randomosity

Ok. The constant CBC warnings that this programme contains coarse language is certainly the hint that the CBC has yet to warm to Brian Mulroney. A rather tepid presentation. The challenge to the film maker was to take the taped conversations and find a way to make them visually compelling. Although a good collection of documentary footage and occasional switched between soundtrack and voice overs, Peter Newman’s self-described role as ‘pet newsman’ causes a real lack of counter voice or even narration that does come across in the book. All in all despite the good footage, the book is a far more compelling product. Nonetheless,listening to a man seeking to constantly justify his actions, remind of his hard knocks, our former prime minister comes across as a sniveling twit, paranoid, and convinced that he was a better man than the country deserved…always convinced that he was doing the right thing…his remark referring to the ‘genuine mediocrity’ of the Canadian media seems to really capture his feelings towards the citizens of Canada in general.

So…why would anyone voluntarily attend a seminar on Administration and Book-keeping in Renaissance and Early Modern Italy? Even the lecturer was surprised by the turnout. Standing room only at Victoria University. The workshop was very fascinating and a useful look at the origins of the double entry system of book-keeping. Dr. Mauro Carboni gave an enthusiastic and extremely step-by-step and logical look at the financial records of the Monte di Peita of Bologna. As it turns out when you say business terms in Italian they sound much more exotic. Partitorum (Minute Book), Vademecum (Administrator), Priore (Chairman), Economo (Chief Administrator), Compioneri (Chief Bookkeeper), Quaderni di cassa (Daybook). Aren’t these great? Seriously, the rationale for development of the elabourate system of financial records that we are so familiar with today wasn’t always so common. This short workshop provided some remarkable insight on the need to stem rampant embezzlement and provide businessmen with the ability to immediately be able to determine the financial health of their enterprises.

Just back from a great weekend away at my first fencing tournament. The Mac bus headed off on Friday and we were in Kingston just before midenight. Short nights sleep and we were on the bus at 6 the next morning. I got to fence Epee after all and we had a great time. Didn’t move past the first round, but got some good experience. Sunday I warmed up with foilists and then was alternate for the Sabre C team. The team did great against three A teams and came close to winning the last match. All in all a great weekend.