Compliments of great photos from Sports Illustrated and thanks to my wife for finding this great gallery of pics from 2006 - The Year's Most Interesting Pictures.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Sports pics of the year
Compliments of great photos from Sports Illustrated and thanks to my wife for finding this great gallery of pics from 2006 - The Year's Most Interesting Pictures.
The bad part of doing the Yonge street TTC loopback shuffle...
Sometimes it doesn't work.
Sometimes you overhear that typical Bay street crap...
"Our Christmas dinner was at Didier. $4500 for 10." "Not bad" he says. Then he goes on to say that it wasn't that good, and "the service was sh***y." Then he drops the J.P. Benson name as if that means anything !
He's still going on. Only these types and unknowing tourists talk across the subway car like no one else is here.
Where's he getting off ?
And what the lady's story ? They both seem to trying to impress.
He's trying to think of Tru... something...sure enough Triax, one of those bastard labour sponsored funds I sunk money into a while back. Makes sense he's buddies with the founders.
Getting off at St Clair.
* The Yonge Street TTC Loopback Shuffle is a commuting technique where you get on the subway travelling the opposite way you need to go, then get off and switch back in the intended direction. This technique drastically increases the odds you'll actually got on a train and maybe find yourself a little elbow room in the middle of the car.
Sometimes you overhear that typical Bay street crap...
"Our Christmas dinner was at Didier. $4500 for 10." "Not bad" he says. Then he goes on to say that it wasn't that good, and "the service was sh***y." Then he drops the J.P. Benson name as if that means anything !
He's still going on. Only these types and unknowing tourists talk across the subway car like no one else is here.
Where's he getting off ?
And what the lady's story ? They both seem to trying to impress.
He's trying to think of Tru... something...sure enough Triax, one of those bastard labour sponsored funds I sunk money into a while back. Makes sense he's buddies with the founders.
Getting off at St Clair.
* The Yonge Street TTC Loopback Shuffle is a commuting technique where you get on the subway travelling the opposite way you need to go, then get off and switch back in the intended direction. This technique drastically increases the odds you'll actually got on a train and maybe find yourself a little elbow room in the middle of the car.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Charity
I've touched on this topic a few times before, incl. Recent Observations.
To a lot of people, thoughts of charity become more frequent during this time of year. I've had a bit of a (good) habit for many years to carry a few extra loonies and twonies around to give to the street people that I walk by regularly, to the old or young that look like they need a little extra handout, or the entertainers that (selfishly) put a smile on my face. Giving a little change when the temps drop below freezing like last week, seems only human to me.
There was an reader's letter in the local paper saying it shouldn't just be the responsibility of the mayor to take care of the homeless, its our civic responsibility. I can't say I completely agree with this but I can see where they're coming from. I think our cities and world would be a much better place if we thought about other people more often, especially those less privileged than us.
However, I must say I have to turn a blind eye on occasion because there are simply way too many charities to give to. This may not come out right, but I dislike many charities because of the guilt they leave if you chose not to support them. This happens very frequently when people come knocking at my front door, asking for donations for many apparently worthy causes. Sadly, mostly of them are to do with children. One charity that I must compliment for not falling into this trap is Sick Kids. Their volunteers are out on the streets all the time, and always have a pleasant greeting and surprisingly never directly request a donation. To me it's polite, they know that people know Sick Kids and they'll gladly offer up some change if they can spare it or perhaps, if that person has chosen Sick Kids as one of their charities.
So I think it makes sense to pick a few charities that you are somehow connected to or deserve the most in your opinion. To tackle the difficulty in choosing and having to say no to many charities, I try to give to a few specific causes.
As it happens, my daughter's classmate is the brother of Jacob Schwartz. Jacob has touched many lives and his family help drive Jacob's Ladder - The Canadian Foundation for Control of Neurodegenerative Disease. This has become our family charity.
This type of charity does take us a little further away from the people who need our help now, however I think they are just as important as other more direct charities. It seems to make sense to me that the best cure for many problems that face our world today, is prevention. Giving to charities live Jacob's Ladder and the The Heart and Stroke Foundation (which I also have some direct connection to) seem great ways to help out future generations.
But it seems rather obscene to me, to extend the good intent of philanthropy to the political arena ? You could argue the above point, but that's a pretty big swerve off course if you ask me. Surely money is better spent on the search for a cure for tragic debilitating diseases rather than propping up some sorry old gent who fancies a go in office !
The types of local charities that help cloth and feed street people are also very important to me and I try to make more tangible donations to charities like The Daily Bread Food Bank.
And lastly, there are occasionally a number of global incidents and causes that get my attention. For instance, the Gap (RED) program, Make Poverty History, or the fallout from natural disasters like Katrina. I'd like to say I pay attention because of the massive number of people affected or the global significance, but I must admit that part of the attraction is that it's in (hip, cool). Do I really need to wear a white rubber band or a red bead on a safety pin to show that I care ? I'm sure this is a little shallow of me, but often, the only way I hear about these causes is via the musicians I listen or via some other "commercial" advertising. I don't think there's anything wrong in a musician using there global reach to at least bring attention to some very worthy world problems. Problems, which we can give a little help to. Maybe if it takes a little self-promotion or a step into a state of fashion to get people to give more generously, then maybe that's ok.
To a lot of people, thoughts of charity become more frequent during this time of year. I've had a bit of a (good) habit for many years to carry a few extra loonies and twonies around to give to the street people that I walk by regularly, to the old or young that look like they need a little extra handout, or the entertainers that (selfishly) put a smile on my face. Giving a little change when the temps drop below freezing like last week, seems only human to me.
There was an reader's letter in the local paper saying it shouldn't just be the responsibility of the mayor to take care of the homeless, its our civic responsibility. I can't say I completely agree with this but I can see where they're coming from. I think our cities and world would be a much better place if we thought about other people more often, especially those less privileged than us.
However, I must say I have to turn a blind eye on occasion because there are simply way too many charities to give to. This may not come out right, but I dislike many charities because of the guilt they leave if you chose not to support them. This happens very frequently when people come knocking at my front door, asking for donations for many apparently worthy causes. Sadly, mostly of them are to do with children. One charity that I must compliment for not falling into this trap is Sick Kids. Their volunteers are out on the streets all the time, and always have a pleasant greeting and surprisingly never directly request a donation. To me it's polite, they know that people know Sick Kids and they'll gladly offer up some change if they can spare it or perhaps, if that person has chosen Sick Kids as one of their charities.
So I think it makes sense to pick a few charities that you are somehow connected to or deserve the most in your opinion. To tackle the difficulty in choosing and having to say no to many charities, I try to give to a few specific causes.
As it happens, my daughter's classmate is the brother of Jacob Schwartz. Jacob has touched many lives and his family help drive Jacob's Ladder - The Canadian Foundation for Control of Neurodegenerative Disease. This has become our family charity.
This type of charity does take us a little further away from the people who need our help now, however I think they are just as important as other more direct charities. It seems to make sense to me that the best cure for many problems that face our world today, is prevention. Giving to charities live Jacob's Ladder and the The Heart and Stroke Foundation (which I also have some direct connection to) seem great ways to help out future generations.
But it seems rather obscene to me, to extend the good intent of philanthropy to the political arena ? You could argue the above point, but that's a pretty big swerve off course if you ask me. Surely money is better spent on the search for a cure for tragic debilitating diseases rather than propping up some sorry old gent who fancies a go in office !
The types of local charities that help cloth and feed street people are also very important to me and I try to make more tangible donations to charities like The Daily Bread Food Bank.
And lastly, there are occasionally a number of global incidents and causes that get my attention. For instance, the Gap (RED) program, Make Poverty History, or the fallout from natural disasters like Katrina. I'd like to say I pay attention because of the massive number of people affected or the global significance, but I must admit that part of the attraction is that it's in (hip, cool). Do I really need to wear a white rubber band or a red bead on a safety pin to show that I care ? I'm sure this is a little shallow of me, but often, the only way I hear about these causes is via the musicians I listen or via some other "commercial" advertising. I don't think there's anything wrong in a musician using there global reach to at least bring attention to some very worthy world problems. Problems, which we can give a little help to. Maybe if it takes a little self-promotion or a step into a state of fashion to get people to give more generously, then maybe that's ok.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Heavy Metal
The movie is Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
You may not have heard about it, but it has received lots of great reviews and if you've ever been a fan, I'm sure there's something in there you'll enjoy. If heavy metal has never been in your life, the movie serves as a perfect documentary on the power of music and it's impact on, or reflection of society. How did I hear about it ? Well of course, I did used to be a bit of a headbanger in my early Windsor high school years. But more interestingly, I actually played ultimate for a few years with the guys that made the movie - Sam Dunn and Scott McFadyen. Our team was called Norge which may have some connection to this movie !
Great movie, really well put together, entertaining, insightful, thought provoking. Got a bit of a headache though ! Favourite spots - heavy metal fussball; Dee Synder and Dio interviews. Those dudes in Norway were friggin scary - I've asked Sam if he was spooked interviewing them in person ? Disappointments - no disc shots ! 8/10.
For the record, my early days in Canada gave me the opportunity to see some classic heavy metal / hard rock bands in Detroit and then I reconnected with the punk stuff in university. Blue Oyster Cult, Nugent, Van Halen, AC/DC, Rainbow to Killing Joke, Forgotten Rebels and Problem Children to name a few.
A few lines from one of my all-time favourite bands (although a stretch to be categorized as heavy metal - too much love!):
It rained flowers when the music began
Love all around when the music is loud
Heavy Metal
The movie is Metal: A Headbanger's Journey
You may not have heard about it, but it has received lots of great reviews and if you've ever been a fan, I'm sure there's something in there you'll enjoy. If heavy metal has never been in your life, the movie serves as a perfect documentary on the power of music and it's impact on, or reflection of society. How did I hear about it ? Well of course, I did used to be a bit of a headbanger in my early Windsor high school years. But more interestingly, I actually played ultimate for a few years with the guys that made the movie - Sam Dunn and Scott McFadyen. Our team was called Norge which may have some connection to this movie !
Great movie, really well put together, entertaining, insightful, thought provoking. Got a bit of a headache though ! Favourite spots - heavy metal fussball; Dee Synder and Dio interviews. Those dudes in Norway were friggin scary - I've asked Sam if he was spooked interviewing them in person ? Disappointments - no disc shots ! 8/10.
For the record, my early days in Canada gave me the opportunity to see some classic heavy metal / hard rock bands in Detroit and then I reconnected with the punk stuff in university. Blue Oyster Cult, Nugent, Van Halen, AC/DC, Rainbow to Killing Joke, Forgotten Rebels and Problem Children to name a few.
A few lines from one of my all-time favourite bands (although a stretch to be categorized as heavy metal - too much love!):
It rained flowers when the music began
Love all around when the music is loud
Monday, December 04, 2006
A brief movie review - A History of Violence
Well I think I have to agree with Eco's positive comments about this movie. See references in Further Analysis and Dick's contrary comments on The Impact of Film.
I finally got to watch it last night and really enjoyed it.
- Great main roles and complex characters.
- Nice balance of emotion and violent action.
- Eco maybe stated this with a little more accurately, but it felt like it followed classic Asian war themes.
- Steamy sex scenes.
- A few incomplete or flawed minor characters.
Obligatory PJMixer comment: You can't ignore your past or your inner true self, but maybe you can learn from it !
I liked it. 7/10.
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