I'm busy exposing Garrett to a lot of documentaries at an early age. Yesterday we watched Farenheit 9/11 and today we're watching The Corporation. Granted, he's asleep on my tummy, and I've got the headphones on, but otherwise....
The nice thing is that he sleeps very soundly on my tummy when I'm sitting in the chair and that gives Julie a chance to catch up on her sleep!
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
Flash!
We took Garrett out today to get some 'professional' baby pictures done at Fortinos, of all places.
They were great! Not only were the people there extremely good with Garrett and us, the pictures were very nice and only cost $20 for 8 sheets of pictures (and we got to choose the sizes and whether we wanted them black & white, sepia or colour).
We have one picture of Garrett sitting in a bucket with these huge stuffed bears around him, one of him just lying on his back on a pillow and one of him with just his diaper on and being held in my hand. All very cute :)
I'll see if I can get the pictures scanned when I get them on Friday.
They were great! Not only were the people there extremely good with Garrett and us, the pictures were very nice and only cost $20 for 8 sheets of pictures (and we got to choose the sizes and whether we wanted them black & white, sepia or colour).
We have one picture of Garrett sitting in a bucket with these huge stuffed bears around him, one of him just lying on his back on a pillow and one of him with just his diaper on and being held in my hand. All very cute :)
I'll see if I can get the pictures scanned when I get them on Friday.
Yay!
Turns out that a bunch of old Lucasarts developers have made their own company and are going to make a new point-and-click adventure game about vampires. Woo! I love the Lucasarts adventure games. We need more of them in this world.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Monday, June 28, 2004
Neat!
Well, it seems that it's official:
The Liberals have formed a minority government.
This is cool. I've never been a huge fan of the Liberals, if only because they NEVER DO ANYTHING (until recently, when it's been scandal city). Now that they're a minority, maybe they'll get the kick in the pants they've needed for some time and get to work on some of the things they promised to do, oh, 11 years ago...
It's also heartening to see that the NDP has made some gains and might actually hold the balance of power, unless the Libs decide to go to the Bloc for support on a motion or two.
I just hope that Layton can stick to his promise to make whatever party he shores up in a minority government hold a referendum on proportional representation.
The nice thing about this federal election is that unlike any of the last 3, you could actually see that your vote counted. I can't believe how many of the races were real squeakers won by less than 1000 votes, some less than 500. Yeep!
And I've created a political junkie. Garrett stayed up for the whole of the election coverage (well, till now). Granted, he was feeding most of the time or sort of staring off into space while squirming around on my tummy, but still...
Oh, and I have to say that I liked the Newsworld coverage the best, with the CTV coming in a close second. I could only watch a bit of the Global coverage before blood started to ooze from my eyes and ears... compared to the refinement of the CBC coverage, it was just too much.
Not to mention the Global site was busted most of the evening. Sure, you could see the headlines, when they finally loaded up, but their little flash thing was buggered. CBC's worked splendidly all night long with nary a slowdown. Not only that, you didn't have to have your election coverage interrupted by Spiderman 2 commercials. Take that, people who don't like public broadcasters!
The Liberals have formed a minority government.
This is cool. I've never been a huge fan of the Liberals, if only because they NEVER DO ANYTHING (until recently, when it's been scandal city). Now that they're a minority, maybe they'll get the kick in the pants they've needed for some time and get to work on some of the things they promised to do, oh, 11 years ago...
It's also heartening to see that the NDP has made some gains and might actually hold the balance of power, unless the Libs decide to go to the Bloc for support on a motion or two.
I just hope that Layton can stick to his promise to make whatever party he shores up in a minority government hold a referendum on proportional representation.
The nice thing about this federal election is that unlike any of the last 3, you could actually see that your vote counted. I can't believe how many of the races were real squeakers won by less than 1000 votes, some less than 500. Yeep!
And I've created a political junkie. Garrett stayed up for the whole of the election coverage (well, till now). Granted, he was feeding most of the time or sort of staring off into space while squirming around on my tummy, but still...
Oh, and I have to say that I liked the Newsworld coverage the best, with the CTV coming in a close second. I could only watch a bit of the Global coverage before blood started to ooze from my eyes and ears... compared to the refinement of the CBC coverage, it was just too much.
Not to mention the Global site was busted most of the evening. Sure, you could see the headlines, when they finally loaded up, but their little flash thing was buggered. CBC's worked splendidly all night long with nary a slowdown. Not only that, you didn't have to have your election coverage interrupted by Spiderman 2 commercials. Take that, people who don't like public broadcasters!
15 seconds of fame, indeed
Just was watching the election coverage on Newsworld and there was an independant seat leading on one poll.
It was funny watching Peter Mansbridge trying not to laugh as he announced that with two polling stations closed in the Mississauga East-Cooksville riding, the Marxist-Leninist party was leading by a good 8 votes :)
I'm officially old now. I'm sitting around the house on a nice summer evening with my baby and my wife, watching the election resulsts. Sigh.
It was funny watching Peter Mansbridge trying not to laugh as he announced that with two polling stations closed in the Mississauga East-Cooksville riding, the Marxist-Leninist party was leading by a good 8 votes :)
I'm officially old now. I'm sitting around the house on a nice summer evening with my baby and my wife, watching the election resulsts. Sigh.
Wired for sound
Oh, I also set up our 'old' stereo (it's less than 3 years old, but now replaced by the surround sound system) in the nursery so that Julie can listen to the news or CD's or whatever if she's feeding Garrett up there. I've set it to be on CBC Radio 2 for some nice relaxing classical and jazz music while we change him on the change table.
There was some nice classical music on when we were changing him and he just sat there, staring off into the distance until the music stopped and someone started talking again, at which point he turned his head and started squirming again...
I don't know if it was just a reflex or if Garrett can actually hear and likes music. *shrug*
There was some nice classical music on when we were changing him and he just sat there, staring off into the distance until the music stopped and someone started talking again, at which point he turned his head and started squirming again...
I don't know if it was just a reflex or if Garrett can actually hear and likes music. *shrug*
Chub
We took Garrett in to have his post-partum checkup today and he seems to be doing spiffily. He's actually gained back about half the weight he lost right after birth, so the nurse said he was feeding great and didn't have jaundice or anything.
Woo!
We took him out to visit my coworker on the way home and everyone said he was cute :) He's sleeping now, so I'm going to let Julie have a rest and go play some games or something while everyone upstairs is snoozing :)
Woo!
We took him out to visit my coworker on the way home and everyone said he was cute :) He's sleeping now, so I'm going to let Julie have a rest and go play some games or something while everyone upstairs is snoozing :)
Spells & Whistles
I found a link on one of the other comic sites I was visiting today and decided to check it out. Turns out the comic Spells & Whistles is pretty decent, concidering it's just 38 strips long so far and just getting started.
Great artwork and a very cheeky take on your average fantasy tale :)
Great artwork and a very cheeky take on your average fantasy tale :)
Go VOTE!
If you're living in Canada and can vote today, make sure you get off your lazy butts and do so.
If you don't, then don't you dare complain about anything that the government does or doesn't do. I'll have Garrett head-butt you in the teeth. Or stick his elbow down your throat. He's my new brute squad.
Thankfully Julie & I voted early last week so we don't have to go out today!
If you don't, then don't you dare complain about anything that the government does or doesn't do. I'll have Garrett head-butt you in the teeth. Or stick his elbow down your throat. He's my new brute squad.
Thankfully Julie & I voted early last week so we don't have to go out today!
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Enough about babies!
Don't worry, I'm sure there will be PLENTY more baby stuff coming.
However, I've been derelict in my duties to talk about the games I've been playing lately.
Last week Julie let me pick up the Transformers game for the PS2. Let me tell you, it's VERY cool. The game itself is a lot of fun, there are lots of cool things that are a throwback to the old Generation 1 Transformers and it even has those old PSA's from the end of the Transformers episodes where they'd tell kids why it's bad to run away or not wear a lifejacket :)
Since I seem to be in nostalgia mode, likely due to Garrett arriving and me wanting to reconnect to my own childhood (yeah, I know it's not a stretch for me), I was pleasantly surprised to see that when we arrived home from the hospital I had a package from Amazon waiting for me.
What was in it? Why, the Megaman Anniversary Collection for the PS2. WOO! Megaman 2 is one of my favourite old-school games, so last night when I was hanging out with Garrett and trying to let Julie get some sleep, I fired it up and of course, no sooner had I beaten Metal Man, Garrett started to fuss, so that's why we ended up watching Star Wars instead since he seemed to enjoy that :)
Anyway, I'm off to shower as I still haven't had a chance to clean up since we went to the hospital. I think Garrett's had more baths than I have...
However, I've been derelict in my duties to talk about the games I've been playing lately.
Last week Julie let me pick up the Transformers game for the PS2. Let me tell you, it's VERY cool. The game itself is a lot of fun, there are lots of cool things that are a throwback to the old Generation 1 Transformers and it even has those old PSA's from the end of the Transformers episodes where they'd tell kids why it's bad to run away or not wear a lifejacket :)
Since I seem to be in nostalgia mode, likely due to Garrett arriving and me wanting to reconnect to my own childhood (yeah, I know it's not a stretch for me), I was pleasantly surprised to see that when we arrived home from the hospital I had a package from Amazon waiting for me.
What was in it? Why, the Megaman Anniversary Collection for the PS2. WOO! Megaman 2 is one of my favourite old-school games, so last night when I was hanging out with Garrett and trying to let Julie get some sleep, I fired it up and of course, no sooner had I beaten Metal Man, Garrett started to fuss, so that's why we ended up watching Star Wars instead since he seemed to enjoy that :)
Anyway, I'm off to shower as I still haven't had a chance to clean up since we went to the hospital. I think Garrett's had more baths than I have...
Saturday, June 26, 2004
The Spiglet Arriveth.
Hi all.
Just wanted to confirm that yes, Julie decided that labour was not something she wanted to bother with for an overly long time and after arriving at the hospital at 8pm on Thursday, we found out that she was already 8 cm dilated!
So not even 2 hours later, out pops the man himself, Garrett Lloyd Jameson Wager.
I've got a bunch of pictures and I'm going to upload them once I unload the car (we JUST got home from the hospital) and everyone can oooh and aaah then :)
I'm thinking of setting up a baby blog for Julie so she can post whatever since she's now home till December AND Garrett is here too.
Thanks for all of the good wishes. It was interesting talking to people and hearing how many responses that labour post was getting as the time went on :)
Just wanted to confirm that yes, Julie decided that labour was not something she wanted to bother with for an overly long time and after arriving at the hospital at 8pm on Thursday, we found out that she was already 8 cm dilated!
So not even 2 hours later, out pops the man himself, Garrett Lloyd Jameson Wager.
I've got a bunch of pictures and I'm going to upload them once I unload the car (we JUST got home from the hospital) and everyone can oooh and aaah then :)
I'm thinking of setting up a baby blog for Julie so she can post whatever since she's now home till December AND Garrett is here too.
Thanks for all of the good wishes. It was interesting talking to people and hearing how many responses that labour post was getting as the time went on :)
Thursday, June 24, 2004
I hope it's not a false alarm!
Well, it looks like Julie might be in labour now. If this is fake labour, I sure don't want to see real labour.
Updates to follow.
Updates to follow.
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Time for the second mortgage
At least, it will be if I actually expect to get one of the next gen systems when they come out.
According to the story over on Gamespot, the projected cost of the Playstation 3 is going to be $500 US, and that's the manufacturer's cost... If I read that story right, it might actually retail closer to $700 US!!!
That's one system I'll be waiting for a while to get, that's for sure.
Even the PSP, which I was actually starting to get somewhat interested in, is slated to run close to $250 US. Yeep. That throws a bucket of ice water on the proceedings right quick it does.
What I don't get is that according to that story, the percentage of households who own one or more game consoles has risen dramatically in this latest generation of game systems. Doesn't the price usually drop then, given that more and more people have them, therefore guaranteeing more units sold and more profit when all is said and done? Sigh.
I have to say that the idea of a PS3 with built in DVD recorder and TiVo does sound spiffy, but I wonder if you could get a stripped down version that just plays games...
Of course, by the time these new systems come out I'll already have the best system in the whole world...
A Neo-Geo in an arcade unit...
Er, I mean, a brand new baby :)
According to the story over on Gamespot, the projected cost of the Playstation 3 is going to be $500 US, and that's the manufacturer's cost... If I read that story right, it might actually retail closer to $700 US!!!
That's one system I'll be waiting for a while to get, that's for sure.
Even the PSP, which I was actually starting to get somewhat interested in, is slated to run close to $250 US. Yeep. That throws a bucket of ice water on the proceedings right quick it does.
What I don't get is that according to that story, the percentage of households who own one or more game consoles has risen dramatically in this latest generation of game systems. Doesn't the price usually drop then, given that more and more people have them, therefore guaranteeing more units sold and more profit when all is said and done? Sigh.
I have to say that the idea of a PS3 with built in DVD recorder and TiVo does sound spiffy, but I wonder if you could get a stripped down version that just plays games...
Of course, by the time these new systems come out I'll already have the best system in the whole world...
A Neo-Geo in an arcade unit...
Er, I mean, a brand new baby :)
Monday, June 21, 2004
Robots In Disguise
This is a pretty cool little CGI video of a dancing Decepticon.
Bonus points to those who can name not only the dancer, but the Transformers who turn into the tapes he plays!
[Ed. Dave got it right. It's Soundwave, but there are more tape/robots than just Buzzsaw]
Bonus points to those who can name not only the dancer, but the Transformers who turn into the tapes he plays!
[Ed. Dave got it right. It's Soundwave, but there are more tape/robots than just Buzzsaw]
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Kids: Nature's Menace
I'm reallllllly sore this morning. I hate moving!
I had to chase a 1 year old around our house last night too. He seemed to have this uncanny knack for making a bee-line right for my game systems and must have turned the PS2 on about 10 times.
Thankfully some bubbles in the backyard kept him busy for a while, but even there he seemed to just want to turn on my barbecue and blow himself up...
Kids.
I had to chase a 1 year old around our house last night too. He seemed to have this uncanny knack for making a bee-line right for my game systems and must have turned the PS2 on about 10 times.
Thankfully some bubbles in the backyard kept him busy for a while, but even there he seemed to just want to turn on my barbecue and blow himself up...
Kids.
Everyone else on the net is talking about it, so I might as well join in.
The big news around the net these days seems to be all about the recent merger of TechTV, every geek's beloved digital station, and G4, the all-videogame network.
Now when I first heard about this, I thought it wasn't necessarily a bad idea. However, I didn't realize that they were actually going to merge the two like they did. I thought it would mainly be a sort of hybrid thing where both networks would continue running and the quality of Tech TV would leech over to G4 and make it good and the game aspects of G4 would creep into Tech TV a bit more.
From the reaction I've seen all over the net though, it's not a good thing. It's more like G4 just bought out Tech TV and replaced everything with crap.
GRANTED, I don't have digital cable or satellite and I have yet to speak with either my father-in-law OR Tony, both my main digital cable guys and Tech TV devotees, but I don't think I'll get a favourable reaction.
I liked watching Tech TV when I would visit my in-laws and I was really impressed with their X-Play game show (second best game-related TV-show aside from Electric Playground/Reviews On The Run) and their award show, unlike Spike TV's farce, actually made sense.
But I digress... like that never happens on this blog...
Now when I first heard about this, I thought it wasn't necessarily a bad idea. However, I didn't realize that they were actually going to merge the two like they did. I thought it would mainly be a sort of hybrid thing where both networks would continue running and the quality of Tech TV would leech over to G4 and make it good and the game aspects of G4 would creep into Tech TV a bit more.
From the reaction I've seen all over the net though, it's not a good thing. It's more like G4 just bought out Tech TV and replaced everything with crap.
GRANTED, I don't have digital cable or satellite and I have yet to speak with either my father-in-law OR Tony, both my main digital cable guys and Tech TV devotees, but I don't think I'll get a favourable reaction.
I liked watching Tech TV when I would visit my in-laws and I was really impressed with their X-Play game show (second best game-related TV-show aside from Electric Playground/Reviews On The Run) and their award show, unlike Spike TV's farce, actually made sense.
But I digress... like that never happens on this blog...
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Harry, meet Spike
I just found out today that supposedly they're optioning the Harry Dresden books (one of my favourite recent books series) to be a TV show/movie.
And the kicker is that there is a strong push to get James Marsters, aka Spike from Buffy & Angel, to play Harry Dresden. Woo!
I think he'd be perfect. I guess he's already had some experience playing him, as he's read the books for the audiobook versions. Heck, Jim Butcher, the author, thinks that he'd just be perfect for the role and put an open letter out to fans to try to push for this as it would be the chance for a show to have a strong fan presence even before it airs!
Granted, I think that that link might now be a little old as I believe it was dated last October, but still, can't hurt to try.
And the kicker is that there is a strong push to get James Marsters, aka Spike from Buffy & Angel, to play Harry Dresden. Woo!
I think he'd be perfect. I guess he's already had some experience playing him, as he's read the books for the audiobook versions. Heck, Jim Butcher, the author, thinks that he'd just be perfect for the role and put an open letter out to fans to try to push for this as it would be the chance for a show to have a strong fan presence even before it airs!
Granted, I think that that link might now be a little old as I believe it was dated last October, but still, can't hurt to try.
Two to go!
I'm now down to the final two books of the New Jedi Order trilogy... er... what do you call a series that is 19 books long? A nonectology?
Anyway, I'm starting the second-to-last, the penultimate, if you will, book in this excellent series. I'm really curious to see how they're going to wrap up everything given the fact that an all-out annihilation of everyone is more or less not an option in this series.
Woo!
Anyway, I'm starting the second-to-last, the penultimate, if you will, book in this excellent series. I'm really curious to see how they're going to wrap up everything given the fact that an all-out annihilation of everyone is more or less not an option in this series.
Woo!
Me so tired
Ok. I'm achey today.
I had to help James' mom move... AGAIN! I swear, I've moved that woman more times than I've moved myself!!
But it was all good. We had a good crew going and thankfully she was moving from the bowels of Port Credit to a lovely horse farm out Caledon way. This meant that I actually knew where I was going when we got out there and I wasn't too far from home either.
I did have FAR too much coffee today though... but I have to say, the new Strawberry Fritters at Tim Hortons are quite yummy!
Thankfully I just have to entertain some friends from out of town tonight and then flip burgers at the church BBQ tomorrow and put my feet up. Woohoo!
Which is a good thing, since all the aches and pains I didn't feel all day while moving have started to encroach upon me! AAAH!
I had to help James' mom move... AGAIN! I swear, I've moved that woman more times than I've moved myself!!
But it was all good. We had a good crew going and thankfully she was moving from the bowels of Port Credit to a lovely horse farm out Caledon way. This meant that I actually knew where I was going when we got out there and I wasn't too far from home either.
I did have FAR too much coffee today though... but I have to say, the new Strawberry Fritters at Tim Hortons are quite yummy!
Thankfully I just have to entertain some friends from out of town tonight and then flip burgers at the church BBQ tomorrow and put my feet up. Woohoo!
Which is a good thing, since all the aches and pains I didn't feel all day while moving have started to encroach upon me! AAAH!
Friday, June 18, 2004
Giant Robots R Kool
The reason I was puttering around backroads today and coming to grips with my mental illness was that I had zoomed out to Guelph.
Why?
To pick up my copy of Front Mission 4 at EB, where they'd come about THIS close to blocking my phone number as I have spent the last 4 days calling them incessantly to see if FM4 had arrived.
Thankfully it was actually in today and I now have a great turn-based strategy game with huge mechs blasting each other to pieces to play tonight and tomorrow. Woo! And like Gabe said in his newspost on Wednesday, the reviewers don't know anything:
"Had I just read the reviews of Front Mission 4 and not actually played the demo I might not go buy it today. Thankfully I did play the demo and I know that the reviewers are [stupid]. I just want to make sure that others aren't steered away from the game by misleading reviews. If you're still hesitant at least rent it and check it out."
I too played the demo and loved it (that, and I loved Front Mission 3 and this seemed like it was a nicely improved version of FM3) so it was nice to see that Gabe refuted the reviewers.
Tomorrow (today? Friday...) is Julie's final day at work before going on pregnancy/maternity leave. I'd better enjoy my final day of having the house to myself for quite some time! Now if only the weather cooperates and the pea-soup fog that has settled in around the area keeps up... or at least that it doesn't decide to clear up and be nice and sunny as it seems to always do on Fridays. I need a nice cloudy day for gaming on Friday!
Why?
To pick up my copy of Front Mission 4 at EB, where they'd come about THIS close to blocking my phone number as I have spent the last 4 days calling them incessantly to see if FM4 had arrived.
Thankfully it was actually in today and I now have a great turn-based strategy game with huge mechs blasting each other to pieces to play tonight and tomorrow. Woo! And like Gabe said in his newspost on Wednesday, the reviewers don't know anything:
"Had I just read the reviews of Front Mission 4 and not actually played the demo I might not go buy it today. Thankfully I did play the demo and I know that the reviewers are [stupid]. I just want to make sure that others aren't steered away from the game by misleading reviews. If you're still hesitant at least rent it and check it out."
I too played the demo and loved it (that, and I loved Front Mission 3 and this seemed like it was a nicely improved version of FM3) so it was nice to see that Gabe refuted the reviewers.
Tomorrow (today? Friday...) is Julie's final day at work before going on pregnancy/maternity leave. I'd better enjoy my final day of having the house to myself for quite some time! Now if only the weather cooperates and the pea-soup fog that has settled in around the area keeps up... or at least that it doesn't decide to clear up and be nice and sunny as it seems to always do on Fridays. I need a nice cloudy day for gaming on Friday!
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Merely kooky or completely insane?
Ok. Today I think I crossed the line from mere eccentricity to actual insanity.
As I was making my grand tour of the backroads of Halton Hills and Wellington County, I was listening to my Barenaked Ladies Greatest Hits CD.
Now here's where I realized I had actually gone insane.
I reached down and turned down the volume.
Why?
So I could hear myself talk to myself.
Then I realized what I did and turned the volume back up... just to prove that I didn't have to have the music quiet to hear myself berate myself for having to turn the volume down in the first place.
Then I shut up.
Sigh...
As I was making my grand tour of the backroads of Halton Hills and Wellington County, I was listening to my Barenaked Ladies Greatest Hits CD.
Now here's where I realized I had actually gone insane.
I reached down and turned down the volume.
Why?
So I could hear myself talk to myself.
Then I realized what I did and turned the volume back up... just to prove that I didn't have to have the music quiet to hear myself berate myself for having to turn the volume down in the first place.
Then I shut up.
Sigh...
The Greatest Auto Commercial Of All Time
You have to check out... The Greatest Auto Commercial Of All Time!
It's hilarious. They've got a veritable raft of behind the scenes clips (the Norwegian tribute and the Blazer Dancers are my faves) which are all a hoot. And 'Santo' is really Kevin MacDonald, my second favourite Kid in the Hall.
When you watch the actual commercial, don't forget to watch the response!
It's hilarious. They've got a veritable raft of behind the scenes clips (the Norwegian tribute and the Blazer Dancers are my faves) which are all a hoot. And 'Santo' is really Kevin MacDonald, my second favourite Kid in the Hall.
When you watch the actual commercial, don't forget to watch the response!
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
Baby Pool!
Ok. Here we go. When will the Spiglet be born and how much will it weigh?
The due date so far is still July 1st, but it could technically come anytime now.
I'm going with June 29th with a weight of 12 pounds. Heh :)
The due date so far is still July 1st, but it could technically come anytime now.
I'm going with June 29th with a weight of 12 pounds. Heh :)
I hope Bambi knows the 30-man code.
As I was driving home from work tonight I almost creamed a fawn just outside of Limehouse. Thankfully it had been looking my way so I was able to see its eyes glowing at a distance, which caused me to slow down a bit. Then there's the fact that it was on the far side of the road from me, so it had a chance to get back from me in time.
It was pretty brave though. I was pretty much 2-3 feet from it when it finally turned around and ran off into the woods instead of bolting across the road. I was kind of surprised myself to see it, since that was the first time I've actually seen a deer on that stretch of road. It was a very pretty deer though and probably not very old as it wasn't too big.
[Speaking of the 30-man code, what is it and what game is it from?]
It was pretty brave though. I was pretty much 2-3 feet from it when it finally turned around and ran off into the woods instead of bolting across the road. I was kind of surprised myself to see it, since that was the first time I've actually seen a deer on that stretch of road. It was a very pretty deer though and probably not very old as it wasn't too big.
[Speaking of the 30-man code, what is it and what game is it from?]
Who Is The Master Debater?
So who watched the English-language debate tonight? I listened to a bunch of it and saw snippets of the last 15 minutes of it and watched and heard the recap on the news afterwards.
I did think it was an interesting debate, insomuch as there were actually questions raised and issues to discuss. Of course, the amount of real answers given was somewhat minimal. That's the only problem I have with these so-called 'debates'. They turn into either shouting matches (although Anna-Maria Tremonti, the moderator, did a good job keeping things in the realm of sanity in that regard) or else they just end up with everyone spouting their platforms and completely avoiding the questions asked as opposed to being a real debate. Woah, that was one big run-on sentence.
As for the content of the show, it was interesting watching Martin & Harper sparring. While Layton was fine and did a good job of outlining the NDP platform for those not in the know, he did seem to just stick to the 'PLEASE! ANYONE! VOTE NDP!' script as opposed to actually giving real answers or rebuttals to questions.
I have to say that the person who impressed me the most was Gilles Duceppe, and that scares me. He was asking some really tough questions and was probably the one person of the four leaders who was actually debating as opposed to sticking to a set platform and pat answers. I was actually cheering the guy on as he went after both Harper & Martin repeatedly on a lot of varying issues and then sat back to let them argue amongst each other. Too bad he looks like a ferret and is the leader of the Bloc.
I have to say that I'm really enjoying this election campaign, as it's not just a sweep for the Liberals yet again and is quite interesting for a political/news junkie like myself! Too bad nobody's called anyone else a kitten-eating alien though...
I did think it was an interesting debate, insomuch as there were actually questions raised and issues to discuss. Of course, the amount of real answers given was somewhat minimal. That's the only problem I have with these so-called 'debates'. They turn into either shouting matches (although Anna-Maria Tremonti, the moderator, did a good job keeping things in the realm of sanity in that regard) or else they just end up with everyone spouting their platforms and completely avoiding the questions asked as opposed to being a real debate. Woah, that was one big run-on sentence.
As for the content of the show, it was interesting watching Martin & Harper sparring. While Layton was fine and did a good job of outlining the NDP platform for those not in the know, he did seem to just stick to the 'PLEASE! ANYONE! VOTE NDP!' script as opposed to actually giving real answers or rebuttals to questions.
I have to say that the person who impressed me the most was Gilles Duceppe, and that scares me. He was asking some really tough questions and was probably the one person of the four leaders who was actually debating as opposed to sticking to a set platform and pat answers. I was actually cheering the guy on as he went after both Harper & Martin repeatedly on a lot of varying issues and then sat back to let them argue amongst each other. Too bad he looks like a ferret and is the leader of the Bloc.
I have to say that I'm really enjoying this election campaign, as it's not just a sweep for the Liberals yet again and is quite interesting for a political/news junkie like myself! Too bad nobody's called anyone else a kitten-eating alien though...
The perfect shirts
Saturday, June 12, 2004
Mongolian Fill
We went out tonight to my grandparents' 55th wedding anniversary and had dinner at the Mongolian Grill in Cambridge.
Holy cow, I'm so stuffed.
I love the place. It's essentially a buffet-style stir-fry emporium, but they have about 20 different sauces (6 of them incredibly spicey, yum!), 5 kinds of meat, 3 kinds of seafood, some veggies, 4-5 kinds of noodles and LOTS OF TOFU!
You put them all together in a bowl and take them up to the grill and they slap it down and fry it up for you right there. And I tell you, its so good and filling and it was only $15 each for the all-you-can-inhale feast.
I'm definately going there again sometime.
It was also nice because we saw our cousins and my brothers and my little nephew, who is now the proud owner of a stuffed cellular phone and has a huge head. He's a cutie though, and so well behaved it is scary. He just sat there and grinned at everyone, which is pretty good for a 3-month old in a loud restaurant.
Holy cow, I'm so stuffed.
I love the place. It's essentially a buffet-style stir-fry emporium, but they have about 20 different sauces (6 of them incredibly spicey, yum!), 5 kinds of meat, 3 kinds of seafood, some veggies, 4-5 kinds of noodles and LOTS OF TOFU!
You put them all together in a bowl and take them up to the grill and they slap it down and fry it up for you right there. And I tell you, its so good and filling and it was only $15 each for the all-you-can-inhale feast.
I'm definately going there again sometime.
It was also nice because we saw our cousins and my brothers and my little nephew, who is now the proud owner of a stuffed cellular phone and has a huge head. He's a cutie though, and so well behaved it is scary. He just sat there and grinned at everyone, which is pretty good for a 3-month old in a loud restaurant.
Home stretch
Phew!
Today Julie & I are breathing easier because the flooring was finally installed in our nursery. We had some laminate flooring put in and what would have probably taken me at least a day or two took the guy 5 hours and looks superb.
Afterwards, I set up the crib and tried out some of the cool little baby toys (we have an aquarium that hooks to the side of the crib and plays funky music) and also hooked up the baby monitor (it's got a little starry night scheme that shines on the ceiling).
It's nice to finally have the nursery in a state where we can actually put things into it and also clear out the clutter that is filling up our main floor!
Today Julie & I are breathing easier because the flooring was finally installed in our nursery. We had some laminate flooring put in and what would have probably taken me at least a day or two took the guy 5 hours and looks superb.
Afterwards, I set up the crib and tried out some of the cool little baby toys (we have an aquarium that hooks to the side of the crib and plays funky music) and also hooked up the baby monitor (it's got a little starry night scheme that shines on the ceiling).
It's nice to finally have the nursery in a state where we can actually put things into it and also clear out the clutter that is filling up our main floor!
Friday, June 11, 2004
Chronicles of Spigot
I went out to see The Chronicles Of Riddick (aka Pitch Black 2) today.
I enjoyed the movie, but then I really like the Riddick character and flashy special effects always dazzle me. It definately is one you have to turn your brain off for though. The concepts introduced in the movie were probably better than the actual movie itself, but what can ya do?
It was a lot like watching two different movies at once though. You have the rough and tumble prison sequences, which are a lot like Pitch Black, and then there is the whole invasion storyline, which isn't. But it all comes together by the end :)
My only really major problem with it was that whoever was in charge of naming the various races and such needs to go get a thesaurus or something. I mean, almost EVERYTHING relating to the invasion storyline uses such a basic fantasy/sci-fi nomenclature that it's almost embarrasing. Really now, do we need another race called the Elementals, or the Necromongers, or the Furians (from the planet Fury at that)... Sigh...
Thankfully it looked great and the gothic archetecture of the Necromongers' ships was really cool. The slam sequences were also nicely done and more in keeping with the feel of Pitch Black. Heck, they even reference Butcher Bay, which is the setting for the game I'm working on right now.
If you do go see it, watch the credits till they finish showing the pictures. It's a neat little thing. Heck, I liked how they ended it as I'd be really interested to see how another movie in this storyline would pan out. I remember hearing that they were planning on doing two sequels to Pitch Black, so I hope they do actually get the 3rd movie made.
I enjoyed the movie, but then I really like the Riddick character and flashy special effects always dazzle me. It definately is one you have to turn your brain off for though. The concepts introduced in the movie were probably better than the actual movie itself, but what can ya do?
It was a lot like watching two different movies at once though. You have the rough and tumble prison sequences, which are a lot like Pitch Black, and then there is the whole invasion storyline, which isn't. But it all comes together by the end :)
My only really major problem with it was that whoever was in charge of naming the various races and such needs to go get a thesaurus or something. I mean, almost EVERYTHING relating to the invasion storyline uses such a basic fantasy/sci-fi nomenclature that it's almost embarrasing. Really now, do we need another race called the Elementals, or the Necromongers, or the Furians (from the planet Fury at that)... Sigh...
Thankfully it looked great and the gothic archetecture of the Necromongers' ships was really cool. The slam sequences were also nicely done and more in keeping with the feel of Pitch Black. Heck, they even reference Butcher Bay, which is the setting for the game I'm working on right now.
If you do go see it, watch the credits till they finish showing the pictures. It's a neat little thing. Heck, I liked how they ended it as I'd be really interested to see how another movie in this storyline would pan out. I remember hearing that they were planning on doing two sequels to Pitch Black, so I hope they do actually get the 3rd movie made.
Now my child won't have to eat off the floor
Today at work we had a 'staff appreciation' day. I figured that my manager just wanted to be nice and let us all get out of the house for a staff meeting, so we all went over to Boston Pizza for our staff meeting and some lunch.
Well, it turns out that it was all a ruse. They were having a little party for myself and for one of my coworkers who is adopting a little girl. I was actually surprised, and I'm usually pretty good at picking up on these kind of things.
Anyway, we got a highchair which was quite nice. Granted, it'll be some time till we actually get to use it, but by that time I'll be able to install the proper modifications to it so it'll be more like this than just any old highchair :)
Highchair Before Modification
Highchair After Modification
Well, it turns out that it was all a ruse. They were having a little party for myself and for one of my coworkers who is adopting a little girl. I was actually surprised, and I'm usually pretty good at picking up on these kind of things.
Anyway, we got a highchair which was quite nice. Granted, it'll be some time till we actually get to use it, but by that time I'll be able to install the proper modifications to it so it'll be more like this than just any old highchair :)
Highchair Before Modification
Highchair After Modification
Angry Voters
I think I've managed to piss off my neighbours, and I wasn't even home to do it.
I was poking around on the NDP website the other day, just seeing what my local candidate was all about and on a whim I sent him an e-mail asking why there weren't any signs for the NDP in the area.
Much to my surprise, I had a reply first thing in the morning and this was to an e-mail sent after midnight. So the guy asked if I wanted a sign and I figured, sure, why not. I'll get one and stick it in my window.
This morning I was woken up by his office phoning me to get my address. Now, I've never been one for lawn signs or what not when an election rolls around, so this is somewhat of a big step for me. I decided to go with it and gave them my address so they could drop off my window sign.
Well, they hadn't shown up by the time I left for work, so I figured they'd just stick it in the door and I'd get it when I got home. Well, wouldn't you know it, they brought by a sign and jammed it right up into my front screen door so it was shining that neon orange that is the NDP colour to the whole neighbourhood. And it continued to do so all afternoon and part of the evening.
When Julie got home, she pulled it out of the front door, though not fast enough for my scary neighbours. They were just glaring at her when she did it.
Did I mention that I live in a VERY conservative riding? That's big and small 'C' conservative.
And then there's the whole electoral etiquette thing with regards to getting signs for one party when your spouse isn't voting for the same one as you...
So I've now got a rather large, bright orange NDP sign that I've stuck in my office window. The rest of the house can vote however it wants, but my backyard-facing office will join the loony left!
Ah, gotta love election season :)
I was poking around on the NDP website the other day, just seeing what my local candidate was all about and on a whim I sent him an e-mail asking why there weren't any signs for the NDP in the area.
Much to my surprise, I had a reply first thing in the morning and this was to an e-mail sent after midnight. So the guy asked if I wanted a sign and I figured, sure, why not. I'll get one and stick it in my window.
This morning I was woken up by his office phoning me to get my address. Now, I've never been one for lawn signs or what not when an election rolls around, so this is somewhat of a big step for me. I decided to go with it and gave them my address so they could drop off my window sign.
Well, they hadn't shown up by the time I left for work, so I figured they'd just stick it in the door and I'd get it when I got home. Well, wouldn't you know it, they brought by a sign and jammed it right up into my front screen door so it was shining that neon orange that is the NDP colour to the whole neighbourhood. And it continued to do so all afternoon and part of the evening.
When Julie got home, she pulled it out of the front door, though not fast enough for my scary neighbours. They were just glaring at her when she did it.
Did I mention that I live in a VERY conservative riding? That's big and small 'C' conservative.
And then there's the whole electoral etiquette thing with regards to getting signs for one party when your spouse isn't voting for the same one as you...
So I've now got a rather large, bright orange NDP sign that I've stuck in my office window. The rest of the house can vote however it wants, but my backyard-facing office will join the loony left!
Ah, gotta love election season :)
Thursday, June 10, 2004
GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!
AAAH!
For the last 3 days I've had that stupid song from the coffee creamer commercial running through my head and it just won't go away! I've tried singing it out loud, I've even sang it to Julie (shudder) and it still is in there! I hate earworms!
It's the bastardized version of the 'Say A Little Prayer' song, only instead of putting on make-up it's about reaching for a smiley face cup in the morning. (Just click on the Wayne Brady link to experience it for yourself).
IT WON'T GO AWAY!
I was up till after 6am today with it running through my head and all I could do was stare at the ceiling and slowly go crazy (well, crazier, I guess)...
Help!
I just found this link from another poor sap's blog, also suffering from an attack of the earworm.
For the last 3 days I've had that stupid song from the coffee creamer commercial running through my head and it just won't go away! I've tried singing it out loud, I've even sang it to Julie (shudder) and it still is in there! I hate earworms!
It's the bastardized version of the 'Say A Little Prayer' song, only instead of putting on make-up it's about reaching for a smiley face cup in the morning. (Just click on the Wayne Brady link to experience it for yourself).
IT WON'T GO AWAY!
I was up till after 6am today with it running through my head and all I could do was stare at the ceiling and slowly go crazy (well, crazier, I guess)...
Help!
I just found this link from another poor sap's blog, also suffering from an attack of the earworm.
Wednesday, June 09, 2004
More Geeky Game News
I just finished Summoner 2 on the PS2 about 10 minutes ago. Clocked in at around 25-26 hours, not including several restarts when I'd be killed, so I bet all told it took me about 30 hours to finish.
I really enjoyed the game though. I like the Summoner game universe and this took a lot of concepts from the first one and really fleshed them out. And it had two of the funniest movies in a game that I've seen in quite some time.
Now I'm going to go watch Pitch Black to get ready for the Chronicles of Riddick movie that opens on Friday (woo!). I'm also really enjoying the Riddick game, but I'm so stuck in it right now it's not funny. If you're going to try to break out of a maximum security space jail, it's not a good idea to get the guards mad when you can't even pick up a gun without being electrocuted. Just keep that in mind...
I really enjoyed the game though. I like the Summoner game universe and this took a lot of concepts from the first one and really fleshed them out. And it had two of the funniest movies in a game that I've seen in quite some time.
Now I'm going to go watch Pitch Black to get ready for the Chronicles of Riddick movie that opens on Friday (woo!). I'm also really enjoying the Riddick game, but I'm so stuck in it right now it's not funny. If you're going to try to break out of a maximum security space jail, it's not a good idea to get the guards mad when you can't even pick up a gun without being electrocuted. Just keep that in mind...
Tuesday, June 08, 2004
Riding Tall
This Canadiana fact brought to you by the CBC.
Did you know that the territory of Nunavut counts as one (yes, ONE) electoral riding? And that it's the largest in the country, being approximately 2 million square kilometers?
There are only 27000 people living in all that space and so it's quite a trek to go around, kissing babies and shaking hands in 4 weeks time.
Speaking of interesting electoral shenanigans, there's some drama occuring in the riding where the group home is.
The Liberals in the local riding association aren't voting Liberal this election. Why? The person running for candidacy was parachuted in by the party against the wishes of the local association and they're none too pleased. I remember reading about this in the local paper a week or 3 ago, so I'm not surprised. Heck, I even sympathise. They've had the same local representative for the last 8-10 years and he lives in Richmond Hill. Then they get a new person and she's not even local either!
The best part is that they're all going to vote NDP :) Hee hee.
Did you know that the territory of Nunavut counts as one (yes, ONE) electoral riding? And that it's the largest in the country, being approximately 2 million square kilometers?
There are only 27000 people living in all that space and so it's quite a trek to go around, kissing babies and shaking hands in 4 weeks time.
Speaking of interesting electoral shenanigans, there's some drama occuring in the riding where the group home is.
The Liberals in the local riding association aren't voting Liberal this election. Why? The person running for candidacy was parachuted in by the party against the wishes of the local association and they're none too pleased. I remember reading about this in the local paper a week or 3 ago, so I'm not surprised. Heck, I even sympathise. They've had the same local representative for the last 8-10 years and he lives in Richmond Hill. Then they get a new person and she's not even local either!
The best part is that they're all going to vote NDP :) Hee hee.
Stupid frogs...
So the spring peepers are at it again. They've actually been peeping rather loudly for the past month or so, but now that it's warm enough to keep the windows open, they're peeping so loud it's almost impossible to sleep!
Granted, I do really like the frogs and their noise. The few nights when they've been quiet over the last month or so have been really noticable. It's one of the joys of living in the country. You know you're not in the city when you get out of your car after work and are greeted by the cacophony from the swamp :)
Anyone have wierd noises that they hear in their neck of the woods that let them know it's spring/summer time?
Granted, I do really like the frogs and their noise. The few nights when they've been quiet over the last month or so have been really noticable. It's one of the joys of living in the country. You know you're not in the city when you get out of your car after work and are greeted by the cacophony from the swamp :)
Anyone have wierd noises that they hear in their neck of the woods that let them know it's spring/summer time?
Grand Theft Brampton
I just remembered an interesting thing that happened the other day.
At work we have a VON nurse who comes in a couple times a week to bathe a couple of the guys. Well, this week we had a new nurse come in but for some reason she was rather late arriving, even though she just lived down the street from the group home.
Turns out that while she had been having an afternoon nap at home before coming to the home, someone had the nerve to steal her car! Right out of her driveway at that!
She's coming back tomorrow so I will see if she got her car back, but that's pretty gutsy, stealing someone's car out of their driveway in the middle of a sunny afternoon!
At work we have a VON nurse who comes in a couple times a week to bathe a couple of the guys. Well, this week we had a new nurse come in but for some reason she was rather late arriving, even though she just lived down the street from the group home.
Turns out that while she had been having an afternoon nap at home before coming to the home, someone had the nerve to steal her car! Right out of her driveway at that!
She's coming back tomorrow so I will see if she got her car back, but that's pretty gutsy, stealing someone's car out of their driveway in the middle of a sunny afternoon!
Sunday, June 06, 2004
Nasty parents
Now THIS has got to be the best auction on Ebay that I've seen in quite some time.
"Parents please let your children read this auction.
It was a glory day when my son received his Play Station 2. This beloved machine was his prize possession. He played, if not for hours at a time. When he would not take care of anything else, but he took care of this little treasure of his. Ground him, take away phone privileges………….anything but this PS2.
UP FOR AUCTION OR FOR SALE DUE TO PUNISHMENT
PLAY STATION 2
USED
PLAYS GREAT! ASK MY SON"
It was a glory day when my son received his Play Station 2. This beloved machine was his prize possession. He played, if not for hours at a time. When he would not take care of anything else, but he took care of this little treasure of his. Ground him, take away phone privileges………….anything but this PS2.
PLAY STATION 2
USED
PLAYS GREAT! ASK MY SON"
My car!
Thankfully, my car has only been in one accident and it wasn't that bad.
Unlike the poor chaps & chapettes and their very expensive cars over on Wrecked Exotics. Some of them are crazy!
Unlike the poor chaps & chapettes and their very expensive cars over on Wrecked Exotics. Some of them are crazy!
I've got Riddicks...
On Friday I traded in a bunch of old games and picked up the fantastic Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. I only got a brief chance to try it out on Friday night, but the 10 minutes we spent playing was very cool. It's too bad they couldn't have done as good a job on the Matrix game as they did on this one. I am a big Pitch Black fan though, so I'm not complaining... It's not like they squandered an excellent game on a bad license.
I totally agree with the online reviews, at least as far as it being an absolutely gorgeous game. The ingame version of Vin Diesel is scarily photorealistic. They've also got a LOT of good voice talents involved. I mean, they have Ron Perlman, and he's not even in the new Riddick movie!!!
Oh, I also went out to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Friday. I really liked it. It's got a new director and so it really does feel different from the first two, but it's all good. I like the darker tone of the movie as it really fits the book, though I'm sure some parents who like taking their little 6 year old may not like it.
The Dementors were phenomenal though. I loved 'em.
I totally agree with the online reviews, at least as far as it being an absolutely gorgeous game. The ingame version of Vin Diesel is scarily photorealistic. They've also got a LOT of good voice talents involved. I mean, they have Ron Perlman, and he's not even in the new Riddick movie!!!
Oh, I also went out to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on Friday. I really liked it. It's got a new director and so it really does feel different from the first two, but it's all good. I like the darker tone of the movie as it really fits the book, though I'm sure some parents who like taking their little 6 year old may not like it.
The Dementors were phenomenal though. I loved 'em.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
I [heart] Books
James, Julie & I went out to the annual Acton Library Book Sale today. I ended up with 11 new books for a grand total of $5.50.
Gotta love that.
We also went to the Trunk Sale, which is in a new spot this year. I think it's in a better spot now as it's a) closer to our house and b) more open. I don't know what it is, but having it in the Olde Hide House parking lot just makes it better now.
And I got to have my first ChowDown of the year. The ChowDown is an egg, a slice of peameal bacon and cheese topped with fried onions and served on a kaiser. If you ever do find yourself at the Acton Trunk Sale, make sure you get one. I get one every weekend that I make it there, and the people who run the little booth are a hoot. They have probably made Julie & I feel more welcome here in Acton than anyone who isn't our direct neighbour.
On the way home, we stopped at what was supposed to be the local condo board garage sale but turned out to be one family selling all their VHS movies. James got the 5 Kevin Smith movies (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) for $20.
I lucked out and got the original Star Wars trilogy deluxe box set, letterboxed and with accompanying book. AND NOT SPECIAL EDITION!!
I figure that since Lucas seems bound and determined to ensure that the original trilogy in its original format never sees the light of day on DVD, it was up to me to get the original format while I still could. Not to mention that the whole set was $20. Not too shabby.
Gotta love that.
We also went to the Trunk Sale, which is in a new spot this year. I think it's in a better spot now as it's a) closer to our house and b) more open. I don't know what it is, but having it in the Olde Hide House parking lot just makes it better now.
And I got to have my first ChowDown of the year. The ChowDown is an egg, a slice of peameal bacon and cheese topped with fried onions and served on a kaiser. If you ever do find yourself at the Acton Trunk Sale, make sure you get one. I get one every weekend that I make it there, and the people who run the little booth are a hoot. They have probably made Julie & I feel more welcome here in Acton than anyone who isn't our direct neighbour.
On the way home, we stopped at what was supposed to be the local condo board garage sale but turned out to be one family selling all their VHS movies. James got the 5 Kevin Smith movies (Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back) for $20.
I lucked out and got the original Star Wars trilogy deluxe box set, letterboxed and with accompanying book. AND NOT SPECIAL EDITION!!
I figure that since Lucas seems bound and determined to ensure that the original trilogy in its original format never sees the light of day on DVD, it was up to me to get the original format while I still could. Not to mention that the whole set was $20. Not too shabby.
Friday, June 04, 2004
It's somehow more real now...
On Wednesday night after work, Julie & I set up our 'travel system' aka The Stroller Of Doom. It's neat. It's a very modular contraption that has all sorts of funky settings and latches and so forth. I just like how you can pop the little baby seat out of the car and latch it into the stroller and vice versa.
Having the stroller put together has really made me realize just how close the little Spiglet is to coming though. That, and the hospital tour on Tuesday and the Labour & Birth class we went to last night.
I'm kind of torn though. One minute I am almost hoping Julie's going to tell me she's gone into labour so we can go zooming down to the hospital and I can see the little goober.
The next I'm hoping Julie's 3 weeks late since there is still some work to do on the nursery and I am not sure if I'm ready for parenthood.
Then I settle down to my usual feelings which lie somewhere inbetween.
Having the stroller put together has really made me realize just how close the little Spiglet is to coming though. That, and the hospital tour on Tuesday and the Labour & Birth class we went to last night.
I'm kind of torn though. One minute I am almost hoping Julie's going to tell me she's gone into labour so we can go zooming down to the hospital and I can see the little goober.
The next I'm hoping Julie's 3 weeks late since there is still some work to do on the nursery and I am not sure if I'm ready for parenthood.
Then I settle down to my usual feelings which lie somewhere inbetween.
Voting Conundrum
Speaking of the upcoming election, I'm having a bit of a quandry.
On the one hand, I know without a doubt which party I want to vote for, based on the leaders and their overall platforms.
However... on a more local level, I like the candidate of a different party and would like to vote for him. I know nothing about the candidate of my party of choice.
So I'm torn. Do I vote for the party and the leaders, or do I vote for the guy who is running for the party I don't particularily like but who I personally would like to vote for?
I always hear how people really should vote for their local representatives as opposed to just picking whomever and voting based on the leaders alone, but what happens when you're in my position and are so torn? ARG!
On the one hand, I know without a doubt which party I want to vote for, based on the leaders and their overall platforms.
However... on a more local level, I like the candidate of a different party and would like to vote for him. I know nothing about the candidate of my party of choice.
So I'm torn. Do I vote for the party and the leaders, or do I vote for the guy who is running for the party I don't particularily like but who I personally would like to vote for?
I always hear how people really should vote for their local representatives as opposed to just picking whomever and voting based on the leaders alone, but what happens when you're in my position and are so torn? ARG!
Vote Rhino!
I was just listening to The Current on CBC Radio and Preston 'Refoooooorm' Manning was saying he was going to revive the Rhino Party.
Too bad it's a joke. I used to love hanging out with the local Rhino candidate in Camlachie. Too bad I was too young to vote then. By the time I could vote, they'd disbanded. I wish I still had my Rhino Party t-shirt... sigh. I guess I could join the Absolutely Absurd Party of Canada but they look like they're just being goofy, as opposed to satirical.
Vote for me! Vote Rhino!
Why vote Rhino?
'Platform promises released by the Rhinoceros Party included:
repealing the law of gravity,
paving the province of Manitoba to create the world's largest parking lot,
instituting illiteracy as Canada's third official language,
tearing down the Rocky Mountains so that Albertans could see the Pacific,
building sloping bicycle paths across the country so that Canadians could "coast from coast to coast",
annexing the United States, which would take its place as the third territory (after the Yukon and North-West Territories) in Canada's backyard, in order to raise the average national temperature,
breeding a mosquito that would only hatch in January so that "the little buggers will freeze to death",
turning Montreal's rue Ste-Catherine into the world's longest bowling alley,
selling the Canadian Senate at an antique auction in California,
painting Canada's coastal sea limits so that Canadian fish would know where they were at all times,
counting the Thousand Islands to make sure none are missing,
banning lousy Canadian winters. '
Too bad it's a joke. I used to love hanging out with the local Rhino candidate in Camlachie. Too bad I was too young to vote then. By the time I could vote, they'd disbanded. I wish I still had my Rhino Party t-shirt... sigh. I guess I could join the Absolutely Absurd Party of Canada but they look like they're just being goofy, as opposed to satirical.
Vote for me! Vote Rhino!
Why vote Rhino?
'Platform promises released by the Rhinoceros Party included:
repealing the law of gravity,
paving the province of Manitoba to create the world's largest parking lot,
instituting illiteracy as Canada's third official language,
tearing down the Rocky Mountains so that Albertans could see the Pacific,
building sloping bicycle paths across the country so that Canadians could "coast from coast to coast",
annexing the United States, which would take its place as the third territory (after the Yukon and North-West Territories) in Canada's backyard, in order to raise the average national temperature,
breeding a mosquito that would only hatch in January so that "the little buggers will freeze to death",
turning Montreal's rue Ste-Catherine into the world's longest bowling alley,
selling the Canadian Senate at an antique auction in California,
painting Canada's coastal sea limits so that Canadian fish would know where they were at all times,
counting the Thousand Islands to make sure none are missing,
banning lousy Canadian winters. '
Wednesday, June 02, 2004
Doo doo doo de doo doo... doo...
Ok, so I can't do the Mario theme using 'doo's. However, I CAN play Mario vs. Donkey Kong on my GBA, which I actually picked up today to be my waiting-room game for when the baby comes.
If I'm stuck in the hospital, anxiously awaiting the baby, and they relegate me to being a benchwarmer in the hallway, I'd rather have a good puzzle/platformer game to keep me occupied than whatever crummy magazines or TV shows they have to offer.
Speaking of which, it costs $8/day to watch TV at the hospital in the Mat ward. INSANE! Granted, from what they told us, it's $17/day at the Georgetown hospital, so I don't feel so bad.
If I'm stuck in the hospital, anxiously awaiting the baby, and they relegate me to being a benchwarmer in the hallway, I'd rather have a good puzzle/platformer game to keep me occupied than whatever crummy magazines or TV shows they have to offer.
Speaking of which, it costs $8/day to watch TV at the hospital in the Mat ward. INSANE! Granted, from what they told us, it's $17/day at the Georgetown hospital, so I don't feel so bad.
No pain, no gain
We went to the doctor today for our weekly baby checkup and so far, so good. We were concerned last week because Julie's blood pressure was a little high and she'd gained a lot of weight in 2 weeks, but everything seemed fine this week! According to the doctor, the Spiglet is ~37 cm long right now from nose to tail.
In the evening we went to Credit Valley Hospital for our hospital tour. There were only 3 people, including us, so it was a nice intimate tour. I was rather impressed with the facilities myself. Very new and not terribly sterile, which is nice for a labour & delivery ward.
They even have a hot tub there for mom's-to-be to lounge in while in labour. The nice thing is that the dads can hop in the hot tub too. The sad thing is that they had to specifically tell us that they would really appreciate it if the dads wore swim trunks if they want to hop in the hot tub... I'm not sure I want to know the tales the nurses have to tell about the hot tub!
Julie got a chuckle about a line at the end of the little video we watched about the whole 'Having A Baby At Credit Valley Hospital' experience. Right at the end they have a little list and one of the items on the list is this. "If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, please notify the nurse." Which of course makes you wonder exactly how many labours & deliveries they have which have no pain or discomfort. I thought that was kind of a major part of the whole experience!
I had to tell the lady giving the tour my little story about CVH too. I used to live there. Not in the hospital, but the actual land it stands on used to be where the little house, farm and orchard were that I lived in from birth to around age 5. Then the hospital bought the land, kicked us out and we moved to Thunder Bay. I'm sure I'm going to be telling a LOT of people at the hospital my little story when we have the baby and I'm pacing the hallways frenetically. Sigh.
In the evening we went to Credit Valley Hospital for our hospital tour. There were only 3 people, including us, so it was a nice intimate tour. I was rather impressed with the facilities myself. Very new and not terribly sterile, which is nice for a labour & delivery ward.
They even have a hot tub there for mom's-to-be to lounge in while in labour. The nice thing is that the dads can hop in the hot tub too. The sad thing is that they had to specifically tell us that they would really appreciate it if the dads wore swim trunks if they want to hop in the hot tub... I'm not sure I want to know the tales the nurses have to tell about the hot tub!
Julie got a chuckle about a line at the end of the little video we watched about the whole 'Having A Baby At Credit Valley Hospital' experience. Right at the end they have a little list and one of the items on the list is this. "If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, please notify the nurse." Which of course makes you wonder exactly how many labours & deliveries they have which have no pain or discomfort. I thought that was kind of a major part of the whole experience!
I had to tell the lady giving the tour my little story about CVH too. I used to live there. Not in the hospital, but the actual land it stands on used to be where the little house, farm and orchard were that I lived in from birth to around age 5. Then the hospital bought the land, kicked us out and we moved to Thunder Bay. I'm sure I'm going to be telling a LOT of people at the hospital my little story when we have the baby and I'm pacing the hallways frenetically. Sigh.
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
Movies for Rushed People
Go check such gems as The Exorcist in 30 Seconds (performed by bunnies) or The Shining in 30 Seconds (also performed by bunnies). Funny stuff. There's even a Pigeon Cam!
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