Category: General

Because every post deserves a category these posts could be about anything and everything.

CBC News – NB – Review Anglo Society flag motion: language chief

CBC News – New Brunswick – Review Anglo Society flag motion: language chief. This has to be one of the most overhyped stories of the month. It would be common practice for the City of Bathurst to fly this flag. I firmly believe that every group or person has the freedom to speak their thoughts. Just as much as it is everybody elses to consider to merits, then decide if it should be accepted or driven out-of-town with pitch-forks. In this case I think the City of Bathurst is committing censorship but the few deciding without the Anglo-Society having a chance to give the Anglo-Society their moment on the soap box. Personally from the time I was in Fredericton I think the Anglo-Society should be driven out with pitch-forks but everyone should be given a chance to hear their points.

Apologies

Isn’t this a nice rainy day that we woke up to today. This morning like usual I went to Tim Horton’s and ordered a bagel. That is the pivotal moment of the day that is inspiring today’s rant. Their toaster was broken! Now you may think that was what inspired this but you would be wrong she had apologised for it. I mean come on now unless you took the hammer to it and caused it to break you should not be apologizing, it only diminishes you credibility when it was your fault. Just tell me it is broken and ask if I still want the item don’t apologize for it, it’s not your fault.

Weird food requests

This past week I went to the Saint John Ale House and ordered one of the most unusual things I have ever eaten. Mozza Sticks with Chocolate Sauce. You would be hard pressed to find anyone willing to place an item like this on their menu but in typical Ale House style it was one of the best drinking treats you could try. To have the punch of the bitterness of the dark chocolate sauce whack all your taste buds to attention, then to fade off to the warm salty creamy cheese. The cheese just hugs the flavor and is soothing like a corking mother after the attacking bullies stole your lunch money. Have a great week.

Does council not care about protocol

Does council not care about protocol

This week I went to the council to see the debate and decision on Peel Plaza/North of Union project. That particular topic is so revolting in so many ways that it needs not mention here. But what is even more inexcusable is the state of the decorations in the Council chamber. I have attached a photo that demonstrates the three worst violations. 1. The Queen’s Photo This item really bugged me most of the night it is not noticeable on TV or the web feed but the photos are crooked. In the chamber, it was the Philip photo that looked wrong but upon review in PhotoShop , it is actually the Queen’s photo that is eleven degrees clockwise crooked. 2. The New Brunswick Flag This one is not as noticeable as the others but the flag is a good decimeter down the shaft from the top making it lower than the other flags. 3. The Acadian Banner/Flag In this case , you don’t even see it because it has no base and is leaning against the Canadian flag. Bonus: Flag Order The flags are positioned incorrectly. They are positioned left to right: Union Jack, New Brunswick, Canada, Acadian. By official…

Saint John Tweetup

Last night I got to meet some really cool people at the first Saint John Tweetup. This had to be one of the most geekiest events I have been to in the Saint John area. Well as a qualifier the IT Works 2003 was more geeky than last night but last night was pretty cool. Everyone that showed up to the even seemed to have an iPhone with the exception of 2 with iPod Touches. I had a really good meal too and 2 amazing Hoegaarden. The meal consisted of a cheeseburger like no other and the famous kettle chips. The Saint John Ale House is definitely one of my favourite venues. In addition, everybody left with a door prize. My door prize was a Tri-Star Mercedes-Benz wine glass set donated by Tim Clark (@e55fan). Thanks to everyone else for being there too: @RothesayShawn (left twitter) @chris_london @madelejm @MarkPridham @e55fan @koisspots @GrantTotten @shawnrouse @typeter and the must follow @horsetrough.

Haddock and Potato Dinner

Haddock and Potato Dinner

I thought I would take this opportunity since I have not posted anything lately to post a food success story. Unlike the horror stories of the past. The potatoes are my typical mashed potatoes. The was partly derived from my sisters variant. 2 Yukon Gold Potatoes 1/4 cup 2% Partly Skimmed Milk 1 Tbsp. Margarine Several dashes of Curry Powder Freshly Ground Peppercorn Medley The fish is Highliner frozen Haddock but any fish could work. The fish is then coated and rubbed in Honey Mustard, fresh lime juice, canola oil, salt, and fresh ground peppercorn medley. Then finished off siding the plate with canned cream corn and Sweet Pickles (with cauliflower.)

Saint John 225, but how?

Once again the City of Saint John is celebrating and making an attempt and rekindling of the community in Saint John. The big problem is that Saint John is in a place that makes it next to impossible to revive itself. Saint John is so backed in debt that there is a very little hope. There is the dynamic that Saint John is too big is size to support its population. It also requires large infrastructure funding to support its re-birth. Saint John has a plan that will rejuvenate the water system that only about 2/3 of the population base can take advantage of. The tax rate is also incredibly high, in fact too high to attract new money. It is also too high to keep those here. In addition, the situation where many jobs that the city attracts are that of less than $30,000/year. Let’s figure this out people, this works out to less than $2,500/month. That alongside the incredibly large amounts of single-parent families. It is almost an entire months pay for just the property taxes, alone. Another, month for insurance and water taxes. Another for 2 for car payments, 1 for electricity, 1 for food. Now we…

200th Post: A Last Post for Facebook

200th Post: A Last Post for Facebook

Although I love reading the messages of some of the people who I have accumulated on Facebook, I just can’t stand by for the envision of privacy. I had joined Facebook back in 2006 when it first opened to the public. I was a fan of social media before that, in fact, it was really the terrible designs in MySpace that convinced me to make the move away from there and Yahoo! 360. I have always used Facebook as a private way to connect with my friends and connections I have acquired. However, in recent privacy changes, Facebook has decided to leave full global access to all the advertisers, Facebook connects users, and any of the hundreds of thousand developers, whether you use their app or not by having just one of your friends to use their services. If you were one of my contacts then see my contact info page here at this site, or join me on Twitter. So, let’s finish off and let Facebook go off into the sunset as the bagpipes play the “Last Post.”

Novel: Untitled

Novel Currently Untitled Roger was having an average day. Roger was sitting at his office desk, pondering whether or not he was truly happy in his life. Roger was moderately financially well off, but was not really where he planned to be. Roger is a thirty year old accountant who has always followed the crowd his entire life. He has never led a crowd, or even showed any signs of initiative. Roger was born in a mid-sized city in Atlantic Canada to two wonderful loving parents. His father was a well educated lawyer that was forced to study law by his father who was an extremely well loved politician who Roger has never met due to an unfortunate accident. While christening a navel battleship that was named in honour of him, he tripped, hit his head, and drowned. More amazingly, what the locals talked about was how the ship was since cursed as it sank as soon as it left the dock on its maiden voyage. On the other hand Roger’s mother was a Travel Consultant whom was well regarded as she always seemed to know where her clients wanted to go, even before they did. As many Canadians do…

Nintendo Entertainment System

Nintendo Entertainment System

Recently I got re-addicted to my old NES and decided to make this page listing all the games I have and which ones I have defeated. Astyanax Battletoads Blades of Steel Captain Skyhawk Cobra Triangle Dr. Mario Dragon Warrior Duck Hunt Elevator Action Faxanadu Final Fantasy Friday the 13th Gauntlet Ghostbusters II Goonies II, The Knight Rider Kung Fu Legend of Zelda, The Lemmings Little Mermaid, The Major League Baseball Marble Madness Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out Nightmare on Elm Street Princess Tomato in the Salad Kingdom Rampage … Quit of bordem … Simpsons- Bart vs the Space Mutants Skate Or Die Super Mario Bros. 2 Super Mario Bros. 3 Super Mario Bros. T&C Surf Designs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game Twin Cobra Wheel of Fortune World Games Wrecking Crew Zelda II: The Adventure of Link I have a few more games but I will add them later.

The QMJHL finals come to Saint John & Moncton

Last night I was at Harbour Station for the game 6 of the QMJHL semi-finals which the Sea Dogs took a 7-1 victory to end the series 4-2. Despite this, I really think this could cost them dearly. They should have done it in 4. Taking so long well proves that they may not have the steam left that Moncton clearly has in them. This next series will be much more than interesting as the Sea Dogs will give it everything they have left and will not go quietly in the dark. My prediction is that the Moncton Wildcats take the finals in Game 7.

QMJHL Semi-finals Game 2

QMJHL Semi-finals Game 2

Tonight I decided to go see a Sea Dogs game at Harbour Station. If it goes poorly this could be the last game of the year at Harbour Station. Perhaps with all the hockey I’ve done recently on Rogers TV, this is rehab. Even Christina Rogers was here. The game is starting out very tense, there should be some penalties soon. Although there are slot of people here there are many empty seats. Yeap, there was a tripping penalty and the Tigres have a power play heading into the 2nd Half of the first period. Now the Tigre have a penalty and the Sea Dogs will get a power play in a minute.

The Romantic Comedy (err Tragedy)

First off, a detailed post about my trip to Toronto is coming soon. Including the stuff I learned and would like to add about WordCamp Toronto. In addition, I am sorting through the 400 pictures I took over the weekend for a SnapShots album. I wanted to talk about movies. I have seen several lately although I am way behind this time last year. I have seen a lot of romantic movies and romantic comedies lately. However, it seems that the romantic movie industry seems to be making traditional tragedies lately. They are not happily ever after anymore. Even the Miley Cyrus hit “Last Song” falls into this category, a funeral, seriously. The little weak happy tag ending does not make it better it starts badly in Act One, gets better in act two, then ends badly. That sir is definitely a tragedy in the dramatic sense. But this a huge trend this year. Valentines Day, When in Rome, Dear John, Chloë, and many others are the same. Is there no hope anymore?

Tethering on McGuinty TTC Cuts NB Power Deal Dead

Since I am in Toronto for WordCamp Toronto 2010 this weekend, I thought I would take this time to update my posts more often. I’m still deciding on my plans for what I’m going to do, but I started the day with some news. First, let’s start with some amazing news from my cell phone provider Rogers Wireless. They are announcing something totally new for a phone company, that they actually listen to their customers. This must be only the second time that they did something like this. Remember back in July 2008 a revolutionary (changes the way people think of phones) device came to Canada and Rogers after public protest created the $30 6GB data plan. While today’s news is better according to the Rogers Blog all (non-roaming, non-shared, 1GB or greater or non-bundled with voice) smartphone data plans will include tethering in their usage as a permanent feature and not a promotion until May. The second thing I wanted to talk about was not so much about that when the budget was released yesterday that the new TransitCity project to increase the LRT routes, and station renovations. But that it was hidden in the budget and not even mentioned. Come on…

I have a new Camera … again

I have a new Camera … again

About a week ago, I caved and bought a new piece of technology. Yes, as the title of this post suggests it is a new camera. Not just any camera it is the Canon PowerShot SX120 IS. Although not that much better than my S5 IS it is really the form factor that made me buy it. On the downside first, it is a smaller lens and only mono audio of the video, I can’t see the viewfinder for taking great one try self-portraits and I can’t set voice memos for the photos. On the good side, it only takes 2 AA batteries, and it is a 10 megapixel with a 10x optical zoom (my old cam is 12x). If you are wondering what the pictures look like, the strawberry waffles were taken with this camera. This has pushed me to update my SnapShots gallery that it is now run by WordPress and Gallery is about to be shut off, I just have the 2 largest albums to go through.

The Spambots are amazing sometimes.

I have to be amazed at some of the spam bot comments made on this site. The following has posted to my NB Sports Site List: “I was studying something else about this on another blog. Interesting. Your linear perspective on it is diametrically opposed to what I read to begin with. I am still reflecting over the various points of view, but I’m leaning heavily toward yours. And regardless, that’s what is so super about modernized democracy and the marketplace of thoughts online.” It has nothing to do with the list of links but amazed me how they try to fool the system. Usually the bots just post 20-30 links with no posts, and are posted to parts of the site that are so obscure.

Haven’t we learned how to settle our differences?

This morning I was reading the Political Blogger Charles LeBlanc’s site when I came across the following little gem. Worker was confronted by a nut with a Machete because he was making too much noise while shoveling snow on Regent Street in Fredericton. Doesn’t that just make you want to say OMG! The sad thing is that this is not the only recent event like this. Last week there was the 15-year-old Hampton NB native charged with 2nd degree murder for bringing a kitchen knife over to an alleged sexual assulting drug dealer and killing him in the back or side. Then about a year ago the guy chasing after another down the streets of uptown Saint John with a freaking broad sword. I once heard that you are more likely to get stabbed than shot in Canada, does that really make you feel any better?

The Tale of Two Frozen Bananas

The Tale of Two Frozen Bananas

This past week I was reading a new post on my friend Andrea’s blog. Where she posted about making a dairy-free ice cream substitute by pureeing some Bananas. I thought to myself that sounds good especially with the peanut butter they suggest. I also have a can of coconut milk that has sat in the pantry for a while now. In hindsight, it now occurs to me that I never read the directions properly, or at all, as I seem to missed an important step. I bought the bananas last night and took two and put them in the freezer. Now what I am stuck with is two perfectly frozen bananas. I missed the part about peeling and slicing before freezing them solid.

2010 Golden Globe Award Predictions

Once again as the award season approaches here are my predictions for the 2010 Golden Globe Awards tonight. Best Motion Picture – Drama Up In The Air Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Sandra Bullock – The Blind Side Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Morgan Freeman – Invictus Best Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical Julie & Julia Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical Sandra Bullock – The Proposal Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy Or Musical Daniel Day-Lewis – Nine Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Anna Kendrick – Up In The Air Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Matt Damon – Invictus Best Animated Feature Film Fantastic Mr. Fox Best Foreign Language Film The Maid (La Nana) (Chile) Best Director – Motion Picture Jason Reitman – Up In The Air Best Screenplay – Motion Picture Jason Reitman, Sheldon Turner – Up In The Air Best Original Score – Motion Picture Karen O and Carter Burwell – Where The Wild Things Are…