Random thoughts....

SPORTS!

I think I've found the definition of "SPORTS." "Those who can't spend a hell of a lot of money watching those that can!" I do respect their talents but MAN is it getting expensive to watch you gents/ladies perform.

AIR CANADA:

I've never been a big fan of unions, but I do understand why some businesses need them. (Read: Bad management) I am, however, mystified why somebody as smart as a pilot is stupid enough to play 'sick games' with International travelers.

Mom's with little children; students stuck on a spring break; businessmen delayed getting to important meetings; it really doesn't matter but you Pilots just became the same as a guy who stands on a corner with a sign slamming the people who pay your very salary while he warms up around a burning barrel.

Let YOUR guys get in a room with THEIR guys - throw a sandwich in every day or so - but pretend you're a JURY and get an agreement before an entire country goes wacko on the cockpit door.

AB vs AZ:

A 'hand done' car wash in Phoenix Arizona is priced - on average - at about "$6.00 plus tip" and I think I just paid $39 here for a machine done 'basic' car wash.

An oil change is - again on average - $19.00 compared to $50 plus here in Edmonton.

Competion is everything, as is the odd 'recession' to help keep prices down.

In contrast, however, is car registrations in Arizona which are about $285 for a new car compared to around $85 for ours. They DO have amazing highways and 'no potholes' however. Just sayin'

POLITICS:

Watching the current GOP (I still find it hard to call it the "Grand Old Party") search for a leader is one of the strangest things I've ever seen. Again seemingly really smart people argue about things in public forums for over a year til finally one of them wins the right to take on President Obama this fall.

At this point there still isn't a 'clear' winner in the Curly Larry and Moe sweepstakes.

MEDIA/bricks:

The Province of Alberta has close to 3 million people. It's one of the most vibrant Provinces in Canada and certainly it's impact on the WORLD through our vast resoures puts us in high regard throughout the globe.

At last count out of ALL media - radio, television, and newspapers - I cannot find ONE media that is owned and operated locally.

That simply is "sad!"

Recently several media companies have let go 'long time - highly respected General Managers' and have hired "Supervisors" to report back to Toronto on the stations activities.

I can't think of anything more disrespectful to their employees AND to the people who read, view or listen to their products in our dynamic cities!

A recent National newspaper article also says that Vancouver and Toronto find us "cocky and arrogrant." I'm ok with that!

AND...

MEDIA/bouquets:

Finally a big thank you to Sun Media.

As I have well chronicled over the past two years my daughter Rayanne is fighting a strange and seemingly endless disease (Graves!) and one of the most positive things you can give somebody who is fighting this is a giant 'positive' at the end of the fight to help keep their spirits up.

As such SUN MEDIA have offered to mentor her in Journalism and if you've read www.rayannesthoughts.blogspot.com you'll see her 'way with words' is quite natural; creative; and interesting.

She cannot work a full time job while going through this so an opportunity to learn from some of the best in the business is a supeb opportunity for which I say a giant THANK YOU to Gordon Norrie; Jose Rodriguez, Steve Serviss, Donna Harker and any other Edmonton Sun staff who may help Rayanne out ever the next few months.

It is 'greatly' appreciated!