After a legal fight that left Barbie, the plastic fashionista and her rivals, the Bratz not on speaking terms, Barbie's "parent", Mattel, was awarded $100 million dollars in damages from MGA Entertainment, the creator of the popular Bratz, in a copyright spat.
The award followings a ruling in July that MGA and its CEO, Isaac Larian, stole conceptual drawings of the Bratz, who are now more popular than Barbie and friends. The federal jury involved in the case also ruled that Bratz designer, Carter Bryant had the idea while still working for Mattel, also finding that MGA aided in breach of contract and that Larian played a role in the deal.
Such goings-on but read the whole story here:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2008/08/28/cnbratz128.xml
Barbie reacts in a press conference
Barbie, obviously disturbed by all the legal wranglings, was concerned how this would affect her image.
"I'm just happy it's all over," Barbie commented in a hastily called press conference after the ruling. "Now we can get back to what's really important in life: this year's fashions."
Her signifigant-other, Ken, also seemed relieved although it was difficult to tell at times.
"What was the question?" Ken asked and finally after staring off into space repeating the phrase, "surfing rules!"
"You know the Bratz are nothing but interlopers who are trying to horn in on my territory!" Barbie jumped in while distributing photos of herself, Ken and G.I. Joe. "Now you look at us! Aren't we more beautiful than...than...them?" she asked members of the press while signing each photo.
"You tell them babe!" added G.I. Joe who was listening and watching from the back of the room . "Any of youze reporters give my Barbie bad press will have to deal with me!"
The room was almost cleared when a hand grenade propelled from somewhere in the room landed near the reporters. However, the press conference continued upon the realization that it was a toy.
"How about the fact that Yasmin, Jade, Cloe and Sasha have knocked you out of first place," she was asked, "and they have their own TV series and a feature film."
"All a bunch of lies!" Barbie retorted.
"Also...aren't they much younger than you?" another reporter asked. "Aren't you - like - almost fifty?"
"Age has nothing to do with it. Look at me - do I look like I've aged? Not one wrinkle anywhere. Anyway, that's a lie too."
Suddenly, the press conference ended as fast as it had begun. Barbie was over-heard to have asked Ken as they exited, "do I look old?" to which Ken replied, "surf's up!"
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Pooches audition for doggie choir
Here's some news that might make you wonder, "what the..."
Some people enjoy singing or at least limit their singing in the shower, while others prefer to blend their voice as a member of a choir. Then there are others of the non-human types like dogs who recently auditioned in the hope of being part of a chorale.
You read it right: D-O-G-S as in bow-wow...woof-woof.
This project is the concept of one Cardiff-based artist, Richard Higlett, who is hoping and planning for his canine choir to record in September, before an actual performance in a special concert in October.
The choir will create and perform a new song entitled, "A Song for Jack" a musical tribute to dog hero, Swansea Jack, a black retriever and hero pooch in the 1930's that was a legend for rescuing drowning swimmers from Swansea docks.
Judges auditioned dogs eager to earn a place - or their owners were eager for them to earn a place - in the choir at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. The auditionees all had to start singing after hearing a piece of music or after a direct command.
There is no information available as to who made the final cut but word has it that they all had a barking good time.
Watch some of the auditions here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/7566950.stm
Recognize any of the songs? Happy Birthday perhaps? Any?
Some people enjoy singing or at least limit their singing in the shower, while others prefer to blend their voice as a member of a choir. Then there are others of the non-human types like dogs who recently auditioned in the hope of being part of a chorale.
You read it right: D-O-G-S as in bow-wow...woof-woof.
This project is the concept of one Cardiff-based artist, Richard Higlett, who is hoping and planning for his canine choir to record in September, before an actual performance in a special concert in October.
The choir will create and perform a new song entitled, "A Song for Jack" a musical tribute to dog hero, Swansea Jack, a black retriever and hero pooch in the 1930's that was a legend for rescuing drowning swimmers from Swansea docks.
Judges auditioned dogs eager to earn a place - or their owners were eager for them to earn a place - in the choir at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea. The auditionees all had to start singing after hearing a piece of music or after a direct command.
There is no information available as to who made the final cut but word has it that they all had a barking good time.
Watch some of the auditions here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south_east/7566950.stm
Recognize any of the songs? Happy Birthday perhaps? Any?
Saturday, August 23, 2008
"Black hole" mystery solved
There was a piece on the BBC.com science site focusing on the mystery of the black hole. Scientists have focused, discussed and analyzed the black hole mystery for a long time. Now they think they have an answer:
"Astronomers have shed light on how stars can form around a massive black hole, defying conventional wisdom.
Scientists have long wondered how stars develop in such extreme conditions. Molecular clouds - the normal birth places of stars - would be ripped apart by the immense gravity, a team explains in Science magazine. But the researchers say stars can form from elliptical discs - the relics of giant gas clouds torn apart by encounters with black holes. They made the discovery after developing computer simulations of giant gas clouds being sucked into black holes like water spiralling down a plughole."
While this is very good news for people who devote their lives in this scientific sphere, we "dull normals" have had the answer to this enigma since the birth of the automatic clothes washing machine.
Black holes are the place where one-socks from a pair disappear and are never seen again. It's so simple and logical one wonders why scientists have never considered this possibility. Although they may be loathe to admit it, probably every household all over the world has a collection of one-sies that could date back possibly to the turn of the century, even!
"Their findings are in accordance with actual observations in our Milky Way galaxy that indicate the presence of a massive black hole, surrounded by huge stars with eccentric orbits. "
It would have to be eccentric orbits in order to transfer so many socks from point 'A' being a house to point 'B', being the aforementioned hole in space. Somehow, perhaps through molecular breakdown of sock fibres in the clothes dryer, socks end up in said black hole. Of course it's only a theory and definitely not scientific in nature but then what is?
Read the entire story and decide for yourselves here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7574255.stm
Now you know.
"Astronomers have shed light on how stars can form around a massive black hole, defying conventional wisdom.
Scientists have long wondered how stars develop in such extreme conditions. Molecular clouds - the normal birth places of stars - would be ripped apart by the immense gravity, a team explains in Science magazine. But the researchers say stars can form from elliptical discs - the relics of giant gas clouds torn apart by encounters with black holes. They made the discovery after developing computer simulations of giant gas clouds being sucked into black holes like water spiralling down a plughole."
While this is very good news for people who devote their lives in this scientific sphere, we "dull normals" have had the answer to this enigma since the birth of the automatic clothes washing machine.
Black holes are the place where one-socks from a pair disappear and are never seen again. It's so simple and logical one wonders why scientists have never considered this possibility. Although they may be loathe to admit it, probably every household all over the world has a collection of one-sies that could date back possibly to the turn of the century, even!
"Their findings are in accordance with actual observations in our Milky Way galaxy that indicate the presence of a massive black hole, surrounded by huge stars with eccentric orbits. "
It would have to be eccentric orbits in order to transfer so many socks from point 'A' being a house to point 'B', being the aforementioned hole in space. Somehow, perhaps through molecular breakdown of sock fibres in the clothes dryer, socks end up in said black hole. Of course it's only a theory and definitely not scientific in nature but then what is?
Read the entire story and decide for yourselves here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7574255.stm
Now you know.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Puerto Rican man remains upright - even in death
This is yet another of those "I-dunno-'bout-this' type of stories that you read and wonder, "why?"
A man who lived in Puerto Rico was granted his final wish, which was to remain standing even in death.
You read it right: even in death.
This feat was accomplished by a funeral home that used a special embalming treatment to keep the corpose(!) of one Angel Pantoja Medina, in an upright position during his 3-day wake.
Now anyone reading this can imagine the impact of dropping by to give your sympathy and being met by the dearly departed dressed in a Yankees baseball cap and sunglasses, in his mother's living room.
His brother Carlos told the El Nuevo Dia newspaper the victim had long said he wanted to be upright for his own wake.
"He wanted to be happy, standing."
According to the funeral home who took care of the arrangements, the mother did this to fulfill her son's last wish.
Now perhaps it's just the cynic in me but why would someone - granted he died young - want to be propped up against a wall when she/he dies? Certainly - pure speculation - visitors must have been shocked.
Different strokes for different folks, especially those who are corpses.
Photos of the corpse, visitors and story here: http://www.islandpacket.com/weirdnews/story/582626.html
A man who lived in Puerto Rico was granted his final wish, which was to remain standing even in death.
You read it right: even in death.
This feat was accomplished by a funeral home that used a special embalming treatment to keep the corpose(!) of one Angel Pantoja Medina, in an upright position during his 3-day wake.
Now anyone reading this can imagine the impact of dropping by to give your sympathy and being met by the dearly departed dressed in a Yankees baseball cap and sunglasses, in his mother's living room.
His brother Carlos told the El Nuevo Dia newspaper the victim had long said he wanted to be upright for his own wake.
"He wanted to be happy, standing."
According to the funeral home who took care of the arrangements, the mother did this to fulfill her son's last wish.
Now perhaps it's just the cynic in me but why would someone - granted he died young - want to be propped up against a wall when she/he dies? Certainly - pure speculation - visitors must have been shocked.
Different strokes for different folks, especially those who are corpses.
Photos of the corpse, visitors and story here: http://www.islandpacket.com/weirdnews/story/582626.html
Friday, August 15, 2008
That's SIR penguin to you, bud!
There are many people who have been knighted - Sir Paul McCartney springs to mind, Bono, Sir Michael Caine...and others. There's a lot of pomp and circumstance involved, which includes a ceremony where swords are involved. No sword play or anything dangerous - just some touching here and there.
Nils Olav who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, has already acquired medals for good conduct and years of faithful service and was even made a honorary colonel-in-chief of the elite Norwegian King's Guard in 2005. This in itself is a lifetime achievement but what makes Mr. Olav stand out in the true sense of the word, is that Nils is a - wait for it - penguin.
You read it right: a penguin as in black, white and flippery.
As expected, there's a history connected to how he achieved this honor with the original Nils Olav who was made an honorary member of the King's Guard in 1972, after being picked out as the guard's mascot by lieutenant Nils Egelien. The guards adopted him because they often toured the zoo during their visits to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual military music festival, according to zoo spokeswoman Maxine Finlay.
The king penguin was named after Egelien and Norway's then-King Olav V. When the penguin died — Finlay said no one at the zoo knew exactly when — he was replaced by a second penguin, who inherited Nils Olav's name and rank.
The current Nils Olav III, the third penguin to serve as the guards' mascot, was promoted from honorable regimental sergeant major to honorary colonel-in-chief in 2005, Finlay said.
It was all very proper and royal-like with the ceremony actually starting on Friday morning with speeches and a fanfare before Nils arrival under escort with the King's Guard Color Detachment. Nils then reviewed the troops lined up outside the penguin enclosure at the zoo, waddling down the row of uniformed soldiers, occasionally stopping to crane his neck and peer inquisitively at their crisp uniforms before being guided forward by his handler.
Nils was then knighted by British Maj. Gen. Euan Loudon on behalf of Norway's King Harald V. Loudon dropped the king's sword on both sides of Nils's black-and-white frame, and the penguin's colonel-in-chief badge, tied to his flipper, was swapped for one symbolizing his knighthood.
Rumor has it that fish was on the banquet menu - raw of course. At least Sir Nils never has to worry about wearing a tuxedo for formal occasions.
See a photo of SIR Nils Olav, the Edinburgh Zoo penguin and Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian King's Guard, here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080815/ap_on_fe_st/odd_penguin_knighted
and here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/15/norway?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront
Nils Olav who lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, has already acquired medals for good conduct and years of faithful service and was even made a honorary colonel-in-chief of the elite Norwegian King's Guard in 2005. This in itself is a lifetime achievement but what makes Mr. Olav stand out in the true sense of the word, is that Nils is a - wait for it - penguin.
You read it right: a penguin as in black, white and flippery.
As expected, there's a history connected to how he achieved this honor with the original Nils Olav who was made an honorary member of the King's Guard in 1972, after being picked out as the guard's mascot by lieutenant Nils Egelien. The guards adopted him because they often toured the zoo during their visits to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an annual military music festival, according to zoo spokeswoman Maxine Finlay.
The king penguin was named after Egelien and Norway's then-King Olav V. When the penguin died — Finlay said no one at the zoo knew exactly when — he was replaced by a second penguin, who inherited Nils Olav's name and rank.
The current Nils Olav III, the third penguin to serve as the guards' mascot, was promoted from honorable regimental sergeant major to honorary colonel-in-chief in 2005, Finlay said.
It was all very proper and royal-like with the ceremony actually starting on Friday morning with speeches and a fanfare before Nils arrival under escort with the King's Guard Color Detachment. Nils then reviewed the troops lined up outside the penguin enclosure at the zoo, waddling down the row of uniformed soldiers, occasionally stopping to crane his neck and peer inquisitively at their crisp uniforms before being guided forward by his handler.
Nils was then knighted by British Maj. Gen. Euan Loudon on behalf of Norway's King Harald V. Loudon dropped the king's sword on both sides of Nils's black-and-white frame, and the penguin's colonel-in-chief badge, tied to his flipper, was swapped for one symbolizing his knighthood.
Rumor has it that fish was on the banquet menu - raw of course. At least Sir Nils never has to worry about wearing a tuxedo for formal occasions.
See a photo of SIR Nils Olav, the Edinburgh Zoo penguin and Colonel-in-Chief of the Norwegian King's Guard, here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080815/ap_on_fe_st/odd_penguin_knighted
and here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/aug/15/norway?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A tale of two cities: Birmingham city council makes boo-boo on its location
Seems that the members of Birmingham City Council aren't sure exactly where their city is located.
More to the point in a recent marketing campaign to promote the achievements of residents and their participation and achievements in recycling, somehow the city council of Birmingham, England instead promoted the city of Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
It must have been really embarrassing since the photos that were supposed to show places like the Selfridges building and the Rotundra located in the UK city, instead showed a shot of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Go figure that they look exactly the same...at least to some people.
The error was spotted by a resident of Birmingham - the UK city - who just happened to be a regular visitor to the U.S. location, and upon retrieving a pamphlet stuffed in his mailbox noticed what was supposed to be a photo of Birmingham, UK. but was instead the American city. Upon further checking it out in Google, he found the very same photo as on his pamphlet but this one was in Birmingham, Alabama.
That's some mix-up!
Initially, City Council officials claimed no mistake had been made and the "generic skyline [was] intended to symbolise an urban area".
Of course! After all - a city is a city is a city, even if it's in another country! I knew that! Didn't you?
A spokesperson who was not named (what a surprise) commented: "We accept that the wrong photo was used, but the text and detail contained in the leaflet is wholly correct which is the most important message."
Of course. The medium is the message...unless it's in the wrong place.
More to the point in a recent marketing campaign to promote the achievements of residents and their participation and achievements in recycling, somehow the city council of Birmingham, England instead promoted the city of Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A.
It must have been really embarrassing since the photos that were supposed to show places like the Selfridges building and the Rotundra located in the UK city, instead showed a shot of downtown Birmingham, Alabama.
Go figure that they look exactly the same...at least to some people.
The error was spotted by a resident of Birmingham - the UK city - who just happened to be a regular visitor to the U.S. location, and upon retrieving a pamphlet stuffed in his mailbox noticed what was supposed to be a photo of Birmingham, UK. but was instead the American city. Upon further checking it out in Google, he found the very same photo as on his pamphlet but this one was in Birmingham, Alabama.
That's some mix-up!
Initially, City Council officials claimed no mistake had been made and the "generic skyline [was] intended to symbolise an urban area".
Of course! After all - a city is a city is a city, even if it's in another country! I knew that! Didn't you?
A spokesperson who was not named (what a surprise) commented: "We accept that the wrong photo was used, but the text and detail contained in the leaflet is wholly correct which is the most important message."
Of course. The medium is the message...unless it's in the wrong place.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Young chinese girl deemed not pretty enough to sing at opening of Olympics
If ever the expression "gimme a break!" was appropriate, it's the latest news that the little girl who was slated to sing at the opening ceremony, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who is believed it just so happens to have the best voice, was replaced since her replacement was more...how shall we say...TV-friendly. Meaning that lip synching was used to match the voice to another face. What a display of sportsmanship!
Perhaps the powers-that-be have forgotten the purpose in holding the Olympics in the first place.
This from CBSnews.com: "A 7-year-old Chinese girl was not good-looking enough for the Olympics opening ceremony, so another little girl with a pixie smile lip-synched "Ode to the Motherland," a ceremony official said - the latest example of the lengths Beijing took for a perfect start to the Summer Games."
Full story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/12/world/main4344591.shtml
As if this wasn't enough to make a person spit - read the entire story - seems that those beautiful opening fireworks were helped along with the addition of digitally inserted images for TV. Kind'a makes a person wonder how much of the competition is real.
Well, doesn't it?
Perhaps the powers-that-be have forgotten the purpose in holding the Olympics in the first place.
This from CBSnews.com: "A 7-year-old Chinese girl was not good-looking enough for the Olympics opening ceremony, so another little girl with a pixie smile lip-synched "Ode to the Motherland," a ceremony official said - the latest example of the lengths Beijing took for a perfect start to the Summer Games."
Full story here: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/12/world/main4344591.shtml
As if this wasn't enough to make a person spit - read the entire story - seems that those beautiful opening fireworks were helped along with the addition of digitally inserted images for TV. Kind'a makes a person wonder how much of the competition is real.
Well, doesn't it?
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Kangeroo burger anyone? Pass!
I dunno about this one.
I'm beginning to ponder - correction - not beginning... I ponder the thought process of some scientists (not all).
Seems that there's a school of thought by one Australian scientist no less, that switching from - wait for it - beef(!) to kangeroo burgers/flesh can significantly help in reducing the greenhouse gas.
Huh? Say what?
Kangeroo? As in those cute adept jumpers with big feet and built-in handy pockets?
Are we as in your ordinary North American or even European and beyond, expected to actually eat those animals??? Can't speak - or write - for others but for me it's a big: NOT!
According to a report the methane gas produced by sheep and cows through burping and flatulence is stronger than carbon dioxide in the damage it can cause to the environment. Furthermore, kangaroos produce virtually no methane because their digestive systems are different. Dr George Wilson, of the Australian Wildlife Services, urges farming them.
Oh the horror of it all! Raising 'roos for the specific purpose of food for humans. It's so-so...canibalistic, IMHO.
Sheep and cattle account for 11% of Australia's carbon footprint and over the years, there have been various proposals to deal with the problem.
Problem?
Since when did kangeroos become a problem?Australia already produces 30 million kangaroos farmed by landholders in the outback. What next? Panda burgers?
This begs the question as to where and what all the sheep and cows living on planet earth are expected to do with all the accumulated gas? Perhaps - just a suggestion - if a ways could be discovered for all that smelly air to be made commercially viable, we wouldn't be discussing eating 'roo meat. Right?
I'm beginning to ponder - correction - not beginning... I ponder the thought process of some scientists (not all).
Seems that there's a school of thought by one Australian scientist no less, that switching from - wait for it - beef(!) to kangeroo burgers/flesh can significantly help in reducing the greenhouse gas.
Huh? Say what?
Kangeroo? As in those cute adept jumpers with big feet and built-in handy pockets?
Are we as in your ordinary North American or even European and beyond, expected to actually eat those animals??? Can't speak - or write - for others but for me it's a big: NOT!
According to a report the methane gas produced by sheep and cows through burping and flatulence is stronger than carbon dioxide in the damage it can cause to the environment. Furthermore, kangaroos produce virtually no methane because their digestive systems are different. Dr George Wilson, of the Australian Wildlife Services, urges farming them.
Oh the horror of it all! Raising 'roos for the specific purpose of food for humans. It's so-so...canibalistic, IMHO.
Sheep and cattle account for 11% of Australia's carbon footprint and over the years, there have been various proposals to deal with the problem.
Problem?
Since when did kangeroos become a problem?Australia already produces 30 million kangaroos farmed by landholders in the outback. What next? Panda burgers?
This begs the question as to where and what all the sheep and cows living on planet earth are expected to do with all the accumulated gas? Perhaps - just a suggestion - if a ways could be discovered for all that smelly air to be made commercially viable, we wouldn't be discussing eating 'roo meat. Right?
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
When it comes to politics, Paris Hilton is not amused
Humor is subjective in that what amuses one person, will be considered offensive to another. In the world of politics it appears everyone is fair game, especially if you're a rich and high profile celeb who usually loves the limelight, like Paris Hilton.
Seems that Paris's feelings were hurt since her image was used along with Britney Spears who is also no stranger to media attention, in an ad by the McCain team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Za-Mx1y3A
Being Paris and all, she has created her own video in the way of a response: "an ad for the Presidential Campaign. Paid for by Funny or Die."
Actually, it's very entertaining - and funny -and maybe Paris should consider giving up her so-called show-biz aspirations and consider a change to a political career. Here's what she had to say:
http://www.funnyordie.com/
Scary thought. Given her access to $$$, what happens if she does decide to go into politics - and succeeds!
Seems that Paris's feelings were hurt since her image was used along with Britney Spears who is also no stranger to media attention, in an ad by the McCain team.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Za-Mx1y3A
Being Paris and all, she has created her own video in the way of a response: "an ad for the Presidential Campaign. Paid for by Funny or Die."
Actually, it's very entertaining - and funny -and maybe Paris should consider giving up her so-called show-biz aspirations and consider a change to a political career. Here's what she had to say:
http://www.funnyordie.com/
Scary thought. Given her access to $$$, what happens if she does decide to go into politics - and succeeds!
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Smile! The Brangelinas price is $14 million
So y'see...Angelina Joli and Brad Pitt, two very popular i.e. hot, personalities right now recently had twins. Like most parents they are proud of their offspring and want to immortalize their newborns in photos. What makes these particular children unique is that their photos are rumored to be worth $14 million dollars on the market.
People magazine nabbed the rights and guaranteed they will sell lots of magazines.
"A person involved in the negotiations for pictures of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins says the rights have fetched $14 million.
The person asked not to be named because he was not authorized to release the figure. People magazine scored the photos in a joint deal with the London-based Hello! magazine, and the two will split the bill.
It is the second time People magazine has won the North American rights to the couple's exclusive baby pictures in exchange for a hefty donation to charity."
Read the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/01/brangelina.photos.ap/index.html
People magazine nabbed the rights and guaranteed they will sell lots of magazines.
"A person involved in the negotiations for pictures of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's newborn twins says the rights have fetched $14 million.
The person asked not to be named because he was not authorized to release the figure. People magazine scored the photos in a joint deal with the London-based Hello! magazine, and the two will split the bill.
It is the second time People magazine has won the North American rights to the couple's exclusive baby pictures in exchange for a hefty donation to charity."
Read the story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/08/01/brangelina.photos.ap/index.html
Monday, July 21, 2008
(Sir) Paul takes Quebec and leaves people smiling
"He" came, he played and certainly conquered according to the media reports in today's, Montreal Gazette (Montreal's daily newspaper). Given the historical significance of playing a gig on the Plains of Abraham, 200,000 plus Quebekers and visitors from all over the planet, welcomed Paul McCartney with open arms.
Fans were welcomed in French, a nice touch, with "bonsoir les québécois!" (good evening, Quebecers) and "bon soir toute la gang!" (good evening everyone!").
He opened with "Jet"and continued with picks that included Drive My Car and Only Mama Knows among others. There was a mixture of old favorites but he also included newer numbers. Quebec's 400th anniversary was aknowledged with the song, "Michelle" dedicated by McCartney in French to a "a lady who is 400 years old." Again, nice PR touch.
I, unfortunately, was not among the masses who attended the show. Insert big sigh here.
"I would have loved to attended that concert," I told my husband who also happens to be a McCartney fan, while watching clips from the show.
"How much of fan are you, though," he responded. "Enough to line up the day before the actual concert takes place to get a good place in front?"
He had a point.
So next up in August, Celine Dion will take centre stage and the spotlight. Absolutely the spotlight given her hubby Rene Angelil's managerial prowess and it will be interesting to see if she will draw the same numbers. She's a star for sure but perhaps not the same calibre as McCartney, IMHO.
For more information and photos:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2008/07/20/6214161-cp.html
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080721/national/music_mccartney_quebec
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7516711.stm
There are also some clips on YouTube but the sound is almost indistinguishable and the visuals are taken from the big screen for people who weren't lucky enough to be within visual range of the singer.
Fans were welcomed in French, a nice touch, with "bonsoir les québécois!" (good evening, Quebecers) and "bon soir toute la gang!" (good evening everyone!").
He opened with "Jet"and continued with picks that included Drive My Car and Only Mama Knows among others. There was a mixture of old favorites but he also included newer numbers. Quebec's 400th anniversary was aknowledged with the song, "Michelle" dedicated by McCartney in French to a "a lady who is 400 years old." Again, nice PR touch.
I, unfortunately, was not among the masses who attended the show. Insert big sigh here.
"I would have loved to attended that concert," I told my husband who also happens to be a McCartney fan, while watching clips from the show.
"How much of fan are you, though," he responded. "Enough to line up the day before the actual concert takes place to get a good place in front?"
He had a point.
So next up in August, Celine Dion will take centre stage and the spotlight. Absolutely the spotlight given her hubby Rene Angelil's managerial prowess and it will be interesting to see if she will draw the same numbers. She's a star for sure but perhaps not the same calibre as McCartney, IMHO.
For more information and photos:
http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2008/07/20/6214161-cp.html
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/080721/national/music_mccartney_quebec
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7516711.stm
There are also some clips on YouTube but the sound is almost indistinguishable and the visuals are taken from the big screen for people who weren't lucky enough to be within visual range of the singer.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Got some spare urine?
Most of us don't concern ourselves as to what happens to our urine once its deposited into the toilet bowl. We flush and forget about the end result. NASA, however, would like to share some and it's all in the name of science.
"A NASA contractor is seeking urine from space-program workers to test the toilets on the Orion space capsule.
Space program contractor Hamilton Sundstrand is seeking urine from workers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as part of its work on the new Orion space capsule that eventually would take astronauts to the moon, according to an internal memo posted on the Web site Nasawatch.com. The need is voluminous: 30 liters a day, which translates into nearly 8 gallons. Even on weekends."
Seems that NASA itself collects urine samples from workers to help design better space toilets.
The Connecticut-based company building the Orion toilet needs the large volume of urine (about the daily output of 30 people) to work on urine acidity problems, said spokesman Leo Makowski.
The memo seeking daily contributions from July 21 to July 31 was not meant to go public, he said.
So I'm thinking here: since this has gone public and there are people reading this that might want to help out - in the name of scientific progress of course - one wonders how they would go about doing it...donating their urine. Would they say...fill up a cup, wrap it up in a box and send it by mail in care of NASA? A typical letter from a donator would probably include something to the effect:
Dear NASA and to whom-this-may-concern,
Please find my donation of one cup of urine to be used towards your on-going research. As a person interested in space-related issues, it's the least I can do.
Bon voyage,
I.M. Lazee
Chair Tester
Also, do "contributors" receive some type of acknowledgement:
"Dear DOF - Donator of Urine,
We would like to thank you for your generous gift of urine. Your contribution was instrumental on (insert date) whereby it was used for scientific research towards the pressing issue of what to do with stored urine on the moon. As an aside we always accept multiple donations if you feel so moved."
Yours truly,
I.C. Pee
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/07/16/nasa.urine.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
"A NASA contractor is seeking urine from space-program workers to test the toilets on the Orion space capsule.
Space program contractor Hamilton Sundstrand is seeking urine from workers at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, as part of its work on the new Orion space capsule that eventually would take astronauts to the moon, according to an internal memo posted on the Web site Nasawatch.com. The need is voluminous: 30 liters a day, which translates into nearly 8 gallons. Even on weekends."
Seems that NASA itself collects urine samples from workers to help design better space toilets.
The Connecticut-based company building the Orion toilet needs the large volume of urine (about the daily output of 30 people) to work on urine acidity problems, said spokesman Leo Makowski.
The memo seeking daily contributions from July 21 to July 31 was not meant to go public, he said.
So I'm thinking here: since this has gone public and there are people reading this that might want to help out - in the name of scientific progress of course - one wonders how they would go about doing it...donating their urine. Would they say...fill up a cup, wrap it up in a box and send it by mail in care of NASA? A typical letter from a donator would probably include something to the effect:
Dear NASA and to whom-this-may-concern,
Please find my donation of one cup of urine to be used towards your on-going research. As a person interested in space-related issues, it's the least I can do.
Bon voyage,
I.M. Lazee
Chair Tester
Also, do "contributors" receive some type of acknowledgement:
"Dear DOF - Donator of Urine,
We would like to thank you for your generous gift of urine. Your contribution was instrumental on (insert date) whereby it was used for scientific research towards the pressing issue of what to do with stored urine on the moon. As an aside we always accept multiple donations if you feel so moved."
Yours truly,
I.C. Pee
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/07/16/nasa.urine.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview
Monday, July 14, 2008
Political correctness gone too far?
Many people reading this will recall as children, participating in a sack race or three legged race during sports day and ending up no worse for wear. Well that was then as they say, and this is now with a school in Washington banning the two old and popular events due to what they claim is fear of injury.
"PC" school officials who were concerned that the primary school pupils could fall over and suffer bruising, were assailed by critics for banning the two events.
Yeah so what? I mean, so the children fall down and get grass skids...or a bruise here and there. All part of the game and being kids!
Teachers at the John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the events after talks with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held today. The day called for children to dress up in period costumes and play old-fashioned-type games, which included running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into pails.
Laura Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness group, said: “It’s health and safety gone mad, completely over the top.”
"PC" school officials who were concerned that the primary school pupils could fall over and suffer bruising, were assailed by critics for banning the two events.
Yeah so what? I mean, so the children fall down and get grass skids...or a bruise here and there. All part of the game and being kids!
Teachers at the John F Kennedy Primary in Washington, Tyne and Wear, dropped the events after talks with Beamish Open Air Museum, where an Edwardian-themed sports day is being held today. The day called for children to dress up in period costumes and play old-fashioned-type games, which included running, hopping and throwing ping-pong balls into pails.
Laura Midgely, founder of the Campaign Against Political Correctness group, said: “It’s health and safety gone mad, completely over the top.”
Monday, July 07, 2008
Celine Dion and Sir Paul McCartney to face off on the Plains of Abraham?
Two well known singers and entertainment personalities in their own right, Celine Dion and Sir Paul McCartney, will be doing a gig in honor of Quebec City's 400th birthday. I mean, not at the same time but it's a coup for sure.
Great idea! Right?
Maybe so but then it would depend on where said gig will be taking place.
See...Celine is scheduled to perform on August 22nd in the sports field located at the west end of the Plains of Abraham and 100,000 Celine fans are expected to attend. They had to line up to get their free tickets. Everything was fine until Rene Angelil, Celine's hubby AND manager got wind that Sir Paul would be performing a f*r*e*e* show on July 20th, one month earlier, in a natural amphitheater at the other end of the plains, with no tickets necessary.
Rene is not a happy man.
In fact he is demanding(!) a change of venue for her concert.
Angelil is demanding the same first come, first-served access as well as the same venue for Dion. The National Battlefields Commission denied the request and organizers of the 400th anniversary are caught in the middle.
As Rosanne Roseannadanna used to say: it's always something...
Talk about egos and insecurities surfacing.
BTW and in case anyone reading this wants to see Celine, word has it that scalpers are selling those free Dion tickets for $700 a pair. In as far as McCartney's appearance is concerned, this will be his only North American concert so you can expect to be among hundreds of thousands of other fans.
Great idea! Right?
Maybe so but then it would depend on where said gig will be taking place.
See...Celine is scheduled to perform on August 22nd in the sports field located at the west end of the Plains of Abraham and 100,000 Celine fans are expected to attend. They had to line up to get their free tickets. Everything was fine until Rene Angelil, Celine's hubby AND manager got wind that Sir Paul would be performing a f*r*e*e* show on July 20th, one month earlier, in a natural amphitheater at the other end of the plains, with no tickets necessary.
Rene is not a happy man.
In fact he is demanding(!) a change of venue for her concert.
Angelil is demanding the same first come, first-served access as well as the same venue for Dion. The National Battlefields Commission denied the request and organizers of the 400th anniversary are caught in the middle.
As Rosanne Roseannadanna used to say: it's always something...
Talk about egos and insecurities surfacing.
BTW and in case anyone reading this wants to see Celine, word has it that scalpers are selling those free Dion tickets for $700 a pair. In as far as McCartney's appearance is concerned, this will be his only North American concert so you can expect to be among hundreds of thousands of other fans.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Wanted: naked cleaning person. Experience optional
If you happen to be vacationing or perhaps back-packing in England and looking for a job that has a loose - very loose - dress code, then perhaps this would be of interest to you.
A job vacancy for a naked cleaner is being advertised at a Jobcentre, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed today.
The advertisement, placed in Southampton, Hampshire, by a company called Knobs 'n' Knockers, is looking for applicants of both sexes to do washing-up and ironing in the nude.
Why? According to the ad, it wants to make the tasks more erotic for customers in the South East.
"Required for household cleaning duties in the nude. Pinny provided. Must have pleasant nature." the ad states.
A "pinny" for those people unaware of the term according to Wikipedia, "A pinafore (colloquially pinny in British English) is a sleeveless garment worn as an apron."
Successful applicants will make £10 per hour compared to £6 for regular clothed cleaners. I suppose this could be considered unfair hiring practice but I digress.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said it could not legally refuse to carry the advertisement.
"Jobcentre Plus has a duty to advertise any legal job. Legal vacancies within the adult industry come within this, a requirement which was confirmed in a legal test case brought by the Ann Summers company in 2003. The High Court overturned Jobcentre Plus's policy which did not accept certain types of adverts connected with the sex and personal services industries. We have safeguards in place to ensure customers are fully aware of the nature of these jobs."
So? Anybody planning to apply?
A job vacancy for a naked cleaner is being advertised at a Jobcentre, the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed today.
The advertisement, placed in Southampton, Hampshire, by a company called Knobs 'n' Knockers, is looking for applicants of both sexes to do washing-up and ironing in the nude.
Why? According to the ad, it wants to make the tasks more erotic for customers in the South East.
"Required for household cleaning duties in the nude. Pinny provided. Must have pleasant nature." the ad states.
A "pinny" for those people unaware of the term according to Wikipedia, "A pinafore (colloquially pinny in British English) is a sleeveless garment worn as an apron."
Successful applicants will make £10 per hour compared to £6 for regular clothed cleaners. I suppose this could be considered unfair hiring practice but I digress.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said it could not legally refuse to carry the advertisement.
"Jobcentre Plus has a duty to advertise any legal job. Legal vacancies within the adult industry come within this, a requirement which was confirmed in a legal test case brought by the Ann Summers company in 2003. The High Court overturned Jobcentre Plus's policy which did not accept certain types of adverts connected with the sex and personal services industries. We have safeguards in place to ensure customers are fully aware of the nature of these jobs."
So? Anybody planning to apply?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Sending it "snail mail" in the true sense of the word
The expression, "send it by snail-mail" has taken on a whole new meaning for Muriel, Austin and Cecil. In fact people using their mail delivery service just might have to wait for their package or mail to take weeks, maybe even months to arrive.
What makes this delivery service unique is that the trio are...snails. As in the gastropods that live in back yards. As in the real live thing(s).
These snails have been fitted with equipment to allow them to send e-mails on behalf of visitors to a website and it's all part of a "slow art" project called Real Snail Mail at Bournemouth University in the UK which will be showcased in Los Angeles in August.
Each snail is fitted with a tiny capsule which holds a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip. RFID allows objects to communicate over short distances.
Users of the service send a message via the Real Snail Mail website which is routed to the tank at the speed of light to await collection by a snail "agent".
Read the entire story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7458531.stm
BTW - to date the snails have managed to deliver 14 messages.
There's also a web site devoted to the system and perhaps the site coordinates says it all:
http://www.boredomresearch.net/rsm/
The Web site also provides background profiles for the trio:
Agent 001
Also known as Cecil
Hours of service: 978
Deliveries made: 4
Current status: Carrying message
Average delivery time: 3.26 days
Agent 002
Also known as Austin
Hours of service: 2493
Deliveries made: 10
Current status: Available
Average delivery time: 1.96 days
Agent 003
Also known as Muriel
Hours of service: 978
Deliveries made: 0
Current status: Available
Average delivery time: None as yet
Interesting that Agent 003 - Muriel - hasn't made any deliveries yet... Too slow...too shy... One can only speculate.
A snail-cam will be available during the trio's visit to Los Angeles while participating in the Slow Art Exhibition from August 11-15 here:
http://www.boredomresearch.net/rsm/snailcam.html
Don't expect any quick deliveries, though.
What makes this delivery service unique is that the trio are...snails. As in the gastropods that live in back yards. As in the real live thing(s).
These snails have been fitted with equipment to allow them to send e-mails on behalf of visitors to a website and it's all part of a "slow art" project called Real Snail Mail at Bournemouth University in the UK which will be showcased in Los Angeles in August.
Each snail is fitted with a tiny capsule which holds a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip. RFID allows objects to communicate over short distances.
Users of the service send a message via the Real Snail Mail website which is routed to the tank at the speed of light to await collection by a snail "agent".
Read the entire story here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7458531.stm
BTW - to date the snails have managed to deliver 14 messages.
There's also a web site devoted to the system and perhaps the site coordinates says it all:
http://www.boredomresearch.net/rsm/
The Web site also provides background profiles for the trio:
Agent 001
Also known as Cecil
Hours of service: 978
Deliveries made: 4
Current status: Carrying message
Average delivery time: 3.26 days
Agent 002
Also known as Austin
Hours of service: 2493
Deliveries made: 10
Current status: Available
Average delivery time: 1.96 days
Agent 003
Also known as Muriel
Hours of service: 978
Deliveries made: 0
Current status: Available
Average delivery time: None as yet
Interesting that Agent 003 - Muriel - hasn't made any deliveries yet... Too slow...too shy... One can only speculate.
A snail-cam will be available during the trio's visit to Los Angeles while participating in the Slow Art Exhibition from August 11-15 here:
http://www.boredomresearch.net/rsm/snailcam.html
Don't expect any quick deliveries, though.
Friday, June 13, 2008
New Canadian law passed for illegal downloading of copyright material
Chances are that anybody working in the creative field will be happy with the news that Canada has passed a law to deal with downloading copyright material, the problem is how do the police and the legal field enforce said law?
"New legislation against downloading copyrighted material comes with one big problem. Nobody knows how fines could be doled out because nobody knows how violators could be caught, York Regional Police said yesterday. The current copyright law carries a maximum fine of $20,000 but has been geared towards nabbing commercial distributors and high-volume bootleggers."
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Economy/2008/06/13/5867376-sun.html
"The federal government has introduced a controversial bill it says balances the rights of copyright holders and consumers — but it opens millions of Canadians to huge lawsuits, prompting critics to warn it will create a "police state."
"We are confident we have developed the proper framework at this point in time," Minister of Industry Jim Prentice told a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday. "This bill reflects a win-win approach."
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/06/12/tech-copyright.html
At present anyone caught disobeying the copyright law, which is focused on dealing with commercial distributors and bootleggers, can be fined $20,000. The new legislation will focus on
deterring individual downloaders and purchasers of scammed content.
When it's all said and done, however, the main question or issue is: how do you catch individual downloaders?
"New legislation against downloading copyrighted material comes with one big problem. Nobody knows how fines could be doled out because nobody knows how violators could be caught, York Regional Police said yesterday. The current copyright law carries a maximum fine of $20,000 but has been geared towards nabbing commercial distributors and high-volume bootleggers."
http://money.canoe.ca/News/Economy/2008/06/13/5867376-sun.html
"The federal government has introduced a controversial bill it says balances the rights of copyright holders and consumers — but it opens millions of Canadians to huge lawsuits, prompting critics to warn it will create a "police state."
"We are confident we have developed the proper framework at this point in time," Minister of Industry Jim Prentice told a news conference in Ottawa on Thursday. "This bill reflects a win-win approach."
http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2008/06/12/tech-copyright.html
At present anyone caught disobeying the copyright law, which is focused on dealing with commercial distributors and bootleggers, can be fined $20,000. The new legislation will focus on
deterring individual downloaders and purchasers of scammed content.
When it's all said and done, however, the main question or issue is: how do you catch individual downloaders?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
No cheering allowed at high school graduation
Talk about over-zealousness on the part of high school officials and perhaps even on the part of the police.
So a group of enthusiastic young people made it through high school and were part of graduation ceremonies. Perhaps they got caught up in the moment and cheered when their friends received their diploma. That's a natural thing to do - support your friends. Right? Since when is it a crime, anyway, to cheer out loud? Obviously in some places it is.
I mean - gimme a break!
"When Rock Hill school officials tell commencement crowds to hold their applause until the end, they mean it — police arrested seven people after they were accused of loud cheering during the ceremonies.
Six people at Fort Mill High School's graduation were charged Saturday and a seventh at the graduation for York Comprehensive High School was charged Friday with disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police said the seven yelled after students' names were called."
Read the entire story and shake your head in wonder and puzzlement as I did wondering what this world is coming to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25083792/
With the exception of one case that includes resisting an arrest charge, all the cases will be handled in city court with the punishment(!) being a maximum of 30 days in jail(!) and a $1,000 fine.
So a group of enthusiastic young people made it through high school and were part of graduation ceremonies. Perhaps they got caught up in the moment and cheered when their friends received their diploma. That's a natural thing to do - support your friends. Right? Since when is it a crime, anyway, to cheer out loud? Obviously in some places it is.
I mean - gimme a break!
"When Rock Hill school officials tell commencement crowds to hold their applause until the end, they mean it — police arrested seven people after they were accused of loud cheering during the ceremonies.
Six people at Fort Mill High School's graduation were charged Saturday and a seventh at the graduation for York Comprehensive High School was charged Friday with disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police said the seven yelled after students' names were called."
Read the entire story and shake your head in wonder and puzzlement as I did wondering what this world is coming to:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25083792/
With the exception of one case that includes resisting an arrest charge, all the cases will be handled in city court with the punishment(!) being a maximum of 30 days in jail(!) and a $1,000 fine.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Here a rabbit...there a groundhog - garden pests dealt with severely by gardeners
Gardeners as a rule are a protective lot, especially when it comes to the fruit of their labor so to speak. There are some who sow crops of carrots, lettuce, cukes, tomatoes etc. in their backyard suburban garden, anticipating a fresh salad al fresco. However, not only do humans enjoy freshly picked veggies - so do all the local wildlife and therein lies the problem. It's a case of the humans versus the wildlife with a not-so-happy end result in some cases.
Take the article in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/garden/05animals.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
with some gardeners finding a solution by taking things into their own hands. There are those who take more drastic measures using guns and other weapons to solve the problem. Here is the opening of the story:
THE homeowner, a city-boy artist and illustrator who had moved to rural Pennsylvania, never wanted to kill the woodchucks. Sure, they were ruining the garden and digging up the foundations of outbuildings, but it was a moral issue: the artist, who is still so uncomfortable about what transpired — and so concerned about how his New York clients would feel about it that he is not willing to be identified — did not want to take a life.
"I posted a sign in the backyard (positioned close to ground level) with a recipe for rabbit pie. I think the bunnies got the message."CE, Plano, TX
Given the size of the property — a 12-acre former horse farm — fencing was out of the question. He bought a Havahart live animal trap but did not catch a thing. And he worried that releasing woodchucks down the road would only be dumping the problem on a neighbor. So he moved on to that tried-and-true landlord’s tactic: harassment. He attached a hose to the exhaust pipe of his old pickup truck and stuffed it into a burrow — not to kill the woodchucks, just to encourage them to move on. That didn’t work, either.
Finally, the artist decided he would have to shoot the animals. First, though, he went to each hole and made an announcement.
“I said: ‘I intend to kill you. You have 24 hours to get out,’ ” he recalls. “I wanted to give them fair warning. I said, ‘If I were you, I would find another place to live.’ I also promised them I would not take a shot unless I knew it would be fatal.”
He is making this into a funny story, he says, but when he killed his first woodchuck he “literally felt sick.”
“I went outside and knelt down to it and said a little prayer to whatever the powers that be that when my turn comes, I will do it as gracefully and uncomplainingly.”
Eventually, though, he embraced his mission, and grew so obsessed with it that an aunt began to call him Woodchuck Johnny. How many did he kill that summer?
“I stopped at 19,” he says. “One was a suicide. It realized its days were numbered and ran in front of a car.”
There are a lot more stories about how plain ordinary, "normal" gardeners like you or me, handled the situation. As an aside 325 gardeners , some who agree with garden guerilla tactics and many others shocked, who let their feelings be known with e-letters to the editor of the New York Times.
Read the entire story and decide for yourself.
Take the article in the New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/05/garden/05animals.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
with some gardeners finding a solution by taking things into their own hands. There are those who take more drastic measures using guns and other weapons to solve the problem. Here is the opening of the story:
THE homeowner, a city-boy artist and illustrator who had moved to rural Pennsylvania, never wanted to kill the woodchucks. Sure, they were ruining the garden and digging up the foundations of outbuildings, but it was a moral issue: the artist, who is still so uncomfortable about what transpired — and so concerned about how his New York clients would feel about it that he is not willing to be identified — did not want to take a life.
"I posted a sign in the backyard (positioned close to ground level) with a recipe for rabbit pie. I think the bunnies got the message."CE, Plano, TX
Given the size of the property — a 12-acre former horse farm — fencing was out of the question. He bought a Havahart live animal trap but did not catch a thing. And he worried that releasing woodchucks down the road would only be dumping the problem on a neighbor. So he moved on to that tried-and-true landlord’s tactic: harassment. He attached a hose to the exhaust pipe of his old pickup truck and stuffed it into a burrow — not to kill the woodchucks, just to encourage them to move on. That didn’t work, either.
Finally, the artist decided he would have to shoot the animals. First, though, he went to each hole and made an announcement.
“I said: ‘I intend to kill you. You have 24 hours to get out,’ ” he recalls. “I wanted to give them fair warning. I said, ‘If I were you, I would find another place to live.’ I also promised them I would not take a shot unless I knew it would be fatal.”
He is making this into a funny story, he says, but when he killed his first woodchuck he “literally felt sick.”
“I went outside and knelt down to it and said a little prayer to whatever the powers that be that when my turn comes, I will do it as gracefully and uncomplainingly.”
Eventually, though, he embraced his mission, and grew so obsessed with it that an aunt began to call him Woodchuck Johnny. How many did he kill that summer?
“I stopped at 19,” he says. “One was a suicide. It realized its days were numbered and ran in front of a car.”
There are a lot more stories about how plain ordinary, "normal" gardeners like you or me, handled the situation. As an aside 325 gardeners , some who agree with garden guerilla tactics and many others shocked, who let their feelings be known with e-letters to the editor of the New York Times.
Read the entire story and decide for yourself.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Attorney fights to be slow
There are people who are actively involved in many causes to help humanity and there are others who run around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off. Then there's 73-year old attorney, Edgar S. Cahn, who is making a point of people's right to be lazy.
My kind of person.
He is head of the "slow movement", a national campaign that believes that speed kills.
The slow movement backs random acts of slowness, such as turning off the BlackBerry or spending time with friends.
Its leaders say that Americans are so starved for time and that the need for speed is destroying health, families and communities.
Read the whole story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/06/balance.slow.movement/index.html
There are groups people can join including:
• The Long Now Foundation, a group based in San Francisco, California, was established to provide an alternative to a "faster/cheaper" mind set and promote "slower/better" thinking.
• Take Back Your Time, a nonprofit group based in Seattle, Washington, is leading a national campaign to address time famine by using conferences and teach-ins to wean people off of their need by be busy.
• Slow Food USA is a nonprofit group that offers an alternative to fast-food eating and industrial food production. It encourages members to plan communal meals and use farmer's markets. It has at least 80,000 members in 100 countries.
Slow movement members don't fit one profile. They're journalists, lawyers, chefs, farmers. Yet they cite the same factors for our inability to slow down: longer work hours, longer commutes and technological advances like BlackBerrys that keep many employees chained to work.
Perhaps this is a movement whose time has come.
My kind of person.
He is head of the "slow movement", a national campaign that believes that speed kills.
The slow movement backs random acts of slowness, such as turning off the BlackBerry or spending time with friends.
Its leaders say that Americans are so starved for time and that the need for speed is destroying health, families and communities.
Read the whole story here: http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/worklife/06/06/balance.slow.movement/index.html
There are groups people can join including:
• The Long Now Foundation, a group based in San Francisco, California, was established to provide an alternative to a "faster/cheaper" mind set and promote "slower/better" thinking.
• Take Back Your Time, a nonprofit group based in Seattle, Washington, is leading a national campaign to address time famine by using conferences and teach-ins to wean people off of their need by be busy.
• Slow Food USA is a nonprofit group that offers an alternative to fast-food eating and industrial food production. It encourages members to plan communal meals and use farmer's markets. It has at least 80,000 members in 100 countries.
Slow movement members don't fit one profile. They're journalists, lawyers, chefs, farmers. Yet they cite the same factors for our inability to slow down: longer work hours, longer commutes and technological advances like BlackBerrys that keep many employees chained to work.
Perhaps this is a movement whose time has come.
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