Seriously?

This is truly turning my stomach. Kids these days... I guess regular piercings and tattoos aren't enough for them. Instead, they must feel the need to one up their rebellious predecessors with eyeball tattoos. See for yourself:
http://topics.oneriot.com/look-out-for-eyeball-tattoos

I've considered a tattoo before, but honestly, I'm a big wuss when it comes to pain. I can't even tear off a band-aid without some serious preparation. But this whole eyeball tattoo thing takes discomfort to a whole new level. I have friends who can't even touch their own eye - can you image sticking a needle in there, instead? It's all way too 'Clockwork Orange,' if you ask me.

What's the Point of Points?

I hate mileage programs. I know they are supposed to encourage loyalty and for a while I was being loyal to one airline - Air Canada - due to all my Boston-Toronto flights. And just as I was nearing enough points for a free round-trip ticket, they pulled the rug out from under me. I went to check my account balance one day and wham! All my points were gone. I called the airline and was told my points had expired due to inactivity.

That's all good and fine except for two things - a) I was never informed my points would expire; and b) I had been 'active' through one of the airline's partners but they wouldn't accept that excuse without a copy of my boarding pass (which of course I no longer had). I called up the partner airline and they wouldn't re-issue a copy of the old boarding pass without me paying an exorbitant fee.

It's still a sore point for me - as you may have noticed - even though this happened over a year ago. But it's also resigned me to the fact that I will never get enough points for a free flight and on the off chance that I do, I will
likely have those points revoked 5 minutes before booking that flight. Or I will just never be able to find a flight that I can use on points (unless it's one with two connections and a red-eye itinerary for what could have been a 2 hour direct flight).

I am especially angry at Air Canada - an airline that I had been loyal to for years - for revoking my points without notifying me of their new expiration date policy. I tell everyone to avoid flying them at all costs and even get points on one of their partner airlines anytime I am forced to fly them. That'll show them! Or will it? I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens to me on another airline. It's like the roadrunner and the coyote - I feel like I'll always be chasing that darn bird and inevitably end up suspended in the air for a second over a great chasm, only to find myself plummeting down to the bedrock below.

What Will They Think of Next?

I was reading New Scientist and I just flipped by an article about the 'e-cigarette.' This is a battery-powered fake cigarette that looks just like the real thing (complete with glowing red tip and puff of fake white smoke) yet it doesn't burn and it delivers a few micrograms of nicotine from a refillable cartridge. And guess what? It's now available in the US:
http://www.ecigarettesusa.com/

Apparently these fake cigs look so real people are being asked to take it outside - but since the puff of smoke contains none of the dangerous chemicals found in second-hand smoke, it's actually perfectly legal to smoke it inside. It will look nice next to the glow of the fake LED candle at your table. What's next - fake food to complete your dining experience?

The Running of the Brides

For those of you not familiar with the 'Running of the Brides,' this is a Boston tradition involving the department store 'Filene's Basement,' a bunch of brides-to-be and a whole lot of tuile. The bi-yearly event brings in brides (and their families and friends) from all over the country who are looking to nab one of the deeply discounted remainder bridal gowns Filene's Basement wants to get rid of.

I, myself, am a former bride runner. I went to the August '08 event and amazingly found my wedding dress! But let me tell you, it wasn't easy. Doors open at 8 am (meaning you should get there no later than 2 am to get a good spot in line) and those brides-to-be are brutal. Every bride for herself. If you don't believe me, check out these pics:
http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/weddings/gallery/briderun09/

Another Casualty of the Economic Downturn: Shark Attacks

The poor aren't the only ones going hungry right now. It looks like sharks are are also missing out:
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2009/02/20/economy_cited_as_shark_attacks_decline/

Obama in Canada

A lot of hubbub about Obama's first visit outside the US as president. First stop? Canada, where his popularity seems to surpass that of our actual leader, Stephen Harper. In the brief press conference held in Ottawa, the nation's capital, Obama even thanked the many volunteers who crossed the border to help with his presidential campaign.

The big issues discussed were NAFTA (and the implications of the 'made in America' clause from the recently passed stimulus bill), climate change (whether or not to impose emission standards on the highly polluting Canadian tar sands) and Afghanistan (should more Canadian troops be recruited to help bring stability to the region before the upcoming elections).

For more, check out http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/world/americas/20prexy.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=canada&st=cse

First Post

Heaven knows the last thing people need is another blog. But I am reluctantly joining the ranks of the blog community and hope I can provide some insightful comments - or at least a place to come to avoid working (as I am doing right now).

I'd like to start off with a random thought - Obama visited my home country of Canada today. And as a friend on Facebook pointed out - he, like myself (and my friend) is left-handed. And you know what they say about lefties, right? They don't live as long as right-handed people. Or do they? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/latest_news/102354.stm

Either way, it's nice to know I have something in common with the new president (even if I still can't vote in the US).