If you check in more frequently here than I do, you'll remember my good friend, Dale Vaughn. As I mentioned, he's written a short how-to guide for those "just surviving" and I had the great honour of being selected as one of his first guest bloggers.
It's a little different from the way I usually blog post, so it was a lot of fun and you might even be able to learn something.
Check it out. Let me know what you think.
http://startlivingfortoday.com/Stop_Surviving,_Start_Living_by_Dale_Vaughn/Living_For_Today/Entries/2009/9/6_Opening_doors.html
Great book, great motivation and a great way to see things in a little different light.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Howdy Y'all
Nothing makes me happier than to know I am making difference. Unfortunately, these days I am not doing that. Being an unemployed part of society is really draining. This week’s cultural topic is:
COUNTRY MUSIC
This is also a game: guess how many country music titles are blatantly incorporated.
It seems every summer I get a little bit more into country music. I’m worried that eventually it will take over my main repertoire of music, but for now it’ll stay number two. Why? One magical event happens every year that increases exposure. This event is the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth aka the Calgary Stampede. Cal-GRY. Calgary turns country. Cow-town. Despite growing up with most of my friends in the city, they, like me, have become pretty countrified too.
My interest in country music is relatively recent. I grew up with the likes of Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn blasting from the kitchen, and rock music constantly on the radio. My brother liked this kind of music but fell into a crowd that also liked rap (for some reason). Myself, I was always a rock kid – strayed off (for some reason) into ska and punk for a brief period, but came back to my senses and went back to the classics like the Stones, Zepplin and the later glam rock of Guns n Roses or Def Leppard.
The fundamentals of rock and country music are the same. Based on Blues patterns or 1-4-5 progressions, appreciation came easily once regular attendance at Cowboys nightclub’s 25c draft Thursdays in University made it impossible to avoid. We resisted at first, of course, but wearing cowboy hats (last count for me 8) to the bar and teaching hot girls to two step became fun. I ain’t as good as I once was, but the line dance set is still the highlight of my night, whether I’m stone sober or after ten rounds of Jose Quervo.
After I bought my first country album (not that I have all that many), I bought Led Zepplin III to counter act my potential fallacy. You see, though both of my parents are from Alberta, it was somehow looked down upon. My dad nearly kicked me out of the house when he heard Toby Keith coming from my computer....but after reasoning we agreed to disagree despite classic blues riffs existing in all country and rock.
I’m becoming worried because all I’ve been learning lately on the guitar are country songs and though they are catchy and easy to play, I’m not learning any new chords. It’s not tough, but someone’s gotta do it. Live country music is good too. They can put on a show just as well as any rocker – the only difference is that cowboy hats are allowed.
In other news, I recently had a photo of mine discovered on Flickr which was shortlisted, then approved for inclusion in an online guide of Calgary. It’s not great publicity and I will not anytime soon be making photography my main objective in life, but it’s pretty neat to be recognized for work, even if it is only for exposure. Everyone wants to be kind of a big deal – like playboys of the southwestern world.
Calgary Geese – Schmap Calgary Guide
What does taking photos have to do with country music and being unemployed? Not much. But no matter what, you can make a difference in the world no matter how small. So let’s get rowdy and give somebody a great big howdy. Trust me, the chicks dig it.
COUNTRY MUSIC
This is also a game: guess how many country music titles are blatantly incorporated.
It seems every summer I get a little bit more into country music. I’m worried that eventually it will take over my main repertoire of music, but for now it’ll stay number two. Why? One magical event happens every year that increases exposure. This event is the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth aka the Calgary Stampede. Cal-GRY. Calgary turns country. Cow-town. Despite growing up with most of my friends in the city, they, like me, have become pretty countrified too.
My interest in country music is relatively recent. I grew up with the likes of Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughn blasting from the kitchen, and rock music constantly on the radio. My brother liked this kind of music but fell into a crowd that also liked rap (for some reason). Myself, I was always a rock kid – strayed off (for some reason) into ska and punk for a brief period, but came back to my senses and went back to the classics like the Stones, Zepplin and the later glam rock of Guns n Roses or Def Leppard.
The fundamentals of rock and country music are the same. Based on Blues patterns or 1-4-5 progressions, appreciation came easily once regular attendance at Cowboys nightclub’s 25c draft Thursdays in University made it impossible to avoid. We resisted at first, of course, but wearing cowboy hats (last count for me 8) to the bar and teaching hot girls to two step became fun. I ain’t as good as I once was, but the line dance set is still the highlight of my night, whether I’m stone sober or after ten rounds of Jose Quervo.
After I bought my first country album (not that I have all that many), I bought Led Zepplin III to counter act my potential fallacy. You see, though both of my parents are from Alberta, it was somehow looked down upon. My dad nearly kicked me out of the house when he heard Toby Keith coming from my computer....but after reasoning we agreed to disagree despite classic blues riffs existing in all country and rock.
I’m becoming worried because all I’ve been learning lately on the guitar are country songs and though they are catchy and easy to play, I’m not learning any new chords. It’s not tough, but someone’s gotta do it. Live country music is good too. They can put on a show just as well as any rocker – the only difference is that cowboy hats are allowed.
In other news, I recently had a photo of mine discovered on Flickr which was shortlisted, then approved for inclusion in an online guide of Calgary. It’s not great publicity and I will not anytime soon be making photography my main objective in life, but it’s pretty neat to be recognized for work, even if it is only for exposure. Everyone wants to be kind of a big deal – like playboys of the southwestern world.
Calgary Geese – Schmap Calgary GuideWhat does taking photos have to do with country music and being unemployed? Not much. But no matter what, you can make a difference in the world no matter how small. So let’s get rowdy and give somebody a great big howdy. Trust me, the chicks dig it.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Great Red and White
With Canada Day just around the corner (July 1 - tomorrow) many people may be ramping up their plans for the big mid-week day off. This week’s cultural topic is:
HOUSE PARTY
Sure, you could make your way down to the festivities around town, fight the crowds, overpay for drinks and battle traffic after the fireworks…which, ironically, is likely what I will be doing. But consider this option: party in a controlled environment at someone’s house.
They’ll have a nice little BBQ - maybe do up some steaks or burgers or chicken or veggie burgers for you weirdos. If they have the ability, they might have a little fire - hopefully in a fire pit – and of course – drink just enough to be satisfied but not too much that you can’t make it up for work on Thursday (unless you’re like me and don’t have a job in which case days of the week don’t really matter). If you’re lucky, you might even find a party with a hot tub in case it rains or gets characteristically Calgary-cold at night…
Attention Asian people:
YOU ARE NOT GOOD DRINKERS. Asian people suffer from what is known as ASIAN RED FACE – aka Asian Flush, Asian Glow, Red Cheeks, Oriental Flush…or more scientifically – Alcohol Flush Reaction. It’s caused by an asian gene’s inability to quickly metabolize alcohol intake and a lack alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme which breaks down simple drinking alcohol (ethanol) into the eventual digestible product – acetic acid. Approximately half of people with Asian descent are considered to be sensitive to this drinking condition. The interim byproduct of the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid is acetaldehyde, and it is this byproduct which causes capillary constriction through face, eyes, neck, and virtually all other epidermal surfaces and gives Asians that bright hue we all like to make fun of them for, leading them to make us think they are in fact way drunker than they may actually be.
Attention White/non Asian People:
Just because you aren’t Asian doesn’t mean you can’t suffer effects of acetaldehyde. This is a possibly (unconfirmed studies) carcinogenic byproduct and is one of the leading causes of the dreaded HANGOVER…but at least you won’t turn bright red after a couple sips of your favorite bevie.
Luckily for me, this deficiency skipped most of my asian-half of the family, though one time I had a really stiff and super spicy Caesar and was also sun burnt, so it might have looked like I had it, but several follow up attempts have confirmed that I am mostly immune.
Whether you're RED faced (Asian) or WHITE faced (non-Asian), the combination of faces at your house party will be perfect in the spirit of our great country's confederate anniversary. So this Canada Day, remember kids:
Whatever you do, this Bud’s for you…unless you’re Asian.
HOUSE PARTY
Sure, you could make your way down to the festivities around town, fight the crowds, overpay for drinks and battle traffic after the fireworks…which, ironically, is likely what I will be doing. But consider this option: party in a controlled environment at someone’s house.
They’ll have a nice little BBQ - maybe do up some steaks or burgers or chicken or veggie burgers for you weirdos. If they have the ability, they might have a little fire - hopefully in a fire pit – and of course – drink just enough to be satisfied but not too much that you can’t make it up for work on Thursday (unless you’re like me and don’t have a job in which case days of the week don’t really matter). If you’re lucky, you might even find a party with a hot tub in case it rains or gets characteristically Calgary-cold at night…
Attention Asian people:
YOU ARE NOT GOOD DRINKERS. Asian people suffer from what is known as ASIAN RED FACE – aka Asian Flush, Asian Glow, Red Cheeks, Oriental Flush…or more scientifically – Alcohol Flush Reaction. It’s caused by an asian gene’s inability to quickly metabolize alcohol intake and a lack alcohol dehydrogenase, an enzyme which breaks down simple drinking alcohol (ethanol) into the eventual digestible product – acetic acid. Approximately half of people with Asian descent are considered to be sensitive to this drinking condition. The interim byproduct of the conversion of ethanol to acetic acid is acetaldehyde, and it is this byproduct which causes capillary constriction through face, eyes, neck, and virtually all other epidermal surfaces and gives Asians that bright hue we all like to make fun of them for, leading them to make us think they are in fact way drunker than they may actually be.
Attention White/non Asian People:
Just because you aren’t Asian doesn’t mean you can’t suffer effects of acetaldehyde. This is a possibly (unconfirmed studies) carcinogenic byproduct and is one of the leading causes of the dreaded HANGOVER…but at least you won’t turn bright red after a couple sips of your favorite bevie.
Luckily for me, this deficiency skipped most of my asian-half of the family, though one time I had a really stiff and super spicy Caesar and was also sun burnt, so it might have looked like I had it, but several follow up attempts have confirmed that I am mostly immune.
Whether you're RED faced (Asian) or WHITE faced (non-Asian), the combination of faces at your house party will be perfect in the spirit of our great country's confederate anniversary. So this Canada Day, remember kids:
Whatever you do, this Bud’s for you…unless you’re Asian.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Procrastination Meeting: Tomorrow
Thought it would be fitting to throw up a post since I haven't officially written anything in more than approximately three weeks.This week's cultural topic is:
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Trooper-less
“There could be only one…” – Mark Stanley, upon seeing the Trooper downtown
CARLESSNESS
No, I didn’t spell that wrong, nor did you read it wrong. I am without vehicle. I am, therefore, car-less. I mean, you could probably carelessly read the word wrong, but if you did, you would miss the point of what I am trying to get across. Well, there really isn’t a real point yet, but it’s the idea.
Beginnings:
My story with the Trooper dates back almost 3 years. The history before my ownership is somewhat hazy. All readings were in imperial units and for the first while I needed a cheat sheet for conversions. The alignment is slightly off and only while driving in the left lane of a highway was the steering wheel straight. It had oversized tires and the speedo read low. Before me, it was likely an off-roader because the owner who had it before I did had to do major repairs on the rear differential. My troubles with the vehicle were minimal. I bought it for only one thousand dollars.
Driving:
It probably needed new seals all around.. After an early overheat and thermostat replacement (which never actually fixed the problem), my car was somehow deemed highway worthy by most of my friends, my family and, finally, me. We took some pretty good drives out the mountains – shifting down into fourth gear when necessary – some easy drives up to
I believed in the vehicle. Sure it was unsafe by many people’s standards, but it got me around. By the end of its life, the end section of the exhaust was all but gone. I drove for the most part on PnP gas and the engine knew it. It was never the smoothest 2.6L engine but it was a failing clutch that eventually got the best of the machien. One time I backed into lamppost and needless to say, the lamppost won that battle. Big dent, cracked plastic. No biggie.
Math about it:
Let me let you know something. I will not be getting a brand new car anytime soon. Sure, it’s less attractive picking a girl up for a date in an old rust bucket, but I paid $1000 for three years of driving. Add in the repairs I had done and that’s $1500 and subtract the measly $250 I managed to sell it for the open market…1250 for 3 years of vehicle. Dang that’s good value. Plus, now it will be in a better place and will get that clutch and exhaust it’s been rumbling and screeching about for the last 6 months.
Personality:
You see, many people have made fun of my vehicles over the years…station wagons and SUVs (and I also owned a Honda Accord for one day, but then sold it back because it wouldn’t start when I went to pick it up). It has easily been the coolest (unfortunately) and best looking vehicle which I have ever owned (unfortunately). I would even say it looked kind of rugged (with rear tire on back) and had good tire to wheel well ratios. But your car kind of becomes a part of your personality, so I have learned over the years never to insult a person’s car, because that’s like insulting the person directly. After all, having an ugly car is sure a hell of a lot better than not having one at all.
I will finish this post off with a musical tribute to my late Isuzu Trooper. Feel free to play along if you know how…
The Trooper Song
A long, nine-teen years ago, Am C Em DI can still remember how that loud exhaust used to make me smile G D Em7 And I know if I had my chance, Am C Em C D That I could drive those people around and maybe they'd be happy for a while Em Am Em AmBut April road made me shiver, with every gear change I'd deliver C G Am C D Bad news for the AMA, that one last mile I couldn’t make G D Em Am7 D I can't remember if I cried when I realized I had a broken ride G D Em Something touched me deep inside C D7 G C G The day the TROOPER died… CHORUS G C G D So bye, bye big old practical ride G C G D No you’re not a chevy - that’s no reason to hide G C G D And the good old toy was drinkin' coolant and oil Em A7 Em D7 Singin' this will be the day that it dies, this will be the day that I dies (instrumental) G C G DG C G DG C G D C D7 G C G…this will be the day the trooper died. Thursday, May 07, 2009
Big Bacon Classic
Holy crap Wendy’s Baconator sandwich is delicious. What the hell kind of anecdote is me eating a delicious and huge fastfood sandwich? Read and find out. This week’s cultural topic is:
ROOMMATES
As you may or may not know, I have been living at my friend James Bacon’s house for the last year. The catch? HE hasn’t been.
While finishing his degree in Edmonton, though not so much finishing as it is doing one entire one, the magical castle of Baconland had been left vacant for the greater part of the last 4 years (save for some months James did a work term in Calgary) and then, of course, until I began to call it once again my (borrowed) domain.
Pre-blog (and pre-me-even-knowing-what-blogs-were-and-perhaps-even-pre-the-existence-of-blogs) I lived here for a year in 2003/2004 during my studies at the University in Calgary. I moved in when my Dad and Step-mom moved to Holland (and moved back once they came back for second semester of fourth year). Rewind to just over 5 years ago: James was an aspiring med-student/doctor. Bacon-parents lived in Houston and visited fairly frequently. We managed to successfully be caught on every single party (two – because it only took two failed attempts for us to realise we wouldn’t get away with a third) to have parties at the Casa de Bacon. We didn’t have really great jobs but big things were on the horizon for both of us. We went out from time to time and had many friends at school, but somehow managed to NOT attract women. We both drove older vehicles that are now no longer with us in car form, and the house was littered with Bacon-mother’s creepy (yet somehow endearing) doll collection which scared us at night.
However, on one fateful day in March 2008, after what seemed to have been an attempted break-in to the Bacon Palace, Bacon-boy and Bacon parents decided to give me the honour of protecting their fruits…or loins…or whatever. I moved in second week of April.
My relationship with the Bacon house has had it’s ups and downs and (mainly due to mismanagement of things I simply didn’t know about) we had some troubles…pilot light on the furnace one day when it was -20C, hot tub heater crapped out because the filters were plugged, a pipe burst in the garage when it wasn’t turned off for winter…but that was pretty much it. The big TV and great stereo system were an excellent addition to my Playstation and it’s Rockband setup and the beautiful back yard made for great BBQing in what was an unnecessarily cool 2008 summer. But alas, it’s a huge house. Too big for one guy and lucky for me, that changed last week.
When James moved back, things went pretty smoothly. Moving truck was unloaded without any major hitches, garage was cleaned out and looks great now, and we have a great arrangement for food. I buy food and cook it deliciously, James buys beer. This is a temporary arrangement, but it works for far. James has had a few roommates over the years, Joel, those two guys in that dumpy place, Steve, Ashley, the crazy old lady in Cold Lake, but things sometimes seem to come around full circle. This time, the circle is James and Kai being roommates (of course, not the roommate by definition or dorm rooms or English roommate standards – housemates). I am unemployed salesman and James is fully qualified to soon be an engineer. Pretty sweet. But even 5 years later, many things seem eerily similar. Bacon-parents live in the Middle East. We still both don’t have jobs (though not for lack of effort - I HAD one and have prospects and James HAS one, but doesn’t start until summer). We still tend to repel women, even though we’ve had our successes and SHOULD have the system figured out by now. Neither of us have properly running vehicles (with the Trooper drivable but on the fritz and the Dakota completely dismantled but on the repair). And of course the (big Bacon) classic clincher? The dolls still creep the living shit out of me
Maybe the Baconator can come over and take care of everything.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
PLAYOFFS?!
If you have never seen this clip before, watch Jim Mora is one of the most epic press conference rants ever. I will not be going into too much depth to avoid too much contraversy on this topic. This week's Cultural Topic is:
PLAYOFFS
I am an avid sports fan. Sport of choice: NHL Hockey. I have watched an estimated 300 hours of hockey, both live and on TV so far this season. My team: The Calgary Flames. I did the same last year. I managed 6 live games (a personal best) in the 2008-09 regular season – Capitals, Stars, Canucks, Panthers, Blackhawks, Avalanche. Pretty good year. But, the highlight of my hockey watching career? My first playoff game: Game 3 v. Chicago Blackhawks.
The C of Red was fierce last night, my friends. Flames were down two-to-none after dropping two hard-fought battles in Chicago. Newspapers will report that the Flames played a spirited game and overcame adversity on their last chance for survival – only two NHL teams have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs, so dropping this one would almost surely dig them a deep grave.
I have never heard or seen a crowd like that at the Saddledome. Yeah, we can get some pretty good crowds out for some pretty exciting times, but nothing compares to the playoffs. I’m not going to ramble on too much. I’ll just let the pictures explain for themselves.
The Flames have made the playoffs now 5 seasons in a row and it has been exciting at the ‘Dome every year. Being able to see it for myself was pretty amazing. So even though he will never read this post, thanks for my uncle for allowing this to happen (despite all of his best efforts trying to convince my cousin otherwise).
The Oilers did not make the playoffs this year. In other playoff news, most analysts are predicting a Western Conference win, despite Boston being really good this year. Vancouver will likely beat St Louis in the next couple games (they are up 3-0) and that's fine. I am a fan of the Flames, but I'm also a fan of all hockey. If, however, the Canucks win the Stanley Cup this year, I will not follow hockey 2009-10. You heard it here first.
GO FLAMES GO!
(Video)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Going Corporate
You may have noticed in the last week or so, a few changes have been made to the site. That’s right, I have mastered the art of HTML programming, made the columns wider and filled out the page to make a fuller looking, easier flowing website layout. I’ve added a site counter and a mini-cowboy clock and newest of all, we are monetized. This week’s cultural topic is:
“NEWS”
Listening to Rex Murphy’s Cross Country Checkup a few weeks back his discussion topic was on the subject of how people get their news. The discussion arose because a number of newspapers have or are in the process of converting their content fully online, which makes traditional newsprint more and more obsolete. What struck me was that blogging is among one of the most common mediums for where the general population is actually getting its news and information. In the end, the jury ruled that sitting down with a newspaper and coffee for a Saturday read is still everybody’s favorite way to take it in. If you ARE online (which you are, obviously) I’ve added some new links down the right side that you just might care about.
My good friend Dale Vaughn has recently written, designed, and released an inspirational audio book that dares you to live for today – with a foreword written by yours truly. [Insert shameless plug here] It’s actually a pretty neat concept. As you are likely aware, Dale and I worked together in London and traveled together in France, Spain and Portugal. Stop Surviving, Start Living delivers a great message to anyone who is interested overcoming barriers that are set out by normal everyday life.
Of course, not everyone can just get up and leave without consequence, can they? The official release of the book was last week and so far many people have learned ways that, in fact, they can – step by step. The website is currently in its earlier stages, but in short time will also feature guest bloggers, podcasts, interviews, and other more interactive tools.
Also newly added links are whereisjoel.com (blog by Joel Jackson) and papersean.com (also put together by Joel) that chronicle the life adventures of Joel’s little friend, Paper Sean. As always, you can check in with the old links too – I know Kate and Sarah are still posting almost daily and I’ve learned through the grapevine that Rizy Fawkes is back in the studio and should have some more great tunes in the next couple of weeks.
So there you have it, we’ve gone corporate. From Dale giving you the tools to get up and get out, to Joel and Paper Sean falling through cracks in the table, this blog has product placement written all over it (literally). Thanks as always for stopping in and if all goes to plan, we’ll be rich in no time.
“NEWS”
Listening to Rex Murphy’s Cross Country Checkup a few weeks back his discussion topic was on the subject of how people get their news. The discussion arose because a number of newspapers have or are in the process of converting their content fully online, which makes traditional newsprint more and more obsolete. What struck me was that blogging is among one of the most common mediums for where the general population is actually getting its news and information. In the end, the jury ruled that sitting down with a newspaper and coffee for a Saturday read is still everybody’s favorite way to take it in. If you ARE online (which you are, obviously) I’ve added some new links down the right side that you just might care about.
My good friend Dale Vaughn has recently written, designed, and released an inspirational audio book that dares you to live for today – with a foreword written by yours truly. [Insert shameless plug here] It’s actually a pretty neat concept. As you are likely aware, Dale and I worked together in London and traveled together in France, Spain and Portugal. Stop Surviving, Start Living delivers a great message to anyone who is interested overcoming barriers that are set out by normal everyday life.
Of course, not everyone can just get up and leave without consequence, can they? The official release of the book was last week and so far many people have learned ways that, in fact, they can – step by step. The website is currently in its earlier stages, but in short time will also feature guest bloggers, podcasts, interviews, and other more interactive tools.
Also newly added links are whereisjoel.com (blog by Joel Jackson) and papersean.com (also put together by Joel) that chronicle the life adventures of Joel’s little friend, Paper Sean. As always, you can check in with the old links too – I know Kate and Sarah are still posting almost daily and I’ve learned through the grapevine that Rizy Fawkes is back in the studio and should have some more great tunes in the next couple of weeks.
So there you have it, we’ve gone corporate. From Dale giving you the tools to get up and get out, to Joel and Paper Sean falling through cracks in the table, this blog has product placement written all over it (literally). Thanks as always for stopping in and if all goes to plan, we’ll be rich in no time.
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Capturing the Internet
The internet is a network of globally interconnected computers that allows for information transfer, communication and straight up fun. The most common use of the internet is done on a channel known as the World Wide Web, which allows for interconnectivity through hyperlinks and URLs. But for now, that's all we'll really have to know. This week's edition of things that don't make sense is:
PHOTO SHARING
This week I joined Flickr, the photostreaming website that allegedly all photographers belong to. I took the opportunity to browse my collection of photos from my travels, from my many ski trips and various other exploits around home and in town. I find that looking at other people's photo posts, I'm drawn to doing more artsy composition - macros, abstracts, etc. It's interesting to think differently and see everything in a little different light in order to capture something that most people wouldn't normally look to find. Check it out:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36978357@N07/
If this blog post was posted 10 years ago (the fact that blogs were not a prevalent form of communication aside), photo sharing would be going down the store, printing off a roll of photos and driving them over to your friend's house. "Hey, can you order doubles of that picture? I want a copy...."
Of course, film cameras still exist, so I'm not going to discredit the fact that this can still conceivably be something you hear in your day to day musings of the game of life. Comparatively, though, we now have such advanced technology not even the biggest nerds could have imagined it in the 80s. To name a few, high definition scanners, photo quality printers, and of course, digital cameras.
Digital cameras, for obvious reasons have advanced dramatically since they became mainstream over the last 10 years and obviously there are only more improvements and tweaks to come. This is awesome for all photographers of all levels. Point and shoot cameras were first to be converted to digital technology but as they were before the revolution, SLR cameras have caught up and are more advanced than you could ever imagine. About 6 months ago, Nikon released their D90, near top of the line SLR to compete with Canon's first live-view Rebel XSi, that not only meets the Canon's specs, but also includes high definition VIDEO! The first SLR of it's class to even have video capabilities (previously unseen due to SLR's technology)
But it's not the fact that people can take photos beyond their normal skill level, it's the fact that if you take a crappy photo you can take it home and completely alter it using photo editing software. I like the fact you can change the white balance or intensify your reds - this just makes your great photo better. I think it's neat that RADICAL changes can be made to photos like making a normal size guy walking down the street 10000 times as big a the other people and standing taller than skyscraper buildings. That's art and art is nice, but don't call it photography anymore. That doesn't make sense.
Nintendo DSi was just recently released with revolutionary Nintendo technology that plans to compete with the likes of the iPhone, PSP and the evenchanging Blackberry series hybrid telecommunication and entertainment consoles. Complete with a 0.3 megapixel camera, photo-editing software, and stylus stylings with computer interchange abilities, the DSi is ALMOST exactly what every kid wants...except the internet. Hey Nintendo, you get that we like taking pictures, but you're missing out on the all important web-communication. Otherwise it doesn't makes sense. Please fix, then call or email me...if you can figure that technology out.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What do you do?
“Ideally, I am looking for a sales-based position in Public Relations with a great product or service to back me up. I have work history in customer service, sales and recruitment. I have enjoyed all positions I have held and would be happy to do grow on the many skills I have developed.” This week's cultural topic is:
UNEMPLOYMENT
I've had some pretty good reasons to write over the last year, I'll admit, but I, like many, got tied up with work, with travel, with vacation. I've officially been out of the country 4 times in this time period and obviously have not stood up to my blogsite's own name. I would like to welcome any readers back to what I will call an INSPIRED post, but realistically it is nothing more than a normal post, just greatly delayed. As it’s been one year minus a month since I last wrote on this site, it has been one month since I have worked for paid money. Of course, with severance and banked vacation, I’m still sitting pretty pretty (qualified redundancy).
“What kind of work are you looking for?” used to be my catch phrase. I would rock that like it was going out of style, and ultimately, it was the be all, end all discriminator on job placements. It’s strange now to be on the other end of that question.
For nearly a year and a half, I worked for Manpower Services. I moved around from Onsite Recruitment to a hybrid role to Staffing Specialist – wherever they needed me, I was there. I’m not going to lie: I was fun. I had a great team, easy-going clients and when I went to work, I was constantly learning. I think that’s really all you can ask for in a job, isn’t it? You have to like what you do. Makes sense. I never missed a scheduled day of work. Never called in sick. On the two days I was late, I was not the only one. This is why I was so surprised when I was called into the boss’s office, given the rundown and handed the letter explaining everything.
“It has nothing to do with your performance and we would be happy to have you back. Thanks for your dedication to the company. We simply can’t sustain the number of staff we currently have at this time.”
I suppose I can take solace in the fact that I was not the only one let go on that day or in weeks leading up. By my approximate calculations, I was one of 8-10 let go in the course of the month of March. Go figure though, a staffing company not properly calculating their STAFF.
Anyway, since then it’s been countless online applications (though countable by looking in the correct desktop folder), phone calls, hours of browsing job sites (with obvious side-tracks), cold-calling (the bane of my existence), networking emails (my network is understandably not as a broad as I would have expected), and of course, an unending consumption of home-made coffee. These have all yielded several phone interviews, one job offer (which I turned down due to non-ideal relocation issues) and overall, one continually unemployed Kai.
Yeah, I applied for EI. Most people say “well, you’re entitled to it, take it.” I never really wanted to, but after I did my first report, I realise why so many people stay on it for so long. It’s so bloody easy. They don’t ask you where you’ve applied. They don’t ask you what you have done to find work. You don’t even have to leave your house to do it. Ease of access? Get out of town. National socialist parties like the NDP make me sick. But that’s a different story for a different day.
Looking back on this post, it kind of looks like I’m just whining and begs the question of why anyone would ever want to read it, but I’m indifferent. What are blogs for but to get ideas off one’s chest? Like I preempted with, not my best post, but a post nonetheless. For good measure I've added some photos.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to further expose you to my writing.
UNEMPLOYMENT
I've had some pretty good reasons to write over the last year, I'll admit, but I, like many, got tied up with work, with travel, with vacation. I've officially been out of the country 4 times in this time period and obviously have not stood up to my blogsite's own name. I would like to welcome any readers back to what I will call an INSPIRED post, but realistically it is nothing more than a normal post, just greatly delayed. As it’s been one year minus a month since I last wrote on this site, it has been one month since I have worked for paid money. Of course, with severance and banked vacation, I’m still sitting pretty pretty (qualified redundancy).
“What kind of work are you looking for?” used to be my catch phrase. I would rock that like it was going out of style, and ultimately, it was the be all, end all discriminator on job placements. It’s strange now to be on the other end of that question.
For nearly a year and a half, I worked for Manpower Services. I moved around from Onsite Recruitment to a hybrid role to Staffing Specialist – wherever they needed me, I was there. I’m not going to lie: I was fun. I had a great team, easy-going clients and when I went to work, I was constantly learning. I think that’s really all you can ask for in a job, isn’t it? You have to like what you do. Makes sense. I never missed a scheduled day of work. Never called in sick. On the two days I was late, I was not the only one. This is why I was so surprised when I was called into the boss’s office, given the rundown and handed the letter explaining everything.
“It has nothing to do with your performance and we would be happy to have you back. Thanks for your dedication to the company. We simply can’t sustain the number of staff we currently have at this time.”
I suppose I can take solace in the fact that I was not the only one let go on that day or in weeks leading up. By my approximate calculations, I was one of 8-10 let go in the course of the month of March. Go figure though, a staffing company not properly calculating their STAFF.
Anyway, since then it’s been countless online applications (though countable by looking in the correct desktop folder), phone calls, hours of browsing job sites (with obvious side-tracks), cold-calling (the bane of my existence), networking emails (my network is understandably not as a broad as I would have expected), and of course, an unending consumption of home-made coffee. These have all yielded several phone interviews, one job offer (which I turned down due to non-ideal relocation issues) and overall, one continually unemployed Kai.
Yeah, I applied for EI. Most people say “well, you’re entitled to it, take it.” I never really wanted to, but after I did my first report, I realise why so many people stay on it for so long. It’s so bloody easy. They don’t ask you where you’ve applied. They don’t ask you what you have done to find work. You don’t even have to leave your house to do it. Ease of access? Get out of town. National socialist parties like the NDP make me sick. But that’s a different story for a different day.
Looking back on this post, it kind of looks like I’m just whining and begs the question of why anyone would ever want to read it, but I’m indifferent. What are blogs for but to get ideas off one’s chest? Like I preempted with, not my best post, but a post nonetheless. For good measure I've added some photos.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the opportunity to further expose you to my writing.
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