Tuesday 30 April 2013
Kathleen Wynne & SUN TV
One of the many problems with our parliamentary system of government in Canada is that the new leader of the governing party automatically assumes the top job. In Ontario that means the Premier's position. No one outside of a few hundred members of the Liberal Party elected Kathleen Wynne premier.
After her testimony at the Gas Plant enquiry it has become very clear she is not up to the job. An election must be called. Ironically in a minority government it is the opposition parties responsibility to force an election. The Cons and NDP should bring down the government. Wynne is unfit to lead this province.
I hope the CRTC has the courage to stare down SUN TV. There is no way I should be forced to pay for a channel of right-wing nut cases and their cable access quality production values. SUN TV actually has an HD channel. A small 5-year-old child could produce better quality TV. It is an embarrassment to the Canadian entertainment industry. This is even before you consider the worthless content of their programs. SUN TV are common street beggars, panhandling Canadian viewers to fund their garbage channel. They average 8,000 viewers across the entire nation. I'm shocked there are 8,000 people in the country that watch the channel.
There will be a two week delay before I get my boat towed to Toronto. This is a bit of a setback as the marina opens this week. I'm paying for a slip but have no vessel to occupy the space.
After her testimony at the Gas Plant enquiry it has become very clear she is not up to the job. An election must be called. Ironically in a minority government it is the opposition parties responsibility to force an election. The Cons and NDP should bring down the government. Wynne is unfit to lead this province.
I hope the CRTC has the courage to stare down SUN TV. There is no way I should be forced to pay for a channel of right-wing nut cases and their cable access quality production values. SUN TV actually has an HD channel. A small 5-year-old child could produce better quality TV. It is an embarrassment to the Canadian entertainment industry. This is even before you consider the worthless content of their programs. SUN TV are common street beggars, panhandling Canadian viewers to fund their garbage channel. They average 8,000 viewers across the entire nation. I'm shocked there are 8,000 people in the country that watch the channel.
There will be a two week delay before I get my boat towed to Toronto. This is a bit of a setback as the marina opens this week. I'm paying for a slip but have no vessel to occupy the space.
Saturday 27 April 2013
It's Controversial
My idea of purchasing and wearing a cape has divided people into two distinct camps, those that think it is the worst idea ever and in the other camp there is me.
We had the biggest Poker Event ever last night with 30 people. There were 24 players and Neal took home first place, but due to another controversial financial arrangement, Mariana financed his participation and took home half the money. She is the all-time leading money winner at Poker events. As the co-founder and promoter of the event it is only appropriate.
Jimmy gave me the thumbs up on my idea of former Premier McGuinty serving a modest prison term as the mastermind of the gas plant fiasco. This was not mismanagement of funds, but outright theft of taxpayer money to buy votes. The cost to reward ratio was so out of proportion to be classified as one the most cynical, outrageous acts of vote buying in democratic history. An act so vile and costly as to subject the perpetrator to criminal prosecution. In my opinion McGuinty dishonoured his province, his family and should be held accountable in a court of law. Any chance he had of a favourable legacy was wiped out in a single act of voter subterfuge.
Current Premier Kathleen Wynne had the audacity to accuse the Tory's of leading the taxpayers into an expensive election. It would apparently cost the taxpayers $65M to hold an election. This after she was a senior member of the McGuinty cabinet that made the decision to cancel the gas plant contract at a cost in excess of $250M and counting. The construction continued unabated after the cancellation and during the election for contractual reasons. Cement was poured on a project where the government and contractors knew would be torn up in due course.
Ms. Wynne you will wear the stench of the gas plant fiasco on your record for eternity. You should be ashamed, embarrassed and apologetic. The fact that you object to an election because of the costs to the people of Ontario is beyond outrageous.
We had the biggest Poker Event ever last night with 30 people. There were 24 players and Neal took home first place, but due to another controversial financial arrangement, Mariana financed his participation and took home half the money. She is the all-time leading money winner at Poker events. As the co-founder and promoter of the event it is only appropriate.
Jimmy gave me the thumbs up on my idea of former Premier McGuinty serving a modest prison term as the mastermind of the gas plant fiasco. This was not mismanagement of funds, but outright theft of taxpayer money to buy votes. The cost to reward ratio was so out of proportion to be classified as one the most cynical, outrageous acts of vote buying in democratic history. An act so vile and costly as to subject the perpetrator to criminal prosecution. In my opinion McGuinty dishonoured his province, his family and should be held accountable in a court of law. Any chance he had of a favourable legacy was wiped out in a single act of voter subterfuge.
Current Premier Kathleen Wynne had the audacity to accuse the Tory's of leading the taxpayers into an expensive election. It would apparently cost the taxpayers $65M to hold an election. This after she was a senior member of the McGuinty cabinet that made the decision to cancel the gas plant contract at a cost in excess of $250M and counting. The construction continued unabated after the cancellation and during the election for contractual reasons. Cement was poured on a project where the government and contractors knew would be torn up in due course.
Ms. Wynne you will wear the stench of the gas plant fiasco on your record for eternity. You should be ashamed, embarrassed and apologetic. The fact that you object to an election because of the costs to the people of Ontario is beyond outrageous.
Wednesday 24 April 2013
Magma Grills
I often use this forum to complain about customer service but once in awhile a company actually provides excellent service. This is the case for Magma USA the premier manufacturer of marine BBQ grills.
I have a Magma Catalina grill purchased by the D'Arcy family as a Christmas gift. I was having trouble finding a mounting option for the grill on my boat. A "solution" suggested by the marine store where I bought the boat, seemed a little dubious and potentially dangerous.
I contacted the Magma website and customer service email address. Within hours I was contacted by the California based company. They went to the trouble of looking up my boat on the Internet and requested any photographs to see if there was an viable solution to mount the grill. By the next day they had a recommended solution. They also agreed that the marine store's option was dangerous. I purchased a stand that I will install on the swim platform. The family also purchased a storage case for my birthday from Magma. A quality company and American made products.
I have a Magma Catalina grill purchased by the D'Arcy family as a Christmas gift. I was having trouble finding a mounting option for the grill on my boat. A "solution" suggested by the marine store where I bought the boat, seemed a little dubious and potentially dangerous.
I contacted the Magma website and customer service email address. Within hours I was contacted by the California based company. They went to the trouble of looking up my boat on the Internet and requested any photographs to see if there was an viable solution to mount the grill. By the next day they had a recommended solution. They also agreed that the marine store's option was dangerous. I purchased a stand that I will install on the swim platform. The family also purchased a storage case for my birthday from Magma. A quality company and American made products.
Monday 22 April 2013
I Feel Bad For the Party Organisers
I feel bad for the organisers of my "surprise" birthday party. I inadvertently found out about a party but I have no idea where, or who is attending. I think that is important, as I always thought that someone would do something for my 50th. That I know the date, is far from fatal. The important thing is that we have a great event. I know people went to a lot of trouble to organise the function.
I ran 2.5 miles today on the treadmill. Even though I have been drinking alcohol and a couple of vacation and work trips knocked me off my diet, I can still run a pretty good distance. Back to eating well continuing to exercise.
I'm having concerns about my boat BBQ. The boat, the stereo, cooler and BBQ are the primary ingredients for a Party Vessel. Thanks to the D'Arcy clan I have a world class BBQ, my only issue is where to mount it on the boat. The in boat mounting system devised by the marine store may be a fire hazard. I am going to attempt a work around so I can have an outboard mounting system onto the swim platform.
I ran 2.5 miles today on the treadmill. Even though I have been drinking alcohol and a couple of vacation and work trips knocked me off my diet, I can still run a pretty good distance. Back to eating well continuing to exercise.
I'm having concerns about my boat BBQ. The boat, the stereo, cooler and BBQ are the primary ingredients for a Party Vessel. Thanks to the D'Arcy clan I have a world class BBQ, my only issue is where to mount it on the boat. The in boat mounting system devised by the marine store may be a fire hazard. I am going to attempt a work around so I can have an outboard mounting system onto the swim platform.
Saturday 20 April 2013
McGuinty Should Serve Time in a Detention Facility
I have supported the McGuinty Liberals for a decade. To this day there is no reasonable alternative. Tim Hudak might be the worst Conservative leader in the history of the party.The NDP would bankrupt Ontario at a time when our province is undergoing critical structural changes. Jim Flaherty, federal Finance Minister, has abandoned his home province in blind loyalty to his Dear Leader. We are at a critical crossroads for the Ontario economy. We can either take a path to recovery, or turn into an economic basket case like our Maritime neighbours.
The gas plant cancellations during the last election could end up costing the province a $Billion. All to save one seat, for one election cycle. In one of the most cynical, expensive and outright criminal acts in Canadian political history, McGuinty cancelled construction of a gas plant to save a seat for the Liberals, during the election. McGuinty would unexpectedly resign as premier rather than face responsibility for this act. It was a cowardly response!
As Ontarians we have to make a decision on how McGuinty should pay for this dishonourable act of gross negligence. It is my personal opinion that he should serve time in a provincial detention facility. I believe a minimum of 6-months in jail would be an appropriate sentence. It would serve notice to future leaders that cynical political acts of this nature will result in punishment.
In my opinion Brian Mulroney should have served time for accepting bags of money from a German businessman in exchange for no services rendered. Commonly called a bribe in more enlightened countries where the rule of law applies to all citizens uniformly.
In one of the most sickening acts of political malfeasance the gas plant project continued to be built without interruption after its cancellation. This was due to unbreakable contracts that required contractors to continue to build a facility knowing that their work would be demolished soon after.
It would be comforting to know that there were politicians and aides in the Liberal Party, that at the time argued against this cancellation. I doubt that any of them had an once of personal integrity or thought about the taxpayers of Ontario when this decision was made.
I'm asking former Premier Dalton McGuinty to personally apologise to his fellow Ontarians and to voluntarily report to a detention facility to serve 6-months time.
The gas plant cancellations during the last election could end up costing the province a $Billion. All to save one seat, for one election cycle. In one of the most cynical, expensive and outright criminal acts in Canadian political history, McGuinty cancelled construction of a gas plant to save a seat for the Liberals, during the election. McGuinty would unexpectedly resign as premier rather than face responsibility for this act. It was a cowardly response!
As Ontarians we have to make a decision on how McGuinty should pay for this dishonourable act of gross negligence. It is my personal opinion that he should serve time in a provincial detention facility. I believe a minimum of 6-months in jail would be an appropriate sentence. It would serve notice to future leaders that cynical political acts of this nature will result in punishment.
In my opinion Brian Mulroney should have served time for accepting bags of money from a German businessman in exchange for no services rendered. Commonly called a bribe in more enlightened countries where the rule of law applies to all citizens uniformly.
In one of the most sickening acts of political malfeasance the gas plant project continued to be built without interruption after its cancellation. This was due to unbreakable contracts that required contractors to continue to build a facility knowing that their work would be demolished soon after.
It would be comforting to know that there were politicians and aides in the Liberal Party, that at the time argued against this cancellation. I doubt that any of them had an once of personal integrity or thought about the taxpayers of Ontario when this decision was made.
I'm asking former Premier Dalton McGuinty to personally apologise to his fellow Ontarians and to voluntarily report to a detention facility to serve 6-months time.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
Pope Francis & Socially Active Nuns
Anybody that thought that the Catholic church had turned a corner with the election of Pope Francis need only look at the soon to come crackdown on socially active US nuns to know this guy is no different than his fellow right-wing predecessors.
The Catholic church does more for the poor in Third World countries than any other institution. It is an admiral pursuit but in the First World church members are discouraged from social activism. Nuns in particular in the US pursue socially active callings. They advocate for the poor and disadvantaged. The Catholic church treats women as second class members. They are discouraged from leadership and questioning the all male hierarchy.
The Catholic church is losing members in North America and Western Europe. Rampant paedophilia among its priests and a failure of leadership to react has repulsed church membership. Nuns have been silenced and told to tow the line.
A recent Time magazine article showed that Hispanics in South America and the US are leaving the church for evangelical Protestant churches in the millions. The Orange order should take note.
The worst thing that happened to the Catholic church was the long reign of Pope John Paul II. He stacked his bishops and College of Cardinals with like minded right-wing zealots. It will result in a Third World church devoid of meaningful membership in Liberal western countries.
There is no doubt that many will advocate for the Liberal US nuns to choose another church. A crackdown on their social activism may result in their wish coming true. I would suggest that the nuns have been a breath of fresh air in the western church. I would hold up their socially conscious record over the paedophile priests and their enablers in the male church leadership.
The irony for the Catholic church is that the truly socially conservative Hispanic membership is flocking to evangelical churches, mainly due to distrust of a church leadership, while socially liberal members are leaving the church in disgust over child molestation and rigid rules on much needed contraception.
I read an article about a young man that left a Catholic seminary near Washington when he grew tired of being hit on by fellow seminarians. We can only hope that future alter boys in America are safe from these potential predators. If you think my comments are out of line, why were they sexually harassing their fellow seminarian? I would feel safer for the alter boys in the presence of nuns.
The Catholic church does more for the poor in Third World countries than any other institution. It is an admiral pursuit but in the First World church members are discouraged from social activism. Nuns in particular in the US pursue socially active callings. They advocate for the poor and disadvantaged. The Catholic church treats women as second class members. They are discouraged from leadership and questioning the all male hierarchy.
The Catholic church is losing members in North America and Western Europe. Rampant paedophilia among its priests and a failure of leadership to react has repulsed church membership. Nuns have been silenced and told to tow the line.
A recent Time magazine article showed that Hispanics in South America and the US are leaving the church for evangelical Protestant churches in the millions. The Orange order should take note.
The worst thing that happened to the Catholic church was the long reign of Pope John Paul II. He stacked his bishops and College of Cardinals with like minded right-wing zealots. It will result in a Third World church devoid of meaningful membership in Liberal western countries.
There is no doubt that many will advocate for the Liberal US nuns to choose another church. A crackdown on their social activism may result in their wish coming true. I would suggest that the nuns have been a breath of fresh air in the western church. I would hold up their socially conscious record over the paedophile priests and their enablers in the male church leadership.
The irony for the Catholic church is that the truly socially conservative Hispanic membership is flocking to evangelical churches, mainly due to distrust of a church leadership, while socially liberal members are leaving the church in disgust over child molestation and rigid rules on much needed contraception.
I read an article about a young man that left a Catholic seminary near Washington when he grew tired of being hit on by fellow seminarians. We can only hope that future alter boys in America are safe from these potential predators. If you think my comments are out of line, why were they sexually harassing their fellow seminarian? I would feel safer for the alter boys in the presence of nuns.
Saturday 13 April 2013
Toronto Island Airport Expansion
Porter Airlines wants the government to change the rules to allow jets to land at the island airport in downtown Toronto.
I'm not surprised that Adam "No Fun" Vaughan is against the idea, he is against all development except the building of homeless shelters. He is against tall buildings, bars, nightclubs, casinos anything that smells of fun. I'm shocked, stunned even that The Toronto Star editorial backed the airport expansion and inclusion of jets. The Star is consistently anti-big business and for creation of public parklands. You have to wonder if the full page ads bought by Porter in the Star have any influence on their editorial position?
The irony for me is that I'm backing Adam "Sourpuss" Vaughan on this one. For selfish reasons of course. As a new boater this takes away boating space and increases noise over my recreation area. Toronto already has a major airport in Mississauga. I have used the Island airport many times and have no problem with the current set-up. The airport is used by prop-planes and can fly anywhere in North America within a 2 1/2 hour radius. This includes New York, Chicago, Boston and Montreal. Porter wants jets so they can service Vancouver and Miami.
I do not think there is a need for this expansion and having jets buzzing the downtown core. The Star endorsement may be all they need to convince the more centrist city councillors to swing their vote for expansion.
I'm not surprised that Adam "No Fun" Vaughan is against the idea, he is against all development except the building of homeless shelters. He is against tall buildings, bars, nightclubs, casinos anything that smells of fun. I'm shocked, stunned even that The Toronto Star editorial backed the airport expansion and inclusion of jets. The Star is consistently anti-big business and for creation of public parklands. You have to wonder if the full page ads bought by Porter in the Star have any influence on their editorial position?
The irony for me is that I'm backing Adam "Sourpuss" Vaughan on this one. For selfish reasons of course. As a new boater this takes away boating space and increases noise over my recreation area. Toronto already has a major airport in Mississauga. I have used the Island airport many times and have no problem with the current set-up. The airport is used by prop-planes and can fly anywhere in North America within a 2 1/2 hour radius. This includes New York, Chicago, Boston and Montreal. Porter wants jets so they can service Vancouver and Miami.
I do not think there is a need for this expansion and having jets buzzing the downtown core. The Star endorsement may be all they need to convince the more centrist city councillors to swing their vote for expansion.
Tuesday 9 April 2013
Fr. Stephen D'Arcy the Original Running Man
I just heard that my uncle Stephen passed away in Ireland. He was a Catholic priest. He spent most of his career in Zambia, but retired to his homeland in Ireland. Because we lived in Canada, he was one of the few relatives that we saw on a semi-regular basis. He was my Dad's older brother.
On one of my uncles visits to Hamilton he appeared on the local radio program, The Tom Cherington Show on CHML. I believe the topic was the war in Biafra. Cherington had a reputation of being a difficult interviewer, but my uncle found him quite affable.
I remember my uncle was very funny, but he could be blunt at times, all the years in Africa wore away some of the tact, or political correctness.
When my brothers and I were kids our backyard was attached to a park. I recall that my uncle was a jogger and would run around the park. Back then no one jogged. I'm very serious, if you jogged back then people would stare at you in disbelief. I'm pretty sure that my uncle invented jogging. In many ways he was ahead of his time, as he took fitness very seriously, well before it was common.
A few years later the neighbour across the street, who it turned out was an insurance adjuster before I knew what an insurance adjuster was, took up jogging. He was the second man to ever take up jogging. He took up jogging for a more practicable reason than Fr. Stephen. He took up jogging so he could chase after the McNair brothers, who terrorised him. They were the Eddie Haskell's of our street. He never did catch them.
I'm sure it is a coincidence, but I jogged the furthest I have ran in several years, just moments before I heard uncle Stephen passed away. Maybe he passed the D'Arcy running torch to me.
My youngest brother Steve was named after uncle Stephen. It has to help to have a priest in the family, just to hedge your bets with St. Peter.
On one of my uncles visits to Hamilton he appeared on the local radio program, The Tom Cherington Show on CHML. I believe the topic was the war in Biafra. Cherington had a reputation of being a difficult interviewer, but my uncle found him quite affable.
I remember my uncle was very funny, but he could be blunt at times, all the years in Africa wore away some of the tact, or political correctness.
When my brothers and I were kids our backyard was attached to a park. I recall that my uncle was a jogger and would run around the park. Back then no one jogged. I'm very serious, if you jogged back then people would stare at you in disbelief. I'm pretty sure that my uncle invented jogging. In many ways he was ahead of his time, as he took fitness very seriously, well before it was common.
A few years later the neighbour across the street, who it turned out was an insurance adjuster before I knew what an insurance adjuster was, took up jogging. He was the second man to ever take up jogging. He took up jogging for a more practicable reason than Fr. Stephen. He took up jogging so he could chase after the McNair brothers, who terrorised him. They were the Eddie Haskell's of our street. He never did catch them.
I'm sure it is a coincidence, but I jogged the furthest I have ran in several years, just moments before I heard uncle Stephen passed away. Maybe he passed the D'Arcy running torch to me.
My youngest brother Steve was named after uncle Stephen. It has to help to have a priest in the family, just to hedge your bets with St. Peter.
Colombian Oil Play
I arranged to invest additional money in my Colombian oil company and the price jumps a $1.52 a share. Turns out they reported a significant amount of oil reserves. In my opinion the stock is undervalued by about 50% and I'm still going to invest. I just have bad timing. The stock was punished because of a negative arbitration ruling and political instability in the country.
Today was a good day on the market, after a brief period of stock corrections. I'm thinking of renaming my boat to reflect the fact that I'm a Colombian Oil Barron. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself, but that can't be all bad.
Canadian oil stocks are still dragged down by the inability of oil companies to move the oil to refineries and the high cost to extract oil from tar sands. The dark cloud over the Keystone pipeline and the federal government's refusal to to take environmental concerns seriously.
The oil sands have become the new "baby seals", dragging down Canada's international reputation. It is considered dirty oil. It is not entirely fair, as the US is still heavily reliant on coal. But when you have Harper and his lackey Baird representing Canada abroad, it is not going to help.
Today was a good day on the market, after a brief period of stock corrections. I'm thinking of renaming my boat to reflect the fact that I'm a Colombian Oil Barron. I don't want to draw too much attention to myself, but that can't be all bad.
Canadian oil stocks are still dragged down by the inability of oil companies to move the oil to refineries and the high cost to extract oil from tar sands. The dark cloud over the Keystone pipeline and the federal government's refusal to to take environmental concerns seriously.
The oil sands have become the new "baby seals", dragging down Canada's international reputation. It is considered dirty oil. It is not entirely fair, as the US is still heavily reliant on coal. But when you have Harper and his lackey Baird representing Canada abroad, it is not going to help.
Monday 8 April 2013
One Last Poker Event Before Boat Season
I have reserved the Condo Party room for the end of the month. I will organise one last poker game.
My boss organised an intense file review for the Friday before I put my boat in the water. This is bad timing. I have a lot of large files and the work preparation time will cut into my boat prep. I'm still not sure that the Saturday, will in fact be the day I drop the boat in the water. Seems as though there are 250 boats and we cannot all put our boats in the water at the same time.
I contacted the marine store and they seem to have failed to arrange some last minute boat preparations. I hope it is not too late.
I will make one last shopping trip to pick up any safety equipment, that is required by law to be onboard. I have also arranged to take a course to pick up my Toronto Harbour license. I still have to arrange to have the boat towed to Toronto and dropped into the water, plus have someone teach me how to drive the boat. It will be a busy May.
My boss organised an intense file review for the Friday before I put my boat in the water. This is bad timing. I have a lot of large files and the work preparation time will cut into my boat prep. I'm still not sure that the Saturday, will in fact be the day I drop the boat in the water. Seems as though there are 250 boats and we cannot all put our boats in the water at the same time.
I contacted the marine store and they seem to have failed to arrange some last minute boat preparations. I hope it is not too late.
I will make one last shopping trip to pick up any safety equipment, that is required by law to be onboard. I have also arranged to take a course to pick up my Toronto Harbour license. I still have to arrange to have the boat towed to Toronto and dropped into the water, plus have someone teach me how to drive the boat. It will be a busy May.
Sunday 7 April 2013
Jamiacan Diaspora
The lead story in the Toronto Star is an article about the fact that fewer Jamaicans return to their homeland to retire. The reason? Jamaica's high crime rate. The irony of course is too rich not to mention.
Jamaican immigration to Toronto resulted in a massive increase in violent crime
It's not politically correct to state the obvious, but a glance at the top 100 criminals in Toronto, is ripe with the results of increased Jamaican immigration. Though I might add that the Somali's are giving them a run for the money.
The entire country of Jamaica has the same population as the city of Toronto. Toronto had 48 murders last year, Jamaica had 1,087 the lowest total in 10-years. No one wants me to say it, but many of the 48 murders in Toronto were Jamaican Canadians killing other Jamaican Canadians.
Jamaican immigration to Toronto resulted in a massive increase in violent crime
It's not politically correct to state the obvious, but a glance at the top 100 criminals in Toronto, is ripe with the results of increased Jamaican immigration. Though I might add that the Somali's are giving them a run for the money.
The entire country of Jamaica has the same population as the city of Toronto. Toronto had 48 murders last year, Jamaica had 1,087 the lowest total in 10-years. No one wants me to say it, but many of the 48 murders in Toronto were Jamaican Canadians killing other Jamaican Canadians.
Friday 5 April 2013
Driving Mr. D'Arcy
My Dad, Chris D'Arcy, turned 80 recently and voluntarily gave up his driving privileges. Ontario requires drivers over the age of 80 to undergo a road test. But my Dad knew that it was time to give up his licence. He was concerned that a foot problem would compromise his ability to use the brake and gas pedals. He gave up his licence without protest, or resentment, because he knew it was the right thing to do.
It can't be easy to give up your licence after 60 years of driving. As far as I know he had no accidents. He once claimed never to have used his horn while driving. There are cab drivers in Toronto that engage their horn every 5-minutes. I believe my Irish born Dad obtained his first licence in Nigeria. Toronto has dozens of Nigerian cab drivers and they may be the worst drivers in the city
I am not an expert in very many areas, but I have handled auto accident insurance claims for 25-years. I have handled some of the most horrific accident injury claims from across the country. I can tell you that my dad was the safest driver I have seen. You can't tell me that as my Dad gives up his licence and today some pimply faced 16-year old boy obtained his first licence, that the streets of Ontario are a safer place. For me it is job security, if everyone drove like my Dad I would be out of work.
We can safely say that Nigeria produced one safe driver, a boatload of bad taxi drivers and at least one overworked insurance man.
It can't be easy to give up your licence after 60 years of driving. As far as I know he had no accidents. He once claimed never to have used his horn while driving. There are cab drivers in Toronto that engage their horn every 5-minutes. I believe my Irish born Dad obtained his first licence in Nigeria. Toronto has dozens of Nigerian cab drivers and they may be the worst drivers in the city
I am not an expert in very many areas, but I have handled auto accident insurance claims for 25-years. I have handled some of the most horrific accident injury claims from across the country. I can tell you that my dad was the safest driver I have seen. You can't tell me that as my Dad gives up his licence and today some pimply faced 16-year old boy obtained his first licence, that the streets of Ontario are a safer place. For me it is job security, if everyone drove like my Dad I would be out of work.
We can safely say that Nigeria produced one safe driver, a boatload of bad taxi drivers and at least one overworked insurance man.
Canadian Stock Market v. New York Stocks
The major difference between the US government Cabinet versus the Canadian Cabinet, is that the US Cabinet has experts in their field fill Cabinet posts, while Canada's PM must choose from government MP's. It creates a huge gap in competency.
Stephen Harper has a very weak caucus in which to choose a Cabinet. It is filled with socially Conservative ideologues and few business professionals. Harper was forced to choose an Insurance defence lawyer as his Finance Minister. Jim Flaherty is not a Bay Street business professional. He is not a CEO, or even an expert in the field. Obama can choose a Wall Street pro as his chief economic adviser.
Canada's greatest ever finance Minister, Paul Martin, left massive surpluses and kept the Canadian banks from issuing sub prime mortgages. He handed over the economy to Harper and Flaherty. They in turn squandered the surpluses, PRIOR to the recession.
Prior to the recession the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) was more than 2,000 points higher than the NYSE. Since the market crash the NYSE has reached record levels. The TSX has floundered and is now 2,000 points lower than the NYSE. Part of the difference is the value of the currencies, however the TSX has greatly under performed.
Despite recent dismal economic news, including horrific employment numbers, I'm still bullish on the longterm prospects of the TSX. The market always recovers. It has for 100 years. It goes through periodic corrections but always trends upwards.
I would like to see a regime change in Canada and it is only a matter of time before the current government is tossed from office.
I always shake my head when I see people jump like lemmings out of the market at the slightest distress, almost always selling at a loss. Unless you are close to retirement, do you really believe the market will not recover over the long term? Blue chip bank stocks have reached their lifetime peak? Oil prices will not recover? Stick it out and the market always goes up in the long term.
Where is it Appropriate to Eat Corn on the Cob?
Dawn, from my office, reported that a woman was eating corn on the cob on the Go commuter train. This is controversial! Eating corn on the cob is tricky and messy at the best of times, consuming it in a public enclosed space is a violation of public ethics and decency. At home, or a picnic table are acceptable corn on the cob venues. I want to add cheezies as another food item, that should not be eaten in an enclosed space. I had a drunken idiot consume cheezies in my rental vehicle. It stunk and he wiped his cheezie hands all over the upholstery.
Pet peeve #362. I purchased a delicious pasta dish for lunch this week. A lady from my office, not named Dawn, insists on running into my booth and commenting on whatever food I'm consuming. If she can smell the dish, she insists on interrupting your meal, commenting on the food selection and knowing where you purchased the food. When I'm eating I don't want to speak with her. I want to be left alone. It starts with a distant comment, "where is that food", followed by a search, followed by a lengthy interrogation.
Pet peeve #362. I purchased a delicious pasta dish for lunch this week. A lady from my office, not named Dawn, insists on running into my booth and commenting on whatever food I'm consuming. If she can smell the dish, she insists on interrupting your meal, commenting on the food selection and knowing where you purchased the food. When I'm eating I don't want to speak with her. I want to be left alone. It starts with a distant comment, "where is that food", followed by a search, followed by a lengthy interrogation.
Thursday 4 April 2013
Monday 1 April 2013
It's Controversial!
I have yet to hear from a reliable source, but it appears that Donut Girl has taken to chanting and meditation. Now this does not appear to be cult related. She may have picked up this new lifestyle by watching The View, or the Oprah Channel.
In speaking with M this may be as a result of living alone in downtown Toronto. She may have been influenced by the Artsy people in the core. Now I've lived in the core for many years and while I have been known to mumble uncontrollably after consumption of too many alcoholic beverages, you would be hard pressed to call it chanting.
I spoke briefly with Donut Girl earlier today and she assures me that this is a positive development and more of New Age betterment than a cause for concern. Her Milton based family are not open to change.
As a Big City resident I may back D.G. on this issue. I experimented with Hot Yoga last year. I mean I painted my condo walls hospital green. The urban melting pot encourages trying new things. If it helps your well being than it is all good.
There is a 50% chance I will end the year chanting and meditating right along side D.G. I have seriously considered taking Zumba lessons as well.
In speaking with M this may be as a result of living alone in downtown Toronto. She may have been influenced by the Artsy people in the core. Now I've lived in the core for many years and while I have been known to mumble uncontrollably after consumption of too many alcoholic beverages, you would be hard pressed to call it chanting.
I spoke briefly with Donut Girl earlier today and she assures me that this is a positive development and more of New Age betterment than a cause for concern. Her Milton based family are not open to change.
As a Big City resident I may back D.G. on this issue. I experimented with Hot Yoga last year. I mean I painted my condo walls hospital green. The urban melting pot encourages trying new things. If it helps your well being than it is all good.
There is a 50% chance I will end the year chanting and meditating right along side D.G. I have seriously considered taking Zumba lessons as well.
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