Tuesday, June 26, 2007

T2 - Judgement Day

Some of you know that a vast, powerful storm has been brewing for some time now. Well, due to unforeseen and sometimes unchangeable circumstances, the storm has had to abate and or shift from the area. All the while though, it has been gathering strength and material and growing ever darker and more forceful. Well, the time has come and, if you keep watch on the countdown timer to the right side of the blog, you will know exactly when the full force of the R5 storm will hit. The aftermath will not be pretty. It is going to change the landscape forever. There will be no going back and nothing will be spared.

There is only so much a dam can hold back and, baby, this damn is about to be filled, overwhelmed and f**ked up!!

Do stay tuned.

Ciao.

Oh, btw, the countdown timer is a wonderful little javascript supplied for free from this website:
http://www.hashemian.com/tools/javascript-countdown.htm

Editor's Note: It occurred to me on the way home that the correct tone was not being set. See, in ID4, there is love and joy and hope despite overwhelming odds. T3 - Rise of the Machines actually has the most correct bleak picture of the future and the hopelessness against an unstoppable force until one makes certain changes and realizations. That said, T2 has the kick ass title so I am going with that. Besides, Linda Hamilton in a jersey vest, kicking ass and then shooting the shit out of everything beats anything seen in T3 hands down.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

I like to move it!

DW was nice enough to pass this on to me today. It is not the clip from the movie but rather the entire video from the soundtrack. I know some folks did not like the movie but I for one loved it and especially Mr. Cohen's character and rendition of this dance tune. Enjoy.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Father's Day recap and other stuff

A belated Happy Father's Day to all you fellow old farts. I had a great day with the family and with the BFE residents of Famine and family. The weekend started on a slightly sour note though. On Friday evening, we went to the local cineplex at Salem and Hwy. 2; PS (I owe you three bucks), MS, KJ, DW, TC and myself. Now, you're wondering if it was the movie or the cineplex that was the issue. How about both?

If you have ever gone to Scarborough Town Centre during the hey days of the multiple small room cineplex, you have an idea of the riff-raff, trailer trash, ghetto fabulous, and just plain ignorant entities that attends this place. The five dollars less per head is the only thing that makes this place tolerable for some movies, though the size and seating were actually both reasonable. We went to see the opening of Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I wish we had gone to see something else. I love the Fantastic Four and used to collect the comics so imagine how pissed off and disappointed I was at the absolutely bastardized storyline of one of the greatest battles they ever had. You do not even get to SEE Galactus in the movie; and that was have the treat I was waiting on. The surfer himself was done fairly well but the rest of it I could have done without. The night did not get any better after heading to Montana's for dinner. While the service was decent, the main courses were not; that's a shame because we like the chain. I do not think we will be going back there any time soon except for maybe the delicious Antijitos (sp?).

Saturday was an early day with a run out to Timmies and then off to KJ's younger son's soccer tournament; her older son, my Godson, and his father were in Ottawa having a "cooler" time with LB and the lil' lad. The referees never showed up so the game was played unsanctioned after starting almost an hour late; very poor organization for an Ontario Cup game. After that, we left and hit my favourite former mom and pop electronic store, Canada Computers. I say former because they have been expanding like wildfire and much to DW's chargrin, are now local in Ajax. Suhweet. We went there because the new board (post to come on operation D2-PVR) refused to boot after a BIOS upgrade. Thankfully, I do not buy crap and after reading the box in the store again, I realized that I should be able to safely recover from the BIOS crash. We left there and went to the Grand Opening of the Ajax store for pizza and drinks and free stuff. I also introduced DW to my oriental doppleganger and namesake; he has dropped over two grand back into the store since starting there three months ago. Geeks rule.

We rushed home as we had to pack up to leave for Everett, where we were having dinner, hanging out and staying the night. I HAD to fire up the board and try the BIOS restore before we left though. Thankfully, it worked like a charm and Andromeda is back online. Yes, Andromeda, one of the many like named machines in the house; Orion, Osiris, Nemesis, Vulcan and more. We packed up quickly and headed out to grab some refreshing items from the local LCBO and The Beer Store. We then hit highway 401, got tired of the twits and traffic, and headed up the 404 for smooth sailing along the 407 to the 400. More traffic there, some dark clouds and even a quick drizzle, but the sun returned soon after. Going to Everett for us is like going to the cottage for others; there is grass, quiet, some swimming, and lots of eating and drinking. Thanks to Famine and Devoid and the two lads for a good time out as always. AND, for an amazing breakfast as always. Who knew I would like hollandaise sauce?

But, all good things must come to an end so we had to head home. TC had studying to do. I had to prepare for going back on-call the following day and DW had to relax before her weekly grind. The HD PVR is up and running though (thanks to our man Frank who was leaving BB and did not care that our raincheque was expired so we still got it at less than half price) so we can stop taping on the rental, clear it and send it back to Rogers. I cannot wait to mod this one though with a nice big internal hard drive. Pure HD taping.

Oh, lest I forget again, DW got me a nice gift (though she should not have as per our philosophy). It will seem very strange to those that really know me but I really hate my bitten nails and cracked feet and dry skin. I always say I will do a family spa day one day but we just have not gotten to it. Well, DW is tired of hearing it so she happened upon a place near us and i am going for my first ever pedicure, manicure and massage. Oh baby, I hope she is Swedish. Ahem, anyhow, it was a special that also included nine holes of golf. I play golf like that cheap cut of meat that not everybody likes: SHANK!! So, Skibum, when you are ready to endure my lousy golf, let's hit the links (and the 19th hole).

And how was your father's day?

Monday, June 11, 2007

A Tickle Test

Take this test at Tickle


You can simplify your life by cutting back at work



Dtrini, you can simplify your life by cutting back at work.

You're a career-oriented person who's not afraid to log some long hours to get the job done — and done right. Your peers admire your drive and creativity and nothing feels better than hearing your boss or clients compliment your work. But, you know, if you glance out a window for a minute, you'll notice that there's a whole world going on out there, and you just might be missing a lot of it.

While it's great that you're so committed to your career, you've got to make sure you're not forgetting about friends, family, and fun. We know you've got bills to pay and goals to attain, but don't make work your whole life. And if you just can't figure out a way to scale back your hours, then at least make sure you're planning a nice vacation — without your laptop or cell phone.


How Can You Simplify Your Life?

Brought to you by Tickle

Monday, June 04, 2007

Genuine Loss

There will be no sarcasm, no smart-ass remarks, no jokes (though it would be welcomed and understood). Today, there will simply be some reflection and some sadness.

On May 30th, 2007, Virginia "Gina" Marie Martin passed away after a long, hard battle with breast cancer. She would have been 47 on July 4th of this year. While I have had cancer touch my family in my ways, many times (my grandmother had it, my MIL had it and there have been various other occurrences of it through my family history), no one I know of, or have been close to, has succumbed to it and died of the disease... no one until Gina that is.

While not an immediate or blood relative, Gina and her husband Jeff are considered family to my brood. Two more genuine people you will not have had the pleasure of meeting. There has never been any pretense with these two; no agenda or hidden purpose and meaning. There was nothing in your face but there was truth and honesty and sincerity. I know it sounds like an unrealistic build-up of someone recently passed but anyone that knew her would tell the same. Gina was one in a million.

DW met Gina at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto almost 30 years ago and have remained friends since. In the same way DW had to meet certain people and pass the grade, so to speak, Gina was one of those people she was most nervous for me to meet because her friend's opinion meant that much to her. Thankfully I passed muster and we have had many a BBQ and various gatherings where we got together and enjoyed good times.

When Gina was diagnosed, she did not tell a lot of people because in that regard she was a very private person. Only when we asked her to be a part of our wedding did she finally have to tell DW what was going on as she was at the tail end of a treatment and may not have the strength for everything she would need to do and be a part of as a bridesmaid. Well, to ensure her friend's wedding was a great event, and that she was part of it, Gina worked very hard to make sure she was there and that she could enjoy herself; she was and she did. And we will be eternally grateful that even in the midst of her own challenges and pain, she thought of DW and I.

About a year and a half ago, we lost contact with them. We emailed, we called, we emailed some more; all attempts to reach them went unanswered. We knew that was a sign that things were not good and as much as we wanted to camp out and make her let us be a part of this part of her life, it was not our place to do so. So, we did not do the one thing we knew would make us get the contact we strained for; we did not go to the house. We had to respect her wishes and as much as it hurt us, we stayed away. Part of me wishes we had not, but I am satisfied that we respected our friend's final wishes. I am just saddened we did not get a chance to say goodbye.

Gina was in the hospital for about a month before finally losing her battle with cancer. A funny, witty, vibrant young woman taken in her prime. A loving husband left alone in the home they shared with an uncertain future as to what is next, including whether to stay in Toronto since "there is nothing keeping me here". Four older sibling, already without parents who both passed, now losing the gel, the light of the their incredible family. A co-worker that people would give part of their pay to have on their team. A friend that is always there when you needed her the most, someone who would not forget you and who you never had to guess about.

Gina was all of these things to a great many people. Our condolences to the entire Martin family and especially to Jeff. Words simply cannot heal the loss nor can it properly convey the sorrow in that loss. She will be remembered in our continued interaction as time rolls on. You've had a long road Gina, rest now and know that Jeff will be taken care of by all those who loved you. You will be missed greatly my friend.

Peace.

Friday, June 01, 2007

Friday's funnies

Submitted by BT from MTL
-----------------------------

A couple was dressed and ready to go out for the evening. They turned on a night light, turned on the phone answering machine, covered their pet parakeet and put the cat in the backyard. They phoned the local cab company and requested a taxi.

The taxi arrived and the couple opened the front door to leave their house. The cat they had put out into the yard ran back into the house. They didn't want the cat shut in the house because she always tried to eat the bird. The wife got into the taxi while the husband went back inside to get the cat.

The cat runs upstairs, the man in hot pursuit. Waiting in the cab, the wife didn't want the driver to know the house would be empty for the night. She explained to the taxi driver that her husband would be out soon. "He's just going upstairs to say good-bye to my mother."

A few minutes later, the husband got into the cab. "Sorry I took so long," he said as they drove away. "Stupid bitch was hiding under the bed. I had to poke her with a coat hanger to get her to come out! She tried to take off so I grabbed her by the neck. Then I had to wrap her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me. But it worked. I hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard! She better not shit in the roses!"

The cabdriver hit a parked car..
----------------------------------------------------
Two old guys, one 80 and one 87, were sitting on their usual park bench one morning. The 87 year old had just finished his morning jog and wasn't even short of breath. The 80 year old was amazed at his friend's stamina and asked him what he did to have so much energy. The 87 year old said "Well, I eat rye bread every day. It keeps your energy level high and you'll have great stamina with the ladies." So, on the way home, the 80 year old stops at the bakery. As he was looking around, the clerk asked if he needed any help.

He said, "Do you have any rye bread?"

She said, "Yes, there's a whole shelf of it. Would you like some?"

He said, "I want 5 loaves."

She said, "My goodness, 5 loaves...by the time you get to the 5th loaf, it'll be hard."

He replied, "I can't believe it, everybody in the world knows about this shit but me."
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A flat-chested young lady went to Dr. Patel about enlarging her tiny breasts. Dr. Patel advised her, "Every day after your shower rub your chest and say, "Scooby doobie doobies, I want bigger boobies." She did this faithfully for several months and it worked! She grew terrific D-cup boobs! One morning she was running late, got on the bus and in a panic realized she had forgotten her morning ritual. Frightened she might lose her lovely boobs if she didn't recite the little rhyme, she stood right there in the middle aisle of the bus closed her eyes and said, "Scooby doobie doobies, I want bigger boobies."

A guy sitting nearby looked at her, "By any chance, are you a patient of Dr. Patel's?"

"Why, yes I am... How did you know?"

He leaned closer, winked and whispered, " Hickory dickory dock..."
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Latex Gloves

A dentist noticed that his next patient, an elderly lady, was looking very nervous so he decided to tell her a little joke as he put on his gloves. "Do you know how they make these gloves?" he asked.

"No, I don't" she replied.

"There's a building in China with a big tank of latex, and workers of all hand sizes walk up to the tank, dip in their hands, let them dry, then peel off the gloves and throw them into boxes of the right size." She didn't even crack a smile. "Oh, well. I tried," he thought.

But five minutes later during a delicate portion of the dental procedure, she burst out laughing."What's so funny?" he asked.

"I was just picturing how condoms are made!" she said.

(Gotta watch those little old ladies! Their minds may be slow, but they're always working."
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Subject: The surgeon and the blonde

A surgeon went to check on his blonde patient after an operation.

She was awake, so he examined her. "You'll be fine," he said.

She asked, "How long will it be before I am able to have a normal sex life again doctor?"

The surgeon seemed to pause, which alarmed the girl.

"What's the matter Doctor? I will be all right, won't I?"

He replied, "Yes, you'll be fine. It's just that no one has ever asked me that question after having their tonsils out."

---------------------------------------------
Submitted by JillyJilly

Three Old Ladies.....

Three old ladies named Gertrude, Maude, and Audrey were sitting on a park bench having a conversation, when a flasher approached from across the park.

The flasher came up to the ladies, stood right in front of them, and to their shock and dismay, opened his trench coat.

Gertrude immediately had a stroke.

Then Maude also had a stroke.

But Audrey, being older and a bit more feeble, couldn't reach that far.

-----------------------------------
Why, Why, Why


Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries
are getting weak?

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is
not enough?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but
check when you say the paint is wet?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?


Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?


Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?


Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a
revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?


Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?


Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are
always white?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that
something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum
cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?


How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?


When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping
cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?"

Well,
it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off
the table you always manage to knock something else over?

And my FAVORITE......


The statistics on sanity say that one out of every four persons is
suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they are okay, then it's you.
----------------------------------------------

Have a great weekend everyone. Keep it safe.
Peace.