Celebrating the Absurd

A Realization...

2011-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Ah, well. You know how it is. The absurdities of life have sort of taken over...start paying attention to them, and they pile up either in numbers too many to fully synthesize or too many to even fathom.

But really? I'm not the writer, the artist, the actor on the world stage -- I'm audience. I prefer taking photos to being in them, directing actors to being on-stage, and commenting on others' online contributions rather than attempting to produce interesting content myself.

So, I will keep this blog open, 'cause who knows when I'll want to come back to it...but I'm pretty much migrating my commentary on life's absurdities to Google+. Come find me there!

Cheers,

Lori

Me and Work

2011-03-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

I have two main worries in life...one, that if I were to find myself hanging from a cliff or window ledge, dependent on my arm strength, I would be a goner. The other is that come the post-Apocalyptic world, I would be as useful as, well, tits on a bull.

I've had the second concern for awhile...since my 20s actually. Listening to the Indigo Girls...

...where the chorus "I've got to get out of bed and get a hammer and nail, learn how to use my hands" would make me feel so...uselessly intellectual.

To this day, I have that feeling. Oh, I can use a hammer...I just never do. If the world fell into chaos tomorrow, I would be useful in helping to organize people, or preparing curriculum for others to teach survival skills...but of no practical use myself. I'd probably be the first one eaten.

All of these thoughts are coming up now because I picked up a copy of the Spring 2011 Lampham's Quarterly, the topic of this month is Lines of Work.

Here's a quote from Robert Burton (Britain, late 1500s):

"A young man is like a fair new house: the carpenter leaves it well-built, in good repair, of solid stuff, but a bad tenant lets it rain in, and for want of reparation, fall into decay, etc. Our parents, tutors, friends, spare no cost to bring us up in our youth in all manner of virtuous education, but when we are left to ourselves, idleness as a tempest drives all virtuous motions out of our minds, on a sudden, by sloth and such bad ways, we come to nought."

[I blogged the last LQ, on Celebrity, which was a very timely edition., if you're interested.]

So, do you have any thoughts on work? And the apocalypse, if you want to go there....

Lori

Fame and Celebrity

2011-03-02T21:07:00.000-08:00

Ah, the absurdity that is Charlie Sheen's amusing public breakdown...

My good friend Raincoaster linked to me on this video, I will link back to her...'cause while I might have had it cross my sphere first, she posted it first:

I don't know about you, but I've often thought about how little I ever wanted to be famous. Sure, you'd probably be rich, but you'd have to work to preserve your privacy...or let it all hang out, damn the torpedoes! Your public drunkenness, arrests, serial marriages, serial adoptions, drug problems, lust issues, cellulite or just plain bad taste -- all exposed for the world to pick over.

Or worse, you start believing your own hype, what your publicist wants the public to believe, what your sycophants want you to believe...and the last person who has the balls to tell you you're an ass drifts away, lost in the cacophony of adulation -- and you turn your ranting, couch-jumping lunatic self loose on the world.

I just finished reading the Winter 2011 Lapham's Quarterly on the theme of Celebrity...just days before Sheen's spectacular nuttiness. It was a disturbing delight to be inundated with heartfelt opinions, many of them first hand, on all the various permutations of what celebrity can mean, through time.

I still wouldn't choose it.

Lori

Fun-with-Reviewing

2011-02-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

I've enjoyed writing reviews, mostly for books (some of which are on my book blog), and I can say that the old adage is true:

It is easier to write a pan than a rave.

Gads, it's hard to find creative ways to say something shines...is wonderful...is transcendent. [Insert cliche here]

But ah...nothing equals a good, bad review!

Just stumbled on a great one, for the animated oeuvre that is Gnomeo and Juliet. Here is a delightful snippet:

The worst sin comes at the top of the second act with the introduction of a madcap flamingo character. In the midst of a loud, desultory story the last thing we need is an extra dose of wacky, changing an annoying movie into something almost impossible to stomach.

Wow. Harsh.

Gotta love it!

Lori

Mis-heard

2011-01-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

Last night I was treated to some impromptu haiku...a result of me mis-pronouncing or them mis-hearing my comment on "maudlin' poetry" -- I'm assuming it was the latter.

"Modeling poetry?!?"

Walking down the runway,
wearing nothing but fur --
shouldn't I be warmer?

Four inch heels
one month's salary --
no wonder I don't eat.

What can you come up with?

Lori

Batman and Bugs Bunny

2010-12-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

What do these two literary (?) heros have in common?

Besides the Bs in their names...

Access. To stuff.

Batman has that great utility belt of his. Without it, he's really just be a guy in a stiff suit.

And Bugs Bunny has...well...his, uh, fur 'pockets'. From which he can pull anything he needs...usually carrots. Here's one of my favourites, where Bugs just happened to have an Acme glass cutter in his 'pocket.'

Check it out.

Merry Christmas,

Lori

Learn a concept...see it everywhere

2010-11-11T10:31:00.000-08:00

The other day I happened upon an interesting new word: "skeuomorph"

A skeuomorph, pronounced /ˈskjuːəmɔrf/ SKEW-ə-morf, or skeuomorphism (Greek: skeuos—vessel or tool, morphe—shape)^[1] is a derivative object which retains ornamental design cues to a structure that was necessary in the original.^[2] Skeuomorphs may be deliberately employed to make the new look comfortably old and familiar,^[3] such as copper cladding on zinc pennies or computer printed postage with circular town name and cancellation lines.

Now I see skeuomorphs everywhere! But my new cheesy over the-top favourite was found in a flyer today...this disturbing bit of retro-80s paraphernalia:

(from Innovative Technologies) The whole thing is a mass of skeuomorphic over-design. Although, I must admit, the iWhatever that's inserted into the 'tape' deck looks lovely and spacey.

Lori

Layers of Stupid?

2010-09-14T20:48:00.000-07:00

My Grade 5 teacher told my mom, "Lori does not suffer fools lightly." I've tried since then to mitigate that, and have attempted to be open to the less-than-fully-bright in my life.

I'm not that patient.

Got talking to a friend online tonight...she and her kids were watching WipeOut. Oh my.

But I got thinking about a show I used to actually almost enjoy -- partly because I saw it as an amusing observation of the different layers of stupidity.

"What show?" I hear you ask. Ah, well, Street Smarts is the show. Did you never watch it while it was on?

Here's part 1 of an episode for you:

Now, right away, you see the premise: studio audience and contestants (from the studio audience) make fun of the stupid people on the street that the host has interviewed. Will these dumb people know the answers to the incredibly simple questions asked to them?

Ah, but wait.
This episode features Ben the Bronx stud, Molly the future newscaster and Ben the construction worker. These people interviewed on the street know the show, and are thrilled to be on it! Huh? Don't you guys know that everyone is laughing at you?!

But wait...they get some answers right. So they're not utterly hopeless. The contestants, Calysta and Yaron, think they're the shit, 'cause they're the contestants, not the putzes on the street.

But wait...they can 'dunce' each other. That's when one of them challenges the other to answer the question themselves first. Watch Yaron when he 'dunces' Calysta -- he really doesn't know the answer!

So who's really stupid? Who's smart? Those of us watching, laughing knowingly and feeling superior at the absurdity that is this public display of moron-hood? Those in the studio audience, enjoying the excitement and laughing? The person who won the round? The people on the street who got their 15 minutes of fame?

Probably I'm the dumbest, as I've just spent 40 minutes of my life blogging about this.

Enjoy Part 2 (actually, the 'duncing' is in this part):

Do watch the show...I think the host is a hoot!

Lori

Thrift or Desperation?

2010-08-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Awhile back, about a year after I met my husband, I found myself wandering downtown Vancouver and (god forbid!) thinking like him...

"Vancouver does not truly have a poverty problem until the pigeons start disappearing," I thought to myself, staring at a park full of the things.

But then this came to my attention, the most wonderfully random bit of weather news that Canada has ever produced:

First she is a normal person, having a conversation, but then she...

...and no one comments?

Welcome to Canada.

Lori

The Vegas version of 'Free'

2010-03-07T10:26:00.000-08:00

I've traveled all over the world, but have never been to Las Vegas...until now.

It's simple. I do not like traveling to locations (1) with lots of tourists, nor (2) where everyone else goes. Las Vegas was on my 'no go' list for both those obvious reasons. People in my life who I'd believed had never been out of the province were saying to me, "Oh Vegas? I love Vegas! Check out the free show at TI!" [C'mon! We all have our own pretensions.]

One word I noticed a lot of was 'Free'. Sites give tips on the free stuff to do in Vegas...and at first blush, things are free. Free drinks at slot machines. Free shows. Free slot play at casinos. Shall we deconstruct?

Sit at a slot machine and pump money in, esp. when the cocktail waitress walks by, and she'll bring you a drink. Tip her, and she'll be faster next time. Hmm...that sounds like you're paying for something. I prefer the honesty of $1 beer at the Sahara bar.
Enjoy the free shows in the casinos, and all you have to pay for is drinks. We saw Dian Diaz and her hot 7-piece band play at the Fontana Bar in the Bellagio. A $14 cocktail later, we enjoyed a great band. They need the high price drinks to pay for 8 professional musicians. It was a great cocktail...
Sign up for the players' club at any casino and you get some form of free slot play deal. The worst is at Hooters -- you get to run $100 through ten $10 spins at dedicated never-win slots. Plus the staff are rude. The best were the ones where you get your card and can play the free cash on any machine, once you'd bet some of your own.

Especially un-free was sitting. You want to rest your dogs? You gotta pay. Drink, eat, play slots...you sit, it costs. I saw a couple of benches here and there, and the Bellagio has the only lobby with seating that I remember, but otherwise, nothing.

But some of the so-called free stuff was amusing. For example, we joyfully sucked in to a 2 or 3-hour presentation & hard sell for a time share to get $125...which extended our eating out budget quite nicely.

Besides the no-place-to-sit problem, and the constant temptation to drink, some activities were fun and free:

Ah. Fremont Street. I truly did not know about the fabulous hourly shows. My man set me up for that. Thank you, honey. The lions at the MGM.

The shows at Circus Circus. Everyone once in awhile, it's good to see a clown. Especially one that isn't too creepy. [On a side note, we stayed at Circus Circus because it had great room deals. And I spent time in a carnival, not to mention I appreciate the absurd, so it seemed well-suited. No cable TV in the rooms...only 3 regular English stations, 3 Spanish stations, and Clown TV -- a bunch of clowns running around Circus Circus doing stuff...weird and, uh, not-wonderful!]

Yes, then the usual. The Bellagio fountain:By the time we caught the Deuce that night, we'd seen the fountain run 5 or 6 times. Not sure why the bus was late, but it arrived with some poor girl puking out the door. [I say 'poor girl' not because I have any sympathy for someone who drinks to that point, but because her 'friend' was filming the whole thing.]

The Mirage volcano:

I think the best free stuff was the people watching. The random brides doing the things we were all doing, like signing up for a players' club (here at Binion's, to get her picture taken with the $1,000,000):
And the best moment, was finding this lovely cowfish swimming gleefully around a big aquarium at Caesar's Palace:Please share with me your favourite things to do in Vegas. I'm sure I'll be going back to that 24-hour amusement park someday in the not-too-distant-future, because it isn't really travel, it's just joining the party!

Lori

Another great yarn...

2010-02-28T08:51:00.001-08:00

Awhile back, I posted about the fabulous tale that I was regaled when I asked my question "What's your story?"

Today, I wandered over to Sixteen Tons which I do periodically to see what's new in her world, and was floored with the story that greeted me, entitled Reptile Love. As anyone who reads my blog knows, I revel in the absurd and unexpected. This yarn is well-told, includes a bit of political intrigue, flirtation and...well, just see for yourself:

"I began to get a little nervous. The guy was mercurial enough already and he didn’t need some Parks functionary irresponsibly inflaming him with the spectacle of turtle hard-ons. The acquaintance sounded like it was prospering in a strange way..."

Nicely written, sledpress. Thank you for this.

Does anyone else have any great stories out there? Tell on!

Lori

Suicide - an absurd death of potential

2010-02-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

Today is a sad day for my sister's family... a long-time friend is being buried today. He was my nephew's first camp counselor, was close to all three of my nephews, and had been involved with their church community for years. He took his life last week -- he was 26.

A month or so before, the brother of my other nephew's girlfriend also committed suicide. This nephew is 15 and is now having to deal with two unexplained deaths in almost the same number of months.

The worst pain for those left behind must be "Why didn't I see?" The 15-year-old above is, his mother tells me, obsessively reading the texts he received from the young man hours before he took his life. This makes my heart break...how will my nephew(s) recover from this?

I'm sure they will.

Or will they? I think part of the problem is that we, the people around a potential suicide, don't believe it can happen in our worlds. Suicide is so distant from our own thoughts, how can it be present in someone close to us?

At work, we have a philosophy: "Err on the side of the client." Or in the case of suicide, if you think someone might be considering it, better to assume the potential is real than to assume it couldn't possibly happen.

Dealing with their own loss, our beloved Chekov, Walter Koenig, and his wife send out a similar appeal to those with depression or depressed family members (via Raincoaster):

Thank you for sharing.

And if you've landed here after searching 'suicide'...please listen to one more person say "Seriously, it will get better."

Lori

Little Known Facts about Canada

2010-01-02T11:08:00.000-08:00

When I taught ESL, if we got on the topic of the geography of Canada, I used to love telling them my favourite bit of info: that France is one of our closest neighbours.

Voilà! Saint-Pierre and Miquelon:

I've never been there. Have any of my Canadian readers? (Went to the official website, and it seems they require a passport to visit.)

So, last month, I was at a Rita MacNeil concert with my mom and her friend, a very funny sweet man with strawberry blond hair...born in an Icelandic enclave in Canada. Who knew that a New Iceland Colony existed on the shores of Lake Winnipeg? I didn't, and I thought I knew quite a bit about my country.

Has anyone else been surprised by this kind of tidbit? Tell me about it!

Lori

Where the line?

2009-10-13T08:48:00.000-07:00

Have I created a busy life for myself, or am I engendering chaos?

My day-to-day work is stressful and full...and I often spend the day on the computer, wrenching my brain around concepts, rationales, and budgets.

In my private life

I bowl on Wednesdays. **Update 2** I'm dedicated to finding us a sponsor for t-shirts this year!
I chair a Board of Directors of the best event in town, the Okanagan International Children's Festival.
I'm a member of the Board of the networking organization Penticton Women in Business.
I'm going to be directing a short, one-act play for performance the first week of December.
I'm helping to organize a local congregation's annual Walk to Bethlehem (a 3-day re-imagining of life in the Ancient Near East, complete with children's pageants and anachronisms).
I periodically write book reviews.
I (try to) have a social life.
I'm presenting at BookCamp Vancouver on Friday.
Oh, and I'm married, and trying to have a relationship that's more than coffee in the morning.

Where can I draw the line? What do I prioritize?

Then there are the things that I want to find time to do:

Work on my book idea with my buddy who lives in Korea.
Start work on a MBA.
Catalogue my movies.
Spend more time studying French.
Blog more often.
**Updated** Organize my photos, make albums even.
**Updated** Learn to use Photoshop.
**Update 2** I want to get a conversation salon started in town.

It has been an amazing Thanksgiving weekend, where my absolutely perfect turkey was consumed by a small group of close friends. I am grateful for the activities in my life, but I do wonder if I should pare them down.

I would welcome your thoughts and suggestions.

Lori

Cheating or Convenience?

2009-08-18T20:50:00.000-07:00

Through the wonders of a Flickr-friend's holiday pictures, I've had an Aha! moment.

I must admit, this picture did not surprise me, instead it made me think: "Of course!!"

Of course there are professional teepee-makers. Why wouldn't there be?

My meeting-addled brain can't think of any parallels in other cultures at the moment...Please help below in the comments!

Lori

Random Questions

2009-08-08T12:55:00.000-07:00

...arising from a roadtrip.

In this day'n'age, with the Internet always so there, able to be referenced at a moment's notice, you feel its absence when on the road, in a car. (No, I don't have an iPhone/Blackberry/what-have-you to do this on the road...plus we were traveling in areas without service!)

On our last road trip (this last weekend actually, the pictures are here), Metro and I had a number of questions/speculations. This time, we wrote them down. And now, I'm going to share them with you, because perhaps you'll enjoy them too.

Some were generated purely from the geography:

Anarchist Mountain in BC's Boundary Country...were there really anarchists there? What's the story?
Boundary Creek Provincial Park in Greenwood. Check it out. Looks nice.
Why is the town of Salmo called Salmo? Was there a Mr. Salmo? What did he do?

Some were generated from roadside observations:

No Tresspassing signs -- does putting one up an prerequisite for being able to actually shoo people from your land? If you don't have one up, can you still oust people you don't want?
Roadside crosses -- there was an anthropological study done on these (at least one). Look it up. What a weird phenomenon. When/Where did the practice start?
Fudge as a tourist attraction -- This one has always bothered me. Hell's Gate for years had nothing to do once you got over to the other side other than to buy and eat fudge. Is this just a Canadian tourist stop/trap phenomenon, or do other countries subject their tourists to it as well?

Others just arose from the depth of (mostly) Metro's brain:

Are there such things as grasshopper breeders?
What is the difference between an alpaca and a llama?
What is the story behind the zuccamelon again?

More questions came up, but not when we had paper and pen available. C'est la vie!

We've not gotten around to looking any of these up, so feel free to offer up any resources. Or regale us with your own questions that niggle...

Lori

"Horseshoe Crabs Pile Up For Night Of Whoopee"

2009-07-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

Well done, NPR! That's an enticing headline....

All Things Considered has this story today:

On the Delaware Bay shore, there's a swinging party that's been taking place for millions of years.

Those female crabs have this one night a year to, well, be mounted by up to 13 males:

If you're a female horseshoe crab, then it's your night. You'll swim to shore, meet a special someone and he'll clasp onto the back of your shell. You and he will crawl onto the beach together, where you'll spawn at high tide under the light of the full moon.
But the mate attached to your shell is not your only tryst. On this night, you will mate with up to 13 males, all at the same time. Thousands of horseshoe crabs will pile on top of one another, glistening shells covering the beach for miles.

Wow. The mind boggles.

Lori

Where, oh where, has credibility gone?!?

2009-06-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

I apologize off the bat for the extraneous punctuation in the above sentence, but I'm trying to express my absolute disillusionment with...how shall I put this?

I'm disillusioned with the people in my workplace whose role it is to guide me...the people who are paid the big bucks to know more than I do. Do I covet their jobs? Good question. Up until today, not really. Oh, down the road maybe, but I'm happy with my responsibility load.

After today, I know I'll be applying to join their ranks the first chance I get.

"But," I hear you ask, "What happened today that changed your mind?"

One word, a neologism of this new Internet age actually, tucked glaringly in a sentence of official government guidance for me to refer to in my day-to-day work: "According to Wikipedia..."

Wikipedia!?!

Since when does a person who is paid to be a credible source of government policy guidance turn to Wikipedia for a definition of a word?

This is wrong in so many ways, I don't know where to begin...except to want to shout "Buy a dictionary!"

In frustration,

Lori

Cancer + Gambling = Feel Good Story

2009-06-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, this does not happen every day:

A Buckinghamshire man diagnosed with terminal cancer is to collect a second winning payout of £5,000 after betting he would stay alive. (BBC News)

I don't really approve of gambling...and I sure as shootin' don't believe in cancer, but the two combined can make a great story.

As the spokesperson from the betting agents points out: "Never in 30 years in the business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client £10,000."

Jon, I hope you make it to next year, and your £100,000 payout.

Lori

Ah, the movies...

2009-03-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

I follow a really great online comic strip, Multiplex -- about a group of people who work at a, you guessed it, Multiplex theatre. It's part geek tribute to great films, part on-going 20-something soap opera...usually amusing.

Today's strip just made me laugh aloud. Back story -- the characters always dress up as the characters of newly-opened, big films, like Watchmen.

(Click on the image to see it better.)

I love the look on the long-suffering supervisor's face. Take a look at the previous strip to understand just why he's so long-suffering this week.

And if you haven't seen Watchmen, go watch it. Yes, the book is better, as it always is, but the director was slavishly devoted to the look, the tone and the feel of the source material.

Ask me nice, I may lend you the graphic novel.

Lori

Book Mayhem

2009-03-01T07:37:00.000-08:00

I'm torn...I'm appalled to see this happen to books, but also envious, wishing I could stop by for a rummage:

Thousands in scramble for free books after Amazon supplier abandons warehouse

The warehouse, whose lease recently ran out, once contained as many as five million books destined to be sold online.

After the lease expired, he firm running the secondhand book business moved out, leaving it full of books.
Managers of the industrial estate invited people to help themselves so they can free up space at the site.

Do I wish I could be involved in this feeding frenzy? Of course. Would I still be appalled at the cavalier treatment of the books if I were there? Probably not. I'd be hunting for my own treasures.

Ah well. It's too bad I can't join the madness, but I'm sure my husband is pleased!

Lori

Social Media Cat

2009-02-20T07:19:00.000-08:00

more animals

This is how I feel sometimes when I'm on Twitter or Facebook.

That's when I know I need to go for a walk.

Lori

Periodic Table of Geek Awesomeness

2009-01-31T18:15:00.000-08:00

From Geekologie -- the Periodic Table of Awesoments (as seen by geeks, of which I do claim some allegiance):
(Click on the link above for the full-sized version...and enjoy!)

You'll note that pretty much everything that is great is on the table, with spaces of course for the elements that are yet to be (or be recognized!).

Yours in geekdom,

Lori

You Can Shave the Baby

2009-01-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

I wish I could un-see this:

(Source)

Sorry to do that to you.

Lori

Zombies in Austen?

2009-01-25T21:56:00.001-08:00

I can't tell if this is a gag, or a real book....so it's here, instead of on my book blog...

From Chronicle Books, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies:

As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead.

Uh...Okay.

I feel gullible tonight. Maybe I should just go to bed. This will all make sense in the morning.

Right?

Lori

"I'm a Liver, not a Fighter"

2009-01-18T09:37:00.000-08:00

Found this absurdity over at Rain's other blog Teenie Manolo, in a post entitled Ovaries of Danger.

Follow the links, to find this adorable little guy:
What every little kid needs, a stuffed liver to play with.

Unfortunately, the Uterus is not so lucky:

The irony of course is that probably many women would love to have their uteruses (? uteri!) recalled...while others would love to have one to play with.

But kids? Who'd have thought internal organ plush dolls be a desirable toy?

Ah well. I've had deeper thoughts on a Sunday morning before, that's for sure!

Lori

Tempus fugit...or shreds?

2009-01-10T09:22:00.000-08:00

The Chrono-Shredder (discover via this blog) a very cool clock...if a bit of a fire hazard:

Designer Susan Hertrich describes her clock:

The Chrono-Shredder is a device that reminds us of the preciousness of our lifetime. It represents the passing of time by shredding the days of the year – printed on a paper roll – at a slow constant rate. To shred one day takes 24 hours. There is no "off"-button. As the seconds pass by, the tattered remains of the past pile up under the device…

Imagine waking up in the morning with an enormous pile of shreddies (as my hubby calls them) on the floor...would you, as the designer asks, start counting the finite hours of your day like calories?

Lori

A bit late, but the absurd is eternal

2009-01-03T11:08:00.001-08:00

A belated bit of Christmas cheer via microwaves:

Happy Christmas from AKQA

What inspires people to spend so much time on silly projects like this?

Lori

Linguistics -- Funny Stuff

2009-01-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

So many English gags depend on the difficulty speakers of other languages have with our language. Part of that is that so many people, from so many countries, study English -- so we have a lot of different accents to make fun of. (But trust me, English speakers are not alone -- every language is made a butt of some joke, somewhere.)

The fact that speakers of many Asian languages cannot wrap their lips around the English liquids /r/ and /l/ is probably the most demonized of any pronunciation problem. I did my BA in Linguistics and taught English as a Second Language for 12 years, 3 of those in Korea, so pronunciation is one of my interests.

Simply put, English /r/ and /l/ are two completely different phonemes -- two distinct sounds. In languages like Korean, what we hear as /r/ and /l/ are allophones of the same phoneme -- essentially the same sound, used in slightly different ways. To a Korean ear, 'pirate' and 'pilot' are the exact same word. Korean has its own complexities, and if more non-native speakers learned it, there would be (and probably are) loads of gags about how we pronounce their language. Hell, they have 3 completely different phonemes for where we would have the /p/ and /b/. [Fascinating stuff.]

All of that said, one of the funniest (and poignant) elements in the movie Team America: World Police (2004) is the characterization of Kim Jong Il of North Korea, especially his song, "I'm So Ronery":

I saw the movie for the first time this week, and had to watch it again last night 'cause it was haunting me a bit.

Imagine my surprise when this morning in my inb0x is a video of a Korean toddler singing "Hey Jude":

So cute, my teeth are melting.

Have a pun day! (Koreans also do not have the phonemes /f/ and /v/, they use sounds similar to our /p/ and /b/ instead.)

Lori

What will 2009 bring?

2009-01-01T12:19:00.000-08:00

For me, it's bringing a job shift in 4 weeks. Literally packing up my stuff, and shifting to a different work location -- 4 blocks away and a level of government down. Talk about mixed feelings.

But 2009 is also a year of intentions I have set for myself. Would you like to hear them?

I will be producing and directing a play. I've decided that I just have to create my own opportunities to direct in this town. (More on that later, as it unfolds.)

I am going to get more physically active -- just 'cause it is going to happen. Raincoaster is attempting to share her exercise video fetish with me, by giving me a wealth of DVD workout fromage: Cardio Burlesque, Tahitian Cardio, and Belly Dance with Veils, to name just a few. I also intend on getting into snowshoeing, and back into X-country skiing.

I'd like to go camping this summer. We totally missed out this last year, because Metro misunderstood "I don't like setting up in the dark and dining on lukewarm canned stew heated over a tiny burner, shivering" to mean "I don't want to camp ever" so he proceded to fill his weekends with plays, poker and sailing. What this intention really says is that I intend on filling as many weekends this year with activities my husband and I do together.

Speaking of activities I'd like to do more of...I want to do more roadtrips, preferably with the hubby. I found this fabulous article on How to Road Trip that includes invaluable rules such as "The driver controls the music" and "No bogarting the Twizzlers"! Reading this just makes me want to go!

Here's a piece of open road from one of our recent day trips:

So what are your intentions for 2009?

Share with us, we'd love to know!

Lori

Proper Citations

2008-12-26T21:26:00.000-08:00

Always important, especially on the Internet. (Or is it more, people should be just damn careful what they believe on the 'net!)

Found a good source of alternative source citing. Here's a sample:

Tattoos
When citing tattoos or other body art/text:
List the part of the body on which the tattoo was seen.
Name the person sporting the tattoo (if known).
Identify the location where tattoo was observed (if known).
List the date the tattoo was observed (if known).

Example: "This End Up." [Left Buttock, Unidentified Male Dancer; The Loading Zone Bar, Halsted Street; Chicago, Il: January, 31 1998?]

Have I ever told you the story of my one great regret?

I was drinking with the boyfriend-of-the-time in a bar and a couple of Australian sailors in Seoul, South Korea. One of the sailors, full biker beard and a prodigious ability to drink, started showing me his tatts.

Geishas on his shins...Some word on the inside of his lower lip....The usual stuff on the arms.

He then dropped trou and showed me the animals (?) on his butt cheeks.

And the tattoo on the head of his penis.

My regret?

To this day, I can't finish the story. I can't tell you what the image was, 'cause I was a little, uh, taken aback.

What goes through a guy's mind to get a tattoo there? Anyone got any insight?

Cheers,

Lori

Uh...Merry Christmas?!

2008-12-24T09:50:00.000-08:00

Found this delightful holiday fun over at the Sneeze.

That alone should warn you.

What? Don't know the Sneeze? He's a delightfully twisted, intermittent blogger with a long-suffering wife, a precocious child, and a younger Lil' Sneeze who, so far, is not quite demonstrating much of any father-inherited oddness. (Do not read his Steve, Don't Eat It! series while drinking coffee, as you will laugh it out your nose!)

Anyway, here's a holiday video from a friend of his, Tom:

Oh, Santa!

Lori

What's Your Story?

2008-12-22T10:30:00.000-08:00

I ask the question when I meet people...usually when I'm tired of the more normal "So, what do you do?"

Gads. I hate that question.

But, guilty as charged. I will ask it at networking functions, etc., mostly because I want to know. I would prefer to ask "So, where do you fit in the Space/Time Continuum?" but that nets me weird looks.

The time comes though, when I feel like daring someone to really tell me something interesting. So, I'll ask "What's your story?"

Most people just take it as a new way of answering the what-do-you-do question. They look a bit confused, then they tell me they work here, do that, what-have-you.

Not this guy. UncleWeed was introduced to me by Raincoaster at a DTES event. I had no connections at this thing, so I was not in networking mode. I wanted amusement, but wasn't expecting it here.

Until I asked UncleWeed the question. I suddenly, and for the first time since I started asking the question 10+ years ago, got a story. And for your enjoyment, you too can listen to the story on his latest podcast: the Taos Hi-Jacking Incident. (If you're feeling impatient, jump to around 8 min 30 sec for his reaction to my question, the story truly starts at around 15 min 30 sec.)

He understates how excited I was at the gift of the story...the unexpected, fantastic glory of being taken literally. Seriously though, doesn't everyone have at least one great story?? What's yours?

Happy Holidays,

Lori

Getting into the Season, finally.

2008-12-18T13:45:00.001-08:00

But I sure ain't doing this to my cats:

more animals

What on earth are people thinking?

Do anything like that to my female cat and you'd be pulling back a bleeding stump!

Anyhoo...back to the Season of Lights, of Carols, of Turkey, of Friends and of Family. No matter what it was, and what it has become, I'm realizing that to survive it, I need to embrace what it is for me.

And my hubby put up Christmas lights on the outside of the house yesterday, while I was at work. Sweet!

Enjoy the days you get off, the slower-than-normal time if you're at work, and resist the third helping of turkey. Remember, you'll be eating those leftovers for days!

Lori

Here's why I love the Blues:

2008-12-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis and Fats Domino on stage at the same time...3 pianos, and a crew of backup musicians probably wetting themselves in excitement:

Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis
Uploaded by Hanvak

I'd use up a magic wish to have been at this club with a beer in my hand....would anyone join me?

Lori

The Geek Test

2008-12-06T23:23:00.000-08:00

I'm 24.42998% a Geek -- a Total Geek according to the Geek Test.

And I'm probably scoring higher because I think this is cool enough to blog about.

Shoot me now.

In the meantime, have a listen to the Geek Wants Out by Ernie Cline.

Lori

Irreverent bastard, but great LOLcat therapy

2008-12-06T12:21:00.000-08:00

There I was, happily, blithely even, stumbling the Internet, when I paused on a blog post entitled:

Squirrels that try to be productive members of society can suck it

This surprised me, to say the least*. (*Interesting how that little phrase actually adds words to your sentence...)

I scrolled down a bit...

Platypus: the ultimate buzz kill

Mystified, I scrolled further:

Moose are the biggest dorks ever

I burst out laughing, scrolled back up to see what the hell I'd landed on...and discovered a blog that, yes, will receive a full 4 links from me in this one post:

Please visit Fuck you, Penguin, the blog where cute animals are told 'what's what'.

Lori

Enough already!!

2008-11-24T22:05:00.001-08:00

The most anticipated geek movie of all time...and its release date has been set back again! Over at his blog, author Ernie Cline updates us on the new date: February 6, 2009. It was supposed to open this weekend.

Darn.

Can I wait? Guess I'll have to.

Lori

Etymologist's View of the World

2008-11-22T18:47:00.000-08:00

The linguistic geek in me really likes these maps:

The map makers researched global place names to find their origins, and then translated them to English.

I've always wanted to visit Mango Leaves on the Isle of Happiness myself.

Lori

Christmas Shopping??

2008-11-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

Here's a catalogue for you all: The Original Illustrated Catalog of ACME Products.

Who on your shopping list could use some Earthquake Pills?

Not that the following cartoon has anything to do with ACME...it's just one of my favourite Bugs Bunny cartoons:

Enjoy!

Lori

Donkeys

2008-11-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

Do a Google search of the word "donkey" and some delightful stuff comes up:

The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada (who knew?)

Guidelines for Using Donkeys as Guard Animals with Sheep (provided by the Gov't of Ontario of all places)

Lately, I've been hearing the word a lot, as my man Metro is playing poker and is picking up the jargon. A donkey is a specific type of player: a bad one.

Today, a friend of a friend, visiting from out of town, started telling me a story out of the blue...about how, when she was a young girl, she saw the most amazing thing: Donkey Baseball. A fundraiser in her little town. All these years later, this memory has stayed with her, vividly.

I smiled to myself, went to my friend's computer and hit Youtube. Two seconds later I called her over to see this:

I love the Internet.

Lori

UK vs US: What's funny?

2008-11-07T17:57:00.000-08:00

I could research definitions of comedy and funny to write an essay on the topic...and still no one would agree with me.

As individuals, we all know what we like. Personally, I have a taste for the more complex British comedies. where funny stuff happens while life continues on, in all its wonderful complexities.

The Full Monty (1997) (warning: couldn't find the trailer, so the clip below is the sports-movie-style fabulous SPOILER ending -- go rent the movie if you haven't seen it, don't ruin it for yourself!!)

Kinky Boots (2005)

Death at a Funeral (2007)

Now, according to my favourite movie news source (I let Gordon McAlpin sift through the movie geek news for me! And I follow his great webcomic Multiplex), Hollywood is doing a re-make of Death at a Funeral!! (Did you see the date on that film? A year old.)

Me (and all sane movie geeks): "What?! Was it not funny enough for you? Or could you not understand the foreign accent?"

"Oh, no. None of that. We just want to make it Chris Rock funny. All movies are better when we Americanize 'em."

Gads.

Lori

Another Reason Canada is Cooler than the USA

2008-11-01T22:32:00.001-07:00

In Canada, we have no problems with this poster (and a 18A movie rating):

But in the States, it's an R rating, and the Immortal Mr. Smith had to settle for this poster:

The official site is right here...

(Pictures lifted off WorstPreviews.com, where you can also see trailers and clips.)

Kevin Smith, you're my hero. Don't stop making movies...well, unless you stop being funny.

Lori

Evil Cuteness

2008-10-30T18:46:00.000-07:00

more animals

Uh...

2008-10-23T17:44:00.000-07:00

I'm absurdly flummoxed.

[Insert glib comment here.]

(Source)

Iconic Films

2008-10-19T11:44:00.000-07:00

Ah, another movie post. Hope no one minds!

Over the long weekend, we had Metro's Mum and Dad visiting -- for the most part, a classic in-law visit: dinner out at the local delicious Greek restaurant, a day trip to see some wineries, huge turkey dinner...and Metro took his Dad out one night for a poker game, leaving Mum and me to our own devices.

We watched a movie -- her choice: Thelma and Louise (1991). She said she was tired of always pretending to have seen it, because it was so iconic.

Is that the definition of an iconic film? It works for me.

Last night, I saw another iconic film for the first time: The Warriors (1979) -- a film so ingrained in movie culture that I feel like I'd already seen it. (The 70s version of 300...)

Off the top of my head, I'd say the most iconic film of the current generation, if we use the definition above ("Oh, right! Yeah...that film!") is Mike Judge's Office Space (1999).

Here's some proof:

And if you've heard people talk about a "TPS report," wondered why red Swingline staplers are so freakin' popular now, or had someone ask you if you have a 'case of the Mondays', and you just don't get it, go out and watch this film:

So, what other iconic films are out there that we all need to see to fully function in today's society?

Browsing movies

2008-10-18T09:51:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy movies. And I have a confession to make, to those of you who don't know me, I'm a re-watcher. Yes, I delight in throwing a movie into the machine that I've seen a multitude of times, because I know how it will make me feel -- and I want that!

Come on -- there are more of you out there. What movies do you re-watch, and why? The comments are open!

Last night, I encouraged good ol' Metro to go play poker at a friend's place (He would like to point out that he broke even.). I knew I was in an escapist movie mood, and figured it would be easier to watch what I wanted without him! (Oh, he's patient and all, but understandably not that great with the re-watching thing...)

So I watched my new DVD copy of The Little Princess (1995), based on the book by Frances Burnett Hodges, one of my childhood favourites. Even though I hadn't seen this one in years, I was not surprised to see that it was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, who directed the most delightfully moody of the Harry Potty films (Prisoner of Azkaban). Everything in the film The Little Princess is essentially in two colours -- a dark green representing all that is dark and unpleasant, and sunny yellows and golds to represent all that is magical and good. It works beautifully.

And despite having seen the film a few times, I still sobbed like a baby. I love films!

Then, not having had enough, and having a purring cat, a fireplace, a little bowl of barbecued peanuts, and a beer, I threw in my VHS copy of the movie The Fifth Element (1997). I absolutely adore this film, and have watched my VHS copy to fuzzy-wavy-lines-of-VHS-death. The next time I see a DVD copy, I'll to pick it up (I've been resisting...but I want the extra features!).

Browsing IMDB this morning, I came across the most delightful bit of cross-movie pollination! I discovered that the wacky mugger in the Fifth Element...

...is the delightful romantic lead Nino from Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain (the actor Mathieu Kassovitz)

I love finding these connections!

Talk to me of movies!

Lori

Something I've wanted to know...

2008-09-28T08:24:00.000-07:00

I've got a lot of cousins, and some of them are 2nd cousins once-removed...or is that 1st cousins twice-removed?

I found a chart (here), and now my life is complete. :-)

So my mom's first cousin is my 1st cousin once removed, and her kids are my 2nd cousins.

I really do feel better knowing this!

Lori

Students Run Underground Junk Food Trade

2008-09-17T06:47:00.000-07:00

The local school board could take the credit if they wanted to -- "See, the students learned a valuable history lesson about how organized crime began in the United States, and learned entrepreneurial skills at the same time!"

(The full story here.)

Some high school students are making money by selling junk food out of lockers at their Burnaby school despite a provincial ban on junk food sales now in effect in all B.C. schools.

The three Grade 11 students — who asked to be identified only as Weeman, The Fern and Goggles — told CBC News they made more than $200 in the first week of school by bulk-buying candy and chocolate bars, then selling them at a profit.

And the beautiful part of the story is that the School Board isn't cracking down...they're a bit proud of them, I think.

Plus, there's an intimation that teachers are taking advantage of the opportunity as well!

The Piano

2008-09-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Watch more cool animation and creative cartoons at aniBoom

A lovely way to start the day...

Lori

The Reason I Could Never be a Photojournalist:

2008-09-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

more animals

Lori

Stationary and Wacky Fun -- 2 of my fave things!

2008-09-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

From the guys who brought you the Mentos-magic...

Fun with Post-its!

(Source)

Enjoy!

Lori

Destino -- Dali meets Disney

2008-09-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

More intellectually absurd than my normal head-slapping variety...but absolutely, almost painfully beautiful and brilliant is this trailer for a "Salvador Dali/Disney collaboration Destino that was begun in the 40's and only released recently":

Chef-d'oeuvre ! Walt Disney + Salvador Dali
Uploaded by LTT

The whole piece is about 7 minutes long, as the source points out:

Sublime !

Collaboration artistique unique entre deux géants !

Walt Disney commande un dessin animé à Salvador Dali dans les années 40 et décontenancé par le resultat jugé "trop original", le film initulé "Destino", petit bijou de 7 minutes, restera dans les placards de Disney jusqu'en 2003, date de sa sortie aux USA.

Lori

A Group of Individuals

2008-09-10T07:25:00.000-07:00

Last week, my man and I were in a hotel in Our Nation's Capital. Yes, thanks for asking, we had a good time. A bit stressful, with all of the visiting-family requirements, but fun. [Note to self: next year, do not combine family obligations with holiday.]

But when I stay in hotels, I watch TV. It's really the only time I watch TV, so suddenly I get to see the underbelly of our culture as something of an anthropologist...with fresh eyes.

This time around, I noticed that the cult of individuality, mutated into a revolting sameness that inspires every young woman to be a slut with a lower back tattoo just like everyone else's, and makes me confuse Christina Aguilera with Paris Hilton (Is it only me, or are they clones of each other?), has now spread to advertising, where what's cool goes to die.

A car commercial that has cars (and drivers, I assume) coming together for a rally: "It is that which makes us different that brings us together!" yells the speaker. The tag line? "United by Individuality"
A commercial for a cell phone company which entices potential new customers with "the only thing we have in common is how different we are."
A(ny) commercial for alcohol that has the whole bar drinking the same mixed drink (following the herd ain't just for beer any more!). My, aren't they having fun.

So, is that it then? Is the cultural love affair with individuality run its course? When it's the theme of 3 oft-repeated commercials shown during the broadcast of one re-run of CSI, could it be that Individuality as the Icon of Cool is dead?

Gads. What's coming up behind us, here in the mainstream? (Yes, RC, I hear you...You, of course, are not mainstream...)

I mean, really, if an idea, a cultural meme (in its original meaning) works its way through the initiators, then the early adoptors, then the rest of the world before becoming noticed by ad execs...then individuality is in its death throes.

Okay, so being an individual is not a short-lived trend, like some. From Jung helping people along the path of individuation, through to today's tattoos and piercings being the norm, this trend has had some real longevity. But I'm throwing these musings out to my clever readers -- What's next? If individuality is old hat, what can possibly follow it?

Lori

The Omnivore's 100

2008-08-22T18:27:00.000-07:00

Ripped shamelessly from casa az: yet another list...

So, you know the drill:

"Copy the following list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
Cross out any items that you would never consider eating."

I've had 75 out of the 100. I've noticed that a lot of interesting things aren't there -- like 100-year-old eggs, geoduck, live octopus, or bo-shin-tang (dog stew). I've not had live octopus, but I have had live sushi.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses (I'm going to assume yes, since I tried many stinky soft cheeses in Paris, yum!)
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn or Head Cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam Chowder in Soudough Bowl
33. Salted Lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac
37. Clotted Cream Tea
38. Vodka Jelly/Jell-O
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth $120 or more
46. Fugu (aka pufferfish) (didn't know it until I was done...best damn fish ever!)
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald's Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S'mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings [maybe not, now that I've looked them up!]
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost or brunost
75. Roadkill [depends on how old...]
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess fruit pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang Souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom Yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. 3 Michelin Star Tasting Menu
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose Harissa
94. Catfish
95. Mole Poblano
96. Bagel and Lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

How about you?

Lori

Game Night Fun

2008-08-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'll admit, I'm a game fan. I've clocked some hours in roleplaying games, Civilization...I played Civilization when it was, gasp, a board game!

I was terribly depressed after going into a gaming store in the late 90s, asking if they had any bookcase games...The young guy in the store looked bewildered. "Bookcase game? What's that?"

Ah well. I enjoyed the marathon gaming sessions as a 20-something, and now that I'm a mumble-mumble-something, I enjoy my evenings of drinking wine and playing games with friends.

Which brings me to the new game in my repertoire, ZapIt's GameWave.

Before we go any further, as I've mentioned before (here, here, here and here), I'm into the whole phenomenon of word-of-mouth marketing...I get samples of products, and chat about them -- with full disclosure of course.

Well, I received a GameWave unit through BzzAgent.com and to be completely honest, I'm thrilled with it! I like my games competitive, but without rancor, and that is exactly what we get with this unit.

I've had a couple of game evenings with friends so far, and they were definitely successful. Luckily, the most successful game so far is the one that comes free with the unit, "4 Degrees", a trivia game. What really works is that all of the games are played by everyone all at once, as everyone has a remote that works independently. It's a very neat concept, and all of the games are familiar ones, with mutations that take this everyone-at-the-same time idea to a new level.

Tips
If you do some looking around on the site (GameWave), and you're interested in purchasing one of these units, here are some things I've discovered:

The unit comes with 4 remotes, and most of the games can only accommodate 4 remotes. No need to upgrade with the extra 2 remotes until they have more games that can use them.
Other BzzAgents have had problems with the unit and its interaction with plasma TVs. But, they've also reported very good customer service -- so check before you buy, to see if it is (still) a problem.
The Bejeweled clone game, "Gemz" is cool, but definitely needs a larger TV if you want to play with opponents. I won't even bring it out when people come over...my TV is too small!
If you are interested, let me know, 'cause I can toss a coupon your way. Email me at loricat at gmail dot com.

Enough of the product-praise. I think my regular readers understand that I wouldn't give a good review of anything if it were shite...I've panned books and products in my time.

Back to your regularly scheduled absurdities...

Lori

Lazy "Artists"

2008-08-19T20:45:00.001-07:00

So, I was wandering in an adult toy store this evening...

Get your minds back here! I was in a Future Shop, not the other kind of toy store!

Anyway, I was browsing the cheap DVDs, and I came across this fabulous 1985 movie:

We all remember this one? I'm sure it was on everyone's Top 10 lists!

But Dennis Quaid's picture on this poster/cover made me stop short...

"Hell, he looks just like Miles Vorkosigan!!"

So, out there somewhere is an artist that got paid the big bucks at Baen books in 1995 for "creating" this very cool cover art.

Buddy, people have longer memories than that!

Lori

Can Pass Air

2008-08-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

Press releases abound today for the launch of Canada's new get-through-customs-easy-like program: CANPASS Air.

C'mon people! Did you not run this past a couple humans with even a mild sense of humour before the launch?!?

What's next for the border? CanPass Gas?

Make me proud!

Lori

Inflatable dog turd sculpture escapes Swiss museum, wreaks havoc

2008-08-12T17:53:00.001-07:00

Seriously, you can't make this stuff up!

For real and for true.

Found this via a friend on Facecrack...whose favourite headline when we were kids was "Hippo Crushes Circus Dwarf."

Lori

We Are What We Do

2008-07-31T19:32:00.000-07:00

I was pointed in the direction of a great site today: We Are What We Do. It is a simple way of reminding people that all of the little things that we can do every day will make the world a better place. (Here's my public action list if you're interested.)

The key thing here is the word 'better'. Far too many people find themselves paralyzed by the enormity of the task of making the world 'perfect'...lower your standards, and things actually get done!

And that is the lovely, simple premise of the book The Better World Handbook (already in its second edition!). I had the great honour of being involved in a wacky one-day festival in Vancouver a few years ago that was celebrating this book.

Now the word is getting around, and people are happily lowering their expectations to better the world.

What did you do today?

Lori

What defines Canada?

2008-07-24T08:37:00.001-07:00

According to an enormous poll of Canadians (conducted by Ipsos-Reid), the top five things that define Canada are:

Maple Leaf
Vimy Ridge
Canadian Flag
Queen Elizabeth
Hockey

And the list goes on to outline the 101 things that we thought encapsulated our fair country.

What do you think?

Lori

How the Music Turns

2008-07-19T08:10:00.000-07:00

Well, my Zune arrived. Cute little thing. And they sent along some extras -- the adaptor (to be able to charge it up when not near a computer) and ultra-snazzy headphones. I will play it with the headphones that com mit, to be able to comment on them.

Disclaimer: If you're just stopping by for the first time, you may want to read this post. It's some background of why I have this cute little Zune to play with.)

I am not having the problems that Raincoaster is having. She's trapped by technological issues, poor thing. The Zune needs at least Windows XP, with a minimum of Service Pack 2 installed. That second point took me a while to get myself.

So, besides it being cute, what are my first impressions?

I like the interface. Big, clear, intuitive. (Take a look at Cnet.com's review with video showing the interface.)

It annoyed me that I had to get all the updates for my Windows XP. Okay, yes, maybe I should have been on top of that, but still...

I was worried about the implications of the file sharing capabilities this thing supposedly has. You and your friend could be hanging out in a coffee shop, and using the wireless connection, you could throw a song at your friend: "Here, try this one!" Neat...and no, not stealing files. You can listen to a song received that way 3 times before it deletes itself (or something), but it will remind you to look that song up later (when hooked up to the Internet where you can buy it, of course.).

I also like that when you're playing one song, you can navigate all over the thing, browsing your songs, videos, podcasts...but it won't interrupt the song, until you hit play on something else.

More later.

Lori

Goodbye Oliver...I barely knew you!

2008-07-16T07:10:00.000-07:00

I just got an email today from Metro's sister...linking me to an article in the Toronto Star about the sudden death of Oliver Schroer -- Canadian composer and violinist.

I first experienced his music on an Easter Sunday CBC special called "Churchgoing" (no where near as religious as it sounded...included readings and a Monty Python sketch!). Metro and I were driving and suddenly this song came on:

Schroer had actually done the Camino de Santiago through France and Spain:

He had just released his CD, Camino, to critical and audience raves. Camino was recorded over two months in 2004 as he and two friends walked the Camino de Santiago, an ancient trail that wanders across France and Spain. Schroer stopped in churches along the way to play his violin.

(Hmm...the Camino is a pilgrimage, not merely a trail. Silly newspaper!)

The music recorded along the way, with rudimentary equipment that he and his friends carried for 1,000 kilometers, was soaring -- violin pieces played in old cathedrals along the way. It appealed to me also as an architecture buff, as you can almost hear the expanse of vaulted ceilings in this music. I immediately went out and bought the CD, and it is now one of my favourites, that I force friends to listen to all the time.

But in the end, succumbing to leukemia at 52, it will be his attitude that stands out:

His acceptance of his imminent death comes from how he has lived.
"As an artist, I found my own unique voice and have been able to publicly express that voice. I've gotten to collaborate with different wonderful musicians. What more does an artist want?
"I'm one of the burning-bright guys who fire it all up and then go down in flames."

May we all have this acceptance when our time comes.

Lori

LOL + Graphs + Geekdom

2008-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that I've not run into this before...LOLGraphs at GraphJam. I guess I was too wrapped up in the feline version...

So, thanks to the Nag for expanding my horizons.

Here's one for all you geeks out there:
Lori

How many can you name?

2008-07-03T17:38:00.000-07:00

So, how many countries can you name in 5 minutes?

I got 52 out of 195...27%

5 minutes passes fast when you're trying to type, and remember how to spell Uzbekistan.

How 'bout you? (No cheating now...tell us the results from your first try!)

Lori

The Saga Continues...

2008-07-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

The Search for the Perfect Digital Music Player takes a new step today...

Last week, Raincoaster posted "The Swag Report", and sent me an email pointing out how I should give this a shot: fill out a brief online survey at Matchstick.ca then wait to see if you fit their profile. If so, they'll send you a Zune mp3 player to try out. I guess I fit their profile...

Since I got the call today, so soon after Canada Day, I feel I should mention that this is a promotion for the Canadian launch, so only Canadians need apply (not USians).

"What's the catch?" I can hear my loyal readers saying...Ah yes, there's always a catch. The idea is that when I receive this thing, try it out, and (hopefully, on their part) like it, I will chat it up with friends and acquaintances. And, as I clarified with the man I spoke to today, if I have problems with it, that I give them honest feedback.

It's always a danger giving stuff to bloggers -- you've got to be mighty confident of your product, and ready to stand back and let them review or not review as they see fit, as the audience will always know a sell-out. But I have absolutely no problem being honest in my praise or criticism.

I've had quite a time in my quest for the perfect digital audio player...

I started off with a something-or-other provided by Audible.com when I signed up (about 3 years ago now?)
I bought Metro a Samsung Yepp, which at the time was pretty high-end. He still has it and uses it happily, even though it's got the memory for 1 album's worth of music. Long lasting thing. I don't know what their new products are like, but I'll link to the site -- his has lasted since the spring of '03!)
I then bought the ill-fated piece of junk, the Rio Forge (Here's Metro's blog post about our trials and tribulations with that one!)
Then we received a video iPod (no link, too much press for that damned company already!), which had awful battery life, so I returned it for store credit. I then did my research and came up with the Archos Gmini -- a thing of beauty, albeit a little bulky. That full story is on my blog, here and here.

So now, the quest continues. I'll keep you all posted as to what I find. And in the meantime, check out the survey, maybe you'll qualify as well. Then we can try out the wi-fi file sharing between units.

Lori

A bit of re-organization

2008-07-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

Well, I tried out Blogger's new Blog List, with updates...And Mad, I'm sorry, but it wouldn't accept your URL. I'm not sure why that is, but please don't take it as a slight! (Probably 'cause you're using neither Blogger nor Wordpress.).

So, I added another link list, "More Great Blogs". Plus I've updated my Fave Links with some nice, random stuff. I'll keep adding to it. Oh, and there's a slide show of my Flikr photos.

:-)

Lori

"If Men...."

2008-07-01T09:10:00.000-07:00

Remember the quote "if men bled, tampons would be free?" (variously attributed to Erica Jong, Jello Biafra (WTF?), among others...)

How 'bout a variation: If men wore bras, they'd come with little repair kits.

Yesterday, I picked up one of my bras and almost put it on...stopped, because I knew this one had a broken underwire. (Girls, we've all been there, haven't we?) I said, "Oh, I can't wear this one, it's broken."

Metro reaches out for it, saying "What's the warranty like on these things?"

You know, he may have something there.

Lori

Take a chance...

2008-06-26T20:18:00.000-07:00

...you just never know!

(Source)

Would anyone like to share a story of a time you took a chance?

Lori

Neutral Good

2008-06-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

Years ago, I was a devoted AD&D player. And I thought then, as I do now, that the character alignments were under-utilized. People would often just play their characters any which way they wanted, without caring about an overarching motivation. I once very carefully tried to play a truly neutral character, aiming for some chaos in there -- my character truly did things that I would never have done. The funnest character ever.

Anyway, found a great geek blog where the alignments are partnered with comic book characters. It's a lot of fun...

At least I think so!

Lori

I'd hire him...

2008-06-22T11:11:00.000-07:00

Talk about your transferable skills!

(Source)

Would you hire him?

Monsters bring me back...

2008-06-13T07:07:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the hiatus in blogging. I'd run into a couple of things I thought might be worth writing about, but nothing seemed...oh, I don't know, significant enough for a return.

Until this morning. I've visited Thailand, but obviously I never watched TV. This commercial found at BoingBoing Gadgets:

Great stuff!

Lori

You'll never guess what this is...

2008-05-04T19:08:00.000-07:00

...and if you can, I'll buy you a beer.

Once you've got your guess ready, click here to see the close up.

Cheers,

Lori

Brilliant Sports-woman-ship

2008-05-04T12:28:00.000-07:00

A feel-good story from NBC sports:

PORTLAND, Ore. - With two runners on base and a strike against her, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University uncorked her best swing and did something she had never done, in high school or college. Her first home run cleared the center-field fence.
But it appeared to be the shortest of dreams come true when she missed first base, started back to tag it and collapsed with a knee injury.
She crawled back to first but could do no more. The first-base coach said she would be called out if her teammates tried to help her. Or, the umpire said, a pinch runner could be called in, and the homer would count as a single.
Then, members of the Central Washington University softball team stunned spectators by carrying Tucholsky around the bases Saturday so the three-run homer would count — an act that contributed to their own elimination from the playoffs.

A beautiful story.

Why couldn't this type of story be the norm, instead of the ubiquitous murder, rape, killing, and war?

Lori

Advice for the mother-to-be...

2008-04-21T17:24:00.000-07:00

...as discussed with my co-workers today. One is officially 4 weeks from her due date, the other has two young kids under her belt (so to speak).

Advice #1
The correct response to all the unsolicited advice you will receive:

With a big smile: "Thank you for the advice!" (and do what you were planning to do anyway)

Advice #2
The correct response to yet-another-toy from grandma-to-be:

Said with complete honesty and enthusiasm: "What a great thing to have at grandma's house to play with!!"

You're welcome.

:-)

Lori

Teeth melting cuteness...

2008-04-21T14:35:00.000-07:00

see more crazy cat pics

Just can't resist the cuteness...

I promise, a real post soon!

An engineer with 3 cats

2008-04-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Here's Paul and his buddy TJ, messing around with cats, in true engineer fashion:

"Like most engineers, cats are willing to eat the same thing day after day after day..."

Enjoy,

Lori

Make your own...

2008-04-15T20:53:00.000-07:00

In case you feel the need to have a physical representation of Ceiling Cat watch you....

(Source)

Are you careful?

2008-04-13T15:58:00.000-07:00

(Source)

I'm not concerned so much about googling someone, I'm more concerned about people googling me. But I do believe that my Internet interactions are as transparent as can be...If I were to suddenly run for office and my Internet dealings were uncovered, I'd be okay. I do attempt to write with an awareness of my audience.

But I must say, I worry about some others. I have Facebook counterparts who write the most obnoxious details of their lives in their updates. I have a friend who tells me that, working in HR in a large company, he regularly googles the people whose resumes he gets -- and has found one guy telling friends on a board somewhere that he peed in the staffroom sink at one job, and another one who bragged about stealing from a former company. I wonder how far they got in the interview?

Is your Internet face the same as your public face? Where do they differ? Curious minds want to know...

Lori

Rule #78 in Life:

2008-03-30T16:32:00.000-07:00

(Source)

One of my favourite silly movies is Airheads...a 1994 rock'n'roll comedy. (Brendan Fraser's appearance in this film is merely a coincidence!)

And here for your viewing pleasure is the immortal Lemmy in a video with clips from the movie:

Turn up the volume and rock out!

Lori

A Wish of Mine

2008-03-29T11:47:00.000-07:00

No, not a wish for humanity, just for me. I've always wanted to be crafty. Arty.

My inner magpie just loves looking at piles of stuff...I'm fascinated by the potential in the raw materials -- paint chips in hardware stores:

those urban recycling craft supply stores...fabric stores and the gorgeous fat quarters:

Bead stores...

But in the end, I don't have the patience, the inclination, what have you.

For those that do, here are some sites for you to play with:

Cut Out + Keep

The Imagination Factory

Make-Stuff

So how crafty are you? Make me jealous in the comments...

Lori

Doing some overtime...

2008-03-15T16:52:00.000-07:00

I had to go in to work this Saturday, and worked a solid 6 hours, alone, listening to a blues radio station.

I wondered what would happen if anything happened to me while I was there, as I didn't have any helpful cats about:

see more crazy cat pics

(my apologies for lolcats 2 posts in a row, but you know how it is...)

Lori

RIP Gary Gygax

2008-03-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

If you don't know who he was, ask the nearest geek.

Thank you, Gary.

Lori

Musicians...the same the world over

2008-03-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

None can resist a great tune (by Deep Purple). Here's a Japanese orchestra doing "Smoke on the Water" (found at To Be Asian):

Besides the utter fabulousness of the music, the audience reaction is classic.

This made my day. I hope it makes yours.

Lori

Definitions of Power

2008-03-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Years ago, I picked up a book entitled The 48 Laws of Power (by Robert Greene) [Here are the laws summarized.] I subsequently loaned the book out, and it hasn't been returned -- it's a very interesting book that either teaches one how to be a bastard power-monger, or to recognize one...depending on your point of view. A very entertaining book though...

But if you can't find the book to help you to achieve a persona of power, you can just get yourself one of these:

The Han Solo desk (found at DVICE) has its different messages as well, depending on your point of view...Scary Guy or Enormous Geek.

(and no, I don't want one for Christmas...)

Lori

Book Snobbery

2008-02-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

I am a book snob. I'll admit it. You won't catch me reading an Oprah Pick on a bus...(that's a link to a post on this subject at my Book Nook, good discussion in the comments).

Over at casa az, the lovely and literate az has points us all to Cabanon Press, a fun collection of pictures used on the Guardian Saturday Review page. Here's my favourite:

Life does not happen in a vacuum.

What about you? What do you do when you know someone could be looking?

Lori

A Pie Chart for Procrastination

2008-02-28T18:03:00.000-08:00

This guy is funny...if a calm nerdy guy can be funny with a flipchart...

But he is!!

Watch all the way through...fascinating stuff you've never really contemplated before!

Lori

Polish Fans

2008-02-14T07:14:00.000-08:00

This last week, I seem to have had a few visitors from Poland -- 28% of my visitors in fact!

I don't know any Polish, but please, stop and say 'Hi!'

(Oh, and thanks to a comment somewhere by raincoaster, this blog now comes up as the third hit when someone googles "Lillian Van der Zalm headband". Kill me now.)

My 40th

2008-02-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

Today is my birthday. (To those who live near me, be aware that this groundhog has not seen her shadow this morning, and is not likely to -- very overcast.) In preparation for my glorious 40s (to continue on from my brilliant 30s), I'm taking the Pursuit of Excellence course this weekend. Self-examination all the way...

Here is a concept lifted from Norlinda at 30-something-media-addict, who lifted it from Life Begins at 30 (both lovely lists). I've been working on this one for a couple of days, and it has been a good exercise.

So, in no particular order, some things (25) I will never get tired of:

a good book
the first slow gulp of cold beer slipping down my parched throat
a purring cat
a cool summer morning and a cup of coffee outdoors
walking in a snowfall
laying down a bingo in Scrabble
standing in the dark nave of a gothic cathedral
learning something new
escaping into a delightful movie
a well-played blues guitar
dark chocolate
comprendre quelque chose dans une autre langue
a really good belly laugh
crossing things off a To Do list
a fresh clean sheet of paper
a gathering of like-minded individuals
a lovely meadow
cooking in a stocked kitchen
controlled retail therapy :p
the great design of a book or building or object
road trips, long or short
words strung together in a surprisingly insightful way
looking up at the stars
coordinating the Big Picture
logic puzzles

A surprisingly easy list to compile, and reminds me that yes, I do incorporate the things I like in my day-to-day existence...but that I could do it more!

Have a great day!

Lori

Appalling Absurdity of the Week

2008-01-30T10:23:00.000-08:00

In the news...

A Spanish driver who collided with a cyclist is suing the dead youth's family $29,300 for the damage the impact of his body did to his luxury car, a Spanish newspaper reported on Friday.

Businessman Tomas Delgado says 17-year-old Enaitz Iriondo caused $20,500 of damage to his Audi A8 in the fatal 2004 crash in La Rioja region, the El Pais newspaper reported.

The mind boggles.

I can't even think of anything scathing enough for this guy. Can anyone help?

Lori

Absurd = Pointless Death

2008-01-22T18:46:00.000-08:00

What?!? Heath Ledger is dead?

Actors are like the rest of us...they're supposed to live long lives, maybe in obscurity, then pop back into the news, and our hearts, when they die. They're supposed to inspire eulogies of long careers, family lives, community service...not die suddenly in their 20s, mid-career, mid-movie, leaving us all reeling in shock.

You'll be missed, deep man.

Lori

We meet again...

2008-01-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

The Nag and I both have a certain je ne sais quoi for Paris...I know this because that's where we met. Or more specifically, on a train to Chartres from Paris.

Funny that we both have pictures trolled from our flickr sites for the Schmap guide to Paris. (Here's her post.) Mine is of le Père Lachaise cemetery:

I have blogged about this cemetery in the past...the best ever virtual tour is of this enormous city of the dead -- check it out!

Next time we go to Paris, Nag, we should travel together. Maybe even leave our men behind!

:-)

Lori

People...generally speaking

2008-01-13T11:59:00.000-08:00

In the end, all people share basic similarities. I was an ESL teacher for years, and I always took comfort in the fact that everyone wants pretty much the same things: respect, love, and a good time.

And I didn't need the video below to be convinced that my friend 30-something media addict is:

"... a country-music fan who plays poker and cheers on the local ice hockey team."

I know her to be a witty writer who I can share a Viggo-fest with, who dyes her hair wild colours even though no-one sees it but her, and who is pining for a less soul-sucking job.

Anyway, this is a great video, lifted from her blog:

A tasty, stereotype smashing video. Enjoy.

Lori

Absurd in so many ways...

2008-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm stealing some of Metro's thunder, this is more his kind of topic, but I surfed over to the Nag, and she's featuring a great Rick Mercer video today -- how can I resist Rick Mercer?

The ZENN car -- "ZENN" stands for Zero Emission No Noise. I want this car -- and I can buy it, 'cause it's legal in British Columbia (wanna come visit, Nag? Drive mine when I get it?)

The absurdity is the fact that no one in Canada has heard of them. There's not a push on to immediately make them road legal in all Provinces, like NOW. Using one of these would reduce each person's carbon footprint by 6 tons annually.

I want one for my birthday!

Lori

Highlights of 2007

2007-12-28T07:14:00.001-08:00

So, what are your highlights of this grand year? Or maybe it was the low points...In any case, why not share with everyone in the comments, and we can either celebrate or commiserate with you!

My highlights?

The Rotary Okangan International Children's Festival.
My new job with Service Canada.
My continued relationship with Metro.

It's early and I have to get my act together to walk to work. I'll probably add more in the comments!

Lori

Food, Family & Fun

2007-12-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

...not necessarily all at once.

As my co-worker and I slog away at our projects in a very quiet office, I find myself really looking forward to this whole festive season.

Tonight, we've got some friends in from the Big Smoke for Christmas, and one is even staying to the New Year. I've got a pot roast in the slow cooker, for a delish, no-effort dinner.

Tomorrow, the Day itself, we've ended up with a table of 11. Not bad for a couple whose family is elsewhere for the season. My mom is coming and a few local friends will round out the group.

And, thankfully, the gift pile is a mere dribble...we've got the message out to most that we'd rather not accumulate any more, or buy into the seasonal hype.

So, to everyone, enjoy your day tomorrow. If you are one of the many in the world that do not celebrate Christmas in any of its forms (religious, familial, or consumer), here's a lovely post from Lifehack.org on some ideas for you.

Peace on Earth, and all that!

Lori

Okay. Enough already.

2007-12-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

(Visit the gallery of error messages, or create your own, at the Error Message Gallery)

I'm hoping one more post will do it -- drop the cat herding video off the main page.

But this is my last post tonight. I've got Irish Stew cooking...

UPDATE: You'll notice the Cat Herding video doesn't start automatically anymore. I took Nag's advice, and used a screen shot and a link to the video, rather than embedding it. Whew!

Lori

Weird Kitchen Stuff for the Hard-To-Buy-For

2007-12-08T16:56:00.000-08:00

8. Instant Hot Dog into Octopus Shaper
Octodog Franfurter
Converter -What the heck is an Octodog?? Well it's a new, unique way to make your hot dog. Just insert hot dog into the Octodog push down and get the craziest looking hotdog you've ever seen." See it here.

That's just one of the wonderful but weird listed at this post.

Here's one that Metro and I saw in Paris:

3. Stab Your Old Boyfriend Knife Holder

" No knife holder has taken a

"greater stab" at the theatrical than this specially designed "Ex" knife holder. Et tu, Brute?.. STORE YOUR KNIVES IN AN ANONYMOUS EFFIGY DEDICATED TO WHOMEVER YOU PLEASE! Take out your frustrations as you store your knives! See it here.

Here's my photo of it:

Thought about buying it for someone...but who??

Lori

Women! Listen up!

2007-12-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

Actually, I think the women that visit my blog (or at least those that comment...) are not the audience for this brilliant post that I stumbled on... 20 Posts All Women Should Read from the AllDivaMedia blog.

From the Diva's introduction:

From Body Mass Index, to filthy diamonds, to the Playboy myth, here is a list of 20 posts that all women should read. Some will inspire you, some will upset you, but most of all these posts should educate you. It wouldn’t hurt for the men to check them out as well.

There's some great links in this list -- and I've yet to follow them all.

And do you know of any posts that should also be included?

Lori

(P.S. The (auto-starting) Cat Herding video should be off the front page now. If you're missing it, here's the link to that post!)

Has this happened to you?

2007-12-08T15:37:00.000-08:00

The 7 Warning Signs that You're Drunk on Your Own Words

A couple of hours pass and you come back to reread your post. As you scan through it, you feel a weight in the pit of your stomach. This post isn’t brilliant. It’s arrogant, disconnected, and desperate for attention.

Oh, goddess...yes. I've been there.

But not too often.

Read and learn people, read and learn. And pass it on to those who need to know.

Lori