fourONEsixSTYLE

This is what I love about politics. There’s a whole lot of talk about what’s right and wrong but when it comes down to it it’s really all about action.

Last election I did my research to see how much (or how little) the political parties in my riding, Parkdale - High Park, were doing to support the environment. It was on everyone’s agenda and they were all purporting to support it. The release I wrote last election, A Greener Campaign will show you just how well the other parties act on their promises, however this little video will show you that too, in only 9 seconds.

Despite promises from the Liberal, the NDP or even the Conservatives, only the Ontario Green Party have spent the time to plan and deliver an agenda that will put the environment on the right track while being sure that your tax dollars are not spent frivoulously (read NDP) by your future government. Besides that you’ve got to love a leader like Frank de Jong who blasts by Howard Hampton’s idling tour bus while on his bicycle.

PS. Election day is Wednesday, October 10th. Get out and vote!

Ask anybody who the new James Bond is and they’ll likely be able to answer, they’ll probably even add an opinion as to whether actor Daniel Craig will fill the famous Bond shoes, but ask anyone who Frank Pickersgill is and you’ll likely draw a blank stare. Pickersgill, however, is not very different than Bond, except that he was a real spy, and a hero, a Torontonian and didn’t sport the same kind of Bond bling. Frank fought for our country, during World War II, as part of a unique group called the SOE - Special Operations Executive - initiated by Winston Churchill.

To train this elite force Camp X was created, close to the shores of Whitby, Ontario. It was at this spy school, the largest in North America, that Canadian, American and English men and women were taught how to transmit messages secretly, kill silently, and how to handle interrogation if captured.

Ian Fleming was part of the spy school at Camp X, but space was limited so he was living on Avenue Road in Toronto and travelling to the school when necessary. It was while while living here in Toronto that the author penned his first book Casino Royale and named the character James Bond from a nearby church.

Fleming went onto great fame and success but not all of his comrades at Camp X were so lucky. Pickersgill was captured, and interrogated, on a couple different occasions. The first time he broke out by sawing out his cell window, using a blade baked into a loaf of bread. Years later, the Canadian spy parachuted into enemy-occupied France. Fellow SOE members drove into the Loire Valley to find him but all were intercepted and Pickersgill was taken back to prison. This time his escape through a second floor window didn’t end successfully. He was recaptured and later executed. A garden is dedicated in his honour on UofT’s campus.

It’s not the ending fellow Camp X alum Ian Fleming, creator of agent 007, would have written but it’s a story that deserves to be told out of respect to those who helped gain our freedom.

If Fleming were aiming for authenticity it may’ve been with a Canadian accent that we would hear the famous spy’s introduction: “Bond, James Bond” and Canadians would realize that their biggest heroes are not Hollywood-born.

The weekend’s here and I wanted to let you know that the itunes canada free download of the week is K-OS’ new Electrik HeaT - the Seek - wiLL, the music video that my man just finished working on last week. If you were a fan of Rob Base in HS you’ll dig the funky base line. The pic attached is a little peak onto the set, and the video to come.

cntm_intro
Originally uploaded by DracoRed.

A couple things weirded me out about Canada’s newest borrowed TV format Canada’s Next Top Model, which debuted a couple weeks back. First, CityTV couldn’t seem to find a level for the audio, it was jumping all over the board. The worst thing however, was the location of the show. Fashion in the forest? I just don’t see it. The model’s retreat is a gorgeous spot on the lake outside of Victoria, B.C. where “Supermodel” Tricia Helfer flies in to meet the young models on a float plane. Sure, great shot, great scenery, but where’s the context?

Canada’s Next Top Model comes across as “Super” amateur because of this bad decision. The show should be pushing this country’s fashion-focused metropoli, Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal. That’s where the talent, the passion and the energy are, which sadly seem to be missing from the Canadian version of this show.

When George Stroumboulopoulos began his broadcast of The Hour at CBC I watched with great interest. Finally someone would speak meaningfully to people my age (a few years younger than George) about things that could hold our attention for longer than 5 seconds. At least that’s what I think the CBC was hoping for. I watched the first few episodes and then gave it a miss. It seemed amateurish. The set was kinda boring. George seemed still set in his rocker ways from his days at Much. I get the angst bit but I wanted good commentary, thoughtful commentary, not just “Awww c’mon”.

Now, a couple years in, George is strutting around Queen West in his slick new Beemer and I think he deserves it. I was watching the show tonight and was impressed that it finally nails what I hoped it would be in its first season. The CBC has pulled it off. The news was fresh and I got a kick out their segment on 4:20 (though I wished the camera person had thought of white balancing the outdoor interviews). I also think they’ve done much better with the set, street scenes of Toronto is more fitting than bookcases filled with nick-nacks.

I followed this by a visit to CBC’s site for The Hour and was happy to see fellow bloggers listed on the home page. Great way to get people involved, continue a discourse. (Apparently The Hour had to remove it’s own blog because of a nasty situation). Can my blog make it to his front page? Something to aspire to maybe. (I think I might have to offer a sweeter review).

Well, here it is… The Hour’s website does offer some juicy bits. Perfect for us after-work and weekend browsers. The video segments online were fantastic; could’ve loaded somewhat faster but were worth the wait. I watched George’s interview with Rick Mercer, a piece on June Callwood, and then for kicks his interview with ex-Crossfire front man Tucker Carlson.

While not too many Canadians paid attention to Tucker before (unless you caught video of John Stewart bitch slapping the poor guy on Tucker’s own show) they certainly are now…and if you don’t know why, check out the video for yourself. The man calls Canadians “the retarded cousin” of the States. I was impressed George took him on. Watching the interview like I might a boxing match, I hoped to God that George didn’t make it a fluff piece, that he nailed him on some of the bullshit, and he did. Thank you George.

So much to say about this piece, Tucker Carlson is a pretentious jerk and George slyly made comparisons to people like him needing slick sports cars to make up for …ehm…other stuff. George even got him to revoke the “retarded” bit.

However (you really gotta see this thing) Tucker has some points. He admits that only about 5% of Americans would know who our Prime Minister is (yep, he’d be right - doesn’t that say more about them) and that we think we’re morally superior (well, our policies often are).

I was drunk on a rooftop in Brooklyn for NYE where some of the party had moved to and I was yelling “Move to Canada” and some sweet American guy came to me to say how much he liked Canada and then asked “Who is your Prime Minister?” But Mr. Carlson was wrong about one thing and that’s that everyone wants to live in the States. Check out The Hour’s About The Show page, in all the sweet comments made about it, one guy from Chicago so loves Canada and The Hour that he thinks he might retire here. So much for Tucker’s point. While some of us might see better opportunities down south, when it comes to where to live the Golden Years some of us would still say Canada.

Jim Harris rides the C-Train
Originally uploaded by Grant Neufeld.

I’ve been campaigning with the Green Party in the Parkdale High Park riding for a couple weeks now. I’ve been to several All-Candidates meetings and met many business owners who reassured me that the idea of electing a Green candidate is not far off. Many welcome the idea that the Green Party’s policy is both fiscally responsible and environmentally sustainable.

What impresses me, after reading all federal party platforms, is that green leader Jim Harris and the Greens have a clear vision and also have very realistic objectives with which to reach their goals for the future of this country. I didn’t seem to find this with any other party. Sure, the Liberals will throw cash at their “issues” which might help in the short term, and the NDP’s words tell us they believe in the environment while all their actions point in support of dirty dirty industry.

The Liberals have an appaulling record at meeting Kyoto standards - carbon emissions have gone up 24% since 1993 instead of their promised 20% decline; and Harper’s party is starting to remind us of why we hated them in the last election, telling the papers the Conservatives will scrap Kyoto altogether. Even though they say Harper’s a changed man doesn’t mean he won’t set us back 10 years to a time when the lack of certain freedoms and liberties repressed and alienated friends and neighbours.

The Green Party seems to be the only one thinking ahead. They are socially progressive, want to change the way government and tax is structured, do away with corporate campaign donations and give us all a place to live where we can breath freer, fresher air.

On January 23rd, vote Green. Tell Ottawa we are ready for a greener country and a greener government.

If you need more information visit greenparty.ca.

citygirls
Originally uploaded by 416style.

Madonna’s lyrics “Am I Gonna Be A Star?” run through my head. Took yesterday off to ’star’ in a commercial for Toronto’s Beck Taxi. Not a bad way to spend the day, drink wine, say a line…. I wasn’t feeling natural at first but it seemed to all come together. My boyfriend Craig starred opposite me, the archetypal boyfriend trying to rush his woman out the door. Hope the chemistry shows on screen.

Later in the night I attended some broadcaster’s convention/piss up with my sisinlaw Wendy. We were there at about 7pm but these kids had been drinking since noon. It was a little nuts but a great time. The highlight? I ran into Mayor Miller in the Sheraton, shot him a coy smile and got a sincere hello from the charming man.

Love this city. Toronto’s feeling electric lately and (maybe since it’s all lit up in fantastic Christmas lights) yesterday I was bubbling with civic pride.