Comments for Northerngardener's Weblog

Comment on 5th Anniversary of the Big 2003 Black Out – and where were you? by ~KC~

~KC~ — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:48:05 +0000

I was living in London at the time and we went (the apt bldg that I was living in) 72 hrs without any power. The city had forgotten to turn us on – all the surrounding streets got there power within 24-48 hrs … but not us!!!

Comment on Why Accounting Firms are Like Paramilitary Operations by northerngardener

northerngardener — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:59:24 +0000

Thanks for the clarification!

Hmmm.. Where I worked, there was only one fashionista, and she flunked the entrance exam to summer school before she could teach the rest of us any fashion sense….

Comment on Why Accounting Firms are Like Paramilitary Operations by Krupo

Krupo — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 03:34:01 +0000

Um, you misread that. KPMG was forced to pay O/T to its admin staff for doing professional work.

The finding also led to all professionals who don’t have a professional designation (or who aren’t working at students in that field) to also get O/T.

All Big 4 firms went through the steps of making payouts this year. KPMG, Ernst and Young, PwC, and finally, Deloitte.

Hope that helps.

BTW, Fun list. I worked with former (current – reservist!) soldiers who joined Big Four life, and would definitely agree with the list. Only differences I would argue are that some (only SOME) pull off getting some flex into the admittedly rigid pay structure. And I go home whenever I want to, though I am willing to stay late to get the job done, so we’ll call that point a draw. And my friends have VERY fashionable haircuts, so #13 doesn’t fly these days. Same goes with #14. i work with fashionistas. It’s fun.

Comment on Remove Police Forces’ Ability to Use Tasers with Impunity by thenonconformer

thenonconformer — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 22:32:35 +0000

Me too I couldn’t stop shaking my head as I read the latest in Canadian cops and their use of tasers. So not only are we the country that tasers non-English speaking tourists to death in airports, apparently we also tase 17 year old boys to death, and use repetitive taser shots to subdue an 82 year old man who is in hospital.. we pay big money and what we do hire mickey mouse cops who too often are incompetent, pretentious, no good.. abusive too?

Comment on Remove Police Forces’ Ability to Use Tasers with Impunity by northerngardener

northerngardener — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:46:53 +0000

Hmm. Crazy and sad, but not surprising.

Comment on Remove Police Forces’ Ability to Use Tasers with Impunity by kanadianbakin

kanadianbakin — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 01:39:05 +0000

The City of Toronto agreed to spend $100,000 on a study to determine whether or not to give it’s transit cops tasers. How crazy is that?

Comment on Alma College – St Thomas Ontario – burns down by Dori Charters

Dori Charters — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:12:34 +0000

I was saddened as well…such a Beautiful building full of potential!
My memories of being a student there will never fade.
I phoned my Mom today and thanked her for sending me.
I remember one of the dances there in the school year 1970-71, when a song “Tears of a Clown”played so when ever I hear it, I think of Alma! It has become an old time favorite of mine! I pray as that those who did this are brought to justice, but I do not believe in my heart of hearts the teens did it. I believe strongly they were framed. Here is a comment by a St. Catherines resident
“There’s no way two kids could have had all that accelerant to soak that entire building, nor could they have spread it around well enough all by themselves….There had to have been accelerant involved for that massive structure to become a veritable ‘candle’ so quickly. I think those kids have been set up to be scapegoats.”
May the real culprits s get caught!

Comment on Does Forced Community Service Do Any Good? by Dori Charters

Dori Charters — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:03:01 +0000

Volunteering is a good thing and People normally don’t mind doing it, but to force people is really just an introduction to a larger agenda on Free Labor which is in place. The 40 hrs is nothing but this is just an introduction for people to get used to the idea of doing free labor when others cash in on it. Many cities actually survive on this and refuse to supply good paying jobs so they hook up w/ Welfare and create a community of voluntarism without creating the jobs they are mandated to do. It is called “Workfare” which was brought in by the Harris Govt. under the Ontario Works program.
We should always be willing to serve people without asking for anything in return but this is not what the Govt is trying to instill in youth. They have their own agenda for their own benefit and they are screening and tracking people for other purposes and presenting it as a squeaky clean opportunity for advancement??

Comment on Alma College (St. Thomas) Fire – Flowers, bricks and economics by Dori Charters

Dori Charters — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:52:36 +0000

I went to this School in 1970-71
A fantastic School..I don’t think I could keep track of the countless memories of experiences I still have and memories of the building itself
Unbelievable.
It would have made a fantastic Hotel, Community space, Library, heritage building, Museum and large enough to house all those things which would help the small town of St Thomas but most likely greed and neglect had the better of any plans, which brought on it’s destruction.

The halls were wide..I remember the HUGE Parlor on the main floor, the principals’ apt, the winding stairs and amphitheater outside….the amazing grounds and really cool pool that was still in it’s original format,the tuck shop and Art Room,the bedrooms and “new” Gym and chapel, the students and Teachers…..and much more..it is very sad in a way because it had so much potential but I guess it was not in the big guys’ interest to save it since those who had the power to save it, did not rally to put out the money..it would have had to be Federal money or from a wealthy person and it was owned already by someone who let the building go to ruin.

I think a great Heritage and Community could have been
built if people backed the vision of the people but apparently, the real community does not matter?

Thanks for the ones who at least tried!

Comment on Alma College Fire – A Drum Ceremony, An Amphitheatre, and Some Apologies? by jackie Piche

jackie Piche — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 01:21:24 +0000

Hi I am the organizer of the clean up …i am very happy to see people and their familuies actuall enjoy the amphitheater the other morning i went down to relax and there were 2 nurses just reading a book before work and today there was a father and daughter playing down at the bottom laughing…This is why i did this so people can just enjoy the beauty that was constructed in 1930 and i hope we can use it and enjoy as the past did over the past 78 years …I am glad that the community pitched in so much with their donations and help..I really appreciated everything that everyone had done.. My daughter enjoyed helping and there were kids from the ages of 5 years old all the way up to 18 helping..it was great to see all ages helping out and having a great time doing so.. The alumni coming in and crying of joy because they are happy to see that this was restored since everything else is in shambles ..it gave me a great sence of accomplisment to see that “everyone” all ages, enjoying this area that we have recreated for the community..in which we have called ” beaty From Ashes Community Amphitheater Gardens” what a better name then to include the community who had helped so much and this is the Beaty of which has came from the ashes because alot of alma colleges building is actually been brought into the garden..well have a great day all
Sincerely Jackie Piche Organizer Amphitheater clean-up