Oh God, here we go again...Ford Follies continued

picture courtesy of www.newstalk1010.com

I have repeatedly vowed that I won't dive into politics on this blog. This is a food, travel and random musings babble fest that does not, and should not, include political opinions and/or thoughts. I've broken that vow a few times - see here and here for examples. I recently read something today that made me both mad and fascinated at the same time. It also made me break the vow of no political talk on the this blog - again. It would seem that our current Mayor (in name only - since he couldn't be fired, city council pretty much neutered him - he's just a face to the title) is sitting in a three-way tie for the lead. Say what?? Yes people - we are once again back to a familiar topic: Toronto's "Mayor" Robert Ford.

This is election time in Toronto, and Rob Ford - since he is running for reelection, will be and is THE topic of conversation. Man, talk about a polarizing figure. I will say that Toronto has never been so interesting politically since he came on the scene, and that is saying a lot considering the lunatics we've had in power before he came along. Yup, I'm pointing at you Mel "boiling in a pot of water while natives dance around me" Lastman and June "I won't allow a band with an offensive name - Barenaked Ladies - perform in public" Rowlands. So Mr. Ford gets a nod for at least reviving some interest in what is usually a long, tedious 8 month process to become Toronto's next top Mayor.

I've written in the past for him to resign, only to retract that opinion - sort of. Well since that posting, our 'ahem' humble Mayor has allegedly gone to rehab, and mercifully disappeared from public view for a few weeks. Can I tell you how beautiful it was without the headlines screaming about the latest Rob Ford f*ckery? Trust me, his absence from the scene was comparable to that incredible dish, the one that stays on your mind and you can still taste it in your dreams. It was that fantastic glass of wine, scotch, gin whatever or better. It was that amazing sex that you just didn't want to feel/have it end. Yes, THAT good.

But like the fart that follows you into the car, he still lingers on the scene long after you wish it would go away. The latest polls have him tied with two other candidates: John Tory and Olivia Chow.

People are commenting on HuffPo and other sites about their shock, shock(!) that Rob Ford is still managing to attract voters after all the sh*t he's done, not to mention putting the city through hell with him. But here's the deal: there are people who live in big, progressive Toronto who really, really like him and the views he espouses. Yes, there are people - in Toronto, who don't like liberals or their views. Who don't like gays and are thrilled he skips Pride and the parade. Who aren't thrilled with immigrants and absolutely hate taxes of any sort going up. He appeals to them and continues to do so no matter what personal problems he has.

All I can say, is that if this man is re-elected, then we, Torontonians, will get what we voted for. If it happens, then it should be seen as a wake up call for any future candidates who want to run from Mayor. There is a different life for people who do not live in the Downtown core, or even the old City of Toronto boundaries. They do not share the views, values, ideals that many people who live downtown take for granted or assume everyone shares.

The election is on October 27th. I can't wait and yet I'm also terrified to find out what will happen. The countdown begins.

Goodbye individual, hello team*

images courtesy of blog.beeflambnz.co.nz and freshthoughts.primalalchemy.com

*Moving forward,'daily ramblings' will change to 'random ramblings'. Why? Because 'daily' assumes every day, and trust me I'm not planning to ramble every day - or wait, am I doing that already? But I digress. So from this point on, I will post a random ramble whenever a topic I feel like babbling about pops into my head. Which brings me to the current topic rumbling 'round my brain - the importance of teamwork.

Back in my culinary school days and working in various kitchens, I was taught the fundamentals of cooking - techniques, culinary terms, equipment, kitchen safety - all of it. But one thing that was constantly reiterated by my instructors and head chefs at work, was the importance of teamwork and/or working as a team. In the kitchen, there is truth to the adage "safety in numbers". If you want to be a participant in the culinary game, you have to learn and be able to work together with a variety of people and personalities. There is no such thing as independence - well, eventually, but certainly not at the beginning of the cooking career. No, it's all about teamwork.

Now I'm sure I'll have a slew of articles sent to me by my reader that feature writings about a number of top chefs who have gone onto fame on fortune by forging their own culinary path. There is no denying that happens, but every single one of those chefs could not have arrived at their current destination of success without a lot of people helping, guiding and working with them - side by side.

There is no question that this business can and does celebrate the singular, massive ego of a great chef, but make no mistake - that ego was fed in part by a hunger to be number one, but also by the participation, support and 'buy-in' of people who embraced that chefs concept of great cuisine, and wanted to be a part of that world. Together. Along with plenty of tears, tantrums and freaking hard, hard work, they all created a team atmosphere that was conducive to success. You will need it if you're going to make it in this business.

So is talking about teamwork really just a random ramble? Well now that I've written the piece I'm thinking perhaps this shouldn't just be a random piece after all, but something that needs to be repeated - and often. In a world where individualism is encouraged and celebrated, and personal development revolve around the 'me' word, we sometimes need a jolt and a shake to remind us why being part of a team is noteworthy, necessary and needed.

Daily Ramblings Topic 1: Pride, freedom and the joy of safety

picture courtesy of Raymond Helkio

So last week I was walking through the gay village during Pride Week in Toronto with my good friend Mike. We're talking, having a laugh and of course enjoying the 'scenery'. I have to say how incredibly gratifying and awesome it is being in a safe area where you can look without fear. A place where you can be who you are, be among likeminded people and again, be safe, knowing that looking would not be misconstrued as a threat that may cause you bodily harm.

I know that the visuals for Pride, thanks in part to the media, can be misconstrued by the general population as just an excuse for some to shed their clothes or "throw gayness in their face", but it's so much more than that. So much more.

It's about history. It's about recognizing the struggle it took to even reach the point where a million people are gathered to safely celebrate just being alive in a world that really doesn't appreciate you being 'different'. It's about being able to express yourself in a safe environment with other people just like you, the way that you want to, with no shackles, no fear.

If you haven't already noticed, I have made a point to constantly repeat the 'safety' word in this post. The reason is clear: it's extremely important for people to understand why gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexuals need to be able to feel safe and more importantly, loved for who they are. We have one defining moment a year where it can be done in a very public way without fear. So lets celebrate it.