During my recent hospital stay I had the pleasure of being served a pumpkin bran muffin. Almost as soon as I tasted this muffin I thought about trying to make a batch for myself. Sadly, the hospital didn't include the recipe, or even a list of ingredients, with the muffin.
Perhaps even more frustrating than the hospital's lack of diligence on the recipe front is that the web seems to have been flooded with recipes for pumpkin bran muffins that didn't appear to be what I was looking for (many had too much spice or other aspects that I found displeasing).
Anyway, after looking at about a dozen recipes for pumpkin bran muffins I thought that I had finally found one that would meet all of my needs. Yesterday morning I got up at about 6:00 AM and threw a batch together.
Not long after I took the muffins out of the oven for the first time I realized that I had a somewhat severe problem on my hands. The outer layer had developed a leathery texture. This problem was paired with another problem, the innards of the muffin were still relatively raw and doughy.
Though I did eat two of these muffins, they were basically inedible. The one aspect of the muffins that I did like was the level of spicing, which was minimal and not exclusively cinnamon (there was also a little ginger and nutmeg and there would have been allspice had I had any).
After this relatively disappointing failure I was still left with the better part of an open can of pumpkin puree so it was clear that another batch of these muffins would be in my future, though this time with a somewhat modified recipe.
Maybe it should have been obvious to me from the beginning, but while thinking through my first failure I realized that I might consider modifying the the recipe I normally use for bran muffins to accomodate the addition of pumpkin puree.
When I got down to doing an ingredient-by-ingredient examination of the recipe I determined realized that I would likely only have to make a few modifications the the recipe. The primary change would be exchanging the molasses and some of the milk for the pumpkin puree. I decided that I would also add the spicing component from the first recipe.
In the end the recipe I settled on in as follows:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
3/4 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cup wheat bran
3/4-1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
Combine the brown sugar and then add and mix the eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, and bran. Add the baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and flour and mix. Scoop into greased muffin tray (12 large/medium muffins) and bake at 400 F until done (probably between 15 to 20 minutes).
While I am not sure that this will be the definitive pumpkin bran muffin recipe for all time I am certainly pleased with the results and am inclined plan on using it when I next want to make pumpkin bran muffins.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 540
-The rain and grey skies seem to continued into mid-June here in Wolfville. I am hoping that at some point in the not-to-distant future things may take a turn for the better.
-The aforementioned weather seems to be negatively affecting the rate of growth of some of the plants in our container garden. As a point of comparison, the beans that we planted outside are about a 18 to 24 inches inches taller than the plants outside. The basil plants outside are at most about 1 cm tall while the plants inside are close to 5 cms and are starting to display second and third sets of leaves.
-On Monday Jeannette and I made the mistake of watching game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. It seems that tonight we have made the mistake of watching game 7. As some of you may know, as things stand right now it looks as though the Canucks are going to be trounced as badly in this game as they were in game 6.
-I made a batch of hummus tonight and am quite pleased with the results. I think that the freshly squeezed lemon juice that I used may explain the high quality of the output. If only real lemons weren't so expensive hear I might be inclined to use them more frequently.
-My post surgery recovery is still ongoing. I am hoping that within a few days I won't need to continue spending a few extra hours in bed a day. This recovery process is definitely a bummer.
-The aforementioned weather seems to be negatively affecting the rate of growth of some of the plants in our container garden. As a point of comparison, the beans that we planted outside are about a 18 to 24 inches inches taller than the plants outside. The basil plants outside are at most about 1 cm tall while the plants inside are close to 5 cms and are starting to display second and third sets of leaves.
-On Monday Jeannette and I made the mistake of watching game 6 of the Stanley Cup finals. It seems that tonight we have made the mistake of watching game 7. As some of you may know, as things stand right now it looks as though the Canucks are going to be trounced as badly in this game as they were in game 6.
-I made a batch of hummus tonight and am quite pleased with the results. I think that the freshly squeezed lemon juice that I used may explain the high quality of the output. If only real lemons weren't so expensive hear I might be inclined to use them more frequently.
-My post surgery recovery is still ongoing. I am hoping that within a few days I won't need to continue spending a few extra hours in bed a day. This recovery process is definitely a bummer.
They still don't have it right
Since I have been in Halifax there has been something of a brouhaha surrounding rules regarding winter parking. After relatively snow-free winter there was much talk about making changes to the rules that would prevent people from being ticketed when there was no snow on the street.
It seems that just a few days ago the HRM council finally got around to making a few changes to the rules, unfortunately they have still left the primary problem in place.
Now instead of tickets being issued all winter long, tickets will now just be issued on nights when the cities issues a snow warning. Another change is that cars will no longer just be ticketed, they will now also be towed. One major consequence of this second change is that the cost to the offending owner will increase almost seven-fold.
Of course the problem is that these changes to do nothing to address the primary problem with the original regime - which is that people don't like being ticketed when there is no chance that the street will actually be ploughed. Furthermore, whether or not snow is forecast for that evening is not particularly important if ploughing is scheduled to take place.
Anyway, I suspect that this regime will have a few supporters as well as a few detractors. Presumably the failure to address the real problem and the increased cost and inconvenience for offending drivers will be the attributes of the new scheme that will be particularly despised by HRM residents.
It seems that just a few days ago the HRM council finally got around to making a few changes to the rules, unfortunately they have still left the primary problem in place.
Now instead of tickets being issued all winter long, tickets will now just be issued on nights when the cities issues a snow warning. Another change is that cars will no longer just be ticketed, they will now also be towed. One major consequence of this second change is that the cost to the offending owner will increase almost seven-fold.
Of course the problem is that these changes to do nothing to address the primary problem with the original regime - which is that people don't like being ticketed when there is no chance that the street will actually be ploughed. Furthermore, whether or not snow is forecast for that evening is not particularly important if ploughing is scheduled to take place.
Anyway, I suspect that this regime will have a few supporters as well as a few detractors. Presumably the failure to address the real problem and the increased cost and inconvenience for offending drivers will be the attributes of the new scheme that will be particularly despised by HRM residents.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Another extended absence
A little while ago I explained that comps a move to Wolfville had been keeping me away from the blog. My most recent absence was for a completely different reason. This time I have a medical excuse.
On Thursday of last week I had a Percutaneous nephrolithotomy to surgically remove a few kidney stones from my right kidney. The procedure resulted in a two-night hospital stay and then some post-hospital downtime. (Now that a few days have passed and I am not losing as much blood I am getting a little energy back).
Anyway, it seems that this procedure, like other surgical procedures that I have had, is a little more involved I imagined it would be when I agreed to it. Instead of just removing the stones surgically, the process is really three somewhat distinct process that all involve some form of anesthesia or sedation.
The first step, which is conducted while under a general anesthetic, involves the places of stents in the urinary tract. And, surprise, surprise, I also woke up with a catheter (one of the aspects of the whole thing that I don't recall being mentioned explicitly much in advance of the surgery). Once the procedure was complete I was sent to the recovery room where I pretty soon regained consciousness and had a nice talk to the nurse about the fact that all three of my names are last names (this fact is commonly noted in Nova Scotia).
After a relatively brief wait in the recovery room, where I foolishly declined pain medication, I was sent along for the second step of the procedure - the introduction of a tube from my back to my kidney. Much to my surprise, this procedure didn't involve a general anesthetic. That this was to be the case was a little disconcerting at first as the last time that I had surgery to my back I was quite awake and could feel the whole thing. Fortunately in this case I managed to sleep/pass out for most of the procedure. As far as I recall I don't even really remember very much of them placing the tube or how I got from the operating table back to my bed, something for which I was likely at least partially responsive.
The third and final step of the procedure, though it involves no new holes or incisions, is really the most significant part of the whole process. Through various means the stones are broken up and/or removed (an exclusive 'or' is used in this case). All in all, these processes can seeming be quite aggressive and really lead to fair bit of internal bleeding and disruption. And apparently in my case at least of one batch of stones was located in a particularly hard to reach area that required some particularly aggressive maneuvering of a scope (the miming of this process that the doctor did for Neil, Rebecca, and I really made it clear why my procedure was particularly sanguineous).
After this third procedure I was finally sent to my hospital room. Soon after I arrived one of the nurses offered me something for pain - this time I gladly accepted the drugs and began to feel less bad almost immediately.
As I was slowly coming to my senses in the room I started to become aware of the fact that my three roommates were all quite a bit older than I and also, arguably, in much worse overall health. This fact fact was pretty quickly driven home when the patient to my right lost control of his bowels all over the floor next to his bed (and then there was some talk of c. diff). Discussions that doctors and nurses had with the other two guys also made it clear that they too were not in the best health.
That evening Neil and Rebecca came to visit, which was a very nice distraction from the general madness of the room. The visit also allowed Neil and Rebecca a chance to soak up some of the atmosphere of the room and meet my doctor. My sense is that they were somewhat shocked by the 'atmosphere' and impressed by my doctor and his general demeanor.
Not too long after Neil and Rebecca's departure things appeared as though they were starting to calm down and patients were washed and lights were turned off. Of course it didn't take me long to realize that the night wasn't going to be particularly restful.
One of the first problem I noticed was that the IV machines that we all had were really quite noisy and produced a special sucking noise every few seconds. The gauze that the nurse gave helped to some extent but really didn't do all that much to muffle much sound.
Pain and general discomfort were another set of issues that made it somewhat hard to sleep. Even though I was taking pain medication regularly almost any movement or muscle contraction would wake me. It felt as though I had to stay awake just to concentrate on not moving.
Finally, and this was maybe the biggest impediment to sleep, the incontinent patient to my right continued to make noise and lose control of his bodily functions all night long. If I recall correctly, at one point he might have urinated on the floor while at a later point he did something to necessitate a middle-of-the-night sheet change. Several times throughout the night while changing his own diaper he thought that he had messed up his IV drip. While in most cases his IV was fine and he hadn't really needed to buzz for a nurse, though in at least one instance he did manage to completely disconnect his IV from his body (amazingly, in this case he had called the nurse for a completely unrelated reason).
By about 5:00 AM all pretense of trying to sleep by any of the four patients in the room was lost. We were up for the day (or at least until our first nap). Fortunately breakfast soon arrived and I was once again pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hospital's food. I was particularly taken with the pumpkin bran muffin I was served.
Fortunately patient drama decreased dramatically on this second day, and the decrease was basically noticeable from breakfast onwards. Perhaps not surprisingly, at least three of the four of us were clearly getting better.
Shortly after breakfast the doctors came through on their morning rounds. It was at this point I learned that I would soon be losing both my IV and my catheter and that the tube that was still directly connected to my kidney would be stoppered and disconnected from the bag that had been collecting run-off directly from the kidney.
The upside of these changes were that I was no longer bed-ridden and I didn't have to have a loud IV machine constantly making noise next to me. The downside of these changes were that I was now expected to start moving around and I was cut-off from real pain medication (real pain would have been a sign of problems/infection so they didn't want to risk masking it). Fortunately I was eventually given an ibuprofen-acetaminophen cocktail that did a little to dull the pain.
Almost before I knew it I was walking around and pounding water to clear my kidney and bladder of stones, stone fragments, and clots. Relatively early on in this process it became clear that there were a few obstructions that were likely going to force me to stay an extra night in the hospital.
Fortunately, after maybe only an hour or two of aggressive water drinking and shuffling up and down the hall I managed to clear the worst of the obstructions and demonstrate that I was generally in pretty fine health. Of course, I had to deal with the consequences of all of the water drinking for the rest of the day.
Later in the day I had the pleasure of having visits from Jeannette, Neil, and Rebecca. Though at times I might like to put on a face of stoicism, it really is nice to have at least a few hospital visitors for a few minutes a day otherwise the days have a way of passing very slowly.
My second night in the hospital went much more smoothly than the first. Though I didn't wake up much I have the sense that the nurses were called to the room much less frequently and that there were fewer big problems for them to deal with.
During my second morning of rounds I learned that I would be heading home that day and that I would be losing the drainage tube that was then leading to my kidney. Much to my surprise one of the residents told me she would be removing the tube right away. Even more surprising was that the tube removal only took a few minutes and didn't hurt. That this could be painless and so fast and easy still surprises.
Of course the big downside of the removal of the drainage tube was that the drainage was no longer limited to the tube but soon began to flow directly from my side (a development that was expected). Of course, even though this drainage was normal at times it came a bit more quickly than I expected. At one or two points before I was released the drainage was abundant that it overwhelmed the dressings that had been taped to my back.
Not surprisingly, since being released from the hospital I have been trying to take it easy and limit my level of physical activity. Of course this sentiment has been reinforced after my one attempt at dishwashing/floor sweeping seemed to reinvigorate the drainage from the relatively small incision in my back.
Now that I am a few days removed from the surgery I am finally starting to feel a little bit less like I have been hit by a truck and a little more as though I am just at about 75% power. Hopefully with a few more days I will feel more like 90% or 100% power.
On Thursday of last week I had a Percutaneous nephrolithotomy to surgically remove a few kidney stones from my right kidney. The procedure resulted in a two-night hospital stay and then some post-hospital downtime. (Now that a few days have passed and I am not losing as much blood I am getting a little energy back).
Anyway, it seems that this procedure, like other surgical procedures that I have had, is a little more involved I imagined it would be when I agreed to it. Instead of just removing the stones surgically, the process is really three somewhat distinct process that all involve some form of anesthesia or sedation.
The first step, which is conducted while under a general anesthetic, involves the places of stents in the urinary tract. And, surprise, surprise, I also woke up with a catheter (one of the aspects of the whole thing that I don't recall being mentioned explicitly much in advance of the surgery). Once the procedure was complete I was sent to the recovery room where I pretty soon regained consciousness and had a nice talk to the nurse about the fact that all three of my names are last names (this fact is commonly noted in Nova Scotia).
After a relatively brief wait in the recovery room, where I foolishly declined pain medication, I was sent along for the second step of the procedure - the introduction of a tube from my back to my kidney. Much to my surprise, this procedure didn't involve a general anesthetic. That this was to be the case was a little disconcerting at first as the last time that I had surgery to my back I was quite awake and could feel the whole thing. Fortunately in this case I managed to sleep/pass out for most of the procedure. As far as I recall I don't even really remember very much of them placing the tube or how I got from the operating table back to my bed, something for which I was likely at least partially responsive.
The third and final step of the procedure, though it involves no new holes or incisions, is really the most significant part of the whole process. Through various means the stones are broken up and/or removed (an exclusive 'or' is used in this case). All in all, these processes can seeming be quite aggressive and really lead to fair bit of internal bleeding and disruption. And apparently in my case at least of one batch of stones was located in a particularly hard to reach area that required some particularly aggressive maneuvering of a scope (the miming of this process that the doctor did for Neil, Rebecca, and I really made it clear why my procedure was particularly sanguineous).
After this third procedure I was finally sent to my hospital room. Soon after I arrived one of the nurses offered me something for pain - this time I gladly accepted the drugs and began to feel less bad almost immediately.
As I was slowly coming to my senses in the room I started to become aware of the fact that my three roommates were all quite a bit older than I and also, arguably, in much worse overall health. This fact fact was pretty quickly driven home when the patient to my right lost control of his bowels all over the floor next to his bed (and then there was some talk of c. diff). Discussions that doctors and nurses had with the other two guys also made it clear that they too were not in the best health.
That evening Neil and Rebecca came to visit, which was a very nice distraction from the general madness of the room. The visit also allowed Neil and Rebecca a chance to soak up some of the atmosphere of the room and meet my doctor. My sense is that they were somewhat shocked by the 'atmosphere' and impressed by my doctor and his general demeanor.
Not too long after Neil and Rebecca's departure things appeared as though they were starting to calm down and patients were washed and lights were turned off. Of course it didn't take me long to realize that the night wasn't going to be particularly restful.
One of the first problem I noticed was that the IV machines that we all had were really quite noisy and produced a special sucking noise every few seconds. The gauze that the nurse gave helped to some extent but really didn't do all that much to muffle much sound.
Pain and general discomfort were another set of issues that made it somewhat hard to sleep. Even though I was taking pain medication regularly almost any movement or muscle contraction would wake me. It felt as though I had to stay awake just to concentrate on not moving.
Finally, and this was maybe the biggest impediment to sleep, the incontinent patient to my right continued to make noise and lose control of his bodily functions all night long. If I recall correctly, at one point he might have urinated on the floor while at a later point he did something to necessitate a middle-of-the-night sheet change. Several times throughout the night while changing his own diaper he thought that he had messed up his IV drip. While in most cases his IV was fine and he hadn't really needed to buzz for a nurse, though in at least one instance he did manage to completely disconnect his IV from his body (amazingly, in this case he had called the nurse for a completely unrelated reason).
By about 5:00 AM all pretense of trying to sleep by any of the four patients in the room was lost. We were up for the day (or at least until our first nap). Fortunately breakfast soon arrived and I was once again pleasantly surprised by the quality of the hospital's food. I was particularly taken with the pumpkin bran muffin I was served.
Fortunately patient drama decreased dramatically on this second day, and the decrease was basically noticeable from breakfast onwards. Perhaps not surprisingly, at least three of the four of us were clearly getting better.
Shortly after breakfast the doctors came through on their morning rounds. It was at this point I learned that I would soon be losing both my IV and my catheter and that the tube that was still directly connected to my kidney would be stoppered and disconnected from the bag that had been collecting run-off directly from the kidney.
The upside of these changes were that I was no longer bed-ridden and I didn't have to have a loud IV machine constantly making noise next to me. The downside of these changes were that I was now expected to start moving around and I was cut-off from real pain medication (real pain would have been a sign of problems/infection so they didn't want to risk masking it). Fortunately I was eventually given an ibuprofen-acetaminophen cocktail that did a little to dull the pain.
Almost before I knew it I was walking around and pounding water to clear my kidney and bladder of stones, stone fragments, and clots. Relatively early on in this process it became clear that there were a few obstructions that were likely going to force me to stay an extra night in the hospital.
Fortunately, after maybe only an hour or two of aggressive water drinking and shuffling up and down the hall I managed to clear the worst of the obstructions and demonstrate that I was generally in pretty fine health. Of course, I had to deal with the consequences of all of the water drinking for the rest of the day.
Later in the day I had the pleasure of having visits from Jeannette, Neil, and Rebecca. Though at times I might like to put on a face of stoicism, it really is nice to have at least a few hospital visitors for a few minutes a day otherwise the days have a way of passing very slowly.
My second night in the hospital went much more smoothly than the first. Though I didn't wake up much I have the sense that the nurses were called to the room much less frequently and that there were fewer big problems for them to deal with.
During my second morning of rounds I learned that I would be heading home that day and that I would be losing the drainage tube that was then leading to my kidney. Much to my surprise one of the residents told me she would be removing the tube right away. Even more surprising was that the tube removal only took a few minutes and didn't hurt. That this could be painless and so fast and easy still surprises.
Of course the big downside of the removal of the drainage tube was that the drainage was no longer limited to the tube but soon began to flow directly from my side (a development that was expected). Of course, even though this drainage was normal at times it came a bit more quickly than I expected. At one or two points before I was released the drainage was abundant that it overwhelmed the dressings that had been taped to my back.
Not surprisingly, since being released from the hospital I have been trying to take it easy and limit my level of physical activity. Of course this sentiment has been reinforced after my one attempt at dishwashing/floor sweeping seemed to reinvigorate the drainage from the relatively small incision in my back.
Now that I am a few days removed from the surgery I am finally starting to feel a little bit less like I have been hit by a truck and a little more as though I am just at about 75% power. Hopefully with a few more days I will feel more like 90% or 100% power.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 539
-While today is still a little cooler than I might have expected it to be in early June in the Annapolis Valley, it is fortunately brighter than it was yesterday. Not that the forecast means anything here, actually it seems to be worse than it was in Halifax or St. John's, but they are not even predicting any major improvements in the coming days. Bummer.
-Yesterday Jeannette and I made our way to a meat shop in Windsor with plans of buying some ground llama and some llama and wild boar sausage. While we weren't able to get the second of these two products (we had to settle for venison and wild boar sausage), we were able get some ground llama and also some ground beef. Maybe more importantly, we learned that the store we visited is really a full-service butcher shop (we thought it might just be a speciality meat shop). So not only will they cut your meats how you want them cut, they also sell quite a variety of meats, including lamb, goat, beef, pork, rabbit, bison, emu, llama, and poultry. While we were in line waiting to be served we both had the sense that their customers were coming in from all over the province to take advantage of the wide variety of products and services that this company provides.
-Many of our container garden plants finally seem to be sprouting and starting the early stages of their growth. Unfortunately, some number of the plants seem to have been struck with a spider-mite like pest (though I think it is something different and that they picked it up from the local environment). Anyway, I just hope that they aren't too negatively impacted by these pests, as that would really bum me out.
-I definitely feel as though I am in something of a post-comps work slump. Hopefully by this afternoon or this evening I will find a way to roust myself from this period of sloth and get back to work.
-Because of the developments relating to the NHL team in Winnipeg and the possible AHL team in St. John's I have been thinking about hockey and sports teams much more than I traditionally do. That being said, even though I have been thinking about hockey teams I have spent very little time actually thinking about hockey. That people are so interested in watching the game still baffles me. I just don't get what makes the game so exciting.
-Maybe instead of trying to fill up the internet I should either have some lunch or get down to work.
-Yesterday Jeannette and I made our way to a meat shop in Windsor with plans of buying some ground llama and some llama and wild boar sausage. While we weren't able to get the second of these two products (we had to settle for venison and wild boar sausage), we were able get some ground llama and also some ground beef. Maybe more importantly, we learned that the store we visited is really a full-service butcher shop (we thought it might just be a speciality meat shop). So not only will they cut your meats how you want them cut, they also sell quite a variety of meats, including lamb, goat, beef, pork, rabbit, bison, emu, llama, and poultry. While we were in line waiting to be served we both had the sense that their customers were coming in from all over the province to take advantage of the wide variety of products and services that this company provides.
-Many of our container garden plants finally seem to be sprouting and starting the early stages of their growth. Unfortunately, some number of the plants seem to have been struck with a spider-mite like pest (though I think it is something different and that they picked it up from the local environment). Anyway, I just hope that they aren't too negatively impacted by these pests, as that would really bum me out.
-I definitely feel as though I am in something of a post-comps work slump. Hopefully by this afternoon or this evening I will find a way to roust myself from this period of sloth and get back to work.
-Because of the developments relating to the NHL team in Winnipeg and the possible AHL team in St. John's I have been thinking about hockey and sports teams much more than I traditionally do. That being said, even though I have been thinking about hockey teams I have spent very little time actually thinking about hockey. That people are so interested in watching the game still baffles me. I just don't get what makes the game so exciting.
-Maybe instead of trying to fill up the internet I should either have some lunch or get down to work.
Friday, June 03, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 538
-We seem to be experiencing another overcast and cool, but dry, day in Wolfville. Though I am not a fan of particularly high temperatures, I really wouldn't mind it being a bit warmer than the low teens on most June afternoons.
-Maybe it was because I frequently vacationed in Michigan as a child, but Jack Kevorkian is definitely an individual I associate with my childhood (though not in as morbid a way as you might imagine). Anyway, I was somewhat surprised to hear that he recently died. I wonder if someone will try to fill his shoes?
-As some of you may know, as of this morning many Canada Post employees are striking. Much to my surprise, this development did not mean delays for packages that I was expecting from Newfoundland.
-I have been having a hard time motivating myself to get back to work in this post-comps period. Hopefully I can find a way to turn a corner in the very near future.
-For the few weeks leading up to my comps I was consuming far too much coffee. I suspect that I was frequently consuming upwards of 3 litres of coffee a day. My consumption was so high not because I wanted the caffeine, but mainly because I just like drinking warm beverages and I do my best to avoid tea during the day. Anyway, I am pretty sure that this rate of coffee consumption wasn't doing anything good for my mood, sleep quality, or rate of productivity. Fortunately, in the past few days I have seen a precipitous drop in my rate of coffee consumption. I just hope that I can keep it up and that I don't slip back in to this 3 litres a day trend (of course, I did just buy a few kilos of coffee beans).
-Maybe it was because I frequently vacationed in Michigan as a child, but Jack Kevorkian is definitely an individual I associate with my childhood (though not in as morbid a way as you might imagine). Anyway, I was somewhat surprised to hear that he recently died. I wonder if someone will try to fill his shoes?
-As some of you may know, as of this morning many Canada Post employees are striking. Much to my surprise, this development did not mean delays for packages that I was expecting from Newfoundland.
-I have been having a hard time motivating myself to get back to work in this post-comps period. Hopefully I can find a way to turn a corner in the very near future.
-For the few weeks leading up to my comps I was consuming far too much coffee. I suspect that I was frequently consuming upwards of 3 litres of coffee a day. My consumption was so high not because I wanted the caffeine, but mainly because I just like drinking warm beverages and I do my best to avoid tea during the day. Anyway, I am pretty sure that this rate of coffee consumption wasn't doing anything good for my mood, sleep quality, or rate of productivity. Fortunately, in the past few days I have seen a precipitous drop in my rate of coffee consumption. I just hope that I can keep it up and that I don't slip back in to this 3 litres a day trend (of course, I did just buy a few kilos of coffee beans).
That narrative changed quickly
About a week ago I posted about former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams' attempts to arrange for an AHL team for St. John's. At the time the province's refusal to provide a $500 000 subsidy seemed likely to sink the proposal.
Amazingly, about a week later Williams seemed to have come up with a new deal that would see the team re-locate to St. John's without the public money.
Is it just me or was that turnaround fast?
Also, is Danny Williams not the guy who criticized the current provincial government for not taking the time to properly analyze the proposal? I get the sense that he is not drawing attention to the fact that it seems that he didn't really take that much time to run the numbers in the first place if just a week ago the project was only possible with public money and now it is not.
I am curious to see how many more curious developments are associated with this story as the final details relating to the re-location of the team are settled.
Amazingly, about a week later Williams seemed to have come up with a new deal that would see the team re-locate to St. John's without the public money.
Is it just me or was that turnaround fast?
Also, is Danny Williams not the guy who criticized the current provincial government for not taking the time to properly analyze the proposal? I get the sense that he is not drawing attention to the fact that it seems that he didn't really take that much time to run the numbers in the first place if just a week ago the project was only possible with public money and now it is not.
I am curious to see how many more curious developments are associated with this story as the final details relating to the re-location of the team are settled.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Silence Explained
Some of you may have noticed that there have been fewer posts of late. (Though the more I think about it, thinking that any of you might have noticed this is a little bit presumptuous on my part and likely quite inaccurate.)
The primary reason for this reduced posting rate is that I was preparing for a comprehensive exam that I finally got to write on Tuesday (May 31). Moreover, last month Jeannette and I moved to Wolfville and had to deal with all of the frustrations associated with packing things and then re-arranging them in the new location.
Anyway, while I still have plenty of work to do, I hope that I might be able to post a somewhat more frequently in the near future (because I know how much you all want to hear about my trips to the grocery store and what I think about the current weather conditions wherever I happen to be).
The primary reason for this reduced posting rate is that I was preparing for a comprehensive exam that I finally got to write on Tuesday (May 31). Moreover, last month Jeannette and I moved to Wolfville and had to deal with all of the frustrations associated with packing things and then re-arranging them in the new location.
Anyway, while I still have plenty of work to do, I hope that I might be able to post a somewhat more frequently in the near future (because I know how much you all want to hear about my trips to the grocery store and what I think about the current weather conditions wherever I happen to be).
Monday, May 30, 2011
Good thing they were in a 'free' country
In response to a recent court ruling that upheld the prohibition of "silent expressive dancing" at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. a number of people decided to hold a silent dance protest at the memorial.
The following videos show some of what happened to the dancers while they were at the memorial dancing.
[Embedded video]
[Embedded video]
Even if we accept that what these individuals were doing was disruptive and that the police service involved can prohibit them from doing it, was the force used really necessary?
Furthermore, if the reason for prohibiting dancing and other such activities is related to disturbing tranquility isn't it at least a little ironic that the resulting arrests surely did more to disturb the tranquility than silent dancers? Would Justin Bieber, or any other celebrity, be arrested for visiting the site and disturbing the tranquility of the monument when they are mobbed by adoring fans?
I understand why one might want to prohibit disruptive behaviours at this type of site (though I think such a goal is fundamentally questionable), but things have clearly gone to far when silent swaying can be deemed so disruptive that it merits arrest.
The following videos show some of what happened to the dancers while they were at the memorial dancing.
[Embedded video]
[Embedded video]
Even if we accept that what these individuals were doing was disruptive and that the police service involved can prohibit them from doing it, was the force used really necessary?
Furthermore, if the reason for prohibiting dancing and other such activities is related to disturbing tranquility isn't it at least a little ironic that the resulting arrests surely did more to disturb the tranquility than silent dancers? Would Justin Bieber, or any other celebrity, be arrested for visiting the site and disturbing the tranquility of the monument when they are mobbed by adoring fans?
I understand why one might want to prohibit disruptive behaviours at this type of site (though I think such a goal is fundamentally questionable), but things have clearly gone to far when silent swaying can be deemed so disruptive that it merits arrest.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Get your act together NSLC
Yesterday Jeannette and I were walking through the local NSLC (provincially run liquor store) when we noticed an acquaintance of ours, who also happens to be a local winemaker, pictured and named in a display about locally produced wines. (In case you are curious, we did end up buying one of his products and were quite pleased with it.)
A few minutes after spotting this picture we made our way to the check out where, much to my surprise, I was IDed. As I am now almost 10 years over the legal age I am always surprised when I am IDed, particularly if I have previously made purchases in the establishment without being IDed.
Anyway, this morning while at the farmer's market Jeannette ran into our acquaintance and mentioned that we saw the display with his photo and name. This local winemaker then told Jeannette that recently when making a purchase in this same store, where his photo and name were prominently displayed, he too was IDed.
How is that for ineffective systems? I am not sure if their IDing system is worse than their staff product training system, but I am pretty sure that at least one or both of these systems is pretty far out of whack if something like this can happen.
A few minutes after spotting this picture we made our way to the check out where, much to my surprise, I was IDed. As I am now almost 10 years over the legal age I am always surprised when I am IDed, particularly if I have previously made purchases in the establishment without being IDed.
Anyway, this morning while at the farmer's market Jeannette ran into our acquaintance and mentioned that we saw the display with his photo and name. This local winemaker then told Jeannette that recently when making a purchase in this same store, where his photo and name were prominently displayed, he too was IDed.
How is that for ineffective systems? I am not sure if their IDing system is worse than their staff product training system, but I am pretty sure that at least one or both of these systems is pretty far out of whack if something like this can happen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
What's the difference between pro sports and the film industry?
Based on my assessment of news coverage in St. John's, the potential return of an AHL team to St. John's seems to be a pretty big story at the moment. An aspect of the story that seems to be getting the most coverage is whether or not the municipal and provincial governments would provide the team with some sort of subsidy/incentive to help the whole relocation process along.
A few days ago the city decided it wouldn't offer such an incentive and just a few moments ago I heard that the provincial government has also decided against providing such an incentive. Apparently Terry French went so far as to say that the government would be 'philosphically' opposed to such a subsidy.
And while I don't happen to be a particularly big fan of subsidies to pro sports teams I do find it funny that the same government that actively subsidizes the TV and film industry, among other industries, would go so far as to suggest professional sports are a lesser (in terms of meriting public support) form of mass entertainment or employment. I have to imagine that the number of jobs associated benefits that could be almost guaranteed by the arrival of a pro hockey team would be of greater economic significance than frequently arise due to other industrial subsidies.
If you don't want to subsidize a particular company, fine, don't subsidize it, but to suggest that you are philosophically opposed to a particular aspect of the entertainment industry seems a bit much, particularly on a day that the same government announced funding for the acquisition of lighting equipment for the TV and film industry.
A few days ago the city decided it wouldn't offer such an incentive and just a few moments ago I heard that the provincial government has also decided against providing such an incentive. Apparently Terry French went so far as to say that the government would be 'philosphically' opposed to such a subsidy.
And while I don't happen to be a particularly big fan of subsidies to pro sports teams I do find it funny that the same government that actively subsidizes the TV and film industry, among other industries, would go so far as to suggest professional sports are a lesser (in terms of meriting public support) form of mass entertainment or employment. I have to imagine that the number of jobs associated benefits that could be almost guaranteed by the arrival of a pro hockey team would be of greater economic significance than frequently arise due to other industrial subsidies.
If you don't want to subsidize a particular company, fine, don't subsidize it, but to suggest that you are philosophically opposed to a particular aspect of the entertainment industry seems a bit much, particularly on a day that the same government announced funding for the acquisition of lighting equipment for the TV and film industry.
Friday, May 20, 2011
It has begun or On the road or a more 'rational' university system in Nova Scotia
Since the O'Neill Report on post-secondary education in Nova Scotia was released a few months ago talk of university mergers has been in the air. Recent university budget constraints and tuition increases have provided the merger fire with even more fuel.
It seems that we may have finally reached a tipping point. CBC is now reporting that Dal and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College are set to begin merger talks.
I presume the big question is if this set of talks will lead to any additional merger talks. Based on what I have heard on the subject MSVU seems like a prime merger candidate, as does NSCAD. I keep wondering if we can really justify the continued independence of SMU and Dal.
One prof I spoke to about this a few months ago thought that mergers were unlikely to happen, at least in Halifax, on a large scale because of the religious affiliations of the schools that would be involved. Could a protestant school really absorb a catholic school like SMU without causing a public backlash? While we will have to wait to see if such arguments are brought forward, I really have a hard time imagining that this would ever be much of an issue in this secular age, particularly when most of the students attending these schools probably can't identify the religious groups with which the school was originally associated. Furthermore, are any of these religious groups really interested in putting up a fight, particularly if winning means permanent budget gridlock for the institution and lower quality education?
Anyway, I suspect these merger talks are a sign of things to come for post-secondary education in Nova Scotia and given the size of the industry here such talks will be of some importance to the province as a whole. I know I will definitely be paying attention as this plays out.
It seems that we may have finally reached a tipping point. CBC is now reporting that Dal and the Nova Scotia Agricultural College are set to begin merger talks.
I presume the big question is if this set of talks will lead to any additional merger talks. Based on what I have heard on the subject MSVU seems like a prime merger candidate, as does NSCAD. I keep wondering if we can really justify the continued independence of SMU and Dal.
One prof I spoke to about this a few months ago thought that mergers were unlikely to happen, at least in Halifax, on a large scale because of the religious affiliations of the schools that would be involved. Could a protestant school really absorb a catholic school like SMU without causing a public backlash? While we will have to wait to see if such arguments are brought forward, I really have a hard time imagining that this would ever be much of an issue in this secular age, particularly when most of the students attending these schools probably can't identify the religious groups with which the school was originally associated. Furthermore, are any of these religious groups really interested in putting up a fight, particularly if winning means permanent budget gridlock for the institution and lower quality education?
Anyway, I suspect these merger talks are a sign of things to come for post-secondary education in Nova Scotia and given the size of the industry here such talks will be of some importance to the province as a whole. I know I will definitely be paying attention as this plays out.
Yesterday was a pretty nice day
Yesterday afternoon I spent a little time outside while reading and decided to try to capture some of the cloud activity that was taking place.
[Embedded video]
I think that this actually turned out pretty well. I am actually a little surprised to see how well this turned out. Who knew that clouds move so much on days when it doesn't even appear to be windy?
[Embedded video]
I think that this actually turned out pretty well. I am actually a little surprised to see how well this turned out. Who knew that clouds move so much on days when it doesn't even appear to be windy?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Hits close to home
Several aspects of this video have happened to me - more than once.
[Embedded video]
In case you were curious, this was created by the baby monkey guy.
[Embedded video]
[Embedded video]
In case you were curious, this was created by the baby monkey guy.
[Embedded video]
It's hard to believe that this is real
I am not even entirely sure what to make of this, but it is definitely impressive.
[Embedded video]
I am curious how many more libraries will adopt similar storage and retrieval systems? Also, I am curious to know how much it cost to implement such a system.
[Embedded video]
I am curious how many more libraries will adopt similar storage and retrieval systems? Also, I am curious to know how much it cost to implement such a system.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Putting me to shame
What was possible in stop-motion video in 1977 at the NFB (a place not known for their huge budgets)
[Embedded video]
All I was capable of in 2011 (in an afternoon in my bedroom with no budget).
[Embedded video]
I feel a little embarrassed.
[Embedded video]
All I was capable of in 2011 (in an afternoon in my bedroom with no budget).
[Embedded video]
I feel a little embarrassed.
He talk-sings the hell out of the anthem
I am not inclined to call myself a big William Shatner fan, but I did find this pretty amusing for an NFB production (an attempt at humour).
[Embedded video]
[Embedded video]
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Contradictory information from the feds on alcohol?
A story that has received some attention recently is a BC man's attempt to draw attention to the impact the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act is having on small wineries in Canada. The law makes it impossible to for wineries to sell directly to out of province clients or even for those clients to purchase wine and then themselves transport it to another province.
The particularly problematic section of the law seems to be section 3. (1), which I might as well quote here in full:
I read this section to mean private citizens (among others) are prohibited from transporting alcohol across the national border as well as provincial borders. This national border aspect of the prohibition is an issue that hasn't really been raised in the coverage I have seen.
I find the absence of this discussion particularly surprising because I suspect that many residents of Canada as well as visitors to Canada have brought alcohol into the country with them, and I presume most of these people had no idea they were doing anything illegal.
My guess is that many people thought that what they were doing was fine because for years Canadian customs agents have been suggesting that it is fine to bring alcohol into the country. Actually, even now the CBSA website provides guidelines regarding how much alcohol one is allowed to bring into the country. Furthermore, it has at least been my experience that when one does bring alcohol into the country customs agents aren't particularly inclined to enforce or even mention the restrictions outlined in the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.
Anyway, if I am clearly missing something in my analysis please let me know otherwise I will have to remain convinced that CBSA is facilitating the the illegal importing of alcohol by private citizens and has been doing so for years.
The particularly problematic section of the law seems to be section 3. (1), which I might as well quote here in full:
Notwithstanding any other Act or law, no person shall import, send, take or transport, or cause to be imported, sent, taken or transported, into any province from or out of any place within or outside Canada any intoxicating liquor, except such as has been purchased by or on behalf of, and that is consigned to Her Majesty or the executive government of, the province into which it is being imported, sent, taken or transported, or any board, commission, officer or other governmental agency that, by the law of the province, is vested with the right of selling intoxicating liquor.
I read this section to mean private citizens (among others) are prohibited from transporting alcohol across the national border as well as provincial borders. This national border aspect of the prohibition is an issue that hasn't really been raised in the coverage I have seen.
I find the absence of this discussion particularly surprising because I suspect that many residents of Canada as well as visitors to Canada have brought alcohol into the country with them, and I presume most of these people had no idea they were doing anything illegal.
My guess is that many people thought that what they were doing was fine because for years Canadian customs agents have been suggesting that it is fine to bring alcohol into the country. Actually, even now the CBSA website provides guidelines regarding how much alcohol one is allowed to bring into the country. Furthermore, it has at least been my experience that when one does bring alcohol into the country customs agents aren't particularly inclined to enforce or even mention the restrictions outlined in the Importation of Intoxicating Liquors Act.
Anyway, if I am clearly missing something in my analysis please let me know otherwise I will have to remain convinced that CBSA is facilitating the the illegal importing of alcohol by private citizens and has been doing so for years.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Work around?
For much of this evening Blogger has been unable to accept new posts or comments. It seems that there are some issues that they are trying to resolve. As far as I can tell they have thus far been hesitant to suggest a time by which service will be restored.
Update: My 'work around' didn't really work - it was held up in the system until Blogger came back online.
Anyway, all of this means that I can't get my up to the minute stats that I am accustomed to checking periodically throughout most evenings. How am I supposed to get any work done if I can't confirm that we have had three pageviews in the past 2 hours?
I am curious if this post will even be posted as the system is supposed to be down (though I am trying to post it through an in-direct mechanism that I hope is still functional). Actually, testing this mechanism is my only real justification for this post.
Update: My 'work around' didn't really work - it was held up in the system until Blogger came back online.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Hopefully to clue things up
For better or worse I have recently been somewhat intrigued by the coverage and story of the recent election of Ruth Ellen Brosseau (though I realize that in the larger scheme of things this is really not a particularly important story). Actually, I suspect that I wouldn't have found this story the least bit intriguing had I not noticed that Ms. Brosseau's parliamentary profile lists her language preference as French even though it seems to be pretty widely accepted that she is more comfortable in English. (For a while I wondered if this profile might be modified to reflect reality but I now have the sense that 'French' is there to stay whether or not that is actually her preferred language.)
As a follow-up, and hopefully a conclusion, I thought I should provide a link to footage of an interview given by Ms. Brosseau earlier today. The public, and her constituents, should now have a slightly better sense of her ability to communicate in French. I leave it up to you to decide how capable a French speaker you think she is.
As a follow-up, and hopefully a conclusion, I thought I should provide a link to footage of an interview given by Ms. Brosseau earlier today. The public, and her constituents, should now have a slightly better sense of her ability to communicate in French. I leave it up to you to decide how capable a French speaker you think she is.
I'll never miss a hot viral vid again
A few days ago I happened to be browsing the Twitter when I noticed a re-tweet from one of the Google accounts that I follow. The tweet in question was originally a tweet from the YouTube Trends Twitter account. Eventually I was taken to a post about newly popular slo-mo videos. After watching a few of these videos (and a few others that I found through the first videos) I decided to subscribe to the blog via RSS and Google Reader.
Now I regularly get updates about trending/viral vids on YouTube as they are going viral or starting to trend. For instance, yesterday I received a notice that included a video of a key playing a banjo with his brothers.
[Embedded video]
Then today I noticed that Failblog's Win! blog re-posted the video. I was a full 12 hours ahead of Failblog in getting the news. I felt like a real web insider.
Of course I'm not just getting the inside scoop on hot new viral vids, but I am not also watching a few more viral vids than I might have a few days ago. Fortunately, I have been able to restrain myself to a fairly admirable extent, and most of the vids I have been watching have been at least fairly entertaining or informative - unlike the junky vids I was watching before I subscribed to this blog.
And in case you're curious, as far as I know none of my vids have been featured on this blog, presumably because none have hit yet (though I am surely just around the corner with a few of them).
Anyway, if you have to be the first kind on your block to have the inside scoop on hot YouTube vids the aforementioned blog is for you. Even if you don't have to be the first kid on your block to have all the new vids but are just someone who likes a good viral vid you also might find this website worthwhile.
Now I regularly get updates about trending/viral vids on YouTube as they are going viral or starting to trend. For instance, yesterday I received a notice that included a video of a key playing a banjo with his brothers.
[Embedded video]
Then today I noticed that Failblog's Win! blog re-posted the video. I was a full 12 hours ahead of Failblog in getting the news. I felt like a real web insider.
Of course I'm not just getting the inside scoop on hot new viral vids, but I am not also watching a few more viral vids than I might have a few days ago. Fortunately, I have been able to restrain myself to a fairly admirable extent, and most of the vids I have been watching have been at least fairly entertaining or informative - unlike the junky vids I was watching before I subscribed to this blog.
And in case you're curious, as far as I know none of my vids have been featured on this blog, presumably because none have hit yet (though I am surely just around the corner with a few of them).
Anyway, if you have to be the first kind on your block to have the inside scoop on hot YouTube vids the aforementioned blog is for you. Even if you don't have to be the first kid on your block to have all the new vids but are just someone who likes a good viral vid you also might find this website worthwhile.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Even more conflicting information about Ms. Brosseau
A few days ago I posted about the apparent disconnect between the newly elected Ms. Brosseau's reported language abilities and parliamentary language preference.
One might think that Ms. Brosseau has already dealt with enough media coverage, but it seems that she might be in for a fair bit more because reports are now coming out that the post-secondary experience reported on Ms. Brosseau's NDP profile page did not actually occur as claimed. It seems that the school in question has indicated that Ms. Brosseau did not complete the program that it has been claimed she completed. Drama.
Now it seems that the NDP profile been modified to reflect the claim of the school.
Anyway, while I can't say that I am glad to hear about this development I am quite pleased that CBC's reporting on the topic has at least resulted in a second picture of Ms. Brosseau. The overwhelming presence of the first photo was starting to become a little disconcerting. Was there only one picture of this woman? That being said, the new photo being used by the CBC has the same strange background. What's up with that?
Anyway, I am curious to see how much longer this story will manage to attract coverage. Mustn't there be more important stories for the parliamentary press corps to be following?
One might think that Ms. Brosseau has already dealt with enough media coverage, but it seems that she might be in for a fair bit more because reports are now coming out that the post-secondary experience reported on Ms. Brosseau's NDP profile page did not actually occur as claimed. It seems that the school in question has indicated that Ms. Brosseau did not complete the program that it has been claimed she completed. Drama.
Now it seems that the NDP profile been modified to reflect the claim of the school.
Anyway, while I can't say that I am glad to hear about this development I am quite pleased that CBC's reporting on the topic has at least resulted in a second picture of Ms. Brosseau. The overwhelming presence of the first photo was starting to become a little disconcerting. Was there only one picture of this woman? That being said, the new photo being used by the CBC has the same strange background. What's up with that?
Anyway, I am curious to see how much longer this story will manage to attract coverage. Mustn't there be more important stories for the parliamentary press corps to be following?
Friday, May 06, 2011
Conflicting information about Ms. Brosseau
Starting a few days before the final votes were cast in the recent Canadian election and now continuing past the election has been a media fascination for the then NDP candidate for Berthier--Maskinongé, Ruth Ellen Brosseau. At first it was noted that Ms. Brosseau had spent some portion of the campaign period on vacation in Las Vegas. More recently it has been reported that Ms. Brosseau did not even go to the riding to campaign during the election period.
Maybe the most contentious revelation, at least as far many Francophone residents Ms. Brosseau's district are concerned, is that Ms. Brosseau's French is so rusty and that she is currently being given a crash course in French through the aegis of the NDP and Thomas Mulcair (a prominent Quebec NDP MP).
Given the prominence of this revelation about Ms. Brosseau's level of competence in French I was a little surprised to see that on her parliamentary profile page her "language preference" is French - a language which even her party and father suggest she can't speak particularly well.
Since the disconnect between her parliamentary profile and publicly available information is quite prominent I included a screen shot in case the profile is updated to reflect her language abilities (we wouldn't want to lose this piece of information in the shuffle).
Oh, and I also love that there seems to be only one publicly available picture of this woman, and that it is being used by just about everybody. I wonder if she knew that her candidate profile photo would gain such attention and be so frequently used if she would have used the photo that she used?
Maybe the most contentious revelation, at least as far many Francophone residents Ms. Brosseau's district are concerned, is that Ms. Brosseau's French is so rusty and that she is currently being given a crash course in French through the aegis of the NDP and Thomas Mulcair (a prominent Quebec NDP MP).
Given the prominence of this revelation about Ms. Brosseau's level of competence in French I was a little surprised to see that on her parliamentary profile page her "language preference" is French - a language which even her party and father suggest she can't speak particularly well.
Since the disconnect between her parliamentary profile and publicly available information is quite prominent I included a screen shot in case the profile is updated to reflect her language abilities (we wouldn't want to lose this piece of information in the shuffle).
Oh, and I also love that there seems to be only one publicly available picture of this woman, and that it is being used by just about everybody. I wonder if she knew that her candidate profile photo would gain such attention and be so frequently used if she would have used the photo that she used?
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Making a Wooden Futon Frame
A few weeks ago I looked at my friend Peter's wooden futon frame and observed that the design was really quite simple. Actually, the design seemed so simple it seemed like something that I might be able to replicate with relative ease and only a few tools.
Of course as I haven't made much furniture my claim that I would be able to easily make a wooden futon frame was met with some hesitation and suspicion. Even my pricing of lumber and buying a mitre box and saw didn't seem to allay fears that at best this project would end with a pile of partially used lumber and stripped screws.
Through all of this doubt I remained firmly committed to the idea and confident of my abilities, even though I haven't done much woodworking since my Home Maintenance class in high school.
On Tuesday I finally got around to picking up the required materials: 3 2x4s, 8 1x4s, 1 1x2s, 50 screws, and 6 nut/bolt/washer sets.
That afternoon I laid things out as best I could without cutting any of the wood and did my best to picture how the item would come together. Without much hesitation I then started working on the project by cutting the 2x4s down to size and then drilling holes in them to allow me to use the nut/bolt/washer combos to create hinge effects.
The next major step was to attach the 1x4s to the 2x4 sections to create the areas on which the pad was to rest. As expected, this all went quite well.
Of course, as I didn't make any plans or take any measurements from Peter's futon I did eventually run up against a problem when I found that some of the 2x4 sections were to long to allow the frame to lie flat on the ground when in the bed position. To fix the problem I had to remove the 2x4s from the 1x4s and cut them before re-attaching them. (Considering that I didn't have any plans or specs I was pretty pleased that this relatively minor and easily rectified problem was the only real problem that I encountered.)
Once the fram was constructed I attached sections of 1x2 the 2x4s to hold the back of the frame in the couch position. The next, and last, step was to cut wedges in some of the 2x4s to act as resting places for the previously mentioned 1x2s so that the couch position could be maintained. And even though I had to make the cuts freehand they turned out remarkably similar to one another.
Anyway, feel free to check out the time-lapse video of the event. As you can see, the frame is really quite simple and easy to construct.
[Embedded video]
In case you are curious, it does feel pretty great to have made a functional piece of furniture. I presume this sense of accomplishment is similar to what knitters or sewers feel when they make a wearable piece of clothing from materials that originally seem completely unlike anything even remotely resembling clothing.
The only the the futon is still missing is a proper pad, though a fully functional/comfortable arrangement has been rigged up with a thing foam mattress and a think memory foam mattres pad.
Of course as I haven't made much furniture my claim that I would be able to easily make a wooden futon frame was met with some hesitation and suspicion. Even my pricing of lumber and buying a mitre box and saw didn't seem to allay fears that at best this project would end with a pile of partially used lumber and stripped screws.
Through all of this doubt I remained firmly committed to the idea and confident of my abilities, even though I haven't done much woodworking since my Home Maintenance class in high school.
On Tuesday I finally got around to picking up the required materials: 3 2x4s, 8 1x4s, 1 1x2s, 50 screws, and 6 nut/bolt/washer sets.
That afternoon I laid things out as best I could without cutting any of the wood and did my best to picture how the item would come together. Without much hesitation I then started working on the project by cutting the 2x4s down to size and then drilling holes in them to allow me to use the nut/bolt/washer combos to create hinge effects.
The next major step was to attach the 1x4s to the 2x4 sections to create the areas on which the pad was to rest. As expected, this all went quite well.
Of course, as I didn't make any plans or take any measurements from Peter's futon I did eventually run up against a problem when I found that some of the 2x4 sections were to long to allow the frame to lie flat on the ground when in the bed position. To fix the problem I had to remove the 2x4s from the 1x4s and cut them before re-attaching them. (Considering that I didn't have any plans or specs I was pretty pleased that this relatively minor and easily rectified problem was the only real problem that I encountered.)
Once the fram was constructed I attached sections of 1x2 the 2x4s to hold the back of the frame in the couch position. The next, and last, step was to cut wedges in some of the 2x4s to act as resting places for the previously mentioned 1x2s so that the couch position could be maintained. And even though I had to make the cuts freehand they turned out remarkably similar to one another.
Anyway, feel free to check out the time-lapse video of the event. As you can see, the frame is really quite simple and easy to construct.
[Embedded video]
In case you are curious, it does feel pretty great to have made a functional piece of furniture. I presume this sense of accomplishment is similar to what knitters or sewers feel when they make a wearable piece of clothing from materials that originally seem completely unlike anything even remotely resembling clothing.
The only the the futon is still missing is a proper pad, though a fully functional/comfortable arrangement has been rigged up with a thing foam mattress and a think memory foam mattres pad.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 537
-We are presently in the midst of another grey day in Halifax. Fortunately, at least so far today doesn't seem quite as rainy as yesterday was.
-Shortly after I woke up this morning I was sitting at my desk checking my email when I noticed a German shepherd-like dog walk past my window. A few moments later the dog was followed by his two police handlers. Though the dog was sniffing aggressively I got the sense that they didn't find whatever it was they were looking for.
-Apparently 'Steven' Harper is finally coming to Nova Scotia for a rally today. Of course because it is in Windsor instead of Halifax I won't even be able to consider attending, and I have no idea whether or not it will be open to the public or not - or if prospective attendees will have to register in advance and then be screened.
-There is a pretty good sale today at Strange Adventures in Halifax. I bought a copy of Power Grid and an expansion map.
-Shortly after I woke up this morning I was sitting at my desk checking my email when I noticed a German shepherd-like dog walk past my window. A few moments later the dog was followed by his two police handlers. Though the dog was sniffing aggressively I got the sense that they didn't find whatever it was they were looking for.
-Apparently 'Steven' Harper is finally coming to Nova Scotia for a rally today. Of course because it is in Windsor instead of Halifax I won't even be able to consider attending, and I have no idea whether or not it will be open to the public or not - or if prospective attendees will have to register in advance and then be screened.
-There is a pretty good sale today at Strange Adventures in Halifax. I bought a copy of Power Grid and an expansion map.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Campaign Literature Update
A few days ago I mentioned that we had not yet received any campaign literature.
It seems that yesterday may have marked a turning point as we received literature from three of the four candidates. Then today I noticed that our lobby has been again filled with literature from the Liberal and Conservative candidates. Perhaps not surprisingly, we have yet to receive any literature/flyers from the Green Party candidate.
Given that we have now received flyers for two days in a row I suspect that we may be in for another batch tomorrow, and then maybe even over the weekend.
What we still haven't received are either calls from pollsters or at-the-door visits from any of the campaigns. I am starting to hope that our recently acquired campaign flyers are a sign canvassing teams are just around the corner, though this is likely a little too optimistic a stance to take.
Campaign literature aside, I really don't have much of a sense of how the race in this riding is likely to turnout. Though this has long been an NDP riding and the current incumbent is NDP the Liberal candidate really seems to be pushing quite hard and may have more signs throughout the district (and we have certainly received more campaign literature from him). On the other hand, that the Green Party and Conservative candidates are unlikely to win does seem pretty clear, at least if numbers of signs is a good indicator of likelihood of winning.
It seems that yesterday may have marked a turning point as we received literature from three of the four candidates. Then today I noticed that our lobby has been again filled with literature from the Liberal and Conservative candidates. Perhaps not surprisingly, we have yet to receive any literature/flyers from the Green Party candidate.
Given that we have now received flyers for two days in a row I suspect that we may be in for another batch tomorrow, and then maybe even over the weekend.
What we still haven't received are either calls from pollsters or at-the-door visits from any of the campaigns. I am starting to hope that our recently acquired campaign flyers are a sign canvassing teams are just around the corner, though this is likely a little too optimistic a stance to take.
Campaign literature aside, I really don't have much of a sense of how the race in this riding is likely to turnout. Though this has long been an NDP riding and the current incumbent is NDP the Liberal candidate really seems to be pushing quite hard and may have more signs throughout the district (and we have certainly received more campaign literature from him). On the other hand, that the Green Party and Conservative candidates are unlikely to win does seem pretty clear, at least if numbers of signs is a good indicator of likelihood of winning.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Why haven't we been called?
While I am not intimately familiar with the sampling methods used by Canadian pollsters, I really would have imagined that give the volume of polling currently ongoing and give the fact that we have a listed number that we would have received calls for at least one poll by this point.
This amazes me because there is a lot of polling going on at the moment. My sense is that there are at least 4-5 publicly available national polls that come out every few days or so that typically have sample sizes of between 2000 and 3000 voters. Then there are the local/regional polls that are being conducted on a semi-regular basis. And finally we have the polls that are regularly being conducted by/for the 3/4 main political parties.
Given all of this calling (and the fact that non-responses necessitate more calling) how is is possible that we haven't been called at least once? The absence of calls almost makes it hard to believe that the reported volume of polling is actually taking place.
This amazes me because there is a lot of polling going on at the moment. My sense is that there are at least 4-5 publicly available national polls that come out every few days or so that typically have sample sizes of between 2000 and 3000 voters. Then there are the local/regional polls that are being conducted on a semi-regular basis. And finally we have the polls that are regularly being conducted by/for the 3/4 main political parties.
Given all of this calling (and the fact that non-responses necessitate more calling) how is is possible that we haven't been called at least once? The absence of calls almost makes it hard to believe that the reported volume of polling is actually taking place.
Don't look too closely, things might not be pretty
A few days ago Twitter was abuzz with complaints about Elections Canada advance polling staff not knowing many of the rules relating to acceptable forms of identification when voting. Sadly, I can't say that I was the least bit surprised that this was the case. Actually, I would have been more surprised if polling station employees had known all of the rules and had applied them properly.
I say this for two related reasons. Firstly, a few years ago my father and brother had the pleasure of working as scrutineers for a friend who was a candidate and were able to witness first hand the many errors made by polling station staff. Secondly, just a few days ago a friend of mine who will be working at a polling station for election described the training he received and the conditions under which he would be work, and lets just say that both are less than ideal.
One thing that my father, brother, and friend pointed out is that polling station employees have to put in brutally long days before they even get around to counting the votes. According to my friend, not only do the same two polling station attendees have to guard/watch the same ballot box from the time polling starts to the time it ends, they also don't get a break and need to shut down their box any time anyone needs to step away from the polling station (like when someone goes to the bathroom).
So then after already putting in a 12 or 13 hour work day these same polling station workers finally get down to counting the votes and filling out the associated forms. According to my father and brother the polling station attendants they worked with weren't particularly good at filling out these forms and sometimes didn't do it accurately. And why would they be familiar with these forms - many of them haven't filled in these forms before and those who have wouldn't have done it since the preceding election (which, in this case, was now three years ago). Of course, there are also issues relating adding and counting that could crop up under close scrutiny (so one hopes that there are scrupulous scrutineers).
Oh, and did you know how much training polling station employees have? According to my friend he received 3 hours of training. That's right, just a single three hour training session. He also suggested it wasn't a particularly effective 3 hour training session. I should note that one of the things my friend said he did learn was that in cases where the records would indicate that someone has voted but the voter claims they have not the polling station attendant is supposed to allow them to vote.
So of course given the limited training provided and that polling station employees are not overly familiar with the proper procedures and protocol and then when you throw fatigue into the mix does it surprise anyone that there are polling station employees making mistakes?
I guess I find it funny that so much time and effort has gone into policing campaign expenditures and donations yet relatively little effort seems to have been placed on ensuring that the actual voting process/vote counting process is not amenable to error or manipulation. And such issues will be come all the more important in cases where there are close races when a handful of votes actually makes a difference one way or the other.
I say this for two related reasons. Firstly, a few years ago my father and brother had the pleasure of working as scrutineers for a friend who was a candidate and were able to witness first hand the many errors made by polling station staff. Secondly, just a few days ago a friend of mine who will be working at a polling station for election described the training he received and the conditions under which he would be work, and lets just say that both are less than ideal.
One thing that my father, brother, and friend pointed out is that polling station employees have to put in brutally long days before they even get around to counting the votes. According to my friend, not only do the same two polling station attendees have to guard/watch the same ballot box from the time polling starts to the time it ends, they also don't get a break and need to shut down their box any time anyone needs to step away from the polling station (like when someone goes to the bathroom).
So then after already putting in a 12 or 13 hour work day these same polling station workers finally get down to counting the votes and filling out the associated forms. According to my father and brother the polling station attendants they worked with weren't particularly good at filling out these forms and sometimes didn't do it accurately. And why would they be familiar with these forms - many of them haven't filled in these forms before and those who have wouldn't have done it since the preceding election (which, in this case, was now three years ago). Of course, there are also issues relating adding and counting that could crop up under close scrutiny (so one hopes that there are scrupulous scrutineers).
Oh, and did you know how much training polling station employees have? According to my friend he received 3 hours of training. That's right, just a single three hour training session. He also suggested it wasn't a particularly effective 3 hour training session. I should note that one of the things my friend said he did learn was that in cases where the records would indicate that someone has voted but the voter claims they have not the polling station attendant is supposed to allow them to vote.
So of course given the limited training provided and that polling station employees are not overly familiar with the proper procedures and protocol and then when you throw fatigue into the mix does it surprise anyone that there are polling station employees making mistakes?
I guess I find it funny that so much time and effort has gone into policing campaign expenditures and donations yet relatively little effort seems to have been placed on ensuring that the actual voting process/vote counting process is not amenable to error or manipulation. And such issues will be come all the more important in cases where there are close races when a handful of votes actually makes a difference one way or the other.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Advance polling numbers from Election Canada
Elections Canada just released preliminary numbers on this past weekend's advance polling. It seems that close to 500 000 more people than in 2008 voted during the advance polling period (and this count doesn't include the number of special ballots that have been cast) bringing the total advance polling votes to just over 2 million.
Given that the advance polling period took place on a holiday weekend I am not sure how much of this 34.5% bump in turnout is really indicative of an overall increase in turnout, though I guess I would be a little surprised if we saw as low a rate of turnout as we saw in 2008.
The eventual overall turnout aside, I think that these advance polling numbers certainly don't pose a serious threat to the argument that holding the primary polling day on a non-working day might improve turnout/participation.
Oh, if 2008 is used as an indicator of turnout, the advance polling numbers might mean that upwards of 1/7 of the total number of votes have already been cast. I guess now I am curious to know if any polls have been conducted to figure out how these 2 million voters voted.
I should also note that I am quite pleased with Elections Canada for releasing these numbers so quickly.
Given that the advance polling period took place on a holiday weekend I am not sure how much of this 34.5% bump in turnout is really indicative of an overall increase in turnout, though I guess I would be a little surprised if we saw as low a rate of turnout as we saw in 2008.
The eventual overall turnout aside, I think that these advance polling numbers certainly don't pose a serious threat to the argument that holding the primary polling day on a non-working day might improve turnout/participation.
Oh, if 2008 is used as an indicator of turnout, the advance polling numbers might mean that upwards of 1/7 of the total number of votes have already been cast. I guess now I am curious to know if any polls have been conducted to figure out how these 2 million voters voted.
I should also note that I am quite pleased with Elections Canada for releasing these numbers so quickly.
Campaign Literature
We are now exactly one week from the end of this campaign period and our apartment has still not received a single piece of campaign literature or a visit from any of the local campaigns. How can this be? Are none of the parties interested in our votes/feedback?
I have also noticed that I have only seen any of this district's candidates at the various leaders' events that I have attended this campaign period. That being said, these events have provided me with opportunities to see all candidates from the major parties with the exception of the Conservative - an individual that I still haven't laid eyes on.
On a related note, just recently I realized that I don't think that Harper and the Conservatives have yet had a major campaign rally in Halifax or Nova Scotia. I have to imagine that the last week of the campaign won't be when they decided to dial up their efforts in Halifax.
Anyway, all of this to say that I don't think that it would be fair to say that Halifax has really been a battleground area this time around. I guess depending on how well the NDP do in this election this area may be a little bit more of a key area in the next election.
I have also noticed that I have only seen any of this district's candidates at the various leaders' events that I have attended this campaign period. That being said, these events have provided me with opportunities to see all candidates from the major parties with the exception of the Conservative - an individual that I still haven't laid eyes on.
On a related note, just recently I realized that I don't think that Harper and the Conservatives have yet had a major campaign rally in Halifax or Nova Scotia. I have to imagine that the last week of the campaign won't be when they decided to dial up their efforts in Halifax.
Anyway, all of this to say that I don't think that it would be fair to say that Halifax has really been a battleground area this time around. I guess depending on how well the NDP do in this election this area may be a little bit more of a key area in the next election.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Update
This morning we all woke up to find that the Easter Bunny did in fact manage to find us and provide us with unhealthy treats. So far I have only managed to eat a single Kinder egg, it definitely seems like more than enough candy for one day (I have no idea how I will manage to consume the treats still in my basket).
Shortly after examining our baskets and playing our Easter Bingo scratch cards we moved to our holiday morning breakfast, which seems to have been enjoyed by all.
Almost immediately after breakfast I started preparing food for tonight's meal/feast. Part way through the process I realized that I was missing a key ingredient. Fortunately we were able to get the missing ingredient from a friend/neighbour/guest so everything should be as expected for the meal.
Almost as soon as I started working on the food Neil undertook an apartment-wide cleaning mission assigned to him by Rebecca. I have to say, things are looking pretty good a few hours in.
Now that most of the good is ready and the apartment cleaning almost complete I finally have the chance to sit down and use my computer for an extended period (meaning long enough to make this post). What I should probably be doing with this time instead of posting is studying, so I guess that is what I will do as soon as I complete this post.
Shortly after examining our baskets and playing our Easter Bingo scratch cards we moved to our holiday morning breakfast, which seems to have been enjoyed by all.
Almost immediately after breakfast I started preparing food for tonight's meal/feast. Part way through the process I realized that I was missing a key ingredient. Fortunately we were able to get the missing ingredient from a friend/neighbour/guest so everything should be as expected for the meal.
Almost as soon as I started working on the food Neil undertook an apartment-wide cleaning mission assigned to him by Rebecca. I have to say, things are looking pretty good a few hours in.
Now that most of the good is ready and the apartment cleaning almost complete I finally have the chance to sit down and use my computer for an extended period (meaning long enough to make this post). What I should probably be doing with this time instead of posting is studying, so I guess that is what I will do as soon as I complete this post.
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 536
-Today turned out to be a pretty nice day. I guess it was fitting for Earth Day.
-Today,for the first time in quite a while, I took an afternoon nap - it was great.
-I made some chili for dinner tonight.
-As Easter is fast approaching I will soon need to start work on my Easter bread baking project. As things stand right now I will likely be taking care of most of this baking tomorrow afternoon or evening.
-Today was an advance polling day in the current Canadian election. Based on polling station reports from Neil and Rebecca and comments I have seen on Twitter I get the sense that these events were well attended. Actually, I am curious if we will ever see exactly how many people voted this way and if the numbers were higher than in past years when the advance polling day happened on a not-holiday.
-Actually, the more I think about it the more I think that voting day should be a holiday/non-work day. Such a change might also provide Canada Post of being a little more useful in terms of collecting special ballots on the final day of the election.
-Today,for the first time in quite a while, I took an afternoon nap - it was great.
-I made some chili for dinner tonight.
-As Easter is fast approaching I will soon need to start work on my Easter bread baking project. As things stand right now I will likely be taking care of most of this baking tomorrow afternoon or evening.
-Today was an advance polling day in the current Canadian election. Based on polling station reports from Neil and Rebecca and comments I have seen on Twitter I get the sense that these events were well attended. Actually, I am curious if we will ever see exactly how many people voted this way and if the numbers were higher than in past years when the advance polling day happened on a not-holiday.
-Actually, the more I think about it the more I think that voting day should be a holiday/non-work day. Such a change might also provide Canada Post of being a little more useful in terms of collecting special ballots on the final day of the election.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Internet coverage of election night
It seems that just recently some members of the media, including former member of Moxy Fruvous and current CBC broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi, have just recently figured out that tweeting about elections results before all of the polls have closed is prohibited by the Canada Elections Act.
The most important section of this act seems to be s. 329, which would appear to pretty clearly prohibit such behaviour.
I guess what I find a little strange about this coming up now, especially coming from CBC employees, is that television and radio broadcasts produced by their employer have had staged broadcast coverage for years precisely because of this clause. Did they fail to notice this fact during their coverage of the last election?
That being said, I think it is pretty clear that this section of the law was written without the understanding that it would restrict millions of people from engaging in everyday social media behaviour. Furthermore, given that it is almost impossible to expect 100% compliance with this law might it not make a little more sense to find a way of modifying the law so that loopholes/non-compliance don't negatively impact those who do comply with the prohibition?
The most important section of this act seems to be s. 329, which would appear to pretty clearly prohibit such behaviour.
329. No person shall transmit the result or purported result of the vote in an electoral district to the public in another electoral district before the close of all of the polling stations in that other electoral district.
I guess what I find a little strange about this coming up now, especially coming from CBC employees, is that television and radio broadcasts produced by their employer have had staged broadcast coverage for years precisely because of this clause. Did they fail to notice this fact during their coverage of the last election?
That being said, I think it is pretty clear that this section of the law was written without the understanding that it would restrict millions of people from engaging in everyday social media behaviour. Furthermore, given that it is almost impossible to expect 100% compliance with this law might it not make a little more sense to find a way of modifying the law so that loopholes/non-compliance don't negatively impact those who do comply with the prohibition?
A Few Quick Notes 535
-We had the pleasure of watching rain fall for most of the day today. Apparently we may have a thunderstorm tonight.
-On Monday Jeannette and I finally got around to trading our Newfoundland drivers' licenses in for Nova Scotia licenses. After a little searching online I was able to learn that students in Nova Scotia are able to exchange their out-of-province licenses for Nova Scotia licenses for a reduced fee. Of course, when I called Access Nova Scotia to figure out the documents I would need to bring with me the person I spoke to was completely unfamiliar with the option. Only after he went to the section of the website with the pertinent details did he believe me that this was an option. Soon after we arrived at the Access Nova Scotia location in Dartmouth we learned that a number of the staff working the service counters were also unfamiliar with the option (which was $50 cheaper than the next cheapest option). Fortunately, after communicating with their supervisors the desk workers were able to provide us with the licenses we requested.
I was really amazed that so many Access Nova Scotia employees would be unfamiliar with this option, particularly given the number of students currently residing in Nova Scotia.
-We had some barbecued burgers for dinner tonight. I made some buns to accompany the burgers.
-Another Bruce Carson story hit today. This story suggests that at least one person in the Prime Minister's office raised a few ethics concerns relating to Carson over the past few years. I also got the sense that a few of the letters mentioned in this story may have been released and might be available in the near future. In many ways I am surprised that this story hasn't caused more of a splash than it has.
-On Monday Jeannette and I finally got around to trading our Newfoundland drivers' licenses in for Nova Scotia licenses. After a little searching online I was able to learn that students in Nova Scotia are able to exchange their out-of-province licenses for Nova Scotia licenses for a reduced fee. Of course, when I called Access Nova Scotia to figure out the documents I would need to bring with me the person I spoke to was completely unfamiliar with the option. Only after he went to the section of the website with the pertinent details did he believe me that this was an option. Soon after we arrived at the Access Nova Scotia location in Dartmouth we learned that a number of the staff working the service counters were also unfamiliar with the option (which was $50 cheaper than the next cheapest option). Fortunately, after communicating with their supervisors the desk workers were able to provide us with the licenses we requested.
I was really amazed that so many Access Nova Scotia employees would be unfamiliar with this option, particularly given the number of students currently residing in Nova Scotia.
-We had some barbecued burgers for dinner tonight. I made some buns to accompany the burgers.
-Another Bruce Carson story hit today. This story suggests that at least one person in the Prime Minister's office raised a few ethics concerns relating to Carson over the past few years. I also got the sense that a few of the letters mentioned in this story may have been released and might be available in the near future. In many ways I am surprised that this story hasn't caused more of a splash than it has.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Hitting the big time (again) with my hot vids
Moments ago I received a request from CPAC to re-post my video of the recent Green Party rally with Elizabeth May. Not surprisingly, I agreed to allow them to re-post the video. Hopefully in the near future I will be able to post a link to the new home of this video.
[Embedded video]
Amazingly, particularly given the (low) quality of most of my YouTube videos, this isn't the first time I have had interest in my videos from deep cable channels. As some of you may recall, a few years ago I licensed some of my YouTube vides of the Montreal hockey riots to the reality TV show Most Shocking.
[Embedded video]
Every time things like this happen I feel a little more legit and a little more like a citizen journalist. Of course every time I post about going to the grocery store and buying butter or doing my laundry I feel a little bit less like a citizen reporter and more like a person just filling space to make Montifax look like an active blog.
[Embedded video]
Amazingly, particularly given the (low) quality of most of my YouTube videos, this isn't the first time I have had interest in my videos from deep cable channels. As some of you may recall, a few years ago I licensed some of my YouTube vides of the Montreal hockey riots to the reality TV show Most Shocking.
[Embedded video]
Every time things like this happen I feel a little more legit and a little more like a citizen journalist. Of course every time I post about going to the grocery store and buying butter or doing my laundry I feel a little bit less like a citizen reporter and more like a person just filling space to make Montifax look like an active blog.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
This 'vote mob' thing has gone a little too far
A few weeks ago some University of Guelph students engaged in pseudo-protest/public action that they called a vote mob. As far as I can tell their action involved them standing across from a Harper/Conservative event and indicating that they, as youth, planned on voting in this election.
Since this time the 'idea' has spread across the country and other university groups have tried to engage in similar behaviours. A few days ago CBC reported on 'similar' activities that had taken place throughout the Maritimes. Then just today I saw that MUNSU has posted a video of their attempted 'vote mob.'
Since first hearing about the concept I have been a little unclear about exactly what these actions were hoping to achieve. Now, as the idea travels further and further from the originators, the connection to a goal related to voting seems increasingly unclear. For instance, what is the MUNSU thing supposed to do? If anything I suspect that a video that shows a 'vote mob' of about 30 (if that) in an otherwise empty university campus might actually confirm that youth really aren't that engaged in voting. One would think that if students were engaged in voting and the whole 'vote mob' idea Atlantic Canada's largest university could pull enough attendees to at least fill a regular classroom.
So as much as flash mobs social networking based protesting are all the rage right now I think that the Canadian university student community might actually be better off if they just forgot about the whole 'vote mob' thing for the time being, or at least until they can figure what it means or how to actually get mass participation (and this participation problem may be tied to the first problem). As it stands right now, I can't help but feel a little embarrassed for the members of these vote mobs.
Since this time the 'idea' has spread across the country and other university groups have tried to engage in similar behaviours. A few days ago CBC reported on 'similar' activities that had taken place throughout the Maritimes. Then just today I saw that MUNSU has posted a video of their attempted 'vote mob.'
Since first hearing about the concept I have been a little unclear about exactly what these actions were hoping to achieve. Now, as the idea travels further and further from the originators, the connection to a goal related to voting seems increasingly unclear. For instance, what is the MUNSU thing supposed to do? If anything I suspect that a video that shows a 'vote mob' of about 30 (if that) in an otherwise empty university campus might actually confirm that youth really aren't that engaged in voting. One would think that if students were engaged in voting and the whole 'vote mob' idea Atlantic Canada's largest university could pull enough attendees to at least fill a regular classroom.
So as much as flash mobs social networking based protesting are all the rage right now I think that the Canadian university student community might actually be better off if they just forgot about the whole 'vote mob' thing for the time being, or at least until they can figure what it means or how to actually get mass participation (and this participation problem may be tied to the first problem). As it stands right now, I can't help but feel a little embarrassed for the members of these vote mobs.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Democracy in Action
As I believe I recently mentioned, on Friday I got around to casting my special ballot.
As you can see, it was a pretty special moment.
[Embedded video]
I just hope it makes it to Ottawa in time to be counted.
As you can see, it was a pretty special moment.
[Embedded video]
I just hope it makes it to Ottawa in time to be counted.
Campaign Event Recap 3
As I mentioned a few minutes ago, Jeannette, Neil, and I (along with our friend Andrew) decided to head to the Halifax farmer's market to try and see Jack Layton.
Almost as soon as we arrived on the premises of the market we observed signs that suggested we may have missed the big event. Most notably, reporters and people with NDP lanyards were streaming out of the building. Once we made it inside we did manage to spot the remnants of the event, including some of the partially packed equipment and local candidate/MP Megan Leslie.
I just realized that I didn't see anyone handing out literature. I don't think that I even so any evidence that any one had been handing out literature. And mention of the event seems to be absent from most of the relevant NDP Twitter feeds. I guess they were going for stealth this morning? It is unclear to me why they would try to sneak in and out of downtown Halifax, an NDP district, without letting anyone (aside from the media) know in advance.
As close as we came to actually seeing Jack Layton was walking by his campaign bus as we entered the farmer's market.
By the time we left the market the bus had pulled out and was nowhere to be seen.
Almost as soon as we arrived on the premises of the market we observed signs that suggested we may have missed the big event. Most notably, reporters and people with NDP lanyards were streaming out of the building. Once we made it inside we did manage to spot the remnants of the event, including some of the partially packed equipment and local candidate/MP Megan Leslie.
I just realized that I didn't see anyone handing out literature. I don't think that I even so any evidence that any one had been handing out literature. And mention of the event seems to be absent from most of the relevant NDP Twitter feeds. I guess they were going for stealth this morning? It is unclear to me why they would try to sneak in and out of downtown Halifax, an NDP district, without letting anyone (aside from the media) know in advance.
As close as we came to actually seeing Jack Layton was walking by his campaign bus as we entered the farmer's market.
By the time we left the market the bus had pulled out and was nowhere to be seen.
Campaign Events 3
Word on the tweet is that Jack Layton is at the local farmer's market at the moment. We are thinking about heading over so that we can complete the set - Opposition Leaders who aren't Gilles Duceppe.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 534
-I think today might have been overcast with a few sunny periods, but the more I think about it the more that I really don't remember much of today's weather. I guess I was paying attention to other things.
-Last night Neil, Rebecca, Jeannette, and I tried to go to a local restaurant to take advantage of a Groupon that I purchased a few weeks ago. Much to our surprise, the place was absolutely packed. I guess the fact that it was about 6:00 PM on a beautiful Friday evening may have had something to do with it. (Somehow all of us forgot to piece together that it was Friday evening and that Friday evening might be a particularly busy time.) We eventually decided that we weren't wiling to wait such a long time for a table in a restaurant that would likely still be overfilled when we got the table.
-For breakfast/brunch this morning I made a loaf of bread. It seems that I am getting a fair bit better at judging the volumes required for a single loaf of bread. This is good, as sometimes it is a good move to make a single loaf instead of a half-dozen loaves.
-As expected, Dal's tuition will be going up for next year. I am still of the opinion that the province may be shooting itself in the foot by allowing this to happen, but obviously they feel differently. I guess time will tell - but I think that they really can't risk driving away too many more young people given their already lopsided demographic balance.
-Just moments ago I finished some grading that I have been working on for the past two days. On both days I really put in a few good hours. Though these days were not particularly pleasant, that I have finished means that I should be able to promptly get back to studying.
-The Lounge Lizards are great. I really don't listen to them quite enough.
-Last night Neil, Rebecca, Jeannette, and I tried to go to a local restaurant to take advantage of a Groupon that I purchased a few weeks ago. Much to our surprise, the place was absolutely packed. I guess the fact that it was about 6:00 PM on a beautiful Friday evening may have had something to do with it. (Somehow all of us forgot to piece together that it was Friday evening and that Friday evening might be a particularly busy time.) We eventually decided that we weren't wiling to wait such a long time for a table in a restaurant that would likely still be overfilled when we got the table.
-For breakfast/brunch this morning I made a loaf of bread. It seems that I am getting a fair bit better at judging the volumes required for a single loaf of bread. This is good, as sometimes it is a good move to make a single loaf instead of a half-dozen loaves.
-As expected, Dal's tuition will be going up for next year. I am still of the opinion that the province may be shooting itself in the foot by allowing this to happen, but obviously they feel differently. I guess time will tell - but I think that they really can't risk driving away too many more young people given their already lopsided demographic balance.
-Just moments ago I finished some grading that I have been working on for the past two days. On both days I really put in a few good hours. Though these days were not particularly pleasant, that I have finished means that I should be able to promptly get back to studying.
-The Lounge Lizards are great. I really don't listen to them quite enough.
Friday, April 15, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 533
-Today was a beautiful, though chilly, day.
-I am now up to 6 for 34 in this year's RUTRTW. I suspect that my last cup, which was a winner, will be my final cup for the the year, so, amazingly, I think I came in a little better than expected by the end.
-Yesterday Jeannette and I were walking downtown when we were handed Porter promotional items. Upon closer inspection we learned that what we had been handed were unassembled balsa planes. Today I decided to assemble my plane.
[Embedded video]
-I have been doing a fair bit of grading today, I guess if I want to reach my daily goal I should head back to my stack of exams.
-I am now up to 6 for 34 in this year's RUTRTW. I suspect that my last cup, which was a winner, will be my final cup for the the year, so, amazingly, I think I came in a little better than expected by the end.
-Yesterday Jeannette and I were walking downtown when we were handed Porter promotional items. Upon closer inspection we learned that what we had been handed were unassembled balsa planes. Today I decided to assemble my plane.
[Embedded video]
-I have been doing a fair bit of grading today, I guess if I want to reach my daily goal I should head back to my stack of exams.
I am no longer with Ballot
Earlier this evening I finally got around to placing my completed special ballot in the mail. Hopefully it will arrive in Ottawa in the next few days.
I am glad that my special ballot wasn't caught up in the same kind of stink that some special at the University of Guelph were earlier today. Later in the day Elections Canada confirmed that the votes that had been cast through the contested process will stand and that similar practices will be discontinued for the duration of the election.
I am glad that my special ballot wasn't caught up in the same kind of stink that some special at the University of Guelph were earlier today. Later in the day Elections Canada confirmed that the votes that had been cast through the contested process will stand and that similar practices will be discontinued for the duration of the election.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
I am now with Ballot
Just in times for the debates my special ballot arrived. Who knows, maybe I will cast it immediately after the debate.
How classy.
How underwhelming?
And I have to provide my old writing utensil.
How classy.
How underwhelming?
And I have to provide my old writing utensil.
A Few Quick Notes 532
-As predicted, today was definitely a less than ideal day. While today was not rainy from beginning to end, it was overcast all day.
-It seems that both Jeannette and I had our headphones break on us recently. These developments necessitated a trip to a store where we each purchased replacement sets. The only upside seems to be that we both have slightly newer headphones (and in my case a set that seem to fit a little better).
-I made a satisfying, vegetable-heavy batch of chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight. Now that the leftover noodles have expanded it seems that we have more than we did after dinner.
-Though I haven't completely given up following online election coverage, I have had to dial back the time I spend following the up to the minute developments on Twitter. I just can't afford to spend 5 hours a day watching tweets flow in.
-Developments that I did manage to spend a few minutes following today related to the Auditor General. The first development of the day was a Canadian Press story releasing details in a leaked draft version of a report that makes it look as though the government may have broken the law when it came to spending related to the recent G8/G20 preparations. The second development, which hit a few hours later, had to do with Conservative MPs using an old quote from the Auditor General out of context to make it look as though she was saying something complementary about the Conservative government though she had actually been talking about the previous Liberal government. All in all, it doesn't sound as though it was a particularly good day for the Conservative party.
-Yesterday I should have mentioned that Jeannette helped out with our haircuts. Jeannette helped buff out noticeable lines that we had each given other.
-It seems that both Jeannette and I had our headphones break on us recently. These developments necessitated a trip to a store where we each purchased replacement sets. The only upside seems to be that we both have slightly newer headphones (and in my case a set that seem to fit a little better).
-I made a satisfying, vegetable-heavy batch of chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight. Now that the leftover noodles have expanded it seems that we have more than we did after dinner.
-Though I haven't completely given up following online election coverage, I have had to dial back the time I spend following the up to the minute developments on Twitter. I just can't afford to spend 5 hours a day watching tweets flow in.
-Developments that I did manage to spend a few minutes following today related to the Auditor General. The first development of the day was a Canadian Press story releasing details in a leaked draft version of a report that makes it look as though the government may have broken the law when it came to spending related to the recent G8/G20 preparations. The second development, which hit a few hours later, had to do with Conservative MPs using an old quote from the Auditor General out of context to make it look as though she was saying something complementary about the Conservative government though she had actually been talking about the previous Liberal government. All in all, it doesn't sound as though it was a particularly good day for the Conservative party.
-Yesterday I should have mentioned that Jeannette helped out with our haircuts. Jeannette helped buff out noticeable lines that we had each given other.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 531
-We had the pleasure of having another beautiful day today. It seems that the first part of this week isn't supposed to be quite as nice as this weekend was.
-I am now 5 for 33 for this year's RUTRTW contest. Maybe not surprisingly, all of the 5 prizes have been been free coffees.
-This weekend I was again able to take advantage of the fact that our building has not yet increased the laundry prices as promised. I am quite happy that the promised price increase has not yet been implemented, though this impending doom of the price change is a little nerve-wracking.
-A few days ago it became clear that one of the two local grocery stores has stopped carrying pate. This seems a strange development as they had been carrying a number of varieties until a few weeks ago and because the other store is continuing to carry a number of varieties. What I can't figure out is why this change would have happened at this particular moment in time.
-A few days ago I saw a CBC story about a local sexual assault that had a pretty distrubing line.
How is it that similar attacks have happened to the same woman three times?
-Gilles Duceppe seems to have requested a time change for the French language debate from Thursday to Wednesday because of a scheduling conflict - with a NHL hockey game.
Though I get the sense that at least a few of the other parties aren't opposed to such a change, I haven't heard if the change will actually be approved.
Update: Neil just informed me that the debate has in fact been changed and will now be taking place on Wednesday.
-Neil and I traded haircuts this afternoon.
-I am now 5 for 33 for this year's RUTRTW contest. Maybe not surprisingly, all of the 5 prizes have been been free coffees.
-This weekend I was again able to take advantage of the fact that our building has not yet increased the laundry prices as promised. I am quite happy that the promised price increase has not yet been implemented, though this impending doom of the price change is a little nerve-wracking.
-A few days ago it became clear that one of the two local grocery stores has stopped carrying pate. This seems a strange development as they had been carrying a number of varieties until a few weeks ago and because the other store is continuing to carry a number of varieties. What I can't figure out is why this change would have happened at this particular moment in time.
-A few days ago I saw a CBC story about a local sexual assault that had a pretty distrubing line.
The woman told police she recognized him as the same stranger who had touched her three times previously in similar incidents.
How is it that similar attacks have happened to the same woman three times?
-Gilles Duceppe seems to have requested a time change for the French language debate from Thursday to Wednesday because of a scheduling conflict - with a NHL hockey game.
Though I get the sense that at least a few of the other parties aren't opposed to such a change, I haven't heard if the change will actually be approved.
Update: Neil just informed me that the debate has in fact been changed and will now be taking place on Wednesday.
-Neil and I traded haircuts this afternoon.
Saturday, April 09, 2011
Campaign Event Recap 2 (update)
First off, sadly, it seems that that my Elizabeth May rally video is attracting quite as many viewers in its early hours as my Ignatieff video of a week ago did.
Secondly, while at the rally I noticed quite a number of media types, including Global, CTV, CBC, and Canadian Press cameramen (and they were all men) and several additional reporters. I should be clear that I did see at least one CBC reporter and at least one CBC cameraman. Given these sightings I was a little surprised to see that the story about the rally that CBC has on their website is from the Canadian Press. If they are just going to re-post content from the Canadian press I don't quite understand why they would even send reporters to such an event. This practice seems a little wasteful to me (particularly when my sense is that the Canadian Press had only one guy there instead of two).
I guess that's it for now.
Secondly, while at the rally I noticed quite a number of media types, including Global, CTV, CBC, and Canadian Press cameramen (and they were all men) and several additional reporters. I should be clear that I did see at least one CBC reporter and at least one CBC cameraman. Given these sightings I was a little surprised to see that the story about the rally that CBC has on their website is from the Canadian Press. If they are just going to re-post content from the Canadian press I don't quite understand why they would even send reporters to such an event. This practice seems a little wasteful to me (particularly when my sense is that the Canadian Press had only one guy there instead of two).
I guess that's it for now.
Campaign Event Recap 2
As I mentioned earlier today, Neil and I were thinking about going to the Green Party's Halifax 'Rally for Democracy' to see what Elizabeth May had to say. As planned, we did manage to make it to the event.
Much to my surprise, the event was actually quite well attended. On stage May suggested that it may have been the largest election event to have yet taken place in Halifax this campaign. While this may be true, I think that the Liberal event last weekend may have given this event a run for its money.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the event we spotted May. She appeared to be giving an interview to a TV-based media outlet. This interview seemed to go on for quite some time, much longer than I might have expected.
While this aforementioned interview was ongoing a banjo player was entertaining the masses.
This guy played for quite a while. It was really a nice touch. Actually, shortly after listening to the music for a while I realized that something like this was missing from the Liberal rally, and they really should had someone providing a little bit of pre-rally entertainment to keep the crowd up-beat and motivated for the talks to come. Though a small, gesture, having this performance was really great.
Eventually, a few speakers came to the stage to talk about the Green Party and issues that they have been facing. I think the third speaker was the candidate in our Halifax riding, Michael Dewar. Dewar gave a full-bodied address and was quite a bit more animated that the other speakers.
After speaking for a few minutes Dewar introduced May, who, as promised, spoke primarily about issues relating to Canadian democracy and the upcoming televised debates instead of traditional Green Party topics (though a few references to such issues did slip in).
[Embedded video]
I was particularly pleased to hear a few of her comments about the role the media has been playing in this election and that they have been complicit in facilitating some of the questionable practices of parties when it comes to having overly controlled campaign events. Sadly, as she noted, this isn't an issue that is likely to get much play in the national media.
Anyway, though the rally wasn't quite over, we decided to leave shortly after May finished speaking.
Much to my surprise, the event was actually quite well attended. On stage May suggested that it may have been the largest election event to have yet taken place in Halifax this campaign. While this may be true, I think that the Liberal event last weekend may have given this event a run for its money.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the event we spotted May. She appeared to be giving an interview to a TV-based media outlet. This interview seemed to go on for quite some time, much longer than I might have expected.
While this aforementioned interview was ongoing a banjo player was entertaining the masses.
This guy played for quite a while. It was really a nice touch. Actually, shortly after listening to the music for a while I realized that something like this was missing from the Liberal rally, and they really should had someone providing a little bit of pre-rally entertainment to keep the crowd up-beat and motivated for the talks to come. Though a small, gesture, having this performance was really great.
Eventually, a few speakers came to the stage to talk about the Green Party and issues that they have been facing. I think the third speaker was the candidate in our Halifax riding, Michael Dewar. Dewar gave a full-bodied address and was quite a bit more animated that the other speakers.
After speaking for a few minutes Dewar introduced May, who, as promised, spoke primarily about issues relating to Canadian democracy and the upcoming televised debates instead of traditional Green Party topics (though a few references to such issues did slip in).
[Embedded video]
I was particularly pleased to hear a few of her comments about the role the media has been playing in this election and that they have been complicit in facilitating some of the questionable practices of parties when it comes to having overly controlled campaign events. Sadly, as she noted, this isn't an issue that is likely to get much play in the national media.
Anyway, though the rally wasn't quite over, we decided to leave shortly after May finished speaking.
A Few Quick Notes 530
-Today has been pretty beautiful so far, though the forecast is for things to take a turn for the worse later this afternoon.
-I am currently in the midst of drinking what may be my last RUTRTW for the season. I wonder if it will be a winner?
-Neil and I did make it, as planned, to our local Yuk Yuk's last night. Also as planned, we got to see Graham Clark perform. Before the show I even took the opportunity to introduce myself and compliment him on his work. As far as I could tell I may have been the only bumper in the audience?
-I am currently in the midst doing some laundry. Much to my surprise, the prices have still not been adjusted up to the $2 a load prices.
-I am currently in the midst of drinking what may be my last RUTRTW for the season. I wonder if it will be a winner?
-Neil and I did make it, as planned, to our local Yuk Yuk's last night. Also as planned, we got to see Graham Clark perform. Before the show I even took the opportunity to introduce myself and compliment him on his work. As far as I could tell I may have been the only bumper in the audience?
-I am currently in the midst doing some laundry. Much to my surprise, the prices have still not been adjusted up to the $2 a load prices.
Campaign Events 2
So one Saturday after our trip to the Liberal Ignatieff rally it seems that we now have the opportunity to head to a Green rally with Elizabeth May rally on the waterfront. As Neil and I are both hearing directly from as many of the federal leaders as possible we are both planning on attending.
Hopefully, like last week, I will be able to post something of a re-cap after the event.
Anyway, I presume that may connections to both of these events might be enough to have me booted from any upcoming Conservative events that may or may not take place in Halifax before the end of the election.
Hopefully, like last week, I will be able to post something of a re-cap after the event.
Anyway, I presume that may connections to both of these events might be enough to have me booted from any upcoming Conservative events that may or may not take place in Halifax before the end of the election.
Friday, April 08, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 529
-We are in the midst of another beautiful day in Halifax. Amazingly, even though it has been sunny all day the puddle outside my window (which was featured in yesterday's video) has still not dried up.
-I am now down to a shameful 4 for 32 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I guess all of this year's Dal luck when to the girl who won a car the other day.
-I have been spending far too much time following a variety of Canadian politics types on Twitter. The problem is that as reporters are reporting on things from the field one can basically watch stories as they break and as the various parties respond to them. One can easily have an entire day sucked up without really accomplishing more than gaining a familiarity political brouhaha of the day.
-Last night Neil and I attended our final DAGS meeting of the year, and this was after we had already attended our union's AGM. Talk about a day full of large-scale meetings.
-Neil and I will be heading over to our local Yuk Yuk's tonight to see Graham Clark of Stop Podcasting Yourself fame. I am curious to know if I will be the only bumper/MaxFunster in the audience tonight?
Though Neil isn't much of a MaxFunster or a bumper, tonight's show will mean that he is something of a Stop Podcasting Yourself completist in that he will have seen both Dave and Graham perform live in Halifax. Presumably one of the few people in the world to have accomplished such a feat?
-I should either get back to work or start making dinner. Probably the latter in this instance.
-I am now down to a shameful 4 for 32 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I guess all of this year's Dal luck when to the girl who won a car the other day.
-I have been spending far too much time following a variety of Canadian politics types on Twitter. The problem is that as reporters are reporting on things from the field one can basically watch stories as they break and as the various parties respond to them. One can easily have an entire day sucked up without really accomplishing more than gaining a familiarity political brouhaha of the day.
-Last night Neil and I attended our final DAGS meeting of the year, and this was after we had already attended our union's AGM. Talk about a day full of large-scale meetings.
-Neil and I will be heading over to our local Yuk Yuk's tonight to see Graham Clark of Stop Podcasting Yourself fame. I am curious to know if I will be the only bumper/MaxFunster in the audience tonight?
Though Neil isn't much of a MaxFunster or a bumper, tonight's show will mean that he is something of a Stop Podcasting Yourself completist in that he will have seen both Dave and Graham perform live in Halifax. Presumably one of the few people in the world to have accomplished such a feat?
-I should either get back to work or start making dinner. Probably the latter in this instance.
Thursday, April 07, 2011
An intermittently windy day
I had to head out for a few hours this morning so I decided to set my time-lapse machine up for the duration of my absence.
I was able to aim the camera at a puddle outside of my window and capture the reflection of the nice blue sky and passing clouds, but also the fact that there were intermittent gusts of wind that obscured the reflection.
Though I can't say that too much happens in this video, I do think it is one of my better time-lapse attempts.
[Embedded video]
I was able to aim the camera at a puddle outside of my window and capture the reflection of the nice blue sky and passing clouds, but also the fact that there were intermittent gusts of wind that obscured the reflection.
Though I can't say that too much happens in this video, I do think it is one of my better time-lapse attempts.
[Embedded video]
Tuesday, April 05, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 528
-Today has been grey all day, though it did take a few hours for this to turn to honest-to-goodness rain. Fortunately, at least for the time being, the rain seems to have stopped.
-I am now down to 4 for 32 in this year's RUTRTW contest. This are definitely now completely off the rails and I am kind of enjoying it.
-Tonight, for the first time this year, I used a barbecue to cook dinner. Everyone seemed pretty pleased with the resulting burgers. I hope tomorrow's sausages are received as positively.
[Embedded video]
As you can see, things were a little smokey at first. Fortunately it only took a little while for things to calm down.
-It seems that Harper and his party have recently come under fire for tossing students from their events. CBC recently posted a great back and forth between Soudas, a Harper spokesperson, and a reporter about these incidents. Soudas's active avoidance of the questions would be impressive if it wasn't quite so frustrating.
-I am incredibly tired right now. I guess I will go to bed shortly.
-I am now down to 4 for 32 in this year's RUTRTW contest. This are definitely now completely off the rails and I am kind of enjoying it.
-Tonight, for the first time this year, I used a barbecue to cook dinner. Everyone seemed pretty pleased with the resulting burgers. I hope tomorrow's sausages are received as positively.
[Embedded video]
As you can see, things were a little smokey at first. Fortunately it only took a little while for things to calm down.
-It seems that Harper and his party have recently come under fire for tossing students from their events. CBC recently posted a great back and forth between Soudas, a Harper spokesperson, and a reporter about these incidents. Soudas's active avoidance of the questions would be impressive if it wasn't quite so frustrating.
-I am incredibly tired right now. I guess I will go to bed shortly.
Monday, April 04, 2011
Big change to the special ballot application page at Elections Canada
As some of you may recall, a few days ago I pointed out that Elections Canada's special ballot application webpage was less than fully accessible. Most notably, to access the special ballot application one first had to use a clunky Java tool to enter basic information about one's home riding.
Not long after making my post I wrote to Elections Canada to draw their attention to the issue as I feared that the problem had the potential to deter quite a number of voters.
Much to my surprise, this evening I received a response from Elections Canada about the issue. An while they didn't quite acknowledge all of the problems that existed, they do have seem to have made a few changes that move things in the right directly. Most importantly, they have made the Java tool optional and offered an HTML only option that provides quick access to the PDF form.
I like to interpret the following quote in such a way that suggests they made the changes because of my email, though this may be reading a little too much into it.
Though they didn't admit it in their email, I think that they also fixed some compatibility issues relating to their Java tool, which now works on my computer. I guess the important thing is that they made the changes that make the form more accessible, anything else wouldn't be anything more than an ego boost.
Not long after making my post I wrote to Elections Canada to draw their attention to the issue as I feared that the problem had the potential to deter quite a number of voters.
Much to my surprise, this evening I received a response from Elections Canada about the issue. An while they didn't quite acknowledge all of the problems that existed, they do have seem to have made a few changes that move things in the right directly. Most importantly, they have made the Java tool optional and offered an HTML only option that provides quick access to the PDF form.
I like to interpret the following quote in such a way that suggests they made the changes because of my email, though this may be reading a little too much into it.
To help both PC and Mac users online, we have incorporated, over the last days, one additional message and link at the bottom of each screen to offer the elector, as you suggested, the ability to access a basic HTML version of the application
Though they didn't admit it in their email, I think that they also fixed some compatibility issues relating to their Java tool, which now works on my computer. I guess the important thing is that they made the changes that make the form more accessible, anything else wouldn't be anything more than an ego boost.
Yum!
While walking along Queen Street yesterday afternoon I happened to notice the following on someone's stoop.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the potato was still on the stoop today. Actually, I happened to be walking past this building earlier today and saw someone exit the building and leave the potato untouched. I am not curious how long the potato will remain before it is either damaged or discarded.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the potato was still on the stoop today. Actually, I happened to be walking past this building earlier today and saw someone exit the building and leave the potato untouched. I am not curious how long the potato will remain before it is either damaged or discarded.
A Few Quick Notes 527
-Though today started off being a fair bit above average it seems that things have now turned a little overcast. Hopefully this change in sky colour won't lead to a change in precipitation levels.
-I am now down to 4 for 31 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I have to say, my heart really isn't in it any more. I keep buying rims just expecting to to lose (and then become somewhat comforted by the fact that my prediction turned out to be correct). Maybe I will find a way to get my groove back for next year.
-My Ignatieff rally video seems to gotten a few views, and this is after I deleted the first version to replace it with a higher quality video. I suspect that things will level off shortly, at at least by the end of the campaign.
-Early this afternoon I picked up a few more essays to grade. I suspect that almost as soon as I finish grading these essays it will be time to grade final exams. I can't wait for that to start.
-Yesterday, while we were making our way to the rally, I happened to notice a sign promoting upcoming shows at our local comedy club. Much to my surprise, it seems that one of the hosts of Stop Podcasting Yourself, Graham Clark, will be appearing there this weekend. This is great. I hope to be able to attend the Thursday night show, though I am not quite sure who I will be able to convince to go with me.
-I am now down to 4 for 31 in this year's RUTRTW contest. I have to say, my heart really isn't in it any more. I keep buying rims just expecting to to lose (and then become somewhat comforted by the fact that my prediction turned out to be correct). Maybe I will find a way to get my groove back for next year.
-My Ignatieff rally video seems to gotten a few views, and this is after I deleted the first version to replace it with a higher quality video. I suspect that things will level off shortly, at at least by the end of the campaign.
-Early this afternoon I picked up a few more essays to grade. I suspect that almost as soon as I finish grading these essays it will be time to grade final exams. I can't wait for that to start.
-Yesterday, while we were making our way to the rally, I happened to notice a sign promoting upcoming shows at our local comedy club. Much to my surprise, it seems that one of the hosts of Stop Podcasting Yourself, Graham Clark, will be appearing there this weekend. This is great. I hope to be able to attend the Thursday night show, though I am not quite sure who I will be able to convince to go with me.
Campaign Event Recap
As I mentioned yesterday, Neil and I were planning on attending a Liberal campaign rally yesterday evening. The event's headliner was to be Michael Ignatieff.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the hotel hosting the event it was clear that quite a number of people would be attending this rally. Many of these people were decked out in red clothing of various sorts. The other thing that almost immediately became clear was that this was an older crowd, those of us below 40 were in a definite minority.
That being said, there was definitely a crowd. Once the initial space was filled they even had to make available an overflow section of the room, which also seemed to fill up nicely.
After what seemed like something of a delay, though as I didn't have a watch and there was some confusion about the planned starting time I don't really know how delayed the start was, Mike Savage came on stage to get things going.
Much to my surprise, Savage then introduced all of the Liberal candidates for the province. Each of the candidates then came on stage with a spouse or family member. As this process was taking placed noticed that a friend's wife heading on stage as her candidate father's requisite family member. These individuals then positioned themselves across the back of the stage creating something of a human backdrop.
The final candidate to be introduced was Stan Kutcher, the candidate for the Halifax riding. Kutcher was then given the opportunity to introduce Michael Ignatieff.
You can check out a video of this (and some of Ignatieff's speech if you would like.
[Embedded video]
Much to my surprise, Ignatieff seemed to be a pretty confident speaker. He seemed to have no problem speaking in the rally setting. He even got one pretty good laugh with a line suggesting that if Harper promised to stop telling lies about the Liberals he would stop telling the truth about the Conservatives.
Maybe not surprisingly, the rally basically just consisted of the introductions by Savage and Kutcher and then the speech by Ignatieff. There were not opportunities for questions and as far as I could tell there wasn't even an organized meet and greet after the conclusion of the main event.
As far as I was concerned the biggest frustration of the event was the post-rally emptying of the room. It seemed to take about 15 or 20 minutes for us to be able to finally make our way out of the room where the lobby was held. As we were leaving I couldn't entirely figure out the reason for the bottle neck, though it could have had to do with people just socializing as they exited the room.
Anyway, I guess I will now have to see if I can find a way to attend one or two more of these held by other parties. I am curious to see how they stack up against the Ignatieff version.
Almost as soon as we arrived at the hotel hosting the event it was clear that quite a number of people would be attending this rally. Many of these people were decked out in red clothing of various sorts. The other thing that almost immediately became clear was that this was an older crowd, those of us below 40 were in a definite minority.
That being said, there was definitely a crowd. Once the initial space was filled they even had to make available an overflow section of the room, which also seemed to fill up nicely.
After what seemed like something of a delay, though as I didn't have a watch and there was some confusion about the planned starting time I don't really know how delayed the start was, Mike Savage came on stage to get things going.
Much to my surprise, Savage then introduced all of the Liberal candidates for the province. Each of the candidates then came on stage with a spouse or family member. As this process was taking placed noticed that a friend's wife heading on stage as her candidate father's requisite family member. These individuals then positioned themselves across the back of the stage creating something of a human backdrop.
The final candidate to be introduced was Stan Kutcher, the candidate for the Halifax riding. Kutcher was then given the opportunity to introduce Michael Ignatieff.
You can check out a video of this (and some of Ignatieff's speech if you would like.
[Embedded video]
Much to my surprise, Ignatieff seemed to be a pretty confident speaker. He seemed to have no problem speaking in the rally setting. He even got one pretty good laugh with a line suggesting that if Harper promised to stop telling lies about the Liberals he would stop telling the truth about the Conservatives.
Maybe not surprisingly, the rally basically just consisted of the introductions by Savage and Kutcher and then the speech by Ignatieff. There were not opportunities for questions and as far as I could tell there wasn't even an organized meet and greet after the conclusion of the main event.
As far as I was concerned the biggest frustration of the event was the post-rally emptying of the room. It seemed to take about 15 or 20 minutes for us to be able to finally make our way out of the room where the lobby was held. As we were leaving I couldn't entirely figure out the reason for the bottle neck, though it could have had to do with people just socializing as they exited the room.
Anyway, I guess I will now have to see if I can find a way to attend one or two more of these held by other parties. I am curious to see how they stack up against the Ignatieff version.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Campaign Events
In just a few minutes I will be heading out to attend the first Canadian election campaign rally/event that I have ever attended. Neil and I will be attending some kind of event with Michael Ignatieff and local candidates at the hotel across the street from our apartment. We will be attending as interested observers rather than as Liberal partisans
For years I have been curious to know what kinds of things go on at these events as I have only ever seen them the snippets that are played on nightly newscasts. Given my long-term interest in these events I thought it would be ridiculous to turn up the chance to attend such an event when it is held only a two minute walk away from my place of residence.
Given that today was the day the Liberal's launched their platform I presume they will be mentioning it and maybe even given away copies. I presume that we will also be in for at least a few political speeches of varying lengths and qualities. I guess ideally we would get to witness at least one truly rousing speech - though that may be a bit of a long shot.
Amazingly, if I had been on top of things, I could have actually had my first political rally/event experience yesterday at an NDP thing in Dartmouth. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about the event until about an hour before it was to start. Maybe if I hear about another such event I will have to try to attend.
Hopefully I will be able to provide an update later tonight.
For years I have been curious to know what kinds of things go on at these events as I have only ever seen them the snippets that are played on nightly newscasts. Given my long-term interest in these events I thought it would be ridiculous to turn up the chance to attend such an event when it is held only a two minute walk away from my place of residence.
Given that today was the day the Liberal's launched their platform I presume they will be mentioning it and maybe even given away copies. I presume that we will also be in for at least a few political speeches of varying lengths and qualities. I guess ideally we would get to witness at least one truly rousing speech - though that may be a bit of a long shot.
Amazingly, if I had been on top of things, I could have actually had my first political rally/event experience yesterday at an NDP thing in Dartmouth. Unfortunately, I didn't find out about the event until about an hour before it was to start. Maybe if I hear about another such event I will have to try to attend.
Hopefully I will be able to provide an update later tonight.
Saturday, April 02, 2011
Friday, April 01, 2011
A Few Quick Notes 526
-After several hours of overcast skies this morning we have finally made the transition to rain/snow and high winds. Though we don't yet have a storm warning, other parts of the Maritimes have been warned about a snowstorm that is due to hit this weekend. So even if we don't get 30 cm of snow, it does look as though we will be getting something unpleasant this weekend.
-On a related note, it seems that there is an Ultimate tournament taking place this weekend that should be made pretty unfun by this weather. Actually, the likelihood of similar weather was exactly why I chose not to play in the same tournament last year. Anyway, I really hope that things aren't too unpleasant for those playing.
-After a little dilly-dallying this morning I finally got around to sending an email to Elections Canada about their less than function special ballot application webpage. Of course after sending the email I was taken to a page where it was suggested that I shouldn't expect a particularly prompt response. I guess I just hope that they change their system before too many people are discouraged from voting.
-As I was walking to an appointment this morning I came across this car.
I guess it must be an April Fool's day joke but I really don't get it.
-At first I thought a story from St. John's about the Village Mall booting Metrobus from their parking lot was an April Fool's Day joke as well, but this one seems to be real. This is definitely going to be a bummer for a number of bus riders and will again hit the people who can least afford to be hit.
My favourite part of the story was the part at the end when they talked about decreasing ridership. I wonder if the decreasing ridership might have anything to do with a decreasing quality of the service? My experience with Metrobus over the years has been that they have consistently made bus routes less useful and changed route structures so that trips to and from the same places take longer than they used to. No wonder fewer people ride the bus under these circumstances.
-On a related note, it seems that there is an Ultimate tournament taking place this weekend that should be made pretty unfun by this weather. Actually, the likelihood of similar weather was exactly why I chose not to play in the same tournament last year. Anyway, I really hope that things aren't too unpleasant for those playing.
-After a little dilly-dallying this morning I finally got around to sending an email to Elections Canada about their less than function special ballot application webpage. Of course after sending the email I was taken to a page where it was suggested that I shouldn't expect a particularly prompt response. I guess I just hope that they change their system before too many people are discouraged from voting.
-As I was walking to an appointment this morning I came across this car.
I guess it must be an April Fool's day joke but I really don't get it.
-At first I thought a story from St. John's about the Village Mall booting Metrobus from their parking lot was an April Fool's Day joke as well, but this one seems to be real. This is definitely going to be a bummer for a number of bus riders and will again hit the people who can least afford to be hit.
My favourite part of the story was the part at the end when they talked about decreasing ridership. I wonder if the decreasing ridership might have anything to do with a decreasing quality of the service? My experience with Metrobus over the years has been that they have consistently made bus routes less useful and changed route structures so that trips to and from the same places take longer than they used to. No wonder fewer people ride the bus under these circumstances.
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