This is Jimmy Kimmel's rebuttal to his girlfriend's, Sarah Silverman's, video about her coitus interruptus with Matt Damon.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Monday's funny
With thanks to LB. I was laughing out loud and shared it with my instructor.
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If you remember the Original Hollywood Squares and its comics, this may bring a tear to your eyes. These great questions and answers are from the days when "Hollywood Squares" game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.
Q.Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A. Rose Marie: No; wait until morning.
Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.
Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I Love You"?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q. What are "Do It," "I Can Help," and "I Can't Get Enough"?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.
Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.
Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.
Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.
Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.
Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.
Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.
Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?
Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.
Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.
Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.
Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.
Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh.
------------------
If you remember the Original Hollywood Squares and its comics, this may bring a tear to your eyes. These great questions and answers are from the days when "Hollywood Squares" game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course.
Q.Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be?
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A. Rose Marie: No; wait until morning.
Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.
Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say "I Love You"?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q. What are "Do It," "I Can Help," and "I Can't Get Enough"?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.
Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.
Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any during the first year?
A. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.
Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.
Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.
Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.
Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.
Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?
Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.
Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected.
Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.
Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.
Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh.
*&^%(*&%^(^ automobile!!
Max is in the shop again; that would be the nickname for DW's 1995 Maxima GLE. We have other nicknames for the car right now but as this is a family blog, we won't display them here. Let's just say that a few of them would make a teamster blush.
On Saturday, we went and picked Max up from our mechanic following the repair of the latest rendition of "I fall to pieces", where the idler pulley/belt tensioner decided to fall off on DW's way home from work on Thursday night. It started fine and we were rushing back home to Ajax as we were going out with Mr. and Mrs. Skibum.
Partway back home, DW calls me as lights on the dash went off. I had her follow me off to a side street and I immediately checked for the just installed pulley and new belt; both were still shiny and new looking and running correctly. I did not want to risk the delay going back to the shop with it and just wanted to rush home, get ready for the evening (we were going to dinner at Il Fornello and then seeing Dirty Dancing at The Royal Alexandra Theatre), and deal with it the following day.
So, we started back and I zipped along the highway with DW following me. I admittedly drive faster than she does most times so I was almost two exits ahead, practically home, when she texted me that she was dead. Now, those that know me know I love concise information that gets to the point; they also know that I prefect that information to be relevant and useful. My dear wife has a penchant for giving me neither until I am pulling out what little hair I have on my head. So, imagine how I was greeting the text on my phone of "I'm dead." Really? Interesting. Still managing to text in the after life I see.
So, after more texting and another phone call, I finally figured out exactly where the car died and went back to Whites Road to then head east again to pick her up. DW asked me if I was going to do anything with it and I asked her, "Like what exactly?" We were now running late to get home, get changed and be ready to go so I just wanted to get back and get it done. As expected, we had to make them wait on us for a few minutes while I put clothes on and DW put on her face, as she says (she is quite lovely without the layering, I assure you).
After a nice dinner, and a decent show, we were dropped back home. We changed and headed back out to the highway where I found a tow truck driver's card stuck on the driver's door. Uhm, sure, thanks for the toothpick bud but we are covered both by my limited knowledge of cars (thanks Dad) and by our CAA Plus membership (thanks Dad). We own an inverter and a decent battery charger with car start function so we connected an extension cord into the truck where the inverter was and ran it forward to the car and charged the battery for 40 minutes while we listened to music and caught a short nap. The nap was interrupted by another tow truck dude knocking on the passenger glass, scaring the crap out of us (even though I expected a tow truck person or a cop to have stopped). Nice enough guy, even though I told him no thanks, and he confirmed we should only need an half hour to an hour to charge to give us enough juice to get home off of Salem; he also suspected, like I did, that the alternator had finally given up the ghost. We got the car home around 1:30AM and I put the battery to charge overnight.
The next day was brutal. We woke up later than planned because we were both tired and our colds were started to affect us (more mine than hers). We were late getting out to the Auto Show as we planned to be at the doors when they opened and ended up there after noon. The timing also nixed our plans to head out to the west end to see my Dad and cousin. Before we left, I started the car without issue with the charged battery and took the positive cable off the battery pole; the car died immediately. SIGH. We need a new alternator as this one has (insert expletive here) died on us. I just put the charger back on and we headed out. I called our mechanic on the way home and told him what happened. He felt bad and wished we had turned around to bring the car back the day before. I explained we had plans (and I was tired of being late for these folks) so we would just deal with it on Monday. He said it was okay to drop the car (AGAIN) on the back ramp and push the keys through the door as before. So, like we did Friday night, we drove off to the garage in Scarborough with the hopes of favourable traffic and lights in order to make it all the way. As it was twlight, I did not have to turn my headlights on at all and made it all the way in with power to spare. Only once did I drain it faster as this (insert different expletive here) idiot nearly ran into me as he swerved to miss this (one more expletive please) taxi driver who cut into his lane coming out of the gas station at McCowan and Ellesmere.
This morning we popped in to give him the power steering belt we had also bought as we did not want to take anymore chances with anything but he assured us that the one currently on was like new and did not need replacing. DW dropped me downtown as I am taking a TCP/IP course this week (yes, I know, but I still don't get it all). Hopefully, as our mechanic says, the car will be ready this afternoon in time for me to be able to leave downtown, pick it up and meet DW at home with enough time to turn around and head back downtown for our George Clinton concert at 8PM. If not, we will go and get it in the morning on the way to work and class.
The car is not a bad car despite all of this unscheduled drama. It's just an older car with high mileage (over 300kms) that wasn't maintained meticulously by any of its previous owners. So, things are starting to creak under the strain and we happen to own it during those times. I still love Max and will keep it as my own (soon to be modified) ride when DW gets the minivan of her dreams. Currently that is the 2008 Kia Sedona LX Premium but realistically will probably be a 1998-2002 Ford Windstar/Grand Caravan or Voyager/Montana or Venture or Silhouette.
Sigh. Life happens, eh?
Ciao
On Saturday, we went and picked Max up from our mechanic following the repair of the latest rendition of "I fall to pieces", where the idler pulley/belt tensioner decided to fall off on DW's way home from work on Thursday night. It started fine and we were rushing back home to Ajax as we were going out with Mr. and Mrs. Skibum.
Partway back home, DW calls me as lights on the dash went off. I had her follow me off to a side street and I immediately checked for the just installed pulley and new belt; both were still shiny and new looking and running correctly. I did not want to risk the delay going back to the shop with it and just wanted to rush home, get ready for the evening (we were going to dinner at Il Fornello and then seeing Dirty Dancing at The Royal Alexandra Theatre), and deal with it the following day.
So, we started back and I zipped along the highway with DW following me. I admittedly drive faster than she does most times so I was almost two exits ahead, practically home, when she texted me that she was dead. Now, those that know me know I love concise information that gets to the point; they also know that I prefect that information to be relevant and useful. My dear wife has a penchant for giving me neither until I am pulling out what little hair I have on my head. So, imagine how I was greeting the text on my phone of "I'm dead." Really? Interesting. Still managing to text in the after life I see.
So, after more texting and another phone call, I finally figured out exactly where the car died and went back to Whites Road to then head east again to pick her up. DW asked me if I was going to do anything with it and I asked her, "Like what exactly?" We were now running late to get home, get changed and be ready to go so I just wanted to get back and get it done. As expected, we had to make them wait on us for a few minutes while I put clothes on and DW put on her face, as she says (she is quite lovely without the layering, I assure you).
After a nice dinner, and a decent show, we were dropped back home. We changed and headed back out to the highway where I found a tow truck driver's card stuck on the driver's door. Uhm, sure, thanks for the toothpick bud but we are covered both by my limited knowledge of cars (thanks Dad) and by our CAA Plus membership (thanks Dad). We own an inverter and a decent battery charger with car start function so we connected an extension cord into the truck where the inverter was and ran it forward to the car and charged the battery for 40 minutes while we listened to music and caught a short nap. The nap was interrupted by another tow truck dude knocking on the passenger glass, scaring the crap out of us (even though I expected a tow truck person or a cop to have stopped). Nice enough guy, even though I told him no thanks, and he confirmed we should only need an half hour to an hour to charge to give us enough juice to get home off of Salem; he also suspected, like I did, that the alternator had finally given up the ghost. We got the car home around 1:30AM and I put the battery to charge overnight.
The next day was brutal. We woke up later than planned because we were both tired and our colds were started to affect us (more mine than hers). We were late getting out to the Auto Show as we planned to be at the doors when they opened and ended up there after noon. The timing also nixed our plans to head out to the west end to see my Dad and cousin. Before we left, I started the car without issue with the charged battery and took the positive cable off the battery pole; the car died immediately. SIGH. We need a new alternator as this one has (insert expletive here) died on us. I just put the charger back on and we headed out. I called our mechanic on the way home and told him what happened. He felt bad and wished we had turned around to bring the car back the day before. I explained we had plans (and I was tired of being late for these folks) so we would just deal with it on Monday. He said it was okay to drop the car (AGAIN) on the back ramp and push the keys through the door as before. So, like we did Friday night, we drove off to the garage in Scarborough with the hopes of favourable traffic and lights in order to make it all the way. As it was twlight, I did not have to turn my headlights on at all and made it all the way in with power to spare. Only once did I drain it faster as this (insert different expletive here) idiot nearly ran into me as he swerved to miss this (one more expletive please) taxi driver who cut into his lane coming out of the gas station at McCowan and Ellesmere.
This morning we popped in to give him the power steering belt we had also bought as we did not want to take anymore chances with anything but he assured us that the one currently on was like new and did not need replacing. DW dropped me downtown as I am taking a TCP/IP course this week (yes, I know, but I still don't get it all). Hopefully, as our mechanic says, the car will be ready this afternoon in time for me to be able to leave downtown, pick it up and meet DW at home with enough time to turn around and head back downtown for our George Clinton concert at 8PM. If not, we will go and get it in the morning on the way to work and class.
The car is not a bad car despite all of this unscheduled drama. It's just an older car with high mileage (over 300kms) that wasn't maintained meticulously by any of its previous owners. So, things are starting to creak under the strain and we happen to own it during those times. I still love Max and will keep it as my own (soon to be modified) ride when DW gets the minivan of her dreams. Currently that is the 2008 Kia Sedona LX Premium but realistically will probably be a 1998-2002 Ford Windstar/Grand Caravan or Voyager/Montana or Venture or Silhouette.
Sigh. Life happens, eh?
Ciao
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Passion comes from the funniest places.
I found this article on this person's blog as I was reading some related articles on the new Mac Air from Apple. Normally I disconnect once the comments start getting into the silly back and forth between childish Apple and PC fanatics too stupid to realize there are better things to do with their time. This time, however, I was intrigued to read through it all because the childish bantering was at a higher level and actually had some intelligent thought behind most of it. It was also strange to see acknowledgment of good facts to each side and even a willingness to not step over certain lines; almost like a dueling code of conduct. Anyhow, for you fellow tech heads, it may prove an interesting read. I will add this blog to my list along with Bat Rider's (haven't forgotten you) when I get a chance to play with my template.
Ciao.
Super-Slim ThinkPad Sneak Peek | Walt Mossberg | Mossblog | AllThingsD
Ciao.
Super-Slim ThinkPad Sneak Peek | Walt Mossberg | Mossblog | AllThingsD
Climbing the standings in the Eastern Conference
Yes, I know it is sad in a way but I cannot help myself. I love the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team unconditionally and will support them with my dying breath. That said, do not think for a moment that I am also conditioned to accept the sad sack routine we exhibit each year. Right now we are in a catch twenty-two; we are only seven points out of a play-off spot and we are only three spots too high for the best chance at getting the number one pick in the next draft.
The question comes down to what is the best move for the hockey club, and the fans and not what is best for the pocket books of those useless sacks of shit owners, The Teacher's Pension. We should be YouTube-ing their faces all over the Internet so that they have the same visibility as those they employ to soak up our venom. Bunch of cowards!! Anyhoo, I digress.
Yes, ultimately, the best thing for this hockey club is to get top value for Sundin and a few others. Get the best draft pick and some prospects and rebuild this squad into the powerhouse that the cornerstone franchise of the NHL deserves to be. Dump the contracts of Raycroft (I was rooting for him but big disappointment) and McCabe (vilified unnecessarily but definitely less than we need) and clean up the lines from top to bottom with guys who actually want to play here and want to win here, understanding what it really means to play in this hockey mecca.
Sundin gets that but he is far too valuable in a trade to keep him. Tucker is a steal and a bargain for a player so gritty and determined, the likes of which we have not seen since my hero, Gilmour. And Vesa just keeps getting better and can be that superstar goalie if he gets a defensive core in front of him that he can trust and rely on; he needs to stop getting puck poison each night.
Anyhow, as streaks go, two in a row is but a fluke until you can repeat it more times than not. Fighting for our playoff lives, we need to repeat it often over the next while leading up to the end of season showdown with the Ottawa Senators.
Did I mention that DW and I have tickets?
Ciao.
The question comes down to what is the best move for the hockey club, and the fans and not what is best for the pocket books of those useless sacks of shit owners, The Teacher's Pension. We should be YouTube-ing their faces all over the Internet so that they have the same visibility as those they employ to soak up our venom. Bunch of cowards!! Anyhoo, I digress.
Yes, ultimately, the best thing for this hockey club is to get top value for Sundin and a few others. Get the best draft pick and some prospects and rebuild this squad into the powerhouse that the cornerstone franchise of the NHL deserves to be. Dump the contracts of Raycroft (I was rooting for him but big disappointment) and McCabe (vilified unnecessarily but definitely less than we need) and clean up the lines from top to bottom with guys who actually want to play here and want to win here, understanding what it really means to play in this hockey mecca.
Sundin gets that but he is far too valuable in a trade to keep him. Tucker is a steal and a bargain for a player so gritty and determined, the likes of which we have not seen since my hero, Gilmour. And Vesa just keeps getting better and can be that superstar goalie if he gets a defensive core in front of him that he can trust and rely on; he needs to stop getting puck poison each night.
Anyhow, as streaks go, two in a row is but a fluke until you can repeat it more times than not. Fighting for our playoff lives, we need to repeat it often over the next while leading up to the end of season showdown with the Ottawa Senators.
Did I mention that DW and I have tickets?
Ciao.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Got a hoopdie to get rid of?
We all eventually have a vehicle that is better off dead than on the road (especially with us behind the wheel). Normally we pawn this off on a family member, or we sell it to some suck...er, customer. When either of those options (and burning the damn thing is illegal) are closed to you, consider donating the vehicle to a worthy cause. The included link is by no means the only place you can do this but it is with an auto yard that my family has been going to for probably 30 years, Standard Auto Wreckers. Should you need to scrap your vehicle, please give this a consideration.
Ciao.
Charity Car Donation Program
Ciao.
Charity Car Donation Program
Thanks for nothing, To$hiba and Micro$oft!!! And least supply the lube for free next time!
So, with the largest manufacturer supporter pulling out of the HD DVD stronghold (more like running for the hills after a solid beatdown), that format is going to crumble under the vacuum. I would never have thought I was going to have to say this but, Sony and Disney wins. Welcome to the era of the Blu-Ray disc. Welcome to being screwed until the next latest and greatest format wars emerge. We are such suckers, we poor consumers, that we will continue funding these idiots far into the future without punishing them for their disloyalty to their early adopters and loyal followers. I for one will be stocking up on all the fire sales of HD DVD titles wherever I can (where it makes sense to, read Planet Earth and Heroes boxed sets) but now, sadly, I will be saving up to get one of the cheapest Blu-Ray units out there, the Sony PS3.
As for Toshiba, I hope their stocks tank like there is increased gravity only around their sites and it all falls like nothing is there to stop them. I will be one of many, I am sure, letting Toshiba know (and maybe Microsoft too) just how much they screwed up the handling of this whole fiasco. Microsoft, and their typical wishy washy adoption techniques means that they added the HD DVD as another unit to buy instead of including it into the unit itself like the PS3 did. As such, you had millions of Xbox 360 buyers passing on paying more money for the format instead of adopting it since they already had the drive to play with. STUPID mistake and wasted opportunity.
I really despise Sony in so many ways. Betamax (short tapes). Minidisc and Attrac3, closed format. Memory Stick, puhleeze. I said all of those would get run over by the competing, more open, industry standard formats. How could I have been so wrong on this one? Sigh. Know anyone with a cheap 20GB or 60GB PS3 with the Emotion engine to sell?
Ciao.
As for Toshiba, I hope their stocks tank like there is increased gravity only around their sites and it all falls like nothing is there to stop them. I will be one of many, I am sure, letting Toshiba know (and maybe Microsoft too) just how much they screwed up the handling of this whole fiasco. Microsoft, and their typical wishy washy adoption techniques means that they added the HD DVD as another unit to buy instead of including it into the unit itself like the PS3 did. As such, you had millions of Xbox 360 buyers passing on paying more money for the format instead of adopting it since they already had the drive to play with. STUPID mistake and wasted opportunity.
I really despise Sony in so many ways. Betamax (short tapes). Minidisc and Attrac3, closed format. Memory Stick, puhleeze. I said all of those would get run over by the competing, more open, industry standard formats. How could I have been so wrong on this one? Sigh. Know anyone with a cheap 20GB or 60GB PS3 with the Emotion engine to sell?
Ciao.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Free as in Beer
Decent free alternatives to some, sometimes costly, paid products you might have desired for your Windows system.
PC World - 14 Fantastic Freebies
PC World - 14 Fantastic Freebies
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Bow-wow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah!!
If you lived under a rock during the 80's you may have missed this hit that has been sampled into many other songs but remains a stalwart anthem from a funkier time. George Clinton was, and is, a cut above the rest, respected across the board and loved by all those who love to shake their groove thang.
Well today, just as I happen to be streaming Flow 93.5 at work, I won tickets to see the man in live action at a local club, The Phoenix Concert Theatre. Those living in the GTA will be very familiar with this place so they know this is going to be a hot night. I have tried many time before to win something ont he radio but no luck. I think my being at work, with the Internet nearby (I had to look up the album that Atomic Dog was released on) worked in my favour.
So on the 25th, DW and I will be shaking it this way and that; there will NOT be pictures. :)
On a related note, to myself, I sound nasally and geekish on the phone. Bloody hell.
Why must I feel like that
Why must I chase the cat
Nothin' but the dog in me
Ciao.
Well today, just as I happen to be streaming Flow 93.5 at work, I won tickets to see the man in live action at a local club, The Phoenix Concert Theatre. Those living in the GTA will be very familiar with this place so they know this is going to be a hot night. I have tried many time before to win something ont he radio but no luck. I think my being at work, with the Internet nearby (I had to look up the album that Atomic Dog was released on) worked in my favour.
So on the 25th, DW and I will be shaking it this way and that; there will NOT be pictures. :)
On a related note, to myself, I sound nasally and geekish on the phone. Bloody hell.
Why must I feel like that
Why must I chase the cat
Nothin' but the dog in me
Ciao.
Monday, February 11, 2008
PSA - The silent killer, get to know more and recognize the signs.
I have personally begun monitoring and recording my blood pressure due to some jaw pains and headaches that have not been yet ruled out as dental issues. My doctor and my dentist both think it may be a combination of my wisdom teeth finally saying it is time to come out and my recent months of very high stress (still to be blogged, yes yes I know). In any case, I borrowed the portable Omron wrist monitor we bought for my Dad a few years ago and so far have not recorded any anomalous readings like what the doctor saw in his office or like what I got from the two visits to the local Shopper's Drug Mart produced. Obviously, I would like to think that the monitor is working correctly and that both my doctor's and the store's instruments are out of whack. Naturally, I cannot take any one device's word for something so serious so I will continue to monitor locally during the day and also pop into Shopper's every so often for a second opinion.
All in all, the last thing I want to do is to go on blood pressure pills because that is a lifetime sentence (much like my Crestor choloestorol pills, but that is for another PSA at another time). So, I will be diligent in finding the source of the issue and stamping it out. DW and I are already working out some changes in our lifestyles to ensure a much healthier path to longevity.
Peace.
High Blood Pressure - What it means and what you can do about it
All in all, the last thing I want to do is to go on blood pressure pills because that is a lifetime sentence (much like my Crestor choloestorol pills, but that is for another PSA at another time). So, I will be diligent in finding the source of the issue and stamping it out. DW and I are already working out some changes in our lifestyles to ensure a much healthier path to longevity.
Peace.
High Blood Pressure - What it means and what you can do about it
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Look out Apple, sitting on your laurels can cost you customers.
Ok, so anyone that has been around me recently knows that I do NOT have a great love on for Sony right now. I think they are an evil company in that they insist on pressing proprietary protocols and devices onto the public even though time and the market tells them that open/shared protocols and standards will net them a much wider audience and greater customer satisfaction. This happened with BETA (VHS won), the Minidisc (CDRs and flash memory won), the MemoryStick (ALL other formats won) and on and on. Currently, they are primarily responsible for the pain we are feeling in the High Definition disc wars between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Blu-ray may have an initial deeper penetration than HD-DVD but it is no where near winning the war because there is simply too much invested into HD-DVD for the fight to be given up so easily. And to think, they were a handshake away from cementing terms to have a single format. So, with all of that history and my disdain for it, why would I now be considering telling you to consider this latest Sony product?
Well, I love new technology and as much as I tend to be a loyal brand buyer, I like products to work as advertised, for a decent price, and to be better than what I had before in order for me to lay out my hard earned coin. I love the Apple iPhone and was very tempted to go out and get one in Buffalo, run the hack and use it on Rogers in Toronto but my determination to not have to carry more than one device (currently an 8000 series Crackberry from work) for my needs insists that something better has to be on the way. I need a phone, PDA, multimedia player and a Blackberry connector. The new Sony phone coming out, the XPERIA X1, is almost the holy grail I am looking for.
This unit will be based on Windows Mobile 6. I have an older HP iPaq 5450 that runs the same software but two generations older. I can tell you it is a most capable operating system and the newest versions are more stable, faster and much more capable than my standalone PDA. The fact that this unit has a higher resolution screen means better video displaying than the iPhone is capable of. The fact that it has a slide-out keyboard means that it will be easier to type quick messages and much easier for much longer documents. The fact that it has more user customizable options means a greater sense of control by the consumer and that feel good sense one gets when one can personalize the look and feel of their own device. The fact that it has an FM radio just GLARINGLY points out a major shortcoming on ALL of Apple's devices. Why are they the only company incapable of including an FM radio IN the actual unit instead of as a pricey, remote or attaching add-on? Did I mention the built-in GPS? Or the 520Mhz ARM11 processor which clocks at almost TEN times the speed of my original IBM 286XT computer?
The one thing I don't see mentioned, and it would be my personal deal breaker, is the ability to use the much rumoured but yet to be seen by me Blackberry Connect software that can turn an ordinary smartphone into a soft-crackberry. If they can make it compatible to this software, allowing the ability to connect to a Blackberry Enterprise server, then I would promise to buy one, right here, right now. Anyhow, I am sure there are more things that it has that the iPhone does not but I think you get the gist of it. This unit could vary well be the iPhone killer device the industry has been looking for. Just don't expect Steve and company to sit back and allow that to happen. Can you say iPhone 2.0?
Ciao.
IT Business
Well, I love new technology and as much as I tend to be a loyal brand buyer, I like products to work as advertised, for a decent price, and to be better than what I had before in order for me to lay out my hard earned coin. I love the Apple iPhone and was very tempted to go out and get one in Buffalo, run the hack and use it on Rogers in Toronto but my determination to not have to carry more than one device (currently an 8000 series Crackberry from work) for my needs insists that something better has to be on the way. I need a phone, PDA, multimedia player and a Blackberry connector. The new Sony phone coming out, the XPERIA X1, is almost the holy grail I am looking for.
This unit will be based on Windows Mobile 6. I have an older HP iPaq 5450 that runs the same software but two generations older. I can tell you it is a most capable operating system and the newest versions are more stable, faster and much more capable than my standalone PDA. The fact that this unit has a higher resolution screen means better video displaying than the iPhone is capable of. The fact that it has a slide-out keyboard means that it will be easier to type quick messages and much easier for much longer documents. The fact that it has more user customizable options means a greater sense of control by the consumer and that feel good sense one gets when one can personalize the look and feel of their own device. The fact that it has an FM radio just GLARINGLY points out a major shortcoming on ALL of Apple's devices. Why are they the only company incapable of including an FM radio IN the actual unit instead of as a pricey, remote or attaching add-on? Did I mention the built-in GPS? Or the 520Mhz ARM11 processor which clocks at almost TEN times the speed of my original IBM 286XT computer?
The one thing I don't see mentioned, and it would be my personal deal breaker, is the ability to use the much rumoured but yet to be seen by me Blackberry Connect software that can turn an ordinary smartphone into a soft-crackberry. If they can make it compatible to this software, allowing the ability to connect to a Blackberry Enterprise server, then I would promise to buy one, right here, right now. Anyhow, I am sure there are more things that it has that the iPhone does not but I think you get the gist of it. This unit could vary well be the iPhone killer device the industry has been looking for. Just don't expect Steve and company to sit back and allow that to happen. Can you say iPhone 2.0?
Ciao.
IT Business
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Saturday, February 09, 2008
OK, sometimes Microsoft gets it right.
I only say that with half praise because Windows should not be that easy to break in the first place!!!
We have almost all been there: the power cuts out, the surge protector trips, someone accidentally trips over the power cord, or you unplug the wrong cable. No matter how it happens, your Windows desktop gets shut off while it is up and running instead of being shutdown nicely. When you started the machine back up, it was done with incense, candles and a sacrificial goat in the hopes that your hard drive would be spared the wrath of the gods. Unfortunately for lots of us, we had no such luck and our fate was to have any number of ills ranging from hard disk failure to blue screens of death (BSODs) to my personal favourite, the never ending restart.
My friend Buckwheat's family computer suffered this last fate just recently after her young daughter that she was doing the right thing by turning the computer off after she was done playing on her Disney website. Sure enough, the computer refused to show the logon screen from then on and simply continued to reboot over and over again. I tried all my usual ticks of running the Windows recovery install, defragging and scannning the hard drive for errors on another machine, and checking for possible viruses. I kept running into a dead end. The next logical step would be to reinstall Windows (as I myself and DW have had to do numerous times in the past when we had catastrophic failures). However, while the personal data would remain intact on the inexplicably created D: drive of a split 40GB unit, the programs (some of which were installed for her by well meaning folks who did not leave a backup of the installer) would have to be reinstalled and some would be lost forever.
As the stubborn IT person, I refused to give up this time knowing the proper answer had to be out there somewhere. Well, I finally found it on a forum that had the links to a Microsoft Knowledgebase article from 2004. I surely wish I had found this years ago as it would have saved many a headache. In any case, I have it now and I base it on to you in the hopes it will help you, a friend or a family member if this same issue arises on their machine. Really, it is one of the simpler fixes that one could hope to have to perform and it took me all of ten minutes to have her system back up and running properly. If my posting it here will save but one of you, then the pain will have been worth it.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Google rules!!!
Ciao.
Windows XP logon screen does not appear and the computer continuously restarts
We have almost all been there: the power cuts out, the surge protector trips, someone accidentally trips over the power cord, or you unplug the wrong cable. No matter how it happens, your Windows desktop gets shut off while it is up and running instead of being shutdown nicely. When you started the machine back up, it was done with incense, candles and a sacrificial goat in the hopes that your hard drive would be spared the wrath of the gods. Unfortunately for lots of us, we had no such luck and our fate was to have any number of ills ranging from hard disk failure to blue screens of death (BSODs) to my personal favourite, the never ending restart.
My friend Buckwheat's family computer suffered this last fate just recently after her young daughter that she was doing the right thing by turning the computer off after she was done playing on her Disney website. Sure enough, the computer refused to show the logon screen from then on and simply continued to reboot over and over again. I tried all my usual ticks of running the Windows recovery install, defragging and scannning the hard drive for errors on another machine, and checking for possible viruses. I kept running into a dead end. The next logical step would be to reinstall Windows (as I myself and DW have had to do numerous times in the past when we had catastrophic failures). However, while the personal data would remain intact on the inexplicably created D: drive of a split 40GB unit, the programs (some of which were installed for her by well meaning folks who did not leave a backup of the installer) would have to be reinstalled and some would be lost forever.
As the stubborn IT person, I refused to give up this time knowing the proper answer had to be out there somewhere. Well, I finally found it on a forum that had the links to a Microsoft Knowledgebase article from 2004. I surely wish I had found this years ago as it would have saved many a headache. In any case, I have it now and I base it on to you in the hopes it will help you, a friend or a family member if this same issue arises on their machine. Really, it is one of the simpler fixes that one could hope to have to perform and it took me all of ten minutes to have her system back up and running properly. If my posting it here will save but one of you, then the pain will have been worth it.
Oh yeah, one more thing. Google rules!!!
Ciao.
Windows XP logon screen does not appear and the computer continuously restarts
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Friday, February 08, 2008
DW - Superwoman
DW almost never reads my blog so she probably won't even see this but I write it anyways. If you are not in the Toronto GTA or familiar with it, you may not know that we have had a decent dumping of snow in the last month. Not Calgary, east coast or even Chicago or Buffalo sized dumpings, but enough for us to sit up and take notice. In fact, they reported today that we have so far surpassed the last two years snowfalls combined already with two new snowfalls scheduled within the next week. Thankfully, years ago when when we lived a house with a six car driveway, we smartly (I begged, she relented after the first major snowfall) bought a 10.5HP Yardworks snowblower. And to think I nearly sold this thing at least a half dozen times. Sorry BaB, LH, and others; it is no longer for sale.
The problem with the loud, unwieldy beast, is that my wife has never really used it so when those wet, heavy, packing snows fell, she did what most people do; grabbed a shovel and started heaving. Now, I know this does not seem like a big deal but on our street you can tell the difference. Of all the people you see outside shoveling, DW may be one of two or three women and the ONLY one who has cleared the entire driveway herself!! So impressive is this that the guy across the street remarked how strong she is because his wife would not come out and do the same (back up buddy, she's mine).
She had some help from one of the neighbours with a snowblower recently while I was still out at work so last night we paid it forward by clearing the ice-packed pile of snow front in front of seven other neighbours' driveways. One guy across the street came out after we were all done and had this shocked look on his face when he realized the mound he drove over to get it was now completely gone. We did not even make it obvious that we did it so it may be a while before he figures it out. The lady across the street thanked us with a bottle of wine as well since her husband hurt his back clearing the first wave earlier and she herself was not well; very nice of her. I will use the wine for "medicinal" purposes, naturally.
Going back to my DW though, while I was schlepping the snowblower back and forth, she was cleaning up the remnants behind me that the snowblower did not get or left behind. And she did this after having already started on our mound with the intent to clear it all herself. I was tired and my head was hurting but I could not in good conscience let her do that back breaking work, AGAIN, when we had a machine to take care of it.
And after all that, and we get in, she still is more concerned with me getting a good soak (the vibrations off that thing could break bones) and a good meal (mmmm, samosas, thanks BrB). I ended up falling asleep on the couch in the family room and she did the same on the loveseat. In the morning, she made tea and lunch as always as we headed off in separate cars to the same dentist and then off to work on the other sides of the city.
Thanks DW. Lunch was great and you do more than your fair share. Just letting all know it is appreciated.
Ciao.
The problem with the loud, unwieldy beast, is that my wife has never really used it so when those wet, heavy, packing snows fell, she did what most people do; grabbed a shovel and started heaving. Now, I know this does not seem like a big deal but on our street you can tell the difference. Of all the people you see outside shoveling, DW may be one of two or three women and the ONLY one who has cleared the entire driveway herself!! So impressive is this that the guy across the street remarked how strong she is because his wife would not come out and do the same (back up buddy, she's mine).
She had some help from one of the neighbours with a snowblower recently while I was still out at work so last night we paid it forward by clearing the ice-packed pile of snow front in front of seven other neighbours' driveways. One guy across the street came out after we were all done and had this shocked look on his face when he realized the mound he drove over to get it was now completely gone. We did not even make it obvious that we did it so it may be a while before he figures it out. The lady across the street thanked us with a bottle of wine as well since her husband hurt his back clearing the first wave earlier and she herself was not well; very nice of her. I will use the wine for "medicinal" purposes, naturally.
Going back to my DW though, while I was schlepping the snowblower back and forth, she was cleaning up the remnants behind me that the snowblower did not get or left behind. And she did this after having already started on our mound with the intent to clear it all herself. I was tired and my head was hurting but I could not in good conscience let her do that back breaking work, AGAIN, when we had a machine to take care of it.
And after all that, and we get in, she still is more concerned with me getting a good soak (the vibrations off that thing could break bones) and a good meal (mmmm, samosas, thanks BrB). I ended up falling asleep on the couch in the family room and she did the same on the loveseat. In the morning, she made tea and lunch as always as we headed off in separate cars to the same dentist and then off to work on the other sides of the city.
Thanks DW. Lunch was great and you do more than your fair share. Just letting all know it is appreciated.
Ciao.
Today's funny!
Submitted by BT from MTL.
-------------------------
One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and
My brother who is four years older than I am. I was maybe 1 and a
Half years old and had just recovered from an accident in
Which my arm had been broken among other injuries.
Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift
And it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living
Room engrossed in the evening news and my brother was
Playing nearby in the living room when I brought Daddy a
Little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups
Of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came
Home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch
Me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest
Thing!!'
My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the
Hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink
It up, then says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place !
That baby can reach to get water is the toilet??'
And sure enough........!!!
-------------------------
One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me and
My brother who is four years older than I am. I was maybe 1 and a
Half years old and had just recovered from an accident in
Which my arm had been broken among other injuries.
Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift
And it was one of my favorite toys. Daddy was in the living
Room engrossed in the evening news and my brother was
Playing nearby in the living room when I brought Daddy a
Little cup of 'tea', which was just water. After several cups
Of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came
Home. My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch
Me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest
Thing!!'
My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the
Hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink
It up, then says, 'Did it ever occur to you that the only place !
That baby can reach to get water is the toilet??'
And sure enough........!!!
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Friday, February 01, 2008
So, it's been a while.
I haven't lost my taste for blogging. I just have been VERY occupied with lots of things happening, good, bad and indifferent, that has taken my mind and focus. I will be posting a bunch of things that have piled up in my mental desk that needs to be cleared. Fear not, this blog has not come to an end. :)
Thanks for reading.
Ciao.
Thanks for reading.
Ciao.
Guess I should have shaved the beard?
I was heading up Markham Road, enroute to work in Markham. It's snowing and cold outside and during these types of days, my DW knows I have a simple set of rules. If it is just kind of cold and slow, I will offer a ride to a woman and child or elderly person if I see them at a bus stop waiting in my direction and no bus in sight. If it is bitterly cold, city is nearly stopped, I will offer to whomever can fit in the vehicle. It's the leats I can do and it was readily accepted when the city was shutdown some years ago with the massive storm.
Today, I saw a young Oriental lady, maybe in her early twenties, pacing in the shelter waiting for the northbound bus with a small child about six or so. I figured that I could do my good deed for the day and slid my window down, yelling out to her. Unfortunately, she did not speak a lot of English but I perservered and got my intentions across as she said she was going to Sheppherd, which was the next main intersection up. I explained that I could take her and the child there but she hesitated and decided that she was okay but thanks anyhow.
I wasn't upset with her but I am upset that our society, my city, has gotten so jaded and suspect that a simple courtesy can no longer be accepted between "neighbours" without wondering what that person wants or what that person would end up doing to you. I felt sorry that she decided to stay in the cold as I saw no bus in the rearview behind me and the roads were getting worse and more laden with traffic. Still, I would have probably confirmed her fears if I had gotten out of the Roo and approached her so I waved, put my window up and continued on to work.
Maybe next time, I guess. I just wonder if it was the beard in the darkness of the truck. I think i will shave this weekend.
Ciao.
Today, I saw a young Oriental lady, maybe in her early twenties, pacing in the shelter waiting for the northbound bus with a small child about six or so. I figured that I could do my good deed for the day and slid my window down, yelling out to her. Unfortunately, she did not speak a lot of English but I perservered and got my intentions across as she said she was going to Sheppherd, which was the next main intersection up. I explained that I could take her and the child there but she hesitated and decided that she was okay but thanks anyhow.
I wasn't upset with her but I am upset that our society, my city, has gotten so jaded and suspect that a simple courtesy can no longer be accepted between "neighbours" without wondering what that person wants or what that person would end up doing to you. I felt sorry that she decided to stay in the cold as I saw no bus in the rearview behind me and the roads were getting worse and more laden with traffic. Still, I would have probably confirmed her fears if I had gotten out of the Roo and approached her so I waved, put my window up and continued on to work.
Maybe next time, I guess. I just wonder if it was the beard in the darkness of the truck. I think i will shave this weekend.
Ciao.
LVBUDS!!!
The title of this post is the license plate to the stupid, blonde beeyatch in the big, white SUV (I think it was a Ford Exploreror Expedition). This ignorant asswipe was yapping on the phone in her right hand as we moved from the 401 West express lanes into the 401 West collector's. There is a line of cars in the right lane of the interchange and some in the left where I was. I signal that I want tomove to the right while I am beside the car in front of her which is a car and a half ahead of her. Instead of just letting me in, this dim-witted twitbar speeds up in the snow and ice to cut me off!!!
Whaqt advanatge did she gain? NONE because we are ALL stuck behind the row of plows clearing the road 500 metres ahead. Absolutely no reason risking hitting the car in front of her and cutting me off from moving right. Stupid, dumbass, ignorant, selfish bitch. The guy behind her let me in and I waved a thank you behind me and I wave a big old FU finger into her rear view mirror that if she looked up at all she would have clearly seen.
So tired of stupid asses like her causing unnecessary problems because she cannot f**king drive and is so self-important.
So, dumb bitch blonde woman with the white car and the personalized Maple Leafs license plate marked LVBUDS, I say a hearty F**K YOU and good day!!
Whaqt advanatge did she gain? NONE because we are ALL stuck behind the row of plows clearing the road 500 metres ahead. Absolutely no reason risking hitting the car in front of her and cutting me off from moving right. Stupid, dumbass, ignorant, selfish bitch. The guy behind her let me in and I waved a thank you behind me and I wave a big old FU finger into her rear view mirror that if she looked up at all she would have clearly seen.
So tired of stupid asses like her causing unnecessary problems because she cannot f**king drive and is so self-important.
So, dumb bitch blonde woman with the white car and the personalized Maple Leafs license plate marked LVBUDS, I say a hearty F**K YOU and good day!!
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