Canadian girl out and aboot

Last night I accidentally fell asleep at 9:30 and slept through most of the election. I could not bear to watch it anyway, as I was too nervous. I read some updates on the computer before I fell asleep, then woke up again at 4 am in a bit of a panic. I checked the computer again, saw the good news and then drifted on and off until about 8 am.

Today I drove to Red Deer to attend Agri trade. It's the largest agricultural trade show in Western Canada, with over 500 exhibitors. I have to go around and interview people at their booths and do crop related stories to post on the web for a site called Grain News.

Red Deer itself is sort of interesting. It has a cute and well developed downtown, and more restaurants than a person could imagine. It also has a lot of massage studios (not parlours). My hotel is attached to a casino and a Tandoori grill. It's quiet and clean, so I have no complaints.

I couldn't watch the election coverage tonight because I was at work. I was just going to blog about all the books I've been reading, but I'm too depressed by the results of the federal election.


AAAAAAH! The Anti-Christ has been elected.

I am passionate about voting, and believe that voting is a privilege that we have as Canadians. I know that voting is a right, but it's still a right that many people do not have. This is why I cannot understand voter apathy and a disinterest in voting, as people have died for this right. Many minorities within Canada were denied the right to vote as a punishment. So I can't understand people who don't take an interest in turning up at the polls, and trying to have their say in social policies.

However, I must admit that I am sick of elections. Since 2003, I've been called to the polls over 5 times.

1. Saskatoon municipal election- When Canada's nuttiest mayor was elected.
2. Saskatchewan provincial election- When [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] ran an excellent campaign and her candidate beat the Liberal candidate
3. Federal election- okay I still feel guilty about this one, because I was treeplanting and didn't vote. I am still kicking myself about this, but I never managed how to get my absentee ballot sent to Alberta. However, fuckwad Stephen Harper did not get in, and that's all I care about.
4. BC Provincial election- I voted, my candidate won, but the overall election was kinda lame.
5. Vancouver municipal election- I voted, most of my candidates didn't get in.

And now, there's another federal election. I'm not happy about this for two reasons-

1. It gives Stephen Harper another kick at the can, and I just want him to go away. I don't know what I will do if he gets in. I guess I will throw all kinds of support at gay rights organizations and social services and try my best to be more politically active. I don't think Paul Martin is a prince, but I do prefer him to Harper, and his politics are palatable.

2. Elections bring out the worst in people. I hate campaigns where people slander the other candidates, and use the campaign as an excuse to act like childish and immature bastards. I don't think it makes anyone look good, and I would rather deal with and address the issues that need addressing.

Thank you, I'll shut up now.