I've neglected this LJ for too long, so I figured I'll just write some stuff. I've been feeling a perverse sense on anticipation for the no-confidence vote tonight. I always enjoy watching CPAC when important stuff is about to "go down." I'm very curious as to how all this is going to turn out. I don't believe the numbers will change too much, but I will be looking at some specific races with great interest. (Chruchill, MB anyone?)

Good on Edmonton for winning the Grey Cup. I was pulling for Montreal all the way, but seeing Danny Maciocia in the end made it all right. Aside from TiCats stuff, I haven't followed CFL football this year. So seeing Maciocia, who was a big part of the Alouette teams I watched back in the day, winning the big one made be smile.

I'm also psyched for the Canadian Curling Trials which start this Saturday. Not quite sure which teams I will be cheering for, but this should be one of the hottest curling competitions in a long time.

As for my winter plans, I will be in Montreal from Dec 10-17 & Dec 20 - Jan 2. Before I leave for Montreal I will be posting my 2nd Annual "Year in Review in Music" as I looked back at my music stats some interesting this came out.

"You can't conceive, nor can I, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God"

I just couldn't get that out of my mind today...

( The Context in Which I Imagine the Quote )

Original Quote:
"You can't conceive, my child, nor can I or anyone, the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God." - Graham Greene

Only 4 more classes, including the exam, left to go.

It's also time to start thinking about next year. I'm currently trying to figure out if I want to pursue a Combine Honours in History & Philosophy, just History, OR just Philosophy (not likely). How much do I like Philosophy???

Who do you see when I describe a cold weather guy, who can sing Gimn Sovetskovo Soyuza, and enjoys drinking straight vodka? If you immediately saw me, and not a stereotypical Russian, you either know me too well, or you're lying.

Of course, I blame Josh...

I was never a straight vodka fan, at least not until I started knocking them back with, Mr. Hoffer. Yet now I know the difference between brands, have preferences, and have two different bottles of vodka in my room. It all started last week when my floormates attempted the Brita Vodka Experiment. While the resulting vodka was pretty good, I just couldn't get the thought of a good glass of Grey Goose or Stolichnaya (I refuse to call it Stoli's). I then watched an episode of The West Wing, and a particular scene tickles my fancy.

( From The West Wing Episode 3.09 'Bartlet for America' )

Oddly enough a person describing alcohol addiction, pushes me over the edge and prompts me to buy a bottle of Grey Goose and a small bottle of Stolichnaya. Weird...

I had a glass of the Grey Goose, and I'm OK now. Like the song says "isn't in strange how we all get a little bit weird sometimes?"

There are moments in your life where you are simply struck by the magnitude of the situation, and you just feel an indescribable something deep inside yourself. I felt it at the death of each of my grandfathers, I felt it on September 11th, I felt it when we went into shootouts in the finals of the NDG soccer league, I've felt it at numerous times in my life, and I felt it again tonight. Four Canadian debaters are in Kuala Lumpur right now, preparing to debate in the final round of the 2005 World Debating Championships (not the official name). I don't know these 4 that well, I've simply seen them debate, and in some cases debated them. I've seen them be beat, and I've seen them win. I will probably never have the skill to reach the level these debaters have reached, but having these great people reach the Finals makes me realize that here in Canada I'm debating some of the greatest young minds in the world. Making the final round in debating takes a certain measure of luck, but the fact that half of the final round will be Canadian, to me, validates my work and devotion to this activity. The fact I felt 'it' when I read about this accomplishment, makes me realize the place debating has taken in my life. Now, in this two thousandth and fifth year of our lord Jesus Christ (just being dramatic), I have something to point to when people ask about my commitment to debating.

Well... It seems I spoke too soon, when I woke up this morning the NDP had 19 seats (as opposed to 22 last night). This means the NDP doesn't necessarily hold the balance of power since their 19 seats combined with the Liberal's 135 seats, equals exactly half the seats in the new Parliament. Obviously not all MPs are present all the time, and the BQ still plays a role in social issues, so I'm not too worried. Which brings me to the meat of this discussion, how would the NDP do in a PARTIAL proportional representation scheme. I'm not totally behind a complete proportional representation which does away with ridings. I think regional candidates who are elected as individuals should still play a role in Canadian government. I think regional independents (like Chuck Cadman) would get lost in a full PR system. I decided to put this election's results through my VERY CRUDE partial representation system to see what happens.

( Kozo' Partial Proportional Representation Parliament )

I also went out and saw Fahrenheit 9/11 today. Although the facts presented are nothing new to well informed lefties, the film highlights emotional aspects that are often absent when you read alternative (non-CNN) news sources. Fahrenheit isn't the light hearted view that Bowling for Columbine presented, and even Michael Moore haters (people who think he's abrasive) should go see this film.