June 2008 Archives

I think i was pretty week in this debate. Was kind of exhausted, but it picked up later on. One of our highest rated shows.

Damn Security

For the curious parties. Click for Full Size.

While sitting around the bar tonight we drafted up a basic supply list. Written on a napkin of course.

• Air Pump
• Aspirin
• 1 Mickey/person
• Bungee cord
• Canteens
• Money for the Buckhorn Bar
• Trail Permit?
• Rake
• Wet-naps
• Marshmallows
• Racer
• Space Food
• Tarp
• Rain Gear
• Propane
• GRMS Radios
• Compass
• Map
• Bush Knives
• Air Mattress
• Tent
• Field Rations
• Fireworks
• 2x24 Beer/Person
• Plates/Utensils
• Food
• Stereo
• Drum Kit
• Bass/Guitar and Amp
• Battery Pack
• Sleeping Bags
• Anti-bug shit
• Canoes
• Life Jackets
• Tools
  • Chainsaw
  • Axe
  • Hatchet
  • Shovel
  • Basic Tools (Socket Set, etc.)
• Toilet Paper
• BBQ Lighter
• Gas
• Dell Shit to Burn
• Rope
• First Aid Kit
• GPS
• All Weather Clothes
• Flashlights
• Lantern
• Fire-pit Grill
• Flavour Wood
• Fishing Gear
• Scaling Knife
• Backpacks/Satchels
• Tri Corner Hat
• Drinking Music
• Spray Paint
• Binoculars
• 1 Sober Person
• Fire Extinguisher
• Water Proof Matches
• Trailer
• Tinfoil
• Cooler
• Ice + Salt
• Water Ballons
• Cigars
• Peace Pipe (widdled)
• Bottle Opener
• Garbage Bag
• Flares
• Scissors
• White Board
• Coffee Pot
• Cards and Chips

Third times the charm...

Check out the streamed playlist

Took some time today to figure out the costs of my UK trip. So far things are coming in line with my expectations.

Airfare will be approx. $1100, whith an addition $150 if i visit my friend in Gurnsey. Hiring a car would be about $800 counting under-25 fees and 80L of petrol, but I can't find a place that will let me hire the car for a one way trip, so chances are I'll be taking the train. Since it saves me nearly a grand, I really don't mind.

The big problem right now is how I'm going to book the tickets. I'm planning to pay for them largely with my 2 tax refunds ($958), but those won'te cover the whole total so i'll need to use some of my severance. This wasn't a bigg deal at first, but now that I'm not getting my money until the 11th of July, it complicates things a lot. Don't have room on a CC right now and I really don't want to raise my credit again.. Hopefully somethign will work out there.

Estimated plan:
Flight Date Cost Tax Final Conversion
Ottawa-London Gatwick 19-Jul-08 $329.00 $177.75 $506.75 506.75
London Gatwick-Gurensey 20-Jul-08 £11.94 £28.70 40.64 81.56
Gurnsey-London Gatwick 21-Jul-08 £31.94 £11.40 43.34 86.98
Manchester-Toronto 1-Aug-08 $349.00 $272.20 $621.20 621.20
Total Airfare 1,296.48

A friend asked my to take a few pictures of my place. So here they are.

So last Wed. I was kind of border and finally relented into going for a long drive to check out some highway my friend was interested in. We never made it to the highway, but we did have some fun along the way.

First up on our tour of random sightings is this sign. This may not mean much to people in Saudi Arabia where gas is a mere $0.12 a US Gallon, but here in Canada, where gas is $1.28 a Liter, these signs are bloody rare.

We left the gas station and continued on our merry way. Next stop, the road to Calabogie.

Round two -- The plot thickens. Mr. Racer managed to find his way back from his random trip to Washroom land, so this week we decided something extra had to be done.

So for the last 9-ish (I don't feel like doing math) days i've been looking after my friend Brian's apartment. To be honest the time has proven to be far more of a vacation for me then i had ever expected. After spending a year living with people it was a more then welcome change to have a place to myself, though the cat I was watching turned out to be rather quirky.

This is Tuppence. She is a demon. Sure she may look nice and friendly on the outside, but once you get to know this cat you'll realize what lies behind those eyes. Here's a short list of things i learned about Tuppence:

• She is terrified of stranges and insists on hiding for several hours. Even if she know's you and you've been there every night for a week
• She likes attention and wants you to pet her, but she's a drama queen and will take a dive. The littlest touch and this cat is on it's back hissing and crying. Though as soon as you stop she'll get up and encourage you to go again.
• She's a strange eater. For the first 3 days she eat nothing, for the other 3 she was a pig.
• She likes her toys. So much so, in fact, that she will drag them in and throw them at you while you sleep. I woke up one morning with a jack stuck in my back
• She doesn't notice heat. No once did this cat show any sign of minding the horrific heat wave we're enduring.

So Dell offered me an option today. Extend my contract till Sept. 19th or take off on June 27th. Well, considering all I've given the company for what i've got, fuck 'em. I'm leaving on the 29th and that's that.

Also tenative Post Work Schedule

July 1-2 - Canada Day
First Week - Post Dell Camping Trip
July 16th - Court Date for Parking Ticket
July 18-20th - Laura's Picton Party
July 21- August 1st - Tenative dates for Trip to Britian to visit Lindsay
August 5th - Nine Inch Nails concert in Toronto
Any day after Aug 6th - Hopefully working again.

It was recently announced that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation would not be renewing the theme to Hockey Night in Canada for the future season. CBC claims it's time to move on, but most likely the issue stems from a lawsuit filed by the song's composer, Dolores Claman's, over unauthorized and unpaid use of the theme.

The reaction to the CBC's decision has been largely negative with many groups forming to protest the comapany's decision. A similar event occured back in 2002 when the CBC threatened to not renew Ron MacLean's contract.

For more info on the Issue check out:
CTV News
Deal still possible for Hockey Night song
Last play for Hockey Night in Canada theme song?

If you'd like to publically show your dismay for the CBC's decision you can joing the Facebook group here (account required) or sign the petition here.

Last week this guy appeared down in the sales department:

From where we sit it's just creepy. He's just there, staring, all the time. So we decided to have a little fun. Last night me and a friend snuck down there, grabbed the standee and took him for a little trip...

Last Saturday I was feeling rather sick and had to leave work early. While I was desperately trying to sleep the Gods decided they wanted to test our Ark preparedness. These shitty shots attempt to capture the rain that was hammering down.