I made the desperate choice of putting MTV 2 on this evening. It was a desperate choice because frankly, everything else looked worse than this.
Some thoughts on what I'm seeing:
I have just seen the worst video, for the worst song, than I can remember for a long while. Teagan and Sara singing something retarded. Don't give up the day job girls.
Next its Ashlee Simpson. Can someone PLEASE tell me why she's allowed to cavort in pop culture? There is nothing of any merit in the meagre abilities she has to show. And the move to black hair took an appearance that was fair at best, and made it unpleasant. Normally I don't weigh in on hair color issues but black is ALL WRONG for that girl.
Time for solitaire. Toodles all!!
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
For those of you that were trying to reach me today (sorry Mom) this is what I was doing that couldn't be interrupted:
New Shop
I designed, and re-drew, the whole thing this morning. This was in between answering the phone, and requests brought right to my office door. Its been an insane day and I will be happy when I can finally get home.
Of course that will be awhile, because I have TWO things I have to finish before I go home tonight. If you need me, I'll be in my office.
Toodles!
New Shop
I designed, and re-drew, the whole thing this morning. This was in between answering the phone, and requests brought right to my office door. Its been an insane day and I will be happy when I can finally get home.
Of course that will be awhile, because I have TWO things I have to finish before I go home tonight. If you need me, I'll be in my office.
Toodles!
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Included below is some third party perspective regarding Cuba, and the problems they are experiencing with providing water.
** EXERPT 'http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/cuba/lticosta.html' EXERPT **
Maritim Costa Verde Chantal and Ches ~ Ottawa
January 2005
We just returned from a great trip in Holguin!!! Yes, we had water problems, however, the staff was very apologetic and did their best to help and accomodate. In fact, we have received an $800 rebate from the hotel for the inconvenience. The second week we were there, they managed to buy two water tanks and the problem has been rectified. It was very unfortunate that some people were screaming and yelling when there are Holguin residents that have no water at all. You are on vacation. So there is a small temporary problem - make the best of it. It beats the snow and shovelling or worse, working.
This hotel provides the best food in any Cuban resort. They have professional chefs to appease all different tastes. The activities are all the time, anywhere from the beach, to the pool, etc., including archery, pistol shooting, beach olympics, volleyball in the pool and at the beach, snorkeling...I can go on and on, but I have to go back to work tomorrow and must get some sleep. We met some of the greatest people in Cuba, from the staff to the tourists. We brought some toys, jewellery and clothes to give...this is when you learn and appreaciate Cubans. The look on their faces says it all.
We took a small train to Guardavalarca. There was a woman sitting in front of me with a large bag of lollypops. As we passed houses made of straw, the children would be waiting and she threw handfuls to them. There was one little boy in particular about one year old, and his little legs could not carry him fast enough to the road to pick them all up on his hands and knees.
These people cannot eat beef as it is illegal for them to purchase it. If you eat beef in Cuba, please do not waste it. Alot of people pick in their plates and it ends up in the garbage. Such a waste.
The shows are amazing. There is nothing repetitive here. I give you my word. Even though we had water problems, this is a 6 star hotel. We are definetly returning next year. No if and's or but's. I just need to loose the 15 lbs I put on. I cannot stress the quality of the food. Anything you want. We ordered breakfast in the room one morning and they brought 18 different plates full - enough to feed 10 people. I think they figure we are starving in Canada.
We never had so much fun in our lives. Got a great suntan, however, my laugh lines are white. I smiled for two weeks straight. The dolpin tour is a must.
Please go and don't forget to post your feedback!!!
** EXERPT 'http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/cuba/lticosta.html' EXERPT **
** EXERPT 'http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/cuba/lticosta.html' EXERPT **
Maritim Costa Verde Chantal and Ches ~ Ottawa
January 2005
We just returned from a great trip in Holguin!!! Yes, we had water problems, however, the staff was very apologetic and did their best to help and accomodate. In fact, we have received an $800 rebate from the hotel for the inconvenience. The second week we were there, they managed to buy two water tanks and the problem has been rectified. It was very unfortunate that some people were screaming and yelling when there are Holguin residents that have no water at all. You are on vacation. So there is a small temporary problem - make the best of it. It beats the snow and shovelling or worse, working.
This hotel provides the best food in any Cuban resort. They have professional chefs to appease all different tastes. The activities are all the time, anywhere from the beach, to the pool, etc., including archery, pistol shooting, beach olympics, volleyball in the pool and at the beach, snorkeling...I can go on and on, but I have to go back to work tomorrow and must get some sleep. We met some of the greatest people in Cuba, from the staff to the tourists. We brought some toys, jewellery and clothes to give...this is when you learn and appreaciate Cubans. The look on their faces says it all.
We took a small train to Guardavalarca. There was a woman sitting in front of me with a large bag of lollypops. As we passed houses made of straw, the children would be waiting and she threw handfuls to them. There was one little boy in particular about one year old, and his little legs could not carry him fast enough to the road to pick them all up on his hands and knees.
These people cannot eat beef as it is illegal for them to purchase it. If you eat beef in Cuba, please do not waste it. Alot of people pick in their plates and it ends up in the garbage. Such a waste.
The shows are amazing. There is nothing repetitive here. I give you my word. Even though we had water problems, this is a 6 star hotel. We are definetly returning next year. No if and's or but's. I just need to loose the 15 lbs I put on. I cannot stress the quality of the food. Anything you want. We ordered breakfast in the room one morning and they brought 18 different plates full - enough to feed 10 people. I think they figure we are starving in Canada.
We never had so much fun in our lives. Got a great suntan, however, my laugh lines are white. I smiled for two weeks straight. The dolpin tour is a must.
Please go and don't forget to post your feedback!!!
** EXERPT 'http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/cuba/lticosta.html' EXERPT **
Thursday, January 13, 2005
So I go to Subway last night.
Its quarter to 11:00 on a Wednesday night. I'm driving down 51st Street, looking for somewhere to eat. Everything is closed!! Taco Time, Quizno's, Mr. Sub. Everything is dark and shuttered.
I planned to go to Subway anyway. I like Subway. I wanted a sweet onion chicken teriyaki.
I get there, and the guy making the subs is functionally retarded. No, he's not all twitchy or anything, but one of the droolers would probably have been more capable at the job that this mouth breather. And it isn't helping any that the people ahead of me are little more than retarded themselves. A couple who looked to be 20. God I hate people that can't make up their mind about what to order. The dumb girl changed her mine THREE times about what she wanted. And bitched about the lack of sauces.
Subway was OUT of mayo. How do you run out of that!?! It goes on bloody near every sandwich that goes out. Its just one of those things you have to have in stock. They were also out of Italian sauce but that's less popular than mayo.
It took at least 10 minute for Winky the Wonder Worn to do two six inch subs. His only slightly more literate companion also came in as i was in line, and the two sad sacks talked about inconsequentials that mean little more than I wouldn't get my sub until midnight.
I get to order my sub. They have no chicken. NO CHICKEN!?!?! By this time I'm so pissed off I just want out of there. I order a monterey steak and cheese. They are out of the cheddar cheese. OUT OF CHEESE!?!?!?! My GOD does this store have anything!?! Fine, I get it with monterey cheese anyway, but I've given up all hope that this guy will be able to complete my order in a timely enough fashion. My only hope for salvation in this situation is that he's not sufficiently bright to operate the credit card machine and thus my sub will be free. He followed all the right steps but we'll see if it shows up on my monthly bill.
Suffice it to say, it was NOT a stellar Subway experience. I may not revisit that location again. If you're 30, and can't get a better job than late night Subway, maybe you should eat a bullet.
Its quarter to 11:00 on a Wednesday night. I'm driving down 51st Street, looking for somewhere to eat. Everything is closed!! Taco Time, Quizno's, Mr. Sub. Everything is dark and shuttered.
I planned to go to Subway anyway. I like Subway. I wanted a sweet onion chicken teriyaki.
I get there, and the guy making the subs is functionally retarded. No, he's not all twitchy or anything, but one of the droolers would probably have been more capable at the job that this mouth breather. And it isn't helping any that the people ahead of me are little more than retarded themselves. A couple who looked to be 20. God I hate people that can't make up their mind about what to order. The dumb girl changed her mine THREE times about what she wanted. And bitched about the lack of sauces.
Subway was OUT of mayo. How do you run out of that!?! It goes on bloody near every sandwich that goes out. Its just one of those things you have to have in stock. They were also out of Italian sauce but that's less popular than mayo.
It took at least 10 minute for Winky the Wonder Worn to do two six inch subs. His only slightly more literate companion also came in as i was in line, and the two sad sacks talked about inconsequentials that mean little more than I wouldn't get my sub until midnight.
I get to order my sub. They have no chicken. NO CHICKEN!?!?! By this time I'm so pissed off I just want out of there. I order a monterey steak and cheese. They are out of the cheddar cheese. OUT OF CHEESE!?!?!?! My GOD does this store have anything!?! Fine, I get it with monterey cheese anyway, but I've given up all hope that this guy will be able to complete my order in a timely enough fashion. My only hope for salvation in this situation is that he's not sufficiently bright to operate the credit card machine and thus my sub will be free. He followed all the right steps but we'll see if it shows up on my monthly bill.
Suffice it to say, it was NOT a stellar Subway experience. I may not revisit that location again. If you're 30, and can't get a better job than late night Subway, maybe you should eat a bullet.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Reflections on a Wednesday night:
As I sat in my truck tonight, waiting for it to warm up, I took note of the fact that it was 10:21 and the radio station I was listening to was 102.1.
Apparently the small sample bottle of waste water from Souris, with the iron oxidized, has confused a lot of people. (Come on! Given that I was putting it in there as a question, you had to know it wouldn't be that easy.)
You can't really stereotype who should be at a Slipknot concert. There was a diverse collection of people in the beer garden. (the guy with the grey hair, and the couple that looked like they'd come upon a satanic ritual, were obviously not there for the music though)
We didn't get that blizzard they were advertising. Nonetheless, the wind was stiff enough that my truck needed another gear on some of the hills.
(P.S. So far so good with the truck)
In my opinion, Killswitch Engage was the best act, and they didn't do an encore due to audience apathy.
I have to take back a blog I did earlier. I was listening to the radio on the way in to Saskatoon tonight, and there's actually a lot of support being rallied for the tsunami victims. I guess it isn't getting the same level of over-exposure because it happened some place remote, instead of the heart of world media, New York, U.S.A.
As I sat in my truck tonight, waiting for it to warm up, I took note of the fact that it was 10:21 and the radio station I was listening to was 102.1.
Apparently the small sample bottle of waste water from Souris, with the iron oxidized, has confused a lot of people. (Come on! Given that I was putting it in there as a question, you had to know it wouldn't be that easy.)
You can't really stereotype who should be at a Slipknot concert. There was a diverse collection of people in the beer garden. (the guy with the grey hair, and the couple that looked like they'd come upon a satanic ritual, were obviously not there for the music though)
We didn't get that blizzard they were advertising. Nonetheless, the wind was stiff enough that my truck needed another gear on some of the hills.
(P.S. So far so good with the truck)
In my opinion, Killswitch Engage was the best act, and they didn't do an encore due to audience apathy.
I have to take back a blog I did earlier. I was listening to the radio on the way in to Saskatoon tonight, and there's actually a lot of support being rallied for the tsunami victims. I guess it isn't getting the same level of over-exposure because it happened some place remote, instead of the heart of world media, New York, U.S.A.
And here is my latest, and greatest idea! (okay, maybe not great, but it is new)
Rollerblade Track
Its a layout for a rollerblade track in my backyard. My backyard is huge. I'm always thinking of ways to fill it up. This is my newest one. If you can't figure it out from the simplistic depiction, the idea is to make a smooth track out of sidewalk blocks. My parents bought some of these recently, and since they knew the pricing (~ $5 a block (30" square)) I used that for my design.
The only thing I'm not sure about is the four curved 'corners'. Obviously a square block is not going to easily accomodate my design for roundness. I still need to figure that part out. Oh, and whether I can stay on a track that's 2-1/2 feet wide, especially in the corners.
Rollerblade Track
Its a layout for a rollerblade track in my backyard. My backyard is huge. I'm always thinking of ways to fill it up. This is my newest one. If you can't figure it out from the simplistic depiction, the idea is to make a smooth track out of sidewalk blocks. My parents bought some of these recently, and since they knew the pricing (~ $5 a block (30" square)) I used that for my design.
The only thing I'm not sure about is the four curved 'corners'. Obviously a square block is not going to easily accomodate my design for roundness. I still need to figure that part out. Oh, and whether I can stay on a track that's 2-1/2 feet wide, especially in the corners.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Somehow I got to the Middle East and dropped about half my weight.
Oh, and I need braces now.
Doppleganger
Oh, and I need braces now.
Doppleganger
Monday, January 10, 2005
So I'm watching the Core tonight.
I'm not sure how many of you will be familiar with this movie. It was a modest film that capitalizes on all the thrills of your average doomsday movie. Working against it, is the fact this was done already, in the years preceding its release. We had Armageddon, to which The Core most closely resembles. And Armageddon harnessed a far more bankable cast.
I shall skip the ridiculous movie review and get to my point. I turned it on just before we had the obligatory martyr scene. In this particular film, the martyr must leave the safe confines of the titanium worm that is burrowing to the center of the earth and go into a crawlspace, to release a compartment of the ship.
Again, we'll skip my diatribe about why the hell would you spend 20 years designing something and then not notice such a ludicrous oversight? So this guy has to leave the protective cabin of this worm vessel, and push the unlock button. They are at the core, and the temperature out there is thousands of degrees. And of course they have thermal suits but they are only rated to half of the temperature that will be in this crawlspace.
There are some things about this retarded scenario that are just too blatant to ignore.
A suit rated for 4000 degrees is not going to provide enough protection at 8000 degrees, for you to take even three steps.
If by some miracle a 4000 degree suit can do something useful against 9000 degrees, to at least enough that you can get to the button, then why not just wear two suits? Suit A burns off getting to the button, and suit B burns off coming back.
Its entirely possible I think too much . . .
I'm not sure how many of you will be familiar with this movie. It was a modest film that capitalizes on all the thrills of your average doomsday movie. Working against it, is the fact this was done already, in the years preceding its release. We had Armageddon, to which The Core most closely resembles. And Armageddon harnessed a far more bankable cast.
I shall skip the ridiculous movie review and get to my point. I turned it on just before we had the obligatory martyr scene. In this particular film, the martyr must leave the safe confines of the titanium worm that is burrowing to the center of the earth and go into a crawlspace, to release a compartment of the ship.
Again, we'll skip my diatribe about why the hell would you spend 20 years designing something and then not notice such a ludicrous oversight? So this guy has to leave the protective cabin of this worm vessel, and push the unlock button. They are at the core, and the temperature out there is thousands of degrees. And of course they have thermal suits but they are only rated to half of the temperature that will be in this crawlspace.
There are some things about this retarded scenario that are just too blatant to ignore.
A suit rated for 4000 degrees is not going to provide enough protection at 8000 degrees, for you to take even three steps.
If by some miracle a 4000 degree suit can do something useful against 9000 degrees, to at least enough that you can get to the button, then why not just wear two suits? Suit A burns off getting to the button, and suit B burns off coming back.
Its entirely possible I think too much . . .
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Have you ever noticed that in the great majority of motion pictures, the characters can do all manner of really bad things to a vehicle, like:
drive through a heavy iron gate
knock over a fruit or newspaper stand
hit garbage cans
drive through walls (wood or concrete)
get shot up with bullets
take enormous flying leaps over hills or ramps
navigate amongst bombs, craters, and debris that are jolting the passengers
Yet, it seems to come out nearly intact. Certainly with FAR less damage than we'd endure in a simple, minor fender bender in a shopping mall parking lot?
drive through a heavy iron gate
knock over a fruit or newspaper stand
hit garbage cans
drive through walls (wood or concrete)
get shot up with bullets
take enormous flying leaps over hills or ramps
navigate amongst bombs, craters, and debris that are jolting the passengers
Yet, it seems to come out nearly intact. Certainly with FAR less damage than we'd endure in a simple, minor fender bender in a shopping mall parking lot?
Saturday, January 08, 2005
There's something else I thought of today.
At last reported count (or at least the one I saw) the death toll from the tsunami disaster had climbed past 150,000. Given that the totals are not abating in their continual rise, I think it is safe to say that, when the final tally is made, that one disaster will have wiped the equivalent of ALL of Saskatoon, off the map.
It is a disaster. It is being covered in the media. However, what I'm not seeing is the sense of awe that we had when the two towers fell. The death toll from this event is going to dwarf the 9/11 tragedy by so many times that to compare the two will do an injustice to the suffering of the people living out this tidal wave horror.
Nonetheless, the reporting of it, or what I'm seeing in the coverage available to me, is not quite the sense of monument that we had when the towers fell. Is that fair? Its a world away from us, and so I suppose we feel a bit insulated from the gravity of what has befallen those poor people.
One city's population (or the comparative amount) was wiped from existence in the span of a day. Doesn't that merit at least as much solemnity as was afforded the city of New York?
At last reported count (or at least the one I saw) the death toll from the tsunami disaster had climbed past 150,000. Given that the totals are not abating in their continual rise, I think it is safe to say that, when the final tally is made, that one disaster will have wiped the equivalent of ALL of Saskatoon, off the map.
It is a disaster. It is being covered in the media. However, what I'm not seeing is the sense of awe that we had when the two towers fell. The death toll from this event is going to dwarf the 9/11 tragedy by so many times that to compare the two will do an injustice to the suffering of the people living out this tidal wave horror.
Nonetheless, the reporting of it, or what I'm seeing in the coverage available to me, is not quite the sense of monument that we had when the towers fell. Is that fair? Its a world away from us, and so I suppose we feel a bit insulated from the gravity of what has befallen those poor people.
One city's population (or the comparative amount) was wiped from existence in the span of a day. Doesn't that merit at least as much solemnity as was afforded the city of New York?
Are there any photographers among my devoted readership? I looked at my own blog today, and a question came to mind that I've always had, but have never pursued the answer.
How do you take a close-up?
I'm not talking about a nice crop of someone's head. What I really need to know is, how do you set yourself up to take a close-up shot of something small. Since its current, and we've all seen it (you do check my photo links, right?), let's take my example from a few days ago, and the vial of mystery fluid.
Why didn't that work?
Its almost what I wanted. I snapped just the vial of water, and the half-ass background I made for it. Its almost in focus, but not really. What was my mistake? I tried it a bunch of ways, and it never turned out clear. I try sitting back and zooming. I tried being close, and not zooming. I fiddled with flash versus no flash, in case it was a lighting thing. I tried supporting my camera with something other than my shaky hands, and that didn't work. I wish I knew where my mistake was. There are many instances where I'd like to take a close-up of something small, but I never get it right.
Thoughts anyone?
How do you take a close-up?
I'm not talking about a nice crop of someone's head. What I really need to know is, how do you set yourself up to take a close-up shot of something small. Since its current, and we've all seen it (you do check my photo links, right?), let's take my example from a few days ago, and the vial of mystery fluid.
Why didn't that work?
Its almost what I wanted. I snapped just the vial of water, and the half-ass background I made for it. Its almost in focus, but not really. What was my mistake? I tried it a bunch of ways, and it never turned out clear. I try sitting back and zooming. I tried being close, and not zooming. I fiddled with flash versus no flash, in case it was a lighting thing. I tried supporting my camera with something other than my shaky hands, and that didn't work. I wish I knew where my mistake was. There are many instances where I'd like to take a close-up of something small, but I never get it right.
Thoughts anyone?
Friday, January 07, 2005
You know you're boring and have no life when you sit down and make up a spreadsheet like this on a Friday night.
Beverage Comparison
Beverage Comparison
Blog Guessing Game:
(yes, I know that I'm the only one that finds all these guessing games amusing)
Mystery Fluid!
What is in the jar?
(yes, I know that I'm the only one that finds all these guessing games amusing)
Mystery Fluid!
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What is in the jar?
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
So, I am almost over my seething rage.
Guess what happened this morning? If you guessed, truck didn't start, give yourself a cookie. It is true, my stupid ass vehicle did not start, AGAIN!!! I am decidedly unhappy. And it wasn't, too cold to start, not start. It was the same, damnable, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO BATTERY start!!!
Okay, I guess I'm not over my seething rage yet. Thinking about it irritates me. I will attempt a coherent blog entry this afternoon, if I calm down.
P.S. Chevrolet sucks
Guess what happened this morning? If you guessed, truck didn't start, give yourself a cookie. It is true, my stupid ass vehicle did not start, AGAIN!!! I am decidedly unhappy. And it wasn't, too cold to start, not start. It was the same, damnable, THERE APPEARS TO BE NO BATTERY start!!!
Okay, I guess I'm not over my seething rage yet. Thinking about it irritates me. I will attempt a coherent blog entry this afternoon, if I calm down.
P.S. Chevrolet sucks
Sunday, January 02, 2005
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Monday, December 27, 2004
This is the part about lip synching that I don't get.
Its your song. You sang it. Its your voice that's being played from the amplified sound equipment. Its not like you've never put the words to voice before. So then how the hell can you not be able to match up to your original song? This seems like a simple matter of vigilant practice. If you actually do your bloody job, and learn the stupid version of the song that you've committed to the backing track, then how can you not be able to lip sync it when you pretend to do it live?
Girls? Go back to the damn studio, and learn your flippin' song! You can all go get drunk, stoned, and turned inside out by whatever Neanderthal gorilla that has your panties in a twist, AFTER your put in the twenty god damn minutes a day it takes to make sure you can live up to your celebrity! The celebrity that got you into the club underaged. The fame that got you the narcotics for free, from the shady guy that seems to know everyone. And the mystique it took to convince a guy twice your age that it was worth the risk to bend you over the marble counter-top in the men's restroom for 5 minutes of sweaty, but meaningless visceral thrill.
Its your song. You sang it. Its your voice that's being played from the amplified sound equipment. Its not like you've never put the words to voice before. So then how the hell can you not be able to match up to your original song? This seems like a simple matter of vigilant practice. If you actually do your bloody job, and learn the stupid version of the song that you've committed to the backing track, then how can you not be able to lip sync it when you pretend to do it live?
Girls? Go back to the damn studio, and learn your flippin' song! You can all go get drunk, stoned, and turned inside out by whatever Neanderthal gorilla that has your panties in a twist, AFTER your put in the twenty god damn minutes a day it takes to make sure you can live up to your celebrity! The celebrity that got you into the club underaged. The fame that got you the narcotics for free, from the shady guy that seems to know everyone. And the mystique it took to convince a guy twice your age that it was worth the risk to bend you over the marble counter-top in the men's restroom for 5 minutes of sweaty, but meaningless visceral thrill.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Friday, December 24, 2004
Note to my readership:
Don't get a hamburger from the gas station.
I know its tempting to abandon the natural skepticism about gas station food, with the proliferation of Subway's that are set up in small town Esso's. Plus the Esso here in Watson has a restaurant and while its not cuisine, it doesn't make you barf.
However, the Quick Stop is closed today. WTF!?!?! It was open at 9:00 AM but closed for lunch. I don't support that. So I was running around town finishing errands and still hadn't eaten. So against better judgement, I got a two pack of cheeseburgers from the Co-op fridge.
Big mistake!
Burger one was okay. But by burger two I could feel the recoil happening already. I suspect a purge will become involved before afternoon ends.
If you need me, I'll be the guy in the corner, dry heaving.
Don't get a hamburger from the gas station.
I know its tempting to abandon the natural skepticism about gas station food, with the proliferation of Subway's that are set up in small town Esso's. Plus the Esso here in Watson has a restaurant and while its not cuisine, it doesn't make you barf.
However, the Quick Stop is closed today. WTF!?!?! It was open at 9:00 AM but closed for lunch. I don't support that. So I was running around town finishing errands and still hadn't eaten. So against better judgement, I got a two pack of cheeseburgers from the Co-op fridge.
Big mistake!
Burger one was okay. But by burger two I could feel the recoil happening already. I suspect a purge will become involved before afternoon ends.
If you need me, I'll be the guy in the corner, dry heaving.
I must hate myself.
Its the day before Christmas. (I guess you could call it Christmas Eve, even though its not evening yet) We are 'officially' closed, but I'm here at my desk in the office. There's no one else here. The phone is not ringing. And yet, as the hours tick by, I find more and more stuff that I should do before going home.
If you need me, I'll be the guy in the corner, banging his head against the wall.
Its the day before Christmas. (I guess you could call it Christmas Eve, even though its not evening yet) We are 'officially' closed, but I'm here at my desk in the office. There's no one else here. The phone is not ringing. And yet, as the hours tick by, I find more and more stuff that I should do before going home.
If you need me, I'll be the guy in the corner, banging his head against the wall.
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Has anyone seen my penis?
I stepped out of the truck last night, when I arrived back in Watson. I'd spent the first three days of this week in Manitoba. I get out and its -31 C, with a vicious, biting wind.
I got home and my penis was missing. Anyone heard any rumors on where it went? I might need it again so I'm fairly keen on finding it.
I stepped out of the truck last night, when I arrived back in Watson. I'd spent the first three days of this week in Manitoba. I get out and its -31 C, with a vicious, biting wind.
I got home and my penis was missing. Anyone heard any rumors on where it went? I might need it again so I'm fairly keen on finding it.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Its that time of year again! Everyone submit their entry, guessing the dollar total contained in the 2004 tip jar!!!
Tips!
The contest will remain open until Christmas Eve. There will be fun and prizes for correct guesses!
Tips!
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The contest will remain open until Christmas Eve. There will be fun and prizes for correct guesses!
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I often consider this my private little piece of the world, where I can rant and vent, about the things that irritate me. Or it can go in the other way, and be the place I go when I need to bare my soul. That is where I am right now. There's something inside me that I want to say. I don't know if I have the words for it, but I need to try.
I'm never going to get this, am I? The part that is supposed to be the easiest, will forever elude me.
I'm tired of trying.
I hate that I can pour my entire mental capacity, my enormous tolerance for pain, and an unbelievable amount of willpower into understanding this, and it won't yield to me.
This is my nemesis, the enemy I can not vanquish. It is the monster in my closet. I can run, I can hide, or stay and fight. It makes little difference. I am never going to win this battle.
I'm angry and I'm sad, all in the same moment. I despair and I scream my futility, but the situation remains the same.
I can't touch it.
For whatever reason, I simply can not make that critical connection that will let me grow. I remain stunted, somewhat less of a man, and a lot more of a child. While endearing and sweet, it is not the visage that will bring me to my goal.
I could live with this, if the pain would go away. If I didn't care, for a reason that remains beyond my ability to fathom. If that one, infuriating emotion would just cease its torment of me, I think I could relax.
I could be happy.
It seems my lot to be taunted by the monster. To have the venomous beast slither into my mind when I'm feeling contentment and pride at an accomplishment. There it comes, striking me like a vindictive lizard. And in my pride, and my arrogance, I let myself believe that the vastness of my potential, will now, finally, give me the answer I have for so long pursued.
There will be no answer for me.
How do you quit? The impulse will not just cease, because you ask it to. I've tried that and it is complete futility. In that last moment, where you stand over the beast, blood and gore dripping from yourself, and everything around you. Put your foot on the thing's neck, and exult at your victory. Only to have it snatched away, when once more, the thump of life beats under your shoe.
I hate this place.
I don't want to be here. I'm not used to failing. If I just try hard enough, I win. I am embued with so much that there is no challenge I can't best.
Except this one.
I'm weary. The fight continues, and it robs me of everything that the rest of life builds up within. I can win so many battles, and be crushed by a single failure.
Because I care.
The answer is that there is no answer. We all must try, and fail, then learn from our mistakes. And I do that and it still won't bring me salvation. I fail, and again, and again. Why can't my mind comprehend this, analyze it, and provide new direction? Why must I not progress?
In the end have I said anything? No, I don't think so. It is, and it will be, until the question disappears.
I remain . . .
I'm never going to get this, am I? The part that is supposed to be the easiest, will forever elude me.
I'm tired of trying.
I hate that I can pour my entire mental capacity, my enormous tolerance for pain, and an unbelievable amount of willpower into understanding this, and it won't yield to me.
This is my nemesis, the enemy I can not vanquish. It is the monster in my closet. I can run, I can hide, or stay and fight. It makes little difference. I am never going to win this battle.
I'm angry and I'm sad, all in the same moment. I despair and I scream my futility, but the situation remains the same.
I can't touch it.
For whatever reason, I simply can not make that critical connection that will let me grow. I remain stunted, somewhat less of a man, and a lot more of a child. While endearing and sweet, it is not the visage that will bring me to my goal.
I could live with this, if the pain would go away. If I didn't care, for a reason that remains beyond my ability to fathom. If that one, infuriating emotion would just cease its torment of me, I think I could relax.
I could be happy.
It seems my lot to be taunted by the monster. To have the venomous beast slither into my mind when I'm feeling contentment and pride at an accomplishment. There it comes, striking me like a vindictive lizard. And in my pride, and my arrogance, I let myself believe that the vastness of my potential, will now, finally, give me the answer I have for so long pursued.
There will be no answer for me.
How do you quit? The impulse will not just cease, because you ask it to. I've tried that and it is complete futility. In that last moment, where you stand over the beast, blood and gore dripping from yourself, and everything around you. Put your foot on the thing's neck, and exult at your victory. Only to have it snatched away, when once more, the thump of life beats under your shoe.
I hate this place.
I don't want to be here. I'm not used to failing. If I just try hard enough, I win. I am embued with so much that there is no challenge I can't best.
Except this one.
I'm weary. The fight continues, and it robs me of everything that the rest of life builds up within. I can win so many battles, and be crushed by a single failure.
Because I care.
The answer is that there is no answer. We all must try, and fail, then learn from our mistakes. And I do that and it still won't bring me salvation. I fail, and again, and again. Why can't my mind comprehend this, analyze it, and provide new direction? Why must I not progress?
In the end have I said anything? No, I don't think so. It is, and it will be, until the question disappears.
I remain . . .
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Monday, December 13, 2004
Can someone please explain to me why I keep buying so much stuff!?!
I got myself an XBox last week. It seemed like a good idea at the time. What needs to be mentioned at this point is, right now all of the XBox stuff is still in the box that it was shipped in. I haven't opened a single thing from it.
This is so typical. I buy stuff and then it just sits. I have no idea how many computer games I've purchased and either not played at all, or barely played. Let's do the list:
Rise Of Nations
Battlefield: Vietnam
Simcity 4
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Now how about other computer related stuff:
Logitech racing wheel (third one I've owned)
Logitech flight stick (yup, still in the box)
LCD monitor (currently collecting dust in my office/closet
The Ripper (why did I think I needed a tower computer with no purpose beyond copying DVD's?)
At this point I would like to solicit some advice on how to not spend my money so foolishly. Can anyone suggest some strategies that might keep my money in my pocket more often?
Thank you and good night
I got myself an XBox last week. It seemed like a good idea at the time. What needs to be mentioned at this point is, right now all of the XBox stuff is still in the box that it was shipped in. I haven't opened a single thing from it.
This is so typical. I buy stuff and then it just sits. I have no idea how many computer games I've purchased and either not played at all, or barely played. Let's do the list:
Rise Of Nations
Battlefield: Vietnam
Simcity 4
Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic
Now how about other computer related stuff:
Logitech racing wheel (third one I've owned)
Logitech flight stick (yup, still in the box)
LCD monitor (currently collecting dust in my office/closet
The Ripper (why did I think I needed a tower computer with no purpose beyond copying DVD's?)
At this point I would like to solicit some advice on how to not spend my money so foolishly. Can anyone suggest some strategies that might keep my money in my pocket more often?
Thank you and good night
Sunday, December 12, 2004
Saturday, December 11, 2004
I was watching 'Josie and the Pussycats' yesterday, as I drove into Regina. As I did so, an interesting question came into my mind. Now I was driving at the time, so my ability to remember the thought was limited. I have yet to figure out a way, that I like and will use on a continual basis, to record my thoughts as I drive.
(Yes, I've thought of, and had suggested to me, the idea of a voice recorder. I think I sound like a tool whem my voice is recorded, so I have thus far resisted that idea)
Now I am watching 'Chasing Amy'. (thanks Sean!) An infinitely better movie, in my opinion, that yesterday's Josie. However, there is a discussion of Archie comics in 'Chasing Amy' and this has reminded me of last night's question.
Why did they make a 'Josie and the Pussycats' movie, instead of an Archie movie? Considering the creative bankrupcy that seems to exist in Hollywood in the last 10 years or so, is it not odd that no one has put an Archie movie on the screen yet?
(Yes, I've thought of, and had suggested to me, the idea of a voice recorder. I think I sound like a tool whem my voice is recorded, so I have thus far resisted that idea)
Now I am watching 'Chasing Amy'. (thanks Sean!) An infinitely better movie, in my opinion, that yesterday's Josie. However, there is a discussion of Archie comics in 'Chasing Amy' and this has reminded me of last night's question.
Why did they make a 'Josie and the Pussycats' movie, instead of an Archie movie? Considering the creative bankrupcy that seems to exist in Hollywood in the last 10 years or so, is it not odd that no one has put an Archie movie on the screen yet?
Friday, December 10, 2004
A Friday summary:
I love $100,000 purchase orders.
This headache of mine can take the next bus outta town. I've had enough of its company.
I'm the last person to be chiding other about 'getting excited' but I think there are some people in Manitoba that ought to chill out pretty soon. It'll get fixed, and the world won't end if that takes me a week or two.
And to close . . .
LET THE GAMING COMMENCE!!!!!
I love $100,000 purchase orders.
This headache of mine can take the next bus outta town. I've had enough of its company.
I'm the last person to be chiding other about 'getting excited' but I think there are some people in Manitoba that ought to chill out pretty soon. It'll get fixed, and the world won't end if that takes me a week or two.
And to close . . .
LET THE GAMING COMMENCE!!!!!
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Ummmmm God? A word?
God? Yeah, hi. Worshipper Guenther here. Gotta question for ya. Is today indicative of the after-life I can expect in heaven? If so, could I please go to hell?
Alright, I get it. I had the plague coming. You're right, I screwed up, and I deserved that one.
The locusts? A touch much, don't you think? Sure, I kinda punted that one, and I did have something coming, but couldn't the plague have covered both transgressions?
But to top THAT, do we really have to do this insomnia gaffe again? I can't see how I've ever done anything to deserve that. You know how much pain this brings me. Couldn't we have done without that little penalty?
And then you top it off with the events of my Tuesday. That pace you gave me, starting at 6:00 AM and not abating, even a little bit, until 10:30 in the evening. At what point do I get to stop calling you the merciful creator?
And THEN!!! You top off a truly excremental day, with a steaming, stinky, absolutely vile bowl of SHIT! Not poo, or poop, or crap, or excrement. Shit, in its purest, brownest, most complete form. And you roll that in together with some absolutely infuriating plumbing, and an unabating flow of water until I'm bloody near swimming in this putrid, fetid stinking POND that was once my bathroom.
When LORD!?! When the FUCK can your servent, ditch this foul set of circumstances and finally get to know some peace? When Lord when!?! When's gonna be my time!?!?!?!?!
If you need me, I'll be in the shower, trying to wash out the smell.
God? Yeah, hi. Worshipper Guenther here. Gotta question for ya. Is today indicative of the after-life I can expect in heaven? If so, could I please go to hell?
Alright, I get it. I had the plague coming. You're right, I screwed up, and I deserved that one.
The locusts? A touch much, don't you think? Sure, I kinda punted that one, and I did have something coming, but couldn't the plague have covered both transgressions?
But to top THAT, do we really have to do this insomnia gaffe again? I can't see how I've ever done anything to deserve that. You know how much pain this brings me. Couldn't we have done without that little penalty?
And then you top it off with the events of my Tuesday. That pace you gave me, starting at 6:00 AM and not abating, even a little bit, until 10:30 in the evening. At what point do I get to stop calling you the merciful creator?
And THEN!!! You top off a truly excremental day, with a steaming, stinky, absolutely vile bowl of SHIT! Not poo, or poop, or crap, or excrement. Shit, in its purest, brownest, most complete form. And you roll that in together with some absolutely infuriating plumbing, and an unabating flow of water until I'm bloody near swimming in this putrid, fetid stinking POND that was once my bathroom.
When LORD!?! When the FUCK can your servent, ditch this foul set of circumstances and finally get to know some peace? When Lord when!?! When's gonna be my time!?!?!?!?!
If you need me, I'll be in the shower, trying to wash out the smell.
Monday, December 06, 2004
What the hell is wrong with people? What I am speaking of today is, the behaviour of people on the street. This absolutely baffles me, while simultaneously driving me to a point where I could explode in a fire of furious rage.
There's a traffic disruption on Circle Drive this afternoon. The cops have blocked off one lane. You can tell there's something wrong, because there's 50 cars lined up in the left lane, and the right lane is open. But do the idiots steaming along take the 1/2 second it takes to make the observation that there's a REASON why this is the way it is? OH HELL NO!!! They figure they're the second coming of Irving Genius, and they'll just hope in the right lane and get ahead in the world.
WRONG!!!
All they prove is, they're idiots. They steam past everyone, get to the cop car, and become stymied in that place. Now by rights they should stay there until the traffic disturbance is cleared but sadly the cop has to wave the idiot in, and they are rewarded for their stupidity.
Why can't these people be hunted for sport?
There's a traffic disruption on Circle Drive this afternoon. The cops have blocked off one lane. You can tell there's something wrong, because there's 50 cars lined up in the left lane, and the right lane is open. But do the idiots steaming along take the 1/2 second it takes to make the observation that there's a REASON why this is the way it is? OH HELL NO!!! They figure they're the second coming of Irving Genius, and they'll just hope in the right lane and get ahead in the world.
WRONG!!!
All they prove is, they're idiots. They steam past everyone, get to the cop car, and become stymied in that place. Now by rights they should stay there until the traffic disturbance is cleared but sadly the cop has to wave the idiot in, and they are rewarded for their stupidity.
Why can't these people be hunted for sport?
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Friday, December 03, 2004
I have to make a declaration at this point.
Major thanks have to be given to Mr. Kevin Hills, for addition of a hit counter on my blog. I'd had the idea before, to include one, but all my investigations led me towards something that would cost me money. I don't really like buying from the internet. I avoid it whenever possible. This is another one of these situations.
However last night we were discussing my blog, and how many people we think read it. He suggested a hit counter. I told him I'd use one, if he found it for me. So he did.
Now I have a counter. Holy Crap am I getting more hits than I thought! Its been up for about 18 hours now, and at last count, I had 31 hits. I didn't expect to hit double digits until after the weekend.
Thanks to everyone for reading my oft-times warped thoughts. And a HUGE thank you to Kevin, for bringing a lot of value to my site.
Toodles!!
Major thanks have to be given to Mr. Kevin Hills, for addition of a hit counter on my blog. I'd had the idea before, to include one, but all my investigations led me towards something that would cost me money. I don't really like buying from the internet. I avoid it whenever possible. This is another one of these situations.
However last night we were discussing my blog, and how many people we think read it. He suggested a hit counter. I told him I'd use one, if he found it for me. So he did.
Now I have a counter. Holy Crap am I getting more hits than I thought! Its been up for about 18 hours now, and at last count, I had 31 hits. I didn't expect to hit double digits until after the weekend.
Thanks to everyone for reading my oft-times warped thoughts. And a HUGE thank you to Kevin, for bringing a lot of value to my site.
Toodles!!
Thursday, December 02, 2004
One of the worst things about being in Loserville is, there are so few permanent residents. You live right along the highway of life. Things go by on the highway. Both good and bad. The occasional person stops as they drive through on their way somewhere. You might get the odd person coming into town. Metaphorically speaking, stopping for a Pepsi and a piss in your hovel-like little abode on the side of life’s freeway. But the necessities of life taken care of, they get back in their Porsche, and press the pedal to the floor, speeding away from you, and your pathetic existence in Loserville.
To put it in more vivid terms:
I’m the bloody Chamberlain of relationships.
To put it in more vivid terms:
I’m the bloody Chamberlain of relationships.
Okay, who's with me on this one!?!
There's this Christmas commercial now on TV from Roger's Wireless. Its the one where the guy is trekking through a forest of fir trees, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. He has his camera phone with him, and he's sending back pictures of trees to his 'woman' who's sitting on the couch at home, warm, dry and comfortable.
Who thought this commercial was a good idea!?!?!?!?!?!
I'm watching this, and I just wanna cuff the damn bitch. She's sitting at home while this hapless bastard has to trudge through the snow and cold, looking for a damn tree. And every tree he finds, she's got some problem with. But to go with it, she's not providing any concrete suggestions for what else to look for. She just answers with standard responses that the guy out freezing in the forest is supposed to interpret!!
What a god damn stupid commercial. I bloody hate it!!
Who's with me? Kill the bitch on the couch or make them stop playing the commercial!!!
There's this Christmas commercial now on TV from Roger's Wireless. Its the one where the guy is trekking through a forest of fir trees, looking for the perfect Christmas tree. He has his camera phone with him, and he's sending back pictures of trees to his 'woman' who's sitting on the couch at home, warm, dry and comfortable.
Who thought this commercial was a good idea!?!?!?!?!?!
I'm watching this, and I just wanna cuff the damn bitch. She's sitting at home while this hapless bastard has to trudge through the snow and cold, looking for a damn tree. And every tree he finds, she's got some problem with. But to go with it, she's not providing any concrete suggestions for what else to look for. She just answers with standard responses that the guy out freezing in the forest is supposed to interpret!!
What a god damn stupid commercial. I bloody hate it!!
Who's with me? Kill the bitch on the couch or make them stop playing the commercial!!!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
Good Ideas from Bad Technicians
If you are given the chance, here are my suggestions for software to select, for your new DVD burner.
DO get ICopyDVDs2.
do NOT get DVDXCopy Express
DO get Sonic MyDVD
do NOT get B.H.A. including B's Clips.
I hate that stupid B.H.A. crap. I'm trying to do something really basic. All I wanna do is write to my newly purchased DVD+RW discs. I install the packet writing software that came with the drive awhile ago, but never tried the facility. I had the Sonic software at work, and I use the packet writing daily, for my engineering files. Its awesome. No muss, no fuss, its just works. Now I screw around with this B.H.A. software and it wants to give me a rash. SCREW THAT!!! I've bought 3 DVD burners, at least one of them must have the Sonic software. Found one, installed, rebooting and Voila! Its works like a charm.
So, to recap:
DO get ICopyDVDs2.
do NOT get DVDXCopy Express
DO get Sonic MyDVD
do NOT get B.H.A. including B's Clips.
If you are given the chance, here are my suggestions for software to select, for your new DVD burner.
DO get ICopyDVDs2.
do NOT get DVDXCopy Express
DO get Sonic MyDVD
do NOT get B.H.A. including B's Clips.
I hate that stupid B.H.A. crap. I'm trying to do something really basic. All I wanna do is write to my newly purchased DVD+RW discs. I install the packet writing software that came with the drive awhile ago, but never tried the facility. I had the Sonic software at work, and I use the packet writing daily, for my engineering files. Its awesome. No muss, no fuss, its just works. Now I screw around with this B.H.A. software and it wants to give me a rash. SCREW THAT!!! I've bought 3 DVD burners, at least one of them must have the Sonic software. Found one, installed, rebooting and Voila! Its works like a charm.
So, to recap:
DO get ICopyDVDs2.
do NOT get DVDXCopy Express
DO get Sonic MyDVD
do NOT get B.H.A. including B's Clips.
Sunday, November 28, 2004
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Am I the only one that notices the irony in the move, The Rundown, that stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson?
'The Rock' plays Beck, a man indentured to a rather smarmy boss. This boss tasks Beck with a variety of unpleasant jobs, and one's that Beck has a moral or personal reason to not want to complete. And underlining all of these assignments is the carrot that, if he just does 'one more job' then he'll be free. So Beck takes every assignment, hoping that it can be the last, and he can pursue his true passion.
And what is the assignment that makes up the bulk of the plot in 'The Rundown'? Beck heads to the jungles of Brazil, to rescue the bosses son. What is the scenario that Beck finds in Brazil? A cruel, heartless boss figure is taking advantage of an indigent population. Paying them meagre salaries, while charging them fees to complete the work. The basic premise being, Beck must rescue this natives from the heartless ruler, who makes his wealth off the back of the disenfranchised.
Vince McMahon is listed as an 'Executive Producer' on The Rundown. Is it just me or are the parallels not vivid and striking?
'The Rock' plays Beck, a man indentured to a rather smarmy boss. This boss tasks Beck with a variety of unpleasant jobs, and one's that Beck has a moral or personal reason to not want to complete. And underlining all of these assignments is the carrot that, if he just does 'one more job' then he'll be free. So Beck takes every assignment, hoping that it can be the last, and he can pursue his true passion.
And what is the assignment that makes up the bulk of the plot in 'The Rundown'? Beck heads to the jungles of Brazil, to rescue the bosses son. What is the scenario that Beck finds in Brazil? A cruel, heartless boss figure is taking advantage of an indigent population. Paying them meagre salaries, while charging them fees to complete the work. The basic premise being, Beck must rescue this natives from the heartless ruler, who makes his wealth off the back of the disenfranchised.
Vince McMahon is listed as an 'Executive Producer' on The Rundown. Is it just me or are the parallels not vivid and striking?
What the hell is wrong with Hotmail!?!
I have my main, MSN - Hotmail, account that I use consistently. I'm on the road a lot, and logging in from different places, so its the account I use, to keep current, on all the issues that are going on in my world. If I'm away, all my friends and family now to copy that account, so I will get their message.
I use that Hotmail account a lot. There's usually at least a couple important emails in there, everyday. On that account I am still at the measly 2 MB of storage.
I have a second Hotmail account that I created. My main one 'disappeared' one day, and I was in a panic about having lost my significant 'online' presence. I log into the account daily, just to keep it current. They bumped up my limit on that account to 250 MB.
I can't switch, because my Hotmail address is now a significant identity representation of me. But they didn't give me the free, storage upgrade. Can I chalk this up to more Microsoft idiocy, and call them butt-munches again!?!
I have my main, MSN - Hotmail, account that I use consistently. I'm on the road a lot, and logging in from different places, so its the account I use, to keep current, on all the issues that are going on in my world. If I'm away, all my friends and family now to copy that account, so I will get their message.
I use that Hotmail account a lot. There's usually at least a couple important emails in there, everyday. On that account I am still at the measly 2 MB of storage.
I have a second Hotmail account that I created. My main one 'disappeared' one day, and I was in a panic about having lost my significant 'online' presence. I log into the account daily, just to keep it current. They bumped up my limit on that account to 250 MB.
I can't switch, because my Hotmail address is now a significant identity representation of me. But they didn't give me the free, storage upgrade. Can I chalk this up to more Microsoft idiocy, and call them butt-munches again!?!
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 . . .