Music Notes
I think it was on the drive back to the hospital to pick up mother and baby when I switched on the radio of the borrowed car, thanks to the neighbours across the street. The radio was already tuned to Q107 and so I decided to listen. It turns out that I was in the midst of the completely misnamed "80's Music That Doesn't Suck Classic Rock Weekend." Clearly, Q107 and I disagree on what music from the 80s sucked and what didn't.
Let me say that Queen's Another One Bites the Dust sucks with a capital S. For a moment, I felt like I was in a bizarro world, where everything bad was good. I had to change the station quickly, because the announcer promised that we would be subjected to KISS, from the unmasked era. Yikes. I also worried that they would play, inevitably, Van Halen's Jump, which I nominate as the song with the most infantile use of keyboards in musical history.
But that isn't the worst of the musical news. I was shocked and appalled to hear a The The song used in a Dockers TV commercial. I thought that only the dinosaurs were selling their songs. Frankly, I think it is far more fitting to hear Led Zeppelin selling Cadillacs. That makes sense to me.
This is the Day
Technorati Tags: radio, Q107, Queen, KISS, Van Halen, The The, Dockers, Led Zeppelin, Cadillac
Monday, May 16, 2005
Saturday, May 14, 2005
He's here
Just a brief update. Samuel David is here. He was born on Friday the 13th at 3:58 PM, weighing in at 8lbs, 7oz. He was "born in the caul." Everyone is fine. Pictures later.
Technorati Tags: children
Just a brief update. Samuel David is here. He was born on Friday the 13th at 3:58 PM, weighing in at 8lbs, 7oz. He was "born in the caul." Everyone is fine. Pictures later.
Technorati Tags: children
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
You are looking at the only baby picture of me in existence. My mother is about 85% certain it is me. After sifting through her photos, I think I agree: I am also 85% certain it is me. Being the fourth child has certain disadvantages. Photographic fatigue sets in, or maybe it's simply apathy.
I am reflecting on this on the day before I become a father for the second time. There will be an induction tomorrow, so the date seems certain. Other people with more than one child report a serious decline in photos taken of later children. I am making a mental note to keep the shutter moving, which shouldn't be hard, because I am interested in photography and have even taken some courses and spent much time in darkrooms.
The more important news is that I will be off work for the whole summer. And, while I don't expect posts to dry up completely, there may be fewer over the summer months. Oh, and I may even post some pictures.
Immediate concerns are:
1) training my four year old in the art of mixing gin and tonic
2) perfecting the art of secretly sleeping while sitting at the kitchen table
3) training my four year old in the art of making ice cold blender cocktails with rum
4) perfecting the art of sleepwalking, so that I can change diapers while sleeping
5) training my four year old in the art uncorking and serving wine
6) perfecting the art of sleeping while speaking to family and friends
7) training my four year old in the use of a barbecue, garden hose, and various gardening implements
8) perfecting the art of sleeping in the shower
I'll be in touch.
Technorati Tags: baby pictures, fatherhood, photos
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
More on Zombies & A Dream
Zombies
BBC News has reported that there has been a small outbreak of 'zombism' near the border of Laos in North-Eastern Cambodia that is caused by a new strain of malaria that has a 100% mortality rate. The report goes on to say:
"After death, this parasite is able to restart the heart of its victim for up to two hours after the initial demise of the person where the individual behaves in extremely violent ways from what is believed to be a combination of brain damage and a chemical released into blood during 'resurrection.'"
Wow. It's a good thing that I posted something about Zombies yesterday. I know what to do now.
A Dream
In other news, I had a very strange dream. I am reluctant to post any more dreams here, for fear that someone may be secretly psychoanalyzing me. If you are secretly psychoanalyzing me, please send me a full report on what you have found.
I have to report this dream because it is by far the most disturbing dream I have ever had. Continue reading only if you think you can handle the shocking details. I dreamt that I won tickets to Cavalia. The alarming part is that I accepted the tickets. In reality, I would have laughed at the idea. One would have to pay me very large sums of money to sit through that &^%$. Even more horrible is the fact that when I went to the show, I discovered that it was 35 hours long! I had to endure 35 hours of Cavalia! That's a whole work week. Thankfully, I woke up at that point.
I wonder what it means.
Technorati Tags: zombies, zombism, Cambodia, dreams, Cavalia
Zombies
BBC News has reported that there has been a small outbreak of 'zombism' near the border of Laos in North-Eastern Cambodia that is caused by a new strain of malaria that has a 100% mortality rate. The report goes on to say:
"After death, this parasite is able to restart the heart of its victim for up to two hours after the initial demise of the person where the individual behaves in extremely violent ways from what is believed to be a combination of brain damage and a chemical released into blood during 'resurrection.'"
Wow. It's a good thing that I posted something about Zombies yesterday. I know what to do now.
A Dream
In other news, I had a very strange dream. I am reluctant to post any more dreams here, for fear that someone may be secretly psychoanalyzing me. If you are secretly psychoanalyzing me, please send me a full report on what you have found.
I have to report this dream because it is by far the most disturbing dream I have ever had. Continue reading only if you think you can handle the shocking details. I dreamt that I won tickets to Cavalia. The alarming part is that I accepted the tickets. In reality, I would have laughed at the idea. One would have to pay me very large sums of money to sit through that &^%$. Even more horrible is the fact that when I went to the show, I discovered that it was 35 hours long! I had to endure 35 hours of Cavalia! That's a whole work week. Thankfully, I woke up at that point.
I wonder what it means.
Technorati Tags: zombies, zombism, Cambodia, dreams, Cavalia
Monday, May 09, 2005
You Can Outrun a Zombie
Weekend viewing included The Night of the Living Dead (from 1968).
I learned that zombies (although they are referred to as ghouls, not zombies, in the film) move very very slowly. You can outrun them, probably outwalk them, and, if that fails, beat them about the head with a stick. They fight so ponderously that any failed boxer or average street pugilist could take them is one round. Oh, and if you're lucky enough to have a gun, just aim for the head. A few stones or rocks hurled their way might also slow them down, not that they really need to be slowed down any more.
That seems simple enough. Zombies suck...I mean bite. It goes without saying that you should not permit one to bite you. Whack it on the nose if it gets too close.
Perhaps later zombie films portray the living dead differently, but in this one, I really didn't see much danger. Of course, if you're scared speechless, and end up in some sort of stupor, you might have a problem.
I did appreciate the decidedly non-Hollywood ending. I hate to spoil the ending for you, but let's face it, this movie has been out for 37 years. Let me just say that happy endings, where everything turns out peachy, are far too common.
Technorati Tags: zombies, movies, Night of the Living Dead
Weekend viewing included The Night of the Living Dead (from 1968).
I learned that zombies (although they are referred to as ghouls, not zombies, in the film) move very very slowly. You can outrun them, probably outwalk them, and, if that fails, beat them about the head with a stick. They fight so ponderously that any failed boxer or average street pugilist could take them is one round. Oh, and if you're lucky enough to have a gun, just aim for the head. A few stones or rocks hurled their way might also slow them down, not that they really need to be slowed down any more.
That seems simple enough. Zombies suck...I mean bite. It goes without saying that you should not permit one to bite you. Whack it on the nose if it gets too close.
Perhaps later zombie films portray the living dead differently, but in this one, I really didn't see much danger. Of course, if you're scared speechless, and end up in some sort of stupor, you might have a problem.
I did appreciate the decidedly non-Hollywood ending. I hate to spoil the ending for you, but let's face it, this movie has been out for 37 years. Let me just say that happy endings, where everything turns out peachy, are far too common.
Technorati Tags: zombies, movies, Night of the Living Dead
Friday, May 06, 2005
"Gorgeous hair is the best revenge" - Ivana Trump
I was strolling on Edward Street, on my way to the misnamed World's Biggest Bookstore, when I heard a woman ask if I could spare any change. I had no change (honestly) and no bills (honestly - I was headed for the bank next). I shook my head and said "no."
"You have great hair," she said. Honestly. Now, my hair is looking fabulous: it has had a recent cut and so there is no more waking up looking like Gene Wilder, no more worries that the wind will whip up my hair, making me look like Daniel Richler. No worries that someone will shout out:
"Comb down his hair. Look, look! it stands upright,
Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul."
But the fact is that my hair is far too short to be great. I'm thinking that Tony Manero had great hair. Leon Trotsky had great hair. John Lennon had great hair. And then there's Albert Einstein, Divine, Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi, Don King - they had/have great hair. Not me. I have seriously average hair.
"When you see fair hair
Be pitiful."
Technorati Tags: hair
I was strolling on Edward Street, on my way to the misnamed World's Biggest Bookstore, when I heard a woman ask if I could spare any change. I had no change (honestly) and no bills (honestly - I was headed for the bank next). I shook my head and said "no."
"You have great hair," she said. Honestly. Now, my hair is looking fabulous: it has had a recent cut and so there is no more waking up looking like Gene Wilder, no more worries that the wind will whip up my hair, making me look like Daniel Richler. No worries that someone will shout out:
"Comb down his hair. Look, look! it stands upright,
Like lime-twigs set to catch my winged soul."
But the fact is that my hair is far too short to be great. I'm thinking that Tony Manero had great hair. Leon Trotsky had great hair. John Lennon had great hair. And then there's Albert Einstein, Divine, Dolly Parton, Jon Bon Jovi, Don King - they had/have great hair. Not me. I have seriously average hair.
"When you see fair hair
Be pitiful."
Technorati Tags: hair
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Some Age Milestones
In other words, when I started to feel old.
1) When the Playboy Centerfolds starting becoming younger than me (oh yeah, they were my dad's copies).
2) Every time I have to start checking off a different age category (18-24, 25-29, 30-34....) in surveys, etc.
3) When I finally matched my salary to my age in thousands.
4) When I got to be the age my brother was when he ran away from home.
5) When my parents retired.
6) When I visited my high school web page and discovered that 99% of the teachers I knew are no longer there.
7) When I visited the history department's web page at my undergrad school and found that 80% of the faculty I knew have retired.
8) When my grandmother turned 85.
9) When I had a child.
10) When I realized that I can no longer remember more that three or four names (including mine) in childhood class pictures.
11) When I calculated that my parents got married 50 years ago.
12) When I calculated how long ago I graduated from high school, my undergrad, and grad degrees.
13) When I said "thank God, I'm glad that's over" while cycling past U of T students waiting to write exams outside a gymnasium.
14) When I found my first grey hair.
15) When my dad bought red pants.
16) When someone told me that they have known me for a quarter of a century.
17) When I hurt my back lifting a BBQ and it has never been the same since.
18) When my doctor decided that a PSA test was required.
19) When I go downstairs to get something and forget what it is and then go back upstairs and remember and then go back downstairs and forget and then go back upstairs and remember and then go back downstairs and forget ...
And that's just for starters.
Technorati Tags: aging
In other words, when I started to feel old.
1) When the Playboy Centerfolds starting becoming younger than me (oh yeah, they were my dad's copies).
2) Every time I have to start checking off a different age category (18-24, 25-29, 30-34....) in surveys, etc.
3) When I finally matched my salary to my age in thousands.
4) When I got to be the age my brother was when he ran away from home.
5) When my parents retired.
6) When I visited my high school web page and discovered that 99% of the teachers I knew are no longer there.
7) When I visited the history department's web page at my undergrad school and found that 80% of the faculty I knew have retired.
8) When my grandmother turned 85.
9) When I had a child.
10) When I realized that I can no longer remember more that three or four names (including mine) in childhood class pictures.
11) When I calculated that my parents got married 50 years ago.
12) When I calculated how long ago I graduated from high school, my undergrad, and grad degrees.
13) When I said "thank God, I'm glad that's over" while cycling past U of T students waiting to write exams outside a gymnasium.
14) When I found my first grey hair.
15) When my dad bought red pants.
16) When someone told me that they have known me for a quarter of a century.
17) When I hurt my back lifting a BBQ and it has never been the same since.
18) When my doctor decided that a PSA test was required.
19) When I go downstairs to get something and forget what it is and then go back upstairs and remember and then go back downstairs and forget and then go back upstairs and remember and then go back downstairs and forget ...
And that's just for starters.
Technorati Tags: aging
Wednesday, May 04, 2005
International Man of Mystery
I am fairly sure that my father does not read my blog, so I feel secure in passing along a humorous anecdote. By the way, if you know my father, please do not tell him about my blog. I'll be pissed.
OK, so a while back (and I can't really remember when) my dad showed me his business card. He is retired, and so he printed some cards on the computer. I took the card from him and read, beneath his name:
Amateur Wine Maker, World Traveler, and Art Collector
By my unscientific count, there are at least three things wrong with that, but I'll stick to the obvious. Sure, he makes wine (you know, those boxes you get at Sam's Club - add yeast and go!); he likes to travel to the Caribbean annually, if he can; and, he has a penchant for wildlife prints (you know, Bateman and the like). He has no appreciation for the more abstract things in life.
So, it got me thinking that I should create a business card that represents my fantasy alter ego. I just have to figure out what that is. I'll take suggestions.
By the way, you know that the low carb food craze has gone too far when a restaurant starts to market a 15 pound hamburger called the Beer Barrel Belly Buster. Well, I suppose you'd have to hold the bun if you wanted the low carb option.
Technorati Tags: father, food
I am fairly sure that my father does not read my blog, so I feel secure in passing along a humorous anecdote. By the way, if you know my father, please do not tell him about my blog. I'll be pissed.
OK, so a while back (and I can't really remember when) my dad showed me his business card. He is retired, and so he printed some cards on the computer. I took the card from him and read, beneath his name:
Amateur Wine Maker, World Traveler, and Art Collector
By my unscientific count, there are at least three things wrong with that, but I'll stick to the obvious. Sure, he makes wine (you know, those boxes you get at Sam's Club - add yeast and go!); he likes to travel to the Caribbean annually, if he can; and, he has a penchant for wildlife prints (you know, Bateman and the like). He has no appreciation for the more abstract things in life.
So, it got me thinking that I should create a business card that represents my fantasy alter ego. I just have to figure out what that is. I'll take suggestions.
By the way, you know that the low carb food craze has gone too far when a restaurant starts to market a 15 pound hamburger called the Beer Barrel Belly Buster. Well, I suppose you'd have to hold the bun if you wanted the low carb option.
Technorati Tags: father, food
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
That Sucks
I waited until the last minute and found out that I owe the government about $520 in taxes! I have never had an employer that has ever managed to deduct enough tax, and so I am always left having to pay something at the end of the year. That sucks. So, I am thinking of taking PayPal donations right here, but I fear no one would contribute. Would you?
Speaking of taxes, why hasn't the government created an easy and free way to file your taxes? Surely in the online era, they could create an online form where you pop in your data (much like those online tax services) and click. But, I guess this would put a lot of people out-of-work. That sucks.
Speaking of taxes, the right wing attack on the "tax and spend"' liberals is getting a little old. Yesterday's National Post editorial cartoon was Tweedle Tax and Tweedle Spend. The Tories seem to have forgotten that it was they who brought in the GST. They suck.
Technorati Tags: income tax, taxes
I waited until the last minute and found out that I owe the government about $520 in taxes! I have never had an employer that has ever managed to deduct enough tax, and so I am always left having to pay something at the end of the year. That sucks. So, I am thinking of taking PayPal donations right here, but I fear no one would contribute. Would you?
Speaking of taxes, why hasn't the government created an easy and free way to file your taxes? Surely in the online era, they could create an online form where you pop in your data (much like those online tax services) and click. But, I guess this would put a lot of people out-of-work. That sucks.
Speaking of taxes, the right wing attack on the "tax and spend"' liberals is getting a little old. Yesterday's National Post editorial cartoon was Tweedle Tax and Tweedle Spend. The Tories seem to have forgotten that it was they who brought in the GST. They suck.
Technorati Tags: income tax, taxes
Monday, May 02, 2005
Rhinotillexomania and Best of Zydeco Fish, 2004 (by request)
I swear that guy on Bay Street waiting for the bus and reading the National Post was digging deeper than any man has ever gone. Shocking, it was. If you have no idea what I am talking about, look up rhinotillexomania.
And now, because I was asked why I didn't summarize 2004, like 2003 (read it), here it is:
Ah, 2004. I wrote nothing in April or May, thinking that I would abandon the blog forever. But, in June, I brought this blog back from the brink. Here are a few pieces that are worthy of re-reading. You decide.
Downloading Music Sucks - I thought so then; I think so now.
The Worst Song - it was tough, but I have the answer.
Kinsey - not a movie review.
Lost in the Supermarket - on MP3 players and cabbage.
Just Say No - to the Free Flu Shot. Seriously.
Technorati Tags: zydeco fish, blogging, retrospective, 2004, rhinotillexomania
I swear that guy on Bay Street waiting for the bus and reading the National Post was digging deeper than any man has ever gone. Shocking, it was. If you have no idea what I am talking about, look up rhinotillexomania.
And now, because I was asked why I didn't summarize 2004, like 2003 (read it), here it is:
Ah, 2004. I wrote nothing in April or May, thinking that I would abandon the blog forever. But, in June, I brought this blog back from the brink. Here are a few pieces that are worthy of re-reading. You decide.
Downloading Music Sucks - I thought so then; I think so now.
The Worst Song - it was tough, but I have the answer.
Kinsey - not a movie review.
Lost in the Supermarket - on MP3 players and cabbage.
Just Say No - to the Free Flu Shot. Seriously.
Technorati Tags: zydeco fish, blogging, retrospective, 2004, rhinotillexomania
Friday, April 29, 2005
Tonka Man
A colleague surreptitiously left this on my desk a while back. I have never really figured out why.
Why is it that the Blogger spell checker (yes, the one for blogs hosted by Blogger) does not contain the words blogger, blog, blogs, blogging, or blogspot?
I had a disappointing apple at lunch today. It is hard to describe the crestfallen feeling I get when, instead of a crunch, I get that spongy apple texture.
Apologies to all of you Dr. Who fans out there, but I tried to watch the new Dr. Who and I really think it sucked. I'll admit that I did not see any of the original episodes, save a few seconds here or there, so maybe that has something to do with it. Or, maybe it was just a bad episode. The good news it that I have avoiding adding another hour of TV viewing to my schedule.
Have a great weekend.
Technorati Tags: Tonka, Blogger, Dr. Who, apples
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Blogging Etiquette
I am still trying to decide if I like Blogosphere or World Live Web better. But, that is besides the point.
Do you ever feel like you are an intruder when you read a blog? I visit many blogs and comment on some. But, there are times when I feel I have trespassed on a private conversation, albeit one held in public. Maybe it's a group of friends who routinely comment back and forth on each other's blogs. In any event, I often feel that posting a comment would be an invasion. What do you think of that?
That's all I have today.
Technorati Tags: blogging, etiquette
I am still trying to decide if I like Blogosphere or World Live Web better. But, that is besides the point.
Do you ever feel like you are an intruder when you read a blog? I visit many blogs and comment on some. But, there are times when I feel I have trespassed on a private conversation, albeit one held in public. Maybe it's a group of friends who routinely comment back and forth on each other's blogs. In any event, I often feel that posting a comment would be an invasion. What do you think of that?
That's all I have today.
Technorati Tags: blogging, etiquette
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Thoughts, Comments, and Questions for Today
1) Stephen Harper does not have Prime Ministerial hair. And, it's my firm belief that he looks like a Husky.
2) Why hasn't someone invented a product that stops one's hair from growing. You know, so that it goes into stasis?
3) BlogTO is better than Metroblogging Toronto; Torontoist is better than BlogTO.
4) Memo to Jack Layton: shave off your moustache.
5) Seinfeld was the best television show, ever.
6) Survivor is better than Gilligan's Island.
7) Why do certain phrases go into disuse. Like, whatever happened to 'awesome' and 'let's blow this popsicle stand'?
8) IMHO, Charles is fit to be Queen...I mean King.
9) Why would anyone buy a PT Cruiser?
10) Yes, I'd like to go to the moon.
11) The Hubble should be saved.
12) If Bruce Cockburn ran for elected office, I would vote for him.
13) I don't miss hockey
14) I thought I would have been 'discovered' by now. I thought I'd be walking down the street some day and hear someone say "look at those jowls!" I'd be cast immediately.
15) Leaf blowers are stupid.
16) I use the Oxford Comma.
Technorati Tags: questions, comments, thoughts
1) Stephen Harper does not have Prime Ministerial hair. And, it's my firm belief that he looks like a Husky.
2) Why hasn't someone invented a product that stops one's hair from growing. You know, so that it goes into stasis?
3) BlogTO is better than Metroblogging Toronto; Torontoist is better than BlogTO.
4) Memo to Jack Layton: shave off your moustache.
5) Seinfeld was the best television show, ever.
6) Survivor is better than Gilligan's Island.
7) Why do certain phrases go into disuse. Like, whatever happened to 'awesome' and 'let's blow this popsicle stand'?
8) IMHO, Charles is fit to be Queen...I mean King.
9) Why would anyone buy a PT Cruiser?
10) Yes, I'd like to go to the moon.
11) The Hubble should be saved.
12) If Bruce Cockburn ran for elected office, I would vote for him.
13) I don't miss hockey
14) I thought I would have been 'discovered' by now. I thought I'd be walking down the street some day and hear someone say "look at those jowls!" I'd be cast immediately.
15) Leaf blowers are stupid.
16) I use the Oxford Comma.
Technorati Tags: questions, comments, thoughts
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Best of Zydeco Fish, 2003 (because I forgot to do this at the end of 2003)
In the shower this morning, dealing with enough shampoo for ten men - I just had a haircut and took way too much - I had this idea. It's a recap, sort of.
Zydeco Fish, the blog, was born on Friday July 11, 2003. Zydeco Fish was the title of one of the first poems I had published. It's about a rebel fish who upsets the order of the oceans. Well, that's my memory of it.
Although I have kept a journal for years (more about that), I wasn't writing as much in it as I had been. So, I decided to start blogging and I decided that I wanted to be anonymous, thinking that I would be provocative and fairly uncensored, like one would be in a personal journal. That never happened. Zydeco Fish seemed like a good alter ego and cover. Now, a few people know who I really am.
So, I thought I'd review the six months of the blog, from July to December 2003. That's easy since I posted nothing in December and very little overall.
Here are some posts I like from that period. Oh, and most can't be commented on because I didn't have comments turned on and then I started using Haloscan and then switched to Blogger.
Hey Homo! - Sesame Street and subliminal messaging
Love You Forever makes me puke - a vicious attack on a children's classic
Arthur Koestler - a review of Arthur Koestler: The Homeless Mind by David Cesarini
The Decline of Radio - a lament on the state of North American radio
And, my favourite post was simply: " Leaf blowers are stupid." Trust me, they are.
P.S. My fly was down during the whole of my cycle in this morning.
Technorati Tags: zydeco fish, blogging, retrospective, 2003
In the shower this morning, dealing with enough shampoo for ten men - I just had a haircut and took way too much - I had this idea. It's a recap, sort of.
Zydeco Fish, the blog, was born on Friday July 11, 2003. Zydeco Fish was the title of one of the first poems I had published. It's about a rebel fish who upsets the order of the oceans. Well, that's my memory of it.
Although I have kept a journal for years (more about that), I wasn't writing as much in it as I had been. So, I decided to start blogging and I decided that I wanted to be anonymous, thinking that I would be provocative and fairly uncensored, like one would be in a personal journal. That never happened. Zydeco Fish seemed like a good alter ego and cover. Now, a few people know who I really am.
So, I thought I'd review the six months of the blog, from July to December 2003. That's easy since I posted nothing in December and very little overall.
Here are some posts I like from that period. Oh, and most can't be commented on because I didn't have comments turned on and then I started using Haloscan and then switched to Blogger.
Hey Homo! - Sesame Street and subliminal messaging
Love You Forever makes me puke - a vicious attack on a children's classic
Arthur Koestler - a review of Arthur Koestler: The Homeless Mind by David Cesarini
The Decline of Radio - a lament on the state of North American radio
And, my favourite post was simply: " Leaf blowers are stupid." Trust me, they are.
P.S. My fly was down during the whole of my cycle in this morning.
Technorati Tags: zydeco fish, blogging, retrospective, 2003
Monday, April 25, 2005
Cannibalism and You
Did you know that Japanese researchers have inserted a gene from the human liver into rice so that the rice can "digest pesticides and industrial chemicals"? Two years ago, it was revealed that Chinese scientists were experimenting with genetically-modified crops using human genes. Now, in mid-west USA, experiments are underway with GM crops that are intended to help fight diseases. These also contain human genes. Those who follow the GM debate are aware that there is little way to prevent contamination with conventional crops. Roundup Ready (tm) Canola has found its way into regular Canola and unapproved GM corn has shown up in stores.
Applied Phytologics Incorporated, an American corporation, has produced a GM rice crop containing proteins identified as human lactoferrin and human lysozyme, commonly found in breast milk, bile and tears. I am going to be sick. Would eating any of this make you a cannibal?
Technorati Tags: GMOs, genetically-modified organisms
Did you know that Japanese researchers have inserted a gene from the human liver into rice so that the rice can "digest pesticides and industrial chemicals"? Two years ago, it was revealed that Chinese scientists were experimenting with genetically-modified crops using human genes. Now, in mid-west USA, experiments are underway with GM crops that are intended to help fight diseases. These also contain human genes. Those who follow the GM debate are aware that there is little way to prevent contamination with conventional crops. Roundup Ready (tm) Canola has found its way into regular Canola and unapproved GM corn has shown up in stores.
Applied Phytologics Incorporated, an American corporation, has produced a GM rice crop containing proteins identified as human lactoferrin and human lysozyme, commonly found in breast milk, bile and tears. I am going to be sick. Would eating any of this make you a cannibal?
Technorati Tags: GMOs, genetically-modified organisms
Friday, April 22, 2005
My Daughter's Toy Iron
Another from my recent colour series (prev pic in this series).
I just love this picture. Do you?
Camera: Nikon FM; 50mm f1.8 lens
Lighting: Tungsten
Film: Kodak Professional Portra 100T
© 2004 Zydeco Fish
Technorati Tags: photography, colour photography, toys
Thursday, April 21, 2005
A Lunchtime Walk
Music World (a generally lame-ass store) has an inventory clear-out sale that seems only to apply to about 3 dozen DVDs. So much for that. But, I noticed that MW classified Leonard Cohen's latest Disc as "adult contemporary." I wonder what Leonard would think of that? I have reviewed that CD (briefly) and concluded that he might be getting old. Anyway, he is launching a world wide tour, so that is good news. Oh, and a new book from Lenny is on the way. So, that is more good news.
Back out on Yonge Street, I passed a guy standing over his little shitty boom box (remember when these were called ghetto blasters?). It seemed that he was bent on adding to the general noise pollution. Stairway to Heaven was blaring as I walked by. I couldn't conceive of a reason for him to be standing there offering distorted music as if he was proselytizing the passersby to the joys of Led Zeppelin. I wonder if he was pissing off the Dundas & Yonge bagpiper. It was sort of like stereo wars, but only one guy had a minor stereo.
HMV has a sale. No, this one is not the misnamed Biggest Sale Ever, which happens with alarming frequency, and it is always disappointing. They have a whack of CDs for $4.99. Trouble is, I can't imagine anyone wanting any of them, unless you are into the top hits from 1978 or, bizarrely, need a copy of a BTO CD or perhaps a b-list classical recording.
And this unrelated thought:
Although the new Pope has two rather unfortunate nick names (God's Rottweiler and Panzerkardinal), I have to say that I am mildly jealous, for I am notoriously difficult to nick name.
Technorati Tags: Music World, Leonard Cohen, Yonge & Dundas, HMV, Pope
Music World (a generally lame-ass store) has an inventory clear-out sale that seems only to apply to about 3 dozen DVDs. So much for that. But, I noticed that MW classified Leonard Cohen's latest Disc as "adult contemporary." I wonder what Leonard would think of that? I have reviewed that CD (briefly) and concluded that he might be getting old. Anyway, he is launching a world wide tour, so that is good news. Oh, and a new book from Lenny is on the way. So, that is more good news.
Back out on Yonge Street, I passed a guy standing over his little shitty boom box (remember when these were called ghetto blasters?). It seemed that he was bent on adding to the general noise pollution. Stairway to Heaven was blaring as I walked by. I couldn't conceive of a reason for him to be standing there offering distorted music as if he was proselytizing the passersby to the joys of Led Zeppelin. I wonder if he was pissing off the Dundas & Yonge bagpiper. It was sort of like stereo wars, but only one guy had a minor stereo.
HMV has a sale. No, this one is not the misnamed Biggest Sale Ever, which happens with alarming frequency, and it is always disappointing. They have a whack of CDs for $4.99. Trouble is, I can't imagine anyone wanting any of them, unless you are into the top hits from 1978 or, bizarrely, need a copy of a BTO CD or perhaps a b-list classical recording.
And this unrelated thought:
Although the new Pope has two rather unfortunate nick names (God's Rottweiler and Panzerkardinal), I have to say that I am mildly jealous, for I am notoriously difficult to nick name.
Technorati Tags: Music World, Leonard Cohen, Yonge & Dundas, HMV, Pope
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
A Mixture of Things
One)
It was one of those meetings where the question "where do you see yourself in ten years" came up. I wanted to say that I hoped to win a lottery and that I would be indulging my materialistic and hedonistic fantasies in several parts of the globe. You know: cars, houses, condos, toys, devices, useless things, objets d'art, travel, wine & chocolate for breakfast, wearing a silk dressing gown all day, a maid & butler service, a chauffeur, a live-in masseuse, parrots, things made of precious metals, jacuzzis, did I mention electronic thingys?, video phones, bean bag chairs, a pear tree, and cherries any time I want.
Instead, I gave a vague answer. "Oh, I don't really know. I'm just trying to do the best job I can in my current job." It seems I'm on someone's list as a candidate for a job no one wants.
Two)
This reminds me of Star Wars (for some reason). Qatar is replacing boy camel jockeys with robots. Yes, you read that right. In all seriousness, these child jockeys are really slaves. So, instead of using small willing people, Qatar did the obvious thing: they switched to robots. All riders will be robots by 2007.
Three)
Believe it or not, April 20th is Look Alike Day. (Yesterday was garlic day; tomorrow is kindergarten day). I'm looking forward to Friday, 'cause it's National Jelly Bean Day. Oh, and April 30th is Hairstyle Appreciation Day. Seems like a good day for a haircut. Of course, these days have American origins. I want to know if there's a bacon day.
Technorati Tags: job, camel racing, robots
One)
It was one of those meetings where the question "where do you see yourself in ten years" came up. I wanted to say that I hoped to win a lottery and that I would be indulging my materialistic and hedonistic fantasies in several parts of the globe. You know: cars, houses, condos, toys, devices, useless things, objets d'art, travel, wine & chocolate for breakfast, wearing a silk dressing gown all day, a maid & butler service, a chauffeur, a live-in masseuse, parrots, things made of precious metals, jacuzzis, did I mention electronic thingys?, video phones, bean bag chairs, a pear tree, and cherries any time I want.
Instead, I gave a vague answer. "Oh, I don't really know. I'm just trying to do the best job I can in my current job." It seems I'm on someone's list as a candidate for a job no one wants.
Two)
This reminds me of Star Wars (for some reason). Qatar is replacing boy camel jockeys with robots. Yes, you read that right. In all seriousness, these child jockeys are really slaves. So, instead of using small willing people, Qatar did the obvious thing: they switched to robots. All riders will be robots by 2007.
Three)
Believe it or not, April 20th is Look Alike Day. (Yesterday was garlic day; tomorrow is kindergarten day). I'm looking forward to Friday, 'cause it's National Jelly Bean Day. Oh, and April 30th is Hairstyle Appreciation Day. Seems like a good day for a haircut. Of course, these days have American origins. I want to know if there's a bacon day.
Technorati Tags: job, camel racing, robots
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
The Godfather of Figure Skating
In my dream last night, the world (and I) found out that Neil Young is an accomplished figure skater. I was present, at ice level, for his return to the sport after his recent aneurism. What I appreciated about Neil, the figure skater, was that he challenged the conventions of dress: he dressed in denim. There were no sequins, no frills, nothing shiny or white or ruffled. It was just rustic worn denim with skates that had a distictive dusty cowboy look. He was unshaven with mutton chop sideburns. The trouble was, the crowd did not cooperate.
They banged on the boards, chanting "Neil, Neil, Neil." He required quiet, and the crowd wasn't listening. I began to worry that he would not perform, that he would not skate. I woke up or my dreams moved on to other territory.
So, that's how the Godfather of Grunge became the Godfather of Figure Skating.
Although this was a weird dream, it is less weird than my Lou Reed Dream, I think.
Technorati Tags: Neil Young, dreams, figure skating
In my dream last night, the world (and I) found out that Neil Young is an accomplished figure skater. I was present, at ice level, for his return to the sport after his recent aneurism. What I appreciated about Neil, the figure skater, was that he challenged the conventions of dress: he dressed in denim. There were no sequins, no frills, nothing shiny or white or ruffled. It was just rustic worn denim with skates that had a distictive dusty cowboy look. He was unshaven with mutton chop sideburns. The trouble was, the crowd did not cooperate.
They banged on the boards, chanting "Neil, Neil, Neil." He required quiet, and the crowd wasn't listening. I began to worry that he would not perform, that he would not skate. I woke up or my dreams moved on to other territory.
So, that's how the Godfather of Grunge became the Godfather of Figure Skating.
Although this was a weird dream, it is less weird than my Lou Reed Dream, I think.
Technorati Tags: Neil Young, dreams, figure skating
Monday, April 18, 2005
Kill The Goat
So, I was cycling north on Yonge Street on Friday night, minding my own business, feeling the spring in my flowing mane of hair - I really do need a cut - and getting pissed at the peds who step off the curb because they either assess traffic conditions with their ears or they don't care if they get hit by a bike. It happened once to me: a pedestrian didn't even bother to look and I veered but still hit her.
And then, just as I had passed a guy who thrust himself right in front of me, some dude let go a belch that sounded like it came from the bowels of hell. I could feel it, stopped breathing so that I wouldn't taste it or breathe any of it in. No sooner had I overcome that trauma when I saw and heard another guy make an obnoxious horking noise (I know, hork is not a nice word). It was so loud that I thought he had snorted his nose into his throat. In a panic, I swerved just as his head turned towards the road and a wad of stuff came flying and landed on the road beside me. I had flashbacks to Montgomery Burns spitting out a chunk of the three-eyed fish. It all happened in slow motion.
At that point, I realized that one thing could have been added to this outstanding post (The Difference Between Men and Women) over at Kill The Goat. Women don't usually belch and spit in public, or at least not with the pleasure it seems to give men.
Blogger sucks (sometimes)
I just typed a longish and maybe funny post, and then lost it. Some server error toasted it. I am not happy right now.
Technorati Tags: Blogger
I just typed a longish and maybe funny post, and then lost it. Some server error toasted it. I am not happy right now.
Technorati Tags: Blogger
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Taken near Dupont & Dovercourt, Summer 2003
© 2003 Zydeco Fish.
Technorati Tags: photography, Dupont & Dovercourt
Friday, April 15, 2005
Remember the Cold War?
This is part of an advertisement from 1965. Note the spy theme. There's a camera, deceptively described as "Instant Photography." Yeah, right.
I love those two nifty anti-spy gadgets. There's the Secret Agent 0/0/9 - "Enemy aliens, spies and subversive characters, your days are numbered" - and the cunningly-devised Secret Sam Spy-Catching Kit, which comes with a camera, rifle attachment, pistol, silencer, periscope, and message missile. It's not hard to tell that the Cuban Missile Crisis happened three years before this advertisement was printed.
I guess I am feeling nostalgic today.
Technorati Tags: spy toys
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Battle of the Alarm Clocks
1) Clocky, the Robotic Alarm Clock
A grad student at MIT has created a robotic alarm clock - called Clocky - that runs away and hides after it goes off, so that one cannot hit the snooze button. Gauri Nanda, the inventor, said: "It is programmed to tell the motors to move randomly, to generate random speeds and directions so that the clock ends up in a new place every day."
I have to say that the most perplexing thing to me is why a graduate student would go to such lengths to get out of bed. Having been there, I would say that being a grad student is a good excuse for sleeping. Anyway, I have this theory that there is little one can do to rouse an oversleeper. So, I imagine that people will keep hard objects near their beds to hurl at the clock, and may even purchase shotguns to hunt it down with.
2) SleepSmart, the Smart Alarm Clock
In other alarm clock news, grad students at Brown University have invented a clock - called SleepSmart - that wakes people during their lightest sleep cycle. This one was invented by Eric Shashoua. One must wear a headband with electrodes that then passes sleep cycle information wirelessly to the clock. They say: "By using SleepSmart, you will never wake up feeling tired again."
I am not sure if this qualifies as an alarm clock. Apparently, you program it to wake you by a certain time, but what happens if you do not enter a light sleep cycle by that time?
My Analysis
I feel we are diverting too much attention to devices that get us out of bed. What we really need to do is figure out how we can do our jobs from our beds or while we are sleeping. I have really good ideas at night, honest.
Technorati Tags: alarm clocks, Clocky, SleepSmart
1) Clocky, the Robotic Alarm Clock
A grad student at MIT has created a robotic alarm clock - called Clocky - that runs away and hides after it goes off, so that one cannot hit the snooze button. Gauri Nanda, the inventor, said: "It is programmed to tell the motors to move randomly, to generate random speeds and directions so that the clock ends up in a new place every day."
I have to say that the most perplexing thing to me is why a graduate student would go to such lengths to get out of bed. Having been there, I would say that being a grad student is a good excuse for sleeping. Anyway, I have this theory that there is little one can do to rouse an oversleeper. So, I imagine that people will keep hard objects near their beds to hurl at the clock, and may even purchase shotguns to hunt it down with.
2) SleepSmart, the Smart Alarm Clock
In other alarm clock news, grad students at Brown University have invented a clock - called SleepSmart - that wakes people during their lightest sleep cycle. This one was invented by Eric Shashoua. One must wear a headband with electrodes that then passes sleep cycle information wirelessly to the clock. They say: "By using SleepSmart, you will never wake up feeling tired again."
I am not sure if this qualifies as an alarm clock. Apparently, you program it to wake you by a certain time, but what happens if you do not enter a light sleep cycle by that time?
My Analysis
I feel we are diverting too much attention to devices that get us out of bed. What we really need to do is figure out how we can do our jobs from our beds or while we are sleeping. I have really good ideas at night, honest.
Technorati Tags: alarm clocks, Clocky, SleepSmart
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Self Portrait #4 (OK, just kidding)
Knoop (from a recent colour series)
Camera: Nikon FM; 50mm f1.8 lens
Lighting: Tungsten
Film: Kodak Professional Portra 100T
© 2004 Zydeco Fish
I do not like clowns.
Technorati Tags: photography, colour photography, clowns, Knoop
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Keyword Obsession
I'll admit that I am fascinated by knowing which keyword searches brought people to this blog. I have posted twice on this (once; twice). Why, for example, do you think that two people were searching for web sites with the phrase "Decapitated Rabbit"? If you do a Google search on Kool Moo Dee, I have two of the top five hits? Clearly, he has sunk into total oblivion. And, I can't even take credit for the hits: the guy's name appears in a comment submitted by a reader.
The real lesson is that I ought to take the hint and start a new website or websites catering to some of the searchers' keen interests. Those appear to be Sagittarius traits, the most common keyword used, followed by cheatinghousewifeservices. I have two clear paths ahead of me now.
By the way, some of the others searches were:
01) tv twenty minute workout
02) grecce mp3
03) CBC commentary when perdita Felicien fell at the 2004 olympic games
04) marineland jingle
05) zydeco bittorrent
06) listen canadian tire "i'll start with you
07) leonard cohen nobel
08) www smoothy street fights
09) "beatrice ardisson"
10) "edna mode rules"
11) Pontiac "Say that I want you"
12) "say that i want you" pontiac
13) Review "Going to New Orleans" Charles Tidler
14) wakefield brewster 2005
15) pholde arc review
16) shane wiebe spare tire
17) you and i were meant to fly
18) "human harp"
19) Icefields the novel
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
I'll admit that I am fascinated by knowing which keyword searches brought people to this blog. I have posted twice on this (once; twice). Why, for example, do you think that two people were searching for web sites with the phrase "Decapitated Rabbit"? If you do a Google search on Kool Moo Dee, I have two of the top five hits? Clearly, he has sunk into total oblivion. And, I can't even take credit for the hits: the guy's name appears in a comment submitted by a reader.
The real lesson is that I ought to take the hint and start a new website or websites catering to some of the searchers' keen interests. Those appear to be Sagittarius traits, the most common keyword used, followed by cheatinghousewifeservices. I have two clear paths ahead of me now.
By the way, some of the others searches were:
01) tv twenty minute workout
02) grecce mp3
03) CBC commentary when perdita Felicien fell at the 2004 olympic games
04) marineland jingle
05) zydeco bittorrent
06) listen canadian tire "i'll start with you
07) leonard cohen nobel
08) www smoothy street fights
09) "beatrice ardisson"
10) "edna mode rules"
11) Pontiac "Say that I want you"
12) "say that i want you" pontiac
13) Review "Going to New Orleans" Charles Tidler
14) wakefield brewster 2005
15) pholde arc review
16) shane wiebe spare tire
17) you and i were meant to fly
18) "human harp"
19) Icefields the novel
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
Monday, April 11, 2005
Questions for a Monday
1) Why is Train 48 still on-the-air?.
2) Wouldn't it be cool if people had tails?
3) For the guys who wear y-fronts, do you use the specially- designed access point, or simply lift Mr. Johnson over the waistband?
4) Someone please tell me why one entry door of some buildings is often locked when there are double doors? Why have two doors if you are going to keep one locked? The people exiting have to negotiate with the people entering, and it just slows everything down
5) Isn't it a good thing, from an aesthetic point of view, that Charles and Camilla never had children?
6) Why, when I get an average of 38 page loads per day, have I only ever received a maximum of 8 comments?
7) Why does it please me immensely that Tiger Woods won the Masters, especially given that I am not even a golf fan?
8) Why have the Tories, according to the Toronto Star, surged ahead? I mean, if you are upset with the Liberals and the AdScam thing, I understand, although I think it''s a little overblown. But, why run to the Tories? This is a party that opposes gay marriage and freedom of choice. Stephen Harper is perhaps the most right wing federal party leader this county has ever seen. We don't need a Bush disciple. Remember, Harper would have sent our troops to Iraq.
9) Have you ever thought of changing your name and, if so, to what?
10) What else should I have asked?
Technorati Tags: questions
1) Why is Train 48 still on-the-air?.
2) Wouldn't it be cool if people had tails?
3) For the guys who wear y-fronts, do you use the specially- designed access point, or simply lift Mr. Johnson over the waistband?
4) Someone please tell me why one entry door of some buildings is often locked when there are double doors? Why have two doors if you are going to keep one locked? The people exiting have to negotiate with the people entering, and it just slows everything down
5) Isn't it a good thing, from an aesthetic point of view, that Charles and Camilla never had children?
6) Why, when I get an average of 38 page loads per day, have I only ever received a maximum of 8 comments?
7) Why does it please me immensely that Tiger Woods won the Masters, especially given that I am not even a golf fan?
8) Why have the Tories, according to the Toronto Star, surged ahead? I mean, if you are upset with the Liberals and the AdScam thing, I understand, although I think it''s a little overblown. But, why run to the Tories? This is a party that opposes gay marriage and freedom of choice. Stephen Harper is perhaps the most right wing federal party leader this county has ever seen. We don't need a Bush disciple. Remember, Harper would have sent our troops to Iraq.
9) Have you ever thought of changing your name and, if so, to what?
10) What else should I have asked?
Technorati Tags: questions
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Star Trek: The New Voyages
Well, it seems that everyone is talking about Star Trek these days, even those people who claim to hate it. Just as we are saying goodbye to the mediocre Enterprise, I found out about the New Voyages. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. The acting is marginally better than that found in pornographic movies, but not quite as good as that of the original series. I suppose that, for what it is, the acting is entirely suitable. I'll avoid a long discourse on casting and other finer points, mostly because I bailed after the first act of one episode. Perhaps I can just pose a question. What the hell is up with Kirk's hair?
Technorati Tags: Star Trek, New Voyages
Well, it seems that everyone is talking about Star Trek these days, even those people who claim to hate it. Just as we are saying goodbye to the mediocre Enterprise, I found out about the New Voyages. I almost couldn't believe what I was seeing. The acting is marginally better than that found in pornographic movies, but not quite as good as that of the original series. I suppose that, for what it is, the acting is entirely suitable. I'll avoid a long discourse on casting and other finer points, mostly because I bailed after the first act of one episode. Perhaps I can just pose a question. What the hell is up with Kirk's hair?
Technorati Tags: Star Trek, New Voyages
Friday, April 08, 2005
Self Portrait #3 (self portrait #2)
At the risk of possibly giving away my age, I offer this self-portrait, the most revealing so far. I took this many years ago, but I am not saying how many :-)
Camera: Minolta XG-M; 50mm F1.7 lens
Film: Illford (I think)
Developer: I can't remember
© 2005 Zydeco Fish
Technorati tags: self portraits, photography
No Soup for You!: Soup Nazi heads north
Torontoist recently reported on an Ottawa Sun article about an Ottawa guy who has acquired sole Canadian distribution rights for Al Yeganeh's soups, made at Soup Kitchen International. I guess that there will be lots of Seinfeld fans eager to try the Soup Nazi soups.
Technorati Tags: Soup Nazi
Torontoist recently reported on an Ottawa Sun article about an Ottawa guy who has acquired sole Canadian distribution rights for Al Yeganeh's soups, made at Soup Kitchen International. I guess that there will be lots of Seinfeld fans eager to try the Soup Nazi soups.
Technorati Tags: Soup Nazi
Thursday, April 07, 2005
My Favourite Website
Imagine a website that had free music, free films, free software, and free books.
I do have a fav website. I have a few. I like Arts & Letters Daily. That's cool. I like Allmusic. That's cool too. I like Space and, well, there are too many others to mention. But, there is one that is my favourite. And that site is the Internet Archive.
The Internet Archive describes itself as "A digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form." What's cool is that it is free and growing daily. Imagine free access to software, including such bizarre things as Donkey Kong 64 replay, all 13 hours and 20 minutes. There's text, like the Million Book Project, Project Gutenberg, and a Children's Library of 1477 titles.
But wait, there's more. You get a moving images collection, including such titles as Reefer Madness and Sex Madness and much much more. The archive has over 2000 films from the Prelinger Archives. If you want to re-live US election madness 2004, you have your choice of 677 films. It's really amazing. It has Universal Newsreels, all 617 episodes of PBS's Computer Chronicles, Mosaic Middle East News, Independent News, etc., etc. You can stream the videos or download them.
The archive is also home of the Way Back Machine. This is where you would go to get an image of CNN's home page on any date starting in June 2000. Remember this?
The best part for me are the Audio files. There is tons of free music here, licensed under the Creative Commons. Finally, we have sanity in the copyright world. The creative commons operates a flexible copyright scheme. As a result, a whole whack of music is available, free. From Netlabels to open source recordings, and a live music archive of almost 22,000 shows. There is a huge amount of free music. I just downloaded Cisfinitum and Edwin Morris and Mogwai and Axiomatic Integration and Orphax and more.
The Internet Archives seeks to become a home "of the literary 'orphans' (works whose owners are hard to find)" in a digital age. They have filed suit to entrench this view. You can read more about that here.
Technorati Tags: Internet Archive, Archive.org
Imagine a website that had free music, free films, free software, and free books.
I do have a fav website. I have a few. I like Arts & Letters Daily. That's cool. I like Allmusic. That's cool too. I like Space and, well, there are too many others to mention. But, there is one that is my favourite. And that site is the Internet Archive.
The Internet Archive describes itself as "A digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form." What's cool is that it is free and growing daily. Imagine free access to software, including such bizarre things as Donkey Kong 64 replay, all 13 hours and 20 minutes. There's text, like the Million Book Project, Project Gutenberg, and a Children's Library of 1477 titles.
But wait, there's more. You get a moving images collection, including such titles as Reefer Madness and Sex Madness and much much more. The archive has over 2000 films from the Prelinger Archives. If you want to re-live US election madness 2004, you have your choice of 677 films. It's really amazing. It has Universal Newsreels, all 617 episodes of PBS's Computer Chronicles, Mosaic Middle East News, Independent News, etc., etc. You can stream the videos or download them.
The archive is also home of the Way Back Machine. This is where you would go to get an image of CNN's home page on any date starting in June 2000. Remember this?
The best part for me are the Audio files. There is tons of free music here, licensed under the Creative Commons. Finally, we have sanity in the copyright world. The creative commons operates a flexible copyright scheme. As a result, a whole whack of music is available, free. From Netlabels to open source recordings, and a live music archive of almost 22,000 shows. There is a huge amount of free music. I just downloaded Cisfinitum and Edwin Morris and Mogwai and Axiomatic Integration and Orphax and more.
The Internet Archives seeks to become a home "of the literary 'orphans' (works whose owners are hard to find)" in a digital age. They have filed suit to entrench this view. You can read more about that here.
Technorati Tags: Internet Archive, Archive.org
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
If I Were Pope
My father advised me to never discuss religion or politics with friends. Today, I am not heeding his advice.
I must admit that the Pope selection process fascinates me, even though I am not Catholic. Maybe it was the three-Pope year of 1978 (Paul VI to John Paul I to John Paul II) that had something to do with it. I recall the rising smoke signaling that the voting was over and the choices made. The whole thing was mysterious and it seemed that I was watching history. Add to that the fascination I have with what secrets the Vatican has. I really wonder what is archived there, just what, exactly, is in Vatican library.
On my cycle in this morning, just as I was cruising through Queen's Park, I thought, what would I do if I were Pope? In truth, there are probably 5 or 6 billion people on this planet with a stronger right to claim the title than I, but I feel I could move the church into the 21st century. No one with even the faintest odds at being Pope, I suggest, has the guts to make some much needed changes.
I would end the Papal oppression against personal freedom, by endorsing birth control and the right to choose, sanctifying same-sex marriage, and permitting the clergy to marry. That's just for starters. Many churches are experiencing a mass exodus. It's a slow secular revolution, except in a Latin America and even Cuba, and, as we know, the United States - where the bible belt stretches far and wide - and the middle east - where Fundamentalist Islam is still on the rise. Doesn't it make sense that it we eliminate organized religion, we eliminate one of history's most violent battlegrounds?
Technorati Tags: Popes, religion, contraception, same-sex marriage, organized religion
My father advised me to never discuss religion or politics with friends. Today, I am not heeding his advice.
I must admit that the Pope selection process fascinates me, even though I am not Catholic. Maybe it was the three-Pope year of 1978 (Paul VI to John Paul I to John Paul II) that had something to do with it. I recall the rising smoke signaling that the voting was over and the choices made. The whole thing was mysterious and it seemed that I was watching history. Add to that the fascination I have with what secrets the Vatican has. I really wonder what is archived there, just what, exactly, is in Vatican library.
On my cycle in this morning, just as I was cruising through Queen's Park, I thought, what would I do if I were Pope? In truth, there are probably 5 or 6 billion people on this planet with a stronger right to claim the title than I, but I feel I could move the church into the 21st century. No one with even the faintest odds at being Pope, I suggest, has the guts to make some much needed changes.
I would end the Papal oppression against personal freedom, by endorsing birth control and the right to choose, sanctifying same-sex marriage, and permitting the clergy to marry. That's just for starters. Many churches are experiencing a mass exodus. It's a slow secular revolution, except in a Latin America and even Cuba, and, as we know, the United States - where the bible belt stretches far and wide - and the middle east - where Fundamentalist Islam is still on the rise. Doesn't it make sense that it we eliminate organized religion, we eliminate one of history's most violent battlegrounds?
Technorati Tags: Popes, religion, contraception, same-sex marriage, organized religion
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
TrouttheCat told Zydeco Fish about Guzzlefish and it got me thinking about collections, collectors, and gender. At times, I have wondered if obsessive collecting is a psychiatric disorder (and I say that knowing that I have tons of CDs, a camera collection, and an inherited stamp collection). I don't think there is a collecting disorder condition in the DSM-IV, aside from bag ladies, perhaps. And that leads me to my next point: men get away with collecting anything and, I think, fewer women collect things. Maybe it's just that I know few women who collect things.
Anyway, all of that is by way of introduction to online collections. Guzzlefish allows you to create an online database of your DVDs, CDs, and games. There is another one, which is more of a trading community, called SonicSwap. They are interesting, but I found that so many artists in my CD collection were missing, it would take ages to upload song titles and cover art.
Am I wrong about the gender of collectors?
Technorati Tags: music, Guzzlefish, collecting
Anyway, all of that is by way of introduction to online collections. Guzzlefish allows you to create an online database of your DVDs, CDs, and games. There is another one, which is more of a trading community, called SonicSwap. They are interesting, but I found that so many artists in my CD collection were missing, it would take ages to upload song titles and cover art.
Am I wrong about the gender of collectors?
Technorati Tags: music, Guzzlefish, collecting
Yet another picture, 'cause I'm lazy and can't think of anything else to post.
Infrared Tree Series; High Park, 2003 (prev infrared pic)
Camera: Nikon FM, 50mm F1.8 lens
Film: Kodak HEI High Speed Infrared Film
Developer: Dektol
© 2003 Zydeco Fish
Technorati tags: photography, infrared photography, High Park
Monday, April 04, 2005
This here music mash up the nation
This here music cause a sensation
The Legacy Edition - 25 Years after London Calling (instead of a Juno rant)
I bought London Calling in 1979, which was a good year for music, at least for me. I know, dear readers, that some of you were too young to remember much of 1979, but that was the year I found XTC, The Clash, Pink Floyd, and a host of others, some of whom have not aged well (but I won't mention those). London Calling, I believe, was the best album to come out that year (followed closely by Leonard Cohen's Recent Songs). After all of these years, I would rank London Calling as one of the top five rock records of all time. It is, beyond any doubt, a rock and roll masterpiece.
The cover picture screams punk - Paul Simonon about to smash his Fender bass. But even on first listen, most Clash fans could recognize the astonishing musical maturation that this album represented. The album opens with the apocalyptic pop title track, London Calling, and moves quickly into reggae, rockabilly, folk rock, more straight up pop and even a hint of the blues. The Clash had moved on to the new territory of postpunk, and they did it fantastically well.
Here's a good quote from Amanda Petrusich:
"The Clash are a rock band, and 1979's London Calling is their creative apex, a booming, infallible tribute to throbbing guitars and spacious ideology. " link
And another, from Adrien Begrand:
"The influence of London Calling on rock music is immeasurable. Not only did it break down barriers for punk rock, achieving mainstream success, in both the UK and North America, but it also proved that it was okay for a punk band to be great musicians, adventurous even." link
I believe in this and it's been tested by research...
Technorati Tags: music, The Clash, London Calling
This here music cause a sensation
The Legacy Edition - 25 Years after London Calling (instead of a Juno rant)
I bought London Calling in 1979, which was a good year for music, at least for me. I know, dear readers, that some of you were too young to remember much of 1979, but that was the year I found XTC, The Clash, Pink Floyd, and a host of others, some of whom have not aged well (but I won't mention those). London Calling, I believe, was the best album to come out that year (followed closely by Leonard Cohen's Recent Songs). After all of these years, I would rank London Calling as one of the top five rock records of all time. It is, beyond any doubt, a rock and roll masterpiece.
The cover picture screams punk - Paul Simonon about to smash his Fender bass. But even on first listen, most Clash fans could recognize the astonishing musical maturation that this album represented. The album opens with the apocalyptic pop title track, London Calling, and moves quickly into reggae, rockabilly, folk rock, more straight up pop and even a hint of the blues. The Clash had moved on to the new territory of postpunk, and they did it fantastically well.
Here's a good quote from Amanda Petrusich:
"The Clash are a rock band, and 1979's London Calling is their creative apex, a booming, infallible tribute to throbbing guitars and spacious ideology. " link
And another, from Adrien Begrand:
"The influence of London Calling on rock music is immeasurable. Not only did it break down barriers for punk rock, achieving mainstream success, in both the UK and North America, but it also proved that it was okay for a punk band to be great musicians, adventurous even." link
I believe in this and it's been tested by research...
Technorati Tags: music, The Clash, London Calling
Spring
In May
lilies of the valley
bloomed beneath our
kitchen window
and my mother
would weep on
open leaves, softly
on silent white
Christmas bells,
into a forest of yawning
golden daffodils
until her tears ran
dry and the
flowers fell
away
and she would wait
again for spring
saving her tears for
something she loved
© 1996 Zydeco Fish
Technorati Tags: poetry
In May
lilies of the valley
bloomed beneath our
kitchen window
and my mother
would weep on
open leaves, softly
on silent white
Christmas bells,
into a forest of yawning
golden daffodils
until her tears ran
dry and the
flowers fell
away
and she would wait
again for spring
saving her tears for
something she loved
© 1996 Zydeco Fish
Technorati Tags: poetry
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Infrared Tree Series; High Park, 2003 (prev infrared pic)
Camera: Nikon FM, 50mm F1.8 lens
Film: Kodak HEI High Speed Infrared Film
Developer: Dektol
© 2004 Zydeco Fish
Technorati tags: photography, infrared photography, High Park
Friday, April 01, 2005
Pop Goes the Pope
Yeah, I know - he's not dead yet. I do find it amazing that he has lived so long. After all, he has survived two assassination attempts (the most serious one in 1981). He has arthritis and Parkinson's Disease. He has had a tumour removed from his colon, dislocated his shoulder, and broken his femur. More recently, he had the influenza. What's worse, and he had to deal with all of those religious freaks treating him like a little God, or the God on earth. And now, I quote Rabelais, from Gargantua and Pantagruel (one of my all-time favourite books), Chapter 4:
(If you find this boring, please skip)
"As soon as the boat had clapped them on board, they all with one voice asked, Have you seen him, good passengers, have you seen him? Who? asked Pantagruel. You know who, answered they. Who is it? asked Friar John. 'Sblood and 'ounds, I'll thrash him thick and threefold. This he said thinking that they inquired after some robber, murderer, or church-breaker. Oh, wonderful! cried the four; do not you foreign people know the one? Sirs, replied Epistemon, we do not understand those terms; but if you will be pleased to let us know who you mean, we will tell you the truth of the matter without any more ado. We mean, said they, he that is. Did you ever see him? He that is, returned Pantagruel, according to our theological doctrine, is God, who said to Moses, I am that I am. We never saw him, nor can he be beheld by mortal eyes. We mean nothing less than that supreme God who rules in heaven, replied they; we mean the god on earth. Did you ever see him? Upon my honour, replied Carpalin, they mean the pope. Ay, ay, answered Panurge; yea, verily, gentlemen, I have seen three of them, whose sight has not much bettered me. How! cried they, our sacred decretals inform us that there never is more than one living. I mean successively, one after the other, returned Panurge; otherwise I never saw more than one at a time.
Yeah, I know - he's not dead yet. I do find it amazing that he has lived so long. After all, he has survived two assassination attempts (the most serious one in 1981). He has arthritis and Parkinson's Disease. He has had a tumour removed from his colon, dislocated his shoulder, and broken his femur. More recently, he had the influenza. What's worse, and he had to deal with all of those religious freaks treating him like a little God, or the God on earth. And now, I quote Rabelais, from Gargantua and Pantagruel (one of my all-time favourite books), Chapter 4:
(If you find this boring, please skip)
"As soon as the boat had clapped them on board, they all with one voice asked, Have you seen him, good passengers, have you seen him? Who? asked Pantagruel. You know who, answered they. Who is it? asked Friar John. 'Sblood and 'ounds, I'll thrash him thick and threefold. This he said thinking that they inquired after some robber, murderer, or church-breaker. Oh, wonderful! cried the four; do not you foreign people know the one? Sirs, replied Epistemon, we do not understand those terms; but if you will be pleased to let us know who you mean, we will tell you the truth of the matter without any more ado. We mean, said they, he that is. Did you ever see him? He that is, returned Pantagruel, according to our theological doctrine, is God, who said to Moses, I am that I am. We never saw him, nor can he be beheld by mortal eyes. We mean nothing less than that supreme God who rules in heaven, replied they; we mean the god on earth. Did you ever see him? Upon my honour, replied Carpalin, they mean the pope. Ay, ay, answered Panurge; yea, verily, gentlemen, I have seen three of them, whose sight has not much bettered me. How! cried they, our sacred decretals inform us that there never is more than one living. I mean successively, one after the other, returned Panurge; otherwise I never saw more than one at a time.
"O thrice and four times happy people! cried they; you are welcome, and more than double welcome! They then kneeled down before us and would have kissed our feet, but we would not suffer it, telling them that should the pope come thither in his own person, 'tis all they could do to him. No, certainly, answered they, for we have already resolved upon the matter. We would kiss his bare arse without boggling at it, and eke his two pounders; for he has a pair of them, the holy father, that he has; we find it so by our fine decretals, otherwise he could not be pope. So that, according to our subtle decretaline philosophy, this is a necessary consequence: he is pope; therefore he has genitories, and should genitories no more be found in the world, the world could no more have a pope.
While they were talking thus, Pantagruel inquired of one of the coxswain's crew who those persons were. He answered that they were the four estates of the island, and added that we should be made as welcome as princes, since we had seen the pope. Panurge having been acquainted with this by Pantagruel, said to him in his ear, I swear and vow, sir, 'tis even so; he that has patience may compass anything. Seeing the pope had done us no good; now, in the devil's name, 'twill do us a great deal. We then went ashore, and the whole country, men, women, and children, came to meet us as in a solemn procession. Our four estates cried out to them with a loud voice, They have seen him! they have seen him! they have seen him! That proclamation being made, all the mob kneeled before us, lifting up their hands towards heaven, and crying, O happy men! O most happy! and this acclamation lasted above a quarter of an hour."
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Infrared Tree Series; High Park, 2003
Camera: Nikon FM, 50mm F1.8 lens
Film: Kodak HEI High Speed Infrared Film
Developer: Dektol
© 2003 Zydeco Fish
Technorati tags: photography, infrared photography, High Park
Wednesday, March 30, 2005
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
Finally, the National Post has published some interesting news. Paul Kennedy, host of CBC Radio's Ideas, has launched a campaign to nominate Leonard Cohen--one of my personal heroes--for the Nobel Prize in Literature. (I am not sure how long this link to the article will remain valid).
If you are going to be in Montreal on Saturday, April 2 and have $5 to spare, why not check out CBC Blue?:
Saturday, April 2, 8:30 A Nobel for Leonard Cohen
panelists: Karen Young, George Elliott Clarke, Michel Garneau, Edward Palumbo
Host: Paul Kennedy
Salon Jeanne Mance, Hyatt Regency, 1255 Jeanne Mance.
I believe that Leonard Cohen was the greatest songwriter of the 20th century. Only time will prove that statement correct, but I'll be long dead by then.
Here is a fascinating story behind a haunting Cohen song, Seems so Long Ago, Nancy. This is a must read for Cohen fans everywhere.
Technorati tags: Leonard Cohen, Nobel Prize, Seems so Long Ago, Nancy
That's how the light gets in
Finally, the National Post has published some interesting news. Paul Kennedy, host of CBC Radio's Ideas, has launched a campaign to nominate Leonard Cohen--one of my personal heroes--for the Nobel Prize in Literature. (I am not sure how long this link to the article will remain valid).
If you are going to be in Montreal on Saturday, April 2 and have $5 to spare, why not check out CBC Blue?:
Saturday, April 2, 8:30 A Nobel for Leonard Cohen
panelists: Karen Young, George Elliott Clarke, Michel Garneau, Edward Palumbo
Host: Paul Kennedy
Salon Jeanne Mance, Hyatt Regency, 1255 Jeanne Mance.
I believe that Leonard Cohen was the greatest songwriter of the 20th century. Only time will prove that statement correct, but I'll be long dead by then.
Here is a fascinating story behind a haunting Cohen song, Seems so Long Ago, Nancy. This is a must read for Cohen fans everywhere.
Technorati tags: Leonard Cohen, Nobel Prize, Seems so Long Ago, Nancy
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
When they dance in a reptile blaze
The crossing guard was blasting out ABBA today and now my brain is infected with bad music. It's not like I needed any more encouragement to get my butt over to Sam The Record Man today and pick up the new Beck album for the incredibly low price of $11.99 - now that's a deal. In my humble opinion, Beck is some sort of bizarre musical genius. Mutations has a place in my list of top ten albums of all time. It is the best Beck album, without question, musically and lyrically.
Eagles drone and pose alone like black balloons all banged and blown
On a backwards river, the infidels shiver in the stench of belief
And tell my momma I'm a hundred years late, I'm over the rails and out of the race
The crippled psalms of an age that won't thaw are ringing in my ears
Holding hands with an impotent dream in a brothel of fake energy
Put a nickel in a graveyard machine, I get higher and lower
I get higher and lower like a tired soldier with nothing to shoot
And nowhere to lose this bottle of blues
Technorati tags: music, Beck
The crossing guard was blasting out ABBA today and now my brain is infected with bad music. It's not like I needed any more encouragement to get my butt over to Sam The Record Man today and pick up the new Beck album for the incredibly low price of $11.99 - now that's a deal. In my humble opinion, Beck is some sort of bizarre musical genius. Mutations has a place in my list of top ten albums of all time. It is the best Beck album, without question, musically and lyrically.
Eagles drone and pose alone like black balloons all banged and blown
On a backwards river, the infidels shiver in the stench of belief
And tell my momma I'm a hundred years late, I'm over the rails and out of the race
The crippled psalms of an age that won't thaw are ringing in my ears
Holding hands with an impotent dream in a brothel of fake energy
Put a nickel in a graveyard machine, I get higher and lower
I get higher and lower like a tired soldier with nothing to shoot
And nowhere to lose this bottle of blues
Technorati tags: music, Beck
Monday, March 28, 2005
The Kilt
Despite being half Scottish, I do not own a kilt, nor have I ever worn one. I think that is a serious oversight. Of course, they are expensive garments and, let's be honest, unless you are Prince Charles, how often does one really get a chance to wear a kilt, especially in Canada? And then, there is the whole issue of whether or not to "go commando."
Anyway, I am a bit miffed at the University of Cambridge. The administration has banned Scottish students from wearing kilts at graduation ceremonies. In truth, they have also banned other national dress and armed forces uniforms. This strikes me as remarkably intolerant. But, I wonder if it has something to do with that infamous picture of the Queen and the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders?
In other news, who will ever eat at Wendy's again (link)?
Update
This woman has dropped the suit against Wendy's. According to one story I read, she has a history of making legal claims against corporations, including General Motors and a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Technorati tags: kilts, Wendy's
Despite being half Scottish, I do not own a kilt, nor have I ever worn one. I think that is a serious oversight. Of course, they are expensive garments and, let's be honest, unless you are Prince Charles, how often does one really get a chance to wear a kilt, especially in Canada? And then, there is the whole issue of whether or not to "go commando."
Anyway, I am a bit miffed at the University of Cambridge. The administration has banned Scottish students from wearing kilts at graduation ceremonies. In truth, they have also banned other national dress and armed forces uniforms. This strikes me as remarkably intolerant. But, I wonder if it has something to do with that infamous picture of the Queen and the 1st Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders?
In other news, who will ever eat at Wendy's again (link)?
Update
This woman has dropped the suit against Wendy's. According to one story I read, she has a history of making legal claims against corporations, including General Motors and a restaurant in Las Vegas.
Technorati tags: kilts, Wendy's
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Easter Bunnies
If you are thinking of purchasing a cute little bunny for Easter - for you or someone close to you -please heed this dire warning from the House Rabbit Society. They say that Easter and Bunnies Don't Mix. They write: "The exuberance of even the gentlest toddler is stressful for the sensitive rabbit." They add that there are many abandoned rabbits after Easter. And I thought that they were worried that all of those cute little bunnies were going to be turned into Easter dinner.
So, just in case you come into possession of a cute little bunny and you can't be bothered caring for it (or you get tired of it) here are some rabbit recipe sites:
1) Rabbit Recipes
2) A Terrific Collection of Rabbit Recipes
3) Rabbit Recipes (from Rabbit Hunting Online)
Or, click here to Google it.
I wonder if the food bank would take an unloved bunny? Really, I am not that cruel :-) Happy Easter, if you celebrate such things.
Technorati tags: Easter, rabbits, recipes
If you are thinking of purchasing a cute little bunny for Easter - for you or someone close to you -please heed this dire warning from the House Rabbit Society. They say that Easter and Bunnies Don't Mix. They write: "The exuberance of even the gentlest toddler is stressful for the sensitive rabbit." They add that there are many abandoned rabbits after Easter. And I thought that they were worried that all of those cute little bunnies were going to be turned into Easter dinner.
So, just in case you come into possession of a cute little bunny and you can't be bothered caring for it (or you get tired of it) here are some rabbit recipe sites:
1) Rabbit Recipes
2) A Terrific Collection of Rabbit Recipes
3) Rabbit Recipes (from Rabbit Hunting Online)
Or, click here to Google it.
I wonder if the food bank would take an unloved bunny? Really, I am not that cruel :-) Happy Easter, if you celebrate such things.
Technorati tags: Easter, rabbits, recipes
Yet Another Reader Writes
Wow, blogging recently got a whole lot easier. If this keeps up, I won't need to think of anything to write about. I'll just re-post email messages. This guy, known by many names, including simply '7' offered this comment:
"Where the hell is Zydeco Fish the man? I know how dangerous it is to be honest but I was hoping to read more about the inner person -- or maybe I just missed it. The closest I got was a mention of sex blogs and '14 Random Facts About Me'.
Like I mention, I want more about you. Easy for me to say since I don't have a blog."
And then, he offered this, which I characterize as a sort of guest post (included here with his permission):
"Recently I began a very private journal, one in which I write about my sex life, in all its graphic detail. From my experiences with Richard R. (1960-61), wrestling just about each Monday evening at our Boy Scouts meeting. I knew Richard would get an erection during our struggles. As he held me tightly, I got to touch it. Then he'd get angry and wrestle even harder. Ah, how I loved Mondays.
"Richard and I lived outside of Cornwall and went to the same grade school. After 4:30 pm Richard would often chase me home, bully that he was. One time I remember he took me to the woods (how I love the woods) and tied me to a tree. I don't think that anything overt happened, but I do recall that Richard wrapped his arms around me, forcing me against the tree and lingered way too long.
"Anyway Richard moved on as they say, lost all of his hair, married, and sold metal detectors in a town that had no beaches."
All I can really say to that is, oh my! And, I'm afraid I'll never post something as personal as that.
Technorati tags: reader comments
Wow, blogging recently got a whole lot easier. If this keeps up, I won't need to think of anything to write about. I'll just re-post email messages. This guy, known by many names, including simply '7' offered this comment:
"Where the hell is Zydeco Fish the man? I know how dangerous it is to be honest but I was hoping to read more about the inner person -- or maybe I just missed it. The closest I got was a mention of sex blogs and '14 Random Facts About Me'.
Like I mention, I want more about you. Easy for me to say since I don't have a blog."
And then, he offered this, which I characterize as a sort of guest post (included here with his permission):
"Recently I began a very private journal, one in which I write about my sex life, in all its graphic detail. From my experiences with Richard R. (1960-61), wrestling just about each Monday evening at our Boy Scouts meeting. I knew Richard would get an erection during our struggles. As he held me tightly, I got to touch it. Then he'd get angry and wrestle even harder. Ah, how I loved Mondays.
"Richard and I lived outside of Cornwall and went to the same grade school. After 4:30 pm Richard would often chase me home, bully that he was. One time I remember he took me to the woods (how I love the woods) and tied me to a tree. I don't think that anything overt happened, but I do recall that Richard wrapped his arms around me, forcing me against the tree and lingered way too long.
"Anyway Richard moved on as they say, lost all of his hair, married, and sold metal detectors in a town that had no beaches."
All I can really say to that is, oh my! And, I'm afraid I'll never post something as personal as that.
Technorati tags: reader comments
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
More Keyword Mayhem
Previous post on this topic.
Hey, here's some more keywords used to find this blog:
1) lubitel 166u mask
2) pornographic sexpots
3) wakefield brewster
4) large erect nipples video
5) moxy fruvous "album covers"
6) "david cesarini" koestler
7) kool moo dee
8) pronounce "zydeco"
9) Zydeco pronounce
10) thesis about quail meat,pdf (note to this person: you need a lesson is how to search the web).
11) zydeco fish (again)
12) "fabulous life of simon cowell"
13) nympho librarian blog
14) jann arden whiner
15) "mouth like a black hole"
16) snoopisms
17) biography Robert Munch's
18) influenza infection quicktime movie
19) London's Portman Square orgy
20) "erect nipples"
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
Previous post on this topic.
Hey, here's some more keywords used to find this blog:
1) lubitel 166u mask
2) pornographic sexpots
3) wakefield brewster
4) large erect nipples video
5) moxy fruvous "album covers"
6) "david cesarini" koestler
7) kool moo dee
8) pronounce "zydeco"
9) Zydeco pronounce
10) thesis about quail meat,pdf (note to this person: you need a lesson is how to search the web).
11) zydeco fish (again)
12) "fabulous life of simon cowell"
13) nympho librarian blog
14) jann arden whiner
15) "mouth like a black hole"
16) snoopisms
17) biography Robert Munch's
18) influenza infection quicktime movie
19) London's Portman Square orgy
20) "erect nipples"
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
Tuesday, March 22, 2005
Another Reader Writes
There is no way to introduce this one:
"I find your blog impressive. If I had anything worthwhile to say I would create one myself. I think your blog personality is in some ways more intelligent (but less interesting) than you are. However, I cannot help but suspect that a majority of the experiences you describe are figments of your imagination. "
And, later:
I did a good job defending your blog - I remember using phrases like "paranoid, self-deluded but still intelligent" and "better than spending hours looking for online pornography" - but then I realized that I'd better just simply forward the comments to you...you probably don't take requests, but perhaps you can use them in a future blog topic?"
I don't take requests, but for you I will make an exception. Oh, and if you want to add anything, leave a comment.
Technorati tags: reader comments
There is no way to introduce this one:
"I find your blog impressive. If I had anything worthwhile to say I would create one myself. I think your blog personality is in some ways more intelligent (but less interesting) than you are. However, I cannot help but suspect that a majority of the experiences you describe are figments of your imagination. "
And, later:
I did a good job defending your blog - I remember using phrases like "paranoid, self-deluded but still intelligent" and "better than spending hours looking for online pornography" - but then I realized that I'd better just simply forward the comments to you...you probably don't take requests, but perhaps you can use them in a future blog topic?"
I don't take requests, but for you I will make an exception. Oh, and if you want to add anything, leave a comment.
Technorati tags: reader comments
Monday, March 21, 2005
A Reader Writes
So I got some email from a reader who has some comments and questions:
"Comments? Really? I hate leaving comments. It forces me to think!"
"Sometimes it takes me awhile to put a coherent sentence together especially today."
"but you are forcing me think and everyone will read my comment won't they? I'm afraid, very afraid!!"
I'm sure you'll get over it. After all, you can post anonymously, and I'll never know it was you.
"where did you get Zydeco Fish??? "Hey you, leave a comment". Well that is inspiring. Oh can this count as a comment?"
Zydeco Fish is the title of one of the first poems I had published, and no, that doesn't count as a comment.
"do you play the guitar?"
I try.
"haha...your post on Celine was funny"
This one or this one? But, thanks.
Technorati tags: reader comments
So I got some email from a reader who has some comments and questions:
"Comments? Really? I hate leaving comments. It forces me to think!"
"Sometimes it takes me awhile to put a coherent sentence together especially today."
"but you are forcing me think and everyone will read my comment won't they? I'm afraid, very afraid!!"
I'm sure you'll get over it. After all, you can post anonymously, and I'll never know it was you.
"where did you get Zydeco Fish??? "Hey you, leave a comment". Well that is inspiring. Oh can this count as a comment?"
Zydeco Fish is the title of one of the first poems I had published, and no, that doesn't count as a comment.
"do you play the guitar?"
I try.
"haha...your post on Celine was funny"
This one or this one? But, thanks.
Technorati tags: reader comments
Friday, March 18, 2005
Happy Spring
It's Friday and all I can think about is spring. So, happy spring. By the way, spring comes on Sunday this year, the 20th, not the 21st, as you might expect.
I am not a Star Wars fan by any means, and so you can imagine that I care little about the new film that is about to be released. After all, I fell asleep during the last one. I still can't decide which was more boring: Lord of the Rings or Episode II. So, just why is it that George Lucas thinks that re-releasing these films is 3D is a good idea? Beginning in 2007, we could be faced with a remastered 3D Star War film every year for six years. That means more Star Wars hype into 2013. Can't he move on and do something else?
Technorati tags: spring, movies, Star Wars
It's Friday and all I can think about is spring. So, happy spring. By the way, spring comes on Sunday this year, the 20th, not the 21st, as you might expect.
I am not a Star Wars fan by any means, and so you can imagine that I care little about the new film that is about to be released. After all, I fell asleep during the last one. I still can't decide which was more boring: Lord of the Rings or Episode II. So, just why is it that George Lucas thinks that re-releasing these films is 3D is a good idea? Beginning in 2007, we could be faced with a remastered 3D Star War film every year for six years. That means more Star Wars hype into 2013. Can't he move on and do something else?
Technorati tags: spring, movies, Star Wars
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Happy St. Patrick's Day
It's really a coincidence that I am wearing a green shirt today. I competely forgot what today is. Ever since Grade 5, when someone laughed at my green shirt, I have avoided green on St, Patrick's Day. Green is not my colour anyway, or maybe it is?
But, I think I have the right to wear green, given that I have a great grandmother who was born in Ireland. In August 1649, Oliver Cromwell sent his army to crush Ireland.
There's a good Pogues song, called Young Ned of the Hill. They sing:
A curse upon you Oliver Cromwell
You who raped our motherland
I hope you're rotting down in hell
For the horrors that you sent
To our misfortunate forefathers
Whom you robbed of their birthright
To hell or Connaught
May you burn in hell tonight
I have Scottish heritage too. My father was born in Glasgow. In July 1650, Oliver Cromwell sent his army to crush Scotland. Oh, and there's a good Proclaimers song, called Cap in Hand. They sing:
But I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land
We're cap in hand
and:
We fight-when they ask us
We boast-then we cower
We beg
For a piece of
What's already ours
It's interesting that Cromwell died in 1658, but was exhumed in 1661 to be executed, posthumously. It was a little too late, by any stretch.
Oh, and I know something about this, having taken an entire graduate history course on the English Civil War. At the end, my head was filled with stuff on the Whigs, the Puritans, the rise of the New Model Army, the Roundheads, Levellers, and the Diggers (True Levellers). And, that reminds me that also in 1649, Gerrard Winstanley took his Diggers to St. George's Hill. But that, as they say, is another story
Technorati tags: St. Patrick's Day, Ireland, Oliver Cromwell, Pogues, Scotland, Proclaimers
It's really a coincidence that I am wearing a green shirt today. I competely forgot what today is. Ever since Grade 5, when someone laughed at my green shirt, I have avoided green on St, Patrick's Day. Green is not my colour anyway, or maybe it is?
But, I think I have the right to wear green, given that I have a great grandmother who was born in Ireland. In August 1649, Oliver Cromwell sent his army to crush Ireland.
There's a good Pogues song, called Young Ned of the Hill. They sing:
A curse upon you Oliver Cromwell
You who raped our motherland
I hope you're rotting down in hell
For the horrors that you sent
To our misfortunate forefathers
Whom you robbed of their birthright
To hell or Connaught
May you burn in hell tonight
I have Scottish heritage too. My father was born in Glasgow. In July 1650, Oliver Cromwell sent his army to crush Scotland. Oh, and there's a good Proclaimers song, called Cap in Hand. They sing:
But I can't understand why we let someone else rule our land
We're cap in hand
and:
We fight-when they ask us
We boast-then we cower
We beg
For a piece of
What's already ours
It's interesting that Cromwell died in 1658, but was exhumed in 1661 to be executed, posthumously. It was a little too late, by any stretch.
Oh, and I know something about this, having taken an entire graduate history course on the English Civil War. At the end, my head was filled with stuff on the Whigs, the Puritans, the rise of the New Model Army, the Roundheads, Levellers, and the Diggers (True Levellers). And, that reminds me that also in 1649, Gerrard Winstanley took his Diggers to St. George's Hill. But that, as they say, is another story
Technorati tags: St. Patrick's Day, Ireland, Oliver Cromwell, Pogues, Scotland, Proclaimers
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
College Street Fights
During my leisurely after-work stroll home, while listening to Brian Eno, I witnessed two violent and simultaneous events near the corner of College and Robert. This happened:
A guy was pushing and shoving another guy on the sidewalk. The pushed one ended up flat on his back in the snow. He covered his face with his coat and hands just as I heard a bicycle bell ring out. So, at the same time - and less than ten feet away from this scuffle - I hear a cyclist screaming at the driver of a mini van, calling him a 'dumb ass' for driving in the bike lane and telling the driver how he had hit his handlebars. It was hard to decide which altercation to follow because the other guy was poking the guy, who was flat on his back in the snow, about the face and telling him to keep out of whatever was going on because it was none of his business. Meanwhile, the cyclist was really screaming at the driver (and, believe me, I sympathize, having been almost pinned between turning cars and parked cars on several occasions).
About eight or nine people turned their attention to the goings on, but no one stepped in. The guy who had his quarry pinned on the sidewalk seemed very unstable to me, but it was clear that he was happy with the intimidation he had brought upon his foe cowering in the snow. No one came to the aid of the cyclist (or the driver, for that matter), mostly because I think people are apathetic to the plight of the urban cyclist in Toronto. As I cycled in today, I reflected on the reality of the situation: the car rules here, despite the large numbers of cyclists in this city.
Technorati tags: Toronto, College Street, cycling, street fighting
During my leisurely after-work stroll home, while listening to Brian Eno, I witnessed two violent and simultaneous events near the corner of College and Robert. This happened:
A guy was pushing and shoving another guy on the sidewalk. The pushed one ended up flat on his back in the snow. He covered his face with his coat and hands just as I heard a bicycle bell ring out. So, at the same time - and less than ten feet away from this scuffle - I hear a cyclist screaming at the driver of a mini van, calling him a 'dumb ass' for driving in the bike lane and telling the driver how he had hit his handlebars. It was hard to decide which altercation to follow because the other guy was poking the guy, who was flat on his back in the snow, about the face and telling him to keep out of whatever was going on because it was none of his business. Meanwhile, the cyclist was really screaming at the driver (and, believe me, I sympathize, having been almost pinned between turning cars and parked cars on several occasions).
About eight or nine people turned their attention to the goings on, but no one stepped in. The guy who had his quarry pinned on the sidewalk seemed very unstable to me, but it was clear that he was happy with the intimidation he had brought upon his foe cowering in the snow. No one came to the aid of the cyclist (or the driver, for that matter), mostly because I think people are apathetic to the plight of the urban cyclist in Toronto. As I cycled in today, I reflected on the reality of the situation: the car rules here, despite the large numbers of cyclists in this city.
Technorati tags: Toronto, College Street, cycling, street fighting
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Keyword Mayhem
Hey, here's some keywords used to find this blog:
1) what on tvo kids kids on tuesday and thursday (note to this person: you have no idea how to search the web)
2) human harp performance "body modification"
3) celeste zydeco
4) librarian
5) libraries
6) pen equity, toronto, metropolis, 2005
7) naked old women large nipples
8) zydeco
9) yonge and dundas
Update - Forgot the obvious:
10) zydeco fish
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
Hey, here's some keywords used to find this blog:
1) what on tvo kids kids on tuesday and thursday (note to this person: you have no idea how to search the web)
2) human harp performance "body modification"
3) celeste zydeco
4) librarian
5) libraries
6) pen equity, toronto, metropolis, 2005
7) naked old women large nipples
8) zydeco
9) yonge and dundas
Update - Forgot the obvious:
10) zydeco fish
Technorati tags: web searching, keywords
Is Bush an Idiot?
The President explains his Social Security plan (Tampa, Florida, 4 Feb 2005)
Question: "I don't really understand. How is it the new [Social Security] plan is going to fix that problem?"
President Bush: "Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be -- or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled.
Look, there's a series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases.
There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help on the red."
How did this man get elected twice?
Technorati tags: George Bush, idiots
The President explains his Social Security plan (Tampa, Florida, 4 Feb 2005)
Question: "I don't really understand. How is it the new [Social Security] plan is going to fix that problem?"
President Bush: "Because the -- all which is on the table begins to address the big cost drivers. For example, how benefits are calculated, for example, is on the table. Whether or not benefits rise based upon wage increases or price increases. There's a series of parts of the formula that are being considered. And when you couple that, those different cost drivers, affecting those -- changing those with personal accounts, the idea is to get what has been promised more likely to be -- or closer delivered to that has been promised. Does that make any sense to you? It's kind of muddled.
Look, there's a series of things that cause the -- like, for example, benefits are calculated based upon the increase of wages, as opposed to the increase of prices. Some have suggested that we calculate -- the benefits will rise based upon inflation, as opposed to wage increases.
There is a reform that would help solve the red if that were put into effect. In other words, how fast benefits grow, how fast the promised benefits grow, if those -- if that growth is affected, it will help on the red."
How did this man get elected twice?
Technorati tags: George Bush, idiots
Monday, March 14, 2005
Garden State
OK, so like, many months after most people had seen Garden State, I finally saw it. I was reminded that I really need to see it after stumbling on Zach Braff''s Blog. So, here is my short movie review: I like it, but I found it had a very Hollywood ending, for a film that is somewhat unconventional. What do you think?
Other than that, the only thing I have to say is that I was kind of mesmerized by Natalie Portman's ears. Is it just me, or are they rather Elf-ish, even Vulcan-ish? I swear, if they ever need to cast a nice looking young woman as a Vulcan or an Elf, they should seriously consider Natalie Portman. Does anyone agree?
Is anyone else amazed that the Pope is still alive? He can't be human.
Technorati tags: movies, Garden State, Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Pope
OK, so like, many months after most people had seen Garden State, I finally saw it. I was reminded that I really need to see it after stumbling on Zach Braff''s Blog. So, here is my short movie review: I like it, but I found it had a very Hollywood ending, for a film that is somewhat unconventional. What do you think?
Other than that, the only thing I have to say is that I was kind of mesmerized by Natalie Portman's ears. Is it just me, or are they rather Elf-ish, even Vulcan-ish? I swear, if they ever need to cast a nice looking young woman as a Vulcan or an Elf, they should seriously consider Natalie Portman. Does anyone agree?
Is anyone else amazed that the Pope is still alive? He can't be human.
Technorati tags: movies, Garden State, Zach Braff, Natalie Portman, Pope
Friday, March 11, 2005
Zach
I just discovered that Zach Braff has a blog. Imagine posting something that got over 3000 comments? That will never happen here, especially since Blogger's comment system is fried at the moment.
Technorati tags: Zach Braff
I just discovered that Zach Braff has a blog. Imagine posting something that got over 3000 comments? That will never happen here, especially since Blogger's comment system is fried at the moment.
Technorati tags: Zach Braff
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Blogger Problems
Something strange was going on at Blogger this morning, and this eve, I noticed that the commenting system was all messed up. Sorry about that.
Technorati tags: Blogger
Something strange was going on at Blogger this morning, and this eve, I noticed that the commenting system was all messed up. Sorry about that.
Technorati tags: Blogger
Bring Out Your Dead
It's probably bad form to commence a serious post with a reference to Monty Python. But, if you have been following the increasingly scary warnings from the World Health Organization, you will know that the question is not if a influenza pandemic will happen, but when. So far, the disease has been characterized by a lack of symptoms and a very high mortality rate. The Spanish influenza pandemic in 1918 killed somewhere between 40 and 50 million people, with a corresponding mortality rate of only 2.5%. So far, the mortality rate of the H5N1 avian flu in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia is 76% (42 of the 55 known to be infected have died). To make things worse, there is now one confirmed human to human transmission.
That's scary. I just can't imagine that kind of toll. The flu travels faster these days because of airline travel (as opposed to being carried on ships), so this will be fast and deadly. When this or a future pandemic hits, it will be devastating.
On the bright side, I was recently telling a friend how much I enjoyed last week's Simpsons Couch gag. It turns out that I am not the only one. The Accordion Guy had loaded a Quicktime movie, but he had to take it down 'cause blogware's server was being overwhelmed. He has posted a new URL, but you need BitTorrent to watch it. See his post.
Technorati tags: avian flu, influenza, Simpsons
It's probably bad form to commence a serious post with a reference to Monty Python. But, if you have been following the increasingly scary warnings from the World Health Organization, you will know that the question is not if a influenza pandemic will happen, but when. So far, the disease has been characterized by a lack of symptoms and a very high mortality rate. The Spanish influenza pandemic in 1918 killed somewhere between 40 and 50 million people, with a corresponding mortality rate of only 2.5%. So far, the mortality rate of the H5N1 avian flu in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia is 76% (42 of the 55 known to be infected have died). To make things worse, there is now one confirmed human to human transmission.
That's scary. I just can't imagine that kind of toll. The flu travels faster these days because of airline travel (as opposed to being carried on ships), so this will be fast and deadly. When this or a future pandemic hits, it will be devastating.
On the bright side, I was recently telling a friend how much I enjoyed last week's Simpsons Couch gag. It turns out that I am not the only one. The Accordion Guy had loaded a Quicktime movie, but he had to take it down 'cause blogware's server was being overwhelmed. He has posted a new URL, but you need BitTorrent to watch it. See his post.
Technorati tags: avian flu, influenza, Simpsons
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Random Things
First, the recent deaths of four RCMP officers has stirred up the marijuana debate even more. I have said this before, but I will say it again. We shouldn't be making criminals out of tokers. We shouldn't ban a substance that is probably less harmful than alcohol. Prohibition didn't work then and it isn't working now.
Start Counting
I've added a counter to this blog, almost two years later. Hey, and at the time of posting, I had 33 visitors in the first 24 hours (and that doesn't include me). That's cool, although no one left a comment :-( which leads to my next point.
Comment Killer
Now I know the meaning of the term. It seems that my recent three-part segment from my journal scared some folks away. Maybe I'll think twice before I divulge anything so deeply personal again.
Dan Rather
I have kinda always liked Dan, but I have to say that I may have to re-evaluate that after having read this list of Dan Ratherisms. They are more apt than anything uttered by Dan Quail, but they are rather goofy. It's hard to pick a favourite, but how about: "This election swings like one of those pendulum things." or, "This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach." Say what? The list is hilarious.
Technorati tags: marijuana, blog statistics, Dan Rather
First, the recent deaths of four RCMP officers has stirred up the marijuana debate even more. I have said this before, but I will say it again. We shouldn't be making criminals out of tokers. We shouldn't ban a substance that is probably less harmful than alcohol. Prohibition didn't work then and it isn't working now.
Start Counting
I've added a counter to this blog, almost two years later. Hey, and at the time of posting, I had 33 visitors in the first 24 hours (and that doesn't include me). That's cool, although no one left a comment :-( which leads to my next point.
Comment Killer
Now I know the meaning of the term. It seems that my recent three-part segment from my journal scared some folks away. Maybe I'll think twice before I divulge anything so deeply personal again.
Dan Rather
I have kinda always liked Dan, but I have to say that I may have to re-evaluate that after having read this list of Dan Ratherisms. They are more apt than anything uttered by Dan Quail, but they are rather goofy. It's hard to pick a favourite, but how about: "This election swings like one of those pendulum things." or, "This race is tight like a too-small bathing suit on a too-long ride home from the beach." Say what? The list is hilarious.
Technorati tags: marijuana, blog statistics, Dan Rather
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Two things:
1) Gizoogle
Have you seen Gizoogle? It translates web pages into Snoopisms (you know, Snoop Dogg). Here's the Gizoogled US Declaration of Independence.
2) Blogs as Advertisements, or, Marketing Rot
If you have ever followed the link to "NEXT BLOG" on Blogger (top right of this screen), you will have undoubtedly stumbled upon blogs that are ads. Many simply repeat the same thing over and over, post after post. This irritates me for two reasons.
i) Is it necessary to defile everything with ads? Can't they leave blogs alone? I suppose this is marginally better than comment spam.
ii) Do they really think that we are all idiots? Maybe I am in the minority, but I wouldn't patronize any business that creates a blog as an advertisement, especially if it doesn't even have enough energy to make it interesting. I'm not about to take out a mortgage from some due who solicits for customers in online communities.
I'd give you an example, or two, but I really don't want to give these yahoos any more exposure.
Technorati tags: Gizoogle, blogs, advertising
1) Gizoogle
Have you seen Gizoogle? It translates web pages into Snoopisms (you know, Snoop Dogg). Here's the Gizoogled US Declaration of Independence.
2) Blogs as Advertisements, or, Marketing Rot
If you have ever followed the link to "NEXT BLOG" on Blogger (top right of this screen), you will have undoubtedly stumbled upon blogs that are ads. Many simply repeat the same thing over and over, post after post. This irritates me for two reasons.
i) Is it necessary to defile everything with ads? Can't they leave blogs alone? I suppose this is marginally better than comment spam.
ii) Do they really think that we are all idiots? Maybe I am in the minority, but I wouldn't patronize any business that creates a blog as an advertisement, especially if it doesn't even have enough energy to make it interesting. I'm not about to take out a mortgage from some due who solicits for customers in online communities.
I'd give you an example, or two, but I really don't want to give these yahoos any more exposure.
Technorati tags: Gizoogle, blogs, advertising
Monday, March 07, 2005
Toronto's Times Square Ripoff
How did it happen that the municipal government in Toronto decided to build a lesser Times Square? No one asked me if I thought it was a good idea. And, I'll tell you what, I don't think it is a good idea.
Isn't it bad enough that we are bombarded with advertisements almost everywhere we go. Why do we need giant LCD screens and media towers confronting us at Yonge & Dundas? I do realize that there have always been advertisements there, but why does the city think that we should allow what looks to be a pornographic orgy of ads in this area?
Anyway, the long-anticipated Metropolis Centre is finally under construction (on the north east corner of Yonge & Dundas), but I have noticed that not much is happening on the site recently. Future Shop and Virgin Superstore have leased space. (Let me just add that there is nothing super about any Virgin Superstore I have ever visited. The name is hyperbolic).
Pen Equity has loaded an interesting document (in pdf) that describes the project. I have to object strongly to this statement: "Comparable to New York's Times Square or London's Piccadilly Circus, Dundas Square IS the 24-hour public face of Toronto." Is this a joke?
Technorati tags: Toronto, Metropolis Centre, Yonge Street, Virgin Superstore
How did it happen that the municipal government in Toronto decided to build a lesser Times Square? No one asked me if I thought it was a good idea. And, I'll tell you what, I don't think it is a good idea.
Isn't it bad enough that we are bombarded with advertisements almost everywhere we go. Why do we need giant LCD screens and media towers confronting us at Yonge & Dundas? I do realize that there have always been advertisements there, but why does the city think that we should allow what looks to be a pornographic orgy of ads in this area?
Anyway, the long-anticipated Metropolis Centre is finally under construction (on the north east corner of Yonge & Dundas), but I have noticed that not much is happening on the site recently. Future Shop and Virgin Superstore have leased space. (Let me just add that there is nothing super about any Virgin Superstore I have ever visited. The name is hyperbolic).
Pen Equity has loaded an interesting document (in pdf) that describes the project. I have to object strongly to this statement: "Comparable to New York's Times Square or London's Piccadilly Circus, Dundas Square IS the 24-hour public face of Toronto." Is this a joke?
Technorati tags: Toronto, Metropolis Centre, Yonge Street, Virgin Superstore
Saturday, March 05, 2005
An old excerpt from my pen and paper journal...(part 3)
Read part 1 and part 2
These were the days of rap. How many videos featured those female dancers in those tight athletic shorts, shiny black with black shoes, short shirts even bras or bikini tops? And, those athletic moves. These women could bend and flex. They had good bodies. And then there was the twenty minute workout, featuring three women with those bodysuits. I am not sure if the TV police noticed, but one could see the aureole through some of those outfits. That is on top of the fact that one of the women always had fully erect nipples.
The blonde woman with short hair had large breasts. The camera always managed to offer a good view, right down her cleavage. The camera panned around just as the three of them bent over to place their palms on the floor. It was a good view from the front or the back.
Back to Much Music. I think it is a George Michael video in which several semi-naked women appear. His guitar gets set on fire. A woman writhes on the bed, all sweaty. Her arms conveniently blocking the view of her pubic area, and her nipples, but the flesh of her breasts spills out. That's almost as good. That video was always a good climax to my viewing.
In the afternoon, I headed back to my computer. I switched off the radio and brought up my thesis in Word Perfect. No, I couldn't do it. Just one more game of Tetris. Just one more game.
Usually, I tried to get something done: change the ordering of ideas on a page; rewrite a sentence; run the spell checker through the file, which was a slow process because of all of those Polish, Russian, German, and Baltic names.
I always got the same questions when A___ came home. "Did you get much done?" and "did you call G___."
(these entries, although written at the Pearson airport in 2002 while awaiting a flight to Texas, refer to events of 1991).
Technorati tags: pen and paper journal
Read part 1 and part 2
These were the days of rap. How many videos featured those female dancers in those tight athletic shorts, shiny black with black shoes, short shirts even bras or bikini tops? And, those athletic moves. These women could bend and flex. They had good bodies. And then there was the twenty minute workout, featuring three women with those bodysuits. I am not sure if the TV police noticed, but one could see the aureole through some of those outfits. That is on top of the fact that one of the women always had fully erect nipples.
The blonde woman with short hair had large breasts. The camera always managed to offer a good view, right down her cleavage. The camera panned around just as the three of them bent over to place their palms on the floor. It was a good view from the front or the back.
Back to Much Music. I think it is a George Michael video in which several semi-naked women appear. His guitar gets set on fire. A woman writhes on the bed, all sweaty. Her arms conveniently blocking the view of her pubic area, and her nipples, but the flesh of her breasts spills out. That's almost as good. That video was always a good climax to my viewing.
In the afternoon, I headed back to my computer. I switched off the radio and brought up my thesis in Word Perfect. No, I couldn't do it. Just one more game of Tetris. Just one more game.
Usually, I tried to get something done: change the ordering of ideas on a page; rewrite a sentence; run the spell checker through the file, which was a slow process because of all of those Polish, Russian, German, and Baltic names.
I always got the same questions when A___ came home. "Did you get much done?" and "did you call G___."
(these entries, although written at the Pearson airport in 2002 while awaiting a flight to Texas, refer to events of 1991).
Technorati tags: pen and paper journal
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)