So if I hadn't have already seen Transformers 2 this past summer, Jennifer's Body would have been a lock for the worst movie of the year. Instead I have to live with the sad, sad knowledge that I have wasted perfectly good money on two extraordinarily shitty movies. I mean, truly vile.
Ordinarily I don't review movies often on the blog. By the time they reach Iqaluit they've normally been reviewed to death by others, so who cares what I think. But I like to think of this as a Public Service Announcement. Perhaps you're reading the blog and visiting Iqaluit and it's been a long time since you've seen a movie in a theatre. So you're thinking "Hey, let's go see Jennifer's Body. Well, it would be a shame to waste what might be your only cinematic experience in months on such crap. Or perhaps you're thinking it might be alright as a rental. But it's not. And so, I write this in the hopes of sparing you the loss of time and money I experienced last evening.
Now, you may notice a similarity between Jennifer's Body and Transformers 2 in that they both feature Megan Fox. These movies do not suck because of Fox, I should make that clear right up front. It may call into question her judgment, but I think anyone who has ever read an interview with her can pretty much figure that out on their own.
Transformers 2 sucked for a whole host of reasons. First of all, someone paid writers an obscene amount of money to turn in a script that is an affrontage to anyone who has ever used the English language. I would suggest finding them and beating them to the point that they suffered enough brain damage so they can't write anymore, but it's pretty clear someone did that to them after the first Transformers movie and they still paid them to write the script. And we all suffered for that. Awful dialogue, stupid plot point, idiotic and unlikeable characters, God, it's hard to find a single redeeming thing about the movie.
Then there's director Michael Bay, who if he wasn't taking large amounts of drugs when he was directing the movie, well, he should consider doing them for his next one. Choppy, quick edited action sequences featuring animated robots of which we don't know who or what 99% of them are. Horrible.
Plus the movie is too long. As one wag suggested, they could have easily clipped 20 minutes from the movie's length if only they had not done so many slow motion scenes of Megan Fox's tits bouncing up and down.
So, Transformers 2 written by the brain damaged, featuring a lunatic director and a sightly crazy actress. I think I know where most of the blame lies.
But with Jennifer's Body, there's actually some pedigree involved in the production. Diablo Cody wrote the script, and she wrote the tremendously fun Juno. Karyn Kusama directed and she did Girlfight a few years ago, which got lots of good reviews. But this is just....awful.
If you're going to do a high school movie about a demonic sacrifice gone wrong and turning a cheerleader into a succubus, then you better bring some of the following - genuine scares, lots of gore, humour, social commentary, black humour or just be so awful you come out the other side and land into the campy fun category.
I honestly don't know what Coady was trying to do here. It feels like after Juno she dug through some high school notebooks and threw them at the director and said, "here, make a movie out of this. Oh, and get Megan Fox. People will be too busy drooling over her to notice what a piece of shit this is."
It's not funny. There's the occasional sparkle that reminds you that Coady is supposed to be a good writer, but it's so rare and fleeting that it makes you mad when it shows up. I wondered why the rest of the writing wasn't up to that level. It's badly paced. It's not scary, sexy, gory, if there's social commentary about high school in there anywhere I can't find it. It's just a turgid lump. It's not even bad enough to be camp fun. It's just boring.
When I glanced at my watch and noticed only 45 minutes had passed, when I assumed it had been hours, I nearly did something I never do...I nearly got up and walked out.
Oh, and for the record, Megan Fox was fine. I'm not saying she's going to win an Oscar for this. Let's not be crazy. But she wasn't the problem in the movie. Only so much you can do when your writer and director hang you out to dry.
So yes, very bad. Avoid like plague. It's not empowering towards women or anything else. It's just bad. Anyone telling you differently probably thought Transformers 2 was a good time at the movies.
Last Five
1. Red hill mining town - U2
2. Weapon (live) - Matthew Good*
3. Hungry like the wolf - Reel Big Fish
4. Jacob's ladder - Bruce Springsteen
5. The levee's gonna break - Bob Dylan
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Toughing it out
So I'm noticing among some of my northern blogging brethren the lament that they have nothing to write about or are finding it hard to keep up with the updates now that they're here. When you are in the process of moving to Nunavut and when you first arrive here, there's no shortage of things to write about. Everything is new, exciting and, in some cases, deeply weird. It's not hard to write because its like picking the low fruit off a tree (as it were, as there are no trees here, but you get the point). Dead simple. Fire up the computer, open blogger and away you go.
But after a couple of months, it becomes "well, now what?" You've settled in. You might be in a small community and there's not much happening. Also, one of the potential things of concern when in a small community is the worry about talking too much about the place, especially in a negative light. Because people there might read your blog and you don't want to get a reputation as someone who complains a lot.
I understand, trust me. Blogging is not an easy thing to keep doing. Most blogs under the best of circumstances die a few months after starting anyway. The internet is littered with their corpses.
The thing is, writing about your northern experiences is just phase one of your blog. There are two ways of looking at this - do you have a northern blog, or do you have a blog located in the north? If this was just a northern blog, it would have died nearly four years ago after I ran out of cute observations about my new home.
But I can't do a one track blog. So, fortunately, I have other interests. Sadly for some of you, I love curling and will subject the unwary to it from time to time. I have a deep love of comic books and will occasionally mention that. I follow politics - Canadian, Newfoundland, American - and will write about that. I like movies and TV shows and write about that.
So when you find yourself running out of northern things to talk about every day, starting branching out. You are more than a person living in Nunavut. What else do you like? Write about it. I'm not saying never write about Nunavut again. I am saying that instead of every post being about Nunavut, maybe one in every seven posts is about it. Spread your wings a bit. Write about kids, dogs, knitting, music, whatever it is you want to write about.
Good. Now, that will buy you another six months to a year. And then you're going it hit a wall. It's going to be a big wall and very solid. You're going to open Blogger, stare at the ugly Goddamn white space and despair.
Cathy asks me many evenings what I'm going to blog about. I think once I said, "My obituary because I'm fucking dead. I have nothing."
Not everybody has to be a lunatic like I am try to write every single day. I do it because it's a disciple thing, where I make myself sit down and write every day because it's the only way I'll ever get better as a writer. I want to be a good writer one day (there's no need to write and stroke my ego and say I am one. I am a decent writer and painfully aware of my limits). The only way you do that is to write every day. Even on the days you don't want to. Especially on the days when you don't want to.
It might be crap. You might loathe looking at it, but sometimes that's the price you pay. You write. Even when it's crap, you write. Because the sooner you get the crap out of your system, the sooner you'll find that little nugget of someone good and interesting buried that you can dig out, shine up and post.
So hang in there, my northern brethren. Don't give up and let your blog fade away. It's a great community we have here and it would be a pity to lose even one voice. Tough it out. I promise, it gets better and easier.
Last Five
1. (Ready or not) Omaha, Nebraska - Bowling for Soup
2. The Mesopotamians - They Might Be Giants
3. The shadowlands - Ryan Adams*
4. Nobody but me - The Pursuit of Happiness
5. Addicted - Hawksley Workman
But after a couple of months, it becomes "well, now what?" You've settled in. You might be in a small community and there's not much happening. Also, one of the potential things of concern when in a small community is the worry about talking too much about the place, especially in a negative light. Because people there might read your blog and you don't want to get a reputation as someone who complains a lot.
I understand, trust me. Blogging is not an easy thing to keep doing. Most blogs under the best of circumstances die a few months after starting anyway. The internet is littered with their corpses.
The thing is, writing about your northern experiences is just phase one of your blog. There are two ways of looking at this - do you have a northern blog, or do you have a blog located in the north? If this was just a northern blog, it would have died nearly four years ago after I ran out of cute observations about my new home.
But I can't do a one track blog. So, fortunately, I have other interests. Sadly for some of you, I love curling and will subject the unwary to it from time to time. I have a deep love of comic books and will occasionally mention that. I follow politics - Canadian, Newfoundland, American - and will write about that. I like movies and TV shows and write about that.
So when you find yourself running out of northern things to talk about every day, starting branching out. You are more than a person living in Nunavut. What else do you like? Write about it. I'm not saying never write about Nunavut again. I am saying that instead of every post being about Nunavut, maybe one in every seven posts is about it. Spread your wings a bit. Write about kids, dogs, knitting, music, whatever it is you want to write about.
Good. Now, that will buy you another six months to a year. And then you're going it hit a wall. It's going to be a big wall and very solid. You're going to open Blogger, stare at the ugly Goddamn white space and despair.
Cathy asks me many evenings what I'm going to blog about. I think once I said, "My obituary because I'm fucking dead. I have nothing."
Not everybody has to be a lunatic like I am try to write every single day. I do it because it's a disciple thing, where I make myself sit down and write every day because it's the only way I'll ever get better as a writer. I want to be a good writer one day (there's no need to write and stroke my ego and say I am one. I am a decent writer and painfully aware of my limits). The only way you do that is to write every day. Even on the days you don't want to. Especially on the days when you don't want to.
It might be crap. You might loathe looking at it, but sometimes that's the price you pay. You write. Even when it's crap, you write. Because the sooner you get the crap out of your system, the sooner you'll find that little nugget of someone good and interesting buried that you can dig out, shine up and post.
So hang in there, my northern brethren. Don't give up and let your blog fade away. It's a great community we have here and it would be a pity to lose even one voice. Tough it out. I promise, it gets better and easier.
Last Five
1. (Ready or not) Omaha, Nebraska - Bowling for Soup
2. The Mesopotamians - They Might Be Giants
3. The shadowlands - Ryan Adams*
4. Nobody but me - The Pursuit of Happiness
5. Addicted - Hawksley Workman
Monday, October 12, 2009
Homeward
So thanks to a little heads-up from a friend of mine in town, we double checked the cost of flights out of here. Little known fact that teachers and NEU employees get special codes that allow them discounts on some flights. We thought we had checked that already and that it would only save us a couple of hundred dollars. But we must have done something wrong because when we punched in the codes this time we got much different numbers.
We also decided to fly Porter Airlines to St. John's from Ottawa. It's a slight inconvenience, what with having to overnight on our way home (we leave the 19th and don't get home until the 20th), but that's a sacrifice we're willing to make to save, no kidding, close to $1,000. So what was looking like a nearly $6,000 trip home for Christmas, is now closer to $3,800.
Don't get me wrong, that's still a silly amount of money to spend for a less than two weeks back home. Still, it's better than what it was 24 hours ago. So if you live in Newfoundland, we might see you during the absolute madness that is trying to do Christmas in Newfoundland.
And now, because I know some of my blogging comrades have been having problems with finding things to write about, I give you a poster from Despair, one of my favourite depressing websites, just to put things into perspective.
Remember guys, sometimes you have to write crap just to get through to the other side. Hang in there.
Last Five
1. Rule the world with love - Barenaked Ladies*
2. You'll be comin' down - Bruce Springsteen
3. Can't stop feeling - Franz Ferdinand
4. Bitches in Tokyo - Stars
5. Mangolia mountain - Ryan Adams
We also decided to fly Porter Airlines to St. John's from Ottawa. It's a slight inconvenience, what with having to overnight on our way home (we leave the 19th and don't get home until the 20th), but that's a sacrifice we're willing to make to save, no kidding, close to $1,000. So what was looking like a nearly $6,000 trip home for Christmas, is now closer to $3,800.
Don't get me wrong, that's still a silly amount of money to spend for a less than two weeks back home. Still, it's better than what it was 24 hours ago. So if you live in Newfoundland, we might see you during the absolute madness that is trying to do Christmas in Newfoundland.
And now, because I know some of my blogging comrades have been having problems with finding things to write about, I give you a poster from Despair, one of my favourite depressing websites, just to put things into perspective.
Remember guys, sometimes you have to write crap just to get through to the other side. Hang in there.
Last Five
1. Rule the world with love - Barenaked Ladies*
2. You'll be comin' down - Bruce Springsteen
3. Can't stop feeling - Franz Ferdinand
4. Bitches in Tokyo - Stars
5. Mangolia mountain - Ryan Adams
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Iqaluit City Council Election - Mat Knickelbein
Well I'll be damned, someone took me up on my offer. Mat sent me a copy of his poster along with a longer discussion on some of the things he wants to do. I'm posting both here. He also sent his picture, but which I can't get to post here. Mat, if you want to send me just the photo, not embedded in anything, I'll still put it up here.
For other candidates to Iqaluit's City Council, go here to read how you can get your campaign information put up on this blog.
Without further adieu, Mat Knickelbein on why you should vote for him.
----------------------------------
Vote Mat Knickelbein for Iqaluit City Council
For those that might not know me, here is a little about myself.
I moved to Iqaluit over 20 years ago. I have, since then, been directly involved with Iqaluit's youth and education issues. After graduating from Inuksuk High School and working for a couple of years as classroom support at Joamie School, I went on to complete the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and earn a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University. I am in my 11th year as a teacher here in Iqaluit and I care deeply about the future we are leaving for our children. I have also been actively involved with youth soccer programs for many years, coaching, fund-raising and travelling to various locations and tournaments. As an avid outdoors person, I spend most of any free time and holidays down at our family cabin about 20 miles south of Iqaluit. Hunting and fishing are year-round passions of mine.
I have two wonderful children; Malaya aged 7 & Simeonie aged 12. My wife Allasua and I recently got married this past summer out on the land at our cabin. We own a home in Apex and enjoy the peace, quiet and sense of community that Niaqunngu(Apex) offers.
A respect for those that came before:
We need to reflect and recognize those that founded and built this city. Those that have always lived here and those that have made a long-term commitment to making Iqaluit their home.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Major upgrades to both the local Breakwater/Marina and the Causeway.
2. Improvements to all other smaller breakwaters and marine infrastructure – including Apex.
3. Expansion, improvement and respect of designated snowmachine trails to allow easy access to core areas of the city.
4. Maintenance of Hunter/Community access via traditional routes through town when planning future development.
5. Diligent efforts to re-involve and re-engage long-time/original Iqalummiut when planning for the future.
Recognition of those that are here now:
We must meet the needs of a varied and diverse current population. By working together as a community, I believe that we can make Iqaluit more inclusive, comfortable, and fair while retaining our strong northern values, traditions and culture.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Working together, openly and creatively, to ease the inevitable growing pains that we will continue to face.
2. Providing healthy and varied recreational activities for all our citizens.
3. Creating a cleaner Iqaluit that values and encourages environmental stuardship.
4. Commitment and support for recycling and composting programs.
5. Action on creating a safer city for all.
6. Get the community involved with municipal decisions and direction. Televise and/or webcast council meetings. Create an updated and interactive municipal website that allows for participation via questions and/or comments/polls/eBulletins.
7. Create youth initiatives that get our children involved with the city. There are many volunteer/citizenship programs that engage youth and work towards empowering our young population.
A vision towards the future:
The decisions and direction the municipal council takes Iqaluit, eventually end up in the laps of our children. We need to ensure that we evolve in a sustainable and environmentally sound direction. We need to leave something that we can all be proud of, making Iqaluit a world-class example of a small city with global ideals.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Continue to push towards the completion of a Deep Water Port.
2. Deal with our waste in an effective and sustainable manner.
3. Lead by example in matters concerning energy reduction and sustainable construction.
4. Support economic diversity.
5. Build and encourage healthy lifestyles for our population.
6. Land development with a respect for traditional use and culture.
Please plan on getting out and voting on Monday October 19th, 2009! Every vote counts!
As for specifics... here we go.
1. Major upgrades and improvements to our small harbour infrastructure. Our boats/trailers/trucks are getting trashed because of poor maintenance and years of neglect.
2. Finally create and maintain proper skidoo trails around town... especially in the spring (ie: dropping off snow at major skidoo crossing points and at the gas station... making sure that when the road crew clear snow they do not destroy major, identified skidoo trails - causing unsafe conditions)
3. Through liaising with community organizations I plan on working diligently to re-engage long-time/original Iqalummiut to get involved with our municipal decision making process. I have heard many stories about how this section of our population feels as if they have been neglected and left out of the planning and growth directions our City has taken. I plan on trying to involve everyone.
4. I will support a comprehensive recycling and compost program for our city.
5. I support the idea of a new multi-use recreation centre... but I'm not sure if I, or the voters/ratepayers, have the confidence that the city, at this point, has the ability to pull off such a major project without is being a complete disaster/screw-up! There have been a series of major blunders that I feel has eroded the reputation of the City to pull off major projects (ie: sewage treatment plant, AWG arena, chip-seal road “experiment” gone wrong, administrative in-fighing, new cematery fiasco, local landfill and waste management short-sightedness, road side posts/rocks, streetlights/traffic problems, etc...) It is my belief that the new council should work towards regaining the confidence of our electorate by making some successful smaller decisions first.
6. I would be interested in looking into installing more lighting and even closed circuit television cameras around town to cut down on violence and vandalism.
7. A major endeavour of mine would be to get the municipality up to date with modern technology that would assist it in reaching and involving more Iqalummiut. The City of Iqaluit website is a joke. Redo it and include a discussion/bulletin board, include online polls to gain insight into common issues. Video stream all council chamber proceedings.
8. Years ago our municipality was indirectly involved with a program called The Duke of Edinburgh Awards... it engaged our youth (through a partnership with Inuksuk High School) to spend time volunteering, beautifying and improving our City. It is an international program that encourages volunteerism and healthy living. Youth, for school credit and program hours, painted/made garbage cans/did small project/maintained sports fields/etc... I plan on getting this off the ground again.
9. I believe in continuing the pursuit of a Deep Water Port for Iqaluit. Imagine the cost saving and business economic opportunities if large vessels could moor and offload cargo on a 24hour a day schedule, without waiting for tides.
10. Our waste needs to be separated/recycled/reclaimed to the greatest extend possible. I believe, once this has happened, that there exists the possibility of burning (through a proper, high-heat incinerator) most of our remaining non-toxic waste – and the by-product of HEAT be used for further municipal projects.
11. I would like to see the City be leaders in the use of green/renewable energy sources... there are many, diverse options that are currently available to us... but are not being used.
Well then, that about covers my main ideas/goals. Please feel free to message me your comments/questions/concerns. You may also be interested in visiting my Facebook “Group”... check it out. While it is correct that I have not been knocking on doors (yet), I have been quite actively campaigning. I have spent at least an hour each evening calling people, at random, from our phone book. This has led to some very excellent conversations. Apart from my facebook group, I also have a blog and “group” on nunavutonline.com. I can be reached at mat.apex@yahoo.com. Thanks for your time and I hope this helps to clairify my position on a few of our local concerns. No matter who it is you choose to support... on October 19th please make sure you get out and vote! Get involved! Your voice and opinion counts!
Cheers,
Mat Knickelbein
For other candidates to Iqaluit's City Council, go here to read how you can get your campaign information put up on this blog.
Without further adieu, Mat Knickelbein on why you should vote for him.
----------------------------------
Vote Mat Knickelbein for Iqaluit City Council
For those that might not know me, here is a little about myself.
I moved to Iqaluit over 20 years ago. I have, since then, been directly involved with Iqaluit's youth and education issues. After graduating from Inuksuk High School and working for a couple of years as classroom support at Joamie School, I went on to complete the Nunavut Teacher Education Program and earn a Bachelor of Education degree from McGill University. I am in my 11th year as a teacher here in Iqaluit and I care deeply about the future we are leaving for our children. I have also been actively involved with youth soccer programs for many years, coaching, fund-raising and travelling to various locations and tournaments. As an avid outdoors person, I spend most of any free time and holidays down at our family cabin about 20 miles south of Iqaluit. Hunting and fishing are year-round passions of mine.
I have two wonderful children; Malaya aged 7 & Simeonie aged 12. My wife Allasua and I recently got married this past summer out on the land at our cabin. We own a home in Apex and enjoy the peace, quiet and sense of community that Niaqunngu(Apex) offers.
A respect for those that came before:
We need to reflect and recognize those that founded and built this city. Those that have always lived here and those that have made a long-term commitment to making Iqaluit their home.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Major upgrades to both the local Breakwater/Marina and the Causeway.
2. Improvements to all other smaller breakwaters and marine infrastructure – including Apex.
3. Expansion, improvement and respect of designated snowmachine trails to allow easy access to core areas of the city.
4. Maintenance of Hunter/Community access via traditional routes through town when planning future development.
5. Diligent efforts to re-involve and re-engage long-time/original Iqalummiut when planning for the future.
Recognition of those that are here now:
We must meet the needs of a varied and diverse current population. By working together as a community, I believe that we can make Iqaluit more inclusive, comfortable, and fair while retaining our strong northern values, traditions and culture.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Working together, openly and creatively, to ease the inevitable growing pains that we will continue to face.
2. Providing healthy and varied recreational activities for all our citizens.
3. Creating a cleaner Iqaluit that values and encourages environmental stuardship.
4. Commitment and support for recycling and composting programs.
5. Action on creating a safer city for all.
6. Get the community involved with municipal decisions and direction. Televise and/or webcast council meetings. Create an updated and interactive municipal website that allows for participation via questions and/or comments/polls/eBulletins.
7. Create youth initiatives that get our children involved with the city. There are many volunteer/citizenship programs that engage youth and work towards empowering our young population.
A vision towards the future:
The decisions and direction the municipal council takes Iqaluit, eventually end up in the laps of our children. We need to ensure that we evolve in a sustainable and environmentally sound direction. We need to leave something that we can all be proud of, making Iqaluit a world-class example of a small city with global ideals.
To accomplish this I propose the following:
1. Continue to push towards the completion of a Deep Water Port.
2. Deal with our waste in an effective and sustainable manner.
3. Lead by example in matters concerning energy reduction and sustainable construction.
4. Support economic diversity.
5. Build and encourage healthy lifestyles for our population.
6. Land development with a respect for traditional use and culture.
Please plan on getting out and voting on Monday October 19th, 2009! Every vote counts!
As for specifics... here we go.
1. Major upgrades and improvements to our small harbour infrastructure. Our boats/trailers/trucks are getting trashed because of poor maintenance and years of neglect.
2. Finally create and maintain proper skidoo trails around town... especially in the spring (ie: dropping off snow at major skidoo crossing points and at the gas station... making sure that when the road crew clear snow they do not destroy major, identified skidoo trails - causing unsafe conditions)
3. Through liaising with community organizations I plan on working diligently to re-engage long-time/original Iqalummiut to get involved with our municipal decision making process. I have heard many stories about how this section of our population feels as if they have been neglected and left out of the planning and growth directions our City has taken. I plan on trying to involve everyone.
4. I will support a comprehensive recycling and compost program for our city.
5. I support the idea of a new multi-use recreation centre... but I'm not sure if I, or the voters/ratepayers, have the confidence that the city, at this point, has the ability to pull off such a major project without is being a complete disaster/screw-up! There have been a series of major blunders that I feel has eroded the reputation of the City to pull off major projects (ie: sewage treatment plant, AWG arena, chip-seal road “experiment” gone wrong, administrative in-fighing, new cematery fiasco, local landfill and waste management short-sightedness, road side posts/rocks, streetlights/traffic problems, etc...) It is my belief that the new council should work towards regaining the confidence of our electorate by making some successful smaller decisions first.
6. I would be interested in looking into installing more lighting and even closed circuit television cameras around town to cut down on violence and vandalism.
7. A major endeavour of mine would be to get the municipality up to date with modern technology that would assist it in reaching and involving more Iqalummiut. The City of Iqaluit website is a joke. Redo it and include a discussion/bulletin board, include online polls to gain insight into common issues. Video stream all council chamber proceedings.
8. Years ago our municipality was indirectly involved with a program called The Duke of Edinburgh Awards... it engaged our youth (through a partnership with Inuksuk High School) to spend time volunteering, beautifying and improving our City. It is an international program that encourages volunteerism and healthy living. Youth, for school credit and program hours, painted/made garbage cans/did small project/maintained sports fields/etc... I plan on getting this off the ground again.
9. I believe in continuing the pursuit of a Deep Water Port for Iqaluit. Imagine the cost saving and business economic opportunities if large vessels could moor and offload cargo on a 24hour a day schedule, without waiting for tides.
10. Our waste needs to be separated/recycled/reclaimed to the greatest extend possible. I believe, once this has happened, that there exists the possibility of burning (through a proper, high-heat incinerator) most of our remaining non-toxic waste – and the by-product of HEAT be used for further municipal projects.
11. I would like to see the City be leaders in the use of green/renewable energy sources... there are many, diverse options that are currently available to us... but are not being used.
Well then, that about covers my main ideas/goals. Please feel free to message me your comments/questions/concerns. You may also be interested in visiting my Facebook “Group”... check it out. While it is correct that I have not been knocking on doors (yet), I have been quite actively campaigning. I have spent at least an hour each evening calling people, at random, from our phone book. This has led to some very excellent conversations. Apart from my facebook group, I also have a blog and “group” on nunavutonline.com. I can be reached at mat.apex@yahoo.com. Thanks for your time and I hope this helps to clairify my position on a few of our local concerns. No matter who it is you choose to support... on October 19th please make sure you get out and vote! Get involved! Your voice and opinion counts!
Cheers,
Mat Knickelbein
Of Turkey and Decision Days
So today is Turkey Day for us, or I guess Thanksgiving Day if you want to be more formal. I think most Canadians will agree that Thanksgiving isn't as big a deal up here as it is south of the border. One of the amusing things for me this year has been watching a very good American friend of mine, who recently moved to Newfoundland, trying to wrap her mind around the idea of Thanksgiving occurring now as opposed to towards the end of November. Apparently it isn't "fall" enough yet.
Another big difference? She's cooking for five today as opposed to the usual 30 she did when she lived in the US. I would think that's a bonus, but what do I know.
As for us, we're having the downstairs blogging neighbours up for some turkey (and more Nunavut blogging domination plotting) and a friend of mine in town for a couple of months for work, but stuck in a hotel. Being stuck in hotels for holidays always struck me as not being particularly fun, so he's coming over for turkey. And to play with Boo, because I know he misses his dogs something fierce.
Along with Turkey Day we're also approaching a D-Day of sorts. We haven't booked any tickets home for Christmas yet. There's a whole bunch of factors coming into play here. First of all, I still don't have a job. On the off-chance I land something in the next couple of weeks, asking for eight days off over Christmas, plus another 5.5 days off at the end of November to play in the Dominion Curling championships might be pushing my luck a bit, even if I offer to go without pay.
But the other thing is that neither Canadian North or First Air have put on any seat sales. It's unusual for both airlines to go so late in putting on Christmas seat sales. Normally they start in September, but so far there's been nothing. I have the sneaking suspicion because both airlines are in a seat sale war with Air Canada and WestJet over the Yellowknife to Edmonton route if we're not getting screwed over. They're losing money over there so they have to make it up somewhere else. Lucky us.
So a ticket from Iqaluit to Ottawa is currently hovering just below $2,000. Air Canada wants an outrageous $1,100 to fly from Ottawa to St. John's. WestJet is just weird because even if we wanted to fly with them, they have no flights out of St. John's from January 1-3. As Cathy has to be back to work by the 4th, that's a non-starter for us.
The airline we're considering is Porter. It's cheaper in that it's only $700 return to Ottawa. The downsides? We have to land in Halifax (not that big a deal), but we would also have to overnight in Ottawa.
Still, $6,000 to fly home for Christmas. Cathy wants to go because it's been a long time since she's seen her parents and I understand that. However, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been going back and forth a lot on this over the last few weeks. One way or another we'll decide either Tuesday or Wednesday. So if you're in St. John's you'll see one, and perhaps even both, of us over the holidays.
Last Five
1. Hold me tight - The Beatles
2. Becky, I keep singing this song - Hey Rosetta!
3. Things have changed - Bob Dylan*
4. The way you want it - Keane
5. Bruised - Ben Folds
Another big difference? She's cooking for five today as opposed to the usual 30 she did when she lived in the US. I would think that's a bonus, but what do I know.
As for us, we're having the downstairs blogging neighbours up for some turkey (and more Nunavut blogging domination plotting) and a friend of mine in town for a couple of months for work, but stuck in a hotel. Being stuck in hotels for holidays always struck me as not being particularly fun, so he's coming over for turkey. And to play with Boo, because I know he misses his dogs something fierce.
Along with Turkey Day we're also approaching a D-Day of sorts. We haven't booked any tickets home for Christmas yet. There's a whole bunch of factors coming into play here. First of all, I still don't have a job. On the off-chance I land something in the next couple of weeks, asking for eight days off over Christmas, plus another 5.5 days off at the end of November to play in the Dominion Curling championships might be pushing my luck a bit, even if I offer to go without pay.
But the other thing is that neither Canadian North or First Air have put on any seat sales. It's unusual for both airlines to go so late in putting on Christmas seat sales. Normally they start in September, but so far there's been nothing. I have the sneaking suspicion because both airlines are in a seat sale war with Air Canada and WestJet over the Yellowknife to Edmonton route if we're not getting screwed over. They're losing money over there so they have to make it up somewhere else. Lucky us.
So a ticket from Iqaluit to Ottawa is currently hovering just below $2,000. Air Canada wants an outrageous $1,100 to fly from Ottawa to St. John's. WestJet is just weird because even if we wanted to fly with them, they have no flights out of St. John's from January 1-3. As Cathy has to be back to work by the 4th, that's a non-starter for us.
The airline we're considering is Porter. It's cheaper in that it's only $700 return to Ottawa. The downsides? We have to land in Halifax (not that big a deal), but we would also have to overnight in Ottawa.
Still, $6,000 to fly home for Christmas. Cathy wants to go because it's been a long time since she's seen her parents and I understand that. However, I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been going back and forth a lot on this over the last few weeks. One way or another we'll decide either Tuesday or Wednesday. So if you're in St. John's you'll see one, and perhaps even both, of us over the holidays.
Last Five
1. Hold me tight - The Beatles
2. Becky, I keep singing this song - Hey Rosetta!
3. Things have changed - Bob Dylan*
4. The way you want it - Keane
5. Bruised - Ben Folds
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Why I should vote for you
So here it is a mere nine days or so until Iqaluit holds its City Council elections. And you might ask, "Mr. Bastard, how many of the 21 candidates for councillor or the two candidates for mayor have come and knocked on your door, asking for your vote?"
The answer would be none. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
Twenty-three people running for office and not a one of them as come a courting. During the last territorial election Elisapee and Paul were knocking on my door so much I might as well have started charging them rent. Yes, granted these people have to campaign in all of Iqaluit as opposed to just one-third of the place, like the territorial candidates had to. And yes, we live in a secure building, but the other two managed to find their way in, so I imagine if municipal candidates wanted to talk, they could figure out a way.
This is maddening because I have no idea who to vote for. Of all the councillor candidates I only know one personally - Brad Chambers who I curl with. The rest are unknown to me. Nor do I have much in the way of ideas what they want to do if they get elected to council. Unlike the recently wrapped up St. John's elections, there are no signs scattered all over the place letting you know who is running. Go here if you want to find the list of names.
Some do have posters stuck up in the usual spots - NorthMart, Arctic Ventures and the Post Office. Some do try to contain information about what they're running for, but call me crazy, but the porch of Arctic Ventures - with Bollywood music blasting to drive away loiters - is not the best place to gather information on municipal candidates. Besides, some of them are so maddeningly vague about what the person wants to do on council that the posters are completely useless.
So I've had a thought, which is always dangerous. I will open up this blog to any Iqaluit municipal candidate who wants to let people know why they're running for council. There are conditions, of course, but I am serious. If you're running, I want to know why I should vote for you.
So what are the rules?
1. Do not post on this thread. Email me at towniebastard (at) gmail (dot) com with your information. I will put up what you send me in a separate blog post.
2. I won't impose a word limit unless what I get is a silly length. If you send me the Illiad then expect to get a polite note back saying can you please trim this.
3. If you want to include a picture, I will run it, but please make it a sensible size. 200k is fine, it doesn't need to be 2 MB.
4. I want specifics in whatever you send. I don't want to read that you're awesome, a good listener and filled with spiffy ideas. Specifics. What do you want to do when you're there. What policies do you want to see brought in. What spending or cuts do you want? What's your opinion on a new swimming/rec facility for the town. That sort of thing.
5. I will not edit or correct spelling or grammar. Whatever you send me goes up as is. If I think something might be libelous, I will bounce it back to you and get you to make changes.
6. Things will go up on a first come basis. Also, I'm not hunting the candidates down. Feel free to tell them about this offer, but I'm not going looking for them for their platforms. So no one come whining to me that they didn't get a chance to put their views up here.
7. I don't believe blogger has the ability to post Inuktitut syllabics, although I stand to be corrected on that. So all posts have to be in English. Sorry about that.
And what are the rules for commenting? I have little patience with anonymous and abusive comments. Remember, I control what gets posted so if you try and put up an anonymous slag of a candidate that I feel is unfair, it will never see the light of day. So play nice. Ask questions and the candidates should feel free to respond. But if you're an asshole, you get cut off. Clear?
I'm very serious about this. If you live in Iqaluit and know the candidates, pass this on to them. I got 7,000 unique visitors to the blog last month and a decent amount coming visiting from Iqaluit. So you never know who you might reach.
Tell me why I should vote for you. Go.
Last Five
1. Living in a fog - Wonderful Grand Band*
2. Black helicopters (live) - Matthew Good
3. Stinging velvet - Neko Case
4. Mister Wrong - Lloyd Cole
5. Last of the American girls - Green Day
The answer would be none. Zip. Zilch. Nada.
Twenty-three people running for office and not a one of them as come a courting. During the last territorial election Elisapee and Paul were knocking on my door so much I might as well have started charging them rent. Yes, granted these people have to campaign in all of Iqaluit as opposed to just one-third of the place, like the territorial candidates had to. And yes, we live in a secure building, but the other two managed to find their way in, so I imagine if municipal candidates wanted to talk, they could figure out a way.
This is maddening because I have no idea who to vote for. Of all the councillor candidates I only know one personally - Brad Chambers who I curl with. The rest are unknown to me. Nor do I have much in the way of ideas what they want to do if they get elected to council. Unlike the recently wrapped up St. John's elections, there are no signs scattered all over the place letting you know who is running. Go here if you want to find the list of names.
Some do have posters stuck up in the usual spots - NorthMart, Arctic Ventures and the Post Office. Some do try to contain information about what they're running for, but call me crazy, but the porch of Arctic Ventures - with Bollywood music blasting to drive away loiters - is not the best place to gather information on municipal candidates. Besides, some of them are so maddeningly vague about what the person wants to do on council that the posters are completely useless.
So I've had a thought, which is always dangerous. I will open up this blog to any Iqaluit municipal candidate who wants to let people know why they're running for council. There are conditions, of course, but I am serious. If you're running, I want to know why I should vote for you.
So what are the rules?
1. Do not post on this thread. Email me at towniebastard (at) gmail (dot) com with your information. I will put up what you send me in a separate blog post.
2. I won't impose a word limit unless what I get is a silly length. If you send me the Illiad then expect to get a polite note back saying can you please trim this.
3. If you want to include a picture, I will run it, but please make it a sensible size. 200k is fine, it doesn't need to be 2 MB.
4. I want specifics in whatever you send. I don't want to read that you're awesome, a good listener and filled with spiffy ideas. Specifics. What do you want to do when you're there. What policies do you want to see brought in. What spending or cuts do you want? What's your opinion on a new swimming/rec facility for the town. That sort of thing.
5. I will not edit or correct spelling or grammar. Whatever you send me goes up as is. If I think something might be libelous, I will bounce it back to you and get you to make changes.
6. Things will go up on a first come basis. Also, I'm not hunting the candidates down. Feel free to tell them about this offer, but I'm not going looking for them for their platforms. So no one come whining to me that they didn't get a chance to put their views up here.
7. I don't believe blogger has the ability to post Inuktitut syllabics, although I stand to be corrected on that. So all posts have to be in English. Sorry about that.
And what are the rules for commenting? I have little patience with anonymous and abusive comments. Remember, I control what gets posted so if you try and put up an anonymous slag of a candidate that I feel is unfair, it will never see the light of day. So play nice. Ask questions and the candidates should feel free to respond. But if you're an asshole, you get cut off. Clear?
I'm very serious about this. If you live in Iqaluit and know the candidates, pass this on to them. I got 7,000 unique visitors to the blog last month and a decent amount coming visiting from Iqaluit. So you never know who you might reach.
Tell me why I should vote for you. Go.
Last Five
1. Living in a fog - Wonderful Grand Band*
2. Black helicopters (live) - Matthew Good
3. Stinging velvet - Neko Case
4. Mister Wrong - Lloyd Cole
5. Last of the American girls - Green Day
Friday, October 09, 2009
Oh Marge...
Thank you, internet. I hadn't my moment of truly being disturbed today when you manned up and delivered.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Marge Simpson Playboy cover.
You're welcome.
Go here if you want to read more, including a disturbing "carpet matching drapes" line that I could have done with not reading today. This, coupled with the disturbing story my "friend" Sara sent me yesterday about Levi Johnston appearing nude (subject of one my all-time most popular posts on this blog) in Playgirl and I'm about ready to give up on the idea of nudity.
Last Five
1. Favourite (live) - Neko Case*
2. Hollis and Morris - The Trews
3. Hell and toe polka/Paddy's jig - Figgy Duff
4. Twilight omens - Franz Ferdinand
5. They never got you - Spoon
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Marge Simpson Playboy cover.
You're welcome.
Go here if you want to read more, including a disturbing "carpet matching drapes" line that I could have done with not reading today. This, coupled with the disturbing story my "friend" Sara sent me yesterday about Levi Johnston appearing nude (subject of one my all-time most popular posts on this blog) in Playgirl and I'm about ready to give up on the idea of nudity.
Last Five
1. Favourite (live) - Neko Case*
2. Hollis and Morris - The Trews
3. Hell and toe polka/Paddy's jig - Figgy Duff
4. Twilight omens - Franz Ferdinand
5. They never got you - Spoon
Noble effort
So when I groggily sat in front of my laptop this morning to check out what had happened in the world since I was last awake I got a shot of bracing cold water to the face by discovering President Obama had won the Nobel Peace Prize. I think my reaction was probably shared by many in the world when I went, "What the fuck?"
Don't get me wrong, I'm a tremendous admirer of the man and I think he's done remarkable work in adverse times and faced with an opposition that appears to have only the most tenuous grasp on sanity. And yes, he's done good work this year on the international front. The rest of the world is at least looking at the United States in a more positive way. But was he really deserving of the prize so early in his presidency?
Other than thinking the committee was clearly trying to kill Dick Chaney by giving him a stroke, it didn't make sense to me.
That's why Andrew Sullivan is indispensable when it comes to events like this. It's not just what he writes on "The Daily Dish", but also all the links he provides to what other people are thinking from all parts of the spectrum. And not just from the Left and the Right, but also from the Sane and those whose sanity has departed for areas unknown.
Yes, shock seems to be the common thread. The one comment I liked was that you don't put the Rookie of the Year in the Hall of Fame. And it's a valid point. It's a really good start, but he's been in office for nine months. There's a whole lot of time for the wheels to fall off this thing. Many people suggested he should refuse to accept the award.
I've always liked it when the award has gone to people I've never heard of before. It brings awareness to different causes and to the people who often work tirelessly and with little thanks for trying to change the world. I'd never heard of Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh's Grameen Bank before, but when I read about their micro credit plans for helping people in poverty I was fascinated. Medecins Sans Frontieres and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines were other groups I liked seeing get more recognition.
But I think I get this, to some extent. Europeans often don't really seem to understand the United States the same way Canadians do. And certainly President Obama is beloved over there a lot more than he is in the US these days. So it's tempting to say they just don't get it and made a massive mistake. But even so, I think there is a method to the madness. The Peace Prize isn't just an award for good works. It's a political award. It's a weapon, ironically enough, of sorts. And this is recognizing what he's done is promising, but that he better live up to that promise.
There's pressure on President Obama now to fulfill the faith of the Nobel Committee, and all the people who have invested so much in him to make the world a better place. It's an interesting spot they've put him in. He's won the Nobel Peace Prize - now he has to earn it. Nothing like putting a little more pressure on the man.
Last Five
1. If I'd been the one - 38 Special*
2. Sit down by the fire - The Pogues
3. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
4. Second hand news - Fleetwood Mac
5. Run devil run - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Don't get me wrong, I'm a tremendous admirer of the man and I think he's done remarkable work in adverse times and faced with an opposition that appears to have only the most tenuous grasp on sanity. And yes, he's done good work this year on the international front. The rest of the world is at least looking at the United States in a more positive way. But was he really deserving of the prize so early in his presidency?
Other than thinking the committee was clearly trying to kill Dick Chaney by giving him a stroke, it didn't make sense to me.
That's why Andrew Sullivan is indispensable when it comes to events like this. It's not just what he writes on "The Daily Dish", but also all the links he provides to what other people are thinking from all parts of the spectrum. And not just from the Left and the Right, but also from the Sane and those whose sanity has departed for areas unknown.
Yes, shock seems to be the common thread. The one comment I liked was that you don't put the Rookie of the Year in the Hall of Fame. And it's a valid point. It's a really good start, but he's been in office for nine months. There's a whole lot of time for the wheels to fall off this thing. Many people suggested he should refuse to accept the award.
I've always liked it when the award has gone to people I've never heard of before. It brings awareness to different causes and to the people who often work tirelessly and with little thanks for trying to change the world. I'd never heard of Muhammad Yunus and Bangladesh's Grameen Bank before, but when I read about their micro credit plans for helping people in poverty I was fascinated. Medecins Sans Frontieres and the International Campaign to Ban Landmines were other groups I liked seeing get more recognition.
But I think I get this, to some extent. Europeans often don't really seem to understand the United States the same way Canadians do. And certainly President Obama is beloved over there a lot more than he is in the US these days. So it's tempting to say they just don't get it and made a massive mistake. But even so, I think there is a method to the madness. The Peace Prize isn't just an award for good works. It's a political award. It's a weapon, ironically enough, of sorts. And this is recognizing what he's done is promising, but that he better live up to that promise.
There's pressure on President Obama now to fulfill the faith of the Nobel Committee, and all the people who have invested so much in him to make the world a better place. It's an interesting spot they've put him in. He's won the Nobel Peace Prize - now he has to earn it. Nothing like putting a little more pressure on the man.
Last Five
1. If I'd been the one - 38 Special*
2. Sit down by the fire - The Pogues
3. Relax - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
4. Second hand news - Fleetwood Mac
5. Run devil run - Jenny Lewis with the Watson Twins
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Sexy Eskimo
So Cathy and I have been doing some Hallowe'en costume shopping. It falls on a Saturday this year, so it's not like Cathy will be wearing it to work, nor at this time do I have work to wear it to. However, it's possible that someone might invite us out to a Hallowe'en costume party (hint, hint) so it would be nice to have something to wear.
The site we've like the best so far, and will likely be ordering from, is Buy Costume (although the extra shipping fee for the North and customs fees made us seriously reconsider), even though they worry me by using UPS as their shipping agent. However, when Cathy was kicking around the site, and grumbling about the lack of non-slut costumes available, she noticed this gem. It's the "Eskimo Sexy Cutie Adult Costume." This is what it looks like.
It gets better. Here's the description:
Note the fake fudge stick. Oddly, it might be the most authentic thing about the costume, given the amount of ice cream eaten up here. Also, faux fur is very important for your environmentally and socially aware faux Eskimo.
Well, if not that one, then there's always the "Eskimo Kisses Adult Costume" which is much more subtle.
And again, the description:
Yesssss....
I honestly don't know where to go with this. I am a rare loss for words. I knew I had to blog about it because as someone who lives up North, this kind of costume just kind of throws you for a minute. I'd actually love to see someone buy this costume and wear it just as it's shown in the pictures around Iqaluit, telling everyone what they're supposed to be, just to see the reaction. I think it would be priceless.
As for Cathy and I, well, we're going with something a bit....different than that. As for what, invite us to something and we'll see.
(Yes, I am the king of subtle. Sue me)
Last Five
1. Hundred - The Fray
2. Slip slidin' away - Paul Simon
3. Won't get fooled again - The Who
4. Hey Jude - The Beatles
5. Diamonds and pearls - Prince
The site we've like the best so far, and will likely be ordering from, is Buy Costume (although the extra shipping fee for the North and customs fees made us seriously reconsider), even though they worry me by using UPS as their shipping agent. However, when Cathy was kicking around the site, and grumbling about the lack of non-slut costumes available, she noticed this gem. It's the "Eskimo Sexy Cutie Adult Costume." This is what it looks like.
It gets better. Here's the description:
She's a super hot Eskimo that will melt the snow that she walks on.
Your favorite igloo-dwelling ingénue makes cold winter nights a whole lot warmer in this zip front, brown, crushed velvet dress with white faux fur trim and pom pom ties. The Eskimo Cutie costume also includes white mittens, faux fur-trimmed boot tops, and a chocolate popsicle prop. When those first flakes begin to fall, find a frosty friend to cuddle up to and show them what "Eskimo Kisses" are all about.
Note the fake fudge stick. Oddly, it might be the most authentic thing about the costume, given the amount of ice cream eaten up here. Also, faux fur is very important for your environmentally and socially aware faux Eskimo.
Well, if not that one, then there's always the "Eskimo Kisses Adult Costume" which is much more subtle.
And again, the description:
Can you keep her warm during the cold nights?
All she's looking for are some big strong arms to keep her nights a little warmer this winter! The Eskimo Kisses Adult Costume includes a tan hooded fur-trimmed mini-dress with attached fur-trimmed hood and fur-trimmed tan boot tops.
Yesssss....
I honestly don't know where to go with this. I am a rare loss for words. I knew I had to blog about it because as someone who lives up North, this kind of costume just kind of throws you for a minute. I'd actually love to see someone buy this costume and wear it just as it's shown in the pictures around Iqaluit, telling everyone what they're supposed to be, just to see the reaction. I think it would be priceless.
As for Cathy and I, well, we're going with something a bit....different than that. As for what, invite us to something and we'll see.
(Yes, I am the king of subtle. Sue me)
Last Five
1. Hundred - The Fray
2. Slip slidin' away - Paul Simon
3. Won't get fooled again - The Who
4. Hey Jude - The Beatles
5. Diamonds and pearls - Prince
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Psycho ex-provinces
I'm sure every province and territory thinks they have the most insane politicians or the most baffling political happenings. And who knows, they're probably right. I can't honestly say I've followed the politics of, say, Saskatchewan or the Yukon all that closely, so perhaps there's craziness happening there. And hell, what happens in Ottawa probably has them all beat.
But ah Newfoundland (and Labrador). There will always be a special place in my heart for you. You're like a psycho ex-girlfriend who keeps stalking me.
Yes, Trevor Taylor quitting a couple of weeks back was a touch on the strange side, but all right. Politicians quitting in the face of protest from constituents who also happen to be friends and family, not unheard of. Then we have municipal election in which a mayor in Paradise was decided by drawing a name out of a recycling bin. All right, that happens - well, perhaps not the recycling bin, but a tie that requires random chance. Oh, and I'm pleased to see Wiseman is remaining classy in victory.
Then we have Randy Simms, VOCM radio personality and mayor of Mount Pearl, who decided to console someone who has to deal with a town council filled mostly with women by making the following joke:
Yes, it's a joke. Yes, you need to a bit touched not to see that it was meant as a joke. But then again, you'd have to be a bit touched not to realize that was going to needlessly pop a few people's blood pressure by several points.
Then again, I'm the wrong one to comment on this, I suspect, because:
A. I hate VOCM.
B. I hate Open Line radio shows, but especially the ones on VOCM.
C. I think it's inappropriate for the mayor for a major "city" to have an open line radio show.
And finally, today saw Paul Oram depart from the Health portfolio with all the grace of a moose being hit by a transport truck in Terra Nova National Park. Health and family were the old fall backs, although as Ed noted, reporters call shenanigans on them being blamed. It's not like Williams and his caucus aren't real bastards when faced with public criticism, so don't expect to much sympathy from anyone over that one. There's also been past president for a minister to take leave if he's having health problems.
There is the strong whiff of bullshit around this one, absolutely.
Oh, and once again, the smartest person in Williams' caucus appears certain not to make cabinet again as Elizabeth Marshall remains mired in the backbenches, while the premier digs deeper and deeper into an ever dwindling talent pool to find a cabinet minister.
It just goes to show what a classy woman she is. Because honestly, anyone taking this much shit over speaking her mind and standing her ground, as she did back in '04, should either quit or walk across the floor. And no one, no one would blame her except for Williams and his psycho cult inner circle.
If Marshall took over the Liberal Party...I'm not saying she's the next premier or anything, but Williams doesn't win 44 seats in the next election. Not even close.
It took the Liberals about nine years to start smelling quite this bad last time they were in power. Nice to see the Conservatives are ahead of the curve.
Last Five
Songs from Vancouver by Matthew Good
But ah Newfoundland (and Labrador). There will always be a special place in my heart for you. You're like a psycho ex-girlfriend who keeps stalking me.
Yes, Trevor Taylor quitting a couple of weeks back was a touch on the strange side, but all right. Politicians quitting in the face of protest from constituents who also happen to be friends and family, not unheard of. Then we have municipal election in which a mayor in Paradise was decided by drawing a name out of a recycling bin. All right, that happens - well, perhaps not the recycling bin, but a tie that requires random chance. Oh, and I'm pleased to see Wiseman is remaining classy in victory.
Then we have Randy Simms, VOCM radio personality and mayor of Mount Pearl, who decided to console someone who has to deal with a town council filled mostly with women by making the following joke:
“There are two men and five women. Oh, my son you have my sympathy (laughter). You and Gary are not going to get your way on anything, you know that don’t you (laughter). It’s just going to be like being at home, buddy (laughter). We’re being nasty to your lady councillors aren’t we (laughter). No, you’re going to have a good crew out there.”
Yes, it's a joke. Yes, you need to a bit touched not to see that it was meant as a joke. But then again, you'd have to be a bit touched not to realize that was going to needlessly pop a few people's blood pressure by several points.
Then again, I'm the wrong one to comment on this, I suspect, because:
A. I hate VOCM.
B. I hate Open Line radio shows, but especially the ones on VOCM.
C. I think it's inappropriate for the mayor for a major "city" to have an open line radio show.
And finally, today saw Paul Oram depart from the Health portfolio with all the grace of a moose being hit by a transport truck in Terra Nova National Park. Health and family were the old fall backs, although as Ed noted, reporters call shenanigans on them being blamed. It's not like Williams and his caucus aren't real bastards when faced with public criticism, so don't expect to much sympathy from anyone over that one. There's also been past president for a minister to take leave if he's having health problems.
There is the strong whiff of bullshit around this one, absolutely.
Oh, and once again, the smartest person in Williams' caucus appears certain not to make cabinet again as Elizabeth Marshall remains mired in the backbenches, while the premier digs deeper and deeper into an ever dwindling talent pool to find a cabinet minister.
It just goes to show what a classy woman she is. Because honestly, anyone taking this much shit over speaking her mind and standing her ground, as she did back in '04, should either quit or walk across the floor. And no one, no one would blame her except for Williams and his psycho cult inner circle.
If Marshall took over the Liberal Party...I'm not saying she's the next premier or anything, but Williams doesn't win 44 seats in the next election. Not even close.
It took the Liberals about nine years to start smelling quite this bad last time they were in power. Nice to see the Conservatives are ahead of the curve.
Last Five
Songs from Vancouver by Matthew Good
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Journey through the centre of the Earth
So I saw a neat little thing on John Gushue's blog the other day. It's a little gadget that shows if you dig straight through the earth where you would end up on the other side of the globe.
Now, he's already did St. John's. I confess, I thought if you went straight through I thought you would end up somewhere between Australia and Tasmania. Seems I was off by a few thousand kilometres, as it's actually a bit to the west of that.
So it does beg the question, if I were to dig down from Iqaluit, where would I end up? Well, in not much better shape if I was digging from St. John's.
Not a nice place to end up, when you think about it. If you're curious about where you would end up and if you went digging through the globe (and assuming you weren't melted or crushed) you can go here and play with the gadget and see where you end up. Odds are if you're in Nunavut it's going to be the ocean or Antarctica. But you never know.
Last Five
1. A day in the life - The Beatles
2. So she's leaving - The Trews*
3. Under my thumb - Rolling Stones
4. Gone gone gone - Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
5. The guitar - They Might Be Giants
Now, he's already did St. John's. I confess, I thought if you went straight through I thought you would end up somewhere between Australia and Tasmania. Seems I was off by a few thousand kilometres, as it's actually a bit to the west of that.
So it does beg the question, if I were to dig down from Iqaluit, where would I end up? Well, in not much better shape if I was digging from St. John's.
Not a nice place to end up, when you think about it. If you're curious about where you would end up and if you went digging through the globe (and assuming you weren't melted or crushed) you can go here and play with the gadget and see where you end up. Odds are if you're in Nunavut it's going to be the ocean or Antarctica. But you never know.
Last Five
1. A day in the life - The Beatles
2. So she's leaving - The Trews*
3. Under my thumb - Rolling Stones
4. Gone gone gone - Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
5. The guitar - They Might Be Giants
Monday, October 05, 2009
Blue Monday
So an accidental day of sloth here at the chateau. Cathy went to bed early last night with a splitting headache and woke up about 11 hours later still with the same splitting headache. So sleep, a ton of Advil and lots of water didn't manage to put much of a dent into it. So she did something rare - took a day off sick.
That means lots of lying around the house with the blinds closed. About the only thing we did today was watch a bunch of random Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes. No sitting down and watching a season at a time...instead we hopscotched through the first three seasons find ones we liked. Which is a fine way to kill a Monday, but not exactly one that gives you lots of blogging ideas.
And then I remembered something...I have a piece of art I haven't shown off yet. It's this one, which I bought earlier the summer, but only arrived in September.
One of my favourite comic book series is one called Blue Monday, by Chynna Clugston. Here's a link to the Wikipedia page. I love the series, although it's erratic in coming out. But a few months ago I contacted Chynna to see if she might be available to do any commissions. She wasn't, but she did have some art for sale, including this piece. It's the cover to the fourth issue of the Painted Moon mini-series. To get an idea of what it looked like in full colour, you can look at this.
I'm kind of thrilled to be able to own this. I own sketches, which I've showed on the blog before. But this is a comic book cover and it might be silly, but it's kind of nice to own a comic book cover. I plan on buying a frame when I head out to Toronto in November. It'd be nice to be able to find a copy of the comic book and put that it the frame with the original artwork, but we shall see.
Oh, and in case you haven't figured it out, I really recommend picking up the Blue Monday digests. There are four of them, which collect about 3-5 issues each. Plus they're reasonably priced, around $12 or so. And in return you get a fun series about boys, girls, music and high school. Oh, and the artwork is beautiful.
Last Five
1. Wait - The Beatles
2. Constant craving - k.d. lang
3. Expelled from love - The Raveonettes
4. Strange boat - The Waterboys
5. Hollow - Sean Panting*
That means lots of lying around the house with the blinds closed. About the only thing we did today was watch a bunch of random Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes. No sitting down and watching a season at a time...instead we hopscotched through the first three seasons find ones we liked. Which is a fine way to kill a Monday, but not exactly one that gives you lots of blogging ideas.
And then I remembered something...I have a piece of art I haven't shown off yet. It's this one, which I bought earlier the summer, but only arrived in September.
One of my favourite comic book series is one called Blue Monday, by Chynna Clugston. Here's a link to the Wikipedia page. I love the series, although it's erratic in coming out. But a few months ago I contacted Chynna to see if she might be available to do any commissions. She wasn't, but she did have some art for sale, including this piece. It's the cover to the fourth issue of the Painted Moon mini-series. To get an idea of what it looked like in full colour, you can look at this.
I'm kind of thrilled to be able to own this. I own sketches, which I've showed on the blog before. But this is a comic book cover and it might be silly, but it's kind of nice to own a comic book cover. I plan on buying a frame when I head out to Toronto in November. It'd be nice to be able to find a copy of the comic book and put that it the frame with the original artwork, but we shall see.
Oh, and in case you haven't figured it out, I really recommend picking up the Blue Monday digests. There are four of them, which collect about 3-5 issues each. Plus they're reasonably priced, around $12 or so. And in return you get a fun series about boys, girls, music and high school. Oh, and the artwork is beautiful.
Last Five
1. Wait - The Beatles
2. Constant craving - k.d. lang
3. Expelled from love - The Raveonettes
4. Strange boat - The Waterboys
5. Hollow - Sean Panting*
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Sea Lift
So before this post dissolves into another rant (and the rant is coming, kids. Just hold tight for a moment) one nice thing before I become Ranty Boy again. We had Jordan and Stephanie up for supper earlier the week, which was nice. A few schemes for Nunavut blogging domination were launched, but mostly it was supper (which wasn't too bad, if I do say so myself) and conversation. It was a nice evening.
I think we're going to try and do this kind of thing more often...having people over for supper. I have a friend in from Baker Lake who is going to be here for several weeks, if not months, so we'll have him here just so he can have a home cooked meal, rather than something from the Storehouse.
And at some point I really need to fire up the Wii or open up that Settlers of Catan that I bought earlier the year and have a few people over the play. We'll see how it goes.
Now, back to Ranty Boy. Because as I learned back in my university days, Ranty Boy has his fans. Apparently a good rant by me was normally worth the price of admission. Granted, I never charged anything, but still...
Back in June we put in our sea lift order. Nothing new about that, it's about the same time we do it each year. Our order isn't huge, probably around $3,000, but it does have stuff we need and don't want to be buying up here if we can help it at all. For the last few years we've done our sea lift through NorthMart. The big pro for them is they deliver your order right to your door. We live on the third floor of an apartment building, so I'm glad to have someone else drag a couple of dozen cases of pop up those stairs rather than me.
Plus, it also means our sea lift is not sitting on a beach. Our first year up here the wooden box containing our sea lift was broken into and half the contents spread out on the beach. The people were looking for booze. They caught them, but I never did hear anything back on if we wanted to press charges.
Anyway, so NorthMart seems like a good deal. The downside being if you get bored with what's on their shelves, well, your order is going to contain much of the same things.
However, as we're discovering, there's another downside. And that's NorthMart's inability to get us our damn stuff on time. Last year it was supposed to have been delivered to us in late August, but didn't get to us until late September. Annoying, but all right.
This year it was supposed to have been on the July 26th sailing. Give it 10 days for the boat to get here, two weeks for NorthMart to sort everything out and we should have received it by the end of August.
Except there was a delay in the boats, so the boat was sailing later. When we checked on our order in mid-August, we were told it would now likely be late September before we got it. Again, annoying, but that's the way things happen with ice sometimes. We were going to have to buy some things to tide us over until the lift arrived.
Cathy went and checked earlier this week to see when our order would be delivered. Ooops. Seems there was a problem and our order didn't make it on this boat. It's now on the October 17th sailing, which means it will now be the first week of November when we get it. Maybe.
Two months later. Here's the catch, by the way. Last year at least one boat didn't make it to Iqaluit because it was too late in the season and the ice closed in, making it impossible to off-load cargo. It really screwed up some construction projects up here, which were counting on it.
So yes, it's entirely possible that ship could run into ice and not off-load, meaning we won't get our sea lift. At all.
Now, that's insanely frustrating. And when Cathy was told that news she certainly reacted the way many would in that situation, which is not to be very happy about that news. As best I can figure, the store then gets a bit huffy because we're upset by this turn of events. Yes, they said we could get some stuff from our sea lift from their store to tide us over. I appreciate that.
However, the following things annoy me right now:
1. That something which was supposed to have been shipped on July 26 will now be shipped nearly three months later. That means it's sitting....somewhere during all of that time. I dread what kind of shape it's going to be in once it gets here.
2. The shrug-your-shoulders "Oh well, it's not our fault" mentality at the store. You know what, if you can't run a sea lift and have customers' items get here in a timely fashion, get out of the business. It's your job to make certain what we order gets here in on time.
3. The realization that when the products get here, odds are we're going to have more fights about damaged items or stuff that's expired.
Perhaps it's just the mood I'm in today...after four years of living here, you would think I'd have built up a certain immunity to the "Oh well, it's the north" attitude. However, you can reach a boiling point and I guess the handling of this year's sea lift is putting me over the top.
It's all but certain we won't deal with them next year, especially if we have a house. It's a nuisance to run to Ottawa and buy a bunch of stuff and have to get someone to pack and ship it for us. But clearly if you want something done right, NorthMart's sea lift isn't the way to go.
Last Five
1. Go easy - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
2. I guess that's why they call it the blues - Elton John
3. Deep red bells (live) - Neko Case*
4. Well worn hand - Editors
5. Leisure suite - Feist
I think we're going to try and do this kind of thing more often...having people over for supper. I have a friend in from Baker Lake who is going to be here for several weeks, if not months, so we'll have him here just so he can have a home cooked meal, rather than something from the Storehouse.
And at some point I really need to fire up the Wii or open up that Settlers of Catan that I bought earlier the year and have a few people over the play. We'll see how it goes.
Now, back to Ranty Boy. Because as I learned back in my university days, Ranty Boy has his fans. Apparently a good rant by me was normally worth the price of admission. Granted, I never charged anything, but still...
Back in June we put in our sea lift order. Nothing new about that, it's about the same time we do it each year. Our order isn't huge, probably around $3,000, but it does have stuff we need and don't want to be buying up here if we can help it at all. For the last few years we've done our sea lift through NorthMart. The big pro for them is they deliver your order right to your door. We live on the third floor of an apartment building, so I'm glad to have someone else drag a couple of dozen cases of pop up those stairs rather than me.
Plus, it also means our sea lift is not sitting on a beach. Our first year up here the wooden box containing our sea lift was broken into and half the contents spread out on the beach. The people were looking for booze. They caught them, but I never did hear anything back on if we wanted to press charges.
Anyway, so NorthMart seems like a good deal. The downside being if you get bored with what's on their shelves, well, your order is going to contain much of the same things.
However, as we're discovering, there's another downside. And that's NorthMart's inability to get us our damn stuff on time. Last year it was supposed to have been delivered to us in late August, but didn't get to us until late September. Annoying, but all right.
This year it was supposed to have been on the July 26th sailing. Give it 10 days for the boat to get here, two weeks for NorthMart to sort everything out and we should have received it by the end of August.
Except there was a delay in the boats, so the boat was sailing later. When we checked on our order in mid-August, we were told it would now likely be late September before we got it. Again, annoying, but that's the way things happen with ice sometimes. We were going to have to buy some things to tide us over until the lift arrived.
Cathy went and checked earlier this week to see when our order would be delivered. Ooops. Seems there was a problem and our order didn't make it on this boat. It's now on the October 17th sailing, which means it will now be the first week of November when we get it. Maybe.
Two months later. Here's the catch, by the way. Last year at least one boat didn't make it to Iqaluit because it was too late in the season and the ice closed in, making it impossible to off-load cargo. It really screwed up some construction projects up here, which were counting on it.
So yes, it's entirely possible that ship could run into ice and not off-load, meaning we won't get our sea lift. At all.
Now, that's insanely frustrating. And when Cathy was told that news she certainly reacted the way many would in that situation, which is not to be very happy about that news. As best I can figure, the store then gets a bit huffy because we're upset by this turn of events. Yes, they said we could get some stuff from our sea lift from their store to tide us over. I appreciate that.
However, the following things annoy me right now:
1. That something which was supposed to have been shipped on July 26 will now be shipped nearly three months later. That means it's sitting....somewhere during all of that time. I dread what kind of shape it's going to be in once it gets here.
2. The shrug-your-shoulders "Oh well, it's not our fault" mentality at the store. You know what, if you can't run a sea lift and have customers' items get here in a timely fashion, get out of the business. It's your job to make certain what we order gets here in on time.
3. The realization that when the products get here, odds are we're going to have more fights about damaged items or stuff that's expired.
Perhaps it's just the mood I'm in today...after four years of living here, you would think I'd have built up a certain immunity to the "Oh well, it's the north" attitude. However, you can reach a boiling point and I guess the handling of this year's sea lift is putting me over the top.
It's all but certain we won't deal with them next year, especially if we have a house. It's a nuisance to run to Ottawa and buy a bunch of stuff and have to get someone to pack and ship it for us. But clearly if you want something done right, NorthMart's sea lift isn't the way to go.
Last Five
1. Go easy - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals
2. I guess that's why they call it the blues - Elton John
3. Deep red bells (live) - Neko Case*
4. Well worn hand - Editors
5. Leisure suite - Feist
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Numbers and pictures
Sorry about the delay in a new walrus picture. I assure you all, I've been appropriately chastised for my tardiness.
So, a few numbers for you on this lovely Saturday afternoon in the north.
Give or take a day or so, I started using Statcounter on this blog about four years ago. And like anyone who has a blog and has been using Statcounter for awhile you do tend to get a bit obsessive about the numbers. There are any number of "origin" dates for this blog. I could pick back in March 2005 when I first started. However, I only wrote about a dozen posts and then stopped. So this blog was well on its way to the typical death that most new blogs find happening to them.
However, it started up again in September 2005 when we moved to Iqaluit and then again when I began keeping track of who was coming there. So it's a small anniversary of a sort.
I normally do my larger self-obsessed statistical analysis in January, but a few numbers jumped out at me today. And they are:
#4 - The number of years the blog has been going.
#250,000 - The number of page loads Statcounter has registered on my blog as of around 4pm today. So if you were visiting the blog and live in Iqaluit, congrats. You were #250,000. My 200,000 unique visitor likely won't show up here until November.
And yes, I know there are blog who get that number in a week, but I never claimed to be the centre of the blogging universe.
#9,300, #7,428 and #3,539 - The number of page loads, unique visitors and returning visitors who came to the blog in September. By a mile, that is a new record for the blog. And I have no idea why. The previous highs were September 2008, but that was in the middle of the US presidential election and I was writing a bit about it and getting lots of traffic from the Levi Johnson spoof post. And in January of this year, I hit another new high, but that was due to traffic from the Nunies and the Canadian Blogging Awards.
I don't think I did anything extraordinary last month, but I'm still grateful to everyone who stopped by and had a look.
And in keeping with this slightly vain post, a couple of pictures from today. We took Boo out for a walk at Sylvia Grinnell Park, because the weather in town was stunning. The park is actually much nicer to visit at this time of the year than others, in my opinion, because I'm not running through the place at high speed the outrace the mosquitos
Anyway, one of Cathy...
And one of me in my full Australia outfit, with outback coat, kangaroo leather hat and new shades. I think all that is missing are some cowboy boots, but I honestly don't know if I can go that far. Still, I think it's kind of amusing...
Last Five
1. Into the heart - U2*
2. Jacob's ladder (live) - Bruce Springsteen
3. Cross the room - Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
4. Live alone - Franz Ferdinand
5. Got to be more careful - Jon Cleary
So, a few numbers for you on this lovely Saturday afternoon in the north.
Give or take a day or so, I started using Statcounter on this blog about four years ago. And like anyone who has a blog and has been using Statcounter for awhile you do tend to get a bit obsessive about the numbers. There are any number of "origin" dates for this blog. I could pick back in March 2005 when I first started. However, I only wrote about a dozen posts and then stopped. So this blog was well on its way to the typical death that most new blogs find happening to them.
However, it started up again in September 2005 when we moved to Iqaluit and then again when I began keeping track of who was coming there. So it's a small anniversary of a sort.
I normally do my larger self-obsessed statistical analysis in January, but a few numbers jumped out at me today. And they are:
#4 - The number of years the blog has been going.
#250,000 - The number of page loads Statcounter has registered on my blog as of around 4pm today. So if you were visiting the blog and live in Iqaluit, congrats. You were #250,000. My 200,000 unique visitor likely won't show up here until November.
And yes, I know there are blog who get that number in a week, but I never claimed to be the centre of the blogging universe.
#9,300, #7,428 and #3,539 - The number of page loads, unique visitors and returning visitors who came to the blog in September. By a mile, that is a new record for the blog. And I have no idea why. The previous highs were September 2008, but that was in the middle of the US presidential election and I was writing a bit about it and getting lots of traffic from the Levi Johnson spoof post. And in January of this year, I hit another new high, but that was due to traffic from the Nunies and the Canadian Blogging Awards.
I don't think I did anything extraordinary last month, but I'm still grateful to everyone who stopped by and had a look.
And in keeping with this slightly vain post, a couple of pictures from today. We took Boo out for a walk at Sylvia Grinnell Park, because the weather in town was stunning. The park is actually much nicer to visit at this time of the year than others, in my opinion, because I'm not running through the place at high speed the outrace the mosquitos
Anyway, one of Cathy...
And one of me in my full Australia outfit, with outback coat, kangaroo leather hat and new shades. I think all that is missing are some cowboy boots, but I honestly don't know if I can go that far. Still, I think it's kind of amusing...
Last Five
1. Into the heart - U2*
2. Jacob's ladder (live) - Bruce Springsteen
3. Cross the room - Blue Vipers of Brooklyn
4. Live alone - Franz Ferdinand
5. Got to be more careful - Jon Cleary
Friday, October 02, 2009
No gamble
So a couple of opinion pieces in the Telegram caught my eye the past few days - one by Geoff Meeker and the other by Russell Wangersky. Both are talking about governments depending a little too much on gambling revenues. The BC government is apparently about to slide down the slippery slope of internet gambling. I can only imagine its being discussed in Confederation Building. Although that's not guarantee it'll happen there. I damn VLTs for the evil they are, but at least no government has been quite so stupid as to open a casino in the province, although I'm sure there's been tempting offers.
Nate Silver also takes a look at the possible explosion in casinos in the US as states try to make up for revenue shortfalls in this month's Esquire and why they're probably not going to make as much money as governments might think.
Gambling is simply always destined to be one of those things I'm never going to get. I can count on one hand the number of dollars I've plunked into VLTs over the years. I've probably loss less than that betting on cards. About the only habit either Cathy and I have is the occasional scratch card that finds its way into one of our Christmas stockings and probably around $50 a year we might drop on 6-49 tickets when the jackpot is sufficiently large enough.
I believe it was, of all people, Alec Trebek who summed up my philosophy when it comes to gambling years ago. I'm paraphrasing here, but it is, "If I won $100 it would do nothing for me, but losing $100 would piss me off for weeks."
So I'm destined to never understand people who can sit down for hours at a VLT and blow a paycheck in a few hours. I think if people want to gamble, it's their money and they have the right to spend it however they want. But surely God there's some genius out there who can think of a better system then what's out there now. Especially since governments are not watching out for the people when it comes to gambling. They're far too addicted to the revenues and make only lip service comments when it comes to helping people with gambling addictions.
But the other thing that caught my eye was a link to a story that someone put up on Geoff's Facebook page. It was a link to a book coming out dealing with people who did get lucky and win millions of the lottery and how many of them are completely miserable. Some poking around and you hit stories like this one where some poor bastard is literally not only poor, but had his brother try to kill him in the hopes of inheriting the money.
Again, without sounding too much like a morally superior bastard, I don't get how you can fuck up that much money so badly. Cathy and I have joked, as I'm sure many people have, about what would happen if we won the millions. And we've kind of always been sensible about it. I suspect it would go something like this:
1. Lots of jumping up and down.
2. Phone calls to our parents.
3. Then, honestly, a phone call to a lawyer and another to a financial advisor.
4. Wait about two weeks to claim the money so we can figure out what the steps are going to be in the days afterwards.
4. Have a big party for friends and family once we got back to Newfoundland.
5. Hop on a plane the next day to parts unknown, tell no one but our parents, and then plan how we're going to spend the rest of our lives with this money. Realize that this is a Life Changing Event, along the lines of births, deaths and marriage, and treat it with the respect and care it should be treated.
I don't think that's too mind bogglingly difficult a plan to draft and follow. But maybe it's just me.
Last Five
1. I feel love - Blue Man Group
2. Hey brother - Camper Van Beethoven
3. Tenth Avenue freeze - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
4. The crane wife - The Decemberists
5. Easy plateau - Ryan Adams*
Nate Silver also takes a look at the possible explosion in casinos in the US as states try to make up for revenue shortfalls in this month's Esquire and why they're probably not going to make as much money as governments might think.
Gambling is simply always destined to be one of those things I'm never going to get. I can count on one hand the number of dollars I've plunked into VLTs over the years. I've probably loss less than that betting on cards. About the only habit either Cathy and I have is the occasional scratch card that finds its way into one of our Christmas stockings and probably around $50 a year we might drop on 6-49 tickets when the jackpot is sufficiently large enough.
I believe it was, of all people, Alec Trebek who summed up my philosophy when it comes to gambling years ago. I'm paraphrasing here, but it is, "If I won $100 it would do nothing for me, but losing $100 would piss me off for weeks."
So I'm destined to never understand people who can sit down for hours at a VLT and blow a paycheck in a few hours. I think if people want to gamble, it's their money and they have the right to spend it however they want. But surely God there's some genius out there who can think of a better system then what's out there now. Especially since governments are not watching out for the people when it comes to gambling. They're far too addicted to the revenues and make only lip service comments when it comes to helping people with gambling addictions.
But the other thing that caught my eye was a link to a story that someone put up on Geoff's Facebook page. It was a link to a book coming out dealing with people who did get lucky and win millions of the lottery and how many of them are completely miserable. Some poking around and you hit stories like this one where some poor bastard is literally not only poor, but had his brother try to kill him in the hopes of inheriting the money.
Again, without sounding too much like a morally superior bastard, I don't get how you can fuck up that much money so badly. Cathy and I have joked, as I'm sure many people have, about what would happen if we won the millions. And we've kind of always been sensible about it. I suspect it would go something like this:
1. Lots of jumping up and down.
2. Phone calls to our parents.
3. Then, honestly, a phone call to a lawyer and another to a financial advisor.
4. Wait about two weeks to claim the money so we can figure out what the steps are going to be in the days afterwards.
4. Have a big party for friends and family once we got back to Newfoundland.
5. Hop on a plane the next day to parts unknown, tell no one but our parents, and then plan how we're going to spend the rest of our lives with this money. Realize that this is a Life Changing Event, along the lines of births, deaths and marriage, and treat it with the respect and care it should be treated.
I don't think that's too mind bogglingly difficult a plan to draft and follow. But maybe it's just me.
Last Five
1. I feel love - Blue Man Group
2. Hey brother - Camper Van Beethoven
3. Tenth Avenue freeze - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
4. The crane wife - The Decemberists
5. Easy plateau - Ryan Adams*
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Recycled election
So the big story back in Newfoundland today isn't this (alleged) scumbag turning himself in to face child porn charges or even this scumbag declaring bankruptcy even after bilking the public for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
No, the big story is this scumbag strutting around like cock of the walk over the stupidest method of deciding an election I've ever seen.
For those of you not familiar with Newfoundland geography, Paradise can be described one of two ways:
1. A thriving community just outside St. John's located in the northeast Avalon.
2. A subdivision with delusions of grandeur that really ought to be part of St. John's.
I tend to lean towards the later, but that shouldn't be a surprise given the name of this blog.
Anyway, Paradise had their municipal elections on Tuesday. And in a bit of a shocker Kurtis Coombs beat out incumbent Ralph Wiseman for the mayor's race. The reason it's a shocker is that Coombs is only 19 years old and was, I believe, all set up to be the youngest mayor in Canadian history. Even beating out Steve Kent when he became mayor of Mount Pearl (see description above description of Paradise) and who is now enjoying a thriving career as a Tory backbench MHA trying to suck up for a cabinet position.
So yes, happy news all the way around for Coombs. Except he won by three votes. And Mr. Wiseman certainly has the right to challenge that and ask for a recount. But it also helps that in interviews right after the election he comes across as a sore loser and a bit of a prick.
Recount happens and....it's a tie! And what does the Newfoundland and Labrador Municipalities Act say should happen in the event of a tie? That both names are tossed into an envelope (actually, in this case, apparently it was a recycling bin. Because this story needs to get stupider), and the winning name is drawn. And Wiseman wins.
Dear god...
Wiseman is all kinds of damned in all of this. I mean, it never should have come to this, really. Wiseman and Coombs should have agreed beforehand that in the event of a tie - which there was obviously a real chance - that they didn't want the name from an envelope (or recycling bin) option. That they wanted to talk to Municipal Affairs and see if a run-off election could happen instead. Because drawing a name from an envelope is a pretty shitty way to decide an election.
But no. And I obviously wasn't there, but I'm betting that even if that option wasn't presented, Wiseman wouldn't have went for it. He had a 50/50 chance with the envelope. One gets the feeling given his comments and the fact that people liked the story of a 19 year old being a mayor, he would have lost in a run-off.
As it stands he's pretty damned anyway. People loathe the way this was settled. Wiseman appears unjustly cocky about the whole thing. And it's likely going to end up as a judicial recount. And even if Wiseman manages to hold on to the mayor's chair, he's going to have a brutal term. Talk about no one respecting him.
Wiseman should fall on his sword and end this. He won't, of course. Instead, this will only get more farcical before it's all over. Hard to believe, what with a recycling bin being used to break a tie in an election, but I'm sure it will.
Last Five
1. Paperback writer - The Beatles*
2. Because - The Beatles
3. Unbound - Robbie Robertson
4. Wicked come winter - Matt Mays and El Torpedo
5. The night is still young - Billy Joel
No, the big story is this scumbag strutting around like cock of the walk over the stupidest method of deciding an election I've ever seen.
For those of you not familiar with Newfoundland geography, Paradise can be described one of two ways:
1. A thriving community just outside St. John's located in the northeast Avalon.
2. A subdivision with delusions of grandeur that really ought to be part of St. John's.
I tend to lean towards the later, but that shouldn't be a surprise given the name of this blog.
Anyway, Paradise had their municipal elections on Tuesday. And in a bit of a shocker Kurtis Coombs beat out incumbent Ralph Wiseman for the mayor's race. The reason it's a shocker is that Coombs is only 19 years old and was, I believe, all set up to be the youngest mayor in Canadian history. Even beating out Steve Kent when he became mayor of Mount Pearl (see description above description of Paradise) and who is now enjoying a thriving career as a Tory backbench MHA trying to suck up for a cabinet position.
So yes, happy news all the way around for Coombs. Except he won by three votes. And Mr. Wiseman certainly has the right to challenge that and ask for a recount. But it also helps that in interviews right after the election he comes across as a sore loser and a bit of a prick.
Recount happens and....it's a tie! And what does the Newfoundland and Labrador Municipalities Act say should happen in the event of a tie? That both names are tossed into an envelope (actually, in this case, apparently it was a recycling bin. Because this story needs to get stupider), and the winning name is drawn. And Wiseman wins.
Dear god...
Wiseman is all kinds of damned in all of this. I mean, it never should have come to this, really. Wiseman and Coombs should have agreed beforehand that in the event of a tie - which there was obviously a real chance - that they didn't want the name from an envelope (or recycling bin) option. That they wanted to talk to Municipal Affairs and see if a run-off election could happen instead. Because drawing a name from an envelope is a pretty shitty way to decide an election.
But no. And I obviously wasn't there, but I'm betting that even if that option wasn't presented, Wiseman wouldn't have went for it. He had a 50/50 chance with the envelope. One gets the feeling given his comments and the fact that people liked the story of a 19 year old being a mayor, he would have lost in a run-off.
As it stands he's pretty damned anyway. People loathe the way this was settled. Wiseman appears unjustly cocky about the whole thing. And it's likely going to end up as a judicial recount. And even if Wiseman manages to hold on to the mayor's chair, he's going to have a brutal term. Talk about no one respecting him.
Wiseman should fall on his sword and end this. He won't, of course. Instead, this will only get more farcical before it's all over. Hard to believe, what with a recycling bin being used to break a tie in an election, but I'm sure it will.
Last Five
1. Paperback writer - The Beatles*
2. Because - The Beatles
3. Unbound - Robbie Robertson
4. Wicked come winter - Matt Mays and El Torpedo
5. The night is still young - Billy Joel
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Results
So the lesson learned from reading online municipal election results is that it is also not all that good for my health either. Oh sure, there was some small pleasures, like see Ron Ellsworth lose and Keith Coombs lose. That gave me momentary pleasure. But then again, Simon Lono lost as well.
And that kind of sucks, but I wasn't shocked by it. A lot of people don't like Simon. And it's not because he's not smart, filled to the brim with good ideas and would make an excellent voice on council. No, it's because he's a Liberal. And in Newfoundland, and especially in St. John's, that's a condemnable offence with certain people. So I knew it was going to be an uphill battle.
Still, he polled respectably. If people in St. John's had more sense they certainly could have punted Gerry Colbert off council and the world would be a no poorer place. The moment I knew Colbert was just bloody coasting on his name recognition to get him re-elected? When I read this questionnaire by the Scope. The one where Colbert couldn't be bothered to submit answers to it. If that's not the height of laziness and an indication of what kind of councillor you're going to get, I don't know what is.
But no, what really set the old blood pressure off was the Clarenville race. It's no secret that I don't like Mayor Fred Best. And the race see-sawed back and forth all evening. But with challenger Lisa Browne up by 20 votes with one poll left, I thought she had it. But then, unbelievably, he pulled off 88 more votes than Browne in the last poll to win 1225-1157.
And honestly, when you read his preliminary comments after winning - "Lisa made a good showing, but the people spoke," said Best following the final count. "I got into this late - I only had a three-week campaign while Lisa had a three-year campaign." - how can you not want to smack him....repeatedly.
I actually had to go and walk around the apartment for a few minutes. If I had sat down to blog about this last night, there would have been a pounding on the door this morning around 6 am from some nice men in uniforms. The conversation probably would have went something like this.
"Sir, did you write online last night that you wanted everyone in Clarenville dead to prevent their cracked gene pool from spreading to neighbouring communities and thereby infecting them with their stupidity and that the whole town should be burned to the ground and the ashes and rubble pushed into Trinity Bay?"
"Er, I might have. I was pretty upset last night when Fred Best won again, meaning the people of Clarenville will have had that unbelievable git as mayor for 31 years in a row, when all is said and done."
"Yeah, you need to come with us now."
(Trust me, that's the deeply edited version of what would have run last night)
Candidates have to be graceful. Candidates have to say things like "The people have spoken and they know best." Whereas I can be slightly more bitter and say the people are, just as often as not, morons.
This to shall pass. Thank God I left Clarenville when I did, though. If I was still living there I'd be looking for sharp objects this morning.
Last Five
1. Sick muse - Metric
2. The hill - Marketa Irglova
3. Dancing choose - TV on the Radio
4. Neon tiger - The Killers
5. The future is X-rated - Matthew Good Band*
And that kind of sucks, but I wasn't shocked by it. A lot of people don't like Simon. And it's not because he's not smart, filled to the brim with good ideas and would make an excellent voice on council. No, it's because he's a Liberal. And in Newfoundland, and especially in St. John's, that's a condemnable offence with certain people. So I knew it was going to be an uphill battle.
Still, he polled respectably. If people in St. John's had more sense they certainly could have punted Gerry Colbert off council and the world would be a no poorer place. The moment I knew Colbert was just bloody coasting on his name recognition to get him re-elected? When I read this questionnaire by the Scope. The one where Colbert couldn't be bothered to submit answers to it. If that's not the height of laziness and an indication of what kind of councillor you're going to get, I don't know what is.
But no, what really set the old blood pressure off was the Clarenville race. It's no secret that I don't like Mayor Fred Best. And the race see-sawed back and forth all evening. But with challenger Lisa Browne up by 20 votes with one poll left, I thought she had it. But then, unbelievably, he pulled off 88 more votes than Browne in the last poll to win 1225-1157.
And honestly, when you read his preliminary comments after winning - "Lisa made a good showing, but the people spoke," said Best following the final count. "I got into this late - I only had a three-week campaign while Lisa had a three-year campaign." - how can you not want to smack him....repeatedly.
I actually had to go and walk around the apartment for a few minutes. If I had sat down to blog about this last night, there would have been a pounding on the door this morning around 6 am from some nice men in uniforms. The conversation probably would have went something like this.
"Sir, did you write online last night that you wanted everyone in Clarenville dead to prevent their cracked gene pool from spreading to neighbouring communities and thereby infecting them with their stupidity and that the whole town should be burned to the ground and the ashes and rubble pushed into Trinity Bay?"
"Er, I might have. I was pretty upset last night when Fred Best won again, meaning the people of Clarenville will have had that unbelievable git as mayor for 31 years in a row, when all is said and done."
"Yeah, you need to come with us now."
(Trust me, that's the deeply edited version of what would have run last night)
Candidates have to be graceful. Candidates have to say things like "The people have spoken and they know best." Whereas I can be slightly more bitter and say the people are, just as often as not, morons.
This to shall pass. Thank God I left Clarenville when I did, though. If I was still living there I'd be looking for sharp objects this morning.
Last Five
1. Sick muse - Metric
2. The hill - Marketa Irglova
3. Dancing choose - TV on the Radio
4. Neon tiger - The Killers
5. The future is X-rated - Matthew Good Band*
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Quick hits
So a quick hit kind of morning. I might try and write something more substantial later, but I'm actually back to writing my novel again, so that might take away some of my focus.
Anyway...
1. It's municipal election day in Newfoundland. If you live in St. John's then I strongly encourage you to vote for Simon Lono in the Councillor-at-Large race. And on the off-chance you happen to live in Clarenville, I strongly recommend you vote for Lisa Browne as mayor (oh, and Eph Carpenter as a councillor, but that's because he's the father of a good friend of mine).
I reiterate the same point I always make in elections....they are your certificate to bitch and complain about that level of government until the next election. So go out there and vote.
2. Stats Canada came out with their quarterly population numbers for Canada. I always find numbers like this fascinating. I think I would have liked a job at Stats Canada if only I didn't suck so completely at all things math related.
Anyway, Canada's population is up 33,739,859; that's about 100,000 more people than in April (the survey went from April 1 to July 1). But the numbers that most interested me were, of course, Newfoundland and Nunavut. Shockingly, Newfoundland and Labrador was up about 1,400 people to 508,925. I'm not going to sing hymn of praise quite yet. I've seen bumps in those population numbers before only to have them crash later. And hey, I know of at least three other people (and a pretty evil looking cat) who have moved to Newfoundland since then.
As for Nunavut it gained 218 people and the population of the territory stands 32,183. Also interesting is that the Yukon only has 1.500 more people than Nunavut and this territory's population is growing at a rate more than double the Yukon's. So at some point in the next decade, I suspect, Nunavut will no longer be the smallest territory in terms of population.
Which is lovely and all, we just need to be able to handle all of those extra people up here. So far, let's just say efforts to address that have been...shaky.
3. Your cheap shot of the day - Pamela Anderson is denying she's broke and deeply in debt. God, I hope she won't have to do anything demeaning to make that money up.
Yes, it is a cheap shot and I try to do better than that. But I have special hatred in my heart for her. I also don't understand the appeal. She was cute for 5 minutes 20 years ago before she became Frankenstein's monster. Anyone who would find that...thing attractive is severely touched in the head. And yes, I know you can love someone for their personality. However, this is Pamela Anderson, so you know, personality?
4. I suppose I should stop doing entertainment based posts, since no one really seems to care much about them. I base that on the lack of comments on the last few posts. But the Roman Polanski case is proving to have more depth to it than I thought. I'd never cared much about it one way or another. I thought it was pretty open and shut. He raped a 13 year old girl and fled the United States rather than face jail time. And pleas for clemency from supporters using excuses that he'd already been through so much in his life - from escaping concentration camps and the murder of his first wife by the Manson family - fell on deaf ears with me. Lots of people have horrible things happen to them. That doesn't give you carte blanche to do terrible things.
"My wife was murdered, so it's all right if I drug, rape and sodomize this 13 year old girl." Nooooo, I don't think so.
But reading this New York Times story does putting a grayer shade on things. His victim has long since forgiven him. The US has had other chances to grab him and never had until now. And he fears LA judges are corrupt and biased against him, especially since he's convinced one was going to change his mind on the plea agreement from the 70s. I don't know about that one...it seems a bit weak.
Still, I think he has to come back to the US and face the music. If the woman in question wants to stand up and say I forgive him and don't want him to go to jail, well, I think that carries some weight in his sentencing. But he's dodged this bullet for too many years. Maybe it is more complicated than it first appears, but I still think he needs to stand up in court and explain himself.
Anyway, we shall see. But I don't think I would let him out on bail. That's just silly. If you ever wanted a poster child for "Flight Risk" I think you have one in Polanski.
Last Five
1. If you love someone, set them free - Sting
2. Accidents will happen - The Von Bondies
3. Highway girl - The Tragically Hip
4. Run - Snow Patrol*
5. Camalina - The Pursuit of Happiness
Anyway...
1. It's municipal election day in Newfoundland. If you live in St. John's then I strongly encourage you to vote for Simon Lono in the Councillor-at-Large race. And on the off-chance you happen to live in Clarenville, I strongly recommend you vote for Lisa Browne as mayor (oh, and Eph Carpenter as a councillor, but that's because he's the father of a good friend of mine).
I reiterate the same point I always make in elections....they are your certificate to bitch and complain about that level of government until the next election. So go out there and vote.
2. Stats Canada came out with their quarterly population numbers for Canada. I always find numbers like this fascinating. I think I would have liked a job at Stats Canada if only I didn't suck so completely at all things math related.
Anyway, Canada's population is up 33,739,859; that's about 100,000 more people than in April (the survey went from April 1 to July 1). But the numbers that most interested me were, of course, Newfoundland and Nunavut. Shockingly, Newfoundland and Labrador was up about 1,400 people to 508,925. I'm not going to sing hymn of praise quite yet. I've seen bumps in those population numbers before only to have them crash later. And hey, I know of at least three other people (and a pretty evil looking cat) who have moved to Newfoundland since then.
As for Nunavut it gained 218 people and the population of the territory stands 32,183. Also interesting is that the Yukon only has 1.500 more people than Nunavut and this territory's population is growing at a rate more than double the Yukon's. So at some point in the next decade, I suspect, Nunavut will no longer be the smallest territory in terms of population.
Which is lovely and all, we just need to be able to handle all of those extra people up here. So far, let's just say efforts to address that have been...shaky.
3. Your cheap shot of the day - Pamela Anderson is denying she's broke and deeply in debt. God, I hope she won't have to do anything demeaning to make that money up.
Yes, it is a cheap shot and I try to do better than that. But I have special hatred in my heart for her. I also don't understand the appeal. She was cute for 5 minutes 20 years ago before she became Frankenstein's monster. Anyone who would find that...thing attractive is severely touched in the head. And yes, I know you can love someone for their personality. However, this is Pamela Anderson, so you know, personality?
4. I suppose I should stop doing entertainment based posts, since no one really seems to care much about them. I base that on the lack of comments on the last few posts. But the Roman Polanski case is proving to have more depth to it than I thought. I'd never cared much about it one way or another. I thought it was pretty open and shut. He raped a 13 year old girl and fled the United States rather than face jail time. And pleas for clemency from supporters using excuses that he'd already been through so much in his life - from escaping concentration camps and the murder of his first wife by the Manson family - fell on deaf ears with me. Lots of people have horrible things happen to them. That doesn't give you carte blanche to do terrible things.
"My wife was murdered, so it's all right if I drug, rape and sodomize this 13 year old girl." Nooooo, I don't think so.
But reading this New York Times story does putting a grayer shade on things. His victim has long since forgiven him. The US has had other chances to grab him and never had until now. And he fears LA judges are corrupt and biased against him, especially since he's convinced one was going to change his mind on the plea agreement from the 70s. I don't know about that one...it seems a bit weak.
Still, I think he has to come back to the US and face the music. If the woman in question wants to stand up and say I forgive him and don't want him to go to jail, well, I think that carries some weight in his sentencing. But he's dodged this bullet for too many years. Maybe it is more complicated than it first appears, but I still think he needs to stand up in court and explain himself.
Anyway, we shall see. But I don't think I would let him out on bail. That's just silly. If you ever wanted a poster child for "Flight Risk" I think you have one in Polanski.
Last Five
1. If you love someone, set them free - Sting
2. Accidents will happen - The Von Bondies
3. Highway girl - The Tragically Hip
4. Run - Snow Patrol*
5. Camalina - The Pursuit of Happiness
Monday, September 28, 2009
Istanbul
I swear to God I would watch Craig Ferguson more often if only he wasn't on so bloody late. And yes, I am unemployed and can stay up late, but I think sleeping in every day is not a good thing to do during this lull in my employment status.
So anyway, for those of you at work on a Monday and thinking to yourself, dear God, I could really use something to cheer me up, here is Ferguson doing my absolute favourite They Might be Giants song, "Istanbul".
(h/t to The Beat for pointing it out)
Last Five
1. The story so far - Flogging Molly
2. Hands of time - Ron Sexsmith
3. Danse les belles filles communistes - The Kremlin
4. I'm sticking with you - Velvet Underground
5. Wild honey - U2
So anyway, for those of you at work on a Monday and thinking to yourself, dear God, I could really use something to cheer me up, here is Ferguson doing my absolute favourite They Might be Giants song, "Istanbul".
(h/t to The Beat for pointing it out)
Last Five
1. The story so far - Flogging Molly
2. Hands of time - Ron Sexsmith
3. Danse les belles filles communistes - The Kremlin
4. I'm sticking with you - Velvet Underground
5. Wild honey - U2
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Season so far
So we're a week or so into the new TV season. Let's see what I think of the shows I've caught so far, both old and new.
House - It was a pretty good season premiere, but certainly having an actor of the calibre of Andre Braugher to work with helps. I'm disappointed that he doesn't appear to be an occasional guest star for the rest of the season. I hope that changes, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The thing is, House has done "changes" before and they never seem to stick. They manage to find a way to bring it back to the status quo. Well, I'm hoping this does stick. House is off drugs, his pain seems to be under control and he acknowledges that he's tired of being miserable and wants to be happy. The show ought to change from this. And it needs to, especially given how bad the last half of Season 5 was. So here's hoping, because my patience for the show is running a little thin.
Castle - All right, I have to admit it, I have a bit of a man crush on Nathan Fillion. I wish he was still working on Firefly, but that's not happening. Castle is as light as air, but it always makes me smile. The chemistry between Castle and Beckett is also holding up nicely.
NCIS: Los Angeles - I'm sure it'll be fine, but much like I can only watch one CSI at a time. Besides, when your big character development is that one of the leads doesn't know his first name because he was abandoned as a kid, it just screams of the writers trying too hard.
The Good Wife - Look I will grant you that Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth can act and the premise of the show, a woman going back to practicing law to provide for their family after the husband gets caught in a sex scandal, is intriguing. But God, I just don't know if I have it in me to watch that week in and week out. It's a TV movie, maybe. But a full year or even years of that? No thanks.
The Forgotten - I'd comment on the show except A. I watched 10 minutes of it and was bored and B. Christian Slater looks like he's bored and C. I fully expect it to be cancelled in a few weeks. Is Slater that hard up for cash that he keeps doing this crap?
Mercy - I actually caught the rebroadcast on Saturday night. Again, the idea of a nurse who served in the Iraq War coming back to the US and trying to work in a New York hospital even though she's pretty messed up is intriguing. But the first episode was unpleasant people being unpleasant to people and thinking they're being funny while masking their inner pain. Again, if you want to be entertained for an hour, why would you watch something this unpleasant?
The Beautiful Life - I never watched the show. Odds are you never watched the show. And you will never watch the show, as it has been cancelled after two episodes. So it wins the award for first show of the new season cancelled. Although really, they ought to amend that to "First Show of the New Season Cancelled on a Network Other than the CW."
Can someone explain to me why the CW still exists when "fringe" cable networks like TNT and AMC can produce shows like The Closer, Leverage, Mad Men and Breaking Bad which all draw more people than anything the CW has on the air?
Glee - When I don't want to punch it in the head for its "Very Special Moments", I'm laughing at its dark humour (a coach cutting off a pair of cheerleaders from tanning privileges for the semester after failing to sabotage Glee Club) or, God help me, really enjoying a cover of a Bell Biv Devoe song. I'm going to have a love/hate relationship with this show, but so far the love is winning.
Eastwick - Sticking close to the Witches of Eastwick movie with Paul Gross filling in as the Devil. It's pretty much going to be Desperate Housewives means Charmed, so if you like that sort of thing, go crazy. I like Gross from his time on Due South, so it's the only reason the show got a look. It likely won't get a second.
Cougar Town - God help me, I laughed several times when I caught the rebroadcast on Saturday. It felt deeply wrong. The show feels like a What if Chandler realized Monica was nuts and dumped her, she moved out south and magically acquired an easily humiliated 16 year old. Courtney Cox is essentially playing Monica again, but I laughed. There's funny bits in there. I may have to watch this again just to see if it can keep the momentum going.
Bones - Seemingly bouncing back from one of the most awful season finales I've ever seen. Cathy loves this more than I do. I'm finding the formula a bit repetitive at this point. I get the feeling if it lasts, Castle is going to look something like this in five years time. How long can they keep the "will they/won't they" between the two of them going? It doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
Fringe - The new season had me hooked the instant a shape changing assassin walks into a special room with nothing but a typewriter and a mirror. He types, it's reflected in the mirror. Then an answer is typed on his keyboard from....somewhere.
Fringe is pretty much deeply accepting its inner X-Files this season, what with the second episode about a doctor who performed genetic experiment on his unborn son years ago using scorpions so the baby could survive even though his wife had lupus. So we have Scorpion Boy digging around in rural Pennsylvania killing people. Oh yes, bring it on, you glorious weirdos. Give me more.
FlashForward - You know exactly what you're getting a few minutes in when the show's creators stick a sign up for Oceanic Airlines in the background of a scene. Yes, if you liked Lost, you'll like this. The thing is, Lost lost me in the second season, when it just started getting ridiculous. And I fear FlashForward could be another one of these silly and needlessly complicated shows. And my brain only has room for so much of that.
It's a great premiere, don't get me wrong. The confusion and chaos works well. How people handle their visions of the future is intriguing. So we'll see if I can catch it, but with it being up against Bones, unless it's a rebroadcast, I suspect the show is going to slip out of my grasp pretty quick.
The Mentalist - My problem with the show is the lead is interesting as a damaged man, but the rest of the cast is as exciting as watching paint dry. And really, there's only so many geniuses who are so far ahead of their colleagues shows you can watch at once.
Numb3rs Ah, good old reliable Numb3rs. I can go months without watching it, step back in and know pretty much only a little has changed, that math will somehow save the day and the characters are shallow, but still entertaining. It's the perfect show to watch when there's nothing else on.
And there you go...the season so far. The Amazing Race is this evening, and I'm looking forward to that. I'll update if any other show catches my eye as the season goes on.
Last Five
1. You can call me Al - Paul Simon
2. Lawyers in love - Joe Jackson
3. C'mon - Blue Rodeo
4. Vow - Garbage*
5. Down among the wine and spirits - Elvis Costello
House - It was a pretty good season premiere, but certainly having an actor of the calibre of Andre Braugher to work with helps. I'm disappointed that he doesn't appear to be an occasional guest star for the rest of the season. I hope that changes, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
The thing is, House has done "changes" before and they never seem to stick. They manage to find a way to bring it back to the status quo. Well, I'm hoping this does stick. House is off drugs, his pain seems to be under control and he acknowledges that he's tired of being miserable and wants to be happy. The show ought to change from this. And it needs to, especially given how bad the last half of Season 5 was. So here's hoping, because my patience for the show is running a little thin.
Castle - All right, I have to admit it, I have a bit of a man crush on Nathan Fillion. I wish he was still working on Firefly, but that's not happening. Castle is as light as air, but it always makes me smile. The chemistry between Castle and Beckett is also holding up nicely.
NCIS: Los Angeles - I'm sure it'll be fine, but much like I can only watch one CSI at a time. Besides, when your big character development is that one of the leads doesn't know his first name because he was abandoned as a kid, it just screams of the writers trying too hard.
The Good Wife - Look I will grant you that Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth can act and the premise of the show, a woman going back to practicing law to provide for their family after the husband gets caught in a sex scandal, is intriguing. But God, I just don't know if I have it in me to watch that week in and week out. It's a TV movie, maybe. But a full year or even years of that? No thanks.
The Forgotten - I'd comment on the show except A. I watched 10 minutes of it and was bored and B. Christian Slater looks like he's bored and C. I fully expect it to be cancelled in a few weeks. Is Slater that hard up for cash that he keeps doing this crap?
Mercy - I actually caught the rebroadcast on Saturday night. Again, the idea of a nurse who served in the Iraq War coming back to the US and trying to work in a New York hospital even though she's pretty messed up is intriguing. But the first episode was unpleasant people being unpleasant to people and thinking they're being funny while masking their inner pain. Again, if you want to be entertained for an hour, why would you watch something this unpleasant?
The Beautiful Life - I never watched the show. Odds are you never watched the show. And you will never watch the show, as it has been cancelled after two episodes. So it wins the award for first show of the new season cancelled. Although really, they ought to amend that to "First Show of the New Season Cancelled on a Network Other than the CW."
Can someone explain to me why the CW still exists when "fringe" cable networks like TNT and AMC can produce shows like The Closer, Leverage, Mad Men and Breaking Bad which all draw more people than anything the CW has on the air?
Glee - When I don't want to punch it in the head for its "Very Special Moments", I'm laughing at its dark humour (a coach cutting off a pair of cheerleaders from tanning privileges for the semester after failing to sabotage Glee Club) or, God help me, really enjoying a cover of a Bell Biv Devoe song. I'm going to have a love/hate relationship with this show, but so far the love is winning.
Eastwick - Sticking close to the Witches of Eastwick movie with Paul Gross filling in as the Devil. It's pretty much going to be Desperate Housewives means Charmed, so if you like that sort of thing, go crazy. I like Gross from his time on Due South, so it's the only reason the show got a look. It likely won't get a second.
Cougar Town - God help me, I laughed several times when I caught the rebroadcast on Saturday. It felt deeply wrong. The show feels like a What if Chandler realized Monica was nuts and dumped her, she moved out south and magically acquired an easily humiliated 16 year old. Courtney Cox is essentially playing Monica again, but I laughed. There's funny bits in there. I may have to watch this again just to see if it can keep the momentum going.
Bones - Seemingly bouncing back from one of the most awful season finales I've ever seen. Cathy loves this more than I do. I'm finding the formula a bit repetitive at this point. I get the feeling if it lasts, Castle is going to look something like this in five years time. How long can they keep the "will they/won't they" between the two of them going? It doesn't appear to be ending any time soon.
Fringe - The new season had me hooked the instant a shape changing assassin walks into a special room with nothing but a typewriter and a mirror. He types, it's reflected in the mirror. Then an answer is typed on his keyboard from....somewhere.
Fringe is pretty much deeply accepting its inner X-Files this season, what with the second episode about a doctor who performed genetic experiment on his unborn son years ago using scorpions so the baby could survive even though his wife had lupus. So we have Scorpion Boy digging around in rural Pennsylvania killing people. Oh yes, bring it on, you glorious weirdos. Give me more.
FlashForward - You know exactly what you're getting a few minutes in when the show's creators stick a sign up for Oceanic Airlines in the background of a scene. Yes, if you liked Lost, you'll like this. The thing is, Lost lost me in the second season, when it just started getting ridiculous. And I fear FlashForward could be another one of these silly and needlessly complicated shows. And my brain only has room for so much of that.
It's a great premiere, don't get me wrong. The confusion and chaos works well. How people handle their visions of the future is intriguing. So we'll see if I can catch it, but with it being up against Bones, unless it's a rebroadcast, I suspect the show is going to slip out of my grasp pretty quick.
The Mentalist - My problem with the show is the lead is interesting as a damaged man, but the rest of the cast is as exciting as watching paint dry. And really, there's only so many geniuses who are so far ahead of their colleagues shows you can watch at once.
Numb3rs Ah, good old reliable Numb3rs. I can go months without watching it, step back in and know pretty much only a little has changed, that math will somehow save the day and the characters are shallow, but still entertaining. It's the perfect show to watch when there's nothing else on.
And there you go...the season so far. The Amazing Race is this evening, and I'm looking forward to that. I'll update if any other show catches my eye as the season goes on.
Last Five
1. You can call me Al - Paul Simon
2. Lawyers in love - Joe Jackson
3. C'mon - Blue Rodeo
4. Vow - Garbage*
5. Down among the wine and spirits - Elvis Costello
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Ahhhh, Fall
So a couple of weeks ago it started to snow on Labour Day weekend. Now, this really shouldn't have caught me off-guard. Snow happens up here. We live in arctic. Snow is not exactly an unusual occurrence. I think the only month we can reliably not expect to get some snow in this part of the world is July. And even then, I wouldn't want to take bets on that happening.
Still, there was some whining, angsting and general bitching and moaning. Parts of Ontario were getting a late season heatwave; we were getting flurries.
However, a good friend of mine in town put it in perspective. Apparently tiring of the general freaking out taking place among Iqaluitmuit on Facebook and Twitter that day did a collective slap across the face and told people to "get the fuck over it."
Which, you know, fair point. It was just a few flurries, after all. It melted quickly enough. I figured it was going to be Thanksgiving at least before we saw any significant snowfall actually stick around. Hell, it's not unheard of for the snow to hold off staying around until November. No need to freak out.
Besides, there's the Iqaluit Early Warning System when it comes to snow. Generally, you look to the hills off on the other side of the bay. When the tops of them are covered with snow for a few days, you can give yourself two weeks, give or take a few days, before you know you're going to get snow that's sticking around until June.
Yeah, so much for plans. It started snowing Thursday night and next thing you know on Friday, we're getting a heavy snowfall warning. And the winds are kicking up nicely so there is a genuinely unpleasant day happening outside.
Then we wake up this morning to a winter wonderland. Probably about 15 cm of snow. There's a drift where the truck was parked over night. This is the view from our windows.
.jpg)
Oh well, at least one member of the household seemed to enjoy the return of the snow.
.jpg)
And just because I had the camera and was feeling artsy, one more. I suspect a few boats might be pulled out of the water this weekend.
.jpg)
It could melt in a few days, of course. It's milder today and getting slushier. But I don't think it's all going to go. So welcome to the view out my window until June. Well, except the bay is going to start to freeze at some point in the next few weeks, of course.
So for those of you down south grousing about temperatures dropping below 10C.....bite me.
Last Five
1. Lucid dreams - Franz Ferdinand
2. Stepping out - Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies
3. Of angels and angles - The Decemberists
4. Let down - Radiohead*
5. Burma-shave - Tom Waits
Still, there was some whining, angsting and general bitching and moaning. Parts of Ontario were getting a late season heatwave; we were getting flurries.
However, a good friend of mine in town put it in perspective. Apparently tiring of the general freaking out taking place among Iqaluitmuit on Facebook and Twitter that day did a collective slap across the face and told people to "get the fuck over it."
Which, you know, fair point. It was just a few flurries, after all. It melted quickly enough. I figured it was going to be Thanksgiving at least before we saw any significant snowfall actually stick around. Hell, it's not unheard of for the snow to hold off staying around until November. No need to freak out.
Besides, there's the Iqaluit Early Warning System when it comes to snow. Generally, you look to the hills off on the other side of the bay. When the tops of them are covered with snow for a few days, you can give yourself two weeks, give or take a few days, before you know you're going to get snow that's sticking around until June.
Yeah, so much for plans. It started snowing Thursday night and next thing you know on Friday, we're getting a heavy snowfall warning. And the winds are kicking up nicely so there is a genuinely unpleasant day happening outside.
Then we wake up this morning to a winter wonderland. Probably about 15 cm of snow. There's a drift where the truck was parked over night. This is the view from our windows.
.jpg)
Oh well, at least one member of the household seemed to enjoy the return of the snow.
.jpg)
And just because I had the camera and was feeling artsy, one more. I suspect a few boats might be pulled out of the water this weekend.
.jpg)
It could melt in a few days, of course. It's milder today and getting slushier. But I don't think it's all going to go. So welcome to the view out my window until June. Well, except the bay is going to start to freeze at some point in the next few weeks, of course.
So for those of you down south grousing about temperatures dropping below 10C.....bite me.
Last Five
1. Lucid dreams - Franz Ferdinand
2. Stepping out - Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies
3. Of angels and angles - The Decemberists
4. Let down - Radiohead*
5. Burma-shave - Tom Waits
Friday, September 25, 2009
No house for you
So I've hinted there were things a brewing up here the past week, adding to the general feeling of chaos. And I guess now I can tell the tale.
We nearly bought a house. Nearly. And it certainly wasn't from lack of trying on our part on why we don't have one right now.
I mentioned last week that a friend of mine had sent me a poster for the house her and her husband were trying to sell. On a lark, Cathy and I decided to go down and see the house on Saturday. We honestly weren't in the market for a house. Cathy's been getting itchy feet the last few months, but we figured it was going to be the spring before we started doing some serious sniffing around for one.
But we went and looked at their place on Saturday. While I won't say it was love at first sight, we fell surprisingly head over heels for the place. It wasn't perfect, no house is. Cathy could certainly make a solid of list of things she was going to fix or change. However, the couple had already put a lot of work in the house over the past few years. The outside might not have looked like much, but the inside was very nice. Plus, it had a view of the bay, a fireplace, a library and a deck. Oh, and it was in nice neighbourhood and on the Utilador, which is a big bonus. I don't really fancy having water delivered and sewage removed if I can help it when we buy a house. I know simply too many people who have had problems.
The place was also about 25 years old. Which I liked, actually. I've heard horror stories about some of the new houses built in Iqaluit. About how they were built too quickly or not on solid enough ground so after a few years there's massive cracks happening in the ceiling or walls as the foundation shifts. This place was solid.
So we came home and looked at each other in shock because trying to buy a house was not on the list of things to do. First of all, we knew nothing about how to go about doing this. Thus began a crash course that weekend on mortgages and how to buy a house without looking like an idiot and getting taken for a ride.
Then we had to figure out how to do an Offer to Purchase, worry about lawyers, find the money for a downpayment and get into a bank. For that matter, there is the little matter of me being unemployed. Cathy is making good money, but I didn't think it was a lock to give us the money with only one salary.
Finally, we knew there was a lot of interest in the place. The other thing that drew us was the price. At $360,000 it might seem like an insane amount of money for some, but in Iqaluit, that's very reasonable. The couple was also just trying to sell the house on their own. No Realtor. Nor did they want a bidding war. They just wanted to sell their house with as little fuss as possible.
The first hiccup was one that I should have expected given that we live in Nunavut. I went to our bank - CIBC - to make an appointment with their mortgage specialist. However, it seems she was away on vacation. Now, I don't begrudge someone going on vacation. Apparently it was her first in three years. However, they didn't have anyone at the branch who could cover her duties. So while she was away, the bank could not do mortgages.
I've banked with CIBC for 35 years. Now I'm beginning to wonder if giving them my money is such a bright idea when you can't plan to have someone cover off your only mortgage specialist so the poor woman can go on vacation.
Idiots.
So we had to go to Royal Bank. But they couldn't meet us until Tuesday. And because of that, we were essentially too late. By the time we got the financing - Royal Bank gave us just a silly amount of money - and got our offer in, someone had put in a similar one ahead of us. So the couple decided to go with that one.
So that was disappointing. I think they did it in a very fair manner, it's just the way these things go sometimes. I told Cathy the odds of buying the very first house we've ever looked at as a couple was astronomical. But we really did start to think we had a chance. We were planning a housewarming/Christmas part in December.
And then poof. Ah well.
So what did we learn from this experience?
1. Apparently we can get a huge amount of money from banks with no problem.
2. It was reassuring to know we could whip up a $70,000+ downpayment pretty easily. Nice to know we've been doing more than travelling around the world and buying lots of books over the past four years.
3. I now have a better idea of what an Offer to Purchase is and I'm not quite so fearful of it if we have to do another one.
4. We have the names of several lawyers should we need them in the future.
5. At least we know now what we're looking for in a house. We would like a view. We want to be on the Utilador. We would prefer a house five years or older so we have an idea if there's going to be problems with the place. We want a balcony. And, you know, a little bit of quirkiness. It was nice to look at a house that was obviously not Plan #32456 from some housing plan book.
Anyway, we're back to the waiting game. Things might change, but I suspect we'll start looking again around March or April. Still, it was an interesting experience to go through, even if it didn't end the way we had hoped.
Last Five
1. Dancing in the street - Van Halen
2. Scenes from an Italian restaurant - Billy Joel
3. Deep blue sea - Grizzly Bear
4. Search and destroy - Peaches
5. Better than this - Keane
We nearly bought a house. Nearly. And it certainly wasn't from lack of trying on our part on why we don't have one right now.
I mentioned last week that a friend of mine had sent me a poster for the house her and her husband were trying to sell. On a lark, Cathy and I decided to go down and see the house on Saturday. We honestly weren't in the market for a house. Cathy's been getting itchy feet the last few months, but we figured it was going to be the spring before we started doing some serious sniffing around for one.
But we went and looked at their place on Saturday. While I won't say it was love at first sight, we fell surprisingly head over heels for the place. It wasn't perfect, no house is. Cathy could certainly make a solid of list of things she was going to fix or change. However, the couple had already put a lot of work in the house over the past few years. The outside might not have looked like much, but the inside was very nice. Plus, it had a view of the bay, a fireplace, a library and a deck. Oh, and it was in nice neighbourhood and on the Utilador, which is a big bonus. I don't really fancy having water delivered and sewage removed if I can help it when we buy a house. I know simply too many people who have had problems.
The place was also about 25 years old. Which I liked, actually. I've heard horror stories about some of the new houses built in Iqaluit. About how they were built too quickly or not on solid enough ground so after a few years there's massive cracks happening in the ceiling or walls as the foundation shifts. This place was solid.
So we came home and looked at each other in shock because trying to buy a house was not on the list of things to do. First of all, we knew nothing about how to go about doing this. Thus began a crash course that weekend on mortgages and how to buy a house without looking like an idiot and getting taken for a ride.
Then we had to figure out how to do an Offer to Purchase, worry about lawyers, find the money for a downpayment and get into a bank. For that matter, there is the little matter of me being unemployed. Cathy is making good money, but I didn't think it was a lock to give us the money with only one salary.
Finally, we knew there was a lot of interest in the place. The other thing that drew us was the price. At $360,000 it might seem like an insane amount of money for some, but in Iqaluit, that's very reasonable. The couple was also just trying to sell the house on their own. No Realtor. Nor did they want a bidding war. They just wanted to sell their house with as little fuss as possible.
The first hiccup was one that I should have expected given that we live in Nunavut. I went to our bank - CIBC - to make an appointment with their mortgage specialist. However, it seems she was away on vacation. Now, I don't begrudge someone going on vacation. Apparently it was her first in three years. However, they didn't have anyone at the branch who could cover her duties. So while she was away, the bank could not do mortgages.
I've banked with CIBC for 35 years. Now I'm beginning to wonder if giving them my money is such a bright idea when you can't plan to have someone cover off your only mortgage specialist so the poor woman can go on vacation.
Idiots.
So we had to go to Royal Bank. But they couldn't meet us until Tuesday. And because of that, we were essentially too late. By the time we got the financing - Royal Bank gave us just a silly amount of money - and got our offer in, someone had put in a similar one ahead of us. So the couple decided to go with that one.
So that was disappointing. I think they did it in a very fair manner, it's just the way these things go sometimes. I told Cathy the odds of buying the very first house we've ever looked at as a couple was astronomical. But we really did start to think we had a chance. We were planning a housewarming/Christmas part in December.
And then poof. Ah well.
So what did we learn from this experience?
1. Apparently we can get a huge amount of money from banks with no problem.
2. It was reassuring to know we could whip up a $70,000+ downpayment pretty easily. Nice to know we've been doing more than travelling around the world and buying lots of books over the past four years.
3. I now have a better idea of what an Offer to Purchase is and I'm not quite so fearful of it if we have to do another one.
4. We have the names of several lawyers should we need them in the future.
5. At least we know now what we're looking for in a house. We would like a view. We want to be on the Utilador. We would prefer a house five years or older so we have an idea if there's going to be problems with the place. We want a balcony. And, you know, a little bit of quirkiness. It was nice to look at a house that was obviously not Plan #32456 from some housing plan book.
Anyway, we're back to the waiting game. Things might change, but I suspect we'll start looking again around March or April. Still, it was an interesting experience to go through, even if it didn't end the way we had hoped.
Last Five
1. Dancing in the street - Van Halen
2. Scenes from an Italian restaurant - Billy Joel
3. Deep blue sea - Grizzly Bear
4. Search and destroy - Peaches
5. Better than this - Keane
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Three stories
Today's been very much one of those days where I've not been completely certain what to write about. For that matter, even though it's not the nicest day in the world out, I decided I was going a bit batty inside and went for a couple of long walks with the dog. Normally a good walk kind of helps me crystallize any thoughts I have rattling around my head for a blog post.
Not so much today.
Granted, part of that is my thoughts are back home as my grandfather is being buried today. So I can be forgiven a bit for that. Still, the blog is a hungry beast and I try to feed it every day whenever I can.
And so, like a trio of archangels, three of my friends either mailed me links, or put them up on Facebook that gave me ideas. So thank you Sara, Ron and Simon for helping to save the day.
Sara contributed this fascinating story about the only woman to ever serve with the French Foreign Legion. And it is, remarkably, not even close to the most interesting thing she did in her life. Certainly worth a read.
Then Ron sent me a link to the story that I'm sure everyone is talking about in Newfoundland today - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is spending the night in St. John's on his way back from New York. I have no earthly idea why he can't just hop on a plane from New York to Libya, but there you go. Your surreal moment of the year.
Now, the cheap joke is that Gadhafi could also meet with the Premier Danny Williams and get some tips on being a dictator. I'm willing to bet I'm not even the 1,000th person today to have even had that passing thought. And lord knows I've had my problems with the premier and the way he chooses to do things. But that's a low blow by nearly any standard. Although I did read some quips about Danny having an opening in his cabinet...
It's just deeply weird. Not as weird as when Joel Smallwood and Geoff Sterling went to Cuba to meet Castro, but still pretty odd.
And finally, this last item was on Facebook. It read like something from The Muse, but I can't find a story on their site about it. And that is MUNSU, the student union at Memorial University of Newfoundland, lost an absolutely mindblowing $100,000 on the recent Snoop Dogg concert.
I'm quoting from Christopher Bruce, who I think is a member of the council. These are the numbers on the show:
- The event cost $288,000 to put off
- We lost $106, 648 +/- 5, 000 (some money has yet to come back in)
- 50% of the tickets were sold, or, 2,560 tickets
- 1,000 comps were given out
- $10,000 was paid to get Snoop Dogg to come to the bar for "no less than 60 min"
Once upon a blue moon I served on the student council at MUN. Back then it was called the CSU - Council of the Students Union - and I spent a year as Arts Rep. I recall we lost $20,000 on a 54-40 show and I thought we were going to be all hung from the ceiling of the gym on the second floor of the TSC. I can't conceive of standing before the council or the student body, given the shaky finances of the council over the years and go "ummm, we just lost $100,000 on bring up a washed-up and dubiously talented stoned rap star who only played for an hour (so I've heard).
I would be looking to embezzle any money they have left over to book a ticket out of the country. Then again, Gadhafi is going to be in town next week. Perhaps they can hitch a ride to Libya.
Last Five
1. Sailor's rest (live) - Stan Rogers
2. Won't get fooled again - The Who
3. All at once - The Fray
4. Come together - The Beatles*
5. Please forgive me - David Grey
Not so much today.
Granted, part of that is my thoughts are back home as my grandfather is being buried today. So I can be forgiven a bit for that. Still, the blog is a hungry beast and I try to feed it every day whenever I can.
And so, like a trio of archangels, three of my friends either mailed me links, or put them up on Facebook that gave me ideas. So thank you Sara, Ron and Simon for helping to save the day.
Sara contributed this fascinating story about the only woman to ever serve with the French Foreign Legion. And it is, remarkably, not even close to the most interesting thing she did in her life. Certainly worth a read.
Then Ron sent me a link to the story that I'm sure everyone is talking about in Newfoundland today - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is spending the night in St. John's on his way back from New York. I have no earthly idea why he can't just hop on a plane from New York to Libya, but there you go. Your surreal moment of the year.
Now, the cheap joke is that Gadhafi could also meet with the Premier Danny Williams and get some tips on being a dictator. I'm willing to bet I'm not even the 1,000th person today to have even had that passing thought. And lord knows I've had my problems with the premier and the way he chooses to do things. But that's a low blow by nearly any standard. Although I did read some quips about Danny having an opening in his cabinet...
It's just deeply weird. Not as weird as when Joel Smallwood and Geoff Sterling went to Cuba to meet Castro, but still pretty odd.
And finally, this last item was on Facebook. It read like something from The Muse, but I can't find a story on their site about it. And that is MUNSU, the student union at Memorial University of Newfoundland, lost an absolutely mindblowing $100,000 on the recent Snoop Dogg concert.
I'm quoting from Christopher Bruce, who I think is a member of the council. These are the numbers on the show:
- The event cost $288,000 to put off
- We lost $106, 648 +/- 5, 000 (some money has yet to come back in)
- 50% of the tickets were sold, or, 2,560 tickets
- 1,000 comps were given out
- $10,000 was paid to get Snoop Dogg to come to the bar for "no less than 60 min"
Once upon a blue moon I served on the student council at MUN. Back then it was called the CSU - Council of the Students Union - and I spent a year as Arts Rep. I recall we lost $20,000 on a 54-40 show and I thought we were going to be all hung from the ceiling of the gym on the second floor of the TSC. I can't conceive of standing before the council or the student body, given the shaky finances of the council over the years and go "ummm, we just lost $100,000 on bring up a washed-up and dubiously talented stoned rap star who only played for an hour (so I've heard).
I would be looking to embezzle any money they have left over to book a ticket out of the country. Then again, Gadhafi is going to be in town next week. Perhaps they can hitch a ride to Libya.
Last Five
1. Sailor's rest (live) - Stan Rogers
2. Won't get fooled again - The Who
3. All at once - The Fray
4. Come together - The Beatles*
5. Please forgive me - David Grey
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