tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8480350181437734582024-02-08T14:20:49.000-05:00Rants, Raves and RamblingsThe spot where I, oddly enough, rant, rave and ramble about things in my life. Hopefully someone will find it interesting. If nothing else, it'll keep me somewhat sane to have the outlet for my Celtic temperament, which can be somewhat fiery ;)celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-32794041631973033132011-09-07T13:32:00.001-04:002011-09-07T13:32:54.698-04:00What the....??Ok, it's no real secret that I'm not a big fan of the various Conservative political parties or their high-profile hangers-on. Let's set that aside for a moment. I have a question that I'm hoping someone (perhaps one of their lower-profile hangers-on?) might be able to answer for me.
What's the deal with Conservatives lately promising to balance the budget in a timeframe beyond the term of celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-13101616116028849492011-08-29T16:04:00.001-04:002011-08-29T16:15:35.300-04:00Cruelty or lack of "thinking through"?Last night D and I heard a news item that literally made our jaws drop. A motorcyclist was in hospital with serious injuries to his neck after running into what was then reported to be fishing line stretched across a major intersection.More details have come to light since then: like that the 'fishing line' is, in fact, line of the sort used in "kite fighting"... high stress resistance cord; celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-8298174660952211322011-08-24T14:14:00.002-04:002011-08-24T14:46:37.021-04:00Cyclists - good for the environment, bad for my bloodpressureLet me tell you a story about the woman who tried to get me to kill her last night on my way home.There I was, driving across Dundas St. headed East. Just crossing the DVP. There's no marked bike-lane in that stretch. I was coming up on a string of cyclists, one of whom was slower than the rest.Cyclist behind her looks under his arm, sees I'm a decent distance away still, pulls out and passes celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-91968547256121272412011-08-22T14:36:00.003-04:002011-08-22T15:44:49.581-04:00The missing yearAlrighty... that year that wasn't here... I'll be honest, my life is not that interesting, so there's not a lot to update. A couple of birthdays (a fun clock that meows), some awesome highs, some crushing lows, a few surprises (some good... some not to much.And a new car.What's that? A new car? Yes. Unplanned. Back in October, we did some research for D so he could replace his '01 Civic Si celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-22696934612363803952011-08-19T14:28:00.002-04:002011-08-19T14:55:02.369-04:00Public Transit & Fare HikesSo... the local public transit commission (the TTC) have been told they cannot hike fares to solve thier budget problems. Public transit supporters (well, some of the more vocal ones... or the more nutso ones, depending on your view point) are saying it's utter madness to disallow moderate, predictable increases when ridership is on an upswing, and that moderate fare increases are preferable to celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-65891665832683087982011-08-18T11:44:00.001-04:002011-08-18T11:49:35.205-04:00Oopsie!Ok, ok... I know it's been a year-ish since I last posted. I'll do a 'catch-up' very soon, I swear! But in the meantime, a new rant/ramble...An excerpt from an article on the Toronto Star's website today regarding Rob Ford, mayor of Toronto, and his recent (as in, yesterday) attempt to approach the Provincial Government for transit project funding includes these paragraphs:Now, Ford’s Sheppard celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-84750796287433151652011-08-17T16:53:00.001-04:002011-08-18T11:49:41.914-04:00Watch this spaceOk... so yet again, as I have so often posted in the past 4 years with this blog host, I find myself posting.... "I suck at blogging/journalling". I swear (as I have so often before *sigh*) that I will improve. I will provide an update on the past however long it's been since my last rant and will make a concerted effort to update this blog on a more regular basis. Or at least try to :pceltic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-20299401962016810822010-07-29T14:59:00.003-04:002010-07-29T15:19:28.732-04:00Things that make you go.... huh?!So, I know I've been a horrible blogger... this is nothing new, though. Today I have time (or at least, a lack of inclination to do any of the other stuff I should be doing), so lucky you, you get a post! ;)This morning on the way to the subway station my mother and I encountered a 'gent' who has inspired this post full of "WTF" traffic (vehicular and pedestrian) moments of the past little celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-20596112386467848692010-05-18T09:22:00.002-04:002010-05-18T09:52:31.063-04:00Mood MusicPeople often talk about mood music... but most of them mean jazz or Barry White... music to set a romantic tone for a meal or an evening with an 'other' of more or less significance.But have you ever noticed that music often creates a mood or is chosen for a mood? When D and I are off to play paintball, we often have what my mother lovingly refers to as "angry music" playing in the car on the celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-67705871567217975432010-05-17T13:45:00.002-04:002010-05-17T14:28:55.269-04:00Odds and EndsToday I'm going to buckle and talk about TV. Worse, 'reality' TV. Worst, Survivor.But first, let me tell you about the house 3 doors up from us. The house 3 doors up from us went on the market last Wednesday. It's the same age as ours (40-ish). It's the same # of bedrooms as ours (3). Fewer bathrooms. Smaller kitchen. Bungalow (ours is a back-split). It sold before their open-house on celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-31849577351005741792010-05-14T13:04:00.002-04:002010-05-14T13:25:25.113-04:00The funny things in lifeI found this amusing. I realize I may well be the only one. I also realize that some of the people involved may well read this and be irked... well, to that I say, you know, if you couldn't be bothered to touch base for 18 months, but were plenty happy enough to talk about me behind my back, explain why I should give a flying rat's ass whether you're irked and I'll happily edit in a way I feel isceltic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-26672531365290194042010-05-12T09:32:00.002-04:002010-05-12T09:48:08.908-04:00Wacky Notions that struck me on my way home yesterday...Wacky Notion #1: When driving one's car along a busy road during rush hour, perhaps it would be wise to observe the TRAFFIC signals more and the PEDESTRIAN signals a tad less... particularly from the centre lane where pedestrians are considerably less likely to suddenly appear in front of the vehicle.As I was driving home from the subway yesterday, in the centre lane of 3 lanes headed in the celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-16296016359458067272010-05-10T15:34:00.003-04:002010-05-10T15:54:26.405-04:00Mother's Day... Father's Day... Grandparents' Day...Ok, this is partly inspired by the fact that Mother's Day is emotionally difficult for me... but it also got me thinking.Why does our society feel the need to dedicate a day to showing love and respect for someone who should already be seeing/getting our love and respect on a daily basis? Why do we need to set aside a day to "show Mom how much she means to you" (or Dad, or Grandma/Grandpa...)?celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-57684868489613233182010-05-07T09:47:00.002-04:002010-05-07T10:11:41.814-04:00Another double-complaint day... and it's only 10 a.m.!Today's double-rant... audio pedestrian signals and the dumbass who approved the Gumball 3000 passing through Toronto.Let's start with rant #2 first, just to be different.This morning on my way to work I was walking up University to Dundas. Just at the South end of "Hospital Row" (there are 4 hospitals in the block and a half between Queen's Park and Dundas). Just South of Dundas, I was passed celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-40456962832220320222010-05-06T16:19:00.002-04:002010-05-06T16:32:55.941-04:00Air Canada strikes again!No, no... not THAT kind of strike... ;)Air Canada, with no warning or publicity decided that as of May 1st, they will no longer accept any form of payment other than credit card... for IN CABIN purchases. So, if you want to eat, you have to buy a meal... but you've got to put it on your credit card. Junior wants a chocolate bar? That'll be $2... on your Visa. You want a pillow? A blanket? celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-61460962423505536982010-05-05T09:20:00.002-04:002010-05-05T10:03:48.365-04:00(un-)"common" courtesyYes, boys and girls... today's episode is about courtesy... common courtesy... or uncommon courtesy, as it seems is increasingly the case.Let me tell you about my trip home from work yesterday. I encountered 5 people clustered at the corner, chatting, completely blocking the path... who glared at me when I said "excuse me". I then encountered 2 girls and a boy with a puppy who refused to celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-7620959999637528912010-05-03T09:37:00.002-04:002010-05-03T10:17:33.683-04:00Another Day, Another Rant... or two...Rant #1... scooters/mopeds/whatever you want to call them. Motorized two wheeled vehicles of limited speed. I understand the environmental appeal. I understand the "I can get through backed up traffic and then park it pretty much anywhere" appeal, too. But if the damn thing can't go faster than 40, keep it close to the damn curb!!Today, on my way in to work (driving... it's a rare occurrence,celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-47254760823501634542010-05-02T10:17:00.000-04:002010-05-03T10:40:57.538-04:00A breakthrough... I thinkSo.. on Saturday I attended a babyshower for a friend. A lovely girl... very sunny, and sensitive, caring and generous. A girl who has had a number of challenges in her life, but has managed to not let them grind her down. I've known her for a few years and she's always been supportive when I needed support... when people were attacking me, when we were going through A.R.T., when we inevitablyceltic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-80386641883685082432010-04-20T20:03:00.002-04:002010-04-21T10:42:09.733-04:00Today's rant has been brought to you by the letters 'T' and 'C' and the number 6More blatantly, it's been brought to you by the letters T, T, and C and the number 6 repeated a few times. *grumble*You know, I've lived in this city for the better part of 33 years. I've always tried to give the TTC the benefit of the doubt... I've had surprisingly few issues with the service or the staff... I've been a little distressed by the slamming they've been taking in the media and at 'celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-2306351862334587362010-04-19T14:54:00.003-04:002010-04-19T15:25:40.884-04:00Is professional baseball dead in Toronto? And if so... whose fault is it?As a change of pace from my usual weighty or irate posting, today I'm going to wax philosophical about a question I saw on the front page of a local paper recently. I'm going to pretend I have a knowledge of marketing beyond mere common sense. I'm going to pretend that anyone reading gives a flying rat's ass about my thoughts on the subject, too ;)Question: Is professional baseball dead in celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-83560566818812663522010-04-05T12:36:00.002-04:002010-04-05T13:04:46.852-04:00A Revelation (or a very dark place... tough call)So yesterday was Easter. As per what has become 'tradition' for D and I, we trekked out to the KW area for 'brunch' with his extended family.It was both a good and a bad day.There are members of his extended family I truly love and enjoy spending time with. And then there are the ones who just make me feel awkward and uncomfortable. Meh. It's family, right?Anyway, as most of you know, about 5celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-62271030858270523962010-03-06T13:52:00.002-05:002010-03-06T14:21:20.879-05:00The Drought Is Over!After some 21 months without a traditional reason to get up and out of the house in the morning (i.e. a job... since we also don't have kids, the other traditional reason to get up was also lacking)... I am now, officially, once more gainfully employed!In the end, it was quite a whirlwind, right-place-at-the-right-time kind of event. An unofficial "we're going to be looking for someone for this celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-69080875285443312522010-02-25T17:07:00.003-05:002010-02-25T17:18:05.235-05:00Women in SportHave you ever noticed that women and women's sport generally (and I know... generalizations are dangerous) don't get much attention? They don't get a whole lot of TV coverage. They don't get the big professional leagues with the big media attention.I'd just like to point something out about Canada's Medal Standings at the olympics at the moment.Currently, Canada has 7 Gold, 6 Silver and 2 celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-76709241923553203622010-01-23T09:53:00.004-05:002010-01-23T10:23:40.883-05:00This will probably ruffle some feathersDisclaimer: This entry is perhaps more... inflammatory than strictly necessary, or indeed than I necessarily feel (if you know me, you know I tend to take things to extremes to provoke honest thought), but I hope it gives the reader pause to think.Let me start by saying that I feel very deeply for the people of Haiti in the wake of this most recent disaster. I am heartbroken to think of the celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-848035018143773458.post-44764739793177807242010-01-18T16:10:00.006-05:002010-01-19T08:41:07.010-05:00Tragic Losses... and the insensitivity of TrollsI wasn't sure how to write this. I wanted to remember an old acquaintance (I wouldn't presume to call him 'friend'... I wasn't privileged to know him that well, but we attended the same school for 2 years... a small and close-knit school). But, not being a close friend, I wasn't sure how best to accomplish it.Last week, this old acquaintance made the news. Was it for his brilliant mind? No. celtic_kittenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14711592328361908844noreply@blogger.com0