Decisions, Decisions

Well, the polls are open. All I have to do is head on down to the first floor of my building to cast my ballot. How convenient! The only problem... I still don't know who to cast my ballot for.

Election Day Tomorrow

Just doing my public service duty by informing my loyal readers (most of which are already aware) that tomorrow is election day here in Ontario. As an added bonus, it's also referendum day. The election of a new legislature is a yawn-fest in my opinion, with there being no real pressing issue facing the electorate. For this reason, I predict (as many others are) a return to power for the Liberals... not that I'll necessarily be voting for them.

However, this referendum is intriguing to me. The question being posed is whether we want to dump the current electoral system (first past the post) for a new system (mixed member proportional). The biggest flaws of the first past the post system is that it is difficult for smaller parties to gain seats and that a majority government can be won without a majority of popular vote, basically making the legislature not proportional to the popular vote in terms of party seats. Mixed member proportional will have the number of seats per party representative of the popular vote by introducing "list" members of provincial parliament. This is, in my opinion, MMPs biggest drawback. It will create two classes of MPPs, one who was elected in a riding and one who was appointed by a party. It's the party list MPPs that concern me. They will not be responsible for a constituency (although, the argument is that they represent the riding of "Ontario", which is a cop-out) and have the real possibility that they'll just turn into cushy jobs for big party supporters. Another drawback to the MMP system is that we will probably never get a majority government again. While I don't dislike minority governments, I would prefer that they not be in all the time. Tomorrow, I'll be voting "No".

I don't like this referendum, and I'll tell you why. I think that our system could use an update. First past the post does create an unbalanced number or party seats. I'd like a change... just not MMP. And this is the inherent problem with the question being asked tomorrow. If I vote for first past the post, it'll be saying I like that system... If I vote for mixed member proportional, it'll be saying, I think this is the system we need. Neither of those answers reflect my opinion. However, this is what I believe: Electoral reform is coming... whether it's this election or the next or another... it's coming. I'm voting for FPTP in the hopes that a better system will be proposed next time around. If MMP wins, it'll be a long time before another system is proposed. "What other systems?", you may ask. Well, I like the system that BC voted on recently, a variation of Single Transferable Vote , but it still has elements I don't like, as in multi member ridings. Another system, which is closer to our current FPTP, is Instant Runoff Voting, where one would rank all the candidates, and 50% of the vote would be required to become elected, and if 50% isn't reached, the lowest vote getter is dropped from the ballot. The drawback here is that the effect on the proportion of seats is muted, at best.

I suppose the bottom line is that no system is perfect, and it'll come down to personal preference for each voter. In any case, if you've skipped my unnecessarily long post to the end here, just get out and vote.

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As a side note: I read an article in the London Free Press this weekend (which I can't find online) where a series of questions was asked to the chairs of both the MMP and FPTP campaign. One question was what was the biggest problem with this referendum campaign. The MMP guy said the lack of information/education about MMP... which I think is understandable. But he went on to say that since the Citizen's Assembly on Electoral Reform voted 94-8 in favour of MMP, the popular vote should be in the same proportion (ie. 92% in favour of MMP). If it was less, he said, then the only explanation is that people didn't know about it. Since I couldn't find the article online to recheck it, I suppose there's a chance that I misread it... But if memory serves me correct, what arrogance! I suppose it couldn't possibly be because people don't like it? Anyway, that just stuck in my head.

The Changing Of The Seasons

So, the unseasonable (read: unbelievably) hot weather could have only meant one thing this past weekend. It's time to put the hard top back on the Jeep! Yes, as counter-intuitive as it seemed, I rode around with the top down one last time this weekend and then sealed it up for another winter. I think it might have been the first time I've had to use air-conditioning while the hard top is on (not counting the defroster). So, for everyone who missed out on some topless fun this summer, you'll now have to wait until next May.

There are only two seasons: Hard top and Soft top.

Today, We're All Undefeated

Glorious day! Tonight is the first game of the curling season. As it's the first game, tonight's match will only be an practice game, but it's the perfect opportunity to match last season's win total. Stay tuned...

The Yellow Tape

Last week, I finally bought myself of the Barenaked Ladies' pre-"Gordon" indie tape, known as the Yellow Tape. I got it for $16 on eBay, which, thanks to the flying-high Canadian Dollar, only cost me $16. It includes pre-"Gordon" versions of "Be My Yoko Ono", "Brian Wilson", "Blame It On Me", and "If I Had $1000000". Also, there's a cover of Public Enemy's "Fight The Power" for some reason.

The only drawback is that I had to get out and hook up my old stereo to be able to listen to it, since it's the only tape-deck I have. Now I just have to find some way of getting it on my computer. It seems my current computer only has mono sound input (ie. a microphone jack) and no stereo input (line-in). Anyway, those problems are small potatoes compared to the sheer awesomeness of this tape.

Slurpee Conditions Report

Today's Slurpee conditions are reported as: Excellent as of 8:00pm this evening.

Going Medieval

At the last minute, I was offered a ticket to go to Medieval Times tonight by Jessica to be a substitute for a bachelorette party (just don't ask). Not being a fool, I accepted, as Medieval Times is something I always wanted to check out. It was a really good time too... a good mix of cheesy theatre, choreographed battles, horses, and eating with your hands. Yeah, it was good.

But it also gave me a chance to really put my new GPS unit to work. After dropping my passengers off after the dinner/show somewhere near U of T, I told my GPS to direct me home. Along this route, I encountered not one, but two road closures in the city. As soon as it realized I wasn't taking the route it suggested, the GPS recalculted a new route... just like that. What a time saver not having to pull over and get out my map (hoping, of course, that my City of Toronto map is even in the car at that particular moment). Yep, I'm happy with that purchase.

Cleaning Out My Closet

So, I've found some resolve within myself to start straightening up my apartment. Not just cleaning, but organizing and/or getting rid of junk. My task started in my bedroom, where I've piled boxes of stuff in the closet... interesting stuff that does not have much use. I was surprised at some of the things stored within the boxes... a lot of school items, not just from University, but from High School as well. There were some notes, some group photographs from residence and from camp (both Hermosa and IMC), and things from the computer/internet guy job I had at the Mallroad Library in Sarnia back in the summer of 1998. But I think the most interesting thing I came across is the Vocational Interest Survey I did back when I was in OAC, right before deciding on what programs to apply to for University. Want to know what the computer said I'd be good at?

Out of 27 occupations, I ranked highest in Performing Arts, Physical Science and Teaching with scores of 93, 93, and 92, respectively out of 100. Where did Engineering rank? Sixth, with a score of 76 behind Mathematics and Human Relations. You want to know what I ranked lowest on? Social Services with a score of 5 out of 100. I just found it fascinating and a little nostalgic.

Oh, So THAT'S Where I Am

New toy! After seeing one in action in my coworker's car, last night I decided to pick myself up a GPS unit. It's great, because it can tell me how to get to the grocery store without getting lost... finally!

It's Pronounced With A "V", Stupid!

I finally got to go down to visit the brand newest Wilson, Daefyd, on Monday. He mostly slept... what a lazy kid. Also, Randy and I got to deliver Patrick and Lindsay's baby pool winnings. Most people have paid up, so they got a nice little baby bonus from all you chronic gamblers. I took no pictures, so you have to trust me that money changed hands. Anyway, Daefy is a cutie (as babies tend to be)... and he only threw up a couple times... which was pretty cool of him. In fact, he was pretty cool and low-key the entire time... which is more than can be said about Spicy.

Because one should aspire to be in Hamilton as little as possible, I made the visit in conjunction with a trip to the Ti-Cats/Argos game. Now most of you know that I must cheer for the Tiger Cats forever, since I drank out of their Grey Cup back in 1999 (for those of you who don't know the story, or if you just want to re-read it, I direct you to the blog post retelling of the story here). However, they're awful and it was the Argonauts that were victorious on this day. I can't feel too too bad, because before the game I got to briefly chat to an Argo cheerleader before the game (as she was selling me one of their calendars... how am I to say "no"?). Yeah, that was pretty much a high point right there.