Yet another time for Canadians to make their ways to their local polls and place their support behind a local candidate, or in perhaps even more cases, a perceived effective party leader. Polls are open from 9:30AM to 9:30PM, which won’t stop the networks from picking a winner (winner chicken dinner) before 9. That said, you yourself have until 9:30 to make your voice heard.
I’ve actually spent almost no time trying to convince others to vote this time around, as my thoughts on this have changed. First it was the people deciding not to vote Harper because he wore sweater vests in his ads. I’d like to think it’s not possible that someone would actually use sweater vests as a reason not to vote for someone, but it does appear so. Then, of course, comes the Anti-Harper Vote Swap Canada debate.
For those not in the know a gent out of Hamilton set up a Facebook group in an effort to keep the Conservatives out of power. I have nothing against an activism group per se, but how they’re getting active is by swapping votes with other like-minded voters across Canada. The easiest way of explaining it: You’re a Green Party supporter living in Winnipeg Centre, where the election will go to either the Conservative or Liberal party. Meanwhile, in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound sits a Liberal supporter who will cast a vote in an election that’s going to either the Conservative or Green parties. Anti-Harper Vote Swap Canada would have you and the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound gent agree to swap your votes, meaning you’d vote Green for him; he’d vote Liberal for you. The end result is one vote for each of your parties, and two effective votes against Harper’s Conservatives.
The backdrop of this appears, at least in statement, to be in favour of vote reform and against the idea of a two-party system. I find it interesting considering it’s been essentially a two-party system for.. ever. But now that the Liberal party is finding their vote split instead of the PC/Reform debacle of years ago it’s offensive. What’s more offensive? That my family fought and died in world wars so almost 14,000 idiots can trade their votes instead of making it meaningful to the riding they live in.
I no longer believe everyone should get out and vote. If you’re one of 14,000 stupid enough to trade your vote blindly online for nothing more than the word of someone you don’t know I can only hope your vote truly isn’t heard. Maybe next time around you’ll take the responsibility a little more seriously. For all you know I could be registered now, having you change your vote and heading out today to vote as scheduled for my preferred candidate, and trust me, I wouldn’t be the only one.
Today’s Random Links
A copy of the first website ever. No, not the Big Red Button that doesn’t do anything.
What’s better, the iPhone (2008) or the stone (40,000 BC)?
Paddle faster, I can hear banjos!
Now Playing
Ray LaMontagne – Till the Sun Turns Black

I’m somewhat amused that this video of the first 24 hours in an embryo’s life was released the day before Henry Morgentaler receives the Order of Canada today.
I want the US Election to be over. Four years ago I was so tired of hearing about John Kerry I actually pledged allegiance to George Bush, solely in hopes of seeing an irate media try to deal with their lack of power over people. It happened, hilarity ensued, I slept fine. Here we are again and I can’t look sideways without hearing about Obama this, Obama that. I hope McCain wins, so hilarity may ensue once more. I know he won’t, but a man can have dreams.
A couple rays of light shone on me yesterday when I moved east of Woodbine during the lunch hour. First, the 12th Fret is a great little music store located close to the office, and houses some authentic vintage Strats and Teles. Second, there may be an independent cafe opening. Of course, they could be independent and selling swill, but in the absence of anything resembling good coffee I’ll cross my fingers and hope. I’m so close to just bringing in a french press but then I’m setting myself up for taunting.
Have a great Thanksgiving weekend, everyone!
Today’s Random Links
Clint Malarchuk is bound and determined to injure every part of his head.
10 reasons to care about this new NHL season.
The secret to a long life? Celibacy!
Now Playing
Matt Nathanson – Some Mad Hope

No way of scaling down pictures at the office yet so I can’t post anything pretty for us this morning. If I could post something, though, it would totally be this one. Today marks day two and I’m typing this from my desk at 58Ninety on the new company laptop. I was second in this morning but as a commuter from Bolton I’ve got to leave before 7 if I have any hopes of snagging a parking spot at Kipling Station. There’s free street parking down here so it is in my head that it might be worthwhile to start driving straight down at some point, but I’ll likely wait until the TTC charges for parking to start that.
So this area is a little bit on the remote side at Woodbine and Danforth, and as I was warned a few times in the days leading up to my start, there’s almost no decent food to be had. My boss took me across the street to Melanie’s Bistro, which was actually quite nice, but indicated it was the only nice restaurant within walking distance. I’m hitting up Restaurantica, OurFaves, and Chowhound in hopes of securing a couple more regular haunts within a km or so. Yesterday was dark, dreary, and drab, and coupled with my job effectively being reading all day it put my brain in neutral. It was certainly a nicer commute in this morning, what with sunshine and all, and I was second in the office so I’ve got a little time to myself to type this.
The coffee from the automatic machine is not good. No Starbucks within three TTC stops. This may cause trouble.
Today’s Random Links
10 new ways to eat bacon you may not have thought of.
A list of over 25 useful Twitter tools and Firefox apps.
21 Nintendo facts.. they own the Seattle Mariners?!
Now Playing
Brett Dennen – So Much More

I finally found some pants. So new pants, new shirts, two new water bottles, two boxes of granola bars, and I’m just about ready to go tomorrow. My attempts to buy a Metropass were thwarted when I found out they don’t sell them after the fourth business day of the month, save for two stations that are nowhere near me (or anyone, for that matter). Looks like I need to sneak my way in tomorrow, jump off at Islington, use the automatic machine there, and finally have a Metropass for the rest of the month. This will work for three months at least at which point the TTC is going to stop offering free parking to Metropass customers, and likely force me into driving downtown on a daily basis. I’m a big TTC fan, but man they have no clue how to run a business.
Nobody else here uses Twitter, eh? Oddly enough it’s become somewhat of an addiction, making random text updates while I’m out and about. I’ve been using it to keep up on the few friends I have that are on it, and to check out the industry experts who use it to offer up random links. Strange enough, even the Canadian Electoral Candidates are using it: Stephen Harper, Stephane Dion, Jack Layton, and Elizabeth May. Think of it as blogging in 140 characters or less – and tie it into your Facebook status – and you’ll probably find yourself getting addicted as well.
Thanks to Justin for this one, which deserves a place above the random links – www.sendbarackyourbaby.com: Barack Obama travels a lot, but many babies live in places he hasn