Look, I’m not a Conservative and I’m not a Liberal and I’m sure the hell not an NDP’er I like to think of myself as middle-road, I watch what goes on and can see valid points from both sides. When one side does something that I don’t agree with I lean more towards the other and vice-versa. I weigh the good and bad of both sides and then I vote accordingly. In this instance I don’t agree with either side, what they’re doing is hurting Canada as a whole. We should be coming together to figure out a way to fix this problem, not going off in seperate directions and taking whatever pieces we can. People are scared and facing a very uncertain future, and this political unrest is not helping matters if anything, it is creating further disillusionment and distrust in the Canadian government.

I joined the facebook group, which has a piss-poor name attached to it but it was either that or join the “candles for a coalition” which I morally could not do. There were a lot of un-informed people in the group and a lot of informed people that were outside of the group were posting in it tearing arguments to shreds. They missed the point. The point is that these are all people who are scared and maybe don’t have the intricacies of our parliamentry system down-pat but know that what is happening isn’t right. I attended the rally this weekend and although a lot of what was said was not always accurate the message was clear, Canadians don’t want more uncertainty right now. We’re afraid. Let’s boil it down to what the average Canadian knows about voting.

1. Every so often there’s a federal election when the news tells me there is.

2. I vote for the party with whom I identify with the most.

3. I watch as the votes are tallied and we retain our old PM or recieve a new PM.

4. Depending which way I voted I either like the new PM, grumble about him, or I am indifferent. Regardless he’s my PM.

Now, with all that being said you can see why average Canadians would be upset right now. It looks like an attack on the prime minister, the elected leader of our country. Which is true to a degree, but not un-democratic. The truth of the matter is non-confidence votes are a way for the majority to push the minority out of power. There’s that word again, ‘power’. Despite what the coalition says, I very much doubt what their trying to do has anything to do with the betterment of Canadians. Very little, aside from attack ads, has been said to the Canadian people to reassure them. One would hope for a “my fellow Canadians” speech from the Coalition to outline what their doing and to spearhead any fears the people might be having. But nothing like that. Not even the PM has had the decency to do so. The PM has done possibly the most irresponsible thing of all, recess parliament to January. Yes let’s have not working federal government for a month, that’s brilliant. A friend said to me the other day (out of jest of course) “it’s probably just an elaborate ruse to get a long Christmas vacation.” Funny, but untrue. In fact this entire situation would be hilarious if it weren’t so depressing.

Anyway so ends my explanation. I wish there was a third side to all of this, I don’t particularily like being on the side of saving Stephen Harper but I can’t for the life of me morally agree with the Coalition either. If only there was a Canadian Concerned Citizens Party. Huh, would you look at that “CCCP”.

-D

I cannot in good conscience support this nor can I support a SECOND election. We are in the midst of an economic situation that could possibly lead to a depression, and our so-called leaders bicker and squabble amongst themselves to snatch at power and elevate themselves at our expense. I will not condone this. Neither should you. Whether you voted for the Conservatives or not, this is a rape of your liberties and you should fight it. This is the time to be coming together and finding a solution to very real danger to our lifestyles as we know them not pulling Canada apart at the seams! DO NOT STAND FOR THIS! http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=60732295648

http://rallyforcanada.ca/

Thank-you

I could just cry. Don’t support this man, he is not a humanitarian, he’s an ass and an insult to a proud irish heritage. Please Ban The Bono.

Thank-you

Ban The Bono

1. I’m sick, makes it hard to even leave the bed let alone the apartment yet I must trudge on.

2. Telus are fucking idiots. That last bill for 0.28$? Yeah just got the bill this month and I have a credit on it and thusly owe NOTHING this month…fucking retards.

3. WoW lan was alright. My heart wasn’t too into it. A buddy of mine made a good point “you’re having a lan for an mmo? Isn’t that redundant?” It is, and honestly I wasn’t too surprised when we all ended up going our seperate ways anyway. That’s usually what happens.

4. Saw Quantum of Solace last week. As a BIG James Bond fan I was quite impressed. You see Casino Royale had some similarities to the book but there were elements they just couldn’t replicate due to the fact that the Soviet Union is no more. So they had to come up with an alternate ending and I think they did a good job of that. Had the feel of more of a second act to the same movie more than a stand-alone. All-in-all well done.

5. Saw Bolt this last weekend in 3-D. Was pretty good, I like going to see animated movies but I usually have no one to go with. The hamster stole the show by far.

6. Canada is in a recession effective yesterday. I’m not sure it’s been officially declared but it was announced yesterday by french researchers. If you have time you should check out the interview that Stephen Harper did about 2 months ago when this whole thing started, it’s mind-boggling.

7. My bank is a filled with fucking dumbassess. I have a savings account which for some reason, they keep taking money out of, I talked to them about this 2 years ago and got them to stop cause I’m a student and it stopped for a while, now they’re doing it again. I get a call for them saying that I’m over-drawn, but I haven’t over-drawn, they have. GG BMO, GG.

8. Have to take a first aid course, gonna check out oak bay rec tomorrow see what they got.

9. Post Office gig is most likely a no-go, my inside source has been less than helpful in that department. Apply online he says, well problem with that is you can’t apply online unless there’s a job open to apply for.

10. Just watched the BBC versions of the chronicles of narnia. When I was a kid, I loved these movies, I watch them now and I think, “man it must have been nice to be so stupid and ignorant.” What garbage, I wonder if the actors ever look back and think “why did I use my real name?” Cudos for the copious use of midgets.

11. When I was younger I had recurring dreams of my death always the same always terrorfying. I’ve never read too much into them but I was reading on wikipedia the other day how some cultures dreams such as these were considered prophetic and more often than not came true. So if this is the case I will announce here for all to see how I die so that when the time comes the guilty parties can be brought to justice. Colonel Mustard in the library with the soup ladel.

12. I hate Christmas especially now that I’m poor, it’s never really appealed to me. It’s more of a drag really, having to buy gifts for everyone and dealing with the oh-so-pleasant customer service in the malls. Not that I blame them really they’re being run ragged.

13. Tipping. Ah yes my old nemesis. Well one of my nemesis’. See Reservoir Dogs in the diner scene to understand my full meaning. I don’t like tipping for the sake of tipping and I don’t like the idea of having a set amount. Let me put something to you. Two years ago I decided to give John’s Place (a local trendy brunch place) another go (as I had had a previous unpleasant experience). I had put in about an hour into the parking meter. I ordered an ice tea to drink and my companion ordered coffee. 10 mins later my companion got her coffee. 20mins after that I got my ice tea and we got our food orders taken. 30mins after that food arrives, needless to say I have to put more money in the meter. I get into a heated disagreement with my companion who is a fervent believer in tipping no matter what. I don’t believe  I should have to wait 30mins for a beverage that requires the server to take a glass, maneuver it under the fountain drink dispenser, push a button and bring it to a customer. Now, granted, it was busy, but there were enough serving staff on hand to cope with the amount of people sufficiently. In general there are only two people I’ll tip. My barber because he’s been cutting my hair for almost twenty years now and when his prices went up he never asked me or my grandfather to pay the new amount, and thusly I pay him extra because I get the same good service and familiar atmosphere and friendly conversation everytime I go there. Also he was very good to my grandfather and for that he will forever be endeared to me. The second is when I go to a restaurant and I get good service. Now I’m talking not screwing up orders, not taking forever to bring drinks/take orders/bring bill, being polite and courteous, and maybe doing a little extra that they don’t have to whatever that may be. Depending on the service I vary my tip. I’ll never tip a flat rate. That to me is like rewarding bad behaviour. Or in the words of G.W. Bush giving into terrorism.

14. J.J. Abrahms recently let out a press release saying he tried to get William Shatner on board for his new star trek movie but Bill turned him down. In a hilarious twist William Shatner went on youtube and responded to this by bluntly saying “no one ever approached me and asked me to be in this movie, I’ve heard nothing about this”. I’m not a big fan of Abrahms, I did not like Cloverfield I thought it was pretentious and nauseating (literally) and this recent development makes me like him even less. To issue such a false statement and think that he’s going to get away with it, I’m glad Shatner nailed him. I’ll still go see Star Trek because, though I’m not a trekkie by a long shot, I like the series.

15. My band name “Running with Scissors” my hit single “You’ll Poke your Eyes Out”.

16. Religious intolerance is ridiculous. All holy books were written by men, men are flawed creations. Even under devine inspiration the books will be flawed creations themselves. So let’s all just agree to disagree and leave it at that, do you really need to be in the right that badly?

17. “Let me tell you something about Him. He is the biggest underachiever of all time. He just has a good publicist, that’s all. Something good happens, ‘It’s His will.’ Something bad happens, ‘He moves in mysterious ways.’ ” I hate to agree with an actor playing the prince of darkness but it makes sense from an atheists pov.

18. Birds ARE weird.

19. Didn’t realize this but the guy who played the shark hunter in Jaws was also the guy who played the muscular Bond assassin in From Russia with Love. He didn’t age too well :/

20. Last Post was in error for comedic benefit, here’s the real song of my life.

1. Applied to Canada Post, here’s hoping! Not exactly what I really, REALLY want to do but I need a job and money and that provides both. Also will give me the opportunity to use the phrase “going postal” more often.

2. Barack Obama won the election! Although I was quite impressed with the outcome two things overshadowed it in my opinion. First was the concession speech by Jon McCain, that was more powerful to me than Obama’s victory speech. A call to all Americans to forget the annomosity of the elections and support the new president-elect in leading the country. People booed and McCain shut them down and honestly I think that was the first time since he was elected as the Republican leader that we saw the REAL John McCain and not the phoney McCain that he became as a presidential candidate. The second was the successful passing of propisition 8 in California. For those who don’t know propisition 8 was the proposed banning of same sex marriage. For those of you who think it’s incredibly ironic for such a ban to be passed in a state like California, welcome to the club. Bad voter turn-out was one of the reasons and the fact that it was a day after the presidential elections, people just didn’t want to go out and vote or didn’t know to go out to vote. Sad situation, and what’s worse is listening to some of the supporters of this ban, just ludicrous.

3. Went to a charity surf concert thing last night, was alright nothing like I imagined it would be, and the description was a bit misleading but otherwise wasn’t bad. Would probably have been better if I were hammered, but then isn’t everything?

4. I envy people who can just say whatever they’re thinking or ask for whatever they want. I have never been able to do that, it’s probably one of my biggest weaknesses that and my love of musicals.

5. Going to be an uncle, it’s weird. I think about it and I never feel older I feel the same as 24, at 24 I felt the same as 23 and so on and so on and yet I AM older. Soon I will be expected to settle down and start a family. Well not until I’m far more financially secure and far less stupid. I’m hoping one doesn’t require the other. 

6. I’m really hoping Jason Segel makes his Dracula musical with puppets, I would go anywhere to see that.

7. Found an old newspaper clipping from 2001 of me and my buddy Tim Cummings for the United Way/UNICEF/Hans Across Borders campaign we led, well actually it was originally led by two dummies Roger Zala and Jordan (can’t remember his last name) but since they skipped classes and goofed off we got to officially fire them and take over as administrators which was awesome. I remember I was even interviewed by the NEW VI I had it taped but I think I’ve lost the tape oh well. It was my second year on the charity campaign and was always a lot of fun.

8. Fell into some nostalgia last night looking at some old pics at James’ I also accidentally let it leak that there was a video of me singing “It’s raining men” I can only hope for divine intervention before it can be released onto facebook.

9. Remembrance Day is just around the corner I will be doing my usual, visiting the memorial wall by the naval base where my grandfather has a plaque. Aside from my grandfather on my mother’s side (who served in the Korean war) none of my family has served for THIS country. It was always awkward going to Remembrance Day services because it is very biased, it’s not a general remembrance it is for those that served in the specific country and the usual “brave men and women who fought against tyranny” is brought up. Being of German descent it’s hard to relate to that, we were that which the Canadians and Americans fought against. We represented the tyranny. My dad shares this sentiment, and though officially it’s stated that it’s to remember all those who fought it really is BS. That’s why I don’t feel compelled to attend the ceremonies anymore. As long as you remember those important to you that’s all that matters.

10. The other day I was asked “hey Duncan, what’s your favorite musical?” That had me stumped. Not because I don’t have a favorite but because I have multiple favorites for different reasons. There are aspects of some that I love and hate differently over others. My favorite for catchiest songs would have to be Jesus Christ Superstar. My favorite for best dramatic musical would be West Side Story because it’s basically a musical version of Romeo and Juliet but modernized for the time. My favorite ‘period-piece’ musical would be Cabaret. My favorite epic musical would be a tie between Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. My favorite Disney musical would be hands-down Beauty and the Beast. Favorite comedic musical would be H.M.S Pinnafore. Honorable Mentions go to Rocky Horror Picture Show, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, A funny thing happened on the way to the forum, Kiss Me Kate, Chicago, and Oklahoma.

11. It’s weird, since I left Saltsping Island I have not been able to sleep as well as I did there. We lived out in the boonies away from town surrounded by tall trees, the only noises were those of nature and the only light was from the moon. Here I have street lamps blaring through curtains, cars driving past day and night, and nowhere near as clean air. Maybe I’ll retire there…wasn’t all bad.

12. Looking up books online, have a 30$ gift certificate to Bolen’s and I have no idea what to get. Not that I don’t have a lot to read at the moment.

13. Thursday the thirteenth is coming up quick and so is the LAN…pray for my soul…

14. Watching season 7 of Buffy right now. Of course I’ve already seen it, but that was when it was first showed on tv…like, 5 years ago. Jesus…has it been that long? Well anyway, it’s a marked improvement on season 6 which aside from the musical, had no redeeming features.

15. I fear for the future when a governor of a state in the United States of America does not know how many countries there are in North America when her state IS BLOCKED BY ONE OF THEM FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

16. The Mac commercials need to be put to sleep. I’m so sick of the “Hi, I’ma Mac” and “Hi I’m a PC” and the music and the ensuing banter,

Mac: What are you doing PC?

PC: Building a time machine.

Mac: Why are you building a time machine, PC?

PC: So I can go back in time and introduce your mother to a coat hanger.

Mac: ….

PC: Not so quippy now are you? You trendy piece of shit!

17. My father, my uncle, and my grandfather are all out hunting right now. I feel a bit of a hypocrite that I don’t condone hunting but when I’m there and they serve deer/elk for a meal I don’t refuse. Not because I’m overly thrilled with the taste but because I don’t want to be rude. Is that wrong?

And there you have it, I leave you now with the concession speech that impressed me so.

1. Halloween was a bust, it involved me, A Nightmare Before Christmas and 3 beers. Not that I didn’t have invites but I got lazy about costumes and whatnot and also wanted to save a bit of coin.

2. Went up to Tofino for a couple of days to help James out at the resort he was working on. A lot of grunt work and holding ladders because I am not versed in the blind-installing gig. No worries felt good to do something constructive at least!

3. Threw away my vote for the first time since I started voting in this year’s election. Voted Green Party. Ordinarily I’d vote Liberal but I dislike the new leader and couldn’t back him. NDP is the idiot-party. The conservative party is the devil’s representatives on this plain of existance and Stephen Harper is so dull he puts Al Gore to sleep.

4. Watched a couple of good movies, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, and Miracle at St. Anna’s. Need to see Paschendale but have no one to see it with. SOMEBODY GO WITH ME!!!

5. The presidential election has actually been a downer for me. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a staunch Obama supporter, but after the debates I became somewhat disillusioned with him. Instead of sticking to the issues he lowered himself to trading blows with John McCain and going off-topic so many times it was difficult to even remember what the original question was. I will never support the Republicans, I honestly believe they are one step away from becoming a fascist regime and not the fun ones with chocolate torture and all public officials also being strippers, or wait…was that my facist regime? Anyway the point being Obama was considered by many to represent change and prosperity that the U.S. greatly needed and although I hate John McCain with every inch of my being, I am sorely disappointed in Obama’s actions since becoming the frontrunner of the democratic party after beating out Hilary Clinton. Maybe I’m wrong maybe he will become the great hope everyone thinks he will become, there’s always a chance.

6. My cell phone got busted up in a horror-house accident. Fingers are not being pointed and blame is not being laid, but tape is now used to hold the battery in.

7. My crazy downstairs neighbor has successfully moved out from under me. HUZZAH!!! After two years here I am now surrounded by reasonable, rational, and realistic people. Alliteration is fun!

8. Re:Point 7, the neighbors next to my bedroom need to move their bed to another wall…like NOW.

9.May have a job oppurtunity coming up, don’t want to say anything to jinx it but I’m breathless with anticipation! Look my cheeks are blue!

10. Telus are fucking idiots. They just sent me a bill for  $0.28  I could have drop-kicked something. Not only did I pay my previous bill in full, but it boggles my mind to think that by the time they have printed the invoice off, placed it in an envelope, paid for postage and mailed it, they’ve already spent well over  $0.28. On top of that a month ago they disconnected my internet for 3 days FOR NO REASON! My account was all paid up and everything was fine and the thing that they had trouble with when I called was that my name wasn’t on the account! I called to put the account in my name back in may and there was no problem and since then the bills have been coming to the same address in MY NAME. Well after explaining it to a guy who obviously was fresh off the boat and english skills are on par to my linguistical skills in Zwahili, we finally figured out my account and everything is ‘fixed’ we’ll see I spose.

11. My mother called this weekend (not me of course because that would show that she’s a mature 55 year old) and told my grandmother to tell me that she wrote me out of her will. Do I really need to add anything here? The astounded looks on your faces is enough to confirm in me that I’m not the one going insane. Thank-you.

12. When I was a baby probably around 2 or 3, I snuck out of my crib and was on my way…er….somewhere when I got my first real look at a mirror and my reflection. I have this perfect memory of this for some reason. Don’t know why or how since I can’t seem to remember much of my childhood before 5 except that. Always perplexed me.

13. The WoW expansion comes out in just over a week, I’m saying good-bye to my loved ones in preparation. Just kidding….or am I? Yeah I am…maybe….

14. The Tudors season 2 is finally out on Canadian tv, even though the season was done last April, figures it doesn’t get shown here in Canada till late September. My one problem with the show is the emphasis they put on the stuff they make up to make the show ‘more interesting’. The only thing about the show that is historically acurate are the major events, everything else is either exaggerated or just blatantly made-up, much like Rome. But it’s an amazing show regardless.

15. Remember when you were a kid and sleeping soundly in your bed when all of a sudden SS troops would storm in and order everyone out into the the streets and a nice man in a lab coat would measure your nose-length and ask you to say ‘mensch’? No? Just me then? Damn…

16. Definitely going to try and get hired onto one of those haunted houses next Halloween, after hitting two this year my mind’s full of ideas to scare the pudding out of people. Mmmmm…pudding…

17. Oh hey yeah I found Waldo on Halloween, between you and me I think he’s run out of ideas, he was just standing by himself at a bus stop in full regalia, didn’t have to look for his hat or glasses or socks. Personally, I think the guy is burnt-out. Poor bastard….

Well that the “Sunday Seventeen” hopefully I’ll remember to do it next week as well. And now for those of you who haven’t heard of/seen Italian Spiderman, here’s the trailer, the full eps are on youtube.

So I didn’t get a chance to go to the concert at PAX on the friday which had Jonathan Coulton and Freezepop which is too bad but I found this video of this awesome duet of Felicia Day and Jonathan Coulton singing “Still Alive” from Portal, enjoy!