Boo! Halloween makes for scary times....

So, Halloween is fast approaching - scary times! We really are living in scary economic times. I can't help but be shocked by the continued steep declines in the worlds stock markets. What does this all mean for us?

In some ways it presents opportunities I think. Much like in any crisis, there is room for creative responses at the local, national and international level. People who are laid off from work can move to start their own business serving their local communities. Internationally, we will probably see a higher level of regulation over global financial markets. We might even see a move towards more regional integration as smaller countries (think Iceland, and Canada???) realize the benefits of being hitched up in a larger political economic entity.

For Canada, does this mean greater integration with the U.S.? That thought rightly scares a lot of people. What would that mean for our distinct northern, social welfare, etc, culture? Would we still be able to maintain our Canadianess - what ever one defines that to be?

In some ways, regional integration makes a lot of sense. By facilitating trade in geographically close regions, we may avoid the wasteful importation of products from half-way around the world. Take for example an apple. If you are someone living in Ottawa, it makes a lot more sense to import that apple from New York than it does to import it from B.C. even though it is in the same country. Maybe we should break North America into regional conglomerations - East Coast, mid-west, West Coast.....I'm talking nonesense here....

Anyways, I've started investing again in the hopes that I can take advantage of some eventual upturn in the markets. Hopefully they decide to start cooperating!!

Fall Colours, change in the air...

Fall is in full swing, leaves changing colour. Is this not one of the most beautiful times of the year?

I love the fall harvest! I am lucky to have a great farmers market right across the street from me. Today I went and bought a nice Butternut Squash, some onions, apples, cabbage and other delicious fall veggies...I am not trying to strategize some recipes to use it all :)

Bracing for winter? It is definitely on the way. Below zero in the mornings, I am now wearing a toque and mits for my daily bike commute. I am going to have to break out my 'beater' bike and begin getting it ready for winter time. Am I crazy to expect that I will be able to ride throughout the winter? My ride is only about 10 minutes in good times, so that shouldn't be an issue. The worst part will be the logistics of wearing all sorts of winter gear and having to change into my work clothes....a logistical issue really....

Another thing is trying to keep myself socially active once the cold arrives. It will be difficult to motivate myself to leave my place when its freezing cold out....I'll survive though, and maybe even be happy doing it too...