QUOTE OF THE DAY
Gerald R. Ford
>“Things are more like they are now than they have ever been.”
Entries Tagged as ''
SUNDAY’S PICTURES
A few pictures today. We dropped into Jake’s last night and some of the staff were dressed up.
!@(jakes15.jpg:R http://www.eyeno.net/images/jakes15.jpg “halloween”) Here we have 2 angels and 1 devil. Kristen on the left, Nicola in the middle and Kimberly on the right. Hard to work in costume I’m sure and Kimberly kept poking me with her wings when she was dropping off my beer.
!@(jakes16.jpg http://www.eyeno.net/images/jakes16.jpg “Angela”) This is Angela who’s just come back from the farm. It was her last night of work at Jake’s before she takes on a “real” job.
!@(jakes17.jpg:R http://www.eyeno.net/images/jakes17.jpg “John”) John the manager who tried to snow us into believing that he was dressed up as a golfer. Yeah right John. He’s one of my golf group and that shirt isn’t allowed on the course.
!@(jakes18.jpg http://www.eyeno.net/images/jakes18.jpg “batman”) One of the bussers showing off her muscles. It’s a Batman costume but should we call her Batwoman?
!@—
(click on any picture to enlarge)
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Barbara Bush
>“War is not nice.”
Thanks for clearing that up Babs.
SPAMMING
Right now I’m being bombarded with spam comments. I’ve activated the WP Blacklist plugin to stem the flood but it means that legitimate comments might also be blocked or you see some strange messages. Bear with me.
EYENO’S JUKEBOX
Trying something new here. I like a lot of music, many genres and time frames, and I thought it might be fun to share some of my favorites and perhaps give some information about the pieces I choose. The RIAA might sue my ass off and I might go over the bandwidth quota with my hosting provider but here goes.
My first choice is Come Talk To Me by Peter Gabriel from his Secret World Live album and DVD. Recorded in 1994 over two nights in Modena, Italy, this is my all time favorite concert DVD.
Backed by Manu Katché (drums), Shankar (violin), Paula Cole (vocals) and longtime collaborators Tony Levin (bass) and David Rhodes (guitar), Gabriel combines innovative set design, brilliant choreography and world music to present almost 2 hours of magic.
Come Talk To Me leads off the concert and involves 2 stages, a phone booth and a very long cord. Timing is everything and the video gives a vivid representation of what the crowd experienced.
Peter Gabriel is still best known as the leader of Genesis, a band he formed and subsequently left in 1975. While the remaining members, led by Phil Collins, moved to the middle of the road, Gabriel continued to test the limits of music and performance art. In 1980 he formed WOMAD (World of Music, Arts & Dance) which melds modern and traditional music from across the world. Secret World was a showcase of this rich stew.
Yesterday, Rhino Records released “For The Lady”, a benefit album dedicated to freeing Aung San Suu Kyi - a Nobel Prize winner imprisoned in Burma. Gabriel joins U2, Natalie Merchant, Pearl Jam, Coldplay, Ani DiFranco, R.E.M., Avril Lavigne, Talib Kweli, Ben Harper, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Sting, Bonnie Raitt, Damien Rice, Travis, Indigo Girls and Matchbox Twenty to bring the plight of Kyi and the Burmese people to the world’s attention.
Peter Gabriel continues to push the envelope. A fitting choice as the first selection in EyeNo’s Jukebox.
Note: right click on the song link to save to disk. Be kind to my bandwidth.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Dan Quayle
>“Illegitimacy is something we should talk about in terms of not having it.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Sir Francis Bacon
>“If a man will begin in certainties he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin in doubts he shall end in certainties.”
OCTOBER WINDS DOWN
The weekend’s almost over and it’s back to work tomorrow. The weather was 50-50 with yesterday a beautiful fall day and today a cold drizzle. Managed to get golf in both days which is always a blessing at this time of year.
Yesterday I cut the lawn for the last time this year. A chance to cut it short and get the last of the leaves. Putting the lawnmower away for the winter is one of those signs that the unstoppable slide into winter has begun. Next weekend I’ll clean out the add-a-room and put away the hoses before they freeze. The weather forecast calls for rain this week so I might set out for Home Depot and get some grass seed to help the lawn out for next year. While I’m there, I’ll probably look for a replacement snow shovel for the front driveway. That will feel strange.
Tonight we had a BBQ. Got a couple of nice T-bone steaks yesterday and they came out really tasty. Sure you can grill all winter but by February the snow on the deck will be 2 feet deep if the past few winters are any indication.
Next Sunday the clocks go back an hour. Another clue that the seasons are changing.
If spring is rebirth than fall is the lingering illness that tells us our time is fleeting. Sure we have great days when the air is fresh and the sky is a blue that you don’t see in any other season. But it’s also the time when the last leaves fall and collect in sodden, rotting piles and the kids don’t play road hockey quite as often. You leave for work in the morning and it’s dark and you come home in twilight.
Soon we’ll have frost every morning and one day you’ll look at the sky and notice that the flurries have started. Just a few and pretty as hell but you know it’s just advance scouts for the troops waiting in the wings.
The Christmas commericals will start in earnest just as soon as we get Halloween out of the way. I find this depressing and you can be sure that I’ll write at least one rant condemming the commercialism and false fellowship that makes me cringe a little more every day.
My aplogies if this bums anyone out. I go through this every year and a week from now I’ll probably be singing the praises of November. Or not. Living in Southern Ontario is a meteorological crapshoot and, at this time of year, your best long range forecast is determined by how far you can see out your window.
WE DO HAVE THE RIGHT
I was on a forum today that was discussing the US elections and one poster took offense with Canadians making comments. In essence, the post asked what right foreigners had to voice their opinion on the outcome of the November 2nd vote.
Living next to a giant means you take the good and the bad. America is the one remaining superpower and everything that happens there has an effect on Canada. Right now, the Canuck buck is trading higher than at any time in the last 12 years. Is our currency strong? Only in relation to the greenback. This is a good thing for those who can’t wait to fly to Disney World without having to take out a second mortgage. Our export economy, on the other hand, is worried that their US customers will no longer be able to afford their product.
Homeland Security doesn’t make us feel all that secure. Post 9/11, a high percentage of the American people believed that the highjackers had made their way into the States by crossing our borders. This was immediately proven false but the perception remains that Canada’s liberal immigration policies make us a haven and staging ground for terrorists. Tom Ridge and his band of thugs continue to turn their eyes North and attempt to implement Draconian measures to “tighten up” the line on the map that has, for years, been known as the longest undefended border in the world. I guess civil rights and personal freedoms have no place in today’s paranoid landscape. My flights this week subjected me to the most comprehensive security checks I’ve ever had. It took everything I had to refrain from suggesting to the TSA screener in Greenville that if he planned on touching me there he should at least buy me dinner.
We can’t export our world famous beef for fear of sending Mad Cow Disease along with it. Why? One cow that had been in the US for over a year was found to have it. That was nearly 2 years ago and still our ranchers are suffering. Don’t even get me started about the SARS scare.
The United States of America is bound and determined to be the world’s policeman. As soon as they can get out of the quagmire that Iraq has become, the Bush regime will turn its hawk-like eyes to Iran and North Korea. The result will be years of struggle and bloodshed that could easily escalate into a nuclear exchange. Call me selfish but I really think I have some say as to whether or not I want a 1000 year winter. If they manage to keep the conflict conventional, the cost of fighting on multiple fronts will put the US economy farther down the toilet with the effects being felt here. The Euro will become the world’s dominant currency and their reasoned foreign policy will further isolate the US and, by association, Canada.
Four more years of Republican rule will hurt Canada. It scares me and I have a right to say so.
SUNDAY’S PICTURE
(click to enlarge)
Bell Rock near Sedona Arizona. Taken a few years ago on one of my three trips to Phoenix. I would love to retire in the area.
FEAR AND LOATHING 2004
Hunter S. Thompson dusts off the Mojo wire and disects the 2004 Presidential campaign for Rolling Stone.
>“Richard Nixon looks like a flaming liberal today, compared to a golem like George Bush. Indeed. Where is Richard Nixon now that we finally need him?
>If Nixon were running for president today, he would be seen as a “liberal” candidate, and he would probably win. He was a crook and a bungler, but what the hell? Nixon was a barrel of laughs compared to this gang of thugs from the Halliburton petroleum organization who are running the White House today — and who will be running it this time next year, if we (the once-proud, once-loved and widely respected “American people”) don’t rise up like wounded warriors and whack those lying petroleum pimps out of the White House on November 2nd.”
Read the entire article.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Randy K. Milholland
>“The way I see it, there’s so much love and beauty in world, and someone has to balance that sh** out.”
NOT EXACTLY “THE WEST WING”
One of our local Federal politicians stood in the House Of Commons yesterday and delivered these inspiring remarks:
>Mr. Speaker, I rise before this House today to pay tribute to the constituents of Brampton–Springdale. The Brampton–Springdale community is a community like many others across our great country. It has been built on a sense of pride, hard work and dedication. These are so many of the same values that are shared by Canadians coast to coast.
>It is truly an honour to be part of a government that wants to build upon these values. It is truly an honour to be part of a government that wants to be responsive to the many needs of these Canadians: having a national quality childcare program, ensuring that we have the highest quality of health care, and ensuring that we have the best cities and communities in which to live. These are the very reasons that Canada will continue to be the envy of the world.
>I am humbled to be able to be a member of this House and to contribute to the achievement of these goals with the same energy, enthusiasm, dedication and spirit that make up and define the success of the Brampton–Springdale community.
Wow! It fills my heart with pride that a representative of my community would dare to speak such politically risky words and to have them put into the official record. I’ll be waiting anxiously for the inevitable firestorm of controversy that will ensue.
BACK AT WORK
Back from my business trip. Everyone asks, “How was the weather?” This picture pretty well sums it up.
Taken from seat 11D on a Delta Canadair CRJ40 climbing out of the Greenville Spartanburg Airport yesterday afternoon. You can click on the image to enlarge if you really want to see a bigger picture of rain streaked window and gray skies.
The flights were fine but the time in terminals was painful. Here’s a tip to the airlines. If you want people to fly, make the experience more enjoyable. A few creature comforts is all we ask.
THOUGHTS BY A CANADIAN IN AMERICA
If your knowledge of Americans is mainly based on CNN and action movies, you’d think that they were paranoid, agressive and smug. Luckily, I’ve been able to travel all over the US and meet these people face to face. The one thing I can say about Americans is that they’re nice.
“Nice” is a namby-pamby word but it’s the best that I can come with. They’re basically kind, helpful and easy to get along with. They love their family, country and God - not necessarily in that order. They’re a proud nation and, yes, they have a measure of ignorance about anything that happens outside their borders. Once you learn not to talk world politics, or local for that matter, you don’t have any problem. In some respects they’re like children with a naive trust in their leaders.
The most remarkable thing about Americans is that no one lives or works where they were born. You’re likely to be served in a Texas resturant by someone who was born in Oregon. They love to move around and I think that comes from their college and university system where your chosen education path requires you to go out of state or across the country. It’s not a bad thing.
I mentioned that I’ve learned not to bring up politics but that doesn’t mean that they won’t. My co-worker struck up a conversation with a fellow traveller in Washington (Americans will talk to anyone at any time) and this fellow brought up George Bush at least half a dozen times. “President Bush says this” and “I agree with Bush’s stand on…”. I can’t remember the last time that our Prime Minister was mentioned in casual conversation.
Another thing I like about Americans is that they like Canada. Whether they’ve been there or not, they have a favorable impression of their northern neighbour. Last night we talked with a bartender who, once he found out where we were from, launched into a dreamy recollection of ice-fishing near Sault Ste Marie. Of course, he looked genuinely shocked when we told him that Toronto was about an 8 hour drive from the lake he sat on. Foreign geography is not their strong suit.
It’s just too bad that Americans are represented by politicians.
GREETINGS FROM CLEMSON
Sitting in my room at the Hampton Inn in Clemson South Carolina. Not much to see but we arrived late and have only had a chance to check in and grab a late dinner.
Flights went fine but I couldn’t believe the terminal that we left out of at Dulles airport in Washington. Concourse G is United’s regional hub and I’ve never seen more mass confusion in one place in my life. A thousand passengers trying to get out on small aircraft in a room that could be one of the levels of hell. Gate agents trying to talk over each other, no where to line up to board and no where to grab a quick smoke.
The weather here is beautiful. Fairly warm (compared to Toronto) and dry.
I’m just watching the ball game and it looks like the Boston Red Sox may pull the comeback of the century out of the hat.
Tomorrow we have a quick meeting and then it’s back on the plane and hopefully I’ll be home before it gets dark.
ROAD TRIP
Sitting at home just about to get ready for today’s fun with airports.
I’m booked on United to Greenville South Carolina transferring through Dulles in Washington. This morning, the Toronto Airport had some sort of computer glitch that delayed departures so I’m not yet sure that my first flight will get out of here on time. We have just under an hour to make our connection in DC so it could be fun.
I’m going to try and photoblog this trip so watch for updates today and tomorrow.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
Niels Bohr
>“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.”
WITH TREMBLING FINGERS
Hal Crowther writes a scathing attack on the current state of American politics. He pulls no punches in his contempt for the present leadership and its supporters.
>“I don’t think it’s accurate to describe America as polarized between Democrats and Republicans, or between liberals and conservatives. It’s polarized between the people who believe George Bush and the people who do not. Thanks to some contested ballots in a state governed by the president’s brother, a once-proud country has been delivered into the hands of liars, thugs, bullies, fanatics and thieves. The world pities or despises us, even as it fears us. What this election will test is the power of money and media to fool us, to obscure the truth and alter the obvious, to hide a great crime against the public trust under a blood-soaked flag. The most lavishly funded, most cynical, most sophisticated political campaign in human history will be out trolling for fools. I pray to God it doesn’t catch you.”
<
eyeno1@gmail.com>
Click pic to email me
Click pic to email me
-
-
Gatwick Airport Parkingwww.flickr.com 
Go to EyeNo's photostreamCategories:
Archives:
- November 2008 (7)
- October 2008 (4)
- September 2008 (9)
- August 2008 (15)
- July 2008 (11)
- June 2008 (9)
- May 2008 (7)
- April 2008 (4)
- March 2008 (8)
- February 2008 (9)
- January 2008 (8)
- December 2007 (26)
- November 2007 (15)
- October 2007 (9)
- September 2007 (7)
- August 2007 (10)
- July 2007 (20)
- June 2007 (15)
- May 2007 (10)
- April 2007 (18)
- March 2007 (30)
- February 2007 (21)
- January 2007 (52)
- December 2006 (58)
- November 2006 (74)
- October 2006 (15)
- September 2006 (9)
- August 2006 (7)
- July 2006 (12)
- June 2006 (6)
- May 2006 (5)
- April 2006 (8)
- March 2006 (6)
- February 2006 (11)
- January 2006 (28)
- December 2005 (45)
- November 2005 (24)
- October 2005 (30)
- September 2005 (34)
- August 2005 (29)
- July 2005 (36)
- June 2005 (13)
- May 2005 (7)
- April 2005 (11)
- March 2005 (25)
- February 2005 (23)
- January 2005 (26)
- December 2004 (39)
- November 2004 (31)
- October 2004 (64)
- September 2004 (100)
- August 2004 (126)
- July 2004 (98)
- June 2004 (50)
- May 2004 (2)
- March 2004 (9)
- February 2004 (11)
- January 2004 (10)
- August 2003 (9)
- July 2003 (2)
- June 2003 (1)
- May 2003 (2)
- April 2003 (1)
- March 2003 (3)
- February 2003 (1)
Blogroll