Today is the last day for the average Canadian to confess and ask for penance. Tax returns, of course. Now, since I am both virtuous and methodical, my four returns were submitted ever and long ago (who knew that a day could be so long?), removing the spouse and me from that double whammy of a late return penalty. My children faced a different situation.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Offers we cannot refuse | 342 words
posted in environment, Idol | Comments Off on Something went bump | 277 words
How is it that the automotive industry is suffering? I live in a large city with far too many automobiles, and our public transit system has to fight for every penny. The bus comes to within five minutes walk of any place I need to go. By extension, the majority of my neighbours fit a similar profile, yet the number of cars on our street is still growing.
posted in technology | Comments Off on Not too obvious to the rest of us | 314 words
Several years back, while on a weekend wander through a local hardware emporium (stores had wonderful names in the good old days), we decided to change our lives. We took the plunge and added (wait for it)… a gazebo to our deck. A seasonal model, constructed for our climate. A metal frame, with a light, ventilated canvas covering, where we could dine in the summer evenings, our backs tickled by soft breezes, screened from the glances of jealous passersby.
posted in technology | Comments Off on Fold away your tent and move along | 403 words
Thank goodness that Rex the Demystifier is around. On so many issues, I can turn on the radio during the otherwise sleepy time period leading up to Sunday supper and get information on questions I didn’t know I should be asking. Not every week, but often enough that my radio stays tuned to the local channel in case I feel curious.
posted in economy | Comments Off on Mine is golden, yours is not | 305 words
One of my favourite literary characters has to be Chicken Little. Take an otherwise minor incident and through hyperbole and imaginative exaggeration, convince yourself and others of impending disaster. It’s a mechanism with a long and hallowed history. Think of the Bible and it’s prophet of doom and gloom. Or borrow from the Greeks, where Cassandra had important things to augure, if only the rest of the community would shut up and listen closely. We, as modern, well-informed individuals have the mainstream media. Think Fox, or CBC (unfair pairing, but I want to keep your attention).
posted in health | Comments Off on No need to hide inside | 297 words
After an evening of home cinema, a quote is necessary. “Once more into the breech, dear friends”. Although I’ve always believed that the best reason for watching a movie at home was the freedom to pause, consult the food stores, relieve the pressure and hit play, tonight proved an exception. I didn’t leave my seat, not once, because the newest Canadian battle story kept me in place. Put it down to fear of the incessant rain, or the chance of a stray mortar hit, but Passchendaele is one of those movies that actually works.
posted in history, media | Comments Off on They even made their own mud | 306 words
As one of the few that has never purchased an automobile (ever), I remain bemused by the variety of marketing campaigns and strategies used to lure the helpless consumer. There’s been a subtle variation added to the palette recently, and I’m wondering if this one is going to be “the best one ever”. In short, the average buyer is at risk of losing her job in this foundering economy. The response of the industry is to offer to “cover your debt” for a certain amount of time. Just like the Big Three has asked the government to do for them. Talk about spreading the new riches around.
posted in economy | Comments Off on We can deal if someone else pays the way | 357 words
For some, things end before they should. Unfortunately, disco hasn’t. The guest spots and song choices on Idol this week were painful to watch and hear. KC used to rock; now he shuffles. The bump is gone. This was also a big week for departures, with the cohort finally reduced to five. A handful, which means more than one song per week from the survivors. On the cut list, Lil and Anoop. No surprises there. From here on, the competition gets interesting, as there are only a month of idle surmising left for those of us who have nothing better to watch.
posted in Idol, sports | Comments Off on The last dance, for some | 270 words
Back in high school, the curriculum included lot of subject matter that didn’t seem relevant. Apart from the years spent in sentence analysis, or equation analysis or verbal analysis or (we had extremely analytical courses), there was the one physical subject. Physical education, phys. ed., gym, PT. The one course guaranteed to make you sweat. And the defining moment of the year was the session of timed wind sprints. I’ve finally discovered what place that particular task has in the formation of future employees.
posted in education | Comments Off on Faster than his own shadow | 319 words
