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November 30, 2006
Great White Where?!
The local TV news just mentioned Denver tonight in the weather segment. Hummmm. Makes me wonder where the "Great White North" really is now thanks to global warming!
DENVER
Today's High: 27*F / -2.7C
Current Temp: 10*F / -12.2C (9pm MT)
TORONTO
Today's High: 60.8*F / 16*C
Current Temp: 37*F / 3C (11pm MT)
Should we send all our winter stuff back for you all back there in the Great White South?! ;-)
Now, in all fairness it did rain pretty much all day here and we mighth get down to freezing and see some snow here by the weekend. About 30mm (an inch!)
Posted by Mason at 11:47 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackNovember 28, 2006
Canadian Politics
I really started getting into Canadian Politics around the time we applied for permanent residency. I wanted to know how the country we intended to live in worked politically. Having been raised in only one type of democracy I had to read about the parliamentary system. I remember at times when I would visit Greece my grandparents were strong supporters of PASOK (the socialist party in Greece) and I wondered why the US wasn’t set up in the same way.
For those of you interested, there are four major parties (Conservatives, Liberal, NDP and Bloc Québécois) that are represented in Parliament. A party has to gain at least 154 of the 308 seats in Parliament, less then that and you’re a minority government (the parliamentarians could vote to bring the party in power back to the polls.) More then that and they get a 4-year mandate. You don’t vote directly for the Prime Minister; whatever party wins the most votes…their leader becomes the Prime Minister.
So the government, in my opinion is more responsive to the electorate and there is more flexibility. I’d rather it be more a European-style proportional style of voting, rather then the current American-style winner takes all idea, but I’m not complaining.
Anyway, this all comes to the point that the Liberal Party will be having their leadership convention next weekend. I think that I am more of an NDPer, but the election is important because whoever this person is, they are more then likely to be the next Prime Minister of Canada and set the course on a number of thing ranging from the environment to healthcare, to education to the economy (not to mention leaving gay marriage alone.)
In reality there are only four people seriously in contention out of the eight people left running – Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae, Gerrard Kennedy and Stephane Dion.
Even though Ignatieff is the leader right now, his arrogance and condescending demeanor really turn me off. That plus he has also lived for the last 30 some odd years in the United States teaching at Harvard. Sometimes his talking points seem to come off of Shrub’s daily memo.
Even though Dion is called a good “compromise” candidate and a “safe” alternative – from what I’ve seen of the man he looks about as interesting as a piece of dry toast, and not even the kind with a crusty image of the Virgin Mary burned into it.
Which leaves us with the final two – Gerrard Kennedy and Bob Rae.
For all the crap Bob Rae did as the NDP Premier of Ontario, he did govern during a bad recession. He learned from his mistakes and admits it. To me he seems the most motivated, most committed and most qualified for the job. The man wants it, and he comes from the heart when he speaks about it.
On the other hand I really like Gerrard Kennedy – he represents the next generation of Canadians at 46, he is fiercely liberal, makes no apologies for it, wants to make his country a better place for all people and also wants this badly.
Although, I still think Jack Layton would make a kick ass Prime Minister.
If either of these two men wins, Canada will be a better place and better for it. Politics for me, has never been more interesting, I just wish I could vote in the next election.
More Observations
Milk in a bag: This has to be one of the odder things we've encountered since our move. Many Canadians have marveled at the thought that milk is not sold in a bag in The States (at least the many I've been too.) Mason and I tried it out this weekend with Thanksgiving dinner since we had a lot of food to cook. They actually keep pretty well, can be frozen for a bit, and comes with it's own special mug/pourer. It's cheaper, environmentally friendly and you get more (3 bags to a bag.) However, it still feels weird.
Circumcision: I found it in the course of events at work this week that OHIP (the socialized medical plan in Ontario) does not cover circumcision for boys as they consider it genital mutilation and purely cosmetic. Circumcision is completely banned for girls (thank gods!) Not the same for boys, as if you want it done for your son you have to pay for it out-of-pocket and parents are educated about the harm it does to boys while they are in hospital. Canada has always had a higher percentage of the population uncircumcised (don't ask me how I know) then it's neighbour down south. The US doesn't enforce circumcision anymore, but it is certainly more encouraged then it is up here.
Quebec: I still have no idea about this whole nation within a nation thing. Are immigrants living in Quebec Québécois? Are Québécois just the white french-speaking people? It seems divisive and unnecessary, but then again I have not been here that long to completely understand the complexities of the issues.
Posted by Nikolas at 06:13 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackNovember 26, 2006
Working Class Now
---MASON ENTRY---
I can now call myself a member of the Canadian working class! :-)
The owner(s) of Banting House Bed & Breakfast called me back tonight and offered me the job. I start Tuesday! Tomorrow is my last day as an unemployed leach sitting at home bored out of my skull!
It's a catch-all job with them being responsible for checking people in/out, fixing and serving breakfasts, cleaning, city guide and karaoke entertainer! (Okay, I made up the part about that last one,) but it will be great to finally be earning my keep around here. I'm actually really looking forward to this job - the people there are really fun and outgoing, I really enjoy interacting with people and it's a bunch of different jobs all rolled into one, so it won't be monotonous. It's very informal too, so jeans/shorts, casual company shirt and I get to just be myself. (Boy are they in for a nightmare!)
Now I have even more to be thankful for the day after our delayed, US Thanksgiving feast! :-)
P.S. If anyone is planning on visiting Toronto, you all know where you'd better be staying!
Posted by Mason at 09:25 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBackWar Good - Peace Bad
---MASON ENTRY---
As if things aren't bad enough down South, we now have to have a homeowner's association in Colorado ordering a woman to remove a Christmas wreath peace sign from her home because other residents have complained that it's "anti Iraq war." You can read the story here.
You've got to be kidding. This pisses me off to no ends. The homeowner association President says they will fine the woman $25 a day each day it's up.
I think Nick and I will be sending her a check for one days's fine if we can find her - might just have to see if we can start a grassroots campaign to get others on board as well. For everyone that sends $25, she can keep it up another day.
And it gives us the perfect idea for our house here in Toronto.
Peace.
Posted by Mason at 07:50 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBackI'm Canadian, eh?
You rock, you are an almighty Canadian through and through. You have proven your worthiness and have won the elite prize of living in a country as awesome as Canada. Yes I know other countries think they are better, but we let them have that cuz we know better than they do, eh?
How Canadian Are You?
Quiz Created on GoToQuiz
November 25, 2006
Happy Thanksiving!
---MASON ENTRY---
Oh wait, that was Thursday in the US and last month in Canada. Well, it's here TODAY for Nick and me. Since Nick had to work on Thursday since it's a regular work day here, we decided to have a traditional Thanksgiving "day" today. We slept in just a bit before Nick trundled downstairs to prepare and put the 7.5Kg fresh turkey in the oven. I even recorded the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and we're playing it on the TV now to give us that extra feeling of what it's like on the typical US Thanksgiving day. (The only thing missing will be the NFL football games, but that's fine since the Broncos got their ass beat by Kansas City!)
We'll have Nick's traditional stuffing, cranberries, my world famous mashed potatoes, green & yellow beans, our homemade spanakopita, cheeses, breads and plenty of booze.
And speaking of booze, also on the menu, the traditional Judge Lewis Family Eggnog. This tradition has been passed along through the family for about a century and the recipe is guarded and kept as secret as the McDonald's secret sauce and the recipe for Coca Cola! Mom holds the original book with the recipe in it. It's covers are made of wood, the paper is fragile parchment and it's tied together with leather string. The eggnog is made fresh with eggs, cream, milk, sugar and plenty of booze (I can't release the exact ingredients or I will be flogged!.)
Every Christmas, my folks would hold our annual "Byrne Family Eggnog Christmas Party" with hundreds (if not thousands) of people stopping by the house. The party got so big in later years that we would invite people "in waves" because the house wouldn't hold all the people that would come. Dad had tow trucks on standby to jump start any cars that needed a boost because of the cold and we had taxis on standby in case anyone drank too much. All of us kids were the door greeters and coat-check kids - I vividly remember piling coat upon coat on all of our beds. I remember that pile of coats being taller than I was at times. Mayors, the Governor, police and fire chiefs and every other "who's who" would be at this party. Now I know where I must have picked up my love of throwing parties!
So, while I know it's just a regular Saturday here in Canada and down South, it will be "Thanksgiving Day" here at the Maison de Mason et Nick. And once we see Santa come down the Macy's Parade, I can start putting up the Christmas decorations.
It's beginning to feel like the holidays now!
Posted by Mason at 10:17 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackDroplets of Water Vapor Suspended in the Air Near the Ground
---MASON ENTRY---
I've never lived in a city where fog happens on a regular basis. If it ever did in Denver, it was a very rare occurrence - one of those rare weather occurrences where you expect all your neighbors to be out in the street looking up and around ooohing and aaahing at the experience. Probably like when people in Florida experience snow.
The fog has rolled in several times since we've moved here and I enjoy walking outside and being in it. I look down the street and see cars and trees and houses enveloped in it and I can't help but be mesmerized by it. I take in a deep breath and feel the moisture in the air fill my lungs and give me that cool, refreshing feeling a mint gum just can't even come close to giving me.
Have I mentioned how much I love living in Toronto?
Posted by Mason at 09:34 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBackNovember 22, 2006
A Thought Before Bed
If there is one thing I have noticed about Canadians it is their world view and their place in it. Growing up in the United States you are taught that you live at the top. I now realize that there are countries out there (Canada, France, Australia, UK, Brazil, South Africa, etc.) that have decent economies, high standards of living, yet understand that they are all inter-connected with one another. Realizing that they can't "go it alone." One thing that has always impressed me has been that Canadians can be very giving with their hearts and their wallets when it comes to international aid. We might not have as much money or power as the United States, but there is a greater sense of responsibility it seems here.
One thing that I want to share with you is something that I learned about on the Rick Mercer Report and on Rick Mercer's Blog. For those of you that don't know about Rick Mercer, he is kind of like the Canadian John Stewart, but even that does not describe him well enough. He's smart, funny, quick-witted and seems to be able to go into places and say things that most of us only dream about. He is fun to watch on CBC on Tuesday Nights and Mason and I have enjoyed seeing his view on Canada.
One of the things he talked about this week was the kickoff of his campaign with the United Nations to help African Children get mosquito nets for their beds - it's called spreadthenet.org - from the website:
Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes. In Africa, it’s the largest single cause of death of children under 5 years of age. Pregnant women are also especially vulnerable. It claims more than 13 million lives a year and every 30 seconds a child dies of malaria. A bednet is a simple way to prevent malaria infection. Bednets are coated with insecticide so they not only keep out mosquitoes, but they are killed on contact. Insecticide-treated mosquito bednets have proven to cut the death rate of malaria up to 50%. One bednet can protect a child for up to 5 years - and usually two or three kids will sleep under the net.
So for CAN$10 (US$8.76) you can purchase a net and save three African children. The UN will buy the nets and ship them to the first two target countries they have identified in Africa - Rwanda and Liberia. I'm asking you to think about that for a second and to think of the world as one global community. $10/$8.76 might not be a lot to you or me, but it means saving a strange kid's life on another continent. As my fellow Americans celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, and my new Canadian countrymen go about their holiday shopping, take a moment to think about that.
Bandwidth Whore
First off my apologies to any Canadians out there regarding my slight at your driving skills you might have interpreted from my post yesterday. Let me clarify and say that Torontonians not Canadians are the WORST drivers I’ve ever encountered. Now I’m in trouble with a little over 6 million people rather then the total 35-plus million in the country. However, for a place that produces this show, well...the image speaks for itself:
Second, thanks to a reader for pointing out the differences in American and Canadian advertising when it comes to sexual innuendo. Below are two movie posters for the Dixie Chicks’ new movie “Shut Up & Sing”…can you guess which one I’ve been seeing in Canada and which one is apparently being used in The States?
Third, I can’t believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving in the US. It feels odd that I have to work tomorrow and Friday. Usually I have both days off and I am in a turkey-induced coma. I felt a twinge of homesickness today realizing that things are really different here, but on the up side I get Boxing Day off! However, to all my friends and family in The States, I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and many, many blessings…
November 21, 2006
More Observations
Cabs: Cab drivers are insane. I've noticed that no matter where you are in the city they A) suck at driving, B) will stop on a dime and block traffic for 20 minutes to pick up a blue-haired old hag that makes it her mission in life to get into the car as slowly as possible, and C) when no one is in their cab they slow down to 10 km/h along a main thoroughfare. I've noticed that living here I hate pedestrians when I drive and I hate cars when I walk – I think I'm developing a personality disorder because of this.
Driving: On the topic of driving, I seem to have found the one area in which Canadians show their true colours. While most people call Canadians polite and reserved, and they are for the most part, they are the WORST drivers I have ever met. Learning to drive offensively again has reminded me of my days in Massachusetts - calling people here Massholes would be a compliment.
Guns: People here are petrified and facinated of guns at the same time. Due to a case I recently got the conversation turned to that of guns at work today and I let people know about the fact that Mason and I had a gun and got rid of it before moving since importing it was not allowed. People stared at me with their mouths hanging open. The the next question that comes out of their mouth is "Have you seen Bowling For Columbine?" to which I reply yes and let them know of my connections to the incident through family, and work and this is when they start apologizing profusely...for just asking the question. I really understand now how Canadians see Americans as these gun-wielding, superpower freaks threatening to invade at any moment.
Ketchup: Don't ask me to explain, it's just something that I know and that I have confirmed with my fellow Canadians, but ketchup tastes sweeter here. Got to the store and grab any brand and they will taste sweeter then their American cousins. Heinz 57, the standard bearer of ketchup has a tangy flavour to it for some reason, and everyone I have spoken to up here who has been to the US agrees that there is something different between the ketchups.
Television: Last night Mason and I were watching TV and flipped over to CityLine to watch the 11 o'clock News but had to wait for the last few minutes of Hugh Hefner's show about bunnies living in his house or something like that. Something I've noticed with Canadian television is that every show, short of the news, has a disclaimer at the beginning of the show and at the end of every commercial break. It's annoying until you realize that the disclaimer allows the broadcaster to show and talk just about anything. Most of this by the way is on the free boradcast channels like NBC, CBS or ABC in the States, and CityLine is just such a channel. We've heard words on television that the FCC would have bleeped out in a millisecond and then last night as we watched the end of the playbunnies show there was full on boobage and triangle right on our screen. I'll give it to the Canadians, they are much less puritanical then south of the border.
November 19, 2006
It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like...
One of the things I have noticed in Canada that requires a different lens to look at the world with is the concept of holiday traditions. In the United States, even though Christmas stuff might be in the stores after Halloween, no decorations go up or are lighted until after American Thanksgiving. It’s just one of those things that has happened year after year and gets ingrained in you.
Since Canadian Thanksgiving falls in early October, and the only holiday in November is Remembrance Day you start to see Yuletide decorations going up right after Remembrance Day. It’s a little odd to see so much winter holiday stuff up and lighted when American Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened yet.
We went out last night with Geoff, Andrew, Scott and Bob and watched the Cavalcade of Lights in Yorkville and then grabbed some noshes and drinks in the village. With the temperature dipping below 0C with the wind chill it was appropriate for toques, scarves and Gingerbread Lattes :-)
Today we went with Andrew, Scott and Rick and saw the 102nd Annual Santa Clause Parade in The Annex as it winded through the city. It was enormous and a lot of fun and the some of the floats were incredible...and it even snowed a little while we watched the parade go by. We ended up walking through the neighbourhood a bit and then into Koreatown to grab the subway home.
Since it’s chilly tonight we might light a fire in the fireplace and I’ll cozy up to a cup of Frangelico and Hot Chocolate. Tis’ the Season, eh?
November 15, 2006
Disappointing News From Back Home
---MASON ENTRY---
From 9News.com.
DENVER - Duffy's Irish Pub in Downtown Denver will pour its last pint November 30. 9NEWS Entertainment Reporter Kirk Montgomery has confirmed that Duffy's is closing its doors. The business has been in Denver since 1963 and run by the Lombardi family since it opened. Ken Lombardi says the family is closing up shop for several reasons - a sale is pending with Brookfield Properties, which owns the property next door, and he believes the building may be torn down.
I think I want to cry. It sounds odd being emotional over a bar, but the memories are so deep. My father and I would meet there for lunch all the time. I made sure to take all of my boyfriends there to experience the place. I can vividly remember the look on Nick's face when we first went there - it was so funny how he reacted to the true "hole-in-the-wall" feel and decor that hadn't changed since the 60's. The rickety booths, the wobbly tables with brown linoleum tops, the chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and country gravy with round rolls with butter, the long bar along the north wall. Oh, the memories!
I've been going to Duffy's since before I probably should have been walking in those doors. While it wasn't a "regular" hang out for me, it was a definite stop when I could. The St. Patrick's Day street parties complete with nasty, cheap green beer decades ago were legendary (the last several years have been fairly tame unfortunately.)
I only wish I could be there for one final pint to say goodbye. I guess I'll just have to stop in one of the (many, many) Irish Pubs here in Toronto on the 30th and tip one in honor of a legend.
Goodbye Duffy's!
Posted by Mason at 04:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackNovember 13, 2006
Lucy, I'm Home!
It was an interesting day for my first day at work. You could definitely tell though that Mercury has gone retrograde, needless to say I will be happy when it goes direct later this week.
I had my desk, phone, computer and supplies all set up, and I got to meet two of my co-workers, they seem very, very nice. The buzz around the entire office was about the "American" Social Worker that moved to Toronto and all day I had people peppering me with questions about why I moved. It was actually quite sweet, and then my boss and I had some time to sit down and talk about all my upcoming trainings. They decided to modify the trainings so I didn't have to re-learn how to spot abuse and neglect, mostly teaching me about local laws.
After I got back to my desk my e-mail decided to shut down and my phone system crashed, both will not be fixed until tomorrow. My boss had to leave on an emeergency, and both my co-workers left for visits. I brought nothing with me, and no one was around to shadow so I spent the day organizing my desk eight times and eventually met up with Mason for lunch. The rest of the week seems more interesting.
As I waited for 5pm to roll around (I'm working 9-5...I've never done that!) one of the other supervisors came over and told me that one of my other co-workers, who I haven't met, needed help with a possibly violent parent. Since I have experience, he thought about asking me, but he felt badly it being my first day. I had no problem with it, my more important concern was the fact that I didn't drive that morning, but took the subway. He solved that by getting me and agency car, and soon I was on my way to northwest Toronto.
Traffic, traffic, traffic, road closures, police barricades all in a tiny Pontiac Vibe - I was not thrilled. Jumping between watching the road and looking through the map book I eventually got to the school and got to help out a little bit. I could have kept the car overnight but I opted to drop it off at CAST and make my home by subway - it was only 6pm. On my way to the subway I ran into my boss returning from her emergency. We shared our stories of adventure and she apologised for leaving me hanging for the day. I let her know that it was no problem and I enjoyed it.
...and for the first time in a while I felt normal again :-)
My First Day
I'm a little giddy like I would get when the first day of school rolled around. Filled with excitement and dread all at the same time.
I'm off to my first day of work in Canada in just a little bit. Wow.
Have a good day everyone :-)
Posted by Nikolas at 07:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBackNovember 12, 2006
A Grand Soiree
We had a wonderful party at the house last night, a combination of old friends and new. It was our first party in the house we have come to call home and if I do say so I think it went fabulously! The food flew off the table, the bottle (and ice) disappeared quickly, and before we knew it, it was almost midnight and we still had a full house – chatting, laughing, drinking and kvetching. It was so nice to see everyone getting along. Eventually when the last guest left at almost 2AM, Mason and I were able to clean up and head off to bed with smiles on our faces.
So to all our friends who came, thank you, I hope you had a great time and enjoyed our home – I certainly enjoyed your company. To all our friends who couldn’t make it, either for distance or time, please know you were missed and thought of.
Posted by Nikolas at 01:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackNovember 11, 2006
Remembrance Day
In my new country I wanted to take a moment to honour and remember all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in order to let me have the freedoms I enjoy in Canada. To thank them for allowing me to fulfill my dreams of immigrating to a country that accepts and respects me for who I am. I also want to take a moment to remember the 42 soldiers who have lost their lives in Afganistan, as Canada's peacekeepers.
November 10, 2006
Athena, I Don't Think We're In Colorado Any More
As part of our nightly ritual, Mason or I let the dogs out to poop and pee before bedtime and it gets too late. One of the things I love about this house is the small back yard that allows us to let them out quickly in inclement weather or late at night to do "their business", which doesn't require a walk. Tonight, with it being 4C, we went outside and as they walked around i sat under the gazebo and looked into the sky at the half-moon.
I had heard some pitter-pattering on the roof earlier in the night and figured it was one of the plentiful squirrels in the neighbourhood. I quickly scanned the roof and trees and heard nothing and then let my eyes wander over to the top of the fence when I stopped in horror and saw two eyes staring back at me in complete silence. He slumped off the fence quickly and then quickly ran towards the house and the other fence seperating our yard from the duplex next door. The dogs were frozen, unsure what to make of the animal, it was bigger then a squirrel, then a cat, then a small dog.
It was a Raccoon.
i haven't seen a Raccoon in well over 15 years. When I lived in Massachusetts we had them everywhere in our neighbourhood, we even had a family nest in our chimney one year. However, in Colorado they were not as plentiful due to the altitude and as such were mostly found on the eastern plains. Seeing this one tonight startled me, and he was a big boy, at least 30 lbs. As the dogs and I sat frozen watching our new neighbour scurry up the fence and then up the gutter to the second floor balcony between our two houses, he stopped, turned, looked at us for a good few minutes and then proceeded to get himself comfortable for the evening. It was at this point that I realized that things are a bit different here in more ways then I can imagine. I got the kids inside and went up to the second floor balcony and turned on the porch light. There he was, on the railing between the two houses - he stared at me, and then as if I had annoyed him enough for the evening he scampered up to the roof and disappeared.
I did a quick search on Wikipedia and apprently the raccoon has adapted well to city life, and in cities such as Toronto the raccoon is, after the squirrel, the most common urban pest.
Don't know quite what to say.
November 09, 2006
A Good Week
So yesterday I got an offer letter from the job, the HR person let me know it was coming, and I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the salary they were gong to offer to me. Mind you, I come from a country that doesn't really value social workers and thinks they should be underpaid and overworked even while they are dealing with the most vulnerable, and fragile of society's problems. The offer was well over twice what an MSW starts to make in the States, and when you add in benefits, the pension plan, etc...this is a sweet job!
Granted I don't start work until Monday and I have yet to meet my co-workers or team, but if the woman who interviewed me (she will be my boss) is any indication I am really going to enjoy this job. She seemed very cool and we got along great during the interview; he's young and hip and seemed to "get me" right away. So in order to celebrate my upcoming job and salary, Mason and I decided to walk to Greektown from our house. It's a decent 1-mile (2.2 Km) walk from our house to the centre of Greektown. To be honest though we hardly noticed the length or the time. We had such a nice time walking along The Danforth, noticing the shops and talking about the election that by the time we got to the restaurant it seemed quick. 3 months ago, I would have never walked a mile to dinner!
We had a nice Greek dinner at Pantheon (food is really good by-the-way) where Genet had turned me on to it. Our waiter was sincere and friendly and when he heard me speak Greek treated me like his nephew. Mason and I toasted the new job and filled ourselved with good food before we decided to wobble home. I am glad we walked because it gave us a chance to burn off our dinner. We walked home through Greektown, and eventually made it through Little Arabia (it kinda butts up next to the east end of Greektown) and marveled at the differnet kind of stores and restaurants. We are really enjoying the diversity of this city and how everyone seems to interact with everyone else.
I have a meeting with HR tomorrow to finalize my employment before starting work on Monday. I'm finally feeling...settled :-)
November 08, 2006
OMG
---MASON ENTRY---
The President of the United States just did a commercial announcement in his internationally telecast news conference!
"It's tough in a time of war when people see carnage on their Dell television screens..."
Nick and I looked at each other and said at the same time: "Did he say Dell television screens??!" We had to rewind the digital recorder to confirm it! I am sitting here in absolute shock. Beyond the President's downright lies, disention, hostility and Rumsfeld firing, er, resignation, the man just used the podium of the most powerful man in the world for a commercial message.
Honestly, I am in total shock and anger this morning.
In case you're curious:
Michael Dell , 41 (bio)
Dell Computer founder, chairman
$760,100* Republican
$17,800 Democrat
$63,000 special interest
total: $840,900
Thinking Aboot Tomorrow
---MASON ENTRY---
My last entry got me thinking about that Fleetwood Mac song that the Bill Clinton campaign used so perfectly back in 1992. I wish I could use these lyrics to be encouraged about the election in the US, but that's not happening.
Now that I think about it, it actually applies to our moving here to Canada. Definately!
If it takes just a little while,
Open your eyes and look at the day,
You'll see things in a different way.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Why not think about times to come,
And not about the things that you've done,
If your life was bad to you,
Just think what tomorrow will do.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
All I want is to see you smile,
If it takes just a little while,
I know you don't believe that it's true,
I never meant any harm to you.
Don't stop, thinking about tomorrow,
Don't stop, it'll soon be here,
It'll be, better than before,
Yesterday's gone, yesterday's gone.
Don't you look back,
Don't you look back.
1992
---MASON ENTRY---
As I sit here in a country that embraces diversity and human rights, I feel incredibly sad for all of my friends in Colorado and quite frankly the rest of the country.
It reminds me of election night in 1992. I was a reporter with KOA Radio assigned to the Democratic headquarters downtown. As Bill Clinton was declared the winner in the Presidential race, the joy and excitement was incredible. There was hope for a positive change. The Fleetwood Mac song "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow" blared throughout the night and in everyone's heads. That joy and excitment came crashing to the ground as the results of Amendment Two were announced: voters had approved state-sponsored discrimination. I can remember the hurt and disappointment I felt personally that night - and the anger and rejection in the hundreds (if not thousands) of people that mobbed the streets.
I realize the Democrats have gained control of the House and probably the Senate, but in all honesty, it isn't enough. Democrats today are just watered down versions of Republicans - people in my home state (and 41 others!) still believe that gays and lesbians don't deserve to be treated equally and tens of thousands can't see through the hatred and inhumanity that is a Marilyn Musgrave and Tom Tancrado and re-elect them to the once respected body of Congress that represents the US.
The next two years at least will be filled with bitter partisan politics and in-fighting. Democrats will say the same thing they said in 1992: "trust us!" and then they fall into the bitter well of politics for the rich and famous. There's no way they will elect a woman as Speaker of the House. They will continue to move more to the center to appease the conservatives (and donors with big checkbooks) in an effort to gain control. All politicians will continue to invoke religion into their policies and politics blurring that line between church and state.
I feel almost that same way today as I did back then in 1992, but this time from the comfort of a new country that I honestly feel is protecting me. This sounds very corny, but as I read all the news from the States, I can feel this warm embrace telling me "it's ok - you're safe here." That embrace is not coming from a human being, it's coming from my new home, Canada.
Posted by Mason at 11:59 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBackIt's Morning In The United States
Mason, Matt and I headed down to the Elephant & Castle Pub last night to watch the election returns with a bunch of other ex-pats. First, let me say that Matt is a wonderful guy, and I’m glad we got to meet him; it’s nice to have him as new friend. CBC was there, along with CityTV – CBC actually interviewed Mason, but I didn’t see him on the TV this morning.
As far as the rest of the pub it was sad to see such an “American” mentality going on. No one talked to one another; the Democrats Abroad organization was more concerned about collecting donations then connecting with people. Watching CNN was painful too, after being here a month I can really see the differences in news presentation between the two countries. I quickly got sick of watching the election results tinged with Wolf Blitzer’s commentary and eventually called it a night around 9:30PM.
I am happy that the Democrats have won control of the House and will probably win control of the Senate. Santorum is gone and that makes me extremely happy. A record number of women were elected to the Senate. Minnesota Democrats elected the first Muslim to Congress. Hey, and a Socialist, Bernie Sanders, was elected to the Senate from Vermont!
In Colorado, the Governor’s Office went to the Democrats and the State House and Senate stayed in Democratic control, but the Domestic Partnership Bill failed and voters approved a ban on Gay Marriage – that plus Musgrave is still in office, ick.
Now, I don’t want to be a Chicken Little, but I really am not holding out for great change in the way things are going to get done in Washington DC. The Democrats elected in this cycle are “Republican Lite” and the party has moved to the centre-right while Republicans are more and more in the right column. Bush will finally start wielding his veto pen on issues like stem-cell research, raising the minimum wage, ending the tax cuts on the extremely wealthy and ending the war in Iraq – so how much will actually get done in the next two years?
The e-mails have already started this morning, “oh look, the country has come to it’s senses, when are you moving back?” as if moving to Canada was done on a whim. This is home now; this is where I want to be. Just because the politics of where I lived has changed doesn’t mean that the culture will. There is a fundamental shift in thinking between these two countries and I feel more iat home with it here.
Anyway, celebrate if you want, cry in your beer if you want, regardless there is a lot of crap to deal with after the party.
November 07, 2006
Vote Like Your Future Depended On It
To all my fellow Americans I implore you to get out today and vote. If anything, get out and vote for those of us that don't have a voice now (like me), Vote for the next generation, Vote for a chance to restore the balance that has been absent for the past 10 years in Washington DC. I still hold out hope that our voices can be heard. I won't be politically correct and tell you to vote your concience, or ideology. Fuck that, there is too much at stake. Vote Democrat, Vote Progressive, Vote Liberal. As for me, Mason and I are heading down to a pub tonight to meet Matt and watch the returns with Democrats Abroad - Canada. Have a Great Election Day everyone!
For some inspiration, here is a youtube clip that a fellow blogger posted in his blog.
Posted by Nikolas at 09:52 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBackNovember 06, 2006
A Man Without A Country
Well, all my bitching and complaining in my previous post about whether or not I should have the choice to vote for state offices in Colorado and not subjugated to just federal candidates in elections has been made for me.
My Ballot was returned to me in the mail - in Canada!
Apparently, in the brilliance that is the Denver Election Commission, they decided to put my return address on the back of the ballot and as it was whirred and processed by numerous machines somewhere, somehow along the way they thought that it needed to be sent back to me in Canada. Given that the election is tomorrow, my vote is not going to count for the first time in 6 14 years.
This however got me thinking about whether or not all the votes will be counted in this election anyway. Two years after the sorely contested election in 2000 and the appointment of Shrub by the Supreme Court an Independent Firm showed that Vice President Gore actually won Florida and thus the Presidency. More recently, another commission found that over 20,000 African-American votes were “lost” in various counties around Ohio in 2004, and if counted Senator Kerry would now be President.
So I am a man without a country. True, I am still a citizen of the United States of America and a resident of Canada, but I don’t feel represented in either. Quite honestly I don’t think a Democrat could truly represent me anyway. Diana DeGette comes close, but my socialist views and sympathies would go over like a crystal meth gay orgy in a church…oh wait.
Anyway, I like the fact that here, I am represented by the Leader of the NDP federally, a member of the NDP provincially and another NDPer locally – much more aligned with my personal morals and ethics.
As for my predictions about the election in my homeland tomorrow I think it’ll be a squeaker. Democrats will gain Governorships across the country and maybe the House of Representatives, but only by a hair. While I like Nancy Pelosi’s politics, she will not be the first female Speaker of The House and second in line for succession of the Presidency. The Democrats will undoubtedly say that they need a moderate or even conservative Democrat (a la Harry Reid) to lead the Democrats and win over more conservative Americans – a rich, white man basically. The Senate will remain in Republican control by a seat or two and we will spend the next two years listening to the bickering and stalemates in Congress, maybe even an investigative commission or two, but by the time 2008 roles around the Republicans will be blaming the staleness of the economy and the war on terror on the Democrats for being obstructionist. Blah, blah, blah – I hope I’m wrong.
Not in Kansas Anymore
---MASON ENTRY---
So I'm sitting here watching tonight's news and they get to the part about Saddam Hussein's sentencing and they visited Toronto's "Iraqi" neighborhood and the "Iranian" neighborhood and spoke to people on camera for thier reactions.
Yeah, that wouldn't happen in most US cities. I'm just sayin'
Posted by Mason at 05:57 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackNovember 05, 2006
Random Thoughts of The Day
I downloaded the new Indigo Girls album (quite good actually) today, it's weird because it is the first album I have specifically downloaded after it came out. I have purchased some old albums in which I lost my CD, but never a new one. Usually I go to the store and buy the CD so I can listen to it in the car or on a trip. However, with the advent of the iPod Generation, cars equipped with iPod connections, and other marvels of this 21st century I've found that there really is no point to buying a CD anymore. A report on CBC this weekend stated that 80% of Canadians primarily purchase their music through electronic means (downloading) and that a study by research group has effectively sounded the death knell for the CD, stating that downloaded music has overtaken its sales and that by 2010 CD's will probably no longer be a sellable item, being banished to the backrooms of record stores along with 8-Tracks, Vinyl Records and Tapes.
I would laugh at my friends who hung on to their Vinyl and berate me when I told them my only memories of records were "A Sesame Street Christmas" or "Mr. Roger's Neighbourhood." My first real taste for music came when tapes had replaced the record in the 80's and soon after the CD replaced the tape. Back then no one expected the CD to be replaced - so futuristic, so cool...who knew the future had other tricks up its sleeve. I don't bemoan the death of the CD, I just find it kind of funny that another evolution in media has happened in my lifetime. Kind of cool.
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It's been a laid back weekend. I am kind of excited by the fact that this time next week I will be preparing for my first day at work - very exciting and nerve-racking at the same time. After almost two months off the job I am ready to go back to work. Don't get me wrong, I'll miss my sleeping in sessions, and Star Trek marathons on Space and CityLine during the day, but we need the money and I need to have my sanity back.
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There is a difference in mood here when it comes to not only the election taking place in the United States next week but the differences in Veteran's Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada.
Elections: During the last Federal Election in Canada the entire race lasted 6 weeks and cost just under CAN$150 Million. This Midterm Election in the United States has already topped over US$3 BILLION! The differences in spending on elections here is palatable - there are no annoying elections on television, no endless parade of patriotism and ideological bullshit, and while Canadians seem somewhat interested in the outcome of the election south of the border they are more concerned with their own issues and look at the US process as, well, complex.
Respect: As far as the differences in the 11th of November on the two sides of the border it has been interesting to observe. To me Veteran's Day in the United States has always been a non-war specific holiday honouring of the military. We've had so many (Revolutionary, 1812, Civil, Spanish-American, Mexican-American, WWI, WWII, Korea, Cold, Vietnam, Grenada, Iraq I, Iraq II, and too many more to remember) it's morphed into a day to show patriotism and steadfast support of the troops, along with parades and speeches about freedom being on the march and the ideals of liberty, democracy and civic duty. Now, before anyone bashes me because you think I'm saying this all tongue in cheek, give me a moment. I honour veterans and thank them for their sacrifices - without which I wouldn't have the freedoms I now enjoy in two countries.
However, in Canada, it seems to me that Remembrance Day is a lot deeper and a lot more solemn then the paramilitary version of the holiday in the United States. The UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand entered WWII from the very beginning when the UK was attacked whereas the US waited until Pearl Harbour was bombed in 1941. WWI was primarily a European War with assistance eventually from the US. However, during WWII troops from all over the commonwealth sacrificed their lives, especially in Europe where land battles were fought all over the western part of the continent. Then there are the poppies...
Poppies are worn here all over the place starting from about the third week of October till November 11th. You can usually buy one by making a donation of a Loonie at a Canadian Tire Store where the volunteers are stationed and the money goes to Veteran causes. The wearing of the poppy seems to come from the poem "In Flanders Field" written by Canadian John McCrae (the source of great pride here), after witnessing the tragic deaths of so many soldiers during WWI in Belgium. Living in a country that only voluntarily entered into a war twice (WWI & II, I think) there seems to be a great reverence for the sacrifice of it's soldiers and the country's role as a peacekeeper rather then war-monger.
There are no poppies in the US services on the 11th, it's mostly flag-waving, god-fearing, country-loving, liberal-blaming and as of late a lot of glorification of war...OK, that comment you can bash if you want.
The Bridge
---MASON ENTRY---
My dear friend Adam came to town this weekend. I first met Adam back in Denver at least 15 years ago. When I first met him, he was little shy, Jewish kid going to law school (as his Mom used to tell me - the perfect dream for a Jewish son if he wasn't going to be a doctor!) :-)
Adam was so deep in the closet, but decided to put his toe in the water and join the gay softball league and he ended up on my team. It was after a trip to a tournament in San Francisco about a year later that our baby Adam kicked down the closet door after he was dragged kicking and screaming into a Castro St. sex shop. That's a story for another day. My circle of friends at that time emulated the movie Broken Hearts Club. I don't think we ever determined if Adam was the geeky Howie or the newly out Benji. Of course, I was the incredibly hunky Cole (played by Dean Cain!) :-)
Adam is a fanatical Elton John fan. He has every album, CD, bootleg CD and video. Posters, books, magazines - hell, I think he might even have Elton John print underwear. While I love The Rocket Man, I'm not that nuts. Thirteen years ago, Adam asked me to be his "date" for the EJ concert in Denver. Little did I realize that he had Row Three tickets in front of the piano. It was a night I will never forget.
Adam sends me an email just before we left Denver asking if I'd be his "date" again - this time for the Elton concert here in Toronto! I was thrilled and last night was the concert. He let me down a bit as these tickets were all the way back to Row 10 on the floor! ;-) We had such a wonderful time, but in typical Mason-fashion lately, I found myself getting all teary-eyed and emotional when he began playing/singing his new song The Bridge. I immediately began thinking of that moment when Nick and I crossed the Blue Water Bridge and began our new life here in Canada.
I hope you all get a chance to hear it, but until the, I give you the words and wish for each any everyone of you that you find a true friend as wonderful as I have and that you find your bridge, whatever it may be, and cross it peacefully!
The Bridge
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
I've seen the bridge and the bridge is long
And they built it high and they built it strong
Strong enough to hold the weight of time
Long enough to leave some of us behind
And every one of us has to face that day
Do you cross the bridge or do you fade away
And every one of us that ever came to play
Has to cross the bridge or fade away
Standing on the bridge looking at the waves
Seen so many jump, never seen one saved
On a distant beach your song can die
On a bitter wind, on a cruel tide
And the bridge it shines
Oh cold hard iron
Saying come and risk it all
Or die trying
November 02, 2006
Housewarming
First off, I wanted to thank everyone for the kind words about the new job - I really appreciate it.
So Mason and I finally feel settled in enough to have a housewarming party and wanted to let you know. Mason and I have decided to have a small get together at the house for our neighbours and friends on Saturday, November 11th at 5:30 PM and we would like to invite any of our faithful readers from Toronto.
If anyone is interested in coming please e-mail us at masonick@masonick.com to let us know and we'll be able to provide you our address and contact information.
Posted by Nikolas at 09:40 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackNovember 01, 2006
Employed!
I have been holding off on sharing this because I wanted to make sure it was solidified first before releasing it, but I did get a phone call from Children's Aid on Friday the 27th. The woman who interviewed me the day before called to offer me a conditional job offer with CAST but needed to check with my references first. She did so, and called me back today to let me know that I have the job and they would like me to start on the 13th of November. To say I'm excited is an understatement - I don't know what quite to feel, but the best thing is that I'm employed :-)
Posted by Nikolas at 01:35 PM | Comments (15) | TrackBack
