Tid bits

72 hour challenge - On Friday night I was told that within a day of signing up on Facebook, the latest phenomenon in social networking, I would get 100 "friends". Really "Well, okay, let's say 72 hours." Okay then. For all of you readers of this little blog o'mine, head on to Facebook, register or log in and be my "friend". Social networking is where it's at man.

Quebec election - Anyone who tells you they know how today's vote is going to turn out doesn't know jack. Here's my fearless prediction - it will be a mess. Can Charest eke out a government on the basis of Jim Flaherty's $700 million tax cut? Will Boisclair pull it out despite himself. Or will Dumont prove he won't flame out like last time? Wait and see. I'll be sitting in front of the boob tube, eating my popcorn watching nervously.

Federal election? - Word on the street is that Harper's going to pull the plug this week. But on what basis will he call it on? The latest polling numbers would suggest this is the best chance he'll ever have at a majority. Today's results in Quebec may well determine if he gambled right with last week's budget, and therefore whether we're going to polls in all of Canada sooner rather than later.

Are cold cuts good or bad? - Steff and I are having this debate at the moment. There's a lot of material out of the net, and in literature that suggests that cold cuts are risky business during pregnancy. Our doctors and mid-wives say that in moderation it's not a big deal. What do you think?

Quite the weekend for the Summers clan

On Saturday night my family welcomed into the clan Lachlan (sp?) Thomas Summers. Pictures to come. The first born in a generation to the overly melodramatic soap opera that is my immediate family, Lachlan is my nephew. For the most part, his arrival was blessedly not dramatic. In fact all accounts suggest that his birth was fairly routine. Although, I don't know how my sister-in-law felt about her water breaking in Sears. I'm sure it was the least of her concerns. Anyway, Lachlan was born following a fairly long labour at about a quarter after nine. I met the wee lad about two hours later. He's a strapping 6 pounds, 10 ounces. So congratulations to Brent and Michelle. May the wind always be at his back.

In other news, our lovable orange ball of fur Clod underwent some surgery on Friday for a lower canine tooth that had gone wonky. Not one to complain, he had this one tooth that had literally gone crooked. I'm happy to report however that he is doing just fine, although he's sleeping about 20 hours a day, as opposed to his usual 18.

UPDATE:

Here's a photo of Lachlan, his mom and dad:




And here's one with me! My mother tells me that this photo made my sister cry.

UN Report Condemns Sudanese Government

A UN human rights team has issued a report that essentially confirms what the rest of the world already knows: that the Sudanese government ochestrates and participates in war crimes against its citizens in the Darfur region. I'm having trouble locating the 35 page report, but news stories say that the report calls for the UN Security Council to intevene, for more sanctions and for more criminal prosecutions. CTV has a story here.

You can do it, we can help

That's the slogan I've become so accustomed to in the last few weeks. I've long believed that I can do almost anything when it comes to fixing stuff around the house. My confidence was nearly shattered last week when installing the wall cabinets in my kitchen. One cabinet couldn't be installed because I measured the width of the wall incorrectly in one area, rather badly. I had a cabinet that was four inches too wide. Somewhat daunted I kept at it installing the rest of the cabinets this past weekend. This has easily been the hardest task so far. But I must say after a very long weekend things are now looking pretty good. Photos will be provided later. So last night I called my local Home Depot to make arrangements to exchange my cabinett. They're the folks who have built their brand by appealing to people just like me. Here's how that conversation went.

"Hello, my name is Cameron Summers, I recently bought some cabinets which were delivered to my home last week. In the midst of installing them, I discovered I made a mistake in my measurements. Unfortunately I need to exchange one of the cabinets for one with a shorter width."

"That's no problem. What is the make of your cabinet?"

"Ummm, Kraftmaid or Thomasville or something. I can't remember off hand."

"It's not Millspride?"

"No, it's not that for sure."

"Okay, well unfortunately there will be a 15% restocking fee for that item."

"I understand. What do I need to do to make arrangements for the exchange?"

"You should speak with the person you dealt with when you first bought the cabinets. Do you remember who you dealt with?"

"Yes, it was ..."

"... will be in tomorrow."

"Okay I will call her tomorrow."

"Very good. By the way, Mr. Summers..."

"Yes."

"Did I hear you correctly? Did you say you installed the cabinets yourself?"

"Yes. With a fair bit of help."

"Really... What was that like?"

Home Depot. You can do it. Well okay, we're kinda sure you can do it. Although, that's a pretty tricky project you've got there. Are you sure you can do it? You know Mike Holmes, of Holmes on Homes? He is one of our spokespeople. He CAN do it. Maybe you can to. So, we might be able to help.