Having been away for too long, I have been working on getting this thing going again. I have been following the Ontario election almost religiously and have some early thoughts.
So far, the only issue that has any legs is public funding for religious schools.
Will this be the ballot question on October 10th?
We'll soon find out.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Working on a Dissertation II
Its weird when one things takes over your entire consciousness. I have been working on the fourth chapter of my thesis, and except for sleep, I think about the damn thing almost constantly.
When I wake up, I start taking notes, reading or just typing. By this point, the rush to finish is simply too much. Part of it is simply life pressure. Jobs are emerging, friends are finishing and I have come to the conclusion that it is time to move on.
So this is the second of a more regular update about writing this thing. I imagine that any major project brings the same level of anxiety, be it writing a novel, doing a major project at work, or preparing for a major audition. I certainly wouldn’t pretend to think that this situation is somehow unique.
But in order to break the monotony a bit, I hope to provide a little light into the alienation, stress, and (yes) sometimes happiness of this whole thing.
How about a little peak? The title: Labour Policy in Ontario. How exciting does that sound??
More to come…
Post Script:
Last week Al in the City and I saw CJ do her comedy stand-up at a small comedy club. She was awesome. It was incredibly fun. Congratulations CJ….
When I wake up, I start taking notes, reading or just typing. By this point, the rush to finish is simply too much. Part of it is simply life pressure. Jobs are emerging, friends are finishing and I have come to the conclusion that it is time to move on.
So this is the second of a more regular update about writing this thing. I imagine that any major project brings the same level of anxiety, be it writing a novel, doing a major project at work, or preparing for a major audition. I certainly wouldn’t pretend to think that this situation is somehow unique.
But in order to break the monotony a bit, I hope to provide a little light into the alienation, stress, and (yes) sometimes happiness of this whole thing.
How about a little peak? The title: Labour Policy in Ontario. How exciting does that sound??
More to come…
Post Script:
Last week Al in the City and I saw CJ do her comedy stand-up at a small comedy club. She was awesome. It was incredibly fun. Congratulations CJ….
Friday, October 27, 2006
I'm Coming Back
Hey all,
Not that I expect many people to be around much. But I have decided to come back. I have been working alot this year. It has gotten so bad that I now consider my office plants to be "nature" and my radio to be daily outside contact!
Well maybe not that bad. But I will be posting more regularly as life moves on. A friend of mine defended his dissertation this morning. I had to miss the defence, but man, I couldn't be happier for him....
Chat soon....
Not that I expect many people to be around much. But I have decided to come back. I have been working alot this year. It has gotten so bad that I now consider my office plants to be "nature" and my radio to be daily outside contact!
Well maybe not that bad. But I will be posting more regularly as life moves on. A friend of mine defended his dissertation this morning. I had to miss the defence, but man, I couldn't be happier for him....
Chat soon....
Saturday, February 25, 2006
working on a dissertation
I must confess a few things tonight. I have not been posting regularly to my blog, as I am sure anybody who passes this way can tell. I have an excuse, but it isn't a very good one: I have been working.
More specifically, I have been working on my dissertation. I must confess, that I don't often lay out personal stuff on this thing, but let me be the first to say that I have found the process of writing this thing completely a kick in the ass.
It is time-consuming, alienating and completing tiring work. Let me give you an example, just to show you, how boring it can be. My title: Post-War Labour Policy in Ontario, 1949-1985. Now granted I chose the topic and do find it interesting. But let me tell you, if you need something to help you sleep, do I have the solution for you (and all of your friends).
That said, I do stand in awe of people who have done it already, especially those who seem to do it without a shred of self-doubt. But this comes to my real confession: I can't stop doubting every word I put on the page. Is it good enough? Do I know what the heck I am talking about?? Pathetic I know.
But such is writing this thing. I certainly don't mean to imply that this work is any more difficult than anyone else, in fact it is probably a lot less stressful than most people's jobs.
But alas, this thing is one giant kick in the butt...Any suggestions (besides quit whining?)
More specifically, I have been working on my dissertation. I must confess, that I don't often lay out personal stuff on this thing, but let me be the first to say that I have found the process of writing this thing completely a kick in the ass.
It is time-consuming, alienating and completing tiring work. Let me give you an example, just to show you, how boring it can be. My title: Post-War Labour Policy in Ontario, 1949-1985. Now granted I chose the topic and do find it interesting. But let me tell you, if you need something to help you sleep, do I have the solution for you (and all of your friends).
That said, I do stand in awe of people who have done it already, especially those who seem to do it without a shred of self-doubt. But this comes to my real confession: I can't stop doubting every word I put on the page. Is it good enough? Do I know what the heck I am talking about?? Pathetic I know.
But such is writing this thing. I certainly don't mean to imply that this work is any more difficult than anyone else, in fact it is probably a lot less stressful than most people's jobs.
But alas, this thing is one giant kick in the butt...Any suggestions (besides quit whining?)
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Buzz Off Buzz
So First Off, Let me Apologize for Being away so long. I have been working like a madman on my thesis and have found that when I get into work, I have difficulty multi-tasking. This may explain why I haven't been to the gym in something like three months.
Anyway, back to basics. The fall out from the election campaign is underway. My predictions were dead wrong, as i was predicting a Liberal minority, I predicted that Martin would stay on if the Liberals did lose and I predicted that Michael Ignatieff would lose his seat. Wrong on all counts. No wonder I don't get the big bucks. So for what it is worth (not much) if Ignatieff decides to run, I think he may be the next Liberal leader. Read about this debate here.
The Tories, however, have shown that once in power, they will drop their morals at the first sign of a potential majority government. Thus Harper is willing to appoint a turncoat and a non-elected party hack to Cabinet. I think the Conservative party in general are a group of hypocrites for the whole thing, as they were always claiming to be true blue populists and were calling for Belinda Stronach's head when she crossed the floor.
But some more election related news hit today as the Ontario NDP has kicked out promient CAW union head Buzz Hargrove. You can read about it here.
I'm not sure this is the best move for the NDP, but it will sure make the true dippers happy, as they have wanted to punish Buzz ever since the whole strategic voting message was put forward during the 1999 Ontario provincial election. While I have no idea what this does for growing the party, it does send a strong message: that the NDP will not take criticism or critique from its own supporters. Democratic indeed.
Anyway, back to basics. The fall out from the election campaign is underway. My predictions were dead wrong, as i was predicting a Liberal minority, I predicted that Martin would stay on if the Liberals did lose and I predicted that Michael Ignatieff would lose his seat. Wrong on all counts. No wonder I don't get the big bucks. So for what it is worth (not much) if Ignatieff decides to run, I think he may be the next Liberal leader. Read about this debate here.
The Tories, however, have shown that once in power, they will drop their morals at the first sign of a potential majority government. Thus Harper is willing to appoint a turncoat and a non-elected party hack to Cabinet. I think the Conservative party in general are a group of hypocrites for the whole thing, as they were always claiming to be true blue populists and were calling for Belinda Stronach's head when she crossed the floor.
But some more election related news hit today as the Ontario NDP has kicked out promient CAW union head Buzz Hargrove. You can read about it here.
I'm not sure this is the best move for the NDP, but it will sure make the true dippers happy, as they have wanted to punish Buzz ever since the whole strategic voting message was put forward during the 1999 Ontario provincial election. While I have no idea what this does for growing the party, it does send a strong message: that the NDP will not take criticism or critique from its own supporters. Democratic indeed.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Dobbin on Harper
I must confess to actually now being in love with Murray Dobbin:
Straight Goods January 10, 2006
Will the real Stephen Harper please stand up?
A citizen's guide comparing election campaign promises to deeply held
beliefs.
by Murray Dobbin
The biggest spectacle of the election has been the apparent transformation
of Stephen Harper, the Conservative leader, and long time right-wing
ideologue, into a born-again liberal. It's almost unbelievable.
Actually it is unbelievable. At the beginning of this election, Canadians
worried about Harper's "hidden agenda". But after he said openly that a
Conservative government would table a bill revoking gay marriage, for some
reason, people seemed to think that all his agendas were on the table.
Harper's more recent promises have gone largely unscrutinized.
It's time for a reality check. Canadian pundits often say that the Liberal
party campaigns from the left and governs from the right. How can the
Conservatives campaign from the left without anybody recognizing the
pattern?....
(read the rest of the story at straight goods...)
Straight Goods January 10, 2006
Will the real Stephen Harper please stand up?
A citizen's guide comparing election campaign promises to deeply held
beliefs.
by Murray Dobbin
The biggest spectacle of the election has been the apparent transformation
of Stephen Harper, the Conservative leader, and long time right-wing
ideologue, into a born-again liberal. It's almost unbelievable.
Actually it is unbelievable. At the beginning of this election, Canadians
worried about Harper's "hidden agenda". But after he said openly that a
Conservative government would table a bill revoking gay marriage, for some
reason, people seemed to think that all his agendas were on the table.
Harper's more recent promises have gone largely unscrutinized.
It's time for a reality check. Canadian pundits often say that the Liberal
party campaigns from the left and governs from the right. How can the
Conservatives campaign from the left without anybody recognizing the
pattern?....
(read the rest of the story at straight goods...)
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Whats the Deal with Polling?
Hey all,
I haven't had much time to update the blog the past few weeks, and you know that feeling about "the longer you leave it, the harder it is to go back?"
Well, that perhaps, is for another day. My question today....What's the deal with polling? We are in the middle of an election campaign and there has been dozens of polls telling us different things. One poll for CTV/Globe and Mail puts the NDP at 15 percent, the Liberals at 29 and the Tories and 36. A Decima poll the same day puts the NDP at 20 the Liberals at 27 and the Tories a little higher. Today, another poll puts the Tories at majority territory! Almost 40%!
How bizarre. I wonder if polling companies, and the media that run them, have agendas...or do they actually reflect voter instability?
In any event, its annoying.
I haven't had much time to update the blog the past few weeks, and you know that feeling about "the longer you leave it, the harder it is to go back?"
Well, that perhaps, is for another day. My question today....What's the deal with polling? We are in the middle of an election campaign and there has been dozens of polls telling us different things. One poll for CTV/Globe and Mail puts the NDP at 15 percent, the Liberals at 29 and the Tories and 36. A Decima poll the same day puts the NDP at 20 the Liberals at 27 and the Tories a little higher. Today, another poll puts the Tories at majority territory! Almost 40%!
How bizarre. I wonder if polling companies, and the media that run them, have agendas...or do they actually reflect voter instability?
In any event, its annoying.
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