Rocky Balboa: One Great Fictional Character

Unlike many, I felt general enthusiasm when I found out that they are making a sixth "Rocky" movie.

The first "Rocky" movies is my favourite movie of all time. It is a reminder that we can all achieve our dreams as long as we stick to them. Although we may experience despair more often then joy, it is essential not to let that despair take over our lives. Certainly the scene in the first movie where Rocky has an altercation with his boss, Gazo's driver and yells "I should have broke your thumb!" and turns sulkenly into flakes of snow is a shear symbol of the frustration the character was experiencing at the time.

Many politicians have sighted "Rocky" as an inspiration. Joe Clark has claimed to have seen the film several times shortly after winning the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1976. After Pierre Trudeau made his impressive comeback in 1980, he entered the Chateau Laurier to the film's theme song "Gonna Fly". Bill Clinton has mentioned the film helped inspire him after losing Governor of Arkansas after one term in 1980.

If you are cynical about sequels, (and for the most part I am) I highly recommend the first "Rocky" movie to anyone. The special edition DVD can be purchased rather inexpensively, and takes you into a journey of how the film was made.

Opposition for Hire

General glee is the feeling that I have knowing that the government has moved opposition days to November, to spare Canadians premature election talk. It may be possible to salvage a year of what has been little progress in the House of Commons due to the partisan ambitions of the opposition. Maybe Stephen Harper can begin the Christmas party circuit by leading his supporters in a rendition of "Come All Ye Faithful".

Also, who can forget Peter MacKay. Looks like he will not be becoming Premier of Nova Scotia, where he could have overturned Premier Hamm's government to condemn Stephen Harper's comments referring to Eastern Canadians as "The Culture of Defeatists".

Well on September 26, 2005 was the "Great York Street Fire". It happened right across the hall from, and fortunatley I was already to go to work. I fled the building immediatley, and yes the alarm didn't go off. Since I cannot return to the building until November, I moved into a new place on Beausoleil Drive.