Jason's

Misguided

Blog: June 2003

Blog:

• June 30: The Toronto Star, vindicated after a court ruled their story about racial profiling by police was not an attack against individual officers, have implied racial inequality on the Toronto Blue Jays. This new story was inappropriate and demoralizing and should never have been published. The fact they're not as ethnically diverse as others in the league, or representative of the city's multiculturalism is inconsequential. Budget constraints be damned, the article implies, minorities on the team would fill empty seats. The team's success is also no longer connected to its winning record, but to its appeal among the community. Bullshit. Jays' fans are notorious for being band-waggon jumpers, and only respond to a winner.
• June 26: Who knew the Rolling Stones were the answer to all our disaster relief problems. We should have called them after the Quebec ice storm, Manitoba floods, and snow flurries that caused our outgoing mayor to call in the army a few years ago. Better, politicians can use Batman-like emergency 'red' phones to contact the band. Let's hope the lines don't get crossed, leaving us with someone else, like Creed. Maybe the Stones will become a charity, similar to President Carter's Habitat for Humanity, travelling the globe helping poor families instead of baby boomers and their disposable income.

• June 24: Bubbleburst Design -- "Time for our random drug test, everyone please submit a blood sample. Hey, where's Jason going?" I'd have a hard time explaining myself if this situation were true. Why? A friend and I saw Neil Young in concert last night. The stench of weed, sweat and beer saturated us as we gazed from our rooftop view of the stage. It marked the first time seeing him with Crazy Horse, a fact clear from the long instrumentals and unity among them. Touring in support of their new album, Greendale, the show told a story about small town life, complete with sets, performers and video. The second part, featured some old favourites, though not enough to appease the jerks next to me who kept yelling for 'Cinnamon Girl.' Altogether, this remarkable concert lasted about 140 minutes, and while I'm eager to see it again in September, I'll probably wait for the dvd.

  Postscript: I don't know the legality of this issue, but I'm tired of security personnel barring patrons from entering venues with water bottles in hand. This isn't about safety, it's about greed. In front of the arena's entrance, were dozens of seized contraband items (including a 2L bottle of pop, which was actually funny).

  Fools who part with their money, again: $40 for t-shirts, $55 if you wanted tie-died. That's the cost of my ticket alone. No thanks.

• June 16: Dad and I spent the father's day weekend in Ottawa. For him, it was a writers' conference, Bloody Words, while I was there as a tourist. It marked the first time in seventeen years that I had been to the nation's capital region, the last was a school trip in grade six. After my pictures are developed and scanned, I'll publish a full travelogue.

  Update! I'm angry. Not Hulk angry. Just very angry, and disappointed. Almost none of my pictures turned out. I used two disposable cameras given to my family as gifts, instead of my regular camera. I complained to the photo centre clerk, but was told the negatives were bad. Next, I called Fuji, which instructed me to mail the negatives for analysis. If found faulty, they'll send replacement cameras. I'd rather have my pictures, it's hard to write a guide without them. Despite the letdown, I scanned a few anyway: 1, 2, 3.

• June 9: Fire engine red. That's the colour of my forehead and arms this morning after spending the day in the sun at the annual Israel Day festival, North York Civic Centre. We set up a table to sell copies of my dad's books, under a threatening sky. Soon however, it cleared and our cash box sung throughout the afternoon. Next year, we'll sell sunscreen too.

• June 2: New month, clean slate. Old entries are available via the sidebar.

  Busy weekend. Saturday, Sandra and I took in the last, rain-soaked day of the Contact Photo Festival, held at many downtown galleries and exhibit halls. Highlights included: Toronto Grid Works, Fragmented Moments, Falling From Grace, World Class City, and FantAsia.

  The Jays completed their fifth sweep of the season, polishing off Boston, and climbing within reach of first place.

  Yesterday, we finally saw the X-Men sequel, and loved it. Good story, driven by actors, not effects. The opening sequence was amazing, though the movie could've done without the romantic subplots. Looking forward to seeing more Nightcrawler and Pyro in the next part.

Web Design:

• Zeldman writes about the possible death of browser innovation and asks the right questions.

Politics:

• Ipperwash, Walkerton, West Nile, SARS, teachers, municipalities, and taxation. A provincial government shouldn't have to manage crises, but manage its people through strong leadership and fairness. Power doesn't necessarily lead to corruption, but continuous parliamentary majorities lead to arrogance; just ask the federal Liberals. Mr. Premier, call an election.

Of Interest:

• Highway robbery. On the way home Saturday, we noticed the mall was still open. The first store we entered sold music. Curious, I scanned the shelves, not to buy, but to amuse myself. Welcome to suburbia, home to outrage­ously priced compact discs and the fools who part with their money. How much for the new Tea Party release? $26.99, plus taxes, please. That same disc will cost ten dollars less downtown, and only ten dollars used. Shameful. Not convinced? Clapton's new, "One More Car One More Rider," double live CD with bonus DVD, will set you back...$70.99. Shopping is good, a department store ad declares. Indeed.

Projects:

• Update Resume.

 

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