What can you do in -23 ℃ (-9.4 ℉) Winter of Alberta?

Let's assume that you're a single man or a bunch of single fellas (let's exclude the ladies. I can't talk on their behalf) travelling to Alberta during the Dec.-Jan. period. What can you enjoy? 

First off, the temperature would be considerably low, something similar to what you see in the title. Secondly there're a plenty of actions that you can be entertained with. I don't think it will be Montreal, Toronto or even Vancouver but there're things that you can do:

1) Canada Olympic Park in Calgary offers winter sport activities such as snowboarding. I'm no one near that stuff but I know many enjoy that. This might not be very comfortable in the temperature written in the title but at the same time, might be! I don't know. I'm not much to winter sports but a little bit of snowshoeing which I know I would not be doing at that temperature! 

2) Many ski resorts are within one to one and a half hour drive from the major cities, at the most. They, of course, come with all sorts of amenities. The question, again here, is how comfortable would someone be to go skiing in such a low temperature. Also, are the ski resorts open at that time?

3) Bars and restaurants. Lots to try and enjoy.

4) Shopping malls. If you have money, you can get good merchandise.

5) Not many, so-called, gentlemen's clubs! The last time I was to one, I think it was about four or five years ago and I was there with The Chef, who, by the way, is technically considered an awkward fella! While it could have been a fun time, it turned into a night of mediocre experience! This was in Calgary and I think there're currently only three of them in the city. Don't know about Edmonton.

6) Relaxation places. Now bear in mind that there're, as everyone knows, legal and legitimate and illegal and fake places which both offer relaxation services. The municipality and consequently, the police, is aware of the second type and if I'm not mistaken, one of the mayors of Calgary, a few years back, wanted to clean up the city from the illegal ones and by illegal I mean the ones which under the name of Massage, would provide other services. The Criminal Code of Canada (also known as C-46), in 1363 pages, has sections about soliciting sex and related stuff. It's a very interesting read(!) but could be confusing and hard to understand by an average person! After all that is why an average person gets caught, charged and convicted! 

I hope the above helps the people who intend to travel to Alberta in winter.

(Photo: Seems like the very temperature has not kept these young people inside! They're preparing a local pond for hockey. Good for them. Have fun)

Snow Den on Christmas

It's Christmas season and I'm mostly stuck at home due to the extreme cold. It went down to -32 ℃ (-25.6℉) last night! I go to the windows every now and then just to watch snow. To see how much it has landed. Do I have to shovel or not? Then I said: I can't go out. It's too cold and dangerous. Why don't I watch Snowden, instead of snow? I always wanted to know what this guy's story was and now years later I'm about to find out. I guess I'm not very up-to-date with many things! People are going to laugh at me that I'm learning about this guy after more than 12 years! There're things that I follow closely and there are many that I pay not much attention. This did not catch my eye but I'm glad to watch the movie now. This is one of the Stone's but didn't sell much. One might wonder why. To me it's very obvious: The movie doesn't have any sex or violence in it! A movie like that would not sell much in North America but I liked it. Born on the Fourth of July, Platoon, W, The Doors and JFK are the movies made by him and I enjoyed watching them, some, including Platoon and JFK, several times. I didn't know, first, that he had made this movie as well. It is very good and the main character actors were great. In a society that consist of many mindless dumb, it's not surprising that they don't like this movie. 
Stone decided once to make a documentary or biopic about the former Iranian president, Ahmadinejad who created lots of controversy during the two terms he was in the office. It appears that he, the president, accepted to take part, at first but the project got cancelled later for a few reasons which are not very clear and I'm not going to dig into it.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former Iranian President in the UN building.

All aside, Snowden is a good movie and I enjoyed watching it and most likely will, again. It's not as high as JFK, which I've watched several times and I like the dialogue but both Gordon-Levitt and the gorgeous Woodley play very well. Clint Eastwood's son, Scott, also has a small role. I'm not going to spoil the movie but highly recommend it, if you haven't watched. You'll enjoy it. As per the principals that Snowden stood behind and for them, later, he was charged with, I believe he was wrong! If your government has to monitor yours and everyone's conversations, e-mails, reading habits (as said in Se7en!), etc. to keep the country safe, they should. If you're not doing anything illegal, why would you care whether the government knows what you're talking about or not?! That, alone, is enough for me to abide by what the government does. Last thing: I know Snowden is written Snowden, not Snow Den!  
(Photo, top: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley and Oliver Stone. Edward Stone and his wife, Lindsay Mills live in Russia now. To me that is real love! The couple split once and then, according to the film, Snowden went back to her in the mainland States and after he had to leave to avoid apprehension, they were separated again until she joined her in Russia a few years later. That's a kind of girl you want in your life) 

A very Labourious Christmas Season

I booked a truck to go to Mt. Robson Provincial Park this holiday season and I'm really glad that I canceled it. That would have been suicidal! I basically haven't done much this past week or so but eating and shoveling snow this Christmas. Some people drink. I eat. Both are detrimental. Which one is worse?

When you don't do much, or at least it's me, you can't get a good sleep. I went to bed late last night. It must have been around 23:50. Woke up around, I think, it was 03:00 or something. Stayed up for an hour. Went back to sleep and woke up at around 09:05 to a -22 ℃ (-7.6 ℉) very windy day. That was when I realized: Damn! The pipe! The pipe is frozen and I'm going to be in trouble. There's a pipe which sticks out of the front of the house and takes the, I assume, vapours out of the heating system. If it is clogged, you're done! I learnt that from a neighbour! She has helped with that in the last two years or so but she was not here this year! So I rushed and got my ladder. Set it up and started banging on the damn pipe. The temperature inside showed 14.5 ℃ (58.1 ℉)! from the 16.5 ℃ (67.1 ℉) which I had it set (I know it sounds insane to many, but I'm fine with that). I don't know why that was! The system might have been confused! I started hitting the damn pipe with everything I had in my possession, as I said and eventually it was clear. Went back inside and the temperature was back up to the set. I had to take a shower after all that as I also shoveled the front for almost half an hour. 

(Photo: Winter is really beautiful here in Alberta. Took this during a short walk close to home)

The Beautiful Winter of Alberta, again

The temperature has not gone up -15 ℃ (5 ℉), maximum, in the past few days and I'm really glad that I don't have to go to work today, although it will be mostly boring and waste of time but I get paid for it! Driving is not so bad as soon as I leave my street! The roads here are covered with a sheet of ice and now it's -24 ℃ (-11.2 ℉). If you think you can drive without winter tires, think of jumping in the pool and not getting wet! 

I have my winter tires on but my vehicle isn't in such a good shape. It's losing oil or perhaps I should say it's burning oil. I went to a close Toyota dealership to see what they can do. Here is what they said: $200 for diagnosis! And here's my answer to them: Shove it! Purchasing a new vehicle, no matter how good it is, without winter tires, is like having a wife to starts and raise of family without being intimate! My car has been sitting in the garage for the past month of so and the price of, not so excellent, two pair or winter tires plus the cost of installation is nearly $1800. So I decided not to buy it and instead rely on my old one, until, perhaps in a little more than a year from now, I buy another one: A vehicle for winter and a vehicle for summer. That's how you beat these guys who charge tremendously for their services. You don't have to book an appointment to change your tires. You don't have to change them back to regular one when summer ends and this last you many long years. My  goal is to buy an electric car so I can skip the damn time-wasting and expensive oil change as well. I will work hard and will reach that goal. 

Accidents were really bad on Q. E. II last week, on Thu. There was a big pile up in southbound close to Airdrie. When I reach there I saw tankers and semitrucks on their sides, pick up trucks in the ditch. It was really bad. I heard between 80 and 100 vehicles were involved. Northbound was not that bad. It was slow and blocked and then, happily, when I reached where I needed to take an exit, it had been opened. 

(Photo: I couldn't stop to take pictures but saw these two cars being taken by a tow truck in the city during late evening)

Mindless Retards at Work (1): You Tell 'em!

I used to have posts called Workplace Stories. I stopped about a year and a half ago. I have decided to restart that this time under a new title called Mindless Retards at Work, as we have plenty here and there! I tell the story and you are the judge:
One of the things you observe a lot in workplaces is that the majority of the people get their jobs based on their relationships or as they like to call it networking. What it means that you have lots of incompetent, pretentious, mindless losers appointed to positions. Companies do that because they don't have to pay a lot to a qualified and experienced and knowledgeable person.  
Here at work we have a so-called Safety Officer who is occupied by a sort of aid. A couple of lazy retards, I should say. You barely see any of them in the working area, sitting on their asses most of the day. 
There were a number of visitors last week whom I directed them to the work area. We were having conversations and all of a sudden I saw the " officer " show up! She turns to me and goes: One of the guys doesn't have his ear plugs in. This is his second violation. Tell him if he repeats it, he would be banned from this work area! This is how a lazy and stupid tries to prove that she's working! 
First of all this is your job to tell them. Not me! Secondly, they are the people who have placed an order with us. They have given us a business and we must have done something good to build a reputation and get the order. We simply cannot ban them from our company for a freaking earplug! Turn your brain on! 
I, often, ignore ignorance! So I told her that I would tell them and walk away! The idiot went back to her cave! Now imagine how much money the company spends on people like these every year! They have a silly monthly Safety Meeting once a month and while the main person talks, mostly nonsense  for nearly 45 minutes, the other ass, just sits and stares at the people! I'm sick of these idiots.

(Photo: These are not different types and sizes of condoms. These are earplugs to help people to protect ears from excessive noise)

The Supervised Consumption Sites!

I used to go Sheldon M. Chumir clinic when I lived in Downtown Calgary. Good service, most of the time. Long wait times which is normal everywhere in Canada these days. It's because of the sudden explosion of population without having the infrastructure available. Stupid or most likely careless Government of Canada! 

Going back to that clinic, I saw addicts, drunks and homeless poor people, from time to time. All around the clinic and the nearby streets and at time inside, escaping from the cold or simply hanging out. I also knew there was a Safe Supervised Consumption existed there! If you're not from Canada and don't know what that means, I can tell you it's the stupidest idea ever, in the entire world! The idea behind that is people can go register and get the doze of drugs they need from a clinic and consume it! These guys are so stupid and clueless that it's not easy to simply start to fathom what really their goal was by starting such a sick program! You basically tell the addicted people that hey don't worry about what has happened to you and now you're hooked up on this drug. We will provide you and even, in places, in British Columbia, provide you with clean facilities to do your drug of choice in a very relaxed environment! 

The result has been a total failure in British Columbia and everywhere else in a way that now they're going to close this place in Calgary! The fact is these guys don't think and plan for their action and use the society as a lab rat! The society is not the place for your Trail & Error games, assholes. Think. 

You dignify and glamorize the consumption of harmful substances instead of cutting the roots. One should ask if you're helping the addicted perhaps you should help the ones who seek prostitution by doing what the State of Nevada has been doing for such a long time! Is this not worse than legal prostitution?! You legalized consumption of alcohol and marijuana! Is prostitution not the same or is it less harmful to the society?! 

(Photo: An opium den in old China, circa, 19 century from the time consumption was legal. Canada is back to that time of the history)

How Long to Save to Buy a New Vehicle?

I've kept my old Toyota after buying a new one. They are nearly 15 years apart, in terms of age! The old one was purchased in Sep.2009 but is a 2010 model, Corolla Standard CE and the new one in Aug.2025. I kept the Corolla because it has two pairs of almost new Michelin X-Ice tires and you can't travel anywhere without those in Alberta in winter. It doesn't matter how cold it is. It could be a very dangerous road even if it's only -1 ℃ (~ 32℉). For that I haven't taken the new car out. Then it hit me: I'm a loser who has nothing in life. Would this not be better to save and buy another new one just for winter? I can order it with winter tires only. I then would donate the Corolla or sell it.

What would be a good vehicle for the tough winter of Alberta? That's the question. Many might say an SUV or a pickup truck. Some might suggest an electric truck, such as Lightning. I have nothing against SUVs and trucks but I always try to minimize my costs. So I would go with something like a Tesla Model 3 or something less expensive within the next two years of so and I have to consider that:

1) I will have the same income, if not higher,

2) There will not be such a significant increase in my expenses, and

3) I remain relatively healthy to operate a motor vehicle! 

How long would it take to purchase a new Tesla Model 3 or a less expensive model, if it comes to the market as it has been the plan, in cash? If I consider the price $70,000, it would be a minimum of 23 months to make it happen, considering all the above!

I also wanted to move to a new place. This is quite big and spacious for me but I'm looking for a better place, in a better neighbourhood.

It's funny how we all plan for the things we like and I think it's good to be positive and think and plan for the things you like to do and hope with dedication and hard work we achieve it but the interesting thing is that if I was in a serious relationship, none of them would've not even come to mind or if they did, would've never been accepted my partner but she had a major say.

(Photo: One of the many amazing old vehicles displayed in the Toyota Automobile Museum in Nagoya, Japan. Unfortunately I don't know the brand but it's not hard to find. Look how spacious it is. Lovely!)

24 Years and Counting

I thought of something special for the 24th anniversary of my arrival in Canada but nothing came to mind! It was the 29th of the last month but I have been so tired that I couldn't write a damn thing. Not that anyone was waiting for it! Couples might go for a nice meal. Not many options for singles! So I decided to go for a massage on Sat. night. What a waste of dollars and time it was! It could have been a much better experience, had I selected the right person! I don't wanna even write about it! 

Then I thought to myself: There's nothing to celebrate. I haven't achieved anything. In fact I haven't reached my goals. I, have always been a failure. In fact this word could be used as my middle name! The only good thing was that a cousin of mine who lives in L. A. was here to enjoy skiing. I had not seen him for probably 25 years, perhaps one year or more before I left the old country for Canada. We all had a meal in a local restaurant and then he and his family headed to Banff National Park area. I joined them later just to hang out with them, not to ski! I'm not a skier. That was the only highlight of the last week. 

We went up to Sulfur Mountain by gondola, of course. That was my third ride, each 10 years or more apart! It was a pleasant experience. Then we had dinner at Sky Bistro which was really good. The views up there are really amazing and they have added lots of stuff to make it memorable and interesting for visitors, including fire pits, igloos(!), fur blankets and indigenous traditional music and displays and translated to English. They liked it very much. It's a one of a kind experience which you cannot get anywhere else in the world and I must admit that if I was Canadian, I'd be really proud of my country. I'm not Canadian and I'm proud that I was able to show them something that they like a lot.

I didn't pay much attention to the cost. It's a cost that you pay once in your life. Besides the cousin had already taken us to dinner and brought us all gifts. He even paid for the dinner there which was not cheap, believe me but I think the gondola ride was around $280 and it's not important at all. I don't know when if I ever meet this people. Family and friends is all you have in life and if you don't have a good one, you have nothing. For me it's over. I can't have a family now. My family is my Mom and my siblings and a few relatives I have here and there but I also keep my distance to make sure I don't with their family life. All the money, best cars, good job. Nothing could make for a good and lovely family.

(Photo: People go inside these igloos on the top of Sulphur Mountain and enjoy themselves)

A Mishap after 15 Years!

I woke up on time one of the days of the last week and got ready to go to work, as usual, when I realized that I cannot find my car key! Something that had never happened to me in my life and particularly in the past 15 years that I own this car! I have a spare key but has given it to a relative and they are nearly 15 min. drive away. I could get a cab to wake them up. However, this is the benefit of having two cars! 
I just got the newer one out and drove to work. The funny thing is that the Check Engine Light had come up the night before on the way home, for absolutely no reason and I wanted to drive the new car and it happened! I thought it was somewhere in the house but couldn't find it and then it hit me: What if I left it in the car? I went to the relative's house the next day and I got it. When I opened the door, it was in the vehicle and in the ignition! Someone could've easily stolen the car by simply breaking one of the windows or getting in somehow. This could be a benefit of living in a sketchy neighbourhood! The same care was broken into twice when I lived in Downtown Calgary and nothing was ever recovered: Flashlight, CDs, GPS, you name it! Getting off the subject but the only reason I lived there was my partner who never wanted to live somewhere else. Another disadvantage of being in a bad relationship!

I don't remember how this happened but it could be getting some shopping out of the trunk and forgetting the key inside.

(Photo: Many of the new vehicles do not need a key to enter or ignite the engine, including the one I have purchased but my old Corolla still works that way and I like it!)

The Disgusting and Stupid Milani Guys

I needed some electrical work at home and I didn't feel comfortable doing that myself. I decided to call the so-called professionals! The result was a disaster and I would like to tell you whom I had to deal with, so you guys, who are reading this and one day perhaps you need an electrician, you avoid these idiots, completely. 

I opened the Yellow Pages, yes you read it correctly, Yellow Pages, which had been brought to my door recently and looked for an electrician and there was this big add by these guys who call themselves Milani. I called them and asked if they did some small repairs around the house and the lady was like Yes. Then when it came to where I lived, just pay attention carefully here what kind of nasty, stupid, disgusting donkeys theses assholes are: I told them where I lived and the woman had difficulty understanding it, like she had never heard of this small town Alberta, before! Bare in mind that the number I am calling starts with a 403 which is an Alberta code, of course, and this woman goes: Our electricians mostly serve the City of Victoria!!!!!!

What kind of stinking, nasty, full of cockroaches and sewer rats toilet you guys of Milani assholes are running???!!!! You are a disgrace to a human being and every service provider of any kind in the entire country of Canada. Sorry I'm really pissed at these incompetent, disgusting, pinhead assholes of Milani. 😠.

(Photo: An electrician is messing with a bunch of wires! If you open your computer and go to YouTube there're many video clips about cheating and fraudulent service providers of any kind who go to people's residents and charge excessively for the issues that the system does not have as the economy is really bad and everyone is trying to keep up with the life style that they have for years and now it's very difficult to do so. Some people take longer hours at work and some people take second jobs. Others simply cheat! It doesn't have anything to do with this post but I should put it here as this is the main reason I have not called any heating system guys since I have a problem with my furnace for the past two weeks. I might have a post for that soon)

Is that a Murder?!

I saw an SUV had parked near where I usually park, or close to it, a few weeks ago. They were parking like a blind! The only thing is our street is not busy or they could have been hit or complained about. I wondered who that belongs to until one day, eventually, I think, I saw where the driver went. It was a woman who lives at a corner house with a man of a different ethnicity who is usually not home and when he comes he comes late, driving a big and noisy pick-up truck. I didn't mind that until one day she parked closer to where I usually park. Now it's difficult for me to get the other vehicle out of the garage because the first car is blocking it and the SUV has been sitting there for more than a week and that's the vehicle which was driven every day! I think there are only three possibilities:

1) The woman is on vacation, alone, without her partner.

2) The woman, unfortunately, has left the man, which is very unlikely, or

3) The woman has been murdered!

It's hard to believe that someone who lives with a certain someone and has never been on a trip by herself, all of a sudden travels and it's as unusual as thinking she has left either! So where are we getting at? 
I was going to wait another week to see if she's coming back and if not I'd report that to the police but the vehicle was moved on Sun. afternoon.

(Photo: I could park really close to this idiot and once someone is parked in front, she would be trapped like a filthy mouse she is, but gave her space to get the hell out)

Reactions to the new Vehicle

I drove my newly purchased vehicles to work for the first time and of course parked it in the provided parking lot which half of the employees park there (There are have three separate parking lots) and received all sorts of reactions which I kind of had expected but perhaps not to that extent:

1) The first person was my supervisor. He stepped in the office and after Good morning he went: You brought the ..., naming the model of the car!

2) Then it was my manager who asked me if I had purchased a new vehicle. I said I had borrowed it citing the issue I currently have with it. The second part was right! 

3) Then there was this guy who has been working for the company for over 12 years or so and believes his job is the most important one. I have a plan to demolish him, partially, at least, later, and I will write about it! He came out of his nest! (he sits on his ass for at least 7 straight hours a day, coming out only for a lunch which he purchases from one of the local businesses or goes to the shop, rarely) and went to a couple of colleagues and said: Who drives that electric vehicle? My supervisor says: It's his, pointing at me and a colleague makes a face and says: The Troublemaker drivers an electric car?! 🤯. The Nestle guy(!), I think I'm going to call him that from now on(!) says he would like to ask the CEO to provide him with a gasoline pump now that I can simply charge my battery! Then he adds: If I disconnected your car, you wouldn't be able to get home tonight, would you? I told him that it was not my vehicle, firstly and secondly, I would easily get home, even if he disconnected the vehicle because the car has a gasoline operated engine! I add that it was a Hybrid Plug-in vehicle! He said nothing much after that! 

4) The next two people were two ladies who work together and I bumped to them when we were all leaving work. They said they had wondered who drove a vehicle with a licence plate from the State of ..., considering it was a very long trip! It's more than 2,300 Miles or 3,700 Km! I told them that the vehicle belonged to a relative and that was it. 

(Photo: Almost all of the major auto manufacturers have started electric, hybrid and plug-in vehicles. I saw this Fiat a few years ago in a parking lot in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not mine though!)

The Crafty Government of Alberta

I once suggested to one of my colleagues to talk to an MLA to have periodic, at least once in two years, maybe, and it would depend on the age and records of the driver, driving tests both in practical and theory format for all the drivers in the Province, considering we have lots of crazy and careless ones on the roads. My intention is to not only improve the driving knowledge and skills of the drivers but also to generate some revenue for the Provincial Government. His answer was logical: No MLA would take any steps for that because they knew they would lose their seat!   

I agree but I have decided to do this myself and I will write about this later after I go forward with the plan. Nevertheless, it was just yesterday that I realized the Government has easier plans to make more money and no one would lose their seats! They want to increase the maximum speed on the divided highways to 120 Km/h! As crazy and stupid as it sounds, I understand what they're looking for: More incidents, which, of course, will lead to more revenue for, not only the Government, but also many businesses which eventually have to pay taxes to the Government! 

Just a few weeks before this, the crazy, dictator woman of the Province introduced a new licence plate with a new stupid slogan: Strong and Free! While all the provinces, including Alberta, so far have non-political slogans, this woman becomes a hero all of a sudden and thinks Alberta has not been strong and free until she calls it on the plates! 

(Photo: This is a divided highway for which the Government of Alberta intends to increase the speed limit)

Thank You Mr. Cheney

Dick Cheney the former Vice President at the time of George W. Bush presidency died last night at the age of 84. He was repeatedly criticized for his major role in the 2003 US led invasion of Iraq which led to the fall of one of the biggest dictator's of history Saddam Hussain. The US led invasion destroyed the Iraqi forces in just 100 days, the army which was considered the 5th most powerful at the time. Saddam with all the money he earned selling oil made on of the strongest forces but that didn't stand long against " Desert Storm ". That was the name of the operation which wiped out Saddam and his men quickly and effectively. Some people in the West opposed Cheney strongly and even demonstrated against him for orchestrating the war citing he was lying about the Weapons of Mass Destruction that had been said Saddam had. It does not matter if Iraqis had or did not have any weapons of that magnitude, although I believe they had because my definition of such weapons is different from Westerners (Weapons of Mass Destruction in the view of Western people and politicians are the weapons which are able only to hit Western targets!), Saddam and Iraqis deserved the punishment.

When Saddam Hussain came into power in 1979, Iran was still a very strong and powerful country. Neither Saddam nor any other Arab or non-Arab politician did not even think of doing something to upset the Shah (King) of Iran but when the Shah left in early 1979, Saddam though he could use the confusion and chaos in Iran to gain what he always wanted: Arvand-Rud a river between the two country with the imaginary line in the middle as the border. For that Iraqi forces cross into Iran in Sep.1980 and that was the beginning of the 8-year devastating war. Iraqi forces committed every possible crimes to defeat Iranians including dropping chemical bombs in the forces and civilians, attacking cities with surface-to-surface missiles, you name it but because no Westerner was hurt, none of those was considered Weapons of Mass Destruction or War Crime!

Saddam did not stop there. He attacked his own people of Kurdish ethnicity in north of the country with chemical bombs and killed nearly 5000 civilians including elderly, women and kids. 

Kuwait was his next and last target which led to two operations: " Desert Shield " which in that the US led collision defended Saudi Arabia as at the time they were convinced that they would be the next target and " Desert Storm " which was briefly referred to above. 

Stories about the crimes of the brutal regime of Saddam Hussain, his sons and Ba'ath Party is numerous but then again as long as no Westerner is hurt, he shall be free to do whatever he wanted to do unless people like Saudis and Kuwaitis ask him to come to their aid! For that I say: Thanks Mr. Cheney. You did great by planning to topple the brutal regime of Saddam Hussain. Rest in Peace. When I get a chance to go to the States next, I will make sure I pay my respects to the gentleman. Whatever else he has done is not my business! 

(Photo: Cheney is seen next to Rumsfeld in his early years. Rumy, as they called him, was his trainer and mentor. He passed away in 2021)

Poking the Bear!

I'm no politician but I've read about politics a lot. This new era of Trump imposing tariffs on different countries seems not easy to handle, particularly for a country like Canada which has its most of its trade with the US. The good thing is many of the merchandise do not fall under the list because of CUSMA but the ones which are affected, have little chance to survive and the government has plans to provide assistance. 

Trump does all this to help to improve his country which is, of course, not understood by the other simply because they suffer from it. Let's look at a short list of the decisions that Trump administration has made since he took the office:

1) Throwing many border-jumpers out and securing the borders.

2) Increasing the cost of H1-B visa so high that the companies can barely thinking of using a foreigner.

3) Imposing tariffs on many imported goods to induce domestic businesses to make them at home. Whether it will work or not, I can't be sure. many say it won't at least not in a short term as the infrastructure does not exist. 

4) Shutting down assembly plants in Ontario and perhaps in places in Mexico to transfer them to the States and increase employment rate. What would happened to the cost to the end-user? I don't know! Would the potential customers be willing to pay the difference?! 

5) Imposing fees to frequent travelers to the US, mostly the Snowbirds from Canada.

6) Shutting down many radio stations and websites including VOA and Radio Free Europe (I think that was the name!).

7) Stopping the US aid to many organizations around the world.

Every different nation has reacted to the tariffs differently. The Chinese have upper hand so they came back with their own tariffs and pushed the US to an agreement. Canada is not as strong. The only thing Canada has done is reducing the number of visitors which has significant affect on the south of the border businesses which enjoyed the Canadians visitors for decades and the By Canadian policy which has not been bad but not very effective. Every thing else has not been futile. PM Carney has had meetings with Trump but not much has come out of them. In one case Canada had to take back the imposed tariffs. 

The Ontario Premier, Ford, is the one who has been trying to land powerful punches on Trump but hasn't been much successful. His last attempt was cutting a part of Ronald Reagan speech regarding tariffs and sending it to the American networks by paying them! 

That pissed Trump a whole lot off! He immediately put a sort of pause on the negotiations! Ford suspended the ad(!) but why would you do that in the first place?! That's stupid! You're telling another country how to select their policies and then pocking bear! Do you not know that this guy is crazy?! You need to have a good plan before approaching him! The Chinese had a Bear Spray! What the hell did you use? Beside that is the responsibility of handling the bear is the PM's?! You just ruined everything that he had built, you moron! 

(Photo: The 40th President of the US is seen here shortly before being assassinated in 1980. He survived that) 

Flashback (38): The Young African Woman

There has been nothing but work recently and I barely even have time to exercise and it's not only because I'm usually tired or not strong enough, emotionally and have no determination and inspiration but also because I don't have good nigh sleep, most of the weeks! I think there's something wrong with the damn heating system and I don't dare calling a service guy because most of them are fraudulent! I will eventually have too, though! 

With that said, I thought I shall say one of the short stories about the time that I worked for Cargill Meat Solutions in High River, some 20 years ago! To this say I still don't know why I worked for that company and in that situation for such a long time! I know partially. The job was very hard physically and maybe it still is, although I think there must have been some technological advances but I got used to it and I was amongst a handful of the people who were able to do the job and there was lots of fun. We tortured people and we enjoyed it! It was basically me and a gigantic Nigerian fella (I was told that is where he was from) who were ruling there until one day it seemed that it was a wakeup call. I went to another company and they hired me! It was a much easier job but it didn't take long until I realized I got tricked and my mistakes were another reason and I got kicked out! The only good thing was that I was eligible for E. I. and I apply it but I will tell this story later. 

Cargill Meat Solutions, High River location worked two shifts with lots of refugees and permit worker from everywhere in the world. The majority of the nationalities were Filipinos, Vietnamese, Latinos, Indian Punjabis, Cambodians, some Canadians from the town or other corners of the country and Africans of different tribes. The reason why I was there was simply being stupid and misled but that will be told later, in a separate post, if there is a need.

There was a pretty young African woman with a beautiful smile whom I talked to once or twice and then she ripped her home address off her paystub and handed it to me! The next day or next week I went to see her. I remember her address was in 11th Avenue, SW and it was a dark night! There was no Google Maps or Smart Phones back then and I didn't find it and went back home! That was it! I never talked to her and nothing ever happened after that! Stories like that has happened many times in my life and that's simply because I never felt the need for having anyone in my life to be essential, neither physically, nor emotionally. Now that I have that feeling, it's too late and it seems I have to spend the remaining years of my life alone! 

(Photo: There are many small two or three-story rental buildings in 11th Ave., SW, in the western part of Downtown Calgary. This, by the way, was not and is not the building that the pretty African woman used to live!)

Food Porn!

I went to work for a few hours yesterday. I had nothing to do at home or anywhere else so I thought I could get a few tasks done. It was not very productive but I will get paid for it. Only for, maybe, one and a half hours! Then I my way back I thought I shall stop at a few supermarkets to see what I can for the supper and after.

I first stopped at the Community Natural Foods in Downtown. With the prices so high, I only ended up buying a small jar of Cashews and a few Golden Delicious Apples! Then I went to Midtown Market which, in fact, is a Calgary Co-op location in city center. The place was almost packed but I only enjoyed watching the food! A pack of a few skinless Chicken Breasts for $22! I don't have to name any other merchandise and their prices! That says it all! I think that supermarket is for the people who live in city center and the nearby nearby neighbourhoods with good incomes. We used to do shopping there when I was married but not frequently although the prices were much lower and my salary was higher! Now I only enjoy watching them and the people who buy them! 

My last stop was Lina's on Center Street. I used to go there for Eggs, sometimes Milk and other food items and mostly Olives. This time I only bought some of the last one and I felt that the guys were using a sort of trick to show the container weighs more but couldn't prove it. That was it. No Chicken, no other good Meats of any kind, no good fruit and certainly no fancy items such as Cake, Ice cream or condiment that you would like to have to boost your daily food! 

My daily meals these days, most of the time, comprises of Yogurt and that's only if I can buy discounted ones, Eggs, Bread, Legumes, Salad, Nuts and that's about it! There're many item on the majority of the people's daily meal which I barely eat them these days and that's reality. Items of Red Meat and good Sea Food has been almost completely cut out! I honestly don't know how some people can enjoy those but good for them if they can. With the job market in shit, I think I'm stuck with what I have for a while until next year and I might even cancel a few vacations. 

(Photo: Transportation has always been a major factor in food prices. Now with the price of gasoline and crude the lowest of many months or perhaps even many years, price of food is so high that it's unbearable! $1.67 for a pound of Apples could only be seen in picture like this! Though the supermarkets never bring the prices down!)

Sanctions and Boycotts don't Work

The recent tensions between the US and Canada has led to many decisions both by the authorities and public, including for example boycotting the American products. The harshest of all have been the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford although he seems to backed of from some of his initials positions but people still keep holding their positions. Not all of them, perhaps. I was sitting next to a couple from British Columbia on my way to Harry Reid who said they were going there for gambling as they usually do. Many spots of the US are feeling the absence of Canadian tourists though and many American imports are replaced by the Canadian and other nations' versions. Citrus, vegetables, fruits are the last ones. I have seen oranges from Australia and some other fruits from South Africa but the question is are these boycotts effective? 

These only pains people and has no affect on the administration. I like travelling and seeing new places and I'd like to go where I feel safe. The US is the closest for me and I have a long list of places which I still haven't seen, I of course, avoid some urban notorious places but I will go to parks, towns and museums I like. I don't believe boycotting changes anything. It only hurts American people and the idea behind that which expect these people to pressure their government to change the way they treat Canada will, unfortunately work. Let's look at some of the most infamous sanctions in the world which has intended to pressure the governments to change their policies but in fact hurt the people and made room for other businesses to benefit from the opportunity, sometimes:

1) Cuba: An island in the Caribbean which basically has nothing but a couple of towns, a mine or two and some agriculture. You add to that some tourism although I can't think of anyone in the right mind going to an island which basically offers nothing but a smelly beach and some cheap food! This country has been under the US sanctions and been on its knees for decades. Poverty is the word. I haven't been there and will never set foot an island like that, even if it's another Australia but the decades of sanctions have done nothing to the government! They still insist on their policies and their beliefs. It's the people who have been suffering. 

The US embassy in Tehran, the capital of Iran, a few days before being stormed by the so-called students. The banners in Persian read slogans such as Death to America, the world predator! Some consider this as the starting point of the long hostility between the two governments. Most of the people who participated in the raid are now living outside the country or have a secure position in the government!

2) Iran: The conflict between Iran and the US and some other Western countries started in the 80's when some stupid, so-called students stormed the US Embassy in Tehran and held some of the people there for 444 days. The US imposed sanctions which stay even today and although there have been easements, now they have choked the economy really bad. The exchange rate is ridiculously low and people struggle for their daily needs such as food, fuel, electricity, clean and safe drinking water and heat in winter months. Has this resulted in any changes to the government's way of looking at things? Absolutely not. It might have had some affects on the support of the proxy groups, particularly Asaad was toppled and ran to Russia but the Islamic Republic  government still follows his domestic and foreign policies. 

3) Russia: Sanction on Russia were started after the country's forces started their Special Operation on Ukraine back in Feb. 2022. Many western companies pulled out of the country. To name McDonald's, Ford and Visa. What has happened. Has Russia stopped its so-called operation?! No! It actually intensified it! Are the Russian people dying to have McDonald's every day?! No! It has been replaced by a Russian company and everything is fine. The Russian automobile industry now is a good target for the Korean and Chinese auto makers! The American car companies are at loss like anywhere else in the world now.

Let's look at everything realistically and rationally, rather than emotionally! 

(Photo: A fruit and vegetable section in a typical Western style supermarket. Most of the items in this section comes from the US and Mexico. Replacing some with what is grown in south America, South Africa and Australia is nothing but stupidity. I personally, would never pay for a piece of fruit which has travelled half the world. I try to enjoy the most local and nearby produce)

Tokyo Story

Tokyo Story, unlike many might think, is not about the capital of Japan and although it could be a great movie, it is not because it would not be finished within 136 minutes that the movie is rolling. After all why would someone make a movie about a great city with millions? You need to go and see it for yourself, just like I did back in 2024 and most likely going again in 2027 if not earlier. I, myself, a big fan of the Japanese culture and movies, first thought this was another Akira Kurosawa's movies but soon I realized I was wrong. Despite being one of the greatest in movie history, Kurosawa is not the only one who has made phenomenal films. Tokyo Story is directed by Yasujiro Ozu, who was unknown to me before this great movie. The movie has a slow pace and might seem boring at the beginning and the middle but then take you with it and you want to see what happens at the end. It might be hard to find and there's no doubt that you need subtitles for that or it would be meaningless. 

A view of part of Tokyo city center from the Imperial Palace. I took it during a tour last year.

I'm not going to spoil the movie by telling anything about the story but this is a post-war area movie and I will patiently watch it again, when I'm looking for a relaxed time to enjoy a good meaningful story.

(Photo: A great scene from a great movie. This scene actually tells a lot but you need to see the film to understand what I mean by that)

The Removal of an A**hole!

There is this organization which overviews our performance at work. There are, in fact, a few. We have to deal with this specific one more frequently. At times, three or four times a week. One of their representatives was axed off a few months ago. I have a post about his. I was told that he simply was let go because he was sloppy! The question is why did this happen after so many years?! He told me once that he had been working for the organization for over, I don't know, perhaps, 20 years! 
Then they send this jerk! He was worse but it takes time to know someone. Right? I knew what kind of personality he had, the first time I had to accompany him: Belligerent, hostile, over-authoritative, rude, disrespectful, even shallow. He asked me a few questions and had some unreasonable requests. I was able to get the answer by going and find it in the related standard. He was just testing me and I kept nodding every time he said something strange! He told me to go read this or that! My answer, most of the time was the same: I will. This led to have a smooth relationship. However, my interactions with him was quite limited. When it came to interacting with the other people in the group, particularly ladies, things became different for him as not everyone takes the bullshit the way I do! The thing is I have my capacity too but being new at this work, less than six months now, and having a great relationship with every single person I had to deal with, I simply didn't want to ruin my reputation. So I came along and we found a position that we, both, I believe, were comfortable with: He kept being an aggressive and bossy a**hole and I kept being a complaint employee! The reaction of the others were different and I heard different complaints from one person and then another one. I think that was the climax! Then the last day we went to complete something together he said some people had complained about him! Not being surprised at all and being very joyful inside of me, I pretended that I was taken aback and I asked him who it had been and why! He didn't say much and just extended his arm and we shock hands. He added: You're a good man! 
That was it. When we went back to the office my manager didn't even let me to attend him! He took care of him and then the guy left after a few minutes! Two things which were surprising to me are, first why did this escalate so fast to the point that he had to be removed? And secondly why did the observing organization accepted this without any investigation and so fast?! The stranger and funnier thing is the e-mail that came after the guy had already left! It was asked to report any sort of unprofessional interaction with him! People are sentenced and then tried in some jurisdictions, apparently! I truly was joyful that I didn't have to deal with him but I still think the proper procedure of investigation should have been followed. 

(Photo: While this is not a very clear picture but it shows what happened to the fella. I don't think he will be fired from the organization but most likely will have a note in his file)

Cultural Discrepancies (8): Cursing

There's no doubt that cursing exists in every language but the question here, for me, is who curses the most?! I don't know! What I know is some Canadians curse a lot and telling dirty jokes is not off-limit! Funny thing is they say Canadians are very polite! I think they are but perhaps when compared with Americans! It's hard to say unless you have interaction with many nationalities but when I say many nationalities I'm talking about the major ones, of course. Not any shitty, tiny piece of land who calls himself a country! Here, in Canada, you could be at work, in a party, listening to the radio show or watching something on television and people curse like it's a normal activity of the day and tell dirty jokes in front of women, children, elderly, everyone! That's the culture!

What's interesting in Western culture is they use the things that they like the most to offend others! One of the most popular(!) ones is the word co*ksucker! Fellatio is a normal act between two people who have sexual relationship, in many cultures but Westerners used that as a curse although they, even some men(!), are in favour of it, madly! I never understood this! Pig is the animal which is not consumed in many countries, particularly the countries with Muslim majority as it is forbidden to eat. Though I've never heard in any Muslim, Arab or generally Eastern culture using the work pig as an insult! Americans, mostly and Canadians and British, as well, use that word very frequently as insult despite the fact that they love pig! Pork Chop, Bacon, Pulled Pork, Sweet and Sour Pork, are all meals that people consume in the West, and then the poor pig is used as an insult! 

In Asia a few other animals are used as an offensive word: Cow, Donkey, Mule and Sheep, are mainly used to insult someone! Another animal which is frequently used as an insult is dog! I know it will drive Westerners wild as a dog is a member of the family but that is the fact although some countries have changed in the past couple of  decades. Koreans and Filipinos are dog-lovers but when it comes to eating them! They have been changed recently in the past few years as now they think having a dog as a pet is a sign of affluence and being Westernized! In Western Asia Dog-father and Dog-Mother!(!) are both an insult which indicates that the person's parents are dogs or at least one of then is a dog! While dogs are considered loyal and helpful animals to human beings for decades, it is not know why this poor animal is used as a curse word in those cultures. It could be the fact that dogs are considered filthy and dirty in Muslim faith! It makes no sense to Westerners but they use that although having a dog as a pet, these days, as I said about the other side of Asia, is considered a sign of being modern and Westernized! I think debate over the subject could be longer than this. I just wanted to have a hint.

(Photo: Dogs are members of the family in many Western cultures. They even sleep with them in their beds, have their food while the family is sitting for a meal, etc.)

A Purchase of a Vehicle, Finally

I finally purchased a vehicle after nearly 6 years of postponing it for different reasons. This, however, hasn't been without a loss which I still have the opportunity to compensate for it. I had two deposits at two different dealers, stupid(!), and one has refused to refund me! Not entirely. I haven't gone in to discuss it with them, and there's a chance they're reading it now but the worst case scenario is I will use the deposit as a credit to buy something. The problem with this purchase, mainly was insurance and although I've picked it up, it neither has insurance, nor registration(!) but I have time for those. 
This vehicle looks good and from what I've read about it, is reliable. This is my fourth car in the past 24 years or so and my third brand new vehicle that I've ever purchased. All from the same brand. My goal, first was to purchase a Tesla 3 but I cancelled that due to the high cost. Haters could start their business although I cannot understand why someone would despise another individual who has just purchased a new vehicle, without any history of hostility and resentment! ! It will be a little bit expensive to maintain and repair this vehicle but I have some good maintenance deals, not great, as part of my purchase which should help. Rather than that there's nothing special about this purchase or the vehicle but the fact that someone helped me to get it ready who was a very nice person and then no pressure for getting extra features or services. I, however, cannot disclose the name of the dealership or the model of the car as it would be advertisement. All I can say is the car is from the same brand that is seen in the picture. I'm not going to review the vehicle, unlike the previous one which I had a few posts for it, and I will not have any advise as how to have a smooth purchase like I did, as people normally don't listen (Or perhaps I shall say read!) or if they do they will do whatever they want. What I can say is I just gave the dealership a cheque (I imply didn't want to pay any interest!) and will not have to worry about anything but the insurance and maintenance, partially, for the next whatever years which I will drive this vehicle. I have kept my old vehicle because it still runs and I have two pairs of almost new winter tires on it and have no plan for selling it yet. Not until the next insurance renewal day, at least. 

(Photo: A model of Toyota in a showroom in Nagasaki. These are common types in Japan due to low fuel consumption and ability to maneuver on the streets, which could at time be narrow. I haven't seen anything quite like this anywhere in North America unless it's imported as used and of course the steering wheel is on the right)

Cultural Discrepancies (7): Eating inside One's Own Vehicle

For many years and form time to time I have noticed one habit of Canadian people: Eating in their vehicle in a parking lot of a fast food joint or their workplace. In the beginning I didn't know why they were doing this and it was really odd to me. It still seems very odd but at least I know why people do that. 
People are embarrassed to be seen eating alone in a food establishment, even a fat food restaurant. They get their food and eat in their car while parked and idling the engine! Why don't they go back to their homes? The answer is clear: They feel lonely at home! By coming out and seeing people and interacting with the business workers, for at least half an hour, they feel better. That works like a medicine for them and can survive the rest of their days. 
I saw two people at two different workplaces who would eat in their vehicles! Absolutely stupid! One of them was an old fella in his early 60s and the other one a young racist motherfucker from Red Deer County! I wanted to write this because everyone in that room was a non-Canadian and he did not get along with them very well. The Chicken Shit, I would like to call him here, eventually quit only a few months after I joined. I hope he reads this and realizes that it's known that he is an asshole and disgusting loser! I don't care about sewer rats like him but I despise them forever. 
Nevertheless I saw something this past Fri. at work which was stranger than all the above: An old fella, almost at retirement age, was sitting in his vehicle eating, smoking cigarette and playing with his phone with all the windows rolled up! The odd thing about this guy is he has a big office where he sits all by himself! So unless there's something seriously wrong with him, he wouldn't do that! 

(Photo: For this post I decided to use a picture from years ago: A lovely Meat Pie made by my lovely wife at the time! Since this post is about food and eating I'd like to add that Whole Wheat Flour was used to make the pie shell and the tops. The texture can easily show it)

The (East) Indian Version of the American Dream

The Trump's administration started shipping border jumpers out months ago and the action continues today. Most of this individuals go to a country in South America and work their way up to Mexico and eventually the US border and people of different backgrounds are amongst them. From all the Latinos to Chinese, (East) Indian, Iranian, you name it. 

For all this is reaching reaching the American Dream and they pay a lot to obtain that. The same issue exists within Europe. Germany and England, as well of Scandinavian countries are mostly the target. Not to mention France, Belgium and Italy.

It's said that now many of those (East) Indians, have been sent back to their country of origin alongside many other foreigners. The American Dream is dead for now. I thought what I should do, to my (East) Indian friends, whom I like a lot, is to provide them with the (East) Indian Dream which if materializes, would be much better than the American Dream. In order to achieve that, my good (East) Indian buddies must follow the followings: 

1) You have a massive workforce. Pay them the minimum wage or have them volunteered to clean of the mess. All the garbage, dirt, grim, filth, etc. Get it done whether it takes 6 months or 6 years. 

2) Stop scamming tourists. I will never go to India but I know people who would. Many tourist have complained about being scammed and lost money. That's disgusting. The funny thing is that I had a buddy from Chennai who said once to me  and I quote here: " India has nothing to see ". So it's been always a question for me why would someone ever go to India and only one answer came to my mind: It's cheap as hell! 

3) Eating like a cow and having a big belly like a pig or an eight-month pregnant woman is not something to be proud of. Stop being a cow or a pig. 

4) Stop raping female tourists and your own girls and women. 

5) If you're poor, you still can be clean and nice. You don't have to spread garbage around. Try to understand the concept of Garbage Bin. 

6) Familiarize yourselves with condom or other pregnancy prevention methods. Giving birth to multiple children in a country which already has passed 1.4 billion, is not an achievement. 

7) Stop fraudulent businesses which targets foreign countries. You eventually are caught and may face charges. 

This is Indian Dream which could turn the reality. It might take generations but you'll get there. What bothers me the most is all these poor sols who have to put up with you around the world! 

(Photo: An [East] Indian family tried to cross into the US from Canada in pursue of their American Dream. All four, husband and wife and two kids, froze to death. American Dream for them turned to chilly dream. Now the kids are resting and have no challenges in their lives. Mom and Dad are also happy. They're no longer responsible for the kid's future. The dream came true)

I'm European!

Disclaimer: This post in no way has any intention to look down on people who had a hard life before coming to Canada, look down on them or ridicule of any way. It only is about a natural reaction of an individual during a casual conversation. Please stay calm and understanding.

Sometime I feel really bad for the people who made their ways all their way to Canada in pursue of their dream: Getting out of extreme poverty, have something to eat, being able to sleep at night without the dear of being bombed, etc. Canada, for sure, provides that, although not as pleasant as it used to be but still for a guy who comes from Afghanistan, Cuba, Sudan, Dominican, The Philippines and all sorts of devastated or drug-infested countries, going to Toilet Donald's for a Hamburger or buying a bag of rice for Nasty-Toilet-Mart is as pleasant and sweet as staying at a 5-star hotel in Manhattan! Lot's not forget that, as I've mentioned earlier in a separate post, this is what Canadians like: They like to see the foreigners struggling and be beneath them. That's hoe they feel good about themselves. 

With that said, I used to go to Lina's Italian Market on Centre St., regularly. This is a small specialty supermarket with the majority Italian imported products. Merchandises such as Pasta, Tomato Sauce, Olives, Cured Meat, Vegetables, Candy Bar and similar. They also have a bakery and small cafe. You can get food, beverages and deserts. The quality is not bad but not top of the line either. I don't want to talk about the prices because with the price of everything going up, fuel, wages, etc., you can expect them to make a 12" Pizza for $8. I used to there for Olives, Eggs and occasionally other stuff. Now I barely go there and I only get Olives. Everything else is simply not worth paying by me anymore! 

Businesses like that usually have difficulty finding employees but this one has never seen any problem of that sort. The store is usually busy during the weekend but during the week the traffic is not that heavy. I was there once and I asked a fella about an Olive Oil bottle. I'm usually very hesitant when it comes to purchasing cooking oil and with all sort of fraud with Olive Oil (they mixed it with much cheaper oils such as Peanut Oil) I really don't want to be tricked. He was trying to be helpful with his broken English. When I asked him if he was Italian. He said he was European! He later clarified he was from Albania! 

The funny thing about these poor refugees who claim they're from Europe, is really sad. There're parts of Europe that there's nothing and honestly I don't know how people live. Countries such as Albania and Bulgaria are the worst, particularly the latter! It has been warned to avoid. The other countries of their vicinity are not much better off. They're basically toilets! No offence but that's what they really are! Moldova, claims to be a country! It's probably just a few farmlands and a number of cows and that is all. Romania, Hungry, you name it. They're just happy that they're called European! 

(Photo: Lina's Italian Market offers a variety of cheeses. I usually stay away from them, not that they are bad or anything. They just contain too much fat. I've tried their Ricotta a couple of times, though and it was good)

Swastika is not a Racism Symbol

When I moved to Canada after waiting 5 years for my visa, in contrast to all the fraud and liars who simply make up a story and pour into the country to benefit from the tax payers, I had a different mindset. I thought I was going to an understanding and civilized society. Although a good portion of Canadian people fall within that category, I believe, after living in this country for almost 24 years, there's a good portion of society who easily fall within the definition of d8ckhead. There're a lot of drunkards, child abusers, wife beaters, drug-addicts, Weed smokers, you name it. Basically having manner and being polite is considered a weakness in almost everywhere in this society. If you haven't tried any type of drugs, don't drink regularly or dislike fast food, you're not accepted in the society. 

The fact if you're not Caucasian and was not born here in Canada, generally, you're not accepted within the society. Sure they hire you and even give you a title and, at times, reasonable salary but you would never mingle with them even after more than 20 years because your looks always reveal you aren't one of them. This Inclusion and Multi-Culturalism that the stupid Government of Canada has been yelling for years will never materialize. They only say that to have people of all background in one work-place so they can work without conflicts so the Government can tax them! If multi-culturalism and inclusion worked, there would be no Chinatown! I've written about the stupidity and ridiculousness of Multi-Culturalism already. What I need to add here and educate the stupid Justice Minister is that if he believes in Multi-Culturalism, perhaps he should study other cultures a little more to, for example, that what is called Swastika, here in Canada and other Western countries is an old religious symbol in many Asian cultures, including India and Japan and in no way has nothing to do with Racism, something that many Westerners have great adherence to it!

 The fact that Germans used it as their symbol from 1930s to late 1940s has nothing to do with the origin of this sign. People who use that as a sign of hatred are nothing but stupid and ignorant individuals and no one is responsible for this shit but the stupid Government of Canada because they brought these people in despite the opposition from Canadian people. Did you see what happened in Toronto last week? There will be more and more of that across Canada. People are sick of overpopulation, unemployment, high cost of living and crime and the Government is responsible for this by dumping truckloads of foreigners, many uneducated and from war torn countries, on Canadian soil. There's no democracy because democracy means to do what the people want, not what the Government want's which is taxing more people! 

I still think Canada could get itself away from the hole that Europe is already in. Whether they do that or not is another question. 

(Photo: I took this picture near a park in Tokyo which shows the top of a Shinto temple. Signs like that could be seen all over eastern Asia and people are not offended by that. I once saw an Indian young girl in an Esso gas station in Skyview neighbourhood of Calgary wearing a necklace with a pendent of the same symbol. The stupid Canadian education system needs to provide knowledge to the public that this sign has nothing to do with racism, while, I insist, banning it to be misused for such purpose and get tough on the d8ckheads to draw it here and there. Put them behind the bars. Ban them from doing certain things which would affect their lives such as applying for certain jobs. Punish them harshly so they learn their lesson. Don't slap them on the wrist!)