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.

Corn on the Cob to GO

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.

Conservative PM & His Finance Sidekick Have No Money for Transit

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.

Chanting Donut Girl