The Price is Right?? - Day 5

This is yet another hilarious price is right video. I should note however that the pic has nothing to do with the video ... I just thought it looked cool ^__^

Anyway, who said white men can't jump??

The Price is Right?? - Day 4

This video is actually really cute. The dreamy gooey kind - the stuff Hollywood is made of.

The Twilight Zone.

I came across this today on the BBC website. Apparently the Brazilian government has found a new uncontacted indigenous tribe. Is this for real?

The Price is Right?? - Day 3

Who said cheaters never prosper??

Speak no more.

STOP!!! Stop everything! Just listen. Have you ever really tried it?

I'm in my office and I hear a voice ... in my head and it says I should be working. There's rambling in the background, it's my officemate, he never shuts up, will you just shut up? I'm trying to listen and not to you. He doesn't care and he doesn't know, he can't hear me. Even if I was speaking, would he really hear me? Does anyone really here me?

Justice is fallacy. If enough people believe something to be true then it is. It doesn't matter what really happened but rather what others perceive to happen.

My computer is grumbling and I don't know why. Viruses makes computers grumble sometimes - especially spyware. Hey virus makers ... the weird and demented, the needy and deprived ... spy all you want, just don't make my computer grumble.

I wish I were away from here, in some far off land. Maybe then I would hear different things. I wonder if far off lands are so different from our lands. Maybe they're just as loud as any other. But wait, maybe salvation is not so far. I know a place, the floors are rock and the air is clean. Around it is water and nobody speaks. And at night, the birds do not chirp and the sailors have settled. There is only one voice left and it belongs to me. I wonder what I'll hear ...

In case you haven't noticed.

(Photo, courtesy of Norwegian People's Aid)

So what does the US, Israel and Russia all have in common? You guessed it, cluster bombs!

Diplomats from all over the world met in Dublin where over 100 nations agreed to ban the use of cluster bombs. The US, Israel, Russia and China (including a few other nations) rejected the treaty and will not agree to the terms.

In the most recent Israeli-Lebanese war, Israel used hundreds of thousands of cluster bombs, 90% of which were dropped in the last 72 hours of conflict when a resolution was imminent. Just two days ago, Ex-US President Jimmy Carter finally revealed what everyone already knew, Israel has nuclear weapons.

To your 60 years of genocide, and many more to come, happy birthday Israel. Happy birthday to you.

The Price is Right?? - Day 2

This video is probably a little more awkward than it is funny. Hope you enjoy!

Food for thought.

Great pic, thanks for sharing L-girl.

The Price is Right?? - Day 1

I'm sure just about everyone born before 1985 is quite familiar with the popular game show host, Bob Barker, and The Price is Right. I for one used to dream of going on the show and was quite certain that I'd spin $1 and win the showcase showdown.

Anyway, as a token tribute to an awesome show and a way cool gameshow host, I've decided to post a random Price is Right video for the next seven days.

Bon Echo

Hi everyone. I've posted a few pics from my Bon Echo camping trip. Hope you enjoy ...

Brave Soldier Boy - Interpretation.

I hope you all enjoyed the poem I posted yesterday. Just wanted to share some thoughts on it.

THE SETTING

We're presented with an old man who alone is celebrating the birthday of his son. And although his son is not present, he does however have a picture. It's not entirely obvious, but his son is actually wearing military attire. Indeed, a helpful hint and noteworthy point, but it's not actually necessary for understanding the poem itself ... at least my understanding of it anyway.

THE INTERPRETATION

"Leaves from the vine
Falling so slow"

Although a very pleasant image, fall symbolizes a change in season and usually of one from life to death.

"Like fragile tiny shells
Drifting in the foam"

Again very gentle and pleasant but shells only drift when they're uninhabited and when the shell itself is all that remains.

"Little soldier boy, come marching home "

Here he is referring to his son and asking him to return home. Note, this next part is heart breaking ...

"Brave soldier boy, comes marching home"

Like any parent, when the hurt is most severe, the dream (of return) is realized.

Brave Soldier Boy.

Hi everyone. I have a very special post for you today and would like your utmost attention. I’ve attached a poem for your listening/viewing (click on pic) and the words for you to follow. Believe it or not, it’s actually from a cartoon (Avatar) that I came across by chance. Having said that and at the risk of sounding completely foolish … it actually really moves me … and sometimes even to tears.

Anyway, just thought I’d share it with you all. I’d love to hear what it means to you.

Leaves from the vine

Falling so slow

Like fragile tiny shells

Drifting in the foam

Little soldier boy, come marching home

Brave soldier boy, comes marching home

R-G colour blind - the high school days.

"Dude check out my new car!!! '94 Plymouth Sundance. It's a beater, but hey." (best friend)

Dude, why is it pink? (me)

"Whatchu talkin'bout Willis? It's not pink - it's light green man!"

Dude, it's light pink ...

"%$#@ ... damn you X chromosome! Daaaaamn yoooooOOOU!!!"

Super Timor!

Was just looking up stuff for mosquito repellents (see previous post) and came across this random video. Very funny but again, very random. Apparently it's an 80's commercial for a bug repellent - I'm guessing somewhere from west Africa (Ivory Coast??). My french is a little rusty but timor must be slang for "tu est mort" (you are dead).

Camping and stuff.

I hate using mosquito repellents when I go camping. It just seems like cheating and besides, isn't the point of camping to get away from all these things?? (me)

"Yeah, I guess so. I've heard lavender works well. I mean, I've heard it's a natural alternative." (friend)

Hmm, I like things that are natural ... and alternatives.

"You can even buy sunscreen with this stuff too. Double purpose you know."

Interesting, maybe I'll give it a shot. You're a pal. I don't know what I'd do without you.

--------------------

Well, one thing is for sure, I definitely wouldn't have got 32 mosquito bites without you. Warning everyone - lavender sunscreen is not a natural repellent and doesn't work. After a 2.5 hour hike, my face was left slightly disfigured and riddled with bites. Everywhere I applied sunscreen was attacked mercilessly.

Aside from the hiking massacre, the trip was a hit. We went to Bon Echo provencial park and stayed at a campsite right next to Mazinah Lake. The water is fresh, the cliffs are monumental and the scenary is breathtaking. Having said that, the part I like best is the people. For some reason, I find campers to be the most friendly. Maybe it's more of a solidarity thing. I suppose it's hard not to like people who like what you like. Did I forget to mention the word 'like'?

We canoed, kayaked and even did a little rock climbing. It was still a little too cold for swimming but I took a quick dip anyhow. (Sigh) --- I feel great and very grounded at the moment (ouch, no pun intended). If you've never gone camping before, get out there and try it. If you've already gone before, then what are you waiting for?

(pics will be up in a few days)

Going camping.

Hi everyone. So I'm gonna be away for the next few days but I thought I'd leave you all a little something before I did. I found this pic on pandimasbox. Beautiful.

To assume is to make an ass out u and me.

It doesn’t take long for it to hit that I’m back in Toronto again. Oh, did I forget to mention? I’m back in the big city for a couple of days to visit the folks. I really love those two … they’re sweet, dependable and never quite understand what I’m saying. Really, I think parents should come with a disclaimer or something, like one of those pharmaceutical drug commercials:

Parents are not suitable for everyone. You may experience drossiness, strong headaches and bouts of paranoia. Please consult your doctor before visiting if any of the following apply to you:

1. High blood pressure.
2. Are pregnant or are nursing.
3. Suffer from any condition affecting your brain.

Anyway, I’m on the platform waiting for the subway and notice these two little blue eyes gazing at me in the distance. They quickly look away. She’s fair skinned and has long blond hair. She looks up again but this time reveals much more. Her face is round but is slightly disfigured. I noticed regions of black and blue. I can’t help but think of the terrible things that might have happened to this sweet, innocent young girl. She’s shown too much now and she knows it. This time she sets her sights to the floor. The floor is indifferent and never gives back. Not even a reflection and she takes comfort in that.

Maybe she’s in an abusive relationship. Maybe she was beaten or worse, raped. Get it together man, it doesn’t have to be all bad. Maybe she’s actually lucky … a survivor, a fighter. Maybe she had a bad car accident and survived. Maybe she’s an Olympic boxer and just won a tough fight. Maybe a figure skater who just had a bad fall. And as she sits in the seat across from me, I start to feel better. I remember never to make assumptions. It isn’t just her face that’s blue but the whole left side of her. And not a new blue but an old one. One that is deep and lies beneath her skin. Maybe she was born this way. Maybe she’s just like you and me.

Readers Awaken!!!

THE INTRODUCTION

Hey everyone. So yestersday's post, tongue and cheek aside, actually carried a lot of substance and has really been on the mind. It's really the type of thing where you're not sure who you're laughing at. I mean think about it, Batman was around in the 1960's, ten years earlier Orwell publsihed 1984 and some time before that Huxely produced Brave New World. We're talking mainstream ... stuff kids grow up on, read in schools, watch in movies, ... and yet, some 50 years later, it's still the same old song. Politicians and all their "hoopla", why are we still falling for it? What is it going to take for us to wake up?

THE PROBLEM

If you thought I couldn't sum it up in so few words then behold:

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." - Winston Churchill

Am I advocating for a revolution against democracy? Absolutely not. I am advocating for a revolution of the mind and for the masses.

THE SOLUTION

Guilty as charged ... and that includes all of us. You don't have to look very hard for a solution for it resides in each one of us.

Education. Many people mistake school or "higher learning" as education but this couldn't be further from the truth. Universities and colleges are a means to an education and no doubt a chance to learn and think and contemplate, but how many of us actually do this? I go to Queen's University and have been here for the last seven years. I have never, and please quote me, have ever in all my life seen so many dumbstruck-drunks ... and these are Canada's future leaders and CEO's.

Action. Education without communication is useless and benefits no one. Most people think of activism as a hippy thing for long haired, tie-dye wearing know-it-alls. On the contrary, anyone wishing to express their hard won freedom should be active. Use it or lose it. Activisim can be anything from community involvment to even blogging. Like what we're doing right now - I'm in the process of writing ideas (action), you are in the process of well, ... processing (ideas) which will hopefully lead to transmission (action) and finally back into ideas again. The cycle continues.

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

I hope I haven't bored any of you too much and I do realize that I don't get into the serious stuff all that often, but I kinda like it that way. I'd like to think that we can have fun and learn at the same time. Anyway, on a final note, I have a very wonderful quote, which I'm sure everyone can appreciate ... something that is perhaps expressed (in someway) in just about every culture:

"He who does not punish evil commands it to be done." - Leonardo da Vinci

Must see - political campaigning explained.

I came across this video while visiting the Accordion Guy. Totally awesome! Check it out (click on pic).

Things I wouldn't do for a million dollars (#2)

... wear a Yankees cap to a Red Sox game.

Toiletries and other fun stuff.

After living the last seven years in a small city, I’ve come to learn a thing or two. Like how contrary to popular belief, you can still get around without a car or functioning public transit. Out here, we walk everywhere. Yes, it’s true, things are a little more spread out and it is admittedly a little harder to get around, but it’s no deterrent. Take me for example, I walk 2.5 km (each way) to and from campus, add 2.5 for groceries or 5 if I want the higher quality stuff and another 4 km for any sidetracks and detours (dinner and a movie, etc.). In any given day, I can be anywhere from 5-14 km (that’s 3.1-8.7 miles for my American friends). And that doesn’t even include all the little stuff in between.

It isn’t all glory though. I go through shoes like no tomorrow. I bought a new pair just eight months ago, six of which have been winter (so I didn’t wear them) and I already need new ones. Oh, and I’m not all posh about it either. I mean I hold on for as long as I can. Like really really. Like I’ve been single handedly supporting the local cobbler and his seven children really.

Another thing is groceries … toilet paper is a classic example. Walking down the street with a Charmin’s 30 pack of double rolls is not exactly the best way to make new friends (or keep old ones). You’ve got to blend it in. Don’t just buy toilet paper, buy a few other odds and ends. I find that a big bright orange box of tide works best. Other detergents work well too. Beans are suicide. Ciao!!

Happy mother's day!!!

Hi mom,

Even though I know you're not reading this, happy mother's day!!!

Love always.

Things I wouldn't do for a million dollars (#1)

... massage that big hairy guy who lives in the appartment next to mine.

I want one!!!

I'm totally getting one of these chairs. I found it on zuzfun (click on pic for link) with a bunch other funky stuff.

On the hunt.

Over the last seven days or so, I've been working almost non-stop. In fact, today is the first day in a while that I didn't wake up at five in the morning to start on my work. During this time, my diet has essentially been nullified. I'm actually usually quite strict when it comes to that sort of thing, but I've just been so overwhelmed that it (among other things) have been forced to suffer.

An interesting observation, I've noticed that with the less food I eat, the more productive I am. Now, I'm not talking to the point of starvation, but a healthy hunger. I eat, but just barely enough. I almost feel like it's awakening some kind of carnal instinct in me. Maybe like the good ol'days, when we'd hunt and eat so that we could go and hunt again. A very purposeful meal indeed.

puffer fish rock!!!

check out this way cool video. there's like a three second advertisement but no biggy.

i hate indoor picnics ...

so i get to talkin to my bestest best buddy last night. strangest thing - went something like this ...

"so my office is kinda throwing us an indoor picnic tomorrow. actually a potluck, should be fun."
hmm ... so what you're saying is you're going to eat food you all already own and are being forced to spend your lunch hour in the office.

"no baby, you don't understand - it's a picnic!"
indoors.

"with checkered picnic mats."

on a boardroom table.
"precisely."
baby, that's like saying let's go star gazing in my basement.
(long silence ...)

chronic blogger

when i first started this blog thing, i could never have imagined how much time I'd be spending on it. i woke up this morning at around 8 am, starting working on a new header at around 9:00 and I'm just beginning to wrap things up now (midnight). breaks were minimal, socializing non-existent, but i did manage to get some food. there's a little chip truck not too far from campus which i visit, oh i don't know ... about once every six months. well today just happened to be one of those days and the neat thing is, you never know what you're going to get. they're a little careless with their work i guess, which would normally be a bad thing but in this case, it's terrific. there's always these little left-overs in the fryer basket: onion rings, curley fires, the regulars and maybe even a few fish batter crumbs. yummi?? sounds disgusting, i'm sure - but trust me, it's really good. kinda reminds of Forrest and his box of chocolates.

anyway, hope u guys like the changes. feedback would be great!

day with the in-laws.

my fiancée's cousin just gave birth to a healthy baby boy but happens to live 500 km away (from my fiancée that is). i just so happen to lie somewhere in the middle so on their way there, they picked me up and was there for the long haul. now don't misunderstand me, the in-laws are great. we get along super well and i love them to bits, but being in a long distance relationship, well you know what they say ... two is company.

anyway, you know, we did all that family stuff (which i enjoy) but at the end, when we were all tired and had been driving around for way too long and should've been totally irritated with one another - that's when something magical happened ... we connected. and i mean all of us. like one of those moments you see in tv where everyone's happy, smiling, laughing and in love ... magic. I truly feel fortunate to have had this day. I am honoured to be apart of this family. And I am completely and utterly in love.

trying to be me ...

so, if it isn't already obvious, I'm totally a rookie when it comes to this. i am rather computer savvy, so I at least have that going for me. people, really, i'm trying to organize the blog a little, maybe add a thing or two to my profile, but i can't. i really and wholly cannot. am i taking this a little too seriously? why am i having such a hard time doing this? gotta relax, keep it cool, just be me, right?

in other news, it's 1:40 am right now and there's a bunch of idiots outside who have just decided to move into my appartment and let the rest of world know too. i feel like going out there and telling them to shut the hell up, but i wouldn't, that'd just be mean. if they're going to be idiots, there's no point in imitating them - i think. didn't someone once say treat people the way you'd like to be treated? sheesh, i wonder if they ever heard that ...

My first and onlyiest post.

Hi everyone,

It's 1:30 am in the morning and I've just spent the last five hours trying to decide on a blog title. "I like ping pong" - so what do you guys think?

Is anyone out there?