tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11218987602601950002024-03-12T21:30:13.857-07:00pointandwriteJeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-41537819283443986352014-12-27T20:06:00.002-08:002014-12-27T20:33:17.876-08:00Life tips for 2015<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You feel uncomfortable in a room of strangers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You care about what people think of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Care about that less.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fdm8VH_MtT8/VJ9675aWA6I/AAAAAAAAARE/QrDF8jX9ySE/s1600/8316235206_668ae43512_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fdm8VH_MtT8/VJ9675aWA6I/AAAAAAAAARE/QrDF8jX9ySE/s1600/8316235206_668ae43512_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You’re stressed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You’re trying to live up to someone else’s expectations.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Live up to your own expectations. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzbR0zQXHcE/VJ97V28pY3I/AAAAAAAAARM/vVLh-29682A/s1600/5371398116_2b2b863f0f_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yzbR0zQXHcE/VJ97V28pY3I/AAAAAAAAARM/vVLh-29682A/s1600/5371398116_2b2b863f0f_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You have no time for yourself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You’re giving it away to everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Take it back. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp6l9eRcJYo/VJ97onJNeII/AAAAAAAAARU/gpouP-1MlJ8/s1600/5370684697_64697af095_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp6l9eRcJYo/VJ97onJNeII/AAAAAAAAARU/gpouP-1MlJ8/s1600/5370684697_64697af095_o.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: Your food tastes bland. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: It’s gluten or sugar or dairy or trans-fat free.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Eat what tastes good and makes you feel good. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_m1liT3MgM/VJ9776h3frI/AAAAAAAAARc/Gb7N7UiOq2c/s1600/5556840040_92907c5d6d_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z_m1liT3MgM/VJ9776h3frI/AAAAAAAAARc/Gb7N7UiOq2c/s1600/5556840040_92907c5d6d_o.jpg" height="275" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You feel less than perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You’re trying to be perfect. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Remember nothing is perfect. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwUNBhjBa-w/VJ99MhdLrvI/AAAAAAAAARs/iiJxb_YL4OQ/s1600/7964381818_1bbfefeda0_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwUNBhjBa-w/VJ99MhdLrvI/AAAAAAAAARs/iiJxb_YL4OQ/s1600/7964381818_1bbfefeda0_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Problem: Someone is doing something that annoys you. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You’re paying too much attention to other
people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: If it doesn’t affect you, take a deep breath.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af0P4DBJJXU/VJ99cdJY9iI/AAAAAAAAAR0/EBhWpiAKr6s/s1600/6164328177_93322b87d9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af0P4DBJJXU/VJ99cdJY9iI/AAAAAAAAAR0/EBhWpiAKr6s/s1600/6164328177_93322b87d9_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: Your home feels too cold. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: Inadequate insulation or window seals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Think how cold it would be on a park bench. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>21</o:Words>
<o:Characters>121</o:Characters>
<o:Company>n/a</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>148</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip0hEC5S7fA/VJ9-IRKSJGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/A6V7zbyMpCk/s1600/8251363998_e6e9152884_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip0hEC5S7fA/VJ9-IRKSJGI/AAAAAAAAAR8/A6V7zbyMpCk/s1600/8251363998_e6e9152884_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: Your favourite pop star was spotted without makeup.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You are reading too many trashy online sites. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>23</o:Words>
<o:Characters>132</o:Characters>
<o:Company>n/a</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>162</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Help a worthwhile charity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyiiFMBmUrw/VJ9-v8yBylI/AAAAAAAAASE/CX7Tcz17h6A/s1600/7991658241_aba7abfed5_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NyiiFMBmUrw/VJ9-v8yBylI/AAAAAAAAASE/CX7Tcz17h6A/s1600/7991658241_aba7abfed5_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: Your car is making weird noises.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You are driving too much.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>18</o:Words>
<o:Characters>107</o:Characters>
<o:Company>n/a</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>131</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Take a walk. Or turn up the radio. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD6vcUJv0MI/VJ9_FVXK8vI/AAAAAAAAASM/Cvfggy9uCMo/s1600/15923916681_7303f45c5e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bD6vcUJv0MI/VJ9_FVXK8vI/AAAAAAAAASM/Cvfggy9uCMo/s1600/15923916681_7303f45c5e_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You can’t stand someone’s point of view.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You are of a different faith.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>22</o:Words>
<o:Characters>128</o:Characters>
<o:Company>n/a</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>157</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: I doubt your faith tells you to despise anyone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TonjY9l2SEw/VJ9_oarfRWI/AAAAAAAAASU/z0IoJiIVLNw/s1600/7814916596_3df083ddd9_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TonjY9l2SEw/VJ9_oarfRWI/AAAAAAAAASU/z0IoJiIVLNw/s1600/7814916596_3df083ddd9_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You don’t like the way you look. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You’re comparing yourself to airbrushed
models. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>23</o:Words>
<o:Characters>132</o:Characters>
<o:Company>n/a</o:Company>
<o:Lines>1</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>162</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: You’re beautiful. Find a new photographer.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51D6K02Umro/VJ9_7v7JNZI/AAAAAAAAASc/-B_g9sFVfjk/s1600/7280288678_95c9e5ebd7_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-51D6K02Umro/VJ9_7v7JNZI/AAAAAAAAASc/-B_g9sFVfjk/s1600/7280288678_95c9e5ebd7_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: You’re having trouble ‘finding yourself’.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You think you need to fall into a single
personality category. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Love all of your personalities. They’re all
you. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUqARGpFHfc/VJ-AhNhNhMI/AAAAAAAAASk/fLXVRhdqFtg/s1600/9376088947_c2d58dbd28_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PUqARGpFHfc/VJ-AhNhNhMI/AAAAAAAAASk/fLXVRhdqFtg/s1600/9376088947_c2d58dbd28_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Problem: Your bank account is lower than you want it to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: We associate wealth with self-worth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: Can you afford to eat today? You’re fine. </span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRwV-A_uzhI/VJ-AzAOKcjI/AAAAAAAAASs/zdpTVzurbL0/s1600/9348286374_e6d720df7a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRwV-A_uzhI/VJ-AzAOKcjI/AAAAAAAAASs/zdpTVzurbL0/s1600/9348286374_e6d720df7a_o.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Problem: You can’t seem to ‘dance like nobody’s watching’.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Likely cause: You don’t think your abilities are good enough to
show off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Solution: You got it all wrong. Dance like <span style="text-transform: uppercase;">everyone’s</span> watching. </span></div>
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Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-23510582980815158322014-11-21T10:34:00.000-08:002014-11-21T10:50:20.152-08:00Police respond to reports of uncovered patio furniture<div class="yiv7093717202MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding: 0px;">
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white;">Police and fire crews descended on Tuxedo Avenue this morning in a dramatic scene after uncovered patio furniture was spotted in a residential backyard. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
Police Insp. Jim Watkins was tight-lipped at the scene when asked about the condition of the furniture, and the identity of the owners. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
"I can't say much, it's in the early stages of the investigation," he said. "But I can say there will be a full investigation, and there are charges pending."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
Tuxedo resident Rita Fitzhenry said she didn't personally know the homeowners with the neglected patio furniture, but said they kept to themselves. "They seemed a decent couple, not the kind you'd expect to leave helpless furniture out in the cold like that," she said. "The neighbours were all aware it was happening, but no one said anything... I guess you could say it was our fault too."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><br />
The inspector did say it was the second call of this nature in the area in the past week, but was happy to report the first set of patio furniture was rescued and donated to a good home. "That furniture won't be left out in the cold again, that's for sure," he said. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><br /></span></div>
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Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-38807426178577702842012-12-06T18:09:00.000-08:002012-12-06T18:20:44.703-08:00Hamilton, here we comeSo we're moving to Hamilton.<br />
<br />
And not because The Grid recently <a href="http://www.thegridto.com/life/real-estate/catch-ya-later-toronto/" style="color: red;" target="_blank">highlighted the trend of Torontonians fleeing west</a>. Or because Rob Ford is the mayor — at least for now. (On a side note, he was elected about three months after I moved back to Toronto, and the judge gave him the boot not long after we made the decision to move.)<br />
<br />
It's not that Hamilton's politics are problem-free, which they aren't. And don't think I haven't noticed that Hamilton's beloved Tiger-Cats — which I was looking forward to loving too — <a href="http://www.thespec.com/sports/ticats/article/848628--ticats-will-pay-500-000-to-play-in-guelph" style="color: red;" target="_blank">will be playing home games in Guelph next year</a>. <br />
<br />
Truth is, we've had our eye on the city for quite some time. It was just a matter of making it happen. <br />
<br />
Admittedly, our main motivation to be there is to buy a home, as we've been priced out of our neighbourhood. That's not a knock against Toronto, it's just the truth. <br />
<br />
But while we'll be investing in (very reasonably priced) property, we'll also be investing in a community. As I walk through even the more shadowy areas of Hamilton, I see the blossoming cafes, I see the art, I hear the music. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MY1K-pds6i8/UMFPNQ9TNvI/AAAAAAAAAH8/MHyQMpuzX8w/s1600/hammusic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MY1K-pds6i8/UMFPNQ9TNvI/AAAAAAAAAH8/MHyQMpuzX8w/s320/hammusic.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street music in Hamilton</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As for the claims that Hamilton is too rough and gritty — anyone who has approached me on the street so far hasn't asked for any money, only for a few moments of my time, a smile and a handshake. Sure, I'm aware there are areas of Hamilton best to avoid. But that's true for any city I can think of. <br />
<br />
Looking out the window of the second floor of my new workplace in Hamilton, I don't just see plumes of smoke rising; I see open green spaces, I see beautiful architecture, I see promise. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af8XdsG0H3I/UMFPkw5jGXI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cfSVZyyN15s/s1600/hamoutdoor.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-af8XdsG0H3I/UMFPkw5jGXI/AAAAAAAAAIE/cfSVZyyN15s/s320/hamoutdoor.png" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, this is in Hamilton!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I respect the steel mills that the city's history is built on, and I actually find the industrial sector quite beautiful. I hope the industry survives and thrives. But you'll probably hear the tagline "art is the new steel" from someone. <br />
<br />
There's magic in the air during the regular art crawls (and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14987697@N06/sets/72157631548269306/" style="color: red;" target="_blank">Supercrawl</a>) in the burgeoning James Street North area, with thousands taking to the streets to enjoy art of all kinds, right down to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14987697@N06/7759033640/in/set-72157631017073654/lightbox/" style="color: red;" target="_blank">tribal belly dancers</a>. <br />
<br />
There's also something very honest about Hamilton; it knows what it is, and it's not trying to be something else. Some other cities could take a lesson from that. <br />
<br />
Toronto will always be my hometown. And while Hamilton is smaller, there seems to be something bigger happening there. <br />
<br />
In the meantime, we'll continue to enjoy Toronto's Junction neighbourhood, which has come a long way itself. Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-66822545788850321302012-10-10T20:11:00.001-07:002012-10-10T20:16:45.264-07:00In defense of street photography vs 'creepshots'I am a street photographer.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I like to grab my camera and take to the streets to capture what I come across, and then share it via social media. <br />
<br />
I do it for several reasons; one is for exercise. Another is because I love photography as an art. I do admittedly enjoy people-watching. Also, well… I like to share.<br />
<br />
So I'm particularly disturbed <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/09/toronto-women-in-creepshots" style="color: red;" target="_blank">by a story in the <i>Toronto Sun</i></a> about 'creepshots' — a collection of photos presumably only of women (I didn't see the images). The media attention has apparently prompted the moderators of said message board to set it to private access only. <br />
<br />
The photos by one particular individual were brought to people's attention by an anonymous female. This "creep-shamer" was <a href="http://www.torontostandard.com/article/creeper" style="color: red;" target="_blank">interviewed by the <i>Toronto Standard</i></a> and said she wants the laws changed to allow people to have their photos removed from a site if they want (but images associated with a crime are apparently OK, she adds). <br />
<br />
I'm disturbed because this story might make some women fearful when they see a guy with a camera on the street. Yes, sometimes when I'm shooting photos of people on the street, I shoot photos of women — there sure are a lot of them out there, like say, half the population — but I'm really looking for interesting people and "slice of life" moments, I'm not zeroing in on females. If the subject of a photo I took was uncomfortable with it and contacted me, I would voluntarily remove it. Or, like what happened recently, I would gladly send them the original if they like it. <br />
<br />
But I'm also disturbed because some idiot(s) are posting photos of women which, presumably, have clear intent to display the women in a sexual manner. Apparently taking public photos with "sexual intent" is actually illegal, according to a police source originally quoted in the Sun article (it has since been updated). <br />
<br />
I completely respect people's rights. My rights included. So taking photos in public is a freedom I enjoy as a Canadian. However, while these creeper shots might be obvious, I think there's a grey area where I don't see how anyone can determine intent. I mean, if a girl happens to be in a photo, and she is deemed attractive by someone, does that person assume the photo was taken with ill intentions? How could they prove that? <br />
<br />
The creeper photo people (we can't assume they're all men) need to use common sense. If someone's photos are all of women, and zoomed in on body parts, well yeah… of course I'm not going to defend that person, and of course they're going to draw criticism (and probably a lot of pervs). <br />
<br />
But on the flipside, if laws are tightened for photos in public, what will that mean for news agencies? Security companies? Street photographers (who take the art more seriously?) One could argue that some of the most powerful and moving photos of all time have been candids. <br />
<br />
Until a day ever comes when the law clamps down on public photography, I will happily wander around in my free time, camera in hand. Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-9720324087937670992012-07-29T13:21:00.000-07:002012-07-29T13:21:54.013-07:00Ode to Lake Ontario<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNhsHfqayZI/UBWaOPrPcLI/AAAAAAAAAGg/3Tt332q97AE/s1600/lakeontario.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hNhsHfqayZI/UBWaOPrPcLI/AAAAAAAAAGg/3Tt332q97AE/s320/lakeontario.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">A pristine waterline<br />
is floating in doubt <br />
on the shores of<br />
Lake Ontario<br />
<br />
The one they love to hate<br />
The one they toe into with fear<br />
yet lay obediently <br />
at its side<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOqHYsOWf4A/UBWbHHAHlsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/3g_52RugLOg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOqHYsOWf4A/UBWbHHAHlsI/AAAAAAAAAGo/3g_52RugLOg/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">'The water will kill you' <br />
'You'll grow extra limbs'<br />
they say<br />
while sipping water<br />
from a canteen filled with <br />
Lake Ontario<br />
<br />
The birds seem to know<br />
They circle 'round<br />
with songs of praise<br />
while the sun directs smiles<br />
upon the goldish sand<br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our basin guarded by our tower</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our playground for bikes and bikinis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our version of the ocean coast</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">deserves a nod in favour</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">at least before acid rain </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and nuclear fears</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">trigger the next </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">damming story</span></div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-63992765719739591082012-07-05T14:10:00.001-07:002012-08-30T18:13:16.743-07:00The Duck Whisperer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnN_YC5C9FM/T_X-TaHufCI/AAAAAAAAAGA/UdsgUXnlGoA/s1600/nancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnN_YC5C9FM/T_X-TaHufCI/AAAAAAAAAGA/UdsgUXnlGoA/s320/nancy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
From time to time, strangers approach me for a chat. <br />
<br />
I’m not sure why. Perhaps it's because I have a loner spirit, and the other loners pick up on that. Sometimes I reciprocate, sometimes my growing Toronto temperament gets the better of me and I just ignore them. <br />
<br />
On this day, I headed down to Sunnyside Beach with the promise of sun and relaxation. The sun entertained me for a few minutes, but hid behind the clouds for good, even before the sweat from riding my bike to the beach had dried. <br />
<br />
I glanced around at the wildlife, camera in hand, hoping to capture an interesting moment. Unlike all the expected things to see at a beach, there was a woman with a cowboy hat on, staring into the water. Ducks, geese and seagulls started flocking to her before she even flicked out the first breadcrumb. <br />
<br />
They must know her, I thought. The birds all seemed so calm and patient as they approached. At that moment I already had a nickname for her: 'The Duck Whisperer'. <br />
<br />
She seemed to run out of bread, and walked away. But she came back to the same spot moments later, staring at the calm winged animals, and then turned her attention to me.<br />
<br />
That's when she approached. Almost walking by me, but stopping and turning as if we were already chatting and she had forgotten to tell me something. <br />
<br />
She doesn't get down to the water much, she told me. But she loves the ducks. "I just love them."<br />
<br />
She spoke fondly of Barrie, but I wasn't sure if she was from there. She’s in Toronto with the hopes of landing a job playing music at a seniors home. She needs just one more reference. <br />
<br />
She was big into music when she was younger. In fact, she knew Mick Jagger. No, she dated him. No… they were engaged.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AopBONnjgMw/T_X-pbTtFzI/AAAAAAAAAGI/vWbcAH3H4s4/s1600/duck+whisperer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AopBONnjgMw/T_X-pbTtFzI/AAAAAAAAAGI/vWbcAH3H4s4/s640/duck+whisperer.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
"I talked him into staying in music," said Nancy. She had shared her name by this point. "He didn't want to stay in music."<br />
<br />
She drank a lot back then. She doesn't anymore, or so she says. She gets stage fright. Maybe the seniors offer a less judgmental atmosphere. I get stage fright too, I told her. <br />
<br />
It was hard to tell if she was homeless. I didn't ask, it wasn't that important. She was just a person talking to me. I peeked into my wallet for anything to offer her, instinctively. I didn't have a single bill. <br />
<br />
But she never asked me for money. <br />
<br />
She did ask me for something else: she wanted me to take photos of the ducks to send to her. So I did. First I took pictures of the ducks, then her with the ducks, and then just her, smiling. <br />
<br />
She has an email address (who doesn't) and she grabbed at my notepad to write it down, but I got to it first. I didn't want her to read what I was already scrawling about my first impression of her before we started talking.<br />
<br />
<i>She had a wide hat</i><br />
<i>and a matching gap </i><br />
<i>between her teeth</i><br />
<i>she called to brown ducks</i><br />
<i>camouflaged by the overcast sky</i><br />
<i>on the brown shore </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQgG6yQNfoo/T_X-0mU_v_I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/HyFJlINDtak/s1600/ducks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BQgG6yQNfoo/T_X-0mU_v_I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/HyFJlINDtak/s640/ducks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I had also already taken several pictures of her with the ducks and geese. But I didn't mention that. <br />
<br />
She asked what I did. I told her I was in magazines. She joked that I’d better not put her picture in the magazine. I told her it was too late. She laughed. She had a sense of humour like anyone else. I told her don't worry, I don't write for Rolling Stone. (Or Mick Jagger). <br />
<br />
I felt a drop of rain. She didn't feel it because the brim of her big hat deflected it. <br />
<br />
I told her it was nice to meet her. She said the same. And how much she loves the ducks. <br />
<br />
And I will send her the pictures. And maybe this post as well.<br />
<br />
UPDATE: Aug 30 2012 - Happy to report I got a response from the Duck Whisperer. Here it is, unedited:<br />
<br />
"Jeff ,Nancy the lady with the ducks,thanks for seading me the picture
from the beach,it really cheared me up.Its Aug 11.2012 and the
pictureform the6th ofJuly was agreat picure of a great day for me with
the ducks,Ihaven't checked my e-mail in a while and forgot you were
sending the pictures to me it made me so happy icoyuld cry,allIcan do is
smile in that wonderful caption of a great day."Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-75118411978797085902012-04-16T14:00:00.001-07:002012-04-16T14:01:10.393-07:00There are no cities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1nmwaPtYP8/T4yHaU85_vI/AAAAAAAAAFs/9q7OLYcnWKE/s1600/5374922817_12e42028a6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r1nmwaPtYP8/T4yHaU85_vI/AAAAAAAAAFs/9q7OLYcnWKE/s320/5374922817_12e42028a6_b.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">When I decided to move back to Toronto from the 'country', townies poked fun at me about moving to the big smoke where there's nothing but concrete and graffiti.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They said that people in the city weren't friendly like 'small town' folk. Truth is, I spent five years living north of Hwy. 7, and while it was pleasant for the most part, I didn't make many friends. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Was that my fault? Probably. But unless you grow up in those small towns and everyone knows you from their Grade 5 class, or novice hockey team, or your father was a prominent farmer or councillor, it is hard to be accepted into inner circles.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So when I finally took the plunge and traded dirt roads for streetcar tracks, I noticed something fairly quickly: I didn't move to a big, faceless, smoggy jungle as described by the small-townies.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My part of the city even has a name: The Junction. It is a thriving community, with stores and restaurants owned by locals. It organizes its own events and fundraisers. The residents take pride in making their piece of the city a better place. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's as if someone took a small town and planted it in the middle of a metropolis. The Junction just landed its own farmer's market, adding to its 'small town' charm. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And this is not unique to The Junction. There are many proud and independent communities across Toronto (The Annex, The Beach, Riverdale, Parkdale, etc.) that could likely exist on their own if you lifted them up and planted them in the wilderness. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Same could probably apply for other major cities made up of distinct — and named — communities. (See Vancouver or NYC, for example.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The divide between Toronto's downtown and its suburbs (helped along by its current mayor) is just like the attitude the northerners had about the city, and vice versa. Many are only concerned with what will benefit or impact their own backyard and immediate neighbours, and that's no different north or south of Hwy. 7. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The divide within Toronto is also evident when someone in the east or west end gets invited downtown — "but that's so far!" they say. It might as well be a long drive to the middle of nowhere for many people. They don't want to leave their corner of the city; everything they need is where they are. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So while of course they have more people, cities don't have one cohesive group of people. It is just a large collection of smaller communities packed closely together.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just wish the city had less traffic. And friendlier people. You know, like small towns.</span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-40623259209503393832012-01-27T15:47:00.000-08:002012-01-27T15:47:48.264-08:00If I had a time machine<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4DKkFy17oA/TyM3IJ7fSsI/AAAAAAAAAFc/T5KlVYZJa2k/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b4DKkFy17oA/TyM3IJ7fSsI/AAAAAAAAAFc/T5KlVYZJa2k/s1600/images.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I wouldn't use it for silly things like trying to talk leaders out of world wars or hanging out with medieval chicks. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No sir. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would visit the dawn of man to hear the first ever joke. Perhaps it was just a loud fart that made the other cavemen laugh? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would go back and see who first discovered that drinking rotten honey (or rotten grapes) was a good decision.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would streak naked onto the ice during the 1993 Stanley Cup semis between the Leafs and the Kings just as Gretzky was about to score a deciding goal (sorry Gretz, I love you). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would visit my 18-year-old self and kick his ass.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would do what I could to keep most of the music bands in the 80's (and 90's and recently) from ever happening.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would not have bought a Ford.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would go far into the future to prove that teenagers will eventually lose their fingers and just have thumbs for texting. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I would also travel (hopefully not too far) into the future to warn my children that I'm a bit weird, and to not copy that trait.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If I had a time machine, I'd be rich. Because I could sell it on eBay. </span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-70640618529637117462011-11-06T19:51:00.000-08:002011-11-06T19:51:28.409-08:00medicate<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suw0Xai6YtY/TrdVE1SnLTI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PWdMiLY5DN8/s1600/197699_10091975356_720300356_73286_7044_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-suw0Xai6YtY/TrdVE1SnLTI/AAAAAAAAAE0/PWdMiLY5DN8/s320/197699_10091975356_720300356_73286_7044_n.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>don't sleep now<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">with the weight of day</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">hanging heavy in veins</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">on a tuesday noon</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">look but don't see</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">smell but don't touch</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">smile but don't laugh</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">they call it <i>success</i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">… what's that?</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">i lost it</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the moment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">has</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">passed … </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the sunlight divides you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">from those early thoughts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">to the next grey cloud</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">just past your view</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">just open the bottle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the next sure thing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">hinging on hope</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">didn't work for you</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">remember that time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">laying bare in the grass?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">a lifetime is asking</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">for you to return</div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-40964721469813670082011-09-05T08:38:00.000-07:002011-09-05T08:38:01.135-07:00Is social media making us less social?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For millions of years, humans and their descendants have adapted to their environment to thrive. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But now we're creating our own environment, and developing ways to communicate beyond natural means. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That of course includes the internet, and more specifically, social media. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those born today know how to handle an iPhone by a year old. They expect to press a button and have wonderful things happen. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The young never knew a time when landlines, handwritten letters and direct talking were the only ways to communicate. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now we can select who we talk to in a make-believe world of electronic impressions. We can reveal as much about ourselves as we want to, select who can contact us, and filter out any negative information.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Online dating has become an increasingly accepted form of finding a mate, replacing the old-fashioned 'pick-up'. Those who are succeeding in this new form of seeking a partner are not necessarily alpha males or females, but the ones who have figured out how to make the best of electronic communication. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Will nature adapt to our increasing need for information and decreasing attention span? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, that's impossible for one to know for sure. But I'm envisioning children of the future with limited vocal capacity and thinner fingers (for easier texting). </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OK, that might be a bit far-fetched. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But what is sure is that if you put four teenagers together at a table today, more often than not they will text their other friends or surf the net. Our ability (older generations included) to hold an actual conversation might be fading. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once the baby boomers who never knew computers are gone, this trend may only grow stronger. In two or three generations, it will be even easier to share thoughts without effort. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Maybe now is a good time to start a conversation about the future of conversation.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thoughts?</span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-73855711487279416992011-08-20T09:02:00.000-07:002011-08-20T09:02:03.319-07:00The Wedding Files: Part II<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHdZfhXlJso/Tk_aF2kDkPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/sjhxLAKOPSk/s1600/bridebottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHdZfhXlJso/Tk_aF2kDkPI/AAAAAAAAAEY/sjhxLAKOPSk/s1600/bridebottle.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I think I might have the solution to the world's economic problems.<br />
<br />
(Wait for it… wait for it…)<br />
<br />
OK, now.<br />
<br />
Everyone should get married.<br />
<br />
<b><i>WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?</i></b><br />
<br />
Here's why.<br />
<br />
First there's the suits (ka-ching). And the dresses (ka-CHING). The shoes, the ties.<br />
<br />
OH, oops… and the rings. How did I not put rings first?<br />
<br />
Engagement rings are one thing. (I personally can't complain, since I proposed with an heirloom ring. Probably why I didn't list it first. But then, I can't complain about the suit either.)<br />
<br />
You'll of course need wedding bands. Marketing genius dating back to medieval times, I'm guessing.<br />
<br />
And then there's the venue(s). The food. The photographer (so someone can take photos of the food and the people eating it.) the DJ. The booze. The parting gifts.<br />
<br />
Don't forget the invitations, and the subsequent thank you cards. Lord knows Canada Post can use all this business.<br />
<br />
Oh, you also have to buy a 'wedding license'. What does this prove? Nothing. It's a Provincial tax of $140. You go to city/town hall and fork over cash, and they give you a piece of paper that basically says 'thanks for telling us'.<br />
<br />
Then the honeymoon (again I can't complain, thanks family). The struggling U.S. will get a tiny boost from our visit to their west coast (can't wait, California.) But 100 million tourist visits, now we're talking.<br />
<br />
Imagine all the Americans honeymooning in Banff. Canadians honeymooning in California. Belgians honeymooning in Taipei. Taiwanese honeymooning in Switzerland. And so on. Money flowing all around. A win-win-win-win, etc.<br />
<br />
My wedding is now less than a month away, and I count my blessings that my family and family-in-law is helping to ensure it all goes well. I'm very grateful, don't get me wrong. Please don't confuse my dryness with contempt.<br />
<br />
I am a lucky man.<br />
<br />
But seriously. Think of it. One big year of weddings… world-wide. Weddings of all sizes – your grand 'look-at-me' events with 500 guests, your small-time, small-budget nuptials in a poorly lit room with seven people.<br />
<br />
So all you people on the fence, all you people who are holding out for whatever reason… just do it. It's only as painful as, say, ripping off a Band-Aid. Yes, I capitalized Band-Aid. It's a name brand.<br />
<br />
And when you do get married – children. Most likely. Right?<br />
<br />
I don't have to start to list all the costs there, right from the get-go to the age of say… 32.<br />
<br />
Ka-ching, taxes. Birth certificates. Cell phones. Cars. University. WEDDINGS. ka-CHING.<br />
<br />
OK, so back to my point. Everyone, get married. Commitment ain't so bad. Good for the economy, and maybe people will get along more in the world.<br />
<br />
Even if we're all poor after it's all said and done.<br />
<br />
Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-61691880143686818092011-07-17T10:58:00.000-07:002011-07-17T11:04:10.512-07:00Time to UnplugIt's time to pull the plug.<br />
<br />
(That is, after you read this blog post.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJy6xrVZLVE/TiMik51d-VI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vr8Qeg1PUXY/s1600/other+people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QJy6xrVZLVE/TiMik51d-VI/AAAAAAAAADQ/vr8Qeg1PUXY/s320/other+people.jpg" width="213" /></a>When was the last time you unplugged? Oh, sure, you say you're relaxing. You say you have no worries. Yet there you are, checking your phones as if important news is coming any second.<br />
<br />
The fact is, we've forgotten how to chill out.<br />
<br />
Information coming at us from all sides: Internet, TV, ads, radio, everywhere. Every one of them trying its hardest to win our attention. (It seems for now, the Internet has won. Or you wouldn't be reading this, and I wouldn't have written this.)<br />
<br />
I'm not pointing fingers. We're all guilty of trying to take in too much information. Our attention span has dwindled as our thirst for gratification has increased.<br />
<br />
We're not giving our minds a chance to recharge. There's always something we have to do, somewhere we have to be, someone we need to contact. There's no space in between anymore.<br />
<br />
Pause.<br />
<br />
Take a deep breath. Take several.<br />
<br />
Look away from the screen and/or mobile device.<br />
<br />
Turn off the TV.<br />
<br />
Close your eyes for a few minutes. Or hours.<br />
<br />
Just be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
…. and be sure to read my next blog post. Coming this August. Sponsored by Creemore and Apple.<br />
<div><br />
</div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-9055782079726468192011-06-14T15:35:00.000-07:002011-06-14T15:36:30.534-07:00Why I'm cheering for VancouverFirst off, let me just say that I'd love to be cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Stanley Cup finals this year.<br />
<br />
But I can't.<br />
<br />
OK, that's out of the way.<br />
<br />
So, let me explain why I'm cheering for Vancouver, while so many others in Canada apparently aren't for whatever reasons. <br />
<br />
First there's the simple logic: there are two teams left. One is based in the U.S. and the other is based in Canada. I am supporting the Canadian team. Call me crazy and patriotic.<br />
<br />
Now let's rewind a year and a bit to the 2010 Winter Games. Remember how the country united while watching athletes from all over Canada kick butt. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">Remember how we all cheered for every save Roberto Luongo made toward our gold win in hockey</span></b> (how soon we forget).<br />
<br />
OK, so this was a <i>national</i> team in the Olympics, you say. True enough. But the players on Vancouver are also from all over the country, including some from the GTA: Raffi Torres is from Toronto and Manny Malhotra (who made an amazing comeback from an eye injury to play in the finals) is from Mississauga. There are others from the GTA on <a href="http://canucks.nhl.com/club/roster.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Vancouver's roster</span></a>.<br />
<br />
Also let me say that by cheering for Vancouver, it doesn't mean I'm not 'loyal' to Toronto. I have said it before and I will say it again, if Toronto gives me a reason to cheer for them (i.e. make the playoffs), I will jump back on that bandwagon so hard the wheels will fall off.<br />
<br />
By cheering for Vancouver (as the Canadian team), it doesn't mean I don't like American teams. I loved Dallas in their prime (Mike Modano was awesome) and I was very happy for Chicago last year. I also really enjoyed the Ray Bourque years of Boston; I was thrilled when Bourque finally hoisted a cup after being traded to Colorado.<br />
<br />
Oh, and let's not forget how torn I was when the Gretzky-led Kings defeated a very strong Leafs squad in 1993.<br />
<br />
So anyways, I will probably take some flack for this, but I'm really not sure why. Liking a team doesn't mean I dislike you or your team of choice. I just like mine better.<br />
<br />
Go Vancouver. Go CANADA.Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-868561527703973462011-05-31T19:32:00.000-07:002011-05-31T19:34:26.763-07:00i lost my head<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QC4GllIyeuc/TeWkt5Tcp5I/AAAAAAAAADM/wFzGZxfsFEg/s1600/lostmyhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QC4GllIyeuc/TeWkt5Tcp5I/AAAAAAAAADM/wFzGZxfsFEg/s320/lostmyhead.jpg" width="320" /></a>i lost my head that day</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">the things you said went right through</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">and i fell, laughing to myself</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">as the sunlight kissed my shoulders</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">i lost my head that day</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">where are all the memories?</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">spinning backwards from this moment</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">i lost my point of view</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">i lost my head that day</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">laying gently on the air</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">carry me through another doubt</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">and wake me in the morning</div><div><br />
</div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-81305380977791748052011-05-26T13:48:00.000-07:002011-05-26T13:49:05.986-07:00underground<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj6csDx5bM0/Td68X6elcYI/AAAAAAAAADI/OrfH04OBnyU/s1600/underground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj6csDx5bM0/Td68X6elcYI/AAAAAAAAADI/OrfH04OBnyU/s320/underground.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
strangers stuck together<br />
by common circumstance<br />
<br />
riding post-haze apathy<br />
along the squealing rails<br />
<br />
water drips apologies<br />
on spit-shined shoes<br />
<br />
all the while waiting<br />
for a quick way outJeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-40218983895376947692011-05-21T06:35:00.000-07:002011-05-21T06:35:39.241-07:00Top reasons the world can't end today<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">All this talk about the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Rapture</span></a>... don't worry folks! It just can't happen today.</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">Why?</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Leafs haven't won another Stanley Cup yet (that event will likely trigger the Rapture)</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">Oprah's final show hasn't aired yet. You don't want a bunch of pissed of mom ghosts up there. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">The Mayan calendar <i>clearly</i> gives us another year (and a half) to live.</span> </div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">There's still a bunch of restaurants (I mean bars) in Toronto i haven't tried yet. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">I saw Jesus a couple of days ago on Yonge Street, and he looked pretty content. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f6b26b;">Due to overcrowding in heaven, there's not enough room for all believers until the expansion is completed in 2012. </span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;">There already </span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;">is</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"> hell on earth.</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #8e7cc3;"><div style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">And on a personal note... we already have non-refundable deposits down on wedding stuff. </div><div><br />
</div></span><br />
<div><br />
</div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-31439021912726481522011-04-26T20:12:00.000-07:002011-04-26T20:12:31.296-07:00Bringing sexy back (to the election)<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIcgHiorIoU/TbeJeFECG_I/AAAAAAAAADE/7ZAHRI0beVM/s1600/xxx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SIcgHiorIoU/TbeJeFECG_I/AAAAAAAAADE/7ZAHRI0beVM/s320/xxx.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sex sells. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, it would make sense to try and make this federal election a bit sexier to boost voter turnout. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's some sexy-ish phrases the candidates could consider for their literature/and or websites:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">I'll stand behind you if you stand behind me. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">I'm hoping voters give me the tools I need to go the distance. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">Why not stuff your ballot in my box?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e69138;">Hey there, what's your (lawn) sign?</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">A strong election requires voters to think long and hard. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the winner... <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Choosing me for your riding puts you on top. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OK OK ... sorry. That's enough of that. But seriously, if you haven't voted, please do so May 2. Because democracy is sexy, baby!</span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment-->Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-16009801373538202972011-04-18T10:30:00.000-07:002011-04-18T20:04:47.673-07:00Food for ThoughtI've read a lot of 'top 5' or 'top 10' restaurants in Toronto guides, and a lot of them make me frown.<br />
<br />
But what is a restaurant guide, if not just a fancy opinion column with pretty pictures of food? So I thought I would offer up my thoughts since I seem to find myself in a lot of restaurants throughout the city.<br />
<br />
This is not a 'top 5 cocktails' or 'top 5 pizzas' type of thing, it's just a shortlist of restaurants that have impressed me and deserve a try (in my opinion).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.hothousecafe.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">THE HOTHOUSE CAFE </span></a><br />
35 Church St. (at Front)<br />
<br />
OK, so I've been going to the HH Cafe for about half my life, and would like to think I have earned getting good service there. But the truth is, I've always received good service there, except maybe once or twice (not bad if you consider that I've been there probably an average of 20-30 times a year over the last 16-17 years). The flatbread pizzas are awesome, the pasta and jambalaya are great, mussels are yummy, prices are very reasonable, servers are smiley and efficient (and they know who I am!). Not to mention the patio is large and in a great location for people watching. My fave spot to eat in the city, probably always will be.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.yelp.ca/biz/littlefish-toronto"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">LITTLEFISH</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"> </span><br />
3080 Dundas St. W. (at Quebec Ave.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhnTK3CzFWA/TaxzU9iSW3I/AAAAAAAAAC4/MJq9E5cRcT4/s1600/5448482548_69d2252310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qhnTK3CzFWA/TaxzU9iSW3I/AAAAAAAAAC4/MJq9E5cRcT4/s320/5448482548_69d2252310.jpg" width="320" /></a>Littefish is a charming brunch spot in the Junction. The scrambled eggs, heuvos, sausage and pancakes are to die for, the coffee is always fresh, and there are homemade cakes and treats as well. The service is very friendly and personal; the only drawback is sometimes waiting for a table, although it's well worth the wait. Oh yeah, and my partner says the bathroom is immaculate, so points for that!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sidecarrestaurant.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">SIDECAR BAR AND GRILL</span> </a><br />
577 College St. (at Manning Ave.)<br />
<br />
Talk about a high-class dining experience without a high-class price tag! The Sunday-through-Wednesday prix fixe menu (including appetizer, main and dessert) is easily worth the cash ($25 as of April 18, 2011), but there are lots more to feast on including ricotta gnocchi and braised oxtail. Sidecar has quite the extensive wine list. Service and atmosphere are great.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mitzis.ca/sister.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">MITZI'S SISTER</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> </span><br />
1554 Queen St. W. (at Dowling Ave.)<br />
<br />
Mitzi's is a fun spot with a menu that covers off (weekend) brunch to dinner in fine fashion. The blackened haddock (and chili lime chicken) tacos are yummy, as are the black bean burritos and burgers. But what's best about the place is the atmosphere; it's in a great spot, the back patio is awesome, the bar selections are plentiful, the staff is friendly and chatty, and the place always seems fun (even not during the evenings when live entertainment takes over). My last visit there recently had a band featuring a bagpipe; a bit loud, but sounded great from the patio! Plus there was a guy who played there on April 15 with my last name; I should've been there to get his autograph...<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.milagrorestaurant.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">MILAGRO </span></a><br />
5 Mercer St. (At John St.)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LprOGbjyqag/TaxzYKN1dlI/AAAAAAAAAC8/kQtu8PE_nuc/s1600/milagro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LprOGbjyqag/TaxzYKN1dlI/AAAAAAAAAC8/kQtu8PE_nuc/s320/milagro.jpg" width="320" /></a>Milagro actually has three locations, but I'll focus on the one I've actually been to. When I first walked in (don't be afraid of the curtain!) I was greeted with warmth by the staff and handed a huge menu with a huge list of drinks. I'll just say the margaritas are worth the coin and as for the food... well, the burrito tinga was huge and stuffed full of goodness and the enchiladas were worth writing home about (or at least blogging about!)<br />
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<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Revoluci%C3%B3n/136246433082134"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">LA REVOLUCION </span></a><br />
2848 Dundas St. W. (at Keele St.)<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmBfIOtMK44/TaxzrupfihI/AAAAAAAAADA/D76dLnpJsjg/s1600/jarritos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HmBfIOtMK44/TaxzrupfihI/AAAAAAAAADA/D76dLnpJsjg/s320/jarritos.jpg" width="320" /></a>From outside it doesn't look like much, but inside is a different story. The food is about as Mexican as I think you can get without being in Mexico (in fact, their slogan is 'the best Mexican food outside of Mexico'. Or something like that). The music varies from traditional to alternative while you munch on yummy tacos and burritos and sip a Bloody Maria or a Jarrito's Mexican soda. Vive la revolucion! (Sorry, it had to be said.)<br />
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<a href="http://www.djerba-la-douce.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">DJERBA-LA-DOUCE </span></a><br />
1475 Danforth Ave. (near Coxwell Ave.)<br />
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This is the only Tunisian restaurant (that I know of) in the city of Toronto. The food takes a bit of waiting for, but it's well worth it. Try the Merguese sausage or chicken saffron with pasta. They both go well with guava juice (conveniently also on the menu). It's a small place, but there's usually an open table. The chef (and owner) is friendly and seems to genuinely appreciate his customers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.millstreetbrewpub.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">MILL ST. BREW PUB </span></a><br />
55 Mill St. Building 63 (in the Distillery District)<br />
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Yup, it's a pub. But it's better than your average pub. First of all, Mill Street makes awesome beer and they're all available here (with your meal or in the adjacent store). And some might not expect to get lobster at a 'pub', but the lobster grilled cheese on the menu is surprisingly good. The burgers are pretty darn good too. You can even earn your MBA here (Master of Beer Appreciation), a stamp card that carries rewards. Oh, and the patio offers a view of the distillery district... need I say more?<br />
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<a href="http://www.udupipalace.ca/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">UDUPI PALACE</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;"> </span><br />
1460 Gerrard St. E. (at Craven Rd.)<br />
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This place is awesome. You can eat South Indian cuisine until you almost explode for a relatively little amount of cash, and every dish that I've tried (all the dishes here are vegetarian) tastes great. The deep fried onion pakoras are a great way to start.<br />
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What do you think, people? I'd love to hear your picks.Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-2851990412288130362011-04-07T15:36:00.000-07:002011-04-07T15:39:10.297-07:00Who should decide if Graffiti is Art?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gzi_Xs4fHs/TZ48JsRhG5I/AAAAAAAAACw/9syFjtyP6zk/s1600/38183_10150224824080357_720300356_13951357_904972_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Gzi_Xs4fHs/TZ48JsRhG5I/AAAAAAAAACw/9syFjtyP6zk/s320/38183_10150224824080357_720300356_13951357_904972_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The age-old debate: is graffiti art?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And who is to decide this, Mayor Rob Ford and the rest of council?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/977920--mayor-cleans-up-graffiti"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Mayor Ford was in Toronto's Davenport area April 7</span></a> and he personally powerwashed some spraypaint from walls as part of the Clean Toronto Together campaign. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While many graffiti tags are admittedly unsightly (in my opinion), there is also some beautiful work in that area and other parts of the city. Will they also meet their fate?</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJfnVVdy1SU/TZ48LNgZqLI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WUT9uXmzbCQ/s1600/39476_10150224824185357_720300356_13951361_4610325_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJfnVVdy1SU/TZ48LNgZqLI/AAAAAAAAAC0/WUT9uXmzbCQ/s320/39476_10150224824185357_720300356_13951361_4610325_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's an idea: perhaps a committee, made up of artists, residents and municipal officials (gotta even the keel), should do a 'juried show' of Toronto's graffiti. There could be several committees – maybe one in each ward – which would catalogue the graffiti and decide whether it should stay. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Graffiti deemed 'good enough' (i.e. looking like someone put some time and effort into it) and not on private property (against the owner's will) would gain immunity from the city's cleanup campaign. The 'saved' graffiti could also become part of an art tour of some kind. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This could be a nice compromise for those who want the graffiti eradicated and those who appreciate it as art. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just an idea...</span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-20041231553692115972011-03-30T10:05:00.000-07:002011-03-30T10:33:23.524-07:00A Royal waste of Money?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBdMJl2Fb0E/TZNitCpfHPI/AAAAAAAAACs/jvFgKV1lIe4/s1600/prince_william_kate_middleton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cBdMJl2Fb0E/TZNitCpfHPI/AAAAAAAAACs/jvFgKV1lIe4/s320/prince_william_kate_middleton.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>While my wife-to-be and I gasp over quotes to cater and photograph our wedding, in England the Royal couple <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8141237/Royal-wedding-Queen-and-Charles-to-pay-their-share-of-the-bill.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">could rack up a bill of fifty million pounds</span></a> (about CDN $78 million). <br />
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On top of that, the big wedding <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8155625/Royal-wedding-marriage-will-cost-economy-5bn.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">could cost Britain’s economy six billion pounds</span></a> because the spectacle has actually been declared a bank holiday, sandwiched in a bunch of other holidays.<br />
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OK, I know this is Prince William we're talking about here – an heir to the throne – but I can't imagine the pressure of such an event. Everyone who is anyone (<a href="http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canadians+should+attend+royal+wedding+Poll/4524561/story.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">with the exception of the Canadian Prime Minister, it seems</span></a>) will be in attendance – 1,900 people in total, not to mention millions of TV viewers.<br />
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I personally believe a wedding should be a private affair for family and close friends. Not a grand 'look-at-me' gesture.<br />
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We are looking at around 100 guests, which I consider a big crowd. And so far, our wedding hasn't been picked up by any TV networks.<br />
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It seems like a colossal waste of cash to me to spend fifty million pounds on a one-day party. Maybe I'm too social-minded; I would rather help others with that money. Which is probably why I'll never be rich (sorry, honey).<br />
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But to be fair to Prince William and Kate Middleton, they probably don't have much say in the matter. The royalty before them are surely calling the shots on this one.<br />
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I have nothing against the Royal Family, but I do have something against lavish spending that will benefit only those involved.Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-22189145832519944102011-03-09T15:29:00.000-08:002011-03-09T15:34:29.474-08:00Wondering the Universe (PT. 1)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I have an interest in history. But not just your usual interest in say, the world wars, pioneers, or pirates (although pirates are super sweet. Second only to ninjas). </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My curiosity goes a bit further than that. Let me explain. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We tend to take human behaviour for granted – we laugh, we kiss, we fart, we drink, we joke, we eat prepared food... yes, you get the idea.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">How did this all come to be?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Did you ever stop to think who the first person to tell a joke was, and what that joke may have been? </span><br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Js9NJyCIcu8/TXgNDAeKxJI/AAAAAAAAACg/wAKV3wj3u3M/s1600/neanderthals_1213317c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Js9NJyCIcu8/TXgNDAeKxJI/AAAAAAAAACg/wAKV3wj3u3M/s320/neanderthals_1213317c.jpg" width="320" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Back to the dawn of man: While out hunting for food, one Neanderthal turns to the other and says, "ugghh.... so... ugghhhhh.... what call dinner?" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Other neanderthal looks puzzled. "ArrrrGGGHH... what?" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First neanderthal says... "Dead meat!" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Translated of course from some ancient dialect.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Pause) then a short grunt that could pass for a laugh from Nean#2. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">OK, so it's a bad joke. But remember, that was supposed to be the first joke ever. Of course it's going to suck. I mean, it probably wasn't a knock-knock joke. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But if it was... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Knock knock!" </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Neanderthal asks, "Who there?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Voice from behind cave door: "Sab!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nean: "Sab who?"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"SABRE TOOTH TIGER!"</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Along those same lines, can you explain why farting is funny? OK, it's just a basic bodily function. But who was the first to laugh about it? </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just think, before farting was funny, early man could just fart and keep on 'talking' like nothing happened. But now it's in our instincts to react to flatulence with snickering. Next time you're talking to a friend and let out a long fart, try not to crack a smile while continuing to talk. (Good luck.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And what about kissing... is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>that</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> instinct or did an accidental smashing of lips lead to the modern day version? I mean, think back to your first kiss. Was it awkward? Probably. Now think back to the FIRST KISS EVER and the thoughts that would be going through their heads: </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT… ohhhh, that's nice." (Translated of course from some ancient dialect.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And what about alcohol? I mean, <a href="http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-alcohol.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">historians claim fermentation is as old at 10,000 BC</span></a>. But was it an accident that led to the discovery that rotting material can get you drunk? And who was the first person to get hammered and subsequently hungover, and how did he/she relay this experience to their peers?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Man, I was so hungry last night I ate some rice sitting in a bowl... but it was a bit mushy... and I drank the stuff at the bottom. Next thing I know, all the women servants looked better than ever and then I blacked out. But they said I danced like never before." (Translated of course from some ancient dialect.)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So just let your mind wander (wonder?). Think about the first person ever to do any given thing in your daily life, and what they must've thought at the time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Those folks didn't have any kids in the schoolyard to tell them how it is. They were the ones who <i>told the others</i> who eventually down the line <i>told the first kid in the first schoolyard</i> about it, who then passed it down through generations. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kinda blows your mind. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Feel free to add more thoughts and theories to this. I mean, maybe we'll uncover another first in the process. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oops, just farted. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ha. </span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-51132532730358003962011-03-07T07:14:00.000-08:002011-03-07T07:15:15.850-08:00The Wedding Files: Part I<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px;"> </span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;"><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OCselpavfaI/TXT04_n7PjI/AAAAAAAAACc/56Ih9mWo_sQ/s1600/bridebottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OCselpavfaI/TXT04_n7PjI/AAAAAAAAACc/56Ih9mWo_sQ/s320/bridebottle.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Sometimes, you surprise even yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">That's exactly what happened to me when I proposed to my girlfriend of two years – on Valentine's Day of all days... cheesy, right?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">But it was the perfect day to do it. My girlfriend (love you Gooberstix!) didn't suspect I would pull this stunt, especially on a day when guys are </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">supposed</span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> to do something nice for women.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">I put the ring in a bigger box (how clever am I) and when she saw the ring box, she was so excited she slipped the ring on her own finger. I didn't really even have to ask for a 'yes'.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">So now that the nerve-wracking proposal is out of the way (I almost couldn't feel my legs after), now comes the real challenge, one that I didn't really expect; well, sort of, but not fully –<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Planning. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">What colour should the flowers be? Will shoes match those flowers? Pink or white gold in the wedding band? What theme for a cake? Open bar or drink tickets? Should there be bagpipes? What songs should be on the playlist? Should I shave?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">That's just the tip of the iceberg. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I'm just a tiny bit overwhelmed. That being said, I'm keeping the planning duties at arm's length, as my wife-to-be has surrounded herself with wedding magazines to help guide her through the process. And she really seems to enjoy it all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">So do I to a certain point, but if my brain spends more than an hour or two thinking about a wedding each day, it will short out and explode. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">But with all the planning so far, there's also been a genuine outpouring of love and encouragement from our friends and family. We've already been treated to an engagement party complete with Rock Band, with another party coming up and who knows what in between.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">From a partying/hanging with friends and family standpoint, getting married is awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">It's also awesome when your partner is awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">So if the flowers are yellow or blue, if the music is jazz or rock, if we serve</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> sausage rolls or cheese sticks, in the end it doesn't really matter to me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">All I want is for my beautiful bride-to-be to say 'I do'. (Awwww. Hope I didn't spoil anyone's lunch.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Stay tuned as we navigate our way along the curvy road to wedded bliss. </span></span></div></span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-61298261638248065592011-03-03T15:17:00.000-08:002011-03-03T15:35:11.682-08:00There's a little bit of Sheen in all of us...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-boE44h9iUug/TXAX459zu2I/AAAAAAAAACY/-JEq0fpTkC0/s1600/250524513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-boE44h9iUug/TXAX459zu2I/AAAAAAAAACY/-JEq0fpTkC0/s320/250524513.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">If I could have your attention for just Two and a Half seconds:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">A lot has been floated in the media recently regarding embattled Hollywood (hero? Anti-hero?) Charlie Sheen. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I'm not above <a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/charlie-sheen-joins-twitter-says-hes-winning-a354834"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">writing about his activities of late</span></a> either. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">But is any of it actually newsworthy? Well, this is one of those times when the public makes that call. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Truth is, the average person has an insatiable appetite when it comes to the perceived falls-from-grace of Hollywood Stars (note: I just Googled 'fall from grace' and the first hit was a Sheen story). That's what has kept tabloids at grocery checkouts for so many years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">You may not ever pick up or buy those gossip rags (or read quickly-pieced together celebrity dirt stories like mine on the web), but don't pretend you're not interested in Sheen's antics. Even those people who are criticizing Sheen, or making comments like "I couldn't care less about him"– well, they have just expressed an interest in some form or another. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Truth is, Sheen represents the human condition; we can all see some aspects of ourselves in him. His free-loving ways, drinking, drugging, <a href="http://bostonherald.com/track/star_tracks/view.bg?articleid=1319238"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">lashing out</span></a>, and wild partying are all things we've imagined we'd like to take part in at some point (as if we haven't already). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 19px;">It's the same principle that makes people see movies like <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119646/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">The Hangover</span></i></a> and call it "awesome". They put themselves in the character's shoes, and think, "Wow, wouldn't it be great to let go – I mean, really let go – for just one night?"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">As it turns out, Sheen seems to have 'let it go' many nights.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">That being said, like many, many others I'm a fan of his sitcom (which is currently on hold), <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369179/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">Two and a Half Men</span></i></a>, which seems to mirror his life. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Why do I like the show? Because his character lives his life the way he chooses to live it. He is witty. He is funny. He is 'winning'.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">But there is another side to this man that some of the more 'responsible' folks can relate to. After <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/charliesheen"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">he joined Twitter</span></a> recently and posted a picture of himself alongside one of his 'goddesses' (as he calls them), he also updated his million-plus followers about the status of his twin boys, <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2011/03/charlie-sheen-is-served-with-a-restraining-order-kids-are-taken-away.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">who were taken from him by police after his ex-wife claimed foul</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">After thanking all the Twitter users who followed him and wished him well – "In all sincerity... Thank you Twitter community for the warm reception" – he posted, "Pardon my absence.... My first concern is my kids... Back soon..!"<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">He has also reportedly <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/01/sitcom.crew.sheen/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6fa8dc;">backed off on demands for a pay increase</span></a> for appearances on the sitcom, while advocating for the show's crew to get its payout for cancelled episodes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Does that sound like a man who has completely forgotten all responsibility and courtesy? Is he an antisocial monster like some media outlets seem to paint him as?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I don't think so. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">As my wonderful wife-to-be (love you Gooberstix!) said about the male fascination with Sheen – "</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">I think men who are generally decent have a hard time looking away from stuff like this, like Charlie is showing you the 'other' way of being a successful guy.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">"</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">That sums it up better than I ever could. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;">Thanks for reading. Now back to real news – for example –</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14pt;"> <a href="http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/1385193"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">radical change in the Middle East</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;">. </span></span></div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-6083855119573706402011-02-27T09:23:00.000-08:002011-02-27T09:25:41.362-08:00A nobody's predictions of Oscar winners<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7Zm_1dHvZc/TWqGm4hR2tI/AAAAAAAAACM/_96svXMGNV4/s1600/oscar-statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7Zm_1dHvZc/TWqGm4hR2tI/AAAAAAAAACM/_96svXMGNV4/s320/oscar-statue.jpg" width="233" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Here is a layman's perspective (mine) on who will, and who should, win Oscars in major categories during the <a href="http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/83/nominees.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">83rd Academy Awards</span></a> tonight. </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Actor in a Leading Role</span><br />
<br />
• Javier Bardem in “Biutiful”<br />
• Jeff Bridges in “True Grit”<br />
• Jesse Eisenberg in “The Social Network”<br />
• Colin Firth in “The King's Speech”<br />
• James Franco in “127 Hours”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>Eisenberg.</i> Besides, it would be kind of tacky for a co-host of the Oscars to win a major award this early in the list.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>Firth.</i> I haven't even seen the movie, but I'm hearing he's great in it and I believe it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sNapmdjDWt4/TWqGupNuhXI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZAfwu97IgzA/s1600/why_christian_bale_flipped_out1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sNapmdjDWt4/TWqGupNuhXI/AAAAAAAAACQ/ZAfwu97IgzA/s320/why_christian_bale_flipped_out1.jpg" width="243" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Actor in a Supporting Role</span><br />
<br />
• Christian Bale in “The Fighter”<br />
• John Hawkes in “Winter's Bone”<br />
• Jeremy Renner in “The Town”<br />
• Mark Ruffalo in “The Kids Are All Right”<br />
• Geoffrey Rush in “The King's Speech”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>Bale.</i> Because the Academy is perhaps afraid he'll have a temper tantrum if he doesn't win.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>Rush.</i> Just because he's Geoffrey Rush. And if he can play a pirate that well...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Actress in a Leading Role</span><br />
<br />
• Annette Bening in “The Kids Are All Right”<br />
• Nicole Kidman in “Rabbit Hole”<br />
• Jennifer Lawrence in “Winter's Bone”<br />
• Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”<br />
• Michelle Williams in “Blue Valentine”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>Portman.</i> Her performance was so over-the-top that it may have confused the Academy into thinking it was brilliant (not to say it wasn't pretty good).<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>Williams.</i> For no other reason than that she dragged me into Dawson's Creek, and I didn't mind drowning.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kkJM7k3oyeo/TWqGv9z6poI/AAAAAAAAACU/sHuyDTvo-qM/s1600/helena-bonham-carter-spring-shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-kkJM7k3oyeo/TWqGv9z6poI/AAAAAAAAACU/sHuyDTvo-qM/s1600/helena-bonham-carter-spring-shoes.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Actress in a Supporting Role</span><br />
<br />
• Amy Adams in “The Fighter”<br />
• Helena Bonham Carter in “The King's Speech”<br />
• Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”<br />
• Hailee Steinfeld in “True Grit”<br />
• Jacki Weaver in “Animal Kingdom”<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>Bonham Carter</i>. Because she's the only one I've heard of aside from Amy Adams.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>Bonham Carter</i>. Because her shoes are cool.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Foreign Language Film</span><br />
<br />
• “Biutiful” Mexico<br />
• “Dogtooth” Greece<br />
• “In a Better World” Denmark<br />
• “Incendies” Canada<br />
• “Outside the Law (Hors-la-loi)” Algeria<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>Incendies</i>. I've heard only amazing things about this film.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>Incendies</i>. Because I love when Canada competes in a foreign language category.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">Best Picture</span><br />
<br />
• “Black Swan” Mike Medavoy, Brian Oliver and Scott Franklin, Producers<br />
• “The Fighter” David Hoberman, Todd Lieberman and Mark Wahlberg, Producers<br />
• “Inception” Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan, Producers<br />
• “The Kids Are All Right” Gary Gilbert, Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and Celine Rattray, Producers<br />
• “The King's Speech” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers<br />
• “127 Hours” Christian Colson, Danny Boyle and John Smithson, Producers<br />
• “The Social Network” Scott Rudin, Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca and Ceán Chaffin, Producers<br />
• “Toy Story 3” Darla K. Anderson, Producer<br />
• “True Grit” Scott Rudin, Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, Producers<br />
“Winter's Bone" Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin, Producers<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">My guess for winner:</span> <i>The Social Network</i>. Do half a billion people use True Grit? Exactly.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Who should win:</span> <i>The King's Speech</i>. I haven't seen the movie, but I really do want to hear what the King has to say (there's a lot to be said for good promotion).<br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1121898760260195000.post-40913308248854083082011-02-22T11:28:00.000-08:002011-02-22T11:33:32.615-08:00Supply and Demand: A real Gashole<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5MBT5vEQvA/TWQJKcg72gI/AAAAAAAAABs/Op3sxzcSZCI/s1600/gas_pump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A5MBT5vEQvA/TWQJKcg72gI/AAAAAAAAABs/Op3sxzcSZCI/s320/gas_pump.jpg" width="243" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">For any of you who may be thinking the </span></span><a href="http://www.suite101.com/content/increasing-conflict-in-libya-could-mean-increased-gas-prices-a351328"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">conflicts in northern Africa</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> (ie. Libya, Egypt and Tunisia in case you've been living under a rock) aren't going to affect you here in relatively cozy Canada:</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">You're wrong.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Aside from the fact that, at this rate, Africa could become a fully-democratic power with </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Africa"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">more than a billion people</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">(compared to about </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">half a billion in all of North America</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">), the result of the anti-government fighting across the big pond will likely hit you all on this side of the planet right where it hurts the most: the wallet. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">The civil uprising in oil-rich Libya is making investors nervous which is affecting the price of crude. Which will inevitably mean you will pay more at the pump.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Yes, I'm talking to you, guy with the eight-seater SUV that requires 100L of fuel. Actually, you probably don't care because you're driving a $45,000+ vehicle. Maybe I should direct this warning at the sedan/compact car driving individuals who chose their car for economy and/or environmental reasons.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Two days ago it cost me (actually, my wife-to-be) $60 to fill up my four-cylinder Hyundai. What? </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">That price will only shoot up. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Is fuel production/supply really decreasing in Libya </span></span><a href="http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20110222/mideast-oil-prices-110222/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">as reports state</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">? Who really knows for sure, except those who are producing it. But it's a great excuse for the oil giants to adjust prices in their favour. For as long as they want. </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><br />
</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;">Anyways, if you need gas, now's the time to do it before the ripple effect puts a ripple in your wallet.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br />
</span></span>Jeff Haywardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02226579755922113120noreply@blogger.com0