2006 comes to a close... and here comes 2007!!

Happy New Year to anyone who happens to stumble into the little corner of the internet...

-Mac

Life keeps moving on...

My wife's arm is finally healing. Her vegetarian diet and far-too-active lifestyle both didn't help this process. The bones didn't start healing until she started to supplement her diet with calcium pills (evidently yogurt doesn't provide enough) and, at the same time, she continued to use her hand which isn't surprising since it is her dominant hand. She still lacks strength and the bones did not knit cleanly (visible bump) so the process isn't done yet but at least she's not in constant pain.

Speaking of life moving on, it looks like we might be leaving the west coast. I've been living in British Columbia since January 1990. It is a beautiful province, between the mountains, the oceans, the lakes... but I'm the first one to tell others that "family comes first!" and now it appears I have to live up to my professed philosophy.

I've been offered an opportunity in Ottawa, which is where my wife originated. At the same time, her mother's health isn't getting any better. Is it the right time to move? I don't know that there is a "right" time but this time seems opportune.

Now comes the time of decisions... whether to sell our house here (where real estate prices are rising more quickly than anywhere else in Canada) or hold & rent it for a couple more years. Buy a house in Ottawa or rent? If buy, in what area and at what cost?

Studies say that moving is one of the top ten "stresses" as is "a new job" so I'm thinking life is about to get a little more stressful. Just what I need.

Merry Christmas to all...

Merry Christmas to all who happen to fall into my blog...

-Mac

Just when you thought it was politics in Canada was boring...

The Liberal Party of Canada is renewing itself... or so they would like Canadians to believe. They've picked a shiny new leader (never mind his dual citizenship) who promptly made one of his main rivals for leadership, Iggy (never mind his foot in his mouth) into the deputy leader, much to the chagrin of a few other MPs.

Without regurgitating their sins of the past, suffice to say the Liberals need a couple of terms in the penalty box to rethink their policies (or lack thereof) right? WRONG!!

Nope, welcome to the New Look Liberals!! Meet the New Boss, Same as the Old Boss!!

-Mac

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061220.wliberals20/BNStory/National/?cid=al_gam_nletter_newsUp

Chrétien back in the loop

JANE TABER AND CAMPBELL CLARK

From Wednesday's Globe and Mail

OTTAWA AND TORONTO — Former prime minister Jean Chrétien, who has been out of active politics for three years, is back in the game, giving advice to the transition team of new Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion.

Mr. Chrétien speaks regularly to Marcel Massé, one of his former cabinet ministers, who is co-chairing Mr. Dion's team. Sources said Mr. Massé may be given a different title — principal secretary — but will effectively serve as the chief aide to running the Opposition Leader's office.

Mr. Chrétien, who loves to remain in the loop, has been giving advice on governance and other issues, somewhat in the same way former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney talks to Stephen Harper.

“Chrétien can give huge advice,” one senior Liberal said. “Nobody knows better how to defeat a government, when to call an election, how to manage the caucus [in the early days] and how to manage the regions. His instincts are second to none.”