Good news: We’ve made some progress in 2007

As a news junkie, I often get caught up in the doom and gloom stories of the day. Sometimes it takes a goofy Baby G smile, or Momma J hug to remind me that the world ain’t so bad. But I have to admit it was nice to read Patricia Pearson’s top five good news stories of the year. I found it refreshing to see a journalist putting things into perspective by pointing to progress that has been made in the last twelve months on some key issues that affect us all.

My favourite was Number 4. I think it’s something we need to try in Metro Vancouver, instead of looking to the government to fix all the problems in our inner-city schools by throwing money at them.

Grey Cup, a truly Canadian tradition

Brian Gable, a Globe and Mail editorial cartoonist, put together this wonderful slide show to make the case that the CFL and the Grey Cup may typify Canadian culture more than hockey, the NHL or Tim Horton’s.

Christmas lunch burn out

I’ve been going out for lunch a lot lately.

For me, this is a new thing. People I work with often make fun of my fancy packed lunches. And to be honest, I enjoy bringing my own food over going out to eat for a few reason. It’s a heck a lot cheaper than going out everyday, but I think I enjoy eating a clean, non-greasy meal in the middle of the day that doesn’t sap my energy.

Anyway, that’s not what I was getting at.  This year, I’m really making an effort to get out during lunch to see people I haven’t talked to for awhile. In the past I’ve gone out for beer in the evenings. However, I’m finding that difficult this year due to the fact I love being home to help put the little guy to bed every night.

At the halfway point of December, I’m beginning to feel that Christmas burn out. My lunch campaign started with a work holiday party on Nov. 22, and it’s been non-stop since then.  I have to say I’m really enjoying catching up, but I’m wondering if I’m getting old or set in my ways, as I really enjoyed sitting in my office with my packed lunch today.

I’ve also come to appreciate that non-recognized work executives do. As much as people like to say they would enjoy being out for lunch everyday, and travelling all over the place would be fun, when you hit a certain age it gets tiring.

With thirteen more days to go, I’m going to have to suck it up. I’m sure cold, rainy January will allow me to catch up on boring lunch times alone in my office.

More on R. Kelly’s genius

It was strange to find this article today. In the past, I’ve argued R. Kelly’s vocal abilities compare to those of Marvin Gaye. I’ve always maintained that if it wasn’t for R. Kelly’s gangster image, his propensity for silly lyrics and the fact he’s been facing charges of child porn, he would be today’s Marvin Gaye. But all of these things are what makes following his career so fascinating and fun. This New York Magazine article does a fine job of summing up why so many people love Mr. Showbiz.

R. Kelly a genius, or just having fun?

R. Kelly’s Double Up tour sounds like it’s turning out to be a hit with the fans and reviewers alike. The question this reviewer raises is something I’ve pondered often myself: Does R. Kelly really take himself seriously?

Maybe having a child pornography charges hang over your head for years just makes you say, “what the f***, everyone’s laughing at me. I’m going to produce this crazy-ass hip hopera.” When people like myself go crazy over it, he probably shook his head and said, “I”m going to make a sequel to this weird-ass shit because people are eating it up.”

Or not.

Crappy water, again

I just returned from a late-night water run to avoid the barbarism and outright panic that may ensue if the water clouds up again this year. When the boil-water advisory hit last year, people turned on one another. There were hour-long line ups for water and near fist fights when some stores ran out of H2O. I’d hate to see what would happen in a real crisis.

Luckily, we only have to wait until 2009, or “the end of 2008,” before the water filtration is up to code. It is strange to me that a city with so much rain has water shortages in the summer and drinking water problems in the winter.