Quebec votes... for what I don't know

Quebec goes to the polls on September 4.  For those of you who live abroad, Quebec is a province within Canada that is mainly French-speaking and known within Canada as "a distinct society".

I find myself torn over all of this malarkey.  As an anglophone, I don't have much choice.  I can use my vote to support the brown-envelope party, the hardcore English-hating separatists, the Stevie-like separatists, the liberal separatists or the Green Party.

Of course, the parties are debating over (guess what?) separatism, who did what to whom way back when... that's really about it.  Anyone who's ever been to Quebec will see the crumbling roads for themselves.  Infrastructure is in the hands of the brown-envelope recipients.  Health care at best is abysmal with emergency room wait times exceeding 12-14 hours.  Family doctors are scarce for the general population.   Education isn't not really a priority, unless it's in French.

Quebec is most likely the poorest of all provinces yet it wants to become its own country with continued economic ties to Canada.  Does this make any sense to you?  If it doesn't, don't fret.  You're not alone.  Too many people are concerned about language in this election.  When another piece of concrete falls on a highway, does it matter if the workers fixing the damage speak French or not?  How come other Francophone nations aren't bullying their citizens to preserve the language that's being threatened by those dastardly English speakers? Oh, heavens to Betsy - the horror!

I think about Jack Layton (may he rest in peace).  I have every confidence he would be standing up for a better Canada that includes a better Quebec.

Now hear this all you political types.  It's time to pull your finger out of your bottom orifice and see the forest for the dying trees.  Stop whinging about separatism or the language issue.  No one wants to do business with Quebec because of the crackhead rules about nothing that's really of importance.  Fix the roads.  Stop the corruption already!  Focus on what's really important - education, health care and the economy.  I have a sneaky feeling after this election there's going to be another mass exodus as people are gonna get the H-E double hockey sticks outta dodge.

If you know me by now, my sneaky feelings are usually right.

looky here - Athena's in the newspaper!

Well shiver me timbers, I've gone & got myself quoted in a Sun News Network publication!

Thanks Gina for publishing my tweet for all to see.  In case you were wondering what the fuss was about, I had heard about Angela Merkel's visit to Canada.  Turns out she was here asking for a handout bailout.  Stevie H told her to sort herself out.

Stevie, this is the one good thing you've done since taking office.  At this rate you'll have 5 gold stars on your chart by the next federal election!

the Olympics so far

Well kids, I have been pleasantly surprised by CTV's coverage of the Summer Games.  Gone are the nonsensical whims of fashion & teenage angst.  Analysts include some of Canada's greatest athletes who provide great insight into each event.  Overall, a significant improvement from 2010.

So what's burning Athena's cookies?  Product placement.  There was a bottle of Coke prominently (read: purposefully) displayed during Ryan Cochrane's press conference yesterday.  This morning the CTV & RDS hosts had a cup of McCafe front & centre.  I wonder who's paying the bills? Hmmm.

This brings up another question for me.  How is it that McPigs, Coke & P&G end up being Olympic sponsors?  Doesn't the Olympics represent the pinnacle of athletic achievement & performance?  You train hard, endeavour to eat properly and keep yourself in the right frame of mind to have the opportunity to represent your country in front of the world.  Instead, you are surrounded by brands that encourage you to eat shite, drink shite & wash yourself in shite.  Nasty.

What's all this whinging about the Opening Ceremonies?  I thought it was great!  Ethan & I watched it over a glass of sparkling wine & had a blast.  So what if they highlighted the NHS.  People, it was a tribute to the Great Ormond Street Hospital which is one of the world's leading children's hospitals.  And yes, the British health care system is something to be proud of (I'm talking to you USA)!  Loved Mr. Bean's performance.  Great Britain has given the world the Internet, Harry Potter, James Bond, football hooligans and Coronation Street.  By right they should be proud of that!  All those who oppose just sit down & have a cuppa (tea for all you non-Brits).

I think I need to get up earlier to watch the good stuff.  Athletics starts Friday August 3rd!

wedded bliss

Ethan and I are married!  Holy crap!  We just got back from our honeymoon in Santa Banana.

We had the time of our lives during our wedding and our honeymoon.  And yes, our marriage is legally binding, if you catch my drift.

While we were in Santa Banana, we learned so much about the people and the culture.  The one thing that I will remember most is the power of the human spirit.  The people of Santa Banana may not have financial wealth but they are extremely talented.  We saw so many artisans and musicians that would be world-renowned if it not were for the government restrictions placed on these people.

Should we 'free' them?  No, it's not our place to do so.  The best thing we can do is visit their land, learn from their culture and find a way to showcase their talents to the world.  It's the next thing to do on my bucket list!