Oct 23 2008
Exactly seven years ago the iPod was introduced. It was also the morning after the first night Alison and I spend together. We didn’t realize then that both events would have so much impact and longevity.
Happy anniversary iPod and Alison! May the seven-year-itch be gentle on all of us.
Oct 15 2008
(click for bigger version)
After yesterday’s Canadian elections (aiaiai, the Conservatives won a lot of seats) it is now time to pay our full attention to the presidential elections of the United States. The elections are three weeks away and Alison has already received her absentee ballot. Last time (4 years ago) she received her ballot 9 months too late. It had been “mistakenly” sent to St. Thomas, one of the US Virgin Islands and it took a very long while to finally reach us. And it didn’t even arrive in a bottle.
Anyway, Alison is a dual US-Canadian citizen and it’s time to vote. Just as with the Canadian election, her vote doesn’t really matter. I don’t think McCain has much chance winning in the state of New York, but if they’ll ever use the popular vote for statistics it might show up. If they actually open those absentee ballot envelopes. I heard they are only opened and counted if the outcome is too close to call.
Alison always lets me vote since I’m more au courant of the political news than she is. [Okay, that’s not true, and she wasn’t happy with it. See her comment below.] Not that the choice at hand is particularly difficult this time around.
But filling out the ballot actually is difficult. So maybe my American readers can help me. Let me explain. I’d have expected to find entries for the candidates of the parties on the ballot: Obama for the Democrats, McCain for the Republicans and maybe one or two others that are running as independents. But instead there are 10 choices for president and vice-president. (click on the picture above to read the entries)
McCain & Palin have three entries and Obama & Biden two, and then there are no less than 5 independent candidates, four I’ve never heard of and Ralph Nader.
But why does McCain/Palin have three boxes? So their chances would triple? To confuse the uneducated or first-time voter? I’m well educated and I do find it highly confusing.
Of course I’m going to vote for that one, but which box on the ballot should I check?
Should I choose: Democratic Electors for Obama/Biden or Working Families for Obama/Biden?
What is the difference? Will it affect the outcome of the election?
If you have the answer, please let me know in the comments. Thank you.
Oct 12 2008
While walking in residential Nepean, in the street where Alison’s parents live, I heard and saw this beautiful woodpecker. It was hunting for insects in the tree by waking them up with a lot of noise and wasn’t shy at all. I could approach the tree within a couple of metres and it still wasn’t flying away.
Oct 24 2008
Helmet (2)
When I cycled to my doctor yesterday on the Maissoneuve bike path I noticed this sign when I entered the borough of Westmount. Apparently cyclists need to wear a helmet there, I’ve no idea since when.
Now I do think wearing helmets in Montreal’s traffic is generally a good idea. I always wear mine especially since my accident, but I do think it is a good idea to introduce this requirement in all the boroughs on the island of Montreal at once.
In the current situation Westmount is an island, and legally inaccesible by the majority of cyclists that don’t wear a helmet.
Of course I saw a lot of people breaking this by-law and I’ve no idea if it is enforced. But having laws that are just laws is worse than having no laws at all.
By mare • english, health, montréal, rant, travel •