Winter is finally here to stay in Edmonton.  We had a few days of snow in November but nothing that didn’t melt away within a day of landing on the ground.  This past week has seen a small amount of snow float through the air. Maybe 2-4cm when all is said and done. Not much.  Coupled with the below freezing temperatures that help develop ice patches it’s resulting in a bit of havoc on the roads. Enough to cause a large number of people to forget how to drive safely in the snow.  Stop signs, speed limits, and red lights still seem to be non applicable for some dimwitted drivers.

With winter comes the shift to the winter blog theme.  I debated long and hard before I clicked the button since this week would normally see my blog decked out in black and grey as I settle in to study for and complete my final exams. Don’t get too attached to the snowy path and less than soothing blues. Depending on how poorly the studying goes I may end up with the locked in my basement theme before the weekend is over.

I suppose I better stop procastinating and get back to my readings.  Have a great weekend everyone.

I’m feeling very blessed this week thanks to some awesome friends and co-workers.

Drew is heading over there in a few short weeks and, if his tour to Afghanistan is anything like his time in Bosnia, he’ll be getting mail and packages from friends and family on a pretty regular basis while he is away.  Not everyone is as fortunate.  For a number of different reasons sometimes the soldiers we send to fight our battles don’t have anyone at home willing or able to send them mail while they’re away.  Some were from small families who’s grandparents and parents have long since passed away.  Others are young, single, just starting out in life, and all their friends in the world are also in the group heading overseas with them. Still others are older, divorced or never married.  There’s a myriad of reasons why people might not be receiving mail and in all honesty, I can only speculate on the situation.

My hubby had other plans.  Now that he’s a bona fide leader (he’s got a certificate and all), he’s decided that it’s important that everyone working with him receives at least one present or letter from home while they’re away.

Lucky for me “home” can be anywhere in Canada.  I’ve got angels and elves stashed all over the country who’ve offered to help. From NB to ON to MB to AB. From students to retirees. Amazing, awesome, and generous people. Civy’s all.

Taking care of others is a military tradition. Single guys are invited to spend the holidays with locals if they’re unable to make it back to where ever “home” might be.  We traditionally had 2-4 single guys crashed out on our couches over Thanksgiving or Christmas seasons.

I’m so thrilled to see civilians rushing forward in droves to join in and adopt a soldier for a few months. It warms the heart.  Thank you all.

We seem to be getting a handle on things at work and I think we might survive into the new semester without the mass panic that preceded the last one.

Ummm. Hold on.  I need to go find some wood to knock on.

Much better.

Whatever it brings, tomorrow is my last day at work for a whole week.  Yippee!  I’m taking time off.  Ummm. Never mind the temporary animation and apparent loss of sanity.  I’m taking a week off so I can write my finals for the classes I took this past semester.  They seem to be earlier this year than they were last year. Not that I’m complaining – or, to be honest and factually correct, I’m not complaining as loudly as I normally do – I get an extra week off school before the next semester starts.  Whee! No more pencils or books until early January. Don’t worry.  I’ve stocked up on cool school supplies to meet my crazy addictions needs for the upcoming torture session semester.

Guess it’s a good thing Drew is working all weekend.  I need to study for exams sometime…

Cause I just don’t have the patience today and there are many others who are far more talented than I can ever dream of being – go here, here and here.  While you’re distracted by the cool stuffs on the Interweebs I’m going to find homes for my list of soldiers who need “adopting”.  Enjoy.

I’ll probably be reamed over the coals for this but from a competancy standpoint of view I think Gilles Duceppe is the best of the available options to have led the proposed coalition. Despite representing the separatist party, he strikes me as the most reasonable and moderate of the bunch. Having watched him in the House of Commons and in the English and French language debates over the years M. Duceppe has always impressed me when compared to his Liberal or NDP counterparts.

Now this endorsement of M. Duceppe doesn’t mean that I necessarily want to see the current gov’t topple or the coalition succeed. Just that I’m disappointed that Dion has been selected defacto leader of this little group.

Having lived and voted in the Maritimes, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta I’d like to think that my opinions have been formed after a broad range of exposure to the realities of life in multiple parts of the country. One thing I have always known is that while a great number of people might live in southern Ontario and in Quebec, what is best for those regions is often in direct conflict with the rest of the country. My greatest concern surrounding the proposed coalition is related to their planned bail out package for the auto industry. I’ve yet to be satisfied as to how bailing out this industry is in any way a national strategy. It seems to me to be pandering to a small section of the electorate while leaving the rest of the country to rot. Perhaps someone can explain to me how this package will benefit fishermen in the Maritimes or farmers in the prairies? How will it improve the lives of construction or telecommunications or IT workers outside of Ontario or Quebec?

While possibly historic I can’t fathom how the proposed coalition can be good for Canada as a whole. My Canada includes the Maritimes and the west. I’m beginning to wonder if Dion or Layton can say the same.