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Rae is still the man ...
As I have written in other blogs before, I seem to keep running into Canadian politicians in my travel within North America. But I would rate this latest encounter the best. As I was waiting to board my flight from West Palm Beach, Florida to Toronto last Friday, right there also waiting was Bob Rae, interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. I walked to him and said hello. We shaked hands and exchanged greetings. That's it but a nice brief chat nevertheless. As I wrote in this blog, Rae is still my choice for leader of the Liberal Party. The Liberal Party has their work cut out for them. But I wouldn't count them out just yet. For the record, I'm not a card carrying member of any political party. However, I sure hope someone from somewhere will challenge Mr. Harper.
Posted by Ba on Sunday 08 January 2012 - 17:18:23
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2011 Terry Fox Run ... I did it (again)!
So the day finally came and went. This morning I did my 10 km run and set a new personal record of 54 minutes!
Quite frankly, I’d be very pleased with 10 km in 60 minutes.
I run 6.4 km (4 miles) everyday on the treadmill; except when I’m on an early morning flight somewhere. Despite that, for the last 6 weeks or so, I needed to run 8+ km outside at least once on the weekend just to get used to running outside. Not surprisingly, running outside is a little more challenging. I find the first 5 to 10 minutes the toughest, as if I’m gasping for air. Good thing it gets easier as I go. Within 25 minutes, I feel like I can run forever. But then after passing the 9 km sign, I find myself thinking … “I’m almost there”!
The most satisfying for me is that, thanks to your support, I raised $625 – yet another record over last year. On behalf of the Terry Fox Foundation and all the cancer patients, their friends and family, thank you very much for your support!
Posted by Ba on Sunday 18 September 2011 - 13:31:02
Please support my 2011 Terry Fox Run!
For the 3rd consecutive year I am participating in the annual Terry Fox run. I am doing the 10 Km run on Sunday September 18, to support The Terry Fox Foundation in its ongoing work to fund innovative and progressive cancer research programs. You can help support me by making a donation. Last year I raised $500, thanks to the generosity of people like you. I completed the 10 Km run in one hour. I expect to match my run record last year, and I hope that you decide to help support my initiative.
The easiest way to donate is by going to my personal page, click Sponsor Me and use your credit card or Pay Pal.
Posted by Ba on Friday 12 August 2011 - 14:07:32
Who would recognize a former mayor of Toronto? Nooooobody!
It's been a couple of months since I left my last project in Montreal and started working on a new project in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. For the sake of a direct flight, I fly to Fort Lauderdale instead of the closer West Palm Beach airport.
Yesterday, I took my usual flight home at Fort Lauderdale airport. There was an elder couple in front of me when it came time for pre-boarding. I thought the guy looked very much like Mel Lastman, the former long serving mayor of Toronto (and City of North York before the amalgamation). But I hesitated to ask if he was who I thought he was. Well, the next thing I knew, the Air Canada customer service agent told the couple that it was pre-boarding only; they have Economy seats so they must wait until their row numbers are called. So they had to step aside.
After I boarded, the young man behind me came on board and told his friend that Mel Lastman was turned away from pre-boarding. I was like "wow, that was indeed Mel Lastman, huh?". He said, yeah. He told the customer service agent that was the former mayor of Toronto and he should let them board. Besides, they are senior citizens. He said the agent replied, "oh, we get a lot of senior citizens here." OK, so I assume he's an American and wouldn't recognize Mel Lastman. But, how about cutting a break based on another passenger's "testimony"?
Well, it was a "story" to tell, so I "texted" my daughter about the incident. She replied "LOL, I guess nooooobody cuts the line!" 
For those who don't know Mel Lastman, the "noooooobody" refers to TV commercials and newspaper ads for his son's furniture business, that "nooooobody" has better deals. It sort of became their trade mark slogan.
Posted by Ba on Friday 22 July 2011 - 11:14:35
Fundamental shift in Canadian political landscape
Well, in the end, I have to hand it to the Conservatives election machine under Stephen Harper's smart political instincts. They basically outsmart their opponents. The NDP surge probably helped put the Conservatives over the top for their majority. I think Ontario voters have largely contributed to the Conservatives' success. The fundamental shift in Canadian political landscape reflects democracy at work. As much as I dislike seeing Stephen Harper as the Prime Minister for the next four years, the sun will still shine tomorrow. I'm not convinced that he won't push his right wing social ideology forward, now that he has a majority. It's possible that Harper the smart politician may do it slowly. He knows very well for the Conservatives to be Canada's "natural governing party" for the long term, they have to be moderate or at least appear to be. Good for Jack Layton taking the NDP to be the Official Opposition. However, it'll be interesting to see how much Harper would ignore the opposition, given his "take no prisoners" approach, and now that he can do whatever he wants. Collectively, as Canadians, we deserve what we voted for. If you were among the remaining 40% eligible voters who didn't vote, then you have no right to complain no matter what the government does.
Posted by Ba on Monday 02 May 2011 - 23:29:38
