Welcome to Happiness, Canada

Where in the world do people feel most content with their lives?

According to a new report released by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), a Paris-based group of 30 countries with democratic governments that provides economic and social statistics and data, happiness levels are highest in northern European countries.

Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands rated at the top of the list, ranking first, second and third, respectively. Outside Europe, New Zealand and Canada landed at Nos. 8 and 6, respectively. The U.S. did not crack the top 10. Switzerland placed seventh and Belgium placed tenth.

Once again Russia crushes Gay Pride

Police in Moscow have broken up a gay pride rally that was banned by city authorities.

About 30 activists gathered Saturday morning near a university in southwestern Moscow to denounce what they say is discrimination against gays and lesbians in Russia.

After one minute, as demonstrators unfurled banners calling for gay rights, police charged into the group, grabbed about 20 people and dragged them into police cars and vans.

Among those detained were British activist Peter Tatchell and American activist Andy Thayer of Chicago, co-founder of the Gay Liberation Network.

Thayer said Russia's gays and lesbians are engaged in a fight "for the soul of Russian democracy."

"If … the right to assemble is taken away from lesbian and gay people here in Russia, then other Russians have to fear for their own freedom," Thayer said shortly before he was hauled away.

Moscow's mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, has described homosexuality as "satanic."

Mikhail Nalimov, leader of the United Orthodox Christian Youth, said his group would not tolerate any gay pride rallies in Russia.

"The aim of the gay movement is to destabilize the country and society and we will not let that happen," he said in a BBC interview earlier in the week.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CBC NEWS SEGMENT

They've been working on this schtick for 62 years

Here’s a wonderful impromptu piano performance at the Mayo Clinic by 90-year-old Marlo Cowan and his wife of 62 years, Fran. A cheerful reminder of how to have a long life and a successful marriage.

Who knew Big Cats love PUMPKINS?!

Big Cat Rescue is a non profit, permanent retirement home to more than 100 tigers, lions, leopards, bobcats and more species of exotic cat. They rely entirely on donations to provide them with the lives you see in these videos. Please help support the big cats at: http://www.bigcatrescue.org/donate.htm or by mailing a check to Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, FL 33625 813.920.4130 Info@BigCatRescue.org


TIGERS LEOPARDS Vs Pumpkins! - The funniest home videos are here

Study your balls off!

Quite often, students who are having problems concentrating tend to get up every ten minutes to watch TV, talk on the phone, take something out of the fridge, and a long list of other distractions. Were they to dedicate all this wasted time to studying, they would optimize their performance and have more free time available. Study Ball helps you study more and more efficiently.

The Study Ball gadget is a prison-style ball and chain that you can program to keep track of how much time you spend studying. Once you’ve selected the desired duration, you chain the ball to your ankle and the manacle won’t come off until the schedule study time is up.
A red LED indicator displays the “Study Time Left“ and keeps you informed as to how much longer you’ve got to keep studying. The ball and chain are made of highly durable steel and weighs a total of 9.5 kg / 20.95 pounds, which makes it difficult to move while wearing it.

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia

International Day Against Homophobia will be observed across Canada and around the world on May 17 – this Sunday. The occasion presents an annual opportunity to rally citizens everywhere against all forms of homophobia.

The theme for the 2009 celebration is Homosexuality Knows No Borders. The goal is to make the general population, especially ethnocultural communities of all backgrounds, more aware of gay and lesbian issues, and also of issues related to sexual diversity.

CLICK HERE to visit the Official website

Lost in Translation?

For those of you who know about the Eurovision Song Contest, it has had a colourful past with some questionable entries over the years and some even more questionable English. But it is quite entertaining to see how involved Europeans get in the process ... "Deux points, Iceland!"

Here is an entry from a Greek singer who is lovely to watch, but if you can tell me what the lyrics of this song are about, please let me know!!! LOL

Greek court annuls same-sex marriages

ATHENS, Greece — A Greek court annulled Greece’s only two same-sex marriages, officials said Tuesday, following a furious backlash against the ceremonies from the government and religious leaders.

The two couples — one male, one female — exploited a loophole in a 26-year-old law that did not specify gender in civil weddings, and were married in June last year by the mayor of the small Aegean Sea island of Tilos.

The ceremonies drew the wrath of the powerful Orthodox Church of Greece, with one conservative bishop denouncing them as weddings of “humanoid couples.”

Quebec spends $500,000 to help gay seniors

The Quebec government is spending half a million dollars on an education campaign meant to improve the lives of gay, lesbian and transgendered seniors.

It's a subject so taboo that the cabinet minister responsible for seniors and representatives of the gay and lesbian communities couldn't find a seniors residence willing to host a news conference.

Laurent McCutcheon of the gay helpline Gai Écoute says homosexuality isn't discussed in most institutions that serve the elderly, leading many Quebec seniors to hide their sexual orientation.

As they age and lose their autonomy, gay, lesbian or transgendered seniors face stigma, loneliness, social isolation, rejection and in extreme cases, harassment from the very institutions they depend on to meet their needs.

WARNING: Men Having Sex Ahead

A park near Amsterdam has unveiled information signs pointing out spots where officials say gay men are known to have sex - so other visitors are not taken by surprise.

The signs "clearly indicate what is happening in each zone; also those where gay men are known to practice 'cruising'," municipal spokeswoman Manon Koffijberg said.

Cruising is a slang word used to describe the act of trawling for casual sex.

Follow this link to a map of the area mentioned