NDP has my interest this time around...

2013 Update: So, what's changed since my original blog?  Well, the NDP has rewarded my support with a near-constant barrage of phone calls, e-mails, and tweets...hounding me for further support!  The NDP are the "glitter" of the Canadian political landscape: you just can't get them off you!  Harper's Conservatives, while fiscally responsible (at least relatively!) are becoming mired in the same sort of incompetence and corruption that plagued Chretien's Liberals.  Justin Trudeau (the "Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Canadian politics"?) is now the future of the Liberals, which is the scariest thing since Dion Phaneuf wearing the "C" for the Leafs.  It's just a total disaster - now, I understand why Jenny simply doesn't vote...


"Dale

"Rocky" The Raccoon Part Deux

Here he is!  Thanks again to Susan for all of her dedication to this amazing hobby!

Street Sweeper Social Club - Paper Planes (M.I.A. Cover) - NIN|JA Tour -...

Yet Another Dream Car

One of these days, I'll visit my buddy Al, and test drive a Hyundai Genesis Coupe.  Pretty sweet ride.  Remember the commercials when this model was introduced?  The ones where the driver was racing the Genesis Coupe around a track and then at the last minute, he throws it into a high-speed smokin' donut.  That's the dream right there!

"Rocky" Raccoon

OK, so I'm driving home from a nice sweaty workout at the gym, and on the side of the road, what do I see?  One of these!

There's all sorts of roadkill in our neck of the woods.  The place is just lousy with raccoons, deer, foxes, squirrels, rabbits, and wild turkeys.  You practically need one of those cow catcher attachments for the front of your car.

But, the little guy didn't look like he had been hit.  In fact, when I stopped, and looked at him in the rear-view mirror, I could see him start to slowly shuffle along.  As his eyes weren't open, this was not a good strategy on his part.  So, I get out of the car, and go back to see if there's anything I can do.  (I know, you're probably thinking - what the heck was he thinking?!)  The poor little critter doesn't seem to be showing any signs of impact, but he's clearly in a dangerous place, and should likely still be back home in the den, being nagged by his sister(s).  So, I'm standing there, talking softly to the little guy, considering my options, and wondering about the odds of contracting rabies or some sort of parasite that will turn me into a zombie.  I hardly noticed the nice lady (Susan) in the pickup truck who stopped as well.  In what may turn out to be the best day of the young raccoon's life, the lady was an animal rescue specialist!  What are the odds?  So, Susan just picks him up like he was a kitten, does a quick inspection, and offers to bring him home for a little medical intervention.  She didn't seem too optimistic, as he should have been at home with his mom, instead of out on the roadside.

Well, here's a big thanks to Susan who not only picked little "Rocky" up, but also (at least) postponed my zombiefication.  Hopefully, everything will work out well for all involved. 

UPDATE:  I just got a call from Susan.  Sure enough, little "Rocky" seems to be coming around nicely.  He's downed a bottle and a half of Susan's special recipe (milk and maple syrup), and he survived his first bath.  So far, so good.  Hopefully, he'll make the progression to baby food/cat food/dog food and will be able to be released back into the wild this fall.  Susan figured that Rocky's mom may have been transporting him from the den for some reason (maybe to avoid the new smart meters or Ontario's HST?) and she misplaced the little guy.

Stay tuned...

My Condo Daydream

One of my future goals is to live in a condo.  I've always loved the bright lights and the excitement of the big city, and there are many things about home ownership that are becoming increasingly bothersome as the years go by.  I don't mind doing some basic yard work, but shoveling snow and anything more than absolute basic repairs are an issue.  After all, duct tape can't be used to fix everything.

Here's my shopping list for the dream condo:

• Newer, energy-efficient building;
• Close to the subway or train;
• NO pool - I don't love swimming, and the maintenance costs could be problematic down the road;
• An upper floor, so I could enjoy the city lights; and
• NO loft layout - climbing stairs should be avoided at all costs.

So, now all I have to do is find a few extra hundred thousand dollars, and talk Jen out of her hatred of big cities, and this dream can come true!

OK, so I was right after all...

Who called this?

OK, I did.

Go, Blue Jackets, Flyers, BRUINS, Go!