Wow! my website changed. I like this color scheme much better then the green one I had.

Thanks Flo!

1 more week until my Christmas Holidays. I can't wait.

It'll be good to relax, plus Flo is coming back so the whole family will be together for a week.

Well, good news friday.

Our company is giving everybody a christmas bonus.

Woot, more money for the apartment.

I ask my parents about blinds/curtains, she said be prepared to spend a couple of thousand.

wah

I was hoping to have a good surprise today.... but nope, just another 25% increase in the estimate of my car repairs.

Sigh

Patience is a virtue...


I wish I had a punching bag, then at least I can punch my excess frustation out of me.

Took the car in for repairs because one of the brakes was making a grinding noise.

Disaster, estimate damage - $2000

sniff

2 brakes, 2 rotors, 2 valves, 2 belts, 1 oxygen sensor, 1 oil leak and 1 Tire Rim Repair.

I'm hoping this car will last another 4-5 years. Then I can afford to get a different one. Probably one that is only 3-5 years old.

If it only lasts 2 years, I'll probably have to finance the car..... more debt.

wow it's cold.... too cold....

anyways, so apparently it takes 21 days of doing something before it becomes a habit.

So if you do something that is weekly, does that mean you need 21 weeks before it's a habit? or is 3 weeks sufficient?

and the Flames beat detriot last night. woot.

Well, election time.

If I could bet on this it will be this,

Liberals will win Ontario
PC will win the Prairies
Bloc will win Quebec

and BC will split NDP and PC.

Since there are more seats in Ontario, liberals will have minority government again.

You could translate the political group names as follows

Bloc = Quebec is special, we require special needs.
PC = Times aren't changing; gay? who's gay?
Liberals = Let's use taxpayer's money to buy our votes.
NDP = Let's spend spend spend, who cares about fiscal responsibility.

But in the end, it's not really about the policies, it's about who will best represent our region.

The east will never vote for PC and the west will never vote for liberals.

West vs East vs Quebec

I'm speechless

House Lights

wow, i'm lacking in energy this week.

Went to bed at like 8pm last night... woke up at 6am.

Not sure what's going on... I think I need a vacation.

160 Episodes of Naruto down in 16 days.

Average of 10 Episodes a day which equals to over 3 hours of wasted time per day.

gah

Things that annoy me at work even after 1 1/2 years.

1) Phone Messages with the following "Can you call me please?"
2) People who come into my office with the following question "Can I ask a quick question?"

The reason these annoy me are...

I'm busy, and yes everybody is busy, so if you're going to leave a message. Leave a detailed one so I don't need to waste my time checking a message where I have to call you back for more information anyways.

No question is quick, I'm generally working on something when somebody pops by my office. And my answer never changes for these "quick questions". The answer is

"Please log a ticket and we'll look into it right away"

A warning, this is a rant, a political rant at that.

First off, yes, I am pro-conservative, probably more because it's a regional thing. If the liberals were based in the west and the conservatives in the east, I would be pro-liberal.

So, the latest developments in parliment is starting to sicken me.

First off, coming up is the vote on the fiscal update. Usually this is where the government makes small changes to the budget but this time with the Liberals on their last lifelines, they're making it a larger budget update with signficant changes in it. Most of them being large personal and business tax cuts.

Now everybody wants tax cuts because they get more money in their pocket but is that really healthy for Canada? That money has to come from somewhere, we won't see the damage of those tax cuts for years to come but it will come.

Here is a link Article

Here is the ultimatum the oppositions parties have put in and the liberal response.
Ottawa

Naruto Episode 49... 100 more to go.

gah.

My book came in, I'm scared to touch it until the weekend. (Feast of Crows)
I won't be getting much sleep this weekend, that's for sure.

I found something life changing over the weekend.

Superstore takes visa now.......

*gasp*

Sorry about the lack of posts. It was a draining week for some reason. I barely made it through the work days.

I've just finished reading Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

It was an interesting read. I thought the book itself was so-so with most of the important things happening at the end. If you have spare time, I would give this a try although you have to be patient with it, it does drag a little.

But Amazon.ca did ship the next Fire and Ice book. A Feast for Crows I can't wait. It should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.

I should just take next week off. Not only will I not get any sleep with reading that addicting book, but also Scrubs Season 2 is coming out on DVD next week.

Oh and after downloading 149 episodes of Naruto, I've finally started watching it. On episode 16, only 133 to go.

Maybe I need the next 2 weeks off.

so how many of you heard of the guy who kicked a 50 yard field goal for $1 Million dollars?

Impressive hey?

well, did you know Wendy's is being cheap and paying him it out over 40 YEARS!

That works out to 25000 a year. Nothing to sneeze at but 25k in 40 years is not worth as much as 25k right now.

Somebody came by the house the other day and was trying to sell a newspaper subscription.

She asked if we wanted the Herald or the National Post. I said Herald. She then mentioned that everybody wants the herald.

Now that I think about it, nobody out the west wants to read about national issues. Generally because national issues are eastern Canadian issues.

I find it funny that the National Liberals, if they look bad in the gomery findings will then target the West in terms of scandal.

They're going to focus on Klein's 2 tiered health system even though Quebec has more privatized hospitals per capita then Alberta. This is because the Liberals know they can win Canada without winning the West.

Isn't our political system a joke? We have corrupt liberals that took tax payer's money. Yet they won't even get jail time. If a person lies on his tax return he faces harsh penalties. Yet these politicians won't even get touched.

The alienation of the West will continue on until sufficient amount of people start to live here and out number the East. Then they cannot win Canada without the West.

My parents went to a opening of a new condo development. They're building it by the Calgary Tower.

All but 10 units were sold out.... That's just sick.

The prices were sick too... paying over $320 a sq. ft.

Flames 1 - Ducks 4

gah....

At least we hit everything and Iggy is looking better.

Alright, not sure how many of you have heard about the illegal strike going in BC. But here is an Opinionated column on what has been happening.

BC Teacher's Strike

One thing stands out to me, the Average top salary and with the teacher's wanting a 15% pay raise.

Errr, I have no sympathy for that. I work in the private sector and with the high oil prices, all of the employees still did not receive an average 15% wage increase. So why should teachers?

However their other 2 points that they're striking about is valid. Class sizes and the composition of the class.


Man, I should work for the public sector....

Well, finished 350ish out of 1300 people in the poker blogger tourney.

I WAS doing well, always with an above average stack for most of the tourney.

I made one critical error, my JQ vs QQ (i had Qs and Js, he had the set)

Then I preceded to get rivered twice in a row to get knocked out. That cruel cruel river.

Generally I'm a pretty even keeled guy. I rarely show extreme anger or extreme happiness. It didn't used to be like this, I'm not sure when this changed, but I used show lots of emotion, anger/happiness/sadness... etc.

Especially at work, if stuff goes bad, I generally do not panic. I understand that stuff happens, and nothing is going to change by complaining or getting angry about it. It is also the same about good things, I don't get extremly happy about things because it may be taken away.

This attitude has translated into my personal life. I tend to shrug off bad things that happen, but when good things happen I don't get too elated.

There are good things to this (I don't make as many mistakes now due to being angry) but there are bad things to this as well (showing happiness when something good happens).

I always believed that people need to outlet their feelings. So is my even-keeled attitude a sign that my passion for life isn't as strong as before? That I just don't care about things as much? Or is it that I know life has ups and downs and you just got to keep going?

I'm not sure if I miss the old emotional me. I used to take things so seriously, so passionate about things (or just anal about things). Now it seems I just breeze through life.

How do you still keep your passion for living, but also guard against negative emotions? Does anger/disappointment/sadness not go hand in hand with happiness and joy?

I read an interesting article in the herald the other day.

In Banff Somebody in a smart car parked perpendicular to the curb... and got a ticket.

I think that's just ridiculous for a few reasons.

1) A hummer parked on the street sticks out more then a perpendicular parked smart car
2) The cities should be promoting fuel efficient cars (especially Banff)
3) 2 Smart Cars can parked perpendicular to the curb in one parking meter. (Hence they should make micro parking)

anyways....

Flames 3 - Oilers 1

We looked awful in the first period... and some of the second....

Is Edmonton going to be the only team we can beat though? I'll glady take 8 wins out of a possible 8 games... but that's like 16 points. I'm guessing you'll need at least 100 points just to make the playoffs. (each team had an average of 10 ties in the 2003-2004 season), so say half of them add another point due to the shootout. That's another minimum of 5 points added to everybody's points. You need about 91 points last season to make the playoffs, so add 5, and that's about 96.

Sooooo we'll need another team to beat up on....

hmmm,

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to those who are unbridled, untrammeled, and free. In love, you feel the most alive when your partner is patient and never willing to give up on you. You'd like to your lover to think you are loyal and faithful... that you'll never change. You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic. Your ideal relationship is lasting. You want a relationship that looks to the future... one you can grow with. Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment. You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred. In this moment, you think of love as something you don't need. You just feel like flirting around and playing right now.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Flames 0 - Coyotes 2

Bah, went to the game, awesome seats (Section 107, Row 12).

our powerplay..... i'm just digusted...... going to bed now.

Flames 3 - Oilers 0

On TV on CBC

Overall good game, although Edmonton was missing their top 2 players (Smyth, Horcoff).

Our powerplay scored and our Penalty Kill was perfect... although we're still last in the league in both categories.

Next game against Phoenix tonight... I want Calgary to win... but I have a feeling Phoenix will win... They're due, they've lost so many 1 goal games.

Looking good,

Flames 2 - Stars 3 (OT)

Calgary's season opener was on TV on Sportsnet.

Calgary played much better today but their penalty kill is still a disaster. They basically lost because of their Penalty kill.

Some highlights,

Phaneuf fought Guerin and held his own.
Best line for Calgary was Reinprecht/Lombardi/Kobasew

The game was actually pretty boring, I thought the refs didn't call enough penalties. There was some clutching and grabbing that didn't get called.

I also watched the Buffalo/Tampa Bay match.... and boy that was fun to watch. Scoring chances galore. It went to a shootout with Buffalo eventually winning.

K, i think it's official.

I can no longer eat shellfish or I will break out.... I don't think it's allergies, I suspect it may have something to do with the liver.

Oh and Apples does it again Apple

But they did annouce record sales yesterday but not enough for analysts so their stock drop. They ONLY sold 7.5 Million IPods instead of the expected 8.5 million.

It's tough to have high expectations hey?

Flames 3 - Colorado 7

umm, yeah... I didn't see this trashing coming.

I've underestimated the injury of Regher. Everybody thinks we're so deep on D, but really Ference, Montador and Leopold are like 25. Even Phaneuf is what 20?

Speaking of Phaneuf, that was a massive hit he laid out last night. Knocked the Avalanche player out for a bit.

Anyways, I think the Flames will win their home opener by 2 against Dallas.

Flames 3 - Red Wings 6

No TV for this game.

Well, I picked the Wings by 2, close enough.

I'm not sure what happened other then the fact that the Wings were 5 for 9 on the powerplay. That's just unreal.

I think we scored none on the powerplay so we're 3-1 in 5 on 5.

No ratings on how the team did since I didn't see it.

On another note, I tried some Astronaut Ice Cream today... it was interesting... I prefer real food.

Flames 3 - Blue Jackets 1

Game was on Sportsnet

Alright, so they did cover the spread of 1 1/2 goals but at least I got the result right.

I only caught about half of the game.

Offense: 4/5
Defense: 5/5
Goaltending: 4/5
Powerplay: 1/5
Penalty Kill: 4/5
Discipline: 5/5
Effort: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

So their effort was much better this time around. They were aggressively skating around and had a good forecheck going. Lots of sustained pressure.

But... their powerplay still sucks... they keep going for the downlow play on the powerplay with nobody driving the net. I think they should go down low as usual, one guy drive the net, pass it to him if he's open, if he's covered it means the point is open on the other side. Then you get a 2 man screen on the goalie and you can get a nice low hard shot on net.

Their discipline was good again. I think we'll have one of the most disiplined teams of the new NHL.

Watching Phaneuf again was amazing. If you didn't know, you would have no idea he's a rookie.

Anyways, no in-depth looks at the team today. I didn't catch the whole game so I reserve judgement.

Next game is Sunday against Detriot at 2pm. I'm afraid I will have to pick Detriot by 2 for this.

Calgary is notoriously bad at Afternoon games.

Flames 3 - Wild 6

Game was on TSN tonight.

My rating of the game,

Offense: 3/5
Defense: 4/5
Goaltending: 3/5
Powerplay: 1/5
Penalty Kill: 2/5
Discipline: 5/5
Effort: 2/5
Overall: 2/5

Alright, I had my eyes glued to the TV for this.

The Flames started off slow.... really slow. The Flames got outworked in the first period and I rarely said that the season before. The Flames is about outworking the other team for 60 minutes but not tonight. They picked it up in the third period after the huge hit by Warrener that knocked Zyuzin out of the game. I gave them 2/5 on effort mostly because you have to play hard for 60 minutes.

Our offense was alright offensively but defensively... they did not backcheck aggresively enough in the first period, hence the goals by the Wild and hence the 3/5 rating.

Our defense was solid, Phanuef looked great out there. Hamrlik looked a little out of control there both offensively and defensively but hung in there. I didn't think we would miss the presence of Regr that much but I wish we had him in the lineup. Defense was solid, 4/5.

Oh Kipper, he looked... ordinary. 3/5 is ordinary.... but we need him to be more then ordinary for the Flames to do well. I wish we still had Turek as our backup, I think he's head and shoulders above Sauve and Krahn.

Powerplay... 1/8, it looked good on about 2 of those powerplays and not the one we scored on. It needs improvement fast... really fast. I thought Calgary should have called a timeout early in the 3rd period when they had that 4 on 3 but they didn't and they didn't score. 1/5 just because we scored 1 goal on it.

Penalty Kill... 1/3, 33% on the penalty kill is no good. I think we need to be more aggresive in our box but I can't pinpoint what's wrong with our penalty kill. So a 2/5 rating.

Disicipline: 8 to 3 in powerplays for Calgary. Enough said.

I'm too tired to stay up for the Edmonton/Colorado game, but I did pick Edmonton to win this game.

Next game

Flames at the Blue Jackets

Prediction: Calgary to Win but won't beat the 1 1/2 spread @ the Blue Jackets home opener.

Opening Night Record

Buf/NYI: Picked Buffalo - 1/1
Mon/Bos: Picked Boston - 1/2
NYR/Phi: Picked Philly - 1/3
Clb/Was: Picked Columbus - 1/4
Atl/Fla: Picked Atlanta - 1/5
Det/Stl: Picked Detriot - 2/6
Pit/NJ: Picked New Jersey - 3/7
TB/Car: Picked Tamba Bay - 4/8
Ott/Tor: Picked Ottawa - 5/9
SJ/Nash: Picked San Jose - 5/10
Ana/Chi: Picked Anaheim - 6/11
Dal/LA: Picked LA - 6/12
Cgy/Min: Picked Calgary - 6/13
Edm/Col: Picked Edmonton - ???
Van/Phx: Picked Vancouver - ???

Sorry about the lack of posts. Hasn't been much happening.

Took my dad to the hospital for surgery. When he was discharged, we picked up some meds.

So apparently, there's regular tylenol (tylenol 1), extre stregth (I'm assuming tylenol 2), and the one we picked up for him is Tylenol 3 (prescription only).

Then there's Ibuprofen (Advil), 200MG is regular, 300MG is extra strength. The one we picked up for him is 600MG!!! I think if you used that for headaches, it would not only get rid of the headache but also put your in a drunk like state since your blood will be so thin....

Went to the Flames-Oilers hockey game wednesday. It was pretty good even though it was only a pre-season game.

The place was almost full and it was quite loud. It's going to be a fun year this year with the players and fans that we have.

A new cd just came out, they have 2 tracks for download, it sounds pretty good.

Wolf Parade


On another note, I just realized that I'm going to need to buy blinds and curtains for my place.... I curse those 8ft floor to ceiling windows now!

Here's an interesting article I read in the Herald about Alberta and it's wealth.

Sorry I don't have a link to it, you have to pay to access the online herald and it's a little long.

The underlying theme is basically the rest of Canada can stay away from our money, we've worked hard to earn it, especially all the program cuts we endured in the 90's. The National Energy Program in the 80's ensures that we will never let Ottawa equalize our wealth again. (just google National Energy Program, it destroyed Alberta for many years)

"Ralph in fine form for East" by Charles Frank

" ...Not only have we been able to retire our provincial debt - leaving us the only province in that position - but with an anticipated surplus that could be anywhere from $6 billion to $9 billion by fiscal year end, the premier and his cabinet are making plans to return about $1.4 billion in rebates to happy Albertans before year end.
And the premier acknowledged Friday - in a move that will undoubtedly inflame eastern passions even further - that the rebate cheques could continues "for years" if oil prices stay high
It comes as no surprise then that in recent weeks, eastern Canadians have been making noises about everything from "getting their fair share" of Alberta's resource windfall to "nationalizing our petroleum industry" to changing the equalization formula that has helped the nation's have not provinces keep their financial noses above water.
Whether easterners will be ready to hear what a feisty Klein has to tell them - that if they want to enjoy the kind of prosperity that Albertans are enjoying, they will first need to get their own financial houses in order - will be interesting to see.
Asking people to tighten their belts has seldom played well in the Maritimes, Quebec or Ontario. Neither has telling business owners and operators that they will have to change their ways if they want to succeed in what some economists insist is a new economic paradigm.
However, at least one business leader, Canadian Manufacturers president and chief executive Perrin Beatty, is adamant that easterners need to pay closer attention to what has been going on in Alberta and then be prepared to make some hard decisions.
"Simply put, the choice is whether to envy the Alberta Advantage or to emulate it," he told 130 business and political leaders gathered in this mountain resort.
He left little doubt what would be the best option. Hint: envying us is not the right option.
Beatty pointed out that the much talked about Alberta Advantage is much more than a "happy accident of geography." "Residents of this province long ago recognized that its resource wealth was neither limitless nor sufficient in itself to ensure the prosperity of future generations, so they have concentrated on the fundamentals: paying down debt, diversifying the economy, investing in physical and social infrastructure and building a business friendly environment."
He's right. Or as the premier pointedly noted: "Even today's high energy prices wouldn't have prevented a debt that stood at nearly $23 billion in 1993 from growing to over $65 billion today."
Unfortunately, there remains an ingrained belief in other provinces that Alberta's current rosy fiscal health is entirely the result of a "windfall" energy bonanza and no the combined by-product of rising energy revenues and reduced or refocused spending. Nobody knows the true story better than Premier Klein. After all, it was the premier who presided over what were arguably some of the most controversial and acrimonious cost-cutting decisions in Alberta's history.
Not all of those decisions were good ones. I expect even the premier will acknowledge that.
But now Klein is running a province that is reaping the benefits of being well positioned to take advantage of dramatic changes in the global economy - and he's damn proud of what his government has accomplished under his stewardship. How he explains all that to our eastern cousins will be fascinating to say the least"

Well, that was an error, got a haircut that ended up being $50..... with no color....

Anyways, I'll be selling my old Neon Genesis Evangelion set on Ebay this weekend. If anybody wants it, let me know before Sunday when I'll post the auction.

It'll be all 8 DVDs + box + the 2 Director Cut DVDs.

I don't expect it will sell enough to cover my haircut. (going price is like $40 CDN, I paid much more then that for it) :(

OPEC releases 2 million barrels of oil a day but a day later Hurricane Rita is about to the gulf coast again. Last time I checked, it was a catagory 5 storm.

It's suppose to be more damaging then the Katrina one. Hopefully people can get out in time and there won't be any deaths.

Btw, price of gas will go up, I would recommend filling up today.

Somebody gave me their pre-season tickets against Edmonton next wednesday. It costs a whopping $107!

But I'm excited, it'll be fun even though it's only a pre-season game.

Can't wait.

Sorry, been a boring couple of days.

I've been looking at getting HDTV for awhile now. Trying to choose between Bell ExpressVu and Shaw Digital.

I went to a Bell ExpressVu Retail store, they clinched it, I'm getting shaw.

AT: "How come these rates are higher then the ones on the internet?"
Bell: "These are the new September 30th rates, since you won't get your satellite for another 3-4 weeks since we're behind"
AT: "Alright, I only want to rent for 1 year, because I'm moving into an apartment that doesn't let satellites installed on the side. Can it be installed indoors?"
Bell: "No, it won't go through the glass"
AT: "Really?"
Bell: "Yes"
AT: "So if I pay installation now, I'll have to pay it again when I move right?"
Bell: "Nope, you don't have to pay again"
AT: "Really?"
Bell: "Yes"

I walked out.

I didn't realize I looked that gullible. But Bell offered 10 HD channels, and Shaw only offers 6, and I can rent the Bell equipment. I would have to purchase the shaw equipment and that is quite pricey....

Note to self, do not associate a girl's dream with a toaster....

"A girl can dream right"
"That reminds me, I found my dream toaster the other day"

Bush
Chris Rock

Phone call with a pharmacists from Shoppers Drug Mart

PH: "Hello, your prescription is covered under your plan and will cost $17"
AT: "alright"
PH: "When would you like to have your prescription?"
AT: "Anytime is ok"
PH: "Anytime today?"
AT: "sure"
PH: "How about tomorrow morning?"
AT: "That's ok as well"
PH: "Yeah, that would be better for us, then we can make it better for you"


ummm, do I want an inferior made prescription? What kind of question is that? If you can't make it by today, just tell me that.... Don't give me an option of a inferior made but earlier prescription vs a "well-made" later prescription.....

Anyways, I thought that was kind of funny.

After reading some more articles on the Nano.

In my earlier post, I talked about how didn't really make sense for Apple to replace the Mini line with the Nano. These articles say it's a genius move because all of the competitors were targeting the Mini and now Apple has effectively removed that target.

That is genius and devious.

Wow.... Agassi and Blake... what a match.

Encore today at 9am MST on TSN.

Well, the apple release of the nano was announced today.

Not sure what to think of it. Apple has the Nano replacing the Mini which doesn't really make sense to me. I would think the Nano would do better replacing the Shuffle.

The Nano is much smaller, holds 4Gb for the price as the 6Gb Mini. Also I'm not sure how hard it will be to use the touch wheel on the Nano. I comfortable with the touch wheel on the Mini and can't imagine it being smaller. The smaller size will make it nice to exercise with, currently I don't even consider exercising with the Ipod Mini.

I do believe that the Nano will make all 1GB MP3 players extinct if not they will need massive price drops. For $250CDN, you can get a 2GB Nano with Color display. The Creative Labs MuVo 1GB goes for $229CDN. Easy choice there.

It'll be interesting to see if Apple can keep their Audio dominance up over their competitors.

I'm still troubled by the whole situation in New Orleans. Something about it just doesn't seem right.

For something more upbeat James Blake

He'll be playing Agassi this Wednesday.

Saw Transporter 2 yesterday, I don't normally pay to go to the theaters but a friend wanted to go.

I would rate the movie a 2 out of 5. Better then the first movie, which was incredibly good until the chinese actors appeared.

Here's some reviews of Transporter 2

For the victims of Hurricane Katrina, please donate to the Red Cross

I was watching the news last night about the disaster relief, and the question was brought up that if the area was populated with richer white people if relief would be quicker.

Now, I don't know the situation so I can't comment on that directly, but if Canada had a disaster that affected an Asian community I would be more passionate about helping them. On the other hand, if it affected a non-Asian community, I would still be inclined to help, but I wouldn't be as passionate about it.

Would this be considered racists? I don't think so, if my friends or co-workers were affected, I would definitely help them with all my effort. I believe it's more of having something in common with people that enables you to feel for them and help them out. Unfortunately race and background is one aspect that people relate most to.

0_0 Bloc Party Remixed

Review

We won a soccer game!

Going 1 win and 6 loses this season (totally opposite for the 5 wins and 2 loses in the spring session), we entered our first playoff game against a team that we lost 7-2 last time.

We scored the first 2 goals of the game, and that was the score at the half, 2-0.

We quickly gave up a goal in the 2nd half and suddenly they were all over us. Non-stop pressure. One of their guys made a slide tackle at their end so we got an in-direct kick by their net. Unfortunately I shank the shot and they break out on a potential 1 on 1 with our girl defender. I managed to get back, grab the ball and booted it toward their net to clear the ball from our zone.

And it went in.

I didn't see it since I was half turning to get back to my position, but apparently the ball bounced before the goalie could catch it, and it skipped into the net.

3-1, Not the prettiest goal, but it's the first of the season for me, so I'll take it.

We then proceeded to give up 2 goals in 5 minutes for them to tie it up. 3-3

Then they gave it back to us. Their defender kicked it back to their goalie and their goalie picked it up!

So we get an indirect kick right in the penalty box, we convert and hold on for the 4-3 win.

Next playoff game, we have a chance to be the best of the worse. :D

So A&B Sound had an ad last week for the New CD for The New Pornographers for $12.99, a lot cheaper then they have it at Amazon.ca for $18.99.

So I go there Friday, (received the ad Wednesday) and they're sold out! I'm beggining to think it's their evil plan to lure me in and buy other stuff while I'm there. Grrrr

Hospital Lifestyle Lottery.

Lifestyles

1 ticket for $100 or 3 for $250.

If you want to split, I'm interested, let me know.

Went furniture shopping today... it was quite disappointing. Didn't find any coffee or dining tables that I liked. To top that off, the Leather Sofa Bed I was going to get wasn't very comfortable.

So I think I will just buy a nice Leather Couch and figure something else out for guests to sleep on. Or not buy a leather sofa bed and get a regular sofa bed.

I also saw Cypher today, that was a pretty good movie. I would recommend a rental at the least.

Radiohead Flash thingy, it's neat. Click Me

Current best new music

PitchFork

It just keeps going.....
Google

Took an IQ test (Culture Fair IQ test)

I'm significantly above average at this moment, as soon as my Red Bull dies down, I'm sure I'm back down to average.

Culture Fair IQ

good article over at Pitchfork Media

Pitchfork

Trying to find this DVD locally so I can watch it this weekend.

OldBoy

Here's a clip

Oldboy clip

Alright, updated my rug to a no pattern beige wool rug instead of the patterned one I had. Didn't know rugs got that expensive, I'll probably need 2 of them, 1 for the living room and 1 for the bedroom.

Saw the shins at HMV on sale as one of those 2 for $25. I want to try one of their albums but not both.

Wow, the musical chairs doesn't end.

TSN

$58.94

That's how much it costs to fill my empty gas tank....

It costs $0.11 to travel 1km. Average round trip is about 40kms... so about $4.50 a trip. Sick.......

yay, 2 shows I've been waiting for to come out on DVD
House M.D.
Scrubs

I just wish they would release Scrubs faster as they're on season 5 or so on TV.

Will finally get some tennis in. First time in about a month. I miss the good old days of 2 summers ago, playing tennis at least 5 times a week (but then twisting my rib cage out of place as a result of poor form).

I think I will try to go for some lessons next year.

Yes, the site is ugly. This will be for the interim until a new and improved layout gets put on.

Alright, picture update,

Cousins Victoria & Nicole

Cousins from my uncle's family Stephen and Ricky, and my Aunt Maggie

Cousins Nicole, Britney, Brandon, Victoria

Another Group Picture

Uncle from my dad's side and cousin Jessica Can you believe he's older then my dad?!?!

Grandpa from my dad's side and Aunt Amy

There's Flo

mmm mmm good

First of many pictures to come. Here's one group photo of my extended family on my mom's side.

I believe everybody is there except for flo (taking the picture) and one auntie is partially hidden behind somebody else. Here's the direct link to the picture (full size) Family

Sorry for the lack of updates, finally back from Toronto. I have lots of pics to post.

Going to Toronto later in the week. Grandfather passed away, the whole family is going to Toronto for the funeral.

Went golfing with the team yesterday as Elbow Springs. We're not very good golfers, but it was fun. We played a scramble, where we use the best shot and we all hit from that spot.

Of course we lost a lot of balls into the water and the trees but I enjoyed it.

So I will go with a white shag rug, dark coffee table, dark sofabed for the living room.

Probably this couch, Ikea . I still need physically see it to see how it is.

Still looking around for the coffee table and the white shag rug.

Check it out, a folded over chef's knife, Shun

And the streak is finally over!

0 for 12 for placing in the money in poker tournies is broken.

Lucky number 13.

I have to say this is the worse poker i've played in the past 2 months.

Found the coffee table I want... now I just need to find a cheap knockoff of it. Coffee Table

That's about the only thing I've decided on for furniture.

I was thinking of getting this sofa bed for the living room, Ikea

crap, my sennheisers are officially broken. PXC-250 . They still work for playing music but the noise reduction doesn't work anymore. Sigh.

That's what I get for buying it off Ebay and thus no warranty.

The Google monster just doesn't stop

Moon

Oh yeah, I finished the 6th Harry Potter book last night.

I found this book to be better then the 5th, but the author borrows lots of themes from other stories.

As I was reading it, the orginal star wars came to mind, as did Batman/Superman/Spiderman.

Not to spoil anything but I will rant, for those who know what I'm talking about when I refer to the Batman/Superman/Spiderman theme, I just wish they would deal with it the other way consequences be damned.

I mean, it seems so easy to take the "noble" route but I would like to see them get creative and not take the "noble" route. It seems more human that way, and I always thought there would be synergies involved instead of it being a crutch.

Bah, anyways, I'll just have to wait another 2/3/4/5 more years for the next one.

The draft lottery is today, and it will be televised.

The funny thing is, only the results are televised... sounds fishy....

I mean if it is truly random, why not show the lottery balls coming out? It would add more drama to it.

Anyways, I'm sure it is random but in the back of my mind I'm thinking it'll be rigged so that it'll benefit the NHL and their PR.

Here's some info to the draft lottery TSN



And for the geeks out there, Google vs. Microsoft

Not sure why, but I'm rooting for google, I guess google has better brainwashing ability then Microsoft.


And is this the future of our world? New York Subway

It's a sad thing to see but this is what it has come to. Before, when one country attacked another, they would attack back, until they negotiated or was destroyed. Of course those were dark dark days, and I will never forget the documentaries we saw in school about the nuclear bombing of Japan and how it affected the regular people there. I'm not yearning for the days of the old, but it was so much easier when things were out in the open and we knew who our enemies were.

I think I will go through with the purchase of the chocolate condo Chocolate mmm

I have the 7th floor, 5th suite with the lovely view of the 2 churches.

It'll be tight over the next few years... sucks being single income owning property.

Head's better,
doc said to take Advil...

I wonder if I suffered some brain damage....

Hit head
Head hurts

Day 2 of head pain....

Found a condo at Chocolate,

205k for 793 sq. ft. I put a hold on it (3 days), I'm still debating it, as 200k is a lot of only 1 bedroom.

Talked to a realtor and he mentioned that it's better to not get new because of several reasons. No GST (have to pay 4.5% GST on new condos), you'll get to see exactly how it looks like, among other things.

Still debating......

hmm, condo shopping,

possible places,

Acqua
Bella Lusso
Pontefino

And if I was rich, then,

Five West

Woot! Hockey will be back this fall!

TSN

Some more Mad Cow news Mad Cow

An interesting point was brought up about how canadian and us cattle have crossbreeded so much now that both countries are equally suspectible to mad cow.

Only 5 more days until HP 6...

It'll be a sleepless saturday, and if the sizes of the books continues it trend, it could be a long night reading.

HP 6

Well finally, Border re-open?

This was just blatant, the only ones making money throughout this whole cattle crisis were the ones that appealed the re-opening of the border. And now that the US is possibly losing their own slaughter houses due to lack of cattle, they now want the border re-opened.

Funny how $$$ changes everything. I hope this is not too late for our own ranchers in Canada.

I wonder what Bush could be thinking...

NASA

Bah, disaster of a poker week.

Didn't place in 12 Sit & Go tournaments. Sit & Go tournies are my bread and butter.

Was on fire with $0.10/$0.25 Pot Limit Omaha, but I guess the law of averages caught up to me and I'm only up $22 (Was up $70), but factor in the $70 Sit & Go tournies.... and I'm in the red.

I perplexed as to why I'm playing tournies so badly, it's not even that I got bad beats, I'm playing very poorly.

I'll probably need to re-read some tourney books and take a month off tournies.

Low Limit Pot Limit Omaha is a funny thing. (I condider $1/$2 Pot Limit high) First, you get a lot of people calling with nothing, and I mean nothing, not even a pair. And for those unfamiliar with Omaha, you get 4 hole cards instead of the usual 2 in Hold'em. And these guys aren't even calling on a draw. (A draw meaning he can make a 5 card hand like a straight or a flush).

That's where I made all my money, on these people calling with nothing.

Then there are the chasers, where they will chase until they're out of money. Nevermind pot odds, or whatever, just chase chase chase. Early on, all the chasers missed their hands.... but today... oh man... I think they hit everything... Gut Shot straights, flush draws, getting a full house when they have trips...

But that's where the law of averages comes in, if they have a 1/3 chance to hit their flush... and they haven't done it to me in 5 tries... it is bound to happen. But nevertheless, with my poor performance in tournies, I cashed out down $50USD odd dollars and minimize the damage finacially and mentally.

Top graph is Sit & Go tournies, bottom graph is Side games.

That's funny and sad at the same time

No Dog to lead the way

Apparently we're getting bigger as a country Canadians Are Bigger then Ever

And hmmm Wireless Stealing

That brings up a question, if people don't secure their wireless networks, can they still charge people for stealing their connections?

When will it end?

Talking with a co-worker about the greatest movies of all time.

So I thought I come up with my list. I'm not a avid movie watcher, so there will be a lot "great" movies that I may miss. Also, my list doesn't include anything before the 90's. I haven't watched any of the old classics except for those old christmas movies they show on christmas.

1) Leon, The Professional
2) Kill Bill
3) Pulp Fiction

and then in no particular order.

Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels
Amelie
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Boondock Saints
Fifth Element
The Shawshank Redemption
Gladiator

If only I had more $$$ Sigh

In case you haven't heard Nasa Deep Impact They said it was a mathematical hole in one in hitting that comet.

Just got my Bloc Party's Silent Alarm and The Bloc Party EP

The Silent Alarm album I originally downloaded, but I got the CD, that's how much I like it.

The EP has a remix of their single Banquet, which I like better then the original. Go Figure.

I also got an old Single of Radiohead's No Surprises, it had a song I never heard before, "How I made my millions". It's a decent B-Side Song. I wish Radiohead would release an compilations of all their B-sides.

For the poker players out there
Something you should never do

k, i'm only a house player and I will use many tricks to win, but that is pushing it too far. If you piss off one of the best and well liked poker players in the world... You're going to be in a world of hurt when you play other pros again.

Barry has a new book coming out Ace on the River: an Advanced Poker Guide I believe he is taking a lost on publishing this book.

This is a poker player that donates a lot of his winnings to charities. They call him the Robin Hood of Poker.

Well, that was an interesting week.

Early in the week we finally found that we're not being outsourced to either IBM or Atos, we're staying as Schlumberger SLB employees. Joyous news for us since we've been waiting for this decision for over 4 years now.

Later in the week I got my Grade back fro Astronomy 205, A, yay. My 2nd A ever, sadly it had to come in a class where almost everybody I know have A's in it.

Went shopping on the weekend for misc. summer clothes. Found some good deals, like $15 polos at Gap. The whole mall was having their canada day sale. Chinook also has a new store, it's the first one in Western Canada, Williams-sonoma It was nice to browse everything they had but it is a high end store.

Caught this stupid reality show on the weekend called beauty and the geek. Beauty and the Geek
It was interesting to see how clueless the guys can be when it comes anything but geek stuff. One of the tasks the guys had to do was to buy 3 things for their partners (Swimwear, casual wear and evening wear). One guy brought everything 2 sizes too big.... poor girl. And some of the choice of colors... were interesting to say the least.