ago, our Christmas bonus was a week’s gross pay. But I’ve been out of the real for-profit world for so long, I can’t remember what a bonus feels like. Except for maybe the daily bonus of blogging half my day away and knowing that absolutely nobody cares…heh heh
“Surging stock and bond markets, coupled with an unprecedented level of takeover activity, has turned the big investment houses into corporate cash machines. It is also delivering stratospheric bonuses to top employees, with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. doling out a staggering $16 billion this year.” (Washington Post)
$16 billion with a B in bonuses. In bonuses. That’s obscene.
Are Christmas or year-end bonuses the norm? I work for an organization that is governmental, i.e. non-profit so we don’t get any bonuses, be it Christmas, year-end or the Easter Bunny’s birthday.
In my first job, many many moons ago, our Christmas bonus was a week’s gross pay. But I’ve been out of the real for-profit world for so long, I can’t remember what a bonus feels like. Except for maybe the daily bonus of blogging half my day away and knowing that absolutely nobody cares…heh heh
This is becoming an Opera Blog
The show must go on, but the heads must come off!
"BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Patrons of Berlin's Deutsche Oper were greeted by metal detectors, police and the media on Monday at an opera previously cancelled over fears Muslims might be offended by a scene featuring Prophet Mohammed's severed head.
Authorities had warned that the scene in Mozart's "Idomeneo," which also includes the severed heads of Jesus, Buddha and Poseidon, could lead to violent reprisals, although Muslim groups had dismissed such fears.
A Berlin police spokesman said after Monday's performance no incidents were reported."
Personally, I'm a wee bit disappointed that enraged Poseidonites didn't storm the stage and trash the whole place.
I don't think anybody even booed the tenor! Bor-ing.
"BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- Patrons of Berlin's Deutsche Oper were greeted by metal detectors, police and the media on Monday at an opera previously cancelled over fears Muslims might be offended by a scene featuring Prophet Mohammed's severed head.
Authorities had warned that the scene in Mozart's "Idomeneo," which also includes the severed heads of Jesus, Buddha and Poseidon, could lead to violent reprisals, although Muslim groups had dismissed such fears.
A Berlin police spokesman said after Monday's performance no incidents were reported."
Personally, I'm a wee bit disappointed that enraged Poseidonites didn't storm the stage and trash the whole place.
I don't think anybody even booed the tenor! Bor-ing.
Monday, December 18, 2006
Lame, thy name is "Time"
Time’s Person of the Year 2006? It’s all of us. Officially, it’s “you”. Wow. This scales new heights of lame-assness. That’s in Time US edition. At least in Canada, Time’s Person of the Year is not you or me, it’s Steve. Our boy Steve. I can live with that. At least he’s a real “Person”.
But this US thing is pathetic. Time is so wimpy. Their Person of the Year used to be a newsmaker, whether that person had a positive or negative impact on the world, it didn’t matter. Did he make news? Yes. Then he’s our newsmaker. But now it has to be a popularity contest. Time is so wussy it can’t handle any criticism that might come from naming someone like Moqtada al Sadr, Hugo Chavez or Mahmoud their person of the year because, well, they are bad people. We only like nice people. Like us. Like you. Like me. God, we're all so nice.
I knew back in 2001 when they picked Giulani instead of Osama that the Person of the Year always had to be a good guy and never a villain. What a cop out. Villains create the news.
So this year they picked anybody and nobody instead. Useless.
Real Nazis
You know people get called Nazis every day, but then there's the real thing.
Did anyone see 60 Minutes last night, and the report on the Nazi archives? I’m still reeling. These people gave obsessive compulsiveness a bad name. This is the banality of evil taken to a new level of banality.
The Nazis kept records of the number of head lice on each new arrival at Buchenwald and probably at other camps too. These records have been kept in the archives. There are entries for the number of lice found and their size: small, medium or large. Can you imagine having that job: head lice inspector, tabulator and record-keeper? Did these people ever stop for a minute and wonder: what on earth are we doing? Apparently, they kept such meticulous records to show they were working hard. Civil servants!
They also had index cards to record the delivery of mail to inmates. Like anybody in Buchenwald ever received any mail. They showed a card to one survivor. It had his name and particulars on it, but he never received any mail. The man was blunt: “how could I?” he said. “They killed all the rest of my family. We were a family of eight and they killed everyone but me”. It was shattering. Index cards for mail delivery. Wow.
With another guy, they showed him his index card with a number along the top: A11832. He still knew it by heart. Why? He rolled up his sleeve and there was the same number on his arm.
They also had a record of executed prisoners on a certain day, Hitler’s birthday. There was a list of names and times. The times were listed every two minutes. 2:40, 2:42, 2:44, 2:46. They shot a prisoner every two minutes for 90 minutes, as a birthday tribute. That is beyond twisted, and yet they kept a meticulous record of it.
Did anyone see 60 Minutes last night, and the report on the Nazi archives? I’m still reeling. These people gave obsessive compulsiveness a bad name. This is the banality of evil taken to a new level of banality.
The Nazis kept records of the number of head lice on each new arrival at Buchenwald and probably at other camps too. These records have been kept in the archives. There are entries for the number of lice found and their size: small, medium or large. Can you imagine having that job: head lice inspector, tabulator and record-keeper? Did these people ever stop for a minute and wonder: what on earth are we doing? Apparently, they kept such meticulous records to show they were working hard. Civil servants!
They also had index cards to record the delivery of mail to inmates. Like anybody in Buchenwald ever received any mail. They showed a card to one survivor. It had his name and particulars on it, but he never received any mail. The man was blunt: “how could I?” he said. “They killed all the rest of my family. We were a family of eight and they killed everyone but me”. It was shattering. Index cards for mail delivery. Wow.
With another guy, they showed him his index card with a number along the top: A11832. He still knew it by heart. Why? He rolled up his sleeve and there was the same number on his arm.
They also had a record of executed prisoners on a certain day, Hitler’s birthday. There was a list of names and times. The times were listed every two minutes. 2:40, 2:42, 2:44, 2:46. They shot a prisoner every two minutes for 90 minutes, as a birthday tribute. That is beyond twisted, and yet they kept a meticulous record of it.
In Movie News
I saw Little Children over the weekend. Liked it a lot. It’s a hybrid of Happiness and Peyton Place, but without Happiness’s super-icky cringe-inducing stuff. Not that I didn’t like Happiness, but that movie was definitely not for everyone. It was barely for anyone. Little Children is much easier to recommend. It’s funny and a melodrama at the same time.
A connection to Happiness (a tribute, perhaps) was the appearance of Jane Adams, Queen of All Losers from Happiness. Once again poor Jane is thrown into a date from hell, this time with a convicted child molester. How many times do I have to pity that woman. Some day she’ll make a movie where she’s happy and normal. Maybe. This being said, the movie does make the child molester a very sympathetic character, despite his creepiness. And he's played by Jackie Earle Haley, how cool is that?
Also, I saw a trailer for a gambling movie called Lucky You. My ears perked up. I was happy to hear that someone has finally used Lucky Town, an overlooked but terrific Springsteen song in a movie. The movie looks just okay, but the song sounded grrreat.
Also, saw the trailer for Rocky Balboa. I duly noted it was called Rocky Balboa not Rocky XV, or whatever number they are at. Rocky XV would've invited nothing but ridicule, but this title is meant for us to look at Rocky in a serious way. Will this work? Oh yeah, I'm feeling more hi-brow already. Nobody loved the original Rocky more than I did. The new one looks a lot like the original Rocky, which, go ahead and sneer if you must, was a really good movie. Too bad that there are a hundred other stupid Rockys between the first one and this one because I'm betting that if only these two existed, they would be terrific together. Of course, Stallone would be a much poorer man, but maybe he'd still warrant a modicum of respect instead of being a joke. A really wealthy joke.
A connection to Happiness (a tribute, perhaps) was the appearance of Jane Adams, Queen of All Losers from Happiness. Once again poor Jane is thrown into a date from hell, this time with a convicted child molester. How many times do I have to pity that woman. Some day she’ll make a movie where she’s happy and normal. Maybe. This being said, the movie does make the child molester a very sympathetic character, despite his creepiness. And he's played by Jackie Earle Haley, how cool is that?
Also, I saw a trailer for a gambling movie called Lucky You. My ears perked up. I was happy to hear that someone has finally used Lucky Town, an overlooked but terrific Springsteen song in a movie. The movie looks just okay, but the song sounded grrreat.
Also, saw the trailer for Rocky Balboa. I duly noted it was called Rocky Balboa not Rocky XV, or whatever number they are at. Rocky XV would've invited nothing but ridicule, but this title is meant for us to look at Rocky in a serious way. Will this work? Oh yeah, I'm feeling more hi-brow already. Nobody loved the original Rocky more than I did. The new one looks a lot like the original Rocky, which, go ahead and sneer if you must, was a really good movie. Too bad that there are a hundred other stupid Rockys between the first one and this one because I'm betting that if only these two existed, they would be terrific together. Of course, Stallone would be a much poorer man, but maybe he'd still warrant a modicum of respect instead of being a joke. A really wealthy joke.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Diet Coke Update
I went to Jean Coutu today (i.e. the drugstore) and they had a sale on Diet Coke: 79 cents for 2 litres. So I bought a bottle. Did I hesitate? No.
I bought it thinking, I can't believe I'm buying this to spite someone. But I was. I never buy Diet Coke for home, I only drink it at work. But I would not be stopped today. I marched out of the store thinking: Ha! Yeah, I'm giving myself cancer, so there, to heck with you sister! It's my life. I can't live by your "rules".
And it was a bargain!
I bought it thinking, I can't believe I'm buying this to spite someone. But I was. I never buy Diet Coke for home, I only drink it at work. But I would not be stopped today. I marched out of the store thinking: Ha! Yeah, I'm giving myself cancer, so there, to heck with you sister! It's my life. I can't live by your "rules".
And it was a bargain!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Strange Encounter of the Day
I’m in the cafeteria buying lunch. I’m carrying a Diet Coke. A woman I know a bit, but not really, really well, stops me and points at my Diet Coke.
She: That has aspartame in it.
Me: (warily) Yes?
She: You know what they say about aspartame?
Me: (thinking) Well, I figure it probably isn’t any better for me than a regular Coke.
She: You know what they say about aspartame?
Me: (resigned) No.
She: It gives you cancer.
Pause
Me: Well, in excess maybe, I suppose it isn’t good.
(Now I’m thinking "get me out of here".)
She: I don’t drink it anymore.
She leaves.
Why do people feel the need to educate me about carcinogens when all I really want is to have my lunch in peace?
She: That has aspartame in it.
Me: (warily) Yes?
She: You know what they say about aspartame?
Me: (thinking) Well, I figure it probably isn’t any better for me than a regular Coke.
She: You know what they say about aspartame?
Me: (resigned) No.
She: It gives you cancer.
Pause
Me: Well, in excess maybe, I suppose it isn’t good.
(Now I’m thinking "get me out of here".)
She: I don’t drink it anymore.
She leaves.
Why do people feel the need to educate me about carcinogens when all I really want is to have my lunch in peace?
Opera Update: That Darn Metabolism
"Opera star Roberto Alagna, who stormed off stage after he was booed at Milan's La Scala, has claimed he was suffering from low blood sugar at the time.
The singer, 43, claims if he gets emotional or stressed his system consumes sugars very quickly." (BBC)
That's a new one.
If Alagna had been an American politician instead of an Italian opera singer, he would've blamed his bad behaviour on the priest who molested him when he was a teenager.
The singer, 43, claims if he gets emotional or stressed his system consumes sugars very quickly." (BBC)
That's a new one.
If Alagna had been an American politician instead of an Italian opera singer, he would've blamed his bad behaviour on the priest who molested him when he was a teenager.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
In Grocery News
And when I captured Janet,
She bruised her pomegranate
(The late Ian Dury)
Anyone know anything about pomegranate juice?
There was a big pyramid of pomegranate juice bottles at IGA this week, so I decided to buy one. I read something recently that this is super-duper healthy stuff, so I figured I spend the $5.00 and see if I regain my youthful vigor and live forever.
I chilled it for a few hours and then poured some out. Before tasting it, I looked at the label “Product of Azerbaijan”. I believe this is the first "Product of Azerbaijan" I have ever purchased. Is Azerbaijan the world capital of pomegranates? If not, then why are we getting our pomegranate juice from Azerbaijan? That’s a puzzler.
(I just checked Wikipedia. There’s no specific mention of pomegranates but apparently Azerbaijan grows a lot of “fruit”. Well, who doesn’t? Oh well. I remain ignorant on the pomegranate-Azerbaijan connection.)
Now, being a political nerd, my next thought is “Isn’t Azerbaijan a sort-of dictatorship? Maybe I shouldn’t be supporting the Azerbaijani dictator by buying his pomegranate juice?” That crisis of conscience lasted about 10 seconds.
I poured myself a glass, lifted it to my nose. Whoa. This stuff stinks like pickle juice going bad. I hesitate. But it’s very healthy, I tell myself. The label says so, it says (I’m paraphrasing here): Pomegranate juice is very healthy. Has potassium.
I hold my nose and swig. Not much taste, but certainly not unpleasant. I down the glass.
My next thought: This would probably be quite good with vodka. (I’m trying that this evening.)
I pour another. I drink half and place the glass on the counter. Leave kitchen, come back into kitchen. Miss Hitler is on the counter, licking the rim of my glass of healthy Azerbaijani pomegranate juice. Down the drain that goes. At $5.00 a litre, I gotta keep this stuff away from that cat.
I drink another (clean) glass. Then it occurs to me. What if this somewhat tasty beverage of a former Soviet Republic disturbs my tummy? I had to leave the house, but suddenly panicked. What if I am out in public and discover that I have a serious reaction to pomegranate juice? I worried for nothing, of course. As usual. I was fine.
Recommendation: Support Azerbaijan. Buy some pomegranate juice. It's very healthy. Has potassium.
She bruised her pomegranate
(The late Ian Dury)
Anyone know anything about pomegranate juice?
There was a big pyramid of pomegranate juice bottles at IGA this week, so I decided to buy one. I read something recently that this is super-duper healthy stuff, so I figured I spend the $5.00 and see if I regain my youthful vigor and live forever.
I chilled it for a few hours and then poured some out. Before tasting it, I looked at the label “Product of Azerbaijan”. I believe this is the first "Product of Azerbaijan" I have ever purchased. Is Azerbaijan the world capital of pomegranates? If not, then why are we getting our pomegranate juice from Azerbaijan? That’s a puzzler.
(I just checked Wikipedia. There’s no specific mention of pomegranates but apparently Azerbaijan grows a lot of “fruit”. Well, who doesn’t? Oh well. I remain ignorant on the pomegranate-Azerbaijan connection.)
Now, being a political nerd, my next thought is “Isn’t Azerbaijan a sort-of dictatorship? Maybe I shouldn’t be supporting the Azerbaijani dictator by buying his pomegranate juice?” That crisis of conscience lasted about 10 seconds.
I poured myself a glass, lifted it to my nose. Whoa. This stuff stinks like pickle juice going bad. I hesitate. But it’s very healthy, I tell myself. The label says so, it says (I’m paraphrasing here): Pomegranate juice is very healthy. Has potassium.
I hold my nose and swig. Not much taste, but certainly not unpleasant. I down the glass.
My next thought: This would probably be quite good with vodka. (I’m trying that this evening.)
I pour another. I drink half and place the glass on the counter. Leave kitchen, come back into kitchen. Miss Hitler is on the counter, licking the rim of my glass of healthy Azerbaijani pomegranate juice. Down the drain that goes. At $5.00 a litre, I gotta keep this stuff away from that cat.
I drink another (clean) glass. Then it occurs to me. What if this somewhat tasty beverage of a former Soviet Republic disturbs my tummy? I had to leave the house, but suddenly panicked. What if I am out in public and discover that I have a serious reaction to pomegranate juice? I worried for nothing, of course. As usual. I was fine.
Recommendation: Support Azerbaijan. Buy some pomegranate juice. It's very healthy. Has potassium.
He hasn't been sacked
I was beginning to think Michael Ware had finally been fired for shooting his mouth off too often, but no, there he was in New York with Anderson last night.
Surprising (or, for some among us, unsurprising) fact: he looks as dishevelled in New York as he does in Baghdad.
He was blunt as usual. Sorry, Americans, but your troops aren't coming home for years.
Here's some Good News for a change
“UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The General Assembly approved the first U.N. convention enshrining the rights of the world's 650 million disabled people, a blueprint aimed at ending discrimination and exclusion of the physically and mentally impaired in education, jobs, and everyday life.
The convention requires countries to guarantee freedom from exploitation and abuse for the disabled, while protecting rights they already have -- such as ensuring voting rights for the blind and providing wheelchair-accessible buildings.
…theoretically there should be no need for a convention because people with disabilities are included in existing human rights conventions. But the marginalization of the world's disabled people clearly indicated the need for a convention of their own.” (CNN)
I wonder if the Convention defines disability. Does it include obesity? Does this mean the 600-pound American guy is entitled to two seats on a flight? Or does he just get a seatbelt extension...and a miserable seat mate?
The convention requires countries to guarantee freedom from exploitation and abuse for the disabled, while protecting rights they already have -- such as ensuring voting rights for the blind and providing wheelchair-accessible buildings.
…theoretically there should be no need for a convention because people with disabilities are included in existing human rights conventions. But the marginalization of the world's disabled people clearly indicated the need for a convention of their own.” (CNN)
I wonder if the Convention defines disability. Does it include obesity? Does this mean the 600-pound American guy is entitled to two seats on a flight? Or does he just get a seatbelt extension...and a miserable seat mate?
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Geopolitics: Hot Hot Hot
What’s going on in the world? Or, what in the world is going on?
The Saudis (my faves! I love them sooo much! They are such nice people) are saying if the US leaves Iraq, they will arm the Sunnis in Iraq so they can defend themselves against the Shia. Ok. So that forces the US to stay, right? But in the past week, I got the distinct impression that the US was already leaning towards staying in Iraq, but supporting the Shias. That puts the US on the same side as Iran. Huh? How can that be okay with the Saudis? How can even be okay with Americans? I’ve very confused.
And then the Saudi Ambassador to the US quits. Just like that.
New Yorker cartoon caption: If you can’t stand the Byzantine heat, get out of the cabal.
I’m beginning to suspect that Cheney’s plan all along was to start a regional war so all these troublesome Muslims can just kill each other, and leave their precious natural resources, (i.e. black gold, Saudi tea, Iraqi tea, anybody's tea) for the good Christian West to enjoy. Not that far-fetched, is it?
Meanwhile, back in Israel, Ehud “Don’t you miss Ariel Sharon” Ohmert made a big, big boo-boo and let slip that Israel does indeed have nukes. And guess where they are all pointed? Hint: their leader has “beady eyes” and a beige jacket.
How shocked am I? Well, very shocked that an Israeli PM can be that dumb and still be alive. “Did I say nukes? I meant newts, Israel has hundreds of newts!”
Meanwhile, Clueless George has decided to embark on a “listening tour”. “Listening” only to Pentagon bigwigs who agree with him. Gawd, that would be so incredibly hysterical if it wasn’t so terrifying.
The Saudis (my faves! I love them sooo much! They are such nice people) are saying if the US leaves Iraq, they will arm the Sunnis in Iraq so they can defend themselves against the Shia. Ok. So that forces the US to stay, right? But in the past week, I got the distinct impression that the US was already leaning towards staying in Iraq, but supporting the Shias. That puts the US on the same side as Iran. Huh? How can that be okay with the Saudis? How can even be okay with Americans? I’ve very confused.
And then the Saudi Ambassador to the US quits. Just like that.
New Yorker cartoon caption: If you can’t stand the Byzantine heat, get out of the cabal.
I’m beginning to suspect that Cheney’s plan all along was to start a regional war so all these troublesome Muslims can just kill each other, and leave their precious natural resources, (i.e. black gold, Saudi tea, Iraqi tea, anybody's tea) for the good Christian West to enjoy. Not that far-fetched, is it?
Meanwhile, back in Israel, Ehud “Don’t you miss Ariel Sharon” Ohmert made a big, big boo-boo and let slip that Israel does indeed have nukes. And guess where they are all pointed? Hint: their leader has “beady eyes” and a beige jacket.
How shocked am I? Well, very shocked that an Israeli PM can be that dumb and still be alive. “Did I say nukes? I meant newts, Israel has hundreds of newts!”
Meanwhile, Clueless George has decided to embark on a “listening tour”. “Listening” only to Pentagon bigwigs who agree with him. Gawd, that would be so incredibly hysterical if it wasn’t so terrifying.
‘Cause when you suck at your job, it’s the company’s fault
“Tenor Roberto Alagna has threatened to sue La Scala if the opera house does not let him return following his abrupt stage exit during a performance.
The opera house management said he would not sing the remaining scheduled performances as he had technically broken his contract. (BBC News)
"His behaviour has created a rift between the artist and the audience, and there is no possibility of repairing this relationship," spokesman Carlo Maria Cella said.
…
"But what was I supposed to do when some people started booing? What if they had thrown stones at me or some crazy person had attacked me?
"La Scala should have protected me, the show should have been suspended."
They did not throw stones. Nobody attacked him.
Two words: Drama Queen.
The opera house management said he would not sing the remaining scheduled performances as he had technically broken his contract. (BBC News)
"His behaviour has created a rift between the artist and the audience, and there is no possibility of repairing this relationship," spokesman Carlo Maria Cella said.
…
"But what was I supposed to do when some people started booing? What if they had thrown stones at me or some crazy person had attacked me?
"La Scala should have protected me, the show should have been suspended."
They did not throw stones. Nobody attacked him.
Two words: Drama Queen.
“China’s white dolphin extinct after 20 million years” (CNN)
It took 20 million years but we finally got rid of those pesky white dolphins. “Overfishing and shipping traffic” are the primary reasons for their extinction. Well, good for us humans. Who did those dolphins think they were anyway? That’s another species done with, and several hundred thousand more to go.
You know, when we have finally succeeded in eliminating every other living, sentient creature from the face of the Earth, I hope we have one giant heckuva “We’re No. 1 ‘cause We’re the Only Ones” party. It will be such fun. Better than New Year’s Eve in Times Square.
Watch out polar bears, you’re next. Ha Ha! Hey, Central American frogs! Think you've got a chance. Dream on, suckers.
Benny 16: Crazy Cat Person
If this keeps up, I’ll have to start liking the Pope.
From an animal rights web site:
“When he was cardinal, Pope Benedict XVI was also known for his love of cats and used to care for cats near a church in Campasanto Teutonico near St. Peter's Basilica
"I went with him once," said Konrad Baumgartner, the head of the theology department at Regensburg University. "Afterwards, he went into the old cemetery behind the church. It was full of cats, and when he went out, they all ran to him. They knew him and loved him. He stood there, petting some and talking to them, for quite a long time. He visited the cats whenever he visited the church. His love for cats is quite famous".
From an animal rights web site:
“When he was cardinal, Pope Benedict XVI was also known for his love of cats and used to care for cats near a church in Campasanto Teutonico near St. Peter's Basilica
"I went with him once," said Konrad Baumgartner, the head of the theology department at Regensburg University. "Afterwards, he went into the old cemetery behind the church. It was full of cats, and when he went out, they all ran to him. They knew him and loved him. He stood there, petting some and talking to them, for quite a long time. He visited the cats whenever he visited the church. His love for cats is quite famous".
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Cookie Monster
I had a fortune cookie at lunch time, and here was my fortune:
"Your winsome smile will be your protection.
Votre sourire séduisant vous protégéra.*
Now for all those who know me, when you think of me, isn't "winsome smile" the first thing that springs to mind? So true, so true.
I laughed so hard the remainder of my cookie lodged in my windpipe.
*Yes, even our fortune cookies are bilingual.
"Your winsome smile will be your protection.
Votre sourire séduisant vous protégéra.*
Now for all those who know me, when you think of me, isn't "winsome smile" the first thing that springs to mind? So true, so true.
I laughed so hard the remainder of my cookie lodged in my windpipe.
*Yes, even our fortune cookies are bilingual.
And they say women are high strung!
We haven't had any opera news lately, so here goes:
“Top tenor Roberto Alagna has stunned opera-goers at La Scala in Milan by storming off stage in the middle of a performance after he was booed.
The Franco-Italian singer, who was playing a leading role in Verdi's Aida, walked off minutes into the second night of the opera house's new season.
When his rendition of the aria Celeste Aida was greeted by boos and whistles, Alagna stopped singing and walked off stage, leaving his partner in the duet stranded [Editor's note: That's classy].
Alagna, who was born in France to Italian parents, told reporters later: "I have sung around the world and I've been successful, but in front of this evening's audience, I felt like I was in a different world.
"The true spirited and fiery public wasn't there.”
That's it, pal, blame the audience. Um, sorry Roberto, but if they started booing and whistling in the middle of the show, I’d say the “spirited and fiery public” was totally there. In your face.
“Top tenor Roberto Alagna has stunned opera-goers at La Scala in Milan by storming off stage in the middle of a performance after he was booed.
The Franco-Italian singer, who was playing a leading role in Verdi's Aida, walked off minutes into the second night of the opera house's new season.
When his rendition of the aria Celeste Aida was greeted by boos and whistles, Alagna stopped singing and walked off stage, leaving his partner in the duet stranded [Editor's note: That's classy].
Alagna, who was born in France to Italian parents, told reporters later: "I have sung around the world and I've been successful, but in front of this evening's audience, I felt like I was in a different world.
"The true spirited and fiery public wasn't there.”
That's it, pal, blame the audience. Um, sorry Roberto, but if they started booing and whistling in the middle of the show, I’d say the “spirited and fiery public” was totally there. In your face.
Chia Pet Update
Here's the website: www.chia.com
I can't believe Chia Pets haven't made it to Australia. There's an untapped market for these gloriously stupid shrubs. I wonder if they have francishes? I smell a $$$-making opportunity for someone with good business sense.
There's a Homer Simpson Chia. Life just keeps getting better and better.
And this is the same company that makes The Clapper. Genius.
I can't believe Chia Pets haven't made it to Australia. There's an untapped market for these gloriously stupid shrubs. I wonder if they have francishes? I smell a $$$-making opportunity for someone with good business sense.
There's a Homer Simpson Chia. Life just keeps getting better and better.
And this is the same company that makes The Clapper. Genius.
Monday, December 11, 2006
25 Glorious Years
Whoo hoo! Chia Pet is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.
It's the ultimate Christmas gift!
I can't believe that stupid product has been around for a quarter century. Who the hell is buying it?
And now there's a little Chia alarm clock that goes Chi Chi Chi Chia! Wow. I'm near speechless.
And there's a Garfield Chia and a Tweety Bird Chia, the creative possibilities are endless.
Where's my Clooney Chia?
It's the ultimate Christmas gift!
I can't believe that stupid product has been around for a quarter century. Who the hell is buying it?
And now there's a little Chia alarm clock that goes Chi Chi Chi Chia! Wow. I'm near speechless.
And there's a Garfield Chia and a Tweety Bird Chia, the creative possibilities are endless.
Where's my Clooney Chia?
It’s my house anniversary!
Eight years ago today I signed for my house. And eight years ago today, I learned that the furnace in my house had blown up, spewing a tasty layer of soot over every square inch, every nook and cranny, every available solid surface of said house.
Welcome to home ownership.
And thus began a long period of endless headaches and utter misery involving the purchase and installation of a new furnace, the hiring of professional house cleaners and painters, etc etc. The nightmare that never ended, except that it did eventually end, and I got to move into the place a mere 2 and a half months later. In the dead of winter.
Fortunately all of the expenses were covered by the previous owner since the incident occurred before the signing.
At the time, more than one person told me that this was the best thing that could’ve ever happened. I got a freshly painted house and a new furnace, no charge. I remember sighing and thinking, oh yeah, this is just the bestest turn of events ever.
An Unjolly Christmas
The older I get, the less “fun” Christmas gets, and the more bittersweet.
I have a friend who has a family member who is dying. Barring a literal miracle (they have stopped all medical treatment), this is his last Christmas. I wonder what it feels like to know that this is your final Christmas. Or your final birthday. Or your final anniversary.
Thankfully the vast majority of us will go into our last Christmas blissfully ignorant of the fact that this is it, folks. No more Christmas for you, pal. But what about the small number who know? Will this year be the sweetest? Certainly it will be the most painful. But can it also be the best in some way? Appreciated at a higher, more intense level than any “normal” Christmas? Will the whole family grab onto the occasion with a newfound passion? I can seeing trying too hard to make it memorable, out of desperation, knowing full well that it can’t help but be memorable, either in a positive or negative way.
What do you buy for someone who is dying? You have to buy something. But it seems futile, and if the person says they don’t want or need anything, of course they are right, but, god, they aren’t dead yet and this is the last chance to buy them a gift. What a crazy sad situation.
I have a friend who has a family member who is dying. Barring a literal miracle (they have stopped all medical treatment), this is his last Christmas. I wonder what it feels like to know that this is your final Christmas. Or your final birthday. Or your final anniversary.
Thankfully the vast majority of us will go into our last Christmas blissfully ignorant of the fact that this is it, folks. No more Christmas for you, pal. But what about the small number who know? Will this year be the sweetest? Certainly it will be the most painful. But can it also be the best in some way? Appreciated at a higher, more intense level than any “normal” Christmas? Will the whole family grab onto the occasion with a newfound passion? I can seeing trying too hard to make it memorable, out of desperation, knowing full well that it can’t help but be memorable, either in a positive or negative way.
What do you buy for someone who is dying? You have to buy something. But it seems futile, and if the person says they don’t want or need anything, of course they are right, but, god, they aren’t dead yet and this is the last chance to buy them a gift. What a crazy sad situation.
Today in Utter Stupidity News
“OTTAWA—Bob Rae was the target of anti-Semitic attacks during the Liberal leadership contest, motivated at least in part by the fact his wife is Jewish.
Sources close to Rae say that his wife, Arlene Perly Rae, was approached during last weekend's convention by a delegate who didn't realize she was the candidate's wife. The delegate told her not to vote for Rae "because his wife is Jewish.”
For all my worldliness, I guess I’m still an idealistically naïve country bumpkin at heart because I am shocked and appalled by this story. Have we really not evolved any farther than this? And, as an aside, which delegate is so dumb that he or she shows up at the Liberal Convention, after a ten-month leadership race, and still doesn’t know what Bob Rae’s wife look like? Duh.
The delegate in question will, no doubt, be unavailable for comment, as he or she is in Tehran this week attending the Big Holocaust Deniers Love-In.
Frankly, becoming a hermit is really my only remaining option.
Friday, December 08, 2006
In Iran news, oh you naughty boy!
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, who flaunts his ideological fervour, has been accused of undermining Iran's Islamic revolution after television footage appeared to show him watching a female song and dance show.
The famously austere Mr Ahmadinejad has been criticised by his own allies after attending the lavish opening ceremony of the Asian games in Qatar, a sporting competition involving 13,000 athletes from 39 countries. The ceremony featured Indian and Egyptian dancers and female vocalists. Many were not wearing veils. (Guardian)
Many were not wearing veils? Risqué? You betcha.
Cut him some slack. This is as close as Mahmoud will ever get to ogling strippers. At least in public. This being said, it’s a laugh to watch a fundamentalist like him get trashed for not being pious enough. Heh.
The famously austere Mr Ahmadinejad has been criticised by his own allies after attending the lavish opening ceremony of the Asian games in Qatar, a sporting competition involving 13,000 athletes from 39 countries. The ceremony featured Indian and Egyptian dancers and female vocalists. Many were not wearing veils. (Guardian)
Many were not wearing veils? Risqué? You betcha.
Cut him some slack. This is as close as Mahmoud will ever get to ogling strippers. At least in public. This being said, it’s a laugh to watch a fundamentalist like him get trashed for not being pious enough. Heh.
Canadian politics is bor-ing
Why don’t events like this ever happen around here?
“A senior Indonesian MP has resigned from Parliament after a mobile phone clip of him cavorting naked in a hotel room with a popular singer was passed from phone to phone around the country and ended up on the internet.
The shaky one-minute video shows Mr Zaini and Maria Eva, an Indonesian folk singer, frolicking naked and climbing into bed with each other. It leaked out onto the internet last week, forcing Mr Zaini, who is married, to resign as head of religious affairs with Golkar, the largest party in the predominantly Muslim nation.” (Times of London)
I’m trying to think of a single politician I would want to see “cavorting naked” on the Internet. Hmmm.
…I’m still thinking….there must be one…
“A senior Indonesian MP has resigned from Parliament after a mobile phone clip of him cavorting naked in a hotel room with a popular singer was passed from phone to phone around the country and ended up on the internet.
The shaky one-minute video shows Mr Zaini and Maria Eva, an Indonesian folk singer, frolicking naked and climbing into bed with each other. It leaked out onto the internet last week, forcing Mr Zaini, who is married, to resign as head of religious affairs with Golkar, the largest party in the predominantly Muslim nation.” (Times of London)
I’m trying to think of a single politician I would want to see “cavorting naked” on the Internet. Hmmm.
…I’m still thinking….there must be one…
This is not good television
I was appalled by Peter Mansbridge’s questioning of Steph Dion last night. I only saw one part of the interview, the part where Mansbridge rather nastily raised the non-issue “issue” that Dion’s mother is from France.
When did the CBC become xenophobic?
Clearly we are meant to suspect that if he became PM Steph would annex Canada to France because, well, his mother’s from France, so he has no loyalty to Canada, right? What an assholian question that was. Mansbridge could hem and haw all he wanted and claim that he wasn’t attacking Steph, but of course he was. Just by raising the fact he implied that’s there something wrong with having a leader whose mother is not Canadian. Because surely nobody else in this country has a parent born outside Canada. Even Mansbridge himself admitted he had a British parent. But I guess that doesn’t matter. Maybe Petey can get a job at the BBC.
When did the CBC become xenophobic?
Clearly we are meant to suspect that if he became PM Steph would annex Canada to France because, well, his mother’s from France, so he has no loyalty to Canada, right? What an assholian question that was. Mansbridge could hem and haw all he wanted and claim that he wasn’t attacking Steph, but of course he was. Just by raising the fact he implied that’s there something wrong with having a leader whose mother is not Canadian. Because surely nobody else in this country has a parent born outside Canada. Even Mansbridge himself admitted he had a British parent. But I guess that doesn’t matter. Maybe Petey can get a job at the BBC.
Steph to his credit, though angry, didn't say anything rude. Basically he told Mansbridge he had no right to question his loyalty to Canada. End of story.
Personally I found Steph’s mother to be a hoot. On the day after his election, she was asked if she was excited about the possibility of her son becoming Prime Minister. She lifted her shoulders in a classic gallic shrug and said “well, if that’s what he wants.” I believe the correct word for her is apolitical.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Are You Sure You Checked?
Seguing from Greg's blog, I just have to tell a little story about my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
When I was Italy, my room-mate and I got reservations to visit the Accadamia and Uffizi in Florence. Two days before our departure the hotel clerk made the reservation and wrote the numbers on a piece of paper that my room-mate took and put in her purse. On the morning of our trip to Florence, I, the OCDer, noticed that my roomie did not double-check, triple-check or quadruple-check that she still had the paper in her purse. It was driving me nuts. Finally I asked her "Are you sure you have our reservations?" She calmly replied that she did, she had put the paper in her purse. I thought: TWO DAYS AGO! Didn't she realize that the paper could have grown legs and walked away from her purse. It might have spontaneously disintegrated. Italian paper elves could have stolen it. How could she possibly know it was still there, just because she put it there! I had no choice but to believe her.
And, of course, when we arrived at Accadamia she took the paper out of her purse and handed it to the ticket agent.
Thus I got a glimpse of what life is like for non-OCDers. I was amazed at how sure, how very certain, she was, without double-checking, that the paper was still in her purse. How calm she was.
I will never be like that.
When I was Italy, my room-mate and I got reservations to visit the Accadamia and Uffizi in Florence. Two days before our departure the hotel clerk made the reservation and wrote the numbers on a piece of paper that my room-mate took and put in her purse. On the morning of our trip to Florence, I, the OCDer, noticed that my roomie did not double-check, triple-check or quadruple-check that she still had the paper in her purse. It was driving me nuts. Finally I asked her "Are you sure you have our reservations?" She calmly replied that she did, she had put the paper in her purse. I thought: TWO DAYS AGO! Didn't she realize that the paper could have grown legs and walked away from her purse. It might have spontaneously disintegrated. Italian paper elves could have stolen it. How could she possibly know it was still there, just because she put it there! I had no choice but to believe her.
And, of course, when we arrived at Accadamia she took the paper out of her purse and handed it to the ticket agent.
Thus I got a glimpse of what life is like for non-OCDers. I was amazed at how sure, how very certain, she was, without double-checking, that the paper was still in her purse. How calm she was.
I will never be like that.
Shake Up or Break Up
JAW Fan called me today to tell me about a self-help book that Mr. G. Smith, a friend of his (I'm using the term "friend" oh so loosely here) wants to write. It's called Shake Up or Break Up. Here's the theory behind the book.
A) After many years of marriage women lose interest in sex,
therefore
B) Men should be allowed to go outside the marriage for sex.
While I could not quite see how he could stretch this out into a 150-page book, I agreed with the theory. Which seemed to confuse JAW Fan. Being female, my agreement with the above theory came with a number of "qualifiers".
I thought I could write this book. For copyright infringement reasons, I would call my version Shake It Up or Break It up. (Clever, eh?)
Here is my revised synopsis.
A) After many years of marriage [some men and] women lose interest in sex [with their spouses],
therefore
B) Men [and women who mutally agree that this is an acceptable way to save their marriage for the sake of the kids] should be allowed to go outside the marriage for sex [with their spouse's knowledge and consent].
I really should've gone into contract law.
I suspect that Mr. Smith would be horrified to see his pithy thesis statement transformed into this unwieldy condition-laden minefield. But that there's the difference between men like Mr. Smith and someone like me.
This being said, I can't help but think that Mr. Smith's in-your-face book would be a much better seller than my little publication.
A) After many years of marriage women lose interest in sex,
therefore
B) Men should be allowed to go outside the marriage for sex.
While I could not quite see how he could stretch this out into a 150-page book, I agreed with the theory. Which seemed to confuse JAW Fan. Being female, my agreement with the above theory came with a number of "qualifiers".
I thought I could write this book. For copyright infringement reasons, I would call my version Shake It Up or Break It up. (Clever, eh?)
Here is my revised synopsis.
A) After many years of marriage [some men and] women lose interest in sex [with their spouses],
therefore
B) Men [and women who mutally agree that this is an acceptable way to save their marriage for the sake of the kids] should be allowed to go outside the marriage for sex [with their spouse's knowledge and consent].
I really should've gone into contract law.
I suspect that Mr. Smith would be horrified to see his pithy thesis statement transformed into this unwieldy condition-laden minefield. But that there's the difference between men like Mr. Smith and someone like me.
This being said, I can't help but think that Mr. Smith's in-your-face book would be a much better seller than my little publication.
Kids Today!
Guess what CD my nephew (age 18) wants for Christmas?
T Rex's Greatest Hits.
What???
Where did this come from?
A few years ago, it was all about The Doors. As a sarcastic aunt I felt compelled to point out that Jim Morrison had been dead for many, many years. He ignored me. I know The Doors thing came from his Apocalypse Now phase, which lasted a long time. I supposed it's never actually ended. Which is okay because my Apocalypse Now phase has been going on for about 27 years now. So okay. I could live with that.
But where does this T Rex thing come from? Off the top of my old grey head I can't think of a single song by T Rex other than Bang a Gong.
Does this mean he's skipped the KISS phase? The Alice Cooper phase? Or are those in his future?
T Rex's Greatest Hits.
What???
Where did this come from?
A few years ago, it was all about The Doors. As a sarcastic aunt I felt compelled to point out that Jim Morrison had been dead for many, many years. He ignored me. I know The Doors thing came from his Apocalypse Now phase, which lasted a long time. I supposed it's never actually ended. Which is okay because my Apocalypse Now phase has been going on for about 27 years now. So okay. I could live with that.
But where does this T Rex thing come from? Off the top of my old grey head I can't think of a single song by T Rex other than Bang a Gong.
Does this mean he's skipped the KISS phase? The Alice Cooper phase? Or are those in his future?
ISG
The geezers of the Iraq Study Group have said that the US must talk directly with Iran and Syria.
W’s response? “The White House on Wednesday said it has ruled out one-on-one talks with Iran about Iraq unless Tehran suspends nuclear activities.”
Yeah! Now we’re cooking with gas. Onward! I feel real progress in the air.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Swearing in La Belle Province
The Washington Post ran a surprisingly accurate article about Quebecois swearing today.
Our swear words are all based on religious objects. It's quite unique and pretty addictive once you start using them. Trust me, you smash your finger in a drawer and it feels really good to mutter "tabarnacle!" or better yet "host of a tabarnacle". I have a tendency to say "chalice" but never say "baptism". And I never say "Christ" in either French or English.
My father, who was an Anglo from Ontario, learned his French from the guys at the factory and at the tavern, so he knew all the swears and used them correctly. My mother, an actual Quebec francophone, never swore, ever. But she didn't care that my father did. She knew it amused him greatly. My uncle, her brother, on the other hand, can't make it through a single sentence without at least two swears thrown in.
Seeing it explained by an outsider makes it all the more amusing. A week doesn't go by that I don't hear someone saying that they "Christed something in the garbage". (Je l'ai crisse aux vidanges) but now that I think about the word Christ used as a verb, I see how truly bizarre that is.
Our swear words are all based on religious objects. It's quite unique and pretty addictive once you start using them. Trust me, you smash your finger in a drawer and it feels really good to mutter "tabarnacle!" or better yet "host of a tabarnacle". I have a tendency to say "chalice" but never say "baptism". And I never say "Christ" in either French or English.
My father, who was an Anglo from Ontario, learned his French from the guys at the factory and at the tavern, so he knew all the swears and used them correctly. My mother, an actual Quebec francophone, never swore, ever. But she didn't care that my father did. She knew it amused him greatly. My uncle, her brother, on the other hand, can't make it through a single sentence without at least two swears thrown in.
Seeing it explained by an outsider makes it all the more amusing. A week doesn't go by that I don't hear someone saying that they "Christed something in the garbage". (Je l'ai crisse aux vidanges) but now that I think about the word Christ used as a verb, I see how truly bizarre that is.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
P.U.
Okay, so I shouldn't ride the bus anymore because of stupid people.
And I don't like to drive because of stupid people.
And now it looks like I may not want to fly again because of stupid people.
"Woman Under Fire After In-Flight Flatulence
Nashville, Tenn. -- What do you do if you pass embarrassing gas on an airplane? One woman found out what not to do.
A Nashville International Airport spokeswoman said an American Airlines plane bound for Texas had to make an emergency landing Monday morning in Nashville after matches were lit in flight.
The pilot said the concern was what passengers said they smelled inside the aircraft and that he did not feel it was safe to continue on.
…
A woman passenger told investigators that she lit matches to mask gas that she emitted. The female passenger was released without being charged, but was not allowed back on the American Airlines flight."
Morons like her give fart jokes a bad name!
And I don't like to drive because of stupid people.
And now it looks like I may not want to fly again because of stupid people.
"Woman Under Fire After In-Flight Flatulence
Nashville, Tenn. -- What do you do if you pass embarrassing gas on an airplane? One woman found out what not to do.
A Nashville International Airport spokeswoman said an American Airlines plane bound for Texas had to make an emergency landing Monday morning in Nashville after matches were lit in flight.
The pilot said the concern was what passengers said they smelled inside the aircraft and that he did not feel it was safe to continue on.
…
A woman passenger told investigators that she lit matches to mask gas that she emitted. The female passenger was released without being charged, but was not allowed back on the American Airlines flight."
Morons like her give fart jokes a bad name!
Why not phone up Robin Hood
and ask him for some wealth distribution?
“The richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half of all household wealth, according to a new study by a United Nations research institute.
The report says that the poorer half of the world's population own barely 1% of global wealth.” (BBC)
Humans. We rock!
“The richest 2% of adults in the world own more than half of all household wealth, according to a new study by a United Nations research institute.
The report says that the poorer half of the world's population own barely 1% of global wealth.” (BBC)
Humans. We rock!
In stupid bus people news
Last night, I’m on the bus again and a young woman gets on with a kid in a stroller. I’m not good at guessing ages but I’d say he was 2.
She sits down and pulls out her ipod and puts it on. The music is playing so loud that I can hear it from across the aisle. I think it was Sean Paul; sounded like him anyway. Then she takes one earphone out and puts it on her kid.
Now, I know how easy and unfair it is for people without kids to criticize other people’s parenting, but is this not both a dumb and dangerous thing to do? When the kid is stone deaf by the time he’s 10, is any doctor going to think to ask: Did you blast music in his ear when he was a toddler?
She sits down and pulls out her ipod and puts it on. The music is playing so loud that I can hear it from across the aisle. I think it was Sean Paul; sounded like him anyway. Then she takes one earphone out and puts it on her kid.
Now, I know how easy and unfair it is for people without kids to criticize other people’s parenting, but is this not both a dumb and dangerous thing to do? When the kid is stone deaf by the time he’s 10, is any doctor going to think to ask: Did you blast music in his ear when he was a toddler?
Fiji Watch
"Suva, Fiji — Fiji's military commander said Tuesday that he had seized control of the country and dismissed the elected prime minister after a weeks-long standoff between the two leaders rooted in tension between the South Pacific nation's indigenous people and its ethnic Indian minority.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama told a news conference that he was using special powers under the constitution to assume the powers of the president and replace Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
He said he would soon return the powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who he expected to appoint a full interim government. Elections to restore democracy would follow, he said."
Send in the Australians!
I gather two things from this story: 1) There's ethnic trouble everywhere, you can't even escape it in an idyllic South Pacific country; and 2) Fijians have very cool names.
Commodore Frank Bainimarama told a news conference that he was using special powers under the constitution to assume the powers of the president and replace Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase.
He said he would soon return the powers to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo, who he expected to appoint a full interim government. Elections to restore democracy would follow, he said."
Send in the Australians!
I gather two things from this story: 1) There's ethnic trouble everywhere, you can't even escape it in an idyllic South Pacific country; and 2) Fijians have very cool names.
That little piggie went wee, wee, wee all the way home
George Clooney's pig died. Age 19.
Everyone knows I love the Cloon, but tell me, why is this news?
Update:
Clooney said he would not be getting a replacement porker. "I think Max covered all my pig needs." (Times of London)
Everyone knows I love the Cloon, but tell me, why is this news?
Update:
Clooney said he would not be getting a replacement porker. "I think Max covered all my pig needs." (Times of London)
Monday, December 04, 2006
Nancy Drew would've solved this in two days
This story has been discussed on Rattansifan’s forum but I feel I need to ponder it a bit more. It raises many an interesting question.
“NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- A woman's body was found wedged upside-down behind a bookcase in the home she shared with relatives who had spent nearly two weeks looking for her.
A spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said Mariesa Weber's death was not suspicious. Family members said they believe she fell over as she tried to adjust the plug of a TV behind the bookshelf.
Weber, 38, returned home Oct. 28 and greeted her mother, then wasn't seen again.
Her family thought she had been kidnapped and contacted authorities. Family members scoured her room for clues but found nothing, though they did notice a strange smell.”
a) How much serious discussion was engaged in before the family decided this was a case of kidnapping?
Sister: Where’s Mariesa?
Mother: I don’t know. She came home and I haven’t seen her since.
Sister: She must’ve been kidnapped.
This is clearly a case of people watching too much Law & Order.
b) How bad was the “strange smell” and for how many days did they notice it?
c) What are the statistical chances that any one person’s death can be so dumb that it ends up in the media, and their family look like total chumps?
“NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. -- A woman's body was found wedged upside-down behind a bookcase in the home she shared with relatives who had spent nearly two weeks looking for her.
A spokesman for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office said Mariesa Weber's death was not suspicious. Family members said they believe she fell over as she tried to adjust the plug of a TV behind the bookshelf.
Weber, 38, returned home Oct. 28 and greeted her mother, then wasn't seen again.
Her family thought she had been kidnapped and contacted authorities. Family members scoured her room for clues but found nothing, though they did notice a strange smell.”
a) How much serious discussion was engaged in before the family decided this was a case of kidnapping?
Sister: Where’s Mariesa?
Mother: I don’t know. She came home and I haven’t seen her since.
Sister: She must’ve been kidnapped.
This is clearly a case of people watching too much Law & Order.
b) How bad was the “strange smell” and for how many days did they notice it?
c) What are the statistical chances that any one person’s death can be so dumb that it ends up in the media, and their family look like total chumps?
Six More Years
Hugo gets to be a thorn in W's side for the rest of his Presidency.
Alas, it looks like we won't be seeing Fidel in public ever again, but the transition to Hugo as the official pain-in-the-ass of the Bush administration has gone pretty smoothly.
I look forward to wild and crazy rhetoric.
Alas, it looks like we won't be seeing Fidel in public ever again, but the transition to Hugo as the official pain-in-the-ass of the Bush administration has gone pretty smoothly.
I look forward to wild and crazy rhetoric.
Today in public transit news
Some people are clueless morons.
On my crowded bus this morning, the back doors were not working. So when we got downtown and stopped at the first stop, the driver asked everybody to get off at the front. A dozen or so people were getting off, so it took a while for everybody to shuffle, shuffle, shuffle through the crowded aisle and make it to the front to disembark.
The bus took off again, and immediately some people started to move toward the front. Mine is the second stop, so I also stood up a block earlier than usual and started to walk toward the front. I noticed one guy stopping by the back door. Whatever, I thought.
We get to the stop and again shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, everyone gets off at the front in an orderly fashion. As I’m at the door, I notice the guy is now behind me and he stops and says to the driver “I just wanted to let you know that the back doors aren’t opening”.
The driver was a better person than I because all he said was “thanks”, whereas I wanted to turn around and go “Whhaaaaa? The doors aren’t oppppeninnnng????” in a very loud voice.
How do nitwits survive in this world?
On my crowded bus this morning, the back doors were not working. So when we got downtown and stopped at the first stop, the driver asked everybody to get off at the front. A dozen or so people were getting off, so it took a while for everybody to shuffle, shuffle, shuffle through the crowded aisle and make it to the front to disembark.
The bus took off again, and immediately some people started to move toward the front. Mine is the second stop, so I also stood up a block earlier than usual and started to walk toward the front. I noticed one guy stopping by the back door. Whatever, I thought.
We get to the stop and again shuffle, shuffle, shuffle, everyone gets off at the front in an orderly fashion. As I’m at the door, I notice the guy is now behind me and he stops and says to the driver “I just wanted to let you know that the back doors aren’t opening”.
The driver was a better person than I because all he said was “thanks”, whereas I wanted to turn around and go “Whhaaaaa? The doors aren’t oppppeninnnng????” in a very loud voice.
How do nitwits survive in this world?
Sunday, December 03, 2006
News on the Dateability Scene
There was a poll of both men and women about the "dateability" of various professions. I'm not sure I liked what it said.
Unsurprising, both men and women said that doctors were the most "dateable". 92% dateability rating for both male and female doctors. Is it safe to say that everyone's into money and status. That's the awful truth.
Now for the fun stuff:
Women's second choice: architects (89% dateability) Status and money again, I suppose. I don't really understand the appeal of the architect. On Seinfeld, George would claim he was an architect to impress women. I don't get what is sexy about architects. Nanuk shrugged. (Darn. Wrong book, right? But it was such a good joke. I can't think of a funny fountainhead line.)
Men's second choice?
Models!! (Actually, they aren't second, they are tied with doctors at 92%)
Good-bye money and status, hello exterior beauty. Come on, guys, do you have to be so predictable?
Women are into wealth and men are into looks. It's astonishing that the world keeps turning.
3rd choice:
Women: lawyers 89% (hey, I'm seeing a pattern here)
Men: air hostess 88%.
Who calls them air hostesses anymore? They are flight attendants. Or worse: cabin crew. But again "air hostess" certainly is better for 1960s Swedish soft-core fantasizing than "flight attendant". Would you like some TWA coffee? (old joke, for the initiated only.)
4th choice:
Women: property agent. I'm not sure what that is. I'm assuming it's a real estate agent. Who thinks real estate agents are dateable? Aren't those guys sleazy? This one is lost on me. Do status and money apply here?
Men: Shocker! Dancer 88%. I guess that is short for pole dancer? I dunno. I give up.
I noted that "editor of aviation-related technical material didn't even make the list". Harumph!
Unsurprising, both men and women said that doctors were the most "dateable". 92% dateability rating for both male and female doctors. Is it safe to say that everyone's into money and status. That's the awful truth.
Now for the fun stuff:
Women's second choice: architects (89% dateability) Status and money again, I suppose. I don't really understand the appeal of the architect. On Seinfeld, George would claim he was an architect to impress women. I don't get what is sexy about architects. Nanuk shrugged. (Darn. Wrong book, right? But it was such a good joke. I can't think of a funny fountainhead line.)
Men's second choice?
Models!! (Actually, they aren't second, they are tied with doctors at 92%)
Good-bye money and status, hello exterior beauty. Come on, guys, do you have to be so predictable?
Women are into wealth and men are into looks. It's astonishing that the world keeps turning.
3rd choice:
Women: lawyers 89% (hey, I'm seeing a pattern here)
Men: air hostess 88%.
Who calls them air hostesses anymore? They are flight attendants. Or worse: cabin crew. But again "air hostess" certainly is better for 1960s Swedish soft-core fantasizing than "flight attendant". Would you like some TWA coffee? (old joke, for the initiated only.)
4th choice:
Women: property agent. I'm not sure what that is. I'm assuming it's a real estate agent. Who thinks real estate agents are dateable? Aren't those guys sleazy? This one is lost on me. Do status and money apply here?
Men: Shocker! Dancer 88%. I guess that is short for pole dancer? I dunno. I give up.
I noted that "editor of aviation-related technical material didn't even make the list". Harumph!
Blech
I've just come in from shovelling the walk and the driveway. First time this year. Boo!
Yes, yes, I know the snow makes it "Christmasy", but you know what? I don't care.
Bah humbug.
Yes, yes, I know the snow makes it "Christmasy", but you know what? I don't care.
Bah humbug.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Tenacious D(ion)
Academic nerds throughout the land, rejoice!
A few short days ago I said he could not win. But our boy Stephane with the knapsack on his back (and not the briefcase in his hand) has shockingly emerged the victor.
I’ve never voted Liberal, but tonight I am leaning that way. I can’t wait for the next election! Yes, I am such a nerd!
All over the Rest of Canada, people are shaking their heads and saying "I can't believe the Liberals picked another Frenchman."
And if anyone in the rest of the world is wondering, as far as I know he is not related to Celine. At least I hope not.
A few short days ago I said he could not win. But our boy Stephane with the knapsack on his back (and not the briefcase in his hand) has shockingly emerged the victor.
I’ve never voted Liberal, but tonight I am leaning that way. I can’t wait for the next election! Yes, I am such a nerd!
All over the Rest of Canada, people are shaking their heads and saying "I can't believe the Liberals picked another Frenchman."
And if anyone in the rest of the world is wondering, as far as I know he is not related to Celine. At least I hope not.
Friday, December 01, 2006
Men! Finnish Men!
HELSINKI, Finland (Reuters) -- Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, dubbed Finland's sexiest man, broke up by text message with the girlfriend he had met on the Internet, she said in a magazine interview.
"Matti dumped me in a text message, where he said 'that's it,'" Susan Kuronen told the magazine Me Naiset (Us Women) in an interview published on Friday.
So here's the question: If a man breaks up with you by text message, is it worse if he is the Prime Minister?
Second question: What on earth was the Prime Minister doing meeting women on the Internet? He's the Prime Minister! If I was to meet a man on-line (Note: This will NEVER happen) and he wrote "Incidentally I am the Prime Minister of a relatively well-known Scandinavian nation, and I know Saku Koivu personally", I would strongly suspect he was bullshitting me.
"Matti dumped me in a text message, where he said 'that's it,'" Susan Kuronen told the magazine Me Naiset (Us Women) in an interview published on Friday.
So here's the question: If a man breaks up with you by text message, is it worse if he is the Prime Minister?
Second question: What on earth was the Prime Minister doing meeting women on the Internet? He's the Prime Minister! If I was to meet a man on-line (Note: This will NEVER happen) and he wrote "Incidentally I am the Prime Minister of a relatively well-known Scandinavian nation, and I know Saku Koivu personally", I would strongly suspect he was bullshitting me.
Friday Fun with the F Word
Since I’ve already had my swearing pointed out in an earlier comment, I’m going to go whole hog and throw all caution and decorum to the wind here.
There’s a very funny string of comments on Lance Mannion’s site about the proper emphasis in an old saying. Who knew this phrase had so many variations? The phrase is that old war horse: Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.
Fuck them if they can't take a joke.
If they can't take a joke, fuck them.
Then come the variations:
"They must be fucked if they can't take a joke."
Or "one must take a joke or be fucked"
How about a big red sign on the wall: "Failure to take a joke will result in fucking."
Or a possible pick-up line: "Hello there, tall, dark and handsome -- I can't take a joke..."
There’s a very funny string of comments on Lance Mannion’s site about the proper emphasis in an old saying. Who knew this phrase had so many variations? The phrase is that old war horse: Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.
Fuck them if they can't take a joke.
If they can't take a joke, fuck them.
Then come the variations:
"They must be fucked if they can't take a joke."
Or "one must take a joke or be fucked"
How about a big red sign on the wall: "Failure to take a joke will result in fucking."
Or a possible pick-up line: "Hello there, tall, dark and handsome -- I can't take a joke..."
Aw, heart-warming Christmas story
"A German chain of shops has removed miniature wooden Santa Claus figures from its shelves and destroyed them after customers complained it looked like they were giving the stiff-armed Hitler salute that is outlawed." (CNN)
Ich bin Santa!
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Another poisoned Russian?
"Former acting Russian Prime Minister Yegor Gaidar is being treated in a Moscow hospital amid rumours about the cause of his mystery illness.
Mr Gaidar became violently ill during a visit to Ireland last week, and his daughter Maria told the BBC that doctors believe he was poisoned." (BBC)
I have only one question: Isn't Gaidar spelt with a "y"?
(Sorry, had an exasperating morning at the office. Am now a bit giddy.)
Mr Gaidar became violently ill during a visit to Ireland last week, and his daughter Maria told the BBC that doctors believe he was poisoned." (BBC)
I have only one question: Isn't Gaidar spelt with a "y"?
(Sorry, had an exasperating morning at the office. Am now a bit giddy.)
It's a wild week
“…a US State Department official has said that Britain’s role as a bridge between America and Europe is now “disappearing before our eyes”.
Kendall Myers, a senior State Department analyst, disclosed that for all Britain’s attempts to influence US policy in recent years, “we typically ignore them and take no notice — it’s a sad business”. (Times of London)
Another case of the painfully obvious showing up as shocking news. We all knew this, that Blair was Bush’s poodle, but it still seems shocking to see it acknowledged by the State Department. Is it safe to assume this Myers fellow is on his way out at State? Condi can’t be thrilled with this. And George won’t be happy with Condi. Trouble in paradise.
I think Colin Powell is also getting a few shots in. heh.
It’s only Thursday, but on the heels of the “Maliki Snub” (I smell a dance craze in the making), can we officially declare this a lousy week for W? To clarify, it would be a lousy week for him if he actually gave a shit about anything, which he doesn't.
Kendall Myers, a senior State Department analyst, disclosed that for all Britain’s attempts to influence US policy in recent years, “we typically ignore them and take no notice — it’s a sad business”. (Times of London)
Another case of the painfully obvious showing up as shocking news. We all knew this, that Blair was Bush’s poodle, but it still seems shocking to see it acknowledged by the State Department. Is it safe to assume this Myers fellow is on his way out at State? Condi can’t be thrilled with this. And George won’t be happy with Condi. Trouble in paradise.
I think Colin Powell is also getting a few shots in. heh.
It’s only Thursday, but on the heels of the “Maliki Snub” (I smell a dance craze in the making), can we officially declare this a lousy week for W? To clarify, it would be a lousy week for him if he actually gave a shit about anything, which he doesn't.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
B-16, Bingo!
You won't often catch me saying good things about the Pope. But, dang it, the man is a snappy dresser and I must give credit where credit is due.
Check out the cream-coloured coat he wore on his arrival in Turkey. As Borat might say: "Niiiiice".
I hope Mahmoud is keeping an eye on this 'cause one day he'll have to retire the beige jacket. Look and learn, Mahmoud.
George is Annoying (Not Bush, for a change)
Since I’m in a bit of a “complain about all things Canadian” mood, let me complain a bit about my friend, George Strombouloupoulos. Why does George always feel he has to act cooler, or just as cool as, his guests? It’s irritating.
Earlier this week he interviewed Noel Gallagher, who is, we must all agree, a pretty cool guy, even though he doesn’t “get” French Canada. So there’s George, trying to out-cool, out-hip Noel Gallagher. What a waste of energy. Gallagher was surprisingly nice and modest and normal, and not drunk.
Last night, George had the boys of Tenacious D on. I couldn’t bear to watch.
Tomorrow, it’s the divine Alan Rickman. Rickman is a lot of things, suave, smooth, wry, snape-ish, but he’s not particularly “cool”. So how will George approach him? Oh Lord, please do not allow George to try to out-suave Rickman. Dare I watch?
Earlier this week he interviewed Noel Gallagher, who is, we must all agree, a pretty cool guy, even though he doesn’t “get” French Canada. So there’s George, trying to out-cool, out-hip Noel Gallagher. What a waste of energy. Gallagher was surprisingly nice and modest and normal, and not drunk.
Last night, George had the boys of Tenacious D on. I couldn’t bear to watch.
Tomorrow, it’s the divine Alan Rickman. Rickman is a lot of things, suave, smooth, wry, snape-ish, but he’s not particularly “cool”. So how will George approach him? Oh Lord, please do not allow George to try to out-suave Rickman. Dare I watch?
Liberal Invasion
Yikes, the Liberal Convention is gearing up, just down the street from here. Note to self: Carry emergency egg for possible Iggy encounter.
You know what this Convention means. Over 5000 delegates? Long line-ups at the Sushi Shop counter in the Palais des Congres for the rest of the week. No strolling down the block for lunch-time sushi for me for the next few days. Man, the sacrifices I have to make for democracy.
Holy shit. Is that Eugene Whelan in his green cowbody hat? He's not dead? I just had to post this photo because old Gene is the only politician I've actually ever met and spoken to. I met him at the Embassy in Washington years ago, when both Gene and I were much, much younger. I wonder if they will bury him with that stupid hat. Heh.
You know what this Convention means. Over 5000 delegates? Long line-ups at the Sushi Shop counter in the Palais des Congres for the rest of the week. No strolling down the block for lunch-time sushi for me for the next few days. Man, the sacrifices I have to make for democracy.
I can't predict a winner, although I'll venture to say (or hope) that it won't be Iggy. I'd like to see Stephane Dion get the job, representing the nerds of academia everywhere. But he's a dark horse. If a dark horse does win, it'll be Kennedy, Mr. Food Bank. My sister likes him and she's in Ontario, so I'm willing to give him a chance. As a leftist, though, I have to go with Bob Rae.
Holy shit. Is that Eugene Whelan in his green cowbody hat? He's not dead? I just had to post this photo because old Gene is the only politician I've actually ever met and spoken to. I met him at the Embassy in Washington years ago, when both Gene and I were much, much younger. I wonder if they will bury him with that stupid hat. Heh.
Christmas Cage Match!
They want your Xmas dollars.
The billboards around town and the t.v. commercials make it clear that this year’s Xmas battle is between the Telus Monkeys and the Bell Beavers. They are everywhere.
I’m in the Bell beaver camp. My particular fave is the billboard with the beaver in his slimming black turtleneck sweater with his belly sticking out. Hilarious.
I think Telus are resting on their laurels. They’ve been doing cute campaigns with cute exotic critters for so long, I’m really not that enthralled with their strange-looking monkeys du jour.
And, in both cases, am I actually interested in the cellular phones they are trying to sell me? No, not really.
The billboards around town and the t.v. commercials make it clear that this year’s Xmas battle is between the Telus Monkeys and the Bell Beavers. They are everywhere.
I’m in the Bell beaver camp. My particular fave is the billboard with the beaver in his slimming black turtleneck sweater with his belly sticking out. Hilarious.
I think Telus are resting on their laurels. They’ve been doing cute campaigns with cute exotic critters for so long, I’m really not that enthralled with their strange-looking monkeys du jour.
And, in both cases, am I actually interested in the cellular phones they are trying to sell me? No, not really.
Nanukistan IV: Military Affairs
There’s no life like it.
Apparently the pesky US Army stole my motto “Army of One” before I had a chance to trademark it. Harumph. What’s an army without a good motto?
I’m a pacifist and therefore a reluctant soldier, but I have to defend my homeland. I guess I’ll join NATO.
I won’t be much good on the fighting front in Afghanistan since I punch like a girl, but I will volunteer for face-to-face discussions with General Cuddles*. (Yep, I’m bringing back an old fave.) We can discuss what he does for fun these days since he joined the Afghan government and apparently gave up burning, killing, raping and pillaging.
(*Real name: Abdul Rashid Dostum)
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Can there be a bigger idiot?
Is he serious? Does Bush really believe that the Iraq situation is still being caused by Al Qaeda elements? How can this be?
He's still blaming Zarqawi. Good god. Zarqawi has been dead for 6 months and the violence has grown exponentially since he was killed.
Bush still won't call it a civil war. Well, it's not a civil war. It's moved beyond that. It's anarchy.
How much longer can we keep going with the Boy-King in his bubble, leading the world?
Can he seriously be pursuing a strategy to make himself irrelevant? Two more years of this? This is beyond hopeless.
Nanukistan III
International Affairs
I think I will join the United Nations. That way, I’ll get to New York a couple of times per year, which is nice. Although I hate and am terrified of public speaking, and therefore will be very reluctant to address the Hall, I will attend the annual meeting of the General Assembly, especially if the dates thereof coincide with a Broadway appearance by Ralph Fiennes.
Should there be an international incident which requires my presence in New York at a time when Ralph Fiennes is not on Broadway, I will settle for any production featuring Gabriel Byrne. And in the case of an unprecedented nuclear-related crisis, I’ll even go to see Hugh Jackman.
I think I will join the United Nations. That way, I’ll get to New York a couple of times per year, which is nice. Although I hate and am terrified of public speaking, and therefore will be very reluctant to address the Hall, I will attend the annual meeting of the General Assembly, especially if the dates thereof coincide with a Broadway appearance by Ralph Fiennes.
Should there be an international incident which requires my presence in New York at a time when Ralph Fiennes is not on Broadway, I will settle for any production featuring Gabriel Byrne. And in the case of an unprecedented nuclear-related crisis, I’ll even go to see Hugh Jackman.
Celebrity Divorce News
Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock have split up.
You know what this means, ladies! Kid Rock is back on the marriage market!
(Whoops. I just made myself throw up a little. )
Nanukistan II
Nation building is tough.
My nation is a few scant hours old, and I’m already faced with a citizenship crisis. I have decided not to award Nanukian citizenship to the feline class. I was going to, but I realized that if they were granted full citizenship rights, I would be a minority in my own homeland. Totally unacceptable.
Therefore there will be no feline representation in my Parliament. Lest there be protests, note that there will be no feline taxation either. So, no Boston Tea Party for them.
I fear I have created a welfare state. I’m forming a Parliamentary committee to study the issue of importing some mice to create meaningful jobs for the lazy feline underclass, ‘cause really what do they do all day? Eat, sleep, lie on the couch, eat some more, sleep. Welfare Queens!
On the other hand, importing mice will increase the population imbalance between the human and the animal class. Hey, I’ve read Animal Farm. Therefore in the interests of avoiding a feline insurgency, the committee has decided that the cats are residents of Nanukistan because I invited them to live here, and their function is to amuse me. As they fufill these duties to an exemplary degree, there is no need to assign them further work. That’ll keep the mice out too.
My nation is a few scant hours old, and I’m already faced with a citizenship crisis. I have decided not to award Nanukian citizenship to the feline class. I was going to, but I realized that if they were granted full citizenship rights, I would be a minority in my own homeland. Totally unacceptable.
Therefore there will be no feline representation in my Parliament. Lest there be protests, note that there will be no feline taxation either. So, no Boston Tea Party for them.
I fear I have created a welfare state. I’m forming a Parliamentary committee to study the issue of importing some mice to create meaningful jobs for the lazy feline underclass, ‘cause really what do they do all day? Eat, sleep, lie on the couch, eat some more, sleep. Welfare Queens!
On the other hand, importing mice will increase the population imbalance between the human and the animal class. Hey, I’ve read Animal Farm. Therefore in the interests of avoiding a feline insurgency, the committee has decided that the cats are residents of Nanukistan because I invited them to live here, and their function is to amuse me. As they fufill these duties to an exemplary degree, there is no need to assign them further work. That’ll keep the mice out too.
No Visa Required...
to visit my new homeland.
In an effort to beat the Christmas rush, I have decided to jump the queue and declare myself a Nation. Yep. Welcome to Nanukistan. Population: one.
Originally I planned on calling me Soviet Nanukistan, but “Soviet” implied some kind of collectivity and since the goal of nationhood is to exclude as many non-Nanuks as possible, I’ve settled for simply Nanukistan.
I love my new sovereignty!
Taking a page from the Official Birthday Playbook of Queen Elizabeth I’ve decided to have two Official Nationhood Days, the real one on which I declared my sovereignty, i.e. today, 28 November and an Official Holiday. Since 28 November is a pretty lousy date for holding a parade, given the inclement weather of the surrounding territory, known as the “nation” of Quebec within the “country” of Canada, I’ve decided Official Nanukistan Independence Day will be celebrated on 1 July, when the weather is fine. I know it’s the same date as Canada Day but establishing a coinciding holiday guarantees me a day off work from my Canada-based employer.
I’m accepting proposals for a national anthem. I’m thinking something like “Hail to Me” or “Gimme an N”.
In an effort to beat the Christmas rush, I have decided to jump the queue and declare myself a Nation. Yep. Welcome to Nanukistan. Population: one.
Originally I planned on calling me Soviet Nanukistan, but “Soviet” implied some kind of collectivity and since the goal of nationhood is to exclude as many non-Nanuks as possible, I’ve settled for simply Nanukistan.
I love my new sovereignty!
Taking a page from the Official Birthday Playbook of Queen Elizabeth I’ve decided to have two Official Nationhood Days, the real one on which I declared my sovereignty, i.e. today, 28 November and an Official Holiday. Since 28 November is a pretty lousy date for holding a parade, given the inclement weather of the surrounding territory, known as the “nation” of Quebec within the “country” of Canada, I’ve decided Official Nanukistan Independence Day will be celebrated on 1 July, when the weather is fine. I know it’s the same date as Canada Day but establishing a coinciding holiday guarantees me a day off work from my Canada-based employer.
I’m accepting proposals for a national anthem. I’m thinking something like “Hail to Me” or “Gimme an N”.
Monday, November 27, 2006
In International News
Lots of diplomatic to-ing and fro-ing on the world stage this week.
It started with Scary Dick Cheney flying to Saudi Arabia (my friends, the Saudis) for a two-hour meeting with the King. Why on earth would he fly halfway across the world for a two-hour meeting and then fly right back home? Either he’s demanding something (in his Scary Dick way) or he’s begging for something. Hmmm.
Today Pres. Talabani of Iraq is in Tehran meeting with Mahmoud, who is all smiles. Any time Mahmoud is all smiles, you know he’s up to no good.
W, the useless, will be in Jordan this week, meeting with Iraqi PM Al Maliki and King Abdullah, my favourite king. Does anyone else have a favourite king? (A favourite LIVING king? Not Elvis, I mean.)
And to top it all off, the Pope will be in Turkey where I imagine they’ve painted a nice big bulls-eye on the side of the Pope-mobile. This can’t turn out well. Weekly World News Headline: Pope's Goose Cooked in Turkey.
Thank goodness all we have to worry about is an influx of Liberal Party delegates for next week’s convention. Ho-hum, here we are, dull as usual. Maybe Iggy will get egged. That would make for a headline or two. Eggy!
It started with Scary Dick Cheney flying to Saudi Arabia (my friends, the Saudis) for a two-hour meeting with the King. Why on earth would he fly halfway across the world for a two-hour meeting and then fly right back home? Either he’s demanding something (in his Scary Dick way) or he’s begging for something. Hmmm.
Today Pres. Talabani of Iraq is in Tehran meeting with Mahmoud, who is all smiles. Any time Mahmoud is all smiles, you know he’s up to no good.
W, the useless, will be in Jordan this week, meeting with Iraqi PM Al Maliki and King Abdullah, my favourite king. Does anyone else have a favourite king? (A favourite LIVING king? Not Elvis, I mean.)
And to top it all off, the Pope will be in Turkey where I imagine they’ve painted a nice big bulls-eye on the side of the Pope-mobile. This can’t turn out well. Weekly World News Headline: Pope's Goose Cooked in Turkey.
Thank goodness all we have to worry about is an influx of Liberal Party delegates for next week’s convention. Ho-hum, here we are, dull as usual. Maybe Iggy will get egged. That would make for a headline or two. Eggy!
Oh Fab!
“Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has been named European Footballer of the Year on Monday, beating international team-mate Gianluigi Buffon and France and Arsenal striker Thierry Henry into second and third.”
I have nothing to add to this. I simply haven’t pondered Cannavaro in a while, so I’ll just kick back for a few seconds, look out the window and think about him.
Mmmmm. La-di-da. Mmmmmm. Dum-dee-dum. Mmmmmm.
Okay, I’m done. Back to work.
I have nothing to add to this. I simply haven’t pondered Cannavaro in a while, so I’ll just kick back for a few seconds, look out the window and think about him.
Mmmmm. La-di-da. Mmmmmm. Dum-dee-dum. Mmmmmm.
Okay, I’m done. Back to work.
I'm speechless
Because every President needs his library…
“The President hopes to raise $500 million to build his library and a think tank at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
"Bush's institute will hire conservative scholars and 'give them money to write papers and books favorable to the President's policies,' one Bush insider said.” (Washington Post)
Half a billion dollars. I don’t even know what to say about this. Insert your own comic book or EZ Reader joke.
“The President hopes to raise $500 million to build his library and a think tank at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
"Bush's institute will hire conservative scholars and 'give them money to write papers and books favorable to the President's policies,' one Bush insider said.” (Washington Post)
Half a billion dollars. I don’t even know what to say about this. Insert your own comic book or EZ Reader joke.
It's our 2nd Anniversary
Two years ago today, I went to the Animal Rescue pet adoption clinic and came home with the Unholy Trinity.
How time flies.
I wonder if they appreciate how good they've got it. Spoiled monsters.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
That's Life
I read this today:
"God, whose law it is that he who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despite, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.”
"God, whose law it is that he who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget, falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despite, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.”
In cinema news
There are too many movies out there and not enough time to see them. I need a week off to play catch-up.
I saw Flushed Away. If you have a kid or two and want to take them to it, make sure it is in the afternoon. That movie is so busy, busy, busy, it has to leave a kid totally wired, so no way anybody's going to bed after seeing it. I've seen better cartoons, but it was okay. Had a lot of atrocious puns, which I always like. Ian McKellen makes a great bad guy, even as a toad.
Today I saw Babel. A movie in which the bad things just keep on comin'. One bad thing after another after another after another. This film is not the feel-good movie of the year. That poor Japanese girl. The moral? Life is tragic and unfair.
On the bright side: Brad Pitt is getting wrinkles. Huzzah, he's just like the rest of us.
My list of movies I still have to see:
For your consideration
Borat
Fast food nation
Tenacious D (Yeah! They rock!)
The Fountain (It's weird, apparently)
Marie Antoinette
Little Children
and
last
but
not
least
Casino Royale.
I will make an effort to see Casino Royale.
sigh.
I saw Flushed Away. If you have a kid or two and want to take them to it, make sure it is in the afternoon. That movie is so busy, busy, busy, it has to leave a kid totally wired, so no way anybody's going to bed after seeing it. I've seen better cartoons, but it was okay. Had a lot of atrocious puns, which I always like. Ian McKellen makes a great bad guy, even as a toad.
Today I saw Babel. A movie in which the bad things just keep on comin'. One bad thing after another after another after another. This film is not the feel-good movie of the year. That poor Japanese girl. The moral? Life is tragic and unfair.
On the bright side: Brad Pitt is getting wrinkles. Huzzah, he's just like the rest of us.
My list of movies I still have to see:
For your consideration
Borat
Fast food nation
Tenacious D (Yeah! They rock!)
The Fountain (It's weird, apparently)
Marie Antoinette
Little Children
and
last
but
not
least
Casino Royale.
I will make an effort to see Casino Royale.
sigh.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Russian Spies!
The weather's getting really Cold War around here these days.
We’ve got a flesh-and-blood Russian spy in custody in town and I think that’s pretty exciting. I miss the Cold War. Get this: “the man…was picked up at Montreal's airport Nov. 14 carrying his fake birth certificate and passport, about $7,000 in five currencies, three cellphones and five password-protected SIM data cards to go into them, two digital cameras and a shortwave radio.” That’s so cool, carrying a shortwave radio and five currencies. Maybe I will see Casino Royale after all!
And what makes it even better is that Russia has an actual Evil Leader.
There was a deathbed accusation at Putin from a Russian ex-spy in London yesterday. He was poisoned. Russians are really good with poison, aren’t they? That’s so exotically Eastern European. We don’t off our spies with poison here in the West. I think our shady characters go the way of brake failure or other mechanical problems. Off the cliff they go. But poisoning is so much more treacherous. I was glad to hear of this deathbed accusation because, in my opinion, we are not reminded often enough that Putin is EVIL.
In other news,
I turned off the t.v. this morning because every Canadian network was blabbing about Quebec as a nation within a nation, and I can’t stand to hear about it anymore. But afterwards I thought if the choice is between endless, grinding, repetitive chatter about our cultural and ethnic differences, or blowing each other to shreds with car bombs, I’m grateful for the endless chatter.
We’ve got a flesh-and-blood Russian spy in custody in town and I think that’s pretty exciting. I miss the Cold War. Get this: “the man…was picked up at Montreal's airport Nov. 14 carrying his fake birth certificate and passport, about $7,000 in five currencies, three cellphones and five password-protected SIM data cards to go into them, two digital cameras and a shortwave radio.” That’s so cool, carrying a shortwave radio and five currencies. Maybe I will see Casino Royale after all!
And what makes it even better is that Russia has an actual Evil Leader.
There was a deathbed accusation at Putin from a Russian ex-spy in London yesterday. He was poisoned. Russians are really good with poison, aren’t they? That’s so exotically Eastern European. We don’t off our spies with poison here in the West. I think our shady characters go the way of brake failure or other mechanical problems. Off the cliff they go. But poisoning is so much more treacherous. I was glad to hear of this deathbed accusation because, in my opinion, we are not reminded often enough that Putin is EVIL.
In other news,
I turned off the t.v. this morning because every Canadian network was blabbing about Quebec as a nation within a nation, and I can’t stand to hear about it anymore. But afterwards I thought if the choice is between endless, grinding, repetitive chatter about our cultural and ethnic differences, or blowing each other to shreds with car bombs, I’m grateful for the endless chatter.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Let Us Give Thanks for Bob
Now that's what I'd call a pilgrim.
He was riding on the Mayflower when he thought he spied some land...
He was riding on the Mayflower when he thought he spied some land...
Lady Madonna
NBC ran a 2-hour Madonna concert last night. I saw one song, “Hung Up” (I think that's the title). I like that song. I just kept staring at her because she looks weird for her age.
Today in the NY Times there’s an article about Madonna’s appearance and the writer was full of admiration for how much time she spends working out and staying strong and limber etc. I broke a sweat just reading about her.
All this being said, she looks like she’s made of titanium. I looked at her the same way I look at female (and male) body builders. I can respect and admire all the work they do on themselves, but I wouldn’t want to look like that. There's a creepy factor to all this.
Happy Turkey Day
to all my pals down South from your pal up here in Soviet Canuckistan.
As John McLaughlin likes to say: Gobble, Gobble.
As John McLaughlin likes to say: Gobble, Gobble.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
D'Oh! Canada...Hostie
What is with Steve's impromptu motion to have Quebec declared a nation within a nation?
I'm always so embarrassed when someone from the ROC (Rest of Canada) panders to us. And when it's the Prime Minister it is doubly uncomfortable. If there was one PM I thought would hand us our asses on a platter, it was Steve. If you'd told me last January (ah, that fateful 23rd of Jan.) that Steve would be on his knees before us on a regular basis, I'd've never believed it. But there he is again.
Word is Steve was taking a shellacking in the Quebec polls because of little things like Afghanistan (what? is that still on?) and his one-sided support of Israel. So he had to worm his way back into our fickle little hearts.
Can't let Ignatieff have all the glory, eh?
And all the parties except the Bloc seem ready to go along with this. By Jove!
I can't believe redneck Albertans are thrilled with their little Stevie these days. Preston Manning would've never proposed such a wimpy motion.
They'll all be speaking French in Calgary any day now. Tabarnack!
I'm always so embarrassed when someone from the ROC (Rest of Canada) panders to us. And when it's the Prime Minister it is doubly uncomfortable. If there was one PM I thought would hand us our asses on a platter, it was Steve. If you'd told me last January (ah, that fateful 23rd of Jan.) that Steve would be on his knees before us on a regular basis, I'd've never believed it. But there he is again.
Word is Steve was taking a shellacking in the Quebec polls because of little things like Afghanistan (what? is that still on?) and his one-sided support of Israel. So he had to worm his way back into our fickle little hearts.
Can't let Ignatieff have all the glory, eh?
And all the parties except the Bloc seem ready to go along with this. By Jove!
I can't believe redneck Albertans are thrilled with their little Stevie these days. Preston Manning would've never proposed such a wimpy motion.
They'll all be speaking French in Calgary any day now. Tabarnack!
More on Bob, the Fashion Icon
In 1965 in London, Dylan fell hard for the polka-dot shirt. He wore fitted, button-up ones, but billowy, filmy androgynous ones too, and more than any other item, these have been a sartorial mainstay. (NY Post)
In 99.99% of cases, I think a man wearing a polka dot shirt would be a deal-breaker for me. But there are exceptions to every rule. I tried to find a really good photo of Bob wearing one of his beloved polka dots, but nothing was up to my standards. Heh.
Let's party like it's 1970
MONTREAL - A letter claiming to be from a new cell of the Front de liberation du Quebec and threatening to take action for what it describes as ''Anglo-Saxon imperialism'' in the West Island and west-end Montreal is being investigated by police.
The letter, from a group or someone identifying themselves as the ''Camille Laurin Cell'' of the FLQ, was sent last week to media outlets and city halls in the western part of Montreal Island. (The Gazette)
The "Camille Laurin Cell". That is freakin' hilarious. Are they 80-year-old freedom fighters with dyed jet black hair? (For my American friends, try to imagine the Strom Thurmond Cell...)
When they launch a Black Jaques Parizeau Cell, they can give me a call. I'll join, by jove. In my 3-piece pinstripe suit.
I live in west-end Montreal and just the other day I was discussing the "Ango-Saxon imperialism" of the area. Now where was I again? At the Italian/Jewish IGA where I get groceries? hmm. No, maybe it was at that Russian pastry shop? No? Oh at Azar's, the Lebanese restaurant? Maybe it was at the Indian place I ate at last week? I just can't remember.
The letter, from a group or someone identifying themselves as the ''Camille Laurin Cell'' of the FLQ, was sent last week to media outlets and city halls in the western part of Montreal Island. (The Gazette)
The "Camille Laurin Cell". That is freakin' hilarious. Are they 80-year-old freedom fighters with dyed jet black hair? (For my American friends, try to imagine the Strom Thurmond Cell...)
When they launch a Black Jaques Parizeau Cell, they can give me a call. I'll join, by jove. In my 3-piece pinstripe suit.
I live in west-end Montreal and just the other day I was discussing the "Ango-Saxon imperialism" of the area. Now where was I again? At the Italian/Jewish IGA where I get groceries? hmm. No, maybe it was at that Russian pastry shop? No? Oh at Azar's, the Lebanese restaurant? Maybe it was at the Indian place I ate at last week? I just can't remember.
As a west-ender, I DO resent being lumped together with people from the West Island. Down with suburbanites!
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Fashion Bob
The current leg of Bob's Never-Ending Tour (18 years and counting) has ended.
(An aside to all "Dylaners": He didn't do All Along the Watchtower last night, the final night. How strange is that? Very strange indeed.)
So until the Spring when undoubtedly the Never-Evering Tour will recommence, I must find other Bob Bits to keep myself amused.
Here's one from the NY Post:
"BOB Dylan is many things to many people and everything to some, but also something most may not expect: an arbiter of style and a reference point for fashion-conscious girls everywhere. All the stuff that's in stores this fall - skinny blazers, stovepipe jeans, boatnecked, French-philosopher striped shirts, fitted peacoats, flat-heeled, mod boots, Wayfarer sunglasses, striped scarves - it's all Dylan, totally owned and not done better than the chain-smoking, puckish, "Don't Look Back"-era Dylan. "
It was a great look. It should be adopted by all. And the hair too. But not the chain smoking part.
(An aside to all "Dylaners": He didn't do All Along the Watchtower last night, the final night. How strange is that? Very strange indeed.)
So until the Spring when undoubtedly the Never-Evering Tour will recommence, I must find other Bob Bits to keep myself amused.
Here's one from the NY Post:
"BOB Dylan is many things to many people and everything to some, but also something most may not expect: an arbiter of style and a reference point for fashion-conscious girls everywhere. All the stuff that's in stores this fall - skinny blazers, stovepipe jeans, boatnecked, French-philosopher striped shirts, fitted peacoats, flat-heeled, mod boots, Wayfarer sunglasses, striped scarves - it's all Dylan, totally owned and not done better than the chain-smoking, puckish, "Don't Look Back"-era Dylan. "
It was a great look. It should be adopted by all. And the hair too. But not the chain smoking part.
Monday, November 20, 2006
Uhhhh, Nuhhhh, Uhhhhh
I’m the world's biggest wimp and even I think this story is ridiculous:
“Albert Argibay, a bodybuilder,was at a Planet Fitness gym with 500 pounds of weight on his shoulders when the club manager walked over and told him it was time to leave. Mr. Argibay, the manager explained, had violated one of the club’s most sacred and strictly enforced rules: He was grunting.
… at Planet Fitness, a national chain with 120 locations, it is a matter not only of etiquette, but also of club policy: one too many offending noises can get a membership revoked in the time it takes to do a sit-up. Nationwide, the chain expels roughly two members a month for various reasons, most commonly grunting and dropping weights.
The no-grunt policy is one of several eyebrow-raising rules — no bandannas, no jeans, no banging weights — that managers say are intended to make their target clientele of novice exercisers feel comfortable.
Statistics show that baby boomers who exercise once or twice a week represent the fastest-growing segment of health club members.” (NY Times)
So basically the rule is: work out, but not too hard, and certainly not hard enough that anyone will notice. This is insane. Yes, some grunters are show-offs who only grunt to draw attention to themselves. All you can do is ignore them, but to throw someone out of the gym for grunting is ridiculous. Now if he was passing wind at the same time, well, as hilarious as that might be, I’d toss him out. But if you can’t grunt in a gym, where can you grunt? A farm?
“Albert Argibay, a bodybuilder,was at a Planet Fitness gym with 500 pounds of weight on his shoulders when the club manager walked over and told him it was time to leave. Mr. Argibay, the manager explained, had violated one of the club’s most sacred and strictly enforced rules: He was grunting.
… at Planet Fitness, a national chain with 120 locations, it is a matter not only of etiquette, but also of club policy: one too many offending noises can get a membership revoked in the time it takes to do a sit-up. Nationwide, the chain expels roughly two members a month for various reasons, most commonly grunting and dropping weights.
The no-grunt policy is one of several eyebrow-raising rules — no bandannas, no jeans, no banging weights — that managers say are intended to make their target clientele of novice exercisers feel comfortable.
Statistics show that baby boomers who exercise once or twice a week represent the fastest-growing segment of health club members.” (NY Times)
So basically the rule is: work out, but not too hard, and certainly not hard enough that anyone will notice. This is insane. Yes, some grunters are show-offs who only grunt to draw attention to themselves. All you can do is ignore them, but to throw someone out of the gym for grunting is ridiculous. Now if he was passing wind at the same time, well, as hilarious as that might be, I’d toss him out. But if you can’t grunt in a gym, where can you grunt? A farm?
Dollarama!
"The United States Mint is unveiling four designs for one-dollar coins today, featuring likenesses of the first four presidents. They begin a series that is to last a decade and portray every deceased president." (NY Times)
Have dollar coins actually caught on in the US? I don’t remember seeing any in actual circulation. They aren’t just for collecting, are they?
What do Americans call their loonies? I guess this series could be called Prezzies? You can’t call them American loonies, can you? except for the coin with the current President on it. I shudder to think of the day that I may handle an American dollar coin with W’s image on it. Icky!
Have dollar coins actually caught on in the US? I don’t remember seeing any in actual circulation. They aren’t just for collecting, are they?
What do Americans call their loonies? I guess this series could be called Prezzies? You can’t call them American loonies, can you? except for the coin with the current President on it. I shudder to think of the day that I may handle an American dollar coin with W’s image on it. Icky!
D'Oh! Drinking and Driving
“Starting today and continuing through the week, police forces across the province, including the Surete du Quebec, will step up spot checks for drunk drivers, as the holiday season gets underway.” (The Gazette)
I’m only bringing this up as an intro to say I was a bit shocked at The Simpsons last night that actually showed Homer drinking and driving. Well, sipping and driving, but still, by the time the whole family (and Moe) got to Vermont, Homer the driver, was pissed. It was strange.
Also, in the beginning I found Moe was a little too suicidal to be funny. The whole episode was a bit extreme.
The high point, though, was Homer gargling with maple syrup. Like a soccer ball to the crotch, there’s just something inherently funny about gargling.
I’m only bringing this up as an intro to say I was a bit shocked at The Simpsons last night that actually showed Homer drinking and driving. Well, sipping and driving, but still, by the time the whole family (and Moe) got to Vermont, Homer the driver, was pissed. It was strange.
Also, in the beginning I found Moe was a little too suicidal to be funny. The whole episode was a bit extreme.
The high point, though, was Homer gargling with maple syrup. Like a soccer ball to the crotch, there’s just something inherently funny about gargling.
Friday, November 17, 2006
The red wire goes where?
I was reading an appreciation of the economist Milton Friedman in the Times of London.
“His other hobbies included tennis, wooden cabinet making and assembling stereo equipment.”
This proves one of my pet theories. You DO need to be a Nobel Prize winner to be able to assemble stereo equipment. I don’t feel so dumb now.
Proxemics
Proxemics is the study personal space and people’s perception of it. I only learned this yesterday. This is a subject near and dear to my heart as I have HUGE personal space issues (i.e. Don’t Touch Me!)
A lengthy article in yesterday’s NYT was a bit of a relief to read because it showed that I am in the majority (at least in North America) and my behaviour is typical of our society (i.e. Don’t Touch Me!)
“According to scientists, personal space involves not only the invisible bubble around the body, but all the senses. People may feel their space is being violated when they experience an unwelcome sound, scent or stare: the woman on the bus squawking into her cellphone, the co-worker in the adjacent cubicle dabbing on cologne, or the man in the sandwich shop leering at you over his panini.”
It’s all our senses! Yikes! There’s no escape from Other People.
There’s a “close talker” here at work. She stands so near me I’m afraid she’s going to bite my face. She definitely violates “intimate distance”. She does it to everyone.
Here are the zones:
intimate distance (6 to 18 inches);
personal distance (18 inches to 4 feet);
social distance (4 to 12 feet); and
public distance (about 12 feet or more).
If I don’t know you, do not come closer than social distance! Scat! Scat! Get away!
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