Out of the Driver's Seat

In conclusion...

Here are my final comments for this particular blog. I've been far from a prolific writer: 280 posts in five and a half years. I don't promise to be more frequent in the future, but the next effort should see a different perspective, less about me and more about one or two concerns that I think are important. I also aim to have figured out the whole comma, colon, semi-colon thing, next time around.

Warm and cool

Martin told me a story yesterday, of him and a friend trudging through the snow, discussing climate change. His friend can't abide those people who are mocking global warming, even as we are living through one of the coldest winters in decades. Those deniers had only his scorn and contempt. Looking around he pointed and said, this is only the weather.

Posted at 04:25 PM Read More

Determined determination

A few weeks ago I found myself in the company of several friends, autoworkers past and present, toasting three politicians, Bush, Harper and Ontario premier Dalton McGinty. I was probably the only one present who had ever said a kind word about the American president, and there was only one other who had ever even contemplated voting for the Canadian prime minister. But we were all tremendously relieved to see the efforts of those three guys to keep the auto industry, and our jobs and pensions, from going under.

Posted at 03:56 PM Read More

Wed - December 31, 2008

Jobs

Terry tagged me last week with a work meme: List all the jobs you've had in your life, in order.

Posted at 03:31 PM Read More

Snow

I'm going to need another shovel. My cheap plastic one has lost its edge, as I've scraped my way across the sidewalks, stairs, porches and drive ways of our ever expanding corner lot.

Posted at 01:27 PM Read More

Sun - December 14, 2008

Time for a change

Mary, Martin and I went out to dinner last Monday, steaks at the Keg. Then we attended the blogger's meet around the corner, at the Phog. A great evening, in both venues.

The three of us have decided to take up blogging together, or so we hope. I told them some time ago that I was about done with Out of the Driver's Seat, and looking for a different approach, with perhaps a wee bit more discipline and focus. Not to mention better software.

Posted at 02:31 PM Read More

Sun - November 30, 2008

More partisanship

Dec 1 Update: The Liberals and the NDP have agreed to try to form a coalition with Stéphane Dion as Prime Minister, should the Conservative government fall next week. The NDP will get 25% of the cabinet seats.

Well, I wanted a coalition government, but I didn't have this one in mind.

Previous post:

It's come to this; Within the next two weeks Jack Layton may be Prime Minister of Canada.

Posted at 04:14 PM Read More

Sat - November 22, 2008

A longer run

There was a near perfect moment, when the race was two thirds done. As we made our way back through the woods and then around the pond, it began to snow: large, slowly falling flakes so thick they blocked sight of everything more than a few dozen metres away, then melting as they hit the ground or water.

Posted at 03:26 PM Read More

Mon - November 3, 2008

The fat lady sings

The American election is almost over, and I'm going to miss it. Of course I'm looking forward to seeing the results come in tomorrow night, but this is the first time I've enjoyed watching a U.S. presidential race, without worrying the wrong candidate is going to win.

It's true, I'm a Pollyanna. I like both these guys, and have high hopes regardless of who wins. But I also expect that feeling is going to evaporate at some point next year, as Joe Biden has predicted.

Posted at 05:48 PM Read More

Fri - October 31, 2008

Halloween Hoot

Last Sunday Alex and I participated in the annual Halloween run/walk of W.R.A.C.E. (Walkers and Runners Around the County of Essex.) It was a cool, cloudy morning, perfect running weather, and the course ran along the Windsor side of the Detroit River.

My youngest nephew, now 13 and an inch taller than me, came close to beating his personal best for the 5K run. I turned in my worst time ever, for the 5K walk. I plead extenuating circumstances.

Posted at 02:40 PM Read More

Thu - October 30, 2008

Obama's Infomercial

It was, for me, the biggest disappointment of the American election. I was looking forward to a speech, a fireside chat, a final convincing argument for why Obama should be president.

Instead, it was a damn documentary, complete with a musical score.

Posted at 10:03 AM Read More

Wed - October 15, 2008

No strategic voting here

If yesterday's vote was a rebuke to the Conservatives, it was a mild slap on the wrist. Still a minority government, but with a big gain in seats. I was afraid the Liberals would do this poorly, and am not at all confident they can rebuild their party in time for the next election.

Posted at 04:46 PM Read More

Tue - October 14, 2008

Twisted

The Prime Minister came over the other day, to help me with some housework. We got to talking about the various election debates, here and in the US. He's been watching them on YouTube, and said they were all a bit boring, except for the vice-presidential candidates.

Dan's taken an interest in politics, having recently been elected as the head of his student council. Last year he was Minister of the Environment.

Posted at 10:44 AM Read More

Tue - September 16, 2008

The Delusional NDP

On As It Happens tonight Terry Glavin had to use some strong language about a nice lady, his member of parliament, Denise Savoie. He called her clueless. She and her party, the NDP, want Canada to abandon the mission in Afghanistan, and think that can happen without plunging the country into another reign of terror.

Posted at 10:05 PM Read More

Tue - September 9, 2008

Attention Surplus Disorder

Here's a novel for our times, Neal Stephenson's Anathem. As I count down the minutes (117...) until Steve Jobs unveils what I hope will be my new ebook reader, the next generation iPod Touch, I'm trying to resist the temptation to order the hardcover of a story that mocks my machine dependency.

Posted at 11:19 AM Read More

Mon - September 8, 2008

The Canadians Led the Way

Michael Yon has a post today from Afghanistan, about "one of the largest and most important missions of the entire war." The Taliban are growing stronger and bolder, and he tried to prepare himself for a humiliating failure. The plan to transport and install a new turbine to the Kajaki Dam, right through enemy territory, was called "Operation Suicide" by some young soldiers.

Instead, Yon is happy to report: "The mission was a brilliant success against substantial odds."

Posted at 04:10 PM Read More

Jon loses a testicle

Can't make up my mind

Obama and National Service

Elvis Monk

Slow Progression

Big Breakfast