Phendrana Drifts

Wow, have I been a bad blogger. I don't know what happened, I meant to blog. But I guess life got in the way. Nevertheless, the negativity of last week is over, I've had a great weekend so far, and am actually looking forward to work on Monday. Impressive given how badly the past three days of work went.

I also wanted to share a quote with you from Paris 1919, which is the current book I am trying to read for pleasure. Georges Clemenceau was Prime Minister of France at the end of the First World War, but in 1914, he was in opposition, as the Germans began their attack on the French. As the Germans pushed towards Paris, the French Parliament debated leaving Paris. Clemenceau agreed, saying "Yes, we are too far from the front." That's great.

Today is going better, but not super duper, or at least not yet. I will get to watch Lost in Translation tonight though, that will make things better.

My boss is back at work tomorrow. Hopefully that will mean more fun and challenge and less crappiness. But that's not completely true. One of the executives paid a great compliment to me. Of course it took one of the execs forgetting something to offset that. But that is a secret between you and me blog. Well, you, me and the English speaking world as Capt. Edmund Blackadder might say.

I am not having a good day. So far, everything that has gone well has been a result of sheer will by myself or Allie.

The more time that passes, the better the story has to be. And the story kind of has a... specific audience. Of course we all could identify with it - a practical joke - really, you have to be within student politics to understand it fully.

That said, background.

1. It was Chris Samuel, our VP External's birthday Friday.
2. It was decided to play a practical joke on him.
3. The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) is a large Canadian student association, representing thousands of Canadian students, but not the U of A.
4. The U of A SU is suing the CFS for TravelCUTS, a travel company.
5. The CFS is controversal, for lots of reasons.

So... Mat, Erin and I decided to create the illusion of the CFS declaring bankruptcy on Friday, and a angry group of activists would blame the U of A SU. This required a carefully laid plan with a couple of fake press releases and a believable timeline that seemed hurried and uncheckable due to time constraints. We were meeting at 1:00 and that is where the crisis would come to a head. I created said press releases, and then at 12:45 I sent the following e-mail to the people who were in on it, and of course Chris.

FYI!!!

Begin forwarded message:

From: Toby White
Date: February 20, 2004 12:39:28 PM MST
To: 'Duncan Wojtaszek'
Subject: CFS Rumour

Hey Duncan,

I don't know what is going on across the street, but something is up at the CFS.

Remember Michael Conlon? He called me to say that something about the lawsuit was coming up today. Any idea what is up? Rob called and suggested they might declare bankruptcy today! WTF!?!

Toby

Erin followed with this e-mail:

Did Bill say anything about this before he left???

Chris screamed. I'm not kidding. He was in his office, five doors down from me and I heard it clear as day. He orders me to figure out what is going down, which of course I am too happy to do. I print off my two fake press releases and a set of fake key messages, and head to the Advocacy Team meeting.

Here are copies of the press releases:
CFS Press Release
SEA Press Release

Chris actually begins shaking with joy! Not quite the reaction I expected given his resignation was demanded, but very cool. He had bought the gag hook, line and sinker. We plot strategy for half an hour: Do we call our General Manager who is on vacation? Do we remove the protesters at 3:00 by force? Do we react with saddness that the CFS is doomed or with joy?

He he he.

Finally Erin let him in on it. He was astonished. It was great.

Happy Birthday Chris!

posted by Duncan @ 11:02 AM 0 comments

Monday, February 23

Why does the story have to wait another day? Because... well, I am too drunk to tell it.

The story will still have to wait, for I am tired.

Hello readers looking for online sex! I don't know how, but I've been added to a list of "adult sites". Enjoy your stay. I can't match the content... but I would suggest my site is more... genuine.

Off to Calgary!

Out of town for a couple of days - will blog upon my return. I have a great story to share.

A little article picked up from Fark:

Mr. Bin Laden, You're Cleared To Fly

Lots of people can't get on a plane anymore in the United States because they are suspected terrorists. But not Osama. What is the purpose of this list if the most wanted person in the American justice system can get on a plane. I wonder if his name would pop up in the state trooper's computer if he were pulled over for speeding in Butte, Montana?

Saw the first half of Lost In Translation (finally) but my viewing mate got tired and I mercifully suggested finishing it tomorrow. I'm not suggesting I would change my vote in the poll (Kill Bill Vol. 1 still got the shaft in the nominations, in my opinion) but it is very good so far.

Just finished watching Snakes and Ladders, an attempt by CBC to be like the West Wing, but without the... je ne sais quoi, the polish is what the video gamer in me wants to say. There is all the components, to most degrees the characters, and the setting except it sucks in the way CBC television always sucks. Well, not always. But often. Sometimes I miss cable.

Thinking of Canadian politics, wow! I can't get over how long the legs of this scandal are. Why is it such a different story today? When Gagliano was fired from the Cabinet I knew it involved millions of dollars and the major gist of the program. The scope may be a little bigger, but it still pales in comparison with the HRDC scandal earlier. Of course, this one is a lot more malicious, but I am still amazed that it is making headlines. I wonder if we'll forget come election time. But wow - John Bryden. And have you read Warren Kinsella's blog of late? I thought it would be months before I got to say this, but I'm glad I'm not Paul Martin today.

Happy Blogiversary to Allie and I!

One year of blogging down. A fun experiment, one that I plan on continuing. I can not say my writing has got any better or I feel more in touch with myself, but I sure do like blogging. And my stats suggest you like me too (although so few comment...).

Hey, I track IP addresses, so don't be a goof in the comments or I will ban you.

Interesting day at work as I watch the entire student movement move to condemn the Alberta Government for adding money to RESP contributions. I agree it is a bad solution to high tuition and poor funding, but it is still free money. I wonder if it would be better to just ignore the problem... after all, us sending out press releases simply gets the idea floating around in the heads of the public, most of whom will think it is a brilliant idea. But no press might be the worst press the government would want with this... hmm. Still, we have to comment - it is what we do on a issue like this.

I have to go to bed, because I'm tired after the staying up all night last night.

Tired... Allie and I were trying to stay up waiting for money to be deposited into our account from her job. We would like pizza... I know selfish thoughts. After all, Wes and Raven are in bed. But alas, it is now 1:30 and no money in our account. We just finished watching Jerry Maguire, I doubt we could make it through another movie. And we would be so tired tomorrow. And the pizza places would be closed too.

Flames make it four straight, down Wild 2-1

There are only 26 games left in the season. The Flames have earned 66 points so far... the excitment is building. I wonder if people are excited in Calgary?

There is a dog where I work. In the University Health Centre. I don't know her name, but she is a large black dog. She is training to be a dog that will help you feel better. I think it is a great job. I try and visit her everyday. I think the people in the UHC are beginning to call me Dog Boy.

Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart!

Martin Burns Chretien

Isn't it a little early for Martin to be blaming Chretien for the problems in his government? I mean, I agree, they are the past government's fault, but you can only bang that drum a couple times before the next government gets to talk about how you screwed it up.

Mission Accomplished!

I'm not sure it is a new record (in terms of a game I outright enjoyed, 18-Wheeler thusly does not count) but two days later, Metroid Zero Mission's first run-through is finished. Two work days (I do not play at work) and a decent way through a Civilization III game with Allie too!

Sadly, I am still thinking of a beach. Even though it is now nice here in Edmonton. I guess it isn't too sad. Beaches are a nice thought.

Metroid is quite good - it certainly has a bit of the feeling that you've played it before (unlike Metroid Fusion, which was completely a new adventure) but so far it is going quite nicely.

In other news, Lucas made it official, September 21, 2004 will find me watching the original trilogy of Star Wars on DVD.

Enough plugging products on my site. It was also a gorgeous day here in Edmonton. I'm still wishing for coconuts, rum and beaches of course, but this is certainly a nice change from -40. Now I'm off to bed - with my Game Boy of course. And Allie too! Hmm... I sense a titanic battle brewing - who will win - Samus Aran, space bounty hunter or Allie, sexy babe extraordinaire? Hmmm...

I take a hiatus from politics, and then it sucks me back in again. Sigh. I should get on that moving to Bermuda, shouldn't I? Beaches, hammocks, ocean, sun and rum.

Today was supposed to be Metroid day, but alas it was not to be. But tomorrow Samus Aran will begin her mission to rid Zebes of Space Pirates. Those darn Space Pirates. Honestly, I am very excited. It is a remake of the first Metroid, but with lots more secrets, way better graphics and tonnes more story. Think of the remake of Super Mario Bros. 1-3 for the Super Nintendo, but on steroids. Well, hopefully. Of course, I haven't had the chance to play it yet. And it has a perfect port of the original as a bonus. Like Metroid Prime, except on the GBA. So awesome.

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