Curry and Elections
I am currently on a course in rainswept Vancouver, learning how to program Load Test tools. More interesting than I had expected. My hotel is in downtown, and I have the pleasure of a 21st floor room, looking down over Robson street (think Oxford Street) in one direction. The mountains of to the North are within sight, and I can see touches of snow (well during the day). All rather nice being in the big metropolis for a change.
Obviously looked at the elections, and rather pleased that the US has voted a left-wing Democrat. Lets see what Obama can do, but he himself should be more competent and less foolish than the last incumbent.
What did get my goat was the 'predictions' from the major news lines. When only 2% of a vote is counted from a state, seems far too early to predict it. Even worse was the fanfare when ABC news gave the election to Barack on the stroke of polls closing. While statistics can give guidance, it seemed crazy to give a result before the all votes had be counted in more than one state. The rush for being first for something that can wait eight more hours to be definite seems to be the idea of creating news for news sake.
At least it's over and there will be less attack ads on TV, and column inches for one side or the other (with scant regard to policies, and much regard to he-said, she-did babble). I don't think I could say exactly one firm Manifesto item for either side. Being a Maverick means nothing if you can't tell me what your not branding, and Change is just a pain if you can't tell what you'll change into. Still, I'm only getting the highlights, not the content just over the border. But when the US coughs, Canada gets sprayed.
Being in Vancouver did give me a chance for a decent curry, cooked much like I'd expect in London or York. A very tasty Lamb Madras, nicely spiced and washed down with a pint of the local micro-brewed lager. I raised a glass to Pete.
Obviously looked at the elections, and rather pleased that the US has voted a left-wing Democrat. Lets see what Obama can do, but he himself should be more competent and less foolish than the last incumbent.
What did get my goat was the 'predictions' from the major news lines. When only 2% of a vote is counted from a state, seems far too early to predict it. Even worse was the fanfare when ABC news gave the election to Barack on the stroke of polls closing. While statistics can give guidance, it seemed crazy to give a result before the all votes had be counted in more than one state. The rush for being first for something that can wait eight more hours to be definite seems to be the idea of creating news for news sake.
At least it's over and there will be less attack ads on TV, and column inches for one side or the other (with scant regard to policies, and much regard to he-said, she-did babble). I don't think I could say exactly one firm Manifesto item for either side. Being a Maverick means nothing if you can't tell me what your not branding, and Change is just a pain if you can't tell what you'll change into. Still, I'm only getting the highlights, not the content just over the border. But when the US coughs, Canada gets sprayed.
Being in Vancouver did give me a chance for a decent curry, cooked much like I'd expect in London or York. A very tasty Lamb Madras, nicely spiced and washed down with a pint of the local micro-brewed lager. I raised a glass to Pete.