And so this is Christmas...

‘Twas the week before Christmas and it seems all is going to hell, the more I try and see what exactly the season is supposed to mean, the more I see a bunch of ‘me monkeys’ only looking out for themselves. Seriously, if you have some free time (and who really doesn’t this time of year?) grab a coffee, and go to your local Wal-Mart, not that it is exclusive to Wal-Mart, but they seem to attract the most colourful, and just people watch. Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward man my jolly fat ass.

These people are all out for themselves, ready to push Grandma down if she even so much as thinks about grabbing the last item on the shelf that they are looking for. I’m done shopping for the most part this year, so now I’m just going to be sitting back and watching everyone else scramble, and listen to people smarter than I am to tell me how much we’ve evolved in the last century.

I like Christmas don’t get me wrong, I just don’t see why the emphasis is put on the gifts that are wrapped as opposed to the gifts that you have each and every day. Spending time with family and friends, regardless of what they are getting for you. I’d rather have a good time with friends and family sharing a couple of laughs then get a present that may be forgotten in the next few months. But possibly I’m a different breed.

Now enough of that, here are some stories that caught my eyes and ears this week;

You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

Don Cherry responded last night on his Coaches Corner segment to a doctor that called him out earlier this week saying that Grapes was a “negative influence on hockey”. I’ve been a long time fan of Cherry, dating back to when he was coaching the Bruins, and I have forgiven him for the “too many men on the ice” incident (ask a Habs fan for an explanation, I’ve tried to purge it from my memory). And I may have a biased opinion of him, but that being said…There is no one who does more for hockey than Don Cherry.

Cherry said on air last night “For this guy to come out and blame me for all the injuries is totally unfair. I would hate to think that Dr. Tator is doing it just to get his name in the paper.” And the sad part is, Dr. Tator probably is. The same way that Cherry uses his weekly segment to air his views, it seems that Dr. Tator is naming Cherry because of the “Rock ‘em Sock ‘em” style that he promotes, because a) he’s an easy target, and b) anyone who has ever watched or listened to knew that Grapes would respond.

News agencies in Canada would pick up what the Doctor said and immediately go to Grapes for a rebuttal. And Cherry is not one to shy away from a microphone, or a fight for that matter. If you watch Coaches Corner on Saturday nights, you know that Cherry is always the first to go after players for dirty hits, or other infractions that deserve more than just a NHL disciplinary action. He enjoys the game, all aspects of it, the hitting, the scoring, and yes the fighting.

But to blame him for the injuries, it seems that this is just a ploy to grab attention. Take a look at the equipment, take a look at the size of the players, take a look at the speed of the game. Then let us know what’s happening in the sport. New rules brought in to “open up” the game, have also changed how players are getting ‘caught’ with hits now.

Blaming Don Cherry for the injuries is like blaming the government for under spending on a project.

And speaking of government spending. From the WTF Files;

On December 9 Sue Ann Levy a Toronto Sun columnist wrote about a Toronto city councilors voting 21-4 to give one of their own a salary top up of over $65,000.00 to cover legal fees and taxes that the councilor would have to pay for the top up. Really? What happened here?

Apparently, in 2006 Councilor Adrian Heaps was named in a defamation suit by rival Michelle Berardinetti for an article in the Globe two days before the election bringing her reputation into question. It seems ironic that councilors will question their opponent’s character, but fail to see their own flaws when they do stupid shit like this. And the best part is, they’ve been told by their own legal advisor (three other times before) that this move is against the law!! But of course, Toronto City Council is running around like Capone in Chicago in the thirties thinking they can’t be touched.

And of course the Capo of this mob crew David Miller doesn’t care, he’s already out whoring himself for his next position now that he’s officially announced he’s done ruining (oops running) Toronto. Having this guy in charge of anything is like having Fredo run the Corleone family in the Godfather movies.

For Sue Ann Levy’s full story, follow this; http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/sueann_levy/2009/12/09/12089856-sun.html

Tiger still front page news

Tiger Woods has been on the front page of newspapers in the States for 16 days straight, second only to the 9/11 disasters. Proving once and for all that schadenfreude* is alive and well in North America.

I really don’t have anything to say on his situation, other than the fact that front page for 16 days, seems to be a little extensive.

And, do you know what the difference between Santa Claus and Tiger Woods is? Santa stopped after three ho’s.

Have an excellent and safe holiday, no matter what you celebrate

Dave

*Schadenfreude – The pleasure derived from the misfortune of others

No topic...No title

So this has been a good week so far, I’ve been thinking about what to make this post about, and the best that I can come up with is…


The Golfer, The Transit and the Website.

What do Tiger Woods and the TTC have in common?

Both could advertise for Ashley Madison.com

Although I think that Tiger, given the media outpouring on his story, would be wise to turn it down if the offer is for real. It’s not like he needs the money, although he is planning on taking a hiatus from golf, possibly just trying to hide more weapons from his wife. And would it not be a shorter list if people who haven’t had an encounter with Tiger come forward?

But the TTC? Really? For the people who are always complaining that they don’t have enough money, and continuously raise the fares, they of all people should not be turning down the opportunity to make money from advertisers.

And to be honest, they (the TTC) of all people know about screwing married people, whether they realize it or not.

The King and O (bama).

Apparently the Nobel Committee is upset with Obama for bailing on some of the festivities that follow the acceptance of the prize, including a lunch with the King of Norway. Of course this was fueling a fire that some suggest that Mr. President has issues with white people. First of all, I don’t care what people think of Obama, I don’t even care what Obama does. As long as he’s not trying to blow up the world, and start wars for no apparent reason other than threats made on his father years earlier…just in case you thought people forgot about that one W…and until I see Obama seeing that “I’m gonna get me a shotgun and kill all the whitey’s I see” ala Garrett Morris from Saturday Night Live, I’m not buying into this stream of thought.

Did anyone ever think that maybe he has other pressing issues that dining with the King of Norway; he’s a year in and still cleaning up messes left from the last administration, plus trying to get his own agenda put into place. I’m not saying that he’s had it easy, but why is everyone in the media trying to get him out so quickly? Are they that nervous about a black man being that powerful? Or maybe it’s because he smokes?!? Hmmmm.

How can we possibly make life easier?

I just watched a commercial that I find more annoying than that douche that keeps telling everyone that they are going to love his nuts. Apparently the clapper has come out with a remote control…for the people that can’t figure out the clapping part of it. And the best part is you can stick it on to the wall.

Why hasn’t someone thought of this before hand? Something that is attached to a wall and assists you in turning a light on or off. How have we ever gotten this far as a species without this? How lazy have we become? If this is where we are headed as a society, I’m off at the next stop.

A Lawyer's Christmas

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain piece of property (herein after "the house") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including but not limited to a mouse...However, prior to the departure of deer, sled and Claus from said house, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim, “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.” Or words to that effect.

This may explain the rosy nose and cheeks.

As a slightly larger male, December has always been a busy time for me, mostly because people keep asking me to be Santa Claus at their parties. Which I’ve always made the joke of watching kids run away asking their parents why Santa smells like Jack Daniels and cigarettes.

Apparently people are starting to get their Christmas stockings all up in a bunch over another ad campaign. This one by Labatt breweries for their “non-alcoholic” Labatt Blue. The ad states “Leave one out for Santa. He’s driving.” More aimed at the drinking and driving aspect, then the fact that Santa may be a lush.

But according to a marketing professor this is breaking a rule in advertising. Never associate drinking with driving in a sales pitch. Don’t worry about destroying kids’ visions of Santa having some milk and cookies on Christmas Eve, although I know in my house he prefers a coffee and a smoke, but that’s getting off topic.

It’s an ad; all ads are designed to create some sort of response, good, bad or indifferent. And that’s all that this is, people in general have to learn to lighten up.

No matter what you celebrate this time of year, have a good and safe holiday.

Dave

Just makes me want to shake my head

Has MADD gone mad?!? I understand the whole don’t drink and drive concept, and I understand the whole public intoxication issue, for those keeping score I believe that the people were issued the citation under s. 175 (1)(a)(ii). But seriously, with all the other bullshit happening, saying that the police were right in issuing the tickets, and that the bartender is responsible, c’mon really?!?

For those of you that haven’t heard a couple was charged in Bowmanville the other week while they stood hand in hand on the curb waiting for a designated driver to pull up and drive their car home. Sounds reasonable, the couple who regularly uses the service if they have more than one drink seems to be doing exactly what MADD would want everyone to do. Not drive, take a cab, take public transportation, do anything other than drive.

After working in the hospitality industry for almost a quarter of a century, I’ve seen people charged with public intoxication, but they were usually causing a disturbance or fighting at the time, not standing on the curb. But now, it seems that if you are going to wait outside for the driver, cab, bus, streetcar, doing the right thing can get you a $65.00 ticket. And according to MADD, it’s the bartender’s fault!!

Perfect, another step for everyone not taking responsibility for their own choices. Would it have been better for the couple to try and drive home? According to a MADD spokesperson, it would have been better for the server to stop the couple after one drink, to ensure that they did not get to the point of intoxication. It would have been better for them just not to go out at all. I wonder if the only way to make MADD happy is to enter another prohibition era.

As a side note, I rarely have issues with the police, and if they laid the charge they must have had a reason to do so. My issue here is with MADD blaming the industry. I just don’t get it, it’s confusing. If you are going to drink, better just stay inside, if this is where we as a nation are heading, pretty soon you won’t have any place to drink or smoke. You’ll only be able to do so in the comfort of your own home…as long as you don’t use part of it for a business.

Just in time for all the Christmas parties. Which makes me wonder if MADD actually has a Christmas party? And if they do, what do they serve?

EVERYONE has the right to free speech

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
- Section 2 (b) Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
- Article 19 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights



Seem like basic concepts, no? Seems straight forward, no?

People are allowed to express themselves without the fear of persecution because of the content of their message.

I have recently come across a series of youtube videos presented by @kara_sutra, (follow her on twitter) called Sex Ed 102. She has taken to teaching anyone and everyone that wants to learn about sex, sex toys, tips, and sexuality, everything you ever wanted to know about sex. These videos are useful, entertaining, and insightful.

For more information about the situation on Facebook follow this: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fapps.facebook.com%2Fcauses%2Fcauses%2F400110%2Fabout&h=b4d4d586806449aea8084ab791c404af

And a link for the online petition can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.petitiononline.com%2FSexEd102%2Fpetition.html&h=b4d4d586806449aea8084ab791c404af

I’m asking to please help out a friend.

Now that being said, allow me to get on a soapbox here.

This is an important issue, for anyone who enjoys reading, writing, or filming blogs. I know that I’ve said this before on many occasions, can’t remember if I put it down on paper (screen?), but I have never understood how someone can complain about the content of someone’s work. And have the expectation for it to be removed from wherever they initially found it because it offends them.

I’ve always been a strong supporter of simply changing the channels, free speech is just that, free. You can say whatever you like, and pull up free speech and nine times out of ten the courts will back you up. I say that because there have been times, where even in Canada, free speech was not allowed as a defence.

If you are reading, watching, or listening to something that you don’t agree with, simply change the channel. If you feel strongly about it, there are avenues that you can take to have your views heard, whether it be your own blog, or video, or a facebook page. But censoring someone else because you feel that it is offensive to you, I’m sorry but you really are not that important.
Because you feel that the blog, video, episode, whatever offends your views, does not mean that it would offend anyone else. And simply if you feel that strongly about it, change the channel, stop reading, stop watching/listening.

Once upon a time, certain people were offended by the words spoken by Lenny Bruce. He wound up in jail, twice while fighting for everyone’s first amendment rights. His conviction in 1964 was finally pardoned of the conviction after his death. For those of you who don’t know or are unsure, Bruce’s crime that he was convicted for was saying “cocksucker” on stage.

We’ve come along way baby, or at least we would like to think we have. I’m sure there are some that would still find Lenny Bruce’s humour offensive, as they do with Andrew Dice Clay, or Richard Pryor, or George Carlin. But if they find them offensive, they don’t have to listen to them.

Even here in Toronto, as little as a couple of months ago, someone on the Toronto District School Board brought in a motion to have Harper Lee’s book “To Kill a Mockingbird” removed from its shelves in the libraries because of the way it portrays African Americans. A book that was originally written in 1960, defining, what some believe, is the start of the civil rights movement in the U.S. The book itself is constantly under attack for various reasons in Canada and the U.S. because people get offended and can’t seem to keep it in the context for when it was written.

If I was to write or say something on stage that offends someone, that is their opinion. I am not about to change the way I am because I have offended someone. They definitely are not the first, and will definitely not be the last. If you don’t like what I write on my blog, don’t follow me, don’t read my stuff, if you were to see me on stage and don’t think I’m funny, then don’t watch, go out for a smoke and wait until my time is up and show support for the other comics.

There is no pleasing everyone, someone will always find something to criticize, and someone will always try and stop something that has nothing to do with them from being aired or published because it may go against their values. But c’mon seriously, there are so many other things (depending on which topic you subscribe and listen to) that are plummeting this hunk of rock that we all rotate on to hell faster than Matt LeBlanc’s acting career after Friends. You would think that maybe, just maybe people would realize that now is the time for people to speak out, to send in opposing views, to educate people and to organize an argument against the status quo, because as George Carlin said “let’s face it the status quo sucks.”

This is a basic argument, I’m sure that there are many people more learned than I am on this subject. And I am sure that they can argue the subject more in depth, and eloquently than I do. But I also know that scholars and educators and the learned people that I am referring to here have a tendency to be wordy, and lose some of the message on the masses. Technically they are too smart for their own good.

Basically, do what you feel is right, say what you want, read what you want, listen to what you want and make your own decisions. If you disagree, then put out a retort, however you can. But don’t censor it, just as I’m sure you wouldn’t want people to censor your thoughts or ideas.

Of course this is just my opinion.

Dave

Am I trying to tell myself something?!?

For those of you that knows me, you know that I do not care for such things like fashion, or fitness, or style in general. I do what I do, and I am quite content with that. My lovely wife Cj (a.k.a, she who must be obeyed) still loves me most times*, she wishes I would get out more, and be a little more active, but she still loves me.

For the most part I have the exercise regime of veal. I think about exercise, but if I lay down long enough the urge will pass, but I'm good with that, I've done diets and weight loss programs, and I wasn't happy. So I put some of the weight back on (I'm currently a svelte 314 lbs), I'm not Sumo fat, but I'm a large framed individual**, but i digress.

The is only one thing that really bothers me, and for years I didn't care, I thought it was a joke, something to make me smile throughout the day. But now its getting ridiculous, it's every freaking minute, sometimes more. And I'd like to think that for the most part I don't need help in this area. But for what ever reason, I seem to be getting 25 30 emails a day offering me a discount on Viagra. And the worst part is, I seem to be sending the emails to myself!!

I knew that one day I'd get old, everyone does but I was hoping to be more like Stadler or Waldorf from the Muppet show, mean and making fun of everyone. Not someone who apparently spends half of his day sending emails for enhancement to himself, and the other half deleting them. But I mean I must spend every waking minute sending and deleting these. Why would I need this drug, at that rate I wouldn't even have time for sex!?! And the worst part is, as another sign I'm getting older, I don't even remember doing it.

I'll be honest, it has happened to me, I think it happens to every guy at some point and time whether they admit it or not, but having it happen once every three to eight months, not that big of a deal there are other things going on. But, if it happened more frequently, I may look into one of those ads I keep sending myself.

Until then though, I'm happy with the way I am, and more importantly, for the most part so is my wife. And that's really all that matters

Dave


*I know she loves me all the time, but I'm sure there are times that she could kill me in my sleep.
** I would never say big boned, that is a stupid saying, have you ever seen a fat skeleton?