Politically Incorrect

  PM Trudeau is taking a hit in the press for his somewhat glowing eulogy for Fidel Castro, who died over the weekend. I can see their point. It was quite nice. Maybe he was going for that old adage about not speaking ill of the dead. Who knows.

  Then I saw and heard the commentary about President Obama's public response. He was taken to task as well for not being hard enough. Personally I didn't see anything wrong with his comments.

  Keep in mind the people of Cuba are still under a dictatorship. Raul is alive and well and firmly in control of the country. Canada has never cut ties with the country. Many Canadians travel there every year. And are treated as royalty I might add. So what exactly should our PM have said?

  Fidel Castro was a dictator. Period. He was responsible for many deaths. He restricted the freedoms of the people and imprisoned them for perceived dissent. Absolutely. Everyone knows those facts. But in the world of politics and diplomacy you can't say that. There is no polite way to. 

  If Canada is to continue to have good relations with Cuba then we need to be diplomatic and politically correct. Maybe just a little less "nice Canadian" next time around.

  Ang

Defending Baron and Kanye

  Anyone who knows me, or reads this, knows I'm not a Donald Trump or Kanye West fan. In fact both make me very angry. They are rude, smug, arrogant and if I had to pick one word to best describe them it would be "jackass". However...this week I find myself defending them. Who would have thunk it??

  Rosie O'Donnell crossed a line this past week. We all know about the history she has with Trump. He has called her some nasty names and they have engaged in a war of tweets for a few years now. Until now I would have defended her but not anymore. She made some comments about his son perhaps being autistic. This is a big, huge no-no.

  Say what you want about the Dad. Even the wife and adult kids. They are putting themselves in the lime light and as adults, can defend their own opinions and thoughts. Baron is a child of ten. My son's age. Leave him alone. Don't mention his name. Don't talk about his likes, dislikes or what subjects he is good at in school. Leave him alone.

  His father ran for President. He had no say in it. None what-so-ever. He has no opinions on healthcare, no policy ideas, no thoughts on foreign affairs. Let him go about the business of being a kid. In private. Oh and don't surmise what he thinks about his Dad...it's his Dad. He thinks he is a super hero. Just like he should. Like every kid should. 

  Kanye....what can I say. He is having some mental health issues. Leave him alone. He is getting much needed help. Give him the space to heal. Let him, and his family, put their lives back together with the privacy you would want and expect. Mental illness is the same as cancer, diabetes or asthma....no one asks for it or deserves it.

  No matter how much we dislike a person.....leave the kids and those with mental illness alone.

  Ang

It's the Holidays! 🎄

  It's officially the holiday season!!!! Yes I said holiday...time for all the Christians of the world to realize there are others who celebrate this time of year too. The season translates to eating more, drinking more, entertaining more and spending more. And more isn't always better.

  This time of year begins my "Martha Stewart" dream world. As someone who has no interest in cooking 11 months out of the year, I'm always shocked that I'm on Pintrest trying to find recipes. "Pinning" them as if I really am going to make them! Talk about not being self-aware. Maybe this year will be different. Don't bet on it.

  Over the next three short weeks, we are seeing A Christmas Carol, Riley's school party....which I'm organizing, a 20+ person holiday dinner...which I'm cooking, my book club...which might be here, and a birthday party. Add in all the regular activities and we are one busy family!

  There are still presents to buy then wrap. Boxes to ship. Cards to sign and mail. The final bits of decorating to do. It's tiring just thinking about it all.

  It will all get done. It always does. We will eat too much. Drink too much. Stay out too late. And spend too much. So will all of you.  After all...tis the season.

  Let the festivities begin!

  Ang

  

Memories

  For me, the best part of Christmas decorating is the memories it brings back. After hauling way too many boxes, that are way too heavy, up way too many stairs, it's nice to take each precious item out and remember it's significance. And boy do we have some great memories!

  We have a Christmas house that plays music. I remember buying it from a jewelry store in Halifax for $45....29 years ago!! It was a huge extravagance for us and the first real decoration we bought together. I look at it now and wonder what were we thinking but it's still displayed with pride every year.

  There are four ornaments for the tree that belonged to my Grandmother. They are probably sixty years old. Very fragile and very dirty but they can't be cleaned because the last bit of sparkle will come off. They are irreplaceable.

  Over the years the kids have made decorations at school and they all hang with pride on the tree. It's funny to see how much they have changed as most of them have their picture on it. They are growing so fast.

  Everywhere we travel, as a family or alone, we get an ornament. Those all have stories that go with them and we laugh at some crazy memory from the trip. Now the kids tell us the anecdotes and we smile knowing they will always remember our adventures. That's a true Christmas blessing.

  Take a few minutes as you begin to prepare your home for the holidays to think about past festivities. Those memories will start the celebration for you.

  Ang

How Rude!

  My friend Lew teaches etiquette for a living. In the workplace, at school, even for social situations. It's a thriving business with affiliates in many countries. Over this past weekend I found some new clients for her. Lots of clients.

  Client number one, Kanye West, who had a "concert" in Sacramento on Saturday. He was an hour late, sang just three songs, went on a 17 minute rant about not voting, supporting Trump and bashing Beyonce then walked off the stage. What??? That's not a concert that's a late night talk show. He has a sense of self-importance that is off the charts. Imagine those folks who paid $250 for that privilege!

  Always on the "in need of some civility" list, Donald Trump went back to his old ways on Twitter. He was ranting about SNL being unfair and one-sided. Then demanding the cast of Hamilton apologize to Mike Pence over comments made to him at a performance this past week. Several rather non-presidential tweets. God help who ever is going to have to monitor his social media presence.

  Closer to home, another client would have to be the hockey parents I encountered this weekend at Riley's tournament. OMG! Screaming at the kids....both their own and the other team. Celebrating as if this was the Stanley Cup finals and not a C level game even when the score was 6-0. Laughing at nine and ten year olds who miss the puck. Heckling the other parents. Seriously what an example.

  We seem to be sliding down a slippery slope where we forget how to be decent and kind. That other people matter just as much as we do.  That civility says more about us than others.

  Remember...if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all. Words to live by.

  Ang

***check out Lew's website at lewbayer.com ***
  

Money = Happiness?

  Does money buy happiness? People who have little would say yes. Those who have lots say no. I think they are both right.

  If I didn't have to worry about doing laundry or vacuuming I'd be happier and with money I would most definitely have a service. Buying groceries would definitely be easier....oh wait i could hire someone to buy them for me so yes I'd be happier. Then someone to cook them when I was hungry. Really all the mundane things in my life would be easier and that would definitely make me happier.

  John would be able to fully retire and spending more time with him would make me happier. Not worrying about mortgages, hydro bills and car repairs would take a lot of stress out of my life thereby making me happier. Going on exotic vacations would make me extremely happy especially with the extra leg room and comfort of first class.

  As I read what I wrote I'm seeing a trend. Everything I mentioned, except for spending time with John, was stress related. Bills, housework, budgets. Perhaps moneys greatest gift is relieving some of the stress of day to day life. Cooking when you want to not because there is no alternative. Going to see a movie even though the gas bill was high this month. Not worrying about how much it will cost to ship your Christmas parcels to family far away. The little things.

  Maybe, just maybe, it can buy some happiness but not bliss. Contentment but not joy. Hopefully one day we will all know the answer.

  Now where did I put that lottery ticket......

  Ang

Cough cough cough

  It's 3:05. It's cold and dark out. Nothing is moving on my street. Too early even for the newspaper delivery. Not a car has driven past in almost an hour. And I'm awake. And coughing. And coughing. And coughing and coughing.

  I feel better. Much better. No headache from sinus pressure. My throat no longer hurts. Where did this cough come from? It's never kept me from sleeping but now as soon as my head hits the pillow it begins. Yesterday my neighbor was complaining she has the 100 day cough. Hopefully this isn't the same thing!

  John gets up at 5 so he needs to sleep. The kids have school and they will be grouchy if they don't sleep. So I decided to come downstairs and let them sleep. Hoping that I could fall back asleep sitting up in the chair. That plan didn't work. 

  I coughed my way through Trevor Noah. Watched an episode of Law & Order UK with the fabulous Bradley Walsh who I've loved for years. Filled out Alex's ski club papers. Read through my twitter feed. Cleaned the island. I want to go to bed....but not to lay there and cough.

  My voice is back to normal. Yes I spoke just to hear how it sounds. Don't pretend you haven't done that. I could call someone I suppose. Who would take a three in the morning call from me besides Tom? Truthfully no one.

  Fifteen minutes have passed. My feet are freezing on this tile...note to self let's look at the price of radiant floor heating. I've got a headache starting from the coughing. Tylenol should soon be kicking in. I'm taking some water and my bag of lozenges and heading back to bed. 

  Wish me luck.
 
  Ang

Education Equals? Nope!

  Education is supposed to be the great equalizer. No matter where you live in this wonderful country of ours, each and every child has access to a free, quality education. Whether you are in rural Brooks Alberta, downtown Toronto or suburban Cole Harbor Nova Scotia, your education is supposed to be of the same high standards. And for the most part it is. But not everyone it seems, are entitled to the same experiences.

  Here in Ottawa we have "art" schools and "sports" schools. Those that put high emphases on those subjects while still doling out the three R's. More money is spent on plays, costumes, vocal instruction than the average school.  Cash flows for basketball, training, conditioning and such. Both are great to have and in a city of a million people, very popular. 

  But what if you live in a rural area. Where you can't change schools because there isn't another one to choose from. Perhaps there isn't even a drama teacher at said school. Or enough resources to have a lacrosse team, girls hockey team or an in-school workout area. The reality is those kids do not get the same opportunities. 

  What about paying for gym? Is it now the normal to pay for phys. ed? We've paid a $25 physical education course fee the past two years for Alex. That is above and beyond his student fee of $30. It never occurred to me that I would have to pay a gym fee....what does that go for? 

  But my biggest beef is the extra money given to french schools here for language instruction. Don't know what the hell that means in a french school. Is there extra money given for Mandarin? Or Inuktitun? It makes no sense to me. And so far no one who is "in the know" can explain it properly. Trust me I spoke to many people on the subject just this morning.

  Sadly I must admit defeat and change my way of thinking. Education is not the great equalizer I grew up knowing. Opportunities are not the same. Range of study is not open to everyone. Our children may have all been born equal but they won't apply to university as equals.

  And that is very sad indeed.

  Ang

Sorry

  I've heard repeatedly this week that Donald Trump needs to apologize for the comments he made during the U.S. election. You know the ones....racists, murderers, bleeding, Miss Housekeeping, walls, and on and on and on. That this would be a huge step in the process of bringing the country together. But would it?

  We teach our kids that words damage people and that sometimes even if you say sorry it's not enough. The person might not forgive you. You might lose their friendship and/or trust. Does that same truth not apply to so called "celebrities"? Are there no consequences?

  Well obviously not because he is going to be the next president. But can an apology really change anyone's opinion of him? I have had arguments with lots of people over the years while bartending. Of every color, religion and ethnicity. Not once did I ever use a racial, religious or cultural slur when confronted with angry, disgruntled people. Never. Nor did anyone I ever worked with. Ever. It's not who I am. 

  There is a saying I love "When someone shows you who they are believe them!". If someone automatically goes for the bigoted comment, that's who they are, a bigot. If someone uses racist jargon, that's who they are, a racist. If someone says disgusting, spiteful comments about women, they are misogynistic. Believe them.

  Donald Trump is the man he appeared to be during the election. He is everything we tell our children not to be. No amount of apologizing will change that. Especially when it is a paid lackey who is telling him to do it. There would be no sincerity in his words.

  If it makes you feel better to have him give an insincere apology well....remember that the next time someone says those things about you.

  Ang

SNL

   I love Chris Rock! He is my favorite comedian. Smart humor is how I would describe his style. A thinking persons jokes. He is both realistic and incensed all in the same breath. Last night he was on Saturday Night Live and nailed an election night skit. Nailed it. It showed white people's naivety and black people's knowledge of how their country works. And he wasn't even the star!

  Dave Chappelle was the host and he was funny. I read that some places censored his monologue which was peppered to say the least. He's not a Trump fan as you can imagine. He did however apologize to Lorne Michaels but I'm pretty sure Lorne was ok with it. It was spot on and funny. Great combination.

  Comedians are going to have a field day with this new president and his very thin skin. There is a world of comedy at their finger tips. He will blunder his way through four years and late night talk show hosts will be the real winners. I can hear Trevor Noah from here.

  John Stewart retired too soon!

  Ang

  

Ughhh

  Alex passed his cold off to me. Thanks. Very kind of you. Which explains why I'm sitting here wide awake for the past two hours. Last night was tough with the sinus pressure, so for now, I'm ok with sitting up.

  Since everyone else is asleep I've been staying quiet. I watched two episodes of Will & Grace, which made it very difficult to not laugh out loud. A few minutes of several home improvement shows. Channel surfing. But it's still only 4:30.

  I can't turn the heat up and it's quite chilly. The heat aggravates my sinuses. I would like some socks. Or slippers. Maybe Santa will bring me some. But for now I'll suffer through.

  The Blacklist is playing in the background. My favorite addiction. I've had a tea and some soup. Blown my nose countless times. Washed my hands even more. Time to find more medicine.

  I hate being sick.

  Ang 

  

Seriously????

  Congratulations people of the United States! You have shown the world your true colors.  And orange is your color of choice.

  You have chosen a leader who, by his own words, disrespects women, veterans, people of color, Muslims, immigrants, Mexicans and anyone who doesn't agree with him.

  He attacks at the slightest of provocations. Going after his perceived enemy with the nastiness of a twelve year old school yard bully. His choice of words is cruel and intentionally hateful. He is dismissive and arrogant. He is everything we tell our children not to be.

  Your soon-to-be leader scares the democratic world. He is loved by Putin and feared by your allies. That should scare you. Apparently it doesn't. ISIS leaders are laughing their asses off. That should scare you. Apparently it doesn't. I'm sure in the very near future it will. Damn sure.

  Today the world must start to pick up the pieces from the fire storm you have inflicted on us. Just like the housing/banking crisis that crippled most of the world, we yet again, must deal with a plummeting stock market, global uncertainty and economic upheaval....over your choices. The entire world suffers because you picked a leader based on bigotry and fear instead of policy.

  You have gone from a dignified, respectful, competent leader to a racist, bigoted, misogynistic, loudmouthed bully. Congrats.

  Ang

  
  

Election Day

  I wasn't sure we would live through it! It's been a long road filled with bombs, guerrilla warfare and internet recruiting. But we survived. It's election day in the U.S.! Finally!!!!

  I'm not sure about the rest of the world but in Canada we have heard waaaaaay too much about an election we have no say in! Every single news agency is bombarding us with coverage. And while I don't normally speak for the country I will now. We are tired of it! Enough. Vote and put the rest of us out of our misery!

  Who ever wins, the first executive order they make should be to shorten this process down...by about 18 months! At least. Just imagine what all that wasted money could have been used for? How many schools could have a free lunch program just from that? Mind-boggling.

  Go vote citizens of the United States. Flex your democratic muscles. Maybe then the news agencies will focus on the real issues of the world.

  Fingers crossed the world wakes up to a female President. Not an orange one.

  Ang

Disrespectful?

  I told myself I wouldn't do it. That this year I would let the "disrespectful" comments go in one ear and out the other. I told myself that everyone has a right to their own opinion no matter how much I disagree with them. Still taking all of that into account..... here I go.

  Remembrance Day is November 11. This Friday. A day when we as a nation, show our respect for those who never came home from war, those who did and those who serve our country today. It is a privilege and an honor to show these brave men and women our thanks for their sacrifices. Sadly every year the number of people who show up at these services are less and less.

  Over the past few years, in the news, on social media and in public places, people are talking about how disrespectful it is to put up Christmas decorations before Friday. Perhaps if it was Veterans or serving military members who were saying this I would be more inclined to agree. They are not. It's people who have never served who seem to have the biggest problems with it.

  My husband was gone to Afghanistan over Christmas in 2001. He left with no return date. No idea what was in store for him. His country said this was where he needed to be so that's where he was going. The last thing he was made to do before leaving was to up-date his will. That is an eye opener let me tell you.

  Through out the years he has missed birthdays, weddings, funerals, anniversaries, holidays and more family time than I care to remember. He has been held at gunpoint and helped take plane wreckage out of the ocean. He has foot, back, knee and hearing problems due 100% to his job. 

  One would think after doing all of those things our government would take care of him. With out any issues or fuss. That's not the case though. We have been relatively well treated by Veteran's Affairs. And when John felt he hadn't been he fought the system and always came out with the result he wanted in the first place. But he is in the minority.

  Too many Veteran's don't get the assistance they need. From healthcare and  transportation to housecleaning and yard services, some vets are not getting even the basic care they rightfully deserve. That is disrespectful. Ninety year old WW11 veterans are told to apply for programs on line. That is disrespectful. Claims being denied because of minor spelling errors. That is disrespectful. Veterans who are living in squalor. That is disrespectful.

  I can go on and on about the way our Veteran's are treated on a daily basis. But most people don't want to hear that. They want to complain about Christmas decorations. My friend Sandra just got a Christmas tree removed from a liquor store in her home town citing that it was disrespectful. While I don't agree with her on the respect factor, she does however get a pat on the back from me because she volunteers with a PTSD support group. She has written her MP's and complained about the treatment of veterans throughout the entire year. She is fighting the battle on many fronts. And for that I applaud her.

  Maybe if everyone who is worried about decorations followed her lead we could force our government to make the sweeping changes needed so that every veteran is treated with dignity and respect 365 days of the year.

  Not just on November 11.

  Ang

  

  

On-Line Shopping

  
  On-line shopping is the greatest thing ever! More stores than any mall can handle. Every single thing you could ever want is at your finger tips. And with a click of the mouse you can have it delivered to your door. You never have to get out of your pajamas!

  It's by far the easiest way to shop for the holidays. And I don't just mean presents. Decorations, tableware and food can all be delivered. Need wrapping paper and tape? Monogrammed stockings? Gift cards, wreaths and well everything. All dropped off on your front step. Most likely by a UPS driver still wearing shorts.

  You can even splurge and have it wrapped and delivered to the recipients home! How's that for convenient? No more carrying boxes into the local Canada Post office and paying through the nose for shipping. Freedom.

  But all this convenience comes with a price tag. Most people, myself included, over spend this way. It's worth the extra few bucks to not have to battle the crowds. That's what I keep telling myself. And to a certain extent it's true. However if I normally spend $50 on your present and all of a sudden I've spent $150, I should have left the house and stayed on budget.

  Last night I spent some time browsing Macy's site. The actual store isn't here but they do ship to Canada and you can pay in Canadian funds. Perfect. The selection is different. So much so that I put 6 items in my cart within a few minutes. For a grand total I don't care to reveal. Let's just say I quickly left that site after dumping my cart.

  If you haven't tried it I highly recommend it. If you are an old hand at it remember don't go crazy this holiday season. 

  Unless you are buying for me!

  Ang

  

  

Daylight Savings Time Ramblings

  Daylight Savings Time (DST) starts today. In November we "fall back" an hour. In the spring we "spring ahead". I'm not sure why. Maybe it had to do with farming a long time ago. If it did then why doesn't Saskatchewan do it? Or is it just the government trying to drive us crazy?

  This DST is why I am up at such an ungodly hour. And have been for over an hour. Making lemonade out of lemons, it has given me a chance to skim the headlines and drink my coffee in peace. For that I guess I should be thankful.

  I saw a story about how to make your home "almost" maintenance free. I didn't need to read that one. I already know. Rent. Then you are 100% maintenance free! I made myself laugh at that one.

  Michael Buble's three year old son has cancer. I can't even imagine. Cancer is a scary word and to have it used with a child is heartbreaking. My heart breaks for all of them. Truly.

  Friday is Remembrance Day and people are up in arms about Christmas decorations and it being disrespectful to Veterans. This isn't coming from Veteran's groups mind you. Private citizens are outraged. I wonder if their outrage will propel them to a cenotaph on November 11?

  A Florida woman is disputing a $7400 charge for a delivery room when she had her baby in April. Why? She had the baby in the back of her jeep in the hospital parking lot! She is ok with the charges for the mid-wife and nurses. But since she was never in a delivery room why would she be charged for it? Sounds like a valid dispute to me. 

  Well the sun is now rising. I can hear feet upstairs. Maybe even the tv. It's time to begin the day. Fingers crossed it's a great one.

  The first thing I need to do is change every damn clock in the house!

  Ang

  

Morning Sunshine!

  I've never claimed to be a morning person. I don't jump out of bed with tons of energy. You could say I crawl but maybe slither is a better description. Finding my glasses is the equivalent of finding Blackbeard's buried treasure most mornings. Even though they have their own rooms, something of the kids is always on the floor in my direct path to the bathroom. And it's always sharp to the foot. Always.

  By the time I struggle downstairs, holding the railing as if I'm 100 years old, my eyes are starting to open. Sadly as soon as my feet hit those cold entry way tiles they are wide open. But somewhere in my head I know the coffee maker is only a few short feet away and that gives me the strength to keep going.

  The reusable coffee filter has last nights grounds in it. Damn you John. I clean it out while mumbling under my breath about being the only one who ever does anything around here. Finally it's clean, full and ready to brew. 

  Eureka there is a clean mug! I can hear it brewing. I can see the steam. I can smell the aroma. As it's streaming into my Disney Cruise-line mug, it makes me happy in the morning, I add the perfect amount of sugar. As I grab the cream out of the fridge the coffee maker quiets. Yes it's done! In goes the cream.....ahhhh.

  That's when I notice the egg whites in my hand. Who decided that the egg white container should look exactly like the cream container?? That person, or persons, needs to be fired. Same size. Same weight. Same shades of blue. What the hell?? And who put them on the same shelf in the fridge????

  I think it was me. It's gonna be a long day.

  Ang

Equal? Nope.

  Like most of you I was raised to believe that I was no better, or worse for that matter, than anyone else. Rich, poor, white, black...the only thing that did matter was what kind of person you were. The phrase "All men were created equal" was lived in our home. But I've come to learn, as an adult, that this simply isn't true.

   If you are black and poor in the southern United States you are not equal. Hurricane Katrina showed the world that. As does the ever increasing amount of shootings of unarmed black men by police.

  In Europe being of middle eastern descent is a mark against you. Children living in refugee camps, without proper conditions, for years are forgotten about. And if you are a single male well forget it. No one wants you. You are labelled as a possible terrorist and staying right where you are.

  Canada is no better. We treat our indigenous people like a burden. "They" are lazy. "They" don't want to work. "They" need to become just like us. Once you are labelled good luck trying to get that out of most people's minds. 

  Hell "we" don't even try to hide it. There are native communities that don't have clean, drinkable water in their homes. Yes there is running water....but it's brown. Drinkable....yes....but it's brown. Can you imagine pouring yourself a nice cold glass of brown water, adding your brown ice cubes to it and then sitting down to dinner? Of course not! But as a white person in Canada that's never going to happen to you.

  Now the federal government said just over a month ago that they will begin shortly a new treatment facility to remove the iron and manganese from the water on a reserve in Cape Breton Nova Scotia. No details have followed. The residents are still unable to bath, drink, cook or clean. Water is being shipped in. And portable laundry facilities are on site. But you have to get up, get dressed and drive somewhere to take a shower. That's convenient.

  Canada has more than enough clean, drinking water yet our own people don't have any. Would this happen in a white community? Maybe but trust me it would be short term. Very short. 

  Remember how equal you are today...especially when you turn on your faucet.

  Ang