Some BS

Breaking News: Some Bullshit Happening Somewhere

 

The Story of Bottled Water

I personally donate monthly to Oxfam because one of the organization's primary initiatives is to provide clean water for developing countries.

Another organization H20 Africa Foundation was co-founded by Matt Damon.

 

Thank You Canada

Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of the Daily Nightly sends Canada a thank you note.

Olympic Gold

Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir, became the first Canadians and North Americans to win Olympic gold in ice dancing.

Watch the video of their exquisite and flawless performance.

 

We Are More by Shane Koyczan



 

Olympics Fever

What a week! Last week I trekked, laughed, gazed and socialized all over the 2010 Olympics bonanza. Last Monday, we saw DJ Spooky from New York mix-mash it up with violinist Daniel at the Yaletown stage.



DJ Spooky provided an amazing performance showcasing his mixing talents off his new album. We avoided the corporate pavilions. After the show, we wandered up to Davie Street for some French Canadian poutine at La Belle Patate.

On Wednesday, Yonderboy and I met at the Olympic Station and walked over the Cambie Street bridge on a beautiful sunshine day. We could see the sea of red at China Creek Park next to Science World for the taping of Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert. I wanted to be at the taping, but I did not want to line up at 7 am for 6ish hours. Although, from the photos online, I see he rode a moose, hoisted up a stuffed beaver and sang O Canada to the music of the Star-Spangled Banner.

We checked out all the live shows and zip trek at Robson Square. It was incredible to watch people zip trek across the square. The ice skating rink looked awesome too. It was so great to walk around the crowds of people from all over the world excited and wearing their nations' colours with pride.



We walked down to the Olympic Flame (Cauldron) and took some photos. We also queued for 30 minutes to see the Cauldron from the viewing platform. The mountains were majestic behind Stanley Park. We also went into the movie theatre housed in double-stacked shipping containers to watch a short-film.



On Friday, I rode the new Canada Line train to Yaletown. I was very impressed with the signage and announcements to assist passengers to their destinations. The train felt like a high-class form of transportation. I met Nic in Yaletown. The streets were humming with young folks. I heard that fans has been lined up for the Deadmau5 evening show since 9 am in the morning.

We walked over the Vancouver Library to meet Y. Her mate has been VJing in the Aboriginal Peoples Pavilion all week. You could see the video displays from the exterior next to Queen Elizabeth Theatre. We went to Roxy Burger on Granville Street for dinner. Granville Street was a mad-house full of youths and people wear the flag as capes. A few more friends joined us as we cheered on Manitoba's Jon Montgomery win gold in skeleton.

We met up with a few more friends on Georgia Street and walked around Granville and Robson Streets. The art installations on Granville Street looked fantastic lightened at night.



Then, we went to see the cauldron at night. It was so beautiful. It was around midnight and the streets were still jammed with people. We headed over to Steamworks Pub to have some beers and bites. The pub was adjacent to Germany House, but the cover was $20. Needless to say, the Germany House was empty and the music played was terrible.
On the way home on the Night Bus over the Burrard Bridge, the male youths broke into song singing O Canada.

On Sunday, we tried to go to La Belle Patate for brunch, but the potato cutter broke and the shop was closed. Plan B was Japadog on Burrard and Smithe, but there was a huge lineup. I like Japadog, but not for a half an hour wait. We ended up with grilled panini sandwiches at IGA Marketplace.

We checked out Robson Square. I cheered as the zip trekkers went overhead. We were lucky enough to see the Squamish Nation's Eagle Dancers perform their songs and dances at the stage. Wow, their performance was so mesmerizing. Then, we watched a bit of the Mascots on Ice. Sumi is my favourite.

The naysayers may still be griping about the Olympics in Vancouver. But they are here, so why not enjoy the special events, live performances, showcasing our beautiful city and welcoming International visitors?



 

Someone Like You

A survey resulting with the top 10 annoying things at work.

Funny signs from the Flickr Blog.

Funny commercial featuring a Japanese Business Cat (thanks JD!).



 

Panda Attack

Shiba Inu Puppy Cam.

Listening to: Naked Eyes - Promises, Promises

 

Starry Starry Night

I recently came across a very cool online art exhibit that features Fashion Faces Clothing Sculptures.



This Lego Pop-up Kinkaku-ji (Temple) is amazing.



Also, the Flickr Blog's feature of starry photographs is lovely.



Listening to: Fleetwood Mac - Say You Love Me

 

Black Friday

“Too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns.”

As quoted, by President Carter’s in his Crisis Of Confidence speech made on July 15, 1979, in Michael Moore's film Capitalism: A Love Story.

Matthew Good's review on Michael Moore's film.

I was wondering how Black Friday unfolded in the United States. Black Friday is typically the first Friday after American Thanksgiving that kicks off the Christmas shopping season. Corporations and economists debate whether or not it reflects how the economy is going and how high is consumer confidence.



Overall, it was general mayhem. There were no deaths, injuries and significant property damage, but there was a lot of fighting and disrespectful behaviour.



In Labour News, Walmart was forced to pay former employees in Massachusetts $40 million in back wages in a class-action lawsuit. The suit was filed eight years ago and claimed the mega-corporation owes the employees fourteen years worth of unpaid overtime, missed breaks, and other uncompensated work.

Listening to: Trooper - The Boys In the Bright White Sports Cars

 

Wal-Mart: The American Dream

I recently read on the Consumerist a story about a couple printing photos for the wife's father's funeral at Wal-Mart. The photo lab wouldn't give her several of her photos because the employee believed the photos may be copyrighted. The woman held back tears as she watched her deceased father's photos be shredded.

The article started whirling my brain to several other media stories I have read that cast a dark shadow on Wal-Mart's polices and practices. I do not shop at Wal-Mart because of all the employee labour laws it violates and all the pending class-action lawsuits.

However, even when Wal-Mart looses a class-action lawsuit for paying women less than men, or paying illegal immigrants less than minimum wage, it can pay the judgment easily because it makes $20,000 profit every minute, and a annual profit of $12 billion.



Articles:

Mother Charged by Police Courtesy of Wal-Mart for Child Pornography

Walmart To Pay $7,000 OSHA Fine In Worker Death

11 Things Banned By Walmart

 

Listening to: Crosby, Stills & Nash - American Dream

 

Meet Kami

Kami is a new 5 year old HIV-positive girl Muppet on Sesame Street South Africa. She also an orphan and is teaching her neighbours and friends some harsh realities of life. She is the new role model for 28,000 HIV-positive children and 1.4 million orphans in Africa.



Kami talks with President Clinton.

 

Colbert Report with Woody Harrelson.

I love Stephen Colbert's mock-journalism news show. Colbert is delightfully hilarious.

He recently started fundraising for the U.S. Speed Skating Team. His campaign raised over $40k. When the site crashed from overwhelming response, he blamed it on Canadian hackers.

 

Rick Mercer Report

Rick Mercer and Rick Hansen Bungee Jump



Listening to Trooper - Here For A Good Time

 

Happy 40th Sesame Street

Happy 40th Birthday Sesame Street! I was a huge fan of Sesame Street when I was a young kid.


Adam Sandler sings about Elmo




Feist sings 1, 2, 3, 4




Neil Patrick Harris




The Mad T Party




Yip Yip Martians




Pinball Number 4



 

A La Pink

Well, I have been going every weekend since the beginning of summer and I have finally hit the wall. What I mean to say is I have been socially engaged butterfly almost every weekend for four months straight. I am officially tired. Just in time for winter too. Tis the season for puzzles, good books, movies, board games and sheer lazy weekends.

About a month or so ago, I went to Victoria for the Slacktoria Family Reunion. We enjoyed reuniting over brunch and photographs of how we spent our summer vacation.

A few weekends, I went to the Pink Party. This party was also a Bon Voyage to Benj. I never would have thought that pink would be such a great theme for a party. The vibe was so juicy energetic, but serene.

The previous weekend, I went to Victoria for Halloween. I spent about a day helping decorate the house and had a blast staying up until dawn. Some really fantastic costumes. The house was way too crowded, deafening beats and blitzkrieg. I'm definitely not 20-something anymore. Unfortunately, most ghouls and witches only posted their photos on FaceCrack.


I just created a new Rain-themed playlist. I will add it to the sidebar.

Listening to: Bruce Hornsby & The Range - Mandolin Rain

 

Animals Are Amazing

Husky says "I Love You"




Thanks for JD for reminding me the cat zen of relaxing Maru style.




Silly Cats Video

Ideas For Change

William Kamkwamba’s Malawian parents couldn’t afford the $80 yearly tuition for their son’s school. He sneaked into classes anyway until he got caught. He continued his education by teaching himself through books from the school library. He found a Grade 5 Science textbook titled Using Energy. William harnessed the power of the wind by creating his own windmill from discarded items and scraps. His life changed forever.

My friend Dave is biking from Vancouver to Tijuana. He quit his job and sold almost all of his possessions. After two weeks, he has biked down through Washington, Oregon and is now in Northern California.

Everything Is Going to Be Alright

Apparently, artist Martin Creed's work is on display in Vancouver. Friends have mentioned seeing it over the rooftops from Chinatown.

Saturday is Earth Dance. Previously, it was at Stanley Park, but this year it is at Spannish Banks. The event usually features a lot of DJs, dancing, hugging and good vibes. I am hoping to attend, weather permitting.


I am still reeling in awe from an incredible Burn. One of my favourite art structures from the event is Holding Flame. I have been meaning to post about my Burn, but I had to think of all the things I did on my trip to the desert. It was chalk full of extraordinary fun.



Last weekend, I did nothing but relax. My sweetie dropped by my work last Friday with a surprise rose and mini cheesecake. We spent most of the weekend relaxing and watching movies, such as Get Smart. The movie was funny and entertaining, more so than I thought it would be.

On Sunday, we went over to Yv's for waffles and bacon. There was a lovely group of people gathered and we chilled over mimosas and great conversation. JD's dog Chester was there, so I got some doggy lovin'.


I spent most of this week nursing a mild cold and headaches. I think I have turned the corner though. I am not looking forward to flu season and all this chatter about H1N1.


I am loving the autumn season though. It finally feels like a good autumn with warm and cool weather, and changing leaves.

Listening to: Kevin Rudolf - Let It Rock

 

Canadian, Please

 

Goodbye Patrick Swayze

I heard this afternoon Patrick Swayze passed away at age 57 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. It was a little eerie for me when I found out. I thought he had beat cancer and was on the road to recovery.

My mum passed away from pancreatic cancer at age 57.

I think of Robin, who is participating in a 3-day Breast Cancer Walk this weekend. She is 17 years cancer free. She walks for those who fought, survived and those who will battle cancer in the years to come.

Listening to: Patrick Swayze - She's Like the Wind