Just Bitchin’ – Unions & Public Sector

Jul11

I’ve been  afraid to allow myself to embark on this subject – I get so hot under the collar I just might say some very inappropriate things.  However, an article in today’s “Ottawa Sun” has me at my computer, hoping to remain lady-like in my comments.

While I understand how unions came into being in the manufacturing world – how on earth did they ever get such a strangle hold in the public sector?  There has never been poor working conditions….there has never been mistreatment of staff (other than the occasional nasty superior which happens anywhere)…..there has always been (at least as long as I can remember) decent wages and more than decent benefits.  You only have to be sitting in a government department at 4:05 pm to know that, in general, nobody is asked to over-exert themselves!

I know….I know….there are always some exceptions – but I’ve been there – both as an employee and as a contractor!  I also spent 30 years in private sector (some of it as a contractor on public sector work sites).

Yet here we are, our public sector is union-driven.  Teachers are being encouraged to “work to rule” – goodness knows – if you stay after school to coach a sports team, or to help students in need of some extra time, you might make somebody else look bad.  Our municipal, provincial and federal workers – who get annual increases no matter how they do their jobs – feel over burdened.  Somebody has been telling them that working a 7.5 hour day with coffee breaks is hard labour.  A month in a private sector job would be a major eye-opener.

Sigh.  What I really want to say is that in today’s world (and especially in public sector), unions seem to be doing more harm than good.  They work for themselves, not for their members and certainly not for the greater good.  They use hard core tactics to ensure their survival (e.g. mandatory membership, mandatory picketing, etc).  They share, in large measure, with Dalton McGuinty, responsibility for the financial mess our province is in today.  They create and encourage an environment of “entitlement”.

Times have changed.  It is time for more change.

Just Bitchin’ – Favourite Restaurants

Jul7

There is nothing like enjoying a good meal at a favourite restaurant – and there are a few on my list.

Today I had lunch with friends at BRIGADOON – a lovely restaurant with fabulous food located in Oxford Mills.  It is well worth the drive.  And here’s a tip:   You don’t have to go to The Empress in Victoria  to enjoy afternoon tea – Brigadoon offers the whole 9 yards, including little sandwiches and mini cream puffs, scones with preserves and devon cream, custard tarts with fresh fruit – is your mouth watering yet? The house was built in 1853 and the owners have gone to great care to preserve original fixtures and the Victorian ambiance.  The menus for lunch and for dinner will leave you torn when trying to make a decision.

What else is on my list of favourites?

THE LONE STAR always makes my list.  I’ve had fajitas in Dallas, I’ve had fajitas in San Antonio – but nowhere do they make better fajitas than our very own Lone Star restaurants.  Of course many other things are on the menu – I just don’t usually get around to them.  Give me a platter of fajitas and a pitcher of sangria and I’m a happy camper.  Word to the wise:  it may take a few days to get the mesquite smell out of your clothes – so best to leave jackets in the car!!

It may be more because Tuesdays are half-price wine nights (ya think???)  – or because there is a great round corner table that will seat a group of 8 to 9 people than because of the actual food (which is fine but not fantastic) – but MOXIES at Kanata Centrum is a great place to go – on a Tuesday night – with a group of friends who like wine.

If you don’t mind the noise level, POCO PAZZO makes the list of dining establishments with wonderful food.  They now have two locations – one at Hazeldean Road and Stittsville Main and another on March Rd in the new Sobey’s plaza.  The jumbo shells filled with a veal mixture and topped with gorgonzola sauce is one of my favourites – never on the menu – but often one of the “specials”.  I’ve never had anything other than a great meal in either location.

So – let’s dress it down a bit and get more casual.  THE WORKS makes a mean burger – if you can wend your way through the menu and the 50+ burger options on it.   The “Tower of Rings” is an absolute must – there aren’t better onion rings ANYWHERE!  But unless you are really really hungry, be prepared to share – it’s a lot of food!!

Fish and Chips brings two restaurants to mind:  LAPOINTE’S and THE GLEN.  Lapointe’s (in Kanata and Bells Corners) has provided fresh fish to Ottawa folk for years and years – the first shop being on the Byward Market.  Fish is fresh, batter is light and the ff’s are like real chip wagon fries. The zucchini appetizer is absolutely yummy – but huge – so it’s another dish to share with a friend.   The Glen is a Scottish restaurant in the same plaza as Poco Pazzo – and features all sorts of scottish delights (food as well as drink), including a great fish and chips plate.  The Glen did a Robbie Burns night complete with scotch tasting this year – an event I would be happy to make an annual booking in my calendar.

If it’s something spicy you are looking for – I would recommend HOST INDIA on Montreal Road.  They offer a lunch and supper buffet with an absolutely amazing Butter Chicken.  The buffet isn’t large, but the food is excellent.

For Chinese, I return, year after year to MAPLE COURT on Kakulu.  The egg rolls are almost as good as those at the Golden Palace and it’s closer to home!!  They offer a small (but yummy) buffet Wednesday through Sunday evenings.  The family has managed this little place since 1983 so they must be doing something right.

JACK ASTOR’S makes the very best chicken caesar salad ever – they add real bacon bits, fresh parmeson and likely thousands of calories in the salad dressing – but it works.

When it comes to breakfast – there are a few that pass the test:  CORA’S and PERKINS immediately come to mind.  And then, for sheer location and view, try CONSTANCE LAKE LODGE – a 1930’s float-plane base right on the lake!

I could go on and on – but I’m making myself hungry.  I have, no doubt, missed several that should be included here.

What are your favourite places to eat……and why?  Let’s share information!!

 

 

 

 

Just Bitchin’ – McGuinty is at it Again

Jul3

I heard “through the grapevine” that the cost of renewing our license plate stickers is going to increase – and then increase – and then increase again.

Trying to find this information on the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s website is like looking for a needle in a haystack – obviously they don’t want us to find it!!!

However – here’s the scoop.

As of September 1, 2012, the renewal price is going up from $74 to $82.  That’s a 10.8% increase.   Then, in  2013 (and I believe it is January), the cost will go up again, to $90 (another 9.8% increase).  In  2014, another increase to $98.00 (+8.9%).  All together, the jump from $74 to $98 represents an increase of 32.4%.  Nice work if you can get it!

As painful as this is, there will be  some of you who can delay the pain.  If your birthday is after September 1, 2012,  go and purchase your new 2-year license plate sticker at the current $74/year cost BEFORE the Sept 1st deadline.  The system apparently allows you to buy the renewal stickers up to 6 months in advance.  It may not be a huge savings – but it is one more tax grab from this Liberal government that you won’t have to deal with for a few years.

Just Bitchin’ – Happy Canada Day!

Jul1

We are a country of nearly 33.5 million people.  Think about that.  It’s a big number!

We, apparently, rank 5th on the “world happiness report”.  Wonder what that means?  Are we only somewhat happy?  Who ranked first and how are they different from us?  Maybe a shorter winter – or maybe even no winter at all!!!  Maybe lower taxes?  Maybe fewer politicians?

Just under 15% of all Canadians are over the age of 65.  I am only speaking for myself of course – but I am mostly glad to be part of this group of “seniors”.  Granted, my income has shrunk considerably, my body has started to fall apart and there are days when I’m convinced my mind is keeping in lock step with my body – but ohhhhhh the benefits! – no more stress from a “must-do” job…….no more panty hose…..on most mornings, no more alarm clock…..no time restriction on lunches…..I can play bridge in the afternoons, no more Saturday grocery shopping……etc. etc.  We can’t change our age so we might as well find ways to enjoy it, right?

The average Canadian is expected to live to be 81.1 years old and there are 5,825 people living in Canada who are more than 100 years old!!  Wonder what their secrets are?  Are they the ones drinking the average 4L of beer, 1.9 L of wine and 2.1L of spirits a year?  Are they the ones drinking 2.8 cups of coffee each day?  Are they part of the 40% who have a favourable opinion of Don Cherry?   I’d like to know the answer to these questions.

The Canadian flag is proudly flying from my front porch and I will watch the celebrations on Parliament Hill from the air-conditionned comfort of my living room, feeling lucky…….very lucky……to be living in such a great country.

Just Bitchin’ – Moving To Florida

Jun28

My oldest nephew, his wife, 2 children, 3 cats and 1 very large dog are moving to the Orlando area of Florida from North Vancouver.

I’m very excited for them – this will be a family adventure.  They’re driving one of the cars (plus the dog) to get there!  I was curious enough to discover that this is at least 52 hours of non-stop driving.  I hope they are all speaking to one another when they arrive at their final destination.  I also hope they get to see a few of the spectacular sights along the way – there won’t be a lot of time for sight-seeing!!

The new home looks absolutely divine – complete with screened in lanai and swimming pool.  I’m hoping I can combine a visit (I haven’t been invited yet) with an item that has been on my bucket list longer than getting a tattoo was – swimming with dolphins.  Since the new home is probably within reach of Discovery Cove – I just might get this one crossed off the list before too many more years pass by.  A little bird told me that swimming with dolphins is a favourite of my great-niece so I might even have company!!

British Columbia’s loss will be Central Florida’s gain!!  Lots of luck with the move J&C!!

My 3 nephews will soon be spread all over the continent – one in Toronto, one in the Vancouver area and one near Orlando!  Wonder where family events will take place?

Just Bitchin’ – Next trip planned – WOO HOO!

Jun27

Just booked the next “big” trip – for 2013!

Heading to Provence, Monaco and Tuscany on what they call “a leisure tour” (by bus, but with multiple nights in each of 3 hotels).

I’m way beyond wanting to (or even being able to) pack my suitcase to have it outside the door at 6am each morning to move on to the next place!  This sounds lovely – and we get to train through (and eat lunch somewhere at) Cinque Terre on the northern part of the Italian Riviera – a place that has been on my wish list.  Our stays will be in Avignon, Monaco and Florence.  Doesn’t that sound darned near perfect……and with good friends too!!

WOO HOO!  Now to save the money!!!

 

Just Bitchin’ – OC Transpo – ???

Jun25

In this morning’s Sun there is an article quoting the new Union VP as saying that worker morale is now the top priority.  Sharon Bow has been a bus driver herself for 21 years so one would think she should know what she is talking about.  The drift of the article was about scheduling and the stress it puts on the drivers.  She had my sympathy right up to the place where she said “our riders are an important part of our job”.  GOOD GRIEF WOMAN!  WITHOUT RIDERS, THERE WOULDN’T BE ANY JOBS FOR BUS DRIVERS, BUS MECHANICS, MANAGEMENT – ANYONE!!

I am retired, so I don’t ride the buses anymore although I did so for many years, living in Kanata and working downtown.  If those at OC Transpo don’t feel that the riders are THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of their jobs, there isn’t much hope for the entire organization.

I agree that worker morale, scheduling, working conditions, and so on are important but riders are the bread and butter of OC Transpo.  Salaries (thanks to unions and our city council) will go up every year and so must ridership or this pony won’t trot….or whatever the expression is.  Without a consistent increase in riders, OC Transpo and the Union representing their workers, won’t have things like scheduling or salaries to worry about.

Personally, I think any increases in costs associated with running OC Transpo should be directly tied to how well they are doing as measured by ridership numbers.  Increase ridership, reward the organization and its members.  Geesh!  Does that sound too much like private sector thinking?

Just Bitchin’ – Now this is HOT!

Jun21

Surely the skies will open up soon and relieve us of this heat and humidity!  It’s too hot to put a foot outside the door!

I remember living without central air – we would all head down to the basement during those much less frequent heat waves……or, some years later, that one room with a window unit in it became the place to be!

Officially, we aren’t having a heat wave unless the temperature, in the shade and without the humidity factored in, reaches 32C three days in a row.  Isn’t that just too ridiculous.

Just Bitchin’ – Allan Hubley on Garbage Collection

Jun20

I knew there was somebody at City Hall with some common sense to bring to the table.

In today’s Sun, Hubley suggests that City Staff take a look at costs/savings for a process where we dump all of our garbage, together, into however many containers we need weekly, we have one pick-up and then the City does the sorting into the various recyclables, landfill, etc.

For sure, if they do their job, we would very quickly achieve all targets in terms of landfill avoidance (something we are not even inching towards on our own).

Given fewer garbage trucks and fewer drivers, an ability to meet the commitments to green bin tonnage we are already paying for, and yes, some costs associated with sorting – it sounds like a win-win scenario to me.

I certainly hope this idea is given serious consideration.

Any thoughts?

Just Bitchin’ – Cattitude

Jun20

I know….I know…..Cattitude is most definitely not a real word – but for anyone who has cats at home, it says it all!!

Take Herbie, for example

Where’s my Beer?

Who me?  I didn’t do anything!

I wonder what he is thinking?

Just hanging around!

Herbie is the one with the innocent face who usually instigates all of the scuffles and then watches the fireworks as they unfold!

or, for that matter – Blaze

 Such a stressful life!

Nobody will find me under here!

 This box is NOT too small!

What’s your point?

Blaze is the softie – the snuggler – and the eating machine.  I have to stand over them to make sure he only eats his own food and not everyone else’s while he’s at it!

and then there is the Grand Dame…..Olivia.  It isn’t as easy to get pictures of her – she’s camera shy – and she’s a dark colour!  She puts up with the boys – but just barely – and often puts them in their “rightful” place.  This elegant little chocolate brown lady can become a she-wolf when she wishes to show her “I was here first” cattitude.

Sun Bathing

 Ever watchful – where are those two brats?

 Solitude!

 What’s not to love?

There are times I wonder about my sanity in having three cats – but then there are times I wonder about my sanity for all sorts of other reasons as well.  I don’t wonder for long ……as Blaze would say…..”What’s the Point?”

How could you not love these little critters????