These videos will explain in an easy-to-understand way, how the current financial crisis came about, why it is unsustainable, and offers possibilities for the future. The average person has no idea how ridiculous the banking system really is. This is must viewing for anyone at all interested in their financial future.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
This may make you feel like a genius
I was watching Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and one of the first, simple questions was:
Which of the following oceans is NOT crossed by the equator?
a) Atlantic
b) Pacific
c) Indian
d) Arctic
Amazingly, the contestant is stumped and blurts out "I'm not good at geography", then with just two seconds left on the clock, she says she wants to "Ask the audience".
How bad does one have to be at geography to not be able to answer this question? Think about it. One would have to either not have any idea where the equator is or think that the Arctic Ocean is possibly somewhere around the centre of the earth.
Which of the following oceans is NOT crossed by the equator?
a) Atlantic
b) Pacific
c) Indian
d) Arctic
Amazingly, the contestant is stumped and blurts out "I'm not good at geography", then with just two seconds left on the clock, she says she wants to "Ask the audience".
How bad does one have to be at geography to not be able to answer this question? Think about it. One would have to either not have any idea where the equator is or think that the Arctic Ocean is possibly somewhere around the centre of the earth.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Funnier then werds
A comment on a stock market article:
dude there is standing rule in the market over the time (no buddy knows)
dude there is standing rule in the market over the time (no buddy knows)
Sunday, 9 August 2009
The Corporation
It's been a while since I posted and a lot longer still since the documentary "The Corporation" aired. I watched it for a second time this evening and think it is well worth watching for anyone at all interested in understanding what constitutes and permeates a large part of today's world. It may have a profound effect on your worldview and even if not, you will certainly learn something and gain an appreciation of a topic not often discussed at length. It is also sprinkled with light-hearted spots to keep your interest.
It has won several awards and was hailed by most critics as a very well done piece whether one agrees or not with it's somewhat partisan view. You can download it here. Please post your comments.
Note: If, after downloading, you have difficulties viewing it, you may want to try downloading codecs from here.
It has won several awards and was hailed by most critics as a very well done piece whether one agrees or not with it's somewhat partisan view. You can download it here. Please post your comments.
Note: If, after downloading, you have difficulties viewing it, you may want to try downloading codecs from here.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Friday, 17 July 2009
Top Ten List
...of scourges of mankind.
"honourable" mention - Drug dealers
10. Dentists
9. Doctors
8. Priests
7. Salesmen
6. Teachers
5. Mechanics
4. Engineers
3. CEO's
2. Lawyers
1. Politicians
"honourable" mention - Drug dealers
10. Dentists
9. Doctors
8. Priests
7. Salesmen
6. Teachers
5. Mechanics
4. Engineers
3. CEO's
2. Lawyers
1. Politicians
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Town besieged by cougars
The hunters became the hunted in a southern British Columbia town menaced in recent days by three cougars — two which had their baleful gazes fixed on children.
Last Friday, only the quick-thinking actions of a Princeton resident prevented two kids swimming in a river from a likely deadly attack.
The man, who lives near the river, saw the 16-month-old male feline stalking the children and shot it dead, with follow-up investigation by Mounties concluding the firearm discharge was warranted — not to mention life-saving, said Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
“There’s certainly little question that he may have saved that kid’s life, one of them at least, because it probably would’ve scooped up one of them and taken off,” he said.
“When you see a cat in that mindset of watching prey, regardless of whether it’s a house cat or a cougar ... it must have been very unnerving for the guy looking out at the riverbank.”
The close call came less than two weeks after conservation officers killed a cougar prowling amongst campers in the town 790 km southwest of Calgary.
And if those two incidents weren’t enough to put Princeton residents on a claw’s edge of tension, yet more feline fear erupted the next day.
A decidedly bold big cat was spotted prowling at a town park, with a swimming pool full of children and six baseball teams, on Saturday afternoon.
A panicked resident ran to the nearby RCMP detachment, with officers quickly holstering up to deal with the hungry predator.
“The guy was pounding on the detachment door, all he could get out was ‘Cougar! Cougar! Cougar!’” said Moskaluk.
“As they were walking up to the park area, this thing was crouched down and it was watching them as they approached.”
The animal, a 16-month-old female, was also put down.
Making matters more unsettling is the fact the fearsome predators are not generally apt to wander into town, said Princeton Mayor Randy McLean.
“To hear about one around town is amazing, to hear about three is surreal ... it’s just so hard to fathom,” he said.
“I’ve lived here all my life, I hunt, I fish, I Ski-doo, I quad ... and I’ve seen one cougar in my life and that was on the highway at two in the morning.”
Police are warning residents to be alert and on the look-out for these dangerous predators pictured below.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Ripped from the headlines
From an Edmonton, Canada news story...
An Edmonton woman caught on video sexually abusing her baby and performing sex acts on a poodle was locked up yesterday after failing to show up for sentencing.
Story.
An Edmonton woman caught on video sexually abusing her baby and performing sex acts on a poodle was locked up yesterday after failing to show up for sentencing.
The 30-year-old, who cannot be named to protect her daughter's identity, also got a tongue-lashing from a judge.
A rather bad choice of words, wouldn't you say?
The story continues...
In another video, she is seen performing sex acts on a pet poodle. The dog kept running away.
How scuzzy looking do you need to be for a dog to reject you???Story.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Political rant
Welfare fraud is perpetrated illegally by the poor and desperate. Tax avoidance is legally taken advantage of by the rich and affluent. "Loopholes" are mostly devised by the rich to help the rich. Let's get one other thing straight. I'm not naive enough to believe that things will change significantly in favour of the poor at the expense of the rich. Wealth in America, like guns in America will come from wherever it/they are most easy to be gotten.
The argument that jurisdictions where gun control has been enacted shows little or no gun-related crime decline is due simply because guns are brought in from other places. Unless you make it extremely difficult to get guns at all, be ready to bury your child, grandchild or yourself from taking a stray bullet.
It's the same story with wealth. I believe it was Maryland that enacted a "Millionaire" law in an attempt to tax the rich a little more. Surprisingly (to some), suddenly the number of filers with income over one million dropped by about one third. They're still wondering what happened to all those millionaires. You can be sure that they didn't suddenly experience a huge drop in their income. Some left the state, some hid money and others more adept at wealth building than I, came up with other methods to stay one step ahead of the tax man.
You can't force people to take care of their own families let alone strangers. For some unGodly, truly unGodly, reason, a lot of Americans are under the mistaken notion that it is possible to keep almost all of their earned cash with no ramifications at all. Why do you think that the streets are riddled with crime, junkies, hos, homeless? Why do you think that individuals and businesses need to barricade their premises like fortresses and spend big bucks on security officers and systems? Why do you think the insurance corporations are among the biggest companies in the world? This all costs everyone a ton of money. These are just some examples of where much of our money goes because we adamantly stick to the principle "I earned my money and no one should take any of it and give it to someone else". Guess what. You are giving it to someone else--just not the ones who need it!
You're giving it to the companies who make the products or provide the services I mentioned above. Then there's the cost of crime prevention, detection, analysis, pursuit, prosecution, incarceration, rehabilitation, etc. My dear, misguided soul--get it through your head and go forth and teach others that to a point, the less tax you pay, the more it costs you. There will always be those who for varied reasons can't or won't fend for themselves. To not help them through the distribution of wealth by means of taxation simply means that most of them will cost all of us even more money as they use more destructive ways to get what they need and want. The rest will waste away on the streets. Neither is a better alternative to higher taxes.
I have proved countless times that the countries with the most social programs have an overall better standard of living than the U.S. I will concede that the U.S. boasts more billionaires than any other country, but it also has more crime, pollution, drug addicts, prostitutes, inmates, homeless and just about any other negative aspect a society can have. It is a fact that paying more in taxes makes for a more productive, enjoyable, happy, safer life for all. The numbers don't lie. Unless you're Enron, Worldcom, Ebbers, Madoff, etc.
It is not incongruent for a staunch conservative who believes that one should be responsible for his own well-being to also believe in higher taxes for the purpose of more distribution of wealth. You're not necessarily doing it for others. You will gain as much from it as anyone. In fact, you will gain more. Money for most people is easy to come by. Safety, security, a clean environment and a life rich with culture and fulfilment are the rewards you will reap when you don't force people who for whatever reasons can't or won't otherwise live by mainstream rules. For each penny you give them willingly, it's one less penny they won't have to stab you for, or burglarize your home or business for, and make you pay for their stay in prison for, etc. You will pay one way or another. The only question is whether you want to do it in a way that ensures relative peace in society or turmoil.
The argument that jurisdictions where gun control has been enacted shows little or no gun-related crime decline is due simply because guns are brought in from other places. Unless you make it extremely difficult to get guns at all, be ready to bury your child, grandchild or yourself from taking a stray bullet.
It's the same story with wealth. I believe it was Maryland that enacted a "Millionaire" law in an attempt to tax the rich a little more. Surprisingly (to some), suddenly the number of filers with income over one million dropped by about one third. They're still wondering what happened to all those millionaires. You can be sure that they didn't suddenly experience a huge drop in their income. Some left the state, some hid money and others more adept at wealth building than I, came up with other methods to stay one step ahead of the tax man.
You can't force people to take care of their own families let alone strangers. For some unGodly, truly unGodly, reason, a lot of Americans are under the mistaken notion that it is possible to keep almost all of their earned cash with no ramifications at all. Why do you think that the streets are riddled with crime, junkies, hos, homeless? Why do you think that individuals and businesses need to barricade their premises like fortresses and spend big bucks on security officers and systems? Why do you think the insurance corporations are among the biggest companies in the world? This all costs everyone a ton of money. These are just some examples of where much of our money goes because we adamantly stick to the principle "I earned my money and no one should take any of it and give it to someone else". Guess what. You are giving it to someone else--just not the ones who need it!
You're giving it to the companies who make the products or provide the services I mentioned above. Then there's the cost of crime prevention, detection, analysis, pursuit, prosecution, incarceration, rehabilitation, etc. My dear, misguided soul--get it through your head and go forth and teach others that to a point, the less tax you pay, the more it costs you. There will always be those who for varied reasons can't or won't fend for themselves. To not help them through the distribution of wealth by means of taxation simply means that most of them will cost all of us even more money as they use more destructive ways to get what they need and want. The rest will waste away on the streets. Neither is a better alternative to higher taxes.
I have proved countless times that the countries with the most social programs have an overall better standard of living than the U.S. I will concede that the U.S. boasts more billionaires than any other country, but it also has more crime, pollution, drug addicts, prostitutes, inmates, homeless and just about any other negative aspect a society can have. It is a fact that paying more in taxes makes for a more productive, enjoyable, happy, safer life for all. The numbers don't lie. Unless you're Enron, Worldcom, Ebbers, Madoff, etc.
It is not incongruent for a staunch conservative who believes that one should be responsible for his own well-being to also believe in higher taxes for the purpose of more distribution of wealth. You're not necessarily doing it for others. You will gain as much from it as anyone. In fact, you will gain more. Money for most people is easy to come by. Safety, security, a clean environment and a life rich with culture and fulfilment are the rewards you will reap when you don't force people who for whatever reasons can't or won't otherwise live by mainstream rules. For each penny you give them willingly, it's one less penny they won't have to stab you for, or burglarize your home or business for, and make you pay for their stay in prison for, etc. You will pay one way or another. The only question is whether you want to do it in a way that ensures relative peace in society or turmoil.
Monday, 15 June 2009
Q & A's from around the web
um, i think i am really hairy down there. can anyone relate or help?
Personally I've started waxing (I do brazilian but you could do bikini) and trimming what is left. i don't use a hair remover cream or gel because it's just smelly
Hmm...that's like eating a skunk sandwich in the middle of a garbage dump and complaining about the smell of garbage.
Personally I've started waxing (I do brazilian but you could do bikini) and trimming what is left. i don't use a hair remover cream or gel because it's just smelly
Hmm...that's like eating a skunk sandwich in the middle of a garbage dump and complaining about the smell of garbage.
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Odd news
If a stranger sent you a post-dated cheque for $100,000 and a suicide note what would you do? It happened and the recipient calmly put the cheque in a safe until the date arrived and sure enough, the sender had committed suicide.
The oddest part of the story is how many times it repeated the opening sentence of the story--four times! The Story.
The oddest part of the story is how many times it repeated the opening sentence of the story--four times! The Story.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Thinking of moving?
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) announced Monday that Vancouver is the best city in the world to live, followed by Vienna, Austria and Melbourne, Australia.
The EIU -- the business arm of the U.K.-based weekly economics magazine -- ranked the living conditions of 140 cities around the world based on five broad categories; stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Vancouver:
Toronto:
Calgary:
The EIU -- the business arm of the U.K.-based weekly economics magazine -- ranked the living conditions of 140 cities around the world based on five broad categories; stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
With a rating of 98 out of 100, with one being "intolerable" and 100 being "ideal", Vancouver topped the charts, "benefiting from strong Canadian infrastructure," according to the study's authors.
Two other Canadian cities, Toronto and Calgary, ranked in the top 10. Toronto ranked fourth, followed by Perth, Calgary, Helsinki, and Geneva. Zurich and Sydney tied for ninth.
Story.Vancouver:
Toronto:
Calgary:
Sunday, 7 June 2009
This event has gone to the dogs
If you're a dog lover, don't miss North America's largest love-in for dogs, appropriately called Woofstock, taking place at Toronto's St' Lawrence Market next Saturday and Sunday (June 13-14). Meet like-minded people, enjoy some great food, enter your dog in some great contests, etc. For more information, click here.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Only in America
America, the (armed and) beautiful.
A Kentucky pastor is inviting his parishioners to bring their firearms to church in order to celebrate the Fourth of July. A gun will be raffled off and patriotic music will be played. How better to honour America's deep belief in God and weaponry?
The Story.
A Kentucky pastor is inviting his parishioners to bring their firearms to church in order to celebrate the Fourth of July. A gun will be raffled off and patriotic music will be played. How better to honour America's deep belief in God and weaponry?
The Story.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
The war on sanity
Am I the only one who doesn't believe that North Korea is dangerous? Seriously, I don't know what all the hoopla is about. Does anyone actually believe that those in charge are anxious to have their country destroyed and for them to die an ugly death or be imprisoned for life? Does anyone not believe that would be the only possible result if they fired missiles at anyone? They aren't as loony as some would have you believe. Even if they were, I'm sure they're instinct for self preservation would trump any delusions they may have.
And the same thing goes for Iran.
When the U.S. spent trillions of dollars over decades on developing ridiculous numbers of nuclear weapons--enough to destroy the entire world many times over, I'm sure they didn't think of themselves as insane. But if today a country develops a single nuclear weapon, they're painted as individuals so unstable that they're apt to start a war with any of their neighbours at the drop of a hat. Give me a break. The United States has always been the most aggressive state since it's rise to power and even now should be feared more so than any other. If they can go to Iraq for no reason at all, what is beyond the realm of possibilities?
And the same thing goes for Iran.
When the U.S. spent trillions of dollars over decades on developing ridiculous numbers of nuclear weapons--enough to destroy the entire world many times over, I'm sure they didn't think of themselves as insane. But if today a country develops a single nuclear weapon, they're painted as individuals so unstable that they're apt to start a war with any of their neighbours at the drop of a hat. Give me a break. The United States has always been the most aggressive state since it's rise to power and even now should be feared more so than any other. If they can go to Iraq for no reason at all, what is beyond the realm of possibilities?
Monday, 1 June 2009
Not a bad return for 10 days!
I've been remiss posting about my stock transactions. I raved to you about Suntech (STP) in this space. It is a solar power component manufacturer. I bought some shares exactly 10 days ago at $12.61 (U.S.) and sold them a few minutes ago for $17.69.
I apologize for leaving you out of the loop and promise to do better. However, if you've been following me (and the stocks I've recommended), you would have picked some up. Other stocks I've had my eye on are:
Highveld Steel and Vanadium (HSVLY), a company in the quickly expanding South African economy
Tata Motors (TTM), Indian auto producer of the world's cheapest car
Seagate (STX) disk storage producer
Akamai (AKAM) internet data performance company
VMWARE (VMW) specialize in server virtualization
SOHU.com (SOHU) Chinese internet portal and gaming concern
I apologize for leaving you out of the loop and promise to do better. However, if you've been following me (and the stocks I've recommended), you would have picked some up. Other stocks I've had my eye on are:
Highveld Steel and Vanadium (HSVLY), a company in the quickly expanding South African economy
Tata Motors (TTM), Indian auto producer of the world's cheapest car
Seagate (STX) disk storage producer
Akamai (AKAM) internet data performance company
VMWARE (VMW) specialize in server virtualization
SOHU.com (SOHU) Chinese internet portal and gaming concern
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Gunfight at the OK Convention Centre
Hours before former U.S. presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were scheduled to begin their "conversation" at downtown Toronto's Metro Convention Centre on Friday, dozens of protesters, cops and gawkers had gathered along Front Street to witness the historic meet-up. But the protesters, at least, had their sights on just one of the two men.
Resting against benches on the other side of the street from the convention centre were row upon row of placards decorated with pictures of Mr. Bush and the words "war crimes." Other protest signs carried the now-infamous picture of the hooded, electrode-laden Abu Ghraib prisoner in a crucifix pose. Members of the Toronto Coalition to Stop the War carried signs reading, "War criminals not welcome here." Another political group, Food Not Bombs, set up an impromptu buffet table on the street, featuring such delicious puns as "Condoleezza Rice" and "Chard (him with war crimes) stir-fry." Even local 1005 of the Steelworkers' Union got in on the act. Virtually every sign, cause and chant related to the 43rd, rather than 42nd president.
From today's news...Canadians seem to know their politics. We like fornicators better than war criminals.
Tuesday, 26 May 2009
It was forty years ago, today...
Many people know that it was 40 years ago, today, on May 26, that John Lennon along with wife Yoko Ono, started his week-long bed-in for peace in Montreal. What most people don't know is that the couple spent the previous night at Toronto's King Edward hotel where a remarkable thing happened.
Then 14-year-old Jerry Levitan had heard that the famous Beatle had spent the previous night at the King "Eddie" and so armed with a Kodak Brownie and a crude, Super-8 movie camera incapable of sound, he was determined to find and interview Lennon. After knocking on a few random doors, a helpful hotel chamber maid directed him to the couple's room.
Unbelievably, Lennon allowed the boy in who immediately started snapping pictures. After a while, Lennon had to leave for a time, but young Levitan asked if he could come back when Lennon returned and tape an interview about peace that he could later play to his school mates. The young lad then must have been beside himself when Lennon agreed.
14-year-old Jerry Levitan interviewing Lennon at the King Edward Hotel May 26th, 1969
Here are a couple of excerpts from the interview:
Then 14-year-old Jerry Levitan had heard that the famous Beatle had spent the previous night at the King "Eddie" and so armed with a Kodak Brownie and a crude, Super-8 movie camera incapable of sound, he was determined to find and interview Lennon. After knocking on a few random doors, a helpful hotel chamber maid directed him to the couple's room.
Unbelievably, Lennon allowed the boy in who immediately started snapping pictures. After a while, Lennon had to leave for a time, but young Levitan asked if he could come back when Lennon returned and tape an interview about peace that he could later play to his school mates. The young lad then must have been beside himself when Lennon agreed.
14-year-old Jerry Levitan interviewing Lennon at the King Edward Hotel May 26th, 1969
Here are a couple of excerpts from the interview:
Levitan went on to become a lawyer and filmmaker. His animated 2007 short, I Met the Walrus, based on about four minutes of his 30-minute interview with Lennon, was nominated for an Oscar.
Lennon left Toronto that night and flew with Ono to Montreal to begin their bed-in. They recorded Give Peace A Chance in their hotel room on June 1.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, 25 May 2009
Window washing dominates news
Two window washers were stranded for almost two hours, 19 storeys above ground-level after the electrical wires of their lift became entangled with a sign and was pulled out of a socket, leaving them without electricity and unable to get back down.
The thing I found most interesting about this news story was the name of the reporter.
The thing I found most interesting about this news story was the name of the reporter.
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Don't forget to check the oil
If you wondered how bad the economic downturn is for the airline industry, here's a clue. This Air Canada pilot at Toronto's Pearson International Airport was spotted doing a chore normally performed by other staff.
Friday, 22 May 2009
Dead man walking!
Yesterday, I took the longest walk since my recent heart attack. I went about two miles (round trip) to re-fill one of my prescriptions. It was quite pleasant even if most of the way my nostrils were filled with car exhaust and for a short stretch the fumes of some solvent from a homeowner who was painting or something. The worst part of the trip was paying the almost $100 for a one-month supply of Lipitor. If the heart attack doesn't kill and you survive the hospital food, the cost of medication should do the trick. I hope I die soon--I can't afford the meds that are keeping me alive! Did I mention the side effects of taking five different drugs each day? I'm not sure if I mentioned it because one of the effects is being in a stupor. I think I used to be a fairly smart guy. Now, when there's a knock on my door, I open the refrigerator door. It wouldn't be so bad, but now I'm 20 pounds overweight and I need to go on diet pills I can't afford.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
How messy does a room have to be to warrant a 9-1-1 call?
An Ohio man who argued with his grown son over a messy bedroom said he overreacted when he called 911. Andrew Mizsak called authorities Thursday after his 28-year-old son threw a plate of food across the kitchen table and made a fist at him when told to clean his room.
The son, also named Andrew, lives in a room in his parents' basement.
The father declined to press charges and told police he doesn't want to ruin his son's political career.
The son, who also works as a political consultant, said he's lucky to be living in the house rent free. He also promises to keep his room clean.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editor's note: The story isn't funny enough on its own. Look at the comments it elicited...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Monday, 18 May 2009
Another difference of the sexes
I don't know why manufacturers of women's personal products have always felt so comfortable pushing their products in our faces. Men don't seem to need to have personal products advertised in order for them to select one and use it.
From the time that young girl first complained to her mother about not "feeling fresh", and her mother advising her to use Summer's Eve douche, such ads have had me shaking my head in disdain. Is it really necessary to show the applicator in a Tampax ad? The applicator of a yeast infection product? Puhlease.
The recent TV commercial for Monistat is about as tacky as they come, in my opinion. A woman dressed in her night clothes is seen standing in her bathroom with the apparent sound of a thunderstorm. As the camera pans toward the mirror she is standing front of, we see a look of concern on her face and that around her crotch are dark clouds and lightning bolts as the announcer says something like "Don't let a yeast infection get you down".
Cue the product package while extolling its amazing properties.
Suddenly, the woman is transported to her bright kitchen, smiling and enjoying a cup of coffee. The raging storm in her groin has been replaced by sunshine, birds singing and a rainbow. Oh, brother.
From the time that young girl first complained to her mother about not "feeling fresh", and her mother advising her to use Summer's Eve douche, such ads have had me shaking my head in disdain. Is it really necessary to show the applicator in a Tampax ad? The applicator of a yeast infection product? Puhlease.
The recent TV commercial for Monistat is about as tacky as they come, in my opinion. A woman dressed in her night clothes is seen standing in her bathroom with the apparent sound of a thunderstorm. As the camera pans toward the mirror she is standing front of, we see a look of concern on her face and that around her crotch are dark clouds and lightning bolts as the announcer says something like "Don't let a yeast infection get you down".
Cue the product package while extolling its amazing properties.
Suddenly, the woman is transported to her bright kitchen, smiling and enjoying a cup of coffee. The raging storm in her groin has been replaced by sunshine, birds singing and a rainbow. Oh, brother.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Strange creatures
I'm at this moment watching the Toronto Blue Jays beating up on the Chicago White Sox. "Doc" Halladay has just struck out his eighth batter trying to improve his record to 9 and 1 and for the team to extend their American League East lead. Last week, Doc beat the Yankees and his (Doc's) most excellent student of last year, A.J. Burnett. A.J. left the Jays at the end of last season after a terrific (I believe) 18-win season for a contract of about $80 million with New York.
But I'm not here to talk about Doc or the Jays or Burnett for that matter. A few minutes ago, I noticed something a bit strange and amusing. I've seen it many tmes but never really thought about it. If you've watched any baseball, you've probably seen it, too. A pitch was tossed into the dirt and immediately after the catcher caught it, he extended his glove back so that the umpire can take the ball. The umpire raised the ball toward his eyes and examined it. The thing is, every time they do that, they always discard the ball. I mean always. And yet, they consistently go through the ritual of having a look at it before doing so. Why bother? Why not cut out the middle man and have the catcher toss the ball aside? I guess it gives the umpire an air of superiority and power that only he can make the decision as to the fate of the ball. In reality, the decision is made the moment the ball hits the ground.
I'm thinking the gesture the umpire makes is sort of like the other useless habit many people have--the disgusting habit of examining the itsy bitsy piece of foreign material they pick out of any one of various orifices like the corner of their eye, their ear, or worst of all, their nose. Funny creatures, humans.
But I'm not here to talk about Doc or the Jays or Burnett for that matter. A few minutes ago, I noticed something a bit strange and amusing. I've seen it many tmes but never really thought about it. If you've watched any baseball, you've probably seen it, too. A pitch was tossed into the dirt and immediately after the catcher caught it, he extended his glove back so that the umpire can take the ball. The umpire raised the ball toward his eyes and examined it. The thing is, every time they do that, they always discard the ball. I mean always. And yet, they consistently go through the ritual of having a look at it before doing so. Why bother? Why not cut out the middle man and have the catcher toss the ball aside? I guess it gives the umpire an air of superiority and power that only he can make the decision as to the fate of the ball. In reality, the decision is made the moment the ball hits the ground.
I'm thinking the gesture the umpire makes is sort of like the other useless habit many people have--the disgusting habit of examining the itsy bitsy piece of foreign material they pick out of any one of various orifices like the corner of their eye, their ear, or worst of all, their nose. Funny creatures, humans.
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Canada defends north with Cannon
A bruhaha has been brewing at the North Pole. Canada's sovereignty has been repeatedly tested by a number of nations intent on using her northern waterways and even on making land grabs. The far north is believed to contain oil and mineral deposits and Russia has been posturing by planting a flag at the North Pole seabed and conducting aerial exercises in the region.
In reaction, Canada has been bolstering her military and coast guard presence. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Thursday that the Conservative government will strive to "work peacefully" with other polar nations but "will not hesitate to defend Canadian Arctic sovereignty." In February, two Russian bombers made an Arctic test flight, which Canadian military aircraft scrambled to intercept.
Stay tuned, kiddies. This cat and mouse game is not over. There is a lot at stake and it's anybody's guess where this goes.
In reaction, Canada has been bolstering her military and coast guard presence. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Thursday that the Conservative government will strive to "work peacefully" with other polar nations but "will not hesitate to defend Canadian Arctic sovereignty." In February, two Russian bombers made an Arctic test flight, which Canadian military aircraft scrambled to intercept.
Stay tuned, kiddies. This cat and mouse game is not over. There is a lot at stake and it's anybody's guess where this goes.
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Lois gets the better of Superman
Toronto-born original Superman artist, Joe Shuster, was supposedly meek and mild mannered like Clark Kent. But he, too, it seems, had a secret identity. Some accounts say that Joe and his co-creator, Jerry Siegel, sold the rights to their ultimate super hero to DC Comics for a mere $130.
To make ends meet, Joe Shuster took to drawing scenes of S&M porn in the same style as characters Clark Kent, Lois Lane, etc. The 16-volume series was titled "Nights of Horror. Now, author Craig Yoe has published an illustrated hardcover covering the story, called Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster (Manda, $27.50). The story surrounding the artist's descent into sadomasochistic pornography is bizarre even as a comic-book tale.
Here's a sample of Joe Shuster's dalliance. Maybe this is the kind of scene Joe had always envisioned Superman and Lois Lane in.
To make ends meet, Joe Shuster took to drawing scenes of S&M porn in the same style as characters Clark Kent, Lois Lane, etc. The 16-volume series was titled "Nights of Horror. Now, author Craig Yoe has published an illustrated hardcover covering the story, called Secret Identity: The Fetish Art of Superman's Co-creator Joe Shuster (Manda, $27.50). The story surrounding the artist's descent into sadomasochistic pornography is bizarre even as a comic-book tale.
Here's a sample of Joe Shuster's dalliance. Maybe this is the kind of scene Joe had always envisioned Superman and Lois Lane in.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Beach wedding in Jamaica (not mine) need help with a dress. 36DDD, 5'7, 140, and no where or time to shop in my area so need to find something online. If you can point me to something, please send links.
Would YOU like to get married in Jamaica? ;)
Editor's note: a few minutes later, this was posted...
I see from your profile that you're currently married.
Editor's note: a few minutes later, this was posted...
Would divorce be totally out of the question?
Would YOU like to get married in Jamaica? ;)
Editor's note: a few minutes later, this was posted...
I see from your profile that you're currently married.
Editor's note: a few minutes later, this was posted...
Would divorce be totally out of the question?
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Even better than a bottle of Muscatel
So, where can one expect to find the best Chardonnay in the world? In Canada, of course. In a blind taste test, wine experts chose a wine produced right here in Ontario's Niagara region over bottles from France, California, Australia and New Zealand, using such flattering terms as "well-contained opulence" and "fine spicy finish."
"This proves you can do wonderful things in Canada" said French-born Don-Jean Léandri, who has been a sommelier for 30 years and participated in the taste test organized by Cellier magazine. He said the results should have French winemakers looking over their shoulders.
The Chardonnay judged to be the finest is the 2005 vintage of Claystone Terrace Chardonnay. It sells for $37.50 in Quebec, but unfortunately, is sold out in Ontario. The news item did not mention any other sources.
"This proves you can do wonderful things in Canada" said French-born Don-Jean Léandri, who has been a sommelier for 30 years and participated in the taste test organized by Cellier magazine. He said the results should have French winemakers looking over their shoulders.
The Chardonnay judged to be the finest is the 2005 vintage of Claystone Terrace Chardonnay. It sells for $37.50 in Quebec, but unfortunately, is sold out in Ontario. The news item did not mention any other sources.
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
On "popular" culture
I wouldn't recognize Beyonce if she fell on me.
I couldn't pick out a single Goo Goo Doll out of a police lineup.
If my life depended on it, I couldn't name even one rap song.
The only desperate housewife I've ever known was my ex-.
Except for Susan Boyle, the name/image of no other Idol contestant resides in my brain.
Reality TV has never occupied my reality.
I consider the above quite an accomplishment.
I couldn't pick out a single Goo Goo Doll out of a police lineup.
If my life depended on it, I couldn't name even one rap song.
The only desperate housewife I've ever known was my ex-.
Except for Susan Boyle, the name/image of no other Idol contestant resides in my brain.
Reality TV has never occupied my reality.
I consider the above quite an accomplishment.
Monday, 4 May 2009
It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Mine that Bird!
Did you hear about the Kentucky Derby winner? It was won by a Canadian-bred horse (Mine that Bird) that looked like it had no chance at all. I was at Toronto's Woodbine Raceway and before the race, I remarked to the guy beside me that if I could bet for a horse to finish last, that would be my pick. Not only did he win--he went from almost last to first in the slop and finished about seven lengths ahead of the second-place horse. He went off at 50-1. Days before, the horse was racing at a "B" track in New Mexico where he couldn't even beat those nags. I thought for sure that shortly after the race, it would be announced that he was disqualified for being juiced.
If you look at the video, he made champion horses look like they were standing still.The horse was bought (I think as a yearling) by Woodbine trainer David Cotey for (are you ready for this?) $9,500. Compare this to the $million+ paid for other Derby contenders. The horse won three stake races as a two-year-old at Woodbine and was named top two-year-old in the country. Cotey sold the animal for about $450,000 to Americans. He raced only twice before the Derby as a three-year-old at Sunland Park in New Mexico, finishing second and fourth. The connections were dreaming in technicolour when they decided to enter him in the Derby. The new trainer hauled the horse with his pickup truck for 21 hours to Churchill Downs. If you ask me, the race was an unrepeatable miracle.
Let's see what he does in the Preakness and or Belmont. Here's the video. You can hear the announcer say during the backstretch run that Mine that Bird is well back from the rest of them. As the field nears the final turn, watch for a horse coming through along the rail...
If you look at the video, he made champion horses look like they were standing still.The horse was bought (I think as a yearling) by Woodbine trainer David Cotey for (are you ready for this?) $9,500. Compare this to the $million+ paid for other Derby contenders. The horse won three stake races as a two-year-old at Woodbine and was named top two-year-old in the country. Cotey sold the animal for about $450,000 to Americans. He raced only twice before the Derby as a three-year-old at Sunland Park in New Mexico, finishing second and fourth. The connections were dreaming in technicolour when they decided to enter him in the Derby. The new trainer hauled the horse with his pickup truck for 21 hours to Churchill Downs. If you ask me, the race was an unrepeatable miracle.
Let's see what he does in the Preakness and or Belmont. Here's the video. You can hear the announcer say during the backstretch run that Mine that Bird is well back from the rest of them. As the field nears the final turn, watch for a horse coming through along the rail...
Heidi and Spencer's (and Vinny's not so) big adventure
Suddenly, I was hearing reference after reference to Heidi and Spencer's wedding. After about a week of this, I finally decided to try and find out who the heck these "celebrities" that I've never heard of are. After a few searches, reading articles and viewing videos, I learnt who they are. Now, I'm wondering why they are.
In the old days, many very talented people never had the luck to become a household name. It seems to me that these days, the most extraordinarily ordinary people are given (at least) five minutes of fame. If you have any aspirations of greatness at all, don't give up. You will surely get a chance. By the way, it seems to help if you're shallow, annoying and act like you're the greatest thing since the internet.
In the old days, many very talented people never had the luck to become a household name. It seems to me that these days, the most extraordinarily ordinary people are given (at least) five minutes of fame. If you have any aspirations of greatness at all, don't give up. You will surely get a chance. By the way, it seems to help if you're shallow, annoying and act like you're the greatest thing since the internet.
Sunday, 3 May 2009
Q & A's from around the web
Ok, Well I am taking AP classes next year, and I always have a fear the teacher will say "Are you in the write class?" This is a more advanced English class. Honest question, to all races. If you saw a Black girl in an AP class, what is the first thing to pop up in your mind?
Wow she must be really smart to be hear.
Editor's note: Who said today's youth have trouble with English?
Wow she must be really smart to be hear.
Editor's note: Who said today's youth have trouble with English?
Thursday, 30 April 2009
The Horror Part II
I forgot to mention in Part I that they also gave me a couple of injections in the abdomen, just for fun. I also forgot to mention the joy of not being able to wash/clean/shave/shampoo very well if at all while you have an IV stuck in your wrist or the inside of your elbow.
Before you have time to get over "Angiogram Day", it's "Angioplasty Day". I've never been in an ambulance, but I imagine the ride is much smoother than the transport vehicle used to shuttle me to and from the hospital specializing in performing angioplasty procedures. It didn't bother me very much on the way there, but coming back was a pain in the...back. I'll explain in a bit.
An angioplasty is a procedure to repair damage that shows up on an angiogram. It is done in two possible ways:
a) A balloon is inflated (and subsequently deflated) at a site where an artery is restricted in order to allow better blood flow.
b) A stent (tube/sleeve) is positioned at a restricted site to prevent it from future blockage.
I had one of each. You may be awake (as I was) during the procedure and the pain in the chest is very similar to a heart attack. I felt it for about the next 24 hours.
As soon as they finished, a nurse came by and said "Oops" and proceeded to describe the egg-sized balloon in my groin that had formed because of some problem with removal of the catheter. She managed to resolve this not uncommon occurrence by pressing on it with all her weight for about the next twenty minutes. Do I need to mention that it wasn't pleasant? Ouch.
Now, began the four hours of lying perfectly still on your back. As they rolled me out to the transport vehicle, my back was already starting to hurt. The bumpy ride back to the original hospital through rush hour traffic wasn't pleasant or scenic as all I could see in my position were light standards. As we neared (I asked) our destination, I was silently praying that the pain in my back that was now slowly gathering at my kidney just like the day before, did not reach Level 10 before they got me to my room.
I was in bed with only minutes to spare before I had to ask for a shot of morphine for the pain. Two more days of misery were endured before I was discharged.
You do not want to go through such an experience. It doesn't help, either that I now must take five different medications daily at a cost of about $450 per month for the rest of my life.
While going between hospitals, I spoke to the attendants about the falling average age of heart attack victims. They confirmed that large numbers of people in their thirties and even some in their twenties are falling victim to coronary disease and heart attacks. Obesity is one contributing factor. Today's sedentary lifestyles that keep people glued to TV and or a PC instead of getting out and exercising is another.
Heed my advice. You don't need to make a wholesale change today. Take small steps. Reduce your fat intake. Take more frequent walks. Eat more fruit and veggies. If you think it'll put a crimp in your lifestyle, you might want to consider that a heart attack will put a much bigger crimp in it...if you're lucky.
Before you have time to get over "Angiogram Day", it's "Angioplasty Day". I've never been in an ambulance, but I imagine the ride is much smoother than the transport vehicle used to shuttle me to and from the hospital specializing in performing angioplasty procedures. It didn't bother me very much on the way there, but coming back was a pain in the...back. I'll explain in a bit.
An angioplasty is a procedure to repair damage that shows up on an angiogram. It is done in two possible ways:
a) A balloon is inflated (and subsequently deflated) at a site where an artery is restricted in order to allow better blood flow.
b) A stent (tube/sleeve) is positioned at a restricted site to prevent it from future blockage.
I had one of each. You may be awake (as I was) during the procedure and the pain in the chest is very similar to a heart attack. I felt it for about the next 24 hours.
As soon as they finished, a nurse came by and said "Oops" and proceeded to describe the egg-sized balloon in my groin that had formed because of some problem with removal of the catheter. She managed to resolve this not uncommon occurrence by pressing on it with all her weight for about the next twenty minutes. Do I need to mention that it wasn't pleasant? Ouch.
Now, began the four hours of lying perfectly still on your back. As they rolled me out to the transport vehicle, my back was already starting to hurt. The bumpy ride back to the original hospital through rush hour traffic wasn't pleasant or scenic as all I could see in my position were light standards. As we neared (I asked) our destination, I was silently praying that the pain in my back that was now slowly gathering at my kidney just like the day before, did not reach Level 10 before they got me to my room.
I was in bed with only minutes to spare before I had to ask for a shot of morphine for the pain. Two more days of misery were endured before I was discharged.
You do not want to go through such an experience. It doesn't help, either that I now must take five different medications daily at a cost of about $450 per month for the rest of my life.
While going between hospitals, I spoke to the attendants about the falling average age of heart attack victims. They confirmed that large numbers of people in their thirties and even some in their twenties are falling victim to coronary disease and heart attacks. Obesity is one contributing factor. Today's sedentary lifestyles that keep people glued to TV and or a PC instead of getting out and exercising is another.
Heed my advice. You don't need to make a wholesale change today. Take small steps. Reduce your fat intake. Take more frequent walks. Eat more fruit and veggies. If you think it'll put a crimp in your lifestyle, you might want to consider that a heart attack will put a much bigger crimp in it...if you're lucky.
I just realized that I left out one of the best parts of my ordeal. The morning I was to check out, for no apparent reason, my nose started bleeding. I may have blown it--not sure, but there certainly was no picking involved. Anyway, I used a few kleenex, tried the old plug up the nose trick, but to no avail. I finally call the nurse and she gives me more and more kleenex, and then a cloth with cold water, advised me to tilt my head back, etc. Still, it won't stop. They wheel me down to emerg, a doctor comes in and proceeds to shove some kind of thick wadding so deep inside my nasal cavity that it feels like it's half way down my throat. I've never been so uncomfortable in my life. I couldn't breath well, speak well, swallow well--it almost felt like I was choking. I didn't even bother to tell you how it hurt when he unexpectedly shoved it in in one fell swoop. I imagine it to be comparable to having a large penis shoved all at once into a virgin. Unfortunately, for me, I didn't get an orgasm out of the deal. Hell, I didn't get dinner or a movie.
I ask how long I must endure this misery and he thinks for a second and then says "Come back Monday". It was Friday. That was the longest long weekend I ever spent. It was driving me crazy. Imagine having a partial birth and then going home for three days before coming back to deliver the thing stuck between your legs.
Monday finally comes and I'm in the hospital waiting to have the demon exorcised from my face. How was I to know that the evil lodged in my head would hurt five times more exiting than it did entering? Yowsa! I guess the batting had secured itself in there to the blood and the walls of my nasal cavity and as the wicked snake was slowly pulled out, it did not want to let go. The relief I felt when it was finally out was similar to that spent feeling after a rigorous lovemaking session. But again, without the pleasure.
Monday, 27 April 2009
The horror...the horror
First, I want to apologize for sporadic postings. And further apologies for the lack of lighthearted material. There's not too much humour in serious medical problems. Well, maybe if you dislike the victim. And if that's the case, here, I'm glad to have provided a few grins.
A lot of people totally disregard the information about healthy living generally and heart health specifically. I was one of them--even if I was doing well in recent years. As boring as this subject may be, I beseech you to read on. I won't tell you how painful a heart attack is. There's nothing new there. What I want to explain is that the aftermath, at least in my case, was far, far worse than the symptoms that took me to the emergency room in the first place.
You may be tough enough to withstand a mild or medium heart attack standing on your head. In fact, I endured mine for a second day before heading to the hospital, as I wasn't sure the pain was heart related at first. But everything that comes after arriving at the hospital is enough to make a grown man cry.
So, I'm having chest pains that keep coming in waves, going from discomfort to fairly substantial pain. Soon after arriving at the hospital, they take my vitals (BP and ECG), and my BP was very high (186 over 120) but I guess the ECG did not show conclusive evidence of a coronary problem. That would explain why they made me wait three full hours before I saw a doctor. Another round of vitals and a blood test shows that my BP was now a ridiculous 205 over 141. If you're unfamiliar with the scale, normal readings are about 120 over 80.
I won't go into the ugly details of the hellish week that followed, but I do want to give you a small taste:
Every 8 hours they poked me to take blood, anywhere from 2 to 6 vials each time. Sometimes, it took as many as 3 tries to get a good insertion. 3 or 4 times they moved the IV lead to a different vein. For the first 2-3 days, I was on an IV drip. They maintained an IV lead until minutes before I was discharged "just in case".
I was on a heart monitor the entire time. For a couple of days, I had to pee into a urinal on my bed. The rest of the time I had to get disconnected before I could drag my tired ass to the bathroom.
Sleeping was almost impossible.
Constipation was yet another discomfort.
Honestly, on about the second day, I was ready to die and came close to signing myself out. Of course, a doctor heard of my request and came by to tell me that he has the power to hold me if he had reason to believe I would do harm to myself. I guess leaving the hospital without treatment for a heart attack is tantamount to doing yourself harm.
The food wasn't of great quality to begin with, but when my appetite returned, the coronary care unit menu was enough to starve you. Breakfast alternated between a single piece of whole wheat toast and a muffin.
Now, we're getting to the fun part. I was shaved in the groin area by a nurse. If that's not your idea of fun, maybe having a catheter stuck into an artery in your groin and pushed all the way up to your heart and spraying basically a poison dye so that they can take x-rays of your major heart arteries is. They give you some vile-tasting stuff that I feel is the worst tasting crud I have ever had the displeasure to swallow, that is supposed to protect your kidneys from the dye. The best part is yet to come.
You need to lay flat on your back without making the slightest movement, especially to the leg they used for the angiogram, for a full four hours. That would be difficult enough under the best conditions, but the pain in my lower back slowly increased and then went to my kidney. I asked the nurse for some pain reliever which she brought and I took, but the pain increased faster than the pills could take effect and about 2-3 minutes later, I literally whimpered that I couldn't stand the pain. She came and administered morphine into my IV drip. While there was a slight improvement almost immediately, the full pain did not subside until about 15 minutes later at which time, gratefully, precious sleep came.
I didn't mean for this post to be so long. I'll give a few more highlights probably tomorrow and then explain the reason for posting all this.
A lot of people totally disregard the information about healthy living generally and heart health specifically. I was one of them--even if I was doing well in recent years. As boring as this subject may be, I beseech you to read on. I won't tell you how painful a heart attack is. There's nothing new there. What I want to explain is that the aftermath, at least in my case, was far, far worse than the symptoms that took me to the emergency room in the first place.
You may be tough enough to withstand a mild or medium heart attack standing on your head. In fact, I endured mine for a second day before heading to the hospital, as I wasn't sure the pain was heart related at first. But everything that comes after arriving at the hospital is enough to make a grown man cry.
So, I'm having chest pains that keep coming in waves, going from discomfort to fairly substantial pain. Soon after arriving at the hospital, they take my vitals (BP and ECG), and my BP was very high (186 over 120) but I guess the ECG did not show conclusive evidence of a coronary problem. That would explain why they made me wait three full hours before I saw a doctor. Another round of vitals and a blood test shows that my BP was now a ridiculous 205 over 141. If you're unfamiliar with the scale, normal readings are about 120 over 80.
I won't go into the ugly details of the hellish week that followed, but I do want to give you a small taste:
Every 8 hours they poked me to take blood, anywhere from 2 to 6 vials each time. Sometimes, it took as many as 3 tries to get a good insertion. 3 or 4 times they moved the IV lead to a different vein. For the first 2-3 days, I was on an IV drip. They maintained an IV lead until minutes before I was discharged "just in case".
I was on a heart monitor the entire time. For a couple of days, I had to pee into a urinal on my bed. The rest of the time I had to get disconnected before I could drag my tired ass to the bathroom.
Sleeping was almost impossible.
Constipation was yet another discomfort.
Honestly, on about the second day, I was ready to die and came close to signing myself out. Of course, a doctor heard of my request and came by to tell me that he has the power to hold me if he had reason to believe I would do harm to myself. I guess leaving the hospital without treatment for a heart attack is tantamount to doing yourself harm.
The food wasn't of great quality to begin with, but when my appetite returned, the coronary care unit menu was enough to starve you. Breakfast alternated between a single piece of whole wheat toast and a muffin.
Now, we're getting to the fun part. I was shaved in the groin area by a nurse. If that's not your idea of fun, maybe having a catheter stuck into an artery in your groin and pushed all the way up to your heart and spraying basically a poison dye so that they can take x-rays of your major heart arteries is. They give you some vile-tasting stuff that I feel is the worst tasting crud I have ever had the displeasure to swallow, that is supposed to protect your kidneys from the dye. The best part is yet to come.
You need to lay flat on your back without making the slightest movement, especially to the leg they used for the angiogram, for a full four hours. That would be difficult enough under the best conditions, but the pain in my lower back slowly increased and then went to my kidney. I asked the nurse for some pain reliever which she brought and I took, but the pain increased faster than the pills could take effect and about 2-3 minutes later, I literally whimpered that I couldn't stand the pain. She came and administered morphine into my IV drip. While there was a slight improvement almost immediately, the full pain did not subside until about 15 minutes later at which time, gratefully, precious sleep came.
I didn't mean for this post to be so long. I'll give a few more highlights probably tomorrow and then explain the reason for posting all this.
Friday, 24 April 2009
How much?
How much would the following cost?
2 emergency room visits
30 blood pressure tests
20 blood extractions
60 blood tests
20 electro-cardio grams
2 angioplasty procedures--one stent implant
1 nasal packing procedure, subsequent removal
24/7 nursing care for 1 week
7 days and nights in hospital
1 nasal swab analysis
1 rectal swab analysis
10 consultations with various doctors, including cardiologists
30 pills of various sorts (one of which is $10 a pop)
transportation back and forth between two hospitals
3 visits with a psychiatrist
follow-up visit with family doctor
follow-up visit with cardiologist
I probably missed something, but the above is enough to make my point.
Answer:
It depends on where you live.
For the 75 million Americans who have little or no health insurance, the above costs associated with an "average" heart attack might run over $100,000. I have to estimate the cost because as a card-holding communist of Canada, the hospital did not present me with an invoice. My comrades paid a few cents apiece to cover the entire cost just as I have been doing through my taxes for anyone else who has been unfortunate enough to have experienced a heart attack. The thing is, I never missed whatever part of my taxes went to paying for other people's medical costs. I wouldn't want anyone to be saddled with costs like this. It's enough to give you a heart attack.
To my American friends: I hope you all have insurance and I wish you all good health.
By the way, my son (living in Dallas) told me this evening that Obama has levied a huge tax on tobacco. It was enough for my son to vow to quit smoking as soon as his current supply runs out. Yes, we can!
2 emergency room visits
30 blood pressure tests
20 blood extractions
60 blood tests
20 electro-cardio grams
2 angioplasty procedures--one stent implant
1 nasal packing procedure, subsequent removal
24/7 nursing care for 1 week
7 days and nights in hospital
1 nasal swab analysis
1 rectal swab analysis
10 consultations with various doctors, including cardiologists
30 pills of various sorts (one of which is $10 a pop)
transportation back and forth between two hospitals
3 visits with a psychiatrist
follow-up visit with family doctor
follow-up visit with cardiologist
I probably missed something, but the above is enough to make my point.
Answer:
It depends on where you live.
For the 75 million Americans who have little or no health insurance, the above costs associated with an "average" heart attack might run over $100,000. I have to estimate the cost because as a card-holding communist of Canada, the hospital did not present me with an invoice. My comrades paid a few cents apiece to cover the entire cost just as I have been doing through my taxes for anyone else who has been unfortunate enough to have experienced a heart attack. The thing is, I never missed whatever part of my taxes went to paying for other people's medical costs. I wouldn't want anyone to be saddled with costs like this. It's enough to give you a heart attack.
To my American friends: I hope you all have insurance and I wish you all good health.
By the way, my son (living in Dallas) told me this evening that Obama has levied a huge tax on tobacco. It was enough for my son to vow to quit smoking as soon as his current supply runs out. Yes, we can!
Thursday, 23 April 2009
Apologies
to all my reader.
I hope you understand and forgive my extended absence considering that it was a heart attack that kept me away. I arrived hjome just 30 minutes ago after driving myself to the hospital a week ago. I have a lot to catch up on in the coming days--getting meds, paying bills, seeing docs, etc., so I'm not sure how much time I'll have for writing here. But the blog will go on...whether you like it or not.
Good health to you all.
I hope you understand and forgive my extended absence considering that it was a heart attack that kept me away. I arrived hjome just 30 minutes ago after driving myself to the hospital a week ago. I have a lot to catch up on in the coming days--getting meds, paying bills, seeing docs, etc., so I'm not sure how much time I'll have for writing here. But the blog will go on...whether you like it or not.
Good health to you all.
Friday, 17 April 2009
Take this job and shove it!
This is not the time to make such a rash statement. You may not get another one for some time. So, for those of you lucky enough to still be employed, here are some helpful hints on how to hold onto your job. They are presented in a light-hearted manner, but they are sound advice, just the same. Unfortunately, you'll have to watch an ad first.
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Q & A's from around the web
Witch rrr the TOP 10 MOST USEFUL English words to use?
Can I get more chips and beer? Where is the bathroom?Editor's note: Uhh...forget it.
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
Customer service adventure
Thank you for visiting our Member Services Area.
A customer service representative will be with you soon.
Welcome to live help, my name's Bob, how may I help you?
Bob: Hello
Bob: how can I help you?
Vince: hi
Vince: I got an e-mail from TigerGaming about the account switch...
Vince: It said that as a former PokerInCanada member, I would be given a $15 bonus as soon as I made my first deposit...
Vince: It never came.
Bob: have you already made your deposit?
Vince: yes
Bob: May I have your sign in name and email address please?
Vince: I entered it before the chat started.
Bob: if you want me to assist you, I need your info
Bob: May I have your sign in name and email address please?
Vince: xxx
Vince: xxx@xxx
Bob: when did you make the deposit?
Vince: About 20 mins ago.
Bob: one moment please while I check your account
Vince: Why ask for the info twice? If you want to be snarky, you can say good-bye to the business that I've been giving you for years.
Bob: sir some people put in wrong information. we need to verify it.
Bob: do you still want me to assist you?
Vince: I should think so. You owe me some money.
You must make a lot of people angry.: You should get your chat software fixed. It seems to have switched my name with the last sentence I typed.
You must make a lot of people angry.: Here's a suggestion...
You must make a lot of people angry.: Check the original information the user enters and if it's wrong, ask again.
Bob: the money has been added to your account
You must make a lot of people angry.: Thank-you.
You must make a lot of people angry.: Have a nice day.
A customer service representative will be with you soon.
Welcome to live help, my name's Bob, how may I help you?
Bob: Hello
Bob: how can I help you?
Vince: hi
Vince: I got an e-mail from TigerGaming about the account switch...
Vince: It said that as a former PokerInCanada member, I would be given a $15 bonus as soon as I made my first deposit...
Vince: It never came.
Bob: have you already made your deposit?
Vince: yes
Bob: May I have your sign in name and email address please?
Vince: I entered it before the chat started.
Bob: if you want me to assist you, I need your info
Bob: May I have your sign in name and email address please?
Vince: xxx
Vince: xxx@xxx
Bob: when did you make the deposit?
Vince: About 20 mins ago.
Bob: one moment please while I check your account
Vince: Why ask for the info twice? If you want to be snarky, you can say good-bye to the business that I've been giving you for years.
Bob: sir some people put in wrong information. we need to verify it.
Bob: do you still want me to assist you?
Vince: I should think so. You owe me some money.
You must make a lot of people angry.: You should get your chat software fixed. It seems to have switched my name with the last sentence I typed.
You must make a lot of people angry.: Here's a suggestion...
You must make a lot of people angry.: Check the original information the user enters and if it's wrong, ask again.
Bob: the money has been added to your account
You must make a lot of people angry.: Thank-you.
You must make a lot of people angry.: Have a nice day.
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
There's something in the air
There must be toxicity building in the air above Canada. Canadians seem to have developed a tolerance for it since there have been no accounts of us acting strange or demented. I mean no more than usual. But clearly something is affecting visitors to this country causing them to act in bizarre ways.
How else can one explain last Wednesday's Britney Spears debacle in Vancouver where she walked off the stage without explanation fifteen minutes into her performance? Ten minutes after her unceremonious departure, it was announced that the excessive smoke in the venue was the reason cited for the booze-drinking, drug-taking, party-girl's exit. She didn't return for almost a half hour before continuing the show, but it later became clear that the highly toxic Canadian air was still affecting her mind. At the end of the show, the lovely Ms. Spears implored her audience to "Drive safe. Don't smoke weed! Rock out with your cocks out!"
On the same day, 2,000 miles away another visitor to Canada was even more severely affected by the mysterious "devil air" that has permeated the whole country. Billy Bob Thornton was doing a radio interview in Toronto for CBC. He became incensed that...what the hey, watch it and judge for yourself whether he was acting under the influence of some horrible unseen force.
One day after the interview, the band was playing a date at Toronto's Massey Hall and BBT was strangely compelled to make a reference to said interview, only to be jeered by the crowd. Days later, it was announced that BBT's band cancelled the remaining Canadian tour dates. I'll keep an eye out for any other odd behaviour by visitors to Canada and keep you apprised.
How else can one explain last Wednesday's Britney Spears debacle in Vancouver where she walked off the stage without explanation fifteen minutes into her performance? Ten minutes after her unceremonious departure, it was announced that the excessive smoke in the venue was the reason cited for the booze-drinking, drug-taking, party-girl's exit. She didn't return for almost a half hour before continuing the show, but it later became clear that the highly toxic Canadian air was still affecting her mind. At the end of the show, the lovely Ms. Spears implored her audience to "Drive safe. Don't smoke weed! Rock out with your cocks out!"
On the same day, 2,000 miles away another visitor to Canada was even more severely affected by the mysterious "devil air" that has permeated the whole country. Billy Bob Thornton was doing a radio interview in Toronto for CBC. He became incensed that...what the hey, watch it and judge for yourself whether he was acting under the influence of some horrible unseen force.
One day after the interview, the band was playing a date at Toronto's Massey Hall and BBT was strangely compelled to make a reference to said interview, only to be jeered by the crowd. Days later, it was announced that BBT's band cancelled the remaining Canadian tour dates. I'll keep an eye out for any other odd behaviour by visitors to Canada and keep you apprised.
Monday, 13 April 2009
Usury by any other name...
The Muslims are laughing at us. Not all Muslims--I'm sure some are just feeling vindicated. What amuses them so? The fact that we've gotten ourselves into this tremendous economic problem. Of course, it all stems from the credit markets. And I don't need to explain to you how large corporations have fallen while others are teetering and already millions of people have lost either or both their house and their job.
What has this to do with Muslims? In Islam, it is a sin to charge interest or pay interest. If you've ever wondered why so many Muslims live two or three families in a house, now you know. Unlike the rest of the world, they can't borrow the money they need to purchase a home. They have, however, come up with various ways to get themselves into expensive propositions like home ownership without using credit.
I'm writing about this because I just heard that some lending institutions are using predatory interest rates as a way of boosting their bottom line. What do I mean when I say "predatory"? Would you believe 30% per annum!?
Do I have any grasp at all on how big finance works? First, they gave money to people who didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of repaying them. Smart move. Then, when those people actually defaulted on their loans and mortgages, the banks almost stopped lending altogether. How did they expect to make money without lending? Now, we hear about exorbitant rates being charged. I'd like to know how many people who can actually afford to pay such high rates are willing to take on more debt considering their job is subject to being lost at any time?
I don't know why, but I keep getting surprised by the moves that the supposedly brightest minds, individually and as a group, keep screwing up the world royally. I should be used to it by now. From CEO's of auto companies to the titans of the financial sector, to presidents of powerful countries, we see ineptitude that dwarfs anything even that of an average person. But I digress...
Before "retiring", I had many friends and colleagues who were Muslim, and one in particular was a very good friend and was also one of the less "westernized" among them. On many aspects of Islam which we discussed at great lengths, I somewhat agreed, if not whole-heartedly, were good practises. The taking and paying of interest I hadn't been sure of, but given the mess that all the brainiacs in the credit markets have put the whole world in, there's now no doubt in my mind that it is a decidedly bad thing. The frenzy of unabated consumption driven by virtually unlimited credit has caused many ills to individuals, society and the environment long before the credit crunch occurred. The true brilliant minds have been warning about it's unsustainability for some time...and as usual, few were listening.
How I feel about bankers.
What has this to do with Muslims? In Islam, it is a sin to charge interest or pay interest. If you've ever wondered why so many Muslims live two or three families in a house, now you know. Unlike the rest of the world, they can't borrow the money they need to purchase a home. They have, however, come up with various ways to get themselves into expensive propositions like home ownership without using credit.
I'm writing about this because I just heard that some lending institutions are using predatory interest rates as a way of boosting their bottom line. What do I mean when I say "predatory"? Would you believe 30% per annum!?
Do I have any grasp at all on how big finance works? First, they gave money to people who didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of repaying them. Smart move. Then, when those people actually defaulted on their loans and mortgages, the banks almost stopped lending altogether. How did they expect to make money without lending? Now, we hear about exorbitant rates being charged. I'd like to know how many people who can actually afford to pay such high rates are willing to take on more debt considering their job is subject to being lost at any time?
I don't know why, but I keep getting surprised by the moves that the supposedly brightest minds, individually and as a group, keep screwing up the world royally. I should be used to it by now. From CEO's of auto companies to the titans of the financial sector, to presidents of powerful countries, we see ineptitude that dwarfs anything even that of an average person. But I digress...
Before "retiring", I had many friends and colleagues who were Muslim, and one in particular was a very good friend and was also one of the less "westernized" among them. On many aspects of Islam which we discussed at great lengths, I somewhat agreed, if not whole-heartedly, were good practises. The taking and paying of interest I hadn't been sure of, but given the mess that all the brainiacs in the credit markets have put the whole world in, there's now no doubt in my mind that it is a decidedly bad thing. The frenzy of unabated consumption driven by virtually unlimited credit has caused many ills to individuals, society and the environment long before the credit crunch occurred. The true brilliant minds have been warning about it's unsustainability for some time...and as usual, few were listening.
How I feel about bankers.
Sunday, 12 April 2009
Friday, 10 April 2009
Q & A's from around the web
If my girlfriend is talking a lot of sh** and being disrespectful, is it wrong if I pop her one in the mouth?
Editor's note: I'm sure the above question was meant in jest, but some of the (serious) answers are frightening.
Not at all. Women need to be put in their place from time to time. They try to act like they can do whatever they want at times. A good punch in face with make her respect you, and also be more horny for you.
Why dont you say "honey please be respectful". That should work.
Only rappers can do that. You'll have to re-phrase your question in a rhyming format where every other word has to be censored.
um yes if someone is being mean,disrespectful u cant just pop them what u should do is dump her and go out with sum one who can respect u...like me.
Editor's note: Fascinating. The above girl wants to get involved with someone who would consider punching her in the mouth if he gets annoyed. The following guys are actually giving the would-be abuser tips.
I'd advise you to do like the cops and put a phonebook to her face before beating her to avoid leaving marks.
maybe just once... they won't put you away for life for somethin like that. but on a serious tip, don't. espscially if she's ghetto because she might just show you a thing or two
Editor's note: I'm sure the above question was meant in jest, but some of the (serious) answers are frightening.
Not at all. Women need to be put in their place from time to time. They try to act like they can do whatever they want at times. A good punch in face with make her respect you, and also be more horny for you.
Why dont you say "honey please be respectful". That should work.
Only rappers can do that. You'll have to re-phrase your question in a rhyming format where every other word has to be censored.
um yes if someone is being mean,disrespectful u cant just pop them what u should do is dump her and go out with sum one who can respect u...like me.
Editor's note: Fascinating. The above girl wants to get involved with someone who would consider punching her in the mouth if he gets annoyed. The following guys are actually giving the would-be abuser tips.
I'd advise you to do like the cops and put a phonebook to her face before beating her to avoid leaving marks.
maybe just once... they won't put you away for life for somethin like that. but on a serious tip, don't. espscially if she's ghetto because she might just show you a thing or two
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Communication 101
The fight against obesity is alive and well. They're taking it to youngsters in school so that it can be controlled or prevented before it takes a firm grip on people. From an article in Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail:
I'm afraid I don't think that would work. I just don't see kids paying much attention to a seemingly meaningless number on a food item. I have a better idea. Why not indicate the relative calories in products using visual aids? I suggest something like the following scheme posted on packaging, menus or walls (click to enlarge):
Now, that's language students can easily understand and appreciate!
Schools and chain restaurants should be required to post caloric information beside menu items to arm consumers with the knowledge needed to make healthier choices as part of the growing battle against obesity, the Ontario Medical Association proposed yesterday.
The doctors' group wants school pupils to be able to see the number of calories in a slice of pizza, a basket of French fries or a ham-and-cheese sandwich listed beside the price of the item.
It's critical to educate young people about their bodies' energy requirements and the nutritional content of food, particularly as childhood obesity reaches epidemic proportions in Canada and many other developed nations, the OMA said.
I'm afraid I don't think that would work. I just don't see kids paying much attention to a seemingly meaningless number on a food item. I have a better idea. Why not indicate the relative calories in products using visual aids? I suggest something like the following scheme posted on packaging, menus or walls (click to enlarge):
Now, that's language students can easily understand and appreciate!
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
You may be already be a winner!
Okay, there's nothing to win here, but read on and you might save a few hundred bucks...
I switched to a new car insurance company a few years ago after my then current company raised my rate to a level that seemed to me unreasonable. I switched to CAA since I was a member (I believe it is the same as AAA in the U.S.), and got an unbelievably lower rate. If memory serves, it was in the order of $450 per year less.
It's up for renewal next month and although the new rate isn't unreasonable, I was thinking of maybe checking out Grey Power whose ads (in this area) can be seen everywhere. It is for safe drivers over 50 and promises savings of $300 or more. I mentioned this to my daughter as we were driving one day and she told me about (How about that--a "Grey Power" commercial has just come on TV at this very moment.) a website that will do the insurance comparison shopping for you.
As soon as I got home, I went to the Kanetix website, entered my information in about two minutes and immediately got quotes from about seven insurance companies. There was only one quote that was lower than the one from CAA, and get this--they provided one from CAA, also, and it was right on to the dollar as the one on my renewal form. The sole lower quote was only about $13 less--not enough for me to go to the trouble of changing. Just so you know, the Grey Power quote was exactly $299 more than what my insurance company is asking.
There are two sister websites--one for Canada and one for the United States. You just enter your Zip/Postal code and off you go.
I switched to a new car insurance company a few years ago after my then current company raised my rate to a level that seemed to me unreasonable. I switched to CAA since I was a member (I believe it is the same as AAA in the U.S.), and got an unbelievably lower rate. If memory serves, it was in the order of $450 per year less.
It's up for renewal next month and although the new rate isn't unreasonable, I was thinking of maybe checking out Grey Power whose ads (in this area) can be seen everywhere. It is for safe drivers over 50 and promises savings of $300 or more. I mentioned this to my daughter as we were driving one day and she told me about (How about that--a "Grey Power" commercial has just come on TV at this very moment.) a website that will do the insurance comparison shopping for you.
As soon as I got home, I went to the Kanetix website, entered my information in about two minutes and immediately got quotes from about seven insurance companies. There was only one quote that was lower than the one from CAA, and get this--they provided one from CAA, also, and it was right on to the dollar as the one on my renewal form. The sole lower quote was only about $13 less--not enough for me to go to the trouble of changing. Just so you know, the Grey Power quote was exactly $299 more than what my insurance company is asking.
There are two sister websites--one for Canada and one for the United States. You just enter your Zip/Postal code and off you go.
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"The son, who also works as a political consultant, said he's lucky to be living in the house rent free."
Got to be a Democrat.
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"threw a plate of food across the kitchen table and made a fist at him when told to clean his room."
Hmmm... gets angry when confronted with the mess he's made - MUST be a Republican.
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"He also promises to keep his room clean."
Must be Green Party.