What a weird year (so far)

It's only been five months into 2003 but so far:

The U.N. has fallen apart (again)

We've had a war (sorta)

The Canadian Government turned its back on the US in Iraq (kinda)

SARs has decimated the Toronto tourist industry (maybe)

A damned child-murderer is on the loose in the GTA (please resist arrest, please resist arrest, please resist arrest...)

Mad-cow disease puts another whammy on Canada (disease capital of the developed world)

West Nile virus is gearing up to whack us this summer

What next? Locusts?

Soprano deja vu...

It's really weird when you watch a movie you've seen before and then notice that one of your favourite actors had a role in it before he was famous...And that you forgot he was in it!

Because my wife had never seen it before I rented True Romance, Quentin Tarantino's first script and a good little "caper" movie. Before we knew each other, my wife's friends would bug her about never seeing this movie, considering almost all of her favourite leading men are in it: Kilmer, Oldman, Walken. I remember seeing this movie about 10 years ago when it came out and I always remember the visceral shock of the scene where Patricia Arquette is beaten to within an inch of her life by mafia-hood Virgil before she fights back.

This time, to my shock and amazement I notice who is playing Virgil: It's freaking James Gandolfini!, better known as Tony freakin' Soprano!

So now the scene is totally different as I'm watching psycho-Tony Soprano getting down to violent business with pretty young thing Arquette. Now instead of some anonymous goombah, the mob-guy is an actual character for me and the scene is that much nastier and feels riskier, even though I know the result.

Talk about a head-smack!

I'm wondering if there are any other examples that could deliver such a shock?

Weekend Update

Well, I've discovered that I have an aversion to writing when I'm depressed...

Awooooooooooo!

What Is Your Animal Personality?
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180 channels and nothing on...

I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons in the 70's and early 80's. Say the phrase "Saturday Morning Cartoons" to a ten year old today and you'll get a blank stare back...

What happened? This article explains it using some economics and demographics (don't worry: nothing too difficult), but it did more than that. It got me thinking...

See, we're a digital cable family. Originally we got the box because that was the only way to watch The Sopranos. When all the new specialty channels came out, we signed up. I've not been impressed by the majority of channels.

By my count we've got 180 channels of shit on the TV to choose from. But why is TV so bad when you've got choice? The answers from the article on Saturday morning cartoons can be applied to the future of TV in general.

Nobel Prize, no. Darwin Award instead?

Read this today at A Small Victory.

As a member of the House of Commons of Canada, and as the International Human Rights advocate for the New Democratic Party of Canada, it is my pleasure to nominate the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) for the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize...

...Although this nomination is for the ISM as a whole, three young individuals merit particular recognition for the courage and resolve they displayed in their acts of non-violent civil disobedience in defence of peace and human rights in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

These individuals are Brian Avery and Tom Hurndall, who miraculously survived sniper shots to the head by Israeli forces while they were defending Palestinian civilians from Israeli troops, and Rachel Corrie, who was crushed to death by an Israeli Defence Force bulldozer while attempting to prevent the demolition of the home of an innocent Palestinian family.

Sincerely yours,

Svend J Robinson, MP

Let's see...

Two idiots who wander into a warzone and get shot in the head ("hey, we're lefty Westerners! Our lives are worth so much more than the average Palestinian potential-suicide bomber! There's no way the IDF could dare shoot us if we stand in front of them! Isn't little Yasser cute while he fiddles with the detonator!") The fact they're still alive is reward enough...

Ah, yes. The delightful Miss Corrie seen below teaching the little disadvantaged children the proper way to burn an American flag. ("Not too much gas little ones! Now all together...'FUCK YOU AMERICA'") Hardly a "peaceful" approach to activism...



Although, the International Solidarity Movement creamed its collective pants when they had their first true real-live American martyr to show to the world, the truth of the matter is that staying away from moving construction vehicles and falling wreckage is a good way not to get killed. Whichever version of the story you believe (I know which one I do) she wasn't defending civilians: she was defending property- politics aside, it's stupid to put your life on the line for a thing.

The incident is discussed in more detail here.

Don't get me wrong. In their own way, maybe these activists think they're doing the right thing. Maybe it's been drummed into their heads that the U.S. really is the "Great Satan." If somebody says something often enough in your ear, you may begin to believe it is true.

It's sad that these people put themselves in harms way and GOT HARMED. But does that make them right? or righteous? I do not believe that death gives you a free pass when your actions and motivations are questionable (ie. shielding and/or aiding terrorists/suicide bombers/smugglers)

No, my real venom is left for Svend Robinson, in his disgustingly shameless attempt at self aggrandizement. Way to represent our country Svend. Pick a group that may have direct ties to suicide bombers and present them as candidates for a "peace" prize. Just the latest in a long line of Svend's anti-Israeli "causes."

Funny thing is that Svend is probably the most well-known and popular member of the New Democratic Party. I guess this is the face of Socialism in Canada.

There's another Cabal of Sinister Canadians?

I have to read about this group, other than mine, who wants to control the world?

"Hi, it's the cabal of sinister Canadians. We've got an appointment at 10 with the President." And the secretary says, "Sorry, his 9.30 cabal is running late." And you begin to wonder why, if George W Bush has such a small brain, so many cabals are required to secretly control it...

And how exactly did my cabal get pushed back to 3:30?

But I wanted the retractable claws!

You are Professor X!

You are a very effective teacher, and you are very
committed to those who learn from you. You put
your all into everything you do, to some extent
because you fear failure more than anything
else. You are always seeking self-improvement,
even in areas where there is nothing you can do
to improve.


Which X-Men character are you most like?
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How do you know you're old?

Answer: you have to stop drinking the pot and a half of rich wonderful coffee you normally drink because of the angry peasants in your stomach that are threatening an acid reflux/revolt if the dictator doesn't stop pouring that wonderful black gold down his throat.

May 10, 1970...

On this day, I had as yet not been born, yet two critical events occurred that shaped me in ways good and bad. I'll let my readers (all 2 of you) decide...

The first was this:

Former Bruins' defenceman Bobby Orr flies through the air with the greatest of ease after scoring the Stanley Cup winning goal against the St. Louis Blues on May 10, 1970 at Boston Garden (The home team wore the dark uniforms on this occasion).

Though I was too young and his career was cut too short by knee problems, Bobby Orr and later, Ray Bourque both inspired me with the offensive way that they played a traditionally defensive position. They also made me a life-long Bruins fan (which explains their inability to win the Stanley Cup)