and YET another one bites the dust...

(This is a bit overdue)

A few years ago me and Neil made a pact that 2007 was the ideal year to get hitched (to other people). It was far enough away to remove the pressure off our shoulders and we were in it together, all for one and one for all. Now thanks to this wonderful woman named Shilpi he may have to break his word. Maybe. I guess there are worse things a friend could do.

Mucho Congratulations!! And thanks for the great proposal read, Neil I was crazy impressed with you. I'll see you both soon!

Countdown to December 13...

Hi ASHA, The ticket(s) you ordered on September 17, 2005 for NEW YORK RANGERS have been printed! They will be shipped to you shortly via US Mail.

Rangers vs Canucks at MSG!!!

Yay for me!

Who runs your world?

The BBC is exploring Power - who has it, who wants it, how its used and how its changing, in its recent series Who runs your world?.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "On the surface it appears my world is controlled by politicians and people of that kind. But I have always believed this is God's world, and God is in charge. God might run my life through my wife or through my children and grandchildren, where I don't always get my own way."

Nawal Saadawi: "Throughout my long way, I paid a price so high that I had sacrificed my freedom in order to gain my independence. I have always been adamant that my own life is in my own hands, that I am in charge of my own life and myself."

Hanan Ashrawi: "I think it's my own national identity, my own commitment to the Palestinian cause. I feel that my personal life is essential because if you do not start with this concentric circles, if you do not love your family, you cannot be part of humanity."

Kofi Annan: "Whilst I take instructions from the Governors, from the Security Council and the General Assembly, I also listen to the people and we play off what they are telling us. One has to understand the limits of power. One has to understand power and its use, and not behave as if one is omnipotent."

Asha Majithia: "Often it feels as though the power over my life is in a constant state of flux - my environment, my faith, my family, my boss - but in reality I am the one who allows these aspects to control me, I am the commander in chief of my emotions, of my output and of my footprint"

Everytime I see you falling...

This weekend proved to be a much needed reminder of why I love my life the way it is and why I've made the choices I have. Last week had me all frazzled and questioning, however after last night I am thrilled with my current status.

Renewed acceptance. Bring it on!

A not so bold move

Do you think there'll be a time when we all stop being stupid and just tell eachother what we're thinking?

Simplicity/clarity...maybe thats asking too much from anyone (including from me)

Sometimes I wish I wasn't so stubborn....just sometimes.

Its wrong what they say about the past, that you can bury it.

Ever read a book that is so good you don't want it to end. And once it does you don't know what to do with yourself? That is me today.

This afternoon I finished reading Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini. The story of Amir and his struggle with his personal demons, the backdrop being modern day Afganistan. Just brilliant.

I'm pensive, parts of the book made me think of my parents, arriving to Canada in the seventies, others about the decisions I make everyday...to whom to I owe a fiduciary duty?, I laughed out loud and cried openly (in the laundromat no less), Amir and Hassan feel real to me. There is a way to be good again.

This novel will definitely be making it into people's christmas stockings this year.

Whats next on my list? Well I'm taking a break from the world of fiction and picked up Freedom at Midnight by Collins & Lapierre. Back to the homeland it seems.

One law for all...

August 2004: BBC article - Will Canada introduce sharia law?

Canada is a country well-known for being committed to multiculturalism, but now this most accepting of countries is debating whether tolerance has its limits....in Ontario Orthodox Jews are able to settle their civil disputes in religious courts, so why not Muslims?

...Muslims and Jews may not always be natural allies, but on this they are united. All religious people have the right to settle difficulties according to their religion, the rabbi told me, as he sat in front of a large poster of Jerusalem.

The problem the Ontario Government has is it cannot say: Jews, we like your law, it is good; and Muslims, we do not like yours, it is unfair to women.

They must find a way round that.

And this being Canada, they will find a way round it.

Since its creation, Canada has accommodated the rights of different minorities. This is just the latest challenge to a nation built on tolerance.

Email from a friend - August 04:

I can't believe that Canada will allow Sharia law to be used to decide cases over there, it would be ridiculous.

My response - August 04:

I actually wouldn't be opposed to the use of Sharia law in cases as long as the application of the law doesn't violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (which makes all humans equal under the law and other jazz like that). It might make things difficult for the Sharia-ites becuase they will have to modernize their interpretations but its time they did anyway. Its only fair and equal since the Jewish community does it.

September 2005: National Post - Ontario rejects sharia law

Jews, Christians to lose their religious tribunals as Premier vows 'one law for all'

All forms of religious arbitration -- including Islam's sharia law, which was the subject of worldwide protest last week -- will be outlawed in Ontario, the Premier said yesterday.

''There will be no sharia law in Ontario. There will be no religious arbitration in Ontario. There will be one law for all Ontarians."

The system works, one law for all, I'm for it. I don't have much to comment on here, did all my debating on this a year ago.

The absence of a dealbreaker

Satc tonight got me thinking. What's my dealbreaker? I remember having this discussion over Thai food in March. Three girls bs-ing over wine. I completely forget what mine was.

Smoking? I guess in the long run, but I've never really let it get in the way.
Republican? Maybe. I could probably handle a moderate conservative.
Drugs? Hmm..lets not get into that one.
Living w/ inlaws? Not this one either.

Whistling, nose-picking, unibrows, ugly feet, nail biting, back stubble, spitting...nah, these are too superficial to be all important.

Gosh, am I really this laid back? How in the hell did I ever get around to breaking up with anyone...

What's making me happy right now...

Picnics on the river front. Surprise deliveries of stroopwafels. Two completed passes (including an extra point) Following the red brick road in Boston. Making it through my first mid year review in one piece. Staying away from the inside of airports for one month. Realizing that I have enough shoes (for now). Booking tickets home (almost). Laughing at silly tan lines, afternoon tequila "gifts" from strangers and having cell reception in the middle of the ocean. Being completely engrossed in "Kite Runner", the novel on my bedstand. Breadcrumbs ;). Not having a Plan B.

Seriously, if the building didn't say "Boston City Hall" on it where would you guess I am?

The vulnerability of a giant...

Yesterday the elevator doors opened and the headlines on the plasma screen in front of me screamed "evacuations halted after shots fired at helicopters". wtf. This morning there was live feed of the chemical fire. I can't believe the hurricane was 4 days ago and people still don't have food and water. The irony of this whole situation hasn't escaped me, but it seems a bit silly to say "I told you so" when people are dying.

The people are grumbling. I just went to the grocery store. The woman in front of me was on the phone loudly voicing her opinion on the locations of troops in Iraq and not in the South. Its an obvious question, and was bound to happen eventually. The mayor of New Orleans *bleeped* President Bush on the radio today. This next election will be much different. Who'd have thought in 2000 when Bush was first elected that his foreign policy would get him re-elected and his nation policies will be his downfall - I remember scores of articles about his lack of internationalism, I guess he over compensated.

Why is this falling on the President? Shouldn't there be some other poor shmuck who deals with deploying troops internally, who can just make the call on their own. Needing the President's okay seems a bit micro-manage-y to me, whatever happened to employee empowerment.

Everytime I go get a coffee, a drink, to a meeting I'm faced with large plasma screens filled with CNN or Fox News showing pictures that seem so foreign, so amazing, so tragic. Its strange that its so close. Its all a bit overwelming. Why is it that tragedy seems to be making its rounds around the world, searching for some sort of home, I'm afraid to see whats next...

Terre de nos aïeux...

I got this is my inbox a few days ago (I'm registered with the Canadian Embassy so I get news updates once a week, recommend that you all do the same and register with your embassy abroad).

------------------

Mr Hannity and Mr. Colmes (of Fox News),

Remarks made last week on your show by Arizona Representative J.D. Hayworth that "the Canadians now basically let anyone into their country. And you're right. This is a real problem" were irresponsible and an elected official should know better. Canadians know that we are also on Al-Qaeda's hit list. The September 11 attacks, and the many other attacks around the world remind Canadians every day of their vulnerability and our collective duty to contribute to global security. That is why we passed tough new immigration and anti-terrorism legislation. And that's why we have the largest military presence in Afghanistan, after the United States.

The real story is that Canada's immigration system is tough and fair. We screen each and every immigrant and refugee applicant to make sure that they meet our security requirements. These requirements are very similar to US immigration requirements. Our refugee acceptance rates are also equivalent. Also, since January, when the United States implemented its side of an agreement with Canada to prevent refugee applicants making simultaneous applications in both our countries, applicants to Canada have significantly dropped.

Well before 9-11, we've had officers working with airlines in our embassies abroad to ensure anyone getting on a plane for Canada had the right documentation. Annually, this prevented thousands from getting into North America and Homeland Security is now adapting the Canadian approach for American use.

Canada lets anybody in? Estimates are that there are 60,000 undocumented persons in Canada. In the US, with a population ten times that of Canada, there are over 10 million. It's the pot calling the kettle black.

Frank McKenna

Ambassador of Canada to the United States

-----------------

The Canadian immigration system gets alot of flack down here. I can honestly say I don't why. It is not easy to immigrate to Canada, ask any one who has married a foreigner recently. I did some research and found out that in terms of refugees, Canada accepts about 40% of its refugee claimants, the US accepts 37%. So thats not the where the difference comes from.

Is it because Canada is so obviously multicultural (and by this I mean non-white)? Maybe. Canada's multicultural nature was a policy decision made many years ago - focussing on celebrating cultures and differences as opposed to striving for an assimilated melting pot. So what if we're a colourful nation.

The birth rate in Canada is a little over 1% and the death rate is just under that. 20% of the population is at retirement age and 15% more will be in the next ten years. Coupled with the growth of the economy and the socialist nature of the country, immigration - aggressive, focused and continuous - is a necessary component of the country's future. Last year ago about 200k people entered Canada (less than 1% of the total population of 32MM+). So I still fail to see why this is seen as excessive. I'm not saying that Canada's policies are perfect just that they definitely do not warrant the kinds of attacks they've been getting.

I like the little inferiority complex that Canada has about the US. The little brother feeling, always trying to defend and justify our policies and stance. Personally it doesn't bug me, and its part of who we are. I think its interesting that my gov't has a website (Canadian Ally) dedicated specifically to communicating with the US population about Canadian issues/truths/misconceptions.

Wow, I'm feeling very Canadian today, point me to a Tims and lace up my skates (actually apparently the most popular sport to play in Canada is Golf not hockey...but I suspect that Hockey Night in Canada still might get more viewers)