Piles and Piles of Files
Right now, I am digging through boxes of 'files' and dumping most of it in the garbage and a recycling bin. It makes me wonder what's wrong with people. Why would someone think that I would need printouts of email sent in 1991 relating to my current area of responsibility? It is useless. I took over the subject liaison from another librarian, and she decided that it would be a good idea to unload copious amounts of crap on me rather than dealing with it herself.
I am on box number 3 or 4 and 95% of it is junk. The other 5% I see no use for, but she seems to think we should keep it. In other words, it can stay in my office, where no one will ever look at it. Here's an example of what's in the current box: twenty-one 5¼ inch floppy disks! Jesus!
In the past, I have had the displeasure of moving into an office vacated by a certain person. She left piles of junk behind that I had to dispose of. Talk about a complete disregard for others.
In other news, I bought a new bike helmet on Sunday.
Showing posts with label rants and/or raves. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants and/or raves. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Bin City
I am still adjusting to the HUGE recycling bin the city dropped at the house about a month ago. It's so big, it takes an entire month to fill it, and it's not even the biggest bin available! I can barely squeeze it between the houses to get it out of view. I have to lean it almost flat against the ground in two places, give it a little lift a few inches further along to avoid the outdoor faucet, and finally execute a nice counterclockwise swirl. With some coaxing, I can just squeeze her in.
I really hate the look of all of these bins all over the place, in front yards, on porches, etc. If you ask me, the City had uglified Toronto. I am all for recycling, composting, and waste diversion, but I have to think that there are better means than these enormous bins.
Soon, phase two of bin madness will be thrust upon us. Look at the size of the largest bin! It's almost as big as the model. But, I see several good uses for a bin that large:
1) use it to dispose of your couch potato husband
2) toss in your irritating and/or nosy neighbour(s)
3) you could probably fit four or five screaming children in there (depending on their ages)
In other words, the largest bin is a great body-disposal system.
In summary, I am not entirely happy with these bins, even if I can agree with the intended outcome. Now, I just have to wait and see if someone steals them.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Sue Me
I don't use Classmates, for many reasons, but mostly because I am on Facebook (which is free) and I have heard many of the horror stories about Classmates auto-renewing subscriptions without permission. Anyway, I had to laugh at the terms of service at Classmates:
7) "You cannot link to our Website without our prior written consent."
You know, I really hate that. The world wide web is based on the principle of the hyperlinking of hypertext documents. If you don't want anyone to link to your site, get off the web! Go home now and leave the web to mature adults.
A no-linking policy sounds to me like a good method of restricting reviews and negative press. For instance, a list of dumb-ass websites would lose its punch if there were no links to the sites being reviewed. For example "Classmates sucks" has less of an impact than "Classmates sucks," right? You know I am right.
It's like when news sites reported that a nude photo of Vanessa Hudgens had surfaced on the web, but they didn't provide a link. That is only half the story. That, my friends, is irresponsible journalism. We all had to do the work finding the photo ourselves. News sites ought to be obligated to link to the thing they are talking about, be it Britney Spears without panties or Tom Cruise being all scientology-crazy, for example.
So, my point is that Classmates can sue me, or try to, but they'll never win.
P.S. I am loving this scheduled post feature. I wrote this on Tuesday and it will auto-magically get published at the designated time. That is awesome.
I don't use Classmates, for many reasons, but mostly because I am on Facebook (which is free) and I have heard many of the horror stories about Classmates auto-renewing subscriptions without permission. Anyway, I had to laugh at the terms of service at Classmates:
7) "You cannot link to our Website without our prior written consent."
You know, I really hate that. The world wide web is based on the principle of the hyperlinking of hypertext documents. If you don't want anyone to link to your site, get off the web! Go home now and leave the web to mature adults.
A no-linking policy sounds to me like a good method of restricting reviews and negative press. For instance, a list of dumb-ass websites would lose its punch if there were no links to the sites being reviewed. For example "Classmates sucks" has less of an impact than "Classmates sucks," right? You know I am right.
It's like when news sites reported that a nude photo of Vanessa Hudgens had surfaced on the web, but they didn't provide a link. That is only half the story. That, my friends, is irresponsible journalism. We all had to do the work finding the photo ourselves. News sites ought to be obligated to link to the thing they are talking about, be it Britney Spears without panties or Tom Cruise being all scientology-crazy, for example.
So, my point is that Classmates can sue me, or try to, but they'll never win.
P.S. I am loving this scheduled post feature. I wrote this on Tuesday and it will auto-magically get published at the designated time. That is awesome.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Slow Banking
I once saw Carl Honoré speak very slowly - for almost an hour - about his book, In Praise of Slowness. I think even he acknowledged that an hour was too long, and it showed. What I took away from his talk is that some things should be slow; others, not so much.
Have you stood in line behind someone who seems to be doing a year's worth of financial transactions at the banking machine? What's up with that? There I was, waiting patiently behind an extremely disorganized woman who tried to juggle cash, bills, at least two banking cards, a plastic bag full of socks, and her purse. What was worse is that she was using one of those machines that are on the streets, right at College and Spadina. I was third in line. A person behind me bailed, deciding to head on over to College and Bathurst and take his chances over there. As usual, I made the wrong decision and waited and waited and waited.
At any supermarket, it is guaranteed that I will select the slowest line. My mere presence is enough to slow down any line. The person in front of me will argue about the price of pig feet or tripe and we end in in price check hell.
When a gust of wind came up, her cash (four or five $20 bill) went drifting down the street. Some good citizens tracked down the flying cash after she said "oh, shit" and ran after them, leaving another stack of cash and some banking cards on a ledge near the machine. She was still "logged in." When she returned, with a growing line behind her, she continued with her slow and disorganized banking.
Cards came out, new cards went in. PIN numbers were entered and re-entered. She stuffed envelopes down its throat. She withdrew cash; she seemed to put cash back in. She dropped her keys. Coins fells to the ground. The wind came up again, but she saved herself. Fifteen minutes later, she finally saw a line that had formed behind her, but this didn't make her go any faster. Fortunately, the dude in front of me gave up, leaving me next in line.
I always feel somewhat exposed when I do any banking on the street, and with good reason. Just a few days ago, police warned people to take extra precautions in Scarborough because people were being robbed at knife point at banking machines. It makes me wonder why we have any machines on the streets.
And now, I am going to slowly write a business plan. In fact, I have been slowly doing that for quite a while now, so maybe I should speed up.
I once saw Carl Honoré speak very slowly - for almost an hour - about his book, In Praise of Slowness. I think even he acknowledged that an hour was too long, and it showed. What I took away from his talk is that some things should be slow; others, not so much.
Have you stood in line behind someone who seems to be doing a year's worth of financial transactions at the banking machine? What's up with that? There I was, waiting patiently behind an extremely disorganized woman who tried to juggle cash, bills, at least two banking cards, a plastic bag full of socks, and her purse. What was worse is that she was using one of those machines that are on the streets, right at College and Spadina. I was third in line. A person behind me bailed, deciding to head on over to College and Bathurst and take his chances over there. As usual, I made the wrong decision and waited and waited and waited.
At any supermarket, it is guaranteed that I will select the slowest line. My mere presence is enough to slow down any line. The person in front of me will argue about the price of pig feet or tripe and we end in in price check hell.
When a gust of wind came up, her cash (four or five $20 bill) went drifting down the street. Some good citizens tracked down the flying cash after she said "oh, shit" and ran after them, leaving another stack of cash and some banking cards on a ledge near the machine. She was still "logged in." When she returned, with a growing line behind her, she continued with her slow and disorganized banking.
Cards came out, new cards went in. PIN numbers were entered and re-entered. She stuffed envelopes down its throat. She withdrew cash; she seemed to put cash back in. She dropped her keys. Coins fells to the ground. The wind came up again, but she saved herself. Fifteen minutes later, she finally saw a line that had formed behind her, but this didn't make her go any faster. Fortunately, the dude in front of me gave up, leaving me next in line.
I always feel somewhat exposed when I do any banking on the street, and with good reason. Just a few days ago, police warned people to take extra precautions in Scarborough because people were being robbed at knife point at banking machines. It makes me wonder why we have any machines on the streets.
And now, I am going to slowly write a business plan. In fact, I have been slowly doing that for quite a while now, so maybe I should speed up.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Part Two - Held Captive on the 54th Floor (or, Superciliousness Run Rampant)
To recap: "Imagine behind trapped on the 54th floor of a building with no way to escape, short of a Hans Gruber exit."
The one thing that I find even more objectionable to religion at my door, is condescension. Waiting doesn't bother me. I waited for 15 or 20 minutes to be admitted to Toronto's second fastest elevator, and be transported to the 54th floor a mere 27 seconds after the doors closed. Now that was a speedy delivery. Once there, the patronizing began. The entrapment began. There was no way out.
Despite my preference for self-guided tours, I can understand how certain establishments may prefer to host an organized tour of the area. You don't want to let loose the yahoos in certain environments. On the other hand, you don't always want a tour that takes an hour, unless you have talented tour guides, and at the Toronto-Dominion Centre during day two of Doors Open Toronto, we did not.
The woman who gathered us together for the start of the tour actually said (and I paraphrase): "the artwork in there is more expensive than any of us can afford, so I like to tell the visitors to touch with your eyes." This came out in her best public school teacher voice and I had unpleasant flash backs to primary school trips to various places where we were chastised in advance.
This was the first time in ages that I felt like I was back in kindergarten. She actually told a group of adults, a group that went out of their way to take in a cultural event, to touch with their eyes! It got worse after that.
I'd just like to point out to the fine folks at TD that most of the people who went up to the 54th floor simply wanted to get a good view of the city. I am an art lover and was simply not interested in art that day, so when the head of the catering services came out to lecture us, in his best failed art-school-dropout manner, about the art, I wanted to scream. He actually said something like (and I paraphrase): "it doesn't matter if you like the art: what matters is that you have an opinion." Good god. I could tell that several people in the room knew more about the art than he did.
The lecture felt longer than it really was, no doubt. and when we were finally permitted access to the next room, he gave another long boring lecture about chairs, tables, lighting, and architecture. We were told to sit in chairs at the board table, but what I really wanted to do was look out of the window. I did snap a few photos from Canoe and in one other room at the end of the tour.
It felt like final bell at school when he reluctantly set his captive audience free. What a relief. Next year, I suggest that they place volunteers in each room and allow people to pass through the rooms at their own pace. I would have been out in 1/3 of the time.
I would have filled out an evaluation after the tour, but I felt like I had lost so much time, I couldn't be bothered. So, this is my evaluation. Count me out next year.
To recap: "Imagine behind trapped on the 54th floor of a building with no way to escape, short of a Hans Gruber exit."
The one thing that I find even more objectionable to religion at my door, is condescension. Waiting doesn't bother me. I waited for 15 or 20 minutes to be admitted to Toronto's second fastest elevator, and be transported to the 54th floor a mere 27 seconds after the doors closed. Now that was a speedy delivery. Once there, the patronizing began. The entrapment began. There was no way out.
Despite my preference for self-guided tours, I can understand how certain establishments may prefer to host an organized tour of the area. You don't want to let loose the yahoos in certain environments. On the other hand, you don't always want a tour that takes an hour, unless you have talented tour guides, and at the Toronto-Dominion Centre during day two of Doors Open Toronto, we did not.
The woman who gathered us together for the start of the tour actually said (and I paraphrase): "the artwork in there is more expensive than any of us can afford, so I like to tell the visitors to touch with your eyes." This came out in her best public school teacher voice and I had unpleasant flash backs to primary school trips to various places where we were chastised in advance.
This was the first time in ages that I felt like I was back in kindergarten. She actually told a group of adults, a group that went out of their way to take in a cultural event, to touch with their eyes! It got worse after that.
I'd just like to point out to the fine folks at TD that most of the people who went up to the 54th floor simply wanted to get a good view of the city. I am an art lover and was simply not interested in art that day, so when the head of the catering services came out to lecture us, in his best failed art-school-dropout manner, about the art, I wanted to scream. He actually said something like (and I paraphrase): "it doesn't matter if you like the art: what matters is that you have an opinion." Good god. I could tell that several people in the room knew more about the art than he did.
The lecture felt longer than it really was, no doubt. and when we were finally permitted access to the next room, he gave another long boring lecture about chairs, tables, lighting, and architecture. We were told to sit in chairs at the board table, but what I really wanted to do was look out of the window. I did snap a few photos from Canoe and in one other room at the end of the tour.
It felt like final bell at school when he reluctantly set his captive audience free. What a relief. Next year, I suggest that they place volunteers in each room and allow people to pass through the rooms at their own pace. I would have been out in 1/3 of the time.
I would have filled out an evaluation after the tour, but I felt like I had lost so much time, I couldn't be bothered. So, this is my evaluation. Count me out next year.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Held Captive on the 54th Floor
Imagine behind trapped on the 54th floor of a building with no way to escape, short of a Hans Gruber exit. But, the theme of captivity started much earlier in the day, the second day of Doors Open. First, I visited the Hare Krishna Temple on Avenue Road.
I am not averse to removing my shoes if asked. I was entering a holy place after all, and so I removed my shoes and placed them in a shoe hole, then wandered into the temple, hoping to have a look around and maybe take some photos. Instead, I was met by a devotee who apologized profusely for having been occupied with another visitor. Instead of leaving me to my own devices, he brought me over and assured me that he would offer a recap at the end to cover what I had missed.
And then, he proceeded to dump huge amounts of information about the Hare Krishna beginning with a photo of George Harrison. I was dying to leave, and not because of any antipathy to the Hare Krishna. I mean, I love their song, mostly because I am a fan of highly repetitive music. It's just that I had seen the temple and had a huge list of other places to go. Then, the refreshments person came by and apologized for not having the refreshments ready.
The whole time, some other devotee - with one tuft of hair on the back of his head - paced around the balcony that enclosed three fourths of the building. He was as mesmerizing as a pendulum, so exact in his pacing. Back and forth he went, almost like a rat in a cage, checking and rechecking for an exit or for enlightenment. I wondered if he was some sort of automaton. Back and forth he went with such deliberate precision I had to stop watching, though it was difficult to avert my eyes.
Soon enough, we got the onion and garlic speech. The minutes were ticking by and I was dying to leave, so I said: "Excuse me. I am really sorry, but I have to leave. I have some more engagements." The dude looked hurt, really. He tried to get another devotee to take me, and then I got the real sense that I was being proselytized to, and when that happens, I flee or slam doors. "Just five more minutes," he pleaded. You would have thought that his world was ending, just because I decided to bail.
I imagine that he cursed me, the garlic and onion eater, as I left to find my shoes.
So, this is a misnamed post. The 54th floor story will have to come tomorrow.
Imagine behind trapped on the 54th floor of a building with no way to escape, short of a Hans Gruber exit. But, the theme of captivity started much earlier in the day, the second day of Doors Open. First, I visited the Hare Krishna Temple on Avenue Road.
I am not averse to removing my shoes if asked. I was entering a holy place after all, and so I removed my shoes and placed them in a shoe hole, then wandered into the temple, hoping to have a look around and maybe take some photos. Instead, I was met by a devotee who apologized profusely for having been occupied with another visitor. Instead of leaving me to my own devices, he brought me over and assured me that he would offer a recap at the end to cover what I had missed.
And then, he proceeded to dump huge amounts of information about the Hare Krishna beginning with a photo of George Harrison. I was dying to leave, and not because of any antipathy to the Hare Krishna. I mean, I love their song, mostly because I am a fan of highly repetitive music. It's just that I had seen the temple and had a huge list of other places to go. Then, the refreshments person came by and apologized for not having the refreshments ready.
The whole time, some other devotee - with one tuft of hair on the back of his head - paced around the balcony that enclosed three fourths of the building. He was as mesmerizing as a pendulum, so exact in his pacing. Back and forth he went, almost like a rat in a cage, checking and rechecking for an exit or for enlightenment. I wondered if he was some sort of automaton. Back and forth he went with such deliberate precision I had to stop watching, though it was difficult to avert my eyes.
Soon enough, we got the onion and garlic speech. The minutes were ticking by and I was dying to leave, so I said: "Excuse me. I am really sorry, but I have to leave. I have some more engagements." The dude looked hurt, really. He tried to get another devotee to take me, and then I got the real sense that I was being proselytized to, and when that happens, I flee or slam doors. "Just five more minutes," he pleaded. You would have thought that his world was ending, just because I decided to bail.
I imagine that he cursed me, the garlic and onion eater, as I left to find my shoes.
* * *
So, this is a misnamed post. The 54th floor story will have to come tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pissed Off
To the scurvy bastard who walked up to my house last night, opened my green bin, dumped the decaying smelly organic material all over my property, and then stole my green bin, I hope something terrible happens to you today - like you accidentally flush your keys down the toilet or a pit bull bites you in the groin.
Moments later, I tried calling the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. After locating the proper phone number and verifying that I was calling within operating hours, I again got a busy signal. I set up a login for the My Account feature at CCRA, which is a laborious process. It took ages to enter all of the information, and when I had finally done it, I was told that I would have to wait for, like, 5 days until they mail me a security code.
Now, I realize that security is important, but I already gave them my SIN number, date of birth, line 150 from a prior return, the answers to three questions, etc.
What's wrong with government agencies?
Update: They just replied to my email message to tell me that: "The City is not responsible for any lost/stolen or missing bins. You will have to purchase a new bin. The cost is $18.00 ( including taxes)." Great.
To the scurvy bastard who walked up to my house last night, opened my green bin, dumped the decaying smelly organic material all over my property, and then stole my green bin, I hope something terrible happens to you today - like you accidentally flush your keys down the toilet or a pit bull bites you in the groin.
***
The city's web site states that I have to purchase a new bin, which is exactly the reason some thief made off with mine. Offering replacement bins is clearly the thing to do. I tried calling the city, navigated the menus, and finally heard: "to speak with an agent, press 4." The next sound I hear was a busy signal!Moments later, I tried calling the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. After locating the proper phone number and verifying that I was calling within operating hours, I again got a busy signal. I set up a login for the My Account feature at CCRA, which is a laborious process. It took ages to enter all of the information, and when I had finally done it, I was told that I would have to wait for, like, 5 days until they mail me a security code.
Now, I realize that security is important, but I already gave them my SIN number, date of birth, line 150 from a prior return, the answers to three questions, etc.
What's wrong with government agencies?
Update: They just replied to my email message to tell me that: "The City is not responsible for any lost/stolen or missing bins. You will have to purchase a new bin. The cost is $18.00 ( including taxes)." Great.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Dirty Butts
Chances are that someone reading this post is a smoker. That's OK. You can smoke. I don't really care, unless you are polluting my air, as my mother did for my entire childhood. I have vivid memories of being ferried around in our car filled with smoke and being unable to roll down the window in winter. Our house stank of smoke. My clothes always stank of smoke. I hated it.
Now, I have a question for those of you who do smoke, and that is why do so many smokers flick their butts onto the ground? In my opinion, that is littering. I realize that not all smokers do this, but it is clear that many do, as evidenced by a photograph in The Fixer's column in yesterday's Toronto Star. Yup, that's a mound of disgusting cigarette butts. It can take up to 15 years for these butts to decay, and while they do, they release toxic crap. Worse, it seems to me that many smokers expect someone else to pick up after them. I would be very surprised if these same smokers throw their butts on their own property or leave them on their living room floors. Why do they think it's OK to throw them on the sidewalk?
At my place of employment, there are large "no smoking within so many feet" signs that absolutely no one pays any attention to. Smokers light up right under them, or they huddle in the doorways to the building and we non-smokers are forced to breathe in their foul effluence. And this, naturally, returns us to the question of second-hand smoke.
There was a time when I called myself a Joe Jackson fan. Those days are done. The man has his head up his ass if he thinks that second-hand smoke is harmless. His argument is an amazing display of intellectual collapse. It fails to cohere and he throws out opinions without any credible scientific fact to support them. Instead, he pokes holes in the articles that suggest that second-hand smoking is harmful, but this is done without sufficient scientific rigor. Mr. Jackson, if you want to attack the weight of the scientific evidence, you need a real study with real controls.
Jackson accuses those people advocating for a smoking ban in public spaces as being part of a "junk science bonanza"! Of course, this is all in defense of his addiction. Besides, even if it turns out that there is no conclusive proof that second-hand smoke is harmless (doubtful considering all of the chemicals in tobacco), I hate smelling like an ashtray after a night in the pub with friends. Thank god for the ban in Ontario. I am so happy that I can breath in bars and restaurants.
I worked as a bartender one summer during my undergrad and I swear the thick fog of smoke took years of my life. Mr. Jackson, if you are really pro-choice, as you say, then you would permit those who work in public places to have a choice too. I choose no smoke.
Chances are that someone reading this post is a smoker. That's OK. You can smoke. I don't really care, unless you are polluting my air, as my mother did for my entire childhood. I have vivid memories of being ferried around in our car filled with smoke and being unable to roll down the window in winter. Our house stank of smoke. My clothes always stank of smoke. I hated it.
Now, I have a question for those of you who do smoke, and that is why do so many smokers flick their butts onto the ground? In my opinion, that is littering. I realize that not all smokers do this, but it is clear that many do, as evidenced by a photograph in The Fixer's column in yesterday's Toronto Star. Yup, that's a mound of disgusting cigarette butts. It can take up to 15 years for these butts to decay, and while they do, they release toxic crap. Worse, it seems to me that many smokers expect someone else to pick up after them. I would be very surprised if these same smokers throw their butts on their own property or leave them on their living room floors. Why do they think it's OK to throw them on the sidewalk?
At my place of employment, there are large "no smoking within so many feet" signs that absolutely no one pays any attention to. Smokers light up right under them, or they huddle in the doorways to the building and we non-smokers are forced to breathe in their foul effluence. And this, naturally, returns us to the question of second-hand smoke.
There was a time when I called myself a Joe Jackson fan. Those days are done. The man has his head up his ass if he thinks that second-hand smoke is harmless. His argument is an amazing display of intellectual collapse. It fails to cohere and he throws out opinions without any credible scientific fact to support them. Instead, he pokes holes in the articles that suggest that second-hand smoking is harmful, but this is done without sufficient scientific rigor. Mr. Jackson, if you want to attack the weight of the scientific evidence, you need a real study with real controls.
Jackson accuses those people advocating for a smoking ban in public spaces as being part of a "junk science bonanza"! Of course, this is all in defense of his addiction. Besides, even if it turns out that there is no conclusive proof that second-hand smoke is harmless (doubtful considering all of the chemicals in tobacco), I hate smelling like an ashtray after a night in the pub with friends. Thank god for the ban in Ontario. I am so happy that I can breath in bars and restaurants.
I worked as a bartender one summer during my undergrad and I swear the thick fog of smoke took years of my life. Mr. Jackson, if you are really pro-choice, as you say, then you would permit those who work in public places to have a choice too. I choose no smoke.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
A Conversation with a Driver
Have you ever had a conversation and later wished that you could redo it? I had one the other day, when a co-worker asked if I still cycled in the winter.
"Yes," I replied.
"Are you one of those cyclists who take up a entire lane?" she wanted to know. Man, her antipathy and fury towards cyclists was so complete, I thought she was going to lose it, but she added a meek laugh at the end to cover up her anger.
I said something like, "occasionally, we have to use the entire lane because of potholes, manhole covers, grates, ice, snow, etc. What I should have said is "are you one of those drivers who park or drive in the bike lane?"
And then, she asked, "are you one of those cyclists who swerve around cars?" I said something like, "I go around cars that are turning right, because it is safer, and I do pass cars that are driving slower than I am cycling. I pass taxis that are picking up or dropping off fares, because, otherwise, you might get doored."
What I should have said was "are you one of those drivers who opens your door without checking to see if there are bicycles coming? Are you one of those drivers who turn right in front of cyclists without shoulder-checking? Are you one of those drivers who pull over to the side of the road without shoulder-checking? Are you one of those drivers who get in their car to take a two minute drive to pick up milk or cigarettes from your corner store? Are you one of those drivers who is contributing to global warming while I freeze my face off in winter while I get some exercise?"
And, I just found this in the Highway Traffic Act:
Have you ever had a conversation and later wished that you could redo it? I had one the other day, when a co-worker asked if I still cycled in the winter.
"Yes," I replied.
"Are you one of those cyclists who take up a entire lane?" she wanted to know. Man, her antipathy and fury towards cyclists was so complete, I thought she was going to lose it, but she added a meek laugh at the end to cover up her anger.
I said something like, "occasionally, we have to use the entire lane because of potholes, manhole covers, grates, ice, snow, etc. What I should have said is "are you one of those drivers who park or drive in the bike lane?"
And then, she asked, "are you one of those cyclists who swerve around cars?" I said something like, "I go around cars that are turning right, because it is safer, and I do pass cars that are driving slower than I am cycling. I pass taxis that are picking up or dropping off fares, because, otherwise, you might get doored."
What I should have said was "are you one of those drivers who opens your door without checking to see if there are bicycles coming? Are you one of those drivers who turn right in front of cyclists without shoulder-checking? Are you one of those drivers who pull over to the side of the road without shoulder-checking? Are you one of those drivers who get in their car to take a two minute drive to pick up milk or cigarettes from your corner store? Are you one of those drivers who is contributing to global warming while I freeze my face off in winter while I get some exercise?"
And, I just found this in the Highway Traffic Act:
Use of radio headphones prohibitedSo, Running42K, you are a law breaker.
215 No driver of a motor vehicle or operator of a bicycle shall, while operating the motor vehicle or bicycle on a highway, wear, on both ears, headphones which are used for the purpose of listening to a radio or a recording.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Royal Bank Double Speak
I really wish the Royal Bank (or RBC) would have the guts to tell it like it is. In a recent piece of correspondence to me, some genius in the art of evasive writing wrote: "As of May 1, 2008, we will be changing the monthly fee for the RBC Signature No Limit Banking (TM) account to ..." What they really mean to say is that RBC will be increasing the fee.
What's more, the unlimited transactions the letter refers to are not at all unlimited. For example, there are strict limits listed in the first three items. After the two or three free transactions, a fee applies. I have no idea how that can be described as unlimited.
And then, they use some bizarre math to suggest that the savings could add up to $502.44 annually, but, to get those "savings", I would have to use American Express Travellers Cheques, rent a safety deposit box, obtain 12 bank drafts per annum, order cheques, get a specific RBC Visa card, etc. etc. In other words, the letter is full of half truths or pseudo lies.
But, I think all banks are guilty of such subterfuge. That's why they rake in obscene profits.
I really wish the Royal Bank (or RBC) would have the guts to tell it like it is. In a recent piece of correspondence to me, some genius in the art of evasive writing wrote: "As of May 1, 2008, we will be changing the monthly fee for the RBC Signature No Limit Banking (TM) account to ..." What they really mean to say is that RBC will be increasing the fee.
What's more, the unlimited transactions the letter refers to are not at all unlimited. For example, there are strict limits listed in the first three items. After the two or three free transactions, a fee applies. I have no idea how that can be described as unlimited.
And then, they use some bizarre math to suggest that the savings could add up to $502.44 annually, but, to get those "savings", I would have to use American Express Travellers Cheques, rent a safety deposit box, obtain 12 bank drafts per annum, order cheques, get a specific RBC Visa card, etc. etc. In other words, the letter is full of half truths or pseudo lies.
But, I think all banks are guilty of such subterfuge. That's why they rake in obscene profits.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Just Say No!
Imagine paying for your groceries, and the cashier says: "we've experienced lots of shoplifting recently, so we are going to add 5% to your bill today to cover our losses." That sums up what the Songwriters Association of Canada wants to do in its proposal to add a $5 monthly fee to all internet subscribers' bills in Canada. In return, music file sharing on peer-to-peer networks would become legal. I say, no freakin' way!
I do not download music illegally and I fully support the music industry by purchasing compact discs from retailers such as HMV, Sunrise, Sonic Boom, Soundscapes, Penguin Music, etc. There is no way I am going to pay a penalty or a fee for something I do not do. It's bad enough that a levy has already been added to blank media (cassettes and various CD formats) under the false assumption that they are all being used for illegal copies of music. It's not comforting to know that when I back up some photos I am again giving money to the recording industry.
As I have said before, downloading music sucks. However, I do download some music legally from net labels and I have downloaded free tracks from artist websites. I do not participate in the sharing of music on peer-to-peer networks. This proposal will penalize me as well as those who don't even know how to download music, like most of the geriatrics in the country. Someone has to kill this proposal.
The recording industry shot itself in the foot as soon as it launched the CD format. The costs of producing CDs is, and always has been, less than the costs to produce vinyl records, but in a greedy frenzy, designed to increase profit margins, the Industry collectively hiked prices and alienated music buyers. If CDs were priced at $6.99 or $7.99, we might not have such a huge problem. Don't forget that in the United States the Federal Trade Commission investigated compact disc pricing and concluded that American consumers overpaid $480 million for music purchased between 1996 and 1999. Evidently, record labels exerted pressure on retail outlets to keep prices above a certain level.
I have already emailed the Songwriters Association of Canada to express my opinions. If you hate this idea as much as I do, why not send them an email as well? I am sure iTunes, etc. will have something to say about the loss of its entire Canadian market. Their address is: advocacy@songwriters.ca. Better yet, go to Ryerson University at 7:00 pm this evening to tell them what you think. A public forum is being held at Oakham House. Unfortunately, I cannot attend.
Let's squash this unfair idea before it spreads any further and before it infects other sectors. I can only imagine what's next:
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of TV programs;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of feature films;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of computer software;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of porn films ...
etc etc etc ....
Imagine paying for your groceries, and the cashier says: "we've experienced lots of shoplifting recently, so we are going to add 5% to your bill today to cover our losses." That sums up what the Songwriters Association of Canada wants to do in its proposal to add a $5 monthly fee to all internet subscribers' bills in Canada. In return, music file sharing on peer-to-peer networks would become legal. I say, no freakin' way!
I do not download music illegally and I fully support the music industry by purchasing compact discs from retailers such as HMV, Sunrise, Sonic Boom, Soundscapes, Penguin Music, etc. There is no way I am going to pay a penalty or a fee for something I do not do. It's bad enough that a levy has already been added to blank media (cassettes and various CD formats) under the false assumption that they are all being used for illegal copies of music. It's not comforting to know that when I back up some photos I am again giving money to the recording industry.
As I have said before, downloading music sucks. However, I do download some music legally from net labels and I have downloaded free tracks from artist websites. I do not participate in the sharing of music on peer-to-peer networks. This proposal will penalize me as well as those who don't even know how to download music, like most of the geriatrics in the country. Someone has to kill this proposal.
The recording industry shot itself in the foot as soon as it launched the CD format. The costs of producing CDs is, and always has been, less than the costs to produce vinyl records, but in a greedy frenzy, designed to increase profit margins, the Industry collectively hiked prices and alienated music buyers. If CDs were priced at $6.99 or $7.99, we might not have such a huge problem. Don't forget that in the United States the Federal Trade Commission investigated compact disc pricing and concluded that American consumers overpaid $480 million for music purchased between 1996 and 1999. Evidently, record labels exerted pressure on retail outlets to keep prices above a certain level.
I have already emailed the Songwriters Association of Canada to express my opinions. If you hate this idea as much as I do, why not send them an email as well? I am sure iTunes, etc. will have something to say about the loss of its entire Canadian market. Their address is: advocacy@songwriters.ca. Better yet, go to Ryerson University at 7:00 pm this evening to tell them what you think. A public forum is being held at Oakham House. Unfortunately, I cannot attend.
Let's squash this unfair idea before it spreads any further and before it infects other sectors. I can only imagine what's next:
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of TV programs;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of feature films;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of computer software;
$5 per month in compensation for file-sharing of porn films ...
etc etc etc ....
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Political Detour
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" - John McCain
The American presidential primaries are a fascinating spectacle. There is a part of me that sympathizes with a couple of Russian journalists who once said that the entire world should be permitted to vote for the president of the United States because the actions of the US government affect almost everyone in one way or other. That is very apparent in Canada, considering our deep personal, cultural, economic, and political ties. After all, the USA is our largest trading partner. Unfortunately, we also have Stephen Harper, who seems bent on becoming a puppet of the American President.
I am absolutely dumbfounded by John McCain. In case you missed it, he started to sing the line "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys' Barbara Ann. Of course, that was last year. What I also recently learned is that he was singing a parody that had been written and performed by Vince Vance and the Valiants, who wrote the song in the midst of the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979. Here are the lyrics:
This is one of the videos of John McCain breaking into song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAzBxFaio1I
Of course, I immediately recalled Ronald Reagan's live microphone accident (August 11, 1984) where he announced that bombing of Russia would commence in five minutes. This summed up Reagan's sheer intolerance, misunderstanding, and total hatred of a political system that differed from the American system. No, I am not a fan of authoritarian governments and clearly the Soviet Union was not a model to be emulated. As we all know, Reagan presided over the largest peacetime military buildup in American history, a buildup directed at the former Soviet Union and its allies, rather than address the possibility of arms control. MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) was mad.
Reagan also signed a drug enforcement act as part if his War on Drugs. I think we can conclude that the war on drugs has failed and has resulted in glaring racial disparities in prison populations, mostly because of the different sentences handed down for crack cocaine, a lower class drug used by mainly African Americans and other impoverished ethnic groups, and powdered cocaine, an upper class drug used mainly by white folks including George W. Bush. Yes, he refuses to deny that he has used it. But, I am getting sidetracked.
I was fully in support of the American action in Afghanistan, but the USA virtually quit Afghanistan to hunt Saddam Hussein and walked away from Osama bin Laden. The effect has been very clear in Canada, the nation that is currently in charge of military operations in the Kandahar region. With the US military more interested in Iraq, many Canadians understandably have a hard time distinguishing between Canada's NATO role in Afghanistan and the US war on terror. Our troops effectively freed-up American forces to move to Iraq, and so we have become part of the problem.
John McCain is on record as suggesting that he would not be opposed to American troops staying in Iraq for 100 years! His argument is that Americans would not object to such a deployment either. What they will object to, he argues, are casualties of war. It's clear that McCain, the Viet Nam veteran, is a war hawk. What I find even scarier are those who argue that McCain isn't "conservative enough." I can only hope that the American public will not endorse a man who wants to take their nation into another pointless war that cannot be won. My choice, given the American political landscape, would be anybody but McCain...well, maybe that's going too far.
Addendum
As we all know, blogging about politics is no-win situation. You either attract comments from those who revile your political views and simply tell you that you have no idea what you are talking about (usually offering only dogma and unsupported opinions to counter what you have said) , or you receive congratulatory comments from those who accept everything you say with the hopes that a few of the undecided will be convinced to join your side of the ring.
This, of course, reminds me that Ethan Zuckerman advised us to resist homophily in social networks. I have read lots of right wing blogs and left wing blogs and I think that we are all guilty of promoting our opinions at the expense of impartiality. Such is the polarized landscape of the self-important amateur political blogger. My experience from previous political posts (especially this one) is that I had been surrounded by a few like-minded people (the homophilous, if you like) and our opponents (another homophilous group). In the end, I would describe the bloggers, the commenters, and our statements with such words as intransigent, intractable, recalcitrant, and belligerent.
Blogging has given me a new appreciation of the difficulties in writing without bias. So, the preceding is biased, but what can you expect from a Canadian who routinely votes for the NDP?
"Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" - John McCain
The American presidential primaries are a fascinating spectacle. There is a part of me that sympathizes with a couple of Russian journalists who once said that the entire world should be permitted to vote for the president of the United States because the actions of the US government affect almost everyone in one way or other. That is very apparent in Canada, considering our deep personal, cultural, economic, and political ties. After all, the USA is our largest trading partner. Unfortunately, we also have Stephen Harper, who seems bent on becoming a puppet of the American President.
I am absolutely dumbfounded by John McCain. In case you missed it, he started to sing the line "Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran" to the tune of the Beach Boys' Barbara Ann. Of course, that was last year. What I also recently learned is that he was singing a parody that had been written and performed by Vince Vance and the Valiants, who wrote the song in the midst of the Iran Hostage Crisis in 1979. Here are the lyrics:
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran.Now, I can sympathize with this parody in light of the Iran Hostage Crisis. Sometimes, we need to show our anger, rattle some sabers, and show some solidarity.
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb, bomb Iran!
Let's take a stand, bomb Iran.
Our country's got a feelin'.
Really hit the ceilin', bomb Iran.
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb Iran."
Gone to a mosque,
Gonna throw some rocks.
Tell the ayatollah,
Gonna put you in a box! and
bomb Iran. Bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb, bomb Iran!
Our country's got a feelin'.
Really hit the ceilin', bomb Iran.
Bomb bomb bomb, bomb Iran.
This is one of the videos of John McCain breaking into song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAzBxFaio1I
Of course, I immediately recalled Ronald Reagan's live microphone accident (August 11, 1984) where he announced that bombing of Russia would commence in five minutes. This summed up Reagan's sheer intolerance, misunderstanding, and total hatred of a political system that differed from the American system. No, I am not a fan of authoritarian governments and clearly the Soviet Union was not a model to be emulated. As we all know, Reagan presided over the largest peacetime military buildup in American history, a buildup directed at the former Soviet Union and its allies, rather than address the possibility of arms control. MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction) was mad.
Reagan also signed a drug enforcement act as part if his War on Drugs. I think we can conclude that the war on drugs has failed and has resulted in glaring racial disparities in prison populations, mostly because of the different sentences handed down for crack cocaine, a lower class drug used by mainly African Americans and other impoverished ethnic groups, and powdered cocaine, an upper class drug used mainly by white folks including George W. Bush. Yes, he refuses to deny that he has used it. But, I am getting sidetracked.
I was fully in support of the American action in Afghanistan, but the USA virtually quit Afghanistan to hunt Saddam Hussein and walked away from Osama bin Laden. The effect has been very clear in Canada, the nation that is currently in charge of military operations in the Kandahar region. With the US military more interested in Iraq, many Canadians understandably have a hard time distinguishing between Canada's NATO role in Afghanistan and the US war on terror. Our troops effectively freed-up American forces to move to Iraq, and so we have become part of the problem.
John McCain is on record as suggesting that he would not be opposed to American troops staying in Iraq for 100 years! His argument is that Americans would not object to such a deployment either. What they will object to, he argues, are casualties of war. It's clear that McCain, the Viet Nam veteran, is a war hawk. What I find even scarier are those who argue that McCain isn't "conservative enough." I can only hope that the American public will not endorse a man who wants to take their nation into another pointless war that cannot be won. My choice, given the American political landscape, would be anybody but McCain...well, maybe that's going too far.
Addendum
As we all know, blogging about politics is no-win situation. You either attract comments from those who revile your political views and simply tell you that you have no idea what you are talking about (usually offering only dogma and unsupported opinions to counter what you have said) , or you receive congratulatory comments from those who accept everything you say with the hopes that a few of the undecided will be convinced to join your side of the ring.
This, of course, reminds me that Ethan Zuckerman advised us to resist homophily in social networks. I have read lots of right wing blogs and left wing blogs and I think that we are all guilty of promoting our opinions at the expense of impartiality. Such is the polarized landscape of the self-important amateur political blogger. My experience from previous political posts (especially this one) is that I had been surrounded by a few like-minded people (the homophilous, if you like) and our opponents (another homophilous group). In the end, I would describe the bloggers, the commenters, and our statements with such words as intransigent, intractable, recalcitrant, and belligerent.
Blogging has given me a new appreciation of the difficulties in writing without bias. So, the preceding is biased, but what can you expect from a Canadian who routinely votes for the NDP?
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Come on Over?
In the most shocking news I have heard lately, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) has released the Definitive 200, a list of "200 ranked albums that every music lover should own." I think they made a mistake, and accidentally included some albums that deserve a spot on the Infamous 200, or albums that no one should own.
Last night, on some insidious show like E Talk Daily, they reviewed the Canadian artists on the list. I was shocked, appalled, disheartened, stunned, and pissed off when I discovered that the top ranked Canadian album was Shania Twain's Come on Over which ranks at number 21. WTF? Even worse, Celine Dion came in at #97! These people have no idea.
Shania is an awful and horrific blend of Donny and Marie. This new country thing is so old and boring and unmusical. Please decide if you are country or pop, because this middle ground is not doing anybody any good.
I can't understand how Celine Dion has managed to make a career out of screaming, and I can't pass up the opportunity to use a quote I read on McBickle Eyes the Transom in this post: "Celine Dion looks like a beautiful woman after she's been assaulted." That's very funny. My father once said "Who doesn't like Celine Dion?" That says it all.
Even more astonishing is the fact that Neil Young's Harvest came in at 98. This is simply perplexing. Neil Young is without question the most influential Canadian musician of all time and it is ridiculous that throwaway acts like Twain and Dion (the shrill voice of Air Canada) should place higher than him on this stupid list.
Other omissions are glaring. I would argue that Leonard Cohen is perhaps the best living lyricist, and yet, no Leonard Cohen album made the list. In my opinion, Songs of Leonard Cohen is the best Canadian album ever recorded.
Other things that irritate me about the list is that the Clash's London Calling comes in at 96. It belongs in the top 10 or even top 5. It scores only a few places better than the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing. Are they crazy? If this hasn't convinced you that the people who compiled this list are on drugs, this will: Shakira made the list! Christina Aguilera made the list! Michael Jackson came in at #3! Meatloaf made the list! Queen made the list! Beyonce made the list! Mariah Carey made the list!
So, here they are:
1. Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – 1967
2. Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon – 1973
3. Michael Jackson – Thriller – 1982
4. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV – 1971
5. U2 – Joshua Tree –1987
6. Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street – 1972
7. Carole King – Tapestry – 1971
8. Bob Dylan – Highway ‘61 Revisited – 1965
9. Beach Boys – Pet Sounds – 1966
10. Nirvana – Nevermind – 1991
11. Pearl Jam – Ten – 1991
12. Beatles – Abbey Road – 1969
13. Santana – Supernatural – 1999
14. Metallica – Metallica – 1991
15. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run – 1975
16. Prince – Purple Rain – 1984
17. Ac/Dc – Back In Black – 1980
18. Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed – 1969
19. Doors – Doors – 1967
20. Grateful Dead – American Beauty – 1970
21. Shania Twain – Come On Over – 1997
22. Who – Who’s Next – 1971
23. Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life – 1976
24. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours – 1977
25. Pink Floyd – Wall – 1979
26. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill – 1995
27. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me – 2002
28. Eminem – Marshall Mathers Lp – 2000
29. Outkast – Speakerboxx-Love Below – 2003
30. Dr. Dre – Chronic – 1992
31. Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill – 1986
32. Guns ‘N Roses –Appetite For Destruction – 1987
33. Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces – 1998
34. Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue – 1959
35. Eagles – Hotel California – 1976
36. Def Leppard – Hysteria – 1987
37. Soundtrack – Grease – 1980
38. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On – 1978
39. Beatles – White Album – 1968
40. Soundtrack – Saturday Night Fever – 1977
41. Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced? – 1967
42. Beatles – Revolver – 1966
43. Boston – Boston – 1976
44. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet – 1986
45. U2 – Achtung Baby – 1991
46. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston – 1985
47. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin Ii – 1969
48. Dave Matthews Band – Crash – 1996
49. Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers – 1971
50. Green Day – Dookie – 1994
51. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy –1973
52. Joni Mitchell – Blue – 1971
53. Elvis Presley – Elvis At Sun – 2004
54. Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic – 1975
55. Lauryn Hill – Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – 1998
56. Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. – 1984
57. 50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ – 2003
58. Ac/Dc – Highway To Hell – 1979
59. Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death – 1997
60. Van Halen – Van Halen – 1978
61. Green Day – American Idiot – 2004
62. Black Sabbath – Paranoid – 1971
63. Eminem – Eminem Show – 2000
64. Jewel – Pieces Of You – 1995
65. Coldplay – Rush Of Blood To The Head – 2002
66. Meatloaf – Bat Out Of Hell – 1977
67. Usher – Confessions – 2004
68. Kid Rock – Devil Without A Cause – 1998
69. George Harrison – All Things Must Pass – 1970
70. Billy Joel – Stranger – 1977
71. Eagles – Hell Freezes Over – 1994
72. Van Morrison – Moondance – 1970
73. Rem – Automatic For The People – 1992
74. Phil Collins – No Jacket Required – 1985
75. Metallica – Master Of Puppets – 1986
76. Faith Hill – Breathe – 1999
77. Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison – 1968
78. John Coltrane – Love Supreme – 1964
79. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – 1975
80. Michael Jackson – Off The Wall – 1979
81. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On – 1973
82. Bob Seger – Night Moves – 1976
83. Paul Simon – Graceland – 1986
84. Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory – 2000
85. Prince – 1999 – 1983
86. Def Leppard – Pyromania – 1983
87. Janet Jackson – Control – 1986
88. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik – 1991
89. Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms – 1985
90. Tupac – All Eyez On Me – 1996
91. Matchbox Twenty – Yourself Or Someone Like You – 1996
92. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication – 1999
93. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti – 1975
94. Nelly – Country Grammar – 2000
95. Creed – Human Clay – 1999
96. Clash – London Calling – 1979
97. Celine Dion – Falling Into You – 1996
98. Neil Young – Harvest – 1972
99. Soundtrack – Dirty Dancing – 1987
100. Dixie Chicks – Home – 2002
101. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever – 1989
102. Van Halen – 1984 – 1984
103. Soundtrack – Titanic – 1997
104. Crosby Stills & Nash – Déjà Vu – 1970
105. Tlc – Crazysexycool – 1999
106. Beck – Odelay – 1994
107. Kenny G – Breathless – 1992
108. Nwa. – Straight Outta Compton – 1989
109. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks – 1977
110. Beatles – Rubber Soul – 1965
111. Radiohead – O.K. Computer – 1997
112. Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Trouble Water – 1970
113. Dixie Chicks – Fly – 1999
114. Metallica – And Justice For All – 1988
115. Michael Jackson – Dangerous – 1991
116. Mariah Carey – Daydream – 1995
117. Soundtrack – Top Gun – 1999
118. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
119. Police – Synchronicity – 1983
120. No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom – 1995
121. Rolling Stones – Beggar’s Banquet – 1968
122. R Kelly – R – 1998
123. Tool – Lateralus – 2001
124. Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory – 1995
125. Bob Marley – Exodus – 1977
126. Journey – Escape – 1981
127. Christina Aguilera – Christina Aguilera – 1999
128. Jay-Z – Blueprint – 2001
129. Alicia Keys – Diary Of Alicia Keys – 2003
130. Soundtrack – O Brother Where Art Thou? – 2000
131. Cars – Cars – 1978
132. Enya – Day Without Rain – 2000
133. Natalie Cole – Unforgettable With Love Natalie Cole – 1991
134. Soundtrack – Footloose – 1984
135. Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
136. Sarah Mclachlan – Surfacing – 1997
137. Bonnie Raitt – Nick Of Time – 1989
138. Metallica – Ride The Lightning – 1984
139. Sheryl Crow – Tuesday Night Music Club – 1993
140. Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours – 1954
141. Earth Wind Fire – Gratitude – 1975
142. Zz Top – Eliminator – 1983
143. Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger – 1975
144. John Lennon – Imagine – 1971
145. Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton – 1993
146. Etta James – At Last – 1961
147. Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley – 1956
148. Cat Stevens – Tea For The Tillerman – 1970
149. Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness – 1995
150. Dave Brubeck – Time Out – 1959
151. Janet Jackson – Janet – 1993
152. Queen – A Night At The Opera – 1975
153. Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard Of Ozz –1980
154. Will Smith – Big Willie Style – 1997
155. Prince – Sign Of The Times – 1987
156. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back – 1988
157. Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks – 1975
158. George – Michael Faith – 1987
159. Boyz Ii Men – Cooleyhighharmony – 1993
160. Destiny’s Child – Writing’s On The Wall – 1999
161. Jay-Z – Black Album – 2003
162. Avril Lavigne – Let Go – 2002
163. Fugees – Score – 1996
164. Madonna – Like A Virgin – 1984
165. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – 1969
166. Stevie Ray Vaughn – Texas Flood – 1983
167. Stone Temple Pilots – Core – 1992
168. Original Cast – Phantom Of The Opera Highlights – 1988
169. Jethro Tull – Aqualung – 1971
170. Tupac – Me Against The World – 1995
171. David Bowie – Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust – 1972
172. Shakira – Laundry Service – 2002
173. Soundtrack – Forrest Gump – 2001
174. Al Green – Call Me – 1973
175. Curtis Mayfield – Superfly – 1997
176. Live – Throwing Copper – 1994
177. George Benson – Breezin’ – 1976
178. White Stripes – White Blood Cells – 2001
179. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Erd – 1973
180. Sade – Diamond Life – 1984
181. Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – 1975
182. Paul Mccartney & Wings – Band On The Run – 1973
183. Beyonce – Dangerously In Love – 2003
184. Anita Baker – Rapture – 1986
185. Nas – Iiimatic – 1994
186. Barbara Streisand – A Star Is Born – 1976
187. Earth Wind Fire – That’s The Way Of The World – 1975
188. Anita Baker – Rhythm Of Love – 1994
189. Jay-Z – In My Lifetime Vol 1 – 1997
190. Ll Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out – 1990
191. Steely Dan – Aja – 1977
192. Willie Nelson – Stardust – 1978
193. Aretha Franklin – Sparkle – 1976
194. Andrea Bocelli – Andrea – 2004
195. Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home – 1965
196. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much – 1981
197. U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind – 2000
198. Rush – 2112 – 1976
199. Outkast – Aquemini – 1998
200. Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band – 1973
Technorati Tags: music
In the most shocking news I have heard lately, the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM) has released the Definitive 200, a list of "200 ranked albums that every music lover should own." I think they made a mistake, and accidentally included some albums that deserve a spot on the Infamous 200, or albums that no one should own.
Last night, on some insidious show like E Talk Daily, they reviewed the Canadian artists on the list. I was shocked, appalled, disheartened, stunned, and pissed off when I discovered that the top ranked Canadian album was Shania Twain's Come on Over which ranks at number 21. WTF? Even worse, Celine Dion came in at #97! These people have no idea.
Shania is an awful and horrific blend of Donny and Marie. This new country thing is so old and boring and unmusical. Please decide if you are country or pop, because this middle ground is not doing anybody any good.
I can't understand how Celine Dion has managed to make a career out of screaming, and I can't pass up the opportunity to use a quote I read on McBickle Eyes the Transom in this post: "Celine Dion looks like a beautiful woman after she's been assaulted." That's very funny. My father once said "Who doesn't like Celine Dion?" That says it all.
Even more astonishing is the fact that Neil Young's Harvest came in at 98. This is simply perplexing. Neil Young is without question the most influential Canadian musician of all time and it is ridiculous that throwaway acts like Twain and Dion (the shrill voice of Air Canada) should place higher than him on this stupid list.
Other omissions are glaring. I would argue that Leonard Cohen is perhaps the best living lyricist, and yet, no Leonard Cohen album made the list. In my opinion, Songs of Leonard Cohen is the best Canadian album ever recorded.
Other things that irritate me about the list is that the Clash's London Calling comes in at 96. It belongs in the top 10 or even top 5. It scores only a few places better than the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing. Are they crazy? If this hasn't convinced you that the people who compiled this list are on drugs, this will: Shakira made the list! Christina Aguilera made the list! Michael Jackson came in at #3! Meatloaf made the list! Queen made the list! Beyonce made the list! Mariah Carey made the list!
So, here they are:
1. Beatles – Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – 1967
2. Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon – 1973
3. Michael Jackson – Thriller – 1982
4. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin IV – 1971
5. U2 – Joshua Tree –1987
6. Rolling Stones – Exile On Main Street – 1972
7. Carole King – Tapestry – 1971
8. Bob Dylan – Highway ‘61 Revisited – 1965
9. Beach Boys – Pet Sounds – 1966
10. Nirvana – Nevermind – 1991
11. Pearl Jam – Ten – 1991
12. Beatles – Abbey Road – 1969
13. Santana – Supernatural – 1999
14. Metallica – Metallica – 1991
15. Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run – 1975
16. Prince – Purple Rain – 1984
17. Ac/Dc – Back In Black – 1980
18. Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed – 1969
19. Doors – Doors – 1967
20. Grateful Dead – American Beauty – 1970
21. Shania Twain – Come On Over – 1997
22. Who – Who’s Next – 1971
23. Stevie Wonder – Songs In The Key Of Life – 1976
24. Fleetwood Mac – Rumours – 1977
25. Pink Floyd – Wall – 1979
26. Alanis Morissette – Jagged Little Pill – 1995
27. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me – 2002
28. Eminem – Marshall Mathers Lp – 2000
29. Outkast – Speakerboxx-Love Below – 2003
30. Dr. Dre – Chronic – 1992
31. Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill – 1986
32. Guns ‘N Roses –Appetite For Destruction – 1987
33. Dixie Chicks – Wide Open Spaces – 1998
34. Miles Davis – Kind Of Blue – 1959
35. Eagles – Hotel California – 1976
36. Def Leppard – Hysteria – 1987
37. Soundtrack – Grease – 1980
38. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On – 1978
39. Beatles – White Album – 1968
40. Soundtrack – Saturday Night Fever – 1977
41. Jimi Hendrix – Are You Experienced? – 1967
42. Beatles – Revolver – 1966
43. Boston – Boston – 1976
44. Bon Jovi – Slippery When Wet – 1986
45. U2 – Achtung Baby – 1991
46. Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston – 1985
47. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin Ii – 1969
48. Dave Matthews Band – Crash – 1996
49. Rolling Stones – Sticky Fingers – 1971
50. Green Day – Dookie – 1994
51. Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy –1973
52. Joni Mitchell – Blue – 1971
53. Elvis Presley – Elvis At Sun – 2004
54. Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic – 1975
55. Lauryn Hill – Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill – 1998
56. Bruce Springsteen – Born In The U.S.A. – 1984
57. 50 Cent – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ – 2003
58. Ac/Dc – Highway To Hell – 1979
59. Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death – 1997
60. Van Halen – Van Halen – 1978
61. Green Day – American Idiot – 2004
62. Black Sabbath – Paranoid – 1971
63. Eminem – Eminem Show – 2000
64. Jewel – Pieces Of You – 1995
65. Coldplay – Rush Of Blood To The Head – 2002
66. Meatloaf – Bat Out Of Hell – 1977
67. Usher – Confessions – 2004
68. Kid Rock – Devil Without A Cause – 1998
69. George Harrison – All Things Must Pass – 1970
70. Billy Joel – Stranger – 1977
71. Eagles – Hell Freezes Over – 1994
72. Van Morrison – Moondance – 1970
73. Rem – Automatic For The People – 1992
74. Phil Collins – No Jacket Required – 1985
75. Metallica – Master Of Puppets – 1986
76. Faith Hill – Breathe – 1999
77. Johnny Cash – At Folsom Prison – 1968
78. John Coltrane – Love Supreme – 1964
79. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here – 1975
80. Michael Jackson – Off The Wall – 1979
81. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On – 1973
82. Bob Seger – Night Moves – 1976
83. Paul Simon – Graceland – 1986
84. Linkin Park – Hybrid Theory – 2000
85. Prince – 1999 – 1983
86. Def Leppard – Pyromania – 1983
87. Janet Jackson – Control – 1986
88. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Blood Sugar Sex Magik – 1991
89. Dire Straits – Brothers In Arms – 1985
90. Tupac – All Eyez On Me – 1996
91. Matchbox Twenty – Yourself Or Someone Like You – 1996
92. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Californication – 1999
93. Led Zeppelin – Physical Graffiti – 1975
94. Nelly – Country Grammar – 2000
95. Creed – Human Clay – 1999
96. Clash – London Calling – 1979
97. Celine Dion – Falling Into You – 1996
98. Neil Young – Harvest – 1972
99. Soundtrack – Dirty Dancing – 1987
100. Dixie Chicks – Home – 2002
101. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever – 1989
102. Van Halen – 1984 – 1984
103. Soundtrack – Titanic – 1997
104. Crosby Stills & Nash – Déjà Vu – 1970
105. Tlc – Crazysexycool – 1999
106. Beck – Odelay – 1994
107. Kenny G – Breathless – 1992
108. Nwa. – Straight Outta Compton – 1989
109. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bollocks – 1977
110. Beatles – Rubber Soul – 1965
111. Radiohead – O.K. Computer – 1997
112. Simon & Garfunkel – Bridge Over Trouble Water – 1970
113. Dixie Chicks – Fly – 1999
114. Metallica – And Justice For All – 1988
115. Michael Jackson – Dangerous – 1991
116. Mariah Carey – Daydream – 1995
117. Soundtrack – Top Gun – 1999
118. Elton John – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
119. Police – Synchronicity – 1983
120. No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom – 1995
121. Rolling Stones – Beggar’s Banquet – 1968
122. R Kelly – R – 1998
123. Tool – Lateralus – 2001
124. Oasis – What’s The Story Morning Glory – 1995
125. Bob Marley – Exodus – 1977
126. Journey – Escape – 1981
127. Christina Aguilera – Christina Aguilera – 1999
128. Jay-Z – Blueprint – 2001
129. Alicia Keys – Diary Of Alicia Keys – 2003
130. Soundtrack – O Brother Where Art Thou? – 2000
131. Cars – Cars – 1978
132. Enya – Day Without Rain – 2000
133. Natalie Cole – Unforgettable With Love Natalie Cole – 1991
134. Soundtrack – Footloose – 1984
135. Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down – 1983
136. Sarah Mclachlan – Surfacing – 1997
137. Bonnie Raitt – Nick Of Time – 1989
138. Metallica – Ride The Lightning – 1984
139. Sheryl Crow – Tuesday Night Music Club – 1993
140. Frank Sinatra – In The Wee Small Hours – 1954
141. Earth Wind Fire – Gratitude – 1975
142. Zz Top – Eliminator – 1983
143. Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger – 1975
144. John Lennon – Imagine – 1971
145. Toni Braxton – Toni Braxton – 1993
146. Etta James – At Last – 1961
147. Elvis Presley – Elvis Presley – 1956
148. Cat Stevens – Tea For The Tillerman – 1970
149. Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie & The Infinite Sadness – 1995
150. Dave Brubeck – Time Out – 1959
151. Janet Jackson – Janet – 1993
152. Queen – A Night At The Opera – 1975
153. Ozzy Osbourne – Blizzard Of Ozz –1980
154. Will Smith – Big Willie Style – 1997
155. Prince – Sign Of The Times – 1987
156. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back – 1988
157. Bob Dylan – Blood On The Tracks – 1975
158. George – Michael Faith – 1987
159. Boyz Ii Men – Cooleyhighharmony – 1993
160. Destiny’s Child – Writing’s On The Wall – 1999
161. Jay-Z – Black Album – 2003
162. Avril Lavigne – Let Go – 2002
163. Fugees – Score – 1996
164. Madonna – Like A Virgin – 1984
165. Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin – 1969
166. Stevie Ray Vaughn – Texas Flood – 1983
167. Stone Temple Pilots – Core – 1992
168. Original Cast – Phantom Of The Opera Highlights – 1988
169. Jethro Tull – Aqualung – 1971
170. Tupac – Me Against The World – 1995
171. David Bowie – Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust – 1972
172. Shakira – Laundry Service – 2002
173. Soundtrack – Forrest Gump – 2001
174. Al Green – Call Me – 1973
175. Curtis Mayfield – Superfly – 1997
176. Live – Throwing Copper – 1994
177. George Benson – Breezin’ – 1976
178. White Stripes – White Blood Cells – 2001
179. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Pronounced Leh-Nerd Skin-Erd – 1973
180. Sade – Diamond Life – 1984
181. Fleetwood Mac – Fleetwood Mac – 1975
182. Paul Mccartney & Wings – Band On The Run – 1973
183. Beyonce – Dangerously In Love – 2003
184. Anita Baker – Rapture – 1986
185. Nas – Iiimatic – 1994
186. Barbara Streisand – A Star Is Born – 1976
187. Earth Wind Fire – That’s The Way Of The World – 1975
188. Anita Baker – Rhythm Of Love – 1994
189. Jay-Z – In My Lifetime Vol 1 – 1997
190. Ll Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out – 1990
191. Steely Dan – Aja – 1977
192. Willie Nelson – Stardust – 1978
193. Aretha Franklin – Sparkle – 1976
194. Andrea Bocelli – Andrea – 2004
195. Bob Dylan – Bringing It All Back Home – 1965
196. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much – 1981
197. U2 – All That You Can’t Leave Behind – 2000
198. Rush – 2112 – 1976
199. Outkast – Aquemini – 1998
200. Grand Funk Railroad – We’re An American Band – 1973
Technorati Tags: music
Thursday, January 18, 2007
A Cycling Rant
As cyclists normally do, I was cycling in the curb lane, next to the curb. Cyclists do this because:
1) It is safer than cycling down the middle of a lane.
2) It is safer than cycling in the centre lane.
3) We normally travel slower than cars.
4) Bike lanes are constructed next to the curb.
5) The rules of the road for cyclists dictate that we ride at the curb. In fact, cars are required to give a cyclist the whole lane, if necessary.
We pass cars and trucks on the right hand side because the roads are wide enough - in most cases - to accommodate that. Usually, we pass cars on the right when vehicles have queued up for a traffic light (but sometimes, we are faster than vehicles).
This morning, as I approached a traffic light, I noticed several cars waiting. As is the practice of most cyclists, I planned to cycle past the waiting cars when the rear door of a cab flew open, and some guy started to step out.
I said: "Whoooa!"
He said: "That's why you're not supposed to pass cars on the right!"
I said: "That's why you're supposed to look for cyclists!"
I neglected to tell him that many cabs do, in fact, have window stickers reminding passengers to check for bikes.
He went on, quite forcibly: "You are not supposed to pass cars on the right because it is illegal!"
I said: "That's where cyclists ride. We ride at the curb." I went on about how it looked as though the cab was waiting for the traffic signal. I told him that there was a car directly in front of the cab, also waiting for the light.
But, more importantly:
1) The cab did not pull over (had it done so, I would have passed on the left).
2) The cab driver did not signal (had he done so, I would have passed on the left).
So, dude with the grey beard threw a few more sentences my way, and I left, but not before I told him that I was not angry with him. I wanted to add that I was angry with the driver for failing to signal or pull over. But, even having thought that, it was obvious that the cab driver knew I was there because he did not pull over: he left me room to get by, and Mr. Grey Beard failed to check for bicycles. He blew up because he was embarrassed.
And now, I must do some work.
Technorati Tags: Toronto, cycling, bikes, bicycles, cabs, taxis, traffic, arguments
As cyclists normally do, I was cycling in the curb lane, next to the curb. Cyclists do this because:
1) It is safer than cycling down the middle of a lane.
2) It is safer than cycling in the centre lane.
3) We normally travel slower than cars.
4) Bike lanes are constructed next to the curb.
5) The rules of the road for cyclists dictate that we ride at the curb. In fact, cars are required to give a cyclist the whole lane, if necessary.
We pass cars and trucks on the right hand side because the roads are wide enough - in most cases - to accommodate that. Usually, we pass cars on the right when vehicles have queued up for a traffic light (but sometimes, we are faster than vehicles).
This morning, as I approached a traffic light, I noticed several cars waiting. As is the practice of most cyclists, I planned to cycle past the waiting cars when the rear door of a cab flew open, and some guy started to step out.
I said: "Whoooa!"
He said: "That's why you're not supposed to pass cars on the right!"
I said: "That's why you're supposed to look for cyclists!"
I neglected to tell him that many cabs do, in fact, have window stickers reminding passengers to check for bikes.
He went on, quite forcibly: "You are not supposed to pass cars on the right because it is illegal!"
I said: "That's where cyclists ride. We ride at the curb." I went on about how it looked as though the cab was waiting for the traffic signal. I told him that there was a car directly in front of the cab, also waiting for the light.
But, more importantly:
1) The cab did not pull over (had it done so, I would have passed on the left).
2) The cab driver did not signal (had he done so, I would have passed on the left).
So, dude with the grey beard threw a few more sentences my way, and I left, but not before I told him that I was not angry with him. I wanted to add that I was angry with the driver for failing to signal or pull over. But, even having thought that, it was obvious that the cab driver knew I was there because he did not pull over: he left me room to get by, and Mr. Grey Beard failed to check for bicycles. He blew up because he was embarrassed.
And now, I must do some work.
Technorati Tags: Toronto, cycling, bikes, bicycles, cabs, taxis, traffic, arguments
Friday, September 22, 2006
Cockroaches
OK, so I just found a cockroach in my office! I put my hand in my drawer to get something, and my hand came out with a cockroach on it. Yikes! I may need to move my office higher in the building. I have lived with these little bastards in two different places, and I hate them. I have a few choice cockroach stories, but I'll leave that for another day. The good news is, the exterminator is coming. That means we will be seeing lots of dead and dying insects, since an infestation was recently discovered in the staff room. I guess they migrated to my office.
On my way to give an instructional session to 25, or so, engineers yesterday, a bird shat on me. I hear that's good luck, but, not on a black shirt. I had to find a bathroom and try to get the shit out, but when there are no paper towels, that is a hard thing to do. That's the trouble with hand dryers. Damn the hand dryers. I hate the noise they make anyway, but they can make your hands nice and toasty.
When I got to the class, I discovered that the TA was missing and, after a few minutes, I realized that he probably had a better offer. So, I had to collect the assignments, introduce myself, and then thank myself. I did a good job, of course.
Happy Friday.
Technorati Tags: cockroaches, roaches, insects, vermin, pests, TAs, teaching
OK, so I just found a cockroach in my office! I put my hand in my drawer to get something, and my hand came out with a cockroach on it. Yikes! I may need to move my office higher in the building. I have lived with these little bastards in two different places, and I hate them. I have a few choice cockroach stories, but I'll leave that for another day. The good news is, the exterminator is coming. That means we will be seeing lots of dead and dying insects, since an infestation was recently discovered in the staff room. I guess they migrated to my office.
On my way to give an instructional session to 25, or so, engineers yesterday, a bird shat on me. I hear that's good luck, but, not on a black shirt. I had to find a bathroom and try to get the shit out, but when there are no paper towels, that is a hard thing to do. That's the trouble with hand dryers. Damn the hand dryers. I hate the noise they make anyway, but they can make your hands nice and toasty.
When I got to the class, I discovered that the TA was missing and, after a few minutes, I realized that he probably had a better offer. So, I had to collect the assignments, introduce myself, and then thank myself. I did a good job, of course.
Happy Friday.
Technorati Tags: cockroaches, roaches, insects, vermin, pests, TAs, teaching
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
I Blog in my Sleep and other Curiosities ... I mean Complaints A few nights back, I dreamed about blogging. In that dream, I posted something to my blog (!) but I can't remember what it was about. I often fall asleep with fantastic blog ideas running through my head, only to find that I have forgotten them by morning, which is probably a good thing. What sounds great in near paralysis is probably not. In my dream, I also commented on some blogs. How bizarre is that? I guess that was some sort of sign.
About two weeks ago, I lost my cell phone. As some of you might know, when one loses a cell phone, one is in for a major expense. You can't get a new one for that insanely low price you pay when you activate it. No way. That Motorola Razr you can get for either $49 or $99 costs $450! What really pisses me off is that when I called Bell Mobility to say that I lost my phone, the first thing I was told is that I am still responsible for my contract. I called to have my number cancelled, and I got phone discipline. I know some people would happily pay for a good session of phone discipline, but this was terrible customer service. Of course, I could activate an old phone, but none of the phones I acquired will work on the Bell network. I either have to come up with $299 to cancel my contract, or pay an unreasonable price for a phone that is a piece of crap. Bell sucks.
I got a flat tire on my bike while riding on Dundas Street. The only good thing about it was the fact that the tire made a satisfying "pop!" when it was punctured by a sharp piece of metal.
I have to pay $500 in income tax. When I was on leave last summer, no Federal tax was deducted. I realized after the fact. Taxes suck.
I think I am complaining too much. In the good news department, I attended part of the International Photobloggers Meetup in Toronto last weekend. That was cool, and I met many photographers from all over the map (like Florida, Wisconsin, and Liverpool).
Technorati Tags: blogging, dreams, cell phones, Bell, cycling, flat tire, taxes, photobloggers
About two weeks ago, I lost my cell phone. As some of you might know, when one loses a cell phone, one is in for a major expense. You can't get a new one for that insanely low price you pay when you activate it. No way. That Motorola Razr you can get for either $49 or $99 costs $450! What really pisses me off is that when I called Bell Mobility to say that I lost my phone, the first thing I was told is that I am still responsible for my contract. I called to have my number cancelled, and I got phone discipline. I know some people would happily pay for a good session of phone discipline, but this was terrible customer service. Of course, I could activate an old phone, but none of the phones I acquired will work on the Bell network. I either have to come up with $299 to cancel my contract, or pay an unreasonable price for a phone that is a piece of crap. Bell sucks.
I got a flat tire on my bike while riding on Dundas Street. The only good thing about it was the fact that the tire made a satisfying "pop!" when it was punctured by a sharp piece of metal.
I have to pay $500 in income tax. When I was on leave last summer, no Federal tax was deducted. I realized after the fact. Taxes suck.
I think I am complaining too much. In the good news department, I attended part of the International Photobloggers Meetup in Toronto last weekend. That was cool, and I met many photographers from all over the map (like Florida, Wisconsin, and Liverpool).
Technorati Tags: blogging, dreams, cell phones, Bell, cycling, flat tire, taxes, photobloggers
Monday, March 20, 2006
Because I Can't Think of Anything Else to Write About Today
- I have 28 cameras.
- I hate Fabricland. I hate everything about it, from just being in the store, to the acres of unappealing fabric. I feel nauseous and weak, especially in that one at Yonge & Bloor in the basement with the low ceilings and bright fluorescent lighting.
- I make tons of typos. In fact, let me just type a coupld of sentences to demionstrate how many typiose I make. It;s beacause I never learned how to tyupe properly in schoo.. I guiess IO figured that I;d never need to know how to type, so I didnlt take the couirse. Thanks heavens for spellc heckers. I think I typs with six fingers and I use the thumbs f rthe space bar, like verybody else. even fater I run evertthing through the spell checker first, I find errors. It's ok to let me know if you see one.
- Here is a picture of my bike.
Technorati Tags: Fabricland, typos, cameras, bicylces
- I have 28 cameras.
- I hate Fabricland. I hate everything about it, from just being in the store, to the acres of unappealing fabric. I feel nauseous and weak, especially in that one at Yonge & Bloor in the basement with the low ceilings and bright fluorescent lighting.
- I make tons of typos. In fact, let me just type a coupld of sentences to demionstrate how many typiose I make. It;s beacause I never learned how to tyupe properly in schoo.. I guiess IO figured that I;d never need to know how to type, so I didnlt take the couirse. Thanks heavens for spellc heckers. I think I typs with six fingers and I use the thumbs f rthe space bar, like verybody else. even fater I run evertthing through the spell checker first, I find errors. It's ok to let me know if you see one.
- Here is a picture of my bike.
Technorati Tags: Fabricland, typos, cameras, bicylces
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Men's Rooms
Kinda gross: proceed with caution
Since I am on the general topic of Gross, I thought I would discuss the state of men's bathrooms. They are disgusting. I am not talking about the washrooms found in parks and other public gathering places -- I gather those are a no-go zone for most sane men and women. I am talking about men's washrooms is places like bars and restaurants and cinemas and malls and on university campuses.
Many women I have spoken with assure me that female bathrooms in these places are horrible, but, I can't imagine that you will find urine on the toilet seats in a women's bathroom. Please correct me if I am wrong. You see, some men will not lift the seat, perhaps because they feel that if they touch the seat, they will develop an incurable disease or maybe syphilis or herpes or whatever. Instead, they piss on the seat, without a thought for whomever might want to use the toilet after them.
Men leave toilet paper on the floors, draped over the seat (half in the water, half out of the water). Some defecate on the seat and the floor. I have seen feces smeared on the stalls. I have seen paper towels stuffed into the toilet, broken beer bottles on the floor and in urinals.
And, more and more, I have noticed that there are some men who will not turn off the tap. At least he washed his hands, I think, but it took me a while to figure out why these idiots leave the water running. It occurred to me that they do not want to touch the tap, after they have washed their hands, for fear of contacting an incurable disease or maybe syphilis or herpes or whatever. Men are pigs (except me of course).
Technorati Tags: washrooms, men
Kinda gross: proceed with caution
Since I am on the general topic of Gross, I thought I would discuss the state of men's bathrooms. They are disgusting. I am not talking about the washrooms found in parks and other public gathering places -- I gather those are a no-go zone for most sane men and women. I am talking about men's washrooms is places like bars and restaurants and cinemas and malls and on university campuses.
Many women I have spoken with assure me that female bathrooms in these places are horrible, but, I can't imagine that you will find urine on the toilet seats in a women's bathroom. Please correct me if I am wrong. You see, some men will not lift the seat, perhaps because they feel that if they touch the seat, they will develop an incurable disease or maybe syphilis or herpes or whatever. Instead, they piss on the seat, without a thought for whomever might want to use the toilet after them.
Men leave toilet paper on the floors, draped over the seat (half in the water, half out of the water). Some defecate on the seat and the floor. I have seen feces smeared on the stalls. I have seen paper towels stuffed into the toilet, broken beer bottles on the floor and in urinals.
And, more and more, I have noticed that there are some men who will not turn off the tap. At least he washed his hands, I think, but it took me a while to figure out why these idiots leave the water running. It occurred to me that they do not want to touch the tap, after they have washed their hands, for fear of contacting an incurable disease or maybe syphilis or herpes or whatever. Men are pigs (except me of course).
Technorati Tags: washrooms, men
Monday, June 20, 2005
B.O.
I'm not sure if it's the hot weather or maybe it's the areas I hang out in, but I have to say that some people in Toronto stink. All too frequently, I have walked into the putrid wake of someone on the sidewalks and in the malls of this city. The stench is occasionally so bad, I feel like passing out. I have met some skunks that smelled better. Briefly, I considered that maybe the people behind the blog Dating Help for Men (an idiotic blog that I have mentioned before) are on to something. Clearly, some people do not bathe and have very poor personal hygiene. It's either that, or they fail to wash their clothes.
And then there's overpowering perfume. That is less frequent, to my nose anyway. Something else that bothers my sensitive nose is the super-fragrant bathroom deodorizers one encounters in restaurants and bars. That also makes me sick, and I think that the actual smell would be much easier to take. Well, I guess that depends.
Technorati Tags: B.O., body odour
I'm not sure if it's the hot weather or maybe it's the areas I hang out in, but I have to say that some people in Toronto stink. All too frequently, I have walked into the putrid wake of someone on the sidewalks and in the malls of this city. The stench is occasionally so bad, I feel like passing out. I have met some skunks that smelled better. Briefly, I considered that maybe the people behind the blog Dating Help for Men (an idiotic blog that I have mentioned before) are on to something. Clearly, some people do not bathe and have very poor personal hygiene. It's either that, or they fail to wash their clothes.
And then there's overpowering perfume. That is less frequent, to my nose anyway. Something else that bothers my sensitive nose is the super-fragrant bathroom deodorizers one encounters in restaurants and bars. That also makes me sick, and I think that the actual smell would be much easier to take. Well, I guess that depends.
Technorati Tags: B.O., body odour
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Air Conditioning Sucks (most of the time)
Maybe it's because I spent my childhood sweating in summers, or maybe it's because air conditioning wasn't widely available back then - at least not in my hometown, or maybe it's bad experiences with over-air conditioning that makes me hate it.
Why is it that some buildings are so cold that, if it were winter, people would complain? No one would tolerate that extreme cold in winter. I can't even go to a movie in summer without adequate warning: I've been stuck in freezing theatres too often. I almost got frostbite once when I wore sandals to a movie (sandal-wearing is a recent development. It has taken years for me to feel comfortable exposing my toes in public). I walked around a large Texas city with a jacket just so I could combat the buildings that had been transformed into refrigerators, including the conference centre, which had an ice rink in the middle of it, right beside the Starbucks!
I always feel slightly sick after spending too much time in heavily air conditioned buildings. At work, I have to take sun breaks and I feel like a lizard lying on the pavement trying to raise my body temperature.
Just give me a fan and a cold drink and I'll be fine.
Technorati Tags: air conditioning
Maybe it's because I spent my childhood sweating in summers, or maybe it's because air conditioning wasn't widely available back then - at least not in my hometown, or maybe it's bad experiences with over-air conditioning that makes me hate it.
Why is it that some buildings are so cold that, if it were winter, people would complain? No one would tolerate that extreme cold in winter. I can't even go to a movie in summer without adequate warning: I've been stuck in freezing theatres too often. I almost got frostbite once when I wore sandals to a movie (sandal-wearing is a recent development. It has taken years for me to feel comfortable exposing my toes in public). I walked around a large Texas city with a jacket just so I could combat the buildings that had been transformed into refrigerators, including the conference centre, which had an ice rink in the middle of it, right beside the Starbucks!
I always feel slightly sick after spending too much time in heavily air conditioned buildings. At work, I have to take sun breaks and I feel like a lizard lying on the pavement trying to raise my body temperature.
Just give me a fan and a cold drink and I'll be fine.
Technorati Tags: air conditioning
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