Monday 26 November 2012
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Grey Cup
I will be attending the Grey Cup game this weekend with my brother Brian. We do not have a horse in this race as we are Ti-Cat fans. Probably cheer for Calgary as the Argos are a hateful organisation. Always fun to hang around downtown on Grey Cup week, as there are people from across Canada visiting the bars. Brian is also attending the Vanier Cup on Friday as a McMaster alum. Good to see a Hamilton school compete. The bars should get a boost with all those students in town.
Congrats out to another brother Steve, a University Prof, who is getting a book published next year. It is not a Blog about nothing, but an impressive feat none the less. Let's just say that we agree to disagree when it comes to politics and other issues, but no one is rushing to publish my musings. I'm a better cartoonist.
Also a shout out to Chris D'Arcy, the patriarch of the D'Arcy clan and a regular reader of this Blog. A big Notre Dame supporter. We are hoping for a National Championship and big victory over USC.
At least one of our teams has to win something. A Notre Dame v. Alabama National Championship game would be nice.
People in Toronto do not get too excited about a Grey Cup, even with the local team involved, but you can't help but notice the Grey Cup festivities taking over both Nathan Phillips Square and Dundas Square. Both public squares are near my office. I have heard not a single person mention the Grey Cup this week. There is a real disconnect with the local populous.
Congrats out to another brother Steve, a University Prof, who is getting a book published next year. It is not a Blog about nothing, but an impressive feat none the less. Let's just say that we agree to disagree when it comes to politics and other issues, but no one is rushing to publish my musings. I'm a better cartoonist.
Also a shout out to Chris D'Arcy, the patriarch of the D'Arcy clan and a regular reader of this Blog. A big Notre Dame supporter. We are hoping for a National Championship and big victory over USC.
At least one of our teams has to win something. A Notre Dame v. Alabama National Championship game would be nice.
People in Toronto do not get too excited about a Grey Cup, even with the local team involved, but you can't help but notice the Grey Cup festivities taking over both Nathan Phillips Square and Dundas Square. Both public squares are near my office. I have heard not a single person mention the Grey Cup this week. There is a real disconnect with the local populous.
Barber Shop Scandal
The inventors of the D'Arcy Cut, my Muslim barbers at Terminal Barbershop on University-Dundas in Toronto made international headlines last week. Not for their unique skilled use of shears, but for turning away a woman that wanted a Man's Cut. I'm unsure if she requested the D'Arcy Cut, her photos suggested she could not pull it off, but the barbers informed her that they could not touch a woman, that was not a relative. It was against their religion. She of course ran, not walked, to the Human Rights Commission to complain. She also called the press and gave numerous interviews.
It is interesting to see people squirm, as they do not know who to support. My support is with my barbers. I will double my visits to the shop as a sign of support. There is no way they are going to compromise. Are they allowed to operate a business in Toronto? I read interesting comments on both sides of the issue, but this is not an uni-sex shop. There are plenty of alternative hair salons. You can bet that their business picked up after the controversy.
It is interesting to see people squirm, as they do not know who to support. My support is with my barbers. I will double my visits to the shop as a sign of support. There is no way they are going to compromise. Are they allowed to operate a business in Toronto? I read interesting comments on both sides of the issue, but this is not an uni-sex shop. There are plenty of alternative hair salons. You can bet that their business picked up after the controversy.
Tuesday 13 November 2012
Glen Murray
Somebody explain to me how Glen Murray, ex-Mayor of Winnipeg, is qualified to be Premier of Ontario? He has lived in the province for all of 8-years. Winnipeg is the same size as Hamilton, does anyone think the Mayor of Hamilton is qualified to be premier? Is Winnipeg such a shinning example of civic exceptionalism, that a former mayor is qualified to govern a province 20 times its size?
From what I have noticed, Glen Murray is very good at promoting Glen Murray.The bottomline is that he is unfit, unqualified, too new to Ontario to be elected Liberal leader and automatic premier of Canada's most important and largest province.
We can do better, a lot better than Glen Murray. It is too bad that Dwight Duncan didn't run. He would have been my favourite.
From what I have noticed, Glen Murray is very good at promoting Glen Murray.The bottomline is that he is unfit, unqualified, too new to Ontario to be elected Liberal leader and automatic premier of Canada's most important and largest province.
We can do better, a lot better than Glen Murray. It is too bad that Dwight Duncan didn't run. He would have been my favourite.
Obama
Glad to see Obama prevail. I don't understand the deep seeded racism and vitriol of the extreme right-wing. They can't get over a black man as president. A black man that is a lot more competent than the last president.
They can't seem to accept that the largest terrorist attack in American history, second greatest economic collapse, 2 -decade long expensive wars waged, while failing to pay for them, failure of the US domestic auto industry, bankruptcy of numerous banks and largest insurance company, all happened under George W. Bush's watch. America was bleeding 500,000 jobs a month. Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina was tragically negligent.
Four years later America is adding 150,000 jobs a month. One war ended, the other about to end. The auto industry saved and the stock market at record high numbers. Healthcare for millions of previously uninsured. Domestic oil production expanded to the point that the US is on-track to be a net exporter of oil.
They can't seem to accept that the largest terrorist attack in American history, second greatest economic collapse, 2 -decade long expensive wars waged, while failing to pay for them, failure of the US domestic auto industry, bankruptcy of numerous banks and largest insurance company, all happened under George W. Bush's watch. America was bleeding 500,000 jobs a month. Bush's response to Hurricane Katrina was tragically negligent.
Four years later America is adding 150,000 jobs a month. One war ended, the other about to end. The auto industry saved and the stock market at record high numbers. Healthcare for millions of previously uninsured. Domestic oil production expanded to the point that the US is on-track to be a net exporter of oil.
Boating
I have been preoccupied with preparing to buy my new, old boat. It is already something of a money pit. I have authorised several repairs to make it seaworthy. I did have a survey done and the boat was in very good shape for its age. I have had to replace the horn, fix some lighting and wiring. Putting the boat in winter storage. I have been checking out marinas in the downtown Toronto area. While I was going to put the boat in the Outer Harbour Marina, I have not ruled out a change in venue. The advantage of the Outer Harbour is I know people there. But I also have my eye on some marinas closer to the core.
One thing I have discovered is that the price is almost identical in each marina. Ontario Place is still a possibility.
I had two of my brothers look at the boat on the weekend. I do believe they were impressed. I truly believe this will be a lifestyle altering vessel. There is a big learning curve.
One thing I have discovered is that the price is almost identical in each marina. Ontario Place is still a possibility.
I had two of my brothers look at the boat on the weekend. I do believe they were impressed. I truly believe this will be a lifestyle altering vessel. There is a big learning curve.
Saturday 3 November 2012
By-Law Boy Takes His Act to Sea
Pending the boat passing inspection I purchased the 30-foot boat below. In May 2013 I will taking my unique perspective of life to Lake Ontario. If you see me cruising the waters of Lake O, I respectfully request that you get out of my way, for your own safety.
I have no clue what I'm doing, or how to park that beast of a boat. I did my homework and checked out hundreds of boats on line. I boarded about a dozen boats over the past month. I only made an offer on this boat. I can thank David MacDonald, Richard Nicolle and Mark O'Donnell for assisting me on my search for a boat.
If you think I must be walking around with money to burn, consider that I do not own a car. I'm parking this vessel a mile from my condo. The boat is 16-years-old and the cost would be similar to a lower to medium level car. I'm sure it will be a money pit in maintenance and gas.
I'm in need of summer recreation. I do not own, or have the desire for a cottage. I have experienced the joys of boating in the lake, right on our doorstep. It is an under used asset. I have been thinking about this for 2-years. I figure I'm not getting any younger.
I figure the short boating season in Ontario, May to October, is a good thing. There is a cost to winterise and store a boat, but it is a considerably less expensive than operating the boat year round. It allows the boats to age at a slower pace. As in golf, which has a parallel season, in the winter you look forward to the upcoming season in the colder months.
I have signed up for numerous courses. I have two of the 3 licenses I will need. I have to buy insurance. The boat will stay in the dealers outdoor lot for the winter. It is located about 60KM from Toronto.
I hired a guy to conduct a survey of the boat. He will inspect it from stem to stern. I'm also having the two motors tested. The deal to buy the boat is contingent on the boat passing inspection. From my untrained eye, it sure looks to be in great shape for its age. Boats do not age like cars. There are not as many moving parts. They are used much less frequently.
My biggest worry is backing it into a slip. I will take 2-week days off at the beginning of the season to do nothing but practise parking, as well as some other boating skills. If you are thinking this is a big boat for a rookie, the advice I received from experienced Great Lakes boaters was to go bigger, not smaller. It wont take long to learn the skills needed and you will regret buying a smaller boat.
I have no clue what I'm doing, or how to park that beast of a boat. I did my homework and checked out hundreds of boats on line. I boarded about a dozen boats over the past month. I only made an offer on this boat. I can thank David MacDonald, Richard Nicolle and Mark O'Donnell for assisting me on my search for a boat.
If you think I must be walking around with money to burn, consider that I do not own a car. I'm parking this vessel a mile from my condo. The boat is 16-years-old and the cost would be similar to a lower to medium level car. I'm sure it will be a money pit in maintenance and gas.
I'm in need of summer recreation. I do not own, or have the desire for a cottage. I have experienced the joys of boating in the lake, right on our doorstep. It is an under used asset. I have been thinking about this for 2-years. I figure I'm not getting any younger.
I figure the short boating season in Ontario, May to October, is a good thing. There is a cost to winterise and store a boat, but it is a considerably less expensive than operating the boat year round. It allows the boats to age at a slower pace. As in golf, which has a parallel season, in the winter you look forward to the upcoming season in the colder months.
I have signed up for numerous courses. I have two of the 3 licenses I will need. I have to buy insurance. The boat will stay in the dealers outdoor lot for the winter. It is located about 60KM from Toronto.
I hired a guy to conduct a survey of the boat. He will inspect it from stem to stern. I'm also having the two motors tested. The deal to buy the boat is contingent on the boat passing inspection. From my untrained eye, it sure looks to be in great shape for its age. Boats do not age like cars. There are not as many moving parts. They are used much less frequently.
My biggest worry is backing it into a slip. I will take 2-week days off at the beginning of the season to do nothing but practise parking, as well as some other boating skills. If you are thinking this is a big boat for a rookie, the advice I received from experienced Great Lakes boaters was to go bigger, not smaller. It wont take long to learn the skills needed and you will regret buying a smaller boat.
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