Picturs ... sort of

We'll post some actual photos soon, but I just spent hours uploading the albums to facebook and am SPENT in the patience for uploading. BUT if you're not on facebook, you can still see the albums by going to the public link. There are 7 albums on the site!

Democracy? Are you there?

When I signed the petition to DEMAND DEMOCRATIC DEBATES, I left the following comments:

"How is it possible that Elizabeth May not be allowed to take part in the debates? Is this not a democracy? Did Stephen Harper choose to not attend the Olympics in China due to his opposition to the way their government opporated? Are we really standing up and saying that we are better - that we are an example? I think not!

The Greens are more than a one issue party, but most Canadians continue to view them this way. Why? Because they haven't heard from them in the media on any other issue! The media needs to stand up and take responsibility for the power they have over the public due to their ability to reach such vast numbers.

Are they going to cave into the Harper government, who threaten to "take their ball and go home" if May is allowed to take part? Are they that scared? Well, if they believe so strongly in their policies than they should be willing to stand up to her - or are they worried their policies won't stand up?

Absolutely ridiculous. I'm ashamed to be a Canadian today."

Do you agree? Please sign the petition, join the Facebook group, send an e-mail to your local media and, most important, TELL A FRIEND! I think many people do not realize this miscarriage of democracy is happening in our country. We're better than this. You don't have to be a Green or even believe in Green policy. You just have to agree that the media has a responsibility here. As a Canadian, it's up to you to DEMAND DEMOCRATIC DEBATES!

BAN THE BOTTLE!

The best Uptown article I've read in a while:

IS BOTTLED BETTER?

When it comes to water, Mike Warkentin doesn't think so - and he has a business plan to prove it

Mike Warkentin

Is bottled better? I'm going to start selling bottled water.

I'll call it Purity, or maybe Puri-T to suck a few dollars out of the iPod kids and hip hop fans, and it will come in a stylish clear bottle with trees and mountains and other nature bullshit. Maybe a brook or something.

All I really need is a pristine image, and I might even ditch the nature angle and go with an ultra-sleek label that will stand out and give the product some cachet with the hipsters who drive big SUVs and think recycling is a communist plot concocted by hobbits.

My bottling plant is going to be in my basement, and as for my supply of high-quality potable water, I'll just run a garden hose from the tap in my kitchen.

And I can legally do that.

As long as the sleek Puri-T label doesn't say 'mineral' or 'spring' water, I'm good to go, according to the Health Canada Q&A on bottled water. I don't need a licence to start my operation, either, and while my product could be inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, I'm pretty sure everything will be positively bitchin' given that Winnipeg already tests its water and I am not required to release any of my own test results to the public.

I'll get the operation running soon, before Winnipeg follows the lead taken by London, Ont.'s city council, which recently voted to ban the sale of bottled water at municipal facilities to cut down on waste and encourage people to drink tap water the city considers safe.

See, the suits in London think Canadian tap water is pretty clean. A bunch of reports even back up the claim that Canadian tap water is often just as safe as - or sometimes safer than - bottled water, including Water Proof 2: Canada's Drinking Water Report Card (Sierra Legal Defence Fund, 2006), as well as Survey of Bottled Drinking Water Available in Manitoba, Canada (Dr. Eva Pip of the University of Winnipeg, 2000).

That's not to say all bottled water is vile brew laced with more particles than the hot tub at Fun Mountain. Most of it is fine. All the studies are saying is that tap water stands up pretty well in a Pepsi Challenge with bottled water, both in terms of taste and composition - which is pretty rad for Puri-T considering bottled water usually sells for about 3,000 times more than tap water.

You just can't find profit margins like that anywhere other than the shady deals that go down at the Osborne Village Bell Tower.

But I'm banking on the fact that most people don't know about the studies and will be more than happy to buy Puri-T at about $1.50 a litre only because it's "bottled" and therefore must be good.

To kick-start the whole deal, I might even begin mentioning the Walkerton, Ont., water-contamination incident of 2000 to do a little fear-mongering: "Puri-T - because even one sick blond, blue-eyed child is too many."

Then I'm banking on making a pretty sweet chunk of change before Winnipeg gets around to placing more stringent regs on bottled water to keep the used containers out of our landfill sites.

But we aren't really a forward-thinking city, so I think Puri-T will be around for quite some time.

You should buy some.

Mike Warkentin is selling you tap water.

Getting close ...

I cannot believe that the cycle of wedding "events" is under way! I had my stagette last weekend (thank you SO MUCH to everyone who came out, it was such a blast!) and this weekend Matt's sister Merideth is hosting a shower for me. It's so weird to think of myself as having a shower - don't I just go to those things for other people who are getting married? Weird! Matt is getting taken out by the boys for the stag ... we'll see how that turns out - should I be afraid? On the 6th is the social. Be sure to check out the event on Facebook. For those who have avoided this addictive site, the social will be in Holland MB, about an hour outside of Winnipeg. You can get tickets from any of the bridal party (see past post introducing the crew on this blog) or by contacting Matt and myself (mtenbruggencate@gmail.com or mel.marginet@gmail.com - or call, but I'm not posting my phone number!) After that, it's time for the crazy weekend to begin! I'm so glad Matt and I have decided to keep everything low-key and relaxed, it's definitely kept the stress down. And, seriously, is all the details don't come together "perfectly"is anyone really going to notice? All we need is good food, good friends and good fun, and I'm sure with our guest list and amazing caterer, we're sure to have ALL of the above. That said, I did check my "to do" list and realized I forgot a few things. Always have a list - they'll save you in the end!

Seriously? Give me a break

James caught this blog by Elizabeth May. Following my post: Surprises? I think it is quite an important finding. It seems like Stephen Harper prefers to look at pictures of himself rather than, you know, Canadian landscapes, past leaders and all that nonsense. Can you say ... FRIGHTENING.

Good gravy, when is the next election? Get this yahoo out of here!!!