Paying for a toilet
I hate using the washroom on planes. But when you gotta go, you gotta go. If Ryanair CEO has his way, passengers might have to start paying for that luxury. He suggested installing a coin slot – a pound for each use of the toilet.
Or, maybe that’s just something Michael O’Leary thought up on the fly and decided to announce to the world. Apparently this dude comes up with crazy ideas and throws them out all the time. I don’t know which is weirder – the paying to pee thing, or that the executive officer doesn’t think before making statements like this to international media.
I know companies need to cut costs, but really? What else will there be to charge for?
Going under
There have been fears about the newspaper industry becoming obsolete in the future, but now it seems TV might be in trouble too. Is the internet really taking over everything?
CTV is shutting down two of its stations in Ontario, and there are rumours swirling about a few more going under across the country as well, from both CTV and Global or CanWest.
It’s sad how community media is suffering, when local news and events is what effects people the most. Some of these papers or stations have been around for decades, and even though the town might rally to save them, that support won’t usually equal profits for the parent company. And of course, it’s all about the money, right?
I don’t have any solutions. The news will always be important, there will always be media – it’s just a question of what kind, I guess. For the sake of convenience, news might be solely online so people can pick and choose what they would like to search for. Maybe the future will belong to blogs like this one . . . keep reading!
Winterlude
I’m a Winterlude veteran. I’ve been to the annual winter festival in Canada’s capital nearly every year since I learned to get around on blades – which was about age three. I thought I knew it all: the ice slides, the sculptures, the BeaverTails.
I probably could skate the Rideau Canal with my eyes closed, but this past weekend I experienced new elements of Winterlude that I didn’t even know existed before. Or if I knew of them, I had not taken the time to participate.
Ladies and gentlemen, the sound and light show finale.
Next, may I present the glamorous and patriotic Jully Black at the Snowbowl.
With her rockin’ saxophone player.
Then … I found something entirely new. A dance/rave party in the crystal lounge. Glow sticks and everything.
The DJ was having a seriously good time.
Oh Ottawa. Good times.
Family
I know Family Day was Monday, but Saturday was when I got to hang out with my family – my fabulous niece and nephew, to be exact. And their parents, of course. Here’s a couple of photos from the day.
Kellon shows off his driving skills at the Museum of Science and Technology.
Gorgeous Allie Grace is happy and content all bundled up in pink at the Winterlude snow park.
There’s probably no God
City council turned down a request from an atheist organization that wanted to put advertisements on their buses reading: “There’s probably no god. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.”
There’s a hubbub over the issue because apparently a Christian organization recently had an ad campaign for OC Transpo buses approved. So why the discrimination?
Who knows? The group is getting plenty of media attention anyway, more than the association with Bible verses on display. Some groups have even launched back with their own campaigns of similarly-worded statements, like “There definitely is a God. So join the Christian party and enjoy your life.” The atheists have put their controversial banners up across the world, including the U.K. and other Canadian cities. Personally, I don’t have a problem with it.
Sure, they denounce the existence of the God I’ve devoted my life to. But the ads? They’re weak! And lame. Probably? I doubt that’s going to make anyone feel better. Take a stand! Do you believe there is a god or not? If you’re unsure of the answer, why are you spending thousands of dollars to put a wishy-washy stance all over major cities? Do you really expect to convince people with that statement? I predict it will get more people – not less – considering the reality of a higher power, which I’m all in favour of.
V-day
Happy Valentines Day!
Or …
Single Awareness Day.
However you celebrate … have a fabulous Feb. 14th.
Stimulus
I don’t think a stimulus is the answer to our economic woes.
There are many voices saying that the government has to inject money into our wallets and economy to survive a recession. I’ve heard an equal or even greater number of people say it’s a false hope. That it hasn’t always helped. Often, by the time the government passes a stimulus plan, the recession is nearing an end anyway. What would be more beneficial is a reform of the financial market and banking system.
Of course I don’t want people to lose their jobs. I want our industries to remain strong. But I also don’t want our government to be in debt.
After 12 years of being in the black, the Conservatives laid out a budget that will put our nation $84 billion in debt in the next few years. That’s a big hole to jump into.
I think a huge reason this budget has a defecit is that people were clamouring for action similar to the United States’ massive packages. Sure, their economic problems effect us – but not to the same degree as it does them. We are doing better. We don’t need the same billions of dollars to get back on our feet. Prime Minister Stephen Harper gave us what we asked for, but we might regret it later. As Andrew Coyne put it, conservatism is dead.
That money has to come from somewhere. We want cash flow into our economy now, but we’ll complain in a few years when taxes go up to balance the national budget again. Then, we’ll probably criticize Harper for putting us in deficit.
On a smaller scale, it’s like the municipal government offering transit users a couple free months of OC Transpo service, then jacking their transit levy up next year. Either way – someone has to dish out. Individuals or the national as a whole … we will have to pay for what we spend. The government is handing out cash pretty randomly too; I would have liked to see more long-term goals and a concrete plan for delivering what we’ll owe.
I don’t think this is the right direction for our country. But, I think Harper had to do what he did – the Liberals would have taken him down otherwise and written a budget with even more spending. I guess I should be glad it’s only $84 billion. The national deficit of the United States could soon reach $10 trillion if they continue down this road. That is one giant mess. I hope Canada stays far away from ever owing that much cash.
‘I won’
Isreal’s two political parties both declared victory in Tuesday’s election, sending the country to Parliamentary gridlock. The possibility of a coalition is dim, as is the chance for new peace talks.
“One thing is clear to all Israeli voters,” said the paper’s (Yedioth Ahronoth) Eitan Haber. “The political system is shattered.”
Foreign minister Tzipi Livni had the most votes, but opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu probably has the most support to form a government. Working together doesn’t look like much of an option.
365 days to go
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games start one year from today.
I’ve applied to be a volunteer and a torch bearer … hopefully I get to be involved in some way. Even if I don’t get accepted for either role, I’ve got friends to crash with on the west coast so I’d love to take in some quality sports competition.
I love the Olympics – the patriotism, the comebacks, the upsets, the edge-of-your-seat games, the bashing of other nations … you know. The usual. Go Canada!
Cheryl