no one of consequence.

More bitching about Things I Cant Get In Canada. I want Kava dammit. It’s my favorite relaxant/sleep aid. But it’s banned up here, over some inconclusive studies and *four* cases of liver failure here about five years back. Yay for kneejerk responses.

So im stuck with A) not sleeping, B) taking something from the drugstore which is probably addictive or C) getting some melatonin, which fucks badly with my dreams, and rather defeats the entire purpose.

I suppose it’s safe enough to mention that I’ve quit smoking again. which would be partially why I’m wanting some relaxants. I’m still patched and havent detoxed yet. Dont place any bets however, since this is technically my fourth attempt and I’ve never yet made it through detox.

Life | No Comments »

Ok, so a couple of the provinces up here have decided they need a statutory holiday in February. Understandable really, down in the states we do President’s day (formerly Washington’s birthday and Lincoln’s birthday) in Feb.

So do they go through the history books to find something reasonable to call it? Pick an event of some kind, (no matter how minor) to commemorate? Do they even go with making Valentine’s Day an official holiday?

No. Of course not. That would possibly make sense. No, we get the third Monday of every February off for…

Family Day

This is possibly the LAMEST excuse for a holiday ever. Lame Lame Lame. Better just call it “Statutory Holiday”. How about Slacker Day? “Sanity Break Day”? “Midwinter Blues Therapy Day?”

I mean, theres huge potential in this. The Provincial Governments could auction the name of this holiday on Ebay every year for funds! Then we could have Bell Canada day, Royal Bank Of Canada Day, or Imperial Oil Day!

No creativity at all. I must say I’m very disappointed. You guys in government are obviously not drinking enough beer.

Life | No Comments »

Larry Lessig’s talk at TED2007 on digital media, copyright, and common sense.

As we stare down the barrel of Canada adopting the US’s draconian stance on copyright and fair use, I cant see reposting this as anything but timely.

Lots more vids on interesting subjects over at TED.com

Edited to add BronxElf, you in particular might be interested in David Rockwell’s talk

Life | No Comments »

I haz a health card. Im totally legit now. It even has a decent picture.

However, im also a real Ontarian, since I also dont have a PCP. Anyone local got specific recommendations? I need names, preferably in this end of town. Because lemetellya, traveling an hour across town by public transportation when one is really sick, SUCKS. I’ll do it for a dentist or a gyno, but I prefer having my PCP close, due to my propensity for dizzy spells and the trick knee. Two great tastes that go great together…

I’d reconsider Lee’s MD, if only to get my BP meds back in order, but Loveless, (aside from being a world class putz based on what ive seen of his brand of care), isnt accepting new patients.

Theres an MD over at Wilson Medical center, a Dr. Okorie who seems to have good ratings on RateMDs.com. Hamiltondoctors.ca lists her as accepting new patients. I should call over there on Monday.

This slim selection of docs just astounds me on a certain level. Im used to being handed a *phone book* with a new insurance card. The sucky part was that was all you got… nothing at all about the docs or their practices. Ontario however, has introduced me to the concept of “not accepting new patients”. Hopefully the province will start offering incentives of some kind for MDs to stay in the area. It’s just bizarre considering we have major medical training facilities in town.

Bonus of the timely card arrival is that Im ok to go get a flu shot, which they’re doing downtown at the library on Monday. If I remember. If I get my ass moving early enough.

Life | No Comments »

No, I havent seen it. Michael Moore’s opinions dont really interest me. But it’s spurred a lot of talk about medical care in North America.

The Canadian system isnt perfect. Dont let Mike there fool you. (more…)

Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

More fuss going on about the new Liberal party leader here in Canada’s dual citizenship. Mr Dion has now oh-so-graciously announced he will renounce his French passport “If it’s a problem for a significant number of Canadians, and if it’s a liability that may keep Mr. Harper in power”.

Um, Okay?
Well, to be honest, I dont believe anyone who holds a dual citizenship should be permitted to hold political office, in any nation. It’s unnecessary, and only brings loyalties into question.

After the mess of finger-pointing after this summer’s evacuation of Lebansese-Canadians (almost half of which have already returned to Lebanon) you’d think this kind of thing would have raised a flag in the guy’s head. Yeah, Of course people are going to be sensitive to this right now. Canada spent in the realm of 85 billion to rescue a bunch of people who have no intention of ever living as Canadians. Well, maybe not ever, maybe they intend to retire to Canada, having never paid taxes here.

Last summer’s rhetoric over ’second rate citizenry’ doesnt apply either. I’m not talking about extended vacations, Im talking about people who are holding a passport as an ace in the hole. And this goes for the States too.

What I want to see? I want to see legislation requiring that naturalized citizens must spent a minimum of say, four months of the year in their nation-of-choice, paying taxes and living in the new culture they’ve chosen for themselves. Or see their passports revoked. Set up some kind of application process if more time out of the country is needed for an emergency situation, not because you want to live or raise your children in you country-of-birth. Because yanno, if your birth nation is so fantastic to you that you need to be there, why the fuck do you want citizenship in another nation anyway?

This is and should be a serious life change, not a ticket out of a war-torn nation in case of trouble, or a place to make enough money to set yourself up somewhere else. That is bullshit. Shit or get off the pot people. Hold your native passport, I certainly intend to, but dont build yourself a bomb shelter in someone else’s backyard unless you intend to buy the house.

Uncategorized | No Comments »