The Index

A lot of Canadians of my acquaintance liked to refer to the UN report that said that Canada had the highest quality of life of all first world nations. We were so rated from 1996 to 2000. Then Norway took our spot and we slid to number three.

(I had a co-worker who was Norwegian. The whole 2001 Index thing coincides with his move to Canada. Of course, I blamed him).

The most recent index has Canada slipping to number 10. And this part is important: Canada is behind the US, now. And that's the part that'll be a real blow to our collective ego.

The Star's article says that the Index is based on these factors:

• life expectancy;
• education;
• health;
• income;
• poverty; and
• the environment.

There's also something about status of women, 'cause the article mentions the low percentage of women in our parliament as one of the factors that pulled us down.

Fringe-y Stuff

Caught some Fringe shows yesterday. "Sheroes" was dreadful. Positively dreadful, I say. "The Imponderables" were really funny. Great comic timing. Great use of body and physical movement as part of the comedic effect.

I wonder if there's a taxonomy of comedy styles?