Thread: Point Pelee to Ellesmere Board: Oblivion / Ship of Fools.


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Posted by Gwai (# 11076) on :
 
Or to CFS Alert for Pete

Happy early new year, Canadians!

[ 01. January 2012, 14:21: Message edited by: Gwai ]
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
I've been from 42 degrees 18' to 55 degrees 45' but haven't quite made the stretch from Point Pelee to Ellesmere.

Happy New Year, my fellow Canadians!
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
I lived at 74 degrees north latitude for six years - not as far as Ellesmere, but pretty far! Am feeling like the width is missing in this title, but will deal. Now that we have the bridge, it feels like the rest of the country is finally connected to the Island.

Happy New Year!
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Now if anybody says they've been on Hans Island, I'll really be impressed.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
That's Canadian Forces Station Alert, Gwai, but I forgive you.
 

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Posted by Gwai (# 11076) on :
 

 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by lily pad:
... the rest of the country is finally connected to the Island ...

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Doesn't that detract somewhat from its islandness?

Happy New Year to all from completely disconnected Newfoundland.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Oh sure, lord it over us, just because you are still pure. Although, I don't miss ferries stuck in ice for hours on end!
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
And I certainly don't miss the rush to be nearer the head of the line in the ferry-terminal parking lot.

I did manage to miss the "proper" boat one time, and ended up as the only passenger on the train ferry. Just me, my van and one box car. Mildly surreal. Could have made a good scene in an art movie.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Several times I've been first in line to not get on that ferry and had to wait for another.

But the best was the night the last ferry was full and they called me out of the line, about four or five cars back, and, through a series of maneuvers, guided my car into place sideways across the last spot at the very front of the ferry. It was nerve wracking but far better than waiting for the first ferry of the morning like many had to do.

Must admit that the traffic on that road is equally bad these days with so many racing as if there is a boat to catch!
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
That's been a puzzle to me, too. From the traffic circle to the bridge is a race track still. For some reason, the Nova Scotians are worst, then the Islanders (because they're not used to long straight roads? )

But Aulac to the circle is worst for weird passing maneuvers.

But I do remember one of the Mounties telling me that he never wrote a ticket for less than 35 over in ferry days, because he could hardly handle the paperwork for those, let alone the minor ones.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
The answer is speed bumps! There are loads over here and they were just getting into them in Liverpool when I moved over here - they are wonderfully effective.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Horseman Bree:
... I did manage to miss the "proper" boat one time, and ended up as the only passenger on the train ferry ...

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We missed the ferry from Ireland to mainland UK once and got a place on the freight ferry - it was far more civilised! A really nice restaurant (and just the right amount of time for a leisurely lunch) and no screaming brats running round all over the place.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I've been enjoying my Christmas Presents, including some gift certificates to Chapters.

I've been reading Lawrence Martin's Harperland detailing the inner processes of the PMO and how it exerts it's control, er, discipline. Fascinating stuff. The other is When the Gods Changed: The Death of Liberal Canada by Peter Newman. Finished that one, also fascinating though he does tend to Purple Prose at times. He cribbed a joke on Harper from Spitting Image too.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
SPK, have you read Terry Fallis' Best Laid Plans? Given your reading list, I think it would be right up your alley.
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
When a Canada Goose does a head-down, butt-up dive for food, with its inverted chest facing you, it looks as if there is a penguin in the water, especially if there is ice along the shore of the lake or pond.
Only Canadians get to see that.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
I know Point Pelee well (a regular pilgrimage on childhood visits to ancestral Essex county), but I'll give Ellesmere a pass ...

I've been immersed in my new DVD set of Brideshead Revisited, with dips into the book as needed. Also in the middle of my annual re-read of Lord of the Rings. All by way of avoiding screaming work deadlines.

Happy new year, all!
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:
SPK, have you read Terry Fallis' Best Laid Plans? Given your reading list, I think it would be right up your alley.

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Possibly. I have some more money on the gift cards.

OTOH I am fervently hoping to read a blessed e-mail this week from Montreal.
 

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Posted by Ferdzy (# 8702) on :
 
I haven't read Terry Fallis but gave his books to 2 family members this Christmas. Maybe I can borrow one once they are done.

I'm off to Cuba for 2 weeks tomorrow! None too soon. It has finally decided to snow AND get bone-chillingly cold here.
 

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Posted by poileplume (# 16438) on :
 
Sober Preachers Kid: "I am fervently hoping to read a blessed e-mail this week from Montreal."

Amen

Let us know ASAP after your receive.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Oh, Canada.


 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
In order to turn away from the wails of desolation in the land...

It's going to PLUS 7 here tomorrow. In January. It's about 20 degrees above normal. What... what do we do? Plant something? Check for daffodils? Expect to see footage of disoriented people who are braced for howling cold and finding none.
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:
Expect to see footage of disoriented people who are braced for howling cold and finding none.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:

It's going to PLUS 7 here tomorrow. In January. It's about 20 degrees above normal. What... what do we do? Plant something? Check for daffodils? Expect to see footage of disoriented people who are braced for howling cold and finding none.

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Likewise going to 7 degrees here today. And speaking of disorientation, there was a sound last night I couldn't immediately identify; then it struck me (literally and figuratively) - rain!?!

Fortunately for our collective sanity, it froze overnight. Close thing, though.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It got to +8° here today although it was p*ssing with rain and blowing a gale.

According to the Weather Channel it was +15° in Alberta yesterday.

Do the thermometers in Alberta go up that far?


 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I thought with the Chinook that Alberta thermometers were well-used to extreme fluctuations of temperature.
 

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Posted by Liberty (# 713) on :
 
Leaf - so I couldn't get to live in the Peg in *this* winter?!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Poor Liberty - are you regretting flying south?
 

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Posted by Liberty (# 713) on :
 
I mean no disrespect*, but how anyone would rather be in the US than Canada is beyond me!



*Which means I am about to say something disrespectful.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
Hey, nice to see you back, Liberty.

Nah, you wouldn't have wanted to be here during this wimpy winter. It's no credit to you to whimper, "Yeah, I lived there, but it was really mild..." For lo! we are made of sterner stuff, and we brag of having survived days of - 40C on end. You and Imaginary Friend have earned Official Canadian Winter Credibility.

I admit it was very nice to go sledding with kids in +7.* There were kids sledding in T-shirts, in early

January! Unbelievable. In a typical winter, those kids would have been frozen solid.

Still, a lot of people felt a bit unnerved by the weather... there was a lot of talk about climate change.

*learned that I will now ache from moguls.

[ 09. January 2012, 01:22: Message edited by: Leaf ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Just finished the two-part biography of John A. McDonald.

Best bit: The Franchise Act of 1887, which put Federal elections firmly into Federal control, also contained clauses to give the vote to women and to Indians without depriving them of their status. The last two were removed in the course of parliamentary debate, but the Old Man put them before Parliament in 1887 none the less.

Looks like we can rib EnZed for being a bit behind the equality times.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Just finished the two-part biography of John A. McDonald ...

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Before I read the rest of your post I thought you meant you'd just finished writing it ...

While you lot were basking in the sun in Winterpeg, we had what passes for a really cold day here today - it was -13° and -25° with the wind-chill this morning (but gloriously sunny). I suppose it's because we're an island, but we don't often dip below -10°.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Snow and freezing rain here. It's supposed to go down to -10 on Saturday.
 

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Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
We had -15 C yesterday, it is supposed to hit +7 this evening, and then back to -13 by Sunday, with positives later in the week. Can't you guys upstream get your acts together?
 

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Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Just finished the two-part biography of John A. McDonald.

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I finished part one of that just before Christmas, and have part two lined up to go on my tablet, but needed something different in between. It's good though.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I've worked as a Poll Clerk, DRO and have attempted to gain employment in the Public Service of Canada (*knock wood*). I appreciate much of the second volume on organizing the Government, McDonald's cunning and frequent use of patronage and the corruption of elections.

He sinned as much as anyone in bribing voters, dispensing petty patronage and even went so far as to fund the Confederate Party in the New Brunswick Confederation Election of 1866.

In some ways we've come so far since 1867 and yet in others we've hardly changed at all.

The best though is that I know the places in the book, references to villages in rural Ontario, even the companies, more than just Manulife and the CPR.
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Does the book make mention of the old rumours that Sir John A may have fathered Sir Wilfrid Laurier during an illicit realationship?
They sure look alike on our older folding money!
Extra interest now because of the possibly illicit Diefenbaby.

[ 13. January 2012, 19:57: Message edited by: Silver Faux ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
No. Though it has extensive commentary on his drinking. Sir John was a functional alcoholic.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Okay, this is driving me nuts. It's Macdonald, not McDonald. There -- got that out of my system, as my mother would say.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Do you feel better now?
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 


The SPKmobile won't start. It is a Toyota Corolla. I am not having the "Toyota Reliability" experience I signed up for when I bought it.

The SPKmobile and I have a deal: I stick to the regular maintenance schedule, it takes me where I want to go. The SPKmobile is not living up to its part of the deal.

I believe the starter has gone. I shall have to have it towed.

The Liberals on board may smile at the fact that this inconvenience caused me to miss the NDP Riding Association's Fundraising and Membership Drive meeting today.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
There may be karma balancing here. A young friend's Toyota Corolla broke down on her return to Peterborough from the weekend's Liberal convention in Ottawa. Kismet is non-partisan.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I received a cursed e-mail today, saying I failed the merit test for a Pulic Service job in Montreal.

For a question which asked you to memorize the departmental profile from the website and repeat it. Which I thought I did.

I am devastated. I have asked for clarification, but I have little hope.


 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 

 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
SPK, I am so sorry to hear that.
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Really sorry, Sober Preacher's Kid, to hear that having put so much of yourself into a search for something which you believed was a good fit for you, and where you can be both helpful and useful to others, you find yourself hitting the wall once again.
The Public Service can be a very hard nut to crack.
Good luck and best wishes as you continue to search and seek discernment.
Doors somewhere will open to you, but you must feel absolutely frustrated right now.

[ 18. January 2012, 12:16: Message edited by: Silver Faux ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Thank you Silver Faux, that was very kind. Thanks everyone for their best wishes.

Much to my chagrin, this process has had several incidents which raise problematic questions and I am launching an appeal through the proper channels.

One always wishes for a straightforward, honest process but then we fall through the Looking Glass.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Appeal filed; waiting for response. Haven't been sent a dismissal so I hope somebody is reading it.

for justice.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I was once told that no job is ever as diffcult as is the getting of it.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
SPK - Sorry to hear you're having such a rotten time - best of luck with the appeal process.

I can't believe I just read the words "Toyota" and "broken down" in the same sentence; aren't they supposed to be so reliable they're boring?
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
We shall wait and see. It's before the Grand Panel. Do I have to bow after invoking the Holy Name? How about some incense during the Ritual Chanting of the Complaint at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Aggrieved?

In other news, the ice around here is getting annoying. A church member went to the post office, slipped on the ice that is everywhere and now has a concussion.

No, I don't think this will turn into a lawsuit.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
You'll be fishing your winter coat out of storage next winter before your appeal is even responded to, I bet.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Got a call from an NDP Pollster, I think he was polling for Peggy Nash.

One question was how long my family had been in Canada. The options were one, two or three generations. Actually my last family member born elsewhere was my great-grandmother who came here from England in 1912. Other parts of my family have been here since the 1820's.

The dude thought it was a long time. Around this part of rural Ontario it's typical.

BTW the NDP also called earlier to confirm my mailing address so they can send me a ballot.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
So it seems we have a federal sex scandal. Been a few years.

I'm not surprised its Toews.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I don't see how leaking divorce records from some Twitter poster counts as a scandal against Toews. It's a nasty leak and I don't care to read the details of the man's divorce, but I don't see how Mr. Toews has misbehaved.

I think his legislation is overreaching but that is a simple democratic dissent.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Anybody that says you are either for us or for child pornography is pretty much a target waiting to be hit.

Without getting into them much, the details indicate that the man has a certain morality that is questionable in leadership. I don't have much sympathy for deadbeat dads.

More to the point of this board, if this was the 60's, we'd be asking if his mistress was in cahoots with the commies.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Ah, man behaves badly during divorce. Same old story.

I didn't care for the man's politics before, so little difference to me. I'd rather he be sent back to Manitoba but that would mean electing a New Democrat government.

Now there's something I support.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
**bump**

This thread's been slipping. Anyone gagnezed anything yet?

(I haven't. )
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Nope, trying not to buy any either so no chance to win. Pancakes and raspberries and yogurt on offer here though. Anticipating a great deal of yummy!
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Having given up coffee and sweet stuff for the time being (nothing to do with Lent - just tired of the blood sugar swings), I am in the midst of finding a new home for both a $10.00 TimCard and my cherished rimroller.

I'll have to gagnez vicariously though the rest of you.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I'm typing up the minutes of our latest Church Council meeting while listening to the NDP debates. I'm having a United Church overload.

The next debate in Montreal on "Building a Stronger, United Church", er, "Stronger, United Canada." Comes to the same thing.

A Presbytery Committee came to visit today. I was reminded why we are the NDP at Prayer.
 

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Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
Have deployed rimroller; I've seen three "play agains"

Does RUTRTW always happen in Lent? It did last year, too, I think. Generally coincides with me trying to remember to use a reusable mug.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
It always seems to happen during Lent - I may be a cynical little piglet, but I suspect it's a ruse to put off anyone who's considering Timmy's as a candidate for Something To Give Up.

I've given up giving things up. And I appear to have given up winning, as so far D. and I have collectively gagnezed bugger-all.
 

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Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
I only noticed RRTR this weekend past; not a totally regular Timmie-goer. When did it start? (I was in Montreal; A.E. Van Houte and Starbucks were the chain coffee places I recall visiting.)

[No, I did not give up previewing posts for Lent, I just goofed.]

[ 23. February 2012, 03:28: Message edited by: HenryT ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I confess I don't play RUTRTW. I don't drink Tim's coffee, I make my own at home.

Do I have to turn in my citizenship papers now?
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
I thought everyone knew that RUTRTW was a business strategy on the part of Tim Horton's. They'd noticed a seasonal drop in sales every late winter/early spring - due to what? I couldn't possibly say - and so came up with this handy promotion.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
I confess I don't play RUTRTW. I don't drink Tim's coffee, I make my own at home.

Do I have to turn in my citizenship papers now?

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quote:

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Originally posted by lily pad:
... Saturday evening bean suppers.

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Is that good for the well-being of the faithful on Sunday morning?*

D. has now gagnezed un doughnut; despite buying copious amounts of coffee at w*rk (double cream, no sugar), I've still gagnezed bugger-all.

* I'm afraid the scene from Blazing Saddles has crept unbidden into my mind ...
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Won a free Latte; so ordered a large (previously extra-large size) Deluxe Latte, with whipped cream and chocolate and caramel shots, floating atop around 14 ounces of Expresso coffee.
My feet didn't touch the floor again for most of that day, and I needed to stay off The Ship for fear of starting 3 or 4 new polls in The Circus.
Was good. All good.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
D. has now won at least two drinks and two doughnuts - one with a rim from a freebie.

I'm still gagnezless (although he gave me one of his winning rims because he's Very Kind).
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I have been to a number of Shipmeets in Ottawa; many of the Ottawa Crew know quite a bit about the Public Service of Canada.

The Main Estimates came out yesterday, those are the government's spending plans. I hoped to learn what happened to a few branches I was interested in but the tabled document says doesn't have the promised cuts, those will be introduced along with the Budget.

I feel like I've been assimilated into something and can't remember just when I crossed the line from Ottawa Watcher to Parliamentary Ring-Wraith.


 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I have now gagnezed un café. About bleedin' time, too.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
As I am not sure if there are any Tim Horton's outlets in Ottawa, I visited my local and, at the hands of a polychromatic barista, received a complimentary macchiato and biscotto on the occasion of my birthday.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
There's one at Ottawa airport. Many happy returns.

I've now gagnezed un doughnut as well.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
"polychromatic barista" ??? Was it her hair?
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
A question of Public Service of Canada trivia:

The Main Estimates were tabled at the beginning of March. The document said that they did not include any planned cuts which would be announced with the Budget.

As I understand it, Main Estimates are about spending, the Budget is about paying for spending. This departure from normal procedure must play havoc with Departmental spending and planning. How can you spend against the Estimates when the Estimates are not accurate?
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
A height-challenged friend working on a range of four cut-scenarioes for her department described the situation thus: Think of writing a final exam for which the pass rate is 50% or 90% (one isn't sure which), and you'll be given the result either in six weeks, or in a year. In all events, keep working normally until then.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Thanks Augustine.

On another topic, I just voted for the NDP leadership race. Martin Singh was my first choice, followed by Thomas Mulcair. Martin Singh has a good pharmacare plan which I like, but as a Type I Diabetic I am a special-interest voter. It is my hobby-horse.

The Mulcair campaign called my house and I told them they were #2, they would move to #1 if their candidate published a plank about pharmacare. Mulcair's said some nice things about it debates but he has no plank in his platform on it.

Stephen Harper vs. Thomas Mulcair in the House.

Bob Rae can go jump in the Ottawa River. I've had quite enough of his hogging the NDP's spotlight. Time to learn what Third Party means, Bob.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
If the Dippers pick a non- or pseudo-francophone they might as well be a third party, because they won't go far, and their Quebec caucus will be a one term wonder.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Mulcair will be entertaining. He beats Cullen who wants to make nice with the Liberals; I want to go for their throats.

Niki Ashton is just hawt though.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
SPK should be careful what he asks for--- my NDP friends who have long sought the death of the Liberal party are now uneasily aware that a two-party reality may simply serve to leave Stephen Harper perpetual president...
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Liberal track record of governing from right....

At least Harper gave the Royal back to our Forces. It's nice to have an Army again.

The NDP also came second in Peterborough and Northumberland Quinte-West, two of the most MOTR ridings in Ontario and the definition of ridings that make governments. That has never happened before in a Federal election here.

As CBC says "So goes Peterborough, so goes the nation."
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
SPK should be aware that the NDP running second in these ridings is very much indeed why Stephen Harper wants the end of the Liberal Party and the establishment of a two-party system.

However, given that federal politics is a very leader-driven phenomenon and that we don't have the next line-up yet, predicting the 2015 election is still a bit of a mug's game.
 

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Posted by no_prophet (# 15560) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Bob Rae can go jump in the Ottawa River. I've had quite enough of his hogging the NDP's spotlight. Time to learn what Third Party means, Bob.

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If the new leader of the NDP skinny dips with Rick Mercer, then Bob Rae moon will have been eclipsed.
 

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Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by no_prophet:

quote:

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Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Bob Rae can go jump in the Ottawa River. I've had quite enough of his hogging the NDP's spotlight. Time to learn what Third Party means, Bob.

---

If the new leader of the NDP skinny dips with Rick Mercer, then Bob Rae moon will have been eclipsed.

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I'm not sure about the wisdom of this, no_prophet. Unless, of course, you could name the one potential NDP leader who would not be charged under the Aesthetic Offences Act for baring it all on national television.
 

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Posted by no_prophet (# 15560) on :
 
All politicians, to be elected, should have to skinny dip with Rick Mercer.

Those who won't should be thrown in!

You're right of course, that there are many aesthetic challenges. I always thought Jack Layton could have been Burt Reynold's brother.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Niki Ashton would most definitely not be charged under the Aesthetic Offences Act.


 

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Posted by daviddrinkell (# 8854) on :
 
I see someone out Clarenville way has gagnezed a Toyota, so I guess that's the lot for Newfoundland this year. It would just me my luck to gagner un camping set (not my scene at all, especially if they're the size of the ones hung up in our local Tim's). I have two 'gagnez un cafe' rims in the car
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by daviddrinkell:
I see someone out Clarenville way has gagnezed a Toyota, so I guess that's the lot for Newfoundland this year. It would just me my luck to gagner un camping set (not my scene at all, especially if they're the size of the ones hung up in our local Tim's). I have two 'gagnez un cafe' rims in the car

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Just thought you might enjoy seeing what a typical Tim Horton's looks like in Alberta.
The oil patch has made quite a few folks wealthy there.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I'm not sure about that being a typical Alberta Timmy's, but we certainly have set a new standard in other areas
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Seriously, Meg, is that for wheel?
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Yeah, they just rolled it out. Now take a look that THOSE hubcaps!
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
It should be interesting to see just how Danielle Smith's handlers will spin this!
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
They will say that Alberta needs to rotate its tires.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
All together now! The wheels on the bust go round and round . .
 

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Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Hopefully, the hosts will not tire of these puns.
Clever though they are.
 

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Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Well, we poor Hosts have to keep abreast of what is going on on ALL the threads!

eta: and yes, we are clever, thanks for noticing.

[ 21. March 2012, 11:37: Message edited by: Welease Woderwick ]
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
It's Mulcair. The Budget Debate should be entertaining.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
After that interminable day, I was amazed that he was so fresh for the post-victory interviews. You could tell that the CBC political panel was completely wiped out by the time they were called on for their final comments; they only perked up when Peter Mansbridge mentioned wrapping up the segment and going home.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I predict internecine party warfare if Mulcair tries to move the party more to the centre, as he has promised. I am surprised that Cullen did as well as he did.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Meg the Red:
After that interminable day, I was amazed that he was so fresh for the post-victory interviews. You could tell that the CBC political panel was completely wiped out by the time they were called on for their final comments; they only perked up when Peter Mansbridge mentioned wrapping up the segment and going home.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Meg the Red:
After that interminable day, I was amazed that he was so fresh for the post-victory interviews. You could tell that the CBC political panel was completely wiped out by the time they were called on for their final comments; they only perked up when Peter Mansbridge mentioned wrapping up the segment and going home.

---

He probably had a quick shower in his private (as opposed to public) suite and a change of clothes while he was waiting for the results.

---

Decades ago, the cabinet minister for whom I worked would go through 2-4 shirts a day when he was doing interviews.

I liked SPK's irony in referring to l'Ourson d'Outrement (the Outremont Teddy Bear) rather than l'Ours d'Outremont (the Outremont Grizzly).
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Grrrrrrrrrr!

*Sigh*
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Yes, I caught that too Augstine. Too late for me, though.

Meg, never mind the snow. It appears the Alberta Tories might lose the election. Have to checked the temperature of Hell? The real place, not the board?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
It's certainly the most hotly contested provincial election I can remember. I'm scared silly that Wildrose might win. If I weren't in a solidly Dipper riding, I might seriously have to consider doing what I vowed I never would: vote (Gack!) Tory.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
A Question for the Public Servants aboard:

Regardless of the media hype, jobs.gc.ca has started to post this fiscal year's crop of job ads, e.g. Public Works has come forth with some good positions (unfortunately I don't have seven years of engineering experience and a P.Eng.) and others will come forward over the next few weeks.

I have enrolled in French lessons (very worthwhile) and I have B-level French Reading already. What's the best way to phrase the fact that I had a few good French scores and took remedial instruction to get BBB across the board and therefore should be tested?

My current phrasing is "Supplemented existing scores with French SLE lessons on own initiative."

I paid for the French training myself as it's Public Service HR bait. I fear no French memo, even if it includes the subjunctive.

What's the best way to say it on a resume? My language results are on the first page as eye candy.

[ 05. April 2012, 20:11: Message edited by: Sober Preacher's Kid ]
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
@SPK: your proposed phrasing should work. The staffing situation is likely to be unsettled for a while, and statutory and workforce reduction priorities will be (!) priorities, but some areas are likely to have gaps to be filled. It's impossible to say how this will work out in a specific situation. Those direclty involved may not yet know themselves.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Meg the Red:
It's certainly the most hotly contested provincial election I can remember. I'm scared silly that Wildrose might win. If I weren't in a solidly Dipper riding, I might seriously have to consider doing what I vowed I never would: vote (Gack!) Tory.

---

They have those in Alberta? Is it like some sort of reserve or something? Do you have to apply to live there?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
It's kinda like living in West Berlin; I keep hoping for an airlift of hemp clothing and solar ovens.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Speaking of the NDP, I received an e-mail with the English-language Mulcair TV ad that will be hitting the air waves this week. Good ad, quality production values.

The NDP decided that we weren't going to wait for the Tory Hatchet Gang to do their thing before responding.

I believe Augustine the Aleut said to me once that the Liberal Party basically ceases to exist between elections. This is a problem. The Tories don't have this problem and neither does the NDP. Curiously we now have a permanent war room and with this ad we're fighting Tory fire with fire.

This should be entertaining.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Rather like the poor I fear the tories are with us always.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
The first signs of spring have appeared: the little yellow devil plants, spawn of Satan that they are have reared their ugly heads in my yard.

Dandelions.

At least I have a removal tool for this, a stick with a retractable claw on the end that digs them out by the roots.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Welease Woderwick:
Rather like the poor I fear the tories are with us always.

---

There is apostolic dignity in the poor as Paul VI once wrote. Do not put them in the same sentence as the tories; that would add insult to injury.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I understand, I agree and I apologise unreservedly.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Speaking of Tories, Sun Media, who now own the Peterborough Examiner (it so sad to see a great lady fall, they've gutted that once respectable newspaper) had an editorial called the Alberta Progressive Conservatives "Liberals" and the Wildrose Party "The Real Tories".



Any reaction, Meg?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Yup, I've read that stuff all over comments pages and message boards. It shows just how far right the WR is, and how effectively they're using Republican-style scare tactics that some people are actually believing that nonsense.

'Course if the PCs are now Liberals, I guess that makes me and out-and-out Commie, a term which Ralph Klein used for those of us who lean left of centre. Hence, Meg "the Red".
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
HWMBO got a red flag with a white hammer and sickle from the local party office for Pete - do you want him to get another to send to you?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Are you kidding? I would love it!
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
I will ask him to get some more and will let you know when we have them - nothing like spreading a bit of light-hearted political unrest as well!
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Where are the Rhinos (note: not RINOs) when you need them? We could use a bit of honest humour in our politics.

Cripes, they almost won seats last time around!
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
[frivolity alert ON]
I have very few opinions when it comes to Canadian politics (which is just as well as I haven't got a vote yet either) but I chanced on a news clip of Mr. Harper addressing that conference he was at in Colombia or wherever and I couldn't help thinking that for that sort of thing he ought to have worn a tie.

Just sayin' ...

[frivolity alert OFF]
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
At least it wasn't a sweater vest.

And, TBF, I don't think Harper could look good in a tailored suit and tie. He doesn't understand the posture required.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
The leaders were probably all dressed like that -- those conferences often have more casual working sessions where they're all tieless and/or jacketless. They were probably taking turns behind the podium at a press conference following one of those sessions.

But, yes, generally, Harper doesn't have a clue how to dress. Who can forget the sartorial slip-up a few years back when he, GW Bush, and Vicente Fox were doing a little walk-about in Mexico. Bush and Fox were wearing loose white shirts, while Harper was wearing over his short-sleeved shirt some sort of bulky vest. He looked like he wore the vest to carry all his scouting gadgets.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I fear that standard not-funeral formal ministerial dress now features the tieless-suit approach. It is supposed to suggeste to us the workmanlike and informal bonhomie of the perpetrator. It is quite common among rising young turds in the bureaucracy and the political sphere and one is driven again to wearing ties just to distinguish oneself from the coterie of overpaid.
 

---

Posted by Sioni Sais (# 5713) on :
 
<sartorial note>

The convention on this side of The Pond is that when the tie comes off, the jacket does too.

</sartorial note>
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Steady on there Sioni, we don't want to be done for indecency!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
I can't stand the tieless jacket look. Though I have gone to Public Service interviews and was the only one wearing a suit. The selection board wore outfits the on the very casual side of business casual. This was three blocks south of Parliament Hill too.

I went to a merit test and wore a suit, I don't do dress casual well, I don't have the clothes selection.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sioni Sais:
<sartorial note>

The convention on this side of The Pond is that when the tie comes off, the jacket does too.

</sartorial note>

---

And a very sensible convention it is too.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
I fear that standard not-funeral formal ministerial dress now features the tieless-suit approach. It is supposed to suggeste to us the workmanlike and informal bonhomie of the perpetrator. It is quite common among rising young turds in the bureaucracy and the political sphere and one is driven again to wearing ties just to distinguish oneself from the coterie of overpaid.

---

Turds or Turks, or was that a Freudian slip?
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
hmmmm.....something else for my confessor to deal with.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
I thought that AtA's usage was quite appropriate.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Eh? I'm an aspiring bureaucrat and another kid from around the corner in my neighbourhood is now a staffer in Dean Del Mastro's office in Ottawa. He managed the campaign of the local provincial PC Candidate, who coincidentally was another Del Mastro staffer.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
Indeed, SPK, but do they wear ties? Or are they, to quote a former colleague's description (she, by the by, is a great-grandaughter of Saint Panteleimon of Vitebsk, a martyr of the Gulag) of a typical Tory assistant as wearing "a $1200 suit and scuffed shoes?"
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Very likely the latter, though my friend often wears cowboy boots. He is a big, tall man and was a very tall child growing up and he generally finds them more comfortable.

He did marry a Quebecois girl while in Ottawa.

BTW dear Augustine your PM box is full. I'd like to send you a witty reply but I can't.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I have been having the oddest evening, watching the provincial election results and breathing a sigh of relief everytime a PC was declared elected. In other news, a flock of these just flapped by.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
There there, Meg, it's called a Competitive Election. The rest of the country is used to it. I know it's a new concept in Alberta but you'll get used to the idea.

Just sit down, breathe deeply and remember that changing a government does not meet the coming of the Apocalypse. Perhaps you might have a glass of your denominational beverage of choice?

[ 24. April 2012, 03:26: Message edited by: Sober Preacher's Kid ]
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
QMI TV apparently is blaming the Alberta result on the Globe and Mail.

I await the campaign waged to get Bell/Globe Media/CTV off the government rolls.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Well, next year the Alberta Tories will lap Ontario's Big Blue Machine for the title longest-lived dynasty in Canada.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Who's planning parties to celebrate St-Jean-Baptiste or Canada Day?

And am I invited?
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Mr. Red and I will be biking over to the Alberta Legislature for a wonderful pancake breakfast put on every year by the Ismaili Muslim community, then toddling off to the William Kurelek exhibit at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage village, followed by a cycle through Elk Island National Park because really, what's more Canadian than beavers and bison?

We (ahem) "encouraged" #1 grandson to bike with us to the Leg. last year for the 7 AM start of the pancake breakfast - for some reason he's already made alternate plans for this year
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
Who's planning parties to celebrate St-Jean-Baptiste or Canada Day?

And am I invited?

---

As St. John the Baptist is the patron saint of not only the Cathedral but the city, we do quite a lot of celebrating round the 24th of June: there's David's "Last Night of the Proms" concert on Friday 22nd (bring friends, flags and teddy-bears), the Cathedral Barbecue and Auction on Saturday 23rd (bring drink) and our Patronal Festival on Sunday 24th (bring yourself).

Music for the Patronal Festival this year includes Hassler's Missa secunda and Tallis's O sacrum convivium in the morning and Byrd's Second Service and Gibbons' This is the record of John at Evensong.

And yes, of course you're invited.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
...And yes, of course you're invited.

---

You'd better start wheeling now, Pete.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
As noted, Mr. Red and I are already going to be wheeling, so I think it only reasonable that we get dibs on Pete.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Well I *am* going to SW Ontario on the 24th. Parties already arranged. Sorry piglet and Meg!
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I am being invited to a cottage up by Ladysmith (north of Ottawa, in the blackfly-infested woods of the Gatineau hills), to join with my Coptic posse in drinking cava and eating strange food.
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Since Canada Day falls on a Sunday this year, will most places be closed Monday, and will Monday be a statutory holiday?
Is it different for Canada's birthday, and Sunday is the only day of official celebration?
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Yes, Monday will be the statutory holiday for most. I believe in the case of weekends businesses have the option of giving the Friday or the Monday off, at their choice or in discussion with their employees, but there has to be a day off.

The actual birthday is Sunday but the holiday in observance thereof is on a work day.

Sunday will feature the festivities on Parliament Hill, I believe.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
The Hill festivities are always on the day thereof, regardless of when the stat hol is.

I avoid them like crazy.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Our stat. for Canada Day this year is the Monday, which also happens to be our wedding anniversary, and Thomas Cranmer's birthday.

Auspicious, eh?
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
IIRC, a few years ago didn't we have the option of which day to actually celebrate on and then MP's wizened up and made us do it on the day.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
In celebration of Her Majesty's Jubilee, the minister said a prayer for the Queen in church this morning.

I have now recited the Nicene Creed and prayed for the Queen in public worship in the United Church of Canada.

My little corner of the United Church is an odd one.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Why would you not pray for the Queen, and especially why, on Trinity Sunday, would you not say the Nicene Creed?

Signed

Confused
 

---

Posted by Steve H (# 17102) on :
 
"Point Pelee to Ellesmere"? is this another euphemism like "Aim Archie at the Adamant"?
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Point Pelee is the southernmost point in Canada and Ellesmere Island is the most northern.

Pete:

The United Church as Harry's House of Heresy trope?
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Although Pelee Island is actually the most southern location in Canada - Point Pelee is the furthest south on the mainland.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
Listening to the (French) news on Radio Canada this morning, the announcer informed us (trans) that the Prime Minister would assist at a Mass for the Queen at the cathedral of London.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
Listening to the (French) news on Radio Canada this morning, the announcer informed us (trans) that the Prime Minister would assist at a Mass for the Queen at the cathedral of London.

---

He's probably hoping to slip a whole bunch of wafers into his pocket.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
All perfectly good French.

The other day I wrote a page long story in French for my online French lessons about how my family wound up in New Brunswick and that I was born there, grace a l'Eglise Unie (thanks to the United Church). It has helped my ear for French.

I knew from church papers that Conference translates as Synode. My French instructor had never heard of that word used that way before. She looked it up and could only find uses of the word with regards to Germany. I gently explained that it was a Protestant word and that France and Quebec were Catholic. Germany, the Netherlands and Great Britain were the Protestant areas. It was therefore history and culture, which she appreciated.
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Parts of Montreal (the best parts?) were Scottish Protestant, of course.
See MaGill University, Dawson College, etc.
Bank of Montreal, the former Molson's bank, has Scottish roots, as does Molson beer.
Redpath Sugar, which endowed both Magill and Dawson College was Highland Scots in background.
PM Harper is a Presbyterian cum Pentecostal, I believe.
It seems to me he has been on national television drinking a Molson's.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Silver Faux:
Parts of Montreal (the best parts?) were Scottish Protestant, of course.
See MaGill University, Dawson College, etc.
Bank of Montreal, the former Molson's bank, has Scottish roots, as does Molson beer.
Redpath Sugar, which endowed both Magill and Dawson College was Highland Scots in background.
PM Harper is a Presbyterian cum Pentecostal, I believe.
It seems to me he has been on national television drinking a Molson's.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothiriel:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
Listening to the (French) news on Radio Canada this morning, the announcer informed us (trans) that the Prime Minister would assist at a Mass for the Queen at the cathedral of London.

---

He's probably hoping to slip a whole bunch of wafers into his pocket.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothiriel:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
Listening to the (French) news on Radio Canada this morning, the announcer informed us (trans) that the Prime Minister would assist at a Mass for the Queen at the cathedral of London.

---

He's probably hoping to slip a whole bunch of wafers into his pocket.

---

Much as I am not a fan of Mr H's, and today freely blamed the poor weather on him, the episode to which Lothiriel animadverts was not his fault, but that of the Archbishop of Moncton.

---

quote:

---

A long-time ago former colleague, a member of the PM's CMA congregation, tells me that he likely had no idea at all what to do with the host, as their practice is to receive their little square of bread and little cup (wee cuppie, to use SPK's description), and hold on to it until they all communicate at the same moment.

---

We do the same thing at my shack.

In all fairness, the clerics presiding were improperly prepared and acted loopy.

Still, on the subject of Mr. Harper's earlier church adhesions, he was raised a Presbyterian but left in his twenties. He also campaigned *for* Trudeau while in high school, but engaged in a process of self-discovery that led him in other directions.

And my dear Augustine, the proper curse for Mr. Harper is "May Thomas Mulcair beat you in the next election."
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
The Prime Minister certainly sticks to his chosen labels.
He was raised Presbyterian, which is a Reformed Church, and he ran for the Reform Party federally. He switched to the Alliance Church, and ran for the Alliance Party federally.
Now, as a Conservative Prime Minister, he is quite conservative about making his religious beliefs visible.
(By the way, Leaf, 20 years ago, most Alliance pastors graduated from Baptisit seminaries; now, I am told, most new Alliance pastors graduate from Pentecostal seminaries.)

[ 05. June 2012, 18:36: Message edited by: Silver Faux ]
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:

quote:

---

A long-time ago former colleague, a member of the PM's CMA congregation, tells me that he likely had no idea at all what to do with the host, as their practice is to receive their little square of bread and little cup (wee cuppie, to use SPK's description), and hold on to it until they all communicate at the same moment.

---

We do the same thing at my shack.

In all fairness, the clerics presiding were improperly prepared and acted loopy.
*snip*

And my dear Augustine, the proper curse for Mr. Harper is "May Thomas Mulcair beat you in the next election."

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Justin Trudeau is not a nightmare, he's a joke. I am not motivated by nostalgia for a time before I was born.

---

We were speaking of Mr Harper's nightmares.

One of my colleagues briefed young Justin on programs, expecting little, and came away impressed beyond words. In any case, he fought for his nomination, declining a walkover seat, took a riding from the opposition, and he has not shirked his duties, which cannot be said of all MPs.
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Is there anybody on here with the experience of a whole town going bag less like they have in Yellowknife and Fort McMurray?

My local city councilor seems to have done the unthinkable and we are going to go plastic bag less with our goods we buy at the store in a little over 6 months.

According to some, civilization as we know it is now doomed in Toronto.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Civilisation? Toronto?



We carry proper shopping bags in the car and after shopping and unloading put them straight back in the car - if we cycle to the shops we carry back packs. Some shops offer a sort of cheap cloth bag for one rupee for those that forget to bring a proper bag.

Whatever happened to the old string bag the likes of which my mum used to carry in her coat pocket?
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Good on councillor David Shiner! The funny part is how Rob Ford is trying to tell us that this is his victory. True, there'll be no bag tax next January, just like he promised ...

I won't miss plastic bags, except for garbage. But so many of the plastic grocery bags get holes in them, so they're not great for garbage anyway.

I think it's amazing how quickly the bag tax changed people's shopping habits. I remember in the 80s there were a few attempts by various grocery stores to encourage the use of reusable bags or bins, but they never caught on without a monetary incentive. Loblaws for a while sold string bags that were very awkward to use and didn't hold much. It wasn't until the bag tax was introduced that the stores all came out with the nice big squarish bags that are actually useful, and now it's the normal thing to use them.

The trickier part will be the unplanned dash into a convenience store to pick up a few things, but I guess paper bags will be available. I wonder if bio-degradable bags (often made of corn products) will be allowed, and how the "bag police" will distinguish between plastic and biodegradable look-alikes at a distance.

I can't believe I've spouted four paragraphs about bags.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
If you're only buying a couple of things, why do you need a bag? Just about everything comes wrapped in some manner anyway, so it won't suffer in the rain or snow, and you're almost certainly going to put it in the car to go home or wherever.

You get a receipt for the money you laid down.

What's the bag for?

I loathe being given another bag to get rid of, to hold something wrapped in indestructible plastic-cased cardboard or sealed in a plastic bottle.

And if you're going for groceries, how much forethought does it take to bring a bag with you?
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
When paper bags (made from clear-cutting forests) decompose in a landfill, they give off methane; plastic gives off nothing; it just doesn't ever decompose.
When fresh fruit and fresh meat are packed in reusable bags, even on alternate shopping trips, be prepared for a touch of food poisioning, causing you to spend time calling John on the big white phone.
I think the Toronto city councillors are nuttso, as indeed they need to be in order to let their names stand for election so people can attack all their great ideas.
I prefer the system used in bear country; everyone keeps their garbage locked away or a big hungry bear comes knocking on your freakin' door.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
So, SF, you'd prefer a pile of billions of plastic bags just sitting there defying decomposition (but making a huge lump in the landscape) to having to actually handle some of the stuff (?junk?) that you buy?

Why do you need bags at all?

And, do you really believe that humans have no effect on our planet?
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Today, I went to a local store to check my ticket from last night's $43,000,000 lottery.
The machine played music, and shouted at me that I am a gagnon. Right to my face.
Then it told me what, as a gagnon, I had won; a free ticket on next week's $50,000,000 lottery.
So, I didn't win money this time, but now I have a chance on an even bigger draw.
What a great country! What a great lottery!

 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Somewhat successfully resisting a a desire to be pedantic about incorrect usage in a second language.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
That is that the lottery machines in Ontario say, "gagnon".
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Weird. The word "gagnon" is either a family name or an almost-spelling of "gagnons" which would mean "Let's win"

A winner would be "un gagnant", n'est-ce pas*?

* "innit?" in Britspeak or "isn't it?" in the Queen's English
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
The (very irritating) voice on the machines says "Winner! Gagnant!" As in "You're a winner ... vous est un gagnant".
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Sounded like Gagnons to me. Tells you how good my hear for French is.
 

---

Posted by Gwai (# 11076) on :
 
Well, since two of you think that's what the machines sound like they're saying, blame the machine!
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Actually, it is a great idea to blame the machines; after all, they have LCD displays that show the words WINNER! GAGNON! as they play their loud annoying burst of music.
Of course, none of us should be buying lottery tickets in the first place, but if you happen to be passing the counter when someone wins...
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
I've never bought a lottery ticket, so I've never looked at the screen (only heard the machine voice while waiting impatiently in line at the drugstore while someone verifies the 50 or so tickets they've bought).

That's bizarre spelling. Although, on the OLG website, they list "gagnants récents", so not everyone at the OLG failed high school French.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Augustine the Aleut once said that in practicing French by reading Quebec newspapers, you would eventually reach the stage where you were angry not at missing a word but over the content itself.

I have just got through reading Vincent Marissal in La Presse, haranguing about spending $8 million on the Diamond Jubilee, a celebration for a foreign queen. HM is not a foreigner and Quebec spends more on St. Jean Baptiste Day.



May his dog poo next to his master's bed so that Vincent Marissal steps in it when getting out of bed.
 

---

Posted by poileplume (# 16438) on :
 
On Québec politics, they are such a mess that if there was another vote on sovereignty I think I would vote ‘yes’ then leave. Watch the politicians to sort it out from a safe distance e.g. New Brunswick.

Seriously when Charest (The Premier) eventually calls and election, I have absolutely no idea which way to vote.
 

---

Posted by FooloftheShip (# 15579) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Sounded like Gagnons to me. Tells you how good my hear for French is.

---

Are the six nasal sounds of French safe in the hands of francophone Canadians? The difference between gagnons and gagnant should be at least easily detectable if not unmistakable.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Not in Canada. And not when I speak French. I wouldn't say *safe*, just different. Quebec was ceded to Britain in 1760 and missed out on the French Revolution.

"Oui" in Quebec is pronounced "Oué". Apparently it is a remnant of Royal French, the French of the old Royal Army and the Clergy, which formed the "educated standard" for Quebec instead of Parisian French.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
without getting into the regional variationa.

The geographic distance between, say, Chicoutimi and Shediac is nothing compared to the linguistic split, and neither are particularly comprehensible in Montreal.
 

---

Posted by Silver Faux (# 8783) on :
 
Hey, is anyone else planning on taking in the 100th Anniversary Edition of the Calgary Stampede?
I've always wanted to seak through the gate and ride a mountain bike between the chuckwagons during the races, but would hate to panic the horses.
Might eat some free pancakes at the Stampede, though.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
looking for the (small) chance of eating a pancake flipped by the MP from Calgary otherwisse known as "He Who Must Be Obeyed"?
 

---

Posted by Ye Olde Motherboarde (# 54) on :
 
Happy Canada Day

(from a shipmate with Canadian connections).
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Thanks! Happy Canada Day to you too!

The flag is out with the lights on it. It was a beautiful day today and another one promised for tomorrow with lots of activities to mark the day including the Tattoo Parade and fireworks.

Crazily enough, the stores are all open tomorrow, preventing the employees from taking part in the festivities. They will be closed on Monday when there is nothing on. Sigh, only in Canada you say? Pity.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Happy Canada Day from the Mystic East! Very muggy sort of day here today (29° humidex) - the only sensible course of action was to sit within range of an electric fan, which is what I did ...
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Fireworks going off in the park right now.

Canada Day in Toronto will consist of a party on St. Clair West sometime around 4:45, whether Italy wins or not.

I intend to watch that game in a pub somewhere away from there, head home and then out to watch the night time fireworks with my daughter. The last time we watched Canada Day fireworks together, she was 3.5 months and fascinated by them.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Happy Canada Day folks.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Dean Del Mastro.

There hasn't been anything like this happen to a Peterborough MP for decades. I read about it in La Presse yesterday. When was the last time Peterborough was worth mentioning in La Presse?

The sorry thing is I know some of the people who work on his staff, one grew up around the corner from my house. I would be very sorry to see him dragged into this.

The other thing is that Peterborough isn't a safe Tory riding; it's the definition of a swing riding. Peterborough hasn't voted against the government since 1980 and that was the first time since Laurier's day. "So goes Peterborough, so goes the nation." Dean isn't safe in a riding full of people who would vote Tory even if the Tories ran a ketchup bottle for a candidate.
 

---

Posted by Liberty (# 713) on :
 
Thanks Canada! Although maybe y'all should be thanking us Yanks for showing you the big city (and also showing you writing that changes tense for no clear reason)!
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Ur welcome, I suppose.

Sounds like the crews down there are from small town Ontario.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Liberty:
Thanks Canada! Although maybe y'all should be thanking us Yanks for showing you the big city (and also showing you writing that changes tense for no clear reason)!

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Dean Del Mastro.

---

So he's finally got his meeting with Elections Canada -- I'm reading this in the Globe and Mail, and it says that he'll be cautioned about his statements being used in evidence if it comes to prosecution. Is there something in La Presse in addition to that?
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
No, but Peterborough doesn't rate mention in La Presse most of the time. The same as Jonquiere doesn't rate mention in the English-language press most of the time.

Floods and other Acts of God, I can accept, but political scandal? In Peterborough?!?

I'm sorry to say I voted for Dean in that election. That was before I saw the light and joined the NDP.

I still can't take Dean Del Mastro seriously. He owns a Kia dealership down on Lansdowne Street We sent a car salesman to Ottawa.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
No, but Peterborough doesn't rate mention in La Presse most of the time. The same as Jonquiere doesn't rate mention in the English-language press most of the time.


Floods and other Acts of God, I can accept, but political scandal? In Peterborough?!?

---

Clearly a slow news day ... If it was just local politics, no, it wouldn't get noticed further away than Belleville. But La Presse picked up a Canadian Press story, and it's national news since it's about the governing party. It's also riding on the coattails of the stories about the robo-calling and the overturned election results in Etobicoke.

quote:

---

I still can't take Dean Del Mastro seriously. He owns a Kia dealership down on Lansdowne Street We sent a car salesman to Ottawa.

---

Heh. So did my riding - John Carmichael of Don Valley West. And he's the one who introduced the bill to send people to jail if they prevented someone else from flying the Canadian flag.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Happy Glorious Twelfth, or not.

The Orange Parade in Peterborough was cancelled this year. One of the Orangemen got sick....
.
.
.

and the other one decided he didn't want to march alone. It's also Thursday afternoon Euchcre at the Long-Term Care Home and he didn't want to miss it.


 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
will be preparing lunch today for my mother and her Ulster-origin BFF from Grade I, Brown PS, Toronto, class of 1941, and to commemorate the glorious Twelfth, the first dish will be a lovely orange-hued gazpacho andaluz. What better way to mark King Billy's triumph!

PS History geeks will know that William of Orange's efforts were subsidized by Pope Blessed Innocent XI.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
What is it with some Public Service HR people? I just saw a decent regulatory job, some specific knowledge required, on jobs.gc.ca. I might have met the screening criteria, so I applied.

There were no screening questions in the application at all. Normally there are at least some, at least to ask you to detail your degree or confirm professional experience. There were none in this case. I have never seen that before in a jobs.gc.ca posting, ever, and I have been looking for a long time. Was someone asleep at the switch or what?

I submitted the entire app in the time it took you to read this post. Thank-you saved resume.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Presumably, they knew who they were going to hire (probably a friend bumped from some other place) and just had to post some sort of ad to cover the formalities.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
In that case they could have done it as an internal posting, which I would never see.

External is just weird for this sort of thing.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
... orange-hued gazpacho andaluz. What better way to mark King Billy's triumph ...

---

How about an Ulster Fry with soda farls?
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
... orange-hued gazpacho andaluz. What better way to mark King Billy's triumph ...

---

How about an Ulster Fry with soda farls?

---

Depends on your cardiologist
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Once a year won't do you any harm ...
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Piglet, dear, you will be responsible for the cardiac surgery I now have to have after reading that recipe.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
The doctor just put me on statins. After looking at what an Ulster Fry is, I believe I will take one to lower my cholesterol.
 

---

Posted by Jengie Jon (# 273) on :
 
Well just be glad she did not suggest a Norfolk Fry Up

Jengie
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I need to lie down.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I'm sorry - I appear to have inadvertently caused cardiac distress. Maybe I shouldn't mention the fish-and-chip restaurant chain that offers a free pudding to anyone who can finish their extra-large portion of fish and chips ...

That doesn't include me.
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
A friend once finished the 14" pizza in the Adelphi in Liverpool and won a bottle of bubbly - I sat and watched and I assure you he didn't cheat. It was one BIG pizza!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Rain, glorious rain!!! I haven't mowed the grass in the month. The front yard consists of straw. And my car is clean!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
For the first time in the history of the Ship, Pete and I held a Shipmeet in Port Hope.

Sorry, no pics, I forgot my camera.

Two Dippers walk into a restaurant....
 

---

Posted by Welease Woderwick (# 10424) on :
 
Today* is Unca Pete's Burfday!

Happy Birthday, Sir!

Is it true that you are now older than God?


*If it isn't yet there, it is here and soon will be there, as well.
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Happy Birthday wishes Pete from the best little Island that ever there was. (Yes, yes, I speak for the whole place!)
 

---

Posted by Lothlorien (# 4927) on :
 
Happy birthday Pete!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Thanks to the Internet, I just finished watching the oral arguments before the Supreme Court in the Etobicoke Centre elections case. That case disturbs me greatly. I have been a Poll Clerk and a DRO and on that day was DRO in another riding. I knew exactly what was being discussed.

The most frightening thing that was said was "Had the Poll Book been completed properly and in full, we wouldn't be here (case would be clear from evidence)." Poll Books document changes to the Electors List, Registration Certificates, etc. I've completed that very document myself. That'll be a lesson for future Elections Canada training sessions. Be correct, in full, or else.

Uniquely in cases seeking to declare an election null and void, the court of first instance is the Federal Court or the Superior Court of a province, and appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court of Canada, by right. This case went directly from Etobicoke to Ottawa without a stop at the Ontario Court of Appeal on Toronto.
 

---

Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
Dropping by to wish Pete a slightly belated birthday.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
'Busy' Rob Ford admits to reading while driving

Clearly an elaborate publicity stunt to get "Rob Ford" and "reading" into the same sentence.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Proof that Alberta is no longer rat-free.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 


-10 points, Meg, for making a way-too-easy and far too obvious joke.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Oooh, Meg, do you think you can convince him to stay???
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
SPK: I'm terribly sorry to let the side down, but you must understand my brain is numbed by fear - His Worship is going to be within spitting distance of my home tonight and I'm terrified he'll rent a car to get here. I fully expect him to plow through my living room wall.

Plus, his visit juxtaposed rather neatly with this development. Couldn't resist.

Loth: In. Yer. Dreams.

Unless of course you're willing to swap for the entire Wild Rose party.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 


Don't even joke about that, Meg! Keep them safely in Alberta behind that Firewall you seem to be so proud of there.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Bumping this up in reponse to WW's threat of banishment to Oblivion, but also to say that the drought in this area has become so extended that even the weeds in the garden have keeled over and died. How far across Canada does this extend?
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Have had just enough rain to the south of you but it sure has been a warm summer. I have missed most of it having had a broken ankle and then finding out I have to move house. Tonight is the last night in the old place. Movers arrive at 8 am tomorrow. New place is not really ready yet. Gonna be a fun day!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
We had a dump of rain the first week of August; I had to cut the grass after that. Now the brown is back.

I hope September and October bring rain.

OTOH, I have had two Shipmeets on my own turf here in Northhumberland County this month. PeteC and then Henry T & Mrs. T were nice enough to come calling.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
We had a couple of inches or so of rain a week ago, but that was pretty much it for August. We haven't had really browned out grass, even on the lawn that we don't use the sprinkler on, but there's been some wilting in the garden of things like hydrangeas that like lots of water.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Not being a gardener, I haven't really noticed any effects of that sort, but we've certainly been having some lovely weather here. It was sunny and 17° today, which is just the way I like it.*

* Wodders, if you're reading this, please take this virtual electric blanket ...
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
That was a splash, 20mm of rain yesterday. Nobody complained either.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Great happiness has been expressed by just about everyone as they splash through the rain we're getting as I write. Very little run-off, since the ground is dry for at least 6 feet down.
 

---

Posted by Trudy Scrumptious (# 5647) on :
 
Anyone else in the east get hit by Leslie? We got extremely high winds here in St. John's, though not as bad as with Igor 2 years ago. Still some significant damage. We lost a lot of limbs off the beautiful old maple tree in our backyard, but the tree itself survived, and there was no property damage, so we fared better than some.
 

---

Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
It passed us completely by in Saint John.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
I must say it's quite disconcerting to open up my browser and see headlines like "wet, wild Leslie [my real name] pushes into Newfoundland" !

My sincerest apologies for my namesake's bad behaviour. I hope everyone will be okay.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Apparently you had to be south of the Cobequids to get the full effect. We had major rain here, but Truro was flooded when the dykes (that are supposed to keep the sea out) broke.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
Nothing much to report chez Piglet, although D. decided it would be wise to secure the scaffolding outside the house with a rope fed through the bedroom window and tied to the bed-post ... Got a day off w*rk though, as the University was closed.

We're also lucky in that we're quite close to a hospital, a fire station and the main police station, so when we get power-cuts they tend to be put right fairly quickly.

I understand that the cemetery at Forest Road has had worse damage than it got from Igor, which is not so good.

edited for tpyign

[ 12. September 2012, 00:53: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Going to be in Montreal this week. Anyone else attending Prov. Synod?
 

---

Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Hmmm....guess not. That's okay, I shall amuse myself with all the Montreal folks rather than any of you.
 

---

Posted by Augustine the Aleut (# 1472) on :
 
I was in Montréal on Friday, but alas, otherwise occupied.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Henry Champ has died. And Sam "the Record Man" Sniderman.



I mention this here, rather than there, because although they were both celebrities, TROTW wouldn't give a hoot. They were ours.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Cheesit! Da cops!

Police in Niagara border towns busted for smuggling inferior American cheese across the border for local pizzerias.
 

---

Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Some truly Canadian choreography here. Perhaps, given Pete's post, we should add a dance called The Cheese Smuggler, or its legal counterpart, the Cross-Border Shopper. I think they missed a particularly iconic Canadian move, namely The Tongue on Frozen Fencepost.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
They've missed out the Carrying a Timmy's™ While Simultaneously Walking Along the Street and Conducting a Conversation.

I haven't mastered that one yet - I hope it isn't part of the Citizenship test ...
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I understand that the new tests will ask you to use "Eh" in three positions in one sentence, piglet. This is a pass or fail question.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
The Curler should be renamed Shovel the Snow -- it's nothing like sweeping a stone.
 

---

Posted by Horseman Bree (# 5290) on :
 
Lothiriel: what did you expect from people in the center of Toronto?
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Hey -- we both curl and shovel snow here!! We know the difference -- although given the age of the people in the video, perhaps they haven't done much of either.
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Justin Trudeau is going to run for the Liberal leadership.

Prediction: He will win, the Liberals will still be in third place after the next election.

I was born in 1982. I do not wax nostalgic for an era I don't remember.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
I understand that the new tests will ask you to use "Eh" in three positions in one sentence, piglet. This is a pass or fail question.

---

I'll start working on that one, eh?

[ 27. September 2012, 02:09: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by PeteC:
I understand that the new tests will ask you to use "Eh" in three positions in one sentence, piglet. This is a pass or fail question.

---

I'll start working on that one, eh?

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
Justin Trudeau is going to run for the Liberal leadership.

Prediction: He will win, the Liberals will still be in third place after the next election.

I was born in 1982. I do not wax nostalgic for an era I don't remember.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Augustine the Aleut:
<snip> the less ideologically inclined the party, the more necessary it is to have a chief on a white horse. <snip>

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
...They also propose to create Hastings - Frontenac - Lanark which would stetch from Stirling, just north of Belleville all the way to the Ottawa city boundaries. It would include Perth, Carleton Place and Mississippi Mills...

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothiriel:
That's good - "riding" is delightful word with a fun etymology. It comes from an Old English word derived from Old Norse, "thriding", meaning "third part". It became part of the name of the three old districts of Yorkshire -- North Riding, East Riding, West Riding -- and thence made its way to Canada.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
... Opitz v. Wrzesnewskyj ...

---

"M'lud, may I respectfully request an adjournment until I learn how to pronounce that?"


 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
It came to Canada with the British North America Act, 1867.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
... Opitz v. Wrzesnewskyj ...

---

"M'lud, may I respectfully request an adjournment until I learn how to pronounce that?"

---

quote:

---

How come Manitoba and Northern Ontario are directly east-west of each other?

---

I'd offer a prize for the correct answer, but...
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
The map of Canada is clearly biased in favour of Ontario.
 

---

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Sober Preacher's Kid:
... Opitz v. Wrzesnewskyj ...

---

"M'lud, may I respectfully request an adjournment until I learn how to pronounce that?"

---

In the spirit of wishing to be helpful: you might reconsider making this sort of comment in areas which had significant Eastern European immigration, such as the prairie provinces. Racist assumptions about people with "funny names" had a real impact on lives. If you were born with a surname like Mardynalka, you had to change it to Martin if you wanted to get a job. Your own "funny name" wasn't acceptable.

Making fun of names with lots of (what are to you) culturally-unexpected w's, j's or z's really isn't that funny when it has that sort of history attached to it.

I hate waving the flag of the offenderati. But frankly I would want to know if this were me. Should I ever travel to "The Orkneys" I would want to be made aware of local sensitivity about language.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
My apologies; I looked at the name, tried to pronounce it and realised I was making a complete hash of it. No offence was intended.

BTW, for reasons I don't understand, "the Orkneys" is technically wrong. It's just "Orkney" or, at a pinch, "the Orkney Islands", but never "the Orkneys".
 

---

Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
Yes, I knew that. That was an ironic demonstration of what I meant, i.e. it will annoy the locals if you say that.
 

---

Posted by Firenze (# 619) on :
 
At home, the locals derive innocent merriment by getting visitors to read out place names like Ahoghill, Augher, Clogher and Aughnacloy.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I am shielded with the whole armor of God. Kingsfold sent me a teatowel explaining how to speak Glaswegian. This will come in handy next spring.

I have spent my entire life listening to clueless anglos mangle my surname. It's not that difficult.
 

---

Posted by Moo (# 107) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by Firenze:
At home, the locals derive innocent merriment by getting visitors to read out place names like Ahoghill, Augher, Clogher and Aughnacloy.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Chorister:
If that is so, how on earth would they manage with Welsh and Cornish??

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Leaf:
Yes, I knew that ...

---

I had a feeling that might be the case, once it was too late ...

I suppose names are all going to sound foreign or unpronounceable to someone. I rather enjoy cookery programmes, but I've yet to see one on this side of the pond where the host can pronounce "Worcestershire" as in Lea & Perrins Sauce. It's usually referred to as Worcester (pronounced "Wooster") Sauce - the "shire" bit is left off, but they all get their teeth in a right tangle over it.

[ 14. November 2012, 02:10: Message edited by: piglet ]
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
I remember when I was small my dad (born and bred in SW Ontario) gleefully pronouncing "wooster sauce", and my bafflement when I was old enough to read the label. He probably learned how to pronounce it when he was in London during the war.
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
My Dad used to trick us with Chumley (that's how it's sounded. He also had us going with MacHinery. We were a gullible lot.
 

---

Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I reckon Kirkcudbright in the Scottish borders was named purely to confuse invaders from The Other Side™.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by piglet:
I reckon Kirkcudbright in the Scottish borders was named purely to confuse invaders from The Other Side™.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothiriel:
How is Kirkcudbright pronounced?

---

My Mum (who has family round there) says it something like (in IPA) /kəˈkuːbriː/ (something like "kuh-KOO-bri") Maybe she's been too long in England - Wikipedia has the much more Scottish-sounding (in IPA) /kərˈkuːbriː/

Its not got a patch on Milnagavie (where we have even more relatives)

[ 15. November 2012, 16:26: Message edited by: ken ]
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by ken:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Lothiriel:
How is Kirkcudbright pronounced?

---

My Mum (who has family round there) says it something like (in IPA) /kəˈkuːbriː/ (something like "kuh-KOO-bri") Maybe she's been too long in England - Wikipedia has the much more Scottish-sounding (in IPA) /kərˈkuːbriː/

---

Thanks, Ken. I guess the Scots would sound the 'r', so the Wikipedia transcription makes sense. I would not have guessed that the second syllable would get primary stress, however -- but the
Wikipedia entry on the etymology of the name shows why. The name makes a nice little exercise in historical morphophonology that's bound to distract me from my day's work (and if I'd been sensible and stayed in academia it could have been my day's work!).
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
Just had a bit of a giggle when I noticed that Justin Trudeau, and the mother of his half-sister, Deborah Coyne, are up against each other for the Liberal leadership.

That's what I call keeping it in the family!
 

---

Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Justin Trudeau, Gerard Kennedy and Martha Hall Findlay.

After the Liberals are through scrapping the bottom of the barrel, they can wear it.

Besides, Nikki Ashton is better looking, and my age.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Climate change a 'real and present danger,' Kent says

What, we wake up one day and read that the Conservative government sees the light?

Ironically, though, many climatologists would hesitate to attribute the devastation caused by Sandy to climate change. The Conservatives are responding to chatter like the recent headline in Bloomberg Weekly that proclaimed "It's Global Warming, Stupid". So as long as some rich guy says it, the Conservatives will listen. And billions of dollars in damage close to home also gets their attention.

And Kent still manages to diss scientists by saying that they're wrong that individual weather events aren't evidence of climate change.

But hey, if it means that Canada will finally do something serious about its carbon emissions, who am I to complain?
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
From the sublime to the ridiculous: I read with some bemusement that there is a movement to change Mexico's official name from Estados Unidos de Mexico to just plain Mexico.

Newsflash - Just do it! How many people remember the Dominion of Canada?
 

---

Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Can I just say that it has and always will be pronounced:

Kezik


not Kezwick


Pretentious twits.
 

---

Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Toronto mayor Rob Ford removed from office for conflict of interest (pending appeal)!! Let the celebrations begin!!
 

---

Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I just saw that! That's what comes of thinking that winning a popularity contest was more important than following long-established rules. He may win the appeal, but I bet you anything he will be very careful not to pull that shit again.

I actually hope that that porcine idiot gets turfed out. And is barred from running again.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
The decision, Pete C, permits Ford to run again, unfortunately.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
As I just found out... but the Porky one could run again in 2014. If Council is smart they will appoint someone rather than call a byelection. That would be a waste of money.

Of course it is all a left-wing conspiracy.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
We lefties are relentless. The next 14 days will be intesting. Ford might get granted a stay of judgement while he seeks leave to appeal.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
He's going to fight tooth and nail, he says.

Everything's a left-wing conspiracy to him. He doesn't seem to realize that many not-so-lefties can't stand him either. It's not his politics, it's his stupidity. The National Post and the Globe and Mail, both with a conservative bent: "his mayoralty was a streetcar wreck" and "Nonsense" to his claim of a leftist plot (G&M); "no denying that Mr Ford's two years as mayor have been a disappointment" (NP). I don't see any editorial comment from the right-wing tabloid Toronto Sun just yet, but I'm sure they'll support him.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
What is it with Mayors? Montréal. Laval. London. Toronto.

In the meantime, Harpic leads the country to wrack and ruin. David Thomson, 4th Baron Thomson of Fleet, is happy though. And all the other cronies and lickspittles.
 

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Posted by Leaf (# 14169) on :
 
The other Leaf views the Globe and Mail's coverage of Rob Ford as comedy gold, and for that reason only, hopes that Ford will appeal. Or if not appeal, at least run again, purely for the hilarity value.

I confess that on this bitterly cold day, the Schadenfreude is keeping us warm.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
The application of the rule of law to the worst tendencies of an entitled person, be they left or right, is always a good thing.

Now if the right in this city would finally realise they don't need Ford, that would be even better.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
The chair of my church's Council is the former mayor of this small town. I eagerly await what she has to say about the idiocy of His Rotundity.

I knew someone that obese would expire before the end of his term.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Leaf:
The other Leaf views the Globe and Mail's coverage of Rob Ford as comedy gold, and for that reason only, hopes that Ford will appeal. Or if not appeal, at least run again, purely for the hilarity value.

I confess that on this bitterly cold day, the Schadenfreude is keeping us warm.

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And everyone at the Toronto Star is looking blankly at each other, wondering what they'll do without their favourite chew toy.

He does have a lot of comedic value, that's for sure, but he's best enjoyed at a distance, I think. Those of us who have had to endure two years of his attempts, some successful, to screw up the city we live in really just want him to go away and have fun coaching football full-time.

From what I've been reading, it seems that Justice Charles Hackland, who heard the case, is known as a good, meticulous judge who isn't swayed by politics. We'll be holding our breath as we wait to find out if the appeals court will hear the case, and the results of the appeal. In the meantime, it will be interesting to watch the dynamics shift on city council. The middle and the moderate conservatives will no doubt increase their distance from a lame-duck Mayor Ford as he waits out the appeal process. Whether his mindless sycophantic posse on council (there's about a half-dozen of them) also abandon him is less certain. And of course there will be jockeying for the position of mayor pro-tem if Ford does make his exit before the end of his term.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
First sn*w of the season (about four inches, wet and splatty).
 

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Posted by HenryT (# 3722) on :
 
Pronunciations: Ottawa has a suburb called Gloucester. One of the former delights of the nearby PBS station's pledge drive is listening to upstate New Yorkers mangle this.

(One time 60 Minutes covered an ill-fated outsourcing by NyNex (New York/New England phone co)) to Arizona. New England place names are a minefield of UK-isms mutated by time.)

On Rob Ford: various people have pointed out that the relevant act is pretty harsh and tightly framed. And by his own testimony, Ford never read the conflict of interest rules. Hoist by his own petard, he was.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Ford's brother has been comparing things here to Egypt.

Except he was saying in Egypt it was the judges who were trying to change things.

I don't think he reads the papers much.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
Actually it looks like Clayton Ruby made the first comment about Toronto being like Egypt, although, of course, Ruby is saying that it's a good thing to take down a despot who thinks he's above the law.
 

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Posted by Sober Preacher's Kid (# 12699) on :
 
Ah, we beat Perfidious Albion!

The Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant.

Globe & Mail Article.

To that end, A Loyal Air
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I will raise a glass as soon as she is out of the hospital and stabilised. Poor girl. But good news for the Maple Crown, as the Monarchist League of Canada is so fond of using.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Maybe we'll become a republic under Charles' reign.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
She has all my sympathy -- acute "morning" sickness is dreadful and non-stop, as I know first-hand.
 

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Posted by Caissa (# 16710) on :
 
Ms. C. still has acute memories of morning sickness almost 16 years after her first pregnancy.
 

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Posted by Chorister (# 473) on :
 
I was chatting to a friend who had morning sickness really badly: apparently it can be really serious if not brought under control, people can lose huge amounts of weight and get very badly dehydrated. In a few cases it can even be life-threatening.

Meanwhile, how exciting if the royal baby is a girl, she will still be first in line to the throne. One in the eye for the CofE!
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
The wife of a friend of ours in Ireland had hyperemesis - it does seem to be very debilitating.

for the Duchess - hope she feels better soon.
 

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Posted by Lothiriel (# 15561) on :
 
F-35 sole source deal scrapped, according to the Toronto Star. As the article puts it "a dramatic climb down for the Tories".

About time.
 

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Posted by Og: Thread Killer (# 3200) on :
 
Snow and winter, finally. Just in time.

I came up for air from the job 2 days ago. Hope all are having a good holiday season.
 

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Posted by lily pad (# 11456) on :
 
Rain and +10. If I didn't want to go skating outside so badly and build a snowman, I would be happy about it.
 

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Posted by piglet (# 11803) on :
 
I noticed some unseasonably high temperatures your way on the Weather Channel, LP. I think they're heading towards us - not quite as warm as that but 6° or 7° and we've got red warnings for 25-50mm of rain, which strikes me as quite a wide margin - 25 is a Very Wet Day, while 50 is almost a deluge (and may be enough to clear away the sn*w).

Hedging their bets, I suppose ...
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
I'd trade rain for the 25 cm of wet, heavy snow we have endured here in out National Capital. The bushes lining the sidewalk have crashed leaving entrance and egress from this building difficult except for those brave enough to endure the frozen snow on the driveway.

In other news, the Parliament Hill Cattery is down to 4 cats.* They were out of a job in 1965 when more efficient mouse collection was established. Fat and well fed, thanks to cat-lovers and volunteers.

*strangely enough, I am not referring to the MPs. Although a part of that paragraph could equally apply to them. At times, the entire Hill has seemed a cattery.
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
Pete, I consider that an insult to cats. (Pats purring moggy curled up on lap.)

It's very snowy and quite chilly here. Nonetheless, we took Grandson Minor on a Christmas-light walk last night, which he quite enjoyed, being bundled up until he resembled the Ikea monkey. Despite the -28C wind chills forecast today, we're going to make him and his brother unwrap and don their new Christmas snowshoes and go on a trek to find the rest of their presents from us. Because we're just that mean.
(And their mother paid us to leave them in the woods.) (Kidding.)
 

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Posted by Meg the Red (# 11838) on :
 
I'm happy/relieved to report that the Santa trek was well-received, despite its being somewhat abbreviated due to the weather. We got some great video of Number One Grandson sprinting in his snowshoes, kicking up big rooster tails of fresh powder in his wake.
 

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Posted by PeteC (# 10422) on :
 
The final act of the old year : this thread is closed
 

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