I had the song "Ode to the Canadian Soldiers" a tribute song for the Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan uploaded to the now defunct Imeem and inserted into every tribute post to the fallen. In it's place I found the video for the song which was written and recorded by John MacPhee, Paul Schram and Brad Howe was ordered played on armed forces radio in Afghanistan by CDS General Rick Hillier. This is from Brad Howe's Youtube page.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
"Andrew Nuttall was an outstanding leader, an outstanding soldier"
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Saturday, December 05, 2009
2009 Fifth Annual Kenaz Awards
My awards for those who made the headlines in 2009 in the spirit of this site. The nominees where taken from the many posts I made this year and cover local, canadian and international persons that made headlines.
Welcome to the fifth annual "Kenaz Awards". Still no glitz, no glamour, no expensive bling. Just a cold beer and some cheese to celebrate the stories that made you cheer,jeer,get angry,cry or say 'Good lord!".
Missed The Boat Award
Jim Balsillie: While running the most important tech company to emerge from
Warm and Fuzzies Award
The audience tittered when Susan Boyle, who had turned 47 years old just 10 days earlier, walked onto the stage for "Britain's Most Talented." She bore the look of the frumpy spinster. As her first eight notes of "I Dreamed a Dream" filled the auditorium, the audience was mesmerized.
Justice Served
Travis Bailey has lived with open hate for the teenager who fired a shotgun blast into the back of his head. In April, he watched Thomas Riordan, 20, walk out of court in shackles to begin a 6 1/2-year prison term for attempting to murder him.
Only one hour earlier, Bailey watched as the same man who nearly killed him was sentenced to life in prison without chance for parole for 14 years for murdering a young Waterdown man later that year. Under Canadian law, both sentences run at the same time.
"I'm glad it's done. I can finally sleep easy," Bailey said. "Now I know justice has been served."
In April four men finally felt the sting of justice as the gavel fell in three highly publicized Hamilton cases.Corey Rogers sentenced to life in jail
Aziga guilty verdict makes history
Brothers (Thomas Riordan and Shane) admit to killing
Stories of the Year
Swine flu seemed to come out of nowhere. The new virus, H1N1, is a combination of swine, avian, and human influenza thought to have been first contracted by a boy in Mexico last March. By April, the disease was spreading rapidly around the globe, provoking panic and misconceptions (like the idea that pigs could transmit the disease).
On June 11, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic after the number of worldwide cases reached nearly 30,000. Scientists developed a swine-flu vaccine.Global economic collapse, averted. Recession, analysts declared, was over. But aside from the few who got Wall Street bonuses, nobody was celebrating. In 2009, old-fashioned thrift became dire necessity. Those lucky enough to have jobs and homes scrimped and saved.
Humanitarian Award
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III lands a crippled plane on the Hudson
River in New York.
Iron Man AwardWhatever their political affiliation, no one can dispute that Barack Obama made history when he took the oath of office on January 20, 2009. As Candidate Obama, he made the 2008 Top 10 list. As President Obama, both glamorized and pilloried.
America was headed at breakneck speed to an economic breakdown, and the country was taking the whole world with it. The problems were years in the making and complex, touching everything from overextended credit and ballooning mortgages to Wall Street speculations and toxic banks.
Well before No. 44 took office, people wanted the details of "Obama's economic stimulus plan."Within days of taking office, campaign promises turned into rapid-fire executive orders. A domestic stimulus bill and troop withdrawal from Iraqi cities were underway. Nearly all provoked spats, but the "Obama health care plan" unleashed feverish protests and ended the honeymoon period
Injustice Award
The "Talented Mr. Madoff" told everyone from author Elie Wiesel to the New York Mets that he could make them richer. But Bernard Madoff didn’t tell his clients that he was doing it through an elaborate Ponzi scheme. In the end, he confessed to his sons, who turned him in.
The sheer, unimaginable scope of his deceit—$65 billion—made him a poster boy for What Went Wrong on Wall Street. Some investors actually made money, but many people—and even towns—lost a huge chunk of their savings. Madoff’s infamy wasn’t just confirmed in widespread searches and news packages devoted to his rascality: His scheming landed him in Time’s Top 10 Crooked CEOs. The guilty plea came without a fight. As the financier finishes out his life in prison, he has spun off a mini-industry of lawsuits, auctions, and political lashings.Biggest Loser Award
The marriage between America's fertility sweethearts Jon and Kate Gosselin unraveled in time for their season 5 premiere. The parents of twins and sextuplets had raised their family before TLC cameras, but tales of extramarital carousing, maternal entitlement, and all-around greed didn't make the script until 2009. They marked a 10th anniversary—and then came a rapid descent: divorce papers, rotating girlfriends, plummeting ratings, lawsuits, apologies, regrets, and a subtraction to "Kate Plus 8."
• Christian Bale. Foul-mouthed rants seemed so 2007, but the actor cussed out a director of photography on the "Terminator Salvation" set for ruining his concentration. The tape leaked Feb. 2, which inspired a week of remixes and parodies. Bale manned up the old-fashioned way: by calling into the radio station that played snippets all week. As to who owes apologies for the movie's lukewarm reception—that's still unclear.
• Chris Brown. The singing/acting prodigy became a villain in a domestic-violence dispute with celebrity girlfriend, Rihanna, on Grammy night (Feb. 8). Brown's posted apology on July 20 received mixed reviews, and the incident inspired dueling albums. Brown—sentenced to a five-year probation—plans to tell all in a Dec. 11 "20/20" interview. For her part, Rihanna has rebounded.
• Kanye West. Slamming a president is one thing, but trashing an ingenue's first VMA Awards moment is another. The hip-hop artist got booted after he interrupted Taylor Swift's Best Female Video win on Sept. 13. His chain of apologies began on his blog (twice), continued on Jay Leno, and concluded with a direct phone call.
Wack Job of the YearThe January 26 birth of octuplets sounded like a New Year's miracle. Tended by 46 workers, Nadya Suleman's babies beat the odds to become the second set of octuplets ever born alive in the U.S. But a watercooler tale of fertility science flared into a bioethical debate—Suleman has a child and adolescent development degree, but she was unemployed, living with her parents, and already tending to six other kids.
Wacky or Funny News Story or Post of the Year
A northern Virginia couple, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, not on the official guest list, crashed the White House party but were never seated at a table in the South Lawn tent where the dinner was held. The couple, described by The Washington Post as aspiring reality-TV stars and polo-playing socialites, were seen arriving at the White House.
Bizzaro World Award
Amateur storm-chasers Richard and Mayumi Heene let fly a helium balloon shaped like a silver saucer, then called 911 claiming that their youngest son might have snuck onboard.And the hoax was on. Cameras followedtweeted. Skeptics noted the family's earlier participation in "Wife Swap"—but tragedy could've been afoot. As it turned out, the nearly two-hour drama was a reality-TV audition, given away when Falcon told his dad, "you guys said that we did this for the show." The other clue, as searchers put it, was "balloon boy pukes.
On the Horizon Award
The next Hamilton municipal election will be held on November 8, 2010 to select one Mayor, fifteen members of the Hamilton City Council. None of these 16 people should feel confident going into
next year, people in this city are fed up with their childish behaviour and the snails pace of progress.
Career Achievement Award
2009 saw the deaths of larger-than-life personalities, among them King of Pop Michael Jackson, '70s icon Farah Fawcett, and Senate lion Edward Kennedy. The outsized personas of many of the departed drew massive Web attention. Here is a look back at the lives they lived and the legacies they left behind.
every tilt and sway. Millions watched. Thousands
Michael Jackson
August 29, 1958–June 25, 2009
Naysayers couldn't deny his influence. Whether precociously belting out "ABC" with the Jackson 5 or reinventing pop music with "Thriller," Jackson was a glittering star who transcended racial divides.Farrah Fawcett
February 2, 1947–June 25, 2009
Farrah Fawcett's pop-culture legacy lies in both the red-swimsuit poster that graced the walls of many a male adolescent, and in her role as Jill Munroe in the 1970s hit show "Charlie's Angels.Patrick Swayze
August 18, 1952–September 14, 2009
Patrick Swayze played romantic leads ("Ghost"), tough guys on the margin ("The Outsiders," "Point Break")His beloved tough-guy persona came to light again after news that he had pancreatic cancer. Reports swirled that he only had weeks to live, but he defied odds for nearly two years.
Natasha Richardson
May 11, 1963–March 18, 2009
Actress Natasha Richardson bore a sterling show-business pedigree: Her parents were actress Vanessa Redgrave and director Tony Richardson; her aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, and sister Joely also acted on stage and screen.Richardson's death shook the Web because of its untimely nature—she was 45—and its unnervingly simple cause: She hit her head during a ski lesson and died of an epidural hematoma.
Billy Mays
July 20, 1958–June 28, 2009
A showman exuding good-natured, high-volume exuberance, Billy Mays' widespread appeal seemed to lie in his embodiment of the American can-do spirit. Shock that this TV pitchman so full of life could be found dead of heart disease and possible drug use.David Carradine
December 8, 1936–June 3, 2009
As "half-breed" Kwai Chang Caine, David Carradine wasn’t just tough-but-fair; he was a kick-ass sage.Steve McNair
February 14, 1973–July 4, 2009
The murder-suicide of ex-quarterback Steve McNair by his mistress, Sahel Kazemi, shocked NFL fans who remembered him as among the first African American Super Bowl quarterbacksTed Kennedy
February 22, 1932–August 25, 2009
Senator Ted Kennedy was born into a political dynasty scarred by tragedy but also emblematic of a time when America felt the best still lay ahead. The "Lion of the Senate" championed the cause of working Americans in his fight for minimum wage and universal health care, a fight that didn't falter after his diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor.Randy Steele will be remembered across the city of Hamilton for his unfailingly warm and courageous bearing, his feisty news and local culture reporting for CHCH (including his "Steele's Town" feature).Cancer snatched away his voice before taking his life in May.
Tragic Story of the Year
News that Michael Jackson had been rushed to UCLA Medical Center had just broken when doctors called the King of Pop's death at 2:26 p.m. Within hours, searches on Yahoo! transitioned from "breaking news Michael Jackson" and "is Michael Jackson dead" to "r.i.p. Michael Jackson." The telling query "Elvis died" showed that the icon's shocking, premature death evoked another's.
Although Jackson's death was ruled a case of homicide, that final indignity didn't define his end: A spectacular show of mourning matched his supersized life but reminded onlookers that Jackson had been a son, brother, and a good father. His death took him out of tabloids' tales of scandal and back into the affections of the public, who honored him in costume, music, and film. Jackson had been denied his comeback, but not the spotlightDestined Hero's Award
In honour those who have given their lives serving Canada and helping the people
of Afghanistan.
Sgt. George Miok, 28, Cpl. Zachery McCormack, 21, both of Edmonton, Sgt. Kirk Taylor, 28, of Yarmouth, N.S., and Pte. Garrett Chidley, 21, of Cambridge. Michelle Lang, 34, a reporter with the Calgary Herald was killed in the blast. She was in the back of an armoured vehicle. Units: Private Chidley, who was born in Cambridge, Ont. and grew up in Langley, B.C., was on his first mission to Afghanistan. The 21-year-old served with the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, and was based in Shilo, Man.Corporal Zachery McCormack. The 21-year-old member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, 4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Sergeant George Miok a 28-year-old member of 41 Combat Engineer Regiment based in Edmonton, who had previously been deployed to Bosnia where he defused land mines, was on his second tour in Afghanistan.Sgt. Taylor, a member of the 84 Independent Field Battery based in Yarmouth, joined the army soon after high school. Friend Myra LeBlanc said she tried to convince him that perhaps he should turn down the chance to go to Afghanistan.
Deceased: December 31, 2009
Incident: The huge blast occurred during a routine presence patrol in Kandahar's District 2 abutting the Dand district, where Canada has established a "model village."
Lt. Andrew Nuttall
Age: 30
Hometown: Victoria,British Columbia
1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Deceased: December 23, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, 25 kilometers south-west of Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Sapper Steven Marshall
Age: 24
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta
Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment
Deceased: October 30, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, south-est of Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Lieutenant Justin Boyes
Age: 26
Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Unit: 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
Deceased: October 28, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, south-est of Kandahar City, Afghanistan.
Corporal Jonathan Couturier
Age: 23
Hometown: Loretteville, Québec
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment
Deceased: September 17, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Panjwayi District, Afghanistan
Private Patrick Lormand
Age: 21
Hometown: Chute-à-Blondeau, Ontario
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment
Deceased: September 13, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Panjwayi District, Afghanistan
Corporal Jean-François Drouin
Age: 31
Hometown: Beauport, Québec
Unit: 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
Deceased: September 6, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, vicinity of Dand District, Afghanistan.
Major Yannick Pépin
Age : 36
Hometown : Warwick, Québec
Unit : 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
Deceased : September 6, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, vicinity of Dand District, Afghanistan
Sapper Matthieu Allard
Age: 21
Hometown: Val d'Or, Québec
Unit: 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
Deceased: August 1, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Zhari District, Afghanistan.
Corporal Christian Bobbitt
Age: 23
Hometown: Sept-Îles, Québec
Unit: 5 Combat Engineer Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
Deceased: August 1, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Zhari District, Afghanistan
Private Sébastien Courcy
Age: 26
Hometown: St-Hyacinthe, Québec
Unit: 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment
Deceased: July 16, 2009
Incident: Killed in action in the Panjwayi District, Afghanistan.
Corporal Martin Joannette
Age: 25
Hometown: Saint-Calixte, Québec
Unit: 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment
Deceased: July 6, 2009
Incident: Helicopter crash, Zabul Province, Afghanistan
Master Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud
Age: 28
Hometown: Edmundston, New Brunswick
Unit: 2nd Batallion, Royal 22e Régiment
Deceased: July 4, 2009
Incident: improvised explosive device, Panjway District, Afghanistan
Corporal Nicholas Bulger
Age: 30
Hometown: Peterborough, Ontario
Unit: 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry
Deceased: July 3, 2009
Incident: improvised explosive device, Zhari District, Afghanistan
Corporal Martin Dubé
Age: 35
Hometown: Québec City, Québec
Unit: 5 Combat Engineer Regiment
Deceased: June 14, 2009
Incident: improvised explosive device, Panjwayi District, Afghanistan.
Private Alexandre Péloquin
Age: 20
Home Town: Brownsburg-Chatham, Québec
Unit: 3rd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment
Deceased: June 8, 2009
Incident: improvised explosive device, Panjwayi District, Afghanistan.
Major Michelle Mendes
Age: 30
Home Town: Wicklow, Ontario
Unit: Chief of Defence Intelligence
Deceased: April 23, 2009
Incident: Non combat related
Corporal Karine Blais
Age: 21
Home Town: Les Méchins, Québec
Unit: 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada, 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment Battle Group
Deceased: April 13, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Master Corporal Scott Francis Vernelli
Age: 28
Home Town: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Unit: 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: March 20, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Corporal Tyler Crooks
Age: 24
Home Town: Port Colborne, Ontario
Unit: 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: March 20, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Trooper Jack Bouthillier
Age: 20
Home Town: Hearst, Ontario
Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons, 3rd Battalion the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: March 20, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes
Age: 22
Home Town: Ripples, New Brunswick
Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons, 3rd Battalion the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: March 20, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Trooper Marc Diab
Age: 22
Home Town: Mississauga, Ontario
Unit: Royal Canadian Dragoons, 3rd Battalion the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: March 8, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wali Kot District, Afghanistan.
Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown
Age: 38
Home Town: St. Catherines, Ontario
Unit: The Lincoln and Welland Regiment
Deceased: March 3, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Arghandab district, Afghanistan.
Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin
Age: 29
Home Town: Baie-Comeau, Québec
Unit: 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville.
Deceased: March 3, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Arghandab district, Afghanistan.
Corporal Kenneth Chad O’Quinn
Age: 25
Home Town: Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Newfoundland
Unit: 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron
Deceased: March 3, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Arghandab district, Afghanistan.
Sapper Sean David Greenfield
Age: 25
Home Town: Pinawa, Manitoba
Unit: 24 Field Engineer Squadron, 2 Combat Engineer Regiment, 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group.
Deceased: January 31, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Kandahar province, Afghanistan.
Trooper Brian Richard Good
Age: 42
Home Town: Ottawa, Ontario
Unit: 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group
Deceased: January 7, 2009
Incident: Improvised explosive device, Shah Wall Kot District, Afghanistan.
Later,
Kenaz
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tides of change hopefully will cleanse the stench off Hamilton Police Services
Hamilton's police services board has taken the unexpected and somewhat surprising step of choosing an external candidate, Toronto police Staff Superintendent Glenn De Caire, to replace retiring police chief Brian Mullan. Some critics are wondering why one of the force's two deputy chiefs weren't promoted, while others say a new face and leadership is a good thing.-from The Hamilton Spectator, November 20,2009
In my opinion there isn't even a debate here the best candidate should fulfill the position ireespective of their current location. I don't think members of the HPS are good enough for a role as chief. They've been shown examples from Mullan that the police can break the law as they see fit. This has resulted in criminals being freed because the police violated constitutional rights. This has also resulted in innocent people losing everything (Michael Dixon) because their constitutional rights were trampled upon by HPS. The HPS have never been unable to deal with street criminals... But as far back as I can remember, they've been absolutely useless in dealing with the criminals in their own police force. Here's to the future, Chief De Caire please do your best to promote justice which is an inherent right given to us by our Constitution, not by the parts your predecessor saw fit to uphold in order to further his own political agenda.
If I may make one suggestion, much in the media has been made of the efforts the Chief has established in the Jane and Finch area of Toronto in trying to curb the gang and drug activity. Hamilton's Bartonville and surrounding area is a 4.3km forgotten area of crack houses, hookers, sleazy junk shops that area politicians and police have ignored, leaving; the few decent property owners and small businesses owners who care about bring decency back to an area that once was the home of some of the fiercest community pride this city has known, to defend for themselves. Please Mr. De Caire take a walking tour of the area and speak to the deli owner's and the working stiff's like myself who are willing too work for minimum wage to keep a modest home over his head and not take the cowards way out and live off our tax dollars. We need more undercover and uniformed beat cops, camera's and more police backed community and business organizations like ones formed on Ottawa and Stinston Streets.
In other positive moves Bernie Morelli is stepping down as chair of the Police Services Board hard on the heels of the board hiring the new chief of police. It seems right to extend that clean slate all the way to the PSB. New chief. New chair. The air hanging over city government already smells sweeter, it isn't ginger and spice but it's sure better than sh**.
Morelli is a passionate police supporter, maybe too so. Many times accusations of conflict of interest have risen because of the "brotherly" relationship between Morelli and Chief Brian Mullan. The PSB is a civilian board that oversees the chief. It sets the budget and the policy. It can also call for internal investigations when there are allegations of police wrongdoing, of which there have been a few during Morelli's iron fisted reign.
The Community Coalition Against Racism, which accused the police of systemic racism, has said Morelli needs to go. Others, citing the fact Morelli's son is a Hamilton cop and his brother was at one time also on the service, have cried conflict of interest and said he needs to go.
Bringing in De Caire a complete outsider is a stroke of genius, I applaud the oracle keepers who showed some insight, while everyone else was counting on passing the torch to another member of the old guard. For better or worse -- it does wipe the slate clean. De Caire has no affiliation with Hamilton. No friends, no enemies. Hopefully the board will see with the same clarity and pass the torch to someone looking to speak up and not sit idle and be dictated to.
Later,
Kenaz
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Two sons of the Prairie die in Afghanistan
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Fall 2009 Tarot and Rune reading
For my 1000th post I give you my Fall 2009 Tarot and Rune reading. The question remains the same, "What does the fall have in store for me?" Once again the readings offer some interesting dichotomies. It looks like the season will be a positive step in the right direction. A new job, already looking solid, money is always tight and it looks like the "Devil" has had his card flipped for a change.
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| The Celtic Cross spread is one of the most popular Tarot spreads, providing varied insight into many aspects of a complex situation and your role in it. The Cat People Tarot paints a picture of faraway lands trod by mystical archetypes and their feline companions. This deck is a perfect tool for dreamers and idealists, and is a great choice for divining the nature of human imagination. | |
 | The card not shown but at the center of the cross, represents the atmosphere surrounding the central issue. Eight of Wands (Swiftness): Swift activity. Sudden progress or movement. Speed. Hastily made decisions. Too rapid advancement. |
 | The card visible at the center of the cross represents the obstacle that stands in your way - it may even be something that sounds good but is not actually to your benefit. Three of Wands (Virtue), when reversed: Assistance with an ulterior motive. Diminishing adversity. Beware of help offered. |
 | The card at the top of the cross represents your goal, or the best you can achieve without a dramatic change of priorities. The Devil, when reversed: Release from bondage. Divorce. Recognition of one's need by another person. Overcoming handicaps. The beginning of spiritual understanding. The first steps toward enlightenment. |
 | The card at the bottom of the cross represents the foundation on which the situation is based. Eight of Swords (Interference): Crisis. Calamity. Conflict. Domination. Imprisonment. Turmoil. Bad news. Censure. Criticism. Sickness. Calumny. |
 | The card at the left of the cross represents a passing influence or something to be released. Three of Swords (Sorrow): Absence. Disappointment. Strife. Removal. Dispersion. Diversion. Opposition. Separation. Delay. |
 | The card at the right of the cross represents an approaching influence or something to be embraced. Ace of Pentacles: Perfection. Attainment. Prosperity. Felicity. Great wealth. riches. Bliss. Ecstasy. Gold. Valuable coins or artifacts. Treasures. The combination of material and spiritual prosperity. |
 | The card at the base of the staff represents your role or attitude. Seven of Cups (Temptation): Fantasy. Unrealistic attitudes. Imagination. Daydreams. Foolish whims. Wishful thinking. Illusionary success. |
 | The card second from the bottom of the staff represents your environment and the people you are interacting with. Queen of Swords, when reversed: Narrow-minded. Maliciousness. Bigotry. Deceitfulness. Vengefulness. Prudishness. A treacherous enemy. An ill-tempered person. |
 | The card second from the top of the staff represents your hopes, fears, or an unexpected element that will come into play. Page of Pentacles, when reversed: An unrealistic person. Failure to recognize obvious facts. Dissipation of ideas. Illogical thinking. Rebelliousness. Wastefulness. Loss. Unfavorable news. |
 | The card at the top of the staff represents the ultimate outcome should you continue on this course. Nine of Cups (Happiness), when reversed: Mistakes. Material loss. Imperfections. Misplaced truth. False freedom. Opposition. Differences. Dispute. |
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| The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement. |
| The left rune represents an important element of the past. Ger is one of the runes that touches on the cycles of the year, in this case the fall harvest. These cycles are eternal, which is represented in the rune by the fact that it is unchanged by reversal. Ger can represent pregnancy or other forms of fruitfulness, and is especially indicative of the cycles of providence and karma - that which has been sown is now being reaped. This rune can also represent the cycles of wealth, for crops were frequently a sign of wealth. |
| The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Berkana represents the birch tree. The birch is frequently symbolic of renewal, rebirth, birth, growth and fertility. This rune is a joyous one, representing good outcomes from ventures undertaken. It is the rune of the family and of a good household. |
| The top rune represents a force that works for you. Othila is the homeland. Unlike Fehu, this is the rune of immovable wealth. On a deeper level, this rune speaks to that which you inherit, be it material or genetic. Since Othila is seen reversed here, the obstacles you confront are among those things in your background that you take for granted and consider fairly stable. Problems from the "homeland", from familial inheritance, or from our own origins may be worked around, but they cannot be made to go away. Fortunately, for many problems, this is all that is required. |
| The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Raido is the rune of riding, as in a cart or as cargo. It is seen here reversed, suggesting a disruption of travel or communication. Etiological analysis of this rune has also given it interpretations of advice or justice, and of being in a position of moral correctness. Reversed, there is an indication of the lack of solid council, or the holding of a position that is not morally sound. |
| The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Ken is the rune of light and knowledge. The rune is shown reversed representing a state of darkness or ignorance. Either you are unable to obtain information that you need, or the information is being withheld from you. In darkness there is fear, but remember that darkness does not mean isolation. Friendship and comfort can still be available, although they are not immediately visible. Later, Kenaz |
Friday, September 18, 2009
Pte. Jonathan Couturier died in a "useless war"
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Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Pte. Lormand on his way home
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Monday, September 07, 2009
Peace to Maj. Yannick Pepin and Cpl. Jean-Francois Drouin
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Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Charity starts at home
Every time Hamilton gets another "flood of the century" area politicians and citizens who aren't capable of higher inteligence look for a scapegoat to blame and pay for their own ignorance.
Sam Merulla, Councilor for Ward 4 went off half cocked a week and a half ago after he received a deluge of complaints from irate home owners standing in waste water and no insurance, denied because of previous claims. Merulla, always the opportunist sent out emails to the media laced with childish obscenities aimed at anyone who dared to challenge his self professed claim of being the crusader for the poor and ignored.
Give it a rest Merulla, insurance is meant to aide those in getting their homes and lives back together after a tragedy not to compensate idiots who use the system as a honey pot for free home improvements.
I have not had more than a small amount of water come into my basement when there have been heavy rains. I live in the Sherman and Barton area, which has had many flooded basements over the past few years.
I did not need to experience a flood first- hand to know that it would be unwise to have a finished basement. My basement is used for what it was intended to be, a storage area and laundry area. The storage is on shelves and the bottom areas have everything in sealed waterproof containers. There is nothing that is irreplaceable or precious in my basement. I have basic insurance coverage and my insurance rates are very low.
I would not blame the city if I was not capable of learning after repeated flooding in my basement nor would I expect my insurance to continue to cover my losses. I am upset that these people who fail to learn from past experiences continue to have the insurance companies pay to renovate the basements of their homes. My insurance rates went up thirty bucks a month for no reason and I've never had to put in a claim.
I am supposed to feel bad that a surround sound stereo and a white couch was damaged by the flood. Why would anyone put something that valuable in a basement that has had many floods? That's like leaving it on the front lawn and then complaining it was stolen.
People claim "the city has known about this problem for many years and continued to do nothing about it," yet they continue to live in the seventies when "wreck rooms" where the norm. The problem is not going away until we get a city council who sees merit in investing in infrastructure instead of higher profile items like the Red Hill Expressway.
An Expressway that every member of City Hall including Mr. Merulla touted as something that would improve the quality of life for all citizens of Hamilton. All the expressway has done is leave Hamilton with a woeful Red Hill Creek storm barrier not capable of handling even modest amounts of rain.
The people who are the most vocal on the TV, radio or in the Spec are the most ignorant. These people deserve to have no insurance, maybe they can invite Mr. Merulla over for a beer and sit in the basement and wait for the next flood. At least each would be eye to eye with the problem and hopefully the "plagues" that besiege Hamilton will be washed away.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein. In laymen terms quit pissing in the wind people.
Sam Merulla, Councilor for Ward 4 went off half cocked a week and a half ago after he received a deluge of complaints from irate home owners standing in waste water and no insurance, denied because of previous claims. Merulla, always the opportunist sent out emails to the media laced with childish obscenities aimed at anyone who dared to challenge his self professed claim of being the crusader for the poor and ignored.
Give it a rest Merulla, insurance is meant to aide those in getting their homes and lives back together after a tragedy not to compensate idiots who use the system as a honey pot for free home improvements.
I have not had more than a small amount of water come into my basement when there have been heavy rains. I live in the Sherman and Barton area, which has had many flooded basements over the past few years.
I did not need to experience a flood first- hand to know that it would be unwise to have a finished basement. My basement is used for what it was intended to be, a storage area and laundry area. The storage is on shelves and the bottom areas have everything in sealed waterproof containers. There is nothing that is irreplaceable or precious in my basement. I have basic insurance coverage and my insurance rates are very low.
I would not blame the city if I was not capable of learning after repeated flooding in my basement nor would I expect my insurance to continue to cover my losses. I am upset that these people who fail to learn from past experiences continue to have the insurance companies pay to renovate the basements of their homes. My insurance rates went up thirty bucks a month for no reason and I've never had to put in a claim.
I am supposed to feel bad that a surround sound stereo and a white couch was damaged by the flood. Why would anyone put something that valuable in a basement that has had many floods? That's like leaving it on the front lawn and then complaining it was stolen.
People claim "the city has known about this problem for many years and continued to do nothing about it," yet they continue to live in the seventies when "wreck rooms" where the norm. The problem is not going away until we get a city council who sees merit in investing in infrastructure instead of higher profile items like the Red Hill Expressway.
An Expressway that every member of City Hall including Mr. Merulla touted as something that would improve the quality of life for all citizens of Hamilton. All the expressway has done is leave Hamilton with a woeful Red Hill Creek storm barrier not capable of handling even modest amounts of rain.
The people who are the most vocal on the TV, radio or in the Spec are the most ignorant. These people deserve to have no insurance, maybe they can invite Mr. Merulla over for a beer and sit in the basement and wait for the next flood. At least each would be eye to eye with the problem and hopefully the "plagues" that besiege Hamilton will be washed away.
Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein. In laymen terms quit pissing in the wind people.
Monday, August 03, 2009
Destined hero's pay the ultimate sacrifice
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Sapper Matthieu Allard, 21, based in Valcartier, Que., was one of two soldiers killed by a roadside bomb in the Zhari district of Afghanistan on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2009.
Cpl. Christian Bobbitt, 23, based in Valcartier, Que., was killed by a roadside bomb in the Zhari district of Afghanistan on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2009.
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