That is the magic formula, the secret to all idle thought and a crushing blow to economic production. Even though this is the shortest weekend of the year, it is still worth anticipation and therefore chattery:
- British Columbia is passing an Apology Act. Here is the text in first reading. It is a little wee law that basically says you can say you are sorry for something without that being used against you. It does not mean that you are excused for the thing you are apologizing for but it does also mean the apology in itself does not serve as a GOTCHA! sort of thing. It is an interesting idea as ultimately there is no real barrier to legal action and, frankly, if you do apologize you are still highlighting that there may be a case to be brought against you if someone were to investigate further. But it speaks to civility and also levels the community so that, say, a professional who has done something they are not comfortable with but which is within the realm of normal non-perfection can actually say "Oops" or maybe something even kinder.
- It's been a rather adult week around here between applying for a mortgage and growning out my sideburns. I am under orders on the latter point. The trouble is I do not have the most robust near-ear fuzz and what is there is snowy white as is my whole beard now. That is why I shave - to look more 37 rather than 57. But apparently the suggestioning of a mini-moutasche near each of my temples is an important fashion statement so on I go.
- Speaking of manliness...am I the only one who is noting our new Prime Minister is getting rather large rather quickly? As a fellow traveller in this regard, it concerns. Heaviness especially at pace is not necessarily good for you. I know, I know...but some people actually are saying so. Here is my evidence over time. He has even taken to wearing gut covering vests when he is in the stinking hot jungle while the guys from Texas and Mexico wear thin searsucker. I don't expect he is a devotee of the beery world so what is he up to? Is he a secret pastries man? A two litre a day of Coke guy? What does a nerdy policy wonk do to get out of shape this fast? But if he wants to do it well, he really should get in touch with me. Two words: boston chocolate. Again, the man needs my help.
- Oh, yes. I went on a cable TV splurge just to check it out. Last year, I signed up for a movies/super-station package and got the Friday night Red Sox game. OK, I signed up for the Friday night Red Sox game and happened to get a movies/super-station package. But then the Super station lost the Friday night game rights. What to do? Well, dump the uber-transmissions and get the sports. 1600 baseball games. Seven bucks more. But what about the east coast stations? Nothing like watching Carl Wells on CBC Newfoundland tell about how the Burin is getting battered by storms again this week. One day I fully expect him to have a panicked look mid-hurricane and turn to the camera screaming "SWEET JESUS IN THE MANGER! WE'VE LOST FOGO!!!". So that's another seven. Then for another four bucks or so they guy on the phone said - I clearly heard him say this - "we can turn the tap on full." Best value, too, said he. So now we have 247 channels. Including One, the channel so generically named you can't find it on Google unless you use the counter-intuitive long form of the name: One - the Body, Mind & Spirit channel. My leafy green consumable and skin balm awareness is expanding as I sit here. I know it is.
Comments
gr - March 31, 2006 7:04 am
Hey, does mortgage equal successful house hunt? Good luck to you with that and the creative facial hair!
Alan - March 31, 2006 7:14 am
I fear a house with the charm of my right sideburn. Actually I have a rule: only mock Tudor.
Alan - March 31, 2006 8:39 am
<i>Oh-ma-g-AW-od!</i> Fun Leah noticed the clothes thing, too.
Flea - March 31, 2006 10:22 am
Be it Kandahar or Cancun, I think Stephen Harper's vest is a great, all-purpose fashion statement. If he sticks with it this will be his "thing". Like MacArthur's corn-cob pipe.
Alan - March 31, 2006 10:34 am
Maybe he can attach some curling pins and favorite fly fishing lures as well.
Chris Taylor - March 31, 2006 11:15 am
LOL! I am fully in favour of decorative fly fishing lures. Just as long as he stays away from a Henry-Blake-style fishing hat. Maybe instead of media scrums in the Commons lobby, he can do it from a bass fishing boat, too.
Alan - March 31, 2006 11:26 am
The olive drab bucket hat was clearly in the ensemble when it was purchased.
Flea - March 31, 2006 12:17 pm
The fly fishing lure plan is inspired. And, I think, inspirational.
Darcey - March 31, 2006 1:27 pm
It maybe a good boy scout Canadian thing - always dressing for the worst. I just had an imagery of an open parka
portland - March 31, 2006 2:21 pm
i'm not following this but i'll tell you that he'd better watch the olive bucket hat, fishing vests, and his nattiness in general just for his own sake. take it from me, there's not just a few people in ottawa who will tell you that old joe clark never made it as a prime minister because all he'd ever eat at state dinners was french fries and a steak. it's funny what will bring you down in this world.
portland - March 31, 2006 2:21 pm
and coco crisp.
Flea - March 31, 2006 3:21 pm
Now I want french fries and a steak.
Chris Taylor - March 31, 2006 3:55 pm
May I recommend Morton's Steakhouse (Park Hyatt Toronto) or Ruth's Chris Steakhouse (Hilton Toronto - Downtown) for incomparable steaks. Never had their fries, though.
Gordo - March 31, 2006 3:57 pm
The mornign news report on CITY-TV referred to as PM Harper's "funky vest". I think it looks damned sloppy, quite frankly. The guy's the PM and he insists on sloping around in a polar fleece vest? Ugh.
Gordo - March 31, 2006 3:58 pm
The Tulip in Toronto (Coxwell & Gerrard, I think) has the best steaks I've ever eaten. You can't discount a restaurant that not only has a meat bandsaw, but keeps it in the dining room. :-)
Alan - March 31, 2006 4:00 pm
Apparently there is an "Al's Steakhouse" in Ottawa on Elgin. When my Google ads really start raking me in the dough, I will only eat at places named as I am named.
ry - March 31, 2006 4:18 pm
I dont think Ruth's Chris has fries. Garlic mashed potatoes, but not fries. Place has a dress code after all.
Chris Taylor - March 31, 2006 4:31 pm
Actually checking the menu, they do indeed have fries. As for the dress code... I have been there in suits, jeans, and in one notable case, shorts and skateboard. Haven't been turned away yet.
Flea - March 31, 2006 5:18 pm
"Shorts and skateboard". Now there's an image I wasn't expecting to have branded on the frontal cortex.
SayNay? - March 31, 2006 5:20 pm
For anyone one who has been offended or has been hurt by what I have said or left unsaid, done or left undone, I am truly, truly, sorry.
There, whew! I feel better - works for me.
What about you a@#holes?
Oops.
I am truly sorry for that - again.
(I think its title should be the "My Name is Earl Act, 2006")
Chris Taylor - March 31, 2006 5:26 pm
Er, I was much younger and lighter in the skateboarding days, of course.
If the BC Liberals are Earl, does that make the provincial NDP his ex-wife Joy? The one who is constantly agitating to get her hands on his money or, at the very least, be the beneficiary of an Earl-funded hot tub?
Arthur - March 31, 2006 8:09 pm
Apparently there is an "Al's Steakhouse" in Ottawa on Elgin.
Stewiacke now has a Taco Bell...
Alan - March 31, 2006 9:02 pm
...by the mastodon?
Arthur - March 31, 2006 10:29 pm
..by the mastodon?
Yes.
Alan - March 31, 2006 10:30 pm
Cool.
Arthur - March 31, 2006 10:30 pm
I mean, 5 years ago I thought I had ended up in the middle of nowhere. Before you know Truro will be known as Truronto!
cm - April 1, 2006 8:00 am
I could really go for steak and eggs.
SayNay? - April 1, 2006 2:18 pm
Chris has the Earl and Joy analogy down to a T.
I see Warren "Shit from Hell" Kinsella has got into the apology act: see tody's post at
http://www.warrenkinsella.com/musings.htm
April tomfoolery.
Alan - April 1, 2006 2:27 pm
The interesting thing is how the delegalization of apology may cause a reduction in litigation, sort of a weird cultural fact if you aske me. Someone screws up my kneecap in an operation, I don't know how interested I am in an apology. That being said, I regularly remember to apologize as a professional not to avoid litigation but to make sure the perceived mystical side of the professional adviser is burst before it gets out of hand.
portland - April 2, 2006 10:10 am
i actually preferred al's to hy's. there's a place out on carling called the rosebowl that used to be really good.
Alan - April 2, 2006 9:40 pm
The TV splurge was worth it. There is a baseball game on my TV right now. If I hadn't signed up there wouldn't be. That is a big thing.