Category: Uncategorized

Seven Days

Regardless of your position on the election, this photo by Rick Manodik of the Toronto Star surely captures, with seven days to go to the vote, the uncertain place Canada’s third unelected Prime Minister in my adult life finds himself in. I particularly like the unfocused background. I wonder what Martin might think on seeing the photo.

Best Song

On Go this past Saturday, Brent was asking the question what is the best song ever. “London Calling” by the Clash was given much respect from the outset and I once again was amazed listening to the lyrics in the chorus:

The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Cause London is drowning – I, I live by the river

My grade eleven adoration of this song and the entire double lp was intensified by the title being a reference to the post-colonial relic which was the BBC World magazine London Calling which I happened to have a subscription to, nerd that I am was.

But that is not my pick for best song. It is up there as silver medal winner with “Redemption Song”, “Happy Family” by the Ramones, and every ska tune ever recorded. The winner of first prize has to be Elvis Costello’s “(The Angels Want to Wear My) Red Shoes” which begins:

Oh I used to be disgusted
and now I try to be amused.
But since their wings have got rusted,
you know, the angels wanna wear my red shoes.
But when they told me ’bout their side of the bargain,
that’s when I knew that I could not refuse.
And I won’t get any older, now the angels wanna wear my red shoes.

While The wheat is growing thin is a great line and nuclear fear was the rumbling undertone to my teens, the prospect of the Almighty’s henchmen needing a hand and getting it from a loser who can’t get a date is perfect. Besides, Elvis and me had breakfast for some reason in my last dream this morning (I dropped his toast as I passed it over) and ever since he became a Canadian-in-law I have felt some greater kinship than that of a mere somewhat lapsed fan what with the knowledge that there is a chance one day of him sitting on a sofa sitting eating pork roast and mashed spuds off a TV tray with brothers in law on Grey Cup Day staring at the tube and asking why they are Ti-Cats and what is an oskeeweewee between sips of 50.

Alternative suggestions?

I Apologize For This


Seen on Highway 62 at the Belleville strip

OK, I know I have a junior high sense of humour and I hope that someone who reads this in that riding votes for him just to make up for what a big loser I am in posting this. Being both Scots and a lawyer, I am tired of being the butt of stupid infantile moronic jokes and, so, I know I should have more respect, I should be more sensitive. I apologize to the candidate, his supporters, his family, his town, his cat…everybody. But I can’t help it.

…’cause all I want to know really is this…did they chant the last name over and over at the nomination convention?

The Sound of Clinton

So Bill has a book coming out next week that runs 1,000 pages. The

full audio release — running 41 CDs — will be released with actor Michael Beck doing the reading and Clinton providing the prologue and epilogue, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.

41 CDs! I hope it come with a forehead shaped sticker with the word “nerd” on it.