Snow for baby elephants - #24/365

Snow for baby elephants - #24/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Back to Billy Bishop - #23/365

Back to Billy Bishop - #23/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Mandarin fish - do they think every day is their last ? - #22/365

Mandarin fish - do they think every day is their last ? - #22/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

A Dulles morning - #21/365

A Dulles morning - #21/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Georgetown, Inauguration weekend - #20/365

Georgetown, Inauguration weekend - #20/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Kippe by Ai Weiwei, The Hirshhorn, Washington DC - #19/365

Kippe by Ai Weiwei, The Hirshhorn, Washington DC - #19/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Bro and the Sandy Hook bike stripes - #18/365

Bro and the Sandy Hook bike stripes - #18/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Billy's tunnel dig and his city - #17/365

Billy's tunnel dig and his city - #17/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Front lawn scuba afternoon - #16/365

Front lawn scuba afternoon - #16/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Bark. Curl. Nook. #15/365

Bark. Curl. Nook. #15/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Wired for work in the new home office - #14/365

Wired for work in the new home office - #14/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Liberty Village cogs c/o First Capital Realty - #13/365

Liberty Village cogs c/o First Capital Realty - #13/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Phipps cafe - #12/365

Phipps cafe - #12/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

The rare unattended Starbucks machine - #11/365

The rare unattended Starbucks machine - #11/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Downy woodpecker in Sherwood Park - #10/365

Downy woodpecker in Sherwood Park - #10/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Kooper on neighbourhood watch - #9/365

Kooper on neighbourhood watch - #9/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Wayne Furniture ghost sign

Desk chair connection to the old furniture store simply coincidence. I believe the store moved from Yonge Street to Parliament Street and is still in business.

Numerical calculating devices photographed with a multipurpose smart device - #8/365

Numerical calculating devices photographed with a multipurpose smart device - #8/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Guess which one is over 25 years old (and still works like a charm - if you understand reverse Polish notation) ?

Numerical calculating devices photographed with a multipurpose smartdevice - #8/365

Numerical calculating devices photographed with a multipurpose smart device - #8/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Guess which one is over 25 years old (and still works like a charm - if you understand reverse Polish notation) ?

Wayne Furniture ghost sign, Toronto - #7/365

Wayne Furniture ghost sign, Toronto - #7/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Desk chair connection to the old furniture store simply coincidence. I believe the store moved from Yonge Street to Parliament Street and is still in business.

Wayne Furniture ghost sign, Toronto

Wayne Furniture ghost sign, Toronto - #7/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Desk chair connection to the old furniture store simply coincidence. I believe the store moved from Yonge Street to Parliament Street and is still in business.

Half time breather - #6/365

Half time breather - #6/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Magazine cover shot on Redpath - #5/365

Magazine cover shot on Redpath - #5/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Yeah, that's what we're going to do next

Yeah, that's what we're going to do next - #4/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Coffee by design

Coffee by design - #3/365, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Book Reviews - 2012

Ready Player One 

by Ernest Cline (Goodreads Author) 

Easy entertaining read. Not the best in creative writing (but what do I know), but fun filled geek futuristic plot with great references to 80's entertainment and gaming culture. I didn't get all the references, but there were many personal favourites included in the game, including the last video game - it was my favourite too.

The Android's Dream 
by John Scalzi (Goodreads Author) 

Really liked the premise, the protagonists and the plot. But I got bogged down at times with the large number of other characters, many of which had very similar alien names. Enjoyable, but not as smooth reading as I'd hoped.

American Gods 
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads Author) 

Great lead character and all kinds of precious moments and plot bits. However, I struggled a little thru the rich world of gods and Shadow's dreams.

No Time Left 
by David Baldacci 

I don't read many short stories - this was very short and rather simplistic (although I glanced a bit of a spoiler here in Goodreads). Nice character work that set the stage. But I guess, I just need more. Decent short lived distraction.

The Sixth Man (Sean King & Michelle Maxwell, #5) 
by David Baldacci 

The first Baldacci novel I've read. I enjoyed the page-turning pace, interesting characters and plot twists. Nothing earth shattering, but an enjoyable read.

Frameshift 
by Robert J. Sawyer 

A little disjointed, but as usual, a simple, brilliant idea is enough to carry the story. Just enough medical tech to reveal some of the mysteries of DNA. Some interesting political and societal commentary. Enjoyable and enlightening.

Triggers 
by Robert J. Sawyer 

I gobbled up this latest wonderful Sawyer novel really quickly. I had previewed the early chapters, attended the book launch here in Toronto, got Robert to sign the book and then had a few trips that gave me lots of time to enjoy it. As introduced, the style of this book follows on the success of the action drama of the Flashforward TV show, but don't worry, the anchor plot of 3rd party memory reading gets lots of attention. Sawyer explores many different avenues the phenomenon can take, with a truly mind blowing (and unexpected) grand finale. Great characters, speedy plot movement and larger-the-life sci-fi ideas, loved it.

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, #2) 
by Suzanne Collins 

I must say I was quite disappointed with this second installation in the Hunger Games trilogy. There didn't seem to be that much plot development and the ending was rushed together with too many important factors not properly developed. That being said, the set up for the final book is pretty tasty.

The Map of Time 
by Félix J. Palma, Nick Caistor (Translator) 

Grand storytelling around some famous and infamous historical characters. Very clever interweaving of plot as a good time travel based story should be, with a twist. Wonderful finale wrapping things up in a very tidy bow. Favourite quote, page 585 - "...sometimes the best way to find out what we want is to chose what we do not want".

Movie Reviews - December 2012

  Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

 
Quite disappointing...reminded me that I'm not a fan of Knightley. Not as funny as the trailer made out. As a write the review and replay the trailer, apart from an ok premise and a few fringe comedic bits, I can't recall much of anything that I liked. Sorry.



  Skyfall (2012)

 
One of the best Bond movies ever, if not THE best. Superb balance of action and deep plot elements that reveal some of the secrets of Bond and his world. Opening fast action sequence was superb, as was the more emotionally charged scenes and the wonderfully set bit in Taipei and the magnificent closing. Should not disappoint any Bond fan and may even grab some new fans too.

  Rabbit Hole (2010)

 
The beauty of the human condition - wonderfully and colorfully portrayed. Complex, real characters. Maybe gimmicky, but I liked the parallel universes bit. I didn't find it depressing, I found it powerful, moving and important.

  Eat Pray Love (2010)

 
Can't be all bad if they feature Young's Heart of Gold and Harvest Moon in the soundtrack. It took a long (messy) trek to deliver the simple messages, but I enjoyed the ride and the view. Corny, but nice. Some deep thought takeaways: finding what matters amongst the mess; forgive yourself; God dwells within me as me; spend some time to think less.

Postal Station K - an historic victim

Postal Station K - an historic victim, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This post office is in my neighbourhhood. It's built on the site of Montgomery's Tavern, which played a prominent role in the Upper Canada rebellion of 1837. Postal Station K is the only building in Canada built with Edward VIII's royal cypher prior to his abdication. Over the last few months it has been in the news as Canada Post has decided to sell the building to a private developer. There were petitions signed to try and save the building, but it appears to have failed. The only hope is the devleoper save the facade in some form.

Postal Station K - an historic victim

Postal Station K - an historic victim, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
This post office is in my neighbourhhood. It's built on the site of Montgomery's Tavern, which played a prominent role in the Upper Canada rebellion of 1837. Postal Station K is the only building in Canada built with Edward VIII's royal cypher prior to his abdication. Over the last few months it has been in the news as Canada Post has decided to sell the building to a private developer. There were petitions signed to try and save the building, but it appears to have failed. The only hope is the devleoper save the facade in some form.

Happy New Year ribbon

Happy New Year ribbon, a photo by PJMixer on Flickr.