Welcome to San Diego

Wow, what a day? Today in Calgary, Alberta, Canada we had a high of 14 degrees Celcius. That's right, it's the last week of November and we're having late spring/early summer weather. The extended forecast gets even better. Tuesday it's projected to be a high of 18 degrees, Wednesday a high of 16 degrees and on Thursday a high of 19 degrees. I think I'll have to find a patio and enjoy a couple beers in the sun. We're going to enjoy it while it lasts. It's suppose to snow on Saturday.
CYA

We're paying for Canada

A new study from the University of Calgary confirms Albertans pay out more to the rest of Canada than any other province.
It went back four decades, compared population, average income per person and what has flowed out of the province compared to what has come back.
In the last 40 years, Alberta has pumped about $244 billion more into federal coffers than it has got back.
That compares to $315 billion for Ontario, which has a much larger population and higher net income per person.
B.C. is the only other province to put in more that it got back, contributing $54 billion.
Considering Alberta's population is less than the other two provinces, Alberta pays the most per capita.
Roughly $2,500 a resident every year, over the last 40 years.
The study was compiled by U of C economist, Robert Mansell.
His study took into account transfer payments, taxes, employment insurance and Canada pension payments.
He points out anyone who argues Alberta should pay higher transfer payments isn't considering the entire picture.

Well, there's the facts. Here's the opinion; Isn't it ironic the 2 provinces which seem to vote (provincially) more Tory than Liberal. Are the ones which pay the most to help out the rest of Canada. It's not about the money. We're are glad to give generously. The frustrating thing for Albertans is we pay so much and have very little to say in the grand scheme of things, concerning Canada and how it's run. Ontario, Quebec and Eastern Canada decide how it's going to be. We just decide if we support it or not. It would be nice to have a fair shake, politically. As I've said before on this blog. (posted Friday, June 24th, 2005 -- 'Canada needs reform') We're a minority rules country, and we need electoral reform so that Canadians are properly represented.

On a side note. It seems Quebec's going to separate sooner than expected. There cocaine sniffin leader shall lead them to independence. or shall he?

What's the problem, eh?

I was just flipping the channels when I came across CNN. What caught my eye was on the ticker there was this title "WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, EH?". The reporter was Kittie Pilgrim, if I can remember, she was reporting on the strained trade relations between Canada and the US. Her story mentioned the softwood lumber dispute. She was suprised that Canada was putting up such a fuss over only 4% of all the trade between the 2 countries. She also went on to say how our Prime Minister was grand standing at the WTO, the World Trade Organization, and the WTO decided in the USA favour. Yet we hear that the WTO decided in Canada's favour. Somebody's lieing here, can someone straighten this out?


P.S. it was funny watching CNN talk about Canada in the fashion it did. It seemed like they think we're the slow neighbour that, just doesn't get it.

Bad Idea

The City of Calgary has a plan to change over half of the city's 4-way stops. To, what they like to call, round-about driving circles. This is to help reduce the residential speeding which seems to be happening in the neighbourhoods, esspecially the rich ones. What they're doing is just putting big concrete circles in the middle of the intersection. Taking out the stop signs and adding yield signs.
This is just a bad idea. I'm glad they took out the stop signs. I don't have to come to a complete stop anymore. I just slow down, ie. yield, and then proceed when it's safe. Which is almost all the time. So I don't know how this will help solve the problem. It's not even a proper driving circle. Which is usefull when it's used at the right place. This is just a band-aid solution from our City officials.

We're Badass Mother Fuckers

After reading Bill Kauffman's article, Journey of terror, It kinda suprises me that Canada is involved in something like this. But we can justify it because it's supported by the United Nations. It's no wonder we get painted as "Americans" on the global scene, in some places.
Brutal.

Ralph you cocksucker

Now I'm not talking about our federal finance minister Ralph Goodale, although I bet there are some poeple who would say he sucks cock. I'm talking about Ralph Klein. It seems now we aren't going to be getting our surplus cheques until the new year. So much for a happy christmas. As one liberal critic says 'Ralph doesn't want to be Santa, instead he wants to be my valentine'. Fucking politicians; you just have to laugh.
On another front, it looks like our Prime Minister, Paul Martin is going to be taking a page out of Ralph Kleins book. Surplus cheques for the less fortunate. I doubt I'll qualify, but it's a good thing. Hopefully after a couple of years, if oil prices stay high, I might get a piece of the federal pie. But I'm not holding my breath.
I question the ammount of cash available. The Liberals said only maybe about $2 billion dollars as a surplus. Is that going to be enough? Take into consideration the Liberals like to pay their friends large ammounts of money for little or no work done. Look at the shenanigans with Mr. Dingwall. He quits his job, but threathens to sue if he doesn't get a severence package. Hello, Canadian law states that anyone who quits his/her job is not eligible for a severence package. So at least $500,000 will go to Mr. Dingwall because he's so hard done by, oh plus his pension. You just have to laugh, I guess. They got the power and they can do what they want.
Welcome to Canada!

Audioslave Rocks!

WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO......
On Sunday October 2nd, 2005 I, accompanied by Mike Donat, went to see Audioslave perform at the Saddledome. What a concert it was. It fuckin rocked from start to finish. Chris Cornell didn't miss a beat and Tom Morello is a fuckin genius. The way he makes his guitars sing is incredible. It was Audioslave's first ever visit to Calgary, but I'm sure they'll be back soon.
Opening for Audioslave was first, a new band called '30 seconds to mars', they sucked. Then 'Seether' made an appearance. But I wasn't impressed with them. Sure they have a couple songs which I know. But they sound too much live a Nirvana rip off. Come on Audioslave.
Audioslave consists of; Chris Cornell on vocals; Tim Commerford on bass; Brad Wilk on drums; and Tom Morello on guitars. Chris Cornell was previously the singer on "Soundgarden" and the other three played in "Rage Against The Machine".
Once Audioslave hit the stage the crowd came alive. With the crowd already pumpin', Audioslave put the crowd into 6th gear when they played 'BE YOURSELF'. The mosh pit was crazy, it wasn't the worst I've seen, but it was a good one. Also, the Calgary fans made a serious connection with Chris Cornell during 'LIKE A STONE'. In which the fans started drowning out the lead singer. The crowd was singing so loud, Cornell actually paused and pumped his fist in the air. Which made the fans scream louder. From that point on, we were pawns to Audioslave's and Chris Cornell's hypnotic melodies.
In Addition they also played Spoonman and an acoustic Black Hole Sun, from Soundgarden. Plus, they played Testify, and at least 3 other songs from Rage Against the Machine. (damn monkey) "fuck you i won't do what you told me..." was one of them. It didn't sound bad at all, even with Cornell singing it.
I must also say that Tom Morello is a god. He's not "the" god, but a god. He was simply unbelievable. I would pay just to watch him alone. He's also a Flames fan; which is a bonus. So go out and buy Audioslave's new album-- OUT OF EXILE. It rocks!
peace