Era's 7th month

First, the above Vlog (video blog) of little era laughing about his 7th month day. Click the link for laughing goodness, not this much laughing goodness mind you. Then, the story of era and the chicken. Everyone loves the chicken. Even era loves the chicken. Mmm chicken.

Atmosphere Photo from Nasa

One of the coolest photo's i've seen in a long time. Click and enjoy.
Thanks Nasa for the pic, and thanks Digg for the link. Oh, and thanks Del.icio.us for keeping the link handy. And thanks mom, and dad, my wife (it is Oscar season i hear... to which i say "meh" but, it is as good a time as any to practice my acceptance speech, don't you think?)

Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force

This morning was a lot of fun. Butterflies in my stomach and all. i presented, on behalf of Classic Construction (at the Task Forces invitation) to the Alberta Affordable Housing Task Force. It was a spirited conversation, but enough about my time. I had the opportunity to listen to Darren Rud of the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society. Wow... my hat is off to that man, and his suggestions were spot on! i sure hope the Task Force considers, weighs & values his input.

The Task Forces goal was, in the words of newly minted Minister Danyluk:
"The task force is responsible for identifying short- and long-term housing solutions that will have a positive impact on Alberta’s competitiveness and enhance Albertans' quality of life."

Heh, i even got name mention in their list of presenters, just click on the Feb 26th Medicine Hat download to see... if you care. Mom?

/ i was dissapointed to see that there was no representation on the task force from Southern Alberta, i suppose that would be due to travel in the short timelines Premier Stelmach has given them? It certainly isn't because they couldn't find apply suitable board members within Medicine Hat. Murray Prokosch included.

CotC 2.0

Monday nite, and the latest Carnival is up... The Carnival of the Capitalists has just undertaken an update, a potential upgrade... and by the sounds of it, more stringent inclusion regulations (meaning i've likely missed MY window of opportunity where including one of my posts is concerned).

"Welcome to the first edition of Carnival of the Capitalists 2.0, the reboot of CotC in which inclusion will not be so automatic and the emphasis will be on quality and substance, as well as remaining on-topic, which hasn’t always been the case." - Bizosphere

More carnival goodness... enjoy!

Toronto Raptors grade A-Plus

"You can stop e-mailing me. I like your team. I was wrong. OK? I was wrong! LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU BRYAN ADAMS-LOVING FREAKS!!!!"

Quote by Bill Simmons of ESPN's Page Two column while talking about rabid Canadian fans of the Toronto Raptors. Priceless.
/made me laugh. Out loud. (i hope i didn't wake anyone)

Era's Wagon redux

More Era goodness... this one from MH.

/This has become a veritable Photoshopping event. I love it.

Era's Ride

That is flippin' sweet. Thanks for emailing the image buddy! (and thanks for taking me up on my offer yesterday about photoshoping era into the wagon he hopes to one day own)

/i noticed the blur you added to the image too, makes it look like he's in a racing wagon. too fun.

He does look pretty happy in the wagon, maybe we will need to go shopping. i just wish they were still the same price as 1956. :)

The missing poster

Imagine you get an "image not found" error while you "browse" on a street... this is what you will get.

/Ahh, it's been a while since i blogged about outdoor advertising. my focus has seen subtle and not so subtle shifts.

Big Red Era

I got this picture passed to me this evening. Seems that this is now on our wishlist... I imagine it's on Renee's wish list, as era's wishlist at the moment isn't quite as advanced (i don't think).


This can be ordered online too... never would have guessed that 10 years ago, or maybe you did, seeing as this sort of thing was ordered by mail 50 years ago too (Eatons Special Price $9.98 : 1956 Christmas Catalog).

i didn't have the time yet to photo-shop era into the wagon above... but here are a couple pics if you want the challenge (the scale is a little off). If you cut and paste the boy into the *Big Red Classic All Terrain Wagon", send me a copy!





He'll love it, won't he?

Chargers Reloaded

Skipping a day of blogging is like, skipping a day of news. Or at least, talking about the news. As was the case with the Chargers recent Hire. Over birthday cake yesterday i chatted nonchalantly about the Chargers sacking of Shotty. All the while, it seems, San Diego was giving Turner another shot at Head Coach. That is a nice gig to land. Odds on Favorite for next years Super Bowl Champs. More coaches get added (good ones too) and Philips gets re-upped with some big money.

CotC

After the Family Day holiday yesterday, today feels like Monday. I know it's not, so you can save the emails... but, it's as good a time to give you this weeks Carnival of the Capitalists as any. Unless i were to give it to you yesterday, when it came out.

Greg's Gadget

Greg Pattillo is driving into internet stardom, just watch. It's already begun. This above video of Greg beatbox flute playing the theme from Inspector Gadget on Youtube has already been viewed over ONE MILLION times (ahh if he had a dollar for every view, he'd be rich). Video's are being posted to youtube by this user account Freedomworksfilms. A link regarding Mario theme music I link referenced February 8th, was my first view of Greg and his beatbox Flute playing self.

Here is his Mario Brothers Theme. Definitely worth the click, and subsequent 2 minutes of your life, you won't ask for those two minutes back is all i'm saying.


Or his Sesame Street Theme here:

"Can you tell me how to get..." How to get these as MP3's. Heh.

Medicine Hat Jazz Festival, call & book him. For real.

/until more videos are posted. OR Youtube crashes and looses these links... make mine Mario. What theme music will Greg flute/beatbox next?

Call of Duty 2 Screen Cap

CoD2 Bragging Rights.

Lake Cowichan

I grew up on Vancouver Island. Lake Cowichan (pronunciation depressingly parlayed as Cow-itchin - they even print t-shirts) for most of that time, tho we moved around a lot (the whole witness relocation plan in effect).

Take a look at this site Private Islands for Sale or Rent. They offer Kowichan Lake Island, in Cowichan Lake. The island is only $995,000 CDN. Good thing that isn't US funds... or something. I wish it were Canadian Tire Money... forget buying it, just look at the pretty pictures of that water. Largest lake on Vancouver Island.

More views available here.
i'm not homesick, Alberta is my home (happily transplanted now for lots of years) and my family is here in Alberta... but dang, that water looks great huh? i DO miss that.

Heh, in fact, there is the country club right there! LCSS

Era Sitting. And Sitting. And

Era is a strapping lad these days... a far cry from the whee one he started out as (i never doubted it).
Renee grabbed three pics in quick succession that, when viewed in a particular order are, frankly, quite fun. See era sit. Sit era sit. (been reading too much Dr Seuss methinks)








Fall era fall. Heh, maybe i shouldn't laugh but, i really wish i was there. Bet that was one heck of a bounce, it's a good thing little boys are resilient.

/pic number 2 is great for so many reasons. look at Rosie the dog hamming it up for the camera. too campy. Not staged...

Zambia Kasisi & Mosi-oa-Tunya

Zambia.
i won't bore you with my recollections... i'll save that for another day.
Click this link here to the BBC Africa and watch an Audio Slide show of the "Children of Kasisi" outside of Lusaka, the capital. i watched the whole thing. even having been there as i have, and been a part of the things i've seen, that video is an open challenge.

Or, visit this link, it speaks more about Zambian tourism, growth and keen optimism.

Chargers Reload

"Schottenheimer was fired Monday, less than a month after San Diego's NFL-best 14-2 season was wrecked in a playoff loss to New England. Team president Dean Spanos cited the exodus of both coordinators and other assistants in firing Schottenheimer, who had a year left on his contract. Schottenheimer was 47-33 in five seasons with the Chargers, including 35 wins and two AFC West titles in the last three seasons."

CotC

"The Carnival of the Capitalists is one of the longest-running blog carnivals on the web. It covers all kinds of business-related topics and..."

You'll have to click the link to find out how that sentence ends. It's Carnival time... CotC. Enjoy!

Elijahs' first swim

Elijahs' first swim. Sure he's had lots of baths. But this was his first swimming pool experience. Only to be outdone by his first river, and first lake experience (all planned for this summer). Renee was there too (thanks for taking the pic).

Elijahs' Allstars

Era wanted to join us in Pambrun for basketball. He tried as hard as a six month old kid can, to suit up a basketball team. It was too bad he couldn't get a full team of 5. the team he was suiting up might have had a real good time. Rosie the dog (not shown in pictures), Zebra & lion. (where was his rabbit?)

Millar & The Trove

Millar College in Pambrun Saskatchewan invited our Monday nite drop in basketball group at Hillcrest Church to register a team and compete in their college basketball tourney this weekend. We went. Six of us to be exact.

We ate Friday nite (after our first win) at Boston Pizza in Swift. That was disappointing (the pizza, not the game). Pizza that expensive should have been better. Maybe it's just me.
The games went well, we played our first two games and ranked first overall (tourney had 5 teams entered)... then the draw was formed (final 4 style). We won our semi... and waited six hours for the final.
We drove to Vanguard to find a meal while we waited. This might have been the best decision we made all weekend. The TROVE DELI (located in one of Vanguards old churches) was phenomenal. For real. Food was better than great & all home cooked (while we ate they were hand churning ice cream in the lobby), thick home made bread, warm buns to go with the beef barley soup. So good i'm going back (back to the TROVE DELI, i don't know if they'll invite us back to the tourney next year or not, and frankly, i'm not sure i want to wait another year before i eat at the TROVE again. Mmmmmmmmmmmm.)
The other team won the final... we left it all on the floor. we were sore (some of us were old) and we were played out. Next time, we get more than six bodies to commit.
No team picture to post, no roster to announce. You guys know who you were, and you were a group i'd road trip again with in a second. Each and every one of you. Even you B.K.

Mario Geek

Old Skool.

"If you watch only one, however, watch the first one. I couldn’t even figure out what a beat boxing flute player was until I watched the video… it’s truly impressive:" -FanTent Mario Brothers Music

I want these as mp3's for my phone. WoOt!

This video from the above link is a *must* watch. too fun.

Word(s) of the Day

Not a day goes by when i don't continue to strive towards having a truly pellucid conspectus. For real. What? And you don't?

PELLUCID \puh-LOO-sid\, adjective:
1. Transparent; clear; not opaque.
2. Easily understandable.

CONSPECTUS \kuhn-SPEK-tuhs\, noun:
1. A general sketch or survey of a subject.
2. A synopsis; an outline.

/Thanks Dictionary dot com. Thanks a lot. (dripping with sarcasm)

4 23 Anytime

Jersey number 4 as a Miami Hurricane.
Jersey number 23 as a Chicago Bears rookie this year.
Sets the NFL records for kick returns for touchdowns in a single season.
Makes it to XL1 - starts - returns the opening kick off... for a touchdown.

Here's the return. Devin Hester, Anytime!

Construction & Politics

What a day. R.S. makes my day with the following humor via email. He manages to touch on Construction, & politics. That scores high in my books. enjoy.

If you're still reading, here's a little humour to brighten your day.

MODERN MEDICINE

Five surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on.

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table, because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered."

The second responds, "yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them is color-coded."

The third surgeon says, "no, I really think librarians are the best; everything inside them is in alphabetical order."

The fourth surgeon chimes in, "you know, I like construction workers...those guys always understand when you have a few parts left over at the end, and when the job takes longer than you said it would."

But the fifth surgeon shut them all up when he observed, "you're all wrong. Politicians are the easiest to operate on. There's no guts, no heart, and no spine, and the head and rear are interchangeable."

WK The Punk Lawyer

Heh. Warrens site is always good for some fun (and thought provoking commentary is nice too)

"February 4, 2007 - At the airport, going through the security line-up thing. Guy asks to see my boarding pass. Looks at it, expression changes.

"Warren Kinsella," says he. "The punk lawyer?"

Not sure what to say, and then I spot two tiny Ramones and Misfits pins on his lapel. "That's me, man," say I.

It didn't make the security process any less onerous, but it was comforting to know that the international punk conspiracy continues to spread, maaaaan." - Warren Kinsella (Self aware... i like that)

era Signs Again

Here are a couple pics of era to go with all the other blogging i've been doing tonight...



Gang signs (again, like he did in August, YES that pic is of the same boy)... maybe i've been singing Beastie Boys to him a little *too* much?


Nah, couldn't be. (Will have to read more Dr. Seuss then... that will be fresh)

Speechcraft with Circle T

I got good news in my email tonight. Circle T is sponsoring a 6 week Speechcraft starting March 1st. Circle T is a Toastmasters club here in Medicine Hat. Not the club i attend regularly, but a good one for sure. Speechcraft will give you the Toastmasters experience, with all the training and support, without any long term commitment. Gives you a welcome chance to test the waters, so to speak.

Click here for the Toastmasters Speechcraft brochure, ->

Or give Gail a call for info & signing up (her number is on the brochure linked above).

Looking for a fun, rewarding Toastmasters group that meets during the lunch hour? Our club, Gas City Square, meets Thursdays from 12 noon till 1pm sharp at ABC restaurant. Drop in and see, no pressure, visitors and guests are always welcome.

CotC

It's the latest Carnival of the Capitalists. It is Monday, was there any doubt?

XL1

Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday. Colts & Bears. I didn't watch the game, tho some 93+ million did (one of the most all time). Nah, for me, it wasn't Super Bowl Sunday, it was Super Baby Sunday (era had a double baby shower with family) Good times. i picked right.
Besides, i was rooting for the underdog Bears. Tho Dungy is a great man to win, no doubt. And i'll heep the criticism on myself big time, i honestly thought, the last two years, that the Colts could probably do with being *blown up* roster wise. But i'm no die-hard fan.
/only regret is not seeing Devin Hesters kick off return 92 yards for a touchdown to start the game. Now that is a game breaking rookie, no doubt. Here is a youtube video of a few of his college runs. Unconscious.

Ira Hozack

Great News for the Hozacks.

Outdoor Advertising Nuff Said

Simplicity is married with Message on a letterboard in Medicine Hat.
Of some ongoing discussion lately is when the local Earls Restaurant is going to open again after a nasty fire. The customers are getting restless, there has been much speculation, and much silence.
Driving by their location on Dunmore rd this morning i saw their black backed letter board advertisement in the parking lot. An example of outdoor advertising getting the viewing traffic to send a succinct message.

"MAR 15
NUFF SAID"

That is all it needs to say. No question at all. The message is for their faithful. For the expectant. And it hits home. Brief, simple and... we'll... just great mechanics. Utilizing space, medium and message.
Nuff Said.

Immix

Toastmasters meeting today over lunch was good. Lunch was good too (denver with hotsauce). We learned a new word, not this word, but thats ok.

immix (i-MIKS) verb tr.

To mix; to blend.

[Back-formation of Middle English immixt, from Latin immixtus, past participle of immiscere (to blend), from in- (intensive prefix) + miscere (to mix). Ultimately from the Indo-European root meik- (to mix) that's also the source of mix, miscellaneous, meddle, medley, melee, promiscuous, and mustang.]

/Speaking of mixing, the blog does a lot of that. SO i will carry on.

i want this NES theme firefox ad-on for windows... (Link corrected: Thanks Jeff) i will download later. i likey.
And here is a pic of the boy from today, just in case you were thinking i had forgotten all about him.

Era - Hold the Line

I remember some things fondly from childhood. One in particular is a bit of music i recall, from even before i can recall. It must have been playing a lot at home when i was a wee one, because now i have the CD and, while i didn't know i'd like the music, it does take me to a happy place.
That's why tonight, while it was just era and i, i put on these guys. Who knows, maybe this is something else i can pass along.