Brand Era

The other day we took era to see his great grandparents...
Here is a pic with Brand & his great grand son Elijah Reuben on era's 6 month birthday.



and a couple recent pics of the boy at random. enjoy:

SALH (RCAC)

I'm being recruited. i received a letter in the mail today. It wasn't from a big US college, i'm not being invited to any athletic program for post secondary education. This letter is even more intriging, and frankly, might even be more perfect for me. i had no idea they knew.
i'm talking about the South Alberta Light Horse Canadian Reserve Armored Regiment.

/don't tell me you got the letter too? was it just a bulk mailer... either way, it's worth a daydream or two!

//To those folks who do sign up, my toques off to you.

CotC & Trash Talk

It's that time of the week again, the time i draw all of your attentive eyes to the CotC (the inatentive eyes, we leave them well enough alone).
i just opened this weeks Carnival of the Capitalists for the first time... and i'm pretty excited about the content. Based solely on this weeks introduction comments from the host (Long or Short Capital: Let us think for you since we're better at it):

" Carnival of the Capitalists 01-29-07
by Johnny Debacle

“Capitalist” is a loaded word.

Some people think a “capitalist” is a pig. Some think a “capitalist” is someone who takes advantage of others and exploits any resource he can to get wealthy. Some people think a “capitalist” is someone who believes in hard smart work. Some people conflate it with entrepeneur. Some people think it can be a woman. Still others think “capitalist” defines a type of person who sees fit to crush the weak. The glorious thing about being “capitalists” such as ourselves, is that ALL these things are true. Except the ridiculous part about being a woman; a woman cannot be a capitalist. We looked it up.

This week, we exploit the position as host of the Carnival of the Capitalists to give you the 15 best submissions (of 56 non-spam entries) related to capitalism. These are the best and in a competition with all the other articles, these are the winners. That is not to say the people whose articles did not get posted are losers, but in this case, they did in fact lose and are in fact losers. These are facts. We looked it up.

In no order here are the entries of this week’s “Carnival of the Capitalists”"

You've gotta read on don't you? Join me... it's a good trip. click here ->.

/That is a great opening, and some good trash talk, they must have gone to the Gary Payton school of dis.

Outdoor AAA NYC Ratatat Amanda

Let me weave Outdoor advertising, video blogging and a reminder of Amanda Congdon all into one post (and somehow include more electronica music): Read on.
Outdoor advertising in NYC is a billion dollar a year industry. I recall the City selling the account by taking proposals from prospective marketing/advertising corps (did i blog it? i wonder). i was at the time, with Pitch, and thought about showing up with an Offer (the experience would have been more than worth the airfare). it doesnt't take too many accounts like that, making a couple points off of each billion dollar a year account and pretty soon your sunning on a beach somewhere (earning 20 percent).
Rocketboom was also a site (one of the first mainstream vlogs around) i used to frequent daily (you might recall the blogging i did that related). Back when Amanda Congdon was the host.
On a wim i visited their daily video blog site today... and selected a couple different days this past week (they don't publish on weekends). Not as compelling as it was in the past. i won't make it a daily visit. what i did see tho was artistically relevant, and interesting considering my work history... Thursdays episode of last week to be exact. (decent soundtrack).
The Anti Adveritising Agency(AAA) was taking a grassroots approach to muffling the *noise* on New Yorks crowded streets. They were targeting outdoor advertising... they were nipping at that Cities billion dollars in revenue each and every year. Creative too. subtle enough. well worth the look, for more than just the soundtrack. (Click here for more of their machinations)

How was that?

Politics in the Hat

Medicine Hat. South Eastern Alberta. Western Canada. Home.
Generally i leave the political discussions to our more learned bloggers, those men and women who so easily inspire with print. It is one reason i enjoy watching medhatblog.com grow into the voice it has already quickly become (consider this). I enjoy reading Angry in the Great White North by Steve Janke just as much as the blog kept by the spirited Warren Kinsella. Regardless of where they are on the Canadian political spectrum, regardless how much, or how little i agree with them, they offer heated, honest, well written debate. I love it, partly because i suspect that same heated honest well written debate is an area of weakness myself. Some day.
I missed Honest Ed Stelmach, our Premier. Just missed him. i was waiting in the lobby of Chinook Village for an appointment, and i thought i might have this chance to give our Premier a message. He was wisked out another door by his security (was it me?).
Alas, i'll let this blog inform him, i am more than satisfied, more than happy with the letter that Stelmach has written to Minister Danyluk: Housing initiatives and affordability in Alberta are very important. I'm Happy you agree.

/ Now, if only our own Monte would spend a little more time blogging, (that link used to be a blog rife with Solberg wit... it could be again with some Ministerial attention). Do we need an election? or summer break? or what... what will bring you back to the blog. Man, can Monte write. wow.

This fall our own Medicine Hat City Council will be going back to the polls. As always, there are those aldermen who've earned consideration for another term. And, sadly, there are those aldermen who've (imho) by their actions or inactions, lost that same consideration. They will finish out this term, i wish them luck in other non council related endevours (time to move along, nothing to see here).
Who will blog this process? Who will take up that roll? i look forward to reading that! Don't you?

Zambia to play in Canada

Zambian Footballers earn spot in games held in Canada June 2007.
This is the first i've heard of it.
/still bitter about missing the Kenyan Cricket teams visit to Canada in 2006. Friends were a part of that group. But Toronto was just to far on short notice. :(

Podington Bear

Read the title again... this is not a post about Padington Bear (one of my favorite bears), no... this one is Podington.



As reported in Wired Magazine recently: "If you make music yourself, you'll probably either feel inspired by or grow jealous of Podington Bear, a solo artist who releases a new song every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in podcast form. I gave a listen, and the songs are not bad -- inventive..." - Wired Magazine

Podington likely uses Reason, by those crazy Propellerheads (my fathers favorite software), and a quick click over to his site (or the wired article linked above) gives you a chance to download and listen to his beats. Some good stuff ("Elephants on Parade", i likey).

Las Vegas Police Recruiting

In an unabashed nod to genius Frank Millers style (as seen in Sin City), the Las Vegas Police Department reflects a stylized recruitment campaign.
/ i wonder if his autograph is worth any more now?

ERA Vlog

Stay...
in...
the frame....



gasp.

/era's been so active in his jolly jumper that we've hung a new (larger) hook in the middle of the room. Gives him ample room to bounce, bounce, bounce.

Local Bloggers Step Up

Local site inspires. And true to expected fashion, bloggers throughout Medicine Hat step up. Click here for the latest.

Power 150

Rahhhhhh! Power 150. That either sounds like a hard rock radio station or a heavy metal radio station. It might sound a little bit like a glam rock radio station. Rawr...

Actually, tho, the Power 150 is a listing of the top 150 PR & Marketing sites on the internet. Fellow by the name of Todd has developed a metric, and fills out the list quite nicely (thanks to C.H. for sending me the link to this site). I find i read the top few on a daily or weekly basis, and read several others on a rare-ney-freak occurrence (spot the lingo?). Even more tho, i found brand new marketing sites to read. This internet is a really big place.
i was hoping to find my site in the top 150, (i have a reasonable google pagerank, and i've recently accepted my 3rd best blogger on earth award)i would have settled for a spot in their 150-170 slot of also rans... maybe i blog a little too much about era and minutiae.

Vermonty Python

A marketing message made in heaven... and a flavor, well, a flavor to die for.
Monty Python along with Ben and Jerry's give us:
• Vermonty Python™ -Cofee liqueur ice cream with a chocolate crumb swirl and fudge cows.
Yeah, little fudge cows, in the ice cream. i really like Monty Python.
That was a good nite, thanks sis.

NBA Carnival

Speaking of blogs... and Carnivals: i've found another one well worth the read.
The nba is closing in on their mid season mark, and all is well. The Mavs are first overall. The Suns (led by venerable Steve Nash) are second overall, and within striking distance (either one wins it all this year and i'm a happy camper). The Raptors appear poised to make a run at the playoffs (mind you, thats in the East)... only thing i'd ask for now: i'd like the lakers to fall a few more notches in the Wests playoff picture (ie: right off the list), but that doesn't appear likely. One can dream.

The Carnival of the NBA... and an awesome old skool theme too. Bill Laimbeer...

CotC

Another week, another great read. This week's Carnival of the Capitalists is hosted by David Maister, author, speaker and now (again) host of the CotC.

Fibonacci & Baby Pips

i finished Prison Break, Season One the other nite. i love a good tv show on dvd. (Tho i'm always a little behind, don't tell me what happens in season two). Fibonacci was a great name used in the show.
Jumping now to Baby Pips. It all started a few years ago, i was invited to an investment meeting by a good friend of mine (he likes rum cake). One of the other attendees talked about forex, a lot. This guy liked it. i read some in follow up, but left it at that. Fast forward to this morning... i think i'll read some more about something, why not Forex. Heh, i am such a geek (at least it's not a little used coding language). Where would i start, aside from a quick and dirty google search, which is usually my first foray into the unknown (Followed by a moment at Wikipedia). I recall an Alberta company placing very well on Alberta Ventures Fast 50 this year (no, not that company, tho they did do well too) No, this one was Investopedia.com a company from Edmonton. I went there... which led me to babypips.com "the beginners guide to forex trading".
i started reading from their Pre-School. And now i find myself in Grade Three (all over again)... only this time we are talking about Fibonacci... how cool is that?

NFL Playoffs Game Day

Its Conference Championship time, or the NFL's version of the final 4 (tho college hoops do it better). i'm not stressed, and definitely not waiting to exhale, (like last week) seeing as the lighting bolts are off golfing. But boy, have the Saints gotten off to a rough rough start. Rex doesn't have pretty numbers at all, but the Bears are still adding points on the board.
And now, back to ESPN's live game stats, the next best thing to actually watching the game.

Alberta Triples Nation

Here in Alberta, we are doing our part.
As reported in the Calgary Sun today:
"Alberta growth triples nation... Without Alberta's booming home industry, housing starts nationwide would have fallen by 3.3% last year. Alberta accounted for two-thirds of the jump in national average resale prices."

From Horton to NOLNOP

In January 2006 i posted this comment regarding an email (spam) i had received. And then i just let it go.
DJ has sent me the following note regarding another odd email he's received. If Spam is designed to sell (and not just clog up your internets) then what, pray tell, is this selling?
"Jace,
why did I get the email below. No subject line, just the strange word below?

cold and confused in Winnipeg

-dj

-------- Original Message -------- Subject: **SPAM**

ñolñop"

Now, a year later i get another strange email spam comment, this time from DJ. This requires more thought for sure ;)

Glass House

Denver's Glass House project is worth review (i encourage it)... and replication as it might apply to whatever you may be involved in.
Link courtesy of marketing guru Seth Godin. (isn't guru as a word bandied around a little much these days? it's almost as meaningless as genius, wouldn't you agree?)

Era Roundup

Word on the street is that some of you have forgotten what Elijah looks like. It's been a week or so since his last bout of pics were posted here. And while i won't bother to show you his passport pic (that is a whole other story) here are a couple recent photos:


Era gettin' digital. He's not dialing the phone yet, but he loves to chat with the granddad on it.


Era is getting bigger, fast. He's over 16 pound now, which means he's almost as heafty as King. Close... tho at the moment, my money is still on King.



Elijah is eating some solids now. Here he is lovin' the squash. He's not a big carrot fan yet...
In one of those rare occasions when the bib's date is true, these pics are from yesterday (Friday).

Freud and Me

I wonder wht Freud might have to say.
This evening i am wearing both these shoes and a shirt similar to this.
/Could be nothing.

Post Bloggus Interuptus

It's been a while since i posted last, you may have noticed, loyal reader. Heh... or not. Either way, a part (but not all) the reason for the online absense has to do with this light reading i've been doing. Light reading, for sure. - Condominium Act of Alberta. Much more interesting than it sounds, tho that might be a direct result of my work with local company CCL.

The recent lack of blogging hasn't been due to Warren Kinsella's opinion quoted here
"January 14, 2006 - On this blog, I don't ever name our children, or post photos of them, or do anything like that. I don't want to make things easier for some of the hands-on haters out there (cast a glance over last week's postings, and you'll see what I mean). There are a lot of crazy people in this sad old world, and I want to keep them away from my family as much as possible. I'm certain you feel the same way."
(tho i must admit i did ponder it for a while, Danger Mouse has such a sweet gig, no one knows his real name)
;)

CotC

Carnival of the Capitalists
Head on over to the January 15th edition of the Carnival of the Capitalists.
It looks like he's done a fine job this week. I'll know more after i start reading the collection of postings... as you should too, or not.
This weeks Carnival is hosted by Endless Gibberish. (isn't that me?)
:)

Homelessness in Canada

Bought a toque yesterday, while picking up some supplies. It's not that i don't already have many toques to wear, i do (a pre-requisite to living in Western Canada i would presume). And it's not that it was so cold i needed a toque (tho it is colder locally than prior to Christmas). No, i bought this toque because of what it represents, what it stands for, who it partners with... and how much of the cost is used directly to support the organization (100%... rare, but important) in question.
I just spent 10 minutes rifling around the retailers online site, hoping to link to them and give them much link love, in appreciation for their involvment. Finding any reference at all to their involvment was tough, as it's not mentioned (or easy to find with their search option).
I did find it... it's worth noting:

"The Home Depot is proud to be a National Partner of Raising the Roof, Canada's only national homelessness charity. Raising the Roof works with grass-roots agencies in communities across Canada to find long-term solutions to homelessness."

So, while you are supporting our local food bank (here->) consider buying one of these toques (ordering online is also an option).
The Medicine Hat Community Housing Society is a fantastic local organization that has been doing lots to improve the lives of numerous families in and around Medicine Hat. My hat (or toque) is off to them as well.
Wikipedia has this entry regarding homelessness in Canada. Affordable housing is of the utmost importance, one big reason why i derive such intrinsic satisfaction working with developer Classic Construction Ltd.

"To become the leading developer and builder of affordable homes.
Coupling affordability with innovative design, quality and service,
ensuring sound investments to our customers" - CCL Mission Statement

One step at a time, one home at a time, divide that down, and it might just make sense: You and i can make a real difference - One Toque at a time. How Canadian is that, eh!

/timing is everything, Brent Butt last nite made fun of the word toque. Heh.

NFL Playoffs Game Day

ESPN figure the NFL game between Seattle & Chicago is going to be close. (So far it is, Chicago just took the lead 21-14, 2nd quarter). That must be why ESPN used the title "Waiting to exhale" for their coverage of the game.
Nah... i'm waiting until the lightning bolts trounce the pats later this evening. (i wonder if i can hold my breath that long).

Brent Butt, Live & in Person

Spent the night laughing at this man, in person. Good times.

/great venue too!

CoD2 Mod

I like CoD 2 as much as the next guy, and more than most.
This mod tho, this is taking it a little far. Truth be told, i like it.

/Hoping renee doesn't mention that i wear a black opps toque when i play. that might be embarrassing. (Yes, the toque has a ww2 era patch on it)

Million Monkeys & the Interweb

No word of the day today. Instead, i give you a quote. Not my own of course.

"We've heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true." - quotationspage

/stay warm.

Bath Time era redux

Alternate title for this post (shouldn't all posts have two titles?):
HipHop Bathtime & Rum (it will all become clear, read on).

These pics are recent, not within days, but within a week or two. i'm remiss, i didn't archive the exact date... but they are of Elijah, that much i am sure (as you will be once you see them).




And all the Rap music i've been wispering in his little ears has paid dividends. He's a hip hop baby now... boyeeeee! Kickin' it old skool. word. (or something).



And now, for how the Rum gets into my alternate title: We have good friends staying with us this week. Friends from back east... these friends are the only reason i visit the liquor store (bottle(s) of Rum every time they visit)... yeah, they are *those* kind of friends (the ones who just *love* Renee's rum-cake).
:)

Chargers & POD

LINK: San Diego Chargers Theme Song by POD. Good tune. Thanks for the link Sean!
/first playoff game this weekend against the Pats. Here comes the superbowl...

My Minds Round-Up

Here is a quick look at a couple links i found today. Too funny (interesting) not to post. No particular theme, accept that this may give you a diluted look into the mind of said blogger (still #3 - WoOt!)

Speaking of WOOT! (which is online & oldskool slang) i've been a quasi-fan of WOOT! the site for a few years now. i say quasi because: I love what they are doing, and how they do it. Its' a techy, geek impulse site with one product and only one product a day. But i really dislike (even hate) the fact that Canadians (or some folks from Wyoming) are not able to join & buy. From their site:"Why isn't my state/country/province listed; do you ship internationally?
No, we do not ship outside of the continental United States at this time. We do not ship to APO/FPO addresses, Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, nor to Maggie's Nipples, Wyoming or Assinippi, Massachusetts at this time."


Over at Isthatlegal? (a blogging lawyer, or bLAWger) we learn that simple pick up lines can be regional. To quote Faulty Towers: "don't mention the war, i did, but i think i got away with it!"

And then i'm challenged to read: "Why should i give up coffee". You should read it too. Caffeine (coffee) really is the nectar of the God. Tomorrow i will drink more, much more (See you at noon B.K.)

Carnival Time & The Eighth Key

The Eighth Key is this:
"Give generously to create a better world"
A worthy goal, in fact a topic recently broached locally by medhatblog and their bloggin' mouse "Danger".


***EDIT*** (moments after posting this, i clicked over to read the mouse himself and look what i see)
"News spreads, donations filter in.... raised $363.66 - to date... Can we hit $500? beyond? paypal to medhatblog@gmail.com. Like the whisper games of elementary school. “Pass it on” - but lets put a deadline on it. We will end the Grameening Challenge on January 31, 2007 - see where we are at then.!" - local blogger Elron also gets kudo's for linking the post and assisting with a bump to his *blogience*. Good show!
(and now, back to the regularly posted content)*****

The eighth key was found thru a visit to this weeks Carnival of the Capitalists.
/Sounds a little like a quest. Zelda anyone... ahh, good times (off to fire up the old grey box)

Bought & Paid For

Overly zealous, pompous or just plain playful, (feel free to form an opinion, or not) you decide! i was just awarded the highly treasured designation:
"Third Best Blogger on Earth" (mind you, i did pay for it, literally.) The certificate (click here to see it) is signed & sealed, which means that it has been signed and sealed (though it is a digital version, i didn't pay for the printed version so it hasn't actually been signed & sealed...)
On reflection, i might not have ranked myself quite so high, but who am i to argue (and look at who's company i am within striking distance: Instapundit)
/Thank's Dan Sherman for using your designation as Most Entrepeneurial on Earth to provide us with digital (read: online) certificates. And now, where was that Phoenix University link, i need another Degree or three.

//Be sure to visit BiggestOnEarth.com to secure your position in life like never before (and with a micro-payment too). In fact, i'm off now to buy "Best Son on Earth" for Elijah Reuben...

Favorite Galapagos Picture

last week i posted a small version of a friends picture from his recent holidays. i refrained from giving photo credit, until i heard back from the photographer in person. i have, and i will give you his name, i will also link to a higher res version of the same pic, if you MUST see the crisper version go ahead and click the link below the pic.


Richard Schears' favorite Galapagos Island picture.

Take a look at this map of the Galapagos Islands (which look like an old d&d fantasy world map of some sort - flash backs)

Swing Baby era 2.0

Era, relaxing with Rosie the dog.




/Happy to use Zippy to upload vids. i hadn't loaded a new one in a while, and after referring these happy parents to the service they've gone load-video crazy. i need to get going just to catch up.
//that upload was real slow, wow.

Vin & Rudolf: Diesel

Wired.com writes:
"it's worth noting that inventor Rudolf Diesel originally envisioned his engine running on vegetable oil. When he apparently committed suicide by jumping overboard on a crossing of the English Channel in 1913, at least one conspiracy theory surfaced suggesting that he was bumped off by nervous oil investors.

Funny how what seemed laughable then sounds entirely plausible now. Interesting, too, that following Diesel's death, the engine was re-engineered to run using only petroleum-based fuel."

This day, a few years ago, Mr. Diesel took a jump (read: was thrown) from a ship. Tinfoil hat time?

Speaking of Diesel, i was lent these flicks last nite. Trilogy time with Diesel (Vin).

/Vin & Rudolf would make a decent name for a wine, wouldn't it? Imagine the label.

Scrub & Clean

ad aware SE
Spybot: Search & Destroy

i plan on visiting family, and will be downloading both of these apps to scrub their computer clean (at least, that is the intent). So initially, these links posted here are to streamline my use of them later. If they are of some use to you, enjoy!

Perfect Dean's 50/50

Much like Glenn Reynolds, i too, am speechless (and tired, just reading the article):

"The solution: sleep less. "Forgoing sleep is the only way I've figured out how to fit it all in...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention to arrive safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming: Wow!! What a ride!" - Wired Magazine article: The Perfect Human: Dean Karnazes runs 50 marathons in 50 days! Yeah... a marathon is a lot of miles (26+), all in a row.

Tohubohu

In preparation for tomorrows Toastmasters meeting, i am happy to provide an excellent option for word of the day. It's even Hebrew. (How cool is that)

"tohubohu (TOH-hoo-BO-hoo) noun

Chaos; confusion.

[From Hebrew tohu wa-bhohu, from tohu (formlessness) and bhohu (emptiness).]

And an example of the word in use, from a business magazine in 1995:
"Our problem is tohubohu. Our industry is drowning in it. But somehow, even with all the confusion and disorder, we manage to develop systems." - A.Word.A.Day

Have you ever been to a Toastmasters meeting? if so, did you want to go again? if not, that's ok... our club is the one for you. We are a little (read: LOT) left of center. It's a good time, a good group, and good productivity in regards to developing comfort and skillz in communication (& leadership). And remember, chicks dig guys with skillz. (and speaking of that, there's a movie i want to watch again, and again)

Fast 50

Seeing as the cat is out of the bag, thanks to a friend of mine, the mouse: it's time to link to good good (read: GREAT) news.

Classic Construction Ltd is recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in Alberta by Alberta Venture Magazine in their 2007 Fast 50. In fact, CCL is the only representative on the list from the Medicine Hat area.

era 007

Great title huh? Actually tho, i just dropped the 2: title should read "era 2007" heh. Probably not the only time you'll hear that little gag.


Elijah hanging out in the Jolly Jumper, his first time in the sling was Christmas day, this is one week later and he's really gotten the hang of it.



Sedate, resting... and still with the intense eyes.

There you go, the first two pics of era (2007) i've blogged.
And now, to play games, and sleep. (in that order).

Kiyosaki & the CotC

CotC: Carnival of the Capitalists... (the first one of 2007) i'm not offended if you've forgotten that little anacronym, as it has been some time since i blogged the weekly event. Luckily tho, regardless of my humble attention, the CotC continues on. It's worth reading... and not only because one writer takes offense at Robert Kiyosaki (& Trumps) new book. Heh... If you know the names, it's worth a read. Or not. Thoughts?

Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame is, according to the writer of said post (linked above) not a good source of information regarding *getting rich* (either, the writer presumes, is Trump.)

Name That Body of Water

Anyone care to take a guess as to where that pic was taken?
The web version of this image really doesn't do it justice. The version i received via email from the photographer, a friend, is excellent.
I've requested permission to give the picture taker credit here, as such, until i hear back... the photographer shall remain anonymous.
Striking juxtaposition.

One photographer i can name is Graeme Corbett. He did NOT take the pic i posted above, but take a look at his online portfolio anyhow. He's good too (it's his profession).