I have no clue what I'm doing next Spring by purchasing a second hand motor boat and launching it into Lake Ontario. I have no experience operating even a small outboard fishing boat.
Lake Ontario is a Great Lake, not a small cottage lake with no police, no commercial traffic, few navigational hazards. Lake Ontario is busy, can produce rough seas and has plenty of navigation issues. Incredibly nearly 25% of Canada's population live within a few miles of the lake. More than 9 million people.
In order to prepare for this new, expensive hobby, I have been enrolling in nautical themed classes. Last night I took a written and practical test to obtain my VHF radio licence. That is the second of 3 licences I require to operate a boat in Toronto Harbour. I still need the Toronto Harbour licence, which includes a "road test" on basic boating skills. I'll take that test next Spring, when I actually acquire some basic boating skills.
I also enrolled in a engine and boat maintenance course for this winter. I liked the tag line in the course brochure, we may not teach you a lot, but you will probably learn something you didn't know before you took the course.
When I do launch in the Spring, at least I will have given myself a fighting chance.
I did spend 4-years in the Navy. Like most things you learn in the military, there is little practical training that is transferable to the civilian world. One would think there would be some skills, I picked up, that I could use in the boating world. I certainly know some of the terminology including my favourite, Head, for the toilet, a term which I use every day. I also know my port from my starboard. It did help on my radio exam, as I know the phonetic alphabet and did, over 30 years ago, operate a radio in the Navy. I'm used to sailing in rough waters. Extreme rough seas that you will never see in lake Ontario. I still have my sea legs.
It doesn't help that I am a slow learner. I am slow to pick up practical skills. Listen, I think I'm smarter than a lot of people I see on the street, it just takes me longer to absorb the info. At some point I catch up and pass a few people. At the radio course, I was the only person, in a class of 5, to write the exam at the end of day 2 of the course. The rest were too nervous and wanted more time to study. I studied in between class days and picked up the information. I have taken basic knots courses in Basic Training twice, once in the reserve and then regular forces. I took them again in basic boat skills course. To this day I have trouble with the knots on my shoes. I have an iPad app for knots. Seriously you should check it out. I just can't figure out knots. You have to master basic knots to operate a boat. I have the Fall & Winter to figure it out.
Saturday 29 September 2012
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Foreign Affairs
I note that Canada's flamboyant Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, has announced that Canada will be sharing embassy space with Great Britain, around the world.
Baird has already flashed his Brit loving Bona fides, by hanging the English Queen's portrait in all embassies, removing the Canadian flag from his business cards and bending over at the faintest mention of Royalty.
Canada's off shoring of Foreign affairs started with towing the US line on security, drafting Mid-East policy in the Israeli Cabinet, drafting GOP policy on the UN and foreign aide. Why not continue by bending over to your British masters?
All things being equal we may be better off with these foreign parties controlling our affairs than Harper's pathetic front bench.
I had to laugh at the photo this week of John Baird's taekwondo chop of a paper thin board in front of Korean officials. Even though Baird is considered a Bear, using Church Street parlance, he more resembled a male figure skater than a martial artist, with apologies to Elvis Stojko, who was adept at figure skating and the martial arts.
Baird has already flashed his Brit loving Bona fides, by hanging the English Queen's portrait in all embassies, removing the Canadian flag from his business cards and bending over at the faintest mention of Royalty.
Canada's off shoring of Foreign affairs started with towing the US line on security, drafting Mid-East policy in the Israeli Cabinet, drafting GOP policy on the UN and foreign aide. Why not continue by bending over to your British masters?
All things being equal we may be better off with these foreign parties controlling our affairs than Harper's pathetic front bench.
I had to laugh at the photo this week of John Baird's taekwondo chop of a paper thin board in front of Korean officials. Even though Baird is considered a Bear, using Church Street parlance, he more resembled a male figure skater than a martial artist, with apologies to Elvis Stojko, who was adept at figure skating and the martial arts.
Saturday 22 September 2012
Wednesday 19 September 2012
A Bus Stops Short
I work in claims for the insurance business. I spent today at the offices of a large community that we insure, near Toronto. As I have been in the business for 25-years, I have slowly graduated to handling mostly larger claims. Most of the day was spent listening to a recitation of minor accidents when a city bus stops too quickly. There was an endless repetition of minor claims from bus accidents. My attendance was required for two much larger losses that involved catastrophic injuries. Lawyers spent no more than 5-minutes updating the status of dozens of these minor claims. Even 5-minutes was tedious. My mind started to wander and take a fresh accounting of where we're all headed. It was not a pretty picture.
While I was driving back home along a major highway, weaving between traffic, I thought about the instantaneous nature of horrific accidents. The momentary inattentiveness, or inadvertent negligence of others, that would change lives forever. At that point I did not make a connection, as this was a repeat of countless other days I have spent in this industry.
I returned home and read a Michael Harris article, in The Walrus magazine, about the work of constitutional lawyer Joseph Arvay, himself in a wheelchair from a long ago motor vehicle accident. What struck me was that Arvay took on cases from the most marginalised people and challenged well funded government lawyers to expand rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He took cases often pro bono to the Supreme Court of Canada and won over and over again.
When Trudeau introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the government established a legal fund to assist vulnerable groups to take on Charter challenges. The cost of the fund was under $3M a year.
The Harper government abolished this fund. They did so because they are dangerously sick Neo-Cons that want to drag us back to the 1950's. Stephen Harper is a less successful, outside of politics, version of Mitt Romney. Expanding rights for people in the margins was a hallmark of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Harper and his henchman want access to justice in the hands of their base of the rich and business elite.
It all came together for me soaking in my Doak Oil bath. Listening to Mitt Romney writing off the 47%, the moronic mayor of Toronto thinking that Winnipeg, Manitoba was across the river from Detroit, the Harper government taking foreign policy marching orders from Tel Aviv and slowly dragging us back into their Leave it to Beaver fantasy world. The bus stopping too quickly. It is not the major accidents that we have to worry about, but the accumulation of minor ones. The slow steady stripping of our rights, or government services for the needy, by well funded Neo-Cons.
We are busy paying attention to the big issues of the day, but there is a hidden agenda, a well funded elite trying to change the rules to protect their interests. They are stripping away at our rights like hundreds of buses stopping short.
The sensible, silent bare majority of us need to take back the reins of political power. Let's get rid of the Neo-Cons and put power back in the hands of middle class.
While I was driving back home along a major highway, weaving between traffic, I thought about the instantaneous nature of horrific accidents. The momentary inattentiveness, or inadvertent negligence of others, that would change lives forever. At that point I did not make a connection, as this was a repeat of countless other days I have spent in this industry.
I returned home and read a Michael Harris article, in The Walrus magazine, about the work of constitutional lawyer Joseph Arvay, himself in a wheelchair from a long ago motor vehicle accident. What struck me was that Arvay took on cases from the most marginalised people and challenged well funded government lawyers to expand rights under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He took cases often pro bono to the Supreme Court of Canada and won over and over again.
When Trudeau introduced the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the government established a legal fund to assist vulnerable groups to take on Charter challenges. The cost of the fund was under $3M a year.
The Harper government abolished this fund. They did so because they are dangerously sick Neo-Cons that want to drag us back to the 1950's. Stephen Harper is a less successful, outside of politics, version of Mitt Romney. Expanding rights for people in the margins was a hallmark of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Harper and his henchman want access to justice in the hands of their base of the rich and business elite.
It all came together for me soaking in my Doak Oil bath. Listening to Mitt Romney writing off the 47%, the moronic mayor of Toronto thinking that Winnipeg, Manitoba was across the river from Detroit, the Harper government taking foreign policy marching orders from Tel Aviv and slowly dragging us back into their Leave it to Beaver fantasy world. The bus stopping too quickly. It is not the major accidents that we have to worry about, but the accumulation of minor ones. The slow steady stripping of our rights, or government services for the needy, by well funded Neo-Cons.
We are busy paying attention to the big issues of the day, but there is a hidden agenda, a well funded elite trying to change the rules to protect their interests. They are stripping away at our rights like hundreds of buses stopping short.
The sensible, silent bare majority of us need to take back the reins of political power. Let's get rid of the Neo-Cons and put power back in the hands of middle class.
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Boating Lessons
Prior to heading for Montreal for work this week I spent 18-hours of motor boat training in Toronto harbour. The picture above was taken from the boat. It was a two-day course of combined classroom and on the water training. A good experience for a novice boater. I will be taking additional training over the winter.
I can tell you that I'm very nervous about the whole boating experience. There is so much to learn and I'm concerned about learning to back the boat into a slip without causing bodily injury, or property damage. I will take a few early days to practise parking.
Tom Anselmi MLSE
For 5-years I shelled out $2,000 a year to buy seasons tickets with Toronto FC soccer club of the MLS. As an expansion club there were few expectations in the first couple of seasons. No franchise in MLS history had failed to make the play-offs after 3-full seasons.
In the first 3-years the stadium was packed, with an additional 10,000 person waiting list for seasons tickets. The atmosphere was electric at games. The fans had low expectations, but were passionate about the franchise. The in game experience was unlike any other in the city.
MLSE had put executive Tom Anselmi in charge of its lowest profile franchise. Easy pickings for any sports executive. A passionate, patient fan base, a ticket waiting list and rich ownership. No one could screw that up.
Tom Anselmi screwed it up!
Under Anselmi's watch the team is in its 6-year without any prospect of making the play-offs. They have never had a play-off game. They set an MLS record by losing 10 straight games to start their 6th season. Not even a draw to be had. They have had 7 coaches in 6 years. The waiting list for tickets? Gone! They play to over half empty seats. The in-game fan experience is worse every single year. It is as if they have meetings to discuss ways to piss off the fans. They drew 5,000 to a CONCACAF game the other week.
Any other ownership group in the world would have fired Anselmi. He was and is a monumental failure. MLSE? They promoted Anselmi to lead the entire organisation, including the Leafs and Raptors. If this was a Dilbert cartoon it would not be believable.
The Toronto sports press? Only muted criticism. They either work for parent company Bell/Rogers or are too scared of MLSE meal ticket.
My season's tickets? Gone with any hope for this franchise.
In the first 3-years the stadium was packed, with an additional 10,000 person waiting list for seasons tickets. The atmosphere was electric at games. The fans had low expectations, but were passionate about the franchise. The in game experience was unlike any other in the city.
MLSE had put executive Tom Anselmi in charge of its lowest profile franchise. Easy pickings for any sports executive. A passionate, patient fan base, a ticket waiting list and rich ownership. No one could screw that up.
Tom Anselmi screwed it up!
Under Anselmi's watch the team is in its 6-year without any prospect of making the play-offs. They have never had a play-off game. They set an MLS record by losing 10 straight games to start their 6th season. Not even a draw to be had. They have had 7 coaches in 6 years. The waiting list for tickets? Gone! They play to over half empty seats. The in-game fan experience is worse every single year. It is as if they have meetings to discuss ways to piss off the fans. They drew 5,000 to a CONCACAF game the other week.
Any other ownership group in the world would have fired Anselmi. He was and is a monumental failure. MLSE? They promoted Anselmi to lead the entire organisation, including the Leafs and Raptors. If this was a Dilbert cartoon it would not be believable.
The Toronto sports press? Only muted criticism. They either work for parent company Bell/Rogers or are too scared of MLSE meal ticket.
My season's tickets? Gone with any hope for this franchise.
Bob Young Ti-Cat owner
Several years ago a nearly $Billionaire Bob Young rode into Hamilton, on his white horse, to save the 100-year-old football franchise currently known as the Tiger-Cats. Bob, a hometown hero made good in the US computer world with Red Hat.
Since Bob Young rescued the team from near bankruptcy, the team's record is 53 wins and 100 losses. This stat was provided to me by Super Fan Paul Bereza. This year the team is currently on a 5-game losing streak. They signed another unproven coach to a 4-year contract to begin the season.
Bob Young's tenure as owner of the franchise has been a disaster. His nickel and dime ownership has proved to be a loser on and off the field.
Young was handed a free stadium by the province, for the Pan Am games, he bullied the city into moving the stadium from the preferred West Harbour site, to the current East Hamilton dump. For 80-years Ivor Wynne stadium was stuck in the worst part of Hamilton's east end. They had a chance to build a stadium near the downtown core and the normally meek Young and his enablers in the media used every threat in the book to scuttle best laid plans. The new stadium will be built over the debris of the current field.
The new stadium will have all of 22,000 seats. There is no reasonable prospect of additional funds to expand the capacity. The stadium will be a low budget 3rd rate facility. A Texas high school team would be ashamed to call it home. Next season the Ti-Cats will be homeless while the new facility is being built. No one has a clue where the Ti-Cats will play, least of all Young. At one point Hamilton's Savior wanted to move the team to Burlington.
In all honesty Hamilton would be better off if Young just walked away. Let the team die like the Ottawa Rough Riders. In a few years if local business interests, or the community, want to revive the team, so be it. I'm convinced that no team is better than a Bob Young owned Ti-Cats. It is not fair to the fans, or the city, to have a pathetic poorly run franchise charge good money for tickets.
Since Bob Young rescued the team from near bankruptcy, the team's record is 53 wins and 100 losses. This stat was provided to me by Super Fan Paul Bereza. This year the team is currently on a 5-game losing streak. They signed another unproven coach to a 4-year contract to begin the season.
Bob Young's tenure as owner of the franchise has been a disaster. His nickel and dime ownership has proved to be a loser on and off the field.
Young was handed a free stadium by the province, for the Pan Am games, he bullied the city into moving the stadium from the preferred West Harbour site, to the current East Hamilton dump. For 80-years Ivor Wynne stadium was stuck in the worst part of Hamilton's east end. They had a chance to build a stadium near the downtown core and the normally meek Young and his enablers in the media used every threat in the book to scuttle best laid plans. The new stadium will be built over the debris of the current field.
The new stadium will have all of 22,000 seats. There is no reasonable prospect of additional funds to expand the capacity. The stadium will be a low budget 3rd rate facility. A Texas high school team would be ashamed to call it home. Next season the Ti-Cats will be homeless while the new facility is being built. No one has a clue where the Ti-Cats will play, least of all Young. At one point Hamilton's Savior wanted to move the team to Burlington.
In all honesty Hamilton would be better off if Young just walked away. Let the team die like the Ottawa Rough Riders. In a few years if local business interests, or the community, want to revive the team, so be it. I'm convinced that no team is better than a Bob Young owned Ti-Cats. It is not fair to the fans, or the city, to have a pathetic poorly run franchise charge good money for tickets.
Thursday 6 September 2012
Alan Eagleson
I must tell you that during the 30th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series between Canada and USSR, I shared a golf cart with Jill Eagleson, the daughter of Alan Eagleson, the infamous organiser of the event, during a lawyer's golf tournament. Jill was a very pleasant woman.
I note that during the 40th anniversary celebrations, that the players have banned Alan Eagleson from the party. Eagleson was convicted of defrauding players of disability and pension funds. He was in clear conflict in siding with the owners over the interests of the players he represented, as both an agent and the head of the union, NHLPA. Eagleson would look after many of the high profile players, while degrading, defrauding and intimidating the rank and file.
Eagleson was found guilty of crimes in Canada and the USA and served time in jail. He was striped of the Order of Canada and resigned from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
No other pro sport in North America has an Old Boys Network like the NHL. Brian Burke, the Leaf GM hires numerous out of work Old Boys to preside over his non-play-off team. The most disgraceful example of the old boys network is Booby Clark, Serge Savard, Bob Gainey and others, support of Alan Eagleson. No surprise that a scumbag like Clark supports Eagleson, but you would expect more from Gainey. You wonder how much these stars cared about Eagleson screwing the rank and file players, their own teammates?
Bobby Clark, Bob Gainey and Serge Savard, you are men without honour and decency. You sold out your brothers in arms. There is no greater disgrace!
I note that during the 40th anniversary celebrations, that the players have banned Alan Eagleson from the party. Eagleson was convicted of defrauding players of disability and pension funds. He was in clear conflict in siding with the owners over the interests of the players he represented, as both an agent and the head of the union, NHLPA. Eagleson would look after many of the high profile players, while degrading, defrauding and intimidating the rank and file.
Eagleson was found guilty of crimes in Canada and the USA and served time in jail. He was striped of the Order of Canada and resigned from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
No other pro sport in North America has an Old Boys Network like the NHL. Brian Burke, the Leaf GM hires numerous out of work Old Boys to preside over his non-play-off team. The most disgraceful example of the old boys network is Booby Clark, Serge Savard, Bob Gainey and others, support of Alan Eagleson. No surprise that a scumbag like Clark supports Eagleson, but you would expect more from Gainey. You wonder how much these stars cared about Eagleson screwing the rank and file players, their own teammates?
Bobby Clark, Bob Gainey and Serge Savard, you are men without honour and decency. You sold out your brothers in arms. There is no greater disgrace!
Monday 3 September 2012
Vijay Security Guard
I have lived in my condo for 13 years. During that time we have had the same security guard for at least a decade. Years ago to save money we switched from 24 hour security to 12 hours. Vijay our security guard seemed to work 7 days a week. Other than the odd replacement day, Vijay was a constant friendly presence. Always helpful and courteous. I gave Vijay a generous annual Christmas tip, because I appreciated the loyalty.
I know from experience that security guards at condos make barely more than the minimum wage. After I left the Navy and attended college, I worked as a security guard. It is a thankless, low wage job. Even as a young insurance employee, 20 years ago, I ran a little short on funds, attempting to make car payments, I took a weekend job as a security guard working the gate house of a Richmond Hill condo complex. I made about $6 an hour and worked for 3 months, primarily the night shift. My supervisor worked full-time at Allstate Insurance.
One thing about security guards that always struck me, was that they grew attached to the people at the location they worked. Not me, I hated the people at the Richmond Hill condo. But full-time guards got to know the residents and their lifestyles. They would often turn down more lucrative locations to continue working at the same site. The guard companies pay the guards based on what they can extract from the contract. If they have a higher paid contract they will pay the guards more money. These guards, barely scratching out a living, would turn down money out of loyalty to the residents. To me it made little sense and it upset me that they would show loyalty to people, I know would dump them in an instant to save money.
Last week I noticed new guards working the entrance to the condo. I assumed Vijay was on vacation. A notice was posted in the elevator that the condo hired a new security company to save money. Vijay was out of work. I was shocked and disappointed for Vijay, an engineer back in India, was dumped without notice to the residents. A couple of days later we received an email from the building manager attempting to explain the change. Days later another email was sent discussing Vijay. Clearly there was a backlash from residents. Vijay would be offered a job with the new company. I know that would mean a pay cut for Vijay. I hope he turns the job down. It was heartening to see the support for Vijay, but in the end the dollar rules.
I know from experience that security guards at condos make barely more than the minimum wage. After I left the Navy and attended college, I worked as a security guard. It is a thankless, low wage job. Even as a young insurance employee, 20 years ago, I ran a little short on funds, attempting to make car payments, I took a weekend job as a security guard working the gate house of a Richmond Hill condo complex. I made about $6 an hour and worked for 3 months, primarily the night shift. My supervisor worked full-time at Allstate Insurance.
One thing about security guards that always struck me, was that they grew attached to the people at the location they worked. Not me, I hated the people at the Richmond Hill condo. But full-time guards got to know the residents and their lifestyles. They would often turn down more lucrative locations to continue working at the same site. The guard companies pay the guards based on what they can extract from the contract. If they have a higher paid contract they will pay the guards more money. These guards, barely scratching out a living, would turn down money out of loyalty to the residents. To me it made little sense and it upset me that they would show loyalty to people, I know would dump them in an instant to save money.
Last week I noticed new guards working the entrance to the condo. I assumed Vijay was on vacation. A notice was posted in the elevator that the condo hired a new security company to save money. Vijay was out of work. I was shocked and disappointed for Vijay, an engineer back in India, was dumped without notice to the residents. A couple of days later we received an email from the building manager attempting to explain the change. Days later another email was sent discussing Vijay. Clearly there was a backlash from residents. Vijay would be offered a job with the new company. I know that would mean a pay cut for Vijay. I hope he turns the job down. It was heartening to see the support for Vijay, but in the end the dollar rules.
Poker Night
I hosted my second Poker Night at my condo party room. We had about 16 people attend including 12 poker players. We also had some non-players attend for the party. Despite the long weekend that kept several of our regular poker players away, we were still able to recruit a sizable crew. In particular it was great to have Dave Singh attend. Popeye Jim and his young coworker Alex also made an appearance.
Jimmy is thinking of hosting the next event in my party room. It is a great room, a huge space with leather chairs, a full kitchen, bathrooms and a large outdoor patio for smokers. My condo doesn't charge very much, you really only have to worry about a damage deposit. The central location of my condo downtown is also an attraction.
We had a great time and I have little doubt we will have as many as 18 players for October's event. The Popeye Jimmy Poker Event, hosted by D'Arcy.
I can thank M for recruiting people after I ran into trouble with regulars attending cottages. An avid poker player, M was relentless working the phones to ensure a decent turnout.
I lived in my condo for more than a decade before I ever used the party room. I don't consider myself the kind of person that organises house parties. I do host the annual post Beer Festival party which has been slowly losing momentum over the past few years.
Even though it cost me a small amount to rent the room, I also pay the condo cleaning lady to tidy up, it is worth it for me as I'm already home at the conclusion of the night.
Jimmy is thinking of hosting the next event in my party room. It is a great room, a huge space with leather chairs, a full kitchen, bathrooms and a large outdoor patio for smokers. My condo doesn't charge very much, you really only have to worry about a damage deposit. The central location of my condo downtown is also an attraction.
We had a great time and I have little doubt we will have as many as 18 players for October's event. The Popeye Jimmy Poker Event, hosted by D'Arcy.
I can thank M for recruiting people after I ran into trouble with regulars attending cottages. An avid poker player, M was relentless working the phones to ensure a decent turnout.
I lived in my condo for more than a decade before I ever used the party room. I don't consider myself the kind of person that organises house parties. I do host the annual post Beer Festival party which has been slowly losing momentum over the past few years.
Even though it cost me a small amount to rent the room, I also pay the condo cleaning lady to tidy up, it is worth it for me as I'm already home at the conclusion of the night.
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