Our neighbours are having a party tomorrow. Should be a loud day in the 'hood.

May 31
Haney Hawgs Show & Shine
20617 Maple Crescent, Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 1R8
Tel: (604) 465-5230
Great custom bikes & always some cars too!
Prizes & give-aways. Don't miss it!

CBC News: Canada pledges $149M to destroy Soviet weapons

So why don't we make off with one or two and hide them somewhere in Saskatchewan?

A simple test could one day help police to catch psychopathic potential serial killers. Where's the fun in that? Like thought crime from Brave New World or, even better, pre-crime from the film Minority Report.

I wonder how they plan on treating someone for something they only have the potential for?

CNN.com - Lawsuit dropped as Oreo looks to drop the fat - May. 14, 2003

Thanks to Kat T for the link.

Check out UselessCreations.com its where I got my 3D Christmas Screensaver. But this new Matrix Reloaded screensaver is pretty hip too.

v2.0 - 7th May, 2003 - Major update:

* Changed the way the code is displayed so it's even more 3D-ish.
* Changed the 3D Code Rotation option. It will now randomly rotate in all sorts of direction. This looks amazing.
* Added 12 hour mode option to the clock.
* Added ability to display your own pictures in the donor version

He refused to be quarantined for suspicions of SARS in Toronto. There was a big todo when he went to work anyway. Now he's dead. Guess how he died.

You've got it. SARS.

Like you didn't already know. Tyson says he wants to rape former accuser. What a friggin' idiot.

CNN.com - Study: Playing video games not so mindless - May. 29, 2003 See Carol? I told you all those hours I've been playing games would pay off. They're helping me. Really they are.

Thanks to Lance for the link.

Check out Icon War.

~~ MrWong's Soup'Partments ~~ Get Your Apartment Today!

Thanks to Chuff for the link.

CBC News: Patrick Roy retires after 18 years
He's had an awesome career. Roy was a bug up the Leafs ass when he was with the Canadians. Anyone who irritates Toronto fans is well worth a salute as he leaves the greatest game on Earth.

Legalize pot, says Mayor Campbell

Is it just me or does it seem that this new mayor here in Vancouver is completely out of his mind? He continously oversteps his bounds. Perhaps he needs a Political Science class. Or a quick briefing on the differences between, civil, criminal, federal, and municiple law. What a maroon.

Yahoo! News - Developer sues Cantor for back rent

Cantor, which lost 658 employees in the September 11 terrorist attacks, owes over $1m in back rent, according to Mr Silverstein's lawsuit. The rent is due for the period of August 1-September 10, 2001.

I know the article says that the other companies have 'made commitments' to deal with this, but doesn't this seem just a little greedy?

I saw the following article at Fangoria.com and almost lost it. This is definitely one of those sets I will have to buy. Pretty smart marketing to continuously re-release to foolish fans of these cult classics. They know we'll snap them up like candy. I'm such a sucker for zombie stuff. Honestly, I'm not even sure why. Perhaps it's the sheer cheese of a zombie film that gets me. Some of them are laughably bad. There's also a philosophical and psychological angle to zombie movies. How would you react if you were a zombie? Do they have feelings? On what level, if any, are they conscious? Do they remember their past lives? What does it feel like to be a zombie? Is it painful? At any rate, here's the article:

Final specs for Anchor Bay's DAY OF THE DEAD 2-DVD set

Anchor Bay has informed Fango of the final specs on its amazing two-DVD release of DAY OF THE DEAD, coming August 19. This is the first Anchor Bay title to use the new DiviMax high-definition transfer process, and will present the film in 1.85:1, 16x9-enhanced widescreen. In addition to 6.1 DTS-ES and Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks, the movie will come with audio commentary by George A. Romero, Tom Savini, production designer Cletus Anderson and star Lori Cardille, and a second commentary track by filmmaker Roger (KILLING ZOE) Avary.

The second disc will be packed with a wide array of bonus materials, as follows:

• The Many Days of DAY OF THE DEAD—An all-new 39-minute documentary featuring interviews with Romero, producer David Ball, Savini and makeup FX artist Greg Nicotero, Anderson, assistant director Chris Romero and actors Cardille, Joseph Pilato and Howard Sherman
• DAY OF THE DEAD: Behind The Scenes—31 minutes of production footage from Savini
• An audio interview with late actor Richard (Dr. Logan) Liberty
• A promotional video for the Wampum Mine location
• Theatrical trailers and TV spots
• Production stills and behind-the-scenes photos
• Zombie makeup photo and continuity stills galleries
• Posters and ad art
• Memorabilia gallery
• DVD-ROM features: Romero’s original draft of the screenplay and production memos

The package also comes with a 16-page booklet designed to look like Dr. Logan’s notebook, containing liner notes and original production sketches from the film. And it’s all for just $29.98! Romero fans, start salivating now…

IOL : Drunk driver crashes breathalyser test
This guy was so pickled the breathalyser couldn't read his blood/alcohol level. You know if this had happened here in Canada or in the US he would have gotten off on a technicality.

In the words of notorious OJ attourney, Johnnie Cochran, 'If the glove don't fit, you must acquit'. And, OJ is still looking for the 'real killer'.

Here is an archive of interesting photos from Mars.

Carol has been flinging the cow this afternoon.

The Lemon: History Of The Internet A humorous look.

Thanks to Matt S fr the link.

A sign is reflected in the roof of a car at the entrance of St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. Health officials said three more deaths have been linked to SARS in Canada, as more clues emerged about a new cluster of cases in Toronto(AFP/J.P. Moczulski)

Instructor had relationship with male student With a nickname like 'BJ' how could things have gone any differently.

Patient has produced insulin with donated cells for about two months Has Vancouver General's team cured diabetes?

Check out what's being done with the tubes left over from crap wrap.

Having heart palpatations? Don't like hospitals? You can make yourself a Homemade EKG and test your heart yourself. Not that the average Joe knows how to interpret the read out. I guess as long as it's not a flatline you're fine.

CNN.com - 'Jackass' star jailed in Sweden - May. 24, 2003 Why does none of this surprise me? He's the guy who had his ass cheeks pierced together after all. What a dolt.

I have often wondered what the official definition of fo' shizzle my nizzle is. I guess now I know. Sort of.

Wired News: Shocking New Jacket Hits Street Well, it looks like any women who are afraid of being grabbed can pick up an ugly jacket to shock their attackers away for only $1000.

Need buttons for your own blog? You can steal these buttons.

Woodward's - The Future of Woodward's . . .
After the recent sidewalk protest by the folks concerned with and living in Vancouver's downtown East Side, the old Woodward's building has become a symbol of the plight of the drug addicted and homeless in that community. Tonight (Thursday, May 22 at 9:30 p.m.) at the corner of Hastings and Cambie streets the City of Vancouver will be relighting the huge red W at the top of the building as a symbol of hope for the future revitalization of that area. If nothing else it will add to the Vancouver skyline.

If you were to live on Mars and looke back at Earth. This is what you would see.

PORN PHYS v20 - h t t p : / / \ \ p o r n o l i z e . c o m \ \ A vast improvement over the old site. Try and pornolize http://blog.mikebrowne.com. Too much. Thanks to my old pal, Donnie Mac, for the link

ZDNet |UK| - News - Story - Hitachi multi-layer DVD holds 200 films
We have to figure out some storage options for our DVD's. I was reorganizing this weekend and am still not happy. This technology looks very promising though. Just when I think they can't cram more information into a space the geeks come up with a way that just blows everything else out of the water.

Yahoo! News - World Health Body Adopts Historic Anti-Smoking Pact
Thank God I quit five years ago. Looks like the pressure's going to be on now.

Religious Studies: How to Create a Golem From the Comfort of Home Not the one from Lord of the Rings, but from the Sefer Yetzirah, the Book of Creation. It is believed that the story, Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley was inspired by the the story of the golem.

CBC News: U.S. bans Canadian beef imports thanks to one case of Mad Cow Disease in Alberta. Not good for AB.

Here's not just mad cows but Cows with Guns to cheer up all those beef farmers. The panic will be over soon.

This was forwarded to me by my co-worker Rick P.:

(By no means do I endorse or prescribe to the views expressed below. I just thought it was worth sharing - MB)

The World Health Organisation today issued a new warning against non-essential travel to the entire Western hemisphere following renewed concerns about the spread of Severe Loss of Perspective Syndrome (SLOPS).

Officials are warning travellers not to visit the UK, the US, almost all of Western Europe, and Canada, following further outbreaks of the disease, which has led to mass panic among the media, thousands of ecstatic children being kept out of school by their credulous and moronic parents, and increased profits for DIY stores as the idiot public rush to bulk-buy face masks and boiler suits.

A WHO spokesman said, "You'd be much better off going to somewhere like Thailand or China, because all you've got to worry about there is SARS, and let's face it, you're about as likely to die from that as you are to get kicked to death by a gang of zombie nuns."

The SARS virus has now claimed a staggering 500 lives in only six months, which makes it considerably more deadly than, say, malaria, which only kills around 3000 people every single day. Malaria, however, mainly effects only darkies what speak foreign, whereas SARS has made at least one English person feel a bit iffy for a couple of days, and is therefore considered much more serious.

The spread of SLOPS has now reached pandemic proportions, with many high-level politicians seemingly affected by the disease. The rapid spread of SLOPS has been linked to the end of the war in Iraq and the need for Western leaders to give the public something to worry about. Otherwise, they might start asking uncomfortable questions about domestic issues, and that simply would not do.

Introducing the Turd Twister... the funniest gag gift in the world!

I know a few people who would actually use (and proudly so) this little gem. Ugh.

BBC NEWS | World | Middle East | Sesame Street breaks Iraqi POWs
It looks as if the US is interrogatin Iraqi soldiers with the use of tunes from Sesame Street and Metallica. Poor buggers are used to listening to Adhan (prayer call) and now they're being subjected to the Godless sounds of "C is for Cookie" and "Enter Sandman". The assault on the ears of these poor guys must be unbearable. "Allah be praised! make it stop! I'll tell you where to buy cheap shwarma!"

Computer geeks are going one step further now. They have taken to modifying there computer cases with neon lights, see-through panels and even water fountains. Check ot a large gallery of over 5000 case mods at Overclockers Australia PC Database.

Kat T sent me this link (right click and choose "save as") to a Quicktime movie of Belgian commercial that just about says it all. I just wanted to strangle that kid.

Peter Pan's Home Page! I know we've seen him before, but shee-it, he's still funny. Thanks to Kathleen T for the link. :)

Microsoft Reveals Bizarre Reason iLoo Scrapped Thanks to Blog regular, Jeice Guyver, for the clever spin on an already funny story!

COOL!

Those of you who know me are privy to my "dark side". One aspect of which is my fascination with serial killers and true crime. I have read literally hundreds of books on those subjects. I think I enjoy it because it scares the living bejeezus out of me. How on Earth do these people justify the heinous crimes they commit? How do they sleep at night after doing such hideous things to another human being? Living just minutes away from the pig farm where Willy Pickton (allegedly) murdered and disposed of 15+ women from Vancouver's downtown East Side has brought this kind of murder closer to home and stoked my interest even more. I bought the collection of DVD's you see at left today at lunch. I've seen these movies before and they are too scary to pass up. One of these monsters, Ted Bundy, committed many of his crimes in Washington state just below BC. Driving through WA and seeing signs for the various places made notorious for Bundy's actions gives me the creeps. The other two, the homosexual cannibal Jeffery Dahmer and Ed Gein, the inspiration for films like Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Silence of the Lambs are just as creepy. If I can find it, I'll be picking up Gacy the newly released bio-pic of John Wayne Gacy.

I know it's creepy, but I can't help myself.

Finally after three decades of reports, planning and debates the RAV Rapid Transit Project has been approved by the City of Vancouver. People were apparently quite vocally opposed to Translink's plan. I heard one gentleman saying his bedroom window faces Cambie and he wouldn't be able to sleep. I love democracy and all, but putting the kibosh on something that would make many lives easier because one dude can't sleep? Come on! That's just retarded. I'm all for it. It makes getting to the airport just that much easier.

Carol and I are going to see The Matrix: Reloaded this weekend. I've been waiting for this for a long time and hope it lives up to what I've been expecting. It's getting a whopping 77% fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes so it seems it may be worth seeing. Even Roger Ebert gave the flick 3 and a half stars and he's a tough guy to please. But watch out. The merchandizing has begun already. Samsung has already released this obvious marketing gimmick, 'The Matrix Phone'. I don't know. This kind of smacks of the Star Wars style hyper cash-grab to me. I hope the film doesn't get lost in a sea of greed.

I love to know whats happening moviewise before anyone else. Staying informed as to what's upcoming is fun. If you'd like to know what's what check out CHUD - Cinematic Happenings Under Development. As long as Hollywood is pumping it out I'll be lapping it up. I'm a sucker for a good flick.

We have it. "Travellers from far and wide rate Vancouver the best airport in North America."
Vancouver rates number 8 globally. I Love YVR. It's a great airport. Even little tiny Halifax International Airport is number 5 on the North American list. Not suprisingly, Toronto's Pearson International Airport is nowhere on the list. I hate that place.

Ghettopoly Board game "This game is da shiznit!"

A movie with a title like MONSTURD! has to be worth at least a rental.

Speaking of weird movies, Carol's co-worker RonK gave us Bad Boy Bubby to watch last night. It's apparently a cult classic filmed in RonK's homeland of Australia. He said the first half was dark but didn't really say how dark. It was disturbed, but I watched anyway. When it was over, I was glad we had seen it but wished I could wash some of those images out of my noodle.

As Carol and I were getting onto the train this morning there was a WCE employee handing out the pamphlet pictured at left to passengers. At first I laughed at the idea of Operation Lifesaver and immediately thought, "Oh look more spam from people who need to come up with various and sundry ways to spend the money they already get from us and justify raising our fares even more." But after a brief scan of the information (written in English and French) I found it to be extremely useful and informative. An interesting fact of note: 'Passenger/Commuter trains travel faster and are lighter than freight trains and although they may stop more quickly, it can take up to two kiliometres or 18 football fields to come to a complete stop.' Yikes! Racing the train to get to the crossing first isn't exactly a smart thing to do, but people do it. When working in security one night I saw the results of a freight train vs. Ford Tempo accident. What a mess. The woman, amazingly survived, even though we could see her brain through the split in her skull. Eek!! What a horrible sight. Apparently she was coming home from a late shift at aRichmond hotel and didn't notice the lights and bells at the railway crossing on Cambie and SMUCKO!

I can sum up the information in the pamphlets into two words, BE CAREFUL! You don't want the sneaky train to get you. Right, Carol?

Statistics on highway/railway crossing and trespassing incidents can be found at the Transportation Safety Board website. Other rail safety information can be found on the Transport Canada and Direction 2006 websites.

We're finally wireless at home. I know it's geeky, but I'm stoked about this. We bought a Linksys: WRT54G - Wireless-G Broadband Router and a Linksys: WPC54G - Wireless-G Notebook Adapter so we can be online with a true network rather than just the hub I set up before. This network rocks, especially the wireless part. This laptop can be online anywhere inside the house or even in the yard at 54 Mbps. The notebook adapter will also enable us to login to any public wireless network in places like airports, convention centres and even some coffee shops. We're truly connected now.

10 Pixels per meter There you go Tyler. Some more Star Wars ships to scale

I can think of a few folks who would do well to look into this product. For God's sake put a cork in that thing before you kill someone.

CNN.com - Study: Almost all big ocean fish gone - May. 14, 2003

More: CBC News - Big fish disappearing from oceans

As I grew up in an area reliant on the fishing industry for it's survival I have seen the result of this on the economy first hand. The Atlantic Cod fishery has now been permanently closed by the Canadian Federal Government due to an apparent lack of fish. I recall days just 25 short years ago when the fish were plentiful many folks around my hometown of Bridgewater, NS were flush with cash. When fresh off a National Sea factory trawler or cod boat all they could do was spend. The ripple effect from overfishing and the closure of the cod fishery has been devastating there. It's not the place it used to be.

Bridgewater is that the Michelin Tire plant is there to keep the economy going. As far as any other big business, there's not much there.

CBC News: Killer of 10-year-old 'must be nervous': police

CBC News: Missing Toronto girl found dead

2001 Canada Census: Some 20,000 Canadians worship at the altar of Yoda

CNN.com - Microsoft: Internet-ready toilet a hoax - May. 13, 2003 Of course it is. Too bad, I wanted to be able to login and log out at the same time.

Feeling a little blah this morning? Check out Mix and Max's - An Ordinary Day at Work. It might cheer you up a bit. You'll need a soundcard.

Check out ShootMyComputer.com. I wish I had thought of that prior to our throwing three computers away last month. However, heaving them from the back of the truck into a pit, watching them shatter and splinter, then throwing other heavy objects on top of them was an extrely cathartic experience.

Here's a video I'll be getting for sure. EEEEEK!

Like to gamble? Me neither. ;) How do you think the world is going to turn out? Check out Long Bets for an interesting look at what might come to pass.

BreakingNews.ie: Sizemore ordered to stay away from Heidi Fleiss Thanks to Carol for the link.

I have been reserving comment on the Canucks being ousted by the Minnesota Wild until I received something like the picture above. which, of course, Paul a bitter fan of the long golfing Leafs sent.

Yes, Cloutier did, in my opinion, lose that final game and methinks his time is done. That said, the Canucks did have a great season and will be back (hopefully with a more competent goaltender) in September. That final series was one for the books in many ways and I'm sure our boys will learn from it. Good luck next year!

When I was a kid I used to go grocery shopping with my mom. We often had conflict over what cereal to buy. She wanted me to have the boring stuff like Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies and Cheerios. She refused to buy me "junk cereal" which was basically just crunchy chemicals bathed in sugar. I understand now, but I was sure ticked off then. Mom was just being a good parent. And hey, it just so happens that today is Mothers Day! Happy MOM's DAY to all the moms out there

Here are some crazy cereal boxes

I love Lions Gate Films. They have taken on some of projects that no one else will even touch. According to this article Rob Zombie has been signed on to do a Sequel to his recent flick House of 1000 Corspes which is destined to become a cult classic with the likes of Evil Dead and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Another horror movie for me to be excited about!

Thanks to Lance for the link.

I'm at home, not feeling well today. In fact I just got out of bed. This article: Yahoo! News - Typing Monkeys Don't Write Shakespeare did cheer me up. I'm not surprised these monkeys didn't write Shakespeare. Also not surprising is the monkeys' fascination with defecating and urinating on the typewriter's keyboard. I know that's something that my baser self has considered from time to time. Don't worry I won't tell you if I do.

I installed The Sims™ on my laptop this morning. This thing is becoming cooler and cooler as the days go by. :)

The Iraqi Info Minister has a job again. He's giving out Error 404 details.

Thanks to Bill G. for the link.

Check out When I Was Little - The Baby Picture Project. It's interesting.

Yahoo! News - Microsoft Plans Toilets With Web Access

Thanks to Lance for the link.

Which Peanuts Character Are You Quiz

But felt more like Charlie Brown when I was younger.

Carol's Australian co-worker, RonK, is leaving his job to see the world. He'll be in Rarotonga, Capital island of the Cook Islands next month. Again, I'm a little green with envy.

Ever wondered what to expect food-wise on an upcoiming trip via airplane? Now you can find out at AirlineMeals.net. I posted this site on my old lunch site but it has since been updated and is worth another look.

Check out MPT: Knowing Poe. I've loved Edgar Allan Poe's writing ever since I was first introduced to his poem, The Raven, by my grade 9 English teacher. I wrote an essay on Poe, a tragic character in his own right, the first chance I had.

One of my favourite stories is Hop-Frog. I relate to it on many different levels.

U.S. says Canada cares too much about liberties Terrorism report also says too little spent on police.

Um, hello, we don't need more police. We're a relatively peaceful nation as it is. We want to keep it that way. I kind of like freedom of speech, religion, culture and movement. They're not just ideas here. Canada is a truly free country (even if our dollar does suck).

We can even say "fuck" on TV! The Osbournes and the Sopranos are not censored here. That's not even cable. So there...

Waxy.org: Daily Log: Star Wars Lightsaber Kid What a maroon!

Thanks to Matt S for the link.

Before you call your friends who know more about computers than you do to ask them what the hell WYSIWYG is check out WhatIs.com. It'll save your favourite geek from wanting to throttle you.

The boss lady, Pilar, and her hubby, Greg, just got back from Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. She said the weather was hot and sunny the whole time. It's easy to tell from the tan.

Following are some pictures of the fun they had (colour me green). Here's Pilar scuba diving:


Going diving ... Greg scuba ... Feeding the fish ...
The beach ... Sunrise ... The pool
Looks like a drag... NOT!

Fox Searchlight Pictures : 28 Days Later One to watch!

Tired of that lameassed version of Solitaire that comes installed with Windows? You should give Iraqi most wanted Solitaire by virtualsined.com a try. If you're a US soldier in Iraq the more you play the more familiar you'll be with the "bad guys" you're hunting for.

Ex-Wrestling Star 'Miss Elizabeth' Dies (washingtonpost.com) What was she doing with Luger?

Thanks to Carol for the link.

Yahoo! News - Colorado Climber Amputates His Arm I can't imagine what I would do in that kind of situation. Perhaps the same thing, but I'm not sure I coul find the courage to actually go through with lopping off my own arm.

Thanks to Lance for the link.

The Chinese are trying to protect themselves from SARS at every level. Can you say panic?

Thanks to Matt S for the picture.

Yahoo! News - Were Einstein, Newton Autistic? Could be, but I would say mildly if at all. I've worked with Autistic people and found most to have difficulty functioning. I can't picture any of the austistic people whom I've been in contact with doing anything close to what Newton or Einstein did.

I know it doesn't make for good karma, but it was too funny not to post.

Thanks to Rob G for the picture.

... but still too short to reach the cookies ... CBC News: Canadian dollar soars above 70 cents US

...and legal ... (for now).

Apple introduceed it's new 30 GB iPod just the other day to much fanfare. Well now Creative is releasing the NOMAD Jukebox Zen with 60 GB of storage for $100 (US) less than the iPod. That whoosh past the window just now was an Apple Exec leaping to his or her death.

The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Seventh Level of Hell!
Here is how you matched up against all the levels:

Level	Score
Purgatory (Repenting Believers)	Moderate
Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers)	Very Low
Level 2 (Lustful)	Very High
Level 3 (Gluttonous)	Very High
Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious)	Very High
Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy)	High
Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics)	Very Low
Level 7 (Violent)	Extreme
Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers)	Very High
Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous)	Moderate

Take the Dante's Inferno Hell Test