these eyes

I've always prided myself on my vision. I've always been the one who could see the small text far away. I never expected that I would have to get glasses. However, that's no longer the case. Law school has wrecked my vision.

Okay, it's true that I haven't had my eyes checked for eight years. Maybe its not all law school's fault. However until the words "I'm in law school" came out of my mouth, it looked like my need for glasses could have been put off for a few more years. I know that would have been postponing the inevitable, but it would have left me glasses free for a while.

My eyesight isn't that bad, however one eye is radically different from the other I have learned. It's the fact that I spend all day reading that is really driving the need. However, I should also notice an improvement when driving, less fatigue looking into the distance.

Now, I am on a quest for frames. I've blogged before of the challenges of my big head. Unfortunately it appears to be a problem for glasses as well. I trudged off to the local eyeglass shop. After trying on pair after pair that didn't fit, it came down to "show me the biggest ones you've got". A parade of ugly glasses came forth. One wasn't too bad, however I look like Drew Carey when I'm wearing them.

I want a fashionable pair, but is it possible? Kenneth Cole just doesn't make glasses big enough for me. Thankfully, the woman offered to bring in a few others on spec for me to try.

I tried the other glass shop without much more luck, but have found two frames that are in stock that may work. The question is, what look do I want to have for the next two years? I'm in school so still want something fashionable and fun, but will also be clerking with the court, so do I need something simple and professional? Gah! What would Russell Smith do? I don't have his book with me to see if he has a section on this?

These are the business/work friendly frames I found:


I can't find an image online of the other pair, but will keep looking. Maybe I'll take some snapshots of me wearing them and invite comments and suggestions!

rare in nature

I came across this photo on another blog today and was stunned. It's so rare, that it is even rarer than a recent blog post from me.



From what I read on different blogs it hasn't been photoshopped and there is even video available. It's a unicorn, well more accurately a unihorn deer. It appears this deer is on a nature reserve in Italy and has some genetic anomaly that has given it one horn in the middle of its head.

I've often thought there is some kernel of truth to many myths and legends. This shows that at some other time, there was probably an animal with a genetic anomaly like this that created the myth of the unicorn.

oh harry, you let me down

No, this is not a blog entry about Prince Harry and all his roguish antics that appear to be coming to an end now that he has served in Afghanistan. It is about Harry Rosen. And it is more than just the brand Harry Rosen, it is how that brand relates to Mr. Rosen himself.

In the latest round of procrastination efforts, I was looking through the society photos on the Globe and Mail. Yes, I know. I don't need a lecture. Anyways, I saw the following picture of Mr. Harry Rosen himself, taken at a swanky society event.

Note: this photo belongs to the Globe and Mail.

Now, I know I am going to be accused of being harsh, but Mr. Rosen, what's with your tie. It's tied nicely, and certainly appears to be long enough. Why on earth is the short narrow end not tucked into the handy that piece of fabric that keeps it behind the other part of the tie.

If your name is synonymous with men's fashion in this country, is it too much to ask for you to make sure you set a standard. It's one thing around the house, but at a society event where you are going to be photographed, please, for all of us who look to you as a standard, please, please pay attention to the small details.

Harry, you let me down. It's not quite worth a withering look of disapprovaltm, but it's close.

white is the new black

I picked up these photos from another blog and thought they were quite interesting. These are all sightings of rare white/albino versions of iconic animals; a killer whale, a stag and a moose.

taking on the tyranny of tim's

Over the holidays I went home to suburban Ontario to visit family and friends. This is where I grew up. In my hometown, I believe we have the most donut stores per capita, and you can barely turn around without seeing a Tim Horton's. I remember back when I was working there in municipal government, I had to pick up Tim Horton's for a meeting. It practically turned into an emergency situation, and a rethink of municipal planning, when I actually had to drive out of my way to find a Tim Horton's.

Honestly, I don't like Tim's. They have good donuts, but I find their coffee metallic and completely unappealing. Their hot chocolate isn't much better. I know this is a personal taste thing, but I really can't stand it. I'm a Starbucks boy. What drives me crazy is the notion that I am completely uncanadian as a result. Tim's has a lock on all things Canadiana.

Well I am pleased to report, that over the holidays, I successfully and publicly challenged the tyranny of tim's over all things Canadian. I was off to see my nephew's hockey game, dad and sister in tow. My father wanted to stop for coffee on the way, and I refused to go to Tim's. I found a Starbucks and we went there. I was not going to be the cliched Canadian standing in the hockey arena with my tim's double-double thinking wistfully of immigrant fathers who secretly watched their sons play hockey. Nope, not this boy.

I noticed a photographer was routinely taking pictures of our little group. After 10 years in PR I have a pretty good nose for reporters and photographers. I shot him that, if you're taking photos of us, you better come talk to us about consent look. He came over, and got the details. The photo just appeared in the paper. It's the quintessential Canadian story, the grandfather at the arena watching his grandson, thinking that boy is going to play in the big leaves. BUT WAIT! What's that in his hand, it's Starbucks! Yes, the tyranny of tim's lock on hockey has been busted in the mainstream media. Starbucks, you owe me. I'll take payment in free coffee!

a cartoon from the siblings

The non-blood siblings from work up north forwarded on this comic to me. I think they may be trying to send a message. We of course all find it humourous given our close connection to the jail. It really is a fine line between the guards (and those of us who work with them) and the inmates.

and the money kept rolling in

Well, my first loan through Kiva has been repaid. Although Natik, the cattle turned sheep breeder in Azerbaijan has received most of the attention, it was in fact the fuel seller in Afghanistan who was the first to repay his loan fully. Although I wasn't getting updates on how the business was doing, payments were being made regularly.

Once a loan is paid, you can withdraw it, donate it to Kiva to help cover operating expenses or reinvest, so it's back into the world of high finance for me. I'm switching continents this time, and heading to Africa, specifically Nigeria. I know the online scams usually start in Nigeria, but so far Kiva and their partners have been dead on, so I'm giving it a shot.

This is Gbemisola Adeshkor:


Gbemisola Adeshokor is 48 years old, married, and has 6 children. She hails from Ibgolerin, in Lagos State, Nigera. Gbemisola sells foods in her local market to support her family, and has been doing so since 1992. Gbemisola would like a loan of $400 to purchase a wider variety of foods to sell.

As of the time I write this blog, Gbemisola is only 56% funded for her $400 so there's still time to jump in if you want to give Kiva a try.

i'm a trailer park boy

This summer I bought a 1976 Boler that had been completely refinished. It's a small fibreglass travel trailer, about 10' from front to back, 13' including the hitch. It sleeps three, and has two areas that convert between beds and dinette, a dinette that sits 3-4 that converts to sleep two, and a dinette that seats 2 that converts to sleep one. It also includes a sink, built-in cooler and lots of storage.

True it's not the trailer home envisioned below, but it's something easy that I can take on the road. It's also the same idea, small and minimal. What's funny is how much interest it draws. As one of the 'knife moms pointed out, in a time when camping rigs are getting bigger and bigger it's amazing how many people want a look inside in my wee trailer.

It's been out to a local campground twice so far this year, and I have to say that it makes camping pretty comfortable. A nice foam bed and solid walls mean a dry, comfortable place to sleep.

It's a luxury item considering I'm in school, but it will be helpful for the trips back and forth from the 'knife to the 'toon. This year one of the law school BFs will be coming up to the 'knife and we're going to take a two week trip down with the camper.

Long-term I think when I'm done law school I hope to take a month or two off and do a North American road trip with the trailer. From toon to the Grand Canyon then out to the pacific coast and all the way up to Alaska and then down and over to the NWT.

lord denning rocks: the pictures

Well I'm finally getting round to posting some photos from curling. You've read about our antics, now you can see what I've been talking about. These are from the semi-final game for our league against the girls with their own gear. Thanks to Jana for the photos. The photo above is the team. Check out the intense concentration from Steve and I plot our game. Really we would just stand there and talk long enough to make the opposition think we knew what we were doing.

getting my brokeback on

Well, I actually found a place that was open, and was able to get some riding in. The big sister and I did a six-hour ride in the mountains, or more accurately up and down a mountain.

It was a great trip, it was the two of us, three guides and two of their friends so it wasn't the typical tourist ride. We went into Kananaskis country. We stated in the Sheep River valley, then worked our way up Green Mountain on an elk run and then back down on some hiking trails. It was probably the most challenging ride I've done. We were going through rivers that were still half frozen and climbing down muddy trails.

Here's some photos:

at the car wash

This isn't a touchless car wash, it's all cleaned by tongue. These pictures were taken by my sister who lives in Calgary. This past weekend her and my Uncle, who was in town for work, went on a road trip to Bannf. I think these photos were taken on the Lake Minnewanka loop.

Big horn sheep appear to like salt and have decided that vehicles visiting the park are now their personal salt licks. Yes, your $30,000 vehicle is simply just a block of salt, and these sheep are more than happy to give your car a free tongue wash. The ability of nature and animals to adapt is really quite remarkable. At what point did they figure out that cars were a convenient source of salt? Also, the fact that they aren't freaked out by the people or cars is really quite something.

Now that they have learned this valuable trick, it's time to pass it along to the next generation. Pictured below, a mother introducing a young sheep to the big grey salt lick.

now this seems fair...

This is a picture of one of the members of the first all-female United Nations peacekeeper force. The entire unit is made up of female police officers from India. Read the BBC report here.

You may remember my rant about the conditions of the female riot police officers. Look at the difference between the photos. These peace keepers are going into a dangerous situation in Liberia. Good on India, these women have pants, combat boots and guns even. This to me, seems fair.

and I thought I was having a bad day

Photo: STEFAN SIMONSEN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES

does this seem fair?

The Globe and Mail described this photo as "Male and female riot police officers form a line to stop anti-ASEAN summit protesters marching in Cebu, Philippines". Okay, well first a shout out to the Philipines for taking equality seriously. To my knowledge I've never seen women featured prominently in a riot squad before, but come on, is this fair? I have no problem with women being there, but give the girls a fighting chance.

Look at the men, fully clothed, in pants. Having not been in a riot, I don't know, but I assume pants are very practical. If Svend Robinson hadn't been wearing pants during the Quebec City riots, lord knows what would have happened with those rubber bullets. Also, notice that the men have considerable protective gear on their legs, shin pads, etc. The women, a lovely blue skirt; unless it's made out of kevlar, this hardly seems fair.

And those shoes? Come on. I am normally not a fan of the sensible shoe, in fact I hold considerable respect for women in the NWT who wear killer heels, but these women are going in to break up a riot. If ever there was a time for sensible shoes, I believe this is it. The men are wearing combat boots for gods sake. I guess maybe this just proves that women are inherently tougher than men.

Photo credit: Eugene Hoshiko/AP.