Interesting reading...

I found this site which chronicles the early days of the Macintosh computer system, as documented by the people who were there, taking part in it. For Mac fans of the world, it provides some interesting reading, including articles about the purported theft of Macintosh OS by Bill Gates and the near failure of the famous 1984 ad.

Speaking of the ad, if you haven't seen it and want to, or would simply like to view it again, you can check out the high bandwidth version here or the low bandwidth version here.

Enjoy the plethora of reading!

pk

Bill of Rights VS Bill of Wrongs

Stephen Harper, leader of the Conservative party of Canada, says that he will introduce a Veterans Bill of Rights in order to end the "shameful way" they have been treated.

At the same time, he wants to repeal the Same Sex Marriage laws, effectively introducing a "Bill of Wrongs" based on his personal ideology.

It's time to get out there and VOTE people. Do your part to Stop Harper before Canada becomes the 53rd through 66th states.

pk

The campaign trail runs dry so...

Apparently, with the Federal election campaign on hiatus for the holidays, CBC News has had to be creative in their news reporting. Below are three pieces I found today that are so ridiculus, I am debating ever watching or listening to the damn station again. The first two were lead stories on the front page of their website.

To wit...

Winter Storm Hits Newfoundland & Labrador

Goodness me... a terrible storm has hit the east coast. Corner Brook can expect temperatures of... 0 degrees? With accumulated snow in the amount of... 1 cm? In December no less?! My goodness - all this in a city that gets... 400 cm of snow each winter? Go here for the weather report.

Or this one...

Restraining Order on David Letterman Lifted

A restraining order, previously applied on David Letterman has been lifted. The claimant in the case, a woman in New Mexico, had orginally had the order granted because Letterman had subjected her to "mental cruelty" for 11 years and forced her to go bankrupt. In her letter to the courts, the woman in question asked that Letterman e forced to stay at least three metres from her and to not think of me, and release me from his mental harassment and hammering.

Apparently, when Letterman said, "Marry me, Oprah," he was actually speaking to her in code. He also used other code words, gestures and "eye expressions" to harass her and show his love for her through his TV program.

This is news???

It continues...

Hangover Cures Don't Work

A study of conventional and herbal hangover helpers has revealed that they provide no real effect -- although some offer a little promise of relief. Which begs the question... What the hell else is a hangover cure supposed to do?

Terry Allen, a University of Alberta pharmacology professor, isn't surprised by the findings. No shit!?

Allen agreed with the author of the study who goes on to say that the best bet would be to sleep off a hangover and avoid (drinking) too much alcohol. Wow, how insightful.

Edmonton bartender Chris McPhee disagrees, however, adding fuel to the debate. Mix up a nice, spicy caesar. It will level you out for the day. The CBC writer who posted the article notes that A caesar wasn't among the items considered in the study.

~~~

If any CBC reporters or staff happen to stumble across this post, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the quality of your news reporting lately. I personally can't believe my eyes. Of course, your anonymity will be fully protected - providing your don't type your name into the browser and press "enter." I feel I need to be fully transparent on this issue, so as to ensure absolute clarity on the matter. Your collective judgement seems to be a little skewed these days.

/pk

My Shadow Self...

.. wants to say "hello!"



:)

Happy Ho Ho!

pk

Another Photo Update

Another Photo Update!

So Nuala and I have made a nice little habit of going for a walk along the seawalk in the evening, usually after dinner. It's a nice little routine that makes sure we get out for a little bit of exercise each day, and it's a nice way to spend some time. During the week, when we're walking in the evenings and it's dark outside, there is very little to see but the sound of the water lapping against the shore and smell of the sea in the air are more than enough to satisfy our senses.

This past weekend it was beautiful and sunny and the path was very busy. Nuala had her digital camera with her and took quite a number of photos. Here are a few of my favourites.

This shot is looking west along the seawalk, toward Dundarave pier and beach. This is about ... 5 minutes from our apartment.



This shot is taken from the end of the pier at Dundarave, looking east back towards the Lions Gate Bridge, which you can see far in the background.



This is 'the pose' shot, even though I wasn't actually posing. I knew that Nuala was nearby and taking photos, I just didn't realise she was taking photos of me.



And finally a shot of me standing by the waterfront. I often get mesmerized by such large bodies of water and this was one of those times. The sheer volume of it fills me with awe.



I should mention that all of the pics except for the last one were modified by me from the originals taken by Nuala, so if you think the framing sucks, it's my fault not hers. If I had to edit the last one, here's what it would look like.



Wishing all of you a super happy holiday season and a happy and prosperous New Year.

Be well.

pk

Photo Update - Dec 19, 2005

A Photo Update from Vancouver!

A while back I posted a picture of the new ski boots I've been looking at. Well, last week I actually went and bought them. I only had to pose as the boyfriend of a co-worker who knows the owner of the ski shop to get a 10% discount on the boots and a free ski tune-up to boot! So, needless to say, this weekend I had to go out and give it all a run on the hills.

So off I went to Cypress Mountain and after paying full ticket price was on my way up the old-style quad chair. Half of the runs were closed and the snow wasn't very good - but I had a grand time anyway. The legs and feet, as well as the new boots and nicely tuned skiis will need a little warming up before I head up to the big mountain, but once the snow really flies up there, it is definitely going to be a fun place to ski. They actually have two mountains as part of the ski area. The southern mountain is north facing, which means that it almost never gets any sun in the winter-time. That obviously makes it colder on that side which keeps the snow dry. Less skiers on the cold side should also mean less ski traffic. I can't wait!

This photo is from the top of the highest chair, a truly rickety old 2-seater. The slow ride culminates in an incredible panorama of mountains, ocean and the city of Vancouver. Looking W-NW from the top of the mountain are The Lions, the reputed guardians of Vancouver and the inspiration for the names Lions Gate Bridge and the BC Lions.



Turning to the left and looking W-SW is Horseshoe Bay and out into the Pacific Ocean. It's probably technically still a bay, or possibly on it's way to becoming a straight, but that's okay. It's salty, so it's the ocean. Speaking of the ocean, did I mention we live only a block from the water? We've taken to taking nice walks in the evenings down to Dundrave where they have a beach and a pier. Also, in the wintertime they have lit up Christmas trees. Lots and lots of lit up Christmas trees.



Riding up the chairlift, looking N-NW is this range of mountains. I knew there was a reason I wanted to come here!



After a short (but tiring!) afternoon of skiing, I was making the arduous 25-minute drive down to West Vancouver where, of course, I live. I can't tell you how terrible it was making that drive in all that traffic, people speeding and trying to cut in on anyone they can get in front of. Oh wait. Nevermind, I was thinking of driving to Blue Mountain in Collingwood (no offence to the wonderfully terric residents of Collingwood, of course.

Anyway, this is one of the many switchbacks along the way.



For more photos (and stories!) of our new home in West Vancouver, visit Ingenium's blog.

Be well!

pk

Vancouver Blizzard 2005

Chilled Vancouver commuters faced their second day of winter hell today, as an additional ¼ centimetre of the peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the lower mainland to its knees and causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the marijuana crops. Scientists suspect that the substance is some form of frozen water particles and experts from Saskatchewan are being flown in. With temperatures dipping to the almost but not quite near zero mark, Vancouverites were warned to double insulate their lattes before venturing out.

Vancouver police recommended that people stay inside except for emergencies, such as running out of espresso or biscotti to see them through Vancouver's most terrible storm to date. The local Canadian Tire reported that they had completely sold out of fur-lined sandals.

Drivers were cautioned to put their convertible tops up, and several have been shocked to learn that their SUV's actually have four wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it.

Weary commuters faced soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breast implants. Although Dr. John Blatherwick, of the Coastal Health Authority reassured everyone that most breast implants were perfectly safe to 25 below, down-filled bras are flying off the shelves at Mountain Equipment Co-op.

"The government has to do something," snarled an angry Trevor Warburton. "I didn't pay $540,000 for my one bedroom condo so I could sit around and be treated like someone from Toronto."