Funny

How people who generally don't have any use for saints or gods have no problem promoting the late Jack Layton to that status. I'm sorry for his death, but come on already. Thankfully, some Canadian journalists are refusing to drink the Koolaid.

"...what once would have been deemed mawkish is now considered perfectly appropriate."

Well said, Ms. Blatchford.

And speaking of mawkish, over the top behaviour...

The icing on the cake? "Than" was misspelled by the tattoo "artist", then sloppily corrected. On his skin. Forever. (Even worse scenario: it's still misspelled and the corrections were just Photoshopped. On his skin. Forever).
.

Langley and Homer

Woooo-hooooo!
.

One of these things is not like the others, three of these things are kinda the same

The Ontario Ministry of Education released a guideline in March emphasizing that all fees for items essential for a child to succeed in school - pencils, paper, textbooks and mandatory guest speakers - are voluntary purchases this year.

Too many similar forehead-slapping moments in this article. You just have to read it yourself.

Review of the Movie of the Story of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"

I saw this movie last week during my vacation. Of course it is a work of science fiction, but in all seriousness, we are closer to this reality than we think: parts of this film's screenplay were obviously written by monkeys. I'm only sorry those little guys couldn't work a few more prepositions into the title.

Now here's an actual review.
.

So I've been away for a while...

...and I haven't really been keeping up. I heard something about someone torching London -  I assume that's a story about the Olympics? And is right-winger Mark Steyn's right-wing book out right-wing yet? Can someone fill me in? Or do I have to Google it myself?

Ha, ha, just doing my Professional Journalist impression. You can be a reporter, too. The CBC wants to
hear your story!

Mrs. P. interjects, but just barely: can't fill in on right-wing hate-monger... too busy reading new Steyn book which just arrived in my mailbox right today. (Thanks, kids, for the Amazon birthday gift certificate!)

Somewhat related to Steyn's general theme:

This gem from something called  Friends of Irony. I tried googling for the FOI site when I saw this pic on Michael Coren's blog, but I'm not sure I found it.

Let the Sun Steyn in - or - A Comedy of Terrors

In which Mrs. B. wishes she had planned her family vacation around the release of Steyn's new book. Because now I'll have to wait until my return to order and read it. Until that great day, there's this:

A stern chat with Steyn : Prime time : SunNews Video Gallery
.

Kitchen Dreams, Part 3

Mrs. P., will you come and wash the floor under my kitchen range?

So, as Van Morrison sings, "The Healing Has Begun"? I hope you don't mind if I share a few renovation tips with you, illustrated with examples from my very own home.

First of all, don't cover up that plywood too soon! You would be surprised at the ambiance which can be created when your home's natural structural beauty is exposed.

"Can't sleep...giant Meccano earwig will eat me!"

 Second, in the process of refurbishing, be careful not to obliterate any exquisite woodwork left by past generations.

You didn't know Chippendale did basement reno, did you?

Third, always be mindful of electrical safety.

Wow, the transition is so smooth, you wouldn't even know there's wiring behind this wal- BRRRRRZZZAP!!!

 And fourth, remember: there is no room so hideous that curtains won't pretty it up.

No, really. I mean that.

Good luck and happy remodeling!

Kitchen dreams part 2

You just never know where a little caffeine and 13 years’ worth of pent-up BSKD*-rage will take you on a lazy summer afternoon. 

It all started (no joke) when I decided to wash the floor under the kitchen range and things kind of snowballed…

In a matter of a few hours, my cooking area went from this (offending peninsula in background):

To this: 

Of course it's not going to stay like this for very long (correct, Mr. Pinkerton?!?) because there is a total kitchen renovation in the very near future (right, Mr. P!?) In the meantime, rugs can cover up a multitude of bare plywood. Demolition is fun. 

* Bad Seventies Kitchen Design

.

When should parents lose custody of their children?

When the kids are at risk in some way? When they are too fat, for instance? How about when they are putting their children's mental, physical (including sexual) health in danger? Life is funny, but state interference in family life is not.
.

Flannery Quotation of the Day/Week/Month

Priceless snippet from short story "Good Country People":

“Everybody is different,” Mrs. Hopewell said.

“Yes, most people is,” Mrs. Freeman said.

“It takes all kinds to make the world.”

“I always did say it myself.”

The girl was used to this kind of dialogue for breakfast and more of it for dinner; sometimes they had it for supper too.

Housewives: linchpins of society

Housework has value. Wow. I wish I could have attended this conference. Video posted on MercatorNet.

BONUS: Cleaning tips from "How Clean is Your House" here.