Inspiring babies to walk

Someone decided to make one of those "sad-news-to-miracle" video documentaries about their baby daughter who cannot walk. Never mind that babies aren't supposed to walk until they're a year old........ ummm I mean poor Sophie had all the odds against her, but her parents just wouldn't let it go........ ummmmm give up hope.

Surreal.

Glass cat

Glass blower makes a cat out of glass.

Very hot. The glass I mean.....

Too busy to post today

Sorry that I didn't get a chance to post anything today. It was a full day and now I'm off to Loose Moose to usher. See you tomorrow.

Weekend with Hollywood stars

OK, here's my question for the weekend to my loyal blog readers:

What male and female movie or TV stars would be the most fun spending a weekend with. For the benefit of removing any restrictions, we'll pretend you're single and so are your companions. You know - so that you don't think to yourself, "Well I would pick so-and-so, but since I'm married......."

For the record, my choices would be Robert Downey Jr. and Kate Winslet. Somehow, I imagine it would not be a dull weekend.

Darlene said Tom Hanks and Glenda Jackson.

More ads

More clever advertising.

I really like the doorbell concepts, like the Enter doorbell button.

Not too thrilled with Air Miles anymore

I'm an Air Miles collector. I feel like a sheep. Yes, I know, you're really not getting anything for 'free' with these loyalty rewards programs, but I'm finding that over time, the value received for the Air Miles I'm collecting seem to be getting worse and worse. First, the deal they had with West Jet evaporated, so we can no longer fly anywhere West Jet flies for 1600 air miles. But there are more and more restrictions on destinations too. Example? The only eligible destination in Mexico is Mexico City. Huh?

Is anyone cashing in on their credit using any other point system that they find a good value for the money spent?

Honey... why won't anyone look me in the eye?

Sometimes.......

...... you want to visit the staff of the wedding apparel store and ask them, "What were you thinking when you sold this dress to this person?"

This is one of those times.

Thanks Taz.

He's got it

Best Obama for President poster.....

Ever.

Found on defectiveyeti.

Surname origins

I found something really neat regarding surnames. There's a site called World Names Profiler. You simply enter your surname and find its origin and density on a world map. The site has been compiled by researchers from the University College London.

According to the site's data, my name is Polish, but its highest concentrations are in Hungary and Austria. Poland and Canada are almost a tie for 3rd. Now, according to my late Opa, the evolution of the name went from Plac to Plas, to Ples to Plesz. Ples is predominant not only in Hungary and Austria, but also Slovenia. So perhaps the name's heritage is Slavic.

Cool.

It's a ball!

A potential new wind turbine for home use - the energy ball. Read more here (not much details on price or availability yet).

This could be ground-breaking if it's not all hype.

"Her name bubbles....."

I don't know how you feel about Kevin Smith's work (Clerks, Dogma, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back), but his latest effort - Zack and Miri Make a Porno looks funny as hell based on the trailer. The movie arrives in theatres on October 31st.

Oktapodi

Cute little French animation about 2 octopi.

I'm crying as I write this...

What follows isn't a complaint or a bragging right, it's just an observation. I've found myself reacting more emotionally than when I was younger. Specifically tears. Yeah, I'm getting all personal on you - deal with it. No, but seriously, I notice now that I tear up more easily than when I was younger. Damn, I'll even tear up while listening to certain songs - they just touch an emotional nerve I guess. The reason I say this is because it's weird. It's a new experience for me. I used to be as emotional as a freaking rock. Now I emote. Woo-hoo!

But I'm not "emo". I just looked it up on Wikipedia:

" ...a stereotype that includes being emotional, sensitive, shy, introverted, or angsty.... "

Nope, doesn't describe me at all. And I don't look emo either.

Angsty...... is that even a word?

McCain leads in the polls........ no.... really...

See..... I don't need to say anything bad about the McCain/Palin ticket as long as others do the dirty work for me. How do you judge a good article? By the 1000+ comments it got after being published online.....

"McCain ..... has turned this period of American history into an episode of high-stakes reality television..."

Gimme a 'B'....... gimme an 'A'......... gimme a 'C'........

I almost forgot to post this for my bacon-loving readers.

25 bacon-themed gifts for the bacon obsessed.

Bunny warren....... that could be my stage name...

Darlene was asking what a group of rabbits is called.

Well, it's a Colony, Warren, Bury, Trace, Nest or Trip - take your pick.

More animal group names here.

Walk into this [swiping hand back n forth]

Maybe I'm getting fussy in my old age, but what's really twisting my tendons lately is people who are inconsiderate at gas stations. Especially when it's busy at the pumps, I don't feel it necessary to wait behind an empty vehicle, to see the occupants return from the store/cashier with their latte only to find out that they haven't even filled their tank yet. People! Gas up, then move the car, THEN go get your caffeine fix. There are other people waiting to gas and go.

Fak!

We needed a little mountain air

I've been pining for the fjords lately, and since we don't have fjords nearby, we drove to the next best thing - Banff. The plan was - drive to Johnston Canyon for a nice walk amidst the fresh mountain air, up to the falls, then head back into Banff to stop at the Waldhaus Pub at the Banff Springs Hotel for some food.

The weather conspired against us from minute one. The clouds did not look like they were clearing out as some forecasts had promised. Oh yes - there is snow on the mountain peaks already. The closer we got to Banff, the more it became obvious that Johnston Canyon just wasn't going to happen, as a wall of rain was clearly visible in that direction. So we cut our losses and steered north for Lake Minnewanka (pictured). A little walk by the water was all we managed before the rain hit. So we piled back in the car and headed for Banff. After a quick stop downtown.... [snort] it sounds funny calling it 'downtown' Banff.... we drove out to the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel to visit our favourite little hideaway pub by the Spray River.

I made the mistake of ordering a ho-hum burger. Watching Darlene dive into another perfect bowl of goulash soup accompanied by a basket of assorted breads was just too much. Luckily for me, she couldn't eat it all, so I got to finish the bowl [grin]. We enjoyed it so much, Darlene hinted that she would be willing to go back again next weekend for another bowl. I couldn't argue. I can tell you one thing - I won't make the mistake of watching her eat the goulash soup - I'll be having it too.

After we ate, we walked around the bend and along the Spray River to Elbow Falls. You can almost feel that summer has slipped away. The shadows are tall, the air is crisp and the leaves are starting to change colour.

Karl envisions the future of computing

There's been a lot of discussion in the last couple of years as to what the face of computing will look like in 10 years, as entrepreneurial companies like Google begin to release products that look to the future of computing, while companies like Microsoft try to re-invent themselves.

The most common predictions I keep hearing is that the desktop platform will become less of a factor while more people start to do their computing on their portable devices. Google seems poised to take advantage of that shift even before it becomes a reality. With Chrome - their new browser, Android - their smart phone (portable device) OS based on Linux, and the increasing number of web-based applications being churned out by Google, they are more than ready to guide users away from fat client computing (where all the data and programs are on your machine) to the new generation of thin client computing (where all the data and programs are online and you access them through your web browser). This is a paradigm that's been waiting to happen for a long time, but it took Google to realize it.

Why is this such a big deal? Because when your software isn't running on your device, but is running on a web server; and the data you create is stored elsewhere; your device doesn't need tremendous computing power and storage requirements. It just needs to connect and have a decent User Interface. Which means devices can be small and lightweight, batteries last longer and you can do your thing literally anywhere you have internet connectivity. In this paradigm, devices like the iPhone literally become your computer and that noisy box sitting at home becomes nothing more than a game console. Since standalone game consoles do a better job - why have a desktop at all? The only use I see them providing is as customized PVRs and network storage devices for movies and music.

Hasta la vista Microsoft................

Hey Apple..... are ya satisfied with your distribution channels?

A high value AT&T customer tries to upgrade to an iPhone and is rebuffed. AT&T would not sell them an iPhone at any price. The incident puts such a bad taste in their mouth that they not only give up on the iPhone, they gave up on a possible switch to an Apple computer as well.

When is business going to figure out that (especially in this new world of blogs and online ranting) pissing off your customers has enormous implications that domino uncontrollably?

F.A.I.L.

They were looking for alcohol

Now cinema personnel want to search your purse. These 3 New Zealand women were asked to submit to a search of the contents of their purses. When they refused, they were ejected from the movie theatre.

Should people have to endure this kind of treatment at a theatre? What's next? Pat down?

Discuss..........

Just some quick movie reviews

Last weekend Darlene and I watched a couple movies. We started with a movie I had heard both good and bad things about - No Country for Old Men. I have to admit, it was a decent movie. I felt that all the hype I had heard about it around Oscar time was a tad overblown, but it was OK nonetheless. The ending was rather unique.... Next, we watched The Bank Job. As I joked with some friends - a Jason Statham vehicle with a plot no less! Based on a true story, this movie has enough twists and turns to keep most people engaged.

Today, we watched a couple more. The first was a Canadian independent film that Darlene had seen at the Calgary Film Festival - Walk All Over Me. Starring LeeLee Sobieski (the young girl from Eyes Wide Shut - all grown up now) and Tricia Helfer (the blond Cylon from Battlestar Galactica). It's a crazy dark comedy about a young lady who just can't seem to stay out of trouble who looks to a friend who is a dominatrix. Then things really get wacky. Don't take the synopsis at IMDB too literal, it takes place in Vancouver BC, not Seattle.

Last, but certainly not least, we watched Death at a Funeral. I don't know how this movie escaped my notice - we spotted it by accident at the video store. But I'm glad I did find it, it was freaking hilarious. The tag line for this movie was 'The family that puts the F U in funeral'. Never has a bottle of valium featured so prominently in a movie before.

Are you trying to slack off? Check this out...

The latest procrastinator's flowchart.

Now I understand why some workplaces have blocked certain web destinations......

Sometimes, making fun of politics really is funny

I really don't know what to make of the Republican ticket in the upcoming US election, but I'm sure having a blast watching the press have their way with them.

The latest salvo comes from Mad Magazine, courtesy of The Huffington Post. It's a fake movie poster for "Not Vetting Sarah Palin". Clicky for source and click the poster at the other site for biggie size.

Google gifts

So have you heard? Google built a web browser. You know - to compete with Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and the like. It's called Chrome. It had to happen sooner or later. Why did they decide to build a new browser? I'll let them tell you.

There's a few ways to get to know Chrome a little before you decide to take it for a spin or not. For starters, you can watch the short video clips highlighting the most obvious user interface features of this promising browser. Also, you can read a comic created to explain some of what Chrome is about. If you're not interested in programming, you might want to skip pages 12-17 but don't give up because after that they start talking about the new tabs treatment - and it rocks!

Keep in mind - this browser is still in Beta, so it has bugs. But the concept is sound. This browser has the potential to become my new recommedation to clients who are looking for a safer, more intuitive browsing experience. Go Google! Incidentally..... Google is 10 years old.

P.S.: I'm blogging with it.....

Are we smitten? Why yes........ yes we are...

Recent picture of grand-daughter Olivia lying on her tummy.

Fun for your desk

OK, this has got to be the most awesome office desk accessory I've seen in a long time - the Butt Station. It's a desktop organizer that looks like someone sitting on the toilet. It has space to hold pens and Post-it Notes and the figure holds tape in its hands as if it were a roll of toilet paper. Plus, the toilet holds paper clips. The figure has a magnet in its butt so the paper clips stick to it when you lift it up.

Speed bump to end all speed bumps

There are days I wish I had a speed bump like this on my street.

Yeah, those drag racers would be in for a big surprise.......

Exciting and new.......

Star Trek the Next Generation as The Love Boat (remember that show from the 70's?)

A man on a mission

So, a fall Canadian federal election is all but officially announced by the Prime Minister. To be honest, I can't find a whole lot of fault with what the current Conservative government has done (this is a Liberal talking) except for its stance on the Kyoto accord and of course - my favourite Bill of contention - Bill C-61. I don't necessarily wish the Conservative government burns for this ridiculous Bill, but I am wishing for the demise of the Industry Minister, Jim Prentice.

If you have no idea what the big deal is, you really ought to get yourself informed on the matter, because many of the current consumer activities we take for granted are going to be illegal and even some activities that don't exist yet if this Bill passes. A good place to start your education would be at Michael Geist's blog. He is the go-to IP lawyer in Canada, so he knows of what he speaks.