Hey dean, do me a favour and pick up those jocks, will ya?

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I have no problem with athlete salaries. I know people complain about someone getting paid a magillion dollars to slap a puck or throw a ball, but it’s simple: thousands and thousands of people will pay good money to watch that player perform, or wear their jersey, or buy their sneakers, or whatever. Owners of sports franchises can do math, and will pay players an amount they think they can recoup in these ways. Sure, some teams will pay extravagant and undeserved amounts for players out of desperation (cough Jeff Finger cough), but for the most part sports franchises pay players enough to help them accomplish their goal: to entertain and turn a profit.

Universities, though, are not sports franchises. They’re supposed to be institutions of higher learning, and therefore this bothers me:

[Via Greg Mankiw]

OK, OK, I shouldn't have suggested "Here Comes Your Man"

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Having now played Rock Band, I can say that while the drums may be more realistic than the guitar or bass, it’ll still little like playing the drums. I almost think I should have cranked it up to advanced as that would be more like playing the actual drum part to a song. Anyway, fun thing to do with co-workers.

.:.

The worldwide polls for the US presidency: not even close.

Americans may still be undecided, but the rest of the world has made up its mind about who should be elected president of the United States.

A Gallup poll of 70 countries conducted from May through September has found widespread international support for Democratic candidate Barack Obama.

Around the world, respondents favoured Mr. Obama 4 to 1 over Republican John McCain.

[From the Globe and Mail]

Stop 'n go

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We arrived back in Toronto today, just in time to do some laundry, perform some emergency triage on the PVR and pack for two days away at a conference. I leave tomorrow morning and get back Wednesday evening. It’s going to be a tough two days, mainly because of how behind I am on my sleep, but it’ll be fun too.

"Hallelujah."

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Today was our last full day in Halifax. It started with my convocation ceremony, then lunch with our parents, then a few hours of downtime in the bar and our room, then dinner with our friends Marney & Amy. Great dinner, by the way, at a cool little wood oven pizza place.

We leave tomorrow morning, but not too early. Good thing too…we’re oh so tired. Night, kids.

Now: two reasons to feel guilty when ordering dessert

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So let’s see…what’s happened since last I blogged? I had some lunch at Rogue’s Roost, walked around the Public Gardens, walked up to the campus and picked up my gown, fought off a wicked-ass headache, and spent the evening at a very nice work function. Said work function was followed by too many hours at the Lower & Middle Deck.

This morning, after too little sleep, we met some friends for brunch, did a little shopping, met up with my parents, came back and relaxed at the hotel for a bit, and went out to dinner at Il Mercato. This time out wasn’t as good as my visit in August…it was too loud to have a conversation, and there was a massive lineup of people hovering over our tables, staring at our food and silently willing us to eat faster. That kind of put a damper on the dinner.

Tonight I’m happily chilling out for a bit. Nellie’s off having a glass of wine with her mom, while I catch up on some reading and get some quiet time. Tomorrow morning the big event starts early.

I'm a croakin' man with a Halifax beer

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We landed in Halifax quite late, and it took forever to get a cab into the city, so it was nearly midnight before we could drop our bags and meet some friends for a beer. Two pints and 90 minutes later we were walking home in the cold rain, and I woke up this morning with a chill and a sore throat. Well, it was either the walk home or the sub-zero temperature in our hotel room. I had to use an ice scraper on the alarm clock just to see what time it was.

We have a few hours to ourselves now. Time to go find some grub and enjoy Halifax.

The prodded-a-lot son returns

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Hey kids…just before I dash out the door to catch my flight to Halifax, let’s all say congratulations to CBGB who, after 114 days of visiting various NICUs around Toronto, have finally brought LB home. I give it about three weeks until GB has him up and doing kata.

Congrats, little guy. I guess we both graduated this week, but I dare say you worked harder for yours.

Graduand –> graduate

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It might be a bit quiet around here the next few days since I’ll be in Halifax — for the third time in as many months — to take part in my MBA convocation. Trying like hell to get everything done, at home and at work, before I leave.

Have a good weekend, y’all.

Yawn

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Another pointless election, another Conservative minority. No one is surprised by this, though Stephen Harper must be disappointed. With the opposition — especially the Liberals — this weak and the Green party sucking up left-wing votes, this was his best chance for a majority, but he couldn’t quite get there.

Speaking of the Liberals, I’d have to think that the party organizers have already put down a deposit on a hall big enough to hold a leadership convention. Stephane Dion has no doubt picked out his cigarette and blindfold. Meanwhile, the CBC is already asking Bob Rae and Michael Ignatieff about their campaign plans.

If the Liberals were smart they’d push a big wedge issue to the forefront of Canadian debate, like abortion or gun control, that will create a fracture in the Conservatives between the moderates and old reformers and divide that vote. However, I shan’t hold my breath waiting for any innovative or progressive tactics from the Liberals. Unite the left, anybody?