November 2011

How’s It Going, Baby?

It was one of those situations that was funny to everyone else but me.  Oh I see the humour in it but at the moment it happened and immediately afterward, I wasn’t laughing.  In fact, it’s such a touchy subject that I have waffled for several days about whether to even blog about it.  But here goes: …

Time for an End to Occupy London

Over the weekend the Occupy London protesters who continue to camp out in our city’s beautiful Victoria Park, held a movie night in one of the tents they’ve set up.   They also have a library full of donated books and generators to operate the powerful lights they’ve set up.  All they need is Jefferson Airplane and they could call it Woodstock.   …

Moments with Maya

Girlfriend Laurie and I scooped up a couple of tickets to see Maya Angelou at the University of Western Ontario this week.  The 83 year old poet, author and brilliant lecturer was a guest of the University’s Arts and Humanities program.  At 83, she still goes on the road – literally – to share her remarkable story and her wisdom.   …

Burying the Lead

The subject line refers to a news cliche of hiding your best story.   Say your cousin comes to visit and talks all evening about his ant-farming hobby.  Then as he’s just about to leave he says, “Oh and by the way, I won $11 million in the lottery.”  That would be burying the lead.   …

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Derek has had an old wall telephone for many years.  It hasn’t been ruined by someone trying to refinish it.  In fact, it still has the original company sticker on the side and a plate inside that says it was manufactured in 1933.   All of the components are original and in good shape although we haven’t put them to the test. …

Ruining an Institution

Tim Hortons announced this week that it’s adding espresso-based coffee beverages to its menu. I’m predicting a slow but perhaps fatal erosion of the customer base that made this company as Canadian as maple syrup and back bacon. …