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The Horseshoe Falls at dusk, as seen from the observation deck of Skylon Tower
On our list of favorite vacation spots and travel destinations, Ontario, Canada is surely in the top three, right along with Greece and San Francisco. For this year's summer vacation, we went to Niagara Falls, Canada. This visit was our third trip to Niagara Falls and our fourth trip overall to Ontario (we visited Toronto in 2005). Thomai and I first visited Niagara Falls as newlyweds back in 1998 and we had an absolutely great time. We returned in 2001 when K. was about 2 ½ years old and it was another memorable experience. Of course, our trip to Toronto was exceptional, but it was a pretty expensive junket and it wasn't in the cards (or in the budget) for us to go back this year, although we would have liked to do so. Because Z. had never visited the Falls, we thought this would be a good time share the experience as a family of four.
We were ready for a huge road trip, having compiled a massive mix CD that included some of our road trip favorites like "The Road I Must Travel" by The Nightwatchman, "Vacation" by the Go-Go's and "Holiday Road" by Lindsey Buckingham. We also added some new songs to the mix, like "No One" by Alicia Keys, which is a new favorite for Thomai and K.
It is probably worth noting that it was pretty sunny on the drive up to Canada and I had to break down and buy a pair of sunglasses at a Pennsylvania K-mart. And -- get this -- they were those huge "over glasses" shades that I joked about last year in my rant about Wal-Mart. Once we were back on the road, it finally hit me that I was 35 years old, wearing gigantic "over-glasses" sunglasses, and driving a mini-van with my 2 kids in tow. So I guess it is official that I am an old guy.
The one and only Santino Marella
We were a little worried about Stupsi on our first night there, as she had helped herself to a bag of the kids' candy a day or two earlier. But we did manage to get settled and walk down to Clifton Hill, which is one of our favorite spots in Niagara Falls. It is probably one of my greatest contradictions that I love such a kitschy, touristy place like Clifton Hill. The girls were pretty excited to eat at The Rainforest Café and I must say it was pretty decent for a chain restaurant. I was pretty stoked to find the WWE Retail Store right next to the Rainforest Café and we stopped there after dinner. I ended up buying a Santino Marella t-shirt which I will probably wear several times a week for many, many years to come. I had wanted one of these shirts pretty badly for about a month, but I hadn't got around to getting one online. Now, Thomai will tell you that she doesn't like wrestling at all, but I am more than happy to point out that Santino always gets a laugh out of her. I am pretty sure it's because his in-your-face "Italian" character reminds her of some of her more "boisterous" relatives in Greece.
Our first big stop during our stay was the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory. We had never been there before, and it was a tremendously interesting place to see. Thomai took some wonderful pictures there.
Yes, I gave this man $4.
Later in the week, we visited some of our favorite spots on Clifton Hill, including the Movieland Wax Museum and the Rock and Roll Wax Museum. Baby Z. has a bizarre fascination with Elvis these days, and we snapped an hilarious picture of her posing in front of a wax figure of "The King." Later that day, we came across a street performer who was working the Clifton Hill area with his very bizarre "Golden Elvis" routine. Both of the girls were really taken by his act and I ended up giving the guy $4 CDN (or two "Toonies") so that he would give the each of girls a set of gold beads. K. wore her beads for the rest of the trip.
Skylon Tower was a high point (pun intended) for us all and we took some great pictures of the Horseshoe Falls below. I was also pleasantly surprised to find a nice-looking spider spinning an impressive web on the outside of the observation deck screen, a full 775 feet from the ground. The pictures I took of that spider (with the distant landscape below as a backdrop) are some of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Spider web at 775 feet.
As usual, I wanted to visit a locally-owned used and rare bookshop as part of our trip and after looking a bit on the web and in the phone book, I thought Hannelore Headley Old & Fine Books in St. Catherine's looked like a good spot. This place was totally packed with rows upon rows of books, stacked as high as the ceiling in some places. I landed a couple of good finds, including Love and Struggle in Mao's Thought by Raymond Whitehead and a 1968 Progress Publishers book on the Ulyanov Family.
Our last day in Niagara was the busiest of them all, as we didn't want to leave without hitting all of the best "tourist" attractions. We have hit the Double Deck Sightseeing Tour, Journey Behind the Falls and Maid of the Mist on all three of our Niagara trips now and each attraction is a special and unique experience.
For our last big meal of the trip, we went to a ritzy Chinese restaurant called Golden Lotus, located in the über-posh Fallsview Casino Resort. Budgetary constraints prevented us splurging on $100-plus dishes like shark fin soup and abalone, but I did go with the waiter's recommendation, which was the tender pork neck in X.O. sauce. I had never tasted X.O. sauce before and I was a little worried that I wouldn't like it, but it was just spicy enough without completely overpowering the dish. The consistency of the pork neck was unusual, but very intriguing -- somewhere between a piece of ham and a pork chop. The dish was pretty fantastic, overall, as was the entire trip.
Niagara Falls has never let us down and Thomai and I were so happy to enjoy all of our favorite spots with the girls.
You can view pictures of our trip here. (username & password required)
Many people who are just the least bit acquainted with the history of modern China understand Dr. Sun Yat-sen to be one of the most important figures in the history of the republic. But it's easy – or perhaps convenient for some – to forget that Sun based his revolutionary work on the principles of socialism as he understood it. In his 1956 article "In Commemoration of Dr. Sun Yat-sen," Mao Zedong hailed Sun Yat-sen as China's "great revolutionary forerunner," touching on Sun's integral role in the overthrow of China's monarchy and the founding of the republic.
A few weeks ago, greeklish.org featured a piece on the 1916 book The Socialism of To-day, citing several examples of why this "sourcebook" is a fascinating guide to the socialism around the world on the eve of the Russian Revolution. It is important to note that the book's survey of world socialist movements is not limited to the American and European experiences, as the people of the Intercollegiate Socialist Society had the foresight to include information regarding the situation in China. Of course, in the decades following China's Revolution of 1911, the Chinese people would, time and again, remain steadfast in their commitment to overthrow the monarchy and drive the colonialists from the country and it was under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, that their efforts began to bear fruit.
The Socialism of To-day features an interview with Sun Yat-sen from October 1913 during his exile in Japan. In this interview, he shares a terse analysis of the political, social and economic issues of the time and shares his insight on the importance of socialism as it relates to China's future as an independent and developing republic.
Reproduced below are pages 358 through 360 of The Socialism of To-day in their entirety. This text has been reproduced in accordance with Fair Use provisions.
II. AN INTERVIEW WITH SUN YAT SEN
By Kannibelle in Japan, October 9, 1913
(Published in The New York Call, June 28, 1914)
[Dr. Sun, the first President of China, is regarded by himself and many others as a Socialist. His position is similar in many points to that of the Australian Labor Party or the Russian Labor group.]
''A political revolution is a necessary initial step toward an economic and industrial revolution...In constitutional countries the revolution will be attained through education and evolution; these are bloodless revolutions.
''The trouble in China is economic. It is between the landless, starving millions and the landed interests, who for fear of the ire of the people, have thrown themselves into the arms of the foreign capitalists. But after the establishment of a constitution and the overthrow of Yuan; Shi Kai, the newest revolution, however, needs no blood...
"Some people have construed this secondary revolution as the inauguration of Socialism.
"Socialism in China is known as Shay kwei choo yee which in English means 'the theory of humanitarianism.'
This policy, which defied the usurped authority of Yuan Shi Kai, is the policy of the southern patriots, who aim at equality, universal love, and peace. This policy demands mutual aid, the abolition of the old 'class' system, and pledges itself to guarantee the abolition of poverty as well as extreme wealth....
"Therefore, Socialism is the only method of serving our politico-economic problems.
"I know that industrialism is necessary in China; the march of civilization is too insistent to be stayed, and it must come to China. We must develop our resources, and the development of them provides food for serious thought. I want to avoid what seems to be the natural corollary of advanced modern capitalism–the unfair treatment of the toiler. And when I look around me for a solution I find none has yet been found by foreign countries.
"In our virgin country there is opportunity to begin rightly, and I am convinced that we should strive in every way so to meet the advance of industrialism that the worst features of it should be prevented from ever taking root. Therefore, I advocate Socialism. And what do I mean by that? I shall work in the future, as I have been working in the past, for the introduction of a system whereby the creators of wealth, the labor, will be able to receive its fair share of the production, and this must be based upon a common ground of justice and fraternity. By this system production would be enhanced and increased to the maximum, with a minimum of poverty and labor slavery. All men would have their proportion of the products of the wealth now awaiting development at their hands; they would reap the full fruit of their toil, secure favorable conditions of labor, and obtain opportunity in leisure to think of other things than the daily grind in the mill or the mine. They would be able to cultivate the mind, have adequate recreation, and procure the blessings which should be in all men's lives, but which, on the showing of other nations, are largely denied the workers and the poorer masses.
"A chance would be given to all in the race for a livelihood in life, and the fullest measure of liberty should be provided. This is what I will fight to establish in China.
"When I urge Socialism, or a Socialistic system of government, I urge a system which will create for the people of China a direct interest in the vital affairs of their whole country; consequently it will create a more virile and worthy patriotism. I want to see the great multitudes of my country participate in the results of the productiveness of the country that is their own, and this is what I mean by nationalism.
''I also want to see that the state derives the fullest value from the sources of revenue which should be under its immediate control. I advocate state ownership of railways, tramways, electric light power, gasworks, canals, and forests. I want to see royalties coming to the state from mines and revenues from the land.
"The revenue derived from all these avenues will constitute a sum greatly in excess of what will be needed for state administration, and the balance may be used in tin necessary work of education and the more charitable and desirable objects, such as the old-age pension, the care of the lame and the blind."
The Kuo Mang Tang, the Nationalist Party in China, is in charge of these various political principles; its success or failure depends upon its members. It is powerfulthroughout the entire country, especially in the east and in the south. Its influence is extensive and is rich in resources. Numerous publications, banks, and other great industrial associations are supporting this party. Almost all the merchants who consider themselves enlightened are its members.
"From America it derives its greatest moral and mental weapons. From America the student class brings liberal and enlightened economic and political ideas, while from his curio shop or from his laundry the Chinese Nationalist forwards his voluntary contribution for the enhancement of this 'theory of humanitarianism.'
"Thirteen out of 22 provincial governors are its members. Thirteen or more local legislatures are therefore under its control...Out of a total of 880 members in the new Parliament, 446 are Nationalists, while the political unionists, the Yuan Shi Kai partisans, number 120; the rest are Republicans, under Li Yuan Hung; the Democrats, under Kang Liang, and the Independents. The Yuan Shi Kai régime at first tried to unite his faction with the rest of the factions in opposition to the Nationalist Party. Those he could not persuade he bought over, while he succeeded in exterminating many members of the Nationalist Party in the Parliament until he attained the necessary majority to perpetuate himself in power.
"These are the facts regarding the rebellion of the South and the East. No, there will never be true peace and tranquility in China until the country's politico-economic problems are solved 'by and through selective judgment of the people of China."
"My country is awakening and is awakening fast for one which has been in a stupor for many centuries. She will soon take her place and demand respect among the greatest nations of the world. Yuan Shi Kai may retard her progress, but he cannot thwart her steady advance indefinitely. Related Reading Chang Hsueh-lianggreeklish.org Important writings in the history and development of Chinese Communism marxists.org
The following is adapted from a series of releases and posts by Freedom and Equality Seeking Students (FESS) We have just been informed that Mr. Davood Bagheri, a member of the "Freedom and Equality Seeking Students" has attempted to commit suicide while in prison. The unbearable conditions of his detention and the inhumane treatment he has suffered at the hands of the Turkish detention guards pushed Davood into deep despair prior to his suicide attempt.
Davood fled Iran months ago in the wake of severe repression following the Students Day crackdown in December 2007, but shortly after his arrival in Turkey, he was arrested for "illegal entrance" and he has languished in custody for the past four months. He is presently held in the Aderneh Prison hospital and it is believed he is in critical condition.
We call on all human rights organizations and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to urgently intervene to save the life of Davood Bagheri.
Freedom and Equality Seeking Students (FESS) (supported by Friends of FESS)
So, it's been a few days and the work week is officially over. As I decompress a bit tonight, I have to honestly say that my enthusiasm regarding CM Punk's big win has definitely made this a good week for me. I know it is weird and pretty eclectic for me to get so much pleasure out of something as cheesy and over-the-top as pro wrestling, but I just can't shake it. I have watched Punk's win at least twice a day over the last 3 days or so and every time I thought about it this week, it has brought a smile to my face. I forget about politics, bills and all my other worries for a few moments and I'm just happy. Really. The whole angle was just wonderfully executed. If you don't know the story leading up to it and you don't know what "Money in the Bank" is, then it's probably all lost on you, but take my word for it that this was all way cool.
I started watching WWE again about a year and a half ago after a really long hiatus from all the current wrestling shows. Before that, I had basically just spent years watching the same old Memphis and ICW tapes and DVDs over and over again. Once I picked up WWE again and started watching Raw on a weekly basis, I really looked long and hard for one of those great "Raw" moments that are celebrated in the DVD retrospectives and YouTube compilations. But the writing for WWE is pretty sloppy and inconsistent at times and it's hard to get too excited about story-lines and feuds, especially when there seems to be a real tendency on the part of WWE to endlessly tease and screw with fans. The "big" moments are really few and far between these days. I think the last time I really jumped out of my seat was when Edge cashed in MITB and beat Undertaker for the Heavyweight title last year. Before that, it was when Shawn Michaels beat Cena after that hour-long bout in London after WrestleMainia 24. That was way cool. Jericho's comeback was a big deal and it was fun to see Shawn Michaels superkick Randy Orton a bunch of times. But that's really my short list of big WWE moments for the last 18 months or so. And Punk's win really trumps all of those for me.
A lot of Internet "smarks" have moaned and groaned about Punk winning in such a heel-like fashion, but I think that is a pretty lame complaint at the end of the day. I don't think it takes anything away from his charisma or appeal to have him turn the tables on Edge, who won the title from the Undertaker in the exact same way. That's the whole point of the angle -- to bring it full circle, really. Besides, it's best not to over-think this stuff at the end of the day and just enjoy the moment. It's called "sports entertainment" for a reason.
