A little bit of time between posts, mostly from trying to get myself better. I’m now in Oshawa working at the GM Truck Assembly Plant (the same one that was just announced is cutting the 3rd shift with about 1200 people). The only thing I can really say is that it is one massive plant; bigger than anything I’ve seen or worked at before. Still adjusting to the early morning start though.

The Ontario general election is coming up in a month along with the referendum. So far the three topics that seem to be a focus are the Liberal’s health care tax, the Conservative’s funding of faith-based schools and the Liberal’s February Family Day holiday. I think the NDP are talking about the environment, so I’ll ignore them again. Between the Liberal Party’s cheap tricks (which upsets me because I’m a member..) and the Conservative’s horrible education policy, I might have to look elsewhere…probably the Libertarian Party. I’m sure things will heat up in the coming weeks and I’ll have some real policy to think about. I’ll probably devote a post to the election in a few weeks.

The Canadian economy seems to be doing well despite the US Credit crunch. While the US lost jobs for the first times in years, Canada has a 33 year unemployment low.  I’ve taken an interest in economics lately and have been reading as much as I have time for. I’m trying to decide if I’m going to pick up a minor, either in Poli Sci or Econ. Monetarism seems to be interesting me most, and I’m working through Milton Friedman’s Capitalism and Freedom. I’m also going through a little bit of an Objectivist phase (which could turn into more long term), so while I’m reading Atlas Shrugged I also picked up The Fountainhead, The Virtue of Selfishness, and Capitalism by Ayn Rand. I figured I’d start with Atlas so I’ve read it in time for Pitt and Jolie’s film next year.

I think this co-op term is going to be another one full of of reading. Last year I focused on classical fiction, but my shelf (the ones I decided to take with me to Oshawa and not put in storage) seems to be mostly non-fiction. On the religion side I plan to read The God Delusion, The Language of God, and Mere Christianity. I almost picked up God is not Great but I haven’t heard much about it so if someone can give me an opinion about it I might consider it. On the pop psychology side I plan on reading Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point and Blink. On the fiction side I have On the Road (next month is the 50th anniversary of its publishing), Watership Down, and if I get to it I’ll give Neuromancer a second try. Last time I tried to read it I really didn’t get into it but with all the Spook Country buzz I think it deserves another look. Maybe then I’ll look at Pattern Recognition and Spook Country in the New Year. I think with all those books (and the Rand books) I should be able to fill my term, though I did topped my last Amazon order off with Einstein’s Ideas and Opinions in case I feel like getting nostalgic for socialism I can read some of his essays.

Now I just finished watching the MTV VMAs and I must say that I’m surprised at how good Britney Spears’ new single is. After so many years and all the troubles, she may still be a force in the pop music world. We’ll have to see how her new album does.

Currently Listening to: Gimme More - Britney Spears

Random Wikipedia Article: Jan Narveson