... For those who don't know me, I collect toys. Its rather silly. I'm obsessed with the little diecast Pixar Cars. They have recent released a new 'series' where they have actually numbered each of the cars. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to FIND a list of all of the cars to give me an idea on how many there are!
Through about 2 or 3 hours of work, I've come up with a list. I would really like to keep an updated list; however, I'm not sure if blogspot can actually store just files. It would be handy then people can just look it up really quickly.
But there are a couple of problems, there are some of the toys have only been released in packs (Movie Moments and value packs).
The other problem that I have is that Mattel hasn't released any of the Pixar Cars Playsets here in Canada. I didn't know about them until a few months ago.
I think I'm going to end up spending a lot of money. But I think it'll be ok, because spending money is what keeps the economy going ... and the U.S. can really use it.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Enchanted ...
.... I love this movie.
Go and watch it. You'll be happy that you did!
Go and watch it. You'll be happy that you did!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Canadian Politics ...
A few people have mentioned to me that I talk about American politics quite a bit more. Frankly its because there is an election going on down there and essentially its an 11-month election from start to finish. But, here is an entry about our Canadian politics.
The Globe and Mail article, "Ontario set to become 'have-not' province: Flaherty" basically says that Ontario will soon need the support of the rest of Canada. Equalization payments will (eventually - maybe) made to the most populous province. If you think about it, Flaherty is right. With the strong Canadian dollar (against the U.S. Greenback) and the looming recession in the States, its no surprise that Ontario will begin to struggle with its heavy, heavy dependence on manufacturing. This is just yet another volley in the bickering between Ontario and Ottawa. Honestly, I'm siding with Flaherty. Flaherty makes comments earlier that Ontario should cut its corporate taxes. McGuinty complained that there just isn't enough money to do that. Well, that maybe true, but if you CUT taxes, more businesses will come to Ontario and thus you won't lose as much as last year's books would indicate. A little short term pain for long term gain. That's the problem with McGuinty, he seems to be way to short sighted. The thing is that huge deficits became all the rage in the late 90s and early 00s. Then shorted sighted governments passed a law saying deficits should be illegal. This really just handcuffs governments only to look to the very short term. Allowing small (not excessive) deficit spending is a necessity even in the business world.
One of the major sticking points between the federal and Ontario governments, is government assistance for manufacturing companies. Governments have no business in bailing out the manufacturing sector, especially the auto industry (that's an entirely different post). Why should the Federal government bail out (potentially) poorly run businesses? Or companies that are making things people cannot currently afford? The economy will right itself, companies will still manufacture products and there will still be jobs (perhaps not as many, but there will still be jobs). This isn't Ottawa's problem. This isn't a government problem. In times of down turn (which we are rapidly approaching or currently in the midst of), the companies that do survive not only build better products but build them more efficiently. Thus better for international competition. What would people think if oil and gas prices plummeted and the government stepped in and bailed out them out? People would just ask why and say its not justified. They made billions and billions of dollars 'gauching' us already, they don't need it. Its a matter of perspective.
The Globe and Mail article, "Ontario set to become 'have-not' province: Flaherty" basically says that Ontario will soon need the support of the rest of Canada. Equalization payments will (eventually - maybe) made to the most populous province. If you think about it, Flaherty is right. With the strong Canadian dollar (against the U.S. Greenback) and the looming recession in the States, its no surprise that Ontario will begin to struggle with its heavy, heavy dependence on manufacturing. This is just yet another volley in the bickering between Ontario and Ottawa. Honestly, I'm siding with Flaherty. Flaherty makes comments earlier that Ontario should cut its corporate taxes. McGuinty complained that there just isn't enough money to do that. Well, that maybe true, but if you CUT taxes, more businesses will come to Ontario and thus you won't lose as much as last year's books would indicate. A little short term pain for long term gain. That's the problem with McGuinty, he seems to be way to short sighted. The thing is that huge deficits became all the rage in the late 90s and early 00s. Then shorted sighted governments passed a law saying deficits should be illegal. This really just handcuffs governments only to look to the very short term. Allowing small (not excessive) deficit spending is a necessity even in the business world.
One of the major sticking points between the federal and Ontario governments, is government assistance for manufacturing companies. Governments have no business in bailing out the manufacturing sector, especially the auto industry (that's an entirely different post). Why should the Federal government bail out (potentially) poorly run businesses? Or companies that are making things people cannot currently afford? The economy will right itself, companies will still manufacture products and there will still be jobs (perhaps not as many, but there will still be jobs). This isn't Ottawa's problem. This isn't a government problem. In times of down turn (which we are rapidly approaching or currently in the midst of), the companies that do survive not only build better products but build them more efficiently. Thus better for international competition. What would people think if oil and gas prices plummeted and the government stepped in and bailed out them out? People would just ask why and say its not justified. They made billions and billions of dollars 'gauching' us already, they don't need it. Its a matter of perspective.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Michigan and Florida ...
... What? You want your cake and eat it too!?
I'm talking about the Democrat Primaries in the U.S. Earlier this year, these two states decided (against the Democrat National Party's wishes) to hold their Primaries 'early', before Super Duper Tuesday (February 5th, 2008). Michigan held their Primary on January 15, 2008 and Florida held theirs on January 29th, 2008. The consequences? Their delegates that they send to the National Convention in August, do NOT get a say. Why did these states do this? I would assume because they wanted to have a 'bigger say' in the selection of the Democrat's presidential nominee. However, in doing this, they got nothing. And what happened? Well, Clinton and Obama are deadlocked in a tight race for the nomination. Not, only did they lose their delegate votes at the convention, but really they had no say or influence in the race.
There should be NO re-vote. It is THEIR fault for holding their primaries early. They knew what the consequences were. This is simply giving both Michigan and Florida what they have always wanted, a bigger say in the selection of the Presidential nominee. That is was the initial reasoning behind moving up their primaries. They had their primaries, they broke the rules, they have to live with the consequences of the rules they broke.
I'm talking about the Democrat Primaries in the U.S. Earlier this year, these two states decided (against the Democrat National Party's wishes) to hold their Primaries 'early', before Super Duper Tuesday (February 5th, 2008). Michigan held their Primary on January 15, 2008 and Florida held theirs on January 29th, 2008. The consequences? Their delegates that they send to the National Convention in August, do NOT get a say. Why did these states do this? I would assume because they wanted to have a 'bigger say' in the selection of the Democrat's presidential nominee. However, in doing this, they got nothing. And what happened? Well, Clinton and Obama are deadlocked in a tight race for the nomination. Not, only did they lose their delegate votes at the convention, but really they had no say or influence in the race.
There should be NO re-vote. It is THEIR fault for holding their primaries early. They knew what the consequences were. This is simply giving both Michigan and Florida what they have always wanted, a bigger say in the selection of the Presidential nominee. That is was the initial reasoning behind moving up their primaries. They had their primaries, they broke the rules, they have to live with the consequences of the rules they broke.
Friday, March 07, 2008
This Winter ...
.... I'm sick of it. I'm quite ready for spring. I was ready for spring three weeks ago.
Yet another storm, yet another 15 cm of snow. On the bright side, looks like I won't be leaving my apartment this weekend.
Yet another storm, yet another 15 cm of snow. On the bright side, looks like I won't be leaving my apartment this weekend.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Bad Canada ...
... The Republican nominee for President is John McCain. Hooray. This should have happened 8 years ago. On the Democrats sides, its even more up in the air. HIlary managed to squeak out wins in Ohio and Texas. No thanks to the Canadian Foreign Affairs office. Yes, Canada has meddled in the American democratic process.
For those who don't know, someone in the Canadian government leaked a memo to the Clinton campaign, that there was a meeting with Obama's advisers regarding the NAFTA issue. The memo essentially stated that Obama's position on renegotiations is simply posturing and should be taken with a grain of salt. Essentially, the memo screwed over Obama in Ohio where NAFTA is a huge issue. Furthermore, it allowed Clinton to tighten up the race and have the Democrats continue to fight in the late April.
This is bad. Really bad. This is probably the worst thing a foreign government could do to another country. Its like Bush coming to Canada and saying that he supports Stephen Dion for Prime Minister in the next general election. Now, that would really change the political landscape. Support for Dion would probably take a hit because everyone hates Bush.
There is one positive. Its nice to know that Obama knows where Canada is ...
For those who don't know, someone in the Canadian government leaked a memo to the Clinton campaign, that there was a meeting with Obama's advisers regarding the NAFTA issue. The memo essentially stated that Obama's position on renegotiations is simply posturing and should be taken with a grain of salt. Essentially, the memo screwed over Obama in Ohio where NAFTA is a huge issue. Furthermore, it allowed Clinton to tighten up the race and have the Democrats continue to fight in the late April.
This is bad. Really bad. This is probably the worst thing a foreign government could do to another country. Its like Bush coming to Canada and saying that he supports Stephen Dion for Prime Minister in the next general election. Now, that would really change the political landscape. Support for Dion would probably take a hit because everyone hates Bush.
There is one positive. Its nice to know that Obama knows where Canada is ...
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