Blog Question Of The Day:
What did people use for garbage bags before plastic?
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Friday, September 16, 2005
Does anyone just USE software anymore? Do we have to screw with it all the time?
I'm trying to play a video game tonight. Admittedly, I don't log on as often as some. Perhaps that is why I'm so annoyed by this. But I have to patch my game. Patch it to the tune of 65 MB. That seems a little excessive.
Can't they get it right the first time? Why do I need a 65 MB patch? That seems like a lot of repairing to something I'm paying a BOATLOAD of money for. With the monthly subscription we're well into the hundreds of dollars now.
Oh well, my patch is nearly done. I guess I'll go. Any software guys out there, maybe you can heed my plea and write more thorough code. But probably not, because we still keep buying the buggy crap.
Toodles.
I'm trying to play a video game tonight. Admittedly, I don't log on as often as some. Perhaps that is why I'm so annoyed by this. But I have to patch my game. Patch it to the tune of 65 MB. That seems a little excessive.
Can't they get it right the first time? Why do I need a 65 MB patch? That seems like a lot of repairing to something I'm paying a BOATLOAD of money for. With the monthly subscription we're well into the hundreds of dollars now.
Oh well, my patch is nearly done. I guess I'll go. Any software guys out there, maybe you can heed my plea and write more thorough code. But probably not, because we still keep buying the buggy crap.
Toodles.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Monday, September 12, 2005
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Thursday, September 08, 2005
I gotta say something.
First of all, you really need to know your venue. Sure, it might be important in Detroit, where everyone carries a handgun, to screen people entering a rock concert. It might be appropriate in that instance. But this is Saskatchewan. The rowdiest thing that might happen here is a drunken fist-fight. And I've seen drunk guys fight before. They are more of a danger to themselves than they are to anyone else.
But even if you deem it necessary to screen everyone entering the building, then for god sake hire some decent security. For all that they are doing, you might as well have no security, than what they had last night.
Here's the hyprocrisy of it. There's six million security staff at the arena for the Pearl Jam concert. (which kicked ass, by the way) But I can walk around like I own the place simply because I look like I know what I'm doing. I had no uniform. My clothing was not adorned with any security passes, or anything that indicated I was staff. And yet I was able to walk backstage with no problem. Security staff covering the entrances to the building did not ask me my purpose. I walked past two security check points and no one acknowledged that I should check with them. There was a nominal metal check at a door, but he didn't ask if I should be there. I wouldn't have had to sign in had I not chosen to, because nobody policed that either.
Hire all the security that you want but if they aren't going to do something, then you might as well have no security at all.
First of all, you really need to know your venue. Sure, it might be important in Detroit, where everyone carries a handgun, to screen people entering a rock concert. It might be appropriate in that instance. But this is Saskatchewan. The rowdiest thing that might happen here is a drunken fist-fight. And I've seen drunk guys fight before. They are more of a danger to themselves than they are to anyone else.
But even if you deem it necessary to screen everyone entering the building, then for god sake hire some decent security. For all that they are doing, you might as well have no security, than what they had last night.
Here's the hyprocrisy of it. There's six million security staff at the arena for the Pearl Jam concert. (which kicked ass, by the way) But I can walk around like I own the place simply because I look like I know what I'm doing. I had no uniform. My clothing was not adorned with any security passes, or anything that indicated I was staff. And yet I was able to walk backstage with no problem. Security staff covering the entrances to the building did not ask me my purpose. I walked past two security check points and no one acknowledged that I should check with them. There was a nominal metal check at a door, but he didn't ask if I should be there. I wouldn't have had to sign in had I not chosen to, because nobody policed that either.
Hire all the security that you want but if they aren't going to do something, then you might as well have no security at all.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Monday, September 05, 2005
Friday, September 02, 2005
Thursday, September 01, 2005
You know who I feel sorry for right now?
Farmers
Its gotta suck to watch a good crop come up in the field. Nice conditions in the spring and summer to grow a crop. First some rain, to get things going, and then a period of good, warm heat to ripen it and make it ready.
So they go out, like they always do. Cut down the straw and prepare for the harvest.
And then it rains.
A lot.
Inches at a time.
I don't know much about farming, but all those thick swathes that I used to see as I drove along, are awfully damn sad looking now. I hope they can salvage something from this season.
Farmers
Its gotta suck to watch a good crop come up in the field. Nice conditions in the spring and summer to grow a crop. First some rain, to get things going, and then a period of good, warm heat to ripen it and make it ready.
So they go out, like they always do. Cut down the straw and prepare for the harvest.
And then it rains.
A lot.
Inches at a time.
I don't know much about farming, but all those thick swathes that I used to see as I drove along, are awfully damn sad looking now. I hope they can salvage something from this season.
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
I need to complain about something. In the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter that much but it still pissed me off.
I'm going home for lunch today. If you take the road that goes in front of my office, you have to stop at Main Street for a stop sign. Main Street is the through-road, so both east and west roads must stop.
I do as instructed. I get to Main Street, and I come to a full and complete stop. I was there well before the idiot blonde in the car that was coming at me from the other side. And as there was no traffic coming in either direction on Main Street, I decided to make my left hand turn.
This twink blonde, in her selfish, indulgent way barely even acknowledges the stop sign, and plows right across the road in front of me. HELLO!?!!?! Turning left here!!!
Is it wrong to arm your vehicle with anti-tank weapons, for just such an occasion as this?
I'm going home for lunch today. If you take the road that goes in front of my office, you have to stop at Main Street for a stop sign. Main Street is the through-road, so both east and west roads must stop.
I do as instructed. I get to Main Street, and I come to a full and complete stop. I was there well before the idiot blonde in the car that was coming at me from the other side. And as there was no traffic coming in either direction on Main Street, I decided to make my left hand turn.
This twink blonde, in her selfish, indulgent way barely even acknowledges the stop sign, and plows right across the road in front of me. HELLO!?!!?! Turning left here!!!
Is it wrong to arm your vehicle with anti-tank weapons, for just such an occasion as this?
Monday, August 29, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
What the hell is wrong with some people!?!
I checked my cell phone just now and someone phoned me at quarter after ten at night. At night!?! Don't I get to be 'off the clock' for at least a little while? It just so happens I was sleeping at 10:15 last night. Granted, it was on the couch, but the point remains.
There should be a maximum allowable time of day people are allowed to call you. Obviously there are exceptions, like if someone has exciting news, or something monumental happens. To just call for the sake of it, that late at night, is rude.
At least that's what I think. Anyone care to argue me?
I checked my cell phone just now and someone phoned me at quarter after ten at night. At night!?! Don't I get to be 'off the clock' for at least a little while? It just so happens I was sleeping at 10:15 last night. Granted, it was on the couch, but the point remains.
There should be a maximum allowable time of day people are allowed to call you. Obviously there are exceptions, like if someone has exciting news, or something monumental happens. To just call for the sake of it, that late at night, is rude.
At least that's what I think. Anyone care to argue me?
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Monday, August 22, 2005
We have crossed one more hurdle in the unstoppable march towards the purchase of a house. The funds for my down-payment were transferred into my account this afternoon. I have completed the last of my requirements to make this house purchase go. All that remains is for the seller to clear up their legal pronouncements, and we finally close the deal.
I am excited tonight!
I am excited tonight!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Friday, August 19, 2005
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
I had reason to be at our new shop this morning. My builder had a question for me, and requested that I travel over to take a look. It was no hardship for me so I got on the pedal bike and scurried over.
On the way back I had reason to take notice of my surroundings. Looking up the road from our new building, I took note of the fact that the street my new house is on, is a mere block and a half from the new shop. Now I will have absolutely no excuse for not walking/biking to work. For a distance so short, it would be grotesquely wasteful to not travel the span by a human-powered means.
On the way back I had reason to take notice of my surroundings. Looking up the road from our new building, I took note of the fact that the street my new house is on, is a mere block and a half from the new shop. Now I will have absolutely no excuse for not walking/biking to work. For a distance so short, it would be grotesquely wasteful to not travel the span by a human-powered means.
Monday, August 15, 2005
It's time.
I'm now in a bad mood. Its a slow, boring Monday out here in the middle of nowhere. We're just this side of bored out of our minds. There's an old classic on the TV tonight, Pump Up The Volume. A classic tale of teen angst from the classic period of my life. No one is chatting on the old chat box tonight, so I thought I'd log into my favorite game, World of Warcraft, for a couple hours of activity that ultimately leads nowhere.
And what am I repaid with, as I attempt to redeem the site access that I pay a pretty penny for? The god damn game will not allow me to log into the server that houses my characters. Oh, I can log into the game. But the server I need to connect to, where my characters are, and where all my friend play, that damn realm isn't even in the bloody list!!
What the hell is this crap!?! I give these people $15 a month for the privilege of letting me play a stupid game that does little more than steal from my bank account. And all I ask is that when I want to play, whenever that is, that the damn server is up and available for my use. But instead I get . . . this.
We end with a Blog Question Of The Day . . .
Should I cancel my World of Warcraft subscription?
I'm now in a bad mood. Its a slow, boring Monday out here in the middle of nowhere. We're just this side of bored out of our minds. There's an old classic on the TV tonight, Pump Up The Volume. A classic tale of teen angst from the classic period of my life. No one is chatting on the old chat box tonight, so I thought I'd log into my favorite game, World of Warcraft, for a couple hours of activity that ultimately leads nowhere.
And what am I repaid with, as I attempt to redeem the site access that I pay a pretty penny for? The god damn game will not allow me to log into the server that houses my characters. Oh, I can log into the game. But the server I need to connect to, where my characters are, and where all my friend play, that damn realm isn't even in the bloody list!!
What the hell is this crap!?! I give these people $15 a month for the privilege of letting me play a stupid game that does little more than steal from my bank account. And all I ask is that when I want to play, whenever that is, that the damn server is up and available for my use. But instead I get . . . this.
We end with a Blog Question Of The Day . . .
Should I cancel my World of Warcraft subscription?
Friday, August 12, 2005
Today is a very special day. Not many people are going to appreciate the significance of this date. I actually asked my parents if they knew what was special about August 12 and neither one could figure it out. About the only person that might have a shot at this one is my sister. What makes this day special is something that she had a part in, so its possible she'll know what makes today unique.
It was on this date, 19 years ago, August 12, 1986, that I started my first job, as the new paper delivery boy for the Leader-Post, in the town of Central Butte, Saskatchewan.
It was on this date, 19 years ago, August 12, 1986, that I started my first job, as the new paper delivery boy for the Leader-Post, in the town of Central Butte, Saskatchewan.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Monday, August 08, 2005
Friday, August 05, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
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Wednesday, August 03, 2005
I gotta tape this movie!
I'm watching 'American Splendor' here at lunch today. This movie is hilarious for being so pathetic. Which I respect because I share a lot of the same pathetic aspects.
This comic book writer lives a truly bankrupt existence. Then he meets a truly neurotic woman and for some completely asinine reason they decide to get married. The little 'love' scene they share is so typical of my experience that I shudder at the similarities. But its nice to see that my experience is not so atypical that it avoids reproduction on celluloid.
Still, I am hoping for something better for me. Which I will pursue because I believe with heartfelt sincerity that I can succeed where Harvey is truly failing.
I'm watching 'American Splendor' here at lunch today. This movie is hilarious for being so pathetic. Which I respect because I share a lot of the same pathetic aspects.
This comic book writer lives a truly bankrupt existence. Then he meets a truly neurotic woman and for some completely asinine reason they decide to get married. The little 'love' scene they share is so typical of my experience that I shudder at the similarities. But its nice to see that my experience is not so atypical that it avoids reproduction on celluloid.
Still, I am hoping for something better for me. Which I will pursue because I believe with heartfelt sincerity that I can succeed where Harvey is truly failing.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
We gotta do something about health care.
I spent 5 hours in Emergency last night. That right, I said FIVE hours. I had myself a problem and it wasn't going to accept a 'screw it' attitude. I was doing some computer work and I picked up the open computer by the frame, and attempted to turn its orientation. I've done this a hundred times and sure, you feel that bite across the fingers, as you grip sharp sheet metal, but I've never injured myself. This was a little different. The metal bit deep into my hand. Deepre than I noticed at the time, to be perfectly honest. When I set the computer down, there was a river of blood running off my arm. I knew this was no run of the mill accident and it was quickly off to the hospital.
Never get hurt on a long weekend. This is the second, of three, long weekends in August that I've had the mistfortune of having to go to the emergency ward. And let me tell you, its the wrong time to need help. I'm not entirely sure what they are thinking, when they short staff the ER on a long weekend. Sickness does not take a long weekend. And when I arrived the place was overflowing with people, waiting for care. Despite bleeding profusely from the hand, I was directed towards a chair, and told to wait.
And the wait lasted FIVE hours. For twenty minutes of minor surgical care from a doctor that still had a long night ahead of him. I have a problem with this. Its not the doctors and nurses fault. They get scheduled, come to work, and do their job. But why aren't there more of them there? This is being repeated, time and time again. We need more people, not more pay for the one's that we have. Get enough staff on the job. Yes, they might not be at 100%, every moment of the day, but when the time comes, it'll be worth it to have enough staff.
I don't think five hours is a reasonable wait for emergency care. I actually consider that quite unacceptable. Nobody bothered to to examine me, and determine whether it was a real emergency or just a minor one. I was given some gauze and a piece of tape, and put in a waiting room. Nobody either acknowledged my existence for 4 hours. What if I lose consciousness and bleed to death in the waiting room? No it didn't happen, but it could. And that's my problem. We're sacrificing proper care for a couple of bucks. Let's set our priorities. Do we want to keep people healthy or not? I think we do.
I don't want to get on a soap box about this, but maybe its time someone did. I survived my five hour wait but how many other people have to suffer this before we say enough is enough. I can't believe there isn't a way to make health care dilligent, without breaking the bank. There has to be a solution to this. I worry that we haven't taken the right approach to solving the problem. There are bright
people in control of our affairs. Maybe we, the little people, need to properly motivate them.
I won't pretend I have the answer. I don't know all the parts of the equation. But I'm sure it has a solution.
I spent 5 hours in Emergency last night. That right, I said FIVE hours. I had myself a problem and it wasn't going to accept a 'screw it' attitude. I was doing some computer work and I picked up the open computer by the frame, and attempted to turn its orientation. I've done this a hundred times and sure, you feel that bite across the fingers, as you grip sharp sheet metal, but I've never injured myself. This was a little different. The metal bit deep into my hand. Deepre than I noticed at the time, to be perfectly honest. When I set the computer down, there was a river of blood running off my arm. I knew this was no run of the mill accident and it was quickly off to the hospital.
Never get hurt on a long weekend. This is the second, of three, long weekends in August that I've had the mistfortune of having to go to the emergency ward. And let me tell you, its the wrong time to need help. I'm not entirely sure what they are thinking, when they short staff the ER on a long weekend. Sickness does not take a long weekend. And when I arrived the place was overflowing with people, waiting for care. Despite bleeding profusely from the hand, I was directed towards a chair, and told to wait.
And the wait lasted FIVE hours. For twenty minutes of minor surgical care from a doctor that still had a long night ahead of him. I have a problem with this. Its not the doctors and nurses fault. They get scheduled, come to work, and do their job. But why aren't there more of them there? This is being repeated, time and time again. We need more people, not more pay for the one's that we have. Get enough staff on the job. Yes, they might not be at 100%, every moment of the day, but when the time comes, it'll be worth it to have enough staff.
I don't think five hours is a reasonable wait for emergency care. I actually consider that quite unacceptable. Nobody bothered to to examine me, and determine whether it was a real emergency or just a minor one. I was given some gauze and a piece of tape, and put in a waiting room. Nobody either acknowledged my existence for 4 hours. What if I lose consciousness and bleed to death in the waiting room? No it didn't happen, but it could. And that's my problem. We're sacrificing proper care for a couple of bucks. Let's set our priorities. Do we want to keep people healthy or not? I think we do.
I don't want to get on a soap box about this, but maybe its time someone did. I survived my five hour wait but how many other people have to suffer this before we say enough is enough. I can't believe there isn't a way to make health care dilligent, without breaking the bank. There has to be a solution to this. I worry that we haven't taken the right approach to solving the problem. There are bright
people in control of our affairs. Maybe we, the little people, need to properly motivate them.
I won't pretend I have the answer. I don't know all the parts of the equation. But I'm sure it has a solution.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Its after hours and as I'm the only one here, I'm soaking up all the bandwidth with Shoutcast. Somthing has come to my attention as I listen to HITZ 977.
Why is 50 Cent popular? The guy is a hack! I have no musical ability at all and I swear I could rap as well as this idiot. All his songs are the same. Its tired.
Why is 50 Cent popular? The guy is a hack! I have no musical ability at all and I swear I could rap as well as this idiot. All his songs are the same. Its tired.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Friday, July 22, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Wednesday, July 20, 2005
I'm turtle-sitting right now.
They are now cleaning the turtle tank we keep in our office. It gets really dirty, really fast, so rather frequently it has to be drained, and then cleaned. That's happening right now. This time they've taken the turtles right out of the tank to clean the walls.
They were in a pail next to my desk. The one is really aggressive, while the other is passive, so turtle A was pushing turtle B around the small pail. That didn't seem fair so I put turtle B on my desk.
He got adventurous and walked right off the edge.
He seems no worse for wear. I built a little wall now, so he shouldn't get any more ideas about walking off the desk. I'm keeping my eye on him too. We don't need a repeat, desk diving, experience.
More on the turtles as news becomes available.
They are now cleaning the turtle tank we keep in our office. It gets really dirty, really fast, so rather frequently it has to be drained, and then cleaned. That's happening right now. This time they've taken the turtles right out of the tank to clean the walls.
They were in a pail next to my desk. The one is really aggressive, while the other is passive, so turtle A was pushing turtle B around the small pail. That didn't seem fair so I put turtle B on my desk.
He got adventurous and walked right off the edge.
He seems no worse for wear. I built a little wall now, so he shouldn't get any more ideas about walking off the desk. I'm keeping my eye on him too. We don't need a repeat, desk diving, experience.
More on the turtles as news becomes available.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Friday, July 15, 2005
What a perfect night.
Sometimes everything just falls into place. Its peculiar when it happens. You fall out of your peaceful reverie just long enough to notice that the whole world has aligned into a pattern of sweet serenity. You can cruise the streets of the urban jungle, and the slumbering suburb, and everything just appears content.
The family walks down the sidewalk to the video store, the laughing voices of children crackling in the air.
An elderly couple can walk, hand in hand, up the steps of the library.
Couples can putter in their yard, doing more admiring than trimming. The smiles on their faces radiating, even to a passing vehicle.
The sun, as it sets, casts delicate shadows over everything, punctuating the serenity of the moment.
Everything washes together in a serene tableau. Its breathtaking in its simplicity, and a perfect moment to behold.
Enjoy well this Friday my friends. The days do not get much better than this.
Sometimes everything just falls into place. Its peculiar when it happens. You fall out of your peaceful reverie just long enough to notice that the whole world has aligned into a pattern of sweet serenity. You can cruise the streets of the urban jungle, and the slumbering suburb, and everything just appears content.
The family walks down the sidewalk to the video store, the laughing voices of children crackling in the air.
An elderly couple can walk, hand in hand, up the steps of the library.
Couples can putter in their yard, doing more admiring than trimming. The smiles on their faces radiating, even to a passing vehicle.
The sun, as it sets, casts delicate shadows over everything, punctuating the serenity of the moment.
Everything washes together in a serene tableau. Its breathtaking in its simplicity, and a perfect moment to behold.
Enjoy well this Friday my friends. The days do not get much better than this.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Two things to note from my Wednesday.
I did my presentation for Sask Water today. It went extremely well. I was 'presenting' for nearly two hours. Interrupted at several points by discussion from the assembled group, but still in the course of covering my intended material. I spoke in front of a group for the first time, I didn't nearly lose bowel control with anxiety. That was a major first. We talked about a lot of stuff, I seemed well recieved, and people thanked me for the discussion afterward. I'm quite proud of how I did.
Came home tonight and checked the mail. There were two letters from the Watson Housing Authority. This is the board that is my 'landlord'. Every July they do an inspection of their properties, and mine they checked on Monday. Apparently my level of cleanliness is not up to their august standards. I was directed to clean my bathrooms.
I did my presentation for Sask Water today. It went extremely well. I was 'presenting' for nearly two hours. Interrupted at several points by discussion from the assembled group, but still in the course of covering my intended material. I spoke in front of a group for the first time, I didn't nearly lose bowel control with anxiety. That was a major first. We talked about a lot of stuff, I seemed well recieved, and people thanked me for the discussion afterward. I'm quite proud of how I did.
Came home tonight and checked the mail. There were two letters from the Watson Housing Authority. This is the board that is my 'landlord'. Every July they do an inspection of their properties, and mine they checked on Monday. Apparently my level of cleanliness is not up to their august standards. I was directed to clean my bathrooms.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Given the tragic nature of what happened at Sunday's performance at the Moose Jaw air show, I felt it was appropriate to include an 'eye witness' account of it, from someone that was there. My good friend Sean attended this tragedy, and provided for my reading, the following account of what he saw:
Day 2 was the day Bobby Younkin and Jimmy Franklin died and yes, we saw the whole thing. The beginning of their “Masters of Disaster” performance was pretty good, they chased each other in circles and made artistic loops in the air with their smoke streams, but then they just went nuts; randomly swooping at each other, doing random barrel rolls and somersaults. The air was quite still so their smoke and exhaust just hung in the air until it was almost difficult to see them when they were directly in front of us. Then the rocket truck arrived on the runway and was just about to go for a few burns up and back in front of us when the crash happened. My father and I were looking at the truck until we heard the “pop” sound. We looked up and saw a ball of flame and black smoke cascading away in two different directions while the 3rd plane in the act continued on to the west. He must have had quite a surprise when he turned around and couldn’t see his buddies anymore…just black smoke. A piece of the one plane’s flaming wreckage almost hit the jet truck while it was coasting down the runway and it had to swerve to miss the wreckage. Moments later fire trucks headed out onto the field as well as the rescue chopper. And yes, as reports in the news indicate, the crowd fell amazingly silent and fast. You could only hear kids babbling around you as every adult fell to silence in disbelief of what had just happened. Jimmy Franklin had just performed with his son moments earlier doing their wing-walking routine (Jimmy would fly and his son did stunts on the wings and shook his father’s hand in mid-air while upside down – his last handshake with his father as it turned out). His son was up in the tower narrating as his father collided with Bobby Younkin’s plane. It’s not known who hit who but from the look of the video and what I remember, Jimmy came up fast and hard from below in his jet plane and clipped Bobby’s prop plane (only Jimmy had a jet engine, the others just had regular propeller engines). Bobby’s plane didn’t even seem to be going that fast when Jimmy zoomed up through the smoke and haze and they hit. It might have been a mechanical problem or medical problem which befell one of the pilots, but it could just as easily been a simple problem of reduced visibility. I mean…at high speeds like that in the jet plane you must have all kinds of smoke streams careening over the front windshield – Jimmy probably couldn’t tell exactly how close he was to Bobby until it was too late. Anyway…it makes you think when you see that happen right in front of you. …and as we stood there in shock, what appeared to be Jimmy’s son went zipping by on a motorcycle across the field to find his father and confirm the worst. But you could tell from the amount of smoke and flame there was no chance anyone could survive. The air show was cancelled within maybe 2 minutes and we were all asked to leave in an orderly fashion…which everyone did. I looked all around me and there were very few smiles left on anyone’s face. A woman and her family with two kids broke into tears just ahead of us…and bad. She must have known one of the pilots dearly because she was crying hard and her nose was running. Yup…in a word it was “horrible.” I would have liked to see the Snow Birds perform as they were up next, but given the circumstances nobody minded missing that opportunity.
Day 2 was the day Bobby Younkin and Jimmy Franklin died and yes, we saw the whole thing. The beginning of their “Masters of Disaster” performance was pretty good, they chased each other in circles and made artistic loops in the air with their smoke streams, but then they just went nuts; randomly swooping at each other, doing random barrel rolls and somersaults. The air was quite still so their smoke and exhaust just hung in the air until it was almost difficult to see them when they were directly in front of us. Then the rocket truck arrived on the runway and was just about to go for a few burns up and back in front of us when the crash happened. My father and I were looking at the truck until we heard the “pop” sound. We looked up and saw a ball of flame and black smoke cascading away in two different directions while the 3rd plane in the act continued on to the west. He must have had quite a surprise when he turned around and couldn’t see his buddies anymore…just black smoke. A piece of the one plane’s flaming wreckage almost hit the jet truck while it was coasting down the runway and it had to swerve to miss the wreckage. Moments later fire trucks headed out onto the field as well as the rescue chopper. And yes, as reports in the news indicate, the crowd fell amazingly silent and fast. You could only hear kids babbling around you as every adult fell to silence in disbelief of what had just happened. Jimmy Franklin had just performed with his son moments earlier doing their wing-walking routine (Jimmy would fly and his son did stunts on the wings and shook his father’s hand in mid-air while upside down – his last handshake with his father as it turned out). His son was up in the tower narrating as his father collided with Bobby Younkin’s plane. It’s not known who hit who but from the look of the video and what I remember, Jimmy came up fast and hard from below in his jet plane and clipped Bobby’s prop plane (only Jimmy had a jet engine, the others just had regular propeller engines). Bobby’s plane didn’t even seem to be going that fast when Jimmy zoomed up through the smoke and haze and they hit. It might have been a mechanical problem or medical problem which befell one of the pilots, but it could just as easily been a simple problem of reduced visibility. I mean…at high speeds like that in the jet plane you must have all kinds of smoke streams careening over the front windshield – Jimmy probably couldn’t tell exactly how close he was to Bobby until it was too late. Anyway…it makes you think when you see that happen right in front of you. …and as we stood there in shock, what appeared to be Jimmy’s son went zipping by on a motorcycle across the field to find his father and confirm the worst. But you could tell from the amount of smoke and flame there was no chance anyone could survive. The air show was cancelled within maybe 2 minutes and we were all asked to leave in an orderly fashion…which everyone did. I looked all around me and there were very few smiles left on anyone’s face. A woman and her family with two kids broke into tears just ahead of us…and bad. She must have known one of the pilots dearly because she was crying hard and her nose was running. Yup…in a word it was “horrible.” I would have liked to see the Snow Birds perform as they were up next, but given the circumstances nobody minded missing that opportunity.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
Saturday, July 09, 2005
This is a message that goes out to all blog readers!
You must kill any and all moths that you encounter. Moths are the larval offspring of Satan himself. If allowed to propagate themselves on our plane of existence, they will meld with one another, and form a portal by which Lucifer will gain footing upon all of our souls.
Please do the righteous thing and kill a moth today.
You must kill any and all moths that you encounter. Moths are the larval offspring of Satan himself. If allowed to propagate themselves on our plane of existence, they will meld with one another, and form a portal by which Lucifer will gain footing upon all of our souls.
Please do the righteous thing and kill a moth today.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
What the hell is wrong with people?
This is a classic example of why people should be hunted for sport. It also serves to indicate why some of my 'alleged' anger problem is, in fact, justified.
This also serves to illustrate how easy it is to forget the irritation of urban driving.
But now to the story . . .
I'm driving on Circle Drive. Which, for anyone that knows, is always a bit of a lesson in frustration during the summer, as the city seems pre-disposed to screw with this road every summer. We are stopped at the intersection that is currently recieving construction right now. The whole place is an utter cluster-bomb of disorganization. Rather than be the Mr. Wizard that everyone else is choosing to be, I just stay behind the big truck ahead of me, and decide to wait it out. The light changes and we go through the intersection.
The lane from College Drive merges into Circle Drive after the intersection in question. And predictably enough someone wants to merge from College onto Circle Drive. Now keep in mind my comments from above about the Mr. Wizard phenomenon and how I chose to stay behind the big rig. The consequence to this is, NO ONE is behind me. I use the emphasis of capitals to make a significant point. Ther is no one within vision range, in the lane behind me.
Can anyone guess what behaviour is witnessed by the dumb bitch driver of the red mini-van to my left? Survey says . . . !?!?!?!
You guessed it, she HAD to cut in FRONT of me. I'm bloody near inside the cargo trailer of this truck, because he is going slow, and this Captain Calamity really must be in the lane ahead of me. The idiot sow basically cut me off, getting in, in front of me. I just about slammed my brakes and got out of the vehicle to point out how much territory was available BEHIND me. But nope, she had to slip into the micrometer of space separating me from the cold steel of the back of this cargo trailer.
People irritate me.
This is a classic example of why people should be hunted for sport. It also serves to indicate why some of my 'alleged' anger problem is, in fact, justified.
This also serves to illustrate how easy it is to forget the irritation of urban driving.
But now to the story . . .
I'm driving on Circle Drive. Which, for anyone that knows, is always a bit of a lesson in frustration during the summer, as the city seems pre-disposed to screw with this road every summer. We are stopped at the intersection that is currently recieving construction right now. The whole place is an utter cluster-bomb of disorganization. Rather than be the Mr. Wizard that everyone else is choosing to be, I just stay behind the big truck ahead of me, and decide to wait it out. The light changes and we go through the intersection.
The lane from College Drive merges into Circle Drive after the intersection in question. And predictably enough someone wants to merge from College onto Circle Drive. Now keep in mind my comments from above about the Mr. Wizard phenomenon and how I chose to stay behind the big rig. The consequence to this is, NO ONE is behind me. I use the emphasis of capitals to make a significant point. Ther is no one within vision range, in the lane behind me.
Can anyone guess what behaviour is witnessed by the dumb bitch driver of the red mini-van to my left? Survey says . . . !?!?!?!
You guessed it, she HAD to cut in FRONT of me. I'm bloody near inside the cargo trailer of this truck, because he is going slow, and this Captain Calamity really must be in the lane ahead of me. The idiot sow basically cut me off, getting in, in front of me. I just about slammed my brakes and got out of the vehicle to point out how much territory was available BEHIND me. But nope, she had to slip into the micrometer of space separating me from the cold steel of the back of this cargo trailer.
People irritate me.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
Lord and Merciful Creator? A few questions?
1. When have I suffered enough?
2. How much do I have to endure before I am allowed back into your good graces?
3. Is my life supposed to be about pain?
4. Am I being tested?
5. At the end of this ordeal, will a truth be revealed?
6. When is everyone else going to try to follow the moral dictates you made me adopt?
7. Does it ever work out fairly?
8. Why can't I give up?
And just if you're curious, I could do without the taunting. All it accomplishes is making me angry. I don't learn anything. In case you were wondering.
1. When have I suffered enough?
2. How much do I have to endure before I am allowed back into your good graces?
3. Is my life supposed to be about pain?
4. Am I being tested?
5. At the end of this ordeal, will a truth be revealed?
6. When is everyone else going to try to follow the moral dictates you made me adopt?
7. Does it ever work out fairly?
8. Why can't I give up?
And just if you're curious, I could do without the taunting. All it accomplishes is making me angry. I don't learn anything. In case you were wondering.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Monday, July 04, 2005
Friday, July 01, 2005
Thursday, June 30, 2005
I must confess that today has been one of much confusion and considerable introspection. I'm not exactly sure how to process the various thoughts that are swirling around in my brain.
The salesman finally got his walking papers today. Which I am okay with, because about the only thing he was really accomplishing was pissing people off. He'd chased my boss right out of his own office, and had everyone in this organization on high alert, at all times.
However, what I blanche at is the almost giddy glee that has followed his exodus. I can understand some smug self-satisfaction in seeing a hated enemy be vanquished and sent packing. I can accept a little extra curl to the smile that should adorn your face every day. But I think exultant joyfulness is over the top. You hated the guy; the point is taken. But keep in mind, someone just got fired. Their entire world was turned upside down in the span of a few minutes. Be happy he is gone but do not rejoice the event. It is not wine and roses for everyone.
Now I wonder if I'm psychic, because I had a very peculiar dream last night, that would tie into what has happened today. I dreamed that I was starting my first day on the job with a new company. However, it wasn't a new company at all. It was one that had employed me not so many years ago, and sent me packing with all the grace and civility that was afforded our salesman today. The dream was surreal because of this fact. I could not get myself to understand why I would sign back on with these jerks.
It had some other odd moments to it. One, Saskatoon was this traffic-snarled metropolis that I did not know how to manuever. I haven't been scared to drive in Saskatoon since I was 16 years old. And those of you that know me, are aware that point in time is WAY back in the mist. I couldn't find a place to park, so I put it down by a meter on the street. Then I went inside to get parking instruction for the underground parkade and was met by the full force of a Government of Canada terror alert security process. I won't go into the details because they are mindless and boring, but it was security check after security check. For some reason the company I'd just signed on with, had leased office space in a Goverment of Canada building.
Some random weirdness from the dream:
- My old boss, who became my new boss again, and about a dozen earrings in each ear. This included one giant, pirate buccaneer gold one, in each ear.
- All the computers had very small, LCD monitors, maybe 7" in width. But each desk was also equipped with a large plasma TV, to which the computer could be linked.
- The computers were Apple Macintosh machines, running the OS X - Jaguar operating system.
- There was a screw-up with someone's sound and we had rap/metal going for awhile in the office
- No one had offices, it was just a rabbit's warren of desks and book shelves that separated work environments.
It makes me question the concept of clairvoyance though. To dream about things that hadn't touched my last since I was summarily dismissed so many years ago. And have this happen the night before the termination of someone else who was reviled in the organization. The parallels must make you consider some exotic concepts.
Am I wrong?
The salesman finally got his walking papers today. Which I am okay with, because about the only thing he was really accomplishing was pissing people off. He'd chased my boss right out of his own office, and had everyone in this organization on high alert, at all times.
However, what I blanche at is the almost giddy glee that has followed his exodus. I can understand some smug self-satisfaction in seeing a hated enemy be vanquished and sent packing. I can accept a little extra curl to the smile that should adorn your face every day. But I think exultant joyfulness is over the top. You hated the guy; the point is taken. But keep in mind, someone just got fired. Their entire world was turned upside down in the span of a few minutes. Be happy he is gone but do not rejoice the event. It is not wine and roses for everyone.
Now I wonder if I'm psychic, because I had a very peculiar dream last night, that would tie into what has happened today. I dreamed that I was starting my first day on the job with a new company. However, it wasn't a new company at all. It was one that had employed me not so many years ago, and sent me packing with all the grace and civility that was afforded our salesman today. The dream was surreal because of this fact. I could not get myself to understand why I would sign back on with these jerks.
It had some other odd moments to it. One, Saskatoon was this traffic-snarled metropolis that I did not know how to manuever. I haven't been scared to drive in Saskatoon since I was 16 years old. And those of you that know me, are aware that point in time is WAY back in the mist. I couldn't find a place to park, so I put it down by a meter on the street. Then I went inside to get parking instruction for the underground parkade and was met by the full force of a Government of Canada terror alert security process. I won't go into the details because they are mindless and boring, but it was security check after security check. For some reason the company I'd just signed on with, had leased office space in a Goverment of Canada building.
Some random weirdness from the dream:
- My old boss, who became my new boss again, and about a dozen earrings in each ear. This included one giant, pirate buccaneer gold one, in each ear.
- All the computers had very small, LCD monitors, maybe 7" in width. But each desk was also equipped with a large plasma TV, to which the computer could be linked.
- The computers were Apple Macintosh machines, running the OS X - Jaguar operating system.
- There was a screw-up with someone's sound and we had rap/metal going for awhile in the office
- No one had offices, it was just a rabbit's warren of desks and book shelves that separated work environments.
It makes me question the concept of clairvoyance though. To dream about things that hadn't touched my last since I was summarily dismissed so many years ago. And have this happen the night before the termination of someone else who was reviled in the organization. The parallels must make you consider some exotic concepts.
Am I wrong?
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Monday, June 27, 2005
Saturday, June 25, 2005
There is a topic that does not often get the attention it deserves. In a world gone mad, when you can be exceeding the posted speed limit, and still be passed like you're standing still, the topic I am about to advance would not seem reasonable. My trip in from Watson should have borne out how the world should all slow down. However, that is not the basis of the suggestion I wish to present.
We all need to agree on a minimum speed limit.
I was being passed like a road sign on my drive in. Which I was going to blog about until I got to Circle Drive. Upon doing so, I was intercepted by this impossibly ignorant butt-wedge. I'm trying to merge into traffic, like you're supposed to do. And predictably, no one behaves like they should, and let me in. So there's a bit of drama getting into the lane. And now I'm behind a large truck who can not go fast off the line. So I signal and go into the left lane.
Well so do Joe Seventy Year Old. This IDIOT goes a whopping 60 kmh in the left lane. Nor can I go back in the right, because that's a solid line of traffic. So the whole endeavour is limited by the haul trucks and this jackass in his Buick.
Thus we need a minimum speed limit. If you're not willing to do 90% of the posted speed limit, then you need to stick to side streets. Otherwise you're a hazard to all that drive.
OFF THE ROAD SLOWPOKE!!!!!
We all need to agree on a minimum speed limit.
I was being passed like a road sign on my drive in. Which I was going to blog about until I got to Circle Drive. Upon doing so, I was intercepted by this impossibly ignorant butt-wedge. I'm trying to merge into traffic, like you're supposed to do. And predictably, no one behaves like they should, and let me in. So there's a bit of drama getting into the lane. And now I'm behind a large truck who can not go fast off the line. So I signal and go into the left lane.
Well so do Joe Seventy Year Old. This IDIOT goes a whopping 60 kmh in the left lane. Nor can I go back in the right, because that's a solid line of traffic. So the whole endeavour is limited by the haul trucks and this jackass in his Buick.
Thus we need a minimum speed limit. If you're not willing to do 90% of the posted speed limit, then you need to stick to side streets. Otherwise you're a hazard to all that drive.
OFF THE ROAD SLOWPOKE!!!!!
Thursday, June 23, 2005
A couple of things, as I sit here on a Thursday night.
Congratulations San Antonio. I was cheering for you. Not that I really wanted the Spurs to win as much as I didn't want the Pistons to lose. I'm not against the Pistons, but I was really cheering for the Miami Heat, and the Pistons. Go Shaq!!!
During the fourth quarter of an incredibly interesting basketball game, my satellite reciever decided to crap out. I have no idea what its issue was. I have had trouble with reception tonight, but that's because its blowing at about 100 km/h out there. I unplugged it, did some laundry, and then plugged it back in again. Everything was fine. Weird but otherwise non-consequential.
Why does Real Player have to be so insidious? When my reciever crapped out, I went to the internet to listen to the game live, via the web. Much props to the world for inventing the internet. That would have been impossible, 'back in the day'.
I've never listened to a basketball game on radio. It was kind of different. It really makes you notice how truly idiotic the color commentary can be for pro sports. San Antonio is up by 6 with 18 seconds to play and the bonehead color guy is talking about San Antonio having screwed up by using their last time out already. It doesn't matter! Detroit is not scoring 6 points in 18 seconds against that defence!
Back to Real Player. Of course, to listen over the internet I had to install Real Player. I don't recall the last time I felt that dirty. I just hate Real software. I'm constantly scared its running roughshod over my computer. The very first thing I did when the game ended was uninstall Real Player. I hope I suffer no long term issues.
So yes, I'm the Mayor of Loserville. I watched TV all night. How many of you can honestly say you did much better?
Toodles!!
Congratulations San Antonio. I was cheering for you. Not that I really wanted the Spurs to win as much as I didn't want the Pistons to lose. I'm not against the Pistons, but I was really cheering for the Miami Heat, and the Pistons. Go Shaq!!!
During the fourth quarter of an incredibly interesting basketball game, my satellite reciever decided to crap out. I have no idea what its issue was. I have had trouble with reception tonight, but that's because its blowing at about 100 km/h out there. I unplugged it, did some laundry, and then plugged it back in again. Everything was fine. Weird but otherwise non-consequential.
Why does Real Player have to be so insidious? When my reciever crapped out, I went to the internet to listen to the game live, via the web. Much props to the world for inventing the internet. That would have been impossible, 'back in the day'.
I've never listened to a basketball game on radio. It was kind of different. It really makes you notice how truly idiotic the color commentary can be for pro sports. San Antonio is up by 6 with 18 seconds to play and the bonehead color guy is talking about San Antonio having screwed up by using their last time out already. It doesn't matter! Detroit is not scoring 6 points in 18 seconds against that defence!
Back to Real Player. Of course, to listen over the internet I had to install Real Player. I don't recall the last time I felt that dirty. I just hate Real software. I'm constantly scared its running roughshod over my computer. The very first thing I did when the game ended was uninstall Real Player. I hope I suffer no long term issues.
So yes, I'm the Mayor of Loserville. I watched TV all night. How many of you can honestly say you did much better?
Toodles!!