Random acts of pity

My eyes are rimmed with that blackened, swollen look that identifies drug addicts and cold suffers. Luckily, I fall into the latter category.

Exhausted from a sleepless night of coughing, sniffling, and feeling sorry for myself, I boarded a bendy bus (at risk of losing my immortal soul) and headed straight for the pharmacy. I needed medication, and I didn't particularly care what flavour.

On the fifteen minute ride, I was seized by several fits of coughing/choking that caused fellow passengers to give me the evil eye and shuffle away slowly. Not that I blame them. I probably looked just as bad as I sounded.

An elderly gentleman was standing across from me in the bendy section, patiently waiting for his stop. Sensing my agony, he pulled out a package of extra strength cough drops and wordlessly passed them to me. I gratefully accepted one, and tried to return the package, but he indicated I should keep them.

To this gentleman, I'd like to say thank you. That was the first real act of kindness (or pity) that I'd witnessed from a stranger in this city reputed for rudeness. Well, by my small town Canadian standards, anyway.

God and Bendy Buses

I'm going to write this post on the assumption that it most likely offend almost everybody. Consider that your warning.

The British Humanist Association and Richard Dawkins teamed up to put some signs on the sides of London buses. Being relatively small and unsupported (the BHA, that is) fundraising expectations were low. One sign might plausibly be all they could afford, so the adamant atheist Dawkins offered to match their efforts. Anything to let the world know that atheists aren't evil. (see my new quote of the day to assess how well that campaign is going.)

Fundraising went really, really well. The BHA was so successful that their ads, which feature such sayings as, "There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life," will be featured in and on about 30 buses.

Predictably, this stirred up the Christians (Dawkin's second favourite activity) and brought forth sermons of mind-boggling quotes.

Everybody get a life. Honestly. If the atheists want to spend their money on adverts, let them. It's not like they can use it to pay priests or buy communion wine. As for Christians thinking that questioning the existence of God is evil, I simply roll my eyes. Their money would be much better spent attacking the moral question of David Beckham adorning buses in nothing but his skivvies and a scowl, or the blatant horrible violence of Saw V, which arguably do a lot more moral damage to our society than a small group too terrified of ridicule to generally make themselves known.

This country, more so than my home and native land, has been brutalized and broken many times in the name of religion, and it pales in comparison to the brutality of other nations. If all of us (no matter what religion or lack thereof) paid a lot more attention to being conscientious and decent human beings and less to what others worship, the world would be a much better place.

More rumors than a French Renaissance court

As expected, Stephane Dion announced today that he will step down as federal Liberal leader once a leadership convention is held. A bit anti-climatic, considering vocal Liberal supporters have been calling for his resignation since he was chosen leader.

Nothing causes a greater flurry of rumors than potential chaos in the Liberal party. Reporters and bloggers from sites large to small have been predicting Dion's departure, which stopped being exciting about as soon as he made the announcement. Before he made it, actually.

The question, of course, is who will step up to the plate?

Let the speculation begin!

Nothing really surprising has emerged thus far. Former frontrunners Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae might try again. John Manley's name is circulating once again, though he will quickly squash those should he think it necessary. And once again Frank McKenna, the beloved Liberal saviour of New Brunswick, is being touted as a quality candidate.

Out of those options, I'd have to say McKenna would be the practical and logical choice. But, since he'd likely end up as Prime Minister, it's unlikely the party will select him anyway. Perverse creatures. The only people more confused than Stephane Dion at the last leadership convention were the delegates.

Why McKenna? One, he's fairly young and dynamic. Two, he's a known quantity in Washington, knows his diplomacy, and forms a venerable cabinet when given the opportunity. He's also a known quantity with a ridiculously successful track record. Three, he's a lawyer, but people like him anyway.

Fast Frank in Ottawa would shake this country up a little. We both know that might just be a good thing. At the very least, it provides the left with a (desperately needed) charismatic, capable leader with experience (eat your heart out, Iggy) and strong public support (how can Ontario forget Bob?). Manley may give him a run for it, should he choose to come out hot on the heels of his Afghan report.

All in all, it's almost enough to keep a person interested in Canadian politics these days.

Almost.

London Eccentric

I know, I know, there is an election today. I happen to be across the Atlantic, though, and can't really say much until much later this evening. Instead, I thought I'd pass on my recent observations about London and its inhabitants.

Let's call this list the "Odd and Atrocious":

1. Leggings and tights. Ladies of all ages and sizes love to wear tights with oversized shirts. Not so bad, normally, except the colours are becoming increasingly garish and reminiscent of my early 90s childhood. Shiver. Paired with...

2. Hideously ugly shoes, I'm under the impression that many women don't look in the mirror before leaving the house. The more inappropriate the footwear (and the more it clashes with the tights) the better, it seems. Big boots are popular--think mukluks and winter boots matched with sheer purple leggings and a dainty flowered tunic. Ghastly.
Shoes are fun. It's a great way to add flair and to perk up the mood. However, teetering down Essex Road at noon on a Tuesday in platform purple heels covered in white ostrich feathers is a bit much. Please stop.

3. Makeup overload. Maybe I'm a little jealous that I look horrible in skinny jeans or tights, but not of the face painting that goes on. The natural look is NOT in, apparently. It's the only reason I can fathom. After all, perfectly sane women don't wander around every day dressed like they just stumbled out of a trashy New York disco, do they? Well, they do here.

4. Customer service is generally thought to be an oxymoron here. Want it? Get it yourself. Oh, but leave me a big tip or I'll be extra surly.

5. Leaflet panhandlers are everywhere and in your face at all times. Take this! Buy this! Go to this club! Give this charity money! Extra funny if you run into someone handing out reams of paper that will never be read on how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

6. No ice hockey. Self-explanatory.

That's all I can think of at this moment for the negative side. On the plus end...

1. Delicious food. It's here. It's there. It's everywhere! Take out, delivery, restaurants...any kind of food you could possibly imagine, you can find here. Fabulous. Watch out for number 4 above though.

2. Markets. Food markets, craft markets, clothes, arts, antiques, junk...pick your poison, London has it. The Borough Food Market was a dream. I'm still drooling over the truffles we found on Saturday. I much prefer buying my food this way than from a supermarket.

3. Intelligent TV programming. 'Nuff said. Funny and smart, and not completely Americanized.

4. Chocolate. Delicious, abundant, and delicious. Did I mention the truffles?

5. Small shops. Big box stores exist here but in each little neighbourhood small shops grow and thrive. The baker, the tailor, the fishmonger, the cobbler...love it.

I'll keep adding to the list. After all, it's only been a week.

Polls, Power, and the Race to be Prime Minister

Stephen Harper actually had to start campaigning this week, when his party's popularity took a dramatic swan dive. All the better for Canadians, I must say.

Not better in the sense that we will once again have a minority government and most likely have another election within two years. Not better in the sense that Stephen Harper won't be Prime Minister, either, because the Conservatives will still come out ahead until the left decides to join forces.

Better for Canadians, because now we get to see what Harper and the Conservatives are truly planning.

If not for the polling change, the Conservatives may not have released an official platform detailing their plans to Canadians. I believe that every party must release such a document, formal or informal, in order to properly inform the voting public.

If you can't tell me exactly what you plan to do, you don't have my vote. Period. I'll consider what you have to say, and what the other party platforms promise, and take it into account when I cast my ballot.

My underdog heart cheers on the Green Party as they surge to new popular heights, though it is doubtful they will elect an MP. That an environmental party can receive more popular votes than another "traditional" party (I'm pointing fingers at the Bloc, who shouldn't even be considered a national party as they only run candidates in one province) warms my little cockles. I'd like to cheer Elizabeth May on in Central Nova, if she weren't running against Peter MacKay, one of the best politicians in Canada right now.

My favourite reason to be cheerful? A drop in support for Jack Layton. It's about damn time. Will someone please tell Jack he will not, I repeat, will not be Canada's next leader, that he doesn't have a hope in hell? Oh, and please get back to vying for the role of Opposition. I'd like to see him put his vote where his mouth is, after all his lambasting of Liberal non-voting in the last Parliament. He might not be so quick to bring down the house himself.

That, my friends, is my political rambling for the day. Remember to laugh, and remember to vote.

Let the Games Begin!

No, not the Olympic Games. Not the Canadian election. Not the American election, either. Politics takes a backseat this weekend.

Tomorrow night is Hockey Night in Canada, my friends. The first one of this new season, and most likely my last until the new year.

So dust off those jerseys, warm up the lazy boy, and stock up on beer. It's hockey time!