Mmmm....hallowe'eny...

I was at Boko Bakery, buying a loaf of Flax seed bread (the softest, tastiest bread you'd ever get from a bakery!) and a garlic baguette (oooohhhhh so tasty!) when I saw these two trays of hallowe'en-themed treats.

I didn't get any, but I thought they were so cute!

Especially these little mummies! Freshly made in-house. Boko is a local small business, so support them!
- RG>

Rebrand time!

(Edits made on 2006-12-31)

As you may have noticed, I have moved my blog.

I have been talking lately much less about things Ottawa than things other. I decided then that it would be easier for someone to remember my blog address if it reflected my username.

Ottablog?!? What was I thinking?

I'm also thinking about changing the tile I've also changed the blog's name from "My Two Sense" to "Tales from a Grouch". The name is a take-off of the book Letters from a Nut by Ted L. Nancy. Though I haven't read the book, a friend of mine told me in grade nine that I reminded him of that guy. Let me know which title you'd prefer.

On that note, I've also been planning on putting more of my correspondence up here, including many of the letters which weren't published by the Citizen (and perhaps the ones which were, too...).

Lately, as you may have noticed, I stopped putting words in brackets at the end of the post title. I might have upgraded to Blogger Beta, which has a category tag function, of course that would require going back and changing all the old posts [Edit: in progress]. I'm not against revisionism, just against the work involved. I also haven't forgotten about the "100 things about me" post. [But I also haven't thought about it.] I've had been adding items to a google spreadsheet and will update when I feel like doing it.

- RG>

Explain yourself Dom`tar!

I was cleaning up my apartment when I came upon this little curiosity:



It was the front and back "covers" of a pack of Domtar-brand coloured cardstock, item number 80099600. A "cover" indeed.

On the front cover is a little Canadian flag in the lower-left corner (the text "Canadian Pride / Fierté Canadienne" circles it). However--and you might have to click on the image to zoom to see it--next to the UPC code it says "Made in U.S.A."

Scandal! Outrage!

What in Canada's name is Domtar trying to pull over my patriotic eyes? I'll certainly follow this up with a phone call to 1-800-6-Domtar and ask them and their Klingon-sounding brethren to explain their contradictory actions. [Edit: I have done this. They were very polite. Unfortunately, I am no John Hargrave.]

Tsk. Domtar. The front of your packaging says your paper is free of acid, but your back says you should be full of shame.

- RG>

Google maps, you anger me! >:(

This will be my excuse for being late.

- RG>

Visiting Police Officers Abuse Powers

I was parking my bike outside the Citizens for Safe Cycling office yesterday (Sunday), when I took this photo (click to see larger version):
In case you can't make it out, here's what it depicts: about a dozen or so O.P.P. motorcycle officers. Two of them sped into the intersection with their flashers on and blocked off Bank Street, while the rest of them zipped through the stop sign (there is no stop sign for the Bank Street traffic).

When Critical Mass does this, it is called "corking," and is considered illegal:

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81.

(3)

No person shall drive, park or stop a vehicle on a highway in such a manner as to obstruct traffic. -- City of Ottawa By-Law 2003-530

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Immediately following this section is the exception for emergency vehicles...

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82.

Despite any provisions of this by-law to the contrary, a police officer or the General Manager may, during any emergency or special circumstance, by the erection of appropriate signs or signals, prohibit or regulate the movement of vehicles on any highway or part of a highway and no person shall drive or operate a vehicle in contravention of any such sign or signal. -- City of Ottawa By-Law 2003-530

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So the question comes out: why were they doing this?

The urgency with which they did this made me initially think they were transporting a special dignitary, but they were all on motorcycles; no sedans, limos, or Harpermobiles (tinted-window-SUVs).

Perhaps, I thought, they were doing anti-terrorism exercises, but their gold helmets and fancy attire nixed that thought.

An hour or so later, I found these motorcycles (along with a LOT of other police vehicles) parked near City Hall. Saturday had been the ceremonies to recognize fallen firefighters, and today the police were having another shindig.

However, "late for the party" does not seem to me to be an "emergency or special circumstance" under section 82. It does seem, however, to be an abuse of the Police's powers. Seeing these O.P.P. officers scoot through my city's downtown and flaunt stop signs does not do well for my perception of that organization.

The first thing you learn in any law course is the Rule of Law: everyone is equal before and under the law. This means that the Police have the same responsibility as we do to follow traffic laws. Although the law has exceptions, those exceptions are to be used sparingly, in emergencies only.

Here are the places I will be complaining to [Edit: I haven't.]:

• Local Government:
• Ottawa Police: 613-236-1222 or info@ottawapolice.ca
• Ward councillor Diane Holmes: 613-580-2484, diane.holmes@ottawa.ca
  
• Provincial Government:
• Ontario Provincial Police: 1-888-310-1122 or jus.g.opp.oppweb@jus.gov.on.ca
  
• Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services: 1-866-517-0571 (ministry contact line), mkwinter.mpp@liberal.ola.org
• Ottawa-Centre MPP Richard Patten: 613-722-6414 (constituency office), rpatten.mpp@liberal.ola.org\
• Media:
• Ottawa Citizen: letters@thecitizen.canwest.com
  

- RG>

Quality product: Stanfield's underwear

EDIT: Jason had a less pleasant experience with Stanfield's underwear. See comments. - RG>

A few weeks ago, it came time to buy new underwear. Not something you do very often, but you have to live with your choice for a long time.

The last time I got new underwear, it was for christmas, back when I still lived with my parents. They got me Standfield's underwear, which I liked the fit of.

So I headed off to the Bay in search of Stanfield's underpants. But I was fearful. Never having bought underwear for myself before, I wasn't sure whether, for example, the design changes from year to year (making the version I currently had a few years out of date), or if there are different models of briefs.

I took the plunge, and purchased a three-pack for $27 plus tax. A bit steep, I know, but I like to wear quality material under the belt.

Before even trying them on, I was quite pleased. They are clearly marked on the back that they are made in Canada (Truro, Nova Scotia to be exact), and advertised "Buy Canadian". They came with the little inspection tag, saying that Darlene had verified their quality. This is quite reassuring in an era where most of the things we consume are produced overseas (food included).

I tried them on, and they fit like a glove. I was very pleased.

Thanks Darlene.

- RG>

Note to self

Note to self:

When carrying a heavy wooden knife block,
- use two hands
- use dry, non-greasy hands
- wear steel-toed boots

- RG>

PS: refill gauze in first aid kit.

PPS: Ow.