What did we do to deserve this? Why in heavens name are we going to the polls yet again?
I'm all for the democratic process and electing our representatives but I just can't see why were doing this now.
The Liberals, NDP and Bloc must enjoy a good ass kicking because if the polls are any indication, that's exactly what they're in for.
I have never claimed to be a 100% supporter of any party and have voted both Conservative and Liberal in the past. I always vote and usually with my instincts and my instincts are telling me that Stephen Harper and the Conservative party are still the best option.
I like some of the candidates from the other parties but to be honest I don't trust any of the other party leaders. Iggy seems like one shady SOB who needs to have his eyebrows tweezed. He was not the answer to the parties leadership problems and until they fix that, they'll continue to flounder.
Layton has always come across to me as someone longing for the spotlight and would be willing to flip flop any which way as long as it benefits him.
Duceppe and the Bloc are laughed at by the rest of Canada for believing they actually live in a country within Canada. They're like the little ones sitting at the kids table at Christmas.
My prediction is come May 2nd, millions of dollars will have been spent, hundreds of hours of news time on TV will have been wasted and we'll end up right back in the same spot we were before this election was needlessly forced upon us.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Earthquakes, Tsunami's & Radiation
What a crazy world we live in right now.
Uprisings in African countries are popping up day after day it seems. Dictators continue to think they're untouchable. While all of the chaos in Egypt, Libya and other locales are happening and would make watching the evening news interesting, none of it compares to the catastrophe in Japan.
The land of "Hello Kitty" and Karaoke has been left with nothing happy to sing about.
The 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck on Friday March 11, 2011 killed thousands and left thousands more missing.
A natural disaster on this scale would be bad enough but who could have imagined it would get even worse? Shockingly it has gotten worse as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered major damage resulting in not one but four reactors going on the fritz. So while people in Japan are searching for survivors and recovering the dead, they remain on edge with a seemingly never ending number of aftershocks and the fear that a nuclear meltdown is in the process and they could be glowing in the dark before too long. What a mess.
You don't need me to give you details as I'm sure you've heard it all on the news and with the story that is constantly changing I couldn't possibly keep up to speed with it all.
The one thing that has been inspiring with all of this has been the reactions of the Japanese people. Of course they are frightened, shocked and questioning what to do next but they're also freakishly calm.
Being in Canada I can't really draw on any personal experience or history that would compare to what the people of Japan are going through but I have a hard time imagining Canadians being as calm. Lets face it, if this had happened in Montreal, there would be looting and rioting in the streets because...well, that's what they do every chance they get it seems.
Sure Canadians are a respectful, peaceful and courteous bunch who have proven in the past that when called upon to stand and fight, we do it better than any other country in the world. History has shown that in past wars. So, I'd like to think we would react similar to the Japanese. I certainly know we would do what we could for our friends and neighbours.
I can only speculate but I'm guessing mayhem would ensue south of the border in the U.S.
While they may be very patriotic or seem to be by how vocal they are about it, I still think they'd lose their minds. Heck, even with the minute and harmless traces of radiation that are finding their way to the shores of the Home of the Brave, people are panicking to the point that anti-radiation pills are selling out. One can only imagine the pandemonium that would ensue should something similar happen in North America.
My hope is that we'll never find out what would actually happen in that scenario. In the meantime we'll continue to send aid and assist our friends in the land of the rising sun and hope for the best.
Uprisings in African countries are popping up day after day it seems. Dictators continue to think they're untouchable. While all of the chaos in Egypt, Libya and other locales are happening and would make watching the evening news interesting, none of it compares to the catastrophe in Japan.
The land of "Hello Kitty" and Karaoke has been left with nothing happy to sing about.
The 9.0 magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami that struck on Friday March 11, 2011 killed thousands and left thousands more missing.A natural disaster on this scale would be bad enough but who could have imagined it would get even worse? Shockingly it has gotten worse as the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant suffered major damage resulting in not one but four reactors going on the fritz. So while people in Japan are searching for survivors and recovering the dead, they remain on edge with a seemingly never ending number of aftershocks and the fear that a nuclear meltdown is in the process and they could be glowing in the dark before too long. What a mess.
You don't need me to give you details as I'm sure you've heard it all on the news and with the story that is constantly changing I couldn't possibly keep up to speed with it all.
The one thing that has been inspiring with all of this has been the reactions of the Japanese people. Of course they are frightened, shocked and questioning what to do next but they're also freakishly calm.
Being in Canada I can't really draw on any personal experience or history that would compare to what the people of Japan are going through but I have a hard time imagining Canadians being as calm. Lets face it, if this had happened in Montreal, there would be looting and rioting in the streets because...well, that's what they do every chance they get it seems.
Sure Canadians are a respectful, peaceful and courteous bunch who have proven in the past that when called upon to stand and fight, we do it better than any other country in the world. History has shown that in past wars. So, I'd like to think we would react similar to the Japanese. I certainly know we would do what we could for our friends and neighbours.
I can only speculate but I'm guessing mayhem would ensue south of the border in the U.S.
While they may be very patriotic or seem to be by how vocal they are about it, I still think they'd lose their minds. Heck, even with the minute and harmless traces of radiation that are finding their way to the shores of the Home of the Brave, people are panicking to the point that anti-radiation pills are selling out. One can only imagine the pandemonium that would ensue should something similar happen in North America.My hope is that we'll never find out what would actually happen in that scenario. In the meantime we'll continue to send aid and assist our friends in the land of the rising sun and hope for the best.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Chara Was Reckless
I, like all other Montreal Canadiens fans sat in shock and disbelief after Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins lambasted Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty on Tuesday night.
Had the hit taken place anywhere else on the ice it wouldn't have been as severe but because it happened near the benches where Pacioretty's head made contact with the glass partition, the play resulted in the Montreal forward being knocked out and left motionless on the ice.
Did Chara intend to cause such a horrific impact which could have turned out even worse? Only he knows for sure but watching the countless replays I have to think Chara knew what he was doing and where he was going to check Pacioretty. In fact it appeared as though Chara made sure he was going to contact the pole.
I'm not suggesting Chara was trying to cause injury despite the fact the same two players had a run in the game before. I don't think Chara is a dirty player but his size as the biggest player in the league does come with some added responsibility.
He has to be aware that he can inflict a lot of damage if he wants to and in a situation like this where it was clearly a late hit to begin with, he should have backed off. He didn't and that is why the league must step in and punish him so he will maybe think twice before doing something so reckless in the future. Next time the player could leave the ice in a body bag instead of a stretcher.
UPDATE: The NHL decided no suspension was warranted. In my opinion the NHL made a colossal mistake and have now set a precedent that they will have to stand by in the future. To say that because the 6' 9" Chara "didn't leave his feet" to finish the illegal play is insane. He wasn't checking Shaquille O'Neal. Safe to say the Zdeno Chara will be Public Enemy #1 in Montreal for a long time.
Had the hit taken place anywhere else on the ice it wouldn't have been as severe but because it happened near the benches where Pacioretty's head made contact with the glass partition, the play resulted in the Montreal forward being knocked out and left motionless on the ice.
Did Chara intend to cause such a horrific impact which could have turned out even worse? Only he knows for sure but watching the countless replays I have to think Chara knew what he was doing and where he was going to check Pacioretty. In fact it appeared as though Chara made sure he was going to contact the pole.
I'm not suggesting Chara was trying to cause injury despite the fact the same two players had a run in the game before. I don't think Chara is a dirty player but his size as the biggest player in the league does come with some added responsibility.
He has to be aware that he can inflict a lot of damage if he wants to and in a situation like this where it was clearly a late hit to begin with, he should have backed off. He didn't and that is why the league must step in and punish him so he will maybe think twice before doing something so reckless in the future. Next time the player could leave the ice in a body bag instead of a stretcher.
UPDATE: The NHL decided no suspension was warranted. In my opinion the NHL made a colossal mistake and have now set a precedent that they will have to stand by in the future. To say that because the 6' 9" Chara "didn't leave his feet" to finish the illegal play is insane. He wasn't checking Shaquille O'Neal. Safe to say the Zdeno Chara will be Public Enemy #1 in Montreal for a long time.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Photo Fun
After sitting here wracking my brain trying to get my creative juices flowing to put forth some words of wisdom or create some controversy with my own warped sense of humour and thinking, I've decided that I just don't have anything thought provoking to share. I can't recall the last time I struggled this much to put my thoughts in my blog.
To be honest, I need to invest in a new laptop. My old one died and I had been using it to write most of my postings while at work when I had some free time to do it. Since it stopped working, my blog posts have taken a sharp decline.
In the meantime, I've found a little time lately to put my photography skills to use. My new camera has been patiently waiting in the bag for me to pull it out and give it a workout. So I've managed to take a few shots worth keeping.
I'm actually working on my second photography book right now. My first one was enjoyed by many, although I never actually sold any copies. Everyone just looked at my copy. To be honest, that's all I really wanted any way. I take all these photos and most people never see them unless they gather around my computer. A book is a great way to share them with others by having it laying out for family and friends to look at.
Here are a few of my latest photos that people seemed to enjoy. Hope you like them as well.
The Psychedelic Pslinky
Go Habs Go
Will Winter Ever End?
It's A Bird
To be honest, I need to invest in a new laptop. My old one died and I had been using it to write most of my postings while at work when I had some free time to do it. Since it stopped working, my blog posts have taken a sharp decline.
In the meantime, I've found a little time lately to put my photography skills to use. My new camera has been patiently waiting in the bag for me to pull it out and give it a workout. So I've managed to take a few shots worth keeping.
I'm actually working on my second photography book right now. My first one was enjoyed by many, although I never actually sold any copies. Everyone just looked at my copy. To be honest, that's all I really wanted any way. I take all these photos and most people never see them unless they gather around my computer. A book is a great way to share them with others by having it laying out for family and friends to look at.
Here are a few of my latest photos that people seemed to enjoy. Hope you like them as well.
The Psychedelic Pslinky
Go Habs Go
Will Winter Ever End?
It's A Bird
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
February Blahs
I don't know if it's the time of year or I'm just uninspired lately but I've been struggling to come up with ideas for blog postings.
Sure I could just do updates to my daily life but honestly, who wants to read that I went to work again, ate mashed potatoes and meatballs for supper and have been dealing with a nagging cold lately?
My life just isn't that exciting!
It doesn't help that the only time I seem to leave the house is to go to work. I come home and begin my exciting evenings of eating, watching TV or messing around on the computer before I go to bed to rest up for the exact same thing the following day.
My social life has disappeared. I used to get out on weeknights with buddies, go to hockey games, party on weekends and basically have fun. Now the only regular interaction I have with other humans is via Twitter, Facebook or Flickr.
Of course the time of year has a lot to do with it. I don't get out much in the winter. At least in the spring, summer and autumn I can go golfing, camping or get out in nature with my camera and take photos.
It's not that I don't like talking to people. Hell, for nearly 14 years I made a living by talking on the radio and going to events and dealing with the general public. But after that job ended I went into a shell and shut myself off from almost everyone except my family and a few other people. I hid from society without even being conscious of the decision.
The last six plus years have been tough on me in many ways after having a happy life turned upside down unexpectedly and I admit it hasn't gotten a lot better. But I'm still the same guy with the same social skills. I just need to take those skills out of mothballs and use them more.
As for being motivated to write more on this blog, I'll continue to come up with ideas and share my thoughts when I can get my brain lubricated a bit better. Anyone have some WD40 I can borrow?
Sure I could just do updates to my daily life but honestly, who wants to read that I went to work again, ate mashed potatoes and meatballs for supper and have been dealing with a nagging cold lately?
My life just isn't that exciting!
It doesn't help that the only time I seem to leave the house is to go to work. I come home and begin my exciting evenings of eating, watching TV or messing around on the computer before I go to bed to rest up for the exact same thing the following day.
My social life has disappeared. I used to get out on weeknights with buddies, go to hockey games, party on weekends and basically have fun. Now the only regular interaction I have with other humans is via Twitter, Facebook or Flickr.
Of course the time of year has a lot to do with it. I don't get out much in the winter. At least in the spring, summer and autumn I can go golfing, camping or get out in nature with my camera and take photos.
It's not that I don't like talking to people. Hell, for nearly 14 years I made a living by talking on the radio and going to events and dealing with the general public. But after that job ended I went into a shell and shut myself off from almost everyone except my family and a few other people. I hid from society without even being conscious of the decision.
The last six plus years have been tough on me in many ways after having a happy life turned upside down unexpectedly and I admit it hasn't gotten a lot better. But I'm still the same guy with the same social skills. I just need to take those skills out of mothballs and use them more.
As for being motivated to write more on this blog, I'll continue to come up with ideas and share my thoughts when I can get my brain lubricated a bit better. Anyone have some WD40 I can borrow?
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