Kyrgyzstan goes to the polls today to elect or reelect a president in a process which is somewhat less than democratic. I just returned from a month in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. I spent most of my time touring the cities with their theatres, monuments, parks, and museums rather than hiking in the mountains and feel I got a good sense of the social atmosphere in those countries. All three are former union republics which have retained many of the old Soviet ways… Continue
Added by David Stanley on July 23, 2009 at 8:17am —
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Seeing Todd Butler in Nanaimo this past weekend, at the 50 seat Blues Underground, reminded me of just how good and freaking funny he is. The video below contains the bit from his act where he plays his guitar on his back -- no, not lying on his back -- on his back (as you'll see).
Okay, so maybe it's on his shoulders. Still pretty impressive. As for the rest of his act, see him live sometime -- the other videos on the web just don't do him justice. Continue
Added by Frank Moher on July 20, 2009 at 5:53am —
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Hey All!
As a supporter of breast cancer research, which I'm sure many of you are, I need to tell you to check out paintitpinkcanada.com to see what Avon is doing. It's such a different approach to raising funds. Please check it out and let me know what you think!!
Jane Continue
Added by Jane Dawson on June 24, 2009 at 4:56pm —
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Yesterday morning, GM International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with an estimated debt load of $172.81 billion dollars. GM Chairman Kent Kresa said in a written statement, "Today marks a new beginning for General Motors... The board is confident that this New GM can operate successfully in the intensely competitive U.S. market and around the world." This high-profile industrial bankruptcy comes on the heels of a report last week from the Certified General Accountants of Canada wh… Continue
Gertrude Stein wrote of the “Lost Generation”, a generation of disillusioned souls that were caught between 2 world wars, with little direction, stalled ambition and trepidacious hope for the future. Douglas Coupland wrote of “Generation X” and the perils of going through the 90’s bouncing from one McJob to another all the while searching for greater life meaning and a solid place among the counterculture. Millenials, those into their 20’s at the turn of the millennium, may consist of the thrivi… Continue
Now that winter is finally over, and the spring blossoms are signalling renewal and life across the country, some Canadians are looking back at the 2008-2009 season as a paramount failure in the promotion of safe riding, skiing and snowmobiling on many of Canada’s slopes. Last winter alone there were 19 deaths attributed to “accidents” in BC’s backcountry, when they should have been attributed to stupidity.
Mike Wiegele, a founding member of the Canadian Avalanche Association, featured in The P… Continue
Two profound questions have been keeping me awake at night lately: 1) why has Seth Rogan lost all that weight?, and 2) why is Seth Rogan successful? Both questions have been answered by this video of him performing stand-up at the age of 13 in Vancouver. Answer 1: that's actually his natural weight, and 2) actually, he's a pretty funny writer.
At any rate, he was when he was 13.
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Added by Frank Moher on May 1, 2009 at 2:25am —
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I was feeling lost without my favourite necklace. It was a simple cubic zirconia pendant with a cheap metal attachment. It broke off in the shower, and my standard piece of jewellery was no longer part of my fashion repertoire. I had been searching all over for a suitable replacement, but nothing seemed to catch my eye. I wanted sterling silver with a pretty, neutral stone that I could wear with anything.
I was walking along Fifth Street in downtown Courtenay and I was inexplicably drawn into a… Continue
As the mother of a young child who is approaching his tween years, thoughtful consideration of our social dialogue as it relates to sex and sexuality has been of great personal concern. Along with assuring that my child receives accurate information to make the correct decisions for him, ensuring that he understands that even the options that are available to him are strictly a result of his race and gender are an essential part of an evolving conversation on sex and sexuality.
When educating bl… Continue
Added by Renee Martin on February 15, 2009 at 7:32pm —
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My name is Lindsay and I’m a food addict. Doesn’t really have the same gravity as saying I’m a heroin addict, but to me there is little difference. The new buzz word in the diet and fitness community is the thought that people who are obese or morbidly obese may suffer from compulsive overeating and food addiction. How can one be addicted to something that their body needs to function? It’s like suggesting there are people who suffer from oxygen addiction or who go on three-week water binges.
T… Continue
With the west coast facing winter chills, and tis being the season, I thought, for this playlist, I'd focus on some seasonal jams. There won't be any Santa Babies or Jingle Bell Rocks in this playlist. No we're going to focus on jawns to keep you warm: love songs.
Been a minute since last we heard from Q-Tip but damn if the wait wasn't worth it. The Renaissance is a throwback to old ATCQ without being maudlin. With most of the production by 'Tip, he shows himself mature and… Continue
Added by Sandeep Chauhan on December 22, 2008 at 11:44am —
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Friends,
You likely do not know the young man mentioned below, but neither do I. I hope you will see him as a newcomer to our country who could use our help.
I have also appended my own message to Minister Kenny. Note that if you wish to write him too, you should use the form at
http://www.canadianheritage.gc.ca/pc-ch/min/kenney/contact/index_e.cfm
as his e-mail address is currently bouncing messages.
Thank… Continue
Added by Frank Moher on December 14, 2008 at 2:12am —
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For women across Canada, December 6 is a day that we are reminded that despite the gains of feminism and women’s work to end gender based violence; we are still marginalized and vulnerable bodies. It is the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre. On this day we think of Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, a… Continue
Added by Renee Martin on December 5, 2008 at 8:54pm —
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The online community has seen its user-generated content grow in the last few years, and nowadays it seems like everyone and their dog has a blog. People are backing up their stories and anecdotes by citing, “I read it online”, oftentimes not realizing where their information is coming from.
Opinion pages, editorials and letters to the editor have long been a way for people to express their views about politics, current events, civics, and other touchy topics. The world of the blog is far less… Continue
Added by Lindsay Szymanski on December 3, 2008 at 11:58am —
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When I was in my 30's one of my goals was to become a Maitre'd or Restaurant Manager in a Fine Dining Restaurant somewhere in Canada.
I had just received a promotion on the cruise ship I was working on to Maitre'd from waiter in the dining room. It was going to be great! More money , using what knowledge I had learned from working in various dining rooms , and especially my 3 years up to that time working on the ships would serve me well.
Now what do you think my salary was going to be a month… Continue
Added by Steve Nicolle on November 3, 2008 at 12:58pm —
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"A Montreal comedian spoke to U.S. Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin on Saturday by impersonating French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
"Marc-Antoine Audette, who called from radio station CKOI, chatted to Palin about hunting, relationships, family and politics before revealing it was a prank call, according to a transcript published by the Canadian Press."
CBC : Montreal comedian pranks Sarah Palin… Continue
Added by Eric Pettifor on November 1, 2008 at 10:30pm —
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Everybody wants to be sexy. But how do you know when you're trying too hard? It's time like these when I'm glad we can turn to celebs for the answers.
If writing a song about kissing a girl (and liking it), or filming a video for said song that primarily features your boobs and the boobs of everyone around you, or if performing said song in a pink corset and heels, or if having a giant cake brought on stage so that you can lick some of the icing off of your finger whilst batting your doe-like e… Continue
Added by raych on October 23, 2008 at 3:29pm —
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I live in a slum. It’s official. Yesterday I woke up, wandered to the communal bathroom, and had to step over a crack addict sleeping in the hallway to get to my bathroom. Why do I live here? Because it’s cheap. Why can’t I leave? Because I can’t afford to live anywhere else.
Here in Nanaimo, there has been a long-standing argument about homelessness and the need for the street people to be given affordable housing options. I’m all for assisted living, and a hand up rather than a hand out, but… Continue
Added by Lindsay Szymanski on October 22, 2008 at 1:00pm —
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Central Asian Journey
Todd Butler: funnier all the time
Paintitpinkcanada.com
A Slice of Bankruptcy Pie
Star Wars: Retold (by someone who hasn't seen it)
Winter playlist
Which is Better Working for Gratuities or Working for Salary
Being hot is SO MUCH WORK!
