She likes it! Karina likes it!

Wonderful dinner last night at Zucca with Aash, Graham, Itch, Preeti and Lynne. There was an excellent vegetarian antipasto plate with sunchoke and radicchio that everyone seemed to greatly enjoy and Karina very much liked her rissoto.

Of course the focus of the night were the wines. The '97 La Fleur-Petrus was nice (although not sensational) but the '85 Dow's was fantastic. This was Karina's first port - what a place to start! - and she thought it was delicious. Very nice and jammy, with that classic vanilla edge.

Weird News:Man keeps drinking beer during arrest

OK, not so much weird as just damn sad:

(Yahoo News) Patrick Allain, 35, faces numerous charges after his arrest Monday night, the fourth time he's been arrested for driving while intoxicated. Police say he hit two other cars and initially refused to stop when officers tried to pull him over.

When he finally stopped, Allain allegedly continued to drink a 40-ounce bottle of beer, telling officers, 'You can charge me with whatever you want. It's not going to stop me from drinking and driving.'

Post Holiday Blog Update

It's surprising to note that my last entry in this blog was on the 22nd and was about Turkmenistan! Then again, given how busy it has been over the past few weeks I hope that I can be forgiven for not pounding out blog content.

I've returned to work today after the weekend and days off for Christmas and Boxing Day. The 22nd and 23rd were spent largely shopping and gift-wrapping as on the 24th Karina and I headed up to Caledon for dinner and Evensong with the family (Neal, Sarah and Matthew are all in town). After an early morning wake up on the 25th, we opened presents and had breakfast then drove to Toronto for Walsh present opening and then a party at PJ's. Was a hectic but overall very enjoyable day, the big news being that the Walshes are going to get a dog.

Yesterday Karina and I headed back to Caledon for our annual Boxing Day buffet with the Claflins - it was a very nice visit and the babies were in fine form.

Tonight is the annual friends dinner - this year at Zucca.

Turkmenistan in Turmoil

Turkmenistan's authoritarian president Saparmurat Niyazov - Turkmenbashi - who ruled the Central Asian country for 21 years, died yesterday.

After years of isolation, Turkmenbashi's death may open a window of opportunity for greater powers to spread their influence in a troubled region. The US, Russia and increasingly China are vying to re-assert their positions in Central Asia.

With Afghanistan and Iran next door, Washington can be expected to keep a close watch on Turkmenistan, although it is Moscow that has the most at stake.

Russia's energy giant Gazprom is the larger buyer of the Turkmen gas, which it sells to Ukraine and then Western Europe.

Demolition Work in Dublin.

This is good for a chuckle - Contracting an Irish Demolition Contractor.

Richmond St. Hockey Pool

As December closes, the Richmond St. Hockey Pool is getting more interesting. After a somewhat suspect trade, Hugh has temporarily taken the lead.

If Wade Redden doesn't play tonight, he will have been out injured for 10 games, making him eligible for a trade.

Bruno has today made a trade for Pronger, which allows him to be closer to the top when he loses.

Onex Corp., Goldman Sachs buying Raytheon aircraft business

Onex Corp. and GS Capital Partners said today they are buying Raytheon Aircraft for $3.3 billion US.

The buyer of Raytheon Aircraft will be Hawker Beechcraft Corp., a company newly formed by Onex and GS Capital Partners.

Looks like Raytheon want to concentrate on their Missile Systems.

Open Culture: iTunes - University Podcast Collection

Here's a great resource - the Open Culture: iTunes - University Podcast Collection. Now you can listen to free University Lectures to your heart's content (or brain's delight).

Hamas to boycott early elections

The governing Palestinian movement Hamas has said it will boycott early elections called by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

This news comes as the fragile ceasefire in the region is growing imperiled. There have been a series of clashes between members of Hamas and Fatah in recent days. On Sunday a ceasefire was reported, but outbreaks of violence continued through the night and into Monday.

A member of Mr Abbas' Fatah movement has been shot dead, putting pressure on a day-old truce with its rival Hamas.

Fatah members blamed the attack in Jabaliya refugee camp, northern Gaza - which also injured at least three people - on gunmen from Hamas.

Fighting between the two factions has paralysed the administration.

Japan rebuilding Military

Japan's conservative government chipped away at two pillars of the country's postwar pacifism, requiring schools to teach patriotism and upgrading the Defense Agency to a full ministry for the first time since World War II.

The measures, enacted Friday in a vote by Parliament's upper house, form key elements of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to bolster Japan's international military role, build up national pride and distance the country from its post-1945 war guilt.

The votes were important victories for Abe's government, which has suffered sharp drops in popularity polls since taking office in September over the perception that he has not paid enough attention to domestic issues.

'Ruined' Landis eyes retirement

Disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has admitted that his cycling career may be over after his positive dope test in this year's Tour.

Landis is facing at least a two-year ban after testing positive for testosterone having won stage 17.

Landis said: 'There's a minute chance of me racing again in 2007. Even if I'm not suspended, who'll want to sign me?

'If they suspend me for two or four years, it's over. As things stand, I don't see myself as a bike racer.'

Medical Science News:Road to Cure for Diabetes?

(Toronto) The discovery of a critical role for sensory nerves in diabetes opens door to new treatment strategies, possibly to a cure to diabetes!

Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children, the University of Calgary and The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine have found that diabetes is controlled by abnormalities in the sensory nociceptor (pain-related) nerve endings in the pancreatic islet cells that produce insulin. This discovery, a breakthrough that has long been the elusive goal of diabetes research, has led to new treatment strategies for diabetes, achieving reversal of the disease without severe, toxic immunosuppression. This research is reported in the December 15 issue of the journal Cell.

US Democrat has brain operation

(BBC) Democratic control of the US Senate has been cast into doubt after a senator underwent brain surgery.

Senator Tim Johnson, 59, of South Dakota, suffered from bleeding on the brain, a US Capitol doctor said, describing the surgery as successful.

The Democrats captured control of the upper house of Congress by a single seat in elections last month.

If Mr Johnson stands down, the Republican governor of South Dakota will name his successor. That person - likely to be a Republican - would serve until the next general election in 2008.

Comments? Myself, I love to see Democracy in action.

Liverpool FC Update

I haven't placed a Liverpool related entry in my blog for some time, so perhaps a little update is warranted.

In the league, the team has struggled with away matches and was languishing mid-table for much of the first part of the season. Not the happiest time for those of us who watch the matches as there was little consistency and poor finishing by the club's new mix of strikers. However, after back-to-back 4-0 victories these past two weekends, the club are near the top of the table and the team seems to be gelling and continuing the best at-home record in the league.

In other competitions, Liverpool has excelled. They won top place in their Champions League Pool (this competition is where all the big clubs make their money and retain top-flight talent) and are moving into the play-off rounds for the FA Cup.

However the big news is that Liverpool are to be sold in the next month to Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai!

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry insists the club will not become a 'rich man's plaything' if the prospective takeover by Dubai International Capital (DIC) goes through but it will certainly go far to maintain the club as a top flight contender in all competitions as well as ensuring that the ground is broken on a new stadium.

DIC is still working through the club's accounts but is expected to make a formal offer for Liverpool worth around £450million.

The Sheikh is reckoned to be the fifth richest person in the world with a fortune that dwarfs even the wealth of Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, but Parry insists the takeover will not see Liverpool indulging in profligate spending.

Exciting times for LFC!

Circumcision 'cuts' HIV infection by 50%

Circumcision can cut the rate of HIV infection in heterosexual men by 50%, results from two African trials show.

The findings are so striking, the US National Institutes of Health decided it would be unethical to continue and stopped the trials early.

It supports a previous South African study which reported similar results.

Experts said it was a significant breakthrough but could not replace standard methods of preventing infection such as condoms.

An honest to goodness real blog post.

It's been some time I've actually posted something beyond a news commentary in my blog, so here goes...

Christmas is rapidly approaching and with it my schedule has become pretty crowded with parties and the like. Last weekend I had the OANDA Christmas Party (a lot of fun) on Friday, a big dinner party Saturday (at The Keg... incidentally, their tempura snap peas and asparagus appetizer is excellent) and a baptism and gigantic Italian luncheon on Sunday.

This coming weekend is just as crazy with a private birthday dinner for Karina on Thursday, the Project Childcare Foundation "We have Charity Status" Party at Spoke on Friday and the Toronto Liverpool Supporters Club Dinner on Saturday. Thursday also marks the one year anniversary of Karina and my engagement.

Work continues to move along with some of the initiatives I have been working on starting to move forward. In less than two months we have hired a five-man web team and they are beginning to implement a number of the changes and additions I have proposed. The one tool I am particularly excited about is also appearing to move significantly forward.

Today marked my first day of working out in almost a week what with my schedule. The weeks prior (following my return from California) I had been pretty good about my workout routine managing to get out almost every day. With a new weight-lifting scheme designed for me, I have been working on getting my protein consumption up, but it was netted an increase in calories, so I'll need to address that soon. Humberto called me today to say that the new gym won't be ready until the new year... he sounded pretty stressed.

Kofi wags the finger in final UN speech

Kofi Annan has made his final speech as UN secretary general, calling on the US not to lose sight of its core principles in its fight on terror.

'No nation can make itself secure by seeking supremacy over others,' Mr Annan said, urging the US to respect human rights in its 'war on terror'.

Mr Annan said states had to be accountable and the UN was the only body where this could be assured.

The speech has been interpreted as a sharp rebuke of President Bush.

Brits Abroad - Canada Detail

Today seems to be demography day on my site - here's a tool I just came across that tracks where Brits live abroad. Of the 2000 Britons leaving the Isle permanently every week, most are headed to Australia and Spain.

Where Families lived in the US in 1920

This is a great resource for those interested in learning about their family's histry in the US - it's a tool that maps where Families lived in the US in 1920.

Oil falls under $62 US per barrel

Crude-oil prices fell today amid mixed signals from OPEC officials about the possibility of production cuts when the organization meets this week.

Forecasts of warmer U.S. weather also depressed prices.

Light sweet crude for January delivery dropped 31 cents to $61.72 US a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange by midday in Europe. Brent was trading up 13 cents at $62.33 US a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Recent data from the International Energy Agency showed stocks among the 30 members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development at the end of September were 2.76 billion barrels, the highest level in almost eight years and 4.5 per cent higher than a year ago.

RCMP Commissioner quits over Arar testimony

Every other Canadian media outlet is reporting on the story so I guess I should too - the RCMP Commissioner, Giuliano Zaccardelli, yesterday resigned after admitting he misled parliament in the case of Maher Arar - a Syrian-Canadian who was deported to Syria over suspected terror links. The RCMP fed bad info to the Americans and then covered it up it seems.

Arar claims he was tortured in Damascus after being detained by US officials while changing planes in the US on a journey from Tunisia to Ottawa.

Iraq Study Group Reports,Demands Urgent Change

The Iraq Study Group - headed by James Baker - has reported today and called for a new approach and urgent action to stop 'a slide towards chaos'. The report reflects the view that the Americans cannot win the war themselves and that only the Iraqis can win it - though only with American help.

Among the findings of the group is the conclusion that the current US strategy of staying the course is no longer viable.

The report also says US forces should train Iraqis and be withdrawn from combat. And it urges talks with Iran and Syria, which the US has so far rejected.

Instead, the approach must be a "diplomatic offensive" with U.S. combat brigades pulled out by early 2008.

Said Lee Hamilton: "The current approach is not working and the ability of the United States to influence events is diminishing...Our ship of state has hit rough waters. It must now chart a new way forward."

Christmas List

I guess I'm getting older as my Christmas list is getting shorter and less surprising. Mostly books for now - I'll try to brainstorm other ideas over the next couple days. Of course a surprise is always appreciated.

U.S. plane forced to land after passenger lights match to hide flatulence

An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in Nashville after a passenger lit a match to disguise the scent of flatulence, authorities said Tuesday.

The Dallas-bound flight was diverted to Nashville on Monday after several passengers reported smelling burning sulphur from the matches, said Lynne Lowrance, spokeswoman for the Nashville International Airport Authority.

The FBI questioned a passenger who admitted she struck the matches in an attempt to conceal a 'body odour,' Lowrance said.

Prison tattoo parlours get the axe

The Conservative government has axed a controversial program that allowed inmates to safely get tattoos in federal prisons.

The pilot program was designed to curb the rapid spread of HIV and hepatitis C among Canadian inmates. Tattoo parlours with sterile needles were set up at six prisons for a one-year trial period that ended Sept. 30.

The project cost $600,000 to operate. Start-up costs totalled $350,000. However, the tattoo program could save money in the long run. It costs about $20,000 a year to treat someone with HIV. Hepatitis C treatment costs about $25,000 a year. Meanwhile, the tattoo project costs about $100,000 to run at each prison.

In cases like these, I ask myself "What would the Danes do?" as they are a pragmatic and sensible group. And you know the answer - they'd run the program. So come on guys in Ottawa, let the cons get their ink... and oh yeah, legalize it.

Bolton chooses to leave UN office

Unable to win Senate confirmation, U.N. Ambassador John Bolton will step down when his temporary appointment expires within weeks, the White House said Monday.

Bolton's nomination has languished in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for more than a year, blocked by Democrats and several Republicans. Democrats view Bolton as too combative for international diplomacy.

With the Democrats taking control of both houses and some Republican Committee members balking at supporting him, Bolton's exit seemed a foregone conclusion.

Annan: Iraq worse than under Saddam

Asked the question "And what of those Iraqis who say life is now worse than under Saddam Hussein?"

Kofi Annan said: 'I think they are right in the sense of the average Iraqi's life.'"

Dion wins Liberal leadership

In his first news conference since winning the federal Liberal leadership, Stéphane Dion described himself as a 'proud Quebecer' who is more than just a single-issue politician. The way to his selection was paved by a deal with future party leader hopeful Gerard Kennedy.

Dion's going to have quite a hill to climb. Dion, a former environment minister, was chosen leader after storming from behind to defeat front-runner Michael Ignatieff in a drama-filled four-ballot convention that wrapped up in Montreal late Saturday.

Former Liberal leadership hopefuls Michael Ignatieff and Bob Rae indicated Sunday that they still plan to run for the party in the next election despite losing the leadership to Stéphane Dion.

Richmond St. Hockey Pool

As of today, I rule the Richmond St. Hockey Pool! Hahaha! (Never should have unlisted Hossa in the first place...)