Special K

OccupyCalgary Fail

2011-10-31T14:50:00.000-07:00

I think I along with many others were interested in the least to see where the Occupy Calgary protest ended up. Calgary is probably the worst place on the face of the earth to try this protest since our economy is comparatively the best.

It started off with kind of a point, and now is just a free for all for bums.

Olympic Plaza is a cesspool for bums and beatniks. No message, no purpose, just creating mess. I'm all for public protest, so I dont think we need to burn them out, let the cold do that (or in reverse).

But until there's something of substance to a movement I'm not jumping on board. Yes, we know there are issues with the financial system, particularly in the US, but right now camping downtown is not a solution.

Redford new premier

2011-10-03T14:52:00.000-07:00

So much for backwards cowboys. Unlike Toronto who elected a fat white man, Calgary elected a progressive thinker as mayor, and the province elected a woman (also progressive).

I'm interested to see what kind of new life is breathed into a party that essentially rules alberta and has for decades.

I'm also interested to see where REdford finds 100 million to put back to schools. How do you magically find 100 million?

Common Sense in Real Estate

2011-06-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

With Summer upon us that inevitably means the housing market will pick up. Despite an economy that's teetering on edge people will start buying more when the weather is nice. What's confusing to me is how many people don't use common sense when entering into a purchase agreement.

They don't use common sense before buying a home; they don't use common sense if they buy with another person that's not their spouse.

I know a few people who've forgotten to discuss chattels or their realtor didn't do the proper inspections. Ultimately it's your responsibility to jump thru the hoops of due diligence .

Others I know have horror stories of how a relationship went sour and one person wanted out but the equity was tied into the house. Without an agreement beforehand things cna get ugly if one person wants to exit early.

So do yourself a favour, do your due diligence beforehand, it's your largest investment. Chat with the right people and ask the right questions. You need a lawyer every time you make a real -estate transaction so don't hesitate to ask all the questions you want.

Here are a couple: Tom Taylor or Kahane Law.

Open Community Online

2011-05-28T14:17:00.000-07:00

Remember the push to 'cap' web bandwidth? Join this push to keep the web open and away from the pocket books of big corporations. http://openmedia.ca/community

Wasting Tax payers money

2011-05-16T13:11:00.001-07:00

But hey, Alberta voted the party in so they have to be wholesome right?!

Canada's crime rate has fallen 17% in a decade, yet the Conservatives want to increase correctional services' budget 21% (500Million).. Oh and while they're at it, they're cutting Environment Canada's budget by $200 million... +2 points for Prison industrial complex, -2 points for the air we breath.. (http://bit.ly/lwYIcD) and (http://bit.ly/ag0Xr9)

What a Conservative Majority means for Canada

2011-05-10T14:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday:

Today:

What a shock! The Orange Crush machine ran rough shod over the Bloc AND the Liberals. Two party leaders lost their seats, many incumbents are gone, the separatists are essentially done (until next election when they figure out the NDP were powerless to help them), or at least the party has lost status.

The success is shocking, and the majority somewhat shocking as well. The split left vote handed the Conservatives victory. Popular vote for left-wing parties exceeded 50%. The combination of NDP and Liberal votes in most ridings would've exceeded Conservative votes (less Alberta).

That really points to something about value of possibly merging the two parties.

Or perhaps we're Canada and one of our unique qualities is the 5 party system.

Of course, as guaranteed the Greens won their one. 1 million Green voters can rejoice in a small victory.

As for now, the Conservatives will ram through all of their agendas of big business, cutting taxes to the rich, reducing programs, and ramping up military spending. We'll be mini Republican USA.

Albeit, it's probably better than a NDP victory given the economic climate we still have to dodge.

Predictions

2011-05-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Conservative majority with big wins in all metropolitan areas. I do'nt see the NDP really catching fire across the nation even though they have momentum on their side at this pont.

The liberals stand to lose seats but not many, and the Bloq are the bloq and they'll get their seats +/- 5. Greens will get one.

That's actually my only guarantee, the Greens will get one seat.

The wild card in all of this is Quebec, last election Conservatives lost a majority because they couldn't win Quebec. I do'nt see the same value in Quebec this year for the Conservatives, but someone will gain prominence in la belle province....just not sure who.

Vintage Calgary

2011-03-28T09:38:00.001-07:00

My how things have changed.

$15k for $4

2011-03-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

What a deal! If you're a fat cat working for a telecom giant in Canada, the place where cell phone users pay the MOST for service (beyond impoverished African nations.)

Check out this wild story of how unscrupulous telecom giants are,

http://openmedia.ca/gouging

Remember, they want to meter the internet too, do'nt let it happen!

Incredbile Japan

2011-03-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Incredible, and scary, very very scary. Keep Japan in your thoughts as they rebuild. I dont know what hel pthey need, they are a developed nation FYI. It's not like a haiti or indonesia who are still trying to figure out which was is up.

Why I hate Apple

2011-02-25T16:39:00.000-08:00

Apple likes to be exclusive. It works for the nerds that keep buying their stuff, but in many respects it's stymied innovation. In order to come out ahead you either adopt Apple exclusivity or don't use Apple, no middle ground.

I also hate how they're treating innovation in the app store. Want to sell an app? How about 30% apple tax? How does that bread innovation? How does that reward the creator? In fact, how does that help the user know which apps are good (based on quality/subscriptions).

Here's another take on the ridiculous tax of apple.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/02/30-the-long-tail-and-a-future-of-serialized-content.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+typepad/sethsmainblog+(Seth's+Blog)

Canada Moves Govt to Stop Metering

2011-02-04T10:58:00.000-08:00

There was a threat for Canadian internet users that they'd have to pay internet charges for extra usage. For most users right now that wouldn't matter, but as the industry grows, mroe people are watching TV, streaming movies, etc., all online.

Big corporate telecom giants know this, and what a bigger piece of the million dollar pie (they want to stay rich you see).

Well the push for metered internet, inexplicably pushed forward by the CRTC (how many bribes there) will effectively be shot down. It's not official yet, but enough people got angry and told their politician/industry minister, and they'll ask CRTC (canada's arm of telecom redundancy) to think twice about the ruling.

Chalk one up for squeaky wheel and a loss for very rich and fat corporate giants.

The little guy prevails! for now.....

Put the Gas in your internet

2011-02-02T06:51:00.000-08:00

Well not really. But you'll ahve to pay based on usage soon if the risch snobs at Bell and Rogers get their way. THey want to capitalize on the huge growth in internet use (poor Netflix) and earn more and more millions.

You should say no as a consumer.

Canadians love to sit around on their asses and do nothing, but enough is enough. Can someone please give a damn when big corporations run rough shod on poor citizens. It's worse enough that we pay among the higest cell phone bills in the WORLD, but now we'll have to pay internet bandwidth based on usage? THis is the direction Africa has now (a step backwards).

YOU know what's also asinine, it costs next to nothing to deliver bandwidth. There's capacity and it's CHEAP as hell.

Don't put up with the cash grab, sign the petition, let all ur friends know, and best of all, email your MP and tell them you won't be voting for them if they don't oppose the stupid CRTC ruling.

http://openmedia.ca/meter

Obama on Arizona Shooting - MLK jr day

2011-01-17T09:26:00.000-08:00

fitting that I would blog about this event on martin luther king jr. day.

even in a time of great trial and mourning obama found a way to inspire. i couldn't believe what i heard on the news about the unnecessary and heartbreaking deaths and injuries following the arizona massacre (that's what it was.)

like many i had to tune in and listen nto some of the updates. i did listen for a bit the day off, and was a bit taken aback by the tongue lashing politicians and pundits got from the sheriff doing the presser.

his commentary on the nature of political rhetoric in this country was bang on imo. now, i don't believe sarah palin is to blame for their vitriolic candor. there may be more republicans advocating violence implicitly through their war metaphors, but you can find almost as many democrats doing the same.

which gets us back to the point, has politcs gone to the shits? yes. i believe it has. simply there is too much hatred being spewed. many americans have already noticed this, but just like the national enquiry (or any tabloid), they still sell magazines cause we still buy em.

obama's speech was what the nation neeeded, another wake up call to love each other, disagree with out shooting, and work tirelessly to make this country a better and safer place. it starts with us, we're responsible, so lets' make it happen.

Album of the Year? 2010

2011-01-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

I've branched out with my music genres. I haven't gone completely crazy but I've picked up more new rock and alternative (main stream stuff) this past year.

Two notable albums that have hit me with sheer brilliance are:

Kings of Leon - Come Around

and

Arcade Fire - Suburbs.

Arcade Fire is a motley crew from Montreal, Canada. They have a unique sound and stories to tell. i've heard their live shows are absolutely insane to participate in.

King of Leon is just gettin gbetter and better. Hopefully they don't go the way of Nickleback and create a 'rock formula' for all future songs, but I thoroughly enjoyed their latest offer.

But the grammy would have to go to Kings of Leon, just a better album pound for pound in terms of my own preferences :D (that's what matters right?)

Can you do that in the Bible Belt?

2007-08-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Gotta love Canadians, eh? Intimacy Kit, free of charge, in our room, in the minibar. They EXPECT you to get 'busy' while visiting Montreal and damn well wanna help you do it.
Got me to thinking. Don't we need complimentary Intimacy kits in hotels, and most especially cheap motels, all across the south? Would that not give a swift kick in the nuts to the Moral Majority as well as the southern epidemic known as pregnancy?

I'm just riffing, thinking on paper, call me out if you need to but I see a business venture here.....
If I start this business for distribution to Super 8s, Motel 6, Comfort Inns, Marriotts, etc., I'll have to provide a package easier to open since most users will be drunk. Instructions for the proper use of a condom might be a good idea. Flavored lube might not be necessary since foreplay isn't part of the southern male mojo......