Parking Meters

I don't know if you are all aware but as of January 1, 2010, all meter parking in Vancouver (suburbs too I would assume) is in effect 9am-10pm (not 8pm like it's always been). Lovely, more money to spend. The minor good news for me is that I often pay my meters by telephone and the 30 cent "convenience" charge will now cease to exist. As well, I can "reserve" a spot for 4 hours instead of 2. Still, this is a cash grab by our illustrious government.

Why Are You Here?

It's Christmas Day and I am in the office at work because the casino never closes. I came to work expecting that everybody would be at home with their families but instead there were more people than usual at 7 in the morning. Isn't it a bit sad that this is what so many people choose to do on this supposedly festive day? I know there are many people that have nowhere else to go during Holiday time, perhaps those with no families or friends. We welcome them with open arms, and not to take their money but just a place to spend some time. But to those with families and friends, should you really be here?

Daily Driver Rant

Way to go, big idiot driving in the opposite direction on East 22nd who decided that he would turn left while I was perhaps only two car lengths away. I managed to break in time (and in fact probably ruined them a little bit). This was my closest to an accident in a long time. This was just stupid. If I wasn't in a bit of a rush to change and get to work I would have followed the guy and do something.

Weekly Driver Rants

I wonder if I can turn this page into strictly a "bad driver" page and have enough topics to write about. You know, I think ICBC should institute some sort of a system where every time you renew your license you have to take a SIMPLE driving test. At least 50% of those on the road really have not clue what they're doing. I'm not talking about the bad drivers. There are those that speed, or cut into lanes or are otherwise reckless. That's their choice. They developed their own bad habits.

I'm talking about the ones that somehow snuck their way to a pass on their driving test. They are the ones that think that going green means never using your signal light, or have no clue how to properly merge from an onramp onto a highway. They are the ones who think HOV means to drive as slowly as possible. What were they taught in driving school anyways?

Bah Humbug?

I love hearing Christmas carols. There's nothing like hearing Bing Crosby sing White Christmas as no one else could, or his Little Drummer Boy duet with David Bowie. What I really don't like is all the different versions of the same songs. It's a variation on all those remakes of movies that show little originality. Jingle Bells is Jingle Bells, I get tired hearing 10 different artists singing it. And of course in an 8-hour day, I'll hear the same song too many times. Does anybody sing original Christmas songs anymore?

"...on the 18th day of Christmas...."

Enough Already

Now the discussion is whether or not Tiger Woods should give up golf to devote more time to his family. Huh? The press has already ruined his career already, now they want the blame to be deflected from them? Tiger may or may not be the best golfer in the world, but he has the right to make a living. He sinned, let it go people. Maybe the press should go back to reporting about Balloon Boy.

Zzzzzz

My list of top overreported news items of the year, in no particular order.

1) Robert Dziekanski

It was truly sad what happened on that eventful day. Yes, there was excessive force used and yes he was in a bad mood after being stuck in the airport for a couple of hours. I'm not going to start spouting about whose fault it is. But this item went on way too long. What happened, while very unfortunate and sad, had happened. But it seemed every day there was something on the story, except that every day it was the same news.

2) Michael Jackson

Love him for his music or hate him for being a pedophile, but to hear about his life and death 24/7 was ridiculous. I found it really funny that nobody really knew about his supposed drug use even though the press really liked to report about him BEFORE his death. And then after his death things just got ridiculous. Let him rest in peace.

3) Tiger Woods

Thank you to the media for ruining his career. I'm not condoning what he did, he is scum but could we give it a rest? He's not the first man or woman to engage in adulterous activities, why does every second news report have to be about him?

4) Twilight/New Moon

Next to Episode I of Star Wars, no movie has received more hype than the second chapter of the saga. Yes, it is the story of an old vampire in love with a teenager, so great for teaching morals in this world. Did we have to hear about every single sighting of what's his name and what's her name? Is there a website on how many times they had to go to the bathroom or something? It's only a friggin' movie.

5) Brangelina

The neverending saga of the original Octomom (or however many children she has now). I applaud Angelina for her work with the UN but other than that does anybody remember the last movie she did? Brad Pitt was in Inglorious Basterds but other than that, what was HIS last movie? Does anybody really care about them anymore?

Enough

Well, Tiger's mother-in-law is now in the hospital. I hope all the reporters are proud of what they've done. Keep on reporting about non-relevant news. Maybe you'll start going through all of Tiger's family members to see what you can find out.

Work

Without getting into detail, ARGH...

Bejewelled Blitz

It was the best of times it was the worst of times. This game has taken over my life. I am hearing that voice in my ahead. I find myself saying "One minute, go" and "Excellent" and "Spectacular" in a really deep voice. I stayed away from this game for so long but now it's too late. I am addicted.

Who REALLY Cares?

It's nice to know that there is nothing happening in America except a golfer's extramarital affairs and two White House party crashers. I guess the war in Afghanistan is over and there is nothing else to worry about in the world. Wait, how are Jon and Kate doing? They are such an important part of my life that I can't go on without making sure they are OK.

Tiger

Tiger Woods is perhaps the best golfer of all time. Like him or hate him on the course, he is great. I do not care one iota about his personal life, I only care that I can see his unbelievable drives. The long putt that became a Nike commercial comes to mind.

But unfortunately all I will hear and read about regarding Tiger Woods is about his personal life, which really has nothing to do about his golf. He transgressed, I guess people will start suggesting that he be suspended from the PGA now.

Movies

Is there really any originality in movies anymore? Other than adaptations from books and the retelling of previous movies, is there anything new anymore? The Twilight series is from a book. Almost every comic book character has been done to death already. Some (Batman, Superman) even get their stories redone. Now The Dark Knight was perhaps one of the greatest "revisions" of The Joker but there is no originality anymore. Next thing you know we'll be seeing new versions of Gone With the Wind and The Godfather, as if Hollywood actually thinks they can do better than Clark Gable and Marlon Brando.

Manners

I talked about Rules of the Road in a past entry but something really irked me yesterday as I was walking downtown. We complain a lot about drivers and cyclists who don't follow rules, but what about pedestrians? I'm not even talking about crossing the road, it's walking in general. If you want to use your cell phone while you're walking could you at least look at where you're going instead of looking down at the ground? If you hear or see something or someone behind you could you maybe stop instead of walking randomly toward me?

Top 5 Worst "Celebrity" Parents of 2009

These are in no particular order and I almost feel guilty giving them more than their 15 minutes of fame but here you go. I'm sure there are other choices.

1) Richard and Mayumi Heene (aka parents of Balloon Boy)
2) Jon and Kate Gosselin (child exploiters)
3) Michael and Dina Lohan
4) Kevin Federline and Britney Spears (special mention to TEENAGE SISTER Jamie Lynn Spears who got herself pregnant twice)
5) Octomom

2010

The Olympics are less than two months away, and based on the traffic problems I've experienced as of late, it's only going to get worse. Both Vancouver and Richmond are so obviously unprepared for 2010. Right now a drive to work with no traffic takes less than 10 minutes. I estimate that figure will increase threefold (fourfold?). The option of Skytrain is pointless because the lineups at the stations will be just as worse. And what if it snows? We all know how bad the drivers are during snow. Well, to all those that voted for the Olympics, your wish has come true. Enjoy.

Politics?!?

Remember a few months ago during the American election, everybody was saying how great Barack Obama would be as a leader and how much better he was than that last guy? How times change. Has Mr. President done anything really significant other than talk a lot? Isn't it funny how the once-laughable Sarah Palin is suddenly looking really good? It really just goes to prove that Americans fall for every trick in the book.

Communication

I don't know if this is really a Pet Peeve but it's more of an annoyance. It's how Facebook and other forms of communication has taken over many people's lives. Remember not too many years ago when if you wanted to talk to someone you would pick up the phone and then call them? And if they weren't home you had to leave a message? Then came call waiting, and people could decide who they wanted to talk to. Cell phones got popular and people didn't even have phone lines at home. Then email became the main form of communication. And then eventually text messaging overtook emails.

And then came Facebook, now nobody seems to talk to people anymore. Pretty soon I won't need my cell phone.

Twilight

There is so much hype surrounding this saga, even so that there have been people lining up DAYS in advance of the premiere of the movie. Now I can understand lying up a few hours before a movie premieres but days? I remember years ago when I waited about four or five hours in line for Episode I of Star Wars and what a big disappointment it was. It's only a movie, it will be on the next day. It's like those people who wait in line at midnight for the unveiling of the new Harry Potter books. You really can't wait a few hours for the bookstore to open? Is there nothing better to do?

H1N1

Just a thought, how many people in Canada have died from the H1N1 virus? How many people have died from regular flu or pneumonia? I'm not saying it's not dangerous but isn't this almost mass hysteria? And considering a few people have had a bad reaction to the vaccine, is it worth getting it?

Dancing With the Stars

One day I'll stop talking about this show, but not right now. Tonight the show proved what a joke it really is. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the performances, especially since Barry and Robin Gibb were on tonight and sang You Should Be Dancing. But tonight once again the show proved how ridiculous the judging is. AMERICA is not voting for the best performances, they are voting for the popular people. As much as I'm a Donny Osmond and even Kelly Osborne fan, there is no way either of them should have gotten through to the finals ahead of Joanna Krupa (even though I really don't like her). But that's the Kevin Skinner America.

Reality?

I've written about this topic on my regular blog before but it is nevertheless one of my biggest pet peeves. It's how these so-called reality TV shows are distorted in order to get ratings.

Take all these talent shows that eliminate contestants week after week until a final winner is crowned. Who stays and who goes is determined by the public show vote to see who they want to stay. But what exactly are they voting on? Are they truly voting on the best performance or are they just voting for the most popular person?

Let's look at the infamous last season of America's Got Talent. Why did Kevin Skinner win? Was he the best singer? Would people pay money to see him in Las Vegas? I believe the answer to both questions is no. But he won because he had a good story. Nobody has heard from him since the show, and I strongly doubt if his show will last. Meanwhile, amazing performances from Barbara Padilla and even the third-place percussion group should have been rewarded.

What about Dancing With the Stars, perhaps the worst example of popularity voting. Does it really matter if they can dance as opposed to if they are popular? Mya is by far the best dancer on the show but will she win? It's hard to say because Donny Osmond, Kelly Osborne and perhaps even Joanna Krupa are more "popular".

Rules of the Road

Many automobile drivers are portrayed as reckless people who break rules. While there are a lot of these bad drivers everywhere, it is not them that break the most rules, but rather those cyclists who think it is OK to ride wherever and however they want.

Don't get me wrong, I do feel sorry for them. There are many roads that do not have space for cyclists to ride. But as long as they are on the road with the cars, then they should follow the rules. Follow the direction the cars are driving. Ride on the road instead of the sidewalk. But most of all, respect traffic signals.

Hi

And so begins another blog. This will be a collection of my musings about what irks me, from everyday life to the entertainment world to wherever my mind leads me. I know I have more than 365 things that bother me so this blog should be good for a year at least.

Feel free to contact me with suggestions, and also what bugs you! Whether you agree or disagree with me, please contribute! Hope to hear from you soon!