Canadian gas prices have risen (though they haven’t kept pace with the increase in crude oil), and by enough, apparently, to drive some change in behaviour. Unless, of course, someone steps in to subsidize the high cost of commuting. A story in today’s Careers section in the Globe outlines how some employers are responding tocontinue reading
There are worse criteria for spousal selection
From an interview with Jeff Bezos: Portfolio: Are you always extremely methodical about major decisions? Bezos: With business decisions, yes. With personal decisions, I find that my methodical nature can confuse me, and so I think more about personal decisions, like what job you really want to take or whom you want to marry. Althoughcontinue reading
That was then
Nothing but blue skies does he see
Rudyard Griffiths of the Dominion Institute, who has become a pundit-for-all-seasons, sees gloom ahead: While the fear of a recession seems like the last thing on the mind of the average Torontonian, I for one cannot figure out how the Ontario economy can avoid a prolonged economic turndown, and most likely a nasty one atcontinue reading
Blame Saskatchewan
Ran across this interesting little tidbit from the April 19 Wall Street Journal: WASHINGTON — The Bush administration has given up its push for an international ban on sales of uranium-enrichment technology to nonnuclear states, a move that will complicate its nuclear diplomacy toward both Iran and India, and could open the way for acontinue reading
What’s the contribution to GDP of the geek sector?
If one ever needed confirmation that the component of the economy devoted to the care, maintenance and entertainment of geeks is large and thriving, look no further. Yes folks, it’s a crew served, direct fire, nerf support weapon. Needless to say, I want one. Be afraid cats, be very afraid…
Tim’s takedown
It’s about time. Acoording to Rex Murphy, “the days of Tim Hortons as an essential Canadian experience are dwindling and few”: Their “roll up the rim” is a farcical gimmick. Their signature phrases — “double double” being the most familiar — gall more than they please. Their ridiculous lineups — in some places it takescontinue reading
Fear and ignorance on the Don
I’m all for gentrification. It think it’s a natural part of urban evolution, as long as it doesn’t involve front-lawn parking pads. But I also find it entirely objectionable when a handful of people who overpaid for their tiny homes in a transitional neighbourhood suddenly start talking as if they own it. Case in point:continue reading
Hard wind a-blowin’
Concern about the coming (current?) recession seems to be intensifying: The federal government says it will allow Canadians who are facing hardships to withdraw up to $22,450 a year from their locked-in Registered Retirement Savings Plans.
Hm
This does help explain why dump truck drivers blow red lights so ruthlessly: “Our trucks are supposed to carry 21 tonnes. But every time we are pulled on a scale, it’s around 28, 29, sometimes 30 tonnes in there. “That’s dangerous, not only for the driver, but for everyone else on the road. The brakecontinue reading