Occasional musings from a Left-coast Canadian ExPat in Oxford.
Quick reminder that today is the Provincial Day of Mourning for workers who have been killed on the job. Also a note that safety at work isn’t just a concern for those in manual labour or trade jobs. There’s plenty of danger right here on the mean streets of the big city. We are trying … Continue reading Day of Mourning
I’m the first to admit that I don’t pay as much attention to politics as I could. But all of this hooplah around the Federal budget and the potential vote of non-confidence seems to have people riled up for what I think is no good reason. I think we’ve been used to having majority governments … Continue reading Minority Report
I’ve had such a little bee in my bonnet this past week, feverishly reading Captain’s Quarters about the sponsorship scandal. I really wanted to link to him, and say that the level of corruption in government that’s finally being made more transparent is freaking me right the hell out! Not that I was worried about … Continue reading FINALLY!
I predict that Canada will lose very, very badly at the upcoming World Championships. It makes me wonder how much the current NHL players really play for the love of “Canada’s Game” (55-60% of NHL players are Canadian), and how many have been blinded by their multi-million dollar salaries. We keep hearing heartwrenching sound bites … Continue reading Hockey Schmockey
It’s just been confirmed that the SFU school of contemporary arts will be one of the tenants in the retrofitted Woodward’s building in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side. I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, the School of Contemporary Arts has been a long-standing sore-spot among students at SFU. It’s been housed in mouldy … Continue reading Movin’ on Up to the West Side
There’s an article in The Tyee today about a different stance on the same-sex marriage debate. The author Stan Persky puts out the position that it’s not an argument about marriage, it’s an argument about validating (or not) same-sex sex. Because we all know that the most important part of a marriage is the consummation … Continue reading Homosex
I just received an email from Nick about posting a link to promote all of the local events taking place to raise funds for Tsunami disaster relief. Holy cow are there ever a ton of them. Find the official listings here. There are also many bloggers who are trying to find a way to help … Continue reading Helping Hands
Canada 2-1 over Russia at the end of the 1st. Best colour commentary line of the first period: (Referring to the Russian players) “These guys go down faster than free beer at a frat party!” I wish all hockey was this good… Continue reading Fall Down, Go Boom
This is so overwhelming it just doesn’t seem real. I’ve lived in places with smaller populations than the number of dead. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must be like. A note to those who want to help: Please give generously if you can, but do your research. For example, more of your … Continue reading Helpless
Translink has just expanded their Night Bus service. Good news for those of us out in the ‘burbs who aren’t super keen on forking out $20 for a cab every time we party downtown a little past 1:00am. Unfortunately, and I only speak for myself here, those of us who are perhaps not as good … Continue reading Night Owl
Apparrently the tendency for a woman to cheat on her partner is accounted for 60% by life experience, and 40% by genetic makeup. An argument for polyamory? Or just another excuse for humans to get out of taking responsibility for their actions? Continue reading Blue Genes
I just got a letter from my bank (CIBC) stating that since I never use my very high maximums for direct payment and cash withdrawls off my ATM card, they’re lowering my limits for these transactions to make me less susceptible to damages should fraud on my account occur. I’ve never known a financial institution … Continue reading Best PR Ever.
In Flanders Fields In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now … Continue reading Lest We Forget
This is why the Republicans won the election. (link via Red Stapler) Perhaps we should start talking to the “uneducated masses” instead of talking down to them. Continue reading It’s all starting to make sense
As you may or may not know, there have been a few minor earthquakes in my corner of the world over the past weeks. This is not unusual. But I find some of the headlines and taglines journalists are using to segue into the story highly amusing. A very popular one: “Today the Earth Moved” … Continue reading Under my Feet