Bob Rae

Former Ontario NDP premier Bob Rae has formally declared his intention to seek the federal Liberal leadership, but says he has no plans to shift the party to the left.

Rae, who governed Ontario from 1990 to 1995, says he would stake out the political centre if elected as Paul Martin's successor. "What happens to Canada and what happens to Canadians matters," Rae said. "I believe that Canada needs a party that embraces change."

Zatoichi

The character's name is actually Ichi. Zato is a title, the lowest of the four official ranks within the Todo-za, the traditional guild for the blind, which was abolished in 1871. The three other ranks, in ascending order, were koto, betto, and kengyo. Ichi is therefore properly called Zato-no-Ichi ("Low-Ranking Blind Person Ichi," approximately), or Zatoichi for short. Giving massages was a traditional occupation for the blind.

A recurring theme of both the films and television series episodes concerns Zatoichi protecting the innocent from oppressive warring clans and general injustice.

Hockey

I'm not a hockey fan - never was. When it was announced today that Toronto didn't make the playoffs, I shrugged, "Whatever!"

Then my wife said, "Hockey used to be a sport - now it's a brawl;" adding, "like wrestling on ice."

"Don't give them any ideas," I answered

Books II

I just finished The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell, and enjoyed it even more than I did her Assassination Vacation.

Bread and Circuses II

With all of the celebrities dancing, skating, and cooking, is there going to be a market for Celebrity Freecell? Stay tuned!

Blue Jays vs White Sox

Pitcher A. J. Burnett made his debut as a Blue Jay yesterday. The score was Chicago 4, Toronto 2.

Paul Konerko of Chicago hit two 2-run home runs, accounting for all 4 White Sox RBI's.

Some sportscasters reported, "He threw only 2 bad pitches." I'm thinking that, since he gave up two 2-run home runs, he threw only 4 bad pitches.

It's only his first start, and he's sure to pitch better as the season continues.

Jays Win Home Opener

The Blue Jays won Game 1 of the 2006 season, 6 - 3. Their ace, Roy Halladay, won tonight's game, allowing three runs, two earned, in 7 2-3 innings.

Troy Glaus doubled and scored, Lyle Overbay singled and scored, and Bengie Molina hammered a two-run homer to back a dominant Roy Halladay as old and new blended seamlessly for the Blue Jays in a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Twins in Tuesday night's season opener. Alex Rios also hit a two-run shot.

New closer B.J. Ryan got his first save as a Blue Jay, pitching a quick and easy ninth for the save while a sold-out Rogers Centre audience of 50,449 chanted his name. Ryan came on in the ninth to protect a 6-3 lead, and he didn't disappoint. Eighteen pitches, 13 strikes, a liner to third, and two strikeouts, and Toronto's first win of the season was in the books

Ryan got Rondell White to line out to third baseman Troy Glaus. He followed that up by striking out Torii Hunter and Justin Morneau to end the game.

With his start yesterday against the Minnesota Twins, Halladay joined Dave Stieb for most Opening Day starts as a Blue Jay (four). The Jays starter with the best Opening Day record is lefty Jimmy Key, who went 3-0 from 1987-89.

April Fools' Day

Members of Parliament elect a new Speaker today, and the new Conservative government formally opens Parliament tomorrow, only a few days too late for April Fools.

Movies

You must see these two Stephen Chow [Chow Sing Chi] movies:

• Shaolin Soccer


• Kung Fu Hustle

It appears that Kung Fu Hustle 2 will be produced this year.