I had intended to pass on the 81st Academy Awards, but somehow my mind got lured into it. My days of seeing every film, and keeping up on the Hollywood crowd has passed. The only exception would be 007 James Bond, and he’s more Pinewood Studios than Hollywood oriented. So I am not familiar with the current crop of actresses, and their activities to remain in the limelight. Names like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet are all just a blur to me. I’m still stuck in the Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welsh, Bo Derek, Ursula Andress, and Julie Christie time frame. However, I believe I have seen enough films over the years to comment on Kate Winslet's "best actress" performance in “The Reader”. If you take out all the sex scenes and bathing scenes, with what are you left? Only some court scenes and bicycling scenes, which hardly add up to a searing Academy performance. But I guess after receiving six previous nominations and not winning, the seventh one is automatic. I have not seen the other nominees' movies, but surely the other four candidates portrayed more dramatic and compelling roles. But if this is considered the Oscar performance, why would I want to see the others?
Thursday, 26 February 2009
The 81st Academy Awards
I had intended to pass on the 81st Academy Awards, but somehow my mind got lured into it. My days of seeing every film, and keeping up on the Hollywood crowd has passed. The only exception would be 007 James Bond, and he’s more Pinewood Studios than Hollywood oriented. So I am not familiar with the current crop of actresses, and their activities to remain in the limelight. Names like Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett, Halle Berry, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet are all just a blur to me. I’m still stuck in the Faye Dunaway, Raquel Welsh, Bo Derek, Ursula Andress, and Julie Christie time frame. However, I believe I have seen enough films over the years to comment on Kate Winslet's "best actress" performance in “The Reader”. If you take out all the sex scenes and bathing scenes, with what are you left? Only some court scenes and bicycling scenes, which hardly add up to a searing Academy performance. But I guess after receiving six previous nominations and not winning, the seventh one is automatic. I have not seen the other nominees' movies, but surely the other four candidates portrayed more dramatic and compelling roles. But if this is considered the Oscar performance, why would I want to see the others?
Monday, 23 February 2009
Stimulas Bill
Just recieved this e-mail providing a simple explanation of the Stimulas Bill.
Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?"
The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed.
At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool.
They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed.
The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.
The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.
The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"
The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.
The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.
However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been a truly productive action!"
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill."
(The best of "the e-mails")
Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, "I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?"
The professor replied, "I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you." The student agreed.
At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house. The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool.
They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, "First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can." The student did as he was instructed.
The professor then continued, "Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it." The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.
The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool.
The confused student asked, "Excuse me, but why are we doing this?"
The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper.
The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.
However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad. The student finally replied, "All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been a truly productive action!"
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, "Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill."
(The best of "the e-mails")
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
"Woody Flex"
Ahhhhhh!!!……. the Ford "Flex"! I finally saw one in the flesh (metal) the other day. It caught my eye enough to search for it on the internet. The site describes it as …."something different, unique, all new crossover, radically bold, boxy, eye-catching design". All these superlatives are just rolling off the tongue at Ford’s promotion assembly line. Well Henry, dear Henry, I think it’s more like……"Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue." For all those young Ford engineers and designers, please know the Flex was around in 1947, but it was then called the “Woody”. If you slapped wood grain panels on this 2009 Ford Flex, you would have the 47/09 “Woody Flex” of today. I think Ford has taken a line from James Bond, in that they may have "shaken" their product line, but "not stirred" their imaginations. Now the Ford Motor Company hasn’t requested any bailout money yet, so I guess they are banking all of their money and hopes on the Flex. Check the pictures below, and I think you will agree that this is just the reincarnation of the same old, same old, with a bit of a twist.
1947 Ford "Woody"
2009 Ford Flex
The fake wood is an aftermarket add-on. Available in any color you can get your Flex in, it looks as cool as it can in black with the black roof.
Friday, 12 December 2008
Christmas Potpourri!
Christmas is a time when kids tell Santa what they want and adults pay for it. Deficits are when adults tell the government what they want and their kids pay for it. ~Richard Lamm
What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?...Answer : Lost.
What kind of pine has the sharpest needles?......Answer : A porcupine.
Where does Frosty the Snowman keep his money?.....Answer : In a snow bank.
Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel. Just before the doors opened they all noticed a $20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?
Answer : Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!
What happened when Santa's cat swallowed a ball of yarn?.......Answer : She had mittens
Who delivers cat's Christmas presents ?........... Answer: Santa Paws !
Why do birds fly south for the winter ?..........Answer: Because it's to far to walk.
Blonde Moment!
A Blonde gets a job as a teacher. She notices a boy in the field standing alone, while all the other kids are running around having fun. She takes pity on him and decides to speak to him. 'You ok?' she says. 'Yes.' he says. 'You can go and play with the other kids you know.' she says. 'It's best I stay here,' he says.' 'Why?', says the blonde.
The boy says: 'Because, I'm the goalie!!'
Get into the Christmas spirits. Whisky, vodka, gin
On Donner, On Blitzen, On VISA.
May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?...Answer : Lost.
What kind of pine has the sharpest needles?......Answer : A porcupine.
Where does Frosty the Snowman keep his money?.....Answer : In a snow bank.
Just before Christmas, an honest politician, a generous lawyer and Santa Claus were riding in the elevator of a very posh hotel. Just before the doors opened they all noticed a $20 bill lying on the floor. Which one picked it up?
Answer : Santa of course, because the other two don't exist!
What happened when Santa's cat swallowed a ball of yarn?.......Answer : She had mittens
Who delivers cat's Christmas presents ?........... Answer: Santa Paws !
Why do birds fly south for the winter ?..........Answer: Because it's to far to walk.
Blonde Moment!
A Blonde gets a job as a teacher. She notices a boy in the field standing alone, while all the other kids are running around having fun. She takes pity on him and decides to speak to him. 'You ok?' she says. 'Yes.' he says. 'You can go and play with the other kids you know.' she says. 'It's best I stay here,' he says.' 'Why?', says the blonde.
The boy says: 'Because, I'm the goalie!!'
Get into the Christmas spirits. Whisky, vodka, gin
On Donner, On Blitzen, On VISA.
May you have the gladness of Christmas which is hope; The spirit of Christmas which is peace; The heart of Christmas which is love.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
POST ELECTION
In a pre-election letter to the editor of the local Morden Times, I had suggested that if Prime Minister Steven Harper did not achieve a majority, he should step down. This issue is even more critical now, with his latest schoolyard bullying tactics. There is plenty of timber within the conservative caucus from which to choose an alternate prime minister. And Mr. Harper could return to the back benches of parliament. For starters, there is Jim Prentice, Chuck Strahl, Diane Alboncz, Lawrence Cannon, Rob Nicholson, and Jay Hill. There is no need for the opposition parties to become involved in governing until their own houses are in order. So it is entirely up to the Conservative caucus and party to restore decorum, not Mr. Harper. What a wonderful Christmas present that would be for all Canadians - peace, harmony, and good government, with a newly minted prime minister, and no election!
Monday, 24 November 2008
North Star Fibre
Locally many of you will be unaware of this small industry tucked away in Morden’s Industrial Park. Back in 1999 the father & son team of Almer and Jeff Enns started this venture converting newspapers, flyers, posters and all manner of paper, into a fire retardant insulation material for homes and buildings. Then in August of 2006, they sold to the Can-Am Colony of Hutterites based in Margaret, Manitoba, which is west of Ninette on PTH # 23. As this was not to be a hands on operation, they hired Garth Vandenberghe as their Business Manager. Garth originally from Killarney started out with United Grain Growers (U.G..G.) which became Agricore-United, having spent some 15 years with the two organizations.. Garth resides with his family in Morden. The complex Garth manages is a 25,000 sq ft. steel structure which houses offices, production machinery, and warehouse storage. The newsprint or raw material comes from re-cycling programs in various communities such as Morden, Winkler, Portage, Killarney and even as far away as The Pas. They have 13 pick ups a month that collects approximately 260 tons of paper. Some of this tonnage can be ruined as a result of containing plastic bags, wraps, etc. Their most plastic free paper comes from Winkler as it is checked and removed by Gateway Resources.
The paper is then placed on a conveyor and feed in to a John shredder much like your home office paper shredder. Then the shredded paper proceeds to a attrition mill where Boric acid is added and mixed with the shredded paper much like your home blender. This now fire retardant fluffy material is then packed into a 25 lbs plastic bag much like a peat moss bale.
Boric acid is found in many parts of the world, the boric acid used by Northstar comes from Turkey. Boric acid has countless uses from antiseptic, to cleaners, to use in nuclear plants, to the making of silly putty. It comes in hugh container sacks. The product looks and feels just like the table salt in your kitchen.
The bagged Insulation is then distributed mostly in Western Canada to independent retailer and insulation installers. There biggest market are new buildings. A machine is required to re-fluff the insulation and blow it in place. The plant employs 8 full time and 12 part time employees.
Since Can- Am’s takeover in August 2006, Grath has been pleased with the present growth and sales they are achieving. But mostly what Grath wishes to secretly relay, is his trip to Mexico this summer with his family, where he caught a record 262.5 lb. Blue Marlin: landing it after some hours, and made the pages of the local media. Good show Grath!
Keep Snug - Insulate!
The paper is then placed on a conveyor and feed in to a John shredder much like your home office paper shredder. Then the shredded paper proceeds to a attrition mill where Boric acid is added and mixed with the shredded paper much like your home blender. This now fire retardant fluffy material is then packed into a 25 lbs plastic bag much like a peat moss bale.
Boric acid is found in many parts of the world, the boric acid used by Northstar comes from Turkey. Boric acid has countless uses from antiseptic, to cleaners, to use in nuclear plants, to the making of silly putty. It comes in hugh container sacks. The product looks and feels just like the table salt in your kitchen.
The bagged Insulation is then distributed mostly in Western Canada to independent retailer and insulation installers. There biggest market are new buildings. A machine is required to re-fluff the insulation and blow it in place. The plant employs 8 full time and 12 part time employees.Since Can- Am’s takeover in August 2006, Grath has been pleased with the present growth and sales they are achieving. But mostly what Grath wishes to secretly relay, is his trip to Mexico this summer with his family, where he caught a record 262.5 lb. Blue Marlin: landing it after some hours, and made the pages of the local media. Good show Grath!
Keep Snug - Insulate!
Click here>>>>http://www.northstarfibre.ca/northstarfibre.htm
Sunday, 16 November 2008
"Quantum of Solace"
With the making of the 22nd Bond film, it may be becoming some what difficult to constantly attain the high expectation level of each and every Bond film. With the resuscitation of James Bond in “Casino Royale”, played by Daniel Craig, there seemed to be a new lease on life for the Bond movies. Making a sequel to it, may be their downfall.It seems as if the whole Bond mantra has been dumbed down and turned into all the other current high octane exploding, car chasing, roof jumping, mindless drivel we currently are subjected to at the theatres. Although Daniel Craig 
still portrays a very convincing Bond to my mind, he is all that holds this movie together. Once again the opening credits were even more bland than Casino Royale’s. As for the theme song “Another Way To Die", performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, it is surely a misnomer. The theme songs were always the audio invitations to seeing the films. This is also David Arnold’s 4th kick at the sound track for the Bond movies, and seems to be his least compelling composition. The cinematography is once again excellent, but the locals are drab and dreary, and lacking the trademark exotic sites. The bad guys are like wall street brokers - hard to separate and identify from the mainstream of society. There is no magnetism between Bond and Camille Montes (Olga Kurylenko), and she has little impact in the whole story line, nor are there any witty or caustic exchanges between them. Thus the whole pictue winds up as a misplaced 007 agent, more suited to a Die Hard or Lethal Weapon series…………....... so sorry James!
still portrays a very convincing Bond to my mind, he is all that holds this movie together. Once again the opening credits were even more bland than Casino Royale’s. As for the theme song “Another Way To Die", performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys, it is surely a misnomer. The theme songs were always the audio invitations to seeing the films. This is also David Arnold’s 4th kick at the sound track for the Bond movies, and seems to be his least compelling composition. The cinematography is once again excellent, but the locals are drab and dreary, and lacking the trademark exotic sites. The bad guys are like wall street brokers - hard to separate and identify from the mainstream of society. There is no magnetism between Bond and Camille Montes (Olga Kurylenko), and she has little impact in the whole story line, nor are there any witty or caustic exchanges between them. Thus the whole pictue winds up as a misplaced 007 agent, more suited to a Die Hard or Lethal Weapon series…………....... so sorry James!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)