Phendrana Drifts

I've blogged about the Man in Black before. As many people know, I don't have cable, so I have not seen a music video in awhile. Not to mention I'm getting older, making watching music videos less and less likely. But, wow, after I read about MTV's music video awards I decided to go watch Johnny Cash's video "Hurt", originally by Nine Inch Nails. Simply the best video ever. It is a crime that it didn't win whatever was coming to it. And it is a crime that Cash is writing and performing some of the best stuff of his career and the mainstream is completely ignoring it. Pure and simple a crime. While most of us are watching Justin Timberlake the very best of music is passing us by. And passing is meant in both forms of the word. For the interested, the video is directed by Mark Romanek, who did the brilliant One hour Photo as well. Damn, so much art going around so quickly, and ignored by the masses. Test

Thanks to Kim I have found the test to determine my religious path in life. Like her, the www.beliefnet.com quiz results were not much of a surprise to me either...

1. Unitarian Universalism (100%)
2. Liberal Quakers (91%)
3. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (89%)
4. Secular Humanism (83%)
5. Neo-Pagan (82%)
6. Theravada Buddhism (79%)
7. New Age (69%)
8. Nontheist (66%)
9. Mahayana Buddhism (66%)
10. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (66%)
11. Taoism (64%)
12. Reform Judaism (64%)
13. New Thought (58%)
14. Bahá'í Faith (55%)
15. Scientology (55%)
16. Sikhism (52%)
17. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (47%)
18. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (47%)
19. Orthodox Quaker (46%)
20. Jainism (45%)
21. Hinduism (43%)
22. Jehovah's Witness (34%)
23. Seventh Day Adventist (31%)
24. Orthodox Judaism (28%)
25. Islam (26%)
26. Eastern Orthodox (13%)
27. Roman Catholic (13%)

Well, except I do have the Catholic conscience. I do wish secular humanism was a bit higher, as that is how I would likely self-identify myself. Or Shinto. I've always wanted to be Shinto.

Moving continues... here is a before shot... after shots will be on Saturday and new home shots on Sunday/Monday!

(This shot was taken when it was my turn to clean the kitchen. Allie is a superb housekeeper. I am... well... lacking in certain areas. But I mow a mean lawn. Of course we rent and I never have to mow a lawn. A shame, really... *wink*

Should blog. Electricity will end soon. Hmmm... but Civ III and packing calls to me. Well, the packing doesn't call. It more whines.

Still no blog... Duncan, what are you doing? Oh, and have you heard that the Ontario Tories are doing well in the polls? Well enough to almost consider going for the election? Interesting how a crisis that is largely your own fault causes the population to support you...

I honestly did not mean to avoid blogging for so long... stuff, as always, gets in the way.

Blame Canada? Thanks to Fark I have learned that I should be sleeping a little bit better at night. Private copying? Who knew?

Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Quynn!
Happy birthday to you!

Boxes, boxes, boxes. Only 736 to go. There was a comedy skit a little while ago by George Carlin about the acumulation of stuff, how much we have and really, is there a point to it all. I figure everyone must agree with him whilst they are packing.

Thanks to my friend Joel, I have been introduced to an even larger world of academic study of video games. And wow, there is a lot. Well, not as much as there is on say, Margaret Thatcher. But enough some academics have started to make a living off it. And this article is so far my favourite, but there is lots more reading to do.

Now, why wasn't this guy testifying at the recent American trials where video games were being tested for their appropriateness for first amendment protection (currently I believe the 8th Circuit has overruled a lower court and said that indeed video games are protected speech).

Drunk, debating the use of the internet.

CNN: 'Serious looting' in Ottawa

Whoa... Canadians are looting but Americans are behaving? Hmm... you unlock this door with the key of imagination. Beyond it is a another dimension: a dimension of sound; a dimension of sight; a dimension of the mind. You're moving into a land of both shadow and substance... of things and ideas, you've just crossed over into the Twilight Zone. Bumbumbum.

Then again, as Allie pointed out to me, all of these looters will be charged with "theft" rather than being tried in a military tribunal as "terrorists". Or "enemy detainees."

I've posted about looting before, last April, for the curious.

"A spokesperson from Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman's office confirmed to globeandmail.com that there is no power."

Isn't the Globe and Mail in Toronto? Crack piece of reporting.

How fast can forest or brush fires move? There is a large fire southwest of Calgary near Blairmore and our sky is bright pink and orange as a result. And the air smells like a campfire. Not that I am afraid, just wow... interesting. Gotta go barbeque another piece of beef. If I really had no remorse or taste, I would comment on how I hope for a freak case of mad lobster disease to break out in New Brunswick, but I'll hold my tongue, since real people are of course facing hardship from the single case of BSE (thanks for catching my acronym faux pas, Allie). But think about it, people selling lobster at a $2 a kilogram? Allie asking me if I would have one or two lobsters tonight?

So I read the Onion infographic, and Delicious Juice's blog about it, which was more than enough to convince me that I too had to see what friendster.com was all about. I haven't figured it out yet, but as near as I can tell, if you know my e-mail address you can add me to your list. So why not? The service is free (unlike that loser Classmates system that fills my inbox) and I haven't read about any spam complaints.

A little naked rugby (with a picture) and finding a place to live make all the difference in the world. I'm astonished what a better mood I am in. The world looks bright and shiny.

What would possess people to play naked rugby though? There is happiness and then there is taking it too far. Like the running of the bulls in Strathmore.

Dancing did not go well, and not one single thing really appears to be going well in my life. Roar!

Revision: I really am being too hard on myself and my life. There is some wonderfulness. I just need to find it. And I have the best partner in the world to help go searching for it.

Enough of this mood.

We are going dancing. Drunk Duncans love dancing.

Duncans deserve happiness.

I'm slightly drunk, which is good, because otherwise I wouldn't be posting this. Forgive all spelling errors.

So, our new landlord says "All is good, just fill out this sheet and give us $250." OK, says we. They come back with "Oh, you don't have jobs yet in Edmonton, can you pay two months rent?" Sure says we, and I have $1800 in money orders on my desk to prove it. Then they come back with "Actually, we would like four months rent in advance... is that ok?" Crap says we, that is $3600. We don't have $3600. But we ask people and what not, and we think maybe we can find it. Then they call back with "We are rejecting your application unless you come up with six months rent and sign a six-month lease..." Well, go f**k yourself. That would be $5400. Every U of A grad student just had that kicking around... wait a minute. I don't actually have $5400 on me. Do you take several post-dated cheques? No? Well, that would make me homeless. I realize that isn't your problem, but it certainly is mine.

Stupid Edmonton. Stupid everything.

Revision: I take that back -

I am so nervous. I had a terrible week at work, I have no job in two weeks, I have no where to live in three, and I'm so worried. Grr...

Allie found me a new hard drive on sale! Now I have room in my computer! I am much happier. So much space...

And, thanks to Kim, I found a new quiz on where I stand on the political spectrum... I am a libertarian (although not quite as much as Kim) and a little to the left, but not enough to have to leave Alberta.

Economic Left/Right: -1.12
Libertarian/Authoritarian: -6.51

I can certainly live with the results. What else? I designed a new template for my friend Michele's blog... and I still hate our potential new landlords in Edmonton. It is looking more and more like we will have to find a new place to live. Who asks for six months rent in advance? I would be buying a condo if I had that much money kicking around.

I am the invincible sword goddess!

And I can guest blog too!

I am amazing!

I don't believe in intuition, but it appears that my bad feeling wasn't for nothing. Stupid Edmonton. Stupid potential new landlords.

Somehow not everything feels right this morning. Maybe it is just the sleepless night last night. I should have blogged. Such is life. I'll try and post later today.

Do you know who Warren Kinsella is? Well, if you have ever studied modern Canadian politics, you've certainly studied his work (three successful Liberal elections). I put him on my Blogroll after I found his blog and then he e-mailed me. Me! Plain old ordinary Duncan. Gotta work on Bill Maher now. Maybe Wil Wheaton in the future...

And of course the irony is that yesterday I was blogging away about how I might vote Liberal in the future, but certainly didn't support Kinsella's friend Jean in the past ten years. What can I say? I work for the Provincial Minister of Energy (who of course is a conservative) and went to the University of Calgary. Still, regardless of his Liberal leanings, if you get a chance to read Kinsella's books (especially Web of Hate) you should. His blog is a good read too. And I can say from experience you can catch him lots on Politics at 3:00 Mountain time on CBC Newsworld.

Interesting political development... I have checked on the location of our new townhouse and it is in the provincial riding of Edmonton Meadowlark, who is represented by the able Bob Maskell, a former principal and by all accounts a good member of the Tory caucus. Now here is the really interesting part, I live in Edmonton West federally, represented by Hon. A. Anne McLellan, P.C., M.P., Minister of Health. Do I dare contemplate voting Liberal federally? Why would I? Well, I can certainly say that as far as Liberal ministers go, Anne has been a good minister for Alberta. Certainly she has done some which I am not a fan of (re: Kyoto Protocol vote) and had to stand behind many decisions which I don't like (re: everything Jean has ever done) but we honestly could have a far worse representative in Ottawa.

I am not a fan of sitting out the next election from a volunteer perspective, I like to be involved. But I am not the kind of person who wants to help secure another Liberal victory. Darn you conundrums.

Despite initial rumours to the contrary, Civilization III's expansion (which can be had for $30!!!) does have a hot seat option (Quynn: go to multiplayer, choose to host a game, and in the setup of the game choose a hot seat game, a little complex, and I am not sure how it will work with a scenario) so Allie and I spent a day building the Mongol and Celtic empires.

And, my favourite American politican seems to have made it clear he isn't coming back in the Bush Administration. Hmm... Powell vs. Rodham-Clinton in 2008? I may cheer for the Republicans yet. But so far Nader has my virtual vote locked up for 2004. Unless a miracle happens in one of the two parties. But who for the 2004 Canadian election? Even harder call. Martin? Nah, too easy, too slimy and too liberal. Then again, I'll be in Edmonton where my vote will actually matter. Maybe if I am in McLellan's riding. Mackay? Don't make me laugh. That was a great joke. Harper? Only if I were in Edmonton Strathcona with Jaffer as my MP. Layton? Hmm... what is this idea of collectivized farms he speaks of? Can I vote for the Bloc in Edmonton?

See my first picture with a digital camera? Thanks to Quynn, we are borrowing one! And that means one thing... well two things if you count more pictures of me (I don't like my picture being taken, but alas it will now happen en masse) more pictures in the blog, starting with this out of focus one of my cat.

Went to Edmonton, and did so many tasks! We are so proud, and we also had so much fun with Quynn!

~~Find apartment to live in.~~

~~Pay September rent and damage deposit on said apartment.~~

Get postal box. - Decided against for the time being.

Set up utilities. - Need an address.

Find part-time/full-time employment. - Not done, but lots of leads.

~~Pay University of Alberta.~~

~~Find nearest Electronics Boutique to new home.~~

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