Back on the keyboard

Well I've technically been back for a couple of days, but finding it hard to get back into the writing groove. I've been Keeping my eyes open for some interesting story ideas and formulating my thoughts, hopefully to one day come out in some form of coherent stream.

While I was away the Democrats held a coronation for John Kerry, featuring fiery oration from such Democrat activists as Rev Sharpton and a whack of Hollywood actors. Al, Jimmy, Hillary and Bill all spoke to the troops and basked in the adulation. The VP candidate John Edwards gave a very entertaining speech full of the ususal rah rah's about his boss' chances. It featured a speech from the son of one of the most well known Republicans of all time, and while not overly partisan, the Democrats must have loved the idea of son of Gipper speaking at their shinding. One of the big surprises and more enjoyable speeches came from Barack Obama, who is seen as the future of the Democratic Party. And he must have the Republicans scared as the attack dogs have already been out chewing up his speech at the convention and spitting it back at him.

Candidate Kerry himself, gave a serviceable speech, not a great speechmaker at the best of times, he held his own on accession night. Hitting the right notes and telling the Democrats what they wanted to hear, compared to his competitor in the upcoming election Kerry was positively Churchillian in his oratory. That being said the convention had all the suspense of walking ones dog. You knew where the beast was going and how it was going to get there. Riveting TV it did not make, well scripted and delivered. It appears that the Democrats have certainly benefited from their attachment to Hollywood.

Musicians entered the battle for the hearts and minds of America this election year, as Bruce Springsteen brought his social conscience to the political ring. If the Bush folks thought things had gone south with the Dixie Chicks, wait until the fans of the Boss, the believers of Bon Jovi and the followers of Mellencamp take to the struggle. If nothing else the soundtrack to the 2004 election is going to have a very lively beat.

In Canada we were treated to the developments of the Post Office's grand pooh bah raking cash into his bank account at a record clip and acting every bit the aggrieved bureaucrat. Going to be a hard sell that one to the Canadian public, which thought it had heard everything over the last few years. Ready to get to work, PM the PM picked his lucky winners and has the new cabinet firmly in place. The first order of business for an anxious country, promptly arranging vacation time for the newly elected MP's, now that's a Canadian work ethic!

In my travels I learned that Albertans treat their speed limits as more of a suggestion, rather than a regulation. Gas is cheaper where there is no tax, and Harvey's still makes the best Hamburger in Canada (though they need to go back to their old style french fries, the new ones just don't have that oomph). The West Edmonton wave pool is a good place to take your kid, as is the Odysium science centre. Fort Edmonton Historical Park is a worthwhile stop if you're rolling along the Whitemud, but the Edmonton Zoo is not exactly a five star tourist attraction.(If ever there was something for Edmontonians to envy about their southern cousins, perhaps its the comparison of the two zoos!).

Having done our part for the Canadian retail economy we now retrench and retreat to the safety of the basement. No more participating in the economic revival, we'll sit on the sidelines and toss our brickbats. It won't be long til our fingers are flying once again, of that we're sure.