Relatives gone down to Toronto, eh George!? What perfect timing! Nicole and I are thinking of checking out The Distillers down in Cow Town on May 23, and it'd be rather corking of you if you had an extra couch or two.
Then again, seeing as how it's not actually your house, you might want to okay it with the rightful owners. Or, OR!, you could arrange that they have some sort of "accident" thus enabling the two of us to share accommodations with you.
Brilliant!
Currently listening to: Finger Eleven - Famous
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
New Look For Spring
Hey there! Despite my full schedule I thought it would be a nice idea to fool around with the site and give it a new look. I'm not so sure if I prefer this template over my old one, but I'm willing to give it a shot.
I'm hoping to try out some of the new features, like the comments that can be posted by anyone who reads my Blog. Since my old Shoutbox seems to be out of commission, it's nice and convenient that this option has been added to the site.
Though I don't seem to be posting rants/glorious insights on a regular basis, I do tend to keep the information in the right column up to date.
Ciao!
Currently listening to: Billy Talent - Voices of Violence
I'm hoping to try out some of the new features, like the comments that can be posted by anyone who reads my Blog. Since my old Shoutbox seems to be out of commission, it's nice and convenient that this option has been added to the site.
Though I don't seem to be posting rants/glorious insights on a regular basis, I do tend to keep the information in the right column up to date.
Ciao!
Currently listening to: Billy Talent - Voices of Violence
Tuesday, May 04, 2004
05/04 nttr ttf cb tmrw morning
I probably wrote that line, or various indistinguishable permutations of it, at least a few dozen million times at work this evening. There's moments when this bastardized short-hand of the English language sends shivers down my spine and cools my endtrails - does the term "Newspeak" mean anything to you? How about "Ingsoc"? That's right, having finished my annual reading of George Orwell's masterpiece Nineteen Eighty-Four, I feel like some sort of comrade deep in the heart of the Ministry of Learning, working like mad on my own little task, kept from seeing the larger picture of just what we're collectively accomplishing.
My actual reason for posting, though, it that I wanted to proclaim loudly that Spring in Edmonton Sucks. I worked a 7-hour shift this evening, and whereas I was able to rollerblade to work without a jacket, I almost lost my ears to the swirling winds and bitter, slushy cold on my way home! The weather programs may have warned me about today for the past few days, but that doesn't negate the fact that the weather choosing to turn 180 degrees on a whim is totally unacceptable.
I mean, it's 2004 already! Where's the flying cars, moon buses, and satellite controlled weather? Somewhere between 1950 and now scientists and inventors have gone horribly astray. Sure, I might be able to get an erection at 80 with a half-life of 24hrs, but what good is that if I'm not "doing" some 4-breasted space babe from another galaxy...over my lunch hour!?
Freak snow storms and lost appendages are not what I would have envisioned, that's for sure.
Mayor Bill Smith will be the first to orate that we Edmontonians live in the "greatest city, in the greatest province, in the greatest country in the world [and greatest galaxy in the greatest universe, I would assume - Ed.]!" but I don't see him pushing City Council to immediately fund some sort of fantastical environmental dome over this unpredictable burg. You better hope this isn't an election year, mister, because judging by the Mother of all Ear Aches that I've got going on, you've just lost yourself a vote.
Currently: Rebuilding my "completely legal" mp3 collection.
My actual reason for posting, though, it that I wanted to proclaim loudly that Spring in Edmonton Sucks. I worked a 7-hour shift this evening, and whereas I was able to rollerblade to work without a jacket, I almost lost my ears to the swirling winds and bitter, slushy cold on my way home! The weather programs may have warned me about today for the past few days, but that doesn't negate the fact that the weather choosing to turn 180 degrees on a whim is totally unacceptable.
I mean, it's 2004 already! Where's the flying cars, moon buses, and satellite controlled weather? Somewhere between 1950 and now scientists and inventors have gone horribly astray. Sure, I might be able to get an erection at 80 with a half-life of 24hrs, but what good is that if I'm not "doing" some 4-breasted space babe from another galaxy...over my lunch hour!?
Freak snow storms and lost appendages are not what I would have envisioned, that's for sure.
Mayor Bill Smith will be the first to orate that we Edmontonians live in the "greatest city, in the greatest province, in the greatest country in the world [and greatest galaxy in the greatest universe, I would assume - Ed.]!" but I don't see him pushing City Council to immediately fund some sort of fantastical environmental dome over this unpredictable burg. You better hope this isn't an election year, mister, because judging by the Mother of all Ear Aches that I've got going on, you've just lost yourself a vote.
Currently: Rebuilding my "completely legal" mp3 collection.
Monday, May 03, 2004
01 Stalingrad Polka.mp3
Hahhahahhahhaaaah!!!
Here's one FWD: that I received in my inbox that I actually appreciated, not only because it wasn't another 500lb naked woman screwing a midget, but because it brought back fond memories of my illegally hoarded mp3 collection.
Before the inevitable blue screen of doom locked up my computer, I was in the midst of adding to my 4000+ mp3 collection with utter crapulence. No album was out of my reach, and my propensity to download every single song for an artist and meticulously arrange them all into albums, with the appropriate album cover artwork on the folder, and label them in a uniform manner, bordered on a form of mental disorder I'd rather not know about. But alas, one Windows XP re-install later, and my 192kbps digitally compressed treasure trove of ill gotten goods was gone...
...even my pirated screener of The Passion of the Christ! The look on Nicole's face was somewhere between shock, disgust, and holy fear when she exclaimed, "You stole a movie about Jesus!?" I had no witty reply at the time, but weeks of late-night contemplation assured me that movies about Jesus should be open and free to all. Besides, it's not polite to argue about things like religion or politics. Silver City and their $15 tickets aren't going to come between me and my faith!
Yeah, you heard me!
Currently listening to: The Weakerthans - One Great City!
Here's one FWD: that I received in my inbox that I actually appreciated, not only because it wasn't another 500lb naked woman screwing a midget, but because it brought back fond memories of my illegally hoarded mp3 collection.
Before the inevitable blue screen of doom locked up my computer, I was in the midst of adding to my 4000+ mp3 collection with utter crapulence. No album was out of my reach, and my propensity to download every single song for an artist and meticulously arrange them all into albums, with the appropriate album cover artwork on the folder, and label them in a uniform manner, bordered on a form of mental disorder I'd rather not know about. But alas, one Windows XP re-install later, and my 192kbps digitally compressed treasure trove of ill gotten goods was gone...
...even my pirated screener of The Passion of the Christ! The look on Nicole's face was somewhere between shock, disgust, and holy fear when she exclaimed, "You stole a movie about Jesus!?" I had no witty reply at the time, but weeks of late-night contemplation assured me that movies about Jesus should be open and free to all. Besides, it's not polite to argue about things like religion or politics. Silver City and their $15 tickets aren't going to come between me and my faith!
Yeah, you heard me!
Currently listening to: The Weakerthans - One Great City!
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Gestapo Tactics Tuesday
I've been warned by previous Shaw High-Speed Internet users that Shaw is quick to target users that download quite a bit more than their average user - which I assume is someone duped into thinking that a high-speed account is necessary to check their email once a day and browse oatmeal cookie recipes on chatelaine.ca
Here's the scaremongering tactic they recently used on me, via a concerned customer service email:
Dear Shaw Internet Customer
In order to provide all Shaw Internet customers with an optimal Internet experience we proactively assess our network. Through our analysis we have noticed that the level of activity on your Internet account is more than 30 to 50 times that of our average Internet user.
We would like to help identify the cause(s) of the heavy traffic that may be affecting your computer’s performance and most importantly your Internet experience. Often a file sharing program can be the cause of high amounts of traffic. Not only will this affect the flow of traffic on the Internet it also puts a major strain on your computer’s resources.
For more information about how large quantities of Internet traffic can adversely affect your online experience please click here:
http://support.shaw.ca/assistance/filesharing
If you need assistance please click here to find your local Shaw telephone number:
http://support.shaw.ca/contacts.htm
PLEASE NOTE:
We ask that the account holder reply indicating they have read this e-mail and will address this issue.
To view the Acceptable Use Policy please visit:
https://secure.shaw.ca/policy/Use-Policy.asp
Thank you for your cooperation.
Internet Assistance Team
SHAW) Internet Services
I was touched to see that they were so concerned with my computer's performance and the quality of my online experience. Well, my unlimited high-speed account couldn't be better, and between streaming internet radio through iTunes, downloading music, movies, and TV shows, and even playing a few online games like UT2K4, I'd say that I'm making the most of what high-speed has to offer!
Only 30 to 50 times that of the average user!? That's almost insulting! I shall strive evermore to increase those statistics, so help me God.
Currently listening to: The Trews - Black Halo
Here's the scaremongering tactic they recently used on me, via a concerned customer service email:
Dear Shaw Internet Customer
In order to provide all Shaw Internet customers with an optimal Internet experience we proactively assess our network. Through our analysis we have noticed that the level of activity on your Internet account is more than 30 to 50 times that of our average Internet user.
We would like to help identify the cause(s) of the heavy traffic that may be affecting your computer’s performance and most importantly your Internet experience. Often a file sharing program can be the cause of high amounts of traffic. Not only will this affect the flow of traffic on the Internet it also puts a major strain on your computer’s resources.
For more information about how large quantities of Internet traffic can adversely affect your online experience please click here:
http://support.shaw.ca/assistance/filesharing
If you need assistance please click here to find your local Shaw telephone number:
http://support.shaw.ca/contacts.htm
PLEASE NOTE:
We ask that the account holder reply indicating they have read this e-mail and will address this issue.
To view the Acceptable Use Policy please visit:
https://secure.shaw.ca/policy/Use-Policy.asp
Thank you for your cooperation.
Internet Assistance Team
SHAW) Internet Services
I was touched to see that they were so concerned with my computer's performance and the quality of my online experience. Well, my unlimited high-speed account couldn't be better, and between streaming internet radio through iTunes, downloading music, movies, and TV shows, and even playing a few online games like UT2K4, I'd say that I'm making the most of what high-speed has to offer!
Only 30 to 50 times that of the average user!? That's almost insulting! I shall strive evermore to increase those statistics, so help me God.
Currently listening to: The Trews - Black Halo
Monday, April 12, 2004
Ring of Fire
This past weekend, saw another Easter Sunday come and go, and with this special time, another family dinner of astronomical proportions, where family and in-laws are to be avoided at all costs, and the presence of left-overs is completely unacceptable.
With my parents heading for the hills to visit my sister in Revelstoke, and my other sister heading down to Calgary, it looked like I'd have to fend for myself, though this situation turned out to be easily rectified. In the welcoming comforts of Nicole's family, I gorged myself on ham and turkey, mashed potatoes and salad, and enough gravy to enlarge your heart. What made this meal even more special was that it was pot-luck, and Nicole and I's contribution was the East Indian dish Aloo Gobi. It was our first time preparing the dish, and through luck or skill, it turned out to be a hit.
It's a simple vegetarian dish that doesn't cost all that much to make, and has the capacity to fill you up quite nicely. Depending on your tastes it can pack a decent amount of heat, and it's the perfect compliment to tandoori chicken or whatever else you desire. I got the recipe off my sister, and through I don't quite think she divulged all her secrets, she certainly put Nicole and I on the right path.
I look forward to experimenting a bit more in the kitchen, as Shake'n'Bake is starting to gross me out, and cereal shouldn't be considered a "meal" more than twice in one day.
Currently listening to: Rage Against The Machine - Wind Below
With my parents heading for the hills to visit my sister in Revelstoke, and my other sister heading down to Calgary, it looked like I'd have to fend for myself, though this situation turned out to be easily rectified. In the welcoming comforts of Nicole's family, I gorged myself on ham and turkey, mashed potatoes and salad, and enough gravy to enlarge your heart. What made this meal even more special was that it was pot-luck, and Nicole and I's contribution was the East Indian dish Aloo Gobi. It was our first time preparing the dish, and through luck or skill, it turned out to be a hit.
It's a simple vegetarian dish that doesn't cost all that much to make, and has the capacity to fill you up quite nicely. Depending on your tastes it can pack a decent amount of heat, and it's the perfect compliment to tandoori chicken or whatever else you desire. I got the recipe off my sister, and through I don't quite think she divulged all her secrets, she certainly put Nicole and I on the right path.
I look forward to experimenting a bit more in the kitchen, as Shake'n'Bake is starting to gross me out, and cereal shouldn't be considered a "meal" more than twice in one day.
Currently listening to: Rage Against The Machine - Wind Below
Friday, April 09, 2004
Pure BS or Pure Genius?
Ha-zah, I say! Ha-zah! I received one of my most favourable marks this past week, and it concerns a commentary paper I was writing for my Globalization course. I'll be completely honest - this assignment had me on the ropes. I didn't really know what I was going to talk about, and I didn't really make a solid outline before hand, so I kinda winged it during one frantic night of caffeine-fueled typing.
When all was said and done, I was left with 4 pages of what could be considered pure bullshit or pure genius. There really was no middle-ground, as far as I could see. Now that I've received my mark, I can officially declare that it was pure genius...or a level of bullshit so incomprehensible that my professor had no choice but to reward the ballsy endeavour with an equally absurd mark: 19.5/20.0
Currently listening to: Bush - Monkey
When all was said and done, I was left with 4 pages of what could be considered pure bullshit or pure genius. There really was no middle-ground, as far as I could see. Now that I've received my mark, I can officially declare that it was pure genius...or a level of bullshit so incomprehensible that my professor had no choice but to reward the ballsy endeavour with an equally absurd mark: 19.5/20.0
Currently listening to: Bush - Monkey
Wednesday, April 07, 2004
Ralph's A-okay
I'm not about to begin arguing politics here, or try to sway your perception of Ralph Klein's provincial government here in Alberta, but I'd like to state that they've been nothing but kind to me when it comes to my student loans. During the summer, as I was getting ready to start making a few payments, I was informed that the provincial government had paid off my entire outstanding balance with Edulinx, a debt load of nearly $7000! I made sure to get a conformation of that in writing, as I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I hadn't applied for any special debt relief, and I'm not even finished with school yet - I was simply taking a year off.
Then this month I get a statement from Royal Bank, who holds the other half of my student loans. Once again, the provincial government, seemingly out of the blue, has seen fit to pay nearly $5000 off my loans! I don't know what the hell is going on, but I'm sure not complaining about it.
Who knows, if I stay in University long enough they might just clear up all my debts!
Currently: Shaking and mumbling from not having gone to bed yet.
Then this month I get a statement from Royal Bank, who holds the other half of my student loans. Once again, the provincial government, seemingly out of the blue, has seen fit to pay nearly $5000 off my loans! I don't know what the hell is going on, but I'm sure not complaining about it.
Who knows, if I stay in University long enough they might just clear up all my debts!
Currently: Shaking and mumbling from not having gone to bed yet.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Caffeine is Brain Juice
Ah yes, the magnificent final weeks of another academic semester at the University of Alberta. What precipitates this particular point in being so poignant, you ask? Why, it's the necessity to push your body and your mind to extraordinary plateaus in order to complete end-of-term papers and cram your noodle with enough knowledge to ace final exams, that's what!
Now, I may be a humble Arts student, and a wishy-washy Sociology student at that, but I've got my fair share of pressures during this time of the year. There comes a time when I have to complete those essays I've been putting off "until I'm hit with a surge of creativity," and finally crack open those over-priced textbooks I bought, a time which incidentally happens to be right about now. So if it seems like I'm avoiding you, or have dropped off the face of the earth, please don't take it personally, because it's simply that I'm engrossed with schoolwork. I've enjoyed a particularly long and eventful university career up to this point, but I really have no particular desire to prolong it for much longer.
So between now and the middle of April, I look forward to drinking more coffee than is good for me, sleeping when I should be awake and being awake when I should be sleeping, all the while contemplating the inherent injustices of the world in a manner that can be easily transcribed on 3 - 4, double-spaced pages, in a 12-pt font.
Currently listening to: My erratic heartbeat from half a dozen cups of black java.
Now, I may be a humble Arts student, and a wishy-washy Sociology student at that, but I've got my fair share of pressures during this time of the year. There comes a time when I have to complete those essays I've been putting off "until I'm hit with a surge of creativity," and finally crack open those over-priced textbooks I bought, a time which incidentally happens to be right about now. So if it seems like I'm avoiding you, or have dropped off the face of the earth, please don't take it personally, because it's simply that I'm engrossed with schoolwork. I've enjoyed a particularly long and eventful university career up to this point, but I really have no particular desire to prolong it for much longer.
So between now and the middle of April, I look forward to drinking more coffee than is good for me, sleeping when I should be awake and being awake when I should be sleeping, all the while contemplating the inherent injustices of the world in a manner that can be easily transcribed on 3 - 4, double-spaced pages, in a 12-pt font.
Currently listening to: My erratic heartbeat from half a dozen cups of black java.
Friday, April 02, 2004
Communist Plot
Short post this Friday.
If it's the intention of the National Hockey League to ensure a great percentage of Canadian university undergraduates perform poorly on their final exams and term projects, then I say they've been dangerously successful. Why in their right mind would they schedule the most important part of the hockey season for April!? What makes this year's hockey season even more distracting is the way the Edmonton Oilers are vying for a playoff spot. I swear, this team will be the death of us, the way they wait until the last game of the season to potentially seal the deal, playing havoc on our stressed-out nerves at every turn.
Bah! I'm so far behind on schoolwork it's not even funny - maybe it's best that they don't make the playoffs. For my GPA's sake.
Currently: Ploughing through an insane amount of readings
If it's the intention of the National Hockey League to ensure a great percentage of Canadian university undergraduates perform poorly on their final exams and term projects, then I say they've been dangerously successful. Why in their right mind would they schedule the most important part of the hockey season for April!? What makes this year's hockey season even more distracting is the way the Edmonton Oilers are vying for a playoff spot. I swear, this team will be the death of us, the way they wait until the last game of the season to potentially seal the deal, playing havoc on our stressed-out nerves at every turn.
Bah! I'm so far behind on schoolwork it's not even funny - maybe it's best that they don't make the playoffs. For my GPA's sake.
Currently: Ploughing through an insane amount of readings
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