Wednesday, June 20, 2007
iPhone
So this is the new iphone from Apple. It is pretty awesome. Technology is increasing at an exponential rate. Imagine telling someone living in 1989 that their cell phone would be able to do this. APPLE ROCKS!!!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
10 commandments for motorists CLICK TITLE FOR STORY ON REUTERS
I agree with the pope (weird for me to say that) that cars bring out the primitive in people although I think praying in cars is probably as distracting as talking on cell phones. I have almost been run off the road on more than one occasion by people that would probably be nice and docile if you met them in a restaurant or at work.
I think people behave the same way in bars as well. There you have alcohol and its power to cast an illusion of invincibility over you combined with sweaty close proximity to others. In a bar it is a herd mentality like cattle. The littlest noise for cows or an innocent bump and subsequent spilling of a $5 beer for humans can lead to all sorts of chaos.
Anyway in cars I think people revert back to some kind of primitive competition on the highways. I have often had people pass me using the right exit lane only to cut in front of me at the last minute before they would have to exit. I have also had people pass me on the left only to cut me off at the exit and then we both come to the stop light at the same time. Mind you I don't drive slow to begin with. People cannot stand to follow behind someone perhaps because they tend to have to follow behind others for every other aspect of their lives. I guess cars make people feel free.
I think people should stop and realize that there is a person in the other car like you and would you act this way to that person face to face. If nothing else it may actually prevent you from getting shot or stabbed if the person you mistreat on the road happens to be unstable and armed (not an unlikely scenario in large metropolitan centers).
Monday, June 18, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Planet Earth
Experience the planet as never before with the most ambitious factual series ever produced about the planet earth. Created by the BBC and shot entirely in high definition, this groundbreaking eleven-part series is the ultimate portrait of the planet, providing an unparalleled view of the world's finest landscapes and incredible footage of creatures that could never be filmed in the wild before.Friday, June 15, 2007
Google, an awesome company
Google is next to the Shoreline Ampitheater where I go for concerts. It is in Mountain View, California (about 10-15 min from me). I love google because it offers awesome products usually for free. They are even providing free WIFI service for the entire city of Mountain View. This video shows what it is like to work there. Too bad I am not a techie.
Humanism
What is Humanism?
As Kurt Vonnegut succinctly described: being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.
Humanism is a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
for more FAQs click here
As Kurt Vonnegut succinctly described: being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.
Humanism is a progressive lifestance that, without supernaturalism, affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity.
for more FAQs click here
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
SICKO
Michael Moore's new movie is called "Sicko". It shows the corruption of American health care. There are more people in the US with no coverage at all (40 million) as there are people in Canada (30 million). This movie is not even about them, this movie is about the 250 million Americans with insurance who inevitably realize that their coverage is not all they thought it was. Working in this system I can really relate to this movie. I personally had a patient go home with a blood pressure of 60/40 because she did not want to pay the deductible for a hospital room. She left against medical advice and her husband was told to wake her up periodically through the night and to call 911 if he could not wake her.
I also had a trauma patient that was self employed. He got into a motorcycle crash on the freeway and refused the ambulance not wanting to pay the bill. He said he already pays about $10000 a year for him and his wife and did not want an ambulance bill on top of that. I did not tell him that a visit to a typical trauma room costs $30 to 50,000 anyway (so I am told)Finally, I know someone else admitted for one night with a migraine who got an MRI in the morning. The bill was $25000 but she only paid $35. Still, though $25000????
The US ranks 37 in the world for health care (Canada is only 30 by th way) behind Costa Rica. Not really the greatest then is it???? What good is it to have all the guns when you people are not healthy????
Fox News is retarded
I am sitting at the Honda dealership, waiting for my car to be serviced and of course, Fox news is on the TV. They keep showing the same footage over and over and over and over and over of these two chicks in Florida fighting each other and one of them has brass knuckles and the other ended up with a concussion. Some jackass recorded the fight on his cell phone or something and posted it online. Anyway, they have had every expert on there by now and seem to be going down the route that teens today are sleep deprived and this lead to aggressive behavior.
So Fox news analyzed a cell phone video and came to the conclusion it is all due to a lack of sleep. Is the target audience of Fox News retarded or undereducated or both? Also why do all the newscasters look like porn stars?? Fox News is not news but the is to News what WWE is to sports. At least people that watch WWE however, tend to know that it is not real.
So Fox news analyzed a cell phone video and came to the conclusion it is all due to a lack of sleep. Is the target audience of Fox News retarded or undereducated or both? Also why do all the newscasters look like porn stars?? Fox News is not news but the is to News what WWE is to sports. At least people that watch WWE however, tend to know that it is not real.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Human cost of illegal immigration
Crazy, what people will do to come to the US and how many die trying to do so.
They Die in Brooks County
An Observer Web Feature
Images of the Dead
Related Stories
Images of the Dead
There is a human toll to illegal immigration. The corpses of men, women, and children who perished trying to enter the country are routinely found in Brooks County. They are photographed by law enforcement officials and private citizens. Police use the photos to investigate the deaths. Private citizens bring them to their elected officials and urge action. We include here a sample gallery of the dead, which we hope will illustrate the human cost of immigration policy. These images were not included in the Observer’s print edition because they are graphic and disturbing.
Click here to visit page
They Die in Brooks County
An Observer Web Feature
Images of the Dead
Related Stories
Images of the Dead
There is a human toll to illegal immigration. The corpses of men, women, and children who perished trying to enter the country are routinely found in Brooks County. They are photographed by law enforcement officials and private citizens. Police use the photos to investigate the deaths. Private citizens bring them to their elected officials and urge action. We include here a sample gallery of the dead, which we hope will illustrate the human cost of immigration policy. These images were not included in the Observer’s print edition because they are graphic and disturbing.
Click here to visit page
Sunday, June 10, 2007
More on BFD
So Sum 41 kicked ass, and represented Canada well. Cold war kids were surprisingly good, since I only really knew one song they sang. The Bravery were pretty cool as were the Kaiser Chiefs. When Social Distortion did a cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of fire" that was a definite high point. Queen's of the Stone Age had just the right amount of 'Cowbell' and Christopher Walken would have been proud. We left after Bloc Party played "banquet" by then I was over it as we had been there for like 8 hours.
Went to BFD yeasterday it was awesome
some of the bands are listed above. It started at 1130 am and end at about midnight. Long day.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Adopt a Wolf
Forget what you think you know about wolves, most of it is probably from Hollywood and Hollywood is full of ignoramuses like Paris Hilton. These animals need our help, they are about to be taken off the endangered species list. For more click the link above.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Nursing shortage
Nursing shortage a global problem, convention told
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 3:28 PM NT
CBC News
The widening problems that Canadian hospitals have in hiring nurses are nothing unique, international delegates to a nursing convention in St. John's say.
A lack of job satisfaction is an impediment to recruiting new nurses, says Patsy Doyle, who works in Cork, Ireland.
(CBC) "It's become an epidemic in Ireland, to be truthful," said Patsy Doyle, a nurse from Cork, Ireland, who is attending a conference of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.
"We know that it's a global shortage of nurses … At this time, people would prefer to work in any job bar nursing, because the job satisfaction — what used to be a hallmark of nursing — isn't evident anymore," she said.
A similar refrain was echoed by participants from other countries, who said a worldwide shortage of nurses is causing extra stress in the workplace, and limits the quality of care.
"The most frustrating thing a nurse has to face is going home at the end of the day knowing that they haven't provided the care that's required by their patient, simply because there aren't enough nurses," said Brett Holmes, general secretary of the New South Wales Nurses Association in Australia.
Continue Article
Delegates heard, though, that there are success stories, such as in California.
"By reducing our workload, we're able to keep nurses in California, and we've drawn nurses from other states, and we've drawn nurses back into the profession," Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association, told CBC News.
In many Canadian jurisdictions, though, that is not likely to happen any time soon.
'Nurses are working 16 hours, [and] double shifts have become a routine,' says Teena Noseworthy, who works in eastern Newfoundland.
(CBC) Teena Noseworthy, a branch president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses Union, said working nurses are asked to bridge gaps that are becoming deeper and more frequent.
"The phone doesn't stop ringing, and we have to go in to work for the fourth consecutive shift, or stay on because there's no relief," said Noseworthy, who works in Clarenville.
"Nurses are working 16 hours, [and] double shifts have become a routine."
Just last month, the Canadian Nurses Association warned that the country's nursing schools are producing more graduates than the number of jobs that will be filled. As a consequence, the CNA warned, many graduates will be recruited in the U.S. rather than work as casuals.
Last Updated: Wednesday, June 6, 2007 3:28 PM NT
CBC News
The widening problems that Canadian hospitals have in hiring nurses are nothing unique, international delegates to a nursing convention in St. John's say.
A lack of job satisfaction is an impediment to recruiting new nurses, says Patsy Doyle, who works in Cork, Ireland.
(CBC) "It's become an epidemic in Ireland, to be truthful," said Patsy Doyle, a nurse from Cork, Ireland, who is attending a conference of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions.
"We know that it's a global shortage of nurses … At this time, people would prefer to work in any job bar nursing, because the job satisfaction — what used to be a hallmark of nursing — isn't evident anymore," she said.
A similar refrain was echoed by participants from other countries, who said a worldwide shortage of nurses is causing extra stress in the workplace, and limits the quality of care.
"The most frustrating thing a nurse has to face is going home at the end of the day knowing that they haven't provided the care that's required by their patient, simply because there aren't enough nurses," said Brett Holmes, general secretary of the New South Wales Nurses Association in Australia.
Continue Article
Delegates heard, though, that there are success stories, such as in California.
"By reducing our workload, we're able to keep nurses in California, and we've drawn nurses from other states, and we've drawn nurses back into the profession," Deborah Burger, president of the California Nurses Association, told CBC News.
In many Canadian jurisdictions, though, that is not likely to happen any time soon.
'Nurses are working 16 hours, [and] double shifts have become a routine,' says Teena Noseworthy, who works in eastern Newfoundland.
(CBC) Teena Noseworthy, a branch president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Nurses Union, said working nurses are asked to bridge gaps that are becoming deeper and more frequent.
"The phone doesn't stop ringing, and we have to go in to work for the fourth consecutive shift, or stay on because there's no relief," said Noseworthy, who works in Clarenville.
"Nurses are working 16 hours, [and] double shifts have become a routine."
Just last month, the Canadian Nurses Association warned that the country's nursing schools are producing more graduates than the number of jobs that will be filled. As a consequence, the CNA warned, many graduates will be recruited in the U.S. rather than work as casuals.
Death Cab for Cutie - I will follow you into the dark
One of the simplest yet saddest songs you will ever here.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Tiny Island Makes Climate a Priority
Click title to visit page and listen to this NPR story.
Imagine if you lived on an island Country of only 20,000 in which there are areas where you could throw a rock from one side of the country to the other. This is what you have with the tiny island of Palau 600 miles southeast of the Philippines and this island is slowing disappearing into the ocean.
Imagine if you lived on an island Country of only 20,000 in which there are areas where you could throw a rock from one side of the country to the other. This is what you have with the tiny island of Palau 600 miles southeast of the Philippines and this island is slowing disappearing into the ocean.
David Suzuki's carbon neutral idea
To solve the problem of climate change, we all need to take account of our personal carbon emissions and make continued efforts to reduce them wherever possible.
...Purchasing high quality carbon offsets from projects such as wind farms also helps support the transition to a sustainable energy economy by providing an additional source of revenue to developers of renewable energy.
While voluntary offset programs should not be seen as a substitute for comprehensive government regulations to reduce greenhouse gases (e.g. through implementation of the Kyoto Protocol), they are a step in the right direction, and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on climate change.
...If you wish to offset the emissions from electricity, you can use either carbon offsets or a special product known as a "Renewable Energy Certificate" (REC), which is like purchasing renewable energy.
...Airlines and travel agents are starting to offer customers the option to offset their flights, and some airlines are offsetting all of their flights.... Movie studios have offset the emissions from the production of feature films and documentaries, and media companies such as BSkyB and MTV are offsetting the emissions associated with their broadcasts Major conferences (e.g. United Nations World Climate Research Programme) and conventions have offset their emissions Organizations as diverse as as Wells Fargo, Whole Foods, the EPA and the city of Vail, CO have purchased large quantities of renewable energy certificates to offset their electricity use Large companies like HSBC, Swiss Re, and Vancity have committed to making their entire operations carbon neutral Many businesses are now offering carbon neutral products or services, such as carpeting, clothing, flower deliveries, and taxi rides Some utilities are offsetting their emissions and allowing their customers to purchase carbon neutral energy Governments (such as the UK) are offsetting the flights of their employees The World Bank has committed to being carbon neutral Schools and churches are voluntarily offsetting their emissions Rock bands like the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Dave Matthews Band have offset the emissions associated with their concerts and albums Many people are now offsetting their weddings (including air travel by guests) The list continues to grow – best-selling books, grocery store chains, and even entire cities are all offsetting their emissions.
...As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, and to demonstrate that taking responsibility for one’s greenhouse gas emissions is straightforward and inexpensive, the David Suzuki Foundation has implemented a carbon neutral program in its offices.... Due to the many problems with tree planting projects, the David Suzuki Foundation only purchases offsets from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
...Finally, write a letter to your political leaders and let them know you've taken responsibility for your greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage them to enact legislation making it easy for everyone to do so.
While reducing energy use should always be the first priority, purchasing carbon offsets is one way to encourage the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy, and show your support for action on climate change.
...Purchasing high quality carbon offsets from projects such as wind farms also helps support the transition to a sustainable energy economy by providing an additional source of revenue to developers of renewable energy.
While voluntary offset programs should not be seen as a substitute for comprehensive government regulations to reduce greenhouse gases (e.g. through implementation of the Kyoto Protocol), they are a step in the right direction, and an opportunity to demonstrate leadership on climate change.
...If you wish to offset the emissions from electricity, you can use either carbon offsets or a special product known as a "Renewable Energy Certificate" (REC), which is like purchasing renewable energy.
...Airlines and travel agents are starting to offer customers the option to offset their flights, and some airlines are offsetting all of their flights.... Movie studios have offset the emissions from the production of feature films and documentaries, and media companies such as BSkyB and MTV are offsetting the emissions associated with their broadcasts Major conferences (e.g. United Nations World Climate Research Programme) and conventions have offset their emissions Organizations as diverse as as Wells Fargo, Whole Foods, the EPA and the city of Vail, CO have purchased large quantities of renewable energy certificates to offset their electricity use Large companies like HSBC, Swiss Re, and Vancity have committed to making their entire operations carbon neutral Many businesses are now offering carbon neutral products or services, such as carpeting, clothing, flower deliveries, and taxi rides Some utilities are offsetting their emissions and allowing their customers to purchase carbon neutral energy Governments (such as the UK) are offsetting the flights of their employees The World Bank has committed to being carbon neutral Schools and churches are voluntarily offsetting their emissions Rock bands like the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, and Dave Matthews Band have offset the emissions associated with their concerts and albums Many people are now offsetting their weddings (including air travel by guests) The list continues to grow – best-selling books, grocery store chains, and even entire cities are all offsetting their emissions.
...As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, and to demonstrate that taking responsibility for one’s greenhouse gas emissions is straightforward and inexpensive, the David Suzuki Foundation has implemented a carbon neutral program in its offices.... Due to the many problems with tree planting projects, the David Suzuki Foundation only purchases offsets from energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
...Finally, write a letter to your political leaders and let them know you've taken responsibility for your greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage them to enact legislation making it easy for everyone to do so.
While reducing energy use should always be the first priority, purchasing carbon offsets is one way to encourage the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy, and show your support for action on climate change.
Prelude to the end of Cheap gas
Now uncommon, this may become common
original link: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/070605/K060504AU.html
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A woman was held up during a fill-up. The woman was pumping gasoline Sunday morning when a man stuck something in her back, told her it was a gun and ordered her to start filling up his sport utility vehicle instead of her own car, said Salt Lake City police Detective Jared Wihongi.
...The woman put $15 worth in the other vehicle's tank before her debit card reached its limit.
Wihongi said surveillance video at the station showed two men in a large, white sport utility vehicle with Wyoming license plates.
...The woman was so shaken up by the incident she didn't call police until about three hours later.
original link: http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/070605/K060504AU.html
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A woman was held up during a fill-up. The woman was pumping gasoline Sunday morning when a man stuck something in her back, told her it was a gun and ordered her to start filling up his sport utility vehicle instead of her own car, said Salt Lake City police Detective Jared Wihongi.
...The woman put $15 worth in the other vehicle's tank before her debit card reached its limit.
Wihongi said surveillance video at the station showed two men in a large, white sport utility vehicle with Wyoming license plates.
...The woman was so shaken up by the incident she didn't call police until about three hours later.
Monday, June 04, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
What I am currently reading
click title to read more, although the title comes off a little harsh towards those that do believe, it is a very well written book, well researched and full of strong arguments. This guy has seen first hand the horrors committed in the name of belief such as suicide bombings in the middle east or the genocide in Eastern Europe which is why he takes the stance that he does.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Off to work
Well I am off to the Endoscopy clinic for my first shift. I am picking up shifts here and there for extra money to put the final nails in the coffin of my Scotiabank student loan.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Crazy Kirk Cameron
It is funny how Kirk Cameron debunks evolution as not being based on evidence yet where is there evidence of creationism, better yet where is your God??? For if there was evidence of God, it wouldn't be called faith would it? Faith is belief without evidence, belief for no good reason but because. These believers talk about the bible like it is fact yet it's stories and even its origins cannot be tested. These same believers laugh at science which starts out with questions searches for answers and adapts its answers as more information is discovered.
Religion is like a book written in stone-what you see is what you get. Science is like a supercomputer constantly evolving, improving, adapting to new demands, learning from its mistakes and applying new knowledge. Religion provides the answers but science asks the questions. One requires a closed mind, the other demands an open mind.
Other countries are on the cutting edge of stem cell research seeking to end diseases such as diabetes while America is still debating evolution all because of a system of beliefs that can never be accepted as fact. It is a sad state of affairs. Maybe there is a God, but this is irrelevant.
You should not live a good life and be a good person because of some promise of an afterlife made by religion, you should do it for a more simple reason: this may be your only life (i.e. no do-overs).
Monday, May 21, 2007
David Suzuki's Nature Challenge
2. Eat meat-free meals once a week
3. Buy a fuel efficient, low-polluting car
4. Choose an energy efficient home and appliances
6. Walk, bike or take transit to regular destinations
7. Prepare your meals with locally produced food
8. Choose a home close to regular destinations
9. Support alternatives to the car
10. Get involved, stay informed
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Dog Thieves???
Criminals targeting pricey, trendy toy dogs
Updated Sat. May. 19 2007 10:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The latest target for thieves and kidnappers are the pint-sized dogs made trendy by celebutantes like Paris Hilton.
The toy breeds like teacup poodles and yorkshire terriers are hard to breed and in demand.
Prices of US$1,600 or more for the tiny dogs are not unusual.
Because they are small, their owners can take them almost anywhere.
"They're much easier to shove inside your jacket or into a bag," said pet store manager Samantha Kaplan.
And if the owners can afford to drop thousands on a dog, pampering the pooch isn't a problem either.
"I can pretty much say they get treated better than kids," said dog groomer Karen Cutler.
However, those combination of factors -- high-value, easily portable dogs; well-heeled owners -- make them a target for dognappers.
Security cameras captured the theft of four yorkshire terriers in California from a family's home by gun-toting bandits. Each dog was worth $2,500.
Two men have been arrested and face charges of residential robbery, grand theft and burglary.
Burglars in Illinois trashed one house, stealing electronics, jewellry -- and the family's pug Pixie. "We're all heartbroken because he was part of the family," said owner Doreen Deatrick.
Fortunately, police were able to retrieve Pixie. At one point, a reward of US$4,500 was offered, and one radio station hired a pet psychic.
At a Lombard, Ill. pet store, one clerk got punched in the face when trying to stop two men who stole a one-kilogram silky terrier. In a previous incident involving a silky terrier, the thief sprayed the clerk with mace.
Some pet stores have massively upgraded their security as a result.
The hot pooches are often resold, but in rare cases, some are held for ransom from their owners.
One woman was asked for $2,000 to get her little dog back. She was reunited with her pet after a third party intervened.
At a Montreal dog run, some say they've heard stories that sound an awful lot like dognapping to them.
"A friend lost sight of her dog in the part and someone called her up and said, 'I have your dog. Bring a hundred dollars to old Montreal'," said Ingrid Harrison.
In addition to putting owners on alert, the canine crime wave has created a growth industry in one area. Some are following Ace Ventura's lead and hanging up their shingles as pet detectives.
With a report from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin and files from Associated Press
Updated Sat. May. 19 2007 10:27 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
The latest target for thieves and kidnappers are the pint-sized dogs made trendy by celebutantes like Paris Hilton.
The toy breeds like teacup poodles and yorkshire terriers are hard to breed and in demand.
Prices of US$1,600 or more for the tiny dogs are not unusual.
Because they are small, their owners can take them almost anywhere.
"They're much easier to shove inside your jacket or into a bag," said pet store manager Samantha Kaplan.
And if the owners can afford to drop thousands on a dog, pampering the pooch isn't a problem either.
"I can pretty much say they get treated better than kids," said dog groomer Karen Cutler.
However, those combination of factors -- high-value, easily portable dogs; well-heeled owners -- make them a target for dognappers.
Security cameras captured the theft of four yorkshire terriers in California from a family's home by gun-toting bandits. Each dog was worth $2,500.
Two men have been arrested and face charges of residential robbery, grand theft and burglary.
Burglars in Illinois trashed one house, stealing electronics, jewellry -- and the family's pug Pixie. "We're all heartbroken because he was part of the family," said owner Doreen Deatrick.
Fortunately, police were able to retrieve Pixie. At one point, a reward of US$4,500 was offered, and one radio station hired a pet psychic.
At a Lombard, Ill. pet store, one clerk got punched in the face when trying to stop two men who stole a one-kilogram silky terrier. In a previous incident involving a silky terrier, the thief sprayed the clerk with mace.
Some pet stores have massively upgraded their security as a result.
The hot pooches are often resold, but in rare cases, some are held for ransom from their owners.
One woman was asked for $2,000 to get her little dog back. She was reunited with her pet after a third party intervened.
At a Montreal dog run, some say they've heard stories that sound an awful lot like dognapping to them.
"A friend lost sight of her dog in the part and someone called her up and said, 'I have your dog. Bring a hundred dollars to old Montreal'," said Ingrid Harrison.
In addition to putting owners on alert, the canine crime wave has created a growth industry in one area. Some are following Ace Ventura's lead and hanging up their shingles as pet detectives.
With a report from CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin and files from Associated Press
Friday, May 18, 2007
Hearing loss
For example, an average conversation takes place at around 60 decibels. Standing on a downtown street corner in rush hour, you're probably exposed to about 85 to 90 decibels. While using an electric hair dryer or pushing a gas lawnmower, you're well into the danger zone at 90-plus decibels. At peak levels, iPods can hit volumes of 120 decibels, which is louder than a chainsaw or jackhammer. Music in dance clubs can peak as high as 150 decibels.
Ian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist at the Robillard hearing Aid Centres in Ottawa, said that even 30 seconds at a venue at 100 decibels – well below the level created by a single leaf blower, let alone a stack of high-powered speakers - can cause permanent hearing loss.
Click title to read entire story....
Ian Murray, a hearing instrument specialist at the Robillard hearing Aid Centres in Ottawa, said that even 30 seconds at a venue at 100 decibels – well below the level created by a single leaf blower, let alone a stack of high-powered speakers - can cause permanent hearing loss.
Click title to read entire story....
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Wife has chores for you? Now a solution
Only $99 for entire package, never be stuck mowing the lawn again!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Nirvana on Saturday Night Live
This is the last time Nirvana was on SNL. They are playing heart shaped box.
The Strokes - Heart in a cage
This song is awesome, The Strokes rocked when I saw them in concert, very cool, voice kinda like Jim Morrison's.
Jerry Falwell Died.
The hero of right ring Christianity and the enemy of liberalism died today. It is amazing how hatred is ok when espoused by the religious and then re-branded as religion, here is where Falwell stood.
"Over the decades, Falwell has campaigned against abortion, same-sex marriage, pornography, stem-cell research and bans on school prayers.
He drew ire for saying AIDS is punishment for homosexuals, the Antichrist was a Jewish man and Tinky Winky, a purse-toting character on the show Teletubbies, is a gay role model.
One of his most controversial comments came on Sept. 14, 2001, when he blamed the Sept. 11 attacks against the United States on abortionists, feminists, pagans, gays, lesbians and others who "tried to secularize America." He later apologized." excerpt taken from CBC.CA
Monday, May 14, 2007
The Wine Train
The train to drunkiness...For more pics of Napa go to my website and click the flickr link
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Tasting the sparkling wines
Cool pic of rock mushrooms taken on the grounds of the Domaine Chandon winery.
Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting in the Napa Valley. Go to www.jamiestone.com and click Flickr to see the latest pics of our trip.
Pictured here are barrels of wine stored in man made caves at the Rutherford Winery. Each barrel is made of French oak and costs about $800-900 US empty. When full they hold about 300 bottles of wine. This particular winery has about 8000 barrels in its cave at any given time. The barrels are used for about three years and by then most of the oak taste is gone so they sell them off to wineries that make cheaper wines like the $5 kind you can get at Safeway.
Pictured here are barrels of wine stored in man made caves at the Rutherford Winery. Each barrel is made of French oak and costs about $800-900 US empty. When full they hold about 300 bottles of wine. This particular winery has about 8000 barrels in its cave at any given time. The barrels are used for about three years and by then most of the oak taste is gone so they sell them off to wineries that make cheaper wines like the $5 kind you can get at Safeway.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Our First Wedding Anniversary
This a video that I made for Marsha to commemorate our 1st wedding anniversary.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Mexico not safe for Canadians
This is happening too frequently, cut the cord to Mexico I say-no more tourist dollars from Canada until they get their act together. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2007/05/08/attack-cancun.html
Save a little more and go somewhere better like the South Pacific.
Save a little more and go somewhere better like the South Pacific.
Year Zero (concept album)
(From Wikipedia)
Reznor said that Year Zero is a concept album,[8] "could be about the end of the world," and marked a "shift in direction" in that it "doesn't sound like With Teeth."[7] The 2006 tour merchandise designs featured overt references to the United States military, which "reflects future directions."[7]
In an interview with Gigwise.com, Reznor stated that the concept behind Year Zero was partially inspired by his feelings toward the Bush administration. Reznor further explained,
I really wanted to focus on something that was at the forefront of my consciousness which is, as an American, I'm appalled by the behavior of our government, the direction that it has taken and the direction that it's taken everyone else in the world and its arrogance... I decided to write an essay about where the world might be if we continue down the path that we're on with a neo-con-esque government doing whatever it pleases...[9]
To this end, the storyline of Year Zero borrows heavily from dystopian fiction such as George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four (government surveillence), Aldous Huxley's Brave New World (use of drugs to subdue the populace), Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 (large-scale censorship and uniformism), and Yevgeny Zamyatin's We (synthesis of church and state).
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Nine Inch Nails - Only
Love this video by Nine Inch Nails from their last album and their new album "Year Zero" is pretty cool also.
Monkey see, monkey sue: Austrian activists want chimpanzee declared a ’person’
Interesting concept. We did not come from Adam and Eve after all but from apes.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Suv hits seven kids near Bay Area Middle school
Glad I was not in charge this day. This was a mass casualty incident.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
DSCF2389.JPG
Took Nico for a dip in coyote creek near Anderson's Reservoir. For the rest of the photos in the set click here
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
baby hummingbirds
Here are the latest photos of the baby hummingbirds. More pics on flickr in the latest set here
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Crazy that this still goes on
A half century after the Supreme Court ended racial segregation, parents and students in Ashburn, Ga., were still clinging to old ways, holding whites-only and blacks-only dances. This spring, the school finally broke that color barrier.
click here to read more
click here to read more
Monday, April 23, 2007
Policosanol
Policosanol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Policosanol (or polycosanol) is the generic term for a natural extract of plant waxes. It is used as a nutritional supplement to lower (bad) LDL cholesterol and increase (good) HDL cholesterol and to help prevent atherosclerosis.
I am interested to see if this will work...I am starting on it today. I don't want to try lipitor or crestor or vitorin as these drugs can have nasty side effects.
Celebrate Earth Day...
I like the pic of the lady. Found it on flickr when type an Earth Day search. The picture of planet earth is from Nasa.
"Man does not weave the web of life but is a part of it, what man does to this web he does to himself" - Chief Seattle
Dumbed down version: "Kill the Earth...Kill ourselves."
Sunday, April 22, 2007
There is so much wrong with this I don't know where to begin.
Oakland Pizza Shop Owner Fatally Shoots Alleged Robber
Posted April 21, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The owner of a popular pizza shop opened fire on three robbery suspects, killing one of them and apparently wounding his own son.
Catarino Piedra, 41, who owns Coliseum Pizza and Taqueria in East Oakland, won't be charged with a crime because prosecutors determined he was acting in self-defense, Alameda County Assistant District Tom Rogers said Friday.
Piedra said he feared for his life, and those of his wife and three children, when he began shooting at three men who tried to rob the store after 9:30 p.m. Thursday.
"I was scared," Piedra said. "I had to defend my family."
He told police he kept a gun under the counter because his delivery drivers were frequently robbed.
The shots killed Allen Joseph Hicks III, 22, an aspiring rap artist known as "Boonie." Hicks was armed with a pistol when he and two other men tried to rob the store, police said. This is so stereotypical, what was he trying to get some street cred????
Hicks was on probation for a marijuana conviction, and was facing battery charges when he died, police and court records show.
Police believe Piedra may also have accidentally shot his 17-year-old son, who was not seriously wounded. You are more likely to kill someone you know with a gun if you use it for self defense.
Oakland police said Piedra appeared justified, but cautioned citizens against arming themselves.
Friends left messages, balloons, candles and bottles of cognac at a makeshift memorial honoring Hicks on Friday.It is good to know that criminals are still loved...
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Daughter of slain professor calls for tougher gun laws
The daughter of a Canadian professor who was killed in the Virginia Tech shootings says she is going push to change the state's gun laws. (click title to read).
good luck with that...but they will never change those laws, it is a lost cause.
good luck with that...but they will never change those laws, it is a lost cause.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Conservative Media blames victims in Virginia Tech Shooting
Only what passes for media in America would resort to blaming the victims of the Virginia Tech Shooting for freezing or not "rushing their attacker". My God, these people are crazy. They are blaming innocent dead people for not having enough exposure to violence and not knowing what to do.
You are on your way to class and all of a sudden people around you are falling like leaves and you are supposed to rush the guy and do what??? Some Chuck Norris move? May be we should start firing rounds off near our children to get them used to the sound of gunfire and violence at an early age. Maybe we should send our little kids to Iraq for grades 4 and 5. This story is sickening.
School should be a safe haven from a violent world.
click here to read.
You are on your way to class and all of a sudden people around you are falling like leaves and you are supposed to rush the guy and do what??? Some Chuck Norris move? May be we should start firing rounds off near our children to get them used to the sound of gunfire and violence at an early age. Maybe we should send our little kids to Iraq for grades 4 and 5. This story is sickening.
School should be a safe haven from a violent world.
click here to read.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Finally an alternative
As anyone that has been to Burgeo knows, high speed internet there costs over $30 a month and download speeds are often as slow 20 kbs with uploads about the same. This is awful. In my opinion, very basic high speed internet is at least 386 kbs but real high speed is at least 2000-12000 kbs see www.comcast.com or www.att.com
So according to this article http://www.thecharter.ca/index.cfm?iid=2459&sid=20766
a company called persona is finally installing fiber optic cable all along the south coast under water. This is great now maybe I will be able to video chat with my parents using skype and Burgeo will leap into the new millennium.
To check the speed of your connection try
www.internetfrog.com
www.speedtest.net
So according to this article http://www.thecharter.ca/index.cfm?iid=2459&sid=20766
a company called persona is finally installing fiber optic cable all along the south coast under water. This is great now maybe I will be able to video chat with my parents using skype and Burgeo will leap into the new millennium.
To check the speed of your connection try
www.internetfrog.com
www.speedtest.net
Winter in Burgeo, Newfoundland 2007
A while ago (1999) at a nursing job fair in St. John's, a recruiter for the Health Science Center told Marsha the best they could offer a new grad was the chance to live in Newfoundland (working casual or perdiem with no benefits).
Yeah... they might want to rethink that stance and sweeten the pot because I know from experience once you are spoiled with sunny weather all year long, scenes like this just make you shiver! Once a nurse is lost from NFLD to go to warmer pastures I would venture to say that not many of them return.
Yeah... they might want to rethink that stance and sweeten the pot because I know from experience once you are spoiled with sunny weather all year long, scenes like this just make you shiver! Once a nurse is lost from NFLD to go to warmer pastures I would venture to say that not many of them return.
Cool Product!!!! (click to visit website)
What is Solio?
Solio™, the Universal "Hybrid" Charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move, anywhere under the sun.
Solio is a Hybrid because it can accept power from either the wall socket or Sun storing this energy within Solio's internal rechargeable battery. Solio then uses this energy to power your gadgets at the same rate as if they were plugged into the wall. Solio will also hold its charge for up to a year.
Solio limits your need to purchase and carry around multiple chargers for all of your gadgets and is your one stop charging solution for all of your products from cell phones and iPods, to digital cameras, game players, and GPS.
One hour of sun will give you enough juice to play your iPod™ for about an hour or provide up to 25 mins of additional talk time on most cell phones.
When fully charged Solio can store enough power to charge a typical cell phone or an iPod Nano at least two times. Have you plugged into the Sun lately?
Provides emergency power for your mobile gadgets anywhere you go.
- Provides an emergency power source when away from power outlets
- Interchangeable power tips allow you to power multiple gadgets with a single charger ( tips for most products included in pack)
- Works with multiple gadgets, including mobile phones, Bluetooth® headsets, smartphones/PDAs, MP3 players, portable gaming devices, digital cameras, GPS and more
- Reusable - use it again and again
- Compact lightweight design - convenient for travel or emergency use
Monday, April 16, 2007
Missed an episode?
If you missed an episode of your favorite Fox tv show such as 24 you can go to http://www.myspace.com/fox
and watch it for free online compliments of FOX. You do need a decent internet connection though.
and watch it for free online compliments of FOX. You do need a decent internet connection though.
Nico on the loveseat.JPG
Check out the new photos I have on flickr. This is one pic from the latest set.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Boo got Shot
click here to go to site to listen to the mp3, this is very funny
http://web.mac.com/jamieandmarsha/iWeb/Site/Movies%26Music.html
or download it to your computer here
see "Boo Got Shot"
http://web.mac.com/jamieandmarsha/iWeb/Site/Movies%26Music.html
or download it to your computer here
see "Boo Got Shot"
Real Estate course
Went to a Real Estate course today at De Anza College. It is simple and to the point no hype, no rich dad poor dad or Donald Trump, just candidness. Anyway I have a file on my website on the links page that can be downloaded of the info covered in the session.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Hummingbird babies
Picture is blurry and not focused but I was tired, I just got off night shift. Anyway, there are two hummingbird babies in this nest built on top of our wind chimes.
Racism rears its ugly head once again in America
Xenophobia is a growing problem in the US. From Michael Richard's (aka Kramer) rant a few months ago to this guy (in the clip above) just recently...America has a problem. It goes both ways though, just watch the clip below from this guy Dr. Kamau Kambon who calls for the extermination of white people. How is this guy any different from David Duke. Is it okay to say these things if you are black? Of course not. I would venture to say humans love to find reasons to hate their neighbor. Take Rwanda for example (see Rwanda genocide). When the Dutch occupied it they designated (arbitrarily) people into two groups, Hutu and Tutsis. The Hutu were the "whiter" of the black people and the Tutsis were delegated to the role of servant class even though both groups were exactly the same physically and in all other aspects. This was an artificial division created by the Dutch which I take as proof that people will take even fabricated differences to use as an excuse to hate one another. It is a sad state of affairs.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
MMA
Where I do Krav Maga now offers a full program to prepare people "from scratch" for UFC, pride type mixed martial arts fighting. I am not doing that but it is cool none the less. http://academyselfdefense.com/mixed-martial-arts.html
Friday, April 06, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Monday, April 02, 2007
April Fool's!!!!
I thought this latest innovation by google would be too disgusting to catch on. April Fool's!!!!
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Google has lost its mind
Seriously, I thought this was joke. Log on to www.google.com and click on the TISP. Apparently google is offering free broadband internet service but there is a catch. You install the router into your toilet. I am serious. Google has worked with utility companies in the US and Canada and installed fiber optic cable at 1000s of access points in local sewer systems and since every home has a toilet it is one part genius and 2 parts insanity. You sign up for it, they send you a router and a long cable that is water proof. You flush the cable down the toilet and in an hour your connection is active and you are surfing the net at a download speed of 8mbs and for free. You can go even faster if you want to pay. This is so bizarre. Oh yeah and you can still use your toilet like you normally would. And you thought there was crap on the internet before??? Direct link to more info click here.
Google announces free in-home wireless broadband service
"Dark porcelain" project offers self-installed plumbing-based Internet access
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., April 1, 2007 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced the launch of Google TiSP (BETA)™, a free in-home wireless broadband service that delivers online connectivity via users' plumbing systems. The Toilet Internet Service Provider (TiSP) project is a self-installed, ad-supported online service that will be offered entirely free to any consumer with a WiFi-capable PC and a toilet connected to a local municipal sewage system.
"We've got that whole organizing-the-world's-information thing more or less under control," said Google Co-founder and President Larry Page, a longtime supporter of so-called "dark porcelain" research and development. "What's interesting, though, is how many different modalities there are for actually getting that information to you - not to mention from you."
For years, data carriers have confronted the "last hundred yards" problem for delivering data from local networks into individual homes. Now Google has successfully devised a "last hundred smelly yards" solution that takes advantage of preexisting plumbing and sewage systems and their related hydraulic data-transmission capabilities. "There's actually a thriving little underground community that's been studying this exact solution for a long time," says Page. "And today our Toilet ISP team is pleased to be leading the way through the sewers, up out of your toilet and - splat - right onto your PC."
Users who sign up online for the TiSP system will receive a full home self-installation kit, which includes a spindle of fiber-optic cable, a TiSP wireless router, installation CD and setup guide. Home installation is a simple matter of GFlushing™ the fiber-optic cable down to the nearest TiSP Access Node, then plugging the other end into the network port of your Google-provided TiSP wireless router. Within sixty minutes, the Access Node's crack team of Plumbing Hardware Dispatchers (PHDs) should have your internet connection up and running.
"I couldn't be more excited about, and am only slightly grossed out by, this remarkable new product," said Marissa Mayer, Google's Vice President of Search Products and User Experience. "I firmly believe TiSP will be a breakthrough product, particularly for those users who, like Larry himself, do much of their best thinking in the bathroom."
Interested consumers, contractually obligated partners and deeply skeptical and quietly competitive backbiters can learn more about TiSP at http://www.google.com/tisp/install.html.
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. wannabes Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.
###
Media Contact:
Sunny Gettinger
Google Inc.
sunnyg@google.com
650-253-4713
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