Binky wrote a post about favourite Christmas songs. Here is one of mine.
My folks had an old hi-fi stereo that played 16, 33 1/3, 45, and 78 rpm albums. There was a bunch of old records in the cabinet. My sister and discovered one by Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters. This was not the famous "White Christmas" but rather one called "Merry Christmas". It is very difficult to find.
One side was religious tunes; the other was more secular pop. One could say this is cheese extraordinaire, but I just loved it. My sister and I dug out that record for a few years in a row.
One of my favourite tunes is Christmas in Killarney, loosely based on an Irish jig. Sure enough, it is on YouTube replete with a display of the album itself!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Happy Birthday, Dad
Today is my Dad's birthday! Can you believe it!?
My grandmother started WWI and I guess my Dad started WWII. This is ironic since both are among the most kind-hearted people I have ever known.
Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope that you have a fantastic day....
My grandmother started WWI and I guess my Dad started WWII. This is ironic since both are among the most kind-hearted people I have ever known.
Happy Birthday, Dad! I hope that you have a fantastic day....
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
'Tis the Season
This is a house near my apartment. The shot isn't very good, but the entire yard is full of lights and various figures.
One would think that the place would look too 'busy' or jammed, but I think it looks lovely. It is a treat to drive past it.
I've seen some houses/yards done up so well that people will drive by as a tour (if you know Webster Groves, you probably know where I mean). This place is a bit more modest than that, and in that way it endears itself to me even more.
I stood out in the chilly wind and snapped this pic. Not easy, with rush-hour traffic whizzing by.
One would think that the place would look too 'busy' or jammed, but I think it looks lovely. It is a treat to drive past it.
I've seen some houses/yards done up so well that people will drive by as a tour (if you know Webster Groves, you probably know where I mean). This place is a bit more modest than that, and in that way it endears itself to me even more.
I stood out in the chilly wind and snapped this pic. Not easy, with rush-hour traffic whizzing by.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Weather
It is 10 pm on Saturday night... about 37 F and we have significant thunder and (very chilly) rain....
Quite unusual for mid-December.
CC
Quite unusual for mid-December.
CC
Friday, December 11, 2009
Ghost of Christmas Pluperfect
Quote from Twitter:
I'm the ghost of Christmas Pluperfect. I'm what you had thought Christmas was, until a subsequent event. Confusing, I know.
I'm the ghost of Christmas Pluperfect. I'm what you had thought Christmas was, until a subsequent event. Confusing, I know.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
xkcd
xkcd is a hilarious web comic for software developers. The guy intentionally named it so that it couldn't be pronounced. It is perhaps the iconic "stick figure" / "bad art but funny" presence on the web.
He also has a fun take on Can-Am relations (click here). LOL
CC
He also has a fun take on Can-Am relations (click here). LOL
CC
Monday, December 07, 2009
Boundaries
It is no secret that FB and Twitter bend normal social boundaries, but here are some recent examples.
The mayor of St Louis has a Twitter feed. Though some updates are by his staff, he uses his initials (#fgs) on tweets that he writes. He publicly chatted with my pal Andy, which was really neat.
And tonight, the NHL tweeted that Martin Brodeur tied Terry Sawchuk's record for career shutouts. I like Brodeur but I was a huge fan of Sawchuk; I read about him a lot when I was a kid. He died circa 1970 (I have a penchant for tragic stories: Sawchuk, Rhoads, Mozart).
Anyway, I responded and the NHL replied (here)! Can you believe it?! Of course, it is just some punk at a computer, but holy cow! It is a thrill.
CC
The mayor of St Louis has a Twitter feed. Though some updates are by his staff, he uses his initials (#fgs) on tweets that he writes. He publicly chatted with my pal Andy, which was really neat.
And tonight, the NHL tweeted that Martin Brodeur tied Terry Sawchuk's record for career shutouts. I like Brodeur but I was a huge fan of Sawchuk; I read about him a lot when I was a kid. He died circa 1970 (I have a penchant for tragic stories: Sawchuk, Rhoads, Mozart).
Anyway, I responded and the NHL replied (here)! Can you believe it?! Of course, it is just some punk at a computer, but holy cow! It is a thrill.
CC
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Man versus Toddler
This video is fun... I don't know why but it must be the cognitive dissonance of the contest versus the kid's cheerful cluelessness.
So you want to live in Calgary?
Here is a pic from a recent snowstorm in Calgary. Yikes.
It certainly acts as a counter-balance to the gorgeous scenery of Banff and Lake Louise.
CC
ps. No snow here in StL. About -3 C windchill today.
It certainly acts as a counter-balance to the gorgeous scenery of Banff and Lake Louise.
CC
ps. No snow here in StL. About -3 C windchill today.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Heat Is On
Well, I made it to late November before turning on the heat in the apartment.
I came home late one night to find the place at a chilly 55 F = 13 C. That's rough. I can sleep in 60s F with my famously warm bedroom gear, but it is hard to brush one's teeth below 60 F.
Strangely, 2 days later it was a breathtaking 70 F and sunny in St Louis. One of those days where it felt like a true moral imperative to go outside. (Which I did, running around CC Lake just like the old tri days.)
I came home late one night to find the place at a chilly 55 F = 13 C. That's rough. I can sleep in 60s F with my famously warm bedroom gear, but it is hard to brush one's teeth below 60 F.
Strangely, 2 days later it was a breathtaking 70 F and sunny in St Louis. One of those days where it felt like a true moral imperative to go outside. (Which I did, running around CC Lake just like the old tri days.)
Friday, November 27, 2009
Across The Miles
You may want to join me in sending love and prayers out to Binky. See his blog to understand his loss.
wishing you peace, my friend
CC
wishing you peace, my friend
CC
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Still Brown
The title of this post comes from a comment on Facebook. Binky told me his daughter (5 years old?) said that I cannot be 40 today as I am "still brown". We believe she means the hair.
She's right. (Though I do have flecks of silver in my goatee, which may be the only attribute I have in common with Brad Pitt.)
Anyway, the comment made me laugh out loud. She is a sweetie, even if she does think I grew up in the United States (nothing wrong that -- if you did).
40. Vic is anticipating, with justification, some brooding blog post that intersects age, wisdom, and national identity. Sounds like work to me. Granted, it is definitely a toned down birthday, with wretched weather (November Rain indeed), but I think I have everything in perspective.
I'm really lucky and blessed. So far, so good.
CC
ps. I must say the 'party' over on Facebook has been enjoyable. I've had birthday wishes from many corners. Elsewhere, I've received some email and a massive, heart-warming card blitz from my Mom's side of the family. Some of them had glitter, but we forgive.
She's right. (Though I do have flecks of silver in my goatee, which may be the only attribute I have in common with Brad Pitt.)
Anyway, the comment made me laugh out loud. She is a sweetie, even if she does think I grew up in the United States (nothing wrong that -- if you did).
40. Vic is anticipating, with justification, some brooding blog post that intersects age, wisdom, and national identity. Sounds like work to me. Granted, it is definitely a toned down birthday, with wretched weather (November Rain indeed), but I think I have everything in perspective.
I'm really lucky and blessed. So far, so good.
CC
ps. I must say the 'party' over on Facebook has been enjoyable. I've had birthday wishes from many corners. Elsewhere, I've received some email and a massive, heart-warming card blitz from my Mom's side of the family. Some of them had glitter, but we forgive.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Where Are Islanders?
Check out this great idea by the CBC! I'm not on there yet, but will have to snap a pic.
Naturally, the Maritime area is a bit flooded with virtual pins on the map.
CC
ps. The pic in Chicago is the Old Abby, a ferry that ran from PEI to NB for years and years. Many readers of this blog have been on it. It is now the club-house for the Chicago Yacht Club.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Superbugs
This is an interesting piece on microbiology and superbugs.
It is especially interesting for me, because at my client gig, we talk about these bugs all the time. The device is used to identify and treat these infections.
I don't work on the actual biological computations (this is somewhat painful, given that I won math and biology awards in high school; don't get me started on French fluency), so I'm not doing any true science per se. However, our staff microbiologists talk about these things all the time. This is our domain, in every sense of the word.
Staph. Aureus is like an old friend, in a weird way. And extended-spectrum beta-lactamase -- well, that's just fun! MRSA is not, though, that's for sure.
CC
It is especially interesting for me, because at my client gig, we talk about these bugs all the time. The device is used to identify and treat these infections.
I don't work on the actual biological computations (this is somewhat painful, given that I won math and biology awards in high school; don't get me started on French fluency), so I'm not doing any true science per se. However, our staff microbiologists talk about these things all the time. This is our domain, in every sense of the word.
Staph. Aureus is like an old friend, in a weird way. And extended-spectrum beta-lactamase -- well, that's just fun! MRSA is not, though, that's for sure.
CC
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Remembrances
I don't have a lot of words this year for November 11th.
I'd simply like to say that I am eternally grateful that I will (hopefully) not face war. I will (hopefully) be buried on Prince Edward Island.
In addition to my perennial link to Flanders Fields, I invite readers to read the series of postings over on Binky's blog. It sure puts things in perspective.
CC
I'd simply like to say that I am eternally grateful that I will (hopefully) not face war. I will (hopefully) be buried on Prince Edward Island.
In addition to my perennial link to Flanders Fields, I invite readers to read the series of postings over on Binky's blog. It sure puts things in perspective.
CC
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Unseasonably Pleasant
It is 9 pm in November and I have the windows open! Today was a balmy 78 F, and had people raving all day. Very sunny.... In fact, a local website says it is 70 F now.
The seniors back home would approve. To an individual, the elderly hate winter with a passion. If you have experienced a real winter, you know why.
CC
The seniors back home would approve. To an individual, the elderly hate winter with a passion. If you have experienced a real winter, you know why.
CC
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Wikipedia And Forty-Fives
I am routinely astounded by Wikipedia. Here is the latest installment.
Back home, trump card games are popular. The two big ones are Auction and Forty-Fives. Both use a trump-scheme (card ranking) that is, simply put: insane. I remember being in the hospital at age 11(ish) and having my father teach me the scheme. (As an example, from the top down: 5 of trump, Jack of trump, Ace of Hearts, Ace of trump, and so on... i.e. You really want the 5.)
Since I left the Maritimes, I have never met anyone who was familiar with this crazy setup. I have often wondered about its origin.
Well, Wikipedia to the rescue. Even though Auction has a different description, the background on Forty-Fives (click here) is amazingly accurate.
The history is impressive:
ps. Our version of Auction uses the same trump-scheme as that of Forty-Fives.
Back home, trump card games are popular. The two big ones are Auction and Forty-Fives. Both use a trump-scheme (card ranking) that is, simply put: insane. I remember being in the hospital at age 11(ish) and having my father teach me the scheme. (As an example, from the top down: 5 of trump, Jack of trump, Ace of Hearts, Ace of trump, and so on... i.e. You really want the 5.)
Since I left the Maritimes, I have never met anyone who was familiar with this crazy setup. I have often wondered about its origin.
Well, Wikipedia to the rescue. Even though Auction has a different description, the background on Forty-Fives (click here) is amazingly accurate.
The history is impressive:
Forty-Fives is a descendant of the Irish game Spoil_Five, which in turn is a descendant of a game that King James VI of Scotland popularized in the 17th century called Maw. Maw was first seen being played in 1511 and the earliest written rules come from 1576 Scotland.Neat stuff!
ps. Our version of Auction uses the same trump-scheme as that of Forty-Fives.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
It was a dark and stormy night
Check out this fantastic post over at The Cupcake Project.
Devilishly creative! I know the cast and I imagine they had a blast with this...
CC
Devilishly creative! I know the cast and I imagine they had a blast with this...
CC
Monday, October 26, 2009
Green in Autumn
Here is a fun fact... I haven't run the heat yet in the new apartment. I did run some A/C in the summer but so far, no heat.
This is pretty easy lately, as the weather is nice. It was cooler a couple of weeks ago (low 60s F in the apt in the morning), but I have a monster down-filled quilt that is a prized possession. It is fantastic.
My electric bill for September was possibly the lowest I have ever had. We'll see how long this can go.
CC
This is pretty easy lately, as the weather is nice. It was cooler a couple of weeks ago (low 60s F in the apt in the morning), but I have a monster down-filled quilt that is a prized possession. It is fantastic.
My electric bill for September was possibly the lowest I have ever had. We'll see how long this can go.
CC
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Today
Happy Birthday to dear friend and CC reader/critic: Vic!
He is the big 4-0h today... Back home, there were 2 photos in The Guardian that showed his various hair styles over the years. When I called this morning, the household was busily preparing for a gala afternoon. I'm sure a good time was had by all!
CC
He is the big 4-0h today... Back home, there were 2 photos in The Guardian that showed his various hair styles over the years. When I called this morning, the household was busily preparing for a gala afternoon. I'm sure a good time was had by all!
CC
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