Saturday, May 31, 2008
Mistakes Happen
Regret the Error reports on media corrections, retractions, apologies, clarifications and trends regarding accuracy and honesty in the press. Some very amusing stuff here like this correction in Newsweek:
Politics as usual
Periscope’s May 19 “Dignity Index” incorrectly stated that
Rep. Vito Fossella had resigned from Congress following his arrest on
drunken-driving charges and revelations of marital infidelity. In fact, Fossella
remains in office.
Friday, May 30, 2008
And in stupidass news
Someone should have told Get Loose drummer, Shane Tyrer, that there was an excellent chance of getting caught if he used his band's name as a tag when covering local buildings with grafitti.
Read the story.
Read the story.
Extreme tightrope walking
I have a fear of heights that seems to be getting worse with age. Watching videos like this makes my tummy flip (so why do I do it?).
Via Bluepoppy
Via Bluepoppy
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Underground gallery
Las Vegas Graffiti
Via Uncertain Times
The artists slip in and out. They do their work, then disappear from the underground concrete corridors. Runoff water pours from pipes into these toxic storm drains. Debris is everywhere. You’re glad you have thick shoes as you walk through water and muck. Sun shines through a few of the grates, lighting some areas, but most of what you see is what your flashlight catches.
It is the antithesis of the Strip above.
Via Uncertain Times
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
This is so wrong
There were girls in gowns, boys in tuxes, limo rides to a place with a sit-down candlelit dinner and orchestra. The birthday girl was 4. Read more about wretched excess here.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Working Wounded
The OSHA was put in place to protect workers but is staggeringly ineffective. These 341,000 workers who died on the job were someone's son, daughter, mother, father, husband, wife, relative or friend. I found this article very disturbing.
In the 38 years since Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act, only 68 criminal cases have been prosecuted, or less than two per year, with defendants serving a total of just 42 months in jail. During that same time, approximately 341,000 people have died at work, according to data compiled from the National Safety Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics by the A.F.L.-C.I.O. Read more...
Would you like paper or...paper?
The LCBO will announce today that it won't hand out plastic shopping bags once it exhausts existing supplies, the Star has learned. Some stores have already run out.This is a positive move but I must admit that the heavy plastic bags they used were useful for picking up the piles of recycled dog food that Max deposits around the yard.
Customers are being encouraged to bring their own bags or buy a reusable bag. Stores will still provide paper bags or cardboard boxes.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Who is Japan's new tourism ambassador to China?
It's Hello Kitty !
With its newly installed anime ambassador apparently succeeding, the Japanese government has decided to add another cartoon to its foreign servce: Hello Kitty, tourism ambassador to China and Hong Kong.
Pop up alphabet book
Marion Bataille is a Parisian graphic and book designer who has never before been published in this country.
via
via
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Business cards that cut to the chase
I'm sorry I can't remember where I picked up this link. If you think I got it from you let me know.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Can you taste the difference?
World's Best Vodka? It's Anybody's Guess:
I don't drink much vodka and I can't tell the difference between brands. This study appears to support my opinion, suggesting that vodka afficionados make their choice based on branding rather than taste. Mr. Nag would disagree; he loves his Stoli and was not happy when I picked up a bottle of Absolut for him instead, thinking in my deluded way that all vodkas taste the same. It is, I admit, entirely possible that my tastebuds have been ruined by all the cheap toxic plonk I've imbibed over the years.
First I served frozen shots to the group in a blind test. Grey Goose, Absolut, Belevedere, Ketel One, and Popov. One, the Ketel One drinker, successfully picked his brand out of the pack, but only after considerable angst and anguish, so much so that I made the group repeat the exercise. It seemed like he guessed and got lucky. In the second pass, none successfully picked their brand.
I don't drink much vodka and I can't tell the difference between brands. This study appears to support my opinion, suggesting that vodka afficionados make their choice based on branding rather than taste. Mr. Nag would disagree; he loves his Stoli and was not happy when I picked up a bottle of Absolut for him instead, thinking in my deluded way that all vodkas taste the same. It is, I admit, entirely possible that my tastebuds have been ruined by all the cheap toxic plonk I've imbibed over the years.
I'm loving this
Teddy Thompson : Upfront And Down Low
Teddy is the son of Richard and Linda Thompson. He had to be a musician, had no choice I suspect. This old timey country album is my current fave (My Heart Echoes is particularly touching) but I suspect it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Teddy is the son of Richard and Linda Thompson. He had to be a musician, had no choice I suspect. This old timey country album is my current fave (My Heart Echoes is particularly touching) but I suspect it won't be everyone's cup of tea.
Friday, May 23, 2008
My Post-Birthday World
Yesterday was my birthday. I'm not much of a birthday person. I try to forget mine and don't remember other people's. I was surprised at the number of folks who either phoned, emailed or sent cards to me this year even though this was just a regular old birthday - not one with an 0 on the end marking the entrance into yet another decade. Thanks y'all.
What comes along with the birthday territory? Saggy jowls, that's what. What could be worse than saggy jowls, you ask? Why a giant zit on those jowls! I'm having my driver's license photo taken today and I have what looks like another head trying to emerge from that wattled area beneath my chin.
Mr. Nag knows how I love Cotes du Rhone and asked himself, "What would The Nag like better than a bottle of Cotes du Rhone?" More Cotes du Rhone of course. Long story short I woke up this morning feeling like I'd sucked up a body of wine approximately the volume of Lake Ontario. I'm sure the always critical MTO camera lens will capture every nuance of that "morning after the night before" look.
As if that weren't enough my Mac is giving me attitude and I've lost the install disc and will likely spend most of my day trying to get the good folks at Apple to send me a new one.
What comes along with the birthday territory? Saggy jowls, that's what. What could be worse than saggy jowls, you ask? Why a giant zit on those jowls! I'm having my driver's license photo taken today and I have what looks like another head trying to emerge from that wattled area beneath my chin.
Mr. Nag knows how I love Cotes du Rhone and asked himself, "What would The Nag like better than a bottle of Cotes du Rhone?" More Cotes du Rhone of course. Long story short I woke up this morning feeling like I'd sucked up a body of wine approximately the volume of Lake Ontario. I'm sure the always critical MTO camera lens will capture every nuance of that "morning after the night before" look.
As if that weren't enough my Mac is giving me attitude and I've lost the install disc and will likely spend most of my day trying to get the good folks at Apple to send me a new one.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The cognitive dissonance is making me psychologically uncomfortable.
Vegete is a collaborative venture between Kagome, one of Japan's leading vegetable juice makers, and Asahi, one of the 'Top 4' Japanese brewers.
It contains a mixture of various fruit and vegetable juices spiked with a buzz-inducing 4% alcohol.
It contains a mixture of various fruit and vegetable juices spiked with a buzz-inducing 4% alcohol.
Harrow Ladies Luncheon Club
Emma Houlston's plates inspired by scenes of the Harrow Ladies Luncheon Club might be enough to put me off my food.
Via
Man In Motion
On This Day May 22, 1987:
Rick Hansen completes his Man in Motion tour
Mr. Nag rode along with him when he passed through Toronto.
Rick Hansen completes his Man in Motion tour
Rick Hansen raises his arms skyward as he crosses the finish line to complete his Man in Motion world tour in Vancouver. Two years after the paraplegic athlete embarked on his marathon wheelchair expedition to raise money for spinal research and outreach, he's thrilled to be back home.
Mr. Nag rode along with him when he passed through Toronto.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The best tablecloth ever!
I guarantee it would be impossible to be bored at this dinner party. Click on the image to find out more.
Via Coudal
Via Coudal
If You're Using These Job Titles, Stop Now!
It’s a sad fact. Most freelancers and entrepreneurs have silly job titles.Would that I could aspire to one of these clichéd job titles!
People have a terrible tendency to get carried away with their new-found power, and end up making fools of themselves. Make sure you’re not one of them – read on!
I have a friend who works in advertising. His business card reads "Dreamer". I think that's clever.
Via Squandrous
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Cat houses that rock
These Cat Houses can go anywhere from two to eight feet tall and you can add additions with bark-covered tree limbs or anything of your choice, and come with special sculpted carpets that give it long durability.
I think this might drive me crazier. My blogger buddy, John, sent this to me. Thanks guy.
I think this might drive me crazier. My blogger buddy, John, sent this to me. Thanks guy.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Larry Miller's 5 stages of Drinking
I swear I will never do this again as long as I live.... and this time I mean it.
Via Culture kills... wait, I mean cutlery
Via Culture kills... wait, I mean cutlery
They chose China
It is January 1954. The Korean War is over. Captured UN soldiers held in POW camps are free to return home. Those who refuse repatriation to their homeland are transferred to a neutral zone and given 90 days to reconsider their decision. Among them are 21 American soldiers who decide defiantly to stay in China. Back in the United States, McCarthyism is at its height. Many Americans believe these young men have been brainwashed by Chinese communists through a new form of thought control. But what really happened? Featuring never-before-seen footage from the Chinese camps as well as interviews with former POWs and their families, They Chose China tells the fascinating stories of these forgotten American dissidents. With the Cold War fading into memory, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Shuibo Wang (Sunrise Over Tiananmen Square) aims his camera on this astonishing story. In They Chose China, we meet and begin to understand a group of courageous men who fought for and then cut ties with the USA.
Via Mefi
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Hello Kitty Sisters of Battle
Inspired by the ever cute Sanrio character "Hello Kitty" ©, Katherine wanted to bring a little color (and a bit of snappy fashion!) into the male dominated (and admitedly gothic themed) gaming world of Warhammer 40K!See more at Ex Libris Mortis
Avant-Après
I love then-and-now photos. These avant-après photos from Spacing Montreal show heritage preservation done right but more often gone wrong in my home town, Montreal. Some streetscapes have barely changed while others are unrecognizable. This is in stark contrast to Paris where it often seems that time has stood still. Check out this previous post to see what I mean.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Some things you might not know about Toronto
I learned that Toronto Island was peninsula that only became an island after a violent storm in 1853. It was home to a rough crowd who frequented the seedy bars, brothels and gambling joints. Toronto's first racetrack ran between Ward's and Centre Islands. Find out more at 20 odd things about Toronto.
Yee Haw!
It's Stampede Weekend, a little piece of the Wild West right here in Virgil. It's the largest Stampede outside of Calgary (alright it's probably the only one outside of Calgary). There'll be crafts, mud bogging trucks, mechanical bull riding and, yes, pig races. The midway was the big attraction when my kids were younger - and the Victoria Day fireworks. Good clean small town fun for them that likes that sort of thing. Too much bloody excitement for me.
Oil
Robert Chunn's Oil Flickr Set. I love his little paintings. You can check out more of them on his blog.
Pata Pata
Heard this song by Miriam Makeba on CBC radio yesterday. It got me moving. Thought I'd share it with you.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Max's doppelganger
I was a little taken aback when I came across this photo at Pixdaus. This guy is a dead ringer for Max, my flat-coated retriever - right down to the silly toy in his mouth.
A report from the Nag's garden
All of a sudden the flowering crabs, lilacs and verbena are in bloom. It's almost enough to bring a smile to the old Nag's face.
Portion Size, Then and Now
These portion comparisons, adapted from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) Portion Distortion Quiz, give a visual representation of what sizes used to be compared to what they are today. And we wonder why we're getting heftier. I just have to remind myself that I'm no longer 6 years old with my parents telling me I won't get dessert if I don't clear my plate. There is a good reason doggie bags were invented.
Via Plime
Via Plime
Thursday, May 15, 2008
May 15, 1919
Remembering the Winnipeg General Strike
On May 15, 1919, 24,000 organized and unorganized workers in Winnipeg walked off the job. Another 6,000 would soon join them. It was the start of the largest strike in Canadian history, and political leaders at all levels were quick to act. Parliament amended the Immigration Act so British-born immigrants could be deported, and expanded the definition of sedition. In a 1969 CBC Radio documentary commemorating the strike, lawyer Jim Walker talks about Ottawa's new laws.
Who knew?
There are countless images of cauliflower sheep at Google Image Search.
Maybe my children would have liked cauliflower if I'd made cunning creatures out of it.
Via Bifurcated Rivets
Maybe my children would have liked cauliflower if I'd made cunning creatures out of it.
Via Bifurcated Rivets
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
This is one of my biggest fears...
I can see Mr. Nag and I turning into Lloyd and Lenore. We're halfway there already. Mr. Nag's solution to books piled everywhere? More bookcases (not that that's a bad thing). I swear we keep IKEA solvent.
Via The Obvious?
Via The Obvious?
Top 10 Alienated Youth Movies
Eric’s Top 10 Alienated Youth Movies
I liked all of the top ten but Kids, Badlands, The Graduate and River's Edge were my favourites.
Via Transbuddha
I liked all of the top ten but Kids, Badlands, The Graduate and River's Edge were my favourites.
Via Transbuddha
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Now my day is perfect
Fraggle Rock returns!
When my kids were little this was one of the few shows I actually enjoyed watching with them. I heart Fraggles.
When my kids were little this was one of the few shows I actually enjoyed watching with them. I heart Fraggles.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Evolution and revolution: Chinese dress 1700s-1990s
Mao Zedong recognised the power of dress to project nationalism and ideology. On 1 October 1949 at the grand ceremony in Beijing marking the founding of the People's Republic of China, he wore a modified form of the Sun Yat-sen suit. Mao had worn this style of suit since 1927 but it was only after 1949 that it was adopted by the majority of the Chinese population. It is known in the West as the Mao suit.
Via Plep
HulkOutList
Apparently Hulk no like:
1. Problems with flat tire
2. Nightmare
3. Thinking about either of his wives
4. Cut off from somebody in danger who needs his help
5. Being hit over the head repeatedly with a metal object
6. Having his cure destroyed
7. Quicksand
8. Being mauled by a bear
9. Being bit by a dog
10. Being placed in a car compactor
More things that make Hulk angry
1. Problems with flat tire
2. Nightmare
3. Thinking about either of his wives
4. Cut off from somebody in danger who needs his help
5. Being hit over the head repeatedly with a metal object
6. Having his cure destroyed
7. Quicksand
8. Being mauled by a bear
9. Being bit by a dog
10. Being placed in a car compactor
More things that make Hulk angry
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Tulip lanterns
Lori left a comment yesterday:
Ordinarily I'd be inclined to agree that red tulips aren't the most exotic bulbs in my garden but the light hit some just the right way yesterday, making them look like tiny red lanterns and I snapped a photo:
When I was a kid, we'd all choose tulips from the neighbour's garden to take the the local flower show, for the kids' tulip judging. I would always choose the most perfect, reddest one...but my choice never won. Little did I know that plain red was the most boring... :-)
Ordinarily I'd be inclined to agree that red tulips aren't the most exotic bulbs in my garden but the light hit some just the right way yesterday, making them look like tiny red lanterns and I snapped a photo:
The perfect cocktail
Take three minutes and learn how to make three simple cocktails with Times Online's video guide to perfect martinis, mojitos and Bloody Marys. How to make a perfect cocktail
Mother's Day - tribute or ripoff?
Has Mother's Day become a commercialized scam or is it still a sweet, loving gesture? The question was being asked as long ago as 1963. From the CBC Archives
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A very narrow living space
A living space only 2.4 meters (7 feet 10 inches) wide. The floor to ceiling windows are intended to make the space less claustrophobic, I suppose, but if I lived there I think I'd feel like a whore in Amsterdam (the lighting also adds a little Rosse Buurt atmosphere). See more pictures here.
At Archinect Via Gizmodo
Friday, May 09, 2008
Crown Royal Lamp
I'm loving this but wouldn't the quintessentially Canadian lamp feature a two-four of Labatt's?
From The CANADIAN DESIGN RESOURCE
From The CANADIAN DESIGN RESOURCE
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