What happened on January 31st?

Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

This is our Prime Minister talking .. copied from the CBC news website.
"Kyoto is essentially a socialist scheme to suck money out of wealth-producing nations," Harper's letter reads.
Full text of leaked Harper letter, courtesy of the Liberal Party.
I want a world where our kids can live in .. this is crap .. I know everything comes down to money ($$$) this is why things get done and why the don't .. it's the cost to business and goverments that prevent agreements like Kyoto from going ahead. There are so many diverse arguements for Kyoto and against it, that I don't know which is right, but sticking our heads in the ground and not doing anything is even worse. Goverments and business have to get off their asses and effect a change.

I'm lonely and have no friends. WTF ... Copied from CTV News
Michael Keren, who has written "Blogosphere: The New Political Arena,'' suggests individuals who bare their souls in blogs are isolated and lonely, living in a virtual reality instead of forming real relationships or helping to change the world.
"Bloggers think of themselves as rebels against mainstream society, but that rebellion is mostly confined to cyberspace, which makes blogging as melancholic and illusionary as Don Quixote tilting at windmills,'' the author says.
Hey, who am I to say he's wrong, but I do have friends. I really do! There is my invisible freind Tom, and the pink fuzzy bear Alex and that really nice guy down the street who wears a trench coat with rubber boots.

Other tidbits of news .. the Police will play the Grammy's .. okay cool the Police are back together, but do you really care about the Grammy's.

Lonely Is The Word, by Black Sabbath,
from the album Heaven and Hell (1980)

It's a long way to nowhere
And I'm leaving very soon
On the way we pass so close
To the back side of the moon
Hey join the traveler if you got nowhere to go
Hang your head and take my hand
It's the only road I know

Oh! Lonely is the word, yeah yeah yeah!

I've been higher than stardust
I've been seen upon the sun
I used to count in millions then
But now I only count in one
Come on, join the traveler
If you got nowhere to go
Hang your head and take my hand
It's the only road I know

Yeah, Lonely is the word
Got to be the saddest song I ever heard

Yeah, Lonely is the name

What happened on January 28th?

I am: Robert A. Heinlein Beginning with technological action stories and progressing to epics with religious overtones, this take-no-prisoners writer racked up some huge sales numbers.

Which science fiction writer are you?

What happened on January 24th?

I don't know about you but we live in the most incredible world .. and we are really fucking it up.

This is a video of a "Frilled Shark", they are a species of shark that is known to live in the deep ocean, 120 m to 1,400 m. It died a few hours after being caught in shallow water off the coast of Japan. Why was it out of its natural habitat? Tempature, lack of food, changing enviroment. We have to find out!

This image is of the Saiga Antelope from Asia EDGE in Britian has classified it as a species at risk. In twenty years we humans have taken the population from over a million to around 50,000, through poaching and over hunting.

In Canada, we have 68 species ranging from extinct to special concern, thats just in mammals, its 500 plus if you look at everything from birds plants and animals.

I'm not preaching. I'm not a saint when it comes to being green. I try my best, but we have to do more. This is just wrong.




Marvin Gaye = Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

Woo ah, mercy mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Where did all the blue skies go?
Poison is the wind that blows from the north and south and east
Woo mercy, mercy me, mercy father
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Oil wasted on the ocean and upon our seas, fish full of mercury
Ah oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be, no no
Radiation under ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying
Oh mercy, mercy me
Ah things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land
How much more abuse from man can she stand?
Oh, na na...
My sweet Lord... No
My Lord... My sweet Lord

What happened on January 15th?

Borrowed this "Skiffy" (?) SciFi meme from Paul's blog who borrowed it from Jaquandor of Byzantium's Shores, who borrowed it from Sf Signal ...

1. Science fiction, fantasy, or horror? = Science Fiction and Fantasy .. am not a big horror fan. Stephen King's "It" and "The Stand" are as about as far as I go into horror. I did try to read HP Lovecraft once .. just did not get the "Cthulhu" things.

2. Hardback, trade paperback, or mass-market paperback? = I'd love hardcovers, but who can afford $40 plus .. give me a paperback any day.

3. Heinlein or Asimov? = I like them both, but give me Heinlein for adventure (turn off your brain space opera, that makes you wake up and realize there is a message). Azimov for making you think every time you read a word.

4. Amazon or brick-and-mortar? = Brick-and-mortar. I want to touch it before I buy it.

5. Barnes & Noble or Borders? =

Paul says, "[Jaquandor says: I suppose that Canadians answering this quiz should do Chapters or Indigo.]
Uh, Jaq, Chapters and Indigo are the same company. As is Coles. In fact, it's hard, in the great wilds of Suburbia to find any book stores that are not a part of the great evil book selling empire that is Chapters/Indigo".

There is a nice little SciFi store at the corner of Steeles and Dufferin, I try to get there once a month.

6. Hitchhiker or Discworld? = I've read them both, each has it own qualities .. Hitchhiker has become a classic series, everyone should read it all (5 or 6 books, I'm never sure) at least once. Discworld is hilarious, but I don't think I could read it everyday. Give me Garrett any day.

7. Bookmark or dog-ear? = Use a bookmark, a scrap of paper or don't touch my books.

8. Magazine: Asimov's Science Fiction or Fantasy & Science Fiction? = Neither, I know I could find young and upcoming authors by reading a mag, but I just don't like to.

9. Alphabetize by author, by title, or random? = Where ever they can be placed with out being damaged. I'm not that anal.

10. Keep, throw away, or sell? = Drives Wife nuts, but I have to keep them, if they are good I want to be able to reread them .. so they go onto shelves or into boxes. When I've sold them or put them away I've felt like a father abandoning his children.

11. Year's Best Science Fiction series (edited by Gardner Dozois) or Years Best SF series (edited by David G. Hartwell) = Neither ... I really don't like compilations. When I pick up a book it's got to have some meat to it.

12. Keep dust jacket or toss it? = Like I said I don't get hardcovers to often, but when I do I keep the dust jacket, the only thing is I put them away and don't find them for a year or two.

13. Read with dust jacket or remove it? = see above

14. Short story or novel? = Novel, read question #11

15. Harry Potter or Lemony Snicket? = Harry Potter, Middle has Lemony Snicket, Wife has read them, I had to read one to help her with a book report, I just can't get into them.

16. Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? = only when the chapter ends! That would make reading a over powering "cliff hanger"

17. "It was a dark and stormy night" or "Once upon a time"? = Lame question, not worth answering. A scene starts, you read.

18. Buy or borrow? = I buy, my way of poping a cherry.

19. Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation, or browse? = I am a browser, it takes about a hour before I buy a book.

20. Lewis or Tolkien? = Both are geniuses

21. Hard SF or space opera? = Both, it depends on the mood.

22. Collection (short stories by the same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? = neither .. see question #14 and #11

23. Hugo or Nebula? = Can't be bothered.

24. Golden Age SF or New Wave SF? = Once again, depends on the mood.

25. Tidy ending or cliffhanger? = Both, just don't surprise me with a series, I will never read your book again, warn me on the cover.

26. Morning, afternoon, or nighttime reading? = Anytime I can, I'm also a bathroom reader, not many people borrow my books .. no stains though.

27. Stand alone or series? = Depends on the mood, but like I said in #25 warn me first.

28. Urban fantasy or high fantasy? = As long as it's good, who cares. Just don't try to give me sholk.

29. New or used? = I prefer new, but if it's a old print, I will grab it. I've got my original 1950 copy of Heinlein's "Farmer in the Sky" at a used book store .. never read it, but then again I've got 3 copies of the book.

30. Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? = Covenants - Lorna Freeman

31. Top X favorite genre books read last year? (Where X is 5 or less)

American Gods - Neil Gaiman
A Feast for Crows - George RR Martin
His Majesty's Dragon - Naomi Novik
Troy: Lord of the Silver Bow - David Gemmell
Dies a Fire: The Protector's War - SM Stirling

32. Top X favorite genre books of all time? (Where X is 5 or less)

The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
Slaughterhouse-five - Kurt Vonnegut
Time Enough for Love - Robert A Heinlein
Childhood's End - Arthur C Clarke

33. X favorite genre series? (Where X is 5 or less)

From the Files of Garrett, PI - Glen Cook
The Foundation Series - Isaac Asimov
Dune - Frank Herbert
Ringworld - Larry Niven
Dresden - Jim Butcher

34. Top X favorite genre short stories? (Where X is 5 or less)

"Nine Billion Names of God" - Arthur C. Clarke

"That's it, folks! Tag yourself if you like the skiffy, move along if you don't." -Jaq

Moxy Fruvos - My Baby Loves a Bunch of Authors

(Dave)Well you should see my story reading baby, you should hear the things that she says,
She says "Hon, drop dead, I'd rather go to bed with Gabriel Garcia Marquez."

(Mike in funny voice)Uhh-huh!

(Dave)Cuddle up with William S. Burrows, leave on the light for Bell Hooks,
I've been flirtin' with Pierre Burton 'cause he's so smart in his books

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
My heart's so broke and bleedin'
(Dave)Baby's just sitting there
(Murray)doing some reading

(Dave)So I started watching some TV, played my new cd player too,
She said: "Turn it off or I'll call the cops and I'll throw the book at you."
All this arguing made me get dizzy, called my doctor to come have a look
I said: "Doctor hurry!" He said:
(Murray)"Don't worry, I'll be over when I finish my book"

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
We've been livin in hovels
(Dave)Spendin' all our money on
(Murray)brand new novels

(Dave)So I got myself on a streetcar and it drove right into someone,
You know the driver said:

(Jian in grizzly voice) "I was lookin' straight ahead!"

(Dave)But he was reading the Toronto Sun

(Jian) "So?"

(Dave)So my honey and me go to a counsellor to help figure out what we need
She said: "We'll get your love growing,

(Mike, in funny Dr. Ruth voice) but before we get going, here's some books I'd like you to read."

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
Lately we've had some fricton
(Dave)
'Cause my baby's hooked on
(Murray) short works of fiction

(Dave)So we split and went to a party, some friends my girl said she knew
But what a sight 'cause it's authors night and the place looks like a who's who

(Dave)Now I'm pounding the ouzo

(rest)with Mario Puzo

(Dave)Who's a funny fella?

(rest)W.P. Kinsella

(Dave)Who brought the cat?

(rest)Would Margeret Atwood?

(Dave)Who needs a shave?

(rest)He's Robertson Davies!

(Dave)Ondaatje started a food fight, salmon mousse all over the scene

(All)Spilled some dressing on Doris Lessing, these writer types are a scream!

(All)I like to go out dancing,
My baby loves a bunch of authors
We'll be together for ages
(Dave)
Eatin' and Sleepin' and
(Jian in grizzly voice)
Eatin' and Sleepin' and
(Mike in funny Dr. Ruth voice)
Eating und Sleeping und
(Murray)
Turnin' pages.

(All)Yeah!

From the Liner:(Mike-vocals; Murray-vocals, bass, spring muffler; Jean-vocals, sheet metal, snare; Dave-lead vocal, guitar)

What happened on January 12th?

I'm sick, I laughed at this .. Banned Xbox 360 Ad

deleted because it was a pain in the butt

Funny Video Clips

FOLSOM PRISON BLUES
(J.R. Cash)
JOHNNY CASH (Sun 232, 1956)

I hear that train a-commin', it's rollin' around the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom prison and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a-rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby, my mama told me, son
Always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowin', I hang my head and cry

I bet there's rich folks eatin' in a fancy dining car
They're probably drinking coffee and smoking big cigars
But I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
But those people keep a-movin' and that's what tortures me

Well if that freed me from this prison
and that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away

What happened on January 10th?

I just found out from Paul that the second week of January is National De-Lurking Week.
So, if you are a regular reader of AC&43, introduce yourself. If you think you can't comment because you are not an Blogger member, think again. It's free, it will only take up a few minutes of your life. I made myself a AOL account.
So hey please take a moment and say hello.

The picture was stolen from Paul who borrowed it from Paper Napkin. There also seems to be several different versions available at this link.

Back in December I missed the fall ending episode "Fallout" for Heroes because we went to the Who concert .. Wife and I got to see it the other night. Wow, what a ending. I can't wait until "Godsend" airs the 22nd.

Do any of you remember delete bins at record stores. Well I have found them again, not a a used record store but at the SuperCentre grocery chain. Last night I got 5 CD's for less the $30.

The Tragically Hip - Live Between Us
The Who - The Who Sings My Generation
Django Reinhardt - I Got Rhythm
Various Blues Artists - It's All About the Blues (Disc 1)
The Clash - London Calling

I've always loved delete bins...now I just have to learn to restrain my impulse to buy.


Jimmy Jazz - The Clash(Strummer/Jones)

The police walked in for Jimmy Jazz
I said, he ain't here, but he sure went past
Oh, you're looking for Jimmy Jazz

Sattamassagana for Jimmy Dread
Cut off his ears and chop off his head
Police came looking for Jimmy Jazz

So if you're gonna take a message 'cross this town
Maybe put it down somewhere over the other side
See it gets to Jimmy Jazz

Don't you bother me, not anymore
I can't take this tale, oh, no more
It's all around, Jimmy Jazz

J-a-zee zee J-a-zed zed
J-a-zed zed Jimmy Jazz
And then it sucks, he said, suck that!
So go look all around, you can try your luck, brother
And see what you found
But I guarantee that it ain't your day
Chop! Chop!

What happened on January 5th?

Close up on a Larkspur


I'm in heaven ... I am now a proud owner of a 80 gig IPod. Why should you care, you really shouldn't, this toy is just another tool to separate the user from society, but damn do I love it.
I've got about half my CD's loaded (2200 songs), I'm thinking (been doing this for a while but just to lazy) of digitizing my record collection .. I've got about 1000 LP's that I've been collecting since I was 15 [sad aren't I]. Wife gave me the IPod for Christmas, she surprised the heck out of me, I got a shoe box and inside was a pair of ugly hiking boots (I then realize that they are my sons), inside of them I find the Ipod, I haven't felt this good at Christmas since I was a little kid. I do love her so.

Now I'm pretty boring and laid back, small thing make me happy. Last night as I was loading songs I found another joy of having a IPod, Podcasting. I found that the CBC is podcasting some of my favorite shows. I listened to Rick MacInnes-Rae on Dispatches and I sync'd DNTO season ender with Sook-yin Lee interviewing Johnny Rotten and Adrienne Clarkson and listened to it on the way to work. I love radio, but I don't get to listen to interview shows or radio documentaries. I'm either always busy when the show is broadcast or I'm in the Van with the kids and wife and they all hate the CBC, so I never get to listen in, as I said I'm in Heaven. They seem to edit for the cast, I would rather have the raw streamed show, but oh well, I live with what I can get. Now all we have to do is get them to podcast some of the great radio Plays that they do.

I also downloaded "Minnie the Moocher" a old cartoon from Fleischer Studios. Staring Betty Boop and the Cab Calloway Orchestra. I saw this cartoon years ago (I originally wanted to go into animation - heck I used to dream in cartoons), and fell in love with the music of Cab Calloway, it was great to discover this again. As I keep saying I'm in Heaven.

"Cheek to Cheek" by Irving Berlin

Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.
Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And the cares that hung around me through the week,
Seem to vanish like a gambler's lucky streak,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to climb a mountain,
And to reach the highest peak.
But it doesn't thrill me half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Oh, I love to go out fishing
In a river or a creek.
But I don't enjoy it half as much
As dancing cheek to cheek.

Dance with me! I want my arms about you.
The charms about you
Will carry me through to...

Heaven... I'm in heaven,
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.
And I seem to find the happiness I seek,
When we're out together dancing cheek to cheek.