We all know the story by now, if not, read it above.
Careless driving is pretty serious business, as far as the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario is concerned. Possible jail time. Six demerit points. Fines between $200 but not more than $1000.
To play devil’s advocate here, his fine is within reason. And charges get dropped and/or pleaded down fairly often. (If the coke charge was trumped up by police, as alleged, maybe they should have an inquiry? As if. ) Maybe in this combination, his case is a little rare, but legally speaking, it seems OK. It bugs me though. I find it hard to believe that your average Joe Blow, without Jaffer’s relative affluence and connections, could get a deal like that.
Should it matter that the judge in the case was a Tory? I’m sure lots of judges are Tory… and… judges are impartial, right? Never mind that his judge actually said “I’m sure you can recognize a break when you see one,” in court. I don’t know where that whole “get tough on crime” stuff went, but I guess he’s not letting his political views influence his sentencing in this sense?* Maybe these aren’t the crimes the Tories want to “Get Tough” on? I mean, drunk driving, drug possession… whatever, right? Let’s get tough on those (other) real criminals committing those (other) real crimes… whatever they are…
Incidentally, Jaffer’s wife is Minister of State (Status of Women), who is also known for her stellar behaviour. I don’t think anything really happened to her either.
This is a bit of a Franken-meme, in the sense that I’ve grabbed questions from here and there and made a few up myself. On we go…
Do you call yourself a feminist?
Absolutely. I’m what a feminist looks like. I’m perpetually sick of the term “feminist” getting dragged thought the mud, and people getting branded as some kind of militant, man-hating, so and so because they call themselves a “feminist”. I’m not pleased with the way our society treats women and girls, but I don’t necessarily hate men for it. I try not to hate anyone. I try to call sexist, derogatory bullshit when I see it, especially from those people who I think should know better, but it’s not like I’m entirely blaming the men around me for “our” condition. It’s way more complex an issue to just turn around and blame dudes, especially the ones around now. Anyhow, yes, I’m a feminist.
What do you believe are the most pressing issues as far as women’s rights & equality is concerned?
Very difficult question to answer. When I look at my own position (i.e. employed, white, middle-class, graduate-level education), I can certainly see how my “privileged” position my influence my views on these things. I’d like to say that the most important issue to me is pay equity, since that’s an issue directly affecting my life right now. There’s a lot of other forms of sexism I’ve noticed in the workplace. I mean, I work for the RCMP, so it’s pretty unavoidable in that whole culture. I won’t air all that dirty laundry right now, but probably will at some point. But that bugs me.
Other things that affect me directly – the usual beauty standards, body weight standards, and just the general expectations that I should want kids and keep my mouth shut and all that shit. It all gets to me and I wish it would fuck off. I’m fat, like, according to social and most medical standards. I’ve got curly hair. I don’t shave very often. I’ve got opinions. I have explored my sexuality and will continue to do so, perhaps to lengths that make some people squeamish. I don’t want to have kids right now (possibly ever) for numerous reasons, and barring some sort of contraceptive disaster, I will not have kids for a while. These are all things that I’ve been told to feel guilty about at one point or another in my life, and I think that’s pretty stupid.
However, there are lots of other issues that make mine look kinda weak – women still can’t vote in some countries, they’re the targets of “honour” killings and barbaric circumcision operations, they aren’t allowed to go to school, etc etc. I think those are huge issues that should be addressed. Even in Canada, hundreds of Native women go missing each year and no one seems to give a fuck. What the fuck is up with that? Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?
Who is your greatest female role model?
My mom. She’s dealt with so much shit in her life, I don’t know how she has done it. She put up with me for all those years too. I don’t think I could put up with someone like me, at least through the teenage years.
Who are your favourite female artists?
Musically, the first one who comes to mind is Amanda Palmer. She’s awesome. I’ve followed her for a few years now, and she’s not perfect, obviously, but I’m a big fan.
Romaine Brooks is my favourite female painter, definitely in my top 5 artists of any gender. If you’re into gloomy paintings of androgynous women, she’s where it’s at. I absolutely love her work. I’ve never had a chance to see any of her paintings in person, but it’s on my to-do list. Here’s a painting… Peter, A Young English Girl (1923)
What stereotypically “girly” things do you do?
I cry a lot. I like glittery things and the colour purple. I have a handbag collection. I am regularly incapacitated by severe menstrual cramps. I think I’m fat. I’ve never negotiated my salary.
What stereotypically ”manly” things do you do?
I like getting my hands dirty. I like assembling furniture and doing fix-it-y things. I don’t think I’ll ever grow my hair longer than chin-length. I’m good at math and statistics. I love the smell of contact cement and turpentine and exhaust and gasoline. I like firearms and explosives.
What is the most anti-feminist thing you do?
I sometimes catch myself being catty and competitive about stupid shit with other women. I also occasionally beat myself up for not looking perfect, being perfect, having it all, doing it all… Obviously, none of these things are getting me or society anywhere positive. Hating on myself and other women will not help improve the status of women. We should all cut that shit out, especially as women. Then we’ll start getting somewhere.
Since my weekend has so far consisted of bed, computer, and NyQuil, I don’t have a whole lot to report. But I will let you in on Kiki’s bedside manner…
She sits on my bed and yells at me, basically. Oh Kiki.
Short and sweet this week. I’ve suddenly come down with something. The doctor yesterday thought it was a sinus infection, but I’m coughing up some nasty stuff too, so who the fuck knows. All I know is that on Wednesday I was fine, Thursday I felt pretty drained, and tonight I feel like death. I’ve got antibiotics and a plan to spend the weekend in a very leisurely state.
Kiki, however, is doing fine.
I somehow manage to get photos of Kiki with the most disgruntled expressions on her face, when in reality, she’s a pretty happy camper most of the time.
And yes, that IS the colour of the carpeting in the new apartment. Dark dark teal blue/green. It’s pretty amazing.
I made this baby blanket before the move, and never got around to posting pics. I took some semi-crappy photos with my phone, since I had already packed up my regular camera, so I’ll apologize for the quality now…
It’s hard to see the colours in these pics, and thus, hard to see the pattern. It’s a “modern” log cabin design. I used the free Moderne Baby Blanket pattern from Mason-Dixon Knitting. It’s super easy to make and I think it suited the vivid colours quite well. Oh, and the yarn is Patons’ Astra, but I lost all the labels in the move.
I hope the new owner is getting some use out of it. You can’t have too many baby blankets. And yes, just in case you were wondering, I do still knit. I just have a hard time getting my ass in gear when it comes to taking photos and blogging about it.
Name your top 10 most played artists on iTunes (or Last.fm)
1. Pulp
2. Radiohead
3. Sparks
4. Rufus Wainwright
5. Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds
6. The Smiths
7. The Dresden Dolls
8. Leonard Cohen
9. Suede
10. Nouvelle Vague
What was the first song you ever heard by 6 (the Smiths)?
This Charming Man. Can’t remember when or where or how, but I know it was that one.
What is your favorite album of 2 (Radiohead)?
The Bends
What is your favorite lyric that 5 (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds) has sung?
so hard to pick one… so I’ll go with Let Love In…
Despair and Deception,
Love’s ugly little twins
Came a-knocking on my door, I let them in
Darling, you’re the punishment for all of my former sins
I let love in
How many times have you seen 4 (Rufus Wainwright) live?
Three… I think. Once opening for Tori Amos at Massey Hall in Toronto, once on his own at Convocation Hall in Toronto, and the last time was in Ottawa at the Folk Festival two years ago, with his late mother, Kate McGarrigle. He’s been great every time.
What is your favorite song by 7 (The Dresden Dolls)?
Gravity
What is a good memory you have involving the music of 10 (Nouvelle Vague)?
None, honestly. I was really depressed when I went through my Nouvelle Vague phase. Probably why I don’t listen to them anymore.
Is there a song of 3 (Sparks) that makes you sad?
Not really. I listen to Sparks because they make me pretty happy. In fact, they’re probably responsible for my not killing anyone over this past Christmas holidays.
What is your favorite lyric that 2 (Radiohead) has sung?
Again, it’s difficult to choose one Radiohead lyric… but I love Banana Co…
But everything’s underground
We gotta dig it up somehow
How did you get into 3 (Sparks)?
Andrzej got me into their music, particularly Kimono My House and Propaganda, just this past autumn. How it took me that long, I don’t know. I think he kind of regrets it now, because I’ve completely out-fanned him and can get pretty spazzy about them now. And I have a small crush on the brothers. With or without restraints.
What was the first song you heard by 1 (Pulp)?
Probably Common People … and I never looked back.
What is your favorite song by 4 (Rufus Wainwright)?
The One You Love, since I’ve listened to it a few hundred times.
How many times have you seen 9 (Suede) live?
NEVER. And I probably NEVER will. Damn you, Suede.
What is a good memory you have involving 2 (Radiohead)?
Seeing them live two summers ago, when they toured for In Rainbows. It was a great show, and I spent the day running around Toronto with my brother, his girlfriend, and my good friend Steve. I hadn’t seen Steve in years, and it was like old times again. We spent the afternoon at the CNE, and then saw Radiohead that night.
Is there a song of 8 (Leonard Cohen) that makes you sad?
Not really. The lyrics from Anthem make me kinda weepy sometimes.
What is your favorite album of 5 (Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds)?
Let Love In
What is your favorite lyric that 3 (Sparks) has sung?
Do You Remember the First Time? is probably in my top 5, if I had to make one. Such a good song.
What is your favorite song of 10 (Nouvelle Vague)?
I love their version of The Killing Moon. I listened to it over and over.
How many times have you seen 8 (Leonard Cohen) live?
ONCE. Last May. And it was AMAZING. I cried like, three times.
What is your favorite album of 1 (Pulp)?
Different Class
What is a great memory you have considering 9 (Suede)?
Nothing really comes to mind. Listening to them reminds me of being a 17-year-old Anglophile trapped in the Ontario wilderness. Thank god for the internets.
What was the first song you heard by 8 (Leonard Cohen)?
Suzanne. I remember my dad going on about how much he hated the song because he had to “analyze” it in his high school English class. I loved it.
What is your favorite cover by 2 (Radiohead)?
Rhinestone Cowboy – although the original is unbeatable.
Post ten of any pictures currently on your hard drive that you think are self-expressive.
NO CAPTIONS! It must be like we’re speaking with images and we have to interpret your visual language just like we have to interpret your words.
They must ALREADY be on your hard drive – no Googling or Flickr! They have to have been saved to your folders sometime in the past. They must be something you’ve saved there because it resonated with you for some reason.
Found photos only. They cannot be photos you have personally taken or created. Nor can you be in the photo yourself.
Follow me under the cut… some may be NSFW… feel free to comment
I was a bit worried about Kiki and the new apartment.
The above picture was taken shortly after we moved her in. She was kinda freaked out and had been lying in the bathroom sink when I walked in there. She never really did that in the old place, and I hoped it wasn’t some kind of cat-sign.
Since I’ve had her, she’s only lived in that old apartment. She had never lived with carpet. She had never lived without a balcony. She had never lived with Andrzej. Not that I anticipated huge problems with any of those things, but you know… cats can be weird. God forbid she started pissing on things or something.
She looks a bit ticked in that picture, but she’s cool. This was taken the other day when I was home sick and was sharing the bed most of the day.
So far she’s getting along fine with Andrzej, wonderfully, in fact. I mean, he’s no me, but he’s good with her. And she doesn’t seem to miss the hardwood floors or the balcony at all. She loves the carpet because she gets more traction and can race around here even faster. She’s got more windows here, wide windowsills, better views, and lots more room. Recently, she got a new kitchen table to hide under and try to climb on during dinnertime.
That’s Kiki chilling on one of her three huge windowsills. She spends a lot of time up there. She even has her own room – the storage room – where her litter box resides. (We’re all happy with that arrangement, I think.)
So far, so good. No problems at all. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what the future holds.
I took a sick-day today. I feel so lame taking a day off, but I do feel like crap. I felt pretty bad yesterday too, but I thought it would look bad taking a sick day on a holiday that the Feds don’t get off. Oh well. This day should fix me up. Some assholes are doing some kind of fix-it job on the floor above us, and I don’t know what they’re doing, but it involves power drilling into metal. Pretty annoying. It was loudest, of course, when my boss phoned me back to go over some stuff. She knew I was feeling crappy yesterday, but I’m sure it looked great on me.
I heard on the news today that TWICON is being moved to Ottawa because of the G20 Summit in Toronto. I was making fun of it on facebook, but I guess it really is a serious-business convention. I don’t follow this modern vampire movement, especially Twilight, but it’s bringing people and money to Ottawa, so I shouldn’t knock it. And the name it misleading – it’s not just Twilight stuff. It’s True Blood and Vampire Diaries too. Anyone going?
I haven’t watched any Olympics event coverage aside from the opening ceremonies and a little of bit of speed skating we caught before the news came on the other night. I accidentally saw Canada win a bronze metal in speed skating. And that was more than enough for me. This latest news about the security barriers around the Olympic cauldron is pretty sad. As one of the comments on the CBC website said, what an appropriate image of what the Games have become. It’s absurd.
Otherwise, things are good. We’re gradually making this apartment home-y. It’s the little things, like changing the plain “comes with the apartment” showerhead to my fancier one. Putting up photos. Digging out the throw pillows for the sofa. You know what I mean. It’s coming together now, and Andrzej & I are happy living here so far.
I’m going back to bed. The noise seems to have stopped, or maybe the construction people are still out on lunch…
We sat through the whole opening ceremonies on tv last night, and that bear was the coolest thing they did. And it was only on stage for like, 45 seconds before they put him away. What a clusterfuck that was, eh? I mean, the stereotypes were expected and somewhat unavoidable, but where they tried to break stereotypes (slam poet? punk fiddles?) ended up pretty laughable. I felt for those poor first nations dancers having to dance while all the nations came out… that’s a feat of endurance! Same with Brian Williams droning on and on about bullshit no one cares about for hours. The highlights, at least for me, were the aforementioned bear, kd lang singing Leonard Cohen, and the look on Steve Nash’s face when the torch thing was malfunctioning at the end. That stuff almost made it worth sitting there for 3 hours. I guess my age is showing when my first thought after the ceremonies was “I wonder how much money they pissed away onthat?”
And how anticlimactic was watching Gretzky standing in the back of a pick-up truck driving to light the real torch thing? Even he looked kinda bored. And with the fake crowd of “supporters” randomly running alongside the pick-up truck and waiting at the torch site? I highly doubt security would have allowed that for real. Nice attempt to make the games look “accessible” though.
Sighs.
Also, a big “way to push the boundaries of tastelessness” goes to CTV (already!) by showing the crash of lunger Nodar Kumaritashvili on tv during dinner hour. In its entirety. Classy. If people want to see that stuff, let them search it out on Youtube or something – a young man died. On the bright side, if there is one, it appeared to happen so fast that poor Nodar probably didn’t suffer much.
Anyhow, I’m sure we’ll find some way of blaming everything that goes wrong on the RCMP. It’s what Canadians do.
