Wednesday, December 28, 2005

When in doubt, make a list

I haven't made any blog entries in a while, but I'm feeling a bit lazy, so I'll just do an end of year list of random stuff. It's a lot less heartbreaking than trying to come up with something intelligent to say about the latest Toronto shootings.

Fave movies:
The Constant Gardener
A History of Violence
Serenity

Disappointments:
King Kong
Star Wars III:ROTS (although it's hard to be disappointed by Star Wars anymore)

Some music I liked in 2005:
Weezer-"Make Believe"
Sarah Harmer-"I'm a Mountain"
Sexsmith & Kerr -"Destination Unknown"

Most annoying tech gadget:
The ever evolving iPod

Most inspirational politician (although it has no effect on his poll numbers):
Jack Layton

Most disappointing politician (although it has no effect on his poll numbers):
David Miller

Least welcome political topic making a comeback:
Same-sex marriage

Political Topics needing a comeback:
The Arts
The Environment
Nuclear Power/Nuclear Waste

Best Christmas Present:
Maja riding her tricycle
runner up: painting of me and Maja from Irena

Most annoying holiday season media crutch:
Lists

Friday, December 16, 2005

The fact is...

I'm just watching the rerun of the debate. You could have one hell of a drinking game based on how many times PM th PM says "the fact is." You'd be wasted in 10 minutes. It's almost bizarre how often he says it.

Saying it don't make it so.

Jack's doing well. He sounds a bit pre-scripted, but sincere. Harper and PM seem weaker to me, but that's probably just because I can't stand either of those weasels. The only one who seems spontaneous to me is Duceppe.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Three Way Soccer

The story (or non-story) for Jack Layton the last few days has been that he's "having trouble getting his message out." Of course, the media wastes time telling us this rather than, God forbid, delivering the message.

Part of the problem, it seems to me, is that a 3-way race (or 4 way or 5 way if you include the Bloc and Greens) makes for a less straightforward narrative than Red Vs. Blue. It reminds me of when I was a kid, sometimes in gym class we would play 3-way soccer. It was a novelty, but it never really worked that well. I think a lot of people who are tuned in to politics, particularly the papers and the TV stations, feel the the NDP is kind of just in the way of a good juicy two-side battle.

People prefer 2 choices to three. The challenge for Jack is to lump the other guys together as one choice, and him as the other.

As an aside, it kind of sucks that the power colours are taken, and we've got orange. Didn't green also used to be an NDP colour? You can't have it, Green Party. Orange AND green are ours. You can have Yellow!

Bring on the friggin' debates already!

Saturday, December 10, 2005

The Whacker

I just got back from my first volunteer session with Gord Perks. I got to meet him, briefly, as he was heading out to canvas. He actually asked if I was the guy whose blog he'd seen. I said no, not intending to be deceptive, but it just didn't occur to me that he meant me. After all, this site is only seen by a few people a day. It's mostly read by family and friends and, as I like to say, it's cheaper than therapy. But anyway, if Gord does read this thing, apologies. I'm a bit chagrinned at my previous post. I could have been a bit more positive . God knows running a campaign is not easy and he and his team are working very hard.

Anyway, I got off my ass and helped put up some signs today. We were using a big metal contraption called "the whacker" to drive in the posts. My arms are TIRED. Yowza! On the plus side, the guy working with me called me a strapping young lad, which was nice. I'm borderline on the young part, and definitely not strapping.

Anyway, it feels good to get out and do something. By the time we got back this afternoon the office was full of volunteers. No more naysaying. We've got a campaign to win!

Thursday, December 08, 2005

Newman!

Lately I find myself trying to wrap up my work by 4:30 everyday so I can catch some of Politics with Don Newman on CBC Newsworld before spending the evening with my daughter. He's very good at what he does, whether acting as interviewer or referee, and he's got a bit of a goofy side which manages to shine through.

Some days I even record it to watch later. It's a sickness.

(...as is posting blogs posts while Maja zones out in front of Toopy & Binoo. I better go.)

Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Perks me up!

I dropped by NDP candidate Gord Perks' campaign office today. I was hoping to feel pumped up and inspired like I did when I attended his nomination meeting, but it was not to be. There were only a couple people in the entire office and it looked like absolutely nothing was happening. The signs aren't in yet, even as Mario Silva slathers Bloor Street in Liberal red. Of course, he is the incumbent, but come on, people! Gord was declared our candidate well over a month ago! I think this riding is winnable, but only if the NDP effort is a well oiled machine. Sadly I saw no evidence of that today. I was greeted with the same level of enthusiam I'd expect from a bank teller. Still, it is early days and perhaps I'm reading too much into a slow Tuesday afternoon. I've volunteered to go in on the weekend. Hopefully by then I will see a spark.

On an unrelated topic, my wife and I stayed home with the kid this weekend, but took turns going across the street to the Paradise Cinema to see The Constant Gardener. It was one of the best movies I've seen all year, so check it out if you get a chance. It makes our politics seem pretty tame by comparison.

Thursday, December 01, 2005

Happy Birthday

Today would be my grandfather Ed's 86th birthday. He passed away about a year ago. So I'm sending out a Happy Birthday message into the cyberspace ether.
Ed served in WWII, was married for over 50 years, had 4 kids and lots of grandkids. He even lived to see a couple great grandkids.

Again, Happy Birthday Ed, wherever you are.