I need a no BS assessment of the following situation.
Is it gay that I like the movie 'A Walk To Remember'?
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
I need someone to explain something to me.
Didn't we go through this long, arduous, heart wringing session about a North American Free Trade Agreement about 15 years ago? Wasn't the whole point of the agreement, and the vicious lobbying on both sides of it, to arrive at an contract about who could assign fees, and to what commodity? The ultimate goal of the project being, a transaction that was province to province, or state to state, was to be the same as one that crossed the international border between Canada and the United States?
So what the HELL is the deal with the US imposing duties on things, such as softwood lumber? And why do we have to entertain the notion of countervailing trade penalties, to other US commodities, as retaliation? Wasn't the damn deal that was so fracturous when it was negotiated, supposed to prevent this exact thing from happening?
I boils down to this. The Americans are wrong. They've been told they are wrong, on numerous occasions, every time this has reached a global tribunal. What's the point of negotiating things with the Americans, if they have no interest in living up to the agreement when it doesn't cut their way?
Didn't we go through this long, arduous, heart wringing session about a North American Free Trade Agreement about 15 years ago? Wasn't the whole point of the agreement, and the vicious lobbying on both sides of it, to arrive at an contract about who could assign fees, and to what commodity? The ultimate goal of the project being, a transaction that was province to province, or state to state, was to be the same as one that crossed the international border between Canada and the United States?
So what the HELL is the deal with the US imposing duties on things, such as softwood lumber? And why do we have to entertain the notion of countervailing trade penalties, to other US commodities, as retaliation? Wasn't the damn deal that was so fracturous when it was negotiated, supposed to prevent this exact thing from happening?
I boils down to this. The Americans are wrong. They've been told they are wrong, on numerous occasions, every time this has reached a global tribunal. What's the point of negotiating things with the Americans, if they have no interest in living up to the agreement when it doesn't cut their way?
Monday, November 22, 2004
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Tonight's Grey Cup game served to prove that there is justice in the universe. The B.C. Lions were not able to use their 'free ride' to the grey Cup, to claim the championship. Nor was last week's hero, Duncan O'Mahony, able to perform under pressure. Let it be noted that he missed a kick of similar distance to Paul McCallum's, and arguably an easier one, as he was lined up straight at the goal posts.
In summation:
WAY TO GO ARGOS!!!!!
In summation:
WAY TO GO ARGOS!!!!!
You see, this is why I have such an undying hatred for drunk people.
Concert tonight at Sask. Place (I know, I know, I'll get used to Credit Union Centre eventually). The Tragically Hip were tonight's band de la nuit. Something of an older favorite, as The Hip's popularity seems to have faded into the memory of the people my age. Still a big name in Canadian musical circles, but they just don't have the street cred with the yungin's. And lets face it, its the chillin's that set the bar for what's hot, and what's not.
But I digress . . .
The point I was getting to is, The Tragically Hip are a band for older people. And by older I mean, 30+. We remember who the Hip are, and were, and it makes us nostalgic for our youth. We shell out the bucks to attend their concert. And, as we're now into our 4th decade on the planet, we have a lot of the, mad-fat-cash, that we didn't have in our teen years. This opens up the facility to spend a lot of it on alcohol.
(I promise, we'll get to the drunk people part yet)
The concert was not exceptionally busy. Not that I really expected it to blow me away. It was a given as we began, that the show was not sold out. (on a completely unrelated note, I kinda wish I'd been in the audience. The Hip are a favorite of mine, even if they have faded into insignificance) Estimates were between 5,000 and 6,000. We were well staffed to handle the request for libations.
Now, the Hip come on, and the bars close. This is standard operating procedure. The concourse goes black, and all the food and beverage services shut down for the evening. This darkness is important to note. Everything closes, all the people go away, and I find myself alone at the bar.
(I have to digress again, for another comment that is not salient to my main goal with this post. Are the security staff at Credit Union Center not the most useless bags of snot that ever existed? When you don't need them, they are right there, to enforce a bar closing that some idiot in security just pulled out of his ass. But when the bar management decides they wanna close up shop, the dumb security bastards are a easy to find as a gay lobbyist at George W. Bush's inauguration)
Back to my story . . .
Its pitch black. (remember how I said this was important) I've even gone to the trouble of taking out the flourescent light in the fridge. There's not a soul around on the concourse. I am paying NO attention to the floor, or any possible other people. And they STILL stand at the bar, wait for me to turn around, and want to know if they can have a beer.
Does alcohol make you THAT stupid? This happens every time. The bars close, and there are still idiots roaming the deserted concourse, looking for a way to inebriate themselves. Go watch the damn show! Its the reason you paid all that money to be here. If you just wanted to drink beer, the price of your ticket would have probably bought at least four dozen beer at the liqour store. Not withstanding is the vast number of $5 bills you probably lost to my fellow bar staff, as they served you drinks at the new, and easily divisble, total.
Am I not righteous in my indignation?
Concert tonight at Sask. Place (I know, I know, I'll get used to Credit Union Centre eventually). The Tragically Hip were tonight's band de la nuit. Something of an older favorite, as The Hip's popularity seems to have faded into the memory of the people my age. Still a big name in Canadian musical circles, but they just don't have the street cred with the yungin's. And lets face it, its the chillin's that set the bar for what's hot, and what's not.
But I digress . . .
The point I was getting to is, The Tragically Hip are a band for older people. And by older I mean, 30+. We remember who the Hip are, and were, and it makes us nostalgic for our youth. We shell out the bucks to attend their concert. And, as we're now into our 4th decade on the planet, we have a lot of the, mad-fat-cash, that we didn't have in our teen years. This opens up the facility to spend a lot of it on alcohol.
(I promise, we'll get to the drunk people part yet)
The concert was not exceptionally busy. Not that I really expected it to blow me away. It was a given as we began, that the show was not sold out. (on a completely unrelated note, I kinda wish I'd been in the audience. The Hip are a favorite of mine, even if they have faded into insignificance) Estimates were between 5,000 and 6,000. We were well staffed to handle the request for libations.
Now, the Hip come on, and the bars close. This is standard operating procedure. The concourse goes black, and all the food and beverage services shut down for the evening. This darkness is important to note. Everything closes, all the people go away, and I find myself alone at the bar.
(I have to digress again, for another comment that is not salient to my main goal with this post. Are the security staff at Credit Union Center not the most useless bags of snot that ever existed? When you don't need them, they are right there, to enforce a bar closing that some idiot in security just pulled out of his ass. But when the bar management decides they wanna close up shop, the dumb security bastards are a easy to find as a gay lobbyist at George W. Bush's inauguration)
Back to my story . . .
Its pitch black. (remember how I said this was important) I've even gone to the trouble of taking out the flourescent light in the fridge. There's not a soul around on the concourse. I am paying NO attention to the floor, or any possible other people. And they STILL stand at the bar, wait for me to turn around, and want to know if they can have a beer.
Does alcohol make you THAT stupid? This happens every time. The bars close, and there are still idiots roaming the deserted concourse, looking for a way to inebriate themselves. Go watch the damn show! Its the reason you paid all that money to be here. If you just wanted to drink beer, the price of your ticket would have probably bought at least four dozen beer at the liqour store. Not withstanding is the vast number of $5 bills you probably lost to my fellow bar staff, as they served you drinks at the new, and easily divisble, total.
Am I not righteous in my indignation?
Friday, November 19, 2004
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Hopefully most of you will be watching the Grey Cup on CBC, when they kick the ball off Sunday afternoon. Those of you that do will probably notice the preponderance of Subway commercials. During the division finals, it seemed like every second commercial was for the barbeque steak and monterey cheese sub.
Word to the wise, it is NOT as good as it looks in the commercial.
I ordered one today. Point A - it is not sliced pieces of beef, like it appears in the commercial. It is the usual ice cream scoop of processed beef. Nor is the cheese as vibrant as in the commercial. And finally, the advertised toasting is not NEARLY worthy of that many commercials. Frankly, my sub didn't feel toasted so much as it seemed to have dried the outer shell, leaving the usual damp moistness to the bun.
Bottom line? Subway is good, but don't go out of your way for any of their new offerings.
That's all for me. I'm out.
Word to the wise, it is NOT as good as it looks in the commercial.
I ordered one today. Point A - it is not sliced pieces of beef, like it appears in the commercial. It is the usual ice cream scoop of processed beef. Nor is the cheese as vibrant as in the commercial. And finally, the advertised toasting is not NEARLY worthy of that many commercials. Frankly, my sub didn't feel toasted so much as it seemed to have dried the outer shell, leaving the usual damp moistness to the bun.
Bottom line? Subway is good, but don't go out of your way for any of their new offerings.
That's all for me. I'm out.
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
You'd think I'd be able to relax now.
I completed my goal for the week. Two projects closing their tender this week. I have, at least preliminarily, secured both projects. Approximate total sales, $300,000.
So why hasn't my headache gone away? I really wanted (and to a certain degree needed) these two projects. They've been keeping me awake, with tension and nervousness for about a week.
Now I have them. So why am I not relaxing? I'm still tense. I still have a headache, and I can still feel the burn in my chest from the ulcer. What the hell is going on?
Maybe, as it was so eloquently put by a friend, I just need to 'get a piece'. . .
I'll console myself with the money.
Toodles!!!
I completed my goal for the week. Two projects closing their tender this week. I have, at least preliminarily, secured both projects. Approximate total sales, $300,000.
So why hasn't my headache gone away? I really wanted (and to a certain degree needed) these two projects. They've been keeping me awake, with tension and nervousness for about a week.
Now I have them. So why am I not relaxing? I'm still tense. I still have a headache, and I can still feel the burn in my chest from the ulcer. What the hell is going on?
Maybe, as it was so eloquently put by a friend, I just need to 'get a piece'. . .
I'll console myself with the money.
Toodles!!!
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Monday, November 15, 2004
I am listening to MP3's, the same as I do every workday. However, as I listen, I had a thought.
Do you think any of these girls are gonna regret the public image they are currently putting out there for the world? I know that time tends to add a wistful sheen to the indescretions of the past. Some things don't heal though. Tattoo's are forever (or at least the removal scar will be). Sixteen different piercings? Undisciplined romps through the totality of eligible (and not so much, in Britney's case) of celebrity men.
I konw its a double standard. Men should be held to similar standards of behaviour. Maybe its just media coverage, but our young, former ingenue, female stars seem to have all gotten the same unbridled disease. They are poking holes in unmentionable body parts, stealing husbands/fathers, buying stupid expensive items, starting verbal wars with people they don't even know in any way other than as a name in a celebrity journal. And they all have tattoo's. (I think its sexy at 20 but what about at 60?
Someday they're gonna be mom's. For every cool mom, like a Pamela Anderson, there's going to be a thousand others that will live a life of driving their child to soccer, attending parent-teacher interviews, and buying groceries at Safeway. Do you really wanna live this hard, and wild, when the light of celebrity will inevitably fade?
Just a thought.
Do you think any of these girls are gonna regret the public image they are currently putting out there for the world? I know that time tends to add a wistful sheen to the indescretions of the past. Some things don't heal though. Tattoo's are forever (or at least the removal scar will be). Sixteen different piercings? Undisciplined romps through the totality of eligible (and not so much, in Britney's case) of celebrity men.
I konw its a double standard. Men should be held to similar standards of behaviour. Maybe its just media coverage, but our young, former ingenue, female stars seem to have all gotten the same unbridled disease. They are poking holes in unmentionable body parts, stealing husbands/fathers, buying stupid expensive items, starting verbal wars with people they don't even know in any way other than as a name in a celebrity journal. And they all have tattoo's. (I think its sexy at 20 but what about at 60?
Someday they're gonna be mom's. For every cool mom, like a Pamela Anderson, there's going to be a thousand others that will live a life of driving their child to soccer, attending parent-teacher interviews, and buying groceries at Safeway. Do you really wanna live this hard, and wild, when the light of celebrity will inevitably fade?
Just a thought.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Saturday, November 13, 2004
I made note of something this evening.
We have gin available, for that very rare bird that wants it. That doesn't happen very often. Nonetheless we have some at our bar (or what passes for a bar in a sports arena) The common reference to it is to call it 'liquid panty remover'.
The particular brand of 'liquid panty remover' we have right now is Beefeater. Is this just a coincidence?
Interesting . . .
We have gin available, for that very rare bird that wants it. That doesn't happen very often. Nonetheless we have some at our bar (or what passes for a bar in a sports arena) The common reference to it is to call it 'liquid panty remover'.
The particular brand of 'liquid panty remover' we have right now is Beefeater. Is this just a coincidence?
Interesting . . .
Friday, November 12, 2004
My fish died today.
His water was looking a little murky. It has for awhile actually, but I picked Friday as the day to clean his bowl. I did all the same stuff as always. Got a bowl. Filled it with permeate water. I used the room temperature tap, so he wasn't getting shocked. Filled as high as I could, then put him in. He was agitated as always, when I took him out of his bowl, but he swam around excitedly once in the temporary bowl. I started the process of cleaning his real home.
About halfway through the bowl cleansing, I took a look at my fish again. He wasn't moving. At all. I nudge the bowl, to get him to wave his fins. Nothing. He was completely dead, without possibility of revival.
I am now sad. I liked my fish. It was fun to watch him swim around in his bowl, on my desk. I could tap the glass and watch him swim when the vibrations stirred his water. He'd come to the front of the tank, and watch me for awhile. It always made me smile.
I know, its just a fish. I do, however, feel a faint urge to cry. I probably won't, but that swollen feeling that you get around your eyes, just before you start crying, is tinging my consciousness as I write this.
I don't know what I did wrong. I must have done something, because he died only after I moved him from his home. Was it the bowl? Was it moving him? (but he survived the move before) Was it the water? (I used 'pure' water, the same as always) I just don't know. I am a fish killer. I don't like knowing that.
Thoughts?
His water was looking a little murky. It has for awhile actually, but I picked Friday as the day to clean his bowl. I did all the same stuff as always. Got a bowl. Filled it with permeate water. I used the room temperature tap, so he wasn't getting shocked. Filled as high as I could, then put him in. He was agitated as always, when I took him out of his bowl, but he swam around excitedly once in the temporary bowl. I started the process of cleaning his real home.
About halfway through the bowl cleansing, I took a look at my fish again. He wasn't moving. At all. I nudge the bowl, to get him to wave his fins. Nothing. He was completely dead, without possibility of revival.
I am now sad. I liked my fish. It was fun to watch him swim around in his bowl, on my desk. I could tap the glass and watch him swim when the vibrations stirred his water. He'd come to the front of the tank, and watch me for awhile. It always made me smile.
I know, its just a fish. I do, however, feel a faint urge to cry. I probably won't, but that swollen feeling that you get around your eyes, just before you start crying, is tinging my consciousness as I write this.
I don't know what I did wrong. I must have done something, because he died only after I moved him from his home. Was it the bowl? Was it moving him? (but he survived the move before) Was it the water? (I used 'pure' water, the same as always) I just don't know. I am a fish killer. I don't like knowing that.
Thoughts?
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
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Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Somebody needs to explain this to me, right away. I'm about to blow an O-ring here with irritation.
I have a little package of M&M's that I want to eat. This is one of those snack-sized M&M packages that come out around Halloween, for inclusion in children's candy hordes.
How the hell is a kid supposed to get into these? The package is sealed better than Fort Knox!!! I'm going insane trying to pull it apart, and I can't do it. And I'm a full grown adult! How's a kid supposed to get this open?
That's it! Where's the ginsu!?!
I have a little package of M&M's that I want to eat. This is one of those snack-sized M&M packages that come out around Halloween, for inclusion in children's candy hordes.
How the hell is a kid supposed to get into these? The package is sealed better than Fort Knox!!! I'm going insane trying to pull it apart, and I can't do it. And I'm a full grown adult! How's a kid supposed to get this open?
That's it! Where's the ginsu!?!
Today is the perfect example of why I am against the use of virus protection software. If you give someone a program, and tell them that it will prevent viruses from getting onto their computer, they assume that its infallible.
Viruses, and virus protection programs, are all created by humans. For every virus written by a human, another human must write the code to block it. Despite the euphemistic term we've stolen, to describe the situation, what we have here is software written by people, for people, and abused by people. Your computer is not sentient. It does not know a good program from a bad one. As well, the software you buy to protect yourself is not sentient. It can not tell a good program from a virus. You, or someone who wrote it for you, is giving the software rules for allowing, or disallowing the execution of a program. The virus program does not know right from wrong, good from evil. It only knows the rules you've given it. Thus it is as completely under your control as a game, a spreadsheet, or a word processor.
This happens all the time. People get viruses and without fail they say, but I have a virus blocker!?! And it with that plaintive cry of the righteous victim. Yes, you got a virus. Yes, you got a virus despite having an anti-virus program. I can almost guarantee it will happen again, if you don't learn from this experience of getting a virus on your computer. Bottom line is, YOU control your computer. It does not control itself. If you want to prevent getting viruses, don't do stupid things. Don't open weird attachments in your email. Don't assume every joke that is sent your way, is safe. Don't click pop-ups on your desktop. Dont, DON'T, DON't!!! assume you are safe because you have anti-virus software.
The most effective, and easy method of preventing the spread of computer viruses, or becoming infected yourself is by, NOT BEING A STUPID PERSON!!!!!
Viruses, and virus protection programs, are all created by humans. For every virus written by a human, another human must write the code to block it. Despite the euphemistic term we've stolen, to describe the situation, what we have here is software written by people, for people, and abused by people. Your computer is not sentient. It does not know a good program from a bad one. As well, the software you buy to protect yourself is not sentient. It can not tell a good program from a virus. You, or someone who wrote it for you, is giving the software rules for allowing, or disallowing the execution of a program. The virus program does not know right from wrong, good from evil. It only knows the rules you've given it. Thus it is as completely under your control as a game, a spreadsheet, or a word processor.
This happens all the time. People get viruses and without fail they say, but I have a virus blocker!?! And it with that plaintive cry of the righteous victim. Yes, you got a virus. Yes, you got a virus despite having an anti-virus program. I can almost guarantee it will happen again, if you don't learn from this experience of getting a virus on your computer. Bottom line is, YOU control your computer. It does not control itself. If you want to prevent getting viruses, don't do stupid things. Don't open weird attachments in your email. Don't assume every joke that is sent your way, is safe. Don't click pop-ups on your desktop. Dont, DON'T, DON't!!! assume you are safe because you have anti-virus software.
The most effective, and easy method of preventing the spread of computer viruses, or becoming infected yourself is by, NOT BEING A STUPID PERSON!!!!!
Monday, November 08, 2004
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Friday, November 05, 2004
Thursday, November 04, 2004
I think I've figured out why babies are so irritating.
I was sitting in Pizza Hut this afternoon, waiting for my P'zone for lunch. Getting one was my brilliant idea that I came up with, as I was on my way to Subway. That's not part of the story. I'm waiting in the Pizza Hut and this baby is just WAILING, like someone was beating it like a screen door. The worst, more incisive howl you'll ever hear.
Then I had an epiphany.
Babies are irritating because they just make noise. When a baby screams like that, they don't say anything useful. You can't glean a distinguishable cause of the crying. They just bawl. It is possible to figure out what is making them cry, if you analyze the surroundings, or witness the babies actions. But I, sitting around the wall and down a hall from this screeching bag of flesh, had no ability to discern the reason, and therefore remedy the problem. And I dearly wanted to, because the noise was giving me a severe pain. Throttling the child was given serious consideration.
So where does that leave us? I think we have to outlaw babies in public. If kept in a closed, well supervised area, babies are less likely to meet incidental hazards. Less hazards means a reduced potential for causing howls. And less howling bags of flesh will improve the quality of life for all of us that know how to speak a civilized tongue.
Who is with me on banning babies in public? Show of hands?
I was sitting in Pizza Hut this afternoon, waiting for my P'zone for lunch. Getting one was my brilliant idea that I came up with, as I was on my way to Subway. That's not part of the story. I'm waiting in the Pizza Hut and this baby is just WAILING, like someone was beating it like a screen door. The worst, more incisive howl you'll ever hear.
Then I had an epiphany.
Babies are irritating because they just make noise. When a baby screams like that, they don't say anything useful. You can't glean a distinguishable cause of the crying. They just bawl. It is possible to figure out what is making them cry, if you analyze the surroundings, or witness the babies actions. But I, sitting around the wall and down a hall from this screeching bag of flesh, had no ability to discern the reason, and therefore remedy the problem. And I dearly wanted to, because the noise was giving me a severe pain. Throttling the child was given serious consideration.
So where does that leave us? I think we have to outlaw babies in public. If kept in a closed, well supervised area, babies are less likely to meet incidental hazards. Less hazards means a reduced potential for causing howls. And less howling bags of flesh will improve the quality of life for all of us that know how to speak a civilized tongue.
Who is with me on banning babies in public? Show of hands?
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Greetings from Saskatoon!
Its been a weird day. Got up and went to work this morning, the same as usual. Got there and all hell broke loose.
Turns out I was going to a trade show. Pony up all the horses to get into Saskatoon for that.
Now everyone is interested in making Cowessess start before the end of next week. I hear nothing from no one for a month, now I'm supposed to be done. Whatever.
Tim pulled together a huge amount of info about the system in Ste. Rose Du Lac and wanted my time to talk about it. I did the best I could for him, but I was under the crunch for this trade show thing.
I had calls from the previous day to sort out, involving billing and repair work. That had to be summarized and presented to someone to phone about today.
Once the Cowessess ball was put into play, everyone needed to talk to me, about how it was all going to fit together. Meanwhile I'm being prodded to hurry up and go to Saskatoon for the trade show set up.
Finally I said screw it, and just left. As I drove I thought of more things that I was leaving unfinished, so as soon as I had cell coverage (thanks for the dead spots SaskTel) I made some calls to get other things arranged, in my absence.
Whew! I'm tired just typing it all. The show wraps up at 12:00 tomorrow, so with a little luck, I can be back in my seat of power before the end of the day. All to get more things accomplished.
If you need me, I'll be the guy getting oxygen at the end of the bench.
Its been a weird day. Got up and went to work this morning, the same as usual. Got there and all hell broke loose.
Turns out I was going to a trade show. Pony up all the horses to get into Saskatoon for that.
Now everyone is interested in making Cowessess start before the end of next week. I hear nothing from no one for a month, now I'm supposed to be done. Whatever.
Tim pulled together a huge amount of info about the system in Ste. Rose Du Lac and wanted my time to talk about it. I did the best I could for him, but I was under the crunch for this trade show thing.
I had calls from the previous day to sort out, involving billing and repair work. That had to be summarized and presented to someone to phone about today.
Once the Cowessess ball was put into play, everyone needed to talk to me, about how it was all going to fit together. Meanwhile I'm being prodded to hurry up and go to Saskatoon for the trade show set up.
Finally I said screw it, and just left. As I drove I thought of more things that I was leaving unfinished, so as soon as I had cell coverage (thanks for the dead spots SaskTel) I made some calls to get other things arranged, in my absence.
Whew! I'm tired just typing it all. The show wraps up at 12:00 tomorrow, so with a little luck, I can be back in my seat of power before the end of the day. All to get more things accomplished.
If you need me, I'll be the guy getting oxygen at the end of the bench.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
The more elections we have, and the more times we go to the electorate for direction on the future course of humanity, the more it becomes achingly clear that the average citizen is ill-equipped to make such an important decision.
We have tests, trials, and various other methods of determining if someone is skilled enough to handle a job. Why then is the American presidency little more than a popularity contest?
There needs to be some measure of competency before allowing someone to be president.
Someone wake me before Armageddon starts . . .
We have tests, trials, and various other methods of determining if someone is skilled enough to handle a job. Why then is the American presidency little more than a popularity contest?
There needs to be some measure of competency before allowing someone to be president.
Someone wake me before Armageddon starts . . .
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Friday, October 29, 2004
I'm not a huge fan of this phone my parents have down here in the den. It has a red light on it, that flashes when its logged a call that hasn't been acknowledged. The damn thing reminds me of my office phone, that also blinks a red light when I have a message. I sit here and I'm constantly looking to the phone, thinking I need to check my voice mail.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Why does Tim McCarver have to make so many asinine comments during the course of a baseball game? His contribution by way of 'analysis' is often, 'he needs to throw a strike here' when the pitcher has the bases loaded and a 3-0 count on the hitter. We know that you idiot! Say something insightful, when you have some insight. Don't make a comment just to fill empty air.
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Tonight, as I sit here in my living room, watched the Red Sox beat the Cardinals, I find myself contemplating my purpose on this planet. I have a job, but is that who I am? I have a family, is that what defines me? I have friends, but can they put that magical 'it' into the place that seems hollow?
I want something. I can't describe what it is. Its an emotion; a feeling. I know its there, and its absence pains me. But how do I acquire something, when I can't understand it well enough to ask someone for it?
I think I've found a place where I can get it. But its not so easy as just saving the money, and going to the store. It has to be earned. And therein lies the fatal flaw in this experiment they call life. I seem unequipped to cultivate the last remaining piece to the puzzle that is me.
Changes.
I want something. I can't describe what it is. Its an emotion; a feeling. I know its there, and its absence pains me. But how do I acquire something, when I can't understand it well enough to ask someone for it?
I think I've found a place where I can get it. But its not so easy as just saving the money, and going to the store. It has to be earned. And therein lies the fatal flaw in this experiment they call life. I seem unequipped to cultivate the last remaining piece to the puzzle that is me.
Changes.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Grant's Rant - October 25, 2004
I go to Future Shop in September to get an air conditioner that is at a good price. $320 for a 10,000 BTU unit. That's better than the $500 I've seen elsewhere. They don't have any in the store. They will have to order one in. Would I like to make payment to confirm the order? Yes, I want the no-interest, no payment, plan that is available with a Future Shop Credit account. Done and done! I go home to await my A/C unit.
Its now the end of October. No A/C unit. However, Future Shop Credit sends me a statement. We'd like you to make a payment on your air conditioner purchase Mr. Guenther.
WHOA!!!
I call Future Shop credit. Hi, I'd like to know what the deal is about asking me for a payment on my account when you haven't actually shipped the unit in question.
Their response?
I'm sorry sir, this is Future Shop Credit. We just take your money. We have no interest in delivering your product. Pay us or go talk to your Future Shop store.
Future Shop = GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I go to Future Shop in September to get an air conditioner that is at a good price. $320 for a 10,000 BTU unit. That's better than the $500 I've seen elsewhere. They don't have any in the store. They will have to order one in. Would I like to make payment to confirm the order? Yes, I want the no-interest, no payment, plan that is available with a Future Shop Credit account. Done and done! I go home to await my A/C unit.
Its now the end of October. No A/C unit. However, Future Shop Credit sends me a statement. We'd like you to make a payment on your air conditioner purchase Mr. Guenther.
WHOA!!!
I call Future Shop credit. Hi, I'd like to know what the deal is about asking me for a payment on my account when you haven't actually shipped the unit in question.
Their response?
I'm sorry sir, this is Future Shop Credit. We just take your money. We have no interest in delivering your product. Pay us or go talk to your Future Shop store.
Future Shop = GAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blog Joke Of The Day:
(as provided by M. Bodman)
I'm tired because I'm overworked!
Here's why:
The population of Canada is 30 million. 11 million are retired, that leaves 19 million to do the work.
There are 5.5 million in school, which leaves 13.5 million to do the work. Of this there are 3 million employed by the federal government, leaving 10.5 million to do the work.
1 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing terrorists, which leaves 9.5 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 7 million people who work for Provincial and city Governments, and that leaves 2.5 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 476,000 people in hospitals, leaving 2,024,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons and 812,000 on Employment Insurance and Welfare. That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes. Nice. Real nice.
(as provided by M. Bodman)
I'm tired because I'm overworked!
Here's why:
The population of Canada is 30 million. 11 million are retired, that leaves 19 million to do the work.
There are 5.5 million in school, which leaves 13.5 million to do the work. Of this there are 3 million employed by the federal government, leaving 10.5 million to do the work.
1 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing terrorists, which leaves 9.5 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 7 million people who work for Provincial and city Governments, and that leaves 2.5 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 476,000 people in hospitals, leaving 2,024,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons and 812,000 on Employment Insurance and Welfare. That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are sitting on your ass, at your computer, reading jokes. Nice. Real nice.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
I had a thought this evening, as I was making up my bed again. I am not sure why I came to this conclusion, at the time that I did, but I continued to think about it, as I finished my housebold chores.
What if monogamy is a male concept?
This suggestion would seem to be counter-intuitive. Men are the dogs that want to be out in the world, screwing anything that moves and instinctually 'spreading their seed'. This seems to be a commonly believed, and held to be true, concept. No one ever challenges it. But is it really a fair assumption?
Are women monogamous by design or by circumstance?
Have you ever noticed that most women want, and almost need, lots of friends. They aren't happy unless there are a wide variety of people that like them, and look out for their well-being. It seems far more important, for women, to be thought of as 'nice' or a 'desirable person'. They don't all pursue this goal the same way. Some mistakenly think they can accomplish this by sleeping around. Regardless of the means, the goal is still the same. She wants to be liked.
The common preconception is, a man does not want to commit. The cliche scenario is a woman complaining to her friends (notice the plural) that her current man just won't commit to her. It is thought that the inability to commit is just a male trait. Has anyone studied this? Is it not more likely that the man is just being cautious. Commitment is a big deal. Might it not be a more reasonable assumption to believe that, men do not commit easily, but remain resolute through more adversity?
I'm not suggesting that either gender less morally sound. It is just an observation that I made. The comparison is, women need lots of friends, and men seem only to need enough for a poker game. Which pattern of behaviour seems more monogamous.
Food for thought.
What if monogamy is a male concept?
This suggestion would seem to be counter-intuitive. Men are the dogs that want to be out in the world, screwing anything that moves and instinctually 'spreading their seed'. This seems to be a commonly believed, and held to be true, concept. No one ever challenges it. But is it really a fair assumption?
Are women monogamous by design or by circumstance?
Have you ever noticed that most women want, and almost need, lots of friends. They aren't happy unless there are a wide variety of people that like them, and look out for their well-being. It seems far more important, for women, to be thought of as 'nice' or a 'desirable person'. They don't all pursue this goal the same way. Some mistakenly think they can accomplish this by sleeping around. Regardless of the means, the goal is still the same. She wants to be liked.
The common preconception is, a man does not want to commit. The cliche scenario is a woman complaining to her friends (notice the plural) that her current man just won't commit to her. It is thought that the inability to commit is just a male trait. Has anyone studied this? Is it not more likely that the man is just being cautious. Commitment is a big deal. Might it not be a more reasonable assumption to believe that, men do not commit easily, but remain resolute through more adversity?
I'm not suggesting that either gender less morally sound. It is just an observation that I made. The comparison is, women need lots of friends, and men seem only to need enough for a poker game. Which pattern of behaviour seems more monogamous.
Food for thought.
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Update on Yesterday's Bet:
He did not go snowmobiling, although he would have, had his machines been snow-worthy. He did ride his quad though, I couldn't that 50%.
Only one person was willing to bet. That was my Mom. I owe you $5, and you owe me $5, since it was a split. How about we shake hands and write off the debts?
He did not go snowmobiling, although he would have, had his machines been snow-worthy. He did ride his quad though, I couldn't that 50%.
Only one person was willing to bet. That was my Mom. I owe you $5, and you owe me $5, since it was a split. How about we shake hands and write off the debts?
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Monday, October 18, 2004
Does the following situation seem like one that should be cause for concern?
I was lying on the weight bench today at lunch. I was pausing between repetitions on bench presses. As I lay there I looked up into the pattern of the stipple, in my textured ceiling. As I looked up, I came to see a pattern in the randomness. I thought I saw what I could have sworn was an evil clown. It was grinning devilishly, and had a cruel gleam in its eye, beneath the conical hat it wore.
I was lying on the weight bench today at lunch. I was pausing between repetitions on bench presses. As I lay there I looked up into the pattern of the stipple, in my textured ceiling. As I looked up, I came to see a pattern in the randomness. I thought I saw what I could have sworn was an evil clown. It was grinning devilishly, and had a cruel gleam in its eye, beneath the conical hat it wore.
Saturday, October 16, 2004
Okay, I just want to go on the record and say, I am NOT suicidal.
So I'm drilling some holes in my arm chair this afternoon. Fairly innocent task to be accomplishing. The 20 year old furniture castors on this chair have been broken for awhile. I have been negligent in making good on the needed repair. I am on a general improvement kick lately, so I thought I'd do this work on my chair.
I'm using my drill, for one of the first 10 times since I got it for Christmas. (I don't do home improvement tasks very often) The fault with giving me a power tool is, I'm unlikely to go buy accessories for it. Thus, all I have for drill bits are some dollar store ones that I got at the time I got the drill.
Without an alternative, I begin drilling holes with the largest of these drill bits. Its going reasonably well. How hard is drilling holes in a 2x4? I finish the first side, and switch to the second. All of a sudden the task of drilling holes becomes difficult. For some reason this piece of wood is extremely hard. I've drilled through steel with more success than I was having with this piece of wood. I get to one hole and there is so much resistance to my drilling efforts that smoke is emanating from the hole.
Then something weird happened. It kinda makes sense, when you think about the physics of something. But still, when something weird happens, you can't help but be surprised.
The drill bit bent. 90 degree right turn angle, in the split of an instant. This, however, would not alone be enough to necessitate a blog entry, or the inclusion of my warning at the beginning of this note. The truly eye-opening thing that came out of this little misadventure is, I ended up drilling my wrist with the drill. No, I did not put a hole clear through the wrist. However, what was accomplished, was I peeled open a nice wound. Again, not that noteworthy, in and of itself. However, as I'm washing the blood off my arm, (and there was a lot of it) I happened to take note of the actual location of the wound. Standing up proudly, a blue-ish outline of my arterial vein was throbbing methodically not 5 millimeters (or so) from the location of the inadvertent puncture wound to my arm.
The frightening coincidences that make up our daily lives . . .
So I'm drilling some holes in my arm chair this afternoon. Fairly innocent task to be accomplishing. The 20 year old furniture castors on this chair have been broken for awhile. I have been negligent in making good on the needed repair. I am on a general improvement kick lately, so I thought I'd do this work on my chair.
I'm using my drill, for one of the first 10 times since I got it for Christmas. (I don't do home improvement tasks very often) The fault with giving me a power tool is, I'm unlikely to go buy accessories for it. Thus, all I have for drill bits are some dollar store ones that I got at the time I got the drill.
Without an alternative, I begin drilling holes with the largest of these drill bits. Its going reasonably well. How hard is drilling holes in a 2x4? I finish the first side, and switch to the second. All of a sudden the task of drilling holes becomes difficult. For some reason this piece of wood is extremely hard. I've drilled through steel with more success than I was having with this piece of wood. I get to one hole and there is so much resistance to my drilling efforts that smoke is emanating from the hole.
Then something weird happened. It kinda makes sense, when you think about the physics of something. But still, when something weird happens, you can't help but be surprised.
The drill bit bent. 90 degree right turn angle, in the split of an instant. This, however, would not alone be enough to necessitate a blog entry, or the inclusion of my warning at the beginning of this note. The truly eye-opening thing that came out of this little misadventure is, I ended up drilling my wrist with the drill. No, I did not put a hole clear through the wrist. However, what was accomplished, was I peeled open a nice wound. Again, not that noteworthy, in and of itself. However, as I'm washing the blood off my arm, (and there was a lot of it) I happened to take note of the actual location of the wound. Standing up proudly, a blue-ish outline of my arterial vein was throbbing methodically not 5 millimeters (or so) from the location of the inadvertent puncture wound to my arm.
The frightening coincidences that make up our daily lives . . .
As I'm doing football this afternoon, a thought has occurred to me.
Why are we still using the, let the ref eyeball it, method of determining the line of scrimmage? With GPS, laser diode surveying, and all the other tricks and technological innovations that there are in the world, shouldn't we be doing something about the inequity in terms of setting the line of scrimmage?
Why not put some kind of sensor in the ball? Give the linesman a handheld reciever and instead of eyeballing it, he can know the precise location of the ball, at all times. Put some decent software on the device, and it'll tell him the farthest point achieved by the ball, and the location can be known precisely. Then we don't need this stupidity of arguing about the spot of the ball, especially on short yardage situations. Haven't we all groaned as we've watched the refs mark the ball 3 chain links short of a first down? Its stupid and bizarre that we've let this idiocy continue as long as we have.
TELK - bringing good ideas to you since 1982.
Why are we still using the, let the ref eyeball it, method of determining the line of scrimmage? With GPS, laser diode surveying, and all the other tricks and technological innovations that there are in the world, shouldn't we be doing something about the inequity in terms of setting the line of scrimmage?
Why not put some kind of sensor in the ball? Give the linesman a handheld reciever and instead of eyeballing it, he can know the precise location of the ball, at all times. Put some decent software on the device, and it'll tell him the farthest point achieved by the ball, and the location can be known precisely. Then we don't need this stupidity of arguing about the spot of the ball, especially on short yardage situations. Haven't we all groaned as we've watched the refs mark the ball 3 chain links short of a first down? Its stupid and bizarre that we've let this idiocy continue as long as we have.
TELK - bringing good ideas to you since 1982.
I have the TV on CBC this afternoon. Toronto and Calgary are playing in the CBC's Saturday football game. The game comes on, and Toronto has to kick off, to start the game. Noel Prefontaine gets the ball on the tee, and lines up for the kick. As he walks back from tee, pacing of the distance he needs to wind up for the kick, the signs along the stands of McMahon are readable. This occurence would not ordinarily require a blog entry. However, one particular sign caught my attention, as Prefontaine stopped, and prepared to kick-off. Behind him, along the bleachers was the following corporate sign:
BJ Services
Corporation Canada
And I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF!!!!!
BJ Services
Corporation Canada
And I LAUGHED MY ASS OFF!!!!!
Friday, October 15, 2004
Thursday, October 14, 2004
I never got around to blogging last night. I meant to, but when I had a few moments to type something up, I found myself doing other things. So, we will have a schizophrenic collection of random thoughts on this Thursday morning.
Vanilla Pepsi is way better than Vanilla Coke. My recommendation is to chill it significantly. Put it in the freezer (be careful with this because frozen, and then thawed pop is not as good) Get it icy cold and then drink it. Man, its almost as good as an ice cream float!
Do fish have testicles?
I need some advice, if anyone has any to spare. I do a lot of driving. And since there's nothing else to do, I do a lot of thinking while I drive. I have some good ideas. My trouble is, how do I make a note of them, while I drive? I haven't found a method that works really well. Suggestions anyone?
I am not ready for snow.
Work is intruding. More later.
Vanilla Pepsi is way better than Vanilla Coke. My recommendation is to chill it significantly. Put it in the freezer (be careful with this because frozen, and then thawed pop is not as good) Get it icy cold and then drink it. Man, its almost as good as an ice cream float!
Do fish have testicles?
I need some advice, if anyone has any to spare. I do a lot of driving. And since there's nothing else to do, I do a lot of thinking while I drive. I have some good ideas. My trouble is, how do I make a note of them, while I drive? I haven't found a method that works really well. Suggestions anyone?
I am not ready for snow.
Work is intruding. More later.
Tuesday, October 12, 2004
I thought that the, fly in the TV, thing was a one time only occurence last summer. I watched this TV all the way through the summer and no flies. Now the calendar has rolled over into October. And much to my surprise and chagrin, there is ANOTHER fly in my TV. I much confess that is really pisses me off. If its outside the TV, I could just get a swatter and mash the damn thing. But its inside and I can't get the little bastard!
I believe I will name 2004's fly Oscar. Everyone say hello.
I believe I will name 2004's fly Oscar. Everyone say hello.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Sunday, October 10, 2004
Friday, October 08, 2004
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
*** UPDATE ***
As previously mentioned, I FINALLY began the, improve my lifestyle, plan on Monday. It is now mid-week and I can confirm that I have fulfilled the exercise component of the plan for 3 days in a row. The eat better plan is also going well, as I've found some tasty treats in my house but have rationed my consumption.
Things look good, but its early. Stay tuned.
As previously mentioned, I FINALLY began the, improve my lifestyle, plan on Monday. It is now mid-week and I can confirm that I have fulfilled the exercise component of the plan for 3 days in a row. The eat better plan is also going well, as I've found some tasty treats in my house but have rationed my consumption.
Things look good, but its early. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Today is the first day of playoffs in Major League Baseball. As it is the season, every professional, semi-professional and rank amateur has advanced who they think will win each series, and how the next month of baseball will turn out, as the competitors have been reduced to eight.
I will advance a different question. As the powers that be have killed the one and only baseball team I have ever cared about, I am left in need of a team to cheer for. Why not begin that look in the 2004 playoffs?
New York Yankees versus the Minnesota Twins
For me this is a no brainer. Tara would disagree with me on this one (sorry sweetie) but I gotta pick the Twins. The Yankees are like Goliath. They are always the favorite and its so nice to see them taken down. Will it happen? It might, as these Yankees are not the same as the ones that obliterated teams in previous years. Nevertheless, my cheering will be directed in favor of the Twins.
Boston Red Sox versus the Anaheim Angels
I'm torn on this one. I like both teams. In direct opposition to why I have to cheer against the Yankees, I must cheer for the Red Sox. They have been a good team at so many times in their history, only to be turned back at the last mile, the victims of the so called 'curse'. I hope they win every time they get to the playoffs.
But I also like the Angels. I know they've won the World Series since their inception, but they still have that veneer of the under-dog. I can feel it, but I can't explain it. When it comes to playoff time, I'm still impressed they made it in, and I can't help but root for them.
This series will be interesting for me.
Houston Astros versus Atlanta Braves
This one is a no-brainer, much like the Yankee series. The Braves do nothing but irritate me. In the first place they have always won the division that my beloved Expos have competed in. Except for 1994 when Major League Baseball and the Players Union conspired to prevent the Expos from winning the World Series, and thus continuing the streak of Canadian teams holding the baseball championship. That particular conspiracy I will elaborate another day. None of that has anything to do with why I hate the Braves. Enough already! Let's get someone else from the NL East into the playoffs.
I did not mean to disregard the reasons for cheering for the Astros. I like the team. They even made me like Roger Clemens, which didn't happen when he played for the Blue Jays. I could easily cheer for the Astros in the World Series final.
St. Louis Cardinals versus Los Angeles Dodgers
This one kinda goes under my radar. I haven't got much of a sentiment for either team. All my thoughts about either team are rooted way back in my childhood history. I could cheer for the Cardinals, but I could similarly cheer for the Dodgers. After a few moments contemplation I still do not know who I like more. Can they tie a series?
Now that I've bored you all, I will go. If you need me, I'll be in front of the TV, checking the score.
I will advance a different question. As the powers that be have killed the one and only baseball team I have ever cared about, I am left in need of a team to cheer for. Why not begin that look in the 2004 playoffs?
New York Yankees versus the Minnesota Twins
For me this is a no brainer. Tara would disagree with me on this one (sorry sweetie) but I gotta pick the Twins. The Yankees are like Goliath. They are always the favorite and its so nice to see them taken down. Will it happen? It might, as these Yankees are not the same as the ones that obliterated teams in previous years. Nevertheless, my cheering will be directed in favor of the Twins.
Boston Red Sox versus the Anaheim Angels
I'm torn on this one. I like both teams. In direct opposition to why I have to cheer against the Yankees, I must cheer for the Red Sox. They have been a good team at so many times in their history, only to be turned back at the last mile, the victims of the so called 'curse'. I hope they win every time they get to the playoffs.
But I also like the Angels. I know they've won the World Series since their inception, but they still have that veneer of the under-dog. I can feel it, but I can't explain it. When it comes to playoff time, I'm still impressed they made it in, and I can't help but root for them.
This series will be interesting for me.
Houston Astros versus Atlanta Braves
This one is a no-brainer, much like the Yankee series. The Braves do nothing but irritate me. In the first place they have always won the division that my beloved Expos have competed in. Except for 1994 when Major League Baseball and the Players Union conspired to prevent the Expos from winning the World Series, and thus continuing the streak of Canadian teams holding the baseball championship. That particular conspiracy I will elaborate another day. None of that has anything to do with why I hate the Braves. Enough already! Let's get someone else from the NL East into the playoffs.
I did not mean to disregard the reasons for cheering for the Astros. I like the team. They even made me like Roger Clemens, which didn't happen when he played for the Blue Jays. I could easily cheer for the Astros in the World Series final.
St. Louis Cardinals versus Los Angeles Dodgers
This one kinda goes under my radar. I haven't got much of a sentiment for either team. All my thoughts about either team are rooted way back in my childhood history. I could cheer for the Cardinals, but I could similarly cheer for the Dodgers. After a few moments contemplation I still do not know who I like more. Can they tie a series?
Now that I've bored you all, I will go. If you need me, I'll be in front of the TV, checking the score.
Monday, October 04, 2004
Good eeeeeeeevening
(Sorry, having a Flintstones moment there. Remember the episode where Fred thinks his new neighbor killed his wife?)
Slow day in news, with the exception of one thing. I finally began the exercise plan I've been talking about for so long. Its not much but, I got in 20 minutes on the exercise bike and with my weight set. If things follow my plan, a heavy bag will be added in the near future.
Toodles!
(Sorry, having a Flintstones moment there. Remember the episode where Fred thinks his new neighbor killed his wife?)
Slow day in news, with the exception of one thing. I finally began the exercise plan I've been talking about for so long. Its not much but, I got in 20 minutes on the exercise bike and with my weight set. If things follow my plan, a heavy bag will be added in the near future.
Toodles!
Saturday, October 02, 2004
Friday, October 01, 2004
Another snippet of my life, brought to you in photographic form
A Milestone
For the more statistical minded of you, a few thoughts on this 40,000 km milestone. That is my contract limit number of kilometers for the Trailblazer, on the lease. Actually, that's 1/3 of my 3 year total, so it works out to being my Year 1 allotment of kilometers. I just entered my 12th month of the lease, so everything from here until November 1 is over the 'budget' limit.
Which, I suppose brings us to a Blog Question Of The Day, even though I hadn't been intending one.
Should I invest in a second vehicle, to defray this overage on lease kilometers?
Answer as always. Toodles!
A Milestone
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For the more statistical minded of you, a few thoughts on this 40,000 km milestone. That is my contract limit number of kilometers for the Trailblazer, on the lease. Actually, that's 1/3 of my 3 year total, so it works out to being my Year 1 allotment of kilometers. I just entered my 12th month of the lease, so everything from here until November 1 is over the 'budget' limit.
Which, I suppose brings us to a Blog Question Of The Day, even though I hadn't been intending one.
Should I invest in a second vehicle, to defray this overage on lease kilometers?
Answer as always. Toodles!
What's the deal with all these beheadings? Most of them are coming out of Iraq, but the concept itself seems popular among all terrorist organizations. Why beheading? Are they looking for some kind of gratuitious form of vulgar aggression? I don't understand what is their motivation behind this kind of violent display.
I think I see where they are going with these actions. They think, as erroneous as it is proving to be, that by randomly executing innocent civilians, that they can force remote governments to do what they want. I have two problems with this logic, and the continuing use of it.
a) its not working
b) its too extreme
Its not working. They keep beheading people they pull of the street, and nobody is evacuating the country. All that's happening is poor, innocent people, that committed no crime beyond being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, are losing their heads. Fine, if you think it will work, chop off a couple heads. But, after doing that, if you're not getting results, I really think logic dictates that you try another approach.
Which brings me to my second point. Its far too extreme a thing to do. Nobody is going to act the way you want them to, based on the threat. The threat is so far beyond what any rational person could concieve doing, that its not really a valid threat. No one acutally BELIEVES you'll do it, so they don't take action to halt the behaviour. Then, you chop off the innocent person's head, thus proving your point and validating it as a threat. Now you've created a new problem for yourself.
Once you've cut off the head, any sense of duty a government might feel, to prevent other beheadings, is washed away by the revulsion a rational person feels at having witnessed such a shocking behavior. No rational person will concede the point to you, and give in to the demand to prevent beheadings. Instead it prompts outrage, and a desire for swift and brutal retribution.
So you're end up screwed. You can't threaten beheading, and have people give in to your demands, because you're commitment isn't believed. You can't behead someone and force anyone to act in any way besides out of anger or a sense of retribution. So really, what is this beheading nonsense accomplishing?
I think I see where they are going with these actions. They think, as erroneous as it is proving to be, that by randomly executing innocent civilians, that they can force remote governments to do what they want. I have two problems with this logic, and the continuing use of it.
a) its not working
b) its too extreme
Its not working. They keep beheading people they pull of the street, and nobody is evacuating the country. All that's happening is poor, innocent people, that committed no crime beyond being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, are losing their heads. Fine, if you think it will work, chop off a couple heads. But, after doing that, if you're not getting results, I really think logic dictates that you try another approach.
Which brings me to my second point. Its far too extreme a thing to do. Nobody is going to act the way you want them to, based on the threat. The threat is so far beyond what any rational person could concieve doing, that its not really a valid threat. No one acutally BELIEVES you'll do it, so they don't take action to halt the behaviour. Then, you chop off the innocent person's head, thus proving your point and validating it as a threat. Now you've created a new problem for yourself.
Once you've cut off the head, any sense of duty a government might feel, to prevent other beheadings, is washed away by the revulsion a rational person feels at having witnessed such a shocking behavior. No rational person will concede the point to you, and give in to the demand to prevent beheadings. Instead it prompts outrage, and a desire for swift and brutal retribution.
So you're end up screwed. You can't threaten beheading, and have people give in to your demands, because you're commitment isn't believed. You can't behead someone and force anyone to act in any way besides out of anger or a sense of retribution. So really, what is this beheading nonsense accomplishing?
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Can someone explain to me what the deal is with deer? Don't these stupid animals ever sleep!?!
I'm driving home tonight, around 1:30 in the pitch black morning. On my way from Rosetown to Saskatoon you have to pass through this nature preserve, or whatever the hell they want to call it. Anyway there's the obligatory 'deer ahead' signs, to be acknowledged as you pass into Hell's obstacle course.
Its 1:30 in the morning. Why aren't these stupid animals sleeping!?! I see three or four of them, wandering around somewhat aimlessly in the ditch. Someone smacked one earlier in the day, as the carcass, and its blood, are spilled over the asphalt. You'd think the deer would sleep at night, when they get a rest from the relentless pursuit of hunters keen for a set of antlers or some meat for sausage. Nope, deer are party animals, using the cloak of darkness to play suicide games on human roads.
Stupid animals. Why haven't we hunted them to extinction?
I'm driving home tonight, around 1:30 in the pitch black morning. On my way from Rosetown to Saskatoon you have to pass through this nature preserve, or whatever the hell they want to call it. Anyway there's the obligatory 'deer ahead' signs, to be acknowledged as you pass into Hell's obstacle course.
Its 1:30 in the morning. Why aren't these stupid animals sleeping!?! I see three or four of them, wandering around somewhat aimlessly in the ditch. Someone smacked one earlier in the day, as the carcass, and its blood, are spilled over the asphalt. You'd think the deer would sleep at night, when they get a rest from the relentless pursuit of hunters keen for a set of antlers or some meat for sausage. Nope, deer are party animals, using the cloak of darkness to play suicide games on human roads.
Stupid animals. Why haven't we hunted them to extinction?
Monday, September 27, 2004
So, what's the average length of freight trains these days? TWENTY-SIX MILES like the one I had to wait 14 minutes for this evening!!!
You are never more indignant than when you have to wait for a train, with your final destination being within a 9 irons distance of the train that you have to wait the better part of 15 minutes for.
You are never more indignant than when you have to wait for a train, with your final destination being within a 9 irons distance of the train that you have to wait the better part of 15 minutes for.
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Saturday, September 25, 2004
I was flipping through some of the pictures I have stored on my hard drive. There's a lot of stuff on there. I am sometimes amazed by what I have, that I don't remember, and how I can not find some things I would have sworn should have been available. I probably need to trim the archive just a bit, and get some stuff on active storage, and into offline storage. Bygones.
I was looking at pictures of Avril Lavigne, since I added four pictures to that directory this morning. Has anyone ever looked closely at the girls smile? If you can, find a picture where she's smiling (I know, she is rarely shown in a 'happy' state). Take a look at her grin, when she is flashing her teeth. Doesn't it kinda look like she has vampire teeth!?!
Just a thought for a Saturday morning.
I was looking at pictures of Avril Lavigne, since I added four pictures to that directory this morning. Has anyone ever looked closely at the girls smile? If you can, find a picture where she's smiling (I know, she is rarely shown in a 'happy' state). Take a look at her grin, when she is flashing her teeth. Doesn't it kinda look like she has vampire teeth!?!
Just a thought for a Saturday morning.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
I just finished dealing with my laundry. One load of darks. I don't wear a lot of white. It usually takes me a couple or three weeks to use up enough white clothes to make a load. None of this has anything to do with what I actually meant to blog about.
I was folding my clothes to hang in the closet. I had three pair of jeans that made it to the wash this week. I was holding them up, to shake the wrinkles out and I took a look at them from the rear. Christ is the ass on my pants ever huge! Why didn't someone tell me I had such an enormous ass!?! You people let me down.
Toodles!
I was folding my clothes to hang in the closet. I had three pair of jeans that made it to the wash this week. I was holding them up, to shake the wrinkles out and I took a look at them from the rear. Christ is the ass on my pants ever huge! Why didn't someone tell me I had such an enormous ass!?! You people let me down.
Toodles!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
I am officially depressed.
I got up this morning with some reluctance. I'm not sleeping as well as I'd like. I seem to wake up before I have to, and there's no going back to sleep. That's not the depressing part.
I did my usual routine, and was ready to leave for work at 7:55. I opened the door and went outside.
My windows were frosted over. Its September 21 and I HAD to scrap. All windows not directly facing sunlight were completely covered in frost. I had no choice but to scrap.
I consider this depressing. I would like to think we could still entertain the notion of wearing shorts. Instead we get frosted windows. I hate that. I'd go back to bed and pull the covers over my head, but I'd just lie there thinking about how rotten it is that my windows have to be scrap.
I wanna blame someone for this situation. Anyone know a good receptor for my anger?
I got up this morning with some reluctance. I'm not sleeping as well as I'd like. I seem to wake up before I have to, and there's no going back to sleep. That's not the depressing part.
I did my usual routine, and was ready to leave for work at 7:55. I opened the door and went outside.
My windows were frosted over. Its September 21 and I HAD to scrap. All windows not directly facing sunlight were completely covered in frost. I had no choice but to scrap.
I consider this depressing. I would like to think we could still entertain the notion of wearing shorts. Instead we get frosted windows. I hate that. I'd go back to bed and pull the covers over my head, but I'd just lie there thinking about how rotten it is that my windows have to be scrap.
I wanna blame someone for this situation. Anyone know a good receptor for my anger?
Monday, September 20, 2004
Warranty Action Notice
URGENT
Booster Pumps Inoperable
Please find attached Warranty Action Notice #51
The operator reports that booster pump #690 will not operate due to line fault (error F29). Back up pump is not available due to recent piping defect.
The above items must be remedied immediately.
The Contractor shall forward to the Engineer upon completion of the defects, a report detailing the work required to remedy the problem.
URGENT
Booster Pumps Inoperable
Please find attached Warranty Action Notice #51
The operator reports that booster pump #690 will not operate due to line fault (error F29). Back up pump is not available due to recent piping defect.
The above items must be remedied immediately.
The Contractor shall forward to the Engineer upon completion of the defects, a report detailing the work required to remedy the problem.
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Is it just me or has the advent of the internet made both the notion of, and the conversation about, porn more acceptable in polite company? It seems to me like porn has crossed into the mainstream. No, its not on regular cable, but the stigma that used to go with it, has disappeared. Anyone will, and like has, mentioned it in a conversation that had nothing to do with salaciousness. Porn seems to be just off the periphery of everyone's vision.
And I don't really think that's bad. Nothing is inherently bad. All of those classifications are human constructs. Its harmless, in and of itself. If you have a weak personality, then it is a significant problem.
Gotta go. Watching the Playboy Channel.
And I don't really think that's bad. Nothing is inherently bad. All of those classifications are human constructs. Its harmless, in and of itself. If you have a weak personality, then it is a significant problem.
Gotta go. Watching the Playboy Channel.
Who's bright idea was it that, every cute young girl who is on television, or is a blossoming star in movies, should also become a singer?
As well, who decided that every girl from the same subset as above, who has at least a modestly successful music career, should obviously branch out and into movie roles?
Singers should be singers. Actors should be actors. Celebrities should sit quietly in the corner until there is a movie opening, or some kind of awards show party that needs photogenic people. Do what you do best, and only do that. If you SUCK, stand quietly, let them take pictures, and stop bothering the rest of us with your lack of talent.
As well, who decided that every girl from the same subset as above, who has at least a modestly successful music career, should obviously branch out and into movie roles?
Singers should be singers. Actors should be actors. Celebrities should sit quietly in the corner until there is a movie opening, or some kind of awards show party that needs photogenic people. Do what you do best, and only do that. If you SUCK, stand quietly, let them take pictures, and stop bothering the rest of us with your lack of talent.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Tonight is the championship hockey game for the next, foreseeable future. Tomorrow the NHL falls in on itself, similar to the Las Vegas casino that is collapsed, to make way for the new.
I am excited about the World Cup game tonight. I have faith in our Canadian team. This is in direct opposition to the Riders, who I no longer have any faith in. Finland has the hottest goalie around right now, but that alone, I don't think, is enough to stop Canada. Brodeur is the best goalie in hockey, even if Kiprusoff is the current bright star. I think we will win.
What I don't think we can win is the NHL labour crisis. And I put the blame for this on the shoulders of the NHLPA. The economics for their argument don't make sense. I would further suggest that you don't have to examine any books to come to that conclusion. When the arenas aren't full for every game, and the CBC is your main source of television revenue, you can't pay million dollar salaries to every player, and superstar money to grinders that have more more penalities than goals.
I think the answer to the NHL labor crisis can be distilled into one question. The answer to the question will illuminate who needs to make the concessions necessary to see hockey played this year, or any year to follow.
Does anyone think the players deserve to keep recieving salaries that are bankrupting the league?
I am excited about the World Cup game tonight. I have faith in our Canadian team. This is in direct opposition to the Riders, who I no longer have any faith in. Finland has the hottest goalie around right now, but that alone, I don't think, is enough to stop Canada. Brodeur is the best goalie in hockey, even if Kiprusoff is the current bright star. I think we will win.
What I don't think we can win is the NHL labour crisis. And I put the blame for this on the shoulders of the NHLPA. The economics for their argument don't make sense. I would further suggest that you don't have to examine any books to come to that conclusion. When the arenas aren't full for every game, and the CBC is your main source of television revenue, you can't pay million dollar salaries to every player, and superstar money to grinders that have more more penalities than goals.
I think the answer to the NHL labor crisis can be distilled into one question. The answer to the question will illuminate who needs to make the concessions necessary to see hockey played this year, or any year to follow.
Does anyone think the players deserve to keep recieving salaries that are bankrupting the league?
Monday, September 13, 2004
The Blogger Guessing Game!!!
Game time folks. We have a unique situation that is ripe for a guessing game. Here's the challenge.
A unique situation has just occurred in my cumulative appraisal of the number of liters of gas I have purchased so far in 2004. The total is a perfect multiple of 100 and 7. How many liters of gas have I purchased?
One entry per person. No asking Kevin, because I already told him the answer. Anyone that gets the question right will get a sum equal to my number of liters divided by one hundred.
Let the games begin!!
Game time folks. We have a unique situation that is ripe for a guessing game. Here's the challenge.
A unique situation has just occurred in my cumulative appraisal of the number of liters of gas I have purchased so far in 2004. The total is a perfect multiple of 100 and 7. How many liters of gas have I purchased?
One entry per person. No asking Kevin, because I already told him the answer. Anyone that gets the question right will get a sum equal to my number of liters divided by one hundred.
Let the games begin!!