Sunday Tidbits

Random stuff on a lazy, summer Sunday ....

- Having waaay too much time on my hands lately waiting for job interviews, etc... I've been watching more TV than usual and one of the more amusing things to emerge are these instant stars from the world of Texas Hold 'em poker. Is there a more boring group of fat, lazy, jobless, self-important, baseball-capped losers who wear those stupid sunglasses, even when interviewed on TV, to hide their poker 'tells'. They play Texas Hold 'em over the Internet for years in their t-shirts and underwear, then when one of them finally wins big, they are suddenly TV celebrities. The worst part is that they act like one. They see themselves as TV stars. So they mumble about their strategies, 'final table' war stories, and how cut-throat poker is. They dress like they just woke up, grunt in one syllable words, and god forbid if they ever shave. Now in the real, nonTV world - these guys are normal, every day dudes. I like guys like this. But in the context of TV, they are the most unappealing, unexciting people on the face of earth. I normally see guys like this on the TV show - Cops. Charisma is not a word that comes to mind. So, it begs the question, can we please teach the good looking people to play poker?

- Speaking of the police, why is it that I never see a cop signal? Whether it's changing lanes or making a right, whether it's Toronto, Ottawa or Montreal - I don't recall ever seeing a signal light from a police car? Aren't they supposed to lead by example, I ask naively?

- The Toronto Blue Jays are done. They have no pitching. Start warming up Rita McNeil.

- New movie out by Oliver Stone - World Trade Center. This movie about 9/11 offends me. And I really don't know why. I saw the previews, and it looks very emotional and engaging. I have no doubt it pays fine tribute to the NYC firefighters and puts them in a very good and deserving light. But it still offends me. Why? Could it be that they are milking the tragedy of 9/11 to make money - manipulating our emotions and heartstrings? Hell, that's nothing new - Hollywood's been doing that for decades. Could it be that it's still too soon after 9/11? Hmmm.... perhaps. All I know is when I watched the previews, I saw scenes dripping of emotional irony with the heaviest of string music and the most overly dramatized lines. It was heavy, syrupy and emotional. I would really have difficulty watching this - without throwing up and getting really angry ... It would offend me. But I am not exactly clear why... Maybe for all of the above...

- I haven't done any Bush bashing lately. Thank you once again, Jon Stewart.

- Prime Minister Harper decided not to attend the Aids Conference in Toronto. And why didn't he? Could it be that he doesn't want to alienate his right wing base? You know, those Canadians who think George Bush is doing a great job? It's sad though - attending this, and showing the world what a serious issue this is, would have been the right thing to do. This is what a leader would have done.

- Looks like two are emerging from the Liberal Leadership race over the summer - Stephane Dion and Michael Ignatieff. It should start getting interesting nearer to the convention. And when is that, you ask? December. December??? Yes, December. Set the snooze alarm for another three months.

- Wanna see a great old picture of London, England? See it here. It is not often you see this era in colour. Real nice.

- Update on my job search: In a word - slow. I've had two interviews with one more scheduled for tomorrow. I've applied to many Project Manager positions, primarily in the Toronto and west Ontario region. I have also applied to selected positions in Ottawa, Calgary, Halifax and Vancouver. I even applied for a PM position in Tallinn. Not sure if I want to go back for another year at this point, but it's nice to have options. I'm waiting to hear back from a company in Waterloo, Ontario who I interviewed for, a week ago. If I get an offer - it'll be decision time.