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Sayings That Really Annoy Me - Part Two [Oct. 26th, 2009|11:53 am]
[mood | alright]
[music |HIM - It's All Tears]

At last, I present the second installment of my other list. A short list of the many sayings and words that annoy me.

( By clicking on this link, or reading the comments, you waive any and all rights to be upset with me for the contents. Feel free to leave a comment if you like. )


Quote Of The Day - "They have but few laws, and such is their constitution that they need not many." St.Thomas More in his book "Utopia." It is a sort of bookend to the words of Tacitus who said "When the state is the most corrupt the laws are most numerous."

Interesting Link For The Day - How To Draw A Werewolf. As applicable to your ordinary, everyday lives, as it is to the up coming holiday. coupled with another tutorial on drawing the details of the faces, eyes, etc.

Interesting Fact For The Day - According to the the oldest written record of the holiday (which is also the oldest extant book in Irish Gaelic), Leabhar na hUidre, the "the Summer-End Festival" Samhain was a warrior fest. The men of the land would present the tongues of the year's kills, both beast and human, which they carried in a pouch and then burned.
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Things That Really Piss Me Off - Part Two [Oct. 20th, 2009|09:17 pm]
[mood | accomplished]
[music |Dark Lotus - Black Magic]

At last, the second installment of my list. This is not a list of my pet peeves. That's going in a book. This is a list of all the things that truly make me angry. It can be harsh, I know. You've been warned.

( By clicking on this link, or reading the comments, you waive Any And All rights to be upset with me for the contents. )

Quote Of The Day - "Anyone who is even moderately good at what they do - in literature, the theatre, skiing or whatever - tends to become a national figure. And anyone who stands out at all from the crowd tends to be praised to the skies and given the Order of Canada at once." From "The Last Impressions of Canada" by Lord Moran before leaving his post in 1984. Quite the insight into the Canadian people and not unlike some of the other remarks I have made about my compatriots. Even those on the previous list of Things That Really Piss Me Off.

Interesting Fact For The Day - Vanilla is used to make chocolate.
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At The Risk Of Sounding Like Maddox... [Oct. 16th, 2009|04:30 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |Faith No More - Epic]

...I Hope I Get Swine Flu. I'm serious. I said that as soon as I learned about it. In my defense, for there will be those who say I am mimicking others, I said the same about West Nile and SARS. Just one more thing for me to become immune to, and I like trashing ignorance.

H1N1 is not a "new virus." It's been around in the past, and it is much more mild (despite what others may have you believe) than the usual strains that float around, which kill thousands of people every year. Don't buy the hype. Don't give into the media fear machine. I am curious though, as to how "an unusually mongrelised mix of genetic sequences" came into existence.

Moving on. It has been a while since I have posted. There is a reason for that. I've been out of work, and nothing has been going on. Oh sure, I could have used the spare time to keep everyone appraised, but I didn't want to waste time writing something like this ;

Monday - Looked for work. Did nothing.
Tuesday - Looked for work. Did nothing.
Wednesday - Looked for work. Did nothing.
Thursday - Looked for work. Did nothing...

The time hasn't been a complete void. I spent a while looking for work. As I mentioned earlier, I was "short listed" for a tech job located in Welland. It's some place that refurbishes computers to provide to charities, and disassembles electronics to have recycled. Not a glamorous job but it would be good experience for someone with none. The manager said plainly he wanted me to work for him when we first talked in February. Then strongly implied he just needed a place to open for my in the fall for me to start. Then told me I was short listed for the position. Then didn't even call to let me know he filled the job with out even interviewing anyone. What? Which one of your buddies kids needed a job to justify that? Then he called back a week later to have me come in. Ok, maybe it was just a bureaucratic thing. He interviewed me, says it looks good. Then he hired someone else, just late enough for me to lose my chance at signing up for the programming course at the college. Balls. Thank you so very much.

The rest of the month was spent draining my non-existent savings to pay for things while I looked for work. That took up a lot of time. You'd think that a person who had a month off would have gotten a lot more done. not if you are spending all your time waiting for calls, emails, checking the job boards and dropping off resumes. Two months ago I would have loved to have this kid of time off. It really sucks though if you are worrying about money the whole time.

( I've had a lot of time to think this past month or so... )

That's socialism for you.

I've also had time to think about how much cool stuff I missed out this fall. Three years running I missed out on the food festival, the fair, going out to all the cool outdoor places in the area. I reminisced about all the cool things that happened in the fall. Like when I was a kid, or when I turned 19. Then I felt horribly because I was old enough to be nostalgic for things that happened 10 years ago. Things that happened 12 years ago... 15 years ago.

There were several trips to the vet's office the last few weeks. Like this morning. I've been there so many times the last little while it's really become difficult to keep track of everything that has gone on.

Emily and I spent some time with my family upon occasion. Like my niece's birthday. I can only deal with them for short periods of time before they annoy they hell out of me.

Chris Packham, an English naturalist, recently said that giant pandas should be allowed to go extinct as it is pointless to save them at this point, is a waste of money and that the animal is an "evolutionary dead-end." Two things immediately come to mind when I read these remarks. The first being that I can see this man getting assassinated in the near future. The second being that maybe pandas are not an evolutionary dead-end. They have already tricked us into using our resources to sustain them. Let us not forget how bad ass they are.

Why does this need an explanation? Really.

I'm really getting tired of the feeling that I am the smartest person I know. And I don't mean the most knowledgeable. I mean the feeling like I am surrounded by total idiots where ever I go.

I'm glad the world gives recognition to those who don't think genocide is a big deal. I guess empty talk and the redistribution of armed forces is a greater step towards peace and more important that saving the lives of thousands of Jews in WW2 or actually holding and using a position to promote world peace. Better luck next year guys. We won't even know who all of you are, that is, the other 204 nominees, until 2059.

Emily, "Gord" and I went to see "District 9" recently. Not exactly what I expected, but a pretty awesome movie just the same. I highly recommend it.

The movie The Wolfman has been pushed back... yet again. What the hell?!

Anyone here watch "Stargate Universe?" Thoughts?

Oh. Emily and I picked up the "MacGyver" first season box set. Is it just me, or is that show just far too awesome to not be taught in school?

Emily and I have managed to get out of the apartment a few times to go to the lake, or get get various food stuffs. Good times.

I have gotten some time in to read. I haven't done as much reading as I would have liked however. Sometimes it's hard to motivate ones self to do so. Especially when you're out of work. I took out "Java and XML For Dummies" from the library. Totally a misnomer. When the author says that he assumes you already know Java (part of the course to be taught. I don't know. Was that important?) and shamelessly plugs recommends his earlier book on Java, it's not going to teach much to a novice.

Emily and I are supposed to go to The Royal Ontario Spaceship this weekend to see The Dead Sea Scrolls. However, some people, like my family, can't seem to figure out if they are going or not. We'll see when exactly it is that we go.

I did manage to find a job recently. Same day as my EI claim got approved. I am not sure if the timing was perfect or not. Anyway, it's not in my field and it starts Thursday. At least I have a job. I have another interview on the horizon. If I don't have a tech job by December, I am going back to school. I think I picked a field that is just far too competitive.

I still have a week off before I head back to the salt mines. Lets see if I can get anything useful done.

Well, I think that's about it for the last month. Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "Men invented ass kicking along with chainsaws, beef jerky, and happiness." Maddox.

Interesting Link For The Day - Latin Quotes Even more of them. You can never have too many, for the forces of evil have removed Latin as a mandatory course in schools.

Interesting Fact For The Day - The male fox will mate for life. If his mate dies, he never will never mate again. The same is not true for the female fox who will take another male mate once the current one dies.
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My Life As A Bureaucrat [Sep. 17th, 2009|12:05 pm]
[mood | anxious]
[music |HIM - The Path]

Greetings one and all. I has been sometime since my last post. I'd like to say I have been busy, but I haven't been. I have been a little at the same time.

After "the big move" back to St.Catharines, I spent a month in Toronto by myself working my (then) current job until such times as I found work back in Niagara or the lease ran out at the end of August. Whatever came first. I recall one night I came "home" and opened the door to the bare apartment and announced rather loudly "Oh my God! I've been robbed!" And no one was there to hear it. Dang.

The last month in Toronto was pretty uneventful for the most part. I kept the fact that I was leaving a bit of a secret until the last day. I didn't want to hear any contrived remarks from anyone. Especially since they didn't think much of smaller cities.

I read a few books that month. I got the chance to read all 60 issues of "Y - The Last Man" which was an awesome comic.

"Josh" and "Bernard" came over rather faithfully every Tuesday for tea and cakes. I would have hung out with Kyle more before moving home but things just kept coming up. One night we did get to hang out, we tried out a couple new card games. They amused me.

While I was away, Emily received shipment of a new kitten. His name is Oliver, or Ollie for short. He is all black and likes to bite toes.

After a month of living here by myself, I finally moved home. The night before I hung out with "Anna T." at her friend's place. There was much pizza and "organic colas" enjoyed while sharing every joke anyone there could think of. Good times.

However, on the bus back to the apartment that night, some teen-aged miscreants were causing trouble. It made me think of what it was like to be in grade/high school and the tough guys we all knew in those days. The ones you weren't really scared of but avoided because you just couldn't really be bothered. Then I thought of the guys I know (or know of) that are around my age and have gone nowhere, and how we all saw it coming. All they had to do was make it through kindergarden and they couldn't even avoid fucking that up.

Emily and her dad came to get me that Saturday and after a rather short stint of picking up my left over stuff, a trip to Wendy's for beef disks, we went home.

In these weeks, there was much enjoying of all day breakfast meals at Perkins. Good times. I wish I was eating there right now.

There was also a long walk to and from the lake with Emily one night. This also included an emergency stop to the Yaucht Club.

The following weeks back home were spent working at Brock University helping the students get their loan papers in order. I can't believe how difficult it is for so many people, when the forms are so simple. There is a constant for just about every place I have ever worked. There are always some old bats who have been around forever who think they know everything, and tell others they are doing their job wrong simply because they do it differently. Still, I got a lot of good work done and I was the first to get the chop when the hours were cut. Awesome. That was my two weeks as a bureaucrat.

I did get to see something hilarious while I was there. We were setup near one of the school's gyms. While on break I looked into the gym and high above the floor is a running track. On the track some dude was working out, but it looked like he was doing some interpretive dance or a part in a children's show. He held his hands in front of his face and bobbed up an down. I made me think of how ridiculous it would have looked in another setting, like in front of a store or just any old sidewalk in a residential area. It reminded me of the guy at the college who was bouncing like an idiot and bopping a soccer ball with his head, and how I thought it would look hilarious if there was no ball.

There's always someone to ruin everything I like.

I've had several interviews, in person or over the phone, the last few weeks. Currently, I am (still) waiting on a response from the employers in Welland about the tech job. We'll see how that goes. Well I hope.

Last week, we had to have our oldest cat, Stormie, put to sleep. She had cancer for many months and gave it a good effort, but it got to the point where she wasn't well at all, and we didn't want her to start suffering. So we took her to the vet last Wednesday. We miss our kitty.

We had to take, the now, oldest cat to the vet yesterday. He wouldn't stop shaking. I wonder why he was so scared. It turned out what we thought was an infection in his eye that was treated recently, is actually a backed up tear ducked. Somehow something got jammed in there months ago and its finally started to cause his own tears to scald his skin. Poor kitty. He gets the object out tomorrow.

I've been playing Myst 4 on my video computing device. Marvelous.

I hung out at "Kyle W.'s" place a few times the last few weeks. There was much the burning of organic waste one evening when "Josh" and "Wayne" were over for tea and cakes.

Recently... I received... a sign...

There have been so many gorgeous days outside lately, and I haven't been able to enjoy any of them. I've too busy, and worried, about looking for work and getting this place finished that there's been no time. Maybe later I suppose.

And I suppose that'd all for now. Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "If people are scandalised at the truth, it is better to allow the birth of scandal, than to abandon the truth." Pope Gregory I.

Interesting Link For The Day - Learn to Appreciate Technology - Every rant, every scathing remark, every warning, every word and I have ever spoken about the the excessive dependence and craving for technology, put together and delivered in a comedic form. A clip of Louis C.K. on Conan O'Brien.

Interesting Fact For The Day - The dialing apparatus on the standard phone works based on timing and the probability, based on the speed at which a current passes through a circuit, that the number the machine understands is in fact the intended number, not by dialing a specific code. I have demonstrated this by dialing an incorrect number, timed the right way, to connect an intended call.
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Beauty Tone Kills Teddies! [Aug. 11th, 2009|09:40 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |Shiny Toy Guns - Blown Away]

You read right. Beauty Tone paints kills teddies. They have a line called "tattered teddies" and all I can think of as I read those words, is someone painting their wall with the blood of slaughtered teddies.

It's been a while since I posted, and not without good cause. An awful lot has been going on here.

There has been a garbage strike in Toronto. It lasted about six weeks. A LCBO strike started at about the same time, with a settlement ready by 6am the next morning. At least people have their priorities straight. Plus, during the garbage strike, American movie filming in Toronto increased. It seems less work was needed to make it look like major US cities.

As you well know, Emily and I have decided to leave this terrible zit on the face of Canada called Toronto, in favour of returning to Metropolitan Welland. St.Catharines specifically. Emily did most of the apartment hunting, since I was stuck here working, and shared photos of prospective places. We managed to find a really nice apartment not that far from the lake, rather conveniently located as well. It's a two bedroom with about another 100 square feet than our Toronto apartment, but costs less. Very nice.

The job hunt has been less than promising. An employer I sent an application to earlier on this year expressed an interest in getting me to work for them. However, they have no room for me there yet. So, I've been firing off lots of other applications for just about whatever I can get. There is a temp job in St.Catharines that has also expressed an interest. We'll see how that goes.

I applied for a "part time" job in Niagara Falls. Only four hours a week, but the pay was good $1000 a week. I wasn't exactly planning on getting it, but I thought it would be a great opportunity. The House of Comedy in Niagara Falls needed an "actor" to place host to their weekend stand up comic acts, look at the camera and announce people. I decided to give it the old college try. True, I have no experience per se, it would seem I faired better than several of the other most "seasoned" applicants. I was invited to come to a show and watch how they do things, get a free meal and decide if I could do it. Several of the other applicants, lasted as long as dinner, and left. I stayed for the whole show and decided to plow on. My resumee and headshot was sent to the production company and was told "don't call us, we'll call you." No calls so far. At least I gave it a shot. Man that would have been a cool job.

An interesting thing happened that night. The day I went to The Falls to apply, I decided to make it a day trp, which meant I was taking a very late bus back to Toronto. The subways were closed but the buses run all night. As fate would have it, I went to the intersection where I had to catch the bus, when I ran into a Turkish fellow (living in Germany) whom I met the other day as he asked for directions. The odds of running into one person that you met once before, in a city that large, with that many people, at that exactly time (2am) and place, are exceptionally slim. He needed directions to get back to where he was staying, which is near my apartment. Rather lucky for him I would say.

Plenty of time was spent packing up the apartment for obvious reasons. I also spent a lot of time cleaning cat shit and puke. It seems they have found a new hobby. Messing up hardwood floor.

We went to Canada's Wonderland recently. "Gord" and "Trevor" came to Toronto to join us. What a day that was. After contending with the less than accessible TTC, which made the trip take about an hour longer than it needed to, we go to the park on a rather busy day of the year. Hot and sunny too. Even with sunblock on, I still got sun burned. Well, I am very Irish. That aside, the day was a mix of good and bad. Wonderland was less than accommodating, but we still managed to ride several rides and enjoyed ourselves. Emily and I went to a Build-a-Bear knock-off and I had a panda made for her. I need to find out what brand of hot dogs the vendors at the park sell. They were really good. Anyway, after a long an exhausting day, we went home.

The rest of the month has been filled with packing, moving, work, etc. Worrying about our cat who is a sick kitty.

On the first of August, we moved all of our stuff into our new apartment in St.Kitts. We technically have two apartments right now due to the lease in Toronto. I've taking advantage of the situation by using it as a base of operations until either the lease runs out, or a find a new job in Niagara. Whatever happens first. More likely the former. This way I can continue to work my current job until the end of August.

( The Friday before the move, )

Yeah. Great weekend.

Last week was some what uneventful. Just went to work. Did my thing on a shoe string budget until I got paid. I came home for the weekend. Did some unpacking. Emily and I went to Perkins for dinner on Saturday. I got the "Tremendous Twelve" from the all day breakfast menu. Lots of really good food. I wolfed it like I hadn't seen food in a week. I wish I was eating it right now.

On my way to church the next day I found a baby squirrel on the ground. Opting not to leave it at the mercy of other animals, I tried to coax it into a tree. After discovering it wouldn't move, I picked it up and carried it to a tree, only to discover another baby squirrel in the next tree. Then two more on the ground beside said tree. I tried to get them all to climb back up, but they wouldn't. One was much more interested in sleeping on the ground, and even deflected any attempts to stir him in a most human like manner. I came to the conclusion that the mother was no longer able to answer their cries for help, so I called the Humane Society to pick them up. If Emily and I had a house, I might have taken care of them myself. They seemed to have gotten rather attached to me.

"Kyle W." came over a short while before I head off to Toronto again for the week. That is all.

Yesterday "Bernard" and "Josh" came over after work. "Josh" was supposed to bring a frozen pizza and knife (for in my hast to pack, I didn't leave myself one in Toronto). He was supposed to do a lot of things actually. He remembered the pizza, but nothing to cut it with. Fortunately I had my utility knife with me. I had to cut dinner with a blade less than two inches long. I couldn't even stab someone with it. Good thing the pizza was already dead.

While hanging out with the lads, my dad called. It seems a few of my relatives, including my niece, were in car accident this weekend. The baby is "100% fine" but the other two passengers are in rough shape. Nothing life threatening but roughed up. I just glad no one was killed or seriously hurt. So I'll be paying them a visit this weekend.

Well, not much more news to televise about this past month. Hopefully the employment situation will turn around. Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure." Thomas Jefferson.

Interesting Link For The Day - The Milkman - A short movie about the hardships of a milkman. Quite well made.

Interesting Fact For The Day - Finland is the number one per capita cow's milk consumer, with two other Scandinavian nations in the top five. Scandinavians are also known for long life spans and height. Coincidence?
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MP3 Players.... [Jul. 2nd, 2009|12:31 am]
[mood | alright]
[music |Bathory - Nordland]

... The guilt neutraliser. That is how I feel as I pass the many beggers of Toronto and pretend not to hear their pathetic cries for sympathy.

Well I has been some time since I updated. I am sure I have never written that before. I'll fill you in on the details. This. my second updated in a short period of time. Seriously. Look at my last entry.

Work has kept me busy. We are among the few businesses that are doing well as a result of the "recession." I use the term in quotations because what I have heard does ring true. In comparison, this incident is not that bad, Canada is doing better than most countries (note, I didn't say nations), it is not as wide spread as people say, we are bouncing back and this is mostly media hype.

Anyway... as I was saying... leadership. Work is keeping me busy. I did manage to get some extra hours in. Lots of businesses are closing their doors or "restructuring" and it has a lot of people scared. And since there is money to be made off of this, we step in and do exactly that. I reassure people that things are not as bad as they seem, they will still be getting some money, etc. It's depressing to deal with so much disappointment, fear and death as I do everyday. Telling all the 80+ year old widows not to be scared when in truth, I can give no guarantees. Just another reminder of the world that just doesn't give a damn.

Plus sides to the work shingdig (or is a hoot-nanny?) we all enjoy. Emily got her old job back with benefits and more pay. Good times. So we are moving back at the end of the summer. Not sure of the exact time yet but it's pretty much set in stone. I've been applying to a plethora of jobs back in Niagara. One that I am really hoping has something for me soon.

I decided to put the return to school on the back burner. While this is a good time to do so, I don't think I could pass a PLA to get back into the electronic technician program. Maybe later. I'd rather just get a job in my field, as I may very well soon do.

Recently two girls from work complimented me on the length, cut, and health of my hair, expressing their envy. I don't know how to feel about that.

Since Emily has been going back to Niagara to work, I've had to drop her off and pick her up from the bus station more than a few times. Since, as you know, I hate living here with a passion, I enjoy fucking with the minds of as many of the 2.5 million sheepish simpletons of this wretched place as I can. I'll do anything from stopping to look at my watch, to looking at the sky, to taking the empty stairs instead of the crowded escalated, to running up the down escalator (or vice versa), to using manners. Getting back to the bus station, not that all those don't completely blow the minds of those shit heads, I used a really good one. I walked up a set of stairs backwards (without looking over my shoulder). It was great. All the witnesses were left lifeless. They had no idea how to react. I like to believe that they all had strokes after trying to understand something that was at a monkey level of intelligence (or higher) because it was too much for them, but they probably didn't.

John Titor was right.

I recently got into a verbal battle of words with some co-workers about how "easy" certain cities are to live in. It seems that statistically, Toronto is one of the easiest cities to live in. I disputed this fact for many reasons. Their words turned from disagreement, to heated arguing, to condescending, to insulting. It has left a black mark on the reputation of all involved that can not be removed. I get the distinct impression that they (narrow minded, sheltered and microcosmic people) believe me, a person who has lived in more than one city, travelled across this country and to others, to be a simple bumpkin, simply because I prefer the suburbs. I prefer them to place where gun battles happen in school yards, at malls, or just happen often enough that no one really bats an eyelid.

Has anyone heard about how Korea has threatened to wipe the US off of the map? Or have you all been to focused on the reports of dying celebrities? Then there is the business of Iran. I'm just glad there isn't some empty suit occupying the chief of state chair in the most powerful country in the world. Oh wait.... that thing.

Jay has come to visit from Barrie. Good times. We went to see Transformers 2. It was good but it was disappointing. Also we got copious amounts of pizza.

I've had a really shit storm of the last few days. For serious.

I had to take my cat back to the vet recently. It seems the surgery she has had has created some complications. Also there may be other issues. Damn it.

My latest hobby has been putting around on Yahoo answers. I have noticed a lot of "Are there real vampires" and "Where are the real vampires" questions. To them I answered ;

"Yes there are vampires. And by vampires I mean sweaty, homely xenophobic basement dwellers who sometimes graduate to full on freak show when they actually drink blood and advertise this fact.

Lets be honest. These people have issues and they snow balled when people ignored them through grade school, followed by high school, and quite probably into college/university where they picked up philosophy and psychology books to read between sessions of badly written teen fantasy/romance novels. It was there that they "discovered themselves" and donned the cape.

We didn't pay attention to them then, why should we now?

They're about as sexy as a skinny, nerdy, poorly groomed booger eater. Lets face, they're only an inch apart."


I deal with a lot of people from BC at work. Particularly the "Van-and-Vic" area and the more I do, the more I am grateful I got out of there. They irritate me. They to not seem to have even a sliver of the "laid back" attitude that people frequently assign them. Besides the totally unCanadian vibe I get from them. I'm glad to be here and not there. Also of note, it turns out the area of BC I was born in has been nicknamed "The Shire." This could well explain my "Frodo feet."

Well that's about it for the last few weeks, as far as I know. I am sure I will think of more later.

Quote Of The Day - "They wonder much to hear that gold, which in itself is so useless a thing, should be everywhere so much esteemed, that even men for whom it was made, and by whom it has its value, should yet be thought of less value than it is." Thomas More in "Utopia."

Interesting Link For The Day - AphexAngel on Deviant Art. Last I checked, this one had some cool werewolf art.

Interesting Fact For The Day - The Deinosuchus is a relative of the modern Alligator and despite it enormous size, there is not a lot of difference between it and modern Alligators. This animal was up to 12 metres long and had jaws big enough to swallow a Swede.
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Happy Panda Day! [Jul. 1st, 2009|11:57 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |Bathory - Nordland]

Yes. A very Happy Panda Day to all. It is July 1 and we should all be celebrating Panda Day.

Yes, the music I have selected makes perfect sense if you think about it.

A Long awaited updated in one the way. Enjoy today's wisdom.

Quote Of The Day - "I 'played' an easy game and demonstrated why July 1 will forever be 'Panda Day.'" - Me

Interesting Link For The Day - The Origins of Panda Day Enough said.

Interesting Fact For The Day - July 1 was once known as "Canada Day" after the birth of the "Dominion of Canada" (yes I use the proper name) but now it is known as Panda Day to celebrate the many unsung pandas of our world.
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Edu-tainment!! [May. 31st, 2009|07:06 pm]
[mood | content]
[music |Insane Clown Posse - Take Me Home]

Good day everyone. It has not been a long time since my last post and not much has transpired. I'll fill you in just the same.

Work has been steadily busy. Quite a few of our clients are facing financial difficulties. As such, everyone is calling us scared.

After a recent case of food poisoning at the Wendy's across the street from work, I've got a few people interested in shamelessly milking a campaign that offers free whoppers at the local Burger King.

Emily and I finally watched The Transformers Movie. It was good, but there were a few scenes that were unnecessary.

I've had the chance to read the rather interesting story of The White Death.

A few weeks ago, Emily and I had a day out. We took a long walk in a near by park, followed by dinner at Wendy's. On the walk home, we got to an intersection and as I crossed the road, a cop care careened across two lanes without even a proper signal, heading into a lane that would cause them to cross my path. I was heard to, rather loudly, remark "That was an illegally lane change." The officer slowed their vehicle as they passed, rolled down the window, said "We know" and carried on about their business. It was most amusing.

There was an ( interesting incident at York University last weekend. )

I hear that things in South Korea are getting "interesting." Comments anyone?

I got to hang out at Kyle's place a few times the last few weeks. Yeah.

For no reason at all, here are 10 Most Creative Holders, and I wouldn't minding owning a few.

Can anyone tell me what pipettes I need to order? They are the kind used for working on the microscopic level, removing sections of a cell or injecting things into a cell. Anyone?

Today Emily and I went to the Ontario Science Centre. It was an amusing trip. However, the place does not seem to be as large, full, educational or entertaining as once it was. Despite those wonderful facts, an edu-tainingly expensive trip was had by all. Hurray!

Well that seems to be all for now. Until next time true believers!

Quote Of The Day - "The Romans never allowed a trouble spot to remain simply to avoid going to war over it, because they knew that wars don't just go away, they are only postponed to someone else's advantage." Niccolò Machiavelli.

Interesting Link For The Day - The Ballad Of Gordo. An early song an public service announcement from The Bare Naked Ladies. This dates before the idiotic staff at Notre Dame ran their mouths, pissed off BNL and got Welland put on their "No Play" list. An incident which they discuss during interviews.

Interesting Fact For The Day - The term "Dark Ages" in commonly used by people of our time to refer to an period in European history that is alleged to be with out learning, development and highly superstitious. This actually reflects the ignorance of the speaker as this term has fallen out of use in favour of the term "Middle Ages." "Dark Ages" was coined in "The Middle Ages" to refer to the declined of Greco-Roman culture and Latin language, not learning or reason. Now referred to as Middle Ages due to the The Renaissance. This period saw the "rebirth" of Greo-Roman culture in Europe as Greek refugees poured into Europe, seeking shelter from the pacifists who invaded and conquered their nation.
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I Love Popsicles! [May. 16th, 2009|11:04 pm]
[mood | apathetic]
[music |Chumbawamba - Mary, Mary]

Not that my remark makes any sense when compared to the context of my following post. Anyway, I digress.

It's been a while since my last post. I could say a lot of the same, but that would not be entirely accurate. As always, I had a lot I wanted to say but I am not sure I'll remember it all.

Emily and I have gone to more than a few movies lately. We saw DragonBall a few weeks ago. It was alright. Not great, but I am sure a few purists are up in arms.

Star Trek was pretty awesome. Emily and I went to that last weekend. I dressed up in my red shirt for the event. That movie wasted no time at all. About sixty seconds in and something blew up. I must say I like all the actors in their roles.

We saw Wolverine today. That was pretty awesome but I am not sure it was as spectacular as everyone is making it out to be. It was great, just not world shattering.

I had a brilliant idea for the next historically accurate movie for Mel Gibson to direct and star in. It's about a rich and powerful hypocrite who didn't get his way. "Henry the Eighth."

With that out of the way, lets see what else has been going on here. The weather has been fluctuating wildly the last few weeks. Some days it'll be pretty cool. Others pretty warm. Some days the sky will split open with out any warning at all.

Work hasn't been as great as it started off. The company is still good, but lately I've had people riding me for really stupid shit. A lot of our clients are companies that are going bankrupt or other tough financial situations. It's quite depressing actually.

100 Days, 100 Mistakes
Clown
If It Ain't Broke...
With that out of the way...

I hate this city. I hate it so much. Some days start off so well, but then I wake up and realise where I am. Sometimes that moment comes later than others. Like when I am on my way to the subway station. The people here drive me up the wall. It makes me completely insane to deal with them. I am convinced that they exist in only two types ;
- Doe caught in the headlights
- Big stupid lumbering animal
The former can be funny at times. Sometimes I'll just stop walking and look at my watch, and everyone around me in completely paralysed without the slightest fucking idea how to react. It's so funny, I could have a psychotic episode.

Recently "Josh" and I went to see a living taping of a Yuk Yuks comedy contest. It was alright. There were a few really funny comedians there. The host wasn't very funny at all. As "Josh" put it, "I feel like I'm paying to listen to small talk." Of course, after the show, I kept thinking about if I had to improv, the things I would say. Naturally, all I could think of were some political jokes that no one would get or find as funny as I do.

I miss my home.

Recently while getting food on my "lunch break" I looked in the donation box on the counter. Mostly filled with pennies and nickles. Then I noticed a coin much larger than the others. It was a silvery coin from somewhere in Eastern Europe (judging by the Cyrillic). It was at that instant I thought "Wow. The first time I saw something worth less than a penny in here."

I had to cancel several trips to Kyle's place over the last few weeks for several reasons. That was a tear. I got to go over there this week. That was good.

A week or so ago, Emily and I noticed a sore on the tummy of our oldest cat, Storm. We took her to the vet to be checked out. Turns out it was kitty cancer. After some deliberation, we had a rather expensive surgery performed to save our cat. I'll be honest in saying I couldn't provide much financial support, so Emily picked up the bill. It's her cat and she couldn't just throw the animal away. So, after a quick surgery, we got her back. Now comes two weeks of healing.

At the risk of sounding selfish, this could not come at worse time. I had a day booked off this week so I could go home to visit. I cancelled the trip on short notice to stay here and help take care of the cat. This vexed me greatly, but you have to do what you have to do.

I guess I don't have as much to complain about as everyone around me. Seems like a few people I know are having a rough time right now. Like Emily because of the afore mentioned kitty. Also because her old boss didn't take her back for the summer as was agreed. I am confident Emily will find some other summer employment.

A couple quick rants. It really bothers me when people take absolutely no pride in their appearance. Call me shallow if you want, but showing up in front of other people looking like a slob is a sign of disrespect. If you can't be bothered to dress up enough to be seen by other people, then why bother trying to associate with other people?

I hate how dependent people are becoming on technology. I don't care if we can put GPS in a smartphone to help retards find their way around town. If you are too stupid to follow simple verbal instructions, you're likely too stupid to be driving a car.

I'm tired of all the people who complain about how terrible things are, and don't do anything about it. I've said it before, we're all natural born complainers, but we all at least try to do something about it. Piss in it or get off the pot.

There is a marked difference between "fashionable" and "stylish." Recognising this difference is the first step in improving your condition.

With that out of the way...

Not much else has been going on here. Just work, beating my head on the wall, hanging out at home and occasionally with my friends. More of the same. You know.

Until next time, in which, I hope to have more pleasant news to report. Adieu.

Today's Fortune - "I can hear your thoughts. Oh, there's no follow up to that." (Fortune# 172)

Quote Of The Day - "For men use, if they have an evil turn, to write it in marble: and whoso doth us a good turn we write it in dust." Thomas More.

Interesting Link For The Day - How To Identify ATM Card Skimmers. This information came to me, it seems, just a few days too late. I had never had this happen to me, ever, in all my travel over the years. Not until I came to Toronto. Then it happened twice. Fucking thieves.

Interesting Fact For The Day - De Beers, which controls most of the diamonds in the world, managed to take what was once considered the least desirable jewel of all, into the most expensive and sought after commodity. This was done entirely with effective marketing.
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Even Wonder If A CD Could Rip You? [Apr. 24th, 2009|11:42 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |All American Rejects - The Last Song]

Greetings true believers. It's been nearly a month since my last post. I've been busy, ok? Also tired. Mostly lazy. There are a few things I can fill you in on however.

While most of the last month has been spent working and lazying about the apartment after work, Emily and I have both made a few trips.

Emily and I went to see The Watchmen movie. It was good. I must say however that I am glad I read the book first. I recommend others do likewise. While I enjoyed both, and thought both were good in their own right, I will do something that boarders on something I hate. I think the book plot was better than the movie plot. The movie seems to be "dumbed down" and altered quite a few key plot elements, and doesn't exactly illustrate all the same points the book did.

I've been working "hard" on increasing my rank on Yahoo answers. I am now listed as a "Top Contributor." Where ever someone opts to remain lazy and ignorant... I will be there.

I have been watching a lot of "Metalocalypse." That show is so funny. If you have not watched as much or more of that show as I, hang your heads in shame.

A guy on our floor got arrested a few weeks ago. After about an hour of noisy, needless drama, he went quietly.

There was an amusing incident while visiting Kyle for our weekly game of Scrabble. I must share with you my story of a Pizza Pizza order I placed two weeks ago, April 8.

( My Adventure with Pizza Pizza - By clicking on this link, or reading the comments, you waive any and all rights to be upset with me for the contents. )
...That's my brave story. I hope you enjoyed it.

Emily and I went to see Thornley in concert recently. I had told "Anna T." about our plans and she requested a ticket as well for her birthday. I couldn't say no. It was a birthday present. However, as fate would have it, she fell slightly ill and I had to find other use for the ticket. I called up "Bernard" to see if he would be interested in an impromptu visit to The Phoenix for a show. He was on board, having respect for the work of Ian Thornley and his various musical efforts.

So that night after work, we all worked our way to the venue for a show. The opening band, Inward Eye, was pretty good. Thornley rocked. The problem was the fact that there were so many 30 year olds with nothing better to do than waste $30 on a ticket, go to concert they aren't going to pay attention to, talk through the show and ruin the experience for everyone else. Thanks a lot. To those people, when you look at how uncool you are and ask "What happened" know this. It's not that you got old. You were born a loser. Besides all that, we three enjoyed the show.

For Easter we went back to Niagara to see our respective families. Not much news to televise there.

The next week was sort of uneventful, as far as I can recall. I did end the week with a solo trip to Niagara. The reasons for will will be revealed shortly.

As you know doubt have guessed by my rather cryptic posts, I hate Toronto. I can't stand it here. This place drives me nuts. The people here are so damn stupid it drives me insane. Nothing here makes any sense, because there is no logic to it. There are times, like today on lunch, I just want to thrash people's heads against the wall and shout "You stupid fucking Chimp!!" Emily is also getting quite disillusioned with the place. We want to go home.

So for the last few months we have been looking at doing exactly that. I went to Welland early last Friday to talk to the college about going back to school. I have realised, that while my program was good, there seems to be more demand for electricians right now. If I go back for another year I can get a second diploma. The meeting went well and I have a "make up test" of sorts to do in late June. Should be "good times."

The rest of the weekend was pretty cool. I started with the trip to St.Catharines, with a transfer to Welland via Brock. I passed by a BBQ that went on that fine day and was enticed by the selection of cooking meats. This is how the conversation went ;

Me - Servant. How much for your wares?
Cook (taking off his hat and lowering his head so as not to shame me by looking directly at my eyes) - Beggin' your pardon sir, but these have been prepared for a private gathering in gratitude of the staff.
Me - Very well. Away with you.

Just like that. That's how it happened.

I went to Welland and had my afore mentioned meeting. Then I hung out with my wiener brother at MT Bellies for a bit before getting my new shoes. As I put them on, I felt a strange, almost... arcane energy about them. They didn't have holes in them and caused me no pain.

After that short trip, I stopped by the parents house where I was staying to drop off a few things. Then off to visit "Bill." I had to make a brief stop at the Beer Store for supplies. While across the street, I felt a weird sensation, as if I were watched by an unseen force. It turns out that a friend was passing by and saw me.(Thanks for offering a ride by the way.) I picked up a case of beer and cabbed it to "Bill's" for tea and cakes.

Late that night I decided it was time to head "home." I exited the house to discover the night had grown cold. I walked down the street. Shivering. Knowing I needed to take action I thought "Too cold... must... eat pepperoni stick... for energy." Shortly after consuming the ration the cold no longer had its bite.

The next day was filled with eating brunch as some hippie liberal dipshit restaurant in Fonthill, watching a movie, then taking a trip to St.Catharines to see "Kyle W." and "Wayne." I spent some time wandering around downtown before I met up with the lads for tea and cakes, compliments of the LCBO. Twas good times, but for some silly reason, ended up with a needless trip to Niagara Falls.

The next day I headed back to Toronto. That is all.

This week has been somewhat uneventful as well. The tedium however was broken up with a show. Emily and I returned to The Phoenix for a concert. We saw All American Rejects again. There were two opening bands. The first one we missed, but the second was Shiny Toy Guns, who also put on a good show. AAR hit the stage and it was wild. They put on a good show, crass though they may be. Thankfully that part stays on the stage and not in their CDs. I think it would spoil their work otherwise. There was a moment when Tyson was dancing around and I said to Emily "Oh no. He's turned into Freddie Mercury... but that's ok because he was in Queen." That now makes two bands you must buy CDs from. AAR and Queen.

So the rest of the week was uneventful. Whatever.

On the way home from work today, I stopped at the LCBO to get a Rockstar and a bottle of Smirnoff Ice, when I was approached by two teenaged girls. "Can we ask you a question?" one asked. I decided to skip the obvious reply of "You didn't give me a chance, did you?" and said "Sure." Their leader asked me to procure alcoholic beverages for them in exchange for currency. The best lie I could think of? "...My license was taken away for a DUI. Sorry." Then I walked away. Normally I would love to support the delinquency of a minor. I was given a chance to do the right thing... and I walked away. It's official. I've become everything I hate. And what did I tell them? "Sorry. I can't help you. I'm a drunk driver you know." What the hell?!

So that's all for now. That is, until I wake up in the middle of the night, recalling the super awesome story I omitted. Adieu.

Today's Fortune - "You will become dyslexic and it will cause you to hwny#%s &~ dpnq @%2 fmpq." (Fortune# 166)

Quote Of The Day - "There are two major products that came out of Berkeley: LSD and UNIX. We don't believe this to be a coincidence." Jeremy S. Anderson.

Interesting Link For The Day - Night Dawn Day. An independent film by Bare Ruined Films. A movie about a woman is so angry at the world that she wishes everyone would just go away... and they actually do.

Interesting Fact For The Day - Contrary to popular belief, eating large quantities of chocolate does not simulate the feeling created by love. While the chemical, phenethylamine, is present in this tasty dessert, not enough is consumed or absorbed after the digestion process to simulate the emotion. This is nothing more than a myth. No doubt concocted by chocolate companies and people looking for an excuse to stuff their face with sweets to feel better.
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The Signifigance of March 25 [Mar. 25th, 2009|03:37 pm]
[mood | fed]
[music |The Headstones - Blonde And Blue]

Greetings true believers. It's been slightly longer than a week since my last post. I have noticed an odd hush over various journals and have decided to end it.

Not all that much as gone on since my last post, but enough that I feel I should comment.

The day after St.Patrick's Day I went over to Kyle's to hang out, as we have done every week for a while now. We watched Basketball and enjoyed frosted fermented beverages, discussed matters of state and consumed flat breads covered in meat and cheese.

That weekend Emily and I went to St.Catharines for my niece was getting baptised that Sunday. We visited Emily's family for a while during the day on Saturday. We had planned to see The Watchmen but as fate would have it, we could not. We were far too busy and the schedules did not allow it. That night after visiting Emily's grandparents, we went to the London Arms and hung out with "Wayne" and "Gord." We presented "Gord" with a new shirt, compliments of T-shirt hell. We sat, ate, talked and I most certainly did not sing. No sir.

The next day, we went to mass at the cathedral with my family for my niece got baptised there. Afterwards, there was something of a crowded gathering at my brother's place. We enjoyed cooled beverages and ate buffet food. I'd say "good times" but it was a bit too crowded for my liking.

That night I returned to Toronto by myself for Emily had a doctors appointment in St.Catharines the following day.

My weekend was officially pretty crappy. This week has been somewhat uneventful. Just going to work and coming home basically.

I'm sure that by now many of us have heard about the remarks made on Fox News during the program "Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld." I'm also sure many of us have heard how outrages many people (both Canadian and American) are. I have to confess certain mixed feelings.

For starters, I find the remarks of Greg Gutfeld and his co-workers to not only be inflammatory, highly ignorant and in extremely poor taste. Also, I find some of the backlash from Canadians to be somewhat hypocritical.

Gutfeld suggested our military was taking "the year off" to "take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white Capri pants." He stated that only Canada could do this since we boarder the US and we are relying on their military. This is quite ignorant, for our military didn't say we were laying off the military for a year, but that we could not continue our actions in Afghanistan for one year due to staff, equipment and funding shortage. Gutfeld asserted that this was just Canada feeding off the US armed forces. To the contrary, the US has expressed an interest in receiving assistance from other countries in Afghanistan, including Canada.

On the other side however, some things were said that had a tiny piece of truth to them. It was said that they "thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight. Go chill in Canada." Canada is known for taking in people from other countries who don't want to fight. Canada is known for not fighting. Was the statement on Fox New 100% wrong? No.

I think it is a little bit hypocritical of Canadians to be angry, for we have a military that we don't all understand what is being done with. We celebrated the fact that we didn't go to war against one tyrant, but are proud of our involvement in another war that doesn't concern us. We remain ignorant of the motivation of our military and government. Our soldiers in Afghanistan arrived in camouflaged uniforms that blend in like a black puck on white ice. We have submarines that catch fire, helicopters that fall out of the sky and a staff so small we have to train everyone to do everything. Have we really been that proud of our military? Have we cared so much about our freedom, that we would invest money in its protectors? No.

With that rant out of the way, we've reached the close of today's post. This is to say, except for today's wisdom. Until next time.

Quote Of The Day - "The barbarous custom of having men beaten who are suspected of having important secrets to reveal must be abolished. It has always been recognised that this way of interrogating men, by putting them to torture, produces nothing worthwhile. The poor wretches say anything that comes into their mind and what they think the interrogator wishes to know." Napoléon Bonaparte on the topic of torture.

Interesting Link For The Day - How to lose friends and alienate countries. A clip of the afore mentioned "Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld.

Interesting Fact For The Day - March 25 is Annunciation Day in the Catholic Church and was set as Christian New Year by Dionysius Exiguus. This remained the default New Year for many Christian countries until the switch to the Gregorian Calendar was made. Once this happened, January 1 was recognised as the first day of the secular calendar and the first day of Advent was recognised as the beginning of the Liturgical year. However, Britain refused to adopt the Gregorian calendar for many years and used March 25 (Lady Day) as their new year. For this reason, the British financial system (and others based on it) use April 1 as the beginning of the fiscal year.
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No. You're Not Irish Today... [Mar. 17th, 2009|10:48 pm]
[mood | aggravated]
[music |Jeff and Mychael Danna - The Blood Of Cúchulainn]

...That is to say, unless you are everyday.

Greetings true believers. It has been about nine days since my last post, and it is St.Patrick's Day, so it was time for an update. A few things have gone on since my last post.

The week ran it's course as usual. I went to Kyle's and we watched "My Name is Bruce" starring Bruce Campbell. That is an awesome movie by the way.

I had Friday off so that Emily and I could go back to Niagara for "Princess'" wedding. As fate would have it, I forgot the wedding invitation at home. More on that at a later time. Upon our arrival, we went back to Emily's parent's house and had lunch. After an attempt to do taxes, we went to the Pen Centre where I got a hair cut while Emily shopped for some new dress shoes. After that, we looked around for a few other things and returned to Emily's parent's place. There, we had fish and chips for dinner. Those were some good chips. Then we finished our taxes.

Later that evening we went to Welland to my parent's house where we would stay for the weekend. I was treated to some Guinness. It seems that everyone else was too weak to endure is rich goodness. I was happy to oblige, and deplete their supply.

The next day after some hunting about, Emily and I managed to discover the true location of the nuptials. We had arranged for transport to the arranged place. As fate would have it, not for the arranged time. We arrived at the Bird Kingdom in Niagara Falls more than one hour early for the event. We found it most humid in there and we were both getting warm. A pox on me for being so formal, punctual and well dressed. As a side note, I am well dressed for I shop at Moore's. Moving on, Emily and I waited for what seemed like forever for things to get started. We ran into a former co-worker of mine. Later, Emily and I enjoyed two servings of Crush pop.

After that, everyone arrived and the wedding went on. The Bird Kingdom was an interesting choice for a setting, but I must confess that neither Emily nor myself heard much of what was said during the wedding.

Afterward, we wandered the grounds for a bit. Then came the reception. I got to talk with a few co-workers that I hadn't seen in some time. Dinner was good. I had two servings of roast. Yum. Wine was provided and it was good too. Yum. Emily and I won the centre piece again. Neato. Then... we went home. Well... my parent's house.

The next day we went to church. Since my family was too busy to remember that maybe lunch should be consumed when Emily and I were around, we went to the mall were we got brunch. Good times. The meal was good, and was served with a Guinness... for I keep holy The Lord's day.

After all that was done, we spent some more time at my parent's house before the not so long trek back to our little apartment in Toronto. The cats were most pleased to see us back.

Beyond that, not much of note had been going on here. I keep coming up with really cool ideas, but never have the time to get anything done. Damn.

( It's St.Patrick's Day today and it seems everyone wants to... - Preachy )

With all that out of the way, I should announce I have been working on a few projects and some are done, some are nearly ready. I will display them once they are done. I'll leave you with today's wisdom. Happy St.Patrick's Day.

Quote Of The Day - "I am often surprised to find how utterly ignored Yeats is among the men I have met: perhaps his appeal is purely Irish — if so, then thank the gods that I am Irish." C.S. Lewis, discussing fellow Irish author W.B. Yeats.

Interesting Link For The Day - St.Patrick's Day Teddy Dance. A cute little video. A little campy I know, but it was cute and imaginative so I will share it with you.

Interesting Fact For The Day - St.Patrick is credited with codifying Irish law, changing only what conflicted with their new Christian beliefs. He is also credited with introducing the Roman alphabet which was used to record Celtic oral literature, preserving it for future generations. This also had the effect of preserving the Roman alphabet and early Western knowledge during the age of Germanic invasions of mainland Europe, allowing for re-introduction by Irish monastic orders.
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Tales Of Interest! [Mar. 8th, 2009|08:39 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |Apocalyptica - S.O.S.]

Greetings one and all. It's been a while since my last real post. I've been quite busy lately, though it would seem that it hasn't all been with things of any relevance.

Two weeks ago Emily began her exam week at the university. Since she had no exams she was off to St.Catharines to see a concert and work. Emily had lots of fun at the concert so I hear, and I had a few nights out with the lads.

That first day of the weekend I gathered a few of my friends for a guys night. What times were had. I met "Kyle W." at the bus station and we proceeded back to my apartment. A vagrant wandered through the subway station asking for change. She passed us as we offered none and simply got on the first subway car. Shortly afterwards, "Kyle W." and I were talking when she had wandered from the car in the front to ours and made an announcement. She pleaded with the people, desperately appealing to their pity, holding up eight fingers and telling us she had been on the streets with out food or drink for three days, and asking for help in the form of currency because it was so hard and she was starving. Having been moved with pity, a passenger offered her a small container of plain noodles to help this vagrant. The woman changed her tone and said "No honey, I wouldn't eat that." The passengers showed their understanding by laughing.

Then we picked up a case of beer and went to my apartment to await the arrival of "Josh" and Jay. After watching a few movies, eating a pizza and consuming a few beers, we all went down the street to the pub. The first place wouldn't serve two of the guys since they forgot their ID. We walked a few doors down to the Fox and Firkin where they'll serve anyone. Twas good times. Not long after we arrived, I walked to the back to find the washroom. I opened the door to what I thought was the hallway, looking back to make sure I didn't disrupt the pool game I carelessly walked through, and stepped inside. I quickly discovered it wasn't a hallway, but a set of stairs. My body was a road map of pain. After ending my decent, I enjoyed a nice big welt on my back, a bruised rib, several cuts and bruises, topped of with an injured foot. All of it after I had already injured my tailbone weeks earlier. Since the night couldn't get anyway worse, I decided to partake in karaoke which I did horribly. Sweet.

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out with Jay since the other guys who crashed at my digs left early the following morning. Good times.

The rest of that week was somewhat uneventful. I hung out at Kyle's where we would consume beer and play Scrabble. Went to work. Read a book. You know.

I love how when even they need footage of people on the subway system here in Toronto, they always go to the really nicely done up stops. Never any of the stops like Woodbine, Queen or St.Andrews where chunks of the ceiling are missing and salty water from the streets above seep in. I also love how they notice the problem and solve it by painting over these deficiencies. Best of all is how well that plan works.

Work is work, but now it seems there seems to be an embargo on fun. We can't putt around online during our downtime, regardless of how slow it is. We can't read at our desks and pretty much any hobby we have the bosses have asked that we cease. Nice. Working late hours will drive me nuts.

I've discovered a new pass time. Yahoo Answers. I love using it to point out the flaws in the arguments of idiots.

Watching our neighbours to the south go down the drain is an endless source of amusement. By the way, how did the British PM like those gifts? Though I must say, it's generally bad form to return a gift. Particularly one that's been there for eight years.

I've been brainstorming a lot the last little while. I've had a lot of great ideas. I've also been working on images which I have uploaded or plan to upload to various websites later. I will share them as they are finished.

Yet, still so busy and so little accomplished and so little to discuss. Strange.

Emily and I have a few trips to Niagara planned for the next two weekends. We have a wedding to go to this Saturday. Should be good times. Congratulations again by the way.

That's all I can think to comment on for now. Wait, I read The Watchmen. A good book. So, that is all for now. I am almost finished something I would like to share very soon. Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "You don't need to take drugs to hallucinate; improper language can fill your world with phantoms and spooks of many kinds." Robert A. Wilson

Interesting Link For The Day - Yes! DIY Elf Ears: No Experience Required. Just what the link says. Instructions on giving yourself elf ears. All you need is a knife, rubbing alcohol and a shot glass. Anyway, I recently read the testimony of a man who claimed to have a natural "full on" elf ear. I am wondering about the genetics of this. Anyone?

Interesting Fact For The Day - Thomas Edison used strips of bamboo in his experiments in creating lightbulbs.
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In The News - An Editorial [Feb. 18th, 2009|11:21 pm]
[mood | accomplished]
[music |Econoline Crush - TDM]

In these turbulent times, it's important to keep informed. This is more than just looking at the headlines. We need to pick up the paper, have a seat and really take in everything we read...

In The News - An Editorial.
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Do You Folks Like Coffee? [Feb. 1st, 2009|09:24 pm]
[mood | apathetic]
[music |J. Englishman - Don't Mean A Thing]

Greetings one and all. Time for an update. While there may not be a lot of events to comment on, they are all worth commenting on. However, there is an important announcement that I must discuss.

I've come to the conclusion that the giant panda is the most bad ass animal known to man. Think about it. What do they eat? Bamboo.

Imagine your walking through the forest and there's a panda sitting there with a rod of bamboo in his hand. So you say "You're eating bamboo?" And it replies (because all panda's can talk and do so as the situation arises) "Yeah." Then you're like "But its wood." and it says "Yeah." And you're like "You're eating wood?" And the panda says "That's right. I eat wood. Now what mother fucker?"

That's right everyone. There's a new terror in woods. From that panda who beat up the guy who hugged him, to that panda who robbed a zoo goer of his jacket, to Chen Stormstout of Warcraft fame (we love you, you old drunk), pandas are the most bad ass animal known to man. Rowr!

Anyway, as mentioned earlier, not much has been going on. Last weekend Emily came back from her weekly stay in St.Catharines. I stopped in at a new bar to see what it was like. Pretty ok environment and cheap drinks on Fridays. Nice. Then I met Emily at the bus terminal. From there we returned to our apartment to relax and enjoy bus cookies.

The next day we spent going to the movies and out for dinner. We saw Underworld 3 which incidentally, kicked ass. The second movie was half baked and disappointing. This movie, completely made up for that. For serious.

After that, we enjoyed a dinner at Kelsey's. Good times.

Emily returned to St.Catharines for the week. Fortunately, it was the last time as the school strike has finally ended. This is very good but it does have one draw back. No more bus cookies for either of us.

The week at work was both boring and depressing. Again, lots of people are worried about their pensions and the future, wanting me to tell them that everything is going to be ok. I'm sorry, I can't make that promise. It's sad.

I must say, its such a burden being so much smarter than most of the people I know. It's annoying when dealing with people who second guess everything I say and do. People who think I'm an idiot. Who think I'm blind and can't see what's in front of my face.

This weekend has also been somewhat uneventful. Yesterday we just sort of hung out, after I went to the store and got a shit load of groceries. Today we went to Square One in Mississauga for a portion of the day. I took Emily to Build-A-Bear and got her a cheerleader teddy. Then... we went home.

Brilliant! (here's why)
Love it!
Classic!
Hahahaha!
I must say, destabilising the world in less than two weeks is quite the achievement.

Well I think that's all for now folks. But I must ask this in closing...
Do you folks like coffee..?

Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes." Mark Twain.

Interesting Link For The Day - Excavating An Enormous Ant City. Exactly as it sounds. The discovery of an enormous city-like ant colony.

Interesting Fact For The Day - A zoo in Thailand took tigers cubs and placed them with a mother sow to nurse. The keepers found that not only the cubs grew faster, they grew up more docile. They speculated that the milk from a "prey animal" made the tigers grow this way. Which could also explain why almost every vegan I know is an asshole.
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My Problem With Democracy [Jan. 22nd, 2009|09:54 am]
[mood | alright]
[music |Econoline Crush - TDM]

While democracy has some virtues, it also suffers from many flaws...

My Problem With Democracy.

Please have a look. Feel free to comment.

Quote Of The Day - "I know. I just enjoy slapping you." Bill O'Reilly in the movie "American Carol," which incidentally, is a crucial movie.

Interesting Link For The Day - Single Transferable Vote System. Also known as the Hare-Clark system. Give it some consideration.

Interesting Fact For The Day - Your government doesn't give a damn about you.
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English Verb Conjugation [Jan. 17th, 2009|02:01 pm]
[mood | alright]
[music |Econoline Crush - Bleeding Through]

I scream. You scream. We all scream for English verb conjugation.

Before we get started I want to say this. For the first time in a long time, I can actually say I am greatly pleased with the actions of the Canadian government. Specifically, for their decisions in the issue of foreign affairs.

Now, time for my first real post of the New Year. I guess this takes us back all the way to Christmas Eve.

I had a half day at work, which was a good thing. Ontario had previously enjoyed a mass of snow, which by Christmas Eve had turned to rain, melting everything (made of snow) in sight. After getting off work, I met Emily at the bus station, not before she had a little adventure of her own. The enormous line to get tickets didn't sway us, as it moved surprisingly fast. This efficiency however did not carry over into the departing buses. The loading bay was packed with people waiting for buses. The terrible weather only magnified the issue already created by the horde of people travelling for the holiday. Long story short, after a long wait, a late bus and a traffic jam, we made it to St.Catharines 2 hours late. Then there was dinner... in the form of meatball subs. Those were so good. I wish I was eating one right now.

The next morning brought us to Christmas, which was a carefully scheduled day, delegated between church, Emily's family and my own. Also Chuck came by and visited my parents place a short while. I gave Emily her presents. I had used pieces of cardboard to disguise the true nature of the wrapped items. I truly am the Prince of Deception. I gave out the swag... received a few cool items of my own. Enjoyed some good food at my parent's place for dinner. Always a good meal.

Boxing Day proved to be fruitful, but not in all the ways we had hoped. Emily and I went looking for new shoes but fell short. We did find some good deals on CDs and other goodies. We visited my brother's place later that night. That was boring as hell. It was us watching him babysit. Fuck that.

The next day Emily's dad drove us back to Toronto with our mass of new goodies. The rest of that holiday seems some what uneventful right now... for I don't recall much else. In truth, the last few weeks have seemed somewhat uneventful.

The following week I returned to work. The pace was slower and I enjoyed another half day on New Years Eve. I hung out with "Anna T." for a bit after work and returned home to Emily. We had a pizza and watched movies. Good times. We don't go out for New Years anymore and that's the way we like it.

New Years is possibly the weakest holiday known to man. What does it make? The beginning of the new year, based on a date that was set arbitrarily. It may not be another year on Earth for you if say, you were born in September. Then there's the business of the New Years resolution. What for? If you know there's an issue, fix it now. Why put off to tomorrow what you can do today. Then the parties, and the annoying singing of that stupid fucking song! I hate New Years.

Shortly after New Years I had to run to the post office to pick up some books. The package they came in was terrible and one book was slightly damaged. It wasn't horrible and normally I would ask for a small refund, but this is a comic book. So I asked for a replacement. A few days after that, I returned to the post office to pick up a different book. At the subway station on the way back, I looked down while fishing my pass out of my wallet and found a $20 that someone lost. "Cha-ching!" I exclaimed. Good times.

The university is still on strike so Emily has been going back to St.Catharines to work. While left to my own devices, I've been filling my time with not eating properly (either in quantities, nutrition or both), hanging out with friends, devising ways to subjugate mankind, thinking up even more ideas for me to (not) work on, and playing video games. I love complex math equations with a visual output to which the computer has no interest or disinterest, only seeing it as math but people get enjoyment out of!

A plus side to Emily's trips to St.Catharines... she brings back bus cookies!

Kyle and I have been playing a lot of Scrabble when ever we hang out. That's cool. It can be such a blood sport but it's also kind of civilised.

I got to hang out with an old friend whom I have not seen in quite sometime. "Bernard" came over and he, along with "Josh" and I, hung out. That was cool. We watched TV, shot the breeze, devised a place to fool patrons of a fancy restaurant and enjoyed some fermented wheat extracts.

This past Thursday was an absolutely shitty day. Work's been bothering me a lot lately. The company I work for is grand, but the people I have to deal with are bringing me down. One of our clients at work is (was) a major Canadian company and it has gone bankrupt. Reading the history of this company, you'd have to wonder why our government hasn't offered to "bail out" this company. One that has poured billions of dollars into the Canadian economy. Apparently, saving a company whose products don't sell, but employ hundreds of workers to flip a switch over and over (like a robot) at $90 an hour is more important.

Yesterday didn't have the greatest start either. Like everyday this week, I woke up feeling exhausted. Then after showering, I spent a couple hours cleaning the place up a bit. Then off to work.

Now, had I known earlier that the power was out for a large chunk of the city, I might have left earlier. Part of the subway was closed and a shuttle bus was running people back and forth over the closed section. That was the worst "organised effort" I have ever seen. A blind chimp could have done a better job. They simply let us gather around the platform, didn't tell us where we need to go, put a bus in front of us and expect us to instinctively know that this isn't for us. Then put the bus we did need to be on in front of us, then didn't open the door. Once we were all aboard, we had to contend with the Toronto city streets. I can't believe a city this large still has major streets, only three lanes wide. That's insane. It took me almost an hour to cover the distance that would have normally been covered in less than 10 minutes.

Another reason why I like my new job. I walked in 48 minutes late and reported my absence to my boss. He told me "not to worry about it." This happening while I got my free hot apple cider. Nice.

Emily came back for the weekend last night. Fortunately, the power has been restored to much of the city by then and the subways were operational.

That's about all that has transpired these last few weeks. It seems kind of empty, but believe me I have been busy. More to come as things unfold. Until next time true believers.

Quote Of The Day - "They (The Arabs) will stop fighting us when they love their children more than they hate us (Jews)." Golda Meir, fourth Prime Minister of Israel.

Interesting Link For The Day - How To Say I Love You. A cute independent film from the UK. Have a look.

Interesting Fact For The Day - Though it is considered a symbol of peace, mistletoe is a parasitic plant with poisonous properties.
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Annual Year In Review Meeting - 2008 [Jan. 1st, 2009|07:21 pm]
[mood | apathetic]
[music |Nightwish - Bye Bye Beuatiful]

It is that time... once again. Time for my year in review post. Lets get started. For Gnomeregan!

Looking back, I feel that 2008 has been something of an uneventful year for me. Lets look at the highlights. Again, not always in order.

- I graduated from college.

- I went to many a social event including karaoke, backyard fires, gatherings in people's garages and living rooms, and other such events.

- I worked on a project or two.

- One day while making finally arrangements to move, several of us were passing through Burlington. While passing through Burlington, I noticed a car in the next lane. The license plate said "ROMANCE" and I had to stop and think. I thought "Who did you have to fuck to get that license plate?"

- Emily and I moved to the city I detest.... Toronto.

- I finally left the job I hated, and slaved at for many years. What a waste of nine years.

- I finally got a job where I feel respected.

- Lets of course remember my interview tips.

- I made new friends.

- Disappointment after disappointment after disappointment.

- I expanded the horizons of human knowledge. Mostly by learning more stuff myself, and that's all the really matters.

- Emily and I celebrated our first anniversary. We did so by going to dinner and visited the worlds tallest free standing structure... while it still holds that title.

- My journal went paid again as a permanent member.

- My journal also reached the five year anniversary. That kind of muscled in on the grandeur of the year in review meeting. Just a little.

- I went on a covert mission or two. You did get to read all about them... just not here.

- As always, shared many great facts, links and quotes.

- I travelled to a few places that I had never been before.

- I beat the hell out of a small town's superhero. .... What?! He was being an asshole.

- Finally had a kick ass Halloween costume.

- I finally beat Kyle at Scrabble. Five times now.

- I did some reading.

- I discovered that (much to my dismay as well as satisfaction) I am completely incapable of doing a bad job intentionally.

- Emily and I got two new cats.

So yes, this past year has been rather uneventful compared to other years, save a few things.

So that concludes our year in review meeting. Stay tuned for an updated on recent events over the holidays.

Quote Of The Day - "He was a bold man that first ate an oyster." Jonathan Swift.

Interesting Link For The Day - Will the feminists ever stop their incessant bitching. More insight from Maddox.

Interesting Fact For The Day - $20 will get you 80 shopping carts.
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Breaks Are Boring When You Have Nothing To Do [Dec. 23rd, 2008|03:37 pm]
[mood | contemplative]
[music |Apocalyptica - Helden]

Greetings. It's been 20 days since my last serious post. After the over whelming response to my last post, I decided to update quickly, rather than in the new year.

Before I proceed, I think we need to take a moment, and set it aside for reflection. As you all know, a very important day is coming up on December 25. A birthday in fact. A birthday for a person who has supported me a lot through the years. A person, who has always been my friend, has listened to me and been there...

...So Kyle and I hung out again last night (as we have done a lot of lately) for his de facto birthday party. He always complains about being born on Christmas because he can't have a real birthday party. I came by to drop off my keys so he could take care of the cats while Emily and I are visiting Metropolitan Welland for Christmas. Then I stayed for a couple cans of Guinness and a game of Scrabble, something I bought him a few years ago for his birthday. Good times. With that build up, I bet you thought I was going to say something else. Ha ha! Just kidding. Believe in Jesus!

The last six weeks has been kind of rough. Emily has been in St.Catharines (a municipality of Metropolitan Welland) for the weekdays while the school is closed... as you well know. During this time, I have been left to my own devices. Most of these days have been rather uneventful. The days are filled with work. I go home and hang out. Some nights I hung out with friends like "Josh" or Anna T." Once a week I've been going all the way to the other end of Toronto to hang out with Kyle. Those nights are usually filled with games of Scrabble, a hyper active puppy jumping everywhere, and mirth. One night, we were out shopping for electronics, walking the dog at the same time. The dog left the helpful staff at Best Buy a present. And Kyle wonders why he's not allowed to bring the dog into Leons or Ikea.

Sometimes I'd have "Josh" over and we'd hang out at my place, watch movies and have a beer or two. Sometimes I went over to "Anna T's" place. That was great because I am a terrible cook and I've been eating a lot of easy food these past few weeks.

My mind has been chattering away with really great new ideas for things to do.

Emily would come back on the weekend. We'd usually go out and do something special for the weekend. Like one day we went to the movies, then out for dinner at Kelseys. That food was so good, and man was I hungry. Another night we rented movies. We got such Christmas movies as Die Hard 1 and 2.

I am finished just about all of my Christmas shopping. I just have to pick up some chocolates and I think I am set.

I'm getting really tired of all the people who have to question everything I say, and criticise every decision I make.

Beyond that, not a lot has gone on these past few weeks. At least, not a lot that stands out in my mind at this time. Work is getting busier for me. I'm still dealing with the people and pitfalls of this damn city. For example, there was a day last week...

I left a little late one day. I was about five minutes late which shouldn't be a big deal. The weather had gotten quite wet and cold. We got the most snow we've seen in years. Something people here have melodramatically dubbed "snow-magedon." As I went under the over pass on my way to the subway stop, I thought to myself "The streets and sidewalks aren't very well kept in this city." At that instant, a bus hits a lake of slush that was on the road and soaked me. All my clothes were just cleaned, and now both legs of my pants were soaked and filthy. I was on a sidewalk that would have been level with the roof of the bus that was on the road and that wave of slush was higher than the bus. It got my pants and my jacket. I looked over the rail and the storm drain right there on the road must have been blocked. The lake of slush was wider than a lane and the length of two cars. That bus hit it at full pelt.

So I'm understandably upset. The subway stops on the tracks on the way to the next stop over. Less than a stop and the thing is already running late. I stopped another two times. Then the subway at the connection station was taken off the tracks, so I was even more late. I'm agitated because I think I'm going to be late for work. Some people start getting pushy and start cutting in front of me in "silly" ways at the last stop. Finally it comes to a head when I feel something large fall on me and people pushing off me. I hate being touched, least of all when I am mad. I whip around and the guy who was there was super apologetic. He tripped and it was an accident. I looked around and could tell some other people were thinking "Uh oh..." as they backed away. I felt bad for being angry later because it was an accident, but at that instant I just wanted to explode.

With Christmas coming up, we no doubt hear a lot of myths about the holiday.
( Christmas Myths )

Well. I think that's all for now. I am sure that as usual, I will think of more later. Adieu.

Quote Of The Day - "Ever since I was born, a tree was put up for Christmas, not for holidays, because if you're going to do that you might as well put a tree up for Easter". Donnie Hatt. This was concerning the controversy of renaming a Christmas tree, a "holiday tree."

Interesting Link For The Day - How wings are attached to the Backs of Angels - An interesting, if not some what unsettling movie by the National film Board of Canada.

Interesting Fact For The Day - An economists analysis calculates that Christmas is a deadweight loss under orthodox microeconomic theory, due to the surge in gift-giving. We should also consider the spending of money that we do not have, which is the origin of the current economic crisis.
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In Dies [Dec. 7th, 2008|08:51 pm]
[mood | accomplished]
[music |Econoline Crush - The Devil You Know]

No. No one has died. It's Latin meaning "of a continuing process of change." It's been five years since my first post. Wow. What a five years it's been. Where ever did the time go? Looking back, the time seemed to be more fluid at points, more solid and still at others. Some just like the dispersing of a vapour.

Also looking back over the many years of posts, my writing style has changed a lot. Firstly, less like a kid. Then gradually it became more professional, as if I took English at the post secondary level or something.

I have shared much knowledge over the years. Such as this fact "The spoken English in Ireland is more pure than the spoken English in England." Also this valuable fact, "Table clothes actually *were* invented to be one large napkin." Or this quote "Nietzsche is dead." - God. that always brings a tear to my eye. There are lots of great quotes.

In these five years I;
- Reused and retired many catch phrases along the way... sucka!!
- Allowed my hair to grow longer and longer. Cutting it occasionally to keep it healthy
- Watched many places I liked disappear
- Made fires
- Made many friends along the way. Said goodbye to a few. Reunited with friends of days gone by.
- Went to many concerts. Met a few band members and singers along the way. Made a couple piss in their pants as Jay and I came to seem them after the show.
- Discovered lots of great new music.
- Discovered amusing new TV shows. Watched the viewable hours dwindle to next to zero. Did you know zero is a number?
- Worked the same job for nearly all 5 years, though in several different areas. Finally found a job where I am respected, and where my abilities are treated as an asset and not used in conversation as a reason for me to leave.
- Went to college. That was amusing, also boring. I accomplished something, and feel like I accomplished nothing at the same time. We'll see how things pan out I guess. One of my teachers said that he worked a $9/hour job for 18 months after graduation.
- I moved around a lot.
- Watched as my posts often contained rants, like this one
- Visited many strange, interesting and unusual places.
- Met many strange, interesting and unusual people along the way.
- went to Karaoke, time after time after time.
- Went to many social gatherings
- Enjoyed the occasional frosted beverage with the gentlemen with whom I am acquainted.
- Decoded Linear A, and decided not to tell anyone since somethings are best left unsaid.
- Been disrespected in my own house.
- Had several run ins with the corrupt police force of the Niagara Region. Makes sense since I am a law abiding citizen.
- Who could ever forget the night I stayed at my brothers house?
- Presented many a quandary for others.
- Had several contests. I'll be honest when I say the participation in some of them was disappointing.
- Defeated others on glorious combat. Or not. It depends.
- Rediscovered Roman algebra.
- Accepted a sponsorship deal from the number 2.
- Introduced the Interesting Link For The Day, Quote Of The Day. Also the occasional Fortune Of The Day.
- Visited Toronto
- Complained about Toronto
- Moved to Toronto
- Stopped no less than three alien invasions. For the record, most kill-bots don't have "code words" that turn them off like they do in the movies. I learned that the hard way when... I've said too much.
- Discovered that the meaning of "No Comment" is lost on many.

I've nearly gotten smoked a lot. People sometimes say "Maybe fate has preserved you for greatness." I don't like that saying. It's so arrogant and pretentious. So I wouldn't say that at all. I prefer to simply say, fate admonishes many others for their mediocrity.

Most important of all, the biggest life change was meeting Emily and getting hitched! Hurray! Who saw that coming when they first read my journal?

There are a few posts I don't think any of us can forget.

- My Dating Profile
- Brendan Pu's Daily Checklist
- ANTHRAX!!
- Lets Play!
- A Tale From Times Of Old
- For Those Who Still Don't Get It
- The Brendan Quiz parts one, two and three along with the results.
- The First Ever Song Written About Me
- Questions
- I'm A Leeroy Jenkins...
- Things That Really Piss Me Off
- Sayings That Really Annoy Me
- What Does Regret Mean?

I posted many an interesting link.

- A St.Valentines Day Card , along with my Christmas card
- The Peasant Quest Movie Trailer. It's Trog-fun for the whole Trog-family.
- World Of Warcraft Addict
- Me in the Brendan-cave
- ...My nose tastes like cookies.
- Before I Go on...
- Plane, Trains and Plantains.
- The Amazing Dancing Teddy
- The Blizzard Sound Player (Can't you tell by my mighty sword?)

And what of the world? The world's changed a bit in these 5 years.

- we discovered a new extinct species of hominid, Homo Floresiensis.
- Another election, another asshole.
- Spaceship 1 was launched and made a historic voyage to space. It opened the door for feasible private space launches. It also pissed me off immensely.
- we have a new Pope
- a scholar released his theory that an Irish island was the Lost City of Atlantis.
- Islands fell into the sea.
- The Earth split open.
- More evidence that human intelligence in inversely proportional to Moore's law

So much the same way comic book movies have to amend things, I'll cut this short so it doesn't take five years. What a five years it's been. While I'd like to thank my readers, there's someone I feel I need to thank the person actually responsible these 5 years of posting.

Quote Of The Day - "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke.

Interesting Fact For The Day - The Greek word and letter "Alpha" (A) means "ox." This is because it was derived from Phoenician and Egyptian letters in which an ox head was used to represent a letter.
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