Ukraine Presidential Candidate Poisoned?

I've been following the weird and sad story of Viktor Yushchenko, a man who was running to become president of the Ukraine. Over four trying days in September in the middle of his David vs. Goliath run against the Moscow-backed political establishment, the once-robust 50-year-old Yuschenko fell mysteriously ill and there has been an astonishing transformation in his appearance.

"The dramatic changes that you see in Yushchenko are extreme," said Dr. Barney Kenet, a dermatologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital. "There is swelling of his eyelids, his nose, and an overall enlargement of his face with pebbly skin."

What caused his sudden transformation has baffled some of the best European doctors, ABC reported. And his story has quickly taken on all the qualities of a spy novel. He accuses his political opponents of poisoning him. His doctors are investigating whether his symptoms were the result of biological weapons. One specialist received death threats while treating him, and asked for police protection, ABC reported.

Through it all, the indefatigable politician is leading a widening and exhausting popular rally against the election last weekend that, he says, unfairly denied him his country's presidency.
ABC reported he vows to keep fighting and says that nothing can make him give up. As of today, the fight continues.


Before and after!

Everyone Has a Twin

I always thought that Will Ferrell and Chad Smith (drummer for The Red Hot Chili Peppers) looked like brothers. See for yourself.


Separated at birth?

Too much water is risky...unbelievable!

I just read an article on www.canoe.ca that says too much water is bad for you. It looks like people who are taking large volumes of fluid develop protein in the urine which causes kidney damage over an extended period of time.

Read the article on the Canoe website by clicking here.

Winter Sucks!

Today was the first morning of difficult driving conditions, and it really wasn't that bad. Still, it took me 40 minutes to get to work instead of the usual 15-20. I often take a less-travelled road for most of the way to bypass all the traffic. Because it was less travelled, it was pretty slippery this morning and at one point I slid three times while braking...I couldn't stop! Pretty freakin' scary. I had left enough space between me and the cars ahead of me that I was in no danger of hitting them. In the words of Dustin Hoffman, "I'm an excellent driver."

This brings me to my point of how much I hate winter. Every year my hatred for it grows. What is its purpose people?! Taffic jams, cold weather, expensive heating bills, shovelling...all stress inducing. I think the only reason we have winter is so we can appreciate all the other seasons that much more. It's going to be a long four months!

Another Lovely Oil Spill

As much as 170,000 litres of oil could have dumped into the ocean during a malfunction aboard the Terra Nova oil platform off the coast of Newfoundland. Petro-Canada estimates only about 20 to 25 per cent of the oil will be recovered. The rest will dissipate into the ocean and eventually break down.

When were we ever given the keys to this planet and why? The way we treat it is similar to the way teenagers treat the house when parents are on vacation. The transgressions on the Earth however aren't remedied with Mr. Clean.

The Grudge

This movie gave me goosebumps. I haven't been this freaked out in a long time. It was tense right from the beginning and it never let you relax. The Japanese horror movies are pretty cool...remember The Ring? I think it's the way they have the possesed move...robotic-like. Check it out!

Scott Feschuk of the National Post

This guy makes me laugh out loud! He writes for the National Post newspaper...Sports and Arts & Life sections. If you get a chance to read any of his articles, you'll be hooked to his comical writing style. His NFL predictions are the best thing since sliced bread.

I recently found out that he wrote some speeches for Paul Martin during his past campaign.

I'm not sure if his site works but you can give it a try... www.scottfeschuk.com.

Pinball Makes History

CFL Factoid: Congrats to Pinball Clemons, coach of the Toronto Argonauts, who will become the first black head coach in Grey Cup history. There's never been a black head coach in the Superbowl either.

Imlach: Satan #2

I'm just about finished reading '67: The Maple Leafs, Their Sensational Victory and the End of an Empire, and have come to this conlcusion. Not only was Harold Ballard the devil who caused the Leafs to become the laughingstock of the NHL from the proud franchise they were with Conn Smythe at the helm, but Punch Imlach was just as much of an asshole. During the 60's, he gutted the Leafs' core of young players and stars because they didn't get along and traded them for money which he used for personal reasons, as did Stafford Smythe and Ballard. How they won championships during the 60's says more about the players than about ownership and management. Imlach did the same thing when he re-joined the Leafs in the late 70's by trading away Lanny McDonald to prove a point to Darryl Sittler that no one should challenge him as coach.

The Leafs haven't played a game this year yet through this book, are still giving me ulcers.

The Swan

I watched most of this show last night for the first time with my mouth open in disbelief. People, this show has sunk to levels I thought I'd never see while lucid. People write in to this show, hoping that they'll be selected, to undergo cosmetic surgery and liposuction, under the guise that this will make their life better. The phony tension created by the ditzy host is so bad that it makes me scream with rage. Apparently, on this show, the bigger you boobs get, the more self-confidence you'll have and therefore become a better person. What a great way for kids to learn values! I guess television caters to all types of IQs.

26 minutes, 16 seconds

I did a 5 kilometre run at Sunnybrook Park this past Saturday and ran my fastest time yet...26 minutes and 16 seconds. That was tough! I plan on training harder to run it in under 25 minutes.

Raptors win!

The Toronto Raptors win their season opener over Houston. This season is the perfect opportunity for them to widen their fan base. With no hockey, the Leaf fan may tune in to the Raptors more often.

Bush wins...surprising to me

Am I missing something? I thought change was inevitable?


Look at Bush's book!

How did you get your licence?

I wasn't aware of the rule that states when driving in a light mist, you must go 20 km/h slower than the posted speed limit. SOME PEOPLE SHOULD JUST TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION...I'LL PAY FOR IT!

This "work stoppage" is shambles

Here are a few comments on this NHL strike/work stoppage/lockout...whatever it is, it's getting ridiculous. The reasons behind the stoppage may not be ridiculous; the league is losing money, the players might be making too much, the owners are idiots for signing them to lucrative contracts and the game is watered-down due to too many teams in non-hockey cities.

I can't take this strike seriously if most of the NHLers are going to Europe to play. In a strike, you are sacrificing for the good of the union or the group. Where's the sacrifice here! You're going to Europe and getting paid AND taking jobs from Europeans. Don Cherry complains about Europeans coming to the NHL and taking Canadian jobs. Well the tide has turned and I haven't heard him say anything about Canadians taking away European jobs. It's hard to get behind the players when most are still making great money. Again, where's the sacrifice?

Let's imagine you worked for Bell Canada and all the employees went on strike to demand better working conditions. You are home pinching pennies, trying to figure out how to pay the bills, when you hear about half of your co-workers deciding to work for Rogers. What is the point? Where is the sacrifice? Your life really hasn't changed. I undestand that the players need to make money to survive...most owners are making money through their other business ventures. The thing that bothers me the most is that they could have done something about it way before the Collective Bargaining Agreement expired but both sides couldn't get a deal done...egos always get in the way.

It's frustrating for us, the fans, because we have no say in it and we're at their mercy. I love hockey but will I love it the same when they decide to come back? I haven't missed hockey yet but I know I will soon. Perhaps there is a way to let the NHL know that we won't take it anymore. Check this link out.

Ozzy sings the Bee Gees?

Today on 97.7 HTZ.fm I heard Ozzy Osbourne sing the Bee Gees' tune, Stayin' Alive. Whaddup with that? The Apocalypse is near folks!