This and That

Haven't blogged in awhile... So an update - stuff that's rattling about my noggin these daze...

- 282 days left in the Bush Presidency. Thank fn' god - what a horrible chapter this has been on every front. And now it's Obama vs. McCain in November. Happy to see McCain there - I really like the guy. I think there's a real decency to him. But make no mistake - it's Obama's party - this guy has the ring of destiny about him... And I think he'll be good for the country, not only in the short term but more importantly - in the long run. Rich, old white men don't always have all the answers. Btw, I also think Hillary would have made a good commander-in-chief as well. Both candidates are very, very impressive - and an example of what that country can produce if the conditions are right. Wonder what the chances of an Obama/Clinton ticket in November?

- As for the Canadian political front, this Conservative minority government is still governing? And how long has it been now? 2 years? At first glance, this is a real surprise as minority gov'ts don't usually last this long... And they've had a fairly effective run as well (I know my liberal friends cringe at me saying this). So why is it lasting so long? I think there are many factors at play, but there is clearly one above all. His name is Stéphane Dion, leader of the Liberal party and the official opposition. Thus far, he's been the problem. The party has not rallied around him with much confidence and he still has not established himself as a strong leader and a prime minister-in-waiting. Too bad as I thought he had potential, but if he hasn't don't it yet - he never will. I have little doubt he'll be ousted within a year, but not before an election call. Every new leader, no matter how badly they're doing, has the right to take his party through the election battle. The only question for the next election will be: Will the Conservatives get a majority? My guess - no. Canada is not a land of extremes and the Cons always have the threat that they would take the country to the faaaar right. Another Conservative minority, followed by another Liberal leadership convention. Let's see if the Liberal delegates can pick a strong leader this time. I hope so - because this makes Canada stronger in the long term.

- Toronto Maple Leafs: Hmph. They missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year, a franchise first. Not even in the Ballard era had they missed the post season 3 time in a row. Unbelievable. And yet quite believable. And so the million dollar question is who will take the reins of the club in the off season? I think it'll be Brian Burke. I think his ego needs a big sandbox to play in. Being president of one of the cornerstone franchises in sports is too tempting to pass up. I think he's here first week in July.

- TV continues to be crap. There has been no show that I've been watching with any regularity - I've lost complete interest and it's all the same. I continue to ask: Is there any original ideas left? Sigh.

- Big news: I've fallen in love... Yes, it's true. And it feels great! I'm like a kid again. I'm giddy all the time, and annoyingly so in public. The sun is shining every single day and I dance like Fred Astaire all the time ... Sadly, it's not with a girl .... And I better be quick to add that it's not with a guy either (not that there's anything wrong with that). It's with a beer. Rickards White. And why is it so heavenly? They put a slice of orange in it - and my heart goes a flutter! I'm in sheer heaven. (And to answer the question that's going through your head at the moment - Yes, I am a sad, pathetic figure - but I don't care - I'm in love!). Cheers!

- So for the last 6 months or so I've been quite bored and unchallenged on most fronts - home, work, life... (well, except for Rickard's white!). And so be careful what you wish for... Because over the next 4 months I will be: Changing jobs, changing cities, travelling to Europe, and living right smack in downtown Toronto. Once again, life has shown me that you have to power to change your life if you want it bad enough.

And now, if you'll excuse me - I need to head out and continue my goodbye tour of the pubs and bars of Waterloo. There is a lot of sad bartenders... I keep telling them that it's not them, it's me. But I'm not sure they understand... I hope they'll be ok.