Clothing for the year 2000AD... as seen from 1930...

Designers from the 1930s were asked to design their predictions of what clothes will be like in the far-off future of AD2000... (from haha.nu)

Watching marbles move through hoops

The little theme "ga-donka-donka-deet'zee" gets a bit old by about the middle of this clip, but it's well worth watching these crackpot contraptions. It's interesting to think that somebody thought up, and then put together, these marble-runs. (haha.nu)



And another, called Pipe Dreams...

Volcano eruption in HD...

Vancouver round-up

Here's an excellent review of Lisa Smedman's new book Vancouver: Stories of a City. (re:place)

And a story about Joe Rimmer and his hand-made limited-edition copies of Tom Sawyer, mostly talking about growing up in a Vancouver that resembles the Mark Twain classic. (VanSun)

Francis Bula writes in Vancouver Magazine about how cities around the world are trying to emulate our city. (VanMag)

The Urban Dweller on VanCity Buzz talks about Vancouverism. (VCBuzz)

Speaking of Vancouver, what about Electoral Area A...? A failed-candidate has asked for a referendum on becoming a municipality. (straight)

Gordon Murray created a parody copy of the Vancouver Sun newspsper in 2007, to highlight his opinion towards the Canwest-owned paper's apparent pro-Israel/anti-Palestine position. He was taken to court, of course. Judge Alan Donaldson, of the B.C. Supreme Court, decided that freedom of expression could not be used as a defense in a copyright infringement case. (straight) [Personally, I see this as setting up for all those "copyright infringers" that use any Olympic icons for parody or satire, or some other unwanted-by-VANOC bad-press.]

Francis Bula talks about her friends' photo blog. (bula) It's called Splinter In Your Eye, and is about Vancouver in transition (mostly). (SiYE)

Another good read is the summary from re:Place magazine about their re:Connect event. (re:place)

Here's a tip for drivers: know where the unregulated parking areas are. (CTV) There's also a great link on the right-hand side that shows the frequency of parking tickets across the city that's fascinating!

Check out this link to Bob_2006's flickr stream with a good write-up about the Vancouver Museum. (flickr)

And there's an even better idea than my "tent city on vacant lot" idea from before. "Stop Gap Housing." (tyee) The problem? Finding land...? Maybe those vacant lots I was mentioning...?

Before I forget, check out the rest of Penny Coupland's awesome paintings of Vancouver scenes, like this one of Kits Beach. My personal favourite is one she did of our favourite watering hole, the Wolf and Hound, but it was unfortunately taken down from her Flickr photostream.

Mats Sundin signs with Canucks

This just off the wires: Mats Sundin has signed with the Vancouver Canucks, since the NY Rangers couldn't clear their salary cap.

Province
Team 1040
VanCity Buzz

Muppet Beaker sings Yellow by Coldplay

REM encore

Pro-shot video of REM's encore in Mexico City.

Explaining ten-dimensional concepts...

Crazy Artist alert!

Daito Manabe is a Japanese composer that has started a series of experiments, using the electrical signals of music to control his facial muscles. (cdm)

Daito Manabe website.
Daito Manabe on youtube.

I Google You (music video), sung by Amanda Palmer, words by Neil Gaiman

Prepare for The Invasion!

Part of the hype for the new Keanu Reeves film, a remake of the already-classic 1951 film The Day the Earth Stood Still, involves beaming the film into space. I think I'm becoming increasingly jaded about the ideas that are pitched about in the name of marketing, because when I first heard about this I actually rolled my eyes.

One part of me, the Conspiracy Analyist, might be concerned with the thought of sending out the details of one of humanity's greatest fears to something that could very well be the fulfillment of those fears... but that train has already long-left the station. After all, we've already been advertising our celestial presence by leaking a constant stream of radio, television and radar signals for around a century. The cat's out of the bag, and we've already "stepped on the proverbial twig in the forest" if you get my meaning. (mail) Some even say we've actually already been contacted, and it's all a cover-up... but you already knew that. (mail)

In fact, the same Florida company that will be sending Mr. Reeves film to the aliens will beam any 5-minute message into space for U$299. This company has also already beamed out whale songs, and the entire Craiglist web site. (So if you're in Alpha Centari and want a used iPod, we on Earth have got you covered. But the shipping chrages are gonna cost you an eyestalk and a tentacle.)

Aside from the muddle of random broadcasts, here is my list of Ten Signals That Have Been "Beamed into Space."

10. The Beatles song Across the Universe. But is it DRM-free?! (wired)
9. An advertisement for Doritos tortilla chips. (New Scientist)
8(a). Messages (like Brit photos and such) from social network site Bebo users. (BBC) (skynews)
8(b). A time capsule from Yahoo Inc, transmitted from a Mexican pyramid. (CBC)
7. A live Paul McCartney concert. (NME)
6. Swedish poetry. (dublinka)
5. A creepy rendition of Gershwin music. (seti)
4. Harry Potter film. (BBC)
3. Your phone calls, for U$3.99 a minute. Cheaper than to the Philippines. (New Scientist)
2. Your blog. (imo.org) (bloginspace)
1. The debate on whether beaming stuff into space is smart on our part. (seed)

It all boils down to this, my fellow humans: Be Prepared.

Videos showing flights on Earth...

Wired.com has the full write-up on how this was put together, and a bunch of other video simulations that are interesting. (wired)

Here's every flight on Earth.



And here's a neat one with flights in Europe.

Timelapse Antarctica video by Jordan Manley

Seriously brilliant.

antarctic peninsula (2008) - jordan manley from raman on Vimeo.

The problem with Day of the Ninja

December 5th is the annual Day of the Ninja.

A couple of quick tidbits:
Day of the Ninja (Dec 5) started in 2003 by the guys at website Ninja Burger.
Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sep 19) started in 1995 by two guys in Oregon.

Why won't Ninja Day catch on like TLaP Day? Well, maybe it will. But right from the official ND site: Plague your co-workers with ninja-ness and wear a ninja mask to work! Got the day off? Run wild in the streets, or dress like a ninja at the mall! Just show the world that YOU ARE NINJA!

Let me put it this way: I may give an "avast, me hearties" while slipping past my co-workers in the lunchroom to grab another cup of coffee... but I am certainly not wearing a ninja mask to get to that cup of java. The first, a funny conversation-starter... the second... I see no potential but humiliation and embarrassment. And dressing like a ninja at the mall or on the street? How about International "Kick-Me-Sign-On-My-Back" Day instead?

And fine, maybe I ain't as free-wheelin' cool as others out there... but I like to think I likely represent the median attitude on this Ninja vs Pirate vs Zombie question, and it's my opinion that Ninja Day will only catch on with hardcore extremist ninjas, while Pirate Day will appeal to a wider audience. It boils down to the "ease of participation" and "potential humiliation limited to self-chosen situations" factors.

Satan alert!

Rachel Ann Lindsay

Rachel Ann Lindsay is an illustrator in Toronto with an interesting drawing style... each element of the drawing consists of a single unbroken line. The result is frenetic and sketchy, and fantastic.

Take a look at the work on her site.

Hit Puberty Yet?

"Belly Dancer turns Sci-Fi Fantasy Into Career."

and

"Princess Leia."

Need I say more?

Not quite dead yet.

It's the nature of my life that I happen to have quite a few "imminent-end-of-the-world apocalypto-at-any-moment" types within close circles. Like folks that surround themselves with "uglier-than-themselves" friends because they think it makes them look more beautiful, I often wonder if this is my mind's sub-conscious effort to make myself appear... how shall I say... more normal...? It's a high order.

Regardless, as usual I bounce between two sides.

On one, those EoW types frustrate me, because they usually couch their arguments in religion or conspiracy when really it's just common sense that the times are a'gonna change sooner or later. After all, until we start moving into collecting extraterrestrial resources (and even then, just moved into time-frames we can't imagine yet), we are confined to a finite system, with only so much that can be gathered or created. Sooner or later things will end as the resources needed to continue are depleted and exhausted.

I think the collapse of the auto industry is an adequate illustration of this principle. As usual, nobody planned the transition, and instead of evolving smoothly into something that can sustain itself for a while longer in a different form, nothing changes until backs are to the wall and the smell of panic hits the air(waves). I mean, I could've started predicting the end of the petro-based auto industry before the first Ford rolled off the line, but it wouldn't have made me a prophet.

(I don't want to seem unsympathetic to the situation so many people are now facing: it's terrible. My point is simply in regards to planning ahead for major problems. But that would include "someone" taking responsibility of a situation that (a) is a long ways away, (b) debatable in causes and solutions, and (c) contains amorphous suspects as to actual responsibility. These combine so "blame" is spread too thin for anyone to actually need to step in and solve the problem until it's boiling over. If the problem is international, like global warming, the consequences become exponentially cataclysmic.)

The other side of the EoW types point is compelling. I am, after all, an accomplished procrastinator, and an imminent apocalypse is the best excuse ever.

Do the dishes? Why bother. The world is ending any moment.

Anyhoo. Here are some interesting stories I've noticed lately.

Instead of still feeling guilty, pat yourself on the back for using those aerosol deodorant cans in the '80s: a new ice age had been predicted, but global warming will hold it off indefinitely! Job well done, everyone! (NatlGeo)

New threat: brown clouds over Asia, making the skies darker and throwing weather systems into further extremes. On the up-side, this reflects the sun's rays enough to cool the earth's surface, masking the effect of global warming. I'm confused. Does this mean Asia is in for a brown-ice age? (CBC)

Remember the Russia-Georgia Conflict? Everyone was to blame. Effectively therefore: no one was to blame. (NYT) Yet, there was a chance it all could have been avoided, and right now relations with Russia could be less adversarial. (CdnBusi) Yet, a spy has been passing NATO secrets to the Russians for a while... (CBC)

Here's an interesting article about how neither Communism nor Capitalism actually work in pure form. Communism needs free markets... Capitalism needs regulation... (Tyee)

And if history is any indicator (hint: it is), things are not looking good on this whole Peace Movement thing. The grave of the earliest known nuclear family has been located. Unfortunately, they died violently. (NatlGeo)

Some military tidbits: Given the number of attacks within Pakistan, despite their public objections, I suspect The Terror War has shifted into Pakistan as well. (NYT) And USB drives have been banned due to Worm Attack. (wired) And then there's that whole Piracy thing. But pirates take note: don't mess with Islamic ships, because ships belonging to Muslim countries should not be seized. (CBC)

But let's get to some serious news. Like a possible alien invasion in Canada. "Meteorite" my ass. (CTV) (CTV) Where's my tinfoil hat? (Maybe here...)

Mad scientist alert: DARPA plans to create flying cars. Crap. How much will that bail-out cost? (wired) Good seque to some auto company propoganda.



Let's get closer to home. Who owns Genesis Security? (DavidEby)



I think I'm just going to stay inside and watch more TV. Like that's possible. I have so many screens in my warroom I could probably cook a turkey. Hmm. Some would argue I already am. (CBC)

Chickens break up a rabbit-fight...

Historical Films Sample Reel of scenes of Vancouver

"Photos" of the "Moon" in 1874

Fascinating fakery hailed by scientists.

2008 Vancouver Civic Election round-up

First, head over to the City of Vancouver's election summary page. (CoV) It includes a fantastic map showing how each Voting Division in the city swung, either behind Ladner or Robertson. And the good folks at Kitsilano.ca chat about the results a little. (kits.ca)

Two quick tidbits:

Jamie Lee Hamilton says she will not run for civic election again. (Straight)

Ken Clement has become Vancouver's first aboriginal politician elected to office, for the School Board. (Straight)

And there had been speculation that Robertson may have been riding enough of a tidal wave of popularity to break through the 100,000 vote barrier. (Straight) Philip Owen won with 51,085 votes in 1999, Larry Campbell won with 80,772 in 2002, and Sam Sullivan won with 61,543 in 2005. Robertson won with 67,598.

Bike to Work Week - Nov 17-23

It's a last minute notice, but here's a reminder that this week is Bike to Work week.

Read all about it on the Buzzer Blog.

Where do I put my mark on this shard of broken pottery...?

With Vancouver's 2008 civic election campaign coming to a close in a few hours, and considering the seemingly-unending months of election-stuff we've been fed over the last 18 months, it may be time to look at this concept we call Democracy. A few random thoughts and diversions, I mean...

Democracy is a form of governance where ultimate power rests with the people, under a free electoral system. (wikipedia) Even though there is no universally-accepted definition of democracy, two principles are always included: all members of society have equal access to power, and all members enjoy universally recognized liberties and freedoms.

But let's get back to the beginning, and check out the Greeks. There are some great articles on N.S. Gill's Ancient History Blog. Aeschines (389-314 B.C.) was an ancient Greek writer that was in favour of democracy. (NSGill) Yet Aristotle (384-322 B.C.), one of the most influential ancient Greek philosophers, was not exactly a fan of democracy. (NSGill) And an interesting tangent, I didn't know there's some question as to whether Greek citizens were required to vote, and if they did not if they were deemed idiots.

Here's an interesting table that compares the words and deeds over the first 100 days of office for each U.S. President going back to Roosevelt. (Good)

Since we're dealing with nothing more than an idea of how civilized society is to be organized and governed, like all ideas it is under constant threat to remain relevant. Any intellectual construct can be replaced. And though we dismiss many threats as no more than the delusional spouting of conspiracy theory crackpots, we must not forget that conspiracies have existed, and likely do still exist. Here's a list of conspiracy theories. And if you think all conspiracy theories are crackpot, let's take a glance at one that turned out ot be real... the Business Plot: the plot to overthrow FDR in 1933...

To run through some quick "possible threats"... let's quickly start with something close to home... the "sleazy" threat to democracy in North Vancouver. (VanSun) And here's a new issue that is on the rise: dog owners demanding more off-lease parks. (CBC) I have to say that I agree with Erik V's rant on Kitsilano.ca about "one-issue voting." (kits.ca) And I don't have either a child or a dog. (Ok, maybe this is not really a "threat" to democracy, but it's my opinion that strategic voting related to party-politics is another of those slippery slopes, of which blind one-issue voting is a cousin.)

Let's touch on a couple of other perceived threats: Like the legends of the Illuminati that arose in the 19th century, today technology brings the possibility of the Numerati, a shadowy group that data-mines your personal information, and bends the world to bend your will.

There is also the danger represented by Corporations. Political and Economic theory are dangerously interlinked. The regulatory failure that resulted in the current economic crisis could be seen as a dangerous step toward a slippery slope. An essay in the New York Times describes an interesting view of what happened during the last crisis, The Great Depression, and how it re-aligned power in Western civilization. (NYT)

And here's a link to the first part of Zeitgeist. If you're marginally interested in conspiracy analysis, start here. (youTube)

Plus, there's The American Conspiracy.

Vancouver Civic Election 2008

As a true non-partisan (meaning that I am not politically affiliated with any particular party or candidate, unlike how the term has been usurped by the you-know-who party), I have to admit I have no idea how best to vote in this weekend's civic election in Vancouver. It's been an election circus. So, mostly just to help me review the facts, I offer here some of the info-threads that have caught my attention of late. It is by no means comprehensive, and unlikely to be of much use in deciding. (Just to toot my own horn.)

Public Service Section:

City of Vancouver Election Centre.
Profiles of Mayoral Candidates.
Profiles of Council Candidates.
Profiles of School Board Candidates.
Profiles of Parks Board Candidates.
CBC's Civic Vote 2008 special feature.
Georgia Straight's site has ShawTV Profiles!
CoV's Voting Place Search Tool.

Some of the Issues:

Many of these stories are full of links to explore...
The Pantages Theatre issue. (Bula)
The Burrard Street Bicycle issue. (CBC) (CTV)
The Olympic Village issue. (TyeeHook) (Bula)
The former-Mayors on Olympic Village. (TyeeHook)
The Estelle Lo issue. (Straight) (Straight)
City Staff getting pulled into the fray. (Bula)
The inevitable investigation of Olympic Village. (TyeeHook) (CBC)
And Pivot Legal's take on the Olympic Village. (Straight)
And... lie detectors? (CTV) (CBC)
And lastly, from the fire-starter. (Mason on G&M)
"Dirty Tricks" says Van Sun. (VanSun)
"Bump in the night" says van Sun. (VanSun)
Last Candidate Standing. (re:place)
School Board...? (TyeeHook)
The (loss of) EcoDensity issue. (CTV)
The Zero Waste incinerators issue. (Straight)
The "CAR 87" issue. (DTES Enquirer)
The Straight Slate. (Straight)
Upper Kits Residents Association suggests slate. (kitsilano.ca)

A final word from Francis Bula, on what happens after the vote. (CTV)

And my final word: I still don't know who exactly to vote for. But I am afraid. Very afraid.

Arts round-up

A few of the "arts-related" tidbits I've ran across recently that have caught my eye.

Neil Gaiman's work on The Sandman series ranks near the top of graphics-based literature. Good Omens, the book he co-authored with Discworld-creator Terry Pratchet, is one of the funniest books I've ever devoured multiple times. And now Gaiman is giving away his latest, The Graveyard Book, by taping himself reading individual chapters on his book-tour and posting them on his MouseCircus site for young readers. (Wired)

And to follow-up on a story mentioned earlier: Stephen Colbert has won the White House! (In the Marvel Universe.) (Wired) And, like the Chicago Tribune's "Dewey Defeats Truman" gaffe 60 years ago, the Daily Bugle blows it! (Wired)

Staying with the comic theme for another moment, kottke posted some links to maps of the New York City of the Marvel Universe. (WizardUniverse) (NYCmetblogs) (flickr)

Next: some awesome t-shirts for sale at Glennz.

Then check out Edmund McMillen's independent artist product: This is a cry for help. A load of stuff for $10!

And if you figure you've already bought so much stuff you can't get more, check out this post on Swaptree... like ebay, except it's an exchange of goods. (Lifehacker)

On another note... if you think you're old ask yourself this question: Do I dream in colour, or black-and-white? If it's B&W, then you're right, you are old... apparently the television you watched as a child may influence the colour of your dreams. (TelegraphUK)

Speaking of old, here are the definitions of some commonly-used abbreviations, most of which are derived from Latin. (BloggingTips) And another list in the follow-up post. (BloggingTips) Both excellent posts are written by Kevin Muldoon of System0.

Olbermann's commentary on Proposition 8

Keith Olbermann of MSNBC pleads to understand the results of California's Proposition 8 result. It is a passionate and reasoned commentary, which bears viewing.

2008 Vancouver Civic Election round-up

It's great that Shaw Cable has given time for each candidate in the civic elections of the region to describe their political positions. There are a few crazies out there. The unexpected part is that a several are incumbents.

But to some issues that are circulating the Vancouver race: On his ever-name-changing blog, David Eby reviews a few of the stories about the $100 million back-room guarantee deal to save the Olympic village development. Great title to his post: Vancouver going to hell in Olympic-sized handbasket. Even David Berner agrees that citizens deserve answers to "villagegate".

I just have to point this part out: the controversy resides around unknown concerns to this guarantee from the City's Director of Finance who may (according to Robertson) have been fired or resigned from the City, or may (according to Ladner) be on a regularly-scheduled annual vacation... conveniently returning to Vancouver the day after the election, on November 16th! (CTV)

The Georgia Straight has an interesting review of the "Creative City Cabaret", in which Vancouver's mayoral hopefuls performed in a talent show. If for nothing else, it's an interesting illustration of some of the "crazy" mentioned as being on display on Shaw Cable. (Georgia Straight) And another review, this time by Francis Bula, on the Last Candidate Standing event, which Geri Tramutola won. (Bula)

And based on the Last Candidate Standing results, and my opinion of the afore-mentioned two-minute Shaw Cable ad, Geri Tramutola is now officially added to my "Vote For" list. Only nine more Council candidates to decide on!

If Wes Anderson did a John McCain campaign ad...

If John McCain had this sort of talent on his side, he may have come closer to winning.

Vancouver round-up

Here's some of what I've glanced at over the last while...

A new ground-penetrating device is assisting UBC researchers in finding the graves of missing First Nations ancestors. (UBC Reports)

Vancouver's obscurest election may get an "historic" 1,000 voters this year... while one of the candidates for Director of Electoral Area A says "you couldn't write a better farce." If you live around UBC, you should find out more. (Tyee)

Gordon Price of Price Tags says tonight's all-candidates debate, Last Candidate Standing, will be like politics and theatre all rolled into one. Isn't it already? That aside, tonight does looks interesting: they're going to have musicians and performance artists between rounds. (Price Tags)

Not another bleeding-heart cry-baby group yapping about minimum wage... and in fact, it certainly doesn't seem so: Business in Vancouver is calling on the municipal candidates to make Vancouver a "living wage city." In Vancouver that means a minimum wage of $16.74 an hour. (BiV) I'm guessing Peter Ladner is no longer intimately involved in BiV...? I only say so because this seems like a good idea and will energize the hourly-wage demographic to support the candidate that supports this measure... so if he's behind it he really should be shouting it from the rooftops. (Except around developers or other biz-owner-type folks, I guess...)

Vancouver has decided to go ahead with a trial of the laneway housing development idea. (CBC) Re:Place Mag has a good breakdown and update on the particulars. (re:place)

Plans for revitalization around the BC Place area have been released. (CBC) It includes a new roof for BC Place, a new Art Gallery, and more residential, retail and office space.

Metro Vancouver board members (see that Electoral Area A item above...?) voted unanimously to send a letter endorsing the position that UBC Farms retain its current 24-hectare footprint. (Georgia Straight)

Local poetico Ben Hart's review of Lee Henderson's The Man Game. (Tyee)

More back-and-forth blah blah about the "bikes on Burrard" issue. (Georgia Straight)

And in honour of honour, please get yourself one of those nice new sticker-poppies. (CBC)

And you may know that Vancouver sold some of our old trolly-buses to Argentina. Here's a video from the Buzzer blog showing one of the trolleys being lifted onto a shipping freighter. The original post has a great write-up, and additional photos and videos. (Buzzer)

Pimp my... Bookcart...?

The web-comic "Unshelved" is about the interaction between the staff and patrons of Mallville Public Library. Every year the creators of this strip hold a contest called "Pimp My Bookcart" and libraries all over the world submit photos of their creations. The sheer number of entries is amazing, and there are some imaginative entries.

If you're "into" libraries or books, definitely subscribe to this web-comic. Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum have created what can only be described as a phenomenon, building an admirable library-themed empire of books and swag.

President Obama, in photos

I've always loved photos of iconic leaders through history. Take a look at these ones of Obama.

(Thanks to kottke.)

Wow! A hologram...?! NO!

During the U.S. Presidential Election coverage on November 4th, CNN, the same folks that give us segments like "Keepin'em Honest", broadcast a couple of interviews using "holograms."



As it turns out, the world of Star Wars is still a little ways off. (CBC) Oh, and the take-away message: even the most trusted name in news can be a big fat liar.

re:place Mag examines Vancouver's North-South streets

This examination of Vancouver's north-south running streets is accompanied by an amazing Erick Villagomez map to illustrate just what he's talking about. (re:place)

An interesting tidbit from this article: the stoplights at Oak and 70th are the last set one hits along the west coast until Tijuana, Mexico, since the street turns into Hwy 99 in Richmond and Interstate Hwy 5 after crossing the border.

Bobcat vs Rattlesnake

Saw this a while back on X-Max... absolutely amazing wildlife fight between two fierce animals. If you're not into seeing nature in all its brutality (as in: something dies), please don't watch this!

Lines of Reality are blurring...

Is there a trend beginning...?

First, some Dutch kids (15 and 14 years of age) were convicted of forcing a younger kid to transfer some of his Runescape items into their accounts. Apparently they threatened him at knife-point, according to one comment, so there were "real-world" violent actions involved... but over items within a virtual gaming world...? (Wired)

Next, a 43-year-old Japanese woman was arrested after deleting her virtual ex-husband's avatar after the couple's online divorce... (Wired)

Granted, two instances do not make a trend, but does raise the interesting question about the effects of virtual reality on morality. And to reverse the thought, what about the effects of morality in the virtual world? An interesting essay in Adbusters explores this further. (Adbusters)

One last Halloween thing: the cute little kid...

Where the Hell is Matt?

Discovered this on Price Tags: Where the hell is Matt?

Monster Mash

The seminal Misfits cover of the Halloween theme...

Daft Hands - Harder Better Faster Stronger

Save the PANTAGES THEATRE

First, some information on the Pantages Theatre to acquaint yourself with this historic Vancouver... nay, Western Canadian... nay, North American... landmark.

Future of Vancouver's Pantages Theatre in Doubt (CBC)
The Pantages in Vancouver (Chuck Davis' HMV)
Pantages Theatre (official)

And now, what you can do to support the effort to save the Pantages Theatre.

• IF YOU'RE ON FACEBOOK, join Steve Lee's group "Save the Pantages Theatre in Vancouver, BC, Canada" and invite all your friends. (FB GROUP)

• REGISTER YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE PANTAGES by writing to mayorandcouncil@vancouver.ca, and COPY YOUR E-MAIL to the Pantages Theatre Arts Society at cb0bc@yahoo.com .

• SIGN THE ONLINE PETITION...

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http://www.petitiononline.com%2Fpantages%2F

Thanks!

Highlight NHL Goal

Vancouver Historical Society - October 23, 2008

VHS Oct 23, 2008, originally uploaded by abomb&thecorpse.

Just say if i were in charge of short-term shelter

Affordable housing is currently a major issue in Vancouver. (CBC) And while what I suggest below is certainly nothing more than a band-aid to a wider major social issue, its implementation might buy time to find a more reasonable long-term strategy.

My left-field short-term solution is to allow those in need of shelter gated access into currently unoccupied city lots (those fenced-off former gas station lots come to mind), and build a planned tent-city, with "streets" and "house numbers."

We could get the outdoor supply companies, such as Mountain Equipment Co-op, to donate a variety of multi-person tents.

We could bring in festival-style portable sanitation facilities, for water and sewage, even showers, perhaps. And how about a central cooking area, with fire-pit grills, like at the beach or in parks?

Each "gated community" could be "managed" by a social-service organization, keeping track of who is utilizing the service, what their needs are, and offering advice and guidance into the civic social system.

There are, obviously, problems to be addressed and solved. Tents offer little protection from the elements, so cold and wet weather could be a problem. It would not be good for these areas to become mud-pits after a rainfall. The suggestion of utilizing former gas station lots brings to mind problems of soil toxicity. Monitoring access requires the participation of service organizations, as well as the coordination with the civic services. City services, such as garbage pick-up, would need to be considered. And my preference would be to limit this option to single individuals and couples. Hopefully this tactic would reduce the demand for other housing provisions, and increase their availability to families that include children.

Just say if i were in charge of drug policy

I get a lot of crazy ideas, which is why I will never run for politics: too much fringe stuff to defend. I look at the situations and issues around me and wonder why we aren't outraged.

There are reports coming out of Mexico that the bodies are continuing to pile up in the national crisis they call "the drug trade." These are events that are straight out of the movies: bodies with tongues cut out; decapitated bodies; cardboard signs with crazy writings: "these are the bricklayer's people."

It echoes the explosive-action movies of Hollywood.

The report says Execution-style killings, beheadings and shootouts have increased across the country over the past two years since the army and federal police cranked up their efforts against the drug trade. (CBC)

Is this not a leading indicator that we should legalize a small portion of currently-illegal substances? We need to bring this criminal element into the corporate age. While I am not advocating this in the near term, think about this: drug-companies that are required by law to detox their clients. (At the very least, this murderous increase is a leading indicator to say the current drug-enforcement policies are beginning to fail due to economic pressure.)

A sister amendment to this drug policy would likely be the right to die. If someone signed an agreement stating they were ready to end their existence (and had funeral expenses taken care of, to be nice to society), I don't see why the state should be able to force medical attention onto a chronic and palliative drug user.

The balance to this is education of the issue, in the rawest of terms, from the earliest of ages, and lots of it.

Vancouver Round-up!

If you haven't done this already, go to the City Reflections website and order a copy of the DVD produced by the Vancouver Historical Society! If you don't know what this is, a great description of the DVD contents is on the re:Place Magazine site, who also did a great article describing the project in depth.

In case you missed the Georgia Straight's annual Best of Vancouver awards, take a wander over to the kitsilano.ca blog for a great post about Kitsilano being voted the Best Neighbourhood... again. Plus lots of great links to businesses in Kits.

And in case you hadn't noticed (and we know you did!), the political mastermind John Turner
failed to jump the electoral hoops to run again as Vancouver Quadra's neorhino candidate. So NOW who do I vote for...? And I have to add, it's really too bad, because I think it was his year... after all, apparently more Canadians believe in the existence of Bigfoot than in promises made by politicians. If that doesn't spell "N-E-O-R-H-I-N-O-V-I-C-T-O-R-Y" then I don't know what will.

Ran across this and thought it might be a great time outdoors, if I ever went outdoors: the UBC Botanical Garden's Greenheart Canopy Walkway. A nice photo and write-up on the Tourism BC flickr stream.

Radiohead "Reckoner" video (official video, made by fan)

Radiohead - Reckoner - by Clement Picon

Here's your Face on a Fist

While not a science video, this is a good slow motion video of people doing normal things and being struck in the face.

The West, The East, and The Oil

The nation of Georgia recently tried to assert control over autonomous "breaking-away" regions it considered internal, but were opposed by the military intervention of Russia, which they called "peace-keeping." Then they dug in. (Globe)

In the midst of this conflict, Russia dropped some nasty comments about developments in the wider region, namely a missile defence base in Poland. (CBC)

Then started taking (verbal) swings at NATO. (Globe) Why is Russia turning back into the global bogeyman... blame Bush. (Tyee) And why not? Everybody else does. (And by "everybody" I mean Putin.) (Globe) Except Georgia, of course... they're miffed at the Russians and close their Consulate. (Globe)

When the inevitable dissection begins, I'm sure we'll find out it's the same old same old: people fight over resources. (Globe) Best way to get resources is to take them over, hence Russia threatens to annex Georgia. (Globe)

But afterwards, Russia's allies decide they aren't completely behind Russia's aggressive behaviour. So the Russians come out and tell the folks they went to war over (to protect their autonomous identity within the nasty nation of Georgia) that they figure they'll eventually absorb their region into Russia. (CBC) Uh... WTF?!

So why all this?

Oil. Pipelines. Resources. It's called the "New Great Game." (Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives) Local politico Gordon Price weighs in on the oil issue. (Price Tags) And a strong quote dug up by Price Tags.

Don't anybody just remember this: All You Need is Love!

"The Googling" series, by the Vacationeers

The Straight comes out swinging

Federal Election: What Canadians really want and Federal Election: What Canadians really need by Mike Cowie in the Georgia Straight.

A taste of Politics

If you do one thing today, read and do this. Chuck Ansbacher of Only Magazine delivers an eloquent argument in favour of checking your voter status and registering to vote, with links to both Civic and Federal electoral agencies.

The Tyee gives advice for how to exercise free speech during elections and avoid being fined. (That's right: you can be fined for offering your opinion in public.)

Beyond Robson's Sean Orr has thrown his support behind Carr in Vancouver-Centre.

Michael Byers has been nominated by the NDP to take on Hedy Fry in the upcoming federal election. Andrew Dewberry, the "treehouse dad" in Kerrisdale, is running for city hall. The NPA has a range of candidates, and the final slate was just announced.

A round-up of election blogs from The Tyee.
A round-up of election blogs from The Sun.

The UBC Election Stock Market is open for business. And just as the Kitsilano condo market is down through August.

Miriam Toews new book

The author of "a complicated kindness" has a new book out.

The Political Analysis of The Redneck

The BBC has an interesting article analyzing the hitherto unexplored political faction that is coming to be known as Redneck.

I'm somewhat certain this stems from John McCain's choice of running-mate in Sarah Palin. The article has a few light moments (I'd expected it to be written by a comedian in a comedic manner) but is surprisingly sincere in handling the topic as the rise in political power of one group. The question I have is whether calling this faction "redneck" is an attempt to deflect painting/smearing them with previously-used labels like "religious-right" or "red-state voters" or so on. (I hate to ask, but: is this putting lipstick on a pig...?)

Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - explanation for laypeople

Bugliosi at the Hearings for Limits on Executive Power

The opening statements of Vincent Bugliosi, best known as the lawyer that prosecuted Charles Manson, at U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearings discussing constitutional limits on executive power.

Google digitizes old newspapers

For fans of history, Google has digitized old newspapers as part of their archives on Google News. Here's the story on the official blog. And another on Google Blogoscoped.

And here's a quick search I did for "Vancouver" limited to "1890" which returned 448 articles. Granted, they are not all about Vancouver B.C., but still pretty cool.

911 Call: Officer bakes pot cookies with wife and thinks they're dying

I remember the first time time stopped for me. Yet I still have to go to work tomorrow morning.

Viva la Vida by Coldplay

But that was when I ruled the world.

Round-up of The Arts

Let's just start with an article from The Tyee about the death of pleasure-blogging...

And move on to the idea that the identity of Banksy has been discovered...

Then to Jimmy Fallon honing his late-night skill in preparation of taking over NBC's Late Night next year by putting out some webisodes...

And for the Nature-as-Art category, 30 incredible abstract satellite photos....

Here's a 1964 interview with Ayn Rand for Playboy Magazine...

Videos of David Lynch and Donovan talking about where ideas come from...

The impact of the creative class on communities...

The lawsuit is over: there will be no Doors without Jim Morrison...

And for anyone looking at putting tiles in their bathroom, check out this arty tile-work...

And now your musical tastes are in tune with your personality...

How to read a movie, by Roger Ebert...

Increase in Crypto-biological Activity

I'm not sure yet what to make of this, but there seems to be an increase in "unexplained" sightings.

There were a record number of UFO sightings in 2007. There was a total of 836 sightings, an increase of 12% over 2006.

The legendary Ogopogo was sighted at the end of July.

And some berry-pickers in Ontario saw Bigfoot. And not like that rat-rug in a cooler trick like down south.

Hmmm. Let's have a chat about Charles Darwin.

Suicide as Art

Half-a-century ago a 20-year-old woman jumped off the Empire State Building. About four minutes later, an art student who was across the street when the incident happened took a photo. The photo was used in Time Magazine, and was later appropriated by Andy Warhol for use in one of his prints. While a morbid idea, Jason Kottke describes this interesting story on his site.

Westbam-United States Of Love-Loveparade 2006 Anthem

Conspiracy Analysts' Alert: US$ is Masonic Code

Two bits on music-related tidbits...

Chuck D tells musicians to cut out the middle man and sell directly to consumers.

And here's a great video explaining one of the most important 6-second loops in the history of music.

Doomed of History: The Arctic

I read the news over time and I start to feel like we're missing patterns and events that are rushing us toward obstacles and conflict. Here's the progress of the Arctic Problem, up to now.

Global warming is both a problem and an opportunity. Scientists predicted that there was a 50-50 chance the arctic would be ice-free this summer.

And that means open waters and new trade routes... and people are starting to notice.
The Americans have changed their northern policy. The Canadians are quietly studying the continental shelves to bolster claims. Plus there's that whole Russian thing that needs to have an eye kept on. So we need to bolster the forces at home, sort of. (Here's a bit more on that.)

But the ice keeps shrinking.

And Canada announces an extension of the northern jurisdiction. But to make it viable, we need to get folks to move up there... but before that happens we need to improve the economy and invest in the region. And we need to identify and defend the resources in the region. Then it's all over the media: Canada is talking tough... Canada is being assertive...

And the ice keeps breaking apart.

But we start building, you guessed it: icebreakers!

Now the Americans want to have a chat about the definition of "international" and "internal" waters.

And the ice... the ice... two words: ice shelves.

And none too soon: the Northwest Passage is open, for the second time in history, and the second year in a row. By the way, want to move to Nunavut?

Anyway. Let's hope it all ends better than it did for these poor buggers: the Franklin Expedition.

I'm a Marvel... I'm a DC... and I'm... Hellboy...

Great series of parodies of the Mac/PC commercials done to comic book movie heroes.

Review of "The Man Game" by Lee Henderson

A good article about "The Man Game" by Lee Henderson. In his first novel, Henderson uses the Vancouver of 1886 as the setting.

There's also a list about little-known Vancouver historical facts that the author dug up in his research.

"Away" by The Feelies

Video Game Faces

Mr. Toledano took portraits of people while they played video games.

BEAST

Last night Mah tuned me in to a fantastic indie band from Montreal named BEAST.

Check BEAST out on mySpace. All the songs are great, but Mr Hurricane is a great intro...

Kimya Dawson sings The Beer

Take a ride on a (replica) Viking ship!

Today I was reading one of my favourite Vancouver blogs, my local kitsilano.ca blog.

The post was about Erik V. seeing a viking ship plying the waters of English Bay, and looking into it a bit. (For a great synopsis of the ship, sailing times, and how to book, check out his post.)

"The Munin" is located at Vanier Park near the Maritime Museum, and can be booked...

I say we raid White Rock.

Thom Yorke, as played by a bank of hard drives...

...with the rest of Radiohead played by office machines of by-gone years... the en'sembe presents "Nude"...



Brilliant! (In case you're worried, when you get past the clicks and pops and hums, it will definitely kick into something you will recognize, if you've listened to the new Radiohead album "In rainbows..." If you don't have time for 3 minutes, jump past 1:09 or so...)

Hello, I'm a Marvel... and I'm a DC...

Funny.

Henri

Henri the existential "chat noir".

Vancouver Artist Spotlight: D-Formed

Great stuff by Jonathan Dy, one of Vancouver's amazing visual artists.

D-Formed