Today it was not lost on me the special attention that the barista's a Blue State pay to their product.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Coffee Break
Like a lot of people, I have a wall that I tend to hit around 3pm most days. With the beautiful weather now here, I try and get out of the (frigid) office and go for a walk. My walks generally take me in the same direction - toward my favourite coffee shop, Blue State Coffee. Today I found myself on such a walk and ordering my afternoon treat, a latte, double sugar with a generous shake of cocoa powder.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Celebration of Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps
Last night 3,000 people gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Paul Newman. An extraordinary man, Paul Newman touched the lives of millions, not only through his acting, but more importantly, through his philanthropy.
Last night we celebrated the success of one of his many endeavours, Hole in the Wall Camps.
To hear more about it and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, and to listen to some of the celebrity entertainment, visit the links below.
The Early Show with Julia Roberts and Dexter Darden – June 8
Access Hollywood Online
ET Online
Last night we celebrated the success of one of his many endeavours, Hole in the Wall Camps.
To hear more about it and the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps, and to listen to some of the celebrity entertainment, visit the links below.
The Early Show with Julia Roberts and Dexter Darden – June 8
Access Hollywood Online
ET Online
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
This is the street near our house that runs along the beach. The snow is almost gone!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Childish Games
Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff finally smartened up, saying, “Canadians don't want another election, and they're tired of political games. They have waited too long for action on the economy for us to fail them now because of partisan interest.” he said.
Unfortunately, he's the only one that drank the Koolaid this week.
No kidding! Isn't that the point? To have a party govern for a reasonable amount of time in order to affect any sort of positive change?
I have never been a huge fan of the Conservative or the Liberal parties, however, this sandbox temper tantrum has only reaffirmed why neither the NDP nor the Bloc Quebecois have ever even come close to receiving enough votes to run the country.
Unfortunately, he's the only one that drank the Koolaid this week.
Sore looser Jack Layton, NDP, was quoted as saying, “We have a new coalition now on Parliament Hill: It's a coalition between Mr. Harper and Mr. Ignatieff...Today we have learned that you can't trust Mr. Ignatieff to oppose Mr. Harper. If you oppose Mr. Harper and you want a new government, I urge you to support the NDP.”
Mr. Duceppe, Bloc Quebecois, also ridiculed the Liberal parties decision to support the Conservative government, saying the timeline ensures the Conservatives will remain in power until at least the next budget.No kidding! Isn't that the point? To have a party govern for a reasonable amount of time in order to affect any sort of positive change?
I have never been a huge fan of the Conservative or the Liberal parties, however, this sandbox temper tantrum has only reaffirmed why neither the NDP nor the Bloc Quebecois have ever even come close to receiving enough votes to run the country.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dammed if you do, Damed if you don't
Today marked the return of the Canadian Parliament after it was suspended by the Governor-General in early December.
The suspension was the result of a failed game of chicken between the Conservative Tories and the three liberal opposition parties (Liberals, Bloc Québécois, and NDP) when the Conservatives outlined a budget and dared the opposition to accept it or oust them in a vote of non-confidence.
Sadly, and rather embarrassingly, in Canada, under a minority government, opposition parties can ban together and call a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons, which, if passed, means that the government has lost the confidence of the House. The government must then either resign or ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election.
In order to avoid this, since Canadians just went to the polls in October (when they reinstated the Conservative government and the Liberals endured their worst beating in years), the Governor General suspended Parliament for one month to provide the Conservative government time to revise the budget in an attempt to satisfy the opposition and maintain power.
So, after a month away developing a budget that would support the Canadian people, satisfy the opposition, and most importantly, save his job, it was today that Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood before Parliament to deliver the Conservative government's new budget and economic stimulus plan.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of the opposition, it was not worth the "low-cost black and white" photocopy it was circulated on.
In fact, it likely was not worth the time that the Conservative party invested into creating it, since it seems as though two of the three opposition parties - Bloc Quebecois and NDP - have already made up their mind to not support it.
Despite the fact that the opposition had requested the Conservatives come back with a more persuasive budget and are somewhat supportive of the changes, they now find the Conservative party's budget to be insincere and not worthy of their support.
Jack Layton, NDP: “Well, there's probably going to be measures there [in the budget] that we would support, but they'd much more likely actually be implemented by a government that believes in them. I'm afraid we'd have to say that Mr. Harper has lost our confidence and he's now willing to propose things that he doesn't even believe in, in order to save his job. We think there's a much better way forward, and that's for parties to work together in the coalition.”
Gille Duceppe, Bloc Québécois: “One of the things that is extraordinary about this Speech from the Throne is the contrast between the language of the autumn [economic] statement – which was partisan and divisive – and this language which is talking about reaching across the divide and finding non-partisan solutions and some particularly charming words about protecting the vulnerable, saving jobs today and creating jobs tomorrow. Where have I heard that language before? Imitation is a sincere form of flattery. But the reality here, the stubborn reality, is there a problem of trust. This government appears to have a split personality.”
More ridiculously, Mr. Duceppe also said "the speech was at odds with the plans advocated by U.S. President Barack Obama" saying, “There's absolutely nothing for the environment. Not a word.”
I'm very proud to be Canadian, but this is embarrassing. What's done is done - the world has seen our dirty laundry - but the future of our country can be saved if our leaders put aside their bruised egos and unprofessionalism and ban together for the good of the country, and not for their own personal agenda. Liberal party leader Michael Ignatieff will make his decision Wednesday whether to side with opposition or support the Conservative budget. Decide well Mr. Ignatieff, decide well.
The suspension was the result of a failed game of chicken between the Conservative Tories and the three liberal opposition parties (Liberals, Bloc Québécois, and NDP) when the Conservatives outlined a budget and dared the opposition to accept it or oust them in a vote of non-confidence.
Sadly, and rather embarrassingly, in Canada, under a minority government, opposition parties can ban together and call a non-confidence motion in the House of Commons, which, if passed, means that the government has lost the confidence of the House. The government must then either resign or ask the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and call an election.
In order to avoid this, since Canadians just went to the polls in October (when they reinstated the Conservative government and the Liberals endured their worst beating in years), the Governor General suspended Parliament for one month to provide the Conservative government time to revise the budget in an attempt to satisfy the opposition and maintain power.
So, after a month away developing a budget that would support the Canadian people, satisfy the opposition, and most importantly, save his job, it was today that Prime Minister Stephen Harper stood before Parliament to deliver the Conservative government's new budget and economic stimulus plan.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of the opposition, it was not worth the "low-cost black and white" photocopy it was circulated on.
In fact, it likely was not worth the time that the Conservative party invested into creating it, since it seems as though two of the three opposition parties - Bloc Quebecois and NDP - have already made up their mind to not support it.
Despite the fact that the opposition had requested the Conservatives come back with a more persuasive budget and are somewhat supportive of the changes, they now find the Conservative party's budget to be insincere and not worthy of their support.
Jack Layton, NDP: “Well, there's probably going to be measures there [in the budget] that we would support, but they'd much more likely actually be implemented by a government that believes in them. I'm afraid we'd have to say that Mr. Harper has lost our confidence and he's now willing to propose things that he doesn't even believe in, in order to save his job. We think there's a much better way forward, and that's for parties to work together in the coalition.”
Gille Duceppe, Bloc Québécois: “One of the things that is extraordinary about this Speech from the Throne is the contrast between the language of the autumn [economic] statement – which was partisan and divisive – and this language which is talking about reaching across the divide and finding non-partisan solutions and some particularly charming words about protecting the vulnerable, saving jobs today and creating jobs tomorrow. Where have I heard that language before? Imitation is a sincere form of flattery. But the reality here, the stubborn reality, is there a problem of trust. This government appears to have a split personality.”
More ridiculously, Mr. Duceppe also said "the speech was at odds with the plans advocated by U.S. President Barack Obama" saying, “There's absolutely nothing for the environment. Not a word.”
I'm very proud to be Canadian, but this is embarrassing. What's done is done - the world has seen our dirty laundry - but the future of our country can be saved if our leaders put aside their bruised egos and unprofessionalism and ban together for the good of the country, and not for their own personal agenda. Liberal party leader Michael Ignatieff will make his decision Wednesday whether to side with opposition or support the Conservative budget. Decide well Mr. Ignatieff, decide well.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
The “First 100 Days” Look Promising
The “first 100 days” refers to the first three months that a new President is in power – a time when the President’s power is at its height. The “first 100 days” dates back to the presidency of President Roosevelt, when he “sent a blizzard of legislation up to Congress, was credited with saving the US banking industry and built the foundations of the New Deal to battle the economic crisis.”
Since Roosevelt, new Presidents have had their first 100 days held up to his standards, and early judgments about a presidency are often made on their performance during those days.
Today, the first day of President Obama’s presidency, news agencies, like the BBC, New York Times, and USA Today, were ablaze with reports of what is topping his agenda.
Issues Obama plans to (begin to) tackle in his first 100 days include:
- Issue executive orders on government ethics and transparency. The measures include curbs on lobbying and a pay freeze for senior White House staff.
- Discuss plans to close Guantanamo Bay within 16 months. On Tuesday night he ordered an immediate halt to all pending military war crimes trials for 120 days as he reviews the handling of terror suspects.
- Meet with top military advisers to chart a rapid troop drawdown from Iraq and a way forward in Afghanistan.
- Work to stop arms smuggling to Hamas fighters and help rebuild efforts for Palestinians in Gaza.
- Appoint a team to deal with the regional issues of the Middle East, including Iran's nuclear ambitions and terrorist based along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
- Issue an executive order reversing a Bush administration rule on abortion policy - restoring U.S. funding for overseas family planning organizations that offer abortions (Something Bush himself implemented in his first 100 days).
This morning at the national prayer service, the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins said it well, "Lead us there, Mr. President. That is a journey worth pursuing."
Click here to read more about the “first 100 days” of the previous 12 President’s.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
44 Takes the Oath
Today at work with my colleagues watching Barack Obama take the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States.
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