Running with the Bay Street bulls
There was a time, long ago when I first came to this place, when my only ambition was to get a job on Bay Street. That changed as I grew up and I devoted my time to travelling and seeing the world. As fate would have it, I was recruited to the financial district just when I was ready to pack up and head out again. I attended the welcome brunch yesterday, almost two weeks after I started in the position and when asked how I was liking the place, I was pleased to give an honest answer - I like it very much!
I didn't mention that it's quite distracting with the CN Tower to the right and the lake straight ahead. I spend the day timing the sailboats and the ferry to Centre Island and watching planes land at the Toronto Island airport. Gridlock on the Gardiner Expressway looks friendlier from up here and the city seems even more vibrant. I take the occassional break from staring outside to do some work.
Although we're all dressed up, the work environment is very informal and requires a lot of socialising. As I'm at the ACC, I'll have no choice but to attend the events there and use the company box and complimentary passes, but I'll handle it. Company social events are held on alternating Thursdays at the nearby watering hole and Fridays are subject to summer hours, so the weekend starts at 1pm. I've been given flex hours to make the transition easier.
With all that's going on in the world today, it's a relief to have something to feel good about. This job won't allow me to change the world in the way that I had planned to, so I can't call it my dream job, but I have to concede, this could very well be my dream office! After all, it's on Bay Street!
Day 7
Another day dawns on the escalated violence in the Middle East. While the murderous offensives continue, the humanitarian crisis deepens and there is no rest.
Hundreds of innocent lives were lost so far, on both sides of the conflict, yet it seems that world leaders are still trying to decide who should take responsibility for resolving it. The G8 summit concluded today with a unanimous decision to stop the violence, but there was no consensus on how to do that. The always-articulate Blair could only offer what we already know - that “
the situation is really dangerous”. Bush unwittingly disclosed his view that Syria should pressure Hezbollah to “
stop this shit” and as much as I hate to hear, let alone approve of anything he says – I’m inclined to agree (with half of it anyway!) This can’t be allowed to go on. Hezbollah’s war is not Lebanon’s war. They might have been heroes when they forced Israel out of southern Lebanon, but that was then. Lebanon now was basking in its summer, quite content that foreigners once again wanted to vacation there and I’m certain that the sudden mass exodus was not part of their immediate plan.
Israel (and any other state for that matter) has a right to defend itself. The southern part of Lebanon remained a Hezbollah stronghold and it (including an airport) has been battered by Israel as punishment. That’s not acceptable, not even as a “
measured response”. Many civilians have been left to fend for themselves now that people can’t get out and help can’t get to them because the connecting bridges and roads have been destroyed. The air and sea blockades have also deprived them of fuel and essential supplies.
Hezbollah responded by bombing Haifa and continue to threaten attack of other cities. In a country where they face criticism, they are still a strong and well disciplined organization and with the support of Iran and Syria, they seem confident that they can take whatever is thrown at them; but that right there - that’s the problem. The attacks are destroying the Lebanese people and their homeland. Hezbollah now has longer range missiles apparently supplied by Iran. This fuels suspicion that the IRI is waging a proxy war and using Lebanon as its battlefield. They won’t be the first to do such a distasteful thing (refer to American foreign policies) but that doesn’t make it any more acceptable.
Israel’s entire existence has been defined by war and Hezbollah guerrillas are used to war, so fear and defiance is nothing new for either of them. Without a ceasefire, life in a country sealed off from the rest of the world could only be intolerable (like
Gaza) . Western countries are moving their nationals out of Lebanon but UN deployment is necessary to secure a humanitarian corridor and create a lifeline for the ones who remain. Who would make up that force and how long will it take to stop the loss of innocent lives?
On the 7th day, we wait…
The Beautiful Game
We love football (soccer) because it ignites the patriotism and passion within our soul. We relish the skill, admire the sportsmanship and rejoice at the triumphs. It inspires commaraderie and equality as we are unified in one goal. It provides hope and bears testimony that anyone from anywhere can rise above insurmountable odds.
I've adored Zidane since I watched him play in the '98 tournament which fueled his rise from talented young star to demigod status in his country. I watched him play in the competitions that followed and fell in love with his quiet elegance on the field - usually the picture of professionalism and grace.
Apparently, he is the most carded player in French history but that did not prepare me for the headbutt that he delivered during last Sunday's final that cost his team the game. What could have set off the usually dignified, now-veteran player? Allegedly, it was a racist comment that spurred Zizou to reveal his dark side (pun not intended)
Anti-racism was the major theme of this year's world cup as evidenced by the "Say no to racism, smile and make friends" banners that were prominently displayed during the pre-game ceremonies. FIFA was actively engaged in an anti-discrimination campaign while pursuing its mission of spreading the appeal of football to "all walks of life". This makes it imperative to address the problem that has exacerbated now that ethnic families are being integrated in their adopted homeland - some for several generations - and players are more mobile than ever. The world cup may well be the single most globalizing phenomenon on this planet - even more so than Mc Donald's - which makes it the ideal field on which to tackle the problem.
Zidane embodied that aspiration. The French-Algerian muslim captained a team that was almost entirely comprised of immigrants or their children. He became an icon to young black, brown and white people - an inspiration that they too could rise to greatness in an adopted land. I was in France earlier this year when the riots broke out and in a country depressed by high unemployment and strained by racial tension people found hope and unity in the support of their football team. Everyone I met knew of T'dad because of the world cup and I was welcomed as a friend because we had football in common.
Zidane was carrying the hopes of his team, his country, his people and every person who admired him. That's just my opinion but it's still a lot to ask of one man - even one as heroic as Zidane.
Like every great hero, he has flaws. Too bad he had to succumb to his while being watched by a billion people. Or maybe it's a good thing because it forces us to discuss what was alledgedly said on that field and to work towards preventing a repeat performance. Now we have no choice but to deal with the ugly side of the
Beatuiful Game
Heartbreak!
... for me, that is. These fans posed for a picture, but I was unable to focus from behind my tears.
I suppose the collective prayers of the Italian supporters was louder than mine... *sob* ... Or maybe this is my punishment for wishing Portugal out of world cup contention. It was painful enough for me when the Soca Warriors lost to England. I still remember exactly where I was when France won in '98 ... I was at that bar place in Grand Bazzar (gosh, what's it called?)... I was cheering for Brazil then. I neglected Les Bleus then and there's no forgiveness for that, so I brought this upon myself!
That doesn't make it any easier to go outside and deal with the celebrations.
2nd 1/2 of extra time ends
Zizou's out! Noooo!!!
Only players that finish the game can take pens, right?
This is killing me!
Football Fever!
The World Cup 2006 is paused for the half-time break and oh what a match so far!
I was quietly cheering on France and that early goal ensured that I was nervous all the way through the rest of the first half. I'm steps away from "Little Italy", so France must win if I am to have any hope of sleeping tonight.
The noise has already started and on my way in this morning, I might have seen a thousand Italian flags accompanying fans who were already lined up outside the College bars.
I saw 1 French flag crossing Queen around noon (on his way to watch the game?)
The
Corso Italia festival is going on up the street, so they're already gathered and waiting to go crazy...
Finger Skillz
Okay, it's not what you're thinking - just something that GJ thought would keep me busy at work! Check out the edited
highlights.
Enough with this Poker thing already
So, I know that all 5 of my avid blog readers have a keen interest in poker. I'm actually forced to watch it when MS comes across a tournament on his beloved sports channel. Gosh, everything is a "sport" now, isn't it?!
Okay, so maybe I'm just uninterested because I don't (read:can't) play poker. The rest of you are eager to play because you've seen the Party Poker ads that exhault the multi million dollar winners - but what of those on the other end of the spectrum?
I stumbled across a very interesting commentary on it.(Will link to the details when I get permission from the writer.)
You like ferraris, do you?
The Americans seem to favour them too.
US Grand Prix
As promised, here are a few pix from the race in
Indiana yesterday. Kimi didn't make it past the 1st turn and Ferrari took top spots.
MS is still editing the video clip, so we should have that soon. The guys took some amazing photos and I'll upload the rest of pix to an online album, so you can see them too!
Oh Canada
... Our home and native land...
The National Anthem resounds with seemingly ironic lyrics as most of us here are not native to this land. (in TO, at least!)
The CIC website acknowledges that "Canada is a land of many cultures and many peoples. Aboriginal peoples have occupied the territory now called Canada for several thousands of years. Everybody else, either by birth or by descent, has been an immigrant -- we have all come from somewhere else."
However, for the people who live here, it is the place that they call home. This is the place where they come to seek refuge from wars and oppression and hope to find a better life. In return, they contribute their skills and their unique cultures.
I didn't come here to escape hardship. I've always thought of my time here as temporary. I always felt that I was going back home soon. I've visited beautiful places and created wonderful memories during my time here. Most of all, I've enjoyed the multiculturism and the diversity which reminds me of my home country, but it doesn't compare. Canada is home to immigrants from 240 countries. Wow!
Whatever our reasons for living here, we're all joining Harper to say happy 139th birthday!
There was a time, long ago when I first came to this place, when my only ambition was to get a job on Bay Street. That changed as I grew up and I devoted my time to travelling and seeing the world. As fate would have it, I was recruited to the financial district just when I was ready to pack up and head out again. I attended the welcome brunch yesterday, almost two weeks after I started in the position and when asked how I was liking the place, I was pleased to give an honest answer - I like it very much! 
I didn't mention that it's quite distracting with the CN Tower to the right and the lake straight ahead. I spend the day timing the sailboats and the ferry to Centre Island and watching planes land at the Toronto Island airport. Gridlock on the Gardiner Expressway looks friendlier from up here and the city seems even more vibrant. I take the occassional break from staring outside to do some work.
Although we're all dressed up, the work environment is very informal and requires a lot of socialising. As I'm at the ACC, I'll have no choice but to attend the events there and use the company box and complimentary passes, but I'll handle it. Company social events are held on alternating Thursdays at the nearby watering hole and Fridays are subject to summer hours, so the weekend starts at 1pm. I've been given flex hours to make the transition easier.
