Why are so many decisions being made that may seem positive in the short-term (at least to some), but could well have horrific long-term consequences? Take what’s going on with rail transportation in Ontario, where the government wants to close passenger rail lines to smaller communities across the province for a lack of a business case. When is the last …
Time is not on our side with Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time is one of those common practices that seems to defy common sense, but yet, no one does anything about it except complain. Daylight Saving Time (DST) refers to moving clocks forward one hour in the spring and back again in the fall. Depending where you are reading this, you may or may not be subject to this …
It’s called Fat Tuesday for reason — beware the foodoo
People ask, “Where did you go? What did you see?” when I returned from New Orleans. I blurt out a few destinations, but run out of words quickly. If only they’d ask, “What did you eat?” Then I’d have all kinds of stories. I’ll pretend you’ve asked. My first succulent stop was a Po’ Boy. Take a slightly crusty French …
Cancer rears it’s ugly head: Blog is raw, funny and informative
I check my email more often than I need to because, for me, it’s like buying a lottery ticket — there’s hope in it every time. If I get a soulful message from my better-half I feel like I’ve hit the jackpot. The very name of some of my friends and relatives in my inbox makes me positively giddy. My …
Arm yourself with knowledge before you become the next scam victim
In my last column, I warned readers about a somewhat convincing scam where someone cold-calls you to help “fix” your computer. I worried that it might trick less savvy citizens into giving out their personal information and/or credit card numbers to supposed Microsoft or Windows staff, and I wanted to warn readers to protect themselves and their friends. Yet, I …
It’s not rude to hang up on someone who is trying to steal from you
For months now, friends have been telling me about a telephone scam in which supposed Microsoft people call to help them fix their computers. Not until last week, did I get the call. I played along, and actually found some of what they said mildly believable, so I decided to warn you of what they say, what they want, and …
Quiet the clutter: sell it, donate it, change it or recycle it
Over the holidays I spent many a peaceful night admiring the Christmas tree lights in the dark, once the house was quiet. Now, with opened presents stacked under the tree in the daylight, all I can think is, “What’s that noise?” The noise is coming from the presents under the tree, it’s coming from the pile of papers on the …
Some advice for Santa to ensure he’s around for another long while
A recent QMI poll stated that men would rather scrub the toilet than go to the doctor. Knowing how many times I’ve seen said toilet scrubbed by a man makes me worry for our favourite men’s health. Those who do see their physician are often told to make lifestyle changes: eat better, exercise more, quit smoking, etc, but fewer and …
Great service from a caring company creates a loyal customer
I’ve decided that other companies can learn a thing or two about customer service from Porter Airlines. Porter is doing so many things right. They offer reasonably priced flights and a number of little classy touches (that used to be the norm, but are now the exception) such as: more leg room, real glasses to drink from, free wine and …
Friendship, sunsets, compassion, community add nothing to the GDP
A quote caught my eye the other day: “Gross National Product measures everything, except that which makes life worthwhile.” — Robert Kennedy. I agree with this on so many levels. Acknowledging that I am no economist, for me the market value of all products and services produced in one year by Canada has very little to do with my quality …