There have been some interesting tidbits of information I've run across lately.
There is a new theory that states the Great Pyramid was constructed from the inside-out through the use of a secret room. (NatlGeo)
An astronaut lost an un-tethered toolbag during a spacewalk because a grease-gun exploded. (CTV) This is not the first time, nor is it the largest item, to have been loossssstt innnn spaaaaaace.... (CTV)
2,000-year-old frescos are uncovered at King Herod's tomb. (NatlGeo) Plus there's some more about the city thought to be the "David and Goliath City." (NatlGeo) In a similar vein, computer analysis that has stripped the trees from a Welsh countryside has revealed a huge prehistoric fort. (NatlGeo)
And the Earth is under attack with Cosmic rays from a nearby-but-unseen cosmic body... which may indicate steps toward proving the existence of Dark Matter... (NatlGeo) Plus there was that thing (alien attack, I still say!) that fell flaming out of the sky.
And you may have heard that the apparent Vaporware of Music, Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy, was actually released. It's safe to say the reviews have been predictably mixed. (Though not nearly as much as the album's production. Badda-bing!) And it was all the news that MySpace was streaming the entire album. Now it goes to Best Buy. Reviews: (wired) (NYT) (guardian.uk) (slate) Not everyone is pleased, though... like the Chinese Government. (CdnBusi)
At least The Church forgave John Lennon. (NYT)
Paris Vogue did a photo series of the same 20-year-old model as "different ages" using lighting and make-up. Pretty interesting. (MissatlaPlaya)
Since we sold out and went all commercial with that Gn'R thing, here's some stuff about A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All. (NYT) (wired)
Infrared imaging of volcanoes! (NatlGeo)
And have you heard about the Japanese man that's living at an airport terminal in Mexico? (NYT)
And here's a great list of the top ten Star Wars spoofs. (ListUniverse)
Let's end with one more job that sucks that I would never want. This guy loads up a bunch of bricks onto his head (tossing the last couple up!), standing on a boat, and walks up a thin board on his way to delivery...!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
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)
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)
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Daily Shizu... neither a Daily, nor a Shizu...
I've wasted a lot of time trying to decide which candidates to vote for in tomorrow's civic election. But I've wasted a lot of time on a lot of different things, so that's more a "Sad Statement of Same-old Business-as-Usual" than any particular comment on the "Sad State of Our Democratic Process." I mean, if there were awards for procrastination and time-wasting, I'd be in Stockholm accepting the Nobel, y'know what I mean?
But here are a few of the non-election time-wasting diversions I've struggled with of late.
We're coming up on the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812... and apparently the war hasn't quite ended as far as some in the U.S. are concerned. I didn't know there is a revisionist movement under way, but thankfully Douglas Coupland is on guard for us. (CBC)
Library and Archives Canada has started a flickr stream for posting photos from the 19th Century. (CBC) (Flickr)
Archaeologists are saying they've uncovered the world's oldest shaman grave. Some quick notes: it's 12,000 years old, has animal remains and a human foot, along with the skeleton of an elderly female. (NatlGeo)
But to Ancient Rome. Funny enough, I mean that literally. Or virtually literally. Or something like that: Google Earth now has a layer where you can explore ancient Rome in 3D. (GoogleBlog)
And further proof of my whack-brain theory that our Universe is a smaller structure within a "larger" Universe (and that "smaller" Universes exist within what we call "sub-atomic" space) and so on into infinity on either scale in a form of Universal Relativity: apparently unknown "structures" are tugging at the edges of our 'hood. (NatlGeo)
An interesting article in the Georgia Straight by Verne MacDonald about the ongoing evolution of "amnesia" regarding World War I, as developed through fictional accounts. Interesting tidbit: On the first day of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, the killing actually increased compared to the previous daily average. And, in fact, the casualties on all sides in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, was actually less than the casualties on the first day of Armistice in 1918. (Straight)
And thanks to kottke. here's the amazing story of the discovery of photos showing the destruction at Hiroshima. Lest we forget. (DesignObserver)
On a brighter note, there may be a cure for AIDS through bone-marrow transplant. Or it "could be a fluke." (Wired)
Wired.com has a feature on classic Apple and Microsoft computer manuals, including the preliminary Macintosh business plan (designed on a Xerox PARC). Moof moof. (Wired)
Congratulations to India, who today landed an unmanned probe on the moon. (CBC)
Let's end with Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash performing Blue Yodel No. 9 in late 1970.
But here are a few of the non-election time-wasting diversions I've struggled with of late.
We're coming up on the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812... and apparently the war hasn't quite ended as far as some in the U.S. are concerned. I didn't know there is a revisionist movement under way, but thankfully Douglas Coupland is on guard for us. (CBC)
Library and Archives Canada has started a flickr stream for posting photos from the 19th Century. (CBC) (Flickr)
Archaeologists are saying they've uncovered the world's oldest shaman grave. Some quick notes: it's 12,000 years old, has animal remains and a human foot, along with the skeleton of an elderly female. (NatlGeo)
But to Ancient Rome. Funny enough, I mean that literally. Or virtually literally. Or something like that: Google Earth now has a layer where you can explore ancient Rome in 3D. (GoogleBlog)
And further proof of my whack-brain theory that our Universe is a smaller structure within a "larger" Universe (and that "smaller" Universes exist within what we call "sub-atomic" space) and so on into infinity on either scale in a form of Universal Relativity: apparently unknown "structures" are tugging at the edges of our 'hood. (NatlGeo)
An interesting article in the Georgia Straight by Verne MacDonald about the ongoing evolution of "amnesia" regarding World War I, as developed through fictional accounts. Interesting tidbit: On the first day of the Armistice, November 11, 1918, the killing actually increased compared to the previous daily average. And, in fact, the casualties on all sides in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944, was actually less than the casualties on the first day of Armistice in 1918. (Straight)
And thanks to kottke. here's the amazing story of the discovery of photos showing the destruction at Hiroshima. Lest we forget. (DesignObserver)
On a brighter note, there may be a cure for AIDS through bone-marrow transplant. Or it "could be a fluke." (Wired)
Wired.com has a feature on classic Apple and Microsoft computer manuals, including the preliminary Macintosh business plan (designed on a Xerox PARC). Moof moof. (Wired)
Congratulations to India, who today landed an unmanned probe on the moon. (CBC)
Let's end with Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash performing Blue Yodel No. 9 in late 1970.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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!
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.
Friday, November 7, 2008
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)
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)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
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.)
(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.
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.
Monday, November 3, 2008
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.
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!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
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)
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)
Saturday, November 1, 2008
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