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Why would you pay for radio?
For a while I was wondering what's the fuss about satellite radio. Wait a minute, you are paying for radio? You're kidding, right? Isn't radio free? I supposed I was motivated by Air Canada's Aeroplan promotion with their new partner, XM Radio Canada. With 5000 Aeroplan miles as incentive, a year's subscription and a cool looking Delphi XM MyFi unit in a package deal, I figured what the heck, let's give it a try. With 100 channels available commercial free, I thought I should be able to find something I like. Well, I tell you, this is no ordinary radio. The sound quality is incredible. The Delphi XM MyFi comes with a car kit that allows me to enjoy the same station while driving all the way from Toronto to Montreal.
Before deciding on satellite radio, I was thinking of getting an iPod. But then I thought, everyone has an iPod. At the cost of less than a CD a month, I've joined those on the satellite radio bandwagon. Why XM radio? Like I said, I was motivated by the Aeroplan promotion. And, believe it or not, I just couldn't pronounce "Sirius". When people ask me, I didn't want to have to say, "not XM Radio, it's the other one" ... 
Posted by Ba on Tuesday 22 August 2006 - 15:59:32
Add/Read Comments: 1|
Flashback!
My 7 sisters got together recently for a family reunion. Of course, they reminded me that they looked after me when I was little ... 
It brings back fond memories, and I remember vaguely about having our family picture taken. Can you guess which one is me?
More flashback pictures can be seen here.
Posted by Ba on Sunday 18 June 2006 - 01:49:18
Run into any politicians lately?
I just seem to run into politicians (current or former) at the Toronto airport in recent times. A couple of months ago, I noticed former M.P. Svend Robinson walked by. Then two weeks ago, it was Joe Volpe, a Liberal leadership candidate. With each of them, we made eye contact but that's about it.
On Sunday evening I had a brief chat with Scott Brison, another Liberal leadership candidate, in the elevator to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Terminal 1. When I realized who he was, I said "you're Mr. Brison". He said in a friendly tone, "yes, I'm Scott". We shaked hands and I wished him well in his bid for the Liberal party leadership. Brison is a nice guy, but I don't think he'll make it past the first or second ballot. I almost felt like saying to him, "Bob Rae is the guy you should throw your support" (I've always liked Bob Rae. Unforturnately, he became the premier of Ontario with the wrong party and at the worst of times). But then I thought, why ruin a decent "elevator talk"?
Why can't I run into show biz celebrities? Wonder who I'll run into next ...
Posted by Ba on Monday 08 May 2006 - 00:48:12
No more anonymous post at this site
Well, I suppose sooner or later it will come to this. Spamming at this site by anonymous posters basically forces my hand. I have no time for this sort of nonsense so I'm afraid you'll need to sign up if you want to post a comment. It's not my preference for sure, but there's nothing else I can do.
Posted by Ba on Sunday 30 April 2006 - 00:05:03
Will history repeat itself?
If the results of election polls hold up, we'll be looking at a change of federal government in Canada on January 23. Opposition Leader Stephen Harper is certainly sounding like a prime minister. Is he scary? I don't think so. But I also think that everything a prime minister has ever said publicly in his/her adult life is relevant. More importantly, I don't believe a person could change his/her right wing conservative ideology within a few years, never mind a few months. Harper appears to have shifted his views to moderate conservatism and taken his party to the centre. I believe it's more about how he has "packaged" himself in front of Canadians. He is a very different leader from the 2004 election. Outside of Alberta (where the Conservatives can run with a dog as leader and still win), a truly "spoken like a Conservative" political leader is a hard sell to most Canadians.
Well, the federal Liberals have nothing but themselves to blame for the situation that they're in. Unfortunately for Paul Martin, he's paying the price. There's little doubt that short of winning a majority (which is about as likely as the return of Elvis), Martin is history after the election.
So, looking ahead, what can we predict? Historically, for every year they stay in power, the Conservatives (or formerly Progressive Conservatives) spend 4 years in opposition. If by uniting the right (PC and formerly Reform/Canadian Alliance) it changes that trend, this country's political landscape has certainly shifted. Somehow I don't think it has. Here are some possible scenarios:
Scenario A
The Conservatives win a majority or just under 155 seats to make it unlikely that the opposition parties will bring down the government any time soon. Paul Martin resigns. We'll be looking at 4 years of a Conservative government. During that time, Harper shows his true colours that Canadians don't have an appetite for. An election will be held in 2010 (ouch!). The Liberals with a younger, stronger leader and the scandal behind them will win a majority. They will govern for another 12 years.
Scenario B
The Conservatives win a majority. Paul Martin resigns. We'll be looking at 4 years of a Conservative government. During that time, Harper shows that he has truly changed his ideology to be more moderate like most Canadians. The economy is strong and we're considered good friends of the United States again. An election will be held in 2010, and Harper wins back-to-back majority (remember Brian Mulroney?). It takes the Liberals 8 years to rid themselves of their stinking, scandalous image. By the time an election is held in 2014, the deficit is running high. The Liberals with a younger, stronger leader will win a majority. They will govern for another 12 years.
Scenario C
The Conservatives win a minority. Paul Martin resigns. The Conservatives, skating on thin ice, can't keep the promises they've made and they fall within 2 years. The Liberals, again, with a younger, stronger leader, will win a majority in the next election in 2007 or 2008. The Liberals will govern for another 12 years.
Scenario D
The Liberals win a minority. Martin calls for a leadership review and of course, he'll be forced to step down for a younger, stronger leader. The opposition parties bring down the government, and again, we'll have another election in 2007 or 2008 when the Liberals will win a majority. They will govern for another 12 years.
Sadly, under any scenario, the NDP probably has the most to lose. Is it all that scary? No matter what happens on January 23, the sun will continue to shine. More importantly, we'll still be around.
Posted by Ba on Saturday 14 January 2006 - 19:34:25
