Have to admit, the Falls are pretty amazing...and in the winter, the snow all over looks nice; 
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Niagara Falls
I had another chance to get down the Falls again, and I got a great shot of the Falls this time;
Have to admit, the Falls are pretty amazing...and in the winter, the snow all over looks nice;
Have to admit, the Falls are pretty amazing...and in the winter, the snow all over looks nice;
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Rednecks Will Love This...Brain Damage Cures Smoking Addiction
Another interesting article in CNN Health...I can see the Sheriff and Coroner pulling up to the trailer park in Arkansas now;
Sheriff: "Why y'all hit ur men with the baseball bats?"
Rednecks: "We's jus' tryin' to make Billy-Bob give up that baccy!!"
Lock'em up...
Sheriff: "Why y'all hit ur men with the baseball bats?"
Rednecks: "We's jus' tryin' to make Billy-Bob give up that baccy!!"
Lock'em up...
Microwave experiments cause sponge disasters
Courtesy of CNN Health, here is an interesting article on sponge sterilization.
Any bets as to how long it will take for a female to put a contraceptive sponge in the microwave?
Any bets as to how long it will take for a female to put a contraceptive sponge in the microwave?
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Wee for a Wii Contest Gone Wrong
The ultimate sacrifice for a Wii console...read it here. The 2007 Darwin Awards are starting off on the right foot...
First Permanent Snow
Well, I guess hoping for a green winter was a bit far-fetched...woke up this morning to the white stuff coming down;
It's one of those days to take it easy, enjoy a pot of coffee, and get ready for the rest of the NFL games. If the snow keeps up, I might have to give myself a snow day tomorrow.
It's one of those days to take it easy, enjoy a pot of coffee, and get ready for the rest of the NFL games. If the snow keeps up, I might have to give myself a snow day tomorrow.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Wider Seats Needed at Dodger Stadium
A recent trial at the stadium was done, by providing all-you-can-eat for a ballgame…I just can’t help but wonder if they will be increasing the size of the seats to accommodate the fans that will take advantage of it. Just to put it in perspective, look at your computer monitor…add about an inch to either side of the display…that is the average width of the seat at the stadium (20 inches).
With all the hoopla around the obesity of the nation, the last thing we need, is an outlet where it’s a “free for all” for junk food.
Nothing better than getting the kids out to the game, from behind their game systems, and promise them all you can eat hotdogs…
Next study I would like to see, is the average weight of a baseball fan, on a stadium by stadium basis. I am sure the government will fund that study for someone.
And also, a note to Dodger Stadium…make sure you provide a jar of Vaseline with each ticket…your fans will be able to use it to grease their hips to fit into the seats (mental note – buy shares in Unilever…).
With all the hoopla around the obesity of the nation, the last thing we need, is an outlet where it’s a “free for all” for junk food.
Nothing better than getting the kids out to the game, from behind their game systems, and promise them all you can eat hotdogs…
Next study I would like to see, is the average weight of a baseball fan, on a stadium by stadium basis. I am sure the government will fund that study for someone.
And also, a note to Dodger Stadium…make sure you provide a jar of Vaseline with each ticket…your fans will be able to use it to grease their hips to fit into the seats (mental note – buy shares in Unilever…).
Importance of Disclosure of Health History
Call me a cold-hearted prick, but when I read this article on the outcome of this tragic incident in the Newfoundland Supreme Court, I shrugged it off. My lack of compassion for the facts of the case is the reason for writing about it here.
With all the nuisance health issues that our health system has to deal with, I am sure that there is nothing more frustrating to health professionals than wasting their time with symptoms and treatments, in order to figure out what the problem is, in order to effectively treat their patients. With this instance, the court ruled that non-disclosure of family history is the main reason for upholding a lower court decision. Kudos to the justice system for supporting the healthcare system!
What we all can learn from this, is we all have an obligation to be upfront when dealing with medical issues…this will help make the healthcare system more efficient, and result in quicker turnaround times in treatment. Maybe if we all know a little bit more and are more aware of our health history, this will go a long way in making treatment more effective for all that need it.
With all the nuisance health issues that our health system has to deal with, I am sure that there is nothing more frustrating to health professionals than wasting their time with symptoms and treatments, in order to figure out what the problem is, in order to effectively treat their patients. With this instance, the court ruled that non-disclosure of family history is the main reason for upholding a lower court decision. Kudos to the justice system for supporting the healthcare system!
What we all can learn from this, is we all have an obligation to be upfront when dealing with medical issues…this will help make the healthcare system more efficient, and result in quicker turnaround times in treatment. Maybe if we all know a little bit more and are more aware of our health history, this will go a long way in making treatment more effective for all that need it.
Toronto Water Meters Next City Scandal?
I read with disbelief about Toronto’s plan to implement a high tech water meter program (and 9% annual increase in all water bills until 2012), in the older neighborhoods, in order to help the city deal with an $800 million shortfall in funds required to update the water lines and sewers, but can’t help but question the cost…$150 million program to convert 15,000 homes to these new water meters. By calculation, that works out to $10,000 per home to supply and install one of these new meters. I had a water meter installed in my house in 1993 (in Hamilton), and it cost me about $400 at the time. Mind you, it wasn’t anything high tech, except that it could be read outside the house.
The condition of the water system in Toronto, and other parts of the province for that matter, have been neglected with respect to maintenance and upkeep, and the mounting bills and debts are reminiscent of the old Ontario Hydro debt we all seem to be paying off.
Given the city’s handling of the computer leasing scandal, is this another fiscal disaster waiting to happen? I would hope that the taxpayers of Toronto are preparing to fight this, as there is no way it should cost $10,000 to supply and install a water meter.
The condition of the water system in Toronto, and other parts of the province for that matter, have been neglected with respect to maintenance and upkeep, and the mounting bills and debts are reminiscent of the old Ontario Hydro debt we all seem to be paying off.
Given the city’s handling of the computer leasing scandal, is this another fiscal disaster waiting to happen? I would hope that the taxpayers of Toronto are preparing to fight this, as there is no way it should cost $10,000 to supply and install a water meter.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Cleaned Up Blogs
I have spent some time cleaning up my blogs, so it's more streamlined (I have 4 on the go...).
On a side note, does anyone know if Blogger/Google allows for changing your AdSense sign in to the new all-in-one Google username/password?
On a side note, does anyone know if Blogger/Google allows for changing your AdSense sign in to the new all-in-one Google username/password?
Damn...Only in the US of A
I came across an article on CBC, that would have been a perfect outlet for my attempt at writing a fictional novel. I have maintained a site with excerpts as I write them, but I have been looking for an outlet to push myself to get something published...getting a book published is one of those things I have on my "life to do" list, along with attending a Superbowl, Augusta National for the Masters, and a round of golf at St. Andrews.
But, alas, again a contest that is only open to US residents, which sucks. As close as we are with the US, we still can't get into these kinds of things. I wish we had something in Canada like that, but I don't know of anything.
Feel free to comment if there is a similar outlet here.
But, alas, again a contest that is only open to US residents, which sucks. As close as we are with the US, we still can't get into these kinds of things. I wish we had something in Canada like that, but I don't know of anything.
Feel free to comment if there is a similar outlet here.
Is NASA the Neglected Child?
I was reading about the failure of the Mars Global Surveyor, and find it interesting that all of a sudden, after 10 years, it has stopped working, apparently due to human error in the software programming.
Now, I realize that the US is under a budget crunch, and with all the money going to the military, does NASA feel left out? I think so. It is too convenient that NASA reports that Mars could have had liquid water flowing on it recently, and with the recent news out about NASA possibly having killed life on Mars, I am tempted to think that perhaps NASA is up to some tricks, to ensure that it has adequate justification in place for future budget increases. Being bombarded with news about possible life on Mars and supporting environment for life on Mars, sure is a carrot to appease taxpayers before a rate hike.
In 1996 dollars, NASA is merely, at best, staying on top of the CPI…having newsworthy “discoveries” and “problems”, will help squeeze more money from the taxpayers. Maybe a simple case of “sibling envy and rivalry” with the US military budget perhaps? Or preparation for a major assault on the US taxpayer?
Dan Brown may have been dead on, in his portrayal/description of NASA, when he wrote Deception Point…
Now, I realize that the US is under a budget crunch, and with all the money going to the military, does NASA feel left out? I think so. It is too convenient that NASA reports that Mars could have had liquid water flowing on it recently, and with the recent news out about NASA possibly having killed life on Mars, I am tempted to think that perhaps NASA is up to some tricks, to ensure that it has adequate justification in place for future budget increases. Being bombarded with news about possible life on Mars and supporting environment for life on Mars, sure is a carrot to appease taxpayers before a rate hike.
In 1996 dollars, NASA is merely, at best, staying on top of the CPI…having newsworthy “discoveries” and “problems”, will help squeeze more money from the taxpayers. Maybe a simple case of “sibling envy and rivalry” with the US military budget perhaps? Or preparation for a major assault on the US taxpayer?
Dan Brown may have been dead on, in his portrayal/description of NASA, when he wrote Deception Point…
New Word for 2007
With all the hype about Apple's new phone, I have a new word we can use...
iPhonatic
Definition:
[n] a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause) for the latest gadget for cellular calls;
[adj] marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a new cell phone released by Apple;
iPhonatic
Definition:
[n] a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm (as for a cause) for the latest gadget for cellular calls;
[adj] marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a new cell phone released by Apple;
Arrrrggghhhh!
Nothing is more frustrating that when you are surfing through the blogs, and everyone has all that fade in and fade out crap, that causes my browser to hang up...yet another thing that pisses me off.
For once I would like to flip through a few good blogs, and see what people are writing about, without having to dodge pop-ups that tell me they love me for visiting. And if you come across a good blog worth reading, please leave a comment, and I will go see it.
As for you no-minds out there that think you are computer and HTML geniuses, give it a rest...if you don't know how to work the controls in the blog, stick to an old-fashioned diary please, and do us all a favour!
For once I would like to flip through a few good blogs, and see what people are writing about, without having to dodge pop-ups that tell me they love me for visiting. And if you come across a good blog worth reading, please leave a comment, and I will go see it.
As for you no-minds out there that think you are computer and HTML geniuses, give it a rest...if you don't know how to work the controls in the blog, stick to an old-fashioned diary please, and do us all a favour!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Open Letter to Donald Trump
Mr. Trump,
You, of all people, should know that you can't get through the heads of fat-assed wannabe talk show hosts. In my eyes, you are right, Rosie is wrong, and I hope you do "take all the cash you can from that fat ass of hers".
If you are looking for a place to donate it, I have a fat ass, and it would go a long way to help me with a diet plan...:o)
Keep at it, I know you will hold your head high, and not let Rosie and Bawbwa get to you. You are way better than them anytime.
Good luck with The Apprentice, and Big Break at Trump National.
Sincerely,
A Fan
You, of all people, should know that you can't get through the heads of fat-assed wannabe talk show hosts. In my eyes, you are right, Rosie is wrong, and I hope you do "take all the cash you can from that fat ass of hers".
If you are looking for a place to donate it, I have a fat ass, and it would go a long way to help me with a diet plan...:o)
Keep at it, I know you will hold your head high, and not let Rosie and Bawbwa get to you. You are way better than them anytime.
Good luck with The Apprentice, and Big Break at Trump National.
Sincerely,
A Fan
Piss Me Off...
I can't believe it...here it is at 2 am, in a quiet neighborhood where people have to work in the morning, and you have some boneheads out there doing something with the sewers at this time of the night...the drone of diesel generation has been driving me nuts!!!!
Note the time on the picture...and of course, no one is around working...must work for the city perhaps...pricks like this need to be shot.
Note the time on the picture...and of course, no one is around working...must work for the city perhaps...pricks like this need to be shot.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
US Healthcare Costs Out of Control
Is it just me, or is anyone else flabbergasted by the cost of US healthcare in 2005? $2 Trillion spent...boy, sounds like the US is a sickly lot.
Healthcare has and always will be a big business. The numbers in the article above (click on post title to go to CNN article), and continuing spending on healthcare doesn't seem to be making everyone better.
Just think...if everyone cut out 10% of their healthcare requirements, $200 billion could be used elsewhere. This won't happen though, as we try to continue to "make ourselves healthier". Spending that much on healthcare with no improvements in the overall health of the US, just goes to show that the primary interest of the healthcare system is to make money, not improve the health of the nation.
Rather than giving in to the demands of healthcare professionals for more funding, benchmarks and performance criteria should be set. Only when the healthcare professionals are held accountable to their spending, will things improve.
Healthcare has and always will be a big business. The numbers in the article above (click on post title to go to CNN article), and continuing spending on healthcare doesn't seem to be making everyone better.
Just think...if everyone cut out 10% of their healthcare requirements, $200 billion could be used elsewhere. This won't happen though, as we try to continue to "make ourselves healthier". Spending that much on healthcare with no improvements in the overall health of the US, just goes to show that the primary interest of the healthcare system is to make money, not improve the health of the nation.
Rather than giving in to the demands of healthcare professionals for more funding, benchmarks and performance criteria should be set. Only when the healthcare professionals are held accountable to their spending, will things improve.
Monday, January 08, 2007
UAW Hinders GM/Ford/Chrysler Improvements
I had to add this after my "digressing" comment below...
As long as the old Big Three are held at ransom by the UAW, there is no way that they can turn a considerable profit, and make the American car the leader again.
Sorry, unions…Toyota and Honda know how to treat their employees, and they don’t need union help. For this, Lutz will be out in the cold for any of the good work he supposedly has done, and GM won’t be able to stop the slide, unless the Unions buy in, and take the cuts that are needed to make companies work. If the UAW doesn’t make concessions to the current contract and previous benefits in 2007, then the loss in market share will continue.
The union’s stance about holding onto gains “for their brothers”, is medieval thinking, in a world that has changed, requiring all to work in a global market. Job banks, over generous health coverage, and the like are privileges, not rights. Neither is an average wage of $35 US an hour for tightening bolts on a wheel.
UAW and it’s members have had enough of a free ride for the last 50 years…time to suck it up, and get paid what you should be paid.
I’ll buy a new car from the Big Three when I know I am not supporting the Job Banks, or the outrageous wages and benefits the UAW seems to feel entitled to.
As long as the old Big Three are held at ransom by the UAW, there is no way that they can turn a considerable profit, and make the American car the leader again.
Sorry, unions…Toyota and Honda know how to treat their employees, and they don’t need union help. For this, Lutz will be out in the cold for any of the good work he supposedly has done, and GM won’t be able to stop the slide, unless the Unions buy in, and take the cuts that are needed to make companies work. If the UAW doesn’t make concessions to the current contract and previous benefits in 2007, then the loss in market share will continue.
The union’s stance about holding onto gains “for their brothers”, is medieval thinking, in a world that has changed, requiring all to work in a global market. Job banks, over generous health coverage, and the like are privileges, not rights. Neither is an average wage of $35 US an hour for tightening bolts on a wheel.
UAW and it’s members have had enough of a free ride for the last 50 years…time to suck it up, and get paid what you should be paid.
I’ll buy a new car from the Big Three when I know I am not supporting the Job Banks, or the outrageous wages and benefits the UAW seems to feel entitled to.
Bob Lutz a Detriment to GM
Based on the latest news from Lutz, he maintains that the NA market wants crossover vehicles. I’m not sure where he is getting his information from, but the last I saw, Toyota and Honda were grabbing market share, based on their capability of providing stylish vehicles, with the least amount of reliability issues.
So far, Lutz has been at GM in the role of product czar, for about 5 years now…GM has not been able to stop the slide of market share.
Will the recent awards (Car and Truck of the Year) to GM at the Detroit Auto Show lead to a stop to the downward spiral of GM? Time will tell, but I don’t think so. Lutz needs to give his head a shake, and see why Toyota and Honda work well, and gain market share…it’s certainly not because of the availability of crossover vehicles!
Reliable stylish vehicles, reliable stylish vehicles, and reliable stylish vehicles…that is my 3 point plan to improve Ford and GM. And busting the current union stranglehold on benefits…but I digress…
So far, Lutz has been at GM in the role of product czar, for about 5 years now…GM has not been able to stop the slide of market share.
Will the recent awards (Car and Truck of the Year) to GM at the Detroit Auto Show lead to a stop to the downward spiral of GM? Time will tell, but I don’t think so. Lutz needs to give his head a shake, and see why Toyota and Honda work well, and gain market share…it’s certainly not because of the availability of crossover vehicles!
Reliable stylish vehicles, reliable stylish vehicles, and reliable stylish vehicles…that is my 3 point plan to improve Ford and GM. And busting the current union stranglehold on benefits…but I digress…
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
