Say hello to my little boy

I've been on a self-imposed hiatus these last couple of months. One reason I'm about to show you. The other had to do with a little campaign I was fortunate enough to play a small part.

Say hello to Aidan John Summers, my not-so-wee lad.

Who wathces the Watchmen?

I already can't wait.

Silly, of course Flaherty won't bail out Toronto

Why would the current federal Finance Minister, who also happens to be the Minister responsible for the GTA laugh at a reporter's question about using a federal surplus to help ease Toronto's budget woes? Let's think, hmmm. Which government did he serve in before he sought his calling in Ottawa? Which Tory government in Ontario downloaded social services to the property tax base ten years ago? Oh yeah, right. If you were him I bet you would laugh too.

No bailout from Flaherty TheStar.com - GTA - No bailout from Flaherty
August 21, 2007 Kerry GillespieQueen's Park Bureau
OTTAWA–Federal Finance
Minister Jim Flaherty told a roomful of municipal politicians that Canada's
economy was punching well above its weight and that he was paying down the debt
at a record rate.
Minutes later, when reporters asked him if he'd use some of
that money to bail out Toronto, he laughed. Far from paying down its debt,
Toronto is $575 million short of balancing its budget next year and is looking
into raising new taxes and cutting services.
Flaherty pointed to all the
money for infrastructure the federal government has already made available to
Toronto and other cities.
In his budget last March, he announced a $33
billion, seven-year program to help build roads, public transit and other
infrastructure projects across Canada – a response to municipal calls for a
predictable flow of funding. Getting access to some of that money is dependent
on working with the private sector.
"Certainly, Toronto as Canada's largest
city ought to participate in that. Part of the money is available through
public-private-partnerships, and I would encourage Mayor (David) Miller and the
council in Toronto not to be closed-minded about successful public-private
partnerships," Flaherty said.
Such projects have been successful in the
United Kingdom, United States, Australia and New Zealand, he said.
Flaherty's
behind the times on Toronto, budget chief Shelley Carroll said. "It's a nice,
provocative thing for Mr. Flaherty to say, except that he obviously hasn't
really looked at the city in detail because we actually do these things,"
Carroll said.
"What do you think the street furniture program is? It's a
20-year partnership with a private firm where they're going to put fixtures on
our streets and maintain them and pay back revenue to us. We do explore those
things."

This is so disappointing

After the huge crash he had early in this year's Tour de France, I just wanted to root for him. By far he was the most inspirational story of this year's race. Sixty stiches in his knees, which became infected. The huge win yesterday and in the time trial three days ago. The mere fact that this guy just would not quit despite the enormity of the pain he was suffering. By every measure he was the narrative of the Tour this year. By a country mile. Now this. Brutal.

uuuohhhh!!!!! Sorry, just stretching there

Back from a week long respite from the rat race. Aside from my near-apocalyptic battle with rodents during my time away, I must say that I return to the daily grind, rested and ready for whatever is thrown at me. And I must say my small vacatino came none too soon. I've been draggin my butt around for a while now. With a wee one on the way any r&r Steff and I can get was surely blessed. Now back to the grind. By the way for anyone interested - young Summers arrives sometime in the next five weeks. Stay tuned.

When I need a real good laugh, I watch this...

I pray I won't be like this...

My heart will go on, yadda, yadda, yadda

This is the precursor to the news heard round the world last week - that Celine Dion was pegged by Hilary Clinton for her tour song. Yawn!!!! On the up side, this video, a la Sorpranos blew me away.