Archive for June, 2005

Often I listen to Ontario Today, especially on days that I have 1:30pm meetings in Kanata. Today was one such day and I was listening to the call in about “What You Like About Canada.” Now, before I go any farther, I like Canada. It’s got a lot of great stuff going for it (and I’m particularly glad to be moving up to Thunder Bay, where much of it is.) But, the ex-American guy from around Thunder Bay who phoned in today, got me thinking about something…

As the case usually is, the things I find most annoying in other people are the same things that I don’t like about myself. I’m not one for confrontation. In fact, I avoid it whenever I can. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a nice guy, not being argumentative, getting along with all people as best as one can, but I’m not always “peaceable” for those (or other) good reasons. Often, it’s just because I’m a chicken and don’t want to get into a fight, even if it means not speaking up when I should.

The caller on Ontario Today contrasted Canada and the States by saying that Canada has a global reputation for being a peacemaker, while the States has the reputation of being self appointed global police. Here’s what I think (and tie it in with Bill 38 if you want…) Canada is like me, it’s chicken of confrontation. While most of the time this makes it look like a peacemaker, sometimes it’s at the cost of standing up for what’s right. After all, why offend anyone and cause a fight? The States, on the other hand, takes a stand and acts like an ass on the world stage. But it does so (hopefully because of principles) and isn’t afraid of the confrontation.

This gets me to my point: Peace and Justice. Both are good and necessary characteristics for people and countries. Perhaps I, like Canada, sacrifice justice for the sake of peace sometimes, as the States sacrifices peace for the sake of justice, sometimes—both are flaws. And this is a bit too lofty for me right now.

So, Jenn and I were over at Andrew and Anne’s place tonight and something surprising happened. Andrew let it slip that he knows Robin more intimately that I imagined. Here’s what happened…

Andrew was talking about our church and said, “So I was talking to a elder&hellip” I corrected him by saying “‘An elder,’ you mean.” To which he responded, “Okay, Robin.”

Jenn and I started laughing, then we looked at Andrew, stunned. I guess he knows Robin better than we’d thought.

Did my eyes fool me? No. Apparently Joe quit his cabinet post so he can vote against the Liberal government’s same sex marriage bill. I can’t say that Joe’s ever impressed me before (and I didn’t know he was against the bill) but wow. Good on you Joe, quitting your post so you can fulfill a campaign promise. Oh, and for those of you not from Thunder Bay, Joe represents the Thunder Bay/Superior North riding.

I think this just about says it all. All you bloggers out there, feel free to take the survey too. It’s fun because at one point it picks a few links from your blog at random and asks you questions about it.

Today, I’m going to examine love in two movies (slash book,) Pretty in Pink and Little Women. I haven’t read Little Women, but I think I’ll put it into my nightly reading stack (which I don’t try to think about too far in advance and already has three books in the queue.)

I’ll first address Pretty in Pink and the Duckie and Andie thing. I’ve never liked the ending of the movie, because the Duckman gets dumped by Andie. But after my latest viewing, I’ve finally changed my mind. I still respect Duckie loads more than Andie and now I’m glad that he insists that Andie not “ruin this incredible romantic moment” by getting back with Blane. I didn’t like Andie for leaving Duckie. However, she didn’t deserve him, so it’s a good thing that he’s not stuck with her. And he gets to spend Prom with that cute girl who shows up in an episode of Growing Pains, so not only is his life not wasted, he gets to have a fun night.

Now, onto Little Women. Here, I have questions, more than comments, because I recognize that I’m no authority on the story. I suspect that Jo really does love Laurie—even at the end of the story. I suspect that Laurie really does love Jo at the end of the story. I suspect that Laurie never really loved Amy. I suspect that Amy either knew or didn’t care if Laurie never really loved her and that she didn’t love him. I suspect that to Amy the important thing was that she marry someone with a good income so she could continue to do what she wanted. I don’t like Amy. Why did she burn the manuscript when they were children anyway?

Over the past couple years, I’ve had my fair share of employment disappointment. So, I’ve tried quite hard not to get excited about any new job possibilities. Even after being offered my new job (in Thunder Bay, in case you haven’t been paying attention) I tried not to get too excited about it, just in case it somehow got taken away from me.

I’ve caught myself thinking over the past couple weeks, “What if they change their mind? I’ve already rented a truck to move, given notice on my apartment, canceled my utilities and Jenn has quit her job. Man, we’d be so screwed.” Yeah, I know, harsh.

Even though I’ve had a signed agreement of employment in my possession since last week today, I got a communication that makes me feel more sure about the whole thing. Today I was told where to report to on my first day of work (the ATAC at LU) and I was requested to bring a voided cheque with me so they can set me up with payroll. I want to be certain that everything (or at least this) will work out and those kinds of things reassure me.

Just as I had more fun going to the Great Glebe Garage Sale than I thought I would, I had more fun at our own yard sale that I expected. Jenn and I decided to have a yard sale before we moved and coincidentally our neighbourhood was having a big community yard sale day this past Saturday. So, the timing couldn’t be better.

As we sat behind our table, I would wear various hats, mittens, sit in the kneeling chair (yup, we sold it,) pump up the air-mattress or do whatever I thought it would take to sell something. A lot of the stuff went between 8am and 1pm and as we were about to pack the leftovers into the trunk of the car to take to the Goodwill, this odd lady stopped by. She stopped her car in the street in front of our house, without bothering to pull over and she didn’t turn the car off. She told us that she just had to have an empty wine bottle we were using to demonstrate what a wire wine bottle and glass holder was. We misunderstood and thought she wanted the rack, but no, the bottle was what she wanted. But really she should take the rack too. Oh, and there were a few tins that she just had to have. Oh, and this too, and that too. At this point, I was starting to think she might be a little crazy, but Jenn was still selling her anything she wanted. After she bought $20 worth of stuff, we started giving her stuff, and then we just helped her to get going.

Oh yeah, and then I puked—three times—burger and fries (from a chip truck) puke. You know, part of the whole migraine experience.

PS: Happy 100th Birthday, Jean-Paul Sartre—not that it should mean anything to you.

Living in Ottawa, we haven’t made too many friends. So, it’s always nice when Tony, Lauren and the rest of the Adventive people get together in Ottawa for some reason or another. Today we had four of our annual meetings. I really don’t need to attend them, but I do—partially because I’m here, so it’s easy, partially because I like to get a broader feel for how Adventive is doing (seeing as I’m supposed to be doing the website and stuff.)

Anyways, there’s hardly a visit from Tony that passes without an opportunity to head out for food. This time was no exception. A group of us met in Little Italy at La Roma for dinner and an evening of hanging out and talking. It was easily the best time out with friends we’ve had in a long time—and this was the first time that Jenn had met Lauren and Anne, so that’s saying something. Thanks for the good evening, guys!

Of course, I’m trying to fit in all the culture that our capital has to offer before I hit the road. So, today at lunch, me and Don hit the International Chicken and Rib Cook-Off—or what we like to call Pork Fest. It’s not cheap, but it’s good. On Sparks St, right outside the new CBC Ottawa Broadcast Centre, they’ve got a bunch of world class BBQ tents going. It kind of reminds me of a travelling circus. Anyways, (arc.) the offer chicken, but naturally, I went all pork, getting a pulled pork sandwich and ribs. It was really nice and being the thoughtful husband I am, I brought a rib home for Jenn.

Nope, I’d rather get rid of stuff than pack it. Don’t get me wrong, I love my possessions just as much as the next guy. I don’t desire to be Spartan for noble reasons. I’d rather have less stuff because it’s simpler. Less things to clean up, less things to put away, less things to find places for, less stuff to keep me from finding the other stuff that I really want to find. It’s easier to have less.

For example, I’d rather have three pots, a big wooden spoon and two cookbooks rather than all the crazy kitchen stuff we’ve got. Of course, I do like some of my kitchen stuff, but there are probably only one dozen things in the kitchen that I use most of the time. The rest, I could do without and improvise when I really needed them.

Jenn, on the other hand, has been really good at packing. The last few days, I’ve been cooking the meals (like I normally do) going to get boxes and stacking filled boxes to the spare room. I love Rubbermaid™ totes. We’ve got at least a dozen of the 68ℓ ones, plus some others and some other plastic/rubber boxes. It makes me feel really good to see them all stacked up so neatly.

Anyways (archaic,) lesson from the post… “Sounds like someone’s working for their car. Simplify, man!”

For Richard, I added a link to Rubbermaid and corrected the spelling.