tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32879712011-06-07T23:25:42.049-07:00<b>Taking on Canada's dominant media 24-7.</b>Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16223203054949780861noreply@blogger.comBlogger11541100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1149477206429100792006-06-04T18:48:00.000-07:002006-06-04T20:16:26.526-07:00

Baseball againCaught the first game of a double header today before leaving prior to the start of game two.International LeagueToledo 6, Ottawa 2 [game one]Team1234567RHEToledo Mud Hens30020106111Ottawa Lynx0000011262Box Score. Recap.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1140935840510008382006-02-25T22:32:00.000-08:002006-02-25T22:37:20.523-08:00

With this bankruptcy I thee wed?Ever since reading Bobos in Paradise by David Brooks, I've been amused by the Weddings section in Sunday's The New York Times. This week proves no exception:Judge John D. Schwartz of the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois performed the ceremony.That's an amazing start. Family budgets should be fun.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1140258605140234562006-02-18T02:23:00.000-08:002006-02-18T02:30:05.153-08:00

Late Late AppleFiona Apple was just on the Late Late Show. It was an interesting performance but what I noticed about the Late Late Show is the difference between the "new" Craig and the "old" Craig. Since Craig Kilborn left the show has taken a different turn. Not only is the show more Scottish with Craig Ferguson but it has a completely different feel. On one hand the interviews are Tom

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1139556615624050832006-02-09T23:05:00.000-08:002006-02-09T23:30:15.696-08:00

Computers vs. TypewritersWatching old movies and TV shows brings up the question of how much difference a few years makes in computer technology (the most cutting edge new computers generally are the ones that appear in the shows). The difference in computers in shows from the early-1990s versus the mid-1990s versus 2000 versus now is striking. The same cannot be said of typewriters TV shows

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1139386032298687962006-02-07T23:47:00.000-08:002006-02-08T00:07:12.376-08:00

Those U.S. political scandalsCanadian political blogs just churn out comments about dogs and people's likeness to them. American political blogs break stories on the after work (or during work) activities of D.C. political staff.The Washingtonienne was all the rage a while back and even landed Jessica Cutler a book deal. Stormie Janzen (yes, that's her real name) is all the rage this week with

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1139286397475714672006-02-06T20:25:00.000-08:002006-02-06T20:26:37.490-08:00

And we're backAvoided an entire season of American football - both college and pro. Readers, if there are any left, should be impressed.Now for something to write about... or maybe just continue the hiatus.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1125802697304852812005-09-03T19:55:00.000-07:002005-09-03T19:58:17.306-07:00

Dirty Will S.Love's Labour's Lost at Bard on the Beach is an entertaining show by a well-known playwright.Although I'm sure I missed some of the double-entendre, I hope I can get away with overlooking the irony of going on a date to see it.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1125802536461665402005-09-03T19:49:00.000-07:002005-09-03T19:55:36.466-07:00

The Garden SpyThe Constant Gardener based on the John Le Carré novel is the first good "spy" movie in quite a while. The story of a lowly diplomat trying to uncover a conspiracy between his government and big pharma was quite interesting and had amazing cinematography (not knowing much about making movies all I can say is I know it when I see it).There needs to be more good spy movies made.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1125475789062889302005-08-31T00:37:00.000-07:002005-08-31T01:09:49.153-07:00

Finally saw The Beach BoyIt opened with "Do It Again" and went on and on. The early part of the show was a mix of early Beach Boys and post-Beach Boys material. Then he moved into Pet Sounds. After the break he performed Smile in full followed by a seven song encore.The band was great and one guy even played a melodian, which is something I've never seen used by a real musical group before.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1124780158310515522005-08-22T23:53:00.000-07:002005-08-22T23:55:58.310-07:00

Forget about DunstJenny McCarthy of MTV's Singled Out with her tongue out fame will soon be single again. The Sun, the Brit-bloid, has an article or two on it.No wonder Pamela Anderson can't find a good man. They're all interested in Jenny!

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1124602318025709332005-08-13T23:53:00.000-07:002005-08-22T23:51:33.730-07:00

The Big LeaguesCaught the Mariners' game today.Major League BaseballLos Angeles (AL) 9, Seattle 1Team123456789RHEL.A. Angels2100501009150Seattle Mariners000001000142">Box Score. Recap.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1124601781582937512005-08-07T23:38:00.000-07:002005-08-22T23:41:40.610-07:00

Two in a weekAnother C's game. Thanks for the free ticket!Northwest League BaseballSpokane 2, Vancouver 1Team123456789RHESalem-Keizer Volcanoes013010000573Vancouver Canadians30400002X9141Box Score. Game Log.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1124601508240368902005-08-04T23:03:00.000-07:002005-08-22T23:41:16.960-07:00

First C's game of the seasonIt's already August but this is the first Canadians game this year for me. Good to have the Dispatches guy along for the low-scoring game.Northwest League BaseballSpokane 2, Vancouver 1Team123456789RHESpokane Indians000001001232Vancouver Canadians000001000170Box Score. Game Log.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1123011280854703532005-08-02T11:22:00.000-07:002005-08-02T12:34:40.906-07:00

They sure like killing Nathaniel FisherWith three episodes to go in the final season of Six Feet Under they termnated Nathaniel Fisher again. Thankfully he may not disappear completely during the final three episodes. Hit by a bus reaching for a dropped cigarette finished off the first one. Flatlining on the operating table killed the second one. Almost.Then a dream sequence finally killed

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122970153128163742005-08-02T01:08:00.000-07:002005-08-02T01:09:13.136-07:00

Dead carsThis article on a car parts graveyard is worth reading, if only for the opening paragraph.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122844013517048652005-07-31T14:06:00.000-07:002005-07-31T14:06:53.526-07:00

Donny Miller artI'm not sure if this stuff is supposed to be sad or funny. Until I figure it out, I'll assume it's both.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122597994926694812005-07-28T17:44:00.000-07:002005-07-28T17:46:34.933-07:00

Puce-coloured proseYou can't even win the worst writing award. You suck.CNN.com reports on the 2005 successors to it was a dark and storm night. Among the letters thrown together to make words that run on like a marathoner without a course map was this dog of a sentence describing India, which "hangs like a wet washcloth from the towel rack of Asia." The author justified it, saying, "I just

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122447203809908442005-07-26T23:18:00.000-07:002005-07-26T23:53:23.836-07:00

Was it only last year?Lindsay Lohan, star of a variety of movie remakes, said her fluctuating mass was due to the puberty she went through last year.Just one question. What the heck was it that she went through prior to 2004?

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122243344768948372005-07-24T15:07:00.000-07:002005-07-24T15:15:44.776-07:00

Happy Happy Joy JoyToday has been a great day. After more than a week of trying, I finally made it out to the theatre to see Wedding Crashers. Can Owen Wilson make a bad buddy comedy? It's like William H. Macy making a bad movie about someone with a mental or physical illness. It's just not going to happen.Then there's the pleasant discovery of Brian Wilson's Live at the Roxy Theatre on the

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1122029078814429732005-07-22T03:41:00.000-07:002005-07-22T03:44:38.823-07:00

Is London's transit system going to hell in a handbasket?July 7th four bombs go off in the London transit system. Earlier this week four more bombs fail to make the same impact. This morning someone gets shot by police getting on the tube.Forget about New York's subway, London's Underground may soon be the world's most dangerous subway line, in addition to being the world's oldest. When will

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1121665447637822802005-07-17T22:41:00.000-07:002005-07-17T22:44:07.646-07:00

Wonkette on Rove sagaThis is great:Scott McClellan, frightened puppy or hairless rodent? Whatever, he's not talking. Love him anyway.I bet Ari is glad he escaped when he did.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1121235961370037742005-07-12T23:21:00.000-07:002005-07-12T23:26:01.376-07:00

Daily Show, born again, againJon Stewart has a new set for the Daily Show. Monday night's show was the set's debut.The set isn't what has revitalized the show. The fact that it now ends segments with news clips, like the real news shows that it used to parody, is the best improvement of the new show.The fact that the Daily Show is now more like the news than the news is a bit macabre. But at

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1121231373238179322005-07-12T22:08:00.000-07:002005-07-12T22:09:33.250-07:00

Karl's Jr.K.Rove isn't a media hound. Maybe it will all just go away. Then again, this soon-to-be conspiracy theory is pretty good. (Thanks Dispatches.)

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1120963083671879212005-07-09T19:32:00.000-07:002005-07-09T19:38:03.683-07:00

Google-inspired lazinessI guess I have a bit of research potential. Someone asked me to find an article from The New Yorker about Condi Rice. A different someone had not been able to find this. Given the author, the title of the article, the subject of the article (Rice), and the date (which I was able to find in a separate Google search looking for the article's date) I was able to find the

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1120707808427689502005-07-06T20:39:00.000-07:002005-07-06T20:43:28.453-07:00

Olympian trendsFrom 2000 through 2012 it will have been Sydney, Athens, Beijing, and London. All of them are fairly major cities in their parts of the world.What happened to cities like St. Louis, Antwerp, Melbourne, or Atlanta being awarded the games. Nowadays, a city has to be the major city in its country and almost always has to be the major city or a major city in its region of the world.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1120637490398152572005-07-06T01:10:00.000-07:002005-07-06T01:11:30.406-07:00

Baseball in VancouverThe Canadians are in first place. It's about time I get around to catching a game or two.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1119251876878496242005-06-20T00:16:00.000-07:002005-06-20T00:17:56.883-07:00

This is neatCNN is reporting a bit of a mysterious code that's been out in the public in front of a place known for codes for a long time.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1118718217941219202005-06-13T20:01:00.000-07:002005-06-13T20:03:37.950-07:00

Genie in a Bottle... in Gitmo?Pop siren Christina Aguilera's bubblegummy hits are being used to keep people awake during questioning in a U.S. military prison camp."Beautiful" is not a word that jumps to mind. But this technique probably works.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1118687557906020542005-06-13T11:27:00.000-07:002005-06-13T11:32:37.913-07:00

Crisis modeAn interesting read is Quarterlife Crisis is a book/website that is about the crisis people have a few decades before they get a younger spouse, a new car, find religion, and change careers in mid-stream. The story of how transition from college and university to real life can be a difficult one in terms of dealing with a career, friends, family, and significant others, it is probably

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1118128879403810122005-06-07T00:19:00.000-07:002005-06-07T00:21:19.413-07:00

Now that kid has moxiePenn of Penn and Teller named his kid Moxie CrimeFighter. The CrimeFighter is protection for when the kid is pulled over by the cops (the joke is that they're on the same side as the kid and the cop are both crime fighters). However, Moxie is probably just as uncommon a name as CrimeFighter. But at least the kid has moxie, or perhaps the parents do for naming the kid

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1117932149632567982005-06-04T17:40:00.000-07:002005-06-04T17:42:29.640-07:00

Transformers MovieMichael Bay is going to make a Transformers Movie. This mix 1980s childhood nostalgia and explosives should make for an interesting product.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1117776610972084852005-06-02T22:26:00.000-07:002005-06-02T22:30:10.980-07:00

The Teflon JeanAccording to the latest SES/IRPP poll, "Honest" Jean Chretien is less at fault than his successor Paul Martin, Jr., when it comes to the Gomery investigation. Here's the question:Question - Who should take responsibility for activities uncovered by the Gomery Commission: (Read and Rotate) Prime Minister Paul Martin, former Prime Minister Jean Chretien, both or none of them?Both -

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1117355313181215842005-05-29T01:25:00.000-07:002005-05-29T01:28:34.513-07:00

Yankee paper tells it like it isThe BoSox thumped the Yankees 17-1. The New York Times writes:The Yankees and Boston Red Sox franchises have played each other for 103 years. Including the postseason, the Red Sox have won 877 times. In none of the first 876 did they beat the Yankees as badly as they did yesterday in the Bronx.Now that's sports writing!

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1117179139856517322005-05-27T00:30:00.000-07:002005-05-27T00:32:20.870-07:00

An explanation even I can understandBox Office Mojo has an explanation of why Star Wars mattered. Now it is all special effects. Back then, it was something to cheer when there was little hope in America in the wake of Vietnam, Watergate, and on the cusp of the great malaise. No wonder it was a balm for a sad nation. However, the five follow ups are going to need further explanation, unless

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1116742015860402582005-05-21T23:04:00.000-07:002005-05-21T23:06:55.886-07:00

HookedSome people stood in line to watch the latest George Lucas outerspace spawn from the Star Wars franchise this past week. Good for them, I'd much rather be hooked on the latest DVD-set from Six Feet Under.Season three rocks! Although sitting through 13 straight hours of an HBO series has to be unhealthy in more ways than one. But I love it. What a great show.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1113930126146019472005-04-19T10:00:00.000-07:002005-04-19T10:02:06.146-07:00

Pope Benedict XVIInteresting name selection. Some previous Benedict's had good relations with Germany, perhaps that is the origin of his name choice.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1113894200723109242005-04-19T00:00:00.000-07:002005-04-19T00:03:20.723-07:00

Single Transferable VoteThis campaign has been officially underway under Elections BC's auspices. I think it will prove to be more interesting in the long run for B.C. history than the result of the actual election.And the vote twice slogan Elections BC has is just too funny. It reminds me of the Daley family in Chicago around the 1950s or 1960s.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1113799469306247812005-04-17T21:40:00.000-07:002005-04-17T21:44:29.306-07:00

TPB!Season five of the Trailer Park Boys has arrived and Nobu and Mio, the brothers who used to host Smart Ask!, had a guest appearance.TPB, oh, how I've missed you.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1112347637698099472005-04-01T01:23:00.000-08:002005-04-01T01:27:17.700-08:00

WTF? Only in B.C.The Sex Party is a registered political party in British Columbia. Named for an orgy, the group is the first registered sex-positive political party.Their platform document is focused on sex, but I get a funny feeling (but not down there) that their positions will read like the Kama Sutra.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1112347325679563092005-04-01T01:16:00.000-08:002005-04-01T01:22:05.680-08:00

Fools!Pierre Bourque gets them again with another April Fool's gag. This year it's Ralph Klein is the next governor-general of Canada, featuring references to Gump Worsley and Tory threat to old white guys Rona Ambrose.This one probably won't disrupt the economy like his one about Paul Martin (who was then finance minister) a couple years back.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1112257279046300052005-03-31T00:19:00.000-08:002005-03-31T00:21:19.046-08:00

Charles Guiteau"He is one of the most entertaining jackasses in all of American history," said Sarah Vowell, NPR star and pop history writer.She has a new book out about tourism to assassination sites of U.S. Presidents Lincoln, Garfield, and McKinley. Vowell is one of the best guests the New York-based late night TV talk shows.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1110188380023636452005-03-07T01:36:00.000-08:002005-03-07T01:39:40.023-08:00

Memento natalis natalisThat would be in Latin. In French, all it requires is someone to use the motto of Quebec: je me souviens.Enjoy the hint.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1110102761982191862005-03-06T01:51:00.000-08:002005-03-06T01:52:41.983-08:00

Pick a party, any party (although I'd strongly recommend the second one on the list)Elections BC has some brief info on the parties running this May.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1109993565610425902005-03-04T19:31:00.000-08:002005-03-04T19:32:45.610-08:00

A new type of lawsuit?People in the states love suing doctors (ask former VP candidate John Edwards). People especially love suing doctors when someone dies because of something the doctor did (or didn't) do. I think this incident may be an opportunity for someone to try and sue for "wrongful life."

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1109746822658567762005-03-01T22:58:00.000-08:002005-03-01T23:00:22.660-08:00

A first time viewerHaving finally watched a full episode of NYPD Blue, I must ask what it is about cop shows that lures viewers in week after week? It is a good show, but do all workplace dramas have to involve the police, coroners, or lawyers?

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1109575937862087142005-02-27T23:26:00.000-08:002005-02-27T23:32:17.863-08:00

OscarChris Rock hosted the uneventful 77th Oscars. The Aviator and best picture winner Million Dollar Baby split the spoils, with no film dominating the field like Lord of the Rings 3 did last year.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1109314641085547322005-02-24T22:53:00.000-08:002005-02-24T22:57:21.086-08:00

Dither no more!He made a decision! That brings the total to two decisions since the election, one per calendar year. Good work, Paul Martin, Jr.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108886735119514322005-02-20T00:04:00.000-08:002005-02-20T00:05:35.120-08:00

CNN the TabloidNice to see that a baby's second head being removed is front page on CNN.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108626106696268262005-02-16T23:40:00.000-08:002005-02-16T23:41:46.696-08:00

Better than Son of the MaskActor Alan Cumming pitched another product while on The Daily Show to promote Son of the Mask. Thankfully the segment was not a complete waste.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108605830646785932005-02-16T18:01:00.000-08:002005-02-16T18:03:50.646-08:00

Dispatches from beyondMEP is being out-blogged again by Jackson Murphy's Dispatches. Although when it is about the Gores (remember Al and Tipper?) and about one of the best new MPs (Rona Ambrose) there is no shame, only envy.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108455993526782492005-02-15T00:20:00.000-08:002005-02-15T00:26:33.526-08:00

Anne Hathaway: Conservative Sex Symbol?Ok, so she looks like the next door neighbour's daughter, but she's smart in the read Ayn Rand conservative kind of way. Anne Hathaway is quoted on Whatevs (dot org) speaking on the subject of her favourite book, The Fountainhead:It's beautiful. Someone asked me actually recently how I was enjoying it. And I said it's not so much that I'm enjoying it, but I

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108454345910904952005-02-14T23:47:00.000-08:002005-02-14T23:59:05.910-08:00

How on earth can someone get injured while curling?If it is possible, I can probably do it. Falling on the ice and breaking the fall with my palm makes it pretty easy. The result is this, which is listed under the Diseases, Disorders and Injuries section that gets abbreviated as just diseases. How nice.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108444078202749222005-02-14T21:02:00.000-08:002005-02-14T21:07:58.203-08:00

Drinky drinky - it's the only option in NoDakCNN reports that binge drinking is a problem in North Dakota, which also happens to be the state that gets the fewest tourists. Coincidence?Maybe that should be a marketing ploy for them. Imagine the Spring Break college crowd it would draw. Or it could draw if not for the barren prairie in the middle of winter thing.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108369370778193352005-02-14T00:18:00.000-08:002005-02-14T00:22:50.780-08:00

Some meaningless thoughts on St. Valentine's DayWhat if people were more creative? If instead of going on honeymoons there, what if guys started proposing at Niagara Falls? Instead of moving into a first home in Victoria, British Columbia, what if people got married there instead? As opposed to getting married in Las Vegas, how about settling there after a honeymoon? Just some meaningless

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108164974556148242005-02-11T15:35:00.000-08:002005-02-11T15:36:14.556-08:00

The British OscarsIt must be a slow day when one notices that all the directors nominated for best director at the BAFTA awards have a first name starting with the letter M.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108114591215908962005-02-11T01:21:00.000-08:002005-02-11T01:36:31.216-08:00

PM vs. PMThis past week in Ottawa has been like a Spy vs. Spy battle from MAD Magazine. Spy PM Chretien threw out the golf balls, made a mockery of the inquiry, and even found a way to drag Brian Mulroney into it all. Spy PM Martin tried to treat his questioning with a bit more respect and actually answered the questions with a series of "I don't recall"s without adding the bitter disdain for

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1108113157679957602005-02-11T01:01:00.000-08:002005-02-11T01:12:37.680-08:00

Crazies at work?If you too are surrounded by people who make unusual statements between nine and five, check out Overheard in the Office. You are not alone. Now get back to work!

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1107885843599174142005-02-08T09:55:00.000-08:002005-02-08T10:04:03.600-08:00

A bad idea To accompany a documentary about it, Deep Throat is being re-released. Ten prints are being made and some of those are being edited to get an R-rating. Editing an adult film so that people under 18 can view it with adult accompaniment seems somewhat like a bad idea for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is editing a 61 minute film to make it acceptable to the censors for an

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1107746828938625172005-02-06T19:26:00.000-08:002005-02-06T19:27:08.936-08:00

Back I guess After not blogging for an entire month - boy, did that feel good - it is safe to say M.E.P. is back. Even better, with no college football till late August, there should be a reprieve from those darn college football updates. However, the political commentary will likely continue - sorry.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1107746728224551722005-02-06T19:14:00.000-08:002005-02-06T19:25:28.223-08:00

Super? New England won three in four years, good work Patriots. Philadelphia made the big game after missing it by one game three years in a row, so maybe next year for the Eagles - unless the Pats beat them again. Paul McCartney provided a less edgy halftime show than last year. I doubt anyone will be talking about it tomorrow. See what not exposing a breast does for you? Otherwise the

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1107745711623704052005-02-06T19:07:00.000-08:002005-02-06T19:08:31.623-08:00

Just say no... to H2O Check out this anti-water site. I wonder if there's an activist social movement related to this. Imagine what would happen when the protestors get hit by police water cannons to push them back.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1106299386644110112004-12-31T23:42:00.000-08:002005-02-06T19:06:42.160-08:00

The year in film Having seen too many movies yet again this year, I thought the end of the year might be a good time to share what I think the best movies of 2004 were. This list only includes movies originally released in 2004 that I have seen as of December 31, 2004: Best Picture Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind The Saddest Music in the World The Bourne Supremacy Collateral I Heart

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1106293527841581742004-12-26T11:25:00.000-08:002005-01-20T23:45:27.840-08:00

Happy Kwanzaa! Or as Canadians call it, line up at A&B Sound Day, er, Boxing Day.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1106292258376928562004-12-19T23:23:00.000-08:002005-01-20T23:24:18.376-08:00

Zissou All these previews of the Life Aquatic are making this Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson fan anxious for the premiere.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1105528162658507552004-12-14T19:12:00.000-08:002005-01-20T22:59:43.253-08:00

Not just The Life Canadian author Steve Paikin's follow-up to The Life shows the dirty unmentionables of public life. The Dark Side: The Personal Price of Political Life is an interesting collection of sad tales. Political lives ruined for a variety of reasons varying from infidelity to unpopularity, the book makes for an interesting read. It also makes one ask why people get into "The Life"

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1105527999975920742004-12-07T03:04:00.000-08:002005-01-12T03:06:39.976-08:00

Rove Prototype Having just read the Lee Atwater biography Bad Boy, Karl Rove (aka The Architect) begins to make a lot more sense.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1104577682357814302004-12-01T23:50:00.000-08:002005-01-12T03:04:09.923-08:00

The final weekend of the regular season And this should be the last of it since most corporate bowl games are between 6-5 teams and those do not concern me: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork Toledo Rockets35-27 (Thurs.)Miami RedHawksTSN Virginia Tech HokiesMiami HurricanesABC Army Black Knights13-42Navy MidshipmenCBS #1 USC Trojans29-24UCLA BruinsABC #3 Auburn Tigers38-28#15 Tennessee

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101601836474393332004-11-27T16:30:00.000-08:002004-12-20T00:12:12.073-08:00

The academic Alberta MLA and his cool website Check this out on Ted Morton's campaign website.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101589824449085822004-11-27T13:54:00.001-08:002004-12-20T00:11:15.613-08:00

Kermit was right It's not easy being Green. Just ask the Green Party of British Columbia, whose website is a far cry from what their leader Adriane Carr's personal website is. However they have a cool button. ShiFt happens?! Wow. At least they will be running a full slate next year. Seventy-nine Greens should make things fun.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101590095382001312004-11-27T13:13:00.000-08:002004-12-20T00:09:27.410-08:00

If it's Saturday, it must be football Let's cut to the chase: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork #16 Virginia10-24#11 Virginia TechABC #23 Oklahoma State Cowboys15-31Texas Tech Red RaidersThe Score Georgia Tech Yellowjackets13-19#8 Georgia BulldogsCBS Grambling State Tigers24-13Southern JaguarsNBC Missouri Tigers17-14 (OT)Iowa State CyclonesABC Notre Dame Fighting Irish10-41#1 Southern

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101519657573854212004-11-26T17:35:00.000-08:002004-11-26T17:40:57.573-08:00

I should write a book about how to read people After several months of exposure to an individual who has been highly polarizing and who was rejected by nearly everyone else, I have benefitted from not doing the popular thing. Seeing beyond the ugly duckling can be very useful sometimes, particularly when they give you a piece of information that you really want. That's the good thing about

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101464360786967252004-11-26T02:18:00.000-08:002004-11-26T02:19:20.786-08:00

Paying it forward? Amazing how helping someone from the past can eventually lead to feeling better about things that were being seriously questioned only hours earlier.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101452754693044162004-11-25T23:03:00.000-08:002004-11-25T23:05:54.693-08:00

And all that Out of a need for a better understanding of English history, 1066 and All That finally made it to the top of the reading list and was plowed through in short order. Unlike good Queen Victoria, this reader is singluar and amused. And so ends the history.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101447528380640202004-11-25T21:37:00.000-08:002004-11-25T21:38:48.380-08:00

Never underestimate the stoners Several large SpongeBobs were stolen from Burger Kings. Wow, is this really news?

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101445272219896532004-11-25T20:58:00.000-08:002004-11-25T21:14:04.140-08:00

Battle of the Victors Ukraine's Victors - incumbent Yanukovych and challenger Yushchenko - are really going at it. Here is a site from the Canadian supporters of the challenger's side. It does not look like there are many on the incumbent's side.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101198606330670672004-11-23T01:21:00.000-08:002004-11-23T00:30:06.330-08:00

Alberta results King Ralph has held on despite an election dubbed "Kleinfeld" because it was about nothing. The real shock was Liberals winning seats in Calgary. Election results suggest a few things. There is just over one communist per riding in Alberta. Separatism has a ways to go before Alberta cuts bait on Confederation after getting about one percent of the vote. The Alberta Alliance,

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101178835924619322004-11-22T18:55:00.000-08:002004-11-23T00:05:00.350-08:00

The Link to an elected Senate? Link Byfield, formerly of Alberta Report fame, is seeking a Senator-elect designation in today's Alberta Senator election. Half of Alberta's six seats are currently vacant. Four people will gain status as Senator-elect.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101028565755006302004-11-21T01:14:00.000-08:002004-11-21T01:16:05.756-08:00

Right winger spouting off about being the N-word This is amazing stuff. Just an example of how a part of the left is at least as intolerant as a certain part of the right.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101020709278038592004-11-20T22:57:00.000-08:002004-11-20T23:05:09.276-08:00

Ghetto Wars: Auburn Hills Palace edition Excrement hit the fan last night in Detroit when the Pistons and Indiana Pacers squared off in NBA action. Without NHL hockey to satiate North America's blood lust in sports, this might be an acceptable alternative. Now I see why their slogan is: I Love This Game!

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101020057586584992004-11-20T22:52:00.000-08:002004-11-20T22:54:17.586-08:00

An angry love letter from blue America Check this profane site out. Sounds like someone doesn't like the results of the 2004 U.S. Presidential election.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1101196868237484682004-11-20T16:13:00.000-08:002004-12-19T23:40:09.326-08:00

Saving yesterday's college football for Grey Cup day Yes, this is the first, last, and only reference to the CFL this season. Now on to NCAA football: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork Yale Bulldogs3-35 (Div. I-AA)#13 Harvard CrimsonWGN #7 Michigan Wolverines21-37Ohio State BuckeyesABC #2 Auburn Tigers21-13Alabama Crimson TideCBS Washington Huskies25-28Washington State CougarsABC

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100928926616583812004-11-19T21:28:00.000-08:002004-11-19T21:35:26.616-08:00

Poet Laureate? Pauline Michel was named Canada's second Parliamentary Poet Laureate on Wednesday. On Thursday, Conservative MP Brian Pallister showed that he might be a good choice as the next Poet Laureate in two years time. Pallister read this poem (see page 37) in tribute to someone who is not George W. Bush's number one fan: Winter is coming, Christmas is near, The anti-American carollers

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100855804463260402004-11-19T01:15:00.000-08:002004-11-19T01:16:44.463-08:00

Change for the sake of change, anyone? The pro-STV folks are getting things going with an elite driven campaign.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100764772841944352004-11-14T21:59:00.000-08:002004-11-18T00:46:03.390-08:00

Saturday Football, yesterday's news Here is what happened yesterday: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork Pittsburgh Panthers41-38#24 Notre Dame Fighting IrishNBC UCLA Bruins34-26Oregon DucksABC #5 Cal Golden Bears42-12Washington HuskiesTEAM #8 Georgia Bulldogs6-24#3 Auburn TigersCBS Washington State Cougars28-45#20 Arizona State Sun DevilsTBS #7 Utah Utes45-28Wyoming CowboysABC Oregon

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100432791744197692004-11-14T03:44:00.000-08:002004-11-14T03:46:31.743-08:00

The end of the O.D.B. According to CNN, infamous rapper Ol' Dirty is no more. To someone who is not quite sure what the Wu-Tang Clan was, other than being the group with a music video about bees, the O.D.B. is best remembered as someone who caused a ruckus at some music awards show a few years back.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100339374573038002004-11-13T01:46:00.000-08:002004-11-13T01:49:34.573-08:00

One of the Senates problems There are currently 13 empty seats in the Upper House of Canadian Parliament. That would make the empty seats the third largest party in Canada's Senate, and most certainly the one that spends the least time in Mexico. All that is besides the point. Currently three of the 13 vacancies are in Alberta. With 24 of the seats for the Senate given to the four western

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100247359983071732004-11-12T01:15:00.000-08:002004-11-12T00:15:59.983-08:00

Interesting history This little piece from 1998 provides some interesting history on the U.S. Solicitor General's office.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100247315785143342004-11-11T11:00:00.000-08:002004-11-12T00:15:15.786-08:00

... Thank you so very much for everything.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100158389140825642004-11-10T23:24:00.000-08:002004-11-10T23:33:09.140-08:00

I Am a Daily Show Book Addict It all began with Joe Eszterhas's American Rhapsody. Then it was Fraud by David Rakoff. Today, The Daily Show convinced me of another fiction book I should consider reading: I Am Charlotte Simmonsby Tom Wolfe, author of The Right Stuff and other popular books. Amazing what a man in a white suit can do when he talks about cohabitation, dating, and college girls

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100153417992989232004-11-10T21:25:00.000-08:002004-11-10T22:10:17.993-08:00

El DoJ Alberto Gonzales, Bush's legal counsel, appears to have been tapped for Secretary of Justice in Bush's new administration. I guess that means he probably will not become the first Latino-American to become a Supreme Court Justice, at least until later in the administration.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100076923435304712004-11-10T01:23:00.000-08:002004-11-10T00:55:23.436-08:00

Forget about losing the polarizing cabinet secretary So what if John Ashcroft is out of the DOJ. The big loss for the third Bush administration is the departure from Commerce of Bush's Texan friend Don Evans, a key supporter back when George W. was just a young man in Texas. Hopefully enough of the Texas team will stay on to keep Bush grounded while he brings in some new faces to the core team.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099987072689799292004-11-08T23:50:00.000-08:002004-11-09T23:50:09.850-08:00

Letterman is on David Letterman had a great line about George W. Bush, who got a new dog after the election. He said that after serving during the first administration Barney was moving to the private sector.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1100071496920015582004-11-06T23:24:00.000-08:002004-11-10T00:20:11.993-08:00

Football College Style More football, because it's Saturday: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork Oregon Ducks27-28#4 California Golden BearsABC Arizona Wildcats23-13Washington HuskiesTEAM1040 Notre Dame Fighting Irish17-13#9 Tennessee VolunteersCBS #19 Oklahoma State Cowboys35-56#6 Texas LonghornsTBS #1 Southern Cal Trojans28-20Oregon State BeaversThe Score Washington State Cougars31-

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099379088414763402004-11-01T23:02:00.000-08:002004-11-01T23:04:48.413-08:00

Jon Stewart said it best tonight Voting is not cool. Jon Stewart's plea to America to make things difficult for comedians will probably fall on deaf ears, as if one looks back to 2000, one might wonder how someone could have provided more humour for comedians than William Jefferson Clinton did during his presidency. Bush or Kerry, the jokes will continue.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099377240095182812004-11-01T21:20:00.000-08:002004-11-01T22:34:00.096-08:00

Shot in the dark 2004 Here are the MEP election predictions: George Walker Bush, POTUS (R/TX-incumbent) Alabama (9) Alaska (3) Arizona (10) Arkansas (6) Colorado (9)* Georgia (15) Hawaii (4) Idaho (4) Indiana (11) Kansas (6) Kentucky (8) Louisiana (9) Minnesota (10) Mississippi (6) Missouri (11) Montana (3) Nebraska (5) Nevada (5) New Jersey (15) New Mexico (5) North Carolina (15) North Dakota (3

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099353118674936472004-11-01T15:50:00.000-08:002004-11-01T15:51:58.673-08:00

A little boost in traffic from an alternative college paper Thank you to The Dartmouth Review, whose Dartlog news has caused a little jump in traffic at this Canadian blog. If only there was a campus alternative like that in Canada. Excuse my while I dream about it.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099352902104944962004-11-01T15:47:00.000-08:002004-11-01T15:48:22.106-08:00

University of Calgary makes an Albertan statement about the U.S. election Check out what some students did to the U of C's Rock. In Canada, this could only happen at the University of Calgary.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099289645476354282004-10-31T22:11:00.000-08:002004-10-31T22:14:05.476-08:00

Oh God! Check this out and look for "Only Professors Rage Anymore" at the bottom of the page. The Dartmouth Review rocks!

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099207222889901702004-10-30T23:48:00.000-07:002004-10-31T00:20:22.890-07:00

Football. College Football. As BCS season approaches, there isn't much to watch today: College Football 2004 VisitorScoreHomeNetwork #10 Georgia Bulldogs31-24Florida GatorsABC #1 Southern Cal Trojans42-12Washington State CougarsABC Texas Tech Red Raiders35-25Kansas State WildcatsThe Score #20 Arizona State Sun Devils0-27#7 Cal Golden BearsTBS Oregon State Beavers28-14Arizona Wildcats-

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3287971.post-1099205102868694792004-10-30T23:43:00.000-07:002004-10-30T23:45:02.866-07:00

A good campaign ad Laura Ruderman, who is running for Secretary of State in Washington state, has a great campaign attack ad. All attack ads should be this entertaining.

Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03185784840497423834noreply@blogger.com