Category Archives: Uncategorized

Uncategorized

Songs Not To Be Forgotten from 70s 80s

It’s no secret that this was a vibrant period in modern music. A sampling -many of which had lesser popular appeal.


  1. Heartbeat City – The Cars
  2. Come Undone – Duran Duran
  3. Annie’s Song –John Denver
  4. Show Me The Way – Peter Frampton
  5. I Go Crazy – Paul Davis
  6. Heaven Can Wait – Meatloaf
  7. Sorrow – Pink Floyd
  8. Since I’ve Been Loving You – Led Zeppelin
  9. Still Got The Blues – Gary Moore
  10. The Love Parade – Dream Academy
  11. The Perfect Kiss – New Order
  12. Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
  13. Aubrey – David Gates and Bread
  14. If You Could Read My Mind – Gordon Lightfoot
  15. Light In The Tunnel / Human Race – Red Rider
  16. Thunder In My Heart Again – Leo Sayer
  17. Crucified – The Fixx
  18. Slave To Love – Bryan Ferry
  19. Free Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd
  20. Talking In Your Sleep – The Romantics
Uncategorized

Whistleblowers Fired In B.C.

You may have read the story. Word is that close to 20 civil servants in B.C. have been fired in the context of voicing concerns over public spending. Imagine that. Results from an investigation proceeded and ultimately two individuals were escorted from the legislature.

Let’s think this through:

 We all know that Canadians are over taxed with a top marginal rate in Alberta of 49 per cent income tax.  Yes, that’s just income tax and doesn’t include excise taxes, property taxes, or GST.  In fact, many of your fellow citizens of high net worth leave the maple leaf behind for residence elsewhere due to the excess of Canadian tax.

Now let’s consider our politicians who have done absolutely zilch in decades to materially reduce the personal income tax burden. It hasn’t mattered their stripe because once any politician has achieved office – the best interests of taxpayers have been lost amidst the expanse of bureaucratic largesse. Ralph Klein in Alberta is one noted exception who took on public sector unions and saved the public purse from calamity. Unfortunately, his legacy has been undone.    

How about the receptivity of public officials to your discontentment with the tax burden? It obviously hasn’t translated. For bureaucrats as evidenced by this sequence of events in the B.C. legislature to be  negligent with the treatment of sacred tax dollars to the extent that they would  enact measures of self protection of their behavior through non-disclosure agreements should in my estimation be equivalent to fraud and corruption. Yes, corruption in Canada.  

Uncategorized

Nakiska’s Charm

The things I like about Nakiska are mountainous scenes, guaranteed snow (snow making), unrushed morning travel, friendly feel, and affordability.  I’m grateful to be back on some boards that give me better manoeuvrability in the bumps having had my old Head Monster 88’s lifted at COP last winter and then experiencing lesser performing substitutes.  Speaking of Monsters, the Monster Glades is where I tested these refurbished K2 Axis skis yesterday (snap enclosed) given that other bump runs were in quite poor shape.  These skis were acquired thanks to the empathy of ski friend OB having learned of my COP misfortune. Thanks OB!

Not all the kids were absent due to school yesterday (Friday). Canada games trials were taking place for slalom enthusiasts. No, this was not the course they were on (snap) but surprisingly this had been set up on Lower Mapmaker for training. Yes, I veered off course for the photographic moment.

I’m establishing a nice collection of Nakiska photos given my leisurely annual weekday forays and in fact the experience leads me to think about bringing a tripod along one day to step up the seriousness of capturing the beautiful scenery. A “Go Pro” for my helmut perhaps. Stay tuned.  I’m reminded of the esteemed Warren Miller who with his team had taken phenomenal footage of ski terrain throughout the world and inspired youth to take up the sport.

Monster Glades 011119
Decent considering snow pack.
Workshop – Refurbishing skis
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Tears In Oshawa

I’m going to say the unpopular because that’s what I do. I simply say what other people are thinking because without the voice of reason, society is destined for continued mediocrity.

Whenever I go to get my GM car fixed in a dealership, I witness indifference to my needs until I bark. I see snooty people without a post secondary education carving out agendas of mini power trips. I see checkout clerks unprofessionally dressed. I’m quoted over priced parts.  I see a laissez- faire modicum of operation. My car’s make and model steering mechanism had been deemed responsible for multiple deaths but its ultimate recall was delayed and only actuated after outrage from interested parties.

Workers in Canadian assembly lines of automobile manufacturing typically require no formal education in order to conduct menial assembly line tasks. Yes, some tasks require dexterity and on the job training, but an individual need not bring a mind equipped with astute analytical skills or a body of knowledge to deploy. Auto plant workers when factoring in benefits and pension plans oftentimes out earn those who have invested much more in professional development. 

The taxpayer has bailed out the automobile industry in the face of hardened union agreements. The Quebec based Bombardier has also benefitted dramatically from public funds.  When market forces and financial crises have struck non-auto, and non-airplane manufacturing sectors, these sectors succumbed to the market. Yet, your federal government has opened your wallet to the aforementioned two groups unabashedly. When other Canadians at times have been hit by unemployment, a system of Employment Insurance could be systematically deployed to their benefit. However; with the news of an Oshawa plant closure, it would appear that politicians are all too eager to expedite the waiting period or elongate the benefit period maximum. 

It’s an event like today with this news when we come to learn exactly where your federal government and opposition politicians stand within the framework of capitalism, individual responsibility, free markets, and the perviousness of the public purse.

My message to auto workers facing layoffs… get registered for the January session at your local community college and learn more about competing in the free enterprise system. Oh yes, you may need to put that boat or cottage up for sale as you invest in yourself.      

       

Uncategorized, Music

Shoegaze and Slowdive

Shoegaze music became a shadow or back seat genre of the grunge scene during the 90s. Typically played in the minor keys, the name came from lead guitarists’ fixation on their feet due to the operation of numerous effect pedals daisy chained on stage. Thanks to KEXP radio, I discovered Slowdive which may be the preeminent band associated with the genre. To the band’s surprise upon reuniting in 2014 after a long hiatus due partly to unflattering reviews, audiences hailed them dearly in London and Barcelona. Their return has been invigorated with a hot new album self titled “Slowdive”.

 My characterization of the music is “sombre mood”. If you’re willing to go into the darkness, you’ll shimmy in calm. Just make certain you come out while not over cooking your playlist with it. While the distinction of chord movement is oftentimes muddled given the heavy use of reverb, the unrushed melodies can be impactful and pointed.

Much of my attraction to Slowdive is the modest stage presence and obvious band cohesiveness lead by lead song writer and front man Neal Halstead. What his childhood chum Rachel Goswell lacks in vocal range – she makes up for in musicality on guitar and keyboard.  Her voice tonality is actually fitting to the eclectic ambience illuminating live performances. Critical to the sensitive nature of the genre, the rhythm section has a strong feel for dynamics with Simon Scott intuitively in sync with bassist Nick Chaplin. Christian Savill rounds out the troupe on rhythm guitar.