Phendrana Drifts

A couple of observations and thoughts I've had the past little bit. I know, I should have had more than a couple in two weeks, and chances are I have, but these are all that come to mind as I sit down to blog.

First, the Government of Alberta is on track to generate $1.24 billion of gambling revenue this year. Shedding the government speak, that means Albertans lost $1.24 billion of their money to legal gambling. That is $413 for every person in Alberta. Now, taking away the children who likely don't gamble, and people like who don't gamble (my computer lets me play games for free - although I don't get $50 when I win) we are likely talking thousands of dollars per person among those who regularly gamble. I'm no expert, but that sounds like a huge social problem. Unlike others, I have no objections on using the funds to pay for my health care and education systems, but the amount is still pretty staggering.

Second, Christmas is coming. It appears to have snuck up on me, because I am totally unprepared. Six weeks to do everything. I'm going to have to write a list, because at this stage my normal "I'll do things as I think of them" approach is not going to work.

Third, interesting stuff is coming out of Ottawa. As a historian, I believe my thoughts now would be important to study, as a kind of what people were thinking at the time. But the other part of the historian in me wants to completely reserve judgement - wait 20 or so years, so I can properly assess what is going on. Still, the very concept of the government falling in a vote of confidence is pretty awesome, in the political geek sense. I like elections the way others like Desperate Housewives or hockey, and this is the equivalent, as Rick Mercer has said, the Stanley Cup playoffs for political geeks. Perhaps in another perspective, not since I was a single year of age has a Canadian government lost a vote of confidence and not since the time of John A. MacDonald has the federal government been accused of such financial debauchery. Astounding stuff.

For the interested, yes, I want to go to the polls, and yes I hope the people of Canada exact terrible revenge on the Liberal party which stole their money. I know, the polls suggest that is not likely going to happen, given people's inherent (and to some degree, deserved) fear of the Conservatives and Harper. Still, the Conservatives haven't stolen anyones cash recently and I firmly believe that governments should fear the power of democracy. Without a swift kick to their ass, I'm not sure the Liberals have any reason to fear elections, democracy or the electorate.

And finally, the fourth Harry Potter movie comes out tomorrow. That is exciting, because the book was very good (ranked only behind the Mud-Blood Prince in my opinion) and the reviews are pretty positive. Plus, I'm pretty stoked about seeing the dragon. I like dragons.

And while I am thinking of it, Civilization IV continues to dominate my spare time - enough so Allie is thinking about (please tell me it is only at the contemplation stage and not at implementation) imposing a ban on playing it for awhile. And yes, loyal book club participants, I am getting closer to finishing Pattern Recognition. I have a draft thought list and will post as soon as I finish it, which if the ban goes into place will occur about two hours after the ban takes effect.

So I have had a painful week and am about to head into another one. Sigh.

Still Civilization IV is awfully good. I'm on my fifth full game as I type, a hot seat game with Wes. I can't get over how much I love this game. Lots of depth, lots of polish, lots of strategic and imperial goodness.

I have the strange feeling poor blog that you and I are becoming, for lack of a better term, estranged. First and foremost, I know that the blog itself is not a real person, so perhaps estrangement is not the right word. But I don't share with you poor blog, not at all like I used to. I can't help but wonder why...

I have a weekend alone. Well, not alone, as I have charges to mind (I mean that with kindness and some degree of jest) and I WILL finish Pattern Recognition this weekend, even if it kills me. Plus, I need some reflective time. But I'm not sure I wanted to be outright without company. Still, I will endeavour to use my time to the utmost. My to-do list:

~~Secure our wireless network~~
Read Pattern Recognition
Play some Civilization IV with Wes
Make food instead of ordering food
Get stuff together, and a solid two month plan - both personal and familal...
Assemble a Christmas list for Allie
Begin cleaning my room

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