Monday, May 22, 2006
May 24!!
Oh the excitement!! We need to have more Queens that have birthdays more often( on a sidenote, I read something today that rather confused me...it's Victoria Day today, after Queen Victoria, but apparently Queen Elizabeth's birthday is also actively celebrated today, even though her birthday is in April. Weird eh? ).
Anyways, I'm all excited...Laura and I were just camped out on the roof of her condo. It's basically at Bloor and Bay, so it's far enough out of the downtown core that it has a really good view from the roof, in pretty much all directions.
i) We saw Ontario Place fireworks - reasonably impressive, but not very long
ii) literally hundreds of different "backyard" shows...i was SERIOUSLY impressed by the number of people that were doing fireworks in their backyards - but I was doubly impressed by being able to see far enough to see literally 20-30 going off at the same time
iii) Ashbridge's Bay, one of the big beaches down near were Muriel lives...i think this is the official city sponsored show, and it was by far the most impressive...really went out with a big bang at the end!!
Long story short - fireworks from the roof, one of the few things I've been really impressed with in terms of toronto : )
(also, Edmonton 2 - Anaheim 0....glad to see that atleast ONE canadian team knows how to play hockey! Hope the sens are watching and picking up some lessons!)
Anyways, I'm all excited...Laura and I were just camped out on the roof of her condo. It's basically at Bloor and Bay, so it's far enough out of the downtown core that it has a really good view from the roof, in pretty much all directions.
i) We saw Ontario Place fireworks - reasonably impressive, but not very long
ii) literally hundreds of different "backyard" shows...i was SERIOUSLY impressed by the number of people that were doing fireworks in their backyards - but I was doubly impressed by being able to see far enough to see literally 20-30 going off at the same time
iii) Ashbridge's Bay, one of the big beaches down near were Muriel lives...i think this is the official city sponsored show, and it was by far the most impressive...really went out with a big bang at the end!!
Long story short - fireworks from the roof, one of the few things I've been really impressed with in terms of toronto : )
(also, Edmonton 2 - Anaheim 0....glad to see that atleast ONE canadian team knows how to play hockey! Hope the sens are watching and picking up some lessons!)
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Da Vinci Code
You know, I think people are way too uptight.
I just finished reading the Da Vinci code. All in all I'd say it was a pretty solid book. I don't think it was really anything earth shattering, but it definitely kept me interested!
I don't think I'd giving anything away to say that it's basically a story about trying to find the truth about something that the church has been trying to keep secret since the very beginning.
It cracks me up inside then that the church (as well as many muslim groups) is encouraging a boycot of the movie. It just seems much too appropriate.
I plan to boycot the movie for entirely different reasons..namely that every review i've seen for it is 1/5 or 2/5 at best. Like, brutally bad.
Goes to show that hot selling books don't necesarily succeed as big budget movies.
I just finished reading the Da Vinci code. All in all I'd say it was a pretty solid book. I don't think it was really anything earth shattering, but it definitely kept me interested!
I don't think I'd giving anything away to say that it's basically a story about trying to find the truth about something that the church has been trying to keep secret since the very beginning.
It cracks me up inside then that the church (as well as many muslim groups) is encouraging a boycot of the movie. It just seems much too appropriate.
I plan to boycot the movie for entirely different reasons..namely that every review i've seen for it is 1/5 or 2/5 at best. Like, brutally bad.
Goes to show that hot selling books don't necesarily succeed as big budget movies.
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
9/11
It's been a goodly long time since September 11th.
The thing that I guess is somewhat surprising, is that almost 5 years later there are still many unknowns and many questions left unanswered.
I just spent an hour watching a "documentary" asking many interesting questions about all different aspects of 9/11. I'd recommend taking the time to watch it on google video.
The biggest unknowns really seem to be the plane that flew into the pentagon, and the different building collapses at/around the world trade centers.....and that there were apparently literally billions of dollars of gold under the world trade centers.
I guess for me it's that the bush administration has proven itself ready and willing to twist the facts and the news to their own advantage...it makes you wonder just how far they'd be willing to go.
Or...maybe I've just been watching too much "24"
The thing that I guess is somewhat surprising, is that almost 5 years later there are still many unknowns and many questions left unanswered.
I just spent an hour watching a "documentary" asking many interesting questions about all different aspects of 9/11. I'd recommend taking the time to watch it on google video.
The biggest unknowns really seem to be the plane that flew into the pentagon, and the different building collapses at/around the world trade centers.....and that there were apparently literally billions of dollars of gold under the world trade centers.
I guess for me it's that the bush administration has proven itself ready and willing to twist the facts and the news to their own advantage...it makes you wonder just how far they'd be willing to go.
Or...maybe I've just been watching too much "24"
Sunday, May 14, 2006
What a week!
Wow, that was a heck of busy week for me.
The biggest part of the adventure was taking part in Simon's probing study. It meant being at Sunnybrook 8am and 8pm every day during the week...and for those that don't know, Sunnybrook is quite a ways away from downtown - ended up being approx a 30-45 minute endeavour EACH WAY...so easily 2-3 hours a day of commuting for the Simon study. Luckily, I discovered some nice bike trails that took me more or less right to where I needed to go, and this made it MUCH more bearable. Thursday, Friday i had to take the subway/bus because of rain, and it was much less fun. Redeeming factor: i ran into one of muriel's friends on the bus of friday.
Other "highlights" included ottawa handing buffalo the series...and most importantly, my carrots are SPROUTING! Yeehaw! The parsley doesn't seem to be doing as well.
I was out today for a few hours doing some more exploring on my bike up in the don valley. Found a really nice section of very technical trail that was a ton of fun - I ever spent 30 minutes practicing going over a 10 foot long teeter-totter with my bike. The first few times I got freaked out right away - this thing is NARROW, probably only 6 inches across, and STEEP...so I'd get up a little, then slam on my brakes and bail out....after a few times I got a bit bolder, but still wasn't getting up far enough to cause it to "totter" over, which left my stuck and led to me falling from about two feet in the air up this ramp...FINALLY I got enough speed(and courage) up to make it all the way over, although I did wipe out pretty hard when it hit the ground and I lost my balance. At the end of the day though, totally well worth it!!
Anyways, hopefully this week will be back to normal a little more...I picked up The Da Vinci Code from one of the used book stores on Yonge, and am hoping to get though it this week.
That's all : )
The biggest part of the adventure was taking part in Simon's probing study. It meant being at Sunnybrook 8am and 8pm every day during the week...and for those that don't know, Sunnybrook is quite a ways away from downtown - ended up being approx a 30-45 minute endeavour EACH WAY...so easily 2-3 hours a day of commuting for the Simon study. Luckily, I discovered some nice bike trails that took me more or less right to where I needed to go, and this made it MUCH more bearable. Thursday, Friday i had to take the subway/bus because of rain, and it was much less fun. Redeeming factor: i ran into one of muriel's friends on the bus of friday.
Other "highlights" included ottawa handing buffalo the series...and most importantly, my carrots are SPROUTING! Yeehaw! The parsley doesn't seem to be doing as well.
I was out today for a few hours doing some more exploring on my bike up in the don valley. Found a really nice section of very technical trail that was a ton of fun - I ever spent 30 minutes practicing going over a 10 foot long teeter-totter with my bike. The first few times I got freaked out right away - this thing is NARROW, probably only 6 inches across, and STEEP...so I'd get up a little, then slam on my brakes and bail out....after a few times I got a bit bolder, but still wasn't getting up far enough to cause it to "totter" over, which left my stuck and led to me falling from about two feet in the air up this ramp...FINALLY I got enough speed(and courage) up to make it all the way over, although I did wipe out pretty hard when it hit the ground and I lost my balance. At the end of the day though, totally well worth it!!
Anyways, hopefully this week will be back to normal a little more...I picked up The Da Vinci Code from one of the used book stores on Yonge, and am hoping to get though it this week.
That's all : )
Monday, May 08, 2006
Jermaine! Kris Kross Foreva!
"Strip clubs have become the main breaking place for records, especially in the South," says Jermaine Dupri, president of urban music for Virgin Records.
Looks like our man Jermaine is moving up in the world!
Looks like our man Jermaine is moving up in the world!
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Another parade
Yesterday was the pot parade. Today I participated in an islam/muhammed parade! I went on a crazy long bike ride today(approx 5 hours) and on my way home i was going by toronto city hall...there was a big gathering, so i thought i'd check it out. Well...they were just DOLING out food, but I was really hesitant about stepping up to the plate since i was the only white guy there other than the police...
But this really nice older chap said "you look like you need some food!" and he went and got some for me! That put a big smile on my face : )
The upside of today was that I discovered lots of nice new biking trails and paths!
But this really nice older chap said "you look like you need some food!" and he went and got some for me! That put a big smile on my face : )
The upside of today was that I discovered lots of nice new biking trails and paths!
Everything you wanted to know about carrots
Since I'm growing carrots in my apartment, I've been thinking alot about carrots lately...probably more than I ever have in my life.
Where do carrots come from? The obvious answer is "seeds"...but where do the carrots seeds come from? With something like apples its very obvious where the seeds come from...but what about carrots? There's no seeds in the part that we eat, and the rest of the carrot is just the nice green leafy part at the top - no seeds there!
Alison, our in house crop expert, tells me that they actually flower just like any other plant. This comes as a bit of a surprise to me, but she's a professional, so it must be true....right?
I've done some digging and just wanted to share some interesting carrot facts with you:
- carrots are originally from Afghanistan. it's true.
- carrots used to be used as a "love medicine" to make women "more yielding".
- carrots were also perscribed to victims of snakebites
- carrots originally came in many colours - red, purple, black, yellow and white. The orange carrot is a hybrid originally from Holland.
- carrot leaves were a hot fashion item in Elizabethan times, used to decorate hair, hats, dresses and coats.
- the white flower "Queen Anne's Lace" is known as the "Carrot Flower" - and from what I've read the "Carrot is a highly refined version of this common weed".
And, the answer you've all been waiting for...
Where do carrot seeds come from?...good question - carrots are "biennials" - they produce seeds in their second year, which is why we never see them, since they are usually harvested in their first year!!
Where do carrots come from? The obvious answer is "seeds"...but where do the carrots seeds come from? With something like apples its very obvious where the seeds come from...but what about carrots? There's no seeds in the part that we eat, and the rest of the carrot is just the nice green leafy part at the top - no seeds there!
Alison, our in house crop expert, tells me that they actually flower just like any other plant. This comes as a bit of a surprise to me, but she's a professional, so it must be true....right?
I've done some digging and just wanted to share some interesting carrot facts with you:
- carrots are originally from Afghanistan. it's true.
- carrots used to be used as a "love medicine" to make women "more yielding".
- carrots were also perscribed to victims of snakebites
- carrots originally came in many colours - red, purple, black, yellow and white. The orange carrot is a hybrid originally from Holland.
- carrot leaves were a hot fashion item in Elizabethan times, used to decorate hair, hats, dresses and coats.
- the white flower "Queen Anne's Lace" is known as the "Carrot Flower" - and from what I've read the "Carrot is a highly refined version of this common weed".
And, the answer you've all been waiting for...
Where do carrot seeds come from?...good question - carrots are "biennials" - they produce seeds in their second year, which is why we never see them, since they are usually harvested in their first year!!
Pot Parade
So yesterday was an eventful day for me. I went out to Crappy Tire and bought myself a new bike - got a $499 bike for $349, so I'm relatively happy.
While biking home on Yonge st, I ended up as an unintentional participant in a "Pot Parade" / "Majiruana March". Yes, a bunch of 15 year old girls and 42 year old bald men yelling about legalizing pot. Talk about a party.
My other major accomplishment was planting a garden. Well, "garden" might be a bit of a misnomer...it's really some dirt in a garbage can with parsley and carrot seeds. I have high hopes that i'll be eating home grown carrots in no time. This whole thing was inspired by World Vision mailing me a packet of carrot seeds. Thanks World Vision.
Also, I went up to Viks to chillax with the home boys - that's twice this month that I've hung out with Dickie + Chimon + Vik/Frank! Not exactly the "good ol' days" though - no road hockey : (
I'm hoping to get some good biking in today! Gotta get going while the going's still good!
While biking home on Yonge st, I ended up as an unintentional participant in a "Pot Parade" / "Majiruana March". Yes, a bunch of 15 year old girls and 42 year old bald men yelling about legalizing pot. Talk about a party.
My other major accomplishment was planting a garden. Well, "garden" might be a bit of a misnomer...it's really some dirt in a garbage can with parsley and carrot seeds. I have high hopes that i'll be eating home grown carrots in no time. This whole thing was inspired by World Vision mailing me a packet of carrot seeds. Thanks World Vision.
Also, I went up to Viks to chillax with the home boys - that's twice this month that I've hung out with Dickie + Chimon + Vik/Frank! Not exactly the "good ol' days" though - no road hockey : (
I'm hoping to get some good biking in today! Gotta get going while the going's still good!
Friday, May 05, 2006
Chokeville: Ottawa
Honest. to. murphy.
That was the most pathetic showing of choking that I've seen in a long time. Ottawa is winning with 1:37 to go in the game. THEY"RE ON THE POWER PLAY.
Buffalo scores short handed.
It's headed to overtime....or is it!?
Ottawa somehow finds it deep inside themselves, and scores a mere 20 seconds later....1:13 left in the game and ottawa has it LOCKED.
Or do they? They make no effort to get the empty net goal, they don't even bother to try to get it deep in buffalos end..instead they fancy pants around in their end, and turn it over, and BAM with 11 seconds to go, Buffalo scores.
3 goals in 1:30.
Well, 18 seconds in to overtime, ottawa whiffs on the puck in their own end, literally trip over themselves, and emery lets in a mediocre shot from out near the blue line....
How is ANYONE supposed to cheer for a team that can screw something like this up this badly? On one hand they played fantastic offensive hockey, but on the other they royally sucked it up defensively. Goaltending was TERRIBLE. Ottawa trips all over themselves....does this ring any bells?
How much do you want to bet Buffalo wins this series as a result of this pathetic bungling?
That was the most pathetic showing of choking that I've seen in a long time. Ottawa is winning with 1:37 to go in the game. THEY"RE ON THE POWER PLAY.
Buffalo scores short handed.
It's headed to overtime....or is it!?
Ottawa somehow finds it deep inside themselves, and scores a mere 20 seconds later....1:13 left in the game and ottawa has it LOCKED.
Or do they? They make no effort to get the empty net goal, they don't even bother to try to get it deep in buffalos end..instead they fancy pants around in their end, and turn it over, and BAM with 11 seconds to go, Buffalo scores.
3 goals in 1:30.
Well, 18 seconds in to overtime, ottawa whiffs on the puck in their own end, literally trip over themselves, and emery lets in a mediocre shot from out near the blue line....
How is ANYONE supposed to cheer for a team that can screw something like this up this badly? On one hand they played fantastic offensive hockey, but on the other they royally sucked it up defensively. Goaltending was TERRIBLE. Ottawa trips all over themselves....does this ring any bells?
How much do you want to bet Buffalo wins this series as a result of this pathetic bungling?
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Isn't it great?
There a bunch of wonderful things I'd like to mention briefly.
i) Dave 'N Sara are off to asia. I think they'll have a fantastic time. I hope they don't get the runs.
ii) I just finished watching the end of Season 3 of "24". The show is addictively mindless, and has me coming back for more. I think it's all their techno jargon...I can really related: "Access DENIED - System.Null.Unavailable". uhhh....system dot null dot..whaat?
iii) Hockey playoffs are in full swing. All men(and women too?) have one thing that really gets 'em going...for soccer buffs it's the World Cup(this summer!). For others it's the olympics...the NBA playoffs, March Madness, Scott Tournament of Hearts. The Kentucky Derby. The Indy 500. You know. A sporting event you simply cannot, and will not be pried away from. For me, this is hockey playoffs. The Edmonton game last night literally brought a tear to my eye(in a good way). The Montreal game came close too, but in a bad way. In the end, Ottawa will prevail.
iv) Talking about things that almost brought a tear to my eye...ING Direct has just recently added the ability to let you choose how you want your GICs to work....in the past, ING "auto-rolled over" your GICs when they matured - you have a 5 year GIC that expires today? Congratulations you now have a 5 year GIC that expires in 2011. You had to call them within 3 months of expiry to tell them to do otherwise. Now you can just go into that GIC's information on their site and choose which options you want. Honestly, technology, you've outdone yourself this time.
i) Dave 'N Sara are off to asia. I think they'll have a fantastic time. I hope they don't get the runs.
ii) I just finished watching the end of Season 3 of "24". The show is addictively mindless, and has me coming back for more. I think it's all their techno jargon...I can really related: "Access DENIED - System.Null.Unavailable". uhhh....system dot null dot..whaat?
iii) Hockey playoffs are in full swing. All men(and women too?) have one thing that really gets 'em going...for soccer buffs it's the World Cup(this summer!). For others it's the olympics...the NBA playoffs, March Madness, Scott Tournament of Hearts. The Kentucky Derby. The Indy 500. You know. A sporting event you simply cannot, and will not be pried away from. For me, this is hockey playoffs. The Edmonton game last night literally brought a tear to my eye(in a good way). The Montreal game came close too, but in a bad way. In the end, Ottawa will prevail.
iv) Talking about things that almost brought a tear to my eye...ING Direct has just recently added the ability to let you choose how you want your GICs to work....in the past, ING "auto-rolled over" your GICs when they matured - you have a 5 year GIC that expires today? Congratulations you now have a 5 year GIC that expires in 2011. You had to call them within 3 months of expiry to tell them to do otherwise. Now you can just go into that GIC's information on their site and choose which options you want. Honestly, technology, you've outdone yourself this time.
Isn't it great?
