Six Months Smoke Free!

Oh Fred & Wilma!  No wonder the baby boomers started smoking at 10 years old!

  After 15 years as a pack a day smoker, I have finally hit that six month smoke free hurdle!  It was relatively easy to quit, thanks to the wonders of modern medicine!  As I have little to no will power, I found that  smoking cessation prescriptions worked just dandy for me!  I tried both Champix and Zyban over the past tow years, but Zyban finally worked for me.  ( Note: Champix turned me into a robot and changed my personality...but it worked.  Zyban caused me to get NO SLEEP for a month...but without the crazy side effects.)  I really do respect those who quit "cold turkey"!

 Do I still miss it?  Absolutely! Especially if I am having a drink!  I found myself contemplating having "just one little puff" a few times over the past few months, but held off.  I know that once I have another cigarette, I will be back on Tobacco Road again for good!  I must confess that I do feel better since I quit and really do not miss spending $300+ a month on those tasty little buggers. 

Why did I quit?  Mostly because of my family!  With my wife expecting on 12/31/2009, I figure that now was the time to make it happen.  I also got sick and tired of being a social outcast and having to go outside like an animal when smoking in public.  Whatever the reason, I am just thankfull that I no longer smoke.

 Don't worry...I refuse to become one of those "Ex-Smokers" that have that attitude towards those that still smoke.  After all, I know where they are coming from.

Wish me luck for another 6 months! 

Shane

Friday Fun: Ric McIver and The Duke Save Calgary!

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  With all of this nasty snow ( And yes, I would love to blame Bronco for this weather at this time...) I thought we can use a little laugh! 

 Watch Ric and "The Duke" give our Lefty friends a good old fashioned snowball lesson!

Stay Warm.

Shane

Dog Park Fee Foolishness

 

You know, some days I just read the paper and shake my head.  But today, when I read about the City of Calgary's wonderful idea to consider charging pet owners an annual fee to use local off leash parks, I just laughed.   Never one to miss a media scrum, I see our "top dog catcher" Bill Bruce has provided his lovely opinion about his favorite topics, Fees and Social Engineering projects.  ( For more on old Bylaw Billy, check out this post.)

  As a dog owner that lives in the Deep Southeast, I can confirm that there is definitely a shortage of off leash parks in Calgary.  We have to trek to Southland Park for a reasonably clear park to walk the dogs.  Now, I don't need anything fancy, just a clear track of grass with a fenced in area.  No playgrounds, swimming ponds or dog beaches required.  This does not cost money...just land. 

Some people will say "I don't have a dog, why should my taxes pay for these parks"?  Well, there are 100,000 dogs in Calgary and they all need to be walked somewhere.  A healthy city must include a ton of green space and open area's for dogs and their owners to walk in.  Remember, we are not in Manhattan folks. 

 I would not pay a cent for the use of an off leash park and hope that common sense prevails with this foolish idea.  If they proceed with it, I wonder what is next?  Charging parents fees to allow their kids to use the playgrounds?  What about fees for couples who use the sidewalks for romantic after dinner strolls?  Think about it.

Shane

Bronco's Running Scared!

  Give it up Dave!  Our Mayor, Dave Bronconnier just refuses to let the campaign fundraising issue go.  He brought this issue up last February and continues to push it in advance of the 2010 Calgary Municipal Election.  If you really think about it, it is not hard to see why!   His last challenger, Alnoor ( I will fund this campaign myself) Kassam caused Dave to spend a larger chunk of his campaign war chest than he hoped for, in order to compete in 2007.  Alnoor was never a serious threat, unlike the uphill battle the mayor is facing in 2010. 

 If Alderman Ric McIver decides to run for Mayor, he will win in a landslide.  So, if you are an unpopular, lame duck Mayor on his way out the door, what do you do?  Limit your challengers ability to raise funds.  I do not necessarily disagree with the "new" rules they are proposing, but I think that it is unfair to impose them on an existing group.  Like I said before, "Why Now Bronco"?...  if he is  so keen on the new rules, why should he be able to use the $300K+ that he already has stored in his mattress?  Why not just donate it to charity now and just run on the money you raise going forward.  Not likely?  You better believe it....

 Personally, I do not think Bronco is going to run again, regardless of what he has said publicly.  I believe that he announced his "intention" to run again to stop the flow of funds from his arch-rival, Ric McIver.  Bronco is a lame duck mayor and knows that if he announced he would not seek re-election, he would not be able to try and push through his socialist policies on the citizens of Calgary in 2009/10.   I can foresee a "change of heart" come August, when he will announce that he wants to spend "more time with his family" and not run for Mayor.

 If he does run again, the $5000 cap is not a big deal to him.  Take a look at his campaign contribution disclosure from 2007 here.  Most of the donations are under $5,000, save  a few giant donations from some of Calgary's largest construction/development companies.  It is truly an interesting ( and telling) read. 

Either way...I am just hoping that Ric McIver announces his intention to run.  I have a new pair of runners for door knocking and a piggy bank full of coins to donate.  Don't worry, it will be under $5,000 though!

Friday Fun! Black Friday Madness...

 You have to love our American friends and their wonderful traditions.  Especially the annual event that follows the day after Thanksgiving.... the wonderfully coined "Black Friday".  After spending the day with loved ones discussing what they are thankful for, watching NFL football and eating turkey until they pass out, our friends to the south then embark on their real national pastime..... Shopping !( aka.. running up the old credit card)

 Every year, we see the same type of footage... people stampeding through the doors to get at the 99 cent DVD's and the homer Simpson "soap on a rope" deals.  I cant wait for tonight's footage!

 Can you imagine a Canadian Black Friday?  I doubt it would happen here because...

1) It usually too freaking cold during the End of November to line up all night outside.

2) We are just too darn polite.  There would be no pushing and shoving.  I can see it now... "Please, after you, let me get the door." or" No, after you....I insist."  and " Oh, you wanted the the last $5 Lava Lamp....here, take mine instead.". 

I cant wait for tonight's footage!

Shane

Babies, Blogs and well...Baby Blogs!

Some of you know that Mrs. Rants and I are expecting a Baby on New Years Eve!  Due to my recent frustrations with the local political scene, I have found that I needed to take a step back from the political blogging over the past few weeks as every time I went to post something, I found myself kind of mad/angry. ( Hard to believe?)  So as a source of "therapy"...I have decided to start a DaddyBlog at http://www.calgarydaddy.com/.

 While this is a completely different direction, I find the freedom of being able to write what about something new kind of refreshing.  Feel free to check it out and let me know if you have any comments about the site or recommendations for me.

 To my favorite sparring partners... Political Foolishness, Fiscal Waste and WAP Supporters ( kidding), sorry but I am not shutting this one down.  Not by a long shot. In fact, I think that after 10 months, I have found my feet on this blog and have decided what I want this site to be about.   And with a Municipal Election coming....look out!

Shane

Friday Fun: A Saskatchewan Christmas

I cant get the opening line of the jingle out of my head...Sing along everyone!
" It's fun to milk her...gonna do it right now..."


I hear that people in Saskatchewan are actually lining up at the Wal-Mart's to be the first in line for the reissue of this classic toy.  It could resemble the scene from the 1980's when everyone fought hard to get those creepy Cabbage Patch Kid dolls. ( The whole "adoption" message with those dolls is really kind of freaky...)

This toy is just great.  I think Kenner was onto something here and really should bring Milky the Cow back. Who needs video games and interesting toys when you play with a pretend cow?  I just wonder where you would get additional "pre-tend milk pellets" once you ran out?  Could you drink this "pre-tend" milk?  So many questions....


One more time...

 " It's fun to milk her...gonna do it right now..."   " her PRE-tend milk is a-filling the pail"

Oh, I cant take it....its just too funny.

Happy Friday!

Shane