I can’t see out my office window.

Usually, I have a wonderful view of downtown. I can see the skyscrapers, the CN tower and normally, a pretty snazzy sunset. Today however, I see white. Lots of white. We all knew it was coming.

The weatherman all told us to stay home today, Environment Canada issued their Winter storm watch, and somewhere along the way this storm started being referred to as ’snowmaggeddon’…which has now also shifted to ’snowmafriggenggeddon’. In fact, Air Canada even offered travellers the option to switch their flights before the storm hit.

Twitter is a blur with talk of the storm (#snowmageddon) The National Post is live blogging it and there’s sure to be an awesome collection of YouTube videos cropping up. (Here’s a few so far)

All of this craziness makes me wonder if we’re really as Canadian as we think. It’s just snow people. Okay…a lot of snow. But in reality, I think we’ve just been spoiled the past few winters. I still know that at the end of the day, I’m going to zip up my parker, put my scarf and mitts on, then I’m going to go home like any other day. On second thought, I may feel differently if I get stuck on the TTC for 3 hours, I’ll keep you posted though.

The end of the world is not here – just the end of grass and cement until Spring…might be a nice change.

Let’s just hope Miller doesn’t call in the troops.

I recognize the need for advertisers to get creative with their methods in a time when consumers encounter ad impression thousands of times a day. But my personal pet peeve has become the gigantic pop-up ads which are now appearing on major news outlet sites. I visit most of these sites almost daily, and am continually greeted by some huge ad of which I can barely find the ‘close’ button. I think I liked the pop-up windows better!

Now, this is annoying to me, usually because it takes a few seconds to close (when I can find the button) and well, I don’t like things popping up at me that I didn’t click on. But I find myself thinking about my mom, a technologically stunted individual who loves her hotmail, but was completely lost when MSN did a redesign not long ago. (I love you mommy!)

I think if these ads were to pop-up at her, she’d fall off the chair and give up the internet forever.

Are they really necessary?

Maybe companies should look into taking the cost of their pop-up ads and investing it into an effective PR program.

Just a few quick words to get this off my chest…a lot has been made in the States (particularly among Republicans) that Barack Obama’s middle name is Hussein. I have to say that in the name department, the guy got the short end of the stick from start to finish. Even his wife, when she first heard of him, said “Barack Obama? Who names their child Barack Obama?!” I also should add that lesser men would cower away with a name like that and stay out of the limelight and considering the man’s brilliance, we’d be worse off for it. So I give him kudos for embracing the name and going with it. Lately Sarah Palin (who shouldn’t throw stones about questionable religious practices) has been using his name in rallies, leading to supports yelling disgusting and stomach-turning chants I won’t repeat on this website. There are republicans blogs out there who simply refer to him as “B. Hussein” to further demonize him and feed the fear mongering.

The man isn’t Muslim – his grandfather was. He saw his father all but a handful of times in his whole life and never met his paternal grandfather. He was raised by a white woman from Kansas and her white, Christian parents in Hawaii. It is believed that religion is passed through the mother anyways, so it’s really a moot point. But the fact that I have to explain that or rationalize it is what REALLY gets me. Because…who CARES if he’s Muslim? There are radicals in every religion; radicals are dangerous, no matter their beliefs. To think that every Muslim is someone who wants to bomb the US and terrorize freedom-loving citizens is so blatantly stupid and ignorant, I don’t even have the words to describe my disdain. To say that because someone is Muslim makes them a terrorist is like saying that all Germans want another Holocaust. It’s cultural naivete at it’s best. And it makes me angry and frustrated, but above all that, it makes me sad.

And that, right there, is the reason that so many people outside the US (even when they’re Americans) look at them with shock and disgust.

That is all. For now…

I don’t really have time to be writing this today, but it’s a post I’ve been thinking through over the past few days. So, this election business down south. I wrote back in January, just before Super Tuesday, about my indecision between Clinton and Obama. I voted for Clinton. I decided at the last possible minute, standing in the voting booth, stamper in hand. I feel I made the right choice and even though I will vote for Obama come November, I think Clinton would have been a better candidate. But that’s not what I want to talk about today.

I’ve never been terribly politically inclined. I don’t know a lot about the political process and couldn’t tell you how a law gets passed (I believe the Senate is involved?). But I don’t think you need to be a political pundit to a) realize that this might be the important election in America’s history and b) notice that it’s a damn interesting race. So I started paying attention. I read Time articles about both candidates. I watched as much of the Democratic convention as I could and I’m now trying to stomach watching the GOPs take to the podium.

I have a lot of opinions about this election. I’m going to try to keep this concise and relevant but I caution you that I’ve got a lot floating around in my head and I’m not sure it will manifest itself into a nice little post, all cleverly thought out, with,  you know, flow and structure. You’ve been warned.

First of all, I don’t have a tremendous issue, per se, with McCain. I think he’s too old to be President and I disagree with just about everything his party stands for and I worry that he would continue to lead America on the dangerous path they’re currently following. As a person, however, I can see his appeal. Sure he’s a bumbling old man, but Americans like to think they could “go for a beer with their president” (personally, I want my President to be smarter than me and have better things to do than sit at a bar…) and McCain has that grandfather-esque thing going for him. I’m sick as hell of hearing about his military past. I hate that every time any one mentions him, they must refer to his accomplishments fighting for America, lest they be painted as un-patriotic (the worst insult you can sling at an American) and disrespectful. We get it. He fought in the war. He was a POW. Can we move on and talk about what he’s done for America SINCE then? OTHER than that? Please? Joe Lieberman stating that he is will be a president that will be “feared” represents, to me, everything that is wrong with America today. I don’t want a leader that scares, I want a leader who is respected. I guess when Bush figured he would never get the respect, he’d go for the fear. Well played…it worked.

Now, let’s talk about his running mate. Sarah Palin. We all know the facts: Mother of five, hockey mom, 4 month old with Down’s Syndrome, 17 year old daughter with a bun in the oven. She’s pro-life, pro-guns and anti-gay. She wants to bring creationism back into schools. She has ZERO experience, her husband supported Alaska becoming independent…yada yada yada. You know all of this. Now, here’s where I start to get mad and emotional, so I’ll try to hold back on the swearing. I think it’s fantastic that the GOP went for a woman VP. I wish they had done it for better reasons than to undermine Obama for not picking Clinton to join his ticket. I REALLY wish Palin wouldn’t try to reach out to Clinton supporters by using Hillary’s reference of the glass ceiling. That really pissed me off. Lady, you’re NOT Hillary Clinton. Aside from being female and a mother, you share nothing. Not values or positions on social issues or how America can best face the challenges ahead. Women and men who voted for Hillary will not be swayed towards the Republicans just because you’re a woman. We’re smarter than that and in actuall fact, it just makes us more determined to win.

I have no problems whatsoever with a working mother. I imagine I will be one, some day. I think in today’s world families need both salaries to keep their head’s above water. I think that even if you don’t need the money, if a mother enjoys her job and is good at it and wants to work, great. Go for it. Everyone has to do what’s best for them. I do, however, think that being the VP of the U.S.A when you have an infant with high needs, plus four other children, is a bit much. One will have to suffer and neither should. Her children deserve all the time and attention in the world. So does America. Which will win? Let’s talk just for a second about the pregnant daughter. I can’t STAND the position that teens are getting pregnant across America so what’s the big deal if Bristol Palin is. Instead of justifying it, let’s try to see WHY this is. If teens want to have sex, why aren’t they learning about birth control and STD protection? What’s going on at home? This isn’t any home – this could be the home of the future Vice President. It needs to keep up appearances, as annoying as that may be for the Palin brood. 

This woman has lost control of her family – how will she control a country? And let’s face it- McCain ain’t no spring chicken. She could very well be President.

Now, here’s where I really get mad. Since Friday, Palin has graced the covers of US Weekly, and People , among others, children in tow. But according to the McCain camp, the media is too hard on poor Sarah. YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. You can’t USE the media to get your story out and then rail against the media for telling a story too. You can’t get pissed about an interview in which a reputable reporter asks a fair question and then pull future appearances on the network. You can’t put your kids on the cover of the celeb rags and then say they’re off-limits. That’s politics, people! Welcome to it.

I hate the insinuation that we’re attacking her because she’s a woman. She had to know, and they had to know that whoever they picked, male or female, would be scrutinized. When Obama chose Biden, there were hundreds of articles in the media discussing his record, the plagiarizing, analyzing the selection. They also had to know choosing the first female candidate would get attention. In fact, I’m sure they counted on it. So they had to know that everything that could be, would be discussed. Well, if they couldn’t handle that, they should have chosen someone with less TO discuss. No one knows this woman- of course we have questions. They want the media attention, but only if they control it. To that, I say stick to Fox News. They’ll be happy to tell a one sided story and will even slag Obama while doing it.

To be continued, I am sure…

First of all, I’m not even technically Canadian. I’ve lived here since I was three and am a Permanent Resident/Legal Alien/Landed Immigrant. The shopping might be far superior south of the border and they have Trader Joe’s and 99% of my family but Canada is my home and, in my opinon, a far superior place to live. But the biggest way in which the U.S. has Canada beat is in the celebration of July 4th. Independence Day is serious stuff in the States. Everyone has traditions and plans and they do it up right. BBQ, red, blue and white, singing the national anthem, fireworks, family and picnics. It FEELS like a different day, like a special day. And it is.

In Canada, we have Canada Day (try saying it 5 times fast. Now try after a few drinks) on July 1st. We have fireworks. And there are parades and concerts and lots of people do fun stuff. But everyone doesn’t. To most people, it’s a day off work and those darn kids set off firecrakers at night. I grew up in Ottawa which is a great place to be on the 1st and I recommend it to anyone who has yet to experience it. Most of downtown is closed to traffic (something Toronto might consider) and the whole city seems come together. When I was a kid, we used to bike around all day, visiting the various parks with activities such as rope climbing, face painting, craft making and much more. They have educational booths set up and cultural experiences and it’s hot and it’s sticky and crowded and fantastic. At night, we’d grab blankets and drive out to the river, park a million miles away (perhaps we should have just walked from the start? Gas was cheaper back then), trudge in and watch the fireworks.

When I was a teenager, Canada Day meant gathering with my friends at Major’s Hill Park, drinking (sorry, Mom) and generally having a good time. The bars were packed, the buses were free after 10 p.m. (another something Toronto might consider) and it was awesome.

Why am I regailing you of tales from my youth? Because Canada Day falls on a Tuesday this year and some people think it would be a great idea to make it a floating holiday, like Victoria Day (which is always the third Monday of May, so at least it’s consistent). This would mean that we would celebrate Canada Day on the Monday or Friday (depending on which was closer to the day) instead of on the 1st. To this I say “WHAT!?” How is that patriotic? On Breakfast Television this morning I was shocked to hear that Kevin Frankish was in favour of this, trying to sell it. I’ve always liked Kevin but was less than impressed with him and all the moronic viewers who wrote or called in to support him. Just imagine: every year we’d have to CHECK when Canada Day was.

Yes, it is annoying to have to work one day then have one day off but it’s CANADA DAY for chrissakes. It’s July 1st. We are supposed to be celebrating the day that marks the start of this country as we enjoy it today. It’s about the DAY not the long weekend. The reason I brought up the States in this post is that they would NEVER consider making the 4th a “floating holiday.” Why is that? Why the difference? Is it because the U.S. has been around longer? Because they have more people? Regardless of the reason, it’s a fact: July 4th is a bigger deal than the 1st and that is sad. 

To be fair, since I’ve lived in Toronto I haven’t taken part in “official” Canada Day festivities (except fireworks at Ashbrides Bay a few times) but we go to my boyfriend’s cousin’s for a BBQ and it’s become tradition. When I have kids, I hope to instill in them some pride in the day and start traditions they will remember, as my parents did.

So get out there tomorrow and celebrate Canada and how lucky you are to live here. Celebrate for all the people in the world who don’t enjoy a free and independent country, who don’t even know what that feels like. 

Happy Canada Day!

I’ve been known to be a contrarian. For some reason I like to go against the grain, just for the sake of being contrary. So when I was thinking about Earth Hour and what I really thought of it and considered writing it down, I made myself take a step back and let the thoughts percolate for a couple of days before I committed a long cynical rant to the internet. But after letting it fester a couple of days, my opinions haven’t changed. And after hearing what other’s thought on the radio, or reading what they thought online, I realized I’m not alone on this. I think Earth Hour is a crock.

It made a whole lot of people feel good to participate and allowed a whole lot more to be snide towards people who chose not to take part. It put a lot of pressure on businesses to “do the right thing” by turning off office tower lights and the ones who didn’t were shunned and booed. But did it have any kind of lasting effect? I’m fairly sure office towers were alight last night and will be bright tonight and tomorrow and so on. Lights were blazing again in homes last night, will be tonight and tomorrow (you get the picture). Offices should be turning off their lights on their own. They shouldn’t do it simply to succumb to PR pressure from the World Wildlife Fund. People should be careful about their electricity consumption all the time, not just for one measly hour because the media and your neighbours tell you to.

I do my best to only have the light on in the room I’m currently in. It’s not always easy and I do forget, but I do my best and I’m usually pretty good about it. We recycle A LOT. We have a blue bin for paper, a blue bin for everything else and a green bin for organics. There are a lot of people out there who do far more for the environment than I. There are far more people out there who do far less. Will those people step up and starting monitoring their electricity consumption now? A couple might, maybe for a little while. But not because they have chosen to; because they feel pressured to. And while some might argue that it doesn’t matter how they get there, so long as they do, I would argue that people who do things out of pressure and not willful desire, will not do so for long.

I have a friend who was very eager to take part in Earth Hour. She was going to go down to the concert in Nathan Philips Square and be all involved and take a stand and all that good stuff. And she did do that all that. She also left her computer on while she was downtown and drove a Jeep down there instead of taking public transit. I would venture a guess that she wasn’t alone. To me, those people missed the whole point. They heard “turn out the lights” but didn’t factor in the effect leaving home electronics on and driving has on the environment. We still have a long way to go.

Yes, Earth Hour bought some awareness to the cause, which is always a good thing. But at the end of day when the lights were back on and the city was buzzing with neon signs, did anything really come of it?

Ok this post has been brewing for awhile and I’m listening to CFRB talk about it for the second time in 2 weeks and here is my confession: I don’t do Facebook. Never will.

It’s a form of social media so I figure bloggers will have an opinion about it and here’s mine.

High school was fine. I didn’t hate it, I had some good times, I made great friends. In fact, my closest friends are from those years. But I’m in touch with everyone I need to be. If I’ve lost touch, well, what can I say? I don’t miss you! If we weren’t friends then, why do we want to pretend to care about each other now, just because of this site? This site IS high school. How many friends do you have? Are people writing on your wall? Are you dating someone? Not married yet? Do you have a good job?

All my friends are on Facebook. All. of. them. Seriously. My boyfriend is on it. His friends are all on it. I hear people talking about it at the grocery store, on the bus, in Tim Hortons. I must be the only 25 year old in the city, maybe even in the country, who wants nothing watsoever to do with it.

If you want to get in touch with me, my email address hasn’t changed in 10 years. My cell phone number has been the same since 2001 and if you really want to find me, my parents have had the same phone number since I was 4 and learned the thing. If you google me, you can find my work email, work phone number and this blog. I don’t need another way to be found. Period.

Are you on Facebook? Why?

Yes, it’s very cool. Yes, it’s very pretty. Yes, it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen. But I couldn’t want one less. And I’m probably one of the only people in the world saying that today. If you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about Apple’s new iPhone. I don’t do Apple. And before you ask, yes, I’ve tried it. I’ve used a Mac desktop, I’ve tried out the laptop. I’ve played with the old iPod and I’ve listened to a Nano. And yes, they are all very pretty. But you’ll never see me buying them. And here’s why:

First, they are SO overhyped. One of my favorite games to play on my way home is to count the iPods. Yesterday I counted 10 in my section of the subway car. That’s a lot of people who bought the product for the name, if you ask me. Because there are a lot of other great players out there, ones that get better reviews and last longer. But they’re not called iPod’s. So they don’t sell as well. I’m one of those people who hate to have something that everyone has, just to be in on the fad. That’s one of my reason’s for not buying into the craze.

The next is their advertising campaign. I haven’t done any studies or research on this, but I’d venture a guess that word of mouth was the way Apple products got so big. They have the pictures of the people with the white headphones and the flashy commercials, but that’s about it. There wasn’t any major PR pushes involved. People talk, and they talked about Apple. Since we’re on the commercials, let’s discuss what is the reason that sealed the deal on my never buying Apple. The Mac/PC guy commercials. If you can’t sell your product on its own merit, without putting down your competitor, I ain’t buying it. I’ve talked about this before, so I won’t go into a rant, but Pepsi is the worst for doing this and Apple isn’t far behind on my list.

Apple products are expensive. Like ridiculously expensive. Especially since most people I know who have iPods have problems with them- from software, to mechanical etc. They aren’t the most durable things in the world. I have a Creative MuVo (which I can’t find a picture of because I’ve had it for too long) and I love it. It was around $100, it has a SD card slot for extra memory, a stopwatch, FM radio and it’s REALLY easy to use. It lives in the bottom of my gym bag. It gets tossed around, dropped, hit off stuff and stepped on and it just keeps ticking. I would break an iPod in about 2 days, I’m so hard on my players. I need something that I don’t have to handle with kid gloves out of fear I’ll hurt my precious player.

I could go on and on about how you have to buy special products for Apple, you have to use iTunes, etc. But I think you get the picture. So no, I won’t be investing in an iPhone. Who’s with me?? Anyone? Anyone?