granted null

i tweet therefore i am

2010-01-03T17:28:00.002-06:00

So pre-flight the other day, I couldn't sleep and was bouncing around on the interweb, bored and looking for something to do. I ended up finally looking at twitter. Until then I had successfully avoided all things twitter. In a moment that I may end up describing as either genius or weakness, I joined.

So yes, you can now follow me on twitter. I don't think I'll be one of those people who tweets each time I twitch, but you never know. I imagine I'll just tweet short thoughts, links to random things and have the odd twitter conversation (does anyone know what that's called?). Also, I'll probably tweet new blog posts as well.

I'm not following many people so far, and don't have many followers. I think if I keep using it I'll follow a few more people. Maybe some of the people I have praised and punished on this blog should be followed.

how do you like your plane...big or small?

2009-12-30T11:26:00.008-06:00

I'm flying again, moving progressively farther west and north. While doing the puddle jumper flight from Regina to Calgary this morning I was thinking about people's preferences when it comes to plane size. Now I know some of you may say that it's not the size of the plane that matters but where it's going. However, I for one think size matters. When it comes to my planes, I like them small.

I've flown in planes of all sizes, from a two-seater to massive jumbo jets. Hell, I even put my life at risk and flew Aeroflot (affectionately known as Aeroflop). Without roads, small planes are the main source of transportation north of 60, so I've spent a lot of time in them. In a small plane, you hear all the noise, feel all the bumps and are crammed in, but at least you know you are flying. Also for a number of irrational, incorrect and mildly insensitive reasons, I feel safer in a small plane. Let's consider:

Ground control: in small planes, you can usually see the ground. Even if it's cloudy, you know you're closer to it than you are at 30,000 feet. Closer to the ground, means less distance to fall (I told you these were irrational)
Glider Effect: a big plane is a whole lot of metal. A small plane weighs a lot less. Combine this with being closer to the ground, and a small plane can glide safely to the ground (see above for how it's closer to the ground allowing it to do this) while a big plane will likely just plummet straight down, damn gravity.
Terrorists: think about it, terrorists don't blow up small planes:, they go for the biggest bang (literally). If I think of all the big terrorist attacks on airplanes, they have usually been big planes.
Hijackers: (see terrorists above) Once again, big plane with lots of people. Small plane, not enough passengers for adequate leverage.
Personal Touch: In a small plane you often see the captain and co-captain, many times they are the only crew on board. I'm convinced this personal interaction makes us safer. They know who their passengers are, we've chatted, made some jokes, shared a granola bar. Because we've interacted they now have a personal vested interest in getting me there safely.

So yes, a small plane may not take you as far, or may take longer to get there, but in my view it will always get you there safely.

PS - given I spend a lot of time in small planes, please don't shatter the illusion by pointing out the irrationality of these reasons.

guilty pleasure: literal video #1

2009-05-31T16:51:00.005-06:00

The blog has been quiet for a while, but finishing law school, graduating, moving and travelling has taken up most of my time and energy these last five months. Anyways, as noted below I've started a blog for my time in Regina, which has now begun. There's a new post over there.

On this blog, I'll probably be posting those silly or general thoughts that don't quite fit on the Regina blog. On the topic of silly, I figure it was time for another guilty pleasure, this one a literal video. Literal videos can best be described as someone singing exactly what is happening in the video. I stumbled upon this one the other day. I've discussed my love for cheesy 80s/90s power ballads before and now one of my favourites gets the literal video treatment. Enjoy!

moving

2009-03-21T18:23:00.004-06:00

As some of you are aware, once law school ends I will be moving to Regina, Saskatchewan for a year. In the spirit of this move I've decided to move my blog as well. Beginning in May 2009 (with a few advance teasers) I will be posting short tales of my experiences and life in Regina. Think of them as short monologues..in fact, think of them as Regina monologues.

The new blog can be found here.

an explanation

2008-12-15T11:25:00.005-06:00

Regular visitors to the blog may have noticed that the blog was locked up for the past few months. Essentially, I shut down the blog as I had not been posting regularly in 2008 and when I got back to school I found I didn't have the desire to write.

Not knowing whether I was done with the blog or not, I thought I would shut it down for a while and give some thought to what I was doing with it. This was also during the time when blog posts were coming back to haunt candidates during the election.

I looked at a couple of options on Blogger for shutting it down, but it came down to two, deleting the entire blog or locking it up so that I was the only person who could access it. I wasn't ready to delete the blog entirely, so I locked it up.

I probably should have put a post up first telling people that I was going to do it first, but I figured I hadn't posted in quite some time so I just shut it down.

If I gave the impression that people were being locked out of the blog, I am sorry. Really, it was more of a blog downtime. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to do with the blog, and I'm in exams right now so this will probably be the only post to the new year, but I realize the world needs access to my guilty pleasures so feel free to poke around and indulge.

i got meme'd

2008-08-09T18:33:00.004-06:00

Megan, the little sister, meme'd me. Her answers can be found here. My responses are below.

A) Four places I go over and over: Saskatoon, Calgary, Toronto and Yellowknife. My life is a circle between these four cities. This will change as I will be going to Calgary less often now that my sister has moved back to Toronto.

(B) Four people who e-mail me regularly: Megan emails all the time, usually to go for coffee; it appears the phone is so last year. Jana, Facebook (all my friends email through facebook), and spam (is that sad?)

(C) Four of my favorite places to eat? Swiss Chalet, Swiss Chalet, Swiss Chalet. Hmm, does that count as 3. Other than Swiss Chalet, I'd say the Thai restaurant on 33rd in Saskatoon.

(D) Four places you’d rather be? London, Prague, Utrecht and Budapest.

(E) Four people I think will respond: None, I'm a bad sport, refuse to spam and won't pass this along.

(F) Four TV shows I could watch over and over: Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog (ok it's an internet tv show but it still counts); Firefly; Relocation, Relocation; and Project Runway.

have i matured?

2008-06-30T19:02:00.005-06:00

My recent experience of getting getting glasses has brought a sense of aging, but it's also now brought a sense of growing maturity. When looking at glasses, I asked if they had anything big, black and geeky. I thought hey, I'm still in school, I should have some glasses that are fun and ironic. I can hear you all now, "act your age, not your shoe size".

Well, surprisingly enough, the eyeglass retailer was able to find t a pair and brought them in. I was excited to try them on. I was hoping for Elvis Costello, but ended up looking like Drew Carey.

Despite the Drew Carey look I thought they would be a fun pair for going out and having fun, but t I realized I am just not cool, hip or ironic enough for these glasses. In the past this would have been a pure impulse purchase, $300 for irony. The fact that I put the glasses down show not only that I am aging, but that I am maturing.

these eyes

2008-06-24T21:31:00.003-06:00

I've always prided myself on my vision. I've always been the one who could see the small text far away. I never expected that I would have to get glasses. However, that's no longer the case. Law school has wrecked my vision.

Okay, it's true that I haven't had my eyes checked for eight years. Maybe its not all law school's fault. However until the words "I'm in law school" came out of my mouth, it looked like my need for glasses could have been put off for a few more years. I know that would have been postponing the inevitable, but it would have left me glasses free for a while.

My eyesight isn't that bad, however one eye is radically different from the other I have learned. It's the fact that I spend all day reading that is really driving the need. However, I should also notice an improvement when driving, less fatigue looking into the distance.

Now, I am on a quest for frames. I've blogged before of the challenges of my big head. Unfortunately it appears to be a problem for glasses as well. I trudged off to the local eyeglass shop. After trying on pair after pair that didn't fit, it came down to "show me the biggest ones you've got". A parade of ugly glasses came forth. One wasn't too bad, however I look like Drew Carey when I'm wearing them.

I want a fashionable pair, but is it possible? Kenneth Cole just doesn't make glasses big enough for me. Thankfully, the woman offered to bring in a few others on spec for me to try.

I tried the other glass shop without much more luck, but have found two frames that are in stock that may work. The question is, what look do I want to have for the next two years? I'm in school so still want something fashionable and fun, but will also be clerking with the court, so do I need something simple and professional? Gah! What would Russell Smith do? I don't have his book with me to see if he has a section on this?

These are the business/work friendly frames I found:

I can't find an image online of the other pair, but will keep looking. Maybe I'll take some snapshots of me wearing them and invite comments and suggestions!

memories of the 20-minute workout

2008-06-18T20:47:00.002-06:00

Growing up on City-TV in Toronto there was a horrible show called the 20-minute workout. The title pretty much sums it up. It was lunges, bends, forward thrusts, think Pussycat Dolls in legwarmers and tights, big permed hair, a leotard and a sweatband. Pretty picture isn't it.

Well this Pull Shapes video brought those memories rushing back:

men in capris

2008-06-17T20:44:00.003-06:00

Yes, I said men in capris, not men in trees. It seems a recent trend that men are being marketed capris. It's a fine line between a long pair of shorts and capris. My advice, and I'm sure Russell woud agree, is to say no to capris.

How this came about is a recent incident here in Name-of-Town-Withheld. It's one of those incidents that happens in a small town. I was walking and saw a man in capris. Now he is tall and thin and if anyone can pull them off, it's probably him, but the problem is, he's my dentist.

How can I take him seriously at my next appointment? I'm going to be thinking, hey, he wears capris! That just seems wrong. I want my professionals to look like professionals. Now, I'm sure he doesn't show up at the office that way, it was probably a day off.

Much like a firearm, there should be a 72-hour cooling period if you want to buy capris. Men should have to go home and think about it. Sure, you're in the store, you see them, they look cool on the mannequin, you're thinking, hey Brad Pitt would probably wear them, so why not me and boom you have bought them. However, if you had to go home and seriously think about it for three days, I'm sure the impulse would pass.

Come to think of it, there should be a similar rule for Speedos!

clap your hands if you want some more

2008-06-13T22:59:00.003-06:00

What the Buck's Michael Buckley is continuing his fascination (and mine) with "Pull Shapes" by the Pipettes. He has created a dance cru on YouTube and has assembled a video of his fans dancing to the song.

Clap your hands, I know you want some more!

rare in nature

2008-06-12T22:34:00.003-06:00

I came across this photo on another blog today and was stunned. It's so rare, that it is even rarer than a recent blog post from me.

From what I read on different blogs it hasn't been photoshopped and there is even video available. It's a unicorn, well more accurately a unihorn deer. It appears this deer is on a nature reserve in Italy and has some genetic anomaly that has given it one horn in the middle of its head.

I've often thought there is some kernel of truth to many myths and legends. This shows that at some other time, there was probably an animal with a genetic anomaly like this that created the myth of the unicorn.

marathon man

2008-06-11T22:39:00.002-06:00

Okay, so the title may be a misnomer. I am not a marathon man; I am however a half-marathon man. Last summer I ran my first half-marathon. I finished. It was a big achievement. I do have to say though that I am not a natural runner. It's not like I will just say to myself, hey, I should go out for a run.

My half-marathon last year was actually a bit of a fluke. I had been preparing to run a 1/4 marathon, or more accurately, run the marathon as part of a four-person team. I had been doing some training and preparing for that. Unfortunately our team fell apart and there was only two of us left. A few weeks before the actual marathon, I ran the half distance to see whether I could and figured that if I did it once I could do it again.

Come the actual day of the marathon I did the half-marathon and it was an achievement. One of the drawbacks of doing this in a small town like Name-of-town-withheld is the sheer number of people I knew involved. It's hard to do something like this discreetly the first-time when everyone knows you, knows it's your first and cheers you on.

In the days following, I did learn that I had not trained enough and was incredibly sore. This year, I decided I would do things differently and joined a local learn to run group. My usual approach to training is to sign up for a race, then have fear of humiliation be the driving factor to get me training. The group helps, however I think it mainly replaces humiliation with expectation. As is quite likely in a small-town I know many members of the group, and I know show up for my runs because people expect me to be there.

I do like the sense of accomplishment that running brings. Although I may not enjoy the actual process of running, I do enjoy the sense of accomplishment that comes with running a set distance and knowing you accomplished it. Each week I'm probably doing on average 20-25 km if I make all three runs. Right now I'm averaging two out of three. However, by August I will do the Name-of-town-Withheld half-marathon for a second time and here's hoping I'm not in pain for days.

reader-indirectly-submitted complaint

2008-06-10T22:07:00.002-06:00

Little Miss Know-it-All contacted me today letting me know that one of her readers had contacted her to ask whether (or when) I'm going to start blogging again. It appears guilt is maybe all that it took.

I have been on a two-month hiatus from the blog. It's been a period of considerable change. I finished second-year, left the little law school on the prairie and headed back north of 60 to name-of-town-withheld. I started my summer job (which really appears to be several jobs), caught up with old friends, and have already lived/stayed in four different houses.

As a result, I have not had any regular structure, routine or internet access and the blog has gone by the wayside. I was never one for self-discipline and once I stopped, it was easier not to write than to start writing again.

However, there have been a core group of people returning regularly or coming newly to the blog. Those finding the blog seem to be arriving because of Polkaroo, one-size-fits-all hits being a lie, and silly columnist sarah hampson(that's an actual search, it's hilarious).

Knowing you are out there reading helps in forcing fingers to keys and hopefully this is the start of some active blogging.

runway roadkill

2008-04-09T17:58:00.002-06:00

I know I should be studying, but every now and then I need a distraction and something to make me laugh. This fits the bill:

mandatory shutdown

2008-04-06T17:37:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone, I'm into exams so there will be no blogging until the end of the month at which point I should be back north of 60 for the summer. Hopefully I'll be better at blogging over the summer than I was last year.

learn to pull shapes

2008-04-03T00:28:00.002-06:00

The love affair with the Pipettes continues. They seem to have a great sense of humour about themselves as can be seen in this instructional video on how to pull shapes:

i am not alone

2008-03-31T16:55:00.004-06:00

As mentioned below, I found The Pipettes through the YouTube entertainment show What the Buck? As will be ably demonstrated by these two videos, Mr. Buck's obsession with The Pipettes is far beyond mine, although I do have time to catch up.

This first episode is not long after he discovered The Pipettes:

This second video is a musical episode of What the Buck? using "Pull Shapes":

Enjoy!

guilty pleasure: sugary sweet pop

2008-03-31T00:40:00.004-06:00

Alright, I know I will probably lose what little credibility I have left with this post, but I have to do it. This is brilliant! I just found this group through buckhollywood.com and I can't get the song out of my head.

It is everything happy music should be, fun, poppy and campy. The group is called The Pipettes. To no one's surprise they are British. No one does sugar sweet pop like the brits. The song is called "Pull Shapes" and I defy you not to pull a shape by the time the song is done:

blog reader

2008-03-29T18:33:00.003-06:00

I've added a new blog to the blogs I read section over on the right side of the page. Not sure why this blog hasn't been in the list before as I have been reading it for ages. The blog is called Towleroad. It's named after its founder, Andy Towle, a former editor of Details magazine. Anyways its updated many times a day, five days a week, and includes weekly guest bloggers on music, technology and theatre.

earth hour

2008-03-29T12:09:00.002-06:00

Today, people around the world at 8 pm in their respective time zones will turn off the lights and use the least amount of electricity as possible to mark earth hour. I understand the symbolic importance of these initiatives, but they still drive my crazy.

I understand that if we can get each individual to change their habits, we can make significant changes. However, I am frustrated on this total focus on individual behaviour when countries and nations are doing nothing to resolve the climate crisis. Why as an individual should we pay, when the majority of the damage has come from large scale polluters. Don't get me wrong, I think individuals needs to do their part, and I recognize that large scale polluters are often making the items that we as individuals demand, but still, the focus is still too much on the individual.

Here's a youtube video that takes on Al Gore along this same idea, poking fun at Al Gore jetting around creating a huge carbon footprint to talk about global warming:

guilty pleasure: rick rolled

2008-03-26T23:51:00.002-06:00

So, Rick Astely has been all over the internet lately. It appears he's unwittingly part of a new (ok new to me) internet prank where a link is identified as to new gaming news, when it fact it takes you to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up". There's even a site dedicated to it called YouGotRickRolled.com.

The other big news is here and here. I loved Rick Astley. He's a total guilty pleasure. I couldn't find a version of the video that I could embed here. If you want to see the 80s video in all of its fabulous glamour click on the yougotrickrolled link above. Otherwise, here's Rick, live in concert:

oh harry, you let me down

2008-03-26T16:25:00.003-06:00

No, this is not a blog entry about Prince Harry and all his roguish antics that appear to be coming to an end now that he has served in Afghanistan. It is about Harry Rosen. And it is more than just the brand Harry Rosen, it is how that brand relates to Mr. Rosen himself.

In the latest round of procrastination efforts, I was looking through the society photos on the Globe and Mail. Yes, I know. I don't need a lecture. Anyways, I saw the following picture of Mr. Harry Rosen himself, taken at a swanky society event.

Note: this photo belongs to the Globe and Mail.

Now, I know I am going to be accused of being harsh, but Mr. Rosen, what's with your tie. It's tied nicely, and certainly appears to be long enough. Why on earth is the short narrow end not tucked into the handy that piece of fabric that keeps it behind the other part of the tie.

If your name is synonymous with men's fashion in this country, is it too much to ask for you to make sure you set a standard. It's one thing around the house, but at a society event where you are going to be photographed, please, for all of us who look to you as a standard, please, please pay attention to the small details.

Harry, you let me down. It's not quite worth a withering look of disapprovaltm, but it's close.

i told you so

2008-03-18T17:49:00.004-06:00

Back in January I wrote about Stephane Dion's appointment of a sitting (recently elected) NDP MLA as the Liberal candidate in a northern Saskatchewan riding. The by-election for that riding took place yesterday.

Well to Mr. Dion's and Ms. Beatty's surprise, but not to mine, Ms. Beatty lost. It appears having a candidate dropped in from another party with no open nomination process encourages people to stay home. I suspect, and it has been widely discussed, that a lot of Liberals upset at the process stayed home this election figuring out whoever was elected wasn't going to be around for long.

Here's some of the coverage of the by-election results:

CBC Saskatchewan
Globe and Mail
UPDATED: New Globe and Mail Story

As for Ms. Beatty, it appears she has the right idea. Stick around, fight a nomination battle if she has too, and run again whenever the Liberals finally stand up and vote rather than sit and abstain. There's a good chance that spending the next several months campaigning and showing people that she's willing to make a commitment to running federally may be what it takes to get Liberal supporters back to the polls and her into the House of Commons.

white is the new black

2008-03-11T16:40:00.003-06:00

I picked up these photos from another blog and thought they were quite interesting. These are all sightings of rare white/albino versions of iconic animals; a killer whale, a stag and a moose.

a letter to the snails...

2008-03-10T17:10:00.005-06:00

Dear Snails:

You probably think this letter isn't about you. You're wrong. How can you know? Ask yourself: "Am I Student Not Actually In Law School?" If the answer is yes, you're a snail.

It's not quite a term of affection, but an more of an easy and quick descriptor. However, we do restrain ourselves and do not call you snails (a) to your face or (b) while we are slumming on the rest of campus. No, it is only when you enter the hallowed halls of the little law school on the prairie that we refer to you as snails.

For example, today I found myself in the position of being the only law student in a row of forty desks in the Law Library; I was surrounded by science students. There was no respite to be found in the law student lounge which was full of commerce students taking up all the available tables and chairs.

We understand that as law students we are incredibly cool and you want to be like us. It's a burden we have come to accept. However, it is simply going too far. We need our space; being this cool is a lot of work and we need some down time. A chance to relax in our lounge with other law students, where we can take a break from being so cool.

Despite your little death glares, we will not feel guilty for asking you to be quiet and to not do your science group work in the middle of the law library. The law is a solitary mistress, she does not like groups. We must work individually our noses in books briefing cases, interpreting 100 year old cases, and writing papers. Quiet helps immensely.

We also understand that our shiny new, environmentally-certified building makes us even cooler and current. You poor commerce snails, we feel for you. Yes, you had a shiny new building, but ours came along and all of a sudden yours looks old and gray. However, we paid for our new building; students and faculty donated money so we could have our own space. It's one thing to use our library, but our student lounge and our classrooms, they are for us. We need the space. We spent a term as refugees with no home on- or off-campus. Angelina Jolie was actually considering adopting us, we were in such a state.

Please give us some time to enjoy our space. If you really want to be like us, write the LSAT and then you too can spend three long years within these prison walls, oops hallowed halls. Plus, you will lose your snail status and be able to look down on those annoying people in the law lounge who used to be you.

Sincerely,

Those of us actually in law school

back to normal

2008-03-05T14:07:00.003-06:00

The month of February was insane. I am (I guess technically "was" now) on one of the moot teams for the little law school on the prairie. This moot took control over my life. Essentially four of us flew to Toronto to argue an appeal of a case in front of real judges from across Canada.

Being competitive, and wanting to avoid humiliation, we all worked our assess off before heading to Toronto this past weekend. We left last Thursday, and I just got back today, hence the absence of blogging for the past week.

It was a great experience, one I would do again, and one I would recommend to others. The only problem is now that I am behind in all my other classes, and will probably need to work as hard for the next couple of weeks just to try to get through the rest of this term.

The moot itself was great. We argued in historic courtrooms, normally used by the Ontario Court of Appeal, in Osgoode Hall. Our jobs were really good, asking enough questions for us to display our skill in answering them, but also giving us the time to make our argument. It appears I am "unruffable".

It's nice to have a confirmation, that doing this law school thing is the right thing. When I finished my arguments, I knew it's what I wanted to do for the next years of my life.

blog share: the guest post

2008-02-27T00:11:00.001-06:00

Before I begin my post, I have to thank Mr. Granted Null for the opportunity to write anonymously on his blog. Thanks!

Now for the post. I have been struggling for a while with what I want to write about. I have finally decided that I am just going to make a list of secrets and rants to share with all of you.

1. My boyfriend or husband (let's call him Boyband, as in boy(friend/hus)band - ooh, I'm so anonymous) annoys me in oh so many ways. It appears to be physically impossible for him to hang up his coat. He undresses in the living room and leaves his clothes there. He spends money on all kinds of crazy shit we don't need.

2. Boyband's family is very nice to me, but they are weird. On top of the weirdness, Boyband's parents were extremely mean to him when he was growing up, and I can't forgive them for the way they treated him, even though they are nicer to him now. I won't go into the ways they were mean to him because Boyband wouldn't want me to, but whatever you are imagining, it was worse. Yet Boyband has forgiven them and expects me to forgive them too. I can't.

3. Here is an example of Boyband's parents' current weirdness. They didn't go to Boyband's brother's wedding rehearsal. Nor did they show up early for the wedding, even though pictures were being taken beforehand.

4. I don't trust my dad. He has lied to me so many times that there is no way for him to regain my trust. I still love him though.

5. My mom criticizes everything and everyone. I am afraid that I will turn into her.

6. I feel like I can never do anything right at work.

7. I took a pregnancy test on Sunday morning, and it was positive. I am pregnant. Boyband and I are thrilled.

blog share participants

2008-02-26T21:26:00.003-06:00

Just a reminder that I'm participating in the blog share tomorrow. An anonymous post by another blogger will be posted here on granted null. Thanks to -R- for organizing the blog share. It seems like a monumental task but it should be a great experience. The last time this was done there were some incredible posts.

Make sure you bounce around and check out all of the different participating blogs.

The Adventures of Shelagh
Alice's Wonderland
Alyndabear
And You Know What Else
Bright Yellow World
Daily Tannenbaum
Du Wax Loolu
Elise
Everything I Like Causes Cancer
Face Down
Fretting the Small Stuff
For the Long Run
Galoot's Hoot Page
Granted Null
Grumpy Frump
Just Below 63
Lawyerish
Life After AC
Liz Land
Malfeasance
Mamma Ren
Muse On Vacation
Muze News
Nancy Pearl Wannabe
Not What You Think It Is
One New Duck
Rankin Inlet: A Journey Northwards
Red Red Whine
Reflections in the Snow-Covered Hills
The Reluctant Blogger
Sass Attack
Sauntering Soul
Sparkling Cipher
Stefanie Says
Three Carnations
Tracy Out Loud
Way Way Up

PS - Please don't ask or try to guess which of the anonymous posts on these other site is mine. The purpose of the blog share is to post anonymously. I won't confirm or deny any guesses. Thanks!

blog roulette: special sharing edition

2008-02-25T22:32:00.003-06:00

Some advanced warning, this week I will be participating in a blog share. In a nutshell, there will be an anonymous guest post here on my blog on Wednesday. One that I write will be posted anonymously on a different blog out on on the internet. The purpose is to write about something that you wouldn't write about on your own blog.

There are more than 30 bloggers participating in the blog share. The little sister participated in one of these before, so many of you are probably familiar with this. Because of the large number of bloggers involved, I may be posting a list of all the blogs involved so you can do some reading of all of the various posts, but this will be a last minute decision.

a soundtrack for my stylish, mysterious life

2008-02-24T18:43:00.005-06:00

I've added a new link over on the right side of the blog called "i listen to". You'll find a link to somafm.com, a commercial-free, listener-supported internet radio. They have number of different channels to choose from, but my favourites right now are:

Groove Salad - a nicely chilled plate of ambient beats and grooves.
Drone Zone - served best chilled, safe with most medications. Atmospheric textures with minimal beats.
Illinois Street Lounge - classic bachelor pad, playful exotica and vintage music of tomorrow.
Secret Agent - the soundtrack for your stylish, mysterious, dangerous life. For Spies and PIs too!

The first two are great for while I'm doing school work, nice ambient sounds without too much beat that serve as a background without many vocals to distract. The last two are more for hanging around, chilling out or having dinner or drinks with friends.

Check them out, and if you like what you hear, give them some support!

could this be the end?

2008-02-24T09:08:00.002-06:00

I'm a fan of Eurovision, having written about the camp fest that is Europe's song competition. Eurovision has become more camp and more political over the last ten years and appears to be getting to the point where it is now so ridiculous, even people in Europe are fed up with it.

The biggest complaint is that it is no longer the best song or performer that wins, but whoever has the best regional bloc, i.e. Estonia gives 12 points to Latvia, and Latvia gives 12 points to Estonia.

It appears from this news story that at least the Irish are fed up. For this year, through a national, televised selection process, the Irish have chosen a singing turkey puppet to represent them. Even better, the song mocks Eurovision, the voting process and how silly the competition has become. The song is called Ireland Douze Pointe.

Here's the performance:

memo to parents

2008-02-17T11:47:00.002-06:00

I'm sitting in a Starbucks doing some schoolwork. I'm not at home to avoid the noise of renovation taking place on the other side of my wall. I don't expect quiet while working at Starbucks. In fact I find the general din of conversations and baristas yelling out orders comforting and quite conducive to work.

However, there are limits. I understand that most parents work full-time and therefore don't get to spend as much time with their children as they would like. On weekends, they want to spend as much time as possible with them. I get that. I don't mind you bringing your very young children and infants to Starbucks when you want a coffee. That's cool. What I do ask, is that you do not bring toys that make noise. Is it too much to ask that you consider the perspective and desires of those of us without children who don't want to be subjected to their toys making noise.

I understand the need to bring toys to keep them happy and avoid your child having a meltdown in the middle of Starbucks. Just bring their favourite stuffed toy. There is no reason to bring a toy that broadcasts across the entire cafe. I could even hear it while I was in the washroom.

So to the parents behind me who seem to be clueless to the rest of the world around then, a withering look of disapproval(tm) goes your way.

heading towards a flock

2008-02-16T15:09:00.001-06:00

I've been writing about my microlending experience for some time, and jut wanted to provide a further update. As my first loan has now paid off, I can reinvest it. My original $50 investment in Kiva is now the equivalent of $100 of loans.

Since Natik had some success with sheep, I've decided to stick with that theme while reinvesting the money I originally loaned to him.

This is Maarif Aliyev. He also lives in Azerbaijan. The following is the Kiva writeup for his loan:

Maarif Aliyev lives in Beylagan, a small town in Azerbaijan. He is 55 years old, married, and has three children. He is engaged in animal sales. He has ten years' experience at this business. Maarif purchases animals from the livestock market of Beylagan, raises them for some months, and then sells them again. (He is pictured at the livestock market.) Now he needs $400, with which sum he plans to buy some sheep to add to his flock.

Maarif's loan has been filled and paid out. Repayments should begin in March. I've been thrilled by the whole experience with Kiva so far and hope to continue to have the loans repaid and then reinvested. It's an easy and simple way to make a difference in someone's life and I highly recommend it.

getting off the universal serial bus

2008-02-12T22:15:00.006-06:00

Just under a year ago I experienced a major corruption of my computer files from using a USB key. It was not long before exams, created some anxiety and was a major hassle.

I offer the following as a cautionary tale.

This year, I went on using my iPod shuffle as a USB key this year. It worked fine until this past week. Somewhere along the way, it must not have got ejected properly and bam, the files were corrupted. Thankfully, having learned the hard way last year, I was far more regular about backing up my files, and all in all, it appears I have only lost three files, mainly class notes, that I can get from someone else.

Anyways, I am now swearing off USB keys. This year I was working off the USB key as my primary source of files so that I could change computers only. I was then backing up to both computers. The problem with this system is if you don't realize the files have been corrupted, you just start transferring and backing up corrupted files.

My new system is to directly network my computers with an ethernet cable and ignore the usb key totally. Hopefully this system will be bulletproof and no longer will I have to deal with corrupted files.

it's only fair

2008-02-07T20:18:00.000-06:00

A little piece of me is dying inside while I write this post, but I figure it's only fair that I write it. Brace yourselves folks, I'm about to write something nice about Air Canada.

Like most Canadians, I have a love/hate relationship with Air Canada. Okay, most Canadians just have a hate relationship with Air Canada, but I must admit mine is more love/hate.

There are times that I actually do love Air Canada. For example, the fact they offer direct flights. From the middle of the prairie, to get to the parental units, I have to fly west first, then retrace my steps back east if I fly Westjet. Hmmm, maybe that's why they call it Westjet.

I hate the forced frivolity that accompanies a Westjet flight, and love the cool, detached almost snoblike service on Air Canada. I love Aeroplan. Unlike others, I've had a handful of Aeroplan flights, including first class which have been great.

Most of my complaints with Air Canada are related to activities on the ground. Such was how the latest go round began. My trip to Toronto for a national mooting competition got mixed up and had me leaving 12 hours early, smack in the middle of a night class. I wanted to change my flight so I wouldn't miss class, and also have the chance to fly out with everyone else.

Unfortunately, as the flights were booked for us, I didn't have the original credit card information so I had to make changes over the phone and not online. I called once, waited almost half an hour to find out fares had gone up, and it would cost close to $200 more with the new fare and change fees. Not only is there a $40 change fee, but also a $25 fee to talk to a person. I hung up.

Anyways, I waited for a seat sale and one came up yesterday. A lower fare was available on the flight I wanted. I called once, was told to expect a 30 minute wait and hung up. Called again a while later and was told to expect a 45 minute wait; hung up. Waited a little longer, called and was told to expect a 30 minute wait; I stayed on the line.

After 70 minutes on hold, hearing the same ads repeat every four minutes, I was less than impressed when I finally got a person. I gave my confirmation number and told her I needed to change my seat after pointing out I had been on hold for 70 minutes. In fact, she corrected this and told me it was exactly 76 minutes. Not off to a great start.

So she proceeds to tell me that my booking was a web booking and I could save the $25 fee if I made the change on the web site. What a revelation! I explained again that if I could have done that I would have, and wouldn't have had to spend 76 minutes on hold. I explained to her that I didn't have a problem paying $25 to speak to a person, but I did have a HUGE problem, paying $25 to speak to a person after waiting 76 minutes.

After an explanation of a snow storm in Toronto, and all flights being cancelled, I was like "whatever" just change my flight. I decided that rather than asking to speak to a manager, I would just start drafting emails that would be sent to every Air Canada email address I could find and complain after the fact.

So this Air Canada agent, a french woman, stunned me in the end. She changed my flight, did advance seat selection and informed me that she would not charge me the $25 fee to speak to a person. What? Really? Without even throwing a full-scale fit? What's up with that? Nice way to steal my thunder. I said "thank you, I appreciate that," and began deleting the draft email I was furiously typing away to good ol' Robbie Milton.

So Air Canada, you have a good, smart customer service agent with an actual talent for customer service; I have to give you credit for that. We all know that if that hadn't happened, there would have been a scathing entry about Air Canada on the blog today. It's only fair that I share the good along with the bad. This time you've spared yourself from a withering look of disapproval(tm).

they tried to make me go to rehab

2008-02-07T11:22:00.000-06:00

Karan, at her blog, wrote an interesting piece on celebrities heading off to rehab at the first act of drunken inappropriate behaviour. Well, if that’s all it took to make you go to rehab, the little law school here on the prairie would be a rather empty place. Inappropriate drunken behaviour is an unwritten requirement of being in law school.

This past weekend, as you can guess from Sunday's post, featured a lot of drinking. It was Legal Follies weekend and the name alone sums it up. Legal Follies is actually the name of the annual show put on by law students. It includes musical performances, videos, skits, etc. Many of the law school videos on this site were all created for Legal Follies type shows at other law schools.

Anyways, Legal Follies is followed by the After Party. This year we got an early start with margaritas over dinner before the show started. We decided then to take a nalgene of margaritas to the show with us. God, it's like we're 16 again, sneaking booze into the theatre. There was more drinking at the After Party. Then there was the impromptu After After Party which happened at a class mate's apartment.

The new rule should be that when the bar closes or an event happens, GO HOME! The problem with going back to someone's place is then you just keep drinking. Rather than get home at 2 am, you end up home at 5 am.

The nice thing of restricting this behaviour to only the main law school events, i.e. Prom, Halloween, Follies, St. Patrick's Day is that everyone else is as drunk and as inappropriate. The best thing about this past weekend, is it leveled the playing field between me and the cowboy-lap-dancer. This time it was the cowboy-lap-dancer being inappropriate with me, so we've called it fair and square and neither one of us has to be embarrassed anymore.

See, some good things can come out of drunken inappropriate behaviour. And as for rehab, I'll leave that to the celebrities who can't handle a little public embarrassment.

scientific proof

2008-02-03T20:00:00.001-06:00

It's been a couple of weeks since the last curling update. Last week was a win by forfeit, as the opposing team did not show up. The same thing happened today. However, we did have the chance to just have a fun game against another team whose opponent didn't show up. We won convincingly, 6-1.

The ironic thing is the last time we won that convincingly was after the infamous St. Patrick's Day last year. We were all hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep. Considering it happened just that once, I thought it was a fluke.

But today we hit the rink, hungover, tired and functioning on only a few hours of poor quality sleep and played brilliantly. It's no longer a fluke, it's scientific proof. Playing hungover improves our curling skills.

blog roulette: express yourself

2008-02-03T14:17:00.000-06:00

In keeping with the sketching/creativity theme, this edition of blog roulette looks at a blog about painting.

The blog I clicked through to and stopped at today is called "A Painter's Place". There are some really nice paintings on display.

Here's what the blogger has to say about her blog:

I've loved to paint since I found paints and brushes, probably around 9 or 10 yrs. old. I guess not much has changed. So as I contemplate and prepare for my new year's resolution of making a-painting-a-day, I'm enthusiastic about the challenge of smaller paintings. The possibilities for creative experimentation have me inspired once again. Please send comments about my work, as I love and learn from the feedback I get. Thank you for visiting my painting site.

creative planning

2008-01-30T00:01:00.001-06:00

I mentioned earlier how I wanted to do more creative things this year, such as making use of the sketch book/folio that I received for Christmas. Well truth is, I'm more of a doodler than a sketcher and I've been struggling to get started.

So rather than just unleash my self on the page, I have resorted to a much more non-creative, type-A competitive approach fitting my current position as a law student (note: not student-at-law as I can't be called that until I'm out of law school, GOD this profession is weird).

I have a plan.

Step One - Buy A Book - check!
I picked up this book at the local used bookstore. Here's hoping it serves me as well as it did someone's grandfather who now appears to have passed away although his name and inscription will live on.

Step Two - Find time to read book

Still working on this one....

Step Three - Sketch

Step Four - Stop sketching out of frustration of not creating masterpieces right away

Step Five - Months later, feel guilty for not making use of sketch book and try sketching again

Step Six - Sketch a few things, decide it's not for me and move on to a new creative pursuit.

So that's the plan. I'll post some updates along the way, and hopefully, this time, it won't go according to plan.

talk about being on message

2008-01-29T17:38:00.000-06:00

It seems the US Presidential Candidates are using the same speaking notes, regardless of party:

(with apologies to Mr. Bowie)

i'll be back

2008-01-23T16:16:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone, just a quick note to let you know that I'll be offline and not posting for a few days, probably until at least the weekend if not early next week. I'm on a tight deadline to write a factum for our moot and everything is going into that at the moment.

throwing rocks at houses

2008-01-21T09:35:00.000-06:00

As winter has firmly settled in here on the prairie, it's time for curling to start again. The little law school on the prairie curling team was actually reformed last term but with the strike at the university the season ended abruptly before I had a chance to even blog about it once.

Three of us from "Lord Denning Rocks" last year are back, with a few new players in tow. We actually have six players this year. Obviously our success last year created a surge in popularity and the number of people wanting to be on our team.

Anyways, we hit the ice yesterday after months of inactivity and slid to our first defeat at 3-6. For a few missed shots it could have been closer. We're still in the "C" league and for some reason, some people think "C" stands for competitive. These curlers with their own equipment and pre-game stretches should all be bumped up to the "B" or "A" league which are supposed to be the competitive ones. The ones with the matching jackets got a withering look of disapproval(tm).

Anyways, we had a lot of fun, and it's nice to hang out without talking about school.

pay day

2008-01-19T11:42:00.001-06:00

Well, my very first foray into international finance has finally come to an end. Natik, the cattle/sheep farmer in Azerbaijan has repaid his $800 loan. For the full details of the international bank of glen, click here.

As with the loan to the fuel seller in Afghanistan, the $25 I loaned is repaid into my account where I can reloan it to another business.

Kiva works great. My original $50 investment continues to get reloaned each time it is paid back, so it will now be the equivalent of $100 having gone to help people in developing countries!

If you haven't yet, check Kiva out, and consider getting involved.

[title of post]

2008-01-15T11:34:00.000-06:00

In an earlier post, I featured the song "Die, Vampire Die" from the musical [title of show]. The show is a musical about two guys trying to write a musical. The cast is four friends all involved in trying to put the musical together. It is fun, a little crazy and although it has run off-broadway they are using viral marketing to try to get a broadway run.

As part of their viral marketing, they have created the [title of show] show, a toscast available on itunes, a cast album, a blog, etc.

The [title of show] show has a cute with chris like tone and feel. Although the play is not currently running the [title of show] show continues, documenting their road to broadway on the "tossability" board. The enthusiasm and humour is infectious.

Here's one of the early episodes:

climb every mountain

2008-01-13T16:38:00.000-06:00

Well I'm starting a new blog roulette feature here at granted null that will highlight blogs I stumble upon using the "Next Blog" feature up at the top left hand corner of the page. I click on "Next Blog" until I find one that captures my attention and makes me stop. Whichever blog that it is, will be linked to in one of these posts.

The first in this series is Tom & Atticus Hike The Winter Whites For MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center.

The description of the blog is:

When winter started on December 22, 2007, we began our quest to hike New Hampshire's 48 4,000-foot peaks twice in one winter. This year we're using our Winter Quest to raise money for MSPCA-Angell, a wonderful not-for-profit that helps thousands of animals each year. All money raised through our hikes go directly to Angell Animal Medical Center.

i am the hasselhoff

2008-01-12T15:43:00.000-06:00

The little sister has a fascination with David Hasselhoff that can't be explained. Currently she is running a contest called "Being David Hasselhoff". The contest calls for creative expressions of being David Hasselhoff. I should warn you that the photos submitted so far can only be described as disturbing.

Although I don't understand the allure of the hoff, I have tried in the following to caputre the essence of being "the Hasselhoff". I must begin by offering my apologies to Scandal and Patti Smyth for reinterpreting their 80s hit "I am the Warrior". I have rewritten the song "I am the Hasselfhoff".

As a reminder, here is the original song:

Now play it again, but this time reading along (or singing along, you know you want to) with these new lyrics:

I run, run...run so slow
It's a skill...that you don’t know
Running on...my hunky thighs
I bet you're not so exercised

Well, it’s my love..that you need
A wild need like a growing weed
Break out of East Germany
And follow my career’s meteor rise
I am your man.....a star in your eyes

Chorus:
Shootin' on the sets of Baywatch, splash, splash, I am the Hasselhoff
Well I am the Hasselhoff, and heart to heart you'll win…if you survive the Hasselhoff....the Hasselhoff

You talk, talk, you talk to me
Your eyes touch me physically
Stay with me, we'll take the night
As passion takes another bite, oh

Who's the singer...with the fame?
You hear the fans...call my name
I keep them warm...in Germany
You can’t ever tame my animal style…
I won't be caged...I’m the call of the wild....

Repeat Chorus

I am the Hasselhoff

(Guitar Break – picture the Hoff’s dance moves here)

Shootin' on the sets of Baywatch (shootin' on the sets of baywatch)
The Hasselhoff.....
I am the Hasselhoff, and heart to heart you’ll win
heart to heart you’ll win...if you survive
The Hasselhoff...the Hasselhoff

shootin' on the sets of Baywatch, splash, splash, I am the Hasselhoff
yes I am the Hasselhoff and Germany is mine
(shootin' on the sets of baywatch)
The Hasselhoff...I am the Hasselhoff

taking on the tyranny of tim's

2008-01-11T10:20:00.000-06:00

Over the holidays I went home to suburban Ontario to visit family and friends. This is where I grew up. In my hometown, I believe we have the most donut stores per capita, and you can barely turn around without seeing a Tim Horton's. I remember back when I was working there in municipal government, I had to pick up Tim Horton's for a meeting. It practically turned into an emergency situation, and a rethink of municipal planning, when I actually had to drive out of my way to find a Tim Horton's.

Honestly, I don't like Tim's. They have good donuts, but I find their coffee metallic and completely unappealing. Their hot chocolate isn't much better. I know this is a personal taste thing, but I really can't stand it. I'm a Starbucks boy. What drives me crazy is the notion that I am completely uncanadian as a result. Tim's has a lock on all things Canadiana.

Well I am pleased to report, that over the holidays, I successfully and publicly challenged the tyranny of tim's over all things Canadian. I was off to see my nephew's hockey game, dad and sister in tow. My father wanted to stop for coffee on the way, and I refused to go to Tim's. I found a Starbucks and we went there. I was not going to be the cliched Canadian standing in the hockey arena with my tim's double-double thinking wistfully of immigrant fathers who secretly watched their sons play hockey. Nope, not this boy.

I noticed a photographer was routinely taking pictures of our little group. After 10 years in PR I have a pretty good nose for reporters and photographers. I shot him that, if you're taking photos of us, you better come talk to us about consent look. He came over, and got the details. The photo just appeared in the paper. It's the quintessential Canadian story, the grandfather at the arena watching his grandson, thinking that boy is going to play in the big leaves. BUT WAIT! What's that in his hand, it's Starbucks! Yes, the tyranny of tim's lock on hockey has been busted in the mainstream media. Starbucks, you owe me. I'll take payment in free coffee!

taking tort law forward

2008-01-10T00:14:00.000-06:00

I've frequently written about "tort law" here on the blog. The video "tort law back" is one of the most popular on the site. However, in the news the past couple of days has been a recent tort law decision here on the prairie that seems to be taking tort law a step forward.

Here's the story. There's another version here. Go read them, then come back.

I'm really intrigued and puzzled by this decision, hence blogging about it. I'll give initial comments today but I'm hoping to track the judgment down once it's finalized and learn a bit more before doing a full analysis.

One main source of confusion is which tort did she base her action on. In the CTV story it almost seems that she may have launched a tort in battery. This makes a little more sense, but I would have thought that the fact that she voluntarily took the drugs would nullify any battery tory.

In the StarPhoenix, it indicates she sued in negilgence. For a primer on negilgence, you can go back and watch the snail in a bottle video. Once again I surprised she was successful. Putting aside issues of consent and voluntary assumption of risk, I still don't know whether the elements of negligence are there.

In a nutshell, for negligence, you need to establish a duty of care, then show that the duty of care was breached. You do that by showing there is a standard of care (level of behaviour) and the defendant breached it. Even if you get past the first hurdle of somehow establishing that a drug dealer has a duty of care to their clients, how do you determine the standard of care for a drug dealer?

Is there a professional standard for drug dealers? Are they required to limit the number of drugs they sell to one person, i.e. not enough to OD? Must they be upfront about the contents or effects of the drug? Should they be providing warnings with each sale? There is no reasonable standard of care for a drug dealer in dealing with their client.

Anyways, I should be able to better figure this out once I track down a judgment.

As for the big precedent setting nature of this case, I just don't know. It's only a superior court decision, not appellate and is certainly not binding anywhere else in Canada. Also, the win is a bit of a technicality, as the defence was struck so really there was no trial and no argument from the defence side, which I think would make it less persuasive when being used by other courts. I guess time will only tell.

However, I do find it fascinating, which I guess just makes me a bit of a law geek.

message recieved???

2008-01-09T22:37:00.001-06:00

Well who ever ended up telling him, Mr. Dion finally appears to have gotten the message that there's some problems with the handling of his recent appointment of a NDP MLA as a Liberal candidate here in Saskatchewan. I provided Mr. Dion with my advice down below. I don't know who else is advising him, but thank god he finally took their advice and came out talking, (although not swinging).

CBC News: Dion Defends Beatty Appointment

guilty pleasure #16: cover me

2008-01-09T09:19:00.000-06:00

I'm a bg fan of singers covering other people's songs. It's always interesting to hear a new take on an old, or in the following cases, not so old songs. It seems like this is a big trend in England with both cd:UK and BBC Radio One Live Lounge regularly having singers in to sing other artists' songs.

Here are two of my favourite British singers, Daniel Bedingfield and Will Young doing cover versions on cd:UK a popular music program:

in my elder years

2008-01-08T18:46:00.000-06:00

I recently blogged about my "old man hat", but I'm beginning to worry that maybe it's more than just the hat that's old.

It appears I may be older than my years. This realization has been coming to me slowly and it's not because of the prospect of getting older as a birthday begins to approach. It's more a process of paying attention to commercials.

It has been a couple of years since I left that coveted 18-34 marketing age group. However, it appears in leaving that group, I have switched to the 55+ group and missed the intervening 21 years. How can I tell? Commercials and advertisements.

Marketers generally are smart. They have researched their audience, know who they are, and identify the best ways to reach them. Over the last several months I have begun to notice that in the various shows that I watch or magazines I read, all the commercials or advertisements are for products targeted at those 55 and over. Hmm, do I have the taste of a sixty-year old man? Or worse yet, a seventy-year old woman?

At first I thought little of it, but as I began to notice more and more ads and commercials, I've begun to worry. What happened to my young, hip, cutting-edge self? You would think that being surrounded by twenty-somethings it would rub-off on me, but is it just rubbing me the wrong way? Is my new found taste for all things old, a reaction to being surrounded by youth?

Who knows? But in the meantime if you need to know about the benefits of viagra, centrum or freedom living devices, I'm your man!

step on over to the other side

2008-01-05T20:43:00.000-06:00

I'm a little behind on the Sarah Hampson bashing although her "Merry Ex-mas" piece had me all riled up and throwing around the withering look of disapproval(tm). However, you'll be glad to know the little sister has taken up the challenge and you can read her take on Ms. Hampson's most recent piece here.

However, the withering look of disapproval has been cast at politicians lately. Today, its back to old Stephane Dion. I guess when most people in your own party don't support you, you start looking to supporters in other parties. I've blogged before about the suicide, errr mutual support pact between Dion and Elizabeth May. Mr. Dion, much like Ms. Hampson has gone and done it again.

Mr. Dion appointed a sitting NDP MLA to run in the March 17 by-election for a federal seat here in Saskatchewan. Yes, one of those MLA's who was just re-elected two months' ago. Yes, she's quitting provincial politics two-months later and is aiming for the big show.

According to press reports, it appears Ms. Beatty got used to being in cabinet, and doesn't like the view from the opposition benches in Regina. So she's swapping/shopping for a view from the opposition benches in Ottawa in hopes she'll be back on the government side quicker than the at least four years she'll have to wait here. Hmmm, a guess a promise of a cabinet post was made, however really, who are we kidding, if you're a liberal and elected in the west, you're pretty much guaranteed a cabinet post

You think considering that they started talking about this six months ago (yes before the Sask election) she would have come up with a better message, but I'll give her points for being honest about the reason, although she certainly was not honest with the electorate about her intentions.

As for the Liberals, when will they learn. Yes I understand Stephan Dion has made a commitment to get more women in his caucus, but are there no liberal women? If there are, I certainly can't imagine them sticking around (i.e. Belinda) with Mr. Dion seeming to only find women he likes in other parties. Maybe Lizzie and Joan can sit together once they're both elected (tee hee, that's funny, Elizabeth May elected, tee hee).

Also, once again, knowing this was in the works for months, don't you think the Liberals could have planned their communications a little better? "Stephane Dion has made it a priority to elect more women; Stephane Dion thinks this is a great candidate." Are you thinking Stephane Dion now talks about himself in the third persion? (Glen thinks that would be swell!) Fear not no, Mr. Dion, who was so committed to this candidate and trashing the democratic nomination process, was not available for comment and a liberal senator (and former national campaign chair) was trotted out to do all the talking. It's time to whip out PR101 again.

First off, if Mr. Dion was so committed, make him available. Have him stand up, accept and explain his decisions. Don't trot someone else out to do it for him. The Conservatives are trashing him as a weak leader, and when he makes a "bold" leadership decision, trot him out to show and defend it. Don't send out a senator who use quotes like "bite the bullet" when describing the decision.

If you are committed to this decision, be proud. Don't say you "bit the bullet". Have Stephan Dion say "I made a commitment to change the representation of women in our party, and when required I'll make unpopular decisions to keep that commitment. That's what a leader does."

"Yes, Ms. Beatty is a New Democrat MLA, but she is a smart, talented aboriginal woman whose voice and ideas need to be heard in Parliament. I'm pleased she feels like the Liberal Party is the best party to hear her voice and help address the needs of aboriginal people and all Canadians. Her joining with us reflects her commitment to helping her constituents and reflects the change I have brought to the Liberal Party."

That's just one suggestion of what could be said. I'm sure there's others. But all of them are better than saying "Ow, we bit the bullet." So for that, and just cherry picking generally, Senator David Smith and Stephane Dion get the withering look of disapproval(tm). And Ms. Beatty gets one of her own, for being less than forthright with her constituents.

make me over

2008-01-04T12:00:00.000-06:00

Since the blog is over a year old, I thought it was time for a makeover so I've changed the look of the blog. Depending on how school goes over the next while I may try playing around with the format to go for a more custom look, but for now a new template will have to do for a fresh look.

I've also added "things I blog about" which is a list of the labels from my blog entries. You can know read the blog by subject by clicking on any of the labels.

blog roll

2008-01-04T11:28:00.000-06:00

I've updated the blogs i read section over there to your right. I've added two blogs written by north of 60 friends. Both are law school survivors and you may have noticed them popping up in the comments section here on my blog recently. I've been enjoying reading their blogs and have added links.

I've also renamed the link to the "little sister's" blog to reflect a long-ago name change to her blog. It can now be read by clicking on "reflections in the snow-covered hills". It appears this is some Fleetwood Mac reference that slipped past me, however my Fleetwood Mac knowledge pretty much starts and stops with the songs sung by Christine McVie.

Happy reading!

two thousand and great?

2008-01-03T22:07:00.000-06:00

It's a new year, but long-term readers of the blog will know that I'm not a big new years fan. Particularly with being back in school, I'm far more likely to consider September the new year.

However, with all the media coverage of the new year, resolutions, the year in review, and the year looking ahead, it's practically impossible not to be thinking about a new year, and what you hope to do differently.

As I don't handle failure well, I tend to stay away from resolutions. In spite of this I have been thinking about what I would like to do more of this upcoming year. After a particularly grueling school term, I feel the need to do more creative things. It can't all be about school and work.

This blog is one thing I hope to do more of. In 2007, there were 191 posts to the blog, an average of one every other day, however it was definitely concentrated in the first part of the year. There were long stretches of no blogging and I noticed the absence of a creative outlet, even if it's just a blog post.

Hopefully this year I will do more photography, writing and make use of the sketch book kit and folio I got for Christmas. It's not only about doing more though, it is also about putting your creativity out there. That's the hardest bit. Last weekend I was in Ottawa visiting a north of 60 friend who moved south the same time I left for law school. This was something we talked about a bit over the weekend, in particular in relation to a musical cabaret we saw called "Life on the Wicked Stage".

The show included songs from a number of broadway and off-broadway shows. Some well-known, others a discovery. One woman in the show was a standout, not only for her great vocals, but also for the fact that she could have been Seriously Frivolous' twin. It was uncanny, right down to the smile and laugh. The only thing missing was the high kick of happiness(tm)!

Anyways, one of the songs was from a show called [title of show] (that's the actual title). It's a musical about writing a musical. The songs goes directly to what I've been writing about. It's called "Die Vampires Die" and is about those people and demons that prevent you from creating and putting yourself out there. It's smart and funny but some of the language may not be appropriate if you're playing it aloud at work:

great expectations

2007-12-28T11:54:00.000-06:00

This is truly blogging on the run, well blogging on the rails anyways. I'm currently riding viarail from Toronto to Ottawa to see a friend from up north who moved to the nation's capital.

I'm a little less than impressed with my train voyage so far. I started this morning in my hometown in the suburbs outside of Toronto. The plan was to catch via in the hometown, switch trains in Toronto and then off to Ottawa. With all of the advertising via has done about how taking the train is the human(e) way to travel, I think my expectations had been raised beyond via's ability to meet them.

I expected something different than you typical voyage on Canada's national airline or that other perky airline. First off, via is "arrive 30 minutes before" or "one hour before" if you want to check baggage. Ok this is a little better than the airlines, but not much.

As I arrived the requisite amount of time in advance, I'm then told the train is running 20 minutes late. It ended up being 30 minutes late. The reason for these delays, "A large number of passengers and bags". Maybe via's advertising has been too successful and they can't meet the demand they have created.

Unfortunately, although I was continuing on to Ottawa on the same train we had to get off and reboard the train (although we were allowed to leave our luggage). I took a short stroll around union station only to find that the lineup to board my train ran the full length of the departure area, up the ramp and into the main part of the station. Some of these people had to be lined up at least an hour before the train was scheduled to leave. It's beginning to seem a lot like an airport.

I can't understand the rush, people have assigned seats, there's no advantage to standing in line. Speaking of seats, my window seats selected in advance were changed with no notice by via when I picked up my tickets.

Finally, all those annoying people who I thought only flew, appear also to take the train. Such as the a-hole in 11C who has his chair reclined to the point where his head is in my lap, or the person who broke out a harvey's meal right beside. Both were victims of the withering look of disapproval(tm).

Maybe via is a more human way to travel, but the problem is that it still includes other humans. I don't think I'm cut out for mass transit.

separating the wheat from the chaff

2007-12-18T10:32:00.000-06:00

Well they've only been in power for a couple of weeks now, and the Sask Party is not off to a great start. When they should be focusing on their key campaign promises and the big issues, Saskatchewan's New Government (sound familiar?) decided to turf the province's 30 year old logo, a stylized wheat sheaf.

Now, in their own defence, I wasn't able to write about this quick enough, as the Saskatchewan's New Government has, with tail between their legs, turned around from this position already. Public outrage over changing the logo, their lack of any sense of priority, and the cost of such of a move has made them change their mind. Not only did they change their mind, they announced it twice, releasing two news releases only hours apart changing the wording between the first and the second.

None of the current SaskParty Cabinet members have any experience in government and it is already beginning to show. I know it will take some time for them to get up to speed, but their lack of political savvy is alarming. The SaskParty railed against the NDP's decision to rebrand the Saskatchewan wordmark as Saskatchewan!. They argued it wasn't necessary, it was too much money, government should be spending money on more important things. However, as soon as they are in power they arbitrarily declare the wheat sheaf persona non grata and replace it with the Government crest, announcing they will go through a costly process of developing a new logo.

Speculation is that they are not happy having a logo created by an NDP government, that has been in use during a period dominated by NDP politics. However, there were conservative governments during that period.

Sending out two press releases changing the words in a quote from one to the other is not acceptable. The story as it was in today's local paper was about the retreat and the fact that they sent out two press releases saying two different things.

This is bad public relations skills. You can one shot at trying to explain a mistake or backpedal so you better get it right. Make sure that you can live with every word in your news release. If you can't don't send it out until you get it right. If you get it wrong, own up to it, don't try to pass it off in another news release. The Deputy Premier should have got on the phones and worked new quotes directly with the press rather than try to pass off another news release.

Hopefully the SaskParty is staffing up with some skilled politically savvy people otherwise they could be in for a long and bumpy ride.

may the curve be with you

2007-12-17T22:26:00.000-06:00

Well, it's done. All my exams are over for this term and I am officially done half of law school. 3 semesters to go. At this point for this term I've done all I can do and my fate is in the hands of my profs and the curve.

The little law school on the prairie marks using a curve. This means only some many of each mark is available. If a prof wants to deviate from the curve they have to go and argue their case before the entire faculty, so I doubt this happens too often except for the moots, law review and seminars.

In first year the curve worked both ways for me. In one or two classes I rode the curve up, and in one class for certain, I rode the curve down. This term it will be interesting to see what happens. I had one seminar, where a paper I wrote was worth 60%, and participation and presenting my paper were the other 40%. I think I should do okay, plus it's a seminar so I'm not sure how the curve works. To avoid having three exams in four days, I wrote a major paper (worth 100%) in one class.

That left me with three exams. So how did they go. I would characterize them, with my apologies to Clint, as the good, the okay and the ugly. Today's exam I think I rocked so we'll call it the good. It was public international law. I had five days to prepare, I knew my stuff, and I had time to plan and review my answers.

The okay, was Indian and Aboriginal Law. I say okay because I have had this prof before for a number of assignments and a class. I have never gotten anything other than a B+ from this prof, no matter how much work I do or don't put in, and regardless of whether I thought I did good or bad. It's anonymous marking, but 3 out of the 5 things I have done for this prof have been anonymous and it still hasn't made a difference.

The ugly, well that was Evidence. It was the day after my Indian and Aboriginal law class and it was well just plain ugly. The exam looked nothing like any other exam we have had, and looked nothing like the tutorial problems we were given. Nice. I just didn't get evidence, and what little I did get didn't make it onto the page. It is for this reason that I pray the curve is with me.

A short break is now allowed, and new classes start in January. However, over the holidays I have to prepare for my moot. When I'm back in January, it's before a three-member panel of QB judges to rake me over the coals, over an evidence problem no less. GAH!

you're always on my mind

2007-12-13T23:02:00.000-06:00

The thing that I hate most about exam time here at the little law school on the prairie is the fact that you can never get away from exams. They are always on your mind.

Monday's exam went well, but Tuesday's was a disaster. I decided to take the rest of Tuesday off, and start fresh on Wednesday. My next exam is not until Monday and I decided I would just work everyday between now and then to get ready for it. My next exam is international law.

After two days of solid work, I thought a reward was in order, and nothing says reward like Matt Damon. I sat down with the Saskatoon Uncles to watch the Bourne Ultimatum. Instead of a nice relaxing evening, the following was constantly running through my head, and occasionally out of my mouth:

"Hey, that was a violation of international law!"

"Rendition is illegal, that's a violation of Morracco's sovereingty!"

"The UK can file a claim over the killing of it's citizen, they have enforcement juridiction because the objective element of the offence occurred on their territory!"

"The US could be held responsible for that internationally wrongful act!"

So what does this show us, well two things. One, I may actually have learned something in international law. Second, you can never get a relaxing break away from exams, movies are ruined for me forever, or at least until Tuesday.

Here's hoping Question 3 on Monday's exam will be:

"Identify the various violations of international law that occurred in the Bourne Ultimatum, the state responsible, which states would be able to invoke state responsibility and whether there were any circumstances which would preclude the wrongfulness of any of these acts."

If not, maybe it will make a good minor paper topic next year.

polkaroo, polkaroo, polkaroo

2007-12-12T22:08:00.000-06:00

Those of you in Ontario will be familiar with Polkaroo, the mysterious creature who appeared on the TVO show Polka Dot Door. On the show, live hosts, a male and a female would interact with stuffed toys like Marigold and Humpty. These were not the highest quality stuffed todays, very round, exaggerated and childish. Perfect for the audience, and we were talking about a show that aired on Ontario's public broadcaster. The male host would disappear at times, and the mysterious Polkaroo would appear and exclaim his name over and over again.

I've been thinking about Polkaroo and the Polka Dot Door a lot lately after seeing the new mascots for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. They were announced several weeks ago and I meant to blog about them at the time, but never did. However, they've been bouncing around in my head ever since. Here's a photo of them:

The photo, was part of a story the Globe and Mail did on the mascots. The three mascots, representing a sea bear (Miga), a legendary Sasquatch (Quatchi) and an animal spirit hybrid (Sumi), are inspired by aboriginal myths and the province's wildlife.

I don't know about you, but mascots that need a lot of interpretation and explanation just don't work for me. Sumi (insert law school joke here), is part bear, whale and bird. I applaud the VANOC for finally incorporating some local aboriginal traditions, considering the image of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics is an Inukshuk, which is a symbol of the Inuit of the Eastern and Western Arctic, not the pacific coast.

However, mascots directed at kids should be simple and easy to understand. As much as the Polka Dot Door toys were not fancy, as a kid I could understand them. You had Humpty, Dumpty, Bear and Marigold. I bet you can pick them all out. Polkaroo appeared on imagination day and was supposed to be part of your imagination. These are all easy concepts to understand.

In fact, looking at the picture above, I'm a little embarrassed by the mascots. However, when drawn, rather than as 3D character costumes they are better:

law school musical

2007-12-10T21:35:00.001-06:00

I know that as I post more of these videos, you're going to think that we don't actually do any work at law school. The fact is we do so much work that rather than face the reality of it, we spend our time finding ways of not dealing with it. Like making or searching out these videos.

snail in a bottle

2007-12-09T09:55:00.001-06:00

Blogging may be a little hit or miss, or video heavy the next week or so as I'm into final exams. Yesterday I was studying Evidence and the Lego Men straightened hearsay out for me. Today I'll be studying Evidence and Indian and Aboriginal. However, I don't have a video for either.

This video though is a nice summation of the modern tort of negligence. This tort began with a snail found in a bottle of ginger beer. It's no "Tort Law Back" but the makers of this video get bonus points for the use of a Police song, and the little A-Ha interlude.

proving the truth of its contents

2007-12-08T11:04:00.001-06:00

I'm studying for evidence today and am wondering why my evidence prof couldn't have taught the class this way:

she's at it again

2007-12-07T11:14:00.000-06:00

I guess maybe Ms. Hampson has realized her pieces have been a little one-sided and has decided to write her current piece on what women of a certain age want in men. However, not to fear, this does not mean she has reduced her dependence on ego stroking, cliches and stereotypes. Alright, you know the routine, go read it, you know you want to, then use the back button to come on back.

First off, Ms. Hampson works in a coy little story to show that despite her recent divorce she's still 'got-it'. Why else for the story about being hit on by a creepy, old married man. Ms. Hampson, I think it's time you got the "old creep-o-meter" re-tuned, because if it didn't flicker on the dying man saying he didn't have to be 'married' that night, then it's broken.

Later in the article, it's said that men "...should feel like your favourite pair of sweatpants." Nice, maybe Ms. Hampson was feeling guilty for last week's comparison of women to car seats and old leather and tried to balance the analogy scale.

What intrigues me is how although being a piece on what women want, it really seems to be tips on how women should compromise, balding, that's ok, a little paunch, that's ok too, things like career and success aren't too important. It's fascinating to see this.

Last week's piece was positioned as rules for women about what men want in women of a certain age, so why she didn't write this piece as rules for men is beyond me. It would seem more fair, rather than this piece which puts the emphasis on women looking past things in men that men may not be prepared to look past in women.

For example, women of a certain age, according to last week shouldn't talk too much about their children. It's against the rules. However, women should "pay attention to a man's relationship with his children from a previous marriage." It's important for women to know he plays a meaningful role with his children, but she's not supposed to talk about hers. If he does have a meaningful relationship with his children, I imagine he'll want to know that a woman he's interested in has good relationships with her children. But no, she can't talk about that, it's "against the rules".

You may also note that everything a woman should be looking for in a man, how he talks about his ex, his relationship with his children are predicated on a previous relationship. What about the single older man, oh wait, that's right, we're talking about Ms. Hampson, and she's the founding memberof the "if they're over 40 and never been married than they are not dating material" club. ARGH!

I mean really, once we all reach a certain age, male or female, aren't we looking for something other than the rules and games of our youth when we didn't know any better. Ms. Hampson is doing nothing other than trying to bring back those silly days of youthful relationships and trying to plant them on a completely different point of our lives, where we want to be and in fact are past them.

this kind of stuff still shouldn't happen

2007-12-05T21:40:00.000-06:00

From the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission:

New York, Wednesday December 5, 2007) - The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) has learned today that despite an order by the Iranian Chief Justice to nullify his death sentence, Mr. Makvan Mouloodzadeh was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison at 5 a.m. this morning, Iranian time. Neither Mr. Mouloodzadeh's family or his lawyer were told about the execution until after it occurred. IGLHRC is still investigating the facts in this case.

"This is a shameful and outrageous travesty of justice and international human rights law," said Paula Ettelbrick, IGLHRC's executive director. "How many more young Iranians have to die before the international community takes action?"

Mr. Mouloodzadeh was a 21-year-old Iranian citizen who was accused of committing anal rape (ighab) with other young boys when he was 13 years old. However, at Mr. Mouloodzadeh's trial, all the witnesses retracted their pre-trial testimonies, claiming to have lied to the authorities under duress. Makvan also told the court that his confession was made under coercion and pleaded not guilty. On June 7, 2007, the Seventh District Criminal Court of Kermanshah in Western Iran found him guilty and sentenced him to death. Despite his lawyer's appeal, the Supreme Court upheld his death sentence on August 1, 2007. The case caused an international uproar, and prompted a letter writing campaign by IGLHRC and similar actions by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Outrage! and Everyone Group.

In response to mounting public pressure, and following a detailed petition submitted to the Iranian Chief Justice by Mr. Mouloodzadeh's lawyer, the Iranian Chief Justice, Ayatollah Seyed Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, nullified the impending death sentence of Mr. Mouloodzadeh. In his November 10, 2007 opinion (1/86/8607), the Iranian Chief Justice described the death sentence to be in violation of Islamic teachings, the religious decrees of high-ranking Shiite clerics, and the law of the land.

In accordance with Iranian legal procedure, Mr. Mouloodzadeh's case was sent to the Special Supervision Bureau of the Iranian Justice Department, a designated group of judges who are responsible for reviewing and ordering retrials of flawed cases flagged by the Iranian Chief Justice. However, in defiance of the Chief Justice, the judges decided to ratify the original court's ruling and ordered the local authorities to carry out the execution.

Mr. Mouloodzadeh's execution came days after a panel at the UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.

You can read IGLHRC's action alert on our website: http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=797

Our Letter to the Iranian authorities is also posted on our website in both English and Persian: http://www.iglhrc.org/site/iglhrc/section.php?id=5&detail=798

singing in the shower

2007-12-04T16:58:00.000-06:00

The following youtuber takes it out of the shower but stays in the bathroom for this recording. He says that his bathroom has the best acoustics. He has quite the voice, and it's an impressive rendition of the song.

A warning for the Grinches among my readers, it's a Christmas song:

Anyways, this will make a good story for if he makes it big. How were you discovered, "singing in my bathroom on youtube".

one size fits all is a lie

2007-12-03T17:03:00.000-06:00

I have a very large head, there's no denying. Even other people with big noggins have commented on the sheer size of my scalp. I've blogged before about my love for the movie "So I Married an Axe-Murder!" In it is a hilarious scene where Mike Myers, playing his character's father does a bit of routine on his brother's head. This was me growing up. You can catch a bit of it here:

How all this head talk has come about is that old man winter has blown onto the prairie for good this time and I've decided to sport an old man hat for the season. But this isn't any ordinary old man hat; it's harris tweed, but it's got gor-tex.

One of the reasons for this specific hat is that one size fits all hats are a lie! Don't believe them. They may fit most, but they won't fit all. My noggin is not going into a one size fits all hat. When I find some who makes an XXL hat I feel compelled to buy it out of gratitude alone, regardless of what I may think of the hat.

As for those shocked and appalled by the thought of an XXL hat, my ski-doo helmet is an XXXL and has that conveniently printed across the back for the world to see. I'm surprised I can stand upright when I have it on. It's probably about forty pounds of plastic and padding. I don't resent the helmet though, as my head is how I make my living and it needs to be safe.

Anyways, back to the old man hat. I bought this because the XXL actually included my size, 7 and 7/8 inches, yes I pretty much have eight inches (insert innuendo here). I like the style but I'm not sure I'm loving it yet. Here's me in my old man hat:

I think Russell would approve, but do you?

talk among yourselves

2007-12-02T10:36:00.000-06:00

Okay I am really busy cranking out the last couple of sections for my environmental law major paper today (that is due tomorrow - never again, never again).

Today you'll have to talk among yourselves, here's a topic:

Canada's arctic waters: is sovereignty the key to environmental protection or is the focus on sovereignty putting the environment at a greater risk?

world aids day

2007-12-01T16:07:00.001-06:00

hold on to your undies

2007-12-01T10:16:00.000-06:00

Well before I went offline last weekend, I did promise a Tom Jones post. It came up when I termed Shirley Bassey as a female Tom Jones. They're both Welsh (like me) and have distinctive voices and sounds. And they're both still going strong today despite decades in the business. I blame my parents for my knowledge of things like this. I remember Tom being played throughout my youth.

I've got two clips. One a classic Tom Jones song full of innuendo and trumpets. The second is a more recent effort where he paired up a number of other acts, including the Stereophonics, a Welsh band.

oops, she did it again

2007-11-30T10:27:00.000-06:00

Now calm down everybody, not to worry. This is not a Britney Spears post. You may recall I declared this blog a britney-free zone ages ago. No, the she I am referring to is Sarah Hampson. Oh yes, the columnist of the Tim Horton's relationship, and the if you're 40 with no failed marriage behind you you're doomed on the modern dating scence has struck again. How many times am I going to have to give her the withering look of disapproval(tm)?

It appears Thursdays are Ms. Hampson's days to work out her being single issues and wax pathetically, not poetically on the modern dating scene. To begin with, go read her latest column "The Rules (for Women of a Certain Age)". Go on, I know you want to, it's like a car wreck, you know you shouldn't but you can't look away.

Now, maybe Ms. Hampson is trying to be ironic and poke fun at the original authors of The Rules, but if so well she missed the mark. Given her recent set of articles this all seems quite serious.

Not happy with the "single-single" label she set for single people several weeks ago, Ms. Hampson introduces a new term, the recycled singleton. Maybe this term belongs to those in the 40 and over with a failed marriage club. The fact that you are a recycled singleton indicates that you're not "single-single", but that yes you have taken Ms. Hampson's so-called leap of faith and have a failed marriage behind you. Recycled singleton is like code, sending a signal that you haven't always been single so you're more desirable than the single-single.

So what advice did Ms. Hampson receive that she felt was so important to share with her readers, how about this golden tip "Do not embrace the muu muu." Wow, that's earth shattering, who would have known. You're like a Russell Smith for women, providing valuable fashion advice. Nice to see you're not playing into cliches and stereotypes at all Ms. Hampson.

Ms. Hampson goes on to quote a certain older gentlemen who provides this nugget about dating older women:

To meet an older woman with those attributes is like sitting in a broken-in seat in a car. New leather is slippery. But a broken-in seat, well, there's nothing more comfortable and nothing more personal.

Now, I wonder if Ms. Hampson included this to drive women out of the dating scene, because who isn't going to be turned off dating if there are men like this out there. Maybe Ms. Hampson is looking to get rid of some of her competition by keeping them out of the 'pool' all together.

Other nuggets from Ms. Hampson, lost the bitterness, dating isn't therapy and don't talk too much about your kids. Don't be a drama queen. Also, you may be a powerful, successful business women, but don't be any of those when you're dating. Are we still at this level in our society? If so, then I truly do feel sad, but I find it had to believe that Ms. Hampson's singular view of the world reflects reality.

I think it's only fair that at some point there should be The Rules: For Men of A Certain Age. In my view there's only one, men of a certain age or weight should not wear a speedo, and I think we can all agree on that.

a cartoon from the siblings

2007-11-29T16:06:00.001-06:00

The non-blood siblings from work up north forwarded on this comic to me. I think they may be trying to send a message. We of course all find it humourous given our close connection to the jail. It really is a fine line between the guards (and those of us who work with them) and the inmates.

ten questions

2007-11-28T13:37:00.000-06:00

One of the things I most enjoyed about watching Inside the Actor's Studio was the 1o questions asked at the end of each interview. The same questions are asked of each actor and the answers range from the serious to the sublime.

The questionnaire was originally developed by a French broadcaster Bernard Pivot. I always wanted to use this questionnaire when interviewing people for jobs but unfortunately it's never been allowed or is was never really appropriate.

The questionnaire follows with my answers. The answers are supposed to be gut reaction, spur of the moment answers so I've tried my best to do that in answering the questions:

1. What is your favorite word?
Petulant

2. What is your least favorite word?
Utilize

3. What turns you on?
Confidence

4. What turns you off?
Ignorance

5. What sound or noise do you love?
The call of a loon echoing over a lake

6. What sound or noise do you hate?
The sound a car makes when it crashes

7. What is your favorite curse word?
F*ck

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Lounge Singer

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Doctor

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
"It was Adam and Steve, Eve was a typo!"

maybe 40 is not the new 20

2007-11-27T21:10:00.000-06:00

Months ago I speculated about 40 being the new 20, but as part of its recent holy-way on singles, the Globe and Mail seems to think otherwise. Go on and read this piece, it's called "Still Single after 40? Sounds suspicous.

The basic premise of the article is that its better to have married and split then never to have married at all once you are in your 40s. That's ridiculous. I'm not sure where this whole single-bashing trend at the Globe comes from but I'm surprised.

I find it surprising that the writer so easily dismisses common-law living arrangements as not being the same as a marriage. Is not living with someone in a relationship for several years signs of an ability to commit? Just because someone doesn't believe that they need the state or a church to record their relationship doesn't mean they aren't prepared to take the leap of faith. Nope, unless you got married, and in the process likely ended up messing up your life and someone else's (I am talking about now divorced people) you're just not dating material in your 40s.

Everyone has baggage, whether its' from a failed marriage or from reasons for not having been married, I'm not sure what the difference is. Either way I imagine a relationship at that point in your life is going to be complicated regardless of your marriage background. If you've been single, you've become well adjusted to living alone and enjoy your routines, bringing another person in is just difficult. If you've been common-law or married, your dealing with possibly shared parenting, or even if there are no kids, your're trying not to make the same mistakes with your new partner as you did with your last.

We shouldn't be limiting the pool of potential daters and connections with silly rules like these. It's hard enough to meet someone you have a connection with. If you do, don't worry about their past relationships or lack thereof, focus on the one you are having. There's enough baggage to go around, you'll both have it, so check it at the door whatever it is, and start fresh.

As for Sarah Hampson, the author, she gets a withering look of disapproval(tm).

fade to black

2007-11-23T15:33:00.000-06:00

This is a nose to the grindstone weekend to finish writing a few papers so I'll be off-line this weekend and not blogging, but will be back on Monday for a week of blogging, where I will be

taking new aim at the Globe and Mail and their article about being 40, single and having no chance
answering the questionnaire from the Actors' Studio
and talking about the male counterpart of Shirley Bassey, the greatness that is Tom Jones.

Talk to you next week.

PS if you find me online on msn or facebook this weekend, yell at me to get off.

guilty pleasure #15: only in england you say, a pity

2007-11-22T18:09:00.001-06:00

I've been a fan of John Barrowman for some time. He is the openly gay actor who stars in Doctor Who and the Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood (currently airing on CBC). I rarely get worked up about a personality, but he is a guilty pleasure for his campy performances, and admirable for living his politics.

I have to speculate that based on youTube, he has never said no to a tv appearance on any show. John's background is in musical theatre, starring in a number of West End shows. Although born in Scotland, he grew up in the United States, but his success has really only been in England.

I love the fact that despite being a relatively big star, he's not afraid to gay it up, even on national TV. Here's two clips from the music trivia show "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" which he appeared on. The first is safe for work, the second is not.

In addition to his TV success, he just released a new album last week. I'm not quite sure what to make of the new album, it's easy listening and influenced by his musical theatre past, but I'm not sure whether I'm loving the arrangements. Given my love of the Police it's no surprise I'm not 100% sold on this cover version. It was performed on the UK (and original) version of "Dancing with the Stars" called "Strictly Come Dancing".

I think one of his best musical performances was this classic from La Cage:

navel gazing

2007-11-21T20:25:00.000-06:00

Well this is post #200 here at granted null. I'm surprised I've made it this far.

Blogging at first was very much school driven and focused on the radical change I had made to my life. Once school was done for the year and I was back up north, the blog drifted off and really hadn't made a comeback until the past week or two. I'm sure this current round of blogging is driven by procrastination, given I have a major paper and a minor paper to finish as well as three exams to prep for. Hopefully the current trend will continue past these rapidly approaching deadlines.

As for the navel gazing, I've been spending some time looking at my statcounter program to check out what's bringing people here to to the blog. Now I've lost a lot of people with all the inactivity but I'm not inviting a lot of people back until I know I'm posting consistently again. However, during this most recent spate of blogging it's been quite interesting and quite international.

Since the beginning of November, Dame Shirley Bassey has been the big drawing card. See Britney Spears, you don't have to flash your (rhymes with the capital of Saskatchewan) just to be popular on the internet. You can be classy, brassy and wise and still be a hit online!

Other searches that have brought people to the site, and boy I'm sure people have been disappointed, have been for bjorn again, pictures of Lord Denning, the suffragette movement in Saskatchewan, '40 is the new 20', and 'money can buy love' (wonder what they were looking for!).

As for some of the places, I'm big in the UK, but that's the Dame's crowd. I've also had visitors from Thailand, Belgium, Australia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy. I've also had visitors from the following states: California, Utah, Colorado, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maine, District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, and New Jersey.

So whoever you are, and whether you are here on purpose or by accident, thanks for stopping in.

green and white all over

2007-11-20T21:16:00.000-06:00

Here in Saskatchewan! everything is going green and white. Now I understand if you're mistakenly thinking I'm back talking about the green party or st. paddy's day, but no. This is about football. However, at this point I'm pretty sure Kent Austin could be elected King of the Land.

The Saskatchewan Rough Riders have made it to the Grey Cup, and it's like anything else in Saskatchewan has come to a complete halt. I must admit I'm a little baffled. First off, I live in Saskatoon, the Rough Riders play in Regina. What's the big fuss in Saskatoon about Rough Riders? Also, the lead story on every newscast is about the riders, is nothing else happened? Has the province stopped while some guys play football? I guess really it comes down to what you are used to.

I grew up in a Hockey town, and I mean a capital-H hockey town. The hockey team runs that town, even when they suck, which has been the majority of my life. Yes, there is a CFL team, a NBA team, a MLB team and a MLS team, but don't get us wrong, these other sports are okay, but they're no hockey. And the team, they represent the town, not the province.

I've come to realize in Saskatchewan, all they have is the Rough Riders. There's some minor league teams, but the Riders are really the only game in town, no strike that, the only game in the province. I guess that's why Saskatoon/Regina rivalries disappear when it comes to the Riders, well except for maybe which city has the better fans. I guess the Riders are bred into the people here, like hockey was bred into me.

So although I wrap myself in the blue and white forever, I guess this week I'm donning the green and white, at least for a little while.

and the money kept rolling in

2007-11-17T14:43:00.001-06:00

Well, my first loan through Kiva has been repaid. Although Natik, the cattle turned sheep breeder in Azerbaijan has received most of the attention, it was in fact the fuel seller in Afghanistan who was the first to repay his loan fully. Although I wasn't getting updates on how the business was doing, payments were being made regularly.

Once a loan is paid, you can withdraw it, donate it to Kiva to help cover operating expenses or reinvest, so it's back into the world of high finance for me. I'm switching continents this time, and heading to Africa, specifically Nigeria. I know the online scams usually start in Nigeria, but so far Kiva and their partners have been dead on, so I'm giving it a shot.

This is Gbemisola Adeshkor:

Gbemisola Adeshokor is 48 years old, married, and has 6 children. She hails from Ibgolerin, in Lagos State, Nigera. Gbemisola sells foods in her local market to support her family, and has been doing so since 1992. Gbemisola would like a loan of $400 to purchase a wider variety of foods to sell.

As of the time I write this blog, Gbemisola is only 56% funded for her $400 so there's still time to jump in if you want to give Kiva a try.

enough with the double-doubles

2007-11-16T16:49:00.001-06:00

Okay, this latest Globe and Mail story has me not knowing what to think. Go read it.

At times I want to laugh because it seems silly and sad, but other times it has me seething and shooting the withering look of disapproval(tm) at society for its focus on coupling and the need to label everything.

First the seething: Our society has this constant need to label everyone and everything into little boxes to make it easier for someone else. People who choose or are forced to live outside the little labels just get ostracized, or crammed into some little box where people will judge them.

We have labels for careers, sexuality, relationship status, moods, hobbies, everything. You can't escape them, and for a lot of the time I can't even keep how I'm labeled straight, (no pun intended) let alone anyone else. The worst part is, I know I label other people, either for ease or out of expectations, but I do it.

Now, you can't just be single, you're single-single. Yes, the hordes of coupledom are once again foricing people's singleness down their own throats. Why are we forcing people to label the kind of relationships that they have? Each person's relationship is different, but we keep wanting to force it into little categories or labels.

Now laughter: I find this need to distinguish between different types of singles silly, and almost pathetic. For some reason certain people who choose to live alone need some sort of label to try to fit themselves in the 'couples' club. It's like they are saying: "It's okay, you can talk to me, I'm not single, I'm single-double, somebody loves me; we don't live together, but I'm not like those other ones!"

I can't be the only one finding this laughable. As the article points out, our relationships are beginning to sound like Tim Horton's orders, not mature aspects of our lives.

I think it's great when someone does find someone that they can have a relationship with, but I also respect those people who may choose to remain single. Most of all, we should show some respect to those people who are single, but would rather be in a relationship.

These labels will only make it worse for them, "Oh, you're single-single? How sad, just haven't met the right person yet." Nothing like reinforcing their single status by saying it twice.

As for my label, I'm not going to be drawn into that game.

is that like the swinger's case?

2007-11-15T22:50:00.000-06:00

I was chatting online with the little sister (my non-biological sibling) and she mentioned a blog swap. My first reaction was thinking it was like the wife swapping swinger's case the Supreme Court of Canada, but then I realized I have just been thinking of law school way too much.

A fellow blogger organized the blog swap. Bloggers would write a post for someone else's blog anonymously and it had to be confessional in nature. No one would know who wrote what.

It's a neat idea and another example of how interesting links and relationships form online.

For information on the blog swap or to ready the entries head over to the little sister's blog.

nine to five, what a way to make a living

2007-11-14T18:09:00.000-06:00

I have been described, and it appears have described myself as a type-A person. You know what I mean; intense, competitive and ambitious. But it appears when it comes to genetics, sleep and work style I'm firmly in the type-B camp.

According to this article from the Globe and Mail, there is a growing movement to recognize the differences between early- and late-risers. Some people it appears, are genetically different and are night owls.

When I was employed as a spin doctor and lobbyist to make the world a better place for lawyers (and people wonder how I ended up in law school), this was completely the case. I've always tended to be a night owl and this was one place that could accommodate my tendencies. Thankfully our member lawyers preferred to meet at night, outside of their normal billable hours. I immediately seized on all these late night meetings as an excuse to come in late each day.

Unfortunately, I was not able to wander in at 11 am each day, but generally my bosses and I had an agreement. I would not be in the office at 8:30 am when the rest of the staff would all be in place, but I would always be there by 9:30 am. In return they knew I would be there to six or seven at night, and later if we had an evening meeting.

I thrived in that environment. In particular I enjoyed that last hour of the day between six and seven when I would be one of the only ones in the office. It was quiet, I had time to think, the phone wouldn't ring and I could organize myself for the next day. Some of my best writing and ideas would happen in these late-night hours. In return for some flexibility on start times, my employer received the benefit of better work.

One day, I hope to work for myself where I can control my hours, and if I need to write memos at nine at night, I'll be free to do it.

mr. big stuff, who do you think you are?

2007-11-13T22:18:00.000-06:00

I was at the grocery store today picking up a few items and one of my biggest pet peeves happened again. No, it wasn't someone who was surprised at the idea they have to pay; it was a person who insisted on shopping from the check-out line.

Now, when I say shopping from the check-out line, I don't mean this person was humming and hawing over which magazine or candy to buy in the tantrum inducing parent trap that is the check-out display. I mean this person had their basket of goods on the conveyor belt but was proceeding to run around the store and pick up those items she so "conveniently forgot". Seriously, who forgets to grab hot dog buns when you've picked up hot dogs?

If it was one item, maybe I'd be prepared to cut a person some slack, but when you're going up and down aisles, come on! Proper shopping etiquette means lifting your basket off the conveyor belt, putting it aside, giving a little wave to the next person in line, and THEN dashing madly around the store to get your items.

This grocery store is not a large one, and is never overly busy so it's not like a spot near the front of the check-out line is a precious commodity. Particularly in this case where all the woman's items were still in a basket, there was no reason to hold a spot.

I can understand if you have all your items laid out on the conveyor; but even in that case at least acknowledge the inconvenience you are causing to the people behind you. A knowing look, a 'slap-stick style' hand to the head pronouncing what you've forgotten will garner some good will, or at least neutral feelings. Do you think I like whipping out my 'withering look of disapproval'(tm)?

Maybe I'll follow in the footsteps of Mr. Smith and pen a book on etiquette for the modern man and woman: how to navigate your way through society without invoking the withering look of disapproval(tm) from those of us in the know.

free rice

2007-11-12T17:34:00.000-06:00

Although not as exciting a headline as free drugs, I still hope that I can draw your attention to Freerice.com.

This web site is a sister site to Poverty.com and has two main goals.

1. Provide English vocabulary to everyone for free.
2. Help end world hunger by providing rice to hungry people for free.

The site gives you a word, and four possible meanings. For each right answer advertisers on the site will purchase 10 grains of rice to be distributed through the United Nations Food Program. Just a few minutes of play can really add up the grains of rice.

Plus the more you play the more you learn. The vocabulary level goes up and down based on the number of correct or incorrect answers. If you get one wrong, keep playing as your rice total will contine to go up.

a time to remember

2007-11-11T00:05:00.000-06:00

gulity pleasure 14: there's nothing like a dame

2007-11-10T17:04:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time since I've delved into the world of my guilty pleasures so I figured it was time. I know many of you are fearful of my indulgences in britpop, but this one is a more classic take on britpop - Dame Shirley Bassey.

I don't think any other singer is more frequently associated with James Bond, then Dame Bassey. She is the only singer to have recorded more than one James Bond theme song, having done sung the themese to Goldfinger, Diamonds are Forever, and Moonraker.

I'm a big fan of cover versions as it's always interesting to see what another artist does with a song. I'm also a fan of Dames, not just members of the Order of the British Empire, but those brassy, big-voiced female singers who can own a song with their voice and stylings. In either definition, Dame Shirley Bassey fits the bill.

This cover version has a nice lounge, James Bond vibe fitting Bassey's signature style.

waiting for angelina...

2007-11-09T15:30:00.000-06:00

Well, this first term of second year here at the little law school on the prairie has certainly been an interesting one. The law students have practically been refugees, between the crazy housing market and the absence of a law school, we've been bouncing from one refugee camp (Kirk Hall) to another (Albert Community Centre). At this point, the highlight is an expected visit from Angelina Jolie. Isn't she due for another tour of refugee camps, and another possible adoption (just think I could call Brad Pitt "daddy").

This term, we have been refugees on the main campus. I have classes in five different buildings across campus, when they are back to back it's particularly challenging to make it. Classes, normally taught in two 90 minute groups are now being taught in one hour blocks three times a week in whatever available space we could eke it.

The reason we're refugees is the construction of the new home of the LLSOP. Originally promised for September, then October, and then November things we're finally looking up for a home of our own. Just as they were slowly letting us into the new building, the university support staff went on strike.

Naturally being Saskatchewan, there is a lot of support for unions (despite this week's election results) and many of our professors and some students didn't want to have to cross a picket line. Now, it's important to note CUPE did not ask us not to cross, but faster than Angelina adopts a child, we were refugees once more.

Teased with only a small taste of our new home, we were forced off campus to the Albert Community Centre. Now, true we are back to being in one building, but the building is shared with several dance schools, the pottery guild and all sorts of arts classes. It's interesting to walk around and see signs like "no tap shoes in the hallway". Being in classrooms with ballet bars and walls of mirrors can be quite distracting (and yes I can still get my leg up that high).

We're being told that we're benefiting from the exposure to real life that this gives us, but that's fine for the young kids who have never been out of school. However, the school forgets many of us have already been in the real world, know what it's like, and went back to school to get away from it for a while.

first, a jump to the left, then a step to the right

2007-11-08T11:03:00.000-06:00

Well, the election results are in and what was once the great socialist state of Saskatchewan, is now conservative country.

Putting my dramatic introduction aside, the results of the Saskatchewan election probably aren't very surprising or particularly important. Despite fear-mongering and concern over the Sask Party's conservative roots, this was not a major shift in Saskatchewan.

Almost 17 years ago, Saskatchewan took a step to the left, electing an NDP majority and defeating a scandal-ridden conservative government. Recognizing that they could not get past their scandalous past, several conservative MLAs and some Liberals MLAs formed the right-wing Saskatchewan Party. Despite their best efforts, the NDP continued to be elected as government (albeit with small majorities and one minority).

After several defeats, and the election of a new leader roughly four years ago, the Sask Party did what all right-wing parties need to do to get elected; they ran to the centre.

In fact, the result of this election, is simply a small step to the right. Brad Wall, our new Premier will be well served to remember that he ran in the centre and he needs to govern from the centre. A quick return to the party's right-wing conservative roots will simply result in a defeat in four years.

What is interesting in this election, is that the NDP which has governed from the centre for the last several years, were pushed out of the centre by the Sask Party during the campaign. In the first few days of the campaign, the NDP took a bold jump to the left with a universal drug plan promise, that some say cost them the election.

I think it just goes to show you, that despite labels of right and left, the majority of Canadians want a government that sits squarely in the mushy middle.

he-man goes butch...

2007-11-07T16:18:00.000-06:00

Some of you may remember this earlier post full of rampant speculation about He-Man. The youtube video took the butch out of He-man and injected a full load of camp.

Well it appears times are changing, and one of He-man's more influential fans has it in his mind to butch He-man back up through a feature film. Comic book writer and filmmaker Kaare Andrews wants to do a He-man feature film. He is so committed that he has produced a teaser video to pitch the film. The full story and video can be found here.

money can buy you love

2007-10-23T17:05:00.001-06:00

Long-time readers of the blog may remember my dalliance into the world of international finance through Kiva. My first project was to support a young, single cattle breeder in Azerbaijan named Natik.

It's been a while since I wrote about Natik but I got an update today and things are progressing well. The loan was for $800 and Natik has repaid 75% of the loan and appears to be ahead of schedule on his loan repayment. However things are looking up for Natik generally.

I recieved the following journal update by email today:

This young man before was single. He is very thankful to Kiva for the loan. He improved his business. Before he raised the calves but now he raises the sheep. Now he has a lot of sheep. Having improved his business he married. He is very happy and is very thankful for all his success to Kiva.

Yes Natik has gotten married now that his business has improved - it appears money can buy you love, in Azerbaijan at least. I'm sure this is just the result of translation or poor English, but all kidding aside, I'm quite proud of Natik. I'm not sure what happened to the cows, but he now has a thriving sheep business and the start of a family. It all started with a group of people donating $25 online, it's pretty amazing.

Here's the most recent photo from his operation:

the face of an organization

2007-10-18T19:14:00.000-06:00

Okay, for today's entry you will need to read a couple of posts from the little sister's blog. I know most of you are regular readers of her blog, but just in place, read these posts:

Post One
Post Two

Alright, you've read them, good. Now here's my two cents.

I would agree that a broad sweeping policy that would apply to all employees of the CBC was ridiculous and I'm glad they changed it. I'm still not sure that they have it right, but it's getting closer. However, from my background in PR, I will fully defend CBC's decision to try to bring in some control.

The CBC like all other media has moved from simply a team of reporters to a mix of reporters, columnists, and personalities. It used to be reporters would report the news and hosts would read the news. Now, reporters interview other reporters, opinions are regularly given, and reporters (and I know many will disagree) put their own 'spin' on the story. The CBC heavily markets their lead reporters and columnists. We constantly see their faces in commercials, and have come to associate them with the CBC.

Now if some of these "stars" of the CBC were to have their own blogs, people would not make the distinction between the views and opinions they hold as individuals, and the views and opinions they offer on the CBC. It's fair for the CBC to want to protect their reputation from comments made by employees that people won't distinguish as not being from the CBC.

I would hold official "spokespeople" to the same standard. For several organizations, I was the main spokesperson as the face of the organization. I was always very cautious when I was "out and about" not to throw around my views recognizing that people may not make the distinction between my view and the organization's view.

The joy right now is that I don't represent any one organization, so I'm free to say what I want on my blog without a disclaimer.

bjorn again?

2007-10-15T13:43:00.000-06:00

Recently I've had two visits from Stockholm, Sweden here to the blog. After the first visit, I figured it was a bit of a fluke, they found the blog by mistake, or by hitting the "next blog" function on the site. After a return visit a week later, I realize it may not have been an accident.

Although there are any number of rational explanations for this, I am convinced that Bjorn from ABBA visited the blog. It's only natural, given the genius that is ABBA has often been a focus of conversation here at grantednull.

So, just in case Bjorn returns again, I wanted to find a way to express how I feel, but in their genius, he and Benny had already taken the words right out of my mouth.

me and the suffragettes

2007-10-13T10:15:00.001-06:00

For the second fall in a row there's an election going on and I don't get to vote. Unfortunately, to most people this wouldn't really be a matter of great concern, but to a political junkie like me it's just wrong.

After months of speculation, and to no one's surprise, the Saskatchewan Premier called a provincial election this week. Coming quick on the heels of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador, this fall has been a robust election year, let alone speculation of a pending federal election ($10 it won't happen this fall).

It kills me not to be able to vote, and the usual response from most people, is "you've been here long enough, you can vote". That's true, but I (and Revenue Canada) don't consider me a resident of Saskatchewan. I like to think I'm here in the prairies for a good time, but not a long time.

If it was just these things, maybe I could vote, but its hard to justify voting here in Saskatchewan next month, when earlier this month I voted in the general election in the Northwest Territories.

It was a tough choice, considering at the moment Saskatchewan probably has more direct control over my life, but I felt it was important to vote in the NWT. In what is the quintessential act of Canadian politics, sometimes it's not as important as who you vote for, as the satisfaction of voting against somebody else.

So while a provincial election rages on around me, I will sit back, relax and have some tea with the other modern day, vote-deprived mobile suffragettes.

my memory eludes me

2007-10-12T13:23:00.000-06:00

Recently, it was prom here at the little law school on the prairie. "Prom" as we like to call it was the first year formal. Traditionally the first years had to throw a banquet in honour of the upper years in return for not being subject to initiation. Now, the LSA runs it and it's just a big dress-up, booze-up right before the thanksgiving long weekend. Prom is known (much like St. Paddy's Day and the end of the year) as one of the big scandalous evenings of the year.

Last year, my personal scandalous behaviour was grabbing a male classmate's ass. In my own defence, it was in context. He was asking for a recommended line of action, I offered my suggestion and gave an example. True, this proved to be mild by the standards I set later in the year, but at the time, one month in, it was scandalous. The next day, on the phone we all compared our scandals and sagas from the night before.

A year later, prom has occurred and we meet for mid-day breakfast the next day to debrief the scandals and the sagas of the night before. After revelations from a classmate of their scandal, I proudly proclaim how I was not too drunk and was scandal free. It's funny how the human brain works.

Over the next week bits and pieces come out from formal, and I learn of other's scandalous behaviour and continue to look down from the moral high ground. I first became concerned when I didn't remember scandalous behaviour done "to me" rather than "by me" - such as a cowboy-style lap dance on a park bench by the guy belonging to the aforementioned ass. The fact that I didn't remember this was concerning in that maybe I was drunker than I thought.

However, if that was the worst that happened, I was still safely standing on firm ground, despite a few blank spots in my memory of the evening. That all ended last night. A week of feeling proud of myself, of proclamations of good behaviour beyond reproach all came crashing down around me.

After class last night, a number of us went out for drinks. Somehow the conversation turned to inappropriate behaviour and the importance of context. I jumped in and said at least when I grabbed [Name withheld to protect the innocent]'s ass, it was in context. The cowboy-lap dancer whose name is being withheld pipes up and says "It was last year, but not this year." My heart sank at these words.

"What do you mean this year?" It appears late in the evening (however pre-lap dance) I am told I grabbed the same ass again this year under the excuse of "It's not formal until I grab your ass". I say I am "told" because I really don't remember this happening (although it's starting to come back to me I think), but it does sound like something I would say.

Maybe our brains wipe these things out in an attempt to protect ourselves, however it's of no use unless we can block it out of other people's heads as well.

hitting my stride

2007-09-29T14:33:00.000-06:00

Well it's almost one month into my second year here at the LLSOP, and I really feel like I'm beginning to hit my stride. Second year is a completely different beast. One of the things that I like is that I get to take the classes that I want (well subject to balloting). It's one thing to have read 50-60 pages a night, but it's a whole other thing to read 50-60 pages a night of stuff you are interested in.

My courses this term include Evidence, Environmental Law, International Law, Indian and Aboriginal Law, Law Reform and Law Review. Yes six courses. Law Review really isn't a full course, but one I'll do all year. Next term I get to drop one course in lieu of the work I do in Law Review.

For those non-lawyers out there, the law review is a scholarly journal published by the LLSOP. 18 students (9 3rd yr and 9 2nd year) form an editorial board which makes decisions on what articles are published, and other editorial (and editing) tasks.

Also, this year, all of my marks don't rest on one 3-hour final exam. In two of my courses, I get to do papers. One major paper (worth 100%) is on environmental protection of arctic waters, while another (worth 60%) is likely going to be on reforming Saskatchewan's Human Rights Code. I know these may sound dry to many of you, but for me it's like a kid in a candy store. Somewhere along the way, I became a law school nerd, I'm not sure when it happened but I'm coming to terms with it.

room to breathe

2007-09-25T11:05:00.000-06:00

Yes I am back at the little law school on the prairie for my second year of law school, but more on school later. Today, it's time to talk about the prairies.

Over the last week, I've had the opportunity to get out of Saskatoon and onto the prairie proper twice. Once a morning trip to Delisle, Saskatchewan for breakfast, and then a weekend trip to Edmonton.

On the trip to Delisle, I had a person from Toronto, who now lives in London, England along who had never seen the prairies. The sense of wonder shown by this person got me thinking about the prairies.

On the drive back to the LLSOP I went through canadian shield, boreal forest, massive mountains, and towering cedars. Although the mountains make you feel small, the prairie sky can have the same effect. Nothing can make you feel as small or as insignificant as a clear, vast prairie sky.

As a kid, I always considered the prairie's dull and boring, and slept through that part of the cross-country car ride, but I now realize that the prairies can give you something that I think we all want these days, which is a little room to breathe.

this one's for sally

2007-08-10T21:44:00.000-06:00

Sally, aka seriously frivolous just a short little video to offer my congratulations on the big news!

PS - you'd totally rock the white gogo boots on your wedding day!

holding out for a hero

2007-08-08T23:47:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I've written about my brother. Recently however I've found myself talking about him more in various different conversations. Everyone always seems impressed when I say my brother's a firefighter.

I don't have the same sense of awe, as I prefer to have a healthy sense of denial about what my brother does. In my world, he doesn't run into burning buildings, he drives the truck at best. Big fires happen when my brother is off shift (which is statistically valid, considering he works seven out of 28 days).

Every now and then something comes along to shatter these illusions, both on a large and small scale.

I remember watching the live coverage of 9/11 and seeing the World Trade Centres collapse, knowing there were firefighters who were other people's brothers in there. Whenever there are accidents involving firefighters, I head straight to the phone and call my brother. I don't have much to say but just have to call.

A few months ago my mother sent me a photo of my brother that appeared in the Toronto Star. It was the back of him and another firefighter (their names are on the backs of the jackets like athletes so it was clear it was him). First my brother who is shorter than I am looked like a kid compared to the other firefighter. He was responding to a gas explosion. This photo not helpful for the denial.

However, my brother sent me the following photo of himself today. I don't know who took it or where it came from but the photo does much to reassure me.

See, after finishing driving the truck my brother stands and drinks coffee while other people run into burning buildings. My brother said to crop out the coffee cup but I'm holding on to that cup of coffee harder than he is.

what would russell do: "look twins"

2007-08-01T14:27:00.000-06:00

In a small town, what do you do when someone else is wearing the same clothes?

The other day I passed a guy on the street wearing pretty much the same outfit as me. Our shirts were identical and we were both in jeans. I smiled, silently congratulating him on his style choices, walked on and didn’t look back. Thankfully this was a simple run-in on the street, but at times it’s been someone in the same meeting where there is no escape.

In any other town this may be a fashion faux pas, but I’ve come to accept it as a fact of life here in the ‘knife. There are very few places for men to shop in this town, one high-end (and I use the term loosely) shop, one practical store and two low-end chain stores. One of these stores is off-limit as a friend of mine once said to his niece, “Honey, we don’t buy shoes at Wal-Mart!”

Unfortunately the numbers are against us; someone in town is going to have bought the same clothes as you. Sooner or later they will be wearing the same outfit on the same day and your paths will cross.

I think my reaction above is the appropriate response, but what if the clothes look better on the other person? Is a simple acknowledgment enough, should you go home and change?

Also, if you are a co-worker of people in this situation, don’t go around clapping your hands together and saying “look twins” or making proclamations like “wow, you guys are dressed alike”. We know already and don’t need it pointed out.