Friday, August 19, 2005
You can never be too cautious, but...
it definitely had me thinking about those "what have you got in your wallet" commercials.
What would they have done if it was someone's trousers that was ticking?
Print Story: Diaper sparks bomb alert on Yahoo! News
What would they have done if it was someone's trousers that was ticking?
Print Story: Diaper sparks bomb alert on Yahoo! News
What would you do?
I know for a fact that my DW would have been hoping mad and ready to rip everyone a new one at the company. I think I would have too but I do see a bit of humour in it all. Having worked on both sides of the support phone call, I have a different perspective. In the end though, the employees were fired and deservedly so. It is one thing to do that internally; it is just plain stupid, and a highly visible CEM, to have it go public.
I hate to admit though, the more I read Jeff's name, the more I laughed.
Ciao.
Print Story: Woman Gets Cable Bill With Derogatory Name on Yahoo! News
I hate to admit though, the more I read Jeff's name, the more I laughed.
Ciao.
Print Story: Woman Gets Cable Bill With Derogatory Name on Yahoo! News
I had to rethink this blog post.
You see, I was all ready to make a quick quip about the uselessness of a single nun praying but then as I read the article through something more came to mind.
As a Roman Catholic (lay would be kind, how about millennial?), it never fails to make me marvel at the hypocrisy that still abounds in the Christian faithful. As I asked my uncle one day, a preacher in Trinidad, when he was on one of his religious rants, why are we right? Every religion is based on a belief, faith as it were, with not a shred of solid proof that can say without a reasonable doubt that it is as one believes. We may have a leg up because the Christians and the Jews basically believe in one God (or Yahweh), while the Muslims acknoweldge Christ as a prophet I believe. So, why are we right?
Simply saying "because we are" or "we believe" is no longer good enough. The extremists "believe" yet everyone outside of their twisted, misguided group believe that they are horribly wrong. What gives us that extra something to make us right? The answer is that we are as right as the Jews, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Mormons, the whatevers. We are right because we believe in what we believe in. I will not begrudge anybody that right.
My problem is, when we know we are wrong, when something is wrong, why are we not equally as passionate, as willing to step forward and put our name and face into the limelight. We "believe" that whatever is wrong should stop happening but we do nothing or little to prevent or stop it.
My dear nun in England sits vigil outside of a catherdral because a movie she does not want made is being filmed. Little boys and girls are being molested by people in authority (not just priests). Will we be seeing an article next week when she learns the local pastor has been didling the town folk. I would bet my non-existent fortune that the answer would be no. And therein lies the hyprocrisy. Do as I say, not as I do.
You just cannot have it both ways.
Peace.
Print Story: Nun prays in protest at "Da Vinci Code" film on Yahoo! News
As a Roman Catholic (lay would be kind, how about millennial?), it never fails to make me marvel at the hypocrisy that still abounds in the Christian faithful. As I asked my uncle one day, a preacher in Trinidad, when he was on one of his religious rants, why are we right? Every religion is based on a belief, faith as it were, with not a shred of solid proof that can say without a reasonable doubt that it is as one believes. We may have a leg up because the Christians and the Jews basically believe in one God (or Yahweh), while the Muslims acknoweldge Christ as a prophet I believe. So, why are we right?
Simply saying "because we are" or "we believe" is no longer good enough. The extremists "believe" yet everyone outside of their twisted, misguided group believe that they are horribly wrong. What gives us that extra something to make us right? The answer is that we are as right as the Jews, the Muslims, the Hindus, the Mormons, the whatevers. We are right because we believe in what we believe in. I will not begrudge anybody that right.
My problem is, when we know we are wrong, when something is wrong, why are we not equally as passionate, as willing to step forward and put our name and face into the limelight. We "believe" that whatever is wrong should stop happening but we do nothing or little to prevent or stop it.
My dear nun in England sits vigil outside of a catherdral because a movie she does not want made is being filmed. Little boys and girls are being molested by people in authority (not just priests). Will we be seeing an article next week when she learns the local pastor has been didling the town folk. I would bet my non-existent fortune that the answer would be no. And therein lies the hyprocrisy. Do as I say, not as I do.
You just cannot have it both ways.
Peace.
Print Story: Nun prays in protest at "Da Vinci Code" film on Yahoo! News
It's about time...
everyone knows I prefer a clean brothel!
Print Story: Tourist magnet Tijuana cleans up brothels on Yahoo! News
Print Story: Tourist magnet Tijuana cleans up brothels on Yahoo! News
How stupid do you have to be?
He may not have tried to kill himself, intentionally or not, but for the share stupidity of it all, he deserves an honorable mention in the Darwin awards.
Print Story: Drug dealer must forfeit lottery winnings on Yahoo! News
Print Story: Drug dealer must forfeit lottery winnings on Yahoo! News
Thursday, August 18, 2005
ThinkGeek :: I see dumb people.
Hmmm. Mossy, if I wore this to work, do you think the dumb people would get that I was talking about them?
ThinkGeek :: I see dumb people.
ThinkGeek :: I see dumb people.
ThinkGeek :: Surefire Slingshot
Foam balls?!?!?! Dammit. Some necessary modifications on this contraption must ensue.
ThinkGeek :: Surefire Slingshot
ThinkGeek :: Surefire Slingshot
ThinkGeek :: TV-B-Gone
How to guarantee you get your ass kicked in my house? Bring one of these into it!
ThinkGeek :: TV-B-Gone
ThinkGeek :: TV-B-Gone
Monday, August 15, 2005
Welcome
As you can see to the right, there is a new link added today. I stumbled upon the site as he was logging in to MSN. So, with no further ado, please welcome and give soem bloggy love to Ryan Price.
Oh, and this is for Mossy especially, please check out my rant about the return of Todd Bertuzzi on Ryan's site. I invite all comments pro or against either view. Let's get it lively folks.
Ciao.
Oh, and this is for Mossy especially, please check out my rant about the return of Todd Bertuzzi on Ryan's site. I invite all comments pro or against either view. Let's get it lively folks.
Ciao.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Liquid Ass Storefront
Thanks to MsM for this little gem. The name says it all. I'll be picking up a case next week. :)
Liquid Ass Storefront
Liquid Ass Storefront
And the debate on racial profiling will continue....
Thanks to LB for pointing this out to me this morning. i have a few things to say about it later. For now, I have pasted the entire article here because you need to create an account at The Toronto Star if you want to read their articles. I already have, but I would understand why if you did not want to.
____________________
Aug. 10, 2005. 06:08 AM
RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR
Basil Jardine is suing Peel police, the force’s board and two officers for $3.5 million, claiming he was beaten by the pair who arrested him after a bank heist because he’s black like the robbers.
------------------------------
Man claims Peel police beating
TRACY HUFFMAN
CRIME REPORTER
Basil (Billy) Jardine just wanted to pay his credit card bill. But witnessing a bank robbery landed him in jail after being beaten by police and covered with blood from a broken nose, the Brampton man claims in a $3.5 million lawsuit against Peel Regional Police, its police services board and two officers, Const. D'Arcy North and a Sgt. Hackenbrook (whose first name was not used in the lawsuit).
The Lisa St. CIBC branch near Queen St. W. and Dixie Rd. in Brampton was busy with about a dozen customers on July 9, so Jardine called his girlfriend while he waited. When two masked men stormed in and robbed the bank, Jardine — who works at a Rexdale community centre running a youth arts program — complied with the demands of the robbers and dropped to the floor with the other customers and staff.
"There were kids in the bank. My first instinct was: Are they okay?" Jardine, 22, said in an interview with his lawyer, Selwyn Pieters, at his side. The robbers were in and out in less than a minute. Jardine said that at the request of another customer, he locked the bank door and waited with the others for police.
Police interviewed other witnesses and then Jardine. A witness in the bank had overheard his conversation with his girlfriend about the number of people in the bank and told police his behaviour was suspicious.
Jardine was asked by police to follow them to the back of the bank and he complied, followed the officers' order, he states in the claim.
"The plaintiff was assaulted by police officer Hackenbrook, told to put his hands behind his back and handcuffed. The plaintiff was not told the reason for his arrest," according to the claim.
None of the allegations in the suit has been proven in court. A spokesperson for Peel Regional Police acknowledged they had been served with the lawsuit but declined to comment.
Jardine said he has never been arrested or had negative dealings with the police until that day. "I've always worked with the police in my neighbourhood, ever since I was in Grade 9. I run a program for youth. We take walls that have been tagged, covered in graffiti, and I come with a design and we put a proper mural over them. ... I do this program with the police. Now I can't trust the police."
"The only characteristic that the plaintiff had in common with the bank robbers is skin colour," the claim states. "The plaintiff is a black male and the bank robbers are black males."
Jardine alleges in the claim "that he was subjected to impermissible racial profiling by officers Hackenbrook and North in violation of (his) Charter rights. ... Officer Hackenbrook and Officer North's use of the plaintiff's race to falsely link him to a crime that he was also a victim of was in bad faith, high-handed, malicious, oppressive and reprehensible."
Once arrested, Jardine claims North and Hackenbrook assaulted him in a van while on the way to the police station. One officer put him in a headlock, another grabbed and twisted his genitals and both punched him several times, Jardine says in the claim filed last week.
In the suit, Jardine claims a number of his Charter rights were breached and that he was tortured, sexually assaulted, subjected to excessive force and detained unnecessarily.
"Both officers punched the plaintiff in his ribs and back and banged his face into the floor of the van several times, causing an injury to the plaintiff's nose," the lawsuit states. The officers used Jardine's credit card statement to attempt to stop his nose from bleeding, he said.
Jardine claims Hackenbrook "was screaming and shouting at the plaintiff, demanding to know who did the bank robbery and claiming, `I know you know.'"
North "threatened the plaintiff variously with planting an ounce of cocaine and a replica handgun on him, and with shooting the plaintiff in the head and dumping his body in the lake," the lawsuit claims.
While at the station, Jardine claims he was interrogated for many hours, held in a cell without permission to make a phone call. He was released more than 12 hours after the robbery without charges. He was given a different shirt than the one he was wearing when he was taken into custody, he says. He asked the officers for his bloodstained shirt and his credit card bill.
"Officer Hackenbrook stated to the plaintiff, `You think I am stupid enough to let you leave the station with this bloody shirt?'" the statement claims. Jardine went to the hospital and was treated for a broken nose and injuries to his chest, face, arms, neck and back.
The police report concludes by saying:
"During the investigation, police received information from witnesses that the culprit who was inside the bank as a customer was acting suspicious before and after the robbery occurred.
"The culprit had also made a phone call, at which time a witness overheard the culprit state that there were 10 to 15 people inside the bank.
"The culprit then hung up the phone. Seconds later, the robbery occurred. The culprit also attempted to leave the bank after the robbery and was told to stay inside the bank by bank employees.
"Police arrested the culprit for robbery at 3:35 p.m.," the report says. "Rights to counsel and caution were read. The culprit was transported to 21 Division. After an extensive investigation, he was released unconditionally."
Pieters said he is hopeful the chief will order an internal affairs investigation into the officers' conduct. Jardine said his back has ached since the incident and he's had trouble working at the Elmbank Community Centre.
"I had to cancel an art program because of the back pain," Jardine said. "I had to cancel on the kids. They suffered too. They're out on the streets when they should be with me. That's not right."
TheStar.com - Man claims Peel police beating
____________________
Aug. 10, 2005. 06:08 AM
RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR
Basil Jardine is suing Peel police, the force’s board and two officers for $3.5 million, claiming he was beaten by the pair who arrested him after a bank heist because he’s black like the robbers.
------------------------------
Man claims Peel police beating
TRACY HUFFMAN
CRIME REPORTER
Basil (Billy) Jardine just wanted to pay his credit card bill. But witnessing a bank robbery landed him in jail after being beaten by police and covered with blood from a broken nose, the Brampton man claims in a $3.5 million lawsuit against Peel Regional Police, its police services board and two officers, Const. D'Arcy North and a Sgt. Hackenbrook (whose first name was not used in the lawsuit).
The Lisa St. CIBC branch near Queen St. W. and Dixie Rd. in Brampton was busy with about a dozen customers on July 9, so Jardine called his girlfriend while he waited. When two masked men stormed in and robbed the bank, Jardine — who works at a Rexdale community centre running a youth arts program — complied with the demands of the robbers and dropped to the floor with the other customers and staff.
"There were kids in the bank. My first instinct was: Are they okay?" Jardine, 22, said in an interview with his lawyer, Selwyn Pieters, at his side. The robbers were in and out in less than a minute. Jardine said that at the request of another customer, he locked the bank door and waited with the others for police.
Police interviewed other witnesses and then Jardine. A witness in the bank had overheard his conversation with his girlfriend about the number of people in the bank and told police his behaviour was suspicious.
Jardine was asked by police to follow them to the back of the bank and he complied, followed the officers' order, he states in the claim.
"The plaintiff was assaulted by police officer Hackenbrook, told to put his hands behind his back and handcuffed. The plaintiff was not told the reason for his arrest," according to the claim.
None of the allegations in the suit has been proven in court. A spokesperson for Peel Regional Police acknowledged they had been served with the lawsuit but declined to comment.
Jardine said he has never been arrested or had negative dealings with the police until that day. "I've always worked with the police in my neighbourhood, ever since I was in Grade 9. I run a program for youth. We take walls that have been tagged, covered in graffiti, and I come with a design and we put a proper mural over them. ... I do this program with the police. Now I can't trust the police."
"The only characteristic that the plaintiff had in common with the bank robbers is skin colour," the claim states. "The plaintiff is a black male and the bank robbers are black males."
Jardine alleges in the claim "that he was subjected to impermissible racial profiling by officers Hackenbrook and North in violation of (his) Charter rights. ... Officer Hackenbrook and Officer North's use of the plaintiff's race to falsely link him to a crime that he was also a victim of was in bad faith, high-handed, malicious, oppressive and reprehensible."
Once arrested, Jardine claims North and Hackenbrook assaulted him in a van while on the way to the police station. One officer put him in a headlock, another grabbed and twisted his genitals and both punched him several times, Jardine says in the claim filed last week.
In the suit, Jardine claims a number of his Charter rights were breached and that he was tortured, sexually assaulted, subjected to excessive force and detained unnecessarily.
"Both officers punched the plaintiff in his ribs and back and banged his face into the floor of the van several times, causing an injury to the plaintiff's nose," the lawsuit states. The officers used Jardine's credit card statement to attempt to stop his nose from bleeding, he said.
Jardine claims Hackenbrook "was screaming and shouting at the plaintiff, demanding to know who did the bank robbery and claiming, `I know you know.'"
North "threatened the plaintiff variously with planting an ounce of cocaine and a replica handgun on him, and with shooting the plaintiff in the head and dumping his body in the lake," the lawsuit claims.
While at the station, Jardine claims he was interrogated for many hours, held in a cell without permission to make a phone call. He was released more than 12 hours after the robbery without charges. He was given a different shirt than the one he was wearing when he was taken into custody, he says. He asked the officers for his bloodstained shirt and his credit card bill.
"Officer Hackenbrook stated to the plaintiff, `You think I am stupid enough to let you leave the station with this bloody shirt?'" the statement claims. Jardine went to the hospital and was treated for a broken nose and injuries to his chest, face, arms, neck and back.
The police report concludes by saying:
"During the investigation, police received information from witnesses that the culprit who was inside the bank as a customer was acting suspicious before and after the robbery occurred.
"The culprit had also made a phone call, at which time a witness overheard the culprit state that there were 10 to 15 people inside the bank.
"The culprit then hung up the phone. Seconds later, the robbery occurred. The culprit also attempted to leave the bank after the robbery and was told to stay inside the bank by bank employees.
"Police arrested the culprit for robbery at 3:35 p.m.," the report says. "Rights to counsel and caution were read. The culprit was transported to 21 Division. After an extensive investigation, he was released unconditionally."
Pieters said he is hopeful the chief will order an internal affairs investigation into the officers' conduct. Jardine said his back has ached since the incident and he's had trouble working at the Elmbank Community Centre.
"I had to cancel an art program because of the back pain," Jardine said. "I had to cancel on the kids. They suffered too. They're out on the streets when they should be with me. That's not right."
TheStar.com - Man claims Peel police beating
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Men do have trouble hearing women, scientists find - Yahoo! News
See, it is not our fault, it is a fact of nature.
Men do have trouble hearing women, scientists find - Yahoo! News
Men do have trouble hearing women, scientists find - Yahoo! News
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
How Much is Inside a Chevy Trailblazer?
I had reason to do some research online about TR and came across this interesting site about a contest involving the Chevy Trailblazer. It is pretty neat, IMHO, in how they went through the process to figure out the number of styrofoam balls that would fit into the vehicle in order to win one of eight being offered.
As a related note, my Roo would have more balls as it is bigger. Read what ever it is that you will into that Mossy. :)
How Much is Inside a Chevy Trailblazer?
As a related note, my Roo would have more balls as it is bigger. Read what ever it is that you will into that Mossy. :)
How Much is Inside a Chevy Trailblazer?
Monday, August 08, 2005
Mossy, brothers are we in time.
The last question was a real stumper. It took me as much time on that single question as to the entire rest of the quiz. Maybe it will spawn a separate post but for now, I am just glad to be a kick-ass character that is as easy to understand as I really am.
Stolen from Penny's Blog
I answered these questions on Penny's blog and now it is your turn. You don't have to be kind as I prefer brutally honest people. So, have at it.
--------------
1- Who are you?
2- How long have you known me?
3- Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
4- Describe me in one word.
5- What reminds you of me?
6- If you could give me anything what would it be?
7- Ever wanted to tell me something you couldn’t?
8- Are you going to put this on your blog and see what i can say about you?
9- What do you love like a kid loves cake?
10- What makes you come back here?
--------------
1- Who are you?
2- How long have you known me?
3- Give me a nickname and explain why you picked it.
4- Describe me in one word.
5- What reminds you of me?
6- If you could give me anything what would it be?
7- Ever wanted to tell me something you couldn’t?
8- Are you going to put this on your blog and see what i can say about you?
9- What do you love like a kid loves cake?
10- What makes you come back here?
Stolen from Mossy's blog.
Good Grief!!! Of all the characters I could be associated with, I get CB? Why not Linus? Or Schroeder? Or at least my man Snoopy?!?! Sigh. Life is just one big football constantly being pulled from in front my foot. :( At least I got to kick it when our daughter was born and when I married DW. :)
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
You are Charlie Brown!
Which Peanuts Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
the last thing we need is more talk; do something for f@@k sakes!!!
Toronto Police Service
News Release
Media Advisory, Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller will address the media on gun-related violence in Toronto, Monday, August 8, 2005, 4 p.m., Police headquarters, auditorium
Monday, August 8, 2005 - 1:28 PM
Corporate Communications
416-808-7100
Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller will address the media on gun-related violence in Toronto. The media conference will take place on Monday, August 8, 2005, 4 p.m., in the auditorium at police headquarters.
The briefing will be available on the Bell T.O.C. feed and in audio on the TPS website following the event.
Constable Isabelle Cotton, Corporate Communications, for Chief William Blair
News Release
Media Advisory, Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller will address the media on gun-related violence in Toronto, Monday, August 8, 2005, 4 p.m., Police headquarters, auditorium
Monday, August 8, 2005 - 1:28 PM
Corporate Communications
416-808-7100
Chief William Blair and Mayor David Miller will address the media on gun-related violence in Toronto. The media conference will take place on Monday, August 8, 2005, 4 p.m., in the auditorium at police headquarters.
The briefing will be available on the Bell T.O.C. feed and in audio on the TPS website following the event.
Constable Isabelle Cotton, Corporate Communications, for Chief William Blair
Project "Take time to check"
Toronto Police Service
News Release
Project "Take time to check"
Monday, August 8, 2005 - 10:30 AM
Traffic Services
416-808-1900
DID YOU KNOW:
One person a month is struck while exiting a streetcar.
TTC operators report up to 80 incidents a day where vehicles pass open doors of a streetcar.
Motorists can be fined $110 and receive three demerit points for passing open streetcar doors.
Access to Wheel Trans vehicles are routinely blocked by parked vehicles.
“The TTC plays a vital role in reducing the volume of traffic on our streets,” says Acting Superintendent Walter McCourt, head of Traffic Services. “It is essential that all road users work together to ensure a safe and orderly flow of traffic and provide the transit system with the priority attention it deserves."
On Monday, August 8, 2005, the Toronto Police Service, in partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), will undertake a one-week awareness, education and enforcement campaign entitled Project “Take Time to Check”. Officers will pay particular attention to infractions that impede public transit movement, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who commit offences in the vicinity of TTC bus stops, streetcar lines, HOV lanes, and Wheel Trans vehicles.
For more information on Project “Take Time to Check,” please contact Constable Lee Bishop at 416-808-1939 or Sergeant Brian Bowman at 416-808-1926.
Constable Isabelle Cotton, Corporate Communications, for Constable Barb Ryan, Traffic Services
News Release
Project "Take time to check"
Monday, August 8, 2005 - 10:30 AM
Traffic Services
416-808-1900
DID YOU KNOW:
One person a month is struck while exiting a streetcar.
TTC operators report up to 80 incidents a day where vehicles pass open doors of a streetcar.
Motorists can be fined $110 and receive three demerit points for passing open streetcar doors.
Access to Wheel Trans vehicles are routinely blocked by parked vehicles.
“The TTC plays a vital role in reducing the volume of traffic on our streets,” says Acting Superintendent Walter McCourt, head of Traffic Services. “It is essential that all road users work together to ensure a safe and orderly flow of traffic and provide the transit system with the priority attention it deserves."
On Monday, August 8, 2005, the Toronto Police Service, in partnership with the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), will undertake a one-week awareness, education and enforcement campaign entitled Project “Take Time to Check”. Officers will pay particular attention to infractions that impede public transit movement, including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians who commit offences in the vicinity of TTC bus stops, streetcar lines, HOV lanes, and Wheel Trans vehicles.
For more information on Project “Take Time to Check,” please contact Constable Lee Bishop at 416-808-1939 or Sergeant Brian Bowman at 416-808-1926.
Constable Isabelle Cotton, Corporate Communications, for Constable Barb Ryan, Traffic Services
You find ignorance in the most unlikely places.
I went looking for some support because my current BeyondTV setup now seems to want to tape with the sound on, which can be quite annoying. If I hit mute, then EVERYTHING gets muted so that defeats the purpose of having sound. Anyhow, so off I went to the snapstream site to research the answer to my issue. What I stumbled across I could not believe. It seemed to start off as an innocent request, but knowing how things work in America (sorry folks) one cannot think that it will not end up in a bad place. It will take a little while to read through the forum posts but it is worth a read to get an understanding how ideas can seem innocent but get really perverted really quickly (and I do not mean American Pie perverted, I mean twisted).
In a nutshell, a person wanted a way to not only skip commercials, but to skip any sex scenes in a program. Why, oh why, do Americans have this great aversion to sex but it is okay for every one to blow each other away with guns made in a country that loves to make guns? That fact is the perversion in the society, NOT Dennis Franz' ass!!!
Man, I am so tired of these puritan asswipes trying to change the world when if you checked their own little backyard, the skeletons that tumbled forth would bury us all. Have we forgotten Jimmy Swaggart? How about Jim Baker? Both of these men professed being vessels of God, pure believers that wanted to save their wayward flock, missionaries that wanted to clean up the filth of their followers. In the end, they were simply men, and women, that wanted a shortcut to the American (and others) dream of power and wealth and respect. In the end, they lost it all because the house of cards they built up, eventually caved in and crushed those aspirations.
Lecture me when you no longer live in a glass house yourself. Until such a time, F-O-A-D!!!
Nuff said.
SnapStream Media Online Forum - **Smart-Rating** This would really sell BTV !!!
In a nutshell, a person wanted a way to not only skip commercials, but to skip any sex scenes in a program. Why, oh why, do Americans have this great aversion to sex but it is okay for every one to blow each other away with guns made in a country that loves to make guns? That fact is the perversion in the society, NOT Dennis Franz' ass!!!
Man, I am so tired of these puritan asswipes trying to change the world when if you checked their own little backyard, the skeletons that tumbled forth would bury us all. Have we forgotten Jimmy Swaggart? How about Jim Baker? Both of these men professed being vessels of God, pure believers that wanted to save their wayward flock, missionaries that wanted to clean up the filth of their followers. In the end, they were simply men, and women, that wanted a shortcut to the American (and others) dream of power and wealth and respect. In the end, they lost it all because the house of cards they built up, eventually caved in and crushed those aspirations.
Lecture me when you no longer live in a glass house yourself. Until such a time, F-O-A-D!!!
Nuff said.
SnapStream Media Online Forum - **Smart-Rating** This would really sell BTV !!!
CANOE -- JAM! Television: 'Dr. Phil' gets 5-year extension
Whatever your views on reality TV per se and the various people that appear on them, we all can connect with certain figures that show up daily. Dr. Phil, for me, is one of those people. I know he rings sort of fake or packaged to a lot of folks but I really feel he WANTS to help the people that appear on his show. I would suggest that you look past the one hour daily show and concentrate on the specials that he does.
In the specials are where he shines because he can be as mean as he wants and needs to be and shock the participants awake to deal with the REAL issues that are holding them back in life or poisoning their life. I saw some very revealing things in a show once that forced me to look at things in my own life with a new set of glasses. It rarely is the pretty things that we discover; it is the other stuff that we need to see in a new light.
Anyhow, I like him, have bought a couple of the books and I think he is one of the good things on TV today.
Ciao.
CANOE -- JAM! Television: 'Dr. Phil' gets 5-year extension
In the specials are where he shines because he can be as mean as he wants and needs to be and shock the participants awake to deal with the REAL issues that are holding them back in life or poisoning their life. I saw some very revealing things in a show once that forced me to look at things in my own life with a new set of glasses. It rarely is the pretty things that we discover; it is the other stuff that we need to see in a new light.
Anyhow, I like him, have bought a couple of the books and I think he is one of the good things on TV today.
Ciao.
CANOE -- JAM! Television: 'Dr. Phil' gets 5-year extension
Some "reality" is definitely needed.
I may get into some things later on depending on my mood, but suffice it to say that I understand some of this stuff firsthand. And no matter what show, or host or so-called expert comes up with, people have to remember that kids are a constant learning tablet and they tend to turn out the way they do 99% of the time due to the influence, or lack thereof, of people and things around them.
Specific to this article, it is yet another example of what's wrong on this side of the pond. Why do people moan and groan about how their kids are at teen age when it was in their power to make that difference before they got there? I am so tired of the "I don't know how they got this way" bloody cop out of an excuse. If you don't know, then by definition you are the quintessential example of the absentee parent. You may be in the house, but you have not a frickin' clue what goes on in there. Just look at the sorry cases of the Columbine parents. I'd like to think that if my kids were building f@@king bombs in the basement, I'd have an inkling of that. They may get the process started, but for it to remain undetected, I'd not be doing my job.
And yes, that job includes a certain level of invasion of privacy. If you think that that goes to far, well, I will only say more power to you and we may see you on the talk show circuit in the near future as you try damage control on what little Joe or Jane did the week before. If you don't know what is being brought into your house, you may end up wondering why those thugs was shooting it up last night (because little Joe shortchanged Buddy large for the stash given him last week). We need to know what the heck is going on with them. Surprises typically don't affect only the person in the soup; the soup bowl gets larger all the time.
So, maybe you are not comfortable to do as Chris Rock said and beat the hell outta your kids, but at least do more than sitting back and being uninvolved in the type of person they are going to become. You owe them that, you won't be able to complain about them if you do not, and (as the reality TV shows show) the world contains enough brats!
Peace.
CANOE -- JAM! - 'Brat Camp' teen faces charges
Specific to this article, it is yet another example of what's wrong on this side of the pond. Why do people moan and groan about how their kids are at teen age when it was in their power to make that difference before they got there? I am so tired of the "I don't know how they got this way" bloody cop out of an excuse. If you don't know, then by definition you are the quintessential example of the absentee parent. You may be in the house, but you have not a frickin' clue what goes on in there. Just look at the sorry cases of the Columbine parents. I'd like to think that if my kids were building f@@king bombs in the basement, I'd have an inkling of that. They may get the process started, but for it to remain undetected, I'd not be doing my job.
And yes, that job includes a certain level of invasion of privacy. If you think that that goes to far, well, I will only say more power to you and we may see you on the talk show circuit in the near future as you try damage control on what little Joe or Jane did the week before. If you don't know what is being brought into your house, you may end up wondering why those thugs was shooting it up last night (because little Joe shortchanged Buddy large for the stash given him last week). We need to know what the heck is going on with them. Surprises typically don't affect only the person in the soup; the soup bowl gets larger all the time.
So, maybe you are not comfortable to do as Chris Rock said and beat the hell outta your kids, but at least do more than sitting back and being uninvolved in the type of person they are going to become. You owe them that, you won't be able to complain about them if you do not, and (as the reality TV shows show) the world contains enough brats!
Peace.
CANOE -- JAM! - 'Brat Camp' teen faces charges
Friday, August 05, 2005
Today's Recipe
Recipe Print Preview - Robin Hood: "
Breakfast Sticks to Go
Breakfast on the run was never easier, or tastier. Make a double batch of these delicious, nutritious sticks and keep some in the freezer to defrost in the microwave.
Ingredients
2 cups ROBIN HOOD Whole Wheat Flour 500 mL
2 1/2 tsp baking powder 12 mL
1/2 tsp baking soda 2 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1/3 cup butter 75 mL
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated 375 mL
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and diced 6 slices
2 tbsp green onions 30 mL
1 cup low fat plain yogurt 250 mL
Preparation
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in mixing bowl. cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in cheese, bacon and green onion. Mix well. Add yogourt all at once to dry ingredients, stirring to moisten.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead 10 - 15 times to form a smooth dough; mixture will be crumbly at first and comes together when kneaded. Roll out or pat to an 8' (20 cm) square.
Cut in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 6 rectangles. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 450ºF (230ºC) for 10 - 15 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm.
Breakfast Sticks to Go
Breakfast on the run was never easier, or tastier. Make a double batch of these delicious, nutritious sticks and keep some in the freezer to defrost in the microwave.
Ingredients
2 cups ROBIN HOOD Whole Wheat Flour 500 mL
2 1/2 tsp baking powder 12 mL
1/2 tsp baking soda 2 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1/3 cup butter 75 mL
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated 375 mL
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp and diced 6 slices
2 tbsp green onions 30 mL
1 cup low fat plain yogurt 250 mL
Preparation
Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in mixing bowl. cut in butter with pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse meal. Stir in cheese, bacon and green onion. Mix well. Add yogourt all at once to dry ingredients, stirring to moisten.
Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead 10 - 15 times to form a smooth dough; mixture will be crumbly at first and comes together when kneaded. Roll out or pat to an 8' (20 cm) square.
Cut in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 6 rectangles. Place on ungreased baking sheet.
Bake at 450ºF (230ºC) for 10 - 15 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Oh yeah, this is much better than TV or video games!
Toronto Police Service
News Release
13-year-old boy arrested for a series of taxi cab robberies, 51 Division
Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 2:55 PM
51 Division
416-808-5105
On Wednesday, August 3, 2005, a 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly committing a series of robberies involving taxi cab drivers in the Regent Park area.
It is alleged that:
- between Tuesday, July 26, 2005 and Tuesday, August 2, 2005, a number of cab drivers were physically assaulted and robbed by the 13-year-old youth,
- at least two other accomplices were involved after reaching a requested destination in the Regent Park area,
- during three of the robberies the drivers were threatened with a firearm.
- a replica firearm was seized during the arrest.
The accused has been charged with: five counts of Robbery, Overcome Resistance- Choking, three counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, five counts of Fail to Comply Recognizance, three counts of Use Imitation Firearm to Commit Indictable Offence, Mischief Under, and Threatening Death.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, August 8, 2005 at 9 a.m., at 311 Jarvis Street for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to contact 51 Division at 416-808-5105 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
News Release
13-year-old boy arrested for a series of taxi cab robberies, 51 Division
Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 2:55 PM
51 Division
416-808-5105
On Wednesday, August 3, 2005, a 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly committing a series of robberies involving taxi cab drivers in the Regent Park area.
It is alleged that:
- between Tuesday, July 26, 2005 and Tuesday, August 2, 2005, a number of cab drivers were physically assaulted and robbed by the 13-year-old youth,
- at least two other accomplices were involved after reaching a requested destination in the Regent Park area,
- during three of the robberies the drivers were threatened with a firearm.
- a replica firearm was seized during the arrest.
The accused has been charged with: five counts of Robbery, Overcome Resistance- Choking, three counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, five counts of Fail to Comply Recognizance, three counts of Use Imitation Firearm to Commit Indictable Offence, Mischief Under, and Threatening Death.
He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, August 8, 2005 at 9 a.m., at 311 Jarvis Street for a bail hearing.
Anyone with information regarding the robberies is asked to contact 51 Division at 416-808-5105 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com.
Gmail - [TPS] - The Taste Of The Danforth, Road Closures, Friday, August 5, 2005 - Sunday, August 7, 2005
Toronto Police Service
News Release
The Taste Of The Danforth, Road Closures, Friday, August 5, 2005 - Sunday, August 7, 2005
Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 4:00 PM
Special Events
416-808-5033
The 2005 Taste of the Danforth begins at 6 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2005, and continues through to Sunday, August 7, 2005.
During this event, Danforth Avenue will be closed to traffic, in both directions, from Broadview Avenue to Jones Avenue. As traffic around this area will be heavy, the Toronto Police Service strongly urges the use of TTC throughout the three days.
Road Closures
Friday, August 5, 2005, eastbound and westbound, Danforth Avenue will be closed to all traffic starting at 11 a.m. This closure will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2005.
During the event, Pape Avenue will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic at Danforth Ave. The event times are as follows:
Friday, August 5, 2005 -6 p.m., to 11:59 p.m.
Saturday, August 6, 2005 -noon to 11:59 p.m.
Sunday, August 7, 2005 -noon to 8 p.m.
This event will take place, regardless of weather conditions. Members of the public should anticipate significant traffic disruptions, with local impact on TTC surface routes.
News Release
The Taste Of The Danforth, Road Closures, Friday, August 5, 2005 - Sunday, August 7, 2005
Thursday, August 4, 2005 - 4:00 PM
Special Events
416-808-5033
The 2005 Taste of the Danforth begins at 6 p.m., Friday, August 5, 2005, and continues through to Sunday, August 7, 2005.
During this event, Danforth Avenue will be closed to traffic, in both directions, from Broadview Avenue to Jones Avenue. As traffic around this area will be heavy, the Toronto Police Service strongly urges the use of TTC throughout the three days.
Road Closures
Friday, August 5, 2005, eastbound and westbound, Danforth Avenue will be closed to all traffic starting at 11 a.m. This closure will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m., Sunday, August 7, 2005.
During the event, Pape Avenue will be closed to northbound and southbound traffic at Danforth Ave. The event times are as follows:
Friday, August 5, 2005 -6 p.m., to 11:59 p.m.
Saturday, August 6, 2005 -noon to 11:59 p.m.
Sunday, August 7, 2005 -noon to 8 p.m.
This event will take place, regardless of weather conditions. Members of the public should anticipate significant traffic disruptions, with local impact on TTC surface routes.
Today's Haikus
Poker, not easy.
Diversity means lost cash.
Be wary of luck.
--------------------------
Porn may help things out.
Watch application of creme.
Leaves stiff upper lip.
---------------------------
Family, must love.
Hope they're there when in most need.
Best from a distance.
Diversity means lost cash.
Be wary of luck.
--------------------------
Porn may help things out.
Watch application of creme.
Leaves stiff upper lip.
---------------------------
Family, must love.
Hope they're there when in most need.
Best from a distance.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
Recipe of the Day
Old Fashioned Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
------------------------------------
Every family needs a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies ?and this one’s a keeper. These taste great and grownups love them just as much as kids!
Ingredients
1 cup CRISCO® Golden Shortening 250 mL
1 cup packed brown sugar 250 mL
2 eggs 2
2 tbsp water 30 mL
3 cups ROBIN HOOD® or OLD MILL® Quick Oats 750 mL
1 cup ROBIN HOOD® All Purpose Flour 250 mL
1 tsp baking soda 5 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1 1/2 cups raisins 375 mL
Preparation
PREHEAT oven to 375°F (190°C).
CREAM shortening, sugar, eggs and water in a large bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
COMBINE oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture on low speed mixing until blended.
STIR in raisins. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.
BAKE at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 12 minutes or until light golden. Cool 5 minutes on sheet then remove to wire rack and cool completely.
TIPS
Replace raisins with your favourite chopped dried fruit.
Replace all-purpose flour with ROBIN HOOD® Whole Wheat Flour.
Under bake for chewy cookies; bake a little longer for crisp ones.
----------------------------
Copyright of J M Smucker (Canada) Inc.
------------------------------------
Every family needs a recipe for oatmeal raisin cookies ?and this one’s a keeper. These taste great and grownups love them just as much as kids!
Ingredients
1 cup CRISCO® Golden Shortening 250 mL
1 cup packed brown sugar 250 mL
2 eggs 2
2 tbsp water 30 mL
3 cups ROBIN HOOD® or OLD MILL® Quick Oats 750 mL
1 cup ROBIN HOOD® All Purpose Flour 250 mL
1 tsp baking soda 5 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1 1/2 cups raisins 375 mL
Preparation
PREHEAT oven to 375°F (190°C).
CREAM shortening, sugar, eggs and water in a large bowl on medium speed of electric mixer until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.
COMBINE oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture on low speed mixing until blended.
STIR in raisins. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheet.
BAKE at 375°F (190°C) for 8 to 12 minutes or until light golden. Cool 5 minutes on sheet then remove to wire rack and cool completely.
TIPS
Replace raisins with your favourite chopped dried fruit.
Replace all-purpose flour with ROBIN HOOD® Whole Wheat Flour.
Under bake for chewy cookies; bake a little longer for crisp ones.
----------------------------
Copyright of J M Smucker (Canada) Inc.
On a lighter note...
A gorilla walked into a bar in California, ordered a drink, and gave the bartender $10.
The bartender thought, "What does a gorilla know about money?" So he gave him $1 back.
Later the bartender came over and said, "We don't get many gorillas around here."
The gorilla replied, "For nine bucks a drink, I'm not surprised!"
The bartender thought, "What does a gorilla know about money?" So he gave him $1 back.
Later the bartender came over and said, "We don't get many gorillas around here."
The gorilla replied, "For nine bucks a drink, I'm not surprised!"
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
The weekend in review - part four
MONDAY:
Hoo boy. I hate Mondays. This Monday was no exception to the rule.
OK, I will preface it by saying I cannot say most of what made it a sucky day. So, I will do my best to give a summarized, but Utah-ed view of things.
The Ex. I've never really spoken about the Ex before due to the fact that TC sometimes finds her way onto my blog. I try not to put anything inflammatory in here in that manner for obvious reasons. Besides, everything I would have to say on that matter would fill another blog (actually, I have already started that but it will not be made public, again, for obvious reasons). Anyhow, there are essentially only two reasons I ever hear from her; she wants something, or she wants me to do or not do something, both with regards to TC. This morning, she wanted to discuss the reports her misguided and workably senile folks predictably passed on to her. For some semi-intelligent people, this trio are a reality upon themselves. Unfortunately, I received some startling revelations in this conversation and had to defer it to be continued at 9PM when TC was home and present.
LB. Poor soul. Him and his wife have had to face some hard realities in the last few years; realities I have to point out that I said existed but he railed against the machine. Now, selfishly and shallowly, I get to say "I told you so!" Hee hee. Seriously, I wish that I could protect him from such things but he has his own little one that he needs to concentrate on and he needs to stop certain legacies from tainting the child. Considering many things, he and I turned out frickin' decent if I may say so myself. Anyhow, they brought a family member visiting from England and the son of a family friend. The girl was your typical teenager but respectful and well mannered. The boy was a royal PITA; he never heard a conversation that he did not want to butt into, he had a screwed up prospect on how to succeed (be a hustler and a pimp), he believed he lived in a ghetto (in *&^%*&^ Ottawa?!?!?) and he just would not shut up or stop getting on people's nerve. We try not to beat other people's children, but this boy was going to have us make the exception. I feel sorry for LB and his wife because they now have no choice but to report on this boy's conduct to their possibly ex-friend. Some people totally have blinders on where their children are concerned. DW and I are glad to say that most of our friends are not in that category and we don't know what we would do in similar circumstances. Well, okay, the boy would have had some solid memories; my head, my hand, my foot.
Today was supposed to be a trip down to Skydome (F@@K ted and his name change!) for the Argos Multicultural Day. MS and PS were to join us but "something" came up with the kiddies away at camp (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). The other folks who were to join us were delayed coming from Kitchener as well. Plus, we were still waiting to hear from TC since we called her three times since 10AM and her friend had yet to answer the messages. We went there and no one was to be found. We got a call shortly after six. Hmmm, more solid memories to share.
TC. TC asked to stay UNTIL Monday but got it into her pretty little head that UNTIL meant sometime in the evening. We had a chat about that and made it clear that it meant home by noon; FOR meant home by curfew. So that was clarifed. Then there were the elements in the mother's morning call. And the bottom fell out. I won't say anymore than that on the subject; it is now an internal and private matter. What I will say is that life is short and precious. If you have kids, give them an extra hug today. If you have someone special, do something for that person unexpected that you know they would appreciate. If you are a recipient of that kindness, recognize the effort and make that person feel the effort was worth it. If none of the above applies to you, then have a virtual hug on me. I appreciate you taking time from your life to share in mine.
Well, that was the weekend in review. I have not even touched on work stuff, stupid people, world issues or other items. Guess a few more posts will be coming in the next few days.
Hoo boy. I hate Mondays. This Monday was no exception to the rule.
OK, I will preface it by saying I cannot say most of what made it a sucky day. So, I will do my best to give a summarized, but Utah-ed view of things.
The Ex. I've never really spoken about the Ex before due to the fact that TC sometimes finds her way onto my blog. I try not to put anything inflammatory in here in that manner for obvious reasons. Besides, everything I would have to say on that matter would fill another blog (actually, I have already started that but it will not be made public, again, for obvious reasons). Anyhow, there are essentially only two reasons I ever hear from her; she wants something, or she wants me to do or not do something, both with regards to TC. This morning, she wanted to discuss the reports her misguided and workably senile folks predictably passed on to her. For some semi-intelligent people, this trio are a reality upon themselves. Unfortunately, I received some startling revelations in this conversation and had to defer it to be continued at 9PM when TC was home and present.
LB. Poor soul. Him and his wife have had to face some hard realities in the last few years; realities I have to point out that I said existed but he railed against the machine. Now, selfishly and shallowly, I get to say "I told you so!" Hee hee. Seriously, I wish that I could protect him from such things but he has his own little one that he needs to concentrate on and he needs to stop certain legacies from tainting the child. Considering many things, he and I turned out frickin' decent if I may say so myself. Anyhow, they brought a family member visiting from England and the son of a family friend. The girl was your typical teenager but respectful and well mannered. The boy was a royal PITA; he never heard a conversation that he did not want to butt into, he had a screwed up prospect on how to succeed (be a hustler and a pimp), he believed he lived in a ghetto (in *&^%*&^ Ottawa?!?!?) and he just would not shut up or stop getting on people's nerve. We try not to beat other people's children, but this boy was going to have us make the exception. I feel sorry for LB and his wife because they now have no choice but to report on this boy's conduct to their possibly ex-friend. Some people totally have blinders on where their children are concerned. DW and I are glad to say that most of our friends are not in that category and we don't know what we would do in similar circumstances. Well, okay, the boy would have had some solid memories; my head, my hand, my foot.
Today was supposed to be a trip down to Skydome (F@@K ted and his name change!) for the Argos Multicultural Day. MS and PS were to join us but "something" came up with the kiddies away at camp (nudge, nudge, wink, wink). The other folks who were to join us were delayed coming from Kitchener as well. Plus, we were still waiting to hear from TC since we called her three times since 10AM and her friend had yet to answer the messages. We went there and no one was to be found. We got a call shortly after six. Hmmm, more solid memories to share.
TC. TC asked to stay UNTIL Monday but got it into her pretty little head that UNTIL meant sometime in the evening. We had a chat about that and made it clear that it meant home by noon; FOR meant home by curfew. So that was clarifed. Then there were the elements in the mother's morning call. And the bottom fell out. I won't say anymore than that on the subject; it is now an internal and private matter. What I will say is that life is short and precious. If you have kids, give them an extra hug today. If you have someone special, do something for that person unexpected that you know they would appreciate. If you are a recipient of that kindness, recognize the effort and make that person feel the effort was worth it. If none of the above applies to you, then have a virtual hug on me. I appreciate you taking time from your life to share in mine.
Well, that was the weekend in review. I have not even touched on work stuff, stupid people, world issues or other items. Guess a few more posts will be coming in the next few days.
The weekend in review - part three
SUNDAY:
DW and I were up as usual that morning and we were soon joined by LB. The PITA boy was still upstairs so we could now be brought up on the details from the stories of BC (Beezlebub's Cottage). Wow, what stories. I don't know how they put up with all of that. I am often told that I have the patience of Job, but I also have the intolerance of the southern Georgia when it comes to ignorance. I'd never continue trying with me too stupid to understand what they are doing and missing and hurting. "F@@K THEM!" would be my crying call! Anyhow, that is just be and the Kofi Anon twins are better than I in that regard.
So, the DW makes a wonderful French toast breakfast (have I mentioned lately how much I love this lady?) and shortly afterwards, the PITA boy comes down. Now, I have been around much worse kids, let me say, but typically not for such a sustained period and not one I could not box myself. The child, even when told, even when commanded, does not know when to STFU! Look that up if you really are that clueless to not figure it out. He also has a VERY annoying habit to interject information into conversations he was neither invited into or welcomed to be a part of. What compounds that annoying habit is the revelation every time he opens his mouth that he has no command of any clues that may have entered his brain from one time or another. I could fix this. Give me time, opportunity and seclusion. I could fix this permanently.
So, today was the day for some eating. The annual Scarborough Rotary Ribfest was held in Thompson Park and we took it in before our nephew's semi-pro soccer game. The big winner's from last year, The Purple Pig, were there and the lines were long everywhere. So, we did what we do best; have someone hold the place in line and got beer from the Budweiser BAT (Big Ass Truck); an 18-wheeled behemoth with grills, sinks, and most importantly, cold taps of Bud and Bud Lite. No Issac though. The "sights" were a little scarce and less daring this year though. Cloud cover made it a good ten degrees cooler than last year's outing, thank goodness. Man is that good eating; half rack and chicken combo for me, full rack for DW and shared a pulled pork sandwich. And then we tried a neighbouring booth with a much shorter line. We got pulled pork there for comparison and another chicken and rib combo to have the following day; we got extra chicken as well since it was the last chicken order. The combo was definitely good the following day augmented with some of the bushel of corn I made DW buy for the weekend.
Following Gorge Fest 2005, we headed off to The Soccer Centre in Woodbridge. They were having an Italian festival on the weekend which meant lots of bad music and bad drivers with bad attitudes. Our nephew plays for the Vaughn Shooters and is one of the most sought after midfielders in the league. He is well known by the fans and foes alike. Anyone stupid enough to piss him off on the field with dirty tackling will either get a new bruise, an embarrassing move repeated on them or a goal or three in the back of their net; sometimes when they really pissed him off, he will combine all three. I once watched him beat a guy that tackled him badly minutes before, then stop and wait for the guy to recover to beat him again, before continuing on, draw the keeper out of position and walked the ball across the goal line and into the net before slowly jogging back to his side of the field. Nasty stuff.
After the game, we brought the PITA boy home and sent him off to bed. LB returned the LL (little lad) back to his mother, still stacked out in BC, and then he came back to our place for some needed Alize, TV and rest. We were camped in the basement so we returned there to watch some tube and hit the hay.
DW and I were up as usual that morning and we were soon joined by LB. The PITA boy was still upstairs so we could now be brought up on the details from the stories of BC (Beezlebub's Cottage). Wow, what stories. I don't know how they put up with all of that. I am often told that I have the patience of Job, but I also have the intolerance of the southern Georgia when it comes to ignorance. I'd never continue trying with me too stupid to understand what they are doing and missing and hurting. "F@@K THEM!" would be my crying call! Anyhow, that is just be and the Kofi Anon twins are better than I in that regard.
So, the DW makes a wonderful French toast breakfast (have I mentioned lately how much I love this lady?) and shortly afterwards, the PITA boy comes down. Now, I have been around much worse kids, let me say, but typically not for such a sustained period and not one I could not box myself. The child, even when told, even when commanded, does not know when to STFU! Look that up if you really are that clueless to not figure it out. He also has a VERY annoying habit to interject information into conversations he was neither invited into or welcomed to be a part of. What compounds that annoying habit is the revelation every time he opens his mouth that he has no command of any clues that may have entered his brain from one time or another. I could fix this. Give me time, opportunity and seclusion. I could fix this permanently.
So, today was the day for some eating. The annual Scarborough Rotary Ribfest was held in Thompson Park and we took it in before our nephew's semi-pro soccer game. The big winner's from last year, The Purple Pig, were there and the lines were long everywhere. So, we did what we do best; have someone hold the place in line and got beer from the Budweiser BAT (Big Ass Truck); an 18-wheeled behemoth with grills, sinks, and most importantly, cold taps of Bud and Bud Lite. No Issac though. The "sights" were a little scarce and less daring this year though. Cloud cover made it a good ten degrees cooler than last year's outing, thank goodness. Man is that good eating; half rack and chicken combo for me, full rack for DW and shared a pulled pork sandwich. And then we tried a neighbouring booth with a much shorter line. We got pulled pork there for comparison and another chicken and rib combo to have the following day; we got extra chicken as well since it was the last chicken order. The combo was definitely good the following day augmented with some of the bushel of corn I made DW buy for the weekend.
Following Gorge Fest 2005, we headed off to The Soccer Centre in Woodbridge. They were having an Italian festival on the weekend which meant lots of bad music and bad drivers with bad attitudes. Our nephew plays for the Vaughn Shooters and is one of the most sought after midfielders in the league. He is well known by the fans and foes alike. Anyone stupid enough to piss him off on the field with dirty tackling will either get a new bruise, an embarrassing move repeated on them or a goal or three in the back of their net; sometimes when they really pissed him off, he will combine all three. I once watched him beat a guy that tackled him badly minutes before, then stop and wait for the guy to recover to beat him again, before continuing on, draw the keeper out of position and walked the ball across the goal line and into the net before slowly jogging back to his side of the field. Nasty stuff.
After the game, we brought the PITA boy home and sent him off to bed. LB returned the LL (little lad) back to his mother, still stacked out in BC, and then he came back to our place for some needed Alize, TV and rest. We were camped in the basement so we returned there to watch some tube and hit the hay.
The weekend in review - part two
Ok, now that the politico is out of my system, I can continue on with the review.
FRIDAY:
Twas the end of the week, and all was okay, not a creature was stirring come the end of the day. SUE ME.
Friday was the last day for my friend and colleague MR at the old job. Recent, uhm, changes in question forced a gut check by a few folks and when opportunity came knocking on her door, she wisely stepped through. MR now moves to a company and position that essentially screams dream job for her. She is familiar with the people involved as she had worked with them in a different capacity before. She will be doing what she is good at, very good at, and will be in an environment more concerned with the end result than with whose name is on that result.
So, happy as a clam for her, I went into work downtown for a change, did some work, had some lunch, a little more work and then escorted her card/laptop/access removed butt off the premises and dropped her home. We will of course keep in touch. Best of luck MR, don't be a stranger!!
Ah, TC loves to try us sometimes. Last week, we went to two BBQs, one for family and one for MR and DP and OE, all of whom left or got booted from the company (or is that The Company) within the last month or so. This past weekend, since Listra the dumbass cancelled the costume order for our daughter without contacting her (for the second time), DW and I planned to take the family down (including my Dad) and meet with some friends to watch the Caribana parade. Then, the weekend came apart.
TC decides to inform me that night that she made plans to spend the weekend with Jessica and her family since they would not see each other for the rest of the summer basically and that since she stayed for the BBQ last week, her previous plans were changed. Er. Uhm. Excuse me? YOUR plans? When did you have the ability to make plans? So, in typical me fashion with a dash of Trini flavour, I informed TC that the only people that make any plans in this family are her parents. Since she never expressed a wish to have plans, they were non existent to us. Seeing as she not too long returned, I admittedly took this a bit personal and was hurt by her unwillingness to see the issue. We had a family discussion on it and she was allowed to carry on with her plans. More on that later.
So, DW and I grabbed some Subway and went back home for our semi-regular movie night. This night we watched a half-decent time-waster called National treasure with Nicolas Cage. I like Cage though I think his off beat Raising Arizona and Con-Air are his best films. That said, this was an okay effort but nothing to build a franchise from. It was not campy enough to be the next Allan Quartermaine and was not good enough to challenge Indiana Jones. After the movie, we were supposed to continue cleaning up the house in anticipation of our house guests from Chicago.
That never happened.
SATURDAY:
Instead, we fell off to sleep with the idea that we would get up early, finish it and figure out how we were placing a tent on the parade route.
That never happened.
Instead, we had to cancel the tent plans, finish cleaning the house, deal with some on-call stuff (DW, not I) and we decided to wait for my brother and his family, enroute from Ottawa. They were supposed to arrive by 11AM, but as things always happen to our clan, we did not see them till around 2PM. By this time, I actually would have been fine to stay home, but their cousin form England was down, along with a PITA son of a friend, so we ventured downtown to the CNE. The parade was almost done but we got in and saw the last few bands, did a little jumping up, hit the bathrooms (after lugging lots of cold non-alcoholic drinks down there) and then got some tiny donuts at Tiny Toms (an exhibition stalwart).
LB and the family then headed off to my SIL's mother's place (referred to from this point forward as Beezlebub's Cottage) for a little visit and to drop the cousin off to visit her auntie. The fact that the teenager had to be emotionally dragged in there kicking and screaming is one of those facts of life. DW and I headed home and relaxed with some Big Brother 6 and computer work.
FRIDAY:
Twas the end of the week, and all was okay, not a creature was stirring come the end of the day. SUE ME.
Friday was the last day for my friend and colleague MR at the old job. Recent, uhm, changes in question forced a gut check by a few folks and when opportunity came knocking on her door, she wisely stepped through. MR now moves to a company and position that essentially screams dream job for her. She is familiar with the people involved as she had worked with them in a different capacity before. She will be doing what she is good at, very good at, and will be in an environment more concerned with the end result than with whose name is on that result.
So, happy as a clam for her, I went into work downtown for a change, did some work, had some lunch, a little more work and then escorted her card/laptop/access removed butt off the premises and dropped her home. We will of course keep in touch. Best of luck MR, don't be a stranger!!
Ah, TC loves to try us sometimes. Last week, we went to two BBQs, one for family and one for MR and DP and OE, all of whom left or got booted from the company (or is that The Company) within the last month or so. This past weekend, since Listra the dumbass cancelled the costume order for our daughter without contacting her (for the second time), DW and I planned to take the family down (including my Dad) and meet with some friends to watch the Caribana parade. Then, the weekend came apart.
TC decides to inform me that night that she made plans to spend the weekend with Jessica and her family since they would not see each other for the rest of the summer basically and that since she stayed for the BBQ last week, her previous plans were changed. Er. Uhm. Excuse me? YOUR plans? When did you have the ability to make plans? So, in typical me fashion with a dash of Trini flavour, I informed TC that the only people that make any plans in this family are her parents. Since she never expressed a wish to have plans, they were non existent to us. Seeing as she not too long returned, I admittedly took this a bit personal and was hurt by her unwillingness to see the issue. We had a family discussion on it and she was allowed to carry on with her plans. More on that later.
So, DW and I grabbed some Subway and went back home for our semi-regular movie night. This night we watched a half-decent time-waster called National treasure with Nicolas Cage. I like Cage though I think his off beat Raising Arizona and Con-Air are his best films. That said, this was an okay effort but nothing to build a franchise from. It was not campy enough to be the next Allan Quartermaine and was not good enough to challenge Indiana Jones. After the movie, we were supposed to continue cleaning up the house in anticipation of our house guests from Chicago.
That never happened.
SATURDAY:
Instead, we fell off to sleep with the idea that we would get up early, finish it and figure out how we were placing a tent on the parade route.
That never happened.
Instead, we had to cancel the tent plans, finish cleaning the house, deal with some on-call stuff (DW, not I) and we decided to wait for my brother and his family, enroute from Ottawa. They were supposed to arrive by 11AM, but as things always happen to our clan, we did not see them till around 2PM. By this time, I actually would have been fine to stay home, but their cousin form England was down, along with a PITA son of a friend, so we ventured downtown to the CNE. The parade was almost done but we got in and saw the last few bands, did a little jumping up, hit the bathrooms (after lugging lots of cold non-alcoholic drinks down there) and then got some tiny donuts at Tiny Toms (an exhibition stalwart).
LB and the family then headed off to my SIL's mother's place (referred to from this point forward as Beezlebub's Cottage) for a little visit and to drop the cousin off to visit her auntie. The fact that the teenager had to be emotionally dragged in there kicking and screaming is one of those facts of life. DW and I headed home and relaxed with some Big Brother 6 and computer work.
The weekend in review
Well, this past weekend was Caribana weekend. It is the culmination of two weeks of parties, boat cruises, fetes, street fetes, eating, drinking, wining (not winning) down, drinking, costumes, floats, music, steel band, drinking, sun, fun, love, diversity and, er, uhm, yeah, drinking. Now, I am not going to tell you that this is a drinking festival. I am simply saying that a lot of drink (A L-O-T) gets drunk during the two weeks and especially on the weekend of the big parade.
For the uninitiated, Caribana is the second largest festival of its kind in North America and outside of the birthplace of it all; Trinidad and Tobago. To understand the beginnings of this great experience, you need to read up and understand the roots of how it all started. While Carnival has essentially stayed true to the original forms of display in music department (steel band, soca, calypso and nowadays, some reggae and raga), Caribana has had to attune itself more with the diversity of the city as more and more people wanted to be a part of it. So now you will find floats from reggae artists, radio stations like Flow 93.5 FM, the Toronto Police and City of Toronto and, one of my favourites, the Brazilian Dancers (how do their costumes stay on with all that... uhm, nevermind).
So, now to get a little political, in term of what the festival brings in during the two weeks compared to what the government funds to have it happen, the festival is woefully underfunded compared to other high profile events like the Molson Indy, Pride Week, The Jazz Festival and more. What makes this so ludicrous is that absolutely no other event that takes place in Toronto, Ontario and possibly all of Canada, attracts more people from more places around the world and brings in more money into the area. The most recent numbers I have heard are that over a million visitors pass through the area in the two weeks. Most times, there are a million people along the entire parade route (of which no other event requires as great a space). No other event fills as many hotels in the Golden Horseshoe area as does Caribana, yet the hotels super suck at helping the very program that fills their coffers. No other event, not even ones geared to food, brings as much business to the restaurants as this one does yet they too are not amongst the chief sponsors (even as a community and not a single business). The TTC has to run extra service to accommodate the steady flow on the Bathurst 511 to Exhibition place. The Taxis run non stop. The charted boats are booked months in advance. Halls are rented out for the various showcase fetes that happen around the city. Let's not forget all the regular tourist sites get a big boost as well; CN Tower, Skydome (yeah, I said it!), Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Edwards gardens, etc.
At the last estimate I remember reading about, Caribana helps the city pull in (are you ready for this?) a BILLION dollars into all the players coffers. A (^%(&^%)* billion with a big fat 'B' people. Yet, the CCC (Caribana Cultural Committee)has to beg every year to get some funding which still leaves the band leaders shelling out their own money to enter kings and queens into competition and to fund the staging areas for the costumes and to fund things like the trucks and such. The bands almost never turn any kind of profit so you need to understand that they do it for the spirit and the love of being a part of it all. A billion dollars return and they can only cough up a couple of hundred grand? And bitch and moan about security and garbage and whatever?
Now, let me be fair in saying the CCC has had its share of turmoil including a treasurer or two who were a bit loose with the books. Typical black people and the disorganization and public fighting did not help in the least. Well, that has changed and things are much tighter now. In fact, my old geography teacher, Mr. Lennox Farrel is now the chair, I believe, of the CCC. This man never could stand for any nonsense and I fully support him.
Some years ago, the CCC had the opportunity to really shake things up and really hurt the slacker that simply feed from the Caribana through but never help pay for the privilege. They had cancelled all the boat cruises. Threatened to cancel Caribana completely. Then, they came up with the idea to move the whole damn thing to the Markham Fair Grounds. Those who have no clue of where this is, I will explain. The MFG is an establishment in Markham, which is immediately north of the north-east section of Toronto. While special bus route would need to be planned, it was definitely a doable switch. The festival was well established enough to survive the move. It would have woken up a lot of folks because the hotels in the north would have been full, not downtown. The taxis in the north would have be running 24/7, not downtown. The restaurants would have been booked in the north, not downtown. All the people, all the excitement, all the MONEY would have migrated north, not downtown. I was all for this disruption. I applauded the plan to wake them up around here. Then the inevitable happened. The city "found" some available funds to save the festival. The ball-less wonders of the CCC at the time caved and the rest, as they say, is history.
So, the CCC continues to live on the breadcrumbs of the government provided funding and the reapers of the benefits continue to laugh their way to the bank. I know I am just talking, but with Lennox in charge, maybe it is the right time to do more.
Peace.
For the uninitiated, Caribana is the second largest festival of its kind in North America and outside of the birthplace of it all; Trinidad and Tobago. To understand the beginnings of this great experience, you need to read up and understand the roots of how it all started. While Carnival has essentially stayed true to the original forms of display in music department (steel band, soca, calypso and nowadays, some reggae and raga), Caribana has had to attune itself more with the diversity of the city as more and more people wanted to be a part of it. So now you will find floats from reggae artists, radio stations like Flow 93.5 FM, the Toronto Police and City of Toronto and, one of my favourites, the Brazilian Dancers (how do their costumes stay on with all that... uhm, nevermind).
So, now to get a little political, in term of what the festival brings in during the two weeks compared to what the government funds to have it happen, the festival is woefully underfunded compared to other high profile events like the Molson Indy, Pride Week, The Jazz Festival and more. What makes this so ludicrous is that absolutely no other event that takes place in Toronto, Ontario and possibly all of Canada, attracts more people from more places around the world and brings in more money into the area. The most recent numbers I have heard are that over a million visitors pass through the area in the two weeks. Most times, there are a million people along the entire parade route (of which no other event requires as great a space). No other event fills as many hotels in the Golden Horseshoe area as does Caribana, yet the hotels super suck at helping the very program that fills their coffers. No other event, not even ones geared to food, brings as much business to the restaurants as this one does yet they too are not amongst the chief sponsors (even as a community and not a single business). The TTC has to run extra service to accommodate the steady flow on the Bathurst 511 to Exhibition place. The Taxis run non stop. The charted boats are booked months in advance. Halls are rented out for the various showcase fetes that happen around the city. Let's not forget all the regular tourist sites get a big boost as well; CN Tower, Skydome (yeah, I said it!), Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Edwards gardens, etc.
At the last estimate I remember reading about, Caribana helps the city pull in (are you ready for this?) a BILLION dollars into all the players coffers. A (^%(&^%)* billion with a big fat 'B' people. Yet, the CCC (Caribana Cultural Committee)has to beg every year to get some funding which still leaves the band leaders shelling out their own money to enter kings and queens into competition and to fund the staging areas for the costumes and to fund things like the trucks and such. The bands almost never turn any kind of profit so you need to understand that they do it for the spirit and the love of being a part of it all. A billion dollars return and they can only cough up a couple of hundred grand? And bitch and moan about security and garbage and whatever?
Now, let me be fair in saying the CCC has had its share of turmoil including a treasurer or two who were a bit loose with the books. Typical black people and the disorganization and public fighting did not help in the least. Well, that has changed and things are much tighter now. In fact, my old geography teacher, Mr. Lennox Farrel is now the chair, I believe, of the CCC. This man never could stand for any nonsense and I fully support him.
Some years ago, the CCC had the opportunity to really shake things up and really hurt the slacker that simply feed from the Caribana through but never help pay for the privilege. They had cancelled all the boat cruises. Threatened to cancel Caribana completely. Then, they came up with the idea to move the whole damn thing to the Markham Fair Grounds. Those who have no clue of where this is, I will explain. The MFG is an establishment in Markham, which is immediately north of the north-east section of Toronto. While special bus route would need to be planned, it was definitely a doable switch. The festival was well established enough to survive the move. It would have woken up a lot of folks because the hotels in the north would have been full, not downtown. The taxis in the north would have be running 24/7, not downtown. The restaurants would have been booked in the north, not downtown. All the people, all the excitement, all the MONEY would have migrated north, not downtown. I was all for this disruption. I applauded the plan to wake them up around here. Then the inevitable happened. The city "found" some available funds to save the festival. The ball-less wonders of the CCC at the time caved and the rest, as they say, is history.
So, the CCC continues to live on the breadcrumbs of the government provided funding and the reapers of the benefits continue to laugh their way to the bank. I know I am just talking, but with Lennox in charge, maybe it is the right time to do more.
Peace.
Dont' worry... 'bout a ting... 'cause, every little thing gonna be alright.
Yeah yeah, I know. I apologize for being so tardy with the posts recently... again. Lots has been going on in the world, not all of it good and not all of it fit to print. There is too much for a single post so I will try to capture it all in the next few posts. Hopefully, you stick through it all or maybe you will just skip to the cartoon section. Sigh, well, let's get on with it shall we. It will eb in no particular order as I need to put thought to keyboard as it occurs to me.
I wish I could explain the title of this post right now, but for reasons I cannot get into here, I cannot. Suffice it to say, when one gets complacent, one receives a well-deserved slap in the face to wake up to reality. Consider me slapped.
Catching up on life begins....... now.
I wish I could explain the title of this post right now, but for reasons I cannot get into here, I cannot. Suffice it to say, when one gets complacent, one receives a well-deserved slap in the face to wake up to reality. Consider me slapped.
Catching up on life begins....... now.
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