I'm sure by now you've all heard the story about Oprah's season opener, where she gave 276 Pontiac G6 cars to the audience. Now granted that's pretty generous of her, but even more so for Pontiac. They would have had to pay $70,000 for a 30 second spot on Oprah. Instead, they got $8.4 million worth of advertising over half the show's length.
Now that's a good deal.
No monthly fees, no equipment to install
Friday, September 17, 2004
Thursday, September 16, 2004
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Olympics Flash cartoon
Yeah yeah, I know it's kinda late for a cartoon on this topic, but I just found it OK??!!! Sheesh!
You'll love it...
You'll love it...
A&W truth comes out...
A&W does not stand for what you thought. It actually stands for Amburgers & Wootbeer.
Phantom limb
I haven't tried this yet, but I invite you to try it. There are a few ways to fool your brain and these are just 2.
Here's your chance...
Message to the owner of the Calgary Hitmen hockey club:
The NHL season is a non-starter. Call up the CBC and make arrangements to get your games aired on the local CBC television station. It could be the best thing you ever did.
The NHL season is a non-starter. Call up the CBC and make arrangements to get your games aired on the local CBC television station. It could be the best thing you ever did.
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
What a waste
I'm currently embroiled in a discussion with the City over my ineligibility to get a rebate for buying a more efficient toilet. The reason? I'm not on a meter. I don't understand. Here's their reasoning:
The toilet rebate program is limited to metered customers because our water conservation programs are designed based on the fact that water savings are measurable. Without a water meter, the City, nor the homeowner can access data on water use for the account, and therefore confirm that water savings are being realized.
My retort:
It doesn't matter whether you have a meter or not, you will use less water if you switch to efficient toilets. Being able to measure the savings is moot. I believe the main reason rebates are only offered to metered residents is because the City is biased toward metered customers because they earn the City the most money on average. It's still not fair to the rest of us. By denying us a rebate, you're basically saying that it's OK for flat rate customers to waste water - because we are less likely to buy a more efficient toilet without the rebate. No wonder your statistics show metered customers use less water - they are offered rebates to buy more efficient toilets!
I do plan to get a meter some day, when I can be sure I'll be home to let them install it. Meanwhile, I am getting ripped.
The toilet rebate program is limited to metered customers because our water conservation programs are designed based on the fact that water savings are measurable. Without a water meter, the City, nor the homeowner can access data on water use for the account, and therefore confirm that water savings are being realized.
My retort:
It doesn't matter whether you have a meter or not, you will use less water if you switch to efficient toilets. Being able to measure the savings is moot. I believe the main reason rebates are only offered to metered residents is because the City is biased toward metered customers because they earn the City the most money on average. It's still not fair to the rest of us. By denying us a rebate, you're basically saying that it's OK for flat rate customers to waste water - because we are less likely to buy a more efficient toilet without the rebate. No wonder your statistics show metered customers use less water - they are offered rebates to buy more efficient toilets!
I do plan to get a meter some day, when I can be sure I'll be home to let them install it. Meanwhile, I am getting ripped.
Mozilla making gains
In January 2003, IE made up 84.6% of web browser use, with Mozilla (including Firefox) slinking in at 4.0%.
In September 2004, IE is now at 74.8%, with Mozilla at 17.7%.
I loves me some Mozilla.
In September 2004, IE is now at 74.8%, with Mozilla at 17.7%.
I loves me some Mozilla.
Monday, September 13, 2004
Sunday, September 12, 2004
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
Welcome to Canada
For those of you not from the land of 'ice and snow', it may interest you to know that not 2 hours north of here - it snowed yesterday. That's right - snow. So for any of you planning a trip to Alberta in the next few days, bring your snowshoes....hehehehehe.
BTW, have any of you heard Elvis Costello's title track from his album 'North'? You actually need to download it from his web site - it's not on the album (only owners of the album can partake). The song is a nice tribute to Canada.
BTW, have any of you heard Elvis Costello's title track from his album 'North'? You actually need to download it from his web site - it's not on the album (only owners of the album can partake). The song is a nice tribute to Canada.
Danger! Danger Will Robinson!
At the risk of sounding sexist, I don't believe there's anything more dangerous on the road today than a woman driving a 4x4 SUV, chatting on the cell phone.
Sorry, yes there is. An immigrant woman driving a 4x4 SUV, chatting on the cell phone, while slurping a hot mochaccino. Yeah, I know. Now I'm a racist too.
Sorry, yes there is. An immigrant woman driving a 4x4 SUV, chatting on the cell phone, while slurping a hot mochaccino. Yeah, I know. Now I'm a racist too.
Hockey night in Greedsville
In light of the looming NHL lockout, I feel the need to say a few words about our beloved national sport.
I have never been able to understand why an athlete needs to make several million dollars a year. I do understand that athletes often have short careers due to injury, etc. But if an athlete is that great, they are also going to make a good chunk of change from endorsements. I think there should be a salary cap and I would likely make it much lower than even the owners want it. I believe that an athlete can earn extra money through performance bonuses. That way, we won't have athletes sitting back once they've secured their multi-million dollar salaries.
Yes, I know it's easy for me to say all this when I have never been in their shoes, but something has to be done before ticket prices get so high that everyone chooses to stay home and watch on TV. It's bad enough we lost 2 Canadian NHL teams, some say it's just a matter of time before we lose more.
I have never been able to understand why an athlete needs to make several million dollars a year. I do understand that athletes often have short careers due to injury, etc. But if an athlete is that great, they are also going to make a good chunk of change from endorsements. I think there should be a salary cap and I would likely make it much lower than even the owners want it. I believe that an athlete can earn extra money through performance bonuses. That way, we won't have athletes sitting back once they've secured their multi-million dollar salaries.
Yes, I know it's easy for me to say all this when I have never been in their shoes, but something has to be done before ticket prices get so high that everyone chooses to stay home and watch on TV. It's bad enough we lost 2 Canadian NHL teams, some say it's just a matter of time before we lose more.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Life's little mysteries...
Some things I haven't figured out yet:
1. Why is it so important that the toilet paper come over the top of the roll? (I prefer the bottom myself)
2. What is it about a woman's metabolism in general that always makes them cold?
3. What's the big deal if I want dessert instead of dinner?
4. How the hell did Leno get the Tonight Show instead of Letterman?
5. Does it really take this long to build a frickin' ring road around Calgary?
6. What good is a tower that is dwarfed by the buildings around it? (Calgary again)
7. Where do I have to go to get some decent home-made french fries?
8. If smoking is really that bad for you, why are smokes legal and the government letting all those tax payers die?
9. Once and for all - who let the dogs out?
10. If Alberta has all this surplus money, why aren't we enjoying a free drink every Friday?
1. Why is it so important that the toilet paper come over the top of the roll? (I prefer the bottom myself)
2. What is it about a woman's metabolism in general that always makes them cold?
3. What's the big deal if I want dessert instead of dinner?
4. How the hell did Leno get the Tonight Show instead of Letterman?
5. Does it really take this long to build a frickin' ring road around Calgary?
6. What good is a tower that is dwarfed by the buildings around it? (Calgary again)
7. Where do I have to go to get some decent home-made french fries?
8. If smoking is really that bad for you, why are smokes legal and the government letting all those tax payers die?
9. Once and for all - who let the dogs out?
10. If Alberta has all this surplus money, why aren't we enjoying a free drink every Friday?
A funny version of XP
You may have seen this Flash animation of the Windows operating system. It's cute.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Name that tune
OK, it's driving me crazy. Someone needs to help me find the answer to this. I just managed to catch the very end of a common Beatles tune on the radio where it ends with what appears to be a live studio situation. I seem to recall hearing John Lennon asking "did we pass the audition?" just as the song fades out.
Please for the sake of my sanity - someone tell me what song that was. Was it some special version?
Please for the sake of my sanity - someone tell me what song that was. Was it some special version?
Feel the force...
Only 2 weeks until the DVD release of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Not that I'm counting...
Not that I'm counting...
Sometimes we say dumb stuff
Dick Cheney quote:
"It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States."
Yeah, it's not like the Republicans were in power the last time they "got hit". Oh wait....yes they were! D'OH!
"It's absolutely essential that eight weeks from today, on Nov. 2, we make the right choice, because if we make the wrong choice then the danger is that we'll get hit again and we'll be hit in a way that will be devastating from the standpoint of the United States."
Yeah, it's not like the Republicans were in power the last time they "got hit". Oh wait....yes they were! D'OH!
Paralympics a non-event in US
I read today that the Paralympics are about to start in Greece. The paralympics will feature 4000 athletes from 140 countries.525 gold medals at stake in 19 sports. There will be no American TV coverage of the Paralympics. Canada has bought the rights to cover it. In fact, a record number of journalists will be covering it this year - but not in the US.
As Goldmember would say, "Isn't dat veird?"
As Goldmember would say, "Isn't dat veird?"
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Monday, September 06, 2004
Book 'em Grissom!
My apologies for not posting anything of substance today. Spike TV is having a CSI marathon today. Need I say more?
BTW, is anyone else looking forward to CSI New York as much as I am?
BTW, is anyone else looking forward to CSI New York as much as I am?
Sunday, September 05, 2004
This for will making you funny time
I know most of you have heard of this, but for those that haven't, I present to you: www.engrish.com
AKA how to bastardize the English language...
Yo Politicos!
Some things I would like politicians at all levels make happen (in no particular order).
(This is a work in progress)
-Provide monetary incentives for people to buy energy efficient cars, especially hybrids. In the US, people get huge tax breaks and special priviledges in HOV lanes and parking lots.
-Require some kind of test to get smoke belching vehicles off the roads.
-Start building LRT lines when they're needed, not 10-20 years after the fact.
-The same goes for freeways. Wouldn't this save money due to cheaper capital costs?
-Higher education is quickly becoming a luxury due to high tuition costs. Also many gradutes are working in the minimum wage service industry because they have been schooled in a skill that is not in demand. It's time to get private industry involved in sponsoring students best suited for jobs that are actually available now.
-Employment Insurance has become a joke. It generates billions in surpluses, yet there are draconian restrictions on who can get benefits, how much and for how long.
-Ban all speed bumps.
(This is a work in progress)
-Provide monetary incentives for people to buy energy efficient cars, especially hybrids. In the US, people get huge tax breaks and special priviledges in HOV lanes and parking lots.
-Require some kind of test to get smoke belching vehicles off the roads.
-Start building LRT lines when they're needed, not 10-20 years after the fact.
-The same goes for freeways. Wouldn't this save money due to cheaper capital costs?
-Higher education is quickly becoming a luxury due to high tuition costs. Also many gradutes are working in the minimum wage service industry because they have been schooled in a skill that is not in demand. It's time to get private industry involved in sponsoring students best suited for jobs that are actually available now.
-Employment Insurance has become a joke. It generates billions in surpluses, yet there are draconian restrictions on who can get benefits, how much and for how long.
-Ban all speed bumps.
Small things please.....ummm....great minds
OK, I admit it. Sometimes I'm easily amused or impressed with simple things. But recently I saw something that I thought was pretty cool.
They just built a new LRT station in our city and it has 'smart escalators'. When nobody is riding them, they move very slowly. When you step on them, they ramp up to their full speed again. What a great way to save energy.
They just built a new LRT station in our city and it has 'smart escalators'. When nobody is riding them, they move very slowly. When you step on them, they ramp up to their full speed again. What a great way to save energy.
Saturday, September 04, 2004
For crying out loud!
Far be it for me to tell parents how to raise their kids. If you want to spank them, go ahead - as long as you don't abuse them. If you want to talk to them about their feelings, that's fine too. But please for the love of all things sacred, could you please stop your kids from screaming. I've had enough of the blood-curdling screams. I was at the mall today and it was like a freaking orchestra. And the parents are just standing there, like nothing's happening. Heads are turning, people are asking who's doing all that screaming and kids are looking at each other and thinking 'Gee, that sounds pretty good, I think I'm gonna try that some day'. I mean, crying is one thing - and sometimes kids do have a pretty good reason to cry. You know - your diaper's poopy; you're hungry; you're tired; the batteries just ran out on your Gameboy. But there's really no good reason for a tantrum screaming cry, is there?
So please do something about your operatic children. Or maybe it's time for the cops to start handing out tickets for disturbing the peace.
So please do something about your operatic children. Or maybe it's time for the cops to start handing out tickets for disturbing the peace.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Back from La Belle Province
If it seems like I've been ignoring the blog, I have not. I was away. On company business. In Montreal to be exact. Ahhhh.........Montreal. You will always have a place in my soul. There are just no words to describe the vibe you get there. Yeah it's french, but it's much more than that.
Things that set Montreal apart (in random order):
Real Montreal Smoked Meat - The Metro - Parking at one of the lookouts on Mount Royal on a warm summer night and viewing the miles of city lights - Les Canadiens - the Just for Laughs Comedy festival - the Montreal Jazz Festival - the International Fireworks Competition (yeah I know other cities have it too, but the venue there allows you to view it from many places, including the Jacques Cartier bridge) - Old Montreal - the Underground City - etc. - etc.
Of course, I managed to sneak in a visit to my family while I was there. I have a niece named Jessica, she just turned 4 not long ago. I have never heard such sophisticated words coming out of the mouth of a 4 year old.
Jessica: 'Karl, did you bring a video camera?'
Me: 'No'
J: 'That's OK, my dad has one - listen, it's a wonderful day for a swim, don't you think? Why don't you videotape me swimming in my pool out back?'
Or
Me: 'I don't know anyone who doesn't like carrots'
Jessica: 'I know someone who doesn't like carrots'
M: 'Who?'
J: 'My husband Ben'
M: 'I don't understand why anyone wouldn't like carrots'
J: 'Well, maybe if I cooked them....'
Things that set Montreal apart (in random order):
Real Montreal Smoked Meat - The Metro - Parking at one of the lookouts on Mount Royal on a warm summer night and viewing the miles of city lights - Les Canadiens - the Just for Laughs Comedy festival - the Montreal Jazz Festival - the International Fireworks Competition (yeah I know other cities have it too, but the venue there allows you to view it from many places, including the Jacques Cartier bridge) - Old Montreal - the Underground City - etc. - etc.
Of course, I managed to sneak in a visit to my family while I was there. I have a niece named Jessica, she just turned 4 not long ago. I have never heard such sophisticated words coming out of the mouth of a 4 year old.
Jessica: 'Karl, did you bring a video camera?'
Me: 'No'
J: 'That's OK, my dad has one - listen, it's a wonderful day for a swim, don't you think? Why don't you videotape me swimming in my pool out back?'
Or
Me: 'I don't know anyone who doesn't like carrots'
Jessica: 'I know someone who doesn't like carrots'
M: 'Who?'
J: 'My husband Ben'
M: 'I don't understand why anyone wouldn't like carrots'
J: 'Well, maybe if I cooked them....'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)