CBC Fail

Really, CBC? In what universe is that a relevant or appropriate cover photo for the headline next to it?? A young man died and you advertise it with tits? BOOURNS! So tasteless.

Not So Strong and Free

Most of the time I am a very proud Canadian. Today is not one of those days. What’s gotten under my skin? Well, Canada’s treatment of First Nations people has always left a bad taste in my mouth but a recent study demonstrates that the government actively allowed children and adults starving on reserves to continue to starve, so that they could use them as test subjects in nutritional studies.

Listen, this is beyond mind-boggling. Imagine for a second you’re at home, enjoying the comfort and normalcy of your modest house, when some strange dude walks through the door, declares that the house and everything inside it now belongs to him and his family, but don’t worry, you can still stay in the unfinished basement cellar, there’s a window for light and you’re protected from the elements, you should be grateful he didn’t just, like, shoot you or something when he came in. But he’s a pretty awesome dude, and because he cares he’s giving you some space and for their own good, he’s taking your kids to live with his cousin 500km away, she’ll take care of them properly. So don’t be so noisy down there, don’t try to hold on to any of the life you had before he took over everything you knew and loved, you’re free to leave and walk away whenever you want, or if you pay him a fee you could totally rent out a room upstairs instead. But it’ll be hard to come up with the extra money, because totally awesome dudes just like him have taken over your neighbourhood and have nothing but disdain for your modest ways and strange language and clearly inferior beliefs.

And then a hundred years later, when your children's children's children are still trying to recover from being ripped away from their way of life, everyone blames them for not being as awesome as the dudes living in houses. Go figure.

Jack Layton = #WIN

Goodbye To Canada's Champion For Social Justice

I’ve been meaning to write a post about Jack Layton for a few days now, but I’m finding it hard to come up with anything meaningful without revealing my political practices and affiliations for all the internet to see. Let me just say that when I came in to work Monday morning and my coworker casually mentioned that he had passed away, my first reaction was "haha very funny". Then I realized she wasn’t joking. I was shocked, in disbelief, and immediately scurried online to see if it was true. Honestly, I felt somewhat betrayed by fate, that right when the NDP was poised to make some great changes to the arena, its champion was taken away so suddenly. It wasn’t fair that Layton would never be able to take his party to the heights he had dreamed and worked so hard for. But the nation-wide outpouring of grief and condolences showed me I wasn’t alone in feeling so bad, and then when his letter was released, so full of optimism and hope, it felt good knowing that even in the end, Layton reached out to the country and encouraged everyone to make his legacy come true.


I don’t know if the NDP will falter now without it’s charismatic leader. But I’ll be going to the state funeral on Saturday with a bottle of Orange Crush. I’ll be remembering the one time I met Jack Layton, a few years ago at Earth Hour. He was just part of the crowd at Yonge-Dundas Square, enjoying the atmosphere like any other citizen, while graciously taking the time to speak with anyone who approached him. We briefly chatted about Earth Hour and how we hoped it would be a success that year, and then he was off to a couple who wanted a photo with him.

Seems like only yesterday I was ROTFLing over Layton using the words "hashtag" and "bling-bling" during the national debate. He will be sorely missed.

Crooks And Liars

Okay, well, needless to say I’m disappointed but unsurprised that Ford is now mayor of Toronto. Politics are so disheartening. I find that what’s happening up here is very similar to how I feel about politics in America as well. I don’t want to vote for the Conservative party, so I vote for the Liberals, but the problem is that ideologies aside, both parties are corrupt as hell and drunk on power and waste no time in screwing over the people.

I was going to say that I should run for city councilor because I know that I could do a way better job than the rest of these heartless monkeys, but then I realized that I live in a city full of greedy idiots. Clearly, I need to drive around in a van all day long, passing out feminist pamphlets in the hopes that my brothers and sisters finally WAKE UP. :P

Would You Stay Mine From Dawn Till Night

I hope my neighbours aren’t sick of Alex Gaudino yet; this past weekend was only the beginning. LOL.



I also seem to be feeling a lot of Rihanna lately. I’ve discovered this new song of hers that features my man Drake, called “What’s My Name”. (Note: all the versions on YouTube are sped up or slowed down, this one is sped up.)



Finally there’s the Rihanna song that’s all over the radio right now, “Only Girl (In The World)”. I actually didn’t like the song much when I heard it on the radio, but I saw the video on the weekend and it struck me as so joyful yet frantic too, somehow sensual and innocent at the same time, like she’s created a visual interpretation of what falling in love feels like. Kudos to her, I love it.



I can’t wait to play this song on Audiosurf. Perhaps tonight. Perhaps this instant, since I have the mayoral elections results already and now know that Toronto is (as I suspected) full of GREEDY IDIOTS. *headdesk*

My Thoughts...

... on the Toronto election, summarized in three words.


Yep, that about says it.

Too bad I think he's going to win. :(

Lyrically Local

Okay, in the song Unthinkable by Alicia Keys featuring Drake, when Drake says "we can roll around the city while you finally decide"... I know he's talking about cruising in a car, but I cannot get the mental image of two Samus balls literally rolling through a city, hahahaha.

Speaking of Canadian musicians, a coworker linked me to the new video for the song Meet Me In The Basement by Broken Social Scene: chock full of front-line G20 action and political statements. Check it out!



And since we're on the topic, have I shared my love for Hail The Villain yet? If you're into hard rock, DO check them out.





Coming soon: insanely spoiler-filled thoughts on the Inception soundtrack. Eeeeee!

OH TORONTO NO

Thank god I fled the city this weekend. Good lord.

From CBC's Amber Hildebrandt, who has been in the crowds speaking to the protestors and the curious:

Beyond the masses of protesters and police and media, there is the contingent of curious onlookers, both citizens and tourists alike, who either get caught up in the madness or seek it out.

Finding it is not hard. Not only because following Twitter makes it exceedingly easy to track down the hot zones, but also because the entire downtown core has become a demonstration or standoff waiting to happen. Listen closely and you will hear the cop walkie talkies screech the latest news or you'll see a protester waving people in the "right" direction.

Among the people I have met are a 16 year old who secretly came down to the protest by the security fence and an 80 year old woman on Bay who asked the riot police to let her through to go to the pharmacy (the answer was no). She simply sat down on her walker to wait it out, unperturbed by the protesters shouting expletives at the riot police in front of her. She mumbled something about them not having money, but having too much time.

I also met a trio of tourists from Cincinnati in Toronto for three days, who had no idea the G20 was here... Until they arrived this afternoon and noticed Pearson airport was abuzz with unusual activity.

Joan Blumberg, 71, said she came down with her friend Nancy and Nancy's daughter, Martha, for a fun-filled weekend and decided to check out some of the action at Wellington Street and Simcoe, where police were evacuating folks away from the fence.

"I keep thinking about the criticism the police are gettig for not taking charge. But it doesn't look that way to me. I appreciate the restraint," said Blumberg.

Viola Baker will have a lot to tell her friends on Monday morning. The nine-year-old got to watch the action on Queen Street as riot police rushed to cordon off the streets leading north.

Standing on Beverley Street with her dad, Jeff, she said, "it's kinda scary but exciting at the same time."

Her dad, who works in film post-production, says he wanted to bring her out to show what a protest was really like. They live nearby on Grange Ave. and were just leaving a birthday party when they decided to drop by.

"(My dad) wants me to know what a real protest looks like so he's just trying to teach me," she said.

Baker, 47, said he wouldn't have brought his daughter if he felt they were in danger. "As soon as they start coming I'm outta here."

Say Non To Bill 94

Today's headline: Niqab gets 2nd Quebec student expelled. Okay, this is getting fricking ridiculous. To paraphrase someone else, forcing a woman to reveal part of her body is no different from forcing her to be covered.

*headdesk* QUEBEC, YOU'RE ON NOTICE. >:(

Olympic Roundup!

The Vancouver 2010 Olympics were unlike anything I've ever experienced. I was too young when the Olympics came to Calgary to appreciate it at the time, so I think having it on home soil, with my west coast friends going to events and taking pictures, with practically everyone I know excited about how dedicated our athletes were, with the Canadian team breaking curses and records left right and center, I couldn't help but fall in love with the experience. But it wasn't just the Canadian athletes that left me impressed; the world has some amazing, talented, and brilliant people in it and I'm so happy I had a chance to enjoy their awesome performances in HD quality. ;)

So here it is, a spotlight on athletes that captured my attention. This isn't a full list; naming every single awesome athlete would take forever.

Athletes That Made An Impression On Me At The Vancouver Olympics

Xue Shen & Hongbo Zhao - Figure Skating (China)


I have to be honest and admit that when I heard they were competing in the 2010 Olympics, I was annoyed. They are way older and much more experienced than the rest of the competition, so I thought they should just retire from professional figure skating with grace. But their mastery was just too much to resist; there's a reason they won gold. Their long program skate was perfect.

Joannie Rochette - Figure Skating (Canada)


I can only dream of having the kind of courage and will-power that Rochette has; watching her skate the short program and in the gala was an emotional roller coaster, knowing what she was going through. Winning bronze was more than what anyone required of her. She's a true hero.

Marianne St-Gelais - Short Track Speed Skating (Canada)


This girl is crazy! I loved the cheerful exuberance she showed when she got up on the podium for her silver medal, but it was watching her in the stands going completely bananas over her boyfriend Charles Hamelin races that made me love her the most. Her spirit is amazing!

Tessa Virtue & Scott Moir - Figure Skating (Canada)


Oh man, where to start with these two? Quite frankly, nothing in the entire Olympics gripped me as much as their quest for gold. I never used to never care about ice dancing, just men's/women's/pairs skating, but everything has changed now due to the sweet perfection and chemistry of these two... and the next two athletes I'm going to mention.

Meryl Davis & Charlie White - Figure Skating (USA)


Adorable as well; training mates and best friends with Virtue & Moir, these skaters are just as good as their Canadian counterparts, with loads of flair and artistry. And there's something very striking about Davis that I really like.

Kim Yu-Na - Figure Skating (South Korea)


Yu-Na is unlike any skater I've ever seen before. Watching her skate is like watching a poem come to life. She gets lost in the music when she's out on the ice, the picture of quiet maturity. And then when she breaks character you get a sense of just how young she still is. After she won the gold, I've started calling her Queen Yu-Na. :)

Hayley Wickenheiser - Hockey (Canada)


For me, she has become the face of women's hockey in Canada. She's such an amazing, talented, and dedicated captain. I love how she pulls her team together. I love that she carried her son on the ice soon after they won the gold medal game. You're awesome, Hayley!

Apolo Anton Ohno - Short Track Speed Skating (USA)


The guy is so tiny compared to the other skaters but man he can move! It's amazing how he pulls off some of his passes. Plus, it's fun to say his name. :)

Wang Meng - Short Track Speed Skating (China)


Every time our Canadian women competed in an event with her, I'd scream "OH NO, WANG MENG!" Because with Wang Meng around, you cannot win. She is a machine... a perpetual skating machine. Kudos to the fastest, most tireless skater in the world!

It seems to be that I have a thing for skaters, eh? Especially figure skaters! I think I may have to follow Worlds when it starts on March 22nd. :)

Rocking Out

Another day on the internet, another randomly discovered song!

Sometimes when I'm looking to kill time online, I head over to Kongregate, a website with a ton of flash games you can play. I happened upon a Solitaire-type game that played good music in the background as you played. I noticed there was one band called Chiwawa that had songs I was really digging. Upon some investigation, I discovered they are an independent Canadian band that debuted in 1998 and are releasing a new album this spring. CBC Radio has a whole page on them where you can listen to their songs.

As of now I like 'Don't Wanna Talk' and 'Tell Me Lies' the best, check them out!

Canadian Content

Daily factoid:

The Dunning-Kruger effect is an example of cognitive bias in which people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it.

Hoo boy, I hate to paint people with the same brush but my first thought after reading this? Fox News. :P

Speaking of Fox News, not going to dwell upon the whole horrible event where the Canadian Forces were mocked on national television. The host apologized, but in a predictably smarmy way. "Misunderstood" my ass.

In other Canadian news (or should I say Torontonian news?) there's a kerfuffle going on over Karen Stintz taking public speaking lessons with the taxpayers' money.

Criticized for talking too fast and sounding "shrill" during city hall meetings, Councillor Karen Stintz decided she needed to do something about it.

So she spent $4,500 (U.S.) for public-speaking lessons last year. Then she got taxpayers to cover the costs.

The vocal opponent of Toronto Mayor David Miller used the services of Lynda Spillane, an author and vocal coach who has advised other female politicians.

Fnargh, I cannot stand the use of the adjective "shrill" when describing a woman's voice. It's a gender-coded insult; how many times are men described as shrill? Shrill is used to dismiss women, to shame them into silence. Using shrill to describe a woman's voice immediately detracts from the content of her message and focuses on its presentation. And isn't that a woman's lot in life, to have her content ignored in favour of her presentation?

And yet, women clearly recognize that to succeed in a man's world, you have to talk like one. Hence the lessons. Not saying that I approve of her using taxpayer money. There's a before and after video at the link above and frankly I think the voice lessons turned her into a lifeless automaton. When she was "shrill", she was speaking passionately and from the heart. Her voice was freaking fine the way it was and haters should have just sit down and shut up instead of criticizing a competent and successful woman's voice of all things.

(As an aside, I've been tweaking zee blog over the past few days. It's looking mighty shiny right about now. :D)

In The News, On The Radio

Ex-Montreal pastor gets five years in prison for sex with 10-year-old 'wife' Um, NEWSFLASH you cannot "have sex" with a 10-year-old. (Age of consent, blah blah of course.) But I guess using the word 'rape' in the headline was just too much for some journalist to handle. *eyeroll*

Manitoba lesbian couple says doctor refused them because of sexual orientation I was an idiot and decided to read some of the comments to the article. Helloooooo racism. I should have know it the moment I saw the phrase 'foreign-trained'. *headdesk*

Goat detained over armed robbery BWAH?! THERE ARE NO WORDS. The sad thing? I don't see much difference between those who think a robber turned into a goat to evade prosecution, and those who think hurricanes are symbols of a sky spirit's displeasure. :P

Let's put that aside and listen to some tunes. Today, I bring to thee... NON-dance music! This is the song 'The Fear' by Lily Allen.



Great song. It's fun pop music, but she actually has a message omg.
I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don’t care about clever I don’t care about funny
I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds
I heard people die while they are trying to find them

I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
‘Cuz everyone knows that’s how you get famous
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track yeah I’m on to a winner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear

Life’s about film stars and less about mothers
It’s all about fast cars cussing each other
But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic
and that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption
and its not my fault it’s how I’m programmed to function
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track yeah we're on to a winner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
‘Cuz I’m being taken over by The Fear

Forget about guns and forget ammunition
Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission
Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner
Now everything's cool as long as I’m getting thinner

I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
When do you think it will all become clear?
‘Cause I’m being taken over by The Fear
There are so many subversive elements to this song that it's pretty amazing. She talks about the pressure to be vacuous, conflict diamonds, useless tabloids (The Sun and The Mirror in the UK), and materialism to name a few. I just keep listening to this song on repeat. :)

I Did It For The Lulz

Hey Stephen Harper
To the tune of Hey There Delilah


(By: Smitha)

Hey Stephen Harper,
You've been so un-parliamentary,
Passing these aggressive motions when the
Opposition's so pissed off with you.
What did you think that they would do?
You shoulda knew.

Hey Stephen Harper,
You have been a big ole bully.
Telling us to go and vote for you was
Just a waste of money
In my eyes.
Your government is full of lies,
It's no surprise.

Ohhhh look at those MPs. (x4)

Hey Stephen Harper,
Soon you're going to lose your power,
Cause the Liberals, Greens and New Democrats
Kinda need that dollar ninety five.
Their coalition's come alive,
It has arrived.

Hey Stephen Harper,
Won't you stop with all the slander?
You're badmouthing the Bloc Quebecois,
But you said you would band with them before.
Yeah, back in two thousand and four...
Denial galore.

Ohhhh look at those MPs. (x4)

You think the people want you there
And clamour that this is unfair,
But constitutionally it's all legit.
I know you probably like your job
But let me tell you, as I sob,
That economic downturns are a bitch.
Prime Minister I promise you
That we will all try to undo
The problems Canada has in your name.
Oh god the shame!

Hey Stephen Harper,
Michaelle Jean heading home
And when that smart and awesome lady
Finally gives you the heave-ho,
I'll do a dance.
I'll be so happy in my pants.
I'm very firm upon this stance.
Hey Harper you just lost your chance,
You lost your chance.

Ohhhh look at those MPs. (x4)

download the mp3

The Government Is Trying To Eat Itself!

Yeah, shit be going down in Canada, son.

A friend of mine linked me to an easy to read explanation of how Canadian government generally works and what exactly our current clusterfuck is all about. Yarn Harlot seems left-leaning to me, so I rather liked her take on it.

I can't wait to see what Michaelle Jean does. *crosses fingers*

Quick Link

What's the Matter With Canada? - How the world's nicest country turned mean. A take on our country's politics by an outsider.