Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ageism and Madonna

Posted on by

Yesterday, I called someone out for ageism related to a particular part of Madonna’s Celebration Tour. People are often reposting how she’s dancing during Ray of Light and often saying rather ageist things about it.

In terms of the concert, Ray of Light was not her best moment in the concert.  Her dancing was not great, but for context, she’s in an open box, flying over the attendees with just the rail to hold on.  Hats off to Madonna for that because I know I’d be way nervous.

Her costume – epic!  I think it does two things, and keep in mind, this is my interpretation – I see it as A) celebrating rave culture and B) I kind of see it as saying, “Lady Gaga, here’s the torch” because what she’s wearing looks to me to be Gaga inspired.  I can vibe with that.

I’ve always been one to live and let live.  Who am I to judge what someone does, especially older folks in this case.  If you want to let your freak flag fly, using P!nk as reference, go for it.  

Talking with someone yesterday, at the recent Haçienda events in Manchester, there was a couple 80-ish plus years old who went to that event.  Are we go going to tell them to go home because of their age? No!  We’re going to dance and celebrate with them!  To me it would be awesome to be in their presence.

When I was at Hibearnation in November in Manchester, at the second club night, I was blown away by a 20-something guy coming up to me and going, “Damn!  You’re just tearing it up on the floor” and he was celebrating that with me.  Both club nights were special to me for a multitude of reasons, but knowing that I was accepted despite being almost 50 was the icing on the cake.

I’m not one of these myopic Madonna fans who are militant.  There are things she’s done at times that I’m like, WTF?  Sooner or Later at the Academy Awards in 1991 was one of those moments for sure.

At her core, I appreciate the fact that she shines the light on topics that people want to ignore such as sex, safe sex, HIV awareness, age, empowerment of women, empowerment of minorities and marginalised communities.

I know by the time I’m her age, I don’t want to be stuck at home; I’m planning on being out there and active.  Given the near death experience I had two years ago, I want to live and experience life even more.

Her music deals with some amazing deep topics.  A perfect example of this is almost the whole Like a Prayer album.  Her music videos speak volumes on several levels that often get missed.  What seemingly looks like a bunch of women having fun (referring to the video for her single Music) is commentary on, “Guys can have all this fun, why can’t women?”, and that’s a basic example.

Did you know that Like a Virgin was actually written by two guys and it’s actually about that time when you fall in love with someone and you’re all a flutter about the relationship, and you feel “shiny and new”?  

She has pushed the envelope for women, gay men, people of colour, etc.  Yes, she has done some of this stuff controversially, absolutely.  The right approach? Not always for sure, and it rubs people the wrong way.  I can appreciate that because, again, what I referred to in my WTF comment above.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Madonna that’s surface level.  When you dig a little deeper, you realize just how much depth she has.  If all you’re looking at is the criticism and accepting that, then you’re not seeing the important messages and things she’s actually saying.

I can’t force anyone to like Madonna, just like someone can’t force me to be a fan of, say, Taylor Swift.  That said, I can learn to appreciate what Taylor Swift has done and while I don’t totally get her, I know she’s an important cultural force with a younger generation.  

My intention isn’t to make someone a fan of Madonna, but she has done a lot for our world and I think she actually deserves way more appreciation than she actually gets.  I wish people were a bit more critical and looked at things with a bit more depth.

A shame the person blocked me because a slightly shorter version of this would have been my thoughtful response to engage in discourse and to educate.  

Tips and tricks for the road warrior

Posted on by

This week I was asked by a co-worker, whom I am mentoring, “What are your tips and tricks for travel?”  She was writing a speech for her Toastmasters meeting and given I am a bit of a road warrior, who better to ask?

Here are my tips and tricks for the newly initiated to business travel.  This also applies to anyone who is starting their own personal adventure travels as well.

1. Align yourself with an airline program, hotel program and even a car rental program

That is in order of importance too.  Consider where you are flying, the airlines available in your area, and what your goals are for those miles.  Here in Canada we’re heavily skewed towards Star Alliance with Air Canada being the dominant carrier.  I could fly American Airlines to the US to build up my One World status, but I am more likely to use Air Canada to go somewhere.

2. Get yourself Global Entry/NEXUS/Clear

Want to get through airport security quickly?  Get yourself a Global Entry, NEXUS card, or Clear.  NEXUS is really useful for those who cross the Canada/US border or travel internationally to/from Canada.  Global Entry is great if you travel internationally to/from the US.

You get dedicated lines, in the US you don’t have to pull your laptop out of your bags, and you don’t have to take off your shoes, depending on the security checkpoint you’re at.

In Canada you get a dedicated line at most airports, but have to pull your laptop out of your bag.  I have found inconsistent service.

Clear is only offered at 11 airports in the US, and honestly, I don’t see much value in the program.

The only caveat is that I am finding a lot of people are now getting NEXUS cards and slowing the process down, however airports like Toronto Pearson are opening up additional security lanes.

3. Get a points credit card

If you can, get yourself a points credit card so that you’re earning points on any purchases you make.  Make sure this aligns with the airline or hotel program you are aligning yourself with.

Personally, I aligned my airline miles with my credit cards.  While as of January first, I have only earned around 11,000 status miles, I have earned 30,644 miles total with my credit cards.

Also you get great sign up bonuses which add up quickly too.

Some cards also let you get through security quickly too, so if you don’t have status with an airline or a NEXUS/Global Entry card, you do have an opportunity to get expedited service through some airports.

4. Research your destination in advance

Look at what is happening at your destination in advance to see what is going on.  Check the news, weather, look for events.

5. Stay at the same hotel

If you’re like me, consistency is a good thing.  I’ve been staying at the same three hotels in Portland OR and Vancouver WA for the past 4 years.  I know what to expect, I know the comfort of the beds, and I’m getting the hotel points and status.  You also get to know the  staff members, and they recognize you, which sometimes helps with extra perks or if you need that extra level of care and service.

6. Consider a connection

Most of us who travel prefer to have direct flights to destinations.  It’s a pain to be delayed, to not get to your destination or back home on time, etc.  But sometimes connections can be advantageous, especially if you’re about to hit a status milestone.

Last year I flew Toronto to Dallas via Houston because that was the only flight available.  You earn just over 1,000 miles on Aeroplan/Air Canada Altitude with this direct flight.  If you fly via Houston, you get just over 1,500 miles. This year with the changes to Aeroplan, you would probably only get over 1,250 miles.  That’s a bit of a nice bonus.

Also, some airline programs consider flight segments towards earning status.  i.e. 35,000 status miles or 35 segments.  If you have 1 connection point in your travel, that equates to 2 segments. If you’re 1 segment short of status, why not connect?

7. Pick your favourite airports

Know which are your favourite airports for connections, and which airports are horrible.

For example, I don’t like ORD or PHL because it they are either very busy, or there are long walks between connecting gates.

I refuse to fly through LAX for connections because of the walk between terminals and terminal transit is horrible.  As well, Customs Border Patrol staff are rude.

I love SFO and DFW.

So there you go – What other tricks and tips do you have?

The end of an era

Posted on by

With the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, I thought I would share a story from my childhood.

One of a handful of memories of my time growing up in Newfoundland was the visit of The Queen and Prince Philip to St. John’s. One part of their visit was the turning of the sod for what became the Queen Elizabeth II Library at the Memorial University of Newfoundland.

My family was in attendance for a few reasons. Mum was quite a monarchist (along with my grandparents), and Dad taught at the university in the Department of Biology.

I was four years old, standing at the side and along come Her Majesty and Prince Philip and, don’t ask my why I thought this, I thought they were my grandparents.

See, my grandmother and grandfather looked very much like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. My grandmother being shorter and a similar build to Queen Elizabeth; my grandfather being tall and thiner like Prince Philip.

I know at times I’ve felt silly about it growing up, but it’s become a fun memory to think about in my older age.

I had a chance to see The Queen on a visit to Toronto, my grandmother insisting I take a day off school to attend.

As i’ve grown older, I’m aware that the institution of The Firm is an extremely flawed organization, how it treats certain members of The Royal Household, how it has contributed to colonialism around the world, etc.

While it can be argued that The Queen leads this organization and has a say in how things are run, it is not as simple as that. You can see in series like The Crown the position the Queen or King is in.

Things such as The Queen being against Apartheid in South Africa and wanting the release of Nelson Mandella, yet Margaret Thatcher not willing to speak publicly to condemn Apartheid. The monarch has to traverse a fine line, but there are ways they can make their wishes be known.

You can see in recent years that the Monarchy does support self determination as countries in the Caribbean seek to become republics such as Barbados.

The Queen, as I understand her, was very much a diplomat of an amazing kind behind the scenes. I think it’s easy for others to dismiss her impacts, but if you read between the lines, you can see the importance of her role in the world.

Given some of the crap she’s had to deal with from her children too…

I wish the new King good luck in his service to the United Kingdom, Canada and other realms where he is the Head of State.

Thank you ma’am for your hard work behind the scenes, your duty and service.

Not sure what to say

Posted on by

Last night I found out someone that was significant to my time here in Toronto passed away a week ago. We don’t have any details because despite being a gregarious person, he was quite a private person, and his remaining family seem not to be social-media savvy.

Bob was wall of man. Tall, thick, Bearish, always open, a lovely man who was not intimidating despite his imposing size. He would have been one of the first men I met at Toronto’s notorious Toolbox bar.

He was friendly, had a passion for politics and travel. Just an overall lovely man who had escaped the United States to move to Canada.

I am feeling gutted. The past few months I’ve been praying that my friends stay safe whether it’s from COVID or other ailments. A lot of people I know are getting to that age where health problems do pop up.

I will admit, this is hitting me more than my mum passing away in April. I suspect it’s the sudden nature of losing someone versus the slow decline and loss.

Thank you Bob, you will be missed.

Low Carb Cheesecake

Posted on by

Using two separate recipes, I decided to combine both – a crust from one and the filling from another to create what, hopefully, will become a regular dessert around here.

You’ll need an Instant Pot for this recipe.

For the filling:

  • 16 oz wt. cream cheese (2 standard 8 oz wt. bricks), softened to room temperature
  • 2/3 cup powdered erythritol sweetener (4 oz wt.)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Crust

Compote

  • 12 ounces frozen raspberries (I went with Cherries), thawed with the juice
  • 1/4 cup swerve confectioners (or powdered erythritol)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup water

Preparation

  • Remove cold ingredients (cream cheese, eggs, heavy cream) from the refrigerator and allow them to warm to room temperature. Start this 30 minutes before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
  • Prepare a steam rack or the trivet that came with your pressure cooker, ideally with lifting handles.
  • Prepare an aluminum 6-inch round cheesecake pan (I used a 7-inch and added a few more walnuts, additional sweetener and butter – I used Swerve as the sweetener for the crust) with removable bottom or springform pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with separate pieces of parchment paper.

Making the crust:

  • Add the crust ingredients to a food processor. Pulse the walnuts for about 15-30 seconds until they are broken into small pieces. 
  • Scoop the walnut crust into a 7-inch round cheesecake pan. Use a spoon to spread the walnuts around and cover the bottom of the pan. Then press the walnut using glass or bowl with a flat bottom to compact the crust. Any holes will fill in while doing this.
  • Place the crust in the freezer for at least 10 minutes while you make the cheesecake filling.

Make the filling:

  • Add cream cheese and erythritol to a large bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat on low speed until well-mixed, about 1 minute.
  • Add heavy cream, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until smooth, about 30 seconds.
  • Add eggs one at a time, beating on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds each. Don’t overmix the eggs.
  • Remove the pan with chilled crust from the freezer. Pour the batter over the crust, careful not to leave trapped air gaps. Flatten the surface using a spatula.

Cook and cool:

  • Add 1 cup of water to the bottom of the pressure cooker. Place the trivet over the water, with its handles resting on the sides of the pot. Place the cheesecake pan on top of the trivet.
  • Secure and seal the lid. Cook for 30 minutes at high pressure, followed by a 15 minute natural release. Manually release any remaining pressure by gradually turning the release knob to its venting position.
  • Carefully lift the lid to avoid dripping condensation on the cheesecake. The top of the cheesecake should be jiggly but not liquid. If needed, use a paper towel to carefully dab at the cheesecake to absorb any condensation on its surface. Turn off the pressure cooker.
  • Let the cheesecake cool uncovered in the pressure cooker. After about an hour, lift it from the pot using the trivet’s handles to continue to cool on the countertop.
  • After it has cooled, loosely drape a paper towel over the cheesecake pan and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Do not seal tightly because the cheesecake needs to dehydrate.
  • Carefully remove the chilled cheesecake from the pan. Peel off the parchment paper. Slice and serve.

Make the compote:

  • Mix the fruit, Swerve, lemon juice and water
  • Cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes
  • The sauce should thicken as it cooks.
  • You can add a very very small bit of xantham or guar gum to thicken the sauce if you really need it.

Ode to a car in a garage

Posted on by

This may seem like an odd blog entry, but secretly I’m a car guy.  Okay, maybe not that secretly, but the car I am thinking of plays an important role in my life.

In the summer of 1986, my mother bought her first car.  This was the car that transported my sister and I back and forth to school for several years, that took us, as a family, to get groceries on weekends.  It took us on summer camping trips, and it was an extra in The Santa Clause.

I remember going to Don Little Ford during that summer and mum picking out her two-tone blue Ford Escort L.  I wanted her to go to the Volkswagen dealership next door, but alas she didn’t.  My grandmother had a Mercury Capri that she was willing to trade in, or maybe they took my grandfather’s AMC Pacer, I can’t remember.

My mum put seat covers on, awful and ugly almost faux sheepskin covers, wanting to make sure the car retained the maximum value should she ever wish to trade it in.  Sadly, she never did trade it in, and the car lasted until about 2000 when they decided to park it in the garage of my grandmother’s old house.

There’s a story that I only recently told my family about, and it involves that car.

I wasn’t allowed to drive Mum’s car.  Honestly, I should have been as soon as i got my license rather than my grandmother given how bad of a driver she became in her older age.  I can be a nervous passenger as a result, but I’ve learned to work on that.

When I was allowed, it was when I was in grade 11 or 12 doing a co-op (1991 or 1992).  I was taking my friend Chris home, following our friend Matt.  We were racing each other, doing 80 kph down Thompson Rd in Milton.  I chose to turn the corner at that speed and nearly slid into someone’s front lawn.  Thank goodness no one was waiting to turn at that corner and I didn’t hit anyone.

I was crapping myself when we got the car to Chris’s place.  When we looked at the back tires, they were bald.  I thought I had done that!  So we literally went to a store and I bought two new tires with money I had earned working.   My mother and grandmother didn’t notice.

Ultimately, my mother hadn’t replaced tires on the car at all for, at that point, the 5 or 6 years she had the car. Yes, I was stupid for driving as I was, but my mum’s lack of knowledge on maintaining a car and probably not listening to the folks at the garage created a bit of a death trap.  

Still, I know this was an incredibly important purchase for my mum.  She saved her money for it, being a single Mum, it created a bit of freedom and independence.  It was her car, and she was building equity.

I can understand why it was put into the garage, but honestly, it’s rusted, it hasn’t had any maintenance on it.  A shadow of it’s former past.

Looking at it, I still like the angles it has, I love those halogen headlights and the taillights.  The liftgate, as I remember, was spacious.  For a compact car you could fit a lot on it, and I recall fitting well in the back seat.

The colours of blue on the car, I liked it with the pinstripe.  It’s probably why I like blue cars – having had four of them to date – A Toyota Echo, Toyota Prius, Mini Cooper and the present BMW X3.

Still, I am thankful for the workhorse it was, the joy it brought my mother and having a ride out of Campbellville.  32 years later, it’s time for this car to move on to it’s next life.

X3: It’s landed in Canada!

Posted on by

I was told, this morning, that the vehicle was on rail.  Well now, it’s off the rails because… It’s been picked up by Hansen’s!

Now to get it to Policaro and PDIed and delivered.  I admit, I have asked if we could have a Saturday delivery but I suspect it’ll be Wednesday next week.

X3: Ready to be shipped

Posted on by

Well it looks like the X3 is ready to be shipped from South Carolina!  Talking to my dealer this morning, the vehicle is in 182 status which means, “Scheduled for Carrier”.  Sweet!  Let’s hope it gets picked up in the next day or two!  Which hopefully means one week of transport?  Maybe it gets to Brampton next Tuesday, maybe for a pickup by next Friday?

We can hope!

X3: Producing a Tuesday baby

Posted on by

Thankfully, robots don’t drink on Mondays.  The good news is, production day was on Tuesday.  The vehicle was in assembly in the morning, so we’ll see.  I’m hoping that tomorrow, Friday, it’s starting to be shipped, so maybe in status 190?  One can hope!