Something About Going Back

If the Liberals win the next election I may rethink moving back to Canada anytime soon.

Something About Alderan

In the latest episode of "The Simpsons" they close with the statement "This episode is dedicated to all who died in the "Star Wars" films." The writers then continue by listing such deaths:

Darth Vader
Darth Maul
Greedo
Uncle Owen
Storm Trooper #5
Jango Fett
General Grievous
Storm Trooper #22
Obi Wan Kenobi
Whoever Jimmy Smits Played
Hutt, Jabba The
Sy Snoodles
Everyone on Both Death Stars when they blew up

Okay, obviously this is a comedy and the list only details important roles. But why list both Death Stars but NOT mention the civilian deaths on Princess Leah's home planet Alderan? The Empire blew up Alderan before both Death Stars were destroyed. Alderan matters, people! Never forget Alderan!

Something About A Win-Win Situation

The United States has said that it will donate $720 million to help Lebanon rebuild it's war torn country. In the same breath, the U.S. also encouraged American companies to help with that rebuilding. Let's get this straight: The U.S. makes money selling weapons to Israel who in turn wage a war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. They then indirectly pay American companies to rebuild Lebanon. Sounds strange to me. As you can tell from many of my posts, a lot of things seem strange to me. Could be I'm just strange.

Something About Swine

It's a tragedy about what happened in British Columbia, but I couldn't help but laugh at pig farmer Robert Picton's response to the murder charges against him: "Pure hogwash!" I couldn't find any written news that reported this response but I swear that's what CNN International reported him as saying. Am I a sicko for finding that funny?

Something About Troop Surge

How many troops will be involved with Bush's troop surge to Iraq?

Something About The Raman King

Momofuku Ando, the founder of the instant noodle, died yesterday at the age of 96. People in North America will no doubt recognize the noodles by the brand name "Mr. Noodles." In Korea these "Raman" noodles are hugely popular with children and adults. They are available in bags or bowls, and can be eaten right inside the local 7 Eleven. You can even buy small erasers that look like the noodle cups. Personally, I can't stand the stuff. I was low on cash while I was doing my B.ed and I could only afford a box of 24 Mr. Noodles at the local Super Center. After you eat instant noodles for 3 weeks straight I swear you will never eat them again. Even the smell makes me a bit sick. I walked into a class a few weeks ago and there were noodle cups on the desks. Aparently the students had arranged a "raman party." I ate a few mouth fulls but had to throw the rest out after class.

Something About Canadian Identity

I just finished reading a Canadian Press article about the current weather situation in Canada. Apparently some people are worried that the warm weather the country is experiencing will have an effect on our national identity. That's a valid point. When I tell people I'm from Canada, the cold winters topic usually comes up. What got me in this article was a comment from a Montreal man interviewed by CP:

“A lot of Canadians and Quebecers go down to Florida in winter and that doesn’t put the national identity in peril,” says Veillette on a break from a bike ride in the city’s Mount Royal Park.

While people do ask me about Canadian winters, it's not usually their first question. Ranking as the first or sometimes second question is "So, do you speak French?" Pretty much every Korean I've spoken to knows that Canada has two national languages. It's part of our identity. What does put our "national identity in peril"? How about Canadians referring to Canada and Quebec as being two separate places. Couldn't Veillette just have said "A lot of Canadians go down to Florida..."? As countries such as Korea struggle with their national identity, I should hope that Canadians realize theirs.

Something About Snow

While the weather in Toronto in unseasonably warm for January, the weather in Korea is pretty typical for this time of year. I'm sitting inside my apartment as a small blizzard takes place outside my window. I hope Venus appreciates the advantage she enjoys by staying inside.

Something About The Apprentice

Okay, I know I'm a bit late getting on the band wagon, but I've just recently started watching The Apprentice. I never thought the show would appeal to me. Boy was I wrong! I watched Season 4 last Summer and have just finished watching Season 1. Viewers of the first season will no doubt remember Omarosa Manigault. Man, was she a bee with an itch! Her resemblance to Condoleeza Rice is uncanny. I never liked Condolezza to begin with, but now that she reminds of Omarosa my distaste for her is even greater.