Need to Pay More Attention to What's Happening in Canada

There are many issues and problems in Canada that needs to be talked about and addressed.  There is one particular issue I noticed in myself.  Many are probably in the same boat.  It essentially is that we need to pay more attention to what's happening in Canada.  With what's happening in other parts of the world, more specifically the United States, dominating headlines, it's easy to focus on that.  The death of George Floyd is a prime example is dominating headlines (as it should) and we are focused on that.  But that doesn't mean we should focus solely on that.

I recognize that I know more about what's going on in the United States than Canada.  I need to change that.  Social media is a way to find out news and to see what's trending.  That's how I find out about stuff.  I don't always go out of my way to find out about what's going locally, provincially, and nationally.  It's one thing to say one should do more of that.  It's another to actually do it.

Am I out of touch?  Am I not informed.  Not necessarily.  It's easier to focus on things dominating the headlines.  Such things as COVID-19, George Floyd, and the rioting for instance.  That's what currently dominating headlines.  Lots of things are in the news, but they don't get even half as much attention as other stuff.  I get why.  But that doesn't mean we should just stick to what is dominating headlines.

You might think it's easy to say that.  I have already acknowledged that in a round about way. Again, that's why it's good to look at all news and not just what is in front of our faces.  Hopefully I'll try to make more of a conscious effort in this regard.  Saying and doing are two different things.  I don't keep ear close enough to the ground when it comes to Canadian news in terms of a wide range of news.  COVID-19 in Canada is one of the few things I hear about most times which proves my point.  We could use some positivity in this world right now.  I know it will be hard, but it's out there somewhere.


That's enough news for today.  I know I won't be able to avoid it, but it can burn one out.  Now to do something else.  Movie, video games, continue binging "Seinfeld?"  Not matter what, I need to take my mind off the dominating headlines for now.  Be well and stay safe.  See you on the flipside.

Song of the Day #65 - "My Number" - Tegan and Sara

Have always liked this song, but have been loving it more lately.  Interesting to find out in the description of the audio (read it for the first time) that Hawksley Workman produced it and the rest of The Business of Art.  It's interesting what you find out.

If I gave you my number
Would it still be the same
If I, if I saved you from drowning
Promise me you'll never go away
Promise me you'll always stay

"My Number" by Tegan and Sara
YouTube link

Song of the Day #64 - Zachary Lucky

Recently, as I sometimes do, after listening a discography playlist I let Spotify randomly play songs.  An artist by the name of Zachary Lucky came up.  Went on to listen to the rest of his music.  As I was listening to his music I noticed he mentioned Saskatchewan a bunch.  I came to realize that he is Saskatchewan's answer to Del Barber.  If any of you know who Del Barber is, you'll get it.  Honestly though, he does that style of songwriting like many artists like Del Barber.  I discovered Lucky is from Saskatoon.

Here is the song that randomly came up thanks to Spotify.  It caught my ear.  It's the title track off his 2016 record Everywhere a Man Should Be.

"Everywhere a Man Should Be" by Zachary Lucky
YouTube link

Canadian Politics - Too Much Choice?

Canada is in the midst of an election season.  We are nearing the end of the campaign trail.  I for one want this to be done and over with.  Justin Trudeau has said the Conservatives have run the dirtiest campaign in history.  That is based on disinformation.  In terms of disinformation, maybe.  But it isn't the dirtiest in history.  If you want to talk about dirtiest, Kim Campbell used Jean Chretien's partial facial paralysis due to bell's palsy in a campaign or Stephen Harper and the robocall scandal for instance.  Regardless of that, this season has had its share of insults, digging up stuff from the past such as black/brownface, ignoring things that they accuse others of doing that they also do, and accused of fearmongering, etc., etc..

With that being said, the question is if we have too much choice.  Lots of countries have this problem.  They have a lot of parties to choose from when it comes to voting.  As well, lots of countries have a two-party system with the United States being the most notable.  You could say Canada is two party system since the Conservatives and Liberals are the only parties that get voted in and form government.  No other parties have been voted in.  Although, the New Democratic Party (NDP) has been official opposition in the past.

For a part of Canada's history we have been a two-party system.  But with the three-party system, such parties such as the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois has had some sort of influence.  But the two-party system changed after the First World War.  Unlike the United State's two-party where you can only vote for Democrats and Republicans, Canada's parliamentary democracy encourages a multi-party system.  You will see that very much.

Canada has six that get talked about on the national stage with one being strictly in Quebec.  There is the Liberals, the Conservatives, the NDP, the Green Party, the Bloc Quebecois, and the newest party which is the People's Party of Canada (PPC).  It is stupid for the Bloc to be running considering they don't want Quebec to be apart of Canada.  It is a vastly different culture than the rest of Canada.

If you do research, you'll find the fringe parties such as the Rhinoceros Party (which is meant to not be taken seriously per se), the Christian Heritage Party (a big claim is they are only pro life party), Progressive Canadian Party (PC Party, they're number of candidates have shrunk to single digits since being founded in 2004), the Marijuana Party (founded in 2000, number of candidates have shrunk to single digits, and their ideology is pointless since marijuana is legal now), and other parties you can look up.  They don't run the full number of candidates.  Even if they did, they wouldn't get any seats.

The fringe parties are one thing, but looking strictly at the main national parties, we have way too much choice.  Add in the fringe parties that run in various ridings, that means even more choice.  I get that Canada is multi-party system, but when is enough enough?

The Green Party only gets one seat because of Elizabeth May and that wasn't until the last couple of elections.  Since being founded in the 80s, they've never won any seats until now.  But they now have two seats since Paul Manly won a by-election on May 6 in the Nanaimo—Ladysmith riding in British Columbia.  Since the Bloc is a Quebec only separatist party, common sense dictates they get seats in Quebec.  Just as a side note, growing up when they had a referendum, I was against them separating.  I was a kid and didn't know any better.  The PPC won't get any seats outside of founder and leader Maxime Bernier.  But I also won't be surprised if, on the off chance, he doesn't get voted in.

You could also look at from the position of more choice is great and it could potentially mean less seats for the major parties.  That's great in theory, but no fringe party has ever had a candidate elected yet people still vote for them even if it means only getting a handful of votes.  Stranger things have happened.  A fringe party could have a candidate voted in.  Who am I kidding?  That wouldn't happen.

We need to stop being so divided and do what is right for the country.  Yes, we will still say this leader or that leader is not a good choice for Prime Minister.  If you know me, you will know that I am anti-Andrew Scheer and don't want him voted in.  Some even are scared for the future of Canada if Scheer is voted in.  I for one hope Scheer isn't voted in thus a new leader of the Conservatives would be necessary.

Justin Trudeau has said the Conservatives have a good chance of getting voted in.  That's doesn't sound like confidence.  Is he scared of losing?  He shouldn't focus on that.  He should focus on remaining Prime Minister.

Regardless if you think there is too much choice or not enough, get out there and vote.  Even though I feel you shouldn't vote for the Conservatives, get out there and vote.  The future of this country depends on it.  Don't vote and regret who you voted for later.  Don't be that person.  I hope you have looked at the platforms and are making the informed choice.  Two days away, the future of the country is in our hands.  Do what is right.

Is the Anglican Church Shrinking?

Some denominations in Christianity are facing a major problem.  They are faced with the problem that they are shrinking.  The Anglican Church of Canada is no exception.  While I grew up in the Anglican church, I eventually moved over to Covenant after high school as did go to an Covenant youth group during high school.  But that doesn't mean I have turned my back on Anglicanism.  I do like going to my home Anglican church of St. David's in my hometown of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.  Even when I went to Covenant Bible College in Strathmore, Albert; I went to St. Michael's and All Angels Anglican Church.

As you can see I haven't totally left the Anglican church regardless of my situation now.  Talking with my sister recently on Skype, the Diocese of Saskatchewan is in a bind to put in nicely.  Debt, a lack of clergy, and shrinking numbers in some churches are a few of the issues facing the diocese.  Nothing is being done to try and fix these issues.  Apparently, some of these problems go back to the previous bishop.

As of summer 2018, St. David's had a minister.  But he left to go to another church.  It is good he moved on as he would have had to minister to eight different churches.  Having to minister to churches in Birch Hill, St. Louis, three in Prince Albert (which includes St. David's), Kinistino, MacDowell, and other places could tire and burn out a person.  If someone is hired as the minister of St. David's, they apparently have to sign a contract to minister to these other churches.

What's even more sad is that some of these churches have a very low attendance on Sundays.  But it is also no surprising as I have had this feeling that some of the smaller churches, already with low attendances, are facing the issue of a continued decrease in numbers or they are stagnant.  At one point, it seems like St. David's was stagnant in their number.  But when I went to a service after years away, I seen a lot of newer members which was great.

Some churches with smaller attendance should merge with another church.  In the past, two Anglican churches merged with success.  Apparently, the current bishop of the Diocese of Saskatchewan doesn't want to do that.  Unless you can find a way to increase numbers and find a minister to work at these churches, merging seems like the best thing to do.

The issue of numbers and the lack of ministers and the numbers is the tip of the iceberg.  The Diocese of Saskatchewan is also in debt.  A lot of churches in various diocese in the Anglican of Church of Canada have been in debt.  In fact, in Inuvik, the Anglican church there was in debt that they lost their minister in 2016.  Other diocese and churches have gotten out of debt.  That's great for them.  But apparently, in 2012, the Anglican Church of Canada was nearly a million dollars in debt.

Even though churches are exempt from paying taxes, that doesn't mean much as a lot of churches, diocese, etc. are in debt. Again, the Diocese of Saskatchewan is no different.  The debt is such that they can't afford the synod offices.  Apparently, there has been the idea of moving the synod offices into St. Alban's. I am no financial expert, but how much would help in reducing the debt?

I like the Anglican church.  But there are issues that need to be addressed.  Hopefully they do start addressing these issues and start getting on the right track.  If other churches and diocese in Canada can do it, I am sure the Diocese of Saskatchewan can too.  They just need to come up with a plan and start from there.

October 17, 2018 - Marijuana is Legal in Canada

I haven't blogged in eight months.  There have been many items I could have blogged about, but I didn't.  But marijuana becoming legal in Canada, that is a good topic.

With today (October 17, 2018) being the date, marijuana becomes legal, people who are recreational and medicianl users are rejoicing that it is becoming legal.  People who have used it for whatever reason, they have been waiting for it to become legal.  It's not like the United States that allow individual states to make the choice to make it legal or not.

The history of marijuana being illegal in Canada goes back to 1923 according to a CBC article.  Basically, it has been a 95 year wait for marijuana to become legal again.  Historians have tried to find any record of a debate, but they have found no such thing.  That seems odd.  You would think there would be records of it.  Apparently not.

When marijuana was added to the schedule of proscribed by Parliament,  Canada became one of the first countries to make it illegal.  The United States made it illegal 14 years later during the Great Depression.

In 1923, then Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King's Liberal government introduced an Act to Prohibit the Improper Use of Opium and other Drugs.  Henri Beland, who was the health minister at the time, said the bill was a consolidation of other legislation that had been passed over the previous few years, with some changes.Heroin, codeine and "cannabis indica (Indian hemp) or hasheesh" were also proscribed and added to the new bill.

Apparently the Hansard is the only recorded mention of the changes to schedule.  It happened on April 23rd when Beland told the House of Commons, "There is a new drug in the schedule."

 There were three new drugs added to the schedule.  According to historian Catherine Carstairs, Beland was probably referring to cannabis when he said there was this "new" drug because in the government's view, "the other two are extensions of other products that had already been added to the schedule."

Side note, Carstairs is the author of Jailed for Possession: Illegal Drug Use, Regulation and Power in Canada, 1920-1961 and chair of the University of Guelph's history department.

Fast forward to May 3rd.  It was the Senate's turn to review to review the legislation.  Raoul Dandurand, the Liberal government's leader in the Senate, told his colleagues, "There is only one addition to the schedule: Cannabis Indica (Indian Hemp) or hasheesh."The 1991 book Panic and Indifference: The Politics of Canada's Drug Laws is the most detailed account of the events of 1923.  It states that the health department’s narcotic division's files contain a draft of the bill that does not include cannabis. There are also several carbon copies, and to one of them was added, "Cannabis Indica (Indian Hemp) or hasheesh."

Nobody knows who ordered it added to the schedule.  Both the House and the Senate agreed to the additions without any discussion.You might find it odd that nobody challenged the addition to the schedule.  There was little know about this "drug" in Canada and apparently, very few people were smoking it.

No newspapers made reference to marijuana and the first seizure of it by the police didn't come until 1932, nearly ten years later.

In 1922, a book entitled he Black Candle, by Emily Murphy, is frequently given as the reason for then Prime Minister King's government to make marijuana illegal.  Apparently there is no evidence that this book or Murphy influenced the government's decision outside of coincidence.

Panic and Indifference: The Politics of Canada's Drug Laws states that unlike drugs added to the schedule and proscribed, marijuana was criminalized before it was defined as a "social problem."  "Why this was so remains a mystery."

This was all during an era of prohibition and King was an advocate against opium which goes back to 1908.  Also, Carstairs says that there's no record King was then keeping a close eye on the drug file and she has found no reference to marijuana in his diaries.

Trying to brief with the history of marijuana, you can see the full article in the link.  Fast forward to modern times, Canada failed with trying to decriminalize marijuana.  When Justin Trudeau was elected, he promised that marijuana would become legal.  With various dates being talked about including July 1, 2018; obviously marijuana becoming legal never happened on those dates.  There were still a number of steps to go through before ending the 95-year prohibition.  That's why July 1st never happened.

I don't know how things will work in other provinces, but the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority is accepting applications for Wholesale Cannabis Permits/Licensed Producer Registration. Although, Quebec has their own cannabis/marijuana laws. One thing you can't do is sell items with the marijuana leaf on it unless it is government approved.  If you don't see the irony of this, that's on you.

A lot of people are complaining that if retailers sell it, it will be low quality and cheap thus the black market will still thrive for now.  Seems like they are just assuming based on what they think they know.  There will be dispensaries and shops that will open.  But will the various provincial and territorial governments regulate them like government owned liquor stores?  Will they tax it like alcohol?  Earlier this year, Manitoba announced multiple taxes on legal marijuana.

I am not a recreational user of marijuana at all.  Although I tried it once at a Halloween party as I was drunk.  It's like drinking or smoking.  Just because alcohol and cigarettes are legal, it doesn't mean you have to do it.  You don't have to do it.

There are lots of positives to it being legal even if you don't smoke it.  Everything from social, economical, and law enforcement reasons with the exception of driving while under the influence.  With it being legal and taxed, it will bring in extra money for the government to help possibly reduce debt.  If you look at California, marijuana sales top $14 billion annually.  Just think what that can do for Canada.

I could talk about medical marijuana, but that's another post for another time.

If you are recreational user of marijuana, congrats.  Go enjoy marijuana freely as this was a long time coming.

Song of the Day #59 - Crooked Spies

Here is a song from the Calgary rock band Crooked Spies.  I seen them at Vangelis which is now being re-branded and renamed to Black Cat Pizza.  Crooked Spies are so tight.  They are very good.  This song is one of my favourites from them.  I listened all their stuff on Spotify.  I recommend checking them out.

"Full Moon Rising" by Crooked Spies
YouTube link

"In All of Us Command" - The Revert of the Canadian National Anthem

Nearly eights ago, I talked about changing a line in the Canadian national anthem.  You can see the post here.  I was against the idea because I saw no point.  As well I thought Stephen Harper was wasting taxpayers money studying the idea.  According to some research, I mistakenly attributed it to Harper, but it was then Governor General Michaëlle Jean who announced a plan in her speech from the throne to have Parliament review the “original gender-neutral wording of the national anthem.”

While doing some research, I found out that the original French version has always remained gender neutral.  It was written and released over 130 years ago in 1880 by Sir Adolphe-Basile Routhier and and composer Calixa Lavallée and originally entitled "Chant National."  Even the versions by Thomas B. Richardson, Mercy E. Powell McCulloch; Wilfred Campbell, Augustus Bridle, and Ewing Buchan; Robert Stanley Weir, and the other versions written were all gender-neutral.

The version by Weir; a lawyer, recorder, and later a judge wrote his version in 1908.  It was written to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Quebec City.  In 1913, 1914, and 1916; changes were made to the song.  Nobody knows why it was changed to a non-gender neutral version as there is no evidence.  I came across an editorial published on National Post's website in 2016 and penned by Robert Cushman.  You can see it here.  Cushman breaks down the "in all thy sons command" line of the anthem.  He theorizes that Weir made the revision to be with the times.

Thinking about it, why would you need to change it?  Theories aside, was there a point to doing so?  We'll never know as again, there is no evidence to why the change was made.

Even though Weir's version became the official anthem in 1980 as it was widely sung as the main anthem.  After 1939, it became one of the two defacto anthems alongside "God Save the Queen."  It was done so because it was sung in French Canada and the music was heard everywhere else that was English in Canada.

Why has it taken over 110 years to change it back?  But why did it take at 35-40 years for discussion on the discriminatory aspects to start taking place?  According to what I've researched, this discussion came about in the 1950s.  Basically we've had this discussion for at least 60 years.

When Jean announced the review on March 3rd, the public sentiment, myself included, was strongly against changing it back, that two days later they dropped it.  Ironically, my post was two days later.  My ignorance attributed the proposed review to Harper.  I usually try to be thorough and correct with my information.  But even I have moments of slipping up.  Looking back, I feel bad for her.

It has been said that things can change over time.  It is true as I'm okay with the change.  Reverting back to the original words is not such a bad thing.  People have been trying for decades to get it changed back.  Many politicians have tried to introduce similar bills in the past with no such luck.  But with a lot of things, people complain.  Senator Denise Batters is one of them.  Here is her tweet with said complaining.

Shameful, anti-democratic behaviour by #Trudeau-appointed senators, including #SenCA Speaker, as they shut down legitimate debate in Chamber

— Sen. Denise Batters (@denisebatters) January 31, 2018

Here is an awesome response to her that I couldn't have said better myself.

Dear Senator Batters;  Our anthem has been through many changes over the years. This change takes us to a version that doesn't put men over women. A simple change. Objecting to legitimate procedures as anti-democratic when you yourself weren't elected is very funny.

— Timothy Anderson (@AndersonBooz) February 1, 2018

Why does there need to be any discussion?  If you actually look at the original words of any versions including Weir's unrevised original version, you'd know it is gender-neutral.  French Canada, Quebec specifically, is the butt of a lot jokes, but they got this right.  Yes, I again admit I was against changing it the last time it was brought up.  People can change their stance over time.  That's exactly what I did.  If you don't like that's it has been reverted back than too bad.

I get that it will take time to get used to as singing "in all thy sons command" is out of habit.  But if Weir's version that became the official anthem in 1980 wasn't revised than we wouldn't have had at least 60 years of discussions.  This post wouldn't exist.  But the fact is it was.

If you are bitching about parliamentary procedure not happening.  Get over it.  If you're bitching about the fact it's been reverted.  Get over it.  Think about this.  The gender-neutral versions were written during a time when laws were limiting for women.  Revising Weir's gender-neutral version to be gender-specific could be seen as a step back.  Reverting could be seen as the only way to continue to progress forward.

Song of the Day #54 - Barenaked Ladies

I was looking up Barenaked Ladies songs today and I came upon "The Old Apartment" once again.  I've never really looked at the lyrics to the song.  I read them and they seemed dark.  The lyrics pulled me towards this idea of a broken relationship.  That's not the case.  It is in fact about going back to their "old apartment" "where we used to live."  He ends up breaking in to reminisce.  He recalls the "broken glass," "the crooked landing, crooked landlord;" and other disadvantages, although he feels nostalgia for those memories that are long since gone.

I bet you didn't know that the video was directed by fellow Canadian and fan Jason Priestly.

"The Old Apartment" by Barenaked Ladies
YouTube link

Song of the Day #53 - Tegan and Sara

Here is one of the first two singles from Tegan and Sara new forthcoming album entitled "Love You to Death."  There are some lyrics in the chorus that I just get.  If you've followed my blog and know my situation with an exfriend, you'll get the following particular lyrics from the song "Boyfriend."  The rest of the song relate to me as well, but the first two lines of the chorus especially.

You treat me like a boyfriend
You trust me like a... like a very best friend

That is total friendzoning.  Whenever I think about it, that's what it was.  That's why I connect with this song.

"Boyfriend" by Tegan and Sara
YouTube link

Song of the Day #51 - Joni Mitchell

I am not the biggest Joni Mitchell fan out there.  What I think of her as a person is irrelevant.  I like this version better than the original she recorded in the 60s.  I heard this song when I happened to be watching figure skating of all things.  It was this version from 2000 that was used.  Such a beautiful song when done in this way.

Proof of how powerful this version is is the scene in "Love Actually" when Emma Thompson's character receives the album "Both Sides Now" for Christmas.  That is the album this version is on.  Her character goes into her room, listens to the song than breaks down.  Powerful scene.  I only seen the clip mind you.

"Both Sides Now" by Joni Mitchell
YouTube link



Here is the clip from Love Actually.
YouTube links

Target: Why You No Discounts?

By now you know that Target is closing all 133 of its Canadian outlets thus laying off around 18,000 employees.  The reason for this is because it would take another six years or till the year 2021 for Target to become profitable in Canada.  Now they are supposed to be in their liquidation phase.  Liquidating assets essentially means to sell off all your inventory at a reduced price.  But you'd think that Target Canada would be doing that, right?  Right?  Wrong!

Target has signs in their stores advertising 30 percent off.  Sure that's not a lot.  But with that being expected when Target stores across Canada opened their doors on the first day of liquidation, you'd think that 30 percent would be as shown in the signs.  You'd think...  A complaint people had about their liquidation sale is that stuff was at 10 percent off or even higher than normal price.  Target wonders why they can't turn a profit.  This might be a big reason.  I'm no expert or nothing, but usually you don't jack up your prices during liquidation.

Various news reports have stated a reoccurring theme of no deals.  I like this line from the Ottawa Sun "Target at least kept it consistent: Disappointing Canadian shoppers right to the end."  Target has.  They've had better deals throughout the year which is laughable if you think about it.  Do they not know how to liquidate?  Do they notm know the idea behind liquidating?    If the idea is to rid your stores of merchandise, than you'd sell it at substantially lower price.  Target couldn't even get that right.

If you've ever been to a Target in Canada, you'd know that their stores hardly had any customers, bare/empty shelves, and prices that were higher than their competitors like Walmart.  The big complaint was their prices.  Even during liquidation, they can't get it right.  What Target doesn't tell you is that the price ends up being up more.  According to a CTV Winnipeg news report, that is the case.  They say it's no longer Target's policy, but it's the liquidator's.  Who is the liquidator?  A search on Google yields no information on that.  For the consumer, it would be good to know so they knew where to direct their complaints seeing as Target is trying to avoid all responsibility in this regard.

Target should have thought of a better way to expand into Canada.  A Yahoo Canada video explains five reasons why they failed in Canada.



These five reasons to seem to be right on.  If Target wants to attempt to be in Canada again, which I doubt will happen, than they better think it out or they'll fail even faster.  Good try Target.  Good try.  Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.  Plus it is no wonder Bob Ulrich got canned as Target CEO.  Their venture into Canada under Ulrich was a disaster and you have him to thank.

Remeberence Day, Remembering Our Heroes

It is Rememberence Day here in Canada.  It is a day in which we honour our veterans past and present who have given their life to serve Canada so we may have the freedom we have today.  In the United States, they call it Veterans Dau, but that is celebrated in May.

With that being said, I was aware of Rememberance Day when I was growing up.  I knew what the poppy was for and that "In Flanders Field" was associated with Rememberance Day.  I would also take a moment on silence, or I never went to any Rememberance Day services or any of that kind of thing.  That was the extent of it.  More now in the last few years, I've started to recognize the serve our armed forces have made is soemthing that is invaluable.  There is a difference between recognizing and supporting our troops.  I'm not a bumper sticker or online supporter that doesn't actually do anything to support the troops.  I made a couple of posts on this topic which you can see here and here 

I might get heat for this, but you don't have to just remember the sacrifices our soliders made for us on Rememberance Day.  The following is not Canadian, but shows you don't have to just thank or remember someone on Rememberance Day or Veterans Day.



This 95-year-old WWI veteran, Joe Bell, was just watching the race from his front yard when people started making their way to him shaking his hand and thanking him because he served.  It shows you that you that even though there is a specific day for honouring our veterans, you can do it anytime.

That doesn't mean I won't take this time to thank our troops and soldiers past and present for their service.  My Grandpa Sheldon was even in the Navy although he didn't leave land.  V41625 was his number.  If I had a copy of the picture of him in his uniform, I would put in this post.  But alas, I don't.

It's not only the people that served that we should thank.  Someone on Facebook shared a picture that also makes you think.

We should also remember the animals that served in war.  You might "think who cares?"  They were at various times in wars important.  We need not forget their contributions.  When we think of honouring our veterans, we think of the humans.  But there are animal veterans as well.  I thank all veterans, human and animal that gave their life so we can enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.

Lest we forget.

Saskatchewan Needs a Women's Wrestling Scene

This history of professional wrestling in Saskatchewan is one that is up and down.  We've had promotions, but they've always fallen by the wayside.  One of the longest running in the country has been High Impact Wrestling.  They been around for over 10 years.  I'm proud to say that I support them.

Today on Facebook, High Impact Wrestling star, Brett Evans said, "Saskatchewan needs a female wrestling scene. C'mon ladies, step up."  I've been saying this for sometime.  High Impact Wrestling needs a women's division.  But there needs to be a scene in Saskatchewan period.

Women's wrestling is a niche.  But if it's done right ala Shimmer, Women's Superstars Uncensored, SHINE, joshi puroresu in Japan, and various other promotions; it can be really good.  Saskatchewan just needs a foundation to start a great promotion and become an amazing place for women to want to work.  Show that we have great female talent within Saskatchewan.  We need to put our mark on the wrestling map with not just men's wrestling but women's wrestling too.

In the past, High Impact Wrestling has booked the odd women's match, but they need to help be the trail blazer for women's wrestling in this province.  They could help be a forerunner for women's professional wrestling, not only in Saskatchewan, not only the prairies, but in Western Canada.  We need something to get the women's wrestling scene in Saskatchewan going.  Make it competitive that women would actually want to wrestle here.  Make it worth having them come in.  We need something.

An all women's promotion under the HIW Canada banner would be pretty sweet.  You called it High Impact Women or something.  It doesn't have to be under the HIW Canada banner, but just a women's promotion all together.  We nee something done.  We need to add some diversity to professional wrestling in this province.  Like I said, we need something to put Saskatchewan on the map in professional wrestling so people will take a step back and take notice.  Women's wrestling is one of those ways.

I hope the women's scene will start and thrive as the future wears on.  It would be awesome if they helped lead Saskatchewan in a bright future for professional wrestling.  These are a few things that one wrestling fan can hope for in this province.  Now they just need to become reality.

Black Friday Emits the Scent of Greed

Black Friday and Black Friday sales is a tradition around Thanksgiving in the United States.  It's busiest day for shopping in the United States.  This tradition has made it's way into Canada.  A big reason that it happens in Canada is so consumers stay in Canada to shop and not cross the border.

Now with that being said, the deals are great and you can save some money.  But the problem with Black Friday is what you'll see in the following video.



This is a common occurrence in the United States.  People will claw, scratch, kick, bit, punch, push/shove, and fight (as seen in the video) to get the item they want.  In fact, a person died from being trampled.  They don't care that they cause physical harm to another person.  They just want that item that's on sale.  What's sad about this video is that these two chicks have to be restrained by the police because they are fighting over a 24 inch TV.

What is the point of such shitty behavior?  With the terrible shape that the United States is in, they spend money like they have it.  Their greedy attitude will not stimulate the economy.  One day of greedy over spending is just their materialistic self-centeredness shining through.  It's good to want such items, but do we truly need them?  When the United States is in debt, shouldn't they have their priorities in order?  You'd think so, but judging by this video as one of many cases, that is not the case.

This one day of overspending on items they don't need won't stimulate the economy like some may think.  If they want to stimulate the economy, than they need to do it the right.  This isn't going to do it.

Our North American society needs a dose of reality.  Especially the United States.  When they don't have any money to pay their bills because they frivolously spent on items they DIDN'T need, than it sets a bad example for future generations.  But I guess they will never learn.  What's sad is that this video had a millions views on the day it was posted.  I guess people like watching a cat fight over something stupid.  That's pretty sad.

Five Alarm Funk Canada Day Show Review

On Canada I once again went to the last day of the Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Fest.  I went to the Free Stage at Friendship Park.  You can get just as good of shows at the Free Stage as you can at paid shows.  I've been hearing and seeing the name of the band Five Alarm Funk.  So I was interested in seeing them.  They didn't disappoint at all.  I was right at the front of the stage in front of the drummer who is the band leader.

Most of the songs they played were off their 2011 album "Rock the Sky."  In fact, they played that whole album.  Between songs they would tell a story which led into the next song.  I thought that was pretty cool.  Their songs are drum/percussion and horn driven for the most part.  Yes they have some bass and guitar solos.  But mostly drum/percussion and horn driven

Some parts of the show had an element of theatrics with some comedy.  The song "The Critic" is a prime example.  The conga player plays the role of a critic well.  He was playing a few roles and doing theatrics.  They do a great stage show and put the effort into it by how hard they work.  A lot of acts don't put effort into their shows.  Five Alarm Funk does and I give them all the credit in the world for being an act that does.

Another great show with an encore.  I met some of the band and one of the horn players is apparently the cousin of Tegan and Sara which I found cool.  Here is a song they performed at the show.

"Wash Your Face"
YouTube link

Wake Up, It's the 21st Century

I know it happens a lot, but that's no excuse especially since we live in Canada.  If you haven't heard by now, here is the low down.  There is a business in Saskatoon called Jenny's Bridal Boutique and this isn't the first time they've discriminated against people.  Back 2011, a girl and her mom drove up from Lanigan to try on grad dresses.  But due to the girl being in a wheelchair, they were immediately told to leave the store because of the mess it would make and that there was no room.  So they went to another store and were treated very well as they were helped to make sure her wheelchair wouldn't make a mess.  Also, they've treated plus size customers like crap.  Someone posted on the Jenny's Bridal Boutique Facebook page that they had a bad experience and were will to chalk it up as only that, but after reading about the other incidents they've thought again.

The latest incident involves someone who is transgender. They were refused service by the staff at said establishment.  The owner would not help this person because they looked like a man. So they left and went to another establishment and was treated like they should have been.  The staff at the other establishment they went to was very helpful and didn't discriminate.

With that being said, this is the 21st century.  You'd think we being in Canada and Canadians have evolved since discriminating against transgender people was the societal norm back in the 1950s.  The owner and staff at Jenny's Bridal Boutique wouldn't like it if they were discriminated against.  But why they would strip someone of their dignity is beyond me.  The real stupid thing is that the owner doesn't feel bad that it happened and sticks by it.  It's no wonder they get bad publicity.  It's actions like this.  With word of mouth, people will not only tell them of these incidents, but just tell people to boycott their store if they hear of people thinking of going there.

In business, you need to keep your own personal views of a person out of it no matter race, creed, colour, gender, sexual orientation, etc..  In business you don't things that damage the reputation of your business.  Yes it will happen and that's no excuse.  Stripping someone of their dignity is shitty way of doing business.  As a person who has dealt with customers in the past, knows you don't treat people like that if they haven't done anything to warrant such treatment.

If this business wants to stay in business, they'd change their way of treating customers who transgender, in a wheelchair, or plus size.  If they show you respect, do the same in return.  In one article I've read, the business owner hasn't even attempted to write the wrong or apologize.

Here are some links for you to check out regarding the business, this story, and other related stories.

Bridal shop refuses transgender to try on gowns - CBC.ca
Transgender to file complain against bridal shop - CBC.ca
Rally for transgender rights at Saskatoon bridal shop - CBC.ca
Editorial - January 31, 2011 Lanigan AdvisorJenny's Bridal Boutique or Barbarism?

Reviews on Google+

Song of the Day #43 - Rankin Family

I've always liked this song, but my friend Mark brought it to my attention again and I've rediscovered my love for it.  I've learned to play it and it's just so fun to play.  I can't wait to record our cover of it.  Mark will work out a new take on it.  It will be awesome!  We just  need to find a female to do the female vocals!

"You Feel the Same Way Too" by Rankin Family
YouTube link

Song of the Day #42 - Elliott Brood

Here a song from Elliott Brood.  I saw them this past Saturday and they were awesome!

"Northern Air" by Elliott Brood

Song of the Day #40 - Blue Highway

I love this version of the song because of the incredible harmonies.  This version shows that great harmonies do still exist.  I caught the end of the song on CBC Deep Roots.

"Wondrous Love" by Blue Highway
YouTube link