My profile for this blog says that I'm a struggling writer. I just wanted to clarify a point.
I write in my profile that no one can call themselves a writer unless they put pen to paper, or fingers to keys, at least once a day. Just want to clarify that there's more to it than that and even if I do manage to post something every day it doesn't mean that I'm a writer.
Just because someone gives you a paintbrush it doesn't automatically make you Rembrandt.
So, even if I write a lot of content, if it's crap or if no one wants to read it, then I'm not having any success at becoming a writer. Although the hope is that with consistent writing there will be an upward curve in the quality, which is what will help me to become a writer.
Monday
Snakes are soothing!?!
There's a spa in India which is promoting having (non-poisonous) snakes slithering over your body as a relaxing, therapeutic massage. I watched Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes came from him falling in a snake pit. I don't think it was relaxing for him, and I don't think I'd every find it relaxing.
The owner of the spa said she was "inspired by her belief that once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with the creatures to be soothing."
OK, good luck with that. I don't think I'll be visiting any spas in India in my lifetime.
The owner of the spa said she was "inspired by her belief that once people get over any initial misgivings, they find physical contact with the creatures to be soothing."
OK, good luck with that. I don't think I'll be visiting any spas in India in my lifetime.
Detroit autoshow pics
Some of the dealers had cameras set up and were taking pictures of people with the cars. they then gave you a card with an access ID where you could download your picture. So, here's me with a Viper and a Corvette.
Here's more pictures that I took. (There would have been more, but I had power issues with my camera.)
Here's more pictures that I took. (There would have been more, but I had power issues with my camera.)
Noble cause or just plain stupid?
Either this guy has a death wish or he really believes in his cause enough to die for it.
"Slovenian Martin Strel plans to swim 3,375 miles down the world's greatest river, defying piranhas, snakes, crocodiles and even sharks."
Martin is 52 years old and the swim will take him 70 days to complete. He's swimming for world peace and the environment. Hey, he's risking life and limb, he might as well aim high with his goals.
"I've always been swimming for peace and friendship. I decided to dedicate the Amazon swim also to the preservation of the rain forest and clean waters," he said.
All the power to him. And at a cost of $1 million to fund the swim, I hope he gets a lot of publicity for his cause.
"Slovenian Martin Strel plans to swim 3,375 miles down the world's greatest river, defying piranhas, snakes, crocodiles and even sharks."
Martin is 52 years old and the swim will take him 70 days to complete. He's swimming for world peace and the environment. Hey, he's risking life and limb, he might as well aim high with his goals.
"I've always been swimming for peace and friendship. I decided to dedicate the Amazon swim also to the preservation of the rain forest and clean waters," he said.
All the power to him. And at a cost of $1 million to fund the swim, I hope he gets a lot of publicity for his cause.
Saturday
I made it
Last minute plans came together and I made it to the autoshow yesterday.
However, I was a bit disappointed as I don't think it was as good as past years and there were a few trials and tribulations.
To start off, I had to pay $25 for parking!
And then as soon as I get into the show I pop in new batteries into my digital camera and nothing happened. OK something happened, the green light flashed for a second and then the red light flashed a few times and then nothing happened. Not what I was expecting. I did eventually manage to get some intermittent power out of it and was able to get a couple pictures (I'll post those tomorrow or Monday).
There were some nice cars and some nice concept cars, but many of the manufacturers had scaled back. VW especially; they used to have a huge section in the lower level, but this year had just a small corner on the main level. And Ford didn't have the GT there.
Anyway there was a lot of steel and chrome and power there, notably Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Jaguar, ... and I had my picture taken in a Corvette.
So, I did have a good time, and definitely going during the week is better than going on the weekends. The crowds are a lot better. We had some fun too trying out a racing game where we actually sat in real race cars jacked up on hydraulics that moved like the real thing. That was cool.
However, I was a bit disappointed as I don't think it was as good as past years and there were a few trials and tribulations.
To start off, I had to pay $25 for parking!
And then as soon as I get into the show I pop in new batteries into my digital camera and nothing happened. OK something happened, the green light flashed for a second and then the red light flashed a few times and then nothing happened. Not what I was expecting. I did eventually manage to get some intermittent power out of it and was able to get a couple pictures (I'll post those tomorrow or Monday).
There were some nice cars and some nice concept cars, but many of the manufacturers had scaled back. VW especially; they used to have a huge section in the lower level, but this year had just a small corner on the main level. And Ford didn't have the GT there.
Anyway there was a lot of steel and chrome and power there, notably Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Jaguar, ... and I had my picture taken in a Corvette.
So, I did have a good time, and definitely going during the week is better than going on the weekends. The crowds are a lot better. We had some fun too trying out a racing game where we actually sat in real race cars jacked up on hydraulics that moved like the real thing. That was cool.
Wednesday
Detroit Autoshow
Another year of great launches and concept cars. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here, missing all the flash, the chrome, the steel, the sleek lines...
Maybe next year (provided I have my passport to get across the border).
The Canadian International Autoshow is next month, so maybe I'll get to that one; even though it costs more than the North American Autoshow in Detroit and is way less fanfare and car launches than at NAIAS.
Maybe next year (provided I have my passport to get across the border).
The Canadian International Autoshow is next month, so maybe I'll get to that one; even though it costs more than the North American Autoshow in Detroit and is way less fanfare and car launches than at NAIAS.
Five minutes to doomsday
The Doomsday Clock counting down to doomsday or Armageddon was moved from seven minutes to midnight to five minutes to midnight.
The clock was created in 1947 and signifies the degree of perils we faces on Earth and the destruction of humanity in the "Second Nuclear Age."
Over the years, the countdown clock has fluctuated, and was at its closest, two minutes to midnight in 1953, during the Cold War.
The move was prompted by the nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran, and also by the threats of global warming.
The clock was created in 1947 and signifies the degree of perils we faces on Earth and the destruction of humanity in the "Second Nuclear Age."
Over the years, the countdown clock has fluctuated, and was at its closest, two minutes to midnight in 1953, during the Cold War.
The move was prompted by the nuclear programs in North Korea and Iran, and also by the threats of global warming.
Monday
Blood Diamonds
You've likely heard of the movie currently playing in theatres,starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but you may not be aware that blood diamonds are a real problem in the world.
Blood diamonds have fueled wars across Africa, leading to the deaths of more than four million people and displacing many millions more.
Right now, $23 million in conflict diamonds from the Ivory Coast are being smuggled into diamond markets around the world.
In the movie, men from villages were taken from their families to work at the diamond mines. The young boys were taken, brainwashed and turned against their families and made to fight for the rebel armies. The rebels would cut off a villager's limb for every rebel that was killed. The women and young children, if they weren't murdered, fled their homes to refugee camps.
War stories from Sierra Leone, where the rebel group mined diamonds to fund the conflict (PBS):
Blood diamonds have fueled wars across Africa, leading to the deaths of more than four million people and displacing many millions more.
Right now, $23 million in conflict diamonds from the Ivory Coast are being smuggled into diamond markets around the world.
In the movie, men from villages were taken from their families to work at the diamond mines. The young boys were taken, brainwashed and turned against their families and made to fight for the rebel armies. The rebels would cut off a villager's limb for every rebel that was killed. The women and young children, if they weren't murdered, fled their homes to refugee camps.
War stories from Sierra Leone, where the rebel group mined diamonds to fund the conflict (PBS):
- Unidentified Amputee: “First used the ax to chop the left hand off. After, they want to cut the other, then this little boy started crying and said, "Please soldier, don't cut off my papa's other hand." So they said, "Let this woman remove this child from her back, we'll chop off his arm." And I said "No!" So they decided to chop the other hand off.”
- De Sam Lazaro: “So they basically said you could have your right hand if you gave your son's hand.”
- Amputee: “Yes”.
Thursday
Viral videos of 2006
Check out these videos from last year:
And check out this Google video to see more juggling feats and decide for yourself, who's better: Garfiled or Bliss?
- Stick figure doing the running man on a treadmill while laughing his head off watching the Simpsons.
- A sumo hippo doing ninja moves on an infomercial selling a potato peeler while levitating.
And check out this Google video to see more juggling feats and decide for yourself, who's better: Garfiled or Bliss?
Tuesday
16 Rules to Live By
If you haven't yet made your New Year's resolutions, or even if you have, take a look at these rules for some things to add to your list of things to achieve and work on this year.
Here's the short list, follow the above link for more on each rule.
Here's the short list, follow the above link for more on each rule.
- Get and stay out of your comfort zone.
- Never give up.
- When you're ready to quit, you're closer than you think.
- With regard to whatever worries you, not only accept the worst thing that could happen, but make it a point to quantify what the worst thing could be.
- Focus on what you want to have happen.
- Take things a day at a time.
- Always be moving forward.
- Be quick to decide.
- Measure everything of significance.
- Anything that is not managed will deteriorate.
- Pay attention to your competitors, but pay more attention to what you're doing.
- Never let anybody push you around.
- Never expect life to be fair.
- Solve your own problems.
- Don't take yourself too seriously.
- There's always a reason to smile. Find it.
Sunday
Lost now online!
Many of the networks have posted episodes of their shows online; however, until now us TV viewers North of the border could only watch Canadian fare, such as Corner Gas. Now, ABC has posted the past seasons episodes of shows such as Lost, Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives.
And I'm hoping that when the season starts up again the new episodes will also be posted after they've aired.
BTW, Happy New Year. Here's hoping all your dreams are realized in the new year. But don't forget to take action to make them happen.
And I'm hoping that when the season starts up again the new episodes will also be posted after they've aired.
BTW, Happy New Year. Here's hoping all your dreams are realized in the new year. But don't forget to take action to make them happen.
Tuesday
The Truth About Vegas
Everyone's heard the saying, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."
Watch this video for the truth.
Watch this video for the truth.
Monday
I'm Time magazine's Person of the Year!
Time has chosen me as the person of the year . . . they've actually chosen you as well - you being anyone using or creating content on the World Wide Web or Web 2.0. The 2.0 doesn't signify a new version, but a revolution where the individual has taken on the role of the media creating news stories, producing videos, and even developing free software.
All the more power to me with blogs, YouTube and the opportunity to develop software for the free source Linux operating system.
Although it may seem like a bit of a cop out by Time, especially with so much going on in the world, such as in the Middle East, the effects of global warming and still so much poverty and disease in the world. There must be people out there making a difference for these causes who deserve recognition for their selfless acts.
Even Time's editor, Richard Stengel, agrees it's a bit of a cop out: "If you choose an individual, you have to justify how that person affected millions of people, but if you choose millions of people, you don't have to justify it to anyone."
But hey, I guess I should graciously accept the honour and revel in their choice of me as person of the year (along with you and the millions of others).
All the more power to me with blogs, YouTube and the opportunity to develop software for the free source Linux operating system.
Although it may seem like a bit of a cop out by Time, especially with so much going on in the world, such as in the Middle East, the effects of global warming and still so much poverty and disease in the world. There must be people out there making a difference for these causes who deserve recognition for their selfless acts.
Even Time's editor, Richard Stengel, agrees it's a bit of a cop out: "If you choose an individual, you have to justify how that person affected millions of people, but if you choose millions of people, you don't have to justify it to anyone."
But hey, I guess I should graciously accept the honour and revel in their choice of me as person of the year (along with you and the millions of others).
Snow Day
On Friday we received in one night a third of the snowfall typically received in one winter. They actually closed downtown.
I measured the snow out my back door and there was 21 cm. I really had to pucj to get the door open, and the car was almost completely buried.
I was lucky to get the day off as work was closed, but my wife still had to go in. Although a few hours late as we had to dig our way out first.
The last time it was near this bad was 1977 when they received heavy snowfall for a whole week.
And now the temperature is above zero and we're going to get rain the end of the week.
I measured the snow out my back door and there was 21 cm. I really had to pucj to get the door open, and the car was almost completely buried.
I was lucky to get the day off as work was closed, but my wife still had to go in. Although a few hours late as we had to dig our way out first.
The last time it was near this bad was 1977 when they received heavy snowfall for a whole week.
And now the temperature is above zero and we're going to get rain the end of the week.
Thursday
Remember them
Today is the 65th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Survivors have been meeting there every five years, and now that they are in their 80s and 90s and are saying this will be the last time that they meet.
"Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, who dubbed Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II "the greatest generation," agreed to be keynote speaker for Thursday's ceremony."
Many of us alive today haven't lived through anyhting like our fathers and grandfather's have - the great depression, a world war. There are only a few WWI veterans still alive and soon, in 10 to 20 years, there will be no WWII veterans left.
With the war going on in the Middle East it is bringing to lite a bit of what it might have felt like for our parents and grandparents living during WWII.
I was at a Christmas luncheon the other day and the conversation inevitably turned to the war and one person mentioned she had lost a nephew over in Iraq. My parent's good friends lost their son, Robert Mitchell. With an average of one or two Canadian soldiers killed each week it's becoming hard to be in a group and not have at least one person personally affected by the conflicts overseas.
It's a shame that there's always ongoing conflict in the world to remind us of the affects of war. However, there must be those who do forget, or who have short term memories, because there is always ongoing conflict.
"Former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, who dubbed Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and World War II "the greatest generation," agreed to be keynote speaker for Thursday's ceremony."
Many of us alive today haven't lived through anyhting like our fathers and grandfather's have - the great depression, a world war. There are only a few WWI veterans still alive and soon, in 10 to 20 years, there will be no WWII veterans left.
With the war going on in the Middle East it is bringing to lite a bit of what it might have felt like for our parents and grandparents living during WWII.
I was at a Christmas luncheon the other day and the conversation inevitably turned to the war and one person mentioned she had lost a nephew over in Iraq. My parent's good friends lost their son, Robert Mitchell. With an average of one or two Canadian soldiers killed each week it's becoming hard to be in a group and not have at least one person personally affected by the conflicts overseas.
It's a shame that there's always ongoing conflict in the world to remind us of the affects of war. However, there must be those who do forget, or who have short term memories, because there is always ongoing conflict.
Life is paved with good intentions
OK, I'm not doing so good at posting to this daily; however, I do still try to write daily. I do a lot of writing for my job, so when I'm busy at work, I don't have as much time to read and find fodder for my posts.
I need to focus more on Entertainment London and my web marketing as search engine rankings are still really low on the movie site and I've dropped from number one with my site.
I've added a Google search to Entertainment London, so you can bookmark it and use it when doing searches. There's also a Sony link on the page and a 10% discount on purchases of Sony DVD movies or TV series.
I need to focus more on Entertainment London and my web marketing as search engine rankings are still really low on the movie site and I've dropped from number one with my site.
I've added a Google search to Entertainment London, so you can bookmark it and use it when doing searches. There's also a Sony link on the page and a 10% discount on purchases of Sony DVD movies or TV series.
Monday
Too funny
These are excerpts from a book of actual court recordings, Disorder in the American Courts.
Lawyers spend a lot of years in school, you'd think they have some more basic reasoning skills.
Thanks to Mike and his families blog for posting these first.
Lawyers spend a lot of years in school, you'd think they have some more basic reasoning skills.
Thanks to Mike and his families blog for posting these first.
We do not test on animals.
Coca-cola not available for comment after this image surfaced on the Internet.However, the Zoo is experiencing renewed revenue growth as consumer products strategically placed with the animals.
Coca-cola still not available for comment on this new strategic product placement initiative.
(No animals were harmed in the making of this post.)
Wednesday
Wow ! What a ride!
Here's a great quote from Robert Ringer's e-newsletter:
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ... ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
My vehicle of choice on the road of life is a 1964 Corvette Stingray.
Update (13/13/06) - The party version of this quote:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming ... ‘Wow! What a ride!’”
My vehicle of choice on the road of life is a 1964 Corvette Stingray.
Update (13/13/06) - The party version of this quote:
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Friday
Superman Ultimate Collector's Edition
All four of Christopher Reeves' Superman movies, the recent Superman Returns and even bonus features, including the complete 1940s Superman cartoons, and the recent documentary, Look, Up in the Sky! The Amazing Story of Superman. Fourteen discs in total
All available from Amazon.ca for CDN$87.43 and free shipping!
This is definitely on my wish list for Christmas.
All available from Amazon.ca for CDN$87.43 and free shipping!
This is definitely on my wish list for Christmas.
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