Andre Cornellier – the most hated man in Ottawa during the bitter 51 day OC Transpo bus strike of 2008 – died on Saturday January 15th, 2011. He had been diagnosed with kidney cancer about a year ago. I don’t think it’s difficult to argue how despised he was during the strike. His legendary appearances on CTV were a combination of stubborn, maddening, and unbelievable in what was a municipal situation that saw the local economy undeniably affected and people walking and carpooling. Calling the bus strike an inconvenience is a gross understatement. Assuming that Andre Cornellier was nothing but an asshole is an even greater one.

I’ll be the first to admit that the bus strike had little effect on me. I drive. I haven’t taken the bus in a long time. I did however see how crippled the city became in the midst of it. Who was Andre Cornellier? Why was he so passionate about the plight of the bus driver? How could a man – considered so willingly inarticulate and maliciously defiant to the people of Ottawa – become the voice representing the interests of the city’s bus drivers?

Cornellier joined OC Transpo in 1977, and was first elected president of Branch 279 of the Amalgamated Transit Union in 2000. Cornellier is survived by his wife Lisette of 44 years, daughters Rachel, Micheline, Lyne and son Michel. He was known for his brash and gruff comments, his bluntness when dealing with an issue, and his unapologetic deameanor. If I’m looking at some of the world’s best union leaders – anyone from Jimmy Hoffa to Eugene Debs – these aren’t necessary personality characteristics considered a hindrance if you’re in this kind of position. He was concerned with the interests of his membership. What was the issue at hand that created this mess in the first place? Well…the main one was scheduling. Other side issues included seniority and payroll. The scheduling issue was the most contentious one though. The short of it was that the existing scheduling system at the time allowed OC Transpo drivers to exploit an exemption that OC Transpo had to the city’s labor code, allowing them to earn extra income through back to back shifts via overtime pay. It also allowed drivers to pick their shifts – something many of them used to work the shift work around family time. The city was characterizing this situation as a dangerous safety issue. The drivers had been doing this for such a long period of time that they became accustomed to it – and safety issue or not – it was contentious because it gave the city the control over shifts – something they perhaps should have never have given away control of in the first place. CBC News back in 2008  said…

Alain Mercier, general manager for OC Transpo, the public transit company owned and run by the city, said the answer is simple — there are serious problems with the current system.

“Basically, we have what we consider an unfair and to some extent unsafe and inefficient scheduling system,” he said, adding that the new system would:

• Reduce annual costs by $3.4 million immediately.
• Eliminate the need for 20 more buses.
• Eliminate the need to hire 100 more drivers.

The issue arises because many OC Transpo drivers work split shifts — that is, they have part of their shift in the morning and part of it in the afternoon, with a break in between, in order to accommodate customers’ peak travel periods.

Under the new system for weekday scheduling, morning and afternoon shifts would come as a pair, Mercier said, adding that shifts are already paired on the weekends. The two shifts would have a maximum spread of 13½ hours, meaning that a driver who started at 8 a.m. would go home no later than 9:30 p.m.

Currently, drivers can choose from separate lists of morning runs and afternoon runs, with more senior drivers getting to choose first.

Graham said that makes it easier for drivers to schedule around their personal lives.

According to Graham, drivers are also unhappy about the scheduling issue because the union was only informed about the changes two weeks ago, although the city alleges the scheduling change was always on the table.

The current system was introduced almost a decade ago. Prior to that the city assigned shifts, but in 1999, drivers gave up the 12-hour limitation in exchange for the ability to pick their shifts, Graham said.

Now, the city wants to take away the decade-old right, but isn’t offering to restore the 12-hour limit. Instead, the limit will sit at 13½ hours.

“The longer the spread, the longer you’re away from your family and the less opportunity you have to do other things,” Graham said.

Mercier said the 1999 change had some serious consequences for drivers, customers and taxpayers, but acknowledged that bus drivers might not want to go back.

“We’re dealing with an ingrained way of doing things that we gave up 10 years ago and now everybody’s realizing that this is not to everybody’s advantage,” he said.

Whetever your judgement is on Andre Cornellier – he was a passionate guy. I couldn’t have disagreed more with his approach to the bus strike, and often found myself bewildered as to how the transit union would be ok with such an adversarial guy speaking for them, but his focus was on representing the frustration of his membership, being a hard ass with the city, and calling their collective bluff – something he was wildly successful at. He was also instrumental in painting an accurate picture of how the city has run and perhaps continues to run OC Transpo. Either way – he’ll be remembered.

Sony pictures just recently released this screen cap of The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield in director Marc Webb’s reboot of the Spider Man franchise. This looks awesome. I think Andrew Garfield really looks the part of Peter Parker – moreso than Tobey Maguire. For those of you who didn’t see The Social Network – Garfield played Eduardo Saverin.

Stoked.

The Flour Shoppe located at 617 Bank Street makes delicious cupcakes. I had the opportunity to sample some of these delectable treats over the holidays. I’d highly recommend the Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcake – but I’d be prepared to name your first born after Melissa Somers – the shoppe’s owner – once you have one. Purchased a few for Christmas bring overs and visits over the holidays.

Dave’s Drum Shop located at 390 Gladstone Avenue. Dave Dudley was the drummer in Furnaceface. It’s his store. He’s also a super nice guy. If you’re a drummer, you may want to check out their wares – especially the vintage kits he gets in here. They also have a wicked line of Vic Firth custom sticks – which I got a pair of for Christmas.

The Whalesbone Catering. It’s good. I had the pleasure of having it at a good friend of mine’s wedding at the Cube Gallery back in November. They had a risotto bar. Isn’t that enough of a reason to call this guys when you get married?

If you’re looking for a house cleaning service in Ottawa – check out Greenapple House Cleaning, Inc. They don’t believe in bleach (trust me that’s a good thing), and they’re as professional as they come. They’ve got a very cool policy about always having the same person visit your pad, and they give a no charge consultation at your home before they clean anything to ensure your expectations are met and a consistency is created. Bought a few gift certificates for friends and family over Christmas….

That’s it.

What a difference a few days makes. Ottawa – all of Canada really…has been awash in controversy.

Today…the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC) deemed the 1985 classic rock song Money For Nothing by Dire Straits to be offensive. So they banned it from Canadian Radio.

This started when a gay man called CHOZ-FM in St. John’s and pointed out the use of the word “faggot” in the tune. The CBSC got involved, and the next thing you know….we’re never going to hear the song again if we’re in a car. Let’s face it – that’s the only place people really listen to the radio. This is a bummer for everyone in my generation. I’m sure I speak for many other adults born in the late seventies and early eighties, when I say the only reason I even knew about this song was because of the incredible computer animation and visual effects in it’s video. I remember actually watching The Last Starfighter and thinking that that movie had nothing on the video for Money For Nothing – and I was blown away by The Last Starfighter. Money For Nothing combined the best elements of Tron and cutting edge computer graphics, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t run home every day after school to watch Video Hits with Sam Taylor – waiting for another opportunity to watch that shit. You see…we didn’t have a VCR yet…so I couldn’t even tape the video. Considering the convenient nature of the internet these days, the effort required to appreciate these kinds of things from 25 years ago makes me a bit peeved about this decision to ban the song entirely from Canadian Radio now. Don’t you think this decision kind of excessive? I think there’s a difference between something that’s clearly meant to be malicious, and something that’s clearly meant to be sarcastic, witty, and written from a fictional character view. If you know the song…the verse in question is:

The little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy, that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire

Mark Knopfler was making a societal reference here and was writing the song from the perspective of a third person – back then – who was clearly dismissive of the 1980′s culture of excess, glam, and spoiled wealthy rock stars. He even said so in his 1985 Rolling Stone interview. I don’t think there’s an element of maliciousness associated with this, and never thought there was. Free speech or not – I mean really….I’m not going to write an essay here and spout baloney about the right to express ourselves…but what do you think? On the other hand – the CBSC’s decision is something that is making me feel pretty comfortable in light of some of the debate going on in the United States.

5 out of 5

Had the pleasure this evening of going to Tennessy Willems – one of Hintonburg’s newest restaurants. It’s what I happen to think is Ottawa’s best pizza.

Located at 1082 Wellington Street West - where the old Melrose Grocery used to be, the building stands out in Hintonburg. I wouldn’t say it’s gawdy, but I always like it when a cool business or restaurant doesn’t do something predictable in terms of their brand. This place is no exception. From the outside, and from the name – it looks more like a barbecue sauce factory. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. These guys could have gone with a look and feel that maybe would have said Naples style pizza a little more obviously – you know – the standard fare. An old lady with an apron….a picture of the boot….some scripty font tagline that said “Traditional Wood Fire Italian Pizza” or “A Small Taste Of Naples In Every Bite”…or some shit like that. But they didn’t. I dig that.

Inside, the place is small but cool. You can see the action in the kitchen, and they have an ample bar where patrons sit. Cool looking varnished wood tables deck the floors, and the place was packed, so everyone was eating these beautiful looking pies. The smell is great when you walk in.

I’ve had plenty of wood fire oven pizzas. I’ve had them in New York, Montreal, and even in Italy (granted I was 11). I’m not an expert – but the product here is the best. They source local ingredients and pay homage to their neighbors – The Elmdale Tavern – by having a pie on the menu with it’s name. They have a perfectly sized menu with enough variation in styles and taste that you won’t get bored. Check it out…

MARGHERITA
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella and basil … $10

THE ELMDALE
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, spicy Italian salami, mushrooms, roasted red peppers and fresh Mozzarella … $14

HELEN’s
Baby spinach, fresh Parmesan, C’est Bon goat cheese, and oven roasted pine-nuts, squeezed with fresh lemon … $14

GREEK PIZZA
Basil pesto, oven roasted red peppers, Calamata olives and feta … $16

WILD BOAR
Local wild Boar sausage, carmelized apple, sage, garlic and sharp Cheddar … $18

DUCK CONFIT
Carmelized onion, white Truffle oil, Riopelle and duck confit … $18

SOPRESSATA
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella, red onion and Sopressata salami … $15

FOUR SEASONS
Fire-roasted tomato sauce, fresh Mozzarella, Cremini mushrooms, artichokes, Calamata olives and Capicola ham … $15

THE CHORIZO
Olive oil, carmelized onion, Chorizo sausage and local C’est Bon goat cheese … $16

BIANCO
Pear, walnuts, smoked prosciutto, fresh Mozzarella and Gorgonzola … $16

I’d seriously recommend the charcuterie as an appetizer. They make this pate with cranberries that is delicious. I’d also recommend the duck confit pizza. Very good.

Kevin Smith’s new movie – Red State – is coming soon.

I’m a die hard KS fan. I listen to Smodcast steady. I was all over that Southwest Airlines shit a while back. I think his movies are good.

He’s wrapped a new movie that goes in a different direction. It’s a fucking horror movie. Michael Parks is in it. John Goodman is in it. Michael Angarano is in it – for those of you who remember him from Gentleman Broncos.  I’m particularly interested in this new cinematic trajectory because I was so jazzed about Cop Out – but that turned out to be a dud – and I thought that actually could have been an AWESOME movie, had Smith maybe been a little more hands on in the writing of the script. With this one – he’s doing everything.

Anyways….it’s about three horny kids who encounter Christian/conservative fundamentalism gone bananas in the U.S. midwest. Now THAT is scary. This sounds good. Check out the screen cap of Michael Parks as Pastor Abin Cooper. He’s a Fred Phelps like crazy dude.

Promising….

I had the pleasure of eating at Luxe Bistro last night, and left with the opinion that this is one of Ottawa’s best restaurants. I’m sure that will piss of some of Ottawa’s more well known foodies who swear by the Gastropub or Beckta (also excellent establishments).  What I really like about the restaurant, besides it’s convenient location, is the French brasserie feel. It’s just a cool spot, and doesn’t come off as pretentious.

Our waiter and sommelier, Neil Gowe, provided friendly and knowledgeable service, and paired a fantastic Argentinian wine with my main course of Steak Frites. The whole table was talking about his selection, as two of us had the Steak Frites. I also had the opportunity to meet with Duane Keats, who is the executive chef there.

If you’re going here, you have to try the fish chowder as an appetizer. One of the best I have ever had. Dinner is pricey, but worth it in my opinion. I know Luxe had a bit of a rocky start, but that seems to have worked itself out as I found this to be worth the money. Has anyone tried Stella Osteria? This is one of the other restaurants that the Firestone Group has in it’s roster besides the Blue Cactus.

Dear friends,

Today was the day that we launched  www.chrisneedsaniphone.com

I need everyone to change their Facebook statuses to “www.chrisneedsaniphone.com”

I need you to tweet “www.chrisneedsaniphone.com”.

I need you to secure a small note to the leg of a pigeon or dove, saying “www.chrisneedsaniphone.com”, and release it into the air, hoping that it finds someone, who will do the first two things.

We’re making progress. We’ve received $30 just this morning. That’s almost 1% of our goal.

Victor Anderson of North Gower, Ontario submitted the image of the iPhone ONLY WITH THE BLACKBERRY Operating System. Funny joke Victor…ugh…I guess. This is actually my personal nightmare.

ANYWAYS.

We’ve raised $130. Thanks to Trevor Kealey of Ottawa for helping us with a $100 USD donation. We’re now at 13% of our goal.

I thought I would point out a couple of things that went wrong with my Blackberry Storm the moment I pulled it out of the box.

1. The battery wasn’t charged. NOT GOOD.

2. Bell asked me to renew for 10 years, initially. I negotiated with them, and strategically worked them down to a three year term.

3. The touchscreen “click” I was supposed to be hearing was initially a farting noise (ringtone). Obviously someone tampered with this box.

4. I downloaded a ringtone that was supposed to be “Boys of Summer” by Don Henley and ended up being “In The Air Tonight” by Phil Collins.This ringtone was supposed to be coupled with my friend Don’s contact whenever he called. I didn’t want the hassle of working this out, so everytime Don calls, I have to remind myself that it’s DON, and not my buddy PHIL. (I’m clenching my fists as I write this).

5. The phone’s desktop picture was someone’s Acura.

Obvious proof of the inferiority of this product. Let’s do this everyone. LET’S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

As for my destruction of the Storm,  I am planning on using Roman Candles. Interested? Hit the chip in button.

Sincerest Best Wishes,
Chris

I thought I’d take the opportunity to ACTUALLY examine Father’s Day, and just how many poor men this keeps out of the appreciation circle. I find anything “exclusive” to certain people to be suspect….like Curves.

Father’s Day is a good holiday, however, there are a few recognizable people in our pop culture that it clearly isolates because of their personal situations. Whatever the reason, they’re still DADS, and I’m motivated RIGHT NOW to blow the dust off of this habit we all have of leaving these people out of the opportunity to be celebrated for being the father figures they are, regardless of their personal situations.

Listen. Yes he’s a Sith. Yes, he wiped out a bunch of junior Jedis. Yes, he technically was directly responsible for the death of Mace Windu. Yes, he also telepathically strangled his girl, which inadvertently triggered the birth of his twins….BUT….Annakin Skywalker (a.k.a. Darth Vader) is still a Dad. This is a perfect example of intergalactic baby drama if you ask me. DV, as he’s affectionately called by his friends, is actually a tender, and intended to be involved father. He’s a regular guy like any of us. Pictured above, he was outside after a court appearnace to see if he could get an access schedule that worked for everyone. He’s been working hard to show the family court system that he’s volunteering, he’s learning French, and he’s capable of handling parental duties like cooking meals, and driving Luke and Leah to school in the Sith interceptor. His preparation of a lunch of Pillsbury Pigs-In-A-Blanket with his lightsaber didn’t go over well with the kids’ guardians, and his choice of employer isn’t boding well for our favorite man in black, but geez…he’s trying. When the judge asked him if he intended to switch careers into something a little more suitably appropriate as a role model, he only stammered and said he didn’t have much of a choice, and that the empire facilitated his lifestyle. Maybe not a wise choice in front of a judge….but we should give it up for the man. It IS Father’s Day. What’s a Dad gotta do to have 2 horus alone with his kids. Maybe take them to a museum. Is this too much to ask?

Daniel Hilliard is a good man. Yes he couldn’t hold down a job to save his life, but he obviously went to great lengths to see his children, even if those lengths included dressing up as a woman to be with them, and essentially duping the entire family as he simultaneously earned their precious trust. Yes…it was a doozy when all was said and done and his true identity was revealed, but this man’s admittedly poor series of decisions shouldn’t exclude him from the best day in the world. Think about it, judge. Let the man take his brood to McDonald’s for an afternoon – what do you think? Clear lack of respect for the initial ruling of limited access until he got his shit together? Maybe….but C’MON!?

It was an unfortunate incident with Jack Torrance. He admits it. The fact is, Danny has an amazing ability, and he thinks that maybe if he could just get some time with his son, that they could start a business maybe, get some cash together….maybe clean up his act, and put the whole thing behind them. It’s all about looking to the future right – both literally and figuratively.

These are but just a few examples of perhaps what we should look at as considered exceptions… everyone deserves a fresh start sometimes. Maybe not Torrance…but the point has been made, I think.