Dec 29 2006
A few months ago, when asked what I thought about Saddam Hussein facing the death penalty, I said “I’m against the death penalty, but I’m not going to cry over this one.” Now, with Saddam’s hanging imminent, I have taken a different position.
I am against the death penalty for Saddam Hussein, and I will be [...]
Dec 27 2006
Scene: driving into town across the Jacques Cartier bridge.
Her: I want a child, I think.
Him: Whaaa . . . ?
Her: I said, I want a chai latte.
Him: Oh! Chai latte. Yeah, let’s have chai latte.
Dec 24 2006
Now that the insanity of the pre-Christmas season is pretty much over, those of us who celebrate Christmas (in whatever form – purely secular for me) can settle in and enjoy a few days away from the grind. Friends and family, good food, a break from the job, quiet times. Outside, everything is moving in [...]
Dec 22 2006
If you find yourself unintentionally getting into the holiday spirit, head over to Slate for the cure. It’s an article called “The Corporate Scrooge Contest Results,” full of anecdotes about lousy bosses and stingy corporate behaviour during the holiday season. It includes gems like the dentist who gave his assistant a $30 gift certificate – [...]
Dec 20 2006
When does a ritual become a tradition? Last year I mentioned that Martine and I have a holiday ritual in which we burn a piece of the previous year’s Christmas tree while we decorate the tree for the current year. I referred to it as a “ritual,” but this is the third year in a [...]
Dec 18 2006
Ben’s Restaurant is dead. After 98 years of business, capped by a months-long employees strike, the owners now say they will not reopen.
My first visit to Ben’s Restaurant was twenty one years ago. In the summer of 1986, my then girlfriend and I borrowed my Dad’s car for a rambling road trip from our home [...]
