Audioslave’s new CD is coming out July 5th, disregard all days preceding it. I’m pretty stoked.
“Control Room” is a great documentary, recommended for anyone interested with the Iraq war.
reading week is over, not too happy about that
The page is looking good, the update is a nice change
somethings messed with the site today, and I suspect it’s all Hiro’s fault, but i don’t know why (It actually fixed itself when I posted the Blog…facist bastards).

Because I have nothing to talk about most of the time
I’m open to people giving recomendations on what to write about, anything about everything, I’ll collect a bunch and write about them once I get enough information.
why you ask? Because I am awesome.

Funny that Nana mention the 99(It’s an OC Transpo bus and mentioned in yesterday’s post). Well, not funny in the sense of a knee-slapper or a laugh-and-a-half, but coincidentally funny I guess. That is, my fellow readers, because the dear 99 and I have quite the history. The following is a very personal and touching story that I hold close to my heart and I would like to share it with you. I apologize in advance for the long post, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

[engage crazy blurring effects with some funky sound effects to let us go into the past]

It all started in the summer of ‘04. Ah, it was indeed a magical summer. My first time living in Ottawa. Well, not really Ottawa since technically I was in Gloucester(pronounced “Glosster” and not “Glouchester” by which I mistakenly called my first time), but it’s actually just a shithole on the outskirts of Ottawa so we’ll just call it Ottawa. The reason why I ended up in Gloucester is quite peculiar. That summer was my first co-op work term and I got a job in Ottawa at Natural Resources Canada. So naturally, over the months before May(when my job started) I did not bother finding a place to live in Ottawa. That is, until 1 week before I was to start working. So I decided it was high time to set things in motion to assure that I wouldn’t have to live in a box for a few weeks. I casually asked around to see if my friends in Ottawa knew of any places for rent. Sure enough, a couple of days later my good friend Jeff from back home messages me saying he’s in a townhouse all by himself with a place for me. Not quite close to my workplace, but I’m lazy. Deal. Did I mention it was only $225 a month? Haha sweet deal.

Right, the 99. You’re wondering what the heck this has to do with the 99. So anyway, I lived about a 12.672345 minute walk away from the St. Laurent mall which has a large bus station. I first met the 99 on my second day of work. The first day, I had taken a combination of 2 buses(the 14 and the 85) and it took forever. I felt like I was on a tour bus of Ottawa. Needless to say, I looked for another bus. I searched through all the listings, and I found out about the 99. It was love at first sight.

From the mall the 99 would come by and whisk me away on an enchanting 20 minute journey to work. The 99 truly was a glorious bus. Despite being on the totally wrong side of Ottawa, it was a short trip to work as the 99 took a route that avoided most of the busier roads and stations. And I didn’t even have to transfer. Bonus.

The 99 took good care of me that summer. It was thanks to the 99 that commuting across town was bearable. However, I did have a certain gripe with the 99. You see, every morning I would sleep in rather late(as far as having a full-time job goes), til around 9 am every morning. The fact that I have flexible hours at work made it that much easier to get every bit of sleep possible. The problem was, the 99 came every 10 minutes or so, early on in the mornings, then about every 15 minutes between 8-9:30 am. But after 9:30, the next 99 wasn’t until 10 am.

Almost every morning I’d drag myself out of bed at 9, get ready in 15 minutes and haul ass over to the mall. I’ve even sprinted the entire 12 minute walk(and then through the entire mall to get to the bus station) in a matter of minutes. Desperate times call for desperate measures. However almost once or twice a week, the 9:30 would be early. I’d miss it by minutes, sometimes seconds. So then I’d have to sit at the damn station for half an hour until the next bus. This, as you may have guessed, did not amuse me. I’d get into work around 10:30 and have to work until 6:30 pm. Let’s just say we weren’t exactly on speaking terms on the ride home.

Speaking of getting into work late…there were a few times that I didn’t get into work until about 11 am. Then I’d take my lunch break an hour later. Heh, good times.

So anyway, the summer went by quickly and I bid my farewell to the 99. It was a great summer but not all things in this world are meant to last. A long distance relationship wouldn’t have worked out too well I’d imagine.

This January, I was back on co-op and I returned to my old job. It was a great job and I loved Ottawa (all my good friends from back home going to school in Ottawa didn’t hurt either) so I figured why not. However, I decided I’d treat myself this term and live closer to work or at least my friends. Consequently, I am now living in Brooks residence(it’s like an apartment) on University of Ottawa campus. Win-win situation. It’s awesome.

As fate would have it, the 99 was once again the quickest and easiest way to get to work. On that cold, miserable January 3rd I was greeted by the 99. Having spent 4 months apart, I was a bit nervous to hop aboard. However once I was taken in by the warm, welcoming atmosphere, it felt like it was just yesterday. Can’t you see? We were simply meant to be together.

The 99 is still the same though. Old habits die hard I guess. I now usually take the 9:22 am bus(keep in mind I’m a lot closer to work now) to work. But as in the past, the 99 sometimes comes a couple minutes early and I just miss it making me wait until the next one comes at 9:40. Now it’s only a 20 minute wait but this sure ain’t summer. I get to stand all alone outside in the freezing cold as countless drivers pass by laughing(on the inside) at me for being stood up.

We’re kind of on a break right now. This actually happened to me 3 times this week. This morning the 99 tried to patch things up between us but I’m still a little bitter. Maybe I’ll have the weekend to find it in my heart to forgive the 99.

An apology wouldn’t hurt either.

Like Hiro’s post about the new update (which is smashing), this will not be a post in the normal Pleasant Interruption style. I’m just going to talk about myself.

Yesterday, (I came back to Ottawa after visiting my ‘rent’s place for part of reading week) I decided to save money by taking the bus from the train station instead of a cab. I learned that I probably should not take the 99. Ever. Unless I want to take another hour long walk home.

Apparently, I cannot take a normal picture. I always end up in some fantastical pose which is structurally impossible. I’d link to some examples, but really, if you want to see Escher I’d say go to the source. I’m not sure what I’m doing in the banner picture, so don’t ask. My brother refers to it as “the monkey pose”, but I like to think that it’s the last part of an awesome drum solo.

Okay, I’ve violated this place enough with my evil personal blogging! I just have two more things to say: Tony, the receipts came in for the apartment, and the Vietnamese telemerketing guys are calling you again.

Ahhh, elegance, simplicity and practicality. Beauty.
Today I feel that we need to have a (one-way) discussion regarding faucets. Indeed, it plays an integral part in our lives and yet rarely do people sit back and realize this fact. Without the glorious aid of these marvelous devices, we’d be banished to a world of dirty dishes and dirty hands. And how else would we brush our teeth? How…uncivilized.

I am not going to talk about how they work. Oh no, that is just so boring. Nor will I be talking about their design or the various brands available on the market. There are much more pressing matters to attend to.

I am going to attack the very issue that the majority of you, the people, have had to unfortunately deal with, yet are either still in denial, too shy, or simply too ashamed about it to talk about it in the open.

“What?” you say? “I do not harbour such feelings” you say.

No really, it’s ok. Just let it out.

We all hate them.

I hate them too. I hate them passionately.

“Hate what?”

The faucet with 2 knobs.

There, I said it! Now let’s talk about them in a calm, objective manner.

Alright, we all know the terribly depressing story.
You want to wash your hands/face/dishes/toothbrush.
You can’t use cold water to wash your hands.
You can’t use scorching hot water.
You must find the gentle medium.

It is like an epic quest, one that we must endure daily, and multiple times at that. Yet unlike the stories sung of great adventures of the past, there is no “happily ever after” for this tale. It is a quest that ends, only to begin anew.

What usually happens? You turn on 1 tap (for the more daring, both…at the same time) and deduce that it is too hot/cold and proceed in slowly increasing the other tap while monitoring the temperature of the water that is now coming out. This process is usually repeated by switching from one tap to the other, and – for the more experienced – sometimes decreasing the flow from the selected tap. After about 3 minutes, even the most incompetent person can usually attain the desired temperature for the river of life.

Now, to be fair, I must carefully point out a possible exception to this rule. There are some legendary 2-knobbed faucets for which the “hot” tap is actually a “warm” tap. In such rare cases, one can simply use the “hot” tap and disregard the other one with no consequence.
But of course, we all know that that these are simply wive’s tales told to gullible folk.

Now, returning to the subject of finding the gentle medium. There are a few heinous consequences to this process.

If you, like myself and many others, feel guilty in letting the tap run while doing something that doesn’t require the running of water, which pretty much encompasses all morning tasks such as the brushing of teeth (or dentures or diamond rocks), or shaving (mainly but not exclusive to males), or the insertion of contacts(or other objects? hmm I won’t ask, so don’t tell), then you try to limit the amount of water being wasted.

However, the fact that it takes some time to get to the stage of actually using the water, a lot of water is wasted in the process and to turn the tap off to conserve water, would most likely be negated by more water being spent to repeat the process. Also, it is quite difficult to achieve this lukewarm water when the water is flowing at a low rate. The water is often gushing out by the time you are satisfied.

Stop! Stop! Yes, I hear the cries of agony. Let out the screams. It is the pain leaving your body.

Now, since you are still with me, I assume you are expecting me to share some sort of sage-like wisdom in hopes of providing a solution to years of torment.

Yes, in these days of innovation, technology, and dreams being realized, (wo)mankind has given birth to a wonderful product that one may boldly state as being “the best thing since sliced bread.” It is known as…

The faucet with no knobs.

It is simple, yet elegent. Fashionable, yet practical. A true beauty in all respects.

A single, commanding lever can give the freedom of a wide spectrum of temperatures, yet ingeniously remember the temperature when turned off. It can also allow you the freedom to independently choose flow rate while maintaining a constant temperature.

And, as an added bonus, you can turn these faucets on/off with almost any body part. Yes, even that one.

Your nose, that is.

Why, oh WHY are they not found with every sink?

Weeeeell, that took a considerably longer time to do than I had hoped.

Readers, meet Pleasant Interruption Version 2.

I spent a good chunk of this weekend working on this new design so I hope you don’t think it looks like shit. In any case, being that it’s my first time delving into the world of web graphic design I don’t think it’s too terrible. It’s still a work in progress but I think it’s finally complete enough to be put to use as I didn’t feel like delaying this any longer.

Any comments, suggestions or critiques are welcome so please let me know either by commenting on this post or messaging me on MSN. Preferrably MSN if it’s to insult my design so as to allow me the opportunity to immediately insult your face. Haha kidding…

I’d insult your life. Oops! Kidding again! haha

No really, please don’t be afraid to critique any part of the design as the only way I can make it nicer is if you tell me what’s wrong with it! I’m not exactly the most creative person so all the help I can get will be appreciated.

Right-o, now that I have this giant time vacuum out of the way, I can proceed to engage the not-so-giant-but-still-pretty-big time vacuum of writing blog posts.

What, you were expecting an actual post today? Ha!

Hello, this is just a short message to let you know that we haven’t forgotten about the blog nor are we on the run from authorities.

I’ve been pretty busy this week after work and tonight I spent some time working on a new design as well as brainstorming for a profile section among other things.

So please stay tuned and you will soon find that the drought will have been worth it!

And of course, some big fast posts hopefully on the way as well.

ok, enough with the politically charged posts for now

I was just roaming around when i found this site that talks about “squirrel fishing“. I was curious so I checked it out, turns out 2 Harvard students had alot of spare time on their hands, (those damned Ivy Leaguers). I feel bad for those squirrels, but for some strange reason, I feel like I should be doing this. (does this make me a bad person?)

First of all, this blog is the best invention since Jenga. And that, dear readers, is a lofty accolade. Things I hate about my Flatmate is a blog where the author lists one thing per day which annoys them about their flatmate (roommate for those of you who aren’t following along). The posts range from the trivial to the hilarious, and I recommend checking this blog out. Now, to more pressing matters.

<3
I don’t think I need to remind anyone which day today is, as it’s significance goes much farther than it being Monday. Yes, today one of the most derided and celebrated of all quasi-holidays, Valentine’s Day. I’m sure you’ve heard all the insults and jibes about this day already, so I won’t bore you (much). If you’re anything like me, a callow, sunken husk of the man I once was, Valentine’s Day can be an annoyance at the least. However, rather than curl up into a ball in the cupboard and wait for the day to be over, I have a few other solutions for people like myself. These are last ditch ideas for those of you who WANT to enjoy Valentine’s Day, but don’t have anyone to enjoy it with (either by choice, or chance… if it’s chance then you suck).

Break up an existing relationship:
This idea is good for a number of reasons. First of all, you can make another person as miserable as you are! Second of all, it’s fun (I’m told)! Destroy the foundations of V-day by becoming a home wrecker (NOT WORK SAFE). For added points, break up with the person tomorrow, thus making their life random and meaningless!

Confess to the apple of your eye:
Is there some guy/girl out there who you think is the bee’s knees? Be mildly romantic and profess your undying love for them, extolling their virtues to the heavens. Make some sort of analogy about one of their body parts and something only passingly associated with said part (for example, eyes to stars, hair to fields of wheat, or leg to cricket bat).

Drunken rampage with your mates:
Yes, I said mates (arr). I don’t really need to explain this one. You just get drunk. With your friends. Make sure it’s cheap beer. Try and become blind. Oh, get some fried chicken too. Try and be as dirty as possible, because bringing yourself to an even lower level will make self pity all that much easier (annual event at my place!). Afterwards, run around parks or other public areas looking for HAPPY people, and harass them–choose your own methods, but I suggest water balloons.

So those are my suggestions for surviving Valentine’s Day if you don’t have a significant other. If you do, have a happy and wonderful day, but watch out for me trying to ruin it.

Ok, this one is for all you guys reading this. Well, girls can read on too but well, according to my research, most of you already know what I’m talking about. Well, I guess not the younger ones. At least I hope not.

Let me preface this by saying that I deserve some sort of a medal. A majestic city in my name. The Nobel Prize should be valued as worthless as a Kinder Surprise toy in contrast. I believe that I am now entitled to belong to the highest echelon of society. I should be revered and respected a thousandfold more than all of the world’s greatest men in all of its history. My mere presence alone should humble all those who are fortunate enough to have me in their company.

Why am I entitled this honour you ask? Because I am going to single-handedly reveal a mind-shattering truth that is unbeknownst to quite possibly the entire male species. Aeons in the dark, I can now shed some light for the other half of the world.

Today, during one of my usual chats with 2 of my (awesome) roommates – Amanda and Kat – the conversation took an interesting turn that led to quite the shocking revelation.

Never in the perverted parts of the deep recesses of my mind have I ever fathomed such a concept.

So imagine a tupperware party. You know, like they had in the 60’s and 70’s. All the housewives went to them. They talked about how they’d use the tupperware. They sold tupperware to each other. By Golly, they sure were popular. I mean, tupperware is a godsend and what better way to spend an afternoon with the ladies and socialize while buying tupperware?

So they kinda faded into the pages of history and tupperware parties are no more.

Right?

WRONG.

In fact, they’re as popular as ever.

Except now…it’s without the tupperware.

Well, see for yourself. I present to you: the Fantasia Home Party.
(WARNING: DO NOT CLICK ON THIS AT WORK)

What do they do at these parties? Well, I don’t think I can summon the words to describe such lurid unmentionables. Go to the site and see for yourself. It’s a tad…naughty.

So now you’re saying, “Wow what a letdown, it’s not very shocking that they have parties like that.” Oh no, it’s more than just that. It’s the fact that most (over 70% according to my terribly inaccurate survey) girls have at least heard of them, while a number (anywhere from 10-40%) of them have been to one, or at least been invited to one. They start as early as high school!

And how many guys I asked knew about them? 0.

Ok allow me to paint you a picture here to put things in perspective. So there are all these whacko cults out there like the Church of Scientology, and the Freemasons (you know…the Masonic Temple people). But everyone’s heard of them. Sure, they’re secretive but we at least know they exist!

But with this, it’s as if half of the world belongs to a clandestine, underground cult and the other half doesn’t even know of its existence! Isn’t that a bit eerie?

This has been a totally life-changing discovery and I must say, it has totally changed my outlook on life and my perspective on television, sports, academics and even cheap wing nights! The fingers of corruption have left nothing standing in its wake, not even sparing my morning oasis of 2-egg/2-toast breakfasts!

Well, no longer shall the men of this earth walk blind, deaf, and oblivious.

Set forth my young disciples, and proclaim the truth.

i was doing my daily rounds of information seeking, and news absorbing, when i came across this very disturbing article about the how the United States is centralizing power, and taking away the privilages of other government organizations, in order to run the country.
It seems that with this centralization of power is an attempt by the United States governemnt to end their reliance on other Agencies such as the CIA, so that they could go about their business without having to get the other organizations approval, and even the congress’s approval, in order to carry out covert operations around the world and even in the USA.
The Pentagon has this special directive that allows them to “employ special, ultra-secret “anti-terrorist” military units on American soil for what the author claims are “extra-legal missions.”"
as you read on: “In other words, using U.S. soldiers to kill or arrest Americans, acts that have been illegal since the U.S. Civil War.”

You will have to read the article to get a better understanding of what its all about, and some of the material shocked me.
As moving as this article may be, don’t take it all at face value.
I still need to comprehend certain finer points, of it, but as it stands, its a pretty strong article. Its up to you to make sense of what this all is truly about.