Canadian Army into Libya?

Several countries are considering adding ground forces to the UN sponsored aerial invasion of Libya. A mission with the dual purpose of protecting the general population of Libya and toppling Mommar G-whatever. If the US and Britain go, will Canada follow?

Bombs and missiles on a Canadian Forces jet fighter

All I can think is that when a country goes to war, it means that the other country can do violence against you because that is what war is all about. Maybe Canadians don't care about this because they can't really see a Libyan jet fighter flying over Ottawa and lobbing some munitions down on us. Anyways, some re-enactors prepare for war of a long time ago in these photos.

Bell still sucks!

I sit here, lonely and sad, in the lovely Roxy Cafe in small town Acton enjoying a tasty large latte and enjoying the free wireless. My internet loss continues now, I am sure, into its third week. Bell cannot seem to get their act in gear and get the vital part out to me. I call every second day, angry white man, disappointed and blue, and they tell me things that are less than the truth. The last guy finally admitted they hadn't sent anything out - but they will this time!

Maybe their crappy service and high prices are why there are a number of sites on the world wide web such as http://bellcanadasucks.com/, http://www.bellcanadasucks.ca/, and the ever popular post "Dear God I hate Bell Canada".

Toronto Jewish Film Festival

The Toronto Jewish Film Festival TJFF is 19 years old and when it opens on May 7, 2011 (till the 15th) there will be 118 films shown from around the world. You can also catch the world premiere of the documentary 'Between Two Worlds'. I love one of the posters they have on their website (picture above), I first thought it might be Britney or Lindsay getting out of a limo, but no, it was someone else.

Freedom and Tolerance spoken here

A Kolpik hat in Downsview

Earth Month Giveaway at the Square

Earth needs more than an hour, my bitches, so Brita is giving her a month. People gathered in a long line that stretched around Yonge-Dundas Square, did a few loops around some barriers and waited for their turn to enter Brita Village to pick up a free Brita water pitcher and filter. Here is what they have to say about the event on the Square's website.

"A fun and interactive event at Yonge-Dundas Square that features a host of interactive games and activities along with a giveaway of 3,000 free Brita pitchers and filters as part of a cross-Canada effort to encourage Canadians to make the switch from bottled to filtered tap water.

And this year, the first 3,000 Torontonians who visit the Brita Village and collect three stamps on a special passport will receive a pitcher and can enter a draw for a chance to win $10,000.  For complete rules and regulations, visit www.filterforgood.ca

Green Works and MAJESTA will also be on site at the Brita Earth Month Village, offering activities and spot prizes in addition to products at reduced cost with all proceeds donated to Tree Canada.  Tree Canada (www.treecanada.ca) will offset the carbon generated by the Brita Village by planting trees in Brita's name and caring for them until maturity."

Check out my photos of nature stuff after the jump.

Bricks and other Art

Not all art is intentional, sometimes it just happens. This large wall has been painted pink, its covering of mortar falls away from some of the bricks. The wall slowly strips away its' facade. Maybe a mural or large advertisement will fill the empty space one day.

The Paint Your Faith mural at the side of the Metropolitan United Church.

Chinese Restaurant mural and sign (Fantino hearts me).

Looking for oil in all the wrong places

The continued climb of oil and gas prices is of great concern to many. No longer does gas go up in fractions of a cent, it rises in nickels and dimes overnight and like a flu the adjacent gas stations raise their prices in lock step with the competition (cough, cough). 

My namesake and famous economist, James Hamilton of econbrowser, has identified rising gas prices as the probable causes of a number of recessions – he calls the situation an Oil Shock, so I hope that the current economic mess doesn’t get messier as we quickly approach $1.40 a litre.

I think that resourceful people of Toronto have even started to take matters into their own hands by drilling for oil throughout the city. At first I thought these drill rigs were putting in caissons to support new condos, but a careful review and a big imagination later, I think they are seeking sweet crude which keeps the world running. Now I start to see oil rigs everywhere. I do believe that the art installation at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre is a cover-up for an oil derrick, right under our own noses. But they probably need the oil to pay for the hockey players high wages, probably paid in US dollars or even by the barrel.

Long Weekend Fun

Hello, you long weekend you, trying to be all coy but knowing that Canada is looking forward to this spring holiday and the celebration of bunnies and chocolate, among other things, so that you want to dress up in your party clothes and jump from an airplane.

The holiday is also a little sad because it is not a two-four weekend up at the cottage (still a little too early for that), it’s more of a keep the winter clothes and umbrella ready and enjoy a nice hot coffee beverage. But rather than cry it is time to get the bathing suits ready, decide what fireworks you want for Victoria Day and have a fun time in Toronto.

Enjoy Toronto’s largest Easter Egg Hunt on Centre Island or head over to Casa Loma for a cracking good time.

Evergreen Brickworks - a look back at abandoned factory

The Evergreen Brickworks is getting ready for a fun Earth Day Celebration on Saturday April 23rd, 2011 at the former Don Valley Brickworks factory and park. On Thursday April 21 the site will also try to make the world’s longest picnic table. Evergreen is also celebrating its 20^th anniversary of making cities more livable. It’s time to get your Green On and participate in some free eco-activities.

Here is a look back at the abandoned group of buildings that was slowly crumbling, with holes in the roof that on sunny days let in slices of sun, and walls full of bright graffiti. The bricks long since stopped being churned out of the factory complex, fences put up in an attempt to keep out people interested in seeing the desolation that unwanted buildings and empty workplaces can produce. It was ghostly and fascinating at the same time and you could always stand in a sunbeam and look for a rainbow and a pot of gold.

And some of Fresh Joe's photos.

Reflection of James

I liked my reflection found in the opposing mirrors it shows my bald spot to perfection, many times over. Now, because I scared you, here is a cuddly mountain lion and a cute little hamster.

Spring is coming, Sun sometimes shines

Spring loves me, she loves me not.

I know that we will soon feel the warmth of the sun, even though Spring has literally sprung (a leak), and snow and hail have fallen. Annual flowers have just started to peak out of the ground in our garden and robins are looking for worms in the grass. Here are some Toronto buildings kissed by the sun.

Down at Union Station.

Another jungle bus stop at Union Station.

Global Village Backpackers Hostel on Spadina.

I love the often photographed Flatiron Building. The distinctive triangle shape, the colour and the mural on the side overlooking Berczy Park. See more pictures of the Flatiron building after the jump (click on Read More>>, below).

Photo Vault: Birds and Planes

The cute pictures from the Kitten and Puppy Weekend made me think of the baby ducks and geese that will soon be eatin' and poopin' their little fannies off around lakes and ponds in your neighbourhood, later growing into adults with more poopin' babies.

And when you think of things that fly you have to think of the Canadian International Air Show which will happen near the end of Summer at the close of the CNE.

Badlands in Spring

Winter is fighting Spring and for the time being it looks like Spring is going to be Winter's bitch. I drove to the Badlands of Caledon hidden away in Cheltenham. The wet weather complements the badlands, makes them even badder. I wanted to go there since I missed the scary midway movie set for Silent Hill that was at Cherry Beach. The fog and the rain and the bare trees were almost as scary as how long the wet clay clung to my boots, ooooohhh.

Green living is the life for me

Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside. The Green Living Show ran at the Direct Energy Centre in the CNE grounds, powered by hordes of hard working gerbils running in wheels and that giant windmill close by. An eco friendly fashion show was put on, emceed by Kelly Drennan, founder of Fashion Takes Action, and the models were fierce – I think it was the blue stripe on the face, maybe they were Scottish/Amazon eco-warriors.

Maybe they had to be fierce because there was a big bear wandering freely around the pine trees inside the hall, looking for fires, or smokers. The smokers were also fierce because they couldn’t smoke and there were so many home grown herbs around!

Visitors could always enjoy a tasty sample of brew at the craft beer tasting area. 

 Posted by Joe Hamilton.