Now happening in my area of the city…They are digging up old growth forest (where deer and other wildlife live) to build more huge energy sucking houses. They expanded Hazeldean Road and mowed down all the trees along the way, and have put in a few miles worth of ugly strip malls. Now we have a Winners (which is just a crap store full of stuff that isn’t any cheaper), a Michael’s, a ValuVillage, can it get any worse? Oh wait…we also have a Home Sense. blech vomit poo. I really don’t want or need more shops. I’m sick of strip malls. Digging up fields and forests for more crap. Makes me sick. I’m so pissed. I saw a fox in broad daylight during rush hour, running on the road as a bulldozer tore into the field. It probably had a home that had just been destroyed. gnash gnash stomp anger sadness what the hell can we do about it? 2 years ago

Yes, I know, there are more rants out there about driving than could fit in an encyclopedia. But, here’s one that came up lately. Don’t buy a high end sports car like a BMW or Porsche and then drive it like a granny. (No insult to grannies intended.) So, a BMW pulls out in front of me, and goes just the speed limit, or just under?? WTF? If you’re going to pay big bucks for a car that moves, MOVE IT! That’s what it’s for. Grrrrr. By the way, Toyota Camry drivers are the slowest drivers. Never get behind one, or it’ll take you an extra hour to get to your destination. 2 years ago

and then write a crappy novel, and the critics still kiss their butts and say it’s fabulous. I don’t expect a writer to keep churning out fabulous novels, one after the other, but when an author does write a stinker, it takes a critic with balls to say so. Case in point, Michael Ondaatje’s Divisadero. Stinker. A few critics nailed the reasons why and didn’t hold back, but most of them gushed over it. Pah. 2 years ago

I just heard that 10 horses have died so far due to the dangerous events at the Calgary Stampede. I can’t believe this is still allowed to go on. And, a young man died when he attempted to ride a bucking bull. Well, no kidding. If you fall off and get stomped on, that’s the risk you take. They’d better not have killed the bull, as if it knew what it was doing. Using animals for circus-like events is despicable and should be stopped. Boo to the Calgary Stampede. Let’s boycott the Calgary Stampede. 2 years ago

Leaf blowers are for lazy arses. They’re such a nuisance…so very loud, ruining the peace in our neighbourhood, especially on a weekend morning. Bless those who own a rake and know how to use it. 3 years ago

Today at a stop light the guy in front of me opened his car door and dumped the contents of his ashtray on the road….cigarette butts in a big disgusting heap! I couldn’t believe it! Was he ever taught not to litter? If the light wasn’t turning green so soon, I would’ve gotten out of my car and gone up to his car window and told him off. However, I imagined his punishment, and it made me feel much better. I would sew him a jacket made entirely of cigarette butts, that he would have to wear (with nothing underneath) on a rainy day, on a busy intersection, holding a sign saying, “I AM AN IDIOT.” And, as it rained all day, the cigarette jacket would get heavy with water and stinky and soggy, and gradually fall off of him, leaving him stark naked. Then, he’d have to bend over in full view of everyone driving by, and start picking up the cigarette butts, one by one and putting them in a little bag with a Hello Kitty on it. I wish I was Queen for a day, for this I would decree. :) 3 years ago

I am not here to tell people what to do or make suggestions for change, because in many cases, there’s simply nothing that can be done. I just feel compelled, once in a while, to write about stuff that irks me, from small petty things, to big nasty things. It’s all well and good to write about things I’m grateful for, but it’s also cathartic to write about things that piss me off.

I hate gas-powered lawn mowers. They are noisy, obnoxious, polluting pieces of crap. If one lives in the suburbs, at any given time on any sunny day, there will be the loud drone and stench of one or more of these nasties in the neighbourhood. It’s never quiet here. I think I will suggest alternatives this time: a lawn that is all shrubs/plants/growth, that doesn’t require cutting, or an electric lawn mower. I love folks who have meadows for backyards, and plants that attract bees, hummingbirds, goldfinches, butterflies. Yay for you guys! 3 years ago