Am I a racist?

I have been working on a move from a 2-bedroom apartment into a much bigger townhouse. As fun as that is, I've also spent a fair amount of time on the phone with various companies updating contact information, etc.

Is it really wrong of me, though, to wish that I could speak to people who actually speak English? I'm all for inclusion and acceptance... I teach it on a daily basis. However, I am tired of asking people to repeat their questions. I am tired of having to repeat my questions at least three or four times. Is it really such a crime to want to be able to speak to someone that I can actually communicate with?

Let me be clear that I am not trying to characterize the entire industry of telephone customer-service representatives. I'm sure that most of them, if not all, are wonderful people doing wonderful things with their lives and families. I just want to know that after waiting on hold for 10 or 15 minutes will eventually lead to a real person that I can actually talk to.

Is this really so wrong?

Up yours, Mr. Gore!

The view from our window earlier this afternoon. 'Nuff said.

As an aside, and not simply for the purposes of this post, I honestly cannot remember ever having seen snow in May during my many years in Canada. It's been a long and dreary winter up in Slave Lake and still it refuses to give it up for the year.

Update: Still snowing at 8:41 pm.

If at first you don't succeed...

Just call it something else.

h/t Glenn Beck

George Carlin on Environment

This video definitely made my lunch hour and will drift in the vastness of my mind for some time to come.

Enjoy! Be warned that the language might affect some overly sensitive ears.



h/t Climbing out of the Dark