A Little Creepy

And way too expensive!

Word Of The Day

Fan

from Dictionary.com

1889, Amer.Eng., originally of baseball enthusiasts, probably a shortening of fanatic, but may be influenced by the Fancy (1807), a collective term for followers of a certain hobby or sport (especially boxing). There is an isolated use from 1682, but the modern word is likely a new formation.

And after spending a few days with a group of guys I think Winston Churchill was on to something when he said:

"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."

Couch Potato

I'm thinking that this needs to be in Miranda's front room.

This Ain't No Turkey

Amazing

Vijay obviously had a horseshoe or two somewhere.

Money, Money, Money

Based on this ad, I'm thinking I might have to change financial advisors.

It's Just That Easy

Well, I guess we'll be deciding on this next week.

Stand By Your Man

Well now that Nuckleheads are resting/recovering for a few days, check this video out for some clever editing.

Burn The Witch!!

Maybe I'll have to start drinking at this clearly insightful and progressive establishment.


Playoff fever may be sweeping the city, but infected Vancouver Canucks fans are not always welcome in at least one downtown pub.

Mark James told CBC News he was kicked out of the Library Square Pub on West Georgia Street for wearing a Canucks jersey immediately after the team won its second playoff game against St. Louis on Friday night.

James said he went to the pub, which is about three blocks away from General Motors Place, to watch the game on the bar's big screen TV.

He said he watched the game, had a meal and some beers with friends, all while wearing a Canucks jersey, hat and jacket.

But as soon as the game ended, he said his jersey suddenly became blacklisted attire at the pub.

"Five minutes after the game ended, the doorman came around telling us we had to take our jerseys off. I thought he was joking," said James.
Mark James says he was told to remove his Canucks jersey or leave the Library Square Pub as soon as Friday's game ended. Mark James says he was told to remove his Canucks jersey or leave the Library Square Pub as soon as Friday's game ended. (CBC)

But it was no joke. When James refused to take off his jersey, a manager came over to his table and after several minutes of arguing, he and his friend Simon Postma were asked to leave the bar, he said.

"The reasoning was dress code. The jersey is not a part of their dress code," James said.

"It's a shot at hockey fans in general, but mainly Canuck hockey fans ... They are a few blocks away from the stadium and it was a playoff night, so Canucks pride themselves on saying, 'We are all Canucks.' But obviously Library Square isn't part of that group," James said.

Initially, a manager for the Library Square Pub told CBC News the bar has a 'no jerseys' rule after 10 p.m. to discourage rival fans from fighting.

Later, a more senior manager told CBC News that James and his friend were not kicked out because of their jerseys, but because they were drunk, and the pub's rule on jerseys has been relaxed during the playoffs.

The two fans deny they were intoxicated or acting rowdy, but admit they did argue with pub staff over the jersey rule.

James said he's watched games at Library Square Pub in the past, but will take his money elsewhere as he cheers on the Canucks.

TV Theme Revisioned II

An alternate vision perhaps even geekier.

TV Theme Revisioned

How geekie would one have to be to envision this beauty??

You Know They've Got A Helluva Band

"Q"ute

Attended the taping of this morning's airing of CBC Radio 1's Q last night with Mr. Brown. Managed to get a couple of good seats despite just getting in. Impressed with Jian's energy and the rest of the guests -- not so impressed with the receding hair.

Death & Taxes

Even though I'm probably still going to use my (overpriced) accountant here's a link to a free Windows based tax programme that is NETFILE certified.

Doesn't look like I'm getting as much back as I had hoped, alas.

Mix Master

Came across an item describingMixtape.me from one of my RSS feeds. Seems like an interesting site allowing people to find and share music using any browser. The first song in the sample playlist below is for DRo (could this be our newly engaged [congrats] man's wedding song?).

This Is Discouraging/Unbelievable

From today's G&M:



ANNE MCILROY

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

March 17, 2009 at 2:00 AM EDT

Canada's science minister, the man at the centre of the controversy over federal funding cuts to researchers, won't say if he believes in evolution.

“I'm not going to answer that question. I am a Christian, and I don't think anybody asking a question about my religion is appropriate,” Gary Goodyear, the federal Minister of State for Science and Technology, said in an interview with The Globe and Mail.

Words To The Wise

Heard this about ten days ago and finally got organized to put this up. Harry, listen carefully, especially about 1 minute in -- words of wisdom from a countryman of yours!

Time To Spare

Someone must have had a little too much spare time. Regardless, awesome result.

How Things Work -- TV

This ad from Scholz & Friends, Germany clarifies it all (and demonstrated that I have the speakers to my computer in the den hooked-up backwards!).

Up Periscope

A “skyscraper” periscope shows golfers the blind fairway at the third hole at the Aberdovey golf course in Wales.

The unusual periscope is 30 feet tall. At the third hole of the course the fairway rises so abruptly from the driving tee that golfers can not see the green even though the hole is only 165 yards long. By peering through the periscope, waiting golfers can see in what direction to drive and also note when the putting green is clear.

The periscope is a hollow wood tube fastened to a pole. The top of the instrument is covered with a gabled roof to protect it from rain.



This looks like it merits a road trip.

The Long Arm Of The Law -- Is It Over Reaching?

Police in Port Moody, B.C., have issued a public-safety warning about a man with alleged gang ties living in the city.

Port Moody police said Dennis Karbovanec presents an "immediate and significant threat to public safety," because he is a targeted gang member.

"Anyone choosing to associate or conduct business with [him] … is putting their personal safety at considerable risk," Insp. Andy Richard said Thursday.

Police allege Karbovanec, 28, is a close associate of the Bacon brothers and the Red Scorpion gang, and is believed to be in the crosshairs of the latest gang violence in metro Vancouver. Six days ago, Kevin LeClair, another known associate of the Bacon brothers, was gunned down in a busy parking lot in Langley.

Jamie Bacon, 23, and his brother Jarrod, 26, each have 24 outstanding firearms and drug charges against them. Last October, police warned the public to avoid the brothers, who had a number of death threats against them.

I'm a little concerned with this warning -- all we know is that this person is "alleged" to be involved with nefarious activities -- where do we draw the line? Should the police be publicly posting pictures/names of all people who have any kind of ties with an "alleged" criminal?

I do remember having students who had been charged with criminal offenses in my class (viz., Robert B) and felt somewhat uncomfortable having him in my office but really, he was presumed innocent until proven guilty.

How can we reconcile personal safety with the maintenance of our rights?

Could It Be Magic

Sushi Anyone?

The history of the world my sweet,
Is who gets eaten, and who gets to eat.
--Bertolt Brecht

Swimming Sucks

Went for a 1300 meter swim this morning but for some reason wasn't compelled to have an appointment with Mary Jane. Must be why I'm not an Olympic-calibre swimmer!

Super Bowl

Although it was a great game the commercials in Canada we're awful (I really don't need to see an ad for CGAs over and over again).



Here's a link to a site with all of the US commercials.

Apollo Moon Landings (1969) -- yeah, right.

Apollo Moon Landings (1969)
Originally uploaded by The New Frontiersman

From the soon to be released (yeah) The Watchmen.

chacun à son goût

What's In A Name

First day of the Spring semester at SFU today. Not!

Another Year Begins

Here's a shot of a couple of the girls from the Well during last nite's festival.

Cheers!