More than just hockey pucks, eh!

Thanks to the CBC, there is more to Canada than stand up comics and sitcom stars!
The Greatest Canadian Inventions

Of course, my personal favorite is from Louis Poirer, a designer (#49 in the sqare). I should be thankful for the A.G. Bell, I suppose, but that lead to the blackberry....

The news just keeps getting better.

Hat tip Instapundit, this is just the best news all week. Honey, open that second Syrah.
Want to live longer? Toss back a few cocktails .
Cheers.

Vodkapundit - He's not dead you know.

I did not think he was. I just thought he was off in search of the perfect Martini. I was wrong, as usual.
Vodkapundit - All the News That's Fit to Drink . This link is to his main site, not a permalink. Once he is back to his old self, it should be a daily stop.

Christmas will be merry in the Green house this year, in spite of all the snow today. Be well.

Bill Haugland CFCF-TV

If you lived in or around Montreal during the last 30 years, you probably watched Pulse News at the end of a long day. As the headline reads, a good guy is going. And for a noble reason as well. Sorry I missed his final broadcast.
Watching the news the next time I go home just won't be the same. It was always comforting watching the news when I was there - made me feel like I never left.

How can you live in California?

People often ask how it is I can live in California, what with the traffic (awful), population (huge and getting bigger, more than all of Canada), smog (bad, but better than it used to be), cost of housing (ridiculous), etc...
But if you look at today's weather map, you will understand. It hit family in Calgary last week and it looks like it is on its way to Montreal. Here in California, we do have weather issues at times, so nothing is perfect. But where else would this happen: we had an overnight freeze warning for the crops as it dropped down below 32 F. And now, this afternoon, it is mid 70 degrees at the beach, so you can work on your tan!
So that is it in a nutshell :) All the bad stuff just becomes the daily grind.

In Praise of Chain Stores

Not that I am an especially big fan of The Gap or CPK for that matter. But Virginia Postrel makes a fine point in this Atlantic Online column. I have been guilty of complaing about no local restaraunts while in North Carolina many years ago for work. Kinston, to be exact. Thankfully, the locals invited me to lunch, right after Sunday Church, and before my flight. I still remember the meal....

The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catchphrases

The 100 Greatest TV Quotes & Catchphrases Via Ann Althouse.
In honour of my friend, Ed, I will vote for "Stifle! (Archie Bunker, All in the Family)" . But there are plenty of favs to choose from. Just don't waste too much time :) Someday, I would like to work for TV LAND. Some jobs just seem like more fun than others.
Later.

What is the CFL you ask?

Well if you have to ask, don't bother. But a great game nonetheless. Canadian rules football. Longer, wider field, big end zone, three downs.
But the most interesting quote in the article is this one "...The players you remember best are the players you remember when you were 12 years old...". I would have to agree with that statement. I still remember most of the top players from the Hamilton Tiger Cats, my team way back them. A few made the top 50 list, but Joe Zugar and Garney Henley did not. One, the quarterback and punter, the other a two way player extrordinaire!
TorontoSun.com - Top 50 CFL players ... Note that there are plenty of US players on the list. Number one, in fact.

Little old wine drinker, me.

A Second Pour of Good News About Substance in Red Wine - washingtonpost.com
The good news just keeps on coming. I am sure you all read the post below :) Forget the glass, bring me a bottle and make it a Magnum! Salut.

VDH - He studies history

The Corner and Mr Hanson point out what I have often thought, but am not smart enough to explain it properly. Hopefully, this time he is wrong. Hopefully.

Otherwise, the election was fun. Everyone is scurrying about. Send in the Clowns, the Jokers have been given the big boot.

CHOM-FM

Well, if you grew up where I did, when I did, then you knew this guy. He was as crazy as he looks in the picture. Live Earl Jive
What ever happened to that style of radio? And thanks to Marc Denis for your efforts here. They are great.

Red Wine Compound Promises Longevity, Study Finds - washingtonpost.com

Red Wine Compound Promises Longevity, Study Finds - washingtonpost.com: "'Just sit back and relax with a glass of red wine " Woo Hoo. Finally, Something I can fully support, no questions asked. Bring on the Cab, baby.

andrewcoyne.com: Attack of the killer mailboxes

andrewcoyne.com: Attack of the killer mailboxes: "Attack of the killer mailboxes " I thought this sort of thing only happened here, in California. Wrong-o. Geez.

PIZZA RESERVES UNSUSTAINABLE

Tim Blair writes about the 'retirement' of David Suziki. For those who do not know this Japanese/Canadian scientist, follow the link on Tim's site. Call me cynical, but I love Tim's last line.
It's Friday, so good weekend, all.

Great Quote

Via Instapundit.com comes a great quote from Victor Davis Hanson. Guess it does pay to study history after all. Mr Bavota would be proud and happy to hear.

Kim Campbell Thornton

On your right, under links, note the addition of a pet link. A good friend and neighbor, Kim is, well here is a portion from her blog ..." I've been writing about cat and dog care for 20 years..."

Visit her ( Kim ) to read it all, and you will be a better person for it. She also writes a regular column at msnbc.com, link on her site.

Along with her husband, they have also started something called The Darcy Fund. If you like Cavalier Spanial's - you know, the Royal Kind - then you will want to check out this place Darcy's Daily .

They recently lost Darcy and started this fund to aid research. The fund is handled by ACKCSC Charitable Trust. Details, with a history, are lovingly explained at Darcy's.
Got to run. Enjoy reading. And thanks for stopping by.

ProfessorBainbridge.com

This smart-guy, ProfessorBainbridge.com , a Biz Law Prof from UCLA is re-thinking his main blog. Luckily, no mention of him stopping his other blog,
http://www.professorbainbridgeonwine.com/.

Lots of good tips there, like his most recent. Will have to look for it.

Sad that he seems to have removed all his old posts, as he was always a good, level headed read. Thanks, sir, and good luck.

Getty Images paying hardball

Good friend of mine with a small internet business just received a cease and desist order from Getty - along with a bill for over TWO THOUSAND dollars. Seems on his website, he had these two generic operator photo's that he put up there.

He did not realize they were copyright protected images. He of course took them off right away, and is now trying to negotiate a fairer deal. Why would a big company like this try and nail a little guy? A quick email and he removed them - no harm done. It is not like he intended to steal. I know the law is not on his side, but sometimes companies should just do the right thing.

Anyone else out there have any ideas? I am assuming this may be read by someone, but I doubt it :)

Judges and Lawyers and Bunk Beds

The Volokh Conspiracy - - And they wonder why know one really trusts a lawyer or a judge. Thankfully, there are some with common sense.

WW II - Discovery Channel

The Corner on National Review Online: "Discovery Channel "
Wow, what would Amnesty International and Human Rights watch have to say about that?
Going to have to look for this show.

Tim Blair

Tim Blair: "AUSTRALIA MAKES SENSE"

Exactly. Applies the same around the world. Or so it should. All immigrants - legal or otherwise - should make a note.

Everyone Has Neighbors

" ...Ok, not to be vain, We love Mario's. Yet nowhere in that blog did I see my chicken enchiladas mentioned. Whatever. Who do I have to buy a drink for to get an honorable mention, on a stupid blog for chri** sake? ... "


Okay, so not sure how to start. I have this neighbor who fancies himself quite the Gourmet - no, wait. Take two: All who read this need to know that I live next door (kinda) to this guy who makes the best Chicken Enchilada's in the....
I just can't seem to decide what kind of mood I am in? Nice, friendly guy mood or big smartass mood?
Since I am neither (no comments please), let me just say that my neighbor read a blog reviewing all Mexican restaurants in "The OC" and he wrote the opening lines in an email.

Well, since he provided a pitcher of Margarita's last weekend for our Taco Night, I guess that should cover his cost of being mentioned in a blog.

Can we all just move along now?

Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts - New York Times

Once Muslim, Now Christian and Caught in the Courts - New York Times So you want to be a Christian in Malaysia? Think twice, or move first. Read it here first - volokh.com

Bring on the germs.

I think I have found a good reason for this site. As I troll and find interesting tidbits, I have been loathe to bookmark them. The bookmark file just becomes cluttered. But here, I can just set the link, and I will have any easier time finding them.

Which brings me to this story. Recenty, witnessed some parents who seemed to be obsessive about their children and cleanliness. They should read the stories linked below.
I recall hearing of 'measles' parties that I may have gone to when I was a child. Thinking then was, get it over with now - they seem to have been right!
These are a few I have come across. Although, I cannot locate a recent one I read.

Too much cleanliness may be making some people sick.

More warnings against 'excessive cleanliness'. This one is from '02

From '04 "Don't touch that, it's dirty!"

Religion Today

Andrew Sullivan links to a letter in the Washington Post regarding Catholicism. If I recall correctly, he is Catholic.
While some of the details of the letter are specific to Catholic's, I suspect the sentiment holds true for many people of Christian faith. Perhaps other faith's also, though I can't speak to them.
I link to Andrew rather than the Post, as I don't know how long the Post story will be online.

Clash Of Civilizations?

I think everyone needs to go here and read this one.
Following are excerpts from an interview with Arab-American psychiatrist Wafa Sultan. The interview was aired on Al-Jazeera TV on February 21, 2006:
memritv.org

Hat tip (as they say) to The Corner.

High School Confidential

A few years ago, I attended my High School Reunion. Never mind which one. I was very glad I did. The conventional wisdom is that only those who have done well attend. The better you did, the more likely to attend. Ego, I suppose.
Anyway, great post here from a writer who just attended his HS reunion.

JAMES LILEKS: "As wine ages better than beer, so did the women look better than the men."

If you are thinking of attending one, don't think, go. And read this for a primer of what it is like to "go home again"

Who knew I would have little to say?

...or so little time to say it.

I need to focus on investing over the next few months, so may not have time yet again. Would like to get back in the game for the second half of the year.
Market is all over the place, but oil has dropped off its highs, although it has crept up today. Fed seems to have come to the conclusion that it needs to back off (?) - I hope. Arabs Countries seem to be letting Israel have its way with Hezbollah, so dog bites man stories are sure to appear.

But it is Friday afternoon. Time for R&R. Coctails are calling and Monday will be here soon enough.

Be well.

Be back soon

For Pet Lovers, go to my friends blog:
http://dogmaandcattitude.blogspot.com/
And this one traces the trials of one of their little dogs that is not too well:
http://darcysdaily.blogspot.com/
Me? I will be back soon.

Update: I will, I promise.