So, apparently...on my car insurance renewal, I've got the option of "Accident Forgiveness".

Yes.

Now, for a monthly fee I can prepay for an accident I might have, instead of paying for it 10 times over after I've filed a claim....and if I never have an accident, they get to screw me with my consent.

What a deal!

Inequality 101

"What is believed to be North America's first women's-only pharmacy is set to open Tuesday in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside".

I consistently don't understand why certain groups need to make issues out of non-issues.
Why do women need their own pharmacy?
If mens' groups decided that they needed to have a "male only" pharmacy...certain womens' groups would lose their collective minds. Human Rights violation application at the mere mention of opening such a thing.

Why is it ok for women to discriminate?

I wanted a female GP, so I found a female GP.
If you want a female Pharmacist, there are plenty of them...go to a pharmacy that has one.

Fuck.

So, I caught the episode below of Hitched or Ditched, and I was torn.



While Torrino's mother is totally a racist, I kinda see some of mom's points.
Ok...not the white devil one...that was stupid...but, when she pointed out to his girlfriend El Lana that she never cooked, or helped out around the house when she was living with Torrino at their home, I was feelin' mom.

I dunno, this whole "I don't cook and clean" badge of honour many 20something women are wearing is really baffling to me.

El Lana, states rather firmly to Torrino's mother that she "doesn't do/enjoy that"...and then starts crying and playing the victim card when his mother states her concerns about the kind of wife she thinks El Lana will be to her son.

Torrino's mother calls her manipulative, and I can see what she's talking about.
Anyone who stands up for herself and states pretty firmly all the things that she will and won't do, generally isn't the kind of person who dissolves into a puddle of tears because someone tells her a few things.

Unless she's manipulative.

Listen, if you love the person you claim to love, you at least make an effort to not put them in a position of hurt, and difficulty when it comes to the people they love other than you..no?

Would it kill her to take a cooking lesson or two from his mother?
Perhaps bond a bit with her?
Help tidy up after dinner?

Jesus Christ...I just don't get it.

If I got started on all the things my West Indian Mother in Law taught me, there wouldn't be enough room on this blog...and while I was learning all those things we became family.

I'm not sure what Robert Deluce did to Mayor Miller (except make him look like the jackass that he is..) but, a lot of people have a real hate on for him, and Porter Airlines.

All this crying about Toronto not being a "world class" city, and then all these Councillors bitching about what a bad idea it is to make it easier to get in and out of Toronto for business with a downtown airport...ok, they're not bitching about that, they're bitching about government money helping Porter out.

Yeah, well...I'd have to say that Mayor Miller was the one who really helped Porter out by backpedaling on a deal, and costing us taxpayers an "unspecified amount" to settle the lawsuit Deluce brought against the City.

He asked $505,000,000...let's all do the math on that, since Deluce did settle..it couldn't have been that much less than what he asked. Especially since it's "unspecified" to the public.

Imagine a new terminal where business people don't have to travel 35km by cab to Malton to take a flight in or out of Toronto...and then perhaps travel back over that turf by plane to get to New York or any other city on the Eastern seaboard...oh, and those 400 new jobs that the new terminal might bring.

OMG...somebody stop this horrible man from making it easier to do business in Toronto!

I'm not naming names, or pointing fingers...

But, I've noticed a new phenomenon in the past 8 years or so (since Holly) in this city that is disturbing to me.

High profile media covered tragedies that involve children, and the eventual expectation of donations from the general public.

Why does this bother me so?

Honestly.

The first snowfall this winter was early November...

Wasn't even technically "winter" for another month and a half...

I have officially had enough.

Blood Boil.

I can't tell you how insulted I am by the possibility of yet another strike.

In this economic climate, with the highest unemployment rate since the great depression, the threat is an affront to all of us.

"...the contract proposal would give teachers a 10.4 per cent salary increase over four years, and include money to hire more teachers.

School boards have already accepted the offer, but the union says it's outraged by Ms. Wynne's threats and deadlines."

Yes, the union can afford to be "outraged".
It's not them who are going to have to walk the picket lines. It's the Teachers who will lose pay while they're walking the line, even if they voted to accept the agreement.
The union is also not going to have to be in the classroom to face the parents who already feel that Teachers have it 'cushy', and are angrier with every threat to keep their children out of the classroom.
The Union forcing their members into a strike in this economic climate will only serve to further damage an already tarnished relationship between the general public and Teachers.

"The dispute between the union and the school boards appears to center more on who controls how teachers do their jobs rather than how much teachers are paid.

Mr. Clegg said earlier that school boards are pressing teachers to double the amount of time they spend supervising children outside of class time and giving principals a say in how some preparation time is used - demands not made of their high school counterparts.

The union asked for raises of between 3 to 4 per cent in the first three years, and no increase in the fourth year so the money could be used to hire 1,500 more teachers, as well as other non-monetary items.

The school boards' association argued that even without a salary increase in the fourth year, the union's request would cost it an extra $260-million in funds it doesn't have."

The bullshit line about it "not being about the money", is also an insult.
Everyone knows that time is money...and to date, I don't know of anyone who is willing to give you that time for free.

It just makes me sick.

Interview Hell

I'm interviewing again, and to say pickin's is slim, would be an understatement.

I hate this process with the heat of a thousand suns.
It's like The first few rounds of American Idol, only without the comedy.

I've only just begun screening candidates and here are two MORON experiences I've had, almost back to back.

One woman wanted to know if it was ok to bring her kid to the interview.

I shit you not.

Another asked about the hours of the full time position in question, and then proceeded to tell me that it conflicted with the courses she signed up for in January...and then she "uhm-ed" and "ehm-ed", like I was supposed to help accommodate her by changing the hours of the position, or something...I'm not sure what she was expecting...but I said, "Well, I guess a full time position conflicts with your schedule...tell me, why did you even apply?"

"...oh, I wasn't sure if I was going to go back to school in January..."

I only got her resume 36 hours ago...

Jesus...this is going to suck.

Uncle Tim should be my nanny.

I know that there are a lot of people who just hate the fact that there are big box stores and chain coffee houses all over the place.

There's a certain kind of Torontonian that abhors anything but cute, hip little bistro type establishments with quirky and kitschy decor...and the attack on generic, uncute, and suburban Tim Hortons with their disposable coffee cup drama is amusing to me.

Why should Tim Hortons be my nanny?
I'm a citizen who knows where the nearest garbage can is.
I drive about town with empty coffee cups in my car until I get home or get to a gas station.

Yes.

I know that the disposable cups create a lot of waste.
But, Tim Hortons isn't the only coffee place that uses them.
Because they're the biggest, they should pick up the tariff on all of them?

They at least do something to curb their negative impact on the environment.

If we're going to demand this, then it should be built into the cost of the cup...for everyone who sells coffee.

The cup manufacturer level.

Yeah, that includes the cutie little bistro cafe's take out cup as well.

Call me Holmes

I was bonding with The Mister, watching the Rapters and Milwaukee playing basketball for about 7 minutes...because that's all I could take.

But, in that 7 minutes, I honed in on Dan Gadzuric, of the Milwaukee bucks.

Well, with that surname, I immediately was curious.
A google search told me that he is Dutch, born in the Hague in 1978.

Wiki says he's of Dutch nationality.

With a name like Gadzuric?
Yeah.
Ok.

Further checking led me to find out that his mother is Serbian, and his father is from St. Vincent.

Now, that makes more sense.

It seems that being Serbian (even half) would be something to hide.
If possible.

I haven't seen Lakeview Terrace, and I really wasn't planning to, until now.

I read this review from Racialicious, and decided that I have to rent it when it comes out on DVD.
I have to see it because it's made the reviewer so angry.
I don't really understand why there cannot be any evidence of black on white racism depicted in movies. How dare filmmakers show this?
Ditto on psychological thrillers with psychos who are not white...ok, Arabs and Eastern Europeans have always been ok with Hollywood as crazies, to suit whatever propaganda is needed at the time.

An interracial couple whose neighbours might not approve of their relationship?
How could that possibly exist in this day and age?....much less a racial minority who feels that way...and problems in a marriage? No way?!? Really?
This can only be perceived as a diabolical conspiracy by "the man" to make black women look bad on the whole...not just characters in a movie.

The movie might actually be crap...but, until I read that review, I wasn't going to bother.

Most excellent post to be found here:

"Buzzkill are a white, affluent, middle-aged couple whose mission in life is to suck all the joy out of every single party they attend. They bait every guest into an argument that highlights their moral superiority,"....

"TORONTO, ON- Toronto may be losing its status as Canada’s pre-eminent city and business hub and that has city residents worried, according to a new study and poll from independent research organization the Fraser Institute."

Listen, I know that we want to blame Mike Harris for everything from lack of Social Services to bunions, but there comes a time.... when we have to move on and acknowledge that we're falling behind when it comes to business because of our City leaders and their bad decisions and provincial attitudes.


The ridiculous taxes on business, and now even on home buyers has driven many into the 905.

The Island Airport debacle.
Thanks Miller, for trying your best to make it harder than it needs to be for people to get into and out of the city for business...because God forbid we piss off those 12 people over on the Island.

Public transit that practically doesn't exist.
Toronto's attack on car and driver would make sense if we actually had a proper method of travel.

Cash grab parking.
Honestly, how are tourists who drive into the city supposed to want to come in for theatre, sports and so on when it costs $30 to park your car?
Oh yeah...just park your car at Yorkdale, and travel 45 minutes on the TTC...of course.
We LOVE tourists...especially the ones from small town Ontario.

The hate on that 416 has for 905.
Seriously, how are we supposed to expand and amalgamate transit and services, and share business when we hate each others guts based on some sort of perceived "suburban" vs "hipster" thing. Let's face it...the people I've met who think they're the "hippest" come from the 'burbs or small town Ontario. Like your parents divorce...GET OVER IT!

...oh...I could go on, but my head is starting to hurt.

"I Frickn' hate weddings"

The solution is not to buy into the horseshit that the wedding industry tries to convince you that you absolutely have to have.

Weddings are just window dressing, and an opportunity for some women to live out some sort of Barbie/Princess fantasy, or for some parents to compete with their family and neighbours in the "I did better than you in life" competition.

I can think of about 7 million things more worthy than a dress to spend two or three grand on....and none of those things is a cake, or theme costumes for my 11 bridesmaids and 6 flower girls, or a limo bus, or flowers, or centerpieces...or anything else like that.

A while ago, The Mister and me were driving along when we witnessed an aggressive cut off for no good reason. The driver sped up and cut off a person in the lane to the right of us, and then promptly slowed down.
It got The Mister and me talking about driving styles...The Mister thinks that the way people drive is an extension of their personalities...and I tend to agree.



Take my test.

Are you a Toronto driver?

You're driving along and someone behind you has their highbeams on for no good reason.
You...
A) Slam on your brakes.
B) Get behind them and turn on your highbeams.
C) Flick your mirror up and keep driving until they move from behind.

You're coming up to an intersection and the driver in front of you suddenly turns on their left turn signal.
You...
A) Follow them, get in front and slam on your brakes.
B) Follow them, get in front and turn on you turn signal at the last minute at the next intersection.
C) Wait until they turn and go on your merry way.

You're waiting for the streetcar to close it's doors so that you can catch the light. The driver keeps them open with no one getting on, and closes them just as the light turns red.
You...
A) Get in front of it and slam on your brakes.
B) Pull up next to the doors and catch the drivers attention and flip him the bird while mouthing obscenities.
C) Wait for the light to change and go on your merry way.

Someone cuts you off.
You...
A) Get in front of them and hit the brakes.
B) Get in the lane next to them and stay next to them making sure that they can never get into your lane again. Refuse to make eye contact.
C) Chuckle about how stupid people can be, and go on your merry way.

Someone is tailgating you.
You...
A) Slam on your brakes.
B) Get behind them and tailgate them
C) Change lanes to get away from that crazy person, and go on your merry way.

Someone wants to get into your lane.
You...
A) Speed up and and slow down to stay at par with them. When you finally let them in, get into the lane they just changed from.
B) Speed up, and when they get into your lane...hit the brakes.
C) Slow down and let them in...they're in more of a hurry than you are.

You're changing lanes.
You...
A) Keep your turn signal on, and take as long as you can to get into the lane.
B) Speed up, get in the lane and then slow right down.
C) Speed up, get in the lane and go on your merry way.

If you answered "C" to any of these questions, you are NOT a Torontonian.

Promzilla?

Just like I don't get the giant, paying off for a decade weddings...I don't get the mini wedding prom.

Just for the record, I also don't get the hall renting, buffet, big deal sweet 16 party...kind of like a poor man's debutante ball.

"Fast forward to 2008 and now parents are left on the hook for the dress, the limo, prom tickets, hair, make-up, manicures, pedicures etc. The whole bill now runs over $1,000 once you factor in all these costs.

Retailers have even told me that Grade 8 graduation has become like a mini-prom, with parents forking over $2-300 for a dress for a 12-yeard old!"

What?
A grand to go to a party?

You must be mad.

Why does everything have to be over the top?

(image from Crazy Ravens Studio)

"With a gun to his head, the young driver made a split-second decision. He would crash the car intentionally. The resulting four-car collision may not have been in the plan, but the suspects did take off when the dust settled, leaving their gun behind amidst the mangled metal."


Because if I'm going to die, who gives a fuck about the rest of you bitches!

Too much Fast and Furious, and not enough sense.

The scary thing is that this kid is really proud of himself.

Dear Downtown Toronto Pedestrian,

I know you're in a hurry (aren't we all?), but when YOUR light is red, kindly keep your half-caff skim latte, and ass on the curb until you get the GREEN!
When you step out and stand 5 feet into the intersection, you make it impossible to make a right turn.
...and don't give me that fucking LOOK.
Between you, and the insane, ignoring the rules of the road cyclists it's a miracle in defensive driving that more people don't get hit.

...and while we're having this conversation, how about taking a look around every so often.
I'm tired of you assuming that everyone else is going to look out for your personal safety.
Yeah, you may have the right of way, but that doesn't mean that you don't need to have a quick peek around to see if it's safe.

Thanks,
Radmila

(By special request)


"I want them to feel like that. I'm sorry, you just fired a mother of four over a Timbit," she said.

Overzealous?
Absolutely.

Internal employee issue?
Uh, yeah.

What her marital status, financial situation, and number of children has to do with it?
Zero.

Thinking this has more to do with other shit in her employee file?
100%

Thinking that she would have been hired back even without the media attention?
Uh, yeah.

People think that it's so easy to fire someone.
It's not.
That's what the Labour Board is for, and employers are very aware of the standards...even if Managers are not.

I want to know who called the media.

Everyone thinks it's all about them....(even me)

So, I'm reading "Baby Wars" on the Toronto Life website:

"Pulp Kitchen is a small 24-seat vegetarian restaurant and juice bar in Leslie­ville, where strollers dot the sidewalks like giant jelly beans. On a summer day in 2006, Julie Forrest entered the restaurant with her friend Karen Green and their two infant daughters to get some salads and juice to go. It was late in the morning, and no one else needed to be served.

Instead of a big welcome, the hipster behind the counter directed a frosty eye at the babies in their strollers. “It was a definite F-you look,” recalls Forrest.

A few weeks later, when she walked by, Forrest saw a handwritten sign on the door: “Attn, parents with baby strollers. Our restaurant is tiny! We have parking for only one stroller inside (but not in the dining area). Thanks!” Forrest’s neighbourhood, south of Queen near Logan, is a place of class confusion: she can buy direct-trade organic coffee and drink it while watching a heavily armed police squad circling a house across her street to halt a drug-related kidnapping. These are the realities of modern downtown life that play out on her blog, Metro Mama, and the blog is right where she headed after her salad snub. Without naming Pulp Kitchen, Forrest posted a picture of the sign and her take on it: “What pisses me off is that I think they have signs like this because they think kids (and parents) aren’t cool. These too cool for school Queen Street joints don’t want the babes spoiling their image.”"

I think that the real issue is Hipsters are having kids and struggling like crazy to stay "cool".

...and while we're at it...a giant "F-you" to you selfish, childless bastards who would like to go out and not deal with screaming babies or toddlers tearing through the restaurant.

Especially when it's a tiny restaurant.

Because who cares about other people...it's all about ME!!!
...and because hipster is a mommy now...we need to get with her program.

(Excuse me while a make a reservation at Pulp Kitchen)

What kills me the most is that the biggest hipsters I've ever met, actually grew up in the 'burbs.
It's a constant struggle to capture that "urban" thing...to the point where you're a parody.

Check out the forum discussion on the article.

There are some excellent comments, like this one:

"As parents of a well-behaved five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter, my wife and I feel comfortable going out to lunch or brunch downtown for the simple reason that our kids are acquainted with the now archaic art of discipline. The old adage “kids will be kids” is great, but not when other people are paying to drink $7 lattes or take in some art. If you are sitting at Shanghai Cowgirl and your four-year-old with the grandiose name wearing the tiny Ramones T-shirt starts screaming, “I don’t want wasabi mayo!” then here’s an idea for you: hang up your hipster hat, drop the New Age child-rearing crap, and actually parent your child. Children don’t need a best buddy from Coolsville who lets them act however the hell they want. They need lots of love and lots of boundaries. So if you’re too lazy to put in the effort and say traumatizing words like “no” and “stop that” to your child, then eat at home."

Matt Hawkins, Toronto

I would like to add that this "Hipster Parenting" trend appears to be a North American thing...because while in Europe, I didn't cringe when a family sat down next to us in a cafe. Because their children sat at the table and behaved themselves, and if they didn't, they weren't consulted or negotiated with.
They were disciplined (GASP!) in public....and everything!