2006-03-20, 08:58 PM — fund this, John Tory
I have to write about this here, because I cannot express how deeply this particular story distresses me.
If nothing else, it is a giant, flashing red warning to anyone who researches something John Tory doesn't feel is important. If you vote for this man, say goodbye to research grants.
I suspect he wouldn't have been interested in funding my lichen research, either, because it was a little removed from the air quality work Dan was doing.
He probably isn't so interested in the effects of urban noise and light pollution on screech owls. I doubt he gives a damn about dendrochronology.
Frankly, the ignorance that is painfully obvious behind his dismissive statements is appalling, and terrifying. I can't imagine how any biological researcher is going to feel safe if the Conservatives come into power in Ontario.
All this said, I do know that healthcare is important. I know that our resources are stretched. But it's so frigging hard to get funding for any sort of research that's not directly connected to human interests these days. And by "directly" connected I mean "having expressly to do with human health and welfare." The thing that John Tory is missing is that all knowledge, no matter how distant it seems from human interest, is in the human interest. The more we know, the better off we'll be in the long run. That kind of snarky, short-sighted attitude is absolutely abhorrent.
I think I'm going to write that researcher a letter of support. And if I can control my outrage, I might send John Tory a strongly worded letter of condemnation. Unfortunately, I suspect they tend to throw out letters that include the words "You and your small mind can go to hell."
2006-02-15, 01:34 PM — I'm on my way...
I have only a "few" more days of work here, which is kind of exciting. It's only kind of exciting because they haven't hired anyone to replace me yet, so I'm going to be coming back just to make sure they're not entirely screwed. Just for the record, there are two reasons I'm doing this: 1) I'm a very nice person. 2) My father owns the company. Both of those things make a difference.
However, my other job will take presidence.
Oh, my other job, you say?
Yes, I'm now a full-fledged interpreter at the Grand River Conservation Authority, which is a job I have wanted for a long, long time. I'm really excited about it and it's going to be fabulous. The people I will be working with are very, very nice and extremely talented; and I'm once again going to be doing the sort of work that I am really interested in. It's made such a huge difference in my outlook on life. I was so excited after my first evening of training that I couldn't sleep. I woke up at 6:00am with a whole bunch of craft and activity ideas jumping around in my brain. I didn't think I liked crafts and activities that much. Apparently I do.
2006-02-10, 10:42 PM — Olympic patience
A couple of observations:
1. Who the hell can blame athletes for not wanting to sit through the opening ceremonies? My god, I'm not even there and I've shut off the TV even though Brian Williams was assuring me that there's "lots more to come."
2. Peter Mansbridge is awesome. By far the best entertainment of the evening. The man is a news anchor, and you can tell, even when he's narrating interpretive dance.
3. I don't really have the sorts of friends who will sit and watch all the women's hockey games with me, and join me when I jump up and scream as they score the gold medal goal. This makes me kind of sad. fishy will join me, but he will look askance when I scream, and groan as he picks up the celebration popcorn.
4. I'm going to have to start saving for a ticket to the 2010 opening ceremonies, aren't I.