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Sabbatical

2007-06-04T15:37:00.000-04:00

So I have been quite sporadic lately (both in terms of frequency and content) with this blog. I guess it has to do with ambivalence towards it and also a feeling that it is no longer as enjoyable as it once was.

Perhaps in this time of change for me, this is not the period for self-reflextion. And so I leave you at this time. Don't know if this will be forever or if I may start a new blog anew. But I feel that the time has past for this forum at this point in my life.

All the best and thanks for all of your comments and support.

Tour of London

2007-06-04T02:15:00.000-04:00

Had an incredibly busy weekend as my Mom was in town. On Friday after work we were going to head down to West Hampstead to have a bite to eat after she finished reading The Da Vinci Code (yes, she is one of the few who had read it or seen the movie). She had started it that morning and like many others couldn't put it down until she was done.

We ended up going nowhere as my Landlord and Landlady who live upstairs knocked on the door asking if we would like to join them for some nibbles and wine. Ah…YES. We ended up sitting around on the patio for hours chatting and drinking.

Was wonderful to get to know them.

Got up around 8 the next morning. I had planned to take my Mom on some belated Mother's Day events. However as my mom was getting ready, I started to smell some weird smoke. She had plugged her curling iron into what she thought was a step down adapter but was really only an adapter for appliances (such as computers) that don't need a current conversion. Well, the iron was a-melting.

And so I was off to find a new one. The only one I could find was £20 (which seems like a lot for a curling iron). And then I ran home. It was a little after 10 and we had to be at the London Eye for our scheduled trip at 11:30. I had booked a trip that included a tour guide that would explain everything since I know nothing.

We sprinted towards the bus stop when Mom stopped and wondered, "Did I unplug the curling iron?" I would have laughed if I wasn't crying. Well, it was unplugged and we were off again.

We made it to the Eye with not a moment to spare. But my Mom looked terrified. I didn't think the height would bother her. And luckily when we went up it didn't. It really was a great tour. Here is a picture of what the Eye looks like:

And this is what each Eye-Pod is like:

And then the view of the Houses of Parliament from on High:

After that we went to the Star Wars exhibit which has a bunch of original props, models, costumes, drawings etc. Mom has always loved Star Wars so this was a real treat.

We went to Leicester Square after to buy some theatre tickets as she really wanted to see the Mousetrap. She adores Agatha Christie and the chance to she her play where it has been running for 55 years (!) was too much to give up.

But before the play it was off to Hampstead Heath for a walk around the wonderfully peaceful (however cluttered with people) park.

And so, after the play (which was quite entertaining) Saturday was finally over and I was exhausted.

On to Sunday where the day started early again going to the medieval castle known as the Tower of London. When I was a kid I thought the Tower of London meant that it was a huge tower where people were imprisoned -but it isn't really that at all.

Then we walked across picturesque Tower Bridge to the south bank where we proceeded to walk to the Houses of Parliament. It was a beautiful sunny day and we ended up walking, according to Mom's pedometer, 17000 steps! Exhausted after all of this sight-seeing it was off to an early dinner at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen in West Hampstead for an absolutely miraculously delicious avacodo bacon burger.

And then we collapsed in front of the TV at home.

Wow, just a crazy weekend.

Big Sister

2007-05-31T06:40:00.000-04:00

So the only reason that I would have watched the Uk version of Big Brother was if there happend to by some hot guys who frequently felt that it was too hot to wear a shirt/pants/clothing.

So imagine my disappointment (or relief at not having to watch) when I found out this morning that there are no men in the house at all.

While this may be both sexist and shallow - I don't see the point of that show unless you can perve a bit.

Chaperoned

2007-05-29T12:09:00.001-04:00

So my last week was just go-Go-GO.

Started off the week meeting up with CtGuy for drinks in the city. He is a charming fella' and we passed an interesting evening near his gym having a few drinks near the river. The evening was especially interesting in seeing his interaction with a few of his office mates.

One of them mentioned that they sometimes play a game where each of these straight guys will see how gay they can go with each other before the other one gives out. Ah the remnants of British all-boys boarding schools!

Had lunch with Chad, a friend from Sydney who now works for a bank in Canary Wharf. Chad has always been a wild man and now is no different. Still a crazy guy who is out somewhere in Vauxhall every weekend. How he manages to keep going is beyond my abilities.

Friday, I was lucky enough to have seen the new musical called the "Drowsy Chaperone" at the Novello with tickets given to me by Czech Out who was still on his honeymoon in Réunion. Lucky me!

Stuart and I laughed and laughed at this very camp (even for a musical), very gay (even for a musical), romp (even for…you get the idea) through a fake 1920s musical with the darling Elaine Page as a rarely sober but always witty Chaperone at a wedding. My favourite line has to be during a press conference held by a broadway star just before her wedding when this actress asks if anyone else has any questions.

The Chaperone raises her hand.

"Yes?"

The Chaperone slurs out, "Why would anyone put an olive in a Gimlet?"

After the show Stuart and I went to have a drink. Past by the Box, where I have yet to go, but there were so many people we decided not to give it a chance. (Well, perhaps there wasn't too many people, but instead the people there had such enormous necks from all the roids that fewer of them could actually fit side by side). We went down to Soho instead where we had one drink outside the Compton (filled with the well-past-their-prime) and another at Rupert Street (filled with the just-past-their-prime…of which I must claim (or at least accept begrudgingly, membership) where we watched the pre-pubescent and the near-decrepit wait anxious for a glance (and a grope) of Harry Potter.

The weekend otherwise past by easily with more furniture shopping and general relaxing. Then on Monday in the midst of a terrible 5 C May day, I decided that I needed some porn. Bud asked why and I had to admit that my imagination just wasn't cutting it anymore. Who wants to think of their own fantasy when one can be supplied? And I have to admit that today I am a bit more relaxed.

Ah…only 25 days to go until he arrives.

The Markers

2007-05-21T04:10:00.001-04:00

So the past week was one of the hardest I have ever had at work. All-nighters, late nights, changes in structure, endless meetings, conference calls and drafts. On Tuesday though, we thought the deal was dead. So I took the evening off and went to the Inter-banks drinks.

Inter-banks drinks is a monthly drink event in the City for gay banking professionals. When I got there I was hit by the normal problem whenever you move to a new city. Everyone there seemed to be in groups of four or more, so breaking in takes a bit of work. And unfortunately, the other gay banker that I know cancelled on me at the last minute. But sometimes you just have to plunge in.

Luckily,

Gay Banker

was there, so there was at least one friendly face. And then I ran into a guy who had given a seminar recently at a large investment bank on gay issues. So at least I didn't need to pity poor old me on my own.

The deal went back into swing Wednesday morning and didn't die until Thursday late evening. But it looks gone now.

And so the weekend arrived and my friend Scott arrived from Afghanistan joined by his girlfriend from Germany. Scott and I went to law school together and he has been working for the UN in Afghanistan for the past 3 or 4 years. Not my choice of local, but the money is good and he seems to (surprisingly) make a good human rights officer.

We spent the day on a shopping tour of London. Scott is one of those strange straight men that love to buy clothes. So every time that he comes to London, its off to Saville Row to have something tailored (although why he needs anything like that in Afghanistan is beyond me), and also purchased an umbrella from some place off Shaftesbury Avenue for £160, shave balm and soap for £80 before heading off to have his previously custom made shoes (a meager £1000) tightened. I was fairly disgusted.

But its his money - his choice.

We stopped at a great cheese shop on Jermyn street and then headed off to Kensington Gardens for a little cheese and champagne before dinner. A cocktail at some pathetically pretentious place in Notting Hill called Lonsdale, I think was followed by dinner at the Notting Hill Grill. Terrible. I had been warned about British food but I was appalled at the steak I had. Stringy and tough. One thing about Montreal is that despite all of my complaints about living there the food is among the best I have ever had and at about a quarter of the cost of this Grill in the Hill.

The next day I met up with Stuart and Sean for a bite to eat in West Hampstead. On the way back to my place we passed a cemetery on Fortune Green. We decided to go for a walk through. Not the oldest cemetery ever with tombs from the early 1800s to now, I was struck by how the ravages of time and weather had slowly stripped away all of the markings off so many of the older tombstones. Many were crumbling and some had tumbled either face first or flat on their backs.

And I thought to myself that these markers that we place in an attempt to keep those who have passed alive also will eventually die. There are so many there who are remembered by none including even that post that was to remember them for always.

And there are so few in the world whose lives touch enough people on a grand enough scale to be remembered for long after they have past. And I know that I shall not be one of those. I neither crave that nor seek it. But I wondered, as I wandered through the remnants of the people who had gone before me, did it really matter? And I looked over at Stuart and thought of how much he had influenced my life. And I thought of Bud, and how much this time apart was rendering my soul into shards, and I realized that all that truly mattered was being around those I love. Those wonder people who make me something more than I am on my own. What is written on that stone can never encompass what I truly am - because I am more than just the sum of these body parts. I am made of these people who surround me. And I am all the more thankful for it.

First Few Weeks

2007-05-16T04:06:00.000-04:00

Okay, yes its true, I have been delinquent here since my arrival in London. However, this has not been due to any slacker qualities that I may have but solely due to the fact that I have not yet had an internet connection at my home. And no television either! Scary dark world that I am living in.

London has been pretty amazing so far. So good to have my old friend Stuart back in my life (have already spent far too many nights sleeping on his sofa after finding myself to inebriated to get back home. Work is interesting and intense but all in all just like working anywhere else. Although having a gym and a pool at the office is a nice perk.

Found a place to live in Hampstead. While it is more than I wanted to spend, I had a terrible time finding anywhere that would let me have dogs. Speaking of dogs, I do so terribly miss my two puppies! It sucks. I often find them terribly annoying but I do so love them.

But of course, I miss Bud most of all. It has now been over a month since I last saw him and less than 6 weeks to go before he is here. I can hardly wait. Being apart is truly horrific. I sleep terribly and rarely want to do much without him. Love fool that I am - its nice that I still feel this way after almost five years.

Went off to Prague last weekend with work. Had a great time - it’s a really beautiful city. The men, as I said to Bud, were all these sexy east-European looking guys (to which bud, rather wisely, stated, that's a bit redundant, of course they look east-European). The people were all very friendly and I hope to make it back again soon.

A friend working in Afghanistan arrives in town on Friday for a bit of relaxation. Apparently we'll be having an afternoon of champagne and cheese. La vie francaise à Londres.

One thing that I find very strange here is how so many people at work don't say hello to each other. you walk past one another and not a word is said - then when I say hello a look of panicked shock washes over their faces. Bizarre - or maybe just British

I have arrived!

2007-04-13T03:00:00.000-04:00

Arrived in London yesterday.

Well - I guess it is real now.

And I am already missing my Bud (and of course, the puppies). Its strange that until now, this move didn't quite seem to be real. But now that I am on English soil with all the clothes I own, there is no denying it.

And it is all a bit scary. In a good way. It is exciting to move to a new place, but I notice that this time is different. Whereas when I was a younger man in a new place it was all thrilling, in my advanced age of my earlyish 30s, there is more worry.

I worry about what the job will be like, how I can live without Bud for 80 days, how easily will it be to meet friends, will I meet any friends on that "outstanding-lifelong" level?

And so today I am off with my estate agent looking for a place to live.

Wish me luck

Closer

2007-04-03T13:10:00.000-04:00

So I am getting very nervous.

Work finishes up for me on Thursday and then I fly out on the 11th. I must admit that the time has flown by. But now I am worried about the move.

Its not like I have never moved to another city/country before, but I did it when I was a bit younger. And while I do know a few people in London already, I have to get prepared to go on a search for new friends. Now, most people don’t believe me when I say that I am shy, but this is only because my shield against my shyness can sometimes be an outwardly outgoing personality. But I nevertheless can find it difficult to meet new people.

And so I have resolved to be extremely social and to avoid these problems if possible. I have been looking into various types of groups in London that I can get involved in to meet people and am hopeful that these will help. Now of course, my job will keep me busy, but I know that I need to get that work/life balance down.

Don't know if I will post again before I leave but will write soon to talk about my new fabulous! life in London

Get Clubbed

2007-03-30T13:53:00.000-04:00

The New York Times reported today about people who have terribly decorated apartments and cannot get people to date them because of it.

This terribly deluded man above has a stuffed baby seal (I shit you not) and will not get rid of it even though it puts many (MANY!?! - some don't mind - I'm frightened to think of what they are like) of them off.

What's even scarier is that this man writes a dating advice column for match.com.

Once again proving the point that anything you read on the internet is suspect.

Almost There

2007-03-29T08:59:00.000-04:00

So it is less than two weeks before I am off for London. As it gets closer and closer, I get more and more nervous. Not only is it the excitement of moving to a new city (and London at that), but also that Bud and I have to spend so much time (once again) apart.

Luckily Bud has a large credit with Air Canada so that in May I will fly back for the weekend to see him (and the dogs of course). But time apart is never fun. It will undoubtedly be far easier for me. A new city to explore and new people to meet can make time fly by. I have to find a place to live, buy stuff for it and get settled.

While I am doing this, Bud will be here in Montreal with the dogs, counting days. He is not looking forward to it. But we have little choice in the matter. We have survived through a number of times apart due to our different citizenship, but they are never simple. Part of it stems from the fact that I hate talking on the phone – but when that is all we will have, its got to be done.

Thankfully we don’t have any birthdays, anniversaries or other momentous occasions that we will be separated. And I am positive that our friends here will keep him occupied. But for all the joy of going to England, the tinge of sadness due to our separation colours the excitement.

But at least I know that I truly love him. When I was apart from my last bf I had before Bud when I went on an exchange to Sydney, I was quite happy to get away. I knew then that the relationship had some problems. But with Bud it is so different. Any long-time reader of this blog will be aware of the number of problems that we have had. But it has been that solid rock of the state of matrimony that has gotten us through the hard times. Without it, it could have been so easy to walk away when times were tough. But instead, it focused me more on the long term.

And of course, still being madly in love with him doesn’t hurt.

Disturbing

2007-03-23T09:12:00.000-04:00

So I found this shirt by accident being sold on Amazon.com. Strange, strange, strange

Sifting

2007-03-19T13:44:00.001-04:00

So I went through the joys of sifting though all the crap that I have accumulated over the past few years in Montreal in anticipation of my move to London. The one good thing about having moved to different cities and countries over the past ten years is that I have gone through this exercise enough times to not have a hell of a lot left over as trinkets of days gone by.

But it is nevertheless an interesting time to re-read certain letters from Bud from the early days, look over a story I wrote when I have ten, or look at pictures of a person that I know longer recognize but know is me.

And of course it takes me back along that path that has brought me to where I am today. And each of these things are place markers indicating steps I trod long ago and decisions made many days in the past. And with each culling there is a separation from the past – a removal of one more pop-up on the video of my life.

Puppies

2007-03-14T11:22:00.000-04:00

Of course,

I forgot to post some pics of the puppies all grown up!

Back and Forth

2007-03-14T11:08:00.000-04:00

Well, it has been quite a long time since I wrote much of anything on this blog. Like anything, sometimes you need a little vacation. Much has been going on in my life though in the meantime.

I have given notice to my current employer. They have been very understanding and quite professional. I can work for as long as I want without a problem. I will work until Good Friday and then have a week before I fly off to London.

Of course, since people know that I am leaving, I haven’t been getting a whole lot of work lately. Not that I am complaining. And then a few weeks after I gave notice, another lawyer a couple years senior than me announced he was moving to New York and then on Monday another lawyer announced that he was going to the same firm as me in London!

The preparations for the trip have been going well. Have my work permit and my visa. Bud, as my partner, got a work permit as well where he can work at any job. Which works out pretty well for us. The dogs need a passport of all things and it will not be cheap to ship them – but that’s the cost of children I guess.

We went to see Scissor Sistors the other night. They aren’t as popular here as in the UK so we actually saw them perform at a bar! Great small venue for a fantastic show.

I am getting crazy excited about the move – need a change of pace and am thrilled to see what London brings me.

Out of Touch

2007-02-05T16:22:00.000-05:00

As is probably pretty obvious, I am taking a break from blogging for the time being.

Waiting to move to London in a couple of months and everything else justs seem to be a transition to that date.

Uk Advice

2007-01-06T06:39:00.000-05:00

Just to update you on the puppies, they are all doing well (as is their mother) and are growing exponentially!

In a response to a comment posted recently, I am not sure yet where I will be living in London. And so I am asking any UK readers out there to give me some suggested locations.

I want to live in either Zone 1 or Zone 2. And since we have dogs, I am looking to rent a house with a yard and preferably some park space. I doubt that I will have a car, so I will also need to live in a neighbourhood that has decent grocery store and other amenities at least sort of nearby. I also want a fairly safe neighbourhood.

Any suggestions?

New Years Miracle

2007-01-03T18:19:00.000-05:00

Our little girl rung in the new year with puppies early on the morning of New Year's Day.

This was Minge’s first litter. Jack Russell’s normally only have 4 puppies per litter and the first litter only has 2 or 3 typically. Minge was quite big at this time, so Bud thought she would have 3.

At noon on New Year’s Eve, we took Minge’s temperature. When a dog is going to give birth within the following 12 hours, her temperature will drop by 2 degrees. Well, the first thought that came into Bud and my heads was, “What a bitch!” We hadn’t done anything in the longest time, but on New Year’s Eve we had planned to go to a friend’s house for dinner.

We decided to go in shifts – me for cocktails and entrée, and Bud for the main course.

But of course, Minge was not keeping to schedule. After spending the entire days lying down, by 10 pm that night you could see the muscles along her back and legs contract and then she would pant. The poor girl cried as her body was doing things to her that she didn’t quite understand.

And so Bud and I sat up with her as for hours she was not having the best new year possible. Around 3 in the morning, Bud noticed that she was getting red splotches on her face and back. As we picked her up we saw them all over her body and her nipples had turned glassy and hard.

Panicked we called the emergency vet (only one open on New Year’s Eve in the entire city) and they told us to get her there immediately as she was either having an allergic reaction or something was wrong with the pregnancy.

We rushed there and by the time we got there all of them were gone. Since there really wasn’t anything new that could have caused this reaction, it was most likely a stressed out case of hives. She had been basically in labour for 15 hours (which in dog years is about 4 and a half days!).

We got her home and she stopped all muscle contracting and panting and went to sleep.

Perhaps she was just exhausted, but as we were waiting in vain to see any sign of her giving birth, Bud suddenly noticed that a puppy was coming out. We helped Minge stand up and saw the head crown. With a terrible yelp, out can the puppy and the placenta.

Puppies, unlike humans, are born in a sac that must be broken open. Minge had no idea (not unsurprisingly) what to do, so for the first two that came out Bud and I cut the cords and tied off the ends with dental floss. We then put the puppies back near her.

Well, she was having none of that. She didn’t like them at all! I had to hold her down while Bud opened the puppies’ mouth and attached them to her nipples. They started the sucking and Minge calmed down as her hormones began.

Then out came the third one and she figured out what to do. She bit off the umbilical cord and swallowed down the placenta.

About 45 minutes later the last one came. The last one usually comes quite a bit later than the one right before it. They were all very cute and adorably. Bud and I stared at them for about half and hour as they nursed away. Minge was completely exhausted and couldn’t barely move.

I went off to buy us some much needed coffee. When I go back I looked in the whelping box located right beside Bud and saw that Minge had given birth to two more (holy shit – SIX OF THEM) while I was gone. She was so tired that she couldn’t deal with them, so they were both in their sacs still on the blanket.

Bud and I in total terror (of bring completely deadbeat negligent daddies) rushed to open the sacs. The last one was fine because when we saw it the placenta wasn’t yet out of Minge, so he had just been born, but the fifth was not so lucky. She had been stuck in her sac for a few minutes at least.

Frantically we opened her up.

Not breathing.

Not moving.

And worse, her face was blue.

Blue started giving the puppy mouth to mouth (I shit you not) and gently rubbing her chest. He was utterly devastated that we had allowed this to happen. He would blow into her mouth and the puppy would let out a little gasp. Then it started to gasp for breath every few seconds and it stopped being blue. And Bud could feel the heartbeat.

But it was not moving at all.

It looked as if we had caught it in time to start breathing automatically, but there was no function at all.

Five minutes go by and Bud is still trying to revive her and I can see the pain welling up in his soul. And I can see what the future will bring for this little girl. I go to the bathroom and fill up the sink.

Bud is sitting on a chair still trying to get her to move. I suggest that perhaps she is brain dead and that we were too late. But he will hear none of it, “I have to give it more time.” And then little Angus, the baby’s father comes over. He has been an angel in his behaviour all day – leaving Minge to her business and the puppies alone.

But he sees his daughter in distress. And I wonder if he knows that she is his. He stands on his back legs and rests his front paws on Bud, leans in towards his baby girl in trouble and begins to lick her. Licks her over and over; goes into her mouth and licks out any fluid there.

And then suddenly, after fifteen minutes since we found her trapped in the sac that kept her alive for two months, her legs begin to move. She starts bouncing around in Bud’s hands. Joyful Day. My angel and our puppy angel kept her with us.

Bud brought her to her mother’s nipples and the sheer ecstasy that enveloped my body as she began to suckle with enthusiasm is like nothing I have ever felt before.

This was the first time that I witnessed something being born. It was also a moment where I got to truly appreciate Bud’s character and the glory that his optimism can reap in this world.

And so, we spent the day watching these new additions to our life enjoy the attention of a loving mother. She is now obsessed with being a great mom to these kids. We have to fore her to leave the box to go to the bathroom or eat and then she bolts full speed back to take care of her children.

So we have four new girls in the house and two boys.

This was a marvelous way to begin the new year and I couldn’t be happier.

Merry Chirstmas

2006-12-22T07:36:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.

When I was in London, one of the firms told me that there was a move there to not put up Christmas decorations in the office in order not to offend other people. The person told me this found it rather comical that this was going on inLondon while when she had recently been in Dubai Christmas decorations were everywhere.

While I can understand religious tolerance, is there any holiday that is basically devoid of religious sentiment like Christmas is. Yes, it began as a religious observance but it is pretty secular nowadays.

And many of hte things that we celebrate were once religious in nature but have been absorbed into our culture. Think of Hallowe'en's pagan origins or Valentine's Day as a catholic event.

If we can no longer think of spreading good cheer because we think this could offend someone, there is something truly wrong here.

Wicked

2006-12-19T17:42:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I have been just absolutely crazy at work since returning from London. Everyone wants to get everything done before the end of the year.

Work-wise London was very successful – think I have made my decision.

Loved London. Didn’t have lots of time to look around, but glanced by some of the sights and managed to go see the play “Wicked”. I read the book a number of years ago (it’s the tale of the Wizard of Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West’s point of view) and the play was even better. Outstanding singing and mesmerizing staging. A real treat.

Had Stuart’s 30th birthday on Saturday with a dinner at his place for 25 people. Had far too much champagne which made the flight home on Sunday quite deadly.

UK Bound

2006-12-12T16:57:00.000-05:00

SO I am off to London for a few days tomorrow. Meeting up with places that have offered me a job already and interviewing with others. Love having choices.

And then luckily it is Stuart's 30th birthday on Saturday night. Timing worked out well.

Will report on my return.

But I am very excited as I have never been to London before. Hope I like it enough to move.

Bud is staying at home with our very pregnant Jack Russell. She has gotten absolutely huge and her nipples are big enough to dial a phone (think Lisa Bonet in "Angel Heart")!

On a lighter note...

2006-12-06T14:45:00.000-05:00

TOP 10 CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR THE DISTURBED

1. Schizophrenia -- Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder --- We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia --- I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

4. Narcissistic --- Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic -- Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets> and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees> and.....

6. Paranoid --- Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder --- Thoughts of Roasting on anOpen> Fire

8. Personality Disorder --- You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm> Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder --- Silent night, Holy oooh look atthe> Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder --- Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,> Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,> Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,> Jingle Bells, JingleBells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,> Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,> Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

...

2006-12-06T09:26:00.000-05:00

It was seventeen years ago today that a man walked into a college in Montreal with guns in tow, separated the men and the women and proceeded to murder 14 women and injuring numerous others while yelling “I hate feminists.”

And then, like the dog he was, this man shot himself.

The anniversary of this event is always hard – especially in this city where the blood was shed.

And it serves to remind me of the devastating destructive power of hate. Hate not just in its form of slaughter but in its every expression. And perhaps it is appropriate that today the Canadian conservatives in power are trying to take away gay marriage. Hate whether exercised through violence or through politics is still the scourge that we seem to never be able to defeat.

Salt

2006-12-05T08:42:00.000-05:00

For those of you who happen to not live in a frozen wasteland that can be Canada, you may not know about the absolutely terrible practice of battling the freeze on streets and sidewalks.

Out here in Eastern Canada, the people in power seem obsessed about spreading salt all over every piece of horizontal space imaginable. The thing is salt reduces the freezing point of water so that even if it is below zero, some of the snow and ice will melt.

While this undoubtedly makes everything much less slippery, it is devastating on my dogs. The poor little guys get salt rocks trapped in their paws, which then burns the hell out of their feet. Watching them squeal in adject pain and then hobble around trying not to touch the ground is horendous.

For a little easier time for us, we put these animals in pain. Sounds very human doesn't it?

Happy b-day to Blog

2006-11-24T11:25:00.001-05:00

Once again I have hit a milestone with this blog. It was one year ago today that I posted my first entry. Over the course of the year, this blog has changed from posting numerous pictures of sexy men and general ramblings almost every day, to being a little more sporadic in my writing.

I have found that when I post something, it is best if I have something to say. But I have also found that it has not always been easy to write down what I am feeling.

If you are a regular reader you will know that this past year has brought some big difficulties in my life. And publicly divulging them on this post has been cathartic and painful at the same time. While I do approach this as a personal diary for the most part, that comment button is not always easy to click.

I live within my own bubble in my head and having readers share their perception of either my actions or my thoughts has pierced through that self-image on numerous occasions. And no matter how difficult it can be, it is always beneficial to see how others perceive you.

But lately I haven’t been posting much about how my life is going, or about how my relationship with Bud is. It is in that great holding pattern known as routine at the moment. I get up, work out, work, get home, eat, watch tv, play with the dogs. Rinse and repeat.

But there is nothing wrong with this at the moment. I am just in a bit of a rut looking for that next phase in my life. And I may have found it. Have been offered a job in the faraway land of my ancestors – jolly ole England.

So it looks as if the new year will be bringing a new country and a new experience. And hopefully a new routine that is not routine at all.

The Vote

2006-11-22T10:09:00.000-05:00

“A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election.” - Bill Vaughan

This quote sums up a pressing argument that Bud and I have been having lately. You see, in Australia, people MUST vote. If you don’t vote, you are fined. Of course, you have register the first time, but every single election, local – state – federal, thereafter, if you don’t vote, a ticket comes in the mail.

Here in Canada, as I the US, you vote if you want to.

Now I have not always voted. City elections almost never get me out, and often for provincial or federal elections, it really depends on where I am living. At present I live in a riding that is soundly represented by the leader of the Quebec separatist party. My vote won’t change it.

Now, this doesn’t mean that I won’t vote, but I can be a bit lazy about it.

And I argue with Bud over being forced to vote. If I don’t want to vote, I shouldn’t have to.

Now Bud does not counter with the argument that it is our duty to vote or anything like that, but he makes the worthwhile point that if everyone is forced to vote then you can actually say that the results truly indicate what the “people” want or believe. If you have an election where less than 50% of the population vote, any majority in the results will not be a majority in reality.

And he makes a good point. But I am nonetheless conflicted between my freedom to not do something if I choose and the ability to truly have a mandated government.