One Hoogvorst brother is 1500 km east of me and another over 6000 km east of  •  me but through the miracle of the interweb superdooper roadway I have been taught how to turn a screen shot into a .jpeg I can edit and also how to obfuscate the emails I show here to defeat spammers.  •  I have never …

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled today on SOCAN's case against internet service providers to force them to pay fees and found against SOCAN. SOCAN is the organization that charges fees for the use of copyrighted material and then sends it back to artists.  Read the entire ruling here.  From the …

A regular correspondent here, Arthur from near Truro, was kind enough to  •  extend a G-mail account to me which I have dubbed genx40 "at" gmail "dot"  •  "calm". I will link it up over to the side somehow and you can tell all your  •  viagara wholesaler pals.  •  Later: The first wierd thing I …

The best news from last night's election is clearly the return of Ed Broadbent to Parliament. I figure he will ream out Martin and Harper and Duceppe for being impractical and then ream out Layton for good measure. It's going to be the cranky old Ed show in daily Question Period. Excellent.

So this is how it shook down:  •  “Lib 135  •  Con 99  •  BQ 54  •  NDP 19  •  Ind 1”  •  With a hair over 29.5% of the popular vote, down from 37.7% in 2000 for the combined parties of the right, the Tories have some lessons to learn even as the Liberals slipped into a minority position in the …

It was weird. I had no idea going into the polling booth what I would do. Then, as the pencil hovered over Rosie the Clown, Edgar Davids came to me, standing six inch tall next to the ballot as it lay on the table behind the screen, guiding my hand. Who messes with a moment like that...

Great news from down south:  •  “Justice Sandra Day O'Connor said that a state of war was "not a blank cheque for the president when it comes to the rights of the nation's citizens"”  •  Read the rulings released today at The US Supreme Court's website including Rasul v. Bush.  •  Is there ever a …

Well, its an election night. I am not a political animal. I am not an election freak. I am, however, an election coverage nerd of the highest order.   Best line so far for coverage is from the Globe and Mail:  •  “Like maps? We've got them.”  •  That's is like a mickey of rum to the penniless wino …

With scant hours left until the voting starts, I am considering one stat  •  which has not been well played up:  •  2000  •  popular vote:  •  “40.8% Libs  •  37.7% Cons/Alliance  •  8.5%  •  NDP  •  10.2% Bloc  •  Greens 0.8%”  •  2004 polling predictions:  •  “Libs 31-34%  •  CPC 29-30.5 … read more »

The Czechs made it look  •  easy and now it is the Czechs against the Greeks and the Portuguese against  •  the Dutch for next Sunday's final. I think the Portguuese have the best chance  •  of beating the Czechs but the Greeks are giant-killers and could steal one on 1  •  July. Given the fact …

Yesterday a storm tore through here in about 25 minutes from clear sun to whipping winds, hail, rain and back to sun. Living in a high-rise makes this experience fairly dramatic what with the big sky and all. Here are four short movies from the precipitation nerds among you:  •  cloud [7.3 … read more »

Holland got past Sweden on penalties. Edwin v.d. Sar, the Dutch keeper, was amazing in the penalties, diving the right way every time, stopping one and having at least one near miss. I recall last fall he stoned Arsenal, when playing for his club team Fulham, to a 0-0 draw at Highbury to the …

The Flea is celebrating the Canadian Red Ensign and I thought I would join in and extend the cheers to red ensignness itself. Here are some of my favorites, although we all know that the greatest of all was the subject of one of my first posts here at Gen X at 40 - from way back when I was … read more »

...that I like fitba. We got smoked last night, I hardly touched the ball, only two subs, a goal went in our net deflected off my arm, three cards were shown in an old timers friendly-type game and I am wracked with pain this morning from sprinting pointlessly over and over into the outside right …

France 0 -  •  Greece 1.  •  For Wayne: people not rioting.

Here is the regional break down of this morning's Ipsos/Ried poll in the Federal election:  •  In Ontario, the Liberals attract 38% of the decided vote (down 4 points) and are up 4 points on the Conservatives (34%, up 4 points). The NDP continues to hold steady at 20% of decided voter support …

Beckham inadvertantly joins the race for the X-prize  •  Tough break Engerland. I got to listen to the BBC Live Five audio through the latter end of the afternoon and then zip home to catch the Lampard goal that got you into the penalties. And then there was this a kick like I would have taken in …

Across the Street from the 1850s pre-Confederation Post Office is the 1950s Post Office. When I was a kid, this was a new style. Now nothing is build like it, all glass and panel and steel.  •  The Current Kingston Post Office Central Sorting Station.  •  I don't know what so say about these …

Cool.  •  Sydney Mines, United Church Manse, Christmas 1970. The website says this came out in 1971 but there was only one Cape Breton Christmas for us and it followed the 1970 UK summer. What were my folks thinking buying us an album with "Spill the Wine" on it for their pre-teen kids?  •  Get … read more »

"It's scary how close it could have been. We have a dog to thank somewhere."  •  From today's Toronto Star.

At the corner of Wellington and Clarence, the colonial government built the Post Office in the late 1850s. It sits across Wellington Street from the current main station whose 1950s glass and steel lines will be featured soon.  •  Kingston Post Office, 1856-59.  •  It is still in use and features … read more »

I noticed this fence this lunchtime afternoon when I did a march around to take some more photos of downtown Kingston archtecture. This is the fence behind St. George's Anglican running along wellington. Each of these bishop's hat (mitre?) post toppers is size of my hand.

“...Then there are the two entities with a chance of  •  forming a government: the reformed Conservatives under Stephen Harper and the  •  perennial default choice of Canadian politics, the Liberals, now with Paul  •  Martin at the helm. For 11 years, the Liberals have governed Canada, and, by and …

Boing reminds us of number stations, the Soviet era sortwave broadcasts like an unending bingo game without the letters - adjunct to their public broadcasts. I listened in bed late at night as an early teen in '75 to the isolated East Germans and Albanians sending back the news in code from …

I honestly do not know how I am going to vote in next Monday's Canadian national election. I keep flopping around in my mind. Seems I am not the only one as can be seen in the tracking of the SES daily polls I have been recording in this thread as well as from the poll published in today's Globe …

Just so you are clear on this, the next six days have got the potential each to have one of the greatest games of soccer you will ever see:  •  Today - Denmark v. Sweden. Loser may go home.Tomorrow - Germany v. Czechs. Germany has to win.Thursday - Portugal v. Engerland. Losers cry.Friday - France …

Here's is an interesting piece from the BBC. Isn't it nice to know that some of the good folks handling your money haven't got a clue that sitting in a coffee shop playing on the wi-fi is not the brightest thing to do.

Regardless of your position on the election, this photo by Rick Manodik of the Toronto Star surely captures, with seven days to go to the vote, the uncertain place Canada's third unelected Prime Minister in my adult life finds himself in. I particularly like the unfocused background. I wonder what …

It's just never been the same for me since Spinal Tap...

On Go this past Saturday, Brent was asking the question what is the best song ever. "London Calling" by the Clash was given much respect from the outset and I once again was amazed listening to the lyrics in the chorus:  •  “The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in  •  Meltdown expected, the …

So the road trip of the Golden Nuggets took us to Belleville and specifically Zwicks Park on the waterfront. The game was elegant and we came away 2-0 winners and are now 2-1-0 for the season. We have a smaller turnout than usual and, after a couple of hard knocks, no subs so I had to actually … read more »

Seen on Highway 62 at the Belleville strip  •  OK, I know I have a junior high sense of humour and I hope that someone who reads this in that riding votes for him just to make up for what a big loser I am in posting this. Being both Scots and a lawyer, I am tired of being the butt of stupid …

If you have yet to clue into the fact that Euro 2004 is one of the greatest sporting events available on the TV in Canada, well I feel badly for ya. Last night's game (tape delay on TSN) between Holland and the Czechs was one of the best games played in decades. I have a soft spots for the Dutch …

This stat from this article is no surprise to me, the son of a man who had my teen aged cousin smuggle sweeties into the hospital in his socks so the nurses would not catch him:  •  “The sweetest tooth is Scottish. Scots account for just 5% of the British population but eat almost 10% of the …

I have noticed more DRM yappetry recently. Boing has a post this morning. In May's Wired, Lessing made the worst argument I have ever read for the idea.  •  The idea that somehow digitalization affects ownership interest of expression is nutty and has never been explained to me in a way that …

The latest 9/11 Commission report is today's news. Here is a New York Times article on it. Apart form its implications on the politics of today and the results of the Iraq War, it is quite stunning to see how low tech, low cost and flexible the planning was for the entire operation. The final … read more »

Back off the train from Brantford (lovery train station, Brantford) I was rushed by the family to Richardson Stadium for Canada's World Cup qualification round game with Belize.  •  Canada warms up and...  •  Belize warms up  •  Rogers Sportsnet guys (whose names escape me even though they are on …

Unlike my recent exposé on Belgian whites, this collection took at seven minute trip to the local LCBO and cost between $2.75 and $3.00 CND per 500 ml bottle. The seasonal selection of beers they bring in is quite good and you can find some nice choices in a single style to compare. These are all …

So Bill has a book coming out next week that runs 1,000 pages. The  •  “full audio release — running 41 CDs — will be released with actor Michael Beck doing the reading and Clinton providing the prologue and epilogue, the Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.”  •  41 CDs! I hope it come with a …

While at times it was like watching Most Extreme Elimination Challenge due to the French to English translators jumping all over each other to mimic the argument of our four national leaders, it was a good debate.  •  Duceppe of the leftist Quebec separatist Bloc Quebecois won. Not because his …

In another interesting twist on the election, the latest CPAC SES poll seems to indicate that the wheels may also be coming of the Tory wagon. This poll is from last Friday and shows that, after a week of Tories being a few percent up, they are now back neck and neck with the Grits in the low …

Mike asks an interesting question especially for one like me who hates the concept of branding. Yet there are still a few firms to which I am loyal:  •  Sony - I never pause when considering whether to buy electronics at the Sony shop or elsewhere. Stereo stuff, snazzy radios, our digital camera … read more »

I have yet to decide who I am supporting in Euro 2004. Watching England v France just now, I am pretty certain it is not England. Maybe Sweden or Holland  •  but half the Dutch hate the other half. Maybe Denmark.  •  My take on the game? Sloppy Rooney (the ball hog who missed two open passes in … read more »

I watched the replay of Spain beating Russia in the second game of Euro 2004 last night and heard the revived Soviet era anthem of Russia for the first time in years. What with all the Canada v. Russia hockey I watched on TV or at the Halifax Metro Centre it was a reminded that through sports we …

Hoegaarden, Ommegang Witte, Unibroue Blanche de Chambly, Brouwerij Sint-Jozef Brussels White  •  It's a tough job. Over the last month I assembled this collection of Belgian white beers which are cloudy wheat based ales flavoured with dried orange peel, corriander seed and other traditional spices …

Unless something dramatic happens at the debate, there is a good possibility of a very weak Conservative minority government with the lefty and sovereignist Bloc Quebecois holding the balance of power. Nutty. Here is why I think this is a good thing:  •  The Tories will have to play their cards in …

A good op-ed in the New York Times today by John Patrick Diggins, including this passage:  •  “Those advisers in the Bush administration who regard themselves as Reaganites ought to remember that Mr. Reagan ceased heeding their advice. According to George Shultz's memoir, "Turmoil and Triumph," Mr …

For those of you who know nothing of fitba, BBC has provided a ten point check list of things to do in preparation for Sunday's England v. France match in Euro 2004. Now that the playoffs are over, TSN turns its focus on soccer with a bazillion games over the next few weeks. England v. France is … read more »

So I thought...I have posted over at Switching to Glide for a while...and, then, why is that? Mike's all over the moon coming second in the hockey pool and David is off to watch cars go vroom apparently somewhat vroomier than others. So, I thought, I could write something...for those of you who …

The BBC advised of this is an amazing decision - no doubt "facilitated" by "branding consultant":  •  “The Football League has changed the name of Division One to The Championship for next season. In addition, Divisions Two and Three will be re-titled League One and League Two as part of the …

Just in time for mid-election reconsideration of your Federal elction pool picks, this morning's Toronto Star neatly summarizes two polls that came out  •  yesterday.  If believed no one is pulling ahead yet...just in time for the  •  ugly ads.  •  “A Leger Marketing survey released yesterday …

So...remember they sent two robots to Mars?  •  They found a salt lick. Some martian spilled the Swiss Chalet sauce a bazillion years ago.

I am fairly pleased to say I have only met one beer I did not like - Garrison Jalapena Ale. Mouth gets hot, take a drink, mouth gets hotter, take a drink, mouth gets hotter...you get the idea.  •  Belhaven Fruit Beer is not quite that but it isn't quite fruity either. When very fresh raspberries …

Just thought of it and wanted to put it on the table in case no one else has yet.   Consider this thread over here as you consider this one over here.  •  Yikes!  Roundheads!

Seeing as the medium of "the chat room" has been pretty much around for ten years, I would have thought the cops were there already:  •  “Police in the UK, US and Australia will make use of the different time zones to monitor the web 24 hours a day. If a dialogue is potentially dangerous, officers …

From the most excellent Flea, comes the tale of the capture of meteor light on surveillance cameras. Here are three, all under a MB so a fairly speedy download:  •  movie onemovie twomovie three  •  Lovely. Reminds me that I forgot to see the transit of Venus this morning. Must remember for 2012.

Three jets on sticks going nowhere in the same direction, Manitoba.  •  I have to apologize to Donna in Manitoba who had this post up all weekend but I failed to browse that way. I understand there are even more which can be posted in the replies here with some basic HTML to your site location for …

Even the New York Times gave him a big write up

Is there anyone out there who plans to vote Tory who can tell me what he stands for?  •  “Whether Canada ends up as one national government or two national governments or several governments, or some other kind of arrangement is, quite frankly secondary in my opinion.  And whether Canada ends up …

I am on a global hunt for a shirt in XXL with yellow and black verticles. 52 inches at the chest. My old timers team didn't expect a larger lad at outside right. I am on the South Park Beach in a drastic effort to downsize. Berwick Rangers and Borussia Dortmund 2001/02 are the best bets but, on … read more »

Apart from the utter lack of need to observe the rules of the road - and what kind of lesson is that for the youth of today - this dune buggy shockwave game is pretty fun. I was very pleased when I looped the loop.  •  Via Brad.

This election is very strange. No one wants to win and no one is going to vote for anyone.  •  The Liberals.   They guys are doing the worst job of campaigning so far. Watching last night's hockey game, I was subject to repetitive presentations of the play "Paul Martin Waiting for Godot on …

Some guys want to find that one can of beer in the case after case they buy that has a special musical widget that lets them go to a party with models in swimsuits. Some guys was to be discovered as the missing ingredient to a policital party, baseball team or heavy metal band. Me? I want to …

The Golden Nuggets. The same named country and western bar folded before we moved here but the sponsored shirts, whooo, live on in the old timers league.  •  I have referred in the past to these teams as  "fat boy leagues" - but I am the only one that qualifies. Apparently we won. I played about …

Coached soccer last night for the first game of the year. I have coached in a men's division, I have coached teens. This year I coach 3 and 4 year olds. No point in informing them about the lines on the field, the direction of the goal or the opportunity to pass. Chase the ball in a mass. Thirty …

I watched PBS's Frontline and its hour long discussion of the faith of George W. Bush, "The Jesus Factor", this evening and was struck by one passage about the transformation of themes in the speeches of Bush after 9/11.  •  I generally follow the arguments of evangelicals and believe much the … read more »

Fifteen years ago today (China time) at 26, I was driving around the south end of Halifax with my mother picking up groceries listening to reports from Bejing of the massacre in Tianamen Square. All that summmer I had worked in the library of the Dal Law School researching a paper on the … read more »

It is the 60th anniversary of D-Day this weekend and the BBC has posted some interesting short memoirs including one from a Nazi tank operator remembering D-Day as he experienced it outside Caen:  •  “At one point during that day we saw the town of Caen in the distance, and over it a thick cloud …

Some people just know it is time to go for the brass ring, the gusto, the  •  gold. But sometimes they are  •  wrong:  •  “Christopher Pendery, 27, from Loughborough caused nearly £15,000 worth of damage to his rented house. He admitted causing criminal damage as he converted a loft into a bedroom …

Now this is getting weird. Yesterday I had 1233 visits to this site - a month ago I was averaging 450. In the last few weeks, RSS visits have gone from about 30% of the traffic to 75%. I suspect there is some sort of automated RSS visiting happening rather than a wave of new readers fascinated … read more »

The reason my family won't be  •  taking a 35 minute train trip to Belleville and back soon...

A few weeks ago, I posted a photo of St. Paul's Anglican, which was built in 1845. Next to the church in a side garden is a small cemetery which pre-dates the church and was the cemetery for St. Georges on King and Johnston, three blocks south-west and one south-east. In the 1780's, when the …

I know I should be paying attention to policies, considering how the Leaders would affect the lived of me and my family if elected, but I just can't stop thinking about the new Tory logo, which is a möbius strip...but one which is not quite formed.  •  What can it mean?  •  We are almost to the …