Wasn't it just last Friday? Time is flying. I am making arrangements for an undergrad reunion so I suppose I am a bit sensitive to these things. Yes, 25 years ago I was a seedy weedy sullen yute at the University of Kings College and soon people will be returning there from across the globe. From Engerlant to the Yukon so far. Of course I dread it. But if you qualify as a mid-late 80s grad, you should go. Two words: video dance.
- Update: The Flea is good enough to point out one of the sillies things I have read in a long time. Never mind Alberto Gonzales, WMD, Libby, drugged up Limbaugh just saying no, Enron economics, Saskatchewan in the 1990s, moral majority, Oliver North, trickle down economics and a bazillion other things we could all trot out if we have 27 seconds to spare - conservatives apparently don't lie. What was it Alberto said? Oh, yes - they just don't remember. Flea's line is far more honest and admirable:
...what I like best about being a reactionary is that I do not have to make sense.
- While I promised not to slag Web 2.0 for a while, I think it is entirely in my rights to point out that Blogger and Podcaster magazine is a wee bit Web -1.0 for me. Don't get me wrong. I bought Yahoo magazine back in around 1996 and still wish I had those sitting around. But why do I need a magazine about this which is essentially a magazine?
- I announced the formation of CAMWA - join in.
- The New Liberaltarian Progressive Democratic Conservatives are having a bit of a hard time. First, I have a hard time with the fire and brimstone the-sky-is-falling the-sky-is-falling flip out of last week turning into the 8 billion dollar green millstone placed around the neck of the consumer...but not so much the polluters. Then, there is the steering of public funds into the boosting of Tory backbenchers prospects through focused funding of local instances of national celebrations. [Ed.: Yes! I can write that sentence without using the word "sponsorship" so it must be different.] Not to mention the application of creationist analysis to a war zone: torture is a theory and as there is no proof it cannot be. I hope the Prime Ministers groomer is especially on her game. Wouldn't want him to notice the slide and take it personally.
- But green is not all bad. David recently posted about generating kites in the sky. It was announced this week that the largest solar power facility in North American is going to be built in Sarnia. Soon there will be again talk of the sling tide project.
- It's also been a bad week for movie actors. Just as the Prime Minister's handlers wish he had found other things to do - besides, you know, saying what is on his mind - so, too, wished Hugh Grant that he had not thought that kicking the arse of someone in public was a good idea. At least he only used his foot. Richard Gere tried to enter into some sort of merger with Shilpa Shetty, a noteworthy Indian actress, and now like Grant he faces charges.
Pity men as they move into their golden years. We can't help it.
Comments
cm - April 27, 2007 8:57 am
I might go to homecoming next year just 'cause it'll be my 20th reunion. Not that there's anyone I'd want to see, but it's a good excuse to go to Montreal.
David Janes - April 27, 2007 9:24 am
The problem with tidal power is that there's not a lot of suitable locations (though we do have the best one). The problem with wave power (I may have written about this in a past) is the low amount of energy generated per-sq foot. The problem with solar power is the toxic stuff that's used to make solar panels (I understand: I haven't researched this one a lot but I saw this in passing). The problem with all is the land-use environmental issue.
But wait! All is not lost -- this may be a very big deal though it may take humans a while to replicate what nature did over the last billion years:
http://www.physorg.com/news95605211.html
I was out with family members yesterday who are fairly politically like me and we've all independently come to the conclusion that as fun as it is to cheer for one's team, it may be time to sit out voting (for all levels of government).
I'm surprised that Gere didn't find a way to blame Bush in that little rant. Interesting that he feels so above the law and culture there though.
Alan - April 27, 2007 10:24 am
I understand a comment about Bush or something like that was muffled.
Mike - April 27, 2007 11:10 am
Ah, I predicted the Blogger (but not Podcaster) magazine craze exactly 3 years ago! 8-)
http://www.mikecampbell.net/the_campblog_apr16_apr30_2004.htm#2004041707
Gorthos - April 27, 2007 11:12 am
Hugh grant is my hero for beating the cr4p out of the paparazzi no-mind. Sure, he deserves to be charged for assault if he did in fact kick the sn0t out of the guy but you know, haven't we all wanted to do that when bugged for a smile by camera weilding persons... Watch it folks.. And the beans.. by tub, do they mean 500 ml size tub or a big fricking TUB of beans.. Why was he carry ing a tub of beans? These things shall bug me all day..
Gorthos - April 27, 2007 11:16 am
Cool.. Here is Hug whipping what appears to be a small, light, plastic container of beans.
http://www.thelondonpaper.com//galleries/24hours/25_04/
w00t! My day is almost complete.
gr - April 27, 2007 11:25 am
I was sitting in the corner fuming over cm's early victory but I am over it now and have nothing productive to add to this discussion.
Hans - April 27, 2007 3:26 pm
I like light-tasting beer; I like many "lite" beers; some low-carb beers are okay; I like some non-alcoholic beers. Do I qualify for membership in CAMWA?
Gorthos - April 27, 2007 3:41 pm
I nominate Hans for the GBCOCC (Girly Beer Consumers of Canada Club) ;)
cm - April 27, 2007 3:46 pm
I could see myself joining CAMWA. But only if I don't actually have to do anything. Except drink beer, of course.
And I'm sorry, gr, but you were first the last couple weeks.
Hans - April 27, 2007 3:59 pm
Gorthos: My extensive experience with other forms of liquor may disqualify me for membership in that ahem illustrious organization.
Gordo - April 27, 2007 4:10 pm
I crave flavour in my beer, so watery ale of all stripes is immediately dismissed from consideration. I'm too tired to come up with a snappy acronym.
Gorthos - April 27, 2007 4:22 pm
I think we shoudl all make up acronyms with our "are you human" letters.. mine was SMANGX
uh oh.. an x..
Society for Managers of Acrobatic Ninja Gentry Xylophonists
"(sound of silence)! THump.. Ow my back!.. doodleedoodleee doooo"
Alan - April 27, 2007 5:04 pm
Water has flavour and, along with the yeast, is one of the true variables in whether a brewer is or is not any good. Most who get blazing headaches from certain Sleemans products are dealing with the hard water and the minerally flavour in beer should be a warning. Good water in a beer, like Dublin's soft water, is one of a more-ish brews most attractive elements. Dismissing watery ale is like dismissing solids in bread.
Jay Currie - April 27, 2007 6:51 pm
Actually conservatives, as opposed to brand name CPCers and Republicans, can exempt themselves from the cultural pieties of the left which reduces the scope for lying. (And eliminates any hope of attaining power because no conservative would ever pander to the middle classes stupidity by demonstrating their allegiance to Kyoto by banning lightbulbs. But this is, apparently, second nature to the CPC. Even Steve Taylor is gagging on that one.)
Klavan recognizes the downside to this: "Good manners and hypocrisy are intimately intertwined, and so conservatives, with their gimlet-eyed view of the world, are always susceptible to charges of incivility. It's not really nice, you know, to describe things as they are." Suggesting that Algore is a phoney gets you stricken from some of the better guest lists in Victoria. But so does suggesting that there may be inherent differences between men and women of that Irshrad Manji might indeed have more than a few valid things to say about the Religion of Peace.
However, speaking of green, I do wish that, rather than putting up solar kites and the like, more attention was paid to very small scale geothermal. A heat pump, a hole in the ground and some tubing and you have an essentially free heating and cooling system for your house. The problem being that, at the moment, it costs about 30k to retro-fit. Our rural overlords might look at low cost loans to cover this and skip banning the bulbs.
gorthos - April 27, 2007 7:27 pm
Hee hee! I have a heat pump! Hee hee! I'm the king of green!
(Probably why my fricken house cost 10% more than I wanted to pay grumble..)